Responsive Web Design: Is It For You?

Responsive Web Design allows a web page to adjust to the device.

Have you ever heard of responsive web design? Some people who have business web sites may be aware of what it is. Responsive web design (RWD) is a specific design that allows web sites to fit the size and type of device a viewer is using. RWD does this by using "fluid, proportion-based grids, flexible images, and CSS3 media queries."

Let's see how this works. The fluid grid provides page sizes in flexible units, such as percentages, rather than the standard pixels. Flexible images are also provided in flexible units, rather than pixels. Media queries allows the page to use different style rules, based on the criteria of the device being utilized. So, it allows the same page to be displayed comfortably on devices from large monitors to laptops to tablets to the smallest smart phone. Essentially, it makes web pages available to the maximum amount of access devices.



For businesses, this can be a winning way to display content. You only need one design that is adjusted to be comfortable on any device. If you have a number of users who access your site by their device of the moment, it makes sense to have graphics that fit on all devices. For instance, say, you run a restaurant that can seat customers or prepare meals for customers to be eaten at home. You want your content accessible to as many devices as possible, so customers can order on the fly, from whichever device they are using, so they can turn up at your restaurant in time to be seated immediately, or to pick up the meal that is ready, without waiting.

So, is this something that you need for your website? That depends on how you use it and whether your users approach your site from more than one device. If your users view it from only one device, you can pretty much utilize standard templates and be okay. But, if your users are coming to your site from more than one device, you'll probably want to look into utilizing RWD.

Once you make the decision to utilize RWD, you want to find the right kind of company that can incorporate this technology flawlessly into your web pages. Or, if you are more familiar with technology, you can access W3SCHOOLS.COM or follow the tutorial on GOOGLE DEVELOPERS. JOHN POLACHEK has compiled information that allows you to choose whether you would like to code yourself or hire a savvy design firm.

Thanks for information provided on Social Actions.com by Christina Tellers: http://www.socialactions.com/responsive-web-design/; and this article from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_web_design.

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Openly Available Network Technology

Mounting a dish on a rooftop for a mesh network node.

Sometimes, starting at the grassroots can provide benefits for an entire community, especially those who would usually be ignored, like those with little income. And what better place to give access, to pioneer, than in California, the Oakland area.

We all know how beneficial connecting to the internet can be. Worlds of possibilities open up, connecting with others, developing political movements and activism, even meeting friends with whom one has lost touch, a world of learning, all become possibilities. But there is a gate to that internet, and that gate costs money that people with low incomes don't have. Even if an income-challenged individual manages to obtain a computer, the expense of a network link is a huge barrier to overcome.



Enter Marc Juul, a well-versed computer nerd, who is used to putting his skills to work in numbers of projects, most of them designed to allow more access to computer networks, including the internet. He's also an activist and committed vegan. He began to envision a way to develop free access to the internet, utilizing wifi mesh capabilities. So he and a colleague founded the PEOPLE'S OPEN NETWORK, an open, decentralized, and all-volunteer collaborative. By going open source, this group allows interested individuals to view the code, make changes and improvements, then submit their changes in code back to the originator.

According to Marc, "We believe in the creation of local internets and the cultivation of community-owned telecommunications networks in the interest of autonomy and grassroots community collaboration." In this type of system, wireless routers are programmed to run an open source operating system, through wifi, to allow local communication. It essentially becomes its own network available to locals who know how to access it. It's separate from the larger internet and can even be thought of as a backup to the internet, which can operate even if the entire internet becomes dysfunctional.

By utilizing this method of connecting with an open source operating system, this network familiarizes users with network infrastructure, allowing the development of communication tools and apps that have local capabilities. In discussing his beliefs, Marc said, "[When] people own, operate, and understand their own network infrastructure, it will improve social justice locally and globally." Eventually, the goal of People's Open Network is to run this network entirely off the grid, utilizing solar power. It has not yet reached this goal.

However, there have been several accomplishments, including SUDO ROOM, an online hackerspace and creative space, an inclusive space that allows users to tinker with open source, work on projects, and develop applications. Then there is the online space, COUNTER CULTURE LABS, that brings science and research to average individuals, instead of leaving it in research institutions on college campuses, out of reach of the average interested person. The Omni Oakland Commons provides an amazing physical space in the community, containing a variety of resources, all accessible. Check out some of these links to open up a geek's wonderland - all accessible, all inventive, all creative.

An extender antenna that allows free wifi.

The biggest benefit that I can see is that anyone, no matter what your income, can access the projects and information, while helping to build a people's network that is entirely free. Even young people, who may never have heard of code can learn from those with technological expertise. Just imagine children, whose families face financial challenges, being able to access this open source resource, and learning the language of technology. That is what opens future career doors.

Setting up in the Omni Oakland Commons.

Thanks to information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/marc-juul-peoples-open-network/; and the above link.

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Engineering A Variety Of Projects

The RK&K booth at a convention.

An 1100 employee company that has grown from its start as a two-person practice,  Rummel, Klepper & Kahl LLC, or RK&K ENGINEERS, offers a wide range of engineering and consulting services to a large list of satisfied clients. Just look around in the midatlantic region and you'll see highways and buildings that feature contributions by this company.

What has this company been doing recently? RK&K has helped a local garden and mansion site, CYLBURN ARBORETUM, to map it's site, utilizing its geographic information system (GIS) capabilities. Rebecca Henry, President of the Cylburn Arboretum Association Board, and Patricia Foster, Executive Director, recently expressed their thanks, "On behalf of the Cylburn Arboretum Association, Inc., we would like to thank you and RK&K for your commitment to community service and especially for the excellent and diligent GIS work of Tom Earp, Dan Passman and Dan Deal to the Arboretum's mapping program....Our experience with RK&K demonstrates that your commitment to community service is meaningful and significant. As beneficiaries of this commitment, we are extremely grateful."

Down in Washington, DC, THE AMERICAN VETERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE MEMORIAL has recently joined other monuments on the National Mall and honors those who have become disabled while providing military service. ACEC/Metro Washington presented RK&K Engineering with an Honor Award for Engineering Excellence for it work on the project. Among those receiving the award were Barry Owenby, representing the owners; Anna Barbour and Shalom Barones, architects; and Doug Hayes, landscape architect. 

Another recent project involved the UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING LABORATORY building at Johns Hopkins University, where members of RK&K Engineers used their expertise in sustainable solutions to provide practical environmental sensibility. So, it was a great honor when, at the 11th Annual Wintergreen Awards banquet, this competent team received an Excellence in Green Building Award within the Academic Building Category, one of the firm's specialty areas. The RK&K team provided civil/site engineering services.

Employees participated in Bike To Work Day.

Just this month, the company announced that they have acquired the assets of TAMAYO ENGINEERING, LLC, an engineering company which has worked in the South Florida area. This acquisition with allow RK&K to expand its footprint into Florida, where it can enhance its involvement. Founder, Enrique Tamayo, PE, and his team add four additional operating locations from which RK&K can provide high quality engineering services.

JHU's Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory building.

Thanks to information from RK&K's facebook posts: https://www.facebook.com/rkkengineers/timeline?ref=page_internal; and information from the above links.

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It Just Takes One Person

Larie McKeever, dressed for her daily walk.

Many people engage in daily walks for various reasons, chief among them probably being to improve or maintain health. Then there are those whose doctors prescribe a daily walk of a certain distance, such as a mile - or even two. Daily walks are also part of the mending process after a person has had a heart attack - that's part of cardiac rehabilitation.

Then there are those who take walks out of habit, a habit they developed when they were young, perhaps with a parent who wanted to share a love of nature. 80-year-old Larie McKeever started walking when she was young. Walks with her dad in Story City, Iowa, and along the way this twosome would pick up any trash that they spotted. Larie recounted, "I think about my dad a lot when I'm walking. I think about how proud he would be that I'm still picking up litter, all these years later."



For that is what Ms. McKeever does on her daily walks of three miles along Golf Course Road in Crystal Lake, Illinois. You'd have to be up early to spot her on her walks, dressed in an orange safety vest and carrying trash bags. Into the bags go pieces of garbage and trash that she spots along her route. She stated, "I try to leave the house as soon as it's light outside. But if I open my door and it's pouring down rain, I won't walk. Then again, if it starts raining while I'm on my walk, I won't turn back."

There are all kinds of things that Larie spots on her walks, too. There are the usual wrappers that have been discarded on the road, but she's also found such valuables as credit cards and driver's licenses. She usually recovers those and sends them to the proper agency. Aluminum cans are usually recycled in exchange for some money, which she donates to the local food bank.

Like many others who are taking prescribed walks, Ms. McKeever has also found that her walks have health benefits, too. She has aortic stenosis, which narrows the aorta, and may eventually need surgery to replace the valve, but her cardiologist is also pleased with her daily exercise routine. She reported, "He told me to just keep doing what I'm doing. Improving my health has been one of the most rewarding things about my walks."

Ms. McKeever has really become a regular figure along her route, too. Drivers slow down to wave and exchange a few words with her. Neighbors have been known to leave cookies or notes of thanks at her door. Some provide additional aluminum cans by the bagful to support her recycling efforts. Even local government officials have expressed appreciation. Victor Ramirez, director of public works in Crystal Lake, said, "We certainly appreciate all she does. Many on my staff have seen her out walking, and it's inspiring to us. She has taken it upon herself to instill a greater sense of pride in the community."

Ms. McKeever adding some trash to her bag.

Nothing like being a role model for others. For, these days one can spot others, runners or walkers, headed down the same roadway that Ms. McKeever uses, also carrying trash bags and picking up trash along their exercise route. What a wonderful idea for those who enjoy daily walks or runs! You won't even get bored with the scenery; you'll be trying to spot trash that begs for removal on your exercise trail.

Anyone can do it; just follow Larie's example.

Thanks to this article by James Gaines on Upworthy: http://www.upworthy.com/this-lovable-old-lady-turned-her-daily-3-mile-walk-into-a-personal-crusade-against-litter?c=ufb1; and this article by Olivia Morrissey on Northwest Herald: http://www.nwherald.com/2015/12/30/at-80-crystal-lake-resident-continues-daily-3-mile-walks-to-beautify-her-neighborhood/a57d5zv/?page=1.

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A Sustainable Artists Community In The Upper Peninsula

From the metal casting workshop.

It started out in a small A-frame building, in Ewen, Michigan, located in the Upper Peninsula. This small town had seen hard times, with a notable population decline and the loss of industrial jobs. The A-frame was originally the Visitor Center to the Sylvania Wilderness Area.

When a new entry building was completed, and there were no buyers for the A-frame, it was given to Forest Service volunteer Cameron Coleman, with the stipulation that it be moved from the Wilderness area property. Three artists from Minneapolis took the building apart and re-assembled it at its current location at the end of Ewen Airport Road.



The idea behind the building and property was to facilitate the development of an artists' community, composed of artists, creative individuals, and members of the Upper Peninsula community, with a focus on sustainability. The site became known as THE VISITOR CENTER ARTISTS CAMP.

In 2014, the team members - Margaret Coleman, Josh Hosterman, Amy Joy Hosterman, Liz Ensz, and James Lentz - got together and organized the Do-It-Yourself Sustainable Adventure Art Symposium, which took place over a period of nine days, August 15-24. They issued invitations to members of the art world to join them for a rugged, wilderness-based artistic activity. It was rugged because it was a camping adventure, utilizing tents for accommodations, and electricity and water sources would be limited. The artists were actively engaged with the local community through talks, exhibitions, demonstrations, a clay and metal workshop, and a metal pour event.

The idea was also to bring artistic skills, creativity, sustainable practices, along with developing the site for future artistic endeavors. By offering this new opportunity, the idea was to bring hope and a future to this area in decline. As the literature for this symposium stated, "it is incredibly important to place a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and promoting stewardship of  this beautiful area."

Fast forward to today, and The Visitor Center Artists Camp remains an active part of the community. There are workshops provided in metal casting; working with local clay, from mining to firing; and working with a local saw miller at Seeger's Sawmill, learning from a DIY master. There is an annual Ewen Arts Festival, being held for the third time this year. This year there is also a Sustainable Practices Symposium planned featuring lectures, discussions, camping, with hiking and canoe trips, utilizing the resources of Lake Superior and Sylvania National Forest.

Those at the 1st Symposium helped to improve the Visitor Center site.

This active arts community also promotes local enterprises and the natural wonders of its scenic location. Those who participated in the 2014 symposium helped to build this enterprise into the many-faceted program that it has become in just a short time.

Some of the locals in the Upper Peninsula town of Ewen.

Thanks to information from this article at Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/margaret-coleman-sustainable-adventure-art-symposium/; information from this article about the first symposium on Rocket Hub: https://www.rockethub.com/projects/40554-do-it-yourself-sustainable-adventure-art-symposium; and the above link.

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Brewer Reduces Water And Energy Consumption

Inside Brewery Vivant's pub.

When you are committed to making the world just a bit better, it doesn't mean that you have to ignore pleasure. Many people consider being able to kick back with a good brew to give pleasure. After all, what's not to like about joining friends and sampling the local ale or beer?

Did you know that there are some breweries here in the US that utilize environmentally friendly processes to make their products? One of the first breweries to become LEED certified is BREWERY VIVANT, located in Grand Rapids, MI. It even started out by recycling an historic funeral home into its site for producing micro-brews.

Now, this brewery was one that didn't have to contend with scarcity of water supplies, since it is located so close to Lake Michigan. Even most home brewers know that making beer requires a large supply of water. But because water is scarce in other locations, the owners of Brewery Vivant have always respected their use of water resources.

According to Kris Spaulding, sustainability director and owner, "We rely so much on fresh water for our product, given that beer is mostly water. That dependence gives brewers an appreciation and respect for water and nature that is deeper than many other industries."

Although water is so integral to the beer-making process, Brewery Vivant still went to work trying to find ways to reduce the company's water usage. By 2013 they had come up with a plan to make their beer with a five to one water to beer ratio, significantly less than what is used by other breweries. The following year they thought that they had discovered a process to reduce the ratio even further, but discovered, to their disappointment, that they had actually increased the ratio.

But in order to earn the LEED designation, this brewery went even further in areas that didn't involve the brewing process. Throughout the building, the company utilizes high-efficiency lights, along with motion sensors that allow lights to be turned off automatically when they aren't in use. They also utilize green energy by CONSUMERS ENERGY, provided by wind turbines and and landfill gas recapture.

The company culture also promotes energy sustainability among its employees. Through its "You Can Beer The Change" project, Brewery Vivant offers monetary incentives for employees to come up with ways to reduce energy waste and brewery emissions. Since most employees live fairly close to the brewery, the company also offers rewards for using public transit, walking, or biking.

In the brewery, barrels of beer age.

Now, the company isn't just a brewery; it also runs a pub. If you go, you'll be reminded of the ambiance of an old world monastery, minus the monks. Food is made from scratch, ingredients are locally harvested, and the cuisine is European. It makes a great match for their Belgian- and French-inspired beers.

Locally grown greens, supported by Brewery Vivant.

Thanks for information from this article by Kayla Schultz for Yes! Magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/drink-your-way-to-sustainability-with-these-climate-conscious-microbrews; and the above links.

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Annual Round Dance Preserves Native Traditions

The most recent event occurred in 2014.

Cultural activities and events help individuals of various backgrounds maintain connections with their origins, their ethnic groups, their cultural heritage. It helps individuals establish their identities, within the larger communities of State and Country.

That's true even for the original peoples of the area governed by the United States, the tribal groups who first settled these lands. Martin Montgomery, a member of the WASHOE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA; Brandi Sargent; and the Red Hoop Singers brought back the tradition of community dance to Gardnerville, Nevada.



Called the RED HOOP ROUND DANCE, it is an alcohol- and drug-free gathering of community members both within, and outside of, the tribal community in the spirit of song and dance. Usually held during the winter months, it represents a tradition thousands of years old. It is an organized way to bring people together to socialize, visit, sing and dance, and just celebrate life. Instead of barriers between tribes, or an us/them mentality, it breaks down barriers and provides a place to meet, a shared space for more than 3,000 native tribal members from both Canada and the US, along with other interested visitors.

It is because Martin has the inner strength to create this common ground and also the experience to organize community activities that the Red Hoop Round Dance can even take place. He discussed his inspiration, "We are dancing to celebrate our life; and appreciation of all that you have is a great way to pay homage to our creator and those who came before us."

It wasn't just singing and dancing which was part of the Red Hoop Round Dance in previous years. Visitors and participants could purchase raffle tickets for various prizes, various vendors brought goods to sell, and contributions could be made to nonprofits, who served the community. During the rest of the year, there were fundraisers to provide the monetary means to hold this celebratory gathering.

Red Hoop Round Dance gathers members of the community, with joy on their faces.

For six years in a row, the Red Hoop Round Dance was celebrated. But in 2015, there were not enough funds to hold this gathering. However, the sponsors and organizers were still hoping to have this festive celebration in March of this year.

Time for the Round Dance.

Thanks to information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/martin-montgomery-red-hoop-round-dance/; and the above links.

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