What will you be doing at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012? Individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.
Many buildings in the Phoenix area will go dark for that hour. If you are going to an event or a show that evening, you might want to check and make sure to find out if there are any special plans for that hour.
Special Events for Earth Hour
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The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa will host its annual Lights Out event. The Earth-friendly family activity will be color-your-own papier-mâché Earth hour flowerpots. Earth inspired snacks, glow necklaces and more will be available. Following the family activity, at 7:05 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy a viewing of Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest at the resort's main pool. The movie will lead into the big Earth Hour event from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. featuring stories and stargazing with East Valley Astronomy Club's two state-of-the art telescopes.
Kai and Ko'Sin restaurants will feature local, sustainable and Earth inspired prix fixe menus and the resort's lobby bar will have a specialty cocktail and beverage menu for the evening. The "Earth Hour" menu in Kai will be offered at $100 per person with wine pairings available at an additional cost. The resort's Ko'sin restaurant is featuring a four-course tasting menu, $52 per person.
The resort is offering their Earth Counts package which includes an overnight stay for two in a luxuriously appointed guestroom (Friday, March 30 check-in), access to all of the Earth Hour events, a late check out Sunday afternoon and four $3 off regular admission vouchers to SEA LIFE Arizona (limit 4). Pricing for this package starts at $189, and requires a two-night minimum length of stay, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Call 602-225-0100 and mention Promo Code: EARTH12.
Date: March 31, 2012
Location: 5594 West Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
Time: Festivities begin at 6 p.m.
Cost: Some activities, including the movie, are free and open to the public. There may be a charge for some poolside activities.
More Information: www.wildhorsepassresort.com/EarthHour
What You Can Do for Earth Hour
Everyone can make a bold statement about climate change and how we can all save energy and, in turn, save our planet. How? By saving as much electricity as you can during that one hour. How do you do that? By turning off all non-essential equipment, appliances and lights that use electricity.
You are not being asked to unplug the refrigerator. But you could turn off all or most of your lights, not use the garage door opener, not watch TV, power down the computer, not brew coffee, and not use the oven or stove for that one hour. You could even unplug everything that is charging in your home. That means your wireless phone, your iPod, your toothbrush, the golf cart and your digital camera batteries.
After you participate in Earth Hour, you can start planning how you'll celebrate Earth Day in Phoenix. That's in April.
Ten Things You Can Do In the Dark
Some of these ideas take into account the fact that Earth Hour occurs during a time when Phoenix weather is typically very nice and we can acknowledge Earth Hour outside.
- Take a relaxing bath by candlelight while sipping on an Earth Dimlet cocktail.
- Go for a walk with a flashlight. Look at the stars.
- Play 20 questions or other games. You know -- games that don't require a board, pieces, or a computer.
- Sit outside with your significant other or your family and talk. Make some plans. Career? College? Summer vacation? Just talk.
- Play the guitar (or the piano or the harmonica or the kazoo) and sing. I know. Singing is hard while playing a kazoo.
- Get a blacklight and hunt for scorpions.
- Knit, crochet, quilt, paint or do something crafty by candlelight.
- Read a book or magazine with a flashlight.
- Got kids? Get out the camping gear, set up a tent and tell ghost stories or plan a few harmless April Fool's Day pranks.
- Take this time to change out your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
The first Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. In 2008, 27 cities are participated, with Phoenix being one of the five official pilot U.S. Cities. It is now a worldwide event. Earth Hour is a project sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to promote awareness of energy and how we can conserve it.
One last thing -- if you use candles, be careful!
