UPDATE:  It’s official – Congratulations to our winners, Christine F of New Castle, DE and Paul H of Beaverton, OR.  Thanks to everyone for participating…(the original post follows)

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by our friends at Nau — we’re giving away 2 eco fabulous Dual Citizen Hoodies made of certified 100% organic cotton — one men’s and one women’s; (retail value, $150/each).

This spring, add a cool and comfy layer in a super soft dual-layer organic cotton hoody.  This jersey knit has natural stretch for ease of movement.  Check out the hand pockets — they zip close for keeping that valuable stuff, safe.  And the top stitching details at hem and cuffs add casual style.

Nau (pronounced “now”) is a clothing company based in Portland, Oregon. They design, make, and sell sustainable urban+outdoor apparel – integrated designs for the modern mobile life. Learn more @ www.nau.com/.

One lucky guy and one lucky gal will each receive either a 100 percent organic cotton Dual Citizen Men’s or Women’s hoody and choose their favorite color, plus receive free shipping to anywhere in the USA; (USA residents, only).

To Enter this Random Drawing, simply:

• Visit nau.com and find your favorite item from their new spring lines.
• Then leave a comment on this post, answering 2 questions.  1) Style or Substance — Which is more important to you — if a garment isn’t eco friendly, would you take the time to look for a similar style that is?  2)  What’s your favorite Nau item from the new spring line?
• Add the following address to your email address book: m at AlternativeConsumer.com.

Two lucky winners will be selected in our Random Drawing, and notified by email. Contest ends Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:59p (EST). Winners have 24 hours to claim their prize, or offer is null and void. Winners’ names will also be included on this post.

*more ways to enter

• If you have your own blog, you can post about the giveaway with a link back to this giveaway post. To make sure we know, you can come back and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.
• If you Twitter, you can tweet about the giveaway once a day — be sure to refer to @altCon and @nauclothing, and leave a comment linking to the status.
• You can also receive additional entries 3 more ways: subscribe to our RSS feed, follow us on Twitter or become a friend on FaceBook. (If you’ve already signed up, just enter a comment to let us know.)

There seemed to be an overwhelming consensus among the auto industry at last week’s 2010 Geneva Motor Show – that green is very much in.  Automakers are showcasing their versions of green cars — electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles.  And the collections surely don’t compromise on form, with many models that can only be described as utterly sexy, albeit some are more practical than others.  Here’s a roundup of a few highlights:

BMW announced its new concept hybrid, named ActiveHybrid, which will be joining the 5 series sedan family.  The vehicle sports integrated technology, reported to deliver reductions in both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 percent, and features a special drivetrain feature that not only allows for short distance zero-emissions, but the ability to switch off the combustion engine when stopped at a road junction, at traffic lights, or stuck in congested traffic.  A production model is expected as early as next year.  Learn more @ bmwgroup.com

Porsche presented its first ever plug-in hybrid concept car, called the 918 Spyder.  Not only does the model exude the sexiness that Porsche is renowned for, but is making headway in fuel efficiency with an estimated 78 miles to the gallon.  Yes, you read right.  Other features include a 500 horsepower V-8 engine that can reach 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, a pair of electric motors that add another 218 horsepower, and a range of 16 miles on electricity alone.  However, we’ll have to wait and see if the production model can live up to the hype.

Ford introduced not one, but five eco-friendly vehicles at the show.  Although they didn’t reveal much on performance stats, the collection will include a range of green cars, all either fully electric, hybrids, or plug-in hybrids.  The most interesting perhaps, is the electric version of the Ford Focus, which is expected to enter the US and Canada in 2012.  This model will be one of at least ten vehicles from Ford’s new global C-car platform.  Learn more @ Ford

From the makers of the Prius comes the Auris Hybrid.  Toyota unveiled its production version of the hybrid European hatchback this week, and according to European standards, gets 74.3 miles to the gallon with only 89g/km of CO2 emissions, comparable to that of Porsche’s Spyder concept car.  Unlike the Spyder, however, the Auris can only drive up to 1.2 miles on its electric motor alone.  And, it will only be available in the UK, at least for now.

For more reads on green cars showcasing at the Geneva Motor Show, click here.

Related: (previously on altCon) – more green cars

• How’s the view? Solar Power Future for Glass Pyramids – msnbc
• I think they have something to sell…France Urges World to Turn to Nuclear Power – yahoo! news
• Unfortunately it didn’t help Avatar in the Best Picture category…Red Carpet Awaits the Star in the ‘Eco-Dress’ – npr
• Charm can take many forms…Worm Charmers – scientific american
• Foul play…Two Tiger Cubs Found Dead in Indian National Park – bbc
• The naysayers seem to be making more noise…and converts…Wanted: An Eco Prophet – guardian uk

It’s always great to see reclaimed materials reborn, or upcycled, into into something practical and well-designed like this great looking bench from Tel Aviv-based, Ubica Studio.  The pine beams are locked together with reclaimed Ipea deck beams fitted into a groove in the pine beam’s underside.

For all you audiophiles out there – the Solo pendant light from Brooklyn-based Donna Brady’s Re-Surface may help you conjure-up the spirit of Studio 54, Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s.

$236 @ re-surface.net via: recycleart.org

Still got some 70′s “Smokey and the Bandit” tendencies that you can’t shake?  Well if the newly-evolved-you needs to balance your outer macho with your inner concern for both the environment, and fuel economy, the 2011 Mustang V-6 may just be your car.

This Mustang V-6 is the first production car to pump out over 300-hp while achieving over 30 mpg on the highway.  The Mustang’s official EPA ratings – completed just this week – certify that models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve a very eco-friendly, non-muscle car-like, 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.  (more…)

Get your green on in more ways than one — invest in a classic yet fresh, little black eco dress.  Made from planet-friendly fabrics – certified organic cotton, bamboo, Tencel, hemp or recycled plastic bottles – going green never looked so sexy.

(above:  L to R)  Nixxi, (S/S 2010 – shop online); Jute and Jackfruit, ($98) Nimli, ($84)

(above:  L to R)  C.Marchuska Don’t worry, I’m not color-blind — all of these hot items are available in noir as well as bright spring colors.

(above:  L to R)  Extra perk – LBDs that are a cinch to pack – Vienna dress by Deux FM, available @ Nimli, ($42); Merino Wool 2 dress from Patagonia ($99); and by SUST in Cali, the Disco Dress made from hemp, available @ BTC Elements, ($98)

Before investing in a piece of clothing, do you think about how often you’ll wear the item — as well what it’s made of?

Related: previously on altCon -  how to recycle clothes

Perhaps we’re finally seeing portable, personal solar chargers become practical, mainstream tools and not just geek friendly novelties.

Enter the JOOS Orange – said to produce up to 20 times the power of other personal solar chargers on the market.  With an optional reflector kit, even more — up to 30 times more.  The Orange can charge under cloudy skies, in shade, or even light rain.  The charger is shock-proof, crush-resistant, waterproof and protected by a clear urethane coating that won’t yellow over time.  The 5,400mAh replaceable battery pack holds enough energy to charge most smart phones at least 4 times over on one charge.  If you need to monitor the charger’s performance the JOOS Orange connects to an application on your computer that provides you all you need to know about the power you’re generating.

The JOOS Orange is designed to charge personal electronic devices such as cell phones, smart phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, and portable game devices (no, not laptops).  The internal battery pack also can be charged via USB.

Empty battery?  Just one minute of sun-time generates enough energy to get your cell phone up and running again, while simultaneously charging your device.   A fully charged Orange can charge 4 empty iPhones, 6 regular cell phones, or 3 portable game players.

Designed and marketed by California-based, Solar Components, the charger will be available sometime in June for under $100.  source:  wired gadget lab and solarjoos.com

• By reviewing data, science-phobic naysayers may shoot themselves in foot…Climate Change Human Link Evidence “Stronger” – bbc
• Does catching a glimpse of this ad constitute cruelty to humans? Dave Navarro Nude in Anti-Fur PETA Ad – ecorazzi
• Get Roland Martin on the phone…All Fish Tested From US Streams Contaminated by Mercury – enn
• So quiet – they’re going to add noise…Drivers Find Electric Cars Have Enough Range – msnbc
• Super monkey makes monkey of cops…Escaped Fla. Monkey Dodges Capture, Shakes Off Darts – myway
• Not good news…Methane Releases From Arctic Shelf May Be Larger + Faster Than Anticipated – sciencedaily
• This may not end well…Broody Hen Adopts Puppies – ananova