Going Green

Going GreenGoing GreenA SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

The Valley News & The Herald-Journalwww.valleynewstoday.com / www.clarindaherald.com

Going Greenin the kitchen

for the Environmentally Consious

PrecyclingA proactive approach to recycling iseven more earth-friendly

Pet SuppliesApril 2012

10 April 2012 The Valley News/Herald-JournalGOING GREENGOING GREEN

109 W High StVillisca, IA 50864

(712) 826-3402

Call for a pick up today!

Brown SanitationHelp Keep Our Community Clean!

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Many people think that adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is expensive. Althoughthere are some eco-conscious products andpractices that can be pricey, most people

will find going green doesn't have to cost alot of money.

Installing extensive solar panels orswitching to organically grown food areways to be green, but such decisions canprove costly. Fortunately, there are manyother ways to go green without spendingmuch.

1. Wash laundry in cold water. Only usewarm water when washing heavilysoiled items

2. Clean filters in the car and homeroutinely. Clean filters enable items tooperate more efficiently.

3. Turn down the temperature on thewater heater.

4. Recycle everything that you can. Ifyour town or city doesn't collectrecyclables, bring them to the transferor recycling center.

5. Buy recycled products.6. Switch to a low-flow toilet or place a

water-filled plastic bottle in the toilettank to cut down on the amount ofwater used.

7. Remove excess items, including golfclubs or fishing gear, from a car trunkto improve fuel efficiency.

8. Consider using public transportation.Oftentimes it's less expensive thancommuting by car.

9. If possible, walk or bike to workinstead of driving.

10.Work more from home if yourcompany allows it.

11.When cooking smaller meals, saveenergy by using a microwave ortoaster oven.

12.Mend clothing before buying newitems.

13.See if appliances or other items can befixed before you shop for new things.

14.Use a water filter on your faucetinstead of purchasing bottled water.

15.Compost food scraps for the garden.16.Donate items that you no longer need

or use.17.Skip take-out food or convenience

items, which use a lot of packagingand mass-produced meats.

18.Grow your own food and herbs in abackyard garden.

19.Bathe young children together toreduce water consumption.

20.Put on or remove layers of clothinginstead of adjusting the thermostat inthe house.

Going green need not cost more green20 inexpensive, eco-friendly ideas

14233 E.. Washington,, Clarinda � (712)) 542-3751

We Are Green!We accept paper and plastics (all #’s), tin,

aluminum, steel, cardboard, appliances, usedmotor oil and more at NO CHARGE!!!

Southwest M&M Sanitation Recycling is your only locallyowned and operated sanitation service in Clarinda for

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Redemption HoursMon.-Thur. 7 am-1 pm

Last Bags in at 12:30

Wed. evening 6 pm-10 pm

Last Bags in at 9:30

Redemption closed on Friday’s

Office HoursMon.Fri. 7 am-3 pm

THINK GREEN... Relying on public transporta-tion to get to work is one cost-effective way to gogreen.

Brown’s Repair & Auto Parts2167 T Ave � Clarinda � 542-4692

Keep your car in goodshape with regular oilchanges and a tune-up!

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April 2012 11The Valley News/Herald-Journal GOING GREENGOING GREEN

123 E. MainClarinda

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GO GREENGO GREEN in your gardenGardening can be a rewarding

and relaxing hobby, one thatallows gardeners to escape fromthe daily grind and soak up somesun. As rewarding as gardeningcan be, it's even more so whengardeners ply their trade in aneco-friendly way.

Gardening with the environ-ment in mind is something manygardeners might do already with-out even knowing it. The follow-ing are a few ways to garden in away that's mutually beneficial togardeners and the environment.

Use mulch to conserveresources and reduce relianceon fertilizers. Conservingresources is one of the best waysto help the environment, andapplying mulch is a great way toconserve water. Mulch helps thesoil retain water, keeping thewater from evaporating into theair, which means less watering forgardeners who want to keep theirgardens looking lush and healthy.

In addition to helping conservewater, mulch can also help reducereliance on fertilizers. That'sbecause mulch provides nutrientsto the soil as it breaks down, pro-viding an eco-friendly alternativefor gardeners who don't want torely on fertilizers to deliver nutri-ents to their soil.

Plant more flowers. Planting

flowers is another eco-friendlyway to garden. Native flowers, inparticular, can help maintain anarea's natural ecosystem, provid-ing food and shelter for insectsand other wildlife.

More flowers and plants aroundthe property also means there willbe significantly less grass to mow,

which reduces the amount of gasnecessary to mow that grass in thewarmer weather and the amountof greenhouse gases the lawnmower produces. In addition, lessgrass means less need for fertiliz-ers and pesticides to maintain thatgrass.

Choose gardening tools and

products with the environmentin mind. Veteran gardeners have ahost of tools that help tackle everyproblem imaginable. But manyolder tools or gardening productsmight not be made of recycledmaterials. When shopping for gar-dening tools, whether you're abeginner who needs everything or

a veteran gardener whose toolshave seen better days, chooseproducts made from recycledmaterials. For example, many gar-deners use mats to help reducestress on their knees when kneel-ing down to garden. When buyinga new mat, choose one made fromrecycled tires.

But emphasizing recycled prod-ucts shouldn't stop at the toolshed. Mulch, for instance, can bemade from recycled rubber andwon't impact the environment in anegative way. Just be sure to pur-chase recycled mulch that is non-toxic and does not consume natu-ral resources.

Live and let live. Insectsmight be a nuisance, but they canalso be a gardener's best friend.Spraying insecticide simplybecause insects can be pesky isshortsighted and impractical.Certain spiders prey on otherinsects that can be harmful to agarden, while butterflies and beeshelp pollenate flowers.Earthworms are also very benefi-cial to a garden, helping to aerateand fertilize the soil and enablingplants to grow by removing harm-ful matter from the soil.

Gardening is a rewardinghobby, one that is even more sowhen gardeners institute eco-friendly practices.

ECO-FRIENDLY... Planting more plants and flowers around the property is one way gardeners can garden in a more eco-friendly way.


Glass Compartment:Bottles and Jars ONLY.NO windows or brokenglass. Rinse Bottles and

Jars, place loosely in com-partment. Do NOT leave in

bags or boxes. The aimhere is to have glass BYITSELF in the compart-ment so glass items willdump out easily and that

there will be minimal sort-ing. This idea applies to allitems in all compartments.

Cans Compartment: Tinand Aluminum cans

ONLY. (No nails, wirehangers or scrap metal ofany kind. There is a free-of-charge scrap metal pile

at the landfill for theseitems.) Rinse Cans out and

place in compartmentloosely. Do NOT placebags or boxes of cans in

the compartment.

Plastic Compartment: #1- #7 Plastic Containers

ONLY. No plastic grocerybags, styrofoam, vinyl sid-ing, plastic toys, kitchen

appliances, computers, etc.Place plastic in compart-

ment loosely. Do NOT putplastic in any kind of bag.

Paper & CardboardCompartment: Please

bag shredded paper in see-through bags. Boxes mustbe emptied of styrofoam

and plastic wrapping.Please flatten boxes to save

room. Place paper andcardboard in compartment

loosely. Do NOT putBAGS of paper in the com-

partment.

Please do not mixrecyclables!

MandatoryRecycling Tipsfrom Recycling

Center

Page County Landfill and Recycling CenterApril 22, 2012 is Earth Day!

Join us on Earth Day and every day as we partner with youto improve our environment.

Recycling is the easiest thing we can do to save energy, conservenatural resources and create green jobs.

� We accept paper, cardboard and glass containers, metal containers andplastic (#1-#5) containers at 17 convenient locations throughout Page

County for FREE!� We also take tires, appliances and electron-

ics for a minimal charge.� Household hazardous waste drop off

available monthly. Please call to set upan appointment time.

HOURS:Monday-Friday 9 am-4:30 pmSaturday 9 am-11:30 am every

Saturday April 1-Nov.309 am-11:30 am 1st Sat. morningof the month Dec. 1-March 31

Closed for normal holidays

Page County Landfill andRecycling Center

2032 N Avenue, Clarinda, IA 51632712-542-4215 or 800-498-4777

FAX: 712-542-5858

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By TESS GRUBER NELSONStaff Writer

Taking a vacation is good for the mind,body, and soul, but did you also it can begood for the environment as well?

It’s true. Planning ahead and being‘green’ while on vacation can not only helpsthe planet but also, can sometimes evensave you a little green.

First, use an electronic boarding pass.With technology the way it is today, anelectronic bar code can be sent to your cellphone i-Pad or PDA. The bar code is thensimply scanned by airport personnel andflight information is verified. This cutsdown on paper boarding passes.

Secondly, instead of renting a car, whynot use public transportation? Once youarrive at your destination, take the subway,train, ferry, bus, or whatever means of trans-portation is prevalent in the area? If you doneed to rent a car, choose a hybrid model orone that gets great gas mileage, and try touse it sparingly.

Third, keep it light by not over packing.More luggage means heavier bags, whichneed more energy to transport. Additionally,there are placed to stay that offer laundryservices, which will make it easier to packless.

Next, reserve a room at an eco-friendlyhotel; ones that are constructed out of greenmaterials and operate using green opera-tions.

Another green suggestion while on vaca-tion is to go digital, instead of a film cameraor disposal camera. In today’s age, this maybe the easiest and simplest way to go greenon vacation.

When out seeing the sights or lying on thebeach – times when you’re not in your hotelroom – conserve energy. Make sure youturn off the lights, appliances and air condi-tioning to save energy.

Also, when it comes to your hotel room,re-use the linens. Must you have the sheetsand towels washed every day if you’re stay-ing for a week? Instead, hang up towels forre-use and let the cleaning staff know theycan change the sheets every other day ormore.

Lastly, partake in local foods. Dine onwhat the "locals" eat instead of importedfoods and beverages. The only exception iswater. Bottled or filtered water is a must,especially if you are traveling to an areawhere the water condition is questionable.

Going on vacation is about giving your-self a little break for the hustle and bustle ofeveryday life so; why not give the planet alittle break too?

Going Green… On VacationTaking a vacation can be good for mind, body, soul… and the environment

PLANNING VACATIONS... Keep the luggage light.

Business Directory

Clarinda Sales RepsMandy FordRita Sliger

114 W. Main, Suite B, Clarinda712-542-2181

Shenandoah Sales RepsMark AndersonRhonda Byers

Rita SligerKathy Harvey

617 W. Sheridan Ave., Shenandoah712-246-3097

Bank Iowa (Clarinda & Villisca) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4Bank Iowa (Shenandoah, Essex, Red Oak) . . . . . . . . .Page 9Brown’s Repair & Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10Brown Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10Clarinda Regional Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11EATON and Pella Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9Fareway Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Green Plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5McIntyre Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7Page County Federal Savings Assoc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11Page County Landfill and Recycling Center . . . . . . .Page 12Snyder’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Southwest M&M Sanitation Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10United Farmers Mercantile Coop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6Wrap It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4

April 2012 3 The Valley News/Herald-Journal GOING GREENGOING GREEN

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YYou call it aWreck...

We call itPotential.

Iowa Certified Automotive Recyclers Environmental (I-CARE©) ProgramThe I-CARE Program was established by the Iowa Automotive Recyclers

association to set a standard of excellence for automotive recycling in Iowa.Certification distinguishes IAR members as professional recyclers adhering to the

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By JASON GLENNStaff Writer

For pet owners who want toprovide the best for their furrycompanions and try to reducetheir impact on the environment,more and more ecologically-friendly options – from waste dis-posal systems to collars and leash-es made from sustainable materi-als – are available nowadays.

While some are a bit pricey,many are affordable, even free,practical solutions that canenhance the quality of a pet’s lifeas well as giving an owner peaceof mind that comes with theawareness of and attention to theEarth’s finite resources.

Waste is a continual problem ofbeing a pet owner. If not properlydisposed, it can harbor parasitesand be a health issue and is simplyan unpleasant thing to have layingaround. Toilet and septic systemsfor dogs and cats can help elimi-nate the need to handle waste.

The Cat Genie uses washablelitter beads that drain liquid and aself-flushing and cleaning mecha-nism to put an end to traditionallitter boxes. Similar to a septicsystem for a house, the DoggieDooley Toilet is a unit that isinstalled in the yard.

Owners place pet waste inside,and natural enzymes and bacteriabreak down the waste and leach itinto the soil naturally, removing it

from the yard and preventing itfrom being washed into stormsewers.

As for pets’ sleeping arrange-ments, there are many availablethat are made from recyclablematerials such as plastic that isshredded into pillow stuffing. Forany even better option, clothing orblankets that have lived past theirwearable prime can be convertedinto beds that are free, reduce theamount of trash headed for land-fills and may even benefit petsemotionally by carrying theowner’s scent and the comfort offamiliar surroundings.

While the price tag may be a tad

higher, pet products made fromsustainable materials like hempand organic cotton are durable andhelp reduce the amount of plasticproducts manufactured and, ulti-mately, discarded. There are manycollars, leashes, chew toys andscratching post, just to name a fewitems, on the market that are madefrom these Earth-friendly materi-als.

A trend in household cleaning isto move away from chemical-laden cleaning products andinstead use non-toxic, biodegrad-able, natural products available inalmost all grocery stores or evenusing affordable, time-tested

home recipes for cleaners madefrom everyday supplies like bak-ing soda and vinegar. The samecan be said for keeping pets freshand cleaning up the house afterthem.

Environmentally-safe sham-poos, detanglers and pet cleaningproducts are widely available andcarry the added benefit of know-ing cleanliness does not come atthe cost of harsh chemicals.

While all these efforts areadmirable, though, perhaps themost environmentally responsibleactions pet owners or even poten-tial pet owners can take are notnew or trendy, but long endorsed

methods to control the number ofpets in the first place.

Dr. John Brady of theShenandoah Animal Hospital saidthe new eco-friendly productshave not been a particularly hotcommodity in the small towns andrural communities of theMidwest, possibly because peoplehere seek common sense andaffordable solutions rather thanfashionable or dubious ones.Brady said the main thing petowners should focus on, besidesmaintaining good daily nutritionand exercise habits, is having petsspayed and neutered and consider-ing adopting previously ownedpets.

“The people who are doing thatlike Linda Hoefing with Peoplefor Paws and the group out ofClarinda and Red Oak are doing areally good job educating peopleon birth control for pets and thatthey have these pets, we don’tneed to be breeding more,” Bradysaid, adding that thousands of petsare out there already, available foradoption and ready to become sta-ble, trusted companions withoutunnecessarily adding to the over-all population and, therefore, pro-ducing perhaps the greatest cumu-lative benefit to the environment.

“If they had a home, they couldbe a more balanced individual andeverybody would be happier. Theyhave a lot to offer,” Brady said.

Going Green... At the Pet Store

PETS... Keep it safe and Go Green for your pets.

There are many pet supplies forthe environmentally conscious.


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Chewing gum as an art medi-um? Beer as a hair serum?Surprisingly, these items andmany more are reused every day,playing a host of roles they werenever intended for. Before itemsare relegated to the trash, individ-uals can think about ways thesesame items can be reused andreincarnated into several otherpurposes.

Today's younger generationshave grown up in a time when dis-posable items are de rigueur. Butlong before disposable itemsbecame the norm, men, womenand children were forced to makedue with items that were long pasttheir expiration dates, evenreusing them in new ways. Whilethis practice might have beenreplaced by the convenience ofdisposable items, eco-consciouscitizens can still embrace this oldand environmentally friendlytrend.

Find out if it can be fixed.An appliance on the fritz or a toythat has lost a part might not needto be discarded. Before finding thetrash can, find out if the item canbe fixed. It may take a shortinquiry to the company or thework of a handyman to repair abroken item and set it right again,but such efforts are worth it.

Polish pots. With thoroughcooking and oxidation, copper

pots and even steel ones can beginto look dingy. Regular, old beercan be used as a polishing agent toget them to sparkle. Because ofbeer's subtle acidity, it can helpboost shine without staining themetal like a higher-acidity liquidwould.

Embrace newspapers' ver-satility. There are millions ofnewspapers printed and usedworldwide. The average house-hold may have one or more news-papers delivered each week, andnewsprint is also used for junkmail and advertisements. Whilerecycling does help cut down onnewspapers, there are other waysto put old papers to good use. Linethe bottom of refrigerator drawerswith the paper to catch spills andeliminate odors. Use shreddedpaper as kitty litter or in birdcages. Wrap unripe fruit innewsprint to help it ripen faster.You can also place newspaper atthe bottom of a planting bedbefore you cover it with soil ormulch to keep away weeds.

Give old jeans a new life.It's hard to part with that favoritepair of jeans sometimes. Whetherthey're stained or simply don't fitanymore, you can turn the deniminto something new. Doll clothesare easily crafted from scraps ofdenim. Or, why not turn pieces ofdenim into a durable, reusable

shopping bag to take to stores? Apatchwork quilt made of squaresof denim can be used as a picnicblanket or beach throw in a pinch.Jeans can also be donated so theless fortunate can benefit from theclothing.

Swap and share. Beforebuying anything, find out if othersmight lend you things that youneed. You may not need a special-ized power tool for more than aday or so, and borrowing itemscan allow you to do a test drive ofsorts before you actually make apurchase. There are social net-working sites that enable peopleto connect with others to shareand swap things they have. Onemay have a bounty of backyardproduce to share while anothermay have a collection of paper-back books ready to be read.Clothing, baby items, toys, andthe like can easily be shared orgiven away. One of the more pop-ular neighborhood activities thesedays is to host a clothing swapparty, where participants bring aset number of clothing items theyno longer use (that are in goodcondition) and everyone swapsthings to refresh their wardrobesat no cost.

Recycle items to protectgadgets. Turn a child's emptyjuice box into a case for yoursmartphone. Knit or sew a cover

for your new tablet or e-readerwith scraps of fabric or yarn.Remember those worn jeans frombefore? Make a pouch to storeyour GPS device so it can bemoved from car to car.

When individuals think aboutthe items they have around thehouse and how they can be repur-

posed, there is less likelihoodthose spent items will end up inthe garbage.

If swapping items seems likethe ideal concept for you, visithttp://swapforgood.org/ and findout how you can get started swap-ping your used items for some-thing else.

Reusing: A great and easy way to go green

REUSING... Newspapers can be put to many different uses instead of beingtrashed or recycled.


ENERGY

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Green Plains is committed to the advancement of biofuels for clean, renewable energy. We are the fourth largest

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RENEWABLESUSTAINABLEECOLOGICALEFFICIENTCLEAN

Despite a mild winter for much of the country, many peo-ple are looking forward to dusting off the patio furniture andheading outside to enjoy the warmer weather that's on itsway.

If only it was as easy as that. Very often decks, patios andoutdoor furniture need a little more than a quick clean-up toget them ready for the season. Too often people turn to harshchemicals that, when washed away, can end up leaching intothe surrounding ground and potentially the water supply.There are more environmentally friendly options available toget outdoor items prepped for entertaining.

Those who have kids and pets or who are just interested inliving an eco-friendly lifestyle, may wonder how to makepatio furniture look like new without resorting to harshchemical cleansers to do the job. Although it may take a lit-tle more elbow grease to do it the green way, here are sometips for cleaning up.

Head into the kitchen. People are often surprised tofind they have some of the most versatile cleaning productsin their cabinets and possibly even the refrigerators. Bakingsoda, vinegar and lemon juice are good cleansers to try on

stubborn stains. Baking soda mixed with a little vinegar willcreate a foaming action that can help break through stains.Vinegar on its own is a natural deodorizer and can cleanchrome and glass without leaving behind streaks. Bakingsoda mixed with a little water can be used as a scouring pasteapplied with a stiff-bristled brush, and it has even beenshown to remove rust stains on some metal surfaces. Theacidity of lemon juice can help cut through oily messes andgummy substances.

Put some pressure behind the cleaning. Don't under-estimate the power of plain water -- especially if it's beingdirected at dirt at a high velocity. Pressure washers are idealfor cleaning off mold, mildew and even leaf and bug stainsfrom many surfaces, including concrete. Set the power wash-er at an acceptable spray size because, if it's too concentrat-ed, the spray can cause other damage.

Get steamed for cleaning. Steam is a popular andgreen method of cleaning indoor floors, counters and othersurfaces. Steam can also be tried on resin furniture or othermaterials to loosen debris, enabling the dirt to be wiped offwith little elbow grease. Steam can also disinfect surfaces

without the need for chemicals.Look for green cleaning products. For those who pre-

fer the power of a spray-bottle, select products that have beenapproved for use by notable environmental agencies. Thesecleaning items will be free from damaging ingredients. Justbe sure to check the ingredient list before making any pur-chases.

Bleach it. Diluted bleach is one of the most effectivecleaning and disinfecting combinations around. Becausebleach is an organic chemical, it can be introduced back intothe environment without doing much damage, provided it issubstantially diluted. Check the color-fastness of the materi-als that will be cleaned in an inconspicuous spot prior todoing the whole surface.

Cover it. Sometimes the stains are so set in that they arenot able to be scoured clean. In such instances, consider theuse of eco-friendly fabrics to cover patio furniture uphol-stery. In addition, look for green paints that can be used to goover metal and even plastic furniture for a new look.

Get set for the season of entertaining by prepping outdooritems in an environmentally friendly way.

Clean patio furniture the green way

WARM WEATHER... There are many different environmentally friendly methods for cleaning patiosand furniture.


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So many decking materials in storestoday ... which one to choose? If a beautiful,usable, long-lasting deck is your goal -- andyou'd like to do your part to protect theenvironment -- then the choice is obvious:real, natural, authentic wood.

Wood has been a part of outdoor livingfor centuries: the first pine sawmill was atJamestown about 400 years ago. Lookaround: so many historic homes and sitesfeature wood -- because it's always beenone of the best building products on themarket.

Wood is ever-present by the seashore(docks, marsh walkways, fishing piers,boardwalks), in the mountains (decks,arbors) and in backyards across the country(decks, gazebos, fences, trellises). Woodplays a starring role in high-traffic places,such as the Santa Monica Pier, the Destinboardwalk in Florida and the Ocean Cityboardwalk in Maryland. Look all aroundyou at the beauty of wood -- then bring thatnatural beauty home to your backyard.

A recent Life Cycle Assessment (cradle-to-grave study comparing pressure-treatedwood with alternative wood/plastic com-posite decking) found that wood was, byfar, the better product for the environment.

A few findings from this study:Wood releases less greenhouse gases

during production;Wood uses 14 times less fossil fuel

than wood/plastic composite decking; andWood decking production causes sig-

nificantly less acid rain, smog and overallecological impact than wood/plastic com-posite decking.

Additionally, pressure-treated woodcomes from sustainable, well-managedforests -- meaning the industry plants moretrees each year than are harvested. Fact is,U.S. forests are healthier and more numer-ous than they were 100 years ago.

Pressure-treated wood is rot- and insect-resistant and readily available in both big-box stores and independent lumber dealersaround the U.S. Current tested andapproved preservatives are safe for usearound children and pets --even veggies inyour raised garden beds.

For more information on using real woodin your backyard, the complete LCA study,free downloadable deck plans, inspirationalpictures and easy DIY videos, please visit

www.realoutdoorliving.com, onFacebook at "Wood" and on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/wooditsreal.

Go Green with Real Wood

April 2012 7The Valley News/Herald-Journal GOING GREENGOING GREENF

OL

LO

W Y

OU

R D

RE

AM

S! Move in this Spring!

404 Maple StreetThis lovely brick home has 3

bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and plenty ofroom for a growing family.

1014 E. Nishna(acreage)

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath acreage homehas been remodeled and is located

right outside the city limits.

609 Matthews StreetThis 3 bedroom, 2 bath home withattached double garage was built in

2007 with energy efficiency as a priority.

112 E. PioneerA MUST SEE HOME! This lovelysplit level home has 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 bath and 2 attached garages.

1110 New OrleansFarragut

This spacious split level home has everything you want!

cc II nn tt yy rr eeMM Real Estate

Janell McIntyreBroker

712-246-1072

Marlene GrahamBroker Associate

712-246-9130

Kim WalkerSales Associate

712-370-0805

Patrick MaherBroker Associate

712-246-8274

Bill D. RoyerBroker Associate

712-542-8419

Andy SpiegelSales Associate

660-744-3685

Ken LeeSales Associate

712-246-1605

Amy MaherSales Associate

712-246-8062

117 South Elm, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 • 712-246-1072www.mcintyrerealestate.com - Licensed in Iowa & Missouri

Move in this Spring!

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By KENT DINNEBIERStaff Writer

Perhaps no issue has been more dis-cussed in the 21st century than the environ-ment. As a result, local residents are moreaware than ever of the importance of takinga proactive approach to being earth-friend-ly.

“The more we can do to conserve our nat-ural resources, the better it is for our plant,”Shannon Meister, education coordinator forthe Page County Landfill, said. “

While there are several reactionary stepspeople can take to help the environment,there are also some important preemptivemeasures local residents can take to reducetheir carbon footprint. These actions areknown as “precycling,” which allows peo-ple to reduce the amount of resources need-ed to manufacture products.

“Precycling focuses on avoiding productsand actions that create waste,” Meister said.“If we can reduce that waste ahead of timeso we don’t have to recycle, that’s best.”

Meister said there aremany simple ways peoplecan reduce the amount ofwaste they have in theirday-to-day lives and startfocusing on precycling.These methods requirevery little effort, but willhave a significant impacton the future of the envi-ronment.

Over the years Meistersaid the Page CountyLandfill has seen a reduction in the amountof paper products being recycled. However,she said it remains the largest single recy-clable material received at the landfill.

“While there has been progress, there isalways room for improvement. Ways youcan reduce the amount of paper you have isbe eliminating junk mail by calling those

companies and telling themyou are not interested,”Meister said. “A lot of com-panies also offer discountsfor using e-bills. Those area couple of simple thingsanybody could do.”

People should also lookat ways of reducing theirreliance on packagingbecause it can often lead tosignificant and unnecessary

waste. Ways of reducing thiswaste include using a reusable gift bagrather than wrapping paper when givinggifts such as at Christmas or for birthdays.

In addition, Meister said shoppers should

look for ways to reduce the amount of foodpackaging they use. “I even struggle withthat, but if you buy in bulk, that cuts downon a lot of waste and a lot of paper,” shesaid.

In addition, shoppers can use cloth bagsrather than plastic bags at the grocery store.Many grocery stores now sell reusable clothbags.

Local residents should also evaluate justhow convenient the products they purchasereally are. For example, Styrofoam coffeecups may seem more convenient than carry-ing a travel mug each day. However, thosecups are not convenient to the environment.

Finally, people should consider purchas-ing sturdy reusable plates rather than paperplates. Reusable plates are inexpensive andare far more beneficial to the environmentthan their paper counterparts.

Going Green... By PrecyclingA proactive approach to recycling is even more earth-friendly


1. Conserve water. Turn off the tap between brushing teeth or rinsing off dishes. Better yet, install low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets that reduce the consumption of water in the household.2. Motion detection: Motion-detector lights can be installed in different rooms of the home and outdoors. Lights will automatically turn on and off depending on the activity in the area, reducing the chances of a light being left on inadvertently and wasting money

and energy.3. Solar panels: You may have been toying with the idea of solar panels for years. They can be installed on the roof or in the yard to power various components of the household, like lights during a traditional power outage or the swimming pool filter. Today it is

possible to buy used solar panels, many of which still have a lot of life left to them and are considerably cheaper than new ones.4. Aluminum-clad storm door: Insulate the entryway of your home with a storm door that will buffer against harsh weather conditions. While you're creating a more air-tight space, caulk around windows and doors.5. Replace air filters. Your HVAC system likely has filters inside that trap dirt and contaminants. Replacing the filters leads to cleaner indoor air and helps the unit run more efficiently.6. Power strips: Stock up on power strips and plug all of your peripherals and computer equipment into these strips. This way when you want to power down everything completely, you simply turn off the power button on the strip. This ensures no devices are

drawing power even in the off position, which many do.7. Install fans. Fans aren't just useful in the summer. In the winter, the blades can be set to rotate in the opposite direction and help draw warm air into the room, heating more efficiently.8. Rainwater barrels: Set up rainwater barrels at the downspouts of your home's gutter system. These barrels collect water that can be used to water indoor and outdoor plants, or even wash the car. Some feature a spigot to which you can directly connect a garden

hose.9. Plant trees.Trees are good for the environment in many ways, producing necessary oxygen for life and offering food and living areas for wildlife. Trees can also shade a home during the warm weather, helping reduce energy consumption.10.Glass fireplace doors: Install glass fireplace doors, which are safer than fireplace screens. They'll also help protect against heat loss up the chimney when there isn't a fire lit.11.Buy a solar cover. Warm up your spa all season long with a solar cover, which helps keep debris out of the water, too. Solar covers reduce the need to fire up the heater to warm the water.12.Dog waste composter: Create a method to safely dispose of dog waste without having to toss it in plastic bags in the trash. There are devices that can be buried into the ground to serve as a dog waste receptacle. Or you can make one of your own by placing a

container with a lid that seals on top but has an open bottom. Sprinkle a natural bacteria septic tank product, such as Rid-X(R), down the hole routinely and it will break down the waste and turn it into soil fertilizer.

1122 green home improvementsMaking home improvements doesn't have to mean compromising environmental ideals in the process. There are numerous jobs that a per-son can do that fit with a green lifestyle. While these improvements help protect the planet, they'll also help keep a few extra dollars in yourwallet.

By BOB ESCHLIMANStaff Writer

Eating organic and easily sus-tainable foods is a surefire way todo your part for the environment.However, there are many otherways to go green in and around thekitchen.

1. Invest in quality cookingtools. Cheaper isn't always betterwhen it comes to utensils, pots andpans. Higher quality items will bet-ter stand the test of time and will beless likely to end up in the trashwith moldy leftovers. Invest inkitchen staples that are sturdy andwill last. It makes a good invest-ment.

2. While we're talking about left-overs, don't let them go bad in therefrigerator or freezer. Keep themin eyesight so you can have lastnight's vegetable casserole forlunch today. Also, being mindful ofhow much you cook and portionsizes enables you to be less likelyto waste leftover food.

3. Upgrade your appliances.Today's energy efficient appliances

can conserve energy, water andmore. But before you invest in newitems, find out if you can upgradeyour current appliances. If buyingnew items is the greener option,find out if you can recycle your oldstove, refrigerator or dishwasher,or whether there are regional "take-back" programs for old appliancesso they don't end up in a trash heap.

4. Cooking for two? Use thetoaster oven. Singles, couples oreven small families can save ener-gy by cooking meals in a toasteroven instead of a larger oven.Many toaster ovens are largeenough to accommodate a smallsteak, burgers, pizza, and are alsoproficient at reheating leftovers.

5. Buy locally whenever possi-ble to reduce the amount of miles ittakes to get the food from the farmto your table.

6. Buy in bulk ... provided you'regoing to use the items. Bulk itemsgenerally require less packagingthan those packaged individually.Invest in items that can be usedaround the house, not just in the

kitchen. And while you're thinkingin bulk, cook meals in bulk, too.This way you save on energy andwill be ahead of the game whentime pressed during the week.

7. Reuse what you can, like glassjars, plastic bottles and bagsinstead of tossing them in the trash.

8. Upgrade instead of replacingwhenever possible. However,sometimes you may want newitems in the kitchen to improvefunctionality or to replace some-thing that is damaged. Look togreen materials or even reclaimedor recycled items. Using antiquefixtures and furniture is anothergreat way to go green.

But, going green in the kitchendoesn’t need to end there. Thereare many all-natural cleaners youcan make yourself in the kitchen,usually at less cost than store-bought cleaners.

And, best of all, some non-toxicand all natural ingredients like bak-ing soda and vinegar are not onlynot corrosive, poisonous, or haz-ardous to your health in any way,

they’re actually completely safe ifingested. After all, they’re found inthe kitchen and they’re 100-percentedible.

Baking Soda is a great naturallyabrasive ingredient with mild alka-line properties, it’s also a naturaldeodorizer and stain remover, andit rinses easily, is completely non-toxic. Vinegar is an all natural andmild acid, it’s also a known disin-fectant that can remove stains, san-itize, and it’s also completely non-toxic and inexpensive. It should benoted that it shouldn’t be used onstone surfaces or acetate fabrics butthere are many other natural clean-ing methods that work for thosesurfaces.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also non-toxic and is known to be a naturalbleaching agent with disinfectantand stain removing properties. It’salso extremely inexpensive. AllNatural Tea Tree Oil andGrapefruit Oil, which have knownantibacterial properties, andLemon Juice, which naturally cutsgrease and leaves a totally fresh

scent, are also extremely helpful tohave in your all-natural cleaningarsenal.

Here are just a few of the home-made household cleaners you canmake with safe, and all-naturalingredients in your kitchen:

Dishwasher Detergent:·2 c. borax·2 c. baking soda·4 little packages of unsweetenedlemon Kool-Aid (or generic)Mix together and store.

Gorgeously Green All-PurposeSpray: ·32-ounce plastic spray bottle ·2 cups water ·1/2 cup distilled white vinegar ·1 teaspoon pure castile soap (pep-permint)·3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide ·20 drops tea tree oil

Window, Glass and ChromeCleaner: ·5 parts water to 1 part white vine-gar

Going Green... In The KitchenThere are many ways to turn your kitchen into a ‘green’ oasis


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Go Green with Electronic Statements

Earth Day has been around formore than 40 years, and during thattime, it has inspired millions of peo-ple to increase their awareness of,and their appreciation for, the envi-ronment. Since the dawn of thetwenty-first century, people increas-ingly have adopted eco-friendlylifestyles and attitudes, and the con-tinued embrace of environmentallyfriendly practices and principles hasmade the struggles of Earth Day pio-neers, like former United StatesSenator Gaylord Nelson, more thanworth it.

Nowadays, children grow uplearning about the environment inschool and at home. For example,many households participate in theircommunity's recycling programs,and such households are raising eco-conscious children, perhaps withouteven recognizing they're doing so.

While a transition to a more eco-conscious lifestyle might not beseamless, it's far easier than many

might suspect and even easier forkids who have yet to develop a life-time of habits that might not be soeco-friendly. With Earth Day on thehorizon, the following are a fewways parents can get their kidsinvolved in activities or lifestylesthat benefit the environment.

Address Eating HabitsOver the last several years, the

opportunities to eat in an eco-friend-ly manner have increased dramati-cally. Organic foods have grownmore and more popular, and parentscan use this growing trend to teachtheir kids about the environment.When shopping for groceries,choose organic products that weren'tgrown with pesticides or harmfulchemicals and explain this differ-ence to kids.

Shopping locally provides anotheropportunity for parents to involvefood when teaching kids about theenvironment. Explain to kids that

shopping locally reduces reliance onfuel because products don't need tobe shipped, be it through the air oron the ground, to your community,minimizing fuel consumption.

Teach ConservationTechniquesConservation provides another

easy opportunity for parents to instilleco-friendly ideals in their children.Conservation is about reducingwaste, so conservation techniquesdon't involve sacrifice. Instead, theyinvolve being more responsiblewhen it comes to using ourresources.

Parents know full well the con-stant reminders kids need when itcomes to dental hygiene. But usethese daily reminders about brushingand flossing as an opportunity toimpart a lesson about the environ-ment. Instead of keeping the faucetrunning while brushing your teeth,turn the faucet off and encouragekids to do the same. When they ask

why, explain that this helps conservewater, and show them how it's just aseasy and effective to clean teethwithout the water running as it iswhen the faucet is on. This teacheskids that conservation is simple andoften just requires minimal effort tomake a big difference.

There are additional lessons aboutconservation that parents can impart.For instance, when grocery shop-ping, always make a list before leav-ing the house and explain to kids thatyou do this so you don't have tomake two trips to the store and wastethe gas that the second trip wouldrequire. In addition, encourage kidsto turn the lights off when they leavea room to better conserve energy.

Purchase Recycled ProductsRecycling is a practice that many

of today's kids grew up with, and asa result, many of them might take itfor granted, failing to fully realizethe positive impact they're making

whenever they recycle. If recyclingis as natural to kids as breathing,then it's no surprise they might notrecognize its impact.

One way parents can address thisissue is to purchase products madefrom recycled materials. A host ofproducts are made from recycledmaterials, from the paper you put inthe printer to the toys under the treeonChristmas morning. Explain tokids why you're choosing theseproducts, and let them know suchproducts wouldn't be possible with-out their own recycling efforts.

Another way to help kids realizethe value of recycling is to makecrafts from recycled products. Forinstance, make a papier mache globeto celebrate Earth Day by using oldnewspapers as your primary materi-al. Such lessons show kids theirefforts make an impact and increasethe likelihood they'll continue thiseco-friendly lifestyle well into adult-hood.

Earth Day is a great teaching opportunity for parents

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Going Green