We did not see much of the Vancouver Winter Olympics as we were in Brazil . . . though it was a delight to watch some events on Brazilian TV, which was uninterrupted by commercials!  Whatever you may think of the Olympics, the athletic feats are impressive, the stories behind some of the Olympians are compelling, and it looks like Vancouver put on a great show.  I'm not surprised--it's a beautiful city and the perfect place to showcase such an event.

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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 every week we have heard of the push for "home weatherization" schemes, which leaves me with the image of former Avon salespeople tapping our walls to make sure they are properly insulated (is this really the best Obama & Co. can do?).  Then you've got the debate over who should lead . . . corporations, or government?  Well, what about non-profits?  One organization with a stellar "green" record is the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a 103-year-old advocacy group with 32 chapters in the United States. (more...)

One of the ugly consequences of America’s foreclosure crisis is the abandoned homes that are scarring our cities.  Once proud cities like Cleveland and Detroit, which in the past symbolized America’s industrial might, are turning into ghost towns, their neighborhoods barren and houses boarded up.  Cleveland and Detroit reached their peak in the 1950s, when their populations were over 900,000 and 1.8 million, respectively—now they have half the people.  There no quick fixes, but perhaps these cities can learn from a project my former adopted hometown, Baltimore, undertook thirty years ago:  the dollar homes. (more...)

On Wednesday I attended the Best Events Los Angeles conference as a guest of Jaime Nack, President of Three Squares Inc.  The organization invited Jaime to speak about organizing "green" events at a time when companies and event planners don't have the green to spend.  Jaime was the Director of Sustainability and Greening Operations for the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) in Denver, Colorado, which a year later is still noted as a case study in organizing and producing sustainable events.  She shared her experience and suggestion at a panel focusing on greening events. (more...)

Sacramento is an afterthought to most Californians.  I think I only know it well because of the 70s family drama, Eight is Enough ("but daaaad, this is the 80's!" was my favorite line!).  It's too bad me and another 35 million-plus Californians don't know this city better.  Its downtown is full of old Victorians, there are plenty of museums, you're not far from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and yes, they even have pro sports.  In some ways, it's like a mini-Washington, DC:  a white Capitol, huge green lawns, and even the muddy river!  (more...)