Craft College: How to Begin Crafting!

The handicraft movement has enjoyed a swell of popularity in recent years, with more and more people making all sorts of stuff. Crocheting, knitting, embroidery, sewing, and the like can not only help you express yourself, but also save you money. If you’re inspired to jump aboard the crafting train, here are some tips to make it as easy and fun as possible.

First off, make sure your first projects are something you can handle. Many knitters start out trying to make complicated items like sweaters that are outside of their skill level. This is a recipe for disaster. It’s more than likely that by reaching too far, you’ll just frustrate yourself. Start simple – for knitters and crocheters, scarves are excellent – and then when you have the basics down, slowly expand your skills.

Secondly, it’s more fun to craft with a group. Many coffehouses and bars feature regular craft nights, and you can also find like-minded people through Craigslist and Facebook. Having somebody to talk to while you work can make the time go faster, and crafting problems are easily solved with more eyes!

Thirdly, share your crafts with friends and family. People love hand-made gifts, and they’ll appreciate the time and effort you put into your work. Don’t judge your projects too harshly. Even if they’re not perfect, they'll be welcomed!

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!

Welcome To Charm City!

Sure, Baltimore has a bit of a rough reputation. (Blame The Wire.) But once you’re there you can’t help but fall in love with one of America’s most idiosyncratic cities. They don’t call it “Charm City” for nothing. Here’s an itinerary for someone looking to sample some of the Baltimore’s unique offerings.

The Inner Harbor area is one of the city’s most family-friendly destinations, offering a wide range of activities. Visit the Maryland Science Center or the National Aquarium, both of which are top-notch facilities. Or take the kids to the Port Discovery Children’s Museum. For a different look at the city, take a duck boat tour out in the harbor. It’s also a great place just to people-watch or stroll.

Baltimore also has a number of the country’s most important African-American historical sites and museums. A visit to the Great Blacks In Wax Museum is a must for any visitor. This unique installation depicts some of the most famous and influential African-Americans of all time. Baltimore was also the home to many jazz legends, including Eubie Blake and Cab Calloway.

Baltimore’s culinary scene has a lot to recommend it as well. When you’re there, make sure to get some crab from one of the city’s awesome crab houses. Locals recommend L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and Obrycki’s in Fells Point!

The Ultimate Decision: Kindle or iPad?

Electronic readers have become a major part of the book market in the 21st century, as technology has advanced to the point where it’s easier to get a digital copy of a book than a hard copy of one. The two major devices that are delivering books are e-ink readers like Amazon’s Kindle and standard LCD screens like Apple’s iPad. Both have a wide variety of books available, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

The Kindle has a passive screen, so it creates less eyestrain to read, and Amazon’s selection is by far the best. The iPad’s screen makes eyestrain, but it can also show color, which the Kindle cannot. Given the choice, if you intend to read novels the Kindle is the better choice, but the iPad is a multipurpose device that can do more in the long run.

Keep a Food Journal, Keep Yourself Healthy

We’ve become an incredibly food-conscious society, with everything from calorie counting to local eating determining what we put on our plates. One of the greatest tools available to every dieter is the food journal—by recording every bite you eat, you can get a precise look at the nutrients going into your body. Studies show that keeping a food journal makes you twice as likely to lose weight and keep it off. Some useful tips include:

1. Don’t procrastinate. Write down everything you eat at meal or snacktime. This will keep you honest.

2. Write down the circumstances of your food. Were you eating at mealtime? Snacktime? Were you hungry when you started eating?

3. Cross-reference your meals with a calorie and fat guide at the end of the day to tally up your input. Keep in mind the recommended daily allowances of fats, sugars and proteins you should be consuming, and compare your daily intake to it.

The Best Gifts to Bring a Host/Hostess

Invited to a cocktail party or a dinner gathering, but can’t decide what to take as a hostess gift? Plan ahead for this conundrum by keeping a linen-closet shelf stocked with suitable tokens of your esteem. Here are a few easy-to-find suggestions to start your collection.

Bottom’s up! For hostesses who like to imbibe on occasion, a bottle of wine or Champagne or a small bottle of high-end liquor is almost always an appropriate – and appreciated — gift.

Sweets for the sweet. A box of artisanal chocolates, truffles, or another interesting confection is a great way to show your appreciation.

Make scents. A long-lasting scented candle is a hostess gift that will keep on giving. 

Indulgent spa gifts.  Show her you care with top-quality hand lotion or a selection of fine soaps.

With a supply of thoughtful hostess gifts on hand, you’ll never find yourself in a last-minute gift-giving predicament again.

Staying in Touch Made Easy

The days of families all staying in the same geographical region are long gone—now we’re scattered across the country, traveling all over the globe for education and careers. Thankfully, modern technology has given us many ways to keep in touch with our loved ones.

Facebook—it’s designed for that exact purpose. Make a private “group” page for your family where relatives can post photographs, talk about events, et cetera. You can also create Facebook events for family reunions.

Skype via your computer. This free video chat and calling software lets you see and hear relatives no matter how far away they are. If you have technophobes in the family, there are still ways to keep in touch, Skype can make calls to regular phones as well for a fee.

Weekly phone dates. Schedule a time each week to chat with your loved ones—Sunday afternoons are a great time to chat. Set your calendar/phone to remind you each week and you’ll never miss a phone date.

It May Be Time to Clean Out Your Closet

If you’re having problems putting away your laundry because your closet is overflowing, maybe it’s time to sort through your wardrobe. It may break your heart to part with treasured items of clothing, but it’s time to be realistic: there’s no way you’re wearing everything. When the time comes to clean out the closet, there are a few simple rules to live by.

First and foremost: have you not worn something in at least a year? If not, let it go. Of course, this doesn’t apply to something like your wedding dress, but there are very few exceptions. The same goes for accessories like bags, shoes, and jewelry. If you don’t wear it anymore, or it’s no longer in fashion, say goodbye.

Next, what kind of shape are your clothes in? It’s better to have a few key items that are high quality and can be used in a variety of outfits than a lot of one-use garments. Less is definitely more when it comes to fashion.

Lastly, what in your closet doesn’t fit anymore? Feel free to keep the skinny jeans you are have been dieting to get back into, but get rid of the rest.

And a nice side bonus is, you can take all of your discarded clothes and accessories to a consignment store, trade them in for cash or credit and start building a whole new style for yourself.

Tea: A Cup for Every Mood

A cup of tea will warm you up, get your brain gently buzzing, cure the sniffles, and even make you healthier. Or it can calm you down, cool you off, and help you sleep. It all depends on the kind you drink! Keep these 6 types of tea on hand and you’ll be prepared for whatever the day brings:

1. Green Tea. A light, natural stress reliever, green tea is proven to strengthen heart health and your immune system.

2. White Tea. White tea is a gentle and refreshing buzz, low in caffeine and rich in healthy antioxidants.

3. Chai Tea. Full of spicy nuances, this Indian delicacy can be enjoyed straight, with cream and honey, or iced. The rich, piquant flavor is guaranteed to give you a creative boost.

4. Black Tea. Easier on your brain and stomach than coffee, black tea is perfect for a quick pick-me-up.

5. Chamomile Tea. Treat yourself to a cup of chamomile tea at the end of the day.  The delicious, slightly sweet flavor will relax you and help you sleep. Chamomile even alleviates headaches and stomach complaints.

6. Oolong Tea. Served cold, this subtle, floral concoction is great relief on a hot day.

Cultivating Flavor: Homegrown Herbs to Spice Up Your Life

Chefs, take note: savory cooking herbs can easily be incorporated into your flower or vegetable gardens. The process is similar to growing vegetables, and the result is a tasty, healthy, money-saving addition to your at-home menu. When cultivating herbs, be sure to harvest at full flavor, and never use fertilizer or pesticides that aren’t labeled for use on edible plants. Here are some more tips for growing flavorful culinary herbs:

- Annual herbs (basil, coriander, dill, garlic) are cheap and easy to start from seed. Perennial herbs (sage, mint, lavender) establish better if you purchase seedlings.

- Plant your herbs in rich, well-draining soil and avoid overfeeding with fertilizer.

- Strictly limit pesticide use. If you must spray, use the least toxic solution.

- If possible, plant your garden near the kitchen door. You’ll use herbs more if they’re handy, and the scent will inspire your culinary adventures.

- Annual herbs are at peak flavor before they flower. 

- Begin pinching your plants when they’re 3-4 inches tall, and do so often. This will encourage them to grow.

- If a plant starts to flower, shear the plant by 1/3 and use it more frequently.

Bon appetit!

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