Recycle Bank a smart idea

The Recycle Bank is fast becoming a smart idea that is being put to use in many areas of the country. Everyone it seems has jumped on the "Go Green" bandwagon and so many are coming up with ingenious ideas to encourage the majority to "think" green. RecycleBank's Ron Gonen cofounder and CEO and largest shareholder has come up with the idea of getting compensated by recycling.

If that doesn't motivate people to recycle what will?

In my article entitled, "Recycling and organizing," I wrote that I try to reuse many of the things that come into my home first, in that way, the amount that is actually sent to be recycled is reduced. But who wouldn't want to basically get paid to recycle?


For more info: www.recyclebank.com/

IKEA update

Alright folks, here is the scoop, I received an email from Mr. Joseph Roth of IKEA who informed me of the real deal. I have copied it into this update, below it is the original news release from September 08.



Hi Marilyn -

I read with great interest your inquiry about plans for IKEA to come to
Colorado. We appreciate your eagerness so I am happy to refer you to the
attached news release from last September. Since then, we have received
approvals from the city and closed on the land for the future IKEA Centennial.

However, a targeted opening date is still yet to be determined based on our
distribution network and business needs.

IKEA long has recognized the potential customer base that would exist for us
in Colorado, and is excited now to have made progress toward bringing the
unique shopping experience closer to the many existing and future customers in
the state.

Feel free to contact me directly with any specific questions.

Thanks much,

Joseph


Contact: Joseph Roth, U.S. Public Affairs
September 10, 2008



SWEDISH HOME FURNISHINGS RETAILER IKEA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR
A DENVER-AREA STORE IN CENTENNIAL, COLORADO – THE 1ST IN STATE


IKEA Centennial would extend western presence into Rocky Mountain Region
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA – IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today
announced it is submitting plans to the City of Centennial, Colorado for a store that would
increase the Swedish retailer’s presence in the western United States. Submitting an
application to the City marks the beginning of the governmental approval process. A store
opening date has not yet been determined. Until IKEA Centennial opens, customers can shop
nearby IKEA stores in Draper, UT; Tempe, AZ; or online at www.IKEA-USA.com.
Located 15 miles south of Downtown Denver, the 400,000-square-foot proposed IKEA
Centennial, with 1,700 parking spaces, would be built on 13.5 acres along the western side of
Interstate-25 in the Park Meadows area, accessible from connections to the Dry Creek Road or
County Line Road exits. Store plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which
IKEA stores are known worldwide.
“We are thrilled to submit plans for IKEA Centennial where we can build upon our western
U.S. presence,” said Doug Greenholz, U.S. real estate manager for IKEA. “This proposed IKEA
store would bring existing Colorado customers a store of their own and would introduce other
Coloradans to the unique IKEA product selection and family-friendly shopping experience.”
IKEA Centennial would feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational
room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 350-seat
restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon
plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features would include a ‘Children’s
IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby-care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout
the store.
In addition to 500 jobs that are expected to be created during the construction phase,
approximately 400 coworkers would join the IKEA family when the new store opens. IKEA
Centennial would provide significant annual sales and property tax revenue for local
governments and schools. “We also would look forward to being a partner with the local
community,” added Greenholz.
There are more than 280 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 35 in the U.S., where other new
stores are being planned in: Charlotte, NC; Somerville, MA; and Tampa, FL. IKEA believes home
is the most important place in the world and, since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered a
wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the
majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE’s annual “100 Best
Companies to Work For” list (three years in a row), Working Mother magazine’s annual list of
“100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” (four years in a row) and Training magazine’s annual
“Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (five years in a row).
IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, and
continually supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For
information about IKEA, please go to www.IKEA-USA.com


For more info: IKEA.com

Survive the Great Recession by: getting rid of your cell phone

Life seems slower now that I canceled my cell phone service. I mentioned in previous articles that my husband was unemployed for nearly a year. Yes, he's working now, however, we are playing catch up. Which doesn't look like it can happen soon enough. But one thing that has definitely helped relieve the pocket book is the fact that we don't have cell phones anymore. We are saving money by not having the luxury of our cell phones.

I went through withdrawals for about a day maybe two and then life just kept going somehow, life just kept going, and going. Everything didn't come to a screeching halt, it just became unspontaneous and planned as far as phone calls are concerned. I have to depend on the answering machine, yes, I have an answering machine. It works great, so everyday when I get home from errands or job searching, I check the answering machine and thankfully my emails. But, "you write for the examiner", yes, though not full time.

Once in awhile, it is "drat, drat, and double drat," not having a cell phone, but most of the time when I am with friends, they truly don't mind letting me use theirs for a quick call. I never exploit our friendship by using theirs often. But once in awhile, you say to yourself, "that is why I will get a cell phone again, someday." Someday when I can afford it.

You may consider surviving the "Great Recession" by canceling your cell service too.

Prevention is worth a pound of cure

We've all heard the old adage: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". And a pound of cure costs money. Money that these days seems a little harder to come by.

It makes sense then to do everything in our power to help the "prevention" along a bit by staying healthy.

I recently found out that the Aspen Club (vic.pvhs.org/portal/page) has a deal with the Orchards Athletic Club www.orchardsathleticclub.net/index2.php in Loveland to offer your first month free.

So I have recently joined the gym. If you are over fifty you can join the Aspen Club for free. As far as the Orchards Athletic Club goes if you are an Aspen Club member you can join their club for free too. No start up costs at all and you can go month to month.

I looked at the Gold's Gym www.goldsgym.com/gyms/calendar.phpin Loveland too, and they have AARP discounts. It is a very nice place with all the latest equipment and a steam bath, but no pool. So the swimming pool at Orchards caught my attention. Then there is the Hatfield Chilson Recreation Center on E. Fourth Street in Loveland and a few other places available.

But for all of you in the Denver area, why, the choices seem endless.

Something free we can all do is walk more. Whenever I go shopping or to the mall, almost anywhere, I park far away from the door and that way I get a little walk in during my errands. Many people walk the malls to get exercise and to keep their blood sugar stable.

I met a very nice lady at the Sunflower Market last month, who rides her bike everyday and calculated that she had ridden for 1400 miles last year alone! Wow, what a savings on gas and she was in tip top shape for her age! With Spring finally here, the bicycles are coming out of the garage and are getting tuned up for the summer months. Colorado has some awesome bike paths, in the Metro Denver area, and throughout.

Then of course eating right is a big deal, I eat my granola everyday, the recipe is under "Marilyn's Topics" on my home page. Make sure to subscribe to my page so you will receive a spam free notice whenever a new article is posted, just click the subscribe to email button next to my picture.

Make sure you check the dates for the 9Health Fair, they offer low cost screening and in some cases free, depending on the test.
For more info: www.9healthfair.org

Etsy-Your place to buy and sell all things handmade

Have you heard of Etsy? I was introduced to Etsy last summer, and have found myself perusing the aisles (so to speak) for hours. It is the place to go for handmade items. Everything can be found on Etsy.

You can buy on Etsy as well as have your own "storefront" to sell your wares. It is an attractive place to sell for WAHMs (Work At Home Moms). For many women, who prefer to be a stay at home mom, but still bring in a little or sometimes a lot of income, etsy is the answer. But it is not just for women.

The creative juices just flow on etsy, it's like walking through an art museum online. From handmade oriental clothing to jewelry to paper crafts, you name it, it is on etsy.

My friend Melissa Walker has a store on Etsy, she is a mother of four, and an artist. She helps bring in a little income by doing her art work in between diaper changing and home-schooling the other three. It would never pay her enough to go out and get a "JOB" what with her four children day care costs would go through the roof. But with Etsy, she can stay at home, be a mom, and still do her art work.

Go to Melissa's storefront at: www.etsy.com/shop.php

Pan gloves for your cooking comfort

A very generous and loving friend of mine made something for me that I use nearly everyday, in fact I must give her credit for many of my suggestions, her name is Marjorie (Marj), and she is eighty five years old. Her wisdom is unsurpassed and I am privileged to be her friend. She made these from old leather for cast iron pan handles. It will keep your own hand comfortable when you are cooking with cast iron (my favorite pan). You can make your own with an old pair of gloves, or any other leather. Simply make a template out of cardboard by drawing around the handle, and then cut two pieces out of the leather to match and sew them together. It is so simple but so useful. I hope you try this suggestion, I know you will love your pan gloves!