You are here: Home / 2011 / Archives for March 2011

States Working Toward Increased Energy Efficiency Will Create More Jobs

March 17, 2011 By 2 Comments
Neopor: an innovative insulating material
Email

In August 2010, the Center for American Progress and the Energy Resource Management Corporation released the report Efficiency Works: Creating Good Jobs and New Markets Through Energy Efficiency. They report that due to the mortgage crisis, the construction industry and related jobs were among those hit the hardest. In the first three months of 2010, construction unemployment hovered near 25 percent. Between 2006 and early 2010, residential construction declined by 38 percent which translates into more than one in three construction workers losing their jobs because of the recession.

National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book

March 17, 2011 By 2 Comments
coloring-book
Email

Many people might not be aware of the U.S. Refuge System, which includes more than 540 refuges and nature preserves. There are refuges in every state, with one about an hour’s drive from most metropolitan areas. And now to help popularize the refuge network, a National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book has been created by the U.S. government.

Sanctuary City: California Über Alles

March 17, 2011 By 4 Comments
Jerry Brown portrait
Email

Somewhere off in the distance, almost lost in the noise of the incessant dripping rain, faded fragments of a song from her childhood drifted through the forest and washed over her. The music came wafting through the wet trees, and was accompanied by the repetitive metal rhythm of raindrops plinking on the aluminum roof of her airstream. Salome heard the agitated grinding voice of Jello Biafra proclaim:

I am Governor Jerry Brown

My aura smiles

And never frowns

Soon I will be president . . .

Weatherizing Homes through Air Sealing in the Desert Southwest

March 16, 2011 By 2 Comments
weaterize
Email

There are some basic ideas serving as the universal foundation for weatherizing homes and the first begins with air sealing. For those living in colder regions, there is a need to keep the warmth in and the cold out. In the deserts and other warmer regions, it’s important to keep the heat out while trying to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Bill Maher’s Spoof of the “New” Catholic Church

March 15, 2011 By 1 Comment
Bill Maher's Catholic Church ad
Email

Comic and atheist Bill Maher just released this short commercial for the new and improved Catholic Church, although I doubt that the acerbic advertisement will actually win over many religious converts to the faith. As someone who suffered through eight years of Catholic school, I found the satire hilarious, and actually laughed out loud. The funny video begins as uplifting instrumental music swells, and then a perky disembodied voice begins to explain that:

“The Catholic Church is changing, we get it, you don’t want us touching your kids…”