999 Uses For Vinegar

Several summers ago we had a sudden infestation of gnats (also called fruit flies or drunkards) here at the office. It seemed like no matter what we did, we could not get rid of them. They practically drove me and my co-workers to the point of insanity for three months. When we finally called in our exterminator, he made a shocking discovery. Well, it wasn’t quite as shocking for him but it made me quite nauseous and I have a solid constitution. Apparently, many months prior, an employee left his lunch cooler in an inconspicuous area of the shop. Since he had departed from the company, the cooler was never retrieved and became the nucleus of a gnat breeding nightmare. When the exterminator opened the top, it revealed tens of thousands of gnats swarming around in various stages of life, including innumerable gnat larvae.

Click to read more ...

Is It Time For The Christmas Tree ALREADY?

It is hard to believe that we are seeing these trees going up already. It seems that they are going up earlier and earlier each year. None the less it is time to review some important safety tips. The following link has some GREAT ideas on a variety of topics which I hope you find beneficial for your home safety. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_holiday_w002.asp

I hope you enjoy and please pass along any tips you find interesting and helpful to your family and friends.

All The Best!!

Peter Kanavas - Contents Supervisor

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is in Savannah, Georgia...and Champion's Helping!

That's right! Extreme Makeover is in Georgia and we are on the scene.

On Friday, November 12, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition surprised Jim and Carmen Simpson of  Savannah with the news that they had been chosen as the recipients of a full home makeover! Carmen and Jim give back to their Savannah community as they raise three children,  Zoe, Katelyn and Isaac.  Zoe, the youngest, is their “miracle baby,” having beaten the odds after being born with a life-threatening disease.

Champion sent 5 volunteers to Savannah to help with the drying and clean-up. Brett Bishop and Jeremy Reets went down Sunday night and worked from Monday at 11 am until 5 am Tuesday. They set air-movers and Tes units to help speed the drying of the paint and drywall. They were worn out when it was all done but they had a great time and got to meet Paul DiMeo, Ed Sanders and Tracy Hutson! On Tuesday evening, Chloe Hudson, Icela Reets and Zach Reets headed to Savannah to assist in the cleanup of the home so that furniture and decorating could go in. They had the privilege of meeting Paula Deen and her husband. They are still cleaning right now so hopefully they can get it all done because...the big reveal is today!

SEE PHOTOS OF THE BUILD

FOLLOW THE BUILD

We've got lots of photos to share with you but we have to get them approved by ABC first so as soon as we do we will be excited to share them!

Hill Country Trail Race at Serenbe 15K

Well here is a brief update on my venture into the world of running. Last Saturday I ran the Hill Country Trail Race at Serenbe 15K  and it was AMAZING. The paths were beautiful, just stunning. The scenery was....awesome. But the terrain was tough. It was mostly on hiking paths with steep inclines, through pastures and woods, parts were muddy and over a slippery riverbed. It was really special that at mile markers 2 and 4 there were muscians playing. At mile 2 there was a man in a kilt playing the bagpipes. And at mile 4 there was a musician playing the saxophone.  I can't tell you what an unexpected delight it is to run through the woods hearing the Jason Mraz song, "I'm Yours" echo through the trees. It's pretty stinkin' cool! I will def do this race again next year! Here is a youtube video of the entire path. It's fast-forwarded but it's pretty neat!

I have to admit, I was scared to death about this race.  It was very intimidating. But having so thoroughly enjoyed it, I guess I'll have to stick to my original plan of running in the 6th Annual Clearwater Halfathon in Florida in January. Although 13 miles sounds pretty scary!

Icela Reets - Marketing Coordinator

How To Protect Your Children From Fires

Children and Home Fires Facts

• Children make up 15%-20% of all fire deaths.


• Children younger than 5 are at greatest risk of fire deaths and injuries, with a fire death rate more than twice the national average. 


• Two thirds of fires that kill children younger than 5 are in homes that do not have a smoke alarm.


• Almost 55% of children ages 5 and under who die from home fires are asleep at the time.


• Nearly one third of children who die in fires are too young to react appropriately.


• Children set about 8,000 home fires each year.

Click to read more ...

Protect Yourself From Winter Storms & Extreme Cold

Winter storms are considered "deceptive killers" because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather?

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a winter storm hazard:

Click to read more ...

2011 Winter: How Cold Will it Be?

It already seems freezing cold to me! Our mild temperatures came to a very abrupt end this week. So I thought I would see what the Farmer's Almanac predicted.  They basically predict that the overall winter season across the country will be 'kinder and gentler'  that last year.  But there's a catch!  The eastern third of the country (New England down to Florida) will experience colder-than-normal winter temperatures. That's us. So prepare to bundle up! Check out the Farmer's Almanac website  for a more detailed winter forecast.

Icela Reets - Marketing Coordinator

Cuddle Up to Fireplace Safety

More than one third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel fired appliances to heat their homes. Nothing is quite as cozy as that warm, crackling fire in the fireplace. But if you aren't careful, more than your toes could get toasty. An average of 6000 people end up in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireplaces and fireplace equipment and approximately 14,000 house fires each year are started by fireplaces.

Keep your family safe and warm by following these fireplace safety tips:

Click to read more ...

November Atlanta Area Events

November 2nd - 4th: Menopause, the Musical at Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth

November 2nd - 30th: DALI: The Late Work at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

November 11th: Wild West Presents: Vince Vaughn & Kevin James Comedy Roadshow at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta

November 11th - 14th: Disney On Ice Princess Classics at the Macon Centreplex Coliseum in Macon

November 12th: Lady Antebellum: Need You Now 2010 Tour at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta

November 20th: The Black Crowes  at The Tabernacle in Atlanta

Click to read more ...

Turkey Fryer Safety

Turkey Fryers Facts

• Cooking fires peak on Thanksgiving Day.


• Between 1998 and 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had 112 reports of fires or burns related to turkey fryers.


• Most fires from turkey fryers occur while the oil is being heated, before the turkey is added.


• Contact with hot oil can cause serious burns.

Click to read more ...