If you haven't been to The I.D.E.A. Store since we reopened after the holiday break, you'll notice some changes to the lay-out and design of our sales floor. Most notable among them, the check-out area and "the Wall of Intrigue" have switched places.

You'll also see that we've installed a Dutch door in the wall that separates the new cashiering station from the donations-receiving area (that's Craig Rost in the photo, trying out the new door). This was done, in part, to improve our staff/volunteer traffic flow and make it easier for our General Manager to oversee receiving and jump in to help on the sales floor and cashiering operations when needed.

We've also moved display cases and other fixtures on the sales floor. And behind the scenes - in our warehouse area - we've added shelving units and streamlined and improved our sorting and storage operations. The result of all these changes is that we've added square footage to the sales floor and will be able to move items more efficiently through the supply chain to get more good stuff to you faster.

Yes, this vintage Christmas decoration is sweet, but there's no room at the inn for Santa and his reindeer.

If your New Year's resolutions include clearing out the clutter, of course The I.D.E.A. Store would love to be on the receiving end of your "out-with-the-old" de-stuffing exercise. We are so grateful for the quality of what you bestow upon us! But before you load up and drop off, please review our list of acceptable/unacceptable donations on our web site under the "what" tab on the left side of the page.

Worth noting: Though you may have seen plenty of Christmas decor on our shelves in December, Christmas items - with the exception of ornaments and natural wreaths - are actually on the "can't accept" list. Sometimes these seasonal items slip past our receiving staff, and if deemed sellable, will make it to the sales floor. But since we have limited warehouse space, we just don't have room to stash this stuff until customers may be interested it again a year from now.  

The "can't accept" list also includes toys larger than 2 x 2 inches.

If you'd like to donate Christmas items or larger toys, other non-profit and for-profit resale organizations in the community may be willing to take them off your hands. Some of them are listed on our web site as well. Also, check with local churches, which sometimes accept such donations.

Thank you!

Carol Jo made draft stoppers for her home's windows using her husband's old work jeans and sand.

As outdoor temperatures fall, consider improvements you can make to your home to keep warmth in.   

Urbana's single-family and duplex property owners who are Ameren power customers can sign up for the city's limited-time offer for a free home energy audit that will help them know how to reduce their homes' energy bills. Additional grant dollars also can help those Urbana homeowners update their furnaces and insulate walls. Call Ameren at 866-838-6918 to register for an appointment! My husband and I don'tlive in Urbana, so we're checking out Ameren's "Act on Energy" incentive program to help finance energy conservation improvements in our 85-year-old home.   

Here are simple, affordable ideas that we can all do now: 

Dodge those door drafts. Attach an inexpensive "door sweep" to block a gap on the exterior door's bottom edge at the threshold. One style requires basic tools, while another has an easy-installation adhesive strip. Foam weather-stripping - either adhesive or removable - is easy to install around doors and windows. You can make your own of draft stoppers for doors and windows. The I.D.E.A. Store volunteer Anna Barnes used a towel stuffed with old pantyhose for a leaky sliding glass door. I sewed our window stoppers from my husband's old denim work jeans and filled them with sand, but you could use uncooked rice or dried beans. 

Caulk the cracks. Caulking tubes and guns require a bit of skill and practice to apply around windows, so consider moldable caulking cord that can be applied by hand and is reusable.

Creatively cover windows. We've installed honeycomb insulating window coverings which work very well but are an investment. J.C. Penney has a nice selection of thermal drapes that create a buffer between airy windows and warm rooms. If you already have window coverings you like, fabric stores carry special insulating fabrics like thermal suede or Insul-Bright lining. Window film installation requires a hair dryer and is more easily applied by two people. 

An interesting insulating alternative is to cut large bubble wrap to fit your single-pane windows, lightly spray water on the pane and press the bubble wrap to the glass. Believe it or not, this works on the same principle of putting a buffer between cold and warm air spaces. 

Remember the electrical outlets. I discovered that cold air is pouring in through our exterior wall outlets and purchased commercially made "electric outlet and switch sealers" made of plastic foam, then discovered that I could have made my own from craft foam or Styrofoam egg cartons. Be sure to turn off the electricity while installing them!

Remove or cover window air conditioner units. Weatherproof outdoor covers and removable foam insulation really make a difference in room temperature. I speak from experience!

Champaign's Do it Best hardware experts (who loaned sample products for use in the "Green Right Now" segment on WCIA-TV recently) remind you to take measurements, count doors and windows you want materials for, and ask for advice to get the best solution for your needs and budget. 

Editor's Note: Carol Jo appears regularly on WCIA's "Green Right Now," which is broadcast on the morning news program on alternating Tuesdays. You can watch the Dec. 20, 2011, segment for tips on keeping your home warm in winter on the station's web site. Check back there for past and future programs.

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation saw a need in the community to accomplish several things: 1.  Support the arts and arts education, 2.  Support environmental education in our communities, 3. Impact the environment by reducing the rate of waste disposal, 4. create a place for everyone to have access to quality materials and 5. Support itself in light of the difficult economic times.  So donate your discards and shop re-use.  Its about making a difference!

 www.cuSchoolsFoundation.org