There’s something about solar power, and any renewable energy source, that inspires an inventive spirit. It speaks to a spirit of consideration and generosity, where personal responsibility is taken into account for the resources that human beings use. It seems to bring out the best in people. In a time when California solar companies are capable of providing energy for people’s homes, there’s no end to the resourcefulness of this same spirit of invention.

Solar technology is not new by any means, but it has taken many recent leaps that put it at the fore of promising new renewable resources. For decades before now, there have been attempts to perfect the solar cell, and now it’s finally at a point where its potential is available for widespread use. But earlier attempts have also inspired a similar resourcefulness.

There have been some odd solar inventions in the past, and that’s still true today. The solar powered Wunda Weeder may not look entirely user-friendly, but the idea of lying down to weed a large area has a certain appeal. There are always new inventions on the way, as well, and there’s no telling what the future will hold, but it does indeed look bright.

Solar Power and the Spirit of Invention is a post from: Turn Five

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Volcanoes conjure up images of a time long ago, perhaps Pompeii or faraway places on the world map. But, volcanic activity on the United States map and especially Alaska is not the first thing that comes to mind. Scientists and seismologists are now speculating that a volcano in Anchorage, Alaska is on the verge of eruption. The Alaskan volcano, which has previously erupted, named Mt. Redoubt has been active for a millennium and has erupted five times since 1900.

The first early report of the volcanic eruption was in 1778 by Captain James Cook. In 1989 the most violent eruption was recorded, where the volcano erupted December 14, 1989 and continued to erupt for six months. The volcano last erupted violently on March 22, 2009 late in the evening. It was the first eruption in 20 years, since the 1989 explosions.

This year the scientists spotted a hole in the side of the glacier side of the volcano and began to monitor seismic data 24 hours a day to be sure it could warn surrounding communities of the threat. The Alaska Volcano Observatory then decided to change the threat of the volcano to an alert level of orange.

The emissions from eruptions of this kind mainly consist of water vapor, but can also contain carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which can be harmful to children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems.

Scientists fear that the seismic activity is similar to that of the series of the 1989 to 1990 eruptions. There is a growing lava dome that has been steadily increasing.

The volcano last showed a significant eruption on April 4, 2009 and is looking as if it will erupt again at any moment. Mount Redoubt is proving to be one of the most actively monitored volcanoes on the US map currently and residents watch and hope everyday that eruptions of 20 years ago will not be repeated.

Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt could erupt again is a post from: Turn Five

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Next Day Blinds has announced a new policy that enables them to replace their extensive fleet of cars with energy efficient hybrids. Next Day Blinds announced in May of 2008, only high-mileage hybrid vehicles will be considered for fleet additions and replacement vehicles. Over time, Next Day Blinds intends to replace their existing non-hybrid vehicles with hybrids. Their goal is to reduce gasoline consumption as part of a larger energy conservation initiative.

A total of 8 vehicles have already been replaced with hybrids, before the implementation of this policy. As leases for their retail fleet vehicles expired, they were replaced with hybrid Camrys. In addition, four vehicles from the measuring fleet have already been replaced with Priuses. Next Day Blinds estimates that roughly 30% of its fleet will be converted to energy-efficient hybrid vehicles by the end of the year, and 50% by the end of 2009.

Roughly sixty percent of the existing Washington-area fleet of nearly one hundred vehicles is comprised of cars, with the balance being cargo vans and box trucks. “We are adding hybrids to our fleet on an ongoing basis and are targeting replacement for the majority of our cars by the end of 2009,” said Meghan Hodge, the Director of Marketing for Next Day Blinds. “We are hoping suitable replacements will become available for our full-size trucks and vans at some point in the future”

www.NextDayBlinds.com — Next Day Blinds is a high quality manufacturer of custom blinds, shades and shutters. Made for your home right here at home.

Next Day Blinds to Have Majority of Vehicle Fleet be Hybrids by End of 2009 is a post from: Turn Five

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The New York Botanic Gardens sits in the middle of the Bronx, in the city of Manhattan, between bustling city streets, New York business hotels and busy highways. In the coming years, visitors will experience beauty and growth in the garden as never seen in the past. Many sections of the garden are undergoing restoration, with help and funding by such patrons as the Leon Levy foundation and the generous grants provided by Richard and Maureen Chilton. The firm of Oehme, van Sweden and Assoc. will be re-designing sections of the garden. This world renown company is known for their beautiful and inspirational works in the natural world. In 2012, the entire project will be completed, with various stages being completed along the way and in the next few years.

There are three major projects being tackled, each one with the specific intention of restoring the natural plant life as well as promoting the education of the public. Educational aspects will focus on the development of sustainable resources in order to protect the cities natural forests, as well as the natural forests and ecosystems in all the world. As well as historical accounts and plant life indigenous to the Eastern parts of the United States. One way the garden is addressing this issue is by cleaning out the natural forest section within the garden itself. Over the years the exotic plants have moved in and strangled the natural growth. Landscapers are in the process of removing and relocating the exotics, and replanting the native shrubbery, wild flowers and trees. This project’s intention is to restore and celebrate the diversity and the natural beauty of the eastern wildlife. This will become the center for the educational programs on the environment.

The Azalea garden will also be re-vamped. This section alone, is already than most city gardens around the world. As it stands, it far outshines others in terms of color and beauty. By 2011, 3,500 more plants and flowers will be added, with alternated blooming schedules to provide hillsides of color and delight all year around. And known as the ‘Heart of the Garden’, the eighty-five acres in the very middle of the Garden is home to various specious of native plant life, fast moving rapids and rushing waterfalls, dramatic mountains and cliffs, displays of historic gardens and ancient areas of trees. This area will be reinvigorated over the next seven years and will amaze and delight the public when the entire project celebrates the grand re-opening late in the summer of 2012.

Renovation in the Heart of the Bronx is a post from: Turn Five

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A late season inferno claimed the life of one and injured at least six others along Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. The blaze, which began Tuesday night near the Rhodes Memorial was largely contained by Wednesday night.

The one life lost was a man who received third-degree burns from the fire. He later died in a local hospital. A woman who was admitted with him remained in ‘unstable condition” as of Wednesday night. Five firefighters also sustained injuries while battling the blaze.

Tourists found the cableway on Table Mountain closed on Wednesday morning due to the fire. A number of roads in the area were also closed and some residents were evacuated from the City Bowl area, where schools were closed for the day. By afternoon the cableway was back in service, offering visitors staying at any Cape Town luxury hotel the ability to return to the peak.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and firefighters will remain on “high alert” on Table Mountain for the next few days. No property damage was reported and the plantlife in the area is expected to benefit from burn.

Fire Above Cape Town Kills One is a post from: Turn Five

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