To close out the year, four Central Coast companies are holding three separate screenings of environmentally conscious themed films.
“We choose films that may cover ‘eco’ or ‘green’ topics, including water quality issues, natural resource preservation, animal protection, waste issues, globalization, recycling, and sustainable agriculture,” said Mikel Robertson, co-owner of Green Goods. He told the Sun his sustainable living construction firm joined forces with other San Luis Obispo-based businesses including Ten Over Studio and Purlieu Landscape Design, along with the Morro Bay-based All Good.
All the companies involved, with the exception of All Good, provides services related to eco-friendly and “green living” construction, design, or landscaping. All Good is known for organic pain relieving creams, lip balm, and similar wellness products.
“We’ve all been working in our community together building green homes and business–both in the interior of the building and the exterior landscapes,” Robertson said.
Almost naturally, the companies have found themselves advocating for green solutions such as rainwater harvesting, the responsible use of gray water, drought tolerant landscaping, the use of nontoxic and sustainably sourced materials, as well as the need to create and celebrate sanctuary spaces.
It’s why the four firms decided one of the best ways to get out their shared vision of a more environmentally conscious community was to screen films revolving around current environmental conditions across the globe.
“We want to engage audiences in issues, threats, and hopeful developments in shaping their children’s future,” Robertson said. “We will focus on one topic each evening and share a simple solution or activity that individuals or families can incorporate into their lives at home and use the movie they watched as inspiration.”
On Nov. 15, they held their first screening in the yard in front of Green Goods’ parking lot. The movie aired that night was Tomorrow. Released in 2015, the French documentary explores potential concrete solutions to a rapidly changing world due to climate change and human population growth, coupled with urban and rural development.
At least two more film nights are set to be held on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the same location (111 South St.) in San Luis Obispo. The last November film is Valley Uprising, which takes a deep dive into how the rock climbing culture in Yosemite Valley developed into the world-famous extreme sport it is today.
The last film, airing on Dec. 6, is called Given, the only movie that’s not a documentary. It follows a young boy from Kauai and his family traveling and surfing across 15 different countries. What follows is a story that reveals a young man opening his eyes to the raw, powerful, and yet fragile world that surrounds him.
The festival is free to attend on any night. Prospective patrons are advised to bring warm, comfortable clothing, folding chairs, and “inspired minds.”
Highlights:
• The California Highway Patrol (CHP) once again partnered up with Walgreens Pharmacy this year for the annual CHiPs for Kids holiday toy drive. CHP representatives will be at Walgreens in Santa Maria on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting toys for children in need in local communities. The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to Walgreens (2399 S. Broadway). Walgreens will offer discounts to anyone who purchases a toy from the store and donates it to CHiPs for Kids.
• The Santa Barbara County Foodbank called for community help to replace equipment damaged in a truck accident on Oct. 15. The wreck resulted in total losses of a refrigerated food transport truck, its electric pallet jack, and food that was on board. Estimated cost to replace the lost equipment and food is $145,000. To contribute, donate online at foodbanksbc.org or by sending a check to Foodbank of Santa Barbara County at either 4554 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, 93110, or 490 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria, 93455. Credit card payments may be taken by phone at (805) 937-3422, Ext. 106.
• The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. The event gave local business owners and professionals the opportunity to mentor an aspiring student and lead them on their way to future success, according to the Chamber. All FBLA students were from Santa Maria and Orcutt area high schools.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 22-29, 2018.