Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. Wikipedia research shows nature has a remarkable effects on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  

Biophilic Home Design is about increasing our connection with nature and place, thus improving our overall well-being.

Here are a few very basic things you can do:

Fresh Air– On nice days, open the windows and let the fresh air in as it also lets in movement and noise. Nature is a multi-sensory experience.

Natural Light– Let in as much natural light as possible. Natural light changes over the day helping us stay in tune with time of day.  Note-You can also find lightbulbs now that have multiple brightness levels to mimic this. (see our blog for link)

Live Plants– Bring living nature inside by adding plants. They not only add visual nature but also clean the air.

Water– Add a water feature such as a fountain or aquarium. The sound of water has positive effects on our mental health.

Natural Materials– Use natural materials, if possible local, in the home such as wood or stone.  Make decorative items out of pebbles, pinecones, sticks etc.

Mimic Nature– Instead of straight lines, incorporate more natural shaped furniture, add nature based wallpaper or wall art. 

Links with more information about Biophilic Design;

MotherEarthLiving.com

http://www.cottages-gardens.com

www.theestateupdate.com

www.usa.lighting.philips.com

June is National Healthy Homes Month.

This year’s theme is “Growing Up Safe and Healthy: 5 Minutes to a Healthy Home!”

Wanted to share the above poster from hud.gov

Click HERE to visit direct link to hud.gov’s “Help Yourself to a Healthy Home” Booklet.

Summer is usually a big move time. 

So we wanted to share these tips for Kids & Moving

♦ Familiarize your children with their new   home, neighborhood and school as much as possible prior to the move. Emphasize all the parks, playgrounds and fun features to which they will have access. (Now it's your turn to be the Realtor!)

♦ If you are moving a long distance, you should detach your children from their friends as gently as possible. Throw a good-bye party and distribute your new address to the other kids' parents so that they can correspond.

♦ Let your children pack and decorate a special box of their own.

♦ During the move, make it as fun as possible by sightseeing along the way, taking pictures and buying souvenirs.

♦ After the move, plan special activities that celebrate your new home and neighborhood, e.g., taking them to their favorite restaurants, throwing a housewarming party, starting a Scrapbook called Our New Home, etc.

♦ Encourage your children to write letters to their old friends, but at the same time encourage them to invite new friends over.

♦ Enroll your kids in the same sports, clubs and activities that they were  in before.

Here is a list of books that may be helpful as well;

Berenstain Bears series has a book entitled, "Moving Day" 

 "Moving House" by Anne Civardi

 "We're Moving" by Heather Maisner

Memorial Day Activities & Events to Honor Those Who Died

Visit cemeteries and memorials.

Attend Memorial Day ceremonies.

Volunteer to place an American Flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Observe a minute of silence at 3:00 PM, local time.

Attend a Memorial Day parade, festival, fair or concert such as the National Memorial Day Concert.

Run for charity on Memorial Day weekend.

Volunteer to support events such as the National Memorial Day Parade.

Donate to veterans and military support groups.

Local Memorial Day Events

Essex  5/25/19

Parade @ 10 am

(Route 2A Gate F to Route 15 Gate B)

St. Albans 5/27/2019

Memorial Day Ceremonies

in Taylor Park

https://militarybenefits.info/memorial-day/

VERMONT CITY MARATHON & RELAY

SUNDAY MAY 26, 2019  |  BURLINGTON, VERMONT

WATERFRONT FINISH AREA FESTIVITIES

The post-race festival begins in Waterfront Park at 10:00 am on race day.

Come celebrate at the finish area in Waterfront Park with Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks as a dramatic backdrop. From the runners’ food tent to fare from local vendors, there is plenty to eat for everyone.

Click Here for a direct link to the SPECTATOR GUIDE

Runner Tracking | Road Closures  

Course Music | Watching the Race

Have Fun & Be Safe!

Sincerely,

The Marcelino Team

TOP 5 REASONS TO LIST YOUR HOME NOW!

1. Homes show well with spring and summer flowers.

2. Nicer weather and more daylight for showing and for moving.

3. More Summer Buyers - School will be out soon and that means people wanting to move over summer vacation, plus new college graduates and summer newlyweds starting out.

4. If you have children, summer vacation is a great time to move, as it allows children time to adjust to their new location before adding in the school element.

5. Great time of year for garage sales to clean out before the move.

Call us today for your FREE Market Analysis! - 802-846-8460

Spring Organic Lawn Care Tips

Set Your Mower Deck Height High 2” to 3”

Taller is better for healthy roots and to suppress weeds, also make sure blades are sharp and do not mow when wet.

Leave Grass Clipping on the Lawn

Decomposing clippings add nitrogen to the soil.

Dethatch and Core Aerate the Lawn

Get your lawn off to a good start by dethatching and aerating,

as it allows moisture, oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

Cast Grass Seed Over the Lawn

Casting grass seed over the lawn and on bare spots

will fill in any thin areas.

Sprinkle Compost Over the Lawn

Compost is a Great Way to Feed Your Lawn, sprinkle over lawn and use back of rack to work into the grass.

Water

If you cast grass seed and compost on the yard,

make sure to water (if needed) to keep it moist.

Click HERE to visit BHG.COM Highlighting  7 Watering Tools for easy dry lawn solutions.

What we can do at

Home to Decrease Nutrient Pollution

http://www.lcbp.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/

THE ISSUE

When there is too much of a particular nutrient, certain plants or algae can dominate a system.  Phosphorus is one of the primary water quality challenges in Lake Champlain. 

SOURCES

Runoff from roads and developed areas, and from lawns, farmlands, and other rural areas (called nonpoint sources) contribute more than 90% of the phosphorus.

WHAT WE CAN DO

While it sometimes may seem that the actions of one person will not make much difference, the little things we do each day—the little decisions we make can collectively have a huge impact in improving the quality of our environment. 

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Save the Lake Tips

http://www.lcbp.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/save-the-lake-tips/

    § Install a rain barrel and/or a rain garden.

§ Wash your car on the lawn with non-phosphorus soap.

§ Test your lawn and garden soil before fertilizing & use phosphorus free fertilizers.

§ Eliminate or reduce the application of pesticides on your lawn and garden.

§ Do not rake your yard waste into nearby streams, lakes or stormwater gutters. Leave grass clippings as mulch on your lawn.

§ Pick up and dispose of pet waste in the garbage.

§ Properly maintain your septic system.

§ Keep motorized items in good working order.

§ Learn how to properly dispose of all wastes on the CSWD website.

§ Use environmentally sound cleaning products.

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Lake-Friendly Cleaning

Many common household cleaners are toxic to Lake Champlain, people, pets and the environment. Try these environment friendly recipes for a clean home and a clean outdoors! 

http://www.lcbp.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/lake-friendly-cleaning/