ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

April 17th 2008

The Green Picture: Martha Stewart’s Dog Gets A Natural Burial

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 11:54 am

Over on her blog, Martha Stewart paid her respects to a dearly departed family member — her 13-year-old Kublai Khan “Paw Paw Chow Chow Chow”. The whole thing is in pictures with captions and is incredible sad — but most people on the web are focusing on the picture above and labeling it as “creepy”.

Of course, I disagree — it’s a photo of the dogs saying goodbye to their friend — get over it. And it’s nice to see that Stewart didn’t purchase some elaborate hardwood coffin or other wasteful accessory to return Chow Chow to the earth. Makes you wonder why we dump so many chemicals, concrete, copper, cash, and other resources into our own funerals.

Personally, I plan on going the same way as Chow Chow. What’s the point of sitting in a watertight coffin surrounded further by concrete for all eternity? This is a much better way to get back to “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” than anything the funeral industry proposes.

Interested in natural burial? You can find out more details — and check out the natural cemetery I’m planning on one day chilling out in — here.

April 15th 2008

Richard Gere’s New Inn To Feature Geothermal, Recycled Materials

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 10:01 am

Actor Richard Gere is placing the final touches on a new restaurant/inn in Bedford, NY called the Bedford Post Inn. The 56-year-old purchased the property — which features several 18th century buildings — last year with a business partner. Spread over 14 acres, Gere’s new venture will feature a cafe/bakery, formal restaurant, multipurpose rooms for private parties, community events and yoga classes, stables for horse riding, and 8 suites for overnight guests.

Plans also include a geothermal HVAC system, recycled beams and materials, an on-site garden and a focus on locally produced food sourced from the area’s small farms. Gere can expect some celebrity clientèle from time to time as well — as Bedford is where Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren and Glenn Close all own homes.

Of course, Gere’s new project is not without its detractors. Most recently, neighbors complained about the ‘eyesore’ parking lot for the restaurant — prompting Gere to erect a an 18 foot long, five foot high cedar fence. Now, people claim the fence is spoiling their view — and the town zoning committee has declared that it must be torn down because it violates height limits. Unfazed, the partners are planning to comply, with Gere’s business partner Russell Hernandez saying, “If they say you have to have a four-foot fence, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Look for the Inn to open this summer. The bakery/cafe is open now.

source via starpulse

December 10th 2007

Obama and Oprah: Oprahpalooza 2007 Kicks Off

Filed under: politics — paige @ 9:49 am

As Oprahpalooza kicked off in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire over the weekend, it is clear that when it comes to celebrity endorsements, Obama is the man. A flood of support continues to pour in from a range of celebrities including George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Stephen Colbert, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and oh, Dreamworks (because that is what you get with the three most powerful men in Hollywood - Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen).

Other candidates have their ringers as well. Senator Hillary Clinton has recent endorsements and support from Barbara Streisand, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart and Tom Hanks. And of course, her husband former President Clinton. I mean who doesn’t want to see Bill back in the White House, especially with all of his recent socially global and climate driven initiatives. Regardless, the campaign is truly heating up and while at the end of the day it is about electing a leader based on the issues and leadership capabilities, there is no denying the magic of the “O” factor and Obama earns big strategic points on that one!

Check out the latest celebrity endorsements on The Huffington Post Fundrace 2008.