the seed

Get a Room and A FREE Gas Card

The “Tanks a Lot Bed and Breakfast Promotion” through Bedandbreakfast.com links you with dozens of Inns across the country that are giving away free gas cards. Each offer is different, and there is a wide range of dollar discounts. Watch for minimum stays, expiration dates and other requirements.

Here are some of the ones they have advertised:

The Victorian Ladies, Newport, R.I.

They are taking $35 off the cost of a two night stay Sunday-Thursday. This discount doubles to $70 is you stay 3 nights. This offer is good through September.

Mountain Laurel Inn, Mentone, Ala.

They are taking $25 off the room rate to compensate for gas prices. This is good through September.



Carambola Inn, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

They offer a $25.00 a night gas credit on their “romance package” room rate. This is per night and is good through August.



The Homespun Country Inn, Nappanee, Ind.

They are offering a $25 gas card with the purchase of their “Amish Country Package”. This includes a buggy ride and runs about $145. for two. Offer good until the end of the year.



Beall Mansion, Alton, Ill.

Book a room for two consecutive nights and mention “Tanks A Lot” to receive a $25 Gas Gift Card at check-in. This offer good through September.



Arsenic & Old Lace, Eureka Springs, Ark.

They are offering a $25 discount on two nights or more. This offer is good through August.

Inn on the Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas

You will get a $25 discount on a two night stay as a gasoline credit. Good weeknights only until the end of the year.



Prufrock’s Garden Inn by the Beach, Santa Barbara (Carpinteria), Calif.

They deduct $50 or 10% of your bill, whichever is greater, to offset gas prices. The offer stands until October 1, 2009.

Costa Mesa Restaurant

They are offering a $25 restaurant certificate every night of your stay, as well as a $25 gas certificate for visitors who arrive before September 30. The offer only applies to guests at nine hotels listed on the Web site. Check the website for the hotels included in the offer.



Branson Gasoline Discount

When you buy show tickets and lodging through the Branson Tourism Center, they are offering a 20-cent per gallon discount on gas purchased at Branson First Stop Travelplex. The offer is good through the end of 2008.

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

Fiji Water Makes A Big Promise

I am sure you have at least heard of Fiji Water. If you haven’t drank it you’ve at least seen it on the shelves of the stores you shop in. As waters go, Fiji seems to be a good product. It claims to be artesian water and therefor not filtered tap water as so many of the others actually are. But now they have even gone one step farther: they have made a promise to be the first carbon negative water company and to go “green”. Here are some excerpts from their company promise:

“We have partnered with Conservation International to become the first “carbon negative” product in our industry and to save the largest rainforest in Fiji. We are also reducing the amount of packaging in our products and leading the charge to expand recycling programs and initiatives.”

They seem to be making a real effort to go green and not only cause no damage to this planet but to help alleviate as much of damage already done as they can. To read more about their mission statement and company promise go here: Fiji Water

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

From the Associated Press:

By DAISY NGUYEN – Jun 27, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AP) – City Councilman Bill Rosendahl drove into a corner gas station with a big grin on his face. He stepped out of a sports utility vehicle, pumped fuel into the tank and declared it “the most joyous moment I’ve had since being elected to office.”

That’s because Rosendahl was marking the opening of California’s first retail hydrogen station on Thursday, and the Chevrolet Equinox he was riding in emits nothing but water vapor.

“This is the car of the future,” he said. “Let’s get rid of gasoline.”

While there are few hydrogen powered fuel-cell vehicles on the road now, supporters hope the station will show the public that hydrogen can become a mainstream, eco-friendly alternative to petroleum. State officials see it as part of the “Hydrogen Highway,” a developing network of fueling stations to promote commercialization of hydrogen-powered cars. Read More….

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

Environmental Awareness on DVD

Here it is. The first and only DVD club dedicated to increasing social & environmental awareness through entertaining films. This is a club like the Book of the Month Club or Columbia House Music Club that you join for a monthly stipend and get new films whenever you want them. The twist is these films are environmentally informative and good for the planet. There are literally thousands of films made every year that celebrate the natural wonders of our planet. Here are films that educate us about the human impact on the environment; there are more films that profile the heroes dedicating their lives to finding solutions to the environmental crises. And imagine a place where all of these films come together and are available for you to purchase.

Introducing Earth Cinema, an entirely new and fascinating concept in DVD purchasing. As an Earth Cinema DVD Club member, your bi-monthly DVDs will include a mix of full-length and short subject films that educate, entertain and inspire you to make a difference. You’ll see documentaries about wildlife and conservation; videos about adventurous eco-travel; green movies about environmental choices and inspirational biographies about environmental heroes who have chosen to dedicate their lives to fight against environmental degradation.

Plus, when you join Earth Cinema Circle, you join a community of people who want to get involved. You can go to our website and meet the filmmakers, hear them explain why they made their films, how they hope their films will educate people and at the same time entertain them, but also how they hope their films will inspire people to do something to solve the challenges we all face. On our website we then provide those of you who are interested with additional information and links to other websites where you can get involved in the issues that are discussed in the films.

This is a great concept for those among you who want to be informed and entertained. You are also making a difference by supporting the efforts of artists and documentary makers who are active in making the public aware of these important issues. All of the packaging for every DVD is carbon neutral, as well.

To check out some of the wonderful films they are currently shipping go to this link: Current DVDs. And if you would just like to know more about the entire concept and what it offers, go to this link: Earth Cinema Circle

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

Here are some great references I got from the web. Sites you can check out today for info on these great new Solar Home opportunities. In the past, the first concerns for switching to solar included the cost (it has been prohibitive), efficiency (what efficiency?) and aesthetics (big windows on the roof). And who stays in the same home for 30 years these days? We are always trading up, if we can. So when do we realize the payback on big investments like solar? And what good will the expensive panels do you in your new home? Does it even add value to the selling price of the old one? Hmmmm..

But there is a solution to all of these concerns, and more! Check out Sun Run . What they do is unique, and does quite a thorough job in eliminating all of the old obstacles to solar. You do not have to buy, lease, rent or take out a loan to purchase a solar home as Sun Run retains ownership of the equipment. and guarantees a certain amount of power generation. How does that sound? At the least, you must admit, this is interesting. Read More…

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

This another cool little item I just had to post. It shows just how much and how fast the green technology concept has caught on here in America. It is growing fast overseas, with the Japanese and French way ahead with the first fully Hydrogen and Electric Cars (no gas) on the market there. I am just thrilled to see that we are following suit rather rapidly rather than dragging our heels in favor of past comfort, hoping to steady the craft and continue in our age old fashion. Viva change! I finally believe we are all up to the challenge.

GE Energy Financial Services, based in Stamford, Conn.is currently making a project of putting $100 million into three New York wind farms. This current effort has pushed renewable energy investments past the $4 billion mark this week for GE. This is a great harbinger of things to come and a marker of the swiftness with which energy related investors are responding to the need.

The GE unit, along with Noble Environmental Power, its partner in the three-farm deal, has invested in more than 80% of New Yorks’ statewide wind capacity. By 2010, GE Energy Financial Services expects renewable energy to comprise as much as 25% of its overall energy and water portfolio, compared to a measly 10% back in 2006. In a statement issued by Alex Urquhart, President and CEO of GE Energy Financial Services, GE says: “We have reached the $4 billion milestone just five months after hitting $3 billion, confirming that renewable energy is our fastest-growing business.”

Construction already started last month on the wind farms. When finished later this year, these wind farms will generate a total power output of 330 megawatts. Combined with Noble’s Bellmont wind farm, both of these forward thinking projects will pump more than $300 million into the local economies! Think of the jobs and the new areas open to investment! In another eye opening effort, GE conducted a study and released the results last month. This study concluded that tax revenues generated by wind farms offsets the value of federal tax credits.

This project sets an example and functions as working proof that renewable and natural energy sources are the wisest choices for our future. In the wake of faltering industry and manufacturing opportunities in our country, this new idea should send us to the Moon with joy. The project proves that it is not only wise for our economy and for the job market as well as the earth and the future of our planet, but it is a reasonable investment with a projected growing return.

According to Kevin Walsh, GE’s Managing Director, “Local people have already been hired to construct the wind farms, build and plow the roads, and eventually maintain the projects. As we showed in a study we released last month, wind farms will create tax revenues for local and federal governments.”

Everybody, let’s raise a toast of our homemade herbal Wine to GE! Let the future begin.

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

If you are currently or soon to be in the market for a new car, there are some important considerations you must have in mind about today’s world when you buy. There is fast rising inflation, a disintegrating real estate market, widespread global warming, terrorism and dependency on Middle East Oil, rising energy demands worldwide and insecurity in the banks and lending industry. Do you want to take out a long term loan on a car? You probably need to scale down because most of us were buying up big cars and SUVs which are now huge gas guzzling burdens. The entire picture is huge and overwhelming. So I’ve sort of boiled it all down to a few simple rules. Only know how much you can afford to spend on a new car and whether or not you will buy new or used, but there are measurements for many other factors that are easily sorted out and made sense of.

In this article, I am striving to list the cars with the lowest MPG, highest fuel efficiency, lowest carbon imprint and most reasonable size and comfort factors. Saving on fuel and mileage is great but it stinks if you have to squeeze into a tiny car with no trunk to do it. There is one thing I’d like to cure you of but I’m not sure I can. I’d like you to stop caring so much about how a car looks and worry more about how it performs. An ugly car that saves you a bundle, as long as it’s comfortable, is far more desirable than a gas guzzling zoomer with a hot body and a big carbon footprint. All of us stare at the good looking people but no one wants a high maintenance bombshell with a lot of baggage. So be realistic and mature when you go car shopping. Pick out the best performer for the best price and pass the others up. Here is my list to help you make better sense of all of it. … Read More…

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

I have this blog because I feel strongly about our treatment of Mother Earth and her children. I am not trying to promote various causes or push people to think differently but I do want to reach other earthies and greenies and herbies and give them the information, the power and the recipes for creating changes in their own daily lives. The information I have included in this post came from Care2. You can visit the Care2 Website here: Check It Out

A clean energy future awaits us. From flying windmills to hydrocarbon fuels derived from fermented sugar, countless innovations exist that can fight global warming, grow our economy and increase our energy independence. But we need the right national energy policies to make all of this happen.

Congress and the Bush Administration are dragging their feet, preferring the old methods of pressing for more oil drilling and giving tax breaks to big oil. While we are in an energy crisis, our “leaders” are clinging to their old earmark bonuses and the free lunch bennies they get from oil lobbyists.

But did you know that technologies exist that could solve it all if they were just given funding? There is solar ink that could revolutionize the way we think of solar energy, devices that harness the energy of waves, and a geothermal power plant that can power an entire village.

These innovations will only do our economy and our environment good. We can be the leaders in the world energy economy and decrease our dependence on foreign oil, but we must start now. This is an amazing opportunity. It is our responsibility to pressure the old coots in Washington to wake up and face the future! If they won’t, then we must vote them out of office.

Get started doing your bit to change this situation today. It’s as easy as watching a video and signing a petition. From there, we can all watch and see what happens. And take further action as needed.

Watch the video and sign the petition here: Watch Video

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon

This from the Independant UK:

Scientists are warning that an Antarctic ice shelf the size of Northern Ireland is on the verge of disintegration, even though it is now the middle of the southern hemisphere’s winter.

The European Space Agency says new satellite pictures show that the Wilkins shelf – the largest to be threatened so far – is “hanging by its last thread”. Extending for approximately 5,600 square miles, it has been held in place by a thin ice bridge connecting it to an island, but this is now fracturing.

The shelf, which lies near the base of the Antarctic Peninsula, had not been expected to collapse until the early 2020s. It provides further evidence that the planet is warming more quickly than predicted.

Scientists are stunned that it is continuing to melt in the depths of winter, and believe that warm water is welling up from the ocean to attack it from underneath. So far seven shelves on the peninsula have collapsed due to climate change.

On Friday, President Bush – who last week told the G8 summit “Goodbye from the world’s greatest polluter” – defied a 2007 ruling by the US Supreme Court to take action on global warming under the Clean Air Act.

©independent.co.uk

An important message from Goodwill Industries:

Imagine you have a TV that is no longer seeing service in your home. Or a computer. Or a monitor. You know that tossing it in the garbage is a big no no. Where do you take it? More than likely, if you’re in the US, to Goodwill. Or if you’re really progressive, you make a little money by going through Second Rotation or Tech Forward. A fine step forward, for sure. But what happens to donations to your local Goodwill?

Depending on where it is, a number of things: If it’s functional, it may get resold. If it’s not, it could get recycled. Or “de-manufactured,” that is, disassembled and the parts sold to vendors who can use them to create new machines. Or in some cases, especially with old CRT televisions, consumers don’t have options via their local waste management company or charitable organizations, and it ends up dumped. Goodwill, which makes a point to recycle them, generally has to pay per pound for the right to do so. 17 cents in the case of Austin, Texas, apparently one of the lower fees in the US.

Now do the math: Each television is at least 30 pounds. Austin processes a truckload worth each month. 48 pallets. And in 2009, with the plug being pulled on non HD TV signals, there will be millions of televisions rendered useless, unless people make the effort to buy a signal converter. And where will those go? You guessed it… Read More…

<a href=”http://del.icio.us/post?url=&title=”>del.icio.us — <a href=”http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=&title=”>ma.gnolia — <a href=”http://www.netscape.com/submit/?U=&T=”>Netscape — <a href=”http://www.rawsugar.com/pages/tagger.faces?turl=&tttl=”>RawSugar — <a href=”http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=&title=”>StumbleUpon