It’s a little greener in New York City today, thanks to the combined efforts of Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project and rapper 50 Cent’s G Unity Foundation. The celebs teamed up to restore a community garden in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. The newly dedicated Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden’s restoration is the vision of acclaimed landscape architect and designer Walter Hood. It was generously funded by 50 Cent.

“He stepped up to the plate to fund this project,” said Bette Midler, “And when it ended up costing $100,00 more than we anticipated, he didn’t bat an eyelid. He wrote the check!”

A native of the community, 50 Cent wanted to helped revamp the garden as part of his personal efforts to give back to the neighborhood in which he was raised. The opening celebration of the garden featured children from Myrtle P Jarmon Day Care Center who use it as a part of their curriculum. Council members, teachers and members of the community were there to mark the occasion with a Halloween themed party.

“It’s nice to be able to give back to this next generation of kids,” said 50 Cent. “This is the first of many projects I’m going to do in this community.”

The producers of the new documentary Rap Therapy, a film about using hip-hop as a tool to steer teens away from violence, have challenged Eminem and Kid Rock to a freestyle rap battle. The winner gets to donate $1 million to the charity of his choice.

Other celebrities featured in the documentary include 50 Cent, Diddy, Anne Hathaway, Fergie, and Tom Cruise.

Between womanizing, violent lyrics and fur-wearing sickness, I have to say that I’m not very attracted to this bit of news. But perhaps some good will come from these two kings of controversy facing off for charity.

via Starpulse

Yes, yes, in the past we’ve Simon props for his goodwill, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s any kind of green hero. In fact, whatcar.com recently made a top ten list of the biggest celebrity polluters and Mr. American Idol himself ranked numero uno on el listo. 

So now for your viewing pleasure…THE TOP 10 CELEBRITY SMOG PEDDLERS!!! Drum roll please!

1. Simon Cowell
Average carbon emissions 457g/km
Cars owned Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari F430, Rolls-Royce Phantom

2. Jay Kay
Average carbon emissions 444g/km
Cars owned Bentley S1 Continental, Ferrari Enzo, Rolls-Royce Phantom

3. David Beckham
Average carbon emissions 421g/km
Cars owned Bentley Arnage, Bentley Continental GT, Hummer H2, Lamborghini Gallardo

4. Rowan Atkinson
Average carbon emissions 398 g/km
Cars owned Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, Audi A8, Bugatti Veyron

5. 50 Cent
Average carbon emissions 394.5g/km
Cars owned Hummer H2, Rolls-Royce Phantom

And that’s just the first five. If you want to see the rest then carpool on over to whatcar.com and prepare to scoff!

photocredit: splashnews.com