Brain and stomach cancer. Asthma and bronchitis. Miscarriages and stillbirths. All are health problems suffered by residents of Midway Village. Why won’t authorities close it down? Good freaking question!

I must admit that when it comes to those weekly newspapers, I judge by the cover. Short on time, taking the time to read them usually isn’t in the card – unless the cover story happens to grab my attention. The most recent edition of SF Weekly did just that. From an eco-geek standpoint, there is no way I could resist reading about something that felt the need to feature a biohazard symbol.

I hope this article stands to draw attention to the current issues in Midway Village; if you haven’t read it, do so, and let me know what you think.

Taking walks along Ocean Beach and through Golden Gate Park is one of my favorite parts of living in the city (NYC’s Central Park can’t compare). Each time I saw the Murphy Windmill, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my childhood and the random Swedish influences that were sprinkled throughout. Knowing that they were taking the time to restore such a landmark was heart-warming. More news came out today via The Examiner that the windmill will not only be restored to operational, it will be used as an alternative energy source.

According to the article, it will cost nearly $4 million to make this happen. I’m all for alternative energy, especially in such a good location, but DAMN that is a lot! How much does a new-age wind farm cost? How much electricity do they reckon Murphy will be able to generate?

With all of the eco-based blogs and magazines, rarely do you get to actually hear people talk about serious issues. For the past two years, Betsy Rosenberg and her EcoTalk program have been seeking to change that. Having interviewed everyone from Al Gore, Home Depot, Wal-Mart to smaller fund-raising organizations and everyday individuals trying to change the world, this is one of the best collections of honest, in-your-face advice from those who are knee deep in “environmentalism 2.0″.

Betsy has been working in broadcast journalism for 25 years and been reporting on the eco-beat for 10 years. Initially funded by Air America Radio, the show is now suffering some rough waves since AA filed for Chapter 11 a few months ago. “Even with the generous funding from our other sponsors, I’m still spending my own money to bring green news to everyone,” Betsy said yesterday when I went to visit her for my first interview on the show (which will be up later today). Her frustration with the situation was clear, but determination shined through as well – this show has a future and she will make sure of it. Monday through Friday, a daily collection of MP3s are posted on the EcoTalk blog site, along with bits of info and web links for the interviewees.

I’ve personally been listening to these podcasts for over a month and, in a word (or two), I’m addicted. I start my weekdays off with a fresh episode and wouldn’t have it any other way. Bringing green issues alive, adding a passion that the written word can’t express, is just one of the vital effects of this show. Even a media buff like myself learns something new everyday thanks to Betsy’s interactions with key eco-players. Recorded on Green Street right here in San Francisco, many local “greenies” are invited into the studio, adding another level of chemistry that you can hear clearly.

Radio airwaves have easily been corrupted by “popular” media, leaving serious issues to only be found on AM, if you are lucky. Turning to the internet, the honest truth of what is going on with our planet is not censored. Betsy’s years of experience and natural talent on the microphone brings our entire movement alive in just a half hour a day. Lately, the feed for the program on iTunes has been having some glitches, so head right to the EcoTalk website to listen right away. Search through the site and see if any of your favorite (or least favorite, if you are into that) companies or organizations have interacted with Betsy. Not finding who you are looking for? Send Betsy an email with your ideas for a future show.

(This post was shared on WorldChanging SF as well.)

A conscious, star-studded crowd will be living it up at the Bently Reserve tonight, all while raising money for rebuilding New Orleans and other Global Green USA projects. Personally, it being the holiday season and simply not making much money, I didn’t have $250 to drop for a basic ticket, but it sounds like it will be quite a shindig. The Gorgeous & Green event offers an ecocouture fashion show, ecofabulous design exhibits, a silent eco auction, organic food, and spa treatments for those that could afford to go (if you feel inspired and can spare the money, you can still get in). “Green” celebs will be in attendance as well, such as: Leonardo DiCaprio, Rosario Dawson, Jason Lewis, Daryl Hannah, Edward Norton, and our own major Newsom.

Is this the best way to draw attention to the plight of our planet? Who knows, but it’s something.

In a city where the fashion variety is as plethoric as the number of restaurants, it is clear that the Bay Area has its own hold on personal style. In a region where you can buy a t-shirt for anywhere from $5-500, how do you choose where to spend your dough? Asking this question to a few of folks that I work it, it because clear that just about everyone has their own judgment system: who they see roaming the store, the brands they carry, if they recycle or not – these are just some of the responses that I got.

How do you personally pick your stores? Do you both reading reviews on sites such as Yelp before you go? Would you visit any shop at least once to see if they have anything you like? Do you stick to stores that only sell to a certain “lifestyle” or “crowd”, such as mod, hippie, preppy … etc? Is the neighborhood the store is located in just as important as what they sell? Or, above it all, do you just avoid the city and shop online?

The country-wide WorldChanging Book Tour rolls into San Francisco tonight. If you haven’t yet heard of the website or the book, make sure to check them both out! Tonight will be a party at the 111 Minna gallery, which is sure to be a gathering of some of the best eco-minds in the area. They will also be having another even on Thursday: a panel at the Commonwealth Club.

December 5th
111 Minna Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
doors open at 6pm
This event will be our big WorldChanging community celebration.

December 7th
5:30pm, reception to follow
595 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Come see a number of Worldchangers — including Cameron Sinclair, Joel Makower, Gil Friend, Jer Faludi, Alex Steffen and Sarah Rich (and perhaps a couple surprise guests) — for a rolicking discussion of how we can build a bright green future and be home in time for dessert. We really hope you’ll attend.

I’ll be at both events, so feel free to track me down and say hi :)

The last day of November and I have done zero “holiday” shopping. In a twisted way, I am quite proud of this fact, but I know I will be buying gifts for some of my closest family and friends before the end of the year. As usual, SF has the answer to my problems, thanks to its Small Business Commission‘s Shop Local First Week from December 4th to 9th.

The Small Business Commission will host its annual Shop Local First campaign and celebration. This year our 4th annual campaign will feature Shop Local First Week, December 4-9, with several neighborhood events planned throughout the city, including special sales at participating businesses. The week will culminate with Shop Local First Day at Union Square on Saturday, December 9th from 10AM-5PM, featuring over 40 participating businesses selling their wares on the square. Also, Mayor Gavin Newsom will present the “Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year Award”.

Read on for special deals in the Mission and why buying local is best.

One of the city districts offering special deals will be the Mission. The fact that I can find things on these few blocks that I can’t find anywhere else in the city, or even the state, makes it all the more worth shopping here. The Mission Merchants Association website has a full list of stores offering discounts, but make sure to print out your coupon first – you won’t save money without it.

SF being a pretty eco-forward city, many of us tend to prefer a corner store to the big box chains that try to infiltrate the streets daily. Buying local is about more than just supporting our community, and the SFLOMA easily explains how:

1) Significantly more money re-circulates in San Francisco when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the San Francisco tax base.

2) Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in San Francisco provide the most new jobs to residents.

3) Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character: The unique character of San Francisco is what brought us here and will keep us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust

4) Local business owners invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

5) Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.

6) Competition and diversity leads to more choices: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

7) Reduced environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

8) Public benefits far outweigh public costs: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9) Encourages investment in San Francisco: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

10) Non-profits receive greater support: Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

If you are a magazine fiend like I am, then you have probably already seen the latest (December) issue of Self Magazine – the one with Cameron Diaz on the cover. Not the celebrity peruser I used to be, my personal interest in the magazine was the “healthiest cities for women” article. San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose all appear on the list, and pretty close to the top I might add. Keep reading to see what they said about these three cities; do you agree with their ratings?

San Francisco
Population: 1,689,500
Ranking: 7 out of 100 (down from #5 last year)
Fittest: #2
Least likely to be on a diet
Healthiest eaters: #5
Best environment: #1

+ Lowest obesity rate on list
+ Top score on list for dental health
+ Among five areas with most amount of park space

- Among the five areas with highest drinking rates
- Highest rates of allergies of anywhere on the list
- Scored in bottom 10 cities for women getting annual breast exams

San Jose
Population: 1,685,200
Ranking: 9 out of 100 (down from #2 last year)
Healthiest eaters: #2
Most sexually healthy: #2

+ Among five cities with lowest smoking rates
+ Among five cities with highest exercise rates
+ Cancer deaths in women 27 percent higher than average

- Among the cities with highest number of toxic sites
- Among five cities with highest allergy rates
- Scored in bottom fifth of list for amount of park space

Oakland
Population: 2,464,400
Ranking: 25 out of 100
Safest roads: #4

+ Top score on list for health eating habits
+ Women have nearly half the risk of dying in an auto accident compared to the average place
+ California is among the five best states for access to birth control and abortion

- Among the five cities with highest allergy rates
- Among the ten cities with the worst score for women getting annual Pap smears
- Longer-than-average commute of 70 minutes a day

Before moving here, I had contacted the writer of the Green Apple Guide, stating an interesting in making a version of the book for San Francisco. She thought that it was a great idea, but it was one of the many that fell to the side during the past six months. I was elated to find at the Green Festival that someone had already been following through on the same general idea.

The 2007 Green Zebra guide makes it fun and easy to explore the best of natural living in San Francisco. Whether you’ve been bringing your own shopping bag to the market for years or have only recently become concerned about the environment and your family’s future, this new annual guide is for you. With over 250 exclusive offers from organic restaurants and markets, eco-friendly retailers, spas, Yoga and Pilates studios, independent bookstores, bike shops, museums and more, there’s something for everyone to discover. The guide benefits both you and the community by providing over $12,000 in savings that encourage you to support local businesses. Many Green Zebra passes will save you more than the guide’s $25 purchase price in a single visit.

Green Zebra also answers many of your questions about living green in the city. Searching for a nearby Farmers’ Market? Not sure where to dispose of batteries and light bulbs? Wondering what Fair Trade really means? You’ll find the answers and more in this handy compact guide. Looking for further ideas and inspiration? Check out Green Zebra’s 20 action steps to find simple things you and your family can start doing today for a greener tomorrow.

Genuine effort by power company to help the planet or media ploy to distract from dirty deeds? You decide:

This Friday, San Franciscans are invited to lounge on grass couches at several landmark spots across the city. This series of grassy, interactive installations celebrates the November 16th launch of www.letsgreenthiscity.com, a community-based website that will raise local environmental consciousness and provide resources to make San Francisco the greenest city in the nation. It is co-sponsored by PG&E and Readymade, a Bay Area-based magazine and media company dedicated to do-it-yourself home design that’s inventive and environmentally friendly. Couches will be placed at the Ferry Building, Justin Herman Plaza, Alamo Square, in front of City Hall, 77 Beale Street, on Market Street in the heart of the Castro, and at the 16th Street Mission BART Plaza. Passers-by will be invited to have their pictures taken on the grass couches and take home their instant photos in frames made from recycled materials. This installation is non-permanent, and will be up for one day only from 8AM through the mid-afternoon.

If you have the time and yard space, find out how to sprout your own grass couch.