You'll Lika Hobaica!

Today is Energize Phoenix Day at Casa Klemme-Goodwine.

Arizona State University and City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services and Arizona Public Service were given a $25 million dollar grant to encourage homeowners and small business to convert inefficient energy systems to higher SEER rated systems.  The grant is available in a limited area of Phoenix roughly bordering the light rail, and my home is in the qualifying area. 

Qualified homes and businesses can get several types of upgrades free or at a discounted rate based on income.  After application and evaluation we could benefit from a new air conditioner (replacing a 1978 one), a new gas hot water heater and duct repair or replacement as needed.  The grant paid for 60% of the cost in our case, leaving a 40% balance for us.  

To learn more go to Energize Phoenix.  

We chose Hobaica Services, a longtime Phoenix family owned business as our Energize Phoenix contractor. From start to finish, the Hobaica family and employees were professional and skilled and a joy to work with.

I'd like to acknowledge Mike Hobaica for all the hoops he had to jump to qualify as contractor, Raud Hamilton for explaining and simplifying the education I needed to make good decisions, and our installation team of Raul Mori, Armando Carrera, and Phillip Byrd.  They just left a few minutes ago, and here they are:

Above:  Raul puts the finishing touches on our new gas water heater.

Left:  Armando and Phil wrestle with the air conditioner change out, replacing a 1978 Carrier forced air unit for a brand new Trane unit.

Above:  Out with the old....

Left:  In with the new!

(Just a little scary, but done to perfection!)

Below:  Nick from Smiley Crane loves his work!

Below are Phillip Byrd, Armando Carrera and Raul Mori.  These gentlemen love their work and take pride in the quality of their skills.

We could not have asked for a better team!

Thank you Hobaica and Energize Phoenix team!

Something Sad Surprises

Louise Emerson Brooks, a woman whom I've never met, died September 2, 2012.  It was a few days later that I learned this from her wife's tireless blog An Inch At A Time by Rev. Susan Russell.  And I have felt an uncommon sadness for the loss of Louise.  Louise seemed to be the quiet one, but when she spoke through her work she communicated love, understanding, and compassion with accurate information.

It is sad to lose people we love.  But it surprises me how deeply the loss of someone I know only through a blog touches me.  I know her also through three of her most important and influential productions from IntegrityUSA.org.  The latest one is:

Voices of Witness: Out of the Box  courtesy of YouTube  2012
Voices of Witness: Africa 2009
Voices of Witness 2006 

Louise was an activist member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California.  (I am not sure there is any other kind.)  This is what the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints had to say at Louise's memorial service:  Louise Emerson Brooks   Thank you to Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton for publishing the text of Louise's "Stay on Message."

Rest in peace, you inspiring soul, and rise in glory!