Lighter Footstep

Daily Briefing: Thurs.

Russell McLendon — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:41:45 -0400

EARL NEXT DOOR: The Outer Banks of North Carolina are eerily calm and breezy this morning, but that tranquility is expected to slowly crumble throughout the day, the National Hurricane Center warns, as the monstrous Hurricane Earl approaches the coast.

Discovery channel gunman's militant manifesto

Jenn Savedge — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:22:03 -0400

By now, you've probably read the news story about James J. Lee's standoff at the Discovery Channel yesterday.

Men who don't ask for directions waste $3,000

Siel Ju — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:43:17 -0400

Do you already own a fuel-efficient car — that you vigilantly hypermile to save gas and money? Then I hope you know where you’re going, because driving lost in a greener car is still a big waste of fuel.

Super-sized is the new normal

Siel Ju — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:35:37 -0400

Do you love Chipotle’s organic chicken burritos? Guess how many calories the total meal has. If you guessed a reasonable 300, you’re right — assuming you’re referring just to the organic tortilla! Eat the chicken and the rest of the tasty innards of the burrito, and you’ll have consumed 970 calories!

EcoloBlue extracts water from thin air

Karl Burkart — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:57:51 -0400

Hi-tech Atmospheric Water Generator sucks humidity out of the air and purifies it for about 20 cents per gallon.

Apple event: Will Apple reinvent TV?

Karl Burkart — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:21:32 -0400

The average American household (representing 66% of total households) has three televisions, at least one desktop computer and one laptop. What if one of these devices could do double duty as a Hi Def TV AND computer rolled into one?

Ted Danson takes on role of evil oil man

Michael d'Estries — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:27:22 -0400

Ted Danson is known for his ocean conservation efforts in the real world, but he's about to take on a much different role for his next film. The actor has been confirmed for the upcoming movie "Everybody Loves Whales" (also known as "Whales") which tells the true story of efforts in 1988 to rescue three grey whales trapped under ice in the Arctic circle. Danson will play an oilman with absolutely no interest in saving the giant mammals — which must have been an appealing polar opposite to his real life

4 crafts for Rosh Hashana

Jenn Savedge — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:22:08 -0400

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is right around the corner, beginning at sunset on September 8th this year.

Where's the green in the Oval Office makeover?

Matt Hickman — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:03:58 -0400

One of this year’s biggest interior design stories, the decorative revamp of the Oval Office, hit the wires yesterday and, naturally, inquiring eco-minds what to know how sustainable design elements played into the redesign, if at all. From what I’ve seen, the Oval Office’s decorative facelift is, for lack of a better word, safe.

Using soap operas to save the planet

Michael d'Estries — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:39:39 -0400

When it comes to the American soap opera, few people will tell you that they're actually inspired by anything they see in the plotlines or characters.

Opportunity Green 2010 in Los Angeles

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:07:10 -0400

Seasonal recipe: Pumpkin spice cookies

Robin Shreeves — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:39:16 -0400

Pumpkin Spice Cookies I had it in my mind that I wanted this week’s seasonal recipe to something fallish and something to stick in a lunch box in honor of back to school. Yesterday, when I went to check my RSS feed the perfect recipe jumped right out at me.

Two million smart meters installed

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:29:20 -0400

On Tuesday, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that Recovery Act-funded smart grid projects have reached a new milestone – the installation of two million new smart meters.

Arcade Fire rocks the suburbs

Matt Hickman — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:28:40 -0400

I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of often bombastic alt-rock darlings, Arcade Fire.

7 safety tips for bagged lunches

Robin Shreeves — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:45:39 -0400

Packing your kids lunches for school is one way to make sure that they are eating the foods you want them to eat. It’s good to pack a nutritious, waste-free lunch, but it’s even better to make sure that the lunch is safe from anything that might make your kids sick.

Motivational speaker likes the Nissan Leaf so much he's now a car salesman

Jim Motavalli — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:27:11 -0400

Longtime electric vehicle advocate Paul Scott, vice president of California-based Plug-In America, likes the Nissan Leaf so much that … well, he decided to start selling them. Wanna buy an electric car? Paul has a deal for you. It’s pretty unusual for nonprofit environmental guys to actually put their money where their mouth is. They’re more likely to bash corporations than to go to work for one.

America chooses its favorite farmers markets

Robin Shreeves — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:01:16 -0400

The votes have been counted, and Americans have voted for their favorite farmers markets in American Farmland Trust’s Favorite Farmers Market contest.

Daily Briefing: Wed.

Russell McLendon — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:41:41 -0400

EARL POWER: Hurricane Earl weakened to a Category 3 storm early this morning, but forecasters warn it's still a powerful hurricane that could wreak havoc along the U.S. East Coast well into Labor Day weekend.

Watch: Ewan McGregor urges UK public to help Pakistan flood victims

Michael d'Estries — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:28:04 -0400

UNICEF UK ambassador Ewan McGregor has created a new PSA urging the British public to give support to those suffering from floods in Pakistan. "We’ve all seen the shocking pictures on the news about the floods in Pakistan," he says in the video. "These floods have affected more people than the Haiti earthquake and 2004 Tsunami combined and as in all disasters, its the children who have been hardest hit – an estimated 3.5 million children in Pakistan are now in need of urgent help."

Farmer trading cards

Jenn Savedge — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:59:49 -0400

Here's a cool idea from the folks behind Rhode Island's Farm to School program: Farmer trading cards. They're wallet-sized cards that kids can print out and trade with friends while learning about their favorite farmers. They can even bring the cards along on their next visit to have the cards signed by the famous farmer. Each double-sided card has a picture of the farmer on the front along with the farmer's bio and "stats" (equipment, acres, pets, and farm animals) on the back.

Warship blocks activists from protesting new Arctic oil development

Karl Burkart — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:38:41 -0400

In case you haven't heard the news, Greenland is melting and fast, resulting in not one but two ironic twists.

A fun way to rage against plastic waste

Siel Ju — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:53:56 -0400

While green Californians wait with bated breath to find out if their state Senate will vote to ban disposable plastic bags, one Californian is urging all to say no — not just to the bags but to all single-use items.

HGTV announces site of 2011 Green Home

Michael d'Estries — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:46:08 -0400

HGTV's popular annual Green Home giveaway is getting ready for 2011 — and Stapleton, Colo., has been selected as the host site for the next sustainable design. “In Stapleton, we’ve worked to create a community that is founded on sustainability,” said Denise Gammon, senior vice president of development for Forest City Stapleton, the master developer of the Stapleton Community.

Another BP spill sickens kids in Texas

Jenn Savedge — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:36:46 -0400

We've all had our eyes focused on the Gulf for some time now — so much so that we might be missing disasters happening in our own backyards. That's just what happened to families in Texas City, Texas, who found out about another toxic BP spill that occurred in their neighborhood after a piece of equipment critical to the refinery’s operation broke down, releasing a total of 538,000 pounds of toxic chemicals, including the carcinogen

Watch: Partisan politics delaying the economic recovery

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:48:43 -0400

On Monday, President Obama asked for the partisan political games to stop because the tactic is delaying the nation's economic recovery.

McDonald's Happy Meal defies time

Siel Ju — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:44:49 -0400

If a lack of options forced you into McDonald’s during a road trip, you may have had the experience of discovering a remarkably intact and pristine-looking French fry while cleaning out your car months later.

Gourmet magazine refuses to die

Robin Shreeves — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:29:33 -0400

First, I told you that “Gourmet” magazine was going to be no more. Last year, Conde Nast decided to quit publishing the respected food and wine magazine.

Sigourney Weaver, James Cameron fight Amazon dam project

Michael d'Estries — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:17:02 -0400

Early last year, while "Avatar" was still dominating the box office, Sigourney Weaver joined director James Cameron and some other castmates visiting indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Their purpose was to see firsthand the effects that the proposed Belo Monte Dam Complex would have on the region and its people. By joining in the protest of the project, which would flood 668 square kilometers and displace more than 20,000 people, Weaver and Co.

LEED Gold for Sony Pictures

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:39:50 -0400

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) doesn’t just make award-winning films, they also build award-winning office buildings. The company’s Lot and Office Transformation (LOT) Project in Culver City, Calif., has received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Asheville's hippie-less hemp house

Matt Hickman — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:08:53 -0400

Please, hold your “green” house jokes for a moment to take a look at a beautiful and efficient home in Asheville, N.C., that’s built from hemp.

Daily Briefing: Tues.

Russell McLendon — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:43:58 -0400

SLEEP TIGHT: Beds across America are under attack from tiny, blood-sucking bugs, but as the Science Times and the AP report today, no one is really sure why. Bedbugs are "nest parasites" that have preyed on people ever since we lived in caves, and they were common in U.S.

Go bald for charity

Jenn Savedge — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:35:09 -0400

How far would you go to raise money for a good cause? If you're willing to shave your head (for real or virtually) you could raise some serious change for DoSomething.org, an organization that encourages volunteerism in young people. BIC 4 GOOD is encouraging people to shave their heads for charity, and they're offering a number of ways to do it ... depending upon how far you're willing to go.

'No More Dirty Looks'

Siel Ju — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:53:22 -0400

Related on MNN: 11 beauty products that might be killing you Want to make living green look good — by looking good? A new book by two cool green girls promises to hottify you, eco-style.

Light up with LED bulbs

Siel Ju — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:47:46 -0400

Still letting inefficient incandescent bulbs run up your electricity bill? Just can’t embrace CFL bulbs — due to the spiral shape, light color, or mercury content? Then try this bright alternative to both conundrums — an LED bulb! If you’re the type of person who never got a CD player, instead going straight from a walkman to an iPod, you might also be a good candidate for trading in your incandescent bulbs for LED bulbs.

Eco-friendlier wines for Labor Day

Robin Shreeves — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:34:20 -0400

I have reviewed a few wines in alternative packaging, but I’ve never bought alternatively packaged wine before. My husband came home with a box of Shiraz about a week ago because he thought it was time we gave it a shot. While I won’t be buying that particular box again because I didn’t like it, I do realize that the quality of some boxed wines have come a long way. I’m willing to try some more. CNN did a piece on reasonably priced wines in boxes and Tetra Paks for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Hype builds around mysterious Bloom Box

Karl Burkart — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:55:55 -0400

After a recent 60 Minutes airing about Bloom Energy, California-based Bloom Energy is receiving a new wave of hype around its flagship SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell). Both Google and Ebay have purchased the "mini power plants in a box" and are banking on the units as a way to ensure a steady stream of greener, cleaner power.

The Baja: A waterless urination station

Matt Hickman — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:09:25 -0400

Let’s cut to the chase and start off with the big question: would you ever install a urinal in your home? Although I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a private residence that sports a urinal (I’ve seen a few bidets here and there but, then again, they can add a dose of “continental sophistication” whereas urinals can't) but I don’t think the idea isn’t all too shabby, especially in dude-heavy households. Add water conservation to the mix and I think it’s golden.

Julia Russell: LA's pioneering Eco-Homesteader

Matt Hickman — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:42:35 -0400

This past weekend, The Los Angeles Times published an insightful, inspiring profile on a pioneer in the green home movement who I was previously unfamiliar with: Julia Russell of the Eco-Home Network. In 1988, Russell opened her

Brad Pitt talks green building on 'Meet the Press'

Michael d'Estries — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:03:53 -0400

It's been five years since Hurricane Katrina bore down on New Orleans, killing more than 1,800 people and leaving thousands more homeless.

Federal court: Vaccines do not cause autism

Jenn Savedge — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:23:13 -0400

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate. That is the question. And it is a question that plagues many new parents and divides both new and veteran parents as they struggle to determine what is best for their kids and their community. The issue behind the issue is the long-held belief that vaccinations could potentially cause autism. Last year, a federal court ruled that autism is not caused by vaccination.

Know the difference between sugilite and eumelanin? Maybe you need better crayons

Jenn Savedge — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:19:15 -0400

Like most kids, my daughters have favorite colors that they like to cover everything from their clothes to their notebooks to their bicycles. My oldest daughter's favorite is Vanadyl (Vo2+ aq) while my youngest squeals at anything with the color Sugilite (KNa2(Fe,Mn, Al)2, Li3Si12O30) Huh? Did I lose you there?

Carrots get a marketing campaign

Robin Shreeves — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:03:47 -0400

Have you ever seen a commercial for fresh broccoli? Or fresh green beans? Or fresh zucchini? Probably not. The growers of fresh vegetables rarely have the funds to market their foods. In fact, Michael Pollan recently came up with a new food rule after marketers hijacked his “don’t buy foods with more than five ingredients” rule.

Canada: BPA is toxic

Siel Ju — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:21:43 -0400

BPA is considered toxic in Canada. Environment Canada, a government agency similar to the U.S.’s Environmental Protection Agency, revealed plans to add bisphenol-A to its list of toxic substances last week. Our own government agencies haven’t made any similar declarations — but the fight against BPA is growing.

'Temple Grandin' scores 5 Emmys

Michael d'Estries — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:16:51 -0400

While much of the focus leading up to the 2010 Emmy Awards was centered on such pop-culture hits as "Mad Men" and "Glee", the biggest surprise winner of the evening was none other than the HBO biopic "Temple Grandin". The movie tells the true story of Grandin (played by Claire Danes), who struggled to cope with autism before much was known about the disease. Despite obstacles, she went on to earn a doctorate in animal science, became a university professor, and published an autobiography about her experiences.

Weatherization program upgrades 200,000th house

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:14 -0400

Last week Vice President Joe Biden announced that t

Gettin' it on bed bug-style

Matt Hickman — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:05:00 -0400

From the mighty spire of the Empire State Building to the lacy knickers of Victoria’s Secret, bed bug fever is sweeping across America (check out a list of the top 10 infested cities here

Daily Briefing: Mon.

Russell McLendon — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:53:53 -0400

TILL DEPTH DO US PART: The 2010 Gulf oil spill may have been the largest such disaster in history, and hobbled BP's race to the frontiers of oil exploration, but it was only a speed bump for the industry overall, the New York Times and Guardian report today.

Disease-fighting black rice

Robin Shreeves — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:05:58 -0400

I learned a couple of new things over the weekend. The first is that there are heirloom varieties of rice. I thought the heirloom term only applied to vegetables, but I was wrong. I also learned that black rice is an heirloom variety of rice that has been getting a lot of attention lately for its health properties. Black rice, known also as “forbidden rice” or “Indonesian black rice,” is unmilled rice. Unmilled rice in general is healthier than milled rice.

Greenpeace hosts independent study of the Gulf

Karl Burkart — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:04:09 -0400

Greenpeace will give teams of scientists direct access to study the long-term effects of the Gulf oil spill on marine ecosystems.

Save money with a smart meter

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:41:09 -0400

In July I wrote about the Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse website that allows Americans to track their local smart grid projects. In the article I discussed the smart meter project that my utility company, Salt River Project (SRP), is working on and then mentioned my disappointment that I wasn’t in on their pilot program.

Weekend reads: Movie-inspired recipes, the battle over chocolate milk in schools and more

Robin Shreeves — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:09:12 -0400

It’s Friday afternoon, and that means it’s time for me to give you a little weekend reading from around the Web. Here are a few food-related items that might interest you. I finally had the chance to see “Eat Pray Love” earlier this week. I have mixed feelings about the movie, but I absolutely loved the focus on food.

Make room for bikes, says L.A. Mayor

Siel Ju — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:55:19 -0400

This year has brought some strange silver linings for environmentalists. While I wish the Gulf Oil Spill never happened, I am glad the disaster finally made the general public aware of the dirty effects of offshore drilling.

Senate Republicans block BP investigation

Shea Gunther — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:01:08 -0400

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 420-1 to give the presidential commission investigating the BP oil spill full subpoena power. In the Senate the move was blocked by Republicans. I wouldn't be surprised if the Republicans colluded behind the scenes with the Senators agreeing to block the measure to give their House colleagues political cover to vote for it (Senators, serving six year terms, have much less to worry about when it comes to re-election). Check out the proceedings.

PETA gives Samsung a GOODY Award

Michael d'Estries — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:36:29 -0400

For its latest online viral video campaign, showcasing a bluetooth headset, Samsung decided to take things out into the woods. The setting features a hunter attempting to kill a large deer — but finding himself foiled with every shot.

5 healthy, super-fast dinners for sports practice nights

Robin Shreeves — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:17:21 -0400

I find it more difficult to get dinner on the table when fall sports practices start compared to spring sport practices. I think it’s a combination of getting back into the swing of school and homework along with the days getting shorter. In the spring, our routine is set, homework is actually winding down, and the days get longer and it doesn’t seem as strange to eat dinner at 8:30. When my boys were younger, we went through many a drive-thru after soccer practice to grab a quick bite. My drive-thru trips are few and far between these days.

GM gets serious about recycling and its zero waste goal

Jim Motavalli — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:29:53 -0400

At General Motors, it’s all hands on deck to make half of its manufacturing plants “nil to landfill” by the end of the year.

Eco-reads to help you green your beach weekend

Jenn Savedge — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:02:15 -0400

OK, I know that summer is almost over, but I'm not quite ready to give it up. That's why I'm at the beach with my family this weekend for one last hold-on-to-summer vacation before my kids head back to school. And with the Labor Day holiday approaching, I know many of you will pack up your families and do the same. So join me in hanging onto summer just a little bit longer by checking out these green posts for the beach. Beach tips: Want to go green at the beach?

Help charity: water raise $1.7 million

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:43:29 -0400

Blue is the new green. The world is dealing with a water crisis – specifically a clean water crisis. When you and I walk into our kitchen and turn on the tap, we are taking something for granted – easy access to clean water.

Ryan Reynolds is back talking about the Gulf

Michael d'Estries — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:14:38 -0400

Just a few weeks ago, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a PSA featuring Ryan Reynolds asking viewers, "What's the price of a gallon of gas?". The video is part of a campaign by the organization urging Americans to ask the U.S.

Vladimir Putin shoots a whale

Shea Gunther — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:58:51 -0400

Vladimir Putin lives a pretty sweet life. The Russian prime minister spends a lot of time touring around his massive country pulling off publicity stunts staged to make him look tough and heroic. He dabbles a lot in the '"man vs.

Weekend Briefing

Russell McLendon — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:09:49 -0400

FIVE YEARS LATER: The crisis-weary Gulf Coast reflects this weekend on a tragedy even more painful than the BP oil spill — five years ago on Sunday, Hurricane Katrina careened into southeastern Louisiana, flooding New Orleans and triggering one of the most horrific episodes in American history.

Playing catch up: It's How To day

Matt Hickman — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:56:45 -0400

Popular Mechanics instructs on how to use safely (and legally) put a home rain barrel to good use. The New York Times details the path destruction that man's best friend can potentially leave behind after a romp in the gard

Organic vs. conventional foods taste test

Robin Shreeves — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:11:28 -0400

Time food writer Josh Ozersky wanted to see if there was a difference in taste between organic and non-organic foods, so he went to some New York City chefs to have them do a taste test. Here are the results:

365 upcycled dresses in 365 days for $365

Siel Ju — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:07:29 -0400

365 new dresses for $365 in 365 days. That’s the happiness goal of sorts Marisa Lynch set for herself when, just months before her 30th birthday, she got laid off. Losing a job means hitting the streets with a resume to some, wallowing in grief for others. But for Marisa, it meant getting the sewing machine out and upcycling thrifted fashions. Every day. “I was just in this not-feeling-good, crummy kind of mood, and I didn’t know how to kick it,” says Marisa. That’s when Marisa saw "Julie & Julia".

Making wellness contagious

Jenn Savedge — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:06:30 -0400

It's back to school time, and you know what that means, right? It means that your days are numbered before colds and flu spread through your child's classroom like wildfire, eventually tearing their way into your home until everyone but your pet puppy is sniffling and sneezing (or worse.) Colds and flu make their way around a classroom faster than you can say, "a-choo," but it doesn't have to be that way.

A beginner's guide to thrifting

Siel Ju — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:58:10 -0400

If you haven't discovered the joys of shopping at Goodwill and other thrift stores — or haven't found your past thrifting experiences to be particularly joyful, learn from the experience of thrifting experts! After reading these three posts, you'll be ready to thrift for everything, almost: >> M.J.

Seasonal recipes: 5 for lima beans

Robin Shreeves — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:51:14 -0400

Most of us were probably introduced to lima beans either by themselves or mixed with corn as a side dish when we were kids, and we were not impressed. They don’t need to be relegated to an unimaginative side dish, though. These beans, which are high in fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B1 are in season right now, and there are plenty of ways to make them appealing.

Fear vs. money: Picking your side of the climate movement

Karl Burkart — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:13:00 -0400

Note from Karl: There are two sides to the climate movement. One rightfully wants people to understand the serious and devastating impacts of unmitigated greenhouse gas emissions, and to make the biggest polluters help pay for those most affected by climate change. Let's call that the stick approach. Another side wants to take the carrot approach, helping companies understand how environmental responsibility can help the bottom line. In my view both are essential, if not critical to sustaining a life worth living on our increasingly hot and crowded planet.

Drink more whisky. Save the Earth.

Robin Shreeves — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:02:11 -0400

When whisky is distilled, it leaves behind two main waste products — a liquid called pot ale and draff, the remains of the grains used in the distilling method.

'Avatar' box set to feature deleted scenes of dying Earth

Michael d'Estries — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:19:17 -0400

If you've seen "Avatar", you might remember that the movie begins with a close-up of the main character Jake Sully opening his eyes. For the longest time, however, the film had a much different beginning. In a new interview with Oregon Live, Director James Cameron says there were originally 4 1/2 minutes of footage showing a polluted, dystopian Earth.

The OS House: Boxy and loving it

Matt Hickman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:41:22 -0400

The New York Times does a bang-up job of profiling idiosyncratic, slideshow-worthy, and often sustainable homes for the weekly “On Location” column. This week, it’s no different. However, it’s the location of this week's home, the industrial port city of Racine, Wisconsin, that makes for a unique story.

Link drop: Bears, billionaires, and British Petroleum

Shea Gunther — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:30:17 -0400

Happy almost-weekend! Here are some good links you should be reading. • Don't be fooled by BP's PR department (aka the U.S. government), there's still a lot of oil left in the gulf.

Nathan Fillion plugs small electric vehicle startup

Michael d'Estries — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:50:57 -0400

When you have more than 600,000 followers on Twitter, dropping a mention about an awesome electric car you just spied can have unintended consequences. In the case of Arcimoto, makers of three-wheeled electric vehicles, their web server promptly crashed after Nathan Fillion, star of "Castle" and "Firefly" tweeted the following: “I

School garden grants: Does your school qualify?

Jenn Savedge — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:10:31 -0400

Last week, I wrote about the edible school yards that are popping up all over the country, giving kids access to fresh fruits and vegetables, supplementing classroom lessons on everything from science to reading, and giving kids a reason to get outdoors and stretch their legs while they're stretching their minds at school.

Squat for a healthier poop

Siel Ju — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:38:21 -0400

Green toilet habits may seem like minor distractions to bigger issues like global climate change, but environmentalists sure love discussing peeing and pooping.

Justin Timberlake's awesome tree house: True or false?

Michael d'Estries — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:10:21 -0400

I would argue that almost every kid has a dream of one day building a massive tree house. Such aspirations are generally consumed by mortgage payments, life, and in some cases, a lack of trees. For celebrities, however, dreams really do come true. For Justin Timberlake, sites everywhere are claiming that he has built a 1,000-square-foot getaway on the grounds of his $5 million property in L.A. A source said: "Justin's still a kid at heart.

Prefabulous in the OC: The LivingHome Newport Beach

Matt Hickman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:05:18 -0400

Back in June, I shared photos of the first LEED Platinum certified home in the United States (it gained the title back in 2006), a Ray Kappe-designed Santa Monica stunner from LivingHomes.

Paul McCartney blasts NASA for planned monkey experiments

Michael d'Estries — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:04:59 -0400

Paul McCartney has joined other celebrities such as comedian Bill Maher in urging NASA not to conduct cruel radiation experiments on monkeys. "I believe NASA has the ingenuity to investigate the health effects of space travel without confining and experimenting on animals as was done in the old days," he writes in a letter to agency administrator Charles Bolden.

New trend: Going solar with friends

Jenn Savedge — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:33:24 -0400

Sure, you're probably used to borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor, but how about a cup of sunshine? That might be the case before long if a new trend in alternative energy catches on nationwide. Many families are interested in installing solar panels on their homes to offset use of nonrenewable energy, but the price tag is a huge deterrent.

The Purifan: Hit with the ugly stick?

Matt Hickman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:14:49 -0400

Although this post is about a particular line of products that are a touch out of my yearly indoor air quality/household lighting budget at $399.95 and up (plus $47.50 for replacement filters), it’s a concept I can still totally get behind. Called Purifans, they're a range of new energy-efficient, air-purifying ceiling fans. Super cool, right? Well, mostly.

E-waste fraud can cost millions

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:27:33 -0400

E-waste – it is what we get when we are done with our computers, CRT monitors, keyboards, and more. The e-waste industry is growing businesses and government agencies realize that they need to not only dispose of their electronic waste safely but to also account for how these sometimes toxic products are handled.

Watch: Biden on economic innovation

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:54:35 -0400

Vice President Joe Biden updates the American public on how the Recovery Act has helped foster economic innovation.

AT&T announces aggressive solar plans

Melissa Hincha-Ownby — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:40:48 -0400

On Monday, representatives from AT&T and SunEdison were joined by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to flip the switch on a new 296-kilowatt (kWh) solar array. The system will generate about 420,000 kWh of energy in its first year and is expected to generate in excess of 7.7 million kWh of energy over the next 20 years. The renewable energy generated from this solar array will eliminate more than 8 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Pretty petal portrait cards

Siel Ju — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:35:00 -0400

This is one of the the prettiest card I’ve ever seen. The gorgeous handcrafted card from Hope for Women is really not just a disposable piece of mail, but a keepsake piece of art. I’m tempted to frame it and hang it on the wall, and I’m guessing some recipients of this card will do just that. While the beautiful color, texture, and design are what you’ll first notice, this card’s also got eco-ethical appeal.