Archive for December, 2009

The Vegan Omnivore: Granola that makes Nigella wink

Dec 19, 2009 3 Comments by

“Oh, how they COURT me!” – Nigella Lawson, cooing over her homemade holiday potato skins while wearing her trademark skin-tight cashmere sweater.   It is the season for sharing good times and food–or staring at Nigella again as she enchants you with her holiday recipes.  She makes everything appear so sensuously magical and easy, including [...]

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I’m a Vegan Hair Salon, and I’m Taking Over.

Dec 18, 2009 4 Comments by

UPDATE: Why Tabatha Coffey is a stellar business advisor! I’ve seen enough.  Hand me the keys.  I’m taking ooh-vah. – Tabatha Coffey, star of Bravo’s hit reality series, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, to another clueless owner as she is gob-smacked, once again, by a poorly-run hair salon . . . I know there are far more [...]

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Basque-ing in Renewables

Dec 17, 2009 No Comments by

While most European Union member states are flummoxed in trying to reach that 20% renewables goal by 2020, Spain is quietly a leader in the race.  The country aims to have 30% of its electricity needs met by renewables by the end of 2010.  Spain is only second behind Germany in sourcing wind energy, and [...]

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A Non-profit that LEEDs

Dec 16, 2009 No Comments by

The debate over climate change and energy independence is often divisive and polarizing.  First we must confront the apathetic and the nay-sayers, which has not been easy in the USA with the purported “Climate-gate” bruhaha and our concern over 10% unemployment.  The Obama Administration has not been very helpful with its “green jobs” rhetoric–I think [...]

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A FAST Solution

Dec 15, 2009 No Comments by

Unless you have been asleep the last 50 years, you probably have heard that Los Angeles has a bit of a traffic problem.  The glorification of the “car culture” has taken a toll on Angelinos and its visitors.  Road rage is even more on the rampage, parking is a constant hassle, and residents who thought [...]

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DOE: Your VC Partner

Dec 14, 2009 No Comments by

Last week’s posting on raising funds through LinkedIn really hit a nerve.  I got an overwhelming response, most of them in the context of “Wow, I had no idea,” and these were from professionals of impressive backgrounds.  As I have stated, I think the flock of “I need $3 mil” postings on LinkedIn is because [...]

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The Primer for Hosting a Green Event

Dec 14, 2009 11 Comments by

It has happened to all of us.  You walked into a “green” event for which you paid US$20, stood around bored, and thought, “Should’ve stayed home and freed some space on the DVR.”  True, part of the problem is that online calendars are choc-a-block with such events, and in a down economy, you have everyone [...]

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Go Metro in Santiago

Dec 11, 2009 No Comments by

Third in a review of public transportation projects around the world.   Santiago is the Athens of South America.  I say that because most visitors dismiss the city as a crowded, polluted, and dull eyesore.  But like Athens, once you get past the smog and do some exploring, the city offers much for the visitor.  [...]

International, transportation Read more

Sharing, Caring, Reusing. Repeat.

Dec 10, 2009 1 Comment by

Imagine that you are a school teacher or a non-profit, and you rarely have the budget for school supplies or office equipment.   Suppose you own a business that either is relocating, or you have excess inventory for which you see no other choice but disposal.   Finally, you are the administrator in City Hall [...]

air - land - quality of life, business, food and consumer products Read more

A Sizzling Debate

Dec 09, 2009 No Comments by

The past few weeks have been disheartening for those who believe climate change is a real problem.  While I prefer to push clean technologies by arguing for energy independence and keeping our dollars at home, the scientific evidence behind climate change has always made sense to me.  So depending on how you feel about the [...]

air - land - quality of life, energy, International, politics Read more

An EV Solution with Two Wheels?

Dec 08, 2009 No Comments by

Oh, to be a fly in the wall in Denmark right now with all the attention foisted on it due to the COP15 summit in Copenhagen.  There are many reasons why Denmark is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference.  The country has been successfully weaning its way off of fossil-based fuels since the 1970s.  Denmark [...]

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Looking for the Green Money?

Dec 07, 2009 5 Comments by

Every so often, green entrepreneurs reach out to me asking for advice with their investing woes.  Usually, they approach me through LinkedIn.  Perhaps they need US$11.5 million for a bioethanol plant in Southeast Asia.  Or they are going to open a solar farm in Northern Africa, and have 15.6 million euros budgeted, and are short [...]

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