Our tipster said the money from Gore or whoever didn’t come through, and that Plenty editor and publisher Mark Spellun on Monday sacked everyone save for a skeleton crew of four or five people who will keep the website going.

Sad to see Plenty go — but we’re heartened to hear that some form of it will continue online. Anyone else in the magazine world feeling the hurt?

Now we know why.

Apparently, it’s not Gore that’s buying into Plenty (though he was featured on this month’s cover) but his partner and associate in the organization Live Earth, Kevin Wall. “He is looking into a few different opportunities with Plenty,” confirmed a spokeswoman for Wall speaking to Wired. “He’s not in a position to be speaking about what those are just yet.”

OK, so we know there’s some level of involvement. Besides Live Earth, Wall is the CEO of Control Room, which produces and distributes live music performances over the internet and mobile devices. He’s also the founder of Sustainable Holdings — which uses a data driven methodology to effectively capture the sustainability practices of major corporations. Should be interesting to see how all of this factors into his participation with Plenty. Stay tuned to hear how the pieces fall.

“Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who participated in the press announcement live via satellite, said India should lead the world by committing to produce all of its new energy in the electricity sector from clean and renewable sources within the next 10 years. Beneficiaries of Live Earth India include TERI’s Light A Billion Lives campaign and Climate Project India, which are dedicated to promoting awareness and finding solutions to current climate situations while alleviating poverty.

Joining Gore for the announcement was Wall, Indian environmental leader Dr. R. K. Pachauri, actor and Live Earth India spokesperson Amitabh Bachchan, and Jon Bon Jovi, lead singer of Live Earth India western headliner Bon Jovi. The concert bash — taking place at Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai — will feature “world-renowned musicians and performers, environmental advocates and celebrities from India, the U.S. and all over the globe.”

“India will be among the leading powers of the global economy in the coming decades,” said Gore. “As a democracy that is looked up to by many nations, especially for its commitment to inclusive growth for its diverse peoples, India has a major role to play in leadership by example for the climate crisis and sustainable development. Kevin and I are honored to bring Live Earth to India.”

At the gala celebration for the Go Green Expo last night, Live Earth founder Kevin Wall let drop that the organization is finalizing plans to hold simultaneous concerts on college campuses around the U.S. on October 5th. Mirroring similar sentiments around the green community, Wall expressed disappointment that environmental issues were not more present in the various presidential debates and interviews over the past year. As a result, the organization has decided to thrust the issue once more into the spotlight by getting people to “rock the green vote”.

Prior to the event, Live Earth will invite the Democratic and Republican nominee to clarify their positions on such issues as climate change, renewable energy, and other green issues. As it’s still early, we have no information on what bands will be participating — or even the campuses participating. Kevin Wall did answer one question, however. Will Al Gore be back? “Absolutely,” he responded

Tara Reid turns green? No, it’s not a drunken outtake from Taradaise. Rather, the celeb came out last night in Venice with a bevy of other environmental advocates including Mindy Kaling, Vanessa Carlton, Steven Bing, Fischer Stevens, Jennifer Coolidge, and Kevin Wall to celebrate Live Earth and the unveiling of the new smart fortwo car.

The evening’s highlight was a three-song set by Vanessa Carlton. “I try to be very green,” Carlton told me prior to taking the stage. “I don’t drive, I take the subway…I use 7th generation products and do events like these to raise awareness.” Cartlon’s performance was part of Live Earth’s mission to use the power of music to combat climate change.

Hot topics? The new car of course, which is being touted as the most-fuel efficient non-hybrid in the United States. Driving to the event in my beloved black Prius, I’m hard-pressed to toss my battery just yet. But the folks at smart are insistent that these cars get more consistently efficient gas mileage overall, come from one of the most-eco sound factories, and happen to fit in my purse. Well, small parking spaces at least.

So have any celebs gone smart? Kevin Wall was driven to the event in a smart Mercedes (while he spilled the beans about his brigade of hybrid cars and new solar panels in his home, he wouldn’t divulge what Live Earth has in store for us next…yet). Office star Mindy Kaling drives a Mini Cooper, but is intrigued, along with her boyfriend, a blogger for nerve.com, by the smart. Fischer Stevens of Lost loves his Lexus Hybrid.

Stevens also mentioned that he’s in the process of developing a pilot for NBC about five people and their quest to start an environmental web site that proves more difficult than they thought. “Maybe I’ll use you guys,” he quipped. I didn’t mention consulting fees, but he knows where to find me.

Guests left with a copy of the Global Warming Survival Guide and the Live Earth CD: I listened to Damien Rice and David Grey on the way back to West Hollywood, debating a burning question—what does Tara Reid do help our planet? “I eat organic food,” all eighty-something pounds of her told reporters.

Baby steps, folks.

For additional photos from the event, please click on below!

Wall intends to build upon his influence in orchestrating every government of the world to come together, negotiate and ratify a treaty for environmental change by 2010. Go get ‘em, Kevin!

In the meantime, a Live Earth DVD and a Live Earth CD will be available for sale in two weeks worldwide. The DVD has three parts: onstage performances, a behind-the-scenes documentary of creating and greening the show, and a collection of 20 short films that were made for the event. The CD/DVD package will feature Linkin Park, Metallica, Madonna, Smashing Pumpkins, The Police, Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Beastie Boys, Keith Urban, Rihanna and many more. Sounds like the perfect ecorazzi holiday gift!