NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHT: ABBOTT KINNEY BLVD, VENICE, CA

Take a stroll down Venice's boho stretch by the beach to experience sophisticated shops, edgy bookstores, crowd-pleasing eateries and a variety of eco-friendly businesses. Venice, California's own Abbot Kinney Boulevard is sure to appeal to any earth-conscience, ultra-hip person looking to spend a few fabulous hours out on the town.

To show off it’s true eco-fabulousness, in 2007 The Abbot Kinney Festival WENT GREEN! They provided solar generators by EE Solar to serve their energy needs, corn starch BioBags for their vendors and recycle bins placed throughout the event. In the "Green Living Area," there were environmentally conscious vendors and non-profits, and there were speakers throughout the day presenting workshops on Green living. They even asked the public to try to cycle or take public transportation to the event and, if planning to drive, they requested that patrons buy carbon offsets at the event. For those who planned to shop, they had cloth tote bags for sale -- or you could bring your own!

Because we love the cute little street that Abbott Kinney is, with all its amazing touches of "green living," we decided to feature it this month as part of our Health & Wellness theme.

Vert, an Eco-Chic Beauty Boutique

Vert is a high-end, luxury retail store specializing in all-natural, eco-friendly products from around the world.  Each line has been specifically chosen by their makeup-artist owner, and only the very best of the best grace their shelves.  Although the store's main focus is beauty, Vert is committed to promoting an all-natural, eco-friendly lifestyle.  They will periodically offer educational seminars, workshops and make-up sessions led by store own and green-living expert, Renata Helfman.

The Smart Car Smart House

Smart car, the ultimate eco-vehicle! Discover a car that has been perfectly designed for your everyday life. A car that offers maximum comfort, agility, safety, ecology and driving fun. A pioneering vehicle concept that is one of the best with its low CO2 emission figures. Located in the heart of Abbot Kinney is the three-level Smart Car concept space, called Smart House, where you can view and test drive the vehicles, and find out more information.  Smart Cars will be arriving in the US in 2008 and available for purchase through the local official dealerships, such as Mercedes Benz and other authorized sites.

YAS, Yoga and Spinning


If you don't have the patience for an hour-long yoga class or the endurance for 60 minutes of Spinning, maybe you should try combining them. Y.A.S. (Yoga And Spinning) gives exercisers 30 minutes of each. And judging by founder Kim Fowler, who is 40-ish with a body most 20-year-olds would kill for, the combo works.

The Farmacy

This not-your-run-of-the-mill Pharmacy, offers custom-blended organic herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, beauty products, massage, acupuncture and even medical marijuana - it's all available. There is also a small health-food section.

Axe

Axe has a built a reputation on fresh, organic ingredients and the ability to craft healthy brunches. There is a special energy flowing through this hip L.A. hotspot. It lets you know that the city of Venice is alive and well! The menu here is extremely varied, offering such items as grilled flatbread, legume soup, lamb chops, salads and eggplant. The dessert menu is so good you'll almost want to act like a kid and skip ordering an entree. Beer and wine are also served. If you want to act like a true local, just remember that the name of the place is pronounced "Ah-SHAY."