Federal funds pay for energy program

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• Paso Robles-area retrofit makes veteran's home more efficient

  Paso Robles-area retrofit makes veteran's home more efficient

  Robert Ryan’s rural Paso Robles home is typical of most homes in the country. It isn’t as energy efficient as it could be. That’s about to change. Contractors and the San Luis Obispo Kiwanis Club are helping Ryan upgrade his home.

• SLO Public Works Department wins award for energy conservation efforts

  SLO Public Works Department wins award for energy conservation efforts

  The San Luis Obispo Public Works Department recently won an award from the Chamber of Commerce for its energy conservation efforts. The award was given for a number of projects by the building maintenance division to reduce energy use including: a networked heating, ventilation and air-conditioning energy management system; electronic lighting control systems; and energy-efficient lighting fixture conversions.

  The Chamber’s award program was created to recognize businesses, organizations and people who have made an effort to become more sustainable by conserving and reducing the use of resources.

• Saving money and the environment

  Saving money and the environment

  Tim and Margo Smith opened their San Luis Obispo home Wednesday to show off a state program that helps homeowners make their houses more energy efficient.

  Through Energy Upgrade California, the Smiths received a comprehensive energy efficiency audit of their home on Meadow Street, and contractor Troy Spindler performed a series of energy upgrades.

  These upgrades included installing new insulation, replacing ducts, air sealing and weatherization, and insulation of the hot water heater and pipes. The work cost $3,560. They received a $1,000 rebate from PG&E and the home now uses 49 percent less energy.

• County plan to cut greenhouse gases locally is up to supervisors

  County plan to cut greenhouse gases locally is up to supervisors

  Supervisors are set to vote Tuesday on a plan that maps out how the county would reduce its contribution to global climate change.

  The EnergyWise Plan focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ways to prepare for the anticipated effects of climate change. Greenhouse gases are emissions such as carbon dioxide that tend to trap the heat from the sun near the Earth’s surface.

  In San Luis Obispo County, the bulk of these emissions comes from vehicles, industry and homes. The plan calls for emissions in the county to be cut to 15 percent below the level of those emissions in 2006.

• ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ brings festive song and dance to the Clark Center

  ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ brings festive song and dance to the Clark Center

  ‘Jingle Bell Rock — A Raucous Holiday Revue” is described as high-energy, fast-moving and fun by three enthusiastic members of the company. Andy Ferrera, producer and director of the show, and performers Alli Navarro and Jeff Payton talked about their experiences during a telephone interview.

  “As ‘Saturday Night Live’ is a little bit of music with a lot of comedy, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ is a lot of music with a little bit of comedy,” Ferrara said.

  A live band accompanies three men and three women singers and dancers, and Frank Macial, an improv actor, facilitates audience interaction in a program that includes an array of more than 30 holiday songs from carols to contemporary tunes. The show also includes a two-minute send-up of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and an audience-participation version of “A Christmas Carol.” The interaction is an important part of the program, Ferrara said.