Dillo Talk

Cleaning Jacuzzi Bathtubs - For Your Health!

This is one of many great acticles from a Home Inspector who is a member, as am I, of the Sustainable Building Coalition. Everyone with a Jacuzzi tub, sit up and take notes!

Ask Brett
Question: How do you prevent bacteria buildup in Jacuzzi bathtubs? Is this a serious concern?

Answer: The main source of bacterial growth in whirlpool tubs is the residue that accumulates in the piping. These substances include soap film, body secretions, skin, hair, bath oils, and dirt. When these organic substances combine with minerals in the water, they congeal, forming a jelly-like matter that coats the linings of the water piping and other components of the whirlpool system. The warm, dark environment where this coating accumulates is an ideal location for the growth of infectious micro-organisms.

To eliminate this bacterial culture from your tub, it is recommended that the system be cleaned regularly. Be aware, however, that normal household disinfectants and cleaners - such as bleach, detergents, vinegar, or baking soda - are not completely effective in removing whirlpool contaminants. Instead, whirlpool manufacturers recommend operating the system for approximately 15 minutes with hot water and a solution of common dishwasher detergent. This has been found to be effective in dislodging contaminants. After draining, the system should be rinsed by operating the system with clear, cool water.

There are also various companies that provide professional cleaning of whirlpool systems, using specially formulated cleaners. The bottom line, however, is to be aware of possible health hazards and to clean your whirlpool system or have it cleaned on a regular basis. For further details regarding the proper cleaning and maintenance of your unit, contact the manufacturer.

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Coffee Anyone?

Well, I am back in the kitchen. However, this time I am enjoying a great cup of coffee. Have you ever wondered why your mother put coffee grounds around her rose bushes? The reason may surprise you. Coffee grounds are high in acidity and contain nitrogen. Roses really enjoy a sporadic shot of coffee grounds - remember, after it rains they'll need another shot.

How about another outdoor tip for recycling your coffee grounds. Ants, those pesky little bugs - here's a way to exterminate them naturally. Just sprinkle coffee grounds on the anthill and around the lawn. In fact, you can put coffee grounds anywhere you don’t want to be bothered by the little bugs. Bugs be gone!

Recycled coffee grounds can also be used as a skin exfoliator and firmer. The reason that coffee grounds work so well on the skin is that they have a pH balance of 4.5, which is the same as our skin. Here is a simple recipe: 2 cups of coffee grounds, ½ cup of sea salt, and 3 teaspoons of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil). This recipe works better if you first take a warm shower to open your pores. With your hands, rub mixture onto skin, rinse with warm water first, then end with a cool- to cold-water blast to close your pores. After patting dry, you may want to follow up with a lotion - one with EVOO may be beneficial.

Now back to the kitchen for more experimenting.

“Bon Appetit!”

Silk Pants in the Country

AUSTIN GETS RITZY

AUSTIN (statesman.com) – The Domain lifestyle center is under construction at MoPac Blvd. and Braker Lane in North Austin. Developer Simon Property Group Inc. is targeting high-end retailers to occupy the 800,000-square-foot center anchored by Austin’s first Neiman Marcus.

According to those familiar with Simon’s leasing plan, the list of potential tenants includes Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren, Barney’s Co-op, Williams-Sonoma Home, Borders, Tourneau, Baily, Banks & Biddle, Lilly Pulitzer, Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani. The completed center will include more than 50 retailers, six high-end restaurants, two hotels, a movie theater and nearly 400 apartment units. The Domain is slated to open in March 2007.

The Domain will serve as the focal point of a major retail complex that will include Domain Crossing and the Shops at Arbor Walk, a mixed-use project with restaurants and retail. All three projects will total 1.7 million square feet, making it the biggest single retail complex in the region.

The City of Austin has awarded the project $37 million in sales and property tax rebates over 20 years. Of that, $1 million is designated to help local retailers with rent and allowances for finishing the interiors of their stores.

(From The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.)

P.S. Hmmmm. Not sure what we think about this.

Creating Live Springs from Scratch

Milking Water from the Hills - The Prehn Method

I thought I had seen it all when it came to trying to find water in the Hill Country of central Texas. As a teenager, I worked the towers on a windmill crew and had the pleasure of pulling many a rod and pipe. I know that when drilling for water, one is just as likely as not to hit bad water or no water at all. I had seen my uncles build earthen tanks, try to trap water from seeps during the wet times, and had even witnessed them dynamite old dried-up springs in futile and damaging attempts to squeeze the good earth for every drop of water they could. I thought that all the different ways to obtain more water had been exhausted, and I had become resolved that the only thing left was to transport it by pipelines.

As the population of the Hill Country grows and more and more people drill for water, the lower the water table becomes with many wells failing during what seems to be periods of more and prolonged droughts. And, then there’s the high cost and the public and political controversy of piping water from one area of the state to another. Texas has a better infrastructure for moving oil and gas than it does for moving water. So, when my friend Kelly Prehn called and told me that he was milking water from the caliche hills on the wildlife management area he supervises and from his own property, I though he had drunk too much muddy water caused by the early summer drought of 2002. …<a href="http://www.drippingspringsrealty.com/pdf/dsr_milkingwater_article.pdf">more...</a>

Joe Summy, Ed.D
Johnson City, Texas
W: 877 868 4390, C: 512 296 6842, H: 830 868 4390,
<a href="mailto:joesummy@moment.net">joesummy@moment.net</a>, <a href="http:www.papajoe.biz">www.papajoe.biz</a>

Not Just for Hippies Anymore

Green is good, but previously green building has been a fringe area of the real estate market…a niche, as it were. Consequently, many traditional home buyers have been cautious. But that is changing. While interest is already very strong among “alternative lifestyle” buyers, there is growing interest among traditional home buyers because of numerous substantial benefits inherent in green building. These benefits include lower energy costs, lower maintenance costs, better health, and stronger resale potential.

Therefore, what was once a fringe market is now becoming an emerging market. Even larger production builders (like Newmark in Austin) have initiated some green building features and principles into their new homes. Green building may not be the best choice of words however, as it conjures up associations that are no longer relevant. Green building is really just a combination of good site planning and home design, energy efficiency, the use of lower maintenance materials, the use of more eco-friendly materials when possible, and a healthier indoor environment.

While there is a “green premium” on building costs, it can be as little as 2-3%. Research indicates a high percentage of home buyers are willing to pay for the benefits, and with an increasing number of lenders willing to finance the same, the return on investment can be fast.

Austin is considered one of the key green building areas in the U.S., if not the outright capital, as Austin was the first city in the U.S. to develop a green building certification program. It is also the location for the International Green Building Conference, where last year's attendance was double that anticipated.

Building or buying “greener” may make good sense…for your comfort, your health, and your pocketbook.

Purple Martins - The Scouts Are Here!

Purple Martins are aerial insectivores. This means that they only consume flying insects. They will not go to the ground or bird feeders to eat. It is estimated that a single martin can consume as many as 2000 insects a day. This makes them a very desirable bird species to have around your property. These are migratory birds that return starting in February and stay here to raise their young through September.

Now is the time of year that Purple Martin Landlords should have their bird houses ready to receive the in-coming "Scouts" that have begun to fly through our area. Older, more mature purple martins are the first to arrive here in Central Texas. These birds will typically return to the same housing unit they used the previous year to raise their young. The sub-adults (those birds hatched over the last two years) start arriving 1-2 months later and are the ones that will colonize new houses. Anyone wanting to establish a new colony will need to get their houses installed within the next 6-8 weeks. This post was contributed by Danny Martin, owner of Purple Martin Propagators. He is available to answer any questions you may have about purple martins. Purple Martin Propagators are a full-service supplier and installation company of martin houses located right here in Austin, TX. Call Danny at: (512) 825-4712 or visit his Web Site at: www.BirdHouseInfo.com

Inspections - Requesting Repairs? Caution!

---- Original Message -----
From: Dennis
To: Bill
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 6:05 AM
Subject: Inspection

Hi, Bill. I've read the inspection report, termite report, and reviewed all photos. While there is a lot of stuff, I don't see anything that can't be repaired fairly easily. The home is a good, solid home. This is a typical inspection report for a country home, by the way.

Karen, the Seller, is out of gas...had enough...kaputz. Rather than asking her to fix a bunch of stuff prior to closing, why don't we ask for an allowance for repairs, to be credited to you at closing, and let her walk away? My experience is that repairs will often be done better by the new owner, anyway, who is fully committed to their new digs. Sometimes Sellers (being overwhelmed as they often are) hire a less-than-fully-competent handy man. Thus, some of the repairs end up being sub-standard or jerry-rigged. They are often just trying to get it done for closing, and not necessarily focused on doing it right. Generally, repairs will go much better when you've moved in, and you are there in person to supervise. Let me know what you think about this approach and then I'll draft the Amendment.

Hey, you'll be here in 3 weeks for the closing. Let's get some "boy time" and go shopping for your small tractor! I know just the place. Best, Dennis

P.S. Can I use your guest house if I get in the dog house with my wife? If your Maureen won't let me, a cot in the shop near the swimming hole will be just fine.

Hill Country Pets - Orphaned Wildlife

Haven't we all imagined how fun it would be to raise a baby deer. After all, who doesn't love Bambi. Every year, particularly during the spring and early summer months, hundreds of young animals are picked up and "rescued" by the general public.

Typically these incidents, though truly well meaning, are misguided kidnappings disguised as humane attempts to save seemingly abandoned or orphaned fawns and other cute wildlife. These animals are then referred to game wardens or wildlife rehabilitators for treatment or rearing, thus over-burdening those professionals with healthy animals that take up space and resources desperately needed for truly orphaned or injured wildlife.

So, the next time you make it out of the city "jungle" and have an opportunity to wander in the woods, stop and admire that baby fawn that you've stumbled upon, but rest easy when contemplating its welfare. Most likely its mother is patiently watching from afar waiting for you to move on.

Remember, a young animal's best chance for survival is with its natural parents who, better than anyone else, can ensure that it retains all of its natural faculties and behaviors for survival in the wild.