According to the EPA we will have more energy efficient televisions in the near future. The new televisions will have the Energy Star label and will be up to 30% more efficient than conventional models. With most households having more than 1 television the savings in the long run can offset the price of the new ones.

(Washington, D.C. – Oct. 30, 2008) With the holiday season just around the corner, consumers will now have more energy efficient choices when shopping. Starting November 1, televisions meeting EPA’s new, more comprehensive energy efficiency specification will be available in stores nationwide.

“EPA encourages consumers to look for the Energy Star label when buying new televisions,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Energy Star’s new specifications for televisions are turning the channel on energy guzzling sets.”

Televisions that meet the new Energy Star specification will be up to 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models. If all televisions sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, the savings in energy costs would grow to be about $1 billion annually and greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of about 1 million cars.

The new specification requires energy efficiency when televisions are on, as well as off or in “standby” mode. It also requires the use of external power supplies that have earned the Energy Star label where applicable. This new specification is important since televisions being sold now are larger, in use more hours a day, and offer more vibrant pictures, which can impact the amount of electricity they use. In fact, some of the largest, high resolution televisions can use as much as 500 kWh per year.

Energy Star qualified televisions can be found at most stores where electronics are sold. An up-to-date list of models that meet the new specification can be found at: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/tv_vcr_prod_list.pdf Consumers are also encouraged to ask their sales associate for newly qualified Energy Star televisions to ensure they are getting a television that qualifies under this enhanced specification.

More information about newly qualified Energy Star televisions: http://www.energystar.gov 

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products as well as buildings and new homes. Products that have earned the Energy Star prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million vehicles.

This article is from our sister website www.plazaareaneigbours.com we thought it would interest our readers to find out how best to select a contractor. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 812-499-9234 if you have any questions.

How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor

Home remodeling is an investment in the value and enjoyment of your home. Whatever area of the house you plan to remodel, the home remodeling contractor you choose must be qualified for the job.

So how do you choose a contractor that’s right for you? First, don't just automatically choose the company with the lowest bid. You'll need to evaluate more than one aspect of the project before you make your final decision on who will coordinate and oversee the work.

Even if you're only doing a small project, taking the time to communicate, investigate and substantiate all areas of your remodel with each potential contractor will help you make the right decision.

It's a good idea to get at least three quotes on any home remodeling project. There are a number of resources and ways for you to be able to find contractors for quotes. Sometimes recommendations from family and friends can work out great … sometimes not. Beware of letting your friend's wife's brother-in-law who's just getting started do the job.

Once you choose three people to give you a quote make sure you describe in depth exactly what you want accomplished. Assuming someone understands what you envision can be a big mistake. Get specific, ask questions and have everything in writing.

Home Remodeling Contractor

Make sure you feel comfortable talking and discussing possible problems and issues with your contractor. As your project goes on changes and decisions will need to be made. You don't want stressful conversations or aggravations during the remodeling.

Don't hesitate to ask for a materials list to ensure you're getting the quality of materials you want. You also want to make sure you get what's on the initial list and not a cheaper substitution.

When meeting with contractors always ask for references and contact those references. It's also a good idea to do some investigating yourself. Find out how long the home remodeling contractor has been in business and check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

Once you've interviewed and received quotes from every home remodeling contractor you've contacted, it's time to begin to compare. Compare prices, quality of materials, time for completion and your overall impression of each one. If necessary create a spreadsheet allowing you to view and rank each of these areas, from each contractor. Make a notation of the ranking you give each contractor in each area. Then simply see which company has the highest ranking. That’s the contractor you’ll want to hire to get started on your remodeling project!

Source: http://www.plazaareaneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=featured_article&itemId=11

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself section. With adverse winter conditions ahead, it does not hurt to check your driveway for damages or needed repairs. The article below has very good suggestions and they are easy to follow. Keeping your driveway in shape will prolong the life of the driveway and it will be less expensive in the long run than to have to replace the entire driveway.

Preventive Maintenance For Your Driveway
Filed Under: Preventive Maintenence

Having your driveway paved with asphalt is quite an investment. It’s an investment that you will want to do all you can to protect. Right now is the perfect time to do some preventative maintenance to help your driveway survive the harsh winter weather. With a little preventative maintenance, your asphalt driveway should last for years.

Even the asphalt used on highways deteriorates with wear and weather, but the grade of asphalt the is most commonly used on driveways is much worse. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to protect your driveway is by sealing it. The heat and use during summer can damage your asphalt, but the freezing and thawing during the winter can wreak havoc on your driveway.

Your driveway should be sealed at regular intervals to protect it all year round. There are many benefits that come with sealing your driveway. It will make your driveway water resistant; it can help repel both rain and melting snow and ice. Water is the most destructive element for driveways; it can cause cracking which allows even further water damage.

The hot sun can also damage your driveway, it causes it to become overly dry and makes it more susceptible to cracks beneath the heavy weight of vehicles and also allows water seepage. But, even air can damage the surface of your driveway by causing corrosion.

Most professionals recommend that you apply a new coat of sealant to your driveway every one to three years. But, you can often tell when sealer is needed just by the color of your asphalt. If it appears to look really dried out, it’s time to add a new coat of sealant.

You should never apply driveway sealant to any new asphalt surface. When first paved you should allow the asphalt at least six months before applying a sealer. It generally takes that long for all of the oils in the asphalt to evaporate. And, as the oil evaporates out of the asphalt, your driveway will become harder and much more durable.

Applying a sealant will prevent the oil from being able to evaporate and the asphalt will remain soft. You also need to apply sealant only if the temperature is at least 50 degrees. In weather that is below fifty, the sealant won’t be able to adhere properly. Once applied, the sealant needs at least 48 hours to properly dry. So, you should also check the weather to make sure that you’re going to have several days of dry weather before sealing your driveway.

Before sealing your driveway you should also inspect it for any signs of cracking and repair them if you find any. You can purchase products to repair cracks in your asphalt, or call in a professional to do the work. Either way, it’s vital that any cracks or holes are properly repaired before sealing.

Applying a sealant to your asphalt driveway offers other benefits besides protection from the weather. It will also make your driveway much easier to clean and sweep. And, it will create a repellant for oil and other chemicals that might get spilled onto the surface.

Source: http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/preventive-maintenence/preventative-maintenance-driveway/

With winter just around the corner, we thought it best to review the issue of freezing pipes. Busted pipes can be very destructive and expensive to repair. With a little bit of prevention you can rest assured that your pipes will not freeze.

How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing and Bursting

Filed Under: In an average winter, one quarter of a million homes have busted pipes caused by freezing. A small hole that is just 1/8″ long can leak as much as 250 gallons of water each day! Even if the hole isn’t inside the home where the water can do all kinds of damage, the wasted water will make for quite an expensive water bill.

There are steps that you can take to help prevent your pipes from freezing. And, if you do them now, you won’t have to be outside during the cold weather insulating pipes or fixing leaks. When it comes to something that can seriously damage your home, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Something as simple as leaving your cabinet doors open when you go to bed at night can sometimes prevent freezing. Heat often doesn’t reach inside closed doors, opening them will allow heat from the room to keep the area around the pipes warmer. And, believe it or not, actually letting your hot water drip during the night can also help keep pipes from freezing.

Seal all the air leaks in the area where your water pipes are, during extremely cold weather, outside air can freeze pipes that are even inside your basement or other area. If you have air vents under your home, close them or seal them all up with insulation during the winter to keep cold air out.

One of the most common ways to insulate pipes is to use foam insulation. The foam comes in pipe like tubes and is split down one side to slip over the water pipes. It can be easily cut to fit a size area that you need to insulate. Pipe jackets are usually made of foam, fiber glass or wool felt.

If you use insulating tubes, get them as close together as you can. And, as you get each piece placed on the pipes, tape all of the seams with some wide tape to prevent air leaks. Tape the joints securely as well; the insulation won’t work properly if there are holes and gaps that let the cold air reach the pipes.

You can also use regular batting insulation that comes in narrow rolls especially for pipes. It’s just like the insulation that you use inside walls and it’s just wrapped around the pipes. If you’re really worried about frozen pipes and want to take extra precautions, use heated pipe cable or tape to protect your pipes.

If there’s any insulation already on the pipes, you’ll need to remove it before attaching the heat tape. You should also remove any flammable items away from the heat tape as an extra precaution. If you have existing heat tape on your pipes, you should inspect it on a yearly basis. Although, it’s made to last for several years, the plastic coating can sometimes become cracked leaving raw wire exposed.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly; heat tape should never be wrapped over top of itself. Leave some space between each layer. Not all heat tape works for all pipes. Some of the tape can’t be used on plastic pipes, just make sure you purchase the correct heat tape for the correct job.

Another great advantage of using heat tape is that besides helping to keep your pipes from freezing in the first place, it can slowly thaw them if they do freeze. The automatic heat tape is much safer than the regular types; it will come with a thermostat that will keep the temperature adjusted at a certain level.

When choosing insulation to cover heat tape, make sure that it is waterproof to keep water from soaking through to the electrical elements of the tape. Heat tape is one of the best ways to properly insulate around pipe fittings or spigots.

Once you’ve applied the heat tape, then you can use foam sleeve insulation over top of the tape. Don’t forget to start wrapping your pipes with the plug-in closet to the nearest outlet. And, last of all; don’t forget to plug your heat tape in on those cold winter nights.

Source: http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/insulation/how-to-insulate-water-pipes/ 

This article is a reminder to all our readers who bought a home in 2008 and have not filed for their property tax exemptions. Be sure to file for any exemptions that you are entitled to and please remember that the second half of the property tax payment is due by November 10th, 2008.

Property Tax Exemptions

December 31, 2008 is the deadline to file your property tax exemptions for 2008 taxes payable in 2009.

To be eligible for these deductions in 2009, persons must be the owner of their primary residence as of December 31, 2008. If you purchased your property or refinanced your Mortgage by December 31, 2008, you have until December 31, 2008 to file. If you have previously filed an exemption on your property, you would only need to refile if you have moved or refinanced.

To ensure that you are not paying higher taxes than you should for next year, be sure to file for any exemptions that you are entitled.

The following exemptions are available to those who qualify:

• Homestead Exemption- Once filed on your residence, only needs to be refiled if you move.

Mortgage Exemption- Once filed, only needs to be refiled if you have refinanced. Must bring:

• Date of Closing
•  Amount of Mortgage
• Name of Finance Company or Institution.

Over 65 Exemption:

• Must turn 65 by 12/31/07
• Combined adjusted gross income limit is $25,000
• Must bring copies of pages one (1) and two (2) of your 2006 1040 (for all persons listed on the property)
• Assessed value on all properties owned not to exceed $182,430

Blind / Disability Exemption- Must bring:

• Doctor's statement for proof of blindness or disability, or
• An Awards Letter from Social Security for proof of disability.

Veterans Exemption- with total or partial disability. Must bring:

• VA Statement of Benefit Record (Form 20-5455) with a code listed in Item # 15 or
  Pension Certificate or
• Award of Compensation or
• Letter of Disability from the Veterans Administration with rating.

Your exemptions need to be filed in the Auditor's Office, Room 208 of the Civic Center Complex (on the second floor.) Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. If you would like an exemption form mailed to you, please call 435-5293 and make the request. For additional information click on Tax Exemptions to go to the Auditor's Website.

Governor Mitch Daniels is requesting federal disaster assistance for 18 more counties which include most of the Southwestern Indiana such as Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Spencer and Perry counties. Hurricane Ike swept through this area on September 14th and left behind extensive damage.

For more information, click here to read the article in the Evansville Courier & Press.

It is nice to see that Evansville organizations continue to strive to make Evansville a better place to live. Keep Evansville Beautiful, a non for profit organization will receive two national awards in December in Washington D.C. The first award is a program to prevent litter, and the second is an award in the beautifications project portion for designing the “Welcome to Evansville� sign.

At the end of the year all the awards will help Evansville to differntiaite it self from other cities and be more competitive in getting families to move to Evansville which will help the economy and the local real estate market. To read the full article, go to http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/oct/21/keep-evansville-beautiful-earns-two-national-honor/. 

Vanderburgh County is set to get the Reverse 911 system that has a wide variety of uses including the dissemination of Amber Alerts, evacuation orders, boil water orders and road closings. Major Jonathan Weinzapfel has been championing for this for some time and was pleased to announce that County Commissioners have awarded a $ 266,500.00 Community Oriented Policing Service grant to implement this system.

This certainly will benefit the residents of Evansville and we applaud Major Weinzapfel for taking this step.

Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel and the County Commissioners are pleased to announce the awarding of a $266,500 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant for a countywide emergency notification system.

An emergency notification system, often referred to as reverse 911, has a wide variety of uses including the dissemination of Amber Alerts, evacuation orders, boil water orders and road closings.

“An emergency notification system will enable us to instantly spread important information to either a targeted area or the entire county,” said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. “This will be a tremendously useful public safety tool and provides another method to communicate urgent matters with our residents.”

The first step in implementing an emergency notification system will be determining which service will be purchased. We won’t know exactly what functions the system will perform until a particular product is selected. There are other companies besides “Reverse 911” which offer emergency notification products. Central Dispatch will also meet with possible stakeholders who might be interested in using the service like the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility.

Funding for the emergency notification system was made possible when the 2008 Federal Budget was approved. The budget included a $266,500 appropriation for the system, which was obtained by Congressman Brad Ellsworth at the request of the County. The money was then distributed through a COPS grant. COPS’ mission is to advance community policing as an effective strategy in efforts to improve public safety.

Source: http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=32941

The Vanderburgh County sold waste district is promoting to recycle unwanted gizmos and gadgets which are not longer used. The place of collection is this Saturday October 18th from 8.00 AM to 12.00 PM at the parking lot of the Civic Center downtown. Recycling these gadgets will promote good use the land fill.

To learn more about this project, click here to read the article in the Evansville Courier & Press.

The Warrick County Recorder's office is offering property owners a new weapon in the fight against fraudulent mortgage documents. The county is providing the free Property Fraud Alert (PFA) system, which protects people by contacting them via email or telephone contact each time a property document is recorded with their name on it.

This will help home owners down the road and make the process of home ownership safer.

To read the article in the Evansville Courier & Press, click here.

As many other cities, Evansville has a nice size international community and all are embraced by Evansville's fine residents. The International community is hosting a food festival this Sunday from 11.00 AM to 4.00 PM at 1332 Lincoln Avenue. All surplus proceeds will be donated to the Tri-State Food Bank.

For more on this story, click here to read the article in the Evansville Courier & Press.

With all the uncertainties in the market right now it is reassuring to see that the State of Indiana is doing better than other states. The State Office of Management & Budget director Ryan Kitchell says while some states are facing deficit budgets, laying off employees and seeking loans or bonds to stay above water, Indiana has taken steps to weather the financial storm. Kitchell says balancing the state's budget, paying hundreds of millions of dollars in back payments to schools, universities and local governments and building the state's reserves have all helped Indiana. The state ended the fiscal year this summer with a budget surplus of about $1.4 billion. Massachusetts recently got $750 million in short-term loans just to keep the state running, and California is trying to do the same.

For more on this subject, click here.

There’s a reason that maids and house cleaners often say, “I don’t do windows!”. Seems like no matter how much you clean them or what you clean them with, there’s always streaks left behind. Almost all commercial window cleaners claim to be “streak free”, but I’ve yet to find one that actually lives up to that claim!

One way to reduce the amount of streaks left behind is to never clean your windows while the sun is hitting them. The heat from the sun dries up the cleaning solution too quickly and it will cause all kinds of streaks! And, if you don’t have a choice but to clean them while the sun is hitting them, clean small areas at a time.

If you’ve ever had to run in and out of your house trying to figure out which side of the glass a streak or smudge was on, try this simple idea. Use different strokes for each side of the glass. When you clean one side, wipe the glass up and down, for the other side, wipe the glass from side to side.

To remove grease and soil from your windows, use two quarts of warm water with 1/4 cup of ammonia mixed in. This especially works well for windows in kitchens where grease from cooking travels through the air and settles on the glass.

If you live close to a road or highway, grease and oil from automobiles can even collect on your windows. For really thick built up grease and soil, combine two cups of rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup of ammonia and a gallon of warm water. Shake it up to get it all mixed really well and pour some into a spray bottle.

If you have a fish aquarium, then you’ve probably had to deal with removing hard water deposits. I don’t like to use chemicals on my aquarium since you can’t ever be sure you’ve gotten them thoroughly rinsed off. Try 1/4 cup of vinegar mixed with two quarts of warm water.
For really stubborn deposits, use vinegar full strength on a sponge.

Cut glass is easy to clean if you just use a little baking soda and a damp sponge or cloth. Gently rub the glass and then rinse with some clean water and use a soft lint free cloth to polish it to a shine.

If none of these seem to perform in the way that you want them to, you can try a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed in one quart of water. Borax also makes a really good window cleaner, mix three cups of water and two tablespoons of the borax.

Glass is pretty expensive to replace and pretty easy to scratch! You can rub a little dab of regular toothpaste onto the scratch and then polish it with a soft rag. Mixing equal parts of white vinegar and dry mustard is also suppose to be really good at fixing scratches.

Source: http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/cleaning/tips-sparkling-streak-free-glass-windows/

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself section. One area home owners forget that also needs some form of maintenance is the weather stripping of a garage door. If the weather stripping is torn or brittle it needs to be replaced. In the long run you will save on utility bills.

How To Apply Weather Stripping To a Garage Door

Filed Under: Many homeowners prepare for cold weather by insulating, caulking and apply weather stripping to their homes. But, one of the most forgotten places that needs to be weather stripped is the garage door. While hardly anyone heats their garage, sealing the cracks can still help in keeping lot’s of cold air out.

Weather stripping your garage door can help to protect everything that’s stored in your garage even if you don’t heat it. Many items can survive the winter out of the damp air, that wouldn’t last if they were sitting out in the elements.

And, if you have the convenience of a door from the home directly into the garage, weather stripping can help keep lot’s of cold air from entering your home each time you open the garage door. But, since garages aren’t normally heated, most people don’t think to insulate them.

Most garage doors will last for the entire life of your home if they’re taken care of and properly maintained. Weatherstripping will keep moisture from leaking to the inside of the door that will not only damage the door, but can affect the way your garage door opener works as well. Moisture gathering on the metal parts of the door opener can lead to rusty components that stick.

Many homes have rooms or small apartment like additions over their garages. Another great advantage to insulating your garage is that the cold air won’t leak into the above room or suck all of the heat out of it wasting energy.

A garage door that has been properly installed and maintained should have even space all the way around the door. However, the door normally doesn’t fit up against the frame and this small gap is where weather stripping needs to be applied.

Garage door weather stripping is made of rubber and is very flexible. As the door opens and closes, the rubber flexes and forms a tight seal around the door. Eventually, heat and cold damage the rubber and it can become hard and crack. Sometimes the rubber stripping gets torn from bumps with lawnmowers, bicycles or other items.

Most home improvement stores and hardware stores carry rubber weather stripping. It generally comes in either white or brown and is pre-attached to a plastic backing that can be nailed right to the door frame. Measure the existing weather stripping to make sure that you get the correct size for your garage door.

When removing the old stripping be very careful not to damage the frame. You can use a hammer to remove the nails, but a small pry bar usually works better since the area is small. After you’ve removed all of the old stripping, check the area to make sure that none of the nails have pulled through the stripping and are still in the frame.

It’s best if you start attaching the new weather stripping at the top of the door. Depending on what the backing is made of, you can usually cut the stripping with a utility knife or a sharp pair of utility scissors. Measure the length across the top and cut a piece of stripping to the correct size.

The weather stripping can be over lapped slightly at the corners so that there aren’t any leaks. Nail spacing is a personal preference, but the closer the nails the less chance there will be of leaks. You can also use an electric staple gun if you have one handy.

After you’ve attached the top section of the stripping, measure, cut and attach the side pieces. Applying the weather stripping with the garage door closed will give you a much more efficient seal. With the door closed, you’ll be able to see any gaps and adjust the stripping before attaching it.

Don’t forget to inspect the weather stripping around the door that enters your home from the garage. And, if you have a window installed on the side of your garage, weather strip it as well. Any amount of cold air that you can keep out of your garage will help keep your home warmer and reduce your utility bill!

Source: http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/insulation/how-to-apply-weather-stripping-garage-door/

A front porch is one of the most appealing areas of a home, especially if it is comfortable, inviting, and well decorated. It is a place where people often read the morning paper while enjoying the cool breezes of fall. The front porch is also a place to sit back and relax while taking in fresh air and observing outdoor activities. A well decorated front porch is friendly, and it provides countless ways to creatively welcome in seasons and special occasions. As fall approaches, consider the following creative ways of decorating a front porch for fall, and turn an ordinary entryway into a comfortable and more inviting place to enjoy the outdoors while showing off your personal decorating style.

Preparing a Porch for Decorating

Before decorating a porch for any season or holiday, it is important to sweep away dirt, webs, debris, and wayward leaves on a regular basis. Even though this living space is outdoors, no one wants to sit in an area that appears dirty and uninviting. In addition, take the time to wipe down railings using clear water or a product labeled for cleaning a porch or deck. Removing layers of dirt and grime and sweeping away debris is the first step in decorating a porch for fall or for any season or occasion, and as a result it will look more welcoming than ever.

Overhead Color

Many people never consider decorating the underside of their porch overhang, and it is often the same color as the trim of the house, but adding a little color is a great way to make it more cheerful, especially when decorating for fall. Consider painting the ceiling of a porch overhang a lovely shade of light blue. Choose a soothing shade of cerulean that is reminiscent of the lightest shades of blue that touch the horizon on a clear fall day. The porch will have a more open and airy feel, and the ceiling will seem as high as a beautiful fall sky.

Comfortable Seating and Side Tables

An outdoor porch that is used regularly must have comfortable seating and side tables to be truly relaxing and inviting. When decorating a porch for fall, consider outfitting existing chairs will comfy cushions in colorful and interesting fall patterns. When buying new seating, opt for weather-resistant wicker and thick chair cushions. In addition, select a roomy side table to place between seating areas. Tables with eye-catching mosaic tabletops are ideal when decorating a porch for fall, and with proper care they will last for decades. A table between two comfy porch chairs is ideal for holding a pitcher of refreshing apple cider or a carafe of hot chocolate. Make this picture come to life by decorating your front porch for fall. It will become a refuge as well as an outdoor haven for autumn relaxation.

Creative Outdoor Fall Decor

When decorating a porch for fall, use bales of straw or hay as a base. Visit your local garden center or major craft supply retailer for bales of various sizes. They will provide a stable surface for decorating with planters, scarecrows, colorful gourds, faux crows, and other items used when decorating for fall.

Consider setting up a display that welcomes guests to the home. Place bales of hay or straw on both sides of the walkway that lead up to the porch. Stack bales of various sizes on the porch beginning with the largest. Purchase scarecrows that can be posed, and sit one on each side of the porch entrance on the bales. Create a welcome sign on a post, and place it through one of the bales. Wrap one of the scarecrow’s arms around the sign post, and surround it with pumpkins and gourds of various sizes, patterns, and shapes. Add a faux raven or two for an interesting fall display that is sure to impress.

Fall Planters

Along with creative outdoor fall decor, consider decorating with fall planters. The flowers of fall are some of the most beautiful of all, and they will add rich color and design to an autumn-themed display. Select large terracotta pots with adequate drainage, and fill them with organic potting soil and beautiful fall mums. Plant trailing vines around the edges, and place the potted plants on the bales of hay or along stair steps. They will add a tremendous amount of color and design to this fall display, and they will help welcome guests and make the porch look and feel more welcoming.

Lighting Options

An outdoor porch decorated for fall or for any season or occasion should include practical and decorative lighting. Consider purchasing rope lights to mount under porch railings or around the edges of the porch overhang. Rope lighting is available in various lengths and colors, and they can be combined with other rope lights or trimmed to fit perfectly. In addition to rope lights, consider choosing two solar or electric spotlights that can be pointed toward the display on both sides of the walkway. The addition of lights is one of the easiest ways of decorating a porch for fall, and it makes a dramatic impact on the display.

The options are truly endless when decorating a porch for fall. These are just some of the ways you can add color and design to your outdoor living space. Visit local flea markets, resale shops, craft stores, and home improvement stores for decorating accessories. Some of the most decorative items are not meant to be used for decorating and serve other useful purposes. With a little creativity and the desire to begin decorating a porch for fall, you will be able to create a welcoming area for sitting and relaxing with friends and loved ones or for relaxing with a good book and a cup of hot apple cider.

Source: http://www.plazaareaneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=article&itemId=3470 

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself section. Dwight Barnett explains the benefits of changing air filters and making sure that the ducts are professionally cleaned very five years. This will increase the life cycle of your HVAC system and you are breathing cleaner air.


http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/oct/03/quality-air-filters-sealed-ducts-will-keep-mold/

Vanderburgh County residents can rest assured that the roads this winter will be treated. The City Council took a shortcut through the appropriation process and opened the way to buy 3,000 tons of salt. Last winter's heavy snow and ice storms created the shortage, causing prices to rise from $45.27 per ton as recently as April. Highway Superintendent Mike Duckworth said he "looked everywhere" for salt before discovering that a Pennsylvania chemical company will ship salt in from Brazil in order to service counties and municipalities that need it. One of the barge loads will travel the Ohio River later this month.

To read the full article, go to http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/oct/02/council-finds-bitter-pill-in-winter-salt/. 

Our local energy company, Vectren, has some tips to reduce heating bills. The suggestions are easy to follow and will have a positive result on your utility bills. Vectren tips on cooling off heating bills. Higher heating bills are on the way, but there are ways to soften the blow, things you can do around the house to help. To read the story, go to http://www.wfie.com/global/story.asp?s=9101593.  

Also, here is some good news for the City of Evansville. Marilee Fowler of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau, has revealed that 2008 has been an incredible year with an increase in hotel bookings. The overall picture is improving and tourism is doing well in the City of Evansville. Evansville tourism sees growth over 2 years. Tourism is doing well in the city of Evansville, and with the next few weeks packed with more events, the ECVB hopes to see it grow even more. To read the full story, go to http://www.wfie.com/global/story.asp?s=9081025.

Find more items like this at http://www.wfie.com.