FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

Faatma Mehrmaesh – 720.212.3026

Ashara Ekundayo – 303.260.9209

September 18, 2008

URBAN GOES GREEN IN DENVER’S FIVE POINTS NEIGHBORHOOD

Local Artists, Activists and Educators Host A Day of Food & Media Justice

DENVER, CO – The soon-to-be reincarnated, Solar Vegetarian Café (formally Karma Café) is partnering with local organizers, cultural workers, educators, and “foodies” to participate in the National Day of Service and Action sponsored by Green Jobs Now.  “Local Motive” is a 12-hour, family-friendly, food and media justice festival featuring performances, panel discussions, human rights film screenings, demonstrations and DIY workshops from local folks working as indie consultants and at businesses and organizations to highlight issues such as; organic food co-ops, going “raw,” converting to solar energy, reconstructed fashion, and nutrition in the “hood.”  “Local Motive,” is Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Solar Café, 2615 Welton St. Denver, 80205 from 11am – 11pm, admission is Free.  Info at www.solarlivity.com and www.greenjobsnow.com

Tapped as a local grass-roots initiative to build on the national green economy, “Local Motive” will provide opportunities for people to access local healthy options for basic needs.  Food justice activist and co-owner of Solar Café, Faatma Mehrmaesh states, “we are ready to build an inclusive green economy that includes young people and those not able to access affordable fresh fruits and veggies at their corner store.”  The National Day of Action aims to strongly encourage the U.S. government to make an even greater investment in green jobs and clean energy by spotlighting low-income communities and communities of color that are hardest hit by climate catastrophes, but have the most to gain in the green jobs/climate change conversation.

Additionally, hip-hop culturally-inspired activities for youth including breakdance classes, silkscreening and mobile graffiti workshops will occur alongside civic groups promoting voter registration, legal initiatives, and HIV testing.  “Local Motive” is also a fundraiser for Solar Café that starts construction in early November with an aim to open in February 09.

Other participating groups include; the Get On the Bus Project, Growers Organic, BluBlak Media & Omi Gallery, Colorado Progressive Coalition, Denver!Incite, the Pan African Arts Society/Café Nuba, Magnet Mafia, Argus Film Fest, DeRailer Bike Co-Op, Konjo Promotions, Mile Hi Business Alliance, Illiterate Magazine, Oogave Soda, Coda Coffee, and KGNU Radio