While perusing the St. Pete site I noticed that their top news item is the completion of the first LEED-for-Homes GOLD rated home in Florida, which just happens to be located here in the ‘burg. This site about the home says it is one of only 19 in the US - technically there are 58, although 35 of those are in an apartment complex in San Jose and thus, I suppose, technically not classified as “homes” - either way, it is one of about 23 “homes” in the US, which is pretty damn awesome.

Ed. note: Here’s a little inside look at writing for a wildly popular “publication” - I spent an inordinate amount of time doing research for the previous sentence. Seriously. I probably burned 20 minutes and too many brain cells just to clarify that instead of 19, there are 23 homes. It isn’t all coke and hookers, kids, you’ve actually gotta do some work.

For those of you not in the knizzow:

LEED-for-Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants.

The reason it is a news item for the city is that Rick Baker was there to say some nice shit about how St. Pete is all green and blah blah blah. Which reminds us that we should check out the St. Pete Green Site and the new AWESOME LOLtree graphic they added. Le sigh.

Seriously, though, I continue to actually be impressed with the fact that the city, and the state on a larger level, seem to be doing some green shit as opposed to just talking about it. Granted I will totally not forgive the abomination that is St. Pete recycling, but still, I think it is safe to say Florida may be slowly working toward not being the butt of the nation’s collective joke.