RSS Daily Man's Care

Fozzie Bears Headline O the Day

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Catholic Church to Columbia Pictures You Break Jesus You Buy Him

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Lawyers for the Catholic Church in Brazil are not happy with Columbia Pictures. The complaint: Columbia's depiction of the destruction of Rio's famous "Christ the Redeemer" statue in the studio's 2009 disaster film "2012."

Jesus, as it turns out, is copyrighted in Brazil.

THR, Esq. has the story:

Brazil uses a variation on U.S. copyright law, granting copyright to the author of a work until his death, then to his estate or heirs for another 70 years. Christ the Redeemer was created in 1931 by French artist Paul Landowski on commission from the Rio archdiocese. Landowski died in 1961, and the archdiocese says it holds copyright until 2032. ...
Columbia, on the other hand, tells [THR, esq.] it did get a license, just not from the church.

"Acting on a good faith belief that the estate of the sculptor of the statue held the copyright, we sought and received their permission to use the image in the movie," a studio rep told us. "We are currently in discussions with the archdiocese in hopes of reaching an agreement in this matter."

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Newsweeks Clifford Stoll Was No Nostradamus

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Three Word Chant! dug up a fun bit punditry failure from a February, 1995 article in Newsweek by science writer Clifford Stoll.

The title of the story: "The Internet? Bah!"

Some highlights:

The truth in [sic] no online database will replace your daily newspaper, no CD-ROM can take the place of a competent teacher and no computer network will change the way government works. ...
Yet Nicholas Negroponte, director of the MIT Media Lab, predicts that we'll soon buy books and newspapers straight over the Intenet. Uh, sure.

More prognostication:

Then there's cyberbusiness. We're promised instant catalog shopping-just point and click for great deals. We'll order airline tickets over the network, make restaurant reservations and negotiate sales contracts. Stores will become obselete [sic]. So how come my local mall does more business in an afternoon than the entire Internet handles in a month? Even if there were a trustworthy way to send money over the Internet-which there isn't-the network is missing a most essential ingredient of capitalism: salespeople.

Wow. Two typos and analysis that finds a way to make Bill Kristol look prescient by comparison. Unlike Kristol, though, Stoll at least seems to have realized the error of his thinking. According to his Wikipedia page, Stoll now makes a living selling glass Klein bottles on the Web.

H/T Unlikely Words

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Eric Cartman is Armed to the Teeth in Afghanistan

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

"South Park" fans may remember the episode shortly after 9/11, where Eric Cartman goes to Afghanistan and kills Osama Bin Laden Loony Tunes-style with a stick of Acme dynamite. Well, perhaps you missed it -- but employees of the much reviled private security force Blackwater seem to have been pretty fond of it. Senate hearings are currently underway to deal with Blackwater contractors who illegally stole weapons intended for Afghan security forces, and signed for them under the name "Eric Cartman."

From The Atlantic:

The Blackwater contractors--who were not licensed to carry arms in the country--apparently operated under the company name Paravant to escape scrutiny. They seem to have secured the weapons by checking them out under the name "Eric Cartman," which will be familiar to viewers of the cartoon show South Park.

The heavily armed contractors did a great job of demonstrating why they were barred from carrying guns, shooting two civilians and, at one point, another Blackwater contractor.

continued...

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Family Raising Funds for Cancer Stricken Stand and Deliver Teacher

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Jaime Escalante, the celebrated math teacher whose efforts were depicted in the 1988 movie "Stand and Deliver" is fighting cancer and has run out of money for his treatment.

The Daily Breeze reports:

Vanessa Marquez, who appeared in "Stand and Deliver," the 1988 film that dramatized Escalante's experience at Garfield High, said in an interview on Fox 11 that so far $5,000 has been raised toward the $30,000 needed by the family.

The cast members of "Stand and Deliver" are putting together a fund raiser. Contributions can be sent to "Friends of Jaime;" C/O FASE; 236 West Mountain Street; Suite 105; Pasadena, CA 91103. Those who wish to make a contribution by credit card can call (626) 793-5300

The Bolivian-born Escalante is 80 years old.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Italian Judicial Decision Could Change the Web as We Know It

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

An Italian court has ruled that Google is criminally responsible for the content it hosts on the Web -- a decision that Google spokespeople say could cause "the Web as we know it [to] cease to exist."

From the Salt Lake City Tribune:

Legal experts agreed the case raises troubling questions for all U.S. Internet companies that do business globally. "It absolutely is a threat," said Danny O'Brien, international outreach coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation of San Francisco.
"If intermediaries like Google or the person who hosts your Web site can be thrown in jail in any country for the acts of other people and suddenly have a legal obligation to pre-screen everything anyone says on their Web site before putting it online, the tools for free speech that everyone uses on the Net would grind to a halt."

A very interesting decision in a country with an allegedly corrupt Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who controls a preponderance of his nation's media holdings.

H/T Exiledonline

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

CJR Study Finds Speed Trumps Accuracy Online

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A study by the Columbia Journalism Review's Victor Navasky finds that, in the magazine world, the push to break news quickly on the Web outweighs the desire to maintain traditional standards of accuracy and precision.

After contacting over 3,000 magazines, and getting 665 responses, Navasky found that 35 percent of magazines don't fact check their online content with the same rigor they apply to their print articles. 59 percent of magazines don't apply print copy editing standards to their websites -- with 11 percent not copy editing at all. The study also finds that only about a third of magazine web sites manage to turn a profit.

The results of the study, as well as Navarsky's analysis, can be found here.

Having worked in both the print and online worlds, we here at FBLA want to go on record as saying we dont beleivez dis study atall. Interweb standarz is very high. We dont needz the help wit, the copyeditin;

Kthnxby.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

The Original Alice in Wonderland Movie

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The British Film Institute National Archive recently unveiled their restoration of the 1903 film. At 12 minutes this was the longest film to have been made in Britain at that time. There were no professional actors in the film - Alice herself was played by a studio secretary.

More info at the BFI website.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Was Variety Paid Off to Kill a Bad Movie Review?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Gawker's John Cook investigates Variety's decision to spike a bad review of "Iron Cross," shortly shortly after the paper booked $400,000 in ads to launch an Oscar campaign for the film.

Cook got his hands on this rather incriminating email from Iron Cross director Joshua Newton:

Robert Koehler is in fact not a staff writer for Variety and his views on the film are not shared by anyone else at that publication. One of the top staff journalists had been assigned to do a review after the Oscars campaign, but Koehler took it upon himself to review the film first and managed to sneak it into the publication. You can imagine the absolute embarrassment endured by Variety bearing in mind we have worked with them for months to develop an effective Oscars campaign. If you do a search, this will confirm that Variety have now deleted the article from the database. This is because Koehler's review was considered sloppy and grossly unfair and that he described the events in the film incorrectly.

Read the rest at Gawker.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Trade Talk 3/1/2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

"Avatar" took six honors at the Visual Effects Society Awards this past weekend -- The Hollywood Reporter

Christian Berger won the Annual American Society of Cinematographers award for "Best Cinematography" for "The White Ribbon" -- Indie Wire

Sacha Baron Cohen, Tina Fey among other funny folks tapped to present at this year's Academy Awards -- Variety

Jay Leno has been beaten up in recent months, but his prospects for late night success still look good -- The Wrap

AFTRA board approves plan to bargain jointly with SAG -- Deadline Hollywood

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Shilling for a Good Cause

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Good Magazine and Pepsi have recently launched a partnership to provide funding for "people, businesses, and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact." Normally, we here at FBLA aren't much for corporate shilling -- especially for something that sounds so vague and wishy-washy -- but this month the public space advocacy group cicLAvia is up for a grant, so we figured we'd chime in. CicLAvia wants to shut down seven miles of L.A. public streets on Sundays and turn them into makeshift parks and cycling lanes. This Fishie has a particular affinity for the group, having covered them for the L.A. Times last November.

Ventura County Star Opinion Page Editor Agrees to Buyout

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

After 15 years at the Ventura County Star, Marianne Ratcliff has taken a buyout and resigned from the paper. Ratcliff had served as the Opinion Page editor since 2001.

Former Star and current LA Observed cartoonist Steve Greenberg, who used to work with Ratcliff, blogs about her departure on his site at Cagle.com:

During my six and a half years there, she was unfailingly supportive, encouraging, cheerful and kind. She held onto optimistic viewpoints, whether it was about world events, national politics or the future of the Star itself, and she believes local newspapers will survive because people will always require "information without spin." ...
Marianne is a serious, thoughtful journalist. She always considered other people's opinions and gave much thought before she wrote anything, and always took her job, and journalism overall, seriously. She was never afraid to tackle controversial topics in print or take unpopular stands. At the same time, she was always kind of perky and enthusiastic, a fair-complexioned, wide-eyed Midwest-born woman who might remind one a bit of the "Emma Pillsbury" character on the TV series "Glee."

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Paper Cuts Reports Only 1031 Layoffs So Far This Year

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We'd like to see a total halt or even a reverse in jobs lost in the newspaper biz, but hey we'll take a slow down. With an average of only 500 layoffs a month so far this year, it's slower. In 2008 it was nearly 16,000 according to Erica Smith and her nifty Google map, Paper Cuts. In 2009 it was around 15,000 nationwide.

So either the economy is getting better or there's no one left in the newspaper business to layoff.

Our thanks to Ms. Smith for being obsessive about her project.

Previously on FBLA:

FBLA Interview With Paper Cut's Erica Smith

Erica Smith is Miffed at CNN for Misquoting Her Stats

FBLA Checks in with Erica Smith

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

A Really Bad Painting of Barack Obama

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Unlikely Words thinks the folks at badpaintingsofbarackobama.com should add this one to their gallery.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Hollywood Is Teh Suck For Women

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

That's according to a study of the 100 top-grossing films of 2007 conducted by USC's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. The study found that women are drastically under-represented in the industry - both in front of the camera and behind it. From the USC website:

The research, led by communication professor Stacy L. Smith and her team, showed that 29.9 percent of the 4,379 speaking characters identified in the films were female, while 83 percent of all directors, writers and producers were male.

We haven't seen any studies about it, but we're pretty sure the S.F. Valley's porn industry suffers from similar issues.

Pictured: Director Kathryn Bigelow

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Dwell Reports » Smokin Pots

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Miyoko Ohtake

Today’s planters are smarter than ever. They breathe, they drain, and some even light up. So whether your thumb is as green as the plants you’re pruning or as brown as the compost you feed them, your garden should grow with the help of these...

Dwellings » Fertile Grounds

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Sarah Rich

Nestled in an apple grove in Sebastopol, California, the Orchard House is a rural idyll. And with the voracious design appetites of a family of gastronomically inclined clients, this concrete prefab construction is quite literally a moveable feast of a home.

Week in Review » Friday Finds 2262010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Amanda Dameron

101 » 101 Being Green

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by James Nestor, Jennifer Roberts

Even for sustainability's greatest proponents, going green isn't necessarily a walk in the park. Dwell explores what it takes to be truly environmental.

Postcard » Living on Water Floating Villages

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Tiffany Chu

During my jaunt to Cambodia last month, when I was not hauling bricks to build an outdoor school kitchen with my studio, I had the chance to see a multitude of informal building in both urban and rural areas of the country. On one of our precious days off, we dashed off in tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and boats to explore the legendary floating villages on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap lake.

Out and About » Events this Weekend 22528

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Miyoko Ohtake

This weekend features openings and closing around the globe--from Toronto to Pittsburgh to Beijing--plus a one-day program we couldn't be more excited about: Edible Geography blogger Nicola Twilley and former Dwell senior editor Sarah Rich's first Foodprint NYC event.

What We Saw » Greening San Franciscos Old Mint

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Aaron Britt

Last year I had the chance to take a press preview of the Old Mint in San Francisco. It's right downtown, just opposite the San Francisco Chronicle, and though it's unused at present, it's set to become the home of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society. Nevermind that the building was awarded to the group some seven years ago, or that "Granite Lady" is still a good shot away from being ready for the public. The date I heard bandied about for opening was "2013" and the amount of cash needed to make up the rest of the budget was in the "tens of millions." That said, the Old Mint stands a chance to be one of the greenest museums on the books. Read the article here.

Conversation » No Early Birds

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Tiffany Orvet

Per Söderberg and Peter Simonsson are no spring chickens, though they are certainly No Early Birds. Bringing together over 20 years of combined experience in interior design, architecture and the fashion industry, the two old friends and collaborators launched their furniture company No Early Birds earlier this month at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. With plenty of stools and a brand new bench in their premier collection, we had no problem finding a convenient place to sit and get to know each other better. Here is what Per and Peter had to say about starting a business from scratch, as well as discussing the distinctive look and philosophy behind their brand-defining first pieces.

101 » Prefab Parlance

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Amanda Dameron

From Kynar and Galvalume to SIPs, the terminology associated with prefab construction can be daunting. We asked a handful of architects and designers to help us build a prefab glossary of the top terms and definitions related to modular housing, and we hope you’ll help us add to the list in the comments.

Bookshelf » The Philosophy of JuxtaposedPower

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

by Aaron Britt

At a party last year I was chatting with Mike Simonian of the San Francisco design firm Mike and Maaike. We were talking about a project of his from 2006: Juxtaposed:Religion, a curated, deftly designed bookshelf that comes replete with the founding texts of the world's major religions. He told me that he and his wife Maaike Evers were working on the next in the Juxtaposed series, only this time they were curious about power, not faith.As it happened an old friend of mine, Athmeya Jayaram, was standing with us. Athmeya is studying for a doctorate in political philosophy at UC Berkeley, he and Mike hit it off, and before long he was brought on to curate the texts on the new bookshelf, Juxtaposed:Power. I asked him about the process of choosing the books, and about how we imagine political power. It's a conversation we've had many times, usually at my house, after many drinks, and long after my wife has thrown in the towel and wandered off to bed.

25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It takes numerous hours for these creative and expressive ice sculptures to take form; yet these are temporary art forms that never miss to impress all. The beauty of these ice sculptures can last from mere minutes to months. Its primarily determined by the temperature in which these are kept. Generally ice sculptures are associated with special or extravagant events due to its temporary nature. These sculptures can be abstract or realistic and purely decorative or functional.

(Image credit: icesculpture).

(Image credit: blahmni).

(Image credit: mpcsoden).

(Image credit: eisbeertje).

(Image credit: kasiaflickr).

(Image credit: kasiaflickr).

(Image: Credit).

(Image: Credit).

(Image credit: eskimoice).
(Image credit: icesculpture).

(Image: Credit).

(Image credit: iceimpressions).
(Image credit: athoos).

(Image credit: davesgotophotos).

(Image credit: icealaska).

(Image credit: simonsonjh).

(Image credit: eisbeertje).

(Image: Credit).

(Image credit: iceimpressions).

(Image credit: richbarlund).

(Image credit: athoos).

(Image: Credit).

(Image: Credit).

Other Posts:
Ice Flowers.
Nature's Ice Show, Part 2.
Icebergs Comes In Stripes.
Ice & Snow Sculptures: Part - 3.
Ice Installation by Nele Azevedo.

15 Cool Mac Laptop Stickers

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

What makes your MacBook stand out from the rest? If you want it to stand out or separate yourself from other Apple laptop users, then these stickers will help you to customize your laptop.

Mr. Caterpillar Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Do not tease Mr. Caterpillar guys, he is busy with his lunch and he may become agitated. Well, at least now you know what happened to the missing part of your apple!'

Image Selection Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Select, resize, move, copy and paste! How would you like to modify your apple?'

Snow White Mac Laptop Sticker: An interesting one which makes it look like Snow White is holding the Apple logo.

Apple History Laptop Sticker: 'Only a few know that at the beginning the apple was full. Then someone took a bite, another bite, and then again another…'

Tictactoe Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Okay, who's the Joker who filled in the apple? You Are!'

Applecharlie Laptop Sticker: 'Ah, nostalgia of silent movies in black and white, when a glance was enough to excite!'

My Headphones Mac Laptop Sticker: For those who dedicated their lives to music.

Pulp Fiction Mac Laptop Sticker: Put Jules on your Apple laptop.

Squirrel Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Give this squirrel a home on your laptop. It playfully chomps down on your apple logo and forgets about it's other nuts.'

Iron man Mac Laptop Sticker: Apple logo creatively used as the light panel for the Iron man armor.

Snow White's Revenge Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the baddest girl of them all?'

Magpie Mac Laptop Sticker: 'Watch out, sparkling objects attract these mischievous birds and your apple could fly away from you!'

iColors Mac Laptop Sticker:

FLCL Mac Laptop Sticker:

Cat Is On The Prowl Mac Laptop Sticker: 'It's about to make a snack out of your apple logo that's posing as a fish.'

Other Posts:
Private Moon.
Zipper Inspired Designs.
Awesome Interactive Drawings.
Which Of These Belt Buckle Suits Your Style.
Make Three-Dimensional Snowflakes With Paper.
Did You Happen To See Any Of These Bus Stops.

Art Papier By DM

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We have seen the paper work created by Callesen, and now we present to you the work of the French artist 'DM', whose creations we are sure will impress you. 'DM' has been a photographer and a visual illustrator director for over 25 years now and wanted to create something simple yet not related to technology. During his search, he found the perfect material to use as his medium to express his ideas - 'white paper'. It's clean and easily manageable but you need to know how to convey your creativity and feelings using it. The choice seems to be simple and natural as he has been using the paper for printing his photographs in books, calendars and posters. Apart from this there was a special reason for him to choose paper; since his childhood he handled paper with comfort and ease and at the age of 57 he had another opportunity to relive those memories of his childhood.
As a true professional, for the past 14 months; he cuts, folds and glues the white paper to build the fragile creation of art. His works are in the form of little scene graphs allowing an immediate understanding. He draws his inspiration from things in life, trying to symbolize them up in his visual discourse.
Between the initial idea and its final achievement, it may take several weeks. He finds his graphics (often from photos) and then simplifies it to be adapted for cutting, folding and sculpting. These creations sometimes take up to 70 hours and he uses Canson paper (mainly Montval 185 gr) for his creations. Here is rest of his artwork - link.

(Image credit: artpapier).
360 ° View of his studio | 360 ° View of the exhibition | Photo Black & White.

Other Posts:
Toast Art.
World At Night.
Funny Road Signs.
Houses With A Difference.
Interesting Vehicles From Russia.
How To Be Invisible On Streets.

Tape As Art Medium

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A collection of impressive works of art created using duct, electrical, packing and masking tape.

Street Art With Masking Tape By Buff Diss: Melbourne based artist Buff Diss uses masking tape to create this awesome street art.

Tape Installations by Rebecca Ward: These installations are site-specific works that are dependent upon the space they occupy. Utilizing the existing lines, and angles, each piece created is informed by the individual site and its unique linear placement. These installations are inherently architectural. And here is the rest of the interesting work - gallery.

(Image credit: behance).
Tape Sculptures by Mark Jenkins: These street installations are created using box sealing tape by American artist Mark Jenkins. Most widely known for the street installations, his work has been featured in various publications.

(Image credit: simonswork).
Packing Tape Art: This is the artworkof Mark Khaisman, artist based in Philadelphia who creates artwork from brown packing tape. 'I work on the light easel, applying translucent brown packing tape on clear Plexiglas panels, the layers built up to create degrees of opacity.'

1700 Squirrels: This is a drawing of 1700 squirrels created by one person working from 8am to 10pm for fourteen days in a row. It was done using ¼ inch flatback tape and he tried to draw each of these squirrels in their own unique poses.

Wall Art Made With Electrical Tape: 'Woody Allen black electrical tape portrait'.

Duct Tape Art: Artist Joe Girandola created these amazing duct tape art by keeping minute details in mind. Though Joe is classically trained as a stone carver in Italy, but he has veered away from the media, concentrating on three-dimensional drawings and paintings using a variety of materials. And one of his medium of choice is Duct Tape. His drawings using various colors of tape reflects ingenuity and creativity.

Other Posts:
Skin Art.
Catch The Sun.
Feather Paintings.
Paintings On Leaves.
Working Without Proper Tools.
Runways From All Over The World.

25 Cool And Creative Coin Banks

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Most of the change banks just sit on your desk and look unattractive. If you are getting bored by the conventional coin bank and need something new for saving your coins this might help. We have here a collection of cool, creative and modern coin banks which will allow you to save money in style. We are sure these would be a whole lot more fun than putting your pocket change in the coin jar. Saving change was never so much fun.

Ceramic Jar Coin Bank: Another one from Artlebedev's Studio; a white marker is supplied as part of the kit, so you could draw the savings goal on the jar. After it's full, just drop it and take the money and buy what you've planned.

Face Bank: This creative bank eats and saves your coins,

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6ACvHlG4Bg">Watch the "Face Bank" Video on Youtube</a>

Mini Arcade Coin Bank: This mini-machine is actually a coin bank that encourages you to deposit coins in exchange for games. Every time you drop a coin, you start of a new game.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UCIRoJTII ">Watch the "Mini Arcade Coin Bank" Video on Youtube</a>

Credit Card Saving Bank: Using this one, you can deposit a preset amount of money to your private bank account. All you need to do is slide the credit card through the card reader in ceramic bank and the software will connect directly to your private bank account and the preset amount of money will be deposited in your account.

Robby The Robot Coin Bank: Its one of the all-time coolest robots in the world of SF. Robby's a coin bank now, it accepts and even counts your coins.

Money Rolls Coin Bank: Let the money roll in this one, its more fun.

Money Savvy Coin Bank: With this one the personal finance education starts at a young age. It has four compartments - save, invest, spend……..

Compulsory Coin Addition Bank: It will wait for you to add coins to it every day, if not, it'll send coins all over your desktop. Plus it got an interesting shape and seems to act like it too.

His/Her Money Bank: This seems to come out from real life. Even if the coins are put in his bank, it will still drop down to her bank.

Bottle Top Coin Bank: Fix it on to the top of any bottle and it counts every coin that goes through it but it only counts 1 yen coins.

Coin Bank: Creation of Revol-Design, coins are dropped into the top which gets collected in between the two glass pieces and they stay there until you unlock and empty it.

Digital Counting Money Jar: This smart jar counts every coin that goes through it and sums up your total deposits and displays them on the screen.

Spend/Save Coin Bank: This one makes collection interesting by rewarding you one way or the other with every deposit.

Glass Break Money Box: The only way you can retrieve the money is by breaking the glass.

Coin Factory Bank: You can insert up to 3 coins at a time, press the start button and watch as each coin travels individually. Once the coins are safe, it automatically shuts off the bank, waiting for the next coin to be deposited.

Starwars Dark Lord Coin Bank: With this one pinching those pennies will never be the same again.

Clock Coin Bank: So what makes this one special? It won't stop ringing until you insert some money in it.

Glass Coin Bank: You can deposit the coins from the top and there is a removable wooden snout for easy money withdrawal.

Coin Lamp: The lamp is set to predetermined time by an internal mechanism, which is turned on by a switch by putting a coin.

Save Money Clock: 'Time is money - if you want to save money, then make sure you do it in time.'

Fill 'er Up Coin Bank: 'Put a few coins aside for a rainy day and watch the gauge inch its way upward. Before you know it, you'll have a full tank!'

Coin Counting Bank: Similar to the above one, it counts every coin that goes through it and sums up your total deposits and displays them on screen.

Coin Block Bank: Cool coin bank inspired by the famous videogame.

Biaugust's Coin Bank: Interesting shaped coin bank by designers Owen and Cloud.

Goldenegg Coin Bank: Design by Jansen+co, and inspired by the fable of the Goose with the Goldenegg by Aesop.

Other Posts:
Crayons Portrait.
Making Of Drain Covers.
Creativity With Plastic Bottles.
Ramenskoye's Painted Houses.
Why Never Leave Kids Alone!
Interesting Toilet Signs From Around The World.

One Tablespoon Deep Fryer

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We know that doctors always advise us to eat healthily, and that would leave often delicious fried food down at the bottom of the list, with fresh fruits and vegetables taking up the top spot in terms of consumption. Ah well, if you want to get the best of both worlds, how about considering the One Tablespoon Deep Fryer? After all, it justifies your fears by making up to 2 lbs. of crisp, succulent fried food using only one tablespoon of oil – now how about that? Hammacher is offering the One Tablespoon Deep Fryer for $299.95.

The nominal amount of oil results in french fries with only 3% fat–far superior to the 14% fat content of conventionally deep-fried potatoes. An internal convection oven heats to 338º F and evenly circulates hot air to cook chicken wings, shrimp, or spring rolls with the same crunchy exterior and moist interior produced by conventional deep fryers. Food slowly revolves around the nonstick basin while an integrated paddle automatically turns and mixes ingredients with the oil and other seasonings to ensure even cooking. Virtually all of the cooking oil is absorbed by the food, eliminating the hassle of disposing of large quantities of used oil. The device does not require any preheating, it has a timer, and its cover, cooking basin, and paddle are dishwasher safe.

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ One Tablespoon Deep Fryer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Lego Star Wars Foosball Table

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Now how cool is that – a Lego Star Wars Foosball Table which sees all of the foosmen being replaced by Lego Star Wars mini-figs? Imagine that, and more – this epic table is a definite win since the whole table itself is made out of Lego bricks – yes, you read that right. The entire table is one fantasy piece of Lego land, and we’re just stoked to see and read about the dedication of some people on this planet who are able to come up with some amazing things from time to time when one puts their heart, mind and soul to it, with this being one of them. When will a Star Trek version come out to appease those Trekkies?

Source: Craziest Gadgets

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Lego Star Wars Foosball Table copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

VMODA rolls out Remix Remote headphones

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Headphones are a very personal thing, and depending on the type of person you are, you might choose something discrete while others prefer something much more flashy. Well, V-MODA has recently rolled out its Remix Remote, a fashion-forward in-ear headphone that boasts unrivaled audio performance partnered with an integrated three-button remote. This was developed via V-MODA’s meticulous acoustics and engineering team, making the Remix Remote a completely redesigned version of the company’s original in-ear headphones, where its main focus is to create an enhanced listening experience and dynamics of today’s music while making sure it also performs gangbusters on the iPhone, iPod and Mac notebooks.

Don’t be mistaken – despite its relatively small size, the Remix Remote was designed for ultimate durability, unparalleled audio clarity and absolute affordability, making it a testament to V-MODA’s capability when it comes to sound development and precise construction for even the most discerning listener. You will find a remastered driver within as well as a redesigned soft silicone fittings that were specially developed to enhance ergonomic and audio performance. With perfect balance of punchy bass and high-definition audio clarity, your collection of MP3s will never sound the same again. As for the remote and high fidelity microphone, this enables one to experience hands-free access when it comes to answering calls as well as controlling one’s audio library. Made from an all-metal construction with Kevlar-reinforced cables, each purchase of the Remix Remote comes with a two-year premium warranty and V-MODA’s “No Questions Asked” 50 percent off lifetime headphone replacement guarantee.

It is interesting to note that the Remix Remote comes with an easy-to-use integrated three-button remote control which will play nice with the iPhone 3GS, the second generation iPod touch, fourth and fifth generation iPod nano, third generation iPod shuffle, the 120GB and 160GB iPod classic, MacBook (unibody) and MacBook Pro (unibody). Expect to pick up V-MODA’s Remix Remote for $99.99 a pop.

Press Release

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ V-MODA rolls out Remix Remote headphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Palm releases webOS 14

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

At long last, the folks over at Palm has decided to do something about their webOS by releasing a most timely update, this time round bringing the version number up to webOS 1.4. You won’t need to make a trip to any store if you want to install the update since this will come across as an over-the-air (OTA) update, and is readily available for customers who are subscribed to the Sprint network in the US, while folks living on the other side of the pond will be able to get it as well assuming they’re under the O2 UK, O2 DE, O2 Ireland and Movistar umbrellas. As for Palm webOS smartphones which are available on other networks, expect the update to roll out in a short while. What’s so great about webOS 1.4? Well, why not head over to the extended post to find out?

webOS 1.4 introduces the ability to capture, edit, and share video, letting you upload your footage to YouTube or Facebook after making a quick edit to make you look as flattering as possible. Apart from that, you can also send those videos and images through email or MMS using but a couple of taps. With the world being such a fast paced place these days, being more productive is also another way of describing webOS 1.4 since it allows you to get more done within a shorter span of time, thanks to new features thrown into the Calendar, Phone, Messaging, and Email apps which simplify common tasks after taking into consideration feedback from their customers. Take for example, the Calendar app lets you dial a number that appears in the subject of an appointment. As for the Email app, you are now able to sort by date, sender, and subject.

Apart from that, your webOS-powered smartphone will also be the recipient of enhanced notifications, as the LED in the gesture area now lights up and pulses if you have a notification even is the display is turned off. This allows you to customize notification sounds in Messaging, Email (on an account-by-account basis), and Calendar. Additional notification sounds have been thrown in the ringtones library for a more customizable approach. Anyone given it a go yet, and how do you find it?

Palm Blog

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Palm releases webOS 1.4 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 26Feb2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Feb-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

LED table looks absolutely cool

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The next time Ikea holds a sale, you might want to hold that purchase off for a while, especially after you have set your eyes on this delectable LED table. Sure, many things have gone the way of LED these days including monitors, but this is one table that will surely capture the imagination and attention of whoever drops by your place, with its effect even more pronounced under soft lighting (or none at all). There is a price to pay for this Ingo Maurer inspired piece of tech-furniture – to the tune of a whopping $23,175. The tablet itself comprises of a laminated safety glass and metal bits and pieces, with 278 white LEDs within each table top that are capable of emitting light both ways. It is powered by 48 volts DC and relies on an external ballast for the possibility of dimming.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ LED table looks absolutely cool copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Yoke Shopper

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Love going shopping, but hate the fact that you are not one of the footballing elite’s wife or girlfriend, and hence do not have someone to carry all your shopping for you? Fret not, this is what the Yoke Shopper is for – offering hands-free shopping without having to experience the pain of handles cutting into your palms. Perfect for those suffering from arthritis, this small and compact £12.95 purchase allows you to tote around multiple bags, freeing up your hands to do other stuff. All you need to do is hook your bags through the Yoke Shopper, press the button and pull out the shoulder strap. Wear the shoulder strap over your body and you’re good to go – now how about that!

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Yoke Shopper copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

HP rolls out first multitouchenabled tablet

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We all know that going the multitouch route is somewhere many hardware manufacturers have already headed, and HP does not want to be left behind with the introduction of their first multitouch-enabled tablet which targets business users as well as notebook PCs which are tailored for both enterprise and small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Known as the HP EliteBook 2740p as pictured above, this ultra-thin, multitouch-enabled convertible tablet offers an interactive experience for businesses in health care, education, sales and more, while there is also another HP EliteBook 2540p ready to hit the market, making it the lightest EliteBook notebook from HP to date with a starting weight of 3.3 pounds. As for the HP ProBook standard series (s-series) notebook, there will be a quartet of models of the high-performing series debuting which comes in a new design and sophisticated colors for everyday computing.

We will concentrate most on the HP EliteBook 2740p as it boasts an offering of standard voltage Intel processors, merging the power and reliability of an HP business notebook PC with the flexibility of a tablet to make it suitable for folks who are always on-the-go. It has a starting weight of 3.8 pounds which will comprise of a 12.1″ diagonal LED display, while those with a little bit more cash can always opt for the outdoor-view display with less reflection and a higher contrast for easier viewing in natural light. Thanks to its touchscreen option, you can get more work done intuitively in a faster manner based on your choice of input methods. Expect to use the full array of known multitouch gestures, finger taps and swipes across the display as you navigate through applications and menus, while checking out your daily dose of gadget news here. You can choose from a wide range of battery solutions for lightweight configurations, while those who want more run time can always pick up the optional HP 2700 Ultra-Slim Battery that provides up to 11 hours when working in tandem with the standard battery.

To further enhance its capability, the HP 2740 Ultra-Slim Expansion Base is an optional purchase that allows users to dock their notebook to utilize peripherals without requiring to plug and unplug constantly. The 2740p is specially engineered to meet the tough MIL-STD 810G military-standard tests for vibration, dust, humidity, altitude, and high and low temperatures. Prices start from $1,599 upwards as it hits the US from April onwards.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ HP rolls out first multitouch-enabled tablet copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 28Feb2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 28-Feb-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

SuperSkin could help save lives

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Fancy going fast on a motorcycle? Well, the thrill of speeding down the freeway on a two-wheeler with the wind blowing against your face is definitely something one should experience at least once throughout their lifetimes. Unfortunately, there are some quarters who literally throw caution to the wind by taking safety very lightly, which could not only endanger their lives but that of others. Needless to say, wearing a helmet is something everyone should do whenever they go out on a bicycle or motorcycle, and this is where the SuperSkin comes in handy.

Folks who wear an ordinary one are still prone to a potentially lethal injury that standard issue helmets do not protect against – rotational injury, which is also known as intracerebral shearing. Whenever a rider’s helmet hits the road, its rigid shell will catch against the pavement and causes the helmet to very rapidly twist around. This in effect causes the rider’s head to twist with the helmet, but it happens so fast that the brain is not quite able to keep up even though it is one of the most complex computers on earth, moving a few milliseconds after the skull it’s contained in. The result of this would be the shearing of nerves and blood vessels, resulting in disabilities or perhaps even death. Lazer Helmets aims to avoid this potential tragedy with their SuperSkin helmet which is touted to reduce the risk of this injury by almost 70%.

SuperSkin comprises of an elastic membrane which covers the outside of the helmet. It comes with a gel lubricant underneath which helps it slide against the helmet’s hard shell. The whole idea behind this is when a SuperSkin helmet hits the road, its membrane will catch the pavement, twist around, and tear away. As for the helmet itself, it will obviously still move, but this happens only once those initial milliseconds of energy have been absorbed by the membrane. Basically, it is modeled after the way the scalp slides against the skull.

Source: Gizmag

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ SuperSkin could help save lives copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Corsair rolls out Reactor Series and Nova Series SolidState Drives

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

When it comes to data storage for your massive collection of audio and video files, many people traditionally turn to the hard drive as their storage medium of choice, although that trend is slowly but surely changing thanks to the introduction of Solid-State Drives (SSDs), and as prices start to tumble even further from their once stratospheric heights, we can be pretty sure that more people will jump aboard the SSD bandwagon without having the worry of the cost factor hanging over their heads. Corsair, a household name and worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, has just announced the expansion of their Reactor Series and Nova Series by adding more members to its family of SSDs. Regardless of whether you decide to settle on the Nova Series or on the Reactor Series, you are more or less assured that the performance benefits of solid-state technology will be made available to you at an attractive cost per gigabyte. We’ll take a closer look at both right after the jump.

First off, the Reactor Series. This range will come in 60GB and 120GB drive capacities – not exactly monster amounts when compared to regular hard drives where 500GB is the norm, but you do gain a performance boost which we’ll look at later. The Reactor Series was built using the new JMicron JMF612 controller, where this second-generation controller from JMicron incorporates 128MB of DDR2 cache memory for stutter-free performance. In addition, the 120GB Reactor Series SSD is no slouch when it comes to performance, delivering speeds of up to 250MB/s read and 170MB/s write, while the 60GB Reactor Series SSD features speeds up to 250MB/s read and 110 MB/s write.

As for the Nova Series, this range was constructed using the popular Indilinx Barefoot controller with 64MB of cache memory, and will come in a slightly different range of 64GB and 128GB drive capacities. The 128GB Nova Series SSD can hit speeds of up to 270MB/second read and 190MB/second write, while the 64GB Nova Series SSD is similar to its larger sibling in terms of read speed, although the write speed is slower at 130MB/s write. Both series of SSDs will be able to fully support the TRIM command in Microsoft Windows 7 operating systems that maintains optimal performance over the lifetime of the drives automatically.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Corsair rolls out Reactor Series and Nova Series Solid-State Drives copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Samsung throws in Skype in new LED TVs

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Samsung first previewed their new line of LED TVs for the year 2010 at CES earlier last month, and among the many new-fangled features which Samsung touted was the ability for the TV To support Skype video calls, although a demonstration on the showfloor wasn’t really impressive due to the choppy video and stuttering audio. Still, it is a start, and we can expect full HD video calls in the next couple of years or so, eh? Back to reality for the moment though – Samsung and Skype have merged powers to deliver new Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 series models of 2010 high-definition televisions, where each unit will sport embedded Skype software that enables Skype users to make video and voice calls through the TVs. These new TVs are already available in South Korea, and expect them to hit the rest of the world sometime in the first half of the year.

Guess the regular HDTV is slowly but surely becoming a one-stop entertainment center for everyone in the living room. Both the Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 series televisions will sport Samsung’s free Internet@TV service that enables one to access select online content. As long as you are hooked up to a decent Internet connection on your TV, you can also easily attach a FREETALK TV Camera for Samsung that is provided by In Store Solutions (ISS). The inclusion of this camera will make it possible to place and receive voice calls and High Quality Video calls. All voice calls will rely on Skype’s SILK audio codec that is capable of enabling super-wideband audio quality.

The use of TVs’ remote controls is required for consumers to create free Skype accounts, although we think a much more convenient method would be to come up with your account creation over the computer due to the presence of a computer keyboard and mouse that makes filling up online forms a whole lot faster and easier. After all, it is safe to say that most, if not all of us already have a Skype account, eh? Following that, log into your account and navigate via a simple Skype interface accessible on the televisions’ screens. All Skype video calls will be free as usual, while voice calls are between Skype users.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Samsung throws in Skype in new LED TVs copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Greenlight Bikes offers ebikes

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There are many ways and methods to consider if you love going green in your lifestyle, so where do you start? For most of us, it would probably involve considering a greener mode of transportation, and that can be achieved changing to a smaller capacity vehicle or even using public transport always, with a bicycle to help get you around. What happens when you live in hilly areas like San Francisco, and you don’t want to end up at work as though you just ran a marathon with sweat dripping all over? Why not consider Greenlight Bikes’ line of Kalkhoff bicycles and e-bikes that are due to hit North America. Just in case Kalkhoff doesn’t ring a bell, this company is one of Europe’s largest and most recognized bicycle brands.

For example, anyone who is all dressed up for work might want to take full advantage of the power-assist system, and those who are riding to improve fitness might wish to rely more heavily upon their own strength and effort. These pedal-assist electric bicycles are also known as pedelecs or e-bikes, where they rely on an electric motor to supplement the power a rider applies to the pedals, resulting in a smooth, predictable boost. It works in pretty much the same way as that of a standard bicycle, albeit throwing in elements of ease, fun and efficiency whenever you run errands, commute or ride for pleasure.

You know how Europeans and the Americans love to be different from each other despite sharing similar roots? Well, the same applies to these bicycles – most e-bikes Stateside use either front- or rear-powered hubs and many of which require the use of a throttle. As for the Kalkhoff pedelec system, it will seamlessly apply power from the center-mounted electric motor directly to the bicycle’s drive train. The level of motor assistance depends on the amount of power the rider generates while pedaling. The inclusion of a torque sensor continuously measures the rider’s power output, while the motor delivers a pre-selected percentage of additional assistance ranging from 50% to 150% on top of what the rider is capable of producing, helping you reach your destination sweat-free or tackle difficult hilly slopes without panting away. Capable of lasting up to 50 miles per charge, these electric bikes range from $2,499 to $3,399 in terms of pricing.

Press Release

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Greenlight Bikes offers e-bikes copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Squeezebox Radio Accessory Pack

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Do you happen to own a Logitech Squeezebox Radio? Well, you might want to consider an accessory for it which comes in the form of the Squeezebox Radio Accessory Pack. This is one way for you to truly experience a wireless way to enjoy music from your Squeezebox Radio, where this unique piece of hardware allows you to place your Squeezebox Radio just about anywhere you want as long as you remain within the umbrella of a Wi-Fi network, regardless of whether you are at home or outside (again, that depends on the range of your Wi-Fi network as well as the overall size of your home). All this without being tethered by a boring old power cord – now how about that! The Squeezebox Radio Accessory Pack is capable of lasting up to half a dozen hours on the go, and will juice up your precious Squeezebox Radio when plugged in. Whenever you unplug it, you will switch to battery power instantly and automatically without missing a literal beat, so there is no worries about your tunes skipping or losing connectivity because of the lack of juice.

The Squeezebox Radio Accessory Pack will comprise of a rechargeable battery and a compact remote control, where the latter is useful for those who love planting their rear end on a La-Z-Boy without having to get up after that. Interested in picking one up? The accessory pack is available now for $49.99 a pop, and if you happen to live across the pond, you are a little bit more unfortunate since it will cost you the equivalent amount, save for the fact that it is in the Euro denomination. Basically, if you are making a trip over Stateside, you might want to pick it up there to save on the exchange rate, but otherwise you will just have to be happy forking out a wee bit more. As for folks living outside of Europe and the US, too bad – supplies are limited to Squeezebox Radio owners in both regions only.

Before you get this though, make sure your Squeezebox Radio has been upgraded to software release 7.4.2. If you’re a MySqueezebox.com user, your Squeezebox Radio will notify you to perform a software upgrade so no worries there. As for Squeezebox Server users, you will need to download software release 7.4.2 beforehand.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Squeezebox Radio Accessory Pack copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Faceless Watch

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Of all the watches I’ve come across, this is probably one of the strangest out there. It has straight forwards hands, and convenient notches to help you read the time. Really, while it is strange, it is extremely straightforward as far as reading the time goes. Which to me is perfectly fine. I wouldn’t want to deal with a watch that you can barely read on a regular basis. The big twist with this watch is that the back of it is completely clear.

It’ll show through every last one of your arm hairs. Making it even more true when you say the time is a hair past a freckle. I’m not sure that I’d want my arm featured so much that it’s the backing to my watch, but maybe you’re proud of the way your wrists look. You might have to wait a while to get your hands on one of these though. As of now they’re just a concept design by Jihun Yeom.

Source: Likecool

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Faceless Watch copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

USB Easter Egg Lights

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Well, Valentine’s Day has passed and we’re onto the next holiday. It wouldn’t be a holiday if it didn’t come with a few ridiculous gadgets that you never knew you needed. These USB lights might just look like over-sized Christmas lights, but they are in fact brightly colored Easter eggs. I have a sneaking suspicion that they probably pass them off as Christmas lights when it’s December though.

These lights come in a cluster of 8 and are filled with shiny LED lights. Each one of those LED lights is capable of changing into 12 different colors. Just plug it into your USB port and away it’ll go. It’s pretty basic stuff. Just keep checking on USB Brando and you’re bound to own a USB gadget for every random holiday out there. You can purchase the set for $13 through USB Brando.

Source: GeekAlerts

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ USB Easter Egg Lights copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Lego Digital Camera

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Whether you’re looking for a camera for your kids or just a quirky camera for yourself, this would do the trick. It’ll take all of the same shots a normal camera would, it just does it with more class. It takes work to be as cool as someone carrying around a Lego digital camera. Sure, it is a bit of a small screen, but it would still get the job done just fine.

It has Lego bricks on the top and bottom that could allow for the camera to be attached to other Lego structures. Beyond that it has a whole lot of the typical features. Things like a built-in flash, fixed focus and a lithium-ion battery. It also comes with 4x digital zoom, 128MB that makes it possible to hang onto 80 photos and an 1.5” LCD screen. You can purchase it for £49.99 or about $76 through I Want One Of Those.

Source: Bookofjoe

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Lego Digital Camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 27Feb2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 27-Feb-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Pet Pooch Power System cleans up pet waste

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Absolutely no one enjoys cleaning up the yard after their dog has left several presents for you. It’s not just the manual labor. You’re taking time to clean up dog poop, which isn’t exactly a fun task. Well this gadget will at least keep you from having to crouch on the ground. If it makes an obnoxious chore just a little bit easier, it might be worth the investment.

It has a vacuum that sucks up all of you pet’s droppings into a biodegradable waste bag. It is completely cordless and even if it dies, it has a 6 foot long charging cord. It’ll take a little while for it to run out of juice though, on a single charge it’ll work up to 150 times. When you purchase the 120V system you’ll receive 10 of those bags and after you run out you can purchase more of them in quantities of 50 for $19.50 or 100 for $35.50. You can purchase the Pet Pooch Power System itself for $99.50 through FrontGate.

Source: OhGizmo

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Pet Pooch Power System cleans up pet waste copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Weather Station Keychain

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Instead of having to wait until you’re around a computer to check the news, now you can have a keychain to help you out. Sure, those of you who have smart phones can always check the weather while you’re on the go, but for those that don’t this is an affordable solution. It’ll keep you up to date on the forecast, plus it has other functions to make life a little easier for you.

In addition to giving you things like the min/max temperature and humidity it has other small features as well. Things like an alarm clock with a snooze function, a calendar with date, day and year display, and a moon phase chart. You’ll also find a built-in compass and an LED flashlight. You can purchase it for $24.99.

Source: TechFresh

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Weather Station Keychain copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Preview Gay Africa

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

On Sunday the socially conscious will get a chance to have their little grey cells both stimulated and entertained at an event organised in partnership with English PEN.

The evening, titled Gay Africa, will offer a chance to discuss some of the issues surrounding human rights on the continent, following a recent rise in institutional homophobia in various countries.

In Cameroon and Ivory Coast, the press has indulged in witch-hunts against prominent suspected gay men; in Uganda and Rwanda, the laws against gay people are being revised and strengthened (to the point of calling for the death penalty); in Malawi and Senegal, they imprison gay men for holding parties; in Nigeria, they ban all meeting and support for LGBT people; even South Africa, where same sex marriage is legal, is not immune to problems.

About twenty activists, campaigners and artists will try, through discussion panels and performance poetry, to answer some of the following questions and more: How far does the American Christian Right support homophobia in Africa? Is South Africa a shinning example of human rights or special case? Do activists and the media in the West help or hinder African lesbians and gays? How does what's happening in Africa impact on LGBT people throughout the world?

There will also be a screening of two short films: Souljah by Rikki Beadle-Blair and Young Black & Gay by Dean Atta.

The event is free and will take place on Sunday 28 February between 4 and 8pm at Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA. Find out more here and on the facebook event.

Londonist Behind The Lens ProphecyBlur

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A series celebrating the talent of our friends over in the Londonist Flickr pool. Here, they introduce themselves and share their favourite London shots. Today, introducing ProphecyBlur:

I’ve had a passion for photography as long as I can remember. However it wasn’t until last year when my girlfriend bought me a photography lesson for my birthday that I finally realised maybe I could do it for myself. Most of my photography is in and around London’s Docklands where I live and work. In particular I like the old, decaying and rusting signs of the old docks and the stark contrast they have with the shiny clean modernity of the banking hub it has become today.

After my initial enthusiasm I found myself taking my camera out less and less as the year progressed. I realised I needed to find myself some structure and discipline if I was to improve as a photographer. With this in mind on November 27th I started my ‘Project 365’ requiring me to take and post a photograph each day for a year. The goal was simple, to get me out taking photos, to improve my eye for photography, and force me to keep looking and experimenting with the world around me.

To have any chance of completing this project I knew I needed a camera with me at all times. With this in mind I bought myself the Canon Powershot S90 and have been amazed at the results achievable with such a small pocket camera. It has allowed me to become more playful, experimental, spontaneous and enthusiastic with my photography. I have selected some of my favorite photographs from my Project 365 so far to include with this post.

I am still learning and developing my style of photography, with the ambition someday to be able to exhibit my work publicly. I’m currently only 90 days into my challenge, and am already much more deliberate and focused than I was when I started. You can follow me on my journey at prophecyblur.com or on Flickr where I have found the support and encouragement of others a great motivation to keep going.

Explore more at ProphecyBlur's Flickrstream and website.

Vertical Rush 2010 We Did It!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

On Thursday morning we made it to the top of Tower 42 for Shelter's Vertical Rush. Puffed out, cheeks aglow, thighs burning and sweat dripping we wondered if our lungs were genuinely bleeding or whether the air con was particularly evil up there. The view was amazing, according to these pictures, but frankly we just wanted to rehydrate and sit down.

Special congratulations to our James, the one team member deranged enough to have done it last year and want to do it again. He scored a new PB being an impressive 48 seconds faster at 7m 20s. Dean and Craig were close behind, with the ladies bringing up the rear, taking the enormously sensible "steady pace, smiling face" approach. Everyone clocked in under 11m 19s with no reported ill after effects. All that training paid off, then.

The fastest time was 4m 54s. Gobsmacking.

At the evening reception we were disappointed not to scoop the prize for best fundraising team, being pipped at the post by about £90 from totals registered the night before. But who needs prizes when you have the warm glow of satisfaction at a daft but gruelling challenge successfully nailed and over £2000 raised for Shelter? Um, we do. So we drank lots of wine and snaffled their breadsticks.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us. Those of you who forgot, pledged and didn't pay or were waiting for your wages you can still top up our totals at our Justgiving page. Please do!

Many thanks to John who was a volunteer steward at the event and took some amazing photos for us. You can see more pictures on his Flickrstream.

Live Review Shearwater @ Scala

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Writing songs about sex, drugs and rock n roll is so last century. At least that’s the impression you get from Austin’s Shearwater. Named after a species of seabird their songs explore the fragility and the beauty of the natural world. They’re not just tapping into the green zeitgeist., however, singer Jonathan Meiburg is a graduate of ornithology and has spent years researching endangered species.

There aren’t many bands who are writing songs about the environment and it gives Shearwater a quirky and intense edge. Recent album The Golden Archipelago is a concept album about life on islands and documents Meiburg’s travels to the Falklands and Madagascar.

The songs translate well in a live setting. The breadth of dynamics and the range of instrumentation create a lush density that compliments the natural landscapes described in the lyrics. Leviathan Bound is a grand opus that describes an air-raid attack on a natural habitat whilst Hidden Lakes laments the rising sea levels with an icy and spooky sound. The band are all multi-instrumentalists, swapping them throughout and you sense that they take their songs and the subject matter very seriously.

The intensity of the songs is mainly due to Meiburg’s rich vocal range, which on Century Eyes is full of guttural anger over the affect of war on the natural world to the haunting Snow Leopard where his voice almost whispers next to the xylophone accompaniment. The band say little but the sense of respect and admiration from the crowd is obvious. The set ends with crowd favourite Rook, a driving and melodic recent single and Meridian, a full-on assault of crashing drums and walls of feedback.

Having begun life as a side-project, Shearwater are now on their third album. Start tapping that carbon foot(print).

Kate Franklin

MR James Warnings @ St Pancras Crypt

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The invitation to an 'extraordinary site-specific promenade experience' of two excellent MR James ghost stories in St Pancras Crypt was irresistible but sometimes it pays to keep your expectations in check.

The stories, Warning to the Curious and Count Magus, are well read by a chap sitting at a table and amplified around the Victorian Crypt. Scattered about in various corners are objects suggestive of other James tales whilst occasionally cast members stroll spookily about in a variety of costumes.

There's a nagging feeling this production has missed a trick given the ace location and potential for tying the stories into it. Fifteen quid seems a bit steep for an experience that falls well short of Punchdrunk but this is a passable stab at promenade theatre and the tales are peerless. Do wrap up warm, though. It's literally chilling.

By Chris Roberts

Until 13 March, Monday to Saturday 7.15pm, Saturday Matinee 13 March at 2.15pm. Tickets: £12-15. Runs 90 mins, no break. Booking information on suitably spooky and cryptic website.

Extra Extra

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Keep your eyes peeled for a toxic looking stolen canister.
The heroes of WWII Bomber Command are to get a Green Park memorial.
London councils are having trouble caring for their elderly.
Sir David Attenborough is to build a wild life haven in a beer garden. You ever seen a drunk snail? Now that's funny.

Upon this ground I walked, by Stephen lliffe via the Londonist pool.

Interview Cityboy Geraint Anderson Scourge Of The Square Mile

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Sitting crossed legs on his couch, T-shirt and jeans outfit, tanned and relaxed after a two-weeks holiday in the Philippines, he doesn't retain much of what he was a few years ago: a 'square mile' creature. A Cityboy.

Geraint Anderson, former utility analyst, is today the portrait of happiness. For twelve years, he worked in the biggest financial district in Europe, latterly reporting on the dark side of the City in an anonymous column in the now defunct thelondonpaper. 'Cityboy', the novel, followed shortly after.

Today Anderson is a part-time writer, a part-time journalist and a part-time backpacker. "If I am not extravagant, I can live for 20 more years with the money saved during my career in finance," he reckons.

He still finds time to comment on the City, and the ongoing fallout from the recent financial crisis. One of the reasons he started his column was because he was worried about what was going in the banks before the crisis. "I am a Christian, left wing and hippy and I needed a confessional," he says.

"The fear was that the 'party' would be over, and this fuelled short term thinking. I saw more and more criminal behaviour such as spreading false rumours to enhance the performance of your portfolio, market manipulation, tax avoidance and much more," he explains. "It is partly the fault of the rise of the hedge funds, short term guys that can make huge amounts of money. Since 2000, people wanted absolute returns. This means to make money even when the market goes down."

This led to the credit crunch as we know it. But how is the City in the aftermath?

"The bonus culture that partly caused all of it is still there but in a lighter version," he believes. "The situation has changed. People are more professional. They want their back to be whiter than white."

A few days ago, Lloyds chief executive Eric Daniels announced for the second year in a row the decision to waive his £2.3 million bonus. John Varley, chief executive of Barclays and Bob Diamond, its president, also decided to turn down their awards. Stephen Hester, Chief Executive of Royal Bank of Scotland followed suit, stating that he will waive its £1.6 million bonus.

In the City some things have changed. Some thing have not.

"Greed is a constant and what is truly amazing is that the profits that the biggest banks have made in the last months are a direct product of the crisis they have caused," Anderson says.

"Governments are issuing a lot of bonds to bail out banks and interests are down to zero. Banks need to issue equity to do financial restructuring. It is an amazing scenario in which the institutions are profiting from their disgrace."

The 'buzz' of the City hasn't changed either. "Alarm at 5am, in the office by 7. Lunch in a Michelin star restaurant and then back to the desk again," Cityboy recalls. Lunch is often served at the 'Coq d'Argent' or at '1 Lombard street' and for a night out the places to go where 'Stringfellows' or 'Abacus'.

"Sometimes I miss it. I miss the boys' cameraderie and the routine that was pulling me out of bed every morning to become richer," he says.

Now Anderson has different reasons to wake up.

"I am trying to build a school in Kenya and I am involved in several charity projects," he says. "I also try not to spend my winter in London." Which means that the former Cityboy is packing again.

By Chiara Albanese

How Would You Improve London?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A new initiative called Co-Create London is the latest attempt to canvass the public for ways to improve our city. It's dead simple. Just go here and type in your idea. You can also view other people's brainwaves, vote for your favourites and leave comments.

Proponents of the best ideas (it's not clear whether these are the ones with most votes, or the those chosen by the organisers as most likely to fly) will be invited to a workshop to develop their concepts with 'open innovation experts and key London stakeholders', whoever or whatever they may be. After all that, the best three will be put to a final public vote, and the winner presented to his august Borisness the Mayor of London.

You can read about the various people behind this project here, and with less industry jargon here.

It's always laudable (and fun) to source good ideas from everday Londoners, but the question has to be asked: how come this scheme is coming from a cocktail of brand and marketing experts and not City Hall itself?

Presented By

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Music Review Lady Gaga @ The O2 260210

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

'My shoe broke before "Telephone" but I would rather die than have you see me without heels. But that's what showbiz is all about.' So said a rather scantily clad Gaga seated at a piano about halfway through her show this past Friday. Moments later the same shoe was on the keyboard, the body of the piano was in flames, and everyone in the crowd was singing along to one of her ballads, 'Speechless.'

Lady Gaga certainly left us speechless with her never-ending costume changes, spot-on vocals, and power over the entire audience for nearly two hours. One moment she was dancing around in a purple corset (or at least something resembling a corset) and the next she was in a red cape-like-thing. Did she ever stop singing? No.

Favourites for the evening included 'Brown Eyes' (not maroon, or green), 'Teeth', a rather bloody 'Alejandro', 'Monster', and 'Boys' which included a batch of young male dancers well-equipped with huge...muscles. We'll leave it at that. Of all her major hits 'Paparazzi' provoked the most excitement, not only because of a giant deep-sea fish monster on stage, but also because of Gaga's flaming bra and crotch.

What was most impressive about the performance was not the epic spectacle of lights, costumes, or props but the woman behind it all. At only 23 she has managed to go from opening for small bands like Semi-Precious Weapons, to bigger pop stars such as The Pussycat Dolls, to filling arenas like the O2 on her own. There's something heartwarming about seeing a rising star pause during a song with tears in her eyes to soak in the reality of how far she's come. She might be crazy, but she's the right kind of crazy.

Preview The Parlour

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

From restaurants where you place your order using a tabletop touchscreen PC to bars where you select the music by text message, technologically-minded Londoners are spoiled for choice when it comes to venues in which they can play with the latest bits of circuitry. For those longing for a bit of old fashioned peace and quiet, however, salvation now comes in the form of eclectic new Clerkenwell pop up 'The Parlour'.

Running between 5-10 March, The Parlour will be an elegant salon in which people can relax, sip a glass of punch and enjoy a civilised conversation in a gadget-free environment. (Sorry, freelancers.) Concentrating on nostalgic fun and promoting human interaction, the curators will be running a series of workshops, parlour games, recitals and screenings designed to bring people together in a whimsical manner. Highlights include a letter writing lesson and the fantastic combination of ‘cake, morning stretches and a vintage styling boutique’, which we really hope is all happening simultaneously.

The event is being hosted by MIEN magazine, a new website dedicated to etiquette, culture and style (think a mixture of The Chap and Debretts) and will be part furnished by community project ‘Restore’, so if you see a piece of furniture you really like at the Parlour you might even be able to take it home with you afterwards. For full information about this vintage pop up click here, or, if you want to brush up on your mobile phone etiquette beforehand, check out MIEN magazine’s handy video guide.

The Parlour runs from 5-10th March at 97-99 Clerkenwell Road, EC1R 5BX.

Leave No Bear Behind Part 9 The Final Whistle

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

With Fabio Capello's boys about to take on the might of Egypt this week, here's a tragic reminder that not all of England's followers are hale and hearty with anticipation. This sorry figure was pictured slumped near a Wimbledon driveway by reader Julian Chung. It's yet another example of London's growing problem with vagrant bears. This poor fellow has lost all semblance of ursine dignity. With the very pads of his paws rotting away, he slips in and out of an alcohol-induced, privet-propped stupor. His sole companion in these final, horrific days is a stinking recycling bucket of periwinkle hue lined with three servings of bear vomit. The only shooting this erstwhile footy fan will be doing from now on will probably involve a heroin needle. The neglect has to be stopped - if only the mainstream press would take an interest. In the meantime, keep sending us evidence of teddy bear (or other soft toy) abandonment on the streets of London to tips - at - londonist.com.

A Massively Meaty Breakfast Visit from the Virtual Farmers Market

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Photography by Chris Osburn

Marcus Carter, cofounder of the Virtual Farmer's Market, kindly dropped by Londonist HQ on Friday to deliver a complementary sample of his online shopping “hub's” latest offering: the Saturday Breakfast Box. Featuring a meat fest melange of yummy morning favourites assembled by Sillfield Farm's Peter Gott, the Saturday Breakfast Box is available for Friday delivery in two sizes: one that is suggested for two (but we reckon could feed four folks easily) and another for six people.

We gave the box for two a couple of test munches. With eight rashers of Cumberland back bacon, six traditional pork sausages, two massive slices of Sillfield Farm's signature black pudding and a bottle of tangy Oxford Sauce, it weighed in heavily at an affordable £13.50 (plus delivery charge). Really, the box (along with some eggs and bread purchased at our local supermarket) was entirely too much food for two … even split over Saturday and Sunday morning. Having all that tasty animal protein around for the weekend was kinda nice. It meant from late morning onward we (one Londonista and one dining companion) were full and, except for a bit of snacking, had no need for another meal. Honestly, we were already fans of Sillfield Farm's products, and were especially pleased to receive the bacon.

The box for six (£29.95 plus delivery) offers eight Cumberland back bacon rashers, eight streaky bacon rashers, wild boar pate, a 400g long coil of Cumberland sausage, six traditional pork sausages and a bottle of Oxford Sauce. Whoa. Based upon our experience with the box for two, we can only imagine that, with minimal augmenting, this option could provide up to twelve gluttons with the makings of an a.m. feast.

Besides the whopping amounts of breakfast meats, the Virtual Farmers Market sells a wide range of products made by independent food manufacturers. The site's fairly straightforward, and a quick browse of the “Here are Our Producers” page yields considerable yet concise info about an impressive group of indie and homespun businesses, representing the breadth of who and what one can expect to see at one of London's food markets.

On one hand, having market fare delivered meant we missed out on the bustling atmo of visiting a market such as Borough: the smells, the at hand producers sharing their wares with appreciative smiles, the see-it-and-squeeze-it aspect of purchasing fresh produce. However, on that ever present other hand, it sure was nice not having to navigate a sea of tourists and gawking foodies simply to take home some quality brekkie treats. As mentioned, we were already happily aware of Sillfield Farm, which meant there was really no need to actually visit them. Virtual Farmers Market's reasonable priced delivery service makes accessing some of London and the UK's best foods much more convenient.

Visit the Virtual Farmers Market at www.vfmuk.com.

Sunday Seasoning 17

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Every week we select a photo from the Londonist Flickr pool, taken in the last seven days, that illustrates this season or time of year in London.

This week, Homemade has somehow managed to make a puddle in Finsbury Square look rather elegant.

Comedy Review Simon Munnery @ BAC Clapham

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Simon Munnery is probably best known for his characters Alan Parker (Urban Warrior), a shouty wannabe-revolutionary, and The League Against Tedium, all mannered bon mots and studied superiority (as seen in Attention Scum!, shown late at night and criminally never repeated). You think Simon Munnery and you think: surreal, defiantly unmainstream, wearing a silly hat and possibly wielding a video camera in a sword. So it came as quite a surprise to find him doing straight stand-up about living in the country and raising his kids.

Yes, he really is doing material about the awkwardness of deciding when to acknowledge someone walking towards you down a half-mile track and chuckling to himself as he describes the odd things his young daughters do. At first glance it's like he's cribbing from the notes of any observational comedian - it's not that it's not funny, because it is - but then you look a little deeper and you realise that on a technical level, all Munnery's acts were the same kind of set-up and punchline jokes that Jimmy Carr does, but dressed up in other personas, a bit avant garde and less obviously about wanking. The surprise is that he's lost the props and doing it as himself. And that it's surprising isn't his fault, it's ours.

Shorn of the characters, Munnery turns out to be quite a disarmingly pleasant chap. He's not gone soft though - his gags are still fiercely intelligent and have bite - and while he breaks off to perform a poem about London, that's about as experimental as it gets. Is this a disappointment? Should it be? When someone can do 'normal' stand-up as good as this, of course not.

The N20 Festival at Battersea Arts Centre is now over, but find out where you can see Simon Munnery next.

Finches And Guitars @ Barbicans Curve Gallery

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Finch on a G-string, by M@.

There's not really a lot to say about this new installation, other than get the hell down to the Barbican at your next opportunity. Even the most arts-immune cynic can't help but find pleasure in this: a flock of colourful zebra finches playing electric guitars.

Upturned cymbals full of bird seed or water, amped-up guitars and microphone perches have been dotted around the Barbican's Curve Gallery. As you move through the space, the birds soar around you, sometimes at you, coming to rest on the various instruments (they seem to flock, particularly, to the bass guitars). The resulting sound is more minimalist than cacophony. Clangs and twangs (surely that wasn't a chord?) fall randomly, with occasional rhythms emerging from the bass-string hops of an individual bird.

Despite his extravagantly artsy name, Céleste Boursier-Mougenot has created something here of huge popular appeal that Londoners will talk about for years. It's clever, it's unique and, most of all, it is one of those rare pieces of art that has every visitor smiling throughout the whole experience. An absolute must see.

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot's Curve installation can be seen at the Barbican Arts Centre until 23 May. Entrance is free.

Populist 2127 February

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Images clockwise from top left: Olympic memories marathon film, London Fashion Week. It's another world. , US Embassy models at NLA and gourmet toasties in Stockwell

The week's most popular posts, and a round-up of what's happening around town.

In the news:

Last week it was Diane Abbott, this week its rumours about James Purnell running for Mayor
A thinly disguised fake magazine is doing the campaign rounds for the Lib Dems in Islington South
Threats to Ministry of Sound provoked an online petition
London's getting a local bank for the high street and a giant cube for Nine Elms
The best show at London Fashion Week is undoubtedly the fashionistas
What should the 2012 Olympic theme tune be?

See the News category for more

Around town:

We discovered the excellent Freelancer's Map of London, toyed around with the skyline and put Routemasters in space
A copycat menu at Stolen Supper Club hit the fishy spot
Learn about London's oddest toilet, follow Henry Moore around town and delve into Jewish Book Week and much more with the literati
Something for the weekend: take time out to draw a map of your London as you see it
Here's a teaser for the elephant parade coming soon in May

See the Arts & Events and Food & Drink categories for more

Comment of the week:
In response to our piece on 'Olympic Eyesore to Cover Up Existing Eyesore'

Elongated paean to elegance and beauty. Just excellent. My homework is now to use this expression in conversation in the next 3 days. Well written!

Thanks, Jason B Standing!

Comedy Review Laura Solon @ BAC Clapham

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

After disappointment earlier in the week at the N20 Comedy Festival, it's with a glad voice we give thanks for Laura Solon's Rabbit Faced Story Soup. The story of one young woman's journey through the fraught world of publishing, accompanied only by a stuffed white rabbit called Ian, it's the kind of character stand-up that not only has you weeping with laughter but also a little bit awestruck at Solon's self-assuredness and abilities.

Her show is populated by all manner of personalities (some of whom will be familiar to listeners of her radio show), the best of which is Marci, über-bitch literary agent with an arsenal of acerbic put-downs, closely followed by a pair of Parisians who take pretentiousness to new heights. Bad literature and 'Russian' oligarchs join the French as subjects for Solon's gentle skewering, presented with a fabulous knack for the unexpected word (we will be spending the next two weeks attempting to work "shit-fit" into every conversation we hold) and a sharp eye for the ridiculous which her occasionally squeaky voice belies.

The N20 Festival ends tonight with Phil Kay and the sold-out Gavin Osborn (you never know, there might be returns, but don't go down to Clapham saying Londonist sent you), and you've got a few more chances to catch Laura Solon around town over the next couple of months. You should. You really should.

N20 Comedy Festival at the Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 / Laura Solon is at the 606 Club, Chelsea, on 3rd March; Firestation Arts Centrem Windsor, on 6th March; Leicester Square Theatre on 7th March; Watermans Theatre, Brentford, on 6th June.

Uncivil War London Rockin Rollers Go IntraLeague

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Rockin' Roller history was made at York Hall on Saturday with the dames' first in house battle pitting two of their new home teams against each other. More used to playing as one stripy legged team in striking red and black the Rockin' Rollers have grown so strongly they've had to split into intra-league teams to ensure they continue to grow and burn up the track when it counts.

Picking teams can't have been easy but they came out fighting: the Neanderdolls in primitive leopard print and the Voodoo Skull Krushers in neon green, brandishing skulls. Fiery and fall filled the tussle was fierce, with a torn crowd not quite sure who to cheer for and mostly screaming for all their fearless favourites, whichever side they happened to be rollin' for. A 98 to 95 win for the Voodoo Skull Krushers was testament to how close run this uncivil war was.

York Hall was adorned with posters for Drew Barrymore's roller derby film Whip It which premieres at the Birds Eye Film Festival on 12 March. The Rockin' Rollers will be ripping up the Southbank as an appetiser to the screening. Cool as we consider Ms Barrymore, it should be noted that the stars of the film look considerably more wholesome and less stylish than the bona fide battling babes in Bethnal Green. We suggest if you're interested you'd be better off with the real experience at the next intra-league bout, taking your chances trackside, than in the safety of the cinema.

All photography by Suke Driver. Words by Lindsey.

For more information and to find out about becoming a roller dame visit www.londonrockinrollers.co.uk

London Blend Troubadour Cafe

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Continuing our caffeine-fueled quest to show you some of our favourite coffee shops in London.

With a quirky interior and beautiful garden for the warmer months you'd be hard pressed to find a more hip place to sip a cup of coffee than at this Earl's Court establishment. The Troubadour prides itself on being one of London's original '50s coffee shops and being host to various poetry, art, and live music events.

Enjoy a filter coffee, with or without milk, a noisette, or spice things up a bit with some Jameson or Armagnac. The cafe uses locally blended coffee for espressos and decaf, Union Roasters Fair Trade Guatemalan for filtered coffee, and also serves Brazilian speciality coffees. Various teas, fruit coolers, and energy mocktails are also available for your non-coffee addicted friends.

Grab a seat, order a coffee, use the free Wi-Fi, then stay for a gorgeous salad Nicoise or Pumpkin, Peanut & Chilli Dip, and be sure to try a glass of wine before heading home.

See other posts from our London Blend series.

Troubadour Cafe, 263-7 Old Brompton Road SW5 9JA

Angry In Lambeth? Youre Not Alone

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Photo / dannybirchall

Do you live in the borough of Lambeth? Do you find yourself in a daily struggle to control the bubbling rage that seeps from beneath your very pores, causing you to erupt in an incandescent torrent at the slightest provocation?

You may not be alone. The British Association of Anger Management (or, in its onomatopoaeic acronym, BAAM) has mashed up a bunch of publically available data on crime, unemployment, and ONS figures, to conjure a map of the angriest places in Britain. Their conclusion? A cocktail of low employment (just 67% of adults are in a job), poor health, drugs, and population density, means that Lambeth is the angriest place in the country. The bristling rage isn't limited to Lambeth, though: Enfield and Barnet are close behind, and London as a whole is ranked Britain's most blood-boiled city.

In a naked advertisement for his organisation (and using the kind of wording normally found on a Scientology pamplet), BAAM diector Mike Fisher said:

"Crime, violence, domestic violence, road rage, addiction, eating disorders, depression and many other mental health issues all stem from our inability as a culture to handle or express our feelings, especially those of anger. Our courses are designed for anyone who is experiencing anger and stress related problems."

He may be right about that, but is BAAM's methodology for divining Lambeth as the locus of British irascibility correct? The borough may suffer disproportionately from the maladies of modern urban life, but it seems lazy to simply marry unemployment and high-density living with rancour. There's probably more anger to be witnessed on the Central line during rush hour than at the local Jobcentre Plus. And Lambeth residents have the added benefit of living near to the geographic centre of London, with its myriad delights.

If Lambeth is the angriest London gets, we can consider ourselves lucky to live in such a chilled-out city.

Tributes To Rose Gray Of The River Cafe

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Rose Gray, co founder of The River Cafe - at one point "the most talked about restaurant in London" - has died aged 71 after a long battle with cancer. As well as establishing a Hammersmith waterside foodie institution, Rose Gray helped bring healthy, seasonal Italian cookery to our kitchens with the iconic cook books she co-authored with business partner, Ruth Rogers (go on, check your bookcase, bet you've got one). Gray and Roger's restaurant is also celebrated for giving Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver their launchpads to chef celebrity.

The River Cafe is closed today.

Week Around The Ists

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Londonist is one of thirteen in the worldwide Gothamist network. Once a week, the editors of each site - from SFist to Shanghaiist - compile some of their most interesting posts into a neat digest. Check out what's been going on elsewhere in the ist-a-verse:

Torontoist introduced the internet to a video of a pigeon riding the subway, just like a human! The internet took it from there.

Chicagoist looked at the case of a student suspended from school for creating a Facebook page criticizing one of his teachers.

Gothamist finally learned the Governor Paterson bombshell, and the possible scandal prompted Paterson to drop his run for governor. Still, many want him to resign.

SFist chuckled with nerdy glee after UC Berkeley started its own Quidditch league.

Seattlest brushed up on the story of native son Kurt Cobain with Charles R. Cross' Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain.

DCist reported on a ruling against opponents of same sex marriage.

LAist stumbled deep into a controversy by reporting that animal rights activists were threatening to protest at a UCLA researcher's child's school.

Londonist pondered the significance of the Borg-like design for the new US Embassy building. Is the defensive design more or less worthy than the runners-up?

Austinist noted that Facebook will open an office in the neighborhood.

Phillyist started a debate about the circus, just by going there.

Weekend RoundUp

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Here's what we've learned this weekend whilst you've been turning out your cupboards:

Toasting the banker - to the tune of £44,000. Plus ca change...
Boris: 1,700 empty/derelict properties have been recycled for affordable housing. Sounds good.
West London has hosted a recruitment drive for more black and ethnic minority magistrates.
The Royal Opera House backstage bits are moving to Thames Gateway.
Passenger revolt: angry commuters get a cancelled train reinstated.

Laughter in the rain, by Greything via the Londonist pool.

Presented By

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Preview ICA Fundraiser 2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

You might have read that the ICA is in more than a spot of financial bother at the moment, with the cultural haven needing to cut £1 million off its costs to survive. Since its opening in 1947 the Institute has been at the forefront of the radical and avant garde in London, programming progressive art and experimental film, showcasing fantastic music and facilitating many booze-fuelled, intellectual bon mots in its airy bar.

That's why its annual gala fundraiser is more important than ever, and although the ticket price of £95 (£75 to members) isn't exactly cheap, all your alcohol requirements will be covered via the open bar. You'll also get a chance to see live acts Bryan Ferry, Lily Allen, Temposhark, Samuel and the Dragon, The Cocknbullkid and I Blame Coco - with more to be announced. All this, and you'll be helping to maintain the survival of one of London's most important alternative spaces.

And if you can't afford these kind of shenanigans, head to the ICA this month to support them in another way - £5 Happy Mondays cinema, some good music or contemporary art.

Presented By

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Chopin The Romantic Refugee @ British Library

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A new exhibition, opening today at the British Library, celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin.

Perhaps half of the exhibition is given over to describing the political turmoil of Poland in the first half of the 19th Century, when Chopin's home nation was under the control of Russia and other Great Powers. Many, like the composer himself, fled westwards greatly affecting the culture of Paris, London and other cities.

Chopin visited London on at least two occasions, tinkling the ivories of our city's old Johannas in a series of small concerts. He gave his final public performance at Guildhall in 1848, just months before his death in Paris. The exhibition presents posters advertising his visit alongside a letter setting out his opinions of London society.

After several cabinets of musical musing and Polish politics the final section is the most arresting. Here you can see the composer's death mask and a cast of his tiny hand.

It's a good old-fashioned set up, with wall-mounted panels providing context and glass cabinets laying out some of the more important manuscripts and letters from the Polish maestro. It'll take more than a minute walz to get round, but no more than half an hour.

Chopin: the Romantic Refugee runs at the British Library until 16 May. An inevitable (but intriguing) series of events supports the exhibition.

Full Stomach Clear Conscience The Rise Of Ethical Eating

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Homegrown London tomatoes

An association designed to help restaurants become more sustainable launches this month, catering for Londoners' growing appetite for ethical eating. Not content just to be served food that looks good and tastes delicious in convivial surroundings, the eater outer wants to be able to do so with a crystal clear conscience too. Diners of course want fare that’s fine, but they also want it to be environmentally friendly and sourced sustainably from local growers, served up by chefs that are as committed to their community as to their cooking.

So the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) has been established, founded by Giles Gibbons, Mark Sainsbury (Moro and The Zetter Hotel) and Henry Dimbleby (Leon), in response to what they say is a dual demand from both restaurant owners and consumers. The point of the association is to offer owners information and advice on how to become sustainable, as well as providing the conscientious consumer with some guidance on finding eateries that have embraced more wholesome ways of feeding people.

They say “sustainability is about a business managing not only the financial but also the social and environmental impact of its operations. By taking sustainable action, restaurants can make a huge difference on issues such as climate change, animal welfare and food waste.”

Sustainability is one of those words that’s often bandied about but starts to lose its meaning if it’s not properly defined. What will the SRA demand from restaurants in order for them to be able to claim they’re sustainable? On their website they list the values and actions they expect members to commit to in order to pass the ethical and eco test. This includes embracing the belief that “food sits at the heart of our culture - and it’s not just what we eat that matters but how it’s grown, made and served that makes for a satisfying meal.”

Cockney cabbage in a Hackney kitchen garden

Members are expected to do the things green Londoners do. Things like using low energy light bulbs and recycling and reusing so called waste, sourcing food that’s local and seasonable, organic and fair-trade, and using eco friendly cleaning products. If you do all these things at home it makes sense to demand the places where you eat out do the same. The SRA also encourages restaurants to serve tap water (of course!) and install waterless urinals, to support local charities and sign up to the fair tips charter, and to build up healthy relationships with farmers and suppliers.

Sustainable restauranteering isn’t a new thing, a number London eateries have been pushing their ethical and eco credentials for a while. The Shoreditch Trust’s two restaurants, Water House on the banks of the Regent’s Canal and Acorn House in the middle of King’s Cross, have been serving up highly rated food with a clean conscious for a few years. Konstam, also in King’s Cross, says over 80% of its food is sourced within the area covered by the Tube. The Duke of Cambridge up the road in Angel is totally organic, even the tampons for sale in the ladies loos have tiptop eco credentials.

If the height of environmentally friendly eating is eschewing meat, then London’s longstanding vegetarian and vegan cafes and restaurants have been leading the way for some time. Manna in Primrose Hill has been serving beautiful vegetarian meals since the 60s, while more recently swish Saf in Old Street has been proving that vegan dishes can be gourmet and cocktails can be potent and prettily organic at the same time. There are many other cafes and restaurants across this fair city of ours that are doing great things for people and the planet.

Nudged into action by the launch of the SRA, we're embarking on an eco eating crawl. We’ll be breakfasting, lunching, dining and drinking at eateries that openly claim to be sustainable and those don’t but are by default. We don’t want sustainability shoved down our throats, but we do want to be quietly aware that our choice of eatery is a good one, not just because the food is star rated. If you have any suggestions of places we should definitely try let us know. Let the eco eating begin!

Find out more about the Sustainable Restaurant Association at www.thesra.org

Londonist Stays In 17 March

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

All the most Londony shows on TV and radio this week.

Monday
Inside Out (BBC1, 19.30-20.00) Looking back to the Trafalgar Square poll tax riots of 20 years ago.

Tuesday
A Good Read (Radio 4, 16.30-17.00) Wellcome Collection curator Ken Arnold discusses his favourite book.

Wednesday
Afternoon Play: Shakespeare's Vortigern and Rowena (Radio 4, 14.15-15.00) It's 1796 and Richard Sheridan prepares to put on a production of a lost Shakespeare Play at Drury Lane Theatre.
When the Olympic Come to Town (BBC1, 19.30-20.00) Documentary about London's development for the 2012 Olympics.

Thursday
Material World (Radio 4, 16.30-17.00) Quentin Cooper investigates whether we really need traffic lights. A London study suggests that they may cause more delays and accidents than in their absence.

Friday
Building the Ultimate (FIVE, 19.30-20.00) Much of this instalment concerns itself with the construction of Wembley Stadium.

Saturday
Hate Against Hope (Radio 4, 20.00-21.00) How the multi-ethnic denizens of the East End have countered racism, from the Cable Street clashes of the 1930s to troubles with the National Front in the 1970s.