It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Volts Wattson

Santa Monica High School Alumni and Lead Engineer Patricio Guerrero, 20, (left) and SAMOHI Marine Biology Teacher Benjamin Kay (right) show Santa Monica Council Member Terry O'Day (center) their converted 1971 electric Volkswagen Bug during the 8th Annual Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo at the Santa Monica Civic on Friday, September 20, 2013. 

This past Monday night, a group of Santa Monica High School students of the environmental science and advocacy group, Team Marine, finished their gas-to-electric car conversion project.  Working for four years on a1971 red convertible Volkswagen Super Beetle, the students, whose ages range from 14-18 years old, replaced the car’s combustion engine and gas tank with an electric motor and 30-kilowatt hour lithium iron phosphate battery pack.  
 
The students debuted this extraordinary plug-in at the Santa Monica Alternative Car Exposition today and tomorrow, September 20-21.  In coming weeks, they will conduct local tests to showcase the anticipated 100+ mile range, maximum freeway speed, and zero to 60 mph time.
 
The car, affectionately named Volts Wattson, was donated to Team Marine by the Poon-Fear family in 2009 with the purpose of having students turn it into an environmentally conscious EV.  Since then, the students have focused on acquiring funds, parts, and the knowledge needed to overcome the many electrical, mechanical and logistical hurdles in the conversion process.
 
Team Marine has simultaneously developed an electric vehicle instruction manual along with award-winning educational materials and multi-media presentations that are designed to raise awareness about climate change, ocean acidification, energy conservation and carbon-reduction strategies.
 
With technical and financial contributions from environmental partners Plug-In America, the Wells Fargo Foundation,Trexa, Alliance for Climate Education, QuikSCience, TeenNick, Left Coast Electric, City of Santa Monica, and Gas to Electric Conversions, Team Marine will tour Volts Wattson at many civic and community events, schools and other academic institutions, science fairs and alternative transportation exhibitions throughout Southern California.
 
“Electric conversions are part of the solution,” says Lead Student Engineer, Patricio Guerrero.  “This project is an example of what is possible to achieve and hopefully inspires other engineers and scientists out there to go down the path of sustainability.”
 
“Our project shows that even high school students can do things to reduce reliance on fossil fuels,” adds Ivan Morales, co-captain of last year’s Team Marine.
 
Local science teacher and Team Marine Coach, Benjamin Kay, commented, “We’ve built solar boats, and even watercraft made from plastic straws and bottles, but never anything like this.  This was a prodigious mission, and as a teacher, I am proud beyond words of the students’ achievements and so thankful to our many community partners.”
 
Team Marine, formed in 2006 by a group of environmentally conscious students to increase the public’s awareness about the sensitivity of the ocean and other natural environments, has created numerous programs to mobilize the citizens of Santa Monica and nearby areas in Los Angeles to conserve and clean-up the California coastline.  Their efforts have been recognized by the City of Santa Monica, TeenNick Halo Awards, The Wyland Foundation, Southern California Edison, and other environmental organizations, companies, and government officials.
 

The ALTCAR Expo 2013 is free, open to the public, two-day Event and Ride & Drive with what's new and available in the world of alternative energy transportation options. The expo provides one of the most extensive presentations of Alternative technology vehicles and transportation, infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency and urban planning found worldwide. 

 
Posted on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 04:02PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Nissan LEAF NISMO RC

A person looks at a Nissan LEAF NISMO RC during the 8th Annual Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo at the Santa Monica Civic on Friday, September 20, 2013. You’re looking at the future of automobile racing. It doesn’t have an engine, uses no gas, and instead of roaring around the track, glides almost silently by. It’s the world’s first 100% electric, no tailpipe, track-ready race car – the NISMO RC. Like the production Nissan LEAF™ on which it’s based, the NISMO RC (RC stands for “Racing Competition”) is powered by electricity, stored in its revolutionary lithium-ion batteries. The long, up-sloping headlights are also pure LEAF, but that’s where the family resemblance ends. The NISMO RC has no trunk, no rear doors or seats, carpets, navi or any other conventional amenities. To lighten it, the 3-piece body is manufactured from carbon-fiber. The silhouette is low and wide, and the massive tail is designed to create significant downforce, keeping the car stable and glued to the track.

The ALTCAR Expo 2013 is free, open to the public, two-day Event and Ride & Drive with what's new and available in the world of alternative energy transportation options. The expo provides one of the most extensive presentations of Alternative technology vehicles and transportation, infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency and urban planning found worldwide. MORE INFO: http://www.altcarexpo.com/

 
Posted on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 03:03PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

ALTCAR Expo 

Cal Poly Pomona students show-off their award winning solar boat during the 8th Annual Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo at the Santa Monica Civic on Friday, September 20, 2013. The ALTCAR Expo 2013 is free, open to the public, two-day Event and Ride & Drive with what's new and available in the world of alternative energy transportation options. The expo provides one of the most extensive presentations of Alternative technology vehicles and transportation, infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency and urban planning found worldwide. MORE INFO: http://www.altcarexpo.com/
Posted on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 02:42PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally

People admire motorcycles during the 6th annual Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally Celebrates the passion & preservation of vintage motorcycles. The Vintage Motorcycle Rally featured museum quality Vincents, ratted out Harley choppers, vintage café racers and electric motorcycles.
Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 04:43PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Venice Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market 

A wig vendor helps a customer try on a hair piece during the Venice Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The Venice Antiques & Collectibles Market specializes in all kinds of hard to find items, from jewelry to vintage and new clothing, music, electronics, toys for kids... whatever your heart desires, you can find it at the flea market. The Venice Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market is held every 2nd Saturday of the month at Venice High School from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Admission is free.
Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 04:41PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Transcendence

Santa Monica College Art Professor Linda Lopes discusses her art installation entitled, "Transcendence" with Randy Ball at SMC’s Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery during the General Advisory Board Breakfast at Santa Monica College on Thursday, September 12, 2013. The annual Santa Monica College Faculty Art Exhibit, featuring a wide range of works in various media, will be presented at SMC’s Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery through Oct. 5. The show’s original works by members of the SMC art faculty celebrate the working artists, designers, and art historians who teach and inspire the Santa Monica community. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The gallery is located at SMC’s Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street. For more information, please send email to winsryg_marian@smc.edu or call (310) 434-3434.
Posted on Friday, September 13, 2013 at 04:57PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Jimmy Cliff 

Reggae's reigning godfather Jimmy Cliff performs during the final installation of the Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, September 12, 2013.

 

 

Posted on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 10:48PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Cycle for Heroes

Hundreds of people spin at the Santa Monica Pier during Cycle for Heroes on the 12th anniversary of 9/11. Cycle For Heroes is a three-hour, rock-inspired outdoor cycling event which benefits The Heroes Project. The Heroes Project is a nonprofit organization that works with the community of veterans, soldiers, Marines and military families on all levels. Its mission is to improve the care and protection of our heroes through individual support, community empowerment and systemic change.
Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 08:58PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint
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