February 17, 2011
Trade in Gadgets for Cash — Gazelle Review
Review by Steven Barrymore

Selling stuff with an online listing, such as eBay, can be a challenge. The work involved in preparing the sale listing, posting the listing, waiting for a willing buyer to purchase at the price you want, waiting for payment, packaging and sending the item to the buyer can be overwhelming. And if the item does not sell the first time — then having to re-list and try again. It could take weeks just to try to sell an item.

When I wanted to sell a used iPod Touch, I considered an online listing but for the reasons mentioned, choose another option. Unable to find a friend to buy the iPod, I looked at online cash for trade programs. And after doing online research of multiple companies offering such programs, comparing price offered and customer feedback I found a service called Gazelle.

I went to the Gazelle.com website — did a search for the iPod Touch I wanted to sell, answered a few questions on the condition of the iPod and what would be sent in with the device (such as, cables, ac adapter, software, etc). Then was taken to a page showing what Gazelle would pay for the iPod based on my answers. The quote was good, but as much as selling to a private party, so I opted to try the service. Finished up the registration process with a few more questions; name, mailing address, email address, preferred payment method (paypal, check, merchant gift cards).

Logged into the email address I had given Gazelle and there waiting for me was a welcome email from Gazelle with a pre-paid address label (I choose US Priority mail as the send in method). Gazelle pays for shipping of the item to their facility in Boston, MA. I carefully packaged the iPod Touch like I was sending fine china to aunt Nellie and dropped the box off at the post office. I could then track the progress of the shipment online at usps.com.

I did not receive a delivery confirmation email from Gazelle after waiting for the package to arrive at their facility, so I logged on to my account and found that the iPod had been received and inspected. Gazelle’s inspection rated the iPod higher than I had listed in my pre-send questionnaire — offering a little extra cash for the device — kudos to Gazelle for their honesty. If Gazelle had rated the iPod lower and offered less I had the option of requesting that Gazelle send the device back at their expense — this is a nice peace of mind benefit.

Overall the process from shipment to Gazelle to me receiving payment took about 9 days. The process was easy. Though there was some lack of communication from Gazelle after receiving of the iPod on their end. The price offer, in my opinion, could have been higher. So on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, I give the Gazelle.com trade in gadgets for cash program 4 stars. Have you used Gazelle or a similar service to sell your unwanted electronics?

January 12, 2011
National Commission Final Report on BP Oil Spill
written by Steven Barrymore

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill And Offshore Drilling has issued the Final Report to the President. The final report, Deep Water — The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling, featuring fiery cover art is available through the Government Printing Office or Amazon for $39. For immediate gratification you can download the pdf version at the link below.

The Commission’s Highlights of Key Recommendations contain a lot of “should”. But one recommendation that stood out is “The oil and gas industry must adopt a culture of safety.”

If you need to occupy your time on a flight from San Francisco to London, or a cozy read in front of the fireplace, this 380 page turner may be ideal.


Link: National Commission Final Report on BP Oil Spill

January 8, 2011
Fluorosis is the Pits
written by Steven Barrymore

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it has reevaluated the current science on fluoride. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed an adjustment to the levels of fluoride in drinking water. The current enforceable standard for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L. This may be too much for children’s developing teeth and for adult health.

Excessive fluoride in children 8 years and younger have an increased possibility of developing staining and pits in the tooth enamel. If this damage is excessive it could require dental intervention.

Adults exposed to excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may have increased likelihood of bone fractures, and may result in effects on bone leading to pain and tenderness. source: EPA 2011 Q & A on Fluoride

In 2006 the EPA requested the National Research Council (NRC) to review data on drinking water standards collected by the EPA in 2003. The NRC recommended in their published report to the EPA, ‘Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards’, that the EPA update its analysis with new data on health risks and fluoride exposure. The NRC panel also recommended that the EPA update its goal to the public health in the areas of tooth enamel pitting, stage II & III skeletal fluorosis and bone fracture risk.

The EPA will be doing further risk assessment to determine if revised fluoride levels in public drinking water are needed.

The best way to find the fluoride level of your local public water system is to contact your water utility provider for more information, according to the EPA.

Additional sources of fluoride can include toothpaste and mouthwash. You and your children should not swallow these products during their use as they can add to an over-all fluoride intake.

Bottled water products labeled as purified, distilled or de-ionized contain no or trace amounts of fluoride unless they are labeled to contain fluoride. Spring water can contain added or naturally present fluoride (from the original source of the water). The FDA limits the amount of fluoride in bottled water to a range of 0.8 to 2.4 mg/L.

The 1960′s became the era of fluoridation as a widely used practice in public drinking water.


Link: EPA

October 5, 2010
Bay Area Green Drive Expo — Consumer Event
posted by Steven Barrymore

On October 9, 2010 the San Francisco Bay Area will host the first consumer expo dedicated to ecofriendly vehicles including hybrid, plug-in, and ev. Join over 35 exhibitors and sponsors at this evolutionary event. This hands-on event will showcase alternative energy source vehicles including electric, hybrid, natural gas, hydrogen and other vehicles. Test drive the new Toyota Plug-In Prius and upcoming technologies from Ford. There will be an Owners Showcase so private owners can show off their vehicles (website states that registration is closed for new entries).

Panel sessions throughout the event will feature industry leaders, nationally known experts and the grass roots sector.

Date: October 9, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Craneway Pavilion is located at
1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond, CA 94804
Cost of Admission: Adults $10* at the door

Mitsubishi iMiEV all-electric car (photo credit: Mitsubishi Motors)

September 29, 2010
Obama – Mabus Gulf Region Recovery Plan Moves Forward
posted by Steven Barrymore

Requested by President Obama, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has written a long-term recovery plan to restore the Gulf Coast region.

Mabus report recommends that Congress dedicate a significant portion of any civil penalties obtained from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill responsible parties into a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund addressing long-term needs for the region. The Mabus report also recommends that Congress authorize a Gulf Coast Recovery Council to manage funds and coordinate recovery projects.

President Obama and Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus -- U.S. Navy photo 8/2010

Obama is prepared to sign the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, part of the Mabus plan, into effect before Congressional approval of the recovery council. The task force will serve as a bridge to the recovery council to coordinate restoration programs and projects in the Gulf Coast region. Obama has named EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to chair the task force due to her extensive environmental experience.

The task force is to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Commerce in the recovery effort.

“… What happens in the Gulf of Mexico affects America. Nearly one third of the seafood harvested in the continental United States, as well as 30 percent of oil production and 13 of our natural gas production, come from the Gulf. The Gulf is an environmental percent treasure and central to the nation’s economy. America needs the Gulf. America needs the Gulf to be clean. America needs the Gulf to be healthy. America needs the Gulf to be sustainable. …” excerpt of opening statement — Mabus recovery plan

Mabus report suggests a media campaign, paid for by those responsible for the Gulf Coast oil spill, to bolster the public confidence in the regions seafood industry and promote tourism. Follow the link for more on the story and the full report to the president.


Link: RestoreTheGulf.gov