25 Fun Things to do for FREE

The long days of summer may have you bored but there are many fun things to do without your friends, significant other, and family around town for little or not cost! Fun doesn't have to be expensive, gather your loved ones this weekend and make some memories together. 

1. Go to the Park
You can take your family or go with a friend. Swing on the swings like when you were a kid.

2. Pack a Picnic Lunch
Throw a picnic lunch together and find a shady spot to enjoy the day with your loved ones.

3. Play Board Games
Bring out the old favorites like Monopoly or Scrabble!

4. Do a Road Rally With Friends

Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert.

5. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard

Make s'mores and play campfire games.

6. Scan Your Old Photographs

Take the weekend to go through your old photos and scan them into a digital file. You can even create digital scrapbooks!

7. Pretend You're a Tourist in Your Community

Most folks rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Take a weekend be a tourist in your own town.

8. Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup

Get friends and neighbors together to go and clean up a city block. 

9. Pick Strawberries or Other Fruit

Find a "U-Pick" spot to gather some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit. 

10. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Homeless Shelter

Organizations like these are always looking for volunteers. This will be one of the most rewarding things you could do this weekend!

11. Invite Your Neighbors Over

With today's busy pace, it seems harder to get to know our neighbors. Invite them over for dinner or dessert and make an effort to know more about them.

12. Go Fishing

Grab the poles, find a pond, and cast those lines!

13. Go to the Beach

Hit the sandy shores for a little rest and relaxation. Just don't forget to protect your skin!

14. Go to the Library

There are many benefits your local library has to offer besides just books. You can rent movies, page through magazines, or surf the net.

15. Host a Classic Movie Marathon

Invite friends over for a movie marathon featuring all the classics you remember from when you were growing up. 

16. Rearrange the Furniture in Your House

Rearranging furniture doesn't cost anything and adds a new flair to your place.

17. Write Out Your Bucket List and Pick One to Do

Brainstorm ideas for all the things you want to do in life, and pick one to do this weekend.

18. Clean Out Your Closet and Donate to a Thrift Store

Go through your closets and declutter. Find items you can donate to your local Goodwill or another thrift shop.

19. Go on a Bike Ride

Bike to a location you've never been to before. Or, bring your bike to a town or city you're unfamiliar with and create your own bike tour. Just be safe!

20. Go Bowling

Get some friends together and have a blast at the lanes!

21. Visit Garage Sales and Look for Deals

Take a friend or two, grab breakfast, and then hit the local garage sales to scan for deals.

22. Tour the Local Fire or Police Station and Thank Them for Their Service

A simple gesture can really mean a lot to the men and women who serve us on a daily basis!

23. Visit a Local Nursing Home and Engage With the Residents

Many elderly folks have great tales to tell. Listen to their stories and see what you can learn from them.

24. Walk Through the Craft Store and Start an Art Project

Take your spouse or loved one to a craft store and each purchase a few crafts for a creative project. 

25. Host a "Minute to Win It" Party

Invite a few friends over and challenge each other with some creative games based on the hit TV show.

Summer Storms and Staying Safe

The rain doesn't ever seem to go away during the summer and although it's usually only a light drizzle, big summer storms can cause floods, damage, power outages, and more. You can't avoid the rain, but you can take the necessary precautions to make sure you and your family stay safe! Don't let the storms ruin your summer.

Hazards present during and after a summer storm:

• Lightning associated with thunderstorms generates a variety of fire hazards. The power of lightning's electrical charge and intense heat can electrocute on contact, splitting trees and causing fires.
• Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged so never swim during a storm, and use all household appliances with caution. 
• Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard.
• Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
• Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services.
• Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.
• Before storms hit, unplug electrical appliances such as TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens, stereos and computers. Disconnect cables to your TV antenna, satellite dish or cable service. 
• If anyone in your household suffers an electric shock, call 911 or your local emergency medical service immediately. Even minor shocks can cause life-threatening conditions hours later, so it is important to seek medical attention. 
• If someone in your home depends on life-support equipment, move the individual to a safe facility to avoid the risk of an extended power outage. You also should have a back-up plan, such as a portable oxygen supply. Health care equipment suppliers can suggest preparations for such emergencies. 
• During the storm, stay away from windows, where flying debris can cause injury. Do not use the phone or run water during lightning storms. Do not stand in water. 
• Always use a flashlight - not a candle - for emergency lighting.

If a power outage is likely to last longer than a few hours, then those customers affected by the outage should follow these additional tips:

• Turn off your range, toaster oven, iron or other item that could cause a fire if you aren't home when the power comes back on. 
• Turn off your air conditioner and water heater to prevent system overloads when power is restored. These two appliances are big users of electricity, especially after they have been off for a while. Turn them on about 30 minutes after power has been restored.

Driving in the rain:

• Slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. 
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.
• Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
• Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. 
• Avoid off-road driving: it's hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV.
• Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.
• Never drive through moving water if you can't see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.
• When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it's deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car's electrical system.
• If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Fun things to do during a storm:

•  Learn to crochet or knit or cross-stitch.
• Paint something.
• Draw something.
•  Sculpt something.
•  Build a model ship, airplane, or rocket.
• Create and organize new photo albums.
• Create a scrapbook.
•  Hang some photographs on your walls.
• Take up sewing or craft a new sewing project.
•  Find some old white clothes and give them a tie-dye face lift.
• Write a song.
• Play an instrument
• Begin writing a novel
• Play a board game
• Read a book or magazine
• Put together a jigsaw puzzle
•  Play cards
• Do a crossword puzzle
• Play 20 Questions
• Play I Spy

5 Tips to Keep Your Car Driving Smoothly This Summer

1. Check Your Tires
Before hitting the road this summer, you can take several simple precautions to keep your family safe and save money at the pump. Did you know that under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, particularly in hot summer weather? Use the penny trick to see if you still have enough tread on your tires. Stick a penny in the tread, and if Lincoln's head disappears, you're good. If your tires are not up to par, come in to see us and we will get you rolling in a new, SAFE set of tires.

2. Change Oil and Oil Filter
Is the summer heat making you thirsty? Your car could use a drink, too. Oil keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owners’ manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers). Most of us do a lot of heavy driving during the summer when an engine is more likely to overheat so check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family. To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and shut off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You're looking for two things: the level of oil and how the oil looks. If you're low on oil, you can either add another quart or change the oil completely. The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.

3. Check Hoses and Belts
The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded. Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable. The most vulnerable parts of the hose are those nearest to clamps where the hose connects to the radiator or the engine. Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure that the material hasn't started separating into different layers.

4. Check Your Brakes
Your brakes are the single most important safety feature on your car. Don't put yourself or your family at risk this summer by riding around on worn down or faulty brakes.Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe is worn down. You can have your brake linings checked at any normal service shop or at a brake specialist.

 

Here are some signs that your brakes need to be checked:

• Your brake pedal becomes very soft and mushy
• Your brake pedal is very hard and resistant
• Your brake pedal rests too low or too high
• Indication or warning lights on the dashboard
• Loud and constant scraping and grinding sounds coming from the brakes

5. Check The Cooler and Radiator
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. 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. You can even buy premixed coolant so you don't have to bother with the measurements. If you see a small puddle of coolant under your car when it's been parked for a while, then you have a coolant leak. Take it to the service station as soon as you can to get your system checked out.

How to Prepare for a Storm

Preparing for the Unavoidable Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

It’s summer time and the sun is shining! We hope you are enjoying the gorgeous weather and the afternoon showers, to cool you off! Unfortunately, along with the gorgeous summer months we have to be prepared for the horrid tropical storms and the chance of dealing with hurricanes/tornadoes.  Even if they don’t hit Tallahassee, you could be traveling and end up in a city where they do hit. The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1^st to November 30^Th. There is nothing magical in these dates, and hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates were selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity. We want everyone to be safe, and prepared for these storms ahead of time.

 Ways to make sure you’re prepared for Hurricane/Storm season:

v  Be Informed

o   Stay updated with the news via TV, radio, newspaper, or Internet and be sure to keep watch on the exact path of the hurricane/storm. The hurricane could take a turn at any time so staying updated is very important.

v  Plan and Know the Escape/Evacuation Route

o   As a hurricane/tropical storm approaches, things may get pretty hectic. The roads may be packed with people doing last minute preparations. It's going to be tough getting through traffic when you really don't know where you're going. Be prepared ahead of time. Study the evacuation route in your area. Make sure everyone in your family knows the route. Visit the National

v  Protect Your Home

o   The wind bands during a hurricane or a tropical storm winds can get very strong. If necessary, be sure to board up your windows. Also, pick up lawn furniture, garden tools, or any other heavy objects in your yard. When the winds pick up, these items could be flying around damaging your home or killing someone.

v  Fill Up Your Gas Tanks

o   As the hurricane or storm passes through, there could be many power outages and gas shortages. Getting a full tank along with a spare gas can is very important. It may be a day, two days, or even a week for everything to start coming back again.

v  Water, Water, Water!

o   Water is an essential. After a storm, the water supply might be down. Keeping lots and lots of water available will help you and your family stay hydrated and cool, especially if the power might be out. It can get pretty hot and humid. Make sure you have enough to last you a couple weeks.

v  Battery Operated Radios, Extra Batteries, Flashlights, First Aid Kits, and Extra Clothes

o   These are very important to have. They will aid you after a damaging storm. The battery operated radio will keep you informed while the flashlight will guide you in the darkened night. Extra clothes will always come in handy.

v  Lots of Non-Perishable Foods

o   Non-Perishable foods are foods that won't spoil even without refrigeration. If there are major damages in your area, most likely there won't be power, nor will the stores and restaurants be open. So keep a lot of non-perishable foods like canned foods and packaged foods available. Make sure that there is enough to last you a week or two.

v  Keep Extra Cash

o   The banks may be closed and the ATMs may be down. Even if the stores are open, their credit card machines may also be down, so keep some cash just in case you might need it.

v  Seek a Shelter

o   The newscasters will announce the available shelters in your area. If a hurricane is coming right over your path, I would strongly recommend you to seek shelter. Wanting to stay home to watch over your house is not worth risking your life. Even if your home is damage, at least you and your family will be safe.

Stay safe this summer and make sure to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Don’t mess around with storms or hurricanes, they’re very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage. We hope everyone has safe travels and an awesome summer. Remember, we wanna see ya in a KIA!