Magic Trick... Compost Bin?

We have a new compost bin in the Casa-De-Trash kitchen.  We got it from RecyclingIsCool.com web site.  We like it a whole lot.  It's big and sturdy.  Our old kitchen compost holding bin (we jam the peals, apple cores, broccoli stems, pieces, leftovers in there until it's full, then we take it outdoors to our composter... fewer trips that way) was actually really terrific... so why did we trade it in?   The answer is... a magic trick.  One of the most interesting things about being an illusionist-magician-entertainer-type is our constant search for "just the right prop".  It turns out that the old bucket is made of metal and makes an amazingly loud sound when something is dropped into it.  One day on my trip out the our backyard "claw-foot" bathtub compost bin (that's another story), I dropped the metal one and it made an amazing sound.  I was instantly hit with the idea that it would make a terrific "Misers Dream" can.  That's the trick where the illusionist appears to pull silver dollars out of the air and drops them into the bucket or can and every coin clangs as it hits the bottom of the bucket.  I brought it inside.  Dropped a few silver dollars inside and voila... new magic prop.  Thank goodness the Queen of All Things Casa De Trash... agreed... These are just a few of the sacrifices she makes to support her show business husband .  And... I have a new Misers Dream bucket.  :)

Steve Trash Releases - Psychedelic Music Video - SUN JUICE

Well it's official.  Our - SUN JUICE - music video is finally finished!  Woooohoooo!    A day long video shoot and several really late night editing sessions and I think it looks just great!  The Trash Team - Jim Torres, Keith Sims, Corey Hannah, and The Art Goddess (Dianne) all pitched in and I think the video is terrific.  It's silly.  It's psychedelic.  It's fun.  It totally sounds like a song from the nineteen sixties, which I really like.  When Kelvin Holly and I started writing and recording songs for The Trash Tunes - our green songs for kids album - I visited his studio and saw a sitar (Classical Indian & Hindustani multi-string instrument) sitting in the corner with a bunch of other guitars.  I was intrigued.  I asked Kelvin, "hey can you play that"?  Which - come to think of it - is kind of a stupid question because he's a very very accomplished guitarist and it was in his studio.  But he said, "yeah I can play it" and I immediately started imagining the sounds we could make on our new album.  I always loved The Beatles.  I particularly like the psychedelic period of their music.  On Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Magical Mystery Tour albums they were particularly experimental in the sounds and instruments they chose to use.   I also really like the sound of the sitar.  It sounds cool.  So when we dove into making Sun Juice, I said, "lets kick it off with the sitar".  Kelvin (always a man of many words) said, "Ok"... so we did.  Most of the video was shot at my home and digital production studio in Frog Pond Manor in downtown Frog Pond, Alabama.  The photovoltaic solar array you see in the video is mine.  We installed it in 2012 to capture the sun's energy and then we use that energy as electricity.  When the sun shines, we're making our own electricity.  It's clean.  It's green.  It's free.  Well the Ten K Solar - RAIS WAVE SOLAR ARRAY and inverter and batteries were not exactly free.  In fact, they were really expensive, but it was a one-time payment for the equipment/installation and now I make much of my own electricity. THAT'S energy independence... make your own power.  So... when the sun shines... I make my electricity for free.  My electric bill for this past October was $52 bucks.  Thank you Mr. Sun.  Sun Juice... it's for free.  It CAN power you and me.  It can power everyone.  So do me a favor, if you like our latest creation... Sun Juice - Official Music Video on YouTube.  Share it with your friends. If you really really like it... buy it on itunes.  Hee Hee.  Thanks and have a "sunny day".  ST - ###

Steve Trash - Great Green Gift Ideas For Kids - 2013

Almost everyone knows that the best holiday “gift” is love. Time and attention given to a loved one cannot be beaten by any other gift… but sometimes getting a cool holiday present wrapped up with a big bow “feels pretty good too”.  For those times, we’ve searched the planet and created the “Steve Trash Great Green Gifts for Kids List” and here it is.  Enjoy. Happy shopping!

Our Trash Elves have scoured the interwebs to make this list and items included in it are based on the seller's description. Not all the gift ideas listed have been tried, worn, played with, ridden, tested, purchased, or, for that matter, seen up close and personal. 

1. Green Toys Inc. makes an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally

friendly materials. My favorite, of course, is the Green Toys™ Recycling Truck! $27.99
 http://greentoys.com/index.html

2. This Sandbox is constructed of a durable material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic. It comes with a cover and a tarp. $89.98 

http://www.magiccabin.com/Sand-and-Water-Toys/Eco-Friendly-Snap-Together-Sandbox.htm

3. This swing is made from eco-friendly recycled tires, it’s ready to hang with durable nylon rope. $99.00

http://www.magiccabin.com/Active-Child/Recycled-Tire-Horse-Swing.htm

4. Recycled Robots book and kit - Make ten different moving robots, out of the ordinary things from around the house. $24.95

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/workman_publishing/recycled_robots_10_robot_projects.cfm

5. Solar Rover - Put together the parts, attach an empty soda can and you'll have your very own solar-powered rover, a little like those currently roaming Mars! $17.95
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/toysmith/4m_solar_rover.cfm

6. Aluminum Can Robot - All you need is a soda can and a little imagination. Turn your can into a silly moving robot. Kit includes: parts and instructions. $14.95
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/toysmith/4m_tin_can_robot.cfm?display=main

7. The Trash Tunes CD - Ok, it’s toot your own horn time. My friend Kelvin Holly and I wrote, recorded, and produced THE TRASH TUNES – green songs for cool kids (3-10 years). Styles from good old rock & roll anthems to R.E.M. ballads, all with green themed lyrics. Your kid will be dancing around the house singing along! $8 - $14
http://stevetrash.com/music.html and

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-trash-tunes/id698877914

8. Eco-friendly Wire & Bead Kit - Create your own wonderful art piece. Shaping wires into springs and swirls, and wrap wire to hold marbles. $18.95 

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/artterro/wire_bead_art_kit.cfm

9. Bamboo Skateboard - Bamboo not only aids in creating better boards, but it is also a socially responsible material choice. $30.00 (short deck)

http://www.bamboosk8.com/store/

10. Obstacles Game - A game of inventive solutions, evidence imagination & cooperation. Eco-friendly design: 90% recycled gray

board, soy based inks. $16.95
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/eeboo/obstacles_game.cfm

11. Earthopoly Game - Players become the caretakers of locations around the planet then increase their property value by making  good choices. It’s all fun and games until someone gets sent to the Dump! $24.95 

http://www.lateforthesky.com/prod-30-1-239/.htm

12. Rock Star Hat - Black organic hemp knit hat with signature Rock Star Organics "bling" on the side. $29.00

http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/p-56-organic-hemp-signature-beanie-with-bling-in-obsidian-black.aspx

13. Recycled Bracelet Starter Kit with 100 Elements - Made of 100% recycled scrap materials. Adjustable bracelet easily fits most wrist and ankle sizes. $19.00 

http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/p-935-recycled-braceletstarter-kit-with-100-elements.aspx

14. TOMS Youth Vegan Classics - Shoes whose entire lifecycle provides a gentler environmental footprint. $42.00 

http://www.toms.com/kids/collections/vegan/c?view=all

15. Winter Hat - The outside is made of reclaimed wool. The soft fleece lining ensures extra warmth and zero itchiness and it’s machine washable. $30.00 

http://www.cateandlevi.com/pirate-hat_en_202prod.html

16. Denali Hoodie - The North Face Denali Hoodie is made from recycled Polartec 300 series fleece to provide quick-drying, cozy

warmth that's environmentally friendly. $119.00 

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11131246

17. Bamboo Dial Watch - Corn resin components, certied organic cotton strap, natural bamboo dial, mineral Crystal and mercury-free battery. $30.00.  Other colors available. 

http://www.sproutwatches.com/green-organic-cotton-grey-corn-resin-watch

18. Looking for smart phones that are low in toxic materials? The site GoodGuide rates products based on environmental impacts and company

social practices. http://www.goodguide.com/categories/332304-cell-phones##products

The site HealthyStuff.org can help you find the least toxic, environmentally friendly phone.
http://www.healthystu.org

19. Stainless Steel Three-in-One Bento Lunch Box - Good for more than just lunch! Lead-free, food-safe, series 205 stainless steel. No plastic - BPA-Free. $23.95 

http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/p-2471-stainless-steel-three-in-one-bento-lunch-box.aspx

20. Solar LED Flashlight Keychain (Mini) - This flashlight is solar powered with two long life LED bulbs. A four hour charge of direct sunlight will provide light for approximately two hours. $5.00. 

http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/p-1368-solar-led-ashlight-keychain-mini.aspx

21. Little Kid Eco Pack - Sturdy backpacks of nylon made entirely from recycled plastic drinking bottles and trimmed with naturally biodegradable canvas. $44.95.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D771Q8/ref=as_li_ss_tlie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003D771Q8&linkCode=as2&tag=greyoudec-20

22. Recycled Slim Backpack - Made of recycled materials and components, no two bags are completely the same. $140.00

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12621868

23. Recyclable cups - Made from recycled and recyclable materials. $12.00 - $16.00.

http://www.branchhome.com/index.phpmain_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=951#.UoLL0I3QGCD

24. iPad Sleeve - Durable, protective exterior made from upcycled treadmill track, easy to clean and water resistant. Interior lining is made from PET recycled bottles. $35.00 

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/upcycled-rubber-tread-ipad-sleeve

25. Bowling game made entirely from eco-friendly, non-toxic, recycled cardboard, laser-cut for precise fit. $12.00

http://eco-artware.com/catalog/games.php

26. Colorful Hat made of recycled cotton sock leftovers from the Socklady's Sol Mate Mismatched Socks. $36.

http://eco-artware.com/catalog/MW2-Patchwork-Hat.php?c=womenAcc

27. Colorful Dragonheart Vermont Socks. Materials: Recycled cotton, nylon and lycra. $20.00

http://eco-artware.com/catalog/MW6-Dragonheart-Vermont-Socks.php?c=womenAcc

28. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. Designed to provide you with safe, clean drinking water in any situation. $19.95

http://eartheasy.com/gifts/stocking-stuers/lifestraw#overview

29. Earth Lab - Environmental science kit helps teach kids about the problems faced by our planet and how sustainable practices and

technology can help us can overcome them. Promotes a real understanding of abstract environmental concepts. $44.95

http://www.shft.com/shopping/sustainable-earth-lab

Happy Shopping and remember... keep it green!