About Me

I'm a music-loving techie, who leans toward tasteful guitar, especially when sharing the earwaves with a Hammond B3,  a Fender Rhodes, or vocalists such as Van Morrison, John Hiatt, Otis Redding, and Ashley Cleveland.

I enjoy helping my friends and acquaintences Web2.0-ify their offline businesses by sharing concepts and resources with them.

Beer Can Solar Heater

In spite of the goofy trend of people practically worshipping this rock called earth, I'm still in favor of conserving our natural resources.  I'm also in favor of drinking beer - and not conserving it.  On this page, we're demonstrating...

Residential Wind turbines

Residential wind turbines are often errantly called wind generators or home wind generators by those new to renewable energy.  In fact, it wasn't that long ago when I was looking for "wind generators" on Google and not finding the resu...

Pontoon Boats

Pontoon boats are raft-like vessels that float on two sponsons (or pontoons), supporting the raft-like portion (decks) above the water.  Several types of pontoon boats are frequently seen on waterways today. * Fishing pontoon boats are smaller,...

US Federal Energy Tax Credit for Individual Taxpayers

Approved! One-Year Energy Tax Credit Extension Gotta give them both credit, Congress and President Bush agreed on this...  President Bush approved a bill from Congress on December 20th, 2006 that will extend federal tax credits for renewable energ...

Webkinz World

I had no idea what Webkinz were until we hosted our niece for a weekend.  I'd already heard of Second Life and was somewhat familiar with the concepts, and then when I discovered that Webkinz world was essentially a Second Life venue for kids -...

The Fender Stratocaster Guitar

Sure, they've been made in Japan, Mexico and Korea, but they've been made in the USA too - and it's been the USA where they've been embraced and grown into the legendary status they've achieved. Eric Clapton named his strat Blackie.  He wore Bla...

Favorite Blues Brothers Quotes

Jake and Elwood have been quoted at weddings by grooms, in the workplace by both bosses and worker bees, and in heart-to-heart talks between fathers and sons.  What is there about The Blues Brothers that makes it so quote-worthy? What makes The B...

The 25 Greatest Guitarists

You can debate me all you want in the Guestbook/Blurbs section.  I want you to tell me who deserves more recognitions and why?  Don't be insulting, but definitely make your case and put some of the lesser (more disputable) players in contex...

The Grit & Soul of John Hiatt

Singer-songwriter John Hiatt's raspy voice and solid roots-rock sound isn't your typical cookie cutter sound.   I personally prefer his later work (post-1986), starting with the Slow Turning album, however I've developed this personal liste...

Iowa Hawkeye Central

The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball, football, and wrestling teams are often considered the face of the University of Iowa to the world.  But other Hawkeye sports teams, men and women, proudly represent the Hawkeyes.  Academic excellence and...

Residential Solar Panels

PV Solar Panels are photo-voltaic (PV) panels that turn the suns light into electrical current.  Most industry folks refer to them simply as PV panels, whereas newbies calls them solar panels. Confusion arises because the term solar panel can be...

Practical Solar Heater Plans & Resources

Designs for a Beer Can Solar Heater are at http://www.squidoo.com/beercansolarheater There have been a lot of people blogging about it. It's been ranked as high as #2 in the DIY & Hobbies category!  And in Squidoo's Top 100.  Find out wh...

Portable Generators

Whether you're planning for an emergency, a selectively-primitive vacation, or tailgating at your favorite NCAA or NFL game - there's a portable generator right for your situation.

Dan Gable

Four years after winning Olympic Gold for the USA (without giving up a point), Dan Gable became the head coach of a respectable University of Iowa wrestling program in 1976 and elevated it to dynasty status.  His teams wom 15 NCAA championships...

Nova Scotia, Canada

Nova Scotia, Canada can be a great place to visit for a great, relaxing vacation.  It's far from any tourist-trap destination, with great ocean views and breath-taking mountainous highlands.  

Solar Heating Plans & Resources

Click here to see the lens ("page") for a Beer Can Solar Heater

How to Play Pool and Be Better At Billiards

So you're familiar with the basic concepts of playing pool and you want to take your billiards game to the next level.  Or perhaps you're wanting to fine-tune your skills with expert tips from the professionals. On this page, you'll find resource...

Solar Water Heater Panels

Solar water heaters are one of the most efficient and quickest-payback renewable energy items in which a homeowner can invest. And if you have your system in service by Dec 31, 2008 you might even be able to take advantage of the generous US Federal T...

Renewable Energy Source Resources

Your one stop info source for a list of categorized lists of renewable energy options available today and links to some of the industry leaders in each niche. If this page is overwhelming, perhaps the abriged version of this page will help you find w...

Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Nigerian Dwarf Goats are a much sought-after miniature milking goat. Because of their size, they don't require the overhead needed by full-sized goats (or dairy cattle). Their temperment is suited to being pets, even for the entire family. They are...

David Zollo

Forgive the over-generalized labelling of David Zollo's style, but otherwise you probably wouldn't have bothered to look at this humble page to introduce you to one of today's most talented under-the-mainstream-radar writers, performers, and producer...

Kenny Greenberg - Producer, Guitarist

Watching Kenny Greenberg play guitar live with Ashley Cleveland is just as enjoyable as listening to his tasteful chops on any recording.  It's clear that he enjoys playing his instrument as much as the fans of the artist (whomever he's playing...

160 Blues Music Societies - Vote For Yours!

Blues music societies around the world have a common purpose of promoting the blues music genre.  Every region's chapter may take a different form and have a different culture - but the bottom line is the promotion of the blues. Unfortunately, y...

Pool Cues and Pool Sticks For the Pool Shark in You

Tired of your current cue?  Dying for a new stick to whip your opponents with? Don't just run out to your local XYZ Mart and buy a no-name tool! On this page you'll find cues from the most sought after names in pool cues. McDermott pool cues, Meucc...

Toyota Haiku

Toyota Haiku was one of the first eBooks I published back in 2004. It's an ode to my 1986 Toyota Camry which saw me through a couple stages in my life.  The story started long before 2004, but in 2004 came the end of the story for the faithful Cam...

Buddy Guy Legends Blues Club in Chicago

The Chicago blues club owned by legendary bluesman Buddy Guy is a natural blues magnet.  It's earthy atmosphere and down home soulfood menu make a great framework for the blues artists who perform at this real-deal venue. I consider myself fortu...

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a great place to live, work, and entertain visitors.  The region (i-380 corridor) consists of roughly 300,000 friendly people, and the occasional grouch.  There's plenty to do here.  Occasionally someone will whi...

Renewable Energy Source Resources - Short List

Your(condensed) one stop info source for a list of categorized lists of renewable energy options available today. This is the abriged version of the full Lens on the subject.  It is intended to help you find what you're needing faster, if the ful...

C. Vivian Stringer, NCAA basketball coach

C. Vivian Stringer has had a long, successful, and distinguished career as an NCAA Women's head basketball coach.  Before becoming head coach of the women's team at powerhouse Rutgers, she built up the strength of the women's basketball program...

Steve Alford

   Steve Alford is current head men's basketball coach of the University of New Mexico.  His previous coach positions were at The University of Iowa, Southwest Missouri State University, and Manhattan College.

Nova Scotia Campgrounds

In order to experience Nova Scotia campgrounds, you've got to know where to find them.  In fact, you'd probably like to know a little bit about them. This lens is dedicated to making that easier. We hope to point you toward specific campgrounds in...

Hayden Fry

Hayden Fry was the University of Iowa football coach who brought the program back to the realm of national respect and recognition. 

Kirk Ferentz

Kirk Ferentz is the head football coach at The University of Iowa.  He had big shoes to fill as the previous football coach at the U of I was legendary Hayden Fry. I loved how Coach Ferentz sticks up for his players after individual media membe...

John Deere Merchandise

Few things ring-true with the All-American vibe as John Deere!  John Deere was an innovator and businessman in the Mississppi Valley area around the Quad-Cities (Davenport, IA and Moline, IL) and his enterprises grew from a humble blacksmith sho...

The Surf Ballroom

The legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa isn't just known for it being the site of the final performances of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.  Since that fateful winter date in 1959 when the plane was driven into a farm-fi...

The Master's Golf Tournament

It's Master's Sunday afternoon in 2007 and Zach Johnson just won! Zach wasn't offered a scholarship by the university of his preference (a university where many of his family members had attended).  He wanted to attend The University of Iowa ...

Cedar Rapids Iowa Restaurants

It's been joked that Cedar Rapids, Iowa has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the world. Whether true or not, you'll see plenty of anecdotal evidence if you drive through our Metro Service Area of 199,000 noticing all the eating esta...

Freelance Ways to Make Part-Time Income

The ability to make part-time, supplemental income is as old as the world itself.  And even such legends as P.T. Barnum wrote about in his book "The Art of Money Making"  - you only need to apply yourself creatively and ethically...

George Raveling, NCAA Basketball Coach

George Raveling career has included being men's college basketball coach and a television sports commentator. He had been men's head basketball coach at The University of Iowa.

Simon Estes

 Simon Estes, an Iowan by birth, who attended The University of Iowa and the Julliard school of music, is an internationally acclaimed bass bariton vocalist whose audiences have included heads of state such as from the United States and the Russ...

Finding Houston Jobs

Just like anyplace else, in Houston, you have to be reasonably assertive in your Houston job search. Most companies don't want to hire passive employees who will just take up space.  You need to treat your job search like you'd treat your respons...

Sleep in a Train Caboose Rental

Before driving to any of these destinations, please contact the owners and confirm they are still renting their cabooses. (Or is it caboosi?)

Apartments Cedar Rapids IA

Whether you're a first-time apartment seeker of apartments in Cedar Rapids, or a season apartment seeker, we've provided five groupings of apartments on this page. The list isn't exhaustive, so if you know of ones we've overlooked, use the Blurb/Gue...

Solar Energy Pictures

Here are several pictures of solar energy projects.

Dr. Tom Davis, NCAA Basketball Coach

Dr. Tom Davis has a career that has included being head men's basketball coach at Lafayette College, Boston College, Stanford, The University of Iowa and Drake University. Coach Davis was the winningest men's basketball coach in Iowa Hawkeyes history...

Lute Olson

Lute Olson's collegiate head coaching career started in 1973 when he coached Long Beach State to a 24-2 season.  Following the 73-74 season, Coach Olson became the head basketball coach of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, where he coached the t...

Zach Johnson

US Golf Pro, Zach Johnson turned pro as recently as 1998. He was born in Iowa City, IA on February 24,1 1976.   Raised in Cedar Rapids, IA  - Zach developed his golf skills at Elmcrest Country Club and also as a member of the Cedar Rapids R...

Tennessee Williams

The legendary Tennessee Williams was a University of Iowa Alumnus.  He was a major American playwright with works whose names may sound familiar even to the uninitiated:  A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie....

Athletic Directory Bob Bowlsby

Looks like Bob Bowlsby's tactics in getting Trent Johnson to leave Stanford fits the pattern of his past blunders. Note also, that Keno Davis (Coach of the Year) is son of Tom Davis whom Bowlsby fired. Read on below... Athletic Director, Bob Bowls...

Electric Lawnmowers - Cordless Rechargeable

Cordless electric lawn mowers are rising in popularity, which means that there are more brands and models to choose from. Our goal here is to help you sort out and compare the different options within the realm of cordless electric lawnmowers. I rea...

Dr. James Van Allen

    Noted space scientist James Van Allen has been named Time magazine Man of the Year (1961) and received NASA's Lifetime Achievement Award (1994).  He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and was a graduate and professor at The Univer...

All But Screaming - The Band

On their website, they compare their styles to Silverchair, Foo Fighters, Lovedrug, Blindside, Radiohead, Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, and The Used. They are probably one of the best unsigned, under-recognized bands in the Middle Earth, or the USA for t...

Ford In Houston Texas

Houston Ford Trucks and Houston Ford Automobiles in Houston or available to Houston residents.

Chevrolet in Houston Texas

Chevrolet Trucks in Houston Texas and Chevy Trucks in Houston Texas for Houston area residents.

Dodge Vipers in Houston Texas

Find your Dodge Viper in Houston by looking here. Also featured are Dodge Vipers from elsewhere in Texas.

The Toyota Center Houston Events Concerts Tickets

Clearinghouse for Houston Toyota Center Events, Houston Toyota Center Concerts, and Houston Toyota Center Tickets. Below you'll find four pricing tiers starting with tickets in the $25-$50 range (rare), then in the $51-$100 range, the $100 to $500 r...

New Homes in Victorville CA

News clearinghouse for those searching for new homes in Victorville CA.  

Bass Strings

Bass Strings are nearly the perfect gift for the Bass Player in your life! The price of Bass Strings range from $19.99 to $49.99 for most brands.  Occasionally you can find them cheaper on eBay.  Such a broad price-point makes a good range f...