Sometimes after tragedy strikes it reminds us of what we have and what truly matters.

There is more light in this world than darkness. Peace.

Spring. I don’t know about you, unless it’s weeds, don’t you just love seeing those fragile little green sprouts popping up out of the earth?

The incredible, versatile egg.

Speaking of fragile, did you know that you can use eggshells as seed pots? Here’s how.

1. Crack the shells open, remove the egg,  then rinse the shells.
2. Pick the bottom of the shell with a thumbtack and make a hole for drainage.
3. Fill the half shell with potting soil.
4. Plant and tend your seeds as recommended on the back of seed package.
5. Place them back in the egg-carton for support until ready to plant in the garden.

When it’s time to transplant them, gently crush the sides and bottom of the shell to let the root of your seedling grow into the earth. It’s biodegradable so you just plant the whole thing and the shell will easily compost. The eggshell contains soil-happy minerals and works as a fertilizer, too.

Egg salad to green salad – all from one egg. That’s most eggscellent!

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See more of what “Just Bea” and gang have got going on at www.facebook.com/JustBeaCartoon

Who doesn’t love a good cartoon? “Just Bea” will be on exhibit alongside Dave Coverly (Speed Bump), BK Taylor (Odd Rods, National Lampoon), Bruce Gerlach, Phoebe Gloeckner,  Carl Lundgren, Tony Miello, Mike Pascale, Nate Pride, Jesse Rubenfeld, Harley Schwadron, Mike Vosburg, Aaron Warner and Gale Williams.

Come hang with us!

Exhibit dates: Feb 28 – Mar 23, 2013

Artists Reception: March 1, 5-7pm

Gallery Hours: Thur-Sat 3-8pm and Sun 1:30-4pm

When I dropped my wedding gown for donation at The Brides Project, it was bittersweet. That, and thinking – wow, I really fit into that dress? But that’s another story.

I DO(nate)

Walking into the cozy shop, you’ll be taken in by beautiful wedding gowns that hang on hand painted hangars with mission statements with like:

I will help children cope with cancer

I will build community

I will promote healthy lifestyles

I will improve quality of life

I will strengthen families

Knowing that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these dresses donated from around the country goes to Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor (and surrounding communities) which helps people with cancer or families that are touched by it, you’ll be taken in even more. And BTW, who hasn’t been touched with someone with cancer?

If that doesn’t pull at your heartstrings and you’re all about the bargain, where else can you find a Vera Wang couture gown for 1/2 off?

At any given time the shop is host to around 400 dresses. You can even find brand new ones tucked into the rows and rows of silk and taffeta which have been donated by bridal salons clearing out last season’s inventory. Again, all of which are available at 1/2 off.

Already have a dress? Some gowns become flower bouquets, headbands, ring-bearer pillows or flower girl dresses. See what can be created at BeautifulAgainBridal

The Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor is all about living with cancer. It offers support groups, education, workshops, nutrition, and a special place for kids, too. Barb Hiltz, Executive Director “wants to make it a good experience for friends & family.” Hiltz goes on to say “It offers hope. It’s a home away from home.” A place where people can meet in the living room or belly up to the kitchen counter and bond over meals.

The Brides Project is completely run by volunteers, even the storefront is donated. When you donate your tax deductible dress, be sure to include a special note written for the new bride.

Don’t have a dress to donate? There are other ways to help. Your time and talents are welcomed. Things you may have around the house, like hangers, rugs, shelves and storage are items for the showroom are needed, too.

Who knew that one dress could do so much. For an appointment or to donate, get in touch with the Center and see your gown dance another day.

Info on donating:  http://www.thebridesproject.org/donate

Info on purchasing a gown: http://www.thebridesproject.org/buy/make-an-appointment/

Volunteer info: http://www.thebridesproject.org/support/volunteer.

See more of what “Just Bea” and gang have got going on at www.facebook.com JustBeaCartoon

Naming snowstorms now? Maybe it’s a better idea for your snow shovel, you’re gonna be on a first name basis!

The Yellow Pages. A very useful tool. Not only for locating a local pizza joint, but quite possibly use as a booster seat. Some make raised beds for herb gardens. And, on occasion Zoos actually give primates old books to interact with for enrichment – many even find them tasty.

No monkeying around.

Even though the Yellow Pages are made from recycled paper and lumber sawdust, you may not get as excited as the apes. If you’d prefer to let your fingers do the walking on the keyboard rather than on paper, you can easily choose not to receive the book at YellowPagesOptOut.com.

Rather than sending the Yellow Pages straight from the doorstep into the recycle bin, now you can be even more environmentally conscious. Just opt out.

Opt In To Learning With Green Living Science.

Rachel Klegon and Mary Claire Lamm of Green Living Science are up-cycling Yellow Pages in a very cool way. Find out about it in their guest blog below!

“Green Living Science is partnering with YP to provide a phone book recycling competition, Project ReDirectory, with fifteen Detroit Public Schools. This competition challenges students to collect phone books to win the first place prize of five hundred dollars. Schools will decide how to spend the prize money but some have already established that they will have a field day event while other schools will give pizza parties!

Green Living Science will be using some of the phone books collected to make a raised bed for herbs in the Lincoln Street Art Park. Those classes participating in Green Living Science’s in-class lessons will be given a free field trip to visit the Recycle Here facility and Lincoln Street Art Park. When students come to visit they will see how phone books can be reused to make neat new projects!”

Back To More Monkeyshines.

Interested in seeing apes interacting with the Yellow Pages? Click on these links:

http://bit.ly/WQLEAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RacMM6bROPs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJO6c9rWdws

See more of what “Just Bea” and gang have got going on at

www.facebook.com/JustBeaCartoon

Here’s hoping it’s a blast!

Resolutions. Who can get their hands on last year’s list? It’s probably wadded up back in a drawer somewhere with forgotten aspirations. I guess the problem is sometimes the goals just seem daunting and unachievable.

Little Means Big.

If you’re looking for some green and cause minded resolutions other than putting your recyclables to the curb each week, here are some pretty easy ones to stick to. Even past the first week of January.

• Smile every day. It makes a difference. Really.

• Give someone an unexpected hug once a week.

• Pay it forward. Go “no trace camping”, start a garden, donate a little time to a local cause or shelter, or lend a helping hand to a neighbor.

• Cut back on paper towels and use dish cloths or fabric napkins instead. You’ll help to eliminate the 3,000 tons of paper towels that end up in landfills EVERY DAY.

• Try re-usable bags at the grocery. Over 1 million plastic bags end up in the trash EVERY MINUTE, so pop some in your vehicle to always have one on hand.

You’re probably already doing some of these, but think of this list as a thought starters for your own “resolutions” list.

So Happy New Year, everyone  – make it happen!

See more of what “Just Bea” and gang have got going on at www.facebook.com/JustBeaCartoon and www.justbeacartoon.com