new website helps neighbors share tools, stuff
LBUZ...@aol.com
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In tough economic times, it can make sense for consumers to be both transumers—eschewing the burdens of ownership in favour of shorter-term privileges—and sellsumers, making the most of what assets they do own. Aiming to facilitate both is NeighborGoods, a brand-new site that helps consumers borrow, lend, rent, sell and buy stuff in their community. Focusing for now on Southern California, NeighborGoods is an online community that lets consumers save and earn money by sharing with their neighbours and friends any of the assorted tools, ladders and other things they use only occasionally. Users of the site, which just launched into beta, can decide how they want to share their stuff. They can allow their friends to borrow an item for free while charging others a rental fee, for example, or they can decide to make the item available only to friends. NeighborGoods helps facilitate transactions with a reservation calendar, automated reminders, wish-list alerts and private messaging. It also tracks and shares the transaction history of each member. Neighbours can rate each other and even flag another member's account if something goes wrong. Borrowing and lending items on NeighborGoods is free of charge. Members who want to earn money by renting or selling items must have a Pro account—currently free, but ultimately by paid subscription. Besides the obvious financial advantages for those involved, of course, sharing tools and equipment—much likecars, bikes and boats—has distinct eco-benefits as well, minimizing the redundant things so many households typically buy. Looks like another sharing-enabled win-win-win—for borrowers, owners and the planet—and one to be emulated in communities around the world! (Related: Neighbourhood approach to renewable energy.) Website: www.neighborgoods.net |
Mark Stringer
I’m helping a friend put in a back yard raised garden, as well as adding to my garden in the back yard of the house I rent. I’ve finally convinced the folks I rent from to pull the stops, put in gardens, plant some more food bearing trees, reroute water runoff from the roofs, and run the water from the washing machine into the soil.
The time is now.
And...I really want to support my friend in putting in a garden.
Anyway, I need to locate a source of top soil, materials to properly install the gardens, 8’x10’...replacing existing lawn area.
I have access to a pick up to haul soil and scrap wood/recycled wood. Are there alternatives to using wood to frame the garden?
Do we actually have a “tool library” in SB?
Wheel barrow, shovels, pick, rake, fork.
Thanks,
Markus
P.S. Does anyone have contact info for Oscar Carmona and his gardening/landscaping business?
on 11/19/09 10:47 AM, LBUZ...@aol.com at LBUZ...@aol.com wrote:
In tough economic times, it can make sense for consumers to be both transumers <http://trendwatching.com/trends/transumers.htm> —eschewing the burdens of ownership in favour of shorter-term privileges—and sellsumers <http://trendwatching.com/trends/sellsumers/> , making the most of what assets they do own. Aiming to facilitate both is NeighborGoods <http://www.neighborgoods.net/> , a brand-new site that helps consumers borrow, lend, rent, sell and buy stuff in their community. Focusing for now on Southern California, NeighborGoods is an online community that lets consumers save and earn money by sharing with their neighbours and friends any of the assorted tools, ladders and other things they use only occasionally. Users of the site, which just launched into beta, can decide how they want to share their stuff. They can allow their friends to borrow an item for free while charging others a rental fee, for example, or they can decide to make the item available only to friends. NeighborGoods helps facilitate transactions with a reservation calendar, automated reminders, wish-list alerts and private messaging. It also tracks and shares the transaction history of each member. Neighbours can rate each other and even flag another member's account if something goes wrong. Borrowing and lending items on NeighborGoods is free of charge. Members who want to earn money by renting or selling items must have a Pro account—currently free, but ultimately by paid subscription. Besides the obvious financial advantages for those involved, of course, sharing tools and equipment—much likecars <http://springwise.com/automotive/zipcarbikeracks/> , bikes <http://www.springwise.com/transportation/city_bike_schemes/> and boats <http://springwise.com/transportation/self-service_boat_sharing/> —has distinct eco-benefits as well, minimizing the redundant things so many households typically buy. Looks like another sharing-enabled win-win-win—for borrowers, owners and the planet—and one to be emulated in communities around the world! (Related: Neighbourhood approach to renewable energy <http://springwise.com/eco_sustainability/neighbourhood_approach_to_rene/> .) Website: www.neighborgoods.net <http://www.neighborgoods.net/>
Contact: in...@neighborgoods.net <mailto:in...@neighborgoods.net>
Spotted by: O Magazine <http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/women/pkgleadership/200911-omag-women-entrepreneurs/3>
Barbara Wishingrad
From: Mark Stringer <markusb...@sbcglobal.net>
To: transi...@googlegroups.com; "sbper...@googlegroups.com" <sbper...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Emily Landa Sykora <elanda...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 1:36:03 PM
Subject: [sbperm] back yard garden info request
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Barbara Wishingrad
you might want to think about creating basins, not mounds to grow your friend's garden, especially if s/he is going to use rainwater and/or greywater in the landscape. there are a lot of alternatives to putting wood around a garden area. Is there a particular reason you wanted raised beds?
check out Food Not Lawns' website
http://www.sbfoodnotlawns.org/SB_Food_Not_Lawns/Welcome.html
food exchanges are one place to meet others who are already gardening and share ideas.
Downtown Neighborhood Garden Exchange and Backyard Harvest Produce Drive
Sunday, November 22
1:00 PM 0 3:00 PM
Downtown Fruit Foraging Tour
Sunday, November 22
11:00 AM - 1:OO PM
Meet at DMV Parking Lot
Linda recently posted info about this site but I signed up for it and they do not have anything in our area yet. http://www.neighborgoods.net/
for tools and more, you might want to try the Really, REALLY Free Market's
2009 Fall Harvest Festival !!!
Please join us at Alice Keck Park Park on
Sunday, November 29th, from 11am-3pm
A fun community gathering, where everyone brings things they don't need, or wish to share (but you don't need to bring anything but your lovely self !) --
Everything is offered FREE, no barter, no trade -- like at Burning Man.
but shovels aren't that expensive, even new, and they are a good investment. if you're gardening, you'll need a shovel and some other tools on an ongoing basis, not just for getting it started.
happy gardening!
barbara
From: Mark Stringer <markusb...@sbcglobal.net>
To: transi...@googlegroups.com; "sbper...@googlegroups.com" <sbper...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Emily Landa Sykora <elanda...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 1:36:03 PM
Subject: [sbperm] back yard garden info request
Ed Hachfeld
| Markus, One word of caution on using roof runoff. When I lived in Goleta I harvested rainwater for watering my houseplants, but I noticed it was tea colored and smelled like chemicals. Later I found out the owner put a new roof on just before I moved in, and the shingles and tarpaper are often treated to prevent growth of algae or mold. As the rainy season progressed the water quality improved. I guess the water needs to go somewhere, but I would check it before putting it on my veges. The tool lending library is much needed and has been discussed for many years. However, no one has decided to officially start it. It exists now mostly friend to friend. I have also had good success with estate sales and Craigslist. All the best, Ed --- On Sat, 11/21/09, Mark Stringer <markusb...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: |
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