Calif. to lose white-page phone directories?

Feb 02, 2010

You may not see white-pages telephone listings books showing up on your front porch much longer. A state lawmaker would like to get rid of the practice of delivering the advertising directories to homes for environmental reasons.

Tech-savvy Californians aren't using the white pages as much as previous generations did. Some surveys show only 4 percent of Californians look up numbers the old-fashioned way.

"When you have technology now for getting at that information, you start scratching your head, wondering 'Why are we still doing this?'" said state Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).

Yee has introduced a bill that would reverse the law requiring the phone companies to automatically deliver the white pages to people's homes. Customers would have to "opt in" to receive it.

The goal is to be more environmentally friendly. More than a million trees are cut down for the directories, one-third of that for white pages alone.

"This just represents a waste of paper, a waste of resources and ultimately a waste in our landfill; only 20 percent get recycled," said Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste .

Source: abc7.com

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Original "Phone Call" message tears out and duplicate remains as a permanent record. Ruled note space on reverse for longer messages. Stop card prevents write-through. Date register on front cover, area codes on inside front cover. Form Type: N/A; Global Product Type: Forms-Message; Format: 400-Set Book; Form Size (W x H): 2 3/4 in x 5 in.

The Camera Phone Book: How to Shoot Like a Pro, Print, Store, Display, Send Images, Make a Short Film

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Marketing experts predict that by 2009, nearly 90% of all cell phones will contain a camera, as manufacturers race to create cheaper, easier-to-use models with more sophisticated cameras, more pixels, flash units and even multiple lenses. Already revolutionizing audiovisual communication, it's a trend that will only grow more explosively—and who better than National Geographic to create a how-to book aimed directly at the millions who carry a camera phone everywhere and want to make the most of it?

Created by two top professionals, this generously illustrated nuts-and-bolts guide is the first of its kind to treat these units as genuine cameras instead of novelties, and the only one to include a full-color photo-essay demonstrating the full capabilities of the latest camera phones. In five easy-to-read chapters, the book explains how to choose good equipment; take better pictures; and store, print and send the best images. Readers will find practical tips on preventing or repairing water damage, protecting easily-scratched lenses inside pockets and purses, and retrieving accidentally-erased images. They'll also learn to access the events, advice, and opportunities of the burgeoning camera phone community, from film festivals to news organizations, moblogs, and more.

Featuring the technical savvy of CNet.com's Aimee Baldridge and the creative skill of National Geographic photographer Robert Clark, a camera phone pioneer, this compact yet comprehensive reference combines up-to-the-minute expertise with superb examples, at an inexpensive price that makes it a perfect gift book—or an ideal impulse buy.

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12 Crafty Ways To Reuse Phone Books

crafty ways to reuse phone books 2

Now that everyone looks up numbers on the internet, the phone companies will eventually stop sending new phone books each year. Until that time comes, however, here are some of my favorite uses for phone books.

1. Gift Bows. Use pages from telephone books to make subtly colored, but surprisingly attractive gift bows.

2. Paper Beads. Slice and roll paper beads from telephone book pages to create unique fashion jewelry.

3. Cutting Mats. Need an impromptu cutting mat? Try using an old telephone book to protect surface and keep the craft knife from being damages.

4. DIY Phonebook Wallet. Fold a wallet in just a few moments using pages from the phone book.

5. Coffee Tables. There are several methods for recycling phone books into coffee tables. Take a look at the links here, here, and here.

6. Origami. Phone book pages are the perfect size and weight for origami. The print on the pages adds to the fun!

7. Pen Organizer. Stacks of telephone book pages are cut, folded and glued together to make a great organizers for pens, pencils and other small office supplies.

8. Flower Press. No need to purchase a flower press when old phone books work just as well.

9. Secret Hiding Space. Hardback books are generally used to make hollowed out hiding spaces for valuables. However, because of the size, phone books can be used just as well.

10. Paper Bunting. Phone books make a great disposable bunting for parties and other special occasions.

11. Flip Books. Teach your kids how to make their own flip books using unwanted phone books. Make the project even more fun by reading the history behind flip books with them.

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