Chicago - November 22, 2006

Here Comes the Sun

Noon Solar Bags

Aerosol cans, Styrofoam cups: not such intelligent designs, after all.

Don’t despair; starting next week, saving the planet’s in the bag.

Noon Solar bags may be produced locally, but the designers think globally when it comes to the environment: Each bag has a solar panel at the back that, when attached to an external battery pack, charges your iPod or cell phone as you walk (or bask). Plug the included cords into your gadgets, and when the sun hits the panel, the battery will charge your devices — naturally.

Made of biodegradable leather that’s been tanned with nuts and berries (as opposed to soil-polluting chromium), the bags are screen-printed with hemp and cotton fabric, lined with wool felt, and weatherproofed with a coat of beeswax. So they look good and do good.

See? That should keep you walking on the sunny side of the street.

Available at Robin Richman, 2108 North Damen Avenue, between Charleston Street and Dickens Avenue (773- 278-6150).