Nature—we’ve all experienced it. We feel calmness and a sense of freedom from the cares of everyday life when we’re surrounded by it. Birds welcoming the morning; cicadas singing through the night. When immersed in it, something about it moves us to enjoy profound breaths which, unbeknownst to us, reconnect us to the surrounding beautiful world. Just last week, Austin urban children had this experience at El Ranchito. In its fourth year of existence, El Ranchito, a nature-immersion summer … [Read more...]
New paint renovation rule can result in hefty fines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a new rule for lead-based paint renovation, repair, and painting (RRP Rule) for any renovation work in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities (schools, child care facilities, etc.). Before work commences, the area needs to be tested for lead-based paint. It is estimated that about 50% of homes pre-1978 have lead-containing paint. The sanding, cutting, and demolition from a project can cause lead dust, which comes from … [Read more...]
