With Saturday’s seventh annual EarthFest LA nearing, members of the City Council, West Los Angeles College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh – whose campus is the host – and others assemble by one of Culver City’s refuse trucks as a practical reminder.
From 9 to 4 on Saturday, residents may drop off their broken and old electronic devices to be recycled at the EarthFest LA site on West’s campus, in Parking Lot 5.
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From left, Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director, Damian Skinner, Public Works, Councilmember Jeff Cooper, Mayor Andy Weissman, Michael Meador, EarthFest LA Director, Councilmember Meghan Sahli-Wells, WLAC President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, and EarthFest LA volunteer Amy Rosenstein.
Electronic items – computers, keyboards, televisions, cell phones – can contain metals and toxic materials that should not go to landfills. They may contaminate groundwater.
Used and unsafe car seats, and seats that have been in a car crash are being collected to help prevent unsafe seats from being re-circulated. Those who turn in car seats will receive a discount on the purchase of an EarthFest LA concert ticket.
EarthFest LA is a family-friendly, day-long event consisting of environmental and healthy living presentations, booths, and an R&B / smooth jazz concert, coordinated by California Greenworks, Inc. in conjunction with the college. Presenters will discuss the controversial oil extraction method called fracking, the practical benefits of green jobs and a greener economy, the future of water sustainability and greening homes.
Access to the booths and presentations from 11 to 4 is free, as is parking. Tickets to the concert, from 2 to 6, may be purchased for $20 at www.earthfestLA.com
The Presenters
11 a.m., Daniel Villao – The primary author of “Beyond Green Jobs,” he is state director of the California Construction Academy at the UCLA Labor Center. He will discuss the economic and environmental benefits of a greener economy.
11 a.m., Isabelle DuVivier – A principal of Duvivier Architects, she will discuss the firm’s recent renovation of a home in Venice, elevating it to one of the highest LEED-rated homes in the nation.
11:30 a.m., Deana Vitela – CEO and partner of AquaBio Environmental Technologies, she will address the future of water sustainability. She has advised federal task forces concerning restoration and treatment of waterways, lagoons and effluents from urban runoff and waste treatment facilities.
1 o’clock, Screening and Panel – A panel sponsored by Food & Water Watch will discuss the impact of fracking following an abbreviated screening of “Gasland” by Josh Fox.
Concert Time
Headlining is Grammy-winning smooth jazz artist Paul Brown. Also appearing is chart-topping contemporary jazz musician Darren Rahn, R&B vocalist Wendy Moten and Motown-influenced singer/songwriter Chris Lightfoot. The concert will be held on the expansive Student Services Building lawn with views of West Los Angeles.
EarthFest LA is co-chaired by U.S. Rep Karen Bass (D-Culver City), state Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) and Councilmember Jeff Cooper.
EarthFest LA is produced by California Greenworks, Inc., a non-profit organization whose charter is to improve urban communities in Southern California, specifically Los Angeles County. Their motto, “Greening One Neighborhood at a Time.”
