hh Gregg South

Green cooks value locally grown, seasonal food, and with spring around the corner, asparagus season will soon make its way from south to north.

I remember the raised bed set aside for asparagus in my Maryland garden. When I moved in, it was the only green in the fenced vegetable garden, a plot I initially mistook for rampant weeds. Once spruced up with an edging of marigolds and removal of the actual weeds, that part of the garden was one of the first signs of spring as tiny asparagus shoots poked their way out of the ground. These slim shoots were tender enough to eat raw, and as a matter of fact, few actually made it to the dinner table.

Pan Roasted Asparagus by Thermador

Ingredients
Serves 3 to 4

This recipe works best with asparagus that is at least ½ inch thick near the base. If using thinner spears, reduce the covered cooking time to 3 minutes and the uncovered cooking time to 5 minutes. Do not use pencil-thin asparagus; it cannot withstand the heat and overcooks too easily.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 pounds thick asparagus spears (see note), ends trimmed
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1/2 lemon (optional)

1. Heat the oil and butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add half of the asparagus to the skillet with the tips pointed in one direction; add the remaining spears with the tips pointed in the opposite direction. Using tongs, distribute the spears in an even layer (the spears will not quite fit into a single layer); cover and cook until the asparagus is bright green and still crisp, about 5 minutes.

2. Uncover and increase the heat to high; season the asparagus with salt and pepper. Cook until the spears are tender and well browned along one side, 5 to 7 minutes, using the tongs to occasionally move the spears from the center of the pan to the edge of the pan to ensure all are browned. Transfer the asparagus to a serving dish, adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper, and, if desired, squeeze the lemon half over the spears. Serve immediately.

Four new robots were recently installed at the Electrolux manufacturing plant in Dudley Park, South Australia, increasing production by 10 percent. The facility can now turn out 2000 high-gloss oven and grill cavities each day. Using robots to control powder coating gun movement, the automated process also saves energy and improves working conditions.

By replacing linear reciprocators with the six axis articulated robots, the system is flexible and allows different types of cavities to be processed at any time, which is critical as the site manufactures over 120 different oven models. The total investment in the powder coating facility will be returned through savings within two years.

Electrolux has been able to achieve substantial energy savings of up to 15 percent when compared to the old production line process. The automated powder coating solution not only saves energy by eliminating the need for the drying process. It also reduced water usage and is helping to increase productivity, achieve savings and improve the health & safety in the workplace.

Electrolux has set their goal to reduce factory emissions by 15 percent by the end of 2012.

According to Electrolux manufacturing engineer, Colin Thomas, “Installing ABB’s robotics equipment on the new coating process has been instrumental in our sustainability success and made a huge contribution to the site’s achievement in reaching its emission reduction goals for the year.”

Electrolux is one of the featured brands of exceptional appliances at Fine Lines.

• Electrolux Savings Promotion Now thru Feb. 21
• Electrolux Leads Smart Grid Trial in Italy
• Electrolux Design Lab 2010: The Second Space Age

With less than a week to go until the Super Bowl XLIV kick-off at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the NFL has been working to ensure this is the greenest big game to date. 

We’ve all had a week to celebrate the Colts win over the Ravens last Saturday, and now it’s time to get ready for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the New York Jets. 

Ginger ale for the kids and a glass of champagne for me. Happy New Year!

Black Eyed Peas Hummus

Wolf and Sub-Zero have just posted the rough cut of the HGTV Dream Home 2010 on their Facebook fan page. The home is located in the high desert of New Mexico, an isolated site that sets this classic Pueblo home in high relief against the desert sky. Although we won't find many examples of Pueblo architecture in the midwest or south, lessons from this home may be applied to any contemporary style.

"Modern design has to be complemented by applilances with modern functionality," says spokesperson for Dream Home 2010. For the past five years, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances have been selected for the HGTV Dream Home, and the tradition continues with this year's choice of appliances.

The Dream House kitchen has more than 60-inches of cooking surface including a gas cooktop, an induction cooktop that uses 50 percent less energy than its gas counterpart, and a steamer for healthy food preparation. In addition to the expected warming drawers, the kitchen has a microwave drawer. Not sure how practical that would be for liquids, but I like the idea of a "hidden" microwave.

The kitchen also has two Sub-Zero refrigerators with under the unit pull-out freezer drawers. Each refrigerator uses less energy than one 100 watt light bulb.

I was struck by the exceptional use of glass tiles set in aluminum in this kitchen, design techniques that could be applied to many kitchen styles. Note the trio of colors: vanilla, aqua and grays. They're easy on the eyes, reflective, and add a welcome splash of color that blends well with the view through the windows. The tiles are used liberally throughout the space, from backsplash to accent wall. I also liked the lower island which provided seating and workspace at the height of standard chairs, rather than stools which would have blocked the view.

Fine Lines is the place for a comprehensive selection from Wolf and Sub-Zero. Better yet, each Fine Lines location features fully built-out kitchens, so visitors can see how the appliances fit into a living space, often difficult to do when your kitchen remodel is at the bare stud stage.

If they can do it at the White House, you can do it at your house.

Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama was spotted shopping at a new farmers market close to the White House, sending a message to Americans that green is the way to go for everyday living. Shop local, eat healthy. She went even further by planting an organic vegetable, fruit and herb garden on the South Lawn whose harvest we hope to see at the nearby market. It will feature 55 varieties of vegetables, hives for honey, herbs, and berries. It's the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden in WWII. This is just the beginning of the greening of the White House.

According to government officials familiar with greening efforts, the Obama White House intends to be the first White House to earn LEED certification, a system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to measure and reward buildings and communities that implement green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance.

Because of its historic status, the White House presents challenges not seen in today’s subdivision homes. “LEED certification of the White House is absolutely possible and viable,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and president of USGBC, who will advise the White House on the process. “A normal building is already a challenging assignment, and this is something that’s a historic structure, one of [the] nation’s most historic structures,” he says.

The Obama greening effort will make changes in procurement, energy and water systems, and waste. Staff will consider toxicity and life cycle when making purchases for the facilities. They’ll buy biodegradable cleaners, equipment made with recycled content, and paints and sealers with low volatile organic compounds.

Here are the basic steps the White House Green Team is looking at to qualify for the LEED certification:
•    Installation of computerized energy management systems;
•    Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that adapt to variable power requirements;
•    Automatic light sensors that shut off lights in unoccupied areas;
•    Low-flow water valves in restrooms;
•    Disposal of equipment like air conditioners that emit ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
•    Because of the external historic glazing on White House windows, replacement is not an option, but consideration of the application of window films to cut ultraviolet rays is underway.
•    Train employees to use recycled content whenever possible.
•    Donate leftover renovation and demolition materials to local reuse organizations.

As a homeowner or new home buyer, consider these areas for a more efficient home. A simple way to reduce energy consumption is to replace older appliances with new Energy Star Rated ones. hhgregg offers a full lineup of energy efficient appliances and a Cash for Clunkers rebate incentive program for qualifying products.

October is a banner month for hhgregg, opening eight new stores in the Tampa area. hhgregg is proud to join a community focused on sustainability.

The City of Tampa’s Green Office has pledged to help Tampa become a Certified Florida Green Local Government by October of 2010 and coordinate programs that will help the City fulfill its commitment to the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.

The City of Tampa’s Green Programs include:

Greenways and Trails Project
The Tampa Greenway and Trails Master Project will increase public access throughout the City of Tampa to recreation and to non-motorized transportation opportunities.  The system will link parks, schools, transit bus, waterfront, and places of cultural and historical significance. 

The city is organized into six Greenway Areas including:
•    South Tampa - Connecting Picnic Island, The Friendship Bridge Trail, and Bayshore Boulevard.
•    Bayshore Boulevard - Old Tampa Bay to Hillsborough Bay, Hyde Park, Downtown, and Davis Island Beaches.
•    West Tampa - Tampa International Airport and Old Tampa Bay.
•    McKay Bay Greenway - McKay Bay Nature Park and DeSoto Park, Hillsborough County's Bypass Canal Trail.
•    Hillsborough River - Lowry Park, Rowlett Park, Riverfront Park, Rivercrest Park.
•    New Tampa - Flatwoods Park Trail

Increasing Recycling Efforts
Tampa is one of only two cities in the State of Florida that owns a waste-to-energy facility. The city’s McKay Bay Refuse-to-Energy Facility processes more than 300,000 tons of non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which can supply the energy needs of 20,000 homes.

The Yard Waste Recycling Program is currently being expanded; pickup service will be available citywide, in the next few years. Yard waste is recycled to reduce the amount of waste going into the waste stream.

Tampa's Curbside Recycling Program includes weekly curbside recycling service. Residents receive a 14 gallon blue bin with a brochure explaining the program and accepted products (paper, glass, aluminum cans and plastic bottles).

Green Incentives
Tampa Green Fast Track Review is available to anyone wishing to build an environmentally sustainable or "green" project.  Plans may be moved to the "front of the line" for both commercial and residential projects.

Hhgregg is committed to sustainability, carrying a full line of Energy Star Rated appliances. We’re here in Tampa to support the go green effort. New Tampa area locations:

1    Lakeland    4000 US Hwy 98 North
2    Tampa    6250 Commerce Palms Drive
3    Sarasota    5511 Fruitville Rd
4    Clearwater    2669 Gulf to Bay Blvd
5    Bradenton    4495 14th Street West
6    Spring Hill    13199 Cortez Blvd
7    Brandon    10277 East Adamo Dr

Come see us!

hhgregg is currently hiring for stores located in the following states:

Alabama
Indiana
Georgia
Kentucky
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Florida
Virginia

To apply online and to view a complete list of job openings, please visit www.hhgregg-jobs.com.  You may also stop by your local hhgregg to pick up and fill out an application.

Fall grilling calls for heartier food than we favored during summer. Think spicy and think meaty even if that means seabass rather than snapper. Try smaller local markets for locally produced choices. And grill as many parts of the meal as possible. Vegetables brushed with a little olive oil are great on the grill, and we’ve shared a grilled dessert idea too. Stretch the grilling season as long as possible, it can last long after the leaves have lost their green.

Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Skewers from Wolf & Sub-Zero

INGREDIENTS
12 (16-20 count) large shrimp, peeled, de-veined
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
8-10 ounces Andouille sausage, cut into 16 (1 inch) slices
1 red pepper, cored, cut into 12 (1 inch) squares
1 green pepper, cored, cut into 12 (1 inch) squares

PREPARATION
Preheat Wolf Barbecue Grill on medium high for 10 minutes with hood closed. Toss shrimp with vegetable oil and Cajun seasoning.
Using 4 metal 9-inch skewers, skewer ingredients in the following order three times to fit on each skewer:
Sausage
Green pepper
Shrimp
Red pepper
Repeat, ending with sausage
Place on grill for 5 to 6 minutes until shrimp is cooked on first side. (Cook with hood closed as much as possible.) Turn skewers over and cook another 3 to 5 minutes until shrimp is thoroughly cooked.
Remove and serve warm immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

Last year's categories included:
Advocate of the Year: Builder, Remodelor, Individual, Group and State/Local Government
Green Project of the Year: Single-Family, Remodeling and Multifamily
Green Development of the Year
Green Home Building Program of the Year

• Single-family Remodeling Project of the Year: Honors went to Red-B Construction for a Durham, N.C., home with striking design and extensive use of deconstruction techniques that improve resource efficiency.
• Multifamily Remodeling Project of the Year: Hardwick G.C. Inc. of Orlando, Fla., turned an early 20th-century bungalow into a charming duplex that has a rainwater harvesting system, native landscaping and other water-efficient features.

NAHB offers extensive resources for builders through their NAHB Green Building Program  including the NAHB Green Scoring Tool, NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and essential educational links. The site also provides information for consumers looking for green builders, reminding homeowners:
Whether building from the ground up or remodeling a kitchen, responsible homeowners should choose Energy-Star Rated appliances, not only will they save on their own monthly budget resources, but save our community resources as well.

*hhgregg states include Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. This fall hhgregg will welcome Virginia and Mississippi.

Each year, NAHB honors excellence in green residential design, construction practices and outstanding green advocacy efforts. Though a formal call for entries has not yet been released, NAHB urges builders and designers to consider their entries. The deadline for 2010 entries is January 15, 2010, which will be upon us sooner than we think. The award gala will be held on May 17, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina, an hhgregg state.*

Contact NAHB’s Chad Riedy at greenawards@nahb.com for details.

Last year's categories included:

• Advocate of the Year: Builder, Remodelor, Individual, Group and State/Local Government
• Green Project of the Year: Single-Family, Remodeling and Multifamily
• Green Development of the Year
• Green Home Building Program of the Year

Last year’s award winners included the following from hhgregg states*:

• Single-family Remodeling Project of the Year: Honors went to Red-B Construction for a Durham, N.C., home with striking design and extensive use of deconstruction techniques that improve resource efficiency.
• Multifamily Remodeling Project of the Year: Hardwick G.C. Inc. of Orlando, Fla., turned an early 20th-century bungalow into a charming duplex that has a rainwater harvesting system, native landscaping and other water-efficient features.

NAHB offers extensive resources for builders through their NAHB Green Building Program  including the NAHB Green Scoring Tool, NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and essential educational links. The site also provides information for consumers looking for green builders, reminding homeowners:

Whether building from the ground up or remodeling a kitchen, responsible homeowners should choose Energy Star Rated appliances, not only will they save on their own monthly budget resources, but save our community resources as well.

*hhgregg states include Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. This fall hhgregg will welcome Virginia and Mississippi.

If you’ve been trying to decipher scrawled directions on faded pieces of paper, you need a GPS system. If you’ve gotten lost from using ‘you can’t miss it’ directions from your neighbor, you need a GPS system. If your poor sense of direction has you circling your spouse’s place of employment because you don’t know which side of the building is the south side, you need a GPS system.

GPS technology has changed the way the world travels -- short distances and long distances.


A common misconception about a GPS is you have to be lost to need one. Not true. You’ll be surprised to learn exactly how far it is to work from your house, how much more efficient you can be running errands on a Saturday, and how many of the street names you’ll learn in your own community. Plus, no more fighting with paper maps you picked up at the convenience store.

View hhgregg GPS units at hhgregg.com or read the Finding Your Way With GPS/Navigation article and many others on the hhgregg Learning Center.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!