EMC plans to build a coal-fired plant

MARIETTA — Cobb EMC’s board of directors voted Monday to stop financing its share in a consortium intending to build a huge coal-fired power plant known as Plant Washington. 

The vote came as little surprise, as just before Christmas, Cobb EMC began seeking bids for its future power supplies, and CEO Chip Nelson confirmed to the Journal two weeks ago that the nonprofit electric cooperative was losing interest in building the 850-megawatt plant in Sandersville. 

“Going forward, we will continue to work together to provide the most reliable supply of electric energy at the most reasonable cost to our members,” Nelson said in a news release issued Tuesday evening. “The power supply contracts we are pursuing for 2016-2021 will assure that for the near future.”

A consortium of five EMCs in Georgia, under the name Power 4 Georgians, has been working for the last several years on getting permits for the plant. Cobb EMC has already put in $13.5 million toward the plans, and its 2012 contribution was to be about $1.7 million more. 

The utility may be able to recoup some of its costs if it can sell its share of the plant, though environmentalists and other critics say the costs of building new coal plants is too high. 

Interestingly, the news release announcing the vote notes that “a majority of the board voted” to end the funding, but did not specify what the actual vote was or who made the motion. The board has 10 seats, though one seat is currently vacant after the end-of-year resignation of longtime member Sarah Brown. That indicates that at least five of the board members voted against the project. Four new members were elected to the board last November, including David Tennant, who has a background in power generation.

The possibility of new federal environmental regulations also made the costs unclear, according to the news release. Earlier this month, Sam Kelly, a Cobb EMC vice president, admitted the utility has never done a pro forma cost estimate on Plant Washington, which supporters estimated would cost $2 billion to build.

Mark Hackett, a Cobb EMC customer who also made a career in the power-generation industry, said the vote is “a victory for all Cobb EMC customers.”

“They were just about to go down this path that just didn’t make any doggone sense. I’ve been doing this a long time and this was a very bad idea foisted on some people that really weren’t watching the ball, or didn’t have the skills to recognize a very bad decision when it was looking them straight in the face.”

Dean Alford, the spokesman for Power 4 Georgians, previously told the Journal he would make his case for continued funding of Plant Washington to the Cobb EMC board on Tuesday. Alford is the CEO of Allied Energy Services, which previously was a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC’s for-profit spin-off Cobb Energy. Allied Energy Services recived a no-bid contract to develop Plant Washington. 

As for the $13.5 million Cobb EMC has already shelled out for Plant Washington, Hackett offered this perspective: 

“At 200,000 members, that’s about $65 per member they’ve spent on this plant. Take $2 billion (the estimated cost of Plant Washington) and divide it by 200,000 members, and it’s a completely different story. That’s $20,000 a member,” he said. “We got soaked for $65 a member, but we just saved $20,000 per member — though Cobb EMC wasn’t the only partner in this. But even so, it could have still cost at least $10,000 per Cobb EMC member. This could have been an even bigger fiasco. If you want Plant Washington, get out your checkbook.” 

Activist groups were also elated at the news. 

Joel Mendelson, of Take Back Cobb EMC, said in a statement: “We’re pleased that the board, with the leadership of its newest members, has helped cut an albatross from the neck of Cobb EMC members, by eliminating funding to Plant Washington. We believe the plant was nothing more than a pet project for a handful of Dwight Brown’s friends to gain while hard-working EMC members would see their electricity skyrocket.” 

Seth Gunning, an organizer with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign and who also is a Cobb EMC customer, said: “The directors did the right thing today. Funding this project was an expensive mistake for EMC members. We are thrilled that the Board made this smart, honorable decision, and all EMC members and Georgia residents will reap the benefits.”

Snapping Shoals, Central Georgia and Washington EMCs are the other partners in Power 4 Georgians consortium which had also proposed to build a second large coal-fired plant in south Georgia to be called Plant Ben Hill.


Marietta Home Sale 

Learn Everything About Whirpool Laundry Center

Model #LTE5243DQ6, this laundry center with the washer on the bottom and dryer on top is a favorite of apartment and condo complexes everywhere because they can fit into very small working spaces. The washer on this machine was operational, but when the tenant would use it, the tub would bang against the side of the cabinet and make an awful sound. When the wash was complete, the tub seemed to be leaning to one side, which the maintenance person figured was the problem. Being a busy guy with other things to do around the complex, he gave me a call to get this fixed and clear one more of his repair orders.

The laundry center can pack allot into a small 24 inch space and they really do work well given their size and capacity. They work off the direct drive platform of the larger Whirlpool washers and share many of the same washer parts, while the dryer portion is also quite similar to it's larger relative. There are some significant differences, however that need to be known when looking at these units, or you may find yourself ordering parts that either don't fit, or don't even exist on this model. The most significant of these is the suspension system which is far removed from the larger direct drive models.

A leaning tub on a larger model is usually an indication of a broken centering spring, but the tub can still be centered simply by moving it over with your hand. On the laundry centers, the entire base assembly has be replaced with three rather beefy looking springs that hold the entire tub, and drive system in place. If one of these springs breaks, or breaks loose from the base of the washer, the results will be an off center tub, and lots of noise during operation.

When I first looked at the washer, the tub was leaning to the right rear of the unit which tells me at least one of the springs is no longer working properly. Once the top and front panels were removed, I could get a look at the springs and found one had started to work itself apart causing the obvious tilt of the tub. Further investigation found the bottom half of the spring that threads into the base had stripped the threads from the base screw and was no longer holding on. The condition of the right rear spring wasn't much better so a new spring kit was in order for this washer.


The spring kit consists of three new springs, some screws, a tube of locktite(tm) and instruction to make everything better. The new springs look just like the originals, with the addition of a screw in the side of the upper half to prevent it from coming loose from the bottom half. It doesn't seem very likely, but these washers tend to see a little more abuse than the average laundry appliance, and it's usually in the form of overloading. This little washer doesn't hold much given it's size and when overloaded, is subjected to more wear and tear then it was really designed for. This makes the washer work harder, and puts more force on the drive and suspension components making them start to come apart. With this new screw, the two halves cannot split in two as easily and should help prevent further damages as a result.

With the base removed from the washer section for easier access, I replaced each spring one at a time starting by removing the top nuts, then turning the threaded spring base off the machine base. One was stripped out as I mentioned earlier, but a good fix is to use a 1/2 inch nut under the base to hold it together. Much better than trying to replace the entire thing. With all three springs replaced, I put it all back together and now the tub sits right in the middle again. And after a little information to the tenant about how to prevent this and get better use out of the machine, I was off to another call.


Source: Technician Brian 

How to Deal with Frigidaire Dispenser Light Problems

Model #GLRS234ZAW2, this side by side refrigerator had been doing it's things for several years now, but some time ago it developed an unusual little problem. It seems that when the freezer door was closed, the dispenser light would turn on, requiring the light button to be pressed to turn it off. And along with that, sometimes the cubed and crushed indicator lights would be on at the same time after the door was closed. Not the end of the world, but after a few years, the cover over the light button broke free and now that the house is for sale, it was time to see about getting this one fixed.

When diagnosing dispenser issues, we often don't need to look any further than the dispenser itself. Many have their own logic boards built right into the housing to control the various functions of the dispenser. These boards will take input from the each of the push buttons and actuator arms, then send the appropriate output to such things as the ice auger and water valves. It is important that the units wiring diagram be consulted before doing electrical checks because many are not communicating with another board somewhere else in the appliance. This means we won't always find voltages we would have expected from similar refrigerators just a few years ago. 

The dispenser problem on this unit is actually a known issue that dates back to 2002, and has to do with a bug in the programing of the original board. From time to time, little problems like these come to the attention of the manufacturers and new part numbers get substituted for the originals. So the repair on this refrigerator was nothing more than replacing the dispenser control board located directly to the dispenser face panel. Not to be confused with the dispenser power board mounted just above the dispenser levers. That board has 120 volts AC going to it while the board we are changing is all low voltage.


With the dispenser face free, after removing three screws, the board can be freed from the panel once the four small screws are removed. I installed the new board and connected the wiring harness back into the connector, which does not have a keeper by the way so it can come loose easily. I then mounted the panel back onto the door with the appropriate screws. 

Because of the years of pressing the light button has resulted in the little bubble that forms the button falling off, the customer was also in need of a new dispenser face. Most Frigidaire's, this one is no exception, the part that makes up the face is actually an applied decal made of a Mylar type of material. This usually keeps the cost down, but unfortunately, this part is no longer available and there was no substitution part listed. And only 8 years old. What are the odds. The good news was I was able to track down a suitable used replacement part that helped bring some curb appeal back to this refrigerator and possibly help with the sale of the house. 

Presented by - All Tech Appliance Service, your Portland Oregon appliance repair company. We service many brands of refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, freezers, ovens and microwaves including popular brands like Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, Frigidaire, Amana, GE, Jenn Air, Ikea, Sears, Estate, Roper, Electrolux, KitchenAid, Fisher & Paykel and more. We also provide preventative appliance maintenance, dryer vent cleaning, replacement appliance installation, and property management appliance service. Visit us online at www.AllTechAppliance.com. 

Sourced: Technicianbrian.com 

Values of Sears on Flooring Services

Choose from a variety of flooring options, from hardwood flooring to environmentally friendly carpet manufactured from recycled plastic bottles and everything in between, plus:

• Many carpet materials, colors, and patterns by Mohawk.
• A selection of Mohawk carpets are treated with Scotchgard Advance Repel technology, the market leader in soil and stain protection.
• Tile floor installation and laminate floor installation, which simulates stone or ceramic tile and are available in a variety of colors.
• Premium quality hardwood flooring installation with a selection of natural colors.
• Highly trained, reliable flooring contractors dedicated to your complete satisfaction.
• Flexible financing††† and satisfaction guaranteed^.
• Manufacturer's limited warranties††.

Sears Home Services 

Martin Luther King III Steps Down From His Position at the Atlanta Center

ATLANTA — The eldest son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. announced Tuesday he is resigning as president of the Atlanta center that honors his father's civil rights legacy.

Martin Luther King III broke the news in a statement a day after the holiday marking his father's birthday. Last week, his sister, the Rev. Bernice King, took over as chief executive officer — a role previously held by King III. Their brother, Dexter, remains chairman of the board of trustees. King III said he will remain active on the center's board, but plans to launch a new organization dedicated to the principles of nonviolence, social justice and human rights.

"For me, the state of the world and its radically shifting winds in the wrong moral direction, summons the words of my father," the statement reads. "I am responding to my father's words by renewing and expanding."

In 2006, King III started Realizing the Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to carrying on the unfinished work of his parents addressing war, poverty and racism, and promoting nonviolent conflict resolution. He was not immediately available for comment Tuesday on the status of that organization, or to elaborate on his reasons for leaving The King Center.

"While his decision does not reflect the wishes of the Board, we accept his resignation," The King Center said in a statement. "We understand that he will continue in his capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees. We wish him the best in his endeavors."

A call to Bernice King seeking comment was not immediately returned on Tuesday. King, 54, and his siblings are lifetime board members of The King Center, which was founded by his mother shortly after her husband was killed in 1968. The center was built to preserve and promote King's teachings and ideals, and is also the sacred spot where he and his wife are laid to rest. In recent years, family infighting has strained their relationship and put the siblings at odds over the center's future.

King III became president and chief executive officer of The King Center in January 2004, but was removed from the position after Dexter became board chairman. In 2005, King III and Bernice King split with the center's board over a possible sale of the King Center to the National Park Service, which owns and operates an adjacent historic site.

The siblings were embroiled in legal battle for more than a year before settling out of court in 2009. King III and Bernice King sued Dexter King, accusing him of acting improperly as head of their father's estate, which the three of them control as a private corporation. In the lawsuit, they claimed he shut them out of decisions involving King Inc. and refused to hold a shareholders meeting since 2004.

King III resumed his position as head of the center in 2010. This weekend, he announced plans for a major overhaul of the King Center at its annual fundraising gala.


Credit: Roswell Home Sales 

Reaching their Dreams

NORTHEAST COBB — Athletes from around the state have gathered in Cobb County this weekend for the annual Special Olympics Georgia indoor winter games.

The games began Friday night with an opening ceremony at the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta. Atlanta Dream basketball player Lindsey Harding was the grand marshal. Today will be the final day of competition, with a unified basketball game scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon at All-Tournament Players Park at 3910 Canton Road, just south of Ebenezer Road, in northeast Cobb.

The games are free and open to the public.

Competitions took place at various locations in the county, including Brunswick Zone, The Cooler, Marietta Middle School and Cobb Civic Center. About 2,800 athletes, coaches and unified partners have participated in basketball, bowling, floor hockey, powerlifting, artistic gymnastics and roller skating.

This year marks the 20th year that the Special Olympics Georgia indoor winter games have been conducted in Cobb. Spokeswoman Wendy Bigham said the many athletic facilities available in the county make it an ideal place to host the annual event.

“Cobb County has always been welcoming and enthusiastic to host all of our athletes and families that come across the state to compete,” said Bigham, a Vinings resident.

Many athletes from outside metro Atlanta stay in the county’s hotels and eat at local restaurants during their weekend stay for the games.

The games cost about $188,000 to conduct each year, according to Special Olympics Georgia. The money, which comes from sponsors and grants, goes toward housing, transportation, facility rentals, medals, meals and the opening ceremony for participants.

On Saturday, Michelle Praiff, 20, of Powder Springs, competed in team basketball with her Cobb Lakers teammates at All-Tournament Players Park. Praiff is a Special Olympics veteran, having participated in the games since she was 14 years old, at the urging of her sister. She also plays softball, swimming, and track and field.

“I enjoy it and seeing everybody happy, when they make (free throw) shots and when they see the trophies,” said Praiff, a Hillgrove Transition Academy student. “I get happy because seeing them makes me happy.”

Special Olympics Georgia provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. During its 40 years, the organization has grown to include 24 sports.

More than 1,500 athletes and 100 unified partners — participants without disabilities — will compete this weekend, with more than 500 coaches guiding them.

In 2004, Pat Thoreson, head basketball coach of the Cobb Celtics, said he first became involved in the Special Olympics to support his disabled stepson, Sean Concepcion, whom he said is a talented athlete. Since then his participation has grown to a variety of sports.

“In regular life they’re ostracized,” he said of the athletes. “They don’t feel like they’re a part of either school, work or play. Here, it gives them a chance to feel liked and accepted.”

Stacey Tomberlin of Dallas agreed. Her 17-year-old son, Ryan, has been involved with the Special Olympics since he was 8 years old. He competed in basketball on Saturday.

“It’s a place where they belong, where they’re not judged,” she said. “It gives them a chance to build real friendships.”


Source: Roswell Home Sale 

Whirlpool Restates Full 2012 Outlook by Participating in Two Investor Conferences

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) announced today that it will participate in the J.P. Morgan Homebuilding and Building Products Conference and the Longbow Research Consumer Investor Conference.  The company will be reaffirming its 2012 guidance during these presentations. 

Whirlpool Corporation will be presenting at the J.P. Morgan Homebuilding and Building Products Conference at 11:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 16at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.  Presenting for Whirlpool Corporation will be Larry Venturelli, executive vice president and chief financial officer.  Whirlpool Corporation's presentation will be broadcast live over the Internet and may be accessed at http://jpmorgan.metameetings.com/webcasts/building12/directlink.php?ticker=WHR.

The company will also be presenting at the Longbow Research Consumer Investor Conference on Thursday, May 17 at the Millennium Broadway Hotelin New York City.  Venturelli will again be presenting for Whirlpool Corporation.   A copy of the presentation will be available on the company's website at www.whirlpoolcorp.com by clicking on the "Investors" tab located on the bottom of the page and then clicking on "Events & Presentations." 

Interested parties also may also view the May 16 webcast  at www.whirlpoolcorp.com by clicking on the "Investors" tab and then clicking "Events & Presentations."  The presentations will be archived for 30 days.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2011, 68,000 employees, and 66 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.  The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag,KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.  Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

Additional Information

This document contains forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those statements. For information about the factors that could cause such differences, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors."

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

Doubts Arise Over UN Drinking Water Demand

Serious doubts are being raised over a UN claim that the world has halved the number of people without clean drinking water, meeting a target set in the UN Millennium Development Goals three years early.

The progress was hailed in New York by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon as "a great achievement for the people of the world". But experts contacted by New Scientist said the target had been weakened since it was agreed at the UN General Assembly in 2000.

The original promise was to "halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water".

However, most developing countries don't measure if water is safe to drink. The World Health Organization and UNICEF – which have monitored the target – instead decided to judge water as "safe" simply by looking for evidence of "improved sources" such as piped supplies, boreholes and collected rainwater – and this, even UN officials admit, undermines the goal.

In a report accompanying this week's announcement, UN authorities say that "some of these sources may not be adequately maintained and may not actually provide safe drinking water. As a result, it is likely that the number of people using safe water supplies has been over-estimated." In other words, the target has probably not been met.

Maintenance of equipment installed to meet the goals is a big issue. A report three years ago by Jamie Skinner of the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development estimated that 50,000 boreholes, pumps and wells set up in Africa to help meet the UN target were lying derelict.

"There has been a focus on the kit," Skinner said this week. "Inspectors go to a village in, say, Burkina Faso, where there are 300 people and a new borehole, so they tick the box that says 300 people have access to improved drinking water – whether or not the borehole is working and whether or not everyone uses it."

Water economist David Zetland, of Wageningen University in the Netherlands, agrees. "The original goal for access to clean water has been turned into a bureaucratic target that does little to improve actual water service and pays no attention to the quality of water that people drink."

The number of people drinking unsafe water has been reduced, but there is a long way to go, says Skinner. By the UN's measure, the proportion of the world's population still drinking from "unimproved" water sources such as rivers, ponds and open wells, has fallen from 24 per cent in 1990 to 11 per cent. But the population has grown by 1.7 billion in that time.

Even on the UN figures, the actual number of people drinking from such sources, while down by around 40 per cent, remains at more than 780 million. "We need to be more ambitious," says Skinner.

Source: New Scientist+http://www.greenecohomeusa.com/

Scientific Education Bill Causes Stir in the Science Education Sector

It's been a busy week for the teaching of science in US schools. Most of the attention has focused on the leaked plans of the libertarian Heartland Institute to promote doubt in classrooms about whether human activity is causing global warming.

Earlier this week, the education committee of the Oklahoma House of Representatives also got in on the act by approving a bill on the teaching of controversial scientific subjects such as evolution and climate change.

The Scientific Education and Academic Freedom bill says that "the teaching of some scientific subjects, such as biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning, can cause controversy".

"Teachers," it goes on, "shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories." That sounds innocuous enough, but the bill has alarmed science-education advocates.

"If the goal is simply to permit teachers to help students understand, why do you need to pass a law?" asks Joshua Rosenau, a programmes and policy director at the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) in Oakland, California. Instead, he warns, the law would provide protection for teachers who wish to teach creationism or global-warming denial.

The bill also mandates that students "may be evaluated based upon their understanding of course materials, but no student […] shall be penalized in any way because the student may subscribe to a particular position on scientific theories".

The bill now goes to the full Oklahoma House of Representatives for approval.

In other news, it was revealed this week that Peter Gleick - a US climatologist and climate activist who impersonated a Heartland employee to obtain internal documents, including details of their climate education programme - was to have joined NCSE's board of directors later this year. In light of recent developments, though, Gleick offered to withdraw from this position, and NCSE has accepted his offer.

Source: New Scientist+ http://www.greenecohomeusa.com/ 

Total Approach to Guard and Guarantee Endurance of Earth’s Unnoticed Existence

Microbes are being failed by existing conservation efforts. We need a global strategy to ensure their survival

"IF THE last blue whale choked to death on the last panda, it would be disastrous but not the end of the world. But if we accidentally poisoned the last two species of ammonia oxidisers, that would be another matter. It could be happening now and we wouldn't even know."

The words of environmental engineer Tom Curtis sum up the seeming disregard for microbial life beautifully. The tree of life is diverse. Many kingdoms make up its three domains, but only two of those kingdoms within the domain Eukaryota, the Plantae and Animalia, appear to merit conservation biologists' attention.

The neglected kingdoms are broadly microbial and comprise by any measure, be it their biomass or genetic diversity, the "unseen majority" of life. Are only "macrobes" at risk of extinction or are only those organisms visible to the naked eye worthy of conservation?

No. Microbes may appear endlessly abundant, everywhere and to an extent interchangeable, but some do face real threats to their existence. The problem is that microbes, for reasons including a lack of descriptive data, are not easily accommodated within the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which seeks to preserve diversity. That's why I propose a formal Global Strategy for Microbial Conservation.

You only have to look at mainstream conservation journals to see the macrobial bias: only 2 per cent of papers relate to microbes, and even then mostly as threats to larger organisms rather than being concerned with their preservation.

Whereas the chiefly single-celled prokaryotes barely figure in the CBD, fungi at least get a mention in the updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which is part of the convention: "Parties may choose on a national basis to include other taxa, including algae, lichens and fungi." However, the implication of subordinate status is clear.

Yet fungi are the dominant decomposers of plant-derived lignocellulose, the major structural component of all plants, releasing nutrients from dead material to the soil, vital for agriculture. Given that fungi supply core ecological functions that are beneficial to humankind, it is perplexing that they are afforded such meagre attention and protection.

There is a much overused phrase in microbiology - "everything is everywhere, but the environment selects" - which suggests that microbial populations are not localised but geographically ubiquitous, and unlikely to be at risk. Some, such as bacteria on leaf surfaces, do appear to be ubiquitous, but many others are not. This is also the case for many pathogens of humans, animals or crops, which have, or had until humans transported them, well-defined distributions. So habitat change in a limited area may threaten them.

The symbiotic microbes present on and inside all larger organisms are notable among those that need specific habitats. A recently discovered anaerobic fungus that is apparently specific to the hindgut of the critically endangered Somali wild ass, for example, is at risk of extinction through habitat loss before it is even formally described. This could also work in reverse - the loss of some symbiotic microbes could increase the extinction risk of their hosts given their mutual interdependence, as has been suggested for some orchids and their mycorrhizal partners. In addition, changes in the microbial ecology of the mammalian digestive tract can harm the health of the host.

Central to our improved understanding of all this is DNA barcoding, which allows the detection of uncultured and unseen microbes. High-throughput sequencing of environmental samples is now cheap. This is revealing many undescribed taxa and extensive cryptic speciation - groups of microbes that look very similar but are distinct species. Importantly it is also providing detailed maps of distribution.

It could be argued that protecting the ecosystem will suffice to protect its microbes. This is clearly sensible when resources are scarce. However, many ecosystems are neglected in conservation strategies simply because of the absence of larger organisms, for instance desert soil crusts, glaciers or unusual geological formations.

One topical example is Lake Vostok, 4 kilometres beneath the Antarctic ice, where a Russian drilling programme recently reported breaching the lake surface. The indigenous biota, currently unknown and possibly unique, is at risk of destruction by the introduction of surface lifeforms. The potential exploration of other deep sea or subsurface ecosystems will raise other "Schrödinger's cat" dilemmas.

Despite huge gaps in our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of microbes, a global strategy should focus on the protection of such microbially dominated habitats. It should include, as a matter of priority, endangered soil habitats and soil types, where the most diverse microbial communities are to be found.

Raising the profile of microbial conservation must come from microbiologists, but the support of the broader conservation movement is needed. Studies of threatened microbes need to be published in mainstream conservation journals. The appointment of microbial ecologists to editorial boards would help.

Finally, all conservation efforts are ultimately funded by the public and here education is needed to counteract negative perceptions, such as that all bacteria are "bad" or all fungi are "poisonous". It should also highlight the beauty and biotechnological usefulness of microbes, as well as their fundamental importance to the wider living world.

Source: New Scientist+http://www.greenecohomeusa.com/ 

Choosing the Most Suitable Restroom Flooring

Carpet in the bathroom? You bet! Our expert shares advice on flooring options that are powder-room friendly.

When choosing the right flooring for a bathroom, there's more to keep in mind than personal style. Some very specific factors come into play: Is your flooring, for instance, impervious to water? Will it stain easily when makeup takes a spill? Is it safe when walking across with wet feet? Given those considerations, here are some of the top contenders in bathroom floor surfaces:

Carpet: Many people think that carpet isn't a reasonable option for potentially waterlogged bathrooms. However, all you need to do is make some careful choices. As long as your carpet is water-, mildew- and stain-resistant — with a backing that doesn't allow water to seep into the pad — you're good to go. And it's worth looking for options within those parameters. Not only does carpet provide softness and warmth underfoot, but the color and pattern options are practically limitless, too.

Ceramic Tile: Ceramic floor tile differs from, say, wall tile in that it's designed with more of a texture to prevent slippage. It is typically between 1/2-inch to 3/4-inches thick, and measures anywhere from 4 x 4 inches to 2-feet-square. In addition to squares, other shapes are available, including octagonal and hexagonal. And mosaic tiles (2 inches square or smaller) come in pre-mounted fabric mesh sheets. Ceramic tile is available in a vast variety of colors and patterns; plus, you can take your creativity to yet another level with colored grouts. This type of flooring is durable and hygienic, but make sure that you pay close attention to the porosity rating; it's critical in a space such as a bathroom that requires something that's moisture-proof. The porosity classifications range from impervious (the least absorbent) to vitreous, semivitreous and, finally, nonvitreous (the most absorbent).

Laminate: Made of layers of materials literally bonded together for strength — resin, wood fiber and Kraft paper, for example — laminate flooring is compacted under pressure to create the final product, which is then transformed into planks. In fact, the surface of a laminate plank is actually a photographic image, printed from film onto a thin decorative layer, which is in turn protected with a wear layer. The high resolution of the film results in a realistic appearance, so laminates may appear to be a variety of other materials; wood grain is one of the most popular. And because it's durable and easy to clean, laminate flooring a logical choice for bathrooms.

Hardwood: Part of hardwood flooring's charm is that it lends a sense of warmth to your bathroom. Plus, if hardwood is your flooring of choice throughout the rest of the house, you'll create a cohesive look. What's more, even worse-for-the-wear hardwood floors can be given a fresh outlook; you can stain or paint to complement the rest of the room's decor.

Natural Stone: Cut into tiles, typically 12 inches square or larger, stone is easy to care for and durable, but it does require a strong subfloor. It also has the potential to be slippery when wet, especially in a polished form. As an alternative, however, stone can be honed (ground flat but not polished) or textured (by sandblasting); keep in mind, though, that unpolished forms may require a sealant to prevent stains. And one more word to the wise if you opt for a stone floor: Keep a pair of slippers handy as it tends to be cold underfoot.

Vinyl: Long one of the most popular choices for bathroom applications, vinyl comes in sheets or tiles. Sheet vinyl comes in rolls that are 6- or 12-feet wide, providing a seamless look. Vinyl tiles, on the other hand, are typically 12 to 18 inches square and lend themselves to a variety of different patterns. Tiles are usually easier to install, and it's simple to replace just one, if need be. On the downside, though, a vinyl tile installation has many more seams, which creates more places for germs to grow. Both options, however, are easy to clean and effectively resist stains and moisture.

Source: http://www.mariettahomesale.com

Wise and Easy Cabinet Make Over

Transform unused kitchen nooks, walls and even appliances with this affordable decorating idea sure to perk up a tired kitchen. Kitchen designer Heidi Karpa shows you how.

Materials and Tools:

large print
various picture frame sizes
kilim carpet
decorative wooden trivets
decorative metal handles
measuring tape
paper and pencil
masking tape
level or laser level
drill
drill bits
screws
industrial scissors
glue

Steps:

1. Use masking tape on your cabinet doors to outline the potential picture frame size each door can take. Helpful hint: Smaller cabinet doors are good locations for different decorative items, like wooden trivets.
2. Stand back, review and readjust. You're looking to create a consistent line with some of the frames and provide a variation point as well. For example, one larger cabinet door could have two smaller frames instead of a large one. This creates visual interest in a run of cabinets. Keep border sizes constant for similarly sized doors, but allow for one variation.
3. Make a drawing of your cabinets and frame placements, listing how many frames you'll need in each size category.
4. Clearly review the design elements present in your kitchen, especially those you don't like. Use that design element to your advantage in this project. Crisp, white laminate cabinets provide good contrast to dark wooden frames. So, instead of hiding the laminate, use it to your advantage.
5. Determine the materials you want for your frames and decorative elements. Make a list or pull photos from a design/kitchen magazine to take with you to the store.
6. Make a detailed list of how many new handles you'll need for the cabinet doors. Helpful hint: Note whether the handles run horizontally or vertically. This will matter when it comes time to buy.

Inexpensive wood frames and fabric will jazz up kitchen cabinets.

Purchase your materials:

1. At your local home store, review the selection of frames available. Select different frame styles for each size category, but keep the frame color consistent.
2. At your local home or import store, review a selection of "design elements:" carved wooden trivets, interesting serving trays or platters. Anything flat, decorative and drillable can be considered. Refer to your drawing and measurements list to keep the decision making process easier.
3. Select a large print that will go above the sink.
4. Select a style of kilim carpet that accents the colors in the print.
5. At your local home or hardware store, select new handles for your cabinets. Keep in mind the wood tones of your picture frames. Dark metal handles work well with dark wooden frames.

Measure and cut your chosen tapestry to fit the frame.

Pre-installation:

1. Lay your frames against the cabinet, step back and review.
2. Take apart the frames and use the cardboard backs as guides for determining where you'll cut the carpet.
3. Readjust and rotate these guides until you're happy with the design elements you're highlighting. This is an important step. Think it through and experiment.
4. With a magic marker, outline the cardboard guides on the carpet.
5. Cut out the carpet pieces following the marker outlines.
6. Run glue along the backside of the carpet to adhere it to the cardboard.
7. Reassemble each frame with the carpet as the piece of artwork. Critical step: Do not use the glass inserts when you reassemble the frames. You don't want reflections to interfere with your design, and you'll need the extra space within the frame to accommodate the carpet.
8. Make sure the screws you're using to install the frames are just long enough to go through the door and halfway through the frame.

Arrange your frames before attaching them to the cabinets.

Installation:

1. Hang the largest category of frames first. Helpful hint: A laser level makes the process go very smoothly.
2. You must pre-drill your holes to prevent the cabinets from splitting. Remember to drill through the cabinet door into the back of the frame, but don't go through the frame.
3. Always work from top to bottom and largest to smallest when installing your picture frames and decorative items. Periodically step back to review your work. Are the picture frames level? Are your borders around the frames consistent? Adjust as necessary.
4. Install your new cabinet hardware.
5. Hang your focal point picture over the sink.
6. Step back and enjoy your new space!

Source: http://indoorcomfortsolutions.blogspot.com/