| Published April 15th, 2009 | Green Night at Rheem Theater | By Jessie Kathan | | Students dress in recyclable materials for a "walk down the aisle" in the Green Night "Trashy Fashion Show." Pictured from left to right: Sara Deewolf, Campolindo HS 2009; Clara Tsao, Miramonte HS 2009; Emily Lin, Las Lomas HS 2009; Phoebe Song, Las Lomas HS 2009; Kela Felton, Orinda Intermediate (graduating from OIS in 2010, from HS in 2014); Zoe Pehrson, Miramonte HS 2009; Rachel Tsao, Miramonte HS 2009 Photo Maggie Fleming
| For one Thursday night every month, the Rheem Theater undergoes a transformation into a center for all things green. Green Night, sponsored by EarthTeam, Generation Green, Sustainable Moraga, Sustainable Lafayette, and Parents for a Safer Environment, kicked off with a reception including appetizers, a recycled arts and crafts table, and information on how to go green.
A "trashy fashion" show followed, with attire made from reused and recycled materials. The creative outfits, worn by seven Lamorinda teens, each advertised a different waste product and its effect on the environment, including aluminum, plastic bags, and film. The fashion show, utilizing plastic bag skirts, Styrofoam dresses, and an impressive ensemble made entirely of six-pack rings, not only showed off creativity but reminded audience members that what they leave at the curbside affects the world they live in.
This month's featured movie was entitled, "Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home," featuring an ordinary family, the McDonalds, and chronicling their journey as they keep all of their trash in their garage for three months. While statistics underscore how pollution is bad and recycling is good, "Garbage" showed audience members the direct impact their actions have all over the world. Despite some of the movie's sobering statistics, the overall message was that efforts to conserve and recycle really do make a difference. The night ended with homemade cookies, warm smiles, and the overall feeling of optimism as our own little revolution began.
To learn about EarthTeam's work with teens and teachers, visit www.earthteam.net
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