Retox in LA

Easily one of the biggest and most exciting achievements for any of my friends since entering into "grown-up" world is the Rothbury Festival. The "mastermind" behind this four-day sustainable camping, arts, music and action festival is the wonderful Brian Lipsitz who I have been fortunate enough to know since the days of the Meadow Lake Elementary School Penguins, circa 1993. Fifteen years later, after dreaming up an idea for a music festival at his family's ranch in Michigan, its all happening...the perfect mix of amazing artists (STS9, Of Montreal, Modest Mouse, Thievery Corporation, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Gomez, The Juan Maclean, Diplo, Busdriver...oh and not to mention Snoop Dogg, Widespread, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Phil Lesh), environmentally conscious activities and events (including an energy fair and think tank) all in a spectacular setting (YES! Michigan). Lippy and the other festival organizers have committed to running the event with zero or as little waste as possible while raising awareness and giving back to the local community. So hopefully, if they achieve their goal and all the attendees take the time and effort to try and minimize their environmental impact, at the end of the day (or days), the Double JJ will look nothing like this scene from Coachella...

Part three of the CPA exam is in about 36 hrs. My new fondness for this blog has replaced my desire and need to study. Dedication, focus and motivation are words that no longer exist in my vocabulary and therefore I don't deserve any celebratory awards for my efforts. Retox schmetox. (Pray thank you for that one Stubs McFerguson)

GOOD Magazine may be my favorite discovery this year. GOOD's aim is to provide "a platform for the ideas, people, and businesses that are driving change in the world". They cover everything from politics, sustainability, education, poverty, food, the environment and beyond, shedding light on local, national and international issues and organizations. Great content aside, the coolest part is that the $20 subscription fee goes to a non-profit of your choice (I think there are 12 to choose from and $689,280 has been given away so far). Buy GOOD for everyone you know. I want to marry the founder of the magazine as well, just a side note.

I just caught the first two parts of a five-part video series on Skid Row and they are both very informative and checking out. I'm curious to find out more about the statement that Los Angeles is the first and only third-world city in the US. It's crazy how much wealth and poverty can exist side-by-side not only in a state, but a city - with everything happening a mere 10-20 miles away from "one of the richest economies in the country". More to come on this and "School on Wheels" later hopefully.



Visit goodmagazine.com for more.