About Covington's Foxwood

An increasing number of howeowners are thinking green when it comes to the kitchen, and it's not the color shade in a fruit or vegetabel. What does it really mean "Green Kitchen"? It' about conserving energy, water, electricity, and keeping the kitchen as safe as possible.

Thinking green in the kitchen is to avoid particleboard cabinet units that contain urea-formaldehyde. Choose instead, durable, solid wood cabinetry with traditional joints and timber glues.

· Select metal cabinets or opt for the rustic charm of cabinets for sale at salvage shops.

· Choose tile, granite, stainless steel, or solid wood for your countertop surfaces. Some laminates release undesirable chemicals.

When it comes to flooring, avoid vinyl, which can emit chemical fumes. Substitutes include stone, tile, and reclaimed wood (logs retrieved from river bottoms and abandoned buildings that are remanufactured into beams and flooring).

· Bamboo, a fast-growing woody grass, and sound-absorbing cork are unique and surprisingly well-suited flooring alternatives. Bamboo flooring is harder than Northern Red Oak, according to the National Wood Flooring Association.Bamboo, a fast-growing woody grass, and sound- absorbing cork are unique and surprisingly well- suited flooring alternatives. Bamboo flooring is harder than Northern Red Oak, according to the National Wood Flooring Association.

· For both cabinetry and flooring, avoid endangered wood species such as teak and mahogany.

Maximizing natural sunlight and supplement your windows with a variety of general, task, and atmospheric lighting that are specific to your areas of activity.

· Trade incandescent lights for energy-efficient versions or fluorescent lighting.

· Use timers, dimmers, or cabinet contact switches to further conserve energy. · Accessorize with a collection of houseplants and flowers to remove air pollution. · Use natural colors that stem from the materials you use.

· Choose energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label, which earmarks appliances that consume less than the minimum federal standards for electricity.

· Choose an appliance whose capacity is appropriate for your family's needs; the larger the appliance, the more energy it requires to run.

· Avoid running your dishwasher unless there's a full load. Opt for a glass- fronted oven, allowing you to check on food's progress without opening the door and wasting heat energy.

· Service appliances frequently to check for energy- wasting leaks.

· Avoid placing noisy refrigerators and dishwashers against partition walls, and try to select quieter models.

· Include a recycling center with bins for paper, plastics, glass, metal, and organic waste for composting, and larger bins in a garage or storage area used for collection or delivery. By choosing green design elements and products wisely, your green kitchen will be a model of harmony, efficiency, and economy.

Have you ever had this happened to you? Change a bulb - while you are unscrewing it, the bulb breaks and the base is stuck in the socket base because of rust. GREAT!! It happened to me and now I have to write about it or at least gives me something to write about.

There is no best way to remove it except to use a pair of nose needle pliers. To remove the broken base, first make sure the power is off. Wear eye protection if you don't want stuff flying into your eyes. Protect the immediate area from broken glass, because it can get very messy with broken glasses that remain from the base. Use the needle nose pliers to grab the metal rim of the bulb and twist it. You can aslo jam the nose of the pliers into the base of the bulb to get a grip. You can even try jaming the pliers inside the metal threads and opening it.

Now that you have it removed, STOP!

Go to the store and buy a higher quality bulb with a brass - plated or copper-plated that will not rust. If you can't do this and only have a regular bulb, you could coat the threads with a special dielectric grease available at automotive store or just good old vaseline will also work. If you don't do this before you place the new bulb, you may have the same problem next time again.

The City of Covington has an aquatic center AKA swimming pool. For those who didn't know that. It is located next to Tahoma High School.

The Covington Aquatic Center offers swimming lessons as well as a place for everyone' needs to lap swim as an alternative to exercise. Click on the link for the pool schedule.

I remember when it used to be the Tahoma Pool years ago when my children went there regularly for their swim lessons. The indoor swimming pool makes it perfect for all year round activities. You can rent the pool for birthday parties, swim lessons, or group exercise activites.

Public swim is Monday - Friday at 12 - 1 pm and Family swim is Saturday - Sunday 12- 1 pm.

Create good habits by taking your children to the Library regularly. Reading books creates a good writer in you. Your local library has FREE programs and events to help you and your family get interested in reading on a daily basis.

Here are this weeks Covington Library weekly events for week April 21, 2009.

Wee Ones Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Newborn through prewalkers with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to bond with your baby through books.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Story Time will be held in the Story Time room.

Young Toddler Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: For walking babies/young toddlers (or waddlers) up to 24 months with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to start your child on the...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Held in the Story Time room.

Searchlight Kid's Book Group
Event Type: Children's Programs NOT Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Start Time: 1:30 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 8 to 12 and their grown-up, younger siblings welcome
Enjoy an active parent-child book discussion. Afternoon snack and juice box provided. Homeschoolers encouraged and new members always welcome...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Joining us in our celebration of Poetry Month will be children's poet, Erik Korhel, author of My Tooth Fell In My Soup!
Registration not required.
Sponsored by The Friends of the Covin...

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Toddler Tales Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Nurture a love of books as you and your toddler enjoy reading, rhymes, songs and movement activities.
Age(s): Children & Families
Preschool Pizzazz Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 4 to 6 with adult, younger siblings welcome
Help your preschooler get ready to read! Enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Spanish/English Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Everyone welcome, children must be accompanied by adult
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Registration not required.

Microsoft Word II
Event Type: Computer Classes
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Learn how to select and format text, set margins, align paragraphs and use the cut and paste function. Requires basic knowledge of entering text, cutting, copying and pasting.
Age(s): Adults

Look to Your Library: Career Consultant: Allan Hay
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Meet Allan Hay, author of Memory mining: Digging for Gems from your Past Good Work. Find out how you can jump start your job search with focus and greater enthusiasm by applying the simp...
Age(s): Adults

Super Saturdays Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Enjoy stories, songs and activities that tickle the imagination.
Age(s): Children & Families

Talk Time
Event Type: Talk Time
Date: Monday, April 27, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Free conversation class to improve basic English. Meet people from around the world and learn about American culture.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Registration not required

~ Make the interior of your home visible from the exterior - keep windows clean, screen dooors open, lights on.

~ If possible, put a swing on the porch with colorful pillows.

~ Make sure the entry level floor makes a good first impression.

~ Clean out the closets nearest the front entryway; make it appear spacious, with empty hangers for plenty of winter coats.

~ Highlight the fireplace if you have one. add color by putting flowers on the mantle, or have a fire going if the weather is cool enough.

~ Stand about 30 feet outside the front door and evaluate the feeling you get from looking at your house. It should be warm, inviting and feel like home.

~ Set the dining room table. Make it emotional (homey) and appropritate for the time of day if possible. ~ Make sure all windows are crystal clean.

~ Create extra counter space by storing appliances, dish racks, dish soap, ets.

~ De-personalize teenagers’ rooms. not everyone has teens or likes their taste in decorating.

~ Have fresh flowers in the house to give a feeling of life in the home.

~ Increase the wattage of light bulbs in the basement and laundry room.

~ Have the carpeting professionally cleaned. ~ Leave your house during all showings.

~ board any pets, or take them with you during showings