Month: February 2007

  • Closet and Garage Organizing Top Survey of Trend-Setting Activities

    Garage

    More people will finally organize their closets and will purchase much more garage storage equipment in 2007, so say study results released today with input from consumers who are said to be trend-setters.

    Riedel Marketing Group, a housewares marketing authority based in Phoenix, Arizona says consumers will also be eating healthier foods and doing a lot more housecleaning this year (thanks for the reminder).

    The respondents to the study tend to serve as a bellwether for the general population, according to A.J. Riedel, senior partner.  She said they are often the first to embrace new products, which the “mainstream” will accept in “a couple of years,” and that if they reject products, so will the majority of consumers.

    Well, there are those people who think being organized is over-rated!

    John_trosko_209

  • OrganizingLA Blog Adding New Reader Catagories

    If you’re reading the OrganizingLA Blog through RSS, we wanted to pass along a recent enhancement to the site:  many more tagging categories.

    When our blog opened its virtual doors in July 2005, we faithfully tried to maintain 6 general categories.  But as our focus grows, so does the information and resources we provide.  And we’ve been getting more and more feedback that it’s difficult to sift through almost 400 posts.

    Here are the most recent categories, always a work in progress, and always desiring your feedback.

    (more…)

  • Discarded Electronics Bring Big Bucks to California Recycling Companies

    La_times_1

    OrganizingLA Blog Reader Bruce e-mailed us a link to the Sunday Los Angeles Times Business section and a great article on ‘e-waste’ recycling.

    New businesses are jumping in, and cashing in on collecting pounds and pounds of dead consumer electronics.  Many of the electronics contain lead, cadmium and mercury that are banned from city landfills so it’s critical we dispose of this stuff in the proper manner.  Turns out there’s profit in your discarded computer monitors, personal computers, commercial electronics and electronics packaging.

    Sources of ‘e-waste’

    TVs 55.6%
    Electronics packaging 17.9%
    Commercial electronics 10.1%
    Other household electronics 6.1%
    Computer monitors 5.9%
    Personal computers 4.4%

    Figures are for 2002, the latest available

    Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    • LA Times Recyclers at your disposal (make sure you check out the special section "basic e-waste questions answered" at the bottom of the article.

    Picture courtesy LA Times and Don Kelson

    John_trosko_210

  • Storage Trunk Recall – Home Decorator’s Collection

    Storage_trunk

    The thought of a child getting caught inside a closet or piece of furniture is not a thought we wish to entertain.  A reader forwarded us this information to pass along.

    (more…)

    ,
  • Taxi Driver 1976 – Historic Moments in Professional Organizing

    Taxi_driver_still_1_1

    People think the "personal organization" craze is new.  It’s not.

    The year is 1976.  Everyone wore bell bottoms, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak form Apple Computer, Alex Haley releases Roots, Nissin Foods introduces Oodles of Noodles, the US celebrates the Bicentennial and Jimmy Carter is elected our 39th President.

    For those that care, our Stalwart leader John Trosko was in third grade elementary class organizing his Legos.

    We haven’t seen the movie Taxi Driver in years, which was also released in 1976.  But this past Saturday, we caught the film on AMC.  Robert De Nero and Cybill Shephard sipped hot coffee in that Columbus Circle cafe, and we fell over in our chair when Travis told Betsy that he needed "to get organized."

    Travis: I know what you mean. I’ve got the same problems. I gotta get organized. Oh little things, like my apartment, my possessions. I should get one of those signs that says ‘One of these days I’m gonna get organizized.’

    Betsy: You mean ‘organized’?

    Travis: Organiziezed. Organiziezed – it’s a joke. O-R-G-A-N-E-Z-I-E-Z-D.

    Betsy: Oh, you mean ‘Organizized’. Like those little signs they have in offices that say "Thimk".

    Taxi Driver was directed by Martin Scorsese and also stars Albert Brooks and Jodie Foster, who was only 13 when the film was released.

    Can you think of a "Great Moment" in Organization History?  Come on now, join the conversation.  You know you want to.

    John_trosko_207

  • Joan Rivers Wants To Do The Dirty Work Around Your House

    CelebritiesComedienne Joan Rivers wants to clean your house.

    Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell will gladly walk your dog.

    Absolutely Fabulous Actress Joanna Lumley wants to take you shopping (for organizing supplies?)

    Christie’s Auction House in London is hosting a fund-raising event to benefit a local AIDS/HIV charity.  The public is being offered the chance to bid on these (and more) professional services.

    The March 12 Lighthouse Gala auction will be held in the Great Rooms of Christie’s, St James’s.  Tickets for the auction start at $250.

    We ask readers, do you really think any work is going to be done?

    Source:  BBC News

    John_trosko_206