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What’s Up

HABBITAT FOR HUM

ANITY OF UTAH COUNTY

Hammer Time

HABBITAT FOR HUM

ANITY OF UTAH COUNTY

News UVU AND HABITAT TO SPONSOR ANNUAL ‘NO SNOW’ INDOOR 5K

Utah Valley University is teaming up with Habitat for Hu-manity of Utah County to sponsor the Sixth Annual “No Snow” Indoor 5 K on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. The event begins at Centre Stage in the Sorensen Student Center and includes a stair or a non-stair route option.

Participants can run or walk the 3.1 miles indoors through UVU’s interconnected hallways. All par-ticipants will receive a free T-shirt and free pancake breakfast following the race. Proceeds will benefit the UVU/Habitat for Humanity home currently being built in Provo with the Artanduaga fam-ily.

Registration for the 5K is $10.00 in advance or $15.00 on race day starting at 8 a.m. Children under 10 are free. Participants can register early by going to UVU’s Campus Connection in the Sorensen Student Center or online at www.habitatuc.org. Call 801-863-8786 or email www.volunteer@uvu.edu for more information.

STUDENTS TO HONOR DR. KING WITH “DAY ON”

Students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University will be honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King by helping with a Habitat for Humanity of Utah County neighborhood revitalization project during the Martin Luther King Day holiday on Monday, January 21, 2013. The student volunteers will be spending their “day off” building a ramp for a local disabled Veteran.

HABITAT CELEBRATING NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is working with the Utah Cancer Action Network, Utah County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to encourage community members to test their homes for radon during January's National Radon Action Month. Habitat will be providing information about radon and offering radon test kits for $6.00 at its Orem ReStore at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem, Utah. Test kits are also available online at www.habitatuc.org.

High levels of indoor radon have been found in many areas of Utah. Because radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks through the breakdown of uranium, testing is the only way to know the radon level in a home. If test results are 4.0 pico liters or above, the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency recommends that the homeowners install a radon mitigation system. A list of certified mitigators is available at the Utah County Health Department in Provo.

For questions regarding radon, contact Andrea Jensen at 801-851-7509 or

January 2013

• A small way to make a big difference! Join Habitat's FAM Club and help us serve more fami-lies in our community! Only $5.00 per month. Join today at www.habitatuc.org/FAM_Club.html.

• Did Santa bring you a new fridge, couch or drill? Donate your old items to the Habitat Re-Store in Orem at 340 South Orem Blvd., give them a new life, and receive a tax donation! The ReStore is open Monday through Saturday from 10-6.

• Habitat’s Cars for Homes program can turn your junk vehicle into decent and affordable housing with local families. Details at www.habitatuc.org/habitat_car_donations.html.

• Did you recently get some new phone books? Recycle your old ones with Habitat for Human-ity and help families in need in our community. Details and drop off locations at www.habitatuc.org/donate/gogreen.html.

• Check out Habitat’s VP Deals Site! Habitat for Humanity has partnered with VP Deals to get all the latest bargains on local products/venues. Check out this week’s specials at www.habitatucdeals.info. A portion of your “deal” purchases will help Habitat further its housing mission in the community.

• Need Tools for all those Winter Projects? Stop by Habitat for Humanity of Utah County’s tool lending library and “check out” needed tools and lawn care items for free. The lending library, located inside the Habitat ReStore at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem, is open Monday through Sat-urday from 10-6. An application and proof of residency are required. Look online at www.habitatuc.org for more information.

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2 • Save Money for Home Repairs and Maintenance – A new home maintenance fund has been established to help Habitat homeowners save for future home repairs and maintenance. Homeowners now can pay a little extra ($10.00 or more) with their monthly mortgage payment. The extra amount will be saved in an escrow like account and can be accessed for home repairs and maintenance. To sign up or for more information, contact Kena at (801) 344-8527 or kena@habitatuc.org.

Photo Gallery

Paying it Forward! - Habitat for Humanity of Utah County homeowners, partner families, and board members worked at the local affiliate’s homeowner sponsored home, located at 870 North 235 East in Orem, on December 22nd. Those par-ticipating touched up paint, installed a mail box and cleaned the four-bedroom home.

Celebrating the Season! - Habitat for Humanity of Utah County's Board and Staff Members celebrated

the holiday season with a potluck luncheon at the Habitat office in Orem. Lots of great food and

company.

Field Trip! Students from the Quail Run Charter School in Pleasant Grove came to the Habitat ReStore on a field trip to learn about Habitat's programs and services. The 6th to 9th grade students learned about Habitat's mission and programs and had the opportunity to tour the office and ReStore.

REALTORS Provide Housing Opportunity Funds - The Utah County Association of REALTORS (UCAR) presented a check to Habitat for Humanity of Utah County at their membership luncheon in December. The $2,400 donation will be used to help with construction costs at a home currently being built with the Artanduaga family in Provo.

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The Winning Streak Continues! For the third semester in a row, Habitat's Wolverine PR Project was selected the best project/booth at UVU's Wolverine PR Trade show. Stephen Pew, Morgan Han-sen, Rick Talbot, and Kenneth Masteller did an amazing and profes-sional job highlighting their efforts with Habitat’s “It’s a Wrap” Gift Wrap Store at the student showcase.

A Home in Time for New Year! The Eden family will start their year off right with their newly renovated four bedroom home, located at 870 North 235 East, in Orem. The ribbon was cut on the four bedroom home this past Saturday.

Photo Gallery

SAVING STRATEGIES (www.americasaves.org)

Miracle of Compound Interest

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JANUARY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

January Build Days

Volunteers are currently being sought to help with construction, renovation, revitalization, and landscaping pro-jects. Build days are generally held Tuesday through Thursday and Saturdays. Volunteers are needed espe-cially during weekdays at the South Franklin Community Center and the Artanduaga home in Provo. Sign up online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.

CREW LEADERS AND SITE HOSTS NEEDED TO HELP GUIDE CONSTRUCTION

Volunteers with construction experience or those wanting to improve their construction skills are being sought to participate in the affiliate's Crew Leader and Site Host Programs. Orientations are monthly. The next orientation will be on January 19, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at the Habitat office in Orem. For information, contact LeAnn at the number or email below.

Home Maintenance Classes

Man Booths –

• UVU Service Fair January 15th and 16th

• Women Job Expo February 5th

• Utah Valley Convention Center Home Expo February 8th and 9th

• Work in the ReStore Monday through Saturday from 10-6

• Assist with Habitat Recycling efforts

• Help with UVU No Snow Indoor 5K on January

For more information, look online at www.habitatuc.org or contact LeAnn at (801) 368-2250 or leann@habitatuc.org. You can also sign up online at www.habitat.org/volunteer.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES

Volunteers are needed to serve on all of Habitat’s local committees. Monthly meetings, limited time commitment, no experience necessary, varying inter-ests and skills. Look online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer/committees.html for more information and meeting times.

Check out Habitat & Community Action’s Free Home Maintenance Course. The next class will be January 29, 2013. The topics will be: Landscaping and Lawn Care, Sprinkler System Maintenance. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Habitat office at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem

At HOME DEPOT – Registration is necessary. Call store or register online. Look online for the January clinic schedule at www.homedepot.com.

At LOWE'S - you must sign up for How-To Clinics by calling 229-1485 or stopping by their store at 140 West Uni-versity Parkway in Orem. Look online for January clinic schedule at www.lowes.com.

Do you struggle to make ends meet? Are you concerned about your financial future? Women, You Can Learn to Earn More! People Helping People’s Utah County Employment Program can help you reach your full potential at work and in life and best of all . . . It’s Free! Call 1-855-303-5300 toll free for more information.

Community Action Services offers Home Buyer Education Classes on a monthly basis. Classes in January will be held January 2 and 3 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. or January 19 from 9:00-4:00 p.m. To register, please call (801) 691-5200 or go online to www.communityactionuc.org.

Kids on the Move is offering Stepfamily Classes for the whole family! Free six week sessions beginning January 10th. For more information, contact (801) 221-9930 or mhyde@kotm.org

HOUSEHOLD HINT (www.hints-n-com)

Carpet Spot Cleaner. To clean spots on rugs and carpets, use window cleaner. It works as well as the spray-on carpet cleaners and if you buy the store brand, you can get it for as little as $0.97 for a full quart bottle.

RESOURCES

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5 Home Maintenance Tips (members.houselogic.com)

11 Ways to Create a Welcoming Front Entrance for Under $100

Wouldn’t it be nice to approach your home’s entrance with a grin instead of a grimace? Take our tips for beating a clear, safe, and stylish path to your front door.

Clear the way for curb appeal. The path to your front door should be at least 3 feet wide so people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder, with an unobstructed view and no stumbling hazards. So get out those loppers and cut back any overhanging branches or encroaching shrubs. 2. Light the route. Landscape lighting makes it easy to get around at night. Solar-powered LED lights you can just stick in the ground, requiring no wiring, are surprisingly inexpensive. $45 for a pack of 8, lowes.com.

3. Go glossy. Borrow inspiration from London’s lovely row houses, whose owners assert their individuality by painting their doors in high-gloss colors. The reflective sheen of a royal blue, deep green, crimson, or whatever color you like will ensure your house stands out from the pack. Consult Bonnie Rosser Krims’ book, The Perfectly Painted House, for ideas. 4. Pretty up the view. A door with lots of glass is a plus for letting light into the front hall -- but if you also want privacy and a bit of decor, check out decorative window film. It’s removable and re-positionable, and comes in in-numerable styles and motifs. About $5.25 per running foot, decorativefilm.com. An less expensive way to get the look of stained glass without doing custom work or buying a whole new door: Mount a decorative panel on the inside of the door behind an existing glass insert, $92 for an Arts and Crafts-style panel 20” high by 11” wide. 5. Replace door hardware. While you’re at it, polish up the handle on the big front door, or better yet, replace it with a shiny new brass lockset with a secure deadbolt, $57. 6. Please knock. Doorbells may be the norm, but a hefty knocker is a classic that will never run out of battery life, and another opportunity to express yourself (whatever your favorite animal or insect is, there’s a door-knocker in its image). $39, potterybarn.com. 7. Ever-greenery. Boxwoods are always tidy-looking, the definition of easy upkeep. A pair on either side of the door is traditional, but a singleton is good, too. About $25 at garden centers. In cold climates, make sure pots are frost-proof (polyethylene urns and boxes mimic terracotta and wood to perfection). $80, frontera.com. 8. Numbers game. Is your house number clearly visible? That’s of prime importance if you want your guests to arrive and your pizza to be hot. Stick-on vinyl numbers in a variety of fonts make it easy, starting at about $4 per digit. 9. Foot traffic. A hardworking mat for wiping muddy feet is a must. A thick coir mat can be had at the hardware store for less than $20, or spring for something fancier, like this decorative half-round that promises weather and mildew resistance, $45, frontgate.com. 10. Go for the glow. Fumbling for keys in the dark isn’t fun. Consider doubling up on porch lights with a pair of lanterns, one on each side of the door, for symmetry and twice the illumination. $69 each, shadesoflight.com. 11. Snail mail. Mailboxes run the gamut from kitschy roadside novelties masquerading as dogs, fish, or what-have-you to sober black lockboxes mounted alongside the front door. Whichever way you go, make sure yours is standing or hanging straight, with a secure closure, and no dings or dents. The mail carrier will thank you.

Make Your House a Healthy Home! (EPA)

Are you bugged by bugs? Store food and pet food in a tightly sealed glass or plastic containers. Carefully read and follow in-structions on product labels.

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.Room air conditioners

• Purchase an Energy Star model. Energy Star room air conditioners cost at least 10 percent less to operate than conventional models.

• Use a timer. Set the plug-in timer to turn off the air conditioner when you leave home and to turn it on just be-fore you return.

• Purchase a unit with varying fan speeds. Use a room air conditioner with fan speed control. This allows faster cooling when needed and quieter, more efficient operation at other times.

• Keep the unit centrally located. To allow better air circulation, install your room air conditioner in the window or area of the wall that is nearest to the middle of the space being cooled.

• Seal the unit. Once a room air conditioner is in place, seal the space around it with rope caulk or some other sealant to prevent warm outside air from leaking in.

• Don’t set the thermostat at high initially. When you first turn on your room air conditioner, set the thermostat at normal or medium. Setting it any colder won’t cool the room any faster.

• Keep the unit out of the sun. Locate your room air conditioner on the shady side of your home. It will op-erate more efficiently in a cooler location.

• Close the fresh-air vent. Make sure the fresh-air vent is closed when the room air conditioner is operating so you aren’t cooling outside air. Open the vent when the outside air is cooler to let in fresh air.

• Remove the unit at the end of the cooling season. Take your room air conditioner out of the window when the cooling season is over. If you must leave the unit in place, cover the outside of the unit with a weatherproof cover and fill any cracks around the unit with removable caulk.

Save Energy (www.we-energies.com)

BE CAREFUL (exchange.aaa.com)

SAVING TIP (The Simple Dollar)

Hide your credit cards. Take your credit cards and put them in a safe place in your home, not in your wallet where it’s easy to spend them. If you argue that you need it for “emergencies,” just be sure to keep a small amount of cash hidden in your wallet for these emergencies. Don’t keep plastic on you until you have the willpower to not use it even when you’re sorely tempted.

Winter Driving Tips

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.

• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.

• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).

• Always look and steer where you want to go.

• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

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7 Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when espe-cially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.

• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.

• Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.

• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescu-ers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.

• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.

• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.

• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.

• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or pa-per maps.

• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining trac-tion and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remem-ber: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing hap-pens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten sec-onds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

BE GOOD TO YOUR HEALTH (Select Health)

Mind your Meds with a Little Help

If your doctor has prescribed medication for you, remembering to take it is crucial. Here are five tips that may help.

• Take it at the same time every day. Try linking it to some other activity that may be easier to remember, such as brushing your teeth.

• Use a special pill box.

• Ask someone else to remind you.

• Keep a calendar near your medication. Note every time you take a dose.

• Place stickers or reminder notes on your medicine cabinet and refrigerator.

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Kenneth Masteller Kerry Rasmussen Kim Kappen Marianne Barrowes McCoy’s Flooring and Cabinets Melia Jones Family Michael Merz Navy Recruiting Station Oak Hills 4th Ward Peter Hill Provo Housing Authority Provo Towne Centre Samuel Smith Sarah Ormond Shiree Thurston Sonya Hess Springville Hunter Valley Neighborhood Stephen Brinkworth – Troop 104 Spanish Fork

THANK YOU

Provo Towne Centre, Utah County Association of REALTORS

TD Ameritrade Steve Pew Utah County Association of REALTORS Utah County Work Diversion Crew Utah Trading Company UVU Wolverine PR Valerie Roberts Value Pages Vineyard Garden Center Vineyard Empty Nest Group Wasatch Academy-Mt. Pleasant, UT Windsor 2nd Ward Ward-Orem

Adonica Limon Allison Fullmer Amy Baum Anna and Emily Stone Anna Woods Barbara Larsen Bill Bateman BYU Bradley PR and Ad Labs David Vogelsang and BYU Con-struction Management Students Deanna Coates Eden Family Freedom 1st Ward Habitat Homeowners and Partner Families Jennifer Jones Joe Tanner Joshua Brinkworth – Troop 104 Spanish Fork Julia Currey

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Site Host/Crew Leader Training January 19th 9:30 a.m., Office

Board Meeting January 16 7:00 a.m., Office

Development Service January 8 Noon, Office

Building Committee January 8 2:00 p.m., Central Bank

Family Partnership January 10 6:30 p.m., Office

NRI Committee January 8 3:00 p.m., Office

Habitat for Humanity Of Utah County

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Site Selection January 3 Noon , Office

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3—Site

Selection

4 5

6 7 8-Development

Service - Building Com-mittee - NRI Committee

9 10—Family

Partnership 11—Executive Committee

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13 14 15 16—Board

Meeting 17 18 19—Site

Host/Crew Leader Train-ing

20 21—Martin Luther King Day - MLK “Day on” Service Project

22 23 24 25 26—No

Snow Indoor 5 K

27 28 29—Home

Maintenance 30 31

MLK “Day on” Service Project January 21

Martin Luther King Day January 21 Office Closed/ReStore Open

No Snow Indoor 5 K January 26 9:00 a.m., Utah Valley University

Executive Committee January 11 7:30 a.m., Office

Home Maintenance January 29 6:30 p.m., Office