If you live in Scotland, the same whisky that energize your visits to the pub may also energize your home: Contracts are underway to construct a combined heat and power plant that runs on the leftovers of some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries. Scheduled to be up and running by 2013, this particular alcohol-powered project is Scotland’s first whisky-fueled energy project that will provide electricity to the public.

Sixteen whisky labels located in Speyside, Scotland—including Glenfiddich, Chivas Regal, and Famous Grouse—will contribute material to the new power plant. They’ll transport their  spent grains (or draff) from the distilleries to the biofuel plant, where it’ll be combined with wood chips and burned, generating over 7.0 MW of power. This energy output—about the same as two large wind turbines—is expected to power at least 9,000 homes. In addition, the residue called pot ale, which accumulates in the distilleries’ copper stills, will be turned into animal feed and fertilizer for nearby farmers. (more…)

· A Netherlands court decides Second Life goods have real life value, and sentences teenagers to community service for nabbing another player’s amulet and mask in a virtual reality game. In Japan, a woman faces jail time for murder of virtual ex-husband.

· Meanwhile, back in real-reality, here’s a Golden Orb Weaver (aka a really friggin huge spider) chowing down on a Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. Ew.

· Now cleanse your eyeballs with a photo of a really cute squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi) that appears to be a hybrid of Piglet and Gonzo.

· Scientists develop a teeth-operated piano pedal for paraplegic musicians.

· Work off your carbon footprint by boogying down at Watt: the world’s first sustainable dance club.

· Then grab a bottle of Tap’d NY: “Not From the Top of Some Far Away Mountain.”