July 2010 - Happy Fourth of July!
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Park Monthly Newsletter & Calendar
July 2010 - Happy Fourth of July!
Early Bird Winner Dogs on the Loose Maintenance Moment, Summer Heat! [ top of page ] [ Home ] HighLightsHappy Birthday America Fireworks Seasonal Selections Little Actions Have Big Impact Pool Rules [ top of page ] [ Home ] Trivia WhizEasy as Pie Whether it comes a la mode or right out of grandma's oven, apple pie serves as a slice of Americana.
As American as… In 1974, an advertisement reinforced apple pie as red, white and blue. The "baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet" jingle ranks as one of the best commercials ever, according to Car and Driver magazine. The ad was updated more than 30 years later to include words such as "frozen yogurt" and "skyboxes." [ top of page ] [ Home ] The One Minute ChefWatermelon Berry Star Cake Ingredients:
Directions: Cut a three-inch thick slice from the center of an oblong, seedless watermelon. Place flat on a cutting board and use an oversized, approximately 7-inch-wide starshaped cookie cutter (or sharp kitchen knife) to cut a star shape. Wash the watermelon and pat dry. Set on a paper towel to drain excess water. Place on a serving dish or cake stand. Pipe whipped cream or a light frosting between the bottom edge of the star and the plate. Dot with blueberries. Frost the top of the star. For more refreshing, summertime recipes, visit www.Watermelon.org. [ top of page ] [ Home ] Life StylesSummer Concert Survival Guide Whether it's an all-day event or an evening under the stars, outdoor concerts draw millions of music lovers to see their favorite performers. Being prepared for the occasion will ensure an optimal summer concert experience, so follow these tips for a stress-free, toe-tappin' good time: Know the rules. Find out beforehand if you can bring cameras, water bottles and other items into the concert site. Most venues post restricted items on their web site. Dress for success. With lots of walking and being on your feet, wearing comfortable shoes should be a no-brainer. Also wear light-colored, breathable clothing during the day and sunglasses to prevent headaches. Bring a light jacket for cool nights. Drink plenty of water. Most venues charge a pretty penny for bottled water, but it's essential to stay hydrated. Buy one and refill it for free at the drinking fountains. Wear sunblock. Avoid getting scorched by the sun by wearing sunscreen and reapplying it several times throughout the day. Stash some cash. Avoid long lines and high ATM fees by bringing enough money to the event. [ top of page ] [ Home ] Consumer TipsMinding Money Matters Few topics can make otherwise friendly conversations go awry like money. Here's a look at some common currency encounters and the polite ways to handle them. 1) A nosy friend asks how much you make, how much you spent on your car, clothes and other items. How do you respond? Rather than replying with vague answers such as "too much" or "not enough," say something to end the inquisition. Try: "I'm sorry, I don't share financial information with friends." 2) You're at a restaurant with a group of friends and the server is unable to split the bill. If someone suggests to divide it evenly when you only had a salad, throw a reasonable amount to cover your meal, tax and tip on the table. Then say, "This should more than cover my cost. I'll put this in and let you split the rest." It becomes obvious that you owe less. 3) You lent money to a friend and notice him or her with a new, expensive item but you haven't received payment. Should you say something? Yes. Try: "I noticed you have a new purse, but you haven't paid me back yet. Did you forget?" 4) You found a cute top at a discount store, then someone asks where you got it. Do you admit the bargain or lie? While there's no shame in bargain shopping, you don't have to be entirely upfront. Say you can't remember, or that it was a gift. Learn ways to avoid uncomfortable conversations about money with friends [ top of page ] [ Home ] FeatureTrashing Food: What a Waste The amount of food Americans throwaway each year is hard to swallow. A study from the University of Arizona indicates that the average U.S. family of four discards $590 annually in meats, fruits, vegetables and grain products. Not only is this wasteful, it also creates serious environmental issues. When food enters landfills, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in our atmosphere. No wonder cities are taking action. A compost center opened in 2009 in Wilmington, Del. It turns tons of food waste into compost to help farmers grow crops. Eight cities in California joined forces to see how much food waste they can prevent from reaching landfills. You can do your part to reduce food waste, too. Start by buying only sensible amounts of food you know you can consume. Then, learn ways to use up your leftovers. Here are some tips from www.PlanetGreen.Discovery.com : Soup's on. Freeze trimmed ends from onions, carrots, celery and peppers until you have a reasonable amount to boil and make homemade vegetable broth. Toaster time. If you make too many pancakes or waffles, freeze them and then pop in the toaster for a fast breakfast. Salad topper. Bake day-old bread to use as salad croutons. Fun and fruity. Use any fruit that needs to be eaten quickly by whirling up a batch of smoothies. [ top of page ] [ Home ] **The Meridian Park monthly newsletter is developed by Uhlig Communications via hardcopy and adapted electronically for this web site.** |
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