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From ABC News: The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline could hit an all-time high today, and for months drivers have felt continuous pain at the pump.
“It’s crazy, It’s out of control,” a motorist at a Washington, D.C., gas station told ABC News. “It hurts me in the wallet, in the heart, in the stomach — everywhere,” said another customer as he filled up.
When gas prices go up, so does hype about “gas-saving” products. The Federal Trade Commission warns that these gadgets and additives don’t work. If they did, the government and carmakers would have incorporated them into their requirements and designs.
The Environmental Protection Agency monitors gas-saving claims and tests some of the products. The EPA says it’s never found one that provides significant savings.
EPA scientists showed us how they can test fuel consumption by putting a car up on a rack and driving a computerized course. Over the years, they’ve tested more than a hundred gadgets and additives that claim to save gas.
But the claims — especially on the Internet — continue. The most common categories are additives you put in your gas tank, air bleed devices that pump air into your carburetor and magnets that claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.
ABC News found an online ad that said by attaching a special magnet to your fuel line, you could save up to $20 per tank of gas. The device sold for $90 and claimed to increase gas mileage by 27 percent. Turns out, the FTC had already ordered the company to cease making false claims. But the ads kept popping up. To add insult to injury, this device and others are now sometimes sold as business opportunities that turn out to be pyramid schemes.
Some Red Flags
-Products that brag they can increase gas mileage by big percentages. The EPA has never found this to be true, even though it tries to test a few products in each category.
-Products that claim to have been tested by “EPA-Certified Labs.” The EPA doesn’t certify labs. And the federal government doesn’t endorse gas-saving products for cars.
-Ads that feature glowing testimonials by satisfied customers. Think about it. Most consumers don’t have a way to truly test their car’s fuel efficiency.
So it’s driver beware. Authorities say some of these products can even damage your engine.
With the astronomical prices of fuel these days, most of us have had to tighten our budgets to make room for more spending on gas. However, with the application of some gas-saving tips, it is possible to save money and help the environment at the same time.
1. Maintain your vehicle. A vehicle that runs smoothly uses less gas than one that is poorly maintained. Regular oil changes, air filter and other recommended maintenance will all help to give you a fuel-efficient vehicle.
2. Keep your tires inflated. Actually, studies have shown that the savings on gas isn’t huge, but it does make a small difference to keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. And more importantly, this is also safer and makes your tires last longer.
3. Don’t drive during rush hour. Go to work, and come home from work, either earlier or later if possible, to avoid the rush hour. Getting stuck in a traffic jam, and stop-and-go driving, is one of the worst ways to waste gas.
4. Telecommute. Working from home can save tons in gas, not to mention giving you more time, productivity, and happiness. If you can telecommute even one or two days a week, this can be a substantial savings.
5. Remove weight. Driving with more people, and more stuff in your car, drags the car and requires more fuel. Lighten your load by removing excess cargo.
6. Minimize idling. One of the worst offenders in lowering your gas mileage, idling gets you zero miles per gallon. If you are going to idle for a minute or less, leave your car on, but if it’s going to be much longer than a minute, you should turn off your car. Read the rest of this entry »
Please join us in welcoming Andrea Dickson and her son Luke as the newest residents of Hillcrest.
Andrea is a para-pro with the Cobb County School District. She works with high school students with disabilities. Andrea says the best thing about her job is helping people.
Luke is ten years old and in the fourth grade. He likes learning about animals, dinosaurs and sea animals. His favorite place is the Fernbank Museum.
Andrea and Luke celebrated with friends and family at their dedication this past Sunday. It was a joyful time for everyone.
Congratulations Andrea and Luke. We wish you many happy years ahead in your new home!
You’ll find great lawn and gardening tips on this site! Sign up to get their newsletters and even create your own garden and landscape plan with their customizable “Landscape and Garden Planner.”
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=Down_to_Earth/randy.html
Once you have closed and received your Warranty Deed you need to file for your Homestead Exemption. Here’s how to file:
http://www.cobbtax.org/content/pdffiles/09homestead_web.pdf
If you live in the City of Marietta Only you will need to file with them as well. Go to:
http://www.mariettaga.gov/departments/finance/tax/exemptions.aspx
Homestead, School Tax, and Disability Exemptions may be filed all year long; but to qualify for the current year exemption, you must occupy the property by January 1 and apply by MARCH 1. You only need to file one time. These filings will decrease your property taxes which can affect your overall monthly mortgage payments.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot to scale back on items that are hard on the environment. Conservation often means using less or making smarter choices about what you do use — moves that will help you save, not force you to spend.
Consumers would do well to focus on three areas:
1) Reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. Don’t dash out to buy a hybrid car or trade in your train pass for a $2,500 titanium wonder bike. Simply make whatever form of transportation you use, especially your car, as fuel-efficient as possible. Some tips:
-Inflate your tires properly.
-Get regular tuneups and oil changes.
-Consider getting by with one car (an inconvenience for some, not possible for many, but it can save you thousands a year in gas, insurance and maintenance).
-Use public transportation whenever possible.
-Perhaps the most dramatic way to decrease your car’s footprint-Drive a little more slowly. Read the rest of this entry »
Q. Is there a natural, chemical-free, “green” way to get rid of ants?”
A. Here are a few things you may want to try:
- Pour lemon juice around ant areas.
- Baking soda can deter ants – pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won’t cross it.
- A mixture of borax and sugar or honey will attract and kill silverfish and ants.
- A ring of coffee grounds around sensitive plants can discourage ants.
- A puree blend of orange peel and water can be applied to an area to discourage ants from crossing.
- Ants hate vinegar; so spray it around doorways and other areas they frequent to repel them.
These suggestions were sent to us and we haven’t tried them all. Let us know how they work for you - or – if you have any other suggestions, please post them below.
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Our awesome construction team is asking that you please DO NOT put anything in the dumpsters around the build sites. Since we only pay to have constuction debris picked up they charge us a ton more if anything else in in there.
As a Habitat homeowner you must have trash pickup service set up. It is illegal for you to dump your trash in Cobb Habitat’s dumpster and you will be fined if you are caught.
Thanks so much for your help with this.
Life insurance protects your loved ones, auto insurance protects your car, health insurance protects your good health and homeowners insurance protects your possessions. As with any insurance purchase, it’s important to evaluate coverage and research your options to find the best coverage for your dollar.
Here are some tips that may help you save money on your homeowners insurance:
Prices vary so it pays to shop around. Ask friends, check the Yellow Pages, refer to consumer guides, insurance agents, the consumer phone line of the state’s insurance commissioner’s office and the companies for price information. Read the rest of this entry »
Hillcrest Habitat homeowner, Irene Kagika, was interviewed and quoted in the following article in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Congratulations Irene!
Cultivation method using square grids gains converts
/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/04/10/08
The promise of a tomato, sun-ripened and bursting with flavor, inspires many would-be gardeners to dream in the spring of a vegetable patch in the summer.
The reality of finding a large, sunny spot, creating rich soil and weeding in the summer heat dashes some of those dreams.
What if that tomato came with a different kind of promise: No big patch of ground or weeding required. Who could resist? For more than 25 years, an intensive cultivation method called square-foot gardening has beckoned gardeners who want an easier, space-saving way to grow.
Changes to the method that make it even easier — no more back-breaking double-digging — are attracting a new generation of converts. In Atlanta, it offers an answer to smaller yards and tight watering restrictions.
Square-foot gardening is based on a 4-foot-by-4-foot raised bed that holds 16 squares marked off by a grid. (No surprise that a retired engineer and efficiency expert, Mel Bartholomew of Utah, came up with the system.) Like traditional gardening, the quality of the soil is crucial. For the soil, as with everything else related to square-foot gardening, there’s a recommendation calculated with mathematical precision. Read the rest of this entry »
Cobb County 4-H Youth will host its second annual Jazz on the Clover concert 3-6 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at McEachern High School, 2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs. This is a free event that will showcase some of Cobb County’s finest middle and high school jazz bands. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and join the fun. This is a family-friendly event. No alcohol or pets are allowed. For more information, contact Cobb 4-H at 770-528-4076.
Cobb County has placed 74 warning sirens at strategic locations throughout the county to assist in reducing the potential for loss of life and property damage. Many of Cobb’s residents live in audible distance of at least one of the warning sirens, which are located at fire stations, schools and other county-owned sites.
However, sirens are in place primarily to notify individuals who are outside prior or during an imminent and dangerous weather event. Residents are encouraged to utilize weather radios to receive the most updated information on storms from the National Weather Service.
During severe weather you should:
Tune to local television or radio programs for weather updates.
Go immediately to your basement or safe area (interior room) if high winds, severe thunder and lighting occur.
Carry a battery-operated radio and NOAA weather alert radio. You will know when an emergency has passed and it’s clear to leave the safe area.
Do not rely or count on hearing a siren if you are in a low-lying area.
Cobb’s sirens do not specify the type of storm or emergency, so you should tune into local news for further information.
In celebration of Earth Day and the Great American Cleanup, Keep Cobb Beautiful will partner with local Golden Kiwanis Clubs to offer a document shredding day 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, April 19. This is your opportunity to have household papers securely shredded at no cost. Each car is limited to 100 pounds of documents and there will be four locations around Cobb:
4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs
3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
4100 Highway 293, Acworth
1885 Roswell St., Smyrna
For more information, call 770-528-1135.
What’s fresh now and what to look for at your grocery or farmers market:
Asparagus. Fresh local asparagus is one of the delights of year. As with other spring vegetables, the season is tantalizingly short, so as soon as asparagus appears in the shops start buying and enjoy it while it’s there. The stalks should be firm but tender, the color bright and the tips tightly closed. Eat on the day of purchase if you can, as the flavor diminishes quickly after picking. To cook, steam or boil for around 5-8 minutes until just tender, or brush with oil and roast in the oven. Serve just it is, with a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice or melted organic butter. Use in salads, quiches, soups or pasta sauces.
Purple Sprouting Broccoli. Such a pretty vegetable, with its bluish-green leaves and tight little purple heads that look like flowers. Look for firm, slender stems and leaves with a good color. Avoid any that look brown. Cut the stems into manageable pieces and steam until tender. They’re good tossed in a little oil, sesame seeds and a dash of chili. Also good in soups, and an attractive addition to pasta sauces.
Radishes. Their bright pink skins and fiery flavor add color and punch to salads. The variety ‘French Breakfast’ has a longer shape and milder flavor. Wash well, slice off the root and leaves, and slice. Good in sandwiches, too.
Spinach. A fantastic vegetable, and a super food crammed full of vitamins. Wash well, and cook it with no additional water. Spinach cooks right down, so buy plenty. You can steam or boil it, or cook, covered in a large bowl in a microwave, until the spinach collapses. When tender, put the spinach into a colander or sieve, and press out excess liquid. Then chop it finely, season with nutmeg, and serve as an accompaniment to chicken or fish. You can also use it salads, soups, quiches, curries and pasta sauces.
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