Recently in Sports | Hobbies Category

We've been having some beautiful nights that are clear and full of bright twinkling stars. Recently, at a family gathering, I was surrounded by nieces and nephews who were energetic about what they learned in school. They amazed me with their knowledge about nature by day and astronomy by night. I recall wishing we had a telescope to see everything they were excited to share with me about what they had just learned in school.

As Summer nears, I was thinking it would be fun to spend warm evenings revisiting what I had once learned in school as a kid. Doing a little research, I found Edmund Scientific to have a very cool family telescope that is fun for all ages. What I loved about the Astroscan® Telescope is that you can sit easily anywhere and hold the rounded base in your lap to view your favorite planet or map out the constellations with ease.

I see a perfect summer night coming up -- a little barbecue, some blankets, KT Tunstall's album Eye to the Telescope playing in the background and the Astroscan under the stars. Sounds fun, huh? I think so.

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As our city's traffic increases, I've found I'm less inclined to go for rides like we used to. I've tried helmet rear-view mirrors and one on my handle, but it still never gave me the full confidence out on a busy road. Now, Cerevellum has integrated all of the latest cycling tools, MPH, distance tracking with a digital rear view mirror that mounts on your handlebars so that you can keep your focus in front of you with the ability to view what is approaching from behind without having to move your head.

I think this is a great innovation and one that might just get me back on the road for a more enjoyable ride. :)

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One of my friends, who happens to be an amazing photographer, graphic artist and all-round awesome mommy concerned about the world her kids will inherit, brought SIGG Swiss-Engineered water bottles to my attention. After subscribing to Extraordinique, she said I needed to check them out! 

Cal said, she sought out Sigg bottles for her and her family because she felt it was time to put an end to buying bottled water in plastic disposable bottles. Being concerned about water quality and some of the recent reports on chemical seepage in plastic bottled water, she said it was time to find an alternative that would be good for the environment and good for her family. This is her collection of the four Siggs she bought for her husband and kids.

SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere water bottles totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. SIGG bottles are eco-friendly by design -- reusable and 100% recyclable.

Not only are there various exterior design to match your taste, but you can select the type of bottle tops to meet your needs and the size you wish to carry. These stylish "lifestyle water bottles" are functionally-designed for all ages and activities.

For all those artists and designers reading Extraordinique, check out the SIGGART Design Contest at MySIGG where you can style your bottle & bottle your style.

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For the bicycle and music enthusiast comes the cy•fi. It is a wireless speaker for your bicycle that was made for the ipod. No more earphones or wires to hassle with. Plus, better for your safety by allowing you to hear what is going on around you as you ride.

The cy•fi easily mounts on your bike frame and purportedly provides CD-quality audio. It is configured to work with an Apple iPod or iPod Nano.

The cy•fi will be available in stores in early 2008. Keep an ear out.

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While researching innovative skateboard companies, I also found Arbor Snowboards. Arbor is another cutting-edge company committed to "eco-technologies" using environmentally-friendly materials to provide high-performance for your winter rides.

We only have one ski resort open, Boreal, so far on this very mild Fall season in Lake Tahoe. I'm hopeful we'll get some good snow in soon so that I can ride "goofy and green." The Formula looks like a good fit for me. I am also eyeing the Roundhouse for my husband.

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As gas prices are reaching $4.00 a gallon here in California, we've noticed a lot more "commuters" getting from place-to-place by skateboard and scooter. Wondering what skateboard companies are up to today, I came across a lot of innovative companies. Comet Skateboards is one of them; creating very cool skateboards using sustainably-harvested materials, like poplar and hickory for the core and durable bamboo and maple for the veneer. Comet also uses all water-based low VOC coatings to reduce the risk to their staff, their customers and in a collective effort to reduce the effects of global warming.

Located in downtown San Francisco, Comet Skateboards are designed and manufactured in the world's only solar-powered skateboard factory.  Comet Skateboards is actively working with companies and universities worldwide to assist in developing "green" bio-based epoxies, reinforcements, and coatings for the future.

I give a lot of credit to this company's efforts and those buying a product that's good for the earth and good to ride. Check them out.

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Something was "a foot" it seemed this summer when it came to footwear. Crocs seemed to take over everywhere. Surprisingly, these colorful, water-proof foam clogs were nothing new to founder Stephan Birkenstock who created ALPRO® foam slip-on clogs, called Birkis back in 1993 and has been perfecting and diversifying the Birkis product line ever since. Birkenstock footwear is synonymous with comfort and support and Birkis seem to give you that colorful, yet comfortable option for boating, gardening, or walking the dog in the rain.

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