Coats 4 Kids 2024
Asthe seasons shift and the air grows colder, many families in the Spokane area face a difficult challenge – keeping their children warm during the winter months. For some, the expense of winter coats can be a significant burden.
With the colder months fast approaching, the KXLY 4 News Now Coats 4 Kids initiative is now officially back underway again, helping bring warmth and smiles to area children over the last 40 years. Join us in continuing Spokane's tradition of care and involvement by participating in Coats 4 Kids to ensures every child stays warm this winter.
How You Can Get Involved
• Donate a Coat: Clean out your closets and donate gently used coats that your children may have outgrown. Your donation can mean the world to a child in need.
• Spread the Word: Share information about Coats 4 Kids with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who know about the initiative, the greater impact we can make together.
• Volunteer: Help with coat collection and distribution events, contributing your time and energy to ensure the success of the initiative.
• Monetary Contributions: If time is scarce, consider making a monetary donation. Your contribution will go toward purchasing coats and winter essentials for those in need.
Where To Donate
New or gently used coat donations of all sizes can be delivered to any of our three Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Spokane offices, along with numerous other drop-off locations around the area. Collected coats need to be taken to ALSCO for cleaning at 1923 N Waterworks, Spokane, WA. All of the coats stay in the communities they are donated in.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a coat to donate, monetary donations can be made online at kxly.com on their Coats 4 Kids webpage. The Coats 4 Kids web page also lists donation box locations.
Thank You to Our Partners
Coats 4 Kids would not be possible without the support of our dedicated partners and volunteers.
Local businesses, organizations, and individuals who generously contribute their time, resources, and efforts play an integral role in making this initiative a success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have joined us over the years in embracing the Spokane legacy of giving.
Let's Make a Difference Together
The Coats 4 Kids drive is more than a seasonal act of charity—it’s a community effort that embodies compassion, care, and generosity. As the temperatures drop, we have the power to make sure no child goes cold. By organizing or supporting Coats 4 Kids, you are not just giving a coat—you are giving warmth, hope, and the reminder that in tough times, people come together to lift one another up. Your involvement, whether through donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, holds the power to create lasting change and leave a warm imprint on the lives of children in our community. Let’s make this winter a little warmer for everyone.
Winterizing Your Lawn For The Cold Months Ahead
SAM SHALOM
Assummer ends, fall begins, and winter is looming — making it the right time to start winterizing your yard. Harsh winters are hard on the grass and preparing your lawn for this is essential. Without doing so, your lawn won’t be able to build up the tolerance to diseases and organisms that harm your yard, and the constant fluctuations of winter temperatures. Here are 7 ways to winterize your yard.
Clean up the Lawn
First, rake up any and all leaves and debris and bag it. If leaves and debris remain on your lawn, this can cause dead brown spots, or the grass can dry out. The most efficient way is to rake the leaves and bag them as they fall off your trees. Also, remove any spent plants and branches from your lawn for a better growth of grass in the spring.
When you rake up leaves, watch for weeds and remove any you find. Weeds will go to seed in the fall, with seeds just waiting to be blown by the wind, or catch on your pant leg as you brush past them. When they start to grow in the spring again, it means more
work for you and an unhealthy lawn. Take preventive action by pulling out weeds when you see them throughout the warmer seasons.
Fertilize
A winter fertilizer is what can often be referred to as the winterizer, itself. Find the best winterizer to add to your lawn to help with the cold weather survival. The same ingredients that are used in lawn food are used for winterization. However, the ingredient ratio is noticeably different. It’s because winterizer is made up of more potassium and phosphorus and less nitrogen. If you have coolseason grass, it’s important to use a winter fertilizer with potash. This will help to strengthen the roots of your lawn over the cold winter months.
Mow
This time of the year, the mowing frequency certainly slows down. So, for the last mowings of the year, lower the height of your mower a half-inch below what the height is for the summer months. This gives the lawn a chance to avoid damage from disease and
prepare for the winter onslaught. If a mulching mower is used, then those clippings can be left on the lawn — this will provide nutrients for the grass and protect the crown of the grass.
Prep Your Irrigation Systems
Don’t forget about your irrigation systems. The freezing winter can cause pipes to burst in a matter of hours. Take the time to shut off sprinklers, outdoor faucets, and other water sources and drain them. Make sure you allow enough time so that proper drainage happens. If you have a watering system, read the instruction manual so that you do it correctly or call a professional to drain it.
The secret of winterizing your lawn is to do it early enough so that the lawn gets the valuable nutrients it needs to survive the harsh winter in the Philadelphia area. Even if you are a little late in the season, there are still ways to help your lawn through the cold and prepare for a green spring!
NOTES
The Nightmare Before Christmas fans—these Oreo pops are the perfect treat for your Halloween party. No tricks here—with a handful of supplies and less than 30 minutes, you'll have a Halloween snack that will be the best treat your party has ever seen.
Jack Skellington Oreo Pops
INGREDIENTS
• 12 Halloween Oreos
• 2 c. white chocolate, melted
• 2 tsp. coconut oil
INSTRUCTIONS
• Black icing
• 12 lollipop sticks
• Black ribbon
1. Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Stick the lollipop sticks into the cream of the Oreos.
3. Mix coconut oil into white chocolate and dip Oreos into chocolate until completely coated. Place in refrigerator to harden, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Using the black icing, draw Jack’s face on the Oreos and let cool slightly.
5. Tie black ribbon in a bow at the bottom of the Oreo and serve.
HOME TRENDS: SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY
EFFICIENCY DURING COLD MONTHS
As temperatures drop, keeping your home warm while controlling energy costs becomes a priority. Smart home technology is making it easier than ever to maintain comfort and energy efficiency during the colder months. Here’s some of the latest trends that can help you save money while staying cozy.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats, allow you to control your
home’s heating remotely and optimize temperature settings. These devices learn your schedule and adjust automatically, ensuring that your home is warm when needed and energy is saved when you're away. Many smart thermostats also provide energy reports to help you monitor usage and identify savings opportunities.
Smart Lighting
As daylight hours decrease, lighting becomes
a more significant part of your energy consumption. Smart lighting systems offer scheduling, dimming, and remote control features, allowing you to only use the light you need. Many systems can be paired with motion sensors to ensure lights are only on when someone is in the room, reducing unnecessary usage.
Smart Window Treatments
Automated window shades and blinds help insulate your home by optimizing natural light and heat. These smart treatments can be programmed to open during sunny hours to let in warmth and close during colder parts of the day to prevent heat loss, improving overall energy efficiency.
By integrating smart home technology into your home this winter, you can enhance energy efficiency, reduce heating costs, and enjoy a more comfortable living environment, all while making a positive impact on your energy footprint.
$693,665 1,366 1,392 15 89 $422,800 $525,000 451 293 4,304 2,473
Market Insights
Spokane Countyexperienced a slight increase in the average sale price, which rose to $443,104, marking a 0.6% increase compared to September 2023. The median sales price also saw a small increase of 3.1%, settling at $422,800. The current inventory rose to 1,366 listings, an increase of 17.2% from the previous year. This represents a 2.9-month supply, an increase from September 2024, still indicating a seller's market. Residential closed sales fell by 13.4%, totaling 451 transactions. Additionally, the median days on the market increased slightly to 15 days. Annual residential sales also saw a slight decline, down 1.5%, totaling 4,304 sales. In contrast, Kootenai Countyshowed weaker price performance, with the average sale price decreasing to $693,665, reflecting a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. The median sales price experienced a modest decrease of 4.7%, reaching $525,000. Inventory in the area increased by 10.4% to 1,392 listings. Residential closed sales also saw an increase of 7.3%, with 293 transactions recorded. The median days on the market extended to 89 days. On a positive note, annual residential sales in Kootenai County rose by 7.0%, totaling 2,473 transactions. As interest rates continue to fluctuate and the market anticipates a busy start to fall, it's crucial to consult