I'll continue mad's line of thought and ask, how high up are you on the deck? So what height, actually, measuring up from ground level way out at the property line, would actually block you/your neighbors? A much taller "screen" is needed way out at the property line to make the deck feel screened than to make you feel enclosed/screened when you are down by the slide. You might fool around more with your photo shots and also measure heights & angles from the different perspectives. You need these measurements to see what it will take to accomplish various effects. For example, could you use one fast-growing (ooh, don't get the tree people started) shade-type tree at the property corner, so a broad, high-up canopy kind of blocks the view? If you have a large step-up to the deck then in a planting far away you will be dependent on the "mass" of the planting that is up high, as in either the leaf canopy of decidous trees or multiple tall evergreens, so that determines what it takes to reach your height goal--size of specimen and rates of growth. However, an arrangement nearby or around such a tree or trees could be smaller shrubs that, even at only 5 or 6 ' of height, especially in multiples, provide good screening at ground level. You can even use some annuals (sunflowers? wire frame with vines?) for rapid lower screening. Alternatively or in addition, is there room on your deck or deck rail to build a lattice or trellis or other structure to give deck-dwellers a sense of protection? Some combination of these may be effective. The main thing is to try to calculate the angle of view and perspective plus the actual linear area along the ground when deciding what to plant or build where for screening. Then you could decide better on what kind, how many, how far apart of plant material and/or man-made screen would fit you goals and budget.

Let's see if I have this right. Briggs decides to cut back on the number of it's employees due to a drop in engine sales and suddenly (according to Hippy) it's really about corporate greed and the Japanese being one step ahead of the US when it comes to engine design. And when those two unfounded opinions are not based on any facts spoken to in the article that spurred Hippy to start this thread, he then tosses in a quote from that marginally talented skank Cheryl Crow (as if anyone really gives a crap what that self-professed druggy has to say about anything) and another alleged quote from Junior Johnson regarding ethanol saving us from air pollution. In regards to the JJ comment, the experts have already voiced their concerns regarding increased use of corn for bio-fuel. Right now, the demand for corn has out-stripped the so-called "surplus" Hippy has referred to. And that demand is already affecting the price of corn for all of the traditional uses, thus driving up the prices of a wide-range of consumer products, including meat. Right now, farmers are attempting to meet the demand by planting more corn. Who can blame them? They are in business to make money and if corn prices are high, then it's only natural that they would want to get a piece of that action. However, there is always a downside. When farmers rush to grow more corn, they invariably stop growing other types of grains and produce. If the drop in production of those items drops well below the demand for them, then the prices will suddenly spike due to demand outstripping the supply. Ironically, all of this demand for corn has created a need for more corn seed and the "evil" Monsanto people who are embroiled in the GMO controversy are now at war with Dupont over market share. http://gmopundit.blogspot.com/2007/01/high-demand-for-gm-corn-in-usa.html This is a huge set-back for those who are totally against genetically modified foods dominating the fields of the world. If everyone grows the same variety of corn and an incurable blight (can you say "potato famine") suddenly appears, imagine what would happen to the world economy if all the corn suddenly died once year? Once again, food prices will increase, all due to an attempt to find an alternative energy source that is "made in the USA". And it's not just corn prices that are increasing, either. Demand for sugarcane in ethanol production has caused the price of sugar to jump dramatically and that tranalates into increased food prices across the board. Sugar is in the list of ingredients of a huge number of products on the grocery shelf. http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/5/10/135951/485 Fortunately, there are those who realize that corn and sugar production are not the answer and are looking at new methods of producing bio-fuels. http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/18476/ The whole point of what I just posted is to demonstrate FACTUALLY that the decision by Briggs to close one plant isn't as simplistic as Hippy thinks it is. We live in a global economy. What happens in one part of the world has a huge ripple effect elsewhere. Copper prices have soared as a direct result of China's demand for this metal. And who helped create that demand???????? We did because we rushed out and bought low-cost Chinese-made items that contained copper, such as power tools. And you can throw global-warming into the mix here along with smog, air pollution and increased medical costs due to both of these items affecting the health of citizens. To top it all off, there is a theory floating around that cell--phones are the very reason why honey bees are dying at an unprecedented rate. And if they don't figure that one out soon, then how will crop pollenation take place? Once again, food prices will jump dramatically as demand outstrips supply and cost of production also rises due to some sort of artificial pollenation method. Now, you guys can all post ways to solve these problems while I go for some fresh popcorn and another brewski.

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Sonny and elkimmeg ~ Thank you both for your input: "Heat-wise the vista will serve you well, but if you want continious heat then you will have to get up in the middle of the night to feed it." Point well taken. At that point, the oil burner should kick on until we're up and about in the morning. Middle of the night feedings are reserved only for children, and ours is grown ;o) "At the very least any insert would have to be listed for installation in a prefab fireplace." The Vista is approved for installation in an existing zero-clearance fireplace. "Second how would you sleep at night knowing that much heat is only inches away from combustiable framing." We are removing the wood mantle, replacing it with a bluestone mantel. The closet framing, wall or combustible is 4 feet away from the fireplace/insert. "On the other hand some heatalators were built into proper masonry fireplaces." Ours is built into a proper masonry fireplace. "My question would be before I do anything how safe is my existing setup?" Inspection done and anything that needs to be modified or corrected is being done. "Another thought what precautions have you taken concerning freezing of your pipes?" We are using our oil burner for heat, as well. Since we use our water (hot and cold) on a daily basis the water running through the pipes will never be "stagnant". We also have a propane hot water heater, which is located in the garage/basement. This throws off a certain amount of heat which is close to the cold water pipes. The hot water pipes run from the propane hot water heater. In any event, we will not be as remiss as to let our pipes freeze. We're planning on utilizing both sources of heat (insert and oil), and hopefully it will accomplish our goal of reducing our oil costs dramatically.