Stream Clean Ups Start Sept 4, 2010
August 27th, 2010 | 
Author: September 4, Shoreline clean up Mason Neck State Park from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers and leaders are needed. Call Colin Riley 703-200-3994 or email fairfaxwatershed@yahoolcom. Meet at the Mason Neck State Park visitor center parking lot at 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA. 22079.
October 2, Adopt a Stream Clean up at Cub Run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call Colin Riley. Leaders and volunteers needed. Meet at 14708 Mount Olive Road, Centreville, VA 20122.
November 6, Adopt a Stream Clean up at Bull Run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call Colin Riley. Leaders and volunteers needed. Meet in the Route 28 access point parking lot next to 7122 Centreville Road, Centreville, VA 20121.
Usually gloves, bags, water and snacks are provided at these events.
Tip: If You Love Your Dog, Crate Train!
It's responsible to crate train your dog
By Mandy K.
When it comes to kennel (or crate) training, some dog owners have tried and given up, others think it’s cruel, and yet others just haven’t given the idea any thought. But crate training is a very practical tool and, when used correctly, is one of the best ways to promote emotionally healthy dogs. Here’s what you need to know to have a happier, healthier pet for the whole family.
Let’s start with examining the natural instincts of canines. Unlike humans, who drool over soaring, vaulted ceilings and thousands of square footage, canines prefer their homes to be small, cozy dens. It provides protection from predators and warmth in winter months. In fact, a den is crucial for a dog’s survival in the wild. A dog that sleeps out in the open becomes easy prey and all dog’s know this–that’s why they instinctively long for a den.
Tip: Potty Training Puppies Successfully
By Sara Le
There is no other chore quite like potty training puppies. As fun as it is to have a house full of playful pups, it can be a nightmare if they are constantly making messes. This is one of the most important things to train your puppy, and no two puppies take to the training in exactly the same way.
Tip: Leaking Car Fluid – What a Mess!
By Angie Meza
We cannot get by without our automobile and it is essential for life today. It’s always nice to be able to go to a dealership and get a new vehicle and not have to worry about maintenance, but many of us have older vehicles which do not fare as well and from time to time we will start to notice some kind of substance on the garage floor — leaking car fluid.
For a means of transport that basically takes us from point A to point B, the typical automobile is amazingly complicated. There are so many moving parts, which will wear out over time and the lubrication required will find its way out off perishing rubber joints and hoses, leading to leaking car fluid more often than we would like.
Tip: Motor Oil Analysis Testing on the Cheap – The Blotter Spot Test
Save time and money on oil changes with this simple test.
It is often difficult to know for certain just how long your oil could last before needing a change. The type of car you drive, the size of the engine, the age of the engine, the type of driving that you do and the type of oil that is in your crankcase will ALL have a significant effect on oil longevity.
Of course, quick lubes will continue to tell you that 3,000 mile changes are a necessity, and, for SOME people, this may be true. However, for the vast majority of us, this hasn’t been necessary for a good many years. Unfortunately, determining just HOW LONG is ok can be difficult. Read the rest of this entry »
Tip: Fall Lawn Care – Prevent Disease & Utilize Compost
Fall is the ideal time to add enhance your lawn or garden with compost.
By Fran Phalin
It’s that time of year again when you need to start worrying about your lawn and how it will fare when the weather changes for the colder. This is also the season for certain routine lawn care measures to be taken. For October, homeowners should be concerned about: gray leaf spot, compost, and aeration.
Gray Leaf Spot
A foliar disease that infects and destroys leaf blades, gray leaf spot is true to its name – you can easily tell if your lawn has this particular disease if you see small and brown-gray colored leaf spots with brown to purple borders on leaf blades. The “spotting” can spread into a longer form or cause diamond-like shapes. In warm, wet weather, spots can even be covered with gray mold. Sometimes a yellow circle can appear around spots. Though gray leaf spot is discouraged by cold weather, the heat and humidity from the Texas summer prolong summer diseases and help gray leaf spot to grow.
Tip: Fall Organic Garden Preparation
By John Yazo
Fall garden preparation is a very important part of organic gardening. Avoiding the wet soil conditions of spring, adding organic amendments to the soil, removal of debris and spent plants to reduce unwanted insect and plant born disease are all benefits in having a healthy and productive organic garden.
Coupon: Free Fertilizer for Leesburg Residents
Tuscarora Landscaper’s Choice is a new, natural fertilizer product is an excellent soil amendment for lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. It provides both a valuable source of nutrients that are essential to plant growth and organic matter that enhances soil structure and quality. The use of Tuscarora Landscaper’s Choice soil amendment will support the ongoing efforts in the protection, restoration, and preservation of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.
Best of all, it’s FREE for Leesburg residents! TLC is available in 25 or 50 pound bags or bulk quantity at the Water Pollution Control Facility at 1391 East Market Street. Pick up is available seven days a week from 8am until 6pm.
Click here to learn more about Tuscarora Landscaper’s Choice
Tips: Safely Dispose of Household Chemicals
It's easy to dispose of dangerous household chemicals properly
If you took a few minutes to poke through your cabinets, closets, and garage, you just might be surprised at all the toxic chemicals you’d turn up:
- Nearly empty cans of paint and thinner
- Used antifreeze, oil, and other auto chemicals
- Half empty bottles of pesticide
- Burned out flourescent bulbs
- And more!
Don’t leave this stuff lying around the house — it’s dangerous for kids and pets. And don’t dump in the trash or down the storm drain, either. Towns and counties in Northern Virginia make it easy to dispose of household hazardous waste properly. Here are some upcoming opportunities to get those dangerous chemicals out of your house and away from your family: Read the rest of this entry »
Coupon: Save Money at Passionately Pets
Arlington County is making it even easier than ever to shop with local merchants using the ShopArlington Savings Card. Click here to download a free discount card, good at various Northern Virginia businesses, including Passionately Pets!