The Soundtrack to Autumn

Autumn is here, so put on a warm jumper, make a cup of tea and turn on these tunes. They’ll help you reconnect with friends and reflect on the year gone by.

Neil Young – ‘Harvest Moon’

The title track of his 1992 LP has become one of Young’s signature songs.  It’s a perfect distillation of that romantic and ethereal October vibe.

Yo La Tengo – ‘Autumn Sweater’

The days are shorter, it’s getting cold, and we don’t know how to feel about it. Sure, those trees are pretty … but where did all the time go? You can’t help wanting to get away, and Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan understands. Over surprising drums and a warm, undulating organ, he croons ‘We could slip away/ Wouldn’t that be better?/Me with nothing to say/And you in your autumn sweater…’

R.E.M. – ‘Endgame’

This gentle almost-instrumental (with gorgeous, sleepily harmonized vocals) is about the bliss of letting go.

Cat Power – ‘Lived in Bars’

Life’s going slower now … but wasn’t the party great while it lasted? Cat Power’s Chan Marshall dazzles on this slow-burn torch song.

The Mamas & the Papas – ‘California Dreamin’

An obvious choice? Some would say it’s the only choice. Summer will be back, but for now, snuggle into the sofa, close your eyes and dream of sunny California.

Pure Goodness: Which Fruits And Vegetables Should You Buy Organic?

Organic produce is becoming more and more popular in the supermarket, as people learn more and more about the harm that pesticides can cause to our bodies. But different vegetables are affected differently by chemicals. Here are some that you should opt for organic whenever possible, and some for which it matters less.

The most important fruits to buy organic are tree fruits, especially stone fruits. The meat of nectarines, peaches, plums, and the like is exceptionally porous and absorbs and retains pesticides very well. In some studies, over 90% of those fruits, when tested, had noticeable levels of pesticides. In addition, leafy greens are also grown with excessive pesticides – lettuce, spinach, and celery in particular. Purchasing these fruits and vegetables grown organically is a good idea.

Some fruits and vegetables, however, don’t retain pesticides nearly as well and can be bought from conventional farms. Most notably, root vegetables are virtually pesticide-free. Carrots, onions, potatoes, yams, and other staples that grow under the ground don’t receive the amount of bug killer that above-ground plants do. In addition, most grains and legumes are fine to purchase conventionally. They are dried and processed so well that the residue of the pesticide is removed.

Organic food is more than a fad. And smart shopping will help you separate the necessary purchases from the needless expenditures!

Memo to Residents: Tropical Storm Warning

As you may know, a tropical storm is heading our way this weekend. The prolonged high winds and heavy rains represent potential hazards like: flooding, power outages and wind damage.

We strongly request that all residents properly prepare in advance, and below is a list of suggested actions:

• We are requiring you to secure all balcony/patio and yard furniture, as well as, all outside personal belongings (toys, planters, grills), preferably bring them inside.
   
• e a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Please use candles with extreme caution, and never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Have a battery-powered radio and clock available.
• Stay away from downed and loose wires and report them immediately to PECO and the Office if the wires are within the Community.
• If you lose power, move items from your refrigerator into your freezer to keep them cold as long as possible, and open your freezer and refrigerator as little as possible.
• Close your blinds and windows, and stay away from windows during the height of the storm.
• Generators are not permitted to be used at any time. This includes storing the generator on the patio or balcony for use inside the apartment.
• Consider placing a rolled towel at the bottom of patio on front entrance door if water intrusion is an issue, and keep the doors closed.
• Walk or drive cautiously. Debris-filled streets and pathways are very dangerous. Washouts may weaken road and bridge structures. Please be mindful, and observe any blocked out or taped off roadways and pathways.
• Stay indoors! Resist the temptation to watch the storm outside as the high winds may create projectiles that could put you at risk of injury.

Keep PECO’s emergency telephone number 800-841-4141 handy. The more customers who call to report an outage, the faster they may dispatch crews and restore your service. Restoring power is typically not a matter that our site Management team has any control over.

Some other important numbers to keep at the ready are:
The Police Department number is:
Our Emergency “On-Call” number is:

We thank you in advance for your patience. We expect that there may be problems and our staff is making every effort to plan accordingly. It takes a team effort to deal with storm related matters and clean-up after a storm. Should damage to the property occur, please report the matter to the Management Office and we will make an inspection to assess the damages as soon as possible. Repairs will be schedule in the order of severity.

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Forecasters project that Hurricane Irene will strike the North Carolina coast Saturday morning, then move northeast along the east coast. On Saturday and Sunday, states in the mid-Atlantic and New England will suffer torrential rain and hurricane force winds from the Category 2 storm. According to weather.com, Hurricane Irene has the potential to produce flooding rains, high winds, downed trees, and widespread power outages in and around cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. 

If you don't already have one, now's a good time to create a disaster preparedness plan for you and your family. You can read the National Hurricane Center's hurricane preparedness tips at www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml. The page offers tips on developing a family disaster plan, creating a disaster supply kit, and evacuation. 

Click here for weather.com's projected tracks for Hurricane Irene. 

Check weather.com, accuweather.com, or wunderground.com for up to date information about Hurricane Irene. 

And most importantly, be safe!

Rough It: Essential Camping Tips

When the weather's nice, more and more people head out to their local park or forest area to camp for the first time. If you’re one of them, take a little time first to go over this list of tips. They might save you a lot of aggravation.

-        Make sure you know how to pitch your tent. This is one of the most mechanically challenging aspects of camping. You don’t want to get to your campsite and then be unable to put together your shelter. Assemble it at least once completely at home to make sure you have all the parts and know how they fit.

-        Dress in layers. You’re not going to have the luxury of climate control, so wearing several thin layers of clothing is the best way to ensure you’re never too hot or too cold.

-        Bring navigation devices. The best thing, obviously, is a personal GPS that isn’t tied to roads. A map and a compass will work just as well if you’re fastidious about using them.

-        Plan your campsite well. If you’re really setting up camp in the wilderness (as opposed to a pre-cleared camping area), where you put your tent is important. Look for a spot that is elevated from any valley beds and covered in soft soil. Make sure to lay a tarp down under your tent to keep water out.

-        Secure your food. There are all kinds of things out there who want to chow down on your grub. Take proper precautions to keep your meals out of their hands, whether that means storing them in a locking cooler or hanging a bag from a tree out of the reach of bears.

How to Enjoy Summer’s Last Hurrah

Although summer officially ends on September 22nd, for most of us, the Labor Day long weekend means the end of beach weekends, impromptu days off, and just the generally more relaxed feeling in the air. Instead of thinking about the end of the season, check out some great ways to make the most of summer's last hurrah!

Throw a fabulous Labor Day party. Invite your friends, create a theme, dream up an awesome menu, and raise a glass to a summer full of fun. If you have a pool or live by the beach, even better—you can splash around, party the night away, and pretend summertime is just beginning.

Plan a getaway for the weekend after Labor Day. Summer isn't over until you say it is, so extend the fun for as long as you can! Labor Day vacation prices will be through the roof, so plan a trip to a cute B&B, a beach resort, or a mountain hideaway for the weekend after—you'll save money and have something to look forward to.

Get summer out of your system. Starting now until Labor Day, do one thing each day that you meant to do all season. Whether its a great rooftop happy hour you never checked out, a bike ride through your favorite park and a picnic stop, or a day at the beach; do it now!

A Little Extra Pocket Money Goes A Long Way

Even if you work full time, life is expensive and making a little extra money on the side is always a good idea. It’s figuring what else you can do to score some extra cash, that won’t take up all of the precious free time you’d otherwise be spending on hobbies or with family and friends.

One interesting way people are scraping together a little extra money is “microworking,” using services like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to do small-scale jobs—some of which take less than a minute each—and pay a few cents each. It’s not a lot, but do it while you’re watching TV and it will add up.

Another way to make money is tutoring, which just requires an education and patience. Find students in your community and build a reputation.

Many people are also turning their hobbies into extra income by selling products they make either at local craft fairs or on sites like Etsy. Or if you’re a writer, editor, or tech guru, lend your talents to Elance and other freelance sites.

There are a number of other simple, low-impact ways to make money as well, from dog walking and pet sitting to running errands. Keep your eyes open and there’s always something extra you can do.

5 Must-See Horror Movies

There’s something about horror that makes it so irresistible for moviemakers. Maybe it’s knowing that your captive audience is in a big, dark room, surrounded by strangers and ready to be freaked out. Whatever the cause, horror movies have ruled Hollywood for decades. Here’s five that any movie lover should revere.

Psycho. The Alfred Hitchcock classic ratcheted up suspense to never before seen levels, with one of the most iconic death scenes of all time.

A Nightmare On Elm Street. The original entry in the franchise has never been topped—the supernatural element of Freddy Krueger, a killer who stalks your dreams, is always terrifying.

The Shining. The Stanley Kubrick rendition of the Steven King novel boasts an unforgettable Jack Nicholson performance and amazing atmosphere.

Hausu. This bizarre Japanese haunted house movie has built up a huge cult following for its surreal scares.

The Gate. This 80s cult classic is revered by horror fans for its willingness to break some of the genre’s most sacred rules.

Dining Out With Kids: How To Keep Your Little Ones Occupied

Kids and restaurants—the two can be a recipe for disaster. If there’s one thing that kids aren’t good at, it’s sitting still for an extended period of time. If you need to take your kids out to eat, with a few tricks in your pocket, your kids will be quiet and occupied so you can enjoy your meal.

First and foremost, try to time your visit for when your children will actually be hungry. That way you can get them to the table and keep them focused on food for as long as possible.

Don’t linger over the menu—let your waiter/waitress know you’ll be ordering quickly.

Bring small toys to keep your kiddies busy, but keep them hidden until you decide to bring them out. Then, dole them out one at a time to ensure that your kids will focus longer on each new toy.

Crayons and coloring books are also great solutions to keep your kids occupied while you’re dining—but the real challenge will come at the end of the meal, when your kids are done eating and you still have an entire entreé to go. Make sure to reserve some entertainment for that period of time as well. If all else fails, a short video on an iPod can save your life.

Travel Idea: Find a True Hot Spot in Miami

If everything you know about Miami is from episodes of Dexter, you have a lot to learn about the Magic City. The Cuban population is a mighty presence in Florida, and the Cuban food is to die for. Try Islas Canarias, which serves homestyle Cuban in a no-frills atmosphere.

Miami’s beaches are justifiably famous, with hordes of sun-seekers laying out and tanning throughout the year. In general, South Beach is the one preferred by locals. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the newly remodeled Fontainebleau Miami Beach is both architecturally significant and luxurious, located right in the middle of Millionaire’s Row, the richest neighborhood in the country.

To come down from all that high living, head over to Purdy Lounge in Miami Beach, where folks of all kinds gather to drink and dance.

Miami is an incredibly diverse and fascinating town, so keep an open mind and you’ll have fun.

Spruce Up Your Home For Summer!

Warm weather is here, so why not lighten and brighten your home decorations? These simple, affordable tips will help you create a fresh look for summer.

Remove layers. Replace heavy furniture throws with lighter, airier fabrics for a more summery feel. When possible, replace large area rugs, runners, and tablecloths with lightweight versions.

Cover up. Alternatively, covering dark furniture with bright slipcovers can dramatically change the appearance of your room. Look for cool fabrics in summery patterns, like a light stripe or floral print. For a more casual feel, try white canvas. For pillows that really say summer, sew two towels together along three sides to make super soft, comfortable pillowcases. 

Add some artwork. If possible, hang summer landscapes, floral prints, and water scenes. White picture frames will contribute to the feel and make the art “pop” from the wall. Accentuate tables with outdoor family snapshots. You can also make your own artwork by pressing flowers for 1 – 2 weeks and then slipping them into a simple frame.

Expand your space. Draw natural light into dark corners with well-placed mirrors. This is especially helpful if your walls are a dark color.

Any of these tips will make those summer breezes seem a little sweeter.  So throw open the windows, turn on the fan, and let the sun shine in!

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