Sustainable St. George, UT Forward thinking, Energy Efficiency

   

Expend Energy & Create it too!!
Pedal to Re-charge Your Batteries! 

The once sleepy little St George, Ut has undergone a major shift in growth and development over the last 20 years and especially during the housing boom that exploded here in Southern Utah in the new millennium until the bubble burst in 2008. During the late '80s and early 90's this rapid expansion was more than the tiny town power grid could handle. Growing pains were felt in the form of brown outs, and rolling power outages, especially during peak usage hours in the heat of the day. Water supplies were challenged as well being a resort community with a swelling snowbird, tourist driven seasonal influx in population and numerous golf courses, pools and a desert climate only exacerbated the problem.  Some actions have been taken within the community to solve or skirt around the problem. The County, city, and individuals have tried to implement tactics and technology to lessen the ecological footprint we make as growth occurs, some have stuck, other ideas come and go, still with expanding technology, other's are developed and encouraged to ensure a quality of life while helping to preserve our resources.

     There's always more to learn, explore and develop as our knowledge and technology catches up to our creativity. Necessity is the mother of invention, and ideally our ingenuity is far enough ahead of our necessity that we can avoid the discomforts of "growing pains"as before, or heaven forbid, the loss of viable resources without backup plans. 

     In some cases, forward thinking may be thinking backwards, or retro. I'm actually thinking in order to think and be more energy efficient, we need to back up and become more responsible consumers, and encourage, expect and engage in quality production of goods and services. We have become a throw away society. I've lived for a few years on this planet and I remember growing up in my family home and when an appliance stopped working there was this person mom would call and he'd show up stand on his head under the sink, washer, behind the fridge, or said appliance, and fix the thing and it was good for another 10,000 hours. Most major appliances lasted a good 15-20 years. My parents were using their original wedding gifts in our home well past their 25th or 30th wedding anniversary. Today, I can't tell you how many toasters, blenders, and refrigerators I've had during the 30 years I've been married.  And lets not get started on phones and tech stuff. But repairs are unheard of, just toss it and buy a new one, is what technician says, if I can get one to come to my home at all. When our fridge went out Thanksgiving week, after the repairman told me it was the compressor he went on to say all compressors are made by the same manufacture for all makes and models and that they were made to last for five years. Now that sounds like a plan to stay in the business of selling new refrigerators. I maintain that a throw away world is NOT a green world. We need to make things to last. We certainly have the ingenuity, technology and skill to make quality merchandise and to keep in in good repair and running for a lot longer than we are doing in the world today. All the smart houses, incinerating toilets, electric, or hybrid smart cars, wind energy, solar panels and so forth, won't make a dent if they aren't built to last along with everything else we use if we are having to re-place in all every couple of years. That is unsustainable!! The video below is an example of a energy efficient home. It would work well here in St George. 

     In my research besides the vertical farms, and aeroponic gardens, or heat source water pumps (already in use in the area), solar panels, and the usual energy efficient glass, etc.. I also found several new designs for toilets that are different than we now have saving water, burning waste, and in some cases, heating homes, or fertilizer, for food supplies. Water is one commodity that we must conserve, especially living in the desert.   

 Some programs that St. George is already participating in. Buying green energy..

 Sunran: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/08/01/suntran-info-now-available-on-smartphones-google-maps-app/

bike trail system

DIXIE Power DEREA ground source heat pump, hybrid heat pump

co-generation: citizensenergy.com/english/pages/134/energy-solutions

 Questar Natural Gas:Questar Gas

One more energy efficient home construction alternative already in use today. 

Where to connect to social media for Energy Efficient Community resources, ideas & information

Green Plug, Social Media Connection

The Bottom line:   Until we unitedly change our thinking in the ways we consume, and our production of our precious resources there will be no effectual or overwhelming change for the better. As long as we continue to selfishly consume energy, food, water, fuel, and material goods.. until we rethink and engineer and produce products and services to outlast their usefulness to us.. that is, we must manufacture machines, appliances, vehicles and tech devices that are upgradable, hardware that is sound and repairable, NOT disposable, but sustainable.. the battery that keeps on ticking....Until we change business from consumer based.. the 'toss out the old, buy a new one' attitudes to producing products with a more permanent buy it once and keep it running, state of mind, where the repairs specialist are in the future. They are the jobs of tomorrow, the challenge to build things to last and last.. until we shift to that way of thinking and stop generating acres and acres of landfill's, and waste of all varieties... until that shift starts to take hold and people really reduce reuse and recycle.. many of our efforts to lessen our footprint on the earth will be in vain. We are not doing enough. We are not serious enough to make the impact or rather reduce the impact we are exacting on the environment today. If think we can wait until things are so bad their is no other way than to take drastic measures.. then at that time I fear it may be too late. We must see the need now and fill it. "A stitch in time saves nine", way of thinking. A preventative, proactive innovative approach be truly sustainable, out of respect for our stewardship of the earth rather than a backed into a corner, necessity wait until we have to mentality. And it must be across the board, everyone involved and not just a few forward thinkers. Until we shift to a new way of resourcefulness and self control over our need for bigger and better "stuff", we will never in my opinion, "be green"or environmentally conscious enough to make the difference that is needed. We are doing some things better, but not enough. Now to effect that change.. that's the mission before us.

Contextual Impact of Social Media on Affordable Care Act

    I'm not here to Judge the Affordable Care Act or discuss its impact on the US and it's citizens, but rather to explore and define the impact social media and citizen journalism has had contextually on the reception, perception or resistance toward the ACA, and to observe whether it has made a significant difference in the action or reaction of the nations population. 
   The Affordable Care Act also known as "Obamacare" was enacted into law in 2010, and has recently taken effect, at least in requiring by law, all US citizens to obtain Health insurance and mandating insurance agencies to accept clients with pre-existing conditions with the idea that anyone should be able to afford to pay (as they will be fined if they do not have proof of insurance by January of 2014.)
   The temporal impact of social media, has been long and drawn out as the Act and it's many ramifications continue to unfold. Since the bill was 2000 plus pages in length, there are only a few who have bothered to read it. In fact the Speaker of the House- Majority Leader, advised us all to pass the bill first and read it later. As these new articles and issues come to light, there are sudden bursts of urgency that cause twitter-pations, facebook frenzy and the like on other social media settings, but it's not likely to die out anytime soon with so much good material yet to be read and implemented in the future. 
     The impact transcends cultural boundaries and is felt across the nation throughout our many varied cultures but social media itself is varied among the cultures. Certainly this first wave of insurance consumers so far are comprised mainly of older, and those of poor health who otherwise have been uninsurable with pre-existing conditions. Or in cases of poverty and unable to afford insurance. Generally speaking these people are not connected to nor participating in social media sites as much as other segments of the US population. The data shows a low response or interest within the younger population of yet uninsured. This is significant because they are generally lower risk, therefore better customers for insurance companies; as they pay their premiums but have little need for using the insurance and this is what creates the base financially for others who do use it to have use of the premiums to cover the costs of the unhealthy patients who use the policies. And so far they're by far the larger sector signing up. It's hard to say if social media is driving their interest, since they aren't the biggest users of social media. It think this falls under culture, but it's interesting to note on the chart above, and in a separate study as well, the difference in how you say it.. in this case Obama care verses Affordable health care, affected the overall conversation with a larger percent of negative remarks, although most were neutral statements, (I take that to mean not heated or politically charged), but more negative nonetheless, when the program was referred to as Obama Care. 
    Physical impact of social media, physically where we are, in America may make a difference on how much we use social media, and what type of an impact social media may have in daily life. For example, urban city areas will be more likely to have technology at hand. To be sure, the Internet and social media is everywhere, at least much more now than just a few years ago. But coverage is still sketchy in rural areas and there are fewer people, therefore less interest in the less populated regions of the nation than in the larger cities. There are more places that social media is utilized in cities. Billboards and news stands plastered with scanner bar codes for accessing ads and Internet sites, Internet cafes and more digital dialog. Location still is extremely important as far as social media is concerned and the ACA is more likely to be accessed in the city as far as the populous is concerned. 
   Socially context of social media and the ACA is without a doubt a popular topic. The graphic above, touches on so many of these contexts but especially in a social context. There are so many people talking about, concerned, inquiring, lobbying for and against the effects on the nations healthcare, personally, and collectively. Its a water cooler topic, debates, talk shows, radio programs, forums, marketing, even entertainment. 

There are two major opposing camps or sides of the issue. Those who feel everyone is entitled to affordable healthcare regardless. And those who feel this entitlement is infringing on our rights and freedom to be compelled or forced to buy any certain type of healthcare system. Social Media seems to heighten that awareness and those differences and polarize the populations into opposing sides. Its rivalry at it's peak. There are those how are not sure what they thinks about it as new issues continue to creep out of the dark corners and more information is disseminated It seems to be losing popularity the more that is learned. Especially when the rule of the game are changing constantly. Like, the assurance early on that those of us with Insurance policies that we are happy with, would be able to continue with those, only now we learn that many of those policies will be phased out and more and more individuals will have to participate in the insurance exchanges. Many employers are cutting hours of full-time employees to avoid paying insurance benefits. These trickling tidbits serve not only as topics of concern in our society but they create and aggravate psychological disturbances as well.
    The psychological context that social media in the ACA arena Is felt in the uncertainty of having the healthcare that we are comfortable with. Our well being, that we will actually be better off than before. The trust we have in what is said on social media as fact, or the sheer fact that there is so much out there to sift through and who to believe or give credibility to? Its very confusing and the rules change the "facts" change, it all messes with what is real and what is false. It may be some of both in the same breath. Things are said to reassure the masses but later new material surfaces to change the game. The latest fiasco is the site to sign up for the insurance exchange. It's a mess. The psychological impact of conflicting social media messages is distrust and apathy. 

    Overall, I think the important thing to remember with social media, citizen journalism and all. Is take it with a grain of salt. The trouble with so much access to information is that most is opinion, whether stated as fact or not. Most posts, articles, forums and blogs whether personal or professionally based are a mixture of fact, conjecture, clarity and or confusion, opinions, misunderstanding, or twisted lies and spin. The demographics of social media and it's users are a varied as humans can be. Like any poll taken, there are a number of different outcomes possible, depending on the audience polled. Not everyone uses Social Media.. not everyone is polled. The danger of social media and all it's venues, is that people take things as fact, they don't usually have a balanced base from which they draw information from so it's usually tilted one direction or another. Another danger is it gives users a false sense of "participation", we have too many "passive activists", people who "think" they are involved but really aren't making a difference.. it's too much chatter and not enough action. 
Okay, some people follow through to action but that's the exception. I think overall social media is more "false" than "real" and that's dangerous. Especially true when it affects so many lives and our well being as does the ACA. There's more information disseminated with the help of social media. We as a people and individuals need to vet the information, sources and share only what passes scrutiny. 
     Some more fall out... the president misspoke? ....really? No matter what side you lean toward, this is a curious spin on another discrepancy. . . 

     Sadly,I think this is not the end of these surprises. Enough said. 
The following is excerpts from an article in Healthcare finance news. It's mostly about the business of healthcare, however the 9 impact examples apply to healthcare in general. 
*MORE: Hadn't considered this before, but it's reasonable to understand that as much as individuals are confused and resisting health care reformation under this cloaked ACA, as well as many of the major insurance companies opposed to the mandates and changes that are being, and will yet be imposed; why would we expect Hosptial's would not feel the same. In fact they are "opting out" of the new Health Care plan, ie, Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, what ever title gets attached to it... the article below spells it out.  

Another twist.. Hospitals opting out of Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act

9 ways social media is impacting healthcare

1. Communication is shifting to public, more open forums. According to the report, four characteristics of social media have altered the nature of interactions among people and organizations: user-generated content, community, rapid distribution, and open, two-way dialogue. 

2. Patients (or consumers) are taking a more active role in their healthcare.  whether researching a certain illness or joining a support group. "The virtual aspect of social media enhances communications by creating a comfortable, often anonymous, environment for engaging and exchanging information." In addition, patients are using tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube to better educate themselves. When faced with an important health decision, 

3. Increased access to information means patients are demanding more transparency.  they want  their doctors, health plans, and condition and disease management as well,"social media site PatientsLikeMe, an eight-year-old health data-sharing platform, as an example of how more than 140,000 patients are connecting with each other. "Social networks will peel back every corner on cost, value, and outcomes,"   allowing the average patient to evaluate and improve his or her conditions, 

4. More instant feedback can help both consumers and organizations. social media to express opinions, grievances, and experiences, they expect faster response  49 percent of those polled expect to hear from their doctor when requesting an appointment or follow-up via social media within a few hours. 

5. Social information is impacting how and when patients select treatment and providers.  what physician to see and when to seek a second opinion. For example, according to the report, 40 percent of those polled said information found in social media would affect the way they coped with a chronic condition, their approach to diet and exercise, and their selection of a specific doctor. 

6. Social media allows for higher levels of trust. . "You want to trust and connect with the people providing you the care,"  form human relationships and connect with their patients,  leads to increased trust.

7. Social media is evolving from a marketing tool into a business strategy.  social media's use is extending into customer service, innovation, and service/product development. "They want and need different tools and different interactions." "It's about social strategy."

8. Providers can use social media as an outcomes-based measurement.  "Social media can offer a unique mechanism for collaborating with other organizations/partners to coordinate care," "A hospital's or physician's first encounter with a patient is often through its online presence," 

9. Health insurers can use social media to help focus on population health.  "patient advocate," it continued, you'll get a jump start on understanding the needs of potential members and determining which needs can be met through social media. Additionally, it noted, organizations should begin to determine an approach to data aggregation

9 way Social Media is Impacting Healthcare Business
    

     Privacy and the Internet/Social Media has caused me to re-evaluate my own use online. I'll be the first to admit complacency, not for the lack of concern, except where I am technically ignorant. I am becoming more aware of how vulnerable and "naked" all of us are out there in the cyber-world. I think most of us want to be intelligently safe and connected at the same time. For me it's a matter of time/tech savvy.
    So I try to access and control security settings where I know there are some, (they change constantly, and I find it challenging and awfully time consuming) so I'm sure I'm left standing with my virtual drawer's down.
    I try to be wise about what I post, how I say things, location and so forth. But admittedly, I get tired of jump through hoops, keeping informed or current security settings, and sometimes I knowingly ignore a safety issue and post knowing there's a risk of privacy, just cause I'm impatient at the time.
   Being a mother, I try hard to instill in my family members the fact's of the internet.. and I have pulled the "mom card" and deleted accounts more than once. I am grateful to be at least that aware. But how much I'm missing is disconcerting.
   I am torn between sharing vs. protecting myself, my family, my art, and other details that I would like to keep private and or safe.
   There's much good about our connectivity, the internet and social media.. but there is plenty to be concerned about as well. It good to know the dangers and risks and take measures to be safe and responsible. I think though there is more to know than I can ever learn. And the good vs. bad is blurred and more & more indistinguishable, sneaking and invasive.

Target facebook ad Artful Passages

Artful Passages..

Be the artist of your dreams, join our next "artventure" TODAY

As Peg said on her blog page...
"We want to share our journey as artists. Things that we think may be of interest to us, may also be of interest to others who, like ourselves are beginning or starting again their journey. I'm sure as time goes by we will find other ways to make the content on our facebook page more appealing/alluring to other artists and friends."pw

We have narrowed down our logo design for our Artful Passages Profile Pic to two or three prime candidates and will make a final decision within the week.  

We had quite a good response to our facebook page kick off. We have posted several of our art projects and will continue as fast as we are able to get them on and off our easels. We are encouraged by the likes, and comments at this early stage and feel this will continue to grow as we add content.- that is our work in progress, our inspirations our nearly "real-time" ventures, studies and experiments as we go. Including -
                                         
                                          -general "how we did it" videos, 
                                          -In progress, and finished art from our experiments
                                          -original art created by Peg or myself
                                          -inspiring quotes
                                          -good reads, articles, book suggestions and or favorite art pages
                                          -our own blog, and or links to some of our favorite art blogs

 We will continue to post our creations and encourage our current and new followers -as we gain momentum, to post their own works as they dust off their workspaces and easels our break through their own barriers, fears, hesitations to create art. We plan to share and link other artist's work, and or methods, successes and challenges along with our own. 

We anticipate lots of participation, and good things to come from this page. We will continue to invite, educate, inspire, and encourage great art from any artist, but especially those who may have lost sight of their own passion or dreams of becoming the artist they once hoped to be, or have hit a wall, self doubt, fear, etc. Or if they just need a community to get ideas to try a new technique or share and discuss their journey. We are in this together to lift and help one another and are willing to put ourselves out there as examples of going for it, breaking down whatever may hold us back. -wp

    This snap shot from BBC was just prior to the Presidents speech. It reflects probably pretty close the U.S. House of Representatives stand regarding a military strike against Syria. as of 9/10/13.

Clearly, not looking good in supporting a military strike. 

    Pres. Obama's speech was supposed to persuade Americans and Congress to support such action. 

In my opinion, the Presidents best effort to tug at America's heart strings and tap into national intolerance for inhumane treatment and atrocities, especially towards children; however urgent and real, didn't seem to pack the punch he was hoping for. In his speech he listed reasons he felt justified in advancing a military strike against Syria, but offered no hard proof behind his accusations. He offered a series of actions with no defined plan. He called for action, yet took none.  It's a bit like asking someone to sign a blank check, only there is much more significant than money at stake, with American lives, security and the like at stake here. 

     The chatter on Twitter that I monitored during and after the speech took a range of positions on the subject. About 1/2 would agree with my assessment, while others were overall pleased with the presentation and wonderful delivery by the President, admittedly most everyone was thankful we spared an actual military action at this time, and would prefer a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the problem of Chemical warfare. There however a good percentage of tweets and posts describing the Presidents speech as hard to follow, confusing and as one of the oddest speeches in the history of the Obama years. Many said he contradicted himself. 

      But in any case, the vast majority seemed to be unmoved in their stance on not supporting a military strike or becoming involved right now in any kind of retaliation towards Syria. 

The tweeting thing is still new to me, and I found it a bit overwhelming to keep up with all the comments. Or to track down the ones I really liked and would have used in this blog. Then I remembered 'screenshots' amid the fervor.
    At the end of the day, I think few minds were changed by either the president's address and position on Syria, and fewer still were influenced by what they read on social media. It's more like a forum to vent, or express opinions, but seems the opinions expressed are those already embedded and not much open or inquiring minds trying to weigh the pro's and con's of the situation. But then who want's to get involved in war and conflict? There is a lot to think about and a lot at stake.

So here I am.. after another relaxing evening of homework. 

Mission Statement

"It is never too late to become what you might have been." - George Elliot

We intend to shake off the dust of our doubts and fears to inspire, lift, support, encourage, praise and share our artistic adventures, advances and accomplishments together. We hope other artsy-fartsy friends will jump on our roller coaster ride of life long learning to master the Arts.

“Triptych Persona Panel"

Roberta, 62 is a semi-retired freelance artist and homemaker is finding time to pursue her somewhat buried passion for painting (art) and with the full support and encouragement of her recently retired and devoted husband Ned, she seeks the association and inspiration from like minded sisters in the arts. 

Marney, 45, divorced. A courageous survivor of a brutal marriage, it was it was her tenacity and profound creativity that saved her during those secluded years of abuse. She is now free to express her innermost emotions and does so prolifically through the arts. She is full of life, with nothing but time left to explore, her many interests, talents and strengthen her ability to share her talents with her new artsy fartsy friends. 

 Cliff, 54 father and husband, has enjoyed a successful career but harbors a bit of regret for not following his heart in the choice of his profession. He is close enough to retirement now; perhaps too close by his standards to reverse the clock and take up his interest in the arts. He showed promise in high school art classes as a man with talent in graphic and fine arts. He is ready to pull out the old art set and easel to try his hand painting the sunset rather than riding off into it. 

On our FB page we will be sharing our journey as we traverse the graduation gap, as seniors in our middle ages, head long we barrel along fighting our fears, which are many, however we are determined to rise above them one by every-loving one if necessary. We will lift ourselves and any within our circle (or monkey sphere) with every intent to inspire, lift, support, encourage, praise, and share our adventure, advances, and our accomplishments together. We hope other artsy fartsy friends will jump on and ride the colossal roller coaster of life long learning to Master the Arts (in our Middle Ages.)