Reusing gift cards

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Did you get a gift card over the holidays? Well, if you spent it and bought yourself something nice, don’t throw it away. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has some suggestions of what to do with that potential plastic waste instead of letting it not-rot in a landfill for all eternity. If you’re in tune with your inner Martha Stewart, the department suggests trying something creative, like making a Christmas tree decoration, luggage tags or even guitar picks. Or if you don’t want a card you received, want a different one, or prefer cash you can exchange, donate or sell cards online.

VIDEO: University of MIchigan’s water semester

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Parties are themed and weddings are too — and now university semesters? That’s right, the University of Michigan themed this winter semester. No it’s not a “school” theme, that’s too obvious. The focus is water. The water semester kicked off yesterday with an ice percussion concert.

2010 Chevrolet Volt. Photo: Mariordo Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.

Green cars gala

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The annual North American International Auto Show opens today in Detroit. Among the snazzy new models is the winner of the North American Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Volt. With those of you with at least $32,780 to spare – that’s after a $7,500 tax credit – this little number offers 35 miles of gas-free travel and with gas an EPA-estimated 37 mpg for highway and city combined. Also on the green side, this year’s show presents “Smarter Living in Michigan.” The exhibit, hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with help from DTE energy, highlights alternative energy technologies. Last year the Ford Fusion Hybrid snagged the title of North American Car of the Year. The eco-friendly car eats up 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Echo

Most read Echo stories of 2010

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Here’s a list of the most viewed Echo stories of 2010. In the world of social media, how much should readership trends influence what we provide? A lot? A little? Not at all?

New superhero defends the Great Lakes!

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It’s about time that the Great Lakes region got its own superhero. New York got Spiderman, Gotham hosted Batman, Metropolis got super-powered by Superman…

… and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gets “Sooper Yooper.”

That’s right. The book “Sooper Yooper” written by Mark Newman and illustrated by Mark Heckman tells the tale of Billy Cooper  who defends the Great Lakes environment against forces that threaten it. He’s pictured on the website snatching up a sea lamprey with his bare hands! But, Billy is just an average guy — very average.

Breaking news: Walruses and penguins discovered in the Great Lakes!

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Look out. Here comes the cold Midwest weather. We can look forward to snow, freezing temperatures, icy roads and surfing on the Great Lakes? Jesse Kinos-Goodin of the National Post reported recently that October and November may be the best time to surf Lake Michigan. More wind generates bigger and better waves in these months.