Selected Song: THE SOLAR POWERED LIFE by The Classic Crime
In the next few years, The United States will likley be the world's largest market for solar power. The prices for solar panels have dropped up to forty percent, mostly due to more supply than demand due to the economy. The cost of a five-kilowatt solar rooftop has dropped from $22,000 to $16,000 in the last 18 months. Prices should fall to $13,000 by the end of the year. Federal incentives could include a renewable energy standard, which would require utilities across the country to use renewable energy. Also, a national standard for connecting solar installations to the grid could be possible.
Experts think that many solar projects over the next several years won't succeed, up to 75 percent, due to the infancy of the industry. Smaller solar projects have a better chance than large solar farms, due to these needing to meet land-permit requirements and having to utilize transmission lines. By 2013, the U.S. could account for 25 percent of the world's solar market, up from about 8 percent today. The last part of this article states that, The growing U.S. market has started to attract solar manufacturing. Suntech Power, for example, which currently makes all of its solar panels in China, is building a solar factory in Phoenix this year. "We're the first Chinese company to export jobs to the U.S.," Efird says.
Read the full two page article U.S. Solar Market
Novel tie-in: A homesite development is equipped with solar-powered roofs.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld; Video Trailer
Selected Song: LEVIATHAN by James Newton Howard
Hardcover
448 pages
Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781416971733
Leviathan is set in 1914, where the world is on the bring of World War I. Only in this alternate history the war involves the British and French "beasties", genetically engineered creatures that function as war machines and the Germans and Autrians have the "clankers", steampunk and oil contraptions of all kinds that battle against the metal and flesh of the beasties.
The first of two main characters are Aleksandar Ferdinand whose father was an assassinated heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now Alek, an Austrain prince, is hunted by those who murdered his parents. The other main character is Deryn Sharp, the British daughter of an airman, who disguises herself as a boy and uses the name Dylan so that she can enlist in the British Air Service.
This fantastical story is filled imaginative creatures, inventive gadgets, and engaging characters that are across the lands that Alek and Dylan journey through to reach their goals and becomes allies of not only their countries but of each other. Scott Westerfeld has imagined a vivid and adventurous world that is the first book in a trilogy. The other two will be Behemoth and Goliath.
Hardcover
448 pages
Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781416971733
Leviathan is set in 1914, where the world is on the bring of World War I. Only in this alternate history the war involves the British and French "beasties", genetically engineered creatures that function as war machines and the Germans and Autrians have the "clankers", steampunk and oil contraptions of all kinds that battle against the metal and flesh of the beasties.
The first of two main characters are Aleksandar Ferdinand whose father was an assassinated heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now Alek, an Austrain prince, is hunted by those who murdered his parents. The other main character is Deryn Sharp, the British daughter of an airman, who disguises herself as a boy and uses the name Dylan so that she can enlist in the British Air Service.
This fantastical story is filled imaginative creatures, inventive gadgets, and engaging characters that are across the lands that Alek and Dylan journey through to reach their goals and becomes allies of not only their countries but of each other. Scott Westerfeld has imagined a vivid and adventurous world that is the first book in a trilogy. The other two will be Behemoth and Goliath.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Steampunk
Selected Song: THE ANIMUS by Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction and one usually set in 19th century Victorian era England. The genre began in the late 1980's and the term coined by K. W. Jeter who wrote Infernal Devices. Although the true roots can be found in works by Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Mary Shelley, as they had created fictional technology, whereas contemporary writers have used real technological inventions such as computers and the setting taking place either after the Industrial Revolution or near the start of it. Films have portrayed these worlds such as in the movie Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Van Helsing and also in anime as with Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky and Steamboy. Among books and films, the steampunk culture has a vast variety of offerings, ranging from designs of all kinds to social events.
Explore the world of steampunk!
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction and one usually set in 19th century Victorian era England. The genre began in the late 1980's and the term coined by K. W. Jeter who wrote Infernal Devices. Although the true roots can be found in works by Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Mary Shelley, as they had created fictional technology, whereas contemporary writers have used real technological inventions such as computers and the setting taking place either after the Industrial Revolution or near the start of it. Films have portrayed these worlds such as in the movie Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Van Helsing and also in anime as with Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky and Steamboy. Among books and films, the steampunk culture has a vast variety of offerings, ranging from designs of all kinds to social events.
Explore the world of steampunk!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Steam Train Powered by Vegetable Oil; Video
Selected Songs: STEEL RAILS by Mike Headrick
POWERED BY STEAM by Chris Murphy (below video)
With the help of recycled vegetable oil, steam has drifted into the 21st century trailing behind the smoke stack of a locomotive. The Grand Canyon Railway is looking forward to having an eco-friendly railway. On Sept. 17th in 1901, trains began traveling to the Grand Canyon and the railway continued to operate until 1968. There has been much research for the last twenty years and throughout the world to put into motion the plans for future steam powered locomotives. Below the video is a link to a website with many links for modern steam locomotive developments. This video has some nice footage of trains and scenery, as well as being informative. To view this video in full screen click on the four arrows next to the volume.
internationalsteam.co.uk
POWERED BY STEAM by Chris Murphy (below video)
With the help of recycled vegetable oil, steam has drifted into the 21st century trailing behind the smoke stack of a locomotive. The Grand Canyon Railway is looking forward to having an eco-friendly railway. On Sept. 17th in 1901, trains began traveling to the Grand Canyon and the railway continued to operate until 1968. There has been much research for the last twenty years and throughout the world to put into motion the plans for future steam powered locomotives. Below the video is a link to a website with many links for modern steam locomotive developments. This video has some nice footage of trains and scenery, as well as being informative. To view this video in full screen click on the four arrows next to the volume.
internationalsteam.co.uk
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
Paperback
416 pages
Tor Books
ISBN: 9780765318411
Boneshaker is a steampunk adventure set in late 1800’s Seattle Washington where the downtown district had been destroyed by a drill tunneling machine called the Boneshaker. Briar Wilkes is the widow of Leviticus Blue, the machine’s creator, and has a son named Ezekiel (Zeke) who ventures away from his home in The Outskirts and into the Blight infected downtown to seek answers and to clear his father’s name. He enters into the city through a large drainage pipe that's soon crushed from an earthquake. Each chapter from this point switches from Zeke and his mother on their journey; his in finding the truth and hers in finding him. In the way are thieves, zombies, pirates with an airship and all have to deal with the heroic determination of both Briar and Zeke who try to find thier way and clear Leviticus's name.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Engineers Making Air Travel Greener
Selected Song: FLIGHT by Cirque Du Soleil
The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council is funding a project that will greatly reduce carbon emissions during air travel. Carbon fibers will be used in the development and manufacturing of lighter, yet highly durable, wing panels that will lower the cost and usage of fuel while reducing CO2 emissions. Also, the use of biofuels in aircraft can potenitally reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80 percent. The aviation transport industry releases two percent of man-made carbon dioxide.
Read more of this article on Making Air Travel Greener
Helen's great uncle owns and pilots a Cesna airplane.
The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council is funding a project that will greatly reduce carbon emissions during air travel. Carbon fibers will be used in the development and manufacturing of lighter, yet highly durable, wing panels that will lower the cost and usage of fuel while reducing CO2 emissions. Also, the use of biofuels in aircraft can potenitally reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80 percent. The aviation transport industry releases two percent of man-made carbon dioxide.
Read more of this article on Making Air Travel Greener
Helen's great uncle owns and pilots a Cesna airplane.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Artwalk and More in Downtown Jacksonville; Videos Link
On the first Wednesday's of the month, the Art Walk (5pm-9pm) is showcased downtown at historic Hemming Plaza in front of the Main Library and MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) where local artists, musicians and performers converge to share their talents to a crowd of hundreds. Free snacks and wine-tasting are also available. Amid this cultural and festive atmosphere are walk-in galleries, museums, restaurants and clubs. The Landing riverfront, four blocks away, also offers some of these venues.
If you've ever tried to paint or do paint, imagine painting (at a professional standard) without the use of your hands. Tony Ryals, a quadriplegic, has painted from a young age while holding a brush in his mouth. While a student at Paxon Jr. High he sold his first detailed drawing for $50 and soon after, his art was selling and competing in fine art shows. His main gallery is at The Landing (orange roofing in photo). Tony's amazing story and many paintings are at his main art website: www.artistofhope.com. His painting themes range from Marine Life, Coastal Scenery and Animals to other outdoor themes and Spiritual.
The Artwalk in downtown Jacksonville: YouTube videos
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Civil War, WWII and The Art of War
Selected Song: FREEDOM by Michael W. Smith
These books from my collection feature not only facts from these wars, but also offer replica memoribilia. The first is FLORIDA IN THE CIVIL WAR and the following is a summary of the back cover copy: Florida was the third state to secede from the Union and with a 6,000 mile coastline it was difficult to defend. However, citizens struggled over the issue, as war was not wanted now that the state had a diminished role within the Confederacy. Despite these problems, Florida provided provisions that kept the Southern armies going. Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital in the east to stay out of Union hands until after the war. This book has many first-person accounts that bring to life the rich history of Florida's participation in the Civil War.
The next book, subtitled as LETTERS OF THE CIVIL WAR, has authentic replica letters written by both Confederate and Union soldiers. The book provides a compelling history that supplement the documents.
The World War II book below also contains twenty removable authentic replica letters and other documents from life during wartime. The D-DAY EXPERIENCE, with an extended title, from The Invasion to The Liberation of Paris, offers over thirty facsimile items that include maps, diaries, letters, secret memos, reports, posters and logbooks. All had once been filed, exhibited in the Imperial War Museum or kept in private collections around the world. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history that took place on June 6th 1944, involved over a million men from the U.S., Britian, Canada, France, Poland and Germany.
Similar to the previous collection, AMERICA AT WAR contains twenty-four authentic replicas from the home front to the front lines. Two interesting items among these are The ID card of General George Patton, A letter from Albert Einstein to President Roosevelt warning of Germany's attempts to develop the atomic bomb. THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu, a Chinese general, covers many principles of war.
Other Posts: The Art of Writing and Artwalk in Downtown Jacksonville
These books from my collection feature not only facts from these wars, but also offer replica memoribilia. The first is FLORIDA IN THE CIVIL WAR and the following is a summary of the back cover copy: Florida was the third state to secede from the Union and with a 6,000 mile coastline it was difficult to defend. However, citizens struggled over the issue, as war was not wanted now that the state had a diminished role within the Confederacy. Despite these problems, Florida provided provisions that kept the Southern armies going. Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital in the east to stay out of Union hands until after the war. This book has many first-person accounts that bring to life the rich history of Florida's participation in the Civil War.
The next book, subtitled as LETTERS OF THE CIVIL WAR, has authentic replica letters written by both Confederate and Union soldiers. The book provides a compelling history that supplement the documents.
The World War II book below also contains twenty removable authentic replica letters and other documents from life during wartime. The D-DAY EXPERIENCE, with an extended title, from The Invasion to The Liberation of Paris, offers over thirty facsimile items that include maps, diaries, letters, secret memos, reports, posters and logbooks. All had once been filed, exhibited in the Imperial War Museum or kept in private collections around the world. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history that took place on June 6th 1944, involved over a million men from the U.S., Britian, Canada, France, Poland and Germany.
Similar to the previous collection, AMERICA AT WAR contains twenty-four authentic replicas from the home front to the front lines. Two interesting items among these are The ID card of General George Patton, A letter from Albert Einstein to President Roosevelt warning of Germany's attempts to develop the atomic bomb. THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu, a Chinese general, covers many principles of war.
Other Posts: The Art of Writing and Artwalk in Downtown Jacksonville
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
