Paseo Andaluz

Green painting with eco-friendly paints

Tzeitel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:21:58 +0000

When it was discovered that lead was harmful to health, it was banned in paint. However, paints still contain toxic substances such as volatile and aromatic substances that damage and pollute the environment. Following this concern, the industry has achieved the production of paintings called “natural” which are made from natural vegetable or mineral raw materials. These are called ecological paints.
Among the advantages of this type of paint is that in case of fire, for example, do not emit toxic gases and are therefore recommended to any home environment, especially children’s rooms. Another advantage is that they are odorless, so it does not affect people with respiratory problems. These paints can be diluted with water, so they do not need turpentine. They can also be used in all types of surfaces such as wood, metal or brick. They are also biodegradable, so that they don’t have no adverse effect on the environment.
There is an increasing awareness of the responsibility we all have to protect the environment. You must stay informed on the progress of technology in this regard and increasingly you will have more weapons at your disposal to a healthy and organic life, which will help you protect yourself, protect your family and therefore the environment. This that one day our children and grandchildren will inherit.

Green living and your baby

Tzeitel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:43:11 +0000

All mothers, especially first-timers, are concerned on how the environment can affect the health of our baby. Formerly the paintings had a high content of lead, toxic to human health, and this was used in all walls, furniture and toys that were in contact with children. The use of lead in paints has long banned, but there are still toxic substances that can affect.
To protect your baby and generally your children, learn about products that may contain toxic substances. For example, it is advised that when you buy your baby’s crib you must cover the rails with ribbons or fabric that are free of toxic substances, so that when your baby bites it he is not exposed. Recently, concerns have been raised about the products made from polycarbonate, which is used in baby bottles, dishes and utensils your baby will use.
What is the solution to these concerns? You must keep up to date and informed about the studies and recommendations made in this regard. On the Internet you can find much information on these studies, but try to read really serious pages, studies supported by the Drug Administration of USA (FDA), prestigious universities and laboratories. Once you are informed your best defense is to see the labels on the products you buy to see what ingredients and avoid those that pose a potential harm. Ii is in our power to protect our children and our family in general.

Throw in the trash or recycle

Tzeitel — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:26:51 +0000

When we have things to throw, we always have doubts about what to do with those we no longer want or need or those that are waste. Things such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and metals, and debris of all kinds of technology as damaged electrical appliances and batteries. We don’t have a recycling culture that tells us what to do. For example, all recyclables should be placed separately and not mixed with material that can’t be recycled.
Some people simply do not understand the concept of recycling. According to the Dictionary the term means to submit a used material to a process so that it can be reused. This of course implies that the garbage is not any more, that it can be used again and again, it is only necessary to process it each time. This has long term implications, because by using the same materials over and over again it won’t be necessary to obtain new raw material that requires using resources that may be running low or in serious danger of extinction, as in the case of trees to produce paper.
One obstacle encountered by people who do believe in recycling, is that they do not know who or where each type of material is recycled. In the case of paper is simple because there collection campaigns. But in more specialized cases such as electronic waste, is more difficult to find companies that are engaged in collection and recycling. In any case, we must investigate and find out how to dispose this type of material in case you do not find who recycles.

Green living: kids and the environment

Tzeitel — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:42:51 +0000

Children are like sponges that absorb everything they see and experience. We have seen the advantage of teaching young children the importance of protecting our resources. If we start with the immediate environment, it may be easier to do, ie their home. We can start by explaining that they should not let the water run if not being used, either when they are brushing their teeth or washing their face. When taking a bath, they should have short showers that do not consume so much water.
Grow a plant with him and teach him to care, provide food and water. Explain the kid that while the plant needs water, excess fluid may kill it as much as the lack thereof. We can compare the water that we need both humans and plants, so they understand easily why the ends are not good.
Children learn best by playing. Sit down with him to develop a toy from recycled materials and explain to the kid what would happen if instead of recycling the material you throw it away. Kids like to help, so if rhey’re old enough, you can ask for help at the grocery store to find products that come in recyclable packaging. When you are playing outdoors or walking with the kids, explain the importance of keeping the environment clean.

Green life and energy saving

Tzeitel — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:45:10 +0000

What does energy saving has to do with green living? Among the things experts recommend to those who advocate green living, there is to achieve energy savings by turning off lights when you leave a room, use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, unplugging appliances not in use, wash clothes in cold water instead of hot and runs using the full capacity of the machine.
Recall that the source of energy we use is a non-renewable source for the most part and even in cases where hydroelectric power is used, it is also that with logging and inappropriate use of water is a resource that can reach a point where it would not be enough or simply runs out. With trees comes the rain and with it renewed water resources, but if logging continues at a pace so great, so we’ll be large expanses of deserts.
Does this give you some clue as to why energy saving contribute to protecting the environment and we can have a green life? Make a list of things that you can and should do to save energy, if necessary write it and put it in a place where you always see it, until it becomes a habit. What we do now with our planet is what our children and grandchildren will inherit. We must begin now, tomorrow may be too late.

Green living and plants

Tzeitel — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:45:52 +0000

Before the issue of ecology was fashionable, there was a saying that stated that every man or woman, before they die, was to “plant a tree, have a child and write a book.” Now that protecting the planet acquires such relevance, planting a tree is seeing with different eyes. Not lacking in newspapers and television news reports about the devastation is caused by the indiscriminate destruction of the forests and the negative effect this has on the planet. Reforestation is one of the obligations that governments impose on companies that are granted permission to cut timber.
Something positive is seeing in neighborhoods of single-family homes how its occupants in involved in surrounding their homes with plants. When the neighborhood is new, everything looks bleak for the earthwork done to the buildings, but after a couple of years, we see a big difference. There are plants and trees around, you can listen to the birdsong. There are green and color of flowers everywhere you look.
Maybe you live in an apartment building and think you can not contribute to the reforestation, but that’s not true. You can have a balcony or a window in which you can place a plant in a pot. You can also choose a plant that can be taken in the shade and put it in a corner of your house. Never think that is not enough, is a bit in the effort made to contribute to environmental preservation. From bit to bit, the sum is positive. Go ahead and plant a plant. The planet and its inhabitants, will thank you.

Teach the kid what is living green

Tzeitel — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:33:31 +0000

We all agree that children learn fast and become a multiplier, provided they are rightly guided. For children to understand the concept they must be taught the reason for that. We must explain, in a clear manner and in accordance with the child’s age, the consequences of not caring for the environment and then teach them how to do this. But of course, the most important thing is to lead by example.
Let’s start by giving children simple examples they can understand. For example, trees provide us oxygen to breathe, processing the trees we get paper, if we waste paper there will be more trees to be cut which is harmful to the environment because there are fewer trees to produce the oxygen we breathe.
Teach children what is to recycle and why we have to. Let’s start a recycling program at home, starting with cans and paper, to be placed in separate containers so they can be taken to a place where they will be recycled. We must also tell them what can’t be recycled and why ones should not be mixed with the others. Take care of this little the seed and in due time reap abundantly.

Green Life

Tzeitel — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:21:11 +0000

If we look up this expression in a conventional dictionary, we will find the meaning of life and green, but will not find the meaning of both terms together. In fact, the concept of green living is relatively “new” and has to do with what we can do to protect the environment.
There are campaigns at all levels and in different forums aimed at raising awareness of the need to reduce pollution, reduce the use of products that, while renewable resources its accelerated consumption has made them every day more scarce to meet global demand and if we maintain this rhythm of consumption, will put them in danger of extinction. It also has to do with reducing consumption, reusing and recycling those that are not easily degradable and whose carelessly discard can cause pollution.
Environmental protection is related to lower consumption, reforest our forests and minimize cutting them, with avoiding waste contaminants, with optimizing the use of the resources available: water, earth, electricity, with avoiding the use of chemicals that may be dangerous, with consuming organic products. The list is long and requires many items to cover everything.
What we can say now is that the formation of consciousness begins at home, convinced parents that teach their children the benefits of green living. It’s amazing how children can become a multiplier, an agent of changes, all we have to do is guide them properly.

The Rebuilding of Casco Antiguo

Mof — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:33:32 +0000

The Rebuilding of Casco Antiguo

Officially known as San Felipe, Casco Antiguo (also known as Casco Viejo) is one of Panama City’s national treasures. It was originally built in 1673 after the sacking of the city by the pirate Sir Henry Morgan. Early on, this area hosted the French officials during their attempt to build the Panama Canal. What resulted was a culturally diverse, unique neighborhood with a mix of Spanish colonial and French provincial architecture. Paseo Andaluz is greatly influenced by Spanish colonial on a much smaller scale than the Casco Antiguo.

During the last decade, attempts have been made by several organizations and groups to incite the refurbishment of this district known as San Felipe. Today it is a place commonly visited by tourists and locals looking for a place to have fun, wine or dine embraced by its colonial environment.

In 1997, UNESCO selected Casco Antiguo as one of its 46 historic locations. Local and international investors have gradually but unquestionably created a new life in the area which has become palpable among the transited, balconied streets. Incentives have been created by Panamanian law for those wishing to invest in this neighborhood. These apply to San Felipe, parts of Santa Ana, Salsipuedes and an area known as Terraplen. The law states that buildings located in parts of these areas are classified as historical structures and special permissions must be granted prior to any restoration works. The architectural characteristics of each building are taken into consideration prior to their refurbishment. Several of the incentives provided by the law are preferential mortgage rates for investment into restoration projects, no property tax for the first thirty years, no importantion tax, no Transfer of Title tax and no tax on rental revenue generate in Casco Antiguo.

Richard Fifer’s dream is that Paseo Andaluz be a place to bring back memories of yester years, a place to enjoy the architecture, good food, smiles and good times.