MANUAL
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Alex Bergin points to the plants lining the windows of his apartment. He has pride in how well the plants have grown in the confined space of his living room. Bergin, Leawood senior, says an apartment without plants feels "kind of sterile." "It's good to let people know that things can live in this apartment," Bergin says. "I like knowing that I can maintain something. It's very welcoming and feels very comfortable."
Plants are a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere in an apartment or house. A plant can change the dynamic of a room and offer additional benefits. Richard H. Mattson, professor of Horticulture Therapy at Kansas State University, says plants can act as air filters, reduce stress, and induce relaxation in apartments and confined living spaces. Mattson says plants are a significant way to bring nature indoors.
Owning a plant can be easy and low-maintenance even in apartments or houses without much light. When picking out a plant for your residence it is important to think about the space you have and what you are looking for. Plants can help a student connect to nature, even in the midst of computers, television and other technologies that tend to dominate our lives and the places we live.
"Plants lift up people's spirits," says Ila Hohn, who works in the garden center at The Home Depot, 1910 W. 31st St. "People want something
living and growing when they go home. It makes them feel good."
If you are worried about taking care of a plant, don't be. There are many household plants, large and small, that can fit in the corners of your house or sit on your windowsills. For instance, a hanging plant will work for someone with little floor space. A spider plant, also known as an airplane plant, is typically placed in baskets that can hang from the ceiling. This unique plant gets its nicknames from the odd plantlets that hang over the basket. These plants are tough and can survive with little light.
Chances are you have seen a trailing foliage plant at a friend's house. Known as Golden Pothos or Devil's Ivy, these small plants work well in low light conditions and are common among students, Hohn says. The Pothos might lose its leaves while trying to adjust to the low light conditions, however Mattson says this is normal. The new leaves will grow back smaller after it adapts to the new conditions of your residence.
There are also health benefits to owning an indoor foliage plant. Mattson says foliage plants act as air filters, removing harmful effects of tobacco smoke and other organic pollutants while releasing oxygen.
If you have more floor space in your apartment or home, try a larger potted foliage plant. It will add a nice touch to your room and
will need little maintenance.
Sansevieria, more commonly known as Mother in Law's Tongue or Snake plant, is "indestructible," says Patrick Leach, assistant greenhouse manager at Sunrise Garden Center, 1501 New York St. Leach says most people with apartments pick plants like Mother in Law's Tongue or cast iron plants because they are very hardy, low light plants that don't need much attention. This makes it easier for someone who is skeptical about taking on the responsibility of a plant.
Bergin describes his Sansevieria as a "tough, mean of' plant." "That thing just lives," says Bergin, who got the plant after his old neighbor rescued it from the basement of the Eldridge hotel. "It survived down there in the darkness without water for awhile."
If you are looking for a plant that can help you unwind after a long day, Mattson's research at Kansas State University has shown that the aroma of lavender plants helps reduce stress.
Or you might want a good-looking plant to impress your guests. "I always tell people to buy something less common," Leach says. "If you've got a pineapple plant in your living room, that's interesting."
Choosing a plant ultimately depends on what you are looking for. A plant can change the look, smell and feel of a room. "If anything, they smell nice," Bergin says.
photo illustrations | Jerry Wang
having Mother nature. Bring a little of the outdoors inside your home with plants that can help increase relaxation, mood and dexterity. Alex Bergin (left), Leawood senior, says if nothing else, the plants smell nice.
HOW PLANTS CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL-BEING
Richard H. Mattson, who conducts Horticulture Therapy research at Kansas State University, discusses some of the benefits of owning plants.
+ Stress-reducing effect of green and flowering plants.
+ Decrease in sweat-related responses
+ Lowering of blood pressure
+ Increase in skin temperature, indicating relaxation.
+ Strengthening of immune system's ability to fight off respiratory viral infection with 40 minutes in the presence of plants.
The fund is now named after Jack B. Wright, a longtime University professor of theater.
Staniunas said the fund is publicized through Student Senate and always gives tickets to the McNair Scholars Program. The program is a federal organization designed.
when he said is because he rarely sees advertisements for events.
John Staniunas, chair of the University's department of theatre and film, said the uniqueness of the theater experience cannot be duplicated by movies or TV, and that is
don't usually get a chance to go to the theater.
"Depending on the show, I would definitely take advantage of a free ticket," Cobb said.
The University's McNair chapter gets an average of 15 to 20 tickets each year. Faculty members take the scholars to the show, and
that comes from the theater is extremely beneficial and students truly appreciate the experience.
Edited by Alex Tretbar
All proceeds from "Pastiche" and the post show reception will go directly to the fund.
City to host annual energy conservation fair
LOCAL
Lawrence residents peruse booths at last year's Energy Conservation Fair. This year the event will include a presentation by Westar Energy and a performance by "Eco Elvis."
BY ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON amcnaughton@kansan.com
When Nick Benson discusses energy and power on Saturday, he won't be referring to the football team.
Benson, a sophomore from Orlando, Fla., will miss Saturday's home game to volunteer at the 10th annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair. Benson is the coordinator for the Resource Conservation committee and is an officer in Environs, the student organization that promotes environmental awareness.
"Most people just aren't aware how much they can conserve," Benson said. "We're hoping that through this fair, people who aren't aware of conservation will become aware and people who are aware will learn other ways that they can reduce further."
The Energy Conservation Fair is hosted by the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Lawrence Community Building, located at 115 W. 11th St. The fair will feature 40 exhibits and will also feature presentations, workshops and performances all related to energy conservation and education.
Tickets will be required for the Sustainable Homes Tour, but admittance to the fair is free to the public. To show the benefits of public transportation, the Lawrence Transit System will also
be offering free rides on the T all day Saturday on all fixed routes.
Kathy Richardson, the waste reduction and recycling operations supervisor, said in the past this event has grown to attract more than 600 attendees who enjoy learning from a variety of presenters including builders, architects, insulation experts, heating and cooling contractors, government agencies, non-fruits and alternative fuel vehicle representatives.
Jeffrey Severin, director for the center, said they would be trying to illustrate how the University is addressing energy in a variety of ways. Severin said that at the fair they would be looking at some of the research that is going on around campus through the Energy Council, through the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis and a variety of research centers on campus that focus on issues that either address renewable energy or energy consumption and climate change.
The University's Center for Sustainability will present at the fair again this year speaking about conservation around campus.
OW
Severin said in the past these fairs have always provided a lot of great information to anyone interested.
"Environmental issues always seem like such large challenges and somewhat overwhelming." Severin said. "Energy conservation is something that we can all easily do in our daily lives. Fairs like this really help put that into perspective."
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
side films all for series
Eileen Horn, the sustainability coordinator for the city, said the fair provided a forum for people to come and learn about energy conservation, new energy technologies and ways to become more energy efficient.
player film and Wave.
Horn said Nickie Lee, who works in the State Energy Office and will speak about Efficiency Kansas, can educate students who rent on to save money and
10 a.m. — Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair opens with exhibits.
11 a.m. — Dominique Davison of Davison Architecture + Urban Design LLC talks about residential housing and the associated environmental effects.
Noon — Eco Elvis, an environmentally friendly Elvis impersonator, will perform modified Elvis songs with an environmental message. 1:30 p.m. — Nickie Lee from the State Energy Office will speak about Efficiency Kansas. 20 p.
SEE ENERGY ON PAGE 3A
2:30 p.m. — Larry Kinder with LilyPad EV will speak about plug-in electric vehicles and their benefits to the environment and businesses.
4 p.m. — Exhibits close.
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Source: Kathy Richardson
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TODAY'S WEATHER
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funds may help bring new drug
Recovery act grants bring funding to the University for research on a drug that could prevent cancer from nicotine.
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