Study: Grasses Better Option Than Corn for Biofuels?
Study: Grasses Better Option Than Corn for Biofuels?
USAgNet - 07/18/2011
A new study from Colorado State University in collaboration with the University of Illinois, suggests that using grasses to produce biofuels is a more economical and environmental better option than using
corn. Led by CSU research scientist William Parton, his research team found using grass species, such as switchgrass, in the same land area as used to grow corn could result in an increase in ethanol
production, a decrease in nitrogen leaching and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the research concluded that replacing corn with perennial grasses could increase the productivity of food and fuel within the region without causing additional indirect land use changes. The study
was published in the online version of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
Raising perennial biofuel crops on previously cultivated land in the United States will result in massive reductions in greenhouse gas fluxes from agricultural systems, said Parton. Growing perennial biofuel
crops on low-production agricultural land can result in large environmental benefits such as improved air and water quality as well as increased ethanol production and sustained production of corn and
soybeans.
Parton said the research supports additional efforts in studying methods of producing ethanol from biomass crops, and despite the fact that biomass to ethanol is not currently economical, biomass crops have
the potential to benefit the Corn Belt in ways corn cannot.
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Envirolet® Waterless Composting Toilets Meet the "Toilet Challenge" — Hope …
Envirolet® Waterless Composting Toilets Meet the "Toilet Challenge" --- Hope to Assist in Worldwide Sanitation Efforts
Existing Envirolet® Composting Toilet System technology provides a safe, clean sanitation solution at site that is both environment-friendly and economical. Systems available in waterless, non-electric, stand-alone options.
Oshawa, Ontario (PRWEB) July 20, 2011
Nearly 40% of the world population lacking proper sanitation.
A new initiative has been launched by the Bill amp; Melinda Gates Foundation to help end this by bringing clean, safe sanitation to those in need.
The foundation is investing $42 million in the in the overall effort in hopes of assisting the fight to help the estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide in need of proper sanitation.
Part of the foundation investment is in the "Re-Inventing The Toilet Challenge." The challenge is "to reinvent the toilet as a stand-alone unit without piped-in water, a sewer connection, or outside electricity..."
Sancor Industries Ltd., a leading manufacturer of Envirolet composting toilets, applauds the efforts and attention that the Gates Foundation is giving the worldwide sanitation crisis and hopes to participate in the efforts.
Sancor would like to point out that this is something they have been doing for over 30 years with their existing technology of waterless, non-electric, stand-alone composting toilet systems. Systems that provide a safe, clean sanitation solution at site that is both environment-friendly and economical.
"We hope we can help with the effort." said Scott Smith, Vice President of Marketing at Sancor Industries Ltd. "We have existing technology that could be used in-the-field right now."
Respected and well-known actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. re-iterated this. There is already existing toilet technology that is environment-friendly and economical available on the market," said Begley. "Envirolet composting toilet systems provide a clean, safe and easily implemented sanitation solution to those in need without the use of water or power."
Sancors Envirolet brand waterless composting toilets have been manufactured in Canada since 1977. Sancor began selling Santerra Green(TM) brand systems to dealers and retailers in 2008.
Envirolet® and Santerra Green(TM) waterless all-in-one non-electric systems and waterless
"remote" non-electric systems both operate without power using a wind turbine ventilator. Daily operation costs are minimal as local additives can be used to accelerate the composting process.
Both Envirolet® and Santerra Green(TM) systems have more features than competing composting toilets, such as a patented Automatic Six-Way Aeration(TM), which speeds up the composting and evaporation process through forced air, heat and natural microbe action. The waterless product line comes in non-electric as well as 12VDC battery with solar and AC electric models. Low water (only 0.2L or 0.5L per flush) options, including the advanced and modern FlushSmart VF Series are also available.
Popular applications of the Sancor product line include homes, cottages, cabins, work shops, basements, garages, pool cabanas or any location where sanitation is required with or without power or water. Systems are environment-friendly and economical compared to other options including traditional plumbing and septic tank systems.
Sancor Industries Ltd. partnered with Ed Begley, Jr. in 2010. Begley helps promote both the Envirolet® and Santerra Green(TM) composting toilet systems as an economical and environment-friendly alternative to traditional sanitation systems.
"Sancors composting toilets are the best Ive seen on the market today," said Begley. "I firmly believe in both the products and feel that composting toilets are a tangible way to help reduce your impact on the environment by transforming waste into usable compost."
As a leader of the green movement, Begley has a long history of initiating change and serving in several major roles including chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He is also involved in other environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and Tree People. Because of his strong involvement and dedication, he has won a number of awards from several prestigious environmental groups including the California League of Conservation Voters and the Natural Resources Defense Council, among others.
Begley doesnt just promote green living and technology, he actually lives it. He currently resides in a self-sufficient home powered by solar energy just outside of Los Angeles.
About Sancor Industries Ltd.:
Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, Sancor Industries Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of advanced environmental composting toilet systems under the brands Envirolet and Santerra Green. Envirolet has been sold factory direct to consumers worldwide since 1977 and Santerra Green is sold through select retailers and dealers in the United States and Canada. Sancor continues to manufacture product in North America and offers the longest warranty in the composting toilet industry. In 2009, Envirolet FlushSmart VF models were selected for the "25 Products That Might Just Change The World" by Bloomberg Businessweek and revolutionized the industry by changing the perception of what a composting toilet looks like. For more information, visit Envirolet.com or SanterraGreen.com.
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebEnvirolet/CompostingToilets/prweb8658826.htm
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ExtremeTix and Three Zebras Entertainment Launch The Venue Alliance
HOUSTON and PHOENIX, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ExtremeTix, a leader in ticketing technology and event services, and Three Zebras Entertainment, a division of ExtremeTix, tonight announced the launch of The Venue Alliance, a member organization providing advocacy and access to premier programming to some of the top venues in the country.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110727/DA42221LOGO)
For the first time, smaller and mid-market venues across North America will have an entire organization in their corner, working on getting more and better programming to their buildings. The Venue Alliance fundamentally alters the traditional relationship between venues and their ticketing companies and will help bring buildings across the country back to peak profitability.
The venue operating environment is challenging but we feel we can improve member access to new revenue streams with content options, said Charly Garrett, President of ExtremeTix. More programming equals more revenue and improved financial performance. No other company is willing to step up to this level of financial commitment to its members, period.
Member buildings can expect to receive a number of benefits from joining The Venue Alliance, including:
- Buying Power and National Advocacy
- Exclusive Programming
- A Lower Cost Ticketing Solution
- Targeted Marketing
- Access to New Revenue Streams
- A Superior Customer Experience
- Reduced Business Risks amp; Liabilities
General managers are at the heart of almost every successful building, said Ed Morrell, Managing Director of Three Zebras. The Venue Alliance redefines how GMs can improve profitability across the board and really get the most from their entire operation. Morrell continued, We believe the combination of advocacy, programming and real-life best practices will make a difference in how these venues do business going forward.
This is an idea that will change the arena landscape, commented Patrick Leahy, former EVP amp; COO of Clear Channel Entertainment, Music Group and noted industry consultant. Very few people in the industry can pull off something of this magnitude, but the teams at ExtremeTix and Three Zebras have the vision and the experience to make this successful for everyone involved.
The Venue Alliance will make my life easier, as well as that of every promoter out there, said Bill West, 40-year motorsports promoter and all-around arena sports legend. We look forward to creating exclusive programming with The Venue Alliance and expanding the ability of members to make money together.
Buildings interested in learning more about joining The Venue Alliance can speak with Ed Morrell at the ExtremeTix booth (#411) at the IAVM Venue Connect trade show in Phoenix, AZ, visit thevenuealliance.com or find them on Twitter @venuealliance.
For additional information, please contact:
The Venue Alliance: Deven Nongbri, dnongbri@extremetix.com; 800-370-2364, x323
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Emanuel’s Ethics Reform Could Pinch Chambers of Commerce
A City Council vote on an ethics reform measure backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel was postponed after some neighborhood chambers of commerce expressed concerns the ordinance would force them to register as lobbyists and cost their cash-strapped organizations large sums of money in fees.
The council's Rules and Ethics Committee on Wednesday delayed a vote after aldermen pressed administration officials on how the ordinance would affect local chambers, what would constitute an act of lobbying and the fees that would be imposed on chambers.
Steven Berlin, the executive director of the city's Board of Ethics, tried to address concerns from aldermen through hypothetical situations, but that appeared to confuse members of the council, prompting more questions. The committee is expected to reconvene on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce notified local chambers about the new lobbyists rules. In an email sent to chamber executives this week, Christopher Johnson, the government relations manager for the chamber, said the new lobbyist rules will force local chambers to register as lobbyists if they seek to "influence legislation or administrative action" on behalf of their members, such as helping businesses acquire permits and licenses.
Johnson also said the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's analysis of the ordinance found no exemptions for local chambers.
"We are seeking further clarification on the intent of the ordinance, but there is little in the way that it is currently written to indicate an exemption for Chambers," Johnson wrote.
Under the ordinance, lobbyists would continue paying a $350 registration fee and $75 for each additional client.
Paul Levin, executive director of the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes aldermen will consider a fee exemption for local chambers. He said his chamber has 150 members, which could cost him $11,175 in fees.
"That would be a bite," Levin said. "We're talking about what would be for many organizations a fairly significant amount of money, even though it sounds inconsequential."
Levin said he has no problem with local chambers being classified as lobbyists because he has lobbied aldermen and various government agencies on behalf of neighborhood businesses.
But Bill Morton, the president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, said he is worried the distinction could stigmatize local chambers as political insiders. He said his group functions more as an information source than a political operator, helping small businesses with paperwork for permits and licenses.
Morton said the ordinance would also create "unneeded regulation" of local chambers. "That doesn't sound good at all," he said.
Garret FitzGerald, who heads the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, said he does not mind registering as a lobbyist. But FitzGerald, who served as a policy analyst under former Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th Ward), said some local chambers might find the registration process "daunting."
"I would be very concerned that this would limit chambers from advocating on behalf of small businesses," he said.
In a statement after Wednesdays delay, an Emanuel spokeswoman said the Mayor is committed to changing the way we do business in City Hall by increasing transparency and accountability across City government to ensure everyone in City government is working for Chicago's taxpayers.
Emanuel introduced the ordinance earlier this month as part of his campaign to promote transparency at City Hall. The measure would require lobbyists to disclose political contributions and file monthly as opposed to biannual activity reports. The ordinance also calls for a searchable online database of lobbyists showing whom they lobby and for what cause. The city currently maintains a database of registered lobbyists.
Michael Mini, the government relations director for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber does not have a position on Emanuel's ordinance. He said the chamber notified local chambers simply to keep them abreast of the potential changes that could affect them.
But Mini added that the new rules could be "challenging" for some local chambers because what was once a routine act of helping a neighborhood business receive a permit or license could be interpreted as an act of lobbying.
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has long lobbied City Hall on behalf of its members, which include Horseshoe Casino, Aon, Boeing, Exelon and Wal-Mart. The chamber also contributed more than $140,000 to aldermanic candidates in this year's municipal election.
Westaim unlikely to get Economical: analyst
Canadas property and casualty insurance industry is highly fragmented, with more than 200 competitors, and many industry players - including Intact Financial Corp. CEO Charles Brindamour and Royal amp; Sun Alliance Insurance Co. CEO Rowan Saunders - expect that consolidation will soon transform the sector. Westaim could play a role in that.
Westaim is a publicly traded holding company that owns Jevco Insurance Co., which specializes in insuring recreational vehicles such as motorcycles and snowmobiles. AIMCo owns nearly half of Westaim, which is managed by Goodwood Inc.
What Westaim is not likely to pull off is its desired takeover of Waterloo, Ont.-based Economical Insurance Group (which has recently begun heading down the path to demutualization), Mr. Holden says. Westaim has been pursuing Economical, whose book value is about $1.3-billion, for roughly a year.
But Mr. Holden says the odds of acquiring Economical are slim. For one thing, Westaims book value is about $375-million, he says.
Westaim would have to raise a significant amount of capital, the majority of which would have to be equity, to acquire Economical, Mr. Holden wrote in his inaugural note on the company. Given that Westaim is trading at less than book value, it would be at a cost-of-capital disadvantage relative to other potential buyers.
Mr. Holden has put a $0.70 price target on Westaim.
Coney island part of amusement park golden age
Last week, this columnist took you on an exploration of the beginnings of amusement parks, inspired by the annual trip to Wonderland with my grandchildren. This week, Id like to continue that exploration, as we look at the Golden Age of amusement parks.
The following information was researched by using primarily Wikipedia, and other sites under Amusement Parks, History of.
The modern age of the amusement park is often pegged to the Chicago World Columbian Exposition in 1893. Also in the 1890s, electric trolley cars were servicing most major American cities. This led to the development of trolley parks, sites outside of the city, located at the end of the trolley line.
These had been, in many cases, already existent picnic groves, but as the trolley lines purchased them, they improved the facilities by adding dance halls, entertainments, and boats and mechanical rides. This writer remembers the old dance hall at Kennywood Park, a Pittsburgh amusement park, which had its beginnings as a trolley park. Particularly, I remember my older cousins going to dances there, as late as the early 1960s.
Other popular sites for trolley parks were existent resorts, such as Atlantic City, already a popular bathing resort. The Ocean Pier opened in 1891, and featured the Roundabout, a wooden predecessor to the Ferris Wheel. The world renowned Steel Pier opened at Atlantic City in 1898.
Perhaps the most well-known amusement park in the world, Coney Island, is actually several parks together. I once had the privilege of being stationed in Brooklyn, and, as anyone should do, went to Coney Island at least once.
The area had been a beach area since 1829, evolving into a seaside resort in the 1870s and 1880s and witnessing the opening of Sea Lion Park in 1895 considered a watershed in amusement park culture.
The Golden Age of amusement parks is considered to be from the last decade of the 1800s until the late 1920s, when the deteriorating economy funneling into the Great Depression had a negative impact on the amusement parks.
Certainly they have made a comeback, starting with the opening of Disneyworld and the emergence of the modern theme park, but that is another, though related, subject.
What is your favorite? I like the old time charm of Uncle Cliffs, in Albuquerque; I like the excitement of Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, near Cleveland, and of course, Disneyland and Disneyworld. Being a water person, I would spend my money first on a water park, a subgenre that emerged very early in amusement park development.
Clyde Davis is a Presbyterian pastor and teacher at Clovis Christian Middle School. He can be contacted at: clyde_davis@yahoo.com
The human mind is shaped by relationships
In his book, The Social Animal, and in several op-ed columns in the New York Times, David Brooks has made a powerful case to radically alter the ideology fundamental to Republican thinking and policy.
He has carefully and thoughtfully surveyed the scientific work done in biopsychosocial fields over the last 50 or more years. This work has been done in international academic settings where it was subject to rigorous peer review and published in scientific journals. The findings have been replicated multiple times.
In summary, Brooks presents compelling evidence from a variety of verifiable sources that the human mind is shaped by the quality of relationships that are incorporated in our memory from the very beginning.
It is also clear that our brain is wired to be in relationships, thus our capacity to function in life reflects our experience with others, a process that goes on throughout life.
These ideas are in stark contrast to those of Charles Murray and Richard Herrnstein (now deceased) put forth in The Bell Curve, published in 1994.
They posited that successful human function was based on intelligence as measured by the IQ test. They went on to claim that intelligence was 60 percent or more genetic, inherited, thus immutable to post-natal influence.
They used this data to explain the difference in IQ test scores between races, ie, whites superior to blacks. This often-refuted and as yet unproven theory has been used by ideologues on the right to attack programs to level the playing field for disadvantaged populations.
It should be noted that Murray is housed in the American Enterprise Institute, an ideological think tank far from academic discourse.
The historic potential in this seismic shift in conceptualizing the more factual elements of human function is that it completely refutes the IQ test and its claims to proved one race superior to another.
One would have thought such flawed thinking would have been put to rest with the demise of National Socialism. What Brooks has brought to the front is the scientific evidence that cooperation and respect for others as equals is essential for our own well-being as well as for global constructive or destructive ends; either way we are responsible.
Recognizing our interconnectedness can bring us to a more egalitarian world where true mutual cooperation replaces ideology.
Experts Nancy Guttman and David Bolton Discussed Relationships on WFMY News 2
Greensboro, NC -- Oh, the differences between a man and a woman.
Two surveys were just released surveying differences between men and women,The Great Male Survey and its rival The Great Female Survey. The results of the surveys, not surprisingly, revealed that men and women see relationships differently.
One question in the survey asked if a man would dump his girlfriend if she gained weight. Fifty-two percent of men surveyed said they wouldnt.
Women asked the same question about their boyfriends were 80 percent against breaking up if their partner gained weight.
Counselors Nancy Guttman, Marriage amp; Family Therapy,and David Bolton, Triad Behavioral Resources,brought their expertise on this response and moreon WFMY News 2 at 5:00 pm Wednesday.
Guttman said her initial reaction to the weight gain response is men want more passion in their relationships. She said they could blame it on the weight, but there is probably a deeper issue and something is missing from the relationship, and it could be distance or a lack of communication.
Bolton agreed saying men dont always say what they mean.
It is always better to communicate about your needs and not put the blame or criticism on your partner.
Bolton said Facebook is another possible issue. When people first get on the site, theyre excited about reconnecting with old friends, but it shouldnt compromise your relationship.
He said you can ask your partner about their account and who theyre talking with, but its all about transparency.
You can see more from our interview in the attached video.
WFMY News 2
Steib Leaves Google To Run Luxury Goods E-Commerce Site
Mike Steib, director of Googles video advertising for the Americas, has been named CEO of a US-based luxury goods online retail joint venture of American Express and Frances Vente-privee.com.
At the Internet giant, Steib led the launch of Google TV Ads, an online marketplace for buying television advertising. He also previously led Googles Americas business teams for its emerging ad products including mobile ads, local ads and commerce.
We wish Mike all the best and thank him for his contributions to our TV Ads business, which is an important part of our rapidly growing video business, Google said in a statement. The company does not plan to hire an executive to replace Steib; his team will continue to be a part of Googles overall sales team.
Prior to Google, Steib was general manager of strategic ventures at NBC Universal, and also worked for Walker Digital LLC and management consultant firm McKinsey amp; Co.
Steib was named one of Multichannel News 40 Under 40 industry professionals for 2007. He holds three digital media patents.
Paris-based Vente-privee.com coordinates event-based sales for 13 million members featuring products from more than 1,200 major international brands.
Space Shuttle Era Over: Time-Travel Era Just Beginning
Now that were saving some cash with the space shuttle program ending, we should probably invest in Greg from Raleigh and his time machine.
Yesterday, as Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center, NASA's space shuttle era came to a close after 30 years of exploration. Over the past three decades the US Government has sunk hundreds of billions into the space shuttle program without much to show for it. The history of the program will probably always be marred by the two worst disasters in the history of space travel. The accidents on the Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003 ended tragically and resulted in the deaths of 14 astronauts.
Ultimately, the space shuttle program never accomplished its original goal of providing a more affordable method of space travel. Atlantis's final 13-day journey cost an estimated half billion dollars.
The entire history of the US space program is a tremendous point of pride amongst Americans, as well it should be. Landing on the moon is still one of the most iconic achievements in the history of our country. However it's hard not to consider the shuttle era as sort of a disappointment, considering the inability to accomplish its primary goal of cheaper travel and the two disastrous tragedies.
NASA is now scaling back and refocusing on a new program that plans to land man on an asteroid hopefully not out of necessity by 2025 and the planet Mars by 2030.
So what are the rest of us supposed to do in the meantime? What will be our next adventure to inspire the childlike sense of wonder and fill the temporary void of manned space travel?
Well, if you're like me and believe everything you read on the Internet, we should put our faith in the capable hands of Greg from Raleigh, North Carolina. Because according to his Craigslist ad, hes successfully invented a time machine.
TEST SUBJECT NEEDED FOR TIME MACHINE
I have successfully built a working time machine and need a human test subject that is willing to be the first person to ever travel back in time.
Due to the dimensions of the machine, you must be shorter than 63 and weigh less than 230 lbs. Also, you must be male. Thats not due to the dimensions of the machine, its just a personal thing. I think a man should be the first to time travel, just like he was the first to fly an airplane and to walk on the moon.
The pay is $3,000 and, of course, youll reap the benefits of being the first person to ever travel back in time (media coverage, endorsements, etc.). You will have to sign a waiver that mainly states:
1. I am not responsible for anything that happens to you when you time travel.
2. You are forbidden from interfering in matters that would disrupt the current timeline (ie killing Hitler, warning Hitler about D-Day, etc.).
3. You are not allowed to travel back in time for the purposes of tearing up this waiver before its been signed, thereby negating this waiver youre about to sign. I built a time machine, Im no moron.As far as the danger of time traveling in this machine, we sent a dog into the past yesterday and it went off without a hitch. He hasnt yet returned, but thats just because animals dont know how to rendezvous. We would like for you to bring him back, if at all possible.
Lastly, you will need three personal references. I cant take a chance sending some unscrupulous druggie into the past because youll mess everything up for us here in the present. The references must be male. Again, its just a personal thing.
If you would like to participate, call me on my cell phone at 919.824.4109.
Greg
What a sweet deal! This genius guy named Greg is even willing to trick a potential sex slave pay a lucky American 3K to make history? Sure, he may be a tad bit sexist and Im not entirely sure why all of his examples of screwing up the space-time continuum reference Hitler, but this totally sounds promising. As for the sexism, he might simply be influenced by the male-dominated cinematic world of time-travel.
After all, the most notable time travelers in history are Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, Keanu Reeves in Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, Denzel in Deja Vu, Mike Myers in Austin Powers: Goldmember, Martin Lawrence in Black Knight, Marky Mark/Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes, all the guys in Hot Tub Time Machine, and most recently Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris. So its not exactly an equal opportunity field.
I mean, he does specify that hes not a moron, as evidenced by the fact he invented a freakin time machine. Personally, thats all the reassuring I need.
What are we waiting for America? He seems trustworthy enough. Cue the Huey Lewis and the News music.
[Craigslist via Fark]