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W ednesday, A u g u s t 4 , iv v > y -- > i i l . w n i \ . Create a 'green' environment in the kitchen What is the central room in your house? If you're like most, it's the kitchen. We cook, eat, talk, entertain, meet and play in that one room more often than any other. We also tend to remodel that room the most; it's usually the first tar­ get of a home's new owner. The idea of a "green" kitchen is beginning to catch on in the environ­ mentally aware '90s, but for many remodelers it is still a new idea. Incorporating environmental awareness into your kitchen design or remodel begins by looking at the materials you or your contractor will use to do the job. Popular materials such as particle board or plywood give off vapours when they are new. Although the emis­ sions are small, they can cause irritation to people sensitive to chemicals. Recommended are cabinets made of hard plywood or particle board finished with a high-pressure laminate. This cuts emissions by sealing the vapours. The same holds true for countertops which, while covered by plastic laminate on top, may have unfinished particle board underneath. Or substitute solid wood when rebuilding cabinets and counters. Another environmental "strategy" for home remodelers is to use recycled materials wherever possible. Also look at the potential for recycling both the existing kitchen materials which you will discard and those you are installing. Any modern kitchen would be sadly lacking if not designed with municipal recycling in mind. More communities are instituting mandatory recycling every year, and with a little planning, your remodeled kitchen can accommo­ date this growing trend. A modem kitchen should include a recycling sys­ tem, something that will reinforce recy­ cling as a regular habit in the daily kitchen routine. The system should keep the kitchen clean, keep pests away from recyclables, and store recyclables in a way that prevents odours or other problems in the kitchen. Appliances are another area where consumers can make a positive envi­ ronmental impact. While the "perfect" appliances haven't been built yet, there are a wide variety of refrigerators and other appliances that can perform well while also saving energy. The energy guide labels attached to all large appli­ ances give consumers a good compari­ son between different appliance brands and models. Saving energy is more than a thrifty move; it's also good for the environment. For every 10 dollars worth of electricity the consumer saves, on average, about 250 pounds less of carbon dioxide will be released into the atmosphere from power plants. Light and sound are two factors sometimes overlooked in remodeling, N ew and old spruce trees Many homeowners often plant young spruce trees with little or no regard for how large the trees will be in just a few short decades. It doesn't matter whether it be one of the much sought-after blue spruce, or one of the lesser-known white, Norway or Siberian spruce. All of these (which are hardy in virtually all of Canada) will easily attain 12 to 25 metres (40 to 80 feet) in height, with a spread approach­ ing 3 metres (10 feet). The popularity and beauty of the blue spruce seems to cause inexperi­ enced homeowners to plant the small trees in areas where their growth will be restricted after only a few years. The difference comes in that there is almost no way that the growth can be restrict­ ed, unless the homeowner is willing to undertake a severe clipping regimen on the new growth each and every year. Since the latter does not happen, the most common scenario is for the larger lower branches to be chopped off in order to regain access to a walkway, driveway, or the entrance to the house itself! This is where the trouble for the trees begins. The Canadian Garden Council advises that an inquiry to your garden centre should bring a close estimate as to just what ultimate size the tree you have chosen may be expected to achieve in your area. By the way, if you are presently considering plant­ ing a blue spruce tree, there are sev­ eral types avail­ able. The most common is the Colorado blue spruce. These vary in colour considerably, and through the winter months, retain more of a green than blue colour. It is generally the most economical excellent silver-blue needle colour throughout the entire year (although the colour is at its best in June). A common habit of homeowners, once a spruce achieves a large size, is to remove the lower branches. Often this is done to accommodate access around the tree because it was planted too close to a walk or driveway. But sometimes it's done just because it's thought to be the "thing to do." Even many professional landscapers are guilty of this sin. If this "pruning up" sin can be avoided, it should be--at whatever the cost! According to the Canadian Garden Council, one of the problems that affects older spruce trees is a canker disease known as cystospora. It occurs generally on older branches at the inte­ rior of the trees. One of the best meth­ ods of avoiding the disease is to keep older trees in a healthy state. An impor­ tant way of doing this is to ensure that all of the lower branches remain on the tree, removing only dead or dying limbs. It is likewise important to leave all o f the old needles, which annually fall from the tree, beneath the branch­ es. This material acts as a natural mulch, both keeping the surface roots cool and moist and maintaining an acidic soil condition which the trees prefer. The canker disease is most easily noted on the interior branches near the variety to pur­ chase. The Koster spruce, though still very much available, has now been super­ seded by at least two other vari­ eties you may want to check out at your favourite garden centres: Hoopsi blue spruce and Moerheim blue spruce. Both of these have a much better conical shape, straight main stem and Notice of Liquor Licence Application Ontario The following establishment has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for a liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act: Application for a Sale Licence Nickels Restaurants 2045 Winston Park Drive Oakville (including outdoor area) Any resident of the municipality may make written submission as to whether the issuance of the licence is in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes o f the residents. Submissions must be received no later than September 4,1999. Please include your name, address and telephone number. If a petition is submitted to the Commision, please identify the designated contact person. Note: The AGCO gives the applicant details of any objections. Submissions to be sent to: Licensing and Registration Department Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 20 Dundas St. W, 7th Floor, Toronto ON M5G 2N6 Fax: (416)326-5555 E-mail at licensing@agco.on.ca Complete Design Home Cbvtre Same great selection, price and customer service on: • Every element of home design • Fabric • Wallpaper • Paint • Blinds • Drapes • Custom flower arranging • In-home consultation service • Reupholstery • Furniture • Accessories (candles, lamps, pictures, art, gifts) NEW CONVENIENT HOURS Mon-Wed 10-5:30, Thurs-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 12-5 U l̂&aouni Uniexlot design ^Waxe/zcuse "Where good taste doesn't have to be expensive" y< V 4155 Fairv iew St. U n it 16, (in behind Dairy Queen) V 'w B urling ton (905)634-3439 trunk where exudations of sap with a white, cottony appearance are evident. The only solution is the sterile removal of all dead branches exhibiting this appearance. After each cut, dip the saw or pruners in alcohol to prevent spreading the dis­ ease. Some even recommend treat­ ing each cut on the tree with a steri- lant such as wood alcohol. The removed branches should either be burned or dis­ posed of as g a r b a g e -- n o t composted. I n f o r m a t i o n courtesy o f the Canadian Garden Council. but they can certainly affect the quality of life within a home. Energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescents can significantly reduce your utility bills. Replacing just one 75-watt incan­ descent bulb with an 18-watt compact fluorescent can save an average of $40 in one year. But because these lights are not "true colour" lights, you need to balance them with other types of light in places of food preparation and serv­ ing areas where proper colour is impor­ tant. Noise can be reduced by installing quieter running appliances and the newer, quieter ventilation fans. The way you arrange and store pots and pans and the type of cabinet doors you choose can also cut down on some of the banging and clanging. LOOKING FOR EXCITNG WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME, IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE IN THE OAKVILLE REAVER HOME IMPROVEMENT H and ym a njershade Ltd 55%off ALL LEVOLOR BLINDS F ree S hop at H ome S ervice • Vertical • Venetians ■ Pleated Shades • Wood Blinds and much more 897-5044 K E V I N S M I T H C O N N E C T ! O N RETIRED CRAFTSMEN & OTHER EXPERTS FOR LOW COST HOME REPAIRS & REMODELING • Plumbing • Carpentry • Electrical • Painting & Much More Insured, Bonded, 1 Year warrar 8 2 6 -0 6 5 5 Not all items available in all stores. 'Off our regular price 1 3 4 L a k e sh o r e R o a d W e s t 842-0032 2Vlon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm 10.11 U p p e r M id d le R o a d (Upper Oakville Shopping Centre) 845-7748 Mon.-Fri. 7:00 am to 9:00 pm ' :00 pn *:00 p Sat. 9:00 am to 6:00 | Sun. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm mailto:licensing@agco.on.ca Create a 'green' environment in the kitchen LOOKING FOR EXCITNG WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME, IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE IN THE OAKVILLE REAVER