rooftop

Toys 'R' Us building massive rooftop solar project

Toys "R" Us announced today that it plans to cover 70 percent of the roof of its distribution center, located in the leafy suburb of Flanders, N.J., with a solar installation.

The 5.38-megawatt solar project is a massive undertaking for a rooftop installation. Toys "R" Us claims this will be the largest rooftop solar installation in North America.

The Flanders distribution center is the largest distribution facility in the U.S. for the toy and electronics retailer. Toys "R" Us estimates that the roof spans about 32 acres. More than 869,294 square feet (almost 20 acres) of that roof will be covered in solar panels, according to the company.… Read more

The 404 305: Where Natali does not appear on 'Howard Stern'

Natali Del Conte joins the show today to talk about how she won't be making an appearance on the Howard Stern's show, though he is looking for a brand-new 3G, touch screen phone with a keyboard. Jeff and Wilson told her that she needs to wear a muumuu and a turtleneck if she ever goes on the show. Best of all, it's Jeff's birthday! He's legal, girls!

On today's show, we talk about how the homeless in this country actually carry around cell phones. How else are you going to be able to reach them? Corner of 4th and Ave A isn't really good contact info. Along those same lines, the recession apparently is causing "nakations" to become a big thing. That's right; it's a naked vacation. Natali points out that most people that go to nude beaches aren't exactly the fittest. That, and her skin should never get exposed to direct sunlight.

Twitter ends Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer's relationship. Find out from Natali why this is empowering women. And another form of empowerment is drawing a 60-foot penis on your parent's rooftop. Yes, an ingenious boy in the U.K. drew the large "willy" in half an hour. For six months, no one noticed--except for Google Earth and passing helicopters. In response to this story and on his birthday, Jeff invents a new word that we're not allowed to write here at CNET. Needless to say, it's priceless. Listen in and send us your comments at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. Or leave us a message at 1-866-404-CNET (2638).

EPISODE 305 Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes Subscribe in RSSRead more

San Francisco sprouts a 'Chia' nightclub

A San Francisco nightclub installed on Monday what it's promoting as the city's first vertical garden. Several plant-filled boxes turned on their sides and bolted outside near the entrance are the first step in the Zen Compound's plans to cover the facade of the building in greenery.

"The hope is to have a living building," said Mike Zuckerman, director of sustainability at the 40,000 square foot complex. He spotted a butterfly hovering near native licorice ferns on Tuesday.

Green rooftops are in vogue in cities around the country. Hanging, wall-mounted gardens, on the other … Read more