Ozark Community Corner

An Invitation to our Ozark Community: BLOG ON!

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EarthTalk: Starting a School Environmental Club

Dear EarthTalk: I’m thinking about starting an environmental club in my middle school.  Can you give me some ideas about how to start?  Can you connect me with other...

EarthTalk: What's more green-friendly: flying or driving?

Dear EarthTalk: How can I determine if it is more eco-friendly to fly or drive somewhere? -- C.M.
The simple answer is that driving in a relatively fuel...

EarthTalk: Green-friendly holiday gift ideas and sources

10 ways to combat the red, white and post-election blues

EarthTalk: Eco-Psychology

Dear EarthTalk: I caught the tail end of a discussion about “ecopsychology” recently on the radio, something about the negative impacts of people not communing with nature...

The Power of a Single Vote - Ozark Election Information and Polling Places

EarthTalk: Where do lead-tainted toys that have been recalled end up?

Dear EarthTalk: There has been a lot of news about lead-tainted children’s toys being recalled. Where are these toys ending up and are they creating pollution problems there? --...

Winning the Real Estate Game in Ozark in a Tough Market

EarthTalk: Will the LED light bulb dethrone the compact fluorescent?

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the story with LED light bulbs that are reputed to be even more energy-efficient than compact fluorescents? -- T.E.
Perhaps the ultimate...

EarthTalk: Natural headache remedies

Dear EarthTalk: Are there natural headache remedies that can get me off of Tylenol, Advil and other medicines whose side effects can be as bad as or worse than the pain that led...

Coping with the U.S. Financial Crisis

EarthTalk: Does inflating car tires with nitrogen help the environment?

Dear EarthTalk: Is using nitrogen to inflate my car’s tires really better for the environment than using air? And if so, how? -- R.M.
Whether or not it...

Weekend Activities in and around Ozark

EarthTalk: Non-dairy milks

Dear EarthTalk: There seems to be a large selection of soy and other non-dairy milks out there today, even right in the dairy sections of major supermarkets. Why should I opt for...

Don’t let dining out in the Ozark area do you in!

Pumpkin Patch Farms in Ozark, AR, Arkansas Area

EarthTalk: Lowering your carbon footprint

Dear EarthTalk: How can I measure—and then improve—my overall “carbon footprint?” What are the major areas of one’s daily life that one measures? -- A.F.
...

EarthTalk: Toxic household cleaners

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read that household cleaners contain cancer-causing toxic ingredients. What should I do, then, to keep my house clean but also safe for my kids?  --...

EarthTalk: Aerosol sprays

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the deal nowadays with aerosol spray cans? I thought that the ozone-depleting chemicals used in them were eliminated back in the 1970s. Is this true? If...

Browse This Week's Classified Ads For Ozark

Don’t let fuel costs around Ozark drive you crazy

Apple Picking Orchards and Apple Farms Guide for Ozark, Arkansas

EarthTalk: The scoop on recycling container lids, tops and caps

Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps?  I see people recycling plastic...

EarthTalk: Do those energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs cause headaches?

Dear EarthTalk: Can those energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs that are popular now cause headaches because of the flickering they do? I converted my whole house over...

EarthTalk: How often do I really need to change my oil?

Dear EarthTalk: How often do I really need to change my car’s oil? Conventional wisdom has always put it at every 3,000 miles to prevent engine wear, but isn’t changing oil...

EarthTalk: Concerns about plastic: Is Tupperware safe?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read that plastic bottles are not always safe to reuse over and over as harmful chemicals can leach out into the contents. I’m wondering if the same...

EarthTalk: Our next president's environmental agenda

Dear EarthTalk: What are the major environmental issues that our next president, be it Obama or McCain, will have to confront? -- M.B.
...

EarthTalk: Pollution, sedentary lifestyles and early puberty

Dear EarthTalk: I heard that children are reaching puberty at earlier ages now and that it may have to do with environmental toxins and even their TV viewing habits. Can you...

EarthTalk: Energy-hogging TVs

Dear EarthTalk: I need to replace my old TV. Can you tell me which of the latest models is the greenest? I was told that the flat-screen/plasmas are real energy hogs. What do you...

The (Even Greater) Outdoors: Get Out There!

EarthTalk: Finding green friendly consumer products

Dear EarthTalk: What are the best sources out there for environmentally friendly consumer products? I don’t want to have to drive all over creation for green laundry and other...

EarthTalk: Greener computer choices

Dear EarthTalk: My old computer finally bit the dust and I am in the market for a replacement. Are there any particularly “green” computers for sale these days? --Brian S.
...

EarthTalk: Nontoxic ways to deal with carpenter ants

Dear EarthTalk: In renovating a cabin, I discovered carpenter ants working their way through the walls. Is there any way to responsibly get rid of the pests without using noxious...

EarthTalk: Alternatives to toxic mosquito repellents

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the DEET used in most mosquito repellents is toxic? If so what problems does it cause? And what are some non-toxic alternatives for keeping...

EarthTalk: Sunscreen cautions

Dear EarthTalk: Are sunscreens safe? Which ones do you recommend that will protect my skin from the sun and not cause other issues? -- B.E., New York, NY
...

EarthTalk: Wetlands loss

Dear EarthTalk: What is the status of wetlands in North America? Years ago I remember that wetlands loss, due to development and sprawl, was accelerating fast, but I haven’t...

EarthTalk: Healthy fast food on the road

Dear EarthTalk: I really want to eat healthy and organic but am constantly traveling and on the go. How can I eat fast food without having to always end up at McDonalds and Burger...

EarthTalk: Green-friendly outdoor clothing

Dear EarthTalk: I’m planning a summer backpacking trip and was hoping to buy some of the latest green-friendly outdoor clothing. Where the best options out there today that wear...

Two wheels are better than four!

EarthTalk: Wind power's progress

Dear EarthTalk: How is wind power faring in the U.S. now? Is more of it coming on line and becoming a larger percent of the grid? And what about some of the highly publicized...

JuneFit Tip: Stretching is for Everyday!

My motto is, "Stretching is for Everyday", and I do practice what I preach. Research has indicated that regular stretching may be more effective in preventing injuries...

EarthTalk: Air travel's carbon footprint

Dear EarthTalk: Are there any efforts underway to green the air travel industry? It seems to me that it must be one dirty business from a pollution standpoint. -- E.C.
...

EarthTalk: Green Kids' Shoes

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve found environmentally friendly shoes for myself, but have had trouble finding similar shoes for my kids. Are they out there? -- Dawn M.
...

EarthTalk: Energy drinks

Dear EarthTalk: There are so many energy drinks on the market, but they all seem very high in sugar, coloring and preservatives. Are there any natural versions that offer a...

EarthTalk: Recycling old clothes

Dear EarthTalk: How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill?-- Tim
Just because that old shirt you used to love is too...

EarthTalk: Safety issues with gel hand sanitizers

Dear EarthTalk: My pediatrician swears by those gel hand sanitizers for lowering the risk of my family getting sick during cold and flu season. But I’ve also heard that these...

EarthTalk: Chemicals in scented candles

Dear EarthTalk: I just read an article that said air fresheners contain chemicals that can cause health problems when inhaled. Are scented candles any better? -- Leanne C.
...

A New Look, More Info, New Ways to Share on our new Ozark Community Site!

EarthTalk: Greener computers

Dear EarthTalk: As an online gamer, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer. What’s the environmental impact? And are “greener” PCs available? -- Bob G.
...

EarthTalk: Reducing food packaging waste

Dear EarthTalk: Everybody says stop using plastic bags, but what about all the plastic, cellophane, cardboard and other materials used for packaging the food itself? What can we...

EarthTalk: Environmental festivals and events

Dear EarthTalk: I've been reading about various green festivals going on around the country and I want to attend some and get up to speed on environmental issues and products....

EarthTalk: Earth-friendly chocolate

Dear EarthTalk: I heard a reference to “Earth-friendly chocolate” and was wondering about what goes into chocolate that would raise environmental concerns. -- Ben M.
...

Sun, Sand and Splash Spell Summer Fun in Arkansas!

EarthTalk: Online green information

Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the best online sources of environmental information? -- Hip2bGreen
One of the best places to start in venturing out into...

EarthTalk: Cell phone towers and cancer

Dear EarthTalk: My uncle worked for over a decade on the top floor of an office building with cell phone towers directly above him. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. Is there...

EarthTalk: Green mattresses and bedding

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that traditional mattresses and bedding can cause environmental and health problems, and if so, what alternatives are out there? -- Jay G.
...

EarthTalk: Recycling items other than paper, plastic and glass

Dear EarthTalk: Most of us know how to recycle paper, plastic and glass, but how do we find out about recycling the many other items we use that eventually break or die out, such...

"We're Losing Winter" Reports E - The Environmental Magazine

Janisse Ray, an outdoor recreation enthusiast in Danville, Vermont, got so frustrated when the West River hadn't frozen by last January that she donned a wet suit and floated...

EarthTalk: Soda cans and global warming

Dear EarthTalk: How much of an effect, if any, does the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages have on global warming? -- Michael H.
A typical 12-ounce can of...

EarthTalk: New Year's Resolutions for Fighting Global Warming

Dear EarthTalk: My New Year’s Resolution is to reduce my “carbon footprint” to help fight global warming. Do you have suggestions for ways I can make good on my promise? --...

EarthTalk: Asbestos in vinyl tile floors

Dear EarthTalk: My kitchen floor is vinyl, installed back in 1979. I am told the vinyl contains asbestos. Now it needs replacing. How do I safely remove the vinyl and what are...

One Child, One Laptop, Endless Possibilities!

EarthTalk: Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Dear EarthTalk: Why aren’t compact fluorescent light bulbs taking over more quickly from incandescents, given their substantial energy-saving advantage? And what about recycling...

EarthTalk: Upgrading to greener furniture

Dear EarthTalk: I’m in the market for new furniture. What should I look for in natural furniture and where do I find it? -- Debbie
Along with...

EarthTalk: Paving and road-building impacts

Dear EarthTalk: The impacts of all the paving that is done for new roads and parking lots must be considerable. Other than Joni Mitchell’s “They paved paradise and put up a...

Arkansas Thanksgiving 2008 - Turkey Day Events, Arkansas Food Banks

EarthTalk: Toxic chemicals in kids' toys

Dear EarthTalk: I have been alarmed at recent news about dangerous substances in kids’ toys shipped to the U.S. from China, though I doubt that such concerns are limited to...

EarthTalk: Greener cars on the horizon

Dear EarthTalk: We’ve all seen the current generation of hybrid cars, but what vehicles do the automakers have coming out that are even greener? -- Brian S.
...

Earth Talk: Glossy magazine covers

Dear EarthTalk: I would think that the glossy paper used by most magazines
is bad for the environment, yet most publishers still use it, even the outdoors
and environmental...

EarthTalk: Health questions surrounding the use of plastic bottles

Dear EarthTalk: Are the rumors true that refilling and reusing some types
of plastic bottles can cause health problems?--Regina
Most types of plastic bottles are
safe to...

EarthTalk: Consider greening your driving habits instead of buying a new hybrid

Dear EarthTalk: Short of buying a new hybrid or other "green" car, are there ways I can make my existing vehicle more eco-friendly? I bought my car recently and am not...

Earth Talk - Getting large local institutions to recycle

Dear EarthTalk: The hospital I work at doesn’t recycle at all, not even plastic bottles and cans or food service trays. I was wondering how to get the facility to start up some...

EarthTalk: Can air fresheners cause health problems?

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some ingredients in common air fresheners can cause health problems?-- Mike
Air fresheners are a $1.72 billion industry in the...

EarthTalk: Are Kitchen Garbage Disposals Earth-Friendly?

Dear EarthTalk: I was surprised to learn recently that some communities have outlawed kitchen-sink garbage disposals, at least in homes. I would have thought these machines were...

Halloween happenings in and around Ozark and Franklin county

New Sports Website for teams and leagues in Ozark

EarthTalk: Avoiding polluted and endangered fish

Dear EarthTalk: How can I find out which seafood to avoid if I am concerned about lessening my impact on the environment and avoiding consuming unhealthy pollutants? -- Pat
...

Your Ozark Real Estate Roadmap

Looking for tickets to a hot local event?

Great resources for local school information in & around Ozark

Local Careers and Jobs in the Ozark area - Use the web to find, search or post local jobs

EarthTalk: Giving babies nutritious food helps establish positive eating habits

Dear EarthTalk: I want to give my baby fresh, organic food but I don't have the time to make her special meals. What options are out there? -- Marie
Babies deserve...

52 Ways to Save the Planet: #9: “Reduce Gasoline Consumption 20% - Improve your mpg rating”

The perennial dilemma: Paper or Plastic?

Dear EarthTalk: OK, once and for all, which is more environmentally friendly: paper or plastic at the grocery checkout? And is it true some communities are starting to ban plastic...

EarthTalk: Improving the nutritional quality of school cafeteria food

Dear EarthTalk: How can we get schools to offer healthier and more eco-friendly cafeteria food to our kids? I don’t have time to bag a healthy lunch every day. -- Leslie...

In the market for a mortgage?

Explore Arkansas: Rogers Historical Museum

Explore Arkansas: Arkansas Art Center

Explore Arkansas: Old State House Museum

Explore Arkansas: Historic Arkansas Museum

Find Some Star-Spangled Fun!

A Day to Remember in Ozark

It's Easy Being Green! 10 Tips to Make Every Day Earth Day

Can I get a "Bow Wow?"

HAPPY “PESACH”!

A Taxing Time of Year