Not sure what to do this weekend?  Click these links for Fourth of July Celebrations in:

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Iowa

Absolute Construction and Remodeling wishes you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July!!

Xcel Energy is committed to reducing the impact of their business on the environment. As of the end of 2008 Xcel had a total of 1300 megawatts of wind energy capacity in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Most of this is located in southwestern Minnesota.

�
Xcel is required by Minnesota law to reach a 30% renewable energy mix, and wind power is one way for them to reach this goal. An average home uses around 500 kWh a month. Based on this usage, converting to 100% wind generated electricity will increase your monthly bill by about $3.50 a month, or the cost of one large designer coffee.

�
Xcel Energy has made a committment to increase their wind resources to more than double their current capacity by 2020. If you live in Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota and have Xcel as your electricity supplier, you can sign-up to have wind power supply some or all of the electricity provided to your home or business. Click on Windsource® program to be directed to the Xcel site where you can sign-up and support wind power.

Increased demand for renewable energy will help push projects forward and ultimately reduce costs. While property owners do have wind rights that they can lease to companies like Xcel, the wind itself is free. We really should take advantage of that whenever possible.

In the Midwest many people still have wood docks that they put in and take out of the water every year at the cabin or home on the lake. While most wood docks are made out of Cedar, some are made from Spruce, Pine Fir or even teak.

Regardless of the type of wood, though, they need to be stained and protected. Certain types of wood turn gray over time. This is from being out in the elements, if they are not treated. They can also warp, crack and decay without proper protection. Protecting a dock is not a “set it and forget it” operation. It must be repeated every few years, and done properly if you want it to last that long.

In order to protect your wood dock you can paint it, but staining it is really the best way to go. It is important to finish any stain job with a good quality wood sealer. Another option is to purchase a stain that has a sealer combined with it. This way, instead of needing to cover the entire fence with two different products, you will only have to cover it with one.
Stain your dock sections immediately after taking your dock in for the season or immediately before putting it out for the summer.

�
Before staining your dock, you should prepare an area to do the staining. DO NOT STAIN YOUR DOCK WHILE IT IS IN THE LAKE. You will inevitably drip toxic stain and/or sealer into the lake and that is not good for anyone or anything. Find an area that is out of the wind and lay down a tarp, drop cloth or newspaper. This will keep the stain from getting on your grass, shoes, driveway, etc.

�
Next prepare the wood surface. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the stain container in order to achieve the best results. Make sure that rain is not forecast for the next 24 to 48 hours. You don’t want your freshly stained dock to get wet before the stain has set. General rules of thumb are to make sure the surfaces to be stained are thoroughly dry, clean and free from oil, grease and other pollutants. Because of the application of a dock with water coming from above and below, it is good to plan to stain both the top and the bottom. Staining the bottom first is usually easier.

�
The next step is to begin to apply the stain on your wood dock. Don’t forget to put on your protective eyewear and some latex gloves. Also be sure that you read and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the stain container in order to achieve the best results. Using a clean, good quality paint brush, apply the stain to the wood in the same direction as the grain. Starting at one end of the dock apply the stain on a small section at a time. Apply the stain in short, even strokes; thinning it out any heavy spots so it doesn’t puddle.

After you have finished the first side (bottom of dock), wait at least 12 hours or until the stain is dry to touch (see manufacturer’s recommendation). Then turn the dock sections over and repeat the process on the top side of your wood dock.

Tip: Mask off (with masking tape) any hardware that you do not want to stain. Remove masking tape when all staining and sealing is complete.

Make sure that you stain every wood piece of the entire dock, including the sides, ends, etc. Most manufacturers will recommend applying a second coat of stain to the wood after the first coat has thoroughly dried. Then, allow the stain on your entire wood dock to dry thoroughly. If you are going to apply a wood sealer your wood dock is now stained and ready to accept the sealer. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the sealer container.

Enjoy your beautiful dock!

Many people may already have their docks in the water for this summer season, so remember to refer back to these tips this fall. Or apply them to your wood privacy fence, you should treat them basically the same way. Although if you have a really long fence you and your drop cloth or tarp may need to work your way down the fence section by section.

Jun 19-Jun 21, 2009

Each summer since 1990 the Energy Fair has been held in rural central Wisconsin (Custer, WI this year).  For that weekend it becomes the global hot spot for renewable energy education. The Energy Fair is the world’s largest renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living educational event of its kind.

The Energy Fair has
* Over 270 exhibitors
* Over 200 workshops
* Mass transit offered from Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay/Appleton, Chicago and Minneapolis.
* Free hourly shuttles from Stevens Point
* Clean Energy Car Show
* Green Home Pavilion
* Sustainable Table Workshop Area
* Educator Workshops
* Hands On Workshops
* Food, entertainment for the whole family!

For mor info use this link:
http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php