Greenwashing

Think buying a hybrid car is the answer to your guilt over ecological transportation? Think again. As a driver of an 8-year-old full-size Volvo wagon that averages 15 MPG, I was thinking I could go a little greener and buy a Prius. But I may hang onto my trusty, well-running Swedish car as an expression of true love for the earth. This tongue-in-cheek video (link below and at right) shows that there is no perfect answer -- except perhaps consuming less. There's a lot of greenwashing going on these days -- that is, advertising that seems to say the company is ecologically responsible when in fact it's just another marketing ploy.

In reality, if you resist the constant barrage of messages to buy, buy, buy items that are newly manufactured, you are actually being as green as a red-blooded American can be. "Reduce" is the first of the three Rs. This is of course heresy in a capitalistic society, but there it is.

Here's the video address, or click on the link at right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft5SSIfmeKU

Oh Jesus, Bums coming to the door - what next?

Poem: "A Scandal in the Suburbs" by X.J. Kennedy, from In A Prominent Bar in Secaucus

A Scandal in the Suburbs

We had to have him put away,
For what if he'd grown vicious?
To play faith healer, give away
Stale bread and stinking fishes!
His soapbox preaching set the tongues
Of all the neighbors going.
Odd stuff: how lilies never spin
And birds don't bother sowing.
Why, bums were coming to the door—
His pockets had no bottom—
And then-the foot-wash from that whore!
We signed. They came and got him.

It needs to be said. There is a campaign afoot in Laguna to run homeless people out of town. A concerted effort to paint homeless people as aggressive, undesirable panhandlers who spend their days drinking, screaming obscenities at tourists, and frightening children will likely result in brutality and unwarranted arrests. And an arrest can be very difficult to expunge; it can mean that a homeless person who's had some bad breaks can't get a much-needed job, and will therefore remains homeless.

So the question arises -- who are we? Are we citizens of Laguna Beach a tolerant, helpful, caring society? Or are we so caught up in our property values and desire for tourist dollars that we cannot countenance our share of those who aren't as lucky as we? Keep an eye on the city's Homeless Task Force and observe what new laws are being presented for enforcement. If you're an old-school Lagunan grounded in peace, justice and tolerance, you will be alarmed to note the rules of the new regime. We are under seige, and it's not from the homeless, as much as you might be led to believe . The number of homeless people in Laguna Beach has NOT risen, as our mayor has stated in city council meetings. In reality, it has remained steady for several years at about 55 people, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department -- not bad for a lovely seaside spot like ours.

If you care about this issue, be vigilant -- and be ready to become involved and speak up for those without a voice. It would seem that the Homeless Task Force is not about truly "helping" homeless people -- but rather about helping them find another town to be homeless in. More on this as it develops, or you can contact my friends Christine and Jim at 715-0209.

El Dia de Los Muertes

Day of the Dead is one of my favorite holidays, and I wish we celebrated it here in the states. Although it occurs roughly at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter, with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life. In Mexico and Mexican immigrant communities in the United States and Europe, the Day of the Dead is of particular cultural importance.

What would happen if you lived each day as if it were among your last? Did you act the way way you would want to be remembered? Did you say what you really meant to say? What was your motivation - love or fear? North Americans are unnaturally fearful of death, afraid to confront much less alk about or celebrate it, whereas most other cultures embrace it as the other side of life. Discuss.

Happy Day of the Dead! Your assignment for today, should you choose to accept it: think of someone you knew who has shaken off this mortal coil, and celebrate his/her life in a joyful way.

Try this poem on for size.

Poem: "As Death Approaches" by Susan Deborah King, from One-Breasted Woman. © Holy Cow! Press, 2007.

As Death Approaches

I can't believe I'm laughing!
I'd have sworn I'd be
shaking or sniveling.
And I sure didn't expect
a limousine.
I've never been in a limousine.
No biggy.
I've had better than fame.
Who needs the pressure?
As for fortune, I'm filthy.
That's why I'm laughing.
I've had so much love:
the giving, the getting.
It's shameful.
It's embarrassing.
And it's too late.
No one can take it away!
And I've had the pain
to help me appreciate it.
Thank God for the pain!
Easy for me to say
now that I'm going!
But no, seriously,
the kicks in the teeth,
the gut, the rugs
pulled out, slammed doors,
setbacks, snubs.
Without them, I'd
never have recognized
Love, bedraggled,
plain eyes shining,
happy to see me.
Do I want more?
Of course I want more!
I always want more
of everything: money, hugs,
lovemaking, art, butter,
woods, flowers, the sea,
M&Ms, chips, tops, bottoms,
trips — I did give up drinking —
time, sure, and yes,
I'd like to see
my grandchildren,
if there are any.
I'd like to see my books
but more has never
been good for me anyway.
Enough — that's what I've
always needed to learn,
and is there a better way?
So this laughter
I had to work up to
through so many tears,
it just keeps coming
like a fountain, a spray.
Let it light on you
refreshment, benediction,
as I'm driven away.

Healing Christofer

Christofer Krajec and his parents are hoping for a miracle, and you can help. The tumor that has grown in his brain is inoperable, but parents Anna and Ed are firm believers in the power of positive healing. You can donate monetarily, and/or you can turn your thoughts to a massive daily city-wide "heal-in" through your prayers, thoughts and visualizations.

Come or donate to the fundraising event at Anneliese's Willowbrook School in the canyon this Sunday, Nov. 4 from 3 to 8:30, or attend or donate to the Womenade event this Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m.(see previous post - donations can be mailed to Stephanie Donavan at 435 El Camino Del Mar LB 92651; make checks out to Christofer's Miracle Fund). There's a silent auction at the Anneleise's event -- if you have something to donate, please contact Yamini at 494-0294 or yamini7@msn.com. (Mom Anna is a teacher at the school.)

This is where Laguna Beach really shines -- when one of our own really needs help, we pull together and give it all we've got in whatever way we have to give it. If you are moved to assist the Krajecs, you can do so and/or read more online at http://ourlil.com/healingchristofer/
Thanks.

Scary

http://www.flickr.com/photos/birzer/1776203368/in/set-72157602738780788/

Pity the Bees: Fake Halloween Cobwebs Kill

You may have heard about the mysterious disappearance of honeybees, which would have huge consequences for farmers and growers needing crops and plants pollinated, which in turn affects the food chain. How does this connect to your Halloween celebration?

Let me share: A few years ago, my kids and I decorated for Halloween by placing that poly-spun cobweb stuff on our rosemary bushes near our outdoor entry. A few days later we heard bees -- not the usual hum of bees doing their nectar-gathering thing, but bees in severe distress. Upon inspection, we discovered dozens of bees trapped by a single poly thread in the cobwebs. The threads seemed to stick to their legs, rendering them unable to fly or get away.

My advice: don't use this stuff outdoors. Your neighborhood bees will thank you.

Womenade: Helping Christofer

Here is an easy way to ease the way of another person going through a tough time:

Womenade is a group celebrating its 5th year of quarterly dinners. Each dinner honors an individual or family in vital need. Each woman who attends brings a small potluck dish to share (enough for 4, either savory or dessert) and a check for what would have been spent on a dinner out with friends…or as much as you are inspired to contribute. 100% of all the money raised goes directly into the hands of the person or family we are honoring that night.

The next Womenade dinner is set for Tuesday, November 6th from 7 to 9 p.m.

Womenade founders Jane Andersen and Stephanie Donavan were contacted by several Laguna Beach friends who told them about a local 3-year-old boy named Christofer. Here's what Jane wrote:

"We were really touched by the urgency and the need that they described. Some of you might already know about Christofer, the son of Anna and Eddie Krajec. Anna is a teacher at Anneliese’s schools in Laguna Beach. Christofer was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Because Western medicine cannot help Christofer at this point (4 neurologists have given Christofer a 1% survival chance using radiation and chemotherapy), Anna and Eddy are looking to non-traditional treatment methods. As you are most likely aware such methods are not covered by insurance companies.

"At this point, Anna and Eddie have already been forced to use their savings for each of the specialists for Christofer. They have seen neurologists, craniologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, as well as natural pathologists and acupuncturists. Their insurance has covered some and sometimes none of the above specialists. Also, the family needs to do 3 more MRIs in the next 2 months and their insurance covers only a portion of the MRIs.

"Our goal at the next dinner is raise at least $3,500.00 to help them cover the costs of the alternative specialists that they are turning to and to help them with the costs of the remaining MRIs.

"We hope you can attend the dinner and help us raise money for Christofer and his family. If you can’t come, please consider sending a check. Please write your check to Christofer’s Miracle Fund."

Womenade Potluck Dinner
Tuesday, November 6th, from 7:00 to 9:00
435 El Camino del Mar (Stephanie’s house)
Please RSVP to Jane at 464-0022
or Stephanie at 497-9214

Jane added:
"Please bring any and all friends who would like to attend. The more people who contribute, the more we’ll be able to help this family. We look forward to seeing you on the 6th!"