February 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Sustainable Quality Awards Nominations Open:

The Santa Monica Sustainable Quality Awards, dubbed the Academy Awards of green accomplishment, this week opened its nomination period for local businesses thriving in sustainability.

The awards, held annually since 1996, was developed in partnership among the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works. Supported by the year round work of the Chamber’s Environmental Affairs Committee, the SQA has since grown to recognize more than 100 local businesses.

The goal is to identify and recognize businesses in the Santa Monica area that are successfully incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. Significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment are all taken into consideration.

Brian Chase, the Chamber’s Director of Government Affairs, said the awards ceremony would be held at a luncheon at the Sheraton Delfina Hotel on May 2 next year.

“It’s essentially the Academy Awards of green accomplishment,” Chase said. “We recognize that Santa Monica has a very strong environmentally friendly brand, and a lot of businesses want to know what the best practices are.”

Once nominated, SQA applicants work closely with a number of expert judges who help evaluate practices ripe for either recognition or improvement.

Chase said the SQA program created a sense of competition in an arena that is continually evolving with new research and technology.

“The SQA puts a spotlight on those operations we feel meet our highest standards,” he said. “In highlighting those best practices, we create examples for other to follow.”

Those model businesses are eligible to be recognized with excellence awards in stewardship of the natural environment, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. The coveted SQA Grand Prize is only awarded to those businesses that demonstrate excellence in all three categories.

Last year’s SQA Grand Prize winners were PS #1 Elementary School and LAcarGUY. Other previous winners range from Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier to the Natural Resources Defense Council, and include many of Santa Monica’s greenest hotels, restaurants, and offices.

Nominations close on Jan. 6, 2012. Additional information can be found at www.smsqa.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Country Club Donates $1M for Palisades Recovery

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

The club has encouraged members and partners to contribute to an established fund The Riviera Country Club has pledged $1...

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Black History Greens Festival to Celebrate Community Legacy of Virginia Avenue Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

The free community event is part of Santa Monica’s Black History Month celebrations, with the 2025 theme, “Roots and Reflections:...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Film Review: Love Hurts

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

FILM/ REVIEWLOVE HURTSRated R83 MinutesReleased February 7th Valentine’s Day is written all over this movie. Love Hurts seems to be...

New Map Tracks Palisades Cleanup Progress, Identifies Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

New interactive map helps residents track debris removal progress as officials emphasize unprecedented cleanup speed A newly released interactive map...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Santa Monica Arson Suspect Arrested After String of Fires Across City

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Authorities used aerial drone technology to assist in the investigation A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a string...

Tai Chain to Donate Santa Monica Grand Opening Proceeds to Wildfire-Affected Restaurants

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The restaurant’s U.S. presence began in Arcadia, Calif., in 2000, and has since expanded to 17 locations  Din Tai Fung,...

SMMUSD Makes Rain-Related Announcement About Malibu Schools This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Road Closures and Flood Warnings Force the School District’s Hand All four public schools in Malibu will be closed on...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

Man Sues Famous Marina del Rey Bar for Alleged Assault

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages By Zach Armstrong A patron has sued Brennan’s Pub in Marina del...

Phase 2 Debris Removal Underway in Palisades, Officials Tout Historic Recovery Speed

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Residents Urged to Submit ROE Forms as Crews Accelerate Debris Removal Efforts Crews have begun Phase 2 of debris removal...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

One of Palisades’ First Black Homeowners Seeks Support After Fire Destroys Home

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Now displaced, she faces uncertainty in finding stable housing Nearly $42,000 has been raised for Louvenia Jenkins, a 97-year-old woman...