Treading Water in the Shark Tank
Part Two: The Game
by Andrew Humphrey

The morning of actual taping, we had to be up early and ready for the shuttle bus to Sony Picture Studios by 7am (if memory serves me). When we arrived at the studio I totally felt like I was in a documentary about the making of a movie, with producers, go-fers, sets, cameras and gear everywhere. Seriously, everyone was riding around in golf carts just like in the movies! I was shown to my private dressing room: a 10 by 10 white closet with a couch and one black and white photo on the wall. I was hoping the “dressing room” would be more glamorous, exciting, and plush. Instead it was just an EMPTY room and would be my “holding cell” until late afternoon when I would give my pitch.

A short time before that, I was taken to make-up and given a face-powder and then it was Go-Time!

Well, actually, then I was taken to a secondary “holding cell” from which I could neither hear nor see anything that was going on ‘out there’. In fact, I didn’t get to see or hear any of the other pitches while I was there.

Finally, they released the chute and, like a dazed bull, I made my way down a long narrow passageway to my stage mark and waited for my cue.

Utter silence.

The Sharks eyeballed me and I did my best to eyeball them back. This seemed to continue for a small eternity, until someone said, “Whenever you’re ready Andy.”

- – - – - -

When it was done, it was done. There was no backstage chatter. No second chances for explanation, and definitely no after-glow parties. When you are done, you go home.

So, how did it go?

Stay tuned and find out!

Part One: Pre-Game Jitters

by Andrew Humphrey

Sitting here on the eve of Shark Tank and my Network TV debut — feeling a bit nervous, but super excited. I haven’t the slightest idea how they will edit this thing to make me look, but I made it on the show, so one can only assume it will make good TV either way.

I went to Hollywood to pitch The EcoMower on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ many weeks ago and, frankly, much of it is a blur now. Like after a high-octane job interview, I’ve been running it through my mind ever since, remembering little snippets and thinking, ‘Did I say that right?’, ‘Did I nail it?’, ‘Did I have food on my shirt?’, etc.

It’s a cliche, but it’s true: sitting on the sofa at home watching, you have no idea. No idea how nervous everyone really is, how bright the lights are, how many cameras there are, and how exposed you feel. It was shot in High Definition! I remember thinking, “If I missed any spots while shaving, it will be amplified by a thousand on national television!”

So I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I hope everyone watches, and I’m just glad I got picked to be on. I will be back to update you all after the broadcast!

Thanks!

PHOTO: In the ‘Green Room’ before taping

The nation’s capital isn’t just the epicenter of the U.S. government, it also leads U.S. cities and states in green building, new data show.
The Obama administration requires new federal buildings meet higher energy-efficiency standards, and one result is that Washington now has far more green-building space per capita — 25 square feet — than any of the 50 states, according to the private U.S. Green Building Council. The 2010 data refer to commercial and institutional space (not residential) certified by its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
So far, among states, California, Texas, and New York have the highest number of LEED-certified buildings, but none of them made the top 10 list based on certifications per capita. Which ones do?

Nevada takes that top spot, with nearly 11 square feet per capita of LEED-certified space. It’s followed by New Mexico (6.35 square feet) New Hampshire (4.49 sf) Oregon (4.07 sf) South Carolina (3.19 sf), Washington (3.16 sf) Illinois (3.09 sf) Arkansas (2.9 sf) Colorado (2.85 sf) and Minnesota (2.77 sf.)
“Using per capita, versus the more traditional numbers of projects, or pure square footage, is a reminder to all of us that the people who live and work, learn and play in buildings should be what we care about most,” Scott Horst, LEED’s senior vice president said in announcing the finding.

Other data from his group show the nation’s capital also has more LEED projects (799 registered and certified as of Jan. 11) than any other U.S. city, although New York is a close second with 792. They’re followed by Chicago (739); Houston (518); San Francisco (497); Seattle (415); Atlanta (408); Los Angeles (401); San Diego (329) and Portland (310.)
The U.S. Green Building Council says there are many notable newly-certified projects in 2010 such as the Frito Lay manufacturing site in Jonesboro, Ark., Wells Fargo Center in Denver, Colo. and the two renovated International Monetary Fund headquarter buildings in Washington, D.C.
Its data come as other research indicates that despite an overall weak construction sector, green building is projected to continue its growth. Another green-building program, run by the National Association of Home Builders, announced last week that it just certified its 2,000th project – a 42-site residential development in Cecil, Md.

LEED, which also rates commercial, educational and other institutional facilities, is a much bigger program. More than 40,000 such projects and nearly 45,000 homes have registered for its certification.

Via: USA Today

The lawn care industry is undergoing a revolution. People who are concerned with the safety of their children and pets, as well as concern for the environment, are increasingly turning to organic lawn care practices. Many municipalities are mandating the use of non-toxic, natural fertilizers and soil conditioners on their soccer and baseball fields.

Instead of using toxic chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, the use of Compost Tea on lawns is becoming increasingly popular. As seen on “This Old House,” Harvard University has been using Compost Tea on Harvard Yard instead of chemical fertilizers and has much healthier and better quality turf as a result.

What is Compost Tea?

Compost Tea is a liquid containing the micro biology that your lawn needs to thrive. That micro biology is extracted from suspended compost in large water drums, while adding oxygen and nutrients to grow huge numbers of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The addition of Compost Tea to your soil improves tillage and soil structure. Compost Tea adds the necessary biology to build soil structure.

Chemical based pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers negatively impact beneficial microorganisms in the ecosystem. Compost Tea improves plant nutrition by increasing nutrient availability in the root system. Microbial interactions increase plant available nutrients in exactly the right place, time and amounts that the plant needs.

Properly conditioned, your lawn will develop a stronger, deeper root system. As a result, your turf will be more drought and heat resistant, and better able to pull nutrients and oxygen from the soil. This stimulates lateral growth, creating a thicker lawn that is better able to crowd out weeds, and needs less frequent mowing.

Naturally maintained lawns:

*Need less frequent watering

*Need cutting less often

*Grow thicker, crowding out weeds

*Are pest resistant

Which adds up to savings for you, and a safe and healthy lawn for your children and pets!

From: SanFranciscoBayAreaToday.org