You’ve got to give it to Miss America Pageant for always trying to find a way to stay relevant at a time when beauty pageants have been upstaged by reality TV shows.
This year, the pageant is "going green." There’s even a contest in which contestants are asked for their suggestions on how to make the country a more ecologically friendly place.
Miss Pennsylania Shannon Doyle suggests that people “purchase a Brita pitcher rather than buying case after case of water bottles that are most likely not biodegradable.” If you like what she has to say, you can vote for her on www.greenTwithTamara.TV - or if not, for one of the other 2010 Miss America contestants.
Miss New Jersey Ashley Shaffer suggests that pageant girls save up their empty MAC cosmetic containers and turn them in to get free products, and Miss Delaware Heather Lehman likes using shoe boxes for gift boxes at Christmas. Whichever contestant garners the most points wins a host of eco-friendly prizes.
“The 2010 Miss America contestants have embraced their passion for green issues whether it be clean air, clean fuel, or clean water by personally taking their own steps to help conserve resources, recycle and reuse materials in their own lives,” explained Tamara Henry, an eco TV host who interviews each contestant. “I think people will find the interviews fun, creative, educational and inspiring!”
Maybe these ideas won't do much to change the world, but at least this focus spares us from hearing answers about how important "world peace" and "understanding" are.
You have until tomorrow, when the Miss America Pageant is broadcast on TLC, to cast your vote for your favorite green contestant.
The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.
Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.
Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.
Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.
Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product. Contact Vance with your 'green' news.
Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...
Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.
Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.
Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.
In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.
Sept. 17: A head start on cold season
Oct. 8: Help with fuel bills
Oct. 29: Last-minute ways to winterize
Nov. 19: Budgeting for the big bite
 | Follow on Twitter |
- News | Sports | Business | What's Happening | Restaurants & Food | Entertainment | Living | Marketplace | Jobs
