Conservation of the environment is a situation which the majority of us hear about on a regular basis, regardless if this appertains to reclaiming our waste items or from the standpoint of utilising much less energy. In terms of lighting a recent advancement, now offers an effective option which offers a plethora of benefits. That innovation is LED lighting, and one of the leading specialists of LED lighting is a company termed Auraglow, whose internet-based presence can be viewed at the appropriately entitled.
LED or light emitting diodes present a unique and incomparable resolution by virtue of the fact that they provide significant power saving options. In reality LED lighting utilises up to 85 % less power than standard light bulbs. This means that in genuine terms, by using LED lighting throughout a residential or retail property, significant savings can be made in regards to not purely power usage but also in the inherent expense of the power itself.
Furthermore, among the principal elements of LED lighting is its longevity, with a lifetime in the region of 350,000 hours which corresponds to, conditional upon usage, approx 25 years. Correlate this to the common light bulbs along with the recent compact fluorescent light bulbs, it is very easy to witness exactly why LED lighting is proving so popular. This form of light is provided in a broad variety of options from the traditional bayonet style replacement options through to GU10 LED or B22 LED Bulbs.
As a way of saving money in a wide range of ways, LED lighting including the 12v LEDS are unequalled. Considerable savings can be received not only in terms of the time factor but also in regard to the money saved in reduced energy consumption alongside replacement expenses. These forms of units necessitate little routine maintenance which ensures cost savings for business and for domestic clients. These are the key reasons why the development of LED lighting has flourished greatly in merely a few years.
In a continued effort to assist readers save money in every facet of their daily lives, Go Banking Rates recently examined four popular, energy-efficient products to determine whether "going green" can really be adopted as a money-saving lifestyle. Go Banking Rates editor, Jennifer Calonia, interviewed both consumers and experts in the energy-efficient household product industry to find the best and worst swaps Americans can make in their homes to save money on energy costs.
The most cost-efficient green product was discovered to be LED lights. Jon Billings, sales director of the Green Works Energy Group, explained to Go Banking Rates, "By far the best up and coming product is LED lights." Billings continued, "They are efficient, recyclable, and as technology advances, affordable. LEDs are like an investment, you pay a higher price up front, but the long-term return exceeds all other available products."
Go Banking Rates found that transitioning the home to energy efficient lighting options like efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), LEDs or halogen sources can save up to 75 percent in household energy costs compared to incandescent bulb versions.
On the other hand, the energy-saving product with the highest up-front cost was determined to be solar panels.
Shel Horowitz, converted his pre-Revolutionary War home, built in 1743, into a solar-powered machine by installing three hot water solar panels in 2001 and four electricity panels to the roof of his home in 2004.
2012年11月7日 星期三
Government to save P9.03M from efficient lighting conversion of buildings
State-run schools and hospitals in Northern and Central Luzon work together to generate annual savings of P9.03 million once the lighting retrofit project of the Department of Energy is completed.
The retrofitting project involves the replacement of existing 40 watt-fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with energy efficient 28 watt-lamps and electronic ballasts.
DOE and heads of various state colleges and hospitals signed an agreement last October 9 for the lighting conversion of government structures. After the signing, installation of energy efficient bulbs will begin.
The DOE’s Philippine Energy Efficient Project has picked 20 government buildings in Northern and Central Luzon as recipients of the lighting retrofit as part of its nationwide campaign for energy efficient lighting technology.
Artemio Habitan, DOE’s program implementor, said 100 government buildings were targeted for lighting conversion out of the more than 175 government agencies that were surveyed for the program.
“We have prioritized state schools and universities including hospitals because they serve a bigger clientele and their energy consumption is 24/7,” he said.
Habitan said local government units will be accommodated in the future once the retrofitting of priority agencies is completed.
He said only Cebu City has so far qualified for the energy efficiency program.
The DOE has already signed similar agreements with the government units in Visayas and Mindanao and the National Capital Region.
The energy efficient project was supported by a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank amounting to $31.1 million.
It is meant to reduce electricity demand using energy efficient lighting project, adoption of energy saving measures and improvement of equipment testing facilities.
These can be purchased online, including from Halfords and Amazon. Other products are reportedly being sold as French breathalysers, but won’t necessarily satisfy the French police, according to Green Flag, the motoring breakdown service.
“Although fines to enforce the new regulation may not come into effect until March, demand for these testing kits is likely to be high,” said Miranda Schunke of Green Flag.
“We’d strongly advise all motorists considering driving in France to invest in some breathalysers well in advance of their trip, to avoid last minute panics, and more importantly, breaking the law.”
The organisation advises motorists to carry at least two NF-certified breathalysers, which can be used to check a driver's blood alcohol level. The legal limit in France is 0.5 grams per litre, which equates to 50mg per 100ml of blood, lower than the 80mg limit in Britain.
Drivers in France are also already legally required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest. Other items motorists need by law in France are a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulbs for car lamps, lenses and reflectors.
The retrofitting project involves the replacement of existing 40 watt-fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with energy efficient 28 watt-lamps and electronic ballasts.
DOE and heads of various state colleges and hospitals signed an agreement last October 9 for the lighting conversion of government structures. After the signing, installation of energy efficient bulbs will begin.
The DOE’s Philippine Energy Efficient Project has picked 20 government buildings in Northern and Central Luzon as recipients of the lighting retrofit as part of its nationwide campaign for energy efficient lighting technology.
Artemio Habitan, DOE’s program implementor, said 100 government buildings were targeted for lighting conversion out of the more than 175 government agencies that were surveyed for the program.
“We have prioritized state schools and universities including hospitals because they serve a bigger clientele and their energy consumption is 24/7,” he said.
Habitan said local government units will be accommodated in the future once the retrofitting of priority agencies is completed.
He said only Cebu City has so far qualified for the energy efficiency program.
The DOE has already signed similar agreements with the government units in Visayas and Mindanao and the National Capital Region.
The energy efficient project was supported by a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank amounting to $31.1 million.
It is meant to reduce electricity demand using energy efficient lighting project, adoption of energy saving measures and improvement of equipment testing facilities.
These can be purchased online, including from Halfords and Amazon. Other products are reportedly being sold as French breathalysers, but won’t necessarily satisfy the French police, according to Green Flag, the motoring breakdown service.
“Although fines to enforce the new regulation may not come into effect until March, demand for these testing kits is likely to be high,” said Miranda Schunke of Green Flag.
“We’d strongly advise all motorists considering driving in France to invest in some breathalysers well in advance of their trip, to avoid last minute panics, and more importantly, breaking the law.”
The organisation advises motorists to carry at least two NF-certified breathalysers, which can be used to check a driver's blood alcohol level. The legal limit in France is 0.5 grams per litre, which equates to 50mg per 100ml of blood, lower than the 80mg limit in Britain.
Drivers in France are also already legally required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest. Other items motorists need by law in France are a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulbs for car lamps, lenses and reflectors.
2012年10月31日 星期三
An unforgettable love story
Literally and figuratively one of the quietest films you’ll ever see, the award-winning Korean documentary “Planet of Snail” offers a precious moment of clarity and simplicity amid a chaotic and poisonous summer, and tells an unforgettable love story to boot. Director Yi Seung-jun’s gorgeously photographed slice-of-life film is a contemplative experience, to be sure, but never a taxing or challenging one. If “Planet of Snail” implies or suggests profound questions about love and the human condition and how we think about ability and disability, it does so in 88 minutes and without sentimentality or heavy philosophy.
About halfway through the film, Young-chan and Soon-ho, the married couple at the center of “Planet of Snail,” need to change an overhead fluorescent bulb in their bedroom. This task poses logistical problems for them that few of us can imagine. Soon-ho is a tiny, gnomelike person with a spinal deformity, probably less than 4 feet tall. Young-chan is a long-limbed, lanky fellow with the distracted air of an intellectual; he’s easily tall enough to reach the light fixture, but he can neither see nor hear.
Between them they eventually manage to get the bulb changed, with no major mishaps. It takes quite a while, since every time Young-chan gets something wrong — a cord is in the way, or the bulb is incorrectly mounted — Soon-ho must tug on his sleeve so he’ll lower himself enough for her to offer advice by tapping on the backs of his fingers, using a system known as finger Braille or tactile sign language. They never, however, resort to the cursing or impatience or constant distraction that might attend you or me trying to do the same task much more quickly.
If you’re guiltily thinking that there might be some inherent comedy in the spectacle of a blind man changing a light bulb, you needn’t worry. Soon-ho, who seems to have a wry, detached perspective on the difficulties of her life with Young-chan, quietly gets the giggles several times. It might sound faintly condescending to say that the whole scene is one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen in a motion picture, as if I were marveling at the fact that people with severe disabilities can cope with everyday chores. Honestly, what I felt was gratitude: to Yi, the filmmaker, for allowing me to share this time with the couple, and to Soon-ho and Young-chan, for the reminder that the really important thing about being alive is how you relate to other people and the world around you, rather than how many tasks you complete or how quickly.
Last year, a lowly university parking garage won high praise for reducing its energy use by 63 percent, saving almost $35,000 in utility costs. How did the University of Central Florida do it? By replacing the lights in the parking garage with a combination of fluorescent and LED bulbs. Not only did the school save money but the new bulbs produced better light as well. Collectively, the 245 participants in the 2011 contest saved $5.2 million on their utility bills and prevented nearly 30,000 metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions.
The EPA contest focuses on commercial buildings because they're responsible for about 20 percent of the nation's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually in energy bills. By improving the energy efficiency of schools, offices, hospitals and retail stores, competitors can reduce energy waste and save on utility bills while protecting the environment and people's health, says the EPA. Competitors range from a Kmart store on the island of St. Thomas to a crime lab in Phoenix to a federal office building in Nome, Alaska.
About halfway through the film, Young-chan and Soon-ho, the married couple at the center of “Planet of Snail,” need to change an overhead fluorescent bulb in their bedroom. This task poses logistical problems for them that few of us can imagine. Soon-ho is a tiny, gnomelike person with a spinal deformity, probably less than 4 feet tall. Young-chan is a long-limbed, lanky fellow with the distracted air of an intellectual; he’s easily tall enough to reach the light fixture, but he can neither see nor hear.
Between them they eventually manage to get the bulb changed, with no major mishaps. It takes quite a while, since every time Young-chan gets something wrong — a cord is in the way, or the bulb is incorrectly mounted — Soon-ho must tug on his sleeve so he’ll lower himself enough for her to offer advice by tapping on the backs of his fingers, using a system known as finger Braille or tactile sign language. They never, however, resort to the cursing or impatience or constant distraction that might attend you or me trying to do the same task much more quickly.
If you’re guiltily thinking that there might be some inherent comedy in the spectacle of a blind man changing a light bulb, you needn’t worry. Soon-ho, who seems to have a wry, detached perspective on the difficulties of her life with Young-chan, quietly gets the giggles several times. It might sound faintly condescending to say that the whole scene is one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen in a motion picture, as if I were marveling at the fact that people with severe disabilities can cope with everyday chores. Honestly, what I felt was gratitude: to Yi, the filmmaker, for allowing me to share this time with the couple, and to Soon-ho and Young-chan, for the reminder that the really important thing about being alive is how you relate to other people and the world around you, rather than how many tasks you complete or how quickly.
Last year, a lowly university parking garage won high praise for reducing its energy use by 63 percent, saving almost $35,000 in utility costs. How did the University of Central Florida do it? By replacing the lights in the parking garage with a combination of fluorescent and LED bulbs. Not only did the school save money but the new bulbs produced better light as well. Collectively, the 245 participants in the 2011 contest saved $5.2 million on their utility bills and prevented nearly 30,000 metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions.
The EPA contest focuses on commercial buildings because they're responsible for about 20 percent of the nation's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually in energy bills. By improving the energy efficiency of schools, offices, hospitals and retail stores, competitors can reduce energy waste and save on utility bills while protecting the environment and people's health, says the EPA. Competitors range from a Kmart store on the island of St. Thomas to a crime lab in Phoenix to a federal office building in Nome, Alaska.
Local Legend 'The Great Morgani' Has 130 Costumes
Behind the crazy costumes of Santa Cruz's street performer "The Great Morgani" is a fashion lover and community representative.
Known as “The Great Morgani” by the Santa Cruz community, Frank Lima, 69, has been performing as an accordion extraordinaire for 15 years.
“People want to see the spectacle,” said Lima. “Oh what shoes is he wearing now? I have to create a fashion monster.”
Playing the accordion to entertain others is Lima’s hobby, and he is often spotted on Pacific Avenue, or at farmers markets. With 42 accordions, 130 costumes and over 1,200 songs, every performance is different.
One of Lima’s favorite parts of being a street performer is seeing the crowd react to his songs and his all-out costumes.
“I always feel that the crowd is entertaining me,” he said. “I love watching peoples’ reactions.”
Lima isn’t just like any street performer. Standing atop a mini-stage on Pacific Avenue, Lima dons a full-body costume of crazy patterns and intricate accessories.
“I just wanted to have this look and get more elaborate,” he said. “I have a lot of creative energy.”
Covered with about 100 cones, his “making a point” costume that he made for a Santa Cruz fashion show is one of Lima’s most memorable. The cool colors – turquoise, cobalt blue and magenta – react to fluorescent lights.
Although they sometimes take up to 100 hours of work, Lima said, “My passion is the costumes. The music is very easy for me.”
On Saturday at the Willow Glen Farmers Market, Lima wore his “Flower Powered” outfit, featuring a coral hibiscus flower fabric that covered his body and accordion as well as a bike.
As a kid, Lima learned how to sew by watching his mother who was a great seamstress, he said. His mother upholstered his U-shaped couch that has about 32 cushions.
“Her stitches were so fine you could wear it inside out,” said Lima. “But you don’t want to see the backside of my costumes.”
“Could I get away with this in Fresno, CA? Or would I want to? I don’t think so,” he said.
Santa Cruz is ripe with artistic minds, expressing themselves in any way possible. When tourists come, Lima said they give him the strangest looks. In the eyes of tourists and locals alike, Lima hopes to represent Santa Cruz in a positive light.
“I want to do the best I can performing,” said Lima. “I feel that I am representing myself as a musician, but I’m also representing Santa Cruz. I want to do something positive. I don’t want to be scaring little kids.”
Even though Lima is not a kid person himself, he likes to entertain them and leave smiles on their faces.
“Little kids, I see their eyes get really big and I think they’re going to cry, so I try to wave at them. I try to establish trust,” he said.
Four years ago when Lima was performing, a 3-year-old girl named Emily showed up with a little accordion and started playing next to him. When her father asked Lima to come to Emily’s birthday party, he showed up to a room full of 4-year-olds with their own accordions. To this day Emily comes to perform with Lima.
Known as “The Great Morgani” by the Santa Cruz community, Frank Lima, 69, has been performing as an accordion extraordinaire for 15 years.
“People want to see the spectacle,” said Lima. “Oh what shoes is he wearing now? I have to create a fashion monster.”
Playing the accordion to entertain others is Lima’s hobby, and he is often spotted on Pacific Avenue, or at farmers markets. With 42 accordions, 130 costumes and over 1,200 songs, every performance is different.
One of Lima’s favorite parts of being a street performer is seeing the crowd react to his songs and his all-out costumes.
“I always feel that the crowd is entertaining me,” he said. “I love watching peoples’ reactions.”
Lima isn’t just like any street performer. Standing atop a mini-stage on Pacific Avenue, Lima dons a full-body costume of crazy patterns and intricate accessories.
“I just wanted to have this look and get more elaborate,” he said. “I have a lot of creative energy.”
Covered with about 100 cones, his “making a point” costume that he made for a Santa Cruz fashion show is one of Lima’s most memorable. The cool colors – turquoise, cobalt blue and magenta – react to fluorescent lights.
Although they sometimes take up to 100 hours of work, Lima said, “My passion is the costumes. The music is very easy for me.”
On Saturday at the Willow Glen Farmers Market, Lima wore his “Flower Powered” outfit, featuring a coral hibiscus flower fabric that covered his body and accordion as well as a bike.
As a kid, Lima learned how to sew by watching his mother who was a great seamstress, he said. His mother upholstered his U-shaped couch that has about 32 cushions.
“Her stitches were so fine you could wear it inside out,” said Lima. “But you don’t want to see the backside of my costumes.”
“Could I get away with this in Fresno, CA? Or would I want to? I don’t think so,” he said.
Santa Cruz is ripe with artistic minds, expressing themselves in any way possible. When tourists come, Lima said they give him the strangest looks. In the eyes of tourists and locals alike, Lima hopes to represent Santa Cruz in a positive light.
“I want to do the best I can performing,” said Lima. “I feel that I am representing myself as a musician, but I’m also representing Santa Cruz. I want to do something positive. I don’t want to be scaring little kids.”
Even though Lima is not a kid person himself, he likes to entertain them and leave smiles on their faces.
“Little kids, I see their eyes get really big and I think they’re going to cry, so I try to wave at them. I try to establish trust,” he said.
Four years ago when Lima was performing, a 3-year-old girl named Emily showed up with a little accordion and started playing next to him. When her father asked Lima to come to Emily’s birthday party, he showed up to a room full of 4-year-olds with their own accordions. To this day Emily comes to perform with Lima.
2012年10月25日 星期四
Work set to begin on Columbia Pike face-lift
Drivers on busy Columbia Pike in Arlington can expect years of construction delays as the county prepares to give the entire neighborhood a face-lift.
Construction is set to begin in August between South Wakefield Street and South Four Mile Run Drive, where crews place utility lines underground, widen sidewalks, plant trees and install street lights, benches and bike racks.
But the $7 million, 18-month project is only a small part of the planned Pike-wide makeover. The county has a total of $80 million set aside for street improvements on the road that stretches westward from the Pentagon to the Fairfax County line.
"To complete the entire 3.5 miles of Columbia Pike is going to take three to four years," said William Roberts, who manages transportation projects for the county. "It's going to be done in phases."
From the short-term pain of construction will come long-term gain, county officials said.
"These street improvements bring us one step closer to realizing Arlington's vision for an accessible, diverse and vibrant Columbia Pike," Arlington board Chairwoman Mary Hynes said earlier.
The county is also installing larger, more comfortable bus stops and energy-efficient LED streetlights on the Pike. And roadwork may stretch even longer if the county board adopts a plan Monday to install a $249 million streetcar system.
"First all the utilities have to go underground, then you have the streetcar. So it's going to take a while," said Kamal Taktak, who will oversee the utility project and who promised work would be done only during non-rush hours and at night.
The county board is expected to vote on the streetcar Monday. A report issued earlier this month promised that the streetcar would generate hundreds of millions in property tax revenues and other benefits.
But critics complain the streetcar will cost too much; others worry the increased development will push out poorer residents along the Pike and change the street's historic character.
"We don't want Columbia Pike so gentrified that we drive away small businesses, like car repair shops or small venues that have been here for years, only to be replaced with chain restaurants," said Sarah McKinley, vice president of Arlington's Columbia Heights Civic Association, in a letter to the county board.
According to an arrest affidavit, a Ouachita Parish Sheriff's deputy approached a vehicle sitting in the median on U.S. 165 early Saturday and turned his lights on. The suspects fled, running a red light and turning left on East Street. The vehicle turned right on Temple Street, proceeding across numerous intersections, ignoring stop signs and red lights and reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing on South Grand Street.
The driver fled on foot while the deputy tended the injuries of the passenger. Reed later turned himself in and admitted to driving the vehicle. He said he fled because he was on probation.
Reed was booked on charges of aggravated flight, driving under suspension, two counts of ignoring a traffic signal, nine counts of ignoring a stop sign, improper exhaust, improper parking and reckless operation.
Construction is set to begin in August between South Wakefield Street and South Four Mile Run Drive, where crews place utility lines underground, widen sidewalks, plant trees and install street lights, benches and bike racks.
But the $7 million, 18-month project is only a small part of the planned Pike-wide makeover. The county has a total of $80 million set aside for street improvements on the road that stretches westward from the Pentagon to the Fairfax County line.
"To complete the entire 3.5 miles of Columbia Pike is going to take three to four years," said William Roberts, who manages transportation projects for the county. "It's going to be done in phases."
From the short-term pain of construction will come long-term gain, county officials said.
"These street improvements bring us one step closer to realizing Arlington's vision for an accessible, diverse and vibrant Columbia Pike," Arlington board Chairwoman Mary Hynes said earlier.
The county is also installing larger, more comfortable bus stops and energy-efficient LED streetlights on the Pike. And roadwork may stretch even longer if the county board adopts a plan Monday to install a $249 million streetcar system.
"First all the utilities have to go underground, then you have the streetcar. So it's going to take a while," said Kamal Taktak, who will oversee the utility project and who promised work would be done only during non-rush hours and at night.
The county board is expected to vote on the streetcar Monday. A report issued earlier this month promised that the streetcar would generate hundreds of millions in property tax revenues and other benefits.
But critics complain the streetcar will cost too much; others worry the increased development will push out poorer residents along the Pike and change the street's historic character.
"We don't want Columbia Pike so gentrified that we drive away small businesses, like car repair shops or small venues that have been here for years, only to be replaced with chain restaurants," said Sarah McKinley, vice president of Arlington's Columbia Heights Civic Association, in a letter to the county board.
According to an arrest affidavit, a Ouachita Parish Sheriff's deputy approached a vehicle sitting in the median on U.S. 165 early Saturday and turned his lights on. The suspects fled, running a red light and turning left on East Street. The vehicle turned right on Temple Street, proceeding across numerous intersections, ignoring stop signs and red lights and reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing on South Grand Street.
The driver fled on foot while the deputy tended the injuries of the passenger. Reed later turned himself in and admitted to driving the vehicle. He said he fled because he was on probation.
Reed was booked on charges of aggravated flight, driving under suspension, two counts of ignoring a traffic signal, nine counts of ignoring a stop sign, improper exhaust, improper parking and reckless operation.
Recalling The Good 'Ole Days
My daughter and I found ourselves with an unexpected hour of 'free time,' and we decided to take a stroll through the Danvers Square to see what there is to see. "Isn't the downtown so pretty, now?" she asked me. She went on to point out all the new little shops and restaurants, the pretty , and the overall quaintness of it all.
"Sure," I told her, "it's really coming along..." of course, I can't help myself...perhaps its a sign of age, but I began pointing out 'what used to be': Archer Kent, Sunnyhurst Farms, Harvey Jewelers; and across the street, the old mattress store once stood where the atrium is now- before the big fire took it all away...
I told her the story about how our family was away in New Hampshire when that fire tore through, devastating the entire block. I'll never forget driving up route 35 into the square, the signal to my nine year old brain that said, "you're almost home!" And the scorched wreckage came into view. I was horrified. Although I had never even been inside the iconic blue building that had anchored the businesses on that corner of High and Elm Streets for as long as I'd been alive, I was still so sad to see it destroyed.
Thinking about that summer so long ago began to conjure up memories of what life was like when I was a kid growing up here in Danvers. In the summer, time seemed to stand still for us kids. We divided our time between catching frogs and riding bikes; there were daily ice cream trucks where you could get an Italian Ice for fifty cents; and at park we had bubblers, gimp and the annual park parade.
We would skip rope in the old neighborhood, as long as we could sucker two kids into holding the ends. If there were only two of us, well, then an old chair was the likely stand in.
But the real adventure was when the streetlights went on and we had a mere thirty minutes before the curfew whistle blew for our favorite pastime: Kick The Can. Being the youngest in the neighborhood gang with the earliest bedtime had its disadvantages. For years I merely watched the bigger kids' hide and seeking as I pressed my nose up against the smelly screen in my bedroom window, yearning to grow up (right now!). But those few times the teenagers let me play along were the thrill of my life!
Later, I became a big reader, abandoning the usual play things for the simple pleasure of getting lost between the pages of the classics my mom brought me free from some grocery store promotion: Little Women, Treasure Island, and my favorite, The Black Stallion. I would set up camp for the entire day, nose in book, toe to the floor, gently swinging back and forth on the old glider on our huge front porch. Well, the porch certainly seemed huge to me, funny how perspective changes with the passage of time.
As I take in the “New” Danvers Square, with its pristine brick walkways, beautiful flowering fruitless pear trees, and pretty street lights, I feel a sense of pride, and at the same time I can’t help but think about how things have changed. It's a different world now; a different neighborhood, and certainly a different Danvers Square.
Yeah, I think the downtown looks pretty snazzy. The improvements have brought new life to the businesses there, and I'm proud of what the town has done, and is continuing to do. But there is nothing like the good old days, when a kid was just a kid; catching frogs, skipping rope, kicking cans and having the sheer luxury to forget about time.
"Sure," I told her, "it's really coming along..." of course, I can't help myself...perhaps its a sign of age, but I began pointing out 'what used to be': Archer Kent, Sunnyhurst Farms, Harvey Jewelers; and across the street, the old mattress store once stood where the atrium is now- before the big fire took it all away...
I told her the story about how our family was away in New Hampshire when that fire tore through, devastating the entire block. I'll never forget driving up route 35 into the square, the signal to my nine year old brain that said, "you're almost home!" And the scorched wreckage came into view. I was horrified. Although I had never even been inside the iconic blue building that had anchored the businesses on that corner of High and Elm Streets for as long as I'd been alive, I was still so sad to see it destroyed.
Thinking about that summer so long ago began to conjure up memories of what life was like when I was a kid growing up here in Danvers. In the summer, time seemed to stand still for us kids. We divided our time between catching frogs and riding bikes; there were daily ice cream trucks where you could get an Italian Ice for fifty cents; and at park we had bubblers, gimp and the annual park parade.
We would skip rope in the old neighborhood, as long as we could sucker two kids into holding the ends. If there were only two of us, well, then an old chair was the likely stand in.
But the real adventure was when the streetlights went on and we had a mere thirty minutes before the curfew whistle blew for our favorite pastime: Kick The Can. Being the youngest in the neighborhood gang with the earliest bedtime had its disadvantages. For years I merely watched the bigger kids' hide and seeking as I pressed my nose up against the smelly screen in my bedroom window, yearning to grow up (right now!). But those few times the teenagers let me play along were the thrill of my life!
Later, I became a big reader, abandoning the usual play things for the simple pleasure of getting lost between the pages of the classics my mom brought me free from some grocery store promotion: Little Women, Treasure Island, and my favorite, The Black Stallion. I would set up camp for the entire day, nose in book, toe to the floor, gently swinging back and forth on the old glider on our huge front porch. Well, the porch certainly seemed huge to me, funny how perspective changes with the passage of time.
As I take in the “New” Danvers Square, with its pristine brick walkways, beautiful flowering fruitless pear trees, and pretty street lights, I feel a sense of pride, and at the same time I can’t help but think about how things have changed. It's a different world now; a different neighborhood, and certainly a different Danvers Square.
Yeah, I think the downtown looks pretty snazzy. The improvements have brought new life to the businesses there, and I'm proud of what the town has done, and is continuing to do. But there is nothing like the good old days, when a kid was just a kid; catching frogs, skipping rope, kicking cans and having the sheer luxury to forget about time.
2012年10月19日 星期五
Refinish Your Hardwood Floors Without Finishing Off Your Savings
A shabby-looking floor can make a poor first impression, especially if the wood boards are worn, scratched and have seen better days. However, replacing your flooring can cost a small fortune, particularly when you hire a contractor. If you’re not ready or willing to part with so much cash in one go, consider sprucing up your floors yourself by making smaller changes. The following tips will give your floor a new life.
1. Cut a rug. If you’re not in love with your hardwood floors, consider using a throw rug to liven up a room. Choose rugs that complement the color of the walls or opt for fun, vibrant patterns. When selecting a rug, choose one that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. You don’t want the rug to be disproportionate with the rest of the room.
2. Paint the floor. If a throw rug just won’t add enough color for your floor, consider painting it. Stick with a single bold color to cover the entire floor or get creative and use a variety of patterns and shades. Don’t just use any paint for the floor, though; consult with your favorite paint store as to which type of paint to use. Paint used on concrete floors, for example, might not work as well on hardwood floors with a special finish.
3. Wax off, wax on. When it comes to waxing your floors, take Mr. Miyagi’s sage advice, but in reverse. Wax off any old wax buildup already on your floor, then clean the floors before adding the new coat of wax. A highly-polished and newly-waxed floor will give your room a fresh shine; just rope off the room after waxing to avoid anyone from falling.
4. Say it with stencils. If you’re not willing to paint your entire floor, consider using stencils to create eye-catching designs. Head to your nearest teachers’ store and load up on oversized stencils featuring flowers, fun shapes or whimsical designs. After cleaning your floor, trace and fill in the stencil designs with acrylic paint. For an artistic flair, use different colors of paint within each design.
5. Get rid of scratches. Do you like your hardwood floor but have some unsightly scratches in a few boards? Remove scratches to give your floors a clean, new look. Get steel wool and a solvent, rub it with the grain and wipe with a damp cloth. It provides a great new look for your floor while also removing the blemishes.
6. Stain your floors. Give your hardwood floors a new look by staining them. After cleaning the floors and removing dust, stain with a rag or paint roller. Consult your local hardware store for advice in selecting an appropriate stain, as each variation of hardwood flooring will require a particular type of stain. Use a polyurethane finish when the stain is dry to create a smooth, glossy look.
7. When in doubt, distract the eye. Do you have such a battered floor that improving it seems like too daunting of a task? Consider using stage tricks to draw attention to other parts of the room. Hang oversized paintings on the walls and use curtains in bright colors that complement the color of the walls. If you have a particularly stubborn stain or scratch on your floor, try covering it up with a piece of furniture, a floor lamp or a small rug.
1. Cut a rug. If you’re not in love with your hardwood floors, consider using a throw rug to liven up a room. Choose rugs that complement the color of the walls or opt for fun, vibrant patterns. When selecting a rug, choose one that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. You don’t want the rug to be disproportionate with the rest of the room.
2. Paint the floor. If a throw rug just won’t add enough color for your floor, consider painting it. Stick with a single bold color to cover the entire floor or get creative and use a variety of patterns and shades. Don’t just use any paint for the floor, though; consult with your favorite paint store as to which type of paint to use. Paint used on concrete floors, for example, might not work as well on hardwood floors with a special finish.
3. Wax off, wax on. When it comes to waxing your floors, take Mr. Miyagi’s sage advice, but in reverse. Wax off any old wax buildup already on your floor, then clean the floors before adding the new coat of wax. A highly-polished and newly-waxed floor will give your room a fresh shine; just rope off the room after waxing to avoid anyone from falling.
4. Say it with stencils. If you’re not willing to paint your entire floor, consider using stencils to create eye-catching designs. Head to your nearest teachers’ store and load up on oversized stencils featuring flowers, fun shapes or whimsical designs. After cleaning your floor, trace and fill in the stencil designs with acrylic paint. For an artistic flair, use different colors of paint within each design.
5. Get rid of scratches. Do you like your hardwood floor but have some unsightly scratches in a few boards? Remove scratches to give your floors a clean, new look. Get steel wool and a solvent, rub it with the grain and wipe with a damp cloth. It provides a great new look for your floor while also removing the blemishes.
6. Stain your floors. Give your hardwood floors a new look by staining them. After cleaning the floors and removing dust, stain with a rag or paint roller. Consult your local hardware store for advice in selecting an appropriate stain, as each variation of hardwood flooring will require a particular type of stain. Use a polyurethane finish when the stain is dry to create a smooth, glossy look.
7. When in doubt, distract the eye. Do you have such a battered floor that improving it seems like too daunting of a task? Consider using stage tricks to draw attention to other parts of the room. Hang oversized paintings on the walls and use curtains in bright colors that complement the color of the walls. If you have a particularly stubborn stain or scratch on your floor, try covering it up with a piece of furniture, a floor lamp or a small rug.
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