Mary's Musings on Green Building, Renewables, Energy Efficiency and more....

    UPDATE: The tours were fantastic! On my tour we had a great group from Architects to Lumber Sales. We were able to introduce several new people to the LEED for Homes project and the affordable homes we toured sent the right message... It doesn't have to cost a lot of GOLD to go GREEN!! It is ...

I had a wonderful thing happen to me this year. I was hired as adjunct faculty by the forward thinking Grand Rapids Community College to teach Wind Energy Technology. I am always looking to broaden my horizons...and this experience has broadened my horizons far more than I thought possible.   Fir...

Imagine a house…with all the modern conveniences… computers, coffee pots, heat, computers, indoor cook stoves…even IOL (instant on lighting! I think that came from a Dudley Moore movie!) Did I say computers? Just think of all those things we have become so fond of…modern comforts… Now imagine tha...

Sorry, folks, for the late notice but it was brought to my attention tonight by one of my favorite technology news publications in Michigan that the Nomination Deadline for Michigan's Going Green Awards is tomorrow, November 6, 2009. Self nominations are accepted.... This annual program hosted b...

The age old question...              Heredity or Environment? Were you born a tree hugger?                           or did you just turn out that way?   From the looks of this photo...I would say I had a little influence! Ya gotta love those slacks! I told my sister they must've been hand-me-dow...

ABC's 20/20 has been doing a series on the "New Normal." In the feature this past Friday New Normal: Workers Learn New Skills ABC introduced to the nation two gentlemen who I have been fortunate enough to come to know during the past year and hold in high regard. Mike Hess and John Holcomb.   A s...

Two Michigan sisters are beaming when they tell people they are on the “family plan” with CBS.           From Hastings to Harrison, Gloria and Janie are showing their commitment to the environment through energy saving measures and power production.                                                ...

I had an interesting conversation today with a local stock broker. During our discussion I mentioned fuel poverty. He stopped me mid-sentence.... "What is that?" he asked. What is what? I said. What is fuel poverty? What is your definition of Fuel Poverty?" he asked. I thought everyone had heard ...

  I've talked to a lot of realtors who don't understand how the stimulus can benefit their business...I'm sure you have heard the phrase, "What comes around, goes around." This phrase really jumped out at me when I read Ryan's blog about the stimulus package, which, by the way, we are all paying ...

When I read this title I raised my hand and said, "Me! Pick me!" These are great ideas! Steve gets right down to the heart of things and I can't wait to spend time on the Cultural Creatives website!! What are Cultural Creatives??? Read on...Steve explains it well! Are you one? Who really WANTS to...