InfoAnda - Will the Obamas turn the White House green?

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

US says China agrees to end brand subsidies WTO case | 19 December 2009
LA council set to vote on pot ordinance | 9 December 2009
Hardline Iraqi MPs shout down US pact in parliament | 19 November 2008

Challenges face Aquino son in bid for presidency | 10 September 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Will the Obamas turn the White House green?

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Will the Obamas turn the White House green? By LISA TOLIN,Associated Press Writer AP - 2 hours 34 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Michelle Obama says she wants the White House to feel full of energy. And while hanging new drapes isn't high on the Obamas' list of priorities as they prepare to move into the White House, design experts wonder if the first family will use the nation's most famous house as a way to back a serious agenda: going green. "I'd like to see the White House LEED-certified," said Stephen Drucker, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful magazine, referring to the certification for green buildings. The Bushes have already made major ecofriendly changes to the mansion. "If you have an important agenda that you want to get into the American home, starting with your own home is the best thing." Several interior decorators who agreed to sketch design schemes for the Obama White House focused on environmentally friendly materials, modern furnishings and high-tech flourishes. And they stuck to a modest budget fitting the current economic climate. "Given that we seem to be in for a long economic slowdown, and many families are struggling, the president cannot seem to be extravagant or ostentatious," said interior designer Celerie Kemble, author of the new book "Celerie Kemble: To Your Taste." Change is nothing new for the White House, which is redecorated every four to eight years. "What they used to do a lot, when a new family would move in, sometimes they'd even auction off the old furniture," said Maria Downs of the White House Historical Association. The most famous sprucing up was Jacqueline Kennedy's, who livened up the mansion and gave a televised tour of the new look. But not all redesigns have been as warmly embraced. Nancy Reagan's $200,000 china set didn't sit well with Americans, even if it was paid for privately. President-elect Barack Obama has already joked about one change he'd like to make: After his disastrous attempt at bowling on the campaign trail, he quipped that he'd like to replace the bowling alley with a basketball court. There is already a half court on the grounds, but it's not out of the question to build a full size court. Other presidents have made way for their sports of choice. President Franklin Roosevelt built an indoor swimming pool _ later covered over by President Richard Nixon to create the press room. Ford, an avid swimmer, used private money to build an outdoor pool. The first President Bush created a horseshoe pitch, and President Bill Clinton created a running track, which was just recently removed. Those facilities, plus a movie theater and gym, leave plenty for Malia and Sasha to do, said Downs, who was President Gerald Ford's social secretary. The girls got a tour of their new bedrooms Tuesday from Barbara and Jenna Bush. Michelle Obama told "60 Minutes" that she could picture the girls there during her recent tour with Laura Bush. "I couldn't help but envisioning the girls running into their rooms and, you know, running down the hall and with a dog," she said. "And our hope is that the White House will feel open and fun and full of life and energy." If Obama's Senate office is any indication, the president-elect's style is tidy and sleek. There is a "wall of heroes" containing historic photos of Abe Lincoln, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and another wall with a more personal collection of photos taken by his former assistant, David Katz. That's a departure from what Drucker calls the "ancestor portraits, bonnets and satin" that are everywhere in the executive mansion. "Every administration redecorates the White House back to the fringe-choked past," he said. "It's as if modern art had never been invented. It's as if photography had never been invented." Drucker hopes the Obamas embrace the future in their design, especially in the symbolic Lincoln Bedroom. "The Lincoln Memorial is the most moving, inspiring building in the world to me because it captures the spirit of Abraham Lincoln," he said. "And then you go into the Lincoln Bedroom and it looks like Miss Kitty's Saloon." Instead of heavy draperies and gilded mirrors, Drucker suggested a more modern tribute to Lincoln's spirit, like a quote of Lincoln's painted by a modern artist. The room was recently refurbished by the Bushes, who replaced historically inappropriate furnishings with items more closely associated with Lincoln's era. The Bushes have also overseen ecofriendly changes, including using compact fluorescent lights, energy-efficient cooling units, solar heating and low-flow faucets and toilets. The outside of the White House is illuminated by energy-efficient lighting. "The update is quite an improvement from the gas lights that President Lincoln used when he lived in the White House," Laura Bush said Tuesday in Hodgenville, Ky. Congress provides $100,000 every four years to redecorate White House rooms used for the first family's private residence. Supplemental funds may be provided by the White House Endowment, a financial arm of the White House Historical Association, by private funds from donors, or by the first family themselves. The Obamas can also choose from among nearly 500 paintings, sculptures and drawings in the White House collection, Downs said. And there are plenty of more modern works, including a painting by Henry Tanner, the first black painter in the White House collection, and an oil by Georgia O'Keeffe, the first woman. The Obamas could also embrace the digital age, as Barack Obama did to great effect in his campaign. "I see the library as more of an Internet cafe-lounge with state-of-the-art computer, television and surround-sound capabilities," said Lisa LaPorta of "Designed to Sell" on HGTV, who suggested the room as a place for presidential online chats. Still, keeping change to a minimum and maintaining much of the current look of the White House wouldn't just respect history _ it would respect the environment. "Although change is vital to growth, care must be taken to repurpose and reuse as many items as possible," said designer Mark Woodman of the Color Marketing Group, who suggested reupholstering the East Room in a gold-and-aqua scheme. Based purely on the Obamas' fashion sense, designers are optimistic. When Drucker thinks of the president-elect he sees a suit with an open collar. He'd like to see that reflected in the White House. "Somebody needs to open the collar of the White House," Drucker said. "It's always been a suit, some might even say a powdered wig. Somebody needs to open the collar up." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Russian scam artist sentenced in NYC to prisonAP - 30 minutes ago France charges Rwanda aide amid Kigali protestsAFP - 37 minutes ago Upstate NY dad drowns saving 2 sons after crashAP - 48 minutes ago Drug suspect's wife charged with killing FBI agentAP - 51 minutes ago Senate cancels vote on doomed auto bailoutAP - 50 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed Obama girls visit their future White House home US economy faces 'catastrophic collapse' without auto bailout: GM Saudi super-tanker taken to Somali pirate lair Exercise, sleep cuts cancer risk: study Citigroup to slash 50,000 jobs, expenses worldwide View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Iran kills Kurd separatists at border
Israel spurns UN plea to ease Gaza blockade
U.N. says Congo rebels pulling back in hundreds | International |
iPhone sex: Google application baffled by British accents
Taiwan ex-president back in jail as probe wraps up | International |
German group SolarWorld bids 1bln euros for Opel car plants
Japanese mobiles to offer psychotherapy sessions
Russia, Georgia start talks seen lasting years | International |
Israel rebuffs U.N. calls to open Gaza crossings | International |
High in the Holy Land, a Biblical view of peace | International |
Russia lawmakers approve longer presidential term | International |
U.N. calls food summit in 2009, hopes for fair trade | International |
Toyota to shut US, Canada plants for two days next month
HK stock index down nearly 1 percent
Cellphone industry eyes charger power savings | Technology |
Toyota to reduce output, temporary workers in US
China stocks rebound despite regional losses
Chinese automakers, hit by slowdown, ask for help
Pakistani 6-mth T-bill cut off yield at 14.0108 pct
CSI: NY turns 100 | Entertainment |
Philippine Airlines reports $114M loss in 1st half
Will Smith and scribe reunite for Asian remake | Entertainment |
Wynn supports government travel measures in Macau
FDA opens new China office
Beast sure to be a 3-D beauty for Disney in 2010 | Entertainment |
IMF: Kazakh economy on the right path
Hugh Jackman crowned People's `Sexiest Man Alive'
Japan, Australia agree on diplomacy to solve whaling row
Japan's DoCoMo eyes 'Google phone' launch next year
Crisis? What crisis? Dubai hotel to throw 20 mln dlr party
It is unusual: Jones shocks fans by busking in London
Tsunami warning lifted after Indonesia quake
Publicist: Winona Ryder hospitalized in UK
Monty Python strike back on YouTube
India to have 400,000 dollar-millionaires by 2017: Barclays
Indonesia quake toll rises to six, more than 150 injured
NVIDIA brings supercomputing to the desktop
Indian navy destroys pirate ship as super-tanker ransom demanded
Indonesia quake kills 4, buildings collapse
Gays, lesbians to get eHarmony too
Danes happiest, Bulgarians most miserable: EU lifestyle study
Massive EU online library looks to compete with Google
Suspected US missile strikes deep inside Pakistan
PC Magazine dropping print for online
Clive Barnes, theater, dance critic, dies at 81
Japan PM apologizes over gaffe about doctors
Thousands displaced in Indonesia as quake toll hits six
Hark! Colbert sings in new Christmas special
Microsoft CEO rules out another Yahoo takeover bid
Powerful Indonesia quake kills 4, crumples homes
Ad ranks Indonesian dictator Suharto among heroes
Five dead, 14 missing in Indonesia landslide: official
China's Baidu.com fights to rescue reputation
Beyonce coming a bit more 'Fierce'
Global media executives protest Gaza press ban
Clarification: National Guard-Afghanistan story
France charges Rwanda aide amid Kigali protests
Obama campaign e-mobilizes for the future
Syria site hit by Israel resembled atom plant: IAEA | International |
Archaeologists: New evidence for Herod's tomb site
Shuttle crew begins space station makeover
Russia, Georgia start round-table talks post-conflict
Lawmaker accuses Bush of secrecy over Iraq deal | International |
Germany's SolarWorld springs surprise bid for GM's Opel
France charges Rwanda aide amid Kigali protests
Zawahiri warns 'house negro' Obama
Chavez aims to deepen revolution in Venezuela vote | International |
Iran blocks access to over five million websites: report
Spain to help families track Franco-era victims' remains
Israel boycotts UN racism conference, claims bias
Bolivia's Morales says U.S. DEA bugged his phone | International |
Fed acknowledges recession risk, global gloom deepens
Thailand using royal law to suppress dissent: watchdog
Russia closes Politkovskaya murder trial to public
43 rare clocks stolen from Israel found in France
U.N. probes reports of violations of Darfur ceasefire | International |
Rwandan presidential aide extradited to France: Germany
IAEA makes little headway on Syria, Iran
US consumer prices plunge record 1% in October
PC Magazine dropping print, going online: PaidContent
Russia moves closer to longer presidential terms
Brazil charges officials, carrier in air crash | International |
Microsoft to offer free anti-virus software
Iranian nuclear probe deadlocked, says IAEA
Politkovskaya trial defendants plead not guilty: lawyer
Grenade attack on Thai anti-government protesters kills 1 | International |
NVIDIA brings supercomputing to the desktop
Russians, Georgians gather for fresh stab at talks
Will the Obamas turn the White House green?
Microsoft rules out buying Yahoo but likes search deal | Technology |
Polish FM wants missile defense signal from Obama
UN climate change chief hails Obama commitments
One killed, 21 wounded in Bangkok blast: emergency services
McCartney, Guns N' Roses albums to launch on MySpace | Technology |
Wanted: Safe US city with 20,000 hotel rooms
Korea Exchange suspends KOSPI programme selling
Climate change momentum fading: Asia-Pacific survey
APEC ministers back G20 trade push
Cybercrime as destructive as credit crisis: experts | Technology |
Tokyo stocks down four percent
Hardline Iraqi MPs shout down US pact in parliament
Myanmar activist follows dad, grandfather to jail
German group SolarWorld bids 1bln euros for Opel
Peru to pursue free trade pact with Japan
After iPhone, consumers seek handsome gadgets | Technology |
Bill Clinton offers to bare all for ethical review: report
Seoul shares track U.S. slide; Hynix sheds 11 pct
Irish the heaviest users of mobile phones: Ofcom | Technology |
Vietnam president hails joint ties in Venezuela visit
South Korean won falls 3.5 pct to near 11-yr low
New Yahoo CEO must be willing to do Microsoft deal | Technology |
S.Korea FSC urges c.bank to buy company papers -report
Suspected US attack kills 6 in Pakistan
Bangladesh poll to go ahead despite boycott threat
Yen, dollar gain as more market turmoil erupts
Global chip sales forecast to drop 5.6 percent in 2009 | Technology |
NZ stocks open 1 percent lower as Wall St tumbles
Microsoft: New software not Symantec, McAfee rival | Technology |
Adapt to survive financial turmoil: Renault-Nissan boss
Beijing will not restrict car sales, say officials: Chinese state media
Twilight fans have sky-high hopes for movie | Entertainment |
Hugh Jackman named People's Sexiest Man Alive | Entertainment |
Indonesian leader seeks 'strategic' ties with US
McCartney, Guns N' Roses albums to launch on MySpace | Entertainment |
Next deadline in actors dispute: awards season
Winona Ryder in good health after flight illness | Entertainment |
JI leader testifies in Indonesian trial
Hollywood ponders global warming
CSI dilemma: keeping corpses fresh | Entertainment |
15-year-old girl dies of bird flu in Indonesia
Blink-182 members finally reconnecting | Entertainment |
Carla Bruni says no hidden messages in new album | Entertainment |
Former child soldier Jal uses rap to spread peace | Entertainment |
Counter suit filed over Project Runway rights | Entertainment |
Rufino Tamayo fetches 6.8 million at Sotheby's
'Impressionism' sets a March 12 Broadway opening
Comedy writer Irving Brecher dies at 94
Next deadline in actors dispute: awards season
S’pore ranked 16th most expensive shopping location in the world
One killed, 21 wounded in Bangkok blast: emergency services
Crackdown on prostitution sparks criticism
Van Der Beek back creekside in North Carolina
Paris Hilton and Benji Madden split after 9 months
Malkovich to film documentary about migrants
Blast kills 1, wounds 23 at Thai PM's office
Chi-X may open exchange in Singapore in 2009 -paper
US 'dark side' raised in Pakistani scientist case
Blast kills 1, wounds 23 at Thai PM's office
China's Hu keeps up courtship with Peru deal
Talks underway with pirates to free Saudi super-tanker
Athletics-World champion to pound streets in Singapore marathon
Last-gasp Australia take huge step towards World Cup
Storm dumps 8 inches of rain on east Australia
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks hit 5-½ yr lows on economic fears
Chinese 'Bill Gates' booed by angry Peruvian textile workers
Sri Lanka takes Tiger defences, kills scores: defence ministry
Alleged bank robber also faces drug charge
Sri Lanka says it captured key rebel defense line
Deadly flash floods hit storm-battered Australian city
Malaysian island may lose heritage status over building row: report
Bollywood film brings homosexuality out of closet
Police to end restrictions on ex-Gitmo detainee
DR Congo's Nkunda attacks China to boost political kudos: analysts
South Pacific search for 29 missing fishermen
Activists send more leaflets to NKorea despite pleas, threats
Consumption of illegal sex enhancement drugs may cause brain damage
Israeli leaders make secret visit to Jordan: report
Somali politicians fuel piracy, says African Union | International |
US condemns Al-Qaeda Obama insult
HK man jailed after losing Chinese Internet bet: state media
Thai protesters blame government for grenade attack | International |
Is superfood omega-3 keeping its promise?
Pakistani general calls for halt to missile strikes | International |
Explosion kills Hamas man in Gaza | International |
Protest-hit China says job stability top priority | International |
France charges Rwanda aide amid Kigali protests
Japanese missile defense test fails off Hawaii | International |
China at last tries to report the news first | International |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,200
US diplomat to visit South Korea next week
Australia Guantanamo inmate breaks silence | International |
Australia to lift controls on former Guantanamo convict
US seeks 300 billion dlrs from Gulf states: report
Verizon Wireless bets on Storm for holiday season | Technology |
Japan stocks dive 6.9 percent after US sell-off
Sri Lanka says it captured key rebel defense line
Yahoo, T-Mobile announce mobile search deal | Technology |
Southeast Asia winning Malacca Straits battle for now: watchdog
SKorea's Samsung says it wins 1.4 bln dlr order
China announces tax cuts to help textile industry
High-street shopping losing appeal in plugged-in Asia | Technology |
China to overhaul battered dairy industry
Seoul shares down 6.7 pct, as banks, Hynix tank
Police drop restrictions against terror convict
GM launches 'product offensive' in China: state media
Hotel plan threatens Malaysia city's UNESCO status
U.S. woman posed as teen online, teased girl: attorney | Technology |
Asia-Pacific nations tackle economic crisis
Taiwan shares tumble 4.5 pct on Wall Street rout
Microsoft: New software not Symantec, McAfee rival | Technology |
S.Korea won at 11-yr closing low on recession woes
Seoul shares down 6.7 pct, as banks, Hynix tumble
Hugh Jackman named People's Sexiest Man Alive | Entertainment |
Paris Hilton and Benji Madden split after 9 months
Movie will show White House butler did it all | Entertainment |
Indie studio counting on Twilight success | Entertainment |
Brad Pitt producing reporter's fake-fed story | Entertainment |
Sundance to open with Australian claymation movie | Entertainment |
Young vampires and heroic dog set to boost box office | Entertainment |
Holy Land excavation digs into Mideast rifts
U.S. National Book Awards go to slave, outlaw books | Entertainment |
SKorea's military teed off with golfing officers: officials
Matthiessen wins National Book Award fiction prize
High-street shopping losing appeal in plugged-in Asia
S’pore stem cell researchers score breakthrough for diabetes treatment
Strike shuts down Kathmandu after alleged Maoist murders
SKoreans float more propaganda leaflets into North
Philippine military send medical teams to fight typhoid outbreak
Protest over killings shuts down Nepal's capital
Nielsen survey shows consumer confidence in Singapore at all—time low
Grim economic news pulls oil prices lower
Cadbury chocolate bar recalled as precaution
Australian adult industry flirts with politics
Cambodia will not 'wage war' with Thailand over border: PM
Blast kills 1, wounds 29 at Thai PM's office
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01