Landlord didn't sufficiently restore playground

#23390

* Hollis Court Gardens: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. YG110024O, YG110026RO-YG110030RO (4/8/11) [4-pg. doc.]

* Hollis Court Gardens: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. YG110024O, YG110026RO-YG110030RO (4/8/11) [4-pg. doc.]

Go on a picnic

Parks have long been the setting of family gatherings and afternoons spent basking in the sun. But for wheelchair users, navigating and enjoying these areas can be challenging. A new product could make their lives easier.

Available models include the Commons, Deluxe Handicap Picnic, Open Hexagon Handicap, Plaza Handicap, Standard Double Handicap, and Standard Handicap tables. Each is comprised of all recycled plastic components and is constructed with stainless-steel fasteners. Prices start at $696.Contact: 877-609-2243 / www.pollyproducts.com.

Contact: 877-609-2243 / www.pollyproducts.com.

Abolitionist Sisters

Sarah and Angelina Grimke were born into good fortune. Their father, John Grimk�, had been a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary War and speaker in the South Carolina House of Representatives before becoming a plantation owner and judge on the state Supreme Court. The girls could look forward to a life of ease. In front of them lay a future of balls, concerts, picnics, rides, dinners, parties, and entertainments. They would spend their days in spacious rooms with high ceilings in beautifully decorated homes and stroll in wellmanicured gardens. Their wardrobes would be of the finest kind, full of the latest fashions, and their tables would be laden with both local and imported food and wine. What's more, they'd hardly need to lift a finger, thanks to the house slaves on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to attend to their every whim. Outside, field slaves would work just as hard if not harder on the plantations that made all this possible.

Sarah Moore Grimk� was born in 1792 and grew up in a magnificent house in the center of Charleston and on the family plantation inland at Beaufort. She had three elder brothers and one elder sister, and three younger brothers and two younger sisters. Her education was to consist of reading, writing, and enough mathematics to run a household. Needlework, art, music, and a little French were featured on the curriculum, but the most important subject was the learning of manners. She craved more from her education, however, and started to learn secretly from her brother Thomas, six years her senior, studying his books at night. She delved into history, geography, science, Greek, and advanced mathematics. She was allowed to participate in the semiformal debates her father arranged for his sons as law school preparation. Judge Grirnke reportedly commented that if Sarah had been a boy she would have been America's greatest jurist. But while Thomas went to Yale, Sarah was kept at home.It was not only the impact of slavery on the slaves that troubled Angelina but also its effect on their owners. Having everything done for you by house slaves and living off the work of field slaves, she observed, was deeply amoral and undermined families. She wondered what hope there was for affection to arise from familial duty if you could not even move a chair for your mother or open a window so she that she might enjoy the air.Angelina, meanwhile, was on her own spiritual and intellectual journey from the Episcopal Church, with its emphasis on the rule of the clergy, to the more democratic Presbyterian Church, and from a merely argumentative to a highly opinionated anti-slavery activist. But she could not abide the idea of Christians owning other Christians, and she too became attracted to the Quaker religion and its dedication to peace and equality.In November 1829 Angelina stopped her onewoman crusade in Charleston and headed north to be with Sarah in Philadelphia. Soon she too had joined the Quakers.Back home, she threw herself into discovering all she could about the Quaker movement, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, and its outright opposition to slavery. She also took to wearing the plain habit of Quaker women, and in 1821 she relocated to Philadelphia to live alternately with Israel's family in the country and his sister Catherine Morris in the city, supported by the interest on her inheritance. In May 1823 Sarah Grimk� became a full member of the Friends.From an early age Sarah became aware of the unjust treatment meted out to slaves. When at the age of five she saw a slave being beaten, she tried to run away from home to a place where there was no slavery. Later, in her speeches, she recalled the many harrowing experiences of slavery she had witnessed, ranging from whippings to torture at the local workhouse where slaves were sent to be disciplined. She even witnessed the gruesome spectacle of the severed head of an escaped slave on a pole by a country roadside, placed there as a warning to other would-be runaways. What she saw was to turn her into a rebel.Angelina became the focus of Sarah's existence and by the time the former started to talk she addressed her elder sister as "mother."In the mid-1830s there was an explosion of anti-slavery societies in the North, as well as female versions of such groups in which women were able to play a leadership role previously denied them. Both sisters began to engage more and more in the antislavery movement, Sarah through reading and study, and Angelina by attendance at meetings of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society.The era also saw a great deal of violence directed at such activities, even in the North, where slavery for many people was little more than an abstract idea. Most had never witnessed it personally.Looking after her dying father all alone and staying with Quakers in Philadelphia for months on either side of his death seem to have hardened and focused her, resolving many issues. On the ship back to Charleston she was befriended by a prosperous Quaker family called Morris, who gave her books and tracts. She started a correspondence with Israel Morris, the head of the family.But Sarah and Angelina were to reject the highly privileged existence spread out before them by the simple accidents of their births. Instead they both moved north, embraced principle, and devoted their lives to campaigning for the abolition of slavery and for women's rights.In February 1805 Mary Grimke produced her 14th and last child, Angelina Emily. Sarah begged her parents to make her the new child's godmother and to give her a major central role in raising the girl; they assented in part to relieve some of the child-rearing burden from Mary and in part to cheer up the morose Sarah.In 1818 Judge Grimk� fell seriously ill, and in the spring of 1819 his Charleston doctor referred him to a Philadelphia specialist. Sarah accompanied her father on the sea journey. After two months the doctor could do no more than recommend the sea air and the bathing at Long Branch, New Jersey. Father and daughter traveled there, but to no avail. Judge Grimk� died with Sarah as his sole mourner.Both sisters still struggled to find their niche. Initially their mission to abolish slavery had little real direction, partly because the Quakers considered their views too radical. While Quakers might be against slavery, their social activism was unlikely to extend beyond praying for a solution. Angelina yearned for an activist role, while her elder sister was more cautious.Sarah's family was devoutly Episcopalian, and she taught Sunday school to younger slave children. When she asked why she couldn't teach them to read so they could discover the Bible for themselves, her father replied that the 1740 Better Ordering and Governing of Negroes and Slaves Act levied a fine of �100 (about $10,000 today) for educating such people or employing slaves with these skills. Sarah's reaction was to teach her young black maid, Hetty, to read secretly at night until her mother discovered them; Sarah was severely admonished by her father, and Hetty was very lucky to escape a severe whipping. Sarah later wrote:"! took an almost malicious satisfaction in teaching my little waiting-maid at night, when she was supposed to be occupied in combing and brushing my locks. The light was put out, the key hole screened, and flat on our stomachs before the fire, with the spelling-book under our eyes, we defied the law of South Carolina."Time Among the QuakersSeeking a Niche

The era also saw a great deal of violence directed at such activities, even in the North, where slavery for many people was little more than an abstract idea. Most had never witnessed it personally.

Picnickers hampered by the car

PICNIC-lovers are missing out on beauty spots because they refuse to venture far from their cars.

Only one in five walk more than a quarter of a mile from where they park to eat, a survey found.One reason for picknickers' lack of adventure is the amount of kit they bring, such as cool boxes, portable fridges, tables and chairs.A third walked only a few yards before opening the hamper and 10 per cent even ate inside their cars.A spokesman said: "We know from the demand for outdoor equipment how much they are part of summer life."

A spokesman said: "We know from the demand for outdoor equipment how much they are part of summer life."

Downtown group hopes Acacia Park facelift will cut crime, vagrancy

As downtown parks go, Colorado Springs' Acacia Park has always been somewhat spare.

Andrea Barker, with HB&A, called it a "playful exercise," with no specific plan to bring forward to the city yet.The Downtown Partnership and architectural firm HB&A hope to bring more people to the park, and curtail the "negative activities" of vagrancy, aggressive panhandling, drug sales and use, with a "revitalization" of Acacia Park. Though in its early stages, proposals range from improved lighting to turning the old police station into a cafe to pie-in-the-sky dreams of underground parking and a raised walkway over Nevada Avenue to the YMCA.Officers hope to form a cadre of volunteers to patrol the park and report crimes, along with increased use by the public."It historically has had issues. It's the center of town," he said. He said emergency officials responded to 58 calls to the park in the last 30 days. Memorial Park, 53 times the size, had 32 calls in the same period.The Downtown Partnership hopes bringing more "positive users" into the park would cut down on problems and help a downtown suffering from a growing number of empty storefronts. A concert series at the band shell was launched last weekend to help do that.The city's first park, it was donated by founder William Jackson Palmer when he laid out Colorado Springs in 1871. Though records are sketchy, it may have attracted miscreants for just as long.Colorado Springs police officer Sid Santos, the area's crime prevention officer, said when he was trained for community policing in 2001, he was warned that Acacia Park attracts an unseemly element. And the trainer had been warned many years before, when he was a rookie, of the same thing by his trainer. And so on, going back at least 50 years, he said."It's kind of asking the question: What is Acacia Park? Is it a park? Is it a square? Is it a plaza?" she said."I think they need to revitalize it, definitely," said Susan Godec, owner of The Phancy Pheasant across from the park. "I'd like to see the park patrolled by a policeman."The Uncle Wilber fountain is popular in the summer, and you sometimes see kids instead of cigarette-smoking teens on the playground, but consider the other amenities: a band shell with no seats, a few picnic tables, a shuttered police substation and a shuffleboard court hardly anybody uses."It seems to be a homing ground for a lot of homeless people. If you make the park attractive enough for more people to come, those people should move out to other areas," said Terry Henderson, owner of the Boulder Street Gallery (which is actually on Tejon Street.)HB&A will make a first presentation to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Thursday on the various proposals. The meeting is open to the public.Click here to see the various proposals.While Santos, the crime prevention officer, said officers and the department's Homeless Outreach Team patrol the area, a constant police presence is impossible.He sees the location, close to services for the homeless, as well as the interstate, as the main reason. Police stopped staffing the substation about five years ago due to budget cuts.Said Santos, "There needs to be a mix of things. Some of it is trying to bring in the positive users, trying to bring in people who are observers, who can report crimes.""The more positive activity you can have in the park, the more those kinds of behaviors can go somewhere else," Butlin said.He talked with HB&A, and, working for free, its architects began drafting proposals. They brought in student leaders from Palmer High School, across the street from the park, to come up with ideas.The Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hear a presentation on the Acacia Park proposals, still in their early stages, at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, at 1401 Recreation Way. The meeting is open to the public.How much it would cost, and how the cash-strapped city would pay for it, have not yet been discussed.There are eight different designs. All involve more lighting and seating, some tree removal, a privately-run cafe with outdoor seating at the police station and removal of the shuffleboard courts. Some involve bicycle rentals, secure bicycle parking, seats for the band shell and moving the Palmer statue from the nearby intersection into the park.Acacia Park proposal"When I look at downtowns around the country, many downtowns have the equivalent of central parks and a lot of places to do things with their park," said Ron Butlin, executive director of The Downtown Partnership. "When I go by our park, it doesn't seem to be very well-utilized by the citizens. It's a beautiful asset and it's not very well-utilized."Neighboring business owners seem to support the overall concept.

The Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hear a presentation on the Acacia Park proposals, still in their early stages, at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, at 1401 Recreation Way. The meeting is open to the public.

UPDATE: Parks board enthusiastic about Acacia Park rehab

As downtown parks go, Colorado Springs' Acacia Park has always been somewhat spare.

Neighboring business owners seem to support the overall concept.Said Santos, "There needs to be a mix of things. Some of it is trying to bring in the positive users, trying to bring in people who are observers, who can report crimes."Colorado Springs police officer Sid Santos, the area's crime prevention officer, said when he was trained for community policing in 2001, he was warned that Acacia Park attracts an unseemly element. And the trainer had been warned many years before, when he was a rookie, of the same thing by his trainer. And so on, going back at least 50 years, he said.He sees the location, close to services for the homeless, as well as the interstate, as the main reason. Police stopped staffing the substation about five years ago due to budget cuts.The Downtown Partnership hopes bringing more "positive users" into the park would cut down on problems and help a downtown suffering from a growing number of empty storefronts. A concert series at the band shell was launched last weekend to help do that."It historically has had issues. It's the center of town," he said. He said emergency officials responded to 58 calls to the park in the last 30 days. Memorial Park, 53 times the size, had 32 calls in the same period.The more extreme designs, including removing Uncle Wilber, adding underground parking and a raised platform over Nevada Avenue, are not considered realistic, she said.The city's first park, Acacia was donated by founder William Jackson Palmer when he laid out Colorado Springs in 1871. Though records are sketchy, it may have attracted miscreants for just as long.No timetable has been set for the public meetings.Click here to see the various proposals.How much it would cost, and how the cash-strapped city would pay for it, have not yet been discussed, and did not come up at this morning's meeting.He talked with HB&A, and, working for free, its architects began drafting proposals. They brought in student leaders from Palmer High School, across the street from the park, to come up with ideas."When I look at downtowns around the country, many downtowns have the equivalent of central parks and a lot of places to do things with their park," said Ron Butlin, executive director of The Downtown Partnership. "When I go by our park, it doesn't seem to be very well-utilized by the citizens. It's a beautiful asset and it's not very well-utilized.""The more positive activity you can have in the park, the more those kinds of behaviors can go somewhere else," Butlin said.The Downtown Partnership and architectural firm HB&A hope to bring more people to the park, and curtail the "negative activities" of vagrancy, aggressive panhandling, drug sales and use, with a "revitalization" of Acacia Park. Though in its early stages, proposals range from improved lighting to turning the old police station into a cafe to pie-in-the-sky dreams of underground parking and a raised walkway over Nevada Avenue to the YMCA.The Uncle Wilber fountain is popular in the summer, and you sometimes see kids instead of cigarette-smoking teens on the playground, but consider the other amenities: a band shell with no seats, a few picnic tables, a shuttered police substation and a shuffleboard court hardly anybody uses.While Santos, the crime prevention officer, said officers and the department's Homeless Outreach Team patrol the area, a constant police presence is impossible.Andrea Barker, with HB&A, called it a "playful exercise," with no specific plan to bring forward to the city yet.There are eight different designs. All involve more lighting and seating, some tree removal, a privately-run cafe with outdoor seating at the police station and removal of the shuffleboard courts. Some involve an ice-skating rink, bicycle rentals, secure bicycle parking, seats for the band shell and moving the Palmer statue from the nearby intersection into the park.Officers hope to form a cadre of volunteers to patrol the park and report crimes, along with increased use by the public.HB&A made a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Thursday morning. While no vote was taken, members seemed to support the idea."It seems to be a homing ground for a lot of homeless people. If you make the park attractive enough for more people to come, those people should move out to other areas," said Terry Henderson, owner of the Boulder Street Gallery (which is actually on Tejon Street.)"Obviously it would be subject to a public master plan process. Lots of people would get involved," board member Kent Obee said. "But I like your ideas. Keep working and at an appropriate time we do need to have a broader public discussion of what happens in Acacia Park.""It's kind of asking the question: What is Acacia Park? Is it a park? Is it a square? Is it a plaza?" she said.

Said Santos, "There needs to be a mix of things. Some of it is trying to bring in the positive users, trying to bring in people who are observers, who can report crimes."

Safeway to Set Guinness World Records Title for World's Longest Picnic Table on National Picnic Day

Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence Cooks up Great Recipes using Safeway's Exclusive Open Nature(TM) 100 Percent Natural Foods

"Food has always been important in my life and I think it is really important that people know where their food comes from," said Tyler Florence, Food Network Chef and successful restaurateur. "I really appreciate that Safeway's Open Nature is 100 percent natural with no gimmicks, so people can feel good about what they buy and what they cook."About Safeway www.Safeway.comPLEASANTON, Calif., June 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- You may need a megaphone to get someone to pass a napkin at what's likely to be the world's longest picnic table. Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) today celebrates National Picnic Day featuring Open Nature(TM), a delicious, 100 percent natural line of high-quality foods. The company hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Picnic Table by building a table exceeding 305 feet, which is longer than a football field. A Guinness World Records Official will be present to measure and verify the attempt. Food Network Chef Tyler Florence is preparing the Open Nature foods for this record-setting picnic at the Marina Green in San Francisco.(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110618/SF22351-c)Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,694 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $41.1 billion in 2010. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. The Open Nature line is an addition to Safeway's portfolio of health and wellness brands, joining O Organics(TM) and Eating Right.-Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising pork and poultry."Natural" You Can 100 Percent Trust"Now consumers don't need to make trips to multiple stores to get the natural food choices they want. Safeway's Open Nature provides a range of natural foods across multiple categories - everything from fresh chicken, yogurt and ice cream to salad dressings, peanut butter, dinner sausages, hot dogs and pastas," said Minasi. Coming soon will be cereals and granolas, juices and more. "It's now easier than ever to include natural foods in every meal because Open Nature is priced lower than the national brands, when not on sale, as a part of our great everyday low prices throughout the store."(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110618/SF22351-d)Follow Safeway Open Nature on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Safeway and connect with Safeway Open Nature on Facebook on http://www.facebook.com/SafewayIn keeping with Open Nature's all-natural ingredients approach, the record-setting table will be built with only Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Douglas fir that is sustainable, and for every FSC Certified tree that is used, 10 more will be planted. Other environmentally conscious elements that will be incorporated into the picnic include environmentally friendly paper products, composting and on-site recycling.(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110618/SF22351LOGO-a)(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110618/SF22351LOGO-b)Open Nature products are affordable, because Safeway believes everyone should have access to 100 percent natural foods that won't break a shopper's budget. Open Nature features an expansive line of products spanning multiple categories, making it easy for consumers to add natural foods to everyday life.About Tyler FlorenceSOURCE Safeway Inc."As a leader in the retail food industry, Safeway has set a very high standard when it comes to defining natural - ingredients from natural sources with nothing artificial," said Mike Minasi, President of Marketing for Safeway. "Having lunch at the World's Longest Picnic Table on National Picnic Day is the perfect vehicle for celebrating our Open Nature promise that ingredients should come from nature and food should have as little processing as possible. Open Nature is a natural product line that consumers can have total confidence in because the ingredients are easy to understand and listed on the front of each package. We believe that nature has nothing to hide, and neither should your food."Tyler Florence is a local chef who has hosted and appeared on many national shows, including Tyler's Ultimate which currently airs on The Food Network. His shared passion with Safeway for quality food made him the ideal chef to prepare the offerings at the National Picnic Day event.Given that the word 'natural' is not regulated by the FDA, the term's inclusion on food packaging has left consumers skeptical of the claim. Safeway heard that their shoppers wanted great-tasting products developed as close to their natural state as possible, and as a result developed Open Nature: 100 percent natural, 100 percent real. In doing so, Safeway is leading the charge in creating natural foods that meet shopper's needs. Unlike other products that claim to be natural, Open Nature products do not contain enriched flour, synthetic vitamin fortifications, alkalized cocoa, or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, among others.Consumers can now find a wide variety of Open Nature items exclusively at Safeway stores, and additional Open Nature products will be launched throughout 2011.

SOURCE Safeway Inc.

Safeway Celebrates New Open Nature™ Product Line By Setting Guinness World Records Title for World's Longest Picnic Table

Safeway together with Tyler Florence, Cooked Up a 100 Percent Natural Spread Worthy of National Picnic Day

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/safeway-celebrates-new-open-nature-product-line-by-setting-guinness-world-records-title-for-worlds-longest-picnic-table-124172219.html"It was astounding to see so many people come together around a single table to enjoy a meal made with our Open Nature products," said Mike Minasi, president of marketing for Safeway. "Our customers have been asking for a natural product line and Safeway delivered, setting a very high standard for what natural should mean - 100 percent natural, 100 percent real. We are so proud to roll this new brand out to our shoppers and we knew that a giant picnic on National Picnic Day was the perfect way to do it."PLEASANTON, Calif., June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the introduction for Open Nature(TM), a delicious, 100 percent natural line of high-quality foods available exclusively at Safeway, Inc. (NYSE: SWY), a picnic table spanning the length of a football field was created by Safeway and set the Guinness World Record for Longest Picnic Table this past Saturday, on National Picnic Day. Determined by a Guinness World Records Official, the record was set at 12:45 p.m. PST on June 18, 2011 with the table measuring a total of 305-feet. In the midst of the excitement, Food Network Chef Tyler Florence demonstrated recipes for picnic guests using Safeway's Open Nature 100 percent natural line of high-quality foods.About Tyler FlorenceSafeway Open NatureTyler Florence is a local chef who has hosted and appeared on many national shows, including Tyler's Ultimate, which currently airs on The Food Network. His shared passion with Safeway for quality food made him the ideal chef to prepare the offerings at the National Picnic Day event.Given that the word "natural" is not regulated by the FDA, the term's inclusion on food packaging has left many consumers skeptical of the claim. Safeway recognized this growing concern and developed the Open Nature product line to provide their customers with great-tasting products made with ingredients from natural sources, containing nothing artificial. Open Nature features an expansive line of products across multiple categories with a promise of everyday low prices so that shoppers can add natural foods to every meal without breaking the budget.* The World's Longest Picnic Table weighs more than 11,304 lbsAbout Safeway www.Safeway.comConsumers can now find a wide variety of Open Nature items exclusively at Safeway stores, and additional Open Nature products will be launched throughout 2011.By the Numbers"I can't think of a better way to kick off summer than with a record-breaking picnic," said Guinness World Records Record Manager Kimberly Partrick. "After measuring the 305-foot table that set the record for the World's Longest Picnic Table, I was happy to sit down and enjoy an all-natural, delicious meal."* It took 4 people 10 days to build the World's Longest Picnic Table* 7,176 feet of FSC Certified Douglas Fir wood and 1,032 bolts were used to construct the table* 305 feet was the measured length of the World's Longest Picnic Table, which is 5 feet longer than a football field and equivalent to 38 standard picnic tablesFor more information about Open Nature, go to www.safeway.com, or follow Safeway on Facebook or Twitter.Safeway on FacebookGuests at the National Picnic Day event included Safeway shoppers, employees, San Francisco Bay Area bloggers and others who won a seat at the table through an @Safeway #OpenNature Re-Tweet-to-Win contest on Twitter and through a separate sweepstakes on Safeway's Facebook page the week before the event.* This table breaks the previous Guinness World Record (248 feet, 2 inches) set in New Orleans, October 2009* 405 people sat around the World's Longest Picnic Table at one timeWith several published recipe books that emphasize the importance of home-cooked, nourishing meals, celebrity chef Tyler Florence was an ideal fit for the Open Nature picnic. Florence, a longtime Safeway shopper, used a variety of Open Nature products to create the recipes he prepared onsite. He also enjoyed mingling with guests and posing for photos.SOURCE Safeway Inc."With the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, hundreds of smiling guests, and the World's Longest Picnic Table covered with mouth-watering food, I was definitely in my element," said Florence, a Food Network chef and successful restaurateur. "Bringing people together around a delicious meal is a true passion of mine so it was an honor and joy to take part in this special event."Safeway on Twitter

SOURCE Safeway Inc.

Jazz Up Your Summer Grilling With Zatarain's

(Family Features) The weather is heating up and that means it's time to fire up the grill. Whether it's a graduation celebration or just a simple summer get-together in the backyard, make sure to bring the fun and flavor of New Orleans to the picnic table.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineImage Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1647946For more information on how to jazz up your summer meals, visit www.facebook.com/zatarains . Access exclusive recipes, download free jazz music to keep the party rocking and learn more about bringing the fun and flavor of New Orleans to anywhere in the country.Makes 6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutesThe traditional New Orleans-Style meal offers an ideal solution for everyone, as it can be customized for each person's taste preferences and is ready in less than 30 minutes. Start with a large batch of original jambalaya -- it's easy to do with Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix. Then create a bar of mix-in options for people to select from. Here's what to include:Jambalaya with Smoked SausageAbout Family Features Editorial Syndicate This and other food and lifestyle content can be found at www.editors.familyfeatures.com . Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for use in print and online publications. Register with no obligation to access a variety of formatted and unformatted features, accompanying photos, and automatically updating Web content solutions.The whole family looks forward to enjoying traditional fare like hot dogs and hamburgers. Amp up the fun and flavors of the grill even more with jambalaya, a new take on group-friendly meals that's easy to prepare.Now everyone, including the cook, can let the good times roll.Prepare jambalaya mix as directed on package. Meanwhile, place sausage on grill until brown (approx. 12-14 minutes, turning regularly). Cut sausage into desired bite-size pieces and mix into prepared jambalaya.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.Wendy MacDonald wmacdonald@familyfeatures.com 1-888-824-3337 ext. 235 http://editors.familyfeatures.com

Wendy MacDonald wmacdonald@familyfeatures.com 1-888-824-3337 ext. 235 http://editors.familyfeatures.com

Bringing in the great outdoors: entertain with mother nature in mind

Summertime is here and the living is easy. Warm weather has everyone spending more time outside--weekend camping trips, picnics in the park, dinners alfresco. It's the season to really enjoy the outdoors. Take cues from the natural world with organic materials like wood, rocks, and shells to fill your space with nature's bounty.

Bring a piece of the seashore closer to home with this playful placemat made from a colourful collage of beach stones. $19.99 each. ROM Member price $17.99.Add some elegance and seasonal shimmer to your table with these decorative pearlescent plates. $19.99 each. ROM Member price $17.99.Store Hours: 10 am to 6:30 pm, except Friday 10 am to 10 pm. Kids Store: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, except Friday 10 am to 9 pm. Check out our online boutique at store.rom.on.ca.DRIFTWOOD VASEThis shell-tipped wine-bottle stopper by LSArts will keep you sipping in style at your next BBQ party. $14.99 each. ROM Member price $13.49.SHELL STOPPERPetrify--from the Greek root petro, meaning "rock" or "stone," means, literally, to turn into stone. These pretty wood stumps, though petrified, retain their original appearance. $44.99 each. ROM Member price $40.49.Why we love them! They 're great conversation pieces and accessories for your home or officeThis simple and stylish carafe from the Design Stockholm House is perfect for serving wine or an infused water refreshment. $99.99 each. ROM Member price $89.99.Why we love them! They're handcrafted from Capiz shells found in the coastal waters of the Philippines.BEACHSTONE PLACEMATThis striking wooden vase crafted from pieces of delicate driftwood will add a touch of rustic charm to any tabletop or front entrance. $129.99 each. ROM Member price $116.99.STARFISHWhy we love it! It's designed by Swedish artist Nina Jobs, known for her simplicity and clear-cut relationship with nature.Why we love it! It can be perfectly paired with bamboo or leafy grass.Why we love it! It's kid-friendly and perfect for backyard entertaining.Scatter these lovely golden treasures throughout your home for a breezy, beachy look. $7.99 each. ROM Member price $7.19.Why we love them! These little ornaments instantly add a serene feeling to any bathroomWhy we love it! It makes a great hostess gift.SHELL PLATESPETRIFIED WOODSCANDINAVIAN CARAFEAll items listed on this page are available at the ROM Museum Store.Keep your eyes peeled for new home decor items and accessories hitting store shelves throughout the summer, and shop the entire collection on June 10, 11, and 12 during our Friends & Family Weekend Sale. ROM Members enjoy 20% off the regular price of merchandise in all ROM stores!

DENISE DIAS manages communications for the ROM Governors Office. She has contributed to Toronto Life's style section and the Toronto Star's living section.

Turning Your Picnic Table To A Family Fun Center: How A Picnic Table Can Be Your Children�s Favorite Summer Escape

When kids think of their summer vacation, little minds wander to a haven away from the halls of academia. No more over-bearing teachers asking where their homework is, and no more watching the clock, waiting for the next recess. But they no longer think of days occupied by picnic tables and playgrounds anymore. Rather, they are taken away to a land full of fun and favor, of playing video games all day, and letting their minds forget what they learned all year.

While kids immediately make this the image of their summer vacation, it doesn�t necessarily have to be that way. Many of us grew up before the days of computers and gaming systems. Interactive entertainment was defined by whoever we could round up for a game of sandlot baseball, or which friends� house we were sleeping over at that weekend. Those days of lore are not lost � in fact, they can be found in as close as your backyard. And it can all revolve around your picnic table.Once your picnic table is painted and dried, it is ready to be covered with a coat of polyurethane (to seal and protect the painted cover), and your picnic table is ready to be enjoyed by your family for years to come! As time wears on, your table will be a place of family gathering, protected by urethane from the elements and dirt. And as your children grow old (and grow into new interests and hobbies), redesigning your picnic table is as easy as sanding the old paint off and starting from new!As an extra treat for your patio table, be sure to mark out game boards to paint on your picnic table. Consider marking out a checkerboard and a backgammon board to paint on the table. Checkerboards provide a board for many different games of skill to be played on, and Backgammon is a classic that provides a challenge for both young and old. These games will encourage your family to come around the table, and enjoy the long summer nights for years to come.Once you�ve decided on a theme, its time to paint! This is the perfect advantage to having an untreated wood picnic table � it allows you to create a masterpiece with a blank canvass! First, lay down the base coat of paint � this will be the main color of the background of your picnic table. Once dry, draw out the designs you have decided upon in pencil. This will serve as your stencils. For even more family fun, mark each area with a number, and create a paint-by-numbers canvas for your children.As you begin to design, get your children excited and involved in the process. Find out what they want to have on their picnic table. This will give them a sense of ownership in the process, and make them interested in putting everything together. Let them know that this is powered by their imaginations, and they should feel like they have complete creative license. What are their favorite cartoon characters? What are their favorite stories? As they come up with ideas, write them down, and help your children narrow them down to a theme.By designing your picnic table as a family fun center, you will be creating an outdoor entertainment center that will encourage activity for years to come. With creativity and a little paint, anyone can create a wireless fun zone that will continue to be treasured by your friends and family.

By designing your picnic table as a family fun center, you will be creating an outdoor entertainment center that will encourage activity for years to come. With creativity and a little paint, anyone can create a wireless fun zone that will continue to be treasured by your friends and family.

Baltimore gets ready for 4th of July, starting with the harbor

Volunteers from Morgan Stanley's Baltimore office took part in a clean-up effort last week to help get a head start on making the Inner Harbor healthier by 2020.

The Healthy Harbor initiative was started by Waterfront Partnership to restore the harbor by 2020 and keep the waters safe and sustainable.Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts puts on a fireworks show at the harbor every year. This year, fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. You can see a full schedule of the events here.The crew helped stain picnic tables at West Shore Park, painted light poles and metal cleats around the Inner Harbor, as well as the anchors and cannons at a few historic landmarks.

The Healthy Harbor initiative was started by Waterfront Partnership to restore the harbor by 2020 and keep the waters safe and sustainable.

Picnic Tables Available � No Reservations Required

One of the greatest social events ever dreamed up, a picnic is a combination of food, family, friends, recreation, entertainment, and merriment. At the first sign of spring, people begin firing up their grills and taking their meals outdoors, and they don�t go back inside until the world freezes over once again. In fact, there are some year-round, die-hard barbecuers who won�t quit unless someplace much larger and hotter freezes over, too.

Like the picnic itself, the picnic table has undergone many transformations. With porches, decks, and patios becoming more elaborate every year, and backyard gazebos popping up in record numbers, outdoor entertaining has reached new heights. Beyond barbecues, people are hosting dinners, formal parties, and even weddings in their own backyards. In order to accommodate these diverse uses, picnic tables have been created in a variety of sizes, styles, shapes, colors, and materials, to fit any occasion.The word �picnic� was first introduced in English in 1748. In the 19th century, a group of wealthy Londoners formed the Picnic Society to promote this fashionable social affair, to which each attendee was expected to bring food, as well as contribute some form of entertainment. It was around the middle of the century when it became associated with the outdoors, and the first picnic blankets appeared. Its rapid rise in popularity soon led to the invention of the picnic table.Indeed, there are as many versions of picnic tables as there are of picnics. To see the entire range of exciting possibilities, visit AllPicnicTables.com, a division of CedarStore.com. If you don�t find the perfect picnic table, they�ll be happy to customize one for you! For more information, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@allpicnictables.com.Today, a picnic can be anything from a casual meal on the porch, with paper plates and plastic forks, to a formal picnic lunch, with gourmet food served on good china. It can be a large gathering at a park, or a cozy lunch for two on a picnic blanket in a scenic spot. A picnic can be a grand affair, planned or months � perhaps even catered � or a spontaneous move outdoors to enjoy the weather. No matter how differently they may be defined, however, everyone agrees that picnics are fun!Besides the classic, rustic-looking cedar, oak, and pine tables, there are elegant dining sets, sometimes made from cherry or teak. Other tables are constructed from virtually indestructible aluminum, thermo-plastic, vinyl, and polywood. These are the tables you�ll find lining hospital grounds, industrial parks, office complexes, and college campuses. They can be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, square, round, or oval, with benches attached or detached.

Indeed, there are as many versions of picnic tables as there are of picnics. To see the entire range of exciting possibilities, visit AllPicnicTables.com, a division of CedarStore.com. If you don�t find the perfect picnic table, they�ll be happy to customize one for you! For more information, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@allpicnictables.com.

Goodwin Apartments Separates Itself from Other Apartments by Providing Monthly Entertainment for the Resident Children and Security for the Family Environment

SAN ANTONIO -- Commercial Developer James De La Garza, CEO of Ocean2Ocean, LLC has purchased a 68-unit apartment complex from United S.A. Federal Credit Union. The purchase was finalized May 6, 2011. The listing agent was Stefanie Dunivan, CPM Realtor with Texas Premier Realty, member of SABOR. The newly renovated Goodwin Apartment Complex is located at 3706 Goodwin Ave Austin TX, 78721. It offers 1-4 bedroom floor plans with bar-b-q pits and picnic tables. All of the amenities except the electricity are included in rent. Most apartments do not offer 24 hour surveillance like Goodwin Apartments. Available amenities include laundry room and onsite maintenance.

Goodwin Apartments complex separates itself from the norm by providing activities for the children. Every 2nd Friday of the month entertainment is provided for the local children and on special occasions such as Easter with lots of gifts for the children given by the Easter Bunny.Photos/Multimedia�Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6784365&lang=enOcean2Ocean is searching the Austin market for additional property to add to their inventory.

Photos/Multimedia�Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6784365&lang=en

Easy to Follow Instructions on the Building of Picnic Tables

In these tough financial times, the concept of DIY projects has had a renaissance of sorts. Instead of spending money on anything besides the necessities, many handy homeowners have taken to making their own products and building their own furniture. Picnic tables, though a fun idea on the eve of summer outings and barbecues, are not exactly a survival item. If you�re got some extra time and motivation, save yourself some money by building your own picnic table. Remember, nothing is as good as the homemade. Though a lot of newer models of picnic tables are made from plastic and metal, classic picnic tables are built using wood. Check out these simple instructions to make your own.

2.5� wood decking screwsNot the handiest of creatures? You may decide instead to leave the building to the pros. If you�re purchasing picnic tables, the choices are abundant and the prices not necessarily prohibitive. Lighter materials like aluminum and PVC or recycled plastics are easy to move and much stronger than you�d actually think. Heavy duty coated metals and concrete picnic tables are ideal when you know you won�t need to move your table anytime soon, and are practically impossible to harm. Whatever path you choose, building or buying, picnic tables are a fun and useful way to usher in the new season.7. After legs are attached, add the cross leg supports to the outside of the legs with stainless steel bolts.5. To add the legs, use 4 x 4�s or 2 x 6�s depending on how long your table is. 4x4�s are adequate for most normal sized tables. Cut them at 28 degree angles on top and on bottom to form a parallelogram shape.11. Add benches or chairs of your choosing and you�re all done.Stainless steel bolts4. Using 2.5� wood decking screws, attach 3 evenly spaced cross supports to the bottom side of the boards. For the easiest way to line it up evenly, first attach the support beams to the middle table board, then add the outer 2. Make sure to leave about a half foot of overhang on the ends of the table past the supports.5 cross support beams (3 for bottom of tabletop, 2 for legs)6. Making sure the legs are straight, line them up on the cross supports and drill holes for the 6� stainless steel bolts.8. Now that the table is put together, detail sand the wood, then brush it down with a damp cloth.1. Choose your desired wood (cedar works especially well). Pick up 3 rough boards in whatever length of your choosing (these will make up the tabletop of the picnic tables) and use a planer to smooth them down.3. Make sure that all boards are now straight and level so you will have a nice smooth tabletop.10. Lightly sand finished picnic tables, wipe down and then apply one more coat of sealant. Let dry for 48 hours.3 rough wooden boards (preferred length for tabletop)4 2x6 or 4x4 boards for the legs (depending on table length)9. Add a coat of sealant and let air dry for 24 hours.Materials needed for building standard wooden picnic tables:

Not the handiest of creatures? You may decide instead to leave the building to the pros. If you�re purchasing picnic tables, the choices are abundant and the prices not necessarily prohibitive. Lighter materials like aluminum and PVC or recycled plastics are easy to move and much stronger than you�d actually think. Heavy duty coated metals and concrete picnic tables are ideal when you know you won�t need to move your table anytime soon, and are practically impossible to harm. Whatever path you choose, building or buying, picnic tables are a fun and useful way to usher in the new season.

Picnic Tables

No outdoor area is complete without a picnic table. Picnic tables have been an outdoor staple for generations for many reasons. They are comfortable, convenient, serve many purposes, and are very durable. Picnic tables can be made out of many types of material.

Because picnic tables are always outdoors, they can serve many purposes. Not only do they get used for eating, but they can also be used for doing outdoor projects and crafts. It�s much better to spill a little glue or paint on a picnic table than on your indoor kitchen table. Picnic tables can even be used as a sawhorse.Picnic tables are convenient because they can seat several people. With tables, extra chairs are need when more people are around. Picnic tables are simply benches attached to tables, so seating can vary. In a location where there are lots of children, picnic tables are especially convenient. A large group of children can sit a picnic table and be comfortable, and when they are done, clean up is easy. And, no one has to ask then to push their chairs in.Picnic tables are very durable because they are always outdoors. Typically made of wood, the materials used to make picnic tables have changed over time to increase their durability. Now you can find picnic tables made out of metal, recycled plastics, and fiberglass. Some picnic tables are constructed as two benched on either side, while more modern picnic tables feature a round table design equipped with an outdoor patio umbrella in the middle for picnicking convenience.

The decision is not whether or not you need a picnic table, but what kind of picnic table do you need, and how will you use it? The possibilities are endless.

90-degree temperatures mark hot start to bulk of Rocky Mountain

Some players sought refuge on wooden picnic tables that were under an overhang, out of the glare of the relentless sun. Others found comfort in patches of shade produced by tall trees. Almost everybody sipped bottles of Powerade or chugged cups of water.

It wasn't uncommon for three-set matches to last as long as three hours. Players stretched before hitting the courts, and following a 10-minute warmup, they got 90 seconds of rest on changeovers and two minutes of rest between sets. They had at least an hour for a bite between matches, with players in multiple divisions logging as many as three matches.Cardiovascular workouts that improved his endurance readied Chiu to deal with the heat, "so I wouldn't have to worry so much about pacing myself and getting tired," he noted. Chiu wants to win, and despite the elements, "I try to give my best every shot," he said. "I go for points. If I see a ball far away, I run for it. ... You need to know your body.""Every individual knows themselves the best," said Joel Dixon, a physical therapist with the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence. His advice to State Games competitors? "If you're thirsty, keep drinking," he said, aware of the importance of consuming fluids "on a day when it's hot and dry and everyone is working hard. It looks like they're doing a good job of staying hydrated. But you may not realize how much water you're losing."Eight orange water jugs and a huge ice chest lined the tennis courts, and medical staffers were available to treat those complaining of lightheadedness, confusion and headaches - all signs of heat exhaustion. And calling 911 in case of an emergency was an option, like last year at the State Games, when a 60-year-old man passed out after a three-set match.Roughly 90 youth and adult tennis players, as well as players forming seven high school soccer teams, gutted out temperatures in the low 90s, with sporadic cloud cover and not much wind. It was a little hotter than the average high for July in the Springs, which is 84 degrees, and sweltering courts and scorching fields didn't provide any relief.State Games tennis commissioner Dave Lehman maintains well- conditioned players have an advantage in the heat. "If you're out there trying to play in this and you're not in any kind of condition at all," he said, "you're going to go down. ... We keep water on hand. We keep ice on hand. Unfortunately, there isn't any shade on the courts. That's just life."Davis also drained container after container of liquids Thursday - in hopes of avoiding cramps and preventing what happened to his brother, Coulten, who once threw up on the court at the State Games because of dehydration. Plus, he works in a few extra bounces on serves, "so I can recover," he said. "But during the point, I try my hardest."Pine Creek junior Owen Davis, the top seed in the 18-and-under draw, and Steven Chiu, a Denver high school senior, each downed about half a gallon of water during a two-hour match won 6-1, 4-6, 6- 2 by Chiu. They drank on every changeover, "at least a little bit, even though you don't feel like you're sweating or doing a lot," Chiu said. "Sometimes, just the heat gets you, so you have to drink a little bit. ... It's pretty hot."

Cardiovascular workouts that improved his endurance readied Chiu to deal with the heat, "so I wouldn't have to worry so much about pacing myself and getting tired," he noted. Chiu wants to win, and despite the elements, "I try to give my best every shot," he said. "I go for points. If I see a ball far away, I run for it. ... You need to know your body."

Snacks for the Minds of Very Busy People

63 Short-Short Stories -- Start this book anywhere!

Some of us eat to live; others live to eat. Martindale examines food from its fun side to its serious side, rich or poor, how celebratory, how labor-intense, how meager for some and always extremely regional. Food matters all around us due to its amazing history, comedy, traveling ways, versatility, acquisition, recipe bartering, preparation and marketing evolution.Haggis embarrassment - Subway refreshments -- Brazil yesterday - Coconut lifeline -- Everglades dining -- Chocolate that couldn't melt -- Nude on a sushi platter -- Hippie ending -- Where cookbooks get written -- Iron Chef farce -- Doggy-bag indexing - Brewsky in Greece -- French army potato salad -- Jason's parents'"'tinis" -- Big Easy hangover - Picnic kybosh -- Elevator passion - Blackmail beauty - Dinner table baggage artists -- Corn smut cancellation -- Imitating Indian -- Wedding pig-out -- Bush doctor's secrets - sixty-three in all!Contact: Marty Martindale, Author Marty@MartyMartindale.info 727.596.8509Sites: http://www.MARTYMARTINDALE.infohttp://www.FOODSITEOFTHEDAY.com http://www.GETALTRUISM.orgAbout the author:A selection from Martindale's story titled, You Plan the Best Picnics:Find SHORT ORDERS: Food Stories and Travels online at Amazon and other popular booksellers in the U.S. and abroad. Also available on Kindle/PC and all other readers.With a background in social/cultural anthropology, broadcast media, hotels and travel writing, Martindale delves into food from all sides. For over 30 years, she has contributed to several food encyclopedias, Storied Dishes, Culinary Biographies, travel, food, and trade magazines and newspapers. Martindale founded Food Site of the Day in 2001, featuring weekly foodsite picks, worldwide menu sampling, special archives, reviews and frequent blogging. Though a native New Englander, she now lives on the west coast of Florida after spending many years in New Mexico and Mississippi's Gulf Coast.LARGO, Fla., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SHORT ORDERS: Food Stories and Travels - is fiction and non-fiction about food in our lives. Savor these quirky, sometimes thought-provoking, slices-of-life.About the book:"Marty's writing is captivating. It has just enough humor, yet there's an undeniable flavor of real-world education with her anecdotes. There's maturity and substance to it, however youthful the stories are." - J. Lipinski, Massachusetts(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110803/FL46706 )SOURCE Marty Martindale

SOURCE Marty Martindale

Picnic Tables To Make Your Outdoor Events Better

Many parks are offering picnic tables for the convenient seating as most people opt for a picnic to spend some quality time with their families. But if you like the comfort of your home for an outdoor gathering, you might be interested in new trend of decorating the front or backyards with picnic tables.

Picnic tables made of metals such as aluminum and steel are becoming extremely popular these days. Aluminum is the perfect option when it comes to outdoor furniture because of its durability and resistance to corrosion. They are easy to maintain and withstand extreme weather conditions. Picnic tables come in a variety of impressive designs that make the whole setting look wonderful. Outdoor furniture made of aluminum is light weighted and rust resistant. Picnic tables made of plastic are also quite affordable and look amazing in the parks. Besides that, plastic tables offer plenty of variety in terms of designs, shapes and colors. From the humongous range of these, you can choose the ones that look ideal. If you are purchasing the picnic tables for commercial use, you should pick up bright colors like maroon, dark green or deep blue.You should put a lot of thought in the colors and designs of picnic tables for residential purpose before making a purchase. If you want to place a picnic table in your backyard, you should consider one that is smaller in size, so it won't occupy too much of space. The look and style of the picnic table assumes much more importance because it is being placed in your yard and should go with the setup of that area. The structure of the picnic table should amalgamate with the layout of your home to create a perceptible arrangement.For many of us, the most memorable part of a family picnic in the park is the soothing sun rays, cool breeze, sandwiches and a blanket laid out in the ground that was later invaded by plenty of ants with a mission to ruin the entire setting. But in the recent times, most of the parks are furnished with picnic tables and benches to help you relinquish the time you spend with your loved ones without any distractions from the insects. Apart from the parks, picnic tables are often found in the back or front yards of many homes. People use these to decorate their outdoors and make them more inviting place. They add these furniture to make the yards a comfortable place to spend some quality time with their families and friends out in the open.Putting picnic tables in your yards is a wise choice as these are cost effective and don't require any maintenance. To purchase any kind of picnic tables for commercial as well as residential use, it is advised you shop online. You will find a better variety over the Internet with the convenience as you don't have to visit plenty of stores looking for the best picnic tables. Moreover, online shopping gives you the opportunity to check out the wide range and compare between the prices offered by different companies.If you want to purchase outdoor furniture, you can search the Internet and find companies that offer picnic tables for commercial and residential use.

If you want to purchase outdoor furniture, you can search the Internet and find companies that offer picnic tables for commercial and residential use.

Planning Years of Fun With Attractive Outdoor Playsets

When considering the best way to keep your child entertained, many parents might think about video games or DVD movies as a way to just pass the time, but outdoor playsets provide a better option and create an attractive addition to your backyard. Not only can they offer healthy exercise, but they can be used over and over again without becoming boring.

More elaborate children's play retreats can exceed $5,000 or $10,000 in price, but they are so attractive to modern consumers that they can even up the value of your if they are constructed of heavy timber that lasts for years.If you want a healthy solution for childhood play, setting up an entertaining play area in your backyard can offer your child healthy exercise that doesn't grow stale.A child can only watch a movie so many times before it is no longer interesting, and even video game play can be perfected in a short amount of time and lose its allure. Outdoor playsets, on the other hand, come in a variety of configurations, meaning years of fun for your children.A variety of features in kid structures will better keep them occupied, especially as they get older. While younger children might be satisfied with a simple playset that includes swings, gliders, slides and monkey bars, you might want to consider other fun features, including decks, picnic tables, wave slides or canvas tarp covers for protection from the elements.Features To Include In Outdoor Play AreasFor today's lucky children, modern kid's structures come very elaborately designed. They might feature playhouse panels, wood roofs, spiral slides, artificial rock-walls, rope ladders, lofts, and all other kinds of neat features. There are playsets for residential and commercial purposes, such as child care facilities and parks, and there are simple structures that might cost a few hundred dollars.When you are considering permanent play areas for your backyard, attractive timbers that are naturally decay resistant will last for years and don't require toxic chemicals to treat them. Consider playsets for the outdoors that are made from Western Red Cedar, Cypress and Redwood. They can virtually be constructed in just about any configuration, and they are sturdy enough for children of all ages, including adults.The older the child, the more you need additional items to make the backyard more interesting. In addition, there are some parents that will add above ground swimming pools or trampolines as the child gets older.Safe, Attractive Hardwood Timber Playsets

More elaborate children's play retreats can exceed $5,000 or $10,000 in price, but they are so attractive to modern consumers that they can even up the value of your if they are constructed of heavy timber that lasts for years.

Author: James Druman

Lawn Furniture

If you love being outdoors, you should pick lawn furniture that you love! It should be more than practical and functional. It should add to the very experience of being outside. There are so many options in lawn furniture, and you are sure to find something to fit within your budget.

No matter where you plan to buy your lawn furniture, there are a number of items you should check before making a purchase. First, if there happens to be a model on display, try it out. Sit in the chairs. Put pressure on the table top to see how sturdy it is. Does it tip easily? There is only one way to find out! If you buy a lawn furniture set that needs to be assembled, do an inventory of the contents of the box as soon as you open it. If you find that you are missing a part, call the store immediately and let them know you will be coming for either a replacement for the missing part or returning the set you have for a complete one. Once you get the complete set, follow the manufacturer�s directions for assembly.You can find lawn furniture at a number of stores ranging from your local discount or �big box� store to the woodworker who custom designs lawn furniture specifically to your liking. And don�t forget the Internet as a source. You have a world of lawn furniture at your fingertips and can even shop from home while wearing your pajamas!Once you have constructed your lawn furniture, you are ready to start enjoying it. Maybe you already have the perfect place in mind for it. If not, just pretend your yard is a big room. Move your lawn furniture around to experiment with placement just like you would in your house. Once you find the spot, settle in. You�ll be happy with your lawn furniture purchase for a long time.Does your family host a lot of picnics? If so, there�s no doubt a picnic table in your future. Picnic tables come in a lot of varieties ranging from plastic to cast iron. This is one piece of furniture that can truly fit into any budget. If the picnic table will be used predominantly by adults, a cheaper plastic variety might suit your needs. But if kids are planned guests, think about investing in something just a little more sturdy that can hold up to a flurry of activity that usually follows kids.If a picnic table and benches are not your style, don�t despair. Look into other tables. Choose a heavy glass and concrete pedestal table. Mix and match chairs to get the lawn furniture look you want. Or buy a set. Your lawn furniture fashion options are endless!

Once you have constructed your lawn furniture, you are ready to start enjoying it. Maybe you already have the perfect place in mind for it. If not, just pretend your yard is a big room. Move your lawn furniture around to experiment with placement just like you would in your house. Once you find the spot, settle in. You�ll be happy with your lawn furniture purchase for a long time.

Author: Bob Benson