The Secret Lair

Can I Get A Ride to Upstate New York on August 1?

2012-02-23T09:39:00.003-08:00

The Tri-City Valley Cats are hosting their 5th Annual Going Green Night on August 1, 2012. The team, which is based in Troy, New York, will be playing baseball and educating the community on how to protect the environment.

Green Songs on the Road

2012-02-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

Aluminum Can Music Man had a chance to perform for some friends of the environment Wednesday afternoon. He sang a few songs for the Houston office of Texas Campaign for the Environment before their crew went out on their daily door to door canvassing trip.

Aluminum Can Music Man is Heading to Sugar Land

2012-02-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

Aluminum Can Music Man will be hitting the road this Saturday(February 18)-Highway 59 to be exact. He will be sharing his ONE CAPE, ONE GUITAR AND A POCKET-FUL OF GREEN SONGS with the Sugar Land Skeeters. The Skeeters are a new baseball team, scheduled to begin play April 26. They are auditioning potential in-game performers.

Spend Earth Day at the Ballpark with Aluminum Can Music Man

2012-01-21T15:41:00.001-08:00

Fans of baseball and recycling in South Texas can get a little bit of both this Earth Day thanks to Aluminum Can Music Man. Sunday, April 22, 2012 will be a day to SPEND EARTH DAY AT THE BALLPARK WITH ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN.

Fans in Houston and Corpus Christi can take in a ballgame, get discounted tickets, and have part of their ticket purchase price go to support recycing education at Helms Elementary School in Houston.

The Astros will be playing the Dodgers at Minute Maid Park. The Corpus Christi Hooks will take on Frisco at Whataburger Field. Both games begin at 1:05 pm(Central Time).
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Helms and will be used to fund recycling education projects at the school in the 2012-13 school year.

Mark your calendar for April 22 and get ready to SPEND EARTH DAY AT THE BALLPARK WITH ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN.

You can purchase tickets to the Astros game at this link. Use the promotion code "ACMM". You can also contact Joe Schiavi in the Astros' ticket office at 713-259-8314 for tickets by phone.

Pricing for the Astros' game:
Field Box- $32 ($10 donation to recycling at Helms)
Field Box II- $22 ($7)
Bullpen Boxes- $21 ($6)
Mezzanine(OF)- $16 ($4)
View Deck- $12 ($3)
View Deck- $10 ($3)

Information on Hooks' tickets for the event will be available in early March.

Japan says "See you later" not "Sayonara" to plastic

2012-01-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

According to this report, the people of Japan recycled 77 percent of their plastic in 2010. This amount is up from 73 percent in 2006.

I Never Knew Mattresses Could be Recycled

2012-01-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

Just read an article from NPR about a company that recycled old mattresses and box springs. I never even thought about recycling them. Pretty cool!

7 Ways to Save Money and Energy this Summer

2012-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

Recycle Bank has posted a list of seven actions you can take in your home to save energy and money this winter.

Pros and Cons of Single Stream Recycling

2012-01-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

Aluminum Can Music Man's Secret Lair is located in a part of Houston which allows for single stream recycling. It is quite convenient to be able to throw everything recycleable(except the aluminum cans, of course) into one bin. From there it is collected every other week by the green trucks that roam Houston's streets. This article by Umbra takes a look at the plusses and minuses of single stream recycling.

You can Make sure your Christmas tree is Really Green

2012-01-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Recycled Christmas tree. With the Christmas season coming to an end, here's a link to an article about recycling your Christmas tree. It includes an interactive directory of places where you can take your retired Christmas tree.

A Birthday Offer from Aluminum Can Music Man

2011-12-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

Since tomorrow(December 29) is his birthday, Aluminum Can Music Man has a special offer for lovers of all things green in the Houston area.

If you donate at least $99 to support recycling education programs at Helms Elementary School (Houston ISD), Aluminum Can Music Man will perform 30 minutes worth of green songs for an audience(maximum size of 50 people) of your choosing. He has performed for schools, libraries and religious groups, but is willing to perform for any group that cares about the environment.

This offer is good until the end of January 2012; however, the performance can be scheduled anytime betweeen now and Earth Day, April 22, 2012. Please email aluminumcanman@yahoo.com, for more information or for any questions.

Also, a reminder to mark your calendar for Sunday, April 22, 2012 when you will be able to SPEND EARTH DAY AT THE BALL PARK WITH ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN.

How Will the Money Raised by Helms be Distributed

2011-12-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings Helms Learning Community,

Many thanks for your support and for taking your cans to C&D.

As spring approaches, I wanted to explain the plan for distribution of the funds that your cans raise this school year.

May 15- Funds raised announced via email. Teachers will receive an invitation to submit their proposal for a environmental lesson or activity for the 2012-13 school year.
June 30- Teachers' proposals will be due to ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN vis email
Mid-July- Proposals will me made avaialable via email and Google Docs to the Helms Learning community.
On or around August 15 until Labor Day- Voting for proposals. Poll will me made available via email.
Mid-September- Monies distributed for use by teachers and awards announced via email.

Thanks,
Aluminum Can Music Man

Saludos a la Comunidad de Helms Learning Center.

Muchas garcias por su apoyo y por llevar sus latas a C&D.

La primavera se acerca y deseo explicarles el plan de distribución
de los fondo que sus latas han recaudado este año.

El 15 de Mayo, los fondos recaudados serán anuciados vía
correo electronico. Se le extendera una invitación a los maestro a
que sometan una propuesta sobre una lección o actividad ambiental
a llevarse acabo en el año escolar 2012 - 2013.

En Junio 30, entrega de las propuestas de los maestros
a Aluminum Can Music Man.

A mediados de Julio las propuestas serán accesibles vía correo electronico
y en Google Docs a la Comunidad de Aprendizaje Helms.

Las propuestas serán elejidas por voto hecho en correo electronico cerca
de Agosto 15 hasta el Día del Trabajo.

A mediados de Septiembre el dinero sera otorgado y anuciado
vía correo electronico.

Muchisimas Gracias.
El Musico Hojalata que Lata.

Who is Aluminum Can Music Man?

2011-11-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Hailing from the planet al-Yumen, Aluminum Can Music Man mysteriously appeared in the Houston area early in this century. With one cape, one guitar and a pocket full of green songs, he aims to spread greenness throughout the community and beyond. He spends most of his time monitoring recycling from his Secret Lair near 25th and Shepherd in the Heights. However, he is available to come sing his songs and share his message of recycling with your group.

NOTE: Aluminum Can Music Man is part of the SONGS FROM BOOKS project.

The 'Toons and The Tunes

2011-11-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

The 'Toons (Aluminum Can Music Man's Cartoon Adventures)

August 2011 (When Pigs Dream)

October 2011 (Dancing with the Hogs)

December 2011 (Kick the Can)

Archive of Cartoons from 2010-11 School Year

The Tunes (A pocketful of Green Songs)

Why Do the Leaves Turn Brown?

Back Pocket Jeffersons

Take Me Out to the Green Game

The Relentless Recycler

What's in a Compost Pile?

Community Support Shines on the Can Drive

2011-11-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

Picture by Greg Densmore. Used with permission.

The rain put a damper on the start of Tuesday's can drive; however, by the end of the event, the community's support of recycling at Helms Elementary School was shining brightly. Many thanks go out to the following companies and organizations who supported the event:

C&D Scrap Metal for bringing their monster truck to the event
InvesTex Credit Union who provided a place to hold the event
The America Recycles Day initiative which provided pencils and bookmarks for participants
The Green Business Bureau who assisted with online promotion of the event
The City of Houston's Recycling Education Deparment who attended and had a visit by their recycling mascot canceled by the rain
The City of Houston's Citizenship Week which encourages Houston to celebrate the many different ways of being a good citizen

Aluminum Can Music Man Wants your Cans!

2011-10-30T04:22:00.001-07:00

Celebrate AMERICA RECYCLES DAY on Tuesday, November 15 betweeen 2-4:30 pm by bringing your cans to Aluminum Can Music Man's 2nd Annual Can Drive in the Heights. The event will be held at the Heights Branch of InvesTex Credit Union, which is located at 17th and Durham (77008 zip code). All cans collected will be taken to C&D Scrap Metal at 25th and Durham. The proceeds from cans donated will be used to support recycling education at Helms Elmentary School (503 W. 21st Street).

The C&D Scrap Metal Monster Truck will be at the event from 4-4:30.

Representatives from the City of Houston's Recycling Education program will be there as well. A visit from the city's recycling mascot Reusette is scheduled for 3:15-3:45.

If you can't make it to the can drive, you can still take your aluminum and other scrap metal to C&D Scrap Metal any time they are open and tell them, "These are for Helms!"

Aluminum Can Music Man is Stronger than we Thought

2011-09-08T10:12:00.001-07:00

Special thanks to a Friend of the Lair, Patrick Brooks. He designed the picture above of Aluminum Can Music Man.

When Pigs Dream- August 2011

2011-08-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Needless to say, my good friend Phydeaux the Wonder Pig slept a lot over the summer holidays.

Lots of sleeping= Lots of dreaming. What does a pig like Phydeaux dream about? You can read about it in my latest cartoon adventure.

You can read about the award ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN won by clicking here.

Aluminum Can Music Man is KEEPING HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL

2011-08-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Aluminum Can Music Man has been selected to receive an HONORABLE MENTION award in the 2011 Mayor's Proud Partners competition. This award spotlights organizations, individuals, and (now) superheroes who carry out green activities in the Houston area.

Cartoons from 2010-11 School Year

2011-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010 (Special Online only Adventure)

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

January 2011 (A Mid-Winter Night's Dream)

February 2011 (Dr. Seuss' Birthday)

March 2011 (Take Me out to the Green Game)

Earth Day 2011

May 2011 (The Power of the Can)

Bring Your Cans to Fall Blast

2011-04-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

Aluminum Can Music Man will be appearing at Camp Lone Star's Fall Blast on Saturday, November 19. (Who is Aluminum Can Music Man?) He will be presenting his Pocket-ful of Green Songs to attendees at the retreat. He also encourages groups to colect aluminum cans and bring them to the event. All cans will be recycled by Camp Lone Star with the proceeds being used to support the ministry of Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas.

A Note on the ALUMI-ku 5-0

2011-04-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

With all due respect to the earth and recycling the ALUMI-ku 5-0 has been suspended. As Earth Day (April 22) approaches recycling activities in Houston have been increasing exponentially. While this increase is a great thing, my duties monitoring these activities increased as well leaving little time for leisure activties such as creating haiku and tweeting them. Thanks for recycling with me.

Alumi-ku 5-0 Coming March 4

2011-02-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of Earth Day 2011 (April 22), Aluminum Can Music Man is taking his poetry to Twitter. Beginning Friday, March 4, Aluminum Can Music Man will tweet a recycling-themed haiku (aka ALUMI-KU) on his twitter page. These 17 environmentally-friendly syllables will help you count down the 50 days until earth day. Please join Aluminum Can Music Man as he tweets.

Hanging Out with a Monster Truck

2010-10-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brandon from C&D for snapping this photo during the morning session of the can drive at Sterling Bank. I will be back at Sterling Bank in the Heights (414 W. 19th St.) Friday afternoon from 2:30-4. C&D will be there too with their monster truck and t-shirts to give away. All proceeds will benefit the Helms PTA.

Back Pocket Jeffersons

2010-10-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Why Do the Leaves Turn Brown?

2010-09-22T18:54:00.001-07:00

Take Me Out to the Green Game

2010-09-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Relentless Recycler

2010-09-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

What's In a Compost Pile?

2010-09-04T11:23:00.000-07:00