I just completed a business story about a donation of safety pencils (Pointless Products Inc.) to a nonprofit that helps orphans in Kenya. The nonprofit, Hope Children's Fund, is based in Port Jefferson and was started in 2000 by Larry Hohler. In any event, the group raises money twice each year to help the orphans, many of whose parents were victims of AIDs. One such fund-raiser is this weekend in Suffolk County. It's the Fourth Annual Kenya-USA Bi-Continental Run.
If you like to run, like to help worthy causes, check out this event Sunday at Shoreham-Wading River HS.

hopechildrensfund.com

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I've been contacted by the National Center for Healthy Housing about doing a piece on lead poisoning, a health risk for American children. On one hand, many federal agencies say that the issue is no longer the huge threat that it once was. Removing lead as an additive in paint and gasoline has had a lot to do with that.
But the NCHH says that lead remains an issue, especially among low-income families who are forced to rent substandard housing.
Generally, homes built before the mid-1970s can contain lead paint. Some older homes, obvously, could have layers of lead paint on interior walls and trimwork. Even outdoors, some wood-sided homes could contain layers of old, dried lead paint.
As unleaded paint coatings wear away, children could be exposed to lead. Also, during remodeling, as old building material is torn away from studs, lead particles become airborne.
I'm not sure how dangerous this issue is, because, let's face it, how many of those older rental units are being remodeled? Some of these landlords could care less about the health of the inhabitants.
However, studies over the years do show that cases of lead poisoning have dropped significantly.
But if you are considering purchasing an older home, take some steps to contain lead. You can find info at the Environmental Protection Agency Web site, as well as the NCHH site.
I will say this: after hearing the statistics below, I'd make sure I'd take steps in any of my renovations.
According to the NCHH:
Almost 1 million children under age 6 in the U.S. suffer from lead poisoning
An estimated 38 million homes in America contain lead paint
An estimated 11 million renovations occur each year in pre-1978 homes.

Any parent out there feel a story is warranted? Let us know.

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Just finished a piece for our Home section about going green around the house without digging deep into your pockets. Every item that is GREEN, apparently, is going to cost consumers more money. That's silly, of course. Because you can save some cash in the long run by making your house a little greener.
You could, for instance, make the best window cleaner in cleaning history with a little ammonia, white vinegar, corn starch and water. How about mixing up some of your own laundry detergent?
Any way, two easy ways to go GREEN are compact fluorescent light bulbs and programmable thermostats. The paybacks are fast, and each item is cost effective.

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When cleaning out your pantry this spring or doing your weekly grocery shopping, keep in mind the needs of the Circle of Love Ministry Worldwide Church. The Copiague-based church feeds more than 100 homeless familes and dozens of disenfranchised people each week, says Pastor Roy Kirton. The church's food supply, however, is on empty.
The church needs to restock and is accepting groceries and food gift certificates. All goods, including meat, poultry, fish and fresh vegetables, will be accepted. Dairy items also are needed, especially for youngsters, Kirton says.
Donations can be made daily, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Circle of Love Ministry Worldwide, 20 Reith Street, Copiague. For more information call: 631-789-4552.

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Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County starts its first "green" project tomorrow morning, with a wall raising at 10 o'clock in Roosevelt. The home, being built for Frances Brown and her two children, Jesse, 16, and Jessica, 12, will be the Nassau affiliate's first green-certified home.
The residence will feature LIPA-sponsored photovoltaic panels, to generate household electricity, and Energy Star appliances. Habitat-Nassau also is building the home under the guidelines of the LEED green building program, which means the house will meet the standards of the U.S. Green Building Program's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Houses built under these standards use considerably less energy than house build to the usual local building codes.
The Brown home marks the 11th to be built by Habitat-Nassau. Major sponsors for the project include Lufthansa, Long Island Board of Realtors® Inc., Ridge Abstract Corporation and Grace Episcopal Church.
The Brown children are both accomplished athletes and students. Jesse plays both football and lacrosse, Jessica is a member of the chorus and law club. Frances Brown is a legal secretary for a Manhattan law firm.
For more information on the project and Habitat-Nassau, visit www.hfhnc.org or call 516-627-6047.

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The GE Profile™ Single/Double wall oven can cook two dishes at two temperatures at the same time – all within a single 30-inch wall-oven space. The new wall oven debuts at the Kitchen & Bath Show, April 11-13, in Chicago. If you're remodeling a kitchen anytime soon, you might want to wait for this double-oven that fits in a single-oven opening.
The ovens are large enough to evenly roast a 22-pound turkey. At the same time, accompanying dishes can be prepared at a separate temperature in the upper oven, which is large enough to easily hold two 10-1/2-inch by 14-3/4 inch casserole dishes.
For more info, visit the GE Web site. http://www.geconsumerproducts.com/pressroom/press_releases/appliances/cooking_products/singledouble08.htm

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Double D Contractors Inc. of Hicksville won a 2007 NARI contractor of the year award for its remodel of a kitchen. Double D, owned by Doug Dervin, won for the $30,000 to $60,000 classification.
Organization, function and storage were key components of the remodel, according to the NARI Web site. Kitchen space was enlarged, and features like a concealed laundry chute, pull-out cutting boards and spice racks were included.
Visit Double D and the NY-Long Island chapter of NARI for more info.

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