Going Green in our apartment

Over the past few months my wife and i have made small changes to make our apartment and home life greener, as in better for the environment, our expenses and our life, We watched many shows on HGTV, Discovery, TLC, History and others to get ideas on what we could change and do for ourselves. Since we do not have a lot of money, we had to make these changes over time but we are now seeing the results of our efforts. Our electric bill is down 20%, our trash is down to one third of what it was a year ago, and we have not suffered in our comfort level or undue work to make these changes.

Here is what we did, the cost, and the effects it has:


• Changed to compact fluorescent bulbs - total of 15 bulbs = $52. electric savings $10 a month = $120 for the year. $120 * 7 years = $840 - 52 (price of bulbs) = 788 net savings.


• I bought a KVM switch for 4 computers. (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) to allow one monitor, keyboard and mouse to be shared with 4 computers. Cost of KVM $60. Now I use 3 less CRT monitors and save on electricity and desk space. Electric savings = $8.00 a month = $96 for a year. $96-60=$36 net savings forst year and $96 each year after. When I buy an LCD monitor, the savings will increase as LCD monitors use LESS energy than CRT monitors.


• Using recycle bins. Waste Management company in our area (Rochester NY) collects more than just the "#2 or #5" plastics. They will pick up all hard plastic (no bags or wraps), glass, metal, cardboard, paper, and newspaper. No styrofoam products. We used to throw much of this away since we were told by the community office that they only took #2 and #5 plastics. When i asked the recycling collector, he told me the list I gave above. They are glad to see people recycle and are quite friendly. Maybe it is job security but the bigger picture is a sustainable planet environment. Anyway, we use our in-sink disposal to grind food scraps that the dogs don't get to eat, so only true "garbage" goes into the trash bin. We also bought a second trash can to put bags in and toss our cans & bottles into for deposit returns. fast and easy to do.


• Installed a programmable thermostat to manage indoor climate. Our community maintenance was willing to install this for free but it is easy to do yourself. This saves money on energy bills by maintaining a constant temperature range. We went with a 7-day model for $60 but there are cheaper models with fewer features as low as $30 at many hardware/home improvement stores. The basics of saving energy use here is that you set up a schedule for the week, weekend and vacation days. Once the schedule is set, the thermostat automatically keeps the home at the set range. So when you are home, you set it to "living" temps and when you are not home (work period, vacation) you can set it higher or lower (wider range) since humans are not home to feel the temperature. Pets do not seem to mind an extra 5-10 degree range increase and you will save a little more on your energy use. Since we just installed ours today, I have yet to see the actual savings for us, but I have heard other people report they saved 5-10%. As long as i see the $60 I spent for the thermostat in energy savings, I will be happy.


• Along with the new thermostat, we use fans to move air around the room for cooling. This doesn't use much energy and allows you to set the cool side about 5 degrees warmer while maintaining the same comfort level.
  
  
• Running our dishwasher and laundry washer with only full loads saves us on water (yes, our apartments charge for water use and sewer.) and on electricity. We give our meal plates to the "pre-washers" when we are done with a meal and then rinse the plate/bowl. When we have enough to fill the dishwasher, we run it overnight. We also use the air-dry setting (no heat) to save on energy. Doing laundry in the evening to late-night also reduced the price of the energy we use because it is off-peak use.
  


• We tried filling a half-gallon milk jug with water and out it in the toilet tank to save a half-gallon per flush, but since some things took 3 or 4 extra flushes to get the waste down, we took it out. It was using more water and less power per flush. This is a good method to try for a month and see if it makes a difference in your water and sewer use. Try a smaller bottle, like a 1-liter or 20oz bottle. Every little bit helps.
  
  
• Replace your standard shower head with a newer unit. Standard shower heads use more water and they are usually the basic unit in most apartments and homes (and motels). By replacing it with a newer model, you will use less water. Don't worry about loss of water pressure. By restricting water flow, they actually increase the pressure for times you want to use it. We bought and installed a hand-held model with 5 settings, including low-pressure, high-pressure, free-flow, turbo-massage, and rainfall. We use rainfall as a temporary "off" while washing because it lowers water use until you need it to rinse.
  

That is all we have done so far but we encourage our neighbors and friends to try some of these changes and see for themselves how easy and inexpensive it is to live life a little greener. Please feel free to provide comments or suggestions. You can find more ideas at the following TV network sites: HGTV.com, Discovery.com (Disc, TLC, PlanetGreen), DIYnetwork.com, RochesterHomepage.net, and more.

Live a greener life!

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Cousin Ned the Tech Geek

If the world were a family get-together, you’d be Cousin Ned the Tech Geek. You love electronics and attempt to drag your family and friends into the digital era every chance you get. Sure your grandma spends an hour a day polishing that filthy iPhone you gave her with Windex, and your dad uses his MP3 player as a bookmark, but you’re proud of your gifts because they’re new, fun and extremely useful… once they figure out how to plug them in anyway. Of course, if you ever want to make sure you’re giving presents that people truly enjoy, try the MyThings
Giftlist and find out what people REALLY want.

Take your own quiz at MyThings.com

RGRTA? Make it G.R.E.A.T.!

After moving away from Rochester and living in Florida for 14 years and riding buses for over twenty-five years, I have some suggestions that may make the RGRTA system much easier to use and better overall. I have prepared a more formal proposal to give to them but for the public, here are the basics of it.

NAME CHANGE.
Saying RGRTA is just shy of a tounge-twister and it doesn't have a "nice" sound to it. Something less corporate and friendlier would be better. Tampa shortened Hillsborough Area Regional Transit to HARTline and it made a great difference. Applying a similar approach to RGRTA, we might use a catchier name like "GREATride" which comes from Greater Rochester Extended Area Transit (G.R.E.A.T.)" There would be a wide variety of marketing slogans and tag lines available.

Another option for a new name would be "ROGER transit" which comes from ROchester GEnessee Regional transit authority. The marketing might go something like "Ride with ROGER" to work, for errands or to play. If they want an icon to put a face to, use the front of the bus and make it look more like a face. A third version might be "Reggie" from the "REGional" part of the RGRTA.

ROUTE CHANGES.
Looking at many of the routes, they are misleading. "15 Latta" only hits a small part of Latta Rd and "6 Jefferson" only goes a very short way on Jefferson. Many of the routes are like this, as well as not running on a defined easy to read or remember schedule and route. They need to update ALL the routes and run them in a grid (with a few exceptions). Then number them in an easy pattern. I know many of these routes have been in service for more than 30 years but keeping them just because they have been there has created many challenges and conflicts in using RGRTA.

ROGER would have service running routes with even numbers East-West and odd numbers run North-South. Since some streets run diagonal there would be a few routes that might have a grouping like all numbered 60s or something. The numbering could also be broken into regions like NE, NW, SE, SW, and outer/extended areas.

Another suggestion in this area is to have the buses run "dual alternating routes" which it like having bus #101 run the Route 1 Lake Ave to downtown then when it hits the downtown transit center it becomes #1 again. This pattern lets buses run more routes while shortening the time between routes to have stops every hour or so instead of every 73 minutes like the Lake Avenue route. While we are talking time, run major buses earlier and later in the day so evening and night shift workers can get to & from work a little easier.

Simple, easy to remember routes and schedules are what people want when using the transit system. Making it too hard to remember how the system works will turn riders away.

TRANSIT CENTERS, SIGNAGE AND SYSTEM MAPS.
The few major transit centers are the malls and the downtown square. While these work, they could use a little improvement. Make them more "welcoming" and have routes that serve the area and that connect to "crosstown" and local routes. This makes it easier to catch a bus from a local area to transit center, then crosstown to another TC, then on to a local route.

While marking bus stops with signs is nice, LABELING the sign with the route numbers that stop there would be much better for riders. Many transit systems do this and it makes a big difference in finding your way along the system. Think of it this way, a new rider or an infrequent rider is less likely to ride the bus if they do not know what routes stop near their home. By labeling the stop with route numbers it makes it easier for new patrons to see that Routes 1,6,& 16 stop there so they can see what buses they live near and what buses connect at that stop. Since RGRTA has the confusing system of running alternate segments (like the Route 1 with its 4 route variations), GREATride/ROGER would improve signage to show at a glance that this is a limited stop and is not served on every run. I know there is a bus stop in front of my apartment complex but I and others have not seen a bus actually stop or even go by it in over two years. Limited stops could be signaled by color bands or color circles behind the route number that it refers to.

Along with this, the large system-wide route map that shows where routes run should be readily available like route schedules are.

WHAT IS WORKING NOW.
The Freedom passes are a good thing. The one-zone-one-fare is not. It was created to make money for RGRTA. They disguised it by saying it is easier to remember. Transfers were easy to remember. One transfer, one connecting route. But now if you are going to take two buses somewhere, you have to take two to get back so spend the $3 for the one-day unlimited pass so you can stop along the way as needed.

So what do you think about these ideas? Will they work? Would they make it easier to "Take a GREAT ride" or "Ride with ROGER" or am I just wasting my time? I invite the public to comment on my proposal to gauge how riders and the public view my suggestions. Provide your input by posting your comments on this blog topic. I would be interested in hearing from current anf former RGRTA employees, and riders.

Thank you for reading my suggestions to improve RGRTA to benefit all of the Greater Rochester Area.

Apple of My Eye

In 2001, my wife made a promise to me. It took four years to follow through with it but I FINALLY got it! After thinking what I wanted and convincing the ocularist, I have a new and improved look. It is not noticeable at first so you'll have to get very, very close to see it. If you do, look carefully and see what's there. . .

Thanks for visiting my "eyemac" blog If you wish to comment, please feel free to do so. -Ron

I should note that Apple Computers owns the trademarked for the Apple logo and it was my decision (with some begging to the ocularist) to have this prosthetic eye made with the Apple logo in 2005.

Abbott's Frozen Custard used My Idea! :-D

Well, it seems Abbott's Frozen Custard decided to use my idea after all! If you have seen the new Abbott's treat - Frozen Cannolis, give them a try. Although they decided to go with an ice cream filling flavored as vanilla or chocolate instead of my suggested cannoli cream, but hey, they liked it enough to use it! Here is my original email to them . . .

Subject: Flavorful new idea from a customer

To:info@abbottscustard.com
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:12:55 AM

Dear Abbott's,
I am a long-time customer of your brand of frozen treats (over 30 years now). My craving for frozen custard is second to my love of cannolis. So, I would like to suggest a new flavor and spin on it.
Although i do not know how you make the rich flavors in your custard, but if you could make a cannoli cream custard, perhaps like the flavor from Wegman's, Salvatore's or Guido's Pasts Villa's cannolis.

As for the cone part, it would be a good match to have the cone made out of cannoli crust to give the flavor combo the perfect lend.

Why make cannoli custard? Abbott's started in Rochester, where cannolis are found on many restaurant menus, and in many bakeries, and grocery stores. They are as much a part of Rochester as Abbott's, Wegman's, Xerox and Kodak. I think the "Cannolli Cone" would be a great seller. Perhaps you could try a test batch as an event like Harborfest or July 4th week and see what the public thinks. I know there is research and focus group testing and marketing but maybe you could start with a customer poll at all Abbott's locations in Rochester as a less costly method to track public opinion then go from there.

My experience is in multimedia including working for news, production and promotions for television and radio stations in cities that rank in the top 25 population centers (Tampa, Orlando) before moving back home to Rochester (which ranks 74th). I also have my own promotions and production business and would be willing to run tasting events around Rochester to help introduce the new flavor.

I am not interested in your decision to use me or my services for any part of this. I am more serious about the Cannoli Cone frozen treat you could do well with in this wonderful city we all call home. I would like to hear your comments (positive or not) and any feedback you can provide on my suggestion and your implementing it. I can be reached using the contact info below my signature line.

Tank you for taking your time to read my suggestion and consider it for action Have a prosperous and happy year.

Sincerely,
Ron Durbin
Abbott's customer
. . .
Ron Durbin
rondurbin_us#yahoo.com

Meet Lexi, Our Newest Family Member

Say a big HI to our new little puppy, Lexi, an eight-week-old female beagle-terrier-mix.

After waiting almost six months to search for our next puppy, we found her in only three days! We went to Petfinder.com, entered our criteria and, saw a list of available dogs that were within a 90-minute drive. We contacted PALS4PETS in Brockport NY and made arrangements to see the puppies. We quickly decided which one was going to be our little sweetheart. After adopting her we let her show us her personality before deciding on her name. She loves Dusty and he took to her after only one day. He now plays with her and protects her. He looks happier and younger now that he has a companion.

We wanted a small to medium mixed-breed female puppy and we did not want to go to a puppy mill or designer store to buy one. After all, we adopted Amy for free from a nice family in Tampa in 1993 when she was only six weeks old. Nowadays, the adoption or donation fees are more like $180 but they include the shots worming and the cost for shelters to rescue and keep these precious pets alive until they are adopted. They are always looking for donations of pet supplies and office supplies. So, if you have a spare $20, send them a gift card to WalMart, Staples/Office Depot, PetsMart, Petco, or Target. If you knit or crochet, they can use blankets for bedding and warmth. Call or email them for needed supplies and the shipping address. They would really appreciate your efforts. If not to PALS4PETS, then pick a local rescue/shelter to donate to.

*Dusty is a 9-year-old Shepherd-Lab mix who is normally a sweet loving dog, except when he is around other large dogs. He was visibly depressed and older, and acting slower and crying (whining) more than usual since Amy passed away in May. (See earlier posting "Amy's Passing" in the list.

Amy's Passing :-(

For 13 years Amy, my lifetime companion and much-loved dog, has been by my side. She passed away on May 24th. She lived a good life as we spoiled her often & a lot. Her favorite toys were balls of any kind & size, and tug toys. She loved to lay outside, unless she had a big ball to play with. She spent a lot of time evaluating the firmness and sleep-quality of the furniture and her dog beds. The only period of time where she ever did not feel well was the last 5 days of her life.

On the 19th, Amy stopped walking on her own and lost bladder control, and a few days later she stopped eating, then Tuesday night she stopped drinking. We knew then that she was leaving us soon. The morning of her passing we spent outside with her in the sunshine for a few hours and then we went inside and cuddled her and gave her "baby time" for another hour while laying next to her.

We went to the vet arond 2:30p and the vet told us that with her size, age, discomfort, and that she stopped eating and drinking, that Amy was going to pass away soon. The vet also noticed the drooping in her eye and the loss of control in her mouth and said Amy may have had a tumor in her brain. We decided that Amy should not have to live in pain and discomfort just so we could have her longer, so we agreed to euthanize her. We spent an hour in the office cuddling Amy before we called the vet back in. The vet could not get an IV in because Amy's dehydration and low blood pressure had closed up her veins too much, so the vet had to give Amy an injection. As I cradled Amy's head in my hands and Lorrie hugged her, Amy relaxed and passed away. Immediately afterward, the vet said "I am starting the injection now." So, we ended up paying for the reassurance that Amy passed away peacefully with Lorrie and I holding her.

We know Amy will be around us in spirit and maybe even come back to us reincarnated. For now, she is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. We Love You Amy.

See Amy's memorial at http://nightstyles.net/dogs/amy.html

PS- We recommend Greece Animal Clinic on Latta Rd West of Long Pond Rd for vet care. They were excellent, professional, and compassionate. Most of all they were fair and honest about Amy's situation and what they felt would be the best for her, but they let us make the decisions in our own time. You can find the like I did using Yahoo Local in "Rochester NY 14612."