Joie de Vivre: Hotels, Restaurants, Spas…A Class Act!

www.jdvhotels.com…

Based in San Francisco, this modern-thinking umbrella company, manages nearly 40 boutique hotels, more than 20 restaurants, and four spas, residential projects with hotel-style services and amenities. In 1987, CEO Chip Conley started the company with the opening of the rock and roll inspired Phoenix Hotel. Now, twenty one years later, Joie de Vivre is considered to be California’s largest boutique hotel collection.

Their hotels are located in San Francisco (ie. Hotel Carlton, The Good Hotel), Marin County, Silicon Valley, Big Sur, Sonoma County, Santa Cruz, Sacramento and Los Angeles. In 2009 the hotel expansion will include Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Venice Beach, Santa Clara and Laguna Beach…

Their over 3,500 employees, take an active role in the company’s philanthropic efforts. “As a team, Joie de Vivre sponsors several annual events that raise funds for local non-profit organizations…” The Phoenix Hotel raises $300,000 annually to benefit the children of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, the city’s most densely populated, low-income family neighborhood.

www.jdvhotels.com/greendreams…

Joie de Vivre’s Green Dreams Program adheres to the strictest environmental standards, engages in sustainable practices, and maintains impeccable quality for each guest’s experience.

Their policy & practices are “…to reduce, reuse, and recycle; purchase environmentally friendly products; conserve energy, water and natural resources; and generate clean energy through on-site solar production”. They educate, train, and inform their employees on resource conservation and pollution prevention, as well as offering environmental incentives & benefits.

This is a great green creative collection of lifestyle businesses…Corporate America, take notice!

Randi B.

TED CONFERENCE 2010…!

February 9-13, 2010

The TEDActive experience

The swanky, mountain-framed and pool-dappled Rivera Resort in Palm Springs will provide the backdrop for four days of gripping talks and engrossing TEDActive workshops. We will explore how the next-gen in tech, entertainment, design can be brought to bear on “What the World Needs Now.” In this luxurious, brainpower-fueled environment, you’ll enjoy the live-hosted TED2010 program on crisp Sony monitors, you’ll connect with other curious and passionate souls in pre-conference outdoor adventures and campfire-hued meet-and-greets, and if you so desire, you may even step up into the program spotlight during TED YOU.

As a bonus, TEDActive attendees also receive the famous TED Gift Bag, DVDs of the complete conference proceedings including all the main stage and TED U stage content, graduated online social networking status so you can connect with all the conference participants in both the Palm Springs and Long Beach locations, and a subscription to the legendary TED Book Club so you can marinate in the world of ideas in the months leading up to the conference. As a special perk, those who register by September 30 will receive a TED care package with complimentary treats from TED’s partners, crisp postcards featuring TED’s most memorable stage moments, a TED viewing diary, a DVD of some of the best TEDTalks ever and more.

A pass to TEDActive costs $3,750. Register for TEDActive 2010 now >>

TEDActive attendees

TEDActive is designed for the curious, creative, passionate — for those who want to go beyond just watching TEDTalks to sharing experiences and participating in projects that might impact the world beyond. TEDActive provides a platform for energetic people to self-organize groups, to connect with each other and to start rewarding conversations around common interests. It’s a model that, in 2008 and 2009, generated powerful friendships and important collaborations that are still continuing today.

At TEDActive, you’ll also meet people who have made heroic efforts to foster TED’s mission of spreading “ideas big enough to change the world.” Included in the mix will be 30 of TEDTalks’ most prolific volunteer translators, 40 independent TEDx event organizers, 10 top TED.com community commenters and 30 rockstar TED Prize wish contributors who have been granted discounted passes for their outstanding contributions.

In true TED fashion, TEDActive’s sensational social program will include themed events and after-hours performances. You won’t want to miss the daily breakfasts, lunches and (secret!) Palm Springs-only events inspired by the Rat Pack-era vibe of the Riviera.

VIDEO

Riviera Resort & Spa
1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262

The Omega Institute, NY: Dual Eco-Certifications…

Omega Center for Sustainable Living Opens in Upstate New York

On track to become the first green building to achieve both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge Certification, the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OSCL) embodies the synthesis of wastewater recycling, clean energy, and eco-friendly architecture. Designed by sustainable design firm BNIM Architects as a functioning model for the nonprofit organization Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, the state-of-the art environmental education and water reclamation facility in Rhinebeck, New York serves as a teaching tool to educate visitors on Omega’s ongoing environmental initiatives, including innovative wastewater strategies.

Read the rest of Omega Center for Sustainable Living Opens in Upstate New York

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Fab Bag Designs with Style, Sophistication & a Conscience…

In 2006, during a visit to the Philippines, Khrisna Justo lucked out & met an amazing woman who diligently hand-wove natural ‘buntal’ fibers into fabric. When finding out that weaving was a major source of income for women in the town of Boracay, she knew she had to do something…so she created a line of beautiful & unique bag designs that marry the styles of city sophistication with natural indigenous fibers & color…check out www.kaijaNY.com…it’s very cool!

KAIJA PRIVATE SALE EVENT

Please join Kaija New York for an evening of fundraising and shopping for a cause.

Hors d’oeurves, wine, and discounts of up to 40 percent off the current collection

WHEN:    July 23rd

TIME:      6:00 - 9:00 PM

WHERE:  595 Broadway (btwn Prince and Houston)

3rd Floor

New York, NY

10 percent of all proceeds will be donated to CHILDHOPE, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for the cause of impoverished children throughout the world.

RSVP:  kaijarsvp@theberitgroup.com

******See the current collection at

Ani’s Raw Food Desserts…Seriously Good!

Author Ani Phyo visits Google’s Santa Monica, CA office to discuss her book “Ani’s Raw Food Desserts: 85 Easy, Delectable Sweets and Treats.”

You can have your cake and eat it too with Ani Phyo’s innovative, delicious desserts. From cobblers to cookies, pies to cupcakes, Chef Ani’s easy-to-make sweets are wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, processed sugar-free,and cruelty-free. Deceptively simple, these treats pack Read more

July’s Wanderlust Festival…Great, Green, Wonderful Fun!

www.wanderlustfestival.com…July 24, 25, 26 at Squaw Valley USA in Lake Tahoe, Calif…Live Music, Yoga Classes, Hiking, Amazing Food, Hotel Accommodations, Kula Village, Transportation, Friends, Fun…Serious Fun! Michael Franti & Spearhead, Spoon, Andrew Bird, and many other talented musical guests…John Friend, Shiva Rea, and several other amazing yogi’s…

Greening & Environmental Initiatives: From an environmental perspective, Wanderlust aims to lead the way among music festivals. With a focus on local sourcing, organics, reusability, carbon offsets, and sustainability, it will be close to a “zero impact” event in one year….Waste Reduction, Sustainable Food & Beverage Products, Biodiesel Sourcing & Distribution, and Carbon Offset Programs…

Charity: www.offthematintotheworld.org…the non-profit organization,”Off the Mat Into The World” (OTM), was selected  as a partner for Wanderlust 2009. Donations & a percentage of profits will go to this project. Last year OTM raised $500,000 for the Cambodian Children’s Fund.

Three Full Days of Music & Nature starting at $124.50, with several price-package plans, leading to the Deluxe-Deluxe VIP Music & Yoga Experience (Sage, Mystic & Mystic Lodging Packages)…

Hotel Carlton…San Francisco Gold…

www.jdvhotels.com…Joie De Vivre’s Hotel Carlton is the First Hotel in San Francisco to earn the prestigious LEED GOLD-EB Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), is an internationally recognized certification system. Hotel Carlton, one of Joie De Vivre’s boutique properties, earned the LEED-EB GOLD status in the Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance category. Only one other property in the country (a North Georgian mountains hike-inn) has received this rigorous environmental certification. HC also received a top 100 score from Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy…

To receive the LEED-EB Gold ranking, the hotel achieved: Annual CO2 reduction from energy policy-167 tons, 78% reduction in average vehicle ridership for employee commuting, 80% waste diversion from landfills, Nine on-site percent renewable (solar) energy production, Occupant controlled lighting in 100% of work spaces, 27% reduction in water use, At least 60% of cleaning products are sustainable, 100% sustainable purchases of durable goods….fantastic!

It has 161 eco chicly decorated rooms & outstanding guest service, is pet friendly (offers an organic pet bed), non-smoking, located near Union Square &  the Theatre District, Zagat-rated “Excellant” SAHA Arabic fusion restaurant, one block from great shops, and was selected in the Conde’ Nast Traveler Gold List of 2008, and Winner of the 2008 Lodging Property Achievement Award for Good Earthkeeping…

Each Joie De Vivre’s Hotels is “dedicated to donating at a minimum $200 per guest room per year to organizations in their communities”.

Seriously, check out their website…they’re a great organization!

Preserving Our Environment

Hotel Carlton strives to incorporate sustainability into our core business operations.
Specifically, we use the following policies and practices:
1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
2. Purchase environmentally friendly products
3. Conserve energy, water and natural resources
4. Generate clean energy through on-site solar production

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• We strive to increase waste diversion by recycling all paper, bottles, and cans and composting
all food and landscape waste.
• We reduce the waste generated by donating reusable items (furniture, stationery) to
charitable organizations.

Toxics Reduction
We minimize the use of toxic materials to protect employee health and the environment.
Specifically we -
• Dispose of or recycle toxic products safely
• Choose less toxic janitorial cleaning products
• Recycle waste: lamps, batteries, aerosol cans and other universal waste
• Purchase rechargeable batteries when possible
• Purchase low mercury fluorescent lamps when possible

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
We purchase/use
• Remanufactured toner cartridges
• Office & toilet paper with 35%-100% recycled content (or tree free paper)
• Products with least packaging (no plastic, styrofoam, aerosol packaging)
• Energy Star rated appliances and office equipment.
• Water efficient toilets, urinals, showerheads and faucet aerators

Conserve
We conserve fossil fuels by
• Promoting the use of public transit
• Offering telecommuting options
• Participating in spare the air campaigns

Now this is progress…

Randi B.

San Francisco’s Good Hotel is a Good Hotel…

www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/good…&…www.jdv.com…

The Joie de Vivre’s Good Hotel opened it’s doors November 2008 in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood. The 117-room, hip and socially conscious hotel, promotes philanthropy and creative eco-friendly designs & practices. JdV’s Creative Director Matt Harvey says “We chose to focus on three things–a positive, optimistic attitude, environmental awareness (reduce/reuse/recycle), and philanthropy. Our goal is to create a community for our guests that is connected to and benefits our SOMA neighborhood, the city of San Francisco and the world at large.”

Continuing with the Joie de Vivre’s commitment to giving back to its communities, the Good Hotel encourages environmental stewardship, community involvement, & volunteerism. “Guests can choose to be ‘voluntourists’…A ‘give-back’ dedicated phone line in the lobby acts as a ‘philanthropy concierge’, connecting guests to One Brick”, a nonprofit partner offering friendly, social & flexible volunteer opportunities in San Francisco. Guests can also choose to participate in a carbon offset program during the length of their stay, and hotel employees are invited “to participate in philanthropic efforts for the charity of their choice by allocating paid monthly hours for those activities.”

Chic, sustainable, & whimsical, the hotel and it’s decor are made from reclaimed and recycled materials…bedframes & headboards made from 100% reclaimed wood, lamps made from recycled Voss water bottles, and decor pillows are made from vintage bedspreads. In the lobby is a bench made of felt blankets, & a table constructed from skateboards. “Artwork found in the lobby and on guest keycards has been created in partnership with Creativity Explored, an award winning nonprofit visual arts center featuring artists with developmental disabilities.”…the lobby’s photo booth is part of the scenery, for guests to display their portraits on the lobby wall.

Great room amenities, and guest services. Free parking for guests with hybrid cars, and local taxi companies with hybrid cars, are on call for pick-ups. Heated pool and fitness center available across the street at Hotel Americana, another JdV property. “Opening rates range from $119 to $139.”

Good Pizza Restaurant is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This is a good, great place!

Randi B.

A Great Green 4th…

5 Cheap and Easy Last Minute Ways to Green Your Fourth of July

Maybe you simply didn’t have enough time this year to think about it. Or maybe you’ve already gotten so manybiodegradable plates, composting bins and other eco-hookups for your Fourth of July shindig that you feel you can’t possibly get any greener. Wait! Here are a few super simple and practically free ways to make your BBQ, beach bash or rooftop gathering more about celebrating and less about waste. Uncle Sam would be proud!

Read the rest of 5 Cheap and Easy Last Minute Ways to Green Your Fourth of July

Celebrating July 4th in Eco-style…

Ultimate Biodegradable Party Kit Has All You Need for July 4th

You know we’re big fans of recycling, but this Fourth of July, doesn’t it just seem like more fun to be able to tell your guests to throw their used plates and cups into the bushes instead of a recycling bin? Well okay, you probably don’t want litter on your lawn, so that first scenario might be a bit extreme. But with Branch’s brand new Biodegradable Party Kit, you’ll have everything you need for an eco-friendly fete without any of the hassle.

Read the rest of Ultimate Biodegradable Party Kit Has All You Need for July 4th

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