February, 2010

...now browsing by month

 

Upcoming Book Review: “Carjacked”

Friday, February 19th, 2010

I just got my copy of the book Carjacked by Catherine Lutz & Anne Lutz Fernandez.  Anne and I met on twitter and after talking for a few days we spoke about her new book and I asked if I could review it for my blog.  As you may remember I reviewed NIMBY Wars last fall and had a blast doing that.

Carjacked is a book about the car culture that has taken over America.  But unlike prior books that concentrate on environmental effects or economics Carjacked looks at those aspects but also the sociological effects and social separation the car creates.
I am excited about this book and looking forward to reviewing it for you all.

Update:  As you can read, back 6 months ago I started a great new job.  It has been very exciting work and has taken many of my hours up that I used to be able to devote to blogging.  I am still reading this book, when I get time, and will finish a review.  Hopefully over the 4th of July vacation time I can finish it and complete a worthy write up.

Posted in Book Review, Car Culture, Sustainability, Transportation | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

Another book review coming up soon.

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Details are still being worked out but when the book arrives I’ll post a preview and then I’ll post my review as soon as I finish reading…. looking forward to another one!

Posted in Book Review, Transportation, Urban Planning | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

Update: Hung Out to Dry, But Maybe Not For Long in Maryland

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Update to Original Post: Hung Out to Dry

I Saw a small side story on FoxNews.com today that probably slipped by most people and, as it seems, most other news outlets as well.  The State of Maryland, not exactly on the top of the heap when it comes to upholding property rights, had a bill introduced by State Senator Nancy King that would, “prohibit governing boards, community associations and landlords from banning outdoor drying at single-family homes and townhomes. It would allow rules about the time, location and manner in which homeowners or tenants use clothes lines or similar devices on their property.” The main driving point is the energy savings that is being prevented by HOA and Condo covenants.

This will be interesting to follow.  The article was unclear whether this would override existing covenants and restrictions.  I would like it to see it address existing HOA and Condo covenants, but that would probably open a legal can of worms that Maryland doesn’t open right now because of the legal ramifications it would carry.  The possibility would lie, and have to be decided by a judge, that all other covenant rules would be subject to future state overrides and mandates.  I think HOA documents need to evolve with the times and there are other issues other than clothes lines,  but that’s another topic for another blog post.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »