BENNINGTON — State Rep. Joseph L. Krawczyk Jr. was honored Thursday by a renewable energy advocacy group for his work on recent legislation.

Renewable Energy Vermont presented Krawczyk, R-Bennington, with the Renewable Energy Champion Award, given annually “to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing renewable energy initiatives to better Vermont’s overall energy, environmental, and economic well-being.”

Krawczyk received the award at the group’s eighth annual Conference and Expo in Burlington.

“This year, Rep. Krawczyk was a legislative champion and led the Vermont Legislature in the first-of-its-kind policy,” said Lawrence Mott, chairman of REV’s board of directors. “The renewable energy bill and the standard offer component are accelerating the growth of this sector in Vermont, bringing the state back as a leader in energy policy.”

In his eighth year as a legislator, Krawczyk is the current vice chairman of the Natural Resource and Energy Committee, enabling him to help pass the Energy Act of 2009, develop the clean energy fund and facilitate wind tower siting and cow power programs. He has also worked successfully to open state lands for development of renewable energy.

First ‘feed in tariff’ program

The renewable energy bill, passed in May, made Vermont the first state in the nation to pass a “feed in tariff” program, also known as a standard offer. The program requires utilities to purchase a set amount of power from renewable sources at above market rates. It is intended to encourage development of solar, wind and biomass energy. The program has increased interest among potential renewable energy developers, according to Mott.

The bill also establishes clean energy districts, allowing small towns and rural incorporated villages to use bonds to finance residential renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.

“Joe was a real champion of this bill. He focused on working to ensure that the best policies and practices were incorporated. These policies are now in place, and we are seeing real action from Joe’s insistence on specific language in the law,” Mott said.

Krawczyk, a Bennington native, said his 28 years in the U.S. Army, including 14 years in Germany where he witnessed that country’s renewable energy programs, has encouraged him to push for more renewable energy in Vermont.

“I don’t believe that Vermont should rely on only two large generators, in this case Vermont Yankee and Hydro-Quebec, to provide two-thirds of our base load of energy,” Krawczyk said.

The renewable energy bill is having a local impact. A solar project in Pownal was chosen to take part in the state program, he said. He said the state needs to continue the transition to new forms of energy, and embrace new technology, such as smart meters.

Krawczyk said he is working with a local resident on legislation to streamline the permitting process for small hydro projects. “The one part where we’re not where I want to be is small hydro,” he said.

REV provides renewable energy education to schools and communities of Vermont, raising consciousness about the many benefits of hydropower, wind, biomass, solar and geothermal energy. The group is composed of renewable energy companies, institutional and academic partners, and concerned citizens of Vermont.

Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner

BALTIMORE, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Members of the International Code Council’s Residential Building Code Committee (RBCC) have made it clear that fire sprinklers are destined to become a standard feature in all new homes. The fire sprinkler requirement was added to the International Residential Code (IRC) last year, and it is scheduled to become effective January 1, 2011, in states that adopt the latest version of this code. Currently, 48 states use the IRC as a basis of regulating residential construction, although some states lag behind in adopting updates.

At a hearing held earlier this week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) had petitioned the International Code Council (ICC), which publishes the IRC, to repeal the fire sprinkler requirement, but the RBCC rejected that request by a vote of 7 to 4.

“This vote is significant in two ways,” said Chief Ronny J. Coleman, president of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition and former fire marshal for the state of California. “Not only did the RBCC reject the homebuilders’ request to repeal the sprinkler requirement, but if you look at the vote, every member of the committee, other than the four who are appointed by NAHB, voted to uphold the fire sprinkler requirement.”

Following the committee vote, NAHB attempted to use a new procedure in the ICC process that allows members assembled at the hearing to overrule the committee decision, but the members made it clear that they were standing firm on protecting American families from fire. More than 1,000 ICC members in attendance voted overwhelmingly to affirm the RBCC’s decision.

“ICC’s message on this matter is pretty clear,” said Jeffrey Shapiro, P.E., executive director of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition. “Their membership has now supported the home fire sprinkler requirement at both the 2008 and 2009 annual hearings, and each of those votes passed by more than a two-thirds margin.”

Those decisions have now been further affirmed by the RBCC, which is a balanced, consensus committee that includes homebuilders, building and fire safety officials, architects and engineers.

“People who buy new homes that comply with the IRC fire sprinkler and smoke alarm requirements can sleep peacefully knowing that their families and their homes are protected from fire,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the non-profit Home Safety Council.

About IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Founded in 2007, the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition has grown to include more than 100 international, national and regional public safety organizations, including associations representing 45 states, all of whom support the mission of promoting residential fire sprinkler systems in new home construction. The Coalition was formed to educate public policymakers on the value of residential sprinkler systems and to support related legislation. More information can be found atwww.IRCFireSprinkler.org.

SOURCE IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition

WASHINGTON — Racing to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires, homebuyers pushed sales up last month by the largest amount in more than 26 years. After jumping 9.4 percent in September, home resales are up nearly 24 percent from the bottom in January, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. But the housing market’s momentum could easily peter out if Congress doesn’t extend the credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers beyond its current Nov. 30 deadline.

John Kindschi, a 33-year-old aircraft mechanic who lives north of Seattle, didn’t want to miss out. After a yearlong search, he and his family bought a three-bedroom house for $206,000, completing the purchase last week.

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The Bennington Museum is hosting a frighteningly good time at a Halloween Party on Sunday, October 25. from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. when admission is free!

Partially supported by Merchants Bank, the day offers events throughout the museum that provide excitement for children and adults of all ages.

Come in costume and join the fun with spooky crafts such as mini-graveyards and Halloween finger puppets. Play some ghoulish games like Ghost Waiter and see if you are brave enough to enter the giant spider web. There will be cemetery tours, guessing contests, gallery hunts and goodies to eat. At 3:30 p.m. join the costume parade through the museum. This event is free to all, so bring friends and enjoy a day at the museum!

The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Rt 9), Bennington in The Shires of Vermont. The museum is just a short ride from Manchester, Williamstown, and eastern New York. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Wednesday). Visit www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for upcoming events.

Getting your home in shape does not have to cost a fortune.

• Cleaning supplies – a clean home attracts buyers!
• Candles – create ambience in nooks and corners.
• Kitchen towels – toss those ragged oldies and add bright colors to the stove and sink.
• Hinge oil – loosen up those squeaky doors!
• Storage totes – corral the clutter and stack in a storage area.
• Towel bars and hooks – hanging towels instead of stacking will add spaciousness to a small bathroom.
• Welcome mat – offer a happy greeting to your new buyer!

Bennington VT, Selling

In the Bennington VT real estate market, Halloween is a special time for area children. Carving pumpkins is a way to spend some quality time with the kids. Follow these tips in order to make the process safe and fun for everyone. Send photos of your pumpkins to me, and I’ll post them on our blog!

Author: Rachael Stone

Sometimes carving a pumpkin is a daunting task. Yet, it can be easy and straightforward. The first step is to choose the right pumpkin. Get one that is symmetrical unless your design wants your palette to be uneven. Whatever the case, you need your pumpkin to sit flat when on a flat surface. Watch out for blemishes when choosing your pumpkin. When you choose your pumpkin it is best to get one with smooth skin and a nicely shaped stem. Skip pumpkins that are cracked or have large flaws as they will be harder to carve and often don’t last as long.

You want to make sure that you start carving your pumpkins maybe around a day before Halloween, two days maximum. If you are in for a cold night make sure you bring the pumpkins inside. Coldness will dry it out.

Before you start the carving, the first and the most important thing you will want to do is use a water-based marker and draw the design. This way when you make a mistake you will be able to erase it easily using a damp cloth or sponge. Next you will want to use a sharp knife with a straight edge to cut large areas. Have a parent or responsible person do this for you if you are incapable. Do not use a knife with a dull blade. This will not be safe.

You will be able to pick up serrated saws from hardware stores for kids that want to join in on the action. Safety requires that you carve away from yourself and that youth remember to have adult supervision. Whether you are a child or an adult, do not carve your design holding the knife in a stabbing position. When you are carving, make sure that there is always a portion of the knife in the pumpkin at all times and make sure that you use steady strokes.

When you are cutting out the lid, this has to be done at an angle. The inside diameter of the lid has to be smaller than the outside. Getting this wrong will result in the lid dropping right into the opening of the pumpkin. You want to make sure that you can close the lid as you would put a lid on a cookie jar.

Remove the seeds and stringy flesh from inside the pumpkin with a large spoon or scoop. When you begin carving out the face on the pumpkin, make sure you start near the center and make your way outward. When it comes to carving out larger features, do so in sections. If you are going to be cutting out details, use an X-Acto-knife. For small circles and curves, a potato peeler is a great tool. Carved portions can be removed by either pushing them out from the inside or in from the outside.

Don’t upset yourself when a section is accidentally removed. It is easy to use a toothpick to keep it in position. If you are using a candle, make certain that there are enough holes for ventilation. Flatten a small area inside the pumpkin for the candle to stand, but try not to dig too deep into the pumpkin. This makes the jack-o-lantern spoil faster.

You also want to make sure that the flame of the candle does not reach the top of the pumpkin. You don’t want to start cooking it. If you want to make sure your pumpkin lasts long enough make sure you seal in the moisture. Use petroleum jelly and coat the cut surfaces. You can also use vegetable oil if no petroleum jelly is nearby. If you have neither, simply cover the entire pumpkin with a damp cloth or towel when it is not being used.

If you want you could also purchase some stickers, markers or tempera paint so your children can decorate their pumpkins. There is so much fun in carving pumpkins for Halloween. Always have an adult watch you if you are not too sure what to do. It is a fun process and it can be done together. Be careful when carving your pumpkin, and have fun creating the scariest pumpkin in the neighborhood that is going to make the rest of the kids stay far away or maybe even ask for ideas so they can carve one for next Halloween.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/pumpkin-carving-tips-and-techniques-1351296.html

When buying, selling or maintaining your current Bennington, Vermont home, remember that eco-conscious living does not have to break the bank, nor does it have to be overly challenging.

• Switch on. One of the easiest ways to turn green is to switch out old-style light bulbs for energy-saving fluorescent lights. Changing just half of your household light sources can mean big savings for you.
• Use reuseable. Cloth grocery bags make a difference in landfill volume.
• Buy local. Shop at local farmer’s markets or stores with the maple leaf sign reducing truck fuel usage and investing in your community. When buying seafood, ask for “ocean-friendly” types.
• Garden at home. Planting your own produce (and composting) replaces nutrients in your soil, offers easy-on-the-eye landscaping for potential real estate buyers, that states the store carries local foods. You will not only get fresher food, but you will be and lowers your food budget!!

Autumn in Bennington, Vermont brings frosty mornings, cider doughnuts, colorful vistas – and Halloween!

Bennington County has its share of haunted tales to chill you and thrill you while searching for real estate:

1. Jennings Hall at Bennington College was the impetus for Shirley Jackson’s novel, “The Haunting of Hill House.” The Hall is used for music students, and nighttime visitors report strange footsteps and noises in the building.

2. At Southern Vermont College (formerly a seminary), hauntings include a strange figure wearing a hooded cloak and hallways that fill with smoke! And in the building that used to be a carriage house, doors lock on their own and computers turn on and off.

3.Don’t forget to visit the Old Church and Cemetery, where poet Robert Frost is buried. Many have said ghostly apparitions can be seen walking among the ancient stones during October evenings!

Call Troy Richardson to view ghost-free Bennington, Vermont homes!

Ghost-Free is not a guarantee, your results may vary!

Selecting the right moving company is a critical step. You’ll want to be sure you understand all the costs and options involved. Start by asking friends and families if they have any recommendations. Plan to interview at least two companies for estimates, which should be cost- and obligation-free. Your buyer’s representative may also be able to suggest reputable moving companies in your area.

Deciding which moving company is right for you involves three key steps:
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For any number of reasons, more people than ever are downsizing these days. Whether it’s reduction in income, reduction in family size, or just a desire for easier living, smaller homes are becoming more attractive.

There are challenges associated with downsizing, but experience has taught some valuable lessons that you may find useful. Once you’ve decided to sell, start the moving process immediately. Your home will even show better once you’ve begun packing things away. As you decide what to keep, consider donating unwanted items or holding a yard sale.

Solicit family members for help, and see how many belongings might be passed along to family and friends. After all, they say that charity begins at home, right?

You can also “digitize” paper records with a scanner, saving them on your computer, or using an online storage service for an added layer of security. Just be sure electronic versions of certain records are legally acceptable.

If you’re still left with a lot of furniture and accessories, you should strongly consider including such items in the listing for your home. First-time buyers may be particularly attracted to such an offering, saving them time and money on furnishing their home, and expediting the entire transaction.

These tips may help you downsize, but of course, any move presents its challenges. Speak with an experienced professional today for more advice.

Bennington VT, Selling