Traditionally, tax day is April 15. Fortunately for those procrastinators out there, this year the IRS is giving us an extra weekend to prepare.
Since Emancipation Day falls on a Saturday this year, the holiday is being recognized today, April 15. That means that April 15 is a holiday, and tax day cannot fall on a holiday or weekend, according to Wallet Pop.
All of this tax talk has us thinking fiscally, so we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to carry cash, cards and coins.
So true!
Earth Month is in full swing, and we’re excited to see so many of our readers pledging to make positive changes!
The response to our Compost Crock Giveaway was fantastic, and we want to thank everyone who entered. Congratulations to our winners:
Jennifer, who won the Simplify crock with her Facebook pledge, says that she “Just started composting!!”
Candra posted her comment, “I already compost, and pledge to continue! I am really getting interested in vermiculture, and plan to start later this year, too” and won the Grow crock.
Speaking of vermiculture, take a look at our Worm Factory, and check out FindWorms.com to learn more!
Or go worm hunting on a rainy day with the help of the Blunt Umbrella. Not able to venture outdoors at the moment? Read up on some of the talented UncommonGoods artists helping to keep the planet green, like Beth Mueller, creator of the compost crocks, and Marty Stevens-Heebner, who’s recycled paper handbags are environmentally friendly and fashionable!
Composting is a great way to prevent organic waste from ending up in landfills; it also provides a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers for your lawn, garden or houseplants.
Of course, not everyone has the space for a big outdoor compost bin. Fortunately, composting doesn’t always have to start outside.
In honor of Earth Month, we’re giving away Beth Mueller’s Ceramic Countertop Compost Container. These handmade crocks don’t take up too much space, so they’re perfect for apartments, trailer homes and other small living quarters. Once your small container is full, take it to a larger bin in your yard, or community compost center.
Entering to win is easy; just leave a comment sharing your pledge to compost. We’ll choose one winner to receive a “Grow” crock and one to receive a “Simplify” crock.
Already compost? You can:
1.) Pledge to advocate composting to your friends, family and community.
2.) Start a composting program at school or work.
3.) Promise to take home your organic scraps for composting after dining out—don’t forget to bring a reusable container and skip the doggie bag!
Congratulations to the winners of our first Earth Month 2011 Giveaway! These six Earth-loving readers vowed to step-up and make positive changes to make every day Earth Day.
Here’s how the winners of our Recycled Pelican Night Lights are making a difference:
Debbie:
“I will continue to 1.) Recycle, even though my condos don’t, and try to get more neighbors to as well. 2.) Buy less plastic. 3.) Stop using zip lock bags. 4.) Recycle batteries. 4.) Remember to take to go containers into restaurants 5.) Ride my bike more, building up courage to ride on the streets! Memphis is adding lots of biking lanes and trails! 6.) Continue teaching my 6th grade students to reuse, reduce and recycle 7.) Keep my windows open whenever possible, love fresh air!”
Joe:
“I pledge to: Use reusable bags for shopping. Compost. Buy local (farmer’s market). Grow own produce. Not consume bottled water. Try and be as least wasteful as possible. Reduce, re-use, recycle.”
Kristal:
“I pledge to look at the packaging more often and to not forget my fabric grocery bags at home so that I cut down on the plastic bags at the store!”
Earth Month is a special time of year here at UncommonGoods, and we’re celebrating all month long with special blog posts on sustainability and profiles of UG artists that are doing their part for the planet. We’re also giving away Earth friendly products all month long!
Don’t forget to check out our profile of recycled glass artists Vawn and Mike Gray and enter for your chance to win a Recycled Glass Night Light—but if you need a really cool, inexpensive, recycled gift now, take a look at these great handmade Guitar String Bracelets, designed by Hannah Garrison and Steve Bernstein!
Hannah began crafting bracelets made from used guitar strings for musician friends and their families. When she saw Steve’s Craigslist add reading: “Do you have any ideas for interesting products made with guitar strings?” Hannah knew she was on to something. Now, the team makes recycled guitar string bracelets in five colors, works with big name musicians to create special bracelets for charity and runs an eco-friendly business.
Hannah even sent us a list of Earth Month reminders of how to stay green while living like a rock star. Her list includes:
Are you a guitarist? Do you know someone who is? Your old guitar strings can end up in a bracelet, too! Just send them to:
Wear Your Music
112 Main Street,
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Do you play an instrument or practice another form of art? We want to know how you stay green while sharing your talent! And don’t forget to check back often for more recycled gift ideas and the next Earth Month giveaway!
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that shook Miyagi, Japan on March 11, members of the UncommonGoods family are reaching out to lend support to the families of nearly 11,000 who lost their lives and the hundreds of thousands who were left injured and homeless by the massive quake and the subsequent tsunami, which struck Japan’s eastern coastline.
AmeriCares, our Better to Give partner, is working to help those affected by this catastrophic natural disaster. Within hours of these events, AmeriCares began sending relief workers, organizing donations and contacting doctors to provide aid.
“Working with a local partner, AmeriCares distributed hundreds of cases of hygiene items—including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste, diapers, baby wipes and bottled water—to shelters in the hard-hit cities of Iwanuma, Watari and Yamamoto in northeast Japan,” their online newsletter explains.
With thousands of individuals and families displaced, and more than 16,000 people still missing, AmeriCares continues to provide support to those in need.
April is Earth Month, and we’re excited to show Mother Nature some love! What better way to ring in Earth Month than by celebrating recycling? How about by giving away some eco-friendly art?
We’re giving those who pledge to recycle the chance to win one of six Recycled Glass Night Lights by Vawn and Mike Gray! You can vow to help the planet by:
1.) Go above and beyond recycling newspapers and soda cans. Pledge to recycle old linens, batteries, cell phones, and other items that don’t get picked up by the side of your curb.
2.) Look carefully at the packaging on the items you buy. Pledge to cut down on buying items that can’t be recycled, or come in extra packaging that will end up in the trash.
3.) Start reusing materials to create art projects of your own!
Three contestants will be chosen at random to receive the Recycled Pelican Night Light, and three more will be chosen to win the Recycled Sandpiper Night Light.
Thomas Mann is known for his “Techno.Romantic” style and his fresh, funky jewelry designs.
But his signature jewelry is not the only medium through which he works. His sculptures, found art pieces and other works can be seen across New Orleans through his Storm Cycle series as part of the PBS series “Ruin & Revival.”
Check out the slideshow with images and video from PBS Arts here.
