She’ll naturally ’shout it out’

Add comment September 30th, 2009

Michelle VanSchelven of Rockton has won the bottle of Nature’s Source natural laundry stain remover and will review it for us! Thanks to all who entered.

Most extreme winner

Add comment May 1st, 2009

Jan Fox of Rockford has won my extreme giveaway: “Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things” by Cy Tymony and the “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, Vol. 4 and 5? DVD set.

Thanks to the dozens of folks who entered all four giveaways.

Green bag winners

Add comment April 24th, 2009

L. Sue Tucker of Rockford, Holly Baker of Machesney Park, Jan Pauly of Rockford, Pat Henninger of Garden Prairie and John Connell of Rockford have won the green City of Rockford reuseable bags. Thanks to the more than two dozen folks who entered.

Most extreme giveaway

Add comment April 23rd, 2009

For Round 4, the last week of the Earth Month giveaways, I’ve chosen an odd set.

You can win “Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things” by Cy Tymony, which is pretty self-explanatory, and the “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, Vol. 4 and 5″ DVD set.

The “Sneaky Green” book reminds me of the “Worst Case Scenario” survival handbooks and ReadyMade magazine, which both show how you can do stuff, though the former is more humorous and the latter is more practical.

So I have my own combo. The book is inventive. The DVD is goofy. If you’ve never watched “MXC,”this is how Spike channel describes it:

This critically acclaimed comedic series is a combination of Fear Factor, Jackass and Iron Chef, with a touch of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Using the actual footage from one of the most popular primetime Japanese reality game shows, Takeshi’s Castle, the new series is re-written to create an entirely new comedic storyline. The series is not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal translation from the original show.

I will draw one winner at random. Email me at jpollock@rrstar.com by noon Friday, May 1. I need your name, daytime phone number and city of residence in your note.

Better Than Rocks winner

Add comment April 17th, 2009

Tori McKay of Roscoe has won the Better than Rocks giveaway.

FYI, she wrote: “My wonderful husband just built me four beautiful cedar planters that are going to hang as window boxes on the front of our home, and I think it would be great to use this product for drainage.”

Win a green bag!

3 comments April 16th, 2009

In Round 3 of my Earth Month giveaways, I have not one but five items up for grabs.

Ruth Miller at the Rockford Park District’s City of Gardens has graciously offered five green reusable bags with Rockford’s beloved purple coneflower on the side.

The bags are perfect for use at the grocery store or on the go every day. A pretty easy way to go green.

I will draw five winners at random. Email me at jpollock@rrstar.com by noon Friday, April 24. I need your name, daytime phone number and city of residence in your note.

Of course, while writing this, the lyrics to “Little Green Bag” got stuck in my head: “Lookin’ back on the track for a little green bag, Got to find just the kind or I’m losin’ my mind.” So I pasted the YouTube video below for your enjoyment. This song is on the soundtrack for “Reservoir Dogs,” so I hear it from time to time.

Get Smart

Add comment April 15th, 2009

Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting inside the 2009 Smart Car Passion Coupe.

Why? Because it’s the star of the latest fundraiser.

Blackhawk Learning Connections is kicking off its first annual Smart Car Raffle, with a winner drawn July 4.

Buy tickets at blackhawklearning.com, 815-962-8853 or Alpine Bank, Logli and Meg’s Daily Grind locations. They are $20 or 4 for $50 in April.

The car, valued at $14,600, is “little on the outside but big in the inside.” Having been inside one twice, I tend to agree. There’s enough room in the back for a week’s worth of my groceries, and it has a cubby in the trunk door, for example. The glass top also gives a more open feel.

Lisa Bartholme swung by to show me and said she’s felt like the gas gauge has been on a quarter-tank for a while!

What is Blackhawk? Its mission is to provide quality, affordable child care. According to its site:

Blackhawk Learning Connection provides quality affordable child care for low-to-moderate-income families throughout Rockford and its surrounding areas.  Since 1969, Blackhawk Learning Connection has cared for over 2,500 children.

How green are you?

Add comment April 10th, 2009

That question is out there a lot, but one company is making it a contest.

BCI Burke, a playground equipment maker based in Fond du Lac, Wis. (my hometown, which is why I got a Google alert on it), is asking for e-mail essays on “how green are you?” all month.

You could win a bike rack or a portable litter container (the company makes these, of course).

Fresh Wave winner

Add comment April 10th, 2009

Jan Ethington of South Beloit has won the Fresh Wave air freshener giveaway.

In her e-mail, BTW, she said she lives on a farm raising sheep, horses and chickens. Plus she has two dogs in the house “so I think this product may have its work cut out for itself.”

Thanks to the 67 people who entered!

A freebie for the green thumbs

Add comment April 8th, 2009

I may be the “Go Green” woman, but the only plants that stay green in my house are fake ones.

Many of you, however, give your flowers and plants the proper love.

Enter Round 2 of my Earth Month giveaway. This time, it’s a planter drainage material called Better Than Rocks.

The 100 percent recycled plastic product is lightweight and reusable.

Why try this? It keeps soil in and lets water out — letting plants breathe. It also cuts down the amount of soil needed.

I have a 16″ x 96″ roll and three 12″ x 12″ twin packs to give away.

Better than Rocks is carried locally by Pepper Creek Florist in Cherry Valley.

I will draw a winner at random. Email me at jpollock@rrstar.com by noon Friday, April 17. I need your name, daytime phone number and city of residence in your note.

I’ll announce the Round 1 winner this Friday.