By Jim Cavan

Can you imagine lessening your impact on the environment by 25 percent? How about 50 percent – driving half as much, using half as much heat? Ok, how about 100 percent -- no television, no elevators, no cars, buses or trains, no cleaning products and no garbage? Impossible? Not for one New York City resident.

In No Impact Man, a documentary film released in September, Manhattanite Colin Beavan attempted just that: to live, along with his wife and young child, impact free for a year. The film is slated to be featured – for one night only – at the Portsmouth Music Hall on Thursday, January 21st.

The movie will be followed by a panel discussion which will include Green Alliance Director Sarah Brown and other community members. Is what Beavan attempted the right approach? Is it easier for urban dwellers to live “impact-free” than those don’t live in the city? Is there even such a thing as having “no impact”? These questions and many more will be discussed.

The GA will also be on hand on February 12th, when the Music Hall, in conjunction with GA Business Partner Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates, will play host to a Comedy Extravaganza benefit. Proceeds from the show will go to the GA, as well as the Pierce Island Fund. Mike McDonald headlines a cast of comedians from all over the country providing laughs for not one, but two great causes.

The Music Hall is a nonprofit performing arts center that entertains 100,000 patrons, including 20,000 school children, annually with acclaimed film, music, theater, and dance performances.

Tickets can be purchased at the Music Hall, or online at www.themusichall.org

For more information about CREA, go to www. Cuzinrichard.com