Friday, February 25, 2011
The New Way Businesses "Meat" and Greet
Next time you need to reorder your calling card stock, forget about laser cuts, pop-ups and UV lamination. Meatcards takes 100% beef jerky and sears it with your logo or message. Meatcards even claims your cards will last through any eco disaster, so it might be best to set a few aside a few of these life sustaining widgets for later!We just hope the people who receive these great cards have a sense of humor and don't get too salty. Some of the best businesses in town are getting jerky. For more info: meatcards.com.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Reynolds Wrap Goes Green

When an product is an American icon, its always good to see progress since its inception which in this case is 1919. But check the history and you will soon discover that the Reynolds company is no stranger to green innovation. It's origins began in the same home town as the "Louisville slugger" baseball bat---Louisville, Kentucky. Then Reynolds went through several corporate acquisitions, make-overs, and headquarter moves, along the way buying another icon, Eskimo Pies and swathing them in foil. But it was in 1947, that the Reynolds Metals Co. used surplus aluminum from World War II to make Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, creating its most famous product. We don't know if they went to ungreen and back to green, but we suspect that they finally get bragging rights for being on the right track. You can find the new green Reynolds on Facebook, subscribe to their e-news letter, get online coupons, cooking tips and more on their site. So if you're wondering...
From the Reynolds FAQ's:
Is Reynolds Wrap® Foil from 100% Recycled Aluminum safe to use with food? [It is!]
Aluminum foil made from recycled aluminum is as clean and safe to use with food as foil made from new, also referred to as virgin, aluminum. The process of melting down the recycled aluminum requires heating the metal to more than 1200°F, which burns off any debris in the metal. Once it turns into a molten liquid, the aluminum is sent through a filtration process, poured and rolled into thin sheets.
Get more info, click here.Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Girls Get It: Prom Dresses from Gum Wrappers, Drink Boxes and Trash


In Pittsburgh, PA the recent Geek Art /Green Innovators Festival on April 2, featured fashion attractions of trash. Five students from the Neighborhood Academy created clothing inspired by discards from their cafeteria and even bags from a local store. The Trader Joe's dress above is by "Briana." All this indisposable fashion energy comes from a new wave of stylish young ladies who are happy to help save the environment and have mothers who will be eternally grateful to them. As one spirited young lady said, "First we have to eat the trash; then throw away trash, so now we'll wear the trash."
Also shown: Blue Gum Wrapper gown created by Junior Elizabeth Rasmuson of Ganer, Iowa, who decided to make something for herself and her boyfriend Jordan Weaver. Elizabeth said, "I heard about somebody making a dress out of duct tape or something one time so I just like what's something cool and I've always liked the colors of the "Five" gum."
We think this trumps the duct tape, Elizabeth.
Tech Fields Still Prone to Health Hazzards
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Blood Falls From Glacier: Has Man Killed the Earth?

"Did we really hurt the Earth?," wondered Diana Hickman, a community blogger for Greenwala. Thankfully however, the Earth is not bleeding. This is an image of Blood Falls located in Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. It seems that this five-story waterfall has a red blood like color due to a 2 million year old ecosystem of microbes that were once trapped under the glacier that are now free due to the glacier melting; creating a fissure in the glacier according to scientists.
In addition, the lake area where the glacier is located is rich in iron and has very high salinity. What seems to have scientists excited is that the microbes represent life in the most extreme conditions. Who knows what those microbes represent from a disease or nature impact something that-- according to our current sources--is not currently being studied.
100% Recycled Chair
Look at the legs on this puppy! They're made from recycled aluminum! The chair's seat and back is from recycled newspapers and corrugated cardboard. The frame is cast aluminum made of 100% recycled automotive rims. The screws came from a salvage project site. Says David Lasher on Greenwala, "We can totally upcycle the seat, back and frame into another chair or something completely different."
Friday, January 15, 2010
Diamonds Going Rough in Sluggish Global Economy


Amid rumors that the diamond industry is headed for a short-fall in "roughs," many analysts are looking at the situation very seriously. A new, productive diamond mine hasn't been discovered in the past 15 years and those planning to open, cant seem to get up the steam to keep going. According to RBC Capital Markets analyst Des Kilalea: "Diamond mining is a hugely expensive business and finding deposits and proving their commercial viability can take several years, as well as tens or even tens of thousands of dollars." Apparently, even if a plausible diamond mine were to be found today, it couldn't open until 2015.
In addition to high costs, the business of bringing a diamond operation "on line" is a daunting. "Botswana’s Orapa [an African] mine is on the surface and yet took four years to develop," Kilalea explained. "The Jwaneng mine, also in Botswana and of the size of mine needed to overcome a possible future supply shortfall, took 10 years to move from discovery to production. The Venetia operation in South Africa took 12 years. In Canada, the Ekati mine took 10 years to find and seven to prove and build. Even roads to the mines – which may open for only a few weeks a year – can cost $20 million to build."
This is the source of the problem. It appears that despite investments of hundreds of millions of dollars in global exploration, the diamond industry has thus far failed to discover sufficient commercial diamond deposits to replace existing finite mines. As a result, production is projected to remain essentially flat for at least the next decade. Even the new mines able to come on stream will not make up for the shortfall as older mines become depleted.
Said Kilalea of RBC: "The Argyle mine in Australia that used to produce 30 million carats is now down to half that amount.
The four largest producers – De Beers, Alrosa, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton – account for 90 percent of total diamond output, while smaller players include Harry Winston Diamond Corp, Petra Diamonds, and Gem Diamonds. “A host of mid-tier and juniors kick in the rest; they are small and often not well financed,” Kilalea said. Of the more than 100 firms involved in diamond mining, fewer than 20 have “meaningful production,” Kilalea added.
Also working against productivity is the terrain. The world’s diamond mining is concentrated in a few areas which are not at all hospitable. These include Canada’s frigid North West Territories, and Russia’s equally frigid Far East. Deposits are to be found in a range of African countries other than Botswana. However, in some cases, wading through the waters of questionable governance is as difficult as cutting through glacial ice. Some forecasters believe this opens a window for style experimentation, such as cutting overall costs by dealing with diamonds in the rough. Take the excellent examples of rough-style diamond rings (pictured above) created by Sruli Recht, a self proclaimed 'nomad' with a passion for making "ugly things beautiful." Others think the possible short-fall in diamond production leaves room for the simulated market to expand, while others would argue that there is no replacement for a "real diamond."
Still, whatever the shortfalls or the pitfalls, or the prognostications or procrastinations, one thing is crystal clear: the diamond industry isn't going away. And there is good news: If production improves, the demand for quality diamonds is quite strong. Not only is it good, but its growing. Markets like India and China are clamoring for these stones!
Said diamond industry analyst Ken Gassman said, "You can't turn around a love affair [of making and buying jewelry] the human race has had for 50,000 years. "

Sources: Elran Diamonds
Teumim Enterprise
BBC News
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Don't MIss The Geotourisum Summit in DC..... If There is Still Room

and U.S. Department of Commerce. There's a side visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibition as well to see those incredible soldiers made 2,00o years ago to guard China's first emperor. To help you field your footing, the Geotourism site lists the closest hotels and a map. Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Art of Dressing in Broken Porcelain

Li Xiaofeng of China has finally come up with the definitive use for broken porcelain. Don't throw it out, he says--wear it! Xiaofeng collects and connects pieces of antique china shards with



silver thread creating one-of-a-kind dresses and men's jackets that trendsetters are sporting all over the globe. The works of recycled couture by this Bejiing artist are harvested from the selected remnants of Ming, Qing and Song dynasty vases, broken shards he grinds down, hand polishes, and then sets on pieces of leather lining. Amazingly enough, these glass outfits are not purely window dressing they are fully wearable pieces of art that celebrities like Lady Gaga have gone--well--gaga over!
Source: Linda Lucille
Monday, December 14, 2009
Pittburgh's Big Green Adventure: World Environment Day

Sunday, November 29, 2009
This Is Not Your Father's Blue
Who knew blue was difficult to make? Well thanks to a "happy accident" at Oregon University, the world now has a new blue.
Blue pigments of the past have often been expensive (ultramarine blue was made from the gemstone lapis lazuli, ground up), poisonous (cobalt blue is a possible carcinogen and Prussian blue, another well-known pigment, can leach cyanide) or apt to fade (many of the organic ones fall apart when exposed to acid or heat).
So it was a pleasant surprise to chemists at Oregon State University when they created a new, durable and brilliantly blue pigment.
What the researchers were trying to make were compounds with novel electronic properties, mixing manganese oxide, which is black, with other chemicals and heating them to high temperatures. Then Mas Subramanian (catchy name), a professor of material sciences, noticed that one of the samples that a graduate student had just taken out of the furnace was blue.
“I was shocked, actually,” Dr. Subramanian said.
In the intense heat, almost 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the ingredients formed a crystal structure in which the manganese ions absorbed red and green wavelengths of light and reflected only blue. When cooled, the manganese-containing oxide remained in this alternate structure. The other ingredients — white yttrium oxide and pale yellow indium oxide — are also required to stabilize the blue crystal. When one was left out, no blue color appeared.
The pigments have proven safe and durable, Dr. Subramanian said, although not cheap because of the cost of the indium. The researchers are trying to replace the indium oxide with cheaper oxides like aluminum oxide, which possesses similar properties.
The findings appear in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Source: The New York Times
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Java the Cup Makes Good Mona



Thursday, October 29, 2009
Jiro: The Tire Belt That's Picking Up Speed



Tuesday, October 27, 2009
G-20 Bonus: Henne Helps Build Ecomonic Empowerment for Ugandan Women
If it seems uncharacteristic of a high-end retail establishment, like Henne of Pittsburgh to show heart to a small African nation, blame it on Pittsburgh's recent G-20. From the Shadyside jewelers stand point their awareness "of what's happening around the world" was raised, and they were not willing to just standby. By hosting a fundraiser for the women of Uganda through the "Bead for Life" Project, Henne is helping to raise money for medicine, income, food, school fees and most importantly---hope. Bead for Life's mission is to create sustainable opportunities for African women to lift their families out of extreme poverty by marketing the beads they create by hand of recycled paper. Henne feels an affinity for these Ugandan women through their skills of personal craftsmanship and "mutual love of jewelry."Friday, October 23, 2009
Udate on Pittsburgh's GAGI: A Festival of Art and Technology

The schedule of events includes a kick-off with kids activities, mid-day robotics and visual arts exhibitions as well as a car showcase, eco-tech fashion show, film and live performances A must do for the entire family! Save the date! Friday, April 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pittsburgh First Art and Technology Festival Being Organized in the East End
Coming in April of 2010, the GA/GI (pronounced GAHgee) is a Geek Arts and Green Innovators Festival-- the first arts and technology fest in the city of Pittsburgh with the Passports Art Diversity Project serving as organizer and promoter."We're excited to be doing this for the city," said Christine Bethea, Passports Director. "It's high time, we showcased what this city has to offer in technology and ecology on a level where average people can see it, touch it and get involved."
Instead of taking the festival to some lofty downtown site, Passports had chosen to utilize a popular monthly art crawl in the east end of Pittsburgh as the event's venue which pulls people from all over the city with several neighborhoods within walking or bike riding distance distance.Plans include a fashion show with Eco wear and LED-lighted styles, an Art Robots Show; technogy exhibitions, a fuel efficient car show, and vendors from a variety of eco-friendly companies. For additional information on how to get involved visit the GA/GI site. or e-mail passports.art@gmail.com.
Photo by Alberto Almarza
Monday, September 14, 2009
Swiss Award Columbian Eco "Hammer"
Eve Picker of Pittsburgh,PA had the good fortune to meet the unabashedly pro-urban Enrique Penalosa.
A former Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, Peñalosa was responsible for numerous radical improvements to the city during his term. He prioritized access for children and public spaces and restricted private car use. He built hundreds of kilometers of sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian streets, greenways, and parks. And he organized Car-Free Day in 2000, for which he was awarded the Stockholm Challenge Award and rewarded by a referendum vote endorsing an annual car-free day and the elimination of all cars from Bogota streets during rush hours from 2015 onwards.
Source: Utterly Opinionated--All Things Urban by Eve Picker
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Former Pitt Students Think Rust Belt Cities Should Stick Together Like GLUE
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"AFRIgadget" One of Webdom's Best --Still Going Strong!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Green Funding Opportunities from The Department of Energy
...President Obama has set clear goals for this bill: creating or protecting 3.5 million jobs over the next two years, while lifting our country out of this economic crisis and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. To achieve those aims, the Department of Energy has been given new resources and new responsibilities.
The Department of Energy will carry out this economic recovery plan with the highest level of speed, transparency, and accountability. I recently announced a sweeping reorganization of the way the Department awards grants and loans, so we can begin creating jobs as quickly and wisely as possible. We will also be posting the Department’s progress regularly.
Follow link below:
http://www.energy.gov/recovery/index.htm
Peroxide "Miracles"? Who Knew?
This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and countertops. This is what she told me... I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? No!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better! Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this...... 1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. 2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs. 3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria. 5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. 6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide. 7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. 8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. 9. If you have a terrible toothache...etc (See more at the Truthorfiction link) It (peroxide) is in a dark bottle so it will not be degraded by UV. No home should be without it! With prices of most necessities rising, here's a way to save tons of money in a simple, healthy manner!
Art and Ecology Eke Out a Living at New York's WATERPOD
Sunday, August 23, 2009
"Recycling" Micheal J. Portrait Could Benefit Harlem Arts

Friday, August 21, 2009
Get a "Sustainable" MBA In Oregon
Saturday, June 20, 2009
July 5th YART Sale at PCA to Raise Funds and Give Old Art New Homes
Find the incredible the beautiful and the whimsical at the Pittsburgh Center's YART Sale! You may see "just the piece" you've been looking for at a bargain price! Bake sale goodies, too. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. It all happens on Sunday, July 5th from 9 am to 5 pm.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Green Art Moments at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh
Creative Reuse entrepreneurs Rachel Dennis and Faye Miller hosted an art zone in Point Park that quickly became family fare, everyone finding and laying claim to cool stuff, colorful objects and discovering their creative side with assistance from guest salvage artists, Christine Bethea and Michelle Gregio.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Sir Paul McCartney-- Going "Green"?
Drawing on Sir Paul McCartney's musical illusions of "strawberry fields forever," the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association(APA), credits the legendary British singer/songwriter with inspiring strategties on agricultural land uses. Sir Paul was a headliner at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, where stakeholders are planning their second symposium this month which seeks to understand the potential future of the Coachella community through its historic past. Mr. Buford Crites, a long time resident of the valley, scholar and well known regional personality will moderate the program which includes a list of thirteen expert speakers from the fields of archaeology, Native American pre-history and history, urban planning, economic development, politics, environment, government and the building industry. The Keynote speaker will be Douglas McCulloh, international photographer and artist, who will bridge the gaps between the past, present and future by providing a recent human account of the challenges and opportunities revolving around the events that led to the current economic recession. He will also discuss thought-provoking stories from his recently published book "Dream Street", a seven year chronicle of a 134-home subdivision in the Inland Empire that was built on--what else--A former strawberry field.
The Inland Empire refers to the urbanized areas of several southern California counties, and is a division of the American Planning Association, which itself is a national organization. The event is scheduled for June 17, 2009. For further information contact Miguel Angel Vazquez at mavurbanplanning@gmail.com or call: (951)788-8313.
For those interested in Paul McCartney...he visits New York July 17th and 18th in his first ever concert at Citi Field. Tickets go on sale exclusively online at 507 Tixx on June 15th.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Art Beats War! Online Stats

According to the blogosphere, the word "art" is posted close to 9,500 times a week! We used Technorati, an online app that lets you build your own chart by listing common words or phrases in the blogosphere and then comparing their usage by date. Our word choices: Art, war, technology, economy, and Twitter. Chart your own. Technology was a close second, followed by Twitter, war and last, the economy. You may also enjoy Technorati's "State of the Blogosphere" which has charts on the demographics of bloggers.
