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Living a GR8TR Life Every Day

Akron

Basement Waterproofing Your Akron Home

The basement of our homes has become another extension of livable space for our families for many years now.  It has become a very functional entertaining space for children and adults alike.  It is no longer relegated to store unwanted furniture and boxes full of toys that are no longer needed, but instead, it has become a very enjoyable space for the entire family.

If you want to finish the basement of your home, waterproofing it before you start can be a very wise decision on your part.  Water seepage or leaking pipes can become a big problem if you leave them unattended and can eventually jeopardize the structure of your home.

For many families, waterproofing the basement of their home is a very expensive home maintenance upkeep to make, but can be devastating if you ignore the problems that can arise if you have an older home and ignore obvious water sign problems.

What are some of the easy signs that you can spot that can mean you need to waterproof your basement?

Water seepage can occur through the walls, the seams and up through the floor.  Digging around the foundation may not fix your problem if the water is seeping up the floor, the build up you are seen may be groundwater and digging outside the foundation won’t solve your problems. If this happening, you need to call a professional to come evaluate the problem and offer a solution for you.

  • Smelly musty odor
  • Water pooling on the floor – The humidity in the basement of your home may give it the musty odor you are experiencing and it may be caused by water seeping through the walls.
  • Mold or mildew –Condensation and the dust or other debris mixed can be the beginning of mildew in the basement.
  • Dampness –The dampness in the basement is a clear sign water is seeping into your home
  • Paint bubbling, walls bowing in, and cracked walls are all concerning signs that you have water problems in the basement and should be addressed quickly.

Choosing a basement waterproofing company to work in your home is too important to leave it to chance.  Research the companies in Northeast Ohio with a long history in the community and that time and again offer great workmanship along with great customer service.

 

South Akron Elementary School Choices

Families in South Akron have options when it comes to their children getting a publicly funded high-quality education.  Main Preparatory Academy is one option that continues to make a difference in the lives of Akron youth.  Main Preparatory Academy is located at 1035 Clay Street.  This Akron community school serves Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students.

The location, situated in South Akron, services low income families by providing free lunch and breakfast as well as free before and after school care.  Main Preparatory Academy maintains small class sizes and employs a full time social worker in order to provide all their children with individualized attention.  All their teachers are highly qualified and dedicated to the diverse population that makes up the school.  The classrooms are bright, inviting and student work is displayed throughout.

This year the school is starting a program named “The Leader in Me.”  This program is designed to empower students to own their learning and see school as a place where they can be successful.

“We rarely send children home or suspend as a consequence for behavior.  Instead, we teach our children to problem solve through difficult situations.  Every moment is a teachable moment at Main Prep,” says Principal Rebecca Holthaus.

Main Preparatory Academy is a public charter school.  Charter schools are available to all parents and provide school choice when considering their child’s education.  Thousands of Ohio families choose charter schools when traditional schools are not meeting their expectations.  Main Preparatory Academy offers their students both free lunch and free breakfast programs as well as free before and after school programming.  Transportation is available for families two or more miles away from the school.  Main Preparatory Academy is held to the same standards as traditional public schools.  Students are required to take the Ohio State Tests and to achieve at the same level as other students in the public school system.  With a staff of caring professionals, Main Preparatory Academy has seen much student success.

CALL 234-738-1925 TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF MAIN PREPARATORY ACADEMY OR YOU MAY GO HERE TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MAIN PREPARATORY ACADEMY TAKES APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLLMENT ALL YEAR LONG.

Cold Weather Activities To Keep Kids Active

You need to get creative when cold weather hits so your kids don’t just sit in front of a device all day long.

One of the hardest things about a four season climate like is the changes in season disrupt good habits.  Maybe in the warm months you hike, and in the cold months you binge on Netflix.  Maybe not.  But kids need to have good cold weather habits to stay healthy and be social.  Sure, school has gym for the younger kids but are you providing enough additional activities to keep the colder months active and engaging?

We assembled this list of possible things you can have your kids do during colder months.  Enjoy.

  • Swimming – Many indoor pools have swim teams during the Winter months, including the Kent Seariders.
  • Indoor Tennis – available in many locations such as Stow, Fairlawn, Medina, Hudson, Aurora and Green.
  • Karate – Lots of local martial arts studios.
  • Basketball – This time of year most community centers and YMCA’s are going to have Basketball going on.
  • Dance – year round exercise in every town.
  • Theater – You might not think of this as a physical activity but if it is a musical they will spend hours a week working on dance moves, as well as singing and memorizing lines.  Many community theaters exist around Akron.
  • Indoor Volleyball – popular with adults and older kids.
  • Pickle-ball – Sure there is going to be an older crowd, but they usually love getting younger people in there too.  Pickle-ball is all over the Akron area.
  • Gymnastics – There are many gymnastics centers in the Akron area, including Flytz in Cuyahoga Falls.  They not only have more advanced gymnastics training but also tumbling classes for the younger kids.
  • Yoga and Zumba – Classes kids can participate in are all around.
  • And finally, there is always the option of hooking your laptop to the computer, going on YouTube and finding workout videos the whole family, or a group of friends together after school, can do together.  A great workout and zero cost.

Whatever you decide, now is the time to develop good cold weather habits so you maintain good health and fitness all Winter long.

Raising High Acheivement Kids – Interview with All Pro Parent

All Pro Parent is a community of parents serious about raising high achievement kids.  Starting early and following a steady plan, parents can expect their kids to grow up better in both academics, athletics and having a variety of added skills that give the kids an advantage.  This can often result in free college and better jobs, as well as a higher probability of becoming a pro athlete.  The below interview is with Ron McDaniel, founder of All Pro Parent.

Why did you start AllProParent.com?

I found myself always talking to other parents about how we managed to have kids who were very good athletes as well as high achievers in academics.  And we did so much better with the second child that I wanted to help people avoid all the trial and error and start out with a ton of knowledge from the beginning.  There is a huge learning curve raising kids, and the more you know and the earlier you start, the better your results will be. 

What makes you qualified to run All Pro Parent?

As I mentioned, we are very active with your kids and did a combination of home schooling and public school.  The result with our youngest is she got into college at 13 and started taking classes full time at 14.  She is also still planning to be a professional athlete and that seems on course based on our plan of finishing college at 18 and going on the WTA tennis tour.

Why Did You Name Your Site “All Pro Parent?”

The name is a play on the idea of raising pro athlete kids (aka high performers.) Unless a kid has ridiculous levels of natural talent, the reality is it takes an All Pro Parent to raise a high achiever kid.  Especially if you want academics and athletics.

What kinds of things do members of All Pro Parent have access to?

One of the most important things to me is to make it free to anyone who wants to go down this path.  But of course, we need to have revenue to fund development of content.  So, we are using a freemium model where anyone can say they need free access and join without a cost.  However, people who are willing to pay .63¢ per day ($19 per month) get access to all the archives, while the free accounts only have access to the base training and new stuff for a short period of time.  I think it is the best way for us to have a model that can help everyone but still be a real business with resources.

What kind of outcomes can people expect?

I would love to see people go all in and do an incredible level of development with their kids.  The outcome can be fantastic.  However, many people have both parents working or limited time for other reasons, and it is hard.  Here is a better way of thinking about it.  If you start at birth and until the age of 14 you do 30 extra academic minutes with them 150 days out of the year (3 or 4 days a week) then at 14 they will be at least a grade level above where they are supposed to be.  That could be worth many thousands of dollars in free college and scholarships and can get them into better schools.

Likewise, 3 hours of athletic development per week from age 3 to 14 results in 1,716 hours of built up training and athletic practice.  Compare that to someone who decides to go out for a sport in High School but has not been preparing, and the difference is embarrassing. 

It is this steadiness over time that we stress.  There is a buildup of knowledge and ability, which also compounds and adds things like confidence, assertiveness and mastery.  Parents will get out of it what they put into it, but it does not have to be too much in any given week.  Parents succeed when they play the long game.

What if a kid is not athletic or is of average intelligence?

Our program is about maximizing talent over time.  No one can promise a specific outcome but by doing more over a long period of time you can feel confident that you will get better results.  Someone who is not physically gifted athletically can still play high level high school sports, and benefit from competition, physical fitness and a team environment.  Average academic ability can turn into top 10% when you apply extra effort from a young age.  Being in the 10% instead of 50% might not get you into Harvard or Yale, but there are still many more opportunities of better schools, scholarships and job opportunities.

In the long run, we want people to have a strong family work ethic towards being better.  It pays off.  Being part of a community where other parents have the same attitude and goals helps keep people on track.

How do people find out more about AllProParent.com?

Just visit www.AllProParent.com and sign up for the free email.  Then join the members area for more training as well as the Facebook group to interact with me and other parents.  Anyone who is not afraid of doing some extra to produce high achieving kids is welcome.

Outdoor Activities for Snowy Time – Prepare Now

This Fall it is critical to be building up your endurance and your skills in one of these activities if you plan to do it in the Winter weather as well.  It turns out, a lot of people run, bike and hike in the snow.  It can be a lot of fun but it is not the time to start those kinds of activities.  Instead, start doing them now and gradually work your way into the snowy Winter months to get the most enjoyment.

I took the time to find a good article on each of these activities for further reference along with the summaries below.

The first thing I have to confess though is that I am a little bit of a worry wart myself.  I like safety and at first blush, these do not seem like the safest things to do.  But like any activity, if you take safety precautions and build up your skill level, these can be fun year round.

1) Running in snow – I know someone who is part of a group of people in Peninsula who run in all weather year round.  And the person I know is very fit.  She told me the only days they do not run are when there is lighting.  So they run in snow, rain and extreme heat.  According to this webpage on Running World, you can buy things for running directly on snow and ice.  They suggest running in soft snow when possible and not on hard packed snow and ice.  The interesting part of this article is the advice that you will get a great workout because of the difficulty, although you will not beat your best time.  https://www.runnersworld.com/ask-coach-jenny/running-on-snow-and-ice

2) Biking in snow  – With all the great bike trails throughout NE Ohio, it is a shame we cannot use them year round.  But of course you can if you are brave enough to go biking in the s

now.  My first impression is that you are going to be sliding a lot and some days that will certainly be true, but according to this article on bicycling, you can use any bike although mountain bikes and fat bikes will give you better stability.  As I mentioned, you should be biking regularly before the snow hits, and not trying to practice a new skill in the worst possible weather.  Find out more here. https://www.bicycling.com/training/tips/9-dos-and-donts-of-winter-cycling

3) Hiking in snow  – Lastly, going hiking in the many Metro Parks in Northeast Ohio can be done all year long.  Just like running, you are going to get a more physical workout because of the added challenge.  Depending on the weather, you may want some more gear and even possibly some snow shoes to get around.  Also, if you are hiking back into deeper places, be sure to go with a friend and mark your location on your mobile phone when you start in case you lose the path.  Some of the paths that are easy to follow in the Summer may be nearly invisible when covered by snow.  For more on hiking in the snow read this article on Hike It Baby.  https://hikeitbaby.com/blog/hiking-in-the-snow/

You can play it safe in the Winter and go to the gym.  But you do not have to do that and you can always mix up your routine with a nice winter hike, bike or run.

 

 

Basement Remodeling Advantages

Ohio Basement Remodeling –The Four Main Reason Why Every Homeowner In Northeast Ohio Should Consider Finishing Your Basement

Introduction To Ohio Basement Finishing

Did you know your basement can add some strong value to your home(if you remodel it correctly). Some homeowners look at their basement as merely “storage space”. However, it can be so much more than that.

We have four benefits of Ohio Basement finishing listed below.

1)

Did you know that a “finished basement” can add more space to your house? You could easily add one more bedroom by having your basement finished. Your finished basement will have (potentially) two forms of exiting the home, for safety. Do you have a window in your basement? That could be a second exit if done properly if the Ohio basement finishing is done properly.

You could easily knock out some of the walling and add a closet. That way one of your kids could call that space their own. A basement does not have to look and feel like a damp, dismel place to be.

This will require some work, but it could look spectacular once it is all completed. You might like it so much, that you want to call the space your own.

2)

It could also be considered a second(or third and fourth) bathroom, depending on how big your house already is. A remodeled bathroom is considered an excellent investment(even if it began as a basement). That adds more value if you decide to sell later.

3)

Basement remodeling is a great to avoid new construction zoning issues. Some places do not allow zoning permits and remodels (due to many factors). You might live in an area where the city ordinance prevents it. You may have some neighbors that get a little persnickety about things like this.

Remodeling the basement allows you to make changes(you want) without violating any laws.

4)

You can add in a rental unit by doing this. Now, that will have to be approved by the zoning commission in your area, but it has potential. You can rent the space out(if you are looking to make some extra money), and that person has place to stay for the time being. Just make sure you rent the space to someone credible and decent.

Is Your Car Well Protected by Insurance?

Everyone in Ohio is required by law to have insurance coverage, but not everyone has, or if they have insurance they may not have enough.

If you have a pretty decent insurance company, you and your car are protected if you are ever in an automobile accident, regardless whose fault it is.

But do you know what you have? And do you know if you have sufficient coverage? Have you checked the insurance coverage policy lately?  Most people that have insurance coverage rarely look into it if they don’t have to. We shop around for the company to insure us and after that, rarely bother to check if that insurance company is still offering the best deal.

What are insurance companies offering us? It depends of course on your car coverage.  Do you have a brand new car or a car that is a few years old?

Car Insurance companies can give you many discounts depending on what car you drive, the age of drivers and whether you have children with good grades. Some of the discounts may even surprise you. Here is a list:

  1. Number of cars you are insuring with them
  2. Whether you belong to a partnership organization-There are many that you probably already belong to and can get you a discount when insuring your car
  3. Good student — a 3.0 student can give you a discount that if not substantial, it helps with the total ticket
  4. Driving Experience-It matters whether you have been driving for a year or a decade, so make sure you include that information
  5. Anti-Theft devices and Anti-lock brakes can give you a discount when insuring your car, plus they keep you and your car safe.

If you already have an insurance company, why not check to see if it still relevant? Have anything change in the last six months?  Checking offers and quotes from different companies is good for your wallet. There are many companies that do not include medical payments in your policy or even roadside assistant even when you think those are automatic items in your policy.

A few minutes of your time and doing a bit of due diligence can save you money and headaches down the road.

8 Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill this Winter

74 ℉ is a pretty good average temperature for September. Historically, October is 12℉ colder, and November’s average temperature is 50 ℉.  The winters in Northeast Ohio can be extreme, and the electric bills many homeowners receive during these months are pretty high.  During these months, there are many families that struggle to make these high electric bill payments and fall behind.  Then, late fees and higher rates make their ability to pay harder.  This cycle is repeated year after year.  If families start making payments but still have a balance on their bills, they cannot shop around for better electric suppliers and are stuck with suppliers offering high rates.

This winter, lower your electric bill by preparing your home for the frigid winter months.  These tips will help you have a lower bill without making you suffer the cold weather inside.

  1. Shop for a Better Electric Supplier-The Public Utility Commission in your state will have a website and a list of all the major electric and gas suppliers in the state.  Shop around and choose a supplier that will meet your needs.
    • TIP#1 Do not pay a fee to enroll, cancel your contract early, or a monthly fee. There are other suppliers offering electric and gas contracts without fees.
    • Tip #2 Do not enroll in a contract with a variable rate even if the price is lower. They can change the variable rate as they pleased in some cases. Choose the fixed rate every time.
    • TIP #3 Be careful and read all the fine print before switching or choosing a new electric supplier.
    • TIP#4 Keep all signed papers handy in case you need to check the terms of your contract later on.
    • TIP#5 Keep in mind the termination date of your contract.  Choose another supplier ahead of time if your contract is expiring and you will be shopping for a better rate. The change to another supplier is not instantaneous.

2.  Use smart Technology-Buy a Programmable or a smart WiFi thermostat to control the temperature of your home with little difficulty. According to the U.S. Department of energy, for every degree you lower the temperature of the home, you will be saving 1% on your electric bill in an 8-hour period.

3. Change Filters-Most heating and cooling technicians recommend changing the filter in your heating system every 3 to 6 months.  If the filter is full of dust sooner, you should replace it anyway regardless of the last time you changed it. The cleaner the filter is, the better it will perform.

4. Use energy-efficient appliances throughout the home-If you need to replace an appliance in your home, choosing an energy-efficient appliance that will save you money and be good for the environment. Also, make sure to clean the lint from the drier after every load, run the dishwasher when is fully loaded, clean the dust from the bottom of the refrigerator’s motor to keep it working efficiently.

5. Install ceiling fans for the second floor-Changing the thermostat to have a comfortable temperature on the second floor is wasteful. Instead, install ceiling fans in the bedrooms to keep them cool during the summer. It will take less electricity to cool the house, plus prolong the life of your AC system.

6. Turn Off the Lights, TV, and Computers-This is a relatively easy energy-saving tip we can all do.  If nobody is in a room, the lights have to be off. If nobody is watching the TV, the TV has to be off. It is very easy for many families to leave the TV on whether anyone is watching or not. Some houses look like every light in the house is on, even if no one is in the room. It can become a nice habit to have to ensure we are not wasting electricity.

7. Reduce the Temperature-By reducing the temperature one degree, we are saving energy, and saving money.  During the spring season and only if your children don’t suffer from allergies, open the windows to air out the home and cool it down.  It is also true for the autumn months.

8. Apply Window Plastic Seal-You can apply a black, clear, gray, or artistic window plastic seal to your windows and doors to prevent cool or hot air from escaping. In the winter, the sun will warm up the house without wasting too much electricity, and in the summer, the house will be cooler if cold air is not escaping through openings and cracks.

For many families, reducing their kilowatts usage is an environmental issue. For many others, it is a matter of saving money.  Regardless of the reason you want to lower the electric usage in your home, it is both financially smart, and environmentally conscious to reduce the kilowatts you use every month.

It’s Fall, Winterize Your Home

The temperatures in Northeast Ohio can be extreme during the winter. The changing weather and frigid temperatures can sometimes be felt inside the home. Electric bills can skyrocket during the January and February months, and during July and August, the cooling of the home can be an unpleasant bill to get.

If you have some draft coming from the windows or doors, winterizing them might be a good idea to save on those electric and gas bills. Even during the summer months, when temperatures can reach record highs, these 8 tips can save you on high cooling bills.

  1. Sealing cracks around the windows-If you have old windows or broken windows that need to be replaced, there is a high probability that the cold air is coming through the cracks. You might need to replace the seal around the windows or caulking small openings if you cannot replace all the windows at once.
  2. Sealing the doors-The caulk around the doors’ wood frame can become loose and you might have a small opening where the cold air is coming from. Caulking it to seal it is an easy chore to do and it might stop the heat from escaping and the cold from entering your home. If the gap is too big to caulk first, fill in the gap and then apply the sealant. A home improvement store has a huge inventory of calks, sealants, and products to fill in the cracks no matter how big they are.
  3. Sealing the windows-A heavy-duty tape use around the windows to prevent air from coming in or escaping is a cheap solution for many homeowners.  It is easy to apply and easy to remove.  If you feel a draft coming from the windows, applying this tape around the window panes might stop the draft altogether.
  4. Weather Strips for your main doors-Some homes have gaps at the bottom of outside doors that are big enough to feel drafts all year long. If you really want to stop the cold air from entering the home, applying a weather strip at the bottom of the door might do the trick. The weatherstrips in major home improvement stores are easy to install, adjustable, and come in different colors and width. They do not require you to be handy or spend a lot buying them.
  5. Heavy Drapes-Putting up heavy drapes or blinds in drafty rooms can stop the cold from coming into the room. If it is a sunny day, open the drapes or blinds and let the room warm up naturally.
  6. Window Plastic Seal-This is another inexpensive way to prevent cold air from coming into the home.  Applying an indoor or outdoor crystal clear film on the windows can save you a lot in your electric bill. The window plastic seal can be clear, black, gray, or have a different look if you wish.  You can even have an artistic window seal if that’s your preference. The windows do not have to be ugly to protect your home from the winter cold.
  7. Seal the cracks between the window panes-Heavy duty tape or removable caulk to seal the crack between the window panes is another solution that is cheap, and easy to do.
  8. Close and Lock all windows-Make sure all your windows are closed and locked well.  A tiny gap in one window can let a lot of heat escape. It can be difficult to spot if you do not make sure they are locked as well.

There are many ways you can save on your electric bill, and one of them is making sure your home is closed well during the winter and summer months. Keep in mind that a drafty window or door cannot only let cold air come into the home, but it can let it escape as well during the summer months. Plus, exposure to cold temperature, rain, and snow can deteriorate your windows and make their durability much shorter.

Akron Hiking Trails

Spring and summer are possibly the best seasons to start exercising, or exploring new places with your family. Fall in Ohio, with its beauty, makes it almost impossible not to wander about, or finding new places to enjoy. Trails in the Northeast Ohio area are wonderful places to spend the day with your family, while exercising, and breathing clean air. Here then is a list of trails
you will certainly enjoy in the Akron area.

1.Cascade Valley Metro Park / North
1690 Cuyahoga St,
Akron, OH 44313
(330) 867-5511

2.Cascade Valley Metro Park / South
Akron, OH 44310
Phone:(330) 867-5511

3.Sand Run Metro Park
1750 Sand Run Pkwy
Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 865-8065

4. Botzum Trailhead Park
2928 Riverview Rd, Akron, OH 44313

5. Summit Metro Parks
975 Treaty Line Rd, Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 867-5511

6. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 865-8065

7.Gorge Metro Park
160 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Phone:(330) 867-5511

These are a few of the many parks and trails you will find around Akron. Pick one and re-discover nature with your family.