Mission Viejo News and Announcements

EarthTalk: Bike riding and traffic pollution

Dear EarthTalk: I ride my bike to work along busy urban streets. Should I be worried about inhaling pollutants from vehicle emissions and other sources?  -- J.K.
The short...

Cut your own Christmas Tree from tree farms in California

Mission Viejo Holiday Shopping Guide - Black Friday deals and Mission Viejo Malls and Outlets

Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Orange County

An Invitation to our Fairfield Community: BLOG ON!

Orange County Apple Picking Orchards and Apple Farms for Orange County

Orange County Pumpkin Patch Farms and Pumpkin Picking Guide - Orange County

Find California Corn Mazes - Get lost in a California haunted Halloween corn maze this season!

Back to School for Mission Viejo - Bus Schedules, Lunch Menus, School Supplies and more

Mission Viejo Nurse, Leukemia Survivor to Participate in Triathlon to Fund Cancer Research

AmericanTowns PR Tool: Getting publicity for your Fairfield organization has never been easier

Weekend Activities in and around Mission Viejo

Eat Local! Great Resources in the Mission Viejo area

Aliso Viejo Residents Join in Big Brothers Big Sisters Picnic

Christophe Vacher’s Art

Christophe Vacher is a French artist who has provided backgrounds, concept design and art direction for Walt Disney Feature Animation, DreamWorks, Universal studios, Focus...

Refinance Your Mortgage Locally, as Mortgage Rates Drop to 5% Level

Digging into 'shovel-ready projects' in the Mission Viejo area

Giving To Mission Viejo Non-Profits: It Does Good…And It Feels Good

Make a difference in Mission Viejo! Find the perfect local volunteer opportunity

The (Even Greater) Outdoors: Get Out There!

Browse This Week's Classified Ads For Mission Viejo

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

EarthTalk: Harvesting rainwater for household use

Dear EarthTalk How can I make good use of the rainwater that runs down my roof and into my gutters? -- B.S.
For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into...

EarthTalk: Simple improvements for greening the home

Dear EarthTalk: What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? -- S.L.
According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to...

EarthTalk: Vertical Farming

Dear EarthTalk: What is “vertical farming” and how is it better for the environment? – J.S.
“Vertical farming” is a term coined by Columbia University professor of...

EarthTalk: Fashion's footprint

Dear EarthTalk: Can you enlighten on the environmental impact of the fashion industry? As I understand it, the industry overall is no friend to the environment.  --...

EarthTalk: more affordable energy-efficient cars

Dear EarthTalk: Celebrities and billionaires are shelling out big bucks for cutting edge green-friendly cars like the Tesla Roadster. But what are the rest of us—who live in...

EarthTalk: High molybdenum levels from cookware

Dear EarthTalk: I recently had a tissue mineral analysis indicating that my levels of the nutritional element, molybdenum, were off the chart.  I believe this may be...

Share the season in pictures with the Fairfield Community

EarthTalk: Toxic hair salons

Dear EarthTalk: As I understand it, hair salons are pretty toxic enterprises on many counts. Are there any efforts underway to green up that industry? -- P.H.
Hair salons...

EarthTalk: Recession hurts green group efforts

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that environmental non-profits have been hit hard by the economic downturn, and has this had an impact on their effectiveness? -- B.W.
Non-profits of...

EarthTalk: Disposable paper products decimate forests

Dear EarthTalk: Are any major brands of disposable tissues, paper towels, napkins and toilet paper yet using recycled content and chlorine-free bleaching? -- S.C.
Not many. In...

EarthTalk: Pesticides, fertilizers and water pollution

Dear EarthTalk: What effects do fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides used on residential lawns or on farms have on nearby water bodies like rivers, streams—or even the ocean...

EarthTalk: Green Power for Homes

Dear EarthTalk: I’d like to know the relative electricity cost of utility scale solar and wind plants versus rooftop residential solar. In other words, how can I know whether...

EarthTalk: How "green" is Borax for housecleaning?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard so much about using Borax for green housecleaning.  But if this mineral has to be mined, doesn't that negate some of its...

EarthTalk: Green life lessons for youngsters

Dear EarthTalk: What are some things that children and families can do to be greener (and to provide life lessons for the kids in the process)? -- C.M.
There are many ways...

Winning the Real Estate Game in Fairfield in a Tough Market

EarthTalk: Cigarette litter

Dear EarthTalk: Has anyone ever studied the environmental impact of discarded cigarettes? I’m constantly appalled at the number of drivers I see pitching their butts out their...

EarthTalk: Green ways to keep groundhogs and others away

Dear EarthTalk: What would you recommend as a non-toxic/non-lethal way to keep squirrels, gophers and groundhogs away?   -- F.G.
Keeping unwanted critters away...

EarthTalk: Upgrading older appliances

Dear EarthTalk: I am considering upgrading some older appliances in my home. Where can I find information on which models are the most energy efficient?  -- J.D.
There has...

EarthTalk: Tax incentives for energy-efficiency

Dear EarthTalk: Since Obama took office, have any new incentives been put in place for homeowners looking to increase energy efficiency and reduce the overall environmental...

EarthTalk: Can cars run on water?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that cars can be modified to run on water. How is this possible? -- D.M.
There are a number of online marketing offers of kits that will...

EarthTalk: Can we bring back train travel?

Dear EarthTalk: If train travel is so much less polluting than driving or flying, why are passenger rail options in the U.S. so limited compared to Europe? And is anything being...

EarthTalk: The stimulus package and green jobs

Dear EarthTalk: What kind of job opportunities might be opened up by the new federal emphasis on green projects? -- D.W.
If it’s a U.S. industry that has the potential to be...

EarthTalk: Insulating paints

Dear EarthTalk: Do insulating paints actually insulate and save energy? If they do, are they environmentally friendly to use? -- B.D.
Paint additives that claim insulating...

EarthTalk: Do sunspots and solar wind contribute to global warming?

Dear EarthTalk: Don’t some scientists point to sunspots and solar wind as having more impact on climate change than human industrial activity?   -- D.N.
...

EarthTalk: Neighborhood Solar Power

Dear EarthTalk: I know of solar power systems that people can put on their roofs to generate electricity or heat water. Are there systems that serve whole neighborhoods? -- L.H....

EarthTalk: Recycling mattresses

Dear EarthTalk: How can I recycle my old mattress if the place I buy a new one from doesn’t take it? What do mattress companies do with old mattresses when they do take them?...

EarthTalk: Where will we re-charge our plug-in cars?

Dear EarthTalk: With plug-in hybrid and electric cars due to hit the roads sometime soon, will there be places to plug them in besides at home? And if so, how much will it cost...

EarthTalk: Microwaves vs. gas and electric ovens

Dear EarthTalk: How does the microwave compare in energy use, say, to using a gas or electric stove burner to heat water for a cup of tea? -- T.D.
The...

EarthTalk: Nanotechnology forges ahead

Dear EarthTalk: What is "nanotechnology?" I’ve heard that nanoparticles are already in consumer products, yet we haven't really studied their potential health...

EarthTalk: Global warming, human illness and loss of life

Dear EarthTalk: Has anyone been tracking whether climate change is causing more loss of human life as it gets more pronounced? -- G.G.
Researchers...

EarthTalk: Nontoxic flea and tick products and remedies

Dear EarthTalk: Are there any flea and tick products out there that don’t contain toxic chemicals? --E.L.
Harmful pesticides in mainstream flea and tick products are...

EarthTalk: More fuel-efficient diesel cars coming to the U.S.

Dear EarthTalk: I don’t understand why there are many European diesel cars with very high mileage ratings that are not available in the U.S. Can you enlighten? -- J.H.
...

EarthTalk: What does Carbon Neutral really mean?

Dear EarthTalk: What does "carbon neutral" really mean? And is it really possible to live in such a manner without just resorting to buying carbon credits? --V.H.
...

EarthTalk: Sun-protective clothing

Dear EarthTalk: Is there really such a thing as “sun-protective clothing?” If so, does it mean I can dispense with oily sunscreens once and for all? -- J.S.
...

EarthTalk: Global warming skeptics

Dear EarthTalk: I keep meeting people who say that human-induced global warming is only theory, that just as many scientists doubt it as believe it. Can you settle the score? --...

EarthTalk: Living near a gas station

Dear EarthTalk: I am looking at possibly buying a house that is very close to a gasoline station. Is it safe to live so close to a gas station? What concerns should I have? I...

EarthTalk: Backyard (organic) vegetable gardening in small spaces

Dear EarthTalk: I want to start an organic vegetable garden in my yard and I would like to know how to combine crops to make better use of time and space. -- Val Thomason,...

EarthTalk: What role might biomass play in our energy future?

Dear EarthTalk: There’s a lot of talk today about solar and wind power, but what about biomass? How big a role might this renewable energy source play in our future? Couldn’t...

EarthTalk: Does a cold and snowy winter mean that global warming is bunk?

Dear EarthTalk: Don’t all these huge snow and ice storms across the country mean that the globe isn’t really warming? I've never seen such a winter! -- M.F.
...

EarthTalk: Smart grid technology for conserving energy

Dear EarthTalk: What is the so-called “smart grid” I've been hearing about, and how can it save energy and money? -- L.B.
America’s...

EarthTalk: Is #5 plastic, used for some food containers, safe?

Dear EarthTalk: It seems like more products are being packaged in #5 rather than #2 plastic today, and my local recycling agency won’t take #5. I’ve also heard that #5...

EarthTalk: Technological climate change fixes

Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the leading proposed technological fixes for staving off global warming, and how feasible are they? -- J.H.
While...

EarthTalk: Comparing battery to gasoline power, electricity wins hands down

Dear EarthTalk: If you have an electric or plug-in hybrid car, you’re paying for electricity rather than gasoline all or most of the time. How does that cost compare to a...

EarthTalk: Toilet paper and other disposable paper products decimate forests

Dear EarthTalk: Are any major brands of disposable tissues, paper towels, napkins and toilet paper yet using recycled content and chlorine-free bleaching? -- S.C.
...

EarthTalk: Which parts of the U.S. will be hardest hit by global warming?

Dear EarthTalk: Which parts of the United States are or will be hardest hit by global warming? -- A.P.
It’s difficult to predict which areas of the U.S. will suffer...

EarthTalk: The "green cities" movement

Dear EarthTalk: What is the “green cities” movement?  -- J.M.
Best described as a loose association of cities focused on...

EarthTalk: Synthetic chemicals in baby bottles

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some baby bottles contain chemicals that can cause health problems for babies? If so, how can I find alternatives that are safer? -- A.G.
...

EarthTalk: Desalinization of ocean water for drinking

Dear EarthTalk: With all the talk of desalinization of ocean water for drinking, what do we know about the impacts this might have on climate, ocean salinity and other natural...

EarthTalk: Fireplace Dangers

Dear EarthTalk: It is starting to get colder and I’m eager to try out the fireplace in our new home, but we don't want to create health or environmental problems. Are there...

EarthTalk: Which is greener: dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener?

Dear EarthTalk: Which is better for our environment: to use dryer sheets in the dryer or liquid fabric softener in the wash? It seems they both have properties that are not very...

EarthTalk: Rooftop solar panels for home energy and hot water

Dear EarthTalk: I am considering solar panels for my roof to provide heat for my hot water and possibly to do more than that. Are there some kinds of solar panels that are better...

Blades of glory! Find ice skating rinks in and around Mission Viejo, California

Looking to hit the ski slopes in California this winter?

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...

California Wildfire Map and Information

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...

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? --...

Standup For Kids Recycles for Homeless Youth

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

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...

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...

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...

Don’t let fuel costs around Mission Viejo drive you crazy

Apple Picking Orchards and Apple Farms Guide for California CA

Pumpkin Patch Farms and Pumpkin Picking Guide for California CA

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.
...