Silvia Richardson was born in the beautiful city of Appenzell, Switzerland surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Appenzell is a town of 5,000 in Eastern Switzerland, less than two hours from Zürich by train. The town lies amid green hills with just enough low-altitude Alps to remind tourists that they're still in Switzerland.
It's most famous for its annual Landesgemeinde, an open-air parliament where citizens vote directly on major issues instead of trusting elected officials to make decisions for them.
Appenzell has long been one of Switzerland's most active centers for yodeling, alphorn playing, and other expressions of Swiss musical tradition. The local houses are also distinctive, with their painted façades and attached barns. This city is also known worldwide for its cheese and lace.
She was raised as the middle child amid four brothers. Silvia speaks 3 languages fluently. Silvia began her dream for independence at an early age. She began her career in banking throughout Europe.
Later on she became a Marketing Assistant at DuPont promoting the Teflon/Silverstone Cookware’s.
She fulfilled that childhood dream for independence when she moved to America. She attended Delaware County Community College in Media, Pennsylvania. If that was not difficult enough, she also completed the arduous requirements to gain full American citizenship.
Silvia now lives in the Lonestar State of Texas where she worked as an Administrative Manager. In her “spare” time, she is a devoted mom to her 10 year old son Ryan, cares for lost and stray animals, draws, reads, and writes. Silvia also enjoys working with her hands and that has lead to building miniature dollhouses and crafts with her son. When you ask Silvia's son Ryan what he thinks of his mom you be surprised:
"My mom is a very thoughtful, funny and caring person. She is always happy, likes what I like and she is special to my heart. She is a great mom, very talented and surprises me often."
It sounds as though she would be satisfied with her life and accomplishments at this point. But this is where you would be mistaken. Like her family and friends in Appenzell, Silvia is not content to leave her future and freedom in the hands of others.
Through Silvia’s work with My VMTeam and BlogTalkRadio she has realized the importance of Internet Marketing.
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
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Yes I know that the first thing that comes to your mind is billions of dollars of tax payer money. Your right, taxes do pay for our freedom in a large part. Our taxes pay for our military and all that entails. But what about our service men and women? Many of them are fresh out of high school. Many have lost their lives, wounded, maimed, physiologically scarred for life. That is a huge price to pay for our freedom. The purpose of this letter is not to talk about the tragedies of war or the many injustices that occur within the military system. I’m sure you know someone, perhaps dear to you, or know someone who knew someone that was killed, wounded or had to go through the runaround military red tape nightmare. My intention and focus is to discuss what one gentleman in Phoenix, AZ is doing.
Gary Tennant, CEO of Private Coach Limos volunteers his time and the services of his Sedans to pick up returning veterans at the airport and take them home in style, giving them special VIP treatment.
When I read about what Gary was doing I just had to pick up the phone and call him. I knew here was someone with a huge heart. After talking with him for several minutes my feelings about his generosity were confirmed. I also thought of what I could do to give something back to those who have risked their lives to protect our freedom. I came up with the idea that I would print a couple hundred Gift Certificates entitling the bearer to a complementary session. God knows they all could benefit from a spinal alignment. Gary could present them to the soldiers when he picks them up. Gary was also offered gift baskets to give to the soldiers he picks up from the airport. I know that most Chiropractors would be willing to give something like this back to our service men and women. Maybe you have a better idea. Whatever the case, let’s start something big. Let’s not limit it to Phoenix, AZ or to limo rides, gift baskets and Chiropractic. Let’s get the whole country involved. Who do you know that has a business and will donate something to the men and women who have risked THEIR LIVES for YOU and ME? Won’t you please join us in this noble and worthy cause?
You can contact me, Carlos M. Gonzalez D.C., directly at 915-383-CARE (2273), email at drcmgonzalez50@yahoo.com or Gary Tennant at 602-653-9340 or email him at gary@privatecoachlimos.com.
Hope everything is well with you and you made it Ike okay.
Mel just doesn't get it. This goes against everything we are fighting for. We need to let him know that drilling is not the answer.
MARTINEZ: “GANG OF 10” PROPOSAL IS WRONG FOR U.S.
September 12, 2008 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding the pending “Gang of 10” proposal that is expected to be brought up for consideration next week during the Senate’s debate on overhauling U.S. energy policy.
Senator Martinez said:
“I am for more domestic exploration. We need to drill for oil in ANWR and the OCS. We need to start taking advantage of the vast supplies of oil shale in the West. We need to do all of these things in conjunction with conservation and developing alternative energy supplies like nuclear, clean coal, bio fuels, and renewable resources.
“The ‘Gang of 10’ as it has been presented falls far short of meeting our nation’s energy needs and instead threatens to raise the price of fuel at a time when Americans are already paying record high prices. Worse yet, the proposal blocks states like Florida from determining their own fate as exploration is concerned. Florida in particular is harmed by this proposal because it walls off production except for in the most sensitive environmental and military training areas.
“The time for patchwork solutions is past. The time for political posturing is over. The American people are overwhelmed with the prices at the pump and they demand a comprehensive solution. The best alternative on the table right now is S. 3202, the Gas Price Reduction Act. S. 3202 is a balanced approach that will help lower fuel costs in the near term and give America the energy independence it needs.”
Currently the U.S. is sending an exorbitant portion of it's energy money overseas. Anyone who does not take some initiative to cut their power bill (and therefore energy usage) needs to realize that they are providing 'aide and comfort' to those who would love to see us dead and are taking great delight in our current difficulty. Drilling for more domestic oil is not the panacea for this mess as prices are not being controlled by the mechanism of supply and demand, rather by a combination of speculators and OPEC who control such a large portion of the world's oil supply that they can easily negate any of our drilling efforts by simply closing the tap at their end just a little. Any oil we produce won't save us any money. We currently produce a large amount of oil in Alaska but do you see us getting a break on it because it's domestic? No, we pay the going world rate, set by the aforementioned OPEC and speculators...and provide another windfall for the oil companies. They sit before Congress smiling saying their huge profits are necessary to allow them to explore....excuse me....we are talking about NET PROFITS here...what's left AFTER exploration expenses. We the people have no control over this sort of manipulation of our government, whether we have Republicans or Democrats in charge. . .there's too much money involved. Our only hope is to cut energy usage, not drill and give them more avenues for profit. We all need to realize the best thing we can all do to help the energy situation and economy is to take individual action. Rather than waiting around for the government to do something we can each cut our electric usage dramatically....up to one half of your bill if you are willing to spend a little time and money. Every time you see your power bill shrinking, that's money for you rather than some oil producer. Money you can spend here to help the economy or save as you prefer. Here are several sites worth visiting that aren't selling anything but tell it like it is. Plenty of simple and painless techniques to cut your power bill.
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/
Mr. 'Bluejay' does a great job explaing away a lot of scams...see his section on surge suppressors for example.
http://www.builditsolar.com/index.htm
Be sure to look at the 'Half' program.
The current situation has people grasping at all sorts of non-cost effective solutions that sound great on paper but don't hold up to scrutiny in the real world. Solar electricity is one of those as would be wind power in cent. Florida. Solar PV (photo voltaic) just costs too much at the present. Hopefully ongoing research will change that in the future but it's not ready for prime time yet. The rental program below will probably be practical if it gets underway.
Check out this site for info on a possible contender for solar PV at home.
http://renu.citizenre.com/index.php?c=1218495642
The 'Build it Solar' site also has some good info about costs.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/pv.htm
Plenty of outright scams getting too much press also. The 'run your car on water' crowd is one I can think of (apparently many people didn't pay attention in high school physics). A good site explaining the physics that negates that scheme is here along with other interesting info about some of those behind the current revival.
http://www.alternative-energy-resources.net/browns-gas-the-reality....
Another scam that's been revived is the 'phase controller' that supposedly saves electricity by making motors run more efficiently. Home show demonstrations with an electric motor show it's electricity usage dropping dramatically when the motor is plugged into the device rather than straight into the incoming power. These devices actually do work in the applications they are designed for...this has the unfortunate effect of helping the scammers (or to give them the benefit of the doubt, uneducated-in-electricity folk) sell these things. An industrial application that produces savings would be a big table saw in a woodworking shop that runs constantly. When it's not cutting wood, the motor is under no load and at that moment, a phase controller will save energy. The goal of electrical engineers is to make sure anything with a motor runs that motor at rated capacity at all times...that's the point a motor is most efficient. Their striving for this is what has made ACs and refrigerators much more efficient lately. The point here is motors in your home all run at rated load all the time. There is no 'off load' time like with the big table saw. A 'phase controller' saves nothing in this situation.
In hot climates a proven strategy that works well is a heat recovery unit attached to your AC unit. It provides free hot water and also increases the efficiency of the AC a couple of SEER points by reducing head pressure (and electricity draw) on the compresser. You're paying for your A/C to move a great deal of heat out of your house, you might as well use that heat to provide you with hot water. Adding one of these to an older AC unit that still runs well is a good way to cut $30-$50 off your monthly power bill during AC season (which here in cent Fl can be about 9 months). The neatest thing about this solution is that it's cost-negative. In addition to being free hot water as opposed to other 'high efficiency' heaters that still consome energy, it actually lowers your cost of air conditioning. Here is a manufacturer's site for two of these and a power company document about it as well. The second mfg site has a neat calculator for your savings...but my experience shows it to be somewhat under-optomistic. I don't think it's taking into account how a hru will improve your AC's efficiency. There are claims that they don't work with higher efficiency unit, but I have two HRU connected to 13 SEER heat pumps that provide plenty of hot water.
http://www.trevormartin.com/about.asp
http://www.turbotecproducts.com/EPhome.html
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/11/10104.pdf
Another real saver in hot areas is a radiant barrier in the attic or metal roof. Both create similar savings. If you are re-roofing, consider changing to a metal roof. When installed over a normal wood-decked roof, noise is not a problem. Most people thinking of a noisy metal roof have heard one that's been installed over wood 'stringers' as was the case many years ago...very noisy in a rainstorm. If you have a hip roof house or a lot of dormers metal may be too costly due to the waste from all the cutting to fit...metal is most cost effective on a two-slope 'shed type' roof. Radiant barriers can either be installed during construction..an easy way is using foil-backed plywood roof decking ...or added later. See this site for info and material.
http://www.atticfoil.com/
Tankless water heating is also a problem area for accurate claims of savings. A gas tankless heater can be much more efficient since it eliminates the flue that passes through the center of a conventional tank heater and becomes a chimney to carry away your water's heat once the flame shuts off. Electrics are another story... Big savings are claimed that are not supported by data. No studies are shown that give specifics telling you what make/model/year tank unit is being compared with the advertised tankless. Maybe they use an ancient cast iron tank heater insulated with sawdust? Verifiable details please. Somehow electric tankless heaters dodge the requirement for the yellow government 'EnerGuide' label that every other appliance must have. If they had to carry it, their claims would show to be false. Claims of better durability because of 'no tank' are a red herring also...the 'tank' still exists, only it's now smaller. Buildup from hard water deposits may be more of an issue with tankless, possible surcharges from the power company later due to high instantaneous current draw, heavy wiring needed, new construction with planned tankless can make retrofit of tank type later very difficult due to lack of dedicated hot water piping, incompatability with future solar or other alternative power sources due to aforementioned high current draw. These are all serious disavantages of the tankless electric. All electric hot water heaters are 100% efficient at heating water. That's a function of an electric element immersed in water. The only added efficiency of a tankless is the reduction of standby losses which are very minimal in new technology insulated tank heaters. Put your hand on one and you'll see they pretty much run at room temperature...very little standby loss.
Another myth is that shading a A/C condenser saves '10-20% or more. The reality is not much. Similar situation to a garden hose left out in the sun...you turn on the water and what comes out is scalding hot....but in a few moments the water is cool...sun impinging on something will make it very hot but that is a function of 'accumulated heat'. What heat is striking something and being carried away by a fan is very small. See the following link about this subject...
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/FSEC-PF-302-96/index.htm
A free, online calculator that can help you plan upgrades is here:
http://hes.lbl.gov/
Two technologies have the potential to really turn things around..see these two links for something both companies say will arrive sometime next year...Still better to get moving with your own plan that to wait with your fingers crossed..
http://www.eestorbatteries.com/
http://www.nanosolar.com/
Please use due diligence when deciding on ways to save energy. There are LOTS of scams out there. The internet is a great source of info and you can easily see both points of view on any energy saving strategy. Just simple conservation by time-tested means is still the best way to approach our dilemma. If we all cut our power bill in half, we'd all have much more money in our pocket and our nation would be much more secure. This action, along with Mr. Picken's ideas on wind power, WILL free us from imported oil and rather quickly.
I am looking for your help. I need your honest opinion about a fund raiser I just came across. In part it offers green electricity to power homes using wind.. Could you let me know what you think of it please?
This fund raising method can save members or supporters up to 30% on their utility bills each month. Then the church, sports team, non profit, or community group collects a portion of what each member pays EVERY MONTH on their LOWER utility bills. So this fund raiser keeps the money flow going each month, as long as members keep paying their lower utility bill. Savings for members can be up to $1,000 a year.
There is no cost for members or supporters; they just save money and get a free vacation certificate plus receive travel reward points too, while raising money for your favorite cause. This seems to be a WIN WIN WIN solution... but what do you think?
As an option members can also support a clean environment by signing up for green electricity that is generated by wind. Churches are using this now to raise funds for missionary work, feeding the homeless, etc.
I am on the board of the Homeless Housing Coalition in my area and I wish we had access to this program in our area. I think this is available in your area, lucky you. Add me as a friend, and let me know what you think of it.
Add me as a friend if you like. Click on my picture, join my group and read my blog to find out more.
Thanks for supporting Pickens Plan and for everything else that you do...
Go Pickens!
Welcome to the Pickens Plan.
We all share the same goal; to rid ourselves of foreign oil and clean up our environment for our children and grandchildren. Wind energy is a viable alternative. Some of us have a different ideas of what we can do for immediate relief.
Join some groups, get involved and invite some of your friends to join you.
Check out our group "Live Carbon Free" and see how we are promoting conservation and environmental stewardship as the bridge to future energy developments. Regardless of what we do, it will take some time to implement on a significant scale. For immediate results we can make a huge difference by conserving what we have.
We would like for you to join our group and value your input. Feel free to add me as a friend..
http://www.push.pickensplan.com/group/livecarbonfree
Wayne
There is a perfect storm of events happening right now that create the possibility of a paradigm shift that is urgently needed. We have an angry citizenry due to pain at the pump, a presidential election on the horizon, and a man with a plan to dramatically and imminently reduce our dependance on foreign oil, and provide a bridge to future solutions, who has the resources, contacts, knowledge, wealth and "will" to get it done.
Please share this plan with your circle of friends, family and associates. Urge them to JOIN. As you know, it is simply like signing a petition. With large numbers of supporters, we can put pressure to bear on Congress to incentivize alternative and renewable energies, and insure that our future president will be a leader that will push for domestic energy solutions. JFK once said. "in the next 10 years we will put a man on the moon". He got it done. We need that kind of leadership on energy.
Time is of the essence. If gas prices retreat the public will forget the pain, and our moment may be lost. How frightening to be looking back and apologizing to our children that we could not get this done when we had the chance.
For more information:
Check out an informative video "Topeka, Kansas Town Hall Meeting": http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2008/08/04/video-of-the-topeka-town-hall
Please friend me if you like.
If you know someone in the press- get them to cover this.
If you know someone who blogs- get them to cover this.
If you can write to a Congressman/woman- get them to understand this. You can call them at (202)225-3121. Ask them if they support 100% clean electricity in the next 10 years.
If you know someone who is in the public eye- ask them to support this.
If you can write a letter to the editor of your local paper- please do.
If you want to print downloadable flyers and put them in your car and/or business window- please do.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TODAY to ask 5 people to join this historical effort. Thanks again for support