I find a lot of missing insulation, air leaks, and thermal bridges when doing energy audits. There are many things in a home that can be installed wrong that lead to poor thermal performance (uncomfortable rooms). I find air leaking around light switches, doors, window trim, and...

Finding a building site in the city surrounded by trees is rare. This is the second opportunity we have had to design a home for just such a site. How cool is it to be minutes from parks, shopping, and work, but feel like you are in the country. The goals of this home in the...

I have never been very good at small talk. “Hey, how you doing, how is work, family doing ok….” Small talk doesn’t allow you to get to know someone and I yearn for deeper connections. However, it is sometimes scary when you engage in small talk and someone...

I am updating this post and deleting parts. I just don’t have words for the heartbreak and the words I shared before are not enough. Over the last few years both girls and I have attended Red Wing Festival together and consider it a highlight of our summer. I enjoy the...

Come see us at the Depot this Friday for the First Friday Art Opening.  We are hosting a group of art teachers from Rockingham County. Their show From the valley to the Bay: a book in the making will look at how our local actions impact the Chesapeake Bay. Each month we host a...

Each year I get the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to give a presentation at the Department of Energy for the NEED project. It is always a highlight for me to make this trip which I also combine with a visit to some of the museums and / or monuments. The inspirational...

Blogging and Social Media use for the Construction Industry is an interesting topic for me that continues to evolve in how I see it. Social Media in our industry is brand new to some even today, a waste of time to others, and old hat to many. I used to do presentations on how to...

Are you coming to the 2019 Senior Expo this Sunday, March 17, from Noon – 3 p.m.? I will be speaking at the event at 1 p.m. and would love to see you there. This event will feature free health screenings, giveaways from local vendors, door prizes, live music by Mr. Ed and...

We are excited to kick off our 2019 First Friday Art Gallery season. Come visit, enjoy some food and drink, and check out these young artists work. I am looking forward to seeing you again – it has been too long! Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor...

Ice on the roof shows clear signs of energy loss vs energy-efficiency. We were fortunate not to have a huge ice storm that some parts of the country are facing. In our area, there was only a light coating of ice that was quickly melting as I drove to work. I could see on the...