It's a GREEN Ski World!

Our ski resorts here in Utah are doing their part to reduce the carbon footprint! Last year, Park City Mountain Resort commissioned a study prepared by researchers and scientists out of Boulder, CO, that looked at the impacts that climate change will have on the area, and it's surrounding community in 25, 50, and 75 years. There were presentations all over, called "save our snow" which highlighted the results. If nothing is done and business continues as usual, the snowline in Park City will start at 9500 feet in the year 2075!!! When you consider the highest elevation at PCMR, Jupiter Peak is 10,000 feet, it leaves only 500 feet of snow cover - not exactly the greatest snow on earth!! Utah ski areas aren't taking the news lightly - The following article is GREAT, and shows what all of the resorts here in Utah are doing.

I found this article in Sports Guide Magazine - CLICK HERE to download article in PDF, and view a larger version of it! Definitely worth a read!

As always, feel free to comment with questions, or if you have anything to add!

Utah marks fifth quarter in row as nation's home-price increase leader

This was in the Salt Lake Tribune today - It's a great article about Utah Real Estate! Forget the "doom and gloom" reports we keep hearing from the media - The sky really is NOT falling! This article is great, and shows that we truly do have a STEADY economy here in Utah, despite the fact that some other areas are feeling the downturn a bit.

Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 01:33:16 PM MST

Posted: 11:12 AM- Utah still leads the country in home-price appreciation, a new report shows.
Prices rose 9.27 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, compared with the October-November-December period a year earlier, according to the report released today by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.
In the report, Wyoming was No. 2 with a 8.27 percent gain. North Dakota was third, with a 7.87 percent increase, followed by Montana at 6.90 percent and Alaska at 5.97 percent.
Among metropolitan areas, Wenatchee, Wash., was No. 1 with a 13.67 percent increase in home values over that one-year period. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux area in Louisiana was No. 2 with a 12.15 percent gain, followed by Grand Junction, Colo., up 12.03 percent.
Ogden-Clearfield was No. 4, with a 10.8 percent increase. Provo-Orem ranked sixth among all metro areas, with a 10.46 percent gain, followed by Salt Lake City, up 9.68 percent, and Logan, up 8.75 percent.
The only other Utah city on the list, St. George, however, logged a 1.91 percent decline in home values, placing it at No. 220. St. George's real estate market began a home-price run-up more than a year earlier than much of the Wasatch Front and began its downturn in 2006. The Wasatch Front's real estate market began to slow in the summer of last year.
Nationally, prices were up only 0.84 percent in the year that ended Dec. 31.
In the earlier part of this decade, Utah's home-price appreciation was the worst in the country, while Utah's neighbors and other states were racking up impressive home-price gains. Then, a few years ago, the state's real estate market took off, too.
But while Utah's market took off, its Western neighbors began a downturn that continues today. Nevada's home prices, for example, fell by 5.86 percent in the year that ended in December. Prices also are down 2.4 percent in Arizona. The lowest-ranked state in terms of appreciation is California, with a decline of 6.65 percent.
Utah's ranking marks its fifth consecutive quarter in the top spot, but rising inventories and declining sales of new and resale homes along the Wasatch Front that started several months ago point to more moderate price increases, most likely in the single digits, over the next year. Some even are predicting home values may decline at some point.

As always, Please comment with questions, or if you have anything to add!

Water Due Diligence!

Do you live in a house with a well? Are you thinking about buying one? Have you ever considered that the water might not be good enough quality to drink? That it might be contaminated? That the water right with the well might not be valid?

If you are currently considering buying a house with a well, or if you're concerned at all about your water quality, It's definitely worth a look to visit this website: http://www.cascadewaterresources.com/news.htm. John files of Cascade Water Resources can help you verify that the well is in good condition, the water is safe to drink and shower, and the water right is in place to give you legal rights to use the water from the well!

As always, Please feel free to comment with any questions or if you have anything to add!

IGNORE the headlines! Don't Wait to buy Real Estate!

I came across a great article in TIME magazine. CLICK HERE to view this article. There's also a link here to download a PDF of this great article!

This article really highlights a lot of great reasons that you should buy NOW instead of waiting. It highlights how the "wait and see" mentality can really cost you! It's definitely a factual read worth your time, so please check it out!

As always, feel free to comment with questions!

Water Works

Water is a BIG DEAL here in Utah! Some facts about the water situation here are below - and if you aren't already taking measures to CONSERVE water, please follow my BLOG for the next few days for some great water conservation suggestions!

1. Utah is the 13th Driest State in the US

2. Utah is ranked #2 in use of water per capita

3. 67% of water from public water systems is used for outside watering.

4. By the year 2012 an average precipitation year will not be enough water without going after other supplies such as Bear River and Lake Powell.

5. By the year 2050 ALL water in the state including Lake Powell and Bear River will not be enough if the population increases as expected.

6. Poaching of water from other States has already started, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (Las Vegas) is currently drilling wells on the Utah / Nevada border south of Wendover and plans to pipe the water to Vegas. Interestingly Utah has plans to poach surface water that would end up in Southern states or Mexico as well. http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=15778

Links to useful Utah Water Facts.

http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-04b.htm#F11

http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-03b.htm

http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-02a.htm#F2

Thanks to John Files of Cascade Water Resources for his contribution to this post. John specializes in water rights, and water quality. If you are buying a home with a well, John can help you insure that the water quality is good, and that the water right is valid.

As always, please feel free to comment with questions!

Foods to Buy Organic Whenever Possible!

A Friend sent me this article, and I thought it was interesting. We all know that it's healthier to eat organic foods... and that there's a LOT of benefit to doing so, including but not limited to the use of pesticides on non-organics. But let's face it - Buying organic IS more expensive - and sometimes it's A LOT more expensive. But some foods are worse than others, so if you're on a budget, the top foods to make sure you buy organic whenever possible are: Meat, Milk, Coffee, Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Strawberries, Lettuces, Grapes, Potatoes, and Tomatoes.

The MSN article that points all this out, and explains the reasons that these 12 culprits are the worst, can be found HERE. Take a look, it's worth it!

As always, feel free to comment with any additional info, or if you have anything to add!

The Sky REALLY is NOT FALLING!

The media is screaming "recession, recession" and people are FREAKING out. Everyone seems to be under the impression that the market is "TANKING".

Yes, it's true that in some previously over-inflated markets, prices are down, and the market is coming back to reasonable. But here in Utah, prices are holding steady, and in fact, we are slightly UP on the year-to-year comparison! Yes, there is a lot for sale, and yes, the supposed "deals" are getting better, but people are NOT losing money now!

For Park City specifically, I just had a luncheon with RMRA statistics (Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance) and it seems that resort markets are much more steady through the "downs" in the market. Park City is still a GREAT value for a resort town! There is some real opportunity here, ESPECIALLY with the historic low interest rates! Park City, all in all, is still a killer deal!

Greener Cleaners - A few miscellaneous ideas

Here are a few ideas you can use! You know those spots you get on your cement driveway when a car leaks all over it? The Stain and Spot remover below works GREAT! The dry cement absorbs the grease or oil spot, and without the use of harsh chemicals, that would otherwise end up in the water table!

Stain and Spot Removers:
1) Concrete Grease Spot Remover: To remove grease from concrete flooring sprinkle dry cement over grease. Allow it to absorb the grease, then sweep up.
2) Ink Stains: Use a non-aerosol hair spray to remove ink stains.

Tar Remover:
Food grade linseed oil. Wet rag with linseed oil and rub hard

Vinyl Cleaner:
1 tsp. to 1/4 cup washing soda, and 1 cup boiling water. Dissolve the washing soda in the boiling water. Apply with sponge, wipe off with a damp cloth.

Wallpaper Cleaner:
1) Roll up a piece of white bread and use it to "erase" marks on wallpaper

As always, Please feel free to comment!

Greener Cleaners - Shoe Care

Here are 7 great ideas for caring for, polishing, and deodorizing your shoes, WITHOUT the use of harsh chemicals!

1) Cold Pressed Nut Oil, Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, or Beeswax: Apply oil/wax to leather then buff with a chamois cloth to a shine.
2) Lemon Juice. Good for black or tan leather shoes. Follow by buffing with a soft cloth.
3) Vinegar; Remove water stains on leather by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution.
4) Petroleum Jelly. A dab of petroleum jelly rubbed into patent leather gives a glistening shine and prevents cracking in the winter.
5) Vinegar. To shine patent leather, moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe clean all patent leather articles. The color of the leather may be slightly changed.
6) Art-Gum Eraser and Sandpaper or Emery Board.
Dirt marks on suede can be rubbed out with an art-gum eraser. Then buff very lightly an emery board.
7) Add a shine by polishing it with the inside of a banana peel, then buff.

As always, feel free to comment if you have questions or anything to add!G

Greener Cleaners - A few miscellaneous ideas

Here are a few miscellaneous ideas! Lemon juice, the first idea, when used as a grease cutter works great! It's acidic enough to get the job done!

And paint brush cleaner - yet another great use of vinegar! This stuff is good for just about everything!

Grease Cutters:
1) Use lemon juice, vinegar, or sprinkle with borax and scrub with scrub brush.
2) 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap, 3 tbsp. vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. Mix in spray bottle, spray and scrub, wipe clean.

Paint Brushes:
Soften hard paintbrushes in hot vinegar for a few minutes. Then wash paintbrush in soap and warm water and let dry.

Rust Remover:
1) To remove rust from tin-ware, rub with a peeled potato dipped in a mild abrasive such as baking soda or salt.
2) Aluminum Foil. Briskly scrub rust spots on car bumpers with a piece of crumpled aluminum foil, shiny side up.

As always, please comment if you have anything to add, or any questions!

Waste Not.

Waste not.

~Take Tupperware Containers for leftovers to dinner with you, to avoid the use of a Styrofoam container! http://parkcityut.typepad.com/parkcityut/2008/02/restaurant-to-g.html

Waste not.

~ Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE! For some it’s a given, but others are still just to lazy to take the time to do it! Just do it! Set up a system, separate as you discard, and it really is not that time consuming, and makes a HUGE difference.

Waste not.

~Switch all your light bulbs to CFL’s. (Make sure to properly RECYCLE these when you’re done with them too, as they contain mercury!) http://parkcityut.typepad.com/parkcityut/2007/10/a-note-about--1.html

Waste not.

~Use Re-Usable Grocery bags at the store! Some Ideas: Hemp, organic cotton, etc, or the bag you got at your last few conventions!

Waste not.

~Turn DOWN your heat (winter) or Air Conditioning (summer) when you leave, just a few degrees makes a big difference, and will also save you $$!

Waste not.

~Waste less water! Consider xerascaping your lawn, with water-efficient buffalo grass. WINTERIZE your lawn before winter to save. http://parkcityut.typepad.com/parkcityut/2007/10/conserve-water-.html

Waste not.

~Try to buy more local/organic/natural foods! Your local farmer’s market is a GREAT source, and will keep your $$ in your local community! You will also know you’re consuming ONLY natural foods, and not pesticides, growth hormones, and other stuff that’s just BAD for you!

Waste not.

~Join a program to purchase wind power. Our local company, Rocky Mountain Power (owned by Pacificorp) has a program called “Blue Sky”. You can purchase wind power in 100KWH increments. Most companies offer a program similar to this. Kudos to Rocky Mountain Power for this outstanding program. http://www.rockymtnpower.net/Article/Article65531.html

Waste not.

~Use NATURAL and safe cleaners for your home! I have posted many blogs about this topic, from household cleaners, to automotive cleaners you can make out of all natural ingredients you usually already have in your house! This way, you don’t breathe in harsh chemicals, and you’re helping the environment at the same time! http://parkcityut.typepad.com/parkcityut/2008/01/eco-friendly-cl.html

Waste not.

~Downsize your vehicle this year! Consider buying a hybrid! Try to use PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION when possible, carpool, and if it’s close, WALK!

Waste not. These are just a few of many things you can do to lower your impact on the environment, and reduce your carbon footprint!

Restaurant "To GO" Boxes

When most people go out to dinner, they order their drinks, and an appetizer. Then they wait, and eventually, order their main courses. Out come the soups and/or salads before the main meal… then (even though they’re already mostly full!) out come the entrees! Maybe they order desert, and/or after dinner drinks. When they are done, they usually have some leftovers. The portions that restaurants typically serve are HUGE, and (I believe) are a large contributor to this country’s problem with obesity!

So here they are, with half their entrée still sitting on their plate, and they just can’t finish it. They don’t want to just waste it, so they ask for a “to go” container, which is usually made out of Styrofoam, plastic, or some other material (usually not recycled) that they will end up throwing in the trash to rot in the landfills!

Here are just a couple ideas to lower your impact when you eat out: 1) Bring a washable Tupperware container to dinner WITH you if you plan to take leftovers home with you! This way you can enjoy them as tomorrow’s lunch, and not add anything extra to our landfills! 2) consider sharing an entrée, or ask for a half-portion. Many restaurants will accommodate, and you won’t feel so stuffed later! Your waistline will thank you later too!

As always, Please feel free to comment if you have questions, or anything to add!

Greener Cleaners - Cars!

Here's a few ideas to use when washing and waxing your vehicles! Keep in mind, the Windshield Wiper fluid may possibly freeze in colder climates - This solution works GREAT when you're scrubbing to get stuff OFF of the windshield, but I'm a little to wary of it freezing to actually mix it up and put it IN the washer fluid compartment.

Windshield Wiper Frost Free Fluid
Mix 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and coat the car windows with this
solution. This vinegar and water combination will keep windshields ice and frost-free.

Car Soap
1/4 cup vegetable oil based liquid soap, and hot water. Mix in pail. Wash your car on the lawn instead of your driveway to reduce runoff to the street or storm sewer. Remember to conserve as much water as possible.

Car Wax (This one's a LOT of work... but it does look great when you're done)
1 cup linseed oil, 4 tbsp. caranuba wax (available at automotive stores), 2 tbsp. beeswax, and 1/2 cup vinegar. Put ingredients in top half of a double boiler or saucepan. Heat slowly until wax has melted. Stir, and pour into a heat resistant container. After wax has solidified, rub it on the car with a lint-free cloth. Saturate a corner of a cotton rag with vinegar and polish the wax to a deep shine.

As always, please feel free to comment with questions or if you have something to add!

Greener Cleaners - Metals!

Here's a few ideas you can use for your metal! There's a few ideas for Silver, which you can use for your jewelry as well as for silverware, goblets, etc!

Silver:
1) Use toothpaste instead of toxic silver cleaner to clean and brighten even your best silver. Use an old soft bristled toothbrush and warm water.
2) Rub with a paste of baking soda and water.
3) To magnetize tarnish away, soak silver in salted water in an aluminum container; then wipe clean.
4) Soak in boiling water, baking soda, salt, and a piece of aluminum foil.
5) When a quick dip for silverware is needed, prepare a solution of baking soda in tepid-cool water (l level teaspoon to a quart) and
brush with a soft toothbrush.
Brass:
1) Mix equal parts salt and flour with a little vinegar, then rub.
Chrome:
1) Rub with undiluted vinegar.
Copper:
1) Rub with lemon juice and salt, or hot vinegar and salt.
Stainless Steel:
1) Rub with a paste of baking soda and water.

As always, Please feel free to comment with questions or if you have anything to add!

Greener Cleaners - Floor Cleaners!

Here are a couple of ideas you can use to clean your floors, WITHOUT the use of toxic chemicals!

1) A pencil eraser removes heel marks from a floor.
2) For greasy, no-wax floors:

1 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap
2 gallons hot water
Combine all ingredients, stirring well to dissolve the baking soda. Mop as usual.

As always, feel free to comment with questions, or if you have anything to add!

Greener Cleaners - Furniture!

Here are some ideas you can use to keep your nice wood pieces clean, and looking their best! These work great.... despite how weird you may think mayonnaise sounds as a furniture polish!

Furniture Polish and Scratch Covers:

1) This polish should to be made fresh each time you use it.

1 lemon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon water

Extract the juice from the lemon. Mix with oil and water.
Apply a thin coat on your wood surface and let sit for five minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.

2) Use 3 parts light mineral oil and 1 part olive oil and a drop of lemon juice.
3) Use a little olive or lemon oil and some beeswax.
4) Hide wood scratches by rubbing with the meat of a walnut.
5) Use a soft cloth and wipe with a bit of mayonnaise.
6) Rub furniture with a cloth dipped in cool tea.
7) Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply mixture to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.
8) 1/8 cup linseed oil, 1/8 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice. Mix ingredients, using soft cloth, rub into wood.
9) To remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth.

As always, Please feel free to comment with any questions, or if you have anything to add!

Greener Cleaners - Carpet and Upholstery!

Here are some ideas you can use to clean your carpets and cloth upholstery (including couches, vehicles, etc) without the use of harsh chemicals!

Carpets/Upholstery:

1) A great non-toxic carpet stain remover is club soda. Soak spot immediately with soda and blot until the stain is gone.
2) Pet Urine on Carpets: Dab area with toweling to absorb as much as possible, wash spot with liquid dish detergent, and rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Lay towels or paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture. Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to dry completely. Use an electric fan to speed drying.
3) Red wine stains can be removed from carpet by rubbing baking soda in and vacuuming.
4) Sprinkle cornstarch onto carpet, vacuum.
5) To remove grease spots from carpets, first sop up the liquid with a sponge, then rub a liberal amount of baking soda into the spot. Let it absorb overnight. Next day, remove the excess and vacuum the area.
6) To remove grease spots from carpets, first absorb excess with a sponge, then rub a liberal amount of corn starch into the spot. Let sit overnight, then vacuum.
7) Dry cornstarch sprinkled on rug and vacuumed.

As always, Please feel free to comment with any questions, or if you have anything to add!