Black Bear Spotted In Naples!!

Have a look at these great photos of a black bear that was spotted this week by a realtor and his client at Livingston and Vanderbilt.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jun/09/photos-black-bear-watches-traffic-pass-vanderbilt-/

The Living Zone: Sustainable Design

New To You:

Using preowned furniture in your home capitalizes on energy that has already been used.

Clean Green:

This one is simple, use nontxic cleaning materials and use them.
www.seventhgeneration.com
www.healthycleaning.com
www.treehuggingfamily.com

Off is the New On:

Unplug your small appliances, ie: phone chargers, i-pods when you are not home. Plug all of your electronic gear into power strips and you can turn them all off at once.

Check out this great post at www.naplesrealestate.blogspot.com on preserving Naples Bay.

Challenge Yourself By Going Green

Going green can be both more efficient and fun. Some of the steps we can take in our home are small and easily implemented, others are much greater. If you really want to make a difference environmentally, the challenge is to develop a personal strategy that balances our desire to live sustainably with the desire to live comfortably.

Look at your whole house and develop strategies to improve the performance of your home as a whole.

One of the first things that you can do is get an energy audit. A properly executed audit will identify your energy-loss flaws. The culprits of energy loss tend to be duct leakage, lack of insulation and outdoor air infiltration. Having an efficient and properly functioning, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is often the most effective way to reduce your resource consumption.

Energy Efficient Home On Market in Naples, FL

Energy Efficient Features Of This Home Include:

Drip irrigation

Icyenene Isulation and Standing Seam Roof

CGI & Windoor Windows and Doors

Energy Star Miele Appliances throughout

For more information about this stunning home, please contact Meagan at 239-398-0186 or by email at mharris@naplesrealestate.com

Energy Saving Tips From The U.S. Department of Energy

We've had a few cold snaps here in Naples, Florida this winter, but nothing like up north. In many parts of the country, temperatures are COLD and heating bills are rising, but there are things you can do to keep warm AND lower your heating costs. 

Take advantage of heat from the sun. During the day, open curtains on windows with southern exposure to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home.

Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly.

Adjust the temperature. When you're home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable; when you're asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10 - 15 degrees for eight hours.

Lower water heating costs. Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120 degrees F). 

Source: www.energysavers.gov

Emergency Econmic Stabilization Act of 2008

As of January 1, 2009 the federal law will expand and extend valuable tax credits to homeowners who make certain energy-efficient upgrades to their home. Benefits include lower energy bills, increased indoor comfort and reduced air pollution.

Energy efficient products eligible for the federal tax credits actually lower the amount of federal income taxes that you must pay.

*Please consult a tax advisor to ensure proper tax credits*

A Few Examples:

New Central Air or Heat Pump will give you a tax savings of $300 if Energy Star rated, but only some products qualify so be sure to check before making the big purchase.

New Windows will give you a tax savings of up to $200 if they are Energy Star rated.

A maximum tax credit of $500 can be given for home improvements.

In some parts of the country, consumers will also be eligible for utility or state rebates or state tax incentives for the same homes, vehicles and equipment.

The Naples Zoo Celebrates 40 Years

http://www.napleszoo.org/zoobilee/index.html

On Friday, February 20, 2009, join the Naples Zoo as it celebrates 40 years as a zoo. It's also their 55th anniversary open to the public and 90th as a botanical garden!

Discover a delightful evening with delicious food and beverages, live entertainment, dancing in the starlight beneath the canopy of historic trees, a live auction, and wildlife experiences that could only be offered at Naples Zoo. 

Plus, enjoy meeting Jim Fowler, international animal expert from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Funds raised from this event support the ongoing programs and exhibits in Naples Zoo! 

ZOObilee 2008 was a sell out event. 2009 promises to do so again as tickets are once again reasonably priced at $150. To enjoy the Patron Event the night before with Jim Fowler, tickets are just $250 and include a ZOObilee ticket as well.

Your Evening Itinerary

Amid the sounds of live entertainment, enter the historic garden. Wander the path past the National Wildlife Federation certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat on your way to Rainforest Grove where music and beverages await. 

Meet the professional keepers and their wild friends along the way. Between Malayan tigers and African lions, view a wild selection of silent auction items while enjoying festive beverages.

Best of all, Shula's Steak House is back for an encore performance of last year's much raved about cuisine. Delight in a delicious dinner-by-the-bite while meeting Executive Director David Tetzlaff and some of his wild friends near RainForest Grove.

Following his presentation, Jim Fowler will receive the inaugurual Lawrence and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff Distinguished Conservation Award. Immediately following, Naples Mayor Bill Barnett will host a lively auction.

Afterwards enjoy dessert and drinks and dancing under the starlight until 11 p.m. Get your tickets online today!

Phone Books Are Becoming Old Hat

It seems to me that phone books are becoming a thing of the past. Why not opt out of getting them altogether?

The Benefits

• More paper for textbooks. About 540 million unsolicited phonebooks arrive at American doors annually.
• Majoring in waste reduction. Phonebooks make for about 660,000 tons of trash every year.

Since the advent of Google SMS (send a text message to 466453 with business name and zip code, and you'll get the number and address sent to you). What's the point of a paper phone book?

If you would like to stop getting phone books altogether here's where to start:

• YellowPagesGoesGreen - enter your info here to get your name off the mailing list.
• Earth 911 - recycle your old phonebooks (if you have curbside recycling, just toss them in there).

Go For Cold To Conserve Energy and Cash

The Benefits of Using Cold Water in Your Washer

• Attractive energy savings. Around 80%-90% of the energy typically used by a washer goes to heating the water.
• More cash. The average household saves $61 per year by forgoing hot for cold.
• Desirable CO2 cuts. In a year, each household that washes with only cold water keeps 1,281 pounds of CO2 from entering the air.
• Hotter colors with cold. Washing in cold water keeps your clothes looking newer, longer than hot water washing.

Just switch the knob on your washer to Cold. You don't even need to use a cold-water detergent.

The Freecycle Network

Looking for a way to clean out your closets or garage for 2009? 

The  Freecycle Network is a grassroots, non-profit movement of people who are giving and getting things for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free. 

www.freecylce.org

An "Eat Local" Movement Takes Place

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/06/eat-local-movement-takes-root/

A Green Holiday Gift Guide

Save a little green this holiday season while "keepin' it green". Have a peek at the treehugger website for suggestions:
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/

Got A Minute? A Simple Step To Saving Energy in The Kitchen

Do you have a minute to save some energy in your kitchen? Turn down the temperature in your fridge. Set the fridge between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Voila! You've saved energy! Don't you feel better about yourself now?

www.simplesteps.org

Save / Recycle Your Election Yard Signs

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/sign-savers.php

New LED Bulbs Hit U.S. Market

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/weird-looking-led-bulbs-are-next-gen-lighting.php

Four Ways To Green Your Lunch

1. Store food and beverages in reusable containers and avoid plastic baggies and paper sacks.

2. Pack reusable silverware and cloth napkins.

3. Choose food items that are available in bulk or have minimal packaging.

4. Recycle and glass, metal or plastic containers.

Sustainable Spaces

Eco-design tips for your home by AMANDA MOORE, kiwi* September / October 2008

Repurposed Design


Housewares made from recycled materials can help you redecorate and do a little something for the environment. By purchasing recycled materials you help keep existing items out of already crowded landfills while eliminating the use of new raw materials. You can incorporate green goods into your home by looking to accessories and soft furnishings.


For more information check out Amanda's website at http://www.replacenyc.com/


Places to shop online for recycled housewares:


http://www.gaiam.com/

http://www.vivavi.com/

http://www.desginpublic.com/

http://www.cb2.com/

http://www.bluemoonbottles.com/

http://www.chiasso.com/

Naples & Estero Offers Courses to Recycle Lifestyles

Two new "Being Green" eight week courses teach Earth friendly approaches that are empowering and fun. Educators Ann Smith and Donna Roberts, both with local and global experience, lead the adult education courses in Naples and Estero that run from October 1 to November 20.

In Naples, classes are held from 1 to 3 pm each Wednesday, at Outside The Box-Studio. In Estero, classes meet from 10 am to noon on Fridays, at Happenhatchee Center. The course fee is $200, with discounts available as needed.

To register, visit www.CircleConnections.com.

In The "Green" News: California Leads Nation With Green Building Code

California is again paving the way toward sustainable development. The state is adopting a new Green Building Code that puts percentages on improvements in water use efficiency, energy consumption, and water conservation. After 2010, all new construction must meet the code’s requirements. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California Business Properties Association, Sacramento, as well as local branches of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, NAIOP SoCal and NAIOP California State Council, support the green code. Although California is the first state to establish its own green code, the situation will not stay unique. “The International Code Council has been working with the National Association of Home Builders to develop a national standard for Green Homes, and the American National Standards Institute also is working on a standard as well,” the article states. Read the article at http://www.globest.com/news/1207_1207/sacramento/172819-1.html.

5 Biggest Energy Guzzlers In Your Home

With fuel and energy costs on the rise, it pays to ward off the main offenders in household energy use. Small moves, such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs and turning off your computer at night, are helpful but do not make a huge dent in your total monthly bill. Learn about the five biggest energy guzzlers in your home by reading the article at http://www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?story=top5-costly-appliances.

(Ecobroker Greenoutlook Newsletter, Fall 2008)