Daily Loaf

If Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor were a real dude (and not so accident prone), he’d be totally jealous of PBS’ ultimate “home improvement” guys on This Old House. Today, proud DIY-ers (and those looking to save a few bucks on contracting fees) can Ask This Old House, which makes a house call at a local Home Depot. Richard Trethewey (pictured), the plumbing and heating expert and cast member of the popular show, offers expert insight on your around-the-house adventures, and shares behind-the-scenes stories about the show along with a variety of giveaways to get your project started. Tues., Sept. 22, 5-7 p.m., The Home Depot, 1712 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-879-1000.

The work week’s just starting, but most of us are already longing for the weekend (and a strong cocktail). At tonight’s Ladies Night Out party, at least part of your wish is granted. Round up your gal pals for free mimosas, spa treatments and a reading and book signing with Jean Peelen, the co-author of Invisible No More: The Secret Lives of Women Over 50. Tues., Sept. 22, 5-8 p.m., Madeleina Cottage, 357 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-1727. Read the rest of this entry »

Etsy is like eBay for artists: a highly interactive, visually appealing online market. Artisans, “vintage” collectors, designers, stay-at-home moms — all kinds of buyers (and sellers) frequent the site. Etsy’s a great place to buy one-of-a-kind items and gifts for those “hard-to-shop-fors.”

Shoppers can place requests on the “Alchemy” list, or search for items by color, materials used, location and recently listed. Etsy was developed in New York, and the team that runs it keeps it up to date and highlights various vendors, making sellers accessible as soon as you get to the homepage. It has a DIY heart and a entrepreneurial spirit.

Check out a few pieces from my favorite local artists after the break:

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What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:

Steps to becoming greener: Reducing your waste, reusing and recycling: Joshua Poll gives some useful tips for ways to start reducing, reusing, and recycling things you thought you could just throw away.

Genetically engineering cows that will produce less methane, reducing greenhouse gases: Geneticists in Canada are trying to engineer a cow that produces less methane, resulting in less greenhouse gases, reports Brian Roberts.
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Okay, so this might be a little daunting for some, but what does it really take to generate homebrewed electricity?

If you are a little handy, have a few power tools, and really want to get off the grid, check out the videos husband and wife team Dan and Denise Rojas have put together at their site, Green Power Science.
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Remember when we were suffering from drought? Back when we longed for rain drops to quench our gardens, or heck, wash our cars? Tampa City Council has eased the ban on lawn sprinkling, which ends Monday June 1st. City dwellers will fall in line with Hillsborough County residents abiding by SWFWMD’s emergency restrictions; allowing lawn sprinklers to run once a week from midnight to 4 a.m.

Our city once had the strictest regulations in the state; Council members had the foresight to see beyond the immediate crisis, to address our dwindling water supply. We all know water is one precious commodity, more expensive by the 12 oz bottle than gasoline is by the gallon. By initiating tough regulations, City Council was preparing us, forcing us, to change our water guzzling ways. Forestalling the implementation of ration cards, tandem showers, and sky high rates. Okay, maybe the latter is more likely but one thing is for sure: water rates will rise as supply diminishes. Not to mention as our aquifer falls lower and lower, so does the surface; so we should be in for some major sinkhole action. Council members Mulhern and Miranda voted against lifting the ban, with Mulhern correctly stating that, “A three-year drought is not solved by two weeks of rain”, and Miranda resigning from the Water Board in disgust.

I miss the drought and the restrictions. Okay, so I’m lazy – for months my crunchy weeds, um, I mean lawn, didn’t need mowing but beyond my front yard and personal issues, the drought and its dire circumstances prompted discussions of conservation. Read the rest of this entry »

So you’re not the type to schlep to all those Earth Day activities, but the little voices in your head are nagging you to do something? Have your own Earth Fest at home. Not only will you silence the voices (sans chemical laden meds), you will save money and precious resources over the hot summer months ahead. Here are some simple do-it-yourself things you can do: Read the rest of this entry »

There’s been this new sound swirling around; it sounds like hip hop but with an electro beat … I’m no music critic and my vocabulary to breakdown the proper terminology is laughable. All I know is this sound is propped up by new female “alternative” artists, and they all have a killer style.

In our first Fusionistas podcast (embedded below, check it) my guest is Shunda K, creator of the group Yo! Majesty. We have a candid conversation about where she’s been and where shes going, and how she was a forerunner of this new sound. Shunda has been collaborating with many artists on different tracks and we’ll link you some so you can hear for yourself. (check ‘em down below)

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