–Academy Award-winning Actress Penelope Cruz in a new interview with the UK Times. She is also a big fan of riding Vespa scooters.

Photo credit: PR Photos

For the third year in a row, Ecorazzi will descend upon the red carpet for the 6th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party this coming Thursday. The event, as usual, will be a celebrity magnet — drawing such famous names as Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei, Kate Bosworth, Rosario Dawson, and others. Slated to perform are Sheryl Crow, Gavin Rossdale and BlackCowboy. This year’s bash will benefit “Green Schools” — with an emphasis on improving student health and performance, saving money, creating green jobs, and advancing smart climate solutions. Last year the nonprofit received more than $420,000 for its initiatives, such as the high-profile “Rebuilding New Orleans” green-building project.

Global Green USA President Matt Petersen recently told the site GreenRightNow that the organization “started doing this before An Inconvenient Truth came out. And we’ve worked hard to tie our efforts to real substantive projects and advocacy initiatives to change policy. The combination of substance along with reaching out to pop culture has its appeal – certainly in this town. People realize they have an obligation as people in the public eye to shine a light on the issues.”

Interested in attending? General admission starts at $125 and soars to $2,500 for patron level. Jump here to get more ticket information and details.

Photo: 2007 Pre-Oscar Party: Matt Petersen, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Penelope Cruz, Sebastian Copeland | Credit: Globla Green USA

Al Gore is in the Netherlands all this week delivering his Inconvenient Truth slide show at a bunch of gigs. According to ABG, he’s also been shuttled around in in the latest in green luxury travel from Audi — the Audi A6 TDIe. The car (which for this occassion is using diesel fuel produced from natural gas) get an average of 44mpg. [Read more...]

Penelope Cruz has come under a steady stream of attacks from animal-rights activists after agreeing to star in the movie Manolete — a Spanish film about a legendary matador who was gored to death in a bullring at the peak of his fame. Cruz insists, however, that she was simply attracted to the powerful story and does not support the cruel sport in any way. “This is a film about a love story,” said Producer Andres Vicente Gomez. “There is no blood shown. There is one scene involving a bullfight but it does not show the animal suffering. In no way did bulls suffer for this film.” [Read more...]

Rachel McAdams has been busy making some eco-improvements to her new home in Toronto. She recently told People, “I live in an old house and I’m trying to do green remodeling. It’s been keeping me busy.” And you won’t see her making trips to Home Depot in a gas guzzling SUV. “I don’t own a car,” she told USA Today. “In Toronto, my bike is my car.” [Read more...]

While the warm-up act that generally is considered the Golden Globes never showed, we’re all waiting with sick anticipation for the 2008 Academy Awards. Regardless of how the writers’ strike impacts things, there for sure will be plenty of alternative parties to enjoy. First and foremost on our radar is the 5th Annual Global Green USA Pre-Oscar Party.

As with previous years, the event promotes “smart solutions to global warming”. Proceeds raised go towards Global Green’s climate initiatives and also their current main focus, the green rebuilding of New Orleans. Last year, Maroon 5 was the headlining act. This time ’round, Michelle Branch will be entertaining, as well as some “surprise musical guest” not yet announced.

This party is one of the most star-studded in attendance during Oscar week. Of course, it helps to have some of the top A-listers on your Los Angeles committee. These include Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth, Penelope Cruz, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Duchovny, Salma Hayek, Edward Norton, and Charlize Theron.

Tickets are limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t register now and enjoy the fun. $250 is the starting price for general admission — while $5K will get you “green carpet” access and entrance to the Patron Lounge. Remember, this is all for a great cause.

As always, we’ve no guarantees that any of the above celebrities will be in attendance. If previous years are any indication, however, you can expect to have one hell of a good time.

Click here to view the invitation and purchase tickets.