Low Hanging Fruit

A new time, a new opportunity! Over the past year a great deal has changed and the changes have only just begun. There are a lot of ideas about stimulating the economy and addressing climate change. Wind farms, electric vehicles ... big changes. But a lot of little changes can add up to a pretty big change too. Retrofits and improvements to the existing building stock can create jobs and save energy. Lincoln's Cecil Steward, President of the Josylyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities has posted a call for a focus on existing buildings as part of the Building and Design Action Plan of Lincoln Green by Design. A recent NYT editorial has also taken up the call. The opportunities are enormous, besides, it only makes sense to start the big change with the easy stuff.

All I Need is the Air that I Breathe

Air, we take it for granted, but the fact is that the air indoors can become contaminated by toxins. Recently a cat and CO detector saved a Lincoln family. Of particular danger is Carbon Monoxide which can build up as a result of poor combustion in a furnace or back drafting from a fireplace. During the winter time the furnace may run a lot while houses are closed up tight. The danger is real but avoidable with the help of a Carbon Monoxide detector.

When the problem goes undetected, the symptoms can cause hallucinations of sounds and images and it is sometimes found that houses that are thought to be haunted have high levels of CO.

Antelope Valley Project Update: Fall 2008

Everyday I walk my dog near a park and a construction site that slowly transforming the neighborhood where I live. It's exciting to watch the changes of the Antelope Valley Project on a day to day basis. Over the past few weeks some of the most dramatic changes have been taking place as trucks line up to haul away the dirt excavated for new stream bed for Antelope Creek and for a premium new park for Lincoln, to be called Union Plaza. Watch the video below to get the details!

Drop Off the HH Haz Waste

I know its tempting just to pour it down the drain or hide it in a bag at the bottom of the trash, but if the label says danger, poison, toxic, flammable, corrosive, warning or caution, you have another option that you should seriously consider. For Lincoln and Lancaster county, the Health Department has collection days at different sites in Lincoln and around the county. Upcoming collection dates and locations are:

• October 17th, Waverly County Shop 11251 N. 141st
• October 18th, 600 West "E" (Lincoln Industries)
• November 15th, State Fair Park 4-H Youth complex

Return of the Clothesline?

Clotheslines have become increasingly rare. Is it time for that to change? Air drying is a fairly simple and practical way to save energy. A clothes dryer is likely the second biggest energy user in your home (the refrigerator is #1). Drying clothes on a line is not always possible in a place where anything can happen with the weather, but on a beautiful spring day it can make clothes hung outdoors smell wonderful.

In some neighborhoods, hanging clothes out to dry is not an option. In an effort to make neighborhoods more attractive some Homeowners Associations have banned clotheslines. Traditionally homeowners appreciate and choose to live with agreed upon neighborhood standards to keep values up and neighborhoods looking good. However the desire to go green is causing a backlash against those who say no to clotheslines. Project Laundry List provides netizens with a plan of action and there is even an online petition for those who want to exert their right to hang them out dry! Neighborhood Associations are typically governed by people in the neighborhood, perhaps now is the time for them to reconsider whether their residents should have the right to dry outdoors.

Bathroom Art

Its tempting to use the new tile job in the bathroom to make one's foray into art, however the results are going to be there for a long time. Even an accomplished artist like Christoph Niemann has to approach the project cautiously. In his blog at the NY Times Mr. Niemann talks about his process, but more importantly, shows some possible outcomes and the ultimate decision. He's happy with it and the comments are mostly positive. Its great to personalize a home but it is a project to live with and enjoy rather than one to do if your plan is to put the house on the market! But you don't have to be an artist or a professional tiler to do your own bathroom art project.

Good Mouse Hunting

As Dick Cheney might say "get them there so you don't have to get them here," or as Tom the Cartoon Cat Mr. Jinks is known to intone "I HATE MEECES TO PIECES!!!!!"

Over the years I've learned that if I go on the attack early and often I can keep mice out of my house. I have a little old fashioned garage (built for the Model T) that I use as a storage shed. Late in the summer its not unusual to see signs of the little creatures. Some dirt dug up, little mouse turds on an old rag and its time to set the traps. I prefer the victor traps with the plastic "cheese pad" and a dollop of peanut butter. Some mice are crafty and can eat the peanut butter with out setting off the trap, so I'll switch traps until I get them. Of all the traps I've tried, these have proven the most reliable. Once caught I throw the whole thing away. Disposable gloves are a good idea as mice can carry disease.

I don't like to do poison because the mice can die in a hidden spot ... hidden from sight but not from smell. A good guide for dealing with mice is available from Lancaster County Cooperative Extension they also have lots of other valuable info for dealing with pests.