The Green Bedroom of 2012

No other room in the home is as important as the bedroom. It’s the place you go to relax. It’s where you lay your head and forget your worries after a long day or work. It is your sanctuary, which makes it that much more important to make it a healthy and chemical-free location. The more natural your bedroom is, the more restful your sleep will be.

If you are going to inundate your resting area with chemicals and non-organic items, you may as well just invite New Jersey bed bugs to join you as you doze. The unhealthy results are practically the same. Never fear; here are some eco-friendly ideas for your bedroom.

Environmentally-Friendly Paints

The most harmful types of paints are those that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which is why it’s best to choose low or zero-VOC paints. Environmentally-friendly paints are relatively inexpensive and much healthier. You can spend time in your bedroom, breathing in a chemical-free environment. Children are still developing, and therefore far more susceptible to the affects, so their rooms should always take priority over the parent’s room.

Need more reason to purchase eco-friendly paints? How about the fact that you will be doing your part to leave behind a greener planet for your children? Not only will you be able to breathe easier in your home, but you will be able to go outdoors and enjoy an ecosystem that you are helping to protect.

Organic Bedding

Organic bedding has many benefits beyond the obvious, including that fact that organic cotton is chemical-free, hypoallergenic and extremely comfortable on the skin. It is also proven to reduce allergens by 300 percent or more. It is even more important for baby cribs and bassinets to be equipped with organic bedding, since their skin isn’t nearly as thick as that of an adult. This leaves infants at a far greater risk of absorbing toxins.

As far as mattresses, an organic variety will cost a bit more but is worth every penny. There are many environmental benefits, and considering that you use a typical mattress for up to 10 years; the per-year cost isn’t much more than you would spend on a typical mattress.

Some organic mattresses are made of North American wool, which diminishes their carbon footprint. The foam variety is 30 percent soy instead of toxic petroleum-based. Even pillows come in an organic form and are made with shredded latex and recycled plastic bottles. This uses less material and allows them to biodegrade quicker.

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U.S. Cellular buys Medford sports park naming rights.

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR) May 15, 2007 Byline: Meg Landers May 15–MEDFORD — The new, 132-acre sports park south of town will be named the U.S. Cellular Community Park, officials said Monday.

U.S. Cellular paid $650,000 for naming rights to the Medford Sports and Community Park for the next six years.

A public naming ceremony and unveiling of the logo is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the park.

“This is huge,” said Medford Parks and Recreation Director Brian Sjothun. “It is the largest naming rights per year for the state of Oregon.” Currently under construction, the $25 million park on Highway 99 will provide a range of sports facilities, access to nature walks and outdoor gathering spaces. website brier creek movies

In addition, U.S. Cellular is donating 100 soccer balls.

Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler said the company has renewal privileges if it wishes to contribute beyond the six years.

In recent years, U.S. Cellular has paid for the screen, projector and sound system for the Bear Creek Movies in the Park, as well as contributed thousands of dollars annually for the popular event. go to site brier creek movies

“They’ve been very good corporate sponsors for the city of Medford,” said Wheeler.

Sjothun said it’s becoming more common for municipalities to sell naming rights to community facilities. He said he hopes similar partnerships can be created in Medford.

“There are a lot more amenities within the park available for naming rights,” he said.

U.S. Cellular’s contribution is the latest boost to funding for the new park.

In December, the Medford City Council approved a $2.56 increase (the fee had been 31 cents) in the annual parks fee on city utility bills. The city sold $18.9 million in revenue bonds to fund construction of components of the park as well as a gymnasium at the Santo Community Center.

On Thursday the council is scheduled to award a $302,250 contract to Hardy Engineering and Associates to design part of the park. If approved, Hardy will design five field sports areas, a baseball field, an entry drive from Lowry Lane, parking and other features.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.