Thursday, July 26, 2012

Emory Traditions: Wonderful Wednesdays

Many years ago Emory celebrated Wonderful Wednesdays by not having class on Wednesdays.  This is no longer true, but the tradition of Wonderful Wednesday still lives on.  Bouncy houses and petting zoos are just some of the activities that occur on Wednesdays to give students some entertainment and fun to get them over "hump day".

Wednesdays are wonderful at Emory, thanks to Wonderful Wednesdays. For many years, Emory held no classes on Wednesdays; that’s no longer true, but the day remains special. These days, Wonderful Wednesdays encourage school spirit by attracting the entire Emory community to gather at Asbury Circle on Wednesday afternoons.

Wonderful Wednesday petting zoo
Each week a different campus organization sponsors the event and may assign a theme. Wonderful Wednesdays of the past have featured a petting zoo, a bouncy castle (c’mon, they’re not just for kids!) and an ice-cream tasting. Some include live music or dance performances. Occasionally they’re more practical. For instance, a recent event showcased volunteer opportunities. But they’re always wonderful. And they’re always on Wednesday!




For more information on campus traditions visit Emory's Website

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Save the Date for Back to School Shopping

Did you know August 10th-11th is Tax-Free Weekend in Georgia?  This weekend taxes are waived on certain items for back to school shopping.  This is perfect for buying clothes for the next semester, or buying all those notebooks and binders you need for your classes. 


Georgia's Tax Free Weekend is actually after the schools are back in session.
 

The dates are August 10-11, 2012.  And, there are some regulations to be aware of:

*Clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100.00 or less per item.
•   A single personal computer or personal computer-related accessory purchase with a sales price of $1,000.00 or less.
•   General school supplies for classroom or related activities with a sales price of $20.00 or less per item.

The sales tax exemption does not include these: clothing accessories, jewelry, handbags, umbrellas, eyewear, watches, watchbands, cellular devices, furniture, computer-related accessories designed for recreational use, items used in a trade or business or for resale, or rentals; or sales in theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments, restaurants, or airports.


For more information on the tax free weekend click here.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Great Decorating Tips for Your New College Apartment




Decorating on a budget can be difficult for anyone.  However, there are many ways to not break the bank and still have a beautiful apartment.  The following are some tips and tricks to successfully make your apartment into your home.

Bargain shop or free?
Obviously getting it for free is better than having to pay for it, so it is highly recommended that you spend time thinking of what you really need for your place and employ some easy do-it-yourself techniques to update the look of what some generous soul is willing to discard. Craigslist is a great resource for inexpensive furniture in their sales section or for free in their free section. Freecycle.com is another option for your area, items go fast and you must respond quickly. The Penney's outlet has several brick and mortar stores in addition to their website, but if you have a brick and mortar store near you, you will find that many of those same items are priced for a quick sale at over 80% off. A six foot bookshelf could be had for under $15.00.  "Dumpster Diving" is not as gross as it sounds, most people take their old furnishing out the night before trash day and anything that appeals to you before it gets picked up is yours to keep.

Shop off season
Do shop for tablecloths after the seasons are over and purchase the longest tablecloths they have, the amount of material in these tablecloths is a bargain waiting to be repurposed into pillow cases, curtains, duvet covers, potholders, etc. A little imagination and less than $5.00 can dress up your windows and throw pillows in a couple of hours.


Multitask
Small spaces require that furniture doubles both in comfort and function. Think in terms of getting a coffee table that also serves as storage with built-in bins. A couch can serve as a bed for an overnight guest if it is a convertible, a futon or modular piece. When you purchase a tall buffet server with drawers and doors, you are able to combine storage space for office supplies, books, photo albums and other miscellaneous while using the top portion as a chic and solidly built TV stand. Pieces that do double- or triple-duty are a budget stretcher that is often overlooked.

Home Improvement Warehouses
Places like Lowe's discontinue furniture pieces, such as bookshelves, credenzas, unusual lighting and area rugs constantly. Keep your eyes open and check their clearance sections, purchasing a $100 rug for $25 is more common than most people realize.  Home Depot owns HomeDecoratorsoutlet.com and their pieces range from classic to modern in a variety of colors that won't break the budget. Their brick and mortar stores offer clearance items at the end of the season as well as Homedepot.com, for example, an electric fireplace will add warmth and style to any room at a fraction of the original price. 

Big and small and almost free
The biggest item in any room is the walls that encase it. Picking up a gallon of paint is an inexpensive way to lay the foundation of what is yet to come. Mis-tinted gallons can be obtained at home improvement warehouses for less than five dollars and can be re-tinted for free if you are flexible enough not to demand an exact shade. Small touches are pictures that have meaning to you and picture frames that can be purchased at the dollar store or garage sales. Cut flowers and inexpensive vases add freshness. A grouping of small houseplants in colorful containers will make a windowsill a bright spot in your home. Place candles on colorful plates found at yard sales or thrift store and surround them with fragrant herbs, small rocks, decorative fruits or sea shells.

Thinking outside the box
The ability to stitch in a straight line to hem a tablecloth can yield inexpensive and unique window coverings. If a sewing machine is too complex, curtain clips and hooks work quite well and they come in a variety of finishes and styles at a low price. Stores such as Wal-Mart and Target often discount these items throughout the year.

Click HERE for more ideas on home decorating.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Staying Cool in the Record Breaking Heat

Temperatures are reaching past 100 degrees in most parts of the country.  Staying cool is essential to not becoming sick or dehydrated.  Below are some tips on how to beat the heat and stay healthy during this oppressive heat wave.

The heat was on Friday in Atlanta, and it was a record-breaking scorcher.  Temperatures reached 104 degrees, setting a record for the day-- but that's only the beginning.  Highs for Saturday are expected to reach 105 degrees in Atlanta, and even higher in some surrounding locations.

FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist Ken Cook says Friday night's low will be around 78 degrees, but on Saturday, we'll warm quickly to about 105 degrees.  That kind of heat is especially dangerous, and it's prompted a heat advisory for Saturday.  The heat index for tomorrow is expected to range between 105-110 degrees, depending on your location.

Atlanta's hottest temp ever-- 105 degrees-- is not out of the question for the weekend.  Until now, the last time the mercury rose above 100 in the city was August 22, 2007.

Cook says there's not much relief in sight, with highs expected over 100 on Sunday and even Monday.  After that, temps are expected to slowly drop throughout next week.


Beating the heat


Around the area, people are doing the best they can to stay cool.  FOX found park-goers with extra water and sports drinks trying to stay cool.  And of course, area pools are packed to the max as the temperatures rise.

While some have the option of hiding out in the AC on hot summer days like these, others have no choice but to brave the scorching temperatures.  FOX 5 found a crew working on a gas line along Buford Highway, and they told us they do what they can to stay cool when temperatures soar.  They said their work sometimes requires fireproof suits, which add another 20-30 degrees to their temperatures.  They say they take breaks and try to stay hydrated in an effort to make it through the day. 

Firefighters are among those who are impacted the most in a heat wave.  On Thursday night, three firefighters were overcome by the heat while battling flames at a Marietta apartment complex.  Officials say the hot weather means there will have to be more personnel at each emergency to serve as backup.


AC on the fritz?
A mid-summer heat wave is no time for your air conditioning to go out, but that's what happens to many people.  In fact, mechanic Fred Shope of Auto Cool Repair Shop told FOX 5 they're often extra busy when the temperatures are on the rise.  Shope says most people don't have a real appreciation for their AC until it goes out on a 100-degree day. 

So what should you do if your AC isn't running right?  Shope says shut it off.  He says you're likely to make it worse if you run your air when it's not working like it should, so you're better off to turn it off and get it checked instead.  If you don't, it could cost you more in the end.  Shope says the average cost of an AC repair is $300.


Tips to stay cool

If you're spending time outside in the heat, it's important to stay cool.  Experts recommend you drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.  You should also wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes, and take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning if possible.  You should also avoid being outside during the late afternoon when temperatures are excessively hot, and limit your activity to early morning or late evening instead.

Also, don't leave kids or children outside for long periods of time because they may be more susceptible to heat exhaustion.


Read more at myfox.
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