More American cities are passing green mandates - laws requiring builders to adhere to environmental standards.
(NewsUSA) - When Washington, D.C. passed its Green Building Act of 2006, a mandate stating that all new private real estate developments need to follow the LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) standards set by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), it broke new ground. Building green became the new industry norm.
When builders “go green,” they erect efficient buildings that use fewer resources, improve indoor air health and minimize environmental impact. Cities have embraced green building to save energy, water and waste-management costs. From 2003 to 2007, the American cities with green building mandates grew from 22 to 92, a 418 percent increase.
How do buildings go green? The LEED system certifies buildings as silver, gold or platinum. Platinum buildings most closely follow the USGBC’s environmental standards, which look at location, water conservation, energy consumption, atmosphere, materials, indoor health quality, innovation and design.
A truly green building relies on a marriage between eco-friendly consumer products, like low-flow faucets, and renewable energy sources. Architects know to begin with sustainable building blocks -; choosing strong, energy-efficient building material can help ventilation and heating and cooling systems use less energy while improving indoor air quality.
For example, one company, Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc. (ACTech), has developed insulated structural panels made from 75 percent recycled materials. In tests, the ACTech panel system proves up to 65 percent more energy-efficient than traditional building materials. Buildings constructed using the system will waste less energy, so renewable energies, like wind and solar power, can be incorporated to optimize their intended economies and efficiencies.
The panels improve indoor air quality and acoustics. They are also firesafe and able to withstand hurricane-force winds, making them a safe building material in natural disaster-prone areas.
As American cities look to improve their carbon footprint, they must combine green materials with eco-friendly energy sources. Fourteen percent of U.S. cities with populations over 50,000 already have green building mandates, while another 36 cities plan to enact them.
For more information about the ACTech Panel System, visit www.actechpanel.com or call 1-800-859-8813. ACTech trades on the OTC Bulletin under ACCY.
Companies must develop ways to use water - a renewable resource - without harming the planet.
(NewsUSA) - The saying, “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink” rings true. Although water covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, humans make little use of its potential.
Fresh water irrigates fields, washes dishes and prevents dehydration, but it only accounts for 1 percent of the water supply. Moving water provides energy, but only 19 percent of the world’s power comes from hydroelectricity.
Water’s a natural, renewable resource, but humans don’t always use it in eco-friendly ways. People must remove the salt from ocean water before they can drink it, but according to the National Research Council, ocean-desalination plants consume so much energy that they do Earth more harm than good.
Today’s hydroelectric technologies use dams to harness moving water’s energy. Large dams require energy and materials for construction, displace communities and destroy wildlife habitats. In the U.S., 80,000 dams divert and block moving water, changing river habitats into lakes and disrupting wildlife. In 2008, horrified fishermen saw the biggest Chinook salmon run in the Sacramento River collapse, partly due to a diversion dam.
But one Hungarian-based technology company, Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc., is working to improve the ways that humans use water. Its ocean desalination prototype, when completed, will use solar or wind power to produce drinkable water at low monetary and environmental costs.
Power of the Dreams Ventures, Inc. also built a model for a product called RiverPower, which can supply hydroelectric power without dams. RiverPower generators would be submerged at strategic points, using an entire river’s flow to generate electricity. RiverPower would supply energy 24 hours a day, making it more reliable than solar or wind energy.
For more information about RiverPower, visit www.powerofthedream.com. Power of the Dream trades under the symbol PWRV on the OTCBB exchange
W.F. Young makes pain-relief products for both horses and humans.
(NewsUSA) - When it comes to finding a great shampoo or topical pain-reliever, some consumers don’t horse around. Others do, and they just might tell you that it pays off.
Using horse shampoo or other products designed for animals may seem a bit strange, but according to some pet-care industry experts, there’s a growing trend of consumers doing just that.
W.F. Young, for instance, sells an equine topical pain-relief product called Absorbine Veterinary Liniment, but company officials say that some of their human customers use it for treating their own achy muscles and joints.
“We often hear from our loyal customers that in addition to using Absorbine Veterinary Liniment on their horses, they have found that they reap the same therapeutic benefits the liniment gives their pets,” said Jaime D. McKinley, corporate vice president of sales and marketing at W.F. Young. “Our customers tell us that when they apply the liniment to their horses, they feel the soothing, warm sensation on their own hands and it feels great.”
Horse products aren’t the only ones making it out of the barn and into Americans’ bathrooms and medicine cabinets.
Creams made for moisturizing cows’ udders are used by some people to moisturize their hands, while certain balms designed for soothing animals’ cuts and skin abrasions have also proved popular in recent years.
Such products are popular enough, in fact, to be sold at many major retail chains.
CVS, for instance, sells a cow ointment product in its skin-care section, as well as a shampoo initially developed for horses. And W.F. Young’s Absorbine Jr., a pain-relieving liniment made specifically for humans but similar to veterinary Absorbine, is also sold at CVS locations as well as Rite Aid and Brooks Eckerd stores.
So why might people use animal care products on themselves? At least in regards to Absorbine, perhaps it’s a question of commonality.
“Muscle pain and stiffness are conditions common to humans and animals,” says McKinley. “We all need a little relief now and then.”
Owners can easily entertain their pets, even while on a limited budget.
(NewsUSA) - It is possible to care for, even pamper, your pet on a budget or fixed income. By planning carefully and making smart shopping decisions, you can save money on food, toys and treats.
- Save money on everyday essentials, such as pet food, by shopping at deep discount stores. Forty percent of the money Americans spend on pets is for food. You will find savings on name-brand pet food at a deep discount store such as Dollar General. Remember that you can save even more by buying private label food. Many private label products are equivalent to the national brands.
- Find lower-cost medical care. Local humane societies often sponsor free or reduced-price clinics for routine vaccinations or spaying or neutering. Learn about clinics offered in your area, which can save you from expensive vet visits. And, you don’t always have to visit the vet for some medical treatments. Dewormer, ear mite treatment and other medications are available over-the-counter.
- Enjoy the great outdoors with your favorite animal -; which doesn’t cost anything. For outdoor or indoor fun, your pet will need a few basic accessories like a leash, collar and water bowl. All of these inexpensive items are available at deep discount stores.
- Skip the pet day spa and groom your animal at home. You can save a lot of money by bathing and grooming your animal yourself. All you need to set up your own pet spa are shampoo, conditioner, a brush or comb, a hair dryer and nail clippers.
- Potty training and maintenance for pets can also be affordable. Deep discount stores such as Dollar General offer cat litter, litter pans, scoops and liners. Puppy pads are available for puppies that are being trained.
While buying the basics for your favorite animal, don’t forget to pick up a toy or treat. Dogs love toys, snacks or rawhide bones. Cats enjoy exercising on a scratching post or munching on catnip.
CARY, N.C. — SciQuest, Inc., the global leader empowering enterprises to realize the potential of strategic procurement, today announced that U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance (U.S. Communities), a nonprofit instrumentality of government that assists local and state government agencies, school districts, higher education and nonprofit organizations pool their purchasing power nationwide, has partnered with the company.
Through this partnership, select U.S. Communities’ supplier contracts that have been competitively solicited by a lead public agency will be available via the SciQuest Supplier Network. Participating agencies that implement SciQuest’s procurement automation solutions will be able to access U.S. Communities’ contracts through an intuitive online shopping environment that integrates all of the agency’s supplier contracts onto a single platform and enables users to make all of their purchases through one system.
“We provide a forum for public sector and nonprofit organizations to realize the savings that stem from these competitively solicited contracts with the combined purchasing power of our participants,” said Chris Mellis, program manager of U.S. Communities. “SciQuest’s online shopping environment is user-friendly and automates the entire purchasing process. With this technology, it will now be easier than ever to take advantage of U.S. Communities’ contracts.”
U.S. Communities has more than 33,000 participating public agencies and over 400 new organizations register to participate each month. SciQuest’s suite of eprocurement solutions will provide a powerful and intuitive way for participating agencies to drive spending to all of their cost-saving contracts through a single environment for every agency purchase.
“We are excited that SciQuest is now a U.S. Communities partner because it will enable Emory to further leverage the cost and process efficiencies we’ve gained from our SciQuest eprocurement solution with the savings that U.S. Communities’ contracts deliver,” said David Thurston, associate vice president for financial operations at Emory University. “It is the ideal plug-and-play scenario for optimizing procurement, dropping a wide range of contracts negotiated by U.S. Communities into Emory’s private marketplace that’s powered by SciQuest.”
U.S. Communities’ participating agencies spend more than $1.3 billion each year on goods and services purchased through its contracts with world-class suppliers like AutoZone, Haworth, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, Herman Miller, Office Depot and its technology division Tech Depot, Sportime, and Virco. This partnership will benefit agencies and suppliers alike. SciQuest’s ability to bring spending under management and drive purchases to on-contract items helps participating suppliers secure a greater share of the market and realize process efficiencies.
SciQuest’s eprocurement solutions are designed to enable all individuals across an organization to make purchases easily and quickly on a system that gives procurement and financial professionals unprecedented real-time visibility into organization-wide spending. Among U.S. Communities’ participants, purchases of this kind are often only exceeded by payroll and spending on capital projects.
“In today’s challenging economic environment, government agencies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations are under unprecedented pressure to stretch the value of their financial resources,” said Stephen Wiehe, president and CEO of SciQuest. “This partnership will enable U.S. Communities’ participants to utilize a system that encourages the user participation and adoption required to realize the full potential of negotiated contracts.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(ARA) - At a time when people are remodeling their homes instead of buying or building new ones, homeowners are looking for ways to increase the comfort and value of their current living space without breaking the bank.
“It’s all about value today,” says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry. “Consumers are smarter then ever — doing their homework to make sure they get the highest quality product at the best price.”
When choosing cabinetry, there are certain characteristics homeowners should look for. Edwards offers some useful tips:
Finishes
Finishes today require less care and upkeep than those of the past. Here are a couple of good things to look for when selecting cabinets:
* Cabinetry with a moisture-resistant finishing process helps prevent peeling and chipping on the inside of the cabinet.
* Cabinets with ultraviolet protection minimize darkening or lightening of cabinet colors due to sun exposure over time.
Standard Construction Features
When it comes to cabinetry, stock cabinets are the most budget friendly. Look for stock cabinet manufacturers, such as Shenandoah Cabinetry sold exclusively at Lowe’s, that offer premium construction features as standard. Some of those features may include:
* Dovetail hardwood drawers provide furniture-like quality and style.
* Full access hidden drawer glides open all the way, making it easy to use every inch of space.
* Adjustable, full-depth shelves with metal shelf rests on wall cabinets give extra stability for heavy items.
* Steel ball bearing drawer glides assure smooth drawer performance and easy operation.
Warranties
Some cabinet manufacturers offer a lifetime limited warranty. This assures the manufacturer will fix any problems due to defective materials or workmanship, ensuring your investment is protected.
Retailer Options
Retailers often offer ways to help you afford bigger ticket items or finance your investment:
* Special payment programs, such as Lowe’s “Special Projects Card,” allow a 6-month “project window” to make purchases with no payments due or interest accruing.
* Take advantage of special promotions like a free sink base or factory rebate with purchase.
By being aware of quality characteristics and value options, you can create your own personal living space at a price you’ll like. Visit your local home center and talk to a kitchen design specialist about available options to fit your lifestyle and budget.
For more information and to view an assortment of kitchen design ideas, visit www.ShenandoahCabinetry.com .
CARY, N.C. – Strategic Guru Inc. announced today that it has been selected by United States Power Squadrons® (USPS) to research and help develop a marketing strategy for the national non-profit member organization. The Triangle-based marketing agency will assist USPS in reviewing the state of the boating industry, identifying new target markets and developing strategies to achieve goals.
The United States Power Squadrons® is a non-profit boating education organization providing classes, seminars and guides to promote boating education, safety and the enjoyment of our nation’s waterways. US Power Squadron’s goal is to make boating more enjoyable and safer. US Power Squadrons is known for its informative courses, the widespread availability of its public classes, and its contributions to the boating community. Founded in 1914, US Power Squadrons has over 47,000 members organized into 439 squadrons across the United States and in some US territories.
“We chose Strategic Guru because of their track record with other non-profit and similar organizations,” said Tom Kemp, Manager of Headquarters Marketing and Development Services for USPS. “We look forward to working with them to help in the development of new marketing strategies and tactics.”
“We are pleased to work with such a well-respected organization that has a long history of helping make our waterways safer through boater education,” said Carolyn Rhinebarger, Chief Brainstormer with Strategic Guru
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(ARA) - By now nearly everyone has heard something about the digital TV transition set to take place on Feb. 17, 2009. That’s the day when all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will cease broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting solely in digital.
That’s less than a year away — so now is the time to start thinking about how the switch will affect you. Will you choose to get a converter box or will you take advantage of this opportunity and step up to the amazing picture of a high definition TV with a built-in digital tuner?
While the change to all-digital TV might sound a little scary to some people, the fact is that digital broadcasting will benefit everyone, bringing improved picture and sound quality, as well as additional channels and interactive video and data services. The best news is that it’s actually very simple to make the switch from analog to digital TV at home. Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to enjoying a high-definition digital experience in your own home.
Getting Started:
If you’re looking to get the best high-definition picture, you’ll need an HDTV set capable of 720p, 1080i or 1080p picture resolution. You’ll also need a high-definition source such as an HD cable box or satellite receiver and be watching a high definition channel that will show 720p or 1080i resolution. To receive 1080p resolution, which is the clearest, most detailed picture available today, you’ll need a Blu-ray Disc player. If you’re a little confused, don’t fret. The salespeople at almost any store that sells HDTV will be glad to help you out.
Making the Right Connection:
It’s important to remember, however, that when you buy an HDTV, one of the most important components may not be included. To get all that high definition picture and sound from your HD cable box or satellite receiver or Blu-ray disc player, you will want to purchase an HDMI cable to connect your high-definition source to the TV.
Widely regarded as the best high-definition connector available, HDMI cables give you the very best sights and sounds, and because they carry both audio and video digital signals they’re also the easiest way to hook up to your HDTV.
Not All Cables are Created Equal:
There are many different choices when it comes to buying HDMI cables, but like you wouldn’t put economy tires on a sports car, you will want to make sure you go with the highest quality cable available to get all the performance from your high definition gear. This doesn’t have to mean buying the most expensive cable, but you will need to find one that can support the large amounts of data coming from sources that have the new HDMI 1.3 format, 1080p, and the new HD audio formats used on Blu-Ray discs. Even if you haven’t converted to Blu-Ray just yet, planning for future technologies is advisable when it comes to purchasing HDMI cables.
Noel Lee of Monster Cable believes it is possible for all Americans to make the perfect digital connection. His company is offering “Monster Advanced for HDMI” speed-rated cables. “We’ve worked to create a speed-rating system for every budget and hookup,” Lee states. “This way, everyone can enjoy maximum high-definition performance, no matter what system they own.”
For more information about HDMI and to learn which speed-rated cable is right for your HDTV, visit Monster’s HDMI learning center at www.monstercable.com/HDMI. For more specific questions, visit www.monstercommunity.com .
(ARA) – If you’re torn between your concern for the environment and your need to make a living, good news is on the horizon. Rising demand for environmentally friendly alternatives for fossil fuels is opening up new career opportunities for professionals in a variety of fields.
Growing environmental concern and limited fossil fuel supplies are driving the growth of domestic and international markets for renewable energy systems, the U.S. Department of Energy reports. Rising demand for cleaner energy directly affects career opportunities in industries related to renewable resources.
“The 2008 economic forecast suggests that one of the newest, fastest growing markets for jobs will be alternative energy,” says Sheryl Decker, director of career services at Brown Mackie College – South Bend, Ind. Decker recently attended a business outlook panel presented by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “Growth opportunities appear in companies that are exploring the use of wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and bioenergy power technologies.”
Millions of professionals already work in alternative energy industries, yet more are needed, including:
* chemists
* engineers
* sales and marketing professionals
* administrators
* managers
* clerical workers
* human resources
* information technology
* business
* finance
* law
“Professionals who are already in the workforce, and students seeking to enter into a green career, can prepare with a number of degree programs and continuing education courses,” Decker says. “Many different types of skills can be applied to these upcoming industries.”
“Alternative energy companies are seeking professionals to fill a wide variety of positions, including mechanical engineer, project manager, programmer analyst, IT sourcing specialist, administrative assistant and marketing director,” she says.
”Business Week” magazine reports that a growing number of professionals are moving to jobs in renewable energy fields to promote their own personal environmental concerns. While some intend to transfer existing skills to a different industry, others are making a mid-life career change simply to become part of the solution for the many environmental issues we face today.
The rising cost of oil is proving to be a catalyst for the further development of alternative energy sources. While substantial growth is happening now, Decker points out that many people don’t yet realize the opportunities it affords.
“People tend to overlook many untapped markets and job opportunities in their local employment arenas,” she says. “Networking can be an effective way to gauge the hiring needs in your area. I encourage everyone to join industry-specific organizations, volunteer in community activities, and become involved with the Chamber of Commerce. By becoming involved in the community and networking, you will see new doors opening with different job opportunities.”
To learn more about career training opportunities in alternative energy, and how to prepare for working in this quickly growing business sector, visit www.brownmackie.edu.
(ARA) - If there ever was a love/hate relationship for the record books, it’s the relationship between a pregnant woman and food. On one hand, it’s a time when food cravings go on overdrive, and the body shouts “More, more, more!” On the other hand, certain foods can trigger discomforts such as nausea, causing a “Less, less, less!” reaction. Here are some common myth busters about pregnancy and nutrition.
Myth Number One: I’m eating for two, so please pass the gravy.
A common misperception is that you can eat anything you want while you’re pregnant. While it may be true that you need to eat wisely for your baby, it’s not about volume, according to pregnancy nutrition experts.
“You need to use nutritional common sense throughout your pregnancy,” says Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., and author of “Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy.”
“Although it takes 55,000 extra calories to make a healthy baby, that amounts to just 300 extra calories per day in the last two trimesters. You can easily meet the requirement by eating a couple of healthy snacks throughout the day.”
Suggested weight gain for a person of normal weight is 25-to-35 pounds. A woman who is considered underweight should put on 28-to-40 pounds, and an overweight person should put on 15-to-25 pounds. So, instead of asking someone to pass you the gravy boat, simply give gravy a “pass” all together. Choose a healthy snack, such as a whole grain bagel, some yogurt or an orange.
Myth Number Two: Fish is a no-no, so I can’t have sushi.
When you are pregnant, many favorite and everyday foods suddenly become off limits – for example, unpasteurized cheeses, caffeinated beverages and deli meats. Many pregnant women think sushi is off limits too, since certain types of fish may contain toxins and pollutants that can be harmful to both mother and baby.
Fortunately you can crave your sushi and eat it, too, thanks to Fujisan Sushi, the only sushi enriched with life’sDHA — a vegetarian and sustainable source of the omega-3 DHA derived from microalgae, with less risk of contamination. Fujisan Sushi provides 32 mg of this important nutrient per serving and is considered an excellent source of DHA, the primary building block for your baby’s brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life.
“Most women are not getting enough DHA. The daily recommended intake for pregnant women is 300 mg and, yet, most are consuming less than one-third of what they need,” says Peg Plumbo, certified nurse-midwife. ”From supplements to fortified foods and beverages, there are now many delicious and easy ways for pregnant women to get more omega-3s in their diet.”
Myth Number Three: Nausea is a given, no matter what I eat.
While it may be common in pregnancy, there are ways to combat nausea. Most of us have heard of tried-and-true remedies such as munching on soda crackers. A limited number of human studies also suggest that one gram daily of ginger may be safe and effective for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting when used for short periods, according to a report by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
In a small study of 30 pregnant women with severe vomiting, those who ingested one gram of ginger every day for four days reported more relief from vomiting than those who received a placebo. In a larger study including 70 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting, those who received a similar dosage of ginger felt less nauseous and experienced fewer vomiting episodes than those who received a placebo.
Ginger is a common cooking spice and can be found in foods such as ginger bread and ginger snaps. However, ginger may alter the effects of some prescription and non-prescription medicines, so check with your health care provider first.
