Washington Carnegie Public Library is among over 100 public libraries nationwide awarded funding by the Public Library Association (PLA) to increase digital literacy using Digitallearn.org resources, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T. The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive and the new PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive support public libraries in their work of improving basic digital skills among families and communities. The workshops will utilize DigitalLearn training materials, created in collaboration with AT&T, that are freely available to anyone through DigitalLearn.org and AT&T ScreenReady. Washington Carnegie Public Library’s efforts will focus on addressing the digital divide in our community by offering targeted digital literacy workshops to empower patrons with essential skills. With a 16% poverty rate in Washington and many residents facing language barriers or limited access to technology, these workshops will provide vital training on topics such as Internet Basics, Email Basics, and using both Android and iOS mobile devices. Thanks to the grant funding, WCPL will offer these workshops in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, ensuring that all residents can fully participate. “Our community depends on the library not just for access to technology, but for the skills to use it effectively,” said Teresa Heidenreich, director of Washington Carnegie Public Library. “This grant allows us to expand our existing offerings and these new workshops will help individuals and families gain even confidence in navigating online tools, opening doors to education, employment, and essential services.” PLA President Michael Lambert said, “PLA is proud to support public libraries in being at the forefront of boosting digital literacy skills and bridging the digital divide in their communities. With another year of PLA’s sustained collaboration with AT&T, more learners across the nation than ever before will get connected to vital digital literacy skills and technology resources at the library.” PLA’s free training site, Digitallearn.org , helps community members build skills and confidence using technology. Washington Carnegie Public Library will help patrons utilize these resources in an upcoming workshops that will be conducted in person at the library and possibly other remote location from January-May 2025. Days and times will vary. More details contact the library 812-254-4586, email info@washingtonpubliclibrary.org or visit the library’s calendar www.washingtonpubliclibrary.org About Washington Carnegie Public Library The Washington Carnegie Public Library has been a vital community resource since 1902, providing access to information and fostering a love of learning. Their mission is to inspire lifelong learning, strengthen community connections, and bridge gaps in education and technology. Continually enhancing services to meet these goals, WCPL is a hub for knowledge and empowerment, offering a safe space for learning, discussion, and exploration.
Stock market today: Nasdaq hits a record as Wall Street drifts ahead of Federal Reserve's meetingAs the 2024 showbiz calendar winds up, we are taking stock of each genre today. These include music, visual arts (painting, sculpture, and photography), film and television, theatre, fashion, literary arts, and spoken word. This annual stock-take is critical to establish which artists excelled and those who need to up their game in 2025. With the demand for Zimbabwean art collections rising overseas, we certainly need to elevate our standards if we are to maintain the dominance shown in other genres, especially visual arts. The same dominance should also be exhibited on home turf. Without fear or favour, research has shown that the young “Turks” of showbiz, especially in music, excelled beyond expectations. Music, which commands a huge following, was dominated by youthful musicians who showed consistency throughout the year. Killer T’s track “Kana Ndanyura” can easily pass as the song of the year. It remains a hit at parties, weddings, clubs, and even in some church gatherings like picnics. He represented the Zimdancehall genre with pride and aplomb. Consistent Zimdancehall chanter, Sylvester “Freeman” Chizanga, had a successful season, which saw him holding a fully attended HKD Music Festival at Alex Sports Club in Harare. Master H was the best find of 2024, as the youngster has been performing well. Master H He participated in major festivals including the Castle Tankard, OK Grand Challenge, and Chibuku Road to Fame after-party, among other events. His work ethic has made him a favourite of many. There was also Nisha Ts, who did well for the greater part of the year. Born Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa and raised in Chegutu, she defied the odds of a poor background that could have hindered her progress. She advanced on merit, which is why she remains a favourite among many. Her benefactor, Tinashe Mutarisi, has also helped her realize her potential in this particular genre. She has managed to put the sponsorship to good use, much to the delight of her fans. With sound management, she is destined for the stars. In Zim Hip Hop, it’s hard to ignore the impact of Holy, Saintfloew, Voltz JT, and Bagga, among other rappers. They left their mark each time on stage whether controversial or not but the good thing is that, it is expected in the genre. In gospel world , the old guard in the genre, led by Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Shuvai Wutawunashe, Pastor Charles Charamba, and his wife Olivia, Carol Mujokoro, Pastor Bonnie Deuschle and Prince Mafukidze among others shocked many as they bounced back on stage as they did their best to revive the genre at the Gospel Legends Night held at the Harare International Conference Centre early this month. Hosted by United Kingdom based Zimbabwean award winning songstress Eleana Makombe, the inaugural event was a success and it was applauded by many locals for such initiative. Eleana and John Makombe The new crop of gospel musicians, including Minister Michael Mahendere, Janet Manyowa, Ellard, Sharon Cherayi, Elenaa Makombe, and Everton Mlalazi, had a successful year. However, the script was not the same for both seasoned and upcoming sungura musicians. There was nothing to write home about this year, as the majority pursuing sungura failed to produce hits. It appears that they need to recharge their waning vocal batteries. Of course, sungura has stood the test of time, but artists in this genre can do better. Major successes were recorded by visual artists who had a year to remember. Many of these artists toured the world and showcased the unique essence of Zimbabwean art on a global scale. Visual art, which encompasses various mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, installation, and digital arts, is a significant industry internationally. The sad reality is that locals are yet to embrace it despite its impact overseas. A change of mindset is needed to ensure that local entrepreneurs, corporates, and individuals buy our art first. With most visual artists relying on international buyers, credit goes to arts regulatory chiefs, curators, and artists working closely with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Victoria Falls. NGZ executive director Raphael Chikukwa has done his best to promote this art form. Besides the NGZ headquarters in Harare, other galleries like Dzimbahwe Arts and Cultural Heritage Hub, Nhaka Art Gallery, Mbare Art Space, Chapungu Sculpture Village, and the Swiss-Zim Heritage Gallery in Domboshava have been churning out top creatives. Individuals like Dominic Benhura and David Ngwerume also need no introduction. Zimbabwe’s participation at the 60th International Exhibition of Biennale in Italy was good news to the sector. Often referred to as the “World Cup of Arts,” this prestigious event featured Zimbabwean artists such as Moffat Takadiwa, Gillian Rosselli, Victor Nyakauru, Sekai Machache, Troy Makaza, and Kombo Chapfika. Their participation exemplifies Zimbabwe’s growing presence on the international art stage. Moffat Takadiwa The legacy of Zimbabwean artists at the Venice Biennale includes luminaries like Portia Zvavahera, Virginia Chihota, Misheck Masamvu, Calvin Dondo, and many others. Their ability to captivate audiences both at home and abroad highlights the country’s rich artistic heritage and the potential for future growth in the global art market. The continued efforts to promote local art appreciation will be crucial in ensuring that Zimbabwean artists receive the recognition and support they deserve. In theatre, credit goes to Daves Guzha, Peter Churu, Jasen Mphepo, and Malawi-based producer and director Stanley Mambo, who is doing well at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe. Daniel Maposa and Silvanos Mudzvova are some of the top acts who have ensured that theatre maintains its dominance. The same can be said of United Kingdom theatre practitioners who are still in touch with fellow directors in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, Guzha, Churu, and Mphepo have been holding shows in Harare venues like Theatre in the Park, Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, and Reps Theatre. Mudzvova and Maposa have been conducting a series of workshops to equip creatives in this genre. Their efforts were meant to ensure that creatives monetise their work and embrace technology, especially the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Stand-up comedians including Doc Vikela, King Kandoro (real name Mukudzei Kandoro Majoni), Nigel “Tha Sleek Pasto” Maritinyu, and Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira have also shown their potential despite challenges such as a shortage of venues. Like theatre, comedy relies on a live audience and a serene environment where creatives can easily express themselves. In fashion, we have seen the potential that the sector has, although it needs funding, proper regulation, and unity. This was the case when the Fashion Council of Zimbabwe (FCoZ) issued a statement distancing themselves from the organisation and management of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2024, which did not live up to expectations. The Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2024 was marred by chaos, with FCoZ’s name being dragged into the mess. FCoZ set the record straight and pledged their commitment towards fostering a vibrant and inclusive fashion industry. Zimbabwean fashion designers have continued to show both locally and internationally, and it takes sacrifices from organizations like FCoZ to regulate the sector. Some fashion enthusiasts also expressed their disappointment in the manner the industry is being run. The refreshing news from the sector was Sakhile Dube’s national dress, designed by Ivhu Tribe Brand, named “The Soaring Eagle,” which she donned at the Miss Universe finals held in Mexico recently The world now knows Zimbabwe’s capacity in this sector, where we have plenty of talented fashion designers. In modelling, Zimbabwe was well represented by Sakhile at Miss Universe, made it into the top 30. Although she missed out on the crown, she performed admirably at the global contest. Sakhile is not the only one who managed to raise the country flag high, there was also model Amanda Peresu-Moyo who won the Miss Intercontinental Africa title at a pageant held at the Sunrise Remal Resort in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Amanda, was in the top five, following the success of Tendai Hunda, who won the same title in 2015. After finishing in the top eight last year at Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Amanda expressed joy over her new crown. On to the dance floor, dancer Victoria Kjær Theilvig (21) of Denmark won the 2024 edition, becoming the first Dane ever to land the crown. People’s favorite and Nigerian beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina was voted first runner-up, and the second runner-up is Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran. The top five finalists at the beauty pageant included Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela’s Ileana Marquez. In film and television, Zimbabwe has shown a lot of potential despite the lack of funding crippling the sector. However, the recent launch of the five-year blueprint strategy for Film and Television by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), in conjunction with the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, has brought relief to the sector. A billion-dollar industry globally, Zimbabwe, which boasts some of the best brains in the sector including Stephen Chigorimbo, Aaron Chiundura Moyo, and Nakai Tsuro, can thrive with proper funding. The birth of new awards for this sector, like the Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards (ZAFTAs), which cultural ambassadors like Tongayi Chirisa, Danai Gurira, and Chipo Chung support, is great news for the sector. Zimbabwe can also benefit from utilising the expertise of filmmakers like Joe Njagu, Eddie Sandifolo, and Charlene Furusa, who are dedicated to the sector. The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) roundtable held at Mbare Art Space from October 10-13 was also a game-changer for the sector. In literary arts, the sector has been lamenting the decline of the reading culture. However, some literary arts gurus reckon there is not enough reading material in certain communities, which should be made available first. On a sad note, 2024 was the year we lost historian Phathisa Nyathi after a long illness at the age of 73. Many are still reeling from the loss of the popular arts practitioner, famed for his research as a preservationist and his writing style. In summary, a collective mindset shift is vital for the arts sector to thrive and create more opportunities. ELECTIONS by their nature and at any level of society, are a delicate process often characterised by controversy, mudslinging, contestations and a lot of jockeying. Elections are emotional, too. The intensity of those characteristics also varies with the kind of interest, which the elections in question, would have generated and the players involved in those [...] Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub LED by three centurions, Zimbabwe broke records on Day Two of the historic Boxing Day Test against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The Chevrons began Day Two on 363/4 and ended their innings on a mammoth 586 runs from 135.2 overs. The 586 runs scored over the five [...] Nqobile Tshili, Bulawayo Bureau VICTORIA Mudyanembwa, a brilliant young student from the rural heartland of Lukosi in Hwange District, who just earned a first class honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe in Pharmaceutical Chemistry as the top student in her year, is now moving to Oxford University for a post-graduate degree on the prestigious [...]
The community, which offers 334 luxury apartment homes and upscale amenities, marked its grand opening with a ribbon cutting celebration DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers Apartment Living , the rental subsidiary of Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL), the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, in partnership with Equity Residential, recently celebrated the grand opening of Lyle , a luxury mid-rise apartment community in Dallas, Texas. Located at 17727 Addison Road in Dallas, Lyle offers a chic retreat for residents with sophisticated apartment homes and amenities. Construction commenced in 2022 and the community welcomed its first residents in March 2024. The grand opening event, held at the community on December 12, was attended by members of the project team, the community management team, local guests, and residents. The ceremony included remarks from Tommy Rhodus, Managing Director of Toll Brothers Apartment Living in the Central region; Kristina Fischer, Development & Construction Manager of Toll Brothers Apartment Living in the Central region; and Mary Pawlisa, Assistant Vice President of Property Management for Equity Residential's Texas region. "We are excited to introduce Lyle to the North Dallas community," said John McCullough, President of Toll Brothers Apartment Living. "This new community exemplifies our commitment to delivering luxury living experiences with exceptional design and top-tier amenities, tailored to exceed the expectations of the modern renter." Lyle offers a selection of studio through three-bedroom apartment homes. Each residence is thoughtfully designed with modern finishes, including quartz countertops, tile backsplash, flat panel cabinetry, and hardwood-style flooring. Luxury features include stainless steel appliances, custom roller shade window treatments, oversized closets with built-in shelving, and smart home technology, including keyless entry and smart thermostats. Private balconies, terraces, and fenced-in yards are available with select residences. Residents at Lyle enjoy a suite of premium amenities, including a resort-style pool with sundeck and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and flex studios. The community spaces are designed to foster connections, from the outdoor courtyard with grilling stations and lawn games, to the sky lounge with entertainment kitchen, lounge seating, and outdoor terrace with city views. Additional amenities include a coworking lounge with shared and private workspaces, as well as a pet park and spa. The community was constructed to meet LEED Gold certification standards, and the parking garage includes EV charging stations. "Lyle represents our dedication to creating communities that not only offer luxury and comfort but also integrate seamlessly into the vibrant fabric of their locations," said Rhodus. "We are proud to deliver residences that align with the dynamic Dallas lifestyle." Strategically situated with direct access to the Dallas North Tollway, Lyle provides residents with seamless connectivity to downtown Dallas and surrounding areas. The community is in proximity to shopping destinations such as the Galleria Mall and diverse dining options, and it is located within the highly rated Plano Independent School District, offering a balanced and convenient lifestyle. Lyle is one of three new communities that opened in Texas this year as part of a strategic development partnership between Toll Brothers Apartment Living and Equity Residential. For more information about Lyle, visit LyleAddison.com . ABOUT TOLL BROTHERS APARTMENT LIVING Toll Brothers Apartment Living is the apartment development division of Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL), an award-winning Fortune 500 company, and the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. Toll Brothers Apartment Living brings the same quality, luxury, and service for which Toll Brothers is known to its exceptional rental and mixed-use communities in select markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, DC. Toll Brothers Apartment Living communities combine the energy of vibrant locations with unparalleled amenities, resident services, design, and the expertise of America's Luxury Home Builder®. In 2024, Toll Brothers Apartment Living was named to the National Multifamily Housing Council's Top 25 Largest Developers list, the fifth year it has been so recognized. The firm has completed over 10,000 units nationally, with more than 18,000 units in production. For more information visit TollBrothersApartmentLiving.com . ABOUT TOLL BROTHERS Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 57 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL.” The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. In 2024, Toll Brothers marked 10 years in a row being named to the Fortune World's Most Admired CompaniesTM list and the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com . From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under licen se. Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Senior Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c349c51-5835-4871-9180-ea9e02b7ad62 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51774319-a757-48bd-b003-d33b4b5389d2 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce9d0ca4-2707-4640-92f9-72590b26e738 Sent by Toll Brothers via Regional Globe Newswire (TOLL-REG)Mindy Knapp Launches New Personal Website to Enhance Community Engagement in UrbandaleStephen Kessler | On devastation, reconstruction and renovation
NEW YORK — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. "The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position." With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. "I'm not a watch guy, but I like it," said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football's answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. "I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways," Hunter said. "It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery." Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. "It just goes to show that I did what I had to do," Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. "I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football," Hunter said. "Being here now is like a dream come true." Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year's Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football's top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. "I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind," Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. "I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position," Ward said. 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Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at his home in Plains, Georgia today. He was 100. Carter's interest in promoting renewable energy was on display at his January 20, 1977 presidential inauguration. Solar panels were installed to warm the reviewing stand near the White House, where Carter watched the inaugural parade. "It happened to be one of the coldest days of the year that morning and very little sun," says Paul Muldawer, the Atlanta architect Carter tapped to design his inauguration facilities. "We made a statement, although it honestly didn't work as well as I would have liked it to work," Muldawer says. Wind chill that day was in the teens, according to the National Weather Service . Carter wanted a ceremony that reflected his values. That extended to the reviewing stand, which was built so it wouldn't end up in a landfill after the ceremony. Instead of wood, it was made of steel. "After the inauguration, we had it disassembled, shipped to Atlanta, and then it was recycled as a bandstand," says Muldawer, who's now 92. The structure was in a public park where free concerts were held. "Carter was just thrilled with that. He really liked the idea of repurposing that facility." The inauguration set the stage for Carter's four years as President. His environmental legacy has shaped how the country is responding to climate change today. "At the time that Jimmy Carter was president, his biggest concern was energy security," says Amy Myers Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University. In 1977, the U.S. was importing 8.81 million barrels of petroleum a day, mostly from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or the OPEC cartel. That made the U.S. vulnerable during the 1973 Arab oil embargo, which led to long lines at gas stations. In several ways Jaffe says Carter was ahead of his time by being an early advocate for conserving energy and boosting renewable electricity, such as solar power. But Carter also promoted domestic coal mining. The subsequent growth of that industry contributed to the warming climate the world is experiencing now. Carter boosted energy efficiency and solar Shortly after Carter took office in 1977, he delivered what has become known as the "sweater speech." Sitting by a lit fireplace, he wore a cardigan sweater and addressed the country on television. "All of us must learn to waste less energy. Simply by keeping our thermostats, for instance, at 65 degrees in the daytime and 55 degrees at night we could save half the current shortage of natural gas," Carter said. Energy efficiency seems like a given today, but it wasn't really on Americans' minds after the 1950s and '60s, Jaffe says. Back then, it seemed like the oil would always flow. Jaffe says some even made fun of Carter's efficiency plea – an indication of how unusual the request was at the time. Still, energy experts then were thinking about the possibility that oil and gas could run out. That prompted Carter to encourage alternative sources of energy. "He even put solar panels, famously, on the White House," Jaffe says. At a press event unveiling the solar panels that would be used to heat water, Carter made clear that energy security was at the top of his mind. "Today, in directly harnessing the power of the sun, we're taking the energy that God gave us, the most renewable energy that we will ever see, and using it to replace our dwindling supplies of fossil fuels," Carter said. By the end of the 20th century, Carter wanted the U.S. to get "20% of all the energy we use from the sun." The country still hasn't reached that goal , though more than 80% of new generating capacity this year is expected to come from solar and battery storage. As if to highlight the risk of experimenting with new energy sources, Carter told reporters at the solar panel unveiling, "A generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people." The panels were removed less than a decade later during the Reagan administration. "Had the United States stayed the course, and we had not had volatility in our federal efforts in alternative energy, we would maybe still be the premier country for alternative energy," Jaffe says. Instead, she says, the U.S. is playing catch-up with countries like Denmark and Spain on wind energy, and China for solar and electric vehicles. The panels removed from the White House were stored in a government warehouse until Unity College acquired them, according to Maine Public . Sixteen panels were re-installed on a roof at the college in Central Maine and used to heat water for the dining hall. One of the panels, about the size of a picnic table, is displayed on the campus with a marker describing its historical significance. A climate change warning and promoting coal The summer after Carter took office, he received a memo with the subject "Release of Fossil CO2 and the Possibility of a Catastrophic Climate Change." It warned that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has a "greenhouse effect" that "will induce a global climatic warming." The memo was from Frank Press, Carter's chief advisor on scientific matters and the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Press wrote, "The present state of knowledge does not justify emergency action to limit the consumption of fossil fuels in the near term." But he did write that considering the "potential CO2 hazard" should become part of the country's long-term energy strategy. The top of the memo is marked "THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN." Climate change, though, was not an issue Carter highlighted during his time in office. He actually boosted domestic coal production. Coal is the most carbon-intense fuel for generating electricity. Carter's 1980 campaign speech to miners in West Frankfort, Illinois includes a level of boosterism rarely seen outside of the coal industry these days. "America indeed is the Saudi Arabia of coal, and my goal as President of the United States is to see on the world energy markets Arab oil replaced with Illinois coal," Carter told miners and employees of the Old Ben Coal Mine No. 25. He also boasted that the country would, "produce more coal in 1980 than has ever before been produced in the United States of America." The greenhouse gas emissions from burning more coal are an issue the country still grapples with as the effects of climate change become clear. "I calculated once that we had roughly five full extra years of emissions at roughly the 2000 level of CO2 emissions due to Carter's energy coal policies," says Philip Verleger, an economist who worked on energy issues in the Treasury Department during the Carter administration. In a 1978 speech Carter did recognize the polluting nature of coal by announcing a commission on the coal industry. "Ultimately, we will learn to harness the energy of the Sun and the oceans with fusion power to meet our energy needs. But for now, we have no choice but to continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, and coal is our most abundant fossil fuel," Carter said. But even Verleger comes back to Carter's work advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy. "Carter really started the ball rolling, created many of the ideas that are now coming to the fore. And that's good. The downside in terms of environment was the emphasis on coal," Verleger says. An enduring environmental legacy Preserving land also was a priority for Carter. Near the end of his presidency, he signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act . It provided protections for 157 million acres of land through the creation of national parks, refuges and conservation areas. The legislation doubled the size of the National Park System and was the largest expansion of protected lands in history, according to the National Park Service . Carter also signed legislation in 1977 creating the Department of Energy, which is implementing much of the climate-focused Inflation Reduction Act that Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed last year. The law dedicates money to boosting renewable energy and research on new technologies. "Over four decades ago, Carter was putting in place policies that we are now enhancing today," Jaffe says. The IRA's focus on domestic manufacturing also is helping fulfill Carter's goal of putting "the United States back to where it needs to be, and dominating supply chains for things like solar panels, manufacturing and electric cars," explains Jaffe. In his final years, Carter's environmental legacy came full circle. In 2017 he leased 10 acres of his land in Plains, Georgia for a solar power project that produces enough electricity to supply about half the demand of his hometown. At the dedication event he told the crowd, "This site will be as symbolically important as the 32 panels we put on the White House," according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . "People can come here and see what can be done."