Do you have old electronics collecting dust? You know that you don't want to put it in the landfill because you're conscious of your actions on the planet. Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com!

• It's the easiest, fastest way for you to sell or recycle your gadgets (cel phones, pda's, gps navigational devices etc).
  
• Every item gets an offer, and you get paid to be environmentally responsible.
• They pay for shipping and will even send you a box.

Follow this link to Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com!

Follow Eco Zen on Twitter

Follow Eco Zen on Twitter, http://twitter.com/ecozen

Spring has sprung and Eco Zen is now Twittering like the little birds outside my home office window. (tweet, tweet)...

We'll be posting new green products, eco clearance items, discount codes to use at http://ecozenboutique.com.

Friday is the last day to voice your opinion on whether the EPA -- the Environmental Protection Agency -- should regulate carbon dioxide pollution, the primary cause of the climate crisis. This is a big deal.

The EPA is taking public comment, before making a ruling.

Of course, special interests -- like the oil and coal lobbies -- are working overtime to defeat a positive ruling and have already gotten thousands of comments submitted in opposition.

Most people don't know about this opportunity for public comment, so your voice can make a real difference. And with a new president in the White House, it's likely that someone will actually be listening. Submit your public comment to the EPA here:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/EPA

In April 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide if it is harming our health and welfare. After more than a year of delay, the EPA is finally now requesting public comments on whether carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants are endangering our health and our climate.

Join us, and send a message about how crucial it is to reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution. That you expect the EPA to use its powers to protect our health and welfare. That we can "Repower America" by using energy sources that don't emit carbon dioxide, and make the switch to 100% clean electricity. And that the solutions to the climate crisis are the same ones needed to address our economic and security challenges.

This is our chance to go on the public record -- all the comments will be posted on the EPA's website. To post your public comment, just go here.

For nearly eight years, the Bush administration has done nothing to address the growing threats we face from global warming. Hurricanes are getting stronger, the North polar icecap is melting, and we've suffered through intense droughts, floods and killer heat waves.

The deadline is November 28th. Let's help end the era of delay.

Thanks,

Cathy Zoi
CEO
www.RepowerAmerica.org

Mercury Free Mascara

Starting Jan 1st, 2008 the state wide law banning mercury in mascaras, eye liners and skin-lightening creams took effect in Minnesota.

This bold move to ban mercury in makeup makes the great state of Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban intentionally added mercury in cosmetics and sets a tougher standard than the federal government for regulating cosmetic ingredients. "Mercury does cause neurological damage to people even in tiny quantities," said Sen. John Marty, the Democrat who sponsored the ban. "Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn't here."

So your first questions are probably. . .

Why isn't mercury already banned in cosmetics? Well, that's a long story but the short version is that the US FDA has banned very, very, very few chemicals in cosmetics. Mercury is not one of them. In fact, Europe, Korea and Japan have banned many chemicals still common in cosmetics in the USA. Click here for more information.

I don't see mercury on my mascara ingredient label. Does that mean it's mercury free? The actual ingredient name containing mercury is called Thimerosal . It is a mercury-containing organic compound used as a preservative and anti-fungal agent since the 1920s. Thimerosal has been banned around the world but NOT in the US (except for Minnesota).

What should I do now? Ladies, the bottom line in my opinion is actually not about the mercury, but rather, it's about the lack of regulation in general in the USA for cosmetic ingredient safety. So what's a girl to do? Most women are not going to become chemists in their spare time to keep up with international cosmetic ingredient regulations to understand if products are safe. Instead, look for companies that are focused on safety and transparency regarding the ingredients they use.

Afterglow Cosmetics is committed to providing effective and safe cosmetics. They are a Compact Signer for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and ranked as one of the safest cosmetic lines according to the EWG's Cosmetic Database.

The long awaited, all natural mascara from Afterglow Cosmetics is here! Beautifully lush and all natural, Pure Soul Mascara is available in Onyx (black) and Mink (deep brown).

Why you'll love Afterglow Pure Soul Mascara:

• It creates rich, luscious lashes that are soft and flexible.
• It's volumizing, flake proof, smudge proof and clump-free.
• Its all natural formula is rich in soothing organic botanical antioxidants.
• It's gentle enough for even the most sensitive eyes.
• It's gluten-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, synthetic dye-free, perfume-free, mercury-free, petrochemical-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, tar-free.

Suggested Retail Price: $21.00

Find online at ecozenboutique.com

Article from Amaze Magazine, July 2008 Issue

Eco Zen Boutique at the "Greenest County Fair On Earth"

Summer is here... and so is the "Greenest County Fair on the Planet".

Eco Zen Boutique will have a booth at the Marin County Fair June 2nd to 6th, 2008 featuring green products such as summer clothing made of hemp, bamboo, soy and organic cotton, earrings made of recycled beer bottles, flip flops made of recycled car tires, organic cosmetics, go green bracelets, hand bags made of inner tubes and more!

Just look for "Green Street", the area designated for eco-friendly vendors. We'll have a corner booth #13. Our summer specials are not to be missed!

For more information about the Marin County Fair here's the official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: HAMILTON INK
415-381-8198 pam@hamiltoninkpr.com
JUNE 4, 2008

63rd ANNUAL MARIN COUNTY FAIR DUBBED THE GREENEST COUNTY FAIR ON EARTH JULY 2-6

SAN RAFAEL, CA -- This year the Marin County Fair will combine the red, white and blue of America’s history and present with the green of America’s future as the 2008 edition of the Fair becomes “The Greenest County Fair on Earth.” Complementing the entertainment and fun-filled activities of a County Fair will be educational experiences celebrating the environmental, social and cultural importance of going green. The Green Life will offer up exhibits from the Ultimate Green Home, Marin Carbon Cube (your own personal carbon footprint up close and personal!), green dining and clean energy choices all in 6,000 square feet in the Exhibit Hall. Visitors are also encouraged to visit EarthCapades Environmental Vaudeville shows or the new Marin Alt Fuel Car Expo with the latest and greenest vehicles on two, three or four wheels – all earth friendly. The Ben & Jerry’s Stage will be the first solar-powered stage at a county fair nationwide, thanks to PG&E and Sustainable Waves -
with new LED stage lighting to showcase energy efficiency and an array of solar panels to power lights, monitors and amplifiers. A 30-foot-tall Windspire energy generator will be installed by Mariah Power at the entrance to the fairgrounds, and serve as a demonstration project for renewable and clean wind energy. The Windspire is leading-edge vertical axis and ultra quiet, bird-friendly wind technology, and will be the first wind turbine to be installed at a fairgrounds in California. And, for the first time, the Marin County Fair will host two keynote speakers…Danny Seo, the Simply Green environmental lifestyle expert,
will open the Fair on Wednesday, July 2; and Martin Eberhard, founder and former CEO of Tesla Motors, will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, July 3 to discuss the dream of Tesla and the future of electric cars.

It wouldn’t be a County Fair without the ultimate entertaining experience for fairgoers of all ages: carnival rides, spectacular fireworks, loveable farm animals and engaging exhibits… from fine arts to peach pies to amazing quilts. This year’s stellar line-up of entertainment draws from some of the best local talent, classic rock, world beat reggae and some serious rock and roll. On July 2 at 4pm, Lara Johnston, daughter of Doobie Brothers’ Tom Johnston and finalist on MTV’s ‘Rock the Cradle’ will kick off the 5-day lineup of concerts. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts headline at 7:30pm, a band beloved by punks, indie rockers, pop lovers, and classic rockers. On Thursday, July 3 at 7:30pm Steel Pulse brings roots reggae to the stage and on Friday, July 4 at both 2pm and 4pm, Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to continue a Marin County Fair tradition. Also on Friday, July 4 at 6pm and 8pm, local blues great The Tommy Castro Band gives his all for July 4th revelers. On Saturday, July 5 at 3pm, WAR takes center stage followed by the classic hits of America at 7:30pm. The Fair’s concerts culminate on Sunday, July 6 starting with Crunchy Frog, Marin’s own seasoned band of kids age 9-13, blues legend Elvin Bishop at 4pm and ending with the rock and roll of Los Lobos at 7:30pm. (See entertainment release.) All concert performances are free and included with low gate admission price!

The Marin County Fair runs Wednesday, July 2-Sunday, July 6, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $14/General Admission; $12/Seniors 65+ and Children 4-12; Free Children 0-3. Admission includes all concerts, exhibits, keynote speakers, fireworks, attractions and 28 free carnival rides. Order tickets online now at www.marinfair.org and pass right by the lines at the gates! Online tickets are available June 1 through the fair’s closing day – July 6. Bicycle valet parking is available at the Main Gate, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Fair guests can ride Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit to stops at the Marin County Civic Center campus. Car and Motorcycle parking is $6. PLEASE, no ice chests, coolers, pets, cans or glass bottles. The Marin County Fair is a Smoke-Free Fair.

Special Days are Wednesday, July 2 is Youth in Arts Day. Children 12 and under are free. Wednesday, July 2 is Marin Independent Journal Day. See the IJ in mid-June for the $2 off discount coupon or visit www.marinij.com. Visit www.marinfair.org for details.

Danny Seo
Environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo calls his eco-friendly way of living Simply Green. Through his bestselling books, television programs, magazine columns, and his how-to lifestyle lectures, Danny Seo continues to share his creative ideas that made him America’s leading lifestyle authority on modern, eco-friendly living. As the Environmental Lifestyle Contributor on The CBS Early Show, Danny regularly shares seasonal and timely how-to information in the series “Going Green.” From choosing the best solar lighting to detoxing your home, millions of viewers tune in to The Early Show to see and learn from Danny the latest and greatest in green tips and products. For more information, go to www.dannyseo.com. Danny Seo will speak on Wednesday, July 2 at 6 p.m. in the 800-seat Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Book Passage will host a book- signing in the lobby following the talk. Admission is free with gate admission to the Marin County Fair. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Daring to Dream: Martin Eberhard & the Tesla Roadster
The founder and former CEO of Tesla Motors, Martin Eberhard is changing the way we think of business and the business of Green. Fortune magazine named Eberhard one of their top innovators of 2007; Business 2.0 names Eberhard in their top 50 list of people who matter now. Newsweek dubbed the Tesla Roadster an Electric Dream. Wired Magazine named it the 2007 Car of the Year. Martin Eberhard is co-founder and former CEO of Tesla Motors, an electric car company in San Carlos, California. Eberhard has recently left Tesla Motors to pursue other opportunities. You can be sure his next venture will be at least as interesting as Tesla Motors has already been. Visit teslafounders.wordpress.com Keynote presenter of the new Marin Alt Fuel Car Expo, Martin Eberhard will speak on Daring to Dream: Martin Eberhard and the Tesla Roadster. His talk
will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 in the 800-seat Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Admission is free with gate admission to the Marin County Fair. Seating is first-come, first-served.

The Alt-Fuel Road Show!
Marin’s Largest Alternative Vehicle Show at the Fair. The coolest and latest alternative fuel vehicles on the road today will be spotlighted in this one-of-a-kind display at the new Alt Fuel Car Expo. Featuring the most comprehensive,technologically advanced exposition of alternative fuel and high MPG vehicles ever held in
Marin County, this exciting show is a rare opportunity to see over 25 alternative fuel and high MGP vehicles. Everything from tractors and electric bicycles to mopeds and two and three-wheeled scooters that are powered by a variety of fuel types, including hybrid, electric,compressed natural gas, fuel cell, plug-in hybrid, high MPG gasoline, ethanol and biodiesel cars and trucks will be on display. From unique cars built by home engineers to the most advanced technology now in idea stages at car manufacturers worldwide, there will be an amazing
collection of clean-air, fuel-efficient vehicles available in the marketplace today or concept cars for the future. PG&E and DaimlerChrysler will present the world’s first pre-production fuel cell model. One of a small number around the world, the car uses hydrogen and oxygen to create a controlled electrochemical reaction, producing energy to power an electric motor. Quiet and efficient, it achieves zero emissions, releasing only water.

Earth Capades -- Environmental Vaudeville
The EarthCapades team of “Waste Busters” visits the Marin County Fair with new adventures of environmental education and entertainment. Learn simple things everyone can do to reduce waste at school and at home; conserve natural resources, enjoy nature, and explore ways we all can live in balance with Planet Earth. Waste Reduction Production Juggling, magic, comedy, storytelling and music will keep fair guests of all ages on the edge of their seats. The audience participates throughout the show while learning the 4R’s: REDUCE the amount of trash we create and resources we use, REUSE everyday products, RECYCLE
properly, and RESPECT Planet Earth. EarthCapades “Waste Reduction Production” teaches that “Saving the Planet can be Fun!”

Planetary Circus
The Planetary Circus is a revolving mélange of EarthCapades’ best routines custom selected for the Marin County Fair. EarthCapades’ exciting and memorable performances begin with highly entertaining acrobatics and juggling. Water awareness and waste reduction messages are presented with a blend of humor, circus arts and music to teach practical solutions to real environmental problems. Throughout the show EarthCapades hits the audience in the funny bone and gets everyone enthusiastically involved while bringing children and adult volunteers onto the stage. Waste Reduction Production will be performed daily at 2 p.m. Planetary
Circus will be performed daily at 4 p.m. on July 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in the 800-seat Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. Admission is free with gate admission to the Marin County Fair. Seating is first-come, first served.

The Greenest County Fair on Earth will be filled with attractions, interactive exhibits, and contests. Enjoy finding out more about the latest earth-friendly discoveries each day of the Fair:

Dr. Solar: World’s First Solar-Powered Theatre
In his award winning Sunshine Traveling Medicine Show, Dr. Solar blends vaudevillian showmanship, comedy, magic, and the slapstick frolics of his colorful cast of puppet and animated objects into an unforgettable experience for both young and old. Based upon the traditional traveling medicine shows from the early 1900’s, his self-contained solar powered traveling wagon provides an eco-friendly, off-grid venue at the county fair. Performances start daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Dr. Solar’s solar-powered wagon
on the circular lawn. Visit www.drsolar.com

The Walking Tree Man
A 12-foot-tall, stilt-walking, three-dimensional sculpture of a living, mobile and animated Tree Man will appear at the Fair daily throughout the afternoon. Walking the planet from Marin County to Times Square, the Walking Tree Man helps people wake up to their responsibility to Planet Earth. The tree is an archetype, of ancient origins, and signifies rebirth, renewal and life. This Tree Man symbolizes our connection to Mother Nature and the Fair’s celebration of all things green in 2008.

The Green Life
A new, interactive exhibit at the 2008 Marin County Fair. Don’t miss this exceptional interactive exhibit designed to showcase sustainability. The world’s scientists agree: Global warming is real, here and happening faster than anyone predicted. But scientists also say we can curb global warming and its consequences— only if we take bold, comprehensive actions now that add to significant cuts in carbon dioxide emissions by
2050. Covering 6,000 square feet in the Exhibit Hall, this one-of-a-kind exhibit tells the remarkable story of what we can do right here in Marin County. Visit The Green Life to find out what you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your car, home, and city to make renewable energy more available and affordable, and to encourage friends and family to embrace new technologies and practices. Designed by the Marin Arts Council of San Rafael and curated by the County of Marin Sustainability Team, The Green Life will take fair guests on an amazing journey through earth-friendly lifestyle choices. Spreading the gospel of green lifestyle choices, the
Marin County Fair will showcase informative ways you can green your daily life.

Ultimate Green Home
Walk through a green home studio with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen area, and even exterior landscaping. Designed by Green Fusion Design Center of San Anselmo and the County of Marin Sustainability Team, the studio will feature:
-Bed with organic mattress and linens
-Bamboo flooring and wool or cotton rug
-Kitchen counter with green elements
- Low-VOC cabinets
- No- or low-VOC paints
- Low-flow aerators for kitchen sink
- Dual-flush, low-flow toilet
-Landscaping with waste-tire planters, waste-tire stepping stones, and waste-tire mulch
-Rain-water catchment system piped to plants
-Clothesline in the “outside” area, with clothes hanging
-Energy Star appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, pellet stove)

Green Talks
Learn more from sustainability experts in five daily workshops in the Green Talk program. Workshops are curated by Dominican University Sustainability MBA students. Complete listing of speakers and topics is available on www.marinfair.org.

The Green Dining Table
Sourcing locally grown food is one of the eco-conscious and healthful choices an individual can make on a daily basis. “If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week” (Steven L. Hopp, ~ Animal, Vegetable, Miracle). Join the local food movement with Marin Farmers’ Markets and Chef Eric Gower. Marin Farmers Markets (MFM) invites you to join us for five themed days of chef demonstrations at the Greenest County Fair on Earth.

The Green Life will be open 11 am – 9:30 pm daily in the Exhibit Hall during the Fair. This one-of-a-kind exhibit is curated by the County of Marin Sustainability Team and designed by the Marin Arts Council.

Electricity From The Wind
A new 30’ tall Mariah Power Windspire energy generator will greet visitors to the county fair as a unique fair demonstration project to celebrate wind energy. The Marin fairgrounds will be the first fairgrounds in California to showcase a wind turbine.

A joint project of the County of Marin Sustainability Team and Marin County Fair, the new leading-edge vertical axis wind turbine is built and designed by Mariah Power. Thirty feet tall and two feet in radius, the sleek propeller-free Windspire system is bird-friendly, and quiet, while providing clean energy for homes and businesses.

As part of The Greenest County Fair on Earth, this new vertical wind technology will harvest wind energy and demonstrate renewable wind energy practical for a single household.

Sun Powers County Fair Shows
Thanks to PG&E and Sustainable Waves, the Marin County Fair will showcase the first-ever solar-powered stage at a county fair nationwide. The popular Ben & Jerry’s Stage will be solar- powered all five days. An array of solar panels 12’ feet tall will provide 28 amps of clean energy to run the amplifiers, stage lighting and monitors. New energy efficient LED theatrical lighting. By using the renewable energy source of the sun, Pacific Gas and Electric and the Marin County Fair plan to educate the community about the benefits of renewable energy while delivering arts and entertainment performances with state of the art sound quality.

Fair Exhibits
The Marin County Fair features over 11,000 exhibits and 4,000 participants. This fair incorporates green themes into the competitive exhibits program. Highlights of the new contests include:
From Trash to Treasure
Decorated Windows
Light Bulb Sculpture
Recycled Glass Art
Design Your Own Water Bottle
Backyard Compost Competition
Celebrate Arbor Day


Fair Classics
There are so many exciting events and attractions at the 2008 Marin County Fair that you’ll want to come back each day to savor the fun! Here are just some of the many Fair favorites:

Fair Competitions
The very first Marin County Fair took place in 1946 in Ross with the goal to provide a place where Marinites could share ideas and techniques in fine arts, gardens, fruits, vegetables and flower arrangements. Competitions were developed over the years in a variety of categories to determine which entries were the best in Marin. The Fair now features over 800 categories, over 11,000 exhibits and over 4,000 annual entrants from Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Carnival Rides – The Best in the West!
Kids of all ages won’t want to miss all the thrilling carnival rides at the 2008 Marin County Fair. The Fair features a terrific midway – with 28 fun free rides and carnival games. Butler Amusements will once again provide the Fair with something enticing to every rider. Check out the outstanding view of the fairgrounds from atop the Giant Wheel – the 10-story high Ferris wheel. 28 carnival rides are free – and there is a $3 charge for the Wacky Worm roller coaster. The carnival is open every day of the Fair from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Fine Arts, Fine Crafts and Photography
This show has been a tradition since the days of the Marin Art & Garden Fair in Ross, and is one of the best of any county fair in California. Over 2,000 entries are juried in this popular 800-piece show, featuring painting, graphics/mixed media, sculpture, glass, jewelry, furniture, digital art, and photography. View the artwork in the Redwood Foyer of the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, or purchase works that are for sale by the artists and Marin County Fair.

Ham Bone Express
Direct from Arkansas and back by popular demand, the charming piglets that have been touted as the “swiftest swine of the line” achieve maximum velocity for a mere handful of Oreo cookies. See the “swinemaster” introduce celebrity contestants, including Swynonna Judd, Arnold Schwartzenpigger, and Brittney Spareribs! Daily at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.

Barnyard Arts
This unique arts program returns this year to introduce urban and suburban children to farm animals while they create an original masterpiece. Using markers, crayons and tempera paint, kids (ages 5-14) have the opportunity to produce portraits of Annie the cow or Lorraine the loud- mouthed lamb with their artwork.


Home Arts Stage
Talented and inventive Marinites learn from and share their special talents and experience with other locals on the Home Arts Stage. There will be fun and educational demonstrations of flower arranging, cake decorating and orchid growing. Events will be held daily in the intimate 50-seat theatre located in the Exhibit Hall’s Friends of Marin Center Conference Room.

Marin Bonsai Club’s -- Mini Marvels
The ancient art of bonsai will be on display once again this year in the Exhibit Hall when the Marin Bonsai Club presents their summer exhibit of 40-60 beautiful bonsai trees.

Outstanding Orchids
Members of the Marin Orchid Society will showcase hundreds of varieties of orchids in a special display in the Exhibit Hall. Included will be rare and spectacular specimens of Cattelayas, Dendrobiums, Phalaenopsis, and Slipper Orchids. The Society will also demonstrate the art of raising orchids on the Home Arts Stage.

Golden Gate Garrison
The Golden Gate Garrison 501st Legion will make appearances in the Creatures + Models area in the Exhibit Hall July 2 through 6, 12 noon to 7 p.m. Meet and have your photo taken with your favorite Star Wars (©Lucasfilm Ltd.) character.


Bigger Fireworks Show!
Watch in awe as the sky above the Fair illuminates with a watershed of exciting new effects presented by Pyro-Spectaculars. This will be the longest, most elaborate fireworks spectacular ever staged over the lagoon. The fireworks take place every night of the Fair over the lagoon, all beautifully reflected in the water below. Bring the entire family and enjoy this amazing new show every night of the Fair, from July 2 through July 6 at 9:30 p.m.

Community Partners of the Marin County Fair include Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District, Marin Independent Journal, Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Play Fair, Four Points Sheraton, Marin Arts Council, Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel, Clover-Stornetta Farms, Westamerica Bank, Ben & Jerry’s, PG&E, Marin Sanitary Service, Yokayo Biofuels, Tamalpais NatureWorks, Good Green Graces, Green Sangha, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Betty Biodiesel, County of Marin Sustainability Team and Marin Conservation Co.

Eco Directories, Green Search Engines, Sustainable Forums

Share your favorite eco & ethical directories, green search engines and sustainable forums here.

Please include: Web Site Name, URL, Brief Description (50 words maximum).

Examples include:

EcoMall - (50 word maximum description here)

Green Maven - (50 word maximum description here)

Treehugger - (50 word maximum description here)

Sustainable Events, Green Festivals, Eco Expos

If you know of a great green resource on the internet, please feel free to reply to this post.

Please include: Web Site Name, URL and a brief description (50 words maximum). Include dates and locations for specific events.

We're searching for eco expos, sustainable conferences, green festivals, organic fairs, benefit concerts and the like.