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South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014

SPOTLIGHT By Wendy Wall To Pedal or Not to Pedal? Getting around town just got a whole lot easier – and more fun – thanks to Hammacher Schlemmer’s spiffy Solar Velomobile. Part motorized vehicle, part pedaling bike, this cheerful chariot gives riders the option of pedaling or cruising. It’s equipped with a solar-paneled roof that powers a 600-watt electric motor, allowing the hybrid to travel up to 45 miles on a single charge, or 100 miles when combined with pedaling. Using the motor alone, the Velomobile can reach up to 20 mph, and with a leg assist, it goes up to 30 mph. Inside the cute little craft is a handle bar that works just like that of a typical bicycle and an adjustable seat that accommodates riders up to 6 feet, 9 inches tall. With LED headlights, brake lights and turn signals, the hybrid can even be used at night. To acquire your own orange, white or green Solar Velomobile for $9,900, visit hammacher.com. E x c i t i n F i n d s E x c i t i n g F i n d s 10 South Bay Accent Modern Rocker Whether you plan to rocka bye baby or rock the night away, this subtle yet sophisticated chair provides a smart way to do it. Like all Gus Modern products, the GT Chair was inspired by modern designs of the past. Its sleek a n d s i m p l e form features a black powder-coated steel base and cushions created to look like 1970s car seats. The retro-styled rocker contains wood that is 100 percent certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an environmental group that promotes socially beneficial and economically prosperous forest management practices, and it includes felt strips on the rockers to protect hardwood floors. The chic chair even comes in three colors: Laurentian Citrine, Cabana Husk and Mid-Century Brulee. Of course, the GT Chair is super comfortable, too. Go to allmodern.com to find it for $1,150. Tea HTweeter ere’s one caged bird that will sing for joy when removed from its stainless steel home. The brainchild of Hong Kongbased designer Alan Chan, this silvery songbird is actually a tea strainer. Taking the shape of a bird and cage, the Tea Matter Strainer nods to ancient Chinese history, when the elite took their feathered friends to tea time in elaborate cages. While showing off might have been the motivation for bird owners back then, this modern caged bird serves the real purpose of making tea. To use it, one takes the bird from its cage, sets it on a teacup and uses it to strain loose tea leaves. As soon as the bird flies its coop, a melodic chirping begins, making for a unique and soothing experience. To add a bit of whimsy to your cup of tea, go to fab.com, where the set is available for $142.


South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014
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