Boise’s ‘Curb It’ street side no-sort recycling and automatic trash pick-up program is offering you a freebie!  For the week of April 26th-April 30th, you can set out additional ‘over flow’ refuse without using one of your overflow stickers!  It’s called the ‘Residential Cleanup Week’ and there are a few requirements to note:

• Make sure your trash and recycling are out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular service day.
• Extra trash must be in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• Yard wastes must be in compostable paper leaf bags or in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• The maximum weight limit cannot exceed 60 pounds for each extra trash can and paper leaf bag set out for collection.
• Bundle tree/shrub branches into 4-foot lengths. The weight of the bundle cannot exceed 60 pounds. No overflow sticker is needed.
• Large items such as appliances and furniture can be collected by calling Allied Waste at 345-1266 to schedule a free pickup.
• Televisions, computer monitors, and batteries must be taken to a household hazardous waste mobile collection site.
• Recycling is always unlimited—no “overflow stickers” required! Set extra recycling out in containers labeled “Recycling” or order a second recycling cart.

Not a bad deal considering that spring cleaning results in extra rubbish.

The Curb-It program started last year with an intent to make recycling easier and encourages Boise residents to “curb waste” by “promoting the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.”  Since the program has begun, we have certainly enjoyed the ease of the no-sort recycling and are proud that Boise offers it to it’s residents!

How do you like the Curb It program?

Yesterday I ran through Bown Crossing real quick to see what kinds of things I could find as last minute gifts. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hit all of the great stores, shops and restaurants, but I did make it into two of them and was able to find some last minute ideas–not to mention some innocent bystanders for my video. They were all very helpful and great sports!

Before you watch the video, click here to subscribe to my YouTube feed!

I have a client who is considering moving to Boise, however one of her biggest concerns is the weather; especially in the winter weather.  Not everybody has driven in the snow, some people the idea frightens them to death and others forget that it can be very dangerous.

3-2-1 Contact

A slide out occurs when your tires lose contact/grip with the surface of the road be it dry pavement, snow or ice.  The easiest way to lose contact is to accelerate too fast, suddenly turn or to slam on the brakes.  If you gently ease the car forward, you’ll reduce your chances of losing traction and if you’re coming to a stop or have to stop suddenly, pump the brakes gently so they don’t lock.  Many cars today have built in anti-lock brakes that aid in stopping in slippery conditions.

Since it’s Boise that we are talking about, if you wait just a few hours, usually all the snow on the road has melted off...at least on the busy streets.  The best rule for avoiding an accident on the snow roads is to just stay home altogether and in no time, the roads will be clear again.  In the rare case when the snow does stick around and turns to icy roads, follow these simple tips for a safe and sane trip to the store!

1. Start With Good Equipment

Regardless of the vehicle you drive, you should have a good set of all season tires.  Siped tires work especially well on snow-covered roads and can reduce tire wear in the summer.  Having an all wheel drive vehicle or a four-wheel drive vehicle is very helpful, but no matter what car you drive, black ice can be deadly.

2. Change Your Driving Habits

Probably the most important consideration when driving on the snow is your particular driving habits.  If you’re the kind of person who comes to fast stops, likes to pull out in front of traffic and tailgate the person in front of you, you’ll definitely wind up in the ditch.

3. Slow Down

When the roads are icy you have to slow down.  Period.  And I don’t just mean the velocity of your vehicle, but also the speed of your day.  Give your self plenty of time to get to your destination and don’t be rushed.

4. Gimme Some Space

The appropriate distance between you and the car ahead of you changes when the snowflakes fly.  Giving yourself plenty of room in traffic allows you to avert disaster and have complete control over your vehicle in the likely case that the driver in front of you (who didn’t read this article) begins to slide out and lose control.

5. Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Stop

Stopping a car on ice is not as easy as stopping a car on dry asphalt.  I hate to overstate the obvious, but most accidents in the snow occur because of people sliding into the people in front of them because they aren’t able to stop.  Prepare for a stop much sooner than you normally would.  Occasionally you can downshift to a lower gear to help you slow down.

6. Avoid Side-streets

Keep your car on roadways that experience more traffic.  De-icing and sand trucks will go to the most traveled streets first before heading into less traveled neighborhoods.  Taking back roads and untraveled routes are going to increase your chances of a slide off or other mishap.

I’m sure there are plenty of other tips and topics we could cover here, but this list should keep you safe and sane–getting you to the natural whole foods grocery store and back with a few pounds of Quinoa.

I love to garden even though I am no good at it!  Having a garden space can add tremendous perceived value to your home during the summer months especially if you have stuff growing in it and it looks good.  A garden that is thriving will catch the attention of potential buyers!

What I’ve Been Growing In My Garden Space

As a part of my quest to brew the best beer I can, I planted some hop rhizomes this spring.  I’ve been fighting aphids who’ve set out to enjoy my hops along side with me, but unfortunately, their plans and my plans won’t work together.

A recent visit to my garden surprised me with what seems to be a pretty decent start to my hop cones.

These particular buds are an organic Warrior variety that will be best used as a high alpha 15-17% (alpha acids contribute to the ‘hoppiness’ or ‘bitterness’ found in beer) bittering hop (as opposed to a flavoring or aromatic hop)  I’m also growing Willamette and Chinook varieties.

Generally this type of hop would be used in an American IPA, a style of beer known for high bitterness and hop character.  Commercially speaking, my favorite IPA’s are Stone Brewing Ruination IPA, Bridgeport IPA and maybe even Redhook’s Long Hammer.

Here’s what they look like at a very young age:

Leaves on the Cone are barely forming

More developed leaves on this one

Another close-up

This is just another great aspect of owning your own real estate;  You can grow a garden and plant whatever you like!  If you’re looking to buy a home so that you can grow your favorite plants, trees and flowers, contact me.  There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on your own deck, playing your favorite tunes and sipping on your favorite brew (or homebrew)!

Congratulations to last weeks winner Megan O. she correctly Guessed The Place #1 as Hollywood Market! Hey Megan, the gift card is in the mail!

Some people said Guess The Place #1 was easy, so this week, I thought I would try to make it a little more challenging.  Although, I’m sure that someone is going to say the same thing!

It’s pretty simple really – be the first to successfully guess where I took the photo and leave a comment below with your answer while you’re at it, subscribe to my blog by clicking here and never miss an opportunity to Guess The Place .  At the end of the day, I’ll approve the comments and see who the winner is!

Be specific!!!!

Make sure you leave an email address so that I can get you your prize!