The opportunity to drive a Chevy Volt doesn’t come along very often. I was happy to give it a try. It was interesting to see that they have put the battery inside the car, so it doesn’t take up trunk space like you may have seen on other electric and hybrid vehicles. Additionally, there is an extra window on the hatchback so you get an extra view of the road you normally don’t find in other cars. My only regret is that we didn’t get to test the EV portion of the Volt, as it had lost it’s charge during transport and didn’t have enough time to charge before the event.

Our first stop was Ecoist in the Wynwood Arts District, a locally based eco-accessories company, most well known for their candy wrapper handbags. I was excited to find that they now offer upcycled t-shirt necklaces, as well.

Next, we headed over the bridge to Uhma Spa, an utter sanctuary in the heart of South Beach. Everyone received a mini massage and a fabulous gift bag from the spa itself.

Finally, we ended at Metro Organic Bistro to dine on organic grub. All items on the menu are organic!

If we offer an event like this again, all I can say is, sign up immediately! GM provided top notch event planning and treated us like royalty. Read more accounts of our day from Brandon’s Puppy, Tropic Home & Family (Uhma Spa), Tropic Home & Family (Chevy Volt).

Transportation and gifts provided by Chevrolet.

Congratulations to our 8 selected readers who will be joining us on Saturday, July 16, 2011 for a fabulous eco tour of Miami.

We will be driving two electric Chevy Volts and Tahoe Hybrid around town. Each participant will have an opportunity to drive each vehicle throughout the day.

Our first stop is Ecoist in Wynwood. We’ll get a private tour of Ecoist, makers of eco-friendly accessories.

Next, we’ll drive over the bridge to Uhma Spa. This organic spa is an utter sanctuary in the heart of South Beach.

Finally, we’ll have a late lunch at Metro Organic Bistro.

Follow along on Twitter with #chevyecotour or read the participants tweets in this Chevy Eco Tour List.

We’ve got 8 spots to fill on the Chevy Eco Chic Tour with greenerMiami.com on Saturday, July 16, 2011. Details on how to enter to win a spot on this fab FREE eco tour of Miami are below.

We’ll meet at a dealership and then hop into the cars: two electric Chevy Volts and Tahoe Hybrid. Each participant will have an opportunity to drive each vehicle throughout the day.

Our first stop is Ecoist in Wynwood. We’ll get a private tour of Ecoist, makers of eco-friendly accessories. If you haven’t seen their candy wrapper handbags in person, you are in for a treat. Next, we’ll drive over the bridge to Uhma Spa. This organic spa is an utter sanctuary in the heart of South Beach. Mini-treatments, anyone? Then, we’ll have a late lunch at Metro Organic Bistro, which looks delish. Finally, we’ll head up the street to pick up your car and say our goodbyes!

The Details
Date: Saturday, July 16, 2011
Time: 10:30am – 5pm
Meeting Point: Tropical Chevrolet, Miami Shores
You MUST enter to win a spot on this eco-tour! See details below.

To enter to win a spot in the Chevy Eco Chic Tour with greenerMiami.com, please reply below including why you would like to participate and your Twitter handle (if applicable). Please confirm you are available on July 16, 2011 from 10:30a-5p before entering. We will select eight participants from all eligible entries on Monday, July 11, at 9:00 am ET. If we have not reached eight participants by this date, the remaining spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Entrant must be 21 years old as of date of entry, a US resident and have a valid driver’s license. Entries will be judged based on articulation of why entrant would like to participate and judge’s analysis of entrant’s Twitter influence. Sponsors must receive a reply including necessary information from potential winner within 24 hours of contact, or the prize will be forfeited.

Show Description:

When Elmo’s sunflower, Sunny, outgrows his flower pot, Big Bird’s garden seems to be the perfect place for Sunny to flourish. An excited Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street’s fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow faster. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and his friends shrink! As Abby tries to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird’s garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming fears and appreciation of nature. From dancing ladybugs to grouchy beetles, get ready for a fresh, original Sesame Street Live on a whole new scale!

The show is 90 minutes long with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets range from $12-$65, and you’ll need a ticket for everyone in your family over 1 year old. If you want to buy the tix now, or don’t win, use code ERNIE  at Ticketmaster for $3 off each ticket (offer excludes Gold Circle & Sunny Seats).

Performance Schedule:

Saturday, June 12: 10:30AM, 2:00PM & 5:30PM

Sunday, June 13: 1:00PM & 4:30PM

How to Enter to Win:

Simply leave a comment below with a suggestion for a BOY’S NAME. (That’s right, another greenerMiami baby is on the way, and we need help with a name!) Entries accepted through 11:59 pm on June 2, 2010.

Winner will be selected randomly and notified via email. Winner must respond within 24 hours with mailing address or the prize will be forfeited. Ticket vouchers will be mailed via standard USPS. greenerMiami is not responsible for non-arrival of prize. Must be 18 years of age or older. Applicable to US residents only. Void where prohibited.

Ticket vouchers provided by Vee Corporation.

FASHION FORWARD (a clothing swap)

Just as we had last year, you’ll be able to participate in Fashion Forward, a clothing swap, during the event. Bring in clothing, shoes, and accessories that you no longer use, and browse around at what others have already brought in – and take what you’d like!

I know I’ve got some shoes that no longer fit my lifestyle, but still have some good life left in them…and some pants that just aren’t the right size anymore. I’ll bring them in to the Fashion Forward tent at Miami Goin’ Green and look around for something “new to me”. In fact, I can’t wait!

This year, Fashion Forward is being run by the fabulous organization Dress for Success, which provides professional clothes to women that can not afford their own. All remaining items at the end of the day will go to the non-profit, so please be sure to bring in professional attire that you no longer need, as well. It will be put to great use.

T-SHIRT TRANSFORMATION STATION (New!!)

And new to Miami Goin’ Green this year is the T-Shirt Transformation Station. I’m really excited about this new addition. In this tent, you’ll be able to bring in some t-shirts that you don’t really use as is (promotional tees are great for this, or perhaps an old favorite that might have a little hole in it). We’ll have transformation experts on hand to help you turn that tee into something new! You’ll be able to choose from 10 different tops, 5 skirts, and 10 accessories. They’ll help you cut and sew. Then, if you wish, you can move on to the screen printing area and choose from several custom designs that have been made especially for this event!

This area is being run by Dirty Peaches Clothing Co. and their volunteers, as well as Squeegee Science eco-friendly screen printing lab.

So bring in some t-shirts to Transform, along with other clothing to swap at Fashion Forward…it’s going to be a great time and you’ll come home with new clothes at no cost to you! (Or the planet.)

We’ve got a lot of exciting stuff going on this year – some of which you saw last year, and many new things as well!

• Test drive hybrid cars from Chevy
• Fashion Forward clothing swap from Dress for Success
• T-shirt Transformation Station
• Yoga Classes & Demonstrations
• “Mad Lab” for the kids from Miami Science Museum
• Animal Demonstrations from Jungle Island
• Solar Powered Wii
• Eco – Workshops & Speakers
• Electronic Recycling
• Live Entertainment
• and Green Vendors galore!

Hope to see you there!

11:00 Save Yourself, Save the Planet: Plastic Bags & Bottles by Top Green Magazine

11:30 Green & Local Food: Sprouts 101 by Rachel Katz, Natural Zest Counseling

12:30 Hand Only CPR by Steven the Nurse, The Nursing Station CPR

1:00 Sustainable Living in Miami by Richard Jones, University of Miami Real Estate & Facilities; Maricé Chael, Chael Cooper & Associates; Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo, EWM Realtors, Inc.

1:45 Intro to Green Parenting by Rebecca Carter, greenerMiami.com; Kristin Jayd, BirthGirlz; Dawn Earth McCarthy, ObsessedMoms.com

2:30 Go green, Save Some Green by Making Your Own Cleaning Product by Rachel Markel Hernandez, Green Terpene

3:00 The Beginner’s Guide to Green Mobility in Miami by Kaelsie Saravia, Green Mobility Network

3:30 LifeFood Workshop: The Most Sustainable Cuisine on the Planet! by John Schott, Lifefood Gourmet

This event is targeted at businesses; your day pass gets you into the exhibit hall to check out all of the vendors, as well as the opening sessions. Or, if you’d like to attend the conference, upgrade your ticket and get educated! Buy your tix in advance for a discount (thru Feb 22). Full details available at MiaGreen.com.

greenerMiami.com is a media sponsor for this event.

MiaGreen is currently accepting booth reservations & sponsors. Please see their current special, or check out details on their website.