ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 7th 2008

Radiohead Supports Tibet At Opening Concert Of World Tour

Filed under: campaigns, events, green and famous, music, politics — parrish @ 12:09 pm

I think it’s safe to say that Radiohead isn’t afraid of making a little noise.  That is, of course, with their music, but also with their political and environmental agenda too. Ecorazzi has reported on numerous occasions about Radiohead’s constant role in environmental change, and now it looks like the guys are speaking up once again.

On Monday, Radiohead kicked off their world tour by decorating the the Cruzan Amphitheater stage in Florida with Tibetan flags to show their support for the people of Tibet. This comes shortly after Ecorazzi got a surge of comments when we wrote a post detailing Richard Gere’s suggestion that America should protest against China by boycotting the Olympic Games in Beijing.

If you think Tibet is groovy visit FreeTibet.org and learn more!

May 6th 2008

Nigel Barker And Friends Raise Money For Haiti During Birthday Celebration

Filed under: animals, campaigns, events, events: nyc, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 12:28 pm

If you’ve watched even one episode of America’s Next Top Model then you most certainly know “noted fashion photographer” Nigel Barker. But what you probably don’t know is that Nigel is involved with about about a bazillion great charities that span across the board, and most recently helped try to stop the brutal seal hunt in Canada.

Nigel recently held is 36th birthday in NYC — which was attended by friends and family, including some peeps from the HSUS, The Make A Wish Foundation, The Edeyo Foundation and other great organizations — and used the opportunity to help raise a little cash for the people of Haiti.

On Nigel’s blog he says:

As many of you know many in Haiti have been reduced to eating patties made of mud, oil and sugar to curb hunger pains brought on by surging food prices. I have a trip planned to Haiti with the Charity Edeyo where we plan to bring food and document in the form of photos and film the travesty that is unfolding 45 minutes flight off the US shores. Friends of mine donated over $1000.00 the night of my birthday for the people of Haiti. If you too would like to do something to help please go to Edeyo.org and make a donation.

So by all means, get thee to Edeyo.org and give a little dough. Also, don’t forget to check out Nigel’s blog!

May 6th 2008

Pamela Anderson Holds Yard Sale For PETA

Filed under: animals, events, events: la, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 11:40 am

I know, I know — more Pamela Anderson news. But what can we say, this chick keeps doing awesome things!

This weekend Pamela Anderson held a “garage sale” to clear out some unwanted items from her rented Malibu home.  Among the products sold were broken light bulbs, a hot pink butt blaster exercise machine, various children’s toys and oh yeah…HER LINGERIE!!!! Pam also parted with a new golf car, several chocolate fondue fountains (cause who needs more than 2) and a flat screen TV. 

All of the proceeds from the event went to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — an organization that Pam has supported for years.  And proceeds, there were plenty! Fans of the former Baywatch star waited hours to purchase some of her left over crap, and one potential buyer said,  “I just wanted to see how rich people live.”

So yeah, maybe I think it’s a little crazy that people would buy another person’s broken light bulbs, but raising money is raising money and this little lady sure knows how to do it!  Go Pam!

thanks: femalefirst.co.uk

May 5th 2008

Naomi Campbell Honored For Renewable Energy Activism? Are You Kidding Me?

Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria.

Filed under: campaigns, events: nyc, honors — michael @ 1:23 pm

As most are aware, Naomi Campbell is a British supermodel with a penchant for cell-phone throwing and physical violence; most recently resulting in her being banned for life from British Airways. But did you also know that Campbell is passionately involved in renewable energy initiatives? So much so, that she was recently honored for her activism? We didn’t either — and because we cover this crazy world 24/7 — we’re shoveling through this massive pile of BS to figure out what in the world actually went down last week to result in such delirium.

Apparently, a fresh new organization that’s literally nowhere to be found online beyond their website, organized the gala at the United Nations last Friday. Called the International Renewable Energy Organization (IREO), their Diamond Awards for Renewable Energy event was meant as an introduction to the new org and an opportunity to honor those making strides in alternative energy.

Leonardo DiCaprio was listed as an attendee on the invite, but apparently he caught wind of the shady intentions of the honors and jumped ship. Other celebrities like Heidi Klum and Patrick Dempsey did manage to show, but we’re not sure exactly why. Joining Campbell in the honors was Petra N?mcová - but at least this is one famous fashion model that has actually helped address the issue of renewables.

The only thing we can remember Campbell doing is picking up trash as part of her community service (for assaulting an assistant), making plans to develop a casino and hotel on a coastal sanctuary for turtles in Kenya, and wearing animal fur and skins for nearly every photo opportunity. What a brilliant choice!

We wish IREO all the luck — they seem to hold promise as an organization with great intentions (even if they’re advisory board is still “Under Construction”) — but we sincerely hope they do a bit more homework before blindly throwing awards at people less than deserving. Better luck next year.

thefilmpanelnotetaker via innercity press

May 5th 2008

Reese Witherspoon Rocks The Avon Walk For Breast Cancer

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events, events: DC — parrish @ 11:42 am

Last October Ecorazzi announced that Reese Witherspoon had been named the first ever global ambassador and honorary chair of the Avon Foundation – a group dedicated to improving the lives of women through focusing on vital issues like breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency relief.

Since her appointment, Reese has worked with Avon to stop domestic violence, and this past weekend she showed her charitable side again as a special guest at the sixth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C.

Reese spent the weekend in D.C cheering on the walkers and spoke at the closing ceremony.  She said, “I am very excited to be partnering with the Avon Foundation and to help them continue to affect real change, I feel a great responsibility in my own life to give back to society. As the Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation, one of my first experiences last year was to meet Avon Walk walkers at a training walk in Los Angeles. Now I am proud to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in Washington, D.C. and hope my presence can in some measure express my deep appreciation for all the women and men who participate in the Avon Walks, and for all of the people who dedicate their lives to breast cancer research and care.”

The walk had 3,500 participants and raised $8.1 million for local, regional and national breast cancer organizations. GOOD JOB YA’LL!! So a big thanks to Reese Witherspoon, the Avon Foundation and all the walkers for their hard work and generous donations.

To learn more, visit AvonCompany.com!

via: dailystab.com

May 2nd 2008

Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio Helps Raise Money For Share Our Strengths

Filed under: campaigns, events, food & drink, television — parrish @ 1:44 pm

I know it’s strange that I’m vegan and my very, very favorite show in the history of the world is Top Chef, but what are you gonna do? True, I squirm a little every time someone says veal demi glace or uses foie gras, but my love of cooking and the chefs creativity keeps me glued each and every week. In fact, (and I’m a little embarrassed to admit this) Top Chef is the only show in my 25 years of living that I’ve watched every single episode of for all four seasons. So you can imagine how starstruck I was when I heard that head judge Tom Colicchio took part in Taste of the Nation Atalanta to help raise money for Share Our Strengths.

Share Our Strengths is an organization that weaves together community groups, activists and food programs to reduce the hunger amongst children in need and provide them with nutritious meals.

The event was held at the Georgia Aquarium and featured gourmet food from 50 of Atlanta’s best restaurants. There was also a live auction that offered a top prize of dinner for 11 at the winner’s home. Rumor has it the bidding got so high that midway through the chefs changed the number from 11 to 14 and Ted Turner, honorary chairperson for the event, offered to match the top bid. By the end, the dinner ended up going for 17,000 dollars which went straight to Share Our Strengths.

Now I know that the evening was full of foods that many of us would consider “not very green”, and yeah, I wish the mainstream culinary world would recognize vegetarian cooking a little more, but the point is that a group of chefs donated their time to help raise money for a bunch of people who really need it. And we can’t forget that animal rights includes all animals…including humans. So comment if you will with threats of vegetarian treason, but like the contestants on Top Chef who stand by their dish, this guy stands by his post.

May 2nd 2008

Sting Holds Annual Benefit To Help Save The Rainforest

Filed under: campaigns, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, music, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 12:37 pm

I’ll tell you this: Sting loves him some rainforest. In fact, for almost two decades Sting has been an eco-champion for the environment, and will celebrate his 20 years with Some Kinda Legacy — a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall to raise money for the Rainforest Foundation.

The Rainforest Foundation was started in the late 80’s by Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler as an environmental crusade to protect the rainforest. However, like all longstanding organizations the foundation has grown and now Sting considers it, “a human rights organization more than anything else.”

In the last two decades the annual Rainforest Foundation benefits have raised 25.8 million dollars and this year they’re goal is to make at least 2 million dollars more. After the performance The Plaza Hotel will host a local and organic dinner along with a live auction to help take in even more dough.

The concert takes place on May 8th at 7pm and feature performances by Sting (duh), James Taylor, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, and many other legendary musicians. Tickets are $175 to $400 and you can purchase them at CarnegieHall.org. So get your seat and help save the rainforest yo!!

thanks: bloomberg.com

May 1st 2008

Go Green Expo Conquers The Big Apple With Eco-tastic Weekend

Filed under: ecorazzi exclusive, events: nyc, fashion, honors — melissa @ 4:48 pm

The New York City-based Go Green Expo had its Big Apple debut this past weekend at the Hilton New York. The green weekend kicked off with an inaugural awards gala which included a runway fashion show featuring eco-wear by Maggie Norris, a former designer for Ralph Lauren. Host Nigel Barker of America ’s Next Top Model auctioned several couture pieces – topping at $7,000 - benefiting Riverkeeper’s Amazon Conservation Association. Award recipients included Congressman Steve Israel, Captain Planet Foundation’s Laura Turner Seydel, Live Earth Founder Kevin Wall and NYT best-selling author David Bach for their individual contributions to the green movement this year. Celebs in attendance included the always-stunning actress Sissy Spacek, model Lauren Bush, Playboy model Lindsey Vuolo and TV personality Pat Mitchell.

The weekend continued with a three-floor, green-living and sustainability event including vendor booths, panels and film screenings. Goodies ranged from bamboo-clothing by Carole Wang to green printers, ride-share companies, bags, jewelry, cosmetics, to organic foods and beverages like Sobe. Many of the products featured boasted free-trade production.

One of the most notable extra-curriculars was the Fields of Fuel, film screening chronicling Josh Tickell’s U.S. road-trip in a “Veggie-Van” fueled by vegetable oil from fast-food eateries. He also breaks down green energy and major myths and misconceptions. Who knew (aside from Josh) that Rudolf Diesel, who created the first diesel engine, had designed it to run on vegetable oil, not petroleum?! To call this film eye-opening would be a great understatement. Despite its current grass-roots marketing effort I would confidently put all bets on this powerful, film as a shoe-in for the next Best Documentary Oscar. “Fields of Fuel” already won the Audience Choice Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The inspirational Josh Tickell took park in Q&A with expo-goers and has been working on this film for almost 10 years and has loved inspiring others. Check out a clip of the movie here or visit the official site at http://www.fieldsoffuel.com/.

For pictures from the fashion show and the gala, please click more below to view Ecorazzi’s gallery!

Read the rest of this entry »

April 30th 2008

Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, Holds Easter Bonnet Competition

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events, events: nyc, honors — parrish @ 10:36 am

Here in New York we have this little thing called Broadway. You might have heard of it - big shows, big voices, big budgets, and well — luckily — also big hearts.

The Broadway community came out this week for the annual Easter Bonnet Competition to raise money for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. Basically how the event works is that companies from various Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring productions offer skits, songs and/or dances as well as a bonnet created specially for the competition with all the proceeds going to BCEFA. I wasn’t able to make it out this year, but some friends of mine attended and said it was super great!

As always, the event was star-packed with famous faces like Megan Mullaly, Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, David Hyde Pearce and the dude with the biggest (and arguably craziest) fans I’ve ever seen, Clay Aiken.

Oh and the best part: this year those illustrious Broadway Belters earned a whopping 3.7 million dollars all for charity! Oh me oh my!

If you missed the event but still want to give a little pocket change, visit the Broadway Cares website and anti-up!

photo credit:Aubrey Reuben

April 29th 2008

Sean Penn Supports Youth Volunteer Mission To New Orleans

Filed under: campaigns, events, green and famous — parrish @ 11:31 am

On Monday, actor/director/political activist Sean Penn met several dozen young volunteers in Indio, California and put them on three biodiesel buses headed for New Orleans to help residents still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

But it isn’t just New Orleans that’s reaping the benefits of what Penn dubs “the Dirty Hands Caravan.” The group also plans to stop in Tucson, Ariz. to help the Humane Borders group build water stations on and near the Mexico-Arizona border. They also plan to make good-will pit stops in Las Cruces, Austin, Houston and Morgan before finally arriving in New Orleans.

Penn is famous for his outspoken stance on many issues, including global warming awareness, AIDS research and the anti-Iraq war movement, and said that he wants the young people “to find out whatever they care about.”  You might have already guessed, but Penn is footing the bill for the entire trip including insurance, marketing and all other costs that might accrue — which is estimated to total $150,000. WOW!!!

For me, the very best part of writing for Ecorazzi is being able to report stories like these. With all the crap out there about the frivilous lifestyles of the rich and famous it’s so refreshing to hear about these kind of generous deeds. Rock on Sean Pean…rock on!!

thanks:mydesert.com