We all can save more of our drinking water, by doing little things that we take for granted, like flushing the toilet, washing the car, taking showers, watering grass, brushing your teeth and so on. This a list of things I did in the past 2 years and the things that are in progress or being planned at our home here in Raleigh NC.

1. We take shorter showers, about 7 minutes long or less.
2. All the water we use to rinse dishes in the sink is collected and use to water plants.
3. Old or dirty ice cubes that has fallen or gotten stall, we use to water plants.
4. We bought a new water saving toilet plus we got a rebate $100.00 for buying this water conserving toilet. The City Of Raleigh NC Watersense toilet rebate program.
The program runs from July, 01-2011 To June, 01-2012 or until funds are exhausted.
5. Rain barrels for watering garden and plants, you can find food grade barrels online for about $15.00 to $20.00 and buy the supplies to make your rain barrels at hardware, home improvement, farm and gardening stores all here in Raleigh NC and surrounding areas. This something you the homeowner can do or you can purchase at one of the stores above or online.
6. Water your garden and yard of grass early in the morning and late evenings water it deep, for you can get by with 1 inch of rain a week.
7. Invest in a soak er hose to save even more.
8. Use less dry fertilizer and more compost and also mulch where possible.
Using some or all these ideas not only conserve water but can even save you some money

(NAPSI)—It may not be summer here inNorth America, but no need to miss out on the freshness of the season. Nutritious and delicious fresh nectarines, blueberries and other delights fromChileare available all winter long in your grocery store.

It’s summer inChile, where the climate, soil and water yield consistently high-quality fruit that meets the highest assurance standards in the world. That’s good news, because natural fruits are not only good to eat, they’re good for you. A half cup of blueberries packs a bounty of fiber, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants into only 40 sweet calories. Eating blueberries may also help prevent cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Fresh fruits can satisfy a sweet tooth without adding unhealthy fat or excessive calories because fruits contain naturally occurring sugars in calorie-free plant fibers and water. They help you fill up without filling out.

Here’s a great way to enjoy summer fresh nectarines and blueberries:

Fresh Chilean Nectarine and Blueberry Cobbler

1? cups flour

½ cup sugar, divided

6 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces

1½ Tbsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

¾ cup heavy cream, divided

4 cups fresh Chilean blueberries

1½ lbs. (6 medium) ripe Chilean nectarines, pitted and cut in eighths

Preheat oven to 350° F. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, ¼ cup of the sugar, butter, baking powder and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 Tbsp. of the cream. Add the remaining cream to flour mixture; process until dough starts to form a ball, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; gently pat it together. Divide dough into eight 2-inch balls; flatten into rounds; wrap and refrigerate at least 20 minutes. In a shallow 2½-quart baking dish, combine blueberries, nectarines and 3 Tbsp. of the sugar. Arrange dough rounds on top. Brush rounds with reserved cream; sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar. Bake until the filling bubbles and the topping has browned, about 50 minutes. Serves 8. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

Learn More

For more recipes, visit www.chileanfruitonline.com.

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NAPSI)—Even as federal tax credits for traditional heating and cooling systems have decreased, incentives for geothermal systems remain considerably higher—at 30 percent of the installed cost of the system with no limit. In fact, homeowners can take advantage of the federal residential renewable energy tax credit through December 31, 2016. What’s more, the credit is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009 and can be used in combination with utility rebates and state tax incentives to make geothermal systems more affordable than ever.

The savings associated with operating a geothermal system are just as attractive. By taking advantage of the abundant source of free solar energy stored in the earth to heat and cool a home, a geothermal heating and cooling system can save homeowners as much as 70 percent on their cooling bills in summer. The system can also provide supplemental hot water, saving homeowners even more. Instead of being extracted from the ground to preheat hot water, the heat comes from the house.

A geothermal system offers a number of other benefits, including even distribution of heating and cooling for improved comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, improved indoor air quality, quiet operation, little to no maintenance and a life span that exceeds 24 years.

To qualify for the tax credit, residential systems must meet ENERGY STAR requirements. Homeowners can file for the credit by completing the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, Form 5695. A copy of the form, as well as an informative brochure that explains the federal tax incentive and a listing of those products that qualify for the tax credit, is available on the WaterFurnace website at www.waterfurnace.com.

To learn more about federal tax credits and the many other benefits that a geothermal system offers, visit the site or talk to a WaterFurnace expert at (800) GEO-SAVE.

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On World Food Day, thank a farmer

(ARA) – Fewer than 3 percent of Americans work in farming. Yet, this sector of our workforce not only feeds our country, it also provides a wealth of grain and food exports that feed millions of people around the world. In fact, America’s agriculture sector is so productive that Americans spend less for food, as a percentage of their total income, than do most other people around the world.

October 16 is World Food Day, a day set aside to call global attention to the need to alleviate hunger around the world. Here in America, it is a day to recognize the achievement of our agricultural productivity.

Thanks to our farmers and food makers, Americans can count on a consistent, affordable and safe food supply. But our farmers are so productive, in part, because they have access to scientific advances in agricultural biotechnology – seed varieties that have improved the productivity of our most important staple crops, such as corn and soybeans. For example, the average yields of biotech corn varieties in 2010 were 30 percent higher than average corn yields prior to 1996 – the year biotech varieties were first planted.

Beyond America, a different picture emerges. An estimated 3 billion people in Asia, Latin America and Africa are today moving up the food chain into grain-intensive livestock and protein-based diets. This presents new strains on the world’s available farm lands and ocean resources. Urbanization is also contributing to food supply and demand pressures. Today, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities.

As a result, farmers are having difficulty keeping pace with the rising population. World population is projected to increase from nearly 7 billion today to 9 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations. To feed this growing population, farmers will need to grow even more crops on about the same amount of land, and with the same soil and water inputs that are available today.

Global farm production must also increase during a time of uncertain climate change. Changes in global and regional temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns will impact soil quality, water availability, pests and other factors that determine farm productivity – making it even more difficult for farmers to keep up with rising demand.

These are the fundamental challenges of sustainable agriculture. How will farmers grow the crops and commodities needed to feed an increasing world population? One answer will come through even more breakthrough agricultural biotechnology solutions – such as the introduction of drought-tolerant and flood-tolerant seeds. Another solution is to ensure that farmers around the world have the same access to these important scientific tools and resources as do American growers. And finally, agriculture biotechnology will also need to discover new seed varieties to help farmers adapt to the world’s changing climate.

Another challenge is rising food prices. Global supply and demand pressures have sharply increased prices for wheat, corn, sugar, soybeans and other crops. This means more people are at risk of falling into poverty. In a report released this month, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP) warned that today’s high and volatile food prices are likely to continue and possibly even increase. All three organizations called on the international community to address this situation by working to improve farm productivity through better seeds.

Almost 1 billion people around the world go to bed hungry each night. To help alleviate world hunger, it is critical we provide farmers around the world with the same scientific tools and knowledge available to American farmers. On World Food Day, remember to thank your local farmer, legislator, or neighbor for doing their part to ensure a plentiful food supply here at home. But remember, also, that farmers everywhere need access to the same biotechnology solutions that benefit America’s economy and contribute to our growing, sustainable food supply. For more information on the benefits of agricultural biotechnology, visit www.whybiotech.com.

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Help conserve water through your gardening and lawn care practices

(ARA) – As temperatures rise this summer, so do the risks of droughts. Water shortages can be a threat to your home and community. That’s why it makes sense for Americans to conserve water as a matter of course. The best place to start is right in your own backyard.

What can you do to conserve water? Here are a few important tips:

* Capture rainfall – Make the most of the rainwater that Mother Nature provides. Rain barrels are effective in capturing the rain that falls on your roof; reuse the water for your plants. Other rain capture techniques, such as rain gardens, can help capture rainfall and keep precious water on your property to replenish the ground water.

* Water wisely – When rainfall is insufficient and supplemental watering is needed, do so effectively by:
- Aiming water at the base of the plant
- Watering in the morning to limit evaporation
- Using a moisture meter to ensure that roots have received enough moisture
- Allowing established grass to go dormant during periods of drought

* Landscape by local climate – Choose drought-tolerant plants that are native to your area. These will require less water under normal circumstances and be able to survive during parched times.

* Feed your grass and other plants – Well-fed plants will grow deep roots that capture and store water. A 10,000-square foot healthy lawn, for example, can absorb 6,000 gallons of water from a single rainfall. That’s a month’s supply of water for a household of two.

* Mulch is a must – A two- to three-inch layer of mulch around your plants will hold moisture in the soil and control storm water runoff. Mulching has other benefits, including preventing weeds and adding nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company recognizes the important need for nationwide water conservation and, through water management technologies, the company has developed grass seeds, lawn fertilizers, potting mixes, soils and mulches to help consumers use less water when gardening and caring for their lawns.

Making these water conservation practices part of your backyard routine will help your area’s water supply, particularly if everyone does their part.

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Keep your home pet-friendly and fresh

(ARA) – Of course you love your pets, but let’s face it: Sometimes they smell. And whether you are hosting guests or trying to sell your home, the last thing you want visitors to remember is an offensive odor. Luckily, there are a number of ways to eliminate those less-than-pleasant pet odors and let your home’s personality shine.

Refreshing walls
Paint is one of the most dramatic and cost-effective ways to give your home’s interior a new look, and now it can also give your home a new fresh scent. Dutch Boy’s Refresh paint features odor-eliminating technology from Arm & Hammer. It reduces odors caused by pets and other sources, keeping your home smelling as good as it looks. Proven to reduce household smells, a coat of Refresh paint will prevent bad odors from lingering for months. By trapping and neutralizing odor molecules, this paint doesn’t cover up unappealing smells, but actually reduces them. And Refresh paint is available in Dutch Boy’s broad range of colors, so you can reduce unpleasant smells without compromising your decorating taste.

Clean with steam
Even if your pet isn’t allowed on the furniture, your home furnishing fabrics are holding onto  unpleasant scents. Though you may vacuum regularly, animal hair and dander are trapped in the fibers of your cushions, curtains, sofa and other decor. Using a steam cleaner is the best way to eliminate bad smells in upholstered furniture and other items that cannot be laundered. Hire a professional service to treat the common areas in your home, or purchase a steam cleaner specifically designed for pet hair removal. Deep-clean common area fabrics several times each year, and to help maintain a fresh smell day to day, use an odor-neutralizing fabric spray regularly.

Hit the floor
The biggest source of your home’s objectionable smell could be right under your feet. As anyone who has house-trained a pet knows, they don’t always get it right, and sometimes those accidents go unnoticed and cause stains to inevitably set in. To remove odors of any age, scrub bare floors with white vinegar and water or an odor-neutralizing cleaner, and thoroughly wash carpets and rugs using an odor-neutralizing shampoo. You can also hire a professional to clean the carpets and provide extra deodorizing treatments. If stains or smells remain, you’ll likely need to replace the carpet and padding. If this is the case, be sure to scrub the floor beneath before laying new carpet down. After the carpet has been thoroughly cleaned or replaced, regularly use carpet deodorizer formulated for pet odors when vacuuming.

Scented accessories
Tie a ribbon on your odor-free home with strategically placed candles and air fresheners. Choose classic scents that complement your decor, and use a variety throughout the home to avoid an overpowering result. Many candles and fresheners offer odor-neutralizing technology as well as pleasant scents, ensuring unfavorable smells are not only covered up but eliminated. Jars of potpourri or scented crystals add touches of personality to any room decor as well.

No matter what types or the number of pets that share your home, these tips will help keep it smelling fresh all year round.

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The national lighting design competition, Lighting for Tomorrow, hosted by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency and the American Lighting Association will feature guest judge, Chad Ray, owner of Zebulon based multitude of sustainable companies, Shields of Green (

http://www.shieldsofgreen.com).

Chad Ray is co-owner of the Shields of Green companies (
http://www.shieldsofgreen.com), a multigenerational and family owned multitude of companies all focused on sustainability, energy conservation, and stewardship. The Shields of Green companies include Ray Family Farms, a Bunn, NC based organic farm, Olde Heritage Builders, a Zebulon based Green home building company, Build Trust Contractors, a group of sustainable construction experts, Energy Savers of NC, a residential energy auditing company, and many more. In addition, Chad Ray, known as “the green building guy”, is a Green consultant with years of experience as a speaker and advisor on sustainability efforts throughout the building process.

Ray has been invited to judge this year’s national lighting design competition, Lighting for Tomorrow. The efforts of the Lighting for Tomorrow Competition are to advance the energy –efficient lighting industry and encourage innovation in the new use of light sources. This competition is backed by about two dozen energy efficiency organizations from the US and Canada who have pledged over $150,000 to help fund this national competition.

This year, Lighting for Tomorrow is designated into two specific categories, lighting control devices and solid state lighting fixtures and replacement lamps. The lighting control category will be judging the products based on functionality, ease of use and installation, innovation and ability to work with other systems and existing lights. These specific lighting control devices must be compatible with both LED and florescent technologies.

The solid state lighting competition division is in its fifth year, and will feature designs judged on the basis of performance, style and energy efficiency of the lights. This competition is open to a very broad range of residential lighting applications and fixture types as well as replacement lamps.

The Lighting for Tomorrow winners will be announced at the American Lighting Association Conference in Palm Beach, Florida from September 11th-13th. Winners will be promoted by energy efficiency programs across the US and Canada.

For more information about Lighting for Tomorrow, visit
http://www.lightingfortomorrow.com. For more information about Shields of Green, visit
http://www.shieldsofgreen.com
SOURCE:WidePR.com

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Make a splash – how you can attract new birds to your yard this summer


(ARA) – When summer really heats up, there is nothing more refreshing than drinking a tall glass of ice water, taking a quick dip in the pool, or running through the backyard sprinkler with the kids. But what many people do not realize is clean, fresh water is as important to birds and other wildlife as it is for humans. Not only that, but birds actually enjoy splashing around and frolicking in the water just like we do.

With this in mind, create an inviting habitat for feathered friends right in your backyard or on your patio or balcony. It is easier than it seems, and there is no need for a big backyard to do it. Just providing the basic elements birds enjoy will establish your setting as a wildlife habitat. Water is one of the important resources birds need, along with food, shelter and a place to nest or raise young. For a quick and easy bird-friendly habitat, simply put out a bird feeder, hang a bird house, provide some nesting materials, and set up a watering place to drink and splash.

“Water is one of the most frequently overlooked resources we can add to our backyard to attract more birds and other wildlife,” says John Robinson, chief ornithologist at Scotts. “Every year, I am astonished by the new species that appear in backyards when owners are willing to share this simple yet critical resource with their feathered friends.”

Providing a source of water need not be a big endeavor. Water can be provided using a mister, slow drip, saucer, bird bath or pond. Below are some simple ways to incorporate water into your backyard.

Bird baths and saucers:
Water in a saucer or bird bath will quickly and easily give area birds the water they need, even when placed on a balcony or patio. Stones with depressions that collect water will also help attract small birds and butterflies. Keep in mind you may need to change the water and clean the bird bath every few days to keep it fresh. In hot weather, it may even be necessary to refill the container every day.

Drippers:
A great way to attract birds and other creatures to the backyard is to add a water drip feature to the bird bath. Because of birds’ heightened senses of hearing and sight, drippers are inviting. Create a drip feature by hanging a bucket or plastic milk jug with a tiny hole over the bird bath so water drips down into the bath slowly throughout the day. Or, hook up a garden hose to a specially designed drip tube you can purchase at local hardware stores or garden centers.

Misters:
Another water feature gardeners often employ is a mister. A mister hooks to a garden hose and sprays a gentle mist over a garden or bird bath. Humans enjoy being cooled off by misters at amusement parks, and plants enjoy the refreshing spray of moisture, too. Birds enjoy frequenting misters to cool down and pollinators, like butterflies and bees, enjoy areas being misted because of the tiny water droplets the mist leaves on flowers. Misters can generally be found at local hardware store and garden centers.

Ponds:
Whether large and elaborate or small and quaint, a backyard pond is guaranteed to attract birds and other wildlife. Most ponds found in urban or rural backyards are on the small side, most no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. Ponds with a fountain are best because the sight and sound of splashing water will attract visitors, and moving water is less likely to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes or other insects. The addition of logs, rocks and other in-water structures provide a drinking and basking habitat for songbirds, as well as other wildlife such as turtles and butterflies. Aquatic snails or tadpoles are fun and natural ways to limit the growth of algae in the pond, and add an interesting element for kids to watch and enjoy.

This summer, when planning the water fun for the kids, don’t forget the birds. Water is very effective in drawing birds and wildlife to your backyard and is also a relaxing, scenic addition that can provide interest and enjoyment for the whole family. With the addition of a simple water source, you never know who may stop by your backyard habitat for a quick swim or a refreshing drink.

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(NAPSI)—Whether you’re an avid environmentalist, a Western movie fan looking for a little tranquility, or just someone who’s seeking a fun vacation for your family, you can experience the undisturbed beauty of the American West at hundreds of places around the country. Over 28 million acres of National Conservation Lands are permanently conserved by the federal government for the public to enjoy.

Here are a few facts and figures:

• These lands, especially those around the Empire Ranch in Arizona, have been a calling card for Hollywood Westerns.

• With a plain of saguaro cacti beneath it, nearby Ragged Top Mountain in Ironwood Forest offers a striking reminder of the Old West.

• Historic Fort Stanton in New Mexico is one of the few intact frontier forts, with many of its original buildings and surrounding lands looking just as they did when the fort hosted such legendary personalities as Billy the Kid, Colonel Kit Carson and the Buffalo Soldiers.

• The Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mountains in southern California has an old brush corral and views from the highway that harken back to the southern California of a century ago.

• Rock caves and formations in Red Rock Canyon of Nevada dominate the landscape once crossed by cowboys and Native Americans.

Since they were established a decade ago, the National Conservation Lands have not gotten the level of funding, protection, recognition or support that they need from the federal government. They face other challenges such as recreational target shooting, reckless off-road vehicle use, vandalism, encroaching development and trash dumping.

The Conservation Lands Foun- dation is the only organization dedicated solely to conserving, restoring and expanding the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

To that end, the Foundation:

• Provides grants, training and networking opportunities to build a constituency of grassroots advocates;

• Works with Congress and the Bureau of Land Management to help shape the future of the National Conservation Lands; and

• Promotes greater public awareness of and appreciation for the National Conservation Lands and the irreplaceable human and natural history they contain.

You can discover more about the Foundation and the sites and monuments it protects, how to visit them and how to help protect them at www.conservationlands.org or (970) 247-0807.

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Jan 26, 2011 – RALEIGH, N.C. (January 26, 2011) Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) presents Dig In, the second annual community gardens summit, on Saturday, March 5, from 8:30 am-1:00 pm at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. Dig In is designed for anyone who wants to build and maintain a community garden or gain expertise for success in his or her home garden. Registration is now open for this free event for the public (online at http://www.AdvocatesForHealthInAction.org , but space is limited
Dig In will feature presentations from urban farming and gardening experts, hands-on workshops and educational booths—all designed to help the community dig in and grow fresh, healthy food.

“The energy created by Dig In last year is still present,” commented Laura Aiken, executive director of AHA and Community Health Specialist at WakeMed Health & Hospitals. “We have seen at least 10 new community gardens created in Wake County, and our municipalities are adjusting policies to make it easier for community gardens to get started. AHA partners are excited to provide the tools and resources needed to make these gardens a reality, and we are thrilled to build upon last year’s inaugural event and engage even more people in gardening across our area.”

“Community gardens are increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Aiken continued. “Schools, churches, neighborhoods, community groups and other nonprofits can capitalize on the excitement around sustainable food systems, connect people with where their food comes from and promote environmentally friendly living.”

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