Green living 2014

The News Guard

GREEN

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 1

LIVING 2 0 1 4

Special Publication of © FOTOLIA

2 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard

GET MORE SMILEAGE • Free air pressure checks • Auto diagnostic service • Alignments • Tune-ups

We can all learn to be wattsmart.

Gerber Tire & Service Center

541-994-2202

1605 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367 Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm L52318

Green Living 2014 Frank Perea II

Advertising Holly Nelson hnelson@countrymedia.net Business Manager

Susan Pengelly

Graphic Design

Stephania Baumgart

For local advertising and business inquiries please contact The News Guard at 541-994-2178.

www.thenewsguard.com

© 2014 Pacific Power

Publisher

wattsmart is registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Published by The News Guard, a Country Media publication. All rights reserved.

USING ENERGY WISELY IS GOOD FOR OREGON. Pacific Power teams up with Energy Trust of Oregon to remind you that you are never too young or too old to learn how to be energy efficient. It starts by turning off lights and electronics that are not in use, using energy-efficient appliances and weatherizing your home or business. It’s called being wattsmart ® . It not only saves energy, it saves money. You’ll find great energy-saving answers and incentives to save at bewattsmart.com.

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 3

The News Guard

T

Go Green in the Kitchen

here’s eating green, cooking green, cleaning green and buying green. But when you combine and implement all of those methods into your daily kitchen routines, then you are truly living a green lifestyle.

Employing energy-efficient cooking with equipment made from sustainable materials not only is important to your overall health, but also to the well-being of the environment. Green living is in your purchasing habits, too, and can affect the food you eat, the appliances you use and even the flooring you use in your kitchen. Fortunately, there are easy steps to take one at a time that will help build your kitchen into a green gourmet of sorts.

ENERGYSTAR

When looking to purchase a new refrigerator, dishwasher or freezer, look for the EnergyStar label to get the most bang for your buck. The logo is placed on all qualified products that meet specific standards for energy efficiency mandated by the federal government. These products exceed those minimum standards for efficiency and quality can lead to big savings on energy and costs for you in the long run. According to energy.gov, EnergyStar-qualified refrigerators are 20 percent more energy-efficient than non-qualified models.

GREEN COOKING

The stove is one area of wasted energy use in the kitchen. Especially on many new models, preheating is a thing of the past. You can conserve that 10-15 minutes of heating time by placing your roast in the oven immediately, and also by turning off the oven five to 10 minutes early and letting the residual heat finish off your dish. Also, consider using the microwave for smaller items that don’t require the oven. EnergyStar estimates that you can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent when using the microwave instead of the oven.

GREEN CLEANUP

Read the list on the back of your current cleaner. If you can pronounce all of the ingredients that went into making that bottle of cleaner, then you are probably using a safe product. If your dishwashing liquid, detergent or surface cleaner is comprised of petrochemicals, then you should consider the alternatives on the market. Many companies specialize in producing natural, plant-based cleaning products that are healthy for you and your family to breathe, touch and be around. There are also many recipes for DIY cleaning products using household ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda that can combine to form an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner.

© FOTOLIA

4 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard

Rain Barrels for Conservation

W

ater conservation is at the forefront of economic concerns for groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the U.S. Geological Society’s Water Census, daily per capita water use in the U.S. is 98 gallons for domestic use.

This includes both indoor and outdoor use. One efficient way to conserve some of that wasted water is by using outdoor rain barrels, designed to collect and maintain harvested rain for later use. They reduce main water use, have a positive impact on both your wallet and the environment and help enhance your self-efficiency.

USAGES

Stored water may be used for watering gardens, agriculture and washing cars. The EPA urges against using rain barrels for drinking, especially when other water supplies are available, inexpensive and of good quality. It takes much effort to ensure that stored water remains uncontaminated and properly filtered.

But, by using simple ground rainwater tanks that can be hooked up to your home’s gutter systems, you can store hundreds of gallons of water per year that can make a big impact on optimizing your outdoor activities.

© FOTOLIA

INEXPENSIVE INSTALLATIONS

Rain barrels, if used on a small scale for outdoor use, are rather inexpensive to purchase and install. Most of the time, a homeowner can install multiple barrels without professional assistance.

Simply remove the bottom portion of your gutter where

you will be placing the barrel and install the barrel underneath your exposed gutter.

The barrel will catch all of the rainwater and melted snow that your gutter sends into it.

Many rain barrels come equipped with a hose-hookup at the bottom, making for easy water transfer to water your garden, wash your car or spray down your home.

OTHER IDEAS

water-saving features in your faucets, showers and The U.S. Geological washing machines – these Society estimates that if all are the three domestic U.S. households installed areas that we rely on for water-saving features, water most of our water use. They use would decrease by 30 are also the areas that propercent, saving 5.4 billion duce the most waste gallons per day. This would because of leaky, underperalso result in an annual sav- forming systems. ings of more than $4 billion. Consider installing

The News Guard

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 5

Recycle Your e-waste

W

e are trained from an early age the importance of recycling our paper, plastic and glass materials. But what about our electronic items?

As our infatuation with our phones, computers and televisions continues to grow, so too does the importance of properly recycling them. By choosing to throw your old electronic devices in the trash, you are sending them to sit in a landfill or to be incinerated, both of which can cause major environmental damage. Water and air pollution has been tied to this careless act, which can easily be remediated by taking advantage of your community’s clean-up days or by using programs offered by electronics retailers, recycling centers or environmental groups.

WHAT IS E-WASTE?

Electronic waste is any electronic device that is broken, donated, discarded or at the end of its useful life. This includes cell phones, computers, laptops, televisions, printers, scanners and any other electrical device. The United States alone produces up to 50 million tons of e-waste each year, of which only 20 to 25 percent is recycled safely. The other 75 percent ends up in landfills. These statistics, provided by earthday.org, are eye-opening reminders about the importance of proper e-waste disposal.

© FOTOLIA

PROPER DISPOSAL Many of the materials found in electronic devices – including lead, mercury and cadmium – are extremely hazardous. In landfills, these chemicals can leach into the soil dur-

ing rainfall or release into the atmosphere when burned.

These chemicals not only can have dangerous impacts on the heath of the planet and animals, but also can cause serious respiratory problems when inhaled.

WHAT TO DO Making a difference in the area of e-waste is simple.

Collect all of your old electronic materials and take them to an e-waste recycling facility. Professionals at these centers – located

across the country – are equipped with the knowledge and resources to properly recycle these devices.

Earth Day Network partners with many recycling services providers and provides a searchable list of e-waste facilities.

6 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard

Earth-Conscious Gift Ideas

H

© FOTOLIA

ave an Earth enthusiast among your family and friends? Green gifting has taken center stage, as buyers are opting for more unique options that help people lower their carbon footprint.

And just because they are creatively crafted doesn’t mean they have to be overly expensive. With a little research and open-mindedness, you can find that perfect green gift for even the quirkiest of recipients.

your friend or family member’s garden. Some specialty companies will even print personalized messages or pictures on the sides of the packets for a special touch.

Opt for a perennial flower that comes up every year for an annual reminder of your gift and friendship. Seeds One of the least expensive, can also be just part of a larger gift basket filled with yet most thoughtful gift ideas can be seed packets for garden-related items. No

SEEDS OF LOVE

matter how you package them, seeds are a way of offering a sustainable gift that can keep on giving.

ORGANIC WINE

If available in your area, a nice bottle of local, organic wine can help bolster your gift-giving reputation.

Purchasing an eco-friendly option also helps support local business owners who

brew, package and distribute the wine themselves.

And with plenty of variety on the market, you should be able to find a bottle for any taste.

CHARITABLE DONATION

What better way to help support the favorite charity of your friend or family

member than by placing a sizeable donation in their name? Charities often will provide a certificate of appreciation or a documentation showing exactly how the donation was used.

So no matter if the donation is $20 or $200, your special someone will take pride in the fact that their name is official attached to their favorite cause.

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 7

The News Guard

Here are some great sites for your green home!

Enjoy nature and the beauty of In Lincoln City, the Indian Shores If bigger is better choose one these Salishan living when you site your home community offers lake side commons & 4 bank owned lots in a quiet area on one of two lots fronting this superb a beautiful, treed setting for two adjacent of SW Lincoln City to site your spacious golf course. MLS 14-310 & 13-1521 lots. MLS 13-1001 & 14-354 retreat or duplex. MLS 13-947+

Little in size, small in price but just right Looking to site a new business on the Hop, skip, jump on this level lot just a for the light footprint of your new home central coast? Check this Depoe Bay dbl lot couple blocks to the beach in NW Lincoln at the beach. MLS 13-1217 with wonderful ocean views. MLS 12-66 City, you’ll be so glad you did! MLS 13-2983

Kick it up a notch at the Red Cock!

1221-A Northwest Highway 101 • Lincoln City • 541-994-2518

Clothing, Jewelry, Purses, Accessories and MORE! L52282

Local vendors • Recycled materials - shirts, bracelets, bags Natural fibers - cotton, polyester

Scan with your smart phone

2035 NW Jetty - Lincoln City

541.994.1156

start shopping for a home

www.atthebeachonline.com NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!

Read Green Living 2014 online PLUS receive access to our entire news website

FREE for 30 days Go to thenewsguard.com/subscribe for details

Published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1818 NE 21st Street, Lincoln City, OR 97367-0848 For advertising information, call Holly Nelson at 541-994-2178 or email hnelson@countrymedia.net www.thenewsguard.com

Check out more details by scanning the code!

For local news, photos and events log onto www.thenewsguard.com and find us on Facebook

L52283

“Oldest” natural fiber store in Lincoln County

8 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard

Arbor Day Foundation Programs

S

ince 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees.

But the foundation is more than trees. It is a group of one million members, volunteers, supporters and partners, all dedicated to conserving the environment and educating the masses.

Its educational programs are designed for learners of all ages and are easy to take part in. Here are a few:

TREE CITY USA

This national program promotes community forestry management for cities and towns. More than 3,400 communities have met the four core standards of the program: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. Together, more than 135 million people live in a Tree City USA, according to arborday. org.

NATURE EXPLORE

Connecting children with nature is the goal of Nature Explore. The initiative is a collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, and is comprised of outdoor classroom design services, workshops and conferences, and family resources. There are

© FOTOLIA

more than 200 Certified Nature Explore Classrooms across the nation, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

RAIN FOREST RESCUE

More far-reaching than other programs, Rain Forest Rescue is an effort helped by donors to preserve precious

rainforests. One recent focus of the Arbor Day Foundation has been centered on Central America’s Maya Forest, which includes 13.3 million acres of tropical forest home to jaguars, macaws, eagles and monkeys, according to arborday. org. The foundation has worked closely with the locals in this area to implement sustainable forestry

and managed-logging approaches to help residents earn income while living in harmony with the forest.

COMMUNITY TREE RECOVERY

When natural disasters strike, the Arbor Day Foundation provides tree relief to help restore air and water quality, as well as

beauty and shading that can be compromised by tornadoes and hurricanes.

You can get involved in this vital program by donating to its Community Tree Recovery Fund, which allows the foundation to provide trees for distribution in communities when its partners in forestry are ready for that stage of disaster recovery.

The News Guard

U

Know Your Earth

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 9

nless you pursue a geography degree in college, your formal education about the Earth generally stops in high school.

So depending on your graduation year, your Earthly knowledge may be a little rusty. Take our true-orfalse quiz below to reclaim your planetary proficiency. And challenge any children in your life to take the

quiz, as well. Just don’t be upset if they know more about the Earth than you do. The statistics were obtained from earthday.org, while other facts are within this section’s previous pages.

1. The Earth contains 21 percent oxygen.

2. The Earth is the only planet to have one large satellite (the moon).

3. Venus and Jupiter are the two planets directly surrounding the Earth.

4. The Earth’s tilting motion is what gives us the seasons.

5. The Earth is 100 million miles from the sun.

6. The Earth is an exact sphere.

7. Earth Day was founded in 1960 by Sen. Gaylord Nelson.

8. Americans produce 50 million tons of e-waste every year.

9. EnergyStar refrigerators can be up to 5 percent more energy-efficient than non-EnergyStar alternatives.

10. EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency. © FOTOLIA

Answers: 1. True; 2. True; 3. False (Venus and Mars); 4. True; 5. False (93 million miles); 6. False; 7. False (1970); 8. True; 9. False (up to 20 percent); 10. True.

10 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard

What is Earth Day?

GREEN LIVING 2014 • 11

The News Guard

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP WILL BEGIN APRIL 22, 2014

Open 8a-7p Mon-Fri, 8a-6p Sat

L52218

Already a Print Subscriber?

2011 Ford Fiesta 38 MPG $11,995

P88877

Need a New Subscription?

2010 Kia Soul 30 MPG $14,995

P88848

FREE online access.

2009 Ford Focus 37 MPG $10,700

2007 Ford Focus 37 MPG $9,235 P88834

Claim your

P88788

to arrange for pick up. You can leave a message after hours.

The deadline for calls is 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 21st.

P88801

please call North Lincoln Sanitary, 541-994-5555

2005 Dodge Neon 36 MPG $6,995

2006 Chevy Cobalt 34 MPG $6,995 P88756

Starting March 24th,

541.994.4556

P88826

2013 Chevy Spark 37 MPG $12,700 85044A

1. This service is provided to North Lincoln Sanitary customers with residential homes inside the city limits.

2. Small items should be bagged, not weighing over 40 lbs.

3. Tree limbs and brush must be neatly stacked with a maximum of 6 feet in length.

4. There is a limit of 4 cubic yards per stop.

5. Unfortunately, we cannot pick-up the following items for the City Clean-up: Tires, oil products, large appliances, hide-a-beds, hazardous materials, home garbage, or large amounts of construction debris. (note: North Lincoln Sanitary Service will still pick these up, but it has to be handled outside of the City Clean-up.)

6. All items need to be at “curb” side and ready for pick up on Tuesday at 7am and will be picked up as the route is worked through.

We find the right car for you and have it delivered to Lincoln City

P88863

The City is preparing itself for the ANNUAL COMMUNITY PRIDE WEEK. To kick off this event, the City will again be offering its services of picking up miscellaneous items such as yard clippings, brush, limbs, scrap metal goods, furniture, plastics, etc. This event is co-sponsored

by North Lincoln Sanitary Service and the City of Lincoln City. Here are a few guidelines that we ask you to adhere to:

“Eco-friendly, people-friendly: We’ve got you covered.”

2009 Toyota Corolla 35 MPG $15,590

2011 Toyota Camry 32 MPG $18,995

Many options are available.

Just go to www.thenewsguard.com/subscribe!

Subscribers to The News Guard have full access to all our online content, including the E-Editions section.

We Buy Cars!

Over 600 cars online: www.powerford.com All prices and financing on approved credit (O.A.C). All vehicles subject to prior sale.

Prices do not include title, license, taxes. Photos for illustration purposes only.

L52285

12 • GREEN LIVING 2014

The News Guard