Looking to save on your home energy bill while taking that hot shower? Think longterm.

Investing in a tank-less water heater may involve more green up-front but you’ll be saving green in the long-run. Stop re-heating water all day in a hot water tank and just heat it when you need, which is estimated to save up to 60% on your energy bill. Contractors and builders often install a conventional hot water tank in new homes because the initial cost is $300 to $500 vs. $1,000 for the tankless heater — they don’t have to pay your energy bills for the next 10 years.  The tankless heater is also more sustainable than a conventional tank because it won’t corrode or leak.

A good overview on the virtues of electric vs. gas models, whole house vs. point of application, and sizing requirements and installation can be found @ hotwatersource.com

In 2007 a $300 Energy Tax Credit Bill applied to energy-efficient gas water heaters with an energy rating greater that 0.80. Visit energytaxincentives.org to verify if any credits apply for this year.

Related: Water Heater Buying Guide @ lowes.com

More energy saving tips @ nyserda.org

• China Set to Ban Ultra-Thin Plastic Bags – reuters
• I know I was wondering.  Who Will be Voted 2008 Sexiest Vegetarian? – ecorazzi
• Will economic fear tactics stop global warming legislation? Climate Bill Draws Ad Campaign – msnbc
• Hope people embrace them more warmly than Idaho did the wolves. Beavers to Return After 400 Years – bbc
• and now for a look at sports…Man Arrested at Macy’s in NYC for Carrying Sword – myway
• Why do I think the oil cartel will break the law of ‘supply and demand.’  As Gas Goes Up Driving Goes Down – cnn
• No paper work, no crown. Bella Claims Oldest Dog Crown – ananova

North Carolina’s Louise Gaskill, specializes in restyled vintage lighting fixtures and furnishings. Her work retains the character of the original piece while creating something new and contemporary.

more @ louisegaskillco.com

…in memory of all who have served for the welfare of others. How will we be remembered?

Here’s to a happy long weekend!

Photo Credit: Master Photographer, Susumu Sato @ susumusato.com
professional representation: Windham Art and Photography

518 734 4692 (Windham, NY)
photo@windhamfriends.org

This simple creation of Swiss designer, Nicolas Le Moigne, provides your used soda or water bottles with a second life as ergonomic pourers! Fits almost any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap. The blue Garden Spout creates an instant watering can while the pink Kitchen Spout can make those big two-liter soda bottles easier to handle and pour. Upcycle, re-use and repurpose all for $6.99 ea. @ perpetualkid.com

• Hop on – Celebrate May’s Bike Month in NYC and the Brooklyn Bridge’s 125th Birthday Bash on May 24 at high noon.
• Author – environmentalist – activist Bill McKibbon talks about the official launch of 350.0rg (June 9,) and encourages all of us to join in the global effort to rapidly lower our level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere to 350 parts per million (we’re currently at 387) – or face dire ecological consequences. Check out Brighter Planet‘s recorded, tel-conference with McKinnon and a group of concerned bloggers, and learn about Cap and Dividend initiatives, perhaps the most promising way to mitigate our dependence on non-renewable energy.
• Marketing Gurus – reserve your seat @ The Green Conference on “How You Market Can Make A Difference,” sponsored by Ad Age. Learn from the top dogs at Patagonia, Conservation International, GreenLife, Institute for Sustainable Communication and others. Topics to Include: Green marketing as an opportunity for innovation. Tuesday, June 10, 8:30a-3p, NYC. Details and Registration @ regonline.com/.
• Bob Redford’s at it again, expanding his Sundance Channel’s quality eco programming. Sundance is adding two British eco-reality series to their weekly environmental block THE GREEN. Why British programs? Brits are way ahead of the curve with all things eco:
• July 1 at 9p, Outrageous Wasters, debuts — see if a family transforms from energy-guzzling “meanies” to tree-loving “greenies” in just two weeks
• July 29 at 9p is season 2 of It’s Not Easy Being Green. Eight 30-minute episodes follows three “green experts” traveling around the British countryside helping folks realize their eco goals
• Sundance Channel’s “Big Ideas for a Small Planet” continues every Tuesday night at 9pm et/pt through June 24. Stay tuned.

This lamp looks like it just crawled out of a futuristic mountain stream. Green in concept if not construction, the Nymph’s body is a two-part fiberglass mold – white lacquer finish. The light covers are made of Corian.

The legs are 5/8” hollow steel tubes with curves unique to their location all topped off with a white powder coat finish.

dimensions: H 19″ x W 15″ x L 31″
@ sitespecificdesign.com

• Senate Weighs Costs of Acting, and Not Acting, on Emissions – cs monitor
• Mother nature doesn’t recognize allies. DiCaprio’s Green Town Has Brush With Second Tornado – ecorazzi
• Saw G.W.’s holding hands with the Saudi Prince last week. I guess it’s a romantic and not business relationship. Every $10 Oil Rise Ups Air Force Costs $610 Million – enn
• Finding a pump is the challenge. Natural Gas Cars Cheaper at the Pump – msnbc
• The bloom is off this rose. Exxon Again Cuts Funds for Climate Change Skeptics – reuters
• Boars Help German Police Capture Suspect – myway
• Tips from mileage experts,  Fuel Guage – washingtonpost

SOLo Lounge Table – for upscale, tech heavy consumers who check in under the national height average and feel compelled to plug-in and power their toys and peripherals outdoors. This baby’s solar panel will allow you to plug in and charge your stuff, listen to music on built-in speakers, watch Kobe on the LCD screen and bask in atmospheric LED lights. Also sports Bluetooth tech and a rechargeable battery array. All this by the pool?

Described as having ‘solid construction and resilient materials’ for outdoor use…hmmm.

MSRP: $14,000