Yesterday, as I walked up Pico Boulevard to the Los Angeles Convention Center, a sense of doom overcame me as I saw the crowds outside the entrance on Figueroa Street.

 

Drat, I thought.  It's 10:20, it started at 10, and I won't get into the Go Green Expo.  The place is mobbed, so "green" really is the rage!  There will be thousands of people accosting the exhibit hall for a handful of job openings--just like what we see in the newspapers when a new hotel opens and 3000 folks queue up for 100 jobs.

 

I could not believe all the tension in the air.  People really looked down and out.  It seemed half of them were smoking cigarettes.  I saw many with determined looks on their faces.  It seemed that most were with their families.  Such is life in LA at a time when employment is over 12%.

 

Will I ever get in, I thought, as I approached the glass and steel entrance.

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 serious issues going on right now, such as the climate change conference in Copenhagen, but I figure COP15 has enough media buzz--not to mention the discussion of all the private jets and limousines that are hauling all the politicians and potentates to and around a Scandinavian city . . . in winter.

 

Which is why it may seem ridiculous that I am bringing up Tabatha's Salon Takeover (more...)

You've probably heard of the term "greenwashing":  slapping labels such as organic, natural, sustainable, free range, etc., which leads us to think this product is good for us.  It's easy to fall into the trap, and well, as consumer trends change, businesses try to adapt.  But now it appears your favorite companies are going to convince us that entering their stores, eating at their restaurants, or buying their products are helping you to sustain your local economy.  I suppose this would be . . . "local-washing"? (more...)

We are inundated with "green" products everywhere, from local shops to the web.  Friends have been sending me all kinds of web sites that showcase green products for review.  I've seen "green" underwear, green dog accessories, green kitchen gadgets--my favorite is the plastic wishbone that vegetarians can snap instead of killing a chicken and snapping the real thing.  To me, that's not very green.  Rather gauche, I think.  All the companies slap on labels such as "eco-friendly" and "natural."  I call it greenwashing. (more...)