it's less than 5 minutes after my last post, but i just read a comment made a while back that asked if those of us in the green building arena had anything to say regarding niches (i'm not sure whose post it was - there was no name attached)
anyway, bo and i attended a seminar today titled "new concepts in heating and cooling"
we discussed many systems - solar electric, solar thermal, geothermal, etc. (which is a little funny since those are sort of age old forms of temperature control)
but, one gentleman mentioned that utah is the second best (if not the best) place in north america to produce solar energy.
we do not currently take advantage of this. park city spent alot of time and$ of buying wind power -and a major shout out to those who implemented such a great renewable energy credit plan!!!! - but we neglected and still neglect the energy that we could produce locally - solar (and geothermal)
at this time, both systems are costly to implement. the investment is recovered after a number of years, but the start-up overhead is high. additionally, this city/state/country does not incentivize such responsible action.
i know that the park city historic code makes it very difficult to apply panels in old town, but i'm not certain about greater pc.
if we could get the city to promote solar (or, like in my dreams, have them install a district net) we could reduce our dirty coal consumption (93% or so of utah's energy is from coal fired plants) as a community and preserve our ski based economy.
good night all
kaitlin
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Mike Thuman's
what? who me? yes, still alive but in Washington DC this week. A couple of thoughts:
-what we should be doing is coming up with lots of ideas without judging or processing each one in detail so I'd say we should have at least 31 ideas up there.
-an actual brainstorming session in person might be a good idea. maybe we are going to be doing that in the next meeting but generally brainstorming has certain ground rules and by doing it in person, the energy and creativity of the process and people, gets more ideas down on paper.
-after all that, we have to apply some criteria, like what our overall objective is and would the concept be SMART (specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and time related)
I'd be glad to faciliate the brainstorming session but I got the sense that maybe that's what Lisa was intending on doing March 24.
For the record, I'll throw in a few brainstorm ideas:
1. Learning is Cool and Drive for Excellence campaign in PC schools: with classroom sizes growing and already too large, more resources are needed in the schools to help with math, reading, art and music (both really weak compared to other parts of the country) etc. Collaborate with the schools on areas of greatest need and put 31 flaves to work in their area of interest and passion.
1a. The Future is Yours-similar idea to #1, make 31 flaves available to the schools to talk about what each of us does, the education choices we took and did not take, the career experiences that each has had, our advice. Ski bum is a valid career choice!
2. Walkability Starts Now-
take the bus, ride your bike, walk the whole distance but when you come to a cross walk, do drivers know that its illegal to continue through the cross walk if a pedestrian has started into the cross walk.
As a few of you know, I walk my kids to school whenever I'm home and cars don't stop at the crosswalk. Even when the principal sends out letters to parents alerting them to cross walk safety there are parents that drop their kids and then blow through the busy crosswalk. Orange flags are interesting, flashing lights maybe, bridges/tunnels won't be everywhere but a campaign that broadly changes the understanding of the law and changes the thinking of drivers would make PC and Utah a leader in walkability and safety. Whenever I go to California, they seem to respect the crosswalk, we don't seem to have the same respect.
regards
mike
-what we should be doing is coming up with lots of ideas without judging or processing each one in detail so I'd say we should have at least 31 ideas up there.
-an actual brainstorming session in person might be a good idea. maybe we are going to be doing that in the next meeting but generally brainstorming has certain ground rules and by doing it in person, the energy and creativity of the process and people, gets more ideas down on paper.
-after all that, we have to apply some criteria, like what our overall objective is and would the concept be SMART (specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and time related)
I'd be glad to faciliate the brainstorming session but I got the sense that maybe that's what Lisa was intending on doing March 24.
For the record, I'll throw in a few brainstorm ideas:
1. Learning is Cool and Drive for Excellence campaign in PC schools: with classroom sizes growing and already too large, more resources are needed in the schools to help with math, reading, art and music (both really weak compared to other parts of the country) etc. Collaborate with the schools on areas of greatest need and put 31 flaves to work in their area of interest and passion.
1a. The Future is Yours-similar idea to #1, make 31 flaves available to the schools to talk about what each of us does, the education choices we took and did not take, the career experiences that each has had, our advice. Ski bum is a valid career choice!
2. Walkability Starts Now-
take the bus, ride your bike, walk the whole distance but when you come to a cross walk, do drivers know that its illegal to continue through the cross walk if a pedestrian has started into the cross walk.
As a few of you know, I walk my kids to school whenever I'm home and cars don't stop at the crosswalk. Even when the principal sends out letters to parents alerting them to cross walk safety there are parents that drop their kids and then blow through the busy crosswalk. Orange flags are interesting, flashing lights maybe, bridges/tunnels won't be everywhere but a campaign that broadly changes the understanding of the law and changes the thinking of drivers would make PC and Utah a leader in walkability and safety. Whenever I go to California, they seem to respect the crosswalk, we don't seem to have the same respect.
regards
mike
Composting, bags and ideas to follow...
howdy ya'll...
good getting to work on this conversation - the blog is super and i think the soliciting emails just might be working.
i have a small number of ideas that are not quite ready to be articulated, so tonight i will just speak to two that were mentioned:
city-wide composting and the elimination of plastic bags - both noble endeavors.
san francisco has a very successful organic waste collection - i think if a huge city can implement such a system, that surely park city could meet that goal. i have, however, spoken at length with insa at recycle utah regarding this idea and the development of a city-wide management plan for the "disposal"/recycling of organic waste. for some reason, the super woman that is insa believes this to be an unattainable goal at this time. (and i know that she has introduced the idea to certain city officials)
perhaps if we all jump on the natural waste train together we could get enough momentum to support a city-wide compost. i just think that if we embark on this path, we must start with a conversation with insa and the folks at recycle utah.
onto plastic bags:
many cities in europe charge the customer for plastic bags - ANY plastic bag, not just the durable one that we americans consider worthy of sale. i believe that this is how it must be if one is to actually think of the resources they use each time they leave the store with a new plastic bag, a free, fragile and disposal bag. the fee is small, like $0.25, but, like alison said,it would add up quickly. i don't think that this system would deter customers from the grocery store, but that if would act as a solid reminder to bring your own bag. if we did plan to supply reusable, more durable bags, i don't believe that all stores would need to offer them. in fact, i think that small stores would actually benefit from not having to stock so many wasteful bags.
i heard on the radio recently that the number one complaint of tourists and locals alike is park city traffic.
i do believe that this is rapidly becoming a major problem in our little community and i don't believe that local walkability is going to even begin to make a impact on the congested situation (NOT to belittle the walkability, safe street mission - i'm a huge supporter!!! - i just think we need more) and, mike, i like the mention of raising awareness of crosswalk conduct.
i hesitated bringing this up, as i'm not proposing a project, or a solution out at this time; but, i wanted to get you all to start thinking about this issue. i find it to be a dually environmental and humanitarian sickness. one that park city must start paying attention to.
oh, my, sorry for the length of this post.
and julie - i'm bummed to have missed arte latino on saturday, my family was in town and i simply couldn't round up the troops - i heard it was wonderful!
thanks all!!
kaitlin
good getting to work on this conversation - the blog is super and i think the soliciting emails just might be working.
i have a small number of ideas that are not quite ready to be articulated, so tonight i will just speak to two that were mentioned:
city-wide composting and the elimination of plastic bags - both noble endeavors.
san francisco has a very successful organic waste collection - i think if a huge city can implement such a system, that surely park city could meet that goal. i have, however, spoken at length with insa at recycle utah regarding this idea and the development of a city-wide management plan for the "disposal"/recycling of organic waste. for some reason, the super woman that is insa believes this to be an unattainable goal at this time. (and i know that she has introduced the idea to certain city officials)
perhaps if we all jump on the natural waste train together we could get enough momentum to support a city-wide compost. i just think that if we embark on this path, we must start with a conversation with insa and the folks at recycle utah.
onto plastic bags:
many cities in europe charge the customer for plastic bags - ANY plastic bag, not just the durable one that we americans consider worthy of sale. i believe that this is how it must be if one is to actually think of the resources they use each time they leave the store with a new plastic bag, a free, fragile and disposal bag. the fee is small, like $0.25, but, like alison said,it would add up quickly. i don't think that this system would deter customers from the grocery store, but that if would act as a solid reminder to bring your own bag. if we did plan to supply reusable, more durable bags, i don't believe that all stores would need to offer them. in fact, i think that small stores would actually benefit from not having to stock so many wasteful bags.
i heard on the radio recently that the number one complaint of tourists and locals alike is park city traffic.
i do believe that this is rapidly becoming a major problem in our little community and i don't believe that local walkability is going to even begin to make a impact on the congested situation (NOT to belittle the walkability, safe street mission - i'm a huge supporter!!! - i just think we need more) and, mike, i like the mention of raising awareness of crosswalk conduct.
i hesitated bringing this up, as i'm not proposing a project, or a solution out at this time; but, i wanted to get you all to start thinking about this issue. i find it to be a dually environmental and humanitarian sickness. one that park city must start paying attention to.
oh, my, sorry for the length of this post.
and julie - i'm bummed to have missed arte latino on saturday, my family was in town and i simply couldn't round up the troops - i heard it was wonderful!
thanks all!!
kaitlin
Just FYI
My fifth grade daughter Emma came home today and told me Recycle Utah was at Parleys Park today. What did my fifth grader remember, "Mom we should stop using plastic bags at the grocery store"! Recycle Utah would be a terrific partner if we go the bag route.
I just had a glass and half of some yummy red wine. Time for bed. Night.
Maddy
My fifth grade daughter Emma came home today and told me Recycle Utah was at Parleys Park today. What did my fifth grader remember, "Mom we should stop using plastic bags at the grocery store"! Recycle Utah would be a terrific partner if we go the bag route.
I just had a glass and half of some yummy red wine. Time for bed. Night.
Maddy
Better Bottles and Bags
As I look over the many posts (thanks Megan for the summary of ideas) I see a lot of great possibilities. And while surely our processing at the next Monday will grant more clarity I see momentum in environmental stewardship direction. Maybe it'd be too big to combine the initiatives but what about a 'better bottles and bags' campaign. The city's decision to be responsible with water bottles could be lifted up and we could try to build on that. As far as the bags we would have to take an angle that addresses the additional cost and/or the perceived inconvenience.
As much as the environmental responsible options are compelling, I'd love to see our efforts behind an idea that helps out a group of people be it youth or any demographic.
I'll keep thinking. When it comes down to what we decide, I'm up for composing some catchy little rhyming song to infiltrate people's minds for good.
A difference will be made, of this I am sure-
Russ
As much as the environmental responsible options are compelling, I'd love to see our efforts behind an idea that helps out a group of people be it youth or any demographic.
I'll keep thinking. When it comes down to what we decide, I'm up for composing some catchy little rhyming song to infiltrate people's minds for good.
A difference will be made, of this I am sure-
Russ
No more plastic bags!
I think that trying to reduce the use of plastic bags is a great idea.
The company that I work for used reusable bags made from recycled plastic last year as part of a marketing promotion (we put our brand names on the bags and gave them away for free at our key retail stores). The bags fold up on themselves and secure with velcro so they fit easily in a handbag.
The bags are relatively inexpensive when purchased in larger quantities and can be recycled. I will try to locate the vendor and pricing information before our next meeting. The costs could always be offset by potentially placing sponsoring logos on them.
I have used the bags for more than a year and they are very durable (I hang them on the handle bars of my bike and not one has ripped). Also, the Park City Market and Albertsons both offer a discount when you bring your own bag (it's only 5 cents a bag, but it could add up if you consider the number of visits to a grocery store each year).
Alison
The company that I work for used reusable bags made from recycled plastic last year as part of a marketing promotion (we put our brand names on the bags and gave them away for free at our key retail stores). The bags fold up on themselves and secure with velcro so they fit easily in a handbag.
The bags are relatively inexpensive when purchased in larger quantities and can be recycled. I will try to locate the vendor and pricing information before our next meeting. The costs could always be offset by potentially placing sponsoring logos on them.
I have used the bags for more than a year and they are very durable (I hang them on the handle bars of my bike and not one has ripped). Also, the Park City Market and Albertsons both offer a discount when you bring your own bag (it's only 5 cents a bag, but it could add up if you consider the number of visits to a grocery store each year).
Alison
Bag Ladies & Gentlemen
Hi Flavs.
Regarding Maddy's response, I was chatting with Margaret from Clear Channel yesterday. Apparently, at her Whole Foods, they offered her a .99 bag, which she bought. Then, the .99 could be deducted from her grocery bill OR donated to recycling.
The one glitch I see, and it is a very small one, but working with Wal Mart on their expansion through planning commission, I've been thinking a lot about their clients. There are people in our community who can't afford the extra .99. Perhaps we could raise money to donate extra bags. . .this is a problem to be solved.
BUT, there are people who shop at Wal Mart who can . . . we need to raise EVERYONE'S awareness. People need the education until it finally clicks and they do it.
Clear Channel is already working with either Smiths or Albertsons in Salt Lake City, so they can help us with that chain.
I think it will be more difficult with some of our smaller stores -- because of the cost.
NOW, I have NO idea about the costs. However, I'll email Margaret since she's done a bunch of research and see if she can send it along to us.
MicaJAH, I'll need your help to BLOG it. Otherwise, it's going out regular email.
Another thing is reminding the people who already have bags to keep them in their car and ready to use.
As far as "going big, or going home," well . . .maybe we have special 31 FLAVOR bags designed.
I think, regardless of if we do this project, we should, as a class, commit to bags. There's a guy in town that makes organic t-shirts. . .I'm meeting with him to do my job (beg for money and or an in-kind donation) and I'll ask about bags.
IS ANYONE AN ARTIST? (Besides Andrew????)
Hugs,
Julie
Regarding Maddy's response, I was chatting with Margaret from Clear Channel yesterday. Apparently, at her Whole Foods, they offered her a .99 bag, which she bought. Then, the .99 could be deducted from her grocery bill OR donated to recycling.
The one glitch I see, and it is a very small one, but working with Wal Mart on their expansion through planning commission, I've been thinking a lot about their clients. There are people in our community who can't afford the extra .99. Perhaps we could raise money to donate extra bags. . .this is a problem to be solved.
BUT, there are people who shop at Wal Mart who can . . . we need to raise EVERYONE'S awareness. People need the education until it finally clicks and they do it.
Clear Channel is already working with either Smiths or Albertsons in Salt Lake City, so they can help us with that chain.
I think it will be more difficult with some of our smaller stores -- because of the cost.
NOW, I have NO idea about the costs. However, I'll email Margaret since she's done a bunch of research and see if she can send it along to us.
MicaJAH, I'll need your help to BLOG it. Otherwise, it's going out regular email.
Another thing is reminding the people who already have bags to keep them in their car and ready to use.
As far as "going big, or going home," well . . .maybe we have special 31 FLAVOR bags designed.
I think, regardless of if we do this project, we should, as a class, commit to bags. There's a guy in town that makes organic t-shirts. . .I'm meeting with him to do my job (beg for money and or an in-kind donation) and I'll ask about bags.
IS ANYONE AN ARTIST? (Besides Andrew????)
Hugs,
Julie
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