Rooftop cools building interior

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- From a bird's eye view the roof of the 21st Space Wing headquarters building grows in a multitude of colorful shades. Sedum plants populating the roof are part of a GreenGrid roof case study, which has drawn Department of Defense-wide interest.

"Plant coverage acts as an insulator. We should be at 100 percent coverage by next summer," said Phil Chase, 21st Civil Engineering Squadron, Asset Management Flight, pollution prevention, solid waste and hazardous materials program manager. "You think you are on an Air Force Base, but you are at a plant nursery on a roof."

Chase and others are charged with managing the progress of rooftop. In the picture above Chase monitors the sedum plants on the rooftop.

Energy reduction inside the building is estimated at 7 percent, according to a 2009 Comprehensive Green Roof Study draft report. The report was created by Tetra Tech Engineering and Architecture Services, and the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. The report indicates approximately 169 percent savings in a return on investment to include roof replacement and energy savings throughout a 40-year period.

"The study is a one-year period, which is not long enough to assess the actual life cycle of the roof and its advantages," said Randy Hawke, facilities excellence architect for the 21st Space Wing.

The green roof is also reducing storm water runoff, improving air quality, and extending the life of the roof. The plants thrive mainly in rocks, so the roof appears as a flowery desert environment with no insects. Although sedum was selected for its drought tolerance, the plants are watered through a drip system that is turned on by a meter when it detects prolonged dry periods.

The general life cycle of such an analysis project is five years, and another study is being pursued for a more accurate assessment of results. By summer 2010 the plants should become self-sustaining. Although used mainly in Europe, green roofs are gaining worldwide attention.

Officials in Toronto, Canada are considering regulations that may require all buildings to have green roofs. Several Air Force bases such as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are also considering installing green roofs.

Festival grooms bloomers, harvests crops

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Cotton pickin of the free floating algerian in the air was the least of concerns at the 20th Annual Bluegrass on the River festival at the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo Sunday.

Bluegrass is similar to planting a garden – you can leave it for a while and nothing changes, except the flowers, said Pete Wernick of Flexigrass, pictured to the right. Wernick originally graced the dock at the festival 15 years prior, planting pickin seeds in youths such as The Hartman’s, a Loveland-based sibling band that tours across Colorado.

In 1989, bluegrass musicians were slim pickings in the Pueblo area, so the festival was initiated to cultivate and nourish musicians.

“At least four bands grew up here. My son is 28 and he grew-up here,” said Tom Thornburg, founder of the festival and Fireweed mandolin player. You have friends that you only see once a year here.”

Thornburg tutored the Ackermans sister to play the mandolin. The Ackermans, another sibling band that played the festival, perform nationally. He founded the festival based on the framework of concerts at the Nature Center in Winfield, Kan. involving multiple stages.

“It was the flavor of it. We started the weekend out of nothing,” he said. “This is probably our best year. It sure felt nice all weekend – real steady.”

About $20,000 in net growth was generated in 2009. Proceeds of the all volunteer festival contribute to the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo programs.

“The amount of synergy this year has been amazing. We will keep getting better and better,” said Jay Zarr, president of the Board of the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo.

Finders and Youngberg, a two-couple band pictured above, were also among about 30 bands that performed at the festival.

Artists create peak performance

Several eclectic artists will converge for a grassroots performance at The Showcase at Studio Bee in the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Thursday

Mango Fan Django along with George Whitesell and his All Stars will take the stage in the relaxed atmosphere.

“Mango Fan Django has delivered Colorado fans a twist to gypsy jazz since 1998 - whether hot club jazz a la Django Reinhardt, American swing tunes or island calypso and reggae,” said a spokesperson for the The Pikes Peak Center in a press release.

With a 45 year history, George Whitesell performs as a solo artist, in duos, andin groups. His present band, George Whitesell and His All Stars place Jill Watkins in the limelight. Watkins has brought local energetic performances to the area for 10 years. George and his wife, Amy, produce concerts locally under, A Music Company Inc.
As part of the ongoing free showcase series the artists are Colorado grown from El Paso and Teller counties. Artists have produced at least one album and write their own music.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. at the Pikes Peak Center at 190 S. Cascade Ave. Picture above is Mango Fan Django curtisy of the Pikes Peak Center. For more information visit: www.pikespeakcenter.com/showcaseatstudiobee.

Space symposium tackles CO2

by Thea Skinner

Colorado Springs, Colo. - An all for one and one for all approach to climate change echoed during the 25th Annual Space Symposium at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. April 1. Our World in the Next Space Age – Addressing Climate Change Through Space session concerned partnering across platforms while using the role of space systems in carbon emission analysis and mitigation.

“The critical element is to build consensus through analysis,” said Damon Wells, senior policy analyst in the Executive Office of the President.

Monitoring through land, water and air sensors or satellites provides understanding of drought patterns along with people and specie patterns.

“We all know CO2 recognizes no boundaries and climate change respects no nation’s sovranty, so treaties and intergovernmental cooperation is critical. The proposed United States lead GEOSS, Global Earth Observing System of Systems has enormous potential. I do not see enough drive and there is lack of coordination between countries.” said Dr. Alexis C. Livanos, Northrop Grumman Corporation vice president and chief technology officer.

Ecosystem monitoring through such systems as GEOSS, will drive establishment of laws concerning a carbon emissions, CO2, thresholds.

“Two billion people and one half of our species of the planet depend on the tropical forests to survive. These tropical forests zones are carbon sinks,” he said. At present, “Data from the tropics is collected from a biologist that hand counts species and from a space-based global view leaving a gap in the ecosystem monitoring essential to future mitigation efforts.”

As part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Strategic Satellite Plan, transition teams are being formed to address climate change through avenues such as solar, wind and ocean color vision.

“Ultimately we (NOAA) are looking for our most robust and flexible measurements to make climate data records available, said Abby Harper, United States Department of Commerce NOAA deputy assistant administrator for Systems Satellite and Information Service. “NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is meeting the needs of carbon scientists.”

We have the opportunity to serve new and interconnected sectors, she said.

Through the administration’s Operational Earth Observing System, eight study contracts have gone to companies and grant partnerships are available in several industries and sectors, Harper said.

Studio sounds emanate at Colorado center

by Thea Skinner

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Local artists picked, strummed, and belted lyrics during the intimate Showcase at Studio Bee at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Feb. 19. The theme of the evening centered on relationships and nature, as artists’ lyrics focused on natural elements such as the wind that carries us through struggles.

Having completed their second album, Grass it Up (direct right picture) started the evening line-up. With about a four year foundation performing on various circuits including Colorado mountain towns, the bluegrass band seeks to heighten their playing field.

Ultimately we want to get into playing collaboratively with the likes of other bluegrass artists such as David Grisman and Jerry Douglas, said David Jeffery, mandolin and guitar player.

“We are always looking for new material,” he said.

The ongoing concert series and venue on Thursday evenings, provides a relaxed atmosphere after a day of work.

“It is awesome that we get to have people sit and listen,” said Shannon Carr.

Emerging artist, Kelly Feeley (direct right picture) followed-up the band with her deep and passionate lyrics surrounding co-creation and self renewal. Her Ani DiFranco inspired solo genre echoed and vibrated amongst the walls. Freely performed steadfastly on stage playing a song dedicated to her father, whom passed in early 2009.

Feeley has played for 15 years and composed for about eight years, said Melanie Coleman, Feeley’s friend who traveled several hours from outside Colorado Springs, Colo.

“She takes what life gives her and throws it into a song,” Coleman said. “I think the show is awesome. It is a change for budding musicians to grow.”

Feeley plans to move to Austin, Texas to cultivate a newfound relationship with the founder of GoGirls Productions and continue her music career.

Webcast sheds spotlight on cap and trade program

A sneak peak at the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) Work Plan occurs Tuesday during a pre-release online webcast for public critique. The U.S. and Canadian initiative created the document detailing recommendations for the WCI Regional Cap and Trade Program.

The critique is the final step toward the official release of the document on Wednesday. The document details cost-benefit scenarios of an implemented cap and trade system.

The report is “highly critical of a major greenhouse gas emissions plan recently proposed by several Western governors as part of the Western Climate Initiative,” said Jim Sims, president of Western Business Roundtable in a press release. “This study unveils a new analysis that shows how the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change predicts a temperature benefit from the WCI Cap and trade plan of only one-ten-thousandth of one degree celsius over a century of operation. This benefits analysis, based entirely on IPCC science, may have a significant impact on the cost-benefit debate on climate plans soon to be launched in the U.S. Congress.”

The webcast begins at 3 p.m. Mountain time. To register and for more information visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/864605951.

Professors present new administration with policy agenda

As U.S. President Elect Barak Obama will hear several proposals after the Jan. 20 inauguration including …And Communication for all: a Communication Policy Agenda for the New Administration. The agenda, created by U.S. professors, aims to push toward a move from business models to democracy.

The agenda addresses focus areas such as frameworks, wireless and cable industries, broadband access, infrastructure and content media. The agenda was presented during a discussion panel at the National Communication Association 94th Annual Convention Nov. 22, 2008.

“In the 21st century there is a theme – a policy of universal service through broadband, said Jorge Schement, Rutgers University professor of Communication; Library and Information Science at the Dean's Office and Information Technology during the convention.

Schement discussed social challenges to the United States as an information society, and suggested an underlying social contract be implemented. Libraries and newspapers are closing, and if no effective media exists then no effective democracy exists, he said.

Nancy Kranich, spokesperson for the American Library Association suggested a library e-transit government e-service model based on the 1996 Universal Service E-rate Program that improved access to information. The program advocates for wide-spread broadband access.

“If you take access for granted the issue goes from affordability to value,” she said.

Kathryn Montgomery professor at the American University Communication Division, discussed Digital Marketing Ecosystem platforms that lead to behavioral profiling of youth in media culture. Platforms include engagement, peer-to-peer, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity and immersion.

At the November 2008 convention, panel participants sought to appeal the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC accesses rules every four years. In the picture above Earnest Wilson, professor at the University of California Amburg School talks as Schement listens during the panel discussion at the convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, Calif. in November 2008. The panel was sponsored by the Partnership for Progress on the Digital Divide.