How to Get Organized for School

Back-to-school time doesn't have to mean back-to-school clutter. Here are six tips for minimizing the mess. It's time to get organized for school.

1. Make closet space.
Before you go shopping for new school clothing, get rid of clothing that no longer fits. Install closet racks that have easy-to-reach bars for hanging clothing and bins for loose items such as socks and underwear.

Kid tip:
Help young children pick out their outfits for the week on Sunday, to prevent morning battles and speed up the dressing process. Older children who are groggy in the morning can set out their outfits the night before - that way, you avoid last-minute panic if a favorite shirt is in the laundry.

2. Start at the door.
Create an organizational center at the entryway. Have a hook for each child's coat and shelves for each child's shoes. Book bags can sit on top of the shelves or hang on the hook over the jacket (unless your kids are teens, in which case their backpacks might be heavy enough to bring the shelf down).

Kid tip:
Hang hooks low enough for your children to reach, to encourage them to hang up their own coats.

3. Track activities.
Put an erasable calendar someplace obvious - the kitchen is a good choice - to keep track of everyone's commitments. Use a different color erasable marker for each person in the family.

Kid tip:
Work with your children to enter their schedule on the calendar. It helps them remember dates and times and show them what everyone is doing. They might even learn to appreciate how much chauffeuring you do.

4. Take (and give) notes.
Have a basket just for school notes near your calendar and teach your children to put their notes in it as soon as they come home from school. Also, pre-mark some envelopes with your child's name and grade so that when you fill out and return a note, the teacher can easily see whose it is.

Kid tip:
Have an empty backpack rule - backpacks must be emptied when kids come home from school, so they (and you) can remove notes, banana peels, and excess clutter. Repack after homework time so you can get organized for school the next day.

5. Build a homework zone.
Use a plastic bin with an attached lid - art bins work well - for each child's homework supplies. Label each bin and invite your children to decorate their own. Keep the bins close to where your children do their homework in a place they can easily reach. Make it a rule that, once homework is done, your children must put away their bins and put their homework back in their backpack.

Kid tip:
Help your children label each pocket of a multi-pocket folder with the name of their classes. At the end of homework time, the homework goes into the designated pocket of the folder, and the folder goes into the backpack. That way, you don't find homework on the table after the bus leaves, and your kids can easily find their work in their backpack.

6. Sort the sports gear.
A sports organizer bench, with bins for sports equipment below and a place to sit above, keeps equipment accessible yet out of the way. During the off season, store sports equipment in labeled plastic bins in an easy-to-access place.

Kid tip:
Give each child two laundry hampers: one for regular clothing and one for dirty sports gear.

Clothes dryers evaporate the water from wet clothing by blowing hot air past them while they tumble inside a spinning drum. Heat is provided by an electrical heating element or gas burner. Some heavy garment loads can contain more than a gallon of water which, during the drying process, will become airborne water vapor and leave the dryer and home through an exhaust duct (more commonly known as a dryer vent).   A vent that exhausts moist air to the home exterior has a number of requirements:

1. It should be connected. The connection is usually behind the dryer but may be beneath it. Look carefully to make sure it's actually connected!
2. It should not be restricted. Dryer vents are often made from flexible plastic or metal duct, which may be easily kinked or crushed where they exit the dryer and enter the wall or floor. This is often a problem since dryers tend to be tucked away into small areas with little room to work. Vent hardware is available which is designed to turn 90° in a limited space without restricting the flow of exhaust air. Restrictions should be noted in the inspector's report. Airflow restrictions are a potential fire hazard!
3. One of the reasons that restrictions are a potential fire hazard is that, along with water vapor evaporated out of wet clothes, the exhaust stream carries lint - highly flammable particles of clothing made of cotton and polyester. Lint can accumulate in an exhaust duct, reducing the dryer's ability to expel heated water vapor, which then accumulates as heat energy within the machine. As the dryer overheats, mechanical failures can trigger sparks, which can cause lint trapped in the dryer vent to burst into flames. This condition can cause the whole house to burst into flames! Fires generally originate within the dryer but spread by escaping through the ventilation duct, incinerating trapped lint, and following its path into the building wall.

House fires caused by dryers are far more common than are generally believed, a fact that can be appreciated upon reviewing statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency. Fires caused by dryers in 2005 were responsible for approximately 13,775 house fires, 418 injuries, 15 deaths, and $196 million in property damage. Most of these incidents occur in residences and are the result of improper lint cleanup and maintenance. Fortunately, these fires are very easy to prevent.
The recommendations outlined below reflect International Residential Code (IRC) SECTION M1502 CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST guidelines:

M1502.5 Duct construction.
Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of minimum 0.016-inch-thick (0.4 mm) rigid metal ducts, having smooth interior surfaces, with joints running in the direction of air flow. Exhaust ducts shall not be connected with sheet-metal screws or fastening means which extend into the duct.

This means that the flexible, ribbed vents used in the past should no longer be used. They should be noted as a potential fire hazard if observed during an inspection.

M1502.6 Duct length. The maximum length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed 25 feet (7,620 mm) from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length of the duct shall be reduced 2.5 feet (762 mm) for each 45-degree (0.8 rad) bend, and 5 feet (1,524 mm) for each 90-degree (1.6 rad) bend. The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct.

This means that vents should also be as straight as possible and cannot be longer than 25 feet. Any 90-degree turns in the vent reduce this 25-foot number by 5 feet, since these turns restrict airflow.
A couple of exceptions exist:

1. The IRC will defer to the manufacturer's instruction, so if the manufacturer's recommendation permits a longer exhaust vent, that's acceptable. An inspector probably won't have the manufacturer's recommendations, and even if they do, confirming compliance with them exceeds the scope of a General Home Inspection.
2. The IRC will allow large radius bends to be installed to reduce restrictions at turns, but confirming compliance requires performing engineering calculation in accordance with the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, which definitely lies beyond the scope of a General Home Inspection!

M1502.2 Duct termination.
Exhaust ducts shall terminate on the outside of the building or shall be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer's installation instructions. Exhaust ducts shall terminate not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in any direction from openings into buildings. Exhaust duct terminations shall be equipped with a backdraft damper. Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination.

Inspectors will see many dryer vents terminate in crawlspaces or attics where they deposit moisture, which can encourage the growth of mold, wood decay, or other material problems. Sometimes they will terminate just beneath attic ventilators. This is a defective installation. They must terminate at the exterior and away from a door or window! Also, screens may be present at the duct termination and can accumulate lint and should be noted as improper. 

M1502.3 Duct size.
The diameter of the exhaust duct shall be as required by the clothes dryer's listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Look for the exhaust duct size on the data plate.

M1502.4 Transition ducts.
Transition ducts shall not be concealed within construction. Flexible transition ducts used to connect the dryer to the exhaust duct system shall be limited to single lengths not to exceed 8 feet (2438 mm), and shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2158A.

In general, an inspector will not know specific manufacturer's recommendations or local applicable codes and will not be able to confirm the dryer vent's compliance to them, but will be able to point out issues that may need to be corrected.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07/22/2010

CONTACT:
Lynda Rebarchak, Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office
484-250-5820
 
DEP Orders Chester County Gas Station to Close
Several Businesses Adjacent to Coventry Mart Contaminated with Diesel Fuel

NORRISTOWN -- The Department of Environmental Protection today ordered Coventry Mart of 1453 S. Hanover St., North Coventry Township, to close until further notice, citing ongoing concerns over diesel fuel contaminating local water supplies.  

"Problems with the underground diesel fuel tank at the facility have impacted three area businesses served by one common well," said Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola. "The department has instructed the owners of the station to sample the private wells in the area and to supply clean water to any impacted properties."

DEP received a report during the early morning hours of July 21 that a neighboring business had a strong gasoline odor in its water supply. North Coventry officials initially responded and confirmed the diesel fuel's presence. DEP continues to work with the impacted property owners, the township and local fire department during this investigation.

Although Coventry Mart voluntarily took the diesel tank out of service, DEP issued an order requiring the facility to cease operations and empty all of its tanks. The order also directs Coventry Mart to immediately supply replacement water to the impacted parties, and sample private wells in the surrounding area. 

This latest incident follows a March 10 report of a diesel fuel release from the facility. At that time, fuel had seeped into a storm water detention basin at the site and into a tributary of Pigeon Creek. Cleanup actions were taken and the product was contained. 

On June 18, DEP received an interim cleanup report that was found to be incomplete. Several attempts were made to obtain additional information from the owner of the facility and the consultant. 

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Storage Tank.

N E W S R E L E A S E COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Offers Harry Kalas Estate

Newtown Square, PA    July 6, 2009 -  Art Herling, Regional Vice President  and Janet Rubino, Vice President of  Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. are pleased to announce that The Christine Clark Real Estate Team will be marketing the Estate of Harry Kalas in Upper Providence Township, Delaware County.

"We are delighted to assist the Kalas family with the sale of this exquisite home" .... Herling stated.

Located in Media, this Hall of Fame estate is situated on approximately two acres of lush rural setting, bordering Ridley Creek State Park on a quiet cul-de-sac. 

According to Team Leader Clark ..... "the home features expansive living areas spread over two floors, including two full kitchens.   The lower floor offers level entries and separate living quarters, ideal for adult children, a nanny/au-pair, caregiver or extended family members.  The Kalas residence will charm both professionals and families with exceptional entertainment areas, decks and heated walkway.  Lighted lawns and gardens gently slope to the forested edge of Ridley Creek.  Its location is highly convenient to downtown Media, exceptional private and public schools, also suburban corporate centers, major roadways and transportation, yet only minutes away from Philadelphia International Airport and the center of the city."

Real Estate Brokers & Agents will be invited to preview the property on Tuesday, July 14^th.

Interested parties should contact: 

Christine Clark, ABR®, SRES®, REALTOR® - Long & Foster's Newtown Square Office610 353-1199 / 610 291-9278 cell; e-mail: christineclarkteamhomes@gmail.com.

Authorized by:  Arthur Herling 

Visit:  www.longandfoster.com
Christine Clark is the team leader of the award-winning Christine Clark Team at Long & Foster Real Estate.  Consistently recognized for outstanding client service and sales production, the Team was #1 in Sales in 2008 at Long & Foster's Newtown Square Office. 
Long & Foster® Real Estate is the largest privately held residential real estate company in the United States and is part of The Long & Foster® Family of Companies which includes:  Prosperity Mortgage® Company; Long & Foster Insurance Agency, Inc; and Long & Foster Settlement Services.  Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. represents more than 13,000 agents in seven Mid-Atlantic States, plus the District of Columbia.  The company sold more than $26.4 billion worth of homes and helped people buy and sell homes 76,714 times in 2008, with combined 2008 sales in excess of $48.9 billion.

During National Radon Action Month, Main Line Inspections, Inc. is committed to
increasing awareness of Radon by promoting testing of Radon in air and water.

What is Radon?

Radon is a harmful gas. You can't see, smell or taste it. Primary ways of Radon exposure are
inhalation and ingestion. Radon is released into your home through ways such as cracks in the
floor, gaps around service pipes, and the joints between floors and walls. When Radon is present
in well water, it can be released into your home during normal day-to-day activities such as
taking a shower. Testing is easy and inexpensive.

Interesting Facts

• Radon is considered a carcinogen (a proven cancer causing agent). In fact, the Surgeon
General warns that Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer. This risk is
exponentially higher for smokers that are exposed to harmful Radon gases.

• Small children and their developing organs are especially at risk when exposed to Radon.

• The Pennsylvania DEP, USEPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American
Medical Association, and National Safety Council recommend testing your home for Radon.

• If you find Radon, you can fix it. We recommend our Clients contact a Mitigation or
Treatment Professional after they receive their test results.

Contact our Office to schedule your testing

Main Line Inspections, Inc.
Phone : 610-399-3675
Email :  MainLineHI@comcast.net

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors' Alarms

Make sure the alarms on your detectors are working, so they can alert you to a hazard.

Overview

Your best defense against carbon monoxide is detectors installed near fuel-burning appliances and near sleeping areas. Make sure the alarm works correctly. This test doesn't determine if the detector functions correctly, just its alarm.

The risk associated with carbon monoxide poisoning is related to the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and the duration of the exposure. Therefore, alarms sound if they detect low concentrations for a long, or high concentrations for a short time.

Steps

1. Press the TEST button.
2. Replace any detector with a non-functioning alarm.

Tips & warnings

• If an alarm goes off, immediately open doors and windows to ventilate the house. Call the fire department and evacuate everyone from the home. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, never ignore an alarm, even if you feel no symptoms.
• In general, alarms manufactured after October 1998 are more likely to perform properly. Replace all detectors after 10 years from date of manufacture.

I toured their studio this morning and found their creations absolutely amazing.
If you are looking for a unique gift, this is a must stop and see....

Nine Iron Studios, Inc.
203 Prospect Avenue
West Grove, PA 19390

http://www.nineironstudios.com
Phone : 610-869-5926

 Why bother going to the Mall? Come support the local artist and choose
from a variety of handblown glass items starting as low as $25.

 Call or visit the website for more details.

 December 6^th, 7^th, 13^th, 14^th, 20^th & 21^st . Hours 10 AM to 4 PM

                     www.OATrainS.org                Click to play sound: Old Train

Hello ! We are asking that you complete our Web Page Survey.

OATS is fast approaching several important deadlines which are necessary and critical to the continuing success of our project. We know that this is a busy season for everyone with the Holidays that we are devoting a great deal of time towards over the next several weeks. It does not matter if you have a present NEED for this particular Rail Service. We are looking for you opinions and Ideas.   However, OATS is asking for your help. Please just take 10 minutes and complete the Survey for us, and ultimately for yourselves. If we are to get better Freight Rail Services to grow our local economy and get the much needed Local Commuter Rail Service back to Southern Chester County we need your help.   Once you have completed the Survey, please advise your family, friends, and co-workers to complete the Survey as well. Your helping us with Net-Working the Web Page and the Survey is very important.   Many of you have asked how you could help us get the project successfully on its way. This is what you can do for this effort at this time. This Survey is the first of at least 3 that we have planned right now. There are several places in the Survey and on the Contact Us page where we would ask you to tell us what other Issues and questions you would like to see be put into the next 2 Surveys. Let us know what you want and tell us about any related ideas that you believe will help us accomplish this task  

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING and stay safe driving............   John Stevenson and Walter Saranetz   www.OATrainS.org

To: ALL MUNICIPALITIES LISTED ABOVE

 From: Oxford Area Transit Services

Date: November 19, 2008

 RE: Up Dated version of our OATS Project Outline

 We, OATS, wanted to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on our growing project. We have had over 73,000 web page contacts since its inception on August 5th, 2008.

 We have also received a Letter of Encouragement from the Governor of Maryland / Secretary John D. Porcari of Maryland's Department of Transportation. We are also working with all 3 County Commissioners, US Congressman Joe Pitts, CCEDC, CCPC, and DVRPC.  

 Below you will find an Up Dated Version of our OATS Project Outline and please review the many new pieces of information on our web page.

If you have any questions, please call us at 610 932 9670 anytime. 

 John and Walt

Oxford Area Transit Services        www.OATrainS.org
Oxford, Pa. 19363
610 932 9670 

 Here is Copy of the most recent Outline of the OATS Program. 

The primary objective of the OATS Program is to bring back a stable Economic Development Core Corridor to Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, and to Cecil County, Maryland from the Pennsylvania State Line to Perryville / Aberdeen, Maryland. 

This can be accomplished by using existing Infrastructure in the form of the Old Octoraro RR Line as a catalyst to not only provide a strong Tax Base / Growth Focal Point, but also to refocus Regional Growth Planning on a 30 Mile Long City Planning Concept (30 Miles Long by 1 Mile Wide) in Pennsylvania, and a 20 Mile Long City Concept Plan (20 Miles Long by 1 Mile Wide) in Cecil County, Maryland. This approach will also allow for future land use and planning initiatives, including but not limited to environmental improvement, controlled Commercial / Industrial growth, properly planned residential growth, and solvent municipal tax base planning and at the same time, we can continue to protect our regional agricultural assets.  

This whole project, properly planned and funded, will not only solve pending and future regional growth issues, but will provide a strong alternative to the North to South Main Line Corridor for Railroads in the event that a Homeland Security Issue may occur. And,  the area between Aberdeen and points North may need to be circumvented or rerouting as required. 

There are 5 Routes to be included in this effort to make the Program work to the benefit of the taxpayers and Industry as well. This Program is a "Freight First" program followed immediately by Commuter Rail Service Revitalization. 

OATS Route No. 1. - Improve the Existing Rail Corridor From Chadds Ford to Nottingham, Pennsylvania. This is an existing 30 mile long, Type 3, Light Freight Line (10 to 15 MPH) which must be upgraded to a Type 2 Quality (30 to 35 MPH) Freight Line. Once the Classification change is made, Commuter Rail becomes practical and cost effective. 

OATS Route No. 2 - Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania to Newark / Wilmington, Delaware. This would allow Route No. 1 to be immediately activated once the Route No. 1 revitalization work was completed. This is an existing active rail line at this time. 

OATS Route No. 3 - Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania to Coatesville, Pennsylvania. This would connect the Octoraro Line to the East-to-West Pennsylvania Main Line and give Freight and Commuter Ridership on the Octoraro RR Line a direct connect to the Pennsylvania Main Line Corridor. 

OATS Route No. 4 - Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania to Wawa / Media, Pennsylvania. This will provide direct Rail Freight and Commuter Rail access to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

OATS Route No. 5 - Nottingham, Pennsylvania (Mason/Dixon Line) to points in Cecil County Maryland. These points being potentially; Sylmar, Rising Sun, Colora, Port Deposit, Perryville, and Aberdeen, Maryland. This last Route (5) not only allows for an alternate way of continuing Main Line North-to-South Rail service along the East Coast, but it also allows for an alternate way to get between Philadelphia (and points East) and Harrisburg (and points West) should that need arise as well. 

RE: OATS Route 5 - Please note that with the projected influx of some 9,000 employees and their families in to the Aberdeen, Maryland landscape, home sites, shopping, schools and other necessary amenities are going to be impacted. The existing rural roadways and supporting facilities are limited. Mass Transit along the old Octoraro R-O-W is an obvious and extremely cost effective method of solving not only commuter issues but also land use issues and still be able to protect the agricultural amenities of the region at the same time.

(NOTE: Without a Cecil County/Octoraro Railroad Commuter Service, Aberdeen's pending growth could generate 18,000 household morning commutes + 18,000 household evening commutes + 9,000 school bus trips X 2 or 18,000 total for an additional number of area commutes of +/- 54,000 trips per day in Cecil County alone over what goes on in that region at this time. When reviewing Chester County Planning Commission and DVRPC Year 2035 forecasts for population growth potential, similar factors come into play for Southern Chester County as well) 

This situation presents a onetime opportunity to not only solve the obvious problems discussed above but it gives us chance to "Do it Right" in an "Eco-Friendly" manner and set an example for similar situations both pending and yet to be foreseen. We have been informed that we can build 8 miles of double track railroad for every mile of 4 lane highway.

We hope that this Outline of our OATS Program answers most questions and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future. If you need any additional information from us please contact us at anytime via Web Page, E-Mail, or phone at 610 932 9670. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

John Stevenson and Walter Saranetz

John Stevenson, Architect
Chairperson - OATS
Oxford Area Transit Services www.OATrainS.org
5 Mount Vernon Street
Oxford, Pa. 19363
610 932 9670
cjs2regarch@aol.com

Welcome to BACK TO THE FUTURE via Oxford Area Transit Services - AKA OATS

Improved Freight Rail Services and the Reintroduction of Passenger Rail Service in all of Southern Chester County, Pa.   We are very proud to announce that our web page project is nearing its final form and therefore we decided to open it to the public for the duration of our construction efforts.

   www.OATrainS.org  

There is a lot of editing and updating to yet be done so bear with us, please.
Please fill in the Contact Us page and take the survey!  
More Later  

John Stevenson, Architect Chairperson
OATS Oxford Area Transit Services
www.OATrainS.org
5 Mount Vernon Street
Oxford, Pa. 19363
610 932 9670
cjs2regarch@aol.com