What do Rachelle Carson Begley of “Living With Ed” , eco-fashion designer Karen Brown of Stewart+Brown, and raw food chef Ani Phyo have in common? They all spoke at the Women of the Green Generation conference this weekend. In fact, all three notable green women were on the same panel!

Green women in L.A. and beyond collected at the Marrakesh House in Culver City last Saturday for this second annual conference, which brought together established businesswomen, green actresses, and eco-curious newbies alike. In contrast to the many other green conferences out there, Women of the Green Generation’s schedule was filled entirely with women speakers — who hosted panels ranging from marketing your green business (I was a speaker on that one) to mothering green.

Plus, inspiring speakers — like Zhena Muzyka of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea — took the stage, and side “Ask the Experts Form” workshops allowed conference-goers to ask specific questions to experts in various aspects of green business in intimate groups.

Some of the panel topics were a tad vague and felt a bit like preaching to the choir. But for the most part, the conference was an inspiring event. And of course, if a panel or speaker didn’t interest you, you could go sample snacks at the many eco-friendly booths of foods and products, try on eco-fashions, and even get free mini facials and massages.

Most of all, the conference allowed for a lots of great socializing and networking — which got me feeling re-energized and re-invigorated by the good green vibes from other women. My favorite part of the event? Re-connecting with Karen Stewart, who outfitted me in one of her deep purple hemp jersey Nile Tank Dress for the event.

The next Women of the Green Generation conference won’t come around for another year, but the networking group holds monthly salons with speakers, eats, and treats. Get on the email list to find out more about those as they come up.

Earlier: Women of the Green Generation: Eco-business networking for L.A. women

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Get up early this Saturday — because the networking group Women of the Green Generation is back with its second annual conference! And like last year, I’ll be there as a part of a panel on green marketing.

But first, about the event. The Women of the Green Generation conference is an all-day affair, featuring not only the usual speakers and panels, but also eco-spa treatments, an “ask the experts” forum, a mini eco-expo of sorts featuring green goods, short eco-films, and more. Plus, attendees organic food and drinks all day — including a light breakfast, a lunch catered by Large Marge Sustainables, and a closing reception.

This is one green event where women take the center stage. Speakers include raw food chef Ani Phyo, author of “Gorgeously Green” Sophie Uliano, Rachelle Carson Begley of “Living With Ed” fame, Zhena Muzyka of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, and many others — like myself!

When: Sat., May 14 from 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Marrakesh House, 6310 Tompkins Way, Culver City
Cost: $35 in advance, $50 at the door.

I’ll be on the 11 am panel titled “Marketing 911 – What you don’t know could hurt you,” which will tackle marketing techniques for green businesses, with an emphasis on social media strategies. Other panelists are Venice’s Whole Foods Market marketing director Kelly Layne, Tracy DiNunzio of Recycled Bride, and Susan Neisloss of Working for Green. Susan Emmer of Farmacy Agency will moderate.

Hope to see you there!

Earlier: Women of the Green Generation: Eco-business networking for L.A. women

Photo by CarbonNYC

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If you watched Who Killed the Electric Car?, the 2006 documentary about how electric cars were developed, then destroyed in the 1990s, you probably remember the General Motors guy that straight-up lied on camera. That guy was GM’s spokesman Dave Barthmuss, who said — when the General Motors EV1s were taken back by the company from lessors who didn’t want to part with them — that the EV1s would not be crushed. The following scenes of the film show the EV1s getting crushed!

That was back in 2005. Cut to 2010 — Last Saturday, Dave ponied up $4,500 to be first in line watch the sequel, The Revenge of the Electric Car!

Dave was the winning bidder for a private advance screening of The Revenge of the Electric Car, the big live auction item featured at the pro electric-car nonprofit Plug-In America‘s fundraiser party on Saturday — held at the home of Chris Paine, director of both Revenge of and Who Killed?, no less! Amidst a few hundred EV fans, some of whom were featured battling GM in Who Killed the Electric Car?, Dave (below, with mic) took the podium after his winning bid to talk about General Motor’s second chance — both as an EV-maker, and as a company.

Luckily, Dave was in a forgiving crowd. The name of the Chris’ forthcoming sequel aside, the talk among the fundraiser attendees was about redemption, not revenge — and the cars featured on the party lot included the Chevrolet Volt — as well as the Nissan Leaf, E-Tracer, Ford Focus BEV, Coda, and Tesla.

I know not all green transportation advocates, many of whom advocate for thinking outside the car altogether, are in love with EVs — especially really fancy EVs like the Tesla that are unaffordable and impractical for most and create “The Story of Stuff” type, excess of consumer culture worries. This is why many EV fans embrace the entry of the more affordable options that make electric vehicles a viable option for the general public. The idea is that if you can’t get rid of your car altogether yet, at least seriously consider an all-electric one. And in fact, one Plug In America member got recognized for reuse, picking up a “High Mile Award” for driving his electric Toyota Rav4 for more than 200,000 miles!

Attendees also got to see the preview for Revenge of the Electric Car, coming to theaters in Spring 2011. The preview won’t be released online until closer to the debut of the film, but curious fans can get updates from the film at the Revenge of the Electric Car blog.

Do you think you’ll be getting an electric car?

Top photo via Plug In America; bottom photo by Siel

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>> Green-minded poets and poetry lovers will want to attend Brave New Voices 2010: Speak Green to hear 12 poets read green poems. Van Jones will be there! The free event happens tomorrow, Wed., July 21 starting at 7 pm at Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015. RSVP and get your free ticket NOW.

>> Rose Bowl Green Expo will feature speakers, green exhibitors, and workshops on environmental topics. Be there Fri., July 23 from 10 am to 6 pm at The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. Register online.

>> Join me to Walk and Ride for a Safer 4th Street! Organized by the L.A. Bicycle Coalition, this event highlights efforts to turn 4th Street into a bike boulevard. The bike ride starts at 10 am from Pan Pacific Park, the walk starts at 10:30 am from 4th and Normandie and ends at Shatto Park, 3191 W. 4th St., Los Angeles — where free refreshments will await all participants.

>> Find handmade gifts and items at the FREE 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair. You’ll get to shop from more than 250 indie crafters, take advantage free workshops, and enjoy entertainment. The fair happens Sat., July 24 and Sun., July 25 from 11 am to 7 pm both days in Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St., Los Angeles. Earlier: On Spring: Organic cafe with locally-grown eats in L.A. State Historic Park.

>> After a 2-month break, EcoTuesday is back! Go meet fellow green businesspeople on Tues., July 27 starting at 7 pm at M Cafe de Chaya, 9343 Culver Blvd., Culver City. Earlier: EcoTuesday: Green business networking with a structure.

Like green LA girl’s Facebook page to learn about more fun green parties, sales, and events happening in the L.A. area!

Image via bravenewvoices.org

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A few years back I asked TreePeople founder Andy Lipkis what he does to lift his spirits when the green going gets tough. Qigong was on the top of Andy’s stress-busting techniques — and since that short conversation, I’ve been vaguely curious about this practice — but not curious enough to actually invest my time looking for a Qigong school or teacher. I didn’t even know where to start looking!

Last week, I finally got to practice Qigong — at Raksa in Culver City. In fact, thanks to Raksa, I’ve also gotten to try TaiChi and Feldenkrais Movement in the last month. That’s because Raksa offers a full schedule of movement classes — all in a roomy, peaceful studio featuring bamboo floors and low VOC paints.

A variety of yoga classes make up most of that schedule, but Tai chi, Qigong, and Feldenkrais movement classes are also offered, letting anyone easily try out these techniques without signing up at a school dedicated to the specific practices.

In many ways, Raksa’s like a one-stop-shop for all alternative wellness practices. In addition to the movement classes, the Culver City spot also has a macrobiotic cafe and offers eco-friendly salon services. Plus, Raksa also offers a long list of “energy” and “mind” services, ranging from the I-want-to-try-it acupuncture sessions to the I’ll-keep-an-open-mind-about-it reiki and hypnosis sessions to I-think-it’s-bullshit astrology readings and “past life regression” sessions. The services are offered by 30 different practitioners in the upstairs rooms — painted in corresponding chakra colors.

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