Tammy Alverson

I volunteered at the Flying Pig Expo today.  I finished up there at about 4:30, ate my PB&J sandwich and thought, "Wow, how 'bout exploring my city down by the river?"  So I did.  I walked down to Mehring Way and found a nice, warm stone wall to sit on.  I was joined by a couple of curious lizards.  Maybe they smelled my container that had my PB&J in it, but they eventually got so close, and didn't seem to care that I was making gestures to indicate that I needed my space, that eventually, they ran me off.  Then I wandered across to the river.  It was a perfect evening, cool and a bit of a breeze.  I people watched and saw a barge and some people boating.  I looped back around and walked through Smale Park.  There are some beautiful water features there.  I made my way towards the start line of the 50 West Mile.  I found a nice spot in the cool grass to await the start of the race.  It felt wonderful.  I laid down under a tree, watching carefully for the sparrows that were hanging out in the trees.  I figured if they landed over me I might want to move over.  Even though this time was spent in the city, I found some lovely natural places.  I was born and raised in the 'Nati.  We sometimes talk about where we might move to when we retire but my heart will always be here.  Both sets of my grandparents, maternal and paternal, lived here from the time they were all very young.  Both of my parents were born and raised here.  There are so many places in this city that create for me a sense of place.  They weave together so many memories.  It was a great evening.

About a year ago, my brother, who lives in TN, came to visit and told me he had solar panels installed and was really happy with them.  I looked into solar panels locally but didn't pursue it.  Then one of our neighbors had solar panels installed and it renewed my interest.  I contacted them to find out who they used and we just had a consultation with their solar company.  We're really impressed and tonight we signed up.  Yes, it's going to happen.  It will be interesting to see if more of the peeps in our neighborhood get on board.  Sometimes it just takes one or two people to influence others.  

I've looked at this question several times.  I don't know why it took  me so long to answer it.

I would imagine people in richer countries eat more meat because they have more money.  Meat is expensive.  I know that since I've become more committed to eating more vegetarian/vegan meals I am spending less money at the grocery stores.  You can really fill a grocery bag with veggies for a lot less money than filling your bag with meat.  I believe meat in moderation is a good protein.  I buy most of my meat from a local market or at least if I'm picking it up at Kroger, I make organic choices so it's as healthy an animal protein as I can get.  We're not big meat eaters anyway.  I'll get an 8 oz steak and my husband and I will split it.  

The problem with meat affecting our bodies is animals that are raised with hormones and preventative antibiotics.  It's in their bodies so it ends up in ours.  Huge numbers of beef cattle are raised in Brazil where acres and acres of rain forest are being cut down to make room for grazing the cattle.  That has an affect on our planet in the form of contributing to climate change.

This challenge has helped  me be more aware of my meat consumption and helped me to cut down on it.  I've become way more creative with beans and high protein grains.  I've felt pretty good too!

Our neighborhood has sidewalks that connect us to the condo development near us and those walkways also connect us all to the apartment complex just north of us along a main road.  It makes for a wonderfully walkable area but just 1 mile north of the apartments is a Sunoco/quick mart and a couple of restaurants in a strip.  There's also Kings Island, a big amusement park, just a short way further.  There's no walkway to connect us all to that.  To the south there's a Kroger and a shopping area with a several restaurants.  That area is about 2.6 miles.  While some people do not consider that a walkable distance, I'm believe many feel it is.

I did a little web search and found some information on our township planning and zoning website.  The township does not have a specific budget for putting in sidewalks.  They do require new businesses and residential development to include sidewalks in their plans and they try to tie sidewalks into road projects so the cost can be absorbed.  Any new sidewalk plans depend on grants or funding from other sources.

I emailed the Planning and Zoning Director and asked about new sidewalk installation along our main route.  He responded, providing me the plan for the installation of the sidewalks in our neighborhood when the development began as well as the name of the Public Works Director to contact.  I have emailed that official with more specifics about my proposal.  I plan to attend the township BOT meeting in May to just get a feel for how things work.  My next step will be to submit my idea to our HOA and see if I can get some backing.  Then see what the response is from the Public Works Director.  I'm optimistic about the sidewalk extension to the Sunoco Plaza but the one to the Kroger might be quite a project.  However, at least I'm doing something about it!  Wish me luck!

In researching geothermal energy, I looked at how practical it would be to have it in a residential home.  In order to install one must have room to drill for the loop cycles for the ground source heat pumps that will cool and heat the home.  This can be very disruptive to the landscape initially.  Then the heat pump system must be installed in the home.  It sounds great after the initial investment because the pros are a continuously running system that heats without temperature changes, excess heat not used directly by the system can power a hot water heater as well, the cooling system runs without a noisy outside unit and there's usually a tax credit.  The outside and underground equipment lifespan is about 50 years and the indoor equipment is about 25 years.  The payback timeline for initial investment is 5 to 10 years.  Geothermal energy is spiffier than other energy sources as it creates less C02 emissions than either wind, nuclear, solar or gas & coal.  It appears only Hydro emits less C02 emissions per kWh than Geothermal.  So, it's a good thing at least for larger power plants.  If you have the room and plan to stay in your home for a long enough period of time to break even or reap the benefits of your investment, it sounds great.

There was a lot more information about geothermal energy that I am interested in researching further.  The US is the largest producer of geothermal energy.  Iceland is now 100% renewable energy having began geothermal energy production after the energy crises of the 70s.  Kenya has had quite a bit of success with geothermal energy in the East African Rift area.  Almost 1/2 of Kenya was powered by geothermal energy in 2015.  There exists a new technology by the Swedish that makes geothermal energy even more efficient.  I find all of this very exciting as I really didn't know much at all about this energy source except in the context of spas and hot springs.  :)

Today I walked in the snow... in April.  Not often I have said that.  It was beautiful! until I turned to walk back into the wind.  Looking forward to warmer spring weather.