Tenpa Dorjee isn't seeking to raise money for strangers with his
charity project in Laguna Beach. The Indian monastery that will benefit
from the campaign has a human face attached to it — one that Dorjee
believes he's seen in multiple forms.
On April 18, the Laguna
Beach Film Society will screen the 2003 drama "Travellers and
Magicians," the first feature film shot in the Asian country of Bhutan.
Dorjee, the owner of Tibet Handicrafts in Laguna, is in charge of
selling 100 tickets for the show. All proceeds will go toward the
religious education of a boy who lives in Dorjee's home village, and
who, according to Dorjee, is believed to be the reincarnation of a
recently deceased Buddhist master.
Earlier this year, Dorjee's
grass-roots campaign, known as Sharing Light, raised $10,000 in Laguna
to fund solar lighting in the village. For the film society fundraiser,
the group has a much more specific goal.
"Any money we raise from
the movie, we want to put aside," said Dorjee, who lives in Anaheim and
opened his shop in Laguna in 2010.
Some of the "Travellers"
tickets are available in Tibet Handicrafts at 384 Forest Ave.; Dorjee
has put a poster and fliers around the store and informs customers when
they walk in. He'll have another opportunity before the screening to
give a plug: Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sharing Light will host a community
dinner nearby at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, which includes a
short presentation about the solar project.
Film society chair
George Weiss, who favors eclectic programs, chose "Travellers" in part
because he thought it might appeal to the local Buddhist crowd and in
part because it has a Southern California connection — cinematographer
Alan Kozlowski, a Santa Monica resident, will be in attendance at the
screening to introduce the film.
Adding a charity element to the event, Weiss said, was a bonus.
"I've
got 350 seats to fill," he said. "So I'm thinking, 'Why not have a
local organization sell tickets to these films if they can and raise
money for a good cause?'"
"Travellers," which won the Emerging
Director Award at the Asian American International Film Festival in
2004, tells the story of a young government official who dreams of
escaping his job in a remote rural village and seeking a headier life in
America. As he hitchhikes away, a yarn about another restless young man
told by a fellow traveler — a monk — leads the official to question the
wisdom of his trip.
According to Kozlowski, the making of the
film was a trek in itself: The filmmakers used aspiring Bhutanese
filmmakers as trainees, per the request of the country's royal family,
while director Khyentse Norbu often paused production for Buddhist
ceremonies. All the actors in the film were local non-professionals,
which led to a tricky situation at least once.
2013年4月11日星期四
2013年4月9日星期二
Audience joins Under the Streetlamp at Strathmore
Audiences at Strathmore will have a chance to revisit that simpler
time Saturday night when Under the Streetlamp performs in a
doo-wop-inspired concert.
Named for the spot where doo-wop singers in urban communities would gather to make music, Under the Streetlamp was formed in 2009. Cunio, Ingersoll, Jones and Wiley are all former members of the Chicago cast of the Broadway hit, “Jersey Boys.” After their respective shows wrapped, all four men wanted to continue singing the sounds of doo-wop, Motown and old time rock ‘n’ roll.
After starring in Chicago’s first national tour of the musical from 2006 to 2010, which reveals the story behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Ingersoll started performing a cabaret show on his own in the Chicagoland area. Soon, he convinced some of his fellow “Jersey Boys” alumnus to join him for a few numbers toward the end of his show.
“Eventually, the show was less about me and more about the four of us,” Ingersoll said.“ ... We became really great friends and we wanted to keep doing that,” added Wiley.
After gaining some exposure in the Chicago area and filming a PBS special which aired last year, Under the Streetlamp is now touring the country.
Though now out on their own, the guys of Under the Streetlamp all said they owe their success as a group to “Jersey Boys,” the show that gave them a start.
“My career can basically be defined pre-‘Jersey Boys’ and post-‘Jersey Boys,’” Ingersoll said. “It provided the foundation for the music ‘Streetlamp’ would make.”
While the music Streetlamp makes is certainly an ode to the era of doo-wop, it’s also heavily influenced by the diverse musical backgrounds of its four members.
“We all have these stories and these experiences ... because of those experiences, we’re able to pull songs from different things,” Wiley said. “We’re four completely different performers from completely different backgrounds ... I’ll always have to probably put my tap shoes on and do a number like that.”
Wiley grew up in Adrian, Mich., and said it was his father, a dancer, who first introduced him to old movie musicals.
“ ... We watched them together,” Wiley said. “While most fathers and sons were talking sports, my father and I were talking dance.”
Cunio’s early training was primarily in singing. The Seattle native was a member of the prestigious Northwest Boys Choir which he said is “responsible for handing [him] the keys to [his] career.”
“That’s where everything traces back to,” Cunio said. “That really not only instilled a deep love for music, but it was really all about the discipline.”
While musical training started early for both Wiley and Cunio, Ingersoll said it wasn’t until high school that he began doing musical theater.
“ ... I kind of came about this late,” Ingersoll said. “[I] got into theater and choir late in my high school career.”
Unlike his band mates who all grew up in the Midwest, Jones was born and raised in Hawaii. Growing up, the Northwestern University graduate also had quite an eclectic taste in music.
“I remember growing up listening to Aretha Franklin and the soundtrack to ‘Camelot’ back to back,” Jones said.
Each member of Under the Streetlamp may hail from very different musical backgrounds, but one thing all four men had in common was the important role community played in their introduction to the arts.
Named for the spot where doo-wop singers in urban communities would gather to make music, Under the Streetlamp was formed in 2009. Cunio, Ingersoll, Jones and Wiley are all former members of the Chicago cast of the Broadway hit, “Jersey Boys.” After their respective shows wrapped, all four men wanted to continue singing the sounds of doo-wop, Motown and old time rock ‘n’ roll.
After starring in Chicago’s first national tour of the musical from 2006 to 2010, which reveals the story behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Ingersoll started performing a cabaret show on his own in the Chicagoland area. Soon, he convinced some of his fellow “Jersey Boys” alumnus to join him for a few numbers toward the end of his show.
“Eventually, the show was less about me and more about the four of us,” Ingersoll said.“ ... We became really great friends and we wanted to keep doing that,” added Wiley.
After gaining some exposure in the Chicago area and filming a PBS special which aired last year, Under the Streetlamp is now touring the country.
Though now out on their own, the guys of Under the Streetlamp all said they owe their success as a group to “Jersey Boys,” the show that gave them a start.
“My career can basically be defined pre-‘Jersey Boys’ and post-‘Jersey Boys,’” Ingersoll said. “It provided the foundation for the music ‘Streetlamp’ would make.”
While the music Streetlamp makes is certainly an ode to the era of doo-wop, it’s also heavily influenced by the diverse musical backgrounds of its four members.
“We all have these stories and these experiences ... because of those experiences, we’re able to pull songs from different things,” Wiley said. “We’re four completely different performers from completely different backgrounds ... I’ll always have to probably put my tap shoes on and do a number like that.”
Wiley grew up in Adrian, Mich., and said it was his father, a dancer, who first introduced him to old movie musicals.
“ ... We watched them together,” Wiley said. “While most fathers and sons were talking sports, my father and I were talking dance.”
Cunio’s early training was primarily in singing. The Seattle native was a member of the prestigious Northwest Boys Choir which he said is “responsible for handing [him] the keys to [his] career.”
“That’s where everything traces back to,” Cunio said. “That really not only instilled a deep love for music, but it was really all about the discipline.”
While musical training started early for both Wiley and Cunio, Ingersoll said it wasn’t until high school that he began doing musical theater.
“ ... I kind of came about this late,” Ingersoll said. “[I] got into theater and choir late in my high school career.”
Unlike his band mates who all grew up in the Midwest, Jones was born and raised in Hawaii. Growing up, the Northwestern University graduate also had quite an eclectic taste in music.
“I remember growing up listening to Aretha Franklin and the soundtrack to ‘Camelot’ back to back,” Jones said.
Each member of Under the Streetlamp may hail from very different musical backgrounds, but one thing all four men had in common was the important role community played in their introduction to the arts.
2013年4月8日星期一
B/E Aerospace Announces First Lavatory Retrofit Award
B/E Aerospace, the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin
interior products and the world's leading distributor of aerospace
fasteners and consumables, today announced that one of its airline
customers plans to retrofit its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft with B/E
Aerospace modular lavatories. The airline also plans to retrofit its
entire fleet of 737 aircraft, with B/E Aerospace Aircraft Ecosystems
vacuum toilets, and eventually to upgrade the cabins of its 737 fleet
with B/E Aerospace LED lighting systems.
Through a combination of seat pitch adjustments, installation of B/E Aerospace lavatories, toilets and LED lighting, the airline plans to upgrade the interiors of its existing 737 fleet to more closely approximate the appearance and economics of their new to be delivered 737's which will have both the B/E Aerospace modular lavatories and toilets as well as B/E Aerospace LED lighting systems. The lavatories incorporate patent pending, Spacewall technology, which frees up floor space in the cabin, creating the opportunity to add up to six incremental passenger seats per aircraft. The B/E Aerospace lightweight LED lighting system which features adjustable lighting with full spectrum color capabilities, provides superior cabin ambiance and unprecedented lighting control.
"We are very pleased to announce our first 737 retrofit award for our modular lavatory systems. The B/E Aerospace lavatory is being developed in close coordination with Boeing and will become standard equipment for their new 737's. Boeing believes that the B/E Aerospace lavatory provides significant advantages to the interior of the 737 aircraft. Our lavatory has an improved look and feel, provides more useable space, and is more comfortable for passengers. In addition, through the design of the lavatory interior and antimicrobial coatings on the interior surfaces, the lavatory is cleaner and more hygienic. We expect to begin delivering certified lavatories to Boeing in the second half of this year," stated Amin J. Khoury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B/E Aerospace.
"We look forward to working with our airline partners on retrofitting their 737 fleets with multiple B/E Aerospace products. These awards specifically underscore our reputation for innovation driven by our successful R&D programs," continued Mr. Khoury.
Certain portions of the retrofit program are firm while other portions are under options. The first retrofit modular lavatories are expected to be delivered before the end of 2014. However, in addition to the modular lavatory and lighting retrofits, the airline has already begun retrofitting all of the airline's 737 aircraft with B/E Aerospace composite Aircraft Ecosystems vacuum toilets which are more hygienic, lighter weight, and require less maintenance than comparable toilets.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual experience and results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which include its Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
For more information, see the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by federal securities laws and rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Through a combination of seat pitch adjustments, installation of B/E Aerospace lavatories, toilets and LED lighting, the airline plans to upgrade the interiors of its existing 737 fleet to more closely approximate the appearance and economics of their new to be delivered 737's which will have both the B/E Aerospace modular lavatories and toilets as well as B/E Aerospace LED lighting systems. The lavatories incorporate patent pending, Spacewall technology, which frees up floor space in the cabin, creating the opportunity to add up to six incremental passenger seats per aircraft. The B/E Aerospace lightweight LED lighting system which features adjustable lighting with full spectrum color capabilities, provides superior cabin ambiance and unprecedented lighting control.
"We are very pleased to announce our first 737 retrofit award for our modular lavatory systems. The B/E Aerospace lavatory is being developed in close coordination with Boeing and will become standard equipment for their new 737's. Boeing believes that the B/E Aerospace lavatory provides significant advantages to the interior of the 737 aircraft. Our lavatory has an improved look and feel, provides more useable space, and is more comfortable for passengers. In addition, through the design of the lavatory interior and antimicrobial coatings on the interior surfaces, the lavatory is cleaner and more hygienic. We expect to begin delivering certified lavatories to Boeing in the second half of this year," stated Amin J. Khoury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B/E Aerospace.
"We look forward to working with our airline partners on retrofitting their 737 fleets with multiple B/E Aerospace products. These awards specifically underscore our reputation for innovation driven by our successful R&D programs," continued Mr. Khoury.
Certain portions of the retrofit program are firm while other portions are under options. The first retrofit modular lavatories are expected to be delivered before the end of 2014. However, in addition to the modular lavatory and lighting retrofits, the airline has already begun retrofitting all of the airline's 737 aircraft with B/E Aerospace composite Aircraft Ecosystems vacuum toilets which are more hygienic, lighter weight, and require less maintenance than comparable toilets.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual experience and results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which include its Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
For more information, see the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by federal securities laws and rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
2013年4月7日星期日
Wawasee Assessing Energy Cost Savings
The bottom line is when a school corporation can save on energy costs, it frees up money that can be used elsewhere.
Especially the last few years, budgets for the Wawasee Community School Corp. have either shrunk or shown very little increase. This has created an urgent need to look for ways to reduce energy costs.
The school corporation has already utilized the services of Performance Services of Indianapolis to implement several energy saving measures throughout the corporation – physically and behaviorally — and recently took another step to reduce energy consumption.
Last week, representatives of Energizing Indiana, as well as NIPSCO, toured Wawasee Middle School to do a thorough energy assessment of the entire building. Joining them and all with WCSC were Bob Lahrman, director of support services; Randy Johnson, energy management supervisor; and Brian Taylor, director of facilities and maintenance.
Energizing Indiana is a united effort by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, participating utilities and consumer organizations to offer comprehensive energy efficiency programs that bring savings to communities statewide. NIPSCO, in partnership with Energizing Indiana, offers a school audit and direct install program.
Schools can submit an application to participate in the program. WMS, originally built in the late 1980s and more than 20 years old, qualified. Last year, after considering having a geothermal system installed at WMS, the school board voted against it.
Doug Munz and Seth Little of Energizing Indiana were assisted by Chris Pieri, school account representative of NIPSCO, for the energy assessment of WMS. For the last several years, many energy saving measures have been implemented at WMS including, among many others, replacing existing hot water heaters with energy efficient ones, installing carbon dioxide sensors in the large areas and replacing most heating coils in existing air handlers.
This summer, an energy management system will be installed to control exhaust fans, motion sensors for hallway lighting will be installed and the air compressor will be removed from the boiler room.
School building energy assessments include, but are not necessarily limited to, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting, kitchen appliances, insulation levels and other building systems. Munz, Little and Pieri noted they were positively impressed by all the energy saving measures already in place, but typically even more can be done. A detailed report will be submitted to the school corporation within the next couple of weeks.
Part of the school energy savings program includes Energizing Indiana installing energy efficient products to include vending machine controllers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, occupancy sensing power strips, lighting occupancy sensors and LED exit signs. Noting most exit signs are already LED at WMS, Little suggested focusing on the vending machines and occupancy sensors, which was agreed upon. The energy saving products are scheduled to be installed Wednesday, Little added.
Especially the last few years, budgets for the Wawasee Community School Corp. have either shrunk or shown very little increase. This has created an urgent need to look for ways to reduce energy costs.
The school corporation has already utilized the services of Performance Services of Indianapolis to implement several energy saving measures throughout the corporation – physically and behaviorally — and recently took another step to reduce energy consumption.
Last week, representatives of Energizing Indiana, as well as NIPSCO, toured Wawasee Middle School to do a thorough energy assessment of the entire building. Joining them and all with WCSC were Bob Lahrman, director of support services; Randy Johnson, energy management supervisor; and Brian Taylor, director of facilities and maintenance.
Energizing Indiana is a united effort by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, participating utilities and consumer organizations to offer comprehensive energy efficiency programs that bring savings to communities statewide. NIPSCO, in partnership with Energizing Indiana, offers a school audit and direct install program.
Schools can submit an application to participate in the program. WMS, originally built in the late 1980s and more than 20 years old, qualified. Last year, after considering having a geothermal system installed at WMS, the school board voted against it.
Doug Munz and Seth Little of Energizing Indiana were assisted by Chris Pieri, school account representative of NIPSCO, for the energy assessment of WMS. For the last several years, many energy saving measures have been implemented at WMS including, among many others, replacing existing hot water heaters with energy efficient ones, installing carbon dioxide sensors in the large areas and replacing most heating coils in existing air handlers.
This summer, an energy management system will be installed to control exhaust fans, motion sensors for hallway lighting will be installed and the air compressor will be removed from the boiler room.
School building energy assessments include, but are not necessarily limited to, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting, kitchen appliances, insulation levels and other building systems. Munz, Little and Pieri noted they were positively impressed by all the energy saving measures already in place, but typically even more can be done. A detailed report will be submitted to the school corporation within the next couple of weeks.
Part of the school energy savings program includes Energizing Indiana installing energy efficient products to include vending machine controllers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, occupancy sensing power strips, lighting occupancy sensors and LED exit signs. Noting most exit signs are already LED at WMS, Little suggested focusing on the vending machines and occupancy sensors, which was agreed upon. The energy saving products are scheduled to be installed Wednesday, Little added.
2013年4月6日星期六
Edmonds church says care for creation its duty
When Edmonds United Methodist Church needed a new furnace a few years ago, the church leadership didn't just go out and buy a newer version of the one they already had.
They put together a committee, hired a consultant, researched the topic and bought a boiler that's using less energy and saving $6,000 per year in heating costs over the old model.
The church again saved by replacing all the old lighting in its building at 828 Caspers St. with newer, more energy-efficient LED bulbs.
While these projects saved money for the church, the real inspiration behind them is one Edmonds United Methodist shares with a growing number of churches nationwide: combining their Christian faith with concern for the environment.
There's even a name for it: "creation care."
"Part of our faith is the sacredness of creation and the stewardship of creation that's entrusted to us," said the Rev. Kathlyn James, senior pastor at Edmonds United Methodist. "I feel like caring for the Earth is a huge part of our trust that needs to be recovered in our time."
The church marks Earth Day with an annual "Earth Sunday" that includes an environmentally related service along with booths and other activities.
This year's program is Sunday. Earth Day is traditionally observed on April 22, but Edmonds United Methodist celebrates it each year on the Sunday after Easter.
The featured speaker is Kurt Hoelting, who will discuss his year of traveling only by foot, bicycle, kayak, and public transportation within 100 kilometers -- 62 miles -- of his Whidbey Island home. He wrote a book about his experiences titled "The Circumference of Home: One Man's Yearlong Quest For A Radically Local Life." Services are scheduled for 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Edmonds United Methodist is one of 60 churches to be certified as a "Greening Congregation" by Earth Ministry of Seattle, a nonprofit group that works with churches on environmental stewardship.
To achieve the certification, the congregation must include creation care in its mission statement and submit an annual plan to Earth Ministry for how the mission will be accomplished.
"Then we support them in terms of resources, education and political advocacy," said Jessie Dye, program and outreach director for Earth Ministry.
Nationally, several Christian and interfaith organizations have formed around environmental issues. "It is a dramatic movement," Dye said.
Earth Ministry doesn't shy away from the political end of environmental issues. For instance, it's chimed in against the proposed Gateway Pacific terminal near Bellingham that would export coal to Asia. Earth Ministry staff plan to fly to Washington, D.C., this week to lobby on the issue, Dye said.
She understands that some congregations get nervous about politics.
"Many people are uncomfortable starting with political issues but understand they need to take care of their own home and own church and own neighborhood," she said. "We meet people where they are. If they want to start by recycling, that's wonderful. Recycling is an act of worship."
They put together a committee, hired a consultant, researched the topic and bought a boiler that's using less energy and saving $6,000 per year in heating costs over the old model.
The church again saved by replacing all the old lighting in its building at 828 Caspers St. with newer, more energy-efficient LED bulbs.
While these projects saved money for the church, the real inspiration behind them is one Edmonds United Methodist shares with a growing number of churches nationwide: combining their Christian faith with concern for the environment.
There's even a name for it: "creation care."
"Part of our faith is the sacredness of creation and the stewardship of creation that's entrusted to us," said the Rev. Kathlyn James, senior pastor at Edmonds United Methodist. "I feel like caring for the Earth is a huge part of our trust that needs to be recovered in our time."
The church marks Earth Day with an annual "Earth Sunday" that includes an environmentally related service along with booths and other activities.
This year's program is Sunday. Earth Day is traditionally observed on April 22, but Edmonds United Methodist celebrates it each year on the Sunday after Easter.
The featured speaker is Kurt Hoelting, who will discuss his year of traveling only by foot, bicycle, kayak, and public transportation within 100 kilometers -- 62 miles -- of his Whidbey Island home. He wrote a book about his experiences titled "The Circumference of Home: One Man's Yearlong Quest For A Radically Local Life." Services are scheduled for 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Edmonds United Methodist is one of 60 churches to be certified as a "Greening Congregation" by Earth Ministry of Seattle, a nonprofit group that works with churches on environmental stewardship.
To achieve the certification, the congregation must include creation care in its mission statement and submit an annual plan to Earth Ministry for how the mission will be accomplished.
"Then we support them in terms of resources, education and political advocacy," said Jessie Dye, program and outreach director for Earth Ministry.
Nationally, several Christian and interfaith organizations have formed around environmental issues. "It is a dramatic movement," Dye said.
Earth Ministry doesn't shy away from the political end of environmental issues. For instance, it's chimed in against the proposed Gateway Pacific terminal near Bellingham that would export coal to Asia. Earth Ministry staff plan to fly to Washington, D.C., this week to lobby on the issue, Dye said.
She understands that some congregations get nervous about politics.
"Many people are uncomfortable starting with political issues but understand they need to take care of their own home and own church and own neighborhood," she said. "We meet people where they are. If they want to start by recycling, that's wonderful. Recycling is an act of worship."
2013年4月2日星期二
San Jose has the tools to bring back manufacturing
After the recent demolition of the San Jose Medical Center, only a rickety, abandoned warehouse remains on the site along St. John Street. This unlikely monument to tech manufacturing once housed IBM's first West Coast operations in 1946, ushering in an era of rapidly rising living standards for thousands of blue-collar workers throughout Silicon Valley.
The valley's most recent resurgence, however, appears as troubling as it is impressive. It has exposed wide disparities in opportunity. High-skilled engineers and professionals prosper, yet San Jose's unemployment rate still exceeds 8 percent.
Many hope that a nascent "re-shoring" trend in manufacturing -- spurred by rising wages and fuel prices in Asia -- will bring jobs that will boost the fortunes of thousands of still-struggling U.S. families. Yet few expect manufacturers to flock to high-cost cities like San Jose to mass-produce cheap, simple widgets.
Rather, San Jose must exploit its advantages in high-value-added manufacturing. Local manufacturers like Solar Junction, which makes the world's most efficient concentrated photovoltaic cells, excel by marrying innovative technologies with the region's exceptional educational and business ecosystem. This enables companies to move rapidly from prototype to product.
How can San Jose ride this wave of re-shoring to more manufacturing jobs? By focusing on three essentials: sites, skills and sales.
Manufacturers need industrial sites, which are increasingly scarce. Over decades, San Jose has converted thousands of acres of industrial land to housing. The recent revision of the city's General Plan instead provides for housing through denser residential growth along transit corridors. City officials must resist the powerful political and economic forces that eroded similarly well-intentioned general plans in the past.
Recent arrivals in San Jose such as Bestronics, Vitron and Zoll want to locate manufacturing operations near design, research and engineering to hasten the feedback loop that spurs innovation. City Hall can help by providing spaces for demonstration and testing of early-stage technologies.
Within months, ProspeCT SV will launch, transforming a city-owned warehouse into manufacturing, laboratory and office space for cleantech manufacturers to develop prototypes. Unlike past RDA-funded incubators, sophisticated partners like Applied Materials and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will drive this effort.
The city also can expand the use of its streetscapes and buildings as public laboratories to demonstrate local manufacturers' prototypes, as Transportation Director Hans Larsen has pioneered with LED smart-lights, low-emissions concrete and electric car-charging stations.
Finally, San Jose must sell itself as the prime location for tech manufacturing. Let's tell any manufacturer that its plant will get permits within 45 days or we'll refund the fees. Let's build bridges to other dynamic economies by partnering with local organizations like The Indus Enterprises, SVG Accelerator and China SV, and let's promote visa programs to attract foreign investment. Let's enlist our tech executives to sell their peers on San Jose's advantages, such as the tax-favored status of manufacturers located within our Enterprise Zone and Foreign Trade Zone.
The valley's most recent resurgence, however, appears as troubling as it is impressive. It has exposed wide disparities in opportunity. High-skilled engineers and professionals prosper, yet San Jose's unemployment rate still exceeds 8 percent.
Many hope that a nascent "re-shoring" trend in manufacturing -- spurred by rising wages and fuel prices in Asia -- will bring jobs that will boost the fortunes of thousands of still-struggling U.S. families. Yet few expect manufacturers to flock to high-cost cities like San Jose to mass-produce cheap, simple widgets.
Rather, San Jose must exploit its advantages in high-value-added manufacturing. Local manufacturers like Solar Junction, which makes the world's most efficient concentrated photovoltaic cells, excel by marrying innovative technologies with the region's exceptional educational and business ecosystem. This enables companies to move rapidly from prototype to product.
How can San Jose ride this wave of re-shoring to more manufacturing jobs? By focusing on three essentials: sites, skills and sales.
Manufacturers need industrial sites, which are increasingly scarce. Over decades, San Jose has converted thousands of acres of industrial land to housing. The recent revision of the city's General Plan instead provides for housing through denser residential growth along transit corridors. City officials must resist the powerful political and economic forces that eroded similarly well-intentioned general plans in the past.
Recent arrivals in San Jose such as Bestronics, Vitron and Zoll want to locate manufacturing operations near design, research and engineering to hasten the feedback loop that spurs innovation. City Hall can help by providing spaces for demonstration and testing of early-stage technologies.
Within months, ProspeCT SV will launch, transforming a city-owned warehouse into manufacturing, laboratory and office space for cleantech manufacturers to develop prototypes. Unlike past RDA-funded incubators, sophisticated partners like Applied Materials and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will drive this effort.
The city also can expand the use of its streetscapes and buildings as public laboratories to demonstrate local manufacturers' prototypes, as Transportation Director Hans Larsen has pioneered with LED smart-lights, low-emissions concrete and electric car-charging stations.
Finally, San Jose must sell itself as the prime location for tech manufacturing. Let's tell any manufacturer that its plant will get permits within 45 days or we'll refund the fees. Let's build bridges to other dynamic economies by partnering with local organizations like The Indus Enterprises, SVG Accelerator and China SV, and let's promote visa programs to attract foreign investment. Let's enlist our tech executives to sell their peers on San Jose's advantages, such as the tax-favored status of manufacturers located within our Enterprise Zone and Foreign Trade Zone.
2013年4月1日星期一
Saving millions
It employs five acres of photovoltaic solar panels to generate one megawatt (MW) of electricity to power its 125 acres of tomato-growing greenhouses.
The company captures and reuses rainwater and water run-off using a four-acre reservoir equipped with filtration technology, while computer-monitored drip irrigation ensures that water and fertilisers are used as efficiently as possible in the production of its hydroponically grown tomatoes. Any excess water is also treated and recycled.
The company estimates that this method of production uses about a sixth of the water and one 10th of the land typically needed to produce the same amount of product via traditional agricultural practices.
But "clean tech" costs have fallen dramatically. For example, installing photovoltaic solar panels costs half what it did three years ago, while improvements in energy-efficient lighting mean businesses can now save millions on their electricity bills.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology has been around since the 1960s, but it has advanced so far that the latest units now use less than half the wattage of the high-pressure sodium and mercury vapour bulbs traditionally used in industrial locations, while also providing brighter illumination and lasting for up to 10 years.
Dialight, a British company that specialises in LED lighting for large industry and public sector clients around the world, reckons upgrading from old-school to clean tech lighting can save businesses 50% on their lighting electricity costs and recoup the capital outlay within three years.
Geoff Smyth, head of technology and delivery for the Carbon Trust, agrees, saying: "Lighting accounts for 20% to 50% of total energy consumed in commercial buildings, and a lot of the time the lights don't even need to be on.
"With these breakthroughs in LED and lighting management technology, businesses can achieve energy savings of 70% to 80% and see a payback on their investment within two or three years."
For example, one small hotel upgrading 80 lights to LEDs spent 22,000 on the project, says Smyth, but is now achieving annual savings of 6,600 on its energy bill.
Ron Pernick, managing director of Clean Edge, a US-based clean tech research and advisory company, says: "Innovations in visualising energy efficiency, paired with big data, are already having a significant impact on energy usage. Efficiency continues to be the low-hanging fruit for most companies and governments."
For example, C3 Energy, a "big data" analytics specialist, provides software and monitoring systems that can show large and small businesses how much energy they are using and on what processes, then compare these with buildings and businesses in the same area.
As the software builds up a detailed profile of the business, it can then suggest ways energy consumption can be reduced, such as by upgrading equipment
Similarly, Wireless Energy Management Systems (WEMS), whose clients include Marks & Spencer, BT and Boots, provide a range of wireless sensors and controllers that can monitor and adjust a building's entire energy usage, reducing lighting and temperature levels if it is bright and warm outside, for example.
The company captures and reuses rainwater and water run-off using a four-acre reservoir equipped with filtration technology, while computer-monitored drip irrigation ensures that water and fertilisers are used as efficiently as possible in the production of its hydroponically grown tomatoes. Any excess water is also treated and recycled.
The company estimates that this method of production uses about a sixth of the water and one 10th of the land typically needed to produce the same amount of product via traditional agricultural practices.
But "clean tech" costs have fallen dramatically. For example, installing photovoltaic solar panels costs half what it did three years ago, while improvements in energy-efficient lighting mean businesses can now save millions on their electricity bills.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology has been around since the 1960s, but it has advanced so far that the latest units now use less than half the wattage of the high-pressure sodium and mercury vapour bulbs traditionally used in industrial locations, while also providing brighter illumination and lasting for up to 10 years.
Dialight, a British company that specialises in LED lighting for large industry and public sector clients around the world, reckons upgrading from old-school to clean tech lighting can save businesses 50% on their lighting electricity costs and recoup the capital outlay within three years.
Geoff Smyth, head of technology and delivery for the Carbon Trust, agrees, saying: "Lighting accounts for 20% to 50% of total energy consumed in commercial buildings, and a lot of the time the lights don't even need to be on.
"With these breakthroughs in LED and lighting management technology, businesses can achieve energy savings of 70% to 80% and see a payback on their investment within two or three years."
For example, one small hotel upgrading 80 lights to LEDs spent 22,000 on the project, says Smyth, but is now achieving annual savings of 6,600 on its energy bill.
Ron Pernick, managing director of Clean Edge, a US-based clean tech research and advisory company, says: "Innovations in visualising energy efficiency, paired with big data, are already having a significant impact on energy usage. Efficiency continues to be the low-hanging fruit for most companies and governments."
For example, C3 Energy, a "big data" analytics specialist, provides software and monitoring systems that can show large and small businesses how much energy they are using and on what processes, then compare these with buildings and businesses in the same area.
As the software builds up a detailed profile of the business, it can then suggest ways energy consumption can be reduced, such as by upgrading equipment
Similarly, Wireless Energy Management Systems (WEMS), whose clients include Marks & Spencer, BT and Boots, provide a range of wireless sensors and controllers that can monitor and adjust a building's entire energy usage, reducing lighting and temperature levels if it is bright and warm outside, for example.
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