What’S Good In Good Ideas?
To help fight the war on obesity two members of Congress are reintroducing legislation in 2009 that would require nutrition labeling on chain-restaurant menus. New York City and Philadelphia already require chain restaurants to display calorie information; and as of September 30, 2008 California became the first state to mandate chain restaurants display calorie counts. One day later “Yum! Brands” said it would add calorie counts to menu boards ate KFC, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Considering 50% of food dollars are spent eating out, calories counts could help Americans spend their calories better.
Based on miles driven, Americans over 75 have more fatal crashes than any other group except 16-year-olds. Although many seniors are willing to give up driving, they’re not willing to give up independence. They need affordable, reliable transportation. The Independent Transportation Network is an innovative non-profit that provides 24/7 car service seniors can arrange a day in advance. Drivers – often volunteers – meet customers at their door and help them in and out of the car. ITN was started in 1995, has 11 locations and a 12th underway. It’s a “carful” way to help seniors keep their independence.
In December 2008 Tipke Manufacturing found a way to keep its doors open. This small metal fabricating company in Spokane had to lay off some of its 25 employees and planned to close until early January. Then the record snows came. An employee brainstorming session resulted in a prototype for a better snow rake for removing snow from roofs. They posted an ad on craigslist encouraging people to come to Tipke to buy these $50 rakes – $60 with a 5-foot extension. Fifteen hundred rakes sold in 2 weeks. Now Tipke wants to sell its rakes through retailers because their small headquarters was snowed under by success.
Researchers at Baylor University brainstormed a different kind of success. There are about 11 million coconut farmers worldwide making an average annual income of $500. They throw away the coconut husks, generating garbage that attracts malaria-causing mosquitoes. Now the researchers are using those husks to make trunk liners, floorboards and car-door interior covers. The husk fibers, with mechanical properties as good as synthetic polyester fibers, are blended with polypropylene fibers before being hot-pressed into the required shapes. Because the husks provide rigidity and ductility for the lightweight composite, making environmentally-friendly car parts could make husky profits for coconut farmers.
About the Author
Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three days a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at http://knightwatch.typepad.com
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