It was one of the hottest parties in town, all in aid of working toward a cooler planet. With performances by Mia Maestro, Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Camp Freddy as well as Juliette Lewis and Mark McGrath, the Global Green USA 7th Annual Pre-Oscar® party hit all the right notes with its celebrity guests.

With the event tagged “Greener Cities for a Cooler Planet”, the point was, as it has been since its inception, to raise funds and awareness for Global Green’s national initiatives to fight climate change. In the past, the event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit various projects including the green rebuilding of New Orleans.

“By raising awareness about the threats posed by climate change and by holding our corporate and political leaders accountable, we can make a real difference,” said the organization’s CEO Matt Petersen.

“(We) can and must do something about climate change, and we can start by creating green buildings, schools, cities and communities that create green jobs, save money and improve our health.”

Having celebrities on hand will do wonders to get attention to a worthwhile cause. The Global Green USA pre-Oscar festivities had the love of Tinseltown heavyweights such as Leonardo DiCaprio, James and Suzy Cameron, Jessica Alba, Benji and Joel Madden (pictured below), Serena Williams, Mel B, Juliette Lewis and many others.

Before heading onto the carpet, many of the celebs recorded an online video PSA entitled “I Am” that will soon be released at www.globalgreen.org. Written in collaboration with Global Green supporter Marshall Herskovitz and made possible by Paul Emami’s Storytellerz, it will raise awareness the issues related to global climate change — something that affects more than 150 million Americans and more than 2.75 billion globally.

Guests were treated to the official unveiling of the eco-friendly gown Suzy Amis Cameron plans to wear on the red carpet (pictured below) at the Academy Awards this Sunday (March 7) as part of her “Red Carpet Green Dress” design campaign to benefit Muse Elementary.  Jillian Granz, a student from Michigan State University won the competition and was recognized by Suzy and James Cameron who also spoke about their passion for creating green schools and healthy learning environments for kids.

Global Green USA also featured a first: the new Chevrolet Volt Plug-In Electric Vehicle, an electric car that can travel up to 40 miles on electric charge, reducing harmful carbon emissions and gas usage. Displayed alongside the green carpet, VIP guests were treated a sneak peek of the vehicle which will go on sale later this year. Check out our sneak peek at the Chevy Volt, and interview, below.

Photos courtesy of Global Green USA and WireImage

If you’ve never really understood the mineral makeup trend, and held on tight to your traditional creams and liquids, there’s another natural alternative thanks to Christopher Drummond, a former model turned celebrity makeup artist.

According to Christopher, while “many people know the benefits of using safe cosmetics”, he adds many natural cosmetic companies “seem to teach the ‘all-or-nothing’ mentality”.

“Throwing away the chemical beauty products may be intimidating and not realistic for some,” he says. “To think that someone is going to throw out all existing cosmetics and start new with 100% natural products just isn’t going to happen.”

Here, Christopher shares his tips for an easy (realistic) transition into natural cosmetics:

1.      Pick five ingredients that you will not compromise on: You need to do your research on “bad” cosmetic ingredients, first (start with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and the Cosmetic Safety Database, these are great starting points).

2.      Be diligent:  Do not use the ingredients that you have promised yourself you will not use. No matter what, stay away from those five ingredients. (Christopher’s are  parabens, artificial colors, artificial fragrance, phthalates, and petroleum).

3.      Educate yourself: Take the cosmetics you already own, read the ingredient list, and make a small list of ingredients that you don’t know. Then, research these ingredients to see what these ingredients are, and what they do. You’ll be surprised.

4.      Talk to people: Spread your new found knowledge to friends and family.

5.      Continue Your Education: Some cosmetic companies thrive on keeping consumers in the dark about what they are doing with ingredients.  Don’t let them succeed!  Empower yourself.

Check out a video from Christopher on The Green Dove home page, where he talks about healthy skin and bad make-up ingredients.

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) and LA Unified School District (LAUSD), with personal care brand Yes To Inc., has announced an ongoing partnership to support organic gardens and greenery in urban schools across Los Angeles. EMA and Yes To will directly support a number of school gardens through funding and celebrity mentoring from EMA’s Young Hollywood Board.

Board members include Amy Smart, Nicole Richie (pictured left at the 18th Annual Environmental Awards), Maroon 5, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rosario Dawson, Maria Menounos, Matthew Rhys, Lance Bass, Emily VanCamp, Anna Getty, Olivia Wilde, Carter Oosterhouse and others. Each member will adopt a school to raise awareness for the program and help kids with environmental education.

As the school gardens grow and evolve, student gardeners learn invaluable life lessons such as team work, problem-solving, service-learning, ecology and patience. The program will launch in early summer with a special event at one of the 25 schools.

Partying need not be bad for you or the environment. The Dove is heading to ECCO Ultra Lounge in Hollywood tonight to see exactly why this eco-friendly club is the talk of Tinseltown.

Using energy from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Green Power—a resource that provides wind, sun and water power—the nightspot is all about green, from free valet parking for hybrid vehicles to insulation of 100 per cent organic cotton. Then there’s the LED lighting system and Turbosound speakers and Powersoft amplifiers that reduce energy by a whopping 70 per cent (compared to the standard varieties). Ecco Lounge’s organic cocktails are also served on a bar made from non-toxic materials, while the restrooms feature waterless urinals.

A favorite of celebrities (think Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Tommy Lee) and every day locals alike, Ecco Lounge is giving everyone a good (and healthy) reason to celebrate.

1640 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, US 90028
www.eccohollywood.com

While the film The Soloist brings attention to homelessness and mental illness, it also highlights the importance and impact music can have on our lives. In this exclusive interview, L.A. Times journalist Steve Lopez tells how his friendship with Nathaniel Ayers changed his life, how the film made him more self-aware and how music impacts him.

TGD: What do you believe firstly your LA Times article, then your book and finally The Soloist film has done for raising awareness of the homeless?

SL: I think the story raises awareness about who those people are out there and how they ended up on the pavement. We’d like to think, for our own benefit, that they all made a decision to be out there, or simply couldn’t pay the rent because they’re laggards. In fact many of them, including veterans, were hit with severe illness that is both terrifying and debilitating. On the west side of L.A. does it make sense to anyone that physically and mentally wounded vets sleep in Palisades Park and on the street just a few miles from abandoned VA  barracks? One thing I’ve learned is that we know how to help people but haven’t made a big enough commitment to the right programs. On the west side (of Los Angeles), programs like Step Up on Second (www.stepuponsecond.org) and the Ocean Park Community Center (www.opcc.org) do both the humane thing and the cost-effective thing, helping people rebuild their lives rather than churning endlessly through courts, hospitals and jails. Anyone who wants to make a difference should check out their websites and either donate, volunteer, or learn what they’re about and spread the word.

TGD: Describe what it was like having an actor portray you? Did this experience make you more self-aware? If so, how?

SL: It’s always a strange out-of-body experience, having seen the film several times. Did Robert Downey Jr. just say he was Steve Lopez? I guess he did. I joked with Downey that he doesn’t look like a Lopez. The joke of course is that I don’t, either. My grandparents are from Italy and Spain, and yet I’ve taken complaints from readers and journalists who are disappointed that I didn’t insist on being played by a Latino. Each time I see the movie I catch some new and different element of Downey’s portrayal. He accomplished something amazing: he created an original character, yet captured elements of my personality and drive and the essence of my journey with Mr. Ayers.

TGD: In the film, you were instrumental in adding richness to Nathaniel’s life. In what ways did Nathaniel add richness to yours?

SL: I learned patience, hope, strength, and passion. Few people are lucky enough to find their true ambition and to live for it. Mr. Ayers fights through his troubles each day and ends up in the embrace of music, which transports him to a beautiful, safe, sane world. In letting me know him well enough to tell his story, he has shined a spotlight on our public policy failures, he has helped humanize thousands like him and he has helped destigmatize mental illness. I’ve also learned to appreciate classical music and like Mr. Ayers, I now have friends in the L.A. Philharmonic.

TGD: Music changed Nathaniel’s life. How has music changed you?

SL: Few things in life are just inherently good, uplifting and therapeutic. Music is all of that. I envy Mr. Ayers’ talent and wish I could play something, but despite years of lessons on guitar, I’m a bit of a hack once I get beyond songs like Rainbow Connection and Eensy Weensy Spider. Fortunately, because she’s only five, my daughter thinks I can actually play the instrument.

To read more about Steve Lopez, see www.stevelopezonline.com. To see how music can help heal, head to www.musictherapy.org

Participant films and producers of The Soloist, have teamed up with NGOs nationally and regionally to launch The Soloist Social Action Campaign which includes a viral tool called The Art of Understanding: Humanizing Homelessness and Mental Illness. It will be available to the public and educational institutions nationally (US only).

Michelle Harris, host and co-creator of Alive & Well TV, a modern organic living show, walked the EARTH red carpet event in Hollywood recently, styled by Planet Style Concierge‘s Colin Megaro.

Colin used green accessories to play off of her BCBG Max Azria Green and Navy striped dress including earrings and a bracelet by Smart Glass Jewelry and a yellow Harvey’s Seat Belt bag. The eco-friendly bags use factory-reject seatbelts and weave them into beautiful and functional handbags.

Smart Glass Jewelry recycles old pieces of glass into handmade modern jewelry pieces by artist, Kathleen Plate (starting at $US38).

How can you pull off a green eco-chic look like Michelle’s (left)? Colin says research is key.

“Many companies say they are using organic or recycled materials, but not everyone is honest,” he says.

“Use green blogs and web sites to find the best eco-friendly brands, and if you’re ever unsure about the materials used in a specific item, pick up the phone and call the company.”

Tales of Black Freighter’s Siobhan Flynn is not only an eco fashion fanatic; the long-time vegetarian is a big supporter of Earth Day (April 22). The Hollywood actress shares her earth-loving essentials with The Green Dove

Rare El’ements
“John Amato, formerly of Amato Hair Studio in Beverly Hills, has developed the first salon-inspired eco-luxury hair care line, Rare El’ements (below). Each product is sulfate, paraben, synthetic and silicone-free. It’s the best.” For local retail locations, visit rare-elements.com.

Rejuvenating hair serum, $44
Pure shampoo, $34
Essential conditioner, $44

Cole Haan Sporting Collection

Cole Haan’s green Sporting Collection focuses on craftsmanship, function and style, says Siobhan, who carries the Dylan sustainable tote (left).  “They’re made with bionic yarn, which contains fibers made from recycled plastic beverage bottles, and they’re trimmed in vegetable chrome-free leather.” See Colehaan.com

FHI Heat
Keeping her hair in perfect condition is of utmost importance, particularly for those red carpet moments, admits Siobhan. THE ISLAND actress is a fan of FHI Heat’s straightening iron (below). “They’re helping environmental, social and health-related causes with the Do More series of color-coded styling irons — they’re super cool,” Siobhan says. The first of the series, Earth features a green-plated styling iron. One dollar from sales of Do More: Earth, go to Trees for the Future (Treesftf.org), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities around the globe plant trees. $120. From Tipperary Salon, Beverly Hills. (310) 274-02904.

The Solution
Siobhan simplifies her beauty regime with Kimberly Snyder’s The Solution (right) — a natural moisturiser that does it all. “It’s a day and night moisturiser, eye cream, anti-aging serum and make-up primer is bursting with açai, goji, grape seed and vitamins A, C and E,” she says. “You can literally get rid of unnecessary products.” Other celebrity fans include Patrick Swayze and Kristen Bell. $74; envision-beauty.com

Element Eden
Element Eden (below) was created to make a difference — to inspire girls to follow their own path and find a different perspective. “It’s a forward-thinking fashion line, created by Johnny Schillereff, that’s earth conscious and chic,” says Siobhan. “I love the fabric and cuts. A perfect fit every time.” For local stockists, visit Elementeden.com

Robindira Unsworth Jewelry
“Designer Robindira Unsworth uses nature as her muse for her stunning jewelry collections,” Siobhan says, who layers chunky gold bangles (below) to add glamour to an otherwise casual look. Available from Ron Herman in Brentwood and Margaret O’Leary in Santa Monica. Robindira.com.

Eleazar Vivi Collection

“Vegan fashionistas can rejoice with the launch of Elezar’s Vivi Collection of eco-chic clutches (below), totes and handbags,” says Siobhan. Made from 100% biodegradable Italian “leather” and loved by other A-listers including Jessica Biel, Hayden Panettiere, Demi Moore and Naomi Watts. See Elezar.com