Green Options

While most people continue to look upward (into the air) as far as CO2 emissions, many people have overlooked looking down (into the oceans) but they won’t make that mistake after seeing the interesting, informative yet personal enviro-doc Sea Change. Unlike so many other “green” films and documentaries that hit people over the head with stats and charts not to mention fire and brimstone, director Barbara Ettinger (”Independent Lens” - Two Square Miles) takes a more personal approach (aided by having her on-screen husband Sven Huseby) to explore the causes behind the rapid rate of ocean acidification. And rapid it is.

As a former college professor and current grandfather, Sven serves as a genteel informant/host/interviewer willing to learn and listen rather than comment and direct. He offers the natural ability to teach and engage in conversation. Even non-greenies can admire his feelings and interest as a grandfather intested in educating himself and others about the dangerous status of the ocean life for the sake of his grandson.

Maybe due to the fact that we got suckered by a couple of good April Fools jokes and the fact that this Ecolicious event offered organic cocktails caused us to check out this so called green event. Just how green would it be? Would this be a legit eco event or just eco spin? Would the organic cocktails help sway our decision?

The Ecolicious event at San Francisco’s XYZ bar in the W hotel kicked off what they refer to as “A Daily Cocktail Hour with Eco-Friendly Cocktails and Organic Bar Bites.” The scene casually mixed eco-chic hipsters, greenies, and others just looking for free booze. Yes, the lemon drop type drink (organic Square One vodka, we hope organic fresh lemon juice and not local or organic champagne), although puckering tasty, left us wondering if this drink should be classified as organic. Maybe it would be semi-organic but that sounds like something the FDA would make up to confuse eco barflies. The biodynamic wines and organic beers did sway us to think that the event had its heart in the right glass.