ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 8th 2009

Green Celebrities On Twitter: Mraz, Frye, Begley, Branson, Moby

Filed under: web — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:10 pm

We love Twitter — not just because we get to communicate with people in 140 characters or less (Soon, everyone will speak this way too) but because it also gives us yet another insight into what some of our favorite green celebrities are up to. Of course, as some will point out, knowing exactly when someone is about to order a latte isn’t exactly riveting stuff, but for those that are already enjoying the Twitterverse, let us point you towards these five green celebrities we’re enjoying tweeting with.

Click here to continue reading our list of five green celebrity twitterers…

May 1st 2009

Truth Movement And Ed Begley Jr. Come Out For Green Is The Colour Event

Filed under: events, events: la, green and famous, music — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 9:25 am

[Editor Note: This post was written by Ecorazzi 's new correspondent Jacqui Polk]

For my very first Ecorazzi assignment, I had the chance go to the Green is the Colour event at the Key Club in L.A, featuring Corey Feldman’s band Truth Movement.

Before the performances began we were treated to a short preview of Fuel – an awesome new documentary about America’s addiction to oil. Check out the trailer on their site and learn the top ten things you can do right now to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Also at the event was Ed Begley Jr., who’s been green since 1970!!!! He stressed to the audience that being green IS cost effective in the long run and we can all do so much if we change just one thing! He then helped lead an auction which featured items like a Fender Guitar signed by Corey Feldman and his entire band! Of course all of the proceeds from the bidding went to Global Green.

Truth Movement finally hit the stage and they pulled out all the stops. Just picture Corey Feldman rockin’ out in with a bunch of backup singers, projections on a screen above, a fog machine, and an insanely talented band. So fun!

Its always fantastic to see people coming out to support a greener lifestyle. And this event surely did not disappoint.

April 20th 2009

Razzi Snap: Price Is Right Goes Green, Ed Begley Jr. To Come On Down

Filed under: donations, film-tv, green and famous, television — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 2:51 pm

This Wednesday, Ed Begley Jr. will be appearing with host Drew Carrey on a green-themed edition of The Price Is Right. The actor/activist will introduce a showcase that includes an electric bike, golf cart and Toyota Prius hybrid car. The program will also feature environmentally friendly products including cell phones made of recycled materials, solar charging equipment and a recycling cabinet. My only hope is that these products turned out to be reasonably priced — otherwise the stigma that going green is too expensive will be reinforced through showcases only a celebrity could afford.

Keanu Reeves won the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in a tricked-out Scion tC — netting $5K to his charity of choice and another $5K from Toyota to “Racing for Kids“. Additionally, a $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the annual “PEOPLE Pole Award” sponsored by PEOPLE magazine. The winner, Danny Way, selected the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) as his charity, to support ASEC’s mission of progressive eco-education and empowering people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. [Read more]

You know that meet n’ greet with Leonardo DiCaprio Global Green is auctioning off? With only 2 days left, bidding is still at a reasonable-if-you’ve-got-money-to-burn $3,000. The kids’ college education can wait. [Read more]

April 3rd 2009

Ed Begley Jr. And Bill Nye The Science Guy Live Talk May End In Fiery Disaster

Filed under: green and famous — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 2:21 pm

For the first time ever, Bill Nye (The Science Guy) and Ed Begley Jr. will both share a stage this Saturday for a talk during the 2009 PSEG Greenfest Expo. What’s sure to be a cage match is wisely the last keynote talk of the day; presumably to give paramedics and Hazmat officials a chance to remove bodies and clean up any toxic debris.

As we’ve mentioned in the past, Begley and Nye have engaged in a “friendly” war of the words over who has the greener lifestyle; with both sides upping the ante each year. Nye moved into Begley’s neighbordhood a few years ago and has been installing high-tech green gizmos galore; with Begley keeping a close watch on his progress. “Without Ed down the street pushing all of us to live a more environmentally-responsible lifestyle, I wouldn’t be so motivated to crush him like a bug,” said Nye in a 2007 interview.

We have no idea what the subject of the talk will be, but we imagine that it will go from a benign slideshow on personal renewable energy to a shouting match and then finally to Nye whipping out a giant homemade volcano filled with volatile baking soda and Begley rolling out a bank of unstable hydrogen fuel cells filled with C4. Boom.

It’s going to be awesome. And I totally want to be there.

April 1st 2009

The Green Quote: Ed Begley Jr. Really Sick Of Biking Everywhere

Filed under: cars-houses, travel — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 9:10 am

“Promoting sustainability through biking has really backfired on me. I’m almost 60, my knees are shot, and my sense of balance is not like it used to be. Unfortunately, every (beep-ing) person out there expects me to bike around — rain or shine. I can’t even drive around in a (beep-ing) electric car without some kid getting a frown on his or her face. I usually drive home and get out the (beep-ing) bike and ride by them again just to make sure I haven’t crushed their (beep-ing) green image of me. Al Gore has it (beep-ing) made compared to the (beep-ing) expectations I’ve got to live up to.”

– Ed Begley Jr. in a recent interview discussing the hardships of being a green role model.

It’s worth noting that today is April 1st.

March 30th 2009

Razzi Snap: Kevin Dillon Checks Out Some Electric Wheels

Filed under: cars-houses, events: nyc, food & drink, transport — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 3:08 pm

Entourage star Kevin Dillon was recently spotted by the gang over at INeedMyFix.com checking out some electric bikes in Malibu. Nice basket. I want one. [Check out pics here...]

Rumor has it that Stella McCartney and Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav will be honored at the National Resources Defense Council’s benefit tonight in NYC. Hosting the bash? None other than Leo DiCaprio, Graydon and Anna Carter, and Lorne and Alice Michaels. Sounds like a party. [Read more...]

Ed Begley Jr. has revealed why he became a vegetarian many decades ago saying, “It was part of the whole environmental choice. It was a 1970 choice to be green, to eat lower on the food chain. I had heard it was better for the environment. It took less water, less land, less energy to grow 1 pound of broccoli than a pound of beef. So, for that reason, and in a humane world, the kinds of things that go on in slaughterhouses. It’s not like the old days of raising cows out in a pasture and I’m sorry Bessie but you’ve got to die so we can live. It’s not like that anymore. It’s very bad conditions in these factory farms. The hogs, chickens, cows and I don’t want to be a part of that. But for my own health, I thought it was better to eat a plant based diet. I’m going to be 60 soon and I have boundless energy and I feel really good so I’m all for it.” [Read more...]

March 16th 2009

Ed Begley Solar Car Almost Destroyed By Ed Begley Solar Train

Filed under: 'toons, film-tv, television — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 11:14 am

On The Simpsons last night, a rare solar eclipse almost caused the demise of Ed Begley Jr.

The environmental activist/actor is shown driving his “Ed Begley Solar Car” when the eclipse hits — only to have it run out of juice on some train tracks. Thankfully, the train is solar-powered and stops just before killing out green hero. Check out the clip below:

March 12th 2009

Razzi Snap: Ed Begley Jr. To Appear On The Simpsons In Electric Car

Filed under: 'toons, buildings and construction, cars-houses, donations, film-tv, television — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 12:23 pm

The reigning champ of Hollywood green, Ed Begley Jr., will make an appearance (again) on The Simpsons this Sunday. According to his rep, Ed will be driving an electric car in the episode — though we’re not sure yet whether he’ll be mocked or praised for the choice of vehicle. Hopefully, it’s a Tesla — or they Chevy Volt that is actually a Transformer. And it blows things up.

Julia Roberts is continuning the interview circuit for her new film with Clive Owen, Duplicity, and along the way we’re learning a bit more about her new green home in Malibu. “We use a lot of solar power,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It’s not a 100-percent green house but I’d say that all the materials that were in the house before went to Habitat for Humanity.” Nice way to recycle! [Read more...]

A walk-on role in the new Steve Carell/Tina Fey flick, Date Night, brought in a reported $14,000 for charity. The online charity auction site CharityFolks.com hosted the fundraiser, with money raised going towards the community focused organizations DreamYard and The Urban Ecology Institute. Who wouldn’t want to meet Liz Lemon or Michael Scott?

The Sundance Channel will premiere season two of Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno shorts online starting April 1st. Expect even more bizarre costumes and reenactments of the sex lives of various creatures. Other Web titles include Yung Yeti, a series of green-themed animated shorts by Cole Gerst; H2.0, an alternative, artistic look at the importance of water; and EcoHeros, which features interviews with inspirational people within the eco-friendly movement.

January 22nd 2009

Go Green Expo Set To Rock Los Angeles This Weekend

Filed under: events: la — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 12:01 pm

With last year’s Go Green Expo in New York City a huge success, organizers decided to turn their eyes towards Los Angeles and give the west coast a chance to bask in a greener glow of products, companies, and special guest speakers. The fruits of their labor will be on display this weekend as the 2009 Go Green Expo opens from January 23-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Over 250 booths featuring eco-minded exhibitors will be on hand — as well as great discussions and talks from people like Mariel Hemingway, Ed Begley Jr., Peter Fonda, New York Times Bestselling Authors Julie Edelman and Bryan Au, Josh Dorfman and others. There will also be a special screening of the Sundance Award winning movie FUEL along with a provocative discussion with the movies’ director Josh Tickell and some of the Expo attending celebrities.

“We are elated to have so many speakers, panels, nonprofit organization and businesses under one roof to share sustainability best practices and help educate the public,” says Bradford Rand, President and CEO of Go Green Expo. “What seems to be a great reflection of the growing green economy even in these tough economic times, we are pleased to see the LA show booth space is entirely sold out.”

Interested in attending? Check out the official web for more information!

January 7th 2009

Jay Leno Shows Off A New Vertical Axis Maglev Wind Turbine

This guy always gets all the cool, new toys!

Filed under: green and famous, products — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:12 pm

Jay Leno — always a strong advocate for renenwable technologies — has released a new video showing off a new vertical-axis magnetic levitation wind turbine from Enviro-Energies. The specific turbine being shown in this clip is actually headed for Ed Begley Jr’s home — but Leno is quick to point out that his own maglev turbine will be bigger and more powerful.

The technology itself is very cool — with little resistance needed to turn the turbine and produce energy. Even better, these types of “personal wind turbines” can be mounted on the roofs of homes and are whisper quiet, as well as safe for birds. Check out the clip below: