
homeowner news LETTER APRIL 2010

Is your house ready for summer? Here's a first aid kit for spring fixes (ARA) - Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues that are around the corner? And the bigger question - is your house ready? The best way to prepare for household repairs is to assemble a first-aid kit for your house. Below is a list of items that are invaluable for household repairs: 1. Gorilla Glue - This product is 100 percent waterproof and perfect for fixing anything from a broken chair leg to a broken flower pot. If you've never used a polyurethane glue before, be careful, because they expand as they cure. 2. Gorilla Tape - Made by the same company that makes Gorilla Glue, Gorilla Tape has a strong fabric backing and three times the adhesive of other duct tapes. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information. 3. Simple tools - Why is it that you can never find a hammer when you need one? Keep duplicates of tools in your kit, and you won't have to run around looking for them. 4. Cordless drill and variety of high quality screws - Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc. before they become a safety hazard. With your first-aid kit assembled, you are ready to tackle all of your outdoor spring fixes. Courtesy of ARAcontent Let the sun shine in - and the volatile gases flow out (ARA) - Remember that sweet children's song that advises us to "let the sun shine in" so we can enjoy life? Update it for today's modern lifestyle, which gets lived in air-tight homes filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and maybe we should add "and let the volatile gases out." Nothing adds beauty and charm to a room like escaping volatile gases. And while a venting skylight adds visual drama to a room it also helps remove gases, moisture, odors and other trapped VOCs through passive ventilation via the chimney effect it creates. Passive ventilation can help alleviate "sick house" symptoms that develop when a house doesn't "breathe" - or exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Many items in the home, from adhesives, upholstery and carpet to the furnace, fireplaces and even pressed wood cabinets and cupboards, can emit VOCs into your home environment. Short-term exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, nausea, eye irritation, sore throat and nasal irritation. Venting VOCs through a skylight can improve the overall healthfulness of your indoor environment year-round. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more about skylights. Courtesy of ARAcontent	In this issue: - Is your house ready for summer? Here's a first aid kit for spring fixes - Let the sun shine in - and the volatile gases flow out - Spring cleaning: Clean the forgotten places in your home - IRA mistakes to avoid at tax time - RECIPE OF THE MONTH Spring Chicken Salad Board of Directors President Mark Pelletier, CGR, CAPS,.CGP M.V. Pelletier , Inc. mark@mvp-inc.com 1st Vice President Ken Bullough Stonemark Tile kbullough@stonemarktile.com 2nd Vice President Brock Merwin Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling bmerwin@pdr-usa.net Treasurer Steve Fennington Sandy Spring Bank SFennington@SandySpringBank.com Secretary Barry Stohlman Stohlman Custom Cabinetry, LLC barry@stwusa.com Executive Director Filomena M. Thompson Events Made Simple, LLC fthompson@eventsmade.com NARI Mid-Maryland P.O. Box 128, Monrovia, MD 21770 P 301-829-9866 / F 301-829-9868 www.MarylandNARI.org info@marylandnari.org

Spring cleaning: Clean the forgotten places in your home

(ARA) - It's spring cleaning season, but you don't have to dread the chores associated with freshening your home for warm weather. With the winter chill still in the air, thoughts turn to warmer weather, days spent outdoors and one dreaded task -- spring cleaning. This year, avoid the huge overhaul and use simple steps to ensure your home is sparkling fresh and clean, even in places you might forget to look. Follow the advice of "The Accidental Housewife" Julie Edelman and use these simple tips and tricks to help maintain a clean home while preserving both your pocketbooks and manicures.

Counter attack: Keepin' it clear

The average household uses 20 percent of its kitchen-related tools 80 percent of the time - that's a lot of space wasters. This spring, invest in long-lasting and functional appliances that will stand the test of time. You can also use hooks and shelves over the cooking area to clear space on counters and in cabinets.

De-stink the wash: Keepin' it smellin' clean

Residue from laundry soil, water hardness, and detergent residue can build up and cause odor in your washing machine during the wash cycle. This is actually a common problem that many high efficiency (HE) machine owners face, and they do not know how to fix it. Fear not - your machine is not broken and your detergent is working just fine. Help is here, with handy-dandy, manicure-friendly, premeasured packets called Tide Washing Machine Cleaner that help remove those odor causing residues. Just tear one open and pour into your powder dispenser (works in either your HE or traditional washer) and it'll help wash away those stinky smells and residues, leaving behind a fresh, clean scent.

Fight the fungus among us: Keepin' it dry

Moisture build-up can become a nasty problem whether it is in your towels, clothing or footwear. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold, so keep shoes and clothing dry by using newspaper to absorb excess water. During warmer months, make sure to toss towels into the dryer instead of placing on lines to dry.

Practice feng shui the simple way: Keepin' it organized

Feng shui is all about placing things in a certain way to find harmony and balance within your surroundings and to ease the flow of chi (that's Chinese for energy, not tea). To help keep the positive energy flowing, take steps to de-clutter your home. Throw away junk mail you keep lying around as well as magazines that are older than three months. You can also toss remotes or other gadgets you have lying around into decorative boxes with fun flower patterns for spring.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

IRA mistakes to avoid at tax time

(ARA) - In 2009, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated that Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), a cornerstone of retirement savings, sank to a median value of less than $29,000 post-financial meltdown. This leaves many Americans working harder to stay on track to make retirement a reality.

The good news is that many people can increase their saving potential simply by learning more about IRA dos and don'ts.

"There's no question that saving through an IRA is a strategic move, but it's not quite as simple as 'set it and forget it,'" says J.J. Montanaro, a Certified Financial Planner with USAA.

Montanaro outlines some of the most common mistakes IRA investors make when it comes to making the most of this retirement-saving tool, including:

* Thinking you've missed the deadline: Though 2009 is over, it's not too late to make your IRA contribution count toward this year's tax bill.

* Not contributing enough: Contributions to a Traditional IRA are tax deductible, within limits, so you can help secure your future and cut this year's tax bill at the same time.

For complete IRA details, visit www.irs.gov and search for Publication 590. When in doubt, you can contact professional financial advisers at USAA through www.usaa.com or at (800) 531-USAA (8722) to help you determine how investing in an IRA can help you meet your financial goals.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Spring Chicken Salad

Servings: 4 Cook time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

· 1/2 pound small red-skinned potatoes, halved

· Kosher salt

· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

· 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

· 1/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt

· Freshly ground pepper

· 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

· 4 romaine hearts, torn

· 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded

· (about 2 cups)

· 1 Kirby cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced

· 4 radishes, cut into wedges

· 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

Directions

Place the potatoes in a small pot and cover with water. Season with salt, cover and boil until fork-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain and cool.

Meanwhile, pulse the chives, tarragon, vinegar, yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and pulse to make a thick dressing.

Toss the romaine, potatoes, chicken, cucumber, radishes and bell pepper with the dressing in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Courtesy of http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/spring-chicken-salad-recipe/index.html

About NARI Mid-Maryland

When you work with a NARI Professional you get.... A full-time, dedicated remodeling professional who has experience, and voluntarily adheres to NARI’s strict Code of Ethics. NARI’s screening process offers this assurance. NARI members have access to the latest information in the industry through publications, educational programs, educational seminars and conferences.

NARI is a not-for-profit trade association with more than 50 years of industry experience. NARI represents professional remodeling contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade publications, utilities and lending institutions. The association is committed to enhancing the professionalism of the remodeling industry
and serving as an ally to you, the homeowner.

The statements or views expressed in the NARI Newsletter are those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect the official policy or views of the NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter. To receive this newsletter via e-mail please send an e-mail request to NARI at info@marylandnari.org – subject line – NARI Newsletter with your information.

MEMBER ADS

Visit us at www.MarylandNARI.org to contact our members.

Members of NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter

A.J. DeLuca Contractors, Inc. * Accu-Build, Inc. * ADI Corporation * All Aspects Waterproofing * Artelye Marble & Granite

* Barrons Lumber/Barrons Custom Kitchens * Carriage Hill Cabinet Co. * Creative Concepts Remodeling, Inc.

* D. G. Liu Contractor, Inc. * Dertzbaugh Plumbing * Designer Surfaces Unlimited, Inc. * Dorman Builders, Inc.

* Downs & Associates, Inc. * Ferguson Enterprises * Frederick County Bank* Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD

* Home Depot #2559 (Frederick) * Home Depot #2581 (Sykesville) * Homecrafters dba Atlantic Coast Remodeling, Inc.

* Houseworks Unlimited, Inc. * J.Allen Smith Design Build, LLC *Jones Homes, LLC * Kitchen Solvers of Myersville

* Lane & Sons Painting, Inc. * M & R Floors, Inc. * M.V. Pelletier, Inc. * Majestic Wood Floors * Mark Folsom Builders, Inc.

* Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling * PC3 Limited, Inc. dba Innovative Homes * Perrine Design

* Pleasant Hills Custom Builders * Preferred Construction, Inc. * R.B. Hill Photography, LLC * RE/MAX Results

* Reico Kitchen & Bath * RJZ Home Improvements, LLC * Sandy Spring Bank * Stohlman Custom Cabinetry, LLC

* Stonemark Tile LLC * T. W. Perry, Inc. * Talon Construction, Inc. * Tomlinson Builders, Inc. * Trademark Remodeling, Inc.

* Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. * Winchester Woodworking * Window Nation