Capital Magazine

Solar Energy in Austin!

Three Amazing Places to Eat and Shop at in South Congress

Small or Big? Size Really Does Matter When it Comes to Businesses!

Drowning in Homework?

Find Out Why Too Much Homework is Bad for Kids On Page 8!

Want to Live Smaller?

The Whys and Facts On Page 10!

Austin’s Big Discount pg 7

Photo by Nanette Labastida

Drowning in a Sea of Paper pg 8-9

Photo by Zel H.

The Great Revelation: Living Smaller pg 10-11

Photo by AdrianWorld

Capitol Magazine Page 2

There’s No Walk in the Park pg 14-15

Photo by Lana H.

Bring on the Sun

pg 16-17

Photo byVoice0Reason

Charity Begins at Home pg 18

Photo by royblumenthal

Capitol Magazine Page 3

Biographies Kinsey

Hey! She absolutely loves horses and purple! She likes to draw, and one of her favorite classes is Art. She thinks LASA is the best high school ever! Her favorite foods are chocolate and Tuscan Soup. She’s also obsessed with anything Star Wars, and her absolute, hands-down, favorite characters are the clones(Order 66 was NOT their fault!).

Photo by KinseyW.

“When 900 years you reach, look as good you will not”

-Yoda “Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together.”

-Author Unknown

Zel

He loves to sleep in, especially in the weekends, and likes to take a few siestas. He likes to go with his friends and play video games, soccer, or just hang out. He is a great soccer player and out runs most of the competition.

He is 14 and currently goes to LASA high school. His favorite food is apple pie. His favorite class is world geography. Cheerio!

“The real trouble with reality is that there’s no background music.”

-Author Unkown

Capitol Magazine Page 4

Photo byVic Sharp

Joseph

Hey he loves to go outside and play soccer or football. He absolutely loves to eat chicken and tamales and his favorite drink is “koolaid”. He is 14 and currently attends LASA high school. His most favorite class is world geography. If he finds out that you went to KFC and did not bring him any fried chicken, he will get mad at you, and if you value your life, you will get your hands of the last piece of chicken.

“If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.”

Muhammad Ali “If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag.” ~Author Unknown

Photo by Bert Kaufman

Lana

She loves being around animals and has two dogs, one African grey parrot, a cockatiel, and a cat.

She likes riding, reading, and agility. She is 14 and currently goes to LASA high school. In addition, one of her favorite foods is beef fajitas.Her favorite class is science.

“Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog.

Few people are interested and the frog dies of it” -E.B White

Photo byWalking and clicking

Capitol Magazine Page 5

Letter From the Editors Dear Readers, Here at Capital, we are dedicated to bringing you the best magazine you’ve ever seen. Once you turn to the next page you will see the compilation of a semester’s solid work, made for you. It is our dearest wish that you will read through this work, and then read it again. I want to thank you again for the attention you are giving this magazine.

Enjoy!

Photo by Payton Chung

Capitol Magazine Page 6

Austin’s Big Discount

T

By Zel H.

he whole room in Michael Johnson’s house has a well-worn look to it. The couch especially is particularly beaten.

He explained this to me. “This is the TV room.

We watch movies here every week.” When I asked him what the connection was, he smiled.

“The thing is, we get a free video to rent every time I go to the store with the card. It’s one of the best deals in town.

The card is the Go Local Card. The whole idea, according to the Go Local website, is to stay local. When someone uses the card, the deals hopefully entice the user to keep their business in Austin. Those deals are meant to keep the customers happy with the stores and when they spread their money, it goes to the community, not far away to the depths of corporate America.

The card costs ten dollars to purchase. Those ten dollars are paid off “in no time,” according to Johnson. “If I spend $15 at one place which has 10% off, I save $1.5. It would take, maybe, seven times, to pay for itself? If I go there once a week, it pays for itself in two months.” Also, the card is reusable. It will work anytime and anywhere until it expires a year later.

and “replacing hundreds of paper coupons with one card.” saving paper from non-reusable paper coupons

Also, local businesses have several things going for them, according to Johnson. “In Austin, there

me feel like “ It makes I’m part of a community. ”

are so many cool places to go to around town that there had to be something like Go Local to help us take advantage of them all. It makes me feel like I’m part of a community.”

The financial benefits also keep Johnson “hooked” on the card. There are benefits for the user, the community, and the businesses. The users, of course, get all sorts of discounts, but the businesses gain the continued support of their customers, which helps them keep going and sustain jobs for more than minimum wage. That money circulates around the community, and is not swept away by the big chain businesses.

Businesses all across Austin, mostly in downtown and a strip of the north side, accept the card, each with their own discount.

Ten percent off per time visit, an “exceptional deal” according to Johnson. There are many different businesses and different types of businesses, ranging from co-ops to spas. Overall, over six hundred businesses participate and over 144,000 people in Austin have the card, according to the Go Local website.

“The reason I like the card so much,” Johnson proclaimed, “is probably because they keep every one’s money, including mine, in their wallets and in Austin.” That is the goal of the Go Local Organization. In fact, they have an entire list of reasons on their website, which include the two above, as well as keeping the community strong

Also, the local businesses create have a “kind of patriotic feeling,” Johnson says. “When I go shopping at any one of these stores, I can feel the energy that makes these stores a special and unique part of the Austin community.” Also, “in Austin, there are so many cool places to go to around town that there had to be something like Go Local to help us take advantage of them all.”

By supporting local businesses, the whole community can benefit in many ways. Jobs were already mentioned. But, as Johnson explained, the stores that know the community, and aren’t run by a big CEO far away, will be more likely to do “cool things” for the community. He gave this example.

“Take these two coffee shops. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, and Starbucks. Cherrywood is a small, local business that takes the Go Local Card at its one location by a school, Maplewood Elementary. Starbucks, on the other hand, is a massive coffee distributing organization whose main headquarters are in Seattle, but whose shops are international. If I wanted to have a fundraiser for Maplewood and I decided to do it at Cherrywood Coffeehouse, I wouldn’t have a problem.

I even know the owners, and more importantly, they know Maplewood. They would probably think it’s a great idea.”

But if I wanted to do the fundraiser at a Starbucks, the people who work there, even if they would have liked it, couldn’t do a thing.

They’d tell me to send a letter to those people in Seattle who don’t know and probably don’t care about Maplewood at all. I’d be stuck before I even got anywhere.”

“With over 144 thousand users in the Austin area alone (there are other cities that use similar cards),” says spokesperson for Go Local Peter Grainer, “I can feel like we are making a really big difference.” He Photo by Zel H. said that now maybe 40 percent of the money spent in Austin on small businesses stays in Austin, as opposed to about ten percent on chain companies. “That’s a lot staying back here, where we need it more.”

“By promoting use of the card with small businesses,” Peter said, “we’re making a wheel of community. We’re keeping Austin local.”

Capitol Magazine Page 7

Drowning in a Sea of Paper The Problems with Homework

By Zel H.

By Zel H.

D

id you know that in 1948 the median amount of time a high school student spent on homework was 3-4 hours a week? And did you know that now, 60 years later, students in every grade spend an average of spend 4 or more hours a week? As a high school student in the most challenging public school in Austin, I often get as much or more than two hours a day.

“

However, Kohn has a different perspective on the subject. In addition to his book, he wrote an article called The Truth About Homework. In it, he toys with the idea that our education systems have got it all wrong, and that homework is almost useless as it corresponds to standardized test scores. He points to an international study with data from 50 countries by researchers David Baker and Gerald Letendre. They said, “Not only did we fail to find any positive relationships,” but “the overall correlations between national average student achievement and national averages in

What other ‘job’ is there where you work all day, come home, and then work all night?

Too much homework hurts the health of children and it does not have much value in the first place. Kids miss out on their childhood when they should have time to sleep, play, and relax. The most common argument for homework is that it helps on tests and other academic evaluations.

A child’s test scores mean nothing if the child’s health may be in doubt.

In my research I have done for this paper, I saw two main points of view. Harris Cooper, a professor of psychology who has done may studies on correlations of homework and tests scores, embodies the pro-homework side. On the other side stands Alfie Kohn, an author, lecturer, and leading figure on progressive education.

These two men differ in their opinions as much as you can imagine. Kohn wrote a book called The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing. Cooper, on the other hand, led a research project that examined more than 60 studies between 1987 and 2003 and they interpreted the results like this; “With only rare exception, the relationship between the amount of homework students do and their achievement outcomes was found to be positive and statistically significant.”

However, these two men agree on one important point.They both believe that too much homework is counter-productive to the whole idea behind homework. Cooper believes, “Kids burn out.

The bottom line really is all kids should be doing homework, but the amount and type should vary according to their developmental level and home circumstances.” He also supports the 10-minute rule, a practice in which teachers give 10 more minutes a night per grade level, starting with 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade, and so on.

”

day cannot be missed without a massive overload of makeup work.

The most important factor is the health of the child. Earlier on, I mentioned the 10-minute rule. The consequences of breaking it start small at first, but if a child is repeatedly receiving much more than they should, such as an hour a night in elementary school, two hours in middle school, or four hours in high school, the child slowly becomes sleep deprived. I have personal experience with sleep deprivation. Even after only a few late nights, I continually fell asleep in class.

This kind of result seemingly sweeps away

[amount of homework assigned] are all negative.”

Consider the history of homework in the United States, as seen by Brian Gill, policy analyst and Steven Schlossman, head of the History Department at Carnegie Melon University. In the 1800s, when America lived rurally, very little homework even existed because the students had many chores to complete at home. Then, in 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik, and this launches the Space Race. This sets off a wave of homework worries, as Americans become anxious that their kids are falling behind the Soviet children in levels of academic performance.

In the 1990s, and by extension today, surveys show that the overwhelming majority of American adults favor homework, although the same could probably not be said for the kids.

The research also says that although high school homework stayed the same, levels of homework for younger kids rose dramatically. Take this example.

I missed class for two days one week. In that time, I would have taken two tests. I also missed one piece of homework for French, two pages in art, two homework assignments for Algebra, and two writing days in Electronic Magazine, later made up as homework. The amount of homework each day makes it so that even a single

Photo by Zel H

any benefits that homework gives. Why do we pile on truckloads of homework if it degrades the child’s health? Also, homework has other downsides to life at home, such as getting in the way of sports and other physical activities. Also, too much homework makes kids lose interest in learning in general. The added school time spent on homework has done nothing to promote my eagerness in learning.

If there is such little value in homework compared to the disadvantages, we must stop promoting it and change the system. We must move our schools out of the Cold War era and into the present. We can better educate our kids if we spend time thinking about the homework that should be given, not just use the “the shotgun approach,” as it is called by Letendre. This does not require a donation or some such method.

Instead, you must pass along the message, that together we can lift the load from our children, so they may enjoy their many years to come.

Capitol Magazine Page 9

By Kinsey Winter

Art by KinseyWinter

F

our or five years ago, I loved watching several golden fields, surrounded by green trees, on the way to church. I remember even seeing a cowboy lope his horse through one field. They are no longer there. When we drive by today, the ground that was covered with grass had transformed into bare dirt, as the grass seed landscapers planted did not have enough water to grow during the drought. Out of the trees that had stood there proudly as long as I could remember, only one or two remained. The plants and animals that had called the field home disappeared, replaced by big poorly designed houses with an excess of space. However, RVs and high rise condos take less space and help to conserve resources, and I think people should try living in an RV or condo. They also don’t require the tearing and ripping of the earth.

“

I have lived in big houses, small houses, apartments, condos, and RVs.We didn’t use most of the space in the big house. The small house, I can barely remember. But this I know, I love the RV most. Closest to family and still plenty of space. RVs are also affordable, and much greener than a big house. They make you think, do I really need something? The answer is generally no.

The Conservation Fund reports that an acre of trees breathes in 3.61 tons of carbon over 1 year.

RVs also conserve space and water, which will be vital if the earth’s population explodes, like the pessimists think will happen. But what if it does? If the temperature rises, and drought and fires become more common? It takes only 15 minutes to hook up a fifth wheel, and if you have a motorhome, or a coach, you just hop in the drivers seat and step on the gas. Therefore, memorabilia remains memorabilia, and not ashes. Space will become a commodity if we wish to keep the wild alive and have room for farming, and not become a planet like Coruscant, on Star Wars. Everything was imported from other planets. But we have no other planets from which to import food and water. RVs use only about 27 gallons of water, on average, every day.

Space restrictions also mean RVers only shop for what they need.

Photo By Todd Ross Nienkerk

An RV can also be paid off in 6 ½ years, and a house in 30. A 2010 study by Harvard Extension School has shown that the price of fuel or diesel would have to triple to make the RVing way of travel as expensive as others. And some people don’t even move their RVs. They just stay in a single spot. They have a huge financial advantage over the rest of us. An RV has everything we need, and costs less.

and roof-top club rooms” as stated by HighRises. com. You would also be close to your work, if your business is downtown, so it’s convenient, and close to any cool restaurants and bars. High rise living can be amazing. Usually, you do have to pay HOA dues, but they go toward staff and other things keeping the condos well run. There are pros and cons, but isn’t there a dark side to everything?

The Conservation Fund reports that an acre of trees breathes in 3.61 tons of carbon over 1 year.

An acre of houses only adds to our carbon footprint, because we release CO2 during the creation of electricity used to power, heat, and cool the homes. An RV doesn’t take as much energy to regulate simply because it is smaller. What’s more, some of the gases released by the creation of electricity make us sick, and some of the gases can kill. Coaches and Motorhomes can use biodiesel fuel, and if they use propane for heating and cooking, the emissions go down even further, as propane burns cleaner than stove tops and electric ovens.

If our homes downsize, and we accept the fact that our cars don’t need to be that big, a lot of pollution wouldn’t be released.

However, you don’t have to move, or make a big change to your living style. People don’t like change, and the stereotype for motorhomes and RVs keeps some people away. We are starting to use greener and greener energy sources.

I concede, that yes, many items we have are because of the memories attached, and we need big cars for a big family. But sometimes, we only use a SUV that seats seven, for only one person.

And memories are always with us. The US Energy Information Administration admits the green energy only accounts for 8% of US energy.

”

People can live happily in smaller spaces, or building up, which helps with space, because not much grows in the sky. In some parts of the world, living in a high rise attaches itself to status.

There is less noise pollution, and great views.

Many condos and high rises have quiet periods, so people won’t get annoyed, and most people are conscious of the fact that there are people living downstairs, below them. Many nice condo high rises have amenities ranging from a “typical pool and workout room to 24-hour valet, wine cellars

The smaller changes sometimes have the biggest effects. Driving 2 friends to school, means there’s two less cars on the road. That may seem small, but if everyone did this, two-thirds of cars would not be on the road... Think how much less traffic and pollution that would be. And, as an added bonus, you get to hang out with your friends.

This is our only world. It’s up to us to take care of it.

Capitol Magazine Page 11

BIg Top Big Candy South Congress’s candy store with an affinity for anything chocolate, one-of-a-kind, or bacon.Yeah, we did say bacon.

Art by Kinsey W.

BY Kinsey winter

O

ne example of Keep Austin Weird is South Congress Avenue. South Congress Avenue leads to the Texas state capitol building, and from the hills in the avenue, you can see the capitol. When on South Congress Avenue, people can find Big Top Candy Shop, an old-fashioned candy store that has a wide selection of vintage candies. Good reviews are the norm on Yelp.com.

In Austin, there are several entertainment districts, some of which are South Congress, 2nd Street, 4th Street, and 6th Street. It seems to be a family friendly district, evidenced by the very small number of bars, unlike the 6th Street District. South Congress is home to stores like Big Top, and food trailers such as Hey Cupcake, Wurst Tex, and Mighty Cone. Big Top occupies a niche as the nostalgic little candy store that has old vintage and hard to find candies. If you ask Big Top employees, South Congress is a touristheavy district.

The things that make South Congress different from the the other districts are the food trailers and eclectic stores. Food trailers are a growing trend in Austin that is demonstrated by the Gypsy Picnic. The Gypsy Picnic is a local festival held to choose the best food trailer. Thirty-nine food trailers came from all over Austin to attend the 2011 Gypsy Picnic. Some of the awards that were given were Fan Favorite, Best Taco, and Best dessert.

A group of food trailers is located in a city lot on South Congress, known as the South Congress Trailer Park Row. Across the street from the South Congress Trailer Park Row, is a row of local Austin stores that includes Big Top. The Big Top shop front boasts writing on the windows in red and yellow lettering that says ‘open till we close’, a nod to Austin’s irreverent attitude. Evidence of the local attitude is a common Austin motto ‘Keep Austin Weird’, which is seen on shirts and bumper stickers, .

Big Top is one of the few sweets-only stores in South Congress. Big Top has a varied inventory of today’s popular candies, like M&M’s and Skittles, and many bins of bulk candy. Bulk candy is the candy you find loose in bins that you scoop into a clear plastic bag to be priced by weight. At Big Top, the candy is priced per ¼ pound. In addition to candy, Big Top sells Blue Bell ice cream and

sodas.

Three of Big Tops more interesting products are bacon flavored toothpicks, cheddar flavored bugs, and chocolate covered bacon. Store employees will tell you that many customers ask about the chocolate covered bacon. Then, the employees add that, despite it’s popularity, the amount of people buying the chocolate covered bacon is not as many as those who ask.

What happens when you ask South Congress Trailer Park Row food trailer employees what they think about Big Top? One of Big Top’s neighbors is Wurst Tex, a red food trailer that sells speciality and exotic sausages. Wurst Tex even sells 2 different types of veggie sausages.

Sam Raver, general manager of Wurst Tex, says that, “Big Top is another favorite place of ours. It’s a nice complement to the area.”

of the phrase “kid in a candy shop”. Big Top’s employees say that “Little kids are too busy staring at anything to get in trouble” and reviews on Yelp say Big Top has a great atmosphere. OnYelp, some people say the prices can be a bit high, but people are paying for the experience and nostalgia, not Reese’s or Snickers. Big Top has earned a 4.5 star rating on Yelp, and reviewers constantly mention that Big Top has the candies that remind people of their childhoods. So, when, not if, you visit the South Congress area, make sure you stop by Big Top and try the chocolate covered bacon!

“Austin has a lot of local businesses.

That’s hard to find in a lot of cities, especially the heart of cities.”

According to Raver, Big Top and the South Congress Trailer Park Row get a lot of foot traffic, rivaled only by places on campus. According to employees, Big Top isn’t that busy on days like winter weekdays, Monday mornings, and the day after Halloween. Big Top is busy on weekends, Thursdays, holidays, and summertime. Big Top’s hours are 11am to 7pm Sunday through Friday, and 10am to 8pm on Saturdays.

All in all, Raver says that Big Top is one of the “true examples of good local businesses and good products.” One of the other things the Big Top employees say is, “Austin has a lot of local businesses. That’s hard to find in a lot of cities, especially the heart of cities.”

Big Top is a place where we see the realization

Capitol Magazine Page 13

There’s No Walk in the Park

By Lana H.

A

few years ago if you went to Bull Creek, an off-leash dog park in Northwest Austin, you would find a comfortably crowded and jovial gathering as people talked to others who may have been complete strangers only moments before, as they watched their dogs play together.

Today if you visit the park, you would find two or three people on a really busy day, as they quietly walked around or just sat.

How did this bustling center of socialization go from fun-filled and bursting at the seams to barren and deserted? The rules changed. The city shut the park down, and when it reopened, it ceased to exist as an off-leash dog park. Now instead of twelve off-leash dog parks we have eleven, none of which are in Northwest Austin.

I believe Austin should work to create more offleash dog parks instead of shutting them down.

From the dog owner’s point of view, off-leash dog parks give those of us who, for whatever reason, can’t give our dogs the activity level they need, a place to exercise them. For those dog owners who live in apartment complexes or similarly cramped areas (no or small backyard) these parks provide a place to legally let your dog off its leash. According to National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), access to off-leash opportunities reduces illegal off-leash use in other areas. A common enticement used by parks advertises that off-leash dog parks “Provide

Capitol Magazine Page 14

Photo by Lana H.

a way for the elderly, sick, and disabled dog owners to exercise their pets.” comes from the homepage of the Companion Club Dog Park. These parks provide a place--where those of us who remain incapable of providing our dogs with enough physical activity, whether for something temporary such as broken bones or something permanent--to sit down while our canine companions exercise themselves all on their own.

Dog parks exist as much for people as for their dogs, these parks give people the opportunity to meet others in their community who they might not otherwise meet. Ali Rutzel the head of citizens for off-leash areas commented “You meet all these wonderful people and the only thing that you have in common is that you have a dog and that you love dogs - you wouldn’t meet these people anywhere else.” Several people my age turned out to live only a few minutes’ drive away.

Yet even after I lived in the same neighborhood

for several years I never met them (until I went to a local dog park). The chatter at most local dog parks should prove that the parks serve as community centers of activity for people and not just their dogs. As well as social benefits for those who own dogs, their neighbors may benefit as well.

Off-leash dog parks help to socialize dogs with other people and dogs. This improves the dog’s overall behavior and mindset. After I talked with a few local dog trainers and vets, I found they all believe early socialization with other people and dogs is very important for a well-balanced dog.

In addition, as many experts will tell you and most dog owners already know, a well-exercised (or tired) dog is a good dog. Dr. Suzanne Thomas DVM believes, as she states in The Benefits of Off-Leash Dog Parks, a Veterinarian’s Perspective (2007), “Behavioral problems, such as destructive chewing, digging, and barking, as a result, will be greatly diminished in dogs that

are exercised appropriately.” Off-leash dog parks offer both socialization with people and dogs as well as enough exercise to keep your dog(s) content.

Those who try to close down off-leash dog parks do so for several reasons. A city park development coordinator Marty Stump said in a Statesman article in April 2011, “There is an inherent incompatibility between the Norwood House — which was once a grand estate with gardens and other features — and the dog park.”

This is an argument for the Austin park officials wish to close the Norwood Park off-leash dog park in south Austin. While in a Statesman article Stump assures the people that they don’t plan to close it without opening another one in the same general area. Many are sceptical of this statement because it sounds almost exactly like what those who frequented Bull Creek’s off-leash dog park petitioned for, assured they would get, and yet

still wait for. A main argument against off-leash dog parks especially near bodies of water is the levels of E-coli, bacteria found in dog excrement along with various other places. However, other possible cause of contamination may exist. Not only does Bull Creek receive a lot of runoff from the surrounding residences, even people without dogs leave more than their fair share of waste. This includes empty beer bottles, soda cans, soiled diapers, and food wrappers. On top of the usual rubbish, sewage overflows into the creek hardly warrant a second glance, let alone the shock they should receive, they happen so frequently. According to another Statesman article in July 2009 alone around 30,000 gallons of sewage overflowed into the creek. If in fact, the blame for the E-coli levels rest entirely on the dogs (while they are certainly a factor they are not alone in causing it), then I believe we should better enforce the ‘scoop the poop’ rules.

If those who find themselves unwilling to dispose

of their own dogs mess frequent dog parks and leave others to clean up after them, there should be consequences. The consequences should only affect those individuals only and not for dog owners as a whole. Don’t punish the community for those oblivious to the need to clean up after their dogs or the flippancy of a few individuals.

If as a dog owner who lost a dog park, fears to lose a dog park, or if there are none near you, if you as a neighbor who thinks the noisy dog next door needs a more productive, or at least less annoying outlet for his energy than to bark at the fence, then please write to your local offleash organizations, back them in their struggle to keep open the parks we currently use and to create new ones. Get in touch with the volunteer groups for the off-leash parks and join in to help to design, care for, or renovate the local parks.

Help develop new parks instead of closing them down.

Photo by Lana H.

Capitol Magazine Page 15

Bring

On The

Sun

By Lana H.

T

he small family turns to watch their roof as the sun comes up. As the morning sun rises above the house, the panels on the roof let off a rosy glow, sparkling and shimmering in the brilliant rays. This is one sight they never miss. While they are the only house in the neighborhood with solar panels, they are not alone in admiring the view.

As more and more people look into installing solar panels, new solar providers, engineers, and consultants spring up to fill the increasing demand. Even with the increasing public interest, not everyone knows where to start. There are many reasons behind individuals delving into solar power but two of the most common ones are the cost and the environmental benefits.

“The greatest benefits of solar power I believe are protecting the natural environment that we all rely upon for survival, protecting against rising energy costs and promoting clean energy jobs here in the United States which keeps our economy strong.” said Jay Thomas, Residential Project Manager, at Texas Solar Power Company.

Because solar power is energy from the sun

Capitol Magazine Page 16

Art by KinseyW.

and therefore a renewable resource, it will not run out. This may help steady the rising energy costs. For some the environmental benefits (solar power is clean, green, energy) outweigh any possible costs and while more expensive than generic power from things such as coal, nuclear, and natural gas based facilities, the costs are steadily decreasing. Since solar power is a renewable resource the main limiting factor on how productively solar power works is how efficient the technology is.

“Right now, the best solar panels only covert about 15% of the sunlight that hits them into actual electricity. Although this may seem really low, it is still high enough to make solar a worthwhile investment, however, there is plenty of room for improvement as you can see,” Thomas said.

As with most every purchase or investment, there is a lot to find out about before settling on anything. One of the many things to consider includes the feasibility of solar panels (are solar panels something that could work for you)?

When deciding this, one should compare how much energy needs to be produced (this can be

found through looking at past electricity bills and other similar methods) to how much energy it may be possible to produce. Variables affecting the amount produced are the amount of sun that is received and where (which direction the roof, and therefore the solar panels, would face), where the solar panels might be placed, and how much space can be used for solar panels. If solar panels are a possible reality, then one must then figure out what type of solar array the owner wants, how much of the households power is wanted to come from the array, how much space the owner is willing to spare for solar panels, and how much one might be willing to pay.

“One of the most frequently asked questions people have in regard to solar is “how much does it cost”? I think most people would have solar if they could to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but especially in this tough economy most people are only willing to spend money if they know they will be getting full value for their investment.” Thomas said.

There are two main types of solar power: Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). PV systems work through a semi-

conductor in the solar panel, which generates electricity when exposed to sunlight. These are the big flat panels one can put on the roofs of buildings or have laid out in acres (for utility scale). PV systems are scalable, meaning one can purchase a few solar panels to supplement their own household power or it might be used in bulk with acres of field covered in photovoltaic panels.

CSP systems use mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy on a special liquid (such as a petroleum based oil, does not boil when it gets hot, does not freeze, etc.) that transfers the heat to water which creates steam. This steam then spins a steam turbine, which then spins a generator.

The main limiting factor of CSP systems is that to be cost effective they must span acres and acres of ground with the parabolic troughs that make up the system. Parabolic troughs are the U shaped; expensive, specialized mirrors (are extremely reflective) which reflect the suns energy onto collector tubes. CSP systems have to be big enough to justify the cost of the steam generating facility, which goes a long way towards eliminating them from use on a smaller, single resident scale. When choosing between the two, another factor many are quick to take into account is that while historically PV systems were more expensive the PV prices are falling faster than CSP prices.

“The main considerations when deciding between PV and CSP are really only applicable to the commercial or utility scale solar arrays. CSP is a commercial technology and is not appropriate or feasible for residential installations. One

main reason for this is that you have a tower that concentrates a beam of sunlight, like a magnifying glass, onto a cylinder filled with liquid. This liquid is then heated and that heat is used to power a generator that generates electricity. You can imagine the danger of having people around this kind of technology.” Thomas said.

In the case of solar power there may be hidden benefits. Different areas are of course different, however most all places possess a large variety of rebates for going solar. Many sites exist solely to inform people of just such rebates and one site, dsireusa.org, comes with particularly good recommendations. Some financial incentives include tax deductions, tax exemptions, loan programs, tax abatement, and numerous other utility and state or local rebates.

With the astounding number of consultants and all the various solar companies eager to please, gaining information on solar is a straightforward matter of contacting several businesses such as the Texas Solar Power Company (TSPC), TREIA, or Longhorn Solar. It is always a good idea to seek multiple opinions and to be as informed as possible on all options under consideration.

Some options to consider are the difference between a pole-mounted array that follows the sun or a stationary one? How far is one taking this, all the way off grid? In addition, the big question, is the system going to be a stand-alone PV or a grid direct? This affects many other such options by necessity. Now one must ask what to do for the backup generator and batteries.

Three of the most important things to know before installing solar panels are “What kind of solar system will best meet your needs for the cost you can afford and with the available space?

If grid-tied, what are the Utility’s guidelines, incentives, and metering arrangements? What is the best company available to do this installation and provide service and maintenance?” said Shayna Lee Engineer Tech for Austin Energy’s Solar Programs As more and more places turn to solar power as an alternative energy (electricity source), more people take notice. With forays into technologies such as solar film (less expensive but much less efficient than normal PV) scientists are working towards more efficient ways of getting and using solar power to make it more available to the public. There is information on solar power as well as people who make it a business to inform and install solar panels for one, so join those already giving solar power a look to see how far people have come.

“Hopefully in the next ten years prices will have come down far enough that solar is financially viable without rebates, thus allowing wider adoption and easier access to owning solar,” Thomas said.

“I think it will be much more common. Hopefully it will be better understood by the masses and therefore easier to manage the details!” Lee said.

Photo byVoice0Reason

Capitol Magazine Page 17

Charity Begins at Home By:Joseph Ramirez

I

n Marina’s house there is the distinct smell of freshly cooked tamales ready to give to a few customers to whom she sells cosmetics and jewelry. Her kids as well as her customer’s kids are chasing a terrified little Chihuahua. One mother yelled across the room at her child to sit and calm down. Marina’s mom takes out a fresh batch of pork tamales, some sauce, and pulls out a box of glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme.

Marina sits down and starts talking to her clients demonstrating them different ear rings and rings. Each customer ordered at least three pairs of earrings and took half a dozen tamales to take home.

“I always come with Marina because she is a great sells woman, a great friend, a great mom, and a great cook…you should try some of her tamales”-Carmen “Well business is slow for me, slow but okay.”-Marina Marina’s mom starts cleaning the table again and putting the extra tamales in some tin foil. She leaves in a moment’s notice to go and take care of three little kids. Once Marina enters her boss’s house she sees that the kids are running down and upstairs, throwing whatever their little hands can get a hold on, and yelling at marina at the top of their little lungs. Marina starts cleaning up from top to bottom leaving the house spotless and putting the kids to sleep right before her boss comes home and finds everything in order but still criticizes her on what she could have done better. Once she gets back in her car she says “I am a single mother and always have to work to provide for my son.”-Marina “I know that my mom works hard so I try to do my best at school and make her proud”-Jorge In addition to this she also makes time to volunteer at her local school and help out her community Marina is more than a single mother she gives to the community and expects nothing

Capitol Magazine Page 18

back. She helps her local school and her community when she can and she still has time to do everything she wants to do like spend time with her family and provide for them.

Marina and her mother go whenever they can to volunteer at her local school. Her mom goes on the weekdays and helps around answering questions that other parents or some students may have. She helps in the desk with a few documents or paper work, she will go and run errands that are needed or go make copies of some paper that the teacher needs or anything that is needed. Marina goes on the weekends and whenever she can to help out the teachers and the vice principal with anything they need.

at the doctors, counseling, through every single step leading up to the surgery and after the surgery. She has also always been there for her clients, her clients tell her about problems that their having and she shows support by being there and listening, providing with financial, and moral support and anything else she can.

“My mom and son, their my reason to live and my motivation.”-Marina Marina is a single mother and she’s only trying to be there for her family and friends.

Selling cosmetics and jewelry is one of the things that make her happy while also giving her customers something to eat. She enjoys giving fresh tamales, rice, beans or anything she finds the time to make to give to her customers. The intoxicating aroma of her food fills the house and brings happiness to whoever walks in. Marina’s contagious smile spreads around the house and soon everyone is laughing and having a good time while Marina also makes a decent amount of money. Soon everyone is stuffed with food and just enjoys themselves having Photo By Studio Antwan a good time, making a few jokes, and talking about anything that comes to mind. For example how much better their child “I have always tried to help you as much as I can is compared to their children, how much better around the school”-Marina their food is, the new soap opera that just came out, who is marrying who, and so on. Everyone “I know my daughter has much on her hands buys something and thanks Marina and her mom with carrying for her family and going to work for having them over and giving them the food. so I help out as much as I can by cooking, cleanOnce everyone leaves and the house is nice and ing, being there for my grandson, and helping clean Marina and her family sits down in the our local school”- Irene living room and watches a movie, goes to the park, or just finds something to do together like But over all of this she still finds time to be a a family. mom. She attends every event her nine year old boy has and is always there to show loving care “I can’t wait till I see the day that my son will and support for him. She’s there for her mom become a successful man and that all of my hard too, last year she had to have surgery because work and effort helped him become all that he there was something wrong with her eye and can be”-Marina. she was there the whole time while they were

Capitol Magazine Page 19

By:Joseph Ramirez

Art work by Joseph R

legislation creates over $2,500 of refundable tax credit on withholding tax employers who have 50 or fewer employees, this money will help increase the amount of employees in the company and help expand those companies.

My opponent will argue that large companies have employed many more minorities, many women, and the disabled. However, they employ these people in the hopes of cheap labor that they will work but for a smaller wage. According to a resent sexism lawsuit against Wal-Mart 1.6 million present and former Wal-Mart employees say that women were routinely underpaid and overlooked for promotion. Same thing with minorities and disabled people, they employ the ones in need so they do not have to worry of the quality of the job only how much money their saving for employing them. They will also argue that larger companies have a larger range of items for a cheaper price. Nevertheless, haven’t you thought that you are getting what you paid for and its price figures from the SBA (Small Business Administrais smaller because its quality is not as good as a tion) show that over 20 small business employers smaller company’s product? Bigger companies have increased employment by 853,074 more may spend thousands of dollars straining their employees from 2001-2002. These were only staff and big companies still have terrible cus20 employers now imagine if many more small tomer service for example an elderly woman companies fallow in their footsteps the number of was unsatisfied with her being overcharged for displayed people would drop exponentially. The a product and the store manager did not want economy would be set back on track, there would to cooperate so the woman sewed the combe more money flowing into the common and pany. No video is going to teach you how you wealthy man, new jobs would be created in need should treat a customer that’s why Smaller for increase in population, exports and imports, companies train their employees properly and agricultural purposes, and many more reasons. IN have more individual attention and actually 2004 there was a grown of 7.3% proprietor’s inknow how to treat a customer. come, while bankruptcies have decreased by 2.1% Many people prefer the easy accessible cheapthis does not seem like such of big importance but er product while it’s always better to get the this is just the start or small step for something more reliable product. Smaller businesses bigger. Small businesses make up 97.3% of all care more for their costumers and have the identified exports and produce over 30.2% of the products that the costumer actually wants. known export value in FY 2007.

Customer service is better at a small business Only after a few months after Wednesday, Feburabecause they actually walk you to the product ry10, 2010 Governor Patrick Filed Legislation and explain everything instead of saying “ohh that helps small businesses to hire more people that’s at ail 4 or 5” then walking off. Many peowhile also reducing cost. On March, it is predictple will argue that big businesses have been ed that small jobs will either save or create over around for such a long time and know how 20,000 jobs and will still save up to $400 million to run a business but that is because they have dollars. With all of this money, the smaller comlearned to put their customers’ needs behind panies will have a chance to create new employtheir own greed for profit. ment and to expand their company. A proposed

B

ig companies such as Wal-Mart have always sold more products for a cheaper price. However, haven’t you thought that you are getting what you paid for? While smaller companies sell quality products but for a little bit more.

The SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) provides the fallowing information. Smaller companies are the work force of the U.S. They represent over 99.7% of all employer firms while they employ over half of the entire U.S. and pay over 44% of the private pay roll. Smaller companies have created over 64% more jobs in the past 15 years. All of the new jobs contribute to the economy while also helping the company expand by making more products and more commercializing. Smaller companies also employ over 40% of all high tech workers such as scientist, engineers, geologist, computer programmers, architects, and the list goes on. These high tech workers help design and make many different new products and buildings with ought these guys life would be a harder because of a world where the common worker is the most important but the less appreciated they are the ones that keep the economy going and food on the table.

Small companies have created many jobs from sewage disposal to spaceship engineer. The latest

Capitol Magazine Page 20

This Christmas, remember the fires that burned in Texas.

Remember the victims.

Remember to give.

A National war hero...

With his legendary shield... he’s back...At the austin imax

c a p t a i n a m e r i c a

FLY

We’ve served Texas since 1967.

We’re not likely to stop now.

Thanks for reading!

Art by KinseyW.