Blogging about Concierge Services in the Boston, MA area
HURRICANE SAFETY CHECKLIST
Sep 3rd
The most important thing you can do as hurricane season
approaches is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared.
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Checklists |
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By starting early, you’ll avoid the rush at home supply stores, grocery stores and other venues typically crowded and often chaotic when hurricane watches and warnings are issued.
You should stock six basics for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container—suggested items are marked with an asterisk (*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.
Make your preparations easier by downloading the checklists included with each category and use them as you shop and store your supplies.
The City of Boston Small & Local Business Enterprise certified Vyctoria’s Answer as a Small Business Enterprise and Small Local Business Enterprise
Aug 30th
Vyctoria’s Answer is pleased to announce that as of July 8, 2010 we sought and successfully obtained a Small Business Enterprise and Small Local Business Enterprise which was issued by the City of Boston Small and Local Business Enterprise (SLBE). This is a three year certification.
If your organization works with government agencies and they require your business to meet affirmative purchasing and contracting goals, the business you conduct with Vyctoria’s Answer may assist you in meeting those goals. If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact Vyctoria Thwreatt at (877) VYCTORIA (877-892-8674) or info@vyctoriasanswer.com.
About Vyctoria’s Answer
Vyctoria’s Answer is headquartered in the greater Boston area. In today’s fast-paced world, people do not have adequate time to organize the many details that make life run seamlessly. Our goal is to “Simplify & Organize Your Life”. Our dedicated professionals provide 5 star personal, corporate and virtual concierge services. Vyctoria’s Answer oversees and performs all the daily activities necessary to keep a household running smoothly. Vyctoria’s Answer also coordinates and customizes many personal/family vacations, corporate travel as well as arranges numerous types of private and corporate functions. Fully insured, bonded and State Office of Minority & Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) and Small Business Enterprise & Small Local Business Enterprise certified.
Vyctoria’s Answer is defined by impeccable service, attentiveness, flexibility, integrity, resourcefulness, and creativity. Having lifestyle details managed in an effective and efficient manner increases quality of life by allowing more effective uses of time, reduction of stress and assists in achieving a healthy work/life balance. With over a decade of concierge, organization and management experience, Vyctoria’s Answer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to its clients.
EGGS RECALLED – SALMONELLA CONCERNS
Aug 17th
Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling some of its eggs out of concern they may be tainted with salmonella bacteria.
After an uptick in salmonella infections, the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration, traced the source and determined it was most likely eggs from Wright County Egg. The company says it is working to determine how the shell eggs are being contaminated.
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LOOKING FOR SOME VACATION IDEAS IN MASSAHUCHUSETTS?
Jul 12th
1,000 places to visit in Massachusetts
The Great Places in Massachusetts Commission today released a list of sites in Massachusetts to visit. The goal of the list is to boost tourism to the state and give local residents the opportunity to visit known and less-known historic, cultural, and natural sites. Below are the sites, listed by town.
2010 BOSTON NAVY WEEK
Jun 27th
The 2010 Boston Navy Week, begins June 30 and runs through July 5 in conjunction with the 29th annual Boston Harborfest. Navy Week Boston recognizes the Sailors who serve our country and the communities that support them.
Events range from Navy band musical performances, amphibious assault ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53)arriving June 30, joining the the oldest commissioned ship the the U.S. Navy USS Constitution.
Click For More Information
KELLOGG RECALLS 28 MILLION BOXES OF CEREAL
Jun 26th
Kellogg Co. is recalling 28 million boxes of several popular cereals due to an unusual flavor and smell.
HISTORY OF FATHER’S DAY
Jun 16th
The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.
FREE SEATS!
Jun 10th
Megabus will begin service from Philadelphia to Boston and eight other cities on July 21, with three daily local departures from South Station. Currently the only direct service the discounter offers from Boston is to New York — and all on doubledecker buses.
Memorial Day
May 29th
The “Memorial” in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:
Vyctoria’s Answer is now a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) by the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA)
May 26th
Vyctoria’s Answer is pleased to announce that as of May 2010, we have been certified as a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) by the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA).
Overtime Bad for Your Heart
May 12th
If you think long hours at the office are killing you, you may be right.
Working overtime raises your risk of heart disease, a new study of British civil servants reports. A Boston cardiologist says we should pay attention to the findings and look for ways to reduce the chronic stress such labor can bring.
“This is giving us added warning that there is a real heart problem,” Dr. Christopher Cannon, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said in an interview. He was not involved in the study.
In the study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers followed more than 6,000 white-collar workers in London. After 11 years there were 369 heart attacks, deaths from heart disease, and cases of chest pain called angina. People who worked three to four hours longer than their daily seven-hour workday were 60 percent more likely to have one of these heart problems than people who worked no overtime. The higher risk persisted even after the researchers accounted for 21 risk factors, from blood pressure to hard-driving, type A personality.
“We recommend that people who are post heart attack and appear to be in high stress jobs go to stress-reduction programs, but I think we don’t want to wait until after the heart attack to start paying attention to it,” Cannon said. “Exercise is actually a great way to defuse stress so that’s usually my first prescription, but then it’s encouraging people to get to the bottom of the real problem that’s raising their stress.”
History of Mother’s Day
May 7th
The majority of countries that celebrate Mother’s Day do so on the second Sunday of May. On this day, it is common for Mothers to be lavished with presents and special attention from their families, friends and loved ones. But it hasn’t always been this way.
Only recently dubbed “Mother’s Day,” the highly traditional practice of honoring of Motherhood is rooted in antiquity, and past rites typically had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones; societies tended to celebrate Goddesses and symbols rather than actual Mothers. In fact, the personal, human touch to Mother’s Day is a relatively new phenomenon. The maternal objects of adoration ranged from mythological female deities to the Christian Church itself. Only in the past few centuries did celebrations of Motherhood develop a decidedly human focus.
Answers to Your Questions about the Water Ban in the Greater Boston Area
May 2nd
Q. How can I be sure my drinking water is safe?
A. If you live in one of the affected communities east of Weston, you need to boil all water for drinking or cooking. As an alternative, you could use disinfectant tablets.
Q. But if there has been a huge break, why is water still coming out of my pipes?
A. The MWRA has emergency water supplies from the Sudbury Aqueduct, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and Spot Pond Reservoir. The water can be used for showers and for flushing toilets, but is not safe to drink. State officials say the backup supplies are sufficient to last indefinitely.
Q. How long should I boil the water?
A. The water should be at a rolling boil for at least a minute.
Q. Are there any special precautions for children?
A. Children young enough that they are likely to ingest water while bathing should be given sponge baths. For infants, do not use powdered formulas that require water to prepare — use only canned formula that does not require added water.
Q. What about brushing my teeth or washing my hands?
A. You should use boiled or disinfected water.
Q. What about dishwashing?
A. Use disposable dishware, or rinse dishes in a heavily diluted bleach solution (an eighth of a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water). This advice applies whether you wash by hand or in a dishwasher.
Q. What about my pets?
A. Use the same precautions for pets as for people.
Q. Can I drink the water if I have a filter on my tap or refrigerator, or if I use a pitcher with a filter?
A. Not in this case. Most home filtration systems are designed to improve the taste and odor of water by removing chemicals and impurities, but they do not remove potentially harmful bacteria. You should boil your water or use bottled water in this case.
Q. What are the risks if I drink the tap water?
A. For most people, minor gastrointestinal illness. The biggest concerns are for those with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV or who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Q. Am I expected to cut back on water use?
A. Governor Deval Patrick urged residents to limit lawn and garden watering and other nonessential water use.
Q. Is it OK to shower?
A. Certainly, but you should avoid swallowing water while doing so.
Q. What if I fed my baby with water yesterday afternoon?
A. It’s OK. The switch to the secondary reservoirs was not made until 6:40 p.m.
Q. Will water pressure in fire hydrants be affected?
A. Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald said fire hydrants are operable and will remain so.
Q. How long will the water emergency last?
A. It’s not clear, though it could last several days or more. Officials were struggling last night to determine the cause of the breach and the scope of repairs.
Q. Remind me: Which communities are affected?
A. Arlington,Belmont,Boston, Brookline, Canton, Chelsea, Everett, Hanscom AFB, Lexington, Lynnfield WD, Malden, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Nahant, Norwood, Newton, Quincy, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Winchester, Winthrop
Vyctoria Thwreatt – blogtalkradio guest – Stress Relieving Services
Apr 26th
Overwhelmed? You have options. One is to hire a professional to help increase productivity and offload certain tasks. In this episode, join me and my guest panel: Jacqui Bushee, a private chef, Vyctoria Thwreatt, a personal concierge, and Lisa Englert, a virtual assistant.
The 2010 Boston Marathon
Apr 14th
Marathon Runner
The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon and part of the World Marathon Majors. A maximum field size of 25,000 participants begin in the rural town of Hopkinton and run the legendary course through eight cities and towns before finishing in Boston’s Back Bay. The 2010 edition will mark John Hancock Financial’s 25th year as principal sponsor.
The First Boston Marathon
After experiencing the spirit and majesty of the Olympic Marathon, B.A.A. member and inaugural US Olympic Team Manager John Graham was inspired to organize and conduct a marathon in the Boston area. With the assistance of Boston businessman Herbert H. Holton, various routes were considered, before a measured distance of 24.5 miles from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland to the Irvington Oval in Boston was eventually selected. On April 19, 1897, John J. McDermott of New York, emerged from a 15-member starting field and captured the first B.A.A. Marathon in 2:55:10, and, in the process, forever secured his name in sports history.
In 1924, the B.A.A. moved the starting line from Ashland to Hopkinton. In 1927, the Boston Marathon course was lengthened to the full distance of 26 miles, 385 yards to conform to Olympic standards.
MP3 Doorbell
Mar 25th
Ding-dong, the boring doorbell’s dead
If you’re tired of the boring ding-dong of your doorbell, if your dog goes berserk at the sound of your normal chimes, or if you want to show your geek pride in yet another area of your dwelling place or work habitat, let us give you some ideas of what you could do with the iChime Programmable Doorbell. The iChime comes with several pre-programmed doorbell options, but you can upload up to 6 custom user recordings from your CDs, mp3 player, or even live audio!
Personal Chef via Mail
Mar 20th
- Destination Dinners
The perfect gift for the foodie or traveler who has everthing. Recipe Kits from Destination Dinners make cooking authentic dishes from around the world fun, easy and educational.
Each Kit contains all of the pre-measured hard to find spices, sauces and dried ingredients, preparation instructions, shopping list for fresh items and trivia about the destination.
History of St. Patrick’s Day
Mar 11th
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick’s Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) colloquially St. Paddy’s Day or simply Paddy’s Day, is an annual feast day that celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 387–493), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on 17 March.
Hell on Hells
Feb 27th
Stilettos
Stylish stilettos make you feel beautiful and powerful at work—but may not be worth the health risk.
It’s painful, it’s unhealthy and it’s fiscally irresponsible. But all the cool girls are doing it, who wants to be left out.
The vice is killer heels, and I do mean killer.
Yet as painful as it is to live with the obsession, the idea of parting with the beloved stilettos is unthinkable. Who needs Jenny Craig when you can improve your weight-to-height ratio with Jimmy Choo?
Free Pancakes – February 23 – National Pancake Day
Feb 22nd
Mmm, pancakes. IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day on Feb. 23 by giving away free short stacks (three cakes per stack, folks) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at its locations in Cambridge, Brighton, and beyond.
Do Schools Have The Right To Use a Laptop Webcam To Secretly Record Students?
Feb 22nd
- Laptop Webcam
A Lower Merion family has set off a furor among students, parents, and civil liberties groups by alleging that Harriton High School officials used a webcam on a school-issued laptop to spy on their 15-year-old son at home.
Would You Breastfeed Someone Else’s Baby?
Feb 19th
Breastfeeding
A Chicago couple is suing a hospital for negligence after the new mom was handed the wrong newborn to nurse.
According to an article in the Chicago Sun Times, Jennifer Spiegel was awakened by an Evanston Hospital staff member at about 4 a.m. the day after she delivered her son. A hungry baby boy was brought in, and Spiegel started breastfeeding him.
Click Here For Article
Are You Upset with Big Banks, Bonuses & the Bailout
Feb 17th
Bailout
Are you fed up with what is going on with the big banks, bonuses being paid out and the government bailout? If so, you are not alone. There is a growing movement to show the banks how you feel. Move your account(s) to local/communities banks. Get more information at Move Your Money.
What To Do With Old Jewelry?
Feb 15th
Old Jewelry
Amanda Heer has addressed this issues. The San Juan Capistrano-based florist is known for her arrangements made of real buds, but it’s her Brooch Bouquets that are truly unique. For $350 she can turn your old jewelry (roughly 50 -60 pieces needed) into art.
These brooch bouquets by Fantasy Floral Designs are a beautiful alternative to floral bouquets for brides who want to carry something unique and vintage-inspired down the aisle. Each bouquet is made of hand-picked vintage brooches and arranged just as flowers would be.
As you can see from the gallery above, these brooch bouquets are every bit as eye-popping as their floral counterparts—but unlike a flower bouquet, these babies won’t wilt after your wedding day.
Valentine’s Day Miracle
Feb 13th
Wedding Ring
Mary Dolabany’s Valentine’s Day present came early: her lost wedding ring. The Norwood resident thought she would never see the ring again after losing it last weekend. But a West Roxbury letter carrier who found it on the ground embarked on a mission to find the owner.
Would You Like Someone Else To Pay $100,000 For Your Dream Wedding?
Feb 8th
Getting Married? 
Daily Candy is partnering with Crate & Barrel to give away a dream wedding — worth a whopping $100,000 — to one lucky couple. Enter the Ultimate Wedding Contest between February 1, 2010 and March 31, 2010 by first registering online at crateandbarrel.com. Enter by telling them your love story.
Bugs Bunny Film Festival
Feb 7th
Laughter is the best medicine — we bet it will do wonders for a broken heart, too. Snicker your cares away as you watch everyone’s favorite wascally wabbit as he outsmarts Elmer Fudd in the “All Bugs Revue.” See, all better.
Noon and 2 p.m. Feb. 14 (festival runs from Feb. 12-21). $7.75-$9.75. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-876-6837. brattlefilm.org
Do You Know The History of Valentine’s Day
Feb 7th
History of Valentines Day – The Man Valentine
Is the history of Valentines Day expressed in the current celebration of yummy chocolates, lovely cards, and sparkling engagement rings? What is the story behind such a highly-retailed celebration?
Some say the day is named after a bishop named Valentine, who was stationed in the Roman Empire. Claudius II was the Emperor at that time. He thought that unmarried men made better soldiers, so he decided to make it a law that young men could not marry. Around 270 A.D., Valentine took pity on the ostracized soldiers who were not permitted to marry or see their sweethearts.
He became an advocate of these young lovers and began to perform secret marriages. He was soon found out and jailed. Emperor Claudius II attempted to convert Valentine to begin worshipping the Roman gods, but Valentine refused. Instead, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity and Valentine sentenced to be executed on February 24, 270.
Another version of the history of Valentines Day tells that Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. Just before his death, he sent her a note and signed it “from your Valentine.” An aura of romance surrounded his demise and those who knew about it spread the tale. Bishop Valentine became Saint Valentine with his fame extending to England and France.
After his death, Valentine then became what is known as a “Patron Saint.” Some considered him the spiritual overseer of an annual festival in which young Romans would distribute cards of affection to those they wished to formally see. This festival was held each February 14. There are Valentine cards in museums worldwide that date back to 1415.
February has been the month to celebrate love ever since the Middle Ages.
The Flu Is Back – How To Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones
Feb 2nd
It is important to have good information on how to prevent the transmission of seasonal flu and novel H1N1. The following websites have lots of good information for prevention. Recent data has shown that addition to the young and elderly, pregnant women, adults with asthma, and persons who are immune compromised are particularly vulnerable. Please share this information with your family, schools, churches, day care providers, and co-workers.
CDC information on H1N1 specifically for child care settings
CDC information on H1N1 specifically for schools and daycare centers
Need Help Planning Your Superbowl Party?
Feb 2nd
The Super Bowl Party Planning Guide
Super Bowl XLIV starts in a few days. Are you ready?
Super Bowl 2010 is right around the corner. That’s right, Super Bowl XLIV is nearing kickoff. Millions of Americans and people all over the world are already planning their Super Bowl party. In fact, we’ll help you make your Super Bowl party better than the game. So just put on your favorite team’s colors and get ready for some football!
People love to have a Super Bowl party—fans can grunt while they watch the game and non-fans can chat it up while their mates and friends are well occupied. Who hasn’t been to their fair share of these Super celebrations? More often than not, the real fans are in the den or great room watching the action, and everyone else is in the kitchen indulging in a Super Bowl of eating or drinking. Entertaining two groups of people at once is definitely a challenge.
The traditional Super Bowl Party is probably the least fussy, most unpretentious party you can host all year. So, there is no point in holding anything back! Go all out and serve everyone’s favorite high fat, finger-licking snack foods. After all, your television set is the focal point, not the food. Or is it?
Thinking about the traditional party food for this event- chips, sour cream or cheese dips (onion soup dip springs to mind), chili, salsa, Buffalo wings, cheese balls, pizza (the Domino’s kind, thank you very much, not the goat cheese and smoked pheasant kind) – I wonder whether these items are served because they’re easy to serve and eat while watching the game, or because this has become the one event where Americans can eat their favorite foods without guilt. Men take the lead at this party, and their tastes have set the tone for the snacks as well as the entertainment. Let’s all eat what we enjoy and forget about the diet ramifications or culinary trends!
According to the folks at Hallmark Cards, Inc., Super Bowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year. Super Bowl parties have become much more than a gathering of football lovers. In fact, many people attending these parties don’t love football as much as they love the excuse to get together with friends at the end of the very boring month of January.
Whether you’re planning a Super Bowl party out of love for the game or just the desire to host a fun, relaxing party, here are tips for making this a super bash:
- Plan simple, portable foods. A buffet is your only option. Nobody wants to be sitting down at a table to eat when they’d rather be screaming at a television set or two.
- Set up as many televisions as you have available around the party area.
- Don’t prepare recipes that will keep you locked in the kitchen all night. You should enjoy the party too.
- Have one room set aside without a television for partygoers who aren’t interested in the game and would like a quieter place to talk.
- Likewise, set up one room with a television for serious football fans who don’t want to be distracted by idle chatter.
- Plan on plenty of beverages, and don’t forget the beer. With all of those beer commercials bombarding your guests, they’ll be working up a strong thirst for the suds.
- If you feel compelled to decorate, think team colors, footballs, team jerseys, goal posts, and pennants. But don’t knock yourself out. Most eyes will be more impressed by the clear reception on your television.
- Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created during exciting plays.
- Keep a little spare change and small bills handy for any betting pools that just might pop up over the course of the evening.
Tired of Eating the Same Foods?
Feb 2nd
A new grocery store is open in the Burlington area – HMart. Google some new recipes and try something different for dinner!
Snuggie Pub Crawl? No Need To Worry About Your Outfit!
Jan 28th
Snug as a bug in a pub – Barhopping event gets cozy
Did You Know You Could Rent Just About Anything?
Jan 23rd
The leased life – Why own anything?
In June 2008, when Punsri Abeywickrema was working on his backyard in San Mateo, Calif., he found himself in need of a wheelbarrow. He didn’t own one, but his neighbor did, and he had borrowed it the previous weekend; due to space constraints, he preferred not to buy one himself. Yet he hesitated to impose on the neighbor again.
Thus was born Rentalic.com. Like so many other websites, it connects mutual beneficiaries – in this case, people who own things they don’t use much with people who want to use things without owning them. Members can post either belongings they have to offer or goods they are hoping to find. Items recently listed include a body fat scale ($5 a week), a bread maker ($1.75 a day), and a cupcake transporter ($3 a week). The site was launched last October with limited membership, and opened to the public earlier this month.
Graco Stollers Recalled for Amputation Hazard
Jan 21st
Recalled Stroller
Graco is recalling about 1.5 million strollers after the company received reports of five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations after children placed their fingers in the stroller’s canopy hinge mechanism, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recall affects dozens of models in the Passage, Alano, and Spree stroller lines and travel systems.
The strollers were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Babies ‘R’ Us, Toys ‘R’ Us, Kmart, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, and other US stores from October 2004 through December 2009 for between $80 and $90 for the strollers, and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.
Burtons Grill of New England Donates 15% of Sales to Haiti Relief Efforts
Jan 16th
New England Based Restaurant Group Steps Up to Aid in Haiti Disaster Relief
WHAT: On this Martin Luther King Day, Monday January 18th, 2010, Burtons Grill, the New England based restaurant group, will be donating 15% of their total revenue from the day’s sales in their four restaurants located in: Boston, MA, North Andover, MA, Hingham, MA and South Windsor, CT to the William J. Clinton Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. “I feel as if we’ve always been a socially conscious organization working with numerous charities in the communities in which we operate. We were moved by the images and news coming out of Haiti, as I’m sure many others were, and we simply wanted to do our part to assist,” said Kevin Harron, CEO of Burtons Grill. Diners in and around Burtons Grill locations can do their part by choosing to dine in one of the four locations on Martin Luther King Day, Monday January 18, 2010.
WHERE: Burtons Grill (Boston) 1363 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
Burtons Grill (North Andover) 145 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA
Burtons Grill (Hingham, MA) 94 Derby Street, Hingham, MA
Burtons Grill (South Windsor, CT) 100 Evergreen Way South Windsor, CT
WHEN: Monday January 18th, 2010 from 11:30am to 10:00pm.
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About:
Burtons Grill is a full service upscale-casual restaurant specializing in contemporary American cuisine. Burtons Grill features seasonally inspired, ingredient-driven menu items in a polished, yet casual atmosphere with excellent value. Burtons began when three experienced restaurant industry veterans, Kevin Harron, Kevin Rowell and Pat Gordon put their shared experience as restaurant industry veterans together to formulate a vision for their first restaurant. These three business-savvy individuals wanted to create a dining haven for active, discerning adults with sophisticated palates and a zest for high quality food and wine in a comfortable setting. Burtons Grill currently operates in 5 locations: Boston, MA, Hingham, MA, North Andover, MA, South Windsor, CT, and Virginia Beach, VA. Please visit: www.burtonsgrill.com for more information.
Tips For Driving In Winter Weather
Jan 16th
Driving Under Winter Conditions
Driving in Snow and Ice
The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.
It’s helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you’re familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner’s manual for tips specific to your vehicle.
Driving safely on icy roads
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
- Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
- If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
- If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
- As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck…
- Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
- Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
- Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
- Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
- Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
- Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services
Organizing Winter Gear Tip
Jan 15th
Organized Winter Gear
Much like Spring cleaning when the weather begins to warm up, I always get the Fall/Winter organizing bug.
Now that it is time to pull out the jackets and gloves, they seem to end up all over and can drive a person crazy. Purchase an over-the-door shoe organizer and put it on the inside of the coat closet. Purchase one with clear pockets so you can see exactly what is in them without having to dig through each pocket. Put all of the kids’ things on the bottom which makes it easy for them to get on their own winter wear, and also to be able to put them back in their “home” when they are done.
Being Organized Will Save You Money
Jan 13th
Organized
In this uncertain economy people need to do more with less, make do, do without, do the math, and do it themselves. Why not DO SOMETHING by investing time in getting organized? Here are eight motivating reasons to do it now:
1. Save money by knowing what you have. If you already know that you have three black turtleneck sweaters, you probably will not buy another one. Visibility should be one of the primary goals of any organizing project; in other words, can you easily see and find what you have?
2. Save money by using what you have. If you can gain that visibility and easily see what is in your pantry and refrigerator, you are less likely to have to throw out stale food later that you forgot about purchasing.
3. Find things you lost or didn’t even realize you had. We once found over $5000 in undeposited checks and cash in the home of one of our clients, essentially paying for our own services in the process. Your results from organizing projects may not be quite as dramatic, but you will probably find unused gift cards, rebate opportunities, and warranty information that can help you get some money back, and you might even find a $20 bill in an old purse or pocket too.
4. Reduce costs. If you are unorganized, you may be routinely paying unnecessary costs like late fees and incurring higher interest rates because of your irregular payment history. You may also find upon organizing your finances that you’ve been paying for something you’re not using, like a gym membership or even a storage unit rental fee.
5. Save time. Gaining efficiencies through the organizing process means you are getting back some of your time, and as we all know, time is money. In fact, time is more precious than money, because you can never get that wasted time back. Not spending an hour locating your bills or keys every month means you have another hour to spend on what is important to you.
6. Sell your house faster. If you are downsizing to save money, you can speed up the process of selling your home by de-cluttering your environment and making it more show-ready. Closets and other storage areas look bigger with fewer items in them, and if buyers want to envision themselves in the home, your “stuff” makes it harder for them to put themselves in the picture.
7. Get great tax deductions for charitable donations. A byproduct of many organizing projects is usually a large donation pile, and most people grossly undervalue what they are giving away to charity. Get the most tax benefit for your donations by quickly tallying up the actual fair market values
using It’s Deductible Online from Intuit. It’s like the “Blue Book” for valuing household items. It’s free and only takes a few moments, and there is a tax savings calculator that adds up your savings as you enter your items. You can also get this information in booklet form from Money For Your Used Clothing.
8. Feel less stress. According to a Fast Company magazine article in 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state unequivocally that 80% of our medical expenditures are now stress-related. Getting control of your belongings and your finances means you will experience less stress, which means less cost in health expenses and less unproductive time off work for illness.
Tips for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
Jan 10th
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Why can’t we keep our New Year’s Resolution? Here are some tips to help you follow through this year.
http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/newyearresolve.htm
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/new-years-resolutions-in-one-year-out-other
GREEN Online Search Engine – www.blackle.com
Jan 8th
ENERGY SAVING SEARCH
ANOTHER WAY TO GO GREEN!
Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. “Image displayed is primarily a function of the user’s color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen.”
Blackle was created by Heap Media to remind us all of the need to take small steps in our everyday lives to save energy. Blackle searches are powered by Google Custom Search.
You are encouraged to set Blackle as your home page. This way every time you load your Internet browser you will save a little bit of energy. Remember every bit counts! You will also be reminded about the need to save energy each time you see the Blackle page load.
How To Ensure 5-Star Service
Jan 6th
5 Star Service
When you’re looking to hire someone to do any service for you there are a few keys to keep in mind to get the best price for the highest quality.
- Know what you want and by what time you need it done. This can affect price if you change your mind or need it done on the fly.
- Seek a qualified professional. Ask whether or not this person is certified and by what agency. How long have they been in business? How long have they been in the field? Do they have references?
- Pay attention to the details. To the estimate (what all does it include?) to how the service provider makes you feel (secure vs. creeped out), and to whether that person has solutions to your problems or even listens to what you are telling them.
- Get 3 estimates. This lets you know if the price is fair and gives you some room to leverage one estimate against another for a better rate with the person you’d rather work with.
- Check references. Call. Ask questions. Were they satisfied? Was the job completed on time? Did they clean up the mess they made?
Dog Sledding Anyone?
Jan 4th
"Mush!" "Mush!" "Mush!"
Do you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors? Try something different this winter – Dog Sled!
http://www.newenglanddogsledding.com/
http://www.mainedogsledding.com/
Are You Up For A Challenge – No Shopping for 21 Days
Jan 3rd
Can You Give Up Shopping?
Try, if you dare, to give up shopping and plastic for 21 days. No cheating. The Washington Post issued a unique challenge. Can you go 21 days without shopping?
Snow Snow Snow
Jan 3rd
Winter Snow Scene
This weekend has been one giant snow storm – the perfect time to hit the slopes. Below are some links to some skiing areas in the New England Area. Ski and tube safely. Enjoy!
http://gonewengland.about.com/od/skiing/Ski_New_England.htm
http://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/find_the_ideal_destination/ski.cfm
http://www.newenglandskiresorts.com
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/
http://www.loonmtn.com
Happy New Year
Jan 1st
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy New Year! It is hard to believe the holidays are over and a new decade has begun. Many individuals make New Year’s Resolutions. Below is a link to “Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions” put out by About.com. I found it interesting that the #1 resolution is “Spend More Time with Family & Friends”. Click on the below link for the entire article.
Vyctoria’s article in the Boston Globe
Dec 10th
Check out some of the services that we offer as seen in the Boston Globe.
Please understand this is a very very brief view of all of our services.
