News Bites

3rd Annual Homeowner Appreciation Event

We would like to thank our partners that contributed to the event this year: First Merchants Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, Huntington Bank, Janene Parham with Red 1 Realty, and OMNI Title.

Happy Birthday Welcome Home Newsletter

This month marks one year since the newsletter launched. Have any ideas for things you would like to see in a newsletter? Let us know.

Save on Sod Watering

The City of Columbus offers the New Build Program, which allows a ONE-TIME adjustment for the sewer portion of a bill when the sod is being watered. The eligibility maximum is 24 months after the sod bill is issued, and it is the responsibility of the homeowner to initiate this bill adjustment.

For those that recently purchased their homes, it may be beneficial to complete all sod watering prior to submitting the ONE allowable bill for adjustment so that the bill that represents the largest portion of the sod watering can be submitted.

To participate in the program, you must email the City of Columbus a copy of the ONE bill that is chosen, the number of people residing in the home, and a daytime phone number. The adjustment takes 4-6 weeks to process before it appears on your account as a credit. Therefore, it is advisable to pay the bills in the meantime. Or you can contact the City of Columbus to request a payment plan or a 30-day extension.

If you have any questions after you receive your bill, or about the New Build Program, contact the City of Columbus at 614.645.8270.

Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 AM on

Sunday,

November 6

Homeowner Tips

Getting Ready for Winter

Last month's tip was gutter cleaning, but leaves do not just fall in gutters. Cleaning up leaves on the ground can feel never-ending. Don't worry about getting every last leaf though. As they break down, leaves can help insulate plants and provide them with valuable nutrients.

Disconnect your garden hose from the spigot before cold weather to prevent water from freezing and damaging plumbing. Shut off the water to the outdoor faucet inside the house, and turn on the faucet so any remaining water runs out of the pipes.

Clean out and weed all garden areas. Turning the soil while it is still easy to work will save a lot of backbreaking labor come the spring. Cover with a layer of fertilizer and with fallen leaves or straw. Put a mulch layer around trees and shrubs to protect them from freezing.

Having your furnace inspected every fall will prolong the life of your appliance and could save you money on your heating bill.

A Plant can Help with Dust?

Houseplants have been known to reduce stress levels, sharpen attention, be therapeutic, boost productivity, and improve air quality. But did you know they can reduce airborne dust as well?

Some indoor houseplants that help with dust are

The plants should be dusted periodically using a microfiber cloth dampened in lukewarm water, beginning with the top- and innermost leaves and moving gently from stem to tip. Make sure to clean the underside of the leaves, where insects like to lay eggs, and use a different cloth for each plant, so you are not spreading any contaminants to other plants in your house. Avoid chemicals and soaps, which can harm the leaves and roots of your plants.

Second Chance

for Jack

When your pumpkin has served its purpose or is reduced to a sunken, desiccated, mold-covered Jack-O-Lantern after Halloween, you can still give “Jack” a fulfilling second life. Nobody wants to end up in a landfill, after all.

If you never even got around to carving your pumpkins - or you happen to have intact decorative gourds lying around - you may be able to donate them. Farms and community gardens can use them for compost.

Or dive on in and scoop out the seeds. You can toast them with some olive oil and salt, leave them out for the birds, or use them to grow pumpkins next year.

If the pumpkin is too far gone to be put to good use, bury it in the yard. Burying food waste 12 inches deep in garden soil is an easy, convenient way to give nutrients back to the soil. Literally, put the moldy pumpkin in a hole in the ground - and your garden will be all the happier for it.

Community Resource Highlight

Ohio Drop Off Recycling Center's goal is to make their recycling service as convenient as possible. Their service is provided at little to no cost for any consumer looking to dispose of recyclable materials. They have multiple locations. However, the location at 533 N. Nelson Road is the only location to offer the ability to sell certain items. Resist the urge to throw non-working things in your basement or garbage can. Call 614.478.0808 for more information.

What They Take

CRT Monitors (50 cents per pound charge)
Computers
Servers
Keyboards
Mice
Speakers
Printers / Faxes
Copiers all sizes
Scanners
UPS & Battery Backup Systems
All stereo equipment
Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Palm equipment Video Game Systems
Video Games
DVD Players/CD & DVD Media
Floppy Disks
All Phone Equipment

What They Take

at Nelson Road ONLY

Tube, Plasma and Projection TV (50 cents per pound charge)
LCD TV's and Monitors (25 cents per pound charge)
Ink and Toner Cartridges (15 cents per pound charge)
Microwaves
Toasters
Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Air Conditioners
Washers
Dryers
Ovens and Stoves
Arcade Equipment

What They Don't Take

Cardboard
Fire Extinguishers
Tanks that hold gases or chemicals
Fluorescent lights/bulbs, light bulbs
Fluids including oils, gasoline, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, gear oil or grease
Hazardous waste or chemicals
Flammable materials - ammunition or explosives
Tires, wood, dirt, yard debris, concrete, asphalt, glass, rubber or other non-metal materials
Paint cans
Closed containers such as enclosed drums or tanks
Radioactive materials

3rd Annual

Homeowner Appreciation Event

We were thrilled so many homeowners brought their families and shared their evening with us. Some of our partners even stopped by to celebrate our homeowners with us. The event was filled with pumpkins, games, food, and prizes. And lots of smiles!