Following up on our February Life On The Move newsletter, we’re sharing this link to some readily-available and relatively inexpensive houseplants that really help with your in-home air quality.  This list is based on a partnered study in the 1980’s by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA).

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’, peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.

No green thumb?  Maybe 2009 is your year to try again.  I’ve finally learned that some consistent water is much more appreciated by my plants than a gallon once every few months.  I actually have philodendron that I’ve kept happy and healthy going on 7 years ~ I’m thrilled!

Thank you very much to Steve Meyer and the great people at Fedelta Home Care for this important article.  Steve produces a newsletter that is always full of helpful ideas they share with our elder services community.  As I watch the snow fall outside my office window, the reminder of our cold weather encourages me to pass along this very important and useful information.  Many thanks Steve!

The National Institute on Aging Warns About Hypothermia Danger for Older People

Hypothermia, which can be deadly if not treated quickly, is a special danger for older adults, as they are especially vulnerable. When a person’s body temperature drops below normal and stays low for a prolonged period of time, there is a risk of hypothermia. With advancing age, the body’s ability to endure long periods of exposure to cold is lowered.

Some tips for prevention:
Wear several layers of loose clothing when it is cold. The layers will trap warm air between them. Tight clothing can keep blood from flowing freely and lead to loss of body heat.
Wear a hat, scarf, gloves or mittens, and warm clothes when you go outside in cold weather. A significant amount of your body heat can be lost through your head, and hands and feet are the first body parts to get cold.
To keep warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a blanket or afghan to keep legs and shoulders warm and wear a hat or cap indoors.
Make sure your home is warm enough. Set your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia in older people.
Check with your doctor to see if any medications (prescription or over the counter) you are taking may increase your risk for hypothermia.
For details, click here.

To order the fact sheet, Hypothermia: A Cold Weather Hazard, or the brochure, Stay Safe in Cold Weather, call toll free 1-800-222-2225 or visit the NIA Web site at www.nia.nih.gov.

We are returning for our 3rd year at the Phinney Home Design & Remodel Fair. You’ll find us on the top floor in the gallery.  We hope to see many of your smiling faces.   And be sure to come by and say hello ~ and enter to win a fabulous gift basket that includes several free hours of our services, a fabulous bottle of Kestrel wine and gift cards for some favorite local shops!

HOME DESIGN AND REMODEL FAIR : Imagine, Explore, Build
Sunday, February 8, 2009
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission:  $6 for PNA members, $9 for the general public, children under 12 Free

This 12th annual event offers a wealth of ideas to help you make the most of your home and save money on operations and maintenance. While you may not be revving up for an extravagant remodel right away, the best projects result from plenty of research and investigation of design ideas and materials choices.

At the Home Fair, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the form of architects, designers, remodel and specialty contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers of all manner of home-improvement materials and furnishings. Many business and non-profit exhibitors put a premium on sustainable remdeling practices and the newest “green building” products.

City of Seattle Department of Planning & Development permit specialists will be available to answer your questions, provide reference materials, and give an overview of requirements for your prospective project.

Donate emergency supplies and save money on a class! In an effort to prepare the Phinney Neighborhood Center to aid the community in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, we are inviting Home Fair attendees and exhibitors to donate tarps, ¼” rope, space blankets, crank flashlights, cases of chemical light sticks, first aid kits, hammers, saws, or crowbars.  In exchange for the donation of new items for our emergency supply, you will receive a discount coupon for a PNA class and know that you have helped our neighborhood become better prepared!Thank you to our major sponsors HomeStreet Bank, Jackson Remodeling LLC, and Keystone Windows & Doors, as well as co-sponsors George W. Johnson Realtors, Greenwood TrueValue Hardware, and KPLU National Public Radio.Click here for a list of 2009 exhibitorsFor additional information, contact Judith Wood at (206) 783-2244 or e-mail judith @ phinneycenter.org.

Home Fair Hosts Expert Sessions

Hear from the Experts at the 2009 Home Design & Remodeling Fair on Feb. 8. Talks are held in Room 3 and are scheduled for about 25 minutes, including Q & A. 

Green Remodeling
Denny Conner and Michelle Quesada of Conner Remodeling & Design
and Michael Vacirca of LastingNest, Inc.
Selecting materials and building techniques to maximize sustainability
and minimize waste.
10:30 a.m.

Expand Up or Down?
Tom Kayser, Architect
Making the most of your remodeling dollar by creating livable space in your basement or attic.
11:10 a.m

Paint & Color
Kate Joyce of Second Use Building Materials and
Renee Adsitt of City Builders Inc.
Choosing colors and eco-friendly paints to add new new life to your home without breaking the bank.
11:50 a.m.

Maximizing Hot Water Efficiency
Robert Burns of
Envision Homes and
Reeves Clippard of A & R Solar
Exploring insulation options, circulating systems, demand/tankless water heaters, solar hot water, and more.
12:30 p.m.
Financing Your Remodel in a Down Economy
Bob Fish, HomeStreet Bank
How does the present economy affect loan availability and procurement?
1:10 p.m.

Household Emergency Preparedness
JoAnn Jordan, City of Seattle
Office of Emergency Management
Presenting simple ways to be
“disaster ready” at home.
1:50 p.m

Working with an Architect
Stefan Hampden, AIA of
CAST Architecture
How to select and what to expect when working with an architect, including an overview of the design process and expected costs.
2:20 p.m

Choosing & Hiring a Contractor
Wayne Apostolik, of
NW Homecrafters
Who are you trusting with the keys
to your home?
3:10 p.m.