Plenty Magazine
Lifestyles of the Green and the Famous
May 31, 2007
Green Idols: Leonardo DeCaprio’s eco-doc, The 11th Hour, drew standing ovations at the Cannes Film Festival. And though reviews whined about “depressing doom-laden data,” even Variety admitted to “fascinating solutions.” We must wait for the Fall ’07 release, so in the meantime, join his “Lighten Your Footprint” campaign.
Paul Newman announced that he’s quit acting to focus on daughter Nell’s organic products and his own “homegrown” Westport, Connecticut eatery, Dressing Room, with chef Michel Nischan (Pure & Simple cookbook author), which hosts local farmers markets on its “backlot.”
Green with envy? Live Aid/Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof knocked the upcoming Live Earth mega-event as “a waste of time.” Is he annoyed he has to deflect inquiries or that he’s not on the bill? Maybe there’s a slot in Antarctica”¦Among many headliners like Sheryl Crow (Giant Stadium), James Blunt (Wembley) and Jack Johnson (Australia), just announced: Hamburg’s line-up includes Snoop Dogg and Linkin Park in Tokyo.
If Madonna’s “Hey You” ditty to benefit Live Earth isn’t your cup of green tea, try Spinal Tap’s “Warmer Than Hell” (The devil went to Devon”¦He said, “Is it hot in here, or is it only me?”). Christopher Guest and fellow funny mock rockers reunite for the London Concerts for a Climate in Crisis on 7/7/07.
Since John Mayer plays the New York/New Jersey leg of the 24/7 extravaganza, perhaps he’s suspending his “Light Green” approach “free of rallies and brow-beating?” His blog explains the name change of his just-do-one-thing/but-keep-the-SUV environmentalism to AKoG (“Another Kind of Green”) and reveals his first eco-product idea: a non-plastic shopping bag, so fans won’t find going green “boring.”
Bid on Bette: the Divine Miss Midler offers lunch with The Soprano’s Lorraine Bracco, a tour of Maria Rodale’s organic garden, golfing with Ethel Kennedy, and greening your home with eco-guru Danny Seo. Until June 8, these and more goodies are available at her 2007 Spring Auction and live event on May 31 to benefit the New York Restoration Project and her goal to plant one million trees.
Emerald City: The Seattle Film Festival (5/24–6/17) premieres a Planet Cinema program, sponsored by the Sundance Channel, including the sparkling Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox and Queen Latifah narrating Arctic Tale.
MTV’s reality series, True Life, is on the prowl for radical eco-activists. If you’re between 17 and 28 years old, send an email to ecoactivist@mtvstaff.com detailing how you’re “Stopping Global Warming.” Don’t forget to include your name, location, phone number, and photo.
Roberta Cruger, a freelancer on the arts and culture, entertainment, and eco-lifestyle beats, has written for Salon, Soma, The Believer, Billboard, LA Times magazine, and MSNBC websites, among others publications. As a film critic, television producer, and media journalist she’s covered showbiz red carpet events and movie sets as well as green rooms, green cards, and green houses. She’s currently based in Miami.
