These Animals May Help Your Garden

Planning and maintaining a garden requires a lot of effort, which can result in an aesthetically pleasing addition to the landscape. But that hard work can also fall victim to nature when local wildlife find a garden too mouthwatering to resist.

In an effort to rid a garden of unwanted pests, gardeners may unwittingly scare away animals and insects that might just protect the garden from more ill-intentioned animals. Not every creature that scurries is out to get prized petunias or to devour tomatoes. In fact, many can prove beneficial to gardens.

BATS. Bats have a bad reputation, as people unnecessarily fear bats because they believe them to be carriers of disease. But many bats feed off of insects or fruits and will not harm a human. The average brown bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour, so it’s easy to see why bats are good to have around. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also harbor potentially dangerous diseases. Bats also may eat certain rodents, which can cut down on the number of animals burrowing in a yard.

FROGS. Frogs and toads will prey on insects and make the local insect population more manageable. Toads eat mainly slugs, who feed on the leaves and fruits of many plants. Frogs and toads are attracted to water, so including a pond or another water feature in the garden will provide them with a habitat they like. 

BIRDS. While it’s true that some birds can damage crops, many birds are content to feed on insects attracted to the garden, which helps to keep insect numbers in check. Chickadees, for example, will dine on aphid eggs, while larger birds may prey on mice or other rodents or simply scare them out of the garden. Jays and mockingbirds are known to be feisty and can even deter dogs and cats from a yard. Hummingbirds will sip on the nectar of flowers and help pollinate plants.

SNAKES. Snakes in a garden can be disconcerting to some people, but snakes are ideal predators who feed on insects and rodents several times their size. Snakes are the right size and shape to invade the burrows of pest animals.



TIP Many animals and insects can be detrimental to the health of a garden. However, several animals are handy to have around and should be welcomed to the landscape.

BUTTERFLIES & BEES. Butterflies and bees are responsible for pollinating the vast majority of plants. Avoid using pesticides that may diminish butterfly or bee populations. A beehive right next to a garden may not be practical, but don’t make attempts to destroy it. Consult with a professional beekeeper to see what can be done to move the beehive without destroying it.
by Metro Creative Connection

Home Projects Perfect for Spring

The rejuvenating spirit of spring makes this beloved season an ideal time for homeowners to take stock of their homes and properties and address any issues that arose during the winter. While some homes make it through winter unscathed, the harsh weather of the year’s coldest season can add several tasks to homeowners’ springtime to-do lists.

While some projects are best left to the professionals, others can be tackled even by those homeowners with little or no DIY experience. The following are a handful of projects tailor-made for spring.

Inspect the guttersGutters tend to bear the brunt of harsh winter weather, and come spring gutters are in need of inspection if not repair. Winter winds, snow and heavy rainfall can compromise the effectiveness of gutters, which can easily accumulate debris and detach from homes during winter storms. In addition, gutters sometimes develop leaks over the winter months. As a result, homeowners should conduct a careful inspection of their gutters come the spring, being sure to look for leaks while clearing the gutters of debris and reattaching gutters that might have become detached from the home on windy winter days and nights. When reattaching loose gutters, make sure the downspouts are draining away from the foundation, as gutters that are not draining properly can cause damage to that foundation and possibly lead to flooding.

Take stock of roof shinglesMuch like its gutters and downspouts, a home’s roof can suffer significant damage over the course of a typical winter. Shingles may be lost to harsh winter winds and storms, so homeowners should examine the roof to determine if any shingles were lost (lost shingles might even be lying around the property) or suffered damage that’s considerable enough to require replacement. Summer can be especially brutal on shingles, especially those that suffered significant damage during the winter. If left unchecked or unaddressed, problems with damaged shingles can quickly escalate into larger issues when spring rains and summer sun inevitably arrive, so homeowners should prioritize fixing or replacing damaged shingles as quickly as possible.

Check for freeze damage
Frozen temperatures can be hard on humans and homes alike, but unlike humans who can stay inside when temperatures dip below freezing, homes are forced to withstand the elements throughout the winter. External hose faucets are often susceptible to freeze damage. To inspect such faucets, turn the water on and then place a thumb or finger over the opening of the faucet. If your thumb or finger can completely stop the flow of water, the pipe where the water is coming from is likely damaged and will need to be replaced.

Examine the lawn for low spots
Once a lawn has thawed out, homeowners can patrol their properties looking for low spots in the yard or even low spots within spitting distance of the home’s foundation. Such spots increase the likelihood of flooding. Flooding near a home’s foundation increases the risk of potentially costly damage, while low spots on the lawn that go ignored can make great breeding grounds for insects, including mosquitoes, when the weather warms up. When low spots are detected, fill them in with compacted soil. Compacted soil can prevent spring rains from flooding a yard or damaging a home’s foundation.

Assessing potential property damage is a rite of passage for homeowners in the spring. Though some damage is significant, oftentimes even novice DIYers can work their homes and properties back into shape in time to enjoy spring and summer.

Dale Jarrett’s NASCAR Hall of Fame Credentials Earned As Late Bloomer

1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Won Three Daytona 500s, Twice At Indy

Success often comes for those who wait.

That certainly can be said of Dale Jarrett, who didn’t reach the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series until age 30 and waited another four years for his first victory.

The second generation star, who’ll be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 29, is among the sport’s ultimate late bloomers, winning the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at age 42 after 388 career starts. Only NASCAR Hall of Fame member Bobby Allison was older upon winning his first championship in 1983.

Jarrett, born Nov. 26, 1956, won 32 times – including at least one win every season between 1993 and 2003. He captured the first of three Daytona 500s in 1993, twice won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and also won Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600. Jarrett won three times at Darlington Raceway although the track’s historic Southern 500 eluded him.

In all, Jarrett won races on 13 superspeedways and three short tracks. He also won 11 times in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he finished no worse than sixth in the points standings in six full seasons of competition.

Jarrett never intended to follow in the tire tracks of his NASCAR Hall of Fame father Ned Jarrett, NASCAR’s premier series champion in 1961 and 1965. In fact, the younger Jarrett was headed for a golf scholarship at the University of South Carolina – and hopefully a PGA professional career – before the friends he hung out with in Hickory, N.C., built a stock car to race at the local NASCAR weekly track.

The group, which included future NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner, championship crew chief and television analyst Andy Petree, had a car but no engine. Jarrett was able to buy one at a discount from a distant cousin of his mother, Martha. It also gave him the right to replace Petree in the driver’s seat.

“It was the first time he showed an interest in racing,” said the elder Jarrett, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. “Once he drove the thing in the first race that was it.”

Jarrett competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, along with his brother Glenn, now an MRN pit reporter and made his first premier series start in 1984 driving a Chevrolet for Emanuel Zervakis at Martinsville Speedway where he finished 14th. He took over Eric Freedlander’s Chevrolet in 1987 replacing Tommy Ellis but success was minimal. Two seasons with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough’s Pontiac team weren’t much better although Jarrett did collect two top-five finishes in 1989.

Neil Bonnett’s injury in 1990 opened up the seat in the fabled Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford. Jarrett finally broke through the following summer at Michigan International Speedway where his recorded margin of victory over Davey Allison – pre-electronic scoring – was listed at 10 inches.

“The Michigan race that he won against Davey Allison is still one of the most exciting races to the checkered flag and one of my most memorable races,” said NASCAR Hall of Fame member Glen Wood.

Jarrett spent the next three seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing where he was paired with brother-in-law Jimmy Makar. Their Daytona 500 victory in 1993 was JGR’s first in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“I remember just being amazed that as a young organization trying to become established in a competitive sport like NASCAR, we were fortunate enough to land Jimmy Makar as our crew chief and Dale Jarrett as our driver,” Gibbs said. “Over the course of those first couple of seasons, we were really hoping for something special to help validate the work we were doing – especially to our sponsors. The win by Dale in the Daytona 500 was so special to us because it was our first win as an organization. I remember how excited we were, not only for JGR, but for Norm Miller and Interstate Batteries too, because like Dale, they took a big chance on us. The win really established us in the sport and we owe a lot to Dale.”

Jarrett finished fourth in the season championship but left the team a year later.

He took the wheel of Robert Yates’ No. 28 Ford in 1995 as the replacement for the injured Ernie Irvan. Things did not immediately go well. In fact, Jarrett expected to be fired after what the owner termed a lackluster season – one win and a 13th-place points showing. But Yates added a second team and put Jarrett in the No. 88 car with crew chief Todd Parrott and the North Carolinian hit his stride winning 18 times over the next four seasons and never finishing outside the top three in the standings.

In his championship season, Jarrett took the points lead with a victory in the 11th race at Richmond and never gave it up. Four wins overall – including Indianapolis – and top-10 finishes in the season’s final eight races secured the championship.

“It’s one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made,” said Yates of retaining Jarrett.

Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart won rookie of the year honors in Jarrett’s championship season. He remembers Jarrett as a tough but fair competitor.

“He was one of those guys that would race you hard when it was time to race hard and when it was early in the race and it didn’t mean much, then he knew how to be patient,” said Stewart. “He raced you the way your raced him. If you learned to be patient and race him with respect, he would do the same.

“He was a great champion; he was a great winner and a great ambassador for this sport. He was one of the first guys [to congratulate me] when I won my first race at Richmond. He made you feel welcomed and you appreciated his friendship.”

Jarrett retired from competition in 2008 at the age of 51. He shares his father’s passion for broadcasting and currently is a NASCAR commentator for ESPN and ABC.

The Jarretts are the third father and son duo to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame joining Lee and Richard Petty and NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr., the organization’s late chairman.

“This is very, very meaningful to be written about in the same paragraph as the Pettys and the Frances,” said Ned Jarrett. “I felt Dale had the credentials to make it one day but I didn’t think it would be this early and I wasn’t sure I’d be here when it happened.”

Courtesy of  Nascar media

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be a great deal.  You can get a car that's almost as good as a brand-new one without paying for the depreciation that hits as soon as you drive a new car off the lot. New car values usually drop 20-30 percent within the first year.  That can mean big savings for you. But there are other good reasons to buy a used car:

• Insurance may be cheaper.
• Late model used cars can be as reliable as a new car.
• Some used cars are still covered by the factory warranty.
• Most new carmakers now sell certified pre-owned (CPO) cars, which include warranties.
• You can easily access a vehicle history report with the VIN number.

1. Choosing the right car

Although you may have a good idea of what type of car you want, when it comes to used cars, availability may vary.  Make a list of three car models in the same class that you would like to shop for.  Look beyond the popular car models.  If you are shopping for the same car as everyone else, you will pay a premium for it. How much difference in price separates popular cars from their good but overlooked counterparts? More than you think. Popular vehicles like a Honda or Toyota can cost a few thousand dollars more than a comparable Chevrolet or Mazda. It pays to be flexible.

2. Research your prospective car

Check out prices, standard features, reliability and safety, fuel economy, photos, videos, known weak points, typical repair costs and resale values.  Make sure you run a vehicle history report on any used car you are considering buying. You can purchase reports from a company such as Carfax.com for about $40.  That’s a small price to pay for extra peace of mind.

3. How much can you afford and how will you pay?

Consider how you will pay for your car before you start shopping.  You typically have three ways to pay for your used car: cash, bank loan, or dealer financing (if buying through a car dealer). Whatever payment method you choose, make an informed decision that fits your budget. If you decide to finance your purchase, make sure you’re clear on the cost of the monthly payments and be careful not to get in over your head.

4. How much will insurance cost?

You should also consider the price of insurance for your new car. Contact your insurance agent for a quote before you purchase the car.  Vehicles with more safety features (ABS, the number of airbags, ESC, TCS, etc) can often lower your premium.  While vehicles which are more expensive to repair or more prone to theft will have a higher premium.

5. Where to shop?

The most common places to buy a used car are:

• Private parties - You can usually get the best price if you buy a car directly from its previous owner. But an owner may not be aware of trouble signs that a dealership or service station would recognize.
• The used-car section of new-car dealerships - Nearly all franchised dealers have a used-car department that sells vehicles they have taken as trade-ins, bought at auction or from another dealer, or that have come back at the end of a lease. Many dealerships offer CPO cars that have been thoroughly inspected and are backed by strong warranties.
• Independent used car lots - These dealerships are apt to handle any car make, and the vehicles can run the gamut from the almost-new to several years old. If the dealership has been around for a long time and has a good reputation locally, that’s a good sign.
• Used car auctions - You likely won't be able to do a pre-vehicle inspection with your mechanic, but you will have a good opportunity to save a lot of money. Although the car may require some repairs, you could still come out on top.  This option is best for people with more car knowledge.

 6. Shop around and compare options

There are lots of resources for finding used cars. Check the Iwanna.com classifieds, which have thousands of vehicles from private parties and local dealerships, including the complete inventories of more than 30 dealerships.  Many times you can also search the used car inventory of new car dealerships right on their website.  Ask friends and relatives if they are selling any used cars and keep your eyes peeled for “For Sale” signs in car windows.

7. Save time

Once you find a prospective car, call the seller before you go to see the vehicle. Over the phone, you can ask questions about the car to eliminate cars that have problems and verify the asking price in the ad. While talking to the seller, set up an appointment for a test-drive. Also, ask for the VIN so you can run a vehicle history report.

Here is a list of some questions to ask the seller:

“How many miles has it been driven?”

“What are the features?”

“What is the car’s condition?”

“How about the body and interior?”

“Has it been in an accident?”

“Do you have service records?”

“Have you owned it since it was new?”

“Why are you selling the car?”

8. Test drive

By test driving the car, you can determine if it is a good fit for you physically and if it seems in good condition.  You should always arrange your test drive during the day, so you can get a good look at the car.  Keep the radio off during your test drive so you can hear the engine. Take your time and be sure to simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns. If you do a lot of highway driving, be sure to go on the highway. If you go into the mountains, test the car on a steep slope. You don't want to find out after you've bought the car that it doesn't perform as needed.

On the test-drive, evaluate these additional points:

• Should start without hesitation
• Acceleration from a stop
• Visibility (Check for blind spots)
• Engine noise
• Transmission shifts smoothly (should not jolt forward, hesitate while shifting, grind, clunk or whine)
• Passing acceleration
• Signs of smoke with hard acceleration (A little bit of white smoke is normal. Blue smoke means you're burning oil. Black smoke means the engine is clogged with carbon)
• Hill-climbing power
• Braking (No squealing or grinding)
• Cornering
• Suspension (How does it ride?)
• Steering (If you point the car straight, does it go straight?)
• Rattles and squeaks
• Test all lights, signals, radio/CD, GPS.
• Cargo space
• Headspace and legroom

After the test-drive, ask the owner if you can see the service records. See if the car has had the scheduled maintenance performed on time. Avoid buying a car that has been in a serious accident or has had major repairs such as transmission rebuilds, valve jobs or engine overhauls. If you like the way the car drives, you should still take it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection. A private party will probably allow you to do this without much resistance. But at a dealership, it might be more difficult.

9. Negotiating the price

It is much easier to negotiate successfully when you have done your homework.

Follow these guidelines when negotiating:

• Only enter into negotiations with a seller with whom you feel comfortable.
• Make an opening offer that is low, but in the ballpark.
• Decide ahead of time how high you will go and be prepared to walk away when your limit is reached. This is your strongest negotiating tool.
• Be patient. Plan to spend an hour negotiating in a dealership, less for private parties.
• Leave the dealership if you get tired or hungry.

Once you have a deal, make sure the transaction is completed according to the agreed upon terms.

10. Close the deal

When you buy a car from a private party, you will probably be asked to pay with a cashier's check or in cash. Before money changes hands, make sure the seller signs over the title to you in front of a notary (most banks have one).

If you are at a dealership, you still have to go through the finance and insurance (F&I) process. If any repair work is required and has been promised by the dealer, get it in writing in a "Due Bill."  

In either case, you need to make sure you have insurance for the car you just bought.  Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to make sure the new car is added to your policy.

Fun Ways to Play with your Cat

If you’re a cat owner, there’s no better enjoyment than playing games with your cat. Whether they are kittens or adults, watching them chase, flip, run and jump can provide hours of entertainment for the both of you. It’s also healthy as they get lots of exercise and it keeps them happy while you get bonding time with them. There are lots of games you can play together but here are some all time favorites.

POUNCING GAMES
Pouncing games give your cat a chance to seek and catch. Move an object, like their favorite toy or something else that grabs their attention, along the floor or up and around the furniture and they will try to catch it. To make it more challenging, just as they are about to get the toy, move it away really fast and they’ll try again and again. Also whenever you change your bedsheets, be prepared for playtime. Your cat will jump all around the bed pouncing as you fluff the sheets.

BUNNY KICK GAMES
These games give your cat a chance to use their natural instincts for catching prey. Once the toy is caught,  they pull it towards their belly and kick furiously with their back legs while shaking and biting their catch. Good toys for this game are catnip filled mice or a stuffed animal around their size. Sometimes when you rub a cat’s belly they go into bunny kick mode but they’re not necessarily being aggressive – they see it as playtime and normally wind up licking your hand while kicking.

HIDE AND SEEK GAMES
These are the most fun. Kitty loves to wait and pounce.  This is why you wind up with a cat attached to your foot unexpectedly when you walk by.  Try getting down on their level and peek around the corner and you’ll notice each time you do they get closer and closer until you’re nose to whiskers with your furry friend. And yes, kitty will pounce from above too. So if you have high shelves be assured you could have a cat land on you from above.

JUMPING GAMES
These games involve waving a toy or a feather wand that requires your cat to leap high into the air and capture it with their front paws. You will be amazed how agile they are and how high they can actually jump.

For indoor cats, playtime is very important. They not only need it but they enjoy it. They only require maybe ten minutes a day, but playtime can last as long as you want it to. The best time to play is around dusk because you will tucker them out and they’ll sleep through the night instead of waking you early in the morning.  For hilarious playtime videos, check out YouTube and see how much fun playtime with your cat can be.

by Scott Goodblatt

How to Avoid Buying a Lemon

Buying a car is exciting.  But no one wants to buy a lemon.  

Wrecked cars, even after repaired, can have serious problems down the road.  And flood cars, which are becoming a large problem, are dangerous and should be avoided.  Here are some telltale signs that a used car has been in a flood or wreck:

1. Paint that chips off or doesn't match indicates damage repair and poor blending.
2. Paint over-spray on chrome, trim, or rubber seals around body openings reveals that the adjacent panel was repaired.
3. A car can be repainted, straightened and buffed out. It might look good, but it could hiding damage. Run a magnet along the car and if the magnet drops, there's bondo under it. If it's a really large area, this is a car you don't need. If it's small, still question it.
4. Misaligned fenders suggest a poor repair job or use of non original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) parts.
5. CAPA (Certified Automotive Parts Association) sticker on any part may indicate collision repair.
6. Uneven tread wear reveals wheel misalignment, possibly because of frame damage.
7. Mold or air freshener cover-up suggests water damage from a leak or flood.
8. Silt in trunk may mean flood damage.  Another trick is to run your hand along the underside of the dashboard in the crevices and if you pull out a handful of dirt or dry mud, that's the best indicator of a flood car.
9. Rust where it should not be is a sign of flood damage. If there is rust on the inside of the car for example on the door frames where the interior panel meets the frame that's not a good sign.
10. Fresh undercoating on wheel wells, chassis, or engine strongly suggests recent structural repairs covered up.
11. Door that doesn't close correctly could point to a door-frame deformation and poor repair.
12. Hood or trunk that doesn't close squarely may indicate twisting from side impact.
13. Dashboard lights, power windows, and other electronics with intermittent problems could be a sign of flood damage.
14. Dashboard airbag indicator that doesn't light up could mean the airbag was replaced improperly--or wasn't replaced at all--after an accident.
15. Big dents, kinks in structural components, or crimped or crunched fuel lines and pipes underneath are the easiest problems to find because re-builders assume you won't be looking there.
16. Uneven surfaces on frame components could be filler, seam sealer, or welding beads.
17. Damaged/gouged nuts and metal on top surface of strut tower (which connects the front wheels to the frame) in engine compartment may mean the frame was realigned.
18. New metal on only one part of the hood apron shows section repair rather than replacement of the entire apron piece.
19. Welding bead anywhere on heavy frame members underneath the engine suggests frame-rail sectioning or sloppy repair of a cutout made in the rail to perform repair work.
20. Inconsistent welds around hood apron, door, door frame, or trunk exemplify a non-factory weld.
21. Frayed safety belts or belt fibers that have melted together because of friction indicate a previous frontal impact above 15 mph.
22. Missing car emblem or name on trunk may mean a non-OEM part was used.
23. Missing VIN number plates.  Aside from the dashboard plate, every panel on the car has a manufacturers sticker with the VIN number. They are located on the underside of the hood and trunk lids, door jambs and on the bumpers.  If you notice any of them missing then the car more than likely was in an accident and the panel was repaired or replaced.

Do You Know What Your Dog is Really Trying To Tell You?

Our Dogs. They are for many of us a constant companion by our side. For others they may be valued more so for duties, that can only be completed by none other than the dog himself. But as we share our day to day lives with these one of a kind creatures, who scientists now believe may have began co-existing with humans over 15K years ago, we must ask ourselves if we really know our dogs as well as we think we do.

Dogs are generally social animals, meaning they often live in a group, pack or family, therefore making clear and effective communication a vital role in their ability as a species and as an individual to survive & evolve. Communication serves many important factors in our dogs day to day lives, including conflict resolution as well as a dogs ability to gain access to resources they want or need on a day to day basis. (Resources are anything & everything an individual dog may desire, such as food, water, toys, attention, etc).Although there is ongoing and fascinating research that is leading many top researchers in the field of canine cognition to believe that dogs are evolving to be “expert human behavior observers and manipulators”, dogs have yet to evolve to the point in which they communicate primarily through vocalization, which is ironically the way we as humans tend to try and primarily communicate with our dogs. Dogs primarily communicate through a series of artful, yet often subtle to the human eye, movements and body postures.

One of the most fascinating aspects of dog behavior, is the dogs ability to literally regulate stressful, exciting or over stimulating situations for themselves by using a series of what are called “Calming Signals”. Have you ever noticed your dog randomly doing a “shake off” (literally shaking his whole body, as if he just took a bath) after something exciting or maybe even something stressful happens? He may also, in these situations offer behaviors such as yawning, licking his lips, turning his head (looking away), stretching, randomly sniffing or scratching, or maybe even raising his paw.

These behaviors can be indicators that your dog may be feeling overwhelmed by a certain situation.

One behavior that is somewhat misunderstood, but is gaining a new understanding in the field of dog behavior research, is the tail wag. When your dog wags his tail, does that mean he is always happy?

While some wags are indeed associated with happiness, and positive emotions, other tails wags can indicate stress or fear. The newest research on this topic, has shown that a dog who wags his tail with a bias to the right, is generally in a more positive emotional state, while a dog who wags his tail more so to the left may be in a more negative emotional state. As well as the direction of the tail wag, look for specifics as to how high or low your dog may be holding his tail. Is it tucked tightly between his legs but slightly wagging? This may mean he is nervous. It is held very high & stiff with a slight but quick wag? This could mean he is on high alert, but not necessarily always mean he is “happy”. The best indicator that a tail wag is intending to communicate a friendly interaction, is that the tail is wagging in big swoops, set at half mast, usually accompanied by a loose body.

One point that I try to leave with all of my clients as I work with them to help resolve problems or teach their dog new behaviors, is that as much as we as the dogs owner want our dogs to “obey” and respect us, we must first respect and understand our dogs, in order to expect that our dogs will return the favor.

by Heather Polechio, CPDT-KA, CTC. MindfulMutz Training & Behavior Consulting.

How to Remove a Tick From Your Pet

Pet owners who find a tick on their pets typically act swiftly with the goal of removing this parasitic arachnid as quickly as possible. However, moving too quickly can hurt the pet and even its owner. Tick removal kits can be highly effective and are often inexpensive, but owners can remove the tick themselves as well. The following are a few tick-removal tips courtesy of the ASPCA.

Be prepared to keep the tick
Some tick bites are worse than others, and if your pet falls ill after a tick bite, the tick itself might provide some valuable insight for your pet’s veterinarian. So owners about to remove a tick from their pet should prepare to keep the tick, ideally in a screw-top jar containing some rubbing alcohol. Keep the jar close to you when you begin the removal process.

Protect yourself
Ticks, even those that have already bitten your pet, can carry infective agents, which may enter your bloodstream through breaks in your skin or if you touch your eyes, nostrils or mouth. When removing a tick, be sure to wear rubber or latex gloves to protect yourself from direct contact with the tick or the bite area.

Enlist help
Pets will likely try to squirm away as you remove the tick, so enlist some help to hold the animal still or help it relax.

Prepare the area, and remove the tick
When you’re ready to remove the tick, treat the bite area with rubbing alcohol. Once treated, use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the animal’s skin as possible before pulling the tick straight upward with steady, even pressure. During removal, do not twist or jerk the tick, as doing so can leave parts of the tick embedded in the pet or cause the tick to regurgitate infective fluids. Once the tick is removed, do not squeeze or crush it, as this can cause it to expel fluids that may contain infective organisms. Immediately place the tick in the jar you’ve selected for storage.

Examine the area where the tick was removed
It’s not always possible to remove the tick entirely. Sometimes parts of the tick’s mouth will remain embedded in the animal’s skin. If the area is not red or inflamed but parts of the mouth remain, disinfect the area and leave the mouth parts in. Apply a warm compress to the area, which may expel the remaining mouth parts.

Clean the area and yourself
When the tick is removed, disinfect the bite area thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean yourself as well, washing your hands even if you wore gloves. Sterilize the tweezers with alcohol or carefully run them over a flame.

Continue monitoring the bite area for infection
Even if the tick removal process goes smoothly, continue to monitor the bite area for infection. If the area is red or inflamed or becomes red or inflamed following the removal, visit the veterinarian and bring the jar with the tick inside along.

Animal Haven of Asheville

Animal Haven of Asheville (a 501c3 organization) has been in operation for 14 years and is located in East Asheville.  The ten acre sanctuary is currently home to 100 homeless and abused animals, with an emphasis on farm animals.  Current residents include sheep, goats, geese, pot belly pigs, ducks, rabbits, chickens, cats, and dogs.  Animal Haven receives many of the farm animals from cruelty cases and animal shelters all over Western North Carolina.  Each animal that comes to live at the sanctuary receives any necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation, and enormous amounts of nurturing from the volunteers.  Animal Haven of Asheville is a cage free environment and those animals unable to be placed in a forever home live their lifetime at the sanctuary.

Animal Haven of Asheville is a volunteer based organization with volunteers ranging in age from six to sixty six.  Opportunities for volunteers range from hands on with the animals i.e. feeding, cleaning animal habitats, walking dogs to working in our on site Thrift Store.  The 1500 square foot thrift store was built by volunteers and through the generosity of the community is overflowing with housewares, furniture, clothes, books, tools, electronics, jewelry, and more.  Since Animal Haven is a volunteer based organization, all the proceeds from the thrift store benefit the animals.

Animal Haven has a very strong and all inclusive Humane Education program.  Throughout the year, many schools come to the sanctuary either to work directly with animals or for an educational tour about the current animals and the plight of homeless and abused animals in the community and beyond.  Once a month for the past seven years, 2nd and 3rd graders come out to help feed the animals and clean their habitats.  Groups of college students also come out for major projects such as fencing, painting, cleaning the creek etc. Rehabilitation centers also pitch in as well as church groups, mentor programs, and Brownie Troops, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Eagle Scouts.

Animal Haven is also involved with the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women (for the past 8 years) and the Craggy Correctional Center for Men(for the past 2 years) through the “New Leash on Life” program.  This program allows up to five homeless dogs to live at these facilities for an 8 - 12 week period where they are taught basic obedience, crate training, housebreaking, socialization etc. by inmates selected to be their trainers.  An outside trainer visits weekly to instruct the inmate trainers and to address any other issues.  Animal Haven provides all medical, food, crates, toys, treats, food, blankets etc.  During this training period new homes are actively sought for the dogs and upon graduation, complete with “pomp and circumstance”, the dogs are united with their new families. 

This program is a new leash on life for the participating dogs, making them highly adoptable, well rounded and well loved.  But it is also a lease on life for the inmates/trainers directly involved and for the entire inmate population.  These dogs allow an outlet for love, compassion, friendship, and nurturing for the trainers, a reason to get up every morning, responsibility for a living, breathing creature.  For everyone involved, new friendships are made, grievances are down, and morale sky rockets.  The presence of these dogs has created a powerful environment in these facilities, and a change in the lives of the trainers that has no limits and will be with all of them forever.  To learn more about this program or to learn about the dogs for adoption, call Animal Haven at 828-299-1635.

Animal Haven of Asheville is located at 65 Lower Grassy Branch Road in East Asheville and is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.  Visit the website at animalhaven.org.

Four Healthy Hobbies for Men

How a man spends his free time can go a long way toward improving his quality of life and overall health.

Family- and work-related stress might be unavoidable, but a healthy hobby can make it easier for men to cope with that stress. But even if you aren’t stressed out, the following healthy hobbies can improve your quality of life and help you make the most of your free time.

1. Dust off that old guitar
Playing an instrument, whether it’s the guitar, the piano, the drums, etc., is a great way to relax and, depending on when you started playing, may have a significant and positive impact on your mental health in the years to come. A study published in the July 2012 issue of Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that playing a musical instrument may reduce the effects of mental decline associated with aging. Researchers behind the study based their findings on adults who learned to play music in childhood, so men who learned to play their guitar or tickle the ivories as a child might benefit more than those who learned to play as an adult. But even grown men with no previous musical experience can benefit from playing during their free time.

2. Hit the dance floor
Perhaps thanks to the popularity of the hit television show “Dancing With the Stars,” which has seen professional football players like Emmitt Smith, Donald Driver and Hines Ward excel on the dance floor, more and more men are taking up dance, which can improve cardiovascular health and help men shed a few extra pounds. Dancing is also a great way to build muscle and improve bone health. What’s more, few women can resist a man who isn’t afraid to show his stuff on the dance floor.

3. Escape into a good book
Reading is a great way to keep abreast of what’s going on in the world, and reading also provides several health benefits. Research has shown that activities like reading can improve memory function, delaying or even preventing age-related memory loss. Reading is also a great way to cope with stress, providing a welcome respite from the daily grind that allows you to peacefully unwind at the end of the day.

4. Get your hands dirty in the garden
Gardening is another great way to relieve stress while also getting some time in the fresh air. A 2011 study from researchers based in the Netherlands found that gardening is more effective at improving mood than reading. That study examined two groups of people who were instructed to read or garden for 30 minutes. When the half hour was up, the participants who gardened reported being in a better mood than those who read, and the gardening group also had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Additional studies have also linked gardening to reducing the symptoms associated with depression.

by Metro Creative Connection

Motocross and Supercross Enthrall Fans

Motorcycles remain a popular form of transportation all around the world, but they are also prime machines for thrill-seekers and extreme sport lovers.

Thousands of people enjoy the thrill and power involved in taking motorcycles off-road for extreme racing. There are many varieties of motorcycle racing, but some of the more popular are motocross events and derivatives like supercross.
Those unfamiliar with the world of off-road motorcycle racing may not know the differences between motocross and supercross. Since motocross and supercross are so similar, some people might mistakenly feel they are the same thing. In fact, they are two completely different sports.

SAFETY: OFF THE ROAD 

Whether you’re having fun on an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) or in an ROV (recreational off-highway vehicle), staying safe can be as simple as ABC and 123.

A. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE
Learn the differences between the types of vehicles: ROVs, also called side-by-sides, have a steering wheel, acceleration foot pedal and brake foot pedal. ATVs have a handlebar for steering, a throttle controlled by a thumb lever, and hand levers and a foot pedal for the brakes. Most ATVs are designed for one rider who straddles the machine, out in the open. With an ROV, it’s important to wear the seat belt and keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.
B. GET THE SIZE RIGHT
It’s critical that ATV riders be the right size for their machines. Children should not ride adult-sized ATVs, though youth-model ATVs let kids as young as 6 enjoy riding under adult supervision. ROVs are only for operators age 16 or older with a valid driver’s license.
C PROTECTIVE GEAR
Riders of either vehicle need proper helmets that meet Department of Transportation standards, eye protection, gloves, long sleeves and pants, and sturdy boots. An ROV should have seat belts, a rollover protective structure, side retention features and handholds.
1 RIDE RIGHT
These vehicles are for off-road use only and should be taken exclusively on designated trails.
2 RIDE SOBER
Neither should ever be operated while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3 GET SAFETY TRAINED
Both should be used only after proper training, through the ATV Safety Institute (www.atvsafety.org) or the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (www.ROHVA.org). Then go have fun—safely—off-road. courtesy of naps

MOTORCROSS
Motocross motorcycle racing takes place on enclosed, off-road circuits. The sport is derived from motorcycle trial competitions that originated in the United Kingdom.

The outdoor tracks of motocross vary in size, and races are held in all types of weather conditions. Because the space needed for tracks is so vast, many tracks are located in rural locations. Although the natural terrain helps shape part of the course, some man-made modifications are also included to create jumps, pits, sharp turns, and other obstacles.

Motocross is celebrated across the globe. Since the sport was introduced in 1966, motocross has become more popular in the United States. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), based in Paris, France, is the global governing sanctioning body of motorcycle racing and represents 103 national motorcycle federations. Canadians also participate in the sport through Canadian Motocross.

SUPERCROSS
Motocross enthusiasts sometimes find attending a motocross competition is difficult due to the rural location of outdoor tracks. And once there, spectators can only see the portion of the race closest to their seat. But enterprising individuals created subdisciplines of the racing that could take place within indoor arenas, and supercross and arenacross were born. Supercross is typically held on man-made tracks that are smaller than outdoor motocross tracks. Football stadiums and other indoor stadiums are retrofitted to accommodate these tracks. Even though the racing takes place indoors, it is still considered off-road racing.

With supercross, the race is shorter than motocross and there are typically fewer racers because of space constraints. The size of the arena also limits the types of jumps and other stunts that can be accomplished depending on the height of the building. Some people argue that supercross is more extreme because the size of the arena forces racers to be more precise and there are a greater number of rules governing the races.

The main motocross championships are the FIM Motocross World Championship, which is typically held in Europe, and the AMA Motocross Championship that begins in early May and runs through September in the United States. The annual Motocross des Nations is held at the end of the year when National and World Championship series have ended. The competition involves teams of three riders representing their nations.

As motocross continues to draw fans and racers alike, different variations of the sport also continue to evolve. Freestyle, supermoto, ATV/Quad motocross, and mini-motocross are derivatives of the original sport.

Extreme sport enthusiasts have many options from which to choose. Motocross and supercross are two sports that boast a loyal legion of fans.