Chatsworth Solar Manufacturer Pitches the Mayor

Great story in the Daily News about Chatsworth-based International Solar Electric Technology meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday.
ISET president Vijay Kapur reportedly asked the mayor for assistance in getting a Dept. of Energy loan guarantee. It certainly seems like a reasonable request, especially considering the company would generate 250 new manufacturing jobs.

Solar Powered Microturbine Test is Successful

Chatsworth-based Capstone Turbine Corporation recently announced that they have been successful in converting sunlight to electricity with a solar receiver driving a microturbine.


They did so with a product developed by HelioFocus, an Israeli company. The two companies are working together to develop a microturbine engine that can use solar power.


The HelioFocus Solar Concentrator focuses enough sunlight energy to provide heat to drive the microturbine.


Company executives maintain that this new system is more efficient and requires less space than traditional photovoltaic systems.


"The commercial Concentrated Solar Power product should compare favorably in cost to photovoltaic," said Mark Gilbreth, Capstone's chief technology officer. 

Food Justice with Patt Morrison - Town Hall Event

Local public radio station KPCC will be hosting a special Town Hall event with Patt Morrison on July 15 with a mouthful of a title: Navigating L.A.’s Food Deserts: How to Ensure Equal Access to Healthy Food & Fresh Produce.

The event takes place Thursday, July 15, in Pasadena at the Crawford Family Forum and Mohn Broadcast Center. A press release said that Morrison ..."will spend an hour with those on the front lines of food justice to explore L.A.'s food deserts and the efforts to attract more grocery stores, farmers' markets and community gardens into these underserved, and often forgotten, communities."

There's no charge to attend but reservations are required. To learn more about this event, or to RSVP, visit scpr.org/forum.

Photo Credit: David McNew, Getty Images

Environmental Curriculum Approved Statewide

The Cal/EPA announced today that the California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum was approved for use in K-12 classrooms statewide. The State Board of Education voted for it unanimously.

“Students of all grade levels love learning about the environment around them,” said Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “With the approval of the State Board of Education, the EEI Curriculum takes important science and history-social science academic standards that every student needs to understand and uses the environment to teach those standards to mastery.  Along the way, the EEI makes learning relevant and fun, and we’re pleased that this new curriculum will be an in-depth resource for California educators statewide.”

Visit www.CaliforniaEEI.org to see all of the 85 EEI Curriculum units.  Many are still in their “final draft” version, but final versions are being posted weekly.  By Fall of 2010, the entire curriculum will be available for download free of charge.

Amgen Tour Finale in the Conejo Valley

It's hard to believe, but a major sporting event is going to have its grand finale' in Thousand Oaks this weekend.

That's right, professional cyclists on the Amgen Tour of California will cross the finish line on Westlake Boulevard near the Hyatt on Sunday (May 23).Even if you're not a cycling enthusiast, don't miss this opportunity to watch the best of the best zoom past as they take on a tough mountain course.

Eateries in the Oaks Shopping Center will be opening early to accommodate spectators and other activities are planning throughout the weekend. Click here for details.

The King of Cycling, Lance Armstrong is out of the race after taking a tumble and requiring stitches on Thursday but chances are excellent he'll make some kind of appearance. 

Sunday Food Harvest Volunteers Needed

This weekend, May 1^st and 2^nd Food Forward will participate in Big Sunday with its Big Pick event.

Help harvest fruit trees in neighborhoods in the North San Fernando Valley to feed the hungry. There are multiple trees on multiple properties just ready to be harvested! EXTRA trees have come through so we need EXTRA help!

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, May 1 from 9am to noon in Granada Hills, and on Sunday from 9am to noon in Northridge. Please RSVP to marie@foodforward.org if you are free to help out! Let her know which day/location you will report to.

In addition to getting the warm and fuzzies, you'll also be eligible for donuts and coffee both days plus FREE Big Sunday t-shirts for all who help!

Read more about the massive amount of fresh fruits and veggies being offered to L.A. area food banks by Food Forward in this Los Angeles Times article.

Vote for Environmental High by Thursday

The students at Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale are asking for YOUR vote in Obama's Commencement Challenge.

You must vote by Thursday evening for your vote to count.

Environmental Charter is a college prep charter school in South Los Angeles. Of the five finalists in the Commencement Challenge it is the only West Coast school, and it is the only institution that focuses on sustainability in its curriculum.

Give the kids at high 5 by voting NOW at http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement.

Whole Child Whole Planet Earth Day Extravaganza

I spent a couple of hours this evening helping Kathy Arnos and her gang of volunteers set up for the Whole Child, Whole Planet Expo taking place on Saturday from 9:30a.m. to 6 p.m. The venue is truly beautiful -- the Highland Hall Waldorf  School in Northridge feels more like a summer camp than a primary school campus.

Beautiful venue, free admission, free childcare, workshops, lots of freebies and great giveaways, music and entertainment, kids crafts -- I can't imagine a better way to spend the day which promises to feature our best weather all week.