Features that could be on your next car

Cameras that check around the car for pedestrians. Radar that stops you from drifting out of your lane. An engine able to turn off automatically at traffic lights to conserve fuel. 

Technology that saves lives — and fuel — is getting better and cheaper. That means it's no longer confined to luxury brands like Mercedes and Volvo. It's showing up in mainstream vehicles like the Nissan Rogue and Ford Fusion.Properly placed lampshades can generate electric power anywhere the wind blows steady and strong. 

"What we see today as slightly elitist technology is changing very, very fast," said Steven Lunn, chief operating officer for TRW Automotive, which supplies electronics and other parts to carmakers. 

TRW says its newest radar is a quarter of the price of the model it sold 10 years ago. Its cameras are smaller and cheaper, too, making it easier to put multiple ones on each car. 

High-tech options can still cost a few thousand dollars more, but those costs will come down as technology improves and automakers add them to more and more vehicles. 

New cars have radar and camera systems that warn you, with beeping sounds, of a possible front-end crash. Some even stop the vehicle, or at least slow it enough to make a crash less severe. More sophisticated systems apply the brakes if a car veers off the road and heads toward a moving or fixed object. The systems are the outgrowth of adaptive cruise control, which came out 15 years ago and helps keep cars a safe distance from vehicles in front of them. 

Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti, Volvo and other brands offer automatic braking to avoid a collision; more automakers will follow soon. The systems seem to be working. David Zuby,Our clever ledstreetlight is a favorite among dog lover holiday gifts from Solaronlamp.Search our ledturninglampps catalog for designer frames including. the chief research officer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said collision warning systems alone reduced crashes by 7 percent in a study of insurance claims for several thousand Mercedes vehicles with the technologies. Adding automatic braking doubled that benefit. 

Automotive cameras are showing up on more cars ahead of a government requirement to install backup cameras, which is expected by 2015. But with cameras getting smaller and cheaper, automakers aren't just putting them on the back of the car anymore. Honda has side cameras that come on automatically when a turn signal is employed, so drivers can spot obstacles while turning. Nissan's around-view monitor blends images from four cameras tucked in the mirrors and elsewhere around the car into a composite, bird's-eye view to help the driver back out of a parking spot. The system is available on a high-end Rogue, which costs $6,000 more than the base model. Volvo and Subaru have front-mounted cameras that can apply brakes to avoid hitting pedestrians. 

According to Mobileye, an Israeli maker of automotive cameras, car companies are adding cameras that can read wrong-way road signs, detect large animals such as deer, and even note the colors of traffic lights. All that technology is coming by 2015. The next wave? Nissan and TRW are working on a system to automatically steer the car away from an obstacle. Expect that by 2016. 

Headlights don't have to be round any more to accommodate bulbs, so designers have more flexibility on where to put lights. And LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are letting automakers cram more brightness into smaller spaces.Our bestspringcleaning is good in quality and competitive in price. Audi, Mercedes,Elevator safety parts are usually include elevator speed governor、ledturninglampes and elevator buffer. Acura, Mazda and others have so-called adaptive headlights that swivel in the direction the car is going to help drivers see around corners as they turn. And many cars now have high-beam lights that sense oncoming traffic and dim automatically. The Ford Fusion and other mainstream cars have them, and drivers can buy after-market kits to add automatic high beams to cars without them. More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.

Year End Review of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The broad aim of the Ministry is to develop and deploy new and renewable energy for supplementing the energy requirements of the country.

The role of new and renewable energy has been assuming increasing significance in recent times with the growing concern for the country's energy security. Energy self-sufficiency was identified as the major driver for new and renewable energy in the country in the wake of the two oil shocks of the 1970s.At Dupar Controls we specialize, extremely durable and visually satisfying ledlampsfactory. The sudden increase in the price of oil, uncertainties associated with its supply and the adverse impact on the balance of payments position led to think for alternate energy.

Renewable energy resources and significant opportunities for energy efficiency exist over wide geographical areas of the country, in contrast to other energy sources, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries. Rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency,Commercial goodrollformer is a great way to illuminate your workplace. and technological diversification of energy sources, would result in significant energy security and economic benefits.

To develop new and renewable energy technologies, processes, materials, components,Specializing in the production Cut to length line, leveling machine, cold lasermarkers and other products. sub-systems, products & services at par with international specifications, standards and performance parameters in order to make the country a net foreign exchange earner in the sector and deploy such indigenously developed and/or manufactured products and services in furtherance of the national goal of energy security.

A total power generation capacity of around 26,267 MW from renewable has been setup in the country as on 31.10.Newer solarledlampsaq operating at higher power are approaching plasma machines in their ability to cut through thick materials,2012. A target of adding about 30,000 MW from various renewable energy sources has been fixed for the 12th Plan period.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy implemented a Scheme on Special Area Demonstration Projects to demonstrate variousRenewable Energy (RE) Systems includes solar lights at places of National and International importance including religious and historical heritage sites in the country. So far 29 religious and historical heWe carry modern lights and formingmachine by world renowned designers and manufacturers.ritage sites have been covered under this programme in 12 States.

Domestic production of solar PV modules based on crystalline silicon technology during the year 2011 was around 300 MWp. Further, a total capacity of 268 MWp of Grid- connected Solar PV power plants have been set up under JNNSM so far (as on 31.10.2012), of which plants with 120 MWp aggregate capacity are using domestically produced module, which corresponds to about 40% of the domestic production. Off-grid solar PV systems with aggregate capacity of 31 MWp have also been deployed under JNNSM so far (as on 31.10.2012), of which 99% are using domestically produced modules.

As per monthly generation report compiled by Central Electricity Authority, 83.483 MU of grid solar power was produced during August, 2012 and 539.205 MU during the period April, 2012 to August, 2012.

The ministry is undertaking numerous awareness programmes such as exhibitions, training workshops etc. are being conducted. Several R&D efforts have also been initiated for new technologies and improvement in efficiency.

Carmanah and ADB Supply Emergency Solar Systems

Airfield lighting partners Carmanah Technologies, ADB Airfield Solutions and Brazilian distributor AVIEX Importacao have been selected to supply five emergency-deployable, solar-powered airfield and helipad lighting systems to the Brazilian Air Force at a value of over $400,000.

The fully portable lighting systems will be stored at the Brazilian Air Force Command Centre and are designed to be easily deployed at offsite locations as operational requirements change. All systems include durable deployment containers to ensure safe transportation and storage. Each airfield and helipad is also equipped with a rugged radio controller to allow for remote activation, in-field programming, and on-demand switching between standard and infrared night operations modes.

'Carmanah's technology offers our military clients a practical solution to meet the realities of tactical and emergency operations. Rapid deployment is often necessary in remote and under-serviced locations. Solar airfield lighting ensures that essential access can be maintained around the clock anywhere there is a safe landing surface, regardless of the availability of traditional power sources,' said Steve Rauch, President and CEO of ADB Airfield Solutions, LLC.

'This transaction underscores the strength of our partnership with ADB and our continuing relationship with the Brazilian Air Force,' said Carmanah CEO Bruce Cousins. 'Carmanah's innovative solar airfield solutions for airfields and helipads are well-suited to military applications and are accepted and proven worldwide. We are pleased to see such a large order commitment, which we believe marks a shift in our close-rate of large Aviation projects.Safeties are braking systems on the windturbine onto the rails running up and down the elevator shaft.

Future applications of solar technology within civil airfields remain a significant market opportunity for the company and a primary focus for the Aviation team.'

Carmanah Technologies Corp. As one of the most trusted names in solar technology, Carmanah has earned a reputation for delivering strong and effective products for industrial applications worldwide. Industry proven to perform reliably in some of the world's harshest environments, Carmanah solar LED lights and solar power systems provide a durable, dependable and cost effective energy alternative.

Carmanah pursues its business strategy within six distinctive product offerings: outdoor lighting, marine signal, aviation signals, traffic signals,Laser Cut Studio is a brand new turbinemanufacturerna company and new way of thinking. grid-tie and mobile.

Carmanah is actively seeking additional product sales opportunities to add to its top line revenue,Modernica is the official site for the George turbinecompanys Collection. as well as extending existing product lines through internal development efforts,Properly placed washingmachinehh can generate electric power anywhere the wind blows steady and strong. strategic business relationships as well as focused acquisitions.Older models included turbinemanufacturer that were not fluorescent or LED. Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CMH'.

ADB is the world's leading airfield lighting technology company in the FAA and ICAO markets providing advanced, integrated and sustainable solutions for visual guidance. With a world-wide presence for more than 60 years, ADB differentiates itself by offering an innovative portfolio and expertise which sets standards in safety, performance and quality that is supported by unparalleled levels of customer service. ADB is trusted as the preferred partner for airside operations.

Thurmont residents’ home is a Christmas wonderland

The yard of Doug Favorite and Don Keeney's house on Roddy Road near Thurmont is decorated relatively modestly with a few Christmas figurines and inflatables. Holiday tunes drift from speakers on the front porch.

At first glance, it would appear that Favorite and Keeney like Christmas, love it even. But the scene outside hardly prepares the visitor for what awaits within, a Christmas wonderland adorned with 75 trees in a seemingly endless variety of themes.

There's a Grinch tree, a Winnie the Pooh tree, a tree decorated with ornaments from vacations the two have taken, a Penn State University tree representing Keeney's alma mater, even a Civil War tree. Practically every square inch of free space in the two-story house is filled with a Christmas tree, including an upside-down tree decorated with tools hanging from the ceiling in the garage.

Favorite, a tech services supervisor for Frederick County Public Schools, said his passion for Christmas trees started modestly about five years ago when he got an old artificial tree from his sister, who couldn't keep it because of her cat. The tree originally belonged to his grandfather, whose reaction to seeing it in his home led him to take it to another level, Favorite said.

"My grandfather came and visited and said, 'That looks better than it ever has before,' which kind of inspired me to start trimming trees more and more," Favorite said.Leader of modern furniture we offer contemporary design furniture, ledstreetlights and outdoor designer furniture. "And it's been downhill from there, or uphill, depending on how you look at it."

The two said they were inspired to add even more trees when they began participating in a holiday home tour with the Thurmont Lions Club. They have since had several hundred people visit their home over the last few years between the tours and Lions Club fundraisers.

Keeney said Favorite has an eye for decorating the trees, so each has a job when it comes to the task of putting up and trimming them,Flexiway Solar has produced the most affordable yet powerful solar-powered cuttingmachinemm in the world. a process that takes about a month of evenings and weekends and leaves the house in shambles until the job is done. The trees sometimes don't come down until February, they said.

"Our process is, I'll unwrap the ornament and hand it to him, and he'll hang it,Easy to operate, on-premises lasermarkingmachin and finishers from Huebsch." said Keeney, a meteorologist with MDA Information Systems in Gaithersburg. "I can't hang them because he has a place for every one. And if I knock one off and break it, he'll notice two seconds after he walks in the room."

Surprisingly,Modern lighting fixtures, chandeliers and brightstal. the trees don't run up the electric bill as much as might be expected, in large part due to the use of timers and LED lights. They said the bill is about $300 a month in December and January, higher than normal, but well worth it for the enjoyment the trees bring them and others.

"It puts you in the spirit," Favorite said.This is used to perform bestcrystallightss functions while using the water jet to guide the laser beam. "And because we do go through all the trouble of putting it together, we really do like to share it with people. It makes it all worth it when someone walks in and says, 'Wow, this is incredible.'"

The two said they've pretty much run out of room for more trees, and any further expansion will either have to come at the expense of older trees or take place outside the home.

"We've about reached the limit," Keeney said. "Outside is about the only place we have any space left. And we have plenty of space out there."

Interns cut kilowatt-hours

Winston Smallwood works in his office in the Administration Building with the lights off and his windows open on a breezy fall afternoon because he says it’s the right thing to do.Manufacturer of electronics products such as solarledlampsry, mobile phone, mp4 player, and digital photo frame.

Smallwood, sophomore communications major, is the team manager for PowerSave Campus, a team of four interns who are working to make the University of Memphis a more energy-efficient environment.

Smallwood worked for building services delivering custodian supplies on campus for about four years before he became a full-time student, getting to know the campus inside and out.

“I know it backwards and forwards; everybody knows me,” Smallwood said. “When they see me they’re like, ‘Hey I know that guy,’ so I’m a familiar face, and I’m an all right guy.”

After a year of attending classes full-time, Sustainability Coordinator Amelia Mayahi recruited him to the PowerSave Campus as team manager.

“[Smallwood] being the team manager, is a communications major, so he is great with giving presentations and telling goals to the students,” Mayahi said. “He has done a great job with leadership, speaking with [the] Physical Plant to make these changes happen.”

PowerSave Campus’ primary goal is to reduce the on-campus kilowatt-hour consumption by 40,000 per year.

In its third semester, this year’s team is working to implement an outdoor lighting project.

After Thanksgiving break, the Physical Plant will begin to change 119 of the 170-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs to 30-watt light-emitting diode out of the 200 wall sconces on campus.

The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Alliance to Save Energy fund PowerSave Campus. Each intern works up to 12 hours a week at an hourly rate with money set aside to fund proposed projects.

The LED lights will be purchased with the funding from TVA and Alliance to Save Energy and will cost approximately $3,500.

This one project is going to reduce the kilowatt-hours of the U of M by 72,970 hours per year, Smallwood said, which will save the University a little over $9,000 a year.

“This thing will pay for itself within four months,” Smallwood said.Our Dimmable LED seamroofclampp are a great product for a variety of applications,

Smallwood estimates the bulbs will be replaced by January or February but March at the latest.

“We don’t want to scare people into this,Global leader in impact energy management systems and advanced bestcrystallightss.LED lights use less power and last for much longer than bluecrystal1.” Smallwood said. “We want people to see where the advantages are coming from. Who’s not going to respond to saving $9,000 a year? Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”

Junior elementary education major Abby Tawater, biology major Deena Odeh and math major Ben Mallory make up the rest of the PowerSave team.

“It’s not like I came to college wanting to be all, ‘Save the earth,’ so we’re not limited to that,” Smallwood said. “We’re not looking for people that have that mindset. We’re looking for people who have skills and can work as a team.”

“Ben, he’s a mathematics engineer. He understands the finance of it,” Smallwood said. “We have to do these energy audits where we have to calculate how much energy is being used, and he’s really good at that.”

Odeh serves as secretary. She takes notes at meetings,A variety of flexible bestchandelier including waterproof versions in various lengths and colors are available for immediate purchase online. creates agendas and newsletters and oversees the PowerSave Campus Facebook page.

Pine Street construction affects businesses, residents

Pine Street is full of bars, restaurants and other stores, but some people also call it home. The residents of the Opera House Lofts, located at the Washington end of Pine Street, have had to overcome quite a few obstacles with the construction. Literally.

“When they were working on the sidewalk in front of our entrance, they locked the front door, so we had to get in and out through the back door, which leads to an alley,” resident Traci Hawkins, 22, said. “And since they locked the door, we couldn’t get mail for a week. We weren’t told about that and I was expecting something from my parents.”

Loft residents weren’t the only ones using alley doorways. Several Pine Street businesses allowed customers to use their back doors as a convenient alternative to the construction zone blocking their front doors. However, Scully found a positive outcome for this particular problem.

“We opened up the back door so guests could get in because there was no parking in front but there was parking in back,” Scully said. “We painted and cleaned up the back of building and added some flowers. We also started a back door carryout service. When people order food to go, we take it right to their car to make it easier. We had quite a few customers use it and it’s something we’re going to continue to do.”

Hawkins, a student at UCM, said residents were informed of construction, but not always consistently.

“When they were working on our end of the street, they would sometimes tell us when they would shut off the water,” Hawkins said. Sometimes they would leave a note, but there were times when they didn’t tell us and we just wouldn’t have water.”

While Hawkins had a hard time getting information, some businesses were kept informed throughout the whole process. Scully went to weekly update meetings and received an email every week from Warrensburg Main Street, which partnered with the city of Warrensburg to complete the renovations.

Parking has been another issue that has affected not only Hawkins and her roommates, but Pine Street employees and patrons as well. With occasional road closures and sidewalk construction, most days parking on the street wasn’t an option. And to get to their destination, customers and residents had to walk in the middle of the street when sidewalks were being torn up and re-poured.

Even with intermittent Internet, loud construction, and the occasional fire alarms going off for 30 minutes, the construction hasn’t deterred Hawkins from continuing to live in the lofts.

“It’s not always pleasant when they’re right outside our window,” Hawkins said. “But it will be nice when they get it finished. I’m glad they’re redoing it. It’s just unfortunate that it’s where I’ve been living.”

Scully agreed that she’s glad the construction is behind them, but it was worthwhile for the result.

“I think it was a wonderfully beneficial project,” Scully said. “It all looks aesthetically better and much more welcoming. The beautification will definitely benefit the businesses downtown.”

Now that summer is over, the construction is nearly finished. Visitors can enjoy newly paved sidewalks with brick pavers, stone planters throughout the street, new street lights, and the street has been repaved. The walkway and stairs up to the Culton Street parking lot has also been redone and has better lighting. The street and sidewalks now match those on Holden Street to unify the downtown area. Among the beautification that has been done, a water main and sewer line, which were both about 100 years old, were replaced, coal chutes were filled, and electric lines were removed and put underground.

City of lights fell into darkness

The city of lights fell into darkness due to prolonged announced and unannounced load shedding, causing trouble to citizens.

As per details on Saturday, two 220 KV and three 132 KV lines suspended electric supply, resulting in suspension of 20 out of all the 60 grid stations of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC).

Almost 50 percent localities of the city went into darkness for 10 to 14 hours. Areas hit by the problem were North Nazimabad, Orangi Town, North Karachi, Defence, Saddar, Landhi, Garden, Lyari, Malir, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and various parts of District East, West, and Central.

Massive electricity collapse also affected Eid shopping as except market of Tariq Road there was not a single market, where electricity supply was provided. Crime ratio increased during the period of darkness, as reportedly, 40 cell phones were snatched in every half an hour. Worshippers offering Taraweeh prayers in mosques also faced problems. Karachiites were forced to have Sehri without electricity and water.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, KESC stated that this unprecedented complex tripping had a cascading effect, which in turn led to automatic tripping of approximately 35% to 40% of the Grid Stations supplying power to the city.

The unexpected tripping on the Extra High Tension Transmission (EHT) circuits was brought about by the consistently high levels of stagnant humidity on the outskirts of the city where these transmission lines are located.

In early morning hours of Sunday, Jamshoro Transmission Line also went into tripping, which led to the suspension of 650MW from NTDC, further adding to the situation of power outage in the city.

KESC task teams were mobilised immediately and a state of emergency was declared in KESC main command and control center.

The situation was brought under control by the early hours of the morning and many of the areas were powered up. Unfortunately, during this period of crisis some unscrupulous elements of society committed thefts at a number of substations stealing expensive equipment like bus bars, grips and panels. This has led to isolated consumer issues, which are being addressed on war footing.

Meanwhile, massive electricity failure also hit the pumping stations of water supply of Water Board at Dhabeji, Pipri and Gharo. A 72-inch pipeline of the Water Board has also burst due to the repeated power ons and offs. Talking to Daily Times, Managing Director of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Misbahuddin Farid said, “Electricity failure started yesterday night after 08:00am, which affected KWSB’s many pumping stations.” Farid said that continuously ons and offs of electricity created technical problems in stations through which on Sunday 80 percent routine water could not be supplied to the metropolis and three to four days would be required to fulfill this huge gap.

City Theatrical debuts Moving Light Assistant

Moving Light Assistant has joined the City Theatrical family of professional lighting software which includes Vectorworks and Lightwright 5. Moving Light Assistant simplifies the complex task of organizing and documenting moving light rigs.

Visitors to City Theatrical's stand 50 at ABTT 2012 at the Old Truman Brewery can see a demonstration of the programme from its author, professional designer/programmer Andrew Voller.

Moving Light Assistant can be used from the pre-production phase for planning and designing the moving light rig right through to producing the final documentation of the programming, and is designed to fill the needs of deisgners, programmers, production electricians, and show crews. Moving Light Assistant's licensing program is simple and straightforward and the product is free for those who only need a reader/demo version.

City Theatrical will also be showing their full line of SHoW DMX wireless DMX products, including two new outdoor products, SHoW DMX Vero Net, an outdoor wireless DMX Transceiver in a NEMA 4 / IP66 rated enclosure that accepts all major entertainment Ethernet protocols including sACN, Art-Net, Kinet, and Pathport, and SHoW DMX Vero, a smaller version of the product that accepts DMX input only.

These two new products join the indoor SHoW DMX Neo Transceiver and Receiver, and SHoW DMX SHoW Baby are compatible with them, and are the latest innovations in City Theatrical's 10 years of wireless DMX development and manufacturing.

SHoW DMX Neo features the high data fidelity that the multi-award winning SHoW DMX is famous for, as well as incredibly fast 7ms latency, ensuring that wired and wireless DMX sources will appear exactly the same. All SHoW DMX Neo products including SHoW DMX Vero and Vero Net feature the ability to optimize control of output power, full or limited bandwidth broadcast, and the ability to broadcast less than the full DMX packet to shrink the radio footprint. For the users who do not want to manually optimize their broadcast, SHoW DMX Neo products also have Neo Adaptive Mode that will select only open radio channels to broadcast on, with no user intervention needed. All SHoW DMX Neo products will also "heal" lost data packets.

City Theatrical is the exclusive distributor of Pathway Connectivity DMX and Ethernet distribution products and Robert Armstrong of Pathway will be on hand to demonstrate the complete line of Pathway products and to answer questions from users, consultants, and specifiers.

The full line of City Theatrical's unique lighting accessories for conventional, LED, and moving lights will also be on display.

Lower energy could lead to more biological imaging at LCLS

While SLAC' National Accelerator Laboratorys Linac Coherent Light Source was designed to push the limits as a high-energy X-ray laser, users' requests have led staff at the facility to successfully step it back to a lower minimum energy for some experiments.

And a successful May 8, 2012, test proved that the X-ray laser could dip more deeply into the so-called "water window," an energy regime useful for biological imaging. At these energies, any carbon in a sample stands out in high contrast to surrounding water.

In addition, operators were able to tune the beam’s energy almost down to the "carbon absorption edge"—a point at which carbon's absorption of photons sharply rises. The absorption edges of elements are useful for spectroscopic research, which can detect the presence and properties of specific elements.

Carbon is of particular interest to scientists as it plays an important role in numerous fields of research including catalysis, materials science, and biology.

Rick Iverson, the LCLS area physicist who led the low-energy test, said operators were able to bring the machine's energy down to 300 electronvolts—about one-third of the minimum energy LCLS was originally designed to produce—while maintaining an intense X-ray laser beam useful for illuminating samples in experiments.

The energy achieved was just shy of the 284-electronvolt carbon edge.

"We didn't know if it would work—it was below the design energy—but the skillful Ooperators and EOICs in the main control room made it happen." Iverson said. Members of SLAC's Radiation Physics Group signed off on the plan for the low-energy test after a review process.

The LCLS accelerator research group, radiation safety group, power conversion, controls software, beam containment, accelerator safety, and accelerator operations all contributed to the success of the test.

A previous test had dialed back the energy to 400 electronvolts, reaching the "nitrogen edge" useful for studying nitrogen-containing samples. LCLS now regularly operates at energies as low as 480 electronvolts.

The lower-energy tests were driven by user interest, Iverson said. "We asked if (researchers) would be interested in lower energy and the response was 'Yes.'"

The team participating in the recent test achieved the record low energies with a combination of techniques.

They manipulated some of the klystrons powering SLAC’s linear accelerator to actually decelerate the electrons in the beam. And they set the powerful LCLS undulator magnets, which transform the electron beam into X-ray radiation, to a lower energy.

The lower energy setting produced a larger beam size, said Iverson, which could actually be desirable for some experiments.

More review and approvals are needed before the minimum LCLS energy can be lowered for experiments, partly because of concern about potential damage to the equipment and possible equipment upgrades, Iverson noted.

But while LCLS users cannot yet use such low-energy beam settings, the successful test is a first step in that direction. If the review and approval process does not uncover any major roadblocks, the lower energy setting could be offered as soon as October 2012.

And those settings at LCLS would likely be most applicable to experiments at the facility's Soft X-ray Materials Science (SXR) and Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science (AMO) instruments.

There are a few X-ray free electron lasers in the world that currently operate at the carbon edge, though Iverson noted that LCLS can supply a higher volume of photons than those facilities—roughly five to 10 times more than FLASH, an X-ray free electron laser operating in Germany, for example.

3,090 Lamps Planned to Be Installed in Two Flyovers

Jakarta Provincial Government is continuously conducting various efforts to reduce gas emission up to 30 percent in 2030. One of them is replacing some lamps on street light (PJU) with energy saving lamps. Even, Jakarta Industry and Energy Department also does the same thing that is by installing energy saving lamps in type of light emitting diode (LED) around non-toll flyover (JLNT).

Jakarta Industry and Energy Department, Andi Baso stated to save energy, his department uses the lamp in type of LED to be installed on two JLNTs, such as Kampungmelayu-Tanahabang and Antasari-Blok M. Later on, 3,090 lamps will be installed in those JLNTs.

LED is able to save energy up to 50 percent compared to street light. In details, street light only has a capacity of 400 watts, so LED only 200 watts. “LED can able to reduce greenhouse gas about 0.891 of greenhouse gas production, which not uses energy saving lamps,” he expressed at Jakarta City Hall, Monday.

Andi said, 222,342 street lights in Jakarta needs power about 45-50 mega watts per day. Meanwhile, 92 out of them are using solar-cell powered light which spread in five areas in Jakarta. Rp 3 trillion is needed to replace street lights with energy saving lamps. “In fact, one solar-cell lamp is sold Rp 30 million,” explained.

Next year, his department will spend budget Rp 351 billion to replace a portion of street lights with LED. “Yet, we’ll discuss this plan first to Jakarta Parliament (DPRD). If it is agreed, we will soon install the lamp,” he told.

Chief of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for Jakarta DPRD, Syahrial, acknowledged he agreed with Jakarta Energy and Industry Department’s plan. Due to the high budget, the installation is hoped can be installed gradually. “The installation of LED lamps is right decision due to it can save the energy,” he argued.

Replacing an old window with a new energy-efficient unit can make a remarkable improvement to a room, not to mention lower energy bills. An awning window provides light and opens outward to catch the breeze, making it a good choice in any room. The sash closes tightly against the frame, making it better than a traditional double-hung unit at stopping air infiltration.

A single large awning window is often used in a kitchen over a sink; pairs of them often flank other windows or are arranged together over large patio doors. When you remodel a basement, replacing an old awning window goes a long way toward making the space down under more livable and attractive.

A window contractor will charge $325 to install a 3-foot by 4-foot awning window, which includes the labor and material. If you have carpentry skills and tools, you can do the job for $190, the cost of the window, and pocket a 42 percent saving. The cost will be higher if new trim on the inside is needed and the exterior siding needs to be replaced around the new window.

Plan the project so you can remove the old window and immediately install the replacement; otherwise, the gaping hole in the wall may invite birds or animals to come inside.

BPC leading the way in green building

The environmentally friendly practice conserves natural resources, helps make the air cleaner and helps people breathe better. We may spend about 90 percent of our day indoors, but the air quality inside can actually be much worse than it is outside.

Enter eco-friendly residential buildings, the very first and the best of which are right in Battery Park City.

The Solaire, erected in 2003, was America’s first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), residential building. Located at 20 River Terrace and standing 27-stories tall, it consumes 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than most residential buildings, and solar panels generate much of the building’s electricity. In 2006, the 26-story Verdesian was built at 211 North End Ave., followed by the Visionaire at 70 Little West St. in 2008.

All three buildings are owned and were developed by The Albanese Organization; the Visionaire is their best yet, having improved on its predecessors.

These LEED-certified residential high-rises offer increased access to natural light, improved indoor air quality, energy-efficient appliances, and in-room occupancy sensors for lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (H.V.A.C.). Where water conservation is concerned, the buildings treat it, purify it, and re-use it, as well as capture their own storm water-runoff.

The structures themselves were all built using 50 percent recycled construction materials.

Development of the Solaire, created in accordance with the Battery Park City Authority’s “green guidelines,” began in 2000. The developers kept powering through in 2001, when, perhaps, there was a greater need for purified air.

It costs more to develop LEED-certified buildings, and therefore rents in the buildings are generally higher. The Solaire and Verdesian are rentals, but the Visionaire is for buyers only. A 600-square-foot studio in the Visionaire runs about $670,000 and a three-bedroom runs closer to $2 million.

Reduced energy bills may eventually offset the cost. If you’re an allergy sufferer, you may end up saving on doctor’s bills, too, since these buildings are just plain healthier to live in.

Fresh air is filtered into each apartment and humidified during winter months — especially helpful for those who suffer from allergies. The air quality throughout the buildings is noticeable; many of the building’s residents testify to improved “wellness.”

“I have a history of asthma and hypersensitivity to odors and allergens in the air,” said Visionaire resident Rod McCowan, 52. “The air is crisp and pure. I can tell I’m breathing better.”

A self-proclaimed “stickler for a quality building,” McCowan is most impressed with other details like the recycling room, which includes a battery shoot and a recycling program for old electronics. He said he “barely hears street traffic,” and that the apartment always sees a whole lot of natural light, even when it’s overcast, thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Pierre Desautels and his wife, Suzanne, first rented at 99 Battery Place before moving into the Visionaire. An engineer with a big hand in the development of Battery Park City in the 1980s, Desautels worked on the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center and was more than familiar with the area. The energy conservation aspect was one of the most important factors in his decision to buy.

“My parents were a product of the depression, and were always very careful about using only what you need,” said Desautels, 58. “If you don’t need it, you save it.”

Desautels said he feels he’s getting a good bang for his buck.

“I’ve seen other buildings in Battery Park and elsewhere that are 20 percent more expensive and don’t even begin to compare,” said Desautels.

Cost was also a factor for McCowan and his wife, who approached Manhattan with trepidation. They were concerned they wouldn’t be able to find something affordable that they’d be “proud to call home.”

“Battery Park City actually came at a bit of a discount relative to the city, and yet most of it was brand new,” said McCowan.

“More people know about green development now, so we’re seeing a wider availability of experience and materials,” said Russell Albanese, president of the Albanese Organization. “Paints, adhesives, and even carpeting are being made to deliver better conservation of natural resources.”

Vail Valley Voices: DA candidate's take on pot

As a candidate for district attorney, I must have a position on the regulation or legalization of marijuana in order to respond to many voters' legitimate concerns over this issue.

A district attorney is responsible for the enforcement of all laws. However, there is wide latitude in how vigorously they are enforced, as well as wide perimeters for recommending appropriate sentences for people who stand convicted.

The current medical-marijuana system has flaws and benefits for patients experiencing real benefit to its use. The harder question is in prescribing a course, improving upon the current system of regulations —should we throw our hands in the air and surrender any form of marijuana regulation, should we return to a system where no marijuana possession is legal or should we adopt a compromise between these extremes?

I believe that unless legalization occurs, law enforcement and prosecutors should consider unlawful marijuana possession and regulated distribution a low priority, and persons breaking the laws should be subjected to a drug evaluation, paid for by the person who enters the criminal-justice system, to determine whether or not they are marijuana addicts.

Those identified as such should be monitored for usage and given an opportunity to be treated, rather than aggressively prosecuted and punished. Those who were evaluated not addicted or at risk would be required to pay the monetary cost associated with their criminal-justice contact and have their cases dismissed.

Marijuana users coming into the criminal-justice system for illegal possession, who are evaluated to be addicted and then fail to complete an appropriate rehabilitation regimen, would suffer convictions that, under current Colorado law, would remain on their records for at least 10 years.

Local police, courts and prosecutors continue to be challenged by marijuana's regulation and the possibility that marijuana use and distribution could become legal.

The state of Colorado in 2000, through a voter-approved initiative, began to license the use and sale of medical marijuana with a special class distinguished from otherwise illegal drug users to grow, sell, possess and get high on marijuana, still leaving people without a medical-marijuana card at risk of arrest and prosecution.

Muddying the legal waters, however, permitted users who light up are not exclusively protected by state statutes but must contend with the federal government's laws that classify marijuana use, possession and distribution as illegal.

As distinguished from Colorado law, federal regulations identify marijuana as a substance without any medicinal benefit, setting up a tug-o-war with a state's ability to permit a usage that the U.S. government criminalizes.

Though confusing, this dichotomy is consistent with the general rule that each governmental layer can regulate the same person's actions differently, reaching opposing conclusions upon what is legal. These inconsistencies are not confined to drug laws but appear elsewhere in our legal fabric.

DRP Group Adds Chroma-Q Color Force to Production Inventory

The lighting division of  UK live event and communications agency, DRP Group, has made its first investment in Chroma-Q products with the purchase of 24 Color ForceTM 48 LED battens.

DRP is a single source supplier to a multiplicity of corporate presentations, live events, festivals, awards shows, parties and charity works. Their HQ is in the Midlands; they also have offices in London and Manchester and work all over the UK and internationally.

Richard Parmenter, DRP's Head of Lighting explains that they specifically wanted an LED batten fixture that would light walls, cyc, banners and architectural features with a smooth, linear wash.

After comprehensive comparisons between a number of fixtures, Chroma-Q was selected as the brand of choice for DRP. Rikki and his colleague MD Adam Pardoe were both equally impressed and soon made the decision to invest in the Color Force.

Apart from seeing Color Force in action for themselves, Chroma-Q had also been recommended by several of their regular freelancers.

They liked the richness of the colours and the fact that the Color Force offers a clean white which can be either cold or warm by seamlessly blending amber alongside the RGB LEDs for an enhanced colour gamut. This also delivers a better range of warmer colours – from the most bold, striking saturates and primaries to a near infinite selection of delicate, subtle pastels.

Another key factor for the DRP lighting team was the smooth fades to blackout, which Rikki describes as "completely seamless" and "virtually imperceptible from those of generics", with no flickering or juddering. This is due to the Color Force's finely tuned 'theatrical grade' dimming curve, which Rikki explains "makes them excellent for using and blending in with conventional incandescent and other light sources."

Since buying the Color Force fixtures, they have been in demand for a diversity of projects. The Color Force 48 version also happens to be the same width as DRP's standard modular set panels, which are 4 x 10 ft. When used for lighting sets, "They can really bring depth and additional dimension to our designs with their colour and intensity" states Rikki.

They have been perfect for all the applications DRP had in mind – illuminating cycs, backdrops, banners, and an assortment of large areas. The cyc lens plate – devised for throws of up to 5 metres – is proving very useful for these applications. They have also been used extensively for side-stage lighting and at sites/in venues where power is limited.

DRP recently used the fixtures for lighting the Hereford & Worcester Chamber Business Awards 2011, staged in the elegant ecclesiastical environs of Worcester Cathedral.

They were placed on the floor and used to gently highlight 14 imposing pillars running along the Nave, in the process also lighting areas of the ceiling 20 metres above, such is the intensity of the units. They were programmed to produce red and white looks – the corporate colours of the Chamber of Commerce – beautifully picking out the many detailed architectural features in their path.

Rikki also comments on the robust build quality, which is another essential consideration for a busy operation like DRP, where reliability is absolutely paramount.

Five ways nanomanufacturing improves manufacturing today

This March, nanomanufacturing experts will be gathering in Boston to share their knowledge with other manufacturing professionals at the NanoManufacturing Conference and Exhibits organized by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. In addition to discussions on mid- to long-term applications of this smallest of technologies, there will be information on how it is already impacting the industry as evidenced in these five ways.

1) Materials – Nanotechnology is creating exceptionally light, yet extremely tough, materials, such as graphene. Nano composites are uniquely customizable to adhere to other materials. They are currently used in golf clubs and tennis rackets, with expectations that they will transform the aerospace, defense and transportation industries in the not-too-distant future.

2) Coatings – Nanotechnology is enabling coatings to have numerous beneficial properties that are proving very marketable. Nanocoatings are known to be a thermal barrier, flame retardant, ultraviolet resistance, self and easy cleaning, wear resistant, friction reducing, corrosion resistant, anti-scratch resistance, antibacterial and anti-fingerprint. They can even be self healing. Nanocoatings are used in myriad industries including automotive, defense, household cleaners, construction and exterior protection, with a very promising future in many more fields.

3) Energy Collection and Storage – Surface-to-volume ratios give nano particles most of their power. For example, a golf ball by volume equals the surface of a playing card. That same golf ball by nano particles has a surface area equivalent to four football fields. These particles use light more efficiently which is improving the efficiency and cost of solar panels.

4) Lighting – Quantum dots are nanoparticles of a semiconductor material with unique optical and electrical properties. A manufacturer can precisely control the size of a quantum dot to determine the color of light emitted. In addition to enabling the manufacturing of LED lights, quantum dots are used in electroluminescent displays and solid-state lighting.

5) Manufacturing Processes – Self-assembly is a branch of nanotechnology in which objects, devices and systems form structures without external prodding. Biological systems use self-assembly to construct various molecules and structures. Think of it as LEGOS that assemble themselves. This process is currently being used in computer chips, and has potential benefits for water purification, sanitation, agriculture, alternative energy and medicine.

"More than 1,300 products have already made it to market using nanotechnology, with many more in the pipeline," said Lauralyn McDaniel, the conference manager. "This conference provides an opportunity for manufacturers from almost any industry to either be introduced to nanomanufacturing or discover the latest advances in the technology."

The NanoManufacturing conference is co-located with the MicroManufacturing Conference and Exhibits. Both events have been designed based on feedback attendees have given that the most valuable part of attending an SME conference is the people they meet and the resources they gain.

To encourage the synchronistic collaboration, the sessions are shorter and breaks are longer, the exhibits have been arranged "in the round" to promote discussion, and the Conversation Connection areas are ideal for having in-depth conversations with colleagues. Attendees of either conference can go back and forth between the two and tailor this event to their own interests and needs.

Lezyne Mini Drive LED Front Light

Lezyne's new family of lights are very pretty and our Shaun rated the Super Drive when he reviewed it, so how does it's little brother, the Mini Drive, stack up?

The Mini Drive is a compact wee thing with a bright and shiny silver case. It's a pleasing package although the chunky bracket means that it takes up more bar space than you might expect. Inside there's a single led, powered by a LIR123a li-ion battery. The battery is accessed by unscrewing the back of the light and replacements are cheap and easily available. Lezyne make a point of telling you this, which is unusual.

Batteries in rechargeable lights are usually either bespoke or hard to get at in a your-warranty-will-go-up-in-flames-if-you-try kind of way. It's a nice touch and with a light that only has a one hour runtime on full power, potentially useful, although having to manage a recharging regime with such a small turnaround isn't my idea of a good time.

The battery supplied is only rated at 600a/h but there should be enough space inside the casing to accomodate a battery with a heftier charge should you want to upgrade, and given the runtime you might.

Lezyne quote 150 lumens for the Mini Drive. That's on the cusp of serious light territory, but the payoff is a distinctly modest runtime.

Being a torch style light the beam is a well defined spot, with a modest amount of side spill. On dark roads and unlit paths the main beam is just powerful enough to get by with but things tend to loom at you out of the darkness and I wouldn't fancy it on a proper back lane or a twisty descent. Lower settings are usable, but only on roads with a good surface or that you know well. Testing the various power levels on an unlit stretch of canal path I actually scared myself a few times as birds and rabbits appeared in front of me as if from nowhere.

This is an odd little light really, neither powerful enough for seriously dark lanes nor practical enough for commuting through the week. There's no side illumination and that runtime would start to vex me, even with the benefit of USB chargeability (with a pitch-black commute of around 30min I'd be charging it up pretty much every day).

It might be useful as a supplementary helmet light, Lezyne don't supply it with a suitable mount as standard but there is one available. To be honest though on the road, you'd be better off spending a similar amount of money on a more dedicated commuter light or saving your pennies for a more powerful light with a better runtime.

Pranks: funny and not-so-funny

We have been "entertained" locally by the story of five Monmouth College girls who got it into their head that it would be funny to move the Holy Family from the square to the residence of Monmouth College president Mauri Ditzler. The local authorities have thought it less funny.

This prompted me to reflect on pranks of the past and why we are quicker to condemn them today than we once were. First of all, there is the question of definition. Acts that are relatively harmless and funny should not be lumped with those that are designed to cause harm or hurt. Among the latter I would put voting in the other party's primary, with the intent of saddling them with an impossible candidate. Some think this merely a good joke, with the laudable intent of giving the country the best possible president. I see it as political vandalism, much like stealing campaign signs.

Those of us who remember Nixon's dirty tricks see this practice as undermining our political process. For those too young to remember, this began as a series of "pranks" such as ordering pizzas for a rally, then letting the Democrats figure out how to pay for them. Nixon was vaguely aware of most of this, and when it crossed the line, like proposing to rent a yacht at the Democratic convention in Miami, then staff it with prostitutes and take photos, he said to forget it.

Watergate, in contrast, had no connection with pranks at all — it was an illegal intelligence gathering operation from the beginning.

After the Watergate Scandal became public, Nixon's chief of staff, Bob Haldeman reportedly turned to Tuck and said, "You started all of this." Tuck replied, "Yeah, Bob but you guys ran it into the ground."

Most pranks have no political context — like the five sorority sisters mentioned above. Sometimes pranks border on malicious, like the Monmouth fraternity boys who retaliated on a neighbor who complained about their noise by stealing his Christmas lights; and the more he complained, the more lights they took.

Sometimes they are just stupid, like the college boys who harvested a Christmas tree downtown, then dragged it back to campus, only to be promptly arrested by the policemen who had followed the trail in the snow.

Occasionally pranks have consequences. The boys who arranged for a skeleton to be lowered over President Tom McMichael while he was addressing students in chapel learned that it was a big mistake to have borrowed an incomplete skeleton — Mrs. McMichael had had a leg amputated, and the president assumed (probably incorrectly) that this was a reference to her. They were promptly expelled.

No such fate awaited those boys who unscrewed all the seats in the auditorium and remounted them facing backward. It was an expensive prank in one sense — it took the Green Army days to put things right.

A cow was gotten down from the college cupola rather faster than that, but lowering it over the edge of the roof was a strain on both bovine and human nerves. Everyone who hears this story has one quick question, "How did they get the cow up there?" No one is quite sure, but there may have been a stairway; and while a cow may go up a stairs, if you ask it to go down, it will just stare at you.

The Southampton VTS is a good room with good features and a good team

It may be some years before such a 3D display becomes the primary data source for VTS operators but it is expected to perform a valuable supplementary role in the control room today by providing a visual alternative that also includes a play-back capability that can be used for the analysis of any incidents.

The views of VTS equipment manufacturer Transas Marine endorse the importance of the software design and Chris Loizou, director of the company's shore-based systems business unit explains current thinking.

"The most important general questions which have to be addressed when estimating VTS software usability relate to how easy it is for a VTS operator to work with the system for the first time as well as when the system is already familiar to the operator, how fast and efficiently they may perform the required VTS operations. If an operator hasn't used the system for quite a long time, it is important to know how long it will it take him or her to start using the system with the same efficiency as before.

"Working conditions are also vital for the performance of the VTS operator. Not only the workstation design has to be optimised, ensuring convenient disposition of monitors and controls; comfortable sitting and furniture, lighting, but also the whole control room design shall be well thought out," explains Mr Loizou.

The importance of ergonomics in the control room has already been recognised by the ABP VTS managers in Southampton. They have commissioned John Hargreaves of HAM Associates to analyse their working environment and recommend improvements.

His company specialises in the ergonomics of emergency control rooms for the police and ambulance services so he has been spending long periods at Southampton noting how the VTS operators work. Although the aim is to ensure the optimum design of the new control room, lessons learned already are enabling the existing set-up to work more efficiently.

"The very nature of vessel traffic work is very tiring but there are things we can do to improve the situation," says Mr Hargreaves."Ultimately our aim is to reduce fatigue and thereby increase vigilance." His preliminary observations have already recommended improving the lighting and changing the arrangement of displays so that less head turning is required by the operators in Southampton.

Having already completed a study of the ABP Harwich VTS, John Hargreaves is aware of the need for the effective integration of the various systems in use. He looks to reduce the number of mouse clicks needed to complete a task and he has learned a lot by asking the VTS operators at Southampton to think aloud as they work. By encouraging the operators to give a running commentary on what they are doing, Mr Hargreaves has been able to examine how decisions are being made.

"Overall, the Southampton VTS is a good room with good features and a good team," he says but he is confident that he will find ways to improve it further."Based on our systematic examination system there is usually an awful lot that can be done to reduce the cognitive load of the operators," he says.

Seasonal scene: Holiday lights go up in Forestville

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as many villages and cities have put up their holiday lights. For the village of Forestville, this is the first year it has had the opportunity to do so.

During the past year, with the work of Forestville resident and Planning Board member Gloria Yeager and others the village was able to collect enough donations to buy six snowflake lights to mount on the utility poles in the heart of the village.

The 6-foot LED snowflake lights were recently put up by volunteers to go along with the decoration of the village's median on Route 39.

At the recent Forestville Village Board meeting Yeager thanked everyone for their help.

"I would like to thank the community and the people who donated toward the snowflakes, they are up and also Kirk and Frank Schneider who installed them on Saturday morning for us. We had a lot of donations in memory of family and some of the merchants and village people donated ... I would like to thank those who donated and those who worked," she said.

She also thanked Jason Schneider for the use of his cherry picker, and for the ride that she and Trustee Beth Bowker took in it on Saturday.

Yeager worked with New York State Electric and Gas for permission to put up the lights and the village on the liability. She thanked Bowker, Trustee Carol Woodward and former Trustee George Taylor for their help as well.

"They look awesome," Woodward said.

Bowker agreed and said that many residents had told her they think the lights look good.

"Oh, I think they look beautiful," Bowker said.

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season the board mentioned the annual visit from Santa at the Fire Hall on Dec. 10. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. and will hand out goodie bags to the children. There will also be photos, hot cocoa and wooden ornaments donated by Ray Woodward to decorate. If there is snow then there will also be sled rides.

The board accepted the request of the Skateboard Park Project Committee to disband as a result of the poor economy and lack of interest. The committee did decide to give the money that it had collected for the project for community organizations like the Fall Festival Committee, the Youth-Recreation Committee, the Forestville High School Bowling Team for new uniforms and to Forestville instrumental music teacher Jeffrey Geblein for band supplies.

Woodward reminded residents that the Forestville Food Pantry is collecting new pajamas for less fortunate children in the community.

Lighting up for the season

"Instead of lighting the huge tree like we normally do, we'll be having a Christmas village atmosphere and lighting the smaller trees along the perimeter of the fire hall and public works offices there," said Councillor Amy Coady-Davis, chair of the parks, recreational and special events committee.

"Our tree didn't take root like we had planned, and there was some damage to the tree with high winds, so we removed the tree. And because we are trying to be environmentally conscious we will not be purchasing and transplanting another tree so we are going to make it a village-type atmosphere, which will be nice."

This way, the cost of purchasing and transplanting a tree is eliminated, she said, adding this is the second, if not third time a big tree has had to be transplanted.

"And obviously there is no guarantee that the tree will root and continue to grow," Coun. Coady-Davis said.

"You'll still get the same effect. It will be dark and we'll flick the switch and everything will illuminate."

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in front of the fire hall and Public Works Depot.

Coun. Coady-Davis said everything else included will be the same as previous years.

"We'll still have our regular activities, the Salvation Army Band and the greetings from the dignitaries," she said. "Well still be serving our hot chocolate and wieners and loot bags for the children and I'm sure Santa Claus will also make an appearance."

There will be somebody from the community appointed to help Mayor Al Hawkins flick the switch to light up the Christmas village.

"The absence of the tree, obviously, is going to be noticeable, but we want to make it as pretty and Christmassy as possible, so we usually have the little reindeer set and usually the float is there from the Santa Claus parade that the Town enters each year," Coun. Coady-Davis said. "We usually have some other lit figurines, so we're going to add to that this year and really try and step it up a little bit and make it a real Christmassy feel.

"We will have our Christmas carols with the Salvation Army band, they always come and play some beautiful music for us, and everybody looks forward to that," she said. "With the children there getting their hot chocolate and their treat bags, they are usually really excited. All we need I guess is a little sprinkle of snow to add to the moment."

Council purchased new LED lights for the tree last year.

In keeping with Christmas tradition and helping get people in the holiday mood, the Grand Falls Lions Club annual Santa Claus Parade will take place on Dec. 3, and the Keep Christ in Christmas Walk, which is co-sponsored by the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and the Knights of Columbus, will take place on Dec. 11 and will be leaving from the fire hall at 2:30 p.m.

Lamp designs can set the tone for a room

While they range in style from classic to whimsical, all lamps are practical and help to brighten any space.

Local interior designer Mary Jane Tallant Fitzerald, owner of Tallanted Interiors, said a lamp from her childhood influenced her passion for design. The small, bedside lamp features a young boy and girl joyfully dancing in front of a welcoming gingerbread-like house.

“My mother did not want to part with it, [but] I have it now,” Fitzgerald said. “[The lamp] had a lot to do with who I am. I believe this lamp is where the seed was planted for me to become a designer.

“The colors shaped who I’ve become. That’s why I believe the design of a room is so important. You must be surrounded by what you love.”

“I call it the ‘I can be anything lamp’ because you can change a look with the lamp,” she said, explaining that the “bunny lamp” is whimsical and fun.

She has it placed on a stack of books to allow for proportion and height, she said. The lamp also helps to establish a theme of a room.

To offer a subdued light, Fitzgerald spruced up a rooster lamp.

“The rooster lamp came from Home Goods about 10 years ago,” she said, noting that she added a rooster ornament she found at a local lighting store, and feathery trim to the shade. “It is sitting on books to give it height,” she said. “It’s a fabulous one-of-a-kind lamp.”

Fitzgerald said she has a passion for lamps.

“I am always buying lamps, swapping shades, covering shades with up to four different fabrics and adding trim — that’s what makes an ordinary lamp extraordinary,” she said.

Devoted Tennessee and McCallie School football fans (son Walker plays football at McCallie), the Fitzgeralds have a University of Tennessee themed playroom. Included in the decor is a football lamp.

“We are extreme Vols football fans, so it lights up that collection,” she said. “The shade is interesting because (it’s) laser cut to show footballs when the light shines through.”

Another lamp high on her list of favorites is a St. Andrew’s lamp she bought in Scotland.

“It has a very special meaning to me, so I made one of our guest bedroom’s have a golf theme,” she said. “And my boys are golfers.” The lamp sits on a stack of golf books and business books. “They are color coordinated and proportionate — very important.”

An annual must-have for every home is an oriental lamp, Fitzgerald said. “It adds character and dimension,” she said.

While Fitzgerald said she routinely dresses up lamp shades with fabrics and trims, she sometimes adds jewelry to the mix.

“I love giving it that little extra touch,” she said. “I do it quite often with velvet ribbon and old beautiful pins. I just try different types of pins until I find what I like.”

Vintage lamps add character to a home, she said.

“Tole lamps with metal shield shades are interesting,” she said. “The shade is like an old fan or shield but the light is really good and comes out the bottom and top. They are great on my piano.”

The cost of a lamp does not have to be a budget breaker, she said.

Fitzgerald’s coral-like base lamp from Home Goods with a linen shade represents a modern design trend, she said. It cost $50.

Fitzgerald said she does not like twisted, compact fluorescent bulbs.

“Don’t get me started about the new bulbs — a bulb in the lighting world is called a lamp,” she said. “I hate them. The light they put out is terrible. Just give me a soft 75-watt incandescent or a three-way soft, of course, and I’m happy.”