Finding Pat Galbraith’s home in Belgravia is easy. The artist’s
fascination with stone is visible halfway down the older, residential
street. That’s because one of her earliest works — a boulder-sized,
concrete sculpture she based on the letter “A” and calls Alpha — rests
in the front yard.
Pat and her husband Bernie started planning
their dream home after recurrent flooding and cracking of the foundation
of their 1950s semi-bungalow could no longer be ignored.
Sadly, the day they signed on with a contractor to replace the home, Home energy monitor Bernie received news of a dire cancer prognosis.
“I
just thought, why would we not continue? This was something we were
both looking forward to,” says Pat, adding that it gave them both
something positive to focus on.
The couple proceeded with plans
to rent the house across the street, and settled in to watch their
vision come to life. They wanted to create a bright, accessible,
low-maintenance, energy-efficient home that they could live in
“forever.”
“Bernie lived to see the framing of the house,” says Pat.
His
dream home included a central airy core, to take advantage of north and
south light, and to provide a place for “the dog to run circles
around,” adds Pat with a laugh.
The accomplished sculptor is
often invited to judge international competitions, and her passion for
design and shape is evident throughout the home. For instance, at the
large front entryway, Home energy management a striking horizontal line of assorted brushed stainless steel planks screens the central staircase and reflects light.
The
main-floor kitchen is dominated by a 15-foot curved island also clad in
brushed stainless steel. Its inspiration was a circular bar carved out
of ice that caught Pat’s eye at a sculpting competition in Ottawa.
“To
accommodate a couple of people and a potential wheelchair, I just took
an arch of it and stretched it,” says Pat. A nook at one end provides
seating for two on shiny white leather-and-chrome, high-backed stools.
The
room is tiled in rectangular, warm mid-grey porcelain that has already
proven itself as “amazingly dense” and forgiving when one of her small,
but heavy bronze sculptures took a tumble.
The countertops are
granite, accented by pomegranate-coloured flecks of industrial garnet
embedded in the soft grey-and-brown surface.
The couple designed
the home with the help of architect Anneliese Fris, who was “very
receptive” to their input. They also consulted friends and other
new-home owners.
Pat says everyone they asked loved having a
walk-in pantry but universally wished the space was bigger. So the rear
room is large enough to include a tall, wooden work bench Pat found at
Home Depot. This pantry/workspace is also “perfect” for large
appliances, and muted-glass cupboards from Ikea open to reveal clear
glass shelves, so everything stored up high is visible from below.
Floor-to-ceiling
windows and glass french doors throughout the main floor provide
natural light year-round. Deep window ledges are display areas for Pat’s
prolific and diverse work along with favourite collections, including
sculptures by Charles Hilton.
Afternoon light filtering into her large office casts wonderful shadows from her early pieces and creations,Power monitor including a bestselling teapot based on a part of the male anatomy.
An
elevator installed discretely behind the main staircase ensures that
the home is fully accessible. Closet-like doors reveal the small,
wood-panelled lift, which Pat uses regularly to shuttle laundry to and
from the basement.
In the second-floor master bedroom, a polished
sled-style, cherry wood bed — that between moving and storage took Pat
seven years to finish — beckons. “I was going to carve angels from the
Hansel and Gretel opera at my head and feet, but I never got around to
doing that. If I get around to carving it, that’s fine, and if I don’t,
that’s fine too.”
Pat tiled the ensuite bathroom herself. A bench
in the large, glass, walk-in shower was on Bernie’s “must-have” list.
She loves relaxing in the shiny white, claw-foot tub with dainty
silver-capped feet.
The vibrant 70-year-old says this floor is
where she spends the most time, because it is home to her large studio.
Her previous studio was in the garage, where “there was no room left for
a breath, let alone an idea.”
2013年4月27日 星期六
The goal of the annual science festival
As regular hikers in the Santa Monica Mountains, Alison Watters and
her two young children were in familiar territory Saturday at the fourth
annual Science Fest at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills.
“This event increases awareness of this area, and it’s right in our own backyard,” said Watters, of Calabasas, who came with her 6-year-old son Jack and 8-year-old daughter Mason.
The family was among an estimated 4,000 children and adults from Los Angeles and Ventura counties who gathered for the festival,Home energy monitor which featured numerous hands-on activities with scientists, live animal shows and other attractions.
“I liked the animal show the best,” Mason said. “The bobcat was the biggest and really really cool.”
Saturday’s event was hosted by the National Park Service and co-sponsored by the Children’s Nature Institute, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, NatureBridge, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund and the UCLA La Kretz Center.
Highlights included marine touch tanks, guided hikes with uniformed park rangers and a live kelp dive broadcast from Channel Islands National Park. Presentations covered topics including the ecology and conservation of wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as chaparral,Home energy management California’s most extensive ecosystem.
A children’s corner with science-based arts and crafts gave youngsters the chance to tear apart an owl pellet to learn what it ate. They also made animal masks and oak leaf prints, as well as nature bracelets and bookmarks.
“This event is very well-done,” said Karen Post, of Oak Park, who came with her husband and three sons, ages 4, 3 and 1. “At this age, they are naturally interested in science, so they pick it up really well.”
“I got an email this morning about this event and my children wanted to come,” said Almaguer, whose children engaged in fossil guessing and other activities. “This is much better than staying at home with video games.”
Linda Valois, a park ranger,Power monitor staffed an archaeology station that featured tools made out of deer bones and flint and rope made from a yucca plant.
“We want to children to know that Native Americans didn’t have stores — they had to make their own tools,” Valois said. “It helps them understand the concept of finding things in nature to create what they need. Life was much harder back then.”
The goal of the annual science festival is to build stewardship of nature through science, and to introduce new audiences to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, spokesperson Kate Kuykendall said.
“We have lots of locals who may already be familiar with the great open space opportunities in Santa Monica Mountains,” said Kuykendall, further noting that the area is a unit of a national park system that encompasses more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
“Exposure to the outdoors in general, especially given the nature deficit that has been well-documented among today’s young people, is very important,” Kuykendall said.
“This event increases awareness of this area, and it’s right in our own backyard,” said Watters, of Calabasas, who came with her 6-year-old son Jack and 8-year-old daughter Mason.
The family was among an estimated 4,000 children and adults from Los Angeles and Ventura counties who gathered for the festival,Home energy monitor which featured numerous hands-on activities with scientists, live animal shows and other attractions.
“I liked the animal show the best,” Mason said. “The bobcat was the biggest and really really cool.”
Saturday’s event was hosted by the National Park Service and co-sponsored by the Children’s Nature Institute, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, NatureBridge, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund and the UCLA La Kretz Center.
Highlights included marine touch tanks, guided hikes with uniformed park rangers and a live kelp dive broadcast from Channel Islands National Park. Presentations covered topics including the ecology and conservation of wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as chaparral,Home energy management California’s most extensive ecosystem.
A children’s corner with science-based arts and crafts gave youngsters the chance to tear apart an owl pellet to learn what it ate. They also made animal masks and oak leaf prints, as well as nature bracelets and bookmarks.
“This event is very well-done,” said Karen Post, of Oak Park, who came with her husband and three sons, ages 4, 3 and 1. “At this age, they are naturally interested in science, so they pick it up really well.”
“I got an email this morning about this event and my children wanted to come,” said Almaguer, whose children engaged in fossil guessing and other activities. “This is much better than staying at home with video games.”
Linda Valois, a park ranger,Power monitor staffed an archaeology station that featured tools made out of deer bones and flint and rope made from a yucca plant.
“We want to children to know that Native Americans didn’t have stores — they had to make their own tools,” Valois said. “It helps them understand the concept of finding things in nature to create what they need. Life was much harder back then.”
The goal of the annual science festival is to build stewardship of nature through science, and to introduce new audiences to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, spokesperson Kate Kuykendall said.
“We have lots of locals who may already be familiar with the great open space opportunities in Santa Monica Mountains,” said Kuykendall, further noting that the area is a unit of a national park system that encompasses more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
“Exposure to the outdoors in general, especially given the nature deficit that has been well-documented among today’s young people, is very important,” Kuykendall said.
2013年4月25日 星期四
Formatting a World With No Secrets
Picture this rosy scenario for your high-tech future: You awaken
because your curtains open automatically, your coffee maker starts
brewing and your bed administers a subtle hint in the form of a back
massage. Your closet, having scanned your calendar, coughs up a freshly
cleaned suit for the big meeting today. You head for the kitchen while
reading the day’s news as a translucent holographic display. Thanks to
motion detection, Home energy monitor it stays right in front of you as you walk.
And when you stub your toe — because you will, pal, if you wander around scanning eye-level holograms — you can use a diagnostics app on your mobile device to see whether it’s broken. Speaking of your feet, you will have a smartshoe that pinches you to keep you from lingering over breakfast and being late for your meeting. Neither human error nor human nature will interfere with your gratingly perfect morning.
If this is the happiest news delivered by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen in “The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business,” imagine what the bad news is like. Actually, you don’t have to: the authors have come up with memorably batty examples. They say that the future will be a tough time to be a Malawian witch doctor because when everyone in the world has access to digital information,Home energy management the witch doctors’ authority will be contradicted. It will also be hard to be a warlord in eastern Congo if warlords are touchy about negative publicity.
Maybe they are. “The New Digital Age” is much more prescient and provocative than it is silly. Its thinking got a little less futuristic when last week’s Boston Marathon bombings turned crowdsourcing and cameras into high-speed methods of needle-in-a-haystack detection.
The collaboration between Mr. Schmidt, the executive chairman (and former chief operating officer) of Google, and Mr. Cohen, a foreign-relations expert and director of Google Ideas, is meant to explore the ways in which technology and diplomacy will intersect. “There is a canyon dividing people who understand technology and people charged with addressing the world’s toughest geopolitical issues, Power monitor and no one has built a bridge,” they write.
The most frightening and important sections deal with the futures of war and terrorism, and it is here that the authors sound most assured. Until now, they point out, it has been relatively easy to use scare tactics and Web charisma to mobilize acolytes. But a new accountability is coming, and a wired, well-informed public will be able to tell the difference between stardom and wisdom. “The consequence of having more citizens informed and connected is that they’ll be as critical and discerning about rebels as they are about the government,” the authors write.
This book articulates why any leaders, whether legitimate, revolutionary, self-styled or tyrannical, will need much more elaborate planning skills than they ever had before. “States will long for the days when they only had to think about foreign and domestic policies in the physical world,” it grimly says. Future political visionaries will have to devise policies for both the real and virtual worlds, and those policies will not necessarily be consistent with each other. There is already much evidence for the authors’ claim that cyberwarfare and drone strikes are apt to overshadow traditional combat — although technology may yield military uniforms that can generate sounds, camouflage themselves and even self-destruct rather than wind up in enemy hands.
Despite dry, dense prose and occasional weird misfires (will it be joyous or heartbreaking to watch holographic home movies, to have the dead visit your living room?), “The New Digital Age” throws off many worthwhile provocations.
Some are pop-cultural: It’s no longer true, the authors argue, that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes (per Andy Warhol). Thanks to the unforgiving nature of the Internet, everyone will be famous forever. “It’s only a question,” they say, “of how many people are paying attention, and why.”
Some are global: Making frequent swipes at China (the authors agree with certain experts “that China’s future will not be bright”), this book handicaps the prospects of both rebellion and suppression as if the fate of the world might depend on these things — because it might.
And when you stub your toe — because you will, pal, if you wander around scanning eye-level holograms — you can use a diagnostics app on your mobile device to see whether it’s broken. Speaking of your feet, you will have a smartshoe that pinches you to keep you from lingering over breakfast and being late for your meeting. Neither human error nor human nature will interfere with your gratingly perfect morning.
If this is the happiest news delivered by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen in “The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business,” imagine what the bad news is like. Actually, you don’t have to: the authors have come up with memorably batty examples. They say that the future will be a tough time to be a Malawian witch doctor because when everyone in the world has access to digital information,Home energy management the witch doctors’ authority will be contradicted. It will also be hard to be a warlord in eastern Congo if warlords are touchy about negative publicity.
Maybe they are. “The New Digital Age” is much more prescient and provocative than it is silly. Its thinking got a little less futuristic when last week’s Boston Marathon bombings turned crowdsourcing and cameras into high-speed methods of needle-in-a-haystack detection.
The collaboration between Mr. Schmidt, the executive chairman (and former chief operating officer) of Google, and Mr. Cohen, a foreign-relations expert and director of Google Ideas, is meant to explore the ways in which technology and diplomacy will intersect. “There is a canyon dividing people who understand technology and people charged with addressing the world’s toughest geopolitical issues, Power monitor and no one has built a bridge,” they write.
The most frightening and important sections deal with the futures of war and terrorism, and it is here that the authors sound most assured. Until now, they point out, it has been relatively easy to use scare tactics and Web charisma to mobilize acolytes. But a new accountability is coming, and a wired, well-informed public will be able to tell the difference between stardom and wisdom. “The consequence of having more citizens informed and connected is that they’ll be as critical and discerning about rebels as they are about the government,” the authors write.
This book articulates why any leaders, whether legitimate, revolutionary, self-styled or tyrannical, will need much more elaborate planning skills than they ever had before. “States will long for the days when they only had to think about foreign and domestic policies in the physical world,” it grimly says. Future political visionaries will have to devise policies for both the real and virtual worlds, and those policies will not necessarily be consistent with each other. There is already much evidence for the authors’ claim that cyberwarfare and drone strikes are apt to overshadow traditional combat — although technology may yield military uniforms that can generate sounds, camouflage themselves and even self-destruct rather than wind up in enemy hands.
Despite dry, dense prose and occasional weird misfires (will it be joyous or heartbreaking to watch holographic home movies, to have the dead visit your living room?), “The New Digital Age” throws off many worthwhile provocations.
Some are pop-cultural: It’s no longer true, the authors argue, that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes (per Andy Warhol). Thanks to the unforgiving nature of the Internet, everyone will be famous forever. “It’s only a question,” they say, “of how many people are paying attention, and why.”
Some are global: Making frequent swipes at China (the authors agree with certain experts “that China’s future will not be bright”), this book handicaps the prospects of both rebellion and suppression as if the fate of the world might depend on these things — because it might.
Louisiana Family Forum Action is a nonprofit advocacy
Truck stops, strip clubs and other businesses would face fines for
failing to post a human-trafficking hotline number under legislation
that advanced Thursday.
The fines, which would range from $50 to $2,500, are a compromise agreed upon by the House Committee on Judiciary.
House Bill 126 initially called for businesses to lose their alcohol licenses for not advertising resources for victims of sexual exploitation, forced labor or unwanted organ removal.
State Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, characterized HB126 as a way to ensure a child or a teenager sees a phone number.
Bobby Jindal included human trafficking measures in his crime package last year. A proposal backed by the governor created life sentences for certain traffickers
At the same time, state Sen. Sharon Broome, D-Baton Rouge, successfully sponsored legislation requiring strip clubs,Home energy monitor highway truck stops and other businesses to display information about the national hotline for trafficking victims. Months later, the number is not being posted despite the law, said Kathleen Benfield with Louisiana Family Forum Action.
Benfield said Louisiana Family Forum Action asked Hodges to help put some teeth in the law.
Louisiana Family Forum Action is a nonprofit advocacy organization associated with Louisiana Family Forum, which characterizes itself as a voice for traditional families.
Benfield said the hotline needs to be posted in places such as strip club dressing rooms, where women could see them while separated from the men who might be trafficking them.
Leah Trammell, Home energy management a research analyst with Trafficking Hope, said the national hotline puts victims in touch with partners who then contact local law enforcement.
“Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world,” she said.
Hodges introduced the bill as a way to cut into a multimillion-dollar criminal industry.
State Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans, said the bill did a little more than that, noting that businesses’ alcohol permits could be revoked.
Hodges quickly offered an amendment to strip that language from the bill. The legislation then zipped through the committee.
The BAMart Silent Auction is an online-only bidding war, but, this year, also a first, the more than 100 works were mounted in the Hole's gallery space. The collection, donated by mostly Brooklyn-based artists, went on display on Tuesday, when guests gathered to peruse the offerings and, potentially,Power monitor bid in real time via iPad kiosks, courtesy of virtual art marketplace platform Paddle8.
While checking out the art, guests could indulge in complimentary cocktails that were named in honor of the event's co-chairs—Hole proprietor Kathy Grayson, collector Beth Rudin DeWoody and artist Cindy Sherman. "The Kathy's where it's at," enthused Shawn Dezan of his specialty drink.
Mr. Dezan was simultaneously shooting a six-second video for the social-media site Vine. He zeroed in on a neon sign of the word "angst" by Kasper Sonne, but did not bid.
Karim Marquez was admiring a Philip Guston piece. "I'm bidding on new artists and famous artists," said Mr. Marquez. He added with a laugh, "I wish I had more money. You get drunk and you want to keep bidding!"
Another guest, Amelia Abdullahsani, was taken by a Mia Taylor. About the acquisition process, she said: "I try not to get too neurotic about it." Her verdict? She'd likely continue to compete if someone attempted to outbid her.
When the lights dimmed, select gallery-goers walked north for a private after party at the Standard East Village Hotel's Chez Andre. Highlights of the invite-only late-night portion of the evening included lively lip-syncing by the arresting drag troupe Chez Deep and a rap performance from Calez Ceito, who was joined onstage by Grant Yanney.
The fines, which would range from $50 to $2,500, are a compromise agreed upon by the House Committee on Judiciary.
House Bill 126 initially called for businesses to lose their alcohol licenses for not advertising resources for victims of sexual exploitation, forced labor or unwanted organ removal.
State Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, characterized HB126 as a way to ensure a child or a teenager sees a phone number.
Bobby Jindal included human trafficking measures in his crime package last year. A proposal backed by the governor created life sentences for certain traffickers
At the same time, state Sen. Sharon Broome, D-Baton Rouge, successfully sponsored legislation requiring strip clubs,Home energy monitor highway truck stops and other businesses to display information about the national hotline for trafficking victims. Months later, the number is not being posted despite the law, said Kathleen Benfield with Louisiana Family Forum Action.
Benfield said Louisiana Family Forum Action asked Hodges to help put some teeth in the law.
Louisiana Family Forum Action is a nonprofit advocacy organization associated with Louisiana Family Forum, which characterizes itself as a voice for traditional families.
Benfield said the hotline needs to be posted in places such as strip club dressing rooms, where women could see them while separated from the men who might be trafficking them.
Leah Trammell, Home energy management a research analyst with Trafficking Hope, said the national hotline puts victims in touch with partners who then contact local law enforcement.
“Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world,” she said.
Hodges introduced the bill as a way to cut into a multimillion-dollar criminal industry.
State Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans, said the bill did a little more than that, noting that businesses’ alcohol permits could be revoked.
Hodges quickly offered an amendment to strip that language from the bill. The legislation then zipped through the committee.
The BAMart Silent Auction is an online-only bidding war, but, this year, also a first, the more than 100 works were mounted in the Hole's gallery space. The collection, donated by mostly Brooklyn-based artists, went on display on Tuesday, when guests gathered to peruse the offerings and, potentially,Power monitor bid in real time via iPad kiosks, courtesy of virtual art marketplace platform Paddle8.
While checking out the art, guests could indulge in complimentary cocktails that were named in honor of the event's co-chairs—Hole proprietor Kathy Grayson, collector Beth Rudin DeWoody and artist Cindy Sherman. "The Kathy's where it's at," enthused Shawn Dezan of his specialty drink.
Mr. Dezan was simultaneously shooting a six-second video for the social-media site Vine. He zeroed in on a neon sign of the word "angst" by Kasper Sonne, but did not bid.
Karim Marquez was admiring a Philip Guston piece. "I'm bidding on new artists and famous artists," said Mr. Marquez. He added with a laugh, "I wish I had more money. You get drunk and you want to keep bidding!"
Another guest, Amelia Abdullahsani, was taken by a Mia Taylor. About the acquisition process, she said: "I try not to get too neurotic about it." Her verdict? She'd likely continue to compete if someone attempted to outbid her.
When the lights dimmed, select gallery-goers walked north for a private after party at the Standard East Village Hotel's Chez Andre. Highlights of the invite-only late-night portion of the evening included lively lip-syncing by the arresting drag troupe Chez Deep and a rap performance from Calez Ceito, who was joined onstage by Grant Yanney.
2013年4月23日 星期二
The building is spectacular and the gardens
Laura Bush wanted to make sure her husband's presidential center
reflected their Texas roots, and it does _ right down to the building's
limestone base from the Midland area, where they both grew up and lived
after they were married.
The former first lady led the design committee for the 226,000-square-foot George W. Bush Presidential Center, which houses the 43rd president's library, museum and policy institute. The center, which opens to the public May 1, will be dedicated Thursday at Laura Bush's alma mater of Southern Methodist University, Home energy monitor not far from the couple's Dallas home.
"I wanted it to have the Texas feel that this building does because that's where we're from," Laura Bush told The Associated Press in a phone interview last week. "I also wanted the building to be modern-looking, to be forward-looking because George was president during the very first decade of our new century."
The building includes red brick to blend in to SMU's Georgian architecture. There's also a 67-foot-high, "lantern" made of limestone that serves as a focal point for the center and pays tribute to the domed Dallas Hall on the campus.
The Bush center features woodwork from Texas tees, including mesquite hardwood floors and pecan paneling. And the center's 15-acre urban park recreates a Texas prairie complete with a wildflower meadow, Home energy management a new blend of native grasses and even trees transplanted from the Crawford ranch.
The former president says his wife's touch can be seen throughout the property, even in picking the building and landscape architects.
"The building is spectacular and the gardens are going to be great, and she gets a lot of credit for that," George W. Bush told The Associated Press last week. "I was on the sideline _ watching, of course, but deferring to her judgment and tastes."
It was announced this month that the building had gotten the highest certification _ platinum _ from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. In addition to getting many materials from within 500 miles of the site,Power monitor other eco-friendly features include green roofs in three different areas and a cistern that will gather rainwater and provide half of the site's irrigation.
Architect Robert A.M. Stern says the former first lady influenced the design throughout the project.
"She has a very good eye," Stern said. "She gives the architect his own space and then lets the architect present his ideas, at least this architect. And then she thinks about it. Sometimes she speaks directly at the time and sometimes she ... sleeps on it and we talk later. But it's been a very productive and rewarding process from my point of view."
The former first lady led the design committee for the 226,000-square-foot George W. Bush Presidential Center, which houses the 43rd president's library, museum and policy institute. The center, which opens to the public May 1, will be dedicated Thursday at Laura Bush's alma mater of Southern Methodist University, Home energy monitor not far from the couple's Dallas home.
"I wanted it to have the Texas feel that this building does because that's where we're from," Laura Bush told The Associated Press in a phone interview last week. "I also wanted the building to be modern-looking, to be forward-looking because George was president during the very first decade of our new century."
The building includes red brick to blend in to SMU's Georgian architecture. There's also a 67-foot-high, "lantern" made of limestone that serves as a focal point for the center and pays tribute to the domed Dallas Hall on the campus.
The Bush center features woodwork from Texas tees, including mesquite hardwood floors and pecan paneling. And the center's 15-acre urban park recreates a Texas prairie complete with a wildflower meadow, Home energy management a new blend of native grasses and even trees transplanted from the Crawford ranch.
The former president says his wife's touch can be seen throughout the property, even in picking the building and landscape architects.
"The building is spectacular and the gardens are going to be great, and she gets a lot of credit for that," George W. Bush told The Associated Press last week. "I was on the sideline _ watching, of course, but deferring to her judgment and tastes."
It was announced this month that the building had gotten the highest certification _ platinum _ from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. In addition to getting many materials from within 500 miles of the site,Power monitor other eco-friendly features include green roofs in three different areas and a cistern that will gather rainwater and provide half of the site's irrigation.
Architect Robert A.M. Stern says the former first lady influenced the design throughout the project.
"She has a very good eye," Stern said. "She gives the architect his own space and then lets the architect present his ideas, at least this architect. And then she thinks about it. Sometimes she speaks directly at the time and sometimes she ... sleeps on it and we talk later. But it's been a very productive and rewarding process from my point of view."
The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech
The system’s $112 million budget for electricity, natural gas and
coal benefitted from the installation of improved lighting fixtures and
more efficient heating-and-air-conditioning units in various buildings
across the system. Much of it was paid for with $27 million in federal
stimulus funds. But the system is now regularly using its annual
maintenance appropriation from the General Assembly for similar
upgrades, according to Sandra Neuse, assistant vice chancellor for
operations.
“We did a lot of lighting updates. That doesn’t sound very exciting,” she quipped. “... It always surprises people because it doesn’t sound like much just changing lamps.”
Other upgrades include electronic thermostats and occupancy sensors on lights that turn them off when rooms are empty.
Georgia Southern University tried to get students involved with the savings. Volunteers roamed the dorms, swapping conventional light bulbs in personal study lamps with more efficient florescent bulbs.
The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech even staged contests to award pizza parties to the dorms with the lowest energy use.
Such contests are one benefit of another upgrade, the installation of meters on individual buildings. Although the power companies centralize their meters at each school, Home energy monitor the sub meters allow administrators to monitor buildings separately, Neuse said.
“It’s very difficult to know where to put your focus if you don’t know where the energy is being used,” she said.
That paid off at Armstrong Atlantic State University where officials zeroed in on the science buildings. The culprits were the chemical hoods,Power monitor fancy versions of what every home’s kitchen has over the stove to suck out grease and fumes.
Laboratories have hoods to draw away volatile vapors during experiments. The school won national recognition for installing variable-speed fans and tying all of the exhaust vents to a centralized stack.
It resulted in fans that only run on high when needed, making for quieter classrooms and pulling out less warm air so the heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. Lessons learned at Armstrong are being applied to the designs of future laboratories, Neuse said.
The University System’s energy conservation drew applause from the Sierra Club of Georgia’s Seth Gunning.
On a cold Tuesday morning, June and Ron Josey opened up their Dartmouth home to host the official opening of HRM’s Solar City program.
Their house is the first to participate from the program, which installs solar-powered water heating systems.
HRM has partnered with a local supplier of solar systems, Thermo Dynamics, to provide solar energy to as many as 1,000 homeowners within the next 18 months. Should the project prove successful,Home energy management the doors will be open for additional homeowners to register.
June Josey said the installation happened in March and took one day.
“They were very efficient and very fast and it went well,” she said.
She said the solar panels were installed on the roof and pipes were sent through the attic to the basement where a new tank was installed.
Similar to a hybrid car, the original oil-fuelled hot water tank is still in place and kicks in on days when there isn’t enough solar energy or when the solar panels are covered in snow.
The homeowners can monitor on their computer how the system is doing in terms of energy and temperature.
“I call Ron a solar stocker because he quite often checks to see how much energy it’s saving,” said June.
“We did a lot of lighting updates. That doesn’t sound very exciting,” she quipped. “... It always surprises people because it doesn’t sound like much just changing lamps.”
Other upgrades include electronic thermostats and occupancy sensors on lights that turn them off when rooms are empty.
Georgia Southern University tried to get students involved with the savings. Volunteers roamed the dorms, swapping conventional light bulbs in personal study lamps with more efficient florescent bulbs.
The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech even staged contests to award pizza parties to the dorms with the lowest energy use.
Such contests are one benefit of another upgrade, the installation of meters on individual buildings. Although the power companies centralize their meters at each school, Home energy monitor the sub meters allow administrators to monitor buildings separately, Neuse said.
“It’s very difficult to know where to put your focus if you don’t know where the energy is being used,” she said.
That paid off at Armstrong Atlantic State University where officials zeroed in on the science buildings. The culprits were the chemical hoods,Power monitor fancy versions of what every home’s kitchen has over the stove to suck out grease and fumes.
Laboratories have hoods to draw away volatile vapors during experiments. The school won national recognition for installing variable-speed fans and tying all of the exhaust vents to a centralized stack.
It resulted in fans that only run on high when needed, making for quieter classrooms and pulling out less warm air so the heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. Lessons learned at Armstrong are being applied to the designs of future laboratories, Neuse said.
The University System’s energy conservation drew applause from the Sierra Club of Georgia’s Seth Gunning.
On a cold Tuesday morning, June and Ron Josey opened up their Dartmouth home to host the official opening of HRM’s Solar City program.
Their house is the first to participate from the program, which installs solar-powered water heating systems.
HRM has partnered with a local supplier of solar systems, Thermo Dynamics, to provide solar energy to as many as 1,000 homeowners within the next 18 months. Should the project prove successful,Home energy management the doors will be open for additional homeowners to register.
June Josey said the installation happened in March and took one day.
“They were very efficient and very fast and it went well,” she said.
She said the solar panels were installed on the roof and pipes were sent through the attic to the basement where a new tank was installed.
Similar to a hybrid car, the original oil-fuelled hot water tank is still in place and kicks in on days when there isn’t enough solar energy or when the solar panels are covered in snow.
The homeowners can monitor on their computer how the system is doing in terms of energy and temperature.
“I call Ron a solar stocker because he quite often checks to see how much energy it’s saving,” said June.
2013年4月21日 星期日
The reluctance to borrow and spend of companies
The last time Masao Namiki bought machinery for his company, Emperor
Hirohito had just died, Japanese investors took the Rockefeller Center
as a trophy, and a new central bank chief was about to prick the bubble
economy. It was 1989.
The $1 million Namiki borrowed to outfit his workshop with computerized lathes and drills almost bankrupted him as orders from clients Canon Inc., Panasonic Inc. and NEC Corp. evaporated. As interest rates cranked up to 6 percent, Home energy monitor crashing stock and land prices wiped out $15 trillion in wealth and triggered an economic malaise that still drags on.
The bubble, and the five recessions since, help explain why business owners like Namiki aren’t buying into investor euphoria over new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s campaign to end deflation. Even after the steepest five-month slide in the yen for 18 years made global companies like Toyota Motor Corp (7203). more competitive and Japan the world’s best-performing major stock market, Namiki said he’s still not ready to invest.
“If we had the orders I’d think about adding equipment, but right now the work’s just not there,” the 72-year-old said at his small factory in Tokyo’s Ota district, where he and a handful of employees have made thousands of steel molds for phones, Home energy management stereos, and keyboards. “The manufacturers are still in wait-and-see mode.”
The reluctance to borrow and spend of companies like Namiki’s that don’t operate abroad and make up the bulk of Japan’s economy is the biggest threat to Abe’s plans, said Nomura Research Institute Chief Economist Richard Koo.
“The greatest bottleneck in the private-sector economy today is the lack of private-sector borrowers,” said Koo. “That comes from the fact that they went through this balance- sheet correction for the last 20 years. Americans went through the same thing in the 1930s, and many who lived through the Great Depression never borrowed again.”
Japan’s trauma was greater still, Koo said. The wealth lost was three times gross domestic product. The U.S. crash cost a year of 1929 GDP. And just when Japan was showing signs of recovery, the 2009 global financial crisis hit. Then came the 2011 tsunami. After all that, Power monitor the Nikkei 225 Stock Average is two-thirds off its 1989 peak. Land is cheaper than in 1981.
To jump start investment, Abe and his handpicked Bank of Japan governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, said they will double the money circulating in the economy to drive inflation to 2 percent within two years, remove structural barriers to growth and add fiscal stimulus with tax cuts and other incentives.
Since mid-November, when it became clear Abe would win power, the yen has weakened about 20 percent, the steepest five-month decline since 1995. The currency had been trading close to a post World War II high, so the slide has been relief for companies like Toyota that get most of their revenue in other currencies.
Shares of Toyota have surged 79 percent. Mazda Motor Corp. (7261), which makes 77 percent of its sales internationally, has tripled. Sony Corp. will probably snap four years of losses partly thanks to the yen; its shares have jumped 87 percent.
Foreign investors who account for about 70 percent of the volume on Tokyo’s stock exchange haven’t just driven up exporters. The biggest gains so far have been in brokerages and real estate companies, which stand to benefit from higher asset prices. The Topix gauge of securities firms is up 166 percent, with largest member Nomura Holdings Inc. more than doubling. The index tracking real estate firms has also more than doubled.
The advance has added $844 billion to Japanese stocks -- or about half the value of France’s market. The Topix Index, Japan’s broadest gauge, has jumped 56 percent since Nov. 15, the top performer among the world’s 10 biggest markets. All 33 industry groups have gained.
The $1 million Namiki borrowed to outfit his workshop with computerized lathes and drills almost bankrupted him as orders from clients Canon Inc., Panasonic Inc. and NEC Corp. evaporated. As interest rates cranked up to 6 percent, Home energy monitor crashing stock and land prices wiped out $15 trillion in wealth and triggered an economic malaise that still drags on.
The bubble, and the five recessions since, help explain why business owners like Namiki aren’t buying into investor euphoria over new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s campaign to end deflation. Even after the steepest five-month slide in the yen for 18 years made global companies like Toyota Motor Corp (7203). more competitive and Japan the world’s best-performing major stock market, Namiki said he’s still not ready to invest.
“If we had the orders I’d think about adding equipment, but right now the work’s just not there,” the 72-year-old said at his small factory in Tokyo’s Ota district, where he and a handful of employees have made thousands of steel molds for phones, Home energy management stereos, and keyboards. “The manufacturers are still in wait-and-see mode.”
The reluctance to borrow and spend of companies like Namiki’s that don’t operate abroad and make up the bulk of Japan’s economy is the biggest threat to Abe’s plans, said Nomura Research Institute Chief Economist Richard Koo.
“The greatest bottleneck in the private-sector economy today is the lack of private-sector borrowers,” said Koo. “That comes from the fact that they went through this balance- sheet correction for the last 20 years. Americans went through the same thing in the 1930s, and many who lived through the Great Depression never borrowed again.”
Japan’s trauma was greater still, Koo said. The wealth lost was three times gross domestic product. The U.S. crash cost a year of 1929 GDP. And just when Japan was showing signs of recovery, the 2009 global financial crisis hit. Then came the 2011 tsunami. After all that, Power monitor the Nikkei 225 Stock Average is two-thirds off its 1989 peak. Land is cheaper than in 1981.
To jump start investment, Abe and his handpicked Bank of Japan governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, said they will double the money circulating in the economy to drive inflation to 2 percent within two years, remove structural barriers to growth and add fiscal stimulus with tax cuts and other incentives.
Since mid-November, when it became clear Abe would win power, the yen has weakened about 20 percent, the steepest five-month decline since 1995. The currency had been trading close to a post World War II high, so the slide has been relief for companies like Toyota that get most of their revenue in other currencies.
Shares of Toyota have surged 79 percent. Mazda Motor Corp. (7261), which makes 77 percent of its sales internationally, has tripled. Sony Corp. will probably snap four years of losses partly thanks to the yen; its shares have jumped 87 percent.
Foreign investors who account for about 70 percent of the volume on Tokyo’s stock exchange haven’t just driven up exporters. The biggest gains so far have been in brokerages and real estate companies, which stand to benefit from higher asset prices. The Topix gauge of securities firms is up 166 percent, with largest member Nomura Holdings Inc. more than doubling. The index tracking real estate firms has also more than doubled.
The advance has added $844 billion to Japanese stocks -- or about half the value of France’s market. The Topix Index, Japan’s broadest gauge, has jumped 56 percent since Nov. 15, the top performer among the world’s 10 biggest markets. All 33 industry groups have gained.
Weather was a big challenge for the railway
Canada's largest railway is expected to be hurt in the first quarter
by the effect of winter weather woes, while analysts forecast its
Calgary-based rival's profit will surge.
Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) is expected to report $528.4 million in adjusted profits on Monday,Home energy monitor up just one per cent from a year ago, according to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.
That's equal to $1.21 per share, up from $1.18 a year earlier on a six per cent increase in revenues to $2.5 billion.
The Montreal-based railway's carloads increased 3.3 per cent from last year, while revenue ton-miles, which measures the relative weight and distance of rail freight, grew 4.6 per cent.
CN was helped by 7.9 per cent increase in petroleum and chemicals and a 9.6 per cent boost in intermodal, offset by reductions in coals (-7.1 per cent) and grains (-4.8 per cent).
Weather was a big challenge for the railway, as storms reduced average train speeds and lengthened dwell times.
"Winter a challenge for CN this time, not CP," said Benoit Poirier of Desjardins Capital Markets, adding that CN lost some of its operating momentum.
He said the harsh weather should likely prompt CN to build a new line in Western Canada to mitigate against the risk of future weather-related issues.
The weather impact was more muted at Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP).
Canadian Pacific's adjusted profits were forecast to increase 48 per cent to $210.7 million or $1.21 per share on nearly $1.5 billion revenues. That's up from $142 million or 82 cents per share a year earlier. The results will be reported Wednesday.
The Calgary-based railway's volumes increased just 2.2 per cent, led by sulphur and fertilizers (+19.9 per cent) and potash and industrial products (+14.6 per cent), boosted by crude-by-rail. Automotive fell 14.6 per cent and intermodal was down 3.7 per cent as it lost contracts to CN.
Cameron Doerksen of National Bank Financial raised his target price of CP to $118, below the current trading price,Home energy management noting that the Canadian railroads trade at a large premium to its U.S. peers.
"We have a high degree of confidence in CEO Hunter Harrison's ability to lead a significant profitability turnaround at CP and the results so far have exceeded expectations," he wrote in a report.
Transporting crude has been the hottest rail segment so far in 2012, rising 31 per cent by Canadian railways and 57 per cent by Americans.
Doerksen said he expects it will be a sustainable business and could increase further.
Still, it represented only 2.3 per cent of total CN revenues in 2012 and would account for less than five per cent if revenues double as management expects.
At CP, crude represents four per cent,Power monitor but could reach 12 per cent if shipments triple over the next few years as forecast.
"While this is meaningful, it will still be much smaller than CP's intermodal (25 per cent of revenues) and grain (21 per cent) franchises," he added.
While Canadian grain carloads were down 3.8 per cent in the first quarter, total production is expected to be up five per cent with exports up slightly.
Casting a cloud on the railways is a broader economic outlook that points to modest growth.
Poirier said the latest industrial production data, which is a good barometer of carload activity, points to a softer, yet positive outlook.
Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) is expected to report $528.4 million in adjusted profits on Monday,Home energy monitor up just one per cent from a year ago, according to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.
That's equal to $1.21 per share, up from $1.18 a year earlier on a six per cent increase in revenues to $2.5 billion.
The Montreal-based railway's carloads increased 3.3 per cent from last year, while revenue ton-miles, which measures the relative weight and distance of rail freight, grew 4.6 per cent.
CN was helped by 7.9 per cent increase in petroleum and chemicals and a 9.6 per cent boost in intermodal, offset by reductions in coals (-7.1 per cent) and grains (-4.8 per cent).
Weather was a big challenge for the railway, as storms reduced average train speeds and lengthened dwell times.
"Winter a challenge for CN this time, not CP," said Benoit Poirier of Desjardins Capital Markets, adding that CN lost some of its operating momentum.
He said the harsh weather should likely prompt CN to build a new line in Western Canada to mitigate against the risk of future weather-related issues.
The weather impact was more muted at Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP).
Canadian Pacific's adjusted profits were forecast to increase 48 per cent to $210.7 million or $1.21 per share on nearly $1.5 billion revenues. That's up from $142 million or 82 cents per share a year earlier. The results will be reported Wednesday.
The Calgary-based railway's volumes increased just 2.2 per cent, led by sulphur and fertilizers (+19.9 per cent) and potash and industrial products (+14.6 per cent), boosted by crude-by-rail. Automotive fell 14.6 per cent and intermodal was down 3.7 per cent as it lost contracts to CN.
Cameron Doerksen of National Bank Financial raised his target price of CP to $118, below the current trading price,Home energy management noting that the Canadian railroads trade at a large premium to its U.S. peers.
"We have a high degree of confidence in CEO Hunter Harrison's ability to lead a significant profitability turnaround at CP and the results so far have exceeded expectations," he wrote in a report.
Transporting crude has been the hottest rail segment so far in 2012, rising 31 per cent by Canadian railways and 57 per cent by Americans.
Doerksen said he expects it will be a sustainable business and could increase further.
Still, it represented only 2.3 per cent of total CN revenues in 2012 and would account for less than five per cent if revenues double as management expects.
At CP, crude represents four per cent,Power monitor but could reach 12 per cent if shipments triple over the next few years as forecast.
"While this is meaningful, it will still be much smaller than CP's intermodal (25 per cent of revenues) and grain (21 per cent) franchises," he added.
While Canadian grain carloads were down 3.8 per cent in the first quarter, total production is expected to be up five per cent with exports up slightly.
Casting a cloud on the railways is a broader economic outlook that points to modest growth.
Poirier said the latest industrial production data, which is a good barometer of carload activity, points to a softer, yet positive outlook.
2013年4月18日 星期四
The Islamabad judges that Musharraf sought to muzzle
For General Musharraf, who once held all the reins of power in
Pakistan, it seems a spectacle of humiliation and miscalculation, or as
the BBC calls it “high drama and farce.”
The Islamabad judges that Musharraf sought to muzzle and dismiss in 2007 now appear to have muzzled him – ultimately thwarting his aim to run for high office May 11, in what will be the first formal civilian transfer of authority in Pakistan’s history.
Musharraf’s lawyers will likely appeal the charges of malfeasance against him for ordering 60 judges to be removed in 2007. But for Musharraf, Home energy monitor born in New Delhi before the partition of India and Pakistan, and who of late has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London, a chapter may have closed.
He long dreamed of himself as Pakistan’s Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, forging a path similar to the Turkish military ruler that secularized that Muslim country. He hoped to be a moderating force of reason, a “chief executive,” a secular reformer with clout in a land of Taliban and madrassas, the guy that could keep things together and running while the nation modernized, Home energy management someone that impressed US Pentagon chief Colin Powell.
But last week Musharraf’s much-touted return to Karachi did not excite crowds; efforts to run his All-Pakistan Muslim League party failed in four districts. And he’s ended up looking more like Don Quixote than an Ataturk.
politically what Imran Khan was in the mid-1990s, when the famous cricket-turned-philanthropist launched his own career in politics: a high-wattage name that grabs a disproportionate share of the media spotlight but has negligible traction with the voting public. Now that he has been barred from contesting the upcoming general election by a judiciary that has not forgotten Musharraf's attempt in 2007 to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Musharraf still faces a sea of legal trouble,Power monitor brought into sharp focus by Thursday's refusal to extend the bail granted to him last month. Musharraf may yet be able to return to life abroad …but his political obituary has long been written.
Musharraf now finds three criminal cases thrown against him: He’s charged with not providing enough security to prevent the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, allegations that he ordered the killing of a Baloch nationalist leader in 2006, and the court case he walked out of today.
Whether Musharraf, who in court brushed past police on his way out, will finally be made an example in his own country and put behind bars is unclear. The Los Angeles Times quotes a prosecuting attorney:
“The security he has been given is only meant to safeguard his life, not to allow him to avoid the law,” said senior lawyer Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, the complainant in the judges' detention case against Musharraf. “They are flouting the law. The people responsible for implementing the order of the court are facilitating the culprit.”
But Musharraf’s lawyers said today that the Islamabad court ruling against him wasn’t about law and order, but was "seemingly motivated by personal vendettas."
Though many Pakistanis started to loath Musharraf by the time he stepped down and he may not have stood a chance at actually securing the position of prime minister, fair questions may be asked about whether Pakistan is better served by fewer candidates running for the high office.
And unlike ostensible current front-runner Nawaz Sharif, who hails from the Punjab, and who in the late 1990s as national leader was unable to reign in the growing jihadis in places like Lahore, Musharraf could crack down. He is one of about two current candidates for high office not part of the small coterie of regional family dynasties that rule the nation.
While Musharraf gets called a former “military dictator,” anyone who has watched Pakistani politics might think the term overly harsh, considering the Muammar Qaddafi or Bashir al Assad end of the “dictator” spectrum. Unlike those dictators, after all, Musharraf stepped down.
The Islamabad judges that Musharraf sought to muzzle and dismiss in 2007 now appear to have muzzled him – ultimately thwarting his aim to run for high office May 11, in what will be the first formal civilian transfer of authority in Pakistan’s history.
Musharraf’s lawyers will likely appeal the charges of malfeasance against him for ordering 60 judges to be removed in 2007. But for Musharraf, Home energy monitor born in New Delhi before the partition of India and Pakistan, and who of late has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London, a chapter may have closed.
He long dreamed of himself as Pakistan’s Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, forging a path similar to the Turkish military ruler that secularized that Muslim country. He hoped to be a moderating force of reason, a “chief executive,” a secular reformer with clout in a land of Taliban and madrassas, the guy that could keep things together and running while the nation modernized, Home energy management someone that impressed US Pentagon chief Colin Powell.
But last week Musharraf’s much-touted return to Karachi did not excite crowds; efforts to run his All-Pakistan Muslim League party failed in four districts. And he’s ended up looking more like Don Quixote than an Ataturk.
politically what Imran Khan was in the mid-1990s, when the famous cricket-turned-philanthropist launched his own career in politics: a high-wattage name that grabs a disproportionate share of the media spotlight but has negligible traction with the voting public. Now that he has been barred from contesting the upcoming general election by a judiciary that has not forgotten Musharraf's attempt in 2007 to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Musharraf still faces a sea of legal trouble,Power monitor brought into sharp focus by Thursday's refusal to extend the bail granted to him last month. Musharraf may yet be able to return to life abroad …but his political obituary has long been written.
Musharraf now finds three criminal cases thrown against him: He’s charged with not providing enough security to prevent the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, allegations that he ordered the killing of a Baloch nationalist leader in 2006, and the court case he walked out of today.
Whether Musharraf, who in court brushed past police on his way out, will finally be made an example in his own country and put behind bars is unclear. The Los Angeles Times quotes a prosecuting attorney:
“The security he has been given is only meant to safeguard his life, not to allow him to avoid the law,” said senior lawyer Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, the complainant in the judges' detention case against Musharraf. “They are flouting the law. The people responsible for implementing the order of the court are facilitating the culprit.”
But Musharraf’s lawyers said today that the Islamabad court ruling against him wasn’t about law and order, but was "seemingly motivated by personal vendettas."
Though many Pakistanis started to loath Musharraf by the time he stepped down and he may not have stood a chance at actually securing the position of prime minister, fair questions may be asked about whether Pakistan is better served by fewer candidates running for the high office.
And unlike ostensible current front-runner Nawaz Sharif, who hails from the Punjab, and who in the late 1990s as national leader was unable to reign in the growing jihadis in places like Lahore, Musharraf could crack down. He is one of about two current candidates for high office not part of the small coterie of regional family dynasties that rule the nation.
While Musharraf gets called a former “military dictator,” anyone who has watched Pakistani politics might think the term overly harsh, considering the Muammar Qaddafi or Bashir al Assad end of the “dictator” spectrum. Unlike those dictators, after all, Musharraf stepped down.
Buyers rush to jewellery shops as investors
Indian buyers' rush to buy gold after the sharp fall in prices may
continue, but for investors, the metal has lost lustre as the dramatic
end of the 12-year bull run has made land and real estate more
attractive.
Jewellers said gold purchases had shot up at their outlets, and they expect the trend to continue. But on the balance, the fall in demand from investors will offset the surge in retail sales, making the precious metal more affordable, without raising the country's gold import bill that has been worrying the government.
"For consumers, this is the right time to buy gold as it is difficult to predict whether the metal will slide further or rise in coming weeks," said Vinod Hayagriv, managing director of C Krishniah Chetty & Sons, a 140-year-old jewellery firm based in Bangalore.
Rajesh Mehta, chairman of Rajesh Exports, which runs a chain of 80 retail stores under the brand name Shubh Jewellers, said now is the time to buy. "Gold has reached this level after almost three years, and at this level it is a good buy. The demand at our stores has gone up by 5-6 times," he said.
For investors, however, it is a different story. "Gold investment demand is unlikely to revive in a hurry. With rural incomes slowing, we do not expect rural gold demand...to rise substantially this year either," Power monitor Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a report on Thursday.
"If gold settles at current levels, our FY14 current account deficit forecast will come off 40 basis points to 3.9% of GDP, from 4.3%," said the report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Economists feel investors will switch to other assets. "We may see more investments going to real estate or land, where the returns seem to be looking up. And this will be a global phenomenon. Gold is no more a safe asset for this (investor) community," said Anish Chakravarty, senior economist at Deloitte Haskins & Sells.
On Thursday, gold was volatile, falling in morning trade before recovering later in the day in the international market. Some technical analysts said charts indicate the metal may fall further, but people in the trade question the prediction. "Consumers should not miss this opportunity. There is speculation that prices may fall further. But it may not happen. So, consumers should buy gold at this level, and already we are seeing a lot of movement in the market," said Bachhraj Bamalwa, director, Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons.
Jewellers said they were withdrawing discounts introduced in 2005-06 when gold climbed to 9,000 per 10 gm.
"The time has come to do away with discounts, otherwise it will eat into the profitability of jewellery companies," said Hayagriv.
Jewellers usually offer discounts ranging between 3% and 15% to lure customers. "It will be difficult for jewellers to offer discounts if gold moves in this price range. Wages and shop rentals have increased. To remain viable, Home energy management we have to do away with discounts," said Sankar Sen, chairman of Kolkata-based Senco Gold.
Jewellers who have indulged in speculation and taken long positions on the yellow metal are in for some suffering, said Haresh Soni, chairman,Home energy monitor All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation. He, too, feels the time has come to withdraw discounts because consumers are getting gold at a good price.
Analysts said the impact of the recent correction on the domestic jewellery industry will be mixed and depend on the gold-sourcing norms of specific jewellers. "Jewellers who lease a major portion of the gold will positively benefit from the correction while others may be affected negatively," said Deep N Mukherjee, director (corporate ratings), India Ratings & Research.
Jewellers said gold purchases had shot up at their outlets, and they expect the trend to continue. But on the balance, the fall in demand from investors will offset the surge in retail sales, making the precious metal more affordable, without raising the country's gold import bill that has been worrying the government.
"For consumers, this is the right time to buy gold as it is difficult to predict whether the metal will slide further or rise in coming weeks," said Vinod Hayagriv, managing director of C Krishniah Chetty & Sons, a 140-year-old jewellery firm based in Bangalore.
Rajesh Mehta, chairman of Rajesh Exports, which runs a chain of 80 retail stores under the brand name Shubh Jewellers, said now is the time to buy. "Gold has reached this level after almost three years, and at this level it is a good buy. The demand at our stores has gone up by 5-6 times," he said.
For investors, however, it is a different story. "Gold investment demand is unlikely to revive in a hurry. With rural incomes slowing, we do not expect rural gold demand...to rise substantially this year either," Power monitor Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a report on Thursday.
"If gold settles at current levels, our FY14 current account deficit forecast will come off 40 basis points to 3.9% of GDP, from 4.3%," said the report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Economists feel investors will switch to other assets. "We may see more investments going to real estate or land, where the returns seem to be looking up. And this will be a global phenomenon. Gold is no more a safe asset for this (investor) community," said Anish Chakravarty, senior economist at Deloitte Haskins & Sells.
On Thursday, gold was volatile, falling in morning trade before recovering later in the day in the international market. Some technical analysts said charts indicate the metal may fall further, but people in the trade question the prediction. "Consumers should not miss this opportunity. There is speculation that prices may fall further. But it may not happen. So, consumers should buy gold at this level, and already we are seeing a lot of movement in the market," said Bachhraj Bamalwa, director, Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons.
Jewellers said they were withdrawing discounts introduced in 2005-06 when gold climbed to 9,000 per 10 gm.
"The time has come to do away with discounts, otherwise it will eat into the profitability of jewellery companies," said Hayagriv.
Jewellers usually offer discounts ranging between 3% and 15% to lure customers. "It will be difficult for jewellers to offer discounts if gold moves in this price range. Wages and shop rentals have increased. To remain viable, Home energy management we have to do away with discounts," said Sankar Sen, chairman of Kolkata-based Senco Gold.
Jewellers who have indulged in speculation and taken long positions on the yellow metal are in for some suffering, said Haresh Soni, chairman,Home energy monitor All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation. He, too, feels the time has come to withdraw discounts because consumers are getting gold at a good price.
Analysts said the impact of the recent correction on the domestic jewellery industry will be mixed and depend on the gold-sourcing norms of specific jewellers. "Jewellers who lease a major portion of the gold will positively benefit from the correction while others may be affected negatively," said Deep N Mukherjee, director (corporate ratings), India Ratings & Research.
2013年4月15日 星期一
Falling commodities give Dow worst day of the year
Worries about an economic slowdown in China fueled a steep drop in
commodity prices Monday, spooking investors and giving the stock market
its worst day of the year.
The trigger for the sell-off came from China, where the world's second-largest economy expanded 7.7 percent in the first three months of the year, well below forecasts of 8 percent or better. That news pummeled copper,Home electricity monitor oil and other commodities. Shares of oil and mining companies fared the worst because China is a huge importer of their products.
The decline came after a pile of negative economic reports. In addition to the concerns about China, a separate report showed weak manufacturing in the Northeast, and a home builders' survey indicated housing activity isn't going to be strong, either, said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist for Mizuho Securities.
"People are realizing that the global economy isn't as strong as they expected it to be," he said.
The market began tumbling hours before reports emerged of two bombs exploding in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The attack that killed two people and injured more than 100 was just one more thing to worry investors.
The pullback disrupted, at least for the moment, the phenomenal rally that has sent the Dow Jones industrial average up 13 percent and the Standard & Poor's 500 index up 11 percent in 2013. Both indexes marked record highs only last Wednesday. Home energy management But the market's exceptional performance has fueled widespread speculation about an inevitable retreat.
Concerns that Cyprus and other troubled European countries may sell gold to raise cash have also weighed on prices for precious metals, said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at the brokerage BTIG.
It was the biggest drop for the stock market since Nov. 7 — Election Day — last year.
Of the 10 industry groups in the S&P 500, materials and energy stocks fared the worst, losing 4 percent. Indexes of small companies and transportation stocks, which are more vulnerable to swings in the economy, also fell 4 percent.
Crude
oil prices hit their lowest level since mid-December, sliding $2.58 to
finish at $88.71 in New York trading. And gold fell $140, plunging below
$1,400 an ounce for the first time in two years as a sell-off in metals
continued from last week. Gold has now slumped $203 an ounce over the
past two days.
Frank Fantozzi, CEO of Planned Financial Services, a wealth management firm, says people had bought gold since the financial crisis on the belief that it was safe place to keep money. But now that the metal has slid 20 percent this year, they're jumping out.
"I think you're getting some panic selling right now" in the gold market, Fantozzi said. "People who have been holding on to gold expecting a rebound are now thinking, 'I better get out.'"
Cetin Ciner, a finance professor and expert in precious metal markets at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, said gold had also offered a protection against rampant inflation when the economy recovered. That helped push gold prices as high at $1,900 in 2011, but the high inflation they worried about still hasn't hit.
Gold "was bound to collapse at some stage," Ciner said. "People were waiting and waiting for higher inflation, and they finally realized it's not happening."
Just seven stocks rose in the S&P 500. Among them, Citigroup inched up 9 cents to $45.87, after the country's third-largest bank reported earnings that beat analysts' estimates. Stronger revenue from trading and investment banking lifted the bank's results.
Sprint Nextel jumped after Dish Network offered $25 billion to buy the company. Dish's bid is aimed at beating an offer from the Japanese phone company SoftBank. Sprint surged 14 percent to $7.06, and Dish fell 2 percent to $36.77.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offered $13.6 billion to buy genetic testing equipment maker Life Technologies. That works out to $76 in cash for each share of Life Technologies. Thermo Fisher's stock fell 1 percent to $78.58, while Life Technologies rose 7 percent to $73.11.
In the market for U.S. government bonds, which traders often buy when they're concerned about the economy, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note retreated to 1.69 percent, its lowest level of the year. That's down from 1.72 percent late Friday.
But for all the alarm among investors, experts doubt that the drop in stock prices is a harbinger of another global recession. Deep government budget cuts have slowed the U.S. economy and kept Europe in recession. And China's economy is cooling. But economists still expect the U.S. economy — the world's biggest — to gain strength during the second half of the year.
Nearly four years after the Great Recession ended, the American economy has a stronger foundation. Rising home prices and near-record stock prices make consumers feel wealthier and more willing to spend. And although China's growth was below expectations, it was still a pace that would be considered strong anywhere else.
The broader outlook for stocks was not likely to be "tremendously affected" by Monday's sell-off, Ciner said.
"There's so much money being pumped into the system, and the money has to go somewhere," he said, referring to the more than $2 trillion in bonds the Federal Reserve has bought since the Great Recession.
"There is some growth. Profits are up. So I don't think commodities will affect stocks," Ciner said. "There may be some volatility, but I think stocks will continue to go up in the short term."
The trigger for the sell-off came from China, where the world's second-largest economy expanded 7.7 percent in the first three months of the year, well below forecasts of 8 percent or better. That news pummeled copper,Home electricity monitor oil and other commodities. Shares of oil and mining companies fared the worst because China is a huge importer of their products.
The decline came after a pile of negative economic reports. In addition to the concerns about China, a separate report showed weak manufacturing in the Northeast, and a home builders' survey indicated housing activity isn't going to be strong, either, said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist for Mizuho Securities.
"People are realizing that the global economy isn't as strong as they expected it to be," he said.
The market began tumbling hours before reports emerged of two bombs exploding in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The attack that killed two people and injured more than 100 was just one more thing to worry investors.
The pullback disrupted, at least for the moment, the phenomenal rally that has sent the Dow Jones industrial average up 13 percent and the Standard & Poor's 500 index up 11 percent in 2013. Both indexes marked record highs only last Wednesday. Home energy management But the market's exceptional performance has fueled widespread speculation about an inevitable retreat.
Concerns that Cyprus and other troubled European countries may sell gold to raise cash have also weighed on prices for precious metals, said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at the brokerage BTIG.
It was the biggest drop for the stock market since Nov. 7 — Election Day — last year.
Of the 10 industry groups in the S&P 500, materials and energy stocks fared the worst, losing 4 percent. Indexes of small companies and transportation stocks, which are more vulnerable to swings in the economy, also fell 4 percent.
Crude
oil prices hit their lowest level since mid-December, sliding $2.58 to
finish at $88.71 in New York trading. And gold fell $140, plunging below
$1,400 an ounce for the first time in two years as a sell-off in metals
continued from last week. Gold has now slumped $203 an ounce over the
past two days.Frank Fantozzi, CEO of Planned Financial Services, a wealth management firm, says people had bought gold since the financial crisis on the belief that it was safe place to keep money. But now that the metal has slid 20 percent this year, they're jumping out.
"I think you're getting some panic selling right now" in the gold market, Fantozzi said. "People who have been holding on to gold expecting a rebound are now thinking, 'I better get out.'"
Cetin Ciner, a finance professor and expert in precious metal markets at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, said gold had also offered a protection against rampant inflation when the economy recovered. That helped push gold prices as high at $1,900 in 2011, but the high inflation they worried about still hasn't hit.
Gold "was bound to collapse at some stage," Ciner said. "People were waiting and waiting for higher inflation, and they finally realized it's not happening."
Just seven stocks rose in the S&P 500. Among them, Citigroup inched up 9 cents to $45.87, after the country's third-largest bank reported earnings that beat analysts' estimates. Stronger revenue from trading and investment banking lifted the bank's results.
Sprint Nextel jumped after Dish Network offered $25 billion to buy the company. Dish's bid is aimed at beating an offer from the Japanese phone company SoftBank. Sprint surged 14 percent to $7.06, and Dish fell 2 percent to $36.77.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offered $13.6 billion to buy genetic testing equipment maker Life Technologies. That works out to $76 in cash for each share of Life Technologies. Thermo Fisher's stock fell 1 percent to $78.58, while Life Technologies rose 7 percent to $73.11.
In the market for U.S. government bonds, which traders often buy when they're concerned about the economy, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note retreated to 1.69 percent, its lowest level of the year. That's down from 1.72 percent late Friday.
But for all the alarm among investors, experts doubt that the drop in stock prices is a harbinger of another global recession. Deep government budget cuts have slowed the U.S. economy and kept Europe in recession. And China's economy is cooling. But economists still expect the U.S. economy — the world's biggest — to gain strength during the second half of the year.
Nearly four years after the Great Recession ended, the American economy has a stronger foundation. Rising home prices and near-record stock prices make consumers feel wealthier and more willing to spend. And although China's growth was below expectations, it was still a pace that would be considered strong anywhere else.
The broader outlook for stocks was not likely to be "tremendously affected" by Monday's sell-off, Ciner said.
"There's so much money being pumped into the system, and the money has to go somewhere," he said, referring to the more than $2 trillion in bonds the Federal Reserve has bought since the Great Recession.
"There is some growth. Profits are up. So I don't think commodities will affect stocks," Ciner said. "There may be some volatility, but I think stocks will continue to go up in the short term."
This is being celebrated in many quarters
The twice-yearly meetings of CEOs from the major electricity
suppliers in Australia has become something of an institution for the
industry leaders. They are for a specifically designed as a private
forum to raise issues of concern to the industry. In the past, issues
such as renewable energy targets, the carbon price, network upgrades
have been the focus of attention. In last month’s meeting in Sydney,
however,In home display it was about something more fundamental: the very future of their businesses.
Business models for electricity generators and network operators have been largely untroubled for generations. But here in Australia, and across the globe, they are being challenged by new technologies that take the power (quite literally) of the market out of their hands, and into those of their customers – a trend driven by the plunging cost of solar PV and a whole series of “enablers” such as storage, smart meters and other technologies.
This is being celebrated in many quarters as the “democratisation of energy”. Needless, to say, for the oligarchs that have dominated the industry for decades, it spells nothing but trouble. In Germany, Macquarie Group thinks that the electricity system as it is currently constructed is already “kaput”, and that the impact of rooftop solar is “unstoppable” in several European countries, with major implications for incumbent utilities. UBS , Deutsche and JP Morgan agree that solar PV has become a “no brainer” for customers, even in Europe.
In the US, as Duke Energy (the largest utility) and NRG (the largest generator) both agree, a solar revolution is already at hand.
“Consumers are realising they don’t need the power industry at all,” said David Crane, the head of NRG.
Curiously, in Australia, with the highest penetration of rooftop solar in the world – more than one million houses now have solar PV – you don’t hear the incumbent network operators heralding such a revolution, Home energy monitor but they are no less obsessed about the potential outcome.
And, as David Roberts from Grist wrote the other day, the challenge of having to reshape their business models has, if you’ll excuse another pun, come as a shock to the system.
“Remember … that these utilities are not Google or Facebook,” Roberts wrote in one of a series of articles that are recommended reading. “They are not accustomed to a state of constant market turmoil and reinvention.
“This is a venerable old boys network, working very comfortably within a business model that has been around, virtually unchanged, for a century. A friggin’ century, more or less without innovation, and now they’re supposed to scramble and be all hip and new-age? Unlikely.”
But that is the challenge at hand. The issues canvassed at last month’s meeting of the old boys’ network in Australia included what many agree is a vicious circle. The networks that they have been encouraged to supersize in the last few years are losing what had been considered to be a “given” in the industry – ever increasing demand, and a dependable rise in revenues.
That
has come as a result of a troika of new influences – declining
manufacturing capacity, the impact of energy efficiency schemes, and the
ability of households to produce some of their own electricity
requirements from rooftop solar systems.
Add to this a new phenomenon – the “inelasticity” of rising electricity bills. It was generally believed that people would continue consuming and paying, even with rising bills. But now the customers have an option not to. And while the process of super-sizing the electricity grid has made contributed to a near doubling in electricity prices, the cost of solar PV has fallen by more than 80 per cent.
There is now clearly a cheaper alternative for homeowners with suitable rooftops – as are other options such as investments in technologies such as energy efficient appliances and lighting. As even the US Edison Electricity Institute, a trade grouping of US utilities, noted last week in an echo of Crane’s warning, customers are realising that they may not need the grid any more, or at most as a back-up. This, it says, will cause “irreparable damages to revenues and (the ) growth prospects” of utilities.
What are the networks to do? They complain that the solar PV is eating out revenue during the day but not solving the capacity problems of the evening peaks.
That particular problem may be solved by another technology that is following closely on the heals of solar PV – battery storage. This is considered by some in the solar industry to be the “holy grail” (it used to be socker parity, but we’re past that now). But even if it removes much of the evening peaks, and the need for bigger networks in the future, it doesn’t necessarily help the networks address their major current problem, which is ensuring they get revenue from network investments already made.
As more and more households and businesses turn to solar, and progressively storage, the more revenue networks will need to source from fixed charges and from their remaining clients. This is known as the “death spiral”. The more utilities appear to declare war on their customers, and seek to make solar unattractive by increases in fixed charges, and raising tariffs, and regulatory barriers, the more battery storage and distributed energy seems appealing. The more utilities feel they are competing against their customers, the quicker they will become estranged.
The only reasonable option seems to be to encourage people to consume more. Mandating them to turn on more air conditioning, or re-install wasteful appliances, obviously won’t work. Time to think of something new.
That option could be electric vehicles. EVs are starting to make inroads into the market, inspired by “first users” and those with the money to indulge, and utilities are only playing around at the edges. Encouraging their use – as EV costs inevitably fall – will not just increase demand on the electricity grid, snapping the death spiral scenario and reassuring investors, but could also present socially attractive options such as providing an accelerated and clearer path to a smarter energy system, and reduce Australia’s expensive reliance on imported and dirty fossil fuels. That can then be presented as a hedge against the rising cost of diesel and petrol, and turn the closure of refineries in Australia into a virtue rather than a regret.
Business models for electricity generators and network operators have been largely untroubled for generations. But here in Australia, and across the globe, they are being challenged by new technologies that take the power (quite literally) of the market out of their hands, and into those of their customers – a trend driven by the plunging cost of solar PV and a whole series of “enablers” such as storage, smart meters and other technologies.
This is being celebrated in many quarters as the “democratisation of energy”. Needless, to say, for the oligarchs that have dominated the industry for decades, it spells nothing but trouble. In Germany, Macquarie Group thinks that the electricity system as it is currently constructed is already “kaput”, and that the impact of rooftop solar is “unstoppable” in several European countries, with major implications for incumbent utilities. UBS , Deutsche and JP Morgan agree that solar PV has become a “no brainer” for customers, even in Europe.
In the US, as Duke Energy (the largest utility) and NRG (the largest generator) both agree, a solar revolution is already at hand.
“Consumers are realising they don’t need the power industry at all,” said David Crane, the head of NRG.
Curiously, in Australia, with the highest penetration of rooftop solar in the world – more than one million houses now have solar PV – you don’t hear the incumbent network operators heralding such a revolution, Home energy monitor but they are no less obsessed about the potential outcome.
And, as David Roberts from Grist wrote the other day, the challenge of having to reshape their business models has, if you’ll excuse another pun, come as a shock to the system.
“Remember … that these utilities are not Google or Facebook,” Roberts wrote in one of a series of articles that are recommended reading. “They are not accustomed to a state of constant market turmoil and reinvention.
“This is a venerable old boys network, working very comfortably within a business model that has been around, virtually unchanged, for a century. A friggin’ century, more or less without innovation, and now they’re supposed to scramble and be all hip and new-age? Unlikely.”
But that is the challenge at hand. The issues canvassed at last month’s meeting of the old boys’ network in Australia included what many agree is a vicious circle. The networks that they have been encouraged to supersize in the last few years are losing what had been considered to be a “given” in the industry – ever increasing demand, and a dependable rise in revenues.
That
has come as a result of a troika of new influences – declining
manufacturing capacity, the impact of energy efficiency schemes, and the
ability of households to produce some of their own electricity
requirements from rooftop solar systems.Add to this a new phenomenon – the “inelasticity” of rising electricity bills. It was generally believed that people would continue consuming and paying, even with rising bills. But now the customers have an option not to. And while the process of super-sizing the electricity grid has made contributed to a near doubling in electricity prices, the cost of solar PV has fallen by more than 80 per cent.
There is now clearly a cheaper alternative for homeowners with suitable rooftops – as are other options such as investments in technologies such as energy efficient appliances and lighting. As even the US Edison Electricity Institute, a trade grouping of US utilities, noted last week in an echo of Crane’s warning, customers are realising that they may not need the grid any more, or at most as a back-up. This, it says, will cause “irreparable damages to revenues and (the ) growth prospects” of utilities.
What are the networks to do? They complain that the solar PV is eating out revenue during the day but not solving the capacity problems of the evening peaks.
That particular problem may be solved by another technology that is following closely on the heals of solar PV – battery storage. This is considered by some in the solar industry to be the “holy grail” (it used to be socker parity, but we’re past that now). But even if it removes much of the evening peaks, and the need for bigger networks in the future, it doesn’t necessarily help the networks address their major current problem, which is ensuring they get revenue from network investments already made.
As more and more households and businesses turn to solar, and progressively storage, the more revenue networks will need to source from fixed charges and from their remaining clients. This is known as the “death spiral”. The more utilities appear to declare war on their customers, and seek to make solar unattractive by increases in fixed charges, and raising tariffs, and regulatory barriers, the more battery storage and distributed energy seems appealing. The more utilities feel they are competing against their customers, the quicker they will become estranged.
The only reasonable option seems to be to encourage people to consume more. Mandating them to turn on more air conditioning, or re-install wasteful appliances, obviously won’t work. Time to think of something new.
That option could be electric vehicles. EVs are starting to make inroads into the market, inspired by “first users” and those with the money to indulge, and utilities are only playing around at the edges. Encouraging their use – as EV costs inevitably fall – will not just increase demand on the electricity grid, snapping the death spiral scenario and reassuring investors, but could also present socially attractive options such as providing an accelerated and clearer path to a smarter energy system, and reduce Australia’s expensive reliance on imported and dirty fossil fuels. That can then be presented as a hedge against the rising cost of diesel and petrol, and turn the closure of refineries in Australia into a virtue rather than a regret.
2013年4月11日 星期四
Onitsha artists return with Orakwue
ONE of the fruits of the 10th coronation anniversary of HRM, Obi of
Onitsha, Nnemeka Achebe, is the regrouping of the popular Onitsha
artists, who seized the opportunity of the commemoration to stage a
return to exhibition turf one decade after their absence.
KNOWN in the Nigerian art circle as Onitsha Artists, the group is currently exhibiting paintings and sculptures under the title Orakwue {Let the Whole World Talk) at Alexis Galleries, (formerly Homestores), Victoria Island, Lagos. The show, featuring works of nine members and eight guest artists, is organized specifically as a tribute for the monarch, who is regarded as one of Africa’s consistent art collectors.
It was initially bid to hold in October, last year as part of the Obi’s 10th anniversary, before it was shifted to this period.
It is on record that the group, which consists of artists of Onitsha origin, at home and overseas, had its first major art exhibition Olokoto at the now rested Pendulum Gallery, Lekki, Lagos under the late art patron and gallery owner, Peter Areh in 2003. The current outing of the Onitsha Artists, Home electricity monitor Orakwue, appears to have facilitated the regrouping. They have promised a regular show thereafter.
Some of the exhibiting artists in the on-going display, who are members of the group include Afam Okwudili, George Nwadiogbu, Ato Arinze, Chinwe Uwatse, Osaji Dubem, Gaby Emengo, Frank Anamah, Onyeoma Mbanefo and George Edozie. They are joined by guest artists from Nigeria, Republic of Benin and Ghana such as Abiodun Olaku, Alex Nwokolo, Tola Wewe, Gbenga Ofor, Duke Asidere, Agorsor Kofi, Fidelis Odogwu and Domonique Zinkpe.
A member of the Onitsha Artists, Home energy management Nwadiogbu had, during a preview session, stated that artists across West Africa region are indebted to Achebe. He described the royal father as a good art patron, who has a lot of respect for artists, hence the theme of the gathering ‘let the people speak for me’. The exhibiting artists, he emphasised, “are, through the exhibition speaking for the Obi” as part of the monarch’s 10th year anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.
The gratitude or solidarity exhibition is also an opportunity for some of the artists who are either unknown in Lagos or have been quiet in the art circle for a while. In works by familiar names such as Uwatse, Nwadiogbu, Arinze and Edozie, it’s either teasers of new things to come or reflection of the past.
For instance, Uwatse’s Windows of Souls (Acrylic on Canvas 2012) suggests a shift from her conservative rendition of colour. The work depicts a depth of cubic images with high red, yellow and purple, creating a depth that swims into the ‘windows’. For Edozie, it’s about experimentation of a new technique, though still trying to maintain a thin line between his past figural image and a likely new look of his work, as reflected in a two-lady piece Obiamaka and Onyeoma. If elongated figures, as the biggest Onitsha artist, late Ben Enwonwu stressed in his Negritude series should be taken by historians as one of the characteristics of artists from that part of the country, Nwadiogbu’s Dance for Peace offers a reason.
In
ceramist, Arinze’s Happy Family, a depiction of cheerful moods, which
Nigerians can hardly afford currently, comes in what could be both a
functional and decorative sculpture of vase or pot-like.
For a big show like Orakwue showing in a relatively new gallery raised the question of adequate visibility commensurate with the theme and essence of the gathering.
Two years of Alexis Galleries’ presence on the growing Lagos art scene may be short, but it’s strong enough to have any big show, the coordinator of the exhibition, Edozie argued.
“With six highly successful shows within the two years of the gallery’s existence, we thought Alexis has the crowd strong enough to host this show”. And with a major support from big corporate group, Diamond Bank, courtesy of the Head, Corporate Communication, Akpo Daniyan and others such as Veuve Clicquot, arra, Chocolate Royal, Cool fm, Nigeria Info and Wazobia “the gallery is excited to host the show”, the proprietress of Alexis Galleries, Patty Chidiac enthused. She noted that the “diversity of Nigerian art is an attraction that makes the gallery keeps searching for rare exhibitions like Orakwue”. She however cautioned that “I am not a kind critic; not ready to have many shows, but few quality ones.”
Indeed, Alexis Galleries’ claim of a successful entry into the Lagos art scene should be a source of encouragement for artists, particularly the young ones who are being fenced out of the mainstream art market due to rising cost of art exhibitions across some well known and choice gallery spaces in Lagos and Victoria Island axis. Chidiac argued that it’s important to give artists more options to express themselves and allow the art market to, naturally, determine its direction.
According to her, one of the aims of Alexis “is to stabilize the art market.”
From its first show, Alexis (then Homestores) actually demonstrated its focus: a young, up-and-coming Nyemike’s solo outing opened the gate for young and established artists.
And that Orakwue is coming a decade after Olokoto, perhaps suggests that the Onitsha Artists are a group of one show in 10 years artists. “Not at all”, Edozie insisted. “This will continue, we hope to take the show beyond Nigeria”. Orakwue, Nwadiogbu informed, was designed to take off in Onitsha, then move to Abuja and Lagos”.
Quite recluse from the mainstream art market are an army of artists old and young outside Lagos, and Onitsha is one of such places. How is Onitsha Artists reaching out to such less privileged artists? “We do reach out; after the Olokoto show in 2003, part of the proceeds was given to the creative community in Onitsha. We hope to do the same after Orakwue.”
KNOWN in the Nigerian art circle as Onitsha Artists, the group is currently exhibiting paintings and sculptures under the title Orakwue {Let the Whole World Talk) at Alexis Galleries, (formerly Homestores), Victoria Island, Lagos. The show, featuring works of nine members and eight guest artists, is organized specifically as a tribute for the monarch, who is regarded as one of Africa’s consistent art collectors.
It was initially bid to hold in October, last year as part of the Obi’s 10th anniversary, before it was shifted to this period.
It is on record that the group, which consists of artists of Onitsha origin, at home and overseas, had its first major art exhibition Olokoto at the now rested Pendulum Gallery, Lekki, Lagos under the late art patron and gallery owner, Peter Areh in 2003. The current outing of the Onitsha Artists, Home electricity monitor Orakwue, appears to have facilitated the regrouping. They have promised a regular show thereafter.
Some of the exhibiting artists in the on-going display, who are members of the group include Afam Okwudili, George Nwadiogbu, Ato Arinze, Chinwe Uwatse, Osaji Dubem, Gaby Emengo, Frank Anamah, Onyeoma Mbanefo and George Edozie. They are joined by guest artists from Nigeria, Republic of Benin and Ghana such as Abiodun Olaku, Alex Nwokolo, Tola Wewe, Gbenga Ofor, Duke Asidere, Agorsor Kofi, Fidelis Odogwu and Domonique Zinkpe.
A member of the Onitsha Artists, Home energy management Nwadiogbu had, during a preview session, stated that artists across West Africa region are indebted to Achebe. He described the royal father as a good art patron, who has a lot of respect for artists, hence the theme of the gathering ‘let the people speak for me’. The exhibiting artists, he emphasised, “are, through the exhibition speaking for the Obi” as part of the monarch’s 10th year anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.
The gratitude or solidarity exhibition is also an opportunity for some of the artists who are either unknown in Lagos or have been quiet in the art circle for a while. In works by familiar names such as Uwatse, Nwadiogbu, Arinze and Edozie, it’s either teasers of new things to come or reflection of the past.
For instance, Uwatse’s Windows of Souls (Acrylic on Canvas 2012) suggests a shift from her conservative rendition of colour. The work depicts a depth of cubic images with high red, yellow and purple, creating a depth that swims into the ‘windows’. For Edozie, it’s about experimentation of a new technique, though still trying to maintain a thin line between his past figural image and a likely new look of his work, as reflected in a two-lady piece Obiamaka and Onyeoma. If elongated figures, as the biggest Onitsha artist, late Ben Enwonwu stressed in his Negritude series should be taken by historians as one of the characteristics of artists from that part of the country, Nwadiogbu’s Dance for Peace offers a reason.
In
ceramist, Arinze’s Happy Family, a depiction of cheerful moods, which
Nigerians can hardly afford currently, comes in what could be both a
functional and decorative sculpture of vase or pot-like.For a big show like Orakwue showing in a relatively new gallery raised the question of adequate visibility commensurate with the theme and essence of the gathering.
Two years of Alexis Galleries’ presence on the growing Lagos art scene may be short, but it’s strong enough to have any big show, the coordinator of the exhibition, Edozie argued.
“With six highly successful shows within the two years of the gallery’s existence, we thought Alexis has the crowd strong enough to host this show”. And with a major support from big corporate group, Diamond Bank, courtesy of the Head, Corporate Communication, Akpo Daniyan and others such as Veuve Clicquot, arra, Chocolate Royal, Cool fm, Nigeria Info and Wazobia “the gallery is excited to host the show”, the proprietress of Alexis Galleries, Patty Chidiac enthused. She noted that the “diversity of Nigerian art is an attraction that makes the gallery keeps searching for rare exhibitions like Orakwue”. She however cautioned that “I am not a kind critic; not ready to have many shows, but few quality ones.”
Indeed, Alexis Galleries’ claim of a successful entry into the Lagos art scene should be a source of encouragement for artists, particularly the young ones who are being fenced out of the mainstream art market due to rising cost of art exhibitions across some well known and choice gallery spaces in Lagos and Victoria Island axis. Chidiac argued that it’s important to give artists more options to express themselves and allow the art market to, naturally, determine its direction.
According to her, one of the aims of Alexis “is to stabilize the art market.”
From its first show, Alexis (then Homestores) actually demonstrated its focus: a young, up-and-coming Nyemike’s solo outing opened the gate for young and established artists.
And that Orakwue is coming a decade after Olokoto, perhaps suggests that the Onitsha Artists are a group of one show in 10 years artists. “Not at all”, Edozie insisted. “This will continue, we hope to take the show beyond Nigeria”. Orakwue, Nwadiogbu informed, was designed to take off in Onitsha, then move to Abuja and Lagos”.
Quite recluse from the mainstream art market are an army of artists old and young outside Lagos, and Onitsha is one of such places. How is Onitsha Artists reaching out to such less privileged artists? “We do reach out; after the Olokoto show in 2003, part of the proceeds was given to the creative community in Onitsha. We hope to do the same after Orakwue.”
The attraction of the reservoir behind the property
Growing up, Jackie Robinson's trophy room in their North Stamford
home was one of Sharon Robinson's regular reminders of her father's
singular place in American history as the man who broke Major League
Baseball's color barrier.
Robinson said it is important to remember that despite the stress and turmoil her father faced in his role as trail blazer,In home display he also felt great fulfillment in raising a family with his wife Rachel and continually trying to raise consciousness about the need for equal rights for blacks and other minorities.
Robinson said the movie does a good job of highlighting the resistance and prejudice her father faced during that first season, and it could help people discuss ways which people and institutions in American society still fall short of providing equal opportunity and access regardless of race.
"Kids today can't remember a time when they didn't have interracial socialization, so it could seem like a foreign concept that you had those types of divisions in society," Robinson said. "I think it is a great opportunity for discussion within classrooms and homes and for people to think about what's different now and what they can do to promote equality in America for all people."
As Robinson approached the end of his Hall of Fame career, he moved his young family out of New York City to a custom-built home at 103 Cascade Road. The family moved into their new 12-room ranch home in 1955; Robinson retired the next year. The family would remain at the home until Robinson died at 53 from a heart attack in 1972, selling it in 1984.
Sharon Robinson said she still cherishes her childhood memories of her father and life in Stamford,Home energy monitor especially eating dinner with her family nightly, and spending afternoons exploring the woods around the adjacent reservoir.
"I loved that house and still can't believe that it was subdivided into three lots when we sold it," Robinson said. "It has a lot of my favorite memories."
Her father played touch football with neighborhood children, and Robinson said she and another young girl both owned ponies they would ride together on dirt roads around the neighborhood, she said.
The
attraction of the reservoir behind the property and their sprawling
home, complete with an ice cream parlor, helped make it a sort of
neighborhood headquarters for children, Robinson said, a development her
father welcomed.
Robinson remembered her father testing the ice on the lake to ensure it was thick enough for children to navigate with a toboggan.
"I have wonderful memories of living on Cascade Road and sometimes I don't think my heart has ever really left that place," she said. "It was like a fantasy."
While Robinson and her brothers David and Jackie Jr. were aware of their father's status as a celebrity and symbol of the civil rights movement, the isolated, but idyllic wooded confines of North Stamford, and the acceptance of the mostly white families towards the Robinsons helped buffer them from some of the turmoil in wider society.
"While it was socially isolated it was a great place for young kids to be free and especially because we had a famous father we weren't on display at all," she said. "We planted our own trees and in a lot of ways it was perfect. It was very hard to let that place go."
Ralph Branca, a Brooklyn Dodgers starting pitcher and teammate of Robinson's through 1953, said watching "42" at an advance screening brought back both his sense of admiration for Robinson and the sometimes visceral expressions of racial abuse expressed that first season.
"He was a great man," Branca said. "On the road we would eat dinner, and we also went to Yonkers Raceway. Though we never bet much, you have to remember we worked for Rickey, so we didn't make a lot of money, even though Jackie was a superstar."
Branca said Robinson's decision to brush off the abuse of fans and players on the field was demanded by Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey who believed any expression of anger by Robinson would harm efforts to integrate baseball.
"Branch Rickey didn't want him to get into any incidents or imbroglios," Branca said. "He was a fiery, feisty, and fierce competitor, but when he thought he was safe at second and he was called out you, would see him jump up and almost argue, before turning his back and running back to the dugout."
In later years, Branca played golf with Robinson and attended the Robinson family's annual jazz concert fundraiser at their North Stamford home, an event which drew thousands, he said.
"He was a great man and we remained life-long friends," Branca said. "Jackie and I always got along, and Ann and Rachel were also friends, so we saw each other."
On Saturday morning, Black Connecticut and the Jackie Robinson Foundation will host a fundraising screening of "42" at the Bowtie Majestic Theater at 118 Summer St. Tickets are $15, with the proceeds going towards the purchase of a red-black and-green Pan-African flag to be flown at Mill River Park.
Robinson said it is important to remember that despite the stress and turmoil her father faced in his role as trail blazer,In home display he also felt great fulfillment in raising a family with his wife Rachel and continually trying to raise consciousness about the need for equal rights for blacks and other minorities.
Robinson said the movie does a good job of highlighting the resistance and prejudice her father faced during that first season, and it could help people discuss ways which people and institutions in American society still fall short of providing equal opportunity and access regardless of race.
"Kids today can't remember a time when they didn't have interracial socialization, so it could seem like a foreign concept that you had those types of divisions in society," Robinson said. "I think it is a great opportunity for discussion within classrooms and homes and for people to think about what's different now and what they can do to promote equality in America for all people."
As Robinson approached the end of his Hall of Fame career, he moved his young family out of New York City to a custom-built home at 103 Cascade Road. The family moved into their new 12-room ranch home in 1955; Robinson retired the next year. The family would remain at the home until Robinson died at 53 from a heart attack in 1972, selling it in 1984.
Sharon Robinson said she still cherishes her childhood memories of her father and life in Stamford,Home energy monitor especially eating dinner with her family nightly, and spending afternoons exploring the woods around the adjacent reservoir.
"I loved that house and still can't believe that it was subdivided into three lots when we sold it," Robinson said. "It has a lot of my favorite memories."
Her father played touch football with neighborhood children, and Robinson said she and another young girl both owned ponies they would ride together on dirt roads around the neighborhood, she said.
The
attraction of the reservoir behind the property and their sprawling
home, complete with an ice cream parlor, helped make it a sort of
neighborhood headquarters for children, Robinson said, a development her
father welcomed.Robinson remembered her father testing the ice on the lake to ensure it was thick enough for children to navigate with a toboggan.
"I have wonderful memories of living on Cascade Road and sometimes I don't think my heart has ever really left that place," she said. "It was like a fantasy."
While Robinson and her brothers David and Jackie Jr. were aware of their father's status as a celebrity and symbol of the civil rights movement, the isolated, but idyllic wooded confines of North Stamford, and the acceptance of the mostly white families towards the Robinsons helped buffer them from some of the turmoil in wider society.
"While it was socially isolated it was a great place for young kids to be free and especially because we had a famous father we weren't on display at all," she said. "We planted our own trees and in a lot of ways it was perfect. It was very hard to let that place go."
Ralph Branca, a Brooklyn Dodgers starting pitcher and teammate of Robinson's through 1953, said watching "42" at an advance screening brought back both his sense of admiration for Robinson and the sometimes visceral expressions of racial abuse expressed that first season.
"He was a great man," Branca said. "On the road we would eat dinner, and we also went to Yonkers Raceway. Though we never bet much, you have to remember we worked for Rickey, so we didn't make a lot of money, even though Jackie was a superstar."
Branca said Robinson's decision to brush off the abuse of fans and players on the field was demanded by Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey who believed any expression of anger by Robinson would harm efforts to integrate baseball.
"Branch Rickey didn't want him to get into any incidents or imbroglios," Branca said. "He was a fiery, feisty, and fierce competitor, but when he thought he was safe at second and he was called out you, would see him jump up and almost argue, before turning his back and running back to the dugout."
In later years, Branca played golf with Robinson and attended the Robinson family's annual jazz concert fundraiser at their North Stamford home, an event which drew thousands, he said.
"He was a great man and we remained life-long friends," Branca said. "Jackie and I always got along, and Ann and Rachel were also friends, so we saw each other."
On Saturday morning, Black Connecticut and the Jackie Robinson Foundation will host a fundraising screening of "42" at the Bowtie Majestic Theater at 118 Summer St. Tickets are $15, with the proceeds going towards the purchase of a red-black and-green Pan-African flag to be flown at Mill River Park.
2013年4月8日 星期一
Palestinian Patients Are Denied Adequate Treatment in Israel
The reporting on the
death of Maysara Abu Hamdieh focused on concern that news of another Palestinian
dying in prison would spark a wave of violent demonstrations in the
territories.learn how to choose a Home power monitor. Few
wondered why it took six months from the time Abu Hamdieh complained of sharp
pain in his throat in August 2012 until he was diagnosed this past February with
advanced-stage cancer. Fewer, still, wondered why he was only hospitalized at
the end of March, three days before his death.
One can easily imagine the magnitude of public reaction in Israel to a report of an Israeli soldier dying in captivity, heaven forbid. We all witnessed the public campaign surrounding the President Barack Obama visit for the release of Jewish spy Jonathan Pollard, not to mention the Israeli drug dealer who was kidnapped by Hezbollah and freed, several years ago, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
It’s harder, still, to decipher the system that enables a society blessed with collective concern for its sons and daughters to act, at the same time, with such callousness and hard-heartedness when it comes to similar sensitivities displayed by the Palestinians over 4,700 of their sons and daughters held by Israel as “security prisoners.”
While the issue of prisoner releases and conditions of incarceration occasionally arises — but only following a hunger strike or the marking of “Prisoner Day” in the territories — the fate of “regular” sick Palestinians, whose lives depend on special medical care, is relegated to the sidelines, if at all. Last week my colleague Mohammed Suliman described on this site the manipulative use made by Israeli defense authorities of the permits granted to sick Gaza residents and their escorts seeking treatment in Israel and East Jerusalem.
Stipulating that they or their escorts become collaborators in order to get an exit permit and even arresting those who refuse, constitutes the crudest, most outrageous end point in a series of obstacles placed by authorities in the way of the helpless. ''Physicians for Human Rights,'' an Israeli NGO, reports that the last year saw a certain improvement in the number of entry permits granted to Gazans, but even today entry is refused to some 20% of those needing treatment or to their escorts.
But Israel is not alone in its callousness. Activists of “The Road to Recovery,” an organization that drives Palestinian children to and from hospitals in Israel and East Jerusalem, recount scandalous behavior on the part of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the Hamas government in Gaza toward sick people and their families who require help. Parents who are not fortunate enough to have a cousin or acquaintance in the right places, are forced to pay a bribe for each permit. Occasionally one of those families is informed that it must stop treatment for a baby with cancer in an Israeli hospital, equipped with the best medical equipment, and is directed to continue treatment at a hospital in East Jerusalem or Cairo. Why? “Because it’s cheaper there.”
The Palestinian Authority, which earmarks a quarter of its budget to pay the salaries of its security apparatus, exercises strict budgetary thrift in the supply of medication and ambulances for the sick. A former coordinator of the Authority’s permit office in Gaza complained to the Israeli transportation volunteers of the callousness of the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah toward sick Gaza residents. “This situation is known to all,” one of the organization’s volunteers told Al-Monitor, “but nobody cares about it except the sick and they — the sick and their families — want to safely reach an Israeli hospital and are afraid to say a word.”
The tremendous gap between the level of Israeli medicine and that in Gaza did not come out of nowhere. To a large extent it is the result of decades of oppression and neglect of civilian infrastructure, in general, and of the health system, in particular, under Israel’s occupation regime. In April 1994, the first Palestinian minister of health, Dr. Riad Zanoun, described the condition of the system he had been handed: “When Israel captured the Gaza Strip in 1967, there were 360,000 Palestinians and five hospitals with 800 beds. Today, 800,000 people live in Gaza and we still have five hospitals with 800 beds.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.”
Since then, the population of Gaza has almost doubled, but the relative condition of the health services has worsened further. A ''Physicians for Human Rights'' (PHR) delegation that visited the Gaza Strip in mid-March described a shortage of experts, advanced equipment and medicines. At the end of a long day of intensive activity, which included several operations, the doctors reported that the prolonged blockade of the Strip had caused a shortage in sub-specializations and an urgent need of programs to update doctors in various areas of medicine.
An examination of hundreds of patients revealed problems with diagnoses and appropriate treatment. Many patients don’t get adequate medical consultation and are not directed to a further investigation of their condition. On top of that, patients are not given up-to-date drugs and are often forced to make do with ones that have expired. Due to financial difficulties and a lack of knowledge about alternatives,Find HEM 703 blood pressure monitor ads in our Miscellaneous Goods category. doctors continue to stuff patients with drugs that don’t contribute to their recovery.
Sadly, the practice of providing patients with drugs that don’t improve their condition is typical of the leaders of both injured parties — they also keep prescribing medications past their due dates. As always, the sick, the helpless, the incarcerated, the unconnected, are the first to suffer. Luckily, several hundred righteous people in Israel have been touched by the affliction of their neighbor and are not put off by the authorities’ hard-heartedness. Thus, in the past year, volunteers of “The Road to Recovery” carried out at least 2,000 runs of Palestinian children to Israeli hospitals and back to the roadblocks. Just this past Saturday [April 6], a group of PHR doctors visited the Jenin refugee camp and treated more than 320 residents.
One can easily imagine the magnitude of public reaction in Israel to a report of an Israeli soldier dying in captivity, heaven forbid. We all witnessed the public campaign surrounding the President Barack Obama visit for the release of Jewish spy Jonathan Pollard, not to mention the Israeli drug dealer who was kidnapped by Hezbollah and freed, several years ago, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
It’s harder, still, to decipher the system that enables a society blessed with collective concern for its sons and daughters to act, at the same time, with such callousness and hard-heartedness when it comes to similar sensitivities displayed by the Palestinians over 4,700 of their sons and daughters held by Israel as “security prisoners.”
While the issue of prisoner releases and conditions of incarceration occasionally arises — but only following a hunger strike or the marking of “Prisoner Day” in the territories — the fate of “regular” sick Palestinians, whose lives depend on special medical care, is relegated to the sidelines, if at all. Last week my colleague Mohammed Suliman described on this site the manipulative use made by Israeli defense authorities of the permits granted to sick Gaza residents and their escorts seeking treatment in Israel and East Jerusalem.
Stipulating that they or their escorts become collaborators in order to get an exit permit and even arresting those who refuse, constitutes the crudest, most outrageous end point in a series of obstacles placed by authorities in the way of the helpless. ''Physicians for Human Rights,'' an Israeli NGO, reports that the last year saw a certain improvement in the number of entry permits granted to Gazans, but even today entry is refused to some 20% of those needing treatment or to their escorts.
But Israel is not alone in its callousness. Activists of “The Road to Recovery,” an organization that drives Palestinian children to and from hospitals in Israel and East Jerusalem, recount scandalous behavior on the part of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the Hamas government in Gaza toward sick people and their families who require help. Parents who are not fortunate enough to have a cousin or acquaintance in the right places, are forced to pay a bribe for each permit. Occasionally one of those families is informed that it must stop treatment for a baby with cancer in an Israeli hospital, equipped with the best medical equipment, and is directed to continue treatment at a hospital in East Jerusalem or Cairo. Why? “Because it’s cheaper there.”
The Palestinian Authority, which earmarks a quarter of its budget to pay the salaries of its security apparatus, exercises strict budgetary thrift in the supply of medication and ambulances for the sick. A former coordinator of the Authority’s permit office in Gaza complained to the Israeli transportation volunteers of the callousness of the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah toward sick Gaza residents. “This situation is known to all,” one of the organization’s volunteers told Al-Monitor, “but nobody cares about it except the sick and they — the sick and their families — want to safely reach an Israeli hospital and are afraid to say a word.”
The tremendous gap between the level of Israeli medicine and that in Gaza did not come out of nowhere. To a large extent it is the result of decades of oppression and neglect of civilian infrastructure, in general, and of the health system, in particular, under Israel’s occupation regime. In April 1994, the first Palestinian minister of health, Dr. Riad Zanoun, described the condition of the system he had been handed: “When Israel captured the Gaza Strip in 1967, there were 360,000 Palestinians and five hospitals with 800 beds. Today, 800,000 people live in Gaza and we still have five hospitals with 800 beds.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.”
Since then, the population of Gaza has almost doubled, but the relative condition of the health services has worsened further. A ''Physicians for Human Rights'' (PHR) delegation that visited the Gaza Strip in mid-March described a shortage of experts, advanced equipment and medicines. At the end of a long day of intensive activity, which included several operations, the doctors reported that the prolonged blockade of the Strip had caused a shortage in sub-specializations and an urgent need of programs to update doctors in various areas of medicine.
An examination of hundreds of patients revealed problems with diagnoses and appropriate treatment. Many patients don’t get adequate medical consultation and are not directed to a further investigation of their condition. On top of that, patients are not given up-to-date drugs and are often forced to make do with ones that have expired. Due to financial difficulties and a lack of knowledge about alternatives,Find HEM 703 blood pressure monitor ads in our Miscellaneous Goods category. doctors continue to stuff patients with drugs that don’t contribute to their recovery.
Sadly, the practice of providing patients with drugs that don’t improve their condition is typical of the leaders of both injured parties — they also keep prescribing medications past their due dates. As always, the sick, the helpless, the incarcerated, the unconnected, are the first to suffer. Luckily, several hundred righteous people in Israel have been touched by the affliction of their neighbor and are not put off by the authorities’ hard-heartedness. Thus, in the past year, volunteers of “The Road to Recovery” carried out at least 2,000 runs of Palestinian children to Israeli hospitals and back to the roadblocks. Just this past Saturday [April 6], a group of PHR doctors visited the Jenin refugee camp and treated more than 320 residents.
Housing monitor presses Westchester to take action on income
The responsibility
for moving ahead on legislation outlawing discrimination against renters based
on the type of income they use to pay rent lies with both the county executive
and the Board of Legislators, the monitor overseeing the 2009 Westchester fair
housing case said Monday.
Jim Johnson, the monitor and a lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton, said the string of court decisions on so-called source-of-income legislation add to the settlement’s requirement that the county executive promote the legislation. Friday, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed that the county had breached the settlement when County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed the legislation in 2010.
“The court has spoken many times since then and that is part of the law of this case,” Johnson said at a committee meeting of the Board of Legislators Monday.
The court was clear that the responsibility lies with the county as a whole, he said.
“The court talked about the county not shirking its responsibility and it wasn’t actually addressed just to the county executive,” he said. “It was the county’s.”
The decisions say the county executive must ask the board to reintroduce the legislation, provide information to help the board analyze it and sign it if passed. Johnson said the courts considered that the bare minimum.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction. The exact process is not explicit, he said, but the orders contemplate that there will be a process that results in legislation. If the board introduced legislation, in the eyes of the courts it would be taking on responsibility instead of shirking it, he said.
Source-of-income legislation is one of several issues that have become sticking points in the implementation of the settlement, which requires the county to build 750 units of affordable housing in mostly white communities and take steps to break down obstacles to fair housing.
Board Chairman Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers, said the board’s position was laid down in a resolution passed last year asking Astorino to send down legislation. He said the way forward will be discussed in a leadership meeting. Astorino asked the board to reintroduce the legislation last year when threatened with contempt of court but Jenkins took no action.learn how to choose a Home power monitor.
After Johnson left, the legislators debated what action they needed to take now to move the legislation. Legislator Bill Ryan said it would be helpful if the county executive would spell out what he’d like to see in the legislation as a way to form a working partnership with the board.
“This isn’t a unilateral project that the board takes up,” said Legislator Bill Ryan. No one wants to pass legislation Astorino will veto, he said.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“He needs to be a participant and then we get the thing done,” Ryan said.
Legislator Gordon Burrows, R-Yonkers, said the issue shouldn’t be political because it comes down to costing the taxpayer. The legislation doesn’t have to start with the administration, he said.
“We have to pass legislation and to shirk it upon either body isn’t right,” he said. “And I think it’s ridiculous reading newspapers, both the ninth floor (the administration) and the eighth floor (the Board of Legislators) lobbing tennis balls back and forth at one another.”
The board and the monitor Monday also discussed Johnson’s initiative to provide resources to developers and municipalities to improve the design of the 750 units and Johnson’s analysis of municipal zoning, which is expected to be presented in the coming weeks.
Jim Johnson, the monitor and a lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton, said the string of court decisions on so-called source-of-income legislation add to the settlement’s requirement that the county executive promote the legislation. Friday, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed that the county had breached the settlement when County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed the legislation in 2010.
“The court has spoken many times since then and that is part of the law of this case,” Johnson said at a committee meeting of the Board of Legislators Monday.
The court was clear that the responsibility lies with the county as a whole, he said.
“The court talked about the county not shirking its responsibility and it wasn’t actually addressed just to the county executive,” he said. “It was the county’s.”
The decisions say the county executive must ask the board to reintroduce the legislation, provide information to help the board analyze it and sign it if passed. Johnson said the courts considered that the bare minimum.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction. The exact process is not explicit, he said, but the orders contemplate that there will be a process that results in legislation. If the board introduced legislation, in the eyes of the courts it would be taking on responsibility instead of shirking it, he said.
Source-of-income legislation is one of several issues that have become sticking points in the implementation of the settlement, which requires the county to build 750 units of affordable housing in mostly white communities and take steps to break down obstacles to fair housing.
Board Chairman Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers, said the board’s position was laid down in a resolution passed last year asking Astorino to send down legislation. He said the way forward will be discussed in a leadership meeting. Astorino asked the board to reintroduce the legislation last year when threatened with contempt of court but Jenkins took no action.learn how to choose a Home power monitor.
After Johnson left, the legislators debated what action they needed to take now to move the legislation. Legislator Bill Ryan said it would be helpful if the county executive would spell out what he’d like to see in the legislation as a way to form a working partnership with the board.
“This isn’t a unilateral project that the board takes up,” said Legislator Bill Ryan. No one wants to pass legislation Astorino will veto, he said.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“He needs to be a participant and then we get the thing done,” Ryan said.
Legislator Gordon Burrows, R-Yonkers, said the issue shouldn’t be political because it comes down to costing the taxpayer. The legislation doesn’t have to start with the administration, he said.
“We have to pass legislation and to shirk it upon either body isn’t right,” he said. “And I think it’s ridiculous reading newspapers, both the ninth floor (the administration) and the eighth floor (the Board of Legislators) lobbing tennis balls back and forth at one another.”
The board and the monitor Monday also discussed Johnson’s initiative to provide resources to developers and municipalities to improve the design of the 750 units and Johnson’s analysis of municipal zoning, which is expected to be presented in the coming weeks.
The appeal of enhanced home security systems
It’s that time of year again: Flowers are blooming,learn how to choose a Home power monitor.
the weather is warmer, and spending an afternoon outside is a pleasant
prospect. In addition to more bearable temperatures, spring also
motivates many homeowners to begin home improvement projects.
This year, as part of your home upgrade, why not consider smart home technology? Integrating security with advanced technology, a smart home provides protection for you and your family, while giving you the ability to remotely control your home’s thermostat and monitor what’s going on when you’re away – all from your smartphone or tablet.
The Electronic Security Association (ESA),The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy. whose members are leaders in security and integrated technology, offers the following three reasons you should add comfort, convenience and security to your home this spring.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
Not only is security a critical component of smart home technology, it’s also one of the most popular features among homeowners. A survey released by the Consumer Electronics Association reported that 62 percent of consumers interested in smart home technology were initially intrigued by the security aspect.
The appeal of enhanced home security systems stems from their user-friendly design and convenient lifestyle enriching benefits such as remote monitoring and control. For instance, if your home is equipped with an enhanced security system, you’ll never have to wonder if you armed it or locked the front door. Simply log in on your smartphone, tablet or other web-enabled device, check the status of your home and secure it with the push of a button.
Pull the plug on high energy bills
Whether it’s leaving the lights on, forgetting to adjust the thermostat before your week-long vacation, or those pesky appliances referred to as “energy vampires”, there are many ways energy can be wasted in your home. Fortunately, you don’t have to dine by candlelight to combat high energy bills; you just need a little technology.
Many smart homeowners using technology as an energy management solution have reported up to 30 percent savings on their monthly utility bills. You can keep your home running efficiently by managing your thermostat, lights and appliances via the web. It’s an easy way to conserve energy and save money.
Utilize life-saving home alerts
Fire, burglary and carbon monoxide poisoning are just a few events that can destroy your home or threaten the lives of loved ones. Fortunately, enhanced home security systems give you a warning that can help protect what’s important to you.
Through instant alerts sent directly to your smartphone, you can be notified the moment your security or smoke alarms are activated or bypassed. In addition, you can program surveillance cameras within your home to send a live video feed from the zone in which the alarm has been triggered. This real-time technology allows you to react quickly and stay up-to-date during emergency situations.
No matter how you decide to upgrade the technology in your home this spring, it’s important to find a company that is both qualified and trusted within your community. ESA SECURE+ integrators are home control experts committed to high standards of expertise in enhanced interactive systems. Find a SECURE+ integrator to get started on your system today!
Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients.
This year, as part of your home upgrade, why not consider smart home technology? Integrating security with advanced technology, a smart home provides protection for you and your family, while giving you the ability to remotely control your home’s thermostat and monitor what’s going on when you’re away – all from your smartphone or tablet.
The Electronic Security Association (ESA),The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy. whose members are leaders in security and integrated technology, offers the following three reasons you should add comfort, convenience and security to your home this spring.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
Not only is security a critical component of smart home technology, it’s also one of the most popular features among homeowners. A survey released by the Consumer Electronics Association reported that 62 percent of consumers interested in smart home technology were initially intrigued by the security aspect.
The appeal of enhanced home security systems stems from their user-friendly design and convenient lifestyle enriching benefits such as remote monitoring and control. For instance, if your home is equipped with an enhanced security system, you’ll never have to wonder if you armed it or locked the front door. Simply log in on your smartphone, tablet or other web-enabled device, check the status of your home and secure it with the push of a button.
Pull the plug on high energy bills
Whether it’s leaving the lights on, forgetting to adjust the thermostat before your week-long vacation, or those pesky appliances referred to as “energy vampires”, there are many ways energy can be wasted in your home. Fortunately, you don’t have to dine by candlelight to combat high energy bills; you just need a little technology.
Many smart homeowners using technology as an energy management solution have reported up to 30 percent savings on their monthly utility bills. You can keep your home running efficiently by managing your thermostat, lights and appliances via the web. It’s an easy way to conserve energy and save money.
Utilize life-saving home alerts
Fire, burglary and carbon monoxide poisoning are just a few events that can destroy your home or threaten the lives of loved ones. Fortunately, enhanced home security systems give you a warning that can help protect what’s important to you.
Through instant alerts sent directly to your smartphone, you can be notified the moment your security or smoke alarms are activated or bypassed. In addition, you can program surveillance cameras within your home to send a live video feed from the zone in which the alarm has been triggered. This real-time technology allows you to react quickly and stay up-to-date during emergency situations.
No matter how you decide to upgrade the technology in your home this spring, it’s important to find a company that is both qualified and trusted within your community. ESA SECURE+ integrators are home control experts committed to high standards of expertise in enhanced interactive systems. Find a SECURE+ integrator to get started on your system today!
Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients.
The government should increase the promotion
In Uganda,The Power Cost Monitor and other Home energy monitor
monitoring products. we rely heavily on hydroelectric power and that’s
why power distributors like Umeme are taking advantage of it to exploit
consumers.
Last week, the media reported that the government was set to increase electricity tariffs again. This is as a result of pressure from our major distributor Umeme on government to increase the power tariffs. Umeme had proposed new tariff rate shs593.9 per KWh of power consumed instead of the current shs524.5 per KWh of power consumed, but Electricity Regulator Authority proposes shs576.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.9 for domestic consumers. This is what I would call consumer exploitation.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
As Ugandans, we should adopt solar energy to power our houses, run our businesses, power schools, hospitals and clinics to avoid exploitation by the hydro power distributors.
Despite the immense potential of solar energy radiation in Uganda which could be harnessed for electric power generation, the rich, infinite, limitless energy resource is still untapped.
Given the scale of investments needed with grid connection, innovative approaches for planning and financing are critical. These approaches should be paid great attention to in order to.
Although many people are discouraged by the huge installation expenses, the long term benefits are enormous as solar will help you reduce your monthly expenditures on power.
The government should increase the promotion, adoption and adaption of solar electricity generating technology for power supplies with in the country.
ERA last increased the tariffs in January 2012 after the scrapping of government subsidies for consumers. Then, tariffs for large scale consumers rose by 69 per cent to shs312.8 from shs184.8 per unit. Those for small scale consumers rose by 36 per cent to shs458.6 from shs358.6 .And it is only one year since, and again, Umeme pushing for increased tariffs. With continuous investment in the power infrastructure, end user tariffs are likely to keep increasing.
We therefore urge government to foster close cooperation for the development of solar energy and also promote fruitful partnerships for the solar project implementation.
The government should support the international initiative to introduce advanced solar technology in Uganda for bulk-scale electricity generation. Such initiatives accelerate technology transfer and support indigenous manufacturing of equipment.
Lastly, government and other institutions should not only ensure the adoption of sustainable development for solar energy in their policies and strategies, but also make sure that such policies and strategies are implemented.
Sino-Indian relations make for a compelling case study, as their strategic complexity and future importance defy any easy explanation. Theirs is a relationship that straddles the entire breadth of geopolitical possibility, encompassing points of conflict and cooperation in the military and economic spheres, territorial and resource disputes, dissonant domestic political systems, and perhaps most importantly: the unprecedented opportunity for two of the greatest development success stories in human history to shape the world of the 21st century. Because conflict or not, both countries recognize the need to work together to lubricate the international system that has served them so well.
Last week, the media reported that the government was set to increase electricity tariffs again. This is as a result of pressure from our major distributor Umeme on government to increase the power tariffs. Umeme had proposed new tariff rate shs593.9 per KWh of power consumed instead of the current shs524.5 per KWh of power consumed, but Electricity Regulator Authority proposes shs576.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.9 for domestic consumers. This is what I would call consumer exploitation.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
As Ugandans, we should adopt solar energy to power our houses, run our businesses, power schools, hospitals and clinics to avoid exploitation by the hydro power distributors.
Despite the immense potential of solar energy radiation in Uganda which could be harnessed for electric power generation, the rich, infinite, limitless energy resource is still untapped.
Given the scale of investments needed with grid connection, innovative approaches for planning and financing are critical. These approaches should be paid great attention to in order to.
Although many people are discouraged by the huge installation expenses, the long term benefits are enormous as solar will help you reduce your monthly expenditures on power.
The government should increase the promotion, adoption and adaption of solar electricity generating technology for power supplies with in the country.
ERA last increased the tariffs in January 2012 after the scrapping of government subsidies for consumers. Then, tariffs for large scale consumers rose by 69 per cent to shs312.8 from shs184.8 per unit. Those for small scale consumers rose by 36 per cent to shs458.6 from shs358.6 .And it is only one year since, and again, Umeme pushing for increased tariffs. With continuous investment in the power infrastructure, end user tariffs are likely to keep increasing.
We therefore urge government to foster close cooperation for the development of solar energy and also promote fruitful partnerships for the solar project implementation.
The government should support the international initiative to introduce advanced solar technology in Uganda for bulk-scale electricity generation. Such initiatives accelerate technology transfer and support indigenous manufacturing of equipment.
Lastly, government and other institutions should not only ensure the adoption of sustainable development for solar energy in their policies and strategies, but also make sure that such policies and strategies are implemented.
Sino-Indian relations make for a compelling case study, as their strategic complexity and future importance defy any easy explanation. Theirs is a relationship that straddles the entire breadth of geopolitical possibility, encompassing points of conflict and cooperation in the military and economic spheres, territorial and resource disputes, dissonant domestic political systems, and perhaps most importantly: the unprecedented opportunity for two of the greatest development success stories in human history to shape the world of the 21st century. Because conflict or not, both countries recognize the need to work together to lubricate the international system that has served them so well.
State warns against cartels in local auctioneering of emeralds
GOVERNMENT has warned
that it will not allow cartels in the auctioning of emeralds locally to ensure
that the country generates maximum revenue from the gemstone sector.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Government is aware that the auctioning of emeralds locally by Kagem Mining in the past has failed as a result of cartels.
“Government will not allow cartels to be created against the interests of Zambians,” Mr Musukwa said.
He was reacting to concerns by the Alliance for Responsible Mining in Zambia (ARMZ) that the auctioning of emeralds locally will result in revenue losses for the country.
He said Government will ensure that only people who own emerald mines are allowed to export the gemstone and use the Emerald and Semi Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) as a vehicle for export for individuals without licences.
“There are a lot of illegal transactions of emeralds among business people trading in gemstones and government is not getting any revenue.
We want ESMAZ to be the vehicle for exports for people with access to the stones but they have no mines. We want ESMAZ to be viable and help us to monitor and police the gemstone sector,The Power Cost Monitor and other Home energy monitor monitoring products.” Mr Musukwa said.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to transform the gemstone industry into a viable sector.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“We want to ensure that emerald cutting and polishing industries are set up in communities like Lufwanyama which are endowed with minerals, like the case is with Jaipur in India which has small-scale emerald-cutting and polishing industries because the emeralds are auctioned locally in that country,” Mr Musukwa said.
He added: “We will work to break cartels just as we are doing with copper to stop capital flight.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
That is the way we are moving in the gemstone sector. Zambians should develop their country and we can only do that when we stand up and be counted.”
Mr Musukwa also said Government will ensure that small-scale industries in the gemstone sector are supported with infrastructure, machinery and equipment so that they can significantly contribute to the economy.
ARMZ executive director Victor Kalesha said in response to a press query that there is “a great misunderstanding” about auctioning gemstones.
“Auctioning stones locally is will make the country lose out. When you are auctioning stones locally, big buyers do not come and as such you only capture buyers who sell to big buyers in return,” he said
Mr Kalesha, who is ESMAZ general-secretary, said what is needed is proper monitoring and that measures should be put in place to prevent porous auctioning.
He said the auctioning of emeralds locally was tried by Kagem Mining and local sales were very low.
“Auctioning outside is the best because it attracts big buyers,” Mr Kalesha said.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Government is aware that the auctioning of emeralds locally by Kagem Mining in the past has failed as a result of cartels.
“Government will not allow cartels to be created against the interests of Zambians,” Mr Musukwa said.
He was reacting to concerns by the Alliance for Responsible Mining in Zambia (ARMZ) that the auctioning of emeralds locally will result in revenue losses for the country.
He said Government will ensure that only people who own emerald mines are allowed to export the gemstone and use the Emerald and Semi Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) as a vehicle for export for individuals without licences.
“There are a lot of illegal transactions of emeralds among business people trading in gemstones and government is not getting any revenue.
We want ESMAZ to be the vehicle for exports for people with access to the stones but they have no mines. We want ESMAZ to be viable and help us to monitor and police the gemstone sector,The Power Cost Monitor and other Home energy monitor monitoring products.” Mr Musukwa said.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to transform the gemstone industry into a viable sector.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“We want to ensure that emerald cutting and polishing industries are set up in communities like Lufwanyama which are endowed with minerals, like the case is with Jaipur in India which has small-scale emerald-cutting and polishing industries because the emeralds are auctioned locally in that country,” Mr Musukwa said.
He added: “We will work to break cartels just as we are doing with copper to stop capital flight.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
That is the way we are moving in the gemstone sector. Zambians should develop their country and we can only do that when we stand up and be counted.”
Mr Musukwa also said Government will ensure that small-scale industries in the gemstone sector are supported with infrastructure, machinery and equipment so that they can significantly contribute to the economy.
ARMZ executive director Victor Kalesha said in response to a press query that there is “a great misunderstanding” about auctioning gemstones.
“Auctioning stones locally is will make the country lose out. When you are auctioning stones locally, big buyers do not come and as such you only capture buyers who sell to big buyers in return,” he said
Mr Kalesha, who is ESMAZ general-secretary, said what is needed is proper monitoring and that measures should be put in place to prevent porous auctioning.
He said the auctioning of emeralds locally was tried by Kagem Mining and local sales were very low.
“Auctioning outside is the best because it attracts big buyers,” Mr Kalesha said.
2013年4月7日 星期日
Katy Heating Repair Firm Introduces Efficient New Thermostat
There's nothing more inviting than a room-temperature home, although it's too bad when there's nobody in it.
It's one of the stories shared at the North Bay Hydro booth on Sunday during the third and final day of the North Bay Home and Garden Expo at Memorial Gardens.
A resident had left for vacation for a month and forgot to adjust the temperature in the home.
Some North Bay Hydro customers signed up during the expo to be among the first homes starting in June to install a system to control energy use remotely using a mobile app or by logging in to a website.
“We're giving our consumer the ability to monitor their electricity consumption,” said Umar Waqas, an energy management advisor with North Bay Hydro.
“You can make decisions based on the price of electricity. More importantly, you can see how much electricity you're using in real time.”
Demand response started in 2005 to reward industrial and commercial businesses for cutting energy use at peak times to prevent brownouts and blackouts caused by a strain on the power grid, Home electricity monitor especially during the summer.
System aggregations contact large energy consumers when high energy demand is anticipated and reward them with lower energy costs for shutting off pumps, fans or other non-essential loads to ease the strain on the grid and prevent the cost of building a new generating station in the province.
That concept is expanding to residential customers who can sign up for a hydro smart meter that can record electricity consumption by the hour, and a load control switch to turn major appliances on or off. They'll also receive an energy monitor with real-time hydro pricing information to discourage energy use during peak periods and warn when demand is expected to be high.
“The most important thing is your ability to monitor and track your energy consumption,” Waqas said.
Consumption
reports are generated by hour, day and month, and the website and
mobile app offer suggestions to lower energy use, he said.
North Bay Hydro is initially offering the system to 300 homes with no cost for installation and maintenance. The homes must have a electric hot water tank, central air conditioner or a pool pump to qualify.
North Bay Hydro Services, a subsidiary of North Bay Hydro, also attended the expo to remind consumers about local natural gas hot water tank rentals, along with a demonstration of LED Home energy management and compact fluorescent light bulbs to cut energy costs.
Customers of HousePro Heating know that the company was founded on a philosophy of lowering energy consumption for homes and businesses in the greater Houston area. This business philosophy can save expenses for clients and conserves natural resources in heating services.
Consistent with that principle, HousePro Heating now offers the new Nest programmable thermostat. Any programmable thermostat will help save energy, and the company recommends them on all Katy heating repair calls. The Nest thermostat brings new convenience to consumers, because it monitors the owner's schedule and preferred temperatures so it can automatically adjust for day, night, or a vacation. Manual changes and routine monitoring can be performed on a smartphone. The Nest thermostat also compiles regular energy use reports for owners, providing tips to enhance energy efficiency.
HousePro Heating is certified to install the Nest thermostat and connect it to the wireless network in a home or office. Thermostats can be placed in more than one room to regulate that room's temperature separately. HousePro will also remove and recycle old thermostats.
Homes and businesses may benefit from other opportunities to conserve electricity, by checking attic fans, ducts and insulation. Through their affiliation with Energy Star, HousePro Heating has certified Home Energy Raters on their team to help identify those opportunities. Every call for heating services is followed up with a complimentary Energy Smart Performance Inspection, further demonstrating the company's commitment to reducing energy consumption.
It's one of the stories shared at the North Bay Hydro booth on Sunday during the third and final day of the North Bay Home and Garden Expo at Memorial Gardens.
A resident had left for vacation for a month and forgot to adjust the temperature in the home.
Some North Bay Hydro customers signed up during the expo to be among the first homes starting in June to install a system to control energy use remotely using a mobile app or by logging in to a website.
“We're giving our consumer the ability to monitor their electricity consumption,” said Umar Waqas, an energy management advisor with North Bay Hydro.
“You can make decisions based on the price of electricity. More importantly, you can see how much electricity you're using in real time.”
Demand response started in 2005 to reward industrial and commercial businesses for cutting energy use at peak times to prevent brownouts and blackouts caused by a strain on the power grid, Home electricity monitor especially during the summer.
System aggregations contact large energy consumers when high energy demand is anticipated and reward them with lower energy costs for shutting off pumps, fans or other non-essential loads to ease the strain on the grid and prevent the cost of building a new generating station in the province.
That concept is expanding to residential customers who can sign up for a hydro smart meter that can record electricity consumption by the hour, and a load control switch to turn major appliances on or off. They'll also receive an energy monitor with real-time hydro pricing information to discourage energy use during peak periods and warn when demand is expected to be high.
“The most important thing is your ability to monitor and track your energy consumption,” Waqas said.
Consumption
reports are generated by hour, day and month, and the website and
mobile app offer suggestions to lower energy use, he said.North Bay Hydro is initially offering the system to 300 homes with no cost for installation and maintenance. The homes must have a electric hot water tank, central air conditioner or a pool pump to qualify.
North Bay Hydro Services, a subsidiary of North Bay Hydro, also attended the expo to remind consumers about local natural gas hot water tank rentals, along with a demonstration of LED Home energy management and compact fluorescent light bulbs to cut energy costs.
Customers of HousePro Heating know that the company was founded on a philosophy of lowering energy consumption for homes and businesses in the greater Houston area. This business philosophy can save expenses for clients and conserves natural resources in heating services.
Consistent with that principle, HousePro Heating now offers the new Nest programmable thermostat. Any programmable thermostat will help save energy, and the company recommends them on all Katy heating repair calls. The Nest thermostat brings new convenience to consumers, because it monitors the owner's schedule and preferred temperatures so it can automatically adjust for day, night, or a vacation. Manual changes and routine monitoring can be performed on a smartphone. The Nest thermostat also compiles regular energy use reports for owners, providing tips to enhance energy efficiency.
HousePro Heating is certified to install the Nest thermostat and connect it to the wireless network in a home or office. Thermostats can be placed in more than one room to regulate that room's temperature separately. HousePro will also remove and recycle old thermostats.
Homes and businesses may benefit from other opportunities to conserve electricity, by checking attic fans, ducts and insulation. Through their affiliation with Energy Star, HousePro Heating has certified Home Energy Raters on their team to help identify those opportunities. Every call for heating services is followed up with a complimentary Energy Smart Performance Inspection, further demonstrating the company's commitment to reducing energy consumption.
The government should increase the promotion
In Uganda, we rely heavily on hydroelectric power and that’s why
power distributors like Umeme are taking advantage of it to exploit
consumers.
Last week, the media reported that the government was set to increase electricity tariffs again. This is as a result of pressure from our major distributor Umeme on government to increase the power tariffs.
Umeme had proposed new tariff rate shs593.9 per KWh of power consumed instead of the current shs524.5 per KWh of power consumed, but Electricity Regulator Authority proposes shs576.9 for domestic consumers. This is what I would call consumer exploitation.
As Ugandans, we should adopt solar energy to power our houses, run our businesses, power schools, hospitals and clinics to avoid exploitation by the hydro power distributors.
Despite the immense potential of solar energy radiation in Uganda which could be harnessed for electric power generation, the rich, infinite, limitless energy resource is still untapped.
Given the scale of investments needed with grid connection, innovative approaches for planning and financing are critical. In home display These approaches should be paid great attention to in order to.
Although many people are discouraged by the huge installation expenses, the long term benefits are enormous as solar will help you reduce your monthly expenditures on power.
The government should increase the promotion, adoption and adaption of solar electricity generating technology for power supplies with in the country.
ERA
last increased the tariffs in January 2012 after the scrapping of
government subsidies for consumers. Then, tariffs for large scale
consumers rose by 69 per cent to shs312.8 from shs184.8 per unit. Those
for small scale consumers rose by 36 per cent to shs458.6 from shs358.6
.And it is only one year since, and again, Umeme pushing for increased
tariffs. With continuous investment in the power infrastructure, end
user tariffs are likely to keep increasing.
We therefore urge government to foster close cooperation for the development of solar energy and also promote fruitful partnerships for the solar project implementation.
The government should support the international initiative to introduce advanced solar technology in Uganda for bulk-scale electricity generation. Home energy monitor Such initiatives accelerate technology transfer and support indigenous manufacturing of equipment.
Lastly, government and other institutions should not only ensure the adoption of sustainable development for solar energy in their policies and strategies, but also make sure that such policies and strategies are implemented.
Sino-Indian relations make for a compelling case study, as their strategic complexity and future importance defy any easy explanation.
Theirs is a relationship that straddles the entire breadth of geopolitical possibility, encompassing points of conflict and cooperation in the military and economic spheres, territorial and resource disputes, dissonant domestic political systems, and perhaps most importantly: the unprecedented opportunity for two of the greatest development success stories in human history to shape the world of the 21st century. Because conflict or not, both countries recognize the need to work together to lubricate the international system that has served them so well.
Last week, the media reported that the government was set to increase electricity tariffs again. This is as a result of pressure from our major distributor Umeme on government to increase the power tariffs.
Umeme had proposed new tariff rate shs593.9 per KWh of power consumed instead of the current shs524.5 per KWh of power consumed, but Electricity Regulator Authority proposes shs576.9 for domestic consumers. This is what I would call consumer exploitation.
As Ugandans, we should adopt solar energy to power our houses, run our businesses, power schools, hospitals and clinics to avoid exploitation by the hydro power distributors.
Despite the immense potential of solar energy radiation in Uganda which could be harnessed for electric power generation, the rich, infinite, limitless energy resource is still untapped.
Given the scale of investments needed with grid connection, innovative approaches for planning and financing are critical. In home display These approaches should be paid great attention to in order to.
Although many people are discouraged by the huge installation expenses, the long term benefits are enormous as solar will help you reduce your monthly expenditures on power.
The government should increase the promotion, adoption and adaption of solar electricity generating technology for power supplies with in the country.
ERA
last increased the tariffs in January 2012 after the scrapping of
government subsidies for consumers. Then, tariffs for large scale
consumers rose by 69 per cent to shs312.8 from shs184.8 per unit. Those
for small scale consumers rose by 36 per cent to shs458.6 from shs358.6
.And it is only one year since, and again, Umeme pushing for increased
tariffs. With continuous investment in the power infrastructure, end
user tariffs are likely to keep increasing.We therefore urge government to foster close cooperation for the development of solar energy and also promote fruitful partnerships for the solar project implementation.
The government should support the international initiative to introduce advanced solar technology in Uganda for bulk-scale electricity generation. Home energy monitor Such initiatives accelerate technology transfer and support indigenous manufacturing of equipment.
Lastly, government and other institutions should not only ensure the adoption of sustainable development for solar energy in their policies and strategies, but also make sure that such policies and strategies are implemented.
Sino-Indian relations make for a compelling case study, as their strategic complexity and future importance defy any easy explanation.
Theirs is a relationship that straddles the entire breadth of geopolitical possibility, encompassing points of conflict and cooperation in the military and economic spheres, territorial and resource disputes, dissonant domestic political systems, and perhaps most importantly: the unprecedented opportunity for two of the greatest development success stories in human history to shape the world of the 21st century. Because conflict or not, both countries recognize the need to work together to lubricate the international system that has served them so well.
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