Category: Events

Common Ground : Feast From the Fields: Sunday, September 10th • 1-3 PM

Sunday, September 10th • 1-3 PM

Our Third Annual Feast for Families!

A day of family-friendly, wellness focused activities for every member of the family! Tickets are $25 for adults and children. Children under 3 attend for free. All activities and food are included with the cost of ticket, and include:

???? Flower Crown Making: Make your own floral crown using CG Farm flowers with Pua Le’a Floral!
????Intro to Hydroponics: Create “home grow” kits from scratch using recycled bottles with NerdDNA.
????Dance Fitness Class: Learn African & Caribbean based dance moves with CG’s own Amanda Byam!
????Tasting bites by Chef Sonia Salazar of Barracuda/Te Amo/ 80 Proof using food grown from Common Ground’s Urban Farm!
????
Pick & make your own herbal tea with plants from our children’s garden!
???? Bid in a virtual auction featuring family-friendly items!

or make the whole weekend a CG weekend with tickets to both Saturday & Sunday!

Sustainable Brands Day Three #SBDetroit17

Started off with an old banana, granola bars, old wine and potent hash.

Here are the sessions I sat in on: 

Trends in Values-led Hiring: How to Go About Hiring and Engaging People with an Encumbered Past

Jo Confino   Jo Confino The Huffington Post

Amy Peterson   Amy Peterson Rebel Nell

Emily Hunt Turner   Emily Hunt TurnerAll Square

https://www.emilyhuntturner.com/law-prisoner-reentry

Aurelio Dorris   Aurelio Dorris Urban Ashes

Mike Brady   Mike Brady Greyston

Paul Hickman   Paul HickmanUrban Ashes

https://urbanashes.com/

This was a pretty important, factual, right in your face discussion. Addressing topics most people prefer to breeze over. They discussed challenges and issues that many low-income and no-income households. These are serious issues human face all over the world. 

I had a quick lunch and met the CEO of Common Impact 

Danielle Holly

http://commonimpact.org/

At Common Impact, they envision a society in which all individuals and businesses invest their unique talents towards a shared purpose: strengthening the local communities in which we live and work. 

After Lunch, I sat in on a session the Innovation Lab:  Good Supply Chains + Materials 

Hosted by Georgia from Forum for the Future

They are an international non-profit working with business, government and civil society to solve complex sustainability challenges.

She recommended to check out https://www.thefuturescentre.org/ as a great source for information. 

We briefly discussed common supply change challenges like:

Biomimicry for new materials

After that session, I met Kevin Farmer from Michigan Science Center

He is their innovation and discovery consultant and also did demonstrations for The Strange Matter. Green earth Booth. 

They are focusing on exhibits that allow you yo experience the power of Materials on a Sustainable World. Their exhibits typically live at the Michigan Science Center

I ended my day at this session: 

Redesigning the Fashion Industry by Proving the Business Case for Sustainability

Cara Smyth   Cara SmythGCU Fair Fashion Center

Frank Zambrelli   Frank ZambrelliGCU  Fair Fashion Center (MOD)

Melanie Steiner   Melanie Steiner  PVH Corp.

http://www.gcunewyork.com/fairfashioncenter/ is a young department of GCU New York their mission is to prove the business case for sustainability in the apparel and accessories industry. 

 

Sustainable Brands Day Two #SBDetroit17

Today started early and ended early with a nice bottle of Cabernet and great weather.

Here’s a recap of Day 2

I sat in on these 2 discussions:

From a Golden Past to a Glorious Future: Reinventing Brands Inside and Out with Compelling New Visions

Michael Arena  Michael ArenaGeneral Motors

Kimberly Kleiman-Lee  Kimberly Kleiman-LeeGeneral Electric

Simon Mainwaring  Simon MainwaringWe First

Deanna Bratter  Deanna BratterDanoneWave

 

The Dawn of the Employee Activist: Insights and Tools for Managing the Workforce of the Future 

Sally Uren   Sally UrenForum for the Future

Francis Janes   Francis JanesInternational Living Future Institute

Sarah Endline   Sarah Endlinesweetriot

Tony Calandro   Tony CalandroPovaddo

Freya Williams   Freya WilliamsFuterra

 

Had a great lunch and tried to crawl through the activation hub as much as possible.  The activation Hub is filled with great ideas, inventions, passions, and motivations. While walking around here are a few companies I interviewed;

Rareform 

https://www.rareform.com/

These guys repurpose 20,000 pounds of billboard wrapping a month to create one-of-a-kind products. 

Spoiler Alert

https://www.spoileralert.com/

Spoiler Alert helps businesses connect, collaborate, track, and save on food. 

Carlisle

https://www.carlislesyntec.com

For more than half a century, Carlisle SynTec Systems has been a leader in energy-efficient and sustainable commercial single-ply roofing. With more than 15 billion square feet of its single-ply roofing materials sold, Carlisle continues to lead the roofing industry by providing its valued customers with superior products, services, and comprehensive building envelope solutions. 

Hemming House

http://hemmingshouse.com/

Hemmings House Pictures is an award winning film production company that specializes in using a set of tools for positive social change-making. Founded by Greg Hemmings almost a decade ago, Hemmings House and its creative production teams have produced a broad scope of world-class, impactful media.

Shaw

www.shawinc.com

Shaw Industries Group, Inc.supplies proper carpeting. 

https://youtu.be/cILWhDEuaVY

Innate Motion

https://innatemotion.com/who-we-are/

 

The Guide for Eco and Ethical Prom Ideas (The Ladies Edition)

Here’s some Fair Trade & Ethical Prom Ideas

This season look fashionable while sending a positive message about the environment. You may have questions like, “Where do I buy a prom dress?” We have some answers on some ethical solutions. I know you guys are used to seeing the same stores pop up, “Macy’s, Lulus, Davind’s Bridal, Lord and Taylor, and Windsor”, but we have a list of some other not so popular but ethical options. 

If you’re going for comfy may we suggest MARIALIA

LACE-UP FRONT MAXI DRESS

$110.00 BUY

Description: A criss-cross lace up front and a ton of styling versatility. Style this dress up with the perfect heels. 

One Size

This is a Long prom dress. Made in the USA. Handmade with by 25-year-old Marialia. She is based in LA. She grew up in Southern Italy and Los Angeles and produced her first collection by 18, she was one of the youngest designers to ever showcase at Los Angeles Fashion week. Already costuming well known celebrities and churning out ready to wear, she hand makes her entire collection ethically in the USA.


Who said short dresses aren’t fun? You came to dance right? Give your legs some wiggle room. Alison Tunic Dress in Navy

Lenzing Tencel

$91.80 BUY

This is a Short prom dress. This figure-skimming tunic dress features shoulder ties, a v-neck and concealed pockets in the waistband. In 100% Lenzing Tencel.

  • Material: 100% Tencel ?
  • Length: Garment is 96.1cm long in size 12 (M)
  • Style Code: P576URNY

How it’s made: Made by Creative Handicrafts, a social enterprise working to empower disadvantaged women of the slum communities of Mumbai, India. Tailors at Creative Handicrafts produce a gorgeous range of cotton garments for People Tree.
Care instructions: Wash on low spin with mild detergent, Wash with similar colours, Do not soak, Line dry in shade, iron inside out on medium


A clutch purse with cool chain detail.

Handmade in Brazil made using 100% recycled rubber.

  • Material:  100% recycled rubber & flannel liner
  • Size:  11in  x 8in
  • Delivery time:  up to 20 days if not in stock and made to order

HELPSY Qualities:


ROUND GOLD VEGAN PURSE

$78.00 BUY

A precious handmade to order round faux leather bag will spice up any outfit. Made of soft and flexible vegan leather and fabric lining.

Includes crossbody/shoulder adjustable strap and a zipper closure.

Each bag is handmade to order. Fabrication process takes from 7 to 15 working days from the date of your order and then the item is shipped express from Mexico.

HELPSY Qualities


The Foldover Pouch 

$98 BUY

DETAILS

  • 7 1/2″ H (folded), 13 3/4″ H (unfolded) × 12” W
  • 100% Spanish leatherTo clean, wipe dry with a damp cloth; condition leather when needed
  • Unlined
  • Made in Ubrique, Spain See the factory

DescriptionGrab and go. This clutch is handmade in Spain with gold zips and a single central compartment, so it’s as functional as it is elegant.


Sexy A-line Sleeveless Red Detached Prom Dress Floor-length

$93.89 BUY

 

Silhouette A-Line
Neckline V-Neck
Sleeve Length Sleeveless
Hemline/Train Floor-Length
Built-In Bra Yes
Fully Lined Yes
Net Weight (kg) 1.50
Shipping Weight (kg) 2.00
Body Shape Misses

This is a Long prom dress

  • Made in Small Quantities
  • Non-Disposable&Well-Made
  • Handmade
  • Local Production

We pride ourselves in only using the highest quality textiles for our dress collections. Our purchasing and quality-control departments only source and use the best quality raw materials, such as delicate silk, rich satin, ethereal tulle, and soft chiffon, from a wide range of reputable fabric manufacturers and suppliers. Likewise, we only use high-quality embellishment materials: Rhinestones, beading, lace and sequins for beautiful and timeless detailing designs.

Tailoring

We have invested into advanced technologies to optimize the many complex tailoring processes, and all of our dresses are made by highly skilled and professional pattern makers, cutters and seamstresses who pride themselves on quality work.


Ball Gown Long Sleeves Bateau Satin Floor-Length Dresses

121.89 BUY

Silhouette Ball Gown
Neckline Bateau
Sleeve Style Long Sleeves
Waist Natural
Built-In Bra Yes
Fully Lined Yes
Fabric Satin
Embellishments Lace
Net Weight (kg) 1.50
Shipping Weight (kg) 2.00
Body Shape Apple,Hourglass,Inverted Triangle,Misses

This is a Two-piece prom dress

This is a Long prom dress

  • Made in Small Quantities
  • Non-Disposable&Well-Made
  • Handmade
  • Local Production

We pride ourselves in only using the highest quality textiles for our dress collections. Our purchasing and quality-control departments only source and use the best quality raw materials, such as delicate silk, rich satin, ethereal tulle, and soft chiffon, from a wide range of reputable fabric manufacturers and suppliers. Likewise, we only use high-quality embellishment materials: Rhinestones, beading, lace and sequins for beautiful and timeless detailing designs.

Tailoring

We have invested into advanced technologies to optimize the many complex tailoring processes, and all of our dresses are made by highly skilled and professional pattern makers, cutters and seamstresses who pride themselves on quality work.


MING WRAP DRESS / GREY

$98.00 BUY

Description: Our Ravi wrap dresses creates a relaxed and sophisticated look for an evening out. Our drape dresses are made of repurposed remnant jersey. This production partnership empowers at-risk women in Phnom Penh by breaking the cycle of poverty in a zero-waste facility. This is a Long prom dress.

  • Color: Dark Grey
  • Care + Maintenance: Eco-dry or spot clean/ Store folded flat (do not hang)

WHERE WAS IT MADE? : Cambodia

HOW WAS IT MADE? : Eco-friendly apparel made with repurposed remnant jersey with our exclusive hand-screened designs
HOW DOES IT BENEFIT AT-RISK WOMEN? : It empowers at-risk women in Phnom Penh in a zero-waste facility to break the cycle of poverty and provide for their families 

Elegant Chiffon Lace A-line 2016 Prom Dress Bowknot Cap Sleeve

$147.19 BUY

Silhouette A-Line
Sleeve Length Cap Sleeve
Hemline/Train Floor-Length
Built-In Bra Yes
Fully Lined Yes
Fabric Chiffon
Embellishments Lace
Net Weight (kg) 1.50
Shipping Weight (kg) 2.00
Body Shape Misses

This is a Long prom dress

  • Made in Small Quantities
  • Non-Disposable&Well-Made
  • Handmade
  • Local Production

We pride ourselves in only using the highest quality textiles for our dress collections. Our purchasing and quality-control departments only source and use the best quality raw materials, such as delicate silk, rich satin, ethereal tulle, and soft chiffon, from a wide range of reputable fabric manufacturers and suppliers. Likewise, we only use high-quality embellishment materials: Rhinestones, beading, lace and sequins for beautiful and timeless detailing designs.

Tailoring

We have invested into advanced technologies to optimize the many complex tailoring processes, and all of our dresses are made by highly skilled and professional pattern makers, cutters and seamstresses who pride themselves on quality work.


Ride Sharing options 

Booking a group limo or taking an Uber pool are great options. They’re still a much better option than driving individual vehicles. 

Try out event transportation made easy with UberEVENTS

Give your guests flexible door-to-door transportation and only pay for the rides they use. No waste, easy planning, and happy guests. This especially perfect for parents trying to keep track pf large groups pf prom goers.

Purchasing rides through UberEVENTS work for weddings, conferences, dinners, private parties, and more. Thanks to the flexibility of Uber, planning is less expensive, easier on you, and your guests are happy because they can come and go as they please.

As a host UberEVENTS puts you in the driver’s seat to manage when, where, and for how much your guests can ride, and you’re only on the hook for those codes redeemed.

 


DIY: How to Make a Corsage

Instead of paying someone to make one for you, have fun making your own Corsage

 

When is your prom?

URBAN-X & Smart Cities Startup Celebration- May 4

Where: 29 Norman Ave, Brooklyn

When: 6 – 11 PM                      

Please join URBAN-X on Thursday, May 4th as we celebrate the culmination of our second program. The evening will include a public startup showcase hosted at A/D/O, in tandem with the first Smart Cities NYC Conference. In the spirit of inclusiveness that defines the Smart Cities landscape, we’ll be inviting eight other companies from the broader smart cities startup ecosystem to present their concepts and products. And we’ll celebrate their journey with great music, good friends, and food and drinks from our culinary partners at Norman.

The eight URBAN-X companies participating are:

  • Envairo offers machine learning software that analyzes data from a building’s existing HVAC automation system to determine room occupancy in real-time — with no need to install new sensors.
  • Citiesense creates data-driven maps and dashboards that layer information about new permits, recent sales and property changes in urban areas, guiding real estate investors and other local stakeholders to smarter development decisions.
  • contextere is an Industrial IoT software company enabling the connected workforce. Its team is developing an intelligent personal agent that delivers actionable insights at the point of service, to make every worker more skilled, reduce human error and save lives.
  • O2-O2 allows active urbanites in polluted megacities like Beijing and London to reclaim their outdoor lifestyles and commute and exercise without fear of pollution. O2-O2’s face wear uses advanced nano-fiber technology to clean and filter air, protecting the user while providing unparalleled comfort, performance, and style.
  • REVMAX develops fleet management and routing software for ride-hail vehicles. Their technology maximizes vehicle utilization by proactively forecasting rider demand based on historical data and future events.
  • Sencity is reimagining connected urban street furniture, starting with one of our most pressing concerns: waste. Their TetraBIN product is an interactive receptacle that brings delightful surprise and reward to the simple act of trash disposal, leveraging interaction into an effective behavior shift.
  • Upcycles develops unique human-electric cargo tricycles for moving goods around urban environments, up to and including the last mile. While delivery technology edges towards automation, Upcycles represents a socially responsible, transitional step that is reliable and efficient.
  • WearWorks is a New York-based haptics design company whose product augments the senses of blind and visually impaired users, using sensory feedback systems to communicate information about the world around them entirely via touch.

The eight Smart Cities startups participating are:

  • AppSpots uses free public WiFi to help engage visitors and promote local businesses, responding to a visitor’s physical context and delivering a personalized experience in the user’s web browser without the need to download any apps. Its location services and analytics provide tools to develop smarter spaces, turning public WiFi infrastructure into a platform for supporting open innovation.
  • Benefit Kitchen is an award-winning, mobile-first software solution that allows families to screen themselves for up to 18 federal, state, and local benefits (such as healthcare, food, and tax credits) in minutes on their phone or computer. Benefit Kitchen gives those who serve working families the ability to create healthier and more financially secure communities.
  • Cityflag is an interactive social network for 311 services that transforms the way citizens and governments collaborate to improve cities and strengthen communities, contribute to social welfare, and build a more inclusive and transparent government.
  • Cabture develops and sells various media solutions in and on taxis. Cabture is an interactive tablet for passengers, giving them a comfortable, safe and entertaining taxi experience while targeting advertising campaigns, with a share of the revenue distributed to taxi drivers.
  • Farmshelf is a bookshelf-sized system and app that makes it possible for anyone to grow high-quality food year round. Remotely optimized using advanced Iot and hydroponic technology, Farmshelf is built to grow sustainable, great tasting and substantial amounts of produce right in restaurants, homes and shared spaces.
  • PowerMarket delivers community solar, with the economic and environmental benefits of rooftop solar, without installing panels on your home. Building a large solar system in your area, ThePowerMarket uses software to coordinate the project and deliver the benefits of clean, locally produced power to neighborhood homes and businesses.
  • Re-Nuble aims to create completely sustainable, closed loop food and plant production systems, using proprietary technology to convert food waste. Their capital light process transforms vegetative food waste into non-toxic, liquid hydroponic nutrients that help boost hydroponic yields at a fraction of the cost of chemically based alternatives.

This event is part of Smart Cities NYC ’17: Powered by People, May 3-6 (smartcitiesnyc.com), the first of its kind conference + expo to focus on the importance of citizen participation in urban and civic innovation. 

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-x-smart-cities-startup-celebration-tickets-32699993561

Impact Hour: Sustaining Effective Action- Aug 10

Where: 28 Frost Street, Brooklyn, NYC

When: 8:30 – 9:30 AM

Amplifying and Inspiring Impact: 2017 Impact Hours

Helping people navigate the current climate of information “clutter” is more important than ever. Our 2017 Impact Hours series will dig into ongoing environmental and social justice work while sharing tools for more effective personal and organizational action. Each Impact Hour will include perspectives from an artist, activist, and academic on issues of communication, engagement, action, and impact. Together, we will challenge each other’s assumptions and share practical tactics for sparking social change. Join us in-person in NYC (space is limited) or online from around the world.

8/10/2017 8:30-9:30am EDT Impact Hour: Sustaining Effective Action

We want to know…How do we decide what to do for max impact?

We’re going to learn…sparks for action, minimizing burnout, giving/doing like you

Superpower you will develop….prioritizing your actions for the long-term

Invited Guests:

  • Artist: Kemi Ilesanmi, Executive Director, The Laundromat Project
  • CONFIRMED Activist: Phil Aroneanu, Campaigns Director at Purpose and co-founder of 350.org
  • Academic: Lukas Haynes, Executive Director, The David Rockefeller Fund or Chris Cardona, Program Officer for Philanthropy at Ford Foundation

All events are free and open-to-the-public. Doors open at 8 am. FREE breakfast will be provided.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-hour-sustaining-effective-action-tickets-33254797996?aff=es2

AGAATI Sustainable Womenswear Trunk Show- May 3

Where:  307 West 38th St, #1418, NYC

When: 5:30 – 8:30pm

AGAATI California and Sustaining Life invite you to an exclusive preview of the newly launched womenswear capsule collection, AGAATI. The collection was lovingly compiled by Saloni Shrestha in pursuit of her creative dream, and she will be traveling to New York for a special viewing and evening with conscious fashionistas. Sustainable fashion expert, Faye Lessler of Sustaining Life, will join us to discuss the sustainability embedded in the AGAATI brand and why that is so important in today’s fashion industry.

We have something really special in the works and would be so honored to have you join us! Since we know you will love the AGAATI line, we are offering a one-time-only discount off of any pre-orders placed at the event. There will also be a small selection of ready-to-wear styles available just for you! We hope you will be able to join us for this evening full of sustainable, luxurious style, light refreshments, and beautiful friends.

AGAATI Sustainable Womenswear Trunk Show

– 5:30pm: Sip wine and enjoy refreshments

– 6:00pm: Discussion with Saloni Shrestha & Faye Lessler on the sustainable fashion industry and how luxury, artisan-made clothing can support traditional craftsman and minority communities

– 7:00pm: Preview the AGAATI collection, chat with the designer, enjoy refreshments

We have our fingers crossed that we will be seeing you there!

With love,

Saloni & Faye

See More: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agaati-sustainable-womenswear-trunk-show-tickets-33972180707?aff=es2

Celebrate the launch of FISHER FOUND on Friday April 28th

Where: 395 West Broadway, NYC 10012

When: 5 – 8 PM

5pm – Refreshments & Mingling

6pm – Panel & Discussion

Join our Sustainability + Fashion Panel Discussion and learn from industry leaders about the complex issues and creative solutions at play in the sustainable fashion market.

Our guests include:

  • Andrea Reyes: Chair at NYC Fair Trade Coalition
  • Tara St James: Production Coordinator & Research FellowBF+DA
  • Jessica Kelly: Founder & CEO of THR3EFOLD
  • Andrea Kennedy: Founder of Fashiondex.com
  • Zita Bettig: EILEEN FISHER Sustainability Ambassador

Please RSVP to reserve your place, seating is limited!

See More: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainability-fashion-panel-discussion-tickets-33835131790?aff=es2

Lightfoot Market – Sustainable Commerce Event April 30

Where: 26 Bridge Street, Brooklyn NY           

When: 1 – 7 PM

Brooklyn’s New Sustainable Commerce Event

Lightfoot Market is an event for sustainable businesses and consumers. We created this event to showcase vendors and products with a strong commitment to sustainability. While that word gets thrown around a lot, to us “sustainability” refers to a company’s environmental, social and economic initiatives that not only create successful long-term business goals but also contribute to the well-being of our planet and its communities.

You’ll find thoughtfully curated goods, food, speakers and more.

Admission is FREE!

Find out more at lightfootmarket.com