Hippies Get All Capitalistic

I was feeling groovy when I began researching the Topanga Days Country Fair taking place this Memorial Day weekend -- I mean, hipppies are the original greenies, right? And it's the 60th Anniversary of the event which is a fundraiser for the Topanga Community Club, whatever that is.

But then I clicked on the Tickets and Membership page and my heart nearly stopped. It will cost non-member adults $20 to visit the fair for ONE day while a three-day pass can be had for the low recession price (their words) of JUST $35.

Granted, you might see Blood, Sweat & Tears, a true hippie artifact if ever there was one, and visit a bunch of eco-friendly vendors in their natural habitat, but the pricing is simply ridiculous, IMHO. If last weekend's WorldFest in Encino is any indicator, visitors will also shell out $4 for an 8-ounce lemonade, or $10 for a plate of tofu curry and brown rice. And there's no indicator whether parking is free (doubtful) although a shuttle van and bicycle parking are.

The days of free love are over -- now you have to pay through the nose for it.

Greek Goes Green

The Valley Greek Festival -- a huge annual Memorial Day Weekend event now in its 36th year -- will be going green this year, thanks to the efforts of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council.

Third Planet Energy of Granada Hills will be recycling all of the waste cooking oil and the NENC will be making sure that all of the anticipated 6,000-plus plastic water bottles will also be recycled.

Add free parking and free admission and you get a great way to spend some of your Memorial Day. Check it out at St. Nicholas Greek Othodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. In action from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. all three days, May 23 through May 25.

Valley Greenpreneurs -- Read This

Entrepreneurs with a green tech focus are invited to speak at the Green Tech Connect Forum in Pasadena. Hosted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Forum will take place Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

According to the AQMD press release,

"The Green Tech Connect Forum offers a twist from similar conferences. The emerging green technology developers will be profiling their companies, technologies and funding needs to prospective funding partners instead of the investment community talking to an audience of technology developers. It will also include one-on-one opportunities to interface directly with the funding partners."

Those interested in presenting must submit an application by June 5 and be willing to pay a $2,500 fee which covers the speaking fee, a 10'x10' exhibit booth and two registrations.

Just want to attend? Early birds (before July) will pay discounted fees of $200 for government/nonprofit and $350 for everyone else. Prices go up by $100 after that.