Red, White And GREEN All-OVER! (A 21st Century "Transformative Green" Scenario)

Auto supplier turns trouble to triumph by venturing into turbines

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"We knew the downturn was coming. ... we knew we were going to run out of work by the end of the first quarter of 2009." John Holcomb, general manager of MasTech's Manistee facility, who had an idea to save the supplier. (ROMAIN BLANQUART/DFP)

BY KATHLEEN GRAY

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

John Holcomb felt the cold winds blowing through the auto industry as early as 2006. But it took him three years and a dream to come up with a survival plan in which wind would play a big part.

As general manager of the Manistee factory of Sterling Heights-based MasTech, Holcomb had made a good living for three years supervising the production of machines and assembly lines for auto manufacturers. But he saw trouble coming in September 2006, when Ford announced plans to close 16 plants, cut 44,000 jobs and revamp its product lines with an eye on becoming profitable again by 2009.

Why, Holcomb wondered, weren't the other struggling auto companies embarking on similar plans?

"I saw Ford go out and secure funding for new, more economical models, and the rest of them weren't doing that," Holcomb said. "Changes weren't being made that would make them competitive on a broad enough scale. That was my first inkling that something was going to happen to the automotive industry."

His plans began to take shape a year later -- during a dream-induced conversation with his father and grandfather, both long dead, as Holcomb lay hospitalized in critical condition with a ruptured colon.

"I asked my dad and grandpa if I could go fishing with them and they said, 'No, it's not your time,' " he recalled. "At that point, I decided I had to do something to make a difference in a positive way."

So Holcomb hit upon alternative energy as a way to make a contribution to cleaning up the environment and keep a thriving business going in Manistee.

He went to Manistee's newly formed Alliance for Economic Success and pitched his idea: It was time for the group to aggressively recruit alternative energy businesses to the Lake Michigan shoreline community as a way to stave off the devastation that would come from an implosion of the auto industry.

"We knew the downturn was coming because all of the quote requests dried up, and then all the purchase orders dried up," Holcomb said. "We knew we were going to run out of work by the end of the first quarter of 2009."

As the alliance was hunting for alternative energy companies that also needed the machining expertise available in Manistee, Mariah Power of Reno, Nev., was looking for a place to build Windspires, residential wind turbines that were smaller and more compact than traditional windmills.

In October 2008, as auto sales were plunging and the Detroit Three were shutting plants and shedding thousands of employees, MasTech's Manistee operation began transforming from an auto industry supplier into a wind turbine factory.

Last January, the plant sent out its last automotive job -- an assembly line for a BMW plant in Spartanburg, S.C.

"I've been doing automotive all my life, and there's a certain sadness in getting out of that business," Holcomb said. "But it's also been refreshing to step away from the unwritten rules and regulations of the auto industry. So often, they didn't reward innovation."

The joint venture between Mariah and MasTech shipped its first Windspire on April 20 and has since built hundreds. Optimistic initial estimates called for production of 75 to 100 units a week, but the overall economic downturn has forced Holcomb to scale back to 100 a month.

"We're trying to continue to get the American people to spend some money. And we've had a hard time getting traction for sales because of zoning issues," Holcomb said. "Right now, I'm talking to as many zoning boards as salespeople."

From a high of 43 employees, MasTech is down to 35, many of whom worked in the auto industry. That's a steady level of employment from about 40 as an auto supplier.

"I worked in the automotive industry for 15 years, and now I'm doing the complete turnaround," said Sean Jacobs, 39, a machinist from Manistee.

Adam Morris, 37, of Ludington had been working in an auto die stamping plant in Grand Rapids but jumped at the chance to move to MasTech.

"I wanted to be in a business that was more secure," he said.

The company has plans for expansion.

This fall, it began producing a Windspire that is large enough to store wind-created energy in a battery for future residential or vehicle use. MasTech expects to begin construction on another production facility in mid-2010 to meet expected demand from overseas.

"We have some really huge orders pending overseas. We thought we'd sell more domestically right off the bat," Holcomb said. "But it turns out there's more interest right now in Europe, Asia and north Africa than in Iowa."

And, thanks in part to a dream, MasTech's Manistee plant will deliver.
Contact KATHLEEN GRAY: 313-223-4407 or kgray99@freepress.com

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Waterford Windspire

Waterford working to get $641,000 in energy grants

Thursday, December 3, 2009

By CAROL HOPKINS
Of The Oakland Press

Waterford Township is moving forward in its efforts to obtain more than $600,000 in federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy grant funds.

The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also called the federal stimulus program. In the program, $3.2 billion was allocated to fund the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Energy. The Energy Department notified Waterford earlier this year that it was eligible to receive $641,400 in funding.

A list of priority projects was approved at the Nov. 23 township board meeting, and township officials will submit the list to the Department of Energy for its approval.

The projects list was assembled with the help of Ann Arbor-based consulting firm, Carlisle/Wortman Associates.

n In the proposal, 42 percent of the funding is proposed to be used for lighting improvements — estimated to save the township $12,849 in electricity costs annually.

n Thirty-two percent is proposed to be used to conduct energy audits of Township Hall, District Court, CAI Building, and Fire Station 2, 3 and 5 buildings and then implement the energy improvements identified in the audits.

n Nine percent is proposed to be used to subsidize the replacement of 10 township vehicles with high efficiency vehicles during the next three years.

n Six percent is proposed to implement wind energy demonstration projects using Michigan-made Windspire systems on the Township Campus and at Waterford Township pump station 31-1. The Windspire wind turbine generates power when wind blows against its vertical airfoils, causing them to spin. The power is converted to AC electricity, according to the product’s Web site.

n Three percent is proposed to be used to update the township’s nonmotorized pathway and sidewalk plan.

n Three percent is proposed to be used to conduct a two-year comprehensive township buildings energy programming, monitoring, and tracking pilot program.

Aiding the consultant were Department of Public Works Engineering Superintendent Bill Fritz, Water/Sewer Superintendent Dave McKee and Community Planning and Development Director Robert Vallina.

“It provides the most effective use of our energy dollars and will provide the township with a measurable savings through implementation of these energy efficiency actions,” said Vallina.

The list will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy before a Dec. 7 deadline, said Vallina.

“As soon as the Department of Energy signs off on the township’s strategy submittal, the township’s energy funds will be released for the township to implement the priority projects.”

Contact Oakland Press staff writer Carol Hopkins at (248) 745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com.

Learning, Doing, Being: A New Science of Education

Learning, Doing, Being: A New Science of Education [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media]

November 19, 2009
What Adele Diamond is learning about the brain challenges basic assumptions in modern education. Her work is scientifically illustrating the educational power of things like play, sports, music, memorization and reflection. What nourishes the human spirit, the whole person, it turns out, also hones our minds.
I listened to Adele Diamond's interview and you can too. There is a podcast on the link posted above. Adele is a Nuero scientist whose studies confirm the absolute necessity of maintaining a Wholistic learning/living environment to engage and maintain a child's cognitive development.
As we know, the nourished Mind and Spirit are inseperable and along with a nourished body will allow for all children to grow into responsible creative individuals who are capable of solving the challenges facing them and life on this planet.
I would challenge you to listen to the podcast and comment on how we can get together to create and expand the kinds of learning communities that would foster these opportunities for all children.

"Fly Me to the Moon!"

Posted: Wednesday, 18 November 2009 3:38PM Metro Airport Explores Wind Power

Detroit Metropolitan Airport will further reduce its consumption of fossil fuels by producing its own wind energy at two locations on opposite ends of the facility. The Wayne County Airport Authority Board approved a contract with Michigan-based Southern Exposure Renewable Energy Co. to install five wind turbines at the airport entrance on Rogell Drive and at the South Cell Phone Lot on Eureka Road. Unlike the traditional, towering, three-blade, windmill-type turbines, the Windspire units, manufactured by MasTech Manufacturing of Manisee, are cylindrical, vertical-axis wind turbines that operate quietly while generating electricity for immediate use regardless of wind direction. At only 30-feet in height, they easily fit within DTW’s airspace height limitations. “We have calculated that the two units at the South Cell Phone Lot will, on average, generate 60 to 70 percent of the power needed for the lot’s overhead lights and to illuminate the sign,” said WCAA Director of Facilities and Infrastructure Ali Dib. “On windy days and during daylight hours, we will be feeding electricity back to DTE Energy’s grid.” The wind energy project is one of many environmentally friendly initiatives at the airport. DTW has been the world leader in recycling aircraft de-icing fluid for eight of the past nine years. The new North Terminal is programmed to harvest daylight and to automatically reduce lighting and cooling in terminal areas not in use. The North Terminal also supplies pre-conditioned air, 400hz power and underground jet fuel to each gate which reduces the need for aircraft engines to be idling and excess vehicles on the ramp. This is expected to reduce emissions of various air pollutants by more than 1,300 tons over the expected life-span of the building. The airport has installed a solar panel and LED lighting prototype at the North Cell Phone Lot and established more efficient electrical fixtures in the parking structures saving $79,000 in energy costs annually. In 1999, Detroit Metropolitan Airport received international acclamation for the creation of Crosswinds Marsh, a 1,000-acre wetland preserve constructed in Sumpter Township to replace airfield wetlands disturbed by runway and terminal construction. Described as “Michigan’s showcase wetland,” the preserve continues to provide spectacular habitat for a variety of wildlife and offers public access and educational opportunities for children. “Many other such initiatives are under way or planned for the future,” said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson. “We continue to look for opportunities to be a friend to the environment while maintaining one of the most operationally-capable airports in the world.”

The Thermodynamic Laws

There currently are two laws of Thermodynamics to which people ascribe.
Number One is "Energy cannot be created or destroyed"
Number Two is "Heat always travels to cold"
Conscious, notwithstanding the possibility of creative, thought requires an energy flow process. The question here is if in fact all energy follows these first two conceptual Laws. What are the enabling factors which first of all compel all entities with the need to communicate. And in terms of both human and animal motivations, Is there a common denominator that would encourage this flow of communication. In other words can people or other enablers (inclusive of all situations) create a difference of potential that would compel the creative mentation to take place.
Creativity is the action of development of something that currently didn't exist in a particular space and time. With people they unless catatonic will be creative. In the case of children they will be either creative constructive or destructive. There are parallels in the natural world where in order to have balance there is a system of recycling of all materials, that would be constructive growing outward or degenerative breaking down and returning to its essence or beginnings.
In attempting to construct creative learning environments there always appears to be this inertia to overcome. Even with the best of intentions, due to habitual learning pathways, the supposed best and brightest of individuals and groups fall prey to this "natural law" of feeling the need to be recognized and having importance
to others. The need for some "Love and recognition". Without due care and continual perseverance this need for a self actualization can torpedo even the best of intentions to create a system or environment wherein Project based learning and doing can become realized in an objective manner. Hence the creative tension of yin and yang, positive and negative, subjective (self) Objective (community). Question is how to "Gate" or encourage the proliferation of creative enterprise that can become Viral to a society. Without which positive and substantial "change" cannot become a reality.
One must walk the talk and keep in the light the place we come from and still exist in order to continually objectify and course correct any activity especially on the group level. Individuals must be able to tap into this conscious awareness of why they are acting out in a particular manner and are they effectively maximizing the energy of communication.
One other natural law not followed or understood is the concept of "Grace" it is found in the every essence of life and is the foundations of all spiritual and religious journeys. All energy from which life is enabled follows the circles of life from the smallest of particles presently known, the quarks etc. to massive galaxies there is a balance of motion upon which all matter travels through space and time. The cycling of night and day, birth to death growth and decay, sleep and activity all manifestations of this larger picture of which we are but mere stereophonic impressions set upon its wavelength, the frequency bandwidth of which our lives are possible. It is important to understand we are but travelers here, from which we really cannot take ownership of these fellow resources, but as conscious entities may dance with for a while. Let us learn to dance as if there were no tomorrow, in the moment enjoy and co-create by letting go of that which we cannot really own.
Could it be that the Third Law of energy is that "The Ego is it's own worst enemy"? Pogo had that right all along. Now how do we overcome this formidable barrier?

Where does Energy come from?

Energy is a question in search of the answer. It is a quest (The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something),a search, either temporarily at rest in equilibrium or at work seeking same.It is at work when one adds the ion[Greek ion, something that goes, neuter present participle of ienai, to go; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]It may be the negative seeking the positive or vice-versa. All life appears to be on a journey that from our Earth's beginnings was unleashed with the birth of a star. This star, our sun was also birthed. This process has been traced back to an explosion somewhere in time. Energy has been on it's journey ever since...?
Perpetual motion, perhaps?
This Renewable Energy, The Creative Spirit, most needed but little understood and grossly undervalued holds all the keys to a truly healthy and sustainable society. The personal Quest of the engaged mind from a human perspective is a multi-dimensional power generator. Fueled by the past, propelled into the future and a constant source of inspiration about the present. If the energy of the question is fueled by respect, interest and honored, it can and will fuel life far into time and space to places unknown and only dreamed of.
The failings of society can all be traced to the attempt to put the energy of the question into rigid structures created for finite and selfish ends.A system that starts with the premise that all pathways emanate from an answer cannot in the light of reason understand or even perceive the question. If enough people ask the question, a formidable force that can move mountains is unleashed.The constraint of the question can and is, bringing life's carrying capacity (for humanity) to an end. Empower the child within and the majesty and seeming magic of all possibilities will once again avail itself to you...Connect yourself to the only Grid that really matters (Life)! Rejoin the Quest!

Easter's Energy

While on my morning walk with our three small dogs on this great to be alive fine Easter day here in Mid-Michigan, I couldn't help but to once again contemplate the beauty, and in it the deeper relevance of the day.
As the sun was warming a frosty mantle from the Earth and all it's inhabitants around me, My senses reeled in the energies at play. Once again I, a small but significant observor of this life-giving energy at work, seeking balance and in it a measure of equilibrium. Each of the forces at play suspended in time, learning how to dance and fly in their resonance with their neighbors. The perceptions of sight, sound and the fragrances of life in motion, all washing through my mind along with a soulfull search for the deeper meaning. I am Born again to strive for perfection along with my neighbors.
My mind is drawn to once again contemplate, how to help society learn how to self correct the journey it is on. The Lonliness, Pain, Global Warming, Hunger, Wars, all this deprivation. A people disconnected from the essence of life because the balance of power has been so lost from the Natural pathways that are the energy essence of life.
I believe that the strongest statement that Jesus was made was "Ye must be born again and die to the ways of man".It appears he was at least in part refering to the human ego's large capacity to "own" and assign a false value to all life in that "ownership". This concept has brought us a societal economy where people believe they know the cost of everything and so in that science the true value of nothing. It was and is clear that the capacity for humans to interact with the world in negative ways are strangling this paradise. This is born of ignorance of the Natural Laws were set in motion so long ago. The reality of life is that we are but visitors here for relatively short space in time. Ownership is really only in the moment and has relevance to an awareness of the dance of life. Consider the breath you are savoring. Do you own it, can you maintain concious control of all your breaths? Good luck with that.
Yet we have a society that places value in an attempt to control that which we really cannot and never will truly own, including people, places and things. If people could only learn to "control" their own life through an active and Self directed role in learning about ALL life. Then they would be far to busy to try and "control" that which is not theirs anyways. The only thing you can possibly own is your concious ability to become aware of life at any given moment.
In talking with my 8 year old nephew recently, We touched on the relevance of numbers and mathematics as relates to empowering people to increase their ability to understand life and in so doing create a "sense of place". Every entity in existance that ever was, is and going to be has a unique frequency assigned to it. The frequency is the character of the comprised parts that allow each "thing" to take on a shape and tells a story about who, what and when it was, is, or going to be. There is a unique number assigned to each component part. Life is the symphony of all these frequencies interacting on a journey to seek equilibrium. Breaking down the ability to combine these frequencies into a more manageable number system we have fractals or societies that each component lives within. There are similarities in how the component parts operate in each fractal. These are what can be called Natural Laws. So although the self directed learner could conceivably take a hundred years and not find the next prime number, they could however find meaning in value of the trees that make up the forest. Each person could become aware of the value of life and their capacities to learn about it and interact in ways that help creation support itself.
The supposed need to own (and in the process destroy life) is born out of an ignorance and lack of personal motivation. As children learn "play" in a world so surrounding each of us with unrealized potential, so too can adults learn once again
to play as a child. Traveling through life with a sense of knowing that you really don't know, awaken each day with a newfound sense of wonder of being on journey of discovery about all of life's capacity. Give unto life your spirit and in return a world of seeming magic and beauty will avail itself to you. Learn as a struggling Artist to see and encourage beauty in the Fractals of life. In return you will learn to fly, free from the gravity of self inflicted wounds and disease born out of fear, ignorance and an imbalanced world view that has brought humanity to the edge of oblivion.
As far as I know this Earth and your life, is unique and each opportunity will never be again, but together we can create new and healthy memories, if only we can be born again as all life constantly is. Perhaps on our journey's we can meet in the garden of discovery and together, we can plant seeds that grow new understandings.
For if we do this for the least of us we also do this for God and God will be pleased. Whether you believe in God, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha or nothing at all,
Please consider your true potential and have a Great Easter!

Student scientists create biodiesel from soybean oil

A group of students from a charity science program is developing its own biodiesel fuel from soybean oil.
Biodiesel consists of mono alkyl esters produced from vegetable oils, animal or old cooking fats.
Soy biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the soybean oil. The process gives two products: methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (used to make soap). The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and soot.
A group of Ecotek student scientists -- Chris Anderson, Keith Young, Jr. and Emmanuel Thomas Jefferson -- were so interested in the topic that they decided to make their own biodiesel from soybean oil.
They followed a stringent manufacturing and quality control process, such as breaking down the triglycerides in the oil and running combustion, chromatography, and viscosity tests on the methyl ester.
The knowledge that the team gathered from their work in the lab will help them when they travel to the United Nations in New York City to meet with world leaders to discuss the viability of biofuel on behalf of Chad. It will also help them when they share their research with attendees at the Michigan AgriEnergy Conference.
Officials say the team is also working on plans to convert switchgrass, algae and other cellulose based material to biofuel.
Ecotek is a program within the Motor City Model UN Club, a 501c3 organization. It is provides students ages 10 to 17 with the opportunity to work on science projects to help them better understand the role that science plays in policy making within international organizations such as the United Nations.
The students work on a diverse set of projects ranging from combating AIDS to protecting the environment. Once they have reviewed the UN treaties and have completed their lab research, the students meet with world leaders at the UN to share what they have learned.
To learn more about the program and the students highlighted in this press release, contact Keith Young at (313) 399-7893 or email him at keiyoung@ecotek-us.com
The students will show off their work to the public on Friday, March 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ecotek Laboratories, located inside TechTown at 440 Burroughs St., Suite 511 in Detroit.
Note: For information on how you can sponsor content in the Blue Box, contact Jeff Lasser at (248) 455-7319 or jeff.lasser@cbsradio.com

Meijer Goes Green

Posted: Sunday, 01 March 2009 3:27PM

Meijer Announces Plan to Install Wind Turbines

The Walker-based supercenter retail chain Meijer Inc. said last week it would soon expand its green initiatives to include the use of wind power at some of its facilities.

The announcement was made by Stacie Behler, vice president of communications and public affairs for the retailer.

"This is a very exciting project for Meijer," said Behler. "We continue to look for ways to decrease our carbon footprint and this wind turbine project is yet another example of how we can apply innovation to be more green."

Meijer received approval to install the wind turbines from the zoning board of appeals in the city of Walker, the Grand Rapids suburb where Meijer's headquarters facility is located. Current plans are for six wind turbines to be installed on the roof of the Meijer headquarters, with meters placed inside the building.

The wind turbines are being manufactured by Grand Rapids-based Cascade Engineering and should be installed within the next 45 days. Meijer is also hoping to expand its wind turbine project to include its stores in the west Michigan lakeshore communities of Grand Haven and Norton Shores.

Meijer has launched numerous green initiatives through the past few years, including the construction of LEED certified stores, a plastic bag recycling program and the continued expansion of green products sold inside the stores, including re-usable bags.

Meijer operates 185 supercenters throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings.

More at www.meijer.com.

On Practical Wisdom Skills, Brilliance and the "Moral Will to DO the Right Thing"

YES MAGAZINE!

I would recommend anyone interested in expanding their awareness of other people who are also creating real demonstrable positive differences in this world to visit www.yesmagazine.org.
May we all learn how to communicate and work together in succinct ways to add chapters, no volumes to the wonderfully objective, yet generally pragmatic pages in this interactively generative magazine.
One of the articles that really moved me is in the current Winter 2009 issue on page 51 "No foreclosures here" it is about the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
(DSNI). These good people have created a sense of place that has created immense social value which in turn created stability, jobs, educational opportunities and other societal growth in ways yet to be discovered. By far the most dynamic creating community action I have read of to date. A model we could emulate right here and now in Pontiac, Detroit, Benton Harbor.... Well globally actually. But begin somewhere, locally is a good start!

Winderful

Accio Energy Wins NSF Grant to Develop Game Changing Wind Energy Technology
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Accio Energy, Inc. received a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The amount of the grant is $97,800. The NSF grant will fund development of product prototypes and a computer model that predicts their efficiency.
Accio Energy is a seed stage company in Ann Arbor, MI developing a new wind energy technology. Accio's product is unique; incorporating a turbine- free approach that converts wind energy to electricity without moving parts. The SBIR grant will fund work leading to a commercial proof-of-concept demonstration. "We're excited that the National Science Foundation's highly competitive and technically rigorous peer review process resulted in funding for our approach to wind energy conversion. The prestigious award is recognition of the value of our aerovoltaic technology," said Dr. Dawn White, President of Accio Energy.
About Accio Energy, Inc.
Accio Energy, Inc. is developing aerovoltaic systems that directly convert wind energy to electricity without the need for blades or a turbine. No moving parts and no noise: A new direction in wind energy. Much as photovoltaic technology revolutionized the solar energy market, aerovoltaic technology will provide a direct and scalable electricity source from an abundant free natural resource. Target installations are commercial, government, and utility facilities. Accio Energy is testing prototype test hardware and expects to launch products in late 2010. To learn more: info@accioenergy.com Contact:
Jeff Basch
General Manager
Accio Energy, Inc.
734-930-6692
info@accioenergy.com

Micro Wind Turbine

Posted: Monday, 26 January 2009 4:57PM

Franklin Company Gets Rights To New Micro Wind Turbine

Franklin-based Franklin Wind Energy Group LLC has purchased the exclusive United States manufacturing and marketing rights for a new type of micro wind turbine.

The U.S. rights for the wind turbine were purchased from VBine Energy of Canada.

"This is an exciting time to enter the U.S. market with this revolutionary product,” said Franklin Wind chairman and CEO David Koyle. “Demand in the small wind market is increasing dramatically each year with applications across a wide range of industrial and consumer markets.

We plan to become the leading supplier of vertical axis wind turbines in the U.S. and capture a significant share of the market for small wind turbines.”

Franklin Wind Energy Group will set up manufacturing operations in Michigan to create jobs in the renewable energy sector.

“We are working as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment plan to invest in the U.S. and its renewable energy needs," Koyle said. "Michigan has an existing base of high-level manufacturing expertise that will provide us with the capability to make our new wind turbines right here in our state.”

The four bladed Franklin vertical axis wind turbine is a revolutionary new design that produces up to 6 kilowatts of electricity and provides a mass-market solution to smaller scale wind generation.

The Franklin vertical axis wind turbine is easy to manufacture in high volumes and significantly increases power generation output by up to three times over competitive turbines.

The inherent simplicity of the design of this new technology results in it being relatively low cost, light and very simple to transport and install (average weight is 500 pounds).

These features, coupled with its impressive and reliable output and efficiency, demonstrates that it is well suited to mass marketing appeal for large and small business owners, as well as consumers, to generate their own energy from a small wind turbine located on their site.

More at www.franklinwindenergygroup.com.

Funding Constraints could become CATALYST for Disruptive Digital Learning

Michigan school districts fear budget cuts

Declines in state revenue could create deficits

BY PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI • FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER • January 4, 2009

The January revenue conference -- when lawmakers meet to begin deciding how much money the state will have for next year's budget -- has an ominous feel for many Michigan school administrators this year.

They gratefully accepted an early Christmas present from the state, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced that midyear budget cuts would not affect schools.

But with 54% of Michigan's districts holding less than the recommended 15% of their budget in savings, and about one third of the districts approaching dangerously low levels of savings, administrators will be nervously watching the conference -- which starts Jan. 9 -- and hoping there will be enough money in next year's budget to keep their programs going.

"The thing that really frightens me for the future is, where do we go next?" said David Houle, business manager for Willow Run Community Schools. "We're going to come to a point where there are no additional cuts you can make that don't impact in the classroom."

In these uncertain economic times, state revenues could be down between $500 million and $1 billion next year, according to Mitch Bean, director of the House Fiscal Agency.

At best, any drop in state revenue could mean school districts have to make cuts in anything from supplies to transportation. At worst, cuts in school revenues would drive some districts into a deficit.

"This is not an environment in which we expect to get anything," said Tom White, executive director of Michigan School Business Officials. "It's really a question of how difficult it's going to be and what we're going to do about it."

"There are so many unknowns, it's like playing with a whole deck of wild cards," White said. His organization is recommending school administrators plan for no increase in school funding next year.

The good news is that there may be more money available for schools because there are fewer students. Michigan lost about 5,000 pupils, saving about $40 million because school money is doled out on a per-pupil basis.

The bad news is that schools don't necessarily lose pupils in cost-saving ways. A district that loses 25 students is unlikely to lose them in the same classroom or even the same building. So expenses such as teachers, heating and transportation remain the same.

What could help? Strong Christmas sales generating more tax revenue, help for the U.S. automakers saving Michigan jobs or a timely federal economic stimulus package that could include a significant savings for Michigan in Medicaid.

"As soon as those sales in the state go down, we're not funding our schools," Houle said.

But even if these situations materialize, no one knows whether they will be enough. Most worried are those whose districts are likely to fall into a deficit if the state cuts any funding.

"It's the equivalent of squeezing blood out of a turnip," said Charles Muncatchy, superintendent of Mt. Clemens Community Schools. He said his district is out of savings, and the likely result of any funding cuts would be a deficit.

East Detroit Public Schools also would be likely to end up in a deficit if state funding is cut. The district is down to a slim $57,000 in savings.

"It's a mess," said Superintendent Bruce Kefgen. "I can't tell you where we'd ultimately cut."

The Willow Run Community Schools district already was in a deficit, and files an annual plan on how it is reducing its deficit with the state.

"We've already made major changes and concessions with our employees and staffing," Houle said. "We don't have anyplace to go for discretionary spending."

Even well-heeled districts can struggle.

Bloomfield Hills Public Schools has a cushion in the form of $20 million in savings, but its officials still feel that it has to close two schools next year.

"Just because we have a fund balance doesn't mean our board wants to tap it," said district spokeswoman Betsy Erikson.

Educators say if money is tight, it's only fair for the state and federal governments to chip in by dropping some of the schools' requirements.

"If you don't have the money for us, you could cut some of those unfunded mandates," said Kefgen. He suggests cutting back on the state testing programs such as the MEAP, which he said costs districts thousands of dollars to administer, or rethinking all the databases that districts are required to keep.

Muncatchy said he would like the federal government to fund some of the requirements under No Child Left Behind.

"I'm all for rigor and that schools should be places of excellence, but other countries in the world spend 30% of their federal funds on education, and America spends less than 3%," Muncatchy said.

Contact PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI at 586-826-7262 or mmwalsh@freepress.com.

Disruptive Digital Learning equals Cheaper, Better, Faster!

Waivers free high school students to study online, off-campus

State steps up role in Web-based high school education

BY LORI HIGGINS • FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER • January 4, 2009

Eleven Michigan school districts and one charter school can now allow students to take more courses -- and in some cases all of their classes -- online and off-campus, moves that could further cement the state's reputation as a leader in online education.

Michigan already broke new ground in 2006 by becoming the first state in the nation to require students take an online class or have an online educational experience in order to graduate.

Just in November, the Center for Digital Education ranked Michigan second, behind Florida, for online education.

Two metro Detroit districts -- Waterford and Avondale -- are among the handful moving farther ahead, winning approval from the Michigan Department of Education to allow larger numbers of students to take online courses wherever they want.

At least two dozen of the state's 552 districts and 230 charter schools have applied for the waivers from rules that require students be in a school building for nearly 1,100 hours each school year. Students also are currently limited by state law to taking only two online courses outside a school building during a semester.

"That would be so much easier," Kayla Jacques, 18, of Waterford said of the chance to take online courses from the comfort of home. She is a senior at Waterford Alternative High School and stays late after school several days a week to take an online class.

The waivers are a result of a challenge issued to districts earlier this year by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan, with the goal of seeing what innovative ideas school districts could come up with if they were allowed to bypass some rules that might be "standing in the way of schools reaching more kids," said MaryAlice Galloway, senior adviser to the chief academic officer at MDE.

Most of the 24 districts that submitted proposals targeted struggling students, particularly those attending alternative high schools. That's not surprising given that a quarter of the state's students fail to graduate on time, including 15% who drop out altogether.

Nearly all of the districts made online education a key component of the plans.

"It gives them a shot at catching up," said George Heitsch, Avondale superintendent.


Virtual enrollment boom

Online education has soared in Michigan in the last decade, illustrated by growth in enrollment at Michigan Virtual University, one of the options students have to take online classes. MVU offers more than 200 high school courses and enrollment has spiraled upward from 100 students in the 1999-2000 school year to an expected 15,000 this school year.

Part of the growth is influenced by students who need to make up credits required to graduate. But there also are students who want to take on larger course loads, those who want to take courses their schools don't offer and those with scheduling conflicts that prevent them from taking classes they want.

Most of those students who enroll at MVU, however, take one course at a time. The seat-time waivers will give students in districts that win approval an opportunity to take most or all of their course work online. And, in most cases, it allows them to take classes anywhere they can find an Internet connection.

That's what has Jacob Carman, 18, intrigued. A student at Waterford Alternative High School, he said being away from school would mean fewer distractions while he's learning. And there would be the convenience of not having to follow a school schedule.

The Avondale district, approved for a seat-time waiver last month, already has 10 students taking all of their classes online. Conor Helmrich, 16, is one of them.

"I'm able to wake up, turn my computer on and get going," Conor said. It's a lifestyle that has made him the envy of his friends. "They wish they could sleep in until whenever, and then do their work."

It may sound unstructured, and for the student who lacks inner motivation, online classes from home may not work. It helps that Conor's parents play an active role in his education. And the school closely monitors online students' progress and how often they log into the system.

"I got my parents all over my back on this," Conor said. "They're calling me like every hour making sure I'm on track."

No one is expecting hordes of students to sign up for a schedule in which they don't have to show up for school every day, if at all.

Jacques and her friend Katie VanOvermeer, 17, say they wouldn't want to take all of their classes online.

"I like coming to school here," Jacques said.

The Waterford district is beginning the program with alternative high students and those who are homebound for medical reasons. It will then expand it to its traditional high schools, said Lynn Kosinski, supervisor of secondary education.

But the district's plan includes limiting participants to 10% of the student body.


Trial program

The state is looking at the seat-time waivers as a pilot program and will closely monitor how well it works.

"What we're going to learn is not only which kids do well, but what kinds of support a district can give them to help them succeed in a virtual learning environment," Galloway said.

One thing they do know is that students taking online classes need support. Districts allowing students to take their course work online will assign a teacher mentor who regularly will meet face-to-face with them and monitor progress between meetings. Some districts also require students to take exams on a school site.

The Avondale district last spring piloted an afternoon program in which 12 students came into a computer lab and took all of their courses online. That program is still going on, but the seat-time waiver has opened it up to allowing up to 80 students to complete their course work outside of school.

Among the 10 students enrolled are four who would just rather not come to school. But there are others who have been expelled and can't come to school, said Chuck Granger, director of community education, adult education and the Avondale Academy, the district's alternative program.

Contact LORI HIGGINS at 248-351-3694 or lhiggins@freepress.com.