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Neighborhood Leadership Academy
 The City of Holland is starting the next Neighborhood Leadership Academy 2010. The mission of the academy is to Educate, Enhance and Empower Neighborhood Leadership.
This year's topics include: "Six Leadership Styles of Effective Leaders" by Mark DeRoo, former City Council Member "Leadership Characteristics" by Chief Matt Messer, In-terim Chief Holland Police Dept. "Communication is the Key: Improve your communication skills" by Andrew Page, Executive Director, Holland Boys and Girls Club "How to Make a Public Presentation" by Denise Grier, Maple Ave. Ministries "Embracing and Understanding Diversity" by Eleanor Lopez, Alliance for Cultural, Ethnic, Diversity "Team Building: Creating innovative solutions for improving your neighborhood" by Det. Lisa Bancuk, Holland Police Department and Janie Briones, Neighborhood Liaison "Your Civic Duty, Who Me?" by Anna Perales, Acting Deputy Clerk "Project Presentation and Graduation" by Mayor Kurt Dykstra NLA begins Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Midtown Center and is limited to 15 participants. Register by February 18, 2010 to reserve your place. For more information, please contact Janie Briones at 616-355-3127 or by email at J.Briones@cityofholland.com. For an application, click here.
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Ice Dams and Attic Condensation
excerpt from www.statefarm.com
"Ice Dams
Ice dams sometimes occur on sloping roofs in climates with freezing
temperatures. When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, it causes
snow on the roof to melt and run down the sloping roof. When the snowmelt runs
down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes.
If this cycle repeats over several days, the freezing snowmelt builds up and
forms a dam of ice, behind which water ponds. The ponding water can back up
under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls.
Attic CondensationCondensation of water vapor on
cold surfaces in attics can cause attic wood products to rot, which can lead to
costly repairs. Condensation typically occurs when warm, moist air migrates into
the attic from living spaces below. Research indicates unusually high humidity
levels in the home's living spaces is strongly associated with attic
condensation problems.
Prevention
- Prevent warm, moist air in living spaces from infiltrating into the attic
with a good air barrier and appropriate water vapor control at the base of the
attic.
- Provide good attic ventilation to replace warm air in the attic with cold
outside air.
- Provide adequate attic insulation to reduce the transmission of heat into
the attic from living spaces below.
- Consult a professional for the best way to avoid ice dams and water damage
in your home.
- Tips on saving energy and more at home.
What not to Do
- Do not routinely remove snow from the roof. It will likely lead to shingle
damage.
- Do not attempt to "chip away" the ice of an ice dam. It will likely lead to
shingle damage.
- Do not install mechanical equipment or water heaters in attics, especially
in cold climates.
- Do not use salt or calcium chloride to melt snow on a roof. These chemicals
are very corrosive and can shorten the life of metal gutters, downspouts and
flashings. Runoff that contains high concentrations of these chemicals can
damage nearby grass and plants.
- Keeping the gutters clean of leaves will not reduce the occurrence of ice
dams. However, clean gutters can keep them from overflowing and spilling
rainwater next to the house. This can cause moisture problems in the house."
For the entire article from State Farm Insurance, follow this link.
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Sustainable Holland Community Forums
 The Holland Community Sustainability Committee is holding a series of Community Forums regarding two critical local issues - energy and water management. The Committee desires to hear your opinion at the Community Forums regarding:
- Current water and energy use as a community
- Individual and business/corporate best management practices
- Your vision of a sustainable community and the steps needed to ensure it.
Please visit the Committee's web page for current factual information regarding local water and energy management issues and to register comments if you cannot attend a Community Forum.
Community Forum Dates:
You may attend the meeting that works best with your schedule, regardless of the Ward it is held in.
February 9 - Ward 4 - DeGraaf Nature Center, 600 Graafschap Road, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
February 16 - Ward 5- Maplewood School Media Center, 925 Central Avenue, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
February 23 - Ward 6 - First Reformed Church, 630 State Street, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Holland Community Sustainability Committee is a police recommendation committee created by the Holland City Council and Holland Board of Public Works.
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