Think your school (or alma mater) is cool?  When it comes to the latest Sierra Club list of America’s greenest campuses, Green Mountain College in Vermont is the coolest!  Sierra Magazine “Cool Schools” Editor Avital Binshtock calls in from San Francisco to reveal that Green Mountain College gets its power and heat from cows!  That’s right, from cow poop!  Several California schools are cool too, including Stanford University, UC Irvine and UC Santa Cruz.  Go to sierramagazine to see the complete list.  Evan Gillespie, the Sierra Club’s Regional Representative for the Beyond Coal campaign in L.A. makes the case for why the DWP needs to reduce its reliance on coal power from Arizona and Utah, and switch to local renewable sources like the sun and wind.  For details and a schedule of DWP hearings on its Integrated Resource Plan go to labeyondcoal.org.  Lucie reviews the new movie “Secretariat.”  And, the Noisy Toys Music Minute features Soundscape Pyramids’ song “Semite Inspiration.”

Your electric clothes dryer is the second biggest energy hog in your house! There’s a movement underway to return to the “old days” and dry our laundry with sunlight and fresh air.  Gary Sutterlin, cofounder of Breeze Dryer calls in from Buckingham, Pennsylvania, to tout the many benefits of using Mother Nature to dry our clothes.  Breeze Dryer distributes rotary, retractable and folding frame clotheslines made by Australian manufacturer Hills Industries.  www.breezedryer.com.  Felicia Tomasko, Editor in Chief of “LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health” magazine explains the benefits of yoga to get our minds and bodies in shape.  www.layogamagazine.com.  Lucie reviews the new Julia Roberts film “Eat, Pray Love.” And, the Noisy Toys Music Minute features Hands On’semble’s song “More Like Chutney.”

We  all love potato chips, but are they healthy? Frito-Lay’s Brand Manager Linda Bethea calls in from Dallas, Texas to tell us about Lay’s “natural” classic potato chips and how they’re grown, as well as the Lay’s Mobile Farm Tour that arrives at The Grove in L.A. Tuesday, August 17.  Plants in the traveling greenhouse will be donated to community gardens in South L.A.  And, calling in from Scottsdale, Arizona, Shairon Beale, host of the “Certifiably Organic” talk show discusses her award-winning nontoxic home and how to avoid chemicals in our food and every day personal and household products.  She’s also a vintage race car driver who’s originally from Australia.  The Noisy Toys Music Minute features drummer/vibist Carl Rigoli.

Is it possible to create a Functioning Community Forest in every L.A. neighborhood? Torin Dunnavant, the Community Engagement Manager for Tree People says “yes,” with the help of thousands of Citizen Foresters.  With training and support from Tree People, Citizen Foresters mobilize neighborhood volunteers to plant and care for trees across the L.A. area.
John Simonetta, owner of Proforma Green Marketing called in from Dallas, Texas to share his company’s wide variety of both traditional and eco-friendly promotional solutions, including clothing, promotional items, printing services and more.  Proforma offers solutions for companies and organizations that want to go green.
 The Noisy Toys Music Break features the brand new song “The Edge of Madness” by Michelle Mangione and Grace Slick.  “The Edge of Madness” is sponsored by the GRAMMY Museum, with proceeds going to the Greater New Orleans Foundation Gulf Oil Spill Fund. 

Is it a serious threat to our food supply?  Wood pallets that transport food and other goods to stores from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles have tested positive for bacteria, including E. Coli and Listeria.  Lewis Taffer with iGPS (Intelligent Global Pooling Systems) calls in from Orlando, Florida to explain why his plastic shipping pallet rental service is a safer and “greener” alternative to wood pallets.  Our in-studio guest Deven Upadhyay, Water Resources Manager with the Metropolitan Water District gives us an update on the ongoing drought and how the water shortage is effecting all Californians, from farmers to city dwellers.  He offers some simple ways residents can save water and learn more at bewaterwise.  Today’s music is from Francis Ndoumbe’s new CD “Habame de Amor.”

Belly up to the oyster bar!  It’s also called an oyster reef and it’s one of the many natural treasures in the Gulf of Mexico threatened by the massive BP oil spill.  Jeff DeQuattro with the Nature Conservancy’s “Recovery Act Oyster Breakwater Project”  in Mobile Bay calls us from Alabama to explain the huge importance of the oyster reefs to the ecosystem and the economy.  He also gives us a first hand account of the situation in the Gulf.  And, is it time to trade in your 4 wheels for two?  Abu Yusuf, Bikeway Coordinator for the L.A. County Bicycle Master Plan tells us how the project will encourage more people to peddle themselves around town.  He explains what a “sharrow” is and how bicycle safety concerns are being addressed.  Today’s music is from Karie Hillery’s CD “Solstice Peace.”

Environmental writer and super eco-blogger Siel (pronounced SEE-EL) celebrates the 5th anniversary of her GreenLAGirl web site by sharing a box of organic, vegan, Fair Trade, raspberry chocolate truffles with Lucie and Sharon, insuring an invitation to return to the Hill & Dale Show!  She also talks about why she wrote her first environmental blog, her pink bicycle and why her favorite green issues concern food and transportation.  Neal Desai, Senior Program Director with the National Parks Conservation Association calls in from San Francisco to discuss President Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative” and the many threats to our National Parks.  Today’s music, thanks to master percussionist Randy Gloss, is the title track from Hands On’semble’s  CD “Shradhanjali.”

Hate those plastic grocery bags that clog our landfills and choke our sea creatures? California Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (41st District) calls in to update the progress of her bill, AB 1998, which would ban single use plastic bags in grocery stores.  The bill has passed the Assembly, but still faces a tough challenge in the State Senate.  Brownley urges supporters of the bill to urge their lawmakers to approve the ban. Our in studio guest is Pompea Smith, CEO of SEE-LA and Manager of 8 Farmer’s Markets, including the landmark Hollywood Farmer’s Market.  Sustainable Economic Enterprises of L.A. (SEE-LA) connects inner city residents to local farmers who offer a wide variety of the freshest produce. Today’s music is the title track from Sambaguru’s CD “Ginga.”

The sun’s cleansing power is saving the lives of children in East Africa and other developing nations.  Bob Dell, Co-Founder of The Water School calls in from Ontario, Canada to explain how this amazingly simple solar disinfection system (SODIS) works.  We take clean water for granted, but every year millions of people die from waterborne diseases around the world. The Water School works with children who teach their parents the technique.  Independent film maker Dutch Merrick returns to the LA Talk Radio studios to discuss the new documentary “Fuel” and the upcoming KPFK “Peace Awards & Concert” in September. We also chat about the ongoing BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Today’s music is from percussionist Brad Dutz’ CD “Krin.”

What to do with 25-hundred extra wine corks?  Our in studio guest artist Aaron Kramer turned them into a full size easy chair. When the flood comes, he’s all set!  Aaron uses salvaged junk to create art and other useful objects. His motto is “Trash is the failure of imagination,” and his art is on display this summer at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. Our second in studio guest is Kirsten James, Director of Water Quality with Heal the Bay.  She discusses the latest local Beach Report Card results, the single use plastic bag bill in California, and Heal the Bay’s reaction to the BP oil spill.  Could a similar disaster happen off the California coast?  Today’s music is from percussionist Ron Powell’s new CD “Rhythmic Journey.”

From a Black Panther activist in Chicago to a professional “griot” in Los Angeles, our in studio guest Storyteller Michael McCarty tells his incredible life story as well as promotes the National Storytelling Conference in Woodland Hills July 29 - August 1st.  Michael also discusses his unique car covered with 300 bumper stickers designed to promote literacy. And, in a continuation of the discussion on the trend toward smaller living spaces, Jim Anderson, CEO of NMS Properties made the case that more people are choosing to live in more cost and space efficient spaces as they move back into cities. NMS Properties designs and develops affordable and environmentally friendly apartments in Santa Monica and elsewhere. Today’s featured music is the title track from Michelle Mangione’s new CD “What is a Saint to You.”

Smog season has arrived in Southern California! Our in studio guest Sam Atwood, Spokesman for the South Coast AQMD explains how his agency fights air pollution and how people can stay informed about air quality in their neighborhoods this summer by signing up for Air Alerts.  Professor John McIlwain, Senior Resident Fellow with the Urban Land Institute calls in from New York City to discuss the trend toward smaller, more economical living spaces to create sustainable future environments in urban areas.  Jean Benitez with FOOD Share tells us about Ventura County’s Food Bank and it’s new Garden Share program, as well as creative food programs for kids and seniors. Today’s featured music is Karie Hillery’s new song “She’s the Earth.”

The BP oil spill has become the largest oil environmental disaster in U.S. history and threatens a huge swath of Gulf coast habitat as well as the livelihoods of thousands of Americans. Naturalist David Mizejewski with the National Wildlife Federation explains how millions of rare birds, mammals, turtles and fish are imperiled by the oil spill and how the upcoming hurricane season could make things even worse.  Matthew Dodson, with the California Grocers Association calls in to discuss efforts by retailers to reduce the theft of valuable shopping carts, which are often discarded in urban neighborhoods, adding to blight. He also weighs in on AB 1998, which bans single use plastic bags in grocery stores. California grocers support the measure, which has just been approved by the state Assembly. Music featured on today’s show is from Sambaguru’s CD “Tribo.”

Would you drive a car powered by used cooking oil? Independent film maker Dutch Merrick, in studio guest on the second Hill & Dale Show, describes his Biodeisel car and talks about ways to reduce America’s reliance on oil, foreign or domestic. Ken Lee, cofounder and co-owner of Lotus Foods calls in from the Bay area to discuss his rice importing company and SRI rice. It’s a revolutionary way to grow more rice world wide with less water, less chemicals and less land. And, Sara Wann, co-creator and organizer of the Western Alliance for Nature weighs in on their campaign to “Save the Whales, Again.” She says the 1986 commercial whaling moratorium is threatened by plans by the Obama Administration to reverse it.  Music on today’s Hill & Dale Show is from Christo Pellani’s Soundscape Pyramids CD “The Return.”

The debut Hill & Dale Show featured in studio guest Nick Federoff, America’s Master Natural Gardener and guru of all ThingsGreen.com, talking about everything from “smart” sprinkler heads to easy ways to reduce waste and pollution in our daily lives. Hannah Heineman, writer for the “Santa Monica Mirror” called in to talk about the Alternative Building Expo.  And, Theresa Pierno, Executive Vice President of the National Parks Conservation Association called in from Washington, D.C. to discuss the devastating impacts from the Gulf Coast BP oil spill on national parks and wildlife. She talked about the unique challenges involved with cleaning up coastal wetlands from the Gulf Islands National Seashore to Everglades National Park. The first Hill & Dale Show also featured songs from percussionist Ron Powell’s new CD “Rhythmic Journey.”