A couple of days ago Jasmina and I were picking up cigarette butts and other litter around Lincoln and Rose in Venice. It’s a heavy traffic area so there are plenty of littered cigarettes. We collected a nice size bag. Towards the end of our pickup a homeless man approached us to let us know we were taking away his and other homeless peoples cigarettes. When they are littered and if there is any tobacco left then those butts get picked up and smoked he explained. We had not thought of that and apologized for taking them away. He appreciated that we were trying to keep them from being washed down the storm drains and dumped into the ocean. We made an agreement with him. If the cigarette is not wet, filthy dirty and has tobacco left we will leave them near a garbage can where they can be used up and enjoyed. He was cool with that.
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Beautiful Purpose
There are thousands of fashion models in every major city in the world. It is a fiercely competitive industry. Very few models have careers that last a decade and even fewer become household names. In my experience as a booker most models start their careers in their teens and by their mid-twenties it is already winding down. Only the most fortunate models can make a living just from modeling. With so much importance placed on looks and booking jobs, it is easy for models to feel depleted and judged. Seeing this tough aspect of the industry first hand and empathizing with the models is part of the core inspiration of Model Environment. There are not enough positive outlets for models to express themselves. Sharing their beauty and loving hearts by helping worthy causes is a much healthier form of expression for models and for our society. It gives more to build a life around than just appearances.
Bike cook Efrain Martinez
Los Angeles if you need to buy, donate, repair, rebuild, or learn about a bicycle then see Efrain Martinez at the Bicycle Kitchen. Efrain is a “cook” there to help you. The Bicycle Kitchen is one of several bicycle DIY shops in LA. Yes, some say they are a bit high with prices sometimes but speak to them if your situation is tight. They are a non-profit and donate parts, services, entire bikes when people need it.
Everything needed to get a bicycling on the road is there. Kids are welcome with parents.
Make an appointment, pick a frame, build your bike.
The Bicycle Kitchen 4429 Fountain Ave, LA CA 90029 (323) 662-2776
Pick It Up / Success/ Santa Monica Pier
Yesterday was a wonderful day. Thank you so much Andy Clarke, Ryan Craig, Brooke Ritchie from Supermodeled, and Lance Simmens for helping collect cigarette butts and other litter from around the Santa Monica Pier. It was an added bonus that a thankful Pier employee gave us wristbands for the rides to thank us for the effort.
We will send the butts to TerraCycle for their Cigarette Waste Brigade campaign. They are turning used filters into useful items like ashtrays and crates.
A few more pick-ups and we will have this filled.
Ryan, Lance, and Brooke on the Pacific Plunge.
Enjoy the ride.
Treesome
We think trees should get more play, that’s all. Check out fun facts from Trees are Good and TreePeople’s top 22 Benefits of Trees. Now go and hug a tree. Xoxo.
Photography: James A Smith (James thx for the name Treesome!) & Christy Beck
Tree loving models: Ella Smith (on top) and Jasmina Hdagha (bottom)