In the world of marketing, green is the new black.
Have a recycling program? That's green. Use LED light bulbs? That's green, too. Heck, if you go so far as to encourage employees to carpool to work, you might as well be able to say your business
is green.
And yet, green marketing--that is, successful green marketing--isn't nearly as easy as it seems.
It turns out there's more to eco-consciousness than simply being conscious of the environment. We asked a number of entrepreneurs and experts for insights on the components of green marketing that works. The gist: Green only yields green when messaging blends transparency, practicality and savvy.
Marketing your business as green is a great idea--provided your customers are into that sort of thing. Executives at Bardessono, a luxury hotel and spa in Yountville, Calif., learned this the hard way.
When the 62-room property opened in 2009, executives trumpeted the hotel's Platinum status from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program--the resort was one of only two such honored hotels in the U.S. While the facility was a hit among environmentalists and green-obsessed journalists, it struggled with perhaps its most important group of constituents: customers.
The problem? Travelers accustomed to the luxury hotel experience perceived "green" to mean "sparse" and "uncomfortable" and booked elsewhere.
"Our messaging was great for occupancy but not so good for the average daily rate," says Jim Treadway, the hotel's general manager. "We had lost sight of the fact that our core customers value a luxury experience above all else."
Naturally, in 2010 Bardessono changed its tune, tweaking marketing messages to emphasize luxury first and green second. Almost overnight, bookings--at full price, mind you--soared.
"It took us a while to realize the best message for our customers was, 'We're a world-class hotel and, oh yeah, we're green,'" Treadway says. "That might not be intuitive, but when you consider that your customers are the top priority, targeting your messages to their lifestyle certainly makes sense."
Describing something as "green" can be dicey, since the word often means different things to different people.
In one instance, it could summarize an off-the-grid production facility powered by solar energy. In other cases, it could signify the existence of a telecommuting program that helps reduce a carbon footprint.
Jenny Grayson, a Los Angeles-based consultant who helps companies go green, says it behooves companies to be totally honest and to define exactly what "green" means to them.
"Everyone right now, from Clorox to Huggies, is marketing themselves as 'natural,' but what does that really mean?" she asks. "Environmentally savvy consumers can become quickly disillusioned with a company when it doesn't live up to its eco-friendly claims," or when it doesn't explain how it's eco-friendly in the first place.
2011年10月31日 星期一
2011年10月30日 星期日
Lofts, condos fully occupied in downtown Danville
Cheatham, a developer with Remington Professional Buildings LLC, researched several cities and decided on a project in Danville because of the historic buildings and the city’s efforts to transform itself. Additionally, the developers foresaw a need for more upscale residential options in Danville.
Cheatham, who’s been developing real estate for the past 40 years, believes the River District planning will also enhance downtown development.
The firm also leases out office space in the mixed-use building, with just one office of 720 square feet available. U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb keep offices there. The local United Way bought two of its commercial condos.
The developers are also working on bringing an upscale office building to 401 Bridge St. and construction could begin in six months, Cheatham said. The Newton’s Landing parking lot made the project possible.
“We have a nice city and great buildings, wonderful buildings,” Cheatham said. “There’s a lot of opportunity in and coming to Danville.”
The 28 condos at the Burton Condominium are full, with 21 sold and seven leased, said Susan Stilwell, a broker specializing in historic properties. New tenants are mostly new interns and residents at Danville Regional, she said.
Stilwell feels like there has always been a rental demand in Danville, but there just hasn’t been much available until the past few years.
“Danville has suffered for decades missing the boat by not having high quality rental properties available for newcomers who are moving here for professional jobs,” Stilwell said.
Now, Stilwell is starting to lease the Ferrell Historic Lifts on Main Street, as Rehab Builders of Winston-Salem, N.C., transforms the former Ferrell Furniture Co. building into 13 rental units: eight flats and five two-story townhouses. The units can be occupied in January.
“This building is going to be one of the most green buildings you can possibly build,” said project manager Josh Lipsky with Rehab Builders.
Rehab is adding insulation, a roofing system that will reflect the sun’s rays, compact fluorescent lighting and variable speed air handlers (efficient heating and air conditioning system), he said.
Units will also have built-in sound systems and iPod docking stations, Lipsky added.
“I kind of feel like if you build a really nice product, that there will be a demand,” he said.
David Corp and Ann Sylves bought a condo in the Burton three years ago and finally moved to Danville July 1. The couple retired from a school district in Buffalo, N.Y. They thought about buying a house, and looked on Millionaires’ Row. While the houses were affordable, they weren’t ready to spend their retirement on house projects.
Cheatham, who’s been developing real estate for the past 40 years, believes the River District planning will also enhance downtown development.
The firm also leases out office space in the mixed-use building, with just one office of 720 square feet available. U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb keep offices there. The local United Way bought two of its commercial condos.
The developers are also working on bringing an upscale office building to 401 Bridge St. and construction could begin in six months, Cheatham said. The Newton’s Landing parking lot made the project possible.
“We have a nice city and great buildings, wonderful buildings,” Cheatham said. “There’s a lot of opportunity in and coming to Danville.”
The 28 condos at the Burton Condominium are full, with 21 sold and seven leased, said Susan Stilwell, a broker specializing in historic properties. New tenants are mostly new interns and residents at Danville Regional, she said.
Stilwell feels like there has always been a rental demand in Danville, but there just hasn’t been much available until the past few years.
“Danville has suffered for decades missing the boat by not having high quality rental properties available for newcomers who are moving here for professional jobs,” Stilwell said.
Now, Stilwell is starting to lease the Ferrell Historic Lifts on Main Street, as Rehab Builders of Winston-Salem, N.C., transforms the former Ferrell Furniture Co. building into 13 rental units: eight flats and five two-story townhouses. The units can be occupied in January.
“This building is going to be one of the most green buildings you can possibly build,” said project manager Josh Lipsky with Rehab Builders.
Rehab is adding insulation, a roofing system that will reflect the sun’s rays, compact fluorescent lighting and variable speed air handlers (efficient heating and air conditioning system), he said.
Units will also have built-in sound systems and iPod docking stations, Lipsky added.
“I kind of feel like if you build a really nice product, that there will be a demand,” he said.
David Corp and Ann Sylves bought a condo in the Burton three years ago and finally moved to Danville July 1. The couple retired from a school district in Buffalo, N.Y. They thought about buying a house, and looked on Millionaires’ Row. While the houses were affordable, they weren’t ready to spend their retirement on house projects.
2011年10月27日 星期四
Four-color Laser Source Produces High-quality White Light
The human eye is as comfortable with white light generated by diode lasers as with that produced by increasingly popular light-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to tests conceived at Sandia National Laboratories.
Both technologies pass electrical current through material to generate light, but the simpler LED emits lights only through spontaneous emission. Diode lasers bounce light back and forth internally before releasing it.
The finding is important because LEDs — widely accepted as more efficient and hardier replacements for century-old tungsten incandescent bulb technology — lose efficiency at electrical currents above 0.5 amps. However, the efficiency of a sister technology — the diode laser — improves at higher currents, providing even more light than LEDs at higher amperages.
“What we showed is that diode lasers are a worthy path to pursue for lighting,” said Sandia researcher Jeff Tsao, who proposed the comparative experiment. “Before these tests, our research in this direction was stopped before it could get started. The typical response was, ‘Are you kidding? The color rendering quality of white light produced by diode lasers would be terrible.’ So finally it seemed like, in order to go further, one really had to answer this very basic question first.”
Little research had been done on diode lasers for lighting because of a widespread assumption that human eyes would find laser-based white light unpleasant. It would comprise four extremely narrow-band wavelengths — blue, red, green, and yellow — and would be very different from sunlight, for example, which blends a wide spectrum of wavelengths with no gaps in between. Diode laser light is also ten times narrower than that emitted by LEDs.
The tests — a kind of high-tech market research — took place at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials. Forty volunteers were seated, one by one, before two near-identical scenes of fruit in bowls, housed in adjacent chambers. Each bowl was randomly illuminated by warm, cool, or neutral white LEDs, by a tungsten-filament incandescent light bulb, or by a combination of four lasers (blue, red, green, yellow) tuned so their combination produced a white light.
Both technologies pass electrical current through material to generate light, but the simpler LED emits lights only through spontaneous emission. Diode lasers bounce light back and forth internally before releasing it.
The finding is important because LEDs — widely accepted as more efficient and hardier replacements for century-old tungsten incandescent bulb technology — lose efficiency at electrical currents above 0.5 amps. However, the efficiency of a sister technology — the diode laser — improves at higher currents, providing even more light than LEDs at higher amperages.
“What we showed is that diode lasers are a worthy path to pursue for lighting,” said Sandia researcher Jeff Tsao, who proposed the comparative experiment. “Before these tests, our research in this direction was stopped before it could get started. The typical response was, ‘Are you kidding? The color rendering quality of white light produced by diode lasers would be terrible.’ So finally it seemed like, in order to go further, one really had to answer this very basic question first.”
Little research had been done on diode lasers for lighting because of a widespread assumption that human eyes would find laser-based white light unpleasant. It would comprise four extremely narrow-band wavelengths — blue, red, green, and yellow — and would be very different from sunlight, for example, which blends a wide spectrum of wavelengths with no gaps in between. Diode laser light is also ten times narrower than that emitted by LEDs.
The tests — a kind of high-tech market research — took place at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials. Forty volunteers were seated, one by one, before two near-identical scenes of fruit in bowls, housed in adjacent chambers. Each bowl was randomly illuminated by warm, cool, or neutral white LEDs, by a tungsten-filament incandescent light bulb, or by a combination of four lasers (blue, red, green, yellow) tuned so their combination produced a white light.
Lights Out! Riverside County Fights Light Pollution With New Law
Riverside County wants its residents to turn off the bright lights.
The county's board of supervisors has given a tentative OK to a law meant to fight the kind of light pollution that makes it hard for residents to see stars from their backyards. The law would require residents to shield bright exterior lights and point them away from their neighbor's homes and public streets. It wouldn't affect public street lights, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
John Garrett, a member of the International Dark Sky Association, told KPCC, "'Hey, I used to be able to enjoy the backyard looking at the stars with my children. Now I can't. Is there anything I can do to get my neighbor to stop shining that floodlight at me?' This ordinance will help change that, and I hope it becomes a model for our cities to adopt as well."
There's even a provision in their that might put an end to those neighbors who leave their Christmas lights on for all the seasons. Holiday lights are kosher, but they have to be turned off between 11 p.m. and sunrise, and they have to be turned off completely after a month.
But Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who supports the ordinance, is working to make sure that the county can actually enforce the law.
"How will this affect electric billboards?" Stone said, according to KPCC. "We have athletic fields on school sites, and I'm concerned about enforceability. Are we going to have the light police? I want to see it enforced but I'm not sure this is going to be a top priority for a sheriff's department. I understand the motivation but I worry about broad-brushing and the ramifications it can have on us."
Once the law is finalized, resident's would have three to six months to turn off their
If finalized, the ordinance gives residents three to six months to comply. Anyone who violates the law once or twice is guilty of an infraction. Two violations are a misdemeanor. Fines are $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second and $500 or up to six months in jail for any other violations.
The county's board of supervisors has given a tentative OK to a law meant to fight the kind of light pollution that makes it hard for residents to see stars from their backyards. The law would require residents to shield bright exterior lights and point them away from their neighbor's homes and public streets. It wouldn't affect public street lights, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
John Garrett, a member of the International Dark Sky Association, told KPCC, "'Hey, I used to be able to enjoy the backyard looking at the stars with my children. Now I can't. Is there anything I can do to get my neighbor to stop shining that floodlight at me?' This ordinance will help change that, and I hope it becomes a model for our cities to adopt as well."
There's even a provision in their that might put an end to those neighbors who leave their Christmas lights on for all the seasons. Holiday lights are kosher, but they have to be turned off between 11 p.m. and sunrise, and they have to be turned off completely after a month.
But Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who supports the ordinance, is working to make sure that the county can actually enforce the law.
"How will this affect electric billboards?" Stone said, according to KPCC. "We have athletic fields on school sites, and I'm concerned about enforceability. Are we going to have the light police? I want to see it enforced but I'm not sure this is going to be a top priority for a sheriff's department. I understand the motivation but I worry about broad-brushing and the ramifications it can have on us."
Once the law is finalized, resident's would have three to six months to turn off their
If finalized, the ordinance gives residents three to six months to comply. Anyone who violates the law once or twice is guilty of an infraction. Two violations are a misdemeanor. Fines are $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second and $500 or up to six months in jail for any other violations.
2011年10月25日 星期二
KU Offers Simple Tips to Combat Energy ‘Vampires’
Halloween season is not the only time of year when vampires may be lurking in your home, and Kentucky Utilities Company is helping identify energy “vampires” on a mission to drain the life out of your wallet.
While these creatures aren’t of the “Twilight” variety, they can add about $125 to annual energy costs, according to Consumer Reports.
These energy “vampires” are electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, portable chargers, MP3 players and video game consoles that suck trickles of energy around the clock, even in the “off” mode. The average U.S. home has about 40 such devices that continuously draw power to enable remote control signals and digital clock displays.
Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
While these creatures aren’t of the “Twilight” variety, they can add about $125 to annual energy costs, according to Consumer Reports.
These energy “vampires” are electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, portable chargers, MP3 players and video game consoles that suck trickles of energy around the clock, even in the “off” mode. The average U.S. home has about 40 such devices that continuously draw power to enable remote control signals and digital clock displays.
Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
Seattle 'Viadoom' traffic congested but moving
Commuter traffic was congested but moving slowly in Seattle on Monday morning as drivers undertook the first weekday commute following the closure of one of the city's main north-south highways.
Authorities began a nine-day closure of the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct on Friday. The aging, earthquake-vulnerable highway, which normally carries 110,000 vehicles a day, was being partially demolished as part of a $3.2 billion project to replace it with a tunnel under downtown Seattle.
Transportation officials and drivers have worried that the region's freeway system would be hopelessly clogged during the project -- the shutdown of the highway has been dubbed "Viadoom."
Monday morning's commute started off with heavy rains and two collisions on Interstate 5 -- the only other north-south highway through Seattle. But some drivers appeared to have delayed their commute into the 8 o'clock hour, said Kris Olsen, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Transportation.
Transportation officials reported heavier than usual traffic on arterial streets in Seattle and other freeways in the region as commuters sought alternative routes.
"When you take a north-south corridor out of commission, you throw a lot of traffic on different highways," Department of Transportation spokesman Travis Phelps said. "We expected a regional impact and we did see that."
Backups in the city's West Seattle neighborhood were especially noticeable for drivers, who saw a long line of taillights when they pulled onto the West Seattle Bridge in the 7 a.m. hour. Buses were full, and other commuters rode bikes or took the water taxi across Elliott Bay. Early sailings of the water taxi to downtown Seattle quickly filled up, with many more commuters waiting on the dock.
West Seattle accountant Diane Cryder usually takes the bus but hopped on the water taxi for the first time Monday, hoping to avoid the traffic.
"We don't move traffic on a good day," she said, who decided going by boat would be the quickest way to get to her downtown job.
Tanya Baer, who lives in West Seattle, was so worried about traffic Monday that she packed a bag Sunday and went to stay with her sister-in-law in Ballard, a neighborhood north of Seattle's downtown. She planned to take the bus Monday morning to her job.
"I can't afford to get to work late and I feel really concerned that it's going to be awful," said Baer, 36, an executive assistant. "If the commute is not that bad, I'll come home mid-week."
Transit officials added extra spaces at park-and-ride lots near public transit, put more buses on the streets and encouraged people to stagger their work day or work from home.
The city's Cascade Bicycle Club urged people to dust off their bikes and warned of the "second-coming of `Carmageddon'" -- the nickname for the weekend closure of a freeway in Los Angeles in July that brought fears of widespread tangled traffic. Drivers largely kept off roads, however.
Authorities began a nine-day closure of the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct on Friday. The aging, earthquake-vulnerable highway, which normally carries 110,000 vehicles a day, was being partially demolished as part of a $3.2 billion project to replace it with a tunnel under downtown Seattle.
Transportation officials and drivers have worried that the region's freeway system would be hopelessly clogged during the project -- the shutdown of the highway has been dubbed "Viadoom."
Monday morning's commute started off with heavy rains and two collisions on Interstate 5 -- the only other north-south highway through Seattle. But some drivers appeared to have delayed their commute into the 8 o'clock hour, said Kris Olsen, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Transportation.
Transportation officials reported heavier than usual traffic on arterial streets in Seattle and other freeways in the region as commuters sought alternative routes.
"When you take a north-south corridor out of commission, you throw a lot of traffic on different highways," Department of Transportation spokesman Travis Phelps said. "We expected a regional impact and we did see that."
Backups in the city's West Seattle neighborhood were especially noticeable for drivers, who saw a long line of taillights when they pulled onto the West Seattle Bridge in the 7 a.m. hour. Buses were full, and other commuters rode bikes or took the water taxi across Elliott Bay. Early sailings of the water taxi to downtown Seattle quickly filled up, with many more commuters waiting on the dock.
West Seattle accountant Diane Cryder usually takes the bus but hopped on the water taxi for the first time Monday, hoping to avoid the traffic.
"We don't move traffic on a good day," she said, who decided going by boat would be the quickest way to get to her downtown job.
Tanya Baer, who lives in West Seattle, was so worried about traffic Monday that she packed a bag Sunday and went to stay with her sister-in-law in Ballard, a neighborhood north of Seattle's downtown. She planned to take the bus Monday morning to her job.
"I can't afford to get to work late and I feel really concerned that it's going to be awful," said Baer, 36, an executive assistant. "If the commute is not that bad, I'll come home mid-week."
Transit officials added extra spaces at park-and-ride lots near public transit, put more buses on the streets and encouraged people to stagger their work day or work from home.
The city's Cascade Bicycle Club urged people to dust off their bikes and warned of the "second-coming of `Carmageddon'" -- the nickname for the weekend closure of a freeway in Los Angeles in July that brought fears of widespread tangled traffic. Drivers largely kept off roads, however.
2011年10月24日 星期一
Chiarelli determinedto get projects started
The city believes the 417 needs to be widened before construction begins on the light-rail project because one lane will be dedicated to buses while the transitway is being rebuilt to handle LRT.
“People are frustrated in Toronto, and they’re frustrated in Ottawa,” Chiarelli said. “There’s been commitments given (but) the projects are not moving. I’m determined to see the projects for which there are funding commitments, and for which there are strong needs, actually go forward. I want shovels in the ground.”
Chiarelli has long been an advocate of light-rail transit. Five years ago, in July 2006, when he was the mayor of Ottawa, city council approved an $880-million north-south light-rail system. If the project had gone ahead Ottawans would now be riding a 29-kilometre line from Barrhaven to the University of Ottawa.
But a municipal election loomed in the fall of 2006, and the LRT project became an issue. Federal funding required approval from Treasury Board. John Baird, the MP for Ottawa West-Nepean who had been appointed Treasury Board president in the newly elected Tory minority government, decided to withhold federal approval until a new council could vote on the issue. Some regarded the decision as an attempt to undermine Chiarelli politically.
Whatever the truth to that claim, Chiarelli did, in fact, lose the mayor’s job in the November election. Two weeks later, the new mayor, Larry O’Brien, led his council to kill the north-south plan. The provincial Liberals weren’t happy and there was talk the province might withdraw its then $200-million contribution. That didn’t happen, and now with Mayor Jim Watson, a former cabinet minister in McGuinty’s government, on board for the new $2.1-billion east-west LRT project, the province has upped its commitment to $600 million, matching the federal government.
Chiarelli refused to be drawn on the actions of either O’Brien or Baird, who is now Canada’s foreign affairs minister, saying he didn’t want to “editorialize politically and get into a political debate.” Still, he suggested that derailing his LRT project five years ago set the city back at least four to six years in terms of having an operational light-rail transit system, and that he wanted to make up for lost time.
“Let’s just say that we have a city council and mayor and city managers who’ve got their foot to the pedal to make this thing happen as quickly as possible, and we’re going to be there a partner to make that happen. I want to make sure we get the LRT project in the ground and functioning in accordance with the priorities of the City of Ottawa.
“I would consider a successful mandate for me (to be) if I can make those darn projects actually happen.
“People are frustrated in Toronto, and they’re frustrated in Ottawa,” Chiarelli said. “There’s been commitments given (but) the projects are not moving. I’m determined to see the projects for which there are funding commitments, and for which there are strong needs, actually go forward. I want shovels in the ground.”
Chiarelli has long been an advocate of light-rail transit. Five years ago, in July 2006, when he was the mayor of Ottawa, city council approved an $880-million north-south light-rail system. If the project had gone ahead Ottawans would now be riding a 29-kilometre line from Barrhaven to the University of Ottawa.
But a municipal election loomed in the fall of 2006, and the LRT project became an issue. Federal funding required approval from Treasury Board. John Baird, the MP for Ottawa West-Nepean who had been appointed Treasury Board president in the newly elected Tory minority government, decided to withhold federal approval until a new council could vote on the issue. Some regarded the decision as an attempt to undermine Chiarelli politically.
Whatever the truth to that claim, Chiarelli did, in fact, lose the mayor’s job in the November election. Two weeks later, the new mayor, Larry O’Brien, led his council to kill the north-south plan. The provincial Liberals weren’t happy and there was talk the province might withdraw its then $200-million contribution. That didn’t happen, and now with Mayor Jim Watson, a former cabinet minister in McGuinty’s government, on board for the new $2.1-billion east-west LRT project, the province has upped its commitment to $600 million, matching the federal government.
Chiarelli refused to be drawn on the actions of either O’Brien or Baird, who is now Canada’s foreign affairs minister, saying he didn’t want to “editorialize politically and get into a political debate.” Still, he suggested that derailing his LRT project five years ago set the city back at least four to six years in terms of having an operational light-rail transit system, and that he wanted to make up for lost time.
“Let’s just say that we have a city council and mayor and city managers who’ve got their foot to the pedal to make this thing happen as quickly as possible, and we’re going to be there a partner to make that happen. I want to make sure we get the LRT project in the ground and functioning in accordance with the priorities of the City of Ottawa.
“I would consider a successful mandate for me (to be) if I can make those darn projects actually happen.
2011年10月19日 星期三
G2E a hit despite uncertain economy
Although you might think a trade show dedicated to the gaming industry might not be the most well-attended event after three years of recession, organizers of this year's Global Gaming Expo, G2E, would beg to differ.
Held Oct. 3-6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the world's largest trade show and conference for the gaming industry attracted nearly 26,000 attendees and 440 exhibitors covering some 250,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The show included 70 exhibitors from overseas, according to American Gaming Association officials. In 2010, the event attracted 24,941 attendees and 520 exhibitors during the last year of its decade-long Las Vegas Convention Center run.
Despite the decline in exhibitors, "attendance was very strong," said Judy Patterson, senior vice president and executive director of the gaming association in Washington, D.C., which organizes the trade show in partnership with Reed Exhibitions.
"The gaming industry is on the right track and the show exhibited that recovery," Patterson said in a phone interview. She said the show benefited from a move to a new, smaller venue.
"We moved to this new venue and were able to reconfigure the show floor," Patterson said. "It worked well with all the exhibitors on the same floor."
She said the Sands Expo and Convention Center was small enough to allow the association to accomplish one of its "primary goals" of giving smaller exhibitors more viability during the three-day show.
Moving the show also allowed G2E to move its dates from mid-November to early October to give buyers a chance to investigate or sample new products before closing out their annual budgets.
Also, the International Association of Gaming Advisors and the National Center for Responsible Gambling met at the Venetian around the same time, making it easier for attendees to visit all shows.
Presentations by Rio headliner Penn Jillette and MGM Resorts International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren highlighted keynote addresses during G2E.
Murren said MGM Resorts, which has 10 casinos on the Strip, is looking at Asia and the Internet for future growth for the company. He said "two or three" new gaming markets are expected to open in Asia in coming years and MGM Resorts "will be there."
While the potential for Internet poker legalization in the United States was a large topic of conversation during G2E, Murren said MGM Resorts would continue to explore social media as a way to attract customers and possibly prepare for the legalization of Internet gaming.
Held Oct. 3-6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the world's largest trade show and conference for the gaming industry attracted nearly 26,000 attendees and 440 exhibitors covering some 250,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The show included 70 exhibitors from overseas, according to American Gaming Association officials. In 2010, the event attracted 24,941 attendees and 520 exhibitors during the last year of its decade-long Las Vegas Convention Center run.
Despite the decline in exhibitors, "attendance was very strong," said Judy Patterson, senior vice president and executive director of the gaming association in Washington, D.C., which organizes the trade show in partnership with Reed Exhibitions.
"The gaming industry is on the right track and the show exhibited that recovery," Patterson said in a phone interview. She said the show benefited from a move to a new, smaller venue.
"We moved to this new venue and were able to reconfigure the show floor," Patterson said. "It worked well with all the exhibitors on the same floor."
She said the Sands Expo and Convention Center was small enough to allow the association to accomplish one of its "primary goals" of giving smaller exhibitors more viability during the three-day show.
Moving the show also allowed G2E to move its dates from mid-November to early October to give buyers a chance to investigate or sample new products before closing out their annual budgets.
Also, the International Association of Gaming Advisors and the National Center for Responsible Gambling met at the Venetian around the same time, making it easier for attendees to visit all shows.
Presentations by Rio headliner Penn Jillette and MGM Resorts International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren highlighted keynote addresses during G2E.
Murren said MGM Resorts, which has 10 casinos on the Strip, is looking at Asia and the Internet for future growth for the company. He said "two or three" new gaming markets are expected to open in Asia in coming years and MGM Resorts "will be there."
While the potential for Internet poker legalization in the United States was a large topic of conversation during G2E, Murren said MGM Resorts would continue to explore social media as a way to attract customers and possibly prepare for the legalization of Internet gaming.
2011年10月17日 星期一
Travelogue: Teen drivers continue to struggle early
National Teen Safety Driver Week begins today, but a recent report showed new teen drivers struggle to drive safely, especially under certain circumstances. A AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study showed that teen drivers are approximately 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving on their own then after a full year of experience and nearly twice as likely to crash in that first month then after two years of experience.
Research found that new teen drivers had significant issues with failure to reduce speed, inattention and failure to yield. Mistakes in those areas led to 57 percent of the accidents recorded in the study. The study also found that some accidents decreased significantly after a few months of experience. One example was that crashes involving left hand turns were largely reduced after a few months of experience. The study also used in-car cameras to record teens’ driving habits. A large majority of the cameras recorded no unusual activity, but there were instances of running red lights, horseplay with passengers and texting while driving.
While Pennsylvania still does not have a no texting law for drivers of any age, there has been some progress. A bill that would limit teen drivers to one non-family passenger for the first sixth months, increase the requirement of 50 hours behind the wheel to 65 and make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense, is awaiting Gov. Tom Corbett’s signature.
But the AAA study recommends that parents not count on the government to make their sons and daughters better drivers. It’s recommended that they continue to ride with their teen even after he or she has a license. Also, there should be limits on the number of teens who can ride with them, limits on night time driving, and then making sure those rules are enforced with consequences. Even the best behaving teens aren’t above stretching the rules if a little peer pressure is involved. But remember a little parent pressure is just fine, too.
Each week, we’ll take a look at a situation where a driver had about 20 percent of his or her attention the road and the rest of it somewhere else. These are real occurrences witnessed by me while driving on the wonderful and varied roads in Delaware County. And, they will be an example of what not to do while driving.
This week involves a drive going north on Chester Pike and waiting for the left-hand turn light to go green onto South Avenue under the railroad tracks there. It was during the wait that one car nearly caused a multi-car accident.
Research found that new teen drivers had significant issues with failure to reduce speed, inattention and failure to yield. Mistakes in those areas led to 57 percent of the accidents recorded in the study. The study also found that some accidents decreased significantly after a few months of experience. One example was that crashes involving left hand turns were largely reduced after a few months of experience. The study also used in-car cameras to record teens’ driving habits. A large majority of the cameras recorded no unusual activity, but there were instances of running red lights, horseplay with passengers and texting while driving.
While Pennsylvania still does not have a no texting law for drivers of any age, there has been some progress. A bill that would limit teen drivers to one non-family passenger for the first sixth months, increase the requirement of 50 hours behind the wheel to 65 and make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense, is awaiting Gov. Tom Corbett’s signature.
But the AAA study recommends that parents not count on the government to make their sons and daughters better drivers. It’s recommended that they continue to ride with their teen even after he or she has a license. Also, there should be limits on the number of teens who can ride with them, limits on night time driving, and then making sure those rules are enforced with consequences. Even the best behaving teens aren’t above stretching the rules if a little peer pressure is involved. But remember a little parent pressure is just fine, too.
Each week, we’ll take a look at a situation where a driver had about 20 percent of his or her attention the road and the rest of it somewhere else. These are real occurrences witnessed by me while driving on the wonderful and varied roads in Delaware County. And, they will be an example of what not to do while driving.
This week involves a drive going north on Chester Pike and waiting for the left-hand turn light to go green onto South Avenue under the railroad tracks there. It was during the wait that one car nearly caused a multi-car accident.
2011年10月14日 星期五
Let down by insurance policy fine print
Many people are at a loss when it comes to applying for a health and life insurance policy. A critical illness cover is no different. This type of insurance provides a single, lump sum payout should the insured become critically ill or injured as defined in the policy’s language.
But there is a catch: insurance companies do not just grant critical illness cover to any or everyone who applies.
Taking out a critical illness insurance might not be the most pleasing thing to go shopping for, but at least it’s practical, especially if your mortgage or business depends on you being fit enough to work.
The premise is that you’ll receive a payout from your insurer, depending on how much you pay them, for a diagnosis of a critical illnesses within six core areas: heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplants, multiple sclerosis, stroke and cancer.
So imagine how you’d feel if you did get cancer, but your insurer said it didn’t count – which is what happened to Sally Wong.
In addition to being told she has cancer, Sally also found out she’s not going to receive any of the financial support she thought she’d paid for after being diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).
This is when a non-malignant tumour has been found, which has the potential to become malignant and spread, but because it’s caught early it is still contained.
Sally took two critical illness policies out with an insurance company in 2001, costing RM500 a month and was diagnosed with DCIS in March 2006, and it was explained to her that her form of cancer, while still in the “in situ” phase, was also high-grade and therefore likely to become invasive. If this was allowed to happen, she would stand a low chance of survival.
She was given immediate surgery to remove the lump, followed by radiotherapy treatment to reduce the chance of the cancer spreading. An important factor in ensuring against this was to rest and recuperate. Fortunately, Sally had taken out a critical illness policy to protect her from having to work.
“When I was told I had in-situ again I thought to myself, ‘I can’t afford to have this – what’s my family going to do’? I felt desperate – I was told I needed months off work. You even end up thinking if it had invaded, at least I wouldn’t be a financial burden,” she added.
Because it had returned, they took no chances and removed the breast completely. However, complications with her skin healing following the mastectomy led Sally to need a further eight operations, leaving her physically unable to work.
“I feel that I’ve never fully gained my strength and can only do a fraction of what I could before I had my mastectomy. It’s a disabling amputation – one that leaves you totally incapacitated – but I’m never going to get any money.”
But there is a catch: insurance companies do not just grant critical illness cover to any or everyone who applies.
Taking out a critical illness insurance might not be the most pleasing thing to go shopping for, but at least it’s practical, especially if your mortgage or business depends on you being fit enough to work.
The premise is that you’ll receive a payout from your insurer, depending on how much you pay them, for a diagnosis of a critical illnesses within six core areas: heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplants, multiple sclerosis, stroke and cancer.
So imagine how you’d feel if you did get cancer, but your insurer said it didn’t count – which is what happened to Sally Wong.
In addition to being told she has cancer, Sally also found out she’s not going to receive any of the financial support she thought she’d paid for after being diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).
This is when a non-malignant tumour has been found, which has the potential to become malignant and spread, but because it’s caught early it is still contained.
Sally took two critical illness policies out with an insurance company in 2001, costing RM500 a month and was diagnosed with DCIS in March 2006, and it was explained to her that her form of cancer, while still in the “in situ” phase, was also high-grade and therefore likely to become invasive. If this was allowed to happen, she would stand a low chance of survival.
She was given immediate surgery to remove the lump, followed by radiotherapy treatment to reduce the chance of the cancer spreading. An important factor in ensuring against this was to rest and recuperate. Fortunately, Sally had taken out a critical illness policy to protect her from having to work.
“When I was told I had in-situ again I thought to myself, ‘I can’t afford to have this – what’s my family going to do’? I felt desperate – I was told I needed months off work. You even end up thinking if it had invaded, at least I wouldn’t be a financial burden,” she added.
Because it had returned, they took no chances and removed the breast completely. However, complications with her skin healing following the mastectomy led Sally to need a further eight operations, leaving her physically unable to work.
“I feel that I’ve never fully gained my strength and can only do a fraction of what I could before I had my mastectomy. It’s a disabling amputation – one that leaves you totally incapacitated – but I’m never going to get any money.”
2011年10月13日 星期四
Bells and Whistles Descend Upon the Throne
The most striking feature of the Numi is what you don’t get: any visible levers or buttons. All the Numi controls are handled through a touch screen remote control that is somewhat larger than an iPod Touch. That remote controls flushing, cleaning, drying, music, heating and other settings and preferences; combinations of preferences can be stored in user profiles for different family members. When not in use, the remote docks in a magnetic charging cradle that can be mounted on the wall. There are backup buttons at the rear of the toilet just in case the remote is not working.
Then there’s the Numi’s design. The toilet, when closed, is a large white rhombus that sits in your bathroom. It does not so much say “toilet” as much as “giant building block from Lego: the Marcel Breuer Collection.” The rear panels are translucent, and LED lights gently illuminate the toilet when the Numi’s sensor determines that the room has gone dark. Another LED is mounted in the bowl itself for additional nighttime guidance; both lights’ intensity can be adjusted with the remote control.
Walk up to the Numi, and location sensors will detect your presence and cause the toilet’s lid to rise, revealing the rectangular-on-the-outside, round-where-it-counts seat. If you are a man standing in front of the toilet, you will notice a blue beam of light projected on the right-side floor, adjacent to the toilet. Place your foot in the path of that beam and the toilet seat will rise; break the beam again and the toilet will flush and the seat will lower itself.
That seat, naturally, is heated, and the temperature can be adjusted from the remote. If desired, the Numi can also blow heated air from its base, warming your feet on chillier mornings. The Numi has what is referred to in the industry as “bidet features”: it can wash and dry its user (there are modes for women and men). Both functions are accomplished via a wand that extends from under the seat that can spray water or blow air. Pressure and temperature are adjustable, as is the spray pattern, which can go from a steady blast to an oscillating pattern that can only be described as invigorating.
The Numi also has not one but two flushing modes, both of which are more efficient than current federal flushing standards. “Flush-eco” resembles a standard flush, but only uses six-tenths of a gallon of water (the maximum allowed in the United States is 1.6 gallons per flush). “Flush-full” is a two-stage flush, but it still only uses 1.3 gallons each time.
These flushing options can be set to take place automatically. The Numi knows if you’ve been sitting or standing, and can automatically activate full or eco flushes when you leave the toilet. It will also automatically lower the seat and close the lid when you are away — perhaps saving some marriages.
Then there’s the Numi’s design. The toilet, when closed, is a large white rhombus that sits in your bathroom. It does not so much say “toilet” as much as “giant building block from Lego: the Marcel Breuer Collection.” The rear panels are translucent, and LED lights gently illuminate the toilet when the Numi’s sensor determines that the room has gone dark. Another LED is mounted in the bowl itself for additional nighttime guidance; both lights’ intensity can be adjusted with the remote control.
Walk up to the Numi, and location sensors will detect your presence and cause the toilet’s lid to rise, revealing the rectangular-on-the-outside, round-where-it-counts seat. If you are a man standing in front of the toilet, you will notice a blue beam of light projected on the right-side floor, adjacent to the toilet. Place your foot in the path of that beam and the toilet seat will rise; break the beam again and the toilet will flush and the seat will lower itself.
That seat, naturally, is heated, and the temperature can be adjusted from the remote. If desired, the Numi can also blow heated air from its base, warming your feet on chillier mornings. The Numi has what is referred to in the industry as “bidet features”: it can wash and dry its user (there are modes for women and men). Both functions are accomplished via a wand that extends from under the seat that can spray water or blow air. Pressure and temperature are adjustable, as is the spray pattern, which can go from a steady blast to an oscillating pattern that can only be described as invigorating.
The Numi also has not one but two flushing modes, both of which are more efficient than current federal flushing standards. “Flush-eco” resembles a standard flush, but only uses six-tenths of a gallon of water (the maximum allowed in the United States is 1.6 gallons per flush). “Flush-full” is a two-stage flush, but it still only uses 1.3 gallons each time.
These flushing options can be set to take place automatically. The Numi knows if you’ve been sitting or standing, and can automatically activate full or eco flushes when you leave the toilet. It will also automatically lower the seat and close the lid when you are away — perhaps saving some marriages.
2011年10月12日 星期三
Father filmed pulling wheelies on motorbike while 3-year-old sat on petrol tank
Show off Ryan Ward, 23, rode not only without a care in the world but also without a helmet and without a driving licence as he sped along roads pavements and footpaths - with the bewildered toddler sat in front of him holding onto the handlebars
The unnamed boy who was also not wearing a helmet or protective clothing looked on ahead as his father put his foot down and hit up to 40mph as the blue off road motorbike tore round the Harpurhey area of Manchester.
Initally the father and son were spotted waiting at traffic lights on the machine but a police helicopter kept its spy camera trained on Ward as he rode away.
Officers watched as the bike then hurtled past parked cars and through terraced streets. During the journey Ward repeatedly lifted the front wheel of his machine of the ground as a part of series of wheelie stunts to impress the little boy.
He was eventually arrested after he was spotted pushing the bike along the road following his 6pm trip of terror on June 5.
Today footage of the incident emerged as Ward, of Hilldale Avenue, Blackley, faced jail after he admitted dangerous driving, cruelty to a child under 16, driving whilst disqualified and an unrelated firearms offence.
After the case at Manchester Crown Court, a neighbour said: ''None of us could quite believe it when we heard what Ryan did. You would think he would be a bit more responsible when it comes to taking his lad out on a motorbike.
''But obviously it seems he couldn't give two hoots for his or his own son's safety. He must be one of the most feckless fathers in Britain.''
PC Andy Moore of Greater Manchester Police said: ''Ward was riding without regard for himself but more importantly the public and his young son.
''He showed a blatant disregard for the rules of the road and has rightly been sentenced for his foolish and reckless actions.''
Neighbourhood Inspector, Ruth Bradley-Holt, said: ''Off road motorbikes are a real nuisance to the police and local residents.
''Ward broke the law by riding an off road bike in a public place but to compound matters the manner of his driving was appalling and he put the local community and even his own child at risk.
''We work very hard to address the concerns of local residents and that includes clamping down hard on those who misuse off road bikes and we seized three vehicles that were being used illegally.
The unnamed boy who was also not wearing a helmet or protective clothing looked on ahead as his father put his foot down and hit up to 40mph as the blue off road motorbike tore round the Harpurhey area of Manchester.
Initally the father and son were spotted waiting at traffic lights on the machine but a police helicopter kept its spy camera trained on Ward as he rode away.
Officers watched as the bike then hurtled past parked cars and through terraced streets. During the journey Ward repeatedly lifted the front wheel of his machine of the ground as a part of series of wheelie stunts to impress the little boy.
He was eventually arrested after he was spotted pushing the bike along the road following his 6pm trip of terror on June 5.
Today footage of the incident emerged as Ward, of Hilldale Avenue, Blackley, faced jail after he admitted dangerous driving, cruelty to a child under 16, driving whilst disqualified and an unrelated firearms offence.
After the case at Manchester Crown Court, a neighbour said: ''None of us could quite believe it when we heard what Ryan did. You would think he would be a bit more responsible when it comes to taking his lad out on a motorbike.
''But obviously it seems he couldn't give two hoots for his or his own son's safety. He must be one of the most feckless fathers in Britain.''
PC Andy Moore of Greater Manchester Police said: ''Ward was riding without regard for himself but more importantly the public and his young son.
''He showed a blatant disregard for the rules of the road and has rightly been sentenced for his foolish and reckless actions.''
Neighbourhood Inspector, Ruth Bradley-Holt, said: ''Off road motorbikes are a real nuisance to the police and local residents.
''Ward broke the law by riding an off road bike in a public place but to compound matters the manner of his driving was appalling and he put the local community and even his own child at risk.
''We work very hard to address the concerns of local residents and that includes clamping down hard on those who misuse off road bikes and we seized three vehicles that were being used illegally.
2011年10月11日 星期二
Science that spawned ‘Octomom’ can’t always deliver
Once hailed as miraculous, infertility treatments now seem routine.
The first “test tube baby” has grown up to be a 33-year-old woman with a preschooler of her own. Lesbians have babies all the time. Society seems bored by Octomom and her eight-baby spectacle. A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her own grandson. A 72-year-old grandmother delivered twins. A bearded transgendered man has given birth twice. Science has given babies to millions of folks.
But not to Chris and Patience Bertana of Antioch, who have spent a decade and tens of thousands of dollars riding an emotional infertility roller coaster.
The couple met as kids in the marching band at Round Lake High School and started dating when Chris was a junior and Patience a freshman.
“We went to four homecomings together,” says Chris, now 38.
“And four proms,” adds Patience, 36. “And we have the big, ridiculous hair photographs to prove it.”
They married in 1996 and knew they wanted to have kids someday.
“Six months before we got married, he quit a very lucrative job to go work with kids,” says Patience, recalling Chris’ jobs with suburban YMCAs. A special-education teacher at a Mundelein middle school, Patience says she loves working with children. Chris coaches the Blue Devils Swim Club and the varsity boys swim team at Warren Township High School in Gurnee.
At the dawn of the new millennium, Chris and Patience were having difficulties conceiving a child, as do more than one in 10 couples. They started infertility treatments and figured they’d have some funny stories to tell their kids someday.
“I was literally in the doctor’s office giving my sample on Sept. 11, 2001,” Chris remembers. “I could hear through the speakers in the other room when the towers collapsed.”
Infertility and the treatments for it became more and more of their lives. Comparing themselves to gamblers, they’d view each small success as a sign to invest more money and time,
“We have a whole new respect for what a true miracle a pregnancy is,” Patience says. “There’s more to it than just a bottle of red wine.”
As friends and relatives started families, Chris and Patience embarked on a grueling, decade-long process that built hopes and delivered heartache and pain.
They’d wake at 3:30 in the morning so they could leave their Antioch home, drive to an infertility clinic in Niles and be back in Mundelein in time for Patience’s job at school.
The first “test tube baby” has grown up to be a 33-year-old woman with a preschooler of her own. Lesbians have babies all the time. Society seems bored by Octomom and her eight-baby spectacle. A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her own grandson. A 72-year-old grandmother delivered twins. A bearded transgendered man has given birth twice. Science has given babies to millions of folks.
But not to Chris and Patience Bertana of Antioch, who have spent a decade and tens of thousands of dollars riding an emotional infertility roller coaster.
The couple met as kids in the marching band at Round Lake High School and started dating when Chris was a junior and Patience a freshman.
“We went to four homecomings together,” says Chris, now 38.
“And four proms,” adds Patience, 36. “And we have the big, ridiculous hair photographs to prove it.”
They married in 1996 and knew they wanted to have kids someday.
“Six months before we got married, he quit a very lucrative job to go work with kids,” says Patience, recalling Chris’ jobs with suburban YMCAs. A special-education teacher at a Mundelein middle school, Patience says she loves working with children. Chris coaches the Blue Devils Swim Club and the varsity boys swim team at Warren Township High School in Gurnee.
At the dawn of the new millennium, Chris and Patience were having difficulties conceiving a child, as do more than one in 10 couples. They started infertility treatments and figured they’d have some funny stories to tell their kids someday.
“I was literally in the doctor’s office giving my sample on Sept. 11, 2001,” Chris remembers. “I could hear through the speakers in the other room when the towers collapsed.”
Infertility and the treatments for it became more and more of their lives. Comparing themselves to gamblers, they’d view each small success as a sign to invest more money and time,
“We have a whole new respect for what a true miracle a pregnancy is,” Patience says. “There’s more to it than just a bottle of red wine.”
As friends and relatives started families, Chris and Patience embarked on a grueling, decade-long process that built hopes and delivered heartache and pain.
They’d wake at 3:30 in the morning so they could leave their Antioch home, drive to an infertility clinic in Niles and be back in Mundelein in time for Patience’s job at school.
2011年10月10日 星期一
GreenBiz 2011 leaves its mark in grand style
Many manufacturing companies in Vietnam have had to cut operational costs, restructure operations and even halt their expansion plans due to global financial woes and Vietnam’s macroeconomic problems. Did this impact on the interest of Vietnam-based firms in GreenBiz 2011?
No, quite the opposite. At GreenBiz 2011 we had more exhibitors presenting even better technologies and solutions than was the case in GreenBiz 2009. A lot of progress has been made in terms of technology and our member companies are on the edge of this. It seems many companies are using the period of economic stagnation to rethink and re-evaluate their long-term business plans. They are considering more lifecycle costs instead of only looking at short-term solutions.
We clearly observed a shift in mindset, which is good for Vietnam and its long-term sustainable progress. We observed that there were many B2B discussions taking place and GreenBiz 2011 was a great platform for Vietnamese and European companies to establish the links with each other.
What opportunities are there for European firms to transfer green technologies to Vietnam following GreenBiz 2011?
GreenBiz 2011 has opened up new opportunities for Vietnam in various areas of green solutions and technologies, and it also has raised the awareness that Vietnam will attach to sustainable development in particular with regards to sustainable cities, climate change and energy efficiency, as well as cleaner production and green business practices in general.
Let me give you a very simple example, energy saving led tube. It is said that if energy saving light bulbs were installed in every home and office in Vietnam, it could cut the entire country’s electricity consumption used in lighting by more than 30 per cent - a massive saving from something so small. So even if you don’t want to install solar panels, heat pumps, small scale hydro or wind systems, you can still reduce your impact on climate change with very little effort or expense.
This is a good solution for a developing country like Vietnam. GreenBiz 2011 will display many upgraded products and solutions, ranging from light bulbs to water heaters, environmentally friendly cars and motorbikes to waste-water treatment and water-saving solutions. Finally, some new features of GreenBiz 2011 also include renewable energies, in particular new solar technologies in addition to wind energy that was already presented in 2009.
No, quite the opposite. At GreenBiz 2011 we had more exhibitors presenting even better technologies and solutions than was the case in GreenBiz 2009. A lot of progress has been made in terms of technology and our member companies are on the edge of this. It seems many companies are using the period of economic stagnation to rethink and re-evaluate their long-term business plans. They are considering more lifecycle costs instead of only looking at short-term solutions.
We clearly observed a shift in mindset, which is good for Vietnam and its long-term sustainable progress. We observed that there were many B2B discussions taking place and GreenBiz 2011 was a great platform for Vietnamese and European companies to establish the links with each other.
What opportunities are there for European firms to transfer green technologies to Vietnam following GreenBiz 2011?
GreenBiz 2011 has opened up new opportunities for Vietnam in various areas of green solutions and technologies, and it also has raised the awareness that Vietnam will attach to sustainable development in particular with regards to sustainable cities, climate change and energy efficiency, as well as cleaner production and green business practices in general.
Let me give you a very simple example, energy saving led tube. It is said that if energy saving light bulbs were installed in every home and office in Vietnam, it could cut the entire country’s electricity consumption used in lighting by more than 30 per cent - a massive saving from something so small. So even if you don’t want to install solar panels, heat pumps, small scale hydro or wind systems, you can still reduce your impact on climate change with very little effort or expense.
This is a good solution for a developing country like Vietnam. GreenBiz 2011 will display many upgraded products and solutions, ranging from light bulbs to water heaters, environmentally friendly cars and motorbikes to waste-water treatment and water-saving solutions. Finally, some new features of GreenBiz 2011 also include renewable energies, in particular new solar technologies in addition to wind energy that was already presented in 2009.
2011年10月9日 星期日
Vettel grabs pole on a wing and a prayer
Just nine thousandths of a second separated Sebastian Vettel from Button come the conclusion to an agonising qualifying session for the Briton ahead of tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
McLaren’s boffins then worked out what that slender amount of time equated to in terms of distance when travelling across the start-finish line at 175mph.
With Button’s last pole in Monaco during his championship-winning year of 2009, you can appreciate the 31-year-old felt aggrieved.
“You have always got to be a little disappointed when it is that close,” said Button as Vettel made it five poles in a row.
“I got everything out of the car, so to be nine thousandths off is disappointing, but also a front-row start is not such a bad thing.”
Button was also potentially 20 minutes away from ending his pole drought, as that was how close Vettel came to running with an old-spec front wing in qualifying.
A rare error from the 24-year-old German, who is now in the ideal place to gain the point he requires to become a back-to-back world champion, saw him crash into a barrier yesterday in first practice.
It was significant as it meant Vettel had damaged one of two new special noses for this race, with the other on that of team-mate Mark Webber’s car.
But unlike last year at Silverstone, when Red Bull took a new front wing off Webber and handed it to Vettel ahead of qualifying after a failure on the latter’s car in final practice, this time the team resorted to drastic measures.
Instead, Red Bull flew out a replacement overnight, the package travelling 10,000km and arriving at the circuit in time - by just those precious 20 minutes - for the team to bolt it onto Vettel’s car.
“When I went off in free practice and damaged the wing it wasn’t ideal in the afternoon to prepare the car for today,” said Vettel. “But today we were able to get everything, every single bit out of the car, which was crucial, so special thanks to the team for getting the new front wing out just in time.
“Many regards also to the factory because without them I would not be sitting on pole position, so I am very happy and very proud.”
Vettel was also fortunate Lewis Hamilton became embroiled in yet another incident to try his patience in a season he has already described as the most testing of his career.
On provisional pole from the first timed run, ahead of the second Hamilton backed up too much to give himself a gap to Button.
Approaching the final chicane Hamilton slowed but as he did so, and with the clock ticking, Mark Webber flashed by one side in his Red Bull and Michael Schumacher the other in his Mercedes.
McLaren’s boffins then worked out what that slender amount of time equated to in terms of distance when travelling across the start-finish line at 175mph.
With Button’s last pole in Monaco during his championship-winning year of 2009, you can appreciate the 31-year-old felt aggrieved.
“You have always got to be a little disappointed when it is that close,” said Button as Vettel made it five poles in a row.
“I got everything out of the car, so to be nine thousandths off is disappointing, but also a front-row start is not such a bad thing.”
Button was also potentially 20 minutes away from ending his pole drought, as that was how close Vettel came to running with an old-spec front wing in qualifying.
A rare error from the 24-year-old German, who is now in the ideal place to gain the point he requires to become a back-to-back world champion, saw him crash into a barrier yesterday in first practice.
It was significant as it meant Vettel had damaged one of two new special noses for this race, with the other on that of team-mate Mark Webber’s car.
But unlike last year at Silverstone, when Red Bull took a new front wing off Webber and handed it to Vettel ahead of qualifying after a failure on the latter’s car in final practice, this time the team resorted to drastic measures.
Instead, Red Bull flew out a replacement overnight, the package travelling 10,000km and arriving at the circuit in time - by just those precious 20 minutes - for the team to bolt it onto Vettel’s car.
“When I went off in free practice and damaged the wing it wasn’t ideal in the afternoon to prepare the car for today,” said Vettel. “But today we were able to get everything, every single bit out of the car, which was crucial, so special thanks to the team for getting the new front wing out just in time.
“Many regards also to the factory because without them I would not be sitting on pole position, so I am very happy and very proud.”
Vettel was also fortunate Lewis Hamilton became embroiled in yet another incident to try his patience in a season he has already described as the most testing of his career.
On provisional pole from the first timed run, ahead of the second Hamilton backed up too much to give himself a gap to Button.
Approaching the final chicane Hamilton slowed but as he did so, and with the clock ticking, Mark Webber flashed by one side in his Red Bull and Michael Schumacher the other in his Mercedes.
2011年10月8日 星期六
Argument led to fatal stabbing, court told
With one fast movement, Frederiko Kodiak Louie lunged forward and attacked Mark Henderson outside his room at the former Traveller's Inn on Gorge Road East, a Crown witness testified Thursday at Louie's second-degree murder trial in B.C. Supreme Court.
Kevin Mowbray, a 44year-old bike technician who lived in suite 106 with his girlfriend, Tracy Ensign, testified that he was nodding off about 2 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2010, when he heard shouting and swearing.
Mowbray got up and went outside. He saw Henderson and Louie, whom he'd met for the first time that night, standing outside suites 111 and 112.
"Can you describe what's happening?" Crown prosecutor Paul Donnachie asked Mowbray.
"Mr. Henderson was telling Mr. Louie to f---off, shut up and go back to his room. Mr. Louie was very loud, very upset at something and telling everybody to f---off, I guess," Mowbray recalled.
Louie was enraged and seemed a lot more aggressive, said Mowbray. "He was not listening to what Mark was telling him."
The two men, who were standing five to six feet apart, did not even notice him standing there, Mowbray said.
"They were arguing back and forth, and out of nowhere there was an outburst attack, which was very fast, a lunge-type movement forward from Mr. Louie at Mr. Henderson," testified Mowbray.
"He made one swing, one swing, with one arm, then the other. And that was it. It was over in a heartbeat. It was that fast."
Henderson lifted his left arm to block Louie. He was not coming at Louie aggressively, Mowbray recalled.
"And as fast as Mr. Louie jumped in there, he jumped back like a boxer. I noticed he was holding a knife because it shone in the light and the light at the motel was excellent."
The blade was six-to eight-inches long, he recalled.
"At that point, my attention went back to Mark. He turned and kind of looked at me as he walked into his room."
At first, Mowbray thought Louie had just punched Henderson.
When he saw the knife, he thought that maybe Henderson had been cut on the arm, Mowbray testified.
He went back to his room and told his girlfriend to call Henderson's room. When she couldn't get through, she called 911.
Mowbray stepped outside again and saw Louie walking into his suite. As he stood there, Louie came out again carrying something wrapped up. Mowbray was worried Louie had a shotgun.
"My mind was racing one thousand miles an hour. I'm starting to fear the worst. I had just seen a young man with a knife," he testified.
Mowbray watched Louie walk down to the dumpster at the end of the parking lot. As Louie was walking back he finally noticed Mowbray, the witness recalled.
"He looked into Mark's place and he screamed at me: 'Murder in selfdefence.' I told him to go f--- himself. Then he walked back into his place," testified Mowbray.
Police were beginning to arrive, he recalled.
Earlier, Mowbray and Ensign were in bed watching TV when Louie knocked on the door at 11: 30 p.m. He asked Ensign if he could buy a few cigarettes.
Kevin Mowbray, a 44year-old bike technician who lived in suite 106 with his girlfriend, Tracy Ensign, testified that he was nodding off about 2 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2010, when he heard shouting and swearing.
Mowbray got up and went outside. He saw Henderson and Louie, whom he'd met for the first time that night, standing outside suites 111 and 112.
"Can you describe what's happening?" Crown prosecutor Paul Donnachie asked Mowbray.
"Mr. Henderson was telling Mr. Louie to f---off, shut up and go back to his room. Mr. Louie was very loud, very upset at something and telling everybody to f---off, I guess," Mowbray recalled.
Louie was enraged and seemed a lot more aggressive, said Mowbray. "He was not listening to what Mark was telling him."
The two men, who were standing five to six feet apart, did not even notice him standing there, Mowbray said.
"They were arguing back and forth, and out of nowhere there was an outburst attack, which was very fast, a lunge-type movement forward from Mr. Louie at Mr. Henderson," testified Mowbray.
"He made one swing, one swing, with one arm, then the other. And that was it. It was over in a heartbeat. It was that fast."
Henderson lifted his left arm to block Louie. He was not coming at Louie aggressively, Mowbray recalled.
"And as fast as Mr. Louie jumped in there, he jumped back like a boxer. I noticed he was holding a knife because it shone in the light and the light at the motel was excellent."
The blade was six-to eight-inches long, he recalled.
"At that point, my attention went back to Mark. He turned and kind of looked at me as he walked into his room."
At first, Mowbray thought Louie had just punched Henderson.
When he saw the knife, he thought that maybe Henderson had been cut on the arm, Mowbray testified.
He went back to his room and told his girlfriend to call Henderson's room. When she couldn't get through, she called 911.
Mowbray stepped outside again and saw Louie walking into his suite. As he stood there, Louie came out again carrying something wrapped up. Mowbray was worried Louie had a shotgun.
"My mind was racing one thousand miles an hour. I'm starting to fear the worst. I had just seen a young man with a knife," he testified.
Mowbray watched Louie walk down to the dumpster at the end of the parking lot. As Louie was walking back he finally noticed Mowbray, the witness recalled.
"He looked into Mark's place and he screamed at me: 'Murder in selfdefence.' I told him to go f--- himself. Then he walked back into his place," testified Mowbray.
Police were beginning to arrive, he recalled.
Earlier, Mowbray and Ensign were in bed watching TV when Louie knocked on the door at 11: 30 p.m. He asked Ensign if he could buy a few cigarettes.
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