What is Greener a real tree or a fake tree?

Tis' the season to ask yourself a question. What is "Greener" a real tree or a fake tree. I have been asking myself every year. I have some friends that prefer real trees, the smell of the tree in the house makes the season special for them. And I have some friends that prefer fake ones, because of simplicity in an otherwise hectic time.

Of course an argument can be made for both and which ever you decide please keep in mind the following to make it a "greener" holiday.

For real tree lovers please try to buy locally and make sure to follow the rules of your area for tree disposal.

For people who like fake trees, purchase fake trees that are made in the US to off set gas house admissions of transportation. Properly store your tree after using to ensure a longer life span of the tree. Treat it well and it can last for years.

What do you prefer? What do you think? Do you have more tips?

Happy Holidays to all.

No bag refunds

I have to admit that I don't really look at receipts when I purchase things at the supermarket. I look at the register screen while I'm being rung up to make sure I'm not over charged. But I never look at the actual receipt. I made my purchase at the supermarket the other day and I bought the wrong item so I looked at the receipt for return policy on food items and found at the bottom of my receipt that I was refunded 2 cents for having my own bag. Now 2 cents is not going to make me a rich man but I was surprised that it was there. I usually go to the self check out aisle because the line is shorter but when you purchase loose vegetables you're better off at the regular checkout. When I returned my item to the store I asked about it and they said that when the cashiers see that the person has their own bag they give the refund. They will not ask, only if they see your bag. Some markets actually give up to a 5 cents refund. Again 2 cents will not put your children through college but it is a nice gesture. In this hard economy every penny counts, right? So bring your bags to the store the next time you go shopping, hold them up proud and get your refund. Learn how to make your own bags from old t-shirts HERE. Or join my friends at Bags for the People at one of their events and learn how to make a bag out of anything.

So now supermarkets are stepping up and doing their part to be "Green" and encourage their shoppers to do so as well, what are you gonna do?

It's never to early!

One of my favorite "Green" websites, Treehugger.com comprised a list of Sesame Street's Top 10 Environmental Videos. Most of us grew up on Sesame Street so a couple of the videos my look familiar. It's never to early to start teaching "Green". Take a look.

Sesame Street's Top 10 Environmental Videos

Bette Midler trash-talks Yanks

To my knowledge, Bette Midler hasn't put out a new album or been in a movie recently, but yet she is still adding fans to the millions she had already. She certainly has won me over. Her work that she is doing for the local area with her New York Restoration Project, has certainly been amazing. Through the Project she encourages others to use their celebrity name to do work in the community, even teaming up with people you don't expect, like Rapper 50 Cent. But also got the locals to do work in their community this past Earth Day. I myself, helped clean and plant trees in the very same Queens playgrounds that I grew up playing in. Now she takes on the 27 time World Champion New York Yankees.

If you've driven to a Yankee game in the last five years, you might have noticed that Adopt a Highway sign on the Major Deegan (pictured above). She has adopted a highway strip there as well as other areas around the city. However the past two years she says she's been trying to get the Yankees to clean up their own area. "I'm thrilled to death that they [the Yankees] won, but would they please in their win fork over - it's so cheap - like 25 grand for a whole year," she added. "They could have flowers that say "Go Yankees!" Read more of the article from Daily News Online here.

Interesting stuff from the Adopt-A-Highway website, Adopters are asked to commit to picking up litter along the section of state highway, which is usually two miles long, at least four times a year for two years. Adopters may mow the roadside or plant flowers and other NYSDOT-approved vegetation. Adopters may also keep the proceeds they earn from any recyclable trash. Only four times a year, but Bette sends a crew out once a week on the sections that she has adopted.

So thank you Bette for doing your part and challenging and inspiring others to be greener. So now 27 time World Champion New York Yankees, what are you gonna do?

Yankees go Green

It was hardly mentioned but the effort made a great impact. The Yankees traveled to Philadelphia after game two of the World Series by Amtrak. The Yankees arrived by bus at Penn Station right before their train was scheduled to leave before 2pm on Friday. Their journey to their 27th World Championships continued with a train ride to Philly that took just over an hour. "We would like to welcome the New York Yankees to Penn Station", was heard over the station PA and fans lined up cheering the Bombers on. Derek Jeter received the loudest cheers as well as A-Rod, who was last to exit the team buses. Good Luck Yankees bring home the Championship, by train of course!

The Yankees are doing their part and going green, what are you gonna do?