Sailing Into the Future

Several times this week I've been pryvy to the affects the current economy is having on people.

Some folks are looking down-trodden, frustrated, bits of anger flaring;  Others are flourishing, 

happy, eager to help others. 

New stores have opened in the area while some big companies are announcing that

they'll be closing some of their brick and mortar locations.

The pendulum is swinging back the other way in the real estate market,

however, those in the know are saying a couple of more years til we

get back to normal. 

I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to wait and certainly not for a couple of years.

This summer I have taken matters into my own hands, have set sail, and am eager to share with

you where I'm headed and how I'm getting there.

 

Until next time, as my friend Nikki says, Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward!

Suz

"The Juice" from Morning Coffee With Paul

Glossary Terms Part 4

Absorber: a component of a solar heater that soaks up heat from the sun and helps transmit it to the water or heating system.
Energy Guide Label: an appliance label that provides an estimate of how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products and lists approximate annual operating costs. Required by the US Department of Energy.
Hubbert's Curve: A prediction, made by a geologist in the late 1950s, that classified fossil fuels as finite, and said that after a peak time access to these resources would rapidly decline, eventually diminishing entirely.

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4

Green Resource links Regarding Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

US EPA's Guidebook of Financial Tools

Property Assess Clean Energy (PACE) Bonds

CPC Green Financing Initiative

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

National Association of REALTORS's Smart Growth program

Glossary Terms Part 3

Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) - precast concrete that is cured by steam pressure inside a kiln called autoclave. The material is lighter weight than conventional concrete and has good insulation properties.

Energy Assessment - a written report prepared by a qualified party evaluating energy usage, highlighting weak points in energy efficiency, and identifying cost-savings measures. A less rigorous process than an energy audit.

Permeable Pavement - a paving material that allows the penetration of water, thus significantly reducing runoff from storm water.

Glossary Terms Continued

Heat exchanger: two-way air conditioner that heats and cools by exchanging heat with the ground through a buried loop.



Urban Infill: redevelopment of sites, in the core of metropolitan areas, for commercial and residential purposes.



Wetland: areas that serve as links and buffers between land and water resources by collecting and filtering runoff.

Sidewalks Are Coming to Your Neighborhood

In the article Walking Into the Future, Brad Broberg looks at how two generations want the same lifestyle. This lifestyle is one of walkability, hence, the 20-minute good life I spoke of previously. In a 2008 housing study, 75% of participants said they wanted the traditional, i.e. walkable, neighborhood.

CEO's for Cities sited in 13 out of 15 markets nationwide, home values and high levels of walkability had a direct correlation. The next time you're downtown, take a look around. City living is making a comeback.

People want to walk or bike and not use their cars. The Grandin Area is a prime example of this in Big Lick. Downtown Roanoke, downtown Salem, and the Williamson Road areas are also now walkable with many, if not all, of the amenities people desire.

Young Professionals and Empty Nester's are asking and shopping for, with their dollars, walkability, homes with less square footage, and amenities close-by. Will localities change with this growing trend and rezone ordinances to allow mixed-use in our neighborhoods? Can our suburbs survive without change? Will local governments see the need for a variety of transportation options? Will our very own bus line add to or alter existing routes so that it doesn't take an hour to get to where you are going?

I will leave you with one final thought. A family living in the suburbs spends 25% of its income on its cars. In a walkable neighborhood, it spends nine percent. What better ways could you save, give, or spend 16% of your income?

As my friend Nikki says, Live, Love, Laugh, Share, and Pay It Forward.

Suzanne

Got Comfy Shoes?

Walkable towns promote shopping at locally owned stores, so 68% of your dollars stay in the community, according to a study.

Sunset Magazine October 2009

Would You Like Four Hours of Your Life Back?

Did you know?

Eliminating commuting by car would leave the average American with four extra hours a week?

Sunset Magazine October 2009

What Can You Do With 20-minutes?

Sunset Magazine featured an article in their October 2009 edition discussing a life where everything you need is within 20 minutes of your home with many of these places being within a five-minute walk, and if they aren't, they are close enough to bike to. This also means mass transit is within 20 minutes of your front door and strongly encourages you to use your car as a last resort.

Gerding Edlen is a real estate developer who came up with this concept of '20-minute living' and is described as being the nation's leader in green building development. He strives for everything being within a 20-minute walk, but in some cases, 20-minutes by transit is more reasonable.

His developments include open spaces, grocery stores, offices, libraries, events, and schools all within a central area so that people may spend less time going to and fro, and more time with their friends and family, pursuing their leisure activities, and engaging in more meaningful social experiences or moments with Mother Nature.

Wouldn't it be nice to be five minutes from a bike path, playground, dog park, or a local grocer?

Do you currently live the 20-minute good life?
If so, would you be willing to tell me where you live, how you like it, and the pro's and con's?

Until next time,
As my friend Nikki says: Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward
Suz

Are You Eligible for the Current Tax Credit?

If you are wondering whether or not you qualify for the tax credit, want to know how much you might receive, or want to know the deadlines, here is a great place to find the answers that you seek: My questions answered.

The NAR's FAQ's on the Tax Credit

The current tax credit is geared towards first time home buyers, those looking to purchase a second home, or those who have owned a home for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

Here is a link if you have questions regarding the tax credit: FAQ's

Glossary Terms

Bioswale: A landscape element, often a planted strip along a street or parking lot, for the purpose of capturing surface water runoff and filtering out silt and pollution before the storm water enters the drainage system or groundwater.

Light Pollution: Excessive illumination of night-skies by artificial light.

Water Footprint: An estimation of the amount of water used.

Why Buying Local is Best

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a purist; I do not buy everything locally. There are are those here in Roanoke who do and kudos to them! After spending time further researching this topic for this post, my eyes have really been opened as to how important this is and why I really need to be doing this as much as I possibly can.

Buying local helps us maintain our culture, commerce, economy, community, and the environment. Jane Jacobs teaches us in her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, that having people live, work, and shop in traditional neighborhoods allows us to connect, which is a good thing. We learn from one another's ethnic and economic diversity, and we develop a stronger sense of place and identity. We are safer. We look out for one another and have a stronger sense of community.

Big box stores actually hurt the local community. Their profits go back to corporate headquarters and to their suppliers. Communities actually lose employees due to the downsizing and closings of local businesses as a result of a big-box stores running the Mom-and-Pop stores out of business. Average wages are also reduced, there tends to be higher poverty rates, less civic and social well-being, and sometimes they cost cities more.

Local businesses hire local people, spend more of their money in the community by shopping, banking, advertising, and using local professionals for their needs. Local business owners keep more of their money within the community and give back more of their dollars to local charities.

When we talk of buying local, we must also think about Sustainability. Utopia would be the ideal balance of the Planet, its People, and their Prosperity. Nonetheless, we live in the world of Capitalism, and if you can dream it, someone will make it, distribute it, then strongly encourage others to buy it. It's the American way.

You can't buy everything locally. I'm just encouraging you to buy local whenever you can.

What is your opinion on buying things locally?

As my friend Nikki always says, "Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward."

Suz

Tips for a Greener Kitchen

Here are a few recommendations for greening up your kitchen:

1. Spray Mister for Cooking Oil: Instead of wasting money and filling the land fill with disposable spray cans at the grocery store, visit a kitchen supply store and buy a spray mister which you can fill with your favorite oil. If you use several different kinds of oils (extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, peanut oil, et. al.), buy a mister for each kind. The misters come in a variety of colors and shapes for you to distinguish one from the other.

2. Towels: Ditch the paper towels and use dish towels, old towels, whatever is on hand. These you can toss in the washing machine and reuse over and over.

3. Cloth napkins. Stock up during the sales after each holiday and you'll slowly build your inventory. Have each member of your family choose a color or pattern each week, then when it's time to wash a load of towels, just toss them in.

4. Appliances: When it's time for a new appliance, consider an ENERGY STAR appliance which will save you money by using less electricity and water (where applicable). These machines are designed to work better, smarter, faster.

5. Spices: Buy good spices in small quantities. This will ensure that they stay fresh, thus enhancing the flavors of your culinary creations.

6. Microfiber cloths: Linen towels used to be the best for drying dishes and now microfiber cloths have come along to do the work of both cleaning and drying everything in your home from dishes, to furniture, to floors, and beyond.

7. Baker's Racks and Pot Racks: These make a great display of your pots and pans that you use on a regular basis, keeping them handy, yet out of the way.

8. Cook: Plan your meals and cook at home. This will save you money and with a little preparation, you can have a home-cooked meal even on those busy days when you are walking in the door at dinner time. There are delivery companies that will ship groceries to you. Better yet, get together with some friends to prepare meals or go shopping together and split the cost of bulk items.

9. Crockpots: Yes, there really are good recipes for meals you can toss into the crockpot on your way out the door in the morning or if you have a busy day planned at home.

10. The refrigerator: clean the coils, reseal it if you can pull a dollar bill out from the door when it's closed, and reset the temperature--cooler in the summer time and warmer during the winter months.

Feel free to add your tips and tricks below.

Enjoy your day,
Suzanne