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Saturday, March 28, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Jamie Hancock Garden Column – Cleaning without chemicals – The Big Move – Open House Directory –

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Discussing five global challenges Once in a while it is good to see where you are and consider where you would like to go.

Now is one of those times for the Shawnee County Extension Office. We have had a presence in our county for more than 100 years and we would like to hear from you. Kansas State University surveyed the people of the state of Kansas and determined Five Global Challenges the University would like to address. We are taking those challenges and asking the citizens of Shawnee County what more specifically we can do locally to meet the needs of our community in light of the five identified Global Challenges.

We would like to know what you think are the issues we are facing, the programing we need to face these issues, and the priority you would place on addressing these issues.

The Shawnee County Extension Office is offering you four opportunities (choose one) to discuss your thoughts with us and others. n Monday, March 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Rossville Community Center, 410 Main, Rossville n Tuesday, March 31, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan, Topeka n Tuesday, March 31, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Seaman Community Church, 2036 NW Taylor, Topeka n Monday, April 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Shawnee

County Extension Office, 1740 SW Western, Topeka These are the Five Global Challenges K-State has determined to be important to the state of Kansas.

1. Global Food Systems – K-State Research and Extension is committed to helping Kansas rise to the challenge of addressing local and global food concerns by providing programs that: n Educate youth, adults and families about nutrition, food production, food safety and availability n Strengthen the agricultural system in Kansas n Improve farm and ranch decision making n Make our food system even more safe, wholesome and secure n Grow the agricultural economy in Kansas 2. Health – K-State Research and Extension will help Kansans pursue their better health goals by providing programs that: n Educate youth, adults and families about health and wellness n Offer engaging solution to combat obesity n Provide solutions to reduce chronic illness n Lead to better health care decisions and reduce health costs

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Hancock: Health among topic discussions Continued from 2A n Strengthen the emotional, social and financial health of Kansas families 3. Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders – K-State Research and Extension will increase the leadership capacity of Kansas by providing programs that: n Help enhance civic leadership skills among youth, adults and families n Empower an engaged citizenry n Develop and train volunteers to address local and state concerns n Identify, train and empower leaders from underserved populations n Enhance the leadership capacity of our Extension professionals and volunteers 4. Community Vitality – K-State Research and Extension will assist Kansans to develop

vibrant communities by providing programs that: n Educate youth, adults, and families about civic engagement n Engage people to identify needs, strengthen families and build stronger communities n Enhance community infrastructure image and pride n Develop entrepreneurialism and innovation in communities n Promote community growth 5. Water – K-State Research and Extension will help Kansans achieve their water goals by providing programs that: n Educate youth, adults and families about Kansas water issues n Assess and provide options for local water quality and quantity needs n Enable local communities to develop and

implement water plans n Create and implement water quality enhancement practices n Develop and implement water conserving practices We are asking you to give us one and one half hour of your time and we will give to you a well-planned and well executed meeting with facilitators, time for discussion, the ability to be heard, and our sincere consideration of your ideas and concerns. Help us help you. Please call our office for more details if you need them. (785) 232-0062.

You have been my faithful readers through the years and I thank you for your loyalty. It would be very helpful to me and my colleagues to receive your input and ideas. Please consider coming to one of these forums and meet Extension staff in person. We are here because

we choose to serve the residents of Shawnee County. We would like to know how we may serve you better.

Jamie Hancock is a horticulturist with Kansas State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

Note: Jamie Hancock will be speaking at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. Her topic will be “What can I grow in Kansas?” The weather in Kansas sees all of the extremes. Jamie will help you become a more successful gardener by sharing with you plants researched to grow well in our crazy Kansas weather.

Note: Master Gardener, Phil Roudebush will speak at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library on April 23 at 7:00 p.m. His topic will be “Growing Tomatoes!” Phil will teach you the basics of how to grow tomatoes and what to watch out for.

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Cleaning without chemicals

By Todd Epp Special to The Topeka Capital-Journal

Ladies and gentlemen! With nothing more than this cloth and a glass of water, I will clean the stubbornest stains, the filthiest flatware, the baddest bacteria and the confoundingest crud!

Too good to be true?

Maybe not.

With cleaning cloths from sellers like the Norwegian-based company Norwex and other chemical-free cleaners, it is possible to clean many items with nothing more than a microfiber cloth and tap water.

For the environmentally conscious, products like Norwex, e-cloths, provide a relatively inexpensive and chemical-less cleaning experience.

In the case of Norwex, it is clear where it comes down. “What we do know is the harm chemicals have on humans is extensive,” according to its website.

Just don’t expect to find Norwex stuff in

Topeka-area stores. Typically, a local Norwex consultant like Kathy Ennis-Davis or a team coordinator like Tamara Glase demonstrate the products at house parties.

Ennis-Davis knows cleaning from a practical point of view: she clean homes for a living and she’s a mother and a grandmother.

“You need a basic set of cloths to get started then you can throw away window, stainless steel, mirror and countertop cleaners,” Ennis-Davis said.

Her husband uses the cloths to keep his bright orange classic ’55 Chevy shimmering.

“He was amazed how his car shined, the chrome, the glass the whole car was totally spot free!,” she said. Ennis-Davis also says Norwex makes an eco-friendly product for polishing leather, which her husband uses on the Chevy’s interior.

Norwex says on its website that over the past 50 years, over 80,000 chemicals have

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Stock photos/Scotch Brite, Oxo/Bed Bath and Beyond, Norwex

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The Big Move

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

The contracts are signed and the keys exchanged. Now the time has arrived to move into your new home. Chances are you started packing the minute your offer was accepted or the foundation was poured, which is a good thing since the more time you have to prepare, the better off you’ll be.

Ideally, planning a move should start at least two months in advance. Not only will this give you time to sort and pack, but is also allows for the most flexibility when scheduling movers or a rental truck. Plus, it always takes longer to pack your stuff than you think it will.

Getting Started Some important steps to take before moving day include: n Check with your insurance agent to make sure your stuff is covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy against loss or damage during the move. n Don’t schedule your move at the beginning or end of a month, which is prime moving time. You will get both a better price and service is you move mid-month. n Gather up the information you need once you settle in your new home. Check with the kid’s new school district for what papers are needed for enrollment, including vaccination records. Get a health certificate from the vet for your pets and find out what vaccines are necessary in your new town. (Dog owners should also make sure their pet’s breed is not banned in the new home area.) Get copies of your medical records to give to your new provider, and prescriptions incase you need a refill soon after the move. n Measure the rooms in your new home to make sure your stuff will fit where you want it. n Pack in boxes that are not too big (too heavy and awkward) and not too small (too many boxes to move.) The ideal box size is 1 1/2 cubic feet, or the size of a liquor store box. n Don’t wrap stuff in newspapers. The ink can stain, especially if the paper gets wet. Blank newsprint is best. n Mark on the box the room where it goes. Remember, everything needs to be in a box, especially if professional movers will transport the items. This includes things such as lamps, art work, and picture frames. n Move important papers and valuables

Stock photo/metro creative connection

yourself, including family photo albums and anything else special to you. n Don’t pack flammables, aerosols, or liquids. This includes the grill’s propane tank, which should be emptied by a professional before moving day. Most movers also will not transport firearms and alcohol, as well as house plants. n Check with the USDA about rules for bringing in plants by car if you’re moving to a new state. n Do a change of address, either at the post office or online at usps.gov. Plus, ask a neighbor or trusted friend to check the mail for a few days after you’ve left incase

something slips through the forwarding system. Don’t forget to notify your bank, investment firm, human resources at work, magazine companies, newspaper, credit card companies, insurance, and utilities of your new address. n Are you changing banks? Don’t forget to clean out your safe-deposit box. n Make a moving-day survival kit. Include items you might need, such as scissors, screwdriver, hammer, flashlight, address book, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, can opener, toiletries, and medications. It is also a good idea to have a cooler of water

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Service Directory

Service Directory

Boost your brand, product or service with an ad in the service directory! At Home Living is read by home owners, buyers and sellers across the Topeka and surrounding area. To place your ad contact your MultiMedia Sales Consultant or 785.295.1125.

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Cleaning: Products for all uses Continued from 5A been developed. When used in cleaning products, this can lead to indoor air chemical levels 70 times higher than outdoor air.

Besides the environmental benefits, Glase, who also makes jewelry with found objects, says the product is a money saver.

“The average American spends over $400 a year in paper towels, cleansing products and sponges,” she said.

For less than $50, Glase said, a consumer gets a Norwex Enivro Cloth, a Polish Everything Cloth, a dust mitt, a two year guarantee and a money back guarantee.

Like Ennis-Davis, Glase uses the products, such as a body cloth to clean the dogs after a rainstorm. Her husband uses the product as a sport towel in the gym.

Glase said she once saved a homeowner

from replacing their floor because they couldn’t get rid of scuff marks with other cleaning products.

“Without a word, I knelt down with my Enviro Cloth and (a natural) cleaning paste and began to clean the scuff marks,” she said. “’Will you look at that!’ a guest shouted and everyone gathered over me watching the marks disappear.”

Another similar product is the e-cloth

by TADgreen, Inc. They claim their cleaning cloth is very, very fine.

What’s the secret?

“Primarily made from polyester and polyamide, the tiny e-cloth fibers are 1,000 times finer than cotton fibers or 1/200th diameter of a human hair,” the ecloth.com website claims. “The fibers are the smallest in the world that can be made by man.”

The e-cloths are 80 percent polyester and 20 percent polyamide. According to

The Essential Chemical Industry website, a polyamide is built from repeating polymers of amide, which are occur naturally in proteins like wool and silk or they can be manufactured. They are noted for their “high strength, abrasion resistance and resilience,” according to the industry website, and are often found in clothing or carpeting.

E-cloth also says a third-party has tested their cloths and found they remove 99 percent of the bacteria on a surfaced cleaned with their microfiber cloth.

In another test in 2013, WMC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee, checked the claims on Norwex’s anti-bacterial Bac-Loc cloth that contains silver, which is supposed to kill germs. Using scientific methods, the TV station found it killed 92 percent of the bacteria on dishes left setting with food residue for 24 hours when cleaned with just the cloth and wa-

ter.

Home goods seller OXO also has a version of “magic” cloth brushes and dusters. OXO products are available online at oxo.com and at a number of Topeka area stores, including Bed Bath and Beyond and Babies R Us. Home and office products mega giant 3M also has microfiber products as well through their Scotch-Brite brand, including a hardwood mop. They offer a microfiber dishcloth. Scotch-Brite products are available at most big-box stores.

To set up a local house party with Glase, go to http://www.norwex.biz/pws/tamaraglase/tabs/home.aspx.

Ennis-Davis shows her products at the NOTO First Friday Art Walks and also participates in the Topeka Holiday Gift Mart Show. Contact Ennis-Davis via https://www.norwex.biz/ pws/home2999999/tabs/connect-with-aconsultant.aspx.

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Move: Know when to let the professionals handle it Continued from 6A for you and the movers, plus cash to tip the movers and order food to keep everyone going throughout moving day. And don’t forget your pet’s food, bed and toys, plus the cat’s litter box.

Do it Yourself?

Most people think a do-it-yourself move is cheaper, but that is not necessarily true.

Can you get enough people to help? What about the possible damage to your stuff by inexperienced moving help? There are the truck rental and fuel costs, plus trying to figure out just what size truck is needed.

Imagine the nightmare of a full moving truck with a pile of stuff still waiting to be loaded.

Start by deciding how big the truck needs to be. In the moving world, a cubic foot is the measurement norm. Trucks are sized by how many cubic feet they hold.

The problem is: How do you figure out how many cubic feet you need to hold all your stuff?

The rule of thumb is to allow 150 to 200 cubic feet of truck space for each furnished

room. Most rental companies have a chart that estimates what size home fits in each truck. For example, a 3 to 4 bedroom house will require a 24-foot truck. Plus, the rental company website often has a calculator to help you figure out the size you need.

However, those are just average figures, so you need to consider just how much stuff you have packed into each room. Plus, as amateur movers, you may not pack the truck to utilize all of the available space.

This is why the second rule of thumb is to order a truck at least 10 to 15 percent bigger than you think you’ll need. When in doubt, pick a bigger truck.

Call and compare prices for at least three rental companies. The price will be determined by the size of the truck, distance of the move, number of days needed, and if the move is one-way or two-way. (In other words, can you return to the truck to its original location or will they have to send someone to bring it back.)

Make sure you understand what’s included in the price. Also check to see if it is cheaper to move on a different day. Don’t forget to order any additional equipment

you might need, such as a moving dolly, moving pads or an extra trailer.

When you pick up the truck, you will need your driver’s license and a major credit card. Before you sign any paperwork, check the truck’s condition and make sure any dents and scratches are noted on the rental agreement. Also make sure the correct mileage and fuel in the tank are also noted. You will need to fill the tank before you return the truck, which is cheaper than paying the company’s fuel charge.

Finally, it is time to load the truck. Start with the big stuff first—appliances, furniture, mattresses, etc. Take apart bed frames and any other pieces that can be disassembled, and then tape the loose pieces together so nothing gets lost or mixed up.

Next, load the biggest and heaviest boxes, followed by the lighter stuff and anything that can be squeezed into nooks such as the space under a table or desk.

Let Others do the Work If doing the work yourself seems daunting, then hiring a moving company may be the better way to go. The internet can get you started in the search for a company,

but make sure to scope-out their reputation and how long they’ve been in business. Ask for references and check with the Better Business Bureau.

Get estimates from at least three moving companies. While some will give you an estimate over the phone, go with the ones who actually come to your home and access how much stuff you will be moving before giving an estimate. Be sure to ask about any hidden fees, such as a fuel surcharge, and get details about their liability insurance. Also, make sure they have worker’s comp insurance so you’re not paying for a mover getting injured in your home.

The movers can pack your stuff for you for an extra charge. However, make sure you pack anything valuable and irreplaceable yourself. The company will give you a list of items they will not transport, such as firearms, plants, and flammable liquids.

It is possible to survive moving day.

Whether you do it yourself or have someone else do the work, advance planning can make changing residences as pleasant an experience as possible.

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