SUNLAND : ‘Earth Tones’ Sound Off on Environment

Put artificial leaves, some buttons and orange garbage bags on Le-Anne Falangas-Jolakian and she becomes “Composting Connie,” singing with her friends, “Tillie the Tree,” “Betty Butterfly” and “Recycle Re,” for a better environment.

The “Earth Tones” take their musical message seriously.

“We want to get our message out without banging people on the head,” said “Tillie the Tree,” a.k.a. Dorie Hauser of North Hollywood.

Falangas-Jolakian, of Sunland, the host of a local cable access show, “Creating World Peace,” started the group after Cile Borman of Lake View Terrace, “Recycle Re” (pronounced Ray) was a guest on her show.

“I thought, gee, if I had a character and a song too, we could be a team,” she said.

With her camera operator, Elizabeth Province of Sunland, who became “Betty Butterfly,” and Hauser, the Earth Tones have sung for local schools and colleges, clubs and parades.

The group aims to educate the public about a state law requiring that cities and counties cut landfill volumes by 25% in 1995 and by 50% by 2000. On Monday afternoon, the group performed its 30-minute act for a local American Assn. of Retired Persons meeting in Sunland, interspersing facts and figures about recycling and the environment.

“Did you know that before they go to market, apples and tomatoes are put through a gas to make them red?” Falangas-Jolakian told the crowd of about 50.

“Trash Is Cash,” a rap song by Borman, can be a bit loud for the older crowds but is popular with kids. “We’re the common people trying to do our part,” Borman said.

The group, struggling for bookings, hopes to eventually become professional. Last month, Falangas-Jolakian and Borman slipped into the Department of Public Works in Los Angeles and gave an impromptu audition with a song about water conservation.

“They all applauded,” Borman said. Everyone, that is, except two burly security guards who escorted them out of the building.

The Earth Tones are waiting to hear whether the department will include them in educational programming, Falangas-Jolakian said.