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Take the best in efficient, affordable home construction, figure in the latest in home automation and add in a cache of green-friendly brainstorms and you’ll get an idea of what the Museum of Science and Industry’s new “Smart Home: Green + Wired” exhibit is all about.

The exhibit, which opened this week and celebrates the museum’s 75th anniversary, is a freestanding, fully functioning home — called the mkSolaire — with 2,500 square feet of living space, running water, electricity and heating and cooling systems. To call it a house of the future might be an overstatement, since nearly all of the technologies displayed in this contemporary three-story home are available to consumers right now.

As expected, there are some interesting gadgets on display: a home automation system that tunes into the weather and learns the behavior of the occupant; a security system that lets you view who’s ringing your doorbell while you’re away (you can even let someone in); a plant-watering system that sends a text message from the plant saying “I’m thirsty”; a smart umbrella with a color ring that changes to blue if it’s going to rain and a kitchen countertop compost machine.

Some of the other cool features are: long strips of linoleum-like photovoltaic film (they cost about one-third less than traditional glass solar panels) that are applied to the roof with Velcro; shower tile made of recycled Chardonnay bottles; master bath vanity tops made of old toilets; a dual-flush toilet that regulates the amount of water used by measuring solid and liquid waste; and a rooftop garden. And, as expected, all the walls are painted with low VOC paint.

The home also puts the spotlight on how stormwater runoff can be collected to water the garden and landscaping; how toilets can be equipped to use waste water from the shower and bath; how spray-in foam insulation can completely seal a building and provide better air quality, sound reduction and reduced energy costs; and how strategically placed windows can reduce electricity and heating bills. A survey by Kouba-Cavallo Associates concluded that the Smart Home costs $837 per year to heat and $125 for cooling. (In comparison, it costs roughly $2,021 per year to heat a Chicago bungalow.)

The contemporary, loft-style home showcases the ways people can make eco-friendly living a part of their lives, said Anne Rasford, director of temporary exhibits for the museum.

“The exhibit is about choices and options [for consumers]. We were very deliberate in the choices that we made and wanted to be sure there were interesting stories for each of the products in the exhibit,” she said. “People will be able to see the new innovations in renewable resources, smart energy consumption, and clean, healthy-living environments in a functioning home.”

With the help of experts from Wired magazine, the home became “smart” with technologies that include a full-home automation system that allows homeowners to control heat, window coverings, lighting, security sensors and cameras. A touch screen tracks electricity and water consumption in the home on a real-time basis.

“We’ll have a guide available that goes floor by floor through all the room choices made for the home,” said Rasford. “It’ll also be available online.”

The interior architecture is designed to demonstrate the use of natural light with open spaces and energy-efficient building components. All of the materials in the home, from the windows and lighting fixtures to the counters and floors — tell a story of sustainable engineering and eco-friendly design, Rasford said.

Also, all of the furniture in the home is renewable or reused.

“Some of the furniture is from the Salvation Army. The dining room table is a slice of a fallen ash tree from Michigan,” Rasford said. “The two lighting fixtures above the table are called the Thomas Edison Twins. They’re made by a local artisan, Ted Harris, and are 16-inch wide globes filled with used light bulbs in all colors and sizes. We also have hemp bean bag chairs and are using FLOR carpet tiles in some areas instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. These tiles can be easily removed and washed.”

A team from the University of Illinois Extension Horticulture, Environmental and Green Educators and a landscape architect created the landscaping that surrounds the house. Some of the highlights include a sustainable vegetable garden and rain gardens.

Tags: 75th anniversary, brainstorms, compost, dining room table, doorbell, dual flush toilet, energy costs, heating and cooling systems, home automation system, landscape, landscape architect, Landscaping, liquid waste, museum of science, museum of science and industry, quality sound, running water, showcase, shower tile, smart home, square feet, tiles, vegetable garden, water consumption, water use
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landscaping.jpg”>Eco-friendly advancements are being made in building design and construction—think sustainable materials, efficiency of resources, and energy-reducing wiring and appliances. If this topic interests you, the new Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit, opening tomorrow at the Museum of Science and Industry, is a neat opportunity to learn more about green buildings.

The exhibit is a real, fully functional, 2,500 square foot home squatting on the museum’s east lawn, demonstrating how landscaping, design, and technology can all work together to reduce the carbon footprint of a building. Private residences, as well as the examples of green architecture and design that have been creeping into the city’s skyline, are all contributing to the push to make Chicago one of the nation’s “greenest” cities.

Tags: amp, appliances, carbon footprint, cement, chicago one, footprint, green architecture, Landscaping, museum of science, museum of science and industry, private residences, skyline, smart home
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NEW YORK — Spring is the loveliest time of year to visit a public garden. Cherry trees bloom, lilacs perfume the breeze and tulips color the landscape.

But many botanical gardens offer additional reasons to visit - art shows and exhibits you might normally expect to find in a gallery or natural history museum. Some events are held in winter, when there are no showy flowers to lure crowds. But many gardens host museum-quality shows in spring and summer - seasons when the grounds are at their most spectacular.

“These are also the months during the year when our visitors have the most time in their lives to make a leisurely visit, and it’s when being outdoors is most enjoyable,” said Atlanta Botanical Garden exhibitions manager Cathleen Cooke. “And, of course, what better setting could there be for sculpture than fresh air, blue skies, and a lush landscape?”

“Sometimes plants aren’t enough,” said John Sallot, spokesman for the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. “We have to give reasons for people to continue to come back year after year. We do want new people who’ve never been here before, and hopefully this gives us an opportunity to engage them.”

Here is a look at a few gardens around the country and some of their art and natural history exhibits and events. Note that days and hours gardens are open often change as the weather gets warmer, so call ahead to check.

ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN: http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org or 404-876-5859. “Sculpture in Motion” will showcase more than two dozen outdoor kinetic sculptures by 16 artists, May 3-Oct. 31. The works’ moving parts are affected by natural forces found in the garden - wind, sun, water, sound and even human energy.

CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN: http://www.cbgarden.org/ or 216-721-1600. “The Japanese Garden: Photographs by Haruzo Ohashi” is part of the garden’s focus on “Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan,” April 5-June 29. The 100 images in the show include pictures of historically significant gardens in Japan and different garden styles.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN: Phoenix, http://www.dbg.org or 480-941-1225. Two years ago, the Desert Botanical Garden had an exhibit of botanical glass; last year it was Picasso ceramics. Right now, until May, the garden is hosting outdoor exhibits that are “very organic and tie in with nature,” said Sallot. Patrick Dogherty’s “Childhood Dreams” is a sculpture made from willow saplings, while Mayme Kratz’s “The Breathing Room” is a living art installation of desert plants and flowers.

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN: Coral Gables, Fla., http://www.fairchildgarden.org/ or 305-667-1651. Through May 31, the garden hosts a show of works by sculptor Fernando Botero, pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and Dale Chihuly, known for his colorful glass art.

FREDERIK MEIJIR GARDENS %26amp; SCULPTURE PARK: Grand Rapids, Mich., http://www.meijergardens.org or 888-957-1580. This garden has a permanent collection of indoor and outdoor art, including a 35-acre sculpture park. But it also hosts three major art exhibits each year. “Art of Africa” is on display indoors through May 4, “Degas in Bronze” opens May 30 in an indoor gallery, and “George Rickey Kinetic Sculptures” are on display through July both inside and outside.

MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN: St. Louis, Mo., http://www.mobot.org or 800-642-8842. “Niki” is a pop-art-style show of 40 colorful mosaic sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle, from a six-ton head to a friendly alligator to a whimsical golfer, on display April 27-Oct. 31.

NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM: Asheville, N.C., http://www.ncarboretum.org/ or 828-665-2492. Through May 11, “Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders” features live and mounted insects, from scorpions to tarantulas.

PORTLAND CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN: Portland, Ore., http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/ or 503-228-8131. An exhibit called “Hatching the Past,” through June 1, looks at feathered dinosaurs and eggs while examining theories that dinosaurs and birds are related. Garden spokeswoman Joan Kvitka said the focus on dinosaurs is in keeping with “this wonderful sense of a timeless dimension to the garden” and coordinates with other dinosaur-themed shows in Portland - at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Portland Children’s Museum and the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

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Tags: amp, arboretum, exhibition, landscape, lush landscape, museum of science, museum of science and industry, plants, saplings, sculptor, sculpture park, sculptures, showcase, spring and summer
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“You know, when it was really cold and snowing, we went for a walk through Lincoln Park and that was just magical,” he said.

What may be surprising, though, is all the people around him. Tourists may not be flocking to Chicago like they do when Wrigley Field’s walls are covered with ivy and not snow. But the average occupancy rates for the city’s hotels between November and February is a respectable 61 percent, and many visitors think it’s a good time to come because there are deals to be had and fewer crowds.

“You can get a seat in a restaurant and the streets are a little less crowded and the shops are a little less crowded,” said Robin Guidera, who brought her 7-year-old daughter, Zoe, to the city from Toledo, Ohio, for what she called a girls’ weekend.

The city and hospitality industry are trying to persuade more visitors to come, promoting everything from nine ice rinks around the city to hotel and museum deals. And they also want people to know that although tour boats aren’t running this time of year, visitors can still take architecture tours with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, as well as the Chicago History Museum’s “L” tours.

Start with Millennium Park. Whatever grumbling there was about the park not opening until four years after the millennium has given way to effusive praise from around the world. No matter the weather, it seems nobody visits Chicago without taking a picture of %26mdash; and with %26mdash; the 110-ton stainless steel Anish Kapoor sculpture called “Cloud Gate” by the city and “the bean” by everyone else because that’s what it looks like.

From there, a good chunk of the city’s skyline is on display, as is the packed skating rink along Michigan Avenue, Lake Michigan to the east and the Art Institute of Chicago just to the south.

This winter, the “Museum of Modern Ice” at Millennium Park will be the centerpiece of the city’s winter celebration. On display in February will be two works of art by Canadian artist Gordon Halloran: a massive ice wall called “Paintings Below Zero” and another ice painting you can skate on.

The park also serves as a reminder that there is simply more for visitors to do in Chicago than even a few years ago. Another example is Northerly Island, the former site of a small airport between Soldier Field and Lake Michigan that was shuttered a few years back and is now parkland. On Feb. 23, it will be the site of Polar Adventure Days %26mdash; an event that includes a dog sled exhibit, ice sculptures, winter storytelling and, if there’s snow, a supply of snow shoes people can borrow. Near Soldier Field there is even a small hill that’s a popular sledding spot.

“Northerly Island takes advantage of the cold weather there,” said Amy Hayden, the Chicago editor of gocitykids.com , a Web site aimed at families.

At the same time, the city has a lot to do for families who do not want to brave the weather: the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium, the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier and the Museum of Science and Industry.

“These attractions are probably even more appealing in the winter when the crowds are thinner,” Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor in chief of WeJustGotBack.com , a Web site for families planning trips, said in an e-mail.

Some are more appealing still because they’re free. Both the Field Museum and the Art Institute have waived general admission fees between Feb. 1-29. And on Feb. 16, exhibitions of works by Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer will open at the Art Institute. Both can be seen for $10 until the end of the month, when the price doubles.

Hotels are much cheaper than they are in spring and summer.

At the Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown, for example, a night’s stay in February can be as low as $139 %26mdash; or about a third of what the same room can cost during the summer.

Some of the city’s priciest hotels have also cut rates, and offer special winter packages.

At the Peninsula Chicago, the cost of a room can be as low as $395 a night, or about $150 less than the starting price once the city thaws out. And the Ritz-Carlton, where rooms start at $515 a night during the spring and summer, is offering for $355 a Family Fun Slumber Party package.

As for those who still think vacationing in Chicago in the middle of winter sounds crazy, Paul Morrison has this to say: “People go skiing and it’s cold up in the mountains. This is perfect for me.”

IF YOU GO

Getting there

Expect to pay $200 for round-trip airfare from Atlanta to Chicago.

What to see

%26#8226; Museum of Modern Ice: Art installation at Millennium Park, Feb. 1-29. www.museumofmodernice.com

%26#8226; Chicago Architecture Foundation: Audiotape rentals for self-guided tours (in English, Japanese, Spanish, German, French) and a variety of guided walking tours, $15. Guided tours can be arranged in other languages. Shorter tours of specific buildings, $9. www.architecture.org , 312-922-3432.

%26#8226; Art Institute of Chicago: “Edward Hopper” and “Watercolors by Winslow Homer: The Color of Light,” Feb. 16-May 10. Tickets, which are timed and dated, are $10 through the end of February (including admission to the museum) and $20 thereafter. www.artic.edu

%26#8226; Chicago Park District: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com , 312-742-7529.

Information

%26#8226; Chicago Office of Tourism: www.choosechicago.com , 312-877-2442.

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CHICAGO — A three-story, fully functioning “green” home is going to be built on the campus of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Museum officials say the house will showcase the latest innovations in renewable resources and smart energy consumption.

For instance, guests will be able to see how wastewater from the shower and bath can then be used for toilets.

The 2,500-square-foot home is expected to be open to the public for nine months beginning May 8. It will be the basis for an exhibit called “Smart Home: Green Plus Wired.”

The modular home is being built on an assembly line in Decatur, Ind.

It’s expected to arrive at the museum in late February for final interior work, furnishing and landscaping.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Tags: amp, Landscaping, museum of science, museum of science and industry, showcase, smart home
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CHICAGO — A three-story, fully functioning “green” home is going to be built on the campus of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Museum officials say the house will showcase the latest innovations in renewable resources and smart energy consumption.

For instance, guests will be able to see how wastewater from the shower and bath can then be used for toilets.

The 2,500-square-foot home is expected to be open to the public for nine months beginning May 8. It will be the basis for an exhibit called “Smart Home: Green Plus Wired.”

The modular home is being built on an assembly line in Decatur, Ind.

It’s expected to arrive at the museum in late February for final interior work, furnishing and landscaping.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Tags: amp, Landscaping, museum of science, museum of science and industry, showcase, smart home
0

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Fuel charges on air trips keep coming and going.

Following United’s new $25 each-way fuel charge imposed two weeks ago, all six major carriers had added similar charges as of Monday. But by Tuesday, Continental had withdrawn its fuel charge, giving it a slight fare advantage over the other airlines.

Continental’s withdrawing its fee not only puts the airline at a competitive advantage for as long as it can offer surcharge-free fares, according to SmarterTravel.com, but also puts pressure on other airlines to ditch their own new fuel surcharges.

Jobless rate could curb cruise trips

Robert Simonson of William Blair %26amp; Co. said rising U.S. unemployment will likely curb Caribbean cruises because such trips are the sector’s most affordable offering. Low-income consumers tend to lean toward Caribbean cruises based on pricing; but those consumers have tightened spending of late due to recession fears and other economic worries.

In early January, the Labor Department reported the nation’s unemployment rate hit a two-year high of 5 percent in December.

The analyst also cautioned that unemployment, coupled with falling stock prices and housing concerns, will start to squeeze upper-income customers who book European cruises, which typically are more expensive than Caribbean cruises.

“This will likely be most noticeable among aspirational buyers of European cruises, namely those that can’t afford the cruise without a significant degree of financing,” he wrote in a client note.

Cedar Point adds kids’ rides

Seven kids’ rides from the Geauga Lake amusement park in northeast Ohio are being given a new home on the other side of the state, at Cedar Point.

The park in Sandusky says the miniature train, mini-teacup-style ride and the others will be featured in a new children’s area being assembled for the coming season. Planet Snoopy will replace the Peanuts Playground.

Cedar Point’s parent company also owned Geauga Lake but shut it down in September, citing low attendance.

When Cedar Point opens for 2008 on May 10, other new attractions will include a restaurant with a kids’ theme and an extreme sports show.

Sightseeing guide for West Virginia

West Virginia’s 2008 state travel guide is now available, with feature stories, suggested itineraries, a calendar of events and background information on the state’s nine regions, plus information on accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, parks, shops, galleries and museums.

Order a guide through www.wvtourism.com/ or 1-800-225-5982.

Chicago green home

A three-story, fully functioning “green” home is going to be built on the campus of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Museum officials say the house will showcase the latest innovations in renewable resources and smart energy consumption.

For instance, guests will be able to see how wastewater from the shower and bath can then be used for toilets.

The 2,500-square-foot home is expected to be open to the public for nine months beginning May 8. It will be the basis for an exhibit called “Smart Home: Green Plus Wired.”

The modular home is being built on an assembly line in Decatur, Ind.

It’s expected to arrive at the museum in late February for final interior work, furnishing and landscaping.

Go native with “untours”

To get to know a place, travelers need to hop off the tour bus and “go native,” immersing themselves in the daily life of the local people. Untours helps independent travelers do just that in Europe, providing two weeks’ accommodations in a cottage, flat or farmhouse, plus ground transportation (car rental, train pass or city transit pass) and round-trip airfare from New York, including most air taxes and fees.

With choices in more than a dozen countries, travelers can base themselves in a Swiss town on Lake Thun, an Italian village in Tuscany or at a German castle in Bavaria. New options this year are flats in Florence, Italy, or Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, with two-week rates starting at $2,649-$2,849, depending on location.

Untours also offers “Samplers” with a week’s stay in each of two places and transportation in between. For example, Paris can be combined with Florence for $3,389 and up, while Prague, Czech Republic, can precede Budapest, Hungary, for $2,599 and up.

Fees are per person double. In some cases, ground-only rates are available for those who want to book their own air travel. Dates vary by location. Several regions are available year-round (1-888-868-6871; www.untours.com).

Winter deals in U.S. parks

Come winter, our national parks become serene and uncrowded, with the hordes of summer tourists long gone. For the hardy winter traveler, many park lodges offer discounts that make the quiet season very appealing.

At the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, for instance, “Winter Value Rates” are $78 per night at Maswik South and Yavapai West, and $94 per night at Maswik North and Yavapai East Lodges, single or double occupancy, valid through March 6 except for Feb. 15-17. Tax is extra. (1-888-297-2757; www.grandcanyonlodges.com, click on Promotions)

At Yellowstone National Park, a “Trail of the Wolf” package features three nights’ accommodations split between Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, a round-trip guided snowmobile tour between the two, a wildlife tour of the Lamar Valley and daily breakfast. Per-person rates start at $359 plus tax, valid until March 2. (866-439-7375; www.travelyellowstone.-com/Getaway -Packages-191.html)

Prices generally are per person double and are based on availability.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Tags: amp, Landscaping, museum of science, museum of science and industry, rta, showcase, smart home
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