Thermolite Planters Easy On The Back

We all love the opulent look of expensive planters in rich terra cotta and luxurious sandstone. But ever tried to move one? There goes the old back.

Jokari/US Inc. is riding to the rescue with American Pottery planters made of ThermoLite, a material that weighs 90 percent less than traditional terra cotta and sandstone.

No chipping or breaking, and they’re watertight and weatherproof. Each piece is hand-finished with a special color process. Available in antique terra cotta and sandstone in grape designs.

Suggested retail: $30-$70, depending on size. For more information, call (888) 388-0319.

Future shock: Solar cells as roof shingles. Thermostats that adjust depending on who’s in the room. Refrigerators that automatically order groceries. These are some of the things we can all look forward to in the future, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the National Engineers Week Committee, a consortium of engineering associations and major U.S. industries.

Other future thoughts?

Miniature water-treatment plants in each home.

Vacuum toilets, such as those used in airplanes, that conserve water.

Interior walls dyed during the manufacturing process, so they are erected already “painted.”

Homes built on floating gel beds in areas prone to earthquakes.

Entertainment and communication centers that include holographic imaging.