Environmental Media Awards honor Justin Timberlake

"Entourage" alumni and EMA Young Hollywood Board members Perrey Reeves, who lives off the grid on 40 acres in Costa Rica when she's not working, Emmanuelle Chriqui, who wore shorts made from recycled shoe leather, and Constance Zimmer, who has a water filtration system at home, said they all drive Priuses, several models of which, along with Lexus hybrids, were brought for display by Toyota.

Brita, another event sponsor, provided water stations at the event to make it water bottle-free. "We've helped movie and TV sets to become more sustainable by reducing plastic bottle waste," said spokesman Drew McGowan, noting plans to install a filtered water station on the set of "Hot in Cleveland" and outlining the Brita Filter for Good project's mission to help musicians reduce the carbon footprints of their tours.

Illuminated by LED lighting, the event featured organic and sustainable gourmet food at the after-party and provided compost and recycling bins, with helpers stationed nearby to help guests sort their garbage. Ed Begley, Jr., who'd arrived late from another event just in time to present the documentary award, revealed at the party that he has yet to break ground on the new green home he's building. "It's a long, laborious process," said Begley, who's recurring this season on "CSI: Miami" and recently completed the comedy "In Security" with Alan and Adam Arkin, playing Officer Krupke. "Yes, there is a 'West Side Story' joke in there," he confirmed.

Earlier on the green carpet, Kyra Sedgwick talked about using stainless steel water bottles, driving a hybrid, and taking public transportation and walking when she's at home in New York. "We need to get off fossil fuels," says the "Closer" star, who returns to TNT in new episodes Nov. 28. "From the earliest days of production we were determined to have a green set," she noted, mentioning a plastic bottle ban, reusing old scripts, recycling and composting "to protect the environment. It has bonded cast and crew in a shared passion, educating all of us to be mindful of our waste."

"It's one of the biggest issues of my generation. We need to take responsibility so that our children and their children aren't going to suffer," said EMA Young Hollywood Board member Emily VanCamp, who is "really frightened" by global warming and climate change.

"I just bought a house and I'm trying to use eco-friendly materials and be really conscious," said the "Revenge" star, noting that "we're trying to reduce plastic" on the set. Her co-stars (pictured below) in the ABC drama, which got a full season pickup, accompanied her to the event. Madeleine Stowe, who has "learned so much" from her environmentally conscious teenage daughter, is greening the home she shares with her and her husband of 25 years, "Private Practice" actor Brian Benben, with CFL light bulbs, bamboo flooring and solar panels.

She's relishing playing the "wicked and sociopathic" Victoria on "Revenge" on which her relationship with Frank (Max Martini) will "take a very dramatic turn."

Albany Barn fundraiser to benefit restoration of St. Joseph's Academy

On Friday, the 103-year-old building and its ghostly presence in one of the poorest sections of the city will be celebrated at a fundraising event that aims to secure the building's future as a place for artists to live and work.

"Exposed," as the one-night event is called, will take place at the Washington Park Lakehouse and will include artists' interpretations of St. Joseph. It will be part of the regional MoHu Festival. Led by Albany Center Gallery's Tony Iadiciccio, the artists will use videos, magicshine bike light and images based on footage shot inside the building.

The fundraiser is being staged by Albany Barn Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to developing the building into a creative arts incubator and community art space. The event is raising money to cap off the nearly $10 million in state grants, tax credits and other investments already secured to create 23 spaces for artists in what the organizers are calling a first for the region.

Jeff Mirel, director of the four-year-old nonprofit, said work could start as early as December, with about $1 million of the $11.8 million price tag remaining unfunded. The group has 20 board members from a range of endeavors, and a grass-roots element has been fundamental from its inception.

"The city and the state have really been responsive to the project and have been strong partners," said Mirel. "But the idea sprung from what we call our stakeholders, who came together to fill multiple needs, so this is for the broader community to contribute and get involved."

Most of the $1 million will be for the interior -- Albany Barn is responsible for everything except the walls and main structure -- including computers, stage lighting, wiring and other equipment. Along with the 23 rental units, the plans include a performance area, studio spaces, an incubator for "creative enterprises" and a cafe.

All different kinds of artists and organizations are eligible. For living quarters, income and a portfolio review are the main criteria. Although yet to be finalized, the average rent will be about $500 a month, while the review will probably have an objective scoring process, Mirel said.

"We call it the three C's -- culture, commerce and community," he said. "It's about artists, but also about, say, an innovative marketing company in the incubator sharing ideas and being in a place that's stimulating."

Artists have often been seen as catalysts for revitalizing decaying neighborhoods. And municipalities have sought to direct this form of economic development with more formal incentives.

"This project is a game-changer," says Darren Scott, director of planning and development at the Albany Housing Authority, the lead underwriter of the project. Scott said the project satisfies four main criteria in the city's plan to revitalize the Arbor Hill neighborhood.