According to the American Cancer Society over 207,090 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the end of 2010. Although there have been significant improvements in the treatment and early detection of this cancer, allowing millions of women to beat the illness, we all know, or, at least, know of someone who has been affected by breast cancer.

In partnership with South County Hospital Breast Health Program, the URI Men’s Hockey Team will be holding a Play for the Cure Weekend on the 29th and 30th of October. This campaign is part of a national fundraiser led by the American Collegiate Hockey Association, and the team will be sporting pink in honor of the cause. In addition, specially designed team photos will be on sale prior to the game at the URI Student Union and South County Hospital gift shop, as well as at the games on Friday and Saturday night.

Residential Properties is a proud sponsor of this event via Holly Applegate, manager of our Cumberland Office, who will be singing the national anthem at the Friday night game! This is a fun way to support a great cause so if you have any free time Friday or Saturday night come on down to Kingston to watch the “Play for the Cure” games.

At Residential Properties we have some of the most creative and talented sales associates in the business. As I posted numerous times in the past, we hold a seasonal photo contest. It’s a great opportunity for our agents and staff to grab their cameras and unleash some creativity. The winning photographs are added to the slide show on our home page. We debuted the contest in the Fall of 2008 and its popularity has grown larger than ever expected with no signs of slowing down!

We get more and more submissions each season. It’s always a difficult decision choosing the winning photographs and this Fall was no exception. Matter of fact, we have a tie this year!

I am excited to announce that Cheryl Eley, sales manager of our East Greenwich office and Chris Whirlow, executive assistant in corporate, have submitted this year’s winning photographs! Cheryl snapped a terrific shot of a water wheel located in Exeter, Rhode Island. The photograph has a certain Norman Rockwell charm set on a quintessential New England backdrop. Chris captured a stunning view of the State House from Congdon Street located on historic College Hill on the East Side of Providence. Congratulations to Cheryl and Chris.

We also have two runner-ups this year. Honorable mentions go to Heidi Farmer Piccerelli and Liz Bodell, sales associates in our Providence office. Heidi submitted a great shot of a pumpkin patch outside of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Barrington. While, Liz submitted a cool autumn shot set in western Rhode Island.

Thank you to all the participants for submitting photographs, I’m already looking forward to this year’s winter photo contest!

Winning Photo: Cheryl Eley – Water wheel located in Exeter, Rhode Island

Winning Photo: Chris Whirlow – State House from Congdon Street, East Side of Providence

Runner-up: Heidi Farmer Piccerelli – Pumpkin patch in Barrington, Rhode Island

Runner-up: Liz Bodell – Autumn shot set in western Rhode Island

Check out the high-res slide show on Flickr!

When redesigning or remodeling your home it is important to evaluate different building materials. As energy prices increase, investing in sustainable building and design is a great way to save on monthly utility costs. While many of these materials and fixtures fall under the “green” category, including them in your design philosophy can actually enhance your comfort, make your home more durable and possibly increase the resale value.

If your redesign calls for new home appliances, a great way to save money on your energy bills is by purchasing Energy Star products. Energy Star is a government-backed program that identifies energy efficient merchandise from compact fluorescent bulbs to microwaves and dishwashers. This is an easy way to lower the energy consumption of your household, without having to give up performance, features and comfort. Your utilities bill will thank you.

Many products on the market contain high levels of harmful chemicals, the fumes of which can easily contaminate the air in your home. So when choosing which materials to use in your next home improvement project, it’s important to consider products that don’t have adverse affects on your health. One of the steps you can take to reduce these negative effects  is to look for non-toxic paint, finishers, stains and sealers at your local hardware store. These products will improve air quality throughout your house, making for a healthier, more comfortable living environment.

When choosing a type of flooring for your home, durability is a huge factor. There are several wood flooring options available in the sustainable design market that are both long-lasting and cost effective. To ensure that durability is not compromised, these flooring options have a non-toxic sealant, allowing them to last for decades. If you’re in the mood for a new wood floor, buying FSC certified wood is a great way to support your local economy while ensuring that your floors will be long lasting. FSC certified bamboo and cork have a similar look and longevity to wood, but can be purchased at a lower cost. If you’re a fan of all things antique, incorporating reclaimed and salvaged wood into your design can also be a fun way to bring character into your home. Whether buying new, using recycled, or restoring your current wood floors, all you have to do is add a coat of non-toxic varnish for a healthy, sustainable result.

A recently published study in The Appraisal Journal suggests that the market value of a home increases by $10-$25 for every $1 decrease in annual fuel bills. Even more, a Energy Star qualified 3,000 square foot new house can save $800 per year on energy costs, making for a $8,000 to $25,000 increase in the market value. The benefits of these savings and sale value increases are even greater in existing homes, due to the greater opportunity to upgrade energy performance.

Although the above materials are good for the environment, incorporating them into your home design can make for a more efficient and healthy household. With lower energy bills and a possibly increased resale value, investing in sustainable design can be as good for your wallet as it is for your quality of life.

With such a close proximity to the sea, how could our “Ocean State” not have a torrid love affair with all things seafood? This weekend, Newport will be home to the 20th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival. In an area known to have some of the best seafood in the state, this yearly celebration honors local restaurants and fisherman’s associations by celebrating their commitment to the “Harvest of the Sea.”  This event is known as one of the best fall festivals in all of New England and will feature live music, face painting, games, cider and more for you to enjoy while delighting in the copious amounts of seafood.

For those of us scattered across the state, we don’t always get to enjoy Aquidneck Island as much as we would like. However, this local is always a great day trip and the Bowens Wharf Seafood Festival gives us a perfect excuse to go over the bridge and experience all that Newport has to offer. The Island and it’s traditions contain an essential part of Rhode Island’s history and traveling to the area reminds us of our roots. If you have any free time this weekend, we encourage you to venture across the bridge and take in all the splendor that Aquidneck Island has to offer.