October 2008 - Posts

Eco Friendly
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:05 AM

Go green!
Celebrate World Environment Day 2007

It’s not one of our better-known “days”. Certainly not as big as Memorial Day, Labor Day, New Year’s Day and other favorite American days.

You don’t (alas) get the day off from work, your town probably won’t be holding a concert, parade or fireworks celebration, and we’re guessing you haven’t yet scheduled a big neighborhood party to commemorate the occasion. The whole idea for a World Environment Day was started way back in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly. They were looking for a way to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment, encourage action by world leaders, and promote the idea that all the world’s citizens should commit themselves to taking better care of the Earth. To commemorate the day, the General Assembly selects a different theme each year and a chosen host city holds a variety of events and celebrations.

This year’s theme on June 5 is “Melting Ice--A Hot Topic?” and the host city, appropriately enough, is a Norwegian city called Tromsoe located north of the Arctic Circle. (It’s known in that part of the world as “The Gateway to the Arctic” and also has the northernmost university in the world). They’ll be focusing on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, and the ensuing consequences around the world.

Now Tromsoe, Norway may be just a bit too far away for you to celebrate this year’s World Environment Day in the host city itself, but there are many things you can do around your community, in your home and in the office to “go green” all year round:

Recycle, recycle, recycle!  Think of all the paper around the office that just gets tossed out...and the soda cans and plastic bottles from the vending machines, too. Why not place recycling bins in convenient locations around the office and put all this trash to better use. Here’s another idea: switch to recycled paper and then recycle the stuff that’s already been recycled!

Try car pooling.  Sure, you need your car to run errands at lunch and you pick up the kids on Wednesday from practice and you really like some “alone” time after a hard day at work. The excuses for not car pooling are many, but here’s an idea--try doing it just once a week with someone that lives close to you. It’ll save you gas money...and save the environment from emissions, too. Who knows...you might just want to increase your car pool to twice a week!

Get energy smart!  Turn off the lights in a conference room after a meeting. Lower the air conditioning (or heating) a degree or two and then choose an outfit that will still let you be comfortable.

Join a community effort!  Does your town have a “cleanup” day...a newspaper drive...or some kind of tree-planting event? Call your local government to see what’s up, and then get involved!

To learn more about World Environment Day, visit the United Nations Web site at www.unep.org/wed. And to discover more about the causes of climate change and its effect on the environment, go rent “An Inconvenient Truth”--it won an Academy Award for Best Documentary!

by Katie | with no comments
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Trend Setting
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:10 AM

 

Put Your Best Foot Forward

It’s understandable to spend a fortune on shoes with 565 platinum-set Kwiat diamonds, including 55 carats of clear diamonds and a 5-carat stone, like those designed by Stuart Weitzman for singer Alison Kraus for the 2004 Oscars ceremony. But really, what makes shoes designed for every day wear cost upwards of $500?

Expensive materials play a major role in a shoe’s cost. The best leather, wood, jewels and feathers are pricy, and other rare materials increase the value. The best leather comes from Italy, and some feathers are only available from archives of designer workshops. The price reflects this rarity since some of the shoes could be considered museum worthy.

High-quality design and structure of the shoes also figure into the cost. Some designers use specific mechanics to construct the shape and height of the heel, the way the heel attaches to the shoe, and the shape of the arch. These mechanics are unique and increase the shoe’s quality and comfort. Overall, the more the shoe costs, the better the quality of constructing the shoe, which translates to comfort for the consumer.

High-quality men’s shoes are just as expensive as women’s shoes. According to Forbes.com, “expensive [men’s] shoes are made with the kind of craftsmanship and materials that allow them to age as well as that favorite Bordeaux.” High-end men’s shoes can be either handmade or ready-made. The best-quality handmade shoes are built around a form in the shape of the man’s foot, making the shoes unique to each man. These shoes are expensive, and take some time to make, but their quality is superior to those you can buy off of a store’s shelves.

You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, but you may sacrifice part of your budget.  You really can walk a mile comfortably in pricy designer shoes, but would you really want to?

What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a pair of shoes?

by tinadh | with no comments
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The Welcome Mat
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:08 AM

Affordable Design Tips

Updating an old room doesn’t have to be an expensive and daunting challenge. Adding a few new touches and eliminating clutter can go a long way towards a room make-over and adding your personality to it.

Take a look at the room and decide what’s worth keeping and at the same time, what can be eliminated. Sometimes clutter can make a room look smaller than it actually is. Luckily, a little organization can go a long way. Consider storage options such as shelves to remove items off the floor, tables or desks. De-clutter your closet by purchasing closet systems you can tailor to your specific needs.

A fresh coat of paint can liven up any room. Choose a complementary color to your existing furniture and a color that makes you feel good. Whether you most enjoy a neutral color on your walls with white trim or a bright, flashy color, make sure you’ll enjoy it.

Remember to take your time with the details—poor trim work, surrounding windows and baseboards can make a good paint job look unfinished. Painter’s tape helps you achieve crisp edges for a truly professional appearance. A well-painted room can make a striking difference in the overall look of a room.

Updating window treatments can add flair to your room and there are several options to choose from. Your personal style may tell you you’re if you’re a vertical or horizontal blind type, or that you prefer more of a dramatic look with drapes. Adding a simple valance or swag can add a dash of color to the room. Before adding window treatments, make sure to thoroughly clean the windows inside and out.

Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. Try silk plants and trees if you don't have a green thumb—quality has improved so much that it’s hard to distinguish them from live plants.

One of the cheapest ways to update a room is by rearranging the furniture. Pull your furniture away from the walls and try positioning it at intriguing angles. This can make the room look wider and provide a warm, inviting layout.

And remember, doing the work yourself will save you on labor and installation costs, which typically amounts to at least half of the cost.

Have you recently renovated on a dime? Tell us about your easy update.

by tinadh | with no comments
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Media Mix
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:06 AM

 

A Child’s Christmas 

A Child’s Christmas - Holiday Songs & Carols is the latest release by singer/recording artist Susie Tallman and her label Rock Me Baby Records. The 74-minute CD includes a wide variety of holiday songs and carols, from “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch” to “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night.” Tallman’s sweet mezzo-soprano voice combined with first-rate arrangements using light-rock and folk instrumentation create cheerful music that will especially appeal to children. In addition to songs, there are several spoken-word tracks, including how to say “Merry Christmas” in several languages, a few Christmas jokes and two stories – the story Willy the Wombat seems to highlight the fact that the CD was recorded in Australia.

 

An iParenting Award winner, A Child’s Christmas is Tallman’s seventh in a series of award-winning CDs for children. Primarily known for recording children’s music, Tallman has also sung backup for Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, Cheap Trick and others. She has sung at Carnegie Hall and The Los Angeles Forum as well as for national commercials. In addition to Tallman, A Child’s Christmas features keyboardist Mark O’Connor, drummer Peter “Maz” Maslen and actor/director Hal Simons, among others. Irene Hardwicke Olivieri provided the CD’s evocative artwork.

 

A Child’s Christmas comes in a booklet made of recycled cardboard; gift wrapping is available with bright red tulle netting, and a finger puppet is attached. The CD is available in boutiques and online. For more information, visit: www.rockmebabyrecords.com

 

Do you have a favorite children’s music CD that you would like to share? We’d love to hear from you!

by tinadh | 1 comment(s)
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Supply Cabinet
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:04 AM

 

The Digital Transition 

By now you've probably heard about the coming digital transition on the television ot radio, or read about it in the news. You're also probably confused about how or even if it will affect you.

 

On February 17, 2009, broadcast television stations will stop using analog signals and start broadcasting only in digital. This digital transition will result in improved picture and sound quality as well as free up space on the broadcast spectrum for police, fire and rescue communications.

 

So what does this mean for you and your television? If your television requires a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears" to get a signal, you're going to have to make some choices because these will no longer work after the transition. The least expensive solution is to simply purchase a digital-to-analog converter box sold at your local electronics retailer for $40-$70. To get up to 2 coupons for a digital-to-analog converter, visit www.dtv2009.gov.

 

If you want a new television, purchase a Digital TV (DTV) or a High-Definition TV (HDTV). By law on March 1, 2007, all television devices (TVs, VCRs, DVRs) imported to or shipped within the U.S. must have a digital tuner, but some stores may still carry analog. Any store with analog televisions still in stock is required to display a consumer alert on or near the analog-only device.

 

Before you make any purchases, check to see if your television is already digital. You don’t need to do anything if your television has the following labels:

 

  • Digital Tuner Built-In
  • Digital Receiver
  • Digital Tuner
  • DTV
  • ATSC

Be careful, however; labels such as “Digital Monitor” “HDTV Monitor,” “Digital Ready” or “HDTV Ready,” do not mean it has a digital tuner and you will likely need to buy a digital tuner.

 

Finally, no matter what kind of television you have, if you pay for a cable service or have satellite dish you're already ready for the digital transition.

 

For more information about the digital transition, go to www.dtv.gov.

How will the digital transition affect your life?

 

by tinadh | with no comments
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Etc...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:02 AM

 

eBay – “One man’s garbage is another’s gold.”

This adage took on a new depth of meaning when Pierre Omidyar, a French-born Iranian living in the Silicon Valley, posted a broken printer on a new Web site called AuctionWeb in 1995.

 

Meant as just a test for his fledgling site, Omidyar was astounded to find someone bid and paid $14.80 for the machine.  When he contacted the buyer to make sure he knew that the machine was broken, the man replied that he did and that he was a “collector of broken laser printers.”

 

This initial transaction is a great example to explain why AuctionWeb – later renamed eBay – has become such a success.  Most everything has value to someone and the Internet is the perfect vehicle to find those someones.  From that initial $14.80 transaction, eBay grew to a $52.5 billion enterprise by 2006 and became one of the first phenomenons of the Internet age.  

 

The concept is simple: instead of holding an auction in one static location where the potential demand for the product is narrow and limited, move it online where anyone in the world can view and bid on the product.  The poster sets a time and date for when the auction will end and ships the product to the highest bidder (with the buyer paying for the delivery fee) at that time.  There is also a “buy it now” feature that allows the poster to simply set a price he or she would be happy with. Buyers can skip the auction and purchase the product immediately.

 

And while, yes, eBay still sells its share of broken printers and novelty items – a grilled cheese sandwich with a purported image of the Virgin Mary sold for $28,000 in 2004 –eBay has a legitimate venue to buy and sell everything from books and jewelry to houses and cars while cutting out the costs of a “middle man.”  In fact, in June 2008 Chrysler announced it would begin to sell its certified, pre-owned vehicles on the site.

 

In short, eBay has become all things for all consumers. It’s become a haven for collectors looking for hard-to-find objects and a legitimate way to sell in-demand products for a little extra profit.  So don’t miss out on this 21st Century agora – if you sift long enough, you may just find some gold.

 

Have you bought or sold anything on eBay? Tell us about your experiences with the site.

by tinadh | with no comments
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Healthy Living
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:00 AM

 

Gym Etiquette 

I don't exactly "go to the gym" or "work out," but I sort of know people who do, and they're always talking about people at the gym who drive them nuts. Like that guy. You know that guy – Yelly McShortshorts – who shouts "WOO!" after everything and takes his shirt off just two seconds into his work out. There are unspoken rules at the gym that most of us understand. However, here's a list for those who don't:

 

No staring

Sure, some people like to be stared at, but unless they're wearing shirts that say "Please stare at me," you can't tell them from the people who don't like it. So to be safe and avoid an embarrassing public talking-to, don't stare at anyone.

 

No talking

Be very conscious of who responds positively to your chit-chat. If that woman on the treadmill with the headphones on is non-responsive, or gives you a "Please stop" smile, then leave her alone and try the other woman on your left.

 

No loud sounds

Loud noises are not only annoying, they're also jarring. Things like loud grunting and straining, shouting, cell-phone talking, and dropping weights can disrupt people's work outs and concentration.

 

Be clean

Please, please, please wipe off the equipment after you use it. Even though I don't go to a gym, the thought of sitting in someone else's sweat makes me want to cry. Also, make sure your self is as clean as it can possibly be during a work out (at least wear deodorant).

 

Dress appropriately

Please keep your clothes on. Even if it's just a mesh midriff tank, people will appreciate the effort. The same goes for women. Even though spandex hot pants might make you the most agile, make sure everything is properly covered.

 

You don't own the place

Put weights back where they belong. Don't hog the equipment if people are waiting. Let people work in during your rests. Don't be impatient and rude if you're waiting to use a machine. Share with and be courteous to your fellow gym goers. They pay the same fees you do.


What is your biggest pet peeve at the gym?  How do you deal with the less-than-pleasant behavior?

by tinadh | with no comments
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