The 100,000 tourists who disembark ferries onto Provincetown’s breezy MacMillan Pier this summer can now add a vertical axis wind turbine to their Provincetown sights to see.  The pier recently added a 30 foot tall vertical axis wind turbine to its infrastructure.  The 5 kilowatt Helix Wind turbine was erected for a one year trial run under an agreement between pier managers and the distributor of the turbine, Seabrook, NH’s, Waterline Industries.  The turbine can potentially offset up to $2,000 of the pier’s annual electrical costs while garnering both, tremendous public exposure – and important data that can be used to evaluate future wind turbine installations.  The turbine currently awaits power company clearance to provide electricity to the pier.

source/photo: Cape Cod Times related: New Earth’s Helix Wind Turbine

Boston based Etceteramedia makes these cute little wool felt pins from the offcuts of their math sign coasters.  Great for expressing your positive or negative mood – or abject ambivalence.

also comes in black or red, ($20) @ their etsy shop

Utter the words “green” and “hotel” in the same sentence and most folks will conjure up images of the rustic ecolodge living that so captivates city dwellers. These days, however, entrepreneurs like Wen Chang are encouraging sustainable sleep closer to San Francisco than Mount McKinley.

At California’s Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa, guests exit Highway 29 and enter an urban oasis landscape dusted with desert dry appeal. From the outside, the entrance of Gaia (which means “Mother Earth” in Greek) looks less like an eco escape and more like a peculiar pod that juts forth, although not disruptively, among its surroundings. The hotel—the world’s first to be Gold LEED Certified—boasts a bevy of forward-thinking features to lure the eco minded:

• Tubular skylights dot the hotel’s interior, shedding natural light in those areas often forgotten by hoteliers, long hallways and guestroom corners
• Recycled tiles and granite create clean, cool surfaces in all restrooms
• A swan-mesmerizing koi pond that filters, cleans and then uses recycled on-site water
• Chemical-free landscaping that highlights native and climate-adaptive plants that require less watering
• Recycling bins galore, perfect for collecting all the recycled paper products used by the hotel

Naturally, the hotel capitalizes on its charm by offering Spa Gaia and fine-dining Gaia Restaurant, both of which keep wine country visitors fully satiated between vineyard tours.

To check it out for yourself, view the full Photo Gallery here, or call 888.798.3777 to book a room. At time of post, rooms were available starting @ $79/night.

• Maybe a little work on the power grid is also in order… Plug-In Autos Charged Overnight OK for Grid – reuters
• I guess that’s why they call it the ‘Dead Sea’ (video)…Sinkhole Swallows Hiker – natgeo
• African habitat is being destroyed…Huge Decline in Britain’s Woodland Birds – bbc
• The politics of fear returns…Republicans See Opportunity in Climate Bill – guardian.uk
• Back in the day there was no EPA…‘Last Man Standing’ at Wake for Toxic Town – cnn
• I think I’ve only got 2 of em’…6 New Internet-Caused Personality Disorders – cracked.com

Odor-fighting spray company, Poo-Pourri, has introduced an innovative, eco friendly bathroom spray that is designed to eliminate bathroom odors at their most stinky source – the toilet.  Nature’s Call is designed to be sprayed into the toilet prior to making one’s deposit.  The spray’s citrus blend of organic essential oils seals the surface of the toilet’s water preventing noxious fumes from escaping, rather than masking the stench like other sprays.

Poo-Pourri makes several other odor fighting sprays, including their “Before You Go” line, “Pooch-Pourri” pet odor spray and “L’il Stinker” soiled diaper spray. (more…)

The award-winning EcoSmart Fire Q is a portable, pivoting, futuristic fireplace sure to turn-up the cool quotient – and the heat – at any indoor or outdoor social event.  Ventless, weatherproof and very cool to look at.  Makes me want to break out the shag rug and get busy.

Fueled by ecofriendly, renewable, denatured ethanol.  Receive up to 30%, or $1,500 in tax credits when you purchase any EcoSmart fireplace (they’re not cheap).

in black, white or custom colors @ ecosmartfire.com

Related:  previously on altCon
(5.4.09) ecoSmart fireplaces qualify for tax credit

The Dutch company, Basil, makes a wide range of bike baskets and bags to help make your bike a more utilitarian conveyance.

The Blossum basket (L) can be front or rear mounted, has a sturdy steel frame, is made of recyclable fiber material instead of traditional wicker, and is easily removable for hitting the farmers’ market.  available in blue, green or gold for $38 @ amazon.com

via: coolhunting

Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite finds for staying cool and refreshed from head to toe this summer:

Dr. Bronner’s Baby-Mild – organic soap & shampoo, all-in-one

John Masters Organics – Sea Mist, $16.50; safe for color-treated hair, and infused with essential oil of lavender, this non-sticky spray adds extra body and combats the drying effects of sea salt

Pangea Organics – Malagasy Ylang Ylang & Linden Flower shower gel; $16.00, also at Whole Foods

CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum; $24.95 from Avalon Organics

Our Recap of Best Sunscreens for face, lips and body for the whole family

www.glominerals.com – Glo Minerals with zinc oxide, a natural sunscreen ingredient; green tea extract and antioxidants

PurMinerals Fulvic Mineral Mist – ($16.50) helps skin absorb and retain vital moisture; and 4-1 Foundation Color; $25.50

Erbaviva – Organic Deodorant, Lemon & Sage; it smells great, and works! $16.00, 3.4oz size will last a long time

Organic Coconut oil – use for cooking, hair and skincare – first cold-pressed (on sale now, $12.75) from Wilderness Family Naturals of Minnesota

Palm Leaf Beach Umbrella (6.5′, and  tilt) with SPF 35 protection; ($38 now @ 4thebeach.com)

Solumbra hat - from sunprecautions.com $50; with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 50+

coolibar.com $60; long-sleeved coverups made of tightly woven fabric

www.alexandme.com, Rit Sun Guard – $23.99; increases the UPF of a white cotton t-shirt from 5 to 30

Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation for Sunglasses

I’m a little late to this dance, but I found Josh D’s DIY take on the iPod to be interesting, nonetheless.  Josh’s ingredients: one Mini iPod, one Dremel, some Australian red cedar, a few screws, some double-sided tape and more than a modicum of woodworking skill.  The result:  one crunchy, custom iPod case.

He even recreated his iPod dock in wood. (below)

The pix are from his Wooden iPod Flickr page.

via: design boom

• The House Minority Leader is obviously suffering the debilitating effects of over-tanning…Boehner: Climate Bill’s a pile of s–t’ – thehill.com
• On the other hand…Analysis: Climate Bill May Spur Energy Revolution – ap/yahoo! news
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…The World’s Ugliest Dog – ananova (more…)

This month, Congress may have taken the first real step toward recovery for the auto industry when it passed the automotive stimulus bill dubbed “Cash for Clunkers.” The bill, which we touted earlier this year, provides a $4,500 voucher for car owners who currently own rides with fuel efficiency less than 18 miles per gallon and purchase a car with a 10 mile per gallon improvement. (Drivers who buy a car with a four mile per gallon improvement qualify to pocket $3,500.)

On July 1, when the program kicks into gear, you may want to consider shopping the lots. Here are some things to consider, according the newly-launched Cars.gov website, as well as the latest resources for any questions you might have:

• Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
• Only new vehicle purchases or leases qualify
• Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
• You don’t need a voucher; dealers will apply credit at purchase
• Program runs through November 1, 2009 or when funds are exhausted—whichever comes first

Check out the government site www.Cars.gov for official information on the new program; visit ConsumerAssistanceToRecyleAndSaveProgram.org for a consumer-driven look at what you need to know; or log onto Cars.com for an easy-to-read guide by Patrick Olsen.

Related:  Ford Makes It Easy to Recycle Your Ride

Serendipity can be a beautiful thing.  Following my acupuncture treatment the other day, I popped into a Food Emporium to pickup a little something for dessert.

As I surveyed the sweet section, a label with my childhood nickname & favorite color on it, jumped out — a brand of chocolate that I had never seen before, mitzi blue. Curious. I scooped up a bar. (more…)

If you’re in the pouring rain in the middle of New York City right now, you’re probably looking for a nice, eco friendly umbrella.

Here’s a little ditty manufactured by Totes, and available online exclusively at Crate and Barrel.  The Coby Eco Umbrella allows opening at the touch of a button, and folding into a mini.