Post Archive by Month

By Brian Skeele, on July 14th, 2011 The intent is to give people the tools to redevelop their neighborhood sustainably. Here’s one way I see it playing out. (my take on the Chattanooga 2000 process). 1) All the citizens are invited to a “Make our City a Better Place to Live” event ( “A more sustainable town”, etc). 2) The …

By Brian Skeele, on May 9th, 2011 Washing machines sit idle most of the time Looking at the challenge of how to build our futures resilient and sustainable, my sense is the insulation in the burbs across America is woefully shy. Heating systems are not so efficient, heating ducts leak, appliances are not so energy efficient, and windows are not …

By Brian Skeele, on March 21st, 2011 is your neighborhood playing with a full deck of cards? To help folks become conversant in all the parts that go into a sustainable neighborhood, while having fun at the same time, how bout a deck of playing cards??!  Like baseball cards, but with a different component on each card; An illustration on …

By Brian Skeele, on March 28th, 2011 As I was driving around the neighborhood just south of downtown Albuquerque this weekend, I kept wondering how come the 50’s deco corner buildings were empty? Why isn’t this neighborhood more alive? Yeah, all the homes are one story, simple 50’s suburbia, sidewalks, nothing glamorous, but friendly. The corner buildings look like old gas …

By Brian Skeele, on June 17th, 2015 5 Planets! How are we, the US of A, going to be a serious leader if our lifestyle requires 5 planets of resources?? How are we going to look our grandchildren in the eye and say with pride “All this is yours!”?? The good news is we are innovative. So, my fellow Americans, …

By Brian Skeele, on July 20th, 2011 Growing the economy… sustainably. Conserving our way into a new economy. In this video, Charles Eisenstein lays it out.What sounds totally illogical, that less is more, helps me think in new ways.  Values get turned on their head. Time bank anyone? Charles Eisenstein Interview from StormCloud Media on Vimeo. Hey, what’s one of …

By Brian Skeele, on April 25th, 2011 Cooperation, Collaboration, a community based on common values…..Sounds so technical!  What if your neighborhood made choices like incorporating a swimming pool or a movie theater into the community??  The ownership structure could be by membership, a coop, or a private business.  The list of possible shared amenities and services is endless. Transforming the American …

The Adventures of Polar Sam- A new weapon added to the arsenal By Brian Skeele, on April 7th, 2011 A polar bear, sent by his people to save their way of life, finds himself driving an ice cream truck around suburbia, on a mission to reverse global warming, one ice cream at a time EPISODE #2 A New Weapon Added to …

By Brian Skeele, on April 26th, 2011 Imagine a room full of people, all gathered in a circle and sharing  their ideas on what makes a sustainable neighborhood. “I would like a swimming hole, like at my grandpa’s farm”, a 12 year boy shares. “It has a rope swing and turtles and the fishing is pretty good”.  “I love prisoner …

Curriculum – Because life is for learning! By Brian Skeele, on March 21st, 2011 I should have been a woodshop teacher, (BA in Industrial Arts) but went into construction instead. Much to my amazement, I keep being drawn to learning, my own ongoing growth and the Santa Fe School District’s trials and tribulations. Quite a few years ago, I came …