The popular "Cash for Clunkers" program, or CARS, has new automobile sales in overdrive.

As an economic stimulus program, "Cash for Clunkers" is a big success. New cars are flying off the lots and automakers are putting employees back to work. But is the program taking gas-guzzlers off the road, as intended? What repercussions are being felt down the supply chain? The Hipsters motor through the facts surrounding the Car Allowance Rebate System, as it's now called. Also, Val attends her family reunion and gets locked in a brewery. Really, is anyone surprised?

Beer: The Heirloom Amber Ale from Pike Brewing Co. in Seattle is a crowd-pleaser. Crisp and refreshing, weighty enough for ale drinkers, but accessible to those just starting to leave the cheerleader beer behind.

Chocolate: Our new favorite listener is Tony in Chicago! He resisted the urge to bust open the Cafe-Tasse Chocolat Bio bar, sending it to us intact. Sweet little cocoa bits wrapped in velvety organic chocolate...almost as delicious as George Clooney!

Finds:

• Book 'em, pt. 1. OK college students, stop the madness with the bookstore prices! Check out Chegg and BookRenter for textbook rentals. You even get a prepaid return envelope.
• Book 'em, pt. 2. You say you'd rather own a used copy? Go to Bookfinder, Campus Books or eCampus for some deals.
• Book 'em, pt. 3. Or go treeless! Six campuses are testing a program using the Kindle for accessing textbooks. Make sure you get a huge bottle of Paperback to go with it.

   

• Hot wings. Good ol' Exxon Mobil will pay a fine for killing migratory birds in 5 states. Their gas pits and oily wastewater apparently do not make a successful marinade.
• Mass. transit. Officials in Boston are creating a citywide bike-share program. Wicked pissah!

Got sawdust? Put it to use in your compost bin or pile. Tossing a handful of sawdust on top of fresh scraps helps to break the material down quickly, with less odor.

As an economic stimulus program, "Cash for Clunkers" is a big success. New cars are flying off the lots and automakers are putting employees back to work. But is the program taking gas-guzzlers off the road, as intended? What repercussions are being felt down the supply chain? The Hipsters motor through the facts surrounding the Car Allowance Rebate System, as it's now called.

• The rules. Find all the details about Cash for Clunkers at the program's official site.
• Top 10. Which cars are the top trade-ins? Which new cars are rolling off the lots? Oddly, Ford tops both lists!
• Sticker shock. The popular program is giving used car dealers a bit of a headache.
• A Hummer? Really? Environmentalists find the Cash for Clunkers program isn't as green as they had hoped.
• Load of scrap. Auto recyclers keep busy these days, but are upset with limits on their ability to recover car parts.
• Mercury rising. General Motors has dropped out of ELVS, a partnership that collects toxic car parts to prevent mercury pollution.

Be a part of our show! Send an e-mail to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and photos of your trade-in at our MHTH forum!Send Val at least 25 beer caps or labels for her patio project, and get a free MHTH bottle opener! Mail them to More Hip Val, 275 Fairchild Ave. #107, Chico, CA 95973. No Sierra Nevada please!

• Nicole in Connecticut wants to cut down on wasted yogurt cups. You can recycle them or buy bigger containers to scoop from...or you can make your own yogurt! We have faith in you!
• Charlie in Los Angeles (she's a girl!) liked the story of a teenage boy who figured out how to make plastic decompose in just 3 months. We'll all be working for that kid someday.
• Lynda in Florida spent time bonding with good beer at Portland's Brewfest. A stop at Voodoo Donuts didn't yield any glazed genitalia, sorry to say, but she did share a chocolate recipe with us. We're sitting by the mailbox waiting for those Brewfest mugs!

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