Chasing Clean Air

Canada Day 2009 Victoria, B.C.

It may sound obvious but the first thing I noticed on Canada's 142nd birthday--celebrated as Canada Day--is red and white, and G. 

Yes, Canada's birthday was celebrated in Victoria in an air of innocence, G for general audiences, as seen by these Los Angeles eyes and ears.

Cleanliness, orderliness, and good fun were seen along clean streets, untouched lawns, and laws that don't allow hand-guns.

Riff raff?

Nowhere to be seen. Crackle, pop...?

No one need fear.

Around here the sounds of crackle and pop are merely fireworks, unlike in L.A. where media regularly broadcasts warnings prior to Independence Day--Please don't shoot guns!

Yes, occasional excited folks shoot into the air.

As a result, Los Angeles independence day celebrations get a cautionary R, yes, rare, but you know it could happen.

I started Canada Day celebrations on the lawn of the Parliament Building in Victoria where the fabulous Todd Butler emceed the musical evening to be followed by fireworks. While I enjoyed first act Uminari Taiko Ensemble, a Japanese drumming ensemble from Victoria, Todd stole the show in-between musical acts with passionate riffs on his guitar and humorous, thoughtful lyrics.

I left before the last group, Elliott Brood, which I later heard was great and inspired dancing.

The streets were closed off around town, and revelers could be seen everywhere.

I took a toke (is that what you do?) at this Oxygen Bar with aroma therapy and wondered why? The air in Victoria was divine today and temperatures warm around 75 degrees.

Oh if only all my closest friends were here to experience magical clean Victoria with me.

As it was I enjoyed a sea of red, white, and G.

Impacts of Freeway Air Pollution 10 Times Greater Distance Than Previously Believed

Amongst air pollution specialists, it's been common knowledge that the worst potential health impacts from freeway air pollution extend 500 yards or three football fields from freeways and major roadways.

But according to a new study published last month in the journal Atmospheric Environment, freeway air pollution extends as much as 1 and 1/2 miles downwind, impacting people in many more homes, as outdoor air pollutants penetrate indoor environments through cracks in windows and doors.

The Math of Traveling by Car from Los Angeles to British Columbia

I tallied up my receipts and mileage from car trek throughout California, Oregon and Washington, enroute to British Columbia. 

1535 miles = Los Angeles to Victoria, British Columbia with a week's stay visiting family in San Francisco

$209 gas (probably $50 and 300 miles less without a week in SF Bay Area driving to and fro relatives)

$50 ferry one way from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC

I began in Los Angeles, drove up the 5 to San Francisco where I spent a week driving around visiting relatives in Mill Valley, San Rafael and San Francisco.

Then I took the 5 from San Rafael, Calif. to Ashland, Oregon. From there Portland, Oregon. And on to Victoria, B.C. via the 5 and then 104/101, which appears near Olympia, Washington.

There were three key benefits to driving alone to B.C.

1) Overcoming a fear of driving alone long distances.

2) Getting to see family with freedom to help with their errands.

3) I saw much more of California, Oregon and Washington than I would have had I flown to one destination. Renting a car would have been cost prohibitive had I wanted to explore a region. It's exciting to see places I've otherwise only known on a map.

Photo driving in the heart of Portland.

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Driving Solo from Los Angeles to British Columbia

I stopped for lunch along I-5 in a tiny town called Castle Rock near Mt. St. Helens.

What's remarkable about this?

For years I was too timid to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco (my home town) alone.

Now I was just miles from my next destination that took me from Los Angeles to the capital of British Columbia.

I'd driven California's bumpy roads, Mt. Shasta high cliff roads, and Oregon's smooth billboard-less roads, alone.

On this leg of the journey, I left Portland at 12:20 and with stops for lunch and gas, arrived to Black Ball Transport in Port Angeles to take the ferry to Victoria with only fifteen minutes to spare to make the 5:15 boat.

The drive was quite pretty, especially after Olympia, Washington. Soon I was driving through the magnificent Olympic National Park without any stress save for the motorhome that snailed in front of me for several miles on a two-lane road.

I wanted to make the 5:15 boat.

Stress.

What could I do?

Destress.

I focused on the fact there was a 9:30 p.m. boat.

In the end, I made the earlier boat, and arrived to Victoria by 6:45 p.m to start my B.C. adventure.

I started at my favorite Irish pub, The Irish Times--great food and music.

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EPA Data Suggests That Certain Los Angeles Neighborhoods At Greatest Risk in Nation of Developing Cancer As A Result of Breathing

According to EPA toxic data, parts of Los Angeles County top the risk of Americans getting cancer as a result of breathing the air over a lifetime.

(I'm not sure how many years equals a "lifetime")

There are 80 known carcinogens in the air, and Los Angeles residents living near major roadways and industry, exceed 1200 in a million expected to get cancer as a result of going about their day.

The national average of cancer risk is 36 in a million.

People living in parts of Coconino County, Arizona and Lyon County, Nevada, had the lowest cancer risk from air toxics.

The counties with the least toxic air in America were Kalawao County, Hawaii, and Golden Valley County, Montana.

To read more about study click here.

To read more health impact of air pollution studies, check out The Clean Air Guide.

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Hotel Monaco - Portland

When you can take the best of home and elevate it to a fanciful vacation experience, even when you're working, you have Hotel Monaco Portland located in the heart of downtown Portland.

This eco-award winning hotel that is dog-friendly (not to mention fish-friendly--there's one in every room) won me over with its mix of warmth, color, and whimsical touches--French posters, colorful pillows, yellow-striped wall paper, and black and white likenesses of famous men on the room's mini-refrigerator.  

At home I have my favorite yoga classes. At the Hotel Monaco Portland I had a yoga kit delivered to my room (included in cost of room, as was an ample gym on the 9th floor). As a result, Rodney Yee, an attractive yoga instructor who hangs out on Hawaii beaches and in the hotel's Mind-Body TV specials that include a.m. and p.m. meditations, became my yoga instructor.

In the evenings the hotel hosted a complimentary Wine Reception in the warmly attractive living room lobby from 5-6 p.m. This was a highlight.

The room exuded an exotic mix of Ango-Chinois influences, and the reception gave me an opportunity to meet other travelers.

I listened to one visitor play the grand piano. I wish I'd known. I would have brought my sheet music, but you can.

Clean Air Portland: Land of Beauty & Warm Communities

Quick! Portland.

Round up the usual adjectives and you get

"sustainability"

"green"

"great transportation"

They're all true but Portland goes beyond green to colorful rose gardens, classic and eclectic architecture, and warm communities.

I'd like to share my evening's journey through photographs, delving deeper into the natural and man-made worlds.

Clean Air Portland

I'm loving Portland! Land of lush green trees, the best of small city living with the amenities of a big city, too. And yes! Clean air.

I walked out of Hotel Monaco-Portland, (awesome hotel!) seeking a vegan meal and found a veggie burger at Greek Cusina, a block away, where I met Rachael, the friendly bartender.

Rachael shared that she moved to Portland from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania--a steel town--where the air quality was less than optimal, though in Rachael's words,

"Pittsburg's air is not as bad as L.A.'s. When I moved to Portland I became more energetic. I love every day here!"

Last summer I stayed in B.C. and noticed how much better and energetic I felt, too.

I credited clean air.

Rachael raved about biking everywhere on Portland's bike lanes, the joy of not having a car, and the food. According to this new local of the past two years, there are great restaurants everywhere and the best transportation.

Coming from Los Angeles and being a clean air advocate, I appreciate how valuable Portland's public transportation and access to safe bike lanes are.

I'll tell you the truth, I'd like to stay longer in Portland, and learn more about this vibrant city with a small town feel.

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Shut Down All The World's Coal-Power Plants Or Else! James Hansen Speaks

Good shoes can make us feel better, fashionable and offer support in a world gone negative.

My feet hurt after last night's dancing (in Portland), so today I shopped at Nordstrom's at Pioneer Square and got a new pair of ASICS running shoes.

I threw in a workout top when I realized there's no sales tax in Oregon. Money goes further here.

The soft cushioning helped my feet recover from dancing and those high-heels I frequently favor.

Meanwhile, I received more grim global warming news.

In Elizabeth's Kolbert's article in the June 29, 2009 issue of The New Yorker she quotes father of climatology, James Hansen, who said that his own predictions about devastation from climate change under-estimated how dire earth's situation is. He says we need to shut down all the world's coal-fired power plants in the next twenty years in order to have a shot at turning the tables to keep life as we know it alive and well. To read her article, click here.

If that weren't enough, I present you... 

Driving from Ashland to Portland, Oregon

Over the shock of Interstate 5 meandering along cliff roads for two hours in the Mt. Shasta region of California, I recovered my sensibilities and practiced the art of deep breathing. But not for long, for I wondered.

I wondered how the Southern Oregon drive would be? This was a mountainous region, too.

I dared not ask, for I was determined to make it to Eugene to enjoy my first water adventure in a year: a McKenzie float down the McKenzie River.

No matter what.

I'd traverse cliff roads if I had to. I'd persevere.

Never mind that I practically passed out on my first exceptionally high tressel, above the Shasta River flowing further than I could see. 

Now storm clouds loomed overhead, as I pushed the pedal to the metal and forged ahead, driving the speed limit. Cautiously.

Call me a Californian accustomed to drought, but I couldn't help but notice that those storm clouds didn't go away. They lowered in the sky instead, as if to say, I'm not budging.

Well.

I don't boat well in the rain.

It could be cold, too.

And wet.

There was only one sensible thing to do.