Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Carbon Dating

Not too long ago we at marketmambo posted some thoughts on the "green gesture", the small act that people or companies take in the hopes of being perceived as eco-friendly. (see "How Green Was My Gesture")

On June 15th, The Hideout, a lounge in Santa Monica, California hosted, to our knowledge, the first Green Speed Dating event. Sixteen singles, from 25 to 40 years old, each paid $20 to participate. The money got them free appetizers and drinks. Valet parking was extra.

They also got the opportunity to meet for three minutes with a potential dating partner. A bicycle horn signaled the end of one "date" and participants moved on to the next. Coverage of the event seemed to indicate that one's brand of car was a frequent ice-breaker.

The event was organized by Developing Communities, Inc., an organization founded by former Peace Corps volunteers "dedicated to the development of small communities in Central America". All proceeds will be used to fund a solar-energy project for the one-room school house of El Pedregal, Nicargua.

Visit the Green Speed Dating website for information on their August event in Anaheim, or to learn how you can organize an event closer to your home, or to make a donation, through PayPal, to the school project in Nicargua.

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For National Public Radio's podcast on the event, click here.
For NPR's article on the event, click here.
For the Green Speed Dating website, click here.
For the Developing Communities, Inc website, click here.

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