ProjectRenovate is under way. http://projectrenovate.wordpress.com

The first project, ProjectRenovate-1, is being chronicled from the initial design stage through construction. We are currently honing in on the final 1st floor plan. Today we will be studying the elevations to determine new window sizes/styles.

Each project has important players. Here are the players for ProjectRenovate-1:

scarlettwiththe candlestick will chronicle the journey of the design development and construction.

peacockwiththerope will offer witty, worldly, and wise advice and necessary digressions.

plumwiththepipe has handle on the money trail and will bring gravity to the scope of the project.

greenwiththewrench will counsel on appropriate options for materials and systems as well as green opportunities.

Artistic Finishes      Artist, Holly Whiting

Click on the link above and see artist Holly Whiting's beautiful interior finishes.

I visited Holly's studio in Erector Square in New Haven during the City Wide Open Studio this fall. There you could page through her portfolio of extensive work and see sample finishes throughout the space. She is enthusiastic about her projects and has exceptional talent in the art of home decorating. Holly also offers workshops for those who want to create their own wall finishes.

Rascals Gym, owned by Steve Schulefand and located in the heart of Spring Glen, just celebrated its 25th year in business. It's the sort of place where kids and parents feel comfortable. Besides the array of equipment and activities, Steve's personality has made this a neighborhood institution. His warm humor is a welcoming trait and his uncanny ability to remember every name in a large birthday party group amazes every time. My kids attended several events held at Rascals Gym when they were little. He had a way of making each child feel like a star while maintaining a low key, noncompetitive atmosphere.

Congratulations to Steve and wishing him many more years of success.

Rascals Gym is located at 1647 Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT 06517
(203) 288-6552 / www.rascalsgym.com

We support the Spring Glen School Playground Fundraiser!

Spring Glen School, located in Hamden CT  http://www.hamden.org/page.cfm?p=209

Just login/register at www.springglenneighbors.com

We will donate a dollar toward the playground for every new member (up to 200).

Upcoming Event !  'Rock Your Baby'

The Diaper Bank - Join us for a celebration!

Celebrate this important and much needed organization.

Thursday, October 22nd 6-9pm - Save the date

Click on the link for details: http://thediaperbank.org/index.php/site/events

Join us for an evening of fun to celebrate the record accomplishments of The Diaper Bank and to honor those who helped lay the foundation for our success. Tickets are $30 each or 2/$50 and includes cocktails, hors d' oeuvres, dancing and silent auction. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for The Diaper Bank  STROLL-A-THON!

The Diaper Bank  Stroll-a-Thon is set for May 10, 2009 and we hope you will join the individuals and teams that will come out on Mother's Day to support our work with mothers and children. The event will start at East Rock Park in New Haven at noon...its going to be a really fun day!! News Channel 8 is our media sponsor and Chris Velardi will lead off the 3 mile walk!! 

The Diaper Bank is a wonderful organization founded only a few years ago and has already made a huge impact in the lives of babies and their families. Take a look at this link for information on The Diaper Bank history and current events. http://www.thediaperbank.org/ 

The Facts:

Safety-net programs such as the Food Stamp Program and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers.

The vast majority of licensed day care centers do not accept cloth diapers, and require parents and caregivers to provide a steady supply of disposable diapers.

Most people living in poverty do not have affordable access to washing facilities. Furthermore, most coin-operated laundromats do not allow customers to wash cloth diapers for health and sanitary reasons.

An adequate supply of diapers can cost over $100 per month.

The Impacts:

In poor and low-income families, a baby can spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to potential health and abuse risks.

Low-income parents cannot take advantage of free or subsidized childcare if they cannot afford to leave disposable diapers at childcare centers. If parents cannot access daycare, then they are less able to attend work or school on a consistent basis. This in turn leads to increased economic instability and a continuation of the cycle of poverty.

Without transportation, buying diapers at an inner city convenience store rather than a large retailer can double or triple the monthly cost for diapers. Many parents are already struggling to pay for rent and food and simply cannot afford the high cost of an adequate supply of diapers for their children.

-Sourced from The Diaper Bank website

Hope to see you at the Stroll-a-thon / Join me as a sponsor!

Thank you, Donna Hansen Scymanski

EARTH DAY is just around the corner - April 22, 2009! 

HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO EARTH DAY HISTORY/CELEBRATIONS/EVENTS.

Earth Day History                                                                                  http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html

Earth Day TV Videos                                                                                                           http://www.earthdaytv.net/

The Green Generation                                                                                 http://www.earthday.net/earthday2009

CT DEP 'Celebrate Earth Day' Events                                                        http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2688&q=322374&depNav_GID=1511

National Earth Day Events                                                                     http://earthday.envirolink.org/calendar.html?special=yes&city=blank&state=blank&country=USA

How do you celebrate? Large or small, share your ideas for what we can do as individuals or as a community to make your neighborhood a greener place. Let us know any Earth Day events/activities in our area which we can post on our website.

And beyond Earth Day, what can we do every day in our home, neighborhood, town, state, nation, world?

Prior to legislation creating Buyer Representation, the adage 'Buyer Beware' was in full force. When a Buyer was shown a property by a real estate Agent, the Buyer may have assumed that the Agent was working for him or her; in fact, the Agent was looking out for the Seller's interest. 

On June 1, 1997 Connecticut Real Estate Agency law changed to address this fundamental inadequacy of the existing law.

In order to protect Buyers, the law allows the Buyer to be represented by an Agent. The Agent's responsibility to the Buyer is based on state law and the REALTOR Code of Ethics. The relationship between the Agent and Buyer is a fiduciary relationship - the Agent owes the Buyer confidentiality, loyalty, disclosure, diligence, obedience, accounting, and reasonable care.

The Agent can show a represented Buyer any Connecticut property, point out material problems, research recent comparable home sales, give advice on offers, and negotiate terms and conditions on the Buyer's behalf.

While the advantages of being represented are significant, some Buyers just want to see a property without obligation to work with a single Agent. In that case, the Buyer may sign a one day/one property agreement limiting their obligation while being represented for that showing.

In the event that a Buyer opts to be unrepresented, they may sign an Unrepresented Person form with the Agent. That Agent may show the Buyer homes listed by that Agent's Broker, however, the Agent will be representing the Seller.

Buyer Representation gives the Buyer the benefit of working with an Agent who will represent the Buyer's interest.