Living Green in Seattle

If you are a first-time home buyer who has purchased or plans to purchase a home between the dates of April 8, 2008 to July 1, 2009, you are eligible for a tax credit of $7500.  This is a wonderful opportunity.  Essentially, the "tax credit" acts as an interest free loan that will have to be paid back to the government over a span of 15 years, which is $500 a year.  But for those you who are on the edge of wanting to be a homeowner but are afraid to spend all of your savings on a down-payment, this tax credit can really help to make that a reality.    Remember, this is not a tax deduction, it is a tax CREDIT, so if you owe $7500 in taxes for the year 2008, this credit would essentially wipe out that amount and you would pay no taxes for 2008.  Another way to look at it is, if you owe no taxes for 2008, the government will give you $7500. 

When I first heard about the tax credit, I didn't think it was such a big deal because you have to pay it back but who else will lend you money at zero percent interest and not expect you to pay it back for 15 years.  This credit can really help those who need that extra money to comfortably get themselves into a home and pursue their dreams of becoming homeowners.  You can put it in the bank for a rainy day and know you have several months of mortgage payments should the need arise.  You can use it towards repairs and remodeling for the home you just bought.

****One other thing that you should know about is that you may never have to pay back the credit.  Stay tuned as this would make a sweet deal even sweeter!!!

Check out the Internal Revenue Service  or the Federal Housing Tax Credit page to learn more about the tax credit.

Are you a first time home buyer interested in Seattle properties? 

Check out these Seattle homes for sale for under 450k.

Get em while they're hot!  Seattle's Chinook Book 2009 is filled with coupons, maps and resources for living green here in the Puget Sound.  I am usually not one for coupons and in fact get a kick out of people who cut them out from various stores, then drive around to each store thinking they are saving so much ....but what about the gas money?  Ok, I am getting off track...

My daughter's school is having a fundraiser in which half of each book we sell goes to her preschool.  The book sells for $20 (ten goes to the school) and, in my honest opinion, is well worth it.  There are over 400 coupons and you can basically redeem your money back just by using one coupon:

Need snowboarding gear for the upcoming season?  Use the generous Evo coupon for $20 off of a $50 purchase.

Need food?  Kind of a given.  Use the $25 off coupon from Spud local and organic delivery or a total of $25 off at Central Co-op's Madison Market.  How about $15 dollars off at PCC....or another $15 off at Whole Foods?

As you can see you can easily make your money back with this awesome coupon book.  Plus, it has great resources and will connect you with businesses in the Seattle area that support a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. 

Other coupons in the book:  Four free bus passes, many grocery coupons, many dining coupons, entertainment coupons (2  tickets for the price of  1 at Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma's Art Museums, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Green Festival coming up in March).  There are coupons for apparel, dance classes, children's shops, for your yard and garden, and much more.  Check out the Chinook Book link to see a complete list of the valuable coupons.

If you would like a book, please contact me aberg@briorealty.com and we can figure out the best way to get it to you (I will probably just drive it over if you're in the greater Seattle area).   

Check out my website as well for other resources for living green or to search for Green Homes in the Seattle area:  LiveGreenNW.com

Calling all Seattle residents!!  Come and volunteer at one of 19 parks across the city.  The Green Seattle Partnership is dedicated to restoring 2500 acres of its cities forested parklands by the year 2025.  They need your help to meet this goal.

On November 8, 2008, choose a Seattle park and check for the work parties meetup time:

: SEWARD PARK- MAIN SITE      Burke-Gilman Trail     Camp Long     Carkeek Park

Colman Park   Cheasty Greenspace Mt. View           Discovery Park

East Duwamish Greenbelt      Frink Park       Hitt's Hill        Licton Springs

Longfellow Creek       Maple School Ravine      Orchard Street Ravine        Ravenna Park

South Portage Bay      St. Mark's Greenbelt   Yesler Creek   West Duwamish Greenbelt 

•Bring a water bottle, wear sturdy work boots, and work clothes. Gloves and Instruction will be provided.

VOLUNTEERING=FREE MUSIC SHOW AT KING COBRA

The Twisted Green Seattle Day After Party is featuring:

Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard and the Roy K Trio, the Saturday Nights, DJ Bean One, DJ Kippy, the Maldives, Scribes, Sam the Human Beat Box and many more

Volunteers only reception at 6:00. Doors at 7:00 pm, Show at 8:00 pm) Show is 21+. Show will open to the public @ 9:00PM so get there early to save your spot.

385 Seattle residential homes sold in Seattle in October 2008. 

Of these homes, 25 of them were Green Homes, meaning they were...

 Built Green®, Energy Star®, LEED®, or other third-party certified.

    SOLD FOR $299,950                     SOLD LEED HOME                SOLD FOR $1,050,000

These homes ranged in price from $299,950-$1,050,000, with a median price of $361,000.  The homes sold had an average of 75 CDOM (cumulative days on the market) and sold for an average of 98.86% of their listing price.  The average square footage of the green homes sold was 1510, selling for an average of $265.24 per square foot.  22 of the 25 sold green homes were certified Built Green (12 of these homes were also certified by Energy Star).  One home was LEED and Energy Star certified.

Interested in touring Green Homes in Seattle?  Want more information on Seattle's Market/Trends?

http://www.LiveGreenNW.com
Direct: 206.854.0074
aberg@briorealty.com
 

Ok, sometimes I might take it a bit overboard in my attempts to lure people to live more green. If you found offense in my post If it's Yellow, Let it Mellow.  If it's Brown, Flush it Down, I hope this reading can convince you not to run away yet.  Below you will find some manageable suggestions to lighten the environment's load of just a bit of our holiday-consuming-ways:

•·         Buy a Recycled Costume-I mean really?  Is it necessary to be the first one to wear it?  Value Village has loads of used goods (although they are starting to sell more and more of those new costumes that come in the plastic bags...overlook those...there is a used section) or check out a Goodwill or your local thrift store. 

•·         Rent a Recycled Costume- Looking for something really unique and afraid you won't be able to find the necessary accessories at a thrift store?  Check out for Champion Party Supply in Seattle for costumes that can be rented by the day.

•·         Trade a Recycled Costume-I just pulled out my costume box from storage and low and behold, there are at least three different costumes there.  Have a get together with a bunch of friends and trade costumes.

•·         Dim the Lights: Isn't the point of Halloween to get spooked?  Dim those lights and set the mood or just light candles.

•·         Offer Healthy Candy Alternatives: How about offering snacks that actually do a body good? A box of organic raisins, an organic fruit bar, a granola bar, nuts, a trinket or a treasure, or an organic juice box. 

•·         Use a Pillow Sheet for a Candy Bag:  No need to go out and buy one of those plastic pumpkins that will end up in a landfill.  Pull off one of your pillow's sheets or use one of the reusable bags you use when you grocery shop (you do use those right?)

I am sure this list is just the tip of the ice-burg...

•¬  Please feel free to leave me comments with other ways we can GREEN HALLOWEEN.  Everyone, please, BE SAFE  and watch the streets for little ones.           

Have a HAPPY HALLO-GREEN!            

For more Green Living Tips or Green Real Estate in Seattle, check out LiveGreenNW.com                                                                  

Have you ever sat around in Seattle wondering what to do with yourself?  You have been to the aquarium, you've been to the Space Needle, you've been to the Pike Place Market. You have done most of the touristy things.  You want something new.  Well, then I have the perfect day planned for you. 

                This is a great mission to do solo, with a friend, or with a group of friends (even children).

                Go down to the Agua Verde Paddle Club in University District.  Here you can rent kayaks by the hour.  You have a couple of options on where to paddle to.  You can paddle all the way over to Kirkland and enjoy lunch there.  You can float around in the natural surroundings of the Arboretum, or you can go and check out the many houseboats we have here in Seattle.  Whatever you choose, you are bound to have a great time.   While it can be peaceful and relaxing being out on the water, remember, kayaking is exercise.  You can and probably will burn some calories and some have been known to have sore arms the next day.  However, once you arrive back to the dock to turn in your kayak, a wonderful restaurant awaits upstairs.

                 The Agua Verde Paddle Club Café offers a delicious array of Mexican fare, often using natural, organic ingredients.  They have a mission to provide healthy food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.  What does this mean to them? 

•·         Meat  is produced from animals raised on farms (as opposed to factories), given vegetarian feed without growth hormones or antibiotics

•·         Seafood is caught or raised sustainably using eco-friendly techniques

•·         Their produce is grown organically and obtained from local sources when possible

•·         The coffee is shade-grown and produced by small co-ops and specially blended for Agua Verde

In addition to Agua Verde's interest in promoting good health, their food is wonderful and their Margaritas aren't too bad themselves. 

What a wonderful way to end a perfect day of Seattle kayaking.  SLUUUUUUUUUUUURRP!

The first time I heard this saying was when I lived down in Mexico for some time.  I have carried it with me since then.  I don't see the need to flush the toilet every time I go to the bathroom, unless of course, it's brown.  I think this is an easy way to save water.  You should try it.  A few tips though:

• Don't go to the bathroom too many times without flushing.  You will clog the toilet with all of the toilet paper you're using.  That is, of course, if you're female.  I suggest going 3-4 times before flushing.
• Try to warn your guests about your potty habits before they enter the bathroom or else try to flush before they enter.  It can seem like you have lazy habits rather then a mission to conserve water.  Believe me on this one...I have been embarrassed a few times.
• Consider buying a dual flush toilet that allows you to choose how much flow is needed to flush.
• Put the toilet seat down each time you go so you don't have the visual each time you enter the bathroom.

This is just another way to live consciously for the good of our planet. 

For more green living tips, go to Live Green NW 

You have heard about the thousands of miles of floating plastics, pollution and debris out in the middle of our oceans, right?  Well, we should be ashamed of ourselves.  We humans consume, consume, and consume.  We think little about the effects our actions have on the environment.  We act as though there are endless supplies of resources and that our waste will just magically disappear.  Well, I am here to tell you if you haven't already heard....You're wrong!  It is up to each one of us individually to make a difference.  Now I don't blame you individually.  I know many of us were raised to not even think twice about where our garbage goes.  We are happy putting it in the trash (or the recycling please), wheeling our carts out to the curbs each week, and never thinking twice about it.

I am begging you to stop this destructive lifestyle. 

One way to make a difference is to stop buying bottled water.  I know the convenience of Water-to-Go is nice but there are other ways that are much less wasteful.  Are you ready to hear how?

Step 1:  Invest in a water purifying system or don't.  Tap water may be acceptable to you.

                 I prefer not to have fluoride in my water as it is not utilized in its natural form but is rather an industrial waste by-product.  Yum, industrial waste...thanks (insert your city water company here).  You probably don't believe me but I encourage you to do your own research.   Flouride can effect brain development, lower your IQ, has possible links to thyroid conditions, can damage your immune system, can cause flourosis , can increase your risk of osteoporosis, and on and on.  Why do you think so many European countries have banned fluoridation in their water systems?  Do I smell corporate greed here in America?

Some reading material for you:

Toxic waste chemicals are disposed of by feeding to humans, then calling it fluoride.

50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation

         One of the few home water purifying systems that you can buy that removes fluoride from your tap water is Custom Pure.  It is a wonderful system!  I even have it hooked up to my refrigerator so my ice is fluoride-free too. Don't be fooled!  Systems like Brita or Pur do NOT remove fluoride.  The Custom Pure MB series also removes Lead, Arsenic, Chlorine, Nitrates, Sulfates, etc.

Step 2:  Buy a reusable drinking container.  I prefer My Sigg water bottle, as it doesn't leach chemicals into my water that could affect my hormones and health.  Another good choice is Kleen Kanteen.  Steer clear of plastics and aluminium containers.

More reading for you:

Plastic (Not) Fantastic: Food Containers Leach a Potentially Harmful Chemical

Step 3:  Fill water bottle and drink pure water often!

If you follow these three easy steps, you will begin to see that your recycling bin has a lot more room in it now. Congratulations....You are the change we need!!!!

For more tips check out Live Green NW

Well, I made it to the zoo in the spring when the flowers first started blooming and I enjoyed myself so much, I made a vow to get back there before the weather turned too cold.  A few weeks ago when we still had nice weather, I got the chance to go back.  The Woodland Park Zoo is such an amazing way to get away from the buzz of the city and to help me remember how amazing nature is.  My favorite animals are probably the giraffes, hippos, and the gorillas.  My daughter had a wonderful experience with one of the gorillas.  They were touching each other through the glass, admiring one another.  Then, along came a group of men and the gorilla ran over to them and got up close to the glass and puffed his chest out as though he was protecting her.  It was pretty cool.  She got the chance to feed the giraffes this time around, which was also a great experience.  Taking the time to relish in all of the sights, sounds, and smells of the zoo is an experience that I will never grow out of and one that I will be sure to allow my child to enjoy often.  If you haven't made it to the zoo in awhile, GO!  It is still open throughout the year and although the weather will be much cooler, just bundle up and go.  In fact, I have never experienced the zoo in the middle of winter.  I bet it offers a different opportunity than the birds-chirping, flowers blooming, baby animals running around experience I am used to, since I typically only go in the spring or summer. 

We are all familiar with the pink fiberglass insulation but for the most part conventional insulation materials are synthetically produced and contain non-renewable, toxic, and often non-recyclable materials.  Consumers are bombarded on a daily basis as to what is healthy and what is not.   With the death of asbestos insulation and the once banned urea formaldehyde-based insulation, the focus has now turned to fiberglass.  I am not an insulation connoisseur, so I am not going to go into great detail about what I believe is the best  choice, but rather give you some options of what people are classifying as greener and healthier options:

Straw Bale-straw is a renewable resource that acts as an excellent insulation and has exceptional fire resistance due to the lack of air circulation that penetrates the bales.

Recycled Denim-made with post-industrial recycled denim, it saves waste from our landfills, made from cotton fibers, it is a rapidly renewable resource, holds more heat and absorbs sound, no formaldehyde or other VOC's (volatile organic compounds).   Look at Bonded Logic's website to learn more.

Recycled Paper- a cellulose insulation derived from 100% recycled newsprint, doesn't have any formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances. It's a great alternative to blown fiberglass or bat insulation. It can be layered into walls being built, or blown into attic spaces and already sheetrocked walls for extra protection from the cold. 

Sheep Wool-a highly effective insulation that is made from natural, sustainable, renewable and recyclable material, thermally and acoustically insulating and flame resistant.

Water Blown Soy-Based Polyurethane- It's easy to install and doesn't have any off-gassing, and even though it can cost a little more than other types of insulation, spray foam can actually save property owners up to 35% per year on energy bills This insulation seals your property's thermal envelope to make it more energy efficient while also blocking mold and mildew, controlling moisture, and repelling rodents and insects.

While there are many choices out there when it comes to finding a green and healthy choice of insulation,  overall, look for insulation products with recycled or recyclable content, low emissions, no formaldehyde or other pollutants, and preferably made with rapidly renewable and natural resources. 

Interested in touring some of Seattle's Green Homes?  Contact me at aberg@briorealty.com or visit my website Live Green NW...connecting you with like-minded, healthy, sustainable, eco-friendly products, services, and HOMES.

I had a woman contact me the other day wondering what changes were taking place towards the Mountlake Terrace Downtown Revitalization.  Since the city hasn't updated their website in awhile, I contacted Shane Hope, the Community and Economic Development Director for the city of MLT.  He was very helpful and passed along the following list to show the efforts and progress towards the revitalization:

--New downtown regulations (at http://www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us/forBusinesses/pdf/BCD_Amend_ORD_08.04.08_Fnl.pdf ) and design standards (at http://www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us/forBusinesses/pdf/DesignStandards_TC_August2008_Fnl.pdf ) implement the adopted Town Center Plan.

--The Town Center Environmental Impact Statement was issued last year.

--A Town Center Planned Action Ordinance to streamline the SEPA process for downtown projects was adopted last year.

--New parking standards (with stall dimensions + options for shared parking) have been adopted.

--The City has incorporated $3 million into its capital plan to develop a downtown public plaza.

--Mountlake Terrace has adopted a "Sustainability Strategy" encouraging green building and other practices.

--A new five-level park-and-ride garage (1/4 mile from downtown, adjacent to I-5 and 236^th)) is under construction.

--Construction of a Sounds Transit "Freeway Station" (an express bus station that will be in the median of I-5 and connect via a pedestrian bridge to the adjacent park-and-ride garage) will start in early 2009 and be completed in 2010.

--A new citywide Economic Vitality Strategy is expected to be ready for public review by October 10.

--The City Council has appointed a taskforce to provide recommendations by the end of the year on what to do regarding the need for new civic facilities, including a community center that could be located downtown.

--Our "development services" (permitting) program has been revamped to be even more efficient.

The city is always glad to share information or respond to questions about downtown revitalization in Mountlake Terrace.   Shane Hope can be reached at 425.744.6281.  An associate planner, Paula Schwartz at 425.744.6280, can provide day-to-day information about permits or arrange to provide copies of plot plans for any parcel; she also can schedule pre-application meetings.

Location:   Must NOT be built on environmentally sensitive sites like prime farmland, wetlands and endangered species habitats, ideally in walking distance to transportation, shopping, groceries, banks, post office, library, etc. (less use of gas)

Size:                 Larger home=more resources/more $ 

                        Smaller home=less resources/less $

Building Design:  takes advantage of natural light (less need for artificial lighting), shaded from direct sun

Green Building Materials:  non toxic building materials,  low- and zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and sealants, use of salvaged and recycled material,  use of rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo and FSC (forest Stewardship Council) certified wood.

Windows & Doors:  seal their openings tightly to avoid heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

Energy Efficiency: A green home has energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and water-heating systems. Appliances should have ENERGY STAR® ratings.

Renewable Energy:  Ideally, the home should generate some of its own energy with technologies like photovoltaic systems or wind energy

Water Efficiency:  water-conserving irrigation system and water-efficient kitchen and bathroom fixtures, Rainwater collection and storage system.

Indoor Air Quality:  The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system should filter all incoming air and vent stale air outside.

Landscaping:   drought-tolerant plants rather than water-guzzling plants, organic garden

Want to tour Green Homes in the Seattle area?

Most likely, you have a local market such as PCC or Whole Foods that is a postive contributor to the neighborhood by offering organic, and healthy food options.  Not all of us, however, are lucky enough to have the small MOM-and-POP-style store that Sunset Hill's Green Market offers.  One of my clients told me about the store when I was showing them a home just down the street.  Later that week, I was in the neighborhood again and needed to make a quick stop to up my energy supply (by eating).  I thought I would check it out and I was most pleasantly suprised.  I didn't even consider that because the name of the store was "Green Market" that they would supply healthy food choices.  Since I am so passionate about the green movement, this store is right up my alley.  The small store is stocked to the brim with healthy, organic food options whether you are going home to cook or are simply on the run.  Fresh produce, wine, snacks, cheeses, and more.  Stop on in the next time you are in the area.  It will make you smile.

Are you paying for that water you use to water your yard?  Well if it rains anything like it does here in Seattle, you should be gathering that water for free.  All you need to do is buy or make a rain barrel to collect the water.  The rain barrel I use is a great rust orange color barrel that used to hold peppercinis.  There are many types of rain barrels.  You are bound to find one that will look nice in your yard.  Place the rain barrel beneath the gutter spout and start collecting.  IT IS THAT EASY.  I bought a gutter extender so that I was able to properly route the water.  Please don't drink the water as the run-off from your roof can add toxins, but it is great for most applications in the yard or your indoor plants. 

Rain barrel information and sources in the Seattle area

How to make your own rain barrel.

Ideally having a cistern that will hold larger quantities of water is better, since there are times here in the summer where we don't see rain for weeks.  Yes, don't laugh...that can happen here in Seattle.  That way you will always have water available when you need it.  You can also connect several rain barrels together to increase the amount of water you can collect.  Make sure that your barrels come complete with mosquito netting as you don't want a breeding ground on your property. 

Collecting rainwater has been enjoyable for me.  Yes, I know I am probably not saving huge sums of money but to me it is the principle.  Why pay for and use something that is given to us for free.  There is something special about going over to my barrels, filling up the watering can (warning, it is slower than just turning on the hose spigot, but this reminds me to SLOW DOWN in life), and reusing the water in my garden.  This water doesn't contain the added chlorine and flouride that the city puts in our water and the plants don't need it.  They are happy, happy, happy with the recycled water they are given.

I was out at a family member's house and the lawn was gorgeous.  Not a single dandelion in sight.  Now I am not one of those people who embraces the dandelion.  I consider it a weed.  I remember hearing a quote from someone famous that perhaps we just need to look at them differently.  This is true for dandelions offer great nutrients in their leaves.  So the next time you're hungry march outside and pick yourself some greens.  You can also steam them up like spinach.  Please don't eat them though if you use chemicals in your landscaping environment. 

 I asked this family member (yes, I am withholding who it is) how they got rid of the dandelions and they eagerly ran back to the shed and came out with a bottle of Weed Be Gone.  I shot a look at my boyfriend who knows I don't put that stuff or any other chemicals on my lawn or gardens.  Since the family member and I just recently got on talking grounds again and I didn't want to rock the boat with my GREEN LIVING CRUSADES, I kept quiet, hoping my boyfriend would interject.  Well...now that bottle of Weed Be Gone is sitting in my shed and I don't know what to do with it.  I won't use it.  I don't want to give it away to family or friends.  I don't want to toss it in the garbage. ...and I don't want to put it down the drain. ..so for now it sits. 

Once I got home from this family member's house, I immediately googled how to get rid of dandelions naturally.  There are many different remedies out there, I was quite shocked that so many people use chemicals.  It seems we are losing ourselves and getting out of touch with the earth.  The easiest fix, that is what we want.  Well what if I said there was a much easier fix and it is free.

 First of all, I encourage you all to check out the ingredients in Weed be Gone.  It is said that the active ingredient is one of the ingredients of the Agent Orange that effected so many war veterans drastically.  I would not feel comfortable with my children running around with bare feet soaking up this chemical.  There are even stories of the dangerous cancer causing effects it has on our animals.  Now Fido is important to you right?  Or the effects it has on our wildlife and streams?  Ok, now that I have probably got your attention, let's get back to learning how to get rid of the dandelions naturally.

First and foremost, you can PULL them out.  Just make sure you get as much of the root as possible.  There are also handy-dandy tools to help you accomplish this.

Secondly, you can discourage their growth by mowing often, also go around and pick off the heads before they seed.  As you are likely aware there can be thousands of seeds from one flower. 

The third way that I know of I actually find the most amazing. Pour boiling water over the center of the stem.  You can literally watch them lose their green color and turn brown.  I probably spent close to 3 or 4 hours boiling water on the stove and brought each pot outside pouring the water over each and every dandelion one by one.  Ok I agree, this isn't the most efficient way to rid of dandelions but it is natural.  I bet someone has already come up with a tool of some sort that heats the water the perfect temperature and is held in some kind of tank or something.  All you have to do is wheel it around and spray each dandelions with hot, boiling water. 

So, since I don't own this tool I dreamed up...I want back to the drawing board.  Once again googling for more answers.  This my friend seemed to be the magic ticket. 

HOT VINEGAR:

•1.        Boil Vinegar on the stove.  Not sure how bad it is to inhale so don't boil long and use ventilation.

•2.       Pour hot vinegar in a sray bottle.  Use an old one cause the bottle might disfigure a little due to the hot water. 

•3.       Spray the dandelions with about three or four sprays of the hot vinegar.  I heard doing this on a sunny day works better.  Let the vinegar soak in and do its thing.

•4.       Watch the dandelions turn brown and die....YEAH!!!

I probably did a patch half the size of what I had done the day before with the boiling water (3-4 hours) in about 10 minutes.  Much, much easier.

I still think that  boiling water is more natural and it is free (well besides, the cost of water and the electricity to boil it) but until I find the proper contraption I will stick with the vinegar.

I hope that this inspires you to put away the chemicals and strive for a more natural and clean environment, that is not only better for you, but for the environment as well.

Here is a photo from pouring the boiling water over the area.  Keep in mind that this area was completely covered with dandelions.  I am not talking about a few, I mean the whole area.  We decided to kill them off and then reseed. 

I didn't get a picture of the vinegar method, but essentially it looks the same, just more specific spots, since I can aim better with a spray bottle rather than dumping water.  I do realize that brown spots don't really look so hot but we let the dandelioin problem get so out of hand that we have to resort to this method.  The plan is to kill them off as much as we can this year and reseed the grass and then hopefully have a nicer lawn next year.  In the meantime, we will be actively picking the heads off of dandelions so they don't seed again, mowing often, and aggressively shooting them down with VINEGAR!!!! 

Yes, I know I haven't blogged in ages....well, ok...maybe not ages....but I have definitely put blogging on the back burner while I have tended to my yard for the past couple of weeks.  The nice weather here in Seattle has been long over do and I just couldn't pass up being outside.  I mean, it just snowed here a month ago for goodness sake.  I love to be warm, so 70, 80 degree days and I am a happy camper. 

Yes, I went to the Green festival.  It was a lot of fun, however, there weren't as many green "real estate" related companies as I had anticipated.   I did have fabulous food....oh yummy organic  Yaki Sobi noodle dish...I still think about you.  There was music and just an overall nice atmosphere. 

My best girlfriend was there.  She works for a "green" pest control company called Alpha Ecological. 

 I really should have picked her brain a bit about what makes her company green but I know that she had been asked that enough that weekend (I would say hundreds of times based on her exhaustion level at the end of the weekend).  Some people were even down-right rude about it.  It is understandable for consumers to want to educate themselves and it is important for "green" companies to disclose what makes them stand apart from standard practices...(we know that greenwashing runs rampant).  My biggest concern is that I would hate for those companies who are taking baby steps towards being green to get discouraged by those overly aggressive "green activists."  I guess what I am saying is we shouldn't jump down people's throats to say "Your company isn't as green as it should be"...but rather give suggestions as to how they can green up. 

I have noticed that it isn't easy being green.  I am faced on a daily basis with skeptics.  Those people who say global warming is a fallacy, it is all a consumer ploy for companies to make more money, our actions don't have an effect on the earth, chemicals are fine, depleting our natural resources, ...who cares?

I can go on and on about the daily rebuttals of trying to live my life green.  But do you know what?  I don't care what some of you think.  I will continue to go against the stream and forge forward...because I AM making a difference whether you are or not.  I could save my breath but instead I choose to yell from mountain tops.  And for those of you who don't want to listen...well then try not to watch as well....for I also live by example. 

STAY TUNED for the newest "Green Living" changes I have made:  Rain Barrels, Organic Gardening, Composting, Getting rid of Dandelions Naturally (without chemicals such as weed-b-gone), Home water purifying system, Hot Tubing without chemicals, Smart Strip Energy Savers, Chlorine-Free Bath ball and Shower Filter, and more. 

Ahh yes people...Changes are a'happening.

I just wanted to make sure that everyone who is anyone knows about Seattle's Green Festival this weekend.  It is being held at the Washington State Convention Center on Saturday from 10-8 and on Sunday from 11-6pm.  Come and check out some the the Northwest's best "Green" services and products.  Meet with the companies face to face to get all of your questions answered.  There are usually lots of samples and goodies too.  There will be an abundance of speakers (more than 4 different ones to choose from each hour). 

Pricing is as follows:

$15 Festival Pass (per person)
Entry to all activities for one day or the entire weekend

You will also receive...

• 1 year FREE Co-op America membership (new members only). To redeem the FREE membership, visit the Co-op America booth at the festival.
• 10% off at a Global Exchange Store or the Global Exchange Booth at Green Festival
• Free subscriptions to The Nation (2 months) and Plenty (1 year)

$10 Discounted Festival Pass (available only at the door/per person)
Entry to all activities for one day or the entire weekend. Available for seniors, students (12 years of age or older), union members with ID and Green Festival Bike Valet participants to Green Festival.

You will also receive...

• 1 year FREE Co-op America membership (new members only). To redeem the FREE membership, visit the Co-op America booth at the festival.
• 10% off at a Global Exchange Store or Global Exchange Booth at the Green Festival
• Free subscriptions to The Nation (2 months) and Plenty (1 year)

Co-op America and Global Exchange Members, Green Festival Volunteers and Children under 12 are FREE.

Also, bring your household e-waste to the festival!  This includes laptops, cell phones, PDAs, CDs, and household batteries.  3R Technologies will be accepting these smaller items onsite at the event.  Do not bring large electronics.  If you need to dispose of large electronics, please see their website for more information: http://www.3rtechnology.com/.  I know I have a whole bag of things I have been waiting to properly dispose of...now is my chance.

Take in more than 350 exhibits:

• Shop for everything from natural home and health products to solar panels and Fair Trade gifts and crafts.
• Hang out with your kids as they play and learn in Organic Valley's Green Kids' Zone.
• Enjoy organic dining and sample local beers & wines. \
• Explore developments in green education, social investing and independent media.
• Learn about City resources for energy conservation, green power, climate action and more at the City of Seattle Pavilion.

See more than 125 dynamic speakers on 5 stages:

• Find inspiration from stories of collective and personal successes.
• Discover green techniques and strategies during great how-to workshops.
• Network with sustainable neighborhood groups.
• Enjoy a diverse program of live local music and performance.

To save money on the entrance fee:

Better World Books and Green Festival are partnering to offer $5 off Green Festival admission to attendees who bring in 3 or more books. Your donated books will be sold on BetterWorld.com to help fund girls' scholarships in developing countries in Asia through Room to Read. http://www.roomtoread.org/

I will be there the entire weekend, so I will have lots to blog about next week.  Talk to you all soon. 

BE THERE or BE SQUARE!!

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
You can save a lot of money by installing or improving insulation. Insulation retards the flow of heat and is one of the most cost-effective investments that you can make. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its tested resistance to heat flow and is known by its R value. The greater the R value, the greater the effectiveness. One of the easiest and most effective places to install insulation is in the attic, since heat rises from the heated rooms below. Insulation comes in many different forms including the familiar fiberglass, Styrofoam, vermiculite, pouring wool, cellulose materials such as shredded newspaper, and numerous foamed-in-place types. Particularly within the fiberglass and rigid foamed board types, there are a variety of choices of heat-reflective coatings. Properly installed insulation always improves comfort and reduces heating and cooling costs.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Heating buildings is one of the largest expenditures of energy in the nation and one of the greatest opportunities for saving. The average U.S. household spent more than $2,350 in 1999 for energy: $1,200 for home energy and $1,150 for motor gasoline to run vehicles.  Of the $1,200 spent in the home, nearly half is spent for heating and cooling  and in aggregate, amounted to more than $50 billion in 1999.

For new construction, the maximum recommended amounts of insulation yield huge savings compared to no insulation. For existing buildings, upgrading to the recommended amount of insulation will save money. The amount of savings vary widely depending upon your starting point namely, how much insulation you already have. See Energy Star's Cost-Effective Insulation Values for Existing Homes for recommended insulating values for walls, floors, ceilings, and basements.

In general terms, when you double the R value of your insulation, the heat flow through the insulated surface will halve. Your bill, however, may not halve because of other, less well-insulated surfaces in the building. Typical savings for retrofit insulation are on the order of 20-30% of your heating bill. For a monthly heating bill of $200, this can amount to $40-$60 in savings.

Issues:
A plan will help you with insulating decisions. In general, you should bring the attic insulation up to currents standards because it is easy to do so. Wall insulation can be problematic, as many walls are little more than the width of a 2x4, which limits the depth of insulation that can be easily installed. Sometimes a second interior wall can be built which provides a deeper cavity for insulation as well as providing an easy opportunity to upgrade electrical wiring and new cable and telephone wiring. This is most economical when done as part of a larger room-remodeling effort.

Regional Issues:
The amount of insulation that you need varies upon your climate and exposure to prevailing winds. Northern locations benefit most from insulation during the heating season; southern locations benefit most during the cooling season.

Installation (Getting It Done):
Be sure to get bids from two or three (or more) contractors and explore different methods and types of insulation. Multiple bids will allow you to gain immediate perspective on the true costs and value of insulation in your area.

More Information on This Topic:

U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program: Insulation Materials

Cost-Effective Insulation Values for Existing Homes

Buildings for the 21st Century: Wall Insulation

Buildings for the 21st Century: Ceilings and Attics

Buildings for the 21st Century: Basement Insulation

References:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

U.S. Department of Energy

I love Seattle Real Estate!  Why?  Because Seattle has so much character!!!  I have been to many neighboring suburbs and have found rows and rows of subdivisions where each house is almost the exact replica of the one next door...or maybe the neighborhood is so dated it only hosts Tri-level homes.  And I admit, I live in ones of those dated neighborhoods, housing mostly ramblers. But slowly and surely, it will start to diversify itself... just as soon as people start the needed phases of remodeling and updating.

Seattle has already been there and done that though....many times.  Styles have come and gone.  Some have stuck it out for the long run and through much love, still show the charm and authenticity of the original home.    There is so much diversity and richness in this city, I just love it! My favorite homes are either old Craftsman or Ultra-Modern "Green" homes.  Here I can find them next door to one another.   You can have a small vintage Cape Cod on the corner, new townhomes next door, a large Craftsman next to that, a Modern loft home after that, and a commercial space on the other corner...ALL on ONE block! 

So I guess what I am saying is that I like DIVERSITY.  How boring would this world be if everyone had blonde hair and green eyes like me?  I certainly wouldn't stand out in a crowd.  Isn't that what we each ultimately want?  To be individuals?  And wouldn't we want the same for our homes?  Well, I certainly do but then again I am not everyone...

...there are those who like to be a little more inconspicuous....a bit of a mystery...I should say.  Perhaps those are the type of people who love to live in the rows of subdivisions I speak of.  There are people that love them...obviously, since they are being built at the speed of light.  Maybe the person that lives there is the type of person who doesn't lay it all out there on the first date.  They hold themselves back and reveal a little bit of themselves at a time.  Me, I always seemed to be the one who puked up all of my shortcomings on the first date just so I could get it off of my chest.  Or maybe they are the person who prefers to live like their neighbor, leaving out that competitive....I am better-than-you attitude.  Or maybe people truly love that sense of community since many of the subdivisions create wonderful amenities such as pools, playgrounds, sport courts, Fitness centers, beach or lake rights, golf, etc.  Also, some gated communities offer the extra amenity of security.

I realize the world isn't black or white, how boring that would be huh?  We all have our own likes and dislikes.  One thing I am starting to learn as I grow older is that individuality is what makes the world go round.  I used to try to force feed my beliefs to those around me, sometimes getting blue in the face when they "JUST DIDN'T GET IT!"...

But now I get it.  I don't want everyone to like everything I like, or believe everything I believe, or act like I act.

 I just wanna be me....and I appreciate that YOU ARE YOU. 

So Seattle lovers and Suburb lovers and Country lovers=Diversity.  Hooray for that. 

As I go back and read this post, I realize that I was really rambling but I am gonna post it anyway. So thanks for listening.

If you are anything like me, you have grown up hearing about the Three R's:  Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  I think I learned about that concept sometime during my freshman year of high school, although my mother had been teaching me, as well, throughout my childhood.  I believe everyone should try to do their part to leave a lighter footprint on this planet.  Here are some ways you can do that:

Reduce: commit to using less energy, toxicities, and resources.

•·         Turn off water when brushing your teeth.

•·         Turn off front porch light during the day.

•·         Turn off lights every time you leave a room.

•·         Turn off car if idling for more than a couple of minutes.

•·         Buy products in bulk with less packaging.

·         Collect rainwater in barrels for watering garden or washing car.            

•·         Pass on the extra napkins, condiments, utensils, etc when eating fast food (especially if you are bringing the food home).

•·         Carpool, walk, ride a bike, or take the bus.

•·         Buy products with low toxic levels such as paints, cleaners, or other products containing chemicals.

Reuse: commit to using things over and over to save resources.

•·         Buy used books, games, clothes, furniture, etc at thrift stores or garage sales.

•·         Buy canvas totes to use as grocery bags to reuse over and over.

•·         Reuse gift bags (a bag that keeps on givingJ)

•·         Buy rechargeable batteries.

•·         Buy a personal water container that you can refill with purified water rather than use a new plastic bottle each time.  A good one to buy is a My Sigg.  Good water to get is Custom Pure, which can be found at PCC.

•·         Use your own mug when getting your daily coffee.

•·         Use plastic containers that can be used over and over for storing food rather than plastic bags that are thrown away after use.

•·         If something is broken (VCR, TV, Computer), rather than throw it away, give it to someone who can repair it.

•·         Use cloth napkins.

Recycle:  properly dispose of unwanted materials.

•·         Donate all used clothing, furniture, books, etc.

•·         Recycle glass, plastics, paper products, metal, etc.

•·         Make a compost container or worm bin to rid of food waste (or use the city bins).

•·         Buy products that contain recyclable materials.

•·         Dispose of toxic products correctly (such as light bulbs, batteries, electronics, etc.) Here is a link to Earth 911, which is a good source for finding locations to recycle locally.