• Bonsai trees have a sense of permanence to them, yet still need nurturing.
• A trip to the art museum re-ignites that sense of wonder.
• A hike invites simplicity while returning to nature.
• Any kind of water—the ocean, lake, pond, reservoir, river, swimming pool—its all romantic with the setting sun and proper libations.
• Live piano either at dinner or for after-dinner drinks and dessert.  Speaking of which, go to two or three places—a different place for drinks and appetizers, dinner somewhere else and dessert at yet another place.  Add a dance in the moonlight and you’re golden.

Regardless of where and with whom you spend Cupid’s holiday, take some time for yourself, renew your own spirit and seek the enjoyment of life’s simpler pleasures.

One of TA’s pleasures is attending and exhibiting at industry conferences around the country.  If you’re in town, come on over and say hello. 

           Feb. 8-9 International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida
           Feb. 22-24 AIA Spring Conference in Isle of Palms, South Carolina
           March 2-3 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Summit in Burbank, California
           March 8 Global Shop in Las Vegas for Digital Signage Day
           March 13-17 National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) in Orlando

• How big is the room?
• Where will you normally be sitting?
• How far away from the screen is that?

If you sit closer to the screen you want a higher resolution display.  Further away, you can have a lesser quality, more inexpensive screen.  You don’t want the image to overwhelm you.  Too close and you can see the pixels refreshing.

Some guidelines for wide-screen (HDTV) displays: 

The home theater equation requires much the same considerations as office videoconferencing.  The screen should be in a place that doesn’t get a lot of glare from outside.  A windowless room or windows with black-out shades is desirable.

Neutral colored walls behind where people sit helps keep distractions low.  Carpeting is better than wood or hard surfaced flooring for better acoustics. 

In the spirit of Mythbusters, we’ve found some sound and acoustical legends to address.  So, if you know the realities behind these fables, good for you—if not, remember, not everyone’s perception of the truth should be your own.  Question authority.

• If you plant a row of trees does it block sound?  Trees block sight, not sound.  There are many gaps between trees and shrubs that allow sound through, so a wall or berm is a better choice.  Of course you can always plant trees, shrubs or vines along the wall to disguise it.
   
• Can singing really break glass?  Yes, but it takes perfect pitch and patience if the singer is not amplified.  Each glass has its own frequency and a singer has to hit that note and sustain it long enough for the glass to vibrate itself to pieces.
   
• Can you hear the ocean in a shell?  Only if you have a tiny tape player and a recording of some waves.  It is not your own blood supply rushing though your ears, either. The sound you hear when you place a shell near your ear is actually ambient noise being reflected back to you.  In a sound proof room, there is no sound from the shell.
   
• Can a car break the sound barrier?  Yes, and one has.  The sound barrier is the speed that sound travels, which varies with weather and altitude, but is basically 770 miles per hour.  Chuck Yeager was the first person to break the sound barrier on October 14, 1947, flying the Bell X-1.  On October 15, 1997, in ThrustSSC--a jet-powered car--Andy Green became the first person to break the sound barrier in a land vehicle.

The two-story building incorporates more seating and computers than the previous library.  Free WiFi coupled with big comfy chairs make for an inviting atmosphere.  Artists Andrea Myklebust and Stanton Sears created a magnificent piece that runs the length of the stairway.  The stainless steel panels woven with steel wire represent the local agricultural history.

TA’s acoustical involvement started in the design phase to promote natural acoustics with room finishes, while enhancing speech intelligibility in the meeting rooms and counter areas. 

The audiovisual component of TA’s design includes a paging and background system through out the building.  The children’s area and teen’s room are equipped with individual CD players and tuners for appropriate music choices for those groups.   The Community Room & Technical Center includes:

• permanent ceiling-mounted data projector for front screen projection
• retractable screen
• DVD/VHS combination player
• In-wall loudspeakers for program audio
• ceiling-mounted loudspeakers
• cut-off switch to over-ride paging system during events
• hearing assistance system for ADA compliance
• flat-panel monitor recessed within the teaching station
• moveable lectern with built-in computer/video interface and microphone
• controls for sound, projector, screen, room lighting and audiovisual system power

Zigbee is a low power consumption WiPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network).  Zigbee is a protocol, similar to Bluetooth technology, which runs the WiPAN for low data rates.  It is geared toward remote controlled technology to extend battery life.  For example, the remote control at a podium or teaching station can use Zigbee to signal the drapes to draw down; dim the lights; send the projection screen down—all wirelessly. 
Other uses for Zigbee include intruder alarms, embedded sensing and automation in both home and industry.  By its low power consumption it is meant to be a less expensive alternative to wired and wireless protocol. 

A wireless mesh network (from http://www.sensorsmag.com)

The advantage of Zigbee is clear in a retrofitting instance where installing new wiring would be costly and less time efficient.  Control System companies such as AMX have created Zigbee enabled devices for building automation control and have plans for many future devices.