(Bob Dob Vis a Vis Thumbtack Press)

   

Who’s Your Daddy?

No really, I want to know, who is your father, kid?

DNA Paternity Test.

3-5 Business Days. 99.99%.

(Via IdentiGene)

   

This Lego Planter (above) was inspired by this Science & Sons designer planter (below)…

…he didn’t want to shell out $150 bucks for so he did his rendition in legos and to that, I say - kudos, my boy. Sweet, mod’-planter.

(Via BobBlog.Com)

   

Based on the ticket sales to date and the cross-talk generated by Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” a lot of us went out and purchased piles of energy efficient bulbs in an effort to thwart our own seemingly massive carbon footprint, right? Swapping one regular light bulb for a Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFB) will save about 260 pounds of carbon dioxide each year and save $25 to $45 in energy bills over the life of the bulb according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

We left the store all smug, thinking, “hey look at me, I’m making a difference, I’m saving the planet.” Eventually, those little gems are going to burn out and a lot of us are unknowingly going to toss them into the trash and away they will go to some mythical landfill. Little do we know, but those bulbs installed a short while ago are just future toxic waste.

That’s right, the fine print on those products are growing to the size of bold headlines because those CFB’s have trace amounts of mercury in them (5 mg. per bulb - to be exact). Remember, mercury is a dangerous nuerotoxin. These mercury laden bulbs end up in landfills, the mercury will inevitably end up in the soil and potentially the water system. Also, if these bulbs shatter in your home you need to take definite precautions when cleaning the area. There is a vast spectrum of stories and advice when it come to cleaning up these shattered bulbs - everything from guys in hazmat suits coming to your house to opening the windows of the house for a few minutes and picking up the shards with tape. The bottom line is they need special treatment.

Sited Links:
Washington Post | Disposing of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Business and Media | The Dangers of those Energy-Saving Bulbs

Related Links:
EnergyStar.Gov | Fact Sheet Mercury
US EPA | Recycling Fluorescent Bulbs
Wikipedia | Mercury Poisoning

   

Yes, this is a glider-rocker. The folks at the Monte Design Group decided to create a comfortable low profile chair that has a classic modern look, yet it’s accompanied by a smooth glide that you will love in the nursery or bedroom. This fully upholstered glider has a beautiful tailored look that’s accented by piping.

(Via MonteDesign.Com)

   

Did you know that the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services will give each home up to seven free trees and deliver them to directly to your curb? They have a selection of one hundred and fifty different trees to choose from. And did you know the the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation has a free mulch program with half a dozen pickup locations that are open seven days a week? You can show up with a bin, bag or fill up the back of your pick-up with free mulch that is comprised of chopped trimmings from the trees that line the city’s parkways.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have a number of resident and non-resident programs, including a High-Efficiency Washing Machines Rebate Program (just be sure to print out their list of pre-approved machines before purchasing) and Refrigerator Turn-in and Recycle Program as well as a Low Income Refrigerator Purchasing Program for qualifying low-income households. They also have a number of state-subsidized Solar Incentives that essentially offer rebates on the installation of residential photovoltaic systems.

To help promote solar power in Los Angeles and decrease our dependence upon traditional, scarce energy resources, LADWP offers a solar incentive program to make solar power more affordable. Our goal is 20 megawatts of solar power in Los Angeles by 2010… the solar power program has been authorized a total budget of $150 million through June 30, 2011.” ~ LA Department of Water and Power

The LADWP has a special division allocated just for the California State Solar Incentive and I have spoke with them a few times. They are very patient and helpful, understanding that the technology is constantly evolving and the formulas used for understanding a home owner’s (system) needs are complex, they will take the time to help you get going on the right track and even provide lists of qualified state-approved contractors in your area.

And for those of us living in Southern California there is two unique programs offered in the spring by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) — Low Pollution Leaf Blower Incentive Program and the Electric Lawn Mower Purchase Program with are both designed to offer no or low pollution solution for home owners and gardeners.

These machines are a significant source of smog-forming emissions. In one year, the average two-stroke backpack leaf blower emits as much pollution as 80 new cars. The blowers in the exchange program, manufactured by STIHL Inc., are nearly five times cleaner than the California Air Resources Board’s most stringent standard for new blowers. By scrapping 1,500 old blowers and replacing them with low-emission STIHL blowers, the program will reduce at least 14 tons per year of smog-forming emissions.” ~ AQMD

These offers happen now and their availability is limited so sign up with the AQMD for a reminder to be sent when the programs start again in the spring. And if you are interested in the Solar Incentive Program call them on the sooner side since their allocations are based on yearly stipends, so when the incentive is used up for the year, you have to wait for the program to start up again the next calendar year (call them for details or go to the California State Energy Commission).

Related Links;
TreesAreGood.Com | Tree Care
California Energy Commission | Current Rebates and Residential Incentives

Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services | Free Trees Program
Los Angeles Department of Sanitation | Free Mulch Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Washing Machine Rebate Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Refrigerator Recycling Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Solar Incentive Program
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Leaf Blower Incentive Program
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Electric Lawn Mower Purchase Program

   

Consider this the first recall of the season with a personal touch. In a seemingly sincerely open letter to their customers, Hobby Lobby, Inc. apologizes for their error. They apologized. Interesting. In an effort to retain their customers, they are offering a three dollar gift card to those who return the recalled items - The Easter Spinning Egg Tops or The Camouflage Easter Egg Treat Containers.

This is a admirable offer since the products in question retail between $1.99-$2.49. Thanks for the pocket change Mr. Hobby Lobby Man, that totally makes up for the fact that my kid has been playing with lead-laced toys. Yes, these plastic eggs were manufactured in China (surprise-surprise) and they have exceedingly high levels of lead in their brightly colored shells. As a parent, I concur with recent polls that measures and safety standards need to be revamped considering the current trends with manufacturing, and the sooner the better.

It’s seems fair to say that when you are buying products for the little ones, you need to look for explicit labeling with language like “non-toxic” or “lead-free” on it. There is plenty of paperwork being pushed around in Congress regarding this kind of issue so I expect, at the very least, some step toward madatory labeling on toys and baby products but still question whether the CPSC and the likes of will be able to keep up with all the foul play on the part of the manufacturers and the commissioning companies. In the meantime, read the labels and if they don’t say “non-toxic” you can assume they just may be toxic.

Sited Links:
CPSC | Hobby Lobby Stores Recalls Easter Egg Containers…
Hobby Lobby | Recall Statement and Information
Science Daily | Consumer Alerts Aren’t Enough to Protect Kids, Survey Says

Related Links:
National Paint & Coatings Association | Lead-Hazards Legislation Introduced in Both Houses of Congress
Associated Press | Plastic Easter Eggs Linked to Lead Paint

   

Set the mood on fire, not the house. These award-winning portable lights provide a warm, ambient glow that won’t blow out in the wind, or set the house afire if left unattended. They’re equally useful on the dinner table, bedside or camping (even if you’re in the backyard). Patented, intelligent circuitry makes them illuminate automatically when lifted from the charging platter and start to recharge as soon as they’re put back. The SafeChargeâ„¢ induction system eliminates exposed electrical contacts, and each light is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate. They also turn on automatically during power failures so you always have an emergency light source within easy reach.

(Candela Glow via BabyGeared.Com)

   

These are a recent discovery of ours, we dress our one year old boy in them and they are a great solution to keeping his legs warm on those crisp spring mornings and they allow for super-fast diaper changes. Think about it dad. Because you know dads are all about the fast pit stops. Yeah, and they’re damn cute looking too. One thing we noticed was with the leg warmers on he can crawl around rug-burn free.

The Natural Organic Cotton and Natural Organic Wool BabyLegs designs are made in Vermont, USA. All other organic and standard BabyLegs are manufactured in China and our current manufacturer is wonderful. Most of the BabyLegs are 80% cotton, 15% polyester, 5% spandex. Our SuperSoft BabyLegs are 100% polyester. The Organic cotton are 87% cotton, 12% nylon. 1% spandex. Our Organic Wool are 88% wool, 11% nylon, 1% spandex.

Yes you can find these at different locations but these guys have the biggest selection.

(Via BabyLegs.Net)