Tips for Tidy Travel

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as arriving at your vacation destination unprepared.  One way to combat the stress that comes along with summer travel is to make sure your car is neat and tidy.  This allows you to plan ahead because you have room to see what you have, what you forgot, and what you can keep at the hotel room for the day.  Here are some simple steps for squeaky clean summer trips.

Stock your glove box with napkins and silverware for mess-less meals on the go.

Designate a place to collect trash.  This can be anything from a small wastebasket to a grocery bag.  It’s easier to keep things clean when all the dirt’s in one spot.

Clean out your trunk before you leave.  Many people use their trunk as a junk drawer on wheels–but you’ll appreciate the extra space when you travel.  If possible, only carry what you absolutely need during transit with you inside the cabin.

Don’t forget the Golden Rule of tidy travel: Take out whatever you bring into the car!

If you hate rush hour traffic, stay away from these places.

The next time you’re sitting in rush hour traffic, just be glad you’re not in LA.  If you are in LA…well, our condolences.  TomTom has just released its definitive list of this year’s Top 10 Most Congested Cities.  So if sitting in traffic behind a sea of red taillights makes you see red, it’s best to steer clear of these problem spots.  Or, maybe just avoid California in general…yikes.

1. Los Angeles, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Honolulu, HI
4. Seattle, WA
5. San Jose, CA
6. Washington, DC
7. New York, NY
8. Portland, OR
9. Boston, MA
10. Chicago, IL

Put the Mascara Down...Step Away from the Cell Phone...

Want to lower your chances of getting into a car accident? Stop grooming behind the wheel. Men, no more electric shaving!  Ladies, put the makeup down. Driving with these types of distractions, along with eating or using your cell phone significantly increases your chances of getting into an accident. Finish grooming before you leave the house– because it’s never worth the risk.

Here’s how NOT to get pulled over on your way home tonight

1. Have situational awareness.  If traffic begins to slow, don’t take it as your cue to weave in and out of lanes like a speed demon.  Chances are, there’s a good reason it’s coming to a halt.

2. Big Brother is everywhere, and he’s waiting for you to slip up.  When you hit the road, do so with the knowledge that you are being watched.  From speed traps to red light cameras to that police car parked at the bottom of the hill, all eyes are on you.  Drive accordingly.

3. Leave the glitz and glamor to the movie stars.  Try not to call any extra attention to yourself.  A bright red sports coupe with a vanity plate and a bunch of bumper stickers is far more likely to get caught speeding than the understated beige minivan next to it.

IF YOU DO GET PULLED OVER…
The best chance you have at not getting a ticket is to be polite.  Getting pulled over is a stressful event, but it’s important not to panic.  As soon as panic sets in, people incriminate themselves inadvertently by volunteering information or becoming argumentative. Remember: police officers mean it when they tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in court!

May is Military Appreciation Month

The month of May is set aside as a special time to honor our past and present military service members and their families for their contributions to our country. There are many activities you can do to observe the occasion! Here are some ideas we came up with:

-Learn about contributions of the U.S. Armed Forces through study or by visiting a historical monument.
-Write letters (or emails) of appreciation to military veterans in your life.
-Start a drive to provide items of comfort to those who are in veterans homes.
-Invite a service member to come and speak before an organization you are affiliated with.
-Share information about National Military Appreciation Month on social networking sites.

How will you show your appreciation?

Check Your Coolant Levels

Cars are designed to run hot, but there's a limit to how hot they should run. A combustion engine is most efficient at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit). If an engine gets too hot, moving metal parts can actually start to melt and fuse together, causing a variety of internal problems for your engine, as well as a hefty repair bill.

All modern cars are equipped with a cooling system that uses a chemical coolant, called antifreeze, and a series of pumps, hoses, thermostats and fans to keep the car at its optimal running temperature. If any problems arise with this system, such as low coolant levels, cracked hoses, loose or broken belts, a leak in the radiator, or even a loose or missing radiator cap, can cause your car to overheat and break down.

The summertime is tough on cooling systems. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. This is because there's no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. A well-tuned cooling system can take long idles in hot weather, but if you have low coolant levels, your engine temperature is going to go up...and fast.

Check under the hood and make sure that your coolant levels are fine. The general rule is to flush your radiator and add new coolant at least every two years. Flushing the radiator is done with a special chemical that cleans debris and build-up on the inside of the radiator. For summer driving, coolant should be added as a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

Bunny Tails

These Bunny Tails are quite a treat for children! Package donut holes of your choice in a plastic bag. Add the finishing touches by making the "Bunny Tails" label from colored paper of your choice and marker. You'll also need a pair of scissors to cut out shapes to create the decorative Easter bunny. You can find all of the materials shown in the photo above at your local arts and crafts store. Get creative! Your kids will love a tasty holiday treat.