Ocean artistry
By Alex Wilson 01/25/2008
Kids can express their love for the beauty of the Pacific Ocean through art or poetry, and gain statewide recognition for their work from the California Coastal Commission.
Since 1998 the commission has sponsored an annual "Coastal Art and Poetry Contest," and the deadline for submissions Jan. 31.
Coastal Commission Education Coordinator Annie Frankel Kohut says it started out as a poster contest and has grown into a statewide touring art and poetry exhibition that has encouraged hundreds of kids to show off their talents and get them to think about ocean conservation issues.
"It fosters stewardship of the coast," Kohut said.
Last year the exhibition traveled to the Moorpark Arts Festival, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro and the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center south of San Diego, among other locations. Kohut said the family of one of last year's winners made a pilgrimage all over California to see the places the artwork was displayed.
The poetry and artwork must reflect ocean life native to California or address themes about the Golden State's majestic coastline.
"We want kids to be thinking about it since it's such a part of California's image and economy," Kohut said.
More information on the contest is available on the Coastal Commission Web site, and submissions must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Winners in four grade level categories receive $100 gift certificates to art supply or book stores.
Kohut thinks the Coastal Art and Poetry Contest helps foster a connection to the ocean for kids who might otherwise take it for granted.
"We really want the kids to think about what the ocean means to them," she said.
Computer juice
Efforts by leaders of Ventura County government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy are hampered and helped by computers.
Steady growth of the use of the machines in recent decades means that they now account for about 15 percent of the electricity bill for county government, which currently tops $9 million a year. But a new initiative recently approved by the Board of Supervisors should reduce the amount of electricity used by about 5,000 county computers nearly in half.
Computer technicians are installing a software program called "Surveyor" by a company called Verdiem that will monitor energy use of all the county computers in real time and put them in energy-saving sleep mode when they're not continually used. Exceptions will be made for some crucial computers used for public safety tasks like dispatching rescue equipment.
Even though the software and installation will cost the county $168,000, General Services Agency Director Paul Grossgold says it will quickly pay for itself.
"We expect the cost to be captured through energy savings in the first year, and then every year after that it's essentially gravy," he said.
County Chief Information Officer Matt Carroll is hoping other large organizations follow their lead.
"I think the county is taking a leadership position on these types of things, and when they make financial sense as this one does, then we think there's opportunity for businesses large and small to do similar installations," Carroll said.
Supervisor Linda Parks thinks everyone can learn a conservation lesson from the county's example and make sure computers are only turned on when they're being used, instead of sucking juice all day long.
"That's also happening in our homes, so I'd encourage people to do it at home," Parks said. "Everyone's got computers these days."
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