The ESL R30 reflector bulbs are a direct replacement for the 65-watt incandescent flood bulbs commonly found in recessed lighting fixtures throughout U.S. households and businesses. Vu1's Electron Stimulated Luminescence technology provides a warm and pleasing light quality that consumers are looking for, in an affordable, energy-efficient package without the high price-point of LED bulbs or the hazards of CFL bulbs containing mercury. The bulbs will retail for approximately $14.98 at Lowe's.
The Vu1 ESL technology is positioned for widespread market adoption due to the convergence of several compelling growth drivers:
Governments across the world are mandating the move away from traditional incandescent lighting due to more energy-efficient options. Consumers are looking for a direct replacement bulb that offers a similar light quality, look and feel to incandescent bulbs, while exceeding regulatory requirements.
Energy-efficiency is becoming a strategic imperative for consumers and businesses - but these markets demand high-quality light if the product is to be widely adopted.
These bulbs are mercury-free, allowing for easy disposal and clean-up.
"Consumers are increasingly concerned that replacing their incandescent bulbs will be expensive, offer poor light quality or introduce new hazards into their homes or businesses," commented Dr. Scott Blackstone, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that our innovative technology answers all of those concerns, delivering a product that is more aesthetically appealing, safe and efficient while being reasonably priced."
The company believes consumers will welcome the advanced performance features of its ESL technology. It is virtually indistinguishable from the traditional incandescent lamp it replaces and, unlike CFLs, is mercury-free. The company's ESL lighting technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb glow with an energy-efficient natural light that lasts up to 11,000 hours.
New York City-based Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally friendly lighting solutions - with superior light quality -- worldwide. Vu1 has developed a new energy efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products.
Monday 31 October 2011
Sunday 30 October 2011
Doctor relates story of his kidnapping in Amarillo
Dr. Steven L. Berk, dean of the Texas Tech School of Medicine in Amarillo, was taken hostage from his home on Sunday morning, March 6, 2005, by a desperate criminal armed with a shotgun and needing money.
Berk relates his hair-raising story in a gripping memoir, "Anatomy of a Kidnapping: A Doctor's Story".
"Four hours," he writes. "That was the amount of time between looking down the barrel of a gun and finding myself free along a silent highway lined by cotton fields. In the time period that seemed eternal, my unique experiences as a doctor created an indescribable bond between myself and my captor.
"I looked upon the situation just as I looked upon a medical emergency: I took a deep breath, hid my panic, and tried to solve the situation."
Berk weaves his medical training and experiences into the story of that four-hour period when the armed stranger entered his home, took him hostage, drove around trying to get cash (Berk didn't know his PIN number and couldn't withdraw money from his ATM), and finally turned him loose outside of Bushland, west of Amarillo.
During the ordeal, Berk memorized the 14-digit vehicle registration number of the kidnapper's SUV, which led to the capture and conviction of Jack Lindsey Jordan, who remains in prison today.
This is one of those stories that you just can't put down once you start reading.
From the experience, Berk said he has learned "to live each day to its fullest; to celebrate the joys of family, work, and good health; and to appreciate our every moment as precious."
Legends and Folktales: Bradley T. Turner has put together a collection of 70 local legends in and around Waco — "Cotton Bales, Goatmen & Witches: Legends from the Heart of Texas".
Each piece — such as "The Kaiser's Killer," "The Misty Man," "The Farmer's Daughter," and "The West Witch" — includes a paragraph or two of text and a photograph by Mark Burdine. TSTC Publishing is affiliated with Texas State Technical College Waco.
Silver Boomer Books: Two new anthologies have been published by Abilene-based Silver Boomer Books, which now has produced 17 books. The new ones are "Flashlight Memories" and "The Harsh and the Heart: Celebrating the Military."
"Flashlight Memories" is a collection of about 100 short essays and poems from dozens of contributors about their earliest memories of the joy of reading.
"The Harsh and the Heart" was inspired by the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but was expanded to include pieces about military life and service. The book is dedicated "to those who serve overseas, at the homefront, in the home waiting without end."
Also from Silver Boomer Books is "A Cloud of Witnesses: Two Big Books and Us" by Barbara Rollins with O.A. Stepper. The short inspirational poems and prayers are based on text from the biblical book of Hebrews and from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Berk relates his hair-raising story in a gripping memoir, "Anatomy of a Kidnapping: A Doctor's Story".
"Four hours," he writes. "That was the amount of time between looking down the barrel of a gun and finding myself free along a silent highway lined by cotton fields. In the time period that seemed eternal, my unique experiences as a doctor created an indescribable bond between myself and my captor.
"I looked upon the situation just as I looked upon a medical emergency: I took a deep breath, hid my panic, and tried to solve the situation."
Berk weaves his medical training and experiences into the story of that four-hour period when the armed stranger entered his home, took him hostage, drove around trying to get cash (Berk didn't know his PIN number and couldn't withdraw money from his ATM), and finally turned him loose outside of Bushland, west of Amarillo.
During the ordeal, Berk memorized the 14-digit vehicle registration number of the kidnapper's SUV, which led to the capture and conviction of Jack Lindsey Jordan, who remains in prison today.
This is one of those stories that you just can't put down once you start reading.
From the experience, Berk said he has learned "to live each day to its fullest; to celebrate the joys of family, work, and good health; and to appreciate our every moment as precious."
Legends and Folktales: Bradley T. Turner has put together a collection of 70 local legends in and around Waco — "Cotton Bales, Goatmen & Witches: Legends from the Heart of Texas".
Each piece — such as "The Kaiser's Killer," "The Misty Man," "The Farmer's Daughter," and "The West Witch" — includes a paragraph or two of text and a photograph by Mark Burdine. TSTC Publishing is affiliated with Texas State Technical College Waco.
Silver Boomer Books: Two new anthologies have been published by Abilene-based Silver Boomer Books, which now has produced 17 books. The new ones are "Flashlight Memories" and "The Harsh and the Heart: Celebrating the Military."
"Flashlight Memories" is a collection of about 100 short essays and poems from dozens of contributors about their earliest memories of the joy of reading.
"The Harsh and the Heart" was inspired by the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but was expanded to include pieces about military life and service. The book is dedicated "to those who serve overseas, at the homefront, in the home waiting without end."
Also from Silver Boomer Books is "A Cloud of Witnesses: Two Big Books and Us" by Barbara Rollins with O.A. Stepper. The short inspirational poems and prayers are based on text from the biblical book of Hebrews and from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Thursday 27 October 2011
Payne Hall Ghost: Spooked by Renovations?
Sandy O’Connell vividly remembers the morning she saw the Payne Hall ghost.
It was about 8 a.m., a gray and overcast day, and she was stepping from the Colonnade into the first-floor hallway of Payne Hall. O’Connell, the administrative assistant to the English Department, was the first person to enter the building that morning—or so she thought.
As O’Connell started to flip on the light, something caught her eye. “Up the stairwell went a figure in a white shirt,” she said. “I’m thinking, this is a student who’s turning in a paper late. Didn’t hear any footsteps, but just saw the white shirt going up the steps.”
O’Connell dashed up the stairs to see what the student wanted. The second-floor hallway was dark—and empty. “Then I went up to the third floor. Dark as it could be up there. The professors hadn’t come in yet. Not a soul up there.” She turned on the lights, then returned to the second floor, even stepping into the men’s bathroom to see if there was anyone in the building. “There was not a soul.”
O’Connell is just one of many people who have reported ghostly encounters in and around Payne Hall. Built in 1830 as the Lyceum, its name was changed to Payne after a 1930s renovation; it now houses the English Department. Purported sightings include a dark presence moving swiftly down the back stairs, a person dressed in black swirling down the Colonnade, and a cape-wearing figure that whisks into the building.
Is there just one Payne Hall ghost? Or several? Or are the stories the stuff of a creative English Department coupled with the imaginations of impressionable students?
In a class a few years ago, Lesley Wheeler, the Henry S. Fox Professor of English, was discussing “The Book of Ephraim,” a poem by James Merrill that he wrote with the help of a Ouija board and séances. Several students asked if they could use a Ouija board to communicate with the spirits in Payne Hall. “I thought that sounded like the most questionable field trip ever,” said Wheeler. “So I said, I’ll do it with you, but it’s got to be really optional.”
About six students gathered on a spring evening in Payne 201, the large, second-floor classroom where Robert E. Lee took his oath of office as W&L’s president in 1865. It was dark outside, but light enough to read the letters on the Ouija board. “I assumed if I was in the room, nothing would happen,” said Wheeler.
The students and Wheeler each placed one finger on the planchette, the pointer that Ouija-board believers say spells out letter-by-letter messages from spirits. The planchette flew across the board.
“I’m not claiming this is real, but we had a series of apparent conversations,” said Wheeler. The group determined that the first spirit to communicate with them was a Civil War veteran. “The questions eventually led us to the idea that he was a guy who died at 40. He was from North Carolina,” said Wheeler, who kept notes about the encounter in an early draft of a poem. The spirit seemed to idolize one of Stonewall Jackson’s daughters. “I vaguely remember that. It was a strange little detail.”
It was about 8 a.m., a gray and overcast day, and she was stepping from the Colonnade into the first-floor hallway of Payne Hall. O’Connell, the administrative assistant to the English Department, was the first person to enter the building that morning—or so she thought.
As O’Connell started to flip on the light, something caught her eye. “Up the stairwell went a figure in a white shirt,” she said. “I’m thinking, this is a student who’s turning in a paper late. Didn’t hear any footsteps, but just saw the white shirt going up the steps.”
O’Connell dashed up the stairs to see what the student wanted. The second-floor hallway was dark—and empty. “Then I went up to the third floor. Dark as it could be up there. The professors hadn’t come in yet. Not a soul up there.” She turned on the lights, then returned to the second floor, even stepping into the men’s bathroom to see if there was anyone in the building. “There was not a soul.”
O’Connell is just one of many people who have reported ghostly encounters in and around Payne Hall. Built in 1830 as the Lyceum, its name was changed to Payne after a 1930s renovation; it now houses the English Department. Purported sightings include a dark presence moving swiftly down the back stairs, a person dressed in black swirling down the Colonnade, and a cape-wearing figure that whisks into the building.
Is there just one Payne Hall ghost? Or several? Or are the stories the stuff of a creative English Department coupled with the imaginations of impressionable students?
In a class a few years ago, Lesley Wheeler, the Henry S. Fox Professor of English, was discussing “The Book of Ephraim,” a poem by James Merrill that he wrote with the help of a Ouija board and séances. Several students asked if they could use a Ouija board to communicate with the spirits in Payne Hall. “I thought that sounded like the most questionable field trip ever,” said Wheeler. “So I said, I’ll do it with you, but it’s got to be really optional.”
About six students gathered on a spring evening in Payne 201, the large, second-floor classroom where Robert E. Lee took his oath of office as W&L’s president in 1865. It was dark outside, but light enough to read the letters on the Ouija board. “I assumed if I was in the room, nothing would happen,” said Wheeler.
The students and Wheeler each placed one finger on the planchette, the pointer that Ouija-board believers say spells out letter-by-letter messages from spirits. The planchette flew across the board.
“I’m not claiming this is real, but we had a series of apparent conversations,” said Wheeler. The group determined that the first spirit to communicate with them was a Civil War veteran. “The questions eventually led us to the idea that he was a guy who died at 40. He was from North Carolina,” said Wheeler, who kept notes about the encounter in an early draft of a poem. The spirit seemed to idolize one of Stonewall Jackson’s daughters. “I vaguely remember that. It was a strange little detail.”
Work on tornado-damaged East High ballfields set to begin next month
The damage occurred sometime after 4 p.m. April 27, when an EF-5 tornado struck the East Limestone community. The storm bent the football field light poles and damaged the football field restrooms on the visitor’s side and nearly demolished the fencing, lights, dugouts and batting facility on the baseball/softball field. School officials had hoped to fix all of the problems sooner.
“We thought we could get the football field poles bid and corrected prior to the beginning of football season,” Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll said in July. “We could not, therefore, we corrected the lights only so they will shine on the field and will address the football field poles when we address the softball/baseball field poles, lights and fences.”
Repairs will be done in two phases.
Phase 1, which should be completed in early February 2012 in time for baseball and softball season, will include repairing dugouts, lighting, fencing and restrooms, he said. Work on the first phase could start in November if officials get the emergency declaration from the building commission.
Phase II, will include new lights at the stadium, which were installed new just five or six years ago.
Limestone County Schools Maintenance Director Steve Wallace said the schools would replace what the insurance agrees to replace.
Carroll said the schools are “trying to put the facilities back as good as it was but without costing (the school system).”
He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would help cover what insurance does not cover.
Workers would be under a tight deadline to complete the repairs before the start of baseball/softball season.
“Everything is going to have to fall in place perfectly for it to work,” said board president Earl Glaze.
There is no contingency plan in place if the work is not finished.
Baseball coach Bill Tribble told board members Athens High School baseball coach Thad Prater “has been great” in trying to find a way for East to use its field for a few games but there was no way to play all of them there. Booster Club president Tribble said there were no other fields available.
Board member Charles Shoulders wondered if the team could simply schedule all away games, but Tribble said the team relies on proceeds generated from home games. He said he hosts a preseason tournament that generates $4,000 to $5,000, which pays for equipment, officials and other costs. The team also relies on proceeds from the sale of concessions, he said.
Tribble said the softball team is in a lot better place because it can rent a field elsewhere.
“We thought we could get the football field poles bid and corrected prior to the beginning of football season,” Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll said in July. “We could not, therefore, we corrected the lights only so they will shine on the field and will address the football field poles when we address the softball/baseball field poles, lights and fences.”
Repairs will be done in two phases.
Phase 1, which should be completed in early February 2012 in time for baseball and softball season, will include repairing dugouts, lighting, fencing and restrooms, he said. Work on the first phase could start in November if officials get the emergency declaration from the building commission.
Phase II, will include new lights at the stadium, which were installed new just five or six years ago.
Limestone County Schools Maintenance Director Steve Wallace said the schools would replace what the insurance agrees to replace.
Carroll said the schools are “trying to put the facilities back as good as it was but without costing (the school system).”
He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would help cover what insurance does not cover.
Workers would be under a tight deadline to complete the repairs before the start of baseball/softball season.
“Everything is going to have to fall in place perfectly for it to work,” said board president Earl Glaze.
There is no contingency plan in place if the work is not finished.
Baseball coach Bill Tribble told board members Athens High School baseball coach Thad Prater “has been great” in trying to find a way for East to use its field for a few games but there was no way to play all of them there. Booster Club president Tribble said there were no other fields available.
Board member Charles Shoulders wondered if the team could simply schedule all away games, but Tribble said the team relies on proceeds generated from home games. He said he hosts a preseason tournament that generates $4,000 to $5,000, which pays for equipment, officials and other costs. The team also relies on proceeds from the sale of concessions, he said.
Tribble said the softball team is in a lot better place because it can rent a field elsewhere.
Tuesday 25 October 2011
2012 BMW S1000RR First Ride
When BMW introduced its S1000RR sportbike in the fall of ’09 it instantly became the benchmark in the ultra-competitive Superbike class. Considering its prodigious level of performance engineers could have very well left it alone for 2012. Instead they bestowed it with its first technical update. The enhancements are intended to make it a friendlier and more effective racetrack weapon.
One of the few complaints with this German-built machine is how hyper-sensitive the throttle felt in its Race and Slick power modes. This made it more challenging to control especially at lean when accelerating hard off corners. New throttle maps were installed with the Rain setting using its own map and Sport, Race, and Slick sharing another separate one. Complementing these updates is a new throttle tube with a shorter and lighter pull. Another change, which might sound a little foolish to the hardcore sport rider are the optional heated grips. Yes, I’m not joking, the S1000RR is the first sportbike to offer this as an option.
Each of the four engine power modes (Rain, Sport, Race and Slick) were also modified for added torque at low-to-mid engine speeds. Rain mode also now cranks out an additional eight peak horsepower. Lastly the Slick map (designed for use with high-grip racing tires) provides improved vehicle stability during deceleration when the engine is in the overrun phase (at 14,000 rpm redline).
Both the air intake and the exhaust systems were also tweaked. The ram air induction opening is 20% larger and feeds a slightly modified airbox (necessitated due to revised chassis geometry, more on that later). The stainless-steel exhaust was also altered with the catalyzers relocated from the headers to the muffler. This allowed the removal of the oil sump’s heat shield, which saves a little bit of weight. Furthermore a complete exhaust system built by Akrapovic is available as an accessory directly from the dealer.
BMW’s optional Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) also received fresh programming. Most of the changes revolve around the functionality of wheelie control with the throttle butterfly valves opening more smoothly when a wheelie is detected. This was done to help avoid the abrupt and rather violent intervention experienced on the first generation bike. TC functionality in Race and Slick mode was also optimized based on the updated engine/throttle mapping. Lastly, a race data logger is available as an accessory and allows you to analyze the dynamics of the motorcycle at any point on track.
Other electronic upgrades include additional functionality within the instrument display. Not only has the font of the engine speed changed (so it’s easier to read at a glance), the display offers “Best Lap in Progress” and “Speedwarning” lights. The first light illuminates when the bike detects that you are traveling at a higher rate of speed than the lap before and the second light is used if you want to be alerted if you’re traveling above a preset speed on the highway. The brightness of the display can be adjusted in five-way increments.
One of the few complaints with this German-built machine is how hyper-sensitive the throttle felt in its Race and Slick power modes. This made it more challenging to control especially at lean when accelerating hard off corners. New throttle maps were installed with the Rain setting using its own map and Sport, Race, and Slick sharing another separate one. Complementing these updates is a new throttle tube with a shorter and lighter pull. Another change, which might sound a little foolish to the hardcore sport rider are the optional heated grips. Yes, I’m not joking, the S1000RR is the first sportbike to offer this as an option.
Each of the four engine power modes (Rain, Sport, Race and Slick) were also modified for added torque at low-to-mid engine speeds. Rain mode also now cranks out an additional eight peak horsepower. Lastly the Slick map (designed for use with high-grip racing tires) provides improved vehicle stability during deceleration when the engine is in the overrun phase (at 14,000 rpm redline).
Both the air intake and the exhaust systems were also tweaked. The ram air induction opening is 20% larger and feeds a slightly modified airbox (necessitated due to revised chassis geometry, more on that later). The stainless-steel exhaust was also altered with the catalyzers relocated from the headers to the muffler. This allowed the removal of the oil sump’s heat shield, which saves a little bit of weight. Furthermore a complete exhaust system built by Akrapovic is available as an accessory directly from the dealer.
BMW’s optional Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) also received fresh programming. Most of the changes revolve around the functionality of wheelie control with the throttle butterfly valves opening more smoothly when a wheelie is detected. This was done to help avoid the abrupt and rather violent intervention experienced on the first generation bike. TC functionality in Race and Slick mode was also optimized based on the updated engine/throttle mapping. Lastly, a race data logger is available as an accessory and allows you to analyze the dynamics of the motorcycle at any point on track.
Other electronic upgrades include additional functionality within the instrument display. Not only has the font of the engine speed changed (so it’s easier to read at a glance), the display offers “Best Lap in Progress” and “Speedwarning” lights. The first light illuminates when the bike detects that you are traveling at a higher rate of speed than the lap before and the second light is used if you want to be alerted if you’re traveling above a preset speed on the highway. The brightness of the display can be adjusted in five-way increments.
Monday 24 October 2011
Seton Hall Dismantles Livingston 34-6, Handing the Lancers Their First Loss of the Season
Livingston head coach Barry Kostibos and his staff knew that this week’s contest against Seton Hall Prep would show where his 6-0 Lancers stood in Essex County. However, no one in Livingston thought the Pirates would slam Livingston 34-6 in West Orange on Saturday.
Led by senior and Florida State-bound quarterback Sean Maguire and senior running back Rory Merklinger, the Pirates sliced through the Lancer defense.
Seton Hall scored a minute into the contest and had a 7-0 lead. Livingston quarterback Andrew Egner was picked off by Colin Nordstrom and Nordstrom returned it for a touchdown on the Lancer’s first drive.
“It happens,” Livingston running back Zach Wolkstein said. “We figured we would come right back like we have all season.”
Unfortunately, that was not the case for Livingston. The Lancers went three and out on their first drive and punted the ball back to the Pirates.
Maguire and Merklinger led a methodical and balanced first drive for the Pirates. In Livingston’s red zone, Frank Maldonado ran a 15-yard sweep in for the first offensive score of the day for Seton Hall.
Throughout the first half, Livingston’s offense remained stagnant and could not generate either the passing or the running game.
“We came out flat,” Livingston receiver Cooper Weisman said. “We had a great game plan, but didn’t execute.”
Seton Hall increased their lead to 21-0 right before the half as Maguire threw a 22-yard pass to Devlin Formey.
In the second half, the Pirates showed no signs of slowing down. On the first drive of the half, Seton Hall drove 73 yards and Merklinger punched it in from two-yards out increasing Seton Hall’s lead to 28-0.
“Our tackling was not too good today,” Wolkstein continued. “When you don’t tackle, you don’t win.”
The Pirates added one more score as Tom Lynch had a one-yard touchdown run.
Livingston did add a late touchdown as Egner found Wolkstein, but it was too little too late for Livingston.
“All there is to do now is get ready for the biggest game of the season against West Essex,” Wolkstein concluded.
Next Friday, October 28, the Lancers take on the Knights of West Essex at 7:00 in Livingston for the conference championship.
Led by senior and Florida State-bound quarterback Sean Maguire and senior running back Rory Merklinger, the Pirates sliced through the Lancer defense.
Seton Hall scored a minute into the contest and had a 7-0 lead. Livingston quarterback Andrew Egner was picked off by Colin Nordstrom and Nordstrom returned it for a touchdown on the Lancer’s first drive.
“It happens,” Livingston running back Zach Wolkstein said. “We figured we would come right back like we have all season.”
Unfortunately, that was not the case for Livingston. The Lancers went three and out on their first drive and punted the ball back to the Pirates.
Maguire and Merklinger led a methodical and balanced first drive for the Pirates. In Livingston’s red zone, Frank Maldonado ran a 15-yard sweep in for the first offensive score of the day for Seton Hall.
Throughout the first half, Livingston’s offense remained stagnant and could not generate either the passing or the running game.
“We came out flat,” Livingston receiver Cooper Weisman said. “We had a great game plan, but didn’t execute.”
Seton Hall increased their lead to 21-0 right before the half as Maguire threw a 22-yard pass to Devlin Formey.
In the second half, the Pirates showed no signs of slowing down. On the first drive of the half, Seton Hall drove 73 yards and Merklinger punched it in from two-yards out increasing Seton Hall’s lead to 28-0.
“Our tackling was not too good today,” Wolkstein continued. “When you don’t tackle, you don’t win.”
The Pirates added one more score as Tom Lynch had a one-yard touchdown run.
Livingston did add a late touchdown as Egner found Wolkstein, but it was too little too late for Livingston.
“All there is to do now is get ready for the biggest game of the season against West Essex,” Wolkstein concluded.
Next Friday, October 28, the Lancers take on the Knights of West Essex at 7:00 in Livingston for the conference championship.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
America Recycles Day at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
You can help Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and its efforts to promote sustainability by bringing your recyclables to the Zoo on Sunday, November 13, in celebration of America Recycles Day.
Everyone is invited to get in the conservation spirit and drop off select recyclables at the Zoo in exchange for one free admission with the purchase of a regular admission.
Eligible recyclables include aluminum cans, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, inkjet and toner cartridges and cell phones and accessories. Free document shredding presented by Shredding Network will be available until 2 p.m. with a limit of five bags/boxes.
Visitors also can bring used athletic shoes, running shoes and sneakers of any brand for the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program. No shoes containing metal, cleats, dress shoes or sandals will be accepted.
Proceeds from aluminum cans collected will benefit elephant ecology research and conservation efforts in southern Africa.
America Recycles Day also features exhibitors who promote other aspects of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” backyard compost bins will be available for sale through the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and a rain barrel workshop will be held (pre-registration required for workshop).
The Zoo can help you make every day a recycle day. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, cell phones, batteries and accessories and ink jet and toner cartridges can be dropped off any day at the recycling station in the Zoo’s Exhibit Hall. Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and shredded paper (bagged) can be deposited in the yellow and green Abitibi-Bowater Paper Retriever bins in the rear of the Hippo Parking Lot behind The RainForest.
Northeast Ohio’s most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $11 per person, $8 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free.
Everyone is invited to get in the conservation spirit and drop off select recyclables at the Zoo in exchange for one free admission with the purchase of a regular admission.
Eligible recyclables include aluminum cans, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, inkjet and toner cartridges and cell phones and accessories. Free document shredding presented by Shredding Network will be available until 2 p.m. with a limit of five bags/boxes.
Visitors also can bring used athletic shoes, running shoes and sneakers of any brand for the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program. No shoes containing metal, cleats, dress shoes or sandals will be accepted.
Proceeds from aluminum cans collected will benefit elephant ecology research and conservation efforts in southern Africa.
America Recycles Day also features exhibitors who promote other aspects of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” backyard compost bins will be available for sale through the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and a rain barrel workshop will be held (pre-registration required for workshop).
The Zoo can help you make every day a recycle day. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, cell phones, batteries and accessories and ink jet and toner cartridges can be dropped off any day at the recycling station in the Zoo’s Exhibit Hall. Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and shredded paper (bagged) can be deposited in the yellow and green Abitibi-Bowater Paper Retriever bins in the rear of the Hippo Parking Lot behind The RainForest.
Northeast Ohio’s most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $11 per person, $8 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free.
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Ahmad, 80, and the author of a literary success
Helga, “like a bulldog”, kept showing it to people over 20 years. Then Ahmad’s brother heard a short story competition on the radio, called up Helga for a photocopy and submitted the draft, which attracted local attention and ultimately wound its way to the publishers.
The book is a collection of gently interlinking short stories, all but one featuring Tor Baz, a boy born to a couple who elope. He becomes the wandering falcon, after his parents are killed. Contemporaries have queued up to pay homage to Ahmad for what Kashmir writer Basharat Peer described as “one of the finest collections of short stories to come out of South Asia in decades”.
Laura Perciasepe, Ahmad’s US editor, said it is a “clear and powerful story” set in an area “of great interest and importance to American readers, but so little understood”.
Sipping a blend of Earl Grey and Darjeeling, and lighting up one cigarette after another, he chuckles over fond memories of Balochistan, training in Britain and even a brief stint at the Irish Peat Board.
He sees tribes as the earliest building blocks of humanity, which functioned for centuries until they started clashing with nation states and empires. “There’s a tribal gene, as I said, somewhere embedded in each one of us,” he said.
But Ahmad writes also of a lost world. It is difficult to imagine today, for example, a civil servant living with his German wife on a hill miles from anywhere with only a militia post for company. In Balochistan, Helga was frequently left alone, having to look after three children under five without electricity or running water. Once, Ahmad got a message saying “the tap is leaking”. He thought “silly girl, what do I do, sitting on the Iranian border?”
“So I came back after 10 days and I find the message she sent was ‘the baby is seriously ill’ and the militia has transmitted the other side of the paper, which was her personal note that the tap was leaking,” he said. By then, the crisis was over and the baby had recovered — doused in olive oil, the only remedy to hand.
Ahmad is reluctant to be drawn into politics, but he is angry about what he sees as the destruction of the tribal leadership as a result of Pakistan and the United States sponsoring the Afghan mujahedeen against the Soviet occupation. “I’m angry about it. I could call them Frankensteins, these monsters who were created and they stood by and watched the tribes being decimated.”
For the moment, he has no clear plans for another book. But a consummate storyteller, he is captivated by the quirky characters and tragic incidents that helped set the mood for his book, and said perhaps he could write more about the background of tribal life.
The book is a collection of gently interlinking short stories, all but one featuring Tor Baz, a boy born to a couple who elope. He becomes the wandering falcon, after his parents are killed. Contemporaries have queued up to pay homage to Ahmad for what Kashmir writer Basharat Peer described as “one of the finest collections of short stories to come out of South Asia in decades”.
Laura Perciasepe, Ahmad’s US editor, said it is a “clear and powerful story” set in an area “of great interest and importance to American readers, but so little understood”.
Sipping a blend of Earl Grey and Darjeeling, and lighting up one cigarette after another, he chuckles over fond memories of Balochistan, training in Britain and even a brief stint at the Irish Peat Board.
He sees tribes as the earliest building blocks of humanity, which functioned for centuries until they started clashing with nation states and empires. “There’s a tribal gene, as I said, somewhere embedded in each one of us,” he said.
But Ahmad writes also of a lost world. It is difficult to imagine today, for example, a civil servant living with his German wife on a hill miles from anywhere with only a militia post for company. In Balochistan, Helga was frequently left alone, having to look after three children under five without electricity or running water. Once, Ahmad got a message saying “the tap is leaking”. He thought “silly girl, what do I do, sitting on the Iranian border?”
“So I came back after 10 days and I find the message she sent was ‘the baby is seriously ill’ and the militia has transmitted the other side of the paper, which was her personal note that the tap was leaking,” he said. By then, the crisis was over and the baby had recovered — doused in olive oil, the only remedy to hand.
Ahmad is reluctant to be drawn into politics, but he is angry about what he sees as the destruction of the tribal leadership as a result of Pakistan and the United States sponsoring the Afghan mujahedeen against the Soviet occupation. “I’m angry about it. I could call them Frankensteins, these monsters who were created and they stood by and watched the tribes being decimated.”
For the moment, he has no clear plans for another book. But a consummate storyteller, he is captivated by the quirky characters and tragic incidents that helped set the mood for his book, and said perhaps he could write more about the background of tribal life.
Monday 17 October 2011
Review: Boston Pops, UK Symphony give rousing concert to celebrate Keeneland
Two full orchestras and several choirs joined forces Saturday night in Rupp Arena to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Keeneland Race Course in suitably grandiose manner. First, John Nardolillo and the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra; then, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra; and then, both maestros and orchestras together entertained a receptive audience with a diverse program combining light classics, folk songs and popular music from stage and screen.
With the arena's main floor reserved for VIP dinner patrons around tables and the rest of the audience in the stands, the basketball palace seemed transformed into a gigantic old-time nightclub, which enhanced the loose, festive atmosphere of the event.
Both orchestras played very well, although in freestyle concerts like this, occasional mistakes are to be expected. For example, Copland's famous "Hoedown" from Rodeo suffered from spots of rhythmic imprecision, and the combined forces almost fell apart at one point in Bernstein's Overture to Candide, but these quibbles did not really mar the overall musical excellence of the evening.
Each orchestra was at its best in the multimedia segments highlighting their sets. The UKSO played Carmen Dragon's evocative arrangement of Beautiful Dreamer to a short film about Keeneland, narrated live by the racetrack's former president Ted Bassett, with a beautiful violin solo by Jessica Miskelly. Later, the Boston Pops played a soundtrack to The Horse, another short film narrated live by legendary sportscaster and Lexington native Tom Hammond, with a stirring trumpet solo by Bruce Hall. The Boston Pops also shone in its swinging rendition of 42nd Street and its exciting Theme from The Magnificent Seven.
Perhaps the most delicious morsel of the evening was served in Dragon's lush arrangement of De Camptown Races. On the other hand, a choral/orchestral setting of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody did not work, coming across as uncomfortably square until finally the rock instruments kicked in toward the end of the arrangement.
Another fun feature of the concert had the conductors trade orchestras for one number in each other's sets. Nardolillo, in white tie and tails and working with a baton, made a lively Boston Pops debut with von Suppe's Light Cavalry Overture. Lockhart, in red bow tie and cummerbund and conducting with his hands, led the UKSO in an elegant reading of Rodgers' Carousel Waltz, inspiring particularly fine legato playing from the strings.
The most thrilling part of the evening came when both orchestras joined forces for an unprecedented "side-by-side," in which the UK students shared music stands with the professional Boston Pops players. The huge chorus, composed of the combined UK Choirs, the Lexington Singers and the Lexington Singers Children's Choir, under the direction of Jefferson Johnson and Lori Hetzel, also participated more prominently in this portion of the concert, which began with the rousing sounds of John Williams' Call of the Champions.
Metropolitan Opera soprano Cynthia Lawrence, who also occupies an endowed chair in voice at UK, joined the massed forces for a moving rendition of America the Beautiful, her voice soaring gloriously above the choruses and orchestras. The program ended climactically with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, complete with simulated cannon fire to take the excitement over the top.
With the arena's main floor reserved for VIP dinner patrons around tables and the rest of the audience in the stands, the basketball palace seemed transformed into a gigantic old-time nightclub, which enhanced the loose, festive atmosphere of the event.
Both orchestras played very well, although in freestyle concerts like this, occasional mistakes are to be expected. For example, Copland's famous "Hoedown" from Rodeo suffered from spots of rhythmic imprecision, and the combined forces almost fell apart at one point in Bernstein's Overture to Candide, but these quibbles did not really mar the overall musical excellence of the evening.
Each orchestra was at its best in the multimedia segments highlighting their sets. The UKSO played Carmen Dragon's evocative arrangement of Beautiful Dreamer to a short film about Keeneland, narrated live by the racetrack's former president Ted Bassett, with a beautiful violin solo by Jessica Miskelly. Later, the Boston Pops played a soundtrack to The Horse, another short film narrated live by legendary sportscaster and Lexington native Tom Hammond, with a stirring trumpet solo by Bruce Hall. The Boston Pops also shone in its swinging rendition of 42nd Street and its exciting Theme from The Magnificent Seven.
Perhaps the most delicious morsel of the evening was served in Dragon's lush arrangement of De Camptown Races. On the other hand, a choral/orchestral setting of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody did not work, coming across as uncomfortably square until finally the rock instruments kicked in toward the end of the arrangement.
Another fun feature of the concert had the conductors trade orchestras for one number in each other's sets. Nardolillo, in white tie and tails and working with a baton, made a lively Boston Pops debut with von Suppe's Light Cavalry Overture. Lockhart, in red bow tie and cummerbund and conducting with his hands, led the UKSO in an elegant reading of Rodgers' Carousel Waltz, inspiring particularly fine legato playing from the strings.
The most thrilling part of the evening came when both orchestras joined forces for an unprecedented "side-by-side," in which the UK students shared music stands with the professional Boston Pops players. The huge chorus, composed of the combined UK Choirs, the Lexington Singers and the Lexington Singers Children's Choir, under the direction of Jefferson Johnson and Lori Hetzel, also participated more prominently in this portion of the concert, which began with the rousing sounds of John Williams' Call of the Champions.
Metropolitan Opera soprano Cynthia Lawrence, who also occupies an endowed chair in voice at UK, joined the massed forces for a moving rendition of America the Beautiful, her voice soaring gloriously above the choruses and orchestras. The program ended climactically with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, complete with simulated cannon fire to take the excitement over the top.
Friday 14 October 2011
Editorial: Medical marijuana series sheds light on new law
It was a mistake for Michigan voters to approve the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes by a 2-1 margin in November 2008.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, which should be overturned by the state Legislature, allowed those with "debilitating medical conditions" to use marijuana when approved by a physician.
It also allowed "patients" to name a caregiver to administer the drug and to grow up to 12 marijuana plants. Dispensaries sprung up independently, but there are no compliance standards for dispensaries under the law.
Advocates convinced the electorate that marijuana would alleviate chronic pain or severe side effects from chemotherapy. This is bogus. There are no scientific peer-reviewed studies that show marijuana reduces chronic pain.
In addition, there are FDA-approved medications such as Marinol that contain Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that can be prescribed by a physician. There also are at least three widely-used medications - Emend, Aloxi and Sancuso - which prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
So there is no need for marijuana when legitimate medications are available to those living with chronic pain or side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, medical insurance will pay for such medications and no insurer will pay for marijuana.
Another problem with the Michigan law is that "debilitating conditions" were not specifically defined. This opens the door to con artists and dealers who complain of a "severe back ache" getting their hands on a drug that sells for $150 to $500 an ounce on the street depending on the quality.
An often-overlooked and dangerous problem with allowing widespread use of marijuana is that there is no quality control of marijuana being privately grown and disseminated. The law never legalized marijuana.
Marinol and anti-nausea drugs contain the exact ingredients whether a patient buys them at any pharmacy.
But with hundreds of people growing marijuana, there is no telling what might be contained in the marijuana purchased. Drug dealers often "cut" drugs with lethal substances such as strychnine to increase the quantity and this unnecessarily puts people's lives at risk.
Under current law, the potency of marijuana is not consistent. This could injure medically fragile patients, causing coma or a psychotic episode.
We are proud that state Attorney General Bill Schuette has led the charge to shut down marijuana dispensaries.
In August, the state Court of Appeals shut off the commercial sale of marijuana by those who have a medical marijuana card.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, which should be overturned by the state Legislature, allowed those with "debilitating medical conditions" to use marijuana when approved by a physician.
It also allowed "patients" to name a caregiver to administer the drug and to grow up to 12 marijuana plants. Dispensaries sprung up independently, but there are no compliance standards for dispensaries under the law.
Advocates convinced the electorate that marijuana would alleviate chronic pain or severe side effects from chemotherapy. This is bogus. There are no scientific peer-reviewed studies that show marijuana reduces chronic pain.
In addition, there are FDA-approved medications such as Marinol that contain Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that can be prescribed by a physician. There also are at least three widely-used medications - Emend, Aloxi and Sancuso - which prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
So there is no need for marijuana when legitimate medications are available to those living with chronic pain or side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, medical insurance will pay for such medications and no insurer will pay for marijuana.
Another problem with the Michigan law is that "debilitating conditions" were not specifically defined. This opens the door to con artists and dealers who complain of a "severe back ache" getting their hands on a drug that sells for $150 to $500 an ounce on the street depending on the quality.
An often-overlooked and dangerous problem with allowing widespread use of marijuana is that there is no quality control of marijuana being privately grown and disseminated. The law never legalized marijuana.
Marinol and anti-nausea drugs contain the exact ingredients whether a patient buys them at any pharmacy.
But with hundreds of people growing marijuana, there is no telling what might be contained in the marijuana purchased. Drug dealers often "cut" drugs with lethal substances such as strychnine to increase the quantity and this unnecessarily puts people's lives at risk.
Under current law, the potency of marijuana is not consistent. This could injure medically fragile patients, causing coma or a psychotic episode.
We are proud that state Attorney General Bill Schuette has led the charge to shut down marijuana dispensaries.
In August, the state Court of Appeals shut off the commercial sale of marijuana by those who have a medical marijuana card.
Thursday 13 October 2011
Milwaukie Mayor Jeremy Ferguson summarizes past year in State of the City address
Mayor Jeremy Ferguson hit all the high notes of the past year to emphasize that Milwaukie “has turned a corner” in his State of the City address Tuesday. It was the 10th annual address sponsored by the Milwaukie Rotary Club.
With projects like Walk Safely Milwaukie, he praised the efforts of residents, neighborhood associations and city staff for reaching an outcome many people are pleased with, while avoiding the messy — and sometimes contentious — process that produced the three sidewalk and road improvements.
But, as Ferguson said while talking about two downtown business initiatives that awarded grants to spruce up the exterior of buildings and pay for public area improvements, a walk down Main Street shows that the programs have seen a measure of success.
“You can see things happening right now on Main Street,” Ferguson said. “Things are really being cleaned up.”
He also touted partnerships with local schools, such as when the Milwaukie Police Department decided to ask a Sellwood bike dealer to refurbish a bunch of confiscated bikes and gave them to elementary schoolers who didn’t have one. Again emphasizing the lessons learned from unpleasant situations, Ferguson said the closure of Hector Campbell, and the neighbor association’s involvement in that process taught the city how to better communicate with North Clackamas School District.
“Building that relationship with schools is very important and we’re taking steps in that direction,” he said.
Ferguson wrapped up by summarizing the City Council’s works in progress: the recently adopted South Downtown Plan, which includes the Milwaukie Main Street light rail station, and Milwaukie’s attempt to build a minor league baseball stadium.
“I’ve been a member of this community over 30 years, and I can’t remember a project that has sparked so much excitement,” he said.
Thanks to the efforts of one of our residents, the co-chair of the Hector Campbell NDA, Linda Hedges, a growing group of citizens in Milwaukie have been trained to care for themselves and their neighbors until professional responders can reach them in the event of an emergency.
The Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
With projects like Walk Safely Milwaukie, he praised the efforts of residents, neighborhood associations and city staff for reaching an outcome many people are pleased with, while avoiding the messy — and sometimes contentious — process that produced the three sidewalk and road improvements.
But, as Ferguson said while talking about two downtown business initiatives that awarded grants to spruce up the exterior of buildings and pay for public area improvements, a walk down Main Street shows that the programs have seen a measure of success.
“You can see things happening right now on Main Street,” Ferguson said. “Things are really being cleaned up.”
He also touted partnerships with local schools, such as when the Milwaukie Police Department decided to ask a Sellwood bike dealer to refurbish a bunch of confiscated bikes and gave them to elementary schoolers who didn’t have one. Again emphasizing the lessons learned from unpleasant situations, Ferguson said the closure of Hector Campbell, and the neighbor association’s involvement in that process taught the city how to better communicate with North Clackamas School District.
“Building that relationship with schools is very important and we’re taking steps in that direction,” he said.
Ferguson wrapped up by summarizing the City Council’s works in progress: the recently adopted South Downtown Plan, which includes the Milwaukie Main Street light rail station, and Milwaukie’s attempt to build a minor league baseball stadium.
“I’ve been a member of this community over 30 years, and I can’t remember a project that has sparked so much excitement,” he said.
Thanks to the efforts of one of our residents, the co-chair of the Hector Campbell NDA, Linda Hedges, a growing group of citizens in Milwaukie have been trained to care for themselves and their neighbors until professional responders can reach them in the event of an emergency.
The Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Honda LEEDs the way at its new head office
All automakers are working to make their vehicles more environmentally-friendly, but sustainability involves all aspects of the auto industry. That’s why Honda designed its new headquarters in Markham, Ont., to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.
“It took us three years to build and move in,” says Barry Holt, Honda’s vice-president of finance and information services.
“To date, Honda has 11 LEED-certified facilities (in North America), and this is the only one in Canada.”
The Honda head office “campus” consists of three buildings — offices, parts warehouse and a technical centre — on 54 acres of land. It recently was awarded Gold status by LEED.
It’s not just enough to incorporate recycled materials or reduce the construction trash that goes to landfills, although Honda did that.
It started well before the first shovel went into the ground with habitat preservation, since the complex was built on a farmer’s field. This meant ensuring that forests or ponds didn’t have to be taken out. A large portion of the property has been given over to green space, and some 1,000 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 2,700 perennials have been planted.
Water is always a key issue with sustainability, and the Honda building uses a storm water system that collects rainwater and stores it in an underground cistern for irrigation.
Throughout its first summer, an especially hot and dry one, the company kept its green stuff growing without using any city water.
Run-off from the large parking lots is funnelled into bio-filters, which use rocks and paper filters in the ground.
The buildings have white roofs to reduce air conditioning use; heating and cooling vents run in the floors rather than overhead, which save energy; rooms are equipped with motion sensors to turn off lights when not needed; and low-flow toilets and faucets reduce water use.
The company has achieved a 44 per cent water saving and 32 per cent energy consumption saving over the LEED baseline.
Part of this comes from designing the building with a north-south orientation, large windows and open floor spaces where natural light coming in through the glass reduces the amount of artificial light required.
“We even use ‘green’ cleaning products such as soaps and solvents,” Holt says.
“There are 30 bicycle spots and showers for employees who bike to work, along with hybrid vehicles in the office fleet. It’s a tangible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the environment.”
“It took us three years to build and move in,” says Barry Holt, Honda’s vice-president of finance and information services.
“To date, Honda has 11 LEED-certified facilities (in North America), and this is the only one in Canada.”
The Honda head office “campus” consists of three buildings — offices, parts warehouse and a technical centre — on 54 acres of land. It recently was awarded Gold status by LEED.
It’s not just enough to incorporate recycled materials or reduce the construction trash that goes to landfills, although Honda did that.
It started well before the first shovel went into the ground with habitat preservation, since the complex was built on a farmer’s field. This meant ensuring that forests or ponds didn’t have to be taken out. A large portion of the property has been given over to green space, and some 1,000 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 2,700 perennials have been planted.
Water is always a key issue with sustainability, and the Honda building uses a storm water system that collects rainwater and stores it in an underground cistern for irrigation.
Throughout its first summer, an especially hot and dry one, the company kept its green stuff growing without using any city water.
Run-off from the large parking lots is funnelled into bio-filters, which use rocks and paper filters in the ground.
The buildings have white roofs to reduce air conditioning use; heating and cooling vents run in the floors rather than overhead, which save energy; rooms are equipped with motion sensors to turn off lights when not needed; and low-flow toilets and faucets reduce water use.
The company has achieved a 44 per cent water saving and 32 per cent energy consumption saving over the LEED baseline.
Part of this comes from designing the building with a north-south orientation, large windows and open floor spaces where natural light coming in through the glass reduces the amount of artificial light required.
“We even use ‘green’ cleaning products such as soaps and solvents,” Holt says.
“There are 30 bicycle spots and showers for employees who bike to work, along with hybrid vehicles in the office fleet. It’s a tangible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the environment.”
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Firehouse tour, ‘Love Letters,’ meetings, Haunting Hayrides
A Saturday open house at Cornelius-Lemley Fire & Rescue’s station No. 2 is among the highlights of our area events calendar this week. The North Mecklenburg Republican Women’s annual Pig Pickin’ and Politickin’ is Tuesday afternoon at the NorthStone Club in Huntersville. On Thursday, Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Cornelius’s Jetton Village hosts a jewelry sale and fundraiser for the Lake Norman Lucky Cats, a program aimed at reducing the number of feral cats in the Lake Norman area.
Davidson Community Players’ production of “Love Letters” continues with four shows this weekend. The rotating cast features a new lead couple every weekend. This weekend’s shows feature WFAE-FM’s Mike Collins and Cat Rutledge.
For those in need of a football fix, Hough High hosts Mooresville on Friday night. If you’re interested in astronomy, Fisher Farm Park in Davidson will host a stargazing party Friday night.
Ready for Halloween? Check out the Haunting Hayride Friday and Saturday nights at the Latta Plantation Equestrian Center in Huntersville. The Carolina Renaissance Festival continues off Poplar Tent Road east of Davidson. And don’t forget the Amazing Maize Maze, which has its Friday night flashlight runs at the Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville.
Meetings this week include the Lake Norman Marine Commission on Monday night and the Davidson Town Board on Tuesday night. And while you’re at Davidson Town Hall, don’t miss the exhibit of photography and digital art by six local artists in the rotunda, which is on display weekdays during business hours.
These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas.
MONDAY, OCT. 10
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
TUESDAY, OCT. 11
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
Davidson Community Players’ production of “Love Letters” continues with four shows this weekend. The rotating cast features a new lead couple every weekend. This weekend’s shows feature WFAE-FM’s Mike Collins and Cat Rutledge.
For those in need of a football fix, Hough High hosts Mooresville on Friday night. If you’re interested in astronomy, Fisher Farm Park in Davidson will host a stargazing party Friday night.
Ready for Halloween? Check out the Haunting Hayride Friday and Saturday nights at the Latta Plantation Equestrian Center in Huntersville. The Carolina Renaissance Festival continues off Poplar Tent Road east of Davidson. And don’t forget the Amazing Maize Maze, which has its Friday night flashlight runs at the Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville.
Meetings this week include the Lake Norman Marine Commission on Monday night and the Davidson Town Board on Tuesday night. And while you’re at Davidson Town Hall, don’t miss the exhibit of photography and digital art by six local artists in the rotunda, which is on display weekdays during business hours.
These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas.
MONDAY, OCT. 10
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
TUESDAY, OCT. 11
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.
Monday 10 October 2011
Nordic Center yurts: Rustic in the round
After the birth of our daughter Grace and then son Ezra, we found ourselves backpacking and camping less. The yurt gave us a chance to try our hand at quasi-camping, where we hauled gear in backpacks but did not have to worry about a tent or water. And, we were not alone in this notion: the guests of the other yurt were a young Phoenix couple and their 16-month-old daughter, Sophie.
We also enjoyed the distinct advantage of a woodstove-heated space -- a bonus to the yurt that also helps extend the camping season well into the fall. In fact, the yurts are a year-round offering and a popular overnight retreat for cross-country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts.
Like our nights of tent camping, the yurt served primarily as our base of operations to explore. The Nordic Center yurt experience is enhanced by the more than 30 miles of trails. While the trails are there primarily for the cross-country ski season, they also offer hiking opportunities.
Following a dinner that included veggie burgers and roasted corn, my sister-in-law showed off her fire-starting skills by getting a nice blaze going in the fire pit. We basked in the campfire as the dusk went blue and the stars began to show. The woodsmoke, emerging night and mountain air helped us reconnect with all the things we loved about camping.
As we prepared for bed, I found myself fixated on one interesting feature of the yurt: A perfect circle of a skylight about two feet in diameter at the top of the ceiling. During the day, this brings light into the room, along with two windows that can be unclipped and rolled up.
At night, the dome creates a small window into the cosmos.
For the time of our visit, I could see Orion's Belt in the circle. Johnson notes that, during the winter, the Big Dipper is visible in circle, and people who stay overnight can watch it rotate through the night.
In many ways, it reminded me of a crude version of a James Turrell Skyspace, where the minimalist conceptual artist reveals a circle of sky in the center of a room so people can watch and interpret the sky's color and form. To this effect, I watched how dawn faded out the stars and brought different shades of blue in the circle.
The morning brought a robust hike up the Abineau Trail and across a trail known as the Snowslide. While most of the forest remained in shadow, Kendrick Peak to the west was bathed in morning light.
As I pulled the crisp air into my lungs and studied the cool and warm tones of morning and the emerging light, I realized that we needed to refill our summer season with family camping and look to the yurts to help extend the season into the fall and beyond.
We also enjoyed the distinct advantage of a woodstove-heated space -- a bonus to the yurt that also helps extend the camping season well into the fall. In fact, the yurts are a year-round offering and a popular overnight retreat for cross-country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts.
Like our nights of tent camping, the yurt served primarily as our base of operations to explore. The Nordic Center yurt experience is enhanced by the more than 30 miles of trails. While the trails are there primarily for the cross-country ski season, they also offer hiking opportunities.
Following a dinner that included veggie burgers and roasted corn, my sister-in-law showed off her fire-starting skills by getting a nice blaze going in the fire pit. We basked in the campfire as the dusk went blue and the stars began to show. The woodsmoke, emerging night and mountain air helped us reconnect with all the things we loved about camping.
As we prepared for bed, I found myself fixated on one interesting feature of the yurt: A perfect circle of a skylight about two feet in diameter at the top of the ceiling. During the day, this brings light into the room, along with two windows that can be unclipped and rolled up.
At night, the dome creates a small window into the cosmos.
For the time of our visit, I could see Orion's Belt in the circle. Johnson notes that, during the winter, the Big Dipper is visible in circle, and people who stay overnight can watch it rotate through the night.
In many ways, it reminded me of a crude version of a James Turrell Skyspace, where the minimalist conceptual artist reveals a circle of sky in the center of a room so people can watch and interpret the sky's color and form. To this effect, I watched how dawn faded out the stars and brought different shades of blue in the circle.
The morning brought a robust hike up the Abineau Trail and across a trail known as the Snowslide. While most of the forest remained in shadow, Kendrick Peak to the west was bathed in morning light.
As I pulled the crisp air into my lungs and studied the cool and warm tones of morning and the emerging light, I realized that we needed to refill our summer season with family camping and look to the yurts to help extend the season into the fall and beyond.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Green Tips: Lightbulbs away from saving money
Yesterday, driving home from work I was awestruck by the magnificent blue and orange hues of a few neighborhood solar lit garden art sculptures and stake lights. It was dark and cool, and inspiring to see how well these lights were still brilliantly illuminating gardens where flowers had faded. And so cost effectively! No need to water. No cost to light, even on cooler, darker days.
Improving lighting efficiency outside your house, or in, is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy costs. An average household dedicates at least 10 percent of its energy budget to lighting. The National Energy Development Project, a Virginia-based energy education non-profit organization, estimates that it’s more like 38 percent for businesses and schools. Even more exciting: using new lighting technologies can reduce energy use in your home by 50-75 percent that can save you a corresponding dollar amount on your utility bill.
Tips:
1. Buy fluorescent. Fluorescent bulbs last 6 to 12 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Use fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs where possible. They may cost a little more in the check out line, but in the long run, will save you money.
2. Try LED (light emitting diode). LEDs are starting to become more available for more types of lighting fixtures and are even more efficient than CFLs. Again, they will cost more but can save more.
3. Think ENERGY STAR. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Savers Booklet, buying ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs will save you about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Energy Star is a national standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States in 1990 with the passage of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act. Fixtures and appliances carrying the Energy Star logo generally use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards.
4. Conduct an energy audit. It will help you quickly assess where you can save money in lighting and other energy areas. Your utility or Chamber of Commerce can recommend an energy auditor near you.
5. Consider solar. Whole house solar electric and hot water requires an investment of time of money. Start with outdoor solar lights. NH Saves Online Catalog and local retailers offer many options. If you’re motivated to do more, research your options carefully.
6. Stay current on federal, state and your utility’s energy efficiency programs. There’s currently a bi-partisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011, co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, being presented in Washington; plus federal, state and utility-administered energy efficiency rebate opportunities are always changing. Study up. You can learn much online on government and utility websites and may be able to save on the purchase of energy efficient and solar systems.
Improving lighting efficiency outside your house, or in, is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy costs. An average household dedicates at least 10 percent of its energy budget to lighting. The National Energy Development Project, a Virginia-based energy education non-profit organization, estimates that it’s more like 38 percent for businesses and schools. Even more exciting: using new lighting technologies can reduce energy use in your home by 50-75 percent that can save you a corresponding dollar amount on your utility bill.
Tips:
1. Buy fluorescent. Fluorescent bulbs last 6 to 12 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Use fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs where possible. They may cost a little more in the check out line, but in the long run, will save you money.
2. Try LED (light emitting diode). LEDs are starting to become more available for more types of lighting fixtures and are even more efficient than CFLs. Again, they will cost more but can save more.
3. Think ENERGY STAR. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Savers Booklet, buying ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs will save you about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Energy Star is a national standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States in 1990 with the passage of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act. Fixtures and appliances carrying the Energy Star logo generally use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards.
4. Conduct an energy audit. It will help you quickly assess where you can save money in lighting and other energy areas. Your utility or Chamber of Commerce can recommend an energy auditor near you.
5. Consider solar. Whole house solar electric and hot water requires an investment of time of money. Start with outdoor solar lights. NH Saves Online Catalog and local retailers offer many options. If you’re motivated to do more, research your options carefully.
6. Stay current on federal, state and your utility’s energy efficiency programs. There’s currently a bi-partisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011, co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, being presented in Washington; plus federal, state and utility-administered energy efficiency rebate opportunities are always changing. Study up. You can learn much online on government and utility websites and may be able to save on the purchase of energy efficient and solar systems.
Saturday 8 October 2011
A water wonderland
Shame on me. My mobile phone has already buzzed with a text from Dean Alston (my phone often buzzes in the night, when I am away, with dire and humorous warnings from our cartoonist of the fates that may befall me in foreign climes).
I wasn't asleep this time. I was lying in a room big enough to host a table-tennis tournament, on stilts over the ocean off the north-east coast of Sabah. With all the windows open, rejoicing in the lack of insects out here, I was listening to the fans whir in the warm night, and the water lap around the piles, the cries of the heron, and a more distant one of a baby in another room, and outbreak of singsong Asian voices and the odd explosion of fish-frenzy in the water. One of the staff passed quietly along the jetty on a bicycle - like running a finger along a note-less piano keyboard.
It is a languid, still night, with barely a breath of movement in the air, and I have dined on rice and salad and supped a Tiger beer at the Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort's big restaurant. Out here, 100m along a wooden boardwalk, sort-of at sea, surrounded by reef and dive sites. Happy and relaxed.
But, shame on me, I reply to Alston (trust me, one should never reply to Alston's texts - it's asking for trouble), and with my brain now ticking over, I start to list all the things I need to do in the morning. And my brain starts composing emails. Shame on me. I give up, get up, get the laptop out and sit outside on the back deck, in the night, tapping those emails up and into the drafts box, wearing the head torch so I can see the keys to type.
But the night takes over. The deck is about 4m above the gently lapping water, and big - 7mx4m. It is slatted and there are lights underneath, so I can see the water between each slat, and the floor of the ocean under the shallow water.
A pipefish the size of my leg cruises past, with three more, slightly smaller, in tow behind. I look over the rail and the floor is dotted with starfish.
A parrot fish. A small stingray. Myriad clouds of tiny but colourful reef fish.
It is the sort of night you want to relish. You don't want to go to sleep.
All around me, the other over-water suites are quiet, and I just lie out here on the deck, watching the fish, feeling the night, letting the stillness soak into me.
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort is a 45-minute boat trip from Semporna, which is 70-odd kilometres, or an hour and a half in a minibus, from Tawau, on the east coast of the Malaysian State of Sabah, on the northern end of Borneo. Tawau is an 80-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu, which is five hours and 45 minutes direct with Malaysia Airlines from Perth.
Well, we are in one of the world's most respected dive areas, and that is what most people on Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort are here for. The area is widely considered one of the world's top five dive destinations, with myriad fish, turtles, shallow corals and a 700m drop into the Celebes Sea.
I wasn't asleep this time. I was lying in a room big enough to host a table-tennis tournament, on stilts over the ocean off the north-east coast of Sabah. With all the windows open, rejoicing in the lack of insects out here, I was listening to the fans whir in the warm night, and the water lap around the piles, the cries of the heron, and a more distant one of a baby in another room, and outbreak of singsong Asian voices and the odd explosion of fish-frenzy in the water. One of the staff passed quietly along the jetty on a bicycle - like running a finger along a note-less piano keyboard.
It is a languid, still night, with barely a breath of movement in the air, and I have dined on rice and salad and supped a Tiger beer at the Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort's big restaurant. Out here, 100m along a wooden boardwalk, sort-of at sea, surrounded by reef and dive sites. Happy and relaxed.
But, shame on me, I reply to Alston (trust me, one should never reply to Alston's texts - it's asking for trouble), and with my brain now ticking over, I start to list all the things I need to do in the morning. And my brain starts composing emails. Shame on me. I give up, get up, get the laptop out and sit outside on the back deck, in the night, tapping those emails up and into the drafts box, wearing the head torch so I can see the keys to type.
But the night takes over. The deck is about 4m above the gently lapping water, and big - 7mx4m. It is slatted and there are lights underneath, so I can see the water between each slat, and the floor of the ocean under the shallow water.
A pipefish the size of my leg cruises past, with three more, slightly smaller, in tow behind. I look over the rail and the floor is dotted with starfish.
A parrot fish. A small stingray. Myriad clouds of tiny but colourful reef fish.
It is the sort of night you want to relish. You don't want to go to sleep.
All around me, the other over-water suites are quiet, and I just lie out here on the deck, watching the fish, feeling the night, letting the stillness soak into me.
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort is a 45-minute boat trip from Semporna, which is 70-odd kilometres, or an hour and a half in a minibus, from Tawau, on the east coast of the Malaysian State of Sabah, on the northern end of Borneo. Tawau is an 80-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu, which is five hours and 45 minutes direct with Malaysia Airlines from Perth.
Well, we are in one of the world's most respected dive areas, and that is what most people on Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort are here for. The area is widely considered one of the world's top five dive destinations, with myriad fish, turtles, shallow corals and a 700m drop into the Celebes Sea.
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