| INDOOR AIR QUALITY By Shirley Holden, BIDS Contributing Writer, Owner/Principal of SallisDesigns, Albuquerque, NM. (This is the first of a three part series regarding air quality as it relates to your home.) As we enter into the ‘Green Age’, the questions regarding indoor air pollution and its relationship to your health are plentiful. Today’s homes are constructed to keep most things out, including fresh air. Have you ever walked into your home or a particular room in your home and immediately your eyes begin to smart and/or you begin to sneeze? How about your skin crawling? There are plenty of studies to confirm that the level of indoor biological pollutants can be higher than outdoor air. How we manage our indoor air contributes significantly to our indoor quality of life. Sallis Designs sat down with Dr. Yanga Dijiba, Ph.D., Analytical Chemist, to discuss this issue. Sallis Designs: Dr. Dijiba, should the level of biological pollutants inside a home be cause for concern for the average person? Dr. Dijiba: I don’t know what you mean by just the average person but for everyone living in the house there is no immunity. For any person young or old, biological pollutants will affect everyone. It does not matter if it is a child or an older person. The level and the strength of pollutants can probably play a key role in who will suffer. Sallis Designs: Why is that Dr. Dijiba? Dr. Dijiba: Let’s say in a typical example, in terms of the immune system the response will be different from one person to the next. But it does not mean that everyone will get sick. At the same time it does not guarantee that you will not get sick. Sallis Designs: So from a consumer standpoint, what can be done to minimize indoor pollutants? Let’s say for example the one thing most of us never think of and that is the refrigerator drip pan. Dr. Dijiba: The best way to minimize this area is to weekly clean the drip pan with a green detergent using hot water, making sure the floor area is cleaned as well. Before the pan is reinstalled, make sure the pan is completely dry, for anytime there is moisture, bacteria can easily develop. Sallis Designs: Dr. Dijiba, are there any bacteria that is naked to the human eye which can find its way into the refrigerator via drip pan? Dr. Dijiba: Being invisible is not the issue; the issue is to avoid the accumulation of bacteria. Of course bacteria can find its way into the refrigerator by this method. Keeping in mind the temperature of the refrigerator can play a role as well, but that would require a separate discourse. Sallis Designs: Funny, funny. Dr. Dijiba we thank you for your advice. Dr. Dijiba: Thank you very much for inviting me to speak to this issue and answer some of your concerns. Where Biological Pollutants May Be Found in the Home 1. Dirty air conditioners 2. Dirty humidifiers and/or dehumidifiers 3. Bathroom without vents or windows 4. Kitchen without vents or windows 5. Dirty refrigerator drip pans 6. Laundry room with unvented dryer 7. Unventilated attic 8. Carpet on damp basement floor 9. Bedding 10. Closet on outside wall 11. Dirty heating/air conditioning system 12. Dogs or cats 13. Water damage (around windows, the roof or the basement) Dr. Yanga Dijiba, Ph.D., is an Analytical Chemist currently teaching Chemistry at the University of New Mexico, Valencia County. He is available on a consultant basis and can be reached at yangakd@yahoo.com. Contact Shirley Holden at sallisdesigns.com for more information about green design and related topics. |
The Advantages of Hiring a Staging Professional Excerpted by: Carnela Renee' Hill, Owner & Designer, Interiors by Renee' & Associates, Raleigh, NC www.interiorsbyrenee.com The “Staging and Design Professional” can help you locate some of the best contractors (electrician, painter, flooring installer, etc.) that are licensed and bonded. Plan for renovations and landscaping…The goal is to make the house desirable and a must buy. The plan is not to break the bank. You must know what investments will help sell the house. The Staging and Design Professional will help you. Areas of high importance include bathrooms, kitchen, and master bedroom and do not neglect the public areas including the living, dining and family rooms. These rooms will add cash value and appeal to the prospective homeowners. Define/Know your target buyer, what they expect, how long a house has been on the market in the area, and what the current market is like. Investors: Networking is highly important. Make friends with a great realtor, lawyer, banker, appraiser, and accountant/financial advisor. They will each play a major role in the process and help you achieve success. On the average, builders sell a neighborhood faster with model homes that are staged. Why? The average consumer makes a decision based upon how the house makes them feel. Decisions are based upon seeing and feeling. If it feels like home then they are more likely to buy it… ”Making a House a Home”. If it looks pleasing and inviting, they will more likely buy it. Take the advice from the builders and “stage” your investment property before you try to sell it. Appeal sales a home. Staging a home can make a difference in the maximum amount you receive for the house. So, spend the extra cash to make the house more appealing. According to the 2006 National Association of Realtors Staging Statistics, - Staged homes sell 50% faster than un-staged homes - Staged homes sells for an average of 6.9% to 10% higher over listing price. Investors: A fixer upper that is ugly, dirty and smells can be a great opportunity. If you know how to maximum the benefits. A newer house may not require a fresh coat of paint, but may only require you to power wash the outside. Spend a little and get a lot. Never hire a contractor that is not licensed or bonded even if it is your brother or sister. Never hire a contractor without a contract. Require the contractor to provide a start and finish date with penalties for project delays caused the contractor. Create a budge of renovation expenses; compare all expenses (renovations, carry the house before it sales, and unexpected surprises) to expected profits. Obtain estimates for the renovation work before you purchase the property; Aim high on the estimates. A good rule of thumb is to triple the amount of the estimate to prepare for delays and surprises. Paint with color and eliminate the apartment white paint. Choose a great neutral color that makes the home feel appealing and intimate. Add other colors throughout the house that is soothing like greens and blues. You do not want to frighten the potential buyer instead make them feel at home. A Staging and Design Professional will help you appeal to the senses of the potential homeowner. Color is everywhere, bring it into the home and do not forget to paint the outside. Appearance and appeal tells the prospective buyer, the owner cares about the look inside and outside. Curb appeal alone can prevent the buyer from going inside. Photos on the internet is critical, so what does your property say about you? Perception is more powerful than reality. Remember it is about the buyer’s perception, not yours. Did the pictures on the internet represent your house at its worst or did you eliminate the pictures. The details matter not only in the décor but appealing to the prospective buyers. The extra touches make a difference and could be the final touch to selling your property. Try fresh baked cookies or bread and bottled water. This keeps the potential buyer in the house a little longer to check things out. |
LETTER TO SUPPORTERS OF THE GREEN JOBS ACT OF 2007
BIDS SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL INITIATIVE!
Just when we thought we had counted all our victories in 2007, we got some of the
biggest news of the year. On Wednesday, December 19, President Bush signed the
Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million for green job training programs across
the country!
The Green Jobs Act is part of the Energy Bill, a bundle of policies that is otherwise a
mixed blessing. Conservatives stripped out some of the best parts of the package -- like
big boosts for solar and wind energy and an end to tax giveaways for oil companies.
Amidst these shortcomings, however, we have our share of great news. For the first
time in history, we have a U.S. law that addresses both the climate crisis and the
poverty crisis by investing in green-collar job training.
The Green Jobs Act authorizes $125 million annually for greening the nation's
workforce, enough for training up to 35,000 people every year. Even more
unprecedented, it allocates $25 million for "green pathways out of poverty" programs --
like the Oakland Green Jobs Corps we've been championing here at home in the Bay
Area.
This is just the beginning: the Green Jobs Act is a down payment on a larger vision. We
must take on -- and win -- much bigger challenges to build a green economy that's
powerful enough to lift people out of poverty. This is why we've launched Green For All,
a new national initiative led by Van Jones to secure at least one billion dollars to create
green pathways out of poverty for 250,000 people in the United States.
And it's why, beginning in 2008, the Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is
taking on California. The nation's most populous state is also the state with the biggest
potential for creating groundbreaking environmental policy. We are excited to partner
with the California Apollo Alliance and the California Labor Federation to set the "green
jobs standard" for other states to follow.
Thank you for your endless support. With your involvement, we're building the
green-collar movement on the ground in Oakland, across the state of California, and
nationally in Washington, D.C. We look forward to another amazing year!
Sincerely,
Jakada Imani and Ian Kim
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
BIDS SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL INITIATIVE!
Just when we thought we had counted all our victories in 2007, we got some of the
biggest news of the year. On Wednesday, December 19, President Bush signed the
Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million for green job training programs across
the country!
The Green Jobs Act is part of the Energy Bill, a bundle of policies that is otherwise a
mixed blessing. Conservatives stripped out some of the best parts of the package -- like
big boosts for solar and wind energy and an end to tax giveaways for oil companies.
Amidst these shortcomings, however, we have our share of great news. For the first
time in history, we have a U.S. law that addresses both the climate crisis and the
poverty crisis by investing in green-collar job training.
The Green Jobs Act authorizes $125 million annually for greening the nation's
workforce, enough for training up to 35,000 people every year. Even more
unprecedented, it allocates $25 million for "green pathways out of poverty" programs --
like the Oakland Green Jobs Corps we've been championing here at home in the Bay
Area.
This is just the beginning: the Green Jobs Act is a down payment on a larger vision. We
must take on -- and win -- much bigger challenges to build a green economy that's
powerful enough to lift people out of poverty. This is why we've launched Green For All,
a new national initiative led by Van Jones to secure at least one billion dollars to create
green pathways out of poverty for 250,000 people in the United States.
And it's why, beginning in 2008, the Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is
taking on California. The nation's most populous state is also the state with the biggest
potential for creating groundbreaking environmental policy. We are excited to partner
with the California Apollo Alliance and the California Labor Federation to set the "green
jobs standard" for other states to follow.
Thank you for your endless support. With your involvement, we're building the
green-collar movement on the ground in Oakland, across the state of California, and
nationally in Washington, D.C. We look forward to another amazing year!
Sincerely,
Jakada Imani and Ian Kim
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
HOME l ABOUT US l EDITORIAL l SUBMISSIONS l POLICIES l PRESS l PARTNERS l CONTACT US l CONTRIBUTORS l Black Interior Designer Showcase C/O Lifestyle Design Interiors 4330 W. Desert Inn Rd. Ste J Las Vegas, NV 89102 Ofc: 702- 257-0901 Cell: 702- 408-5099 Black Interior Designer Showcase online magazine. Your source for: LIFESTYLE interior decorating, residential design, commercial design, design trends, interiors, decorating advice, home decor, decorating articles, home, furniture, home furnishings, designing rooms, floor plans, room plans, affordable interior decorating ideas, redecorating, home improvement, contractors, office design, real estate staging, home office, kitchen design, kitchen products, bathroom design, bath products, remodeling, accessories, art, artwork, wall decor, antiques, flooring, window treatments, lighting, and outdoor living. |
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| Green-Collar Jobs Campaign: ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS The "green wave" is coming. A new, multi-billion dollar economic sector is emerging, bringing new opportunities in green construction, clean technology, urban agriculture and energy. Our goal: ensure that this green economy is strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Green-Collar Jobs Campaign creates opportunities in the green economy for poor people and people of color through policy advocacy, public outreach, and an employment pipeline - the Green Jobs Corps. |
| For Property Brokers & Realtors! Redesign & Staging Sells Properties Contact BIDS for Re-Design & Staging Experts 1-702-408-5099 |
HGTV star is advocate of thinking green
M.J. Van Deventer
Source: NewsOK.com (Oklahoma)
Date Written: 1/3/2008
Home and Garden Show from Jan. 18-20 at State Fair Park. "As a mind-set, thinking green is a
way of saying, 'I have a footprint on this Earth and I want to make it as small as possible,' " Foss
said.
His fascination with the environment dates to his days growing up in Minnesota. "I grew up in a
home in the woods, so I've always had a connection to the natural world. My mission is to fight for
the green movement and get people interested," he said in a phone interview from his loft-style
home in downtown St. Paul, Minn. He maintains an office five minutes away in Minneapolis.
The green philosophy examines the way homes are built and insulated, how energy is used, how
water is conserved and how people manage their landscape. Foss calls it a holistic approach to
home and garden design. The philosophy also looks at health issues by not introducing toxic
materials into the home-building process.
While Foss says the green theme in home design has been around awhile, globally, he believes
people are beginning to realize that homes can help people maintain a sustainable lifestyle. A shift
in thought is emerging about the way homes are designed and built, he said.
"I'm not a gloom-and-doom kind of person," Foss said. "As a designer, I try to look at the way we
are building homes and offices. We really need to re-create the way we build things and the way
we live our life. With the awareness of a green theme for design, we can address alternatives that
are fun and rewarding."
Foss' concern for the environment goes beyond the way homes and office buildings are
constructed. It extends to how the environment is affecting certain species. "But it's easy to sit here
in America and talk about climate and weather changes. There are significant shifts at the north
and south poles, with melting ice forcing species, especially polar bears, to change their habitats.
Twenty-five percent of all the species on Earth are threatened with extinction, he said.
He cited other changes: Seas are higher; the amount of carbon in the air is higher; 2005 was the
hottest year on record; and hurricanes in 2005 cost the United States $100 billion. "We are playing
a risky game walking into the future regarding the natural system we have. It is an uncertain future,"
Foss said. "Hopefully, the Earth has an immune system to keep it in balance."
What can the average person do to contribute to a greener environment in his own home?
Start with a smaller home that will use fewer materials but still provide the space you need for your
lifestyle, Foss said.
Use extra insulation for heating and cooling. "Homes, like cars, need tune-ups. Seal off your
ductwork and make sure everything is working efficiently. You want a tight envelope in your
environment."
In the kitchen, use a cork or bamboo floor. Use concrete countertops or an aggregate counter
mixture of concrete and recycled glass.
Use energy-saver lights and low-flow faucets to save water and reap some long-term savings and
positive green effects.
In the bathroom, use recycled ceramic tile for the floor, a low-flow showerhead and dual-flush
toilet. That costs about $100 more but will save you money in the long run by lowering water
consumption, Foss said.
Geothermal is another option. Wells are drilled into the ground on your property, pulling heat
energy from the ground to cool and heat the home. That is a more expensive option, Foss said, but
yields benefits in the future.
Create rain gardens and solar panels for your garden so you can be self-sufficient about watering.
Building a new home? Foss said, "Do as much research as possible before you begin. Surround
yourself with architects, builders and designers who have 'green' experience."
Foss suggested becoming familiar with the United States Green Building Council. "The council is
at the forefront of everything that is going on in the green movement. They are creating the national
standard for certifying buildings and homes striving to follow the green trend." Foss is a contract
graphic designer for the council.
In a perfect green world, Foss said each plot of land will be self-sufficient. "We will be independent
of energy grids and harsh storms that damage power supplies. The green movement is all about
Earth stewardship," he said.
"Thinking green is not just about saving the planet, he said. "It's also about putting more green into
your pocket, as well," Foss said.
M.J. Van Deventer
Source: NewsOK.com (Oklahoma)
Date Written: 1/3/2008
Home and Garden Show from Jan. 18-20 at State Fair Park. "As a mind-set, thinking green is a
way of saying, 'I have a footprint on this Earth and I want to make it as small as possible,' " Foss
said.
His fascination with the environment dates to his days growing up in Minnesota. "I grew up in a
home in the woods, so I've always had a connection to the natural world. My mission is to fight for
the green movement and get people interested," he said in a phone interview from his loft-style
home in downtown St. Paul, Minn. He maintains an office five minutes away in Minneapolis.
The green philosophy examines the way homes are built and insulated, how energy is used, how
water is conserved and how people manage their landscape. Foss calls it a holistic approach to
home and garden design. The philosophy also looks at health issues by not introducing toxic
materials into the home-building process.
While Foss says the green theme in home design has been around awhile, globally, he believes
people are beginning to realize that homes can help people maintain a sustainable lifestyle. A shift
in thought is emerging about the way homes are designed and built, he said.
"I'm not a gloom-and-doom kind of person," Foss said. "As a designer, I try to look at the way we
are building homes and offices. We really need to re-create the way we build things and the way
we live our life. With the awareness of a green theme for design, we can address alternatives that
are fun and rewarding."
Foss' concern for the environment goes beyond the way homes and office buildings are
constructed. It extends to how the environment is affecting certain species. "But it's easy to sit here
in America and talk about climate and weather changes. There are significant shifts at the north
and south poles, with melting ice forcing species, especially polar bears, to change their habitats.
Twenty-five percent of all the species on Earth are threatened with extinction, he said.
He cited other changes: Seas are higher; the amount of carbon in the air is higher; 2005 was the
hottest year on record; and hurricanes in 2005 cost the United States $100 billion. "We are playing
a risky game walking into the future regarding the natural system we have. It is an uncertain future,"
Foss said. "Hopefully, the Earth has an immune system to keep it in balance."
What can the average person do to contribute to a greener environment in his own home?
Start with a smaller home that will use fewer materials but still provide the space you need for your
lifestyle, Foss said.
Use extra insulation for heating and cooling. "Homes, like cars, need tune-ups. Seal off your
ductwork and make sure everything is working efficiently. You want a tight envelope in your
environment."
In the kitchen, use a cork or bamboo floor. Use concrete countertops or an aggregate counter
mixture of concrete and recycled glass.
Use energy-saver lights and low-flow faucets to save water and reap some long-term savings and
positive green effects.
In the bathroom, use recycled ceramic tile for the floor, a low-flow showerhead and dual-flush
toilet. That costs about $100 more but will save you money in the long run by lowering water
consumption, Foss said.
Geothermal is another option. Wells are drilled into the ground on your property, pulling heat
energy from the ground to cool and heat the home. That is a more expensive option, Foss said, but
yields benefits in the future.
Create rain gardens and solar panels for your garden so you can be self-sufficient about watering.
Building a new home? Foss said, "Do as much research as possible before you begin. Surround
yourself with architects, builders and designers who have 'green' experience."
Foss suggested becoming familiar with the United States Green Building Council. "The council is
at the forefront of everything that is going on in the green movement. They are creating the national
standard for certifying buildings and homes striving to follow the green trend." Foss is a contract
graphic designer for the council.
In a perfect green world, Foss said each plot of land will be self-sufficient. "We will be independent
of energy grids and harsh storms that damage power supplies. The green movement is all about
Earth stewardship," he said.
"Thinking green is not just about saving the planet, he said. "It's also about putting more green into
your pocket, as well," Foss said.
| Black Buying Power: $744 Billion (2007) Black U.S. Population: $38.3 million Top Expenditures: - Housing & Related Costs $110.2 billion -Household Furnishings & Equipment $10.7 billion -Appliances $1.7 billion -Housewares $596 million |
Bulthaup: Monoblock
Monoblock counters are made in various dimensions to
custom specifications. Use them as a kitchen island (no
visible seams between the back, sides, and top) or
against the wall. Base units can integrate burners or
plumbing, and the doors are stainless and handle-free
for the most monolithic look or wood, aluminum, or
lacquer for contrast. Website: www.bulthaup.com.
Monoblock counters are made in various dimensions to
custom specifications. Use them as a kitchen island (no
visible seams between the back, sides, and top) or
against the wall. Base units can integrate burners or
plumbing, and the doors are stainless and handle-free
for the most monolithic look or wood, aluminum, or
lacquer for contrast. Website: www.bulthaup.com.
Helmstown Cabinetmakers: Coffee Caddy
Jimmy Helms' cozy Vaniture collection Coffee Caddy can be built in
sizes that accommodate coffee-making systems (including a
cup-warming drawer) from various manufacturers.
Helms envisions his unique freestanding furniture in offices,
breakfast rooms, master baths, or kitchens. Website:
www.helmstown.com.
Jimmy Helms' cozy Vaniture collection Coffee Caddy can be built in
sizes that accommodate coffee-making systems (including a
cup-warming drawer) from various manufacturers.
Helms envisions his unique freestanding furniture in offices,
breakfast rooms, master baths, or kitchens. Website:
www.helmstown.com.
Left: What is it? Art? Click to discover more!
Above: Palecek Woodland, Scandinavian furnishings. Looks
familiar? Back to the 70's. Clean, simple, nice lines and affordable!
Above: Palecek Woodland, Scandinavian furnishings. Looks
familiar? Back to the 70's. Clean, simple, nice lines and affordable!
 |
Universal Design Click HGTVPro.com for Articles --Baby Boomers Coming of Age --Planning For the Future --Removing Fears of Universal Design --Sensor Activated Faucets --Making Accessibility Stylish |
MAJORA CARTER: GREENING THE SOUTH BRONX
Born, raised, and continuing to live & work in the South Bronx, Majora Carter travels the world in pursuit of
resources to improve the quality of life in her environmentally challenged community. She founded Sustainable
South Bronx in 2001 after writing a $1.25M Federal Transportation grant to design the South Bronx Greenway
with 11 miles of bike and pedestrian paths connecting neighborhoods to the rivers and to each other - securing
over $20M to begin construction in 2008.
She has created riverfront parks and green roofs; dramatically increased the number of trees in the South
Bronx; worked to remove an underused expressway in favor of positive economic development; and
successfully implemented one of the nation's first urban green-collar job training efforts: the Bronx
Environmental Stewardship Training program—seeding her community with a skilled green-collar workforce
that has both a personal & economic stake in their urban environment.
Her vision, drive, and tenacity earned her a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, a place on NY Governor Spitzer's Energy
and Environment Transition Team, the Clinton Global Initiative’s Poverty Alleviation Panel, NYU’s Martin Luther
King, Jr. Award for Humanitarian Service, and the National Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award.
She started 2007 as one of Newsweek’s “25 To Watch”, was named one of “50 most influential women in NYC”
by the NY Post that summer, and ended the year as one of Essence Magazine’s “25 most Influential African
Americans”.
Born, raised, and continuing to live & work in the South Bronx, Majora Carter travels the world in pursuit of
resources to improve the quality of life in her environmentally challenged community. She founded Sustainable
South Bronx in 2001 after writing a $1.25M Federal Transportation grant to design the South Bronx Greenway
with 11 miles of bike and pedestrian paths connecting neighborhoods to the rivers and to each other - securing
over $20M to begin construction in 2008.
She has created riverfront parks and green roofs; dramatically increased the number of trees in the South
Bronx; worked to remove an underused expressway in favor of positive economic development; and
successfully implemented one of the nation's first urban green-collar job training efforts: the Bronx
Environmental Stewardship Training program—seeding her community with a skilled green-collar workforce
that has both a personal & economic stake in their urban environment.
Her vision, drive, and tenacity earned her a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, a place on NY Governor Spitzer's Energy
and Environment Transition Team, the Clinton Global Initiative’s Poverty Alleviation Panel, NYU’s Martin Luther
King, Jr. Award for Humanitarian Service, and the National Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award.
She started 2007 as one of Newsweek’s “25 To Watch”, was named one of “50 most influential women in NYC”
by the NY Post that summer, and ended the year as one of Essence Magazine’s “25 most Influential African
Americans”.