Loading your apartment’s dishwasher

Did you even know that there was actually a proper way to load the dishwasher in your Broad River Trace apartment?  If you follow these three tips, you will maximize your units cleaning potential.  I found them in a New York Times article and thought I’d share it.  Hope it helps!

3 good tips to keep in mind when loading your dishwasher…

1. Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher so that they don’t block water and detergent from reaching other dishes.
2. Place the dirtier side of the dishes toward the center of the machine for more exposure to spray.
3. Load silverware in the individual silverware slots most dishwashers now include. If you have an open basket, mix forks, spoons and knives to prevent them from sticking together.

Want to check out the rest of the article?  Just follow the link !

(Photo Credit: About.com)

Save on renter’s insurance by combining it with your auto policy

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Broad River Trace Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Car/Renter’s Discount: Insuring your car and apartment with the same company often will give you a package discount. This is a good tool to use when shopping around for your renter’s insurance quote. Usually the insurance agent can tell you what percent the discount is for insuring your car and apartment together.

Stay hydrated!

Hydration is important. I am sure of the fact that you do not need me to tell you that. But, if you are going to keep hydrated, do it right and do it in style!

I want to share with you some of my favorite hydrating containers, as I like to call them (mostly because people look at me funny then chuckle a little). Water bottles works just fine too. I digress…call them what you will, here are some cool ones.

You can continue reading this article at MyRentalPad.com.

Exercising outdoors?

A couple Green Tips, courtesy of the EPA…

Regular exercise makes us feel great and keeps us healthy. Before you head out for your workout or run, check the air quality forecast for your local area. You can find out when air pollutants such as ground-level ozone or airborne particles are at acceptable levels where you live.

Read the label!

You might not realize it, but on a pesticide container, the label is the law. Pesticide product labels provide critical safety information for handling and use. Pesticides are powerful substances, but when used according to the label they are safe and effective. So … always use pesticides safely, at home or in the field. Always read the label.

Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection agency website for more Green Tips!  Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!

Final Fogelman Four (or Five)

Hey Fogelman folks…the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament is wrapping up this weekend and if you’ve been following, you know that it has been ripe with upsets. As for the Fogelman Bracket Challenge, it’s still too close to call. There are numerous scenarios that can play out, each one resulting in a different winner.

Here is what we know…

• If Duke wins, Richard Call from Stewarts Ferry in Nashville, TN will be your 2010 Champion. Way to go, Richard! But don’t count your cookies yet…
• If West Virginia wins, then Jon Hawks will take the crown. I’m a Big East Conference fan, so I must admit that I’m in Jon’s corner. Jon, we’re not sure which apartment community you’re representing so if you’re reading this, make sure you drop us a note.
• If Michigan State wins the tournament, then Amanda Hill will be our official champion. However, because she is not officially a Fogelman property resident, she is disqualified from collecting any prize. Any prize would go to the first runner-up that is actually a resident. Sorry, Amanda. Maybe you should consider moving to a Fogelman community J
• And if Butler wins, well, here’s where it gets a little tricky. Because no one gave them a fighting chance at the beginning of the tournament, there is no clear cut winner at this point. It all depends on who they play in the Championship. If Butler defeats West Virginia in the title game, then Janelle Crandall from Metro 67 in Memphis, TN will walk away with the prize. If Butler defeats Duke, the title goes to Dani Soto from Hampton Woods in Shawnee, KS.

Good luck to each of the finalists! Don’t forget to tune into CBS to watch the tournament semifinals tonight starting at 6pm, and then the Championship game on Monday, April 5 at 8pm.

Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge Leader Board: Are you on it?

The first weekend of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is in the books and the leader board for the Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge is set. With 50+ bracket submissions, this is sure to be a tight race.

A few interesting statistics developed among the Fogelman residents that participated. Among them…

• 31% of the participants picked Kansas to win it all.
• 14% picked Kentucky
• 12% picked Duke
• 7% picked Syracuse

Here is the leader board after the first two rounds of the tournament along with their pick to win the whole thing…

1. Kim Martin (Kansas), 46 pts.

2. Garrett James (Kansas), 44 pts.

2. Kate Asselin (Kansas), 44 pts.

4. Amanda Hill (Michigan State), 43 pts.

4. Heather Towe (Kansas), 43 pts.

6. Zach Hightower (N/A), 42 pts.

6. Chris Gholston (Syracuse), 42 pts.

6. Janelle Crandall (Kansas), 42 pts.

6. Dani Soto (Kansas), 42 pts.

10. Melissa Rosenthal (Kansas), 40 pts.

The tournament itself is proving to be one of the best in years, with major upsets and Cinderella stories playing out as the field battled to join the ranks of the “Sweet 16”. Northern Iowa’s upset over Kansas in the second round will definitely shake up the Fogelman Bracket Challenge leader board in the coming weeks.

If one of your neighbors has made it on the leader board, be sure to drop them a note of congratulations on your community’s Facebook page and cheer them on. And make sure you stay tuned to all of the drama in both the NCAA tournament and the Fogelman Bracket Challenge. I’ll post a new update next week.

The Regional Semifinals play out today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday, March 26-27), with the Regional Finals being played on Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28. Check your local CBS affiliate for game times.

How does your water taste?

According to an independent group of panelists, Columbia’s water is the best tasting in the state of South Carolina!

On March 14, Columbia’s water beat out 11 other contestants throughout the state, including Greenville, Charleston and Orangeburg, during a water taste test at the South Carolina Environmental Conference in Myrtle Beach.

What do you think about the tap water here in Columbia?  Do you drink it vs. bottled water?  I’ve been drinking bottled water for years now, but it seems that I’m always coming across reports or articles that seek to prove that bottled water is no better for you than tap water.  To be honest, there are times when I can’t tell the difference.

Maybe now that I know Columbia’s water is “award-winning”, I’ll give it a shot.

A Friendly Message from the Barb

But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored and sorrows end.
~William Shakespeare

Donate For Haiti Relief

Broad River Trace wants to make donating easier for our residents.  Anyone wishing to make a donation to The American Red Cross may drop off a check up until the end of business on Thursday, Jan. 21. Checks must be made out to “The American Red Cross.” Our offices will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Need Storage Ideas?

By using storage you can truly utilize your space better. Shelves, storage boxes or even an ottoman that opens up are great ways to de-clutter your apartment. Click here for storage ideas.