Toyota has announced it will offer a plug-in Prius to the masses in 2011 and it will be an “affordable” car. For starters, it will be the first Toyota with lithium-ion batteries. It will allow the corded car to travel 14.5 miles on electricity alone. Not much, but it’s a start. More impressive is the fuel economy offered — 134 miles per gallon.

Read more at Wired.com

Alpine Cabinet Company of Timnath, Colorado doesn't have enough work these days to keep employees busy, so they've come up with a creative way to get through the holidays without resorting to layoffs. They are building dollhouses for children in need.

It's a team effort with some employees creating dollhouse furniture, others sewing curtains, and others making the actual structures. Completed dollhouses will be given away to Project Self-Sufficiency and the Windsor Optimist Club, who will distribute them to children in need.

“I thought it would be a great morale boost for our people and lots of kids who need help,” said Bill Chinn, vice president of production.

(READ the story in the Coloradoan.com)