When people go out of town they always worry about robbers noticing their absence or a plumbing leak flooding their house. And after coming home from a vacation, houses are always cold, but a computer in a SMART house can solve all of these problems.
The technology of SMART houses once called the technology of the future is becoming a reality now. Proponents of smart house say the technology could be used within a couple of years. But not all people agree. “I don’t think everyone having a smart house is realistic, “ said Tim Swanson ’11 “ because people can’t afford them when the economy is in recession.”
Top of the line smart houses costs thousands of dollars, but some can be relatively cheap. Kits can be bought that can automatically lock a door or close a window for just a couple hundred of dollars. Higher end kits costing anywhere from a thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars can computerize your entire house. As parts of the kits house owners can turn on lights from across town or close their garage door when they leave it open. The easiest way to obtain a smart house is to build it from scratch but this is not cheap. Entire homes are being built with smart technology. Visitors fill out a short survey upon arriving about their favorite music or artist. Then when they enter rooms, their favorite song comes on or a favorite painting pops up on a digital screen.
Smart houses can hopefully be used in more practical ways. Computers can be programmed to call an ambulance if someone faints or to automatically close a window that you left open. But not all people like smart houses.
“I wouldn’t like to have a smart house,” said Matt Kuntz ’11, “because the computer doing all of the work would make me fat and lazy.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mass transportation is a must in any large city. In the Twin Cities, there are busses, with routes going out in all directions, but, with the exception of one ten-mile line, a railway system is absent. But that’s all about to change.
One light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis, with stops in Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, which links Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014. The line will travel through the University of Minnesota campus, down University Ave, and arrive in downtown St. Paul at Union Station.
There is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? and stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020. Now that new lines are being added, supporters hope ridership will increase with the possibility of transferring lines.
With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly bombarded with proposals for new light rail lines. In the past, there has been talk of a Light Rail line running through Dakota County, but talk never led anywhere. The Southwest Light Rail Transit Line is another proposed light rail line. If passed, it would travel from downtown Minneapolis out to Eden Prairie. Possible routes have been compiled and money has been put forward to help get the line moving. With the city constantly growing, mass transportation will become even more important in the future.
One light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis, with stops in Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, which links Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014. The line will travel through the University of Minnesota campus, down University Ave, and arrive in downtown St. Paul at Union Station.
There is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? and stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020. Now that new lines are being added, supporters hope ridership will increase with the possibility of transferring lines.
With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly bombarded with proposals for new light rail lines. In the past, there has been talk of a Light Rail line running through Dakota County, but talk never led anywhere. The Southwest Light Rail Transit Line is another proposed light rail line. If passed, it would travel from downtown Minneapolis out to Eden Prairie. Possible routes have been compiled and money has been put forward to help get the line moving. With the city constantly growing, mass transportation will become even more important in the future.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Spring is officially here and spring sports are getting started all over the state. Fields are drying out, golf courses are opening, and the Simley Boys Golf team is looking towards a great season this year.
The teams practice and play at Inver Wood, which officially opened up April 3rd. Tim Swanson ’11 enjoys golfing there, but after playing there everyday it gets repetitive. “I like to play Inver Wood,” he said, “but we play there so often, it gets old after awhile.”
The team had a decent year last year, but is looking to improve. Mr. Johnston is one of two head coaches and has confidence in the young team. “We had a decent year last year and finished 7th in the conference. This year we are looking to improve and make it into the top half.”
Golf is a complicated sport with many rules to follow; a mistake can cost a stroke or even two. In order to avoid breaking rules and gaining penalty strokes, the golfers had to take a 150-question test, and had to pass it in order to be on the team. “We had to pass,” Tim Swanson said, “but Mr. Johnston reviewed some answers that we were unsure of.”Even if the team doesn’t fair too well this year, the future looks bright. Mr. Kaschke is the other head coach and is impressed with the number of golfers out for the team. “We have a great turnout this year.” He said. “We are looking towards a great season this year and a great golf program in the future.”
The teams practice and play at Inver Wood, which officially opened up April 3rd. Tim Swanson ’11 enjoys golfing there, but after playing there everyday it gets repetitive. “I like to play Inver Wood,” he said, “but we play there so often, it gets old after awhile.”
The team had a decent year last year, but is looking to improve. Mr. Johnston is one of two head coaches and has confidence in the young team. “We had a decent year last year and finished 7th in the conference. This year we are looking to improve and make it into the top half.”
Golf is a complicated sport with many rules to follow; a mistake can cost a stroke or even two. In order to avoid breaking rules and gaining penalty strokes, the golfers had to take a 150-question test, and had to pass it in order to be on the team. “We had to pass,” Tim Swanson said, “but Mr. Johnston reviewed some answers that we were unsure of.”Even if the team doesn’t fair too well this year, the future looks bright. Mr. Kaschke is the other head coach and is impressed with the number of golfers out for the team. “We have a great turnout this year.” He said. “We are looking towards a great season this year and a great golf program in the future.”
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spring is officially here and spring sports are getting started all over the state. Fields are drying out and the golf courses are opening. Here at Simley, the Boys and Girls golf teams are looking towards a great season this year.
The teams practice and play at Inver Wood, which officially opened up April 3rd, and many golfers like to golf there. Tim Swanson ’11 enjoys golfing there, but after playing there everyday it gets repetitive. “I like to play Inver Wood,” he said, “but we play there so often, it gets old after awhile.”
The team finished 7th in conference last year and is looking to improve. Mr. Johnston is one of two head coaches and has confidence in the young team. “We had a decent year last year and finished 7th in the conference. This year we are looking to improve and make it into the top half.”
As you might know, golf is a complicated sport with many rules to follow; mistake could cost you a stroke or even two, and, in golf, every shot counts. The golfers had to take a 150 question test, and had to pass it in order to be on the team.“We had to pass,” Tim said, “but Mr. Johnston reviewed some answers that we were unsure of.”
Even if the team doesn’t fair too well this year, they will have room to improve for the future. Mr. Kaschke is the other head coach and is impressed with the number of golfers out for the team. “We have a great turnout this year.” He said. “We are looking towards a great season this year and a great golf program in the future.”
The teams practice and play at Inver Wood, which officially opened up April 3rd, and many golfers like to golf there. Tim Swanson ’11 enjoys golfing there, but after playing there everyday it gets repetitive. “I like to play Inver Wood,” he said, “but we play there so often, it gets old after awhile.”
The team finished 7th in conference last year and is looking to improve. Mr. Johnston is one of two head coaches and has confidence in the young team. “We had a decent year last year and finished 7th in the conference. This year we are looking to improve and make it into the top half.”
As you might know, golf is a complicated sport with many rules to follow; mistake could cost you a stroke or even two, and, in golf, every shot counts. The golfers had to take a 150 question test, and had to pass it in order to be on the team.“We had to pass,” Tim said, “but Mr. Johnston reviewed some answers that we were unsure of.”
Even if the team doesn’t fair too well this year, they will have room to improve for the future. Mr. Kaschke is the other head coach and is impressed with the number of golfers out for the team. “We have a great turnout this year.” He said. “We are looking towards a great season this year and a great golf program in the future.”
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
LRT 2
Mass transportation is a must in any large city. Here in the Twin Cities, there are busses, with routes going out in all directions; however, with the exception of one ten-mile line, a railway system is absent. But that is all about to change.
As most people know, there is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? and stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020.
Another light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis, with stops in the cities Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River in between. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, which links Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014. The line will travel through the University of Minnesota campus, down University Ave, and end up in downtown St. Paul at Union Station.Light rail and transportation in general is a hot topic in local politics today. With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly baraded with proposals for new light rail lines. Joe Atkins, the state representative for Inver Grove Heights and a small portion of South Saint Paul, believes that Light Rail is necessary and a good use of tax dollars. (quote)
As most people know, there is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? and stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020.
Another light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis, with stops in the cities Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River in between. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, which links Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014. The line will travel through the University of Minnesota campus, down University Ave, and end up in downtown St. Paul at Union Station.Light rail and transportation in general is a hot topic in local politics today. With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly baraded with proposals for new light rail lines. Joe Atkins, the state representative for Inver Grove Heights and a small portion of South Saint Paul, believes that Light Rail is necessary and a good use of tax dollars. (quote)
As most people know, there is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? And stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020.
Another light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis while stopping in the cities Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River in between. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, linking Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the near future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014.
Light rail and transportation in general is a hot topic in local politics today. With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly baraded with proposals for new light rail lines.
Another light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis while stopping in the cities Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River in between. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, linking Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the near future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014.
Light rail and transportation in general is a hot topic in local politics today. With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly baraded with proposals for new light rail lines.
Friday, March 27, 2009
rough dRAFTY
March and April are the favorite months in every sports fan year. From spring training and the World Baseball Classic, to the NBA and Stanley Cup, the spring is full of sports. But one event tops them all, the NCAA Tournament.
The NCAA is a monstrous tournament. 64 teams are selected, 31 of those being automatic bids, and the teams are arranged into four regions and seeded from one to sixteen, with the winner of each region sent to the Final Four. This year, the Gophers made it in as a number 7 seed, but lost to Texas in the First Round.
Every year, the NCAA Tournament is held in various stadiums throughout the country; this year, Minneapolis was one of the host cities. Four first round games and two second round games were played. Going to a NCAA tournament game is quite a privilege. (quote on someone who has gone)
March Madness is the favorite event of certain sports fan everywhere. Some like it for the drama and buzzer beaters, and others like it because it’s the climax of the College Basketball season; but most, including many people here at Simley High School, like it because they like to fill out the bracket.
All over the country, office pools are set up and money is thrown in the pot. Here at Simley, multiple pools are set up. Mr. Haala organizes the staff pool each year (quote). John Atkins ’11 also set up a pool in which the winner gets a nice sum of money. “It was only $5 to get in, which is pretty cheap, but the winner is going to be paid like $60”
Certain bracketeers are rather successful and doing rather well in the tournament. John Atkins’ was leading the pack after two rounds and explained how he made his picks “I basically went chalk because I knew there were going to be upsets, but I had no idea where. So I went with the odds and picked the favorites.”
Other bracketeers are not as successful in their picks. Kyle Dickinson ’12, a participant in John Atkins’ pool, did not fair too well. “I picked Wake Forest to reach the Championship Game, but I watched them lose in the first round”
The NCAA is a monstrous tournament. 64 teams are selected, 31 of those being automatic bids, and the teams are arranged into four regions and seeded from one to sixteen, with the winner of each region sent to the Final Four. This year, the Gophers made it in as a number 7 seed, but lost to Texas in the First Round.
Every year, the NCAA Tournament is held in various stadiums throughout the country; this year, Minneapolis was one of the host cities. Four first round games and two second round games were played. Going to a NCAA tournament game is quite a privilege. (quote on someone who has gone)
March Madness is the favorite event of certain sports fan everywhere. Some like it for the drama and buzzer beaters, and others like it because it’s the climax of the College Basketball season; but most, including many people here at Simley High School, like it because they like to fill out the bracket.
All over the country, office pools are set up and money is thrown in the pot. Here at Simley, multiple pools are set up. Mr. Haala organizes the staff pool each year (quote). John Atkins ’11 also set up a pool in which the winner gets a nice sum of money. “It was only $5 to get in, which is pretty cheap, but the winner is going to be paid like $60”
Certain bracketeers are rather successful and doing rather well in the tournament. John Atkins’ was leading the pack after two rounds and explained how he made his picks “I basically went chalk because I knew there were going to be upsets, but I had no idea where. So I went with the odds and picked the favorites.”
Other bracketeers are not as successful in their picks. Kyle Dickinson ’12, a participant in John Atkins’ pool, did not fair too well. “I picked Wake Forest to reach the Championship Game, but I watched them lose in the first round”
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March and April are the favorite months in every sports fan year. From spring training and the World Baseball Classic, to the NBA and NHL Finals, the spring is full of sports. But one event tops them all; March Madness, the NCAA Tournament.
(Summary?)
March Madness is the favorite event of certain sports fan everywhere. Some like it for the drama and buzzer beaters, and others like it because it’s the climax of the College Basketball season; but most, including many people here at Simley High School, like it because they like to fill out the bracket.
All over the country, office pools are set up and money is thrown in the pot. Here at Simley multiple pools are set up; Ron Haala runs the staff pool: (quote). John Atkins ‘11 also runs a pool (quote).
Certain bracketeers are rather successful (story on a good one)
Other bracketeers are not as successful (story on a loser)
Summary
(Summary?)
March Madness is the favorite event of certain sports fan everywhere. Some like it for the drama and buzzer beaters, and others like it because it’s the climax of the College Basketball season; but most, including many people here at Simley High School, like it because they like to fill out the bracket.
All over the country, office pools are set up and money is thrown in the pot. Here at Simley multiple pools are set up; Ron Haala runs the staff pool: (quote). John Atkins ‘11 also runs a pool (quote).
Certain bracketeers are rather successful (story on a good one)
Other bracketeers are not as successful (story on a loser)
Summary
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