This article will give you a heads up of what you can do to renovate your lawn for the next season. The steps are easy to follow and will help you with the maintenance of your yard.

To read the full article, visit http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/aug/29/september-is-best-time-for-renovating-the-lawn/.  

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

 Adjust the Setting on Your Refrigerator

Date: 9/6/2008 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: free
Location: Roberts Stadium parking lot
2600 Division St
Evansville, Indiana 47711

MATERIALS TO BRING:

• Motor Oil & Filters
• Oil Based Paints
• Auto Batteries & Fluids
• Solvents & Thinners
• Pesticides & Herbicides
• Thermometers/Mercury
• Aerosol Cans
• Household Cleaners
• Glues & Adhesives
• Photographic Chemicals
• Pool Chemicals
• Fluoresecnt Bulbs
• Pharmaceuticals

DO NOT BRING:

• Infectious Waste
• Commercial/Industrial Waste
• Smoke Detectors
• Explosives/Adhesives
• Fire Extinguishers
• Pressurized Containers
• Gas Cylinders
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Tires
• Latex Paint

VANDERBURGH COUNTY & POSEY COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS ONLY
NO BUSINESSES PLEASE

For Information, call 436-7800 in Vanderburgh County and 838-1613 in Posey County.

Date: 9/6/2008 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: free
Location: Evansville Day School
3400 N Green River Rd
Evansville, Indiana 47711

ITEMS TO BRING:
(Please be sure items are clean and sorted.)

• Aluminum cans and Metal food cans
• Cardboard Catalogs/magazines
• Newspaper and Mixed paper
• Glass containers and #1 & #2 plastic bottles

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY
812-436-7800

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

 Invest in a Low-Flow Toilet  

Toilets account for approximately 30 percent of residential, indoor water consumption. Replacing an older toilet with a low-flow toilet can save 9,000 gallons of water a year.

Source: http://www.in.gov/idem/hoosierscare/5590.htm

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

 Plant Shade Trees

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

 Adjust the Setting on Your Refrigerator  

Refrigerators account for 9 percent of an average home's total energy consumption. To save money and energy, keep your refrigerator's thermostat set between 37 and 40°F.

Source: http://www.in.gov/idem/hoosierscare/5590.htm

These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home:

1. Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children's reach -- preferably in a locked cabinet.

2. Read the Label FIRST! Pesticide products, household cleaning products, and pet products can be dangerous or ineffective if too much or too little is used.

3. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label.

4. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children’s reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging.

5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink(like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.

6. When applying insect repellents to children, read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing.

7. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested . Don’t try to remove lead paint yourself.

8. Ask about lead when buying or renting a home. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards in houses or apartments built before 1978.

9. Get your child tested for lead. There are no visible symptoms of lead poisoning, and children may suffer behavior or learning problems as a result of exposure to lead hazards.

10. Wash children’s hands, toys, and bottles often. Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce possible exposure to lead and pesticide residues.

Source:http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/child-ten-tips.htm

The annual Frog Follies enthusiasts are starting to roll into town. Below is a schedule of events:
The annual Frog Follies are underway this Friday through Sunday. But the question remains will high gas prices affect the amount of car enthusiasts participating in this year’s event? The event kicked off at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning to spectators and although some say this year looks the same as it did last year organizer Bob Bell says people are watching their dollars. Bell says when its all said and done it will be close to 4,000 car participants with spectators adding to that number. And, while this event is catered toward a love of cars, the money raised will go toward local Charities like Easter Seals.

For more information visit www.frogfollies.org

Friday

10:00 am to 6:30pm Concessions Stands Open

8:00 am to 6:00 pm Registration at the Fairgrounds

8:00 am to 4:30 pm Swap Meet & Women's World Open

7:00 pm *Early Bird Gets the Worm

8:00 pm *Forgy's Kids Games

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm *Friday Night Boogie Bash



Saturday

7:30 am to 5:00 pm Concessions Stands Open

8:00 am to 4:00 pm Registration at the Fairgrounds

8:00 am to ?? Show & Shine at the Fairgrounds

8:00 am to 4:30 pm Swap Meet & Women's World Open

5:00 pm *Meal Served

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm *Dance



Sunday

7:30 am to ?? Concessions Stands Open

8:00 am to 2:00 pm Registration at the Fairgrounds

8:00 am to ?? Show & Shine at the Fairgrounds

8:00 am to 2:00 pm Swap Meet & Women's World Open

10:00 am to 11:00 am Church Services

2:00 pm Awards in the Grandstand

Source: http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=22701

Last week we reported that Evansville was chosen by Kiplinger Magazine as one of the best places to live. Today we can report that the University of Evansville ranks as one of the best values in higher education in the Midwest according to U.S. News & World Report. There are many pieces that fit a puzzle and each one contributes to make Evansville a good place to live.

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

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

There are always changes on the home construction front.

The latest change we see is in windows. The manufacturers of Serious Materials are working on a solution to boast the windows unit R-values of 5 to 15.

The company estimates the ThermaProof windows, which it will launch this fall, will run about $100 more per window, but that each will earn about $1,000 over its life in saved energy costs.

Residential and commercial models will be offered.

Coming soon | Super-Efficient Windows

by Katy Tomasulo

Serious Materials, which recently acquired window innovator Alpen Energy Group, is tackling the wall’s most inefficient component with a new line of windows boasting unit R-values of 5 to 15. The company achieved this level, which is significantly higher than the R-2.5 to R-3 of a typical double-pane, low-E window, by reinventing the glass, the spacers, and the frame, says CEO Kevin Surace.

For the glass, the company leveraged the technology Alpen had developed for its award-winning windows. A layer of metal-sputtered Mylar, suspended between the glass panes, boosts center-of-glass R-values. The company developed two frame systems: a foamed PVC frame and a fiberglass frame with soy foam insulation. Finally, each window features an Eco Spacer that reduces heat loss at the edges of the glazings.

The company estimates the ThermaProof windows, which it will launch this fall, will run about $100 more per window, but that each will earn about $1,000 over its life in saved energy costs. Residential and commercial models will be offered.

R-value is an unfamiliar window measurement for most pros, but Surace says Serious Materials is looking to shift the conversation from the traditional center-of-glass U-values to full-frame R-values, which he says are more measurable and understandable.

For more information, visit www.seriousmaterials.com. 

Source: http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/coming-soon-super-efficient-windows.aspx 

We reported on this story last week about Evansville having been voted best place to live by Kiplinger Magazine.

Now we can report that the Mayor is also celebrating this achievement.

This is good news for the City if Evansville .

Click here to read the related press release from the City of Evansville.

The planning of the construction of the new stadium is continuing to take place. Mayor Weinzapfel has asked the Robert Stadium Advisory Board to meet again in order to look at the economic impact analysis. Mayor Weinzapfel said: "We're moving along in a process where we can build something new downtown without raising property taxes, but as a side benefit it looks like potentially we could create several hundred jobs.”

Planning and construction a new stadium is no easy task and we commend the Mayor for taking time and looking at all issues to make sure this project turns out a success for Evansville.

By Marianne Lyles
Posted by Mike Mardis

Evansville is now closer to knowing what kind of stadium it will build. The Roberts Stadium Advisory Board and consultant have already recommended building new.

Now Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel knows what kind of economic impact that will have on the community. Weinzapfel has moved onto the next step of hiring a consultant, architect and financial advisor.

After seeing the research, officials are certain they're headed in the right direction. The Roberts Stadium Advisory Board's job is essentially finished, but board members were called in one more time for a look at the economic impact analysis.

The consulting and planning firm, Conventions Sports and Leisure International put the report together.

Weston Johnson, Conventions Sports and Lesure International, said they tried to get a lot of inpur on the new stadium.

"We talked with a lot of concert promoters, family shows promoters and different sports organizations and sports leagues," Johnson said.

The estimated annual revenue from sources including tickets, food, beverage and hotels is $13.7 million. The study says the current Roberts Stadium will generate $8.1 million annually, but it goes beyond dollar amounts.

The report looks at the quality of life a new arena provides. The recently hired architectural consultants gave examples of other cities turned around because of a downtown stadium.

Wayne Henning, Advisory Board Chair, said it's amazing what a downtown stadium could do.

"To see what these stadiums have done, the before and after pictures, it was a very moving presentation," Henning said.

It's the trickle-down effect of a new stadium that has many, including Weinzapfel, excited about a downtown location.

"We're moving along in a process where we can build something new downtown without raising property taxes, but as a side benefit it looks like potentially we could create several hundred jobs," Weinzapfel said.

The new hires will conduct a feasibility study which should be done in three months. The mayor says at that time, there should be a final decision.

Source: http://www.wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=8868630 

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

Residential Style Fact:

 Source: http://www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/residentialstyles

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

We continue to see that corporations, who feel compelled to do something good, reach out and achieve quite remarkable results. Shoe Carnival has teamed up with Soles4Souls an international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to those in need. The launch of this program is set for September 3 and will end on September 24, 2008. All of Shoe Carnival 300 stores will participate. Shoe Carnival is a chain of more than 300 footwear stores located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family. Headquartered in Evansville, Ind.,

We hope that Shoe Carnival will reach their fund raising goal they have set, and we will help them to do that by visiting a Shoe Carnival store and give them our support.

For more information, please read the post by Inside INdiana Business website by clicking here.

According to the Indiana Government a few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water.

Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

Weatherize Your House

Annual Savings: $500

Using proper insulation in your home and sealing off air leaks will help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing energy consumption and saving money. Weatherizing can save you 10 percent on your energy bill, and properly insulating your home can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 30 percent.

Source: http://www.in.gov/idem/hoosierscare/5590.htm 

Evansville has won the favorite place to live, work and play award from Kiplinger.com. This is certainly positive for Evansville and the surrounding area. According to Kiplinger.com, Evansville has a low crime rate, affordable homes, good schools, hardly any traffic and plenty to do. Who wouldn't want to live in a city that offered all this? Perhaps that's why Kiplinger.com readers picked Evansville, Ind., as their favorite city, with almost twice as many votes as runner-up Green Bay, Wis.

This is good news for Evansville

To view the entire article, go to http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2008/08/2008-honorable-mention-evansville-indiana.html. 

Your home may be worth more now than you think, especially if you've made the right updates! We would be happy to view your home and provide you with a free market analysis. If selling your home has ever been a possibility, now may be the time!

Please call us if you have any questions regarding the market value of your home. We can set up an appointment for us to talk. You can reach us at 812-499-9234.

In this article, Dwight Barnett lists ten ways to cut energy costs. With utility prices only going up, some changes in the way we live can make a difference. We hope you enjoy reading this article.

Ten easy ways to cut energy costs
By C. Dwight Barnett

The cost of heating and cooling your home is on the rise, with some analysts estimating as much as a 30 percent increase over last year's record prices. The good news is that there are a few simple things all of us can do to reduce the amount of energy we use for heating, cooling and lighting.

I have listed my top 10 easy things to do:

1. Replace filters on a regular basis. A clean filter reduces the amount of energy required to operate the fan. When you change the filter, make sure the opening is covered to keep unconditioned air from entering the fan system. If there is no cover, use duct tape to seal the filter opening each time the filter is changed.

Also, use a quality — sometimes called expensive — high-efficiency filter. You get what you pay for.

2. Clean, clean, clean the outside air-conditioning unit. Restricted airflow can cost you hundreds of cooling dollars each year. Airflow through the outside coils is reduced when the coils are dirty or confined by shrubs and bushes. Proper airflow can be restricted by grass clippings, overgrown plants, fences, lint from the clothes dryer or stored items.

The air-conditioning unit needs lots of clear space to operate efficiently. Trim plants and vines away from the outside unit, and remove any stored items or decorative fence coverings. Then get ready to spray-wash the coils until they are clean. Turn off the electric supply to the air conditioner at the disconnect switch located near or on the unit or at the main electric panel. Using a garden hose, spray the dirt and debris from the coils, working from inside the top opening and spraying downward.

On most units the top grill is open where you can see the fan blades. This is where you want to start spraying.

For closed-top units it would pay to have a professional do the cleaning, but spraying the coils from the outside might help remove the grit.

3. Stop wasting electricity. The type of electricity supplied to your home cannot be economically stored for later use, so there is a constant flow of current to the switches and outlets inside the home. Most appliances connected to the outlet will use that electricity.

Most battery-operated PDAs, cell phones, iPods, laptop computers, games and the like have a 120-volt transformer that reduces the power supplied to the appliance. When left plugged into a wall outlet, the transformer continues to use power even when the battery-operated device is not connected. Unplug the transformers when not in use.

TV sets are always "on," drawing power from the outlet even when turned "off." Any TV set, audio equipment, countertop microwave oven and, especially, coffee pot that you do not intend to use daily should be unplugged to conserve energy.

Replace old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. According to the Energy Star Web site (www.energystar.gov), a compact fluorescent light bulb, also known as a CFL, can be used in place of a standard incandescent light bulb to conserve energy. A CFL uses 75 percent less energy and is estimated to last 10 times longer than conventional bulbs.

Depending on the cost of energy, which is increasing even as I write this article, each CFL can save you $30 over the life of the bulb. Then there is the added benefit of a lower output of heat energy produced by a CFL. When less heat is generated, the home's cooling system does not have to work as hard to compensate for that heat.

The one problem with a CFL: It contains a minute amount of mercury that can be a health hazard if the CFL breaks inside the home. Information on cleanup of mercury can be found at http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflreport.htm. View appendix E.

4. Close curtains on the sunny side of the home during the cooling season. Heat gains through standard double-paned glass can be significant and will add to the costs of cooling the home. Consider installing Low-E window glass if you are planning on replacement windows or new construction.

5. If you have an older furnace or boiler with a pilot light, turn the pilot light off until it's needed for the heating season. The pilot light produces heat, which has to be cooled by the air-conditioning unit.

6. Use an electric fan to circulate room air. You can set the thermostat higher and still remain comfortable by sitting near the fan.

7. Insulate, tape, caulk and seal every opening you can find to reduce drafts. Air movements through wall cavities, around window and door openings, and up chimneys and vents all add up to lost energy. Close the fireplace damper and glass doors. Heat from the chimney adds to the costs of cooling the home.

8. Dampness in the crawl space or basement raises the humidity levels inside the home, making the air feel uncomfortable. The air conditioner has to work double duty to both cool the air and remove excess humidity. Dry out crawl space and basement foundations using dehumidifiers, sump pumps and drainage systems. Exposed soils need to be covered with a 6 mil or heavier plastic vapor barrier.

9. The biggest energy hog in the home is the water heater. The home's cold water is heated to about 120 degrees and is kept at that temperature all day, every day. What a waste! Turn the temperature down to 110 degrees to save energy, or install a smaller-capacity water heater.

When it's time to replace the water heater, consider the new tankless heaters that heat water only on demand. The units cost a lot more than a standard water heater, but they will pay for themselves in the long run.

10. Insulate the attic space. Most attics I see have far less insulation than what is required by code. Adding insulation blankets (batts) or loose fill is an easy but laborious job. Make sure everything in the attic is covered except for recessed light fixtures, bathroom fans and soffit vents.

The thicker the insulation the better, but do not use a vapor barrier such as Kraft-faced insulation batts or rolls. You don't want to trap moisture between the ceiling and the insulation.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/aug/08/ten-easy-ways-to-cut-energy-costs/  

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself files. There is nothing more frustrating than a leaky roof. Here are a few guidelines to help you overcome this situation at home, should you have a leaky roof one day.

Leaky Roof? How to Tell and What to Do

It starts to rain and you see the drip, drip, drip of water coming through your ceiling. But not all roof leaks are that obvious, so how do you tell if your roof is damaged and what do you do about it?

The roofing gurus at RenovationExperts.com offer these tips on how to tell if your roof needs help and how to hire a roofing contractor to avoid an expensive, wet disaster and give you piece of mind.

What to Look For
The most obvious sign of a damaged, leaking roof is dripping water or water stains on ceilings. Keep in mind that water can travel a long distance from its source before leaving visible evidence. Stains and drips may be coming from leaking plumbing or air conditioning vents.

Mold or moisture around chimneys, vents, skylights and where roof planes intersect. Remember to feel for wet insulation around these sites.

Look for cracked and missing shingles and degraded flashing. The most common locations for roof flashing are at chimneys, eaves, skylights, ridges and where the roof meets the wall.

Check gutters and downspouts for excessive granules from shingles, a sure sign that roofing materials are degrading. Also, shingles that are blistered, curled or buckled indicate that the roof may have reached the end of its natural life.

If, after you’ve checked it over, you see your roof is damaged or if you pinpoint the source of a roof leak, it’s time to contact a roofing contractor. A leaky roof does not always require a completely new roof, but it will take a professional to make that determination. Additionally, roofing is a specialized skill and installation can be dangerous -- not a project recommended for the do-it-yourselfer.

How to Fix the Problem
Repairing or purchasing a roof is an important investment and you should take the time to evaluate any roofing contractor who may do the work.

To find and select a roofing contractor in your area, visit RenovationExperts.com, fill out one simple form with what you’re looking for and get up to four free estimates from local, pre-qualified contractors within 24 hours. There’s no obligation and you can choose who you’d like to work with. RenovationExperts.com has done the work for you so you know you’re getting a qualified, experienced and licensed roofing contractor.

While you may feel overwhelmed by a leaky, damaged roof, using a roofing contractor for a properly finished job using quality, lasting materials will provide assurance that your home will be safe, sound and dry for years to come.

Source: http://www.plazaareaneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=article&itemId=3314

Pueblo: Flat roofs, straight-edge window frames, and earth-colored walls typify Pueblos.

Source: http://www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/residentialstyles  

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself files. Make sure you speak to a licensed contractor or the flooring staff at your home supply store and find out all which hardwood floors will suit your life style best.

Hardwood Flooring Made Easy
By Nzong Xiong

Trying to recall the most unforgettable aspect of somebody’s home is a subjective task. But imagine there are no paintings decorating the walls, no chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and all the furniture is removed. What’s left? The floor. And anybody who has had the privilege to live or stay with someone with hardwood floors knows this is the foundation for elegance.

Hardwood has been used since floors have been put down on top of dirt. Of course, there are many different types of hardwood; all of which are not even hard, like balsa wood for example. Also, not all hardwood is useful. Our ancestors were subject to lots of trials and lots of errors before zeroing in on the most useful types of hardwood. So what kind of hardwood floor is right for you?

First, here are some common misconceptions about hardwoods:

Some homeowners worry that hardwood won’t withstand the constant beating of heavy traffic, i.e. children, pets and accidents. A basketball court is called, “the hardwood” because it is made out of maple. Trains run on oak rail ties. Your child’s tenth birthday party may seem like a train is running through your house, but surely, your floor suffers less abuse. If you need to speak to a flooring professional, we can put you in touch with licensed and insured contractors in your area.

The kitchen was once considered an out of bounds place for hardwood flooring. Not anymore. Manufacturers have developed a polyurethane finish which makes for an even more durable floor. With the proper care, hardwood can have a long lasting life, even in the kitchen.

When it comes time to choose the actual type of hardwood, consider the surrounding furniture and general style of the room. Do you want to use an oak with a darker finish to create a somber, country club feel? Or is the room full of dark colors you want to alleviate with a lighter colored wood? Get some samples and lay them out in the room to get an idea for the feel of things. It’s smart to have an overall design plan when selecting the type of hardwood you’re going to use.

Installing hardwood is a major project. Make sure to contact a trusted, licensed contractor. This is a long term, worthwhile investment you wouldn’t want an amateur tackling. The same advice applies for finishing. Hardwoods are simply too beautiful of a product to make a mistake with.

Source: http://www.plazaareaneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=article&itemId=3314

Are you investing too much into home improvements? You bet you are if your projects "over-improve" your house for your neighborhood.

As your personal real estate professionals, we can tell you exactly when a remodeling project is an "improvement" and when it doesn't pay. We see the bottom line at resale. (Especially when a huge equity loan drains dollars from our clients' net proceeds needlessly!)

The FIRST secret to evaluating whether a remodel pays is to do an analysis of the property in comparison to the houses nearby. Will the cost (and aggravation) of the project be returned at resale? After all, an investment that returns 90% is still a loss of 10%.

The SECOND secret is to see if there is an easier way to achieve the same goal. Sometimes getting the features you want is less costly and easier if you sell and move into an entirely new house.

With our lives ever changing it is not surprising that home builders are trying to stay ahead of the playing field and incorporating changes in kitchen designs. Kitchens have become more and more the focal point of a home and this will have some effect on the layout of the kitchen and the placement of cabinets and appliances. This article illustrates the changes and we hope our readers who are planning to build a home will take note of this to make it easier for them.

For more information, read the Evansville Courier & Press article by clicking here. 

Here we have some events for the last weekend before school starts again on Monday. We wish everyone a nice weekend.

Check out the weekend events listed in the Evansville Courier & Press by clicking here.

The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know exactly how much money comes in and how much money goes out. Use this worksheet below to list your income and expensenses.

Budget Basics Worksheet

We encourage every one to take advantage of the yearly BMW Ultimate Drive benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. For every mile driven, BMW will donate $ 1.00 to support breast cancer research, education, screening and community outreach. This will also give you the opportunity to drive a fine BMW motor vehicle. We applaud BMW for their efforts in raising much needed funds.

For more information, read the Evansville Courier & Press article by clicking here.

If you are looking for a unique house warming gift for someone with a garden, you may consider choosing a hammock.

Hammocks are often an overlooked item but will present the home owner with a unique gift.

Hammocks Give You a Lift in More Ways Than One

The next time you’re out of gift ideas for someone, maybe you’ll consider a hammock.

Robbie Cranch’s husband and two daughters surprised her with one for Mother’s Day about five years ago.

“I couldn’t imagine a better Mother’s Day gift,” says Cranch, 56, the program director of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program in Fresno, Calif. “It’s total relaxation” when you’re in it.

Tom Boehm of Madera, Calif., also received his first hammock as a gift. His wife, Tammie, gave it to him almost a decade ago for his 40th birthday.

“It kind of surprised me, but it’s a pretty cool idea,” says Boehm, 49, co-owner of S&J Lumber in Madera. “I never really thought about having one, but I really like it and use it quite a bit.”

As Cranch and Boehm have discovered, once you’ve experienced the weightless, rocking sensation that comes with resting in a hammock, you might not be able to do without this leisure activity again. The question then is which kind of hammock to get, whether as a gift for yourself or someone else.

Hammocks have been around for centuries, but they were first noted by Christopher Columbus when he encountered the Taino Indians in the Caribbean, says Kevin Olenick, co-owner of Swings n’ Things, a San Diego store that specializes in hand-woven, traditional hammocks.

“In fact, the word hammock comes from the hamaca tree, and that’s a native tree there,” he says.

“People use (hammocks) outdoors,” he says, “but in some of the traditional countries, like Mexico, they’re used indoors as beds. Space is tight, and you can take them down quickly. Also, (people use them) because of their comfort and to be off the ground and away from the bugs, rodents and things.”

Whether you use one indoors or out, hammocks are generally 13 feet long with an additional foot of chain or rope on each end. They may come with spreader bars, which help keep the hammock spread-out and open.

Hammocks can be made of many materials, such as cotton, nylon or polyester. When they’re used outdoors, they’re often installed on trees, posts or stands, and are about 4 to 5 feet off the ground. They typically come with instructions on how to properly hang or install them.

Hammocks come in several styles. The more traditional Mayan or Brazilian hammocks are mainly imported from South America. They’re often hand-woven with cotton or polycotton-blended fibers, Olenick says.

Another type is a rope hammock, which typically is made of thick, woven ropes. Cranch has a rope hammock that “is soft, almost silky,” she says. Her “worsted, artificial” rope hammock fits two people and hangs between two pine trees by their family cabin at Dinkey Creek.

It’s comfortable to rest in, she says. “The only thing that happens sometimes is if you fall asleep and you’re wearing shorts or bathing suit, you’ll get a (rope) pattern on your legs or shoulders. But that goes away real fast.”

Also, the rope hammock has an open weave that allows air to flow through, she says. That feature “is particularly nice in this climate because you get a breeze with it.”

A quilted hammock, which comes in two styles, is another type. One kind has two layers of fabric with a polyester fiber filling in between; and the other uses one fabric layer, says Meghan Frazer, a customer service representative for The Hammock Co., an online hammock retailer in Winterville, N.C.

Nancy Cheng of Fresno bought a quilted hammock about three years ago at a Costco store.

“We wanted a nice, comfortable place to relax by the pool and watch the sun go down,” says Cheng, an administrative assistant. The hammock hangs on a wooden stand in the backyard underneath some palm trees.

“Hammocks are comfortable,” she says. “We’ve fallen asleep out there. It fits your body. It’s like a nice cocoon.”

Hammock alternatives that won’t have you flat on your back are chair hammocks. These look more like fabric chairs suspended in the air. For years, Jan Phillips of Prather, Calif., longed for one.

“They’re just so comfortable,” says Phillips, 58, who works for Gazebo Gardens Nursery in Fresno. “Every time I’d go to a home and garden show, I’d sit in them and say I’d buy one.”

In March, she finally did, while she was at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. She saw a chair hammock there and ordered one, as well as a metal stand. She placed the chair hammock on her deck, overlooking a swimming pool.

“I just like to go out there and sit in the evening,” she says.

While she had a hammock years ago when her children where younger, she wanted a chair hammock this time around, she says.

“No, I didn’t want to go back” to a regular hammock, she says. “I’d rather sit. I’ve always been attracted to hanging chairs. … When you’re sitting in it, and it’s got a little foot rest, I think it’s almost more relaxing than a hammock, at least it is for me.”

Phillips paid about $235 for her chair hammock and stand. Cost of other types of hammocks can vary. For example, Mayan or Brazilian hammocks can cost between $35-$129, while rope ones can cost $88-$170. Quilted types can be $175-$210.

Some hammocks come with stands included, but stands also can be purchased separately. Generally, they start at about $100 for metal ones.

Once you’ve found a hammock to your liking and put it up properly, getting in and out of one can be a balancing act if you’ve never attempted it before.

John O’Connell, the executive vice president of sales and merchandising for Long-Island-City, N.Y.-based 1800mattress.com, has found himself on the ground trying to get into a hammock.

The company sells one style of hammock in addition to mattresses. The hammock had just been set it up in the showroom.

“I said, ‘This is kind of neat.’ I never sat on one before, and the whole thing flipped. I just didn’t really read or listen to the instructions.”

Now he knows. Stand with your backside facing the hammock in the middle of the hammock. Then “I pull the edge to the back of my knees, position myself in the center, spin my backside and then lay (down) my feet,” he says. “If you don’t do it that way and sit in the center, you’re going to flip.”

Any newcomers who want to climb into the hammock at Cranch’s family cabin will get tips on using it first.

“We give people a quick tutorial about getting into it,” she writes in an e-mail. “Aim your fanny at the very center of the hammock. Sit down, then quickly fling your arms and legs into position and make minor adjustments in balance with your fanny.

“I can’t tell you how many people have been ejected on their first attempt at getting into the thing, but once you have the knack, it is heavenly comfortable.”

Cranch’s hammock also comes with an interesting rule: “Whoever is in the hammock has to be left alone.”

“I would urge anyone who gets (a hammock) have that special feature,” she says.

Source: http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-08-04/hammocks-give-you-a-lift-in-more-ways-than-one/ 

 Source: http://www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/residentialstyles

The Amazonia rain forest at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden has officially opened for the public. We congratulate all who were involved in this large scale project, and we look forward seeing the rain forest with a visit to the zoo.

For more information, read the Evansville Courier & Press article by clicking here.

Evansville will take part in the event dubbed “America’s Night Out Against Crime”. This article will list times and places where events will take place.

National Night Out activities set for tonight

A number of activities are planned in and around Evansville tonight for National Night Out, an annual community event dubbed “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

In Evansville, National Night Out will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Garvin, Akin and Lorraine parks. Each site will have free food, entertainment, games and anti-crime educational materials.

In Newburgh, the event will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. along the Riverfront at the Old Lock and Dam Park. The event will feature free food and drinks, a dunking booth, hands-on presentations and various booths from local businesses.

In Elberfeld, Ind., events begin at 5:30 p.m. at First and Main streets. Free food, tug of war competition and inflatables are part of the festivities.

In Boonville, Ind., the festivities begin at 5 p.m. at City Lake Spray Park. It will include free food, anti-crime handouts, a dunking booth and K-9 demonstrations.

About 300 bicycle helmets will be given to children during National Night Out activities later today at Garvin Park by volunteers from Gerling Law and Deaconess Hospital.

This will conclude Gerling’s annual bike helmet giveaway. Over the past two years, the law firm has distributed more than 3,000 helmets.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/aug/05/national-night-out-activities-set-tonight/

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself files.

The suggestions are simple to follow and you will notice a difference when the project is completed and you will be see a reduction in your utility bills

Insulate Your Home’s Windows To Save Energy

Filed Under: When we think about insulation we usually think about keeping our homes warmer during the winter. But, insulation is just as important in the summer months in helping to keep our homes cooler!

With the proper insulation you can save money on your cooling bills and be more comfortable in your home! Windows are a major source of energy loss, especially in older homes.

If just one of your windows has a crack as small as 1/16 of an inch you’ll lose as much warm or cold air from your home as a hole about as big as a brick! Imagine how much your losing when you combine all of the small cracks in your windows frames!

If your windows have sash locks, one way of tightening up your windows a little is by making sure the the sash pulls the windows tightly together. If there is any slack or gap in the window frames tighten the sash until it’s snug.

Weatherstripping is an excellent way to stop leakage. You can find it in various materials, but felt is probably the most common type used. It’s available in several thickness and you should purchase the one that will best fill in the amount of gap your windows have.

The weatherstripping can be attached with small tacks or it can be quickly stapled into place around your window! If the weatherstripping is too thick, it will be hard to open the windows! You can also purchase a clear weatherstripping tape that can be applied around the windows.

There are also several types of caulking that you can use to seal your windows. You can purchase caulk in tubes that can be placed into a caulking gun and you can purchase rope caulking. Rope caulk won’t shrink and it’s easy to remove, it also stays flexible.

Rope caulk is just what the name implies, it’s caulking that is in a rope or string form. You simply unroll it and place it where you need it and then you can use your finger to press it into place!

If you choose to use caulk you should purchase an acrylic latex caulk. Although, there are cheaper kinds of caulking, acrylic latex is the best suited for this type of project.

You should also remove any old caulking before applying any new caulk. And, clean the window frames throughly so that the new caulk can adhere to them. You can use turpentine, alcohol or a good soap to clean all the oils off of the frames.

When insulating your windows or doors, don’t forget to insulate the outside as well. Applying insulation to both sides of the window will double your chances of getting a good seal with less leakage.

Although, it’s a more expensive solution, storm windows are one of the best ways insulate your windows. It has been proven in studies that storm windows that fit tightly cut energy loss by around 50 percent!

A more cost efficient way to insulate windows is with plastic sheet kits. A good quality plastic kit will give close to the same results as storm windows in energy savings!

Most kits come with thin cardboard strips to hold the plastic in place, but you can increase the results by using small strips of thin boards. The cardboard strips don’t secure the plastic well enough and will allow air to escape or enter the home.

Plastic kits can be purchased that will shrink with the use of a blow dryer to make them look better and fit snugger. These types of kits also usually allow a better view of the outside since they are more clear.

If your windows are in really bad shape, you can use polyethylene sheeting. It’s a heavy duty plastic that will give a good seal, but it will almost totally block any view of the outside. This may be something you only want to use in extreme cases.

Source: http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/go-green/insulate-your-homes-windows-to-save-energy/ 

The article below lists common items needed by a lender at the time of mortgage application.

This list may vary from lender to lender so it is best that you check with the lender directly.

Lender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

· W-2 forms — or business tax return forms if you're self-employed — for the last two or three years for every
person signing the loan.

· Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.

· Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.

· Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings
accounts.

· Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and
car loans.

· Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if
appropriate.

· Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of
value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.

· Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.

· Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.

· Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.

Source: http://www.realtor.org/rmosales_and_marketing/handoutsforcustomers/handouts/buyer23

Liven up your listings using bold, vivid colors mixed with some earthy, natural tones. Paint, furnishings, and accessories are influenced by the natural environment. A few contrasting accents colors will have buyers taking notice.

Bring nature home.

Capturing the colors of the natural world is gaining traction this year with handmade, undyed, and unbleached materials. Off-white, sandy, and linen colors mixed with rock and soil colors and brownish greens are calling nature inside.

Blue hues.

The environment also is inspiring sky and water blues to come inside, even in livening up the kitchen. Be on the lookout in 2009: A deep navy blue that appears almost black and is inspired by the techno world will pop up in more homes.

Ethnic accents.

Color scheme influences from India, China, and Latin America will be evident this year. Expect Moroccan reds and glowing oranges to mix with rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows, and turquoise. For the ultimate color punch, pair them with rich browns and neutrals.

Subdue the shine.

Shimmery metallic finishes are still in, but chrome and nickel are starting to be replaced by softer shades. More homes are being outfitted with copper and bronze tones and bringing more warmth to metallic finishes.

Source: Color Marketing Group, an international association of color design professionals, which reports on color trends every year.

Source: http://www.realtor.org/archives/homeanddesignapr08#color