Weekend Wandering: 3 Ways You Can Have Fun with a Drone Over the Weekend

April 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Drones are skyrocketing in popularity as one of coolest technological toys available. There is increasing variety in sizes, types and features, reaching an even larger market. Dronenthusiast is one great resource with extensive information about selecting and operating your ideal drone.

Once you’ve awed at its functionality, you may wonder what else to do with your new gadget. People have made use of these impressive little flyers in all sorts of applications, from work to pleasure. Here are three fun ideas you can try over the weekend.

Create a Video Montage

 

This can really unleash your creative side. You have probably seen some of the amazing footage that is already being captured with these wonderful devices. It’s time to add your personal touch. You can get some great drone video with or without much planning. If you want to embark on a more elaborate project, draw up a storyboard and orchestrate specific shots with a truly unique point of view. If you want to save great memories in a new and entertaining format, bring your drone to the weekend get together or sports match. Ask people to get involved, recording their own messages as the drone flies by to make it more interactive and personal. Drone videography is a developing art and there are plenty of useful tips available online to help you master your technique.

Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing

 

This is a great weekend activity for nature lovers with drones. Anyone who enjoys hiking, birdwatching and wildlife knows that it is very difficult to even catch a glimpse of most animals before they are alerted to your presence. The stealthy drone doesn’t draw too much attention, making it a perfect tool for peeking in on rarely seen animal behavior. You can travel to your favorite nature area and launch your drone to survey the surrounding woods. The height affords amazing views of the landscape and the treetops, along with a wonderful new perspective on birds in their most natural environment. You may even come across hard-to-spot animals who would have otherwise fled at the sound of your footsteps. Add your incredible shots to the growing number of Internet-famous drone wildlife footage taken by hobbyists just like yourself.

Play Games

 

Imagination is really the only limit to the games you can play with drones. You can arrange any number of competitive or noncompetitive activities for all ages. Consider launching drone races to see who can outrun or outmaneuver the sprightly flying machine. You may want to add some attachments or assemble your own to practice delivering different objects with your drone, perhaps turning this into a high tech version of the infamous Claw arcade game. Incorporate the drone’s camera to stage a treasure hunt with a twist, using clues and video feed from your drone to seek out hidden items. The possibilities are endless.

Drones are fascinating, fun, and versatile. You can find a place for drones in any of your most-loved weekend adventures. Gather with your friends and family to brainstorm the next big thing in creative ideas for your drone.

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The Five Best Self-Led Bike Tours in NYC

April 12, 2018 by 1 Comment

New York City is the largest city in North America in terms of both population and land area. As such, it’s no wonder that tourists rarely get a chance to see everything on their wish list during their stay in the Big Apple. Most citizens have yet to see it all.

 

Taking a self-led bike tour allows tourists to see the city on their own time while avoiding the often confusing subway routes and expensive cab fares. So reserve an affordable rental bike from Blazing Saddles, grab a map, and check out these five iconic areas for a self-led tour.

 

Brooklyn Bridge

 

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. It’s unique Gothic architecture, and hybrid design of cable-stayed and suspension style bridges make it wondrous to behold before you consider the view from the East River. Crossing the 1,500-foot bridge by bicycle gives you a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Cycling across the bridge at sunset will only enhance the view but is also, unfortunately, the busiest time for tourists.

 

The Hudson River Greenway

 

If you like the idea of seeing the city while avoiding the infamous traffic jams and honking yellow cabs, the Hudson River Greenway offers an enjoyable way to do so. Along this path, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial site, Battery Park, the Hudson River, and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

 

This option is perfect for those who wish to see the various tourist attractions without diving too deep into each experience. If you choose to take a separate tour through one of the sites, be sure to secure your bike accordingly.

Central Park

 

You could easily spend a day or two touring through Central Park alone. Riding a bicycle is undoubtedly the most effective way to travel through the expansive green space while taking in the hidden gems of the park. Be sure to ride through The Mall, an iconic lane seen in numerous films and television shows, and stop by the carousel and Alice in Wonderland statue.

 

If possible, save this trip for a nice day, so you get to enjoy the park in its entirety. Bike rentals often come with a back rack on which you can secure a picnic to enjoy by the lake or on the Great Lawn, a 55-acre field that sits at the heart of Central Park.

 

Ocean Parkway

 

While the Ocean Parkway bike path isn’t the most glamorous tour option, it is one of the most historically significant bike paths in the world. Originally built in the 19th century to separate cyclists from foot traffic, this path is the safest way to bike from Brooklyn to Coney Island. Coney Island is a huge attraction in the summer months for tourists and New Yorkers alike.

 

Coney Island is home to a public beach, theme park, the New York Aquarium and a museum full of weird and wonderful exhibits. In the summer, visitors swarm to Coney Island for the Mermaid Parade. Cycling is a quick way to get around and see everything.

 

Bike the Boroughs

 

If you’re an avid cyclist or just want to be able to say you came, you saw, you conquered, try biking the five boroughs. This journey could be as much as forty miles or longer, depending on the routes you take, but will offer you experiences in each unique borough of New York City.

 

Before you go, you’ll want to make sure you have the route mapped out and know that it is safe to cycle in that area. Create your route so that you pass by many of your bucket list items as you travel. Also, make sure you have a hotel with a hot tub to soak in after! New York may be the city that never sleeps, but you’re sure to rest well after this journey.

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5 Reasons why you should stay in a farmhouse on your next vacation

April 12, 2018 by 1 Comment

It’s very rare to hear of people renting or staying in farmhouses for their vacations. Resorts and hotels are most preferable but after reading this, you might change your mind.

  1. New experience

Beaches, mountains, and resorts are the common go to when planning your vacation but too much of something is poisonous. In an attempt to avoid that monotony, plan a vacation in a farmhouse where you will be surrounded by the peaceful nature. This experience kills two birds with one stone where they will also learn how to work on a farm

  1. The domesticated animals

In a farmhouse, you find a variety of animals from cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and horses. Are you rarely exposed to these animals as you are used to game drives looking at wildlife from a distance? In a farm for example in a family setting, your child will be able to come into contact with the animals; touching them and helping feed them.

It is also more peaceful as compared to the normal go-to spots such as an arcade where you cannot even hear yourself due to the norm of accepting the noise as part of the experience.

  1. Availability of local food

Restaurants usually value quality over quantity; therefore, you barely get full. In a farmhouse, you have fresh foods at your disposal, fresh milk and at times even fresh cheese. Most of the foodstuff is fresh. Experiencing fresh food on a daily cooked with love should be enough to start convincing you to stay on a farm while vacationing in Gozo.

  1. Seclusion

The seclusion from the urban Gozo town is a breath of fresh air. Some time spent away from the urban areas is just what you need to reset your mind. Going to a farmhouse and enjoying the countryside view and peace of mind is a very good idea for a vacation. Getting in touch with nature by helping in the farm planting and harvesting vegetables and fruits, milking the cows and picking eggs in the morning when the hens lay them sounds like an experience of a lifetime especially if you live in the city.

  1. Adventure

For those who love the outdoors, this may be the change of scenery you need. There are very many opportunity spots for you to take long walks or hikes enjoying the scenery. Some of the traditional farmhouses are located near national parks; therefore, you get to experience both wild and tamed animals.

Farmhouses in Gozo offer such tranquillity and being able to stay none may be an experience of a lifetime because the beaches are still close by too for you to enjoy that view. Book your trip now to visit Gozo; enjoy the variety of renovated century-old village, traditional and modern farmhouses.

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2018 World Health Run – Run With Us or Follow Along on Social! #GlobalHealth #Running #HealthForAll #PeaceCorps @WorldHealthRun

April 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Follow us on social media tomorrow as we participate in the very first World Health Run!

In order to raise awareness of health equity, health as a human right, the many challenges some people face in seeking health care, and the challenges that health systems face in trying to provide comprehensive care, we are gathering stories and reflections from individuals around the world. We will highlight responses to questions on social media in the hopes of encouraging an open conversation that represents everyone.

Please go to www.RealVoices.World to participate!

We are very proud that this event offers the opportunity for individuals and groups to support some pretty terrific organizations and their high-quality work.

We are all proud, of course, to be a part of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health. The 2018 conference was inspiring and we were thrilled to be a part of it. In addition, the Rotary Club of Chicago, National Peace Corps Association, and Peace Care are collaborators in this effort. Take a look at their websites to see what kind of work they do. We’ll be telling you more about them through social media, as well.

In addition, this run supports many local organizations and the communities with whom they partner around the world. We will distribute a report several weeks after the run to let you know about these groups, and we will distribute a follow-up report later in the year to let you know about the impact of our collective effort.

Our principal goal is to raise awareness about health equity in the U.S. and Globally. If you are keen to learn a bit about the topic, the World HealthOrganization is a great place to start.

Did you know that:

  • In the U.S., “Native Americans and Alaska Natives have an infant mortality rate that is 60 percent higher than the rate for their white counterparts. 1 In 2013, infants born to African American mothers experienced the highest rates of infant mortality (11.11 infant deaths per 1,000 births), and infants born to Asian or Pacific Islander mothers experienced the lowest rates (3.90 infant deaths per 1,000 births).2” 3
  • Globally, every day, about 800 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal mortality is a health indicator that shows very wide gaps between rich and poor, both between countries and within them.4

(these are quoted directly from Baciu 2017 – referenced below)

We believe that by bringing broader communities together to advocate for better health.

Check out our 2018 World Health Run Music Mix!

We are thrilled that this event is gaining traction as being a premier opportunity for committed individuals and organizations around the world to come together to raise awareness about health equity.

Virtual World Health Run

Date: April 7, 2018

For World Health Day 2018, as stated during registration, there isn’t a physical run near you. Therefore, you will be participating in the VIRTUAL RUN. (We are working diligently to organize a physical run near you year. We’ve made a lot of connections this year and we are already making some terrific plans for moving forward).

DIRECTIONS:
As a VIRTUAL runner, you have a terrific opportunity to plan out a terrific route and raise awareness. We encourage you to get a group together if possible.  If you need some help planning a route, www.plotaroute.com is a terrific resource. Not only can you plan your own route, but you can locate previously planned routes near you.  Please let us know if you find a route that would be a great location for a physical run for next year!

We recommend that you go for your run on April 7, World Health Day, so that we can unite around the world on that day. With that being said, the virtual run does afford a degree of flexibility that can be convenient for those that are traveling or experiencing other challenges with their schedule.

We would love for you to engage with us on social media when you do run. Help us show the world that we care about health equity.

Above all, go have a great time, wear your shirt with pride, and feel good about this event. We are making an impact together.

Listen along to the Official World Health Run Music Mix! Let us know what we should add.

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EPA Announces New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects in New Jersey

April 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Funding will leverage public and private investments to keep lead and other contaminants out

of drinking water and upgrade aging water infrastructure

(New York, N.Y. – April 5, 2018) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of funding that could provide as much as $5.5 billion in loans, which could leverage over $11 billion in water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Prospective borrowers seeking WIFIA credit assistance must submit a letter of interest (LOI) by July 6, 2018.

“Thanks to the President’s leadership, this WIFIA funding will spark new investments to repair our nation’s crumbling water infrastructure,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “EPA will play a key role in the President’s infrastructure efforts by incentivizing states, municipalities, and public-private partnerships to protect public health, fix local infrastructure problems, create jobs, and provide clean water to communities.”

The WIFIA program received $63 million in funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 23, 2018. This more than doubles the program’s funding from 2017. Leveraging private capital and other funding sources, these projects could support $11 billion in water infrastructure investment and create more than 170,000 jobs. This year’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) highlights the importance of protecting public health including reducing exposure to lead and other contaminants in drinking water systems and updating the nation’s aging infrastructure.

“New Jersey knows all too well the costs of storm damaged water and wastewater systems. All of us have witnessed just how vulnerable our infrastructure is,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “Funding critical repairs and improving resiliency in our wastewater treatment and drinking water distribution systems remains a critical priority. We need investment to protect and promote our communities, our local economies, and public health.”

The WIFIA program will play an important part in making vital improvements to the nation’s water infrastructure and implementing the President’s Infrastructure Plan, which calls for increasing the program’s funding authorization and expanding project eligibility.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects.
WIFIA credit assistance can be used for a wide range of projects, including:

  • drinking water treatment and distribution projects
  • wastewater conveyance and treatment projects
  • enhanced energy efficiency projects at drinking water and wastewater facilities
  • desalination, aquifer recharge, alternative water supply, and water recycling project
  • drought prevention, reduction, or mitigation projects

EPA will evaluate proposed projects described in the LOIs using WIFIA’s statutory and regulatory criteria as described in the NOFA. Through this competitive process, EPA will select projects that it intends to fund and invite them to continue to the application process.

In 2017, for WIFIA’s inaugural round, EPA invited 12 projects in 9 states to apply for more than $2 billion in WIFIA loans.

For more information about WIFIA and this funding announcement, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

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In a New York State of Mind

April 5, 2018 by 3 Comments

Looking to spend some time in The Big Apple with the family? Here are some great places to visit while you are there.

LEGO’s are fun for kids of all ages, and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in NY is a great place to spend the day for LEGO lovers of all ages.  The adventure begins by learning how Lego bricks are made and a kiddie-version of the history of  little plastic bricks. After this interesting introduction, its time to ride some rides and visit some attractions. The first ride (one that brings you into the main area) is a sit down guided laser shooting tour, where you save the castle by defeating tons of baddies. After your victory, you head into a mini-brick version of New York City and the LEGOLAND area. Push buttons for lights and sounds, and well as mini-animations. The details are pretty amazing, and the spoofs will keep everyone giggling. Fans will find quite a few “Easter Eggs” as they walk around the town.

There are also a bunch of other attractions to check out, like the racing course where you build your own racecar to pit against everyone else- there are several tracks to choose from. There is also a magic couch ride where you jaunt around on a flying couch. Really.  You move it up and down by pedaling, and it goes around in a circle. Make sure you check out the 4D movie, a must for all LEGO Movie fans. Of course, there are tons of LEGO to build, Masterclasses to take (and you can take your creations with you for a fee), and obstacle courses to try out. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710

No visit to NYC would be complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty. Statue Cruises, the National Park Service providing ferry and related services to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. You can get there both from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is the best ways to see the statue in my opinion. Cruises begin at 8:30 am (instead of 9:30 am), with the last boat departing Battery Park and Liberty State Park at 3:30 pm daily- last leaving the statue and Ellis Island at 4:30. Tickets to the crown and pedestal can be booked at the same time, or just the grounds of the statue.  It is both an incredibly moving and educational experience, to see the statue and Ellis Island- for Americans and tourists alike. I’d recommend this experience for absolutely everyone- and leave the entire day for it, this is not one you should rush through.

Tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be purchased online atwww.statuecruises.com, by visiting the Statue Cruises ticket office inside Castle Clinton at Battery Park, or by calling (877) LADY-TIX.

For more information on Statue Cruises, including schedules or reservations to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, please visit http://www.statuecruises.com or follow Statue Cruises on Twitter – https://twitter.com/statuecruises, Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/statuecruises/ or Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/statuecruises/.

And of course, there is Madison Square Garden. A New York City institution, you can see all sorts of shows and sporting events here. No matter the ages or preferences of your family, there is a show (or shows) that you are sure to enjoy.  We recently saw WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania while in NYC, and the kids and my partner had a great time- the crowd was a lot of fun, and the show was fast paced and exciting. There are a wide variety of shows to choose from- rock shows like Pink or Billy Joel, comedy acts like Kevin Hart, favorites come to the stage such as Sesame Street Live or Peppa Pig Live for the little kids, and tons of sporting events like the New York Knicks, WWE, UFC, and Monster Jam. MSG has a ton to choose from, head to http://garden-ny.com/madisonsquare/index.php to see the full lineup.

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6th Annual Walk for Kids Growth & Festival

April 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Join the community for the 6th Annual Walk for Kids’ Growth on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Flushing Meadows Park (at the Fountain of the Planets), from 11 am to 3 pm. The event will feature a 3-mile scenic, fun walk, FREE food, carnival games, display booths, live entertainment and much more! This is the nation’s largest fundraising event for childhood growth disorders and rare genetic diseases. The Walk raises significant funds and awareness for the disorders, celebrates patient advocacy and honors those who have reached new heights. All ages and leashed pets are welcome. Sign up (FREE) to participate at www.WalkForKidsGrowth.org.

 

 

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Roto-Rooter 101 (Unclogging the Bathroom Sink)

April 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Have you ever had a clogged sink or bathtub? If you are like me, the answer is yes, all the time yes.  The bathroom sink is the major pain in my house, and there is not much that seems to help. On a regular yet irregular basis, it gets clogged up and fills with water and whatever else was going on at the time.
We recently tried Roto-Rooter, and as you can tell this is NOT a staged photo. For real.
I have no idea why it keeps clogging up, we’ve snaked it, pulled the U-shaped thing out and replaced it, the whole nine. Who knows? Not me, that’s for sure.
So, after this clog, we followed the directions on the Roto-Rooter bottle, and pured half the bottle down the drain. After it cleared, we poured hot water down the drain as requested. It did indeed keep it clog free for quite some time.
There are quite a few options of Roto–Rooter products. You can check out thesite, http://rotorooter-products.com to see the full line of options.
Here is a video with some tips on unclogging a stubborn sink from Roto-Rooter;

If you end up in a sticky situation, it’s always good to have some Roto-Rooter on hand. Having to run out to the store with a clogged-up sink is never fun- and you know it’s likely to happen with you have a house full of guests or you are running out the door (or some such mess, it’s always something).

Head to the website, and see which product best fits your need. Keep some on hand for your next emergency, it will make your life that much easier.

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