Easy, cheap kids' party: Farewell to summer backyard shindig, beach bash

The lazy days of summer are winding down. If your kids aren't back to school already, they will be soon. Labor Day, the first Monday in September, signals the last official hurrah of summer. Why not round out the holiday out with a backyard bash or beach party? Here's an easy cheap kids' party plan for children in preschool to middle elementary. Use this plan for an earth day party, too.  Easy, cheap kids' party: Farewell to summer backyard shindig or beach bash

Stay Cool in Green Ways without Air Conditioning

Much of Lower Michigan is getting blasted by scorching temperatures and far-below-average rainfall. City-locked Detroiters have suffered through record high temperatures since May. The Detroit News reports that the city could see its highest temperature ever in the next few days. Here are details about this epic heat wave along with tips on inexpensive ways to cool off in the metro area (some of these apply to any metro city).  Epic Heat Wave Hits Detroit: Ways to Stay Cool 

Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning- Summer Heat Tips

Meteorologists are comparing summer 2012 in Michigan to 1988. In 1988, it was 90-plus for weeks with no rain. I felt every degree of it because I was 8-9 months pregnant and living in an upstairs apartment with no air conditioning. We have never had a central air conditioning unit. For most of our 25-year married life, we survived summer heat without air conditioning period. We bought two small portable window units last year, but for over two decades we managed to stay cool without an air conditioner. Here's how. 'Heat Dome' Survival Without Air Conditioning

Best Green Ecology Movies for Earth Month

Earth Day, formerly Arbor Day, is celebrated on April 22. Spring is manifesting herself in a big way in April and the whole month is devoted to earth-friendly activities. Those of us who care about our planet know that every day is, or should be Earth Day. Here's a list of green-themed films that explore environmentalism and green living. Topics include oil, fuel alternatives, sustainable living, corporate farming problems, health issues, pollution and more. Use these for science class, homeschool, activist rallies and public awareness campaigns. Read on at Best Green Ecology Movies for Earth Month - Yahoo! News

No Well Water Contamination from Kalamazoo River Oil Spill - Yahoo! News

  Michigan Radio reports the Michigan Department of Community Health found no chemicals as a result of the 2010 oil spill on the Kalamazoo River in Michigan in 150 water wells recently tested. On July 26, 2010, Enbridge Energy Partners reported a 30-inch pipeline ruptured near Marshall, Mich., releasing roughly 819,000 gallons oil in Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River, the Environmental Protection Agency's oil spill reports. Read more at No Well Water Contamination from Kalamazoo River Oil Spill

Make Arbor Day Tree Planting a Family Affair

 Arbor Day, celebrated on April 27 for 2012, is the older holiday from which "stems" (pun intended) our modern celebration of Earth Day. Arbor Day is traditionally observed by planting a tree and I say why not make this green activity a family affair? Besides being good for the environment, planting a tree together is a great bonding experience. Read more at Make Arbor Day Tree Planting a Family Affair 

'Caine's Arcade' is Good Green Fun with a Recycle Flair

According to Unplugged, 9-year-old Caine Monroy's taped-up "video game arcade" is tickling the fancy of the fickle internet viewers. The contraption is made from standard kid impedimenta -- recycle-bin cardboard, old electronic trinkets and bits salvaged from his father's car parts store. Using that juvenile blend of mechanical genius, masking tape and a willing suspension of the laws of physics, Monroy finagled the refuse into a homespun gaming station. I call it "childhood at its best." Here how Caine is living "green" and giving recycled a fun twist. Here's also how kids can do likewise. Read on 'Caine's Arcade' is Childhood as It's Meant to Be Lived 

Easy, DIY, Recycled Cardboard Play House for Preschool Learning Center Practical Life Area, Homeschool or Just Home!

Uh-uh, the long winter doldrums are here and parents of youngsters feel it most of all. All that energy and only so much can be burned off in damp, cold weather. But children are also wonderfully imaginative. If you give them an old box and tell them to pretend it's a car, they will enjoy hours of fun in their 'Maserati'. Likewise, you can create an entire practical life area for your homeschool or preschool classroom learning center. All you need is a refrigerator box, available in dumpsters behind appliance stores like Best Buy, Sears, etc. A refrigerator box is a wonderful thing. It's green, versatile, sturdy enough for what it's for and able to be recycled when you're finished with it. My father once made me an entire play house full of furniture with cardboard boxes. You can make these crafts super easy and darn-near-free with recycled boxes. I guarantee you--you'll have to serve meals in the play house, they'll love it that much. And no more, "Mommy, Daddy, I'm bored" will you hear. Read more at Easy, DIY, Recycled Cardboard Play House for Preschool Learning Center Practical Life Area

Free Lessons About Earthquakes, Earth Science, Emergency Preparedness

Free Lessons About Earthquakes, Earth Science, Emergency Preparedness A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey yesterday. The death toll has risen to 270 and rescue workers race to free those trapped in the rubble from 80-plus multistory buildings that collapsed in Ecris, Turkey. What causes earthquakes? How can families stay safe? Here are resources to help children learn more about earth science, plate tectonics, the Ring of Fire, geology and emergency preparedness. Read more...

No FEMA Funds for Virginia's Wild Weather Assault

No FEMA Funds for Virginia's Wild Weather Assault Louisa, Va., has been under assault from a string of severe and somewhat bizarre weather these last few months. Despite three-pronged damage from an earthquake, Hurricane Irene and no less than seven tornadoes, Thursday, FEMA said "no" to requests for aid in Virginia. Here's a look at damage totals from those three events by the numbers. Read on...