1. ISSUE 10 SUMMER 2009AROUND T H E H O U S E Labor Day Facts LABOR DAY155.1 millionNumber of people 16 and older in theLike a pair of bookends, Memorial Day and parade. A picnic, concert and speechesnations labor force in May 2009. Labor Day mark the traditional opening and followed the parade. This was repeated on 7.7 million closing of summer. While youre enjoying the the same date the following year. Number of workers who hold down morethan one job. upcoming three-day weekend, stop for aIn 1884 the Central Labor Union selected 288,000 moment to ponder the significance of Labor the first Monday in September for its When do they sleep? Number of Day and how it has changed through celebration and urged similar unions andmoonlighters who work full time at 2 jobs.10.4 million the years. trade groups in other cities to follow suit. AsNumber of self-employed workers.In the late 19th century, terrible workingthe promotion of workers rights continued to 5.7 million conditions were rampant in industrial cities.develop and grow throughout the country,The number of people who work at home. The average American worker during this erasupport for this workingmens holiday grew$45,113 and $35,102The 2007 annual median earnings for male put in twelve hours a day, seven days a week as well. Throughout the next two decades, and female full-time, year-round just to meet his familys basic needs, and state and local municipalities began to adopt workers, respectively. children were not exempt from this grindingthe holiday. Finally, in 1894 Congress17 millionNumber of commuters who leave for work labor. Labor, craft, and trade groups were declared that the first Monday in September between midnight and 5:59 a.m. They created to improve these working conditions, would be Labor Day. represent 13 percent of all commuters. raise salaries, and enforce child labor laws. Historically, Labor Day has been more than 76%Percentage of workers who drive alone to Activists promoting workers rights proposed a day for celebrating the hard-workingwork. Another 10 percent carpool, and 5 a day to celebrate the American worker.American. Its also been a day for protests,percent take public transportation Labor Day was a time for parades, festivals, grievances and discussions to improve (excluding taxicabs). and speeches.working conditions and salaries. Labor Day3.4 millionNumber of workers whose commute toIt is unclear who was responsible for is now more associated with sports, leisure,work of 90 or more minutes each day. beginning this tradition, but the first proposal and the end of childrens summer vacation - Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 to create an official holiday came from thea fact we can attribute in part to the Central Labor Union in New York. Onsignificant improvement of workers lives Tuesday, September 5, 1882, more thanthrough both legislation and 10,000 workers assembled in New York Citycultural awareness. to participate in America's first Labor DayAdults Returning To CollegeIts back-to-school time for the kids . . . but Chances are all youll need is a little nudgebut you might be surprised at how much you how about you? A growing number of adults, and those skills will come right back. In fact,have to learn. Participate, but dont dominate. faced with job losses, questionable jobadult students often do better, earning higher 3. Sit in front. Its not just for nerds - its security and heightened competition in the grades and maintaining a higher GPA than for students who want to earn As. Besides, workplace are headed back to college their younger classmates. Maturity and real- you probably dont see or hear as well as you campuses. This could be a great time to earn world experience really do help after all! did in your twenties. an advanced degree or certification, or evenWorried about fitting in with students4. Take care of yourself. College can be try something entirely different.young enough to be your kids? Keep this in physically exhausting! Wear comfortableReturning adult students have plenty of mind: according to a 2007 Census report, shoes; use a rolling backpack if your load is financial assistance options. The first step is15% of all college students in the U.S. are ageheavy. Eat right and get enough sleep, even if to fill out the Free Application for Federal 35 and older. In some colleges, especially this means letting the housework slide or Student Aid, or FAFSA, found here: two-year campuses, that number can be 50%asking for an extension on a project. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Another source isor more. Youre not alone! 5. Get help. This is the time for family FastWeb (http://www.fastweb.com/), whichHere are some tips: members to step up and help out more, lists thousands of scholarship and internship1. Dress the part. Most college students wearespecially when youve got homework or a opportunities - including some that arejeans or sweats, t-shirts, flip-flops or sneakers. project to do. Consider hiring help for certain available just for non-traditional students. Youll be more comfortable in casual (but nottasks youd normally do, such as carNeed a refresher in math or grammar? Most sloppy) attire as well.maintenance or yard work. Your time is colleges have tutoring services available free 2. Dont be a know-it-all. With real-world important, too. of charge to current students, and may offer experience, it can be tempting to feel superior remedial courses to bring you up to speed. to green classmates in a familiar subject,

2. PUZZLE FUN FOR EVERYONE! Tomato Pie! Ingredients: 1 deep dish pie crust - frozen, refrigerated, or your own recipe 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped, or 2 tsp. Dried basil 4-5 medium tomatoes, sliced thick 1 cup grated mozzarella 1 cup grated cheddar 1 cup mayonnaise cup cooked bacon, chopped Salt & pepper Preheat oven to 350 F. Place the tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes. Layer the tomato slices and basil in pie shell. In a bowl, combine cheese, mayo, and bacon. Spread on top of tomatoes. Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.Fall GardeningJust because its nearly autumn doesnt mean you have to wrap up gardening for the season, even in northern climates.Delicate vegetable plants such as tomatoes might not survive the first frosty cold snap, but other plants will. Here is ashort to-do list for your fall garden: Plant cold-hardy vegetables such as swiss chard, lettuce, kale, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.Visit http://www.almanac.com/garden/plantingtable/index.php to find a planting guide for your area. Cold frames, cloches, and windbreaks are ways to keep delicate plants growing just a little while longer.These can be made with simple materials and do not need to be expensive to work. Plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, and even garlic. This is also the time to plant trees and shrubs. Divide perennials including peonies and ornamental grasses. Pot up annual herbs such as basil, rosemary, or chives for use indoors all winter. Champion Is Now Green Seal Certified Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that A study commissioned by Green Seal and EnviroMedia uses science-based standards and the power of the Social Marketing and conducted by Opinion Research marketplace to create a more sustainable world. Corporation reveals peoples' opinions and behaviors about Founded in 1989, Green Seal provides science-basedproducts that claim to be environmentally friendly. environmental certification standards that are credible,Half of the 1,000 people surveyed say they are buying just transparent, and essential in an increasingly educated andas many green products now as before the economic competitive marketplace. Our industry knowledge and downturn, while 19 percent say they are buying more green standards help manufacturers, purchasers, and end users products. Fourteen percent say they are buying fewer alike make responsible choices that positively impact businessenvironmentally green products. behavior and improve quality of life. To find out more information about Green Seal, please visit82 Percent of Consumers Buying Green http://www.greenseal.org/ Despite Battered Economy Four out of five people say they are still buying green products and services today-which sometimes cost more-even in the midst of a U.S. recession. Call Champion Today at 1-888-365-GLASSand ask for your free Energy Savers pamphletSource: www.greenseal.org 3. Community Champion: Shirley Murphy About ShirleyIf you areonline ads. Its like a singles ad, she Shirley has two daughters and foura homelesssays; personality highlights and nice grandchildren. Her hobbies includeschnauzer inphotos make people want to meet the scrapbooking, flower gardening andSouthwest Ohio, animals. She also helps to screen card making. She has recentlyyou want to potential owners, making sure theyentered a scrapbook showcasing theknowunderstand the responsibility ofstories of her foster Schnauzers intoShirley Murphy. owning a dog and have a compatiblea local county fair competitionhome and lifestyle. which we are sure will win ribbons Shirleys schnauzer SammyShirley and the schnauzer rescueand inspire more animal friends. She Shirley Murphy has been with encourage people to adopt pets from has also helped another Champion Champion Window in Cincinnati, rescue groups and the SPCA or other associate, Sue Denny, get involved Ohio for 12 years as the Affiliate animal shelters, not from pet stores. with fostering her first dog. Good Service Coordinator. Shes also aPet stores can be sneaky about theirluck and thank you Shirley and Sue! dedicated, enthusiastic volunteer foruse of puppy mills - raised on a Schnauzer Rescue Cincinnatiranch often means raised in a cage on (www.schnauzerrescuecincinnati.org). the ranch with irresponsible breeding Shirley herself has fostered and placedprocedures and poor living conditions. over thirty dogs in the mere twelveDo your homework before adopting; months shes been a volunteer. make sure the animal you choose is Rescue dogs come from many right for your lifestyle. Finally, spay or sources. Some are found on the street, neuter your pets (including cats and others are given up by owners. Theyrabbits) to help reduce the number of also come from the SPCA and puppyunwanted pets that end up in shelters mills that shut down. The group takesand, too often, euthanized. in dogs that are healthy and wellFor more information on fostering, Shirley and two of her three own rescued trained, and also those with health or pet adoption and responsible schnauzers, Oscar and Quincy behavior problems. Shirley and the ownership visit www.Petfinder.com, other volunteers help to rehabilitatewww.spca.com or www.akc.org. To and socialize foster dogs so that theyrefind local organizations in your area ready to be adopted into foreverthat help homeless pets contact the homes with families that love them. SPCA or a veterinarian. When the dogs are ready for adoption, Shirley and other volunteers showcase the dogs using adoption networks such as Petfinder.com.Champion has a full line of Shirley, who is an amateur dog doors available in their photographer, makes sure the dog haspatio doors Sue and her foster schnauzer Coco, who has recently found her forever home a great photo and a description for theAre You Our Next Community Champion?Acts of kindness, getting involved, championing a cause; finding a way to make a difference can positively affect yourfamily, a perfect stranger and your community. We are looking for customers who are champions in their community to share their stories. Please send us your story and photo via e-mail at ath@ChampionFactoryDirect.com. We may feature you in an upcoming issue of Around the House. Energy Saving Ideas for Fall The days are getting shorter, nights a little fireplaces can cause fires, and also make Continue replacing incandescent light cooler. The perfect time to makeyour fireplace or wood stove burn bulbs with energy-saving energy-saving plans is now, before the firstless efficiently. fluorescent bulbs. frost! Here are some seasonal ideas to get Stock firewood to take the chill off cool Take advantage of the economic stimulus you started.autumn nights instead of turning on plan while theres still time! Get a tax Have your furnace serviced now, beforethe furnace.credit of up to $1500 when you install an repair companies get busy. A clean, Add caulk and weather stripping to doorsenergy-saving home improvement such as tuned-up heating unit uses less energy. and windows as needed to prevent drafts.Champion windows or doors, and even all Clean radiators, air returns, and changeSeal spaces around electric outlets, aseason patio rooms. air filters.common pathway for cold air to get in. Get your chimney cleaned also, before Add insulation in attics and other spacesCall Champion Today at sweepers schedules fill up. Buildup of in your home as needed. 1-888-365-GLASS creosote in the chimney of wood-burning to find out more about thislimited-time program. 4. 12121 Champion WayCincinnati, OH 45241 The EASY choiceis the BEST choice.ChampionFactoryDirect.com$1,500 TAX CREDIT Just AClick Away! Check Out Our New WebsiteChampionFactoryDirect.com Champion Windows and Doors, including those in ourAll Season Patio Rooms, can get up to a $1,500 Federal Tax Credit. See your tax consultant for details. AROUND T H E H O U S E Referral Program Are your family, friends and $ 100 Homeowner Referral Coupon neighbors noticing your homes new look? If they express an interest in what youve done, please give us their name. If the referral $100 awarded for a referral that leads to a sale leads to a sale, we will mail you a check for $100.00! Refer as manyYour Contact Information people as you like. Simply completeNAME ______________________________________PHONE __________________________ the referral coupon and mail it to your local Champion office.ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CITY __________________________________STATE __________ZIP __________________ Referral Information LookNAME ______________________________________PHONE __________________________ insideADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ for greatCITY __________________________________STATE __________ZIP __________________ Fall tips and COMMENTS ____________________________________________stories! DATE SUBMITTED ______________________________________