FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.nahb.org
 
 
NAHB Applauds EPA’S Decision to Delay Lead Paint Certification Enforcement
 
WASHINGTON, June 21–The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule will provide much-needed time to get more remodelers and other contractors trained – and for EPA to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
 
“EPA listened to our concerns and did the right thing,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 
 
In revised guidance released on Friday, EPA acknowledged that remodelers in many parts of the country have been unable to obtain the required training to comply with the rule – a problem that NAHB has urged the agency to solve since the rule was announced two years ago.
 
The issue came to a head in May after floods devastated parts of Tennessee and there weren’t enough certified remodelers to complete much-needed home repairs. NAHB and its state home builders association proposed a delay in enforcing the rule — a decision EPA consented to in its letter on Friday.
 
While remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year.
 
Individual contractors must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete the training by Dec. 31, 2010.
 
“This rule potentially affects about 79 million homeowners. That’s how many homes were built before 1978, when lead paint was banned,” Jones said. “We need significantly more contractors certified than the 300,000 who have taken the training course, and we also need to make sure that affected homeowners understand the importance of hiring a certified contractor.”
 
Homeowners can find a certified firm at this link. Remodelers can search for an EPA-approved training provider at this link or contact their local home builders association here to find Certified Renovator training sessions.
 
 
ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 175,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country.

Whether you are jump-starting a move, decluttering for a showing, or looking to make some extra cash, a garage sale can be a great way for a homeowner to declutter. Here are some helpful tips to make your next garage sale a success.

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I am hosting a special event in Everett tomorrow, a Summer Open House Decorating Party at a home I am marketing for sale for a friend of mine. (Here is a link to the Event page on Facebook so you can get more info and see pictures and video). But you don’t even have to come to benefit from the great products my sister distributes through her Celebrating Home business. Although we would love to see you!

I’ve got a big empty house…and she has things that dress up a house and make it a home! It seemed natural that we work together and throw an out-of-the-box event like this. So if you ARE in the area tomorrow (Silver Firs area of Everett/Mill Creek) we would love to see you since we are sampling some of the dips they carry and are providing other refreshments perfect for a summer party, But if you’re busy or don’t want to make the drive, you can shop my ONLINE “catalog party” for a week from today and be able to get great deals. They have candles and small gift items, up to really nice wall décor, and even dish sets. We recently purchased a really cool Stoneware dish ensemble with pine cones on them – if you know me at all you know I am a sucker for plants and pine cones. I just wish the plates weren’t so heavy!!

So we’ll be at 13230 54^th Avenue SE, Everett tomorrow from 12:30 to 4:30 (watch for our signs and balloons on 132^nd Ave).

Allison will be giving decorating demos and teaching some cool tricks all day!!  OR YOU CAN SHOP ONLINE at my party’s web site! (Anything you order will be shipped directly to YOU.)

Have a fabulous weekend!!    ~  from Wendy and Allison!!

(Here is a slide show for the house where we will be at)

Seattle, WA, June 11, 2010

With last week’s Lake City and Magnolia Famers Market openings, the Farmers Market season has officially kicked into high gear. While you probably know it feels good to be outside ogling the seasons’ first cherries and running into your neighbors, you might not know that you’re also saving money. A group of Seattle University Albers School of Business students took their statistics class on the road this May, and conducted a price comparison of organic produce at local markets. Although many large grocery chains have been known to use their organic produce as loss-leaders to lure conscientious shoppers, the students found that the Farmers Markets and other local specialty natural foods markets offer far more competitive prices. According to the student report, “The study concluded that prices at the Farmers Market were almost 30 percent lower on average than those at QFC.” The Farmers Markets won in a landslide when it came to comparing sheer variety and number of local products, even in a year where rain has soaked many spring crops. Whole Foods’ and PCC’s organic selections included only 33% and 25% local products, respectively.

The students visited two NFMA markets, University District Farmers Market (Saturdays, year round) and Broadway Sunday Farmers Market (Sundays through December – Capitol Hill), and captured data on prices per pound, growing region, and organic certification. The SU study supports the findings of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA), a non-profit organization that manages the top farmers markets in the greater Seattle metro area. “We’ve been saying all along that buying local at our markets supports farmers, local businesses, and is an accessible option for everyone,” says Chris Curtis, the NFMA’s Executive Director. “It’s gratifying that year after year these students affirm the farmers markets with statistical research.” She notes that the NFMA markets all accept EBT/SNAP (food stamps), WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons.

In addition to offering the greatest variety and easiest access to local food, farmer-focused markets like those within the NFMA are one of the only ways for consumers to support farmers and know their food. In order to sell at an NFMA market, farmers must be growing within Washington State and only sell what they grow or raise. Farmers markets aren’t just all about produce either. Shoppers can expect to find cheeses from local sheep, goats and cows; eggs, meat, poultry, baked goods, preserves, wine, cider, nuts, honey, flowers, prepared foods, and more.

The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance developed from a partnership between community groups coordinating the University District Farmers Market and West Seattle Farmers Markets (established in 1993 and 1999 respectively)) and the Columbia City Farmers Market (established 1998), with encouragement from Seattle’s Office of Economic Development. They currently run 7 local Markets, including West Seattle, Broadway Sunday, Phinney, Lake City, and Magnolia, and have been recognized nationally for their leadership in the farmers market movement. The NFMA is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation with a board of 13 directors; four of these members are farmers who sell at the Markets. Other board members represent Seattle neighborhoods where the Markets take place, or are citywide representatives who support the goals of the NFMA.

Facebook: Seattle Farmers Markets

Twitter: @NFMASeattle

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Professor conducting the study: Stacy Jones, sjones@seattleu.edu

NFMA Press Contact: Chris Curtis, Executive Director, (206) 632-5234
Chris@seattlefarmersmarkets.org