Watch It: Tedx Great Pacific Garbage Patch Event LIVE

Please join me here on It Starts With Me on Saturday, November 6  at 8:30 am PST... that's 9:30 Mnt., 10:30 Central and 11:30 for all you East coasters ;)....  for an 

 unprecedented worldwide web event on plastic pollution-- 

the Tedx GreatPacificGarbagePatch event!!!

The conference takes place Saturday, Nov 6 from 8:30am to 6pm Pacific Time. There is an absolutely AMAZING and INSPIRING lineup of speakers, including Dr. Sylvia Earle, David de Rothschild, Ed Begley Jr, Captain Charles Moore, Anna Cummins & Marcus Ericsen, Chris Jordan, Beth Terry and many many others guaranteed to educate and inspire us for this one day information marathon covering topics from plastic in the ocean to plastic in our bodies, AND solutions from personal actions to global initiatives and getting businesses on board. Check out the complete agenda and plan on joining this global event!!!!  Seriously, you don't want to miss it... whatever time you have to watch... seize it!!! :)

The Livestream will be up November 6 at 8:30 am PST.   If for any reason the player isn't working, please click to view at www.TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch.com.

tedxgp2 on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

              With Knowledge and Inspiration...

                leading us to ACTION...

         Together we can CHANGE the world

      :)

"Get Well"

Between field trips and visiting guests, we visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher A LOT.  Two weeks ago-- on our most recent visit-- as we walked to our car... we noticed something new.

A work of art made completely from recycled and repurposed materials by local artist Raffaele Paglia.

"A New Moon Rising-- Carolina Moon"

and on the plaque next to the sculpture it reads:

"Get Well"

When I started the sculpture "A New Moon Rising-- Carolina Moon" I never thought that a simple discarded balloon that I found on the beach would define this project.  With recent developments in the Gulf of Mexico, this balloon has added meaning.  It simply states "a get well hug for you".  For a project that was to show, on a local level, the effects of our disregard and negligence, it now has a much more global impact now.

The "Carolina Moon" was designed to celebrate the history of Carolina Beach, which was once the symbol of our town and island.  This was never meant to be a "beautiful" piece of work, since it is primarily composed of recycled and repurposed materials once destined for a landfill.  The cloud formation at the bottom is composed of "beach debris" and other materials washed up and left on our beaches.

Please join us in an effort to keep our beaches and waters clean.

Raffaele (Raffa) Paglia

Earth Hour

In 2007, 2.2 million homes and businesses in Sydney, Australia turned out their lights to make a stand against climate change by creating the first Earth Hour.  3 years later, Earth Hour is a global call to action to every individual (that's you ;) ), every business, and every community to stand up.... to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way to a sustainable future.  

Getting involved is easy.  

On March 27, 2010 at 8:30 (wherever you live)... turn out your lights... for ONE HOUR.

What will I be doing??  Hmmm... don't really have any major plans except to turn off the lights and shut down the computer... light some candles (yes, they're soy based) and play some games-- to be determined :)  

Also, thinking of Earth Hours instead of Hour.

Update:

After the lights were out and the candles were lit... we decided to play "Scrabble"... I can't remember the last time I played... making up words is SO much fun... however, next time we play I'm not backing down on using words such as "ringeth" :)

Will YOU Make a Difference??

Water. It's vital to life. As water flows from our taps, many of us take it for granted. But nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to clean water.

As we are a couple of days into World Water Week... I am constantly reminded--by an amazing person that I am fortunate to call my friend--of the global water crisis. She has donated the past 6 months of her life, to help produce the LA Tap Project Fundraiser. Because, she has a dream of making their --children in underdeveloped countries without access to clean water-- dream a reality.

As with most things... I am affected by visuals. Watch these... and you, too, will understand WHY.

Did you know that by donating $1 to UNICEF Tap Project, you provide clean water for 40 days? What if everyone you knew donated $1??

Earlier in the week, the question was asked, "Will you make a difference that makes a difference?"

In November, for my friend's birthday, I donated $25 to the Tap Project. That $25 that I could've spent on a small gift became 1,000 days of clean water. I've made a difference that has made a difference in someone's life. Now, it's your turn :)

Donate to the UNICEF Tap Project: www.tapproject.org

Dine at participating restaurants during World Water Week (March 21-27): www.tapproject.org/restaurants

Fan Acqua di Gio on Facebook and they'll donate $1 to UNICEF Tap Project!

Events are scheduled all over the country... attend an event in your area!

AND... don't forget to spread the word! :)

P.S... Read this ;)

How to Feed the World Video

How to feed the world ? from Denis van Waerebeke on Vimeo.

a film directed by Denis van Waerebeke for the « Bon appétit » exhibition,

aimed mainly at the kids aged 9 to 14.