Save On Power With Google

Want to know how you can reduce your power bill and save money for free?

DUH! Everyone is looking to save a few dollars these days and Google wants to help. Teaming up with JEA, Google has created a tool that you can use for FREE to track and monitor your home’s (or apartment’s ) energy consumption.

Start saving today with Google’s Powermeter! Let us know what tools you’re using to save money by commenting below or tweeting us @circlebartprk!

Tips for Bike Safety

Warm weather means its time for outdoor activities like bicycling. Whether you’ve already taken the plunge and ditched your car or are considering riding your bike to work, it is always good to brush up on bicycle safety.  Just like pedestrians, too-often bike riders are not seen by approaching vehicles and cyclists can end up being seriously injured or killed. According to the CDC, more than 500,000 people are treated in emergencies and over 700 people die each year from bicycle related injury.

However, you can take extra steps to avoid becoming a negative statistic.

Gear

• Buy and wear a well-fitting helmet. Make sure it’s bright and highly visible to passers-by.
• Check your brakes and tires regularly.

Traffic Rules

• 

  photo credit: Wolfgang Staudt

  Go with the flow of traffic. Obey all traffic rules and avoid swerving in and out of traffic.

• Use hand signals. Remember what you learned in driver’s ed? If not, it’s time for a refresher.
• Do not ride on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk makes it difficult for pedestrians to walk comfortably, and makes you more susceptible to getting hit by a car when you attempt to cross an intersection.  To a car, it looks as if you came out of nowhere.
• Be visible. At night, wear reflective clothing and use headlights. In the day, avoid distractions like talking on a cellphone and focus on making sure that everyone can see you.
• Watch out for debris. Keep an eye out for trash, potholes, parked cars or open car doors that can create unfortunate accidents when struck.
• Watch for turning cars. Motorists tend to think they are going much faster than you and can overestimate a “quick” turn. Also, they may not be looking for cyclists when they are attempting to change lanes.

Now go ride!

Get some exercise and pat yourself on the back for using an alternative method of transportation.

Sun = Free

Do you ever wish that wouldn’t have to worry about your phone or iPod running out of battery?

Now you don’t! Harness the power of the sun to charge your gadgets anytime, anywhere….Well, during the day at least.

Add To Your Shopping Cart

Let us know what you think of this eco-friendly gadget by commenting below or tweeting us @CircleBartPrk!

Step Into The Sunlight

Are you still charging your phone with a cord attached to an OUTLET!?

Pfff, that was SO 2009. This is 2010.

Introducing “Blue Earth” by Samsung – The world’s first solar powered full-touch smart phone. This phone is not only smart because it enables its users to download the latest useful apps and search the web, but also because it converts energy from the sun to power itself. 95% of the energy used by cell phone chargers is WASTED, while only 5% is actually used for your cellular device (assuming you keep it plugged in at all times like most people…including myself ). Blue Earth is taking an active approach to dealing with this issue by allowing you to charge your phone simply by walking outside, but that’s not the only eco-friendly feature about this cell phone. Here’s a run down of a few more reasons you should invest in a Blue Earth.

• Solar-panel on back of phone
• Made from recycled plastic extracted from water bottles
• Free from harmful substances
• Eco-Mode
• 5 star energy efficient charger (If needed)
• Small and light package made from recycled paper

Let us know how you’re saving the planet by commenting below or tweeting us @CircleBartPrk!