January 2019 Home Improvement Topic – A Restful Bedroom

Bedrooms are an extension of daily life. With stacks of magazines, bills to pay and cords for various electronics, it’s no wonder so many people have trouble sleeping. Now it’s time to reclaim your space and turn your bedroom into a relaxing place to escape the chaos.  Double up window treatments – Outdoor Roman shades plus thick drapes is the perfect combination to block light and – insulate. Use blackout curtains to reduce noise from the outdoors. – Pick peaceful colors – Along with paint, choose linens, pillows and throws in these restful shades. Think grays, paleblues, aquas and greens. Personalize your bed — Mattresses are a personal decision, so opt for one that feels most comfortable to you. For sheets, the higher the thread count, the silkier they feel but also the more wrinkled they can – get. Perfect your pillows  – Like mattresses, pillow style is a personal choice. It’s all about what you like and what will improve your sleep (cooling, memory foam, anti-allergy, balusters, down, body pillows, or others). One exception: If you have sleep apnea, look for pillows that keep your head elevated.
Decorate to inspire Hang items on walls that inspire you and bring you to a calm place. Try a collage frame of
family photos or a piece of framed art. Whatever you choose, looking at it should help you feel at ease and content.
Declutter your space Clutter is stress-inducing, but when everything is in its proper place, a room feels more
restful. Invest in organizing baskets (and other space-saving tools) and spend a few minutes tidying up and you’ll find it easier to relax in the evening.  Evict tech toys Noise and light are the biggest disruptors of sleep. So, while you’ve heard it before, it bears repeating: Keep electronics like TVs, tablets, laptops and smartphones out of the bedroom.

Monday, January 21 – “One In Christ” Community Service

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday is on Monday, January 21st, and once again the community hase an opportunity to demonstrate the unity of the Body of Christ.  The 13th annual “One in Christ” Community Service will be Sunday, January 20th, 2019.   It’s sponsored by Operation Transformation in collaboration with Blue Water Area Churches.   The event is free, and all are welcome.  The 3:00 p.m. service is at Port Huron First United Methodist Church, located at 828 Lapeer Ave.  This year’s theme according to Tom Seppo of OT is: “By This They Shall Know: Coming together for healing, unity and love.” “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 You will have the opportunity to help demonstrate the community’s unity in Christ by showing love for one another.  Attendees are asked to bring canned goods to help those in need through local organizations!  Anthony Jones will be the guest speaker. Anthony is a faculty member at Howard University in Washington D.C. He once lived and served in our community and is considered a dynamic speaker. The service will also feature special music, scripture readings, and dance ministry.

New Year’s Resolution? Resolution Week – It is All About You

Along with singing “Auld Lang Syne” at the start of the New Year, making resolutions is a tradition for millions of Americans. However, while choosing a resolution can be easy, sticking to them is hard. A YMCA survey found that less than a quarter of respondents kept their resolutions. Many (71 percent) tried, but stated that they fell short of their goals, while 40 percent confessed that gave up within the first few months, even weeks, of the New Year!  Officials at the Blue Water YMCA advise, – Trying the Y – Use a free guest pass with a friend or family member now through January 6th.   Roadmap to Wellness – Visit the YMCA  and let one of the YMCA staff help you design a plan to achieve your goals.  Attend Demo Days at the Y – Have you been wanting to take advantage of the Y’s many group exercise offerings but don’t know where to start? Looking for something new? You don’t have to be a member to take classes at the Y. Take advantage of the opportunity to sample a variety of different classes, meet different instructors, and build a schedule to meet your needs.  In addition, the Y offers  some ways to give New Year’s resolutions a boost:

1. Start small. Break those big resolutions into small, achievable goals. “’Getting healthy’ is too broad so reframe that big resolution into smaller, more manageable goals. Instead of cutting chocolate out of your diet for good, vow to only have it a few times a week. Or trade your two sodas a day for one soda and a glass of water.

2. Take it one step at a time. Trying to change too many habits at once can easily lead to frustration. Instead of a New Year’s resolution, make a new month resolution. Focus on that one change for the month and add another (small) change when the new month rolls around.

3. Keep the faith. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Even though you may experience some missteps throughout the day—or even the week—that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Bad habits aren’t created in a week, so try as you might, you can’t change them in a week either.

4. It’s all about attitude. It’s important to think about what you’re gaining from a resolution rather than what you’re missing. This can make a resolution feel more positive, and therefore more achievable. For example, you may want to limit your screen time in 2019, but that can be more manageable if you replace it with something positive like volunteering or setting special time aside for family.

5. Talk it out. It’s easier to stick to your resolutions if you have a partner or friend working toward similar goals. Team up with someone to set your 2019 goals and help each other establish a game plan dedicated to achieving them. Set specific check-ins to help each other out of slumps and to cheer each other during the high points. 

Updated – Police Identify Woman Who Died In Crash January 1

The Port Huron Police Department continues investigation into a fatal single car crash that occurred at Pine Grove Avenue between Stone and Lyon Street on Tuesday, January 1st at approximately 3:45 p.m.  According to a statement by the Port Huron Police Department, the initial investigation revealed a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro driven by a 20-year-old male from Port Huron, left the roadway after the driver lost control of the vehicle northbound on Pine Grove Avenue near Thomas Edison Dr.  The vehicle struck a telephone pole and rolled over.  The front seat passenger, an eighteen-year-old from Port Huron Township, was ejected and died at the scene.  The name of the deceased is Emily Lynn Knox. The driver and  two back seat passengers, an eighteen-year-old male and a nineteen-year old female from Port Huron were treated at McLaren Port Huron Hospital and released.  Speed is believed to be at least one factor in the cause of the crash.  The investigation is continuing by members of the Port Huron Police Department Accident Investigation Unit and Criminal Investigation Division.  Upon conclusion of the investigation, the case will be reviewed with the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Traffic Crash Unit to determine possible charges.

Lookin’ Back – The Bob Seger Tribute Band At McMorran

Lookin’ Back, the Bob Seger tribute band brings its all new “From Then To Now” tour to McMorran Place on January 12, at 7:30 p.m. These seven world-class musicians will take audiences back to where it all began – on vinyl 45’s – during a two-hour concert.  The band has played with original Silver Bullet Band members, rocked over 11,000 Detroit, Piston’s fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Bob Seger appreciation night, and opened for bands like Loverboy and Average White Band  Since its debut in 2009, they have headlined 146 shows.  McMorran officials say Bob Seger’s fans can come see his music performed by musicians who profoundly identify with the man’s poetry and unrivaled energy.  Tickets for this night of rock ‘n’ roll are $21 and available at the McMorran Place box office or online at https://www1.ticketmaster.com/lookin-back/event/0800556FD4E7462D#efeat 6916.  Theater doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Helping Winter Birds – Tips From Menards

Does winter weather get you down? Brighten up those dreary days by attracting beautiful birds to your yard. Whether it’s a food source or protection from the colder temperatures, there are several ways you can attract birds to your yard this winter.  Unlike other wild animals, birds actually rely on us come wintertime. Since most of
their natural food supply (which consists mainly of worms, fruit and fallen seeds) is difficult to locate during winter, many birds have a hard time coping with the colder temperatures. To keep themselves warm, birds will fluff up their feathers; this movement produces air pockets, keeping the birds well insulated for a short duration.
But, like typical warm-blooded animals, they can only do that for so long before exhausting themselves.  One way to coax them into your yard is by offering them high-calorie and high-fat foods. Rich in protein and packed with pure fat substance, these foods provide birds with high doses of energy so they can deal with the sudden drops in temperature.  Whether you put out just one or many types of bird seed, you are actually helping several bird species stay alive.  Now that the birds are well fed, how do they stay hydrated? Like food in winter, water is in high demand but in short supply. Since their typical water sources (ponds, streams and rivers) are frozen over, birds often have to search for fresh water. You can help these desperate birds quench their thirst by placing a heated birdbath in your backyard. And, if you already have an unheated birdbath, you can place a Birdbath deicer at the bottom of your basin. This heating element is critical because it prevents the water from freezing, allowing the birds to sip on some crisp and cold water. Once a flock of birds identify a safe and secure water source in your yard, you’ll have a lot of feathered friends visiting you in the coming months.