Colorado Springs-area nature photographer Brenda Biondo is donating 20 percent of her profits this month and next month to Colorado Open Lands, a nonprofit land conservation organization. Biondo will join Denver jeweler Kathryn Stieneker from 5 to 8 p.m. today for a philanthropic sale and trunk show at Lulu’s Furniture & Decor, 2553 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, 303-756-2222. Read more about the artists at and .
Better safe than sorry
September is National Preparedness Month. ClosetMaid, the storage and closet organizing company, has compiled advice to help families plan ahead for an emergency. First, the company suggests preparing a basic emergency supply kit with water, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and a can opener, first-aid kit, flashlight and batteries, radio, garbage bags, local maps, duct tape and a wrench or pliers. Next, create a family emergency plan so your whole family knows how to connect should disaster strike. That plan should include an out-of- town contact who might help connect separated family members. Third, make sure every family member carries a prepaid phone card. And finally, consider keeping all emergency supplies together in a designated storage space with hooks and cubbies so there’s no wasting time looking for what you need.
Color with conscience
New Era Paint is a new “green” paint store carrying only environmentally friendly interior and exterior paint and primers, along with cabinet and trim paints, lacquers, glaze and sealers. All of the paint brands carried at New Era are low-odor, nontoxic and contain no volatile organic compounds. “A study by the Environmental Protection Agency showed that the VOCs in paint products alone account for 9 percent of the pollutants that cause greenhouse gas and smog, contributing to global warming,” says store owner Laurie Hessemer. “Our paints cost the same as any other premium paint, with the added advantage of being environmentally friendly.” New Era Paint will host green- living workshops on Tuesday evenings. Cost for each session is $10. Reservations are suggested. 2045 Sheridan Blvd., Edgewater, 303-237-6337.
