LOVE ANGELES

Garth Lenz: The true cost of oil

Source: TED - Garth Lenz’s photographs capture the detailed reality of what happens when a pristine landscape is confronted by an industrial project. His work as a photojournalist has won him top awards at Pris de la Photographie Paris and the International Photography Awards. He is also a fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. His solo exhibition featuring the Alberta Tar Sands, “The True Cost of Oil” premiered in 2011.

As important as his visual style is the content that Garth chooses to focus on, his understanding of complex environmental issues allows him to make powerfully relevant and important images. - Melissa Ryan, Nature Conservancy Magazine

Want a Real Economic Stimulus and Jobs Plan?

By Robert Applebaum (Contact)

To be delivered to: The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate and President Barack Obama

Forgiving the student loan debt of all Americans will have an immediate stimulative effect on our economy. With the stroke of the President's pen, millions of Americans would suddenly have hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of extra dollars in their pockets each and every month with which to spend on ailing sectors of the economy. As consumer spending increases, businesses will begin to hire, jobs will be created and a new era of innovation, entrepreneurship and prosperity will be ushered in for all. A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats - forgiving student loan debt, rather than tax cuts for corporations, millionaires and billionaires, has a MUCH greater chance of helping to rise that tide in a MUCH shorter time-frame. The future economic success of this country is wholly dependent upon a well-educated, prosperous middle class. Instead of saddling entire generations with debt from which there is no escape, let's empower the American people to grow this economy on their own! 

Therefore, we, the undersigned, strongly encourage Congress and the President to support H. Res 365, introduced by Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-MI), seeking student loan forgiveness as a means of economic stimulus.

For over 30 years, the rich have gotten richer, the poor have gotten poorer, and the middle class is slowly but surely being squeezed out of existence. Instead of more of the same corporate welfare/"trickle-down" economics that have been an abysmal failure for the middle class, why not try a trickle-up approach to rebuilding our economy by targeting relief at those most likely to actually help grow the economy?

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION 

Famine No More

Source: ECORAZZI - Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, have released a special video message in support of World Vision’s relief efforts in East Africa. The couple is urging people to give up one meal a day and donate the sum of $10 to FamineNoMore by texting “FAMINE” to “20222”

Garden Walk & Town Square

Source: ARCHPAPER - Despite recently losing out to Downtown LA for Eli Broad’s new museum, Santa Monica still has a very high profile design project moving forward: the Palisades Garden Walk and Town Square. Located on seven acres of land between Santa Monica City Hall and the Santa Monica Pier, the $25 million project, which is being designed by James Corner Field Operations, was shared at its sixth and final workshop with the Santa Monica community on February 26.

As AN reported, Field Operations—the architects of New York’s High Line, among other high profile parks across the country—won the commission over a year ago, beating out teams like Gehry Partners and Peter Walker and Partners. Their highly ambitious, layered proposal will be broken up into a number of “systems,” a collection of colorful and topographically diverse zones, each meant for a different use and experience. That will include view-centric hills, sheltered bays, and meandering pathways surrounded by plants, fountains, and small creeks. The Grand Bluff will afford the best views of the ocean and neighboring vicinity; the Garden Hill will include the widest variety of plant life on the site; the Gathering Hill is meant for congregation and relaxation; and the Discovery Bay will be a play area for both children and adults and will feature an area shaded by large trees that will contain extra large steel slides, forts, and other activities. A community focal point will be the Town Square, a flat area with a large reflecting pool meant to defer to the art deco architecture (and landmark status) of Santa Monica’s City Hall.

Read on at ARCHPAPER...

I HEART TURTLES

Source: LA Times - A secret oasis for the world's most endangered turtles The Turtle Conservancy, tucked in the foothills of Ventura County, cares for species ravaged by habitat loss, wildfires, hunting and black markets. Its latest project: breeding the rare ploughshare tortoise.

Reporting from Ventura, Calif.— When it comes to caring for the world's rarest cold-blooded animals, few places match the pampering and security provided to hundreds of critically endangered turtles and tortoises at a secret compound in the foothills of Los Padres National Forest.

In paddocks and aquariums protected by surveillance cameras and electric wire, Okinawa leaf turtles feast on silkworms and mulberries in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Nest-building Burmese black mountain tortoises relax in piles of freshly cut oak, sycamore and bamboo. Forest-dwelling impressed tortoises dine exclusively on organically grown oyster mushrooms. Philippine pond turtles spend the night in snug tunnels made of cork bark.

But Saturday's VIPs were eight ploughshare tortoises flown in from Hong Kong in padded crates. Among them is a female of breeding age, which Eric Goode and his associates at the nonprofit Turtle Conservency's Behler Chelonian Center hope to mate with the only male ploughshare tortoise of breeding age in North America... Read More at LA Times