This report continues from 11/20/09.
Ten volunteers from Arcosanti enjoyed the unique opportunity this year of attending the 2009 International Greenbuild Conference & Expo and Green Streets festivals that took place in downtown Phoenix and the Scottsdale Fashion Square.

This year's expo hall in the Phoenix Convention Center boasted 1,800 exhibit booths that showcased the latest in innovative products and services. Each volunteer had a specific research assignment at the Expo, ranging from community outreach to research on renewable energy technologies including solar, wind and geothermal; innovations in waste reduction; recycled and renewable products and building materials; and energy efficient strategies.

After a full day at the Greenbuild Expo event in Phoenix, the evening continued on with the Scottsdale Green Streets event, part celebration, part art exhibit, part music festival, to celebrate the city's sustainability efforts. The free event took place on the South Bridge and Scottsdale waterfront with a live Latin Jazz concert, organic beer tastings, eco-friendly public art installations and interactive exhibits that highlight Scottsdale’s green projects - a great place to end an exciting day.

The volunteer team set up the information booth right at a location with a view of the future site of the Soleri Pedestrian Bridge and Plaza, which is in the pre-construction planning phase. Decorative, precast panels for the site are currently being cast at Cosanti, to be part of the art wall around the bridge.

There was a positive buzz - people were all business and excited to participate. Everyone was interested in learning and sharing information, insights and contacts. The Arcosanti booth was well received by other business and expo visitors alike. We received many good leads. This was a great event to attend to gain exposure.

The team had a wonderful experience at both the Expo and Green Streets events. At the end of the day, we had interesting conversations with many environmentally conscious companies as well as other retailers, schools and individuals.
[from left to right] Young Soo Kim, Anna Tran, Alfonso Elia, Matteo Di Michele, Erin Jeffries, Scott Riley, Michael Bittman, and Jose Masaoy.

Staff and volunteers gathered for the annual Christmas party this Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm in the Cafe. The party started with a potluck of hours d'oeuvres and a great selection of dessert. The most outstanding dessert was a large gingerbread construction of the existing buildings at Arcosanti, patiently put together by Melissa Soluski and Wendy Wu,.
[from upper left] Melissa and Wendy. Some of the wonderful details were a pile of sand in the Gingerbread Foundry, little fountains in front of the Ceramics Apse and East and West Housing, the Swimming Pool, in the East Crescent red licorice beams from the middle pillar to the individual units finger panels, candy coated cypress trees, all together an absolutely wonderful effort. Paolo Soleri admires this delicious version of his project.

At 6:30 pm the crowd moved to the Sky Theater for a special performance of Pictograph. This is a combination of music, light and dance projected against the mesa south of the Arcosanti site. The performance was choreographed by Project Director Tomiaki Tamura to the music of 'Radio Head' and 'Moby'. Performers were Murray Natkie, Rick and Debbie Frost, and Charlie Wicker. After the performance all the local children enthusiastically took to the stage and shadow danced. The glow above the mesa is from the city lights of Phoenix, 70 miles to the south.

The party continued with a lively dinner in the cafe.
[from upper left] As every year, after dinner Paolo distributed Christmas presents, with helper raindeer Melissa Soluski. Each person, including the kids, was called to come to the front to receive their gift and give a big hug to Paolo. The best entertainment of the evening was Melissa's very graceful and funny introduction of each person. Volunteer Jung Ju Lee makes a Heart with Paolo, for the camera. The foundry had produced a special collection of tiny bronze bells and everyone received one of the bells. The Italian volunteers made a lively cheering section. It was a wonderful party with many funny moments.

This continues the November 3. 2006 report of the rennovation of the Resident library, which is now located one the first floor of Unit 9 in the East Crescent complex.
After intensive cleaning by the construction crew, parts of the ceiling and some of the walls were painted white to lighten the room.

The shelves were relocated and completely reorganized. Most of the books were already labeled by topics. Now the all of books are completely labeled.
Planning coordinator Dan Kelliher headed this renovation and re-sorting project. Volunteers from many departments helped with the work.

Thanks to a very structured effort the Arcosanti Library is now very well organized.

Construction is focused on interior work on the second floor of the East Crescent Complex. Tile work proceeds in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment in Unit 9.

Volunteer Janette Rhee and workshop participant Natalie Woldarsky.

More on interior construction coming up.

Interior work continues in the apartments and dorm-rooms on the second floor of the East Crescent complex. Workshop participants Shaktie Pearce and Nathan Trachimowicz measure and cut drywall.
[Photo & text: sa]

Drywall seams have been mudded and workshop participant Maki Mitamura sands and finishes the inside of one of the closets. Construction intern Lindsay Clark and workshop participant Ruben Warner apply water proofing to shower walls.
[Photo & text: sa]

Construction staff Virginia Schutte applies mudd to edges. Construction volunteer Cathy Mulkern encloses utility lines and finishes walls in one of the closets.
[Photo & text: sa]

Virginia's daughter Heather paints walls during her visit over the Thanksgiving holidays.
[Photo & text: sa]