Whew! When I say I feel like I got run over by a bus, I'm not joking.
Ever on the edge of sanity, the holidays on top of the crazed year of service I've had with the family took me down.
But no mas!
Here's a light start to build up momentum to do better in 2010. I know, heard it before, but here goes.
Want the easy road to green? Try out these actual books that came out this fall: The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Renewable Energy for Your Home
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Greening Your Business
It's easy, really.
While I was contemplating these, I got sidetracked, kind of like reading three unrelated pages of the dictionary because of the cool stuff I see when I look up something like "jalap" (The dried root of a Mexican vine of the morning glory family, formerly used as a purgative, according to Webster's).
So on the sidetrack, I found these books (also actual) that came out this fall, just in time for Christmas cheer:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Creating a Graphic Novel
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Connecting with Your Angels
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® Numerology Workbook
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Getting Government Contracts
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Making Money with Craigslist
So far, so good, but is this one really going to help if you need it?
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Getting into Top Colleges
Can't imagine what this would be about without being gross.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Eating Clean
If you want to brush up on being authentic,
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the American Accent
And a few more just to round out the selections.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Natural Childbirth
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Yorkshire Terriers, Second Edition
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Buddhism, Third Edition
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Werewolves
It's easy, really.
Showing posts with label earth-friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earth-friendly. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Site headed for prime time
The Amarillo Environmental Advisory Committee is ready to get the green conversation started - hopefully by Jan. 5.
They met today and set that date as the target to roll out the Web site they've been working on.
Another way to get Amarillo talking about sustainability is to put green goals into the comprehensive master plan the city is developing. Committee members are starting to talk about what the major components would be in the goals.
Committee member Linda Lloyd suggested reducing water use, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing storm water runoff and more city acceptance of alternative building materials in the city construction code.
Committee member Anette Carlisle added walkable neighborhoods, more bicycle paths and public transportation as ways to improve Amarillo's environmental future.
They met today and set that date as the target to roll out the Web site they've been working on.
Another way to get Amarillo talking about sustainability is to put green goals into the comprehensive master plan the city is developing. Committee members are starting to talk about what the major components would be in the goals.
Committee member Linda Lloyd suggested reducing water use, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing storm water runoff and more city acceptance of alternative building materials in the city construction code.
Committee member Anette Carlisle added walkable neighborhoods, more bicycle paths and public transportation as ways to improve Amarillo's environmental future.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Ouch
Warning, due to my extended absence, I thought I'd make a senselessly rude return.
Well, it might not be senseless, depending on your point of view. It probably depends on what side of the global warming debate you fall on. But it might also depend on how strong your stomach is and how much you think of polar bears as cuddly teddys, only bigger.
And stinkier from all those seals they eat.
But I digress.
The media battles just keep heating up. This one is an ouch! Like a two-by-four over the head ouch.
It's from the London-based group Plane Stupid that is all upset about how people are stupid about planes. Their catch phrase is "Bringing the aviation industry back down to earth."
In this case, "It's really not about polar bears anymore." We just fly too much.
Now the science cited in the video may be questionable, but don't let the kids watch.
Those zany Brits.
Well, it might not be senseless, depending on your point of view. It probably depends on what side of the global warming debate you fall on. But it might also depend on how strong your stomach is and how much you think of polar bears as cuddly teddys, only bigger.
And stinkier from all those seals they eat.
But I digress.
The media battles just keep heating up. This one is an ouch! Like a two-by-four over the head ouch.
It's from the London-based group Plane Stupid that is all upset about how people are stupid about planes. Their catch phrase is "Bringing the aviation industry back down to earth."
In this case, "It's really not about polar bears anymore." We just fly too much.
Now the science cited in the video may be questionable, but don't let the kids watch.
Those zany Brits.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Make up your mind
New Pew Research Center survey shows Americans are less hot under the collar about global warming - much less.
In a recent Pew poll, 57 percent of respondents said there is "solid evidence" the average temperature on Eargh is getting warmer. In April 2008, 71 percent said that and in 2006 and 2007, that opinion hit 77 percent.
What gives? Is solid not solid? Is squishy the new solid?
Pew opines the sucking sound of the economy is to blame. The center cites drops of about 10 percent in people saying immigration, health care and crime are top priorities for the president and Congress, as signs people are more focused on jobs and pay checks.
Pew says even Gallup and Fox News have seen similar results in polls.
What could this sort of sentiment do to the cap-and-trade train that is just aching to be fueled up with government dollars to get it out of the station?
What do you think? You can e-mail me at kevin.welch@amarillo.com.
In a recent Pew poll, 57 percent of respondents said there is "solid evidence" the average temperature on Eargh is getting warmer. In April 2008, 71 percent said that and in 2006 and 2007, that opinion hit 77 percent.
What gives? Is solid not solid? Is squishy the new solid?
Pew opines the sucking sound of the economy is to blame. The center cites drops of about 10 percent in people saying immigration, health care and crime are top priorities for the president and Congress, as signs people are more focused on jobs and pay checks.
Pew says even Gallup and Fox News have seen similar results in polls.
What could this sort of sentiment do to the cap-and-trade train that is just aching to be fueled up with government dollars to get it out of the station?
What do you think? You can e-mail me at kevin.welch@amarillo.com.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Playing in the dirt
Workers took advantange of today's mild weather to start topping off the first building at Mariposa ecoVillage, a sustainable development planned for west Amarillo.
Work is going slowly, but it's going, on the 625-acre site owned by Bushland-based businesswoman, environmentalist and philanthropist Mary Emeny. Mary was out with the volunteers as they applied roofing material.
The plan is to get the hospitality/marketing center sealed up from the elements before serious winter hits. Next week, the stucco goes onto the outside of the walls built from dirt compressed into giant Lincoln logs.
Once the doorways and windows are sealed, work can begin on the interior.
I'll get some photos posted here next week as they apply the stucco, also made from soil at the site of former caliche pits. The actual construction of homes and businesses from alternative materials will only cover about 300 acres scarred by the pits. The untouched land will remain untouched.
Work was to begin this week on another building, but developer Linda Lloyd said she has to apply for a waiver from the city because she thinks it's a waste to build roads first and then wear them out during building construction.
Work is going slowly, but it's going, on the 625-acre site owned by Bushland-based businesswoman, environmentalist and philanthropist Mary Emeny. Mary was out with the volunteers as they applied roofing material.
The plan is to get the hospitality/marketing center sealed up from the elements before serious winter hits. Next week, the stucco goes onto the outside of the walls built from dirt compressed into giant Lincoln logs.
Once the doorways and windows are sealed, work can begin on the interior.
I'll get some photos posted here next week as they apply the stucco, also made from soil at the site of former caliche pits. The actual construction of homes and businesses from alternative materials will only cover about 300 acres scarred by the pits. The untouched land will remain untouched.
Work was to begin this week on another building, but developer Linda Lloyd said she has to apply for a waiver from the city because she thinks it's a waste to build roads first and then wear them out during building construction.
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