If you've spent much time on Zaadz, you might have run across Tommy Rosen. This weekend, he'll be launching the
Eco Gift Expo, the first large-scale eco-conscious gift show ever, in Santa Monica.
You can watch a compelling (and hugely entertaining)
interview with Tommy about green economics, conscious capitalism, and the ethics and energy that inspired him to pull together this event
here . (Seriously. Have a look. Waylon Lewis, of Elephant Magazine, isn't afraid to ask hard questions... and both of them are funny, besides. ;)
One of the things I learned from the video? Santa Monica
banned styrofoam in the city. And their conversation around the holidays and connection and consumption and what it all means, really, is wonderful.
Obviously, those of you in the LA area will be lucky enough to check out the event in person. Just head over to the
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (click
here for directions!) on
Saturday, December 15th from 9am to 8pm and
Sunday, December 16th from 9am to 5pm. There you'll find, in one place
- over 150 different socially and environmentally responsible businesses
- organic foods and drinks
- a live music pavilion
- all manner of performers and magicians
- and an eco gift-wrapping station.
Tickets are no longer available online, but you can get them at the door.
(Oh. And 10% of all revenue will go to Global Green USA and The Whole Planet Foundation.)
If you're not in LA, it's still worth checking out
EcoGift.com. Tommy's been working for a long time on pulling this tremendous event together and his
explanation of how to put together a 'zero waste' tradeshow is both inspiring and educational.
So. If you're celebrating the holidays this year, keep saving up those paper bags to reuse as wrapping paper... and if you're not, keep holding to that spirit of mindfulness in giving.
To intention and sharing and making things matter,
Siona and the rest of the
Zaadz Team .
