Comments for Stream of Consciousness http://blog.fen.net peace, privacy and political reform with an eye on freedom, liberty, education, and community Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:36:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on A Community Garden by =fen http://blog.fen.net/2008/05/03/a-community-garden/#comment-1168 =fen Mon, 05 May 2008 12:51:34 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/?p=72#comment-1168 A school board member suggested I bring this to the PTA, so that's my next step. I can see this could be a slow process, and first I have to drum up some excitement and support, but I've got a year until next year's planting season, so I've got time. A school board member suggested I bring this to the PTA, so that’s my next step. I can see this could be a slow process, and first I have to drum up some excitement and support, but I’ve got a year until next year’s planting season, so I’ve got time.

]]> Comment on A Community Garden by A Community Garden | Gardening Tips and Products http://blog.fen.net/2008/05/03/a-community-garden/#comment-1167 A Community Garden | Gardening Tips and Products Sun, 04 May 2008 05:58:50 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/?p=72#comment-1167 [...] Jenn wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptSo my next step will be to poll my community to see if there is shared interest in creating a community garden. What a wonderful project for the high school, though I’d rather it near Foster so I can easily walk to it I can already … [...] [...] Jenn wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptSo my next step will be to poll my community to see if there is shared interest in creating a community garden. What a wonderful project for the high school, though I’d rather it near Foster so I can easily walk to it I can already … [...]

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by =fen http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1157 =fen Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:28:31 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1157 Side note: <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/philadelphia-green-building-skyscraper-460317" rel="nofollow">Philadelphia Proposes Record-Breaking New Green Skyscraper</a>: <blockquote> the designers are planning on making the Philly landmark a green building, even hoping to earn an impressive gold certification (same as the Hearst Tower in NYC) from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program. That means a high degree of energy and water efficiency, which should save millions of dollars in operating expenses over the years, as well as result in a much reduced ecological footprint. </blockquote> Side note: Philadelphia Proposes Record-Breaking New Green Skyscraper:

the designers are planning on making the Philly landmark a green building, even hoping to earn an impressive gold certification (same as the Hearst Tower in NYC) from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. That means a high degree of energy and water efficiency, which should save millions of dollars in operating expenses over the years, as well as result in a much reduced ecological footprint.

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by James Fraasch http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1156 James Fraasch Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:09:56 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1156 Fen, unfortunately I will not be able to attend tonight. Please let me know if you want to get together and talk about what they say at the meeting. Hopefully it will show some promise. James Fen, unfortunately I will not be able to attend tonight. Please let me know if you want to get together and talk about what they say at the meeting. Hopefully it will show some promise.

James

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by James Fraasch http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1155 James Fraasch Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:13:02 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1155 Fen had sent an email to the Board last week. I responded to him about the possibility of employing a Public Private Partnership to accomplish his goal. There have been many examples of successful PPPs with School Districts and we are fortunate to have someone from the Niagra Falls School District down in our area tomorrow night (Tuesday) to talk about how they built an $85 million school without increasing taxes. While I have reached out to the Niagra Falls School District for more information, what I know today is based on this recent article from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_555670.html If family committments allow, I will be at this meeting. Many people know that I have floated the idea of a Public Private Partnership in relation to the high school project. It is my personal opinion that no matter what option is chosen for the project, the District needs to make sure it turns over every rock to find ways to lessen the tax impact on the residents of Mt Lebanon as much as possible. Over the course of the last year I have had numerous meetings with companies and organizations that deal with PPPs and it is my sincere hope that I can bring some of these people to Mt Lebanon to talk about ways that they can benefit both the school district and the municipality. I hope to have more information in the coming months. Fen had sent an email to the Board last week. I responded to him about the possibility of employing a Public Private Partnership to accomplish his goal. There have been many examples of successful PPPs with School Districts and we are fortunate to have someone from the Niagra Falls School District down in our area tomorrow night (Tuesday) to talk about how they built an $85 million school without increasing taxes.

While I have reached out to the Niagra Falls School District for more information, what I know today is based on this recent article from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_555670.html

If family committments allow, I will be at this meeting.

Many people know that I have floated the idea of a Public Private Partnership in relation to the high school project. It is my personal opinion that no matter what option is chosen for the project, the District needs to make sure it turns over every rock to find ways to lessen the tax impact on the residents of Mt Lebanon as much as possible.

Over the course of the last year I have had numerous meetings with companies and organizations that deal with PPPs and it is my sincere hope that I can bring some of these people to Mt Lebanon to talk about ways that they can benefit both the school district and the municipality.

I hope to have more information in the coming months.

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by Rob Papke http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1154 Rob Papke Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:15:06 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1154 When the 7 MtL Elementary Schools were renovated, beginning in 2003, some Green technology was incorporated into their design: digitally controlled thermostats, UV glass/windows, sensors on hand facets, low flow toilets & light sensors in the classrooms. However, these are pretty much standard procedure for most construction projects today. To move forward MtL now needs to take the next step and go LEED w/the HS building project. There is a segment of our taxpayers that are uniformed w/regards to Green technology. Also, our commissioners have virtually no say in what the district does. The School Board needs to hear from us (either via email or at the school board meetings). Please talk w/your neighbors and friends, we need to flood them with our interest. Make your voices heard. When the 7 MtL Elementary Schools were renovated, beginning in 2003, some Green technology was incorporated into their design: digitally controlled thermostats, UV glass/windows, sensors on hand facets, low flow toilets & light sensors in the classrooms. However, these are pretty much standard procedure for most construction projects today.
To move forward MtL now needs to take the next step and go LEED w/the HS building project. There is a segment of our taxpayers that are uniformed w/regards to Green technology. Also, our commissioners have virtually no say in what the district does.
The School Board needs to hear from us (either via email or at the school board meetings). Please talk w/your neighbors and friends, we need to flood them with our interest. Make your voices heard.

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by =fen http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1152 =fen Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:44:26 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1152 Cool! This post has been <a href="http://bloglebo.blogspot.com/2008/03/building-leed-high-school.html" rel="nofollow">linked to from Blog-Lebo</a>, Mike Madison's top-shelf blog of all things Mt. Lebanon. Thanks, Mike! Cool! This post has been linked to from Blog-Lebo, Mike Madison’s top-shelf blog of all things Mt. Lebanon.

Thanks, Mike!

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by Schultz http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1151 Schultz Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:18:12 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1151 Fen, Great idea. I mentioned retrofitting the existing schools in Mt Lebo with solar panels and energy saving devices to one of the Mt Lebo commissioner. They said that they believed that the schools were recently updated and that unfortunately they had failed to include any green design in the upgrades. I think a big problem with our idea is the taxpayers, especially taxpayers here in Western PA, who don't want to pay more for LEED or green design even though in the long run it will save them money in the form of lower energy costs and a cleaner environment. Check out my blog "<a href="http://thegreenagenda.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Green is Good</a>" and let's discuss some ideas for a greener Mt Lebanon. Chris Fen,

Great idea. I mentioned retrofitting the existing schools in Mt Lebo with solar panels and energy saving devices to one of the Mt Lebo commissioner. They said that they believed that the schools were recently updated and that unfortunately they had failed to include any green design in the upgrades. I think a big problem with our idea is the taxpayers, especially taxpayers here in Western PA, who don’t want to pay more for LEED or green design even though in the long run it will save them money in the form of lower energy costs and a cleaner environment. Check out my blog “Green is Good” and let’s discuss some ideas for a greener Mt Lebanon.

Chris

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons to Build an L.E.E.D. Certified High School by =fen http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1147 =fen Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:14:36 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/03/07/top-5-reasons-to-build-an-leed-certified-high-school/#comment-1147 <i>My letter to the school board follows:</i> Hello - My family and I recently moved to Mt Lebanon from San Francisco, California for three primary reasons: great public schools, affordable (certainly compared to California!) real estate, and proximity to a city with major colleges and culture. During our almost two years of research to determine where in the country was the best place to move - summed up on my blog <a href="http://blog.fen.net/2007/04/30/dreams-become-reality" rel="nofollow">http://blog.fen.net/2007/04/30/dreams-become-reality</a> - the fact that Pittsburgh was leading the country in the number of L.E.E.D. certified buildings also played a key role in making our decision. While I strongly urge L.E.E.D. certification for our new high school - as I think it will provide a great boost to Mt Lebanon as a visionary leader - I find it imperative that we build a green school, primarily for health reasons. I suffer from mild asthma and I would like my son to escape my fate. Green schools have cleaner air, and many studies have shown that poor air quality leads to greater occurrences of asthma. And of course, green buildings use less energy for heating and cooling, and thus are better for the environment (and the taxpayer!). In these times of environmental crisis, I would love to see my son in a L.E.E.D. certified high school learning how to take better care of the earth. What an incredible lesson for our children! Thank you, Fen Labalme My letter to the school board follows:

Hello -

My family and I recently moved to Mt Lebanon from San Francisco, California for three primary reasons: great public schools, affordable (certainly compared to California!) real estate, and proximity to a city with major colleges and culture. During our almost two years of research to determine where in the country was the best place to move - summed up on my blog http://blog.fen.net/2007/04/30/dreams-become-reality - the fact that Pittsburgh was leading the country in the number of L.E.E.D. certified buildings also played a key role in making our decision.

While I strongly urge L.E.E.D. certification for our new high school - as I think it will provide a great boost to Mt Lebanon as a visionary leader - I find it imperative that we build a green school, primarily for health reasons. I suffer from mild asthma and I would like my son to escape my fate. Green schools have cleaner air, and many studies have shown that poor air quality leads to greater occurrences of asthma. And of course, green buildings use less energy for heating and cooling, and thus are better for the environment (and the taxpayer!).

In these times of environmental crisis, I would love to see my son in a L.E.E.D. certified high school learning how to take better care of the earth. What an incredible lesson for our children!

Thank you,
Fen Labalme

]]> Comment on Barack, not Hillary by =fen http://blog.fen.net/2008/02/04/barack-not-hillary/#comment-1137 =fen Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:52:02 +0000 http://blog.fen.net/2008/02/04/barack-not-hillary/#comment-1137 Just found out my wife has been sending this message out to all her Super-Tuesday friends with the following introduction: <blockquote> hey folks, I'm for Obama and feel SO HELPLESS out here in Pennsylvania, where the primary is not till April 22nd! but you folks are in a state that votes on Super Tuesday. I'd be happy to make my own personal plea for Obama but found the attached to very much echo my sentiments and state the case quite eloquently. only thing I would state more forcefully is how much I distrust Clinton and how disingenuous I find her to be (not to say how machine-politics she is -- she doesn't change anything and we desperately need CHANGE). I know it's dicey to talk politics and religion with friends (especially so in these parts, a true patchwork of Red and Blue) but I don't think we have the luxury of being delicate right now -=- I fear for our planet and our ability to get along with the global community. while retirement in Nova Scotia appeals to me (really!), I'm not ready to be chased out of America yet. I hope you'll read this (it's not very long at all) and consider a vote for Obama tomorrow. I'm sure the votes will be close tomorrow so every vote will count (listen up, those of you who hate to vote, and I know who you are ;-) . I'll be volunteering with the get-out-the-vote folks in Maryland on Feb 12th (next Tues) since I can drive there in under three hours, and will be doing the same in Ohio, about two hours away, on March 4th. thanks for listening! a big, heartfelt hug, Elaine oh, please feel free to forward this! </blockquote> Just found out my wife has been sending this message out to all her Super-Tuesday friends with the following introduction:

hey folks,

I’m for Obama and feel SO HELPLESS out here in Pennsylvania, where the primary is not till April 22nd! but you folks are in a state that votes on Super Tuesday. I’d be happy to make my own personal plea for Obama but found the attached to very much echo my sentiments and state the case quite eloquently. only thing I would state more forcefully is how much I distrust Clinton and how disingenuous I find her to be (not to say how machine-politics she is — she doesn’t change anything and we desperately need CHANGE). I know it’s dicey to talk politics and religion with friends (especially so in these parts, a true patchwork of Red and Blue) but I don’t think we have the luxury of being delicate right now -=- I fear for our planet and our ability to get along with the global community. while retirement in Nova Scotia appeals to me (really!), I’m not ready to be chased out of America yet.

I hope you’ll read this (it’s not very long at all) and consider a vote for Obama tomorrow. I’m sure the votes will be close tomorrow so every vote will count (listen up, those of you who hate to vote, and I know who you are ;-) .

I’ll be volunteering with the get-out-the-vote folks in Maryland on Feb 12th (next Tues) since I can drive there in under three hours, and will be doing the same in Ohio, about two hours away, on March 4th.

thanks for listening!

a big, heartfelt hug,
Elaine

oh, please feel free to forward this!

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