Friday, January 9, 2015
Sunday, December 14, 2014
The Overview Effect
"Once a photograph of the Earth taken from outside is available, a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose." - Fred Hoyle, 1948
The Natural Collective Pins!
Check out this awesome collab with Slice of Life Company. Now introducing The Natural Collective Pins! 3-color epoxy overlay, double posted, and back stamped. Rock these awesome pins on your favorite hat, jacket, backpack or wherever else you can put them. Head over to The Natural Collective Store now!
Nick Hanauer - American Role Model
Nick Hanauer is a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist who advocates taxing the rich, raising minimum wage, and creating a healthier middle class for a strong economy.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Chena Hot Springs Doin' It Right!
When owners Bernie and Connie Karl first purchased Chena Hot Springs Resort from the State of Alaska in 1998, their vision was to keep the resort’s natural surroundings and add a new 40 room Moose Lodge to the existing 32 Signature Rooms and 8 Family Suites. The outdoor hot springs rock lake was added to offer adults (ages 18+) a place to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting.
Bernie’s vision due in part to his other passion and business recycling, wanted to make the resort more environmentally friendly and to use geothermal technology to power it. So an engineer was hired and they went to work. Patents were issued, new technology developed and new business partnerships formed. Today that vision not only provides heat and electricity for the resort but it also keeps the Aurora Ice Museum a cool 25 degrees Fahrenheit inside year-round. The geothermal heated greenhouses produce lettuce and tomatoes for the resort’s restaurant and 50+ employees on a year-round basis with a few different types of fruit grown for good measure.
The resort is truly a one-of-a-kind destination whether you are interested in Aurora viewing tours, relaxing in the hot springs, enjoying an “appletini” in the Aurora Ice Museum, getting a fabulous therapeutic massage, taking dog sled or cart rides, enjoying flight-seeing tours or any of the other fabulous activities offered year-round. Come visit us today!
Awesome Pallet House!
Now that's recycling! Pallet house Plans for $75! Prince Charles has one of these in his garden!
The Pallet House project by I-Beam Design, was initially conceived as a transitional shelter for the refugees returning to Kosovo after the war. These people needed an immediate alternative to the typical tent solution that could potentially transform into a new permanent home over time, even without access to sophisticated tools and materials. It has since become our aim to also develop the project as a more permanent housing solution to serve not only refugees in disaster stricken areas but also as a modular, prefabricated solution to affordable housing everywhere that can improve people's lives, the environment, society and even inspire greater diplomacy among the various cultures of the world.
The Pallet House is an inexpensive, efficient and easily realizable solution to the problem of housing people displaced by natural disaster, plagues, famine, political and economic strife or war. It is intended to serve returning refugees who come home and find their house partially or fully destroyed. This type of transitional housing bridges the gap between temporary tent shelter and permanent home.
The Pallet House is made of wooden shipping pallets. Pallets are versatile, recyclable, sustainable, easily assembled and universally esthetically pleasing. They are readily available in most countries and their transportation cost and weight is negligible when used to carry shipments of clothing, food, medical supplies or other relief aid. A simple pallet structure evolves naturally from emergency shelter to permanent house with the addition of more stable indigenous materials like rubble, stone, earth, mud, plaster and concrete.
The evolution of one 16' by 16' shelter into a permanent home requires approximately 100 pallets nailed or strapped together and lifted into place. Tarps draped over the basic structure or plastic corrugated sheets prevent water penetration until enough debris, stone, mud, earth, wood or any material from the immediate surroundings can be gathered to fill the wall cavities and cover the roof. Pallets may be pre-assembled with styrofoam insulation, vapor barrier, plywood or corrugated sheathing prior to shipping as well. As infrastructure is restored and cement or other materials become available the filled pallets can be covered with stucco, plaster, or roofing tiles transforming the makeshift shelter into a permanent home within a year or two. Consequently, the Pallet House adapts easily to almost every climate on Earth, and can be built in less than a week.
Pallets or skids, typically used for shipping are inexpensive to make and can be pre-assembled by hand at a rate of 200 per day per worker. They are readily available in most countries around the world, and their size, strength and weight is specifically designed for transportation. The pallet module provides great flexibility in terms of configuration, allowing each family to build according to their own needs. The size and layout of each home can evolve over time encouraging the participation of the community that lives in the houses.
The Pallet House won an Honorable Mention in a competition to design transitional housing for the returning refugees of Kosovo. It was featured in the New York Times article on Architecture for Humanity, Spain's Sunday magazine "El Pais" as one of the few projects in the 2000 Venice Architecture Biennale on-line exhibit to successfully address the exhibition theme "Less Aesthetics, More Ethics", and was published in the book "Design Like You Give a Damn". The Pallet House has received grants from NYSCA and the LEF Foundation towards design development.
Most recently, I-Beam Design was invited to build a full-scale Pallet House prototype for the Casa per Tutti Exhibition (May-September 2008) at the Architecture Triennale in Milan, Italy where other prototypes by Massimiliano Fuksas, MVRDV, Kengo Kuma and Alejandro Aravena and Red Cross Shelters were also featured. A similar prototype of the Pallet House was recently built in New York City and will be on display in one of Manhattan's downtown parks.
Architecture, design and construction have a huge impact on the environment and society. The recent events in China, Myanmar, Iraq, Darfur, Afghanistan, Katrina have unfortunately made us all the more aware of the symbolic, cultural and physical power of buildings. But there is another more pressing architectural crisis that affects all nations, and that is the question of housing of the 1 billion people who live in substandard housing around the world. The Pallet House provides a viable solution to the housing crisis while simultaneously empowering individuals with simple materials and tools to rebuild their lives as they see fit.
Construction plans with detailed instructions and drawings is available for $75.00: HERE
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Garbage Warrior
What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you're renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of "Earthship Biotecture" by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
This Week's Featured Artist - Lindsey Gray
Lindsey Gray is local artist from Pensacola, FL who is also currently studying as a graphic design student at Pensacola State College. You can check her out on her Facebook page Color Gray Areas, and if you would like to purchase some of Lindsey's work you can find it over at The Natural Collective Store.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Juicing Cannabis!
Leaf
Leaf is a great video explaining the health benefits of juicing cannabis over heating and/or smoking it. Is raw cannabis a dietary essential?
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The Big Fix
The Big Fix is a documentary that examines the April 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico following the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. This documentary is a must for anyone who lives on the Gulf Coast.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Khan Academy
A free world-class education for anyone anywhere.
The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. They're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere.
All of the site's resources are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.
With over 3,200 videos on everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and hundreds of skills to practice, they're on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Lenny Kravitz Crashes Choir's Gig in New Orleans
Check out this awesome video of Lenny Kravitz joining The Voice of Praise Choir from First Baptist Church in Lewisville, TX as they perform one of his hit singles "Fly Away" in the streets of New Orleans.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Humans Landed on 'Treasure Island' Earlier Than Thought
Ancient trash heaps in Bolivia used for millennia now suggest humans explored the western Amazon as early as 10,000 years ago, researchers say. Read the rest of the article here.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Hokum High Rollers
The Hokum High Rollers specialize in Pre-WWII Piedmont Blues, Ragtime, Hot Jazz and Western Swing played with the grit of their hometown, New Orleans and the energy of their punk rock roots. 'Hokum' has been honing there craft on the streets of the French Quarter to smoky bars, festival stages, private events, vaudeville showcases and everything in between since 2011. Check out their most recent album, Highwater Blues.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Downtown Fountains by Danatrahan
New sound from Danatrahan titled "Downtown Fountains." If you don't know, now you know.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Xogen
Xogen - A Canadian company which was all started with the work of the late Stanley Meyer. Stanley is well known for developing technology that would enable us to use water as a fuel, filling our cars with water as opposed to gasoline. After his death, Stan's twin brother Stephen became the legal owner to his technology and all of his patents. Stephen then moved to Canada and started the company Xogen using the same technology that Stan developed, but for the treatment of waste water instead. The technology uses an extremely efficient form of electrolysis to produce oxy-hydrogen gas from water. This gas can then be burned to produce energy in the form of heat, which can run engines, generators or heaters. The resulting by product from the burning of the gas is pure H20, which makes it an effective water purifier as well as an energy source.
Friday, June 28, 2013
WWOOF
WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is a network of organic farms all over the world where volunteers can come work on the farm in exchange for free food and a place to stay. It is a great way for people to learn about the benefits and techniques of organic farming and living a more sustainable life as well as an inexpensive alternative to travel and see the world.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
R.A. The Rugged Man - "Learn Truth"
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Stereospeak
"In a city fervently searching for the next brilliant band hiding just under-the-radar, all eyes and ears need to be pointed in the direction of young trio Stereospeak. These gents are quietly making some of the best written, recorded and performed tunes you'll hear in 2012 from any Illinois-based artist. Soaked in 90's Brit-rock introspection and sporting out-and-out chops, these guys are well on their way to waking Chicago up to their soon-to-be-discovered brilliance. Though gaining some attention with their self-titled 2010 EP, this year's tremendous Jurassic hits high marks with its innocent, undeniable hooks. It's one of those rare, early releases that when Stereospeak is taking over years from now, folks will clamor on eBay for. Memories of Radiohead's pop-heavy, yet airy debut album Pablo Honey are all over the one-two punch of Jurassic's opening cuts, "Probably Wrong" and "I Can't Think Why," as well as the breathy ballad "Face The Change": Vocals pulse and echo; clean guitars shimmer; harmonies swoon. The brit-pop influence is also prevalent through the gorgeous group sing-a-long on "Me Without Fear" and the Oasis-like, bluesy swagger of both "Current Current" and "Below The Earth." These kinds of blissful, perfectly executed moments are expected from road veterans, not rookies, but that's what we get all throughout this majestic, headphone-preferred disc. This could easily be the best EP Chicago has going for it this year."
-Fearless Radio
Chicago Indie band Stereospeak consists of Mike Mitzner, Logan Ortega (Pensacola, FL Native) and Blake Daniels. Check out their new EP Jurassic. Also don't forget to 'like' them on Facebook!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Jon Jandai - Life is easy!
"Before I thought that stupid people like me … cannot have a house… because people who are cleverer than me and get a job need to work for 30 years to have a house. But for me, who cannot finish university, how can I have a house? It's hopeless for people who have low education like me. But when I start to do earthen buildings, it's so easy! I spent two hours per day… and in 3 months I have a house. A friend who was the most clever in the class he has a house too but he has to be in debt for 30 years, so compared to him I have 29 years and 10 months of free time. I feel life is so easy."
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
TRRASH!
Local Pensacola musician, TRRASH , has just released their new 5 song ep titled isthisadministration. Go check it out and give it a listen!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Get Gangsta With Your Shovel
Guerilla gardener Ron Finley says "you gotta get gangsta with your shovel," and that "growing your own food is like printing your own money."
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Garden Street Car Wash
Local Pensacola natives Shawn Martin and Forrest DeMaria are the new owners of the Garden Street Car Wash at 532 W Garden St, Pensacola, FL. The wash was the first car wash to be opened in the state of Florida in 1951 and has been re-opened by Forrest and Shawn since October of 2012. They offer full detail service ranging from everything to engine bay cleaning and headlight buffing and every car is hand washed before it goes through the tunnel. They are open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. If you have any questions or concerns the Garden Street Car Wash can be reached at (850) 332-7803. Also, don't forget to check them out on Facebook and 'like' their page!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)