Any owl lovers who love to entertain, or freeloading house guests out there?  These handmade coasters caught my eye — a thoughtful little gift for your wise host or hostess. (Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of their favorite libation.)

Set of 2, ($7) @ greenbeansnstrings on etsy.

It hasn’t hit dealership lots, but it’s already a hot item. According to Nissan, it’s all-electric Leaf sedan has sold out thanks to the nearly 13,000 pre-orders that have piled up from U.S. drivers. The car, which is expected to appear on roads in December, runs for roughly $33,000 but with federal and state credits will cost consumers closer to $25,000. Of that, $100 was required to plunk down on a pre-order.

So where will you see the LEAF, first? California tops the list of deliveries, since it’s the state best set up to accommodate the plug-ins at this point in time. Don’t fret, however. Last week, Congress introduced two bills that will spend up to $10 billion boosting the infrastructure for EVs in the U.S.  The proposed dollars would go toward prepping community grids, investing in further research, boosting the EV tax credit for cars like Leaf and the Chevy VOLT, and possibly, creating a $10 million award for the first manufacturer to develop a battery that allows 500 miles of travel on a single charge. Another factor addressed in the bills: disposal of EV batteries in places other than landfills.

Related:  previously on altCon
(8.3.09) Nissan unveils all-new, zero emissions LEAF

(4.28.10) Reserve a LEAF today, for tomorrow

I’m in awe of anyone who works hands on, figuratively and otherwise.  Charleston, South Carolina-based, Michael James Moran, works with his bare hands carving all types of wood into unique, organic-based furniture with modern lines.

These Redwood Root Tables, above, are essentially sections of Redwood Tree root systems from Arcata, California.  They were cut from leftover stumps of the trees that were cut from the turn of the century, on. The legs are hand turned Black Walnut.

These Black Walnut Lamps, above, were created from a handful of trees that were mistakenly cut in upstate South Carolina.  They laid for three years before Moran became aware of them and was able to reclaim them and save them from rotting.  The stems are all copper and the shades are custom created with handmade paper.

Find his finely hand-crafted work @ michaeljamesmoran.com

In partnership with Yooxygen, British eco fashion pioneer, Katharine Hamnett just launched a project that’s near and dear to her heart – her new line, BEACH, and her Save the Sea eco friendly collection.  Given the current environmental debacle in our Gulf Coast, Hamnett’s timing couldn’t be better.

The chic bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, cover-ups, totes and towels are ethically made and comprised of organic cotton, silk, and recycled polyester.

A percentage of the retail price of each piece will go toward helping farmers in West Africa through “Fashioning a Better Future,” a project set up by Hamnett and run by the Organic Exchange, a registered U.S. charity.

Stay cool as it sizzles — available exclusively @ yoox.com.

Need to really shed some light on the subject?  I know from personal experience that these million-plus lumen spotlights shine a long, long way.  Great for camping trips, or seeing what your neighbor’s doing in his backyard under the cover of darkness at midnight.

Featuring weatherproof construction, a dual position handle and 3 hours of burn time on a full charge, the Humvee 1.2 million Luxeon LED spotlight comes with:

• an ultra-bright halogen bulb
• a car and home charger
• a removable battery for supply recharge
• for those going off-grid – a solar recharging panel

You can buy one for around $50.

In our ongoing Green Your Summer series, we show you how to get all decked out for summer fun.  Here are a few useful items to keep you more eco conscious while on-the-go…year-round!

We’re foodies, so before we hit the great outdoors, we like to prepare our own snacks and take them on the road.  We use these stainless steel containers by To-Go Ware and bamboo cutlery for dining alfresco while at the beach, on hikes, or relaxing in the park on lazy days.

We love ‘em because they’re lightweight, reusable, a good size, and food-grade safe.  We’ve given them as gifts, too — they’re popular with college kids looking to save money on food.

The padded insulation bag helps keep things warm or cold, and it comes in brown or green.

• Here’s the whole shebang (about $65) – 3 Bamboo Utensils + Tier Tiffin & Padded Bag Set
• Or just the containers & padded bag (about $44) – Tier Tiffin & Padded Bag Set

“It’s expensive being green.” As a college student, I hear this complaint a lot from people who are reticent to help Mother Earth a little!  They choose cotton pants that are $10 cheaper than hemp pants; they look past the organic foods and go for the on-sale produce, and they always forget to bring a reusable bag when they shop.

Okay sometimes I forget my little grocery tote, too (and I do feel badly), but hey, I’m trying.  Here’s my take on the Top 5 Easiest Ways to Go Green:

• Choose filtered tap water over bottled water and use a reusable water bottle.
• Get off junk mail lists.  Go to 41 Pounds and sign up now!
• Buy locally. Look for farmers’ markets, community gardens, family farms, and other sources of sustainable and organically grown food near you @ Local Harvest.
• Do full loads of laundry and set the cycle to “cold.”
• Request e-statements for bills instead of paper statements to save trees.  You’ll never lose a bill in the mail, either.

Easy, right?  No more excuses; put these five ideas into practice and you’ll start feeling better immediately.  For more ideas on easy greenery, check out Crissy Trask’s popular little book, “It’s Easy Being Green”

Related: previously on altCon
World Water Day 2010 – what’s on tap