jenny cares 

Aside from drinking it - beer has several other uses
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ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES TO YOUR GARDEN
Use beer to get some flutter-action in your garden. Many butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, carrion, urine...this 'butterfly bait' sounds nicer! Mix 1 pound sugar, 1 or 2 cans stale beer, 3 mashed overripe banana, 1 cup of molasses or syrup, 1 cup of fruit juice, 1 shot of rum-and splash on trees, fences, rocks, or soak a sponge to hang from a branch.
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BEER RINSE FOR BOUNCY HAIR
The vitamin B and natural sugars in beer add body and shine, while acting as a natural setting lotion that increases resilience, vitality, and hold. Allow one cup of beer to go flat and warm. Shampoo and rinse hair as usual. Pour the flat warm beer on your hair and work it through. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
For extra shine, try this formula.
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REMOVE STAINS WITH BEER
Getting coffee or tea stains out of your rug may seem as feasible as getting water out of a rock, but beer can be a miracle worker in this field. Do a test patch and allow to dry. If it looks ok, tackle the stain: douse it in beer, blot, repeat.
For other types of carpet stains, try some of these tricks 
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MINI FIRE EXTINGUISHER
For small paper or grill fires. Because of the water content and pressure, you can shake a can or bottle and unleash the liquid on the fire. Some people carry an emergency can in their car in case of engine fire. NOTE: Not for grease fires or electrical fires.
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MARINATE MUSHROOMS
Beer works as a great tenderizer that isn’t as acidic in flavour as wine or vinegar-based marinades. Use a hearty-flavoured beer e.g. stout or barley wine, poke a few holes in the meat or mushrooms, add any other herbs or spices, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
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POLISH COPPER POTS
Just dampen a soft towel with beer, and buff! In the past, dregs of beer from spent kegs were used to polish the copper vats in breweries. Because of beer’s subtle acidity, it can help boost shine without staining the metal like a higher-acidity liquid would. Do a test spot first.
You might like to check out Annie’s formulas for metal polishing also.
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BUILD A PATIO WALL,
and more, from Beer Bottles. Many handmade houses have employed empty beer cans and bottles, like the one pictured here, built by Tito Ingenieri (Argentina), which used 6 million beer bottles! Perhaps you could adapt the idea to build something at home, e.g. a retaining wall or a screen for a patio.
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Adapted from 9 Surprising Uses for Beer-Care2's GreenLiving by Melissa Breyer 

Writing, phoning and emailing congressional offices (USA)

Letters, Faxes and Emails
Personal handwritten letters are still the most effective means of communicating with a member of Congress. But if you don't have the time to write and mail a letter, consider sending a fax or email instead. Whichever method you choose, the same suggestions apply for composing your message:

>>..State the reason that you're writing in the first paragraph.
If you're writing about a particular bill, refer to the bill by its number, for example, S. 1020 or H.R. 1100.

>>..Make two or three strong factual points to support your position.

>>..Briefly state why this issue matters to you. If it affects you, a family member or your community directly, say so.

>>..Make a brief connection to the member
(if applicable). For instance, if you voted for him or her, worked for his or her campaign, or would like to support this member of Congress in the future, include that information.

>>..Clearly state the outcome you expect
e.g., that you want your senator or representative to support a project in your state or district, or to vote a certain way on a bill.

>>..Be courteous (but of course you already knew that).

>>..Above all, keep it short -- preferably no longer than one page. Members of Congress and their staffs are extremely busy, and lengthy messages are less likely to be completely read.

Phone Calls
Don't expect to speak to your actual senator or representative on the phone; instead you'll most likely speak with a member of his or her staff. When you call:

>>..Ask to speak with the staff member who handles the issue or bill in which you have an interest.

>>..Identify yourself, and identify the issue with which you are concerned. If it's a specific bill, identify the bill by its S. or H.R. number.

>>..Briefly state your reason for calling.
e.g. "I'd like to know Representative X's position on H.R. 1100." Or, "I'd like Senator Y to know that I strongly oppose S. 234 because ______."

>>..If you would like a reply from your congressperson, let the staff member know.

>>..Keep the call short and courteous.
Remember to thank the staff member for his or her time.

Where to Send Your Messages
You can find your senators' and representative's contact information (mailing and email addresses, phone and fax numbers) in this online Congressional directory.

2. Communicating with the White House

If you'd like to write a letter to the president or vice president, the rules are similar to those for writing to members of Congress. Identify yourself and your issue. State your point of view. Explain why it's important to you. Be courteous and get to the point quickly.

Where to Send Your Messages
The President (or Vice President) of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Phone: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email: president@whitehouse.gov
          vice.president@whitehouse.gov

REFERENCES, LINKS:
Camilla's smilies: http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys_generator.html
Congressional directory: http://www.care2.com/dailyaction/primary.html?da%5Btoday%5D=2009-06-10 
Action Tips and Tools: Communications Tips: http://www.care2.com/dailyaction/primary.html?da%5Btoday%5D=2009-06-10