Making an old Playground Stronger

With an old playground that we purchased used we were able to add new wood and make it better.

 

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The Vortex in Sedona

“In Sedona vortexes are created, not by wind or water, but from spiraling spiritual energy. The vortexes of Sedona are named because they are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, mediation and healing. Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person’s inner self. It is not easily explained. Obviously it must be experienced.”

http://gosw.about.com/od/sedonaarizona/a/sedonavortex.htm

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Helpful Definitions When Looking at the Phoenix Green Construction Code

Before reading the “City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department Phoenix Green Construction Code” theres a few definitions that may come in handy while reading through the code.

In Section 202 you will find the following definitions before reading:

1) A-Weighted Sound Level – Sound pressure level in decibels measured with a sound level meter using an A-Weighted network.

2) Addition – An extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

3) Alternation – Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than a repair or addition.

4) Bicycle Parking Long Term – Bicycle racks or storage lockers provided for bicycle riders including but not limited to employees and students who plan to be there for four or more hours. 

5) Building Thermal Envelope – The basement walls, exterior walls, floor, roof and any other building elements that enclose contitioned space.

6) Freeboard – Height above the base flood elevation of the lowest floor surface of any occupied portion of a building.

These are only a few of the definition that you will find throughout the reading.

New Floors in Progress

New flooring is set down in a residential home near Indian School Road.  Instead of carpet where dirt has more depth to hide, wood flooring makes it easy to spot messes.  A vacuum is no longer needed in this instance. 

Living Room Area

……..More

The Castaway House: Now and Then

The Living Room in March of 2012

 

The Living Room in October of 2011

 

Percentages of Energy in a Home

Why Build Green? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that buildings account for:

39% of Total Energy Use
12% of Total Water Consumption
68% of Total Electricity Consumption
38% of Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions

“Incorporating sustainable practices, materials and energy efficient products saves energy and money – up to 30 percent – while protecting our environment and creating a more comfortable, healthful environment for your family.”

 

For more information visit the Official Site of the City of Phoenix:

http://phoenix.gov/development/green_building.html

 

Castaway Kitchen Progress

Renovating the Kitchen Area

 

 

Installing Kitchen Cabinets

The Luxor and Electricty

Las Vegas!

Look at all the lights! Everywhere, what a wonder!

But how much electricity are we talking about.  The Las Vegas Strip alone is massive in its use for flashy lights.

To give you an idea.  “The beam of light atop the Luxor in Las Vegas is made up of 39 individual lamps. Each xenon lamp costs $1,200 and will last about 2,000 hours. The electric bill for the Luxor beam is $51 an hour.”

The Luxor is a Hotel in a shape of a pyramid where theres a light at the very top, right in the center.  If this light alone is this much, I really wonder about each Hotel combined on the Strip adds up to be? 

For more information and facts check out:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jokes/read/5436/

Wheres Captain Planet?

“Captain Planet and the Planeteers” was originally aired in 1990 sending a strong message to kids about how to improve the environment through entertainment.  Captain Planet all started when a spirit lived in the center of the earth when she was distrubed by an oil company drilling into the earth and her home starts to fall apart.  In order to save herself, she sent five rings which are to be found by five kids in different parts of the world to help the planet and save the spirit in the center of the earth.

You can see in the titles of the episodes how these kids help the planet, like for example:

“Mind Pollution”

“A Hero for Earth”

“The Dead Seas”

“The Ozone Hole”

All of these episodes mean to educate kids about the environment but also have a sence of working together with others from all over the world.  My only question is, why isn’t this being aired today.  Very good show, but where did you go?

A New Stained Floor: Before and After