Carmageddon

'Carmageddon' is here!

For the past few weeks, officials have issued warning signs about the upcoming closure of the 405 freeway on the 16^th and 17^th of July. Carmageddon has finally come! Residents are expected to have major delays and here are some ideas to help you prepare for this weekend.

1. Detours: The 101 and 10 will be impacted the most. So depending on where you are going, plan ahead. Use sites like Mapquest, Googlemaps, or Sigalert to help you avoid the chaos. Expect to be in your car for hours so bring a friend or two, or make a new one while you are there.

2. Fly: The next best alternative may be flying thousands of feet above the city. Jetblue Airways is offering “405 Freeway Closure? We’re So Over It” special. For only $4 include taxes and fees, nonstop flights between Long Beach Airport and Bob Hope Airport. And for $1 more, you can fly first class.

3. Local Transportation: Take the day off from driving. The city is offering free rides on certain bus lines and is adding more train services. Some hotels and restaurants are also offering discounts.

4. Have a party: The best idea saved for last. To avoid the traffic jam completely, stay at home! Relax and have a “Carmageddon” party! Invite all your friends and family, I am sure they would rather be swimming in a pool than in a pool of traffic!

How to Stay Safe Independence Day Weekend.

It’s that time of year again where fireworks, barbeques, and traveling are part of a typical 4^th of July weekend. While it may be a fun weekend full of festivities, it can also be a dangerous one if safety precautions are not used.

1) Make sure everyone gets plenty of sun block (also get the waterproof kind if engaging in water activities). Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every 2-3 hours, and use higher SPF. Don’t forget to also apply lip balm with SPF protection to your lips. Remember to also wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.

2) Stay hydrated! It’s easy to get carried away while having fun but make sure everyone gets enough water, especially if engaging in strenuous activities.

3) For fireworks, make sure small children are kept away from the fireworks and are watched at all times. Avoid eye injuries by staying at least 500 feet away from the fireworks. Don’t light illegal fireworks…instead go to a professional show. Every year, many people are sent to the emergency room due to injuries from fireworks and sparklers, so make it a priority to stay safe.

4) Follow food safety tips. Avoid cross-contamination by putting raw meats separate from cooked food. Don’t let food sit out outside even if thawing; let it thaw in the fridge. Be sure to cook food thoroughly; use a thermometer if necessary. The USDA recommends cooking raw beef, pork, lamb to a minimum of 145°; ground meats should be cooked to160 °F. Poultry should be cooked to 165 °F

5) If you will be celebrating near a lake or pool, make sure children are watched closely. It’s better to take turns having one adult as a chaperone at all times. Also, if on a boat, be sure to have enough life jackets for everyone on board. Drowning occurs more frequently than people think, especially when everyone is busy eating, talking, lounging, and having a good time.

6) Build a safe campfire by making sure it is away from overhanging trees and other plants. Keep water nearby in case. Do not leave the fire unattended. When you do put it out, make sure the fire is completely out by making sure all the embers are wet; if not it can easily start up again later.

7) Drink responsibly! If in doubt, don’t get in a car or near water. The consequences are not worth it.

8) Be prepared for more drivers on the road during this holiday weekend. Make sure your car is in proper working condition (meaning the tires, fluid levels, etc are checked). Allow plenty of time for travel so you are not driving dangerously by weaving in and out of traffic to get to your destination.

9) Lastly, Happy 4^th of July!! From everyone at Go Green Construction.

Fun Facts…Did you know??

2.5 million

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

311.7 million

The nation's estimated population on this July 4th
Source: US Census Population clock

DIY Vase

Sure there are plenty of vases you can buy out there, but you can easily make a beautiful one by reusing some items instead of buying one. All the materials used in this project can be found at home.

Follow these easy steps:

1) Find an empty water bottle (any size will do but gallon or liter ones work best); make sure it doesn’t have any holes on the bottom.

2) Cut off half the top using sturdy scissors. You can cut off more or less depending on how tall or short you want your vase to be.

3) Cut some used fabric (such as from old clothes, tablecloths, etc), old wrapping paper, or construction paper that will be used to wrap around the bottle. Glue the edges to the bottle.

4) Decorate the vase further with ribbons, buttons, jewels, and other items that can be glued on. You can even use heavy duty wrapping paper as well.

5) Fill up with water and stick some freshly cut flowers in there and voila!! See the picture (above) of the one we made ourselves.

Extra tips:

-use rocks/stones on bottom to make it more colorful and to make sure the bottle doesn’t tip.

-for a twist, paint tin cans in any design you want

Shopping Ideas: Visit a Local Farmer's Market

Ever heard of “Buy Fresh, Buy Local”?

If you’ve never visited a farmers market, then it’s definitely time to check one out. The fun part is walking outdoors and having all the fresh produce, breads, food, and flowers at your convenience direct from the farmers/producers. Farmer’s markets are also great for the environment because they offer organic fruits/vegetables and they offer products that are seasonally grown and come from close by which minimizes fossil fuels used for transportation. Some places even have petting zoos so it's definitely a great place for the whole family. Check out some of these local ones below or visit http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-farmersmarketlist,0,2141302.htmlstory for more locations. So start discovering your local areas and what they have to offer.

Northridge Mall 9301 Tampa Ave Northridge, CA 91324 Mar-Nov Every Wednesday from 5-9pm (between Macys & Borders

Americana at Glendale 100 Caruso Ave Glendale, CA 91210 Sat 10am-2pm

Pasadena Victory Park N Sierra Madre Blvd at Paloma St Pasadena, CA 91107 Sat 8:30am-1pm

Santa Monica 2nd St & Arizona Ave Santa Monica Wed &

Sat 8:30am-1:30pm 2640 Main Street Sun 9:30-1pm

Landscaping Ideas: Solar Lighting

More and more homes nowadays are catching onto the trend of using solar lights for lawns, walkways, driveways, and outdoor seating areas. These lights can be purchased from home improvement stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or your neighborhood gardening store. For about $3, you can get the basic ones or spend a little more money for more elegant finishes. These are also eco-friendly because they are powered by the sun, economical, and easy to install with no wiring needed whatsoever. We've tried out some of these already and they are great.