This is Why I'm Volunteering for Boxer & Obama. Will you join us? Only FOUR days left!

At 4:50pm on Thursday evening I was sitting in the office building where I work, less than two miles from the site of the Giants v Rangers game. I had one eye on the internet coverage of the game, and the other on the phone because I was excitedly waiting for President Obama to call me.



OK ... maybe Obama wasn't going to personally dial my number, and maybe I was not the only Democratic Party Youth Leader waiting for their phone to ring. But I was still kind of freaking out:)

After listening to President Obama’s remarks, and some follow up commentary from the College Democrats of America and the Democratic National Committee’s Youth Council, I put the Youth Leaders call on hold, and dialed into a 5pm call for the Democratic Party’s California Team with Obama and Senator Barbara Boxer.

Obama talked about why he supports Senator Boxer, and encouraged us all to volunteer in the few remaining days before the election. Obama has visited California several times this year to support Senator Boxer's re-election campaign. Jill Biden and Michelle were here recently, too.



Here's a Barbara Boxer campaign radio spot featuring Obama:



In addition to hearing from Obama on the Thursday night calls, I really enjoyed hearing from Senator Boxer. She has been my favorite senator since I started paying close attention to politics after the Twin Towers fell during my second year at Pace Law School. Following my graduation from law school I moved from New York to San Francisco, where I got to be one of Senator Boxer's constituents:)

Two years later I made the cross-country move again, from San Francisco to Washington, DC because I dreamed of working for Senator Boxer on international marine debris issues. It took 4 months, a job at a coffee shop and another at a call center, plus 2 internships and probably a hundred informational interviews, but I actually secured a job working for Senator Boxer!


photo: Co-worker Kelly & I, June 2008

While I later left Senator Boxer's employ to run a voter registration drive that I thought might benefit the Obama Presidential Campaign, I will always be loyal to Senator Boxer.

That's why I've been down at the San Francisco Democratic Party campaign office a few evenings after work recently, calling fellow San Francisco Democrats to remind them to vote, and that's why I'm going door to door in San Francisco neighborhoods this weekend with Organizing for America, to remind people to vote on Tuesday.

I need to know that I am doing everything that I can to make sure that Obama has the allies that he needs in Congress, like Senator Boxer. As MoveOn.org said in a recent email: "Do you really need clean socks that bad?" HA. No, my dirty socks can wait until Nov 3.


photo: West LA volunteers

If you feel similarly, then what can you do? LOTS.

1.) Join up with Organizing for America to make phone calls to Democrats who voted for the first time in Nov 2008. We need to make sure that they go back to the polls on Tuesday. Even making 10 minutes worth of calls will help. (Note that when you click on the link here, you'll be taken to the California OFA page. If you live in a different state then go to the top right-hand corner of the page and change your location.)

2.) If you can volunteer in person (either at an OFA office making phone calls, or canvassing your city's neighborhoods) then google "Organizing for America" plus your state's name to find your local OFA office. For example, here's the California page. Then call the office, or stop by to find out how you can help. This is not a time to be shy!

3.) Of course you can donate money if you want. The Boxer Store is having a sale!

4.) I voted early via absentee ballot. I typed up how I voted, and shared it in a "note" on Facebook. Based on what I've read (and the positive feedback I've received from friends) it seems like this personal contact really works.

5.) Finally, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE on Nov 2. Make sure your family members, friends, co-workers, professors, neighbors, etc vote! If you can take the day off from work then Organizing for America could really use your help. Again, find your local OFA office to find out where your help is most needed on Election Day.

THANK YOU for anything that you can do.



GO TEAM BOXER:) Go Obama! GO VOLUNTEERS!!! United together, we CAN do this.

OUCH, people! Rep. Tom Perriello needs our help!

photo: Rep. Tom Perriello

Grabbed this from today's very awesome (and free) Politico Morning Energy e-newsletter:

FIRST LOOK - The Sierra Club today launches its latest television spot in defense of a vulnerable House Democrat, this time in Virginia's 5th district, where Rep. Tom Perriello is scrambling to make up ground on his GOP challenger, Robert Hurt. According to a poll taken earlier this month, Hurt's holding onto a six-point lead over the freshman lawmaker.

The six-figure ad buy will run in the district from now through the election. It is the latest in a recent spending-binge from the group, which late last week paid a combined $800K for ad buys backing a trio of other House Dems locked in difficult reelection battles. Today's ad is also the second from the group in defense of Perriello (the first one was done in partnership with LCV). If you're wondering, the spot says the incumbent likes jobs, clean energy and veterans. And Hurt? Not so much. No word on where either man comes down on puppies and the elderly. Watch it here:



HEAVY SPENDING - As of yesterday more than 20 groups had spent a combined $4.2 million on the contest, placing it seventh in the country in terms of outside-group spending on a House race, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports this morning in a look at the race.


YOU CAN HELP. Got this today from a friend:

Help LCV re-elect a great Environmental Champion, Rep. Tom Perriello!

LCV is organizing a canvass trip to Virginia’s 5th congressional district from Saturday, October 30th – Tuesday, November 2nd. Housing, transportation, and food will be provided.

Please volunteer for any part of the four days that you are available. Sign up here to help re-elect Tom Perriello.

Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.


Can't make it to Virginia? You can still help. Got this in an email today from Obama, via Mother Jones:

Right now, my Democratic allies in the House are preparing for the final days of this campaign. Your support to help them raise $1 million before Tuesday will determine how many doors they can knock on, how many phones they can dial, and how many Democratic voters they can get to the polls.

Contribute before Tuesday's deadline to fund our final get-out-the-vote efforts on behalf of my great Democratic partners in the House. Your support will be matched by a group of generous Democrats.

After I made a contribution I was directed to this web page that has an inspiring video on it that includes behind-the-scenes coverage of young people who are working on the Perriello campaign. I hope we win!

It's Time to Learn to Swim!

Having grown up at the beaches and in the coastal waters of Long Island, NY and at the Frost Valley YMCA which has it's own lake and a camp scholarship program, these young social entrepreneurs' stories are really special to me.

I found out about Laura White's venture, Wild and Water Swimming, which she founded at age 16 while reading an Ashoka e-book yesterday.



Laura's story reminded me of Jennifer Gavlin's film that I'd gone to see at the 2010 San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, called Free Swim.

This award-winning documentary chronicles a project to bring Bahamians a sense of empowerment by developing a very special skill: surviving in the ocean that surrounds them. After a boy’s tragic drowning, young Americans help Bahamian kids cope with fears both real and imagined, and minimize the threat that increasing tourism might further alienate them from their coastal identities.

Watch the trailer here.

The film spotlights another venture founded by 2 young American women who also founded their organization, Swim to Empower after hearing that the children of their Bahamas community could not swim.

Swim to Empower from Jayson Jackson on Vimeo.

To find similar volunteer opportunities in your own community check out the Sierra Club's Inner City Outings Program.

The Sierra Club has 50 volunteer-run ICO groups spread throughout the United States. Every year, these groups conduct more than 800 outings that serve approximately 14,000 youth.

I've volunteered with them through the San Francisco Chapter of the Sierra Club - good stuff! Check it out:

Sierra Student Coalition accepting apps for their UN Climate Change (COP16) Cancun Delegation

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) will take place in Cancun, Mexico from November 29th - December 11th, 2010.

To apply to join the Sierra Club Student Coalition delegation, go here to review the SSC Youth Delegation Application Packet, and then fill out this application form. Apps are due at 12noon EST on July 2.

Read about Mary Shindler's experiences at COP15 with the Sierra Student Coalition here.


photo: Mary Shindler

Win a Trip to DC for the 5th Annual One Voice : Reproductive Health & Population Summit

photos: from previous One Voice Summit

There is a direct connection between our health and the health of the planet. Today, more than one billion youth – the largest number ever – are entering their reproductive years. At the same time, we face dwindling access to sexual and reproductive health information and services as well as pressing global challenges like water scarcity, global warming, and poverty. The voices and decisions of this generation will have an impact on our world for years to come.

US residents between the ages of 16 - 24 can win a trip to Washington, DC (flight, accommodations, and meals) to attend the 5th Annual One Voice : Reproductive Health & Population Summit from March 26 - 29, 2010.

The One Voice Summit is a two-day training and policy maker education day for youth activists who are interested in environmental and reproductive justice issues domestically and globally.

Participants will:
* Share info about the intersections of sexual and reproductive health & the environment through a human rights framework
* Develop media relations skills
* Learn how to work with policy makers
* Community Organizing skills
* Advocacy skills

Participants will also participate in a policy maker education day, meeting with their Members of Congress to request support for domestic and international policies supportive of evidence-based sexual and reproductive health programming.

In order to enter the contest you must be between the ages of 16 - 24, and you must live in the USA. To enter, write an essay 500 words or less about the potential roles youth can play in advocating for a more just and sustainable world, where all people have access to sexual and reproductive health services and a healthy environment.

Deadline is 5pm PST on February 3rd.

To enter the contest go to www.onevoicesummit.org.

Sponsored by Advocates for Youth, SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US), and the Sierra Club.

Linda Loudermilk & "Eco Luxury" Design

"Most mornings when I wake up, it's like I'm jumping off a cliff, and building my wings on the way down." - Linda Loudermilk

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a fashionista ... but I LOVE "eco luxury" designer Linda Loudermilk! She is SUCH an inspiration.

For a good introduction, and to see pieces from her collection, check out this video --
The video features Chris Paine (Director of "Who Killed the Electric Car"), Linda Loudermilk, Penelope Cruz, Chevy Chase, Andrea Bowen ("Desperate Housewives"), Petra Nemcova (Sports Illustrated model), talking about living green.



I can't embed this video interview with Linda into my blog, but it's also fantastic. Check it out here!

More great videos on her website. I particularly recommend the video from the Sundance Channel.

Here's her bio, straight from her website:

Visionary couture and eco-designer Linda Loudermilk has been named by “W” Magazine as one of the top 20 innovators to watch. Coined as the “Vivienne Westwood of eco” by Elle Magazine, Loudermilk has spearheaded the creation of a new, luxury eco™ lifestyle, blowing old concepts of environmental living out of the water. Through her revolutionary designs and radical spirit, Loudermilk has redefined sustainability as something alluringly sexy, fun and edgy.

Linda’s personal mission is to influence change on the planet and change within ourselves, the consumer, as we and the planet are directly correlated to one another. Linda’s purpose is to ignite expressiveness, encourage clarity in the choices of daily life and through awareness bring about gratitude of this planet, our home, within which we reside and from which we are fed. Her design, practice and materials are brought together mindfully from her core.

Six years ago, Loudermilk had made it to the Paris runways and the top of high fashion. In that moment she should have been rejoicing in the accolades. Instead, she felt empty. In Loudermilk’s own words,

“I was creating beauty, but beauty without soul.” She realized then that she wanted to make a difference in the world, to shift the way people think about the earth. With groundbreaking passion, she began researching products that are sustainable, by meeting with and learning from scientists and seeking out companies that create fibers without pesticides or other toxic processes. She developed relationships with manufacturers that do not poison the water supply as they have a consciousness about their effect on the earth.

What Loudermilk discovered is a world of design that can be blended with eco-responsibility in an exciting way. She trademarked the term luxury eco™, becoming the first designer to create a luxury+eco lifestyle brand under one umbrella—all made from the sustainable fabrics that she researched and developed, targeted towards the most demanding luxury consumer. She began using organic textiles that are woven from natural sources like bamboo, SeaCell® (seaweed) and Ingeo™ (corn). She collected scraps of lace and other fine fabric remnants from European sources, and started weaving them into her fashions. She found a way to personalize the beauty of the earth through her designs, by honoring its natural gifts.

According to Loudermilk, nature is the original punk. Her inventive style packs an iconoclastic punch from noirish suits—to sculpturally sexy shift dresses—to jeans cut deadly on the hip. That flair for the dramatic comes innately to Loudermilk, who studied Shakespeare and costume design at Oxford University in England “one of the world’s leading academic institutions.” Loudermilk’s intuitive sense of tailoring, passed down from her couturier grandmother and experience as a sculptor is the very foundation from which she embellished upon in becoming what she is today. Linda’s fine designs are passionately hand finished and mostly made in the USA.

Beyond her revolutionary designs, Loudermilk is bringing together the global pioneers who are producing “green” and “gold” at the same time. By establishing the luxury eco™ Stamp of Approval, she seeks to identify those who are also breaking new ground in their respective fields. The emblem is a message to the consumer that the products or services are not only eco-friendly – but also superior in luxury quality, design and craftsmanship. It is the only Luxury Certification.

Loudermilk’s mission is to define every aspect of life as radically and decidedly eco-responsible. She is recognized as the first to identify and successfully market to the luxury eco™ consumer. Her extraordinary vision and commitment to research and product development have established her as an authority and positioned her company years ahead of the competition in understanding how to generate sustainable profits in this emerging market.

For Loudermilk, there is no question: change is inevitable. It is the only way to the future.

“The Linda Loudermilk brand is design with a higher purpose.”

Also check out this necklace:



In 2004 worldwide, 2.2 million deaths were attributed to unsafe water. Eco-fashion designer Linda Loudermilk is trying to raise awareness about water issues with her lovely water droplet necklace. Made from reclaimed silver, the old-fashioned faucet with a single glass drop of water encourages people to think about how vital water is to human life. With your purchase of the water droplet necklace, a generous donation will be made to the YEW Foundation to support organizations with clean water initiatives. $65 from Uncommon Goods.

She has also started the Loudermilk Institute for Sustainability.



If green fashion interests you, then check out the launch of the "Be Eco-Chic" Campaign during Fashion Week 2008. The Be EcoChic campaign raises consumer awareness of the environmental implications of our lifestyles and helps better inform people on smart choices for a healthier planet. Launched in partnership with the Sierra Club, the campaign is overseen by an advisory committee comprised of fashion and environmental leaders and is produced by Chandler Chicco Productions, LLP. The Be EcoChic campaign is sponsored by AVEENO, Continental, the LYCRA fiber brand, Mercedes-Benz USA and Neutrogena.


Photo by Starre Vartan.

Check out the Be Eco-Chic website, here.

And this great video from Fashion Week, produced by the Sierra Club --



Click here for slideshow: "Sustainable Fashion Takes Off With the Help of Supermodels, Designers, Celebrities and Greens."

Finally, here's Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope's, take on the event, published on the Huffington Post, entitled "The Supermodel and Me."