Green Festival

The Green Festival came to DC on October 14th and 15th and is on its way to San Francisco and Chicago in upcoming months. If you live or will be visiting one of these cities, check it out and be inspired. There are hundreds of speakers, exhibitors, and film screenings about everything from smart growth to green hotels to socially responsible investing, as well as amazing vegetarian food, activities for kids, and an organic beer and wine garden. PLUS all of the food containers and water bottles available at the festival are compostable, the exhibitors' booths are constructed with recycled materials, and admission discounts are given to those who ride bikes to the festival or come with a lightbulb to exchange. Check out greenfestivals.org for more info!

Is Pink What You Think?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when many medical organizations, hospitals, and advocacy groups work hard to get awareness out about breast cancer so that someday, soon, we'll find a cure.

The month is also a time for many corporations to target our heartstrings and, they're hoping, your purse strings too.

How many products do you see out there with a pink ribbon on it? How many will commit a "portion of proceeds" of a certain product to breast cancer?

The answer is, a lot. Although these products are seen as a company doing good for the community, what's really happening is that many of these companies are taking advantage of a popular issue to make an extra buck. They're giving only pennies away to breast cancer research and pocketing the rest.

I'm not saying that all companies are using this month as a scheme, or that you shouldn't buy these products. I'm hoping that you will think first before automatically buying a product because you think it'll do good for the world. Educate yourself!

For more information, go to www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org