Your Blog Can Be Carbon Neutral

Since starting my dreaded reverse commute, my carbon footprint has gone way up. I used to go weeks without sitting on the expressway, using only public transporation to get around. Even though my car is pretty darn fuel efficient, I still feel bad. (I feel even worse when I spend $50 a week on gas, but that's a different topic...)

I was surfing the blogosphere yesterday, and a post by The Usual Shenanigans caught my eye; there's a way to make your blog carbon neutral! All I have to do is blog about it, and a tree will be planted for me!

kauf DA, a German non-profit, has created the "My Blog is Carbon Neutral" program, urging bloggers to spread the word. All you have to do is blog about the initiative and place this nifty little badge on your blog:

and a tree will be planted in Plumas National Forest in Northern California by the Arbor Day Foundation. The national forest was devastated by wildfires in 2007, and the goal is to re-forest the area.

You might be wondering how it's possible for your blog to have a carbon footprint? Well, the computers and servers that host your blog chew up a lot of power, and your readers are using electricity whenever they click on your blog. I never thought about it, but think of the amount of energy that's using up!

Click here to read more about how you can participate.

I'm going to pretend that this is what the forest looks like:

It's a "Shakespearean Egg Hunt" Kind of Weekend

I know you've probably heard it a million times, but this weather SUCKS! I love Chicago, but this is the time of year where I begin to question my sanity for living here. At least I have the post-Easter candy sales on Monday to cheer me up.

Talk Like Shakespeare Day brought to you by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater - April 23
Love this! The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is creating its own holiday: Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Since April 23 would be Bill's 447th birthday, naturally we should all speak in pros or rhymed couplets. And if spouting sonnets all day doesn't fulfill your Shakespearean needs, why not enter the 'Where's William' contest? Download a Shakespeare mask from the website and take a picture of yourself as Shakespeare in front of something creative and e-mail it in. All submission will be given a chance to win an iPad. Entries must be in by 11:59 p.m. CST on April 23.

Northalsted Easter Egg Scramble - Saturday, April 23 9:00 a.m.
If you thought you couldn't take the kids into a gay dance club on Easter morning, you were WRONG. More than 25 businesses in the East Lakeview/Northalsted neighborhood will be handing out eggs containing discount coupons and gift certificates. Check out the website for the complete list.

Want free stuff for Earth Day? Lowe's is giving away one million trees at all of its locations, and Early to Bed is giving away Earth-friendly lube with every purchase today. If you want more information on Earth Day deals, I'll be tweeting all day. #EarthDayDeals.

What do you do when your old laptop/camera/cell phone/etc. stop working? Throw it away, right? WRONG, and now you've made Mother Nature cry.

There are specific requirements when it comes to disposing of electronics, and, unfortunately, most people have no idea. You'll find a few donation sites throughout Chicagoland, but on April 14 Chicago Magazine is making it real simple.

Bring your old electronics to Tribune Tower tomorrow between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and Recycle Tech Solutions will haul it away to the proper facility. They'll even plant a tree for every item donated as part of its DreamGreen program.

What can you bring?

• Cellular Phones
• Laptop Computers / PC’s
• Computer Parts: Power Supply’s, Mother Boards, AC Adapters, Memory
• KeyBoards / Mice
• Navigation Systems
• Digital Camera
• LCD/Plasma Computer Displays / Monitors (Non CRT)
• PDAs
• Digital Video Camera
• Laser Toners
• Smart Phones
• External Hard Drives
• Other Drives: Floppy, CD, DVD
• MP3 / CD / DVD / VCR Players
• USBs
• Fax / Printer Cartridges
• Mobile DVD Players
• Wireless Internet Cards
• Computer Wire
• Network Devices: Switches, Hubs, Routers, Wire
• UPS Computer Battery Back Up
• Power Strips
• Aluminum Cans
• Office Printing Paper
• Baled Cardboard
• Copper Wire

There is a $10.00 donation to recycle these items:

• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitor (large backed monitors)
• Television
• Batteries (up to 10 pounds or $1.00 per pound)

Earth Hour

I try to be as environmentally concience as I can, but it's not easy for a city folk. Especially for one who loathes those ugly CFL or LED bulbs. (I have yet to find one that doesn't make me feel like my retinas are burning!) Well, on March 26 at 8:30 p.m., I'll turn out my power-sucking lights and feel like I made a difference? Why? Because it's Earth Hour!

Earth Hour is a global event led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change by asking the world to turn off the lights for one hour. Earth Hour, presented locally by ComEd, will take place March 26 at 8:30 p.m.

This event has major participation every year. Buildings and landmarks around the world go dark, and there are tons of events in Chicago to help you celebrate. For more info, follow Earth Hour Illinois on Twitter @EarthHourIL.