>> Los Angeles Bioneers is hosting Shannon Biggs who will talk about her work on passing a “Sustainability Bill of Rights” ordinance in Santa Monica, which would strip personhood rights from corporations and give rights to ecosystems instead. Takes place Tue., Jan 31 at 7 pm at G2 Gallery, 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. Cost: free with RSVP to srnichols@mac.com.

>> The LA Bicycle Coalition needs volunteers to help count cars parked in the new Spring St. bike lane to provide LAPD with accurate data during the morning and afternoon commutes this Tue., Jan. 31 to Thu., Feb 2 along Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles. Exact times are flexible. Cost: free. Email martin@la-bike.org to volunteer.

>> Do you home-make, home-grow, and/or forage your own food creations? If so, come trade them at the LA Food Swap, next Thu., Feb 9 from 7-9 pm at ReForm School, 3902 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: free with pre-registration. Register now as space is limited.

>> Arcona is hosting a free facial experience with their new mandarin orange brightening peel. Free champagne and brownies from Sweets for the Soul will be served. Enjoy the fun this Sat., Feb. 4 from 12-4 pm at Evolue, 357 1/2 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. Cost: free with rsvp to info@evoluebeauty.com.

>> The LA County Bicycle Coalition is organizing 3 three different rides for various cycling abilities to the Watts Towers! All rides will reach the Watts Towers, where you’ll get the chance to take a tour if you choose. All rides take place this Sun., Feb. 5. The 49 and 37-mile rides meet at 8 am and ride at 8:30 am, leaving from Dock 52, 13555 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. The 10-mile ride meets at 10 am and rides at 10:30 am and meets at Jesse Owens Park, 9651 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. Cost: free.

If you’re like me, you refer to Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database before you buy any beauty or personal care product. The easy-to-search database provides quick safety scores for thousands of products, warning you if the mascara you’re considering’s full of toxic chemicals — and pointing you to safer, greener options.

And if you’re like me, you get emails from Environmental Working Group all the time — asking for money. Each time I delete one of these I feel a small pang of guilt — because I use the Skin Deep database a lot more often than I give money to support the nonprofit that makes it.

Well — Tonight’s a good night to both assuage guilt and get pretty if you live in the Los Angeles area. The Skin Deep database recently relaunched after a cosmetic makeover, making searching for and self-education about beauty products a lot easier. And to celebrate the new do, Environmental Working Group’s teamed up with green beauty boutique Evolue in Beverly Hills to throw a celebratory relaunch party.

When: Wed., June 29, 7 pm to 9 pm

Where: Evolue, 357 1/2 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills

Cost: $20 donation at the door to Environmental Working Group

For your generosity in supporting Environmental Working Group, you’ll be rewarded with organic cocktails, snacks, and music from a live DJ. Plus, Alexandra Spunt, author of “No More Dirty Looks,” will introduce Skin Deep and stick around to sign books and answer your pressing green beauty questions.

Hope to see you there!

That’s why the news that building L.A.’s Subway to the Sea would only relieve traffic congestion by 1 percent doesn’t disappoint me at all. Once that subway gets built, it’s bye-bye to fighting traffic — and hello to hopping on a subway train that’ll get me from Union Station to UCLA — in just 25 minutes.

The 1 percent statistic was announced as part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for the Westside Subway Extension — or to put it in layperson’s terms, a draft study of how extending the Purple Line down Wilshire (and perhaps the Red Line through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills too) all the way to the beach would affect the city.

Even if you’re a diehard driver, there are good selfish reasons to support the Westside Subway Extension. Think a 1 percent improvement’s too measly an improvement to be worth pursuing? Zach Behrens at LAist points out that without the subway, traffic will get a whole lot worse instead of very slightly better: “Population growth means more vehicles on the road. Metro estimates about a 26% increase in daily vehicle miles traveled within the westside subway extension area.”

Ready to start riding the subway? Well, it’ll be a little while. Steve Hymon at Metro’s The Source blog spells out just how long you may have to wait:

Under the long-range plan adopted by the Board of Directors of Metro last year, the subway would reach Fairfax by 2019, Century City by 2026 and Westwood by 2036 using a combination of Measure R sales tax money and federal funds. Why so long? Because the subway to Westwood is expected to cost about $4 billion and sales tax money flows into local coffers over time — not all at once. Measure R funds also have to fund a plethora of other projects promised to county voters.

However, there is a plan to speed up construction of the subway. The 30/10 Initiative being pursued by Metro — and backed by many other politicians, environmental, business and labor groups — would use federal loans and other financing to try to build 12 Measure R transit projects in the next 10 years. So there’s hope.

Want to help get the subway built sooner rather than later? Then you’ve got to get involved with making the Westside Subway Extension a reality. Read the executive summary of the draft EIR (PDF) — or if that 64-page PDF is just too painful, read Steve’s quick bullet points about the report at The Source.

Then get thee to one of the public meetings about the draft EIR! Those will happen from 6 pm – 8 pm on:

>> Mon., Sep. 20, LACMA West – Terrace Room, 5th Fl., 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

>> Tue., Sep. 21, Westwood United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall, 3rd Fl., 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

>> Wed., Sep. 22, Plummer Park – Community Center, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.

>> Mon., Sep. 27, Roxbury Park – Auditorium, 471 S Roxbury Dr., Beverly Hills.

>> Wed., Sep. 29, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.

After Metro collects feedback until Oct. 18, Metro officials will select a route for construction on Oct. 28 — after which will come a final environmental impact report, followed by actual action to start building the subway (the process is more complicated than I’ve made it sound; see page 2 of the executive summary for the wonky details).

Earlier: Find out what the Subway to the Sea stations near you will look like

Images via Metro

Eco-beauty seekers had to start shopping online again when Abbot Kinney’s green beauty boutique Vie closed its doors. Now, they can just head over to Beverly Hills, where Vie’s former manager Jean Seo’s opened a brand new eco beauty boutique, Évolué.

At Évolué, Angelenos can find out about eco-chic organic, natural, and non-toxic beauty products — and sample them to make sure the goods are right for them before handing over credit card numbers. Évolué carries skin care products from some of my favorites like Arcona, greener hair care lines, and natural makeup. Plus, “Ecobrow” artist Marco Ochoa’s available by appointment.

Évolué is about “the evolution of green,” according to Jean. “I want to educate people further about what green means.” After all, everyone has different standards for what they consider green. Jean seeks to help people find the shade of green they’re looking for by offering a range of products at Évolué. For example, makeup lines range from the raw, food-grade organic RMS Beauty to the high organic content W3ll People to the natural Jane Iredale.

Évolué celebrated its grand opening on Saturday with an organic tequila-and-brownies party. The small boutique was packed with women getting brow threading from Marco, mini-facials from Arcona, and hair styling from Hamadi.

Jean (above, with Marco) says Évolué will launch its own skin care line in the fall. Like Palmetto, Évolué is a higher-end beauty boutique. Expect top-of-the-line eco-beauty products, with prices to match. Store hours are Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 am to 7:30 pm.

Évolué. 357 1/2 Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. 310.289.1560.

This week, $5 will get you either a falafel wrap and an M Chopped salad (above; to-go only). Next week, it’s a 2 Salad Combo (below’s one pair of options — the Scarlet Quinoa Salad and the Sesame Soba Noodle Salad) or a Tofu Bento (to-go only).

Then the week of June 21, pick between the Breakfast Enchilada (breakfast hours only) or Double Chocolate Fudge Cake (below). My verdict on the cake: The refined-sugar-free dessert isn’t exactly rich, fudgy decadence — but a nibble-worthy delight if your health aspirations are somewhat stronger than your sweet tooth’s true desires.

Plus, all month, Green Tea Roll Cake will also be available for $5. Unfortunately, those cakes ran out before I got there during M Cafe’s anniversary fest on June 5, when all items on the menu were available for $5 and healthy foodies created a line longer than at Pink’s around the corner.

M Cafe does offer seafood dishes — some of which are sustainable — but it looks like all the $5 specials are vegan. So if you thought a Big Mac combo was your only option because you only have $5 in your wallet, head to M Cafe for delicious food that’s actually good for you and better for the environment too.

M Cafe de Chaya. 7119 Melrose Ave. Hollywood. 323.525.0588. Additional locations in Culver City (9343 Culver Blvd.) and Beverly Hills (9433 Brighton Way).

>> Get to City Hall on Hunger Action Day to voice your concerns to local elected officials about budget cuts to nutrition programs. Events begin Wed., June 2 at 4 pm on the City Hall South Lawn on Spring St., between 1st and Temple.

>> Wolfgang Puck’s declared Thursday Wolfgang Puck Iced Coffee Day. Get a free organic Wolfgang Puck Culinary Iced Coffee — which I can’t drink because they’re not lactoce-intolerance-friendly — at 5 Wolfgang Puck Bistro and Wolfgang Puck Express locations on Thurs., June 3: Downtown Los Angeles (11 am – 2 pm), Costa Mesa (11 am – 2 pm), Universal City (3 pm – 6 pm), Santa Monica (3 pm – 6 pm), and Westlake Village (3 pm – 6 pm).

>> Green gallery Eco-LogicalART presents Global Sustainability: Central America to Maine, featuring “a multi-media presentation showcasing cutting-edge sustainability projects across Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.” There’ll be a live DJ, an acoustic band, giveaways, beer, sustainable food, and ice cream! The event happens Thurs., June 3 from 6 pm – 9:30 pm at Eco-Logical ART Gallery, 4829 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: $10 with a portion of proceeds donated to a featured project selected by the attendees. Earlier: Eco-LogicalArt turns old billboards into eco-art.

>> If you’re in the O.C., head over to The So Cal Green Solutions Expo to see the fastest “Green Machine” in America (above) — which runs on veggie oil and biofuel and can break 100 mph — and “Green Herbie — an electric VW. You’ll also be able to test drive greener vehicles, learn about saving money with wind power, get lessons on sustainable gardening, and browse the wares of more than 115 green exhibitors. The FREE festivities happen Sat., June 5 and Sun., June 6 from 10 am to 6 pm both days at Orange County Great Park in Irvine.

>> Celebrate World Oceans Day a day early at FusionStorm Foundation’s 1st annual fundraiser “My Ocean Planet” — to benefit Ocean Voyages Institute/Project Kaisei and its efforts to study clean up the the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — that scary vortex of plasticky trash in our ocean. You’ll get to mix and mingle with eco-conscious celebs while enjoying live music, entertainment, an open bar, auction, and raffle. The party happens Sat., June 5 from 6:30 pm – 11 pm at Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu. Cost: $50.

>> After 22 years, Los Feliz’ green demonstration house Eco-Home is closing its doors — so don’t miss the last tours of Eco-Home that’ll teach you about sustainable urban living. The last two tours happen Sun., June 6 and Sun., June 27, starting at 2 pm both days Cost: $10. RSVP to 323.662.5207.

>> Weigh in on the Subway to the Sea at the Metro Westside Subway Extension meeting to discuss alignment alternatives connecting Beverly Hills and Century City. Be there Mon., June 7 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Auditorium of Roxbury Park Community Center, 471 S. Roxbury Dr., Beverly Hills. Earlier: Update on the Subway to the Sea.

Photos via Wolfgang Puck and Green Solutions Expo

If M Cafe de Chaya had a location in Santa Monica, I’d be there every day. I enjoyed one of the most delicious organic macrobiotic meals there last month — the Miso Salmon Macro Lunch. The balanced meal comes with miso marinated organic farmed salmon, brown rice, broccolini, and cauliflower — all for $9.75. For 75 more cents, you can add an organic miso soup.

The Japanese Breakfast Bento’s a bargain too — moist black cod, served with rice, salad, and pickled vegetables for $14.

Macrobiotic dining’s what I generally refer to as “vegan, but with fish,” though I realize serious macro foodies have stricter definitions of the diet. At M Cafe, macrobiotic’s made organic and sustainable too; the restaurants also shun refined sugars.

While the Japanese meals are my favorite so far, M Cafe offers contemporary macrobiotic versions of international fare — from Korean bibimbap to big Californian salads to grilled tuna burgers and fries to baked goodies. Walk into the sunny restaurant on Melrose, and you’ll be tempted by all the prepped salads, wraps, and sushi rolls on display while waiting in line to order.

Order, take a number, then stake out a spot. The Melrose spot has both indoor and outdoor tables — including a communal table, if you’re feeling social. I advise dining extra early or late, since the restaurant can get super busy and crowded during peak meal times.

When I visited again earlier this week, I went for the Wild Salmon Wrap special — a good option for pescatarians who don’t want to eat farmed salmon, even if it is organically farmed. That wrap was pretty good — and the red quinoa salad I got as a side was excellent — but I instantly had salad envy when I saw my friend’s crisp, fresh, M Chopped arrive.

That’s what I’ll be getting when I visit next. I finished off my meal with a comforting soy latte — made with organic, fair trade coffee, though from Starbucks-owned Seattle’s Best — which was a bit too foamy and not quite as good as the food, but decent enough. I loved M Cafe’s Green Day veggie juice though, which I’ll be writing more about later.

Believe it or not, I’ve yet to try any of M Cafe’s baked goods — mainly because I never leave enough room for dessert! Assuming M Cafe’s bid to open a restaurant at LAX goes through, I look forward eating healthier macro cupcakes at the airport in the future. What’s your favorite meal at M Cafe?

M Cafe de Chaya. 7119 Melrose Ave. Hollywood. 323.525.0588. Additional locations in Culver City (9343 Culver Blvd.) and Beverly Hills (9433 Brighton Way).

The goal of Going Green Film Festival’s a bit different. In addition to showcasing new green films, Going Green seeks to recognize eco-friendly television and film productions. To that end, Going Green will award ECOtainment Awards “for demonstrated exemplary efforts in eco-friendly initiatives that respect and protect the environment” — much like the Environmental Media Association’s annual EMA awards, given to TV shows and films for similar reasons.

That means the ECOtainment Award recipients won’t necessarily be green-themed films or shows; the 2010 winners are 24, The Good Wife, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. However, most of the films screened at the three-day festival are green films. Festival attendees can watch now-famous newish eco-documentaries like Addicted to Plastic and King Corn — or pick from intriguing-sounding films like Bangladesh: Water World and Hybrid Man.

In addition, the festival will screen the 1948 classic film, The Bicycle Thief, give out additional awards to films with green themes, and hold both a welcome and closing awards presentation. Tickets to the festival cost $7.50 for individual screenings, $35 for day passes, or $375 for an all access VIP pass that includes the special events. All screenings and events will be held at Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills.

>> Running in Los Angeles. The L.A. Marathon’s sold out for the first time in its 25-year history! I ran it in 2005 — and may again in 2015. Will you be running the marathon this year?

>> Making pedestrian life pretty.An iPhone app called CitySourced lets you quickly report potholes and graffiti. Just snap a photo, tag it with a GPS location, and send the info to the city. Currently in San Jose, the L.A. version’s hoped to launch later this month. The bad news is that the city plans to fill 80,000 fewer potholes this year, due to budget shortages.

For the rest of you — unless you went the rental or eco-reusable route — it’s time for treecycling. Don’t just set it in your alleyway at random as that’s illegal, as per L.A. Municipal Code 57.21.06! Dry trees can create a fire hazard.

Ready to part with your holiday tree? Every city in the L.A. area has its own set of rules — so follow the guidelines for your ‘hood. Remember to take off all decorations from your tree to reuse next year — That’ll also help make the chipping and mulching process go more smoothly.

Beverly Hills: Put your tree next to your trash bin on trash collection day.

Culver City: Put your tree next to your trash bin on any trash collection day before Jan 31.

Los Angeles: You’ve got 3 options:

1) Place the tree next to your green bin or the street’s curbside for collection on trash collection day,
2) Chop up the tree and put it in your green bin, or
3) Haul the tree to one of many drop off sites on Sat., Jan. 2 – Sun., Jan. 3 between 9 am – 4 pm.

Pasadena: You’ve got two options (PDF):

1) Place your tree at the curb before 7 am on your trash collection day between Jan. 4 – Jan. 15, or
2) Drop off your tree at one of two sites: Eaton Blanche Park (3100 E. Del Mar Blvd.) or Robinson Park (1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) between Dec. 28, 2009 – Jan. 2, 2010 from 7 am – 2 pm.

Santa Monica: You’ve got three options:

1) Drag your tree to Clover Park (25th and Ocean Park), Douglas Park (Chelsea and Wilshire), Christine Emerson Reed Park (Lincoln and California), or Los Amigos Park (5th and Hollister) any time during the month of January.
2) Drop off the tree at the City of Santa Monica Transfer Station at 2401 Delaware Ave. during 6 am – 2 pm, Mon. – Sat., or
3) Chop up your tree and put it in your green bin, if you have one.

West Hollywood: Put your tree next to your trash bin on any trash collection day on or before Jan 16.

My neighbors are apparently really happy to declare Christmas done, because the Santa Monica park near me’s already a tree graveyard!