Stuff to Rock Your World.

A Trashy Problem

[Sorry to disappoint those who saw this title and rushed to open it, looking for the juicy gossip and trashy story...Bummer, this post is about something much more serious and worldly. Keep reading, though - next time maybe?!]

The trashy problem that I speak of is happening in Naples, Italy - land of the most carefree and joyful people ever...and also unfortunately the mafia.

Naples, you see, has a problem with its garbage. The landfills are full, and the mafia runs the trash collection service. Put the two together and what do you get? Ya got it - a trashy mess! Neapolitans have had problems getting their trash collected and it has piled up in the streets. But not just a little. A lot.

Today, Silvio Berlusconi, esteemed off again-on-again prime minister, visited Naples and vowed to fix the problem - once and for all. His solution? Bring in the military. You got it: they will guard dump sites (protesters had blocked access to said facilities) and promised stiff measures for anyone caught trespassing or blocking refuse collection, including up to one year of jail time. Previous attempts to open dumps have been hampered by the protests of residents worried by health risks.

He also promises to build more incinerators. 

Meanwhile, there are serious concerns about the spread of disease, rats and cockroaches, and this of course is aggravated by the warming weather.

It would seem that this problem might inspire the government to perhaps think of recycling, composting and reducing garbage production in the first place. Since dump space is becoming limited, finding ways to reduce waste should be the top policy to pursue.

Trust me - Naples is a beautiful city...but until this trashy problem is solved, the stink will keep the visitors away...

--C.L.C.

The Bus Shelter Glass Plate

I went to dinner at the dump last night - a fundraiser for Leadership San Francisco - where there was a silent auction. Now, you have to know that I am married to a man who is a master of silent auctions. Dan knows how to strike on his favorite items - typically bottles of obscure wine that nobody knows about. He has taught me how to spot the bargain, keep a watchful eye on the prey, and then swoop down and place the highest bid just as the auction is closing.

Last night I was on my own, since he didn't come to this event with me. So I quickly put my learnings to work: I scanned the goods - but not much struck my fancy. I never knew Diane Feinstein was an artist, but her framed floral designs didn't do much for me. Giants tickets? Not if I can find someone to get me in for free...A day at pet camp for my dog? I think she'd probably not wag her tail for a week...Or a jeroboam of Coppola merlot? I was getting depressed now - how could I put my auction skills to work if there was no stuff that I wanted to take home? Melissa quickly bid on Charles Fracchia's City By The Bay book - (he's just darling and I am too good of a friend to take that away from her)...I mean, how many of us really need a debris box? (I made it my personal mission to encourage other guests to bid on the box - certainly there was someone in the room who has a garage full of junk needing disposal!)

And then I saw it...the gnarly plate made from authentic San Francisco bus shelter glass! I just had to have it!! Alas, it gave me great pleasure to now have a prey to hover over. After a family-style dinner between giggles with Beth and Melissa and short speeches, I gracefully walked towards the bidding table - and promptly almost tripped over a chair. So much for being subtle...As the clipboards were being flipped over, I saw a lady write her name on the sheet bidding for my plate (yes, in my mind it was already mine...how dare she even compete?!). She looked up at me, and saw me swoop down - I took my sweet time writing my name as the auctioneers were approaching - closing the other items. She laughed a laugh of defeat as she walked away. No sooner did I put down the pen that they were there, closing the bid on the plate.

Victory was mine! This unique piece of art made by "artists in residence" at the dump using garbage is now a permanent conversation piece for me to share with my guests. There is beauty in recycling - and the dump is definitely a must-see...

Dan taught me well!

--C.L.C.

P.S. My friends who work at the dump told me that if I ever break the plate to just bring it back - they will re-weld the pieces together again! Now, that's a bargain!!!

Nancy and Newt Agree?!

...we must take action to do something about climate change. The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate former Vice President Al Gore. Their ultimate aim is to halt global warming.

They have produced some creative spots with people with notoriously polar opposite views, agreeing on one thing - climate change. Nancy Pelosi sits on a sofa with Newt Gingrich. Al Sharpton sits next to Pat Robertson. The message is clear - send a message to our leaders to do something about it...but, wait! Aren't these politicians the very leaders who SHOULD be doing something about climate change policies?!!!

Go to this site and sign up. Millions of people have done so. It's time to take action.

--C.L.C.