Eclipse Solar Flare Messenger Bag

Where to buy: www.neutralexistence.com

The Eclipse ? Solar Flare Messenger Bag is a great bag for eco-conscious and cool people. It looks stylish and comes with lots of multi-purpose pockets and inside cavities for cell phone, PDA and other essentials. It can easily and safely carry a laptop computer, organizing folders, paperwork and books. Various zippered side pockets can store water bottles, pens, keys and other personal items.

The messenger bag ?Solar Flare? comes with a solar charging module. It can provide up to 2.5 Watts of power and can ? for example ? trickle charge your cell phone battery on your daily trip to and from work or school. Please note that it can?t charge your laptop computer.

The bag is made from durable 1680 Denier Nylon and is 17? x 12? x 5?. It comes with adjustable padded shoulder strap for added comfort and a top grab handle. The reflective material increases night time visibility.

If you want to find out more about this product, go to www.neutralexistence.com.

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How To Cut Your Energy Bill By Planting Trees

When you hear about enhancements to your property that can cut energy bills, do you think of installing solar panels or other extensive renovations? Of course, those are legitimate and effective ways to cut your energy bills. But simply planting trees can provide a beautiful means by which to decrease your energy use. Here is how trees can help your energy bills, and directions on how to do it.

1. Shade
In the summer, direct sunlight can really heat up your home, encouraging you to turn your air conditioning thermostat down. Trees provide much-needed shade and can offset the heating effects of the sun. In the winter, you can enjoy the benefits of the warming sunlight because the leaves will be off the trees.

2. Shelter
Trees provide windbreaks, which help keep your home warm in the winter. Evergreens are especially effective.

Here are the basic steps to planting trees to conserve energy. Keep in mind that early spring or fall are the best times for tree planting.

1. Choose the spot
-Make sure you check for utility lines/pipes below and power lines above.
-You won’t need shade on the north side of your house. How much shade you need depends, of course, on where your house gets the most and hottest sun.

2. Choose the tree
-If you live in a temperate climate, choose a deciduous tree if you want the sun to warm your home in the winter. Choose an evergreen if you want shade in the summer and an effective windbreak in the winter. A compromise would be a fairly short, densely-branched tree that would provide a windbreak in the winter even without leaves.
-Consider the tree’s height at maturity when planting.
-Check with your local extension office to find out what trees are good for your area.

3. Dig a hole
-Make the hole deep enough to cover the root ball, and wide enough to allow soil to be placed around it.
-Add some compost or potting soil to the hole, working it into the sides and bottom of the hole and loosening the soil.

4. Place the tree into the hole and fill it with soil.

5. Water the tree thoroughly.

Homeschooling Laws: What You Need to Know to Stay Legal

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states of the United States and in many countries in the world. Each state, however, has its own laws regarding homeschooling and what requirements a parent must comply with. If you want to begin homeschooling you want to ensure you?re staying legal. Know your homeschool laws and homeschooling will go much smoother for you.

As stated above, homeschooling is legal in each state. There are some states which are considered homeschool ?friendly? by placing fewer requirements on the parents and students. Other states require approval of curriculum, required achievement tests, and more.

What most people don?t remember is that for many years in this country children were home educated. Communities were spread far and wide which made centralized schools impossible. To ensure their children learned the basic skills ? reading, writing, and arithmetic ? mothers would teach their children. This trend continued until one-room schoolhouses became more popular. Even then many children were taught at home during planting and harvest time because they had to be at home helping with the family farm.

In recent years, beginning in the 1970s, homeschooling has had a revival. Millions of children are taught in their own homes by one or both parents. Many do so for religious reasons, but that is not the sole reason parents choose to homeschool.

If you are considering homeschooling but are unsure of your state?s laws regarding it, you can check online to find the information. One organization which works year-round to ensure parents maintain the right to homeschool is the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). This is a group of homeschooling advocate lawyers, many of whom are also homeschooling their own children.

Their website, HSLDA.org, lists the homeschooling laws for every state. You can also find out more about your state?s homeschool laws by typing in ?homeschool laws (your state).? This will normally provide you with numerous websites which will spell out the laws and requirements your state specifies. Another website you might want to check for homeschool laws for your state is A to Z Home?s Cool (homeschooling.gomilpitas.com).

Some states require homeschooling families to provide a form to the superintendent of their intent to homeschool. They may also require you to provide a list of curriculums you will use, keep attendance records, or maintain a portfolio with your child?s work in it. Any of the websites which explain the homeschool laws will also be able to tell you how those requirements are ?played out? in your homeschool.

Finding other homeschooling families in your community or state is also helpful to ensure you stay legal while homeschooling. Besides helping you stay legal, other homeschooling families can help encourage you as you begin homeschooling and provide friends for you and your children.

Many families homeschool across the country and each year more are added. It?s important to learn what the legal requirements are for where you live before you take your child out of public school. By knowing your state?s homeschool laws, you can ensure you stay legal as you educate your child at home.

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