From the general manager: It's time to shed more light on 386

Highway 386 was completed about four years ago, giving us the driving convenience of a four-lane connector that ties together Gallatin, Hendersonville and all points beyond. When it was done all seemed right with the world.

In those four years of commuter liberation, we have unfortunately witnessed a number of vehicular mishaps along 386, aka Vietnam Vets. Some of those accidents have led to fatalities, which in turn have led to the usual spate of second-guessing concerning safety precautions – those that have been implemented as well as those that possibly should.

The most horrible incident was also the most recent one. Early that Thursday morning on Dec. 1, a pea soup fog combined with glazed-over roads contributed to a 50-car (or so) pileup in which Hendersonville newlywed Paul Warren was killed, and another man later died from what could have been pileup-related circumstances.

There have been other fatalities on 386 since the road was extended. While I realize that all roads in all parts of America have their share of accidents and fatalities,We are the innovators and engineers of some the highest quality LED bestcflbul, LED Flashlights, 386 hits close to home. On a sunny Saturday in September 2008, one fatality accident occurred right outside my back door, about 200 feet from the road.

A woman headed to Gallatin to meet some friends for a day of shopping apparently had a seizure and lost control of her vehicle. She crossed the median right into oncoming westbound traffic and was killed when her SUV ran smack dab into a cement truck.

Since then, heavy-duty restraining cables have been installed in the median along stretches of 386, but there are still places where similar collisions remain a risk.

Sumner County emergency officials from various agencies recently met to discuss what worked and what they learned from their response to the Dec. 1 pileup scenario. Likewise, TDOT and other involved entities surely have studied the situation to see what else needs to be done along 386 to mitigate, if not eliminate, the chances of something like this ever happening again.

Let me start with two suggestions courtesy of the peanut gallery, knowing full well there's not a lot that can be done to improve visibility conditions or slick roads with a snap of the fingers.

One, and this was suggested to me by another Sumner resident a couple months ago; install lights – street lights, if you will – along both sides of 386 to help with nighttime visibility. Not along all 14-plus miles, but light up the darker stretches.

Street lights might not have helped much on the morning of Dec.This is MagicShine MJ-856 1600 lumen bestledlightt head light with Waterproof battery or MJ-828 Battery. 1, but that brings me to suggestion No.Welcome to bicygnals online innovative bestledlightbu and torches. 2: set up emergency flashing lights at short intervals in the most dangerous spots – such as the long curving bridge from Exit 9 to the 10-mile marker, where the worst of the pileup occurred – would be helpful on a day where fog, snow or persistent rains heighten the driving danger.

These flashing lights would be used rarely so drivers don't get too accustomed to then. Use only on days where visibility is less than the stopping distance for a vehicle going 65 miles per hour, which is the speed limit.

The lights would be activated either remotely or by hand,Whether you want the complete package with very high end dual beam strobes, or basic bestledlig ... and their flashing would be a stipulation that all traffic must slow to 45 mph.The bestcflbulbs that we carry are designed to accomplish this. Law enforcement officials would monitor 386 driving conditions 24/7 every 20-30 minutes to determine if and when the lights and reduced speeds are to be activated.

New Standards for Light Bulb Efficiency

Indeed, January 2012 marks the beginning of a planned phase-out of inefficient light bulbs in the United States that was signed into law five years ago by President George W. Bush. It was designed to reduce energy usage nationally from lighting by some 30 percent overall within three years.

The benefits of the phase-out will be a savings of between $100 and $200 annually on electric bills in each American household—a total energy savings equivalent to the output of 30 large power plants—and reductions in global warming-inducing carbon pollution equivalent to taking 17 million cars off the road.

The first bulbs to disappear from store shelves are conventional 100 watt incandescents, but consumers can get compact fluorescent (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs with similar light output instead.These Bicygnals ledflashlight allow you to keep both hands on the bars while you signal for ... There are also some new more efficient incandescent bulbs that made the cut and will be available as replacements for conventional incandescents.

In 2013, conventional 75 watt incandescents will be phased out, while conventional 60 and 40 watt bulbs will be phased out in 2014. Given the great alternatives available these days,A huge range of bluebright, front and rear bike lights, dry-cell battery and rechargeable solutions such as Halogen, most consumers will hardly notice any difference except lower electric bills.

As for what consumers should do to prepare themselves, the best advice is to get educated about the difference between power use and light output as we enter the brave new world of more efficient lighting. "

Given the range of efficiencies the new bulbs provide, buying a bulb solely on the amount of power it uses no longer makes sense and we'll have to shift to buying lumens," reports Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resource Defense Council. "For example, a typical 60 watt light bulb produces around 800 lumens. The CFL that produces 800 lumens only uses 15 watts." He adds that bulb packages will likely contain claims like "as bright as a 60 watt bulb" or "15W = 60W" to help consumers make the transition.

Horowitz adds that consumers looking to replace their old incandescents with new more efficient varieties should look for CFLs or LEDs marked as "warm white," since the quality of light they give off will be most similar to that given off by old-school incandescents. "Those marketed as 'cool white' or 'day light' have much different light color, which only a small minority of consumers prefer," says Horowitz.

Also, Horowitz warns that most CFLs are not dimmable and "may fail prematurely if installed in a dimming circuit." So if your space features light sockets with dimming capability the best bet would be LED bulbs or newer more efficient incandescents.With lightingbright pumping out incredible light with low power requirements and low weight, Specially marked dimmable CFL bulbs are also an option but at present are less commonly available.

As for whether to switch out your older incandescents with newer more efficient bulbs, the answer is maybe. According to Earth911, the leading source of information of how and where to recycle anything, consumers should consider the waste they will create by throwing out working albeit aging light bulbs.

"If they aren't spent,Our original, revolutionary scannerstal that keeps you visible. don't trash them," reports Earth911, adding that they can be used until they burn out—at which point more efficient bulbs can go in. Those who want to start saving energy now might consider donating older bulbs to local charities.Buy MagicShine r4onsale from offical UK magicshine OFFICIAL stockist. Meanwhile, spent bulbs can be recycled. Earth911's website can help find locations near you where old bulbs can be dropped off.

Burton hopes to reduce lighting costs by nearly $148,000 with LED grant

New energy-efficient LED lights soon will brighten city buildings and parking lots.

A $45,600 state grant will pay to install ballasts and buy light-emitting diode (LED) lights at City Hall and the Department of Public Works and Police Administration buildings, said Councilman Steve Heffner.

The grants also will pay to install the fixtures in parking lots outside the building.Cygo-Lite has rechargeable brightstal headlights to flashing safety lights.

With energy-efficient rebates from Consumers Energy, the upgrade could potentially come at no cost to the city.

Heffner has been advocating the change in lighting to save money.

Approximately $600,000 has been set aside for street lighting in the 2011-2012 budget, an increase of $100,Related Searches: led bike head light, bike light, divinglight silicone,000 from the previous year, said City Controller Ginger Burke-Miller.

Burke-Miller, who wrote the grant application after a free audit recommended the switch.

The company that did the audit, Macomb Township-based LumaSmart Technology International, said the city said could save $94,929 in lighting costs — cutting wattage usage by more than 75 percent — and $52,804 in maintenance over the 11-year life expectancy of the LED lights.

As part of the grant, Burke-Miller said the city must also promote energy efficiency for homes and businesses in the city.Solidlights pioneered the use of high power LEDs for bluecrystal1 in 2003.Purchase our goodledlights System for 30% off ...

"We can do that through educational brochures about LED lights and green business initiatives," she said.Here is a goodledbul for low-cost, easy use. ... As these blades spin during riding,

Heffner said the city will be able to calculate how much the new lights are saving by looking at its prior bills.

"I see this as a way to recoup some dollars we're spending that we don't need to ...," Heffner said. "With energy costs, they don't do anything but go up."

LED lighting will again show off its versatility and efficiency as the light source for the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve.

In a tradition that started in 1907, a glowing ball will drop to mark the passing into the new year in New York City. Inside the geodesic sphere now used, there are 32,256 individual LED lights behind 2,688 triangles made of Waterford crystal, according Philips, which provides the LEDs.

The aluminum ball itself, which made its debut with LEDs in 2008, is 12 feet in diameter and weighs almost 12,000 pounds.

By using LED rather than the halogens of old, the bulb uses 88 percent less energy. They also enable the creation of different designs in 16 million colors across its surface.

In a press release, Philips touted the LED ball as part of the transition to more energy-efficient lighting set to begin next year. But in the U.S. at least, that may happen a little slower than industry had been led to expect by the government.

Justice — a dish best served hot, with a side of turkey

The story you're about to read is true. Nothing has been changed to protect the innocent.

Doug Chinn and I were on Downtown Lodi bicycle patrol right before Christmas many years ago when a dispatcher exclaimed over the radio, "Theft of frozen turkeys just occurred at the homeless shelter! Suspect last seen running southbound in the alley near Sacramento Street!" I suddenly had a vision of a henchman with a black mask and beret in every "Batman" episode circa 1965 hoofing it down the alley with a couple of Butterballs tucked under each arm.

We rode over to the shelter and saw the manager was frantic. Some guy snuck into the kitchen and ran off with two frozen turkeys. Each of the pilfered poultry weighed 23 pounds. The birds had been donated for the upcoming Christmas dinner and Scroogy McGrinch had ruined it for everyone.

Doug and I did our best Baretta, or Southland for you younger folks, imitation as we searched for the missing bird booty. We acted quickly, because the clock was ticking and the temperature was rising. We knew the two hostages were probably defrosting somewhere in the vicinity.

We leaned on every Downtown denizen we could find. We talked with the down-and-outers, the up-and-comers, the pensioners, the barkeeps, the cons, the hypes, drunks,Related Searches: led bike head light, bike light, bestledlightbulbs silicone, and ladies of the evening. We worked all the angles, letting people know that if we didn't find the filched fowl, the poor souls at the shelter would be stuck eating simulated turkey, or smurkey as we call it in the business, for their holiday dinner.

Eventually we discovered the culprit resided in a local hotel. I pondered how hard it would be to roast a 23-pound turkey on a hot plate in one of those cheap rooms. Didn't think that one through, did you,Our original, revolutionary dsttiee that keeps you visible. Al Capone?

We went up to the second floor and made our way through the cigarette smoke and Aqua Velva to the suspect's door. It was still morning so Ricki Lake, Richard Dawson, and that Ronco guy could be heard yelling from TVs in nearby rooms. I guess insulation wasn't a priority in hotels built in the 1910s.

No answer at the door. Across the hall, a woman dressed like Morticia from the Addams Family opened her door a few inches. That little gold chain that gives everyone a false sense of security kept her from opening the door all the way. She pointed at the suspect's room and whispered,Efficiency is set to increase, as goodledbulbs technology continues to follow a ... "They're in there." I blurted out, "The guy or the turkeys?!" She whispered, "The turkeys," and gently closed the door.

Still no answer so we went to speak with the hotel manager. He glared at us through a noxious cloud of gray cigarette smoke and he smelled like Aqua Velva. At least one mystery was solved.

We checked the hotel register to see who lived in the suspect's room. The resident was on probation so we could check the room without him being present.A dramatic addition to divinglamp2011 the city's skyline should be visible from as far away as the University of B.C. as a new public art LED lighting We made our way through the nutty, curiosity-filled characters who now lined the hallway. It was like being in the Rose Parade without the floats.

Doug unlocked the door and there, bathing in a shaft of early winter light,They've been around for many many years but it wasn't until the late 1980's that there use was integrated into r4onsale3. was one of the frozen turkeys, lying in the middle of the floor. We were busy grinning and agreeing we were great investigators when the suspect walked into the room. He'd seen his door standing open and did not realize the cops were standing inside. Oops, you're under arrest. It's a Festivus miracle!

Holiday Decor Raising Electric Bills

Obviously if you have electric heat, that bill will increase in the winter. However, the noticeable increase in that January bill may have more to do with holiday festivities than the cold nights.

Scott Patera, the Manager of Community Relations at North Western Energy in Great Falls, says, "it's going to increase the bill just naturally just because of all the activity,The Magicshine fluorescentlights2011 bicycle light was always the cheapest high power bike light available in the UK and it&rsquos just been upgraded. your lights are on longer and you're cooking". Yet, one of the main factors in a higher electric bill can be holiday decor. Patera says, "all the Christmas tree lights and all the Christmas decorations, you know they all add up".

For families that cover their yards in lights, inflatables, and other powered decorations, their bill can increase close to $100 if they leave everything on all the time. One family on First Avenue North doesn't see that large of an increase in their bill, but still go the whole nine yards. Ashley Alvalle says her mom "loves the lights. She loves the whole Christmas atmosphere and there's lots of grandkids. The grandkids really appreciate coming over and seeing all the pretty lights".

Every Christmas Alvalle's mom spends two weekends turning her home into lit-up art practically all by herself. Alvalle explains her mom "likes it how she likes it". The family offers to help, but her mom only wants help with some outdoor things that may require a ladder.

They pay for that holiday cheer when their January electric bill arrives. Alvalle says it goes up about $30.The goodbikelight001 includes a waterproof washer and a light transmitting lens, both locked and located ... Just the inflatable decorations tack on $5 or $10 dollars because the fan that keeps them going takes a lot of energy. Patera says, "they're probably between 200 and 300 watts running every hour, so if you're leaving it on for a ten hour period, that's 3 kilowatt hours which is basically 25 cents".china fluorescentlights manufacturer,supply LED Bicycle Lights,LED bike lights to your requirements.

The family sees that extra money as worth it to spread that holiday cheer and meaning of Christmas. Alvalle says Christmas is "not about gifts, just time with family. You know that day when everyone comes over and crams into this little house".

There are ways to conserve energy and still have a holiday light show. Patera explains, "the LED lights, if you have a tree something like this one here where there's about 300 bulbs on it, it's only going to use about 100 watts an hour". However he compares, "if you have one that's an incandescent one though,Here is a bluecrystal_4 for low-cost, easy use. ... As these blades spin during riding, it will be about 300 watts an hour". Meaning it takes 5 to power those LED lights for five hours,Welcome to bicygnals online innovative r4onsale and torches. but close to 20 for older lights.

LED lights are also much safer. Since the wattage is so low, the bulbs do not get hot which reduces the risk of fires. Plus you can string more together for even more holiday shine.

To keep that bill as low as possible use energy efficient lights and strongly consider putting your decorations on a timer. Instead of a timer you can do what Alvalle's mom does: turn them on at 5pm after work and unplug them before bed.

Snowmass shuttle garage gets a facelift
The town's village shuttle bay recently received a facelift with energy efficient doors and lights, thanks to an $82,divinglamp2011000 federal transportation grant to retrofit and convert them through the TIGGER II project from the Federal Transit Administration administered through the Colorado Department of Transportation Division of Transit and Rail.

Snowmass Village was the only municipality in the state to receive the grant.

"Sounds like a small thing, but when you look at the "then and now" story, it's truly impressive,brightstal11" said Lesley Compagnone, Snowmass Village community relations officer. "The old way our Shuttle bay operated was completely inefficient from both a budgetary and energy standpoint."

The installation of high-speed garage doors with automatic open and close features will reduce heat loss in the bus storage building, said Dave Peckler, Snowmass transportation director. The doors are set to travel at four feet per second shinebrightled.

"The segmented steel door are still there," said Greg Fitzpatrick, transportation facility maintenance manager. "But they are heavy doors with heavy motors."

In the time it took the segmented doors to open, a vehicle now has time to enter the building and the door has closed, Fitpatrick said.

The automatic closing feature means that the chance that the door will be left open will be greatly reduced.

"With temperatures already in the teens at night and the mid-30s in the day,r4onsale we anticipate a considerable savings now that we can retain the heat within the building,lightingbright" Peckler said.

Also the slower operation of the segmented doors lead to repeated accidents by inpatient drivers every year, he said.

The high speed doors can sustain impacts and will automatically reset themselves. There are also sensors in the track and auto-reverse function in the foot of the doors to prevent accidents as well. This should be a significant improvement to lost operation of the doors because of accidents.

And for the bus and delivery drivers who enter the building, the lighting has changed, brightened, as part of the project improvements.

The department replaced 28 metal-halide light fixtures with high efficiency LED light fixtures with motion sensors and automatic shut offs (light management system).

The LED lamps have a five-year projected life, so the maintenance staff will not have to change a light bulb for the next five years (not insignificant given 28 lights), said Gary Littell, owner of Littell Electric and head of the lightening project.

"The motion sensor lights will help with our split-shift employees who enter the building multiple times, those with early morning shipping and deliveries and then there's our skier traffic," Fitzpatrick said.

Only the beginning

They've been converting to LED lights as incandescent bulbs and strings burn out, and now have about an equal number of each.

"LED lights are really bright, in some ways they are almost too bright,china goodleddownlight_2011 manufacturer,supply LED Bicycle Lights,LED bike lights to your requirements. but I think they show up well and the colors are rich," Celeste Long said. "They do really make it bright. The regular white lights, it's a very different color from the LED lights."

Their Christmas "yardscape" ranges from an inflatable Santa and reindeer on the roof to light-wrapped trees.

"Any sort of branch on every tree that could support lights, has lights on it," Celeste Long said.

Chad Wilson, who owns Houston-based Christmas Lights Installed, said LED lights are just starting to catch on with his customers. Wilson, who has been installing lights professionally for eight years,Buy MagicShine ledsale from offical UK magicshine OFFICIAL stockist. said only about 10 percent of his clients use LED lights, because of their higher upfront cost and less conventional look. The higher cost can be harder to justify for the short holiday season than when selecting year-round light bulbs.The Best Led ledflashlight. Riding your bicycle at night without lights puts you in danger because motorists cannot see you,

"LED lights are going to be the most energy-efficient lights, but you are going to pay for them," Wilson said. "They are made of ceramic glass. They don't break that often, unlike the glass ones, but you get a different look. For a more traditional style, I would want the glass lights on my house."

Celeste Long said she doesn't pay much attention to incremental power bill changes in December.

"It's nothing that makes it prohibitive," she said. "The tricky part is to get it all hooked up and not blow a bunch of breakers.With lightbright_001 pumping out incredible light with low power requirements and low weight,"

It turns out LED lights can help with that, too. Because they consume less power, LEDs used in large displays are less likely to require special wiring or installation of circuit break subpanels,The Magicshine goodledbulbs bicycle light was always the cheapest high power bike light available in the UK and it&rsquos just been upgraded. which can cost up to $2,000, said Tim Hunter, owner of Christmas Lights Up Texas.

"We are finding that you don't have to add additional panels with LED lights," Hunter said. "It is better to use the LED because you can run more lines into one outlet."

For those who still love the cheer of holiday lights but want to keep power costs down, Wilson advised putting the lights on a photocell timer that turns them on when the sun goes down, and setting it to run four to six hours.

"You don't need to be running Christmas lights all night long. You want your lights to come on when it gets dark versus an arbitrary time of day," Wilson said.

But spikes in winter electric bills usually have more to do with heat than light.

"We always get some calls in January from people who think their costs have been driven up by holiday lights," said Pat Hammond, a spokeswoman for Houston-based Reliant Energy. "But the increased usage in December can almost always be attributed to heating, especially if customers have electric heating. We don't see a big uptick that we would attribute to holiday lights."