Marriott Embraces Greener Practices

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Bethesda-based hospitality giant Marriott International has just pledged $2 million to protect the Brazilian rain forest and promises that by the end of the year its guests will be able to offset greenhouse gas emissions from their hotel stays. According to the company’s press release, “Marriott is taking new steps to reduce the company’s water, waste and energy consumption; green its supply chain; build greener hotels; and engage employees and guests to take action.”

The company’s five-point strategy to reduce and offset its global environmental footprint, which it has calculated at 2.9 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually includes carbon offsets, green buildings, recycling programs, and more.

A Real Beauty

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

There are plenty of salons and day spas that have “natural” treatments, but it’s rare to find one that not only offers a plethora of organic treatments and products, but that also is organic throughout, from the towels to the walls. Honi Borden, owner of DermaHairCare, a medi spa in Falls Church, VA, has clearly put a tremendous amount of thought and love into her business and it shows.

Honi has carefully edited the product lines available at the salon to only include those that are organic and as earth-friendly as possible such as Suki, Aubrey Organics, and Perfect Organics. In keeping with a holistic green philosophy, she has implemented a number of green initiatives into her salon such as purchasing renewable energy and using recycled and biodegradable material whenever possible.

And last but certainly not least, there are several treatments that you won’t find anywhere else in the area including Chocolate Sun herbal spray tan, Aqua detox (ion feet and body therapy), Pedikarma, and sanitary hot soy wax hand and feet treatment. So if you are looking for a truly holistic, blissful, and organic experience, check out this little gem just outside the beltway.

The Eco-Women’s Hour

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Have you ever wanted to know about FRESHFARM Markets, those wonderful outdoor fruit and veggie-fests that sprout up around town this time of year? Well, now’s your chance. On Tuesday March 18th, Bernadine Prince, the organization’s founder and co-director will be the guest speaker at Eco-Women’s Hour.

Event details:

When: Tuesday March 18th, 6-8

Where: Teaism @ 8th & D Streets (400 8th Street NW)
Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial, Gallery Place/Chinatown, and Federal
Triangle.)

RSVP to info@ecowomen.org. If you are new to the list, please include your name and institutional affiliation. Sorry guys, the event is restricted to women only.

More about FreshFarm Markets: A nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about food and farming issues, providing vital economic opportunities for farmers, and celebrating the Chesapeake Bay watershed region’s agricultural heritage
and bounty. In 2007, the organization operated six producer-only
farmers’s markets in DC (Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, H St, NE and Penn Quarter) and Maryland (St. Michaels and Silver Spring) and directed a local foods and gardening program (FoodPrints) at Rudolph Elementary School (Ward 4) in Washington, D.C.

More about DC EcoWomen’s Hour: A monthly forum that provides
environmental advocates an opportunity to network with like-minded women.
Participants include women directly protecting the environment through
work in nonprofit organizations, foundations, businesses and government
agencies. Each month’s featured speaker is a leading environmental activist.

Green Events Galore

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Mark your calendars, greenies. There are a bevy of events on tap for March that are not to be missed. First up is Green Drinks on Tuesday, March 11 at Lillies inside the Carlyle Suites Hotel. In addition to the usual schmoozin’, this month’s event will include a short talk about CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) and the chance to sign up for a cooking class on seasonal eating with Inspire Nutrition. Oh, and there will be free apps so get there early.

On Sunday, March 9 @ 5 PM head to Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street, for a free screening of King Corn. You can catch another screening at the new Busboys & Poets in Arlington on Sunday, March 16 at 4 PM. Admission is free but you must RSVP to kingcorn@communitycinema-dc.org or 202-939-0794

The screening is sponsored by Independent Lens, ITVS, WHUT, Busboys and Poets,
Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (S.A.L.S.A.),
FARMFRESH Markets, The National Family Farm Coalition, and Slow Food DC.

About the movie: Have you been wondering why Americans are so overweight? Or why certain foods are so cheap? Two college friends set out in search of answers to these questions and were surprised with what they found. KING CORN is the story of two friends, one acre of corn and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.

Green on the Screen

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Break out the organic popcorn–the 16th Annual Environmental Film Fest is coming to DC March 11-22. Several of the films being premiered include “All in this Tea,” which follows a renowned tea expert to the remote regions of China in search of the finest handmade teas in the world, and “Arid Lands,” about the former Hanford nuclear site in Washington State, which has become the largest environmental cleanup in history.

This year’s festival has a selection of films that look at the topic of water and its growing scarcity on the planet. The premiere of the IMAX film “Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk” calls attention to watershed conservation on a trip down the Colorado River, while “The Water Front” documents the struggle against water privatization in Highland Park, Michigan. And “It’s Your Water–Use it Wisely” tells young people how D.C. gets its drinking water.

The festival’s last day, March 22, coincides with World Water Day, and will include a day-long tribute with films from Mexico, India, Austria, Slovenia, and Chile, accompanied by a panel discussion with experts on the need to provide safe water, sanitation, and hygiene throughout the world. The Sundance film “Flow–For Love of Water,” will close the day.