ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

August 6th 2008

Exclusive Ecorazzi Quickie With Russell Simmons

Filed under: ecorazzi exclusive, green and famous — margaret @ 10:03 am

Ecorazzi reporter Margaret Teich caught up with Hip Hop Music and Fashion mogul Russell Simmons yesterday at the 6th Annual National Underwear Day Party.

Ecorazzi: Mr Simmons, can I ask a few questions for Ecorazzi, a Green Celeb Website?

Russell Simmons: Shaking like 5 hands at a time, a phone in his other hand. Hi. Ok.

E: What would you say is something you do to incorporate Green into your life?

RS: Stops hand shaking, puts phone down and focuses in on interviewers eyes. I’m a vegan.

E: That’s so cool! I’ve been a vegetarian since third grade. Here the uncharacteristically star-struck Ecorazzi interviewer makes small talk because the Zen calm energy RS exudes is almost jarring given the loud, chaotic party environment around them. And what about wearing leather?

RS: Taking a minute to reflect before answering, as quite clearly this follow-up question has been posed to him before. Vegan diet, not vegan lifestyle, Hon.

E: Cool cool. By the way, I liked the advice you gave to JoJo (his nephew) on Run’s House.

RS: Takes a sip from his glass of water (maybe the only person in an open bar party drinking water,) Thanks. What did I tell him? Leans in attentively yet with manners towards interviewer.

E: You just reminded him that if he wants to be successful he must work hard and make sure to listen and learn from those around him. And then you took him to do yoga.

RS: Big smile, Yeah. That’s right. At this point his posse swoops in to hustle RS out, Thanks.

Don’t forget to check out Ecorazzi’s exclusive video coverage of the Good Housekeeping Green House event which features Russell Simmons.

August 4th 2008

Ecorazzi Helps Make Good Housekeeping Green House Party A Smash Hit

Filed under: green and famous — parrish @ 8:10 pm

A couple weeks ago we told you that Good Houskeeping was set to unveil the first LEED Certified Green Private Residence in New York City! Using input from Global Green and oversight and third-party verification by Steven Winter Associates, (one of only 18 LEEDS residential consultancies in the U.S.) the publication completely gutted a classic brownstone and turned into an eco-friendly model of green building.

The opening took place last week and Ecorazzi was there to capture all the excitement on the official Ecorazzi Green Carpet. A myriad of well-known personalities showed up to get a sneak peak at the latest and greatest in green design including Russell Simmons, Editor-In-Chief of Good Housekeeping Rosemary Ellis, President and CEO of Global Green Matt Peterson. I even managed to corner season one Top Chef contestant Andrea Beaman in the outdoor garden who told us, ” Just to know like stuff like this is happening in the world gives me hope and inspiration that we can really make the planet safe again.” Also attending the event was local anchorwoman Sade Baderinwa, Go Green Expo Founder Bradford Rand and Ecorazzi contributers Melissa Rosenberg, Thomas Farley, Andrew Ford and of course….ME!

The evening was a success and it couldn’t have been done without Good Housekeeping’s steadfast commitment to green living and eco-design. And as always, a big thanks to our friends at OrganicWorks for keeping everything running so smoothly! Check out the video and photo gallery below.

Click here to view the photo gallery

June 26th 2008

Celebrities Vote Vegan And Sign The Declaration of Compassion

Filed under: animals, campaigns, events, green and famous — parrish @ 9:28 am

As July 4th approaches and most Americans break out the fireworks and six packs, Kathy Stevens, an animal rescuer and green living superstar, has another idea in mind. In the spirit of “independence”, Stevens has designed the Declaration of Compassion — a petition declaring our independence against industrialized farming and animal-based agribusiness.

The goal is to receive 100,000 signatures by July 4, 2008.  To help her with that lofty number, Stevens has enlisted stars like Brooke Shields, Kristen Wiig, Russell Simmons, Emily Deschanel, and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Zana Briski (”Born into Brothels”), to help her on her mission. 

Stevens says, “Global warming is challenging all of us to radically and immediately alter our behavior. Since agribusiness is the #1 culprit in everything from the melting of the Polar ice caps to the extinction of animal and plant species to water shortages, we must all alter our diets if we want this beautiful planet to be here for our children and grandchildren.”

The Declaration of Compassion will be unveiled in a ceremony at the 7th Annual Catskill Animal Sanctuary Shindig on Saturday, June 28, 2008. Can’t make it to New York? NO WORRIES! An online petition allows supporters to virtually sign up and show their support for the compassionate lifestyle. It’s not too late, visit CASanctuary.org and add your name! 

June 23rd 2008

Russell Simmons Dishes On Politics, The Environment and Veganism

Filed under: animals, food & drink, green and famous, interviews, television — parrish @ 12:22 pm

Ecorazzi loves us some Russell Simmons!! Last month I had the chance to chat with Russell at the Farm Sanctuary Gala where he spoke on the importance of spreading awareness about the abuse that occurs in the food animal industry. Well Russell and I only had a few minutes, but last week he appeared on CNN to talk more about his thoughts on politics, the environment and veganism. 

In response to why he chose a vegan diet, Russell said: Well just to cause less harm. And one of things that we DO know, and the UN reports, that a vegan diet is…or the consumption of animals causes more harm to the environment than all the forms of transportation put together. Since we’re talking about the environment that’s one thing. And of course I don’t think when they said dominion over the animals they meant the abuse of 10 billion farm animals every year, which is what we do here in America. So It’s just a nice statement. I feel better. My friends report to me over the last 15 years I look better. You know, so it’s a big change for me. You’re more clarity. And I think that all of us want to be more clear, want to look younger, want to feel better and want to be a greater contributer to good on the planet. 

To hear more from Russell on veganism, environmentalism and why he’s backing Obama, visit cnn.com and watch the interview. Or hell, skip the interview and just get his book. 

May 22nd 2008

Farm Sanctuary Gala Exclusive: Russell Simmons Wants Change

Filed under: animals, ecorazzi exclusive, events, events: nyc, green and famous, music — parrish @ 11:52 am

Ok, so far Ecorazzi has brought you exclusive interviews from Melissa Rivers, Swoosie Kurtz and Rory Freedman all of which took place at the Farm Sanctuary Gala on Saturday.  Up next: Russell Simmons.

Besides being a music mogul, Russell is well known for his work with animals — participating in programs with PETA, Farm Sanctuary and other organizations that help shed light on the cruelty of the food animal business. He was a popular guest at the event, but I managed to get a few words in.

Parrish: Hey Russell. I work for Ecorazzi. Have you been to our site before?

Russell Simmons: Oh yeah, I’ve read you guys. Do you ever go to Global Grind?

P: I’ve been before, yeah.

RS: You guys are one of the RSS Feeds.

P: Oh great! So tell me about your work with the Sanctuary.

RS: I get involved anytime I get called. Any group that makes an effort to commit to consciousness, if I have time I like to show. And these guys call me. I’ve chaired events to raise money and awareness for them. I love what they do. There’s 10 billion farm animals and no representation. They get abused. And these companies are abusing Mother Earth and that’s important to stop. If we keep it up we won’t be here. We need groups that are aware and conscious and pay attention. And this group is special. They’re the number one advocate for farm animals. The work that they’re doing — the legislative work and the other work — it’s inspiring. They’re honoring my gurus today [ Sharon Gannon and David Life from Jivamukti Yoga School ] so I couldn’t miss it for the world.

P: I’ve followed your career and I know you’ve done a lot of  really great work for animals including appearing in a PETA public service announcement to speak out against dog fighting.

RS: Oh yeah I’ve worked for PETA. I’ve worked for PETA in negotiations for corporations too.

P: And you’re vegan?

RS: Yeah, I’ve been vegan for 8 years.

Continue reading our interview with Russell Simmons!

May 20th 2008

Farm Sanctuary Gala Brings Out Heather Mills, Melissa Rivers

Filed under: animals, ecorazzi exclusive, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, honors — michael @ 9:27 am

I enjoy a lot of things: really good margaritas, paid vacation time, that noise bubble wrap makes when it’s popped, but none of those compare to how much I love the annual Farm Sanctuary Gala. In case you’re late to the party, Farm Sanctuary was started in 1986 with the rescue of Hilda, a “downer” cow left for dead in a stockpile. Today they are considered to be the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization and work tirelessly to expose and stop cruel practices in the food animal industry. After over 20 successful years they now have 2 fully running sanctuaries in New York and California that are home to hundreds of animals, tons of staff and plenty of curious visitors.

Each year the organization holds a ritzy, celebrity-packed gala to help raise money for their many noble causes. Two yeas ago, before my Ecorazzi days, I volunteered at the event and was truly inspired by a room full of like-minded people all coming together to celebrate those that are so rarely even thought about. This year I got to attend with a full access, fancy-pancy press pass and pick the brains of those very famous VIP’s I once so fondly cooed over.

I arrived at 4:30, signed in and was told I had “full-access” to the event. Score! After getting my photographer Andrew Ford set up on the red carpet I headed inside for some investigative work (and perhaps a little appetizer munching). The space was pure elegance with beautifully decorated tables, a silent auction area and, of course, the second floor VIP loft. I started slowly and perused some of the items on the silent auction tables. There were signed photographs, paintings, jewelry and plenty of eager volunteers to help answer any questions I might have.

Next I headed upstairs to the VIP lounge where I had the chance to speak with Melissa Rivers (a regular Ecorazzi reader), Emily Deschanel, Rory Freedman, Dennis Kucinich, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Victoria Moran, Ally Sheedy, Loretta Swit, Russell Simmons and Farm Sanctuary president and co-founder Gene Baur. The celebs were kind, well-spoken and all agreed on one thing: Farm Sanctuary is pretty damn incredible. FYI — throughout the week Ecorazzi will feature The Farm Sanctuary Gala Interviews, a series of exclusive one on ones with the many celebrity guests in attendance.

Click here to continue reading about the night and see our collection of exclusive photos!