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10.16.2014

Inequality Alive and Well circa BAD2014

Treatment of Ferguson and St.Louis Residents is a perfect example of 






Inequality alive and well circa 2014.


Webster Dictionary Defines Inequality as:

 "an unfair situation in which some people have more rights or better opportunities than other people"



Blog Action Day Inequality The treatment of my fellow St.Louisans is the perfect example of Inequality Scotty
The treatment of my fellow St.Louisans is the perfect example of Inequality Scotty  
#BAD2014, #blogactionday, #Education, #Ferguson, #Inequality 

Even CBS news broadcasted and touched on the inequalities the Residents of Ferguson have been forced to endure.


Published on Oct 13, 2014

Vladimir Duthiers looks at what's changed -- and what hasn't -- since the fatal police shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. last July.





           I feel after living a few years in the civilly deprived and racially divided  North City region of StLouis.



              I have a basic understanding of what has lead up to the ongoing conflict between the Ferguson Residents and the Ferguson County Police Department.


              The overall cause of the attitudes of my St.Louis Neighbors is basically a feeling of being 


alienated by society that controls a system which is rigged against the little man.  

    Just like a Gambler knows:

"The House always holds the winning hand...

     The disenfranchised youth feel the Deck is always stacked against them.  And its the


 ...Ferguson Court House who holds the Winning hand."    
  


    NPR
  • distrust of police that has fueled protests in Ferguson, Mo., consider this: In 2013, the municipal court in Ferguson — a city of 21,135 people — issued 32,975 arrest warrants for nonviolent offenses



    NPR
  • The ArchCity Defenders report argues that this resentment is justified. Last year, Ferguson collected $2.6 million in court fines and fees...second-biggest source of income of the $20 million it collected.  


  • NYT-The unrest served to highlight longstanding complaints by a predominantly black community that they were being harassed by the police. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/us/ferguson-council-looks-to-improve-community-relations-with-police.html
            
             It is abundantly clear, the Ferguson Court System levies out: harsh penalties and fines for non-violent offenses which starts the perpetual revolving jail-door of interaction and incarceration within the court system and its jails.


St.Louis PD Adds Fuel to the fire



        The killings of unarmed black kids has continued to spread in the St.Louis Region- the latest incident happened in the Shaw Neighborhood when an unarmed black youth- Myers was shot numerous times by an moonlighting St.Louis Police Officer.


                One thing I've observed while living in regions of St.Louis in various socalled hoods by the locals is the number of unemployed people trying just to get by in todays society.


"47 percent of the metro area’s African-American men between ages 16 and 24 are unemployed." Washington Post



               If I can point my finger at the one issue that is causing the high unemployment  rate among minorities: the lack of education has to rank pretty high on my list for the number one area needed for improvement.  

              The above statement comes from my experience-performing construction work in the hood.  I've noticed that many times the people that will stop by a construction job site and inquire about "Work"-are unable to read a tape measure.  (Which is a must have skill needed to work on 90% of the construction jobs I perform for my St.Louis Neighbors.)


                I don't exactly remember when I learned how to read a ruler.  But I do know I learned it in School.  



     "If the St.Louis regional area cannot even teach the next generation these basic education principles-then we are to blame and utterly responsible for failing to provide and give the youth a fighting chance to make it in the World."


           I believe it was Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens Linebacker and future Pro Bowl Inductee who coined the phrase:
  
"We must Fix this House"

The house the people of St.Louis should put on the top of the list to Fix is the School House.

           Its painfully obvious the Foundation of the Schoolhouse is cracked  and unless repairs are made. The St.Louis region could come tumbling down-just like what happens to the abandoned and neglected homes that are scattered around the city!

            Education is like the Mortar in the Rock Foundation of a St.Louis Brick Home.  When its missing like in the first photo 
Photo of missing Mortar-Stone Foundation




or when discord is allowed to grow like this tree root second and third photos
Tree Growing in Brick Wall



Getting to the Root of the Problem



You are in immediate danger of your entire home collapsing onto itself just like this home in North City
Photo Courtesy of Vanishing STL http://vanishingstl.blogspot.com
Photo Courtesy of Vanishing STL 


Just like a Rock Foundation in a home can be repaired.  So can too the failing education system in St.Louis.  I envision a 3 step process to repair the St.Louis failing education system. 
Step 1: Repair Mortar in Education System
Step 1
                  Just like I replaced the Mortar in the above picture is representative of how educational resources  can fill in the voids lacking in the current failing education system. 
Step 2: Apply Water Proofing-Skills that Education Represent
 Step 2
                  The waterproofing on this Stone Foundation Repair represents the skills that education gives to the youth of St.Louis.  (Waterproofing slows and eliminates leaks and water damage.) The same principles that a quality education will give the youth.  Stopping and Eliminating the Leaks that an under-educated life will bring.
Step 3: Show Your Foundations New Strengths to the World!

Step 3
          Just as the foundation repair project in the above brick home will continue to support the St.Louis Brick Building for the next 200 years.  

Is exactly what a quality education will give to the Youth of St.Louis- 


Providing them a fighting chance that all the youth deserve and are desperately needed for a fully functioning society...this will also provide the younger generations the tools needed to live in harmony with todays society.  

     An Education is the Foundation that a Successful Life is Built upon.
October 2014, Scotty   



Russell Brand in the interview below in the Oct 13, 2014 Interview on David Letterman has a unique way of bringing his message to the viewers.  Mr Brand touches on the #Inequality of the poor vs wealthy and the revolving door of our Political system and the ties of Wall Street vs Mainstream America-



  • skip to the 6:28 spot to listen to this part of the interview- 
  • the first 6 minutes are spent discussing how he overcame his addictions to alcohol and drugs.





The End Part 1 on Inequality in America

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference.





Interesting TidBits on the Ferguson Region

  • Black alone - 13,753 (64.9%)
  • White alone - 6,494 (30.6%)
  • Two or more races - 437 (2.1%)
  • Asian alone - 263 (1.2%)
  • Hispanic - 156 (0.7%)
  • American Indian alone - 34 (0.2%)
  • Other race alone - 45 (0.2%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone - 23 (0.1%)
Ferguson races chart
http://www.city-data.com/city/Ferguson-Missouri.html


Web Links from Wiki Links on Inequality


In healthcare:
In economics:
In the social sciences:

Also From Webster:
 in·equal·i·ty
 noun \ËŒi-ni-ˈkwä-lÉ™-tÄ“\





9.10.2014

Ferguson Stories- Locals part 2

Its only fitting to start this new Ferguson Stories from the Locals Web Page with the Young Gentleman who courageously stands up and speaks at the Town Hall Meeting!

The Ferguson Youth are 'Hip' to the Politics as usual and Demand Change!

The Solution is to get involved in the Political Process by Voting: for someone that represents your views and issues!  


This guy gets it! Do YOU? VOTE!







When I left off on the Ferguson and Stories from the Locals the Grand Jury has been summoned and is in the process of determining what went on and will have an answer in October sometime.  Couple of my thoughts on this and what has transpired as of late.
  • I do not feel that a Grand Jury from this area will or can be un-biased.
  • The Protesters continue to show their disapproval of the entire process by staging I-70 closures and continued Protests in front of the Ferguson PD Building.

New Michael Brown shooting witnesses describe scene

From Randi Kaye, CNN
updated 8:28 AM EDT, Thu September 11, 2014

How and When-Ferguson PD Cover Up Started

StLouis Local Shaun King +Shaun King exposes the #Ferguson Cover Up mere minutes after the shooting of #MikeBrown.

You don't have to have a law degree to understand the implications of how the Ferguson PD is attempting to protect the Rogue Policeman Darren Wilson.


In Part 1: #Ferguson Stories and Videos from the StLouis Locals  I posted a Youtube video of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on the Ferguson Shooting.  I now want the readers to understand a little bit on how the backwards policies and now the:


Failed Actions-TOP Missouri Officials Under Scrutiny

@ShaunKing presents a bevy of information to make you think twice about the official statements regarding the Michael Brown shooting and the motivations behind the consistently inconsistent information coming out of Missouri. Find and Follow Him on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShaunKing






Here's some of the latest news that developed in the past couple of days on the Ferguson Grand Jury:












Today's Protester Newsletter is here ! Sign up at


See more of the Ferguson Stories and Videos from the Locals Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5, Part 6  




Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources from Scotty-St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog -->

8.28.2014

Solar Deals-Make Solar Affordable Now

If you have ever thought a clean energy solar system was out of your league and price range. Check out the Solar Products from one of my solar suppliers that proves this isn't true any longer- message 8/28/14  - 

Solar and Wind  Deals- Solar is Affordable NOW


 Scotty Adds: 

  • Bulk pricing discounts for container loads of solar panels.  (get your StLouis neighbors to join and reduce your solar costs for labor, permitting, and materials-can equal up to 30% savings of the total costs

  • Pay attention to the location as shipping will factor in on the final costs for your clean energy project.

  • Here in St Louis I've noticed quite a few of the solar panels installed around the city are the little 250w panels.  

  • Before you take the advice of someone peddling older model solar panels-compare the "output to cost" of a higher wattage panel or even a Large Format 72 cell panel with over 300w of power.  

  • Since roof space is limited on many buildings it only makes sense to install the highest wattage of panel that you can afford giving you more bang for your buck-with less hardware, labor, and materials to buy. 


My First Solar Car!
My First Solar Car! :)


ALL the following equipment is NEW, never used UNLESS otherwise noted.

  • 125 kw of Trina 280w poly panels sitting in Honolulu Hawaii, MAKE OFFER! 
  • AEI 333 kw 480 volt 3 phase inverter, MAKE OFFER! 
  • 1 Megawatt of Beida-Solar 230w panels, sitting in California....MAKE OFFER! 
  • Qty. 5000, LED 'Par 38' lights, 12 watts each 650 lumens ("60 watt equivalent") soft white, UL listed, ...MAKE OFFER! 
  • 150 Sunpower 327w, T5 panels, pre-owned (but only installed for 9 months)...MAKE OFFER on entire lot! 
  • ET Solar 285w poly panels, 74 cents a watt for entire lot of 200 kw. 
  • Lightway Solar 285w poly panels, NON-UL for EXPORT ONLY, 56 cents a watt! East coast. 
  • Used Kyocera 120 watt panels, 37 cents a watt, minimum 4 pallets order (100 panels). Sitting in California. 
  • 750 kw of Grape Solar 235w panels, available on TERMS of NET 2 YEARS!! Call for details! 
  • 1.7 Megawatts of TRINA Solar 245w poly panels, 67 cents a watt for all, or minimum 40' container loads. Sitting in California. 
  • Qty. 299, TRINA SMART (Tigo on board) 250w poly panels with built-in panel-level monitoring system, 97 cents/w OR BEST OFFER for ALL!! Works with almost any inverter! Ask for details. 
  • Solartec 250w mono panels, truckload sitting in Texas, 69 cents a watt. ALSO have 300w poly & 310w mono for similar pricing, depending on qty. 
  • GCL 245w panels, 67 cents a watt pallet qty. Sitting in PA. 
  • Trina Solar 285w & 290w poly panels, 76 cents a watt pallets, 74 cents/w for 100 kw+ qty. 
  • Topoint 225w poly panels, 57 cents a watt pallets! 
  • Top Solar 180w mono panels, 76 panels left, 57 cents a watt. 
  • Qty. 50, Prostar AGM 12Volt 200AH maintenance-free deep-cycle batteries for off-grid power, $280 each or best offer takes all! 
  • Qty. 5000, LED 'Par 38' light bulbs, 12 watts each 650 lumens ("60 watt equivalent") soft white, UL listed, ...MAKE OFFER! 
  • 50 kw WIND TURBINES, grid-tie 60 hz 3-phase, factory list = $50k each....sell both for $69k or $35k each! NEW, Full warranty. Towers not included. Sitting in California. 
Here in St Louis I've noticed quite a few of the solar panels installed around the city are the little 250w panels.  

Before you take the advice of someone peddling older model solar panels-compare the "output to cost" of a higher wattage panel or even a Large Format 72 cell panel with over 300w of power.  


Since roof space is limited on many buildings it only makes sense to install the highest wattage of panel that you can afford giving you more bang for your buck with less hardware to buy. 



Watch Out for those slick talking salesman that put profits before value.


Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources from Scotty-St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog




8.23.2014

StL Most Requested Safe Room Features

Safe Room Features

What Features are in your Safe Room?  

Has been brought up in my dealing with clients while talking about a safe room for personal safety from extreme events.

Here's some of the things that I found most commonly mentioned:
Toilet, Water, Fridge, Kitchen, Built-ins, First Aid Station, Phone, CB, Internet, Tools, Weapons, Books, Computer, Radio, Power Supply, Food Pantry, Lights...
Luckily with today's advancements in the Building Industry you can have all these in your Safe Room.  I'll share a few of my thoughts and build notes on how to incorporate any and all of the above features mentioned above starting with my favorites the Solar Energy Power Supply and Water.

Water is the Must Have in Every Safe Room

               
                 Most any plumber can route a line into your safe room but what if the local water utilities supply can't meet the needs and you have NO Water better have a backup plan of:  Water Collection, Water Storage, Water Re-Use-all common elements for supplying clean water to a safe room.

Solar Energy Power Supply with Battery Bank for Emergency Scenarios

Safe Room Features-NewPower Emergency Battery Bank System
NewPower Emergency Battery Bank System
                 

                   Since we are in the Safe Room from some extreme event and there may or maynot be a roof on your home.  The Stand Alone Solar Panels mounted in your backyard will prove a wise investment for supplying the power needed for functional living.


Safe Room Ground Mounted Stand Alone Solar Array System
Stand Alone Solar Array not attached to Home


                    If there is still a roof on your home and the Solar Panels mounted there will just be adding to the needed power of the Safe Room.  Keeping the batteries at Full operating power! 


                    Another option is a generator that is tied into your battery that also works in conjunction with your solar panels such as this NewPower System that incorporates a Generac generators-


  • 8000 Watt stand-by generator
  • Runs on LP or NG
  • Designed for quiet operation
  • Recharges batteries in Power Center when required
  • Automatic self-test weekly


All of the above functions are handled seemlessly at the Power Center

Safe Room NewPower System Power Center Control Point
Safe Room NewPower System Power Center Control Point



Here is additional information in the form of a google document on the NewPower System for Emergency Power Failures


We will be covering Waste Management in the next addition to Safe Room Features.  Part of the Safe Room Blog Posts 1 and 2.

Here's some suggestions via Twitter







Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

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8.22.2014

Safe Room Design-Weather-SafeHome-Crowd

CAD Designs Adding a Safe Room Design to an existing Basement.

If you have any questions feel free to either email or use the Contact Form on Right.

Complete plans, Design-Build Assistance for adding a Safe Room to your Building contact Scotts Contracting at the Contact Form on the Right or the Web Pageclick here to email and set up a time to discuss your project.


CAD Safe Room Design for an existing Basement-8in CMU, Steel Door, 6in Reinforced Concrete Ceiling
CAD Safe Room Design for an existing Basement-8in CMU, Steel Door, 6in Reinforced Concrete Ceiling
When Building a CMU structure it is highly advisable to add Steel Reinforcement- In the case of building for Tornado or Hurricane Save Rooms substitute No.4 Vertical Rebar for No.5 size rebar.
how a CMU Block Wall is Reinforced.  Simple CAD Drawing showing the suggested Metal Reinforcement.Scotts Contracting
How a CMU Block Wall is Reinforced.  Simple CAD Drawing showing the suggested Metal Reinforcement.
Building the Concrete Ceiling-Structural Reinforcement Suggestions.
Build Notes-Hurricane and Tornado-Safe Room Build Suggestions #5 Rebar at 12in MATT-Dowel Into Existing Concrete Wall, Attach MATT to Existing #5 Verticals in CMU Wall-, {For Added Reinforcement for this area ADD 2ft "L" Bar and Wire Tie to MATT and Verts, 4in Min Concrete Ceiling Suggested 6in Thick Ceiling, All CMU Voids filled with Mortar {Be Sure to ADD the "L" Bar before the Voids are filled with Mortar.
Concrete Ceiling-Structural Reinforcement Suggestions. Build Notes-Hurricane and Tornado-Safe Room Build Suggestions-Scotts Contracting
Concrete Ceiling-Structural Reinforcement Suggestions.
Build Notes-Hurricane and Tornado-Safe Room Build Suggestions
Added April 7, 2014
  • I'll be honest there has always been something that bothered me about the Tornado Safe Room design that FEMA suggested. I was never worried about the Structural Ability of the Safe Room Design to not withstand a Severe Storm-it is the fact of being trapped in a Safe Room- like Jodi Foster in Panic Room.  Maybe I've watched too much tv?  I'd rather be safe than sorry.
  • The fact that 2 exits are not available-as is required of almost any home/room design was the Red Flag going off in my mind and when I finally figured it out I made some notes and a quick sketch.  When I got home this evening I sat down and made a couple of quick CAD drawings of the idea to help you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.   


  • Maybe its just me, but; I'd hate to survive a storm only to die of starvation because I couldn't get out of a safe room in a basement of a home.  
  • I've seen too many horror stories (Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans) of phones not working, emergency personnel too busy to respond to all the requests...scotty


  • There is also the added benefit in the building of the safe room with an exterior point to bring the building materials into the safe room.  This will help keep the labor costs lower as it will speed up the job site production by reducing the man hours.  
I now feel that I have a Safe Room Design Build Plan that I would build in my own home and am comfortable sharing and discussing the project in detail.  

Feel free to email or call me for any design build assistance in building a Tornado shelter in your Home. 

CAD design by Scotty-Safe Room Emergency Exterior Exit
Safe Room Emergency Exterior Exit


CAD Design by Scotty-Safe Room CMU Basement Steel Door Location
Safe Room CMU Basement Steel Door Location


CAD Design by Scotty-Safe Room Exterior Exit Point
Safe Room Exterior Exit Point








Taking Shelter From the Storm | FEMA.gov

Taking Shelter From the Storm





The safe room construction plans and specifications from FEMA P-320, Taking Shelter From the Storm, are available in DWG format. 

To view and download those files 

and other CAD Storm Shelter Drawings 

click here.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY:  THE DESIGNS IN THIS BOOKLET ARE BASED ON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WINDSTORM DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS. SAFE ROOMS DESIGNED AND BUILT TO THESE DESIGNS SHOULD PROVIDE A HIGH DEGREE OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION DURING EXTREME WINDSTORMS (TORNADOES AND HURRICANES). ANY SUBSTITUTION OF EITHER MATERIALS OR DESIGN CONCEPTS MAY DECREASE THE LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND/OR INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY DURING AN EXTREME WIND EVENT.

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE


Because it is not possible to predict or test all conditions that may occur during extreme windstorms, or control the quality of construction, among other things, the designer does not warrant the design.
The designer neither manufactures nor sells safe rooms built from this design. The designers have not made and do not make any representation, warranty, or covenant, express or implied, with respect to the design, condition, quality, durability, operation, fitness for use, or suitability of the safe room in any respect whatsoever. Designers shall not be obligated or liable for actual, incidental, consequential, or other damages of or to users of safe rooms or any other person or entity arising out of or in connection with the use, condition, and/or performance of safe rooms from this design or from the maintenance thereof.
- See more at: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2013/05/tornado-safe-room-design.html#sthash.FTgJEhTc.dpuf



Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

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