A community prepares to welcome new residents

When the four residents move into their new home on Lake Boulevard in Annandale later this summer, it will be fully provisioned, from the furniture to the pots and pans and everything in between. The kitchen will be stocked with kosher foods.

Myra Gondos, who chaired the housewarming along with Kilmeny Chernys, called the event "unbelievable. It was just so heartwarming."Scher said she was impressed with the house, noting, "It is a home. You don't walk in it like it's a JCC or an institution at all."The home was purchased earlier this year. It will be formally dedicated later this month and opened in late June or July. JFGH opened its first Northern Virginia home, the Lawrence Alan Stempler/ David S. Stone Home, in Reston in 1998. The following year, the Marge and Chuck Levin Home opened, also in Reston.Besides filling up a table with registry gifts, people contributed money as well. "We already broke $7,000. We may hit $8,000," Scher said. That money will be used to purchase fumiture and fill the pantry.Although the four residents haven't been chosen yet, the Jewish community and the neighbors who live near this house are already in a welcoming mood. The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia threw a housewarming shower Sunday, May 1 , providing a long list of requested items on registries at both Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target. Some of the items were as inexpensive as a $1 .99 place mat, but others ranged up to a $150 cookware set. In between were towels, sheets, table clothes and lots of kitchen items.Despite having 23 group homes now, there is still a waiting list of about 100 people, Fontek said."This is going to be their opportunity to live as adults," Fontek said."We will try and do it the whole school year and maybe even continue for next year," Rose said.by Suzanne Pollak"Forty people RSVP'd and 50 came. I couldn't be more happy. The house was just filled with community members," she said.Like all of its group homes, it will be home to adults with various disabilities. There will be around-the-clock supervision, but the residents will do the normal household chores like vacuuming and answering the door. They will be working during the day, either at a paying or volunteer position."Each class does a different mitzvah project. The fifth-graders want to help people with disabilities," she said.These presents and many more were presented at a May 1 housewarming shower to mark the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes' 23rd home for individuals with disabilities. This is the third group home in Northern Virginia and will be named the Barbara Brown and Robert Berish Home in honor of its generous benefactors, said Lew Fontek, director of development for JFGH.The students will invite the residents to various Jewish holiday parties and plays at the school. They will be collecting items that may be needed, including groceries and toiletries. Some of the students also will help out with the vegetable garden expected to be made at the home.The home is located a little more than a mile from the Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center. "It's in a beautiful part of town right off the Little River Turnpike," Fontek said. There is public transportation available nearby, he added."It was amazing. It was fabulous," agreed Jennifer Scher, director, cornmunity and resource development, Northern Virginia, for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.Six students from Gesher Jewish Day School attended the housewarmjng. Their entire class of 18 will be helping the residents of this new group home throughout the year as part of the school's "Head, Heart and Hand" program, explained their teacher, Maya Rose.

Special to WJW

Evolution of Cupcake Wraps and decorations for cupcakes

I remember when I was younger, my grandmother would always have a cute little cupcake waiting for me and she would lay out all of the decorations for cupcakes and let me decorate them when I arrived. My family get-together almost always ended up with white cupcakes, decked with lots of chocolate icing and sprinkles on top, as desserts. Today, the cupcake has evolved from the usual white cake flavor to the more elaborate forms, such as red velvet cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes and many, many more.

While the housing and the flavor of the cupcakes have improved over the years, so have the accessories used in cupcake preparation and decoration-some new found, and some improved. These cupcake accessories have made the cupcake more interesting to cook and decorate.There are many places to get ideas for cupcakes online. You can find an online cupcake store or cupcake blog that will have information about baby shower cupcake ideas, novelty birthday cakes and decorations for cupcakes.Cupcake wraps and liners or round sheets of thin paper, such as parchment paper, are used to provide a thin barrier between the cake and the cupcake pan. The job of a cupcake liner is to keep the cupcakes moist and soft and also make it easier to remove the cupcakes from the pan after they have finished cooking and cooling.Cupcake Wraps and LinersNot only have the cupcake liners evolved into works of art, the big trend is to now wrap your cooked and decorated cupcake with cupcake wraps. Cupcake wraps are the new chic in the cupcake industry. Cupcake wraps are easy to handle and can make even the most novice bakers' cupcake look like a designer cupcake out of a couture cupcake shop.Depending on how large the event may be, cupcake towers can have 3 to 7 tiers at an average. Most of them can be easily taken down, washed and stored for future use while others are disposable so the host doesn't have to worry about cleaning the cupcake tower and storing after the party. The disposable towers are usually cheaper than the reusable ones; however, if you plan on having several events during the year, it would be beneficial to invest in a little higher priced, reusable tower that would really save you money in the long run.White paper used to be the main style of cupcake liner available. Eventually manufacturers came out with plain colored cupcake liners that you could purchase for events such as birthday's and anniversaries. A couple of years later, colorful paper liners with designs that match your party theme were made available. If it's Spiderman or Hello Kitty you want, finding the paper liner that fits your needs is no longer a problem.Cupcake TowersNowadays, cupcakes are the centerpiece of the dessert table for many events. In fact, the latest trend in weddings is cupcake wedding cakes. Cupcake trees and cupcake towers are being used as wedding cupcake stands in order to display hundreds of elegantly decorated cupcakes replacing the traditional wedding cake in many weddings today. The guests of the party can even take their own cupcake home with them in specially made cupcake containers.Conclusion:Cupcakes used to be baked and placed on a platter or maybe even a cake plate for display. They weren't displayed long in my house, as I remember as soon as they were baked, they were eaten. There was no time for fancy decorations and displays.Remember, this day and age, you can find anything you would want to know about cupcakes online.

Remember, this day and age, you can find anything you would want to know about cupcakes online.

High Resolution Infrared Thermal Imaging

What is a HIGH RESOLUTION INFRARED THERMAL IMAGING camera? HIGH RESOLUTION � A high pixel count like 680x480 provides more information and clearer images than a lower resolution like 80 x80 just like when you buy a a higher mega pixel digital camera. INFRARED (IR) is a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum of light than our eyes see. Infrared is just below visible light that our eyes see. Ultraviolet light, on the other hand, is the spectrum just above our perception. All surfaces emit and reflect infrared waves through the air. These waves travel through the lens of the camera which focuses them onto a sensory array called a microbolometer. The wave strength is measured by the sensory array and converted by a signal processor to a visible light value. Grayscale signals from all the pixels are converted to a TV signal forming a composite image. THERMAL IMAGING � the IR camera shows us surface radiation or temperature patterns. It does not see inside walls, that would be an x-ray. We are usually looking at the affects or images of evaporative water cooling like when drywall is wet and conductive thermal transfer like when insulation is missing. With our knowledge of building characteristics, construction materials and thermal transfer, we interpret these temperature patterns to produce a building performance diagnostic inspection report. The camera makes for a faster, more accurate damage assessment.

Things that inhibit or obscure this process are items with a low emissivity, products like shiny wallpaper, cove molding, glass, metal and tile which reflect like a mirror. When conditions are right, finding moisture intrusion in a home is like shooting fish in a barrel. The best times for camera use are when temperatures are changing rapidly or things are in a steady state like the missing insulation in the middle of the afternoon or the water intrusion came from the rain the night before or when exterior ambient temperature is extreme and our HVAC system is operating just the opposite, it makes it easier to see heat loss/gain around windows and doors. First thing in the morning as the sun rises and warms the surface of walls/windows or later in the afternoon when the sun goes down and surfaces start to cool are great times to find things more subtle or in a transient state. The larger the thermal mass the slower the temperature change compared to other materials around it. Solid concrete downpours, for instance, are very easy to see in a block wall.Night vision goggles and video cameras with �nightshot� are not the same. Night vision simply amplifies a small amount of light. Infrared wavelengths we are concerned with do not pass through glass and those products do not have the processors to convert IR to visible light images.What else is it good for you ask? It is excellent for identifying HVAC leaks or insulation anomalies inside and outside the home. Loose electrical connections, overheated electrical components, energy efficiency issues, plumbing issues and even crazy stuff like freezer door heat strips at 133F! Moisture intrusion detection however, is our primary focus. For flat roofs, moisture entrapment can be isolated for repairs. In an EIFS home, moisture intrusion around building envelope penetrations. We have even found a sub slab plumbing leak and many window and roof leaks. We have even located multiple upstairs shower pan leaks from underneath! Often times we find more than we bargained for. One particular house we were called on to find the source of A leak. We found seven. Five of them were unrelated to the issue that generated the call! THIS IS THE FUTURE OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS.

Got questions, give me a call at 407.678.HOME or email me at jon@inspectagator.com. If we all stick together, nobody gets burned! Check out images of some of the wild things we have found with the cameras that nobody else could find by clicking on the infrared camera link on our web site, you�ll love it!

Installing a Shower Pan Membrane Liner for a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower

Installing a custom ceramic tile shower in your home is something a do it yourself homeowner can do with a little upfront knowledge. The most important aspect of a successful custom ceramic tile shower installation is properly installing a shower pan membrane liner. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower.

After installing the ceramic tile backerboard, a final coat of mortar needs to be applied on top of the membrane to protect it and to provide a solid base for laying the ceramic floor tile.Once the pre-slope mortar has cured, the flexible shower pan membrane liner can then be installed. There are a couple of types of shower pan membrane liners on the market, with each having their own benefits. With either type of membrane, the homeowner needs to form and fold the material into the base of the shower area and secure it to the sides of the shower wall frame with staples and/or nails. In addition, an opening in the membrane should be cut out to allow the adjustable shower drain assembly to slip through.Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below. The shower pan membrane liner is made up of a flexible type of plastic material that sits below a bed of mortar, and the tile, in the shower floor area.With the final coat of mortar cured, the ceramic tile can then be installed in the shower.Prior to installing the shower pan membrane liner, the floor of the shower needs to be pre-sloped to ensure that the water will flow towards the shower drain assembly. The pre-slope is accomplished by applying a layer of mortar to the floor of the shower unit area. The layer of mortar is troweled in such as way as to create a gentle slope from the shower wall edges to the center of the shower where the drain resides.Once the tile and grout have been installed, the shower drain assembly should be adjusted so that the drain height sits flush with the finished ceramic tile floor.For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

Solar Power Equipment

Relevance Info Services, an international publisher of quality information asked me as a professional Environmental Scientist to reveal a number of matters on generating electricity. As energy prices tend to rise more and more in the future because of the growing demand for energy all over the world, alternative ways to generate electricity become more popular.

Power generated through the use of solar power equipment can power various applications ranging from small scale household appliances to large scale buildings and machines. At present, there are new installation solutions being rendered for the integration of buildings, households and even machines.Solar power equipment comes in different varieties, but generally has the same components that supply appliances and other equipment within the household. The parts of typical solar power equipment include the following: photovoltaic cells, as mentioned earlier, a battery, an inverter and an indicator. In order to reach a specific amount of needed energy output, it is necessary to combine groups of photovoltaic cells and an appropriate voltage.It is amazing to realize that the energy human beings consume in one whole year is only equivalent to one hour of the sun�s energy being emitted to the Earth. Indeed, the sun possesses enormous amounts of energy and yet massive it may be, it gives life to all the creatures on the earth�s surface. Each organism makes use of the solar energy in different ways. The plants for example, are able to absorb solar energy for food production through the process known as photosynthesis. Human beings utilize solar energy through the use of technological advancements associated with the use of solar power equipment. Through this equipment it is possible for solar energy to be converted into mechanical energy and even other types of energy.This article is about �Solar Power Equipment�. More subject related articles will follow later on.For electrical storage for future usage, it is essential to make use of several DC batteries as part of your solar power energy system. Most solar power equipment comes in a package that includes battery chargers. The inverter on the other hand is used to provide power to AC dependent appliances. The inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity, which is most suitable for common household appliances. Solar power equipment also contains an indicator, which is commonly known as a meter. This indicator or meter mainly provides a visual indication regarding the power and voltage of the equipment.Generating solar power into other forms generally involves its conversion to current flow or electricity. All other forms of energy are produced from this. It is through this that household appliances, lighting equipment, computers and other things are being powered. Typical solar power equipment utilizes photovoltaic cells which are made up of conductor and semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide and silicon. In order to supply ample amounts of energy from solar panels, it is necessary to make use of large surface areas. It is also important to ensure the durability of the solar panels to withstand external environmental exposure.

The sun is considered to be the most abundant energy resource of the planet, providing natural, sustainable and safe energy unlike any other. Solar power equipment lets us start making use of some of this energy. Instead of pillaging the Earth for fossil fuels, we should perhaps instead look to the sky. The Sun is a clean and powerful endless energy source, just waiting to be used.

Author: Michael Larsen

Christmas Parlour Games

Christmas parlour games are fun, relaxing, group-involving games played indoors in a cozy sitting room. They are competitive, yet scoring is rarely important. A hearty pat on the back for a game well played is usually the best reward. One of the most popular parlour games of all time is charades. To play Christmas charades compose a list of Christmas carols, Christmas movies or Christmas items and let the drama begin. (Note: To avoid being stumped for material at your gathering it is important to prepare these lists ahead of time.)

Christmas Parlour Game #5 - Pass the StockingAnother unsuspected source of air pollution is the family pet. Pet dander (skin flakes) is a nearly invisible pollution that your pet releases as it grooms, releasing dander and proteins from saliva into the air. Bath pet frequently, using dander-reducing shampoo and follow up with an anti-dander spray. Dust home surfaces and vacuum frequently. Use a vacuum that does not release dust back into the air. It is wise to wear a dust mask when cleaning. A clean pet and a dust-free home will help both pet and family to be healthier.Besides the kitchen drip pan, other home furnishings contribute to unsafe air. Dust and clean heating units and oil burners, checking for foreign objects in heating elements. Avoid kerosene space heaters. Keep chimneys clean and steam clean carpets. Even new carpets and upholstered furniture pose a danger from out-gassing (gases released from heat), as does painting, solvents, sealants, etc. Be sure to obtain good ventilation when using these products. Be aware that ventilation brings its own set of problems, one of which is pollen. Install filter screens over windows to avoid as much pollen as possible from entering home.One player is sent out of the room. The remaining players then choose a task they would like this player to perform when he returns (eg. pick up and open a particular book, remove another player's shoes, sit on a particular chair). When the outside player returns he is guided towards the task he must perform by one of the players who has been given a pan and a spoon. This player taps faster and louder as the outsider gets closer to the object he needs to use for the task and taps slower and softer as the outsider moves away from it. This continues till the outsider has found the object and performed the task required. It then becomes the pan-tapper's turn to leave the room while a new task is chosen.Consider a quiet room with peaceful music playing, soft candlelight, and fragrance soothing the air. Sound inviting? Unfortunately, candles, especially if they are scented, release toxic soot, carcinogens, and even lead (from wire wicks), that flood the air with enough pollution to ruin computers and furnishings, as well as affect breathing. For people with asthma, lung, or heart disease, the damage is even more pronounced. Fragrance oil candles and container candles don�t burn cleanly and are even more dangerous than open-flame candles. If you must burn candles, choose unscented candles with no petroleum products and wire-free wicks. For aromatherapy, choose diffusers and enjoy cleaner air.Christmas Parlour Game #4 - Picture Frame GameChristmas Parlour Game #1 - Yes and NoHave all players sit in a relatively tight circle. Pick a player to sit in the center of the circle. Have this person close his eyes while a stocking is passed from player to player behind their backs. At a time of his choosing, the center person opens his eyes and the passing stops immediately. The center person must then guess who has the stocking. If he guesses right he trades places with that player. If he guesses wrong he closes his eyes and the passing begins again.Taking these safety precautions and adding houseplants to assist you in the ongoing battle against toxic air in your home will help you protect your family and add to their comfort. As you and your family snuggle in on these chilly days, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be breathing safer, fresher air.Another benefit to dehumidifying the home is that lower humidity helps control yet another elusive air pollutant . . . mold. Flourishing in humid spots like damp basements, refrigerator drip pans, air conditioners, garbage pails, shower stalls, and closets, mold is a common allergic trigger. At least once a quarter, clean drip pans to prevent refrigerator fan from blowing mold spores into the air. Eradicate visible mold with non-toxic cleaning products, and use HEPA filters in air and heat systems. Use exhaust fans in kitchen and bathroom and open windows on low humidity days to refresh household air.Christmas Parlour Game #2 - Pan TappingChristmas Parlour Game #6 - Odd or Even

Each player is given 10 pennies. A player puts any amount of those coins in one hand, chooses an opponent, holds out his clenched fist to that opponent and asks 'Odd or Even?' If the opponent guesses correctly he hands over one of his coins to his challenger. If he guesses incorrectly he is handed a coin by the opponent who just challenged him. These two players then reverse roles, going through the same challenge. Next, the two players split up and seek new opponents. The first player to get rid of all his coins wins.

Author: Wendy Legendre

The Air of Home

In the chilly days of winter and early spring, we tend to spend more time indoors, shutting doors and windows against the frosty chill. Unfortunately, we don�t realize that the air in our homes is constantly under attack, and without the stabilization and freshness of outside ventilation in winter, it becomes, not only stuffy and stale, but downright dangerous. Many unnoticeable factors contribute to this toxic air.

Copyright 2006 Dr. Eileen SilvaEach player takes turns holding an empty picture frame in front of his face, through which he can look at the other players. He must keep his face completely immobile for a period of sixty seconds (except for the odd blink) while the other players make as many silly, distorted sounds and faces as possible to get him to laugh, smile, or move his face. Kudos to the player who can actually last for sixty seconds.Christmas Parlour Game #3 - Thimble HuntEveryone is sent out of the room except the person whose turn it is to hide the 'thimble' (or other small object). That person must hide the thimble in a place where it can be seen without moving anything. When the players are called back into the room, they are instructed to hunt for the thimble without moving anything or touching anything. The player who finds the 'thimble' will be the next one to hide it.Speaking of dust, it contains another invisible pollutant that invades every home . . . microscopic bugs called dust mites. Feasting on shed human and animal skin cells, these fecal-producing dust mites thrive in warm and humid places like beds, furniture, and carpets. Allergies and asthma testing proves that 80% of patients test positive to dust mites. To make your home safer from these unwelcome guests, vacuum and dust thoroughly, weekly, with a vacuum that filters dust and does not allow it back into the air. Using hot-water washing and high-heat drying, launder all bedding weekly. Don�t forget to launder stuffed toys as well, and avoid non-washable stuffed toys. Use anti-allergen covers on bedding, even box springs, and place High-Efficiency, Low-Pressure air filters on heating units and air conditioners. Dehumidify the air, including closets and cabinets, to between 30-50%.When you've finished acting up, gather the family in the livingroom (parlour) and enjoy some more Christmas parlour games. That's right, take a break from the tv and share lots of good old-fashioned family fun. Try one or more of the following parlour games and create family memories that will last a lifetime.Give each player five pennies. Have the players pair off and engage in conversation with each other. Players must trick their conversation partners into saying either 'Yes' or 'No'. The first of the pair to say 'Yes' or 'No' is given a penny by his opponent. The players then split up and move to different partners. The first player to get rid of all five of his pennies wins.

Copyright 2006 Dr. Eileen Silva

Author: Eileen Silva