Reduce
This has got to be the easiest step you can take towards "living green" and doing your part to conserve.
Here are a few examples of what you can do, some of them on a daily basis:
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Use both sides of the paper when printing and copying.
Walk or bike instead of driving.
Take short showers.
Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight.
Regularly replace the filter on your HVAC system.
Install faucet aerators.
Use cold water to wash clothes.
Stop junk mail.
Install a programmable thermostat in your home.
If you would like any other tips of conserving check out
http://www.jea.com/community/conservcenter/index.asp
4.28.2010
Weekly Credit Series: It may be time for an Expert
If you owe money to many different businesses, it may be time for go to go to the experts. Consider going to a non-profit organization, like the Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida (904.398.4424). This organization and others like it can work with you and your creditors to set up a repayment plan. Most organizations are free or only require little cost. Other places to look for credit counselors include universities, military bases, credit unions, banks and housing authorities.
www.thehousingpartnershipofnortheastflorida.com
www.thehousingpartnershipofnortheastflorida.com
4.23.2010
Green Initiatives: Buy Local Produce
Food travels an average of 1,200 miles before it reaches your plate, so buy locally produced items. This will in return save energy and prevent emissions from going into the air. Visit USDA.gov to find a farmers market in your area or if you live right here in Jacksonville, visit http://www.jaxfarmersmarket.com/ for information about Jacksonville's Farmers Market. This Market boasts as being a "Treasured Tradition since 1938". It is located at 1780 West Beaver Street and is the oldest Farmer's Market in Florida. It's open 7 days a week.
You could also check out the Riverside Arts Market http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/ which hosts food, produce, art and entertainment every Saturday until December.
Another good tip is to choose fresh foods instead of frozen, since frozen foods require 10 times more energy to produce. Finally, organic foods are both good for the environment and good for your health since synthetic hormones, most conventional pesticides, as well as other potentially hazardous practices are not used. (Source: U.S. EPA)
You could also check out the Riverside Arts Market http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/ which hosts food, produce, art and entertainment every Saturday until December.
Another good tip is to choose fresh foods instead of frozen, since frozen foods require 10 times more energy to produce. Finally, organic foods are both good for the environment and good for your health since synthetic hormones, most conventional pesticides, as well as other potentially hazardous practices are not used. (Source: U.S. EPA)
4.20.2010
Weekly Credit Series: Steps for Getting Help
Step #1 Call your creditors if you are having difficulties paying your debts BEFORE you miss a payment: This may be a difficult step for you to take, but it will be much easier and less embarrassing if you do this now. Also, consider your options. If you are really struggling to make a car payment for example, it may be better for you to sell the vehicle and pay off the loan rather than creditor repossessing it. A repossession is a definite way to hurt your credit rating and even once it is fixed it will show for some time.
4.19.2010
All Things CITY!!!!
Over here at RADO we are big fans of the City of Jacksonville. We work with the all of the time to accomplish our goals but they have many services, MANY services, for regular ol' people to use. I decided to let you guys know about just a couple of tools that will help make your lives much easier.
First, E-care. This is an excellent tool if you would like to request a service , register a complaint, and then check the status of your complaint or request. I love this site because it is so easy. I am going to register a complaint and walk you through it.
First, you can pick from a number of categories. They include items such as pollution, flood zone, code enforcement, vandalism to employee behaviour. For my example I picked "drainage". Then you add an "issue description". I used "misc. inquiries about street and drainage" After you pick an issue description they give you an example what that entails.
The next step is for you to add in your own words what you complaint is. The next step is to give more detailed information. They ask you questions like "is this complaint at an intersection" You are then asked if you would like to contacted by phone, email, or to not be contacted at all. Once you submit , you are done!
It actually took longer to write this than it did to file my complaint. Also, if it is an issue that also affects your neighbors, ask them to file a complaint too. The more the city hears about it, the faster it will get taken care of.
Here is the link:
http://ecare.coj.net/
The next very cool tool keeps you posted about everything you could possibly want to know about the city. Like, events and legislative happenings. The most recent post was "City Presents Updated Preliminary Flood Maps to Jacksonville Property Owners". The site is called "nixle". The way you set it up is like most any networking site. They ask for you email ,a login name and then a password. If you like you can enter more specific information so the information you receive will be more specific towards your interests.You can subscribe to different agencies/groups and either have the information sent to you by email or your phone. Plus, you don't have to stop at local agencies. You can subscribe to practically any group or agency from anywhere. This tool is an excellent way for you to know about the interesting or important things that are going on in your community .
Here is the link:
http://www.nixle.com/
I hope you use these tools because there really is a lot that the city provides for it's citizens. If you have any questions, about ANYTHING, call 630.CITY. They will direct you to the right department.
First, E-care. This is an excellent tool if you would like to request a service , register a complaint, and then check the status of your complaint or request. I love this site because it is so easy. I am going to register a complaint and walk you through it.
First, you can pick from a number of categories. They include items such as pollution, flood zone, code enforcement, vandalism to employee behaviour. For my example I picked "drainage". Then you add an "issue description". I used "misc. inquiries about street and drainage" After you pick an issue description they give you an example what that entails.
The next step is for you to add in your own words what you complaint is. The next step is to give more detailed information. They ask you questions like "is this complaint at an intersection" You are then asked if you would like to contacted by phone, email, or to not be contacted at all. Once you submit , you are done!
It actually took longer to write this than it did to file my complaint. Also, if it is an issue that also affects your neighbors, ask them to file a complaint too. The more the city hears about it, the faster it will get taken care of.
Here is the link:
http://ecare.coj.net/
The next very cool tool keeps you posted about everything you could possibly want to know about the city. Like, events and legislative happenings. The most recent post was "City Presents Updated Preliminary Flood Maps to Jacksonville Property Owners". The site is called "nixle". The way you set it up is like most any networking site. They ask for you email ,a login name and then a password. If you like you can enter more specific information so the information you receive will be more specific towards your interests.You can subscribe to different agencies/groups and either have the information sent to you by email or your phone. Plus, you don't have to stop at local agencies. You can subscribe to practically any group or agency from anywhere. This tool is an excellent way for you to know about the interesting or important things that are going on in your community .
Here is the link:
http://www.nixle.com/
I hope you use these tools because there really is a lot that the city provides for it's citizens. If you have any questions, about ANYTHING, call 630.CITY. They will direct you to the right department.
4.16.2010
Green Initiatives Post: Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste
Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste Electronics, CFLs, certain batteries, and other household hazardous wastes contain toxic materials so they should not be sent to landfills. If they are they can pollute the surrounding land and water. One computer monitor may contain 4 pounds of lead as well as other toxic heavy metals. Many companies including Home depot , Sam's Club and Ikea will take your used CFL's.
Jacksonville's hazardous waste center is at 2675 Commonwealth avenue. The types of things they take is paint, paint thinners, fertilizers, rechargeable batteries, acids, gun powder and CFL s just to name a few. The city also collects "e-waste" throughout the year through with mobile collections. Televisions, computers, telephones, and small kitchen appliances are just a few examples of e-waste that is collected on the mobile collections. For more information when and where the next e-waste collection will be call 387-8847 or check out this link : http://www.coj.net/Departments/Public+Works/Solid+Waste/Household+Hazardous+Wastes.htmIf
If you have any more questions call 630-CITY and ask about "hazardous wastes" or check out this link : http://www.coj.net/Departments/Public+Works/Solid+Waste/Household+Hazardous+Wastes.htm
Jacksonville's hazardous waste center is at 2675 Commonwealth avenue. The types of things they take is paint, paint thinners, fertilizers, rechargeable batteries, acids, gun powder and CFL s just to name a few. The city also collects "e-waste" throughout the year through with mobile collections. Televisions, computers, telephones, and small kitchen appliances are just a few examples of e-waste that is collected on the mobile collections. For more information when and where the next e-waste collection will be call 387-8847 or check out this link : http://www.coj.net/Departments/Public+Works/Solid+Waste/Household+Hazardous+Wastes.htmIf
If you have any more questions call 630-CITY and ask about "hazardous wastes" or check out this link : http://www.coj.net/Departments/Public+Works/Solid+Waste/Household+Hazardous+Wastes.htm
4.14.2010
Weekly Credit Series : Keeping Track of Bills
Just because you have stopped receiving notices and bills does not mean that your debt has disappeared. For example, doctors or hospitals sometimes stop sending bills to patients after several months but then turn it over to a collection agency. This will ultimately end up on your credit report. Unpaid student loans will also end up on your credit report and prevent you from getting a loan. Check your credit report now, before you try to get a loan and make sure there is nothing on your report that needs to be paid or disputed.
4.13.2010
Free Movies in the Treaty Oak Park are back!!!
Downtown Vision is hosting four PG movies this spring. It is held on the lawn at Treaty Oak Park at 1123 prudential drive. Most of you may know this park. It is very near The Museum of Science and History and hosts the oldest Oak Tree in Jacksonville.
This is a free event! Everyone is welcome to attend. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket and/or dinner. There will some vendors there if you want to go that route. Well behaved pets are welcome and alcoholic beverages are not! There is free parking available in the Suddath garage located across from the Hampton Inn on Flagler Street. The garage opens at 5:30 pm but the movie won't start until dusk (around 8pm).
Here's this year's Friday Night "Movies in the park" line-up:
Shrek April 16th
Sixteen
Candles April 23rd
Back to
the Future April 30th
Breakfast
at Tiffany's May 7th
If you would like to know any more information about this or any other Downtown Vision events visit http://www.downtowjacksonville.org/ or call 904.451.3344
This is a free event! Everyone is welcome to attend. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket and/or dinner. There will some vendors there if you want to go that route. Well behaved pets are welcome and alcoholic beverages are not! There is free parking available in the Suddath garage located across from the Hampton Inn on Flagler Street. The garage opens at 5:30 pm but the movie won't start until dusk (around 8pm).
Here's this year's Friday Night "Movies in the park" line-up:
Shrek April 16th
Sixteen
Candles April 23rd
Back to
the Future April 30th
Breakfast
at Tiffany's May 7th
If you would like to know any more information about this or any other Downtown Vision events visit http://www.downtowjacksonville.org/ or call 904.451.3344
4.12.2010
The Riverside Arts Market was Super Fun
I had a good time at the arts market this past Saturday. This excellent market has an area specifically for non-profits to set up that is offered for free. It was great. I was able to meet new poeple and spread the word about what RADO has to offer.
I have always enjoyed visiting the arts Market on my own, but it was really nice to be on the other side of the table. RADO will be attending the market the second Saturday of every month , so if you missed us this time you can come back and see me on may the 8th!
http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/index.html
I have always enjoyed visiting the arts Market on my own, but it was really nice to be on the other side of the table. RADO will be attending the market the second Saturday of every month , so if you missed us this time you can come back and see me on may the 8th!
http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/index.html
4.09.2010
Green Initiatives Post: Computer Power Management
Computer Power Management: "Enable low-power sleep modes and turn off computers and monitors at night. General Electric implemented power management features on 75,000 of its computers, annually saving the company $2.5 million dollars and preventing 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. For step-by-step instructions on how to optimize the settings on your computer, visit ENERGY STAR. Network administrators can also set system wide power management settings by using EZ GPO, a free software tool from ENERGY STAR. (Source: ENERGY STAR)"
courtesy of www.ourearth.org
courtesy of www.ourearth.org
4.08.2010
Weekly Credit Series
Step #9 Look for ways to cut your expenses or increase your income: Okay, I know increasing your income is IDEAL but hey, it could happen. Want to know how to cut your expense? Use a budget! This is how I do it:
Add up all of your monthly bills , the most important, HAVE TO GET PAID ones first (mortgage, rent , utilitiies etc.) then all of the others that aren't really needed (cable, gym membership etc.) and combine.
Then add up your monthly income. I usually do 4 1/2 weeks just to be safe. Then subtract the two. You shouldn't come up in the negatives.
This is where you can see what isn't neccessary and then cut it out, or at least cut back.
Do you really need HBO? Why don't you try renting from the library? Are you actually going to the gym? Maybe you could workout at home.
This way you will have more money to pay off your debts and then , SAVE.
Add up all of your monthly bills , the most important, HAVE TO GET PAID ones first (mortgage, rent , utilitiies etc.) then all of the others that aren't really needed (cable, gym membership etc.) and combine.
Then add up your monthly income. I usually do 4 1/2 weeks just to be safe. Then subtract the two. You shouldn't come up in the negatives.
This is where you can see what isn't neccessary and then cut it out, or at least cut back.
Do you really need HBO? Why don't you try renting from the library? Are you actually going to the gym? Maybe you could workout at home.
This way you will have more money to pay off your debts and then , SAVE.
4.06.2010
Fifth Annual " JAXParks...Get out There" Event
It's official. Spring is finally here. The pollen is out. The birds are chirping and the weather is absolutely gorgeous! Another way to signify spring, the Fifth Annual "Get Out There Celebration". This is a free city event to help persuade people to visit one or many of Jacksonville's gorgeous parks.
In case you didn't know, Jacksonville is home to the nation's LARGEST urban park system. The city launched this event five years ago to offer a taste to all ages of Jacksonville's abundant park system.
The event starts today from 10 am. to 10 pm at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park and at 500 Wonderwood drive, Atlantic beach.
Friday the 9th
9am -3pm Environmental Education: Beach Walk and Talk
10-4pm Trailing though the woods: Bicycle rides
10:30-2pm Fishing Clinics with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
11am-4pm 85th annual Kite Festival
1-2pm Surf and sand: Surfing demonstrations and sand castle building
6-10pm Star gazing
6-10pm Movies in the Park
Saturday the 10th
The old mandarin biatholon 7:30-9am at Walter Jones Historical Park 11964 Mandarin Road
Kids Kampus Survivor 10 am -2pm 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. 630-CITY for more information
River Celebration Day 11am-4pm Walter Jones Historical Park
Call 630-CITY with any questions.
In case you didn't know, Jacksonville is home to the nation's LARGEST urban park system. The city launched this event five years ago to offer a taste to all ages of Jacksonville's abundant park system.
The event starts today from 10 am. to 10 pm at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park and at 500 Wonderwood drive, Atlantic beach.
Friday the 9th
9am -3pm Environmental Education: Beach Walk and Talk
10-4pm Trailing though the woods: Bicycle rides
10:30-2pm Fishing Clinics with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
11am-4pm 85th annual Kite Festival
1-2pm Surf and sand: Surfing demonstrations and sand castle building
6-10pm Star gazing
6-10pm Movies in the Park
Saturday the 10th
The old mandarin biatholon 7:30-9am at Walter Jones Historical Park 11964 Mandarin Road
Kids Kampus Survivor 10 am -2pm 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. 630-CITY for more information
River Celebration Day 11am-4pm Walter Jones Historical Park
Call 630-CITY with any questions.
4.05.2010
First Hand RADO Home-Buying Experience
My name is Melody Byrd, RADO's Client Specialist / Communications Director, and I bought a RADO home with my fiance 2 and a half years ago! So I know first hand how this process works. We were really excited to get our home but let me back up a little and tell it from the beginning...
About 4 years ago my fiance and I just found out we were pregnant. Even though we were incredibly excited , we knew we had to find a home very soon. We didn't even consider Riverside because we KNEW it was way out of our price range.
My love for Riverside started in middle school when my school bus went through the area twice a day. I always dreamed of living in the very eclectic and beautiful neighborhood but didn't think that I would ever be able to. My fiance had grown up on the Westside like me, and had always rented in Riverside but also thought it was out of his price range.
Fast forward many years back to our new pregnancy. We began looking for a home in the areas where we could afford, which were no where near Riverside mind you. One day we were driving home from his aunt's home in Gilmore Street and right next to it we saw 2628 Gilmore Street and it was UGGGLy but, it had a RADO sign out front so I decided to call. Once I called they said that it once a renovation project but it was unfortunately already under contract.They then explained to me the process and it was pretty simple : fall into the income bracket and you could qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance. We met all of the criteria, filled out an application and met with the lender. We were pre-approved and then all we had to do was wait on a home we liked. Well, we waited one year until we finally found a lot that we really liked and I'm glad we did because RADO was planning on putting my favorite ground plan on it , the Benin. To make an already way too long story , short. We ended up getting the home of our dreams and without the inflated price. RADO only sells their homes at the approved value so you don't ever have to worry about paying extra. Many times I have sat back and said "I love my house" because I truly do. I feel great knowing that now with my position I am able to help people acquire a RADO home. So don't hesitate. Call today and we will get you there so you too can look back and admire your home!
About 4 years ago my fiance and I just found out we were pregnant. Even though we were incredibly excited , we knew we had to find a home very soon. We didn't even consider Riverside because we KNEW it was way out of our price range.
My love for Riverside started in middle school when my school bus went through the area twice a day. I always dreamed of living in the very eclectic and beautiful neighborhood but didn't think that I would ever be able to. My fiance had grown up on the Westside like me, and had always rented in Riverside but also thought it was out of his price range.
Fast forward many years back to our new pregnancy. We began looking for a home in the areas where we could afford, which were no where near Riverside mind you. One day we were driving home from his aunt's home in Gilmore Street and right next to it we saw 2628 Gilmore Street and it was UGGGLy but, it had a RADO sign out front so I decided to call. Once I called they said that it once a renovation project but it was unfortunately already under contract.They then explained to me the process and it was pretty simple : fall into the income bracket and you could qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance. We met all of the criteria, filled out an application and met with the lender. We were pre-approved and then all we had to do was wait on a home we liked. Well, we waited one year until we finally found a lot that we really liked and I'm glad we did because RADO was planning on putting my favorite ground plan on it , the Benin. To make an already way too long story , short. We ended up getting the home of our dreams and without the inflated price. RADO only sells their homes at the approved value so you don't ever have to worry about paying extra. Many times I have sat back and said "I love my house" because I truly do. I feel great knowing that now with my position I am able to help people acquire a RADO home. So don't hesitate. Call today and we will get you there so you too can look back and admire your home!
(The Pictures above are BEFORE and AFTER on 2628 Gilmore Street, the home next door to my aunt's house)
4.01.2010
Weekly Credit Series
Tip# 8 Use your credit card to establish good credit. This may seem confusing and contradictory but, if you can use your credit card wisely you can actually acquire good credit. Don't overuse a credit card and be sure to pay them off every month or keep the balances very low.
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