Hammer Time

HABBITAT FOR HUMANITY OF UTAH COUNTY

September

News UVU PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT HABITAT’S ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is having its annual International Day of Prayer and Action event on Sunday, September 21st, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 50 West 200 North, Provo, Utah. The interfaith prayer service will include music, prayer, scripture, and thoughts by Utah Valley President, Matt Holland. All interested community members are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The International Day of Prayer and Action is a time when the entire Habitat for Humanity community is urged to come together in prayer for those in need of shelter. Through prayer, Habitat for Humanity con-tinues to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people around the world. Many volunteers are drawn to this ministry after hearing God’s call and seeking God’s guidance through prayer. Other prayers are answered when families and communities grow in the shelter of God’s grace. The hurdles of funding and building homes are overcome through the miracles of prayer.

HABITAT SELLING TICKETS TO SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is participating again in the Outlets at Traverse Mountain An-nual Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, October 11, 2014. The affiliate is currently selling tickets to the event 100 % of ticket proceeds go towards Habitat’s local mission if purchased at the Orem Habitat office, Orem and Spanish Fork Restores or online at http://www.outletsattraversemountain.com/event/2nd-annual-shopping-extravaganza/2145438627 (choose Habitat as your charity of choice). A $15 ticket includes lunch/dessert bar, five chances to win over $25,000 in prizes, live entertainment, photo booth, generous store discounts and much more.

WASHBURN REAMS CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN

LATE SEPTEMBER

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will begin the con-struction of its Washburn Reams Estates three lot planned unit development in late September, early Octo-ber. Three unique, environmentally friendly homes will be built from the ground up at 525 N 1060 E in Orem. The Aleman, Fisiipeau, and Evans families have been selected as the partner homeowners on the project. The development being is named in the memory of Mayor Jerry Washburn and City Manager Jim Reams. Both men were wonderful supporters of Habitat and helped forward its mission in the community prior to their unex-pected deaths a few years ago.

The planned unit development will be using green tech-nologies with the design and construction. The exterior walls will be built with environmentally friendly materials, such as concrete blocks or SIPS that will help lower utility costs for the homeowners. The homes are also being designed to be energy efficient with low emissivity windows and 95 percent effi-cient furnaces and will have as much natural light as possible. Solar panels are also planned for the homes.

The local Habitat affiliate is grateful for the generous sponsors who are helping with the design and prop-erty improvement stages of the project. These sponsors include Orem City, the Utah Valley Consortium, biome design, Jones Excavating Company, Dynamic Structures and ALM Engineering. We also appreci-ate our home sponsors to date, including TD Ameritrade, IM Flash Technologies, Nudge, Wells Fargo Foundation and the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation.

2 What’s Up

• Habitat for Humanity is currently looking for a fulltime Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator. The Coordi-nator will manage and oversee the affiliate’s Neighborhood Revitalization (NR) Programs including Critical Home Repair and Home Preservation grant and loan programs, Provo Neighborhood Revitalization program, and Green and Healthy Homes Initiative. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Kena at kena@habitatuc.org.

• Attend a free, 4-week program called Within My Reach that teaches concrete tools and skills that help singles (and couples) control their own romantic relationships in a way that will lead to more enriching, more satisfying interactions and relationships. Within My Reach helps singles set their goals when it comes to personal and relationship development and commit to making decisions that proactively realize those goals. Topics include: knowing yourself first, smart love, relationship danger signs, deciding rather than sliding into relationship deci-sions, effective communication, and others. The program will be on Wednesday nights from 7:00-9:00 pm for 4 weeks beginning October 22. It will be held in the Habitat for Humanity Training Room at 340 South Orem Blvd in Orem. Within My Reach was developed at the premier relationship education organization in the world by scholars at the University of Denver. Those interested in enrolling in the program should contact Kena at 801-344-8527 x 103.

• Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be participating in the United Way Day of Caring event on September 11th. Employee volunteers from Nestle will be working on Habitat’s George Taylor, Jr. renovation and restora-tion project in downtown Provo.

• Looking for work experience and some cash to pay off student loans? The local Habitat affiliate is looking for individuals to serve as AmeriCorps Direct Members and help the organization with construction and neighbor-hood projects through the end of the year. Varying hours. Monthly stipend and education award at end of ser-vice. For more information, contact Kena at (801) 344-8527 or kena@habitatuc.org.

• Due to various factors, Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will no longer be offering its Lending Library at the Orem ReStore as of September 1, 2014. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Habitat appreciates all those that have supported the library over the past several years. If you live in Provo, Habitat still, however, offers it Mobile Tool Library. Contact Celeste at 801) 344-8527 x 117 or celeste@habitatuc.org to schedule or for more information.

• Bring all those aluminum cans from your Labor Day festivities to one of Habitat’s recycling drop off locations and help provide safe and affordable housing for an area family in need! Drop off locations are listed at www.habitatuc.org/recycle.htm.

• Did you know that 41 million households in the US are renters? Vehicle donations to Habitat’s Cars for Homes help local families become homeowners Details at www.habitatuc.org/cars-for-homes.htm.

• Go grocery shopping and help provide safe and affordable housing for families in need in our community! Sign up for Smith’s Community Rewards Program at www.smithscommunityrewards.com, link your account/card with Habitat for Humanity of Utah County (#48773) and then go shopping at your local Smith’s Grocery Store. Smith’s will then provide a financial contribution to the local Habitat affiliate.

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

• Have you tested your home for radon yet? – Habitat is working with the Utah Cancer Action Network, Utah County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to encourage community mem-bers to test their homes for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing an estimated 22,000 deaths of year in the United States. Habitat offers test kits at the Orem ReStore or online for just $6.00! Learn more at www.habitatuc.org/radon_awareness.html.

HOUSEHOLD HINT (www.listotic.com)

Removing Labels in a Flash

Submerge items with sticky labels on them in a sink full of warm water with a scoop of OxiClean. Walk away and in about 30 minutes all of the labels magically float off.

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Habitat, Home Depot Helps Veteran - Habitat for Human-

ity of Utah County joined American Fork Home Depot employees to help a local Veteran in need this week. Volunteers from Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, re-placed flooring, installed safety grab bars in the bathroom, completed some other minor home re-pairs, and planted some flowers for disabled Army Veteran, Denise Bell.

PHOTO GALLERY

Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Un-veil Community Garden - Habitat for Humanity of Utah County in partnership with Community Action Services and Food Bank and Provo Parks and Recreation unveiled its new TyeRay Community Garden, located at 1063 North 950 West, Provo, at the beginning of August. Provo Mayor John Curtis shared some remarks and helped some of the kids in attendance plant a couple of plants at the Garden.

Habitat Completes Maeser Fence Project – Habitat worked with neighborhood residents to complete a fence project in the Maeser Neighborhood during the mid-dle of August. The fence project at the Petersen residence was part of Provo’s Neighborhood Revitalization Block by Block initiative and made possible by Provo City Council’s matching grant program.

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SEPTEMBER BUILD DAYS

Volunteers are currently being sought to help with construction, renovation, critical home repair, and beautification projects. Build days are now held Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Sign up online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.

Volunteer Opportunities SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITIES

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 par-ticipate in the affiliate's Crew Leader and Site Host Pro-grams. Orientations are monthly. The next orientation will be on at the Habitat office in Orem on Saturday, Septem-ber 20, 2014. For information, contact LeAnn at (801) 344-8527 or leann@habitatuc.org.

Work at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore:

• Set your own shift anytime the ReStore is open, Mon-day – Saturday from 10-6

• Wear sturdy shoes and a light jacket

• Orem or Spanish Fork locations

Assist with Habitat Recycling efforts.

Help with TyeRay Community Garden. 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 in-terests and skills. For more information, contact LeAnn Hillam at (801) 368-2250 or

Home Maintenance Classes

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.

Check out Habitat & Community Action’s Free Home Maintenance Course. The next class will be Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. The topics are: Interior Painting and Interior Wall Repair, Leaky Roof Re-

pair. 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 September 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 September clinic schedule at www.lowes.com.

At CENTRAL UTAH GARDENS – Registration is necessary. Look online for upcoming classes at www.centralutahgardens.org/classes_events_concerts.aspx

RESOURCES

Community Action Services offers Home Buyer Education Classes on a monthly basis. Classes in Septem-ber will be held September 3 and 4, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and September 20, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register, please call (801) 691-5200 or go online to www.communityactionuc.org.

Community Action Services and Food Bank will be sponsoring a Financial Literacy Class on September 16, 18, 23 and 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Community Action. For more information, look online at www.communityactionuc.org.

People Helping People will be hosting its annual Fall Single Mothers Seminar and Employer Open House and Resource Fair on September 18th at Granite Connection High School at 501 East 3900 South, Salt Lake. For more information, call (801) 583-5300 or visit www.phputah.org.

It is not what they take from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left. ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

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Home Maintenance Tips (floodmasterssd.com)

• Check washing machine control valves every 5 years.

• When needed, consider using reinforced, graded stainless steel hoses to replace broken or deteriorat-ing supply lines.

#5 – Maintain Water Heater

• Broken water heaters can create frustrating amounts of unexpected water damage in a small amount of time if not taken care of correctly. Have a professional plumber inspect the anode rod on your water heater at least once every two years, and an-nually once the warranty expires. These rods can corrode and lead the heater to leak.

• Remove sediment by flushing out the water heater tank every 6 months.

#6 – Know Where the Water Shut Off Valves are Lo-

cated

• If a leak presents itself from an unknown location in your home, it’s important to know where the wa-ter shut off valves are located. Shutting off water from the source will save your property from further damage while you or a professional assess the situation.

• Normally, there is a main water shut off valve on the outside of the home and also specific water shut off valves located in each bathroom, garage, and kitchen, where common water-using appli-ances are located.

Always have a qualified plumber or roofer look at your property for any signs of potential problems or failures. For more tips on how to prevent water damage, download “Quick Tips for Preventing Water Damage Guide,” produced by the Institute for Business and Home Safety

6 Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home Ninety percent of household damage is caused due to water leaks and flooding. One of the most common customer questions we receive at Flood Masters is, “How do I prevent water damage on my property?” Water leaks can do serious damage to a home and the items inside. Luckily, taking a few specific precau-tions can easily prevent these problems. Follow these tips regularly, and especially before going on vacation. Be aware of what is happening in your home before it’s too late. Water damage restoration is not an easy task.

#1 – Keep Your Roof in Good Condition

• Always make sure the roof over your head is pro-viding the rest of your house proper protection. If a vent, chimney, or air conditioner is not properly installed, it can result in leaks and instability.

• Have a professional inspect your roof annually to ensure safety in all areas. Make repairs to cracked or missing shingles/granules.

• Remember, you should heavily repair or fully re-place your roof every 15-20 years, depending on its condition.

#2 – Inspect Gutters and Downspouts Regularly

• Check for pooling water after rain or snowfall.

• Keep all gutters clean from debris and clutter at all times.

#3 – Check Water Supply Lines in The Kitchen

and Bathroom

• Failed refrigerators, toilets, and dishwashers are some of the main causes of water damage. Fre-quently check where hoses connect on both the fridge and dishwasher as much as possible. Any condensation around the pipes, rust, or corrosion is a sign of a brewing problem.

• Make sure to look around the area surrounding the bathtub or shower. Check for loose or cracked tiles and cracked or crumbling grout lines, as these are all possible signs of a water issues.

• Inspect the supply line and flushing mechanism inside the toilet at least every 6 months.

#4 – Don’t Forget the Washing Machine

• Turn water supply lines off when not in use.

SAVING TIP (www.americasaves.org)

Keep track of your spending. At least once a month, use credit card, checking, and other records to review what you've purchased. Then, ask yourself if it makes sense to reallo-cate some of this spending to an emergency savings account.

6 6 Savings Strategies

6 Tips to Help You Reduce Credit Card Debt

You or someone you know will most likely deal with some type of credit card debt. But you can avoid credit card debt, and pay down your debt faster, if you are disciplined and determined not to let your credit cards control you. Here are some tips that can help:

The Basics

1. Pay more than the minimum balance. If you have credit card debt that you carry month to month, this is one of the best ways to pay down your debt as fast as possible. When you pay more than the minimum balance, you are decreasing the number of months and years that you will continue to owe on the credit card, thus avoiding future debt.

2. Reduce fees by paying on time. Late fees can really add up and contribute to high credit card balances. A late fee of $35 charged three times adds over $100 to your balance. Continued late fees can also cause higher interest rates on future balances, leading to a spiral of debt that doesn’t end. To avoid going down this path, do everything you can to make your credit payments on time every month.

Additional Strategies

3. Leave your card at home. If you truly want to begin decreasing your credit card debt, begin leaving your card at home. Doing so will prevent impulse purchases of items you don’t really need. If you have trouble doing this, try leaving your card(s) at home two days a week and work up to doing it every day.

4. Don’t sign up for department store credit cards. Department store credit cards have some of the highest interest rates, and opening multiple store credit card accounts is an invitation for debt. Don’t be enticed by offers of 10-20% off a first-time only purchase; it won’t be worth it months down the line when you’ve racked up an additional bill that you will have difficulty paying.

5. Toss the junk mail. Our mailboxes are constantly inundated with junk mail, much of which are credit card offers from various companies that send you clothing, furniture or other types of catalogs that include an offer for a credit card. Ignore these offers, and quickly throw them into the trash.

6. Establish an emergency fund. It’s good to establish an emergency fund for several reasons – car and home repairs, medical emergencies, etc. However it can also be used for those months where it seems you are in over your head in bills. Be careful however and make sure that you are not dipping into your savings regularly to pay credit card bills. If you are, it’s probably time for you to cut up your card altogether, or find help from a financial counselor.

If you follow these tips, with a little discipline, you can reach your goal of decreasing your debt, and eliminating credit card debt altogether.

(americasaves.org)

Benefits of Homeownership –

“Did you know that affordable housing is linked children’s intellectual abil-ity? According to research done by Sandra J. Newman, a John Hopkins professor of policy studies, families spending about 30 percent of their income on housing had children with the best cognitive outcomes.”

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BE CAREFUL (safety.lovetoknow.com)

(www.cdc.gov)

Autumn Health and Safety Tips Fall into good habits this autumn! Follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy.

Keep your kids safe and healthy. Get involved with your kids’ activities at home and at school to help ensure they are safe and healthy.

Take steps to prevent the flu. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year in the fall. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often. Stay home if you get sick.

Get smart about antibiotics. Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, but not viral infections. The common cold and the flu are viral infections, so avoid using antibiotics if you have one of these. Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, and therefore stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

Have a safe and healthy Halloween. Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Test and replace batteries. Check or replace carbon monoxide batteries twice a year: when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Replace smoke alarm alkaline batteries at least once a year. Test alarms every month to ensure they work properly.

Fire Safety Tips for Fall When the weather turns cold most people spend more time inside their homes using fireplaces, furnaces, and heat-ers to keep warm. There's nothing quite as cozy as a fire, but it presents some safety hazards. Keep these tips in mind:

• Service Your Furnace Before the cold autumn and winter weather sets in, be sure to call your heating and cooling company to service your furnace. A specialist should inspect the furnace to make sure everything is in working order and that there are no leaks.

• Use Fireplaces Safely Keep that fire in its proper place by using a fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace. Never leave a burning fire unattended, and make sure a fire in a fireplace is completely out before going to bed.

• Use Caution with Space Heaters A space heater can be an effective way to warm up a chilly room, but it's essential that you read the instructions on the unit before you use it. If your space heater requires venting, make sure you have vented it to the out-doors. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home; only use space heaters that are approved for this pur-pose. Always allow at least three feet of empty area around space heaters.

• Reconsider Leaf Burning The Air Defenders reports that burning leaves produces dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals and urges homeowners to avoid disposing of leaves this way. If you decide to burn leaves, wear a protective mask. Burn-ing leaves should only be attempted far away from a house or other structures on a homeowner's property. Al-ways check the weather forecast before starting to burn leaves. This activity should not be attempted in windy conditions.

• Exercise Candle Caution Candles are a great way to give a room that warm glow, but they can also cause fires. According to the Na-tional Candle Association, almost 10,000 home fires start with improper candle use. Never leave candles burn-ing if you go out or go to sleep, and keep your candles away from pets and kids.

• Change Smoke Alarm Batteries Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you turn back your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Make sure to check the alarms with the new batteries installed. Check and replace any home fire extinguishers that have expired.

BE GOOD TO YOUR HE

ALTH

8 8 Keep food safe. Food is center stage during the holidays. Be sure to keep it safe by following basic food safety steps. Clean hands and surfaces often. Separate foods to avoid cross-contamination. Cook to proper temperatures. Chill promptly.

Learn your family history. National Family History Day is observed on Thanksgiving Day. Over the holiday or at another family gathering, talk about and write down the health conditions that run in your family. Learning about your family's health history can help you take steps to ensure a longer, healthier future together.

Be prepared for cold weather. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises. Remember that using space heaters and fireplaces can increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol use impairs skills needed to drive a car safely. It slows reaction time and impairs judgment and coordina-tion. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 48 minutes. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let oth-ers drink and drive.

Wash your hands. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It’s best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.

Community Action Services and Food Bank, Provo Parks and Recreation, Home Depot Foundation,

American Fork Home Depot Store

Thank You

Alan Curtis Alex Grover American Fork Home Depot Store Ashley Larson Bonneville 6th Ward Young Men BYU Bradley PR BYU Chapter BYU Habitat Chapter Celeste Kennard CenturyLink Community Action Services and Food Bank Cook’s Farm and Garden Corporation for National and Community Serice Cory Jensen Denise Bell Dr. Greg Pitts and Staff Forever Green Habitat for Humanity Staff Hanna Kennard Home Depot Foundation Jed Sant Jimmie and Ashley Riddle Josh Yost

Kelsey Holgate Kyla Allen Loren Christensen Macey’s Matt Chambers and UVU Housing Mayor John Curtis Melissa Tovar Merry Bird Nu Skin Payroll Experts Provo Abstract Company Provo Parks and Recreation Provo Redevelopment Agency Ryan Beaumont Samantha Som Sara Siddoway Sound Vision Signs The LaBranche Family The Noorda Family Tyler Willis US Synthetic

UServe Utah

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1—

Labor Day 2—Building

Committee 3 4 5 6

7 8—NR

Committee 9 10 11—United

Way Day of Caring

12—Executive Committee

13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20—

Volunteer & Crew Leader Training

21—Annual

Day of Prayer 22—ReStore Com-mittee

23 24—Home

Maintenance 25 26 27

28 29 30

Of Utah County

9

Sun

Labor Day September 1st Office and ReStores Closed

Building Committee September 2nd 2:00 p.m. Central Bank

NR Committee September 8th 3:00 p.m. Orem Habitat Office

United Way Day of Caring September 11th

Executive Committee September 12th 7:30 a.m. Orem Habitat Office

Volunteer & Crew Leader Training September 20th Orem Habitat Office

Annual Day of Prayer September 21st 5:00 p.m. St. Mary’s Church

ReStore Committee September 22nd Noon Orem Habitat Office

Home Maintenance September 24th 6:30 p.m. Orem Habitat Office