Happy Independence Day on the Savannah Riverfront with Five Days of Fun plus 4th of July Fireworks!

Savannah’s historic riverfront will be celebrating American patriotism all weekend long : June 30 – July 4^th! Visit a plaza packed full of great artisans selling unique, distinctive works ranging from simple craft to fine art, plus DJ’s-to-Go, Repicci’s Italian Ices, Trolley Stop Hot Dogs, cold, frosty Bud Light, Yuengling, Fat Tire, Coke products and more!

Entertainment including the 116th Army Bands, DJ’s-to-Go(all weekend), Permanent Tourist and Jeremy Davis’ Super-Funky King Vega will keep energy level up on Rousakis Riverfront Plaza! Contests, Interactive Games, Bull’s Eye BBQ sampling on Saturday, the Verizon Experience, Air National Guard’s ‘Rise to the Challenge Tour’, a pink fire truck (Breast Cancer Awareness) and tons of free family fun will make it a holiday party lasting all weekend!

The Blood Alliance will sponsor a Blood Drive from 10am until 2pm on Saturday and Sunday in Morrell Park, near the Waving Girl statue – one pint can save up to three lives!

Have fun and celebrate responsibly! There is never a reason to drink and drive when you have AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser coming to your rescue! Save this number and call Tow-to-Go at 1.800.222.4357 (800.AAA.HELP); you’ll be treated to a free ride home for you and your vehicle!

The holiday all leads to the region’s biggest and best fireworks spectacular lighting up the skies on July 4th around 9:15! The fireworks are set to patriotic music that will be broadcast live on 97.3 KISS FM, 98.7 The RIVER and News Radio 1290 WTKS, so bring your radios tuned in and turned up! Come Celebrate America’s Independence on the river!

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, June 30^th116th Army Bands : Brass Plus, Black Sheep, Camouflage – 7pm
Friday, July 1^st 116th Army Bands : Brass Plus, Black Sheep, Camouflage – 7pm
Saturday, July 2^nd Permanent Tourist – 8pm
Monday, July 4^th Super-Funky King Vega – 8pm
Monday, July 4^th Fantastic Fourth of July Fireworks on the Riverfront! – 9:15pm

CONTESTS

Ruth’s Chris Slider Eating Contest Saturday, July 2^nd - 3pm
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen’s Coke Float Eating Contest Monday, July 4^{th –} 6pm

This Verizon Wireless and Southern Eagle Distributing event is hosted by the Savannah Riverfront in partnership with Air National Guard and is sponsored by City of Savannah, Wet Willie’s, Bull’s Eye BBQ, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Ruth’s Chris, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, Repicci’s Italian Ice, Chatham County and your friends at Clear Channel Radio – 97.3 KISS FM, 94.1 THE BEAT, 1230 WSOK SAVANNAH’S GOSPEL, LOVE 101.1, 98.7 THE RIVER and WTKS NEWS RADIO 1290!

The Savannah Waterfront Association, LTD. d/b/a Savannah Riverfront promotes the eclectic vitality of the shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels that create the one-of-a-kind, family-friendly experience found nowhere else in the world than Savannah’s historic riverfront. The SWA is a 501 (c)(3) private organization whose mission is to promote, preserve and enhance the historic character and productive use of the Savannah riverfront community for all to enjoy. For more than 30 years, Savannah Riverfront has been a integral partner on such projects as First Friday Fireworks, public docks, the hospitality center, streetcar, Maritime History Panel project, cleaning initiatives and other improvements to the riverfront. Through sponsorship, membership and events, the Savannah Riverfront produces and funds improvements, firework shows and the world class River Street festival series at no cost to the public. For more information on the Savannah Riverfront, (Bay Street, Factors Walk, River Street, Hutchinson Island), please visit us at RiverStreetSavannah.com!

Summer Toddler Art

JULY 1, 2011 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Pre-registration for Summer Toddler Art, Is your child two years old or under and enjoys being creative? What toddler doesn't? Enjoy this eight-week-long adventure for your young artist! Starts July 15 through September 2. RSVPs required. Friday mornings at 10 a.m. Class on July 29 will be held at 2 p.m. GA State Railroad Museum, 601 W. Harris St, Savannah, GA 31401. (912) 651-6823 - x3.

Call for Entries: 2011 Youth Songwriting Competition

JULY 1, 2011 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Start preparing now to enter the 2011 Youth Songwriting Competition and share part of the $1,000 in prizes won by the top three finishers. The winner also gets to perform his or her original song at the 2011 Savannah Folk Music Festival, sharing the stage with Emmy and Grammy award winner Tom Chapin. Deadline for entries is Sept. 1, 2011. Those teens eligible to compete must not be 20 years old before the Festival (Oct. 7-9, 2011), must not have won first place in the contest before, and must live in the greater Savannah area (Georgia Counties of Chatham, Liberty, Bryan or Effingham, or South Carolina Counties of Jasper or Beaufort.) The song must be an original composition in the folk ballad tradition (no percussion or backtracks, please) and may be performed by its author (the contestant) or by or with the help of others. It may be submitted on CD or audio cassette. The competition is sponsored by AMR Music, the Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs and the Savannah Folk Music Society. For more information savannahfolk.org or Hank Weisman hgweisman1@aol.com or (912) 786-6953.

http://www.savannah.com/call-for-entries-2011-youth-songwriting-competition/

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Early Bird Winner is.........

Nate Fields!! Congrats!!! You receive $50 off July's rent. Thanks for participating!

Chatham County Mosquito Control will be treating Courtney Station Tonight!

Super Duper News!! Courtney Station will be treated tonight for mosquitoes, via helicopter by Chatham County Mosquito Control!!

http://mosquitocontrol.chathamcounty.org/

Summer Is Here!*

The first day of Summer is officially here! The office staff here at Courtney Station hopes everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing summer! Please stay safe & keep cool in this sweltering heat!

Ditch the Dust- Strategies for keeping your home dust free

The battle against dust is an endless one, and also a least-favorite apartment cleaning chore. But keeping your home dust-free doesn’t just make it look better, it’s better for your health, as well. Try these cleaning tips to get a leg up on the dust war in your apartment.

Manage your floors

Carpet holds more dust than almost any other large surface in your home, and it may be the one you think of least as a dust catcher. If your apartment is fully carpeted, commit to a weekly regimen of vacuuming to keep the dust at bay, preferably with a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.
If your apartment has uncarpeted floors, a mop and rinse routine using a cleaner appropriate for the type of surface should be helpful. A few area rugs (the more washable, the better) can warm things up, give you less to vacuum and, best of all, help keep your apartment dust free.
The greatest gathering spot for dust bunnies is in corners and under furniture. Don’t forget to hit these spots during your weekly apartment cleaning. Use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner, a long-handled broom or a dry-cloth sweeper.

Change your HVAC filter

Keeping your apartment’s air filter clean is an important way to manage dust in your home and also a big money-saver for your heating and cooling bill. The system’s filter traps dust and lots of other nasty things in your circulating air, so make sure it’s changed often enough to do a good job; every three to six months is a good rule of thumb. This is a task that may fall to your landlord; if not, you will want to consult him or her about how to do it yourself.

Wash your bedding regularly

Your bedding is another seemingly unlikely source of dust production in your home. Bits of cloth fiber constantly break off and make their way into the air and onto the floor. It is also a place where dust mites thrive, feeding on bits of sloughed-off skin. (Dust mites and their waste are a main component in house dust and also a major allergen.)

Wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill these mites and remove the broken textile fibers.

Maintain your pet’s coat

Animal hair and dander are two other significant contributors to house dust. Be sure to bathe, brush and comb your dog or cat regularly to collect hair, and use a lint roller to remove hair from your upholstered furniture. (Regular grooming also keeps your pet happy and healthy!)
Limit dust-gathering knick-knacksYes, decorative details and the memorabilia of your life add personality to your home, but they also give dust a place to gather. Make sure you regularly wipe down the items you leave out as part of your apartment cleaning regimen. You might use the dusting moment as an opportunity to move items around and place them differently in the room for visual variety.

Consider your environment

Get in the habit of removing your shoes when you come in to your apartment. Also make sure that your windows and outside doors are well-sealed, which will also save on your energy bill. Keeping outside dust from entering in the first place will give you fewer sources of dust to combat.

Try an indoor air filter/purifier

You might look into the wide array of air-cleaning systems for your apartment that are designed to capture and reduce dust levels. Some use UV technology, while others rely on changeable filters. Before you make an investment, match the size of your apartment to a machine that will be effective for your space.

While there is no way to live dust-free, there are ways to cut down on the dust in your home. Integrate these tips into your regular cleaning methods, and your apartment will be better able to pass the “white-glove” test.

source:http://www.movingtoday.com/ditch-the-dust-strategies-for-keeping-your-apartment-dust-free/?WT.mc_id=30550

How to Keep Cool in your Apartment for Less!

When temperatures are on the rise, it seems like you only have two options: run the A/C until you get goose bumps and a power bill bigger than the national debt, or save your pennies and sweat it out hoping you don’t get heat stroke.
But there are ways you can control the temperature in your apartment and keep your energy bill down. Follow these steps for a cooler apartment and lower bills.

Cool down your apartment

There are many steps you can take to cool down your apartment without blasting the air conditioner.
Cross ventilation is the key. Open windows on both sides of your apartment to allow air circulation.
Window fans work best when blowing air out, so put your fan on the sunny side of the apartment and let it expel the hot air while pulling cool air from open windows on the shady side.
Keep shades or curtains pulled on the sunny side of the house.
Make your own personal air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan and letting it blow on you.
If your apartment has a ceiling fan, use it.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent. This will also save energy.
If you get a lot of direct sunlight, think about window films to block heat. They will also keep heat from going out the windows in the winter.

Act cool

Sometimes what you do in your apartment can raise the inside temperature or make you fell hotter. Take these steps to make you feel cooler.
Exercise and do strenuous activities in the evening or early morning when temperatures are lower.
Pace yourself when performing household activities, such as cooking or cleaning, and don’t over-exert yourself.
Keep wet. Take tepid baths or showers, or go swimming in the community pool.
Avoid opening and closing the refrigerator and freezer often, as the harder they work, the more heat they put out.
Put cold cloths or ice on your pulse points, especially on the neck and wrists.
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Spend as much time as possible in the cooler areas of your apartment.
Instead of an oven, use your microwave or a toaster oven. Or choose meal elements involving items that don’t require baking, such as sandwiches.

Dress cool

Make sure what you’re wearing is not working against these cooling techniques.
Think light, both in color and in fabric.
Natural fabrics like cotton are much cooler than most synthetics, although there are new high-tech synthetics made specifically to keep you cool.
Loose fitting clothes allow air to circulate, keeping you cooler.
The fewer clothes, the better; but make sure your apparel is appropriate for your roommates or houseguest.

Eat and drink cool

What you put in your body can have almost as much effect as what you put on your body.
Dehydration can sneak up on you, so make sure to drink plenty of water.
Limit caffeinated, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, as they can speed up dehydration.
Fruit juices and sports beverages can help replace minerals lost due to sweating, but don’t overdo it. They are also full of sugar, which can cause dehydration.
Eat small, light meals.
Eat foods high in water content, like fruits and vegetables.

Get out of there

When all else fails, hang out somewhere cool: a movie theater (one reason summer movies do so well), a mall, a library, a museum or even a friend’s house. Spending just a couple of hours in a cool environment will make you feel much better.

source:http://www.movingtoday.com/how-to-keep-cool-and-keep-more-of-your-money/

Tips on How to Clean up Before You Move Out

Before you say goodbye to your old apartment you’re going to need to clean up. Not only is it the ethical thing to do, you’ll need to do it to get some or all of your security deposit back. Here are some tips on how to clean up before you move out.
How clean is clean

How clean your apartment has to be when you move out will depend on the community, your lease, and state law. Your lease may spell out what’s expected of you, so consult it well before you move out. Your landlord may choose to do a checkout walkthrough with you some time before you actually move out.
Another time to discuss cleaning expectations is if your landlord needs to show the apartment to prospective tenants. The more information you can get before you start to clean up, the better estimate you’ll have of what you need to do.

Take a look around

Once you’ve moved the bulk of your belongings out, you’ll want to do a walkthrough yourself and look for particular trouble spots. Now is a good time to take note of scratches to the paint or floors, holes in the wall from hanging pictures, and areas you simply haven’t been cleaning lately. Depending on the amount of the damage done, you may find it prudent to do some painting touchups or to use spackling to fill in holes.
You’ll want to allow extra time for particularly time-consuming chores, such as cleaning your oven. If this is the first time for the oven to get cleaned, your landlord might be able to tell you what cleaning products have worked on the oven in the past. A community which advertises state-of-the-art kitchen appliances among its amenities may be especially particular about how they get cleaned.

Call in a Pro

If you don’t have a lot of time to clean up, you may want to call in a professional. One-time cleaning services can be relatively affordable, especially in comparison to your security deposit. A cleaning service may also be more skilled at restoring the bathtub to sparkling whiteness or cleaning hard-to-reach areas, such as ceilings.
Ask for recommendations from friends, or even from your landlord. Get an estimate of how much the cleaning service will charge you, and ask how long they’ve been in business — starting a cleaning service has been a relatively popular idea for new entrepreneurs, but you’ll probably want someone with experience to clean up your apartment.

How long will it take to clean

Whether you contract the job out or do it yourself, giving an apartment a good cleaning will probably take some time. Your safest bet is to allow at least a week of overlap between moving into your new place and turning in your old keys. That should give you some time, after work and other commitments, to finish the cleaning you started while moving out.
If you don’t have a lot of time to spare or are moving long-distance, don’t worry. Just do the best you can in the time allotted.

source:http://www.movingtoday.com/how-to-clean-up-before-you-move-out/

Going Green: Unconventional Energy Saving Tips for Your Community

Whether utility expenses are paid by residents or the Property Management Company we can all do our part this summer to help save energy and resources. Decreasing our energy consumption is not only good for the planet, but great for our pocketbooks as well.

By now, we should all be familiar with commonplace energy saving tips such as: turning the thermostat up higher (for example, 78° F instead of the usual 72° F), turning the lights off when leaving the house, washing only full loads of dishes and laundry, and closing the blinds during the day. However there are other unconventional and less widely known tips that can also help renters and Property Management Companies save money. Here are a few of the best unconventional tips you can share with residents to help conserve energy during the hot summer months.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. According to the US Department of Energy, compact fluorescent light bulbs can save up to 75% off the average energy cost of lighting versus incandescent bulbs. This is a substantial savings considering lighting accounts for 15% of the average American family’s annual energy consumption.

Mitigate phantom power usage. Many gadgets, electronics, and appliances use phantom energy when it’s unnecessary. According to the US Department of Energy – in the average home nearly 75% of all electricity used to power electronics is consumed by products that are switched off. These energy wasters include DVD players, TVs, stereos, computers, kitchen appliances, and much more. Most important to acknowledge are chargers for cell phones and computers. If you leave your chargers plugged in all the time you should know that only 5% of the power drawn by the charger is used to charge the device and the other 95% is wasted.

Put lamps in the corners of rooms. Compared to putting lamps against flat walls, putting lamps in the corners can help spread more light. If the walls are light colored, the light will bounce off of the walls and ceiling, helping to maximize the amount of light.

Don’t overcrowd your refrigerator or leave your freezer empty. Having less in your refrigerator keeps it from having to work so hard to keep everything cool, consuming less energy. Keeping your freezer full has the opposite effect; it helps the freezer stay colder while expending less energy.

Pay your rent with RentPayment. Paying rent electronically with RentPayment cuts down on paper consumption, saves gas by limiting trips to the bank, and provides time and money savings all around.

Arrange furniture intelligently around A/C vents. By arranging your furniture so it does not block air conditioning vents you will be able to maximize the cool air flow .

Reduce cook times by thawing frozen foods. Thawing frozen foods prior to cooking will cut down cooking times, helping to expend less energy while preparing the meal.

Utilize the toaster oven and microwave. Cooking with the toaster oven and microwave can help save energy compared to cooking with a conventional stove or oven.

These few unconventional tips along with commonly known energy saving methods will help you and your renters save money and energy this summer. Spreading awareness throughout your community to staff members and renters alike will benefit all.

http://blog.rentpayment.com/2011/06/15/unconventional_energy_saving_tips/

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We're Hosting the Pampered Chef & Scentsy Party Come Join the Fun!

Tips for a better everlasting sun tan!

Now that the summer is back and our sparkling pool is open again, we have a few great tips to get that golden skin color you always want:Lather on the suntan lotionI know that you may think that using suntan lotion may be against the idea of getting a dark tan it is really a requirement. First of all choose a suntan lotion that has a lot of moisturizer in it. What I would recommend if you want to get a dark tan is to make sure that you have about a SPF factor of 8 or 10 and make sure that you spread it all over, do not miss any spots. The good thing about wearing a suntan lotion is that it allows your body to gradually get a tan instead of tanning very quickly and then getting a burn. You want to go slow getting a great tan as it will last longer and be easier to get dark without burning. Remember that suntan lotion does not do anything for about a half an hour so you must but the sun tan lotion on a little while before you go out.Tan for only one to two hours per dayYou do not need a lot of hours of sun but it is important if you want a good tan to make sure that you get one to two hours a day EVERY day as the consecutive days are going to give you that good tan not the number of hours in one day. The important thing in your suntanning time is to make sure that you are getting your whole body tanned. Do not miss any spots and make sure that you follow this for at least a few days so that you body can gradually get color.Tan your whole bodyIf at all possible get some kind of reflective blanket to lie on when you are suntanning so that your sides as well as the insides and outsides of your legs get a tan. The sun comes from above and the most impressive tan is one that is smooth and even around your whole body. It is easy enough to get your front and back tanned but how about your sides and the back of your arms? When tanning your front have your arms up and your head slightly back so that you can tan under your arms as well as the back of your arms and get your neck tanned as well. When on your stomach keep your arms out as well so that you are tanning the tops of your forearms and shoulders. Flip every 15 minutes to half hour.Shower after you sun tanning timeDo not over shower. This means that if you have a shower in the morning and then suntan in the afternoon have only a very quick shower to wash off the suntan lotion. If at all possible do not have a shower in the day until after you have had your suntanning time so on the weekends perhaps you can tan in the morning instead of the afternoon. Also when you shower never use soap except on stinky areas such as your underarms I say no soap on your skin as soap will dry you skin and may peel off some of that skin that is getting color.Moisturize day and nightMoisturizers are very important for keeping your sun healthy. Use a good moisturizer when you get up in the morning as well as after your sun tanning session and then at night before you go to bed. The more moist that your skin is the more radiant is look and feels and the longer that you will be able to keep your tan as your skin will stay alive and healthier for longer.Drink lots of waterSun tanning is all about the outer layer of your skin so make sure that skin is healthy. One of the best things that you can do for your skin is to drink a lot of water. Water will keep your body hydrated and therefore will keep your skin hydrated as well. Do not just drink water while you are out in the sun working on that tan but make sure that you start your day with a big glass of water and drink water throughout your day.Tan for consecutive daysOne day of sun will not do a lot and a long day of sun will just lead to a burn. Have you ever noticed that when people go skiing in the winter and get a suntan or sunburn that it goes away in just a couple of days? The important thing to do to get a deep tan and to have it last is to get sun for as many consecutive days as possible. If you tan one day and then again a couple of days later then that first days base tan has been wasted, this is why most people can not get a deep tan, all they do is get sun on the weekends and do not try to get sun during the week.Never get a sunburnA sunburn is a condition that will kill the skin cells that you are trying to get color for. Never ever let you skin get burned as you will need to wait for this skin to naturally lose its color and then start your consecutive days of sun again. I have failed at this point time and time again by not being patient about my suntanning and by being careless with my suntan lotion.Stay away from extra sunYou have a plan that you can follow for getting a suntan and on the weekends what will happen is that you will have plenty of opportunities to get extra sun and these can and will inevitably lead to getting too much sun and a sunburn. The best way to avoid this extra sun is to plan ahead. Have a very strong SPF 30 suntan lotion that you put on often, wear a hat, wear well covering but loose fitting clothes and of course sunglasses to protect your eyes.Now that you have the 10 point plan to get a good suntan I thought I could get a few tips in that do not really fit into those ten points for suntanning but nonetheless are important anyway.When tanning cover your head when tanning your back. This is important because when you tan your face it gets enough sun. When you are tanning your back you do not want your face to get yet more sun.The most sensitive parts of your body are the neck, backs of legs and on the face are the nose, forehead and under the eyes, make sure that you always have a good layer suntan lotion on theses spots so that you can get a tan before these areas would burn.Watch your waistband. Try to make sure that you legs and waistband are in the same spot in each of your tanning sessions, this way you will have a pronounced tan line and will also be able to tell how tanned you have got. I know some people that will let the waistband move an inch up or down on consecutive days so that they can tell how today is tanning compared to yesterday.Your full tan will not show up for four hours or more. When you are out in the sun do not get too concerned about how little color you are getting as the bulk of it will show up four to six hours later. As you probably remember from the past if you get a burn that burn will not sometimes show up or will definitely get worse in the evening after you were out.I hope these tips all help you this year to get your best suntan ever.

Summer Grilling Reminders

Summer is approaching, and it's time to begin thinking of enjoying more time outdoors and inviting your friends over for a barbecue. The goal is to have fun, so make sure you follow a few safety tips so fun is all you will experience.
When you're ready to grill, make sure your grill is placed at a safe distance from your apartment, wooden porch or deck railing, low-hanging branches, flammable liquids, and other combustible materials. Some experts recommend at least 10 to 12 feet of distance from anything susceptible to the heat of your grill.
If you have a charcoal grill, one of the most imperative safety measures you can take is to make certain your coals are completely out before you toss them. Just leave them alone – at least overnight to make sure. Sometimes a charcoal briquette can remain active even overnight if it's buried in the middle of the ashes. So even though you may think your coals have gone completely out, remember just one spark can cause a fire. If you need to get rid of the coals, remove them from the hot grill and use cold water to make sure all embers are completely cooled.
If you have a gas grill, you should take the time to make sure there are no leaks in the gas lines – before you light up the grill. You can use a product especially made to test for leaks or you can use dishwashing liquid to see whether air bubbles occur where the gas lines are connected. Play it safe and take just a little extra care and precaution to make sure everyone has fun on the patio and no one is injured from carelessness.

Menu Plans Save you Time and Money

We’ve all been there. You come home from work and stand in front of the refrigerator wondering what in the world you will have for dinner. Planning out meals in advance can save you headaches, time and money and make your meals healthier.
Many people may resist creating meal plans because they think it would take too much time or can’t imagine that they’ll want what they planned out days earlier. But there are many ways to make your meal plan simple and flexible. Follow these steps and you can make easy and economical meal plan in minutes.
Look at your calendarWhen putting together your meal plan, it is important to know what your week looks like. Which days do you get home late, which means making dinner is a chore? Pinpoint those days and start from there: Your busiest days should be reserved for the easiest meals. Recipes.com, FoodNetwork.com and RecipeZarr.com offer easy recipes for days such as these.
Save the more elaborate meals for weekends or days when you know you won’t be too tired to put some effort into the kitchen. Doing so allows you the necessary time to prepare, fillet, cook and then serve.
Work with what you’ve gotWhen deciding what you eat, take note of what you have on hand. Take stock of what’s in your pantry, fridge and freezer. You may discover that you have all or most of the ingredients you need for a specific meal. If so, put that meal in your plan.
Keeping a well stocked pantry and fridge will make meal planning easier. Many recipes are based on the same ingredients, so keeping certain items such as pasta, beans, and spices in stock will mean less work when planning and shopping for meals. (Read: Stock the Pantry for Easy Home Cooking)
Make a planOnce you know what your week looks like and what you have to work with, plan meals that fit your schedule and supplies and write them down into a meal plan listing what you will eat each day. Put your plan in a convenient location, like your fridge or the door to the pantry.
Go onlineSeveral online resources, such as MealsMatter.org and Nutrition.gov, allow you to create printable meal plans, and help you pinpoint which ingredients you’ll need,. Those sites also have tips on healthy eating, and even an interactive Food Pyramid to see where your diet falls on the recommended nutrition scale. There’s even a recommended shopping list at Health.gov for those staples you might need.
Planning TipsIf life keeps you busy, you might want to pencil in a Crockpot day. Crockpots can be a meal lifesaver, letting you prepare meals such as chilies, soups or roasts in the morning and cooking them while you are away. Set it to low and forget it for the rest of the day, and when you walk in the door that afternoon, the mouth-watering aroma will be there to greet you.
Another tip for easy cooking: Make twice as much as you’ll need, eat half, and then freeze the rest. You can then schedule a leftover day and eat an already prepared meal. Or, if you change your mind about what to make the day of, you can pull something already prepared from the freezer and have a meal in the time it takes to defrost and reheat. You can even make extras of side dishes — such as rice — to save for future recipes that call for those items.
Make a grocery listOnce you have a have your meal plan, create a shopping list including the ingredients you need to execute each meal. This will ensure that halfway through making that casserole you won’t realize you don’t have a key ingredient. (Read: Saving Money: Your Groceries and Food Budget)
Once you have your meal plan ready and all the necessary ingredients on hand, you are all set to make healthy meals that fit into your schedule and your budget.

source: http://www.movingtoday.com/menu-plan-saves-you-time-and-money/

Tips to Help Save Money on your Electric Bill

U.S. legislation is phasing out the traditional incandescent light bulb: by 2014, for the most part, you won’t even be able to find them in stores. But you may have already decided you want to get rid of your traditional light bulbs (perhaps joining an initiative such as One Billion Bulbs) by replacing them with energy-saving alternatives.
Here’s a guide to bulbs you can use in lighting after you’ve burned your last incandescent light bulb.
For replacing your traditional indoor bulbs, you generally have two choices: a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb or a halogen bulb. Many outdoor bulbs and some lower-wattage indoor bulbs can be replaced with a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb. Usually the packaging on the new light bulb indicates what incandescent light bulb it’s supposed to replace, but here’s a quick guide:
A 100-watt (W) incandescent can be replaced by a 23W CFL or a 72W halogen.
A 75W incandescent can be replaced by a 19W CFL or a 43W halogen.
A 60W incandescent can be replaced by a 13W CFL, a 43W halogen, or a 12W LED.
The three different types of new light bulbs each have their advantages and disadvantages. To figure out what you need, you’ll want to answer some questions about your lighting first.
Did your bedroom light just burn out?The simplest and easiest way to replace a burnt-out incandescent bulb is to get a CFL. CFLs are available in most home-improvement stores and even some supermarkets and drugstores. CFLs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but use considerably less energy and last longer, saving you money over the course of the light bulb’s life.
If you prefer to wait for the next wave of light bulb technology, keep your eyes peeled for LEDs to fall in price. While LEDs are currently many times more expensive than CFLs, they also use even less energy and last much longer. They are expected to be more widely (and cheaply) available in the next few years.
Do you need light right away?CFLs take a few seconds to start emitting full light. If you can’t wait that long, investigate halogen bulbs. Halogens are competitively priced with CFLs, though they use more energy than either CFLs or LEDs do.
Are you replacing a light in a fixture with a dimmer switch? Using a dimmer switch on a CFL can burn the bulb out much more quickly. Look for CFLs specially made for dimmer switches, or look into halogens or LEDs which are dimmer-friendly.
Can you remember to recycle light bulbs?CFL bulbs, which contain mercury, need to be specially recycled. You can usually recycle them at home-improvement stores, or contact your local sanitation department. (If you break a CFL, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers advice on how to clean it up.) Halogen bulbs can be thrown away with the regular trash; LED bulbs can be recycled.
Do you need light for a specific purpose?
CFL and LED bulbs sometimes throw off a less flattering light. If you’re displaying artwork, you might prefer the brighter glow of a halogen light.
LED bulbs have an easier time with targeted light than diffused light, so they’re better at track lighting or under-cabinet lighting than lighting up a room.
CFL bulbs are not good for lights that are turned off and on for very short stretches several times a day — closet lights, for example.

Source:http://www.movingtoday.com/a-guide-to-new-light-bulb-options/

The Pool has now Opened

Pool is now officially open! Please enjoy this beautiful weather & enjoy the time with family & friends.

Pool Updates

Annual Termite Inspection is Friday June 10th!

Inspectors will have to enter into ALL ground floor apartments. All pets should be secured for Inspectors to enter into your apartment. This is an annual inspection REQUIRED by the state of Georgia in order for our community to be in compliance with Housing Laws.

Please make sure pets and personal belongings are secured properly.

This inspection also includes our carriage home units. If you still would like further details or have any questions in regards to this procedure, please contact the office.

Thank you,

Courtney Station Management Team

How to Make the Most of Daily Deal Sites Online

Online deals have become so common that it seems a shame to pay full price for anything anymore! There is a method to getting the most out of these daily specials, however, so strategize before you buy. Take a look at these tips.
How they workDeal sites work on a bulk-purchase basis; the bulk is the number of customers who purchase the deal. If a sufficient number of site visitors make the buy, then all of those buyers — and all those who come after them for a certain period of time — are eligible for the discount, which is usually around 50%. Most sites require you to submit your e-mail and create an account before you can access deals and details.
Many of these sites, such as Groupon and LivingSocial, have daily deals that really do last for just a single day and are not available after that time. Others, like Scoutmob, will feature a daily deal on their homepage to request online. The request period is just a day, but the deal is available for several months, or as long as supplies last.
Some deal sites require printing out vouchers for use, while others, like Scoutmob, have apps that let you show the coupon on your phone when you go to redeem the deal.
Not all deal sites are active in every major U.S. city, but those that aren’t, like Scoutmob, are getting there fast. Remember that many national chains offer country-wide discounts. Groupon offers deals in Canada, while Half Off Depot serves North America, Australia and Europe, making them a great planning tool for discount travel.
The date’s the thingWhen you buy a deal, it will have an expiration date, so make sure you make note of it somewhere. (It can be easy to forget.) Once the expiration date is up, your deal is defunct, and that’s not much of a savings. Because of this, it makes the most sense to buy deals for products or services which you use regularly.
Buy what you’ll really useMany discounts on deal sites are for restaurants, spas or services in your area, such as tooth-whitening. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your favorite restaurant pop up on a deal site, because you know the deal you purchase will be used immediately. Or maybe there’s a restaurant or event that you’ve wanted to attend but didn’t want to pay full price for — the second kind of windfall that deal sites do best. Now you’ll get to have that special meal or see a live play or sporting event for as much as half-off.
But every once in a while, a deal site can inspire the kind of sale-shopping we’ve all fallen prey to. When things seem too cheap to let go by, they can end up in our closet or our voucher queue, even though the appeal ends up being the low price, rather than how suitable the item is. If you would never consider paying full price for the deal of the day, chances are good you may not get around to using it before the expiration date. At best, you may end up paying half-price for something you could really have done without.
Show me the sitesThere are a lot of great deal sites out there. Here are some of the most popular:
Groupon
Scoutmob
Half Off Depot
DealSwarm
Eversave
LivingSocial
Heartsy
The Mini Social
Plum District
Mamapedia’s Sweet Deal
Savvy Source
No More Rack
Zulily
These are just a few of the available deal sites, so do some searching on your own, as well. Most cities have their own, so search for local deals.
It’s nice to live in the age of the online deal, when nearly anything you could want will show up at a discount, sooner or later. Be ready when it does. Sign up for your favorite deal sites and check for bargains daily — then you can get the ones you want before they’re gone!


source: http://www.movingtoday.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-daily-deal-sites-online/

National Donut Day is on June 3rd!

National Donut Day is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Donut Day event created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a "donut") — an edible, torus-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day. In 2009, both independent doughnut shops and large national franchises offered free doughnuts in the United States.

Have you joined our Friends of Krispy Kreme e-club? Friends of Krispy Kreme are among the first to know about new products and special offers, like our FREE doughnut giveaway on National Doughnut Day. The free doughnut offer is good for one doughnut of any variety per customer at participating U.S. and Canadian Krispy Kreme retail shops. Click here to register: http://krispykreme.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe&inputsource=w&FriendContact=true

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Doughnut_Day

Find an Apartment

Looking for an apartment can be a social experiment — especially if you tap into your social networking tools to help you find the perfect place. Use your favorite online networking tools, like Facebook and Twitter, to share your search with friends and score a great apartment they will all want to visit.

Use your connections
When you kick off your apartment search, one of your first stops should be your social network. A Facebook post or a tweet asking for apartment suggestions from friends can quickly generate a list of potentially cool places to live. Your friends can also provide you with apartment reviews and helpful pros and cons about communities.

In addition to asking about favorite apartments, inquire about hot neighborhoods (or ones to avoid). Once you have your list in hand, it’s easy to track down those apartment communities online and map out a visit. Who knows? You might even be able to persuade a few buddies to go apartment shopping with you. (Simply coordinate your schedules with Doodle.)

Be sure to keep the social media connections going as you search. You might take photos of apartments that you visit and post them on Facebook to get feedback. Your social media tools can recruit friends and family to help you narrow down your choices. Once you make a final decision on your apartment, you can use social media tools like Facebook events or Pingg to invite everyone to your apartment-warming party.

Work their connections
Many apartment communities have gotten smart about social media outlets and provide potential residents with helpful information about their communities. In addition to robust apartment search Web sites, Facebook pages have become a must-have for apartment communities. These resources allow you to easily connect with apartment managers to learn more about what they have to offer.

Participating in a social media presence can give you insight into the people who live in a community and their activities. If you have questions about an apartment community, post them on their own Facebook wall and watch for informed responses.

Pages like the Apartment Guide Facebook page also give you an inside look into apartment communities with features like posts from residents, event calendars, photos, discussion boards and easy access to apartment search tools. (When you visit AG’s page, be sure to “like” what you see in order to keep up with the latest info and apartment search resources.)

Also, apartment hunters using ApartmentGuide.com have the opportunity to invite Facebook friends to join along in their apartment search using the “Search with Friends” function. Once invitations are sent, Facebook users can add friends and form search groups, look for and save favorite apartments for rent, and add apartments to the “My Favorites” section on ApartmentGuide.com. Once a user saves an apartment to the “My Favorites” section, others in the apartment search group will see it in their Facebook activity feed and be able to comment on the property. This “Search with Friends” capability also gives roommates a quick and easy way to search for apartments together.

Complete the connection
Once you have used your favorite social networking sites to investigate and find a great apartment, remember to stay in touch. Message your friends and let them know your new address. Invite them over to see your new place. Most importantly, make the most of your new community’s social networking tools to make friends with your neighbors.

Many apartment communities stay very connected online and discuss everything from city politics to poolside potluck planning. Get in the loop with your new community and remember to help your online friends the next time they reach out for apartment search advice.

Being social can help you get settled when you maximize your social networking tools to make your apartment search easier. A happening new home is practically at your fingertips!

Source: http://www.movingtoday.com/use-social-networking-tools-to-find-an-apartment/?WT.mc_id=30331

Rockmelt-Your Browser, Re-Imagined

Has anyone downloaded rockmelt web browser yet? It's awesome!! You can have all of your social networking updated on the side bar of your window to avoid opening up multiple windows to log in and view status feeds!! While being continuously updated, you can browse the web in your current window.

Download it today! You'll love it! http://www.rockmelt.com/

Video about Rockmelt: http://youtu.be/bAPKPhoTqFY