BARITONE VOCAL REHEARSALS LIVE GREEN DOLPHIN STREET JULY 9TH
June 12th, 2009
Author: baritone
Keywords: baritoneonline michael harper
Added: June 9, 2009
Posted in 
The 10 greenest airlines fly friendlier skies
June 11th, 2009
div class=image style=float:right;padding-left:8px;img alt=airplane height=300 src=http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/daily_green_news/daily_green_news-912261259-1244674784.jpg?ymh7cZBDfP63uvbh width=230//divpFlying the friendly skies has never been particularly earth-friendly, although new a href=http://www.greenopia.com/USA/airline_search.aspx?category=AirlineListpage=0input=Name%20or%20productsubcategory=None target=_blankairline rankings from Greenopia/a help make a step in a greener direction. /ppWith some estimates showing air travel to account for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, some say that true greenies worth their salt will either abstain or limit using this mode of transportation as much as possible. /ppHowever, for those of us that simply must fly for either business or the occasional pleasure trip, there’s Greenopia’s newly released guide, which ranks the top 10 commercial airlines operating domestic flights across America according to their efforts to reduce environmental harm. /ppAccording to the guide, strongVirgin/strong, strongContinental/strong, and strongHorizon/strong are the top three airlines making an effort to reduce their drag on the earth. Both Virgin and Continental have fairly new fleets, which tend to be more fuel-efficient, and have completed flights using biofuels. They also offer carbon-offset services, and Virgin even serves fair-trade coffee./ppYou may not have heard of Horizon, but maybe you should. It has one of the most comprehensive recycling programs in the industry and incorporates some green business design in its offices. Popular airlines a href=http://www.greenopia.com/USA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=7input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankDelta/a and a href=http://www.greenopia.com/USA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=8input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankAmerican/a came in at seventh and eighth respectively, largely due to their older, less fuel-efficient fleets./ppThe rankings were calculated using an extensive list of criteria including fleet age, fuel consumption practices, carbon offsets, green building design, recycling programs, and organic, local, and sustainable food items available on flights. /ppIt’s a dilemma, says Greenopia founder and CEO Gay Browne. People are going to travel. Whatever method they chose will impact the planet. Our readers want to know how to get to their destination with the smallest environmental footprint, especially if they are boarding a jumbo jet. We appreciate those airlines like Virgin and Continental that are taking great strides to green their passenger miles./ppCheck out a href=http://www.greenopia.com/USA/airline_search.aspx?category=AirlineListpage=0input=Name%20or%20productsubcategory=None target=_blankGreenopia’s complete airline listings/a. The top 10 are below:/pullia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=1input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankVirgin America/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=2input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankContinental/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=3input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankHorizon/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=4input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankJetBlue/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=5input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankSouthwest/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=6input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankNorthwest/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=7input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankDelta/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=8input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankAmerican/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=9input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankUnited/a/lilia href=http://www.greenopia.com/LA/airline_listing.aspx?ID=10input=Name+or+productListpage=0 target=_blankUS Airways/a/li/ulpemThe Daily Green’s Community News section is a forum for our audience to get the word out about issues that matter to them, enlist support, get help and advice, celebrate successes or share humor. The best submissions are personal (why I started this venture) short and to the point (400 words or so) and written in a style that speaks directly to the audience as peers (not like an ad or press release). Email submissions to a href=mailto:news@thedailygreen.comnews@thedailygreen.com/a and include community news in the subject line. Photos are also welcome, provided the submitter has rights to publish the image. Be sure to include credit and caption information./em/ppemSubmissions to The Daily Green are subject to our a href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/privacy target=_newPrivacy and Terms of Use policies/a./em/ppstrongMore from The Daily Green/strong/pullia href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/endangered-vacations-47060902?link=reldom=yah_greensrc=syncon=artmag=tdg10 Endangered Vacations/a/lilia href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/greenest-oil-companies-460409?link=reldom=yah_greensrc=syncon=artmag=tdgRanking the 10 Greenest Oil Companies/a/lilia href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/electric-bikes-460209?link=reldom=yah_greensrc=syncon=artmag=tdgCool Electric Bikes/a/lilia href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/natural-swimming-pools-460908?link=reldom=yah_greensrc=syncon=artmag=tdg23 Gorgeous Natural Swimming Pools/a/lilia href=http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/fuel-efficient-cars-47102201?link=reldom=yah_greensrc=syncon=artmag=tdgThe 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2009/a/li/ulpReprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc/p
Live Green 08 09
June 11th, 2009
Author: REALteacher1
Keywords: Live Green 08 09
Added: June 9, 2009
Electricity superhighway moving forward
June 11th, 2009
pimg height=183 src=http://l.yimg.com/a/feeds/us/grn/green_ecogeek/windhighway.gif width=468 //ppThere is a lot of potential energy to be gathered from the high plains of the upper Midwest United States. A look at the United States Department of Energy’s a href=http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp50-Meter Wind Resource Map/a shows much of the Dakotas and Nebraska to have desirable wind power resource potential. Big ranches and open land areas offer lots of wind power potential, but there is far less demand for it there than there is in load centers like Minneapolis and Chicago, further to the east./ppJust as with offshore power, the question of power generation is only one of the problems that needs to be addressed. Getting the power from where it is generated to where it is needed is also part of making the new system useful. To this end, a new network of extra high-voltage (765 kV) transmission lines, called the a href=http://www.thegreenpowerexpress.com/index.phpGreen Power Express/a is under development. It will cross portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois with 3000 miles of transmission lines to be able to provide 12,000 megawatts of power from new wind farms in the high wind areas of the upper Midwest./ppThe infrastructure to get the power from where it can be harnessed to where it is needed is part of the current administration’s energy policy./pblockquoteThe Green Power Express is consistent with the vision outlined by President Obama in his national energy agenda. President Obama specifically mentioned his desire to get wind power from North Dakota to population centers, like Chicago. The Green Power Express will allow this goal to be met./blockquotepDevelopment of wind power in this region needs both the wind farms which will harvest the wind to produce electricity and the grid infrastructure to be able to bring the power to the load centers where it is needed./ppThis is still a project very much in progress, and development and construction are going to take years before this system comes on line. The Green Power Express won’t be completed until 2020 (at the earliest), depending on regulatory processes and approvals and construction timetables. But, once it is connected and in place, this grid segment and the associated wind farms will be able to provide enough power from clean sources to replace seven to nine 600 MW coal plants or nine to eleven million automobiles, with a corresponding reduction of 34 million metric tons of carbon emissions./ppvia: a href=http://nawindpower.comNorth American Windpower/a/p
Go Greener Tips: Asbestos in the Home and your health
June 11th, 2009
With a growing amount of education and technology in Eco-sustainable resources, many cities and states are leading the way towards a green paradigm of building and construction. Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation. As citizens of Earth, we are obligated to nurture and sustain this planet.
Environmental efficiency is on the rise because of technology and green living methods progressing rapidly. Not only will these methods produce a healthier lifestyle, it will save you money. Many older homes built prior to 1980 may still harvest obsolete and corrosive building materials which can create health concerns.
Asbestos is the name given for a group of fibrous minerals that were mined for their qualities as fire resistant, insulation and high durability. Homes that are newly purchased may require additional remodeling or repairs. This can pose several risks to homeowners because asbestos fibers can be ingested during the renovation process. However, it should be known that by leaving asbestos un-disturbed, you can avoid exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos in the Home
Often appearing in roof shingles, popcorn ceilings, piping and insulation, asbestos became one of the most popular building applications of the 20th century. Asbestos made its name because of its resistance to fire and heat properties. Improper insulation was used in millions of homes and while it is safe when enclosed or in good condition, deteriorated asbestos can cause a slew of health problems, such as an aggressive form of asbestos lung cancer known as malignant mesothelioma. Due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter.
GO GREEN
A catalyst for homes, industries, schools, universities and business, the incredible diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a green lifestyle.
There are many green, Eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually. The implementation of Eco-construction, green energy solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world. Implementing green methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These include: Conservation of natural resources, enhance air quality, protect Eco systems, energy sustainability, increase property value, improve quality of life, improvement of pulmonary and cardiac health, Reduction of waste.
Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for homeowners who remodel or build using eco-sustainable methods. Some of the measures that are eligible for tax credits include added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC specifications, sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce heat loss. Storm doors paired with U-factored rated wood doors are also eligible.
Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year.
Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. These green options have the same beneficial qualities as asbestos, minus the health deteriorating and toxic components.
Many locations throughout the United States are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings.
How to stay cool and save money
June 11th, 2009
div class=image style=float:right;padding-left:8px;img alt=Ceiling Fan / iStockPhoto height=200 src=http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/the_conscious_consumer/the_conscious_consumer-881393139-1244676205.jpg?ymtRdZBDPwiNOLDH width=300//divpIt’s true that rising temperatures often translate into higher energy bills. But, you don’t have to break the bank to stay cool this summer. There are plenty of easy things you can do to keep your energy costs down without sacrificing your comfort. /ppHere are some ideas to get you started:/pbr /h2Choose the right size room air-conditioning unit/h2pHow much cooling capacity you’ll need (measured in British thermal units, or BTUs, per minute) is determined by the square footage you’re looking to cool. Bigger is not necessarily better. /ppIf a unit is too big for the room it’s trying to cool, it won’t perform as efficiently (and cost more money to run) as one that’s just the right size for the space. You’ll also sacrifice comfort since an oversized unit will cool a room quickly, but leave behind some of the humidity. The result: Cool, but clammy air./ppHere are links for more info on: a href=http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sizedFiguring out what size unit you need/a, a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12420installing and maintaining/a room air-conditioners to maximize your savings, and a href=http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_room_acbuying efficient models/a. /ppOne quick tip: Don’t place lamps or televisions near your unit. Why not? Your thermostat will sense heat from the appliances and run longer than it needs to./pbr /h2Control your thermostat/h2pa href=http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/14/how-to-program-your-thermostat.htmlSet it at 78 degrees/a when you’re at home and raise it even higher when you’re out or sleeping. The Department of Energy gives this basic guideline: The smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. /pbr /h2Use fans/h2pFans create a wind chill effect, which makes you feel cooler. a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12355Ceiling fans/a are particularly effective. They circulate the air in the room to create a draft and can help you save money even if you use air-conditioning. You can raise your thermostat by about 4 degrees without reducing your comfort level if you use a ceiling fan, according to the DOE./ppA few simple rules of thumb: Turn off fans when you leave the room because they’re cooling you and not the room. If you own a ceiling fan, set it to a href=http://www.ehow.com/how_2140488_set-ceiling-fan-direction-summer.htmlrun counter-clockwise in the summer/a so it will direct air downward and create a breeze. If you are shopping for one, buy an a href=http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ceiling_fans.pr_ceiling_fansenergy-efficient model/a./pbr /h2Close your curtains during the hottest part of the day/h2pThere are many different kinds of a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13500window treatments/a you can use to reduce solar heat gain in the summer. a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13510Window awnings/a, for example, can reduce heat gain by up to 65% for south facing windows, and even more for those facing west. /ppIf you live in a climate where it cools at night, turn off your AC a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12354and open the windows/a while you’re sleeping to let the cool air in. /pbr /h2Use heat-generating appliances sparingly/h2pAvoid using the oven on hot days — use the microwave, cook on the stove, or grill outside.
Close your lights during the day. Air-dry your laundry. a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12353Get more tips on avoiding heat build-up/a in your home./pbr /h2Keep the cold air inside/h2pUse a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11270caulk/a, spray foam, and/or a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11280weatherstripping/a to stop the air you’re paying to cool from seeping out. Learn how to a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11250find leaks/a. /ppFeeling slightly more ambitious? You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck if you a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11350add insulation/a to your home. Start with your a href=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11390attic/a./pbr /pemEnvironmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green’s users. Send Lori a a href=http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/green/forms/consciousconsumerblog.htmlquestion or suggestion/a for potential use in a future column. Her book,/em Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life emis available on a href=http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Green%2C%20Greener%2C%20Greenest%3A%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Making%20Eco-Smart%20Choices%20a%20Part%20of%20Your%20Life:3005209514;_ylt=AsLkIJyzfMD4G3Gl2OYYt_gbFt0A?clink=dmps/lori_bongiorno/ctx=mid:1,pid:3005209514,pdid:1,pos:1,spc:14489115,date:20081009,srch:kw,x:Yahoo! Shopping/a and a href=http://www.amazon.com/Green-Greener-Greenest-Practical-Eco-Smart/dp/0399534032/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1228865081sr=8-1Amazon.com/a./em/p
