Okay, so I thought I would never be writing on a 60 minutes segment, but Leslie
Stahl had one last night that you might be a little interested in, it deals with
electric and electric/hybrids Forced Green has posted on before, so here we go:

One of the reasons electric cars have never taken off has been battery technology.
A few years ago, someone wondered: why not use the batteries they put in laptop
computers called lithium-ion batteries? That’s when the environmentally-conscious
hi-tech industry in California jumped in.

The first all-electric sports car is called the “Roadster” and is made by Tesla
Motors, a small start-up in Northern California. (more…)

Back on the Map!

Ron Shank and Levi Garrett described how scared they were with the weather
that had the tornado whistle blowing.  Everyone hit the bunkers and waited
for the storm to pass.  Ron’s GM Dealership had some hail damage. The new
church suffered some water damage.

City Council meet to get BNIM’s Master plan approved and the presentation is made.
Council approves the plan with a 5-0 vote. (more…)

Research scientist at two different universities are on the same path to
developing an inexpensive process that will allow you to paint on or print
out your own solar cells. Imagine, a simple and inexpensive energy alternative
for households around the world.

Last year it was reported that researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology
(NJIT) developed an inexpensive solar cell that can be painted or printed on
flexible plastic sheets. Lead researcher, Professor Somenath Mitra said, “The
process is simple, someday homeowners will even be able to print sheets of these
solar cells with inexpensive home-based inkjet printers. Consumers can then slap (more…)

End of March

Marilyn Brown signed a contract on July 7, 2007 with Alfred Soleck, a Oklahoma
contractor from her mother’s church, to build her home.  After starting the build
and needing more and more of the money up front, he left them high and dry. Mr.
Soleck was arrested in Oklahoma on federal charges that included 6 criminal counts
of home repair fraud.  Volunteers have been helping the Browns in building the
house and when the volunteers have to leave, well, its one day at a time. (more…)

March 2008

What’s left of Greensburg State Bank built in 1989 is getting demolished.
Dee Corns, employee and wife of the Bank President tells of rebuilding the
bank in the same location.  They will build green using eco-block (icf).
There was a lot of material reclaimed from the bank before the demo
started.

Robert Mitchum, city council member, discusses who might be mayor. (more…)

February 27, 2008

Primary Election Results are in. Bob Dixson and John Janssen are in a runoff
for the primary.  10 of the 15 city council positions will move on to the
primary. Carmen Renfro and Erica Goodman are in the runoff for City Council.

March 2, 2008

Studio 804 Warehouse in Lawrence, Kansas is paid a visit by the 5.4.7 Arts
Center Board to see the progress they were making on the new building. The
building is being built to LEED certification. It will have a lot of active (more…)

(This is a long one kids, so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy)

January 2008

Two architect students from the University of Kansas’ Studio 804, drive
4 1/2 hours to determine if Greensburg would be a viable candidate for
their annual project to build a house using architecture as a way of turning
around neighborhoods. They are concerned about committing here because of the
distance and time. Studio 804 is composed of 22 graduate students, all
graduating in May. The students go out and seek funding for the project, but
it seems they seek from the effected community itself, (gee, thanks). Back
at the University a Studio 804 meeting is held with the 22 students and their
professor discussing if Greensburg can really go that green, can the town
pull it off, the project’s not a charity, it needs funding, can the town (more…)