Saturday, April 21, 2012

Happy Earth Day, Laguna Style

Though Laguna Beach is my hometown, it seems I rarely get involved in local events.  Too busy, or overcommitted?  I don’t know.  But I was really glad that I got involved in styling our Earth Day lounge today.  “The Lounge” evolved during the course of the day; here is how it looked around 10am, with these seating areas facing the stage~ 

IMG_6330

There was lots of comfy seating, lots of stacked crates and crated edibles and flowers, not to mention a few tree stumps and chairs from the garden off to the side~

IMG_6329

I wondered if anyone would sit in the lavender chair, but yes, there was usually one and sometimes two happy occupants of the chair!

IMG_6333

Everyone was curious it seemed, and wanted to smell and touch the chair, no matter if it meant they got lavender buds all over their butts~

IMG_6398

One thing that really amazed me today was how many photos people were taking, on all kinds of phones, cameras and iPads, usually after touching the chairs or the table…the objects were all whimsical, tactile and fresh…a great draw..I’d like to do this on a larger scale sometime…~

IMG_6357

It was a toss up in popularity between the three items…the mossy chair, the leaf table and lavender chair….people took photos of the objects and often with their companions sitting on the chair or leaning a head in next to it….

IMG_6335

there were a few other fun items like an urn with a muffin top of sprouts…

IMG_6354

even the flowering crates at the street entrance got a photo op~

IMG_6372

Mostly, though, people just sat in these chairs and smiled….especially the mossy chair as it is really old and very comfy, especially with a layer of moss~

IMG_6404IMG_6402IMG_6394

I love this chair, notice how everyone wants to touch it~

IMG_6399

As for the rest of the seating, it was full all day~

IMG_6408IMG_6351

At the entrance to the street, Chris (left) and Billy (right, with our Volunteer Police in between) made a great chalkboard sandwich board for drawings and messages….GREAT idea…

IMG_6359

La petite here drawing the Earth….this was a really nice feature~

IMG_6364

there were plenty of activities for the kids, including seeding newspaper cups, ready to plant~

IMG_6366

And courtesy of one of my favorites, the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, Max Isles brought us the Water Shed, to teach kids about where our water comes from and how to use it wisely.  Using a series of pumps with varying resistance representing the range of our water sources from the Colorado River to rainwater collection, the Water Shed shows kids how to become water-wise.  This is brilliant…a far cry from the Ricky the Raindrop we learned about in school, though even that concept stuck with me for life!

IMG_6337

Kids…having fun…I think these are Alyssa S.’s boys?~

IMG_6376

Elsewhere, the girls were hamming it up in their hats and newspaper pots….go girls!

IMG_6430

And at the stage, we enjoyed great music all day..violin,  with crate for music stand~

IMG_6438

Flamenco guitar….well, ok, it seems not everyone enjoyed the music, or was it just too loud?~

IMG_6371

Billy filled in throughout the day, between managing bike tours of the Transition Laguna Gardens~

IMG_6387

We had a string of other great music, all day, have a seat in the lounge to listen~

IMG_6395IMG_6410

Here is Billy again, now on guitar and harmonica…of course I had to get the crates in to frame the shot~

IMG_6411

So many people there today…I noticed this young man seemingly homeless enjoying the music…is he 18 years old? Not much more.  With his adoring dog and soon joined by a friend.  Earth Day for one and all~

IMG_6415

Seems everyone loved the music, including the pugs, who turned to give me a nice shot~

IMG_6418

Years ago, Laguna looked more like this~

IMG_6425

We still have a little of the old Greeter Spirit with people like this~

IMG_6431

And kids dressed up like Abalone (left) and Kelp (right)~

IMG_6433

Not to mention a Bag Monster~

IMG_6436

a drum parade in~

IMG_6439

…drum circle and hula hoop party~

IMG_6441

Ya; you go kids…when I was your age I listened to the Hare Krishna march through town…it’s nice to see some basic rhythm and clean fun in town…maybe Laguna has not changed so much?

IMG_6449

What I can tell you is that EVERYONE had a great time at the Laguna Beach Earth Day 2012….looking forward to it in 2013….

IMG_6448

Tomorrow we are celebrating Earth Day in Rancho Santa Fe at the farmers market.  Smaller lounge, and I am sampling food while selling baskets.  Enjoy your weekend & Love Your Earth~

6 comments:

  1. What fun pictures!! I love the lavender chair and the moss chair ~ how cool is that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Morning Sweetie...
    Oh my gosh what a lovely time. I knew that moss chair and the lavendar chair would be BIG hits. I love seeing the faces of each as they tried out the chairs. Kid of like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, this chair was JUST right.

    I may be a little bit partial, but I believe you did the BEST job. Everything looks so fun, just so fun. Loved seeing the musicians as well.

    I have one of those crates and I think you just inspired me as to what to do with it. Now if I can just convince Hubby that is what we want to do with it. I'll keep you posted.

    Can't wait for my Bandol basket to arrive. I so want to take it to the Farmer's Market here in Phoenix. I will be walking advertisement for you dear friend, so send some cards along as well.

    Many hugs and much love, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Super job you did. The chairs were a big hit I see. Happy the weather seemed to cooperate too. Had to laugh when you thought the young man with the dog might be homeless....honey, he looked fairly clean & his dog was no mutt. In FL there are REALLY characters that live in every little strip of woods.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andrea what fun I am so glad you were involved with your Community Earth Day. Especially with your wonderful chairs and table!! It is such a treat to people watch and see the kids have such a great time.

    I am featuring Designer and Paper Artist Anita Rivera from Castle Crowns and Cottages on my site! She is amazing!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous - your efforts were obviously greatly appreciated and helped to get the Earth Hour message out there. No doubt people will be talking about your chairs, table and displays for many months to come. The hundreds of photographs of your functional artworks which were taken during the day will ensure that the Earth Hour message is kept alive. You are an amazing woman and role model Andrea.
    Bonne semaine

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anything new with the baskets? I have not seen one of them in any of your recent photos. They are so beautiful, surely you can offer them at any of these venues! Maybe with garlic in them?

    ReplyDelete