Vegetarian "Special"

Chrissie's new gig

Pretenders singer talks about her beloved Akron, redeveloping urban downtowns and her new restaurant.

By JOHN BOOTH

Standing outside the work-in-progress that will soon be her new restaurant, Akron native Chrissie Hynde said little about her own venture at a news conference Thursday, but offered up an impassioned speech about revitalizing her hometown.

“My blood is Akron, and it courses through my veins,” said the leader of rock band The Pretenders. “I’m such a Buckeye.”

Full story

We couldn't resist inserting this link to the 70s classic by Chrissie and the Pretenders called "Brass in Pocket", it's so 'special' and it's perfect. NV

Pretenders' lead singer Chrissie Hynde announces plans for veg eatery

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chrissie Hynde announced this week plans to open VegeTerranean her homage vegetarian restaurant in Akron, Ohio, her home town.

Planned for a grand opening in September the restaurant will serve Mediterranean cuisine, favored by the UK singer and of course the menu will include no meat.

Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders, says she’ll be on hand for the opening, accompanied by an acoustic guitarist as well as some musician friends for a free concert kicking off the event on Sept. 15.

Hynde, who lives in England, has partnered with a local restaurateur to manage VegeTerranean while she continues to tour and record.

Besides being a musician, Hynde is also famous as an active member of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a contributor to the establishment of the PETA headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. The 7th person on VH1’s “100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll” is also an active and outspoken vegetarian. Hynde, who is a close friend to singer Annie Lennox, had to apologize for her accidental role in a McDonald’s restaurant bombing caused by a misguided fan. Previously, she had jokingly stated that she had blown up a McDonald’s franchise to help advance her vegetarian views.

And, like the famous line from the Pretenders’ song Brass in Pocket says, we agree, Chrissie is “special".

The hurricane gene

Hurricane season is fast approaching and I can already see the headlines: “Three Quarters of a Million Residents of Florida East Coast Urged to Flee”… geeze, CNN again!

In 1856 four great storms invaded Florida in one season and in less than 6 weeks at that. In 2005, 5 major storms made headlines and pushed the insurance industry over the edge, by that I mean they edged into record profits. The average cost of home insurance, including wind, has tripled since 2005.

The Florida legislature, last month, cunningly passed a measure of relief by requiring Florida homeowners to buy storm shutters (average about $40,000 per household) before any building permit will be granted, say for a new roof or perhaps a replacement garage door.

Meanwhile Newt Gingrich says he doesn’t think the rest of the country should have to pay into a disaster fund so “folks” can live on the beach. The former U.S. House Speaker said on a nationally broadcast interview, "If people build in high-risk areas, and you know it's a high-risk area, there should be some way to internalize that risk in your insurance costs. That's probably very unpopular with people who would like a free ride."

But, it’s probably OK with people in river flood zones, or tornado alley and the tinderbox hills of Beverly, right Newt? No “free rides” for anybody then OK? OK.

I remember Dean Hamer's opus The God Gene. Hamer, who authored another classic the Gay Gene, has these epiphanies. If genes can account for God and genes can make you gay then why not envision genes that can get your ass kicked by a hurricane; The Hurricane Gene.

Now, while I'm not a geneticist and I don't have the entire genome code stored anywhere on my hard drive - though it's probably imprinted somewhere nearby - I have a fair understanding of the root science; hey, I have a degree in English Literature for Christ's sake! Anyway, I figured that if God can plan to make us gay or devout why not give us a gene to make us live in Florida? I mean, if he/she wanted to, he/she could give us a gene that said we had to live in California, I suspect that would be called the Earthquake-McSchwarzenegger gene.

Anyway, I've survived a number of these insurance storms, most, without Newt, and for that I'm grateful. I seem to have a gene, which according to my reading of Hamer's genetic protocol, makes me a survivor, not the TV type but rather, you know, the disaster type and so I wanted, on the eve of another hurricane season, to go on-record with the theory that jeans, not genes, control our fate and if you're fortunate enough to live in Florida you better have good jeans (genes).

Postscript:: This article was`written prior to the storm event, which destroyed Greensburg, Kansas. The power of storms to inflict so much damage, although seemingly repetitive to some locals is profoundly more random than we imagine.

Our sincere sympathy to all the victims of last week's tornado. Please go to the American Red Cross or your favorite charity and give what you can to help the survivors of Greenburg.

Summer, backyard camping and some other happy news

This clip arrived on or desk last week and we had to share the fun. We don't know anything about this happy couple but they have a job with us at the entertainment desk anytime they want. Watch the video, ya just gotta smile.


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Orange County, California:: A pelican collided with the windshield of a car here Friday in what local police say may be the county's first case of F.U.I (flying under the influence.) The incident happened at about 11 AM on California's famed Pacific Coast Highway. According to eye witnesses reports, the California brown pelican, whose destination is unknown, was simply flying too low and crashed through the front windshield of the car.

The driver of the car was unhurt. The pelican was transported to a local veterinary clinic where it received treatment for a broken foot and minor cuts. The pelican, which was probably impaired by ingesting a toxin produced by naturally by algae blooms, will be recovering at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center.

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Today is the Great American Backyard Campout, an excellent way to reconnect not just with the kids and family pets but with nature and perhaps even your next door neighbors. Go to the National Wildlife federation's site and you can sign up your official camp site and start blogging, 'course you'll need a wireless connection from the pup tent or maybe just wait until next day, after the "s'mores" have worn off.

Make mine lithium

Our favorite ride, the E-Cobra, by Hybrid Technologies, is making us sing the bod electric and why not, this super charged dynamo gets you there in style, with electrons to burn.

The E-Cobra features a unique Lithium Power System that makes it a sustainable zero emission two-wheel vehicle. This sleek, exceptional performance, electric motorcycle is ideal for personal transportation in urban areas.

Priced around $6000 the E-Cobra is cheap, sexy and environmentally "hot" - just like some of our best friends - and, with stats like these, it's bound to put you back on the mood for that easy ride.

Speed: Up to 30 mph / 40 kph
Range: 2 hrs@25 mph = 50 miles
Power: 2 kilowatt in-wheel motor
Charge Time: 2 hours full charge on 110V
Total Weight: 210 lbs
Batteries: 72V, 11Ah
Battery Cycle Life: 1000+ fully discharged charges

The E-Cobra runs on a linked pack of lithium batteries - the same batteries that power up your fav lap top. Lithium is the lightest metal known and one of the most common in nature, no heavy metals here folks. HT's Martin Koebler was one of the first to demonstrate that Lithium packs can be used for performance vehicles. A veteran when it comes to Lithium batteries and a world expert with advance solar cells, his pioneering work in adapting this technology to alternative powered vehicles has spawned a revolution in zero emmission transportation.

A quick charge and your on your way clean, mean and green.

Carnival of the Green

This 16th edition of the Carnival of the Green is dedicated to the Spirit of New Orleans, home of the original “Carnival,” Mardi Gras. Tomorrow is “Fat Tuesday,” and so from all of us in the Carnival of the Green we wish the people of the Gulf Coast and disaster victims everywhere a greener, brighter new year.

Thanks to Elisa and all the "Workerbees" over at Hip & Zep Pen for a superb Carnival last week, great folks those Bees.

And now, without further ado… on with the show.



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The Naked Vegetarian is pleased to be the purveyor of this week’s “Carnival of the Green” which is now in its sixteenth serving (sweet 16 and never been frisked). This Carnival of “wondrous” Greens is brought to you by the outstanding collaborative team of City Hippy (a gentleman from England) and TriplePundit (a gentleman from San Francisco.)

This carnival kicks off in grand style with a sister act, new to the carnie. Ladies and gentlemen, step right up and meet Mandie Rose and Ann a couple of organic farmers who are sure to please your ‘common’ sense as well as your eye with their amazing tales of sustainable craft and a gallery of, ahemm, shall we just say “nature” photos, if you take my meaning.

First, you’ll be Captivated by Mandie with her tales from the garden she likes to call,
1. My Plot.


Then marvel as man and animal prevail over nature in a struggle to achieve sustainable logging practices and then be intoxicated by ancient, mystical rites of the mushroom by Ann of 2. Rose Mountain Farm.

Say, that reminds me - have you heard the one about the organic farmer’s daughters…

Next, prepare to be astounded and amazed by the power of reason and intellect when you meet “Professor,” Stentor (Danielson)from Debitage. He’ll educate and surmise ya, he’ll provoke and hypnotize with his erudite hypothesize on the debate between the GEs and the nons in his 3. “Trust Versus Information in the GE Food Debate” at debitage. (I only spent an a few minutes with The Professor and I learned this,)

“d-e-b-i-t-a-g-e, “Flinty little leftover sharp things – debitage…”

“Gypsies, tramps and thieves you’d hear it from the town…” Well now the town, taxman is gonna come around and you won’t have to lay your money down – at least not so much. Tracy and the crew at EcoStreet found a tiny little loop hole just in time for tax season - if your in the UK - from the good folks at “green alliance.” Worth the read, maybe us Yanks can learn a thing or two from this post, 4. Energy Efficiency Up, Council Tax Down?

Now, that’s what I call a “Concession stand.” Beer and chips, ₤2.70

Ladies grab your fans as the good Dr. Ng, at the Advanced Molecular Biology Lab, UBC, CA this captivating tale of Islands in the Sun, heat islands that is, Urban melting pots and…well, come in and experience this one for yourself: 5. Climate Change In Urban Areas F.A.Q., By Lauren Paul Moccia. Plus, a special offer you can’t resist: enter a writing contest and become the sustainable star you know you are.

Come on in there fella, step up and pitch a tale and get your gal a cupie doll. Try your luck at our pitching bench, 3 balls just 25 cents - a winner every time, guaranteed. What ya got to lose friend, just two thin dimes and a nickle, the chance of a lifetime.


Next up, fresh from their latest “World Bank” tour, that internationally renowned troupe of acrobats, jugglers and high wire artists, the family World Bank Bloggers (otherwise known as the Private Sector Development Blog) present, live on your desk top
6. “Predicting climate change.” We warn you: someone from the audience may be selected to participate. Note: The Carnival makes no guarantees for the safety or well-being of its audience.

• 7. How best to enforce environmental standards? By Rachel Kyte

• 8. Responsibly managing globalization By Pablo Halkyard

• 9. Environmental and social standards: what to require? By Rachel Kyte

Watch transfixed as Pablo, Rachel and their daring band of bloggers directs your attention high over the center ring where you’ll witness a death defying act of global warming and all preformed, my friends, without a net - well, an internet, OK!


Meet them live, inside and, just maybe, too close for comfort. This week’s Carnival of the Green, sparing no expense, brings you two of the world’s most wondrous and famous of rarities, the genuine “Sustainable Activist.” Live on stage and interviewed by two of Carnival of the Greens’ most courageous performers, Nick ‘bring em back alive’ Aster and the renowned writer and explorer Jeff McIntire-Strasburg.

First, an interview with L.Hunter Lovins, by Nick Aster

“There are few figures in the environmental movement as inspiring or accomplished as L. Hunter Lovins.”
Nick Aster of Treehugger presents the first 10. interview in this two part series with Hunter and reveals much that is extraordinary about this woman who has been named a “Hero for the Planet” by Time Magazine, her work to achieve sustainability at the local level and her recent adventures in Afghanistan. Without further ado, sit back and have a read!


Next, a revealing look into the mind and methods of Skye Creative’s “Wildman” Shea Gunther by Sustainablog's Jeff McIntire-Strasburg for Greener Magazine 11. Green by Design: Skye Creative. From the deepest corporate jungles of sustainability and entrepreneurship, a place any saner man would never venture, intrepid explorer Jeff McIntire-Strasburg brings you the green habitat of Shea Gunther’s world.


Ladies and Gents, direct from the far frozen north, comes a tale of greed beyond the sea, of Olympic Gold and China to behold. For your sole entertainment and erudition, a tale is told and a plot doth thicken. We present, for the first time anywhere, Green Thinkers and their dastardly tale of 12. “Team Canada: Made in China” or as we like to call it, “HBC, To Who Won Woe” by Scott Smith.


Read all about it! LA news gets an ear full from Living Green in LA’s Melissa Mansfield. 13. Spending way too much time analyzing the local news is a throttle on review of 28 minutes, the author will never get back – funny piece and sadly all too true. We’ll chalk this one up under the category of public airways and talking heads pollution. Thanks, Melissa, for pointing out yet another environmental hazard.


And now the evening news, brought to you by those wonderful folks at the USDA. Always on the spot reporter George the “Dirty Greek” has breaking news that 14. National Forests To be Sold to Pay for Schools. It was announced… well heck, read the rest for yourself I gotta go see the man about a tree.


Turning now to the east coast, a ‘hotspot’ we love, and a little Miami Nice with this great post on “post” from Rebecca Carter from Greener Miami.Com 15. Get Greener, Miami! Stop Junk Mail. Rebecca tells us how to go postal and maybe help the environment in the process.


City Hippy turns 1, gets a bit gushy, assesses the year and asks a question to kick off year two: What do you think is the single biggest problem the world faces and how do we solve it? He gets some fantastic answers. Which should remind us all that Carnival is about nothing if it’s not about the future. With their Namaste then to the New Year, 16. “Acorns into mighty Oaks.”

Happy B-Day City, here’s one on ya.



Next, Ladies and Gentlemen, may we once again call your attention to the center ring where you will witness the strange, the bizarre, yes, even the unnatural. You may not believe your eyes! Ladies be advised to watch your children at all times and men may be tested beyond their manly endurance as Carnival of the Green proudly presents The Animal Broadcast Network’s own Nancy Lee and her amazing 17. “Designer dogs.” Take it away, Nancy!

Red Hots. Get ‘em while their hot

Oops, UPS is Elisa Camahort’s pick as best of show this week as Hip & Zen Pen praises this green version of United Parcel Service’s conversion to gas, no less, in Karen Clothier’s (love your name, Karen) 18. “UPS leads the Way. (Note: that’s not leads, phosphorous or chromiums… the way.)

Way Girl

Take a peek at the geek by the end of our Midway Lee Schnaiberg of Exuberant Pantaphobia and his mini video assembage. This one on called 19. Trike Taxi is sure to be fun for the whole family, enjoy the flick.

Last stop for this Carnival of the Green. We have one more to show, so before you go take a respectful moment to gather ‘round and “lay your money down” as the rev. Don Bosch from The Evangelical Ecologist preaches a little gospel and sells a couple bottles of Dr. Good” in his review of a new book by Tri Robinson, 20. Saving God’s Green Earth.


That’s all for this week folks. Thanks to all the “Carnies” for their contributions and a very special thanks to our visitors. See you next time as Carnival of the Green #17 heads off to Jacqui and Craig at Enviropundit, cha …cha…cha

The Carnival of the Green tour originated by City Hippy and TriplePundit. For more information on hosting a Carnival of the Green or contributing an article please visit the Carnival Announcement Page.

Thank you. Your host, The Naked Vegetarian

Mardi Gras Video 2006
Get yo'self partly naked and go party NOLA
(click to play)