The Environmental Protection Agency states that paper makes up 29% of municipal solid waste, more than any other material Americans throw away. As easy as it is, flipping the paper over can make a difference one page at a time. For example, one of my colleagues has inspired me to make sketchbooks out of one-sided office documents. Share your ideas with us. How do you get the most out of each sheet of paper?

One of the most common household wastes is the fabric softener sheet. With one sheet per load washed, imagine how many sheets are accumulated in one year. On another note, this particular material may contain harmful chemicals for you and the environment. Hang-drying your clothes is a great way to reduce fabric softener sheet waste. Learn more and explore other alternatives at naturalnews.com.

Kids, come become rock stars! Children in grades K–7 are invited to join in on the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego race weekend excitement at ING KiDS ROCK San Diego on Saturday, June 2.  All participants receive an official race number, medal, t-shirt and goodie bag. Register now using online code NCM2012 to receive $5 off!

“My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.”
― Erma Bombeck

Tell us what you’d really like for Mother’s Day. Would it be a gift to have the day all to yourself or does that defeat the purpose? Can you envision the perfect way to relax on that day with the family? Would you just like to stay in bed all day? Let us know by chiming in. Tell us how old your children are and where you live. We’ll see how many interesting ideas pop up.

The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering has become the largest celebration of science and engineering in the Southwest, attracting more than 55,000 community members from across the region. The festival takes place March 17–24, 2012. This weeklong community celebration of science and engineering features more than 35 events across the county, culminating in the all-day finale event, Expo Day at Petco Park, a free event on Saturday, March 24.

Dedicated to engaging kids in science and engineering, the festival serves to raise awareness of the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and to inspire San Diego’s youth to pursue education and careers in these rewarding fields. Through interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and engaging speakers, the festival shows students of all social and economic backgrounds that they have the potential to become tomorrow’s leading scientists and innovators.

Click here for the full schedule of events.

Science Day @ NCM
Thursday, March 15 | 10am–6pm
What do scientists and artists have in common? They are driven by curiosity! We challenge you to get curious and investigate the TRASH exhibition for hidden clues using our custom scavenger hunt toolkit. Complete all the clues and earn a special prize!

There are many online resources that explain the ecological footprint. Take a moment to research and understand how our waste affects our ecosystem. The more we know, the more accountable we will become!

Recycling unwanted clothing reduces the amount of waste in landfills and the amount of waste produced by the manufacturing process. Used clothing can be donated, sold or disassembled for the fabric. Shopping thrifty can be fun and exciting. Consider these 23 Must Know Tips for Thrift Store Shopping before you visit your local thrift shop.

Junkyard Extravaganza! Commemorate the opening of The Junkyard on Saturday, February 18 with music, dancing, face painting, and special activities. Join us from 10am – 4pm for fun-filled performances by family rock favorite, EGG, and a live DJ all day. Free to members and with general admission.

The Junkyard. Cars are the one of most recycled materials in the nation, and many artists have found creative ways to repurpose auto parts. In that tradition, the outdoor Art Studio has been transformed into a junkyard filled with discarded tires, parts, and even a worn out car — ready for you to paint. Grab a brush or roller and help us add some color!

Make your mark on this one-of-a-kind canvas! Enter to win at the Welcome Desk. The winner will receive a special painting jumpsuit and be featured on our website!

Live sustainable and have fun doing it! There are so many crafty ways you can repurpose used plastic bottles. Share your ideas with us.

Every once in awhile I look at my husband and think about how we live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, sit beside each other to watch “West Wing” and marvel at the distance between us.

That’s a scary moment in a marriage. Realizing that days have passed where we are together but not really “with” each other.

That was 2003. Randy and I had been married 22 years.

I know why it happens. Jobs, caring for a home, groceries, yard work, pets. And for us, kids. I have friends, with and without kids, who complain of the same lack of couple time. And we all can recite the experts’ advice: Carve out that time to be together. Your relationship depends on it.

“The process begins when you have a couple spending time with one another,” Solana Beach marriage and family therapist Steven Meineke told me back in 1999.

“Maybe they spend some time, too, on their own individual interests. Then a child comes along and they cut back on their individual activities, and couple time becomes family time. One person cares for the baby while the other does errands or plays golf or goes shopping with friends. Then they trade off.

“And then the second child comes along and the trade-off stuff doesn’t work,” Meineke said. “Everything gets collapsed into family and the couple stuff doesn’t exist.

“Of all the couples I see for marriage therapy, what would describe the largest group of people who come to me is the couple who have a 3- or 4-year-old and a baby. That’s the stage when couples feel more stress in their relationship than at any other time.”

I can’t remember, in those early years of raising four children, how often we did “date night.” But in 2003, Randy took me away on Valentine’s weekend. We didn’t go far. We stayed in a local hotel, had a quiet dinner, went to Mass and brunch and a movie the next day and spent 90 glorious minutes in a bookstore. It was 31 hours and felt like a week.

“Why don’t we do this more often?” I asked him sometime on Sunday.

He just looked at me, a wordless reminder of all the times he’s suggested we do this more often.

It was worse when the kids were little, finding a baby sitter, pushing down the guilt of leaving the kids in the first place, justifying spending the money. Yet, when we finally drove or flew away, alone, it felt right.

It’s so hard, sometimes, to remember that we were a couple before we were parents. But if we are to remain a couple after the last kid is grown and gone, we have to get back in touch with those two people who fell in love all those years ago.

Drifting apart after the birth of children is natural, Meineke says. But you can do something about it.

“The main antidote,” Meineke told me all those years ago, “is intentional time spent as a couple. Even if it’s only 10 minutes talking about how you’re doing as a couple.”