The Daily Green - consumer's guide

There are certainly a lot of newer "green" consumer guides popping up and it is hard to judge, really, who and which would be best for your personal use. To be honest, the things I typically purchase don't really necessitate much more information then already on hand, I don't buy a lot of things, mostly due to the fiscal liability school and my extravagantly beer based lifestyle has placed me under.

However, if you do happen to have an income of the disposable nature, and perhaps would like yet another source for finding out about consumer goods with a dose of environmental news then you may like to check out the daily green. At the very least they have a pretty good list of links and some random tips and news that show up.

Currently they are in Beta and I think plan to go "live" in about four months but there are still probably plenty of things to check out in the mean while, such as articles discussing which is more dangerous to birds, cats or wind turbines.

In non related at all news, my computer at home shall be considered officially toasted. I am debating whether I should purchase a new one or just try to see how long my laptop will last before it to decides that it would not be a lap warmer anymore. By this I mean that I will try to keep up with posting, but it is difficult without a reliable and convenient manner in which to do so.

I also realize that the labels sorter thing is not working in a reliable manner. Again, since I am without a decent computer it is hard to make adjustments to said technology. Please bear with me as I attempt to sort this mess out.

You can't just use LOGIC to make a point

Because apparently that isn't what people are interested in. Yesterday there was the protest about the Ameritrust Tower and previously to that Mr. Bradley of Design Rag sent me a link to Mr. Donovan D. Rypkema's remarks at the Seattle 2007, Downtown Revitalization, Sustainability and Historic Preservation National Main Streets Conference.

All I can say is that not only is it very TIMELY but very wonderfully put together. It sorts of paints a sad picture on city governments not interested in preserving existing usable structures but also cast a poor light on the EPA's response to "greening" the country.

Anyway, my computer is down so I off to attempt to fix it. Go download the .pdf and read the dang remarks outside this weekend while you enjoy the weather and think about how you can get your local government officials to start thinking about creating a susatinable local economy.

Asphalt Gardening 101 - Workshop

Sunday, May 5th, 2007
Between E 53rd and E 55th - South of St. Clair;
next to the Goodrich Gannett neighborhood center at 1368 E. 55th
10am - 2pm

I always wonder, when I pass empty lots, exactly what the paperwork/legwork required would be to turn the area into a community garden, perhaps for food, perhaps just to add beauty. Then I wonder what steps one would have to take to create a garden. Well, the fine people at the New Agrarian Society are hosting a 'hand's on workshop' to cover that very topic!

excerpt:

That’s right. It’s the latest craze in urban agriculture: turning parking lots and empty blacktop into thriving gardens and greenspaces. Sound too good to be true? Come see how it’s done and help build an asphalt Market Garden with Wonder City Farms run by sisters Emmy and Jessica Levine. Wonder City Farms formed in 2006 to grow fresh produce on vacant lots around Cleveland. The workshop will be the urban equivilent of an Amish barn-raising, except we will building down instead of up. The more hands, the merrier. PLEASE BRING GARDEN TOOLS, WORK GLOVES, COMPOST, NEWSPAPER, FOOD SCRAPS, and A POTLUCK DISH TO SHARE FOR LUNCH! Check out the Blue Pike Farm Open House in the same neighborhood after the event, details below. For more information, call 216-334-7478.

Awesome!

New |re|Design Cleveland Charrette

It looks like there is ANOTHER |re|design Cleveland charrette up, this one aimed towards more neighborhoody identification goodness. I suppose nothing can be left un-'re'designed if targets range from a parking garage facade (architectural), bridge design (engineering) and now a waste receptical charrette (industrial design?).

I am mostly excited because this is the third incarnation and it now appears that it actually may continue to be a monthly like submission thingy. That could end up rather interesting if it does. I am thinking that there are quite a few people around town that would love an excuse to sketch something up and showcase their thoughts.

Anyway, get out there and submit something, dammit!

ps. sorry for no post yesterday, had to catch up on sleep deprived to me due to that damned Cleveland Competition. I hope some of you bums submitted stuff to that.

Ameritrust Tower - Protest of Waste

Thursday, May 3rd, 2007
East 9th betwixt Euclid and Prospect
(That is right smack in front of the Ameritrust Tower)

Here is the release:

TAXPAYERS PROTEST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’
SPENDING $32 MILLION TO CREATE EMPTY LOT

A coalition of good government and fiscal responsibility advocates,
environmentalists and historic preservationists will assemble at 5:00 pm
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 outside the Ameritrust Tower, located at East
9th Street between Euclid and Prospect Avenues, to protest the Cuyahoga
County Commissioners' plan to raze the building.

Last year the Commissioners purchased the 29-story tower designed by
world- renowned architect Marcel Breuer for $21 million. Demolition,
including asbestos abatement, is estimated to cost $11 million. On the
surface this appears to be a $32,000,000 expenditure to create an empty
lot. Upon closer examination the costs associated with the commissioners
plan exceed this.

The coalition is picketing in order to call attention to the fact that
Commissioners Tim Hagan and Jimmy Dimora ignored input from their fellow
Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones and architectural experts who objected
to the proposed project from the standpoint of its cost and the loss to
Cleveland's skyline of one of its historically significant buildings.
The coalition is opposed to the demolition of the tower, whether the
site is used to create a new county administration center or not.

Total cost for building the new county administration complex has been
estimated at $164 million with contracts of $10 million and $13.5
million already awarded to R.P. Carbone Construction and Robert P.
Madison International, Architects. It is likely that the estimated cost
is too low and will increase during construction.

Dimora and Hagan have said they want the new administration building to
be “green” or “sustainable”. Destruction of the Ameritrust Tower, and
the resultant waste of its “embodied energy” effectively cancels-out any
legitimate claim the project may make to environmental responsibility.

The “embodied” energy contained in the structure can be estimated at 15
gallons of gasoline per square foot; equal to approximately $11,000,000.
Discounting the other environmental costs associated with the demolition
of the tower, this figure brings the total amount of wasted public funds
to well over $44,000,000.

Now, the event is a "black and white" affair, wear monochromatic clothing, office attire, etc. Show a little white collar support. While I think that a lot of the people going would be in the architecture profession and therefore only be wearing black (its SLIMMING!) - and I don't have any black and/or white only clothes (since I am only an INTERN) the turnout will hopefully raise some eyebrows.

I originally vamped on an idea with some chaps about dressing up like buildings (envision painted refrigerator boxes) and then having someone with a philly cheese-steak hanging out of their mouth bash on the dressed up fellahs with a foam baseball bat.

Many were not amused with that idea, they said it was too literal. Perhaps we can save it for a later date.

HI-atus

Right, then. A bit of personal news before you all get knotted up. I have been slacking on my interwebbernet duties as of late because I have been concentrating on my |re|Design Cleveland submission, my Cleveland Design Competition and busting my hump at the office.

Now I am going on vacation. I won't be back until, um, lets just say Monday.

Until then, this is what I will be expecting.

The County revamps the Breuer Trust Tower proposal to include a skybridge to the Terminal Tower. This means that the top 22 floors of the Terminal Tower will have to be demolished to accommodate the as of yet, undesigned skyway. There may, or may not be, a new Zeppelin dock installed.

There will be the creation of 43 separate art districts inside the proposed Design District. Still no Chipotle downtown though.

The city planning commission will pass into law that no new residences may be built within city limits unless finished in a 3 tone EIFS and brick facade with absolutely no flashing. Oh, you know what I am talking about, don't even pretend. It's FANTASTIC!

GCRTA will not be able to afford any stops for the Euclid Corridor due to budget cuts. This will allow the Silver Line to run the entire length of it's run in half the originally projected time.

University Circle will completely wall off their district, complete with catapults and a moat. (Who could blame them?)

Public Square will become completely uninhabitable due to Godzilla-esque monsters attacking. Nobody notices.

A new casino opens up, completely solving the Cleveland school's budget problems. Just in time to buy books for the three kids still enrolled in the public school program.

ODOT solves all the innerbelt problems, efficiently and under budget.

Carl Monday investigates something nobody cares about. Meanwhile, the search continues for Karl Rove's missing ho. I hope someone finds her.











Peace, I'm out.

Business of Green - Green business blog

There is usually a continuing dialog when someone mentions or introduces an intent to live a more ecologically sound lifestyle or implement a more sustainable plan for development whether it be in building design, business or consumption of goods, that there is an inherent cost surcharge associated with it.

While recent history has not bore out this assumption it is difficult to quantify exactly how "green" you can become for "free" or how much short term investment will yield in the long term. If any of this sounds remotely exciting, or you have a penchant for business with a wicked green slant I suggest you check out the Business of Green business blog. Discussion runs from consumption to green business practices, globalization to recent environmental legislation. Each post is really just a teaser, a taste to get dialog started which then requires input from the readers.

While this approach may not alway yield the most fruitful results, it is rather interesting and with exposure I expect this idea to take root and grow into thoughtful and deliciously insightful conversation that could prove rather useful to those with an interest in sustainability and business practices.

Green Energy Ohio - Cleveland Office-Warming Party

Thursday, April 26
The Cleveland City Club Building
Tenth Floor
6.15pm - 7.30pm

"Join GEO for the offical opening of the new GEO office on the tenth floor of The Cleveland City Club Building located at 850 Euclid Ave in downtown Cleveland. Hear Executive Director, Bill Spratley, talk about the latest news on renewable energy, network with like-minded individuals, win door prizes, and enjoy good food provided by GEO staff. All volunteers, members, and friends are welcome! RSVP to Athan Barkoukis at Athan@greenenergyohio.org or (216) 526-5545."

Link

I admit, when I first read this I thought there was a little tongue in cheek climate joke there about global warming. I guess I was wrong, however I think those could be some fun parties to throw, especially with the weather getting nicer, etc. Just something to think about.

Regardless, Green Energy Ohio is continually improving getting their message out about promoting economically sustainable and environmental energy policies. Definitely something to pay attention to.

Happy pre-Earth Day!

Seriously kids, get out of the house and enjoy this strange Cleveland sun! Celebrate what you have. You better hurry.

Earthday.net which could be helpful in finding local going-ons for the weekend, I am not really going to spend time inside trying to find stuff online, I am getting back outside as soon as I can. I think something is going on at the Cleveland Zoo, I am also thinking you could tune up your bike and go for a ride, maybe grill out some delicious veggie dogs and talk to your neighbors.

Rawk.

Extemp. on "what is a Jersey Devil?"

For all the fans out there in the "blogosphere" no doubt awaiting another nail biting and poignant post I sleepily offer up a short discourse on Mr. Steve Badanes' recent and wonderful lecture at CSU regarding architect's role as builders, teachers and environmental stewards. First off I would like to openly berate those of you that did not attend, if only because it was a nice respite from the traditional pragmatic (d0gmatic?) approach that designers take and may have hearkened back to a time when you (now) fondly remember staying up all night, sneaking (questionable) beverages up into the studio as you attempted to stay awake enough to finalize a presentable thought for your next review/presentation/etc. It may have awoken some dreams that once were held dear and allowed you to justify "wasting" your college experience in an actual classroom instead of going to those great parties that everyone told you you just missed. It may have given you some hope. Maybe.

Things I learned (in no order and probably not in any sort of rationally, thought out manner):
-Utilizing community groups and educational classes as a catalyst to accomplish good, cheap and impactful urban projects that may be an important key for this damnable city.
-"Hands on" IS an extremely overlooked tool for most design schools. Personally I think that many buy into the lifestyle of architecture and design. They want to be known for having thought of something instead of really having done it. There may be a worthwhile way to explore a hands on approach such as Badanes' Yestermorrow, UW's Design/Build Studio and of course Rural Studio that may bring back the joy of creation and wonder to the design profession.
-When in doubt, one should get in there, get dirty and figure it out. There is a vast world of applied research that could explored through construction. I know the world of liability and litigation are fraught with danger and guile but that doesn't mean that prototyping and testing should be immediately thrown out. I understand that there are still some firms that truly believe in building mock ups and models and still "playing" with design but I worry that there are even more who will not exact the impetus needed to further studies of construction, spatial behavior and discovery that invigorate creative thought. I was asked the other night if I thought that working at a certain place made me less creative because I was forced to be constantly pragmatic and vigilant in guaranteeing a product that could be considered the less risk taking, less offensive but undoubtedly a less exciting solution and I had to admit it did. In fact, it took me a while to get back to the comfortable level of not listening to the remnants of past voices that would attempt to tell me what I couldn't do. Now when told that something is impossible I want to know WHY. Prove to me it doesn't work and then maybe I will begin to study why YOU think the way YOU do so I can work on a solution.
-The automotive industry, for ever how sluggish they have become to respond to global environmental and economic dissidence still are way ahead of the traditional design and building community when it comes to use, application and stewardship. Look up some fun figures on building performance and automotive performance and then argue against that.

I could quite possibly go on for quite some time but I am exhausted from the week thus far and would rather let you know that you could watch the whole dang thing right here, eventually.

Which you should do. Because it was awesome. Really.

- BONUS FEATURE -
Watch out for fun quotes, there will be many you will try to remember to impress your friends.

Wind powered street lighting

I was going to write a very exciting treatise about integrated firms and the loss arts of craftsmanship and renaissance but instead decided to write about silly wind turbine street lamps.

Why? Because I thought a little humour would be apt with the terrible-ness goings on right about now. So, without further ado, powering your streetlights with wind, or when an electrical engineer watches Disney movies with their kids while loaded.

I think this thing is actually by railroad tracks and gets powered when a passing trains turns the turbine. Seriously, if I saw this on a street I might actually get mad. Basically about the ugliest wind fixture I have seen yet.

No doubt Cleveland ordered 50 for the Euclid Corridor.

Frank the Gehry coming to Cleveland

Wednesday April 25th at 5:30 p.m.
Bank of America Conference Center InterContinental Hotel, Cleveland Clinic

As part of the Ideas for Tomorrow - speaker series Mr. Peter B. Lewis and Frank Gehry will be holding a forum/lecture at the InterContinental Hotel. Both names may sound familiar is you have at all heard about the Peter B. Lewis Building : Weatherhead school of Management designed by Frank Gehry.

Hosted by The Cleveland Clinic with support from Cleveland chapter of the AIA

registration

Not environmental nor Cleveland related but definately about design tools

Ripped from the headlines

A group called The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) were apparently sitting around a pub one evening, no doubt luxuriating in a glass of the good stuff when it dawned on someone that their pint glass wasn't quite full. They (relatively) quickly got off their duffs, conducted a survey, and discovered that over 25% of drinks poured at pubs contained at least 5% less beer then they should have. Camra is estimating the discrepancy at 481 million pounds ($956,305,471.74) a year (someone check that math).

Camra has called the shortcomings "a disgrace" and have begun an online petition to "end short beer measures".

Seriously. THIS is news.

thanks to the Bradford for the heads up.

Low Calorie Diet - Local film about local food

Monday, April 16th, Hallock Auditorium, 7:30pm

Lewis Environmental Studies Center, 122 Elm Street, Oberlin College

Wednesday, May 9th, Talkies Coffee House, 6:00pm

2521 Market Street, Ohio City, across from Great Lakes Brewing Company

There is a noticeable disconnect as we continuously de-evolve into consuming prepackaged and preprepared meals. Food comes to us "quicker" and "cleaner" or at least boxed and bagged to make us think so. The joy of cooking is slipping from the grasp of the typical American family and being replaced with eating from glossy containers with a growing absence of communication and interaction between family members.

Bit by bit you can see people start to wonder, consciously, why that is. Why are we constantly rushed? Why is it that meal time is taken so for granted? Why is ordering a pizza really better then making a dinner together? With all the time saving kitchen technology we have at our disposal, why is the phone the most used? What the heck are the ingredients in this stuff?

Most importantly, why is it so hard to figure out where our food is coming from?

Check out the trailor for The Low Calorie Diet and if your interest in local urban community farms and community farms project is piqued, check out the showings listed above.

This is all part of the New Agrarian Center that I am so happy about, especially as the City Fresh program is up and running again.

Stewardship, community, education, nutrition, these are building blocks for a new and healthy urban economy and they are not as overlooked as one might fear. Of course neither are they as accessible as they ought to be.