A group of 30 children from Langtree School in Woodcote went into the woods off Greenmore Road to see tree specialist Luke Hamblyn scale a 150-year-old birch tree while fitted with a helmet camera.
He was directed from the ground by film director Brek Taylor, who allowed the pupils to choose shots as he gave them a lecture on trees, preservation and nature.
The event was the first of many activities taking place as part of the Tree of Light project, which will culminate in a musical dance performance in Henley featuring a 50ft sculpture of a tree in July next year.
The project, which has received 1million in funding, is put together by Thames Arts, a consortium made up of the Henley Festival, Oxford Inspires, the Ciao! Festival and Windsor Festival.
Mandy Beard, community projects manager for Henley Festival, said the workshops set out the vision “to teach children about trees and nature by giving them a new perspective”.
She said: “They are shown things like the tree’s root system, where the bats have nests in the trunk and the view from the very top.
“There will be a series of activities based on the theme, including creative writing workshops and dance. It’s all about firing the imagination.”
Anne Stevenson, Langtree’s extended schools co-ordinator, said: “It’s a great day for the children and good for them to be given a fresh, interesting perspective on nature in such a beautiful setting.”
Langtree is one of 10 schools and community groups selected to take part in the project. Others include Trinity Primary School and Gillotts School in Henley, Robert Piggott Junior School, the Piggott School and the Madelaine Kelly School of Dance, all in Wargrave, and Sonning-on-Thames Dance group.
At the show in July, the tree sculpture’s lights will be powered by low-energy LED lights using sustainable energy generated by cyclists and rowers.
Ten smaller trees will be made by the chosen groups.
More than 300 people will create and take part in the riverside show, which will be free to watch.
Similar performances will be given in Reading, Oxford and Windsor, all involving community groups. There will then be a grand finale at Stonor Park in which more than 1,600 people are expected to take part.
The groups have begun discussing ideas for their tree sculptures and to develop stories about them.
Stewart Collins, artistic director of the Henley Festival, said the giant tree would be “otherworldly” and he wanted the performances to be “huge community gatherings”.
2011年10月31日星期一
TCAT: Atrix 2 Review
Less than 10 months later and here we are with the Atrix 2. As a proud Atrix 4G owner, I’m not left envious of those who will own the Atrix 2.
That does not mean the Atrix 2 is a bad phone or I would not own it if I had the chance.
What I’m saying is that the Atrix 2 is more of an aesthetic upgrade to allow AT&T’s Android phones to look more like what Verizon has with its Android line.
On the right side of the device you’ll find a volume rocker and a dedicated camera button near the bottom. The dedicated camera button is only single stage, meaning that you can’t push it down half -way to get the camera to focus then complete the press to take a picture.
On the left side there is the micro-USB and HDMI duo. Rounding out the top is a 3.5 mm jack and, sadly, Moto decided to ditch the fingerprint scanner for a standard power/ screen lock button. The back of the device has an amazing eight megapixel camera with LED flash.
You can record video in 1080p, which is great, especially for a phone at this price point.
Also on the back is a speaker grill, the sound that comes from it is great. But of course if you lay the phone on its back the sound will become muffled by whatever it’s on.
Inside the Atrix 2 is almost the same as the original Atrix, except for a few changes. Both have a one GHz dual-core processor, and one GB of RAM.
But for some reason Motorola saw it fit to decrease the Atrix 2 battery and the amount of internal storage compared to the original. With the Atrix 2 users have six GB of internal storage to work with instead of eight, and the battery is now 1,785mAh versus the original Atrix’s 1930mAh.
Logically you would think that bigger is better that Motorola is using, but it turns out not being something to worry about. The battery life actually performed slightly better than the original.
You can make it through the entire day using the Atrix 2 for watching videos, browsing the internet, making calls, and texting.
If you plan on playing graphic heavy games you might want to bring along your charger though.
The Atrix 2 does support micro-SD cards up to 32GB, which is where you will get the extra storage that you need.
That does not mean the Atrix 2 is a bad phone or I would not own it if I had the chance.
What I’m saying is that the Atrix 2 is more of an aesthetic upgrade to allow AT&T’s Android phones to look more like what Verizon has with its Android line.
On the right side of the device you’ll find a volume rocker and a dedicated camera button near the bottom. The dedicated camera button is only single stage, meaning that you can’t push it down half -way to get the camera to focus then complete the press to take a picture.
On the left side there is the micro-USB and HDMI duo. Rounding out the top is a 3.5 mm jack and, sadly, Moto decided to ditch the fingerprint scanner for a standard power/ screen lock button. The back of the device has an amazing eight megapixel camera with LED flash.
You can record video in 1080p, which is great, especially for a phone at this price point.
Also on the back is a speaker grill, the sound that comes from it is great. But of course if you lay the phone on its back the sound will become muffled by whatever it’s on.
Inside the Atrix 2 is almost the same as the original Atrix, except for a few changes. Both have a one GHz dual-core processor, and one GB of RAM.
But for some reason Motorola saw it fit to decrease the Atrix 2 battery and the amount of internal storage compared to the original. With the Atrix 2 users have six GB of internal storage to work with instead of eight, and the battery is now 1,785mAh versus the original Atrix’s 1930mAh.
Logically you would think that bigger is better that Motorola is using, but it turns out not being something to worry about. The battery life actually performed slightly better than the original.
You can make it through the entire day using the Atrix 2 for watching videos, browsing the internet, making calls, and texting.
If you plan on playing graphic heavy games you might want to bring along your charger though.
The Atrix 2 does support micro-SD cards up to 32GB, which is where you will get the extra storage that you need.
2011年10月27日星期四
LEDs weighed for long-term savings
A proposed Arkansas River Power Authority electric rate hike has Trinidad pursuing energy-saving light-emitting diode equipment, which will save money in the long run, according to City Manager Ed Gil de Rubio.
LED lights will increase the original $200,000 lighting budget by $80,000. That figure is $40,000 less than projected costs using traditional lights, and would stretch the payments from three to seven years. That would lower the city’s 2012 payment from $156,000 to $75,400.
“I’m not content after perusing the proposed ARPA budget for next year, with the events that have taken place over the past few weeks,” Gil de Rubio said. “I would like to replace that figure of $200,000 up to $280,000 if you decide to go with LED lighting or $320,000 without LED lighting.
“I’m saying this primarily because of the direction we’re currently going with the ARPA budget. They have a budget with a proposed three percent increase in base rate, but as I made reference to at the last work session, that’s not guaranteed. It could go up by six, eight or 10 percent, and at this point we just don’t know.”
The city will partner with Rocky Mountain Services Employment Redevelopment on a project to train local workers to install LED lighting. The costs of the lighting have dropped significantly in recent months, Gil de Rubio said. In July 2010, the city was quoted a figure of $656,000 for the lighting. Recent conversations with the manufacturer have resulted in a $190,000 price reduction to $466,000.
The discussion on increasing the number of LED lights in the city was part of a broader discussion of the proposed $8.5 million 2012 power and light budget, an increase of around $500,000 above the 2011 budget.
The city manager said the city expects a 1 percent power and light revenue increase from an estimated 2011 figure of $8.5 million to $8.55 million in the proposed 2012 budget.
Expenditures will also increase next year. The estimated actual 2011 figure for expenditures is $7.64 million, while the proposed 2012 budget for expenditures is $8.15 million. There should be a slight increase in the year-end fund balance in 2012. This year the estimated actual ending fund balance should be $4.176 million, while the ending fund balance for 2012 is projected at $4.274 million. Net income for the power and light funds should experience a significant drop in 2012. The estimated actual net income for 2011 is $502,500 while the 2012 net income figure in the proposed 2012 budget is just $98,000. The fund balance experienced a net loss of $603,000 in 2010.
LED lights will increase the original $200,000 lighting budget by $80,000. That figure is $40,000 less than projected costs using traditional lights, and would stretch the payments from three to seven years. That would lower the city’s 2012 payment from $156,000 to $75,400.
“I’m not content after perusing the proposed ARPA budget for next year, with the events that have taken place over the past few weeks,” Gil de Rubio said. “I would like to replace that figure of $200,000 up to $280,000 if you decide to go with LED lighting or $320,000 without LED lighting.
“I’m saying this primarily because of the direction we’re currently going with the ARPA budget. They have a budget with a proposed three percent increase in base rate, but as I made reference to at the last work session, that’s not guaranteed. It could go up by six, eight or 10 percent, and at this point we just don’t know.”
The city will partner with Rocky Mountain Services Employment Redevelopment on a project to train local workers to install LED lighting. The costs of the lighting have dropped significantly in recent months, Gil de Rubio said. In July 2010, the city was quoted a figure of $656,000 for the lighting. Recent conversations with the manufacturer have resulted in a $190,000 price reduction to $466,000.
The discussion on increasing the number of LED lights in the city was part of a broader discussion of the proposed $8.5 million 2012 power and light budget, an increase of around $500,000 above the 2011 budget.
The city manager said the city expects a 1 percent power and light revenue increase from an estimated 2011 figure of $8.5 million to $8.55 million in the proposed 2012 budget.
Expenditures will also increase next year. The estimated actual 2011 figure for expenditures is $7.64 million, while the proposed 2012 budget for expenditures is $8.15 million. There should be a slight increase in the year-end fund balance in 2012. This year the estimated actual ending fund balance should be $4.176 million, while the ending fund balance for 2012 is projected at $4.274 million. Net income for the power and light funds should experience a significant drop in 2012. The estimated actual net income for 2011 is $502,500 while the 2012 net income figure in the proposed 2012 budget is just $98,000. The fund balance experienced a net loss of $603,000 in 2010.
The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery
Quite the vixen, the doe-eyed Crystal Rincon plays Thelma who is recently crowned Miss Farndale, or something of the sort, and is making a special appearance onstage for the Townswomen's Guild. Rincon has several great deer-in-the-headlight moments and also has a niche for physical comedy. The difference between Rincon and Spires is that Rincon's funniest moments are subtle and quiet, and if you're looking, are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Her butler bell imitation is by far the wittiest.
Jennifer Fortson plays Audrey, a character with many faces and always the proper, upright "pip, pip, cheerio" attitude. Fortson takes a few scenes to shake off the nerves but once going, she's a ray of light onstage. Even though she resigns to play the elder characters within the show, Fortson is youthful, vibrant and has an infectious laugh that makes her performance a pleasure to watch.
As Felicity, who portrays Pawn the Butler, Sarah Ruffin does a decent job as the stiff-lipped, zombie-like hired hand. Her voice as Pawn grates on me a bit, but the role is an odd one to begin with so I prefer the moments when Ruffin breaks away and becomes her lady character Felicity. Unfortunately it's not often. Her transition from Felicity to Pawn is a complete 180 so from what I could tell, Felicity is a little ditsy which makes her transition back into Pawn uncanny and comical.
The lone male in the cast of five is Alfredo Martinez as Gordon who I believe is the former assistant stage manager filling in for a missing actor – the character, not Martinez. Martinez holds his own among the dramatically-inclined group of women, and matches their energy onstage. His faux-mishaps aren't always as believable as the rest. He is more like the guy who shows up to his own surprise birthday party he knows about and has to act surprised.
The lighting and sound effects play to the strengths of the performance, giving the actors plenty to work with and causing copious amounts of good-humored confusion for the audience. I secretly wonder if the technicians change the effects for each show just to keep the actors on their toes. Otherwise, if they're keeping with the same set every night, the instinctive reactions from the cast come across genuine and completely candid.
If you've heard of Farndale before, Pantagleize produced the Dramatic Society's version of A Christmas Carol in the past year. Playwrights David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr. have at least seven or eight additional existing scripts that feature the ladies of Farndale, the Murder Mystery being one of the more widely-known.
Since I've now been schooled in the ways and talents of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society, I recommend a visit to Pantagleize Theatre Company to join in on the fun, the fundraising, and this farce of a murder mystery.
Jennifer Fortson plays Audrey, a character with many faces and always the proper, upright "pip, pip, cheerio" attitude. Fortson takes a few scenes to shake off the nerves but once going, she's a ray of light onstage. Even though she resigns to play the elder characters within the show, Fortson is youthful, vibrant and has an infectious laugh that makes her performance a pleasure to watch.
As Felicity, who portrays Pawn the Butler, Sarah Ruffin does a decent job as the stiff-lipped, zombie-like hired hand. Her voice as Pawn grates on me a bit, but the role is an odd one to begin with so I prefer the moments when Ruffin breaks away and becomes her lady character Felicity. Unfortunately it's not often. Her transition from Felicity to Pawn is a complete 180 so from what I could tell, Felicity is a little ditsy which makes her transition back into Pawn uncanny and comical.
The lone male in the cast of five is Alfredo Martinez as Gordon who I believe is the former assistant stage manager filling in for a missing actor – the character, not Martinez. Martinez holds his own among the dramatically-inclined group of women, and matches their energy onstage. His faux-mishaps aren't always as believable as the rest. He is more like the guy who shows up to his own surprise birthday party he knows about and has to act surprised.
The lighting and sound effects play to the strengths of the performance, giving the actors plenty to work with and causing copious amounts of good-humored confusion for the audience. I secretly wonder if the technicians change the effects for each show just to keep the actors on their toes. Otherwise, if they're keeping with the same set every night, the instinctive reactions from the cast come across genuine and completely candid.
If you've heard of Farndale before, Pantagleize produced the Dramatic Society's version of A Christmas Carol in the past year. Playwrights David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr. have at least seven or eight additional existing scripts that feature the ladies of Farndale, the Murder Mystery being one of the more widely-known.
Since I've now been schooled in the ways and talents of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society, I recommend a visit to Pantagleize Theatre Company to join in on the fun, the fundraising, and this farce of a murder mystery.
2011年10月25日星期二
No Rate Increase for RPU Customers
In a recent board meeting, officials at Rochester Public Utilities made a recommendation to not raise their rates.
The company has been able to keep their water rates the same for the past five years and they're electricity rates for the last three. They say it's because of their recent efforts to conserve energy.
"I think it's a good sign and I have to applaud them for not raising it," resident Carl Augustin said.
"Especially now coming towards the holidays and stuff. It's just a lot of extra money that people will need to put out of their pockets," Kenton Derr added.
Representatives at RPU say many factors including a slow economy and slow construction industry have helped to keep rates low.
"There isn't as much electricity and water being used. There isn't as much development. We're also working with a lot of customers residential and commercial to conserve water and electricity," RPU Communications Specialist Tony Benson said.
Dozens of companies including Bowman Tool and Machinery have worked to conserve energy.
Simple things like new light bulbs, fans, and energy efficient air compressors are saving Bowman thousands of dollars a month on power.
"I think it's something that we all have to do as business people in the United States," Bowman President Bill Bowman said.
But Bowman isn't the only company making changes.
At RPU they're installing high efficiency lighting in their parking lot.
Workers say it's just one small way of showing the company's commitment to conserving energy.
"I think we've really stepped up and shown our customers that we're listening and we're making adjustments on our end to really minimize rate increases," Benson explained.
The 2012 energy rates haven't been set in stone. Even though company officials made their recommendation; the RPU board has until November 15th to make a decision.
The company has been able to keep their water rates the same for the past five years and they're electricity rates for the last three. They say it's because of their recent efforts to conserve energy.
"I think it's a good sign and I have to applaud them for not raising it," resident Carl Augustin said.
"Especially now coming towards the holidays and stuff. It's just a lot of extra money that people will need to put out of their pockets," Kenton Derr added.
Representatives at RPU say many factors including a slow economy and slow construction industry have helped to keep rates low.
"There isn't as much electricity and water being used. There isn't as much development. We're also working with a lot of customers residential and commercial to conserve water and electricity," RPU Communications Specialist Tony Benson said.
Dozens of companies including Bowman Tool and Machinery have worked to conserve energy.
Simple things like new light bulbs, fans, and energy efficient air compressors are saving Bowman thousands of dollars a month on power.
"I think it's something that we all have to do as business people in the United States," Bowman President Bill Bowman said.
But Bowman isn't the only company making changes.
At RPU they're installing high efficiency lighting in their parking lot.
Workers say it's just one small way of showing the company's commitment to conserving energy.
"I think we've really stepped up and shown our customers that we're listening and we're making adjustments on our end to really minimize rate increases," Benson explained.
The 2012 energy rates haven't been set in stone. Even though company officials made their recommendation; the RPU board has until November 15th to make a decision.
Technology transfer - seeing the light
Having acquired the machine vision business operations of Viconsys Oy in Finland Metso is now expanding machine vision applications beyond its traditional fields of pulp and paper.
Machine vision systems using analogue tape-based cameras have been used in the paper industry for analysing track breaks since the early 1990s. In 1995, data storage was first digitised, followed by the cameras themselves. Viconsys is believed to be the first to integrate process cameras and fault detection into one system in which all cameras are able to identify and save both process incidents and faults.
Lighting is key in machine vision systems and MJ-808 working at a direct current level, that are constantly switched on, are usually employed. However, with fault detection in particular, lights fight each other when filming and picture quality can be poor. To counter this Viconsys developed a pulsating LED light as a replacement. The pulse is so short and sharp that the LEDs do not generate heat.
“Normal LED light burns constantly at an equal voltage. An LED pulsating with an electrical impulse is only switched on for 1-2% of the time”, said product manager Niko Niemela. The pulsating light is reflected from above and below and as transilluminating light, which produces a different kind of response from the monitored surface. Pulsating LEDs have been synchronized with digital cameras so that the camera beam takes a picture from each light angle. The cameras capture 100–300 black-and-white images per second.
Real-time images are processed in a power processor. If the system discovers a sufficiently notable change in a process, it will automatically save the images. An analysis based on the image data helps classify faults.
The digital matrix imaging systems, developed for the observation of processes in the pulp and paper industry can be applied in the metal industry almost as they are, we are told. The matrix camera is the most important part of Metso’s capability to export this technology into other industries. Many competing pulp and paper equipment providers do not offer their own systems, and many fault detection solutions developed for quality inspection applications in the metal industry rely on traditional linescan technology.
The core of the system is a processor card that has two DSP processors and one gigabyte of memory per camera. Data is transferred with optical fiber to the processor card to minimise electromagnetic disturbances from motors.
The movable system with a couple of cameras can be joined to a portable computer. Some larger systems supplied for paper machinery have had as many as 250 cameras. In such cases, data storage requires its own server. Fault/quality charts can be transferred from these systems either for the operator to view or can be printed for the customer with the delivery of goods.
Machine vision systems using analogue tape-based cameras have been used in the paper industry for analysing track breaks since the early 1990s. In 1995, data storage was first digitised, followed by the cameras themselves. Viconsys is believed to be the first to integrate process cameras and fault detection into one system in which all cameras are able to identify and save both process incidents and faults.
Lighting is key in machine vision systems and MJ-808 working at a direct current level, that are constantly switched on, are usually employed. However, with fault detection in particular, lights fight each other when filming and picture quality can be poor. To counter this Viconsys developed a pulsating LED light as a replacement. The pulse is so short and sharp that the LEDs do not generate heat.
“Normal LED light burns constantly at an equal voltage. An LED pulsating with an electrical impulse is only switched on for 1-2% of the time”, said product manager Niko Niemela. The pulsating light is reflected from above and below and as transilluminating light, which produces a different kind of response from the monitored surface. Pulsating LEDs have been synchronized with digital cameras so that the camera beam takes a picture from each light angle. The cameras capture 100–300 black-and-white images per second.
Real-time images are processed in a power processor. If the system discovers a sufficiently notable change in a process, it will automatically save the images. An analysis based on the image data helps classify faults.
The digital matrix imaging systems, developed for the observation of processes in the pulp and paper industry can be applied in the metal industry almost as they are, we are told. The matrix camera is the most important part of Metso’s capability to export this technology into other industries. Many competing pulp and paper equipment providers do not offer their own systems, and many fault detection solutions developed for quality inspection applications in the metal industry rely on traditional linescan technology.
The core of the system is a processor card that has two DSP processors and one gigabyte of memory per camera. Data is transferred with optical fiber to the processor card to minimise electromagnetic disturbances from motors.
The movable system with a couple of cameras can be joined to a portable computer. Some larger systems supplied for paper machinery have had as many as 250 cameras. In such cases, data storage requires its own server. Fault/quality charts can be transferred from these systems either for the operator to view or can be printed for the customer with the delivery of goods.
2011年10月24日星期一
One day, next door could be your new best friend
As we saw in Victoria on Black Saturday – and during Tropical Cyclone Yasi and the floods in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia – knowing who your neighbours are, and how to contact them, is vital during an emergency or after a disaster.
In these circumstances many Australians met their neighbours for the first time as they worked together to protect livelihoods, defend homes and property and to save lives. Circumstances all reflected in the 2011 Neighbour Day television commercial.
However it's the day-to-day interactions between residents living in houses and apartments that help create and maintain active, safe, inclusive and sustainable communities. Suburbs and towns that I reckon everyone wants to live in.
Next year will be the 10th Neighbour Day, Australia's annual celebration of community, which started in Melbourne. The idea began in The Age for what is now a series of national street parties, barbecues, lunches, open days and major events run by councils, residents associations and tenancy groups on the last Sunday in March.
But it evolved from a sad beginning.
Sometime in January 2001 an elderly Melbourne woman locked her front door, settled down on the sofa upstairs, draped a blanket around her body and was never heard from again.
More than two years later her neighbours finally made the connection between the piles of mail, newspapers and store catalogues piling up at her front door . . . and something being amiss for an elderly woman known to live alone. When Victoria Police broke in they not only discovered her remains but also found the electricity, gas, water and telephone still connected.
Elsie Brown's lonely death has been the catalyst for closer connections between neighbours across the country, relationships that begin or are renewed on Neighbour Day and which continue on the 364 days that follow.
Being connected with your neighbours brings many benefits. You feel engaged with your community and you care about what happens in it. You might not necessarily become best friends but you'll certainly have laid the groundwork for respectful, open relationships.
I'm often asked whether Australia has lost it's sense of community. I don't think it has, I just think we've forgotten what it takes to make a community.
Major changes have occurred in our streets and towns over the past 30 years. Both parents now work to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. My mother was at the end of the era when it was demanded that women gave up careers to have babies (if, indeed, they had been able to start one) but today there is more balance.
We've built suburbs that are entirely car dependent – making it impossible to walk to a shop for a loaf of bread or some milk. Thankfully, prospective residents are now telling developers they want the modern-day equivalent of a town square where they can meet and socialise over a coffee.
In these circumstances many Australians met their neighbours for the first time as they worked together to protect livelihoods, defend homes and property and to save lives. Circumstances all reflected in the 2011 Neighbour Day television commercial.
However it's the day-to-day interactions between residents living in houses and apartments that help create and maintain active, safe, inclusive and sustainable communities. Suburbs and towns that I reckon everyone wants to live in.
Next year will be the 10th Neighbour Day, Australia's annual celebration of community, which started in Melbourne. The idea began in The Age for what is now a series of national street parties, barbecues, lunches, open days and major events run by councils, residents associations and tenancy groups on the last Sunday in March.
But it evolved from a sad beginning.
Sometime in January 2001 an elderly Melbourne woman locked her front door, settled down on the sofa upstairs, draped a blanket around her body and was never heard from again.
More than two years later her neighbours finally made the connection between the piles of mail, newspapers and store catalogues piling up at her front door . . . and something being amiss for an elderly woman known to live alone. When Victoria Police broke in they not only discovered her remains but also found the electricity, gas, water and telephone still connected.
Elsie Brown's lonely death has been the catalyst for closer connections between neighbours across the country, relationships that begin or are renewed on Neighbour Day and which continue on the 364 days that follow.
Being connected with your neighbours brings many benefits. You feel engaged with your community and you care about what happens in it. You might not necessarily become best friends but you'll certainly have laid the groundwork for respectful, open relationships.
I'm often asked whether Australia has lost it's sense of community. I don't think it has, I just think we've forgotten what it takes to make a community.
Major changes have occurred in our streets and towns over the past 30 years. Both parents now work to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. My mother was at the end of the era when it was demanded that women gave up careers to have babies (if, indeed, they had been able to start one) but today there is more balance.
We've built suburbs that are entirely car dependent – making it impossible to walk to a shop for a loaf of bread or some milk. Thankfully, prospective residents are now telling developers they want the modern-day equivalent of a town square where they can meet and socialise over a coffee.
2011年10月19日星期三
Bikes thefts plague SMC
In order to prevent bike thefts, Romano recommends bikers purchase two locks especially if they own expensive bikes because the bikes that are being stolen are higher-end models worth anywhere from $500 to $1,200.
“They have really expensive bikes, but they are using inexpensive cable locks that can be easily cut,” said Romano. “Thieves have been stealing bikes by cutting these cable locks with small bolt cutters.”
Beth Brown, founder of the Santa Monica bike club Shifting Gears Cycling, recommends bikers use Kryptonite-brand locks and additional cable locks for extra protection. She adds that people should be “smart” about where to lock up.
“Lock your bike up in a visible area! Make sure to take your front wheel off (if it has a quick release) and lock it to your back wheel,” said Brown. “Remember to take your seat with you and anything else that is removable: lights, bike bag, etc.”
SMC student, Won Ho Bae, rides his bike to school everyday, and uses a Kryptonite lock to protect his bike.
“SMC needs to improve its bike stations. The bike racks are in bad condition and look very fragile,” said Bae.
Santa Monica College’s burgeoning bicycle culture brings with it bike theft, which prompted the SMC police department to start The National Bike Registry Program (NBR).
The program, which started last year works by enabling people to log their bike’s serial number into a database, this option can be purchased at the police department’s front office for $5.
“Basically, what it is, is a packet which contains two stickers, one sticker is for your bike and the other, the smaller sticker, could be used for anything else you want, like your iPhone, bike helmet, etc., which can be stored in the database and be held for 10 years,” said Romano.
According to Romano, if a bike gets stolen, one can simply access the database and change the status of the bike from “active” to “stolen.” Police officers can then run that NBR sticker through the database and put the theft information into a police computer.
“If we see someone riding a bike at night, and it doesn’t have a headlight or something like that, what a police officer would do is stop that person and run the serial number to see if it comes back stolen. If it comes back stolen, now you have a person in possession of stolen property, and we can give that bicycle back to its original owner,” said Romano.
“They have really expensive bikes, but they are using inexpensive cable locks that can be easily cut,” said Romano. “Thieves have been stealing bikes by cutting these cable locks with small bolt cutters.”
Beth Brown, founder of the Santa Monica bike club Shifting Gears Cycling, recommends bikers use Kryptonite-brand locks and additional cable locks for extra protection. She adds that people should be “smart” about where to lock up.
“Lock your bike up in a visible area! Make sure to take your front wheel off (if it has a quick release) and lock it to your back wheel,” said Brown. “Remember to take your seat with you and anything else that is removable: lights, bike bag, etc.”
SMC student, Won Ho Bae, rides his bike to school everyday, and uses a Kryptonite lock to protect his bike.
“SMC needs to improve its bike stations. The bike racks are in bad condition and look very fragile,” said Bae.
Santa Monica College’s burgeoning bicycle culture brings with it bike theft, which prompted the SMC police department to start The National Bike Registry Program (NBR).
The program, which started last year works by enabling people to log their bike’s serial number into a database, this option can be purchased at the police department’s front office for $5.
“Basically, what it is, is a packet which contains two stickers, one sticker is for your bike and the other, the smaller sticker, could be used for anything else you want, like your iPhone, bike helmet, etc., which can be stored in the database and be held for 10 years,” said Romano.
According to Romano, if a bike gets stolen, one can simply access the database and change the status of the bike from “active” to “stolen.” Police officers can then run that NBR sticker through the database and put the theft information into a police computer.
“If we see someone riding a bike at night, and it doesn’t have a headlight or something like that, what a police officer would do is stop that person and run the serial number to see if it comes back stolen. If it comes back stolen, now you have a person in possession of stolen property, and we can give that bicycle back to its original owner,” said Romano.
Dual-Tier Chandelier complements range of interiors
Meyda Custom Lighting introduces the Messina Two-Tier Chandelier featuring a Faux Alabaster acrylic shade with nine Natural Paper White shades. Meyda Custom Lighting is a Meyda Tiffany company, America's leading manufacturer and designer of custom lighting solutions and decorative accessories.
This extraordinary chandelier features a Faux Alabaster acrylic shade with a sophisticated marbleized look and a Chrome plated trim. The lower tier was designed with six Natural Paper White shades while the upper tier features three Natural Paper White shades.
The elaborate hardware is featured in a Chrome plated finish.
The fixture has a total height of ranging from 65 inches to 120 inches from the ceiling and a width of 60 inches. Handcrafted by Meyda artisans at the company's manufacturing facilities in Upstate New York.
This transitional design fits into any interior decor whether it is deco, nouveau, traditional or contemporary. The chandelier is ideal for illumination in foyers, lobbies and dining areas in residential, hotel and commercial applications.
Custom sizes, styles and colors are available, as well as energy efficient lamping options.
Meyda Custom Lighting is a Meyda Tiffany Company, the nation's leading manufacturer and designer of custom, Tiffany lamps and decorative lighting. Although founded in 1974, the firm's roots actually date back to the early 1900s, supplying the Master Louis Comfort Tiffany and his Tiffany Studios with lighting products, and creating the original Coca-Cola stained glass lamps and chandeliers.
With years of designing and manufacturing expertise, Meyda Custom Lighting has developed innovations, technologies and value engineering that transcend architectural lighting for any budget or economy, in today's commercial and residential markets.
The company's diverse group of designers and engineers create custom fixtures, lamps, windows or accessories to meet the exact specifications of any project. A variety of lighting diffusers include stained glass Tiffanys, mica, fabric, fused glass, sand-carved glass, glass-blowing and acrylic.
Fabricators work with steel, iron, aluminum, bronze, brass and copper, while employing a variety of craftsmanship techniques including forging, welding, forming, plasma cutting and soldering. The company's extensive palette of finishes features many textures and colors achieved by employing gilding, hand painting, power coating and electroplating. Convention and energy efficient lamping solutions are available, including LEDs, compact fluorescents, incandescents and more
This extraordinary chandelier features a Faux Alabaster acrylic shade with a sophisticated marbleized look and a Chrome plated trim. The lower tier was designed with six Natural Paper White shades while the upper tier features three Natural Paper White shades.
The elaborate hardware is featured in a Chrome plated finish.
The fixture has a total height of ranging from 65 inches to 120 inches from the ceiling and a width of 60 inches. Handcrafted by Meyda artisans at the company's manufacturing facilities in Upstate New York.
This transitional design fits into any interior decor whether it is deco, nouveau, traditional or contemporary. The chandelier is ideal for illumination in foyers, lobbies and dining areas in residential, hotel and commercial applications.
Custom sizes, styles and colors are available, as well as energy efficient lamping options.
Meyda Custom Lighting is a Meyda Tiffany Company, the nation's leading manufacturer and designer of custom, Tiffany lamps and decorative lighting. Although founded in 1974, the firm's roots actually date back to the early 1900s, supplying the Master Louis Comfort Tiffany and his Tiffany Studios with lighting products, and creating the original Coca-Cola stained glass lamps and chandeliers.
With years of designing and manufacturing expertise, Meyda Custom Lighting has developed innovations, technologies and value engineering that transcend architectural lighting for any budget or economy, in today's commercial and residential markets.
The company's diverse group of designers and engineers create custom fixtures, lamps, windows or accessories to meet the exact specifications of any project. A variety of lighting diffusers include stained glass Tiffanys, mica, fabric, fused glass, sand-carved glass, glass-blowing and acrylic.
Fabricators work with steel, iron, aluminum, bronze, brass and copper, while employing a variety of craftsmanship techniques including forging, welding, forming, plasma cutting and soldering. The company's extensive palette of finishes features many textures and colors achieved by employing gilding, hand painting, power coating and electroplating. Convention and energy efficient lamping solutions are available, including LEDs, compact fluorescents, incandescents and more
2011年10月18日星期二
City Notes: 200,000 visit nat’l parks in a single day
‘Human wave’ protests Betzet resort plan; Two 16 year-olds arrested for hate graffiti in Safed; TA inaugurates Israel’s first bicycle traffic light.
Some 200,000 people visited nature reserves and national parks last Saturday alone, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Roughly 65,000 visited reserves and parks with entrance fees and another estimated 130,000 visited free sites. INPA official Uzi Barzilai said that the numbers represented an increase from last year.
“Since the beginning of the holiday, more than half a million visitors came to reserves and parks. I expect that through the remainder of the holiday we’ll see more and more people coming out to hike in the reserves and parks – including the religious public.”
More than 1,000 people took part in a demonstration this week against the construction of a beach resort and shopping center in Betzet. The participants formed a kilometer-long “human wave” along the shore. While adults were encouraged to sign a petition against the construction, performances and activities took place for children.
Organizers claimed that construction on the coastline would harm valuable open spaces by fragmenting access to the beach and would cause environmental damage with noise, light, air and water pollution.
“The beach must be preserved without construction for the sake of nature and the valuable landscape,” a statement said.
Two 16-year-olds were arrested last week on suspicion that they spray-painted graffiti reading “Death to Jews” on four synagogues and a car in Safed earlier the same day. During a police interrogation, the two admitted to spray-painting the graffiti and claimed that it was in response to the torching of a mosque in the Galilee village of Tuba Zanghariya the week before.
Israel’s first bicycle traffic light was installed last week across from the Opera Tower in Tel Aviv, near the intersection of Allenby Road. The move comes following the construction of a new bicycle lane stretching the length of the city’s Herbert Samuel Promenade. The unorthodox traffic light was installed with the aim of allowing pedestrians to safely cross the promenade to Hayarkon Street. Additional bicycle traffic lights are planned along the bicycle path.
At the inauguration of the new traffic light, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai called the light “another reflection of the large investment the city is making in the creation of infrastructure to encourage cycling, constituting an alternative to private cars. Bicycle paths have become a part of the public infrastructure that serves all of the city’s residents.”
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality has been building more than 110 kilometers of bicycle paths throughout the city in the past decade. Last Friday, the city hosted a cycling event that circled from the north of the city through Jaffa and back, drawing an estimated 10,000 participants.
Some 200,000 people visited nature reserves and national parks last Saturday alone, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Roughly 65,000 visited reserves and parks with entrance fees and another estimated 130,000 visited free sites. INPA official Uzi Barzilai said that the numbers represented an increase from last year.
“Since the beginning of the holiday, more than half a million visitors came to reserves and parks. I expect that through the remainder of the holiday we’ll see more and more people coming out to hike in the reserves and parks – including the religious public.”
More than 1,000 people took part in a demonstration this week against the construction of a beach resort and shopping center in Betzet. The participants formed a kilometer-long “human wave” along the shore. While adults were encouraged to sign a petition against the construction, performances and activities took place for children.
Organizers claimed that construction on the coastline would harm valuable open spaces by fragmenting access to the beach and would cause environmental damage with noise, light, air and water pollution.
“The beach must be preserved without construction for the sake of nature and the valuable landscape,” a statement said.
Two 16-year-olds were arrested last week on suspicion that they spray-painted graffiti reading “Death to Jews” on four synagogues and a car in Safed earlier the same day. During a police interrogation, the two admitted to spray-painting the graffiti and claimed that it was in response to the torching of a mosque in the Galilee village of Tuba Zanghariya the week before.
Israel’s first bicycle traffic light was installed last week across from the Opera Tower in Tel Aviv, near the intersection of Allenby Road. The move comes following the construction of a new bicycle lane stretching the length of the city’s Herbert Samuel Promenade. The unorthodox traffic light was installed with the aim of allowing pedestrians to safely cross the promenade to Hayarkon Street. Additional bicycle traffic lights are planned along the bicycle path.
At the inauguration of the new traffic light, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai called the light “another reflection of the large investment the city is making in the creation of infrastructure to encourage cycling, constituting an alternative to private cars. Bicycle paths have become a part of the public infrastructure that serves all of the city’s residents.”
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality has been building more than 110 kilometers of bicycle paths throughout the city in the past decade. Last Friday, the city hosted a cycling event that circled from the north of the city through Jaffa and back, drawing an estimated 10,000 participants.
2011年10月17日星期一
Foo Fighters Polish Their Rock Crowns With Two-Night Forum Stint
Dave Grohl is not human. Nevermind the history with Nirvana, his 17 years with multiplatinum rock monsters Foo Fighters, his membership in one of the coolest supergroups in the history of music (Them Crooked Vultures) or his moonlighting gig as drummer-for-hire for all kinds of classic albums. The man is well past 40 years old, yet somehow found a way to make it look utterly casual when he filled in on drums for a 40 minute opening gig by Cage The Elephant (after a tremendous set from Mariachi El Bronx, the costumed alter-egos of Los Angeles hardcore gods The Bronx), before blasting out a nearly three-hour performance with his own Foos that was as high-energy, fifth-gear charged as one could dream. He. Is. A. Machine.
Backed by Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear & Chris Shiflett and touring player Rami Jaffe Grohl led his band - his sky-blue Gibson in tow - through two nights and nearly six hours of music between them at the legendary Forum in Inglewood, California on Thursday & Friday night, the unabashed fist-pumping champion rock energy of the 70s mixed with a marathon run through the staggering number of hits for a double-shot of unbridled awesome.
After a blasting opening with already-classic new songs “Bridge Burning” and “Rope” along with “The Pretender,” Grohl issued a warning: “It’s gonna be a long fucking night," he warned."We don’t play those fuckin’ two hour shows your favorite band plays… Let’s try and get it to three tonight.”
The magic is in the fact that every song is played like an encore, with extended jams, major moments and huge buildups that every single member of the audience seemed to know. Grohl grew up on this shit, and he knows the heart of what makes a rock show - from the personalized t-shirts for each city to the epic light-riser opening and stage path that cuts through the middle of the crowd.
A month into their U.S. tour, the band is far tighter and more electric than when we saw them debut the Wasting Light material in a tiny Santa Barbara club earlier this Spring, peppering their faithful material renditions with extended outros, liberal stop-starts and stage-spanning sprinting. Leaping through highlights of their entire catalogue and back again, from “Monkey Wrench” to “Learn To Fly,” through “Best of You” and to “All My Life,” the Foo men brought an airtight game that was more a showcase of how real rock bands should operate than a fun jaunt through some fan favorites.
However, a very healthy sampling of their latest was present, and unlike the general distaste most bands' new material is met with in live performance, their latest Butch Vig-helmed offering is a tremendous achievement that stands among their best work. Check out our review for all the reasons why.
Backed by Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear & Chris Shiflett and touring player Rami Jaffe Grohl led his band - his sky-blue Gibson in tow - through two nights and nearly six hours of music between them at the legendary Forum in Inglewood, California on Thursday & Friday night, the unabashed fist-pumping champion rock energy of the 70s mixed with a marathon run through the staggering number of hits for a double-shot of unbridled awesome.
After a blasting opening with already-classic new songs “Bridge Burning” and “Rope” along with “The Pretender,” Grohl issued a warning: “It’s gonna be a long fucking night," he warned."We don’t play those fuckin’ two hour shows your favorite band plays… Let’s try and get it to three tonight.”
The magic is in the fact that every song is played like an encore, with extended jams, major moments and huge buildups that every single member of the audience seemed to know. Grohl grew up on this shit, and he knows the heart of what makes a rock show - from the personalized t-shirts for each city to the epic light-riser opening and stage path that cuts through the middle of the crowd.
A month into their U.S. tour, the band is far tighter and more electric than when we saw them debut the Wasting Light material in a tiny Santa Barbara club earlier this Spring, peppering their faithful material renditions with extended outros, liberal stop-starts and stage-spanning sprinting. Leaping through highlights of their entire catalogue and back again, from “Monkey Wrench” to “Learn To Fly,” through “Best of You” and to “All My Life,” the Foo men brought an airtight game that was more a showcase of how real rock bands should operate than a fun jaunt through some fan favorites.
However, a very healthy sampling of their latest was present, and unlike the general distaste most bands' new material is met with in live performance, their latest Butch Vig-helmed offering is a tremendous achievement that stands among their best work. Check out our review for all the reasons why.
2011年10月14日星期五
Subject :Which Is Better To Buy A LCD Or A Plasma TV Confused..
keep some ziplock baggies handy to keep your pocket electronics dry if you have to go out in the rain or get caught in a rain band when you thought the sun had come out and it was safe. I keep a little towel in there so I can dry something and then seal it up to keep it that way. best iPad to Mac transfer Plasma, Television has vivid hues, quick refresh and wonderful contrast?
Plasma TVs would be the TVs that largely most likely catch your eye when you stroll down the aisle within your nearby very best purchase. Plasma TVs have exceptionally vivid, unique and lively hues. But just like most excellent issues in lifestyle there exists a downside to contemplate. Plasma TVs have substantial electrical power usage as well as a fairly brief lifespan.
But on the other hand you could properly be acquiring a more recent kind of larger technological innovation Television nevertheless once again later on. Soon after all getting the newest Television engineering happens to be an important standing image in lots of if not most center course American residences. Should you only needed a Television you may of properly gone to Wal-Mart or Costco and bought an extremely acceptable photo older CRT Television really inexpensively.
Some assessments have revealed which the capacity to get a plasma exhibit to demonstrate genuine black decreases by 13% around the primary 4 weeks. Above a period of time of the number of many years this might present blacks as mild grays inside your picture.
The large energy usage might not bother you in the event you will not thoughts paying out somewhat far more for ones electrical bill, however the true concern just like in notebook personal computers may be the quantity warmth created and also the hurt carried out to those digital products as well as the display screen of your respective new and really high-priced plasma Television by that warmth.
The warmth arises from the million small fluorescent tubes on the large glass substrate that generates the picture. This design and style is additionally component with the longevity problem. The large warmth created in a very little region uses up out the phosphors earlier than the phosphor on the classic CRT. And, in tying every thing collectively, this will also end result in picture burn-in specially on channels that exhibit their brand constantly while in the decrease appropriate corner.
LCD TVs are considerably cheaper than plasma, but additionally are inclined to not have photographs which might be as sharp or vibrant. One other downside to LCD shows is the pixels are fairly sluggish to vary state. Quick heading objects including a hockey puck or baseball bat get blurred exactly where they could display much more crisply with a plasma or high quality CRT. Projection TVs are one more choice.
Plasma TVs would be the TVs that largely most likely catch your eye when you stroll down the aisle within your nearby very best purchase. Plasma TVs have exceptionally vivid, unique and lively hues. But just like most excellent issues in lifestyle there exists a downside to contemplate. Plasma TVs have substantial electrical power usage as well as a fairly brief lifespan.
But on the other hand you could properly be acquiring a more recent kind of larger technological innovation Television nevertheless once again later on. Soon after all getting the newest Television engineering happens to be an important standing image in lots of if not most center course American residences. Should you only needed a Television you may of properly gone to Wal-Mart or Costco and bought an extremely acceptable photo older CRT Television really inexpensively.
Some assessments have revealed which the capacity to get a plasma exhibit to demonstrate genuine black decreases by 13% around the primary 4 weeks. Above a period of time of the number of many years this might present blacks as mild grays inside your picture.
The large energy usage might not bother you in the event you will not thoughts paying out somewhat far more for ones electrical bill, however the true concern just like in notebook personal computers may be the quantity warmth created and also the hurt carried out to those digital products as well as the display screen of your respective new and really high-priced plasma Television by that warmth.
The warmth arises from the million small fluorescent tubes on the large glass substrate that generates the picture. This design and style is additionally component with the longevity problem. The large warmth created in a very little region uses up out the phosphors earlier than the phosphor on the classic CRT. And, in tying every thing collectively, this will also end result in picture burn-in specially on channels that exhibit their brand constantly while in the decrease appropriate corner.
LCD TVs are considerably cheaper than plasma, but additionally are inclined to not have photographs which might be as sharp or vibrant. One other downside to LCD shows is the pixels are fairly sluggish to vary state. Quick heading objects including a hockey puck or baseball bat get blurred exactly where they could display much more crisply with a plasma or high quality CRT. Projection TVs are one more choice.
2011年10月13日星期四
South Huron plans traffic light improvements
The municipality is moving ahead with improvements to Exeter's downtown traffic signals and is planning to add future turning lanes.
Council approved the low tender for the work at its Oct. 3 meeting.
The work includes new LED traffic and pedestrian signals at the Huron and Sanders streets intersections as well as the Victoria Street pedestrian crosswalk across Main Street. Turning lane improvements are also planned for the Huron and Sanders intersections.
Turning lane improvements will be done at the Sanders intersection first, chief administrative officer Roy Hardy told council, as the turning lane work at the Huron intersection will have to wait until Huron can be widened during future construction.
As part of the work, four streetlights will be replaced with new LED heads and poles, roads superintendent Ken Bettles' report states.
The low tender submitted by Lavis Contracting is for $232,342.25, although that includes $66,557.50 for contingencies and provisionals. Bettles' report states it is expected the project will cost $165,784.75.
As previously reported, the municipality has received a connecting link grant from the Ministry of Transportation for 90 per cent of the cost, to a maximum of $144,000.
Council agreed to a staff recommendation of adding an audible pedestrian signal at the Sanders Street intersection for $8,380.
Bettles states in his report, “The reason for inclusion at this intersection is because of the high traffic and staff believe that there are visually impaired residents who would benefit in this area.
South Huron will seek additional funding from the MTO for the project, but should there be no additional funding available, the municipality's total share of the project would be about $40,000.
Coun. Wayne DeLuca described the project as “a fantastic procedure,” saying the improvements will help the flow of downtown traffic. He also agreed that audible signals for the visually impaired are a good idea.
“I think it's a great move,” DeLuca said.
Coun. Dennis Hockey agreed with DeLuca and added the LED signals will be efficient and require less maintenance.
During the councillors' comments portion of the meeting, Hockey revisited an item he brought up at a previous meeting — that is, questions he has been receiving from the public about the municipality's emergency plan in light of the August tornado in Goderich. Hockey said the public has questions about emergency planning and it's a good idea to have them involved.
Hardy responded that the municipality usually has an emergency planning exercise once a year and he can prepare a report on the issue. He said he would also consult with fire chief John Morgan, who is the municipality's contact for emergency services.
The matter will be discussed further at a future committee of the whole meeting.
Council approved the low tender for the work at its Oct. 3 meeting.
The work includes new LED traffic and pedestrian signals at the Huron and Sanders streets intersections as well as the Victoria Street pedestrian crosswalk across Main Street. Turning lane improvements are also planned for the Huron and Sanders intersections.
Turning lane improvements will be done at the Sanders intersection first, chief administrative officer Roy Hardy told council, as the turning lane work at the Huron intersection will have to wait until Huron can be widened during future construction.
As part of the work, four streetlights will be replaced with new LED heads and poles, roads superintendent Ken Bettles' report states.
The low tender submitted by Lavis Contracting is for $232,342.25, although that includes $66,557.50 for contingencies and provisionals. Bettles' report states it is expected the project will cost $165,784.75.
As previously reported, the municipality has received a connecting link grant from the Ministry of Transportation for 90 per cent of the cost, to a maximum of $144,000.
Council agreed to a staff recommendation of adding an audible pedestrian signal at the Sanders Street intersection for $8,380.
Bettles states in his report, “The reason for inclusion at this intersection is because of the high traffic and staff believe that there are visually impaired residents who would benefit in this area.
South Huron will seek additional funding from the MTO for the project, but should there be no additional funding available, the municipality's total share of the project would be about $40,000.
Coun. Wayne DeLuca described the project as “a fantastic procedure,” saying the improvements will help the flow of downtown traffic. He also agreed that audible signals for the visually impaired are a good idea.
“I think it's a great move,” DeLuca said.
Coun. Dennis Hockey agreed with DeLuca and added the LED signals will be efficient and require less maintenance.
During the councillors' comments portion of the meeting, Hockey revisited an item he brought up at a previous meeting — that is, questions he has been receiving from the public about the municipality's emergency plan in light of the August tornado in Goderich. Hockey said the public has questions about emergency planning and it's a good idea to have them involved.
Hardy responded that the municipality usually has an emergency planning exercise once a year and he can prepare a report on the issue. He said he would also consult with fire chief John Morgan, who is the municipality's contact for emergency services.
The matter will be discussed further at a future committee of the whole meeting.
2011年10月12日星期三
A1 small? yes! Great value? yes!
A1 market for some time, it gives Aicheyizu brings a lot of surprises. So, what kind of surprise? Today, the city network Xiaobian take you closer taste of what this is called "the great family of children Audi" charm.
First, it brought us to talk about the overall experience:
1, luxurious experience
Audi A1 design, performance, quality and other aspects reflect a luxurious, high quality and workmanship heritage for centuries, its leading configuration to achieve high-level models of the Audi brand level: integrating 3D navigation, voice control and other features of the MMI system , panoramic sunroof, folding 6.5-inch high-definition display, BOSE surround sound all lights further enhance the luxury. Audi A1 also provides a hill-start assist system, so that women drivers even easier, eliminating the ramp start "after the slip," the embarrassment. LED daytime running lights, TV reception system, heated front seats and other luxury features can also be found on the A1.
2, flexible driving
As a younger car, with smart lightweight body, with 90 kilowatts of 1.4TFSI engine and seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, it opened up a lot of energy. Its front McPherson, torsion beam suspension after the use of lightweight aluminum, combined with the tough adjustment brings excellent handling response, coupled with sensitive steering, so that drivers are always handy, regardless of highway or mountain road can be safely galloped all the way, excellent noise level to allow motorists to experience the unlimited driving pleasure and comfort. This illustrates two points, A1 features, small and exclusive.
Second, you have to admire the fine A1, fine to every detail:
Where she most admired, than the refined interior, black and white and red components of the instrument, the air conditioning knob Cylinder, 6.5-inch display, the internal lighting of the LED lights, and they handle, including the sound system next to and BOSE surround sound system, including a 10-channel amplifier and 14 speakers, these unique interior, said he has enough personality to represent her charm.
Her appearance is so you never forget. Long before a pair of hexagonal faces piercing eyes. Two LED daytime running lights, looks like a liner-like, more so your heart. In addition, the vehicle body lines and generous giving a neat feeling. However, the A1 so how can you forget? ?
First, it brought us to talk about the overall experience:
1, luxurious experience
Audi A1 design, performance, quality and other aspects reflect a luxurious, high quality and workmanship heritage for centuries, its leading configuration to achieve high-level models of the Audi brand level: integrating 3D navigation, voice control and other features of the MMI system , panoramic sunroof, folding 6.5-inch high-definition display, BOSE surround sound all lights further enhance the luxury. Audi A1 also provides a hill-start assist system, so that women drivers even easier, eliminating the ramp start "after the slip," the embarrassment. LED daytime running lights, TV reception system, heated front seats and other luxury features can also be found on the A1.
2, flexible driving
As a younger car, with smart lightweight body, with 90 kilowatts of 1.4TFSI engine and seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, it opened up a lot of energy. Its front McPherson, torsion beam suspension after the use of lightweight aluminum, combined with the tough adjustment brings excellent handling response, coupled with sensitive steering, so that drivers are always handy, regardless of highway or mountain road can be safely galloped all the way, excellent noise level to allow motorists to experience the unlimited driving pleasure and comfort. This illustrates two points, A1 features, small and exclusive.
Second, you have to admire the fine A1, fine to every detail:
Where she most admired, than the refined interior, black and white and red components of the instrument, the air conditioning knob Cylinder, 6.5-inch display, the internal lighting of the LED lights, and they handle, including the sound system next to and BOSE surround sound system, including a 10-channel amplifier and 14 speakers, these unique interior, said he has enough personality to represent her charm.
Her appearance is so you never forget. Long before a pair of hexagonal faces piercing eyes. Two LED daytime running lights, looks like a liner-like, more so your heart. In addition, the vehicle body lines and generous giving a neat feeling. However, the A1 so how can you forget? ?
2011年10月11日星期二
Pelham: Ready solutions to Vermont’s heating aid gap
Federal budget cuts to programs that help Vermonters are inevitable. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that cuts are necessary to address severe imbalances in the federal budget, but so far disagree on which programs to cut. However, given the inevitability of fewer federal dollars, Vermonters are best served by state officials who respect this new reality and craft forward-looking responses that minimize harm to Vermonters.
A recent Times Argus article entitled “Fuel Aid Money on the Block” highlighted President Obama’s proposed reduction in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Richard Moffi, Vermont’s Fuel Assistance Program chief, employed a common refrain and told the reporter, “At that level, you’re going to see some of the state’s most vulnerable residents begin to have to decide between food, medication or heat.”
Mr. Moffi can do better than conjecture that the “state’s most vulnerable” will be victimized by the president’s proposal. Here’s how.
First, a trip to Mr. Moffi’s website finds the notices below, which indicate benefits will be lower, not because of the president’s proposed cutbacks, but because eligibility standards were recently relaxed. With more households in the program, benefits will be smaller. Possibly, Mr. Moffi could recommend these recent expansions in eligibility be moderated.
As more families participate in the program, the benefits will be smaller. This means that you should plan to pay a bigger portion of your heating costs this coming winter.”
Secondly and more importantly, Mr. Moffi might seek to influence recent events in the many utility-related programs scattered across Vermont state government. For example, in 2009 the budget for Efficiency Vermont (EV), funded by electric ratepayers, was $30.7 million. By 2011, fueled by surcharge increases approved by the Public Service Board, EV’s budget grew by $10 million or 33 percent to $40.7 million. Simultaneously, one of EV’s signature programs, the promotion of CFL light bulbs, was made obsolete as Congress outlawed the sale of the incandescent light bulb.
In the recent report Energy Policy Considerations for a New Economy, it’s well documented that EV does not well serve low-income households even though low-income households pay their surcharge. Certainly given EV’s recent budget increase, it can afford to collaborate with LIHEAP to avoid disadvantaging the “most vulnerable”.
A recent Times Argus article entitled “Fuel Aid Money on the Block” highlighted President Obama’s proposed reduction in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Richard Moffi, Vermont’s Fuel Assistance Program chief, employed a common refrain and told the reporter, “At that level, you’re going to see some of the state’s most vulnerable residents begin to have to decide between food, medication or heat.”
Mr. Moffi can do better than conjecture that the “state’s most vulnerable” will be victimized by the president’s proposal. Here’s how.
First, a trip to Mr. Moffi’s website finds the notices below, which indicate benefits will be lower, not because of the president’s proposed cutbacks, but because eligibility standards were recently relaxed. With more households in the program, benefits will be smaller. Possibly, Mr. Moffi could recommend these recent expansions in eligibility be moderated.
As more families participate in the program, the benefits will be smaller. This means that you should plan to pay a bigger portion of your heating costs this coming winter.”
Secondly and more importantly, Mr. Moffi might seek to influence recent events in the many utility-related programs scattered across Vermont state government. For example, in 2009 the budget for Efficiency Vermont (EV), funded by electric ratepayers, was $30.7 million. By 2011, fueled by surcharge increases approved by the Public Service Board, EV’s budget grew by $10 million or 33 percent to $40.7 million. Simultaneously, one of EV’s signature programs, the promotion of CFL light bulbs, was made obsolete as Congress outlawed the sale of the incandescent light bulb.
In the recent report Energy Policy Considerations for a New Economy, it’s well documented that EV does not well serve low-income households even though low-income households pay their surcharge. Certainly given EV’s recent budget increase, it can afford to collaborate with LIHEAP to avoid disadvantaging the “most vulnerable”.
2011年10月10日星期一
Winner of first Cazenovia Area Energy Challenge said little changes added up to big savings
Cindy Schicho loves the 39 windows that flooded the rooms of her lakefront home with light and provided near panoramic views of Cazenovia Lake.
But she didn’t love the energy bills that came along with heating the 4,000-square foot home.
“We worked at it over the years, but the bills were really high,” she said.
She signed up for the Cazenovia Area Energy Challenge to pick up more tips to help her family save money through energy efficiency and conservation.
Over the six-month challenge period, she saved an average of 30 percent on her electricity bill – including one month when she cut costs by 50 percent.
“They’re all small things,” said Schicho, who was crowned the challenge winner in late August. “But when you add it all up, it can make a big difference.”
The Schichos were among 23 households in the towns of Cazenovia, Nelson and Fenner that signed up for the competition.
Their progress was measured by comparing this year’s energy costs to utility bills from January to June 2010.
The competition was so successful that organizers hope to duplicate it across Central New York, starting with the city of Syracuse later this fall, said Sam Gordon of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.
Gordon said many families began by replacing their incandescent MJ-808 with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy. In later months, they installed programmable thermostats, improved their insulation or had professional energy audits done for their home.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to learn that there are a lot of simple things that you can do around the house to save energy,” Gordon said. “If you really concentrate at it, for an extended period of time, you can really see a significant difference.”
Cazenovia Area Energy Challenge winner Cindy Schicho shared some of her tips to help other homeowners save money on their energy bills.
But she didn’t love the energy bills that came along with heating the 4,000-square foot home.
“We worked at it over the years, but the bills were really high,” she said.
She signed up for the Cazenovia Area Energy Challenge to pick up more tips to help her family save money through energy efficiency and conservation.
Over the six-month challenge period, she saved an average of 30 percent on her electricity bill – including one month when she cut costs by 50 percent.
“They’re all small things,” said Schicho, who was crowned the challenge winner in late August. “But when you add it all up, it can make a big difference.”
The Schichos were among 23 households in the towns of Cazenovia, Nelson and Fenner that signed up for the competition.
Their progress was measured by comparing this year’s energy costs to utility bills from January to June 2010.
The competition was so successful that organizers hope to duplicate it across Central New York, starting with the city of Syracuse later this fall, said Sam Gordon of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.
Gordon said many families began by replacing their incandescent MJ-808 with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy. In later months, they installed programmable thermostats, improved their insulation or had professional energy audits done for their home.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to learn that there are a lot of simple things that you can do around the house to save energy,” Gordon said. “If you really concentrate at it, for an extended period of time, you can really see a significant difference.”
Cazenovia Area Energy Challenge winner Cindy Schicho shared some of her tips to help other homeowners save money on their energy bills.
2011年10月9日星期日
Fight the Power: How One Student Explored School Energy Consumption
Albany High School provides provocative opportunities for many students, including the Environmental Design, Science, Engineering, and Technology program — a two-year sequence in junior and senior years that includes course work in environmental science, history, English and economics.
A key element of EDSET is the requirement that every student intern each Wednesday at a Bay Area environment program.
In my fall junior semester, I focused on energy consumption and worked at the University of California at Berkeley, in the Community Assessment of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Department. In the spring, I stayed closer to home and worked on quantifying the Albany Unified School District’s energy consumption and its associated costs.
Once the benchmarking project was completed, I conducted an informal energy audit of Albany High. I observed shut down procedures of each room, theoretically and actually. My findings show that energy is being wasted. Comparing my audit results to the benchmark data, I noticed that the school spends the most on energy during the months of July to September, approximately $11,000-$13,000 per month. During the school year the monthly energy costs range from $7,000-$9,000.
Energy prices increase during the summer, due to high demand, from $0.137 kWh to $0.184 kWh. This partially explains why the district’s bill increases so much during the summer. But from my audit I can also assume that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are being left on during the summer and forgotten electronic equipment is left running.
The lighting system has also been a problem, with concerned citizens calling the high school to note that there lights are turned on 24/7.
Regulating the HVAC system not only saves money, but also provides a comfortable learning environment. We have all experienced the discomfort of sitting in a hot, stuffy classroom. To try to learn more about this problem, I checked the thermostat of each classroom to see if it was functioning and/or what temperature it was set for. Most thermostats were a tangled jumble of wires or could not be shut off. The thermostats that I found working were set anywhere between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
High School Principal Ted Barone noted that having a programmable thermostat in each classroom, with a master thermostat that he could control, would be ideal.
A key element of EDSET is the requirement that every student intern each Wednesday at a Bay Area environment program.
In my fall junior semester, I focused on energy consumption and worked at the University of California at Berkeley, in the Community Assessment of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Department. In the spring, I stayed closer to home and worked on quantifying the Albany Unified School District’s energy consumption and its associated costs.
Once the benchmarking project was completed, I conducted an informal energy audit of Albany High. I observed shut down procedures of each room, theoretically and actually. My findings show that energy is being wasted. Comparing my audit results to the benchmark data, I noticed that the school spends the most on energy during the months of July to September, approximately $11,000-$13,000 per month. During the school year the monthly energy costs range from $7,000-$9,000.
Energy prices increase during the summer, due to high demand, from $0.137 kWh to $0.184 kWh. This partially explains why the district’s bill increases so much during the summer. But from my audit I can also assume that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are being left on during the summer and forgotten electronic equipment is left running.
The lighting system has also been a problem, with concerned citizens calling the high school to note that there lights are turned on 24/7.
Regulating the HVAC system not only saves money, but also provides a comfortable learning environment. We have all experienced the discomfort of sitting in a hot, stuffy classroom. To try to learn more about this problem, I checked the thermostat of each classroom to see if it was functioning and/or what temperature it was set for. Most thermostats were a tangled jumble of wires or could not be shut off. The thermostats that I found working were set anywhere between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
High School Principal Ted Barone noted that having a programmable thermostat in each classroom, with a master thermostat that he could control, would be ideal.
2011年10月8日星期六
A Michigan Star Says His Game Has Matured
When Denard Robinson arrived at Michigan three years ago, he spoke so fast that his offensive linemen could not understand him. He also delivered every check-down pass like Justin Verlander. And Robinson’s feet gyrated so quickly during his cameos in the pocket that he looked more like a tap dancer than a quarterback.
Robinson’s fluorescent smile emerges when he recalls his freshman year, admitting that his beeline to stardom only came after he learned to slow down.
“I didn’t know I had that problem until I got here,” Robinson said. “Everyone was like, ‘Why you moving so fast? Why you throwing the ball so fast? Why are you talking so fast?’ ”
Just months after Rich Rodriguez was fired and Michigan returned to its roots by hiring a former assistant, Brady Hoke, the No. 12 Wolverines are 5-0 entering their game at Northwestern on Saturday night. Hoke’s presence has been felt most on the defensive side as Michigan has allowed 10.2 points per game, down from 35.2 last season.
Even though the Wolverines started 5-0 last season, there was a fragile feeling as Robinson left 10 of 12 games with various injuries. This season, Robinson says he feels “way better.” While Robinson is still fourth nationally in rushing yards, he is more aware of his value and ducks out of bounds more frequently to avoid unnecessary hits.
“He’s the type of person, he expects that every time he touches the ball that it should be a touchdown,” tight end Kevin Koger said. “He’s learned that it’s not a knock on your manhood to run out of bounds.”
Robinson acknowledges that moving fast was the only way he knew growing up in Deerfield Beach, Fla., a town north of Fort Lauderdale with a gritty reality that belies its resortlike name. Josh Philpart, Robinson’s cousin and his former high school teammate, called Deerfield Beach a two-exit town where there was one simple reality: “If you’re not playing football, you’re on the streets or not doing anything with your life.”
“It actually makes it easier now,” said Philpart, a star receiver at Jacksonville University. “Playing big games in college, there’s not as much pressure as it was back then.”
In order to avoid the so-called fast life, Robinson kept running. Deerfield Beach lore is filled with should-have-been, could-have-been athlete stories. Robinson credits his parents and older brothers for protecting him.
“There’s more guys selling crack than doing it,” Philpart said of star athletes lost to the streets. “They want to take the fast road to get money.”
Robinson’s fluorescent smile emerges when he recalls his freshman year, admitting that his beeline to stardom only came after he learned to slow down.
“I didn’t know I had that problem until I got here,” Robinson said. “Everyone was like, ‘Why you moving so fast? Why you throwing the ball so fast? Why are you talking so fast?’ ”
Just months after Rich Rodriguez was fired and Michigan returned to its roots by hiring a former assistant, Brady Hoke, the No. 12 Wolverines are 5-0 entering their game at Northwestern on Saturday night. Hoke’s presence has been felt most on the defensive side as Michigan has allowed 10.2 points per game, down from 35.2 last season.
Even though the Wolverines started 5-0 last season, there was a fragile feeling as Robinson left 10 of 12 games with various injuries. This season, Robinson says he feels “way better.” While Robinson is still fourth nationally in rushing yards, he is more aware of his value and ducks out of bounds more frequently to avoid unnecessary hits.
“He’s the type of person, he expects that every time he touches the ball that it should be a touchdown,” tight end Kevin Koger said. “He’s learned that it’s not a knock on your manhood to run out of bounds.”
Robinson acknowledges that moving fast was the only way he knew growing up in Deerfield Beach, Fla., a town north of Fort Lauderdale with a gritty reality that belies its resortlike name. Josh Philpart, Robinson’s cousin and his former high school teammate, called Deerfield Beach a two-exit town where there was one simple reality: “If you’re not playing football, you’re on the streets or not doing anything with your life.”
“It actually makes it easier now,” said Philpart, a star receiver at Jacksonville University. “Playing big games in college, there’s not as much pressure as it was back then.”
In order to avoid the so-called fast life, Robinson kept running. Deerfield Beach lore is filled with should-have-been, could-have-been athlete stories. Robinson credits his parents and older brothers for protecting him.
“There’s more guys selling crack than doing it,” Philpart said of star athletes lost to the streets. “They want to take the fast road to get money.”
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