ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 8th 2008

Cheadle’s Darfur Now Doc To Benefit Solar Cooker Charity, Get Green Packaging

Filed under: campaigns, film-tv, movies — michael @ 11:49 am

Warner Home Video is continuing their charitable and environmental efforts by releasing Don Cheadle’s Darfur Now documentary with a few beneficial bells and whistles. The film, which follows six individuals who traverse the globe with actor Don Cheadle to build support for the victims of the war (as well as appearances by Hillary Rodham Clinton, George Clooney, and Arnold Schwarzenegger) — will come packaged in a environmentally-friendly manner — most likely similar to how The 11th Hour was released this year. The entire product will also be produced with 100% renewable energies.

Instead of Global Green being supported — as was the case for DiCaprio’s doc — this release will benefit the Solar Cooker Project for the protection and empowerment of women in war-ravaged Sudan. It will also be offered at a steeply reduced price of only $4.99. If you’re interested in picking up a copy, jump here.

via The Hollywood Reporter

May 5th 2008

Tesla’s New Dealership Celebrates Opening With Celebrities, One Car

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 11:41 am

Last Thursday evening, Tesla Motors — makers of the all-electric Tesla Roadster — celebrated the opening of their first ever retail store in Santa Monica, California. Celebrities in attendance included Quincy Jones, Jenny McCarthy, Anna Getty and Jenna Elfman. Also roaming around with a camera, and no doubt thrilled to see such an event happening, was director of Who Killed The Electric Car?, Chris Paine.

So far, only 4 cars have managed to roll off the production line — so that means Pitt, Clooney, Damon, and Schwarzenegger will have to wait a bit longer for their electric fix. Automobile Mag has a bit more on the retail plans for the company,

“Located in Los Angeles, Tesla’s first dealer - actually a factory outlet - occupies 10,000 square feet along Santa Monica Boulevard.  Carrying a price tag of nearly $2 million, the store portrays an airy, industrial feel, thanks in part to concrete floors, visible ductwork, and colorful illumination. That appearance will expand as Tesla opens five stores across the country over the next year.  An outlet at its Menlo Park, Calif. headquarters should be open in the summer, while properties in New York, Miami, Seattle and Chicago could be functional by 2009.”

There’s some pretty crappy video over on Autobloggreen that almost looks like someone shot it with a cameraphone — but if you’re the tiniest bit interested in seeing what went down the other nigh, jump here to have a look.

May 2nd 2008

Arnold Schwarzenegger Jet Commute Update!!

Filed under: not green, politics, travel — parrish @ 3:30 pm

Remember a couple months ago when Ecorazzi told you about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daily 380 mile jet commute to and from work? We took a poll and 77 percent of our readers said that Arnold needed to start walking the walk and give up the damn jet already. Well now it looks like he might just have no choice.

Santa Monica – the city Arnold flies into each day – is fighting to eliminate the landing of all jets in their small, local airport that was originally designed for propeller plains only. The ban would apply to jets that land at speeds of 120 knots (138 miles an hour) or faster which city leaders fear aren’t safe for some residents that live nearly 300 feet away. The FAA disagrees saying, “The airport’s 5,000-foot runway is safe and there’s never been a jet accident.”

This isn’t the first time the city of Santa Monica and the FAA have fought over the aiport and Santa Monica might even have plans to shut down the airport down entirely in 2015 when their contract with the FAA expires.  

True, if the ban passes Arnold would probably just take a helicopter to work instead of relocating or finding a more eco sensitive means of transportation, but at least jet traffic would decrease overall.  The judge is set to rule on May 15th, so stay close! We’ll bring you more information as we learn it!

thanks: bloomberg.com