Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

On March 28 at 8:30pm local time, thousands of cities, and millions of people worldwide will throw the switch and go dark for one hour. Earth Hour is designed to promote one small thing we can all do to help the planet. Imagine the CO2 emissions that will be saved, as cities large and small turn out the lights. Sign up, be part of the solution!

http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php

How much do you spend on laundry detergent per month? Probably in the neighbohood of $10 or more. Here is a simple recipe for making 3 gallons of your own laundry detergent at an approximate cost of $3.

1 bar bath soap - I use Ivory

1 cup borax - 20 Mule Team can be found most places

1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) - hard to find but can be phone ordered from Arm and Hammer

3 gallons of water

5 gallon bucket

Boil 4 cups of water. Grate the bar of soap and add to the boiling water. Continue to "cook" till the soap melts.

Fill the bucket with 3 gallons of lukewarm water

Add the soapy soup, borax, and washing soda, mix well and let set overnigt.

Note: washing soda can be ordered from Arm & Hammer, and if you order two boxes for $3.99 each, shipping is FREE. You will probably speak with CSR Alicia who is most helpful, and the soda will arrive in less than a week. 800-524-1328

Next tip: How to make your own dishwasher detergent for pennies

Those of us who began haunting healthfood stores way back when, for environmentally friendly, socially conscious products, never had to worry about the claims made by the manufacturers. Today its a different story, as large corporations, whose business practices often lead to polluting the environment, are snapping up products right and left. Ever wonder why you started seeing Burt's Bees at regular grocery and drug stores? Here's why:

Burts Bees bought by Clorox

Ben & Jerry's bought by Unilever

Toms of Maine toothpaste bought by Colgate/Palmolive

Stoneyfield Farm yogurt bought by Dannon

Horizon Milk bought by the largest dairy in the U.S. Dean Foods

Odwalla, Dasani, Glaceau owned by Coka Cola

Naked Juice bought by Pepsi

Aqua Fina owned by Pepsi

Knudsen and Santa Cruz bought by Smuckers

Kashi bought by Kellogg

Cascadian Farms bought by General Mills

Today I joined Terrylynn Fisher, her husband Bob, Chris Fisher, her daughter Rhiannon, cousin Lucas, Fernando Rosado, and friend Antonio, for a play date at Universal Studios. While we all focus on our businesses, networking, communicating with fellow Active Rainers, we often forget to take time to enjoy the company of our compadres, and just play the day away. Light hearted activity is a great way to form friendships and cement bonds. So what are you waiting for?

P.S. Pictures will be forthcoming courtesy, Fernando Rosado

The very same people who helped contribute to this housing problem are back in business, snapping up everything in sight. I have a friend who has been trying to buy a house since last May. Everytime she finds one she can afford, makes an offer somewhat higher than asking, along comes an investor and out bids. This is a great time for first time home buyers to buy a house, but the competition for some is too stiff. I'm wondering, what are those investors going to do with those homes? Price them higher than they paid and price potential buyers out of the market?