San Antonio Commercial Real Estate Experts ? How Can Green ...

How Can Green Buildings Save You Money?

Our impact on the environment is a serious issue requiring global awareness and responsibility.

It has also resulted in standards and guidelines to govern construction projects and limit their environmental impact.

There are many benefits to property owners who use green construction practices. Greener construction means savings long after the building is completed, as a result of reduced energy consumption and less waste.

The U.S. Green Building Council has introduced LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to provide guidelines for developers so they can reduce their impact on the ecosystem.

It?s an internationally recognized green building certification that provides third-party documentation indicating that the construction practices applied to a building improves energy savings, reduces water consumption and limits carbon emissions.

The standards for LEED were developed by volunteer committees. They used a consensus-based approach to establish a universally accepted rating system. The system can be used by industry professionals such as architects, real estate salespeople, construction managers and government officials to establish a sustainable environmental standard. The professionals use the system by applying the guidelines, which allows them to reduce long-term expense and minimize the environmental impacts created by the construction process.

LEED standards are currently a voluntary set of guidelines governing all aspects of commercial and residential construction.

Through proper site selection, monitoring water efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and proper use of materials and resources, your company?s projects can be part of an environmental impacat solution.

Projects are judged on a 100-point scale with a possible 10 bonus points.

The structure for commercial construction gives points for sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. An additional 10-point bonus can be attained for excelling in innovation of design and regional priorities with regard to environmental impacts. Buildings achieve certification by scoring at least 40 points on the 100-point scale.

LEED-certified projects have grown beyond U.S.borders, and projects are taking place in Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India.

As the world becomes more aware of the damage inflicted by pollution and the irresponsible use of global resources, there will be an increased effort to reduce our long-term impact on the environment.

Businesses and real estate professionals can drive this change by assuming a leadership role. By adopting these practices, building owners will have the ability to attract higher-quality tenants and reduce energy consumption and waste.

Ultimately, there will also be cost savings due to lower levels of consumption and superior tenancies.

For more information on LEED, visit www.usgbc.org.

Contact a San Antonio Commercial Real Estate Expert today:

?

Luke LeGrand, ePRO 210-843-5853

?

How Can Green Buildings Save You Money?

How Can Green Buildings Save You Money?

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EU appeals to China to join global emissions talks

BEIJING (AP) ? A European envoy held out a possible compromise in a fight with China over carbon emissions charges on airlines, saying Wednesday that Europe might alter its system if Beijing helps negotiate global regulations.

China, India, the United States and Russia oppose the European Union charges that took effect Jan. 1. Beijing has barred its carriers from cooperating and has suspended purchases of European aircraft.

Talks on a global system have begun in the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. body, said Matthew Baldwin, director of aviation for the 27-nation EU. He said Europe might alter its Emissions Trading System if an agreement is reached.

"We would very much like to see a stronger role played by China in those talks," Baldwin told reporters at a European-Chinese aviation conference. "In the event of a global solution in ICAO, the EU is fully ready to review and amend the ETS directive to take account of that global solution."

Baldwin said he would press that appeal during talks with Chinese economic planners and airline regulators this week.

Baldwin said the ICAO talks are looking at four possible "market mechanisms" to regulate carbon emissions but gave no details.

The dispute highlights the complex status of countries such as China and India that are large emissions sources but as developing economies are exempt from mandatory limits.

China, the biggest source of greenhouse gases, has promised to curb emissions but has rejected binding commitments. The communist government warned in February it would take steps to protect its carriers.

In March, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industrie said Beijing was blocking orders by China's state-owned carriers for jets with a total list price of $12 billion in a challenge to the carbon charges.

Airbus said it also is seeing "retaliation threats" from 25 other countries.

Under the European system, airlines flying to or from Europe must obtain certificates for carbon dioxide emissions. They will get free credits to cover most flights this year but must buy or trade for credits to cover the rest.

It is unclear how far Europe might be willing to go to compromise with Beijing.

Public attitudes in Europe have hardened because China's emissions have risen steadily despite a credit system that channeled billions of dollars from European utility customers and others to Chinese companies to pay for cleaner technology.

European officials say Beijing is reluctant to negotiate a new system that would impose stricter limits on Chinese emissions in exchange for continued payments.

EU officials defend the airline charges as consistent with Europe's determination to be a leader in curbing climate change. They say that with free credits taken into account, the added cost per passenger on a flight from Beijing to Brussels, the EU capital, would be 17.50 yuan or 1.90 euros ($2.70).

Beijing has leverage in a dispute because its airlines carry large numbers of Chinese and other Asian tourists to Europe. Any disruption would hurt Europe's travel industry while the continent is struggling with a debt crisis and high unemployment.

India also has barred its carriers from paying the European charges, which the EU will start to collect next year.

Baldwin declined to say whether Chinese or other airlines might face penalties if they refuse to cooperate.

"We obviously hope that everyone will comply with the emissions trading system, and I think it is far to early to start talking about punitive measures," he said.

China rejects the charges as an improper tax. It filed a legal challenge along with U.S. airlines and India. The EU's highest court upheld them in December, ruling they were not a tax because airlines could be exempt if they take "equivalent measures" to curb emissions and can recoup money through trading credits.

Environmentalists welcomed the European program, one of the most far-reaching measures to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Although only 3 percent of total carbon emissions come from aircraft, aviation is the fastest-growing source.

The International Air Transport Association, an industry group, opposes the European charges and has appealed for a global settlement. IATA represents about 240 airlines that carry 84 percent of global air traffic.

IATA says the European system will cost airlines up to 900 million euros ($1.2 billion) this year and rise to 2.8 billion euros in 2020.

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A Hearing Aid Can Be a Child's Best Friend ... - Health and Fitness

For numerous people, a hearing aid has been a literal lifesaver. It has saved them from numerous forms of danger that they would hold not been able to escape without the help of this device. However, many kids in rank school don?t see the great benefits of this tools. This is mainly due to some of the things they may hold to endure such as teasing amongst their peers.

It is a father?s job to make sure their child understands exactly how weighty this device is. Parents should ever try their best to understand when their infant comes to them with issues respecting being teased or bullied because of their contrivance. Don?t just brush it off, but try to understand where they are approach from and give them the best disruption possible.

Some people may think that smooth a child should automatically understand the consequence of wearing their device and that in that place shouldn?t be anyone to have to explain this to them. Howsoever, that is not always the case. Many of them hold to deal with pressure from other kids. For bullying is becoming a great epidemic, it shouldn?t be firm to believe that a child who wears this contrivance may have to experience this harsh truth.

Many people, especially children, create fun of things they don?t understand or that are not public to them. So, if they see someone who is perceived as distinct because of their hearing aid, that infant may become one of their main targets. So, they may be ostracized at seminary or asked annoying and intensive questions that they may not be clever to answer. Instances like these can create a child really weary of wearing their sense of ~ aid.

Besides bullying, many children equitable want to fit in. So, even if they don?t have to deal through these circumstances, a child may still not deficiency to wear their hearing aid because they see that greatest in quantity other children don?t have one. So, they may see themselves as existence weird or feel like something is unjust with them because they are not like the other kids. At the time most kids are younger or even into their teen or young mature years, they want to be like everyone other.

The aforementioned reasons are just the tip of the iceberg as to why a father needs to be very understanding when it comes to their children and their sense of ~ aid. Parents should let their child perceive that it?s okay to be different and unique and create sure they understand the important of the contrivance.

In Ocala, FL hearing aid technology is reminding residents of the pleasures of a missing sense. For solutions to your loss, touch the professionals at http://www.miracle-ear-ocala.com/.

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Dell shares dive, PC margin fears drag HP lower

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Stocks rally further in run-up to EU summit

MOSCOW (AP) ? Stocks advanced Tuesday ahead of a summit of European leaders that's expected to be dominated by calls to boost economic growth across the continent, though ongoing worries over the upcoming Greek election kept the rally in check.

Europe remains the focus of attention across all financial markets in the run-up to the June 17 Greek election that could go a long way to determining the country's membership of the euro as well as the future of the single currency zone.

On Wednesday, the leaders of the 27 European Union countries will hold an informal meeting in Brussels. The summit is expected to focus on ways to kick start the region's faltering economy.

"There have been lots of comments from various officials regarding the wish of the EU for Greece to remain in the eurozone, the need to agree upon a growth agenda to go alongside the austerity agenda and of course on common euro bonds," said Gary Jenkins, managing director of Swordfish Research.

With that backdrop, stocks have recovered this week after a parlous few sessions.

In Europe, Germany's DAX rose 0.6 percent to 6,367 while the CAC-40 in France was 0.6 percent higher at 3,045. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was up 0.7 percent at 5,344, helped by figures showing that the annual inflation rate dropped to 3 percent in April, its lowest level since February 2010.

Wall Street was poised for a fairly subdued opening after Monday's solid advance ? both Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures were down 0.2 percent.

Europe's debt crisis as well as developments in Greece has the potential to knock the rebound in sentiment witnessed so far this week.

"Markets are by no means out of the woods, however, and much uncertainty will remain ahead of Greece'e election in just less than a month," said Mitul Kotecha, head of global strategy at Credit Agricole CIB.

If a new government fails to follow through with an austerity plan agreed to by prior Greek leadership, the country could lose a promised multibillion euro bailout from international lenders. Greece's default could send shockwaves throughout Europe.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation Development's top economist warned on Tuesday that the 17-country eurozone risks falling into a "severe recession" and called on governments and Europe's central bank to act quickly to stop the slowdown spilling over into the global economy.

The organization now forecasts a longer and deeper contraction in the eurozone than in its November report, with the eurozone economy expected to shrink in 2012, and only manage a feeble recovery in 2013.

Earlier, Asian markets posted sizeable gains. Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 1.1 percent to close 8,729.29 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.6 percent to 19,039.15. South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.6 percent to 1,828.69.

Hopes that China will announce new measures to boost growth also helped push shares higher. Investors were encouraged by weekend statements from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who promised to spur the world's second-largest economy, a shift from previous rhetoric about curbing inflation.

In the oil markets, benchmark oil for June delivery was down 49 cents to $92.08 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.09 to settle at $92.57 in New York on Monday.

In currencies, the euro slipped to $1.2760 from $1.2793 late Monday in New York. The euro hit a four-month low against the dollar on Thursday. The dollar was up at 79.60 yen from 79.36 yen.

____

Pamela Sampson contributed to this report from Bangkok.

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Gameloft to bring UNO to the entire Kindle family

For those of you rocking any non-Fire versions of the Kindle (that would be the Kindle Keyboard, Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G), you'll be happy to know that Gameloft, purveyor of fine games on Android, is releasing UNO for all of the aforementioned devices.

Not only will the Kindle-customized versions of UNO feature all of the standard gameplay UNO fanatics have come to know and love, this specialized version will also include an interface tailored for e-ink and? achievements. Yes, you can get achievements on your Kindle now.

If you're ready to get your UNO on, full presser is after the break.

read more

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Kristen Wiig Dances Off 'Saturday Night Live' Stage In Graduation Sketch

'Bridesmaids' star sheds tears as she waltzes with TV pals one last time.
By Gil Kaufman

Kristen Wiig on SNL's Season Finale
Photo: NBC

There are many different ways to leave "Saturday Night Live." Some castmembers get dumped after a few episodes and are never heard from again and others have long, productive runs and graduate to movies. But most just kind of disappear and are replaced by someone younger, prettier, more versatile or just newer when the next season rolls around.

Kristen Wiig was never a typical "SNL"er. On a show that has minted a galaxy of stars, Wiig always had a little something extra, and when it came time for her final curtain call you could tell. During Saturday night's season finale, Wiig was given a rare chance to say goodbye to the show that helped make her a TV and movie star when she, literally, danced her last dance with the people who helped her achieve her dreams.

In the episode hosted by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, the "Bridesmaids" star appeared in a mock graduation sketch in which she got to toss aside her cap and gown and make the transition to her new life. With Jagger playing a school principal praising one of his favorite students in the night's final sketch, the rock icon smarmily said, "I'd like to take a moment to say goodbye to one particular student who is leaving this summer to become a nun. Kristen?"

Wiig, trying to hold back the waterworks, stood by Jagger as he joked, "You meant quite a lot to us over the past seven years. She got held back. So our music department got together and prepared a song to say goodbye. This one's for you."

Wiig then tore off her cap and gown to reveal a miniskirt and top combo and did a series of Victorian slow dances and hand jives with her castmates as Arcade Fire performed the Stones' "She's a Rainbow" and "Ruby Tuesday." Andy Samberg almost caused a wardrobe malfunction when he picked Wiig up and spun her around after the actress had taken turns with pals Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, Bobby Moynihan, Jenny Slate, and Jason Sudeikis. The biggest ovation came when she went cheek-to-cheek with show founder Lorne Michaels.

On the line, "still I'm gonna miss you" from the Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," Wiig pointed to the crowd as old pals Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch boogied one more time on the show with their friend. NBC has not confirmed that Wiig is leaving the show, but the last waltz seemed like a fitting end to a memorable run in which she created a host of iconic characters. From mischievous Gilly, to crude baby-armed crooner Dooneese Maharelle, enthusiastic Target Lady, and improvisational singer Kat, as well as great impression of Kris Jenner, Bjö, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kathy Lee Gifford, Wiig left her mark on the show.

Wiig first hinted at her departure in April, which soon led to rumors that both Andy Samberg and Jason Sudeikis
 would also be on their way out the door. When Michaels spoke to reporters earlier this month, he teased that there would be some cast changes
 in the coming season of the show.

The actress, who also co-wrote "Bridesmaids," has six other films in various stages of development, including the "Imogene" with Darren Criss and a remake of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" with Ben Stiller and Sean Penn.

While these other two departures have yet to be hinted at any big way, in a "Lazy Sunday" short, Samberg did say one line that has many fans wondering if it was his way of saying goodbye.

"On these New York streets I hone my fake rap penmanship / That's how it began, and that's how I'm-a finish it," he rapped, perhaps commenting that this could be the last lazy Sunday he spends on the show.

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