Asbestos Kills

Back in the 1950’s people were all excited about a new building material called asbestos that was used to insulate homes and commercial buildings all over America. Insulation was a new concept that people in the rougher climates embraced and there was little concern about the health risks that we later discovered were associated with exposure to asbestos. But then in the 1970’s we did find a lot of health problems cropping up in workers who had been exposed to asbestos, and we also found that people living and working in buildings that had asbestos were affected by the daily exposure, so everyone went wild trying to remove it and replace the insulation with other non-harmful materials.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are now sick with the lung disease called Mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. It has become so widespread that people are having to file lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos so they can get help with their medical care and living expenses while disabled and dying. It is a heartwrenching story and thankfully there are some good Mesothelioma Attorneys that know how to help these people.

My father-in-law was in construction all his life and has first hand experience with the asbestos removal issues. He has helped some of his fellow union carpenters find a Mesothelioma Law Firm to take their case and help them bring their cases to court.

There’s a lot to learn when you are considering taking part in a class action lawsuit. A lot of the success of your case depends upon being able to prove not only your exposure, but also when you were exposed to it and proving that this is the sole reason that you have come down with the disease. If you were exposed to multiple situations, it could actually hurt your case. So finding a really good, experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer is critical to your chances of getting help and having a good outcome.

Obviously, I’m not giving anyone any legal advice. I am just summarizing what little that I know and have read about it. If you have a problem with exposure to asbestos and have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should consult with an attorney.

Wind Farms for Energy

Years ago as we drove through Nevada and Southern California I was impressed by the lines of wind turbines along the ridges of the hills. The massive towers and slowly swirling blades are silent sentries generating electricity for homes and businesses without polluting the environment. The land around the base of the towers can still be planted and farmed, and livestock can still graze safely. Although some people have called them ugly, I think they are majestic.

With a little research on the internet I found that not all areas of the U. S. are suitable for making use of the wind turbines. You must have a sustained wind of so many mph to be able to harvest enough wind to generate electricity. There are wind maps that show zones of the different levels of sustained wind, and in my area there is not enough natural wind to take advantage of the turbines.

Recently there were news stories about T. Boone Pickens and his energy plan to involves erecting hundreds of thousands of wind turbines throughout the midwest and western states. He has a web site with compelling videos and energy facts supporting the plan. I see he will be on CNN today and talking about the status of his plan. It’s worth taking a listen and getting involved if you agree with the strategy and want to help solve our Country’s energy crisis.

Clever Brews

For a while the buzz on the street was all about microbreweries and the thousands of local beers that were popping up all over the country. I never really thought much about how beers are a regional thing until I moved out of state the first time. Suddenly, several of the beer brands that I was used to seeing on the grocery shelves were no longer available. I especially noticed and missed the little green bottles that had Rolling Rock beer in them.

I just read an interesting story in the San Francisco Chronicle about a local brewery that is breaking all the rules and putting their beers into cans instead of bottles. They say that the cans offer several advantages that bottles don’t, such as cans being allowed in a lot of public places where glass containers are not allowed. Cans are better for the environment. Also, cans keep out the light, the number one enemy of beer flavor.

I also like the names of the beers they make and think they are really clever brewers: “Hell or High Watermelon Wheat” and “Brew Free! or Die IPA.” I just hope the beer tastes as good as I’m coming to expect.

Working With Wood

I love wood and part of my retirement plans include having a woodworking shop so I can make the furniture and cabinets that I’ve been dreaming of over the years.

There is a website called SNHeartPine that sells flooring. The “SN” stands for “Scotland Neck” Heart Pine. They are an architectural millwork company and they sell the best hardwoods, including heart pine.

Probably the most common requirement for their hardwoods is for flooring, but they also sell solid heart pine beams - for those wonderful timberframe homes that feature exposed wood beams.

I love this company’s website and browsing their design gallery fills me with inspiration. If you are considering building a custom home and want top hardwoods, you will want to check out this website and consider buying your flooring and other high quality wood products from Scotland Neck Heart Pine.

Cobalt Commercial

Funny commercial on the History Channel tonight was for the new Chevy Cobalt. The scene starts with a car parked at the gas pump. The pump hose disengages itself, reaches down and deflates the rear tire of the car. Then the words, “Gas Pumps Hate Us” show on the screen. The car’s owner comes out of the convenience store with chips and drink and goe sto get into his car when he notices the flat tire. Then the words “Chevy Cobalt . . 36 MPG” come on the screen.

Makes you stop and think, could I downsize to a Cobalt for the sake of the better MPGs?