Free veggies anyone? More than 40,000 people showed up to pick free vegetables left over from the harvest at a Colorado farm about 37 miles north of Denver. The farm owners expected about 5,000 to 10,000 people to pick a few carrots and potatoes last Saturday. Instead, more than 11,000 cars showed up and the people picked the fields clean. Owner, Ms. Miller, told the Denver Post, “Overwhelmed is putting it mildly. People obviously need food.”

And in Los Angeles recently, Mayor Villaraigosa revealed his long-range plan to generate “enough solar power to meet one-tenth of the city’s energy needs by 2020.” His goal could be achieved if solar panels are installed on public and private energy generating facilities as well as on residents’ homes. This initiative will also help the city’s Department of Water and Power reduce its use of fossil fuels, like natural gas and coal, and benefit global warming reduction efforts. If the Mayor’s plan were successful, Los Angeles would become the “hub of the solar-energy industry.”

The White House may become a “green” house. In the recent Barbara Walters interview with President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, Obama said that he wants to make the White House green. He plans to work with the chief usher for house and evaluate his new home’s energy efficiency. When asked why the focus on greening the house, Obama said, “Part of what I want to do is to show the American people that it’s not that hard.”

Global warming is a global concern. Although the global economy is in the pits right now, HSBC bank’s second annual global poll found that 43 percent think climate change is a bigger problem than the financial crisis. And 78 percent of those polled want their countries to do their “fair share” of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although the global citizens polled want their governments to fight global warming, invest in renewable energy (55 percent), and participate in climate talks (27 percent), as individuals, these people are less willing to change their own lifestyle than last year (47 percent in 2008 vs. 58 percent in 2007). Have they ever heard the expression that change begins with YOU?

So if you are a big greenie, where can you meet like-minded individuals? Funny you should ask. There is a new social networking site called Greenwala. The site is designed to help people learn more about being green, brag about their green works with family and friends.

Just an informal meet and greet … President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle got their first tour of the White House from George and Laura Bush Monday. Interesting tidbits: Barack thought the Oval Office was “really nice” (he hadn’t been in it before), and Monday was also his first limousine ride in Washington.

Now let’s get down to brass tacks … Obama pressed Bush to allow struggling automakers to tap into the $700 billion in bailout money. Bush countered by asking for Democrats to drop their opposition to a free-trade agreement with Columbia. General Motors, the largest of the three Detroit automakers, is also arguably in the worst shape – it will likely run out of cash by January.

In Armistice Day news … European countries marked the 90th anniversary to the end of World War I Tuesday, with the few remaining veterans on hand to celebrate. Three of Britain’s four living veterans (ages 112, 110 and 108) attended a remembrance at the Cenotaph national war memorial in London, along with the oldest American veteran, 107-year-old Frank Buckles. Germany and France’s last two veterans died earlier this year.

Grande, half-caf, non-fat, sugar-free, double-shot, extra-foam, no-whip latte holds less appeal … Starbucks announced Monday its fourth-quarter profits fell 97 percent, mainly due to costs associated with closing under-performing stores and fewer customers during these troubled economic times. During a conference call Monday, Starbucks CEO Howard Shchultz said unlike other premium retail stores, same-store sales declines at Starbucks outlets in October hadn’t reached double-digit numbers. Well, that’s a relief.

Countdown for Ralph Macchio cameo begins … Jaden Smith, precocious spawn of Will Smith, will star in a remake of The Karate Kid, Variety reports. Jaden, 10, had his feature-film debut in 2006’s Pursuit of Happyness, starring alongside his father. The new version is being produced by Jerry Weintraub, who also launched the original set of movies back in 1984. Jaden is a natural for the role; according to Variety, he is “a martial arts practitioner.”

G8 or bust.

The United States refused to accept global emissions targets in Bush’s final G8 summit as president. That means the administration will simply let this issue slither onto its heir. Three cheers for all! As he prepared to leave the G8 summit in Japan Thursday, Bush told fellow world leaders: “Goodbye, from the world’s biggest polluter!”

Climate change 2K8? Fughedaboutit. Asshole comments at the G8? Yes! More please!

According to Democracy Now!,