[Domesteading 00150] Re: Discussion reinitiates

[Chris]

What an amazing conversation... <grin>. So nice to hear about 'solutions'. 
The whole climate/energy awareness thing -- no matter how one sees all the 
CO2/global warming complexities -- is still such a compelling 'quality of 
life' dynamic. No matter if we had in hand the technology to control the 
overall climate of earth with a virtual thermostat, there would still be 
major issues about equitable energy access and effective energy management 
to resolve.

Under this heading, I am interested to know what, if anything, has been done 
by mainstream media to banner the news about dome construction withstanding 
Katrina? This has the ring of a really interesting story to me. Something 
worth mentioning on http://www.LocalEnergyMatters.INFO If there are news 
clips about it, I could simply post references to them... however, if 
nothing much has been written about this I would like to find a way to help 
publicize the news.

Anyway, good to see this discussion revived... ~Christine


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John E. Johnson" <newageco at dbtech.net>
To: "'A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid 
living'" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:28 AM
Subject: [Domesteading 00149] Re: Discussion reinitiates


>  Won't be leaving the continent that's for sure...
> As Dan G and others who know us already know, we are big on helping solve
> the problems that give domes a bad rap. Our clients will verify that after
> we're through.
>  The do-it-yourself aspect of the dome industry is great for a glib
> salesman with a new wrinkle on how to build their version of the latest,
> greatest dome kit, but doesn't help the real people who just want to take
> advantage of the inherent advantages of building a dome in the first 
> place.
> Roofing is still a big issue. Lots of new ways to cover a dome that still
> leave the ventilation issue unsolved. Lots of well intentioned and non 
> dome
> experienced roofers still screwing the clients. My oldest son is back from
> Iraq and running the roofing/repair crew and we are making some real
> believers out of those who have had nothing but problems with their roofs
> since they built. Not rocket science...just some careful thought and a
> vented cupola does the trick on most domes. He's tired of being shot at 
> and
> after walking away from one crash decided he didn't like that line of work
> as much as he once did. A Kiowa D is just not designed as an inner city
> gunship. He sure left the Army with some interesting stories. 3 combat 
> tours
> will do that for you. We're so thankful to have him home in one piece!
>   We currently have several domes on the coast going up. Lots of activity
> around these with many adopting the "wait and see" attitude, but very keen
> on the idea in general. We had 12 domes actually hit by Katrina and nobody
> suffered more than impact damage from somebody else's house coming apart,
> and some broken windows and shingle damage. No structural damage at all. 
> One
> was in the process of being decked when it was hit. No damage. Many
> inspectors are actually pushing domes now....that's a wonder!
> Paul Durand is working with us directly now and it sure helps to have this
> guy in your corner. He's set several "ostrich postured" inspectors on 
> their
> heels when they come up with some BS objections when we apply for permits.
> He's a smart man with a great sense of humor. Just don't come up with a
> hair brained objection to a dome if you are an inspector. He absolutely
> destroys their flawed logic when it is used as an objection.
> Financing is getting easier for those clients who tell their bankers we're
> on the project. The days of the do-it-yourself domes are just about over
> without some experienced help looking over your shoulder.
> Concrete domes are making some waves based on the whole idea that concrete
> MUST be better, but the reality is different from the perception for most
> residential dome builders. (I'm sure I'll get busted for that).
> I just call em like I repair em folks!
> We've got a tall building looking at a renovation that includes a super
> ellipsoid dome on the roof. I'll post some results as we close in on a
> design. Got to talk to our boy down under though!
> A dome with airbags!? Why not? Good to hear from you Dan. We're still
> kicking.
>
> John E. Johnson
> newagedomeconstruction.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
> [mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of J & D Goldman
> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:46 PM
> To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid 
> living
> Subject: [Domesteading 00146] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>
> Wow, nice to hear from JJ again.  I wasn't sure if you hadn't left the
> continent for one of your biggie dome contracts.
>
> So tell us more about the post Katrina activity.  I kept wondering
> when people would start figuring out that insurance doesn't pay for
> everything (even when it pays at all), and its better to have a home
> that can come through it in one piece.  We even have a concrete dome
> outfit trying to take off here in Iowa.  Tornados we have here are
> very destructive, but very localized. Unlike large hurricanes, local
> services nearby remain intact, so help can pour in from nearby. Not so
> with big storms that wipe out miles at a time.
>    So how about a dome with deployable perimeter pontoons for use in
> New Orleans...?  :-)  Are insurance companies catching on about domes
> or are they still treating them like they are huts for hippies and
> don't want to deal with it?  Are they cooperating with or getting
> pressure from newcomers to domes who want to live in one?
>
> Thanks - Dan G.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John E. Johnson <newageco at dbtech.net>
> To: 'A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
> living' <domesteading at sculptors.com>
> Date: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 4:47 PM
> Subject: [Domesteading 00145] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>
>
>>Thank GOD! I thought MY computer was set wrong and not picking up any
>>discussions.
>>No high tech stuff here today guys and gals. Just lots of post
> Katrina dome
>>construction going on. One significant thing I have noticed in the
> last 3
>>years is that a  much higher percentage of dome inquiries and
> subsequent
>>builds are scientists, meteorologists, engineers.
>> I still don't think George Carlin in "CARS" did us any favors but I
> do love
>>his humor.
>>Kudos to those of you who have made smarter dome decisions for
> subscribing.
>>I knew I was home when I saw Unkaducky still hanging.  :-)
>>
>> John E. Johnson
>>newagedomeconstruction.com
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
>>[mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of J & D
> Goldman
>>Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 10:00 PM
>>To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
> living
>>Subject: [Domesteading 00141] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>>
>>I have the same observation about the dome list.  Several years of
>>flowing conversation followed by several years of drought. Maybe this
>>list should be nicknamed Cicada.
>>
>>Thanks for posting the meeting information.  I heard a news report
> the
>>other day where some expert was claiming that carbon emissions from
>>"buildings" dwarfs anything exhausted by vehicles.  If that is the
>>case, the energy efficiency of domes should at least get them on some
>>lists of things to talk about.  As Rob Conroy points out, some of the
>>excuses for domes being "difficult" are dissappearing, as the
> computer
>>makes these more complex geometries easier for people to tackle
>>themselves and get it right.  The tools are cheaper than they ever
>>were (compount miters sell for peanuts now), and the materials are
>>improving, with more biodegradeable structural choices appearing
>>daily.  I'm still impressed with honeycomb panels for low weight,
> high
>>strength and superior insulation.  Now you can even get concrete that
>>is light permeable so it glows during the day.
>>
>>- Dan G.
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Chris <bewise at hypertech.net>
>>To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
>>living <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>Date: Monday, April 02, 2007 8:43 PM
>>Subject: [Domesteading 00136] Re: Information
>>
>>
>>>Hey... I'll chime in her to say that I've received nada from this
>>list for
>>>quite some time... then suddenly y'all struck up this
> conversation...
>>Me
>>>thinks that, perhaps, this list may not return a copy to the sender
>>of their
>>>own post??? Anyway, I'll soon find out <smile>. In the interim,
>>perhaps all
>>>y'all (which is gramatically correct Ozark Redneck Southernese ---
>>just in
>>>case you didn't know <laffin>) will enjoy the news release (below)
>>about an
>>>energy.climate event we're coordinating April 14th. Wish I'd of
>>thought to
>>>tell ya about it sooner... It would be great to have somebody there
>>stumping
>>>for the energy efficiency of domes... ~Christine
>>>
>>>DATELINE: March 31, 2007
>>>Citing EPA statistics, "The U.S. emits over 7.6 thousand-million
>>metric tons
>>>of greenhouse gases annually,"  Ruth Reynolds, coordinator of the
>>Step It Up
>>>Hardy Town Meeting, worries.  Inspired by the National Day of
> Climate
>>Action
>>>scheduled for April 14th "Step It Up 2007",  Reynolds and several
>>friends
>>>are organizing the energy/climate awareness event being held that
>>Saturday
>>>in The Olde Hardy Gym, 203 School Street, Hardy, Arkansas.
>>>
>>>"The world is already committed to an eventual half-degree Celsius
>>(about
>>>one degree Fahrenheit) temperature increase," Reynolds continued.
>>>"Day-by-day greenhouse gases relentlessly build up in the
> atmosphere,
>>>committing us to ever greater temperature increases. On and on goes
>>the list
>>>of compelling reasons to quickly enact a plethora of strong energy
>>>legislation, including a federal mandate to reduce greenhouse gases
>>>emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050."
>>>
>>>Open discussion of this 'list of compelling reasons' is the focal
>>point of
>>>the all-day gathering in Hardy, which opens at 10am with Vendor &
>>>Educational displays and demonstrations that explore ways to save
>>energy,
>>>reduce heat-trapping gases emissions, and ensure energy and food
>>security.
>>>Featured technologies offer ways to increase fuel and household
>>energy
>>>efficiency, eliminate waste, and make every drop of energy work for
>>the
>>>common good.
>>>
>>>The Town Meeting Agenda, which convenes promptly at 12:00 noon, will
>>be
>>>officiated by Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton. Featured Speakers and
> Topics
>>>include:
>>>
>>>"Significant Quotes," Ruth Reynolds, Coordinator of Step It Up Hardy
>>2007,
>>>President of Save Our Spring River, and Member of the Sharp County
>>Recycling
>>>Center Executive Board, will address the range of attitudes about
>>Global
>>>Warming in opening remarks.
>>>
>>>"God's Dream," Reverend Gary Goldman, native Arkansan from
> Texarkana,
>>>graduate of Henderson College and Saint Paul School of Theology,
>>alumnus of
>>>Hendrix College and Harvard School of Business, retired United
> Method
>>ist
>>>minister now appointed part-time with the Horseshoe Bend United
>>Methodist
>>>Church, will speak to the responsibility of environmental
>>stewardship.
>>>
>>>"The Greenhouse Effect," Dr. Lawrence Coleman, a tenacious scientist
>>>affiliated since 1969 with University of Arkansas at Little Rock
>>(UALR)
>>>Department of Physics and Astronomy, has given talks statewide on
> the
>>>science of global warming and the physics of the greenhouse effect.
>>His talk
>>>is augmented by a Power Point presentation. "Melting glaciers,
>>earlier
>>>springs, vanishing polar ice. these things have all happened in the
>>past. So
>>>the real question is Why are they happening now?  Why do scientists
>>believe
>>>that humans are now causing global warming and, more importantly,
>>what can
>>>be done to avoid the worst effects by acting responsibly, rationally
>>and
>>>soon?"
>>>
>>>"A World of Possibilities," Sandie Cloud, member of the Board of
>>Directors
>>>serving as head of the Retail Committee of the Hemp Industries
>>Association
>>>(HIA), and proprietor of For Mother Earth Norfork and For Mother
>>Earth
>>>Hardy, will address the carbon-neutral possibilities of hemp as an
>>>environmentally and economically friendly resource for fuel, food,
>>fabric
>>>and building materials.
>>>
>>>"BioEnergy," Ron Bell, Vice President of the Arkansas Association of
>>>Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), Chairman of
> the
>>>Arkansas Energy Office, Bioenergy Services Contractor and Farmer
> will
>>>address ongoing developments of the North Central Arkansas Bioenergy
>>>Program, the Central Arkansas Biodiesel Infrastructure Project and
>>The
>>>Arkansas Bioenergy Policy Council in the endeavor to replace
>>fossil-fuels
>>>with renewable/sustainable agricultural products.
>>>
>>>The Town Meeting will conclude with a "Q & A Forum," moderated by
>>Mayor
>>>Thornton taking comments and questions from the floor addressed to
>>these and
>>>other topical experts, including Robert Reed of American Spirit
>>Energy Homes
>>>and Christine Beems of Gozarks, followed by the hallmark signature
>>action of
>>>every nationally affiliated Step It Up 2007 event: a public 'photo
>>op' to
>>>stand in support of the nationwide rally of over a thousand unique
>>events
>>>and activities being held this same day, stumping for Congress to
> cut
>>CO2
>>>emissions 80% by 2050.
>>>
>>>Subsequent to the photo-op, exhibit and vendor booths will reopen
>>until 4pm
>>>when the program concludes with a Drum Ceremony and the Award of
> Door
>>>Prizes, including such environmentally friendly things as
> fluorescent
>>light
>>>bulbs, organically grown garlic, potted plants, and gift
> certificates
>>for
>>>ecologically healthy merchandise.
>>>
>>>"I wish to extend special thanks to all the volunteers who are
> making
>>this
>>>event happen," Reynolds acknowledged. "Reasons why people become
>>>environmentalists are various. I'm just thankful that a few of them
>>had the
>>>time and inclination to help stage our local rally. It is exciting
> to
>>be one
>>>of thousands of Step it Up participants who believe we must find and
>>>implement the ways and means to control and diminish our seemingly
>>>insatiable addiction to fossil-fuels. Saturday, April 14th, is a
> good
>>day to
>>>send this message to Congress."
>>>
>>>All Step It Up Hardy activities are open, free of charge, to the
>>general
>>>public. Picnic lunches are welcome and lawn chairs are encouraged.
>>Bleacher
>>>seating is available, first come, first serve. For more information,
>>visit
>>>www.StepItUp2007.org or  www.LocalEnergyMatters.info or contact Ruth
>>>Reynolds, 870-257-4596. ~~~~
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "ROBERT VANCE" <naptimeatv at msn.com>
>>>To: <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 3:28 PM
>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00135] Re: Information
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sal,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the response! No, I haven't abandoned the domelist but
>>it seems
>>>> that I am no longer connected to it! In that case, if you have any
>>idea on
>>>> how I can re-connect to it - please let me know! I've sent some
>>messages
>>>> to the address that I have but haven't received anything in
>>return -
>>>> including the list itself!
>>>>
>>>> Bob Vance
>>>> mailto:naptimeatv at msn.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>From: Sal Cerda <sal.cerda at rocketmail.com>
>>>>>Reply-To: "A forum for the discussion of aspects of
>>>>>independent,off-the-grid living" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>>>To: "A forum for the discussion of aspects of
>>independent,off-the-grid
>>>>>living" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00133] Re: Information
>>>>>Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 19:09:34 -0700 (PDT)
>>>>>
>>>>>Hey there Robert.
>>>>>I don't know the answer to your questions, but I do know that we
>>miss you
>>>>>over at the domelist.  Hope you haven't abandoned us.
>>>>>
>>>>>Sal
>>>>>Than
>>>>>Robert Vance <naptimeatv at msn.com> wrote: The instructions are
> clear
>>to
>>>>>post information and access the archives but how do I get daily
>>>>>submissions?
>>>>>Bob Vance
>>>>>mailto:naptimeatv at msn.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>---------------------------------
>>>>>Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels
>>>>>in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
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>>4/1/2007
>>>> 8:49 PM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>--
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> 3/30/2007
>>1:15 PM
>>
>>
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>>
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