“The human brain does not multi-task very well,” says Carlyle Chan, professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, Wis. “The people who say they do so are not exactly accurate. When you are at the office and your phone rings, you get distracted. That’s just the way the brain is structured.”

“Yoga focuses the mind on something else and helps you reset,” Chan says. “The more you do it, the more effective it is.”

In today’s frenetic world, where finding time to visit a studio might multiply the stress, an at-home practice could be good medicine.

Before flowing through poses in your living room, take a few classes with a certified yoga instructor. The more confidence you have in the poses and postures, the better chance you’ll be able to focus and practice with safety.

To ensure you have props for yoga at home, invest in a mat, strap, blocks (either wood or foam) and a thick, woven blanket. Practice in your bare feet and wear comfortable, tighter-fitting clothing.

“Start today. Don’t wait until you have the perfect setting,” says Marietta Pucillo, owner of Yama Yoga in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. “As long as it’s a place to give you peace, it will be OK. Accept that wherever you are today is perfect. That’s the principle of yoga, anyway.”

Here are some ways to create a yoga space at home:

Clear out a dedicated space- Whether it’s a spare bedroom or a new area that opens up when you move the coffee table, the space should be free of magazines, toys and other clutter. Keep the room’s temperature warm so muscles are completely relaxed. You should be able to reach your arms and legs in all directions and not touch any walls. Linoleum or hardwood flooring is fine if you are on a mat, Pucillo says, but rugs or carpeting is better for postures and sitting poses.

Set aside a specific time- Instead of just adding “practice yoga” to an evolving to-do list, pick a time of day and stick to it. Incorporating yoga into your morning routine or bedtime rituals is one option. Not scheduling a time - but showing dedication - works, too.

Invest in a virtual instructor- As lovely as it would be to hire a private instructor to drop by every week, that probably isn’t economically feasible, but many respected yoga instructors lead virtual classes on DVD. Buy a few different videos so you don’t get bored with the same routine.

Say no to distractions- It can be easy to become distracted, even if you view something out of the corner of your eye, but you must not give in to distractions. Don’t have a phone in the room either. If the phone can’t be moved, turn the ringer off during your session.

© 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

-Three-quarters of those aged 18-34 years old (74%) have a Facebook or MySpace account, but this quickly drops off the older one gets. Just one-quarter (24%) of those 55 and older have an account;
-Tweeting is also slightly more prevalent among the young, but not by much; 8% of 18-34 year olds use Twitter, 7% of those 35-44 use it, 4% of those aged 45-54 and just 1% of those 55 and older;
-While men and women use Twitter at the same levels (5% each), women are more likely to have a Facebook or MySpace account (52% versus 45%);
-There is also an educational difference in usage of social networking sites. Two in five people with a high school degree or less (40%) have a Facebook or MySpace account compared to 55% of those with some college and 52% of those with at least a college degree.

There has been some discussion about whether these social networking sites may, at some point, become a threat to search engines such as Yahoo! or Google. Right now, that doesn’t seem to be an issue - 45% of adults believe the sites are popular, but they won’t pose a real threat to the domination of search sites while just one in ten (9%) say they may become a threat. Fully 46% of Americans are not at all sure. Even among the largest users of the social networking sites, 18-34 year olds, three in five (62%) say they will not become a real threat to the search engines.

While the media may be all abuzz about Twittering, mainstream America is not hopping on the same bandwagon. While the younger age groups are all about the social network sites, they haven’t yet migrated to Twitter. The question is will they or won’t they? If they had found it before the media had, there is a stronger possibility they would be increasing their usage, but they may already be looking for the next big thing - before it becomes a media darling.

For more information, visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

One place to get an infusion of inspiration is an art museum. Chicagoans, of course, for example, are blessed with the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

But for those scoping out other art treasures in nearby Midwest cities, here are seven that will help lift your spirits.

Milwaukee
The “wings” welcome visitors to the Milwaukee Art Museum, a stunning complex on the city’s lakefront that includes the 2001 Quadracci Pavilion by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Officially named Brise Soleil, the wings are a movable sun screen with a 217-foot span, wider than a Boeing 747. Inside, you’ll be warmed by the museum’s collection of paintings by Wisconsin native Georgia O’Keeffe, lovely French Impressionist pieces and whimsical American folk art.

Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, one of the 10 oldest general art museums in the country, is set amid 152 acres that include the Oldfield-Lilly House & Gardens. Among the museum’s don’t-miss pieces: one of the earliest known self-portraits by Rembrandt, an oil on wood circa 1629; a three-story fluorescent light installation by Robert Irwin titled “Light and Space III,” designed for the museum’s main 60-foot Pulliam Great Hall atrium; and one of the nation’s largest and most significant Asian collections.

Grand Rapids, Mich.
Cited by Newsweek as one of the world’s six best buildings of 2007, the $75 million Grand Rapids Art Museum is also the world’s first “all-green” art museum. The top three things to see include the building itself; “Blue White” by Ellsworth Kelly, a 25-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide wall sculpture in the museum lobby; and the exhibition “Moby Dick: Frank Stella and Herman Melville,” which includes three monumental woodblocks on loan from the National Gallery of Australia.

Detroit
While the city is experiencing hard times, the Detroit Institute of Arts is not. Last year the museum completed a $158 million, six-year renovation designed by architect Michael Graves & Associates. Three things not to miss: “Detroit Industry” frescoes by Mexican artist Diego Rivera; African art galleries that include a life-size video of masquerade performances and a shrine to the god Shango; and a virtual dining table in a suite of 18th century European serving pieces.

St. Louis
The St. Louis Art Museum put its $125 million expansion on hold, but the stately museum isn’t missing a beat. Its current exhibition, “Power and Glory: Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty” showcases more than 200 works on loan from three major museums in China and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Three don’t-miss pieces from the permanent collection: “The Country Election” by George Caleb Bingham, “Betty” by Gerhard Richter and “The Milliners” by Edgar Degas. Also, Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies.”

Des Moines
Renowned architects Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier give the Des Moines Art Center an urban cachet. The fine collection inside, highlighted by Francis Bacon’s “Study after Velasquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X,” Edward Hopper’s “Automat” and Georgia O’Keeffe’s “From the Lake No. 1,” also includes contemporary works by Henri Matisse, Jasper Johns, Mary Cassatt and Sean Scully.

Minneapolis
The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden are special. Highlights: Works by Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg; minimalist work by Carl Andre, Donald Judd and Richard Serra; and Charles Ray’s “Unpainted Sculpture.” Architecture by Herzog & de Meuron is outstanding.

© 2009, Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

The advent of Earth Day (April 22) provides an ideal time to think about exactly where our paper is sourced. As an advocate for the very trees that keep the Earth healthy, Marcal Paper Products, LLC, one of the nation’s oldest major manufacturers of household recycled tissue paper products - recently unveiled a real urban jungle in New York’s Times Square. The grove of trees sprouting from the city’s center is meant to call on the public to join its campaign to save one million trees.

A Small, Easy Step to a Greener Earth(TM) - Celebrate the Value of Trees… Act to Preserve Them

‘Going green’ and making decisions that positively impact the environment aren’t difficult to do, and Marcal’s Times Square forest demonstrates that by showcasing a literal experience about the benefits of using recycled products and ‘going green.’ Visitors can wander through the jungle, gather facts about recycling, see the trees saved by choosing paper made from recycled paper and, share the small steps they are taking to improve and help protect the environment.

“Public awareness of the effects our actions have on the environment has increased significantly in recent years,” said Tim Spring, CEO of Marcal. “Since 1950 we’ve been manufacturing products from recycled paper, Marcal has helped to save trees and reduce landfill waste. This campaign to save one million trees is a natural extension of our green heritage.”

For more information, visit http://www.marcalsmallsteps.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Here are five lesser-known ways consumers can use the Internet to save both time and money:

1. Automate your comparison shopping
Many websites, such as my.earthlink.net, offer comparison shopping engines. Simply type in what you’re shopping for and a list of price ranges and product selections appear on screen. Using a comparison-shopping tool avoids wasting time visiting different sites to find the best price. Sites such as Expedia, Sidestep and Hotwire are great places to comparison shop for airfare and other travel deals.

2. Watch the market
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item but you’re not in a big hurry, use online monitoring and research to “wait out” the best deal. Internet service providers like EarthLink offer an eBay widget for monitoring bids and items for sale. This way, you’ll know a good deal when you see one.

3. Look for additional features and services when picking an Internet service provider
Most Internet service providers offer their customers special offers and incentives. Browse through your Internet service provider’s product and services menu and take advantage of free Web space, anti-virus software and multiple levels of spam filtering. All of these applications help save money and provide a better Internet experience.

4. Use your time wisely
Make your Web time more productive by taking a few minutes to customize your local news, weather, sports scores, movie show times and TV listings. Also, bookmark your favorite websites, to go to them immediately without remembering specific Internet addresses or stopping to do an online search. For another time saver, use features such as e-mail preview which alert you to new messages without having to constantly check for them.

5. Sign up for offers using anonymous email address
Many providers like EarthLink offer “anonymous e-mail,” which provides several pre-selected e-mail addresses to organize and manage your e-mail. For example, you can use one email address just for online shopping and log offers/coupons in a separate mail folder, keeping regular email communications with friends and family separate.

There are many ways consumers can optimize their Internet experience and use a variety of special tools and options to compare prices, watch for deals and generally save money. In these economic times, it makes sense to use every tool at your disposal to stretch your family’s dollar.

For more information, visit http://www.earthlink.net.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Stockton, CA - Inland California cities seem to be most affected by the housing market crumble. Stockton home prices, for instance, have plummeted a whopping 40%. But the good news is that the city’s proximity to San Francisco and Sacramento give it an advantage and will help it rebound in the future.

Naples, FL - Known for its artsy side and the natural wonder of the nearby Everglades, Naples was a vacation destination overrun with real estate investors during boom time. Prices plummeted nearly 33% over the past year, offering new buying opportunities for people looking to move to the beach.

Las Vegas, NV - Eager developers and investors flocked to Sin City looking to cash in big on the real estate boom. The risk didn’t necessarily pay off, as prices have plunged more than 32% since last year. The city is consistently ranked as a top foreclosure market, making it a prime bargain area.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - In spite of its reputation as a spring break party spot, Ft. Lauderdale has redefined itself as a pedestrian-friendly community offering a mix of laid-back neighborhoods with trendy shopping and nightlife. Prices have fallen 26% since last year, giving way to newcomers seeking a lively lifestyle.

Miami, FL - The heat is on in Miami where home values have decreased 24% over the past year. New home buyers in this Florida burg won’t have to shell out as much cash to enjoy tropical weather, beautiful beaches and legendary nightlife year-round.

Napa, CA - Not unlike other vacation destinations, Napa saw a surge in speculative buying that inflated real estate prices. Now buyers can find homes - even multi-million-dollar properties - in beautiful wine country selling for 20% less than last year.

Phoenix, AZ - The Valley of the Sun is teeming with potential bargains, with home prices down 19% year-over-year. Stretched-thin investors in the Phoenix market may be willing to negotiate good deals. Homebuyers who can appreciate this rugged Southwest region can choose from many diverse neighborhoods.

San Diego, CA - Year-round sun, sand and surf make this Southern California destination a real gem. But with home prices down 18% over the past year, great deals are just waiting to be scooped up in this once super-hot market.

Detroit, MI - Recent job-loss-fueled foreclosures have driven home prices down 16% in this Midwestern metropolis. But Detroit is committed to restoration and revitalization and offers a nice mix of historic districts and new developments.

Washington, D.C. - The District of Columbia metro area - which includes nearby commuter cities in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia - should be on the hot list for bargain-seeking homebuyers. The area has a low unemployment rate and boasts unique cultural opportunities. With home prices down 12%, this may be the time to buy in the nation’s capital.

For more information, visit http://www.frontdoor.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

A sharp mower blade, part of routine maintenance, is essential to maintaining a healthy lawn, say the turf experts at Texas A&M University. Dull blades leave a ragged top, which turns brown and makes the lawn look tired. More important, “ragged tops are prime points of entry for many fungal pathogens and small turf insects,” A&M says.
Shops that sell mowers also service them. If you’re not handy, getting them to do it could be a big relief.

With the proper tools and the time, you can do routine maintenance yourself. Here are some tips from DIY Network, Texas A&M and About.com:

1. Drain the gas tank, and run the engine until it stops.
2. Disconnect the sparkplug wire so there is no chance of the mower starting.
3. Remove the oil drain plug, and drain the oil into a drip pan.
4. Replace the plug securely.
5. With the mower on its side and using a putty knife, scrape matted grass from the underside of the mower’s deck, which is the housing for the blade. Use a hose sprayer to blast off remaining grass and dirt. If that doesn’t get it all, use a brush and soap and water.
6. Hold the mower blade with a rag or towel and, using a socket wrench, unscrew the mounting knob of the blade.
7. Sharpen the blade or have a lawn mower shop do it.
8. Turn the mower upright.
9. Clean or replace the air filter.
10. Find the spark plug, which will probably need to be removed with the barrel of your socket wrench.
11. With a wire brush, clean off carbon deposits. Or, replace with a new plug.
12. Screw in and tighten the sparkplug.
13. Fill the oil compartment with 30-weight oil (unless your owner’s manual recommends another kind).
14. Reconnect the sparkplug wire.
15. Lubricate all moving parts, including wheels. Tighten engine mounting bolts and any other nuts or screws.
16. Fill the mower with gas and you are ready to go.

Other words of advice:
-When you turn the mower on its side, turn it so that the air-filter side of the machine is up. Otherwise, oil drains out of the filter and the mower won’t start.
-If your machine’s engine runs roughly, you may need an expert to adjust it.
-Dispose of the used oil and filter properly.

Sharpening a mower blade:
-A grinding wheel is handy, but you can also use a file, and be sure to wear safety glasses.
-Use smooth, quick swipes across the grinding wheel or with the file. Try to keep the original angle of the blade.
-Dip the blade in cold water every few swipes so the steel doesn’t get too soft.
-After grinding, test for balance. Place the center hole of the blade on your fingertip or on a screwdriver. If it balances, great; if not, the heavier side needs more work. If you’re satisfied with the sharpness, leave the angle alone. It’s best to grind a little steel off the back or a corner of the blade to balance it.
-Carefully file off any burrs left by the grinder.
-Oil the bolt hole on the blade and reattach.

© 2009, The Dallas Morning News.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Sonoma County is 48 miles north of San Francisco, a straight shot up U.S. Highway 101, and is the perfect base for your wine break. From here, you can head west through the Russian River Valley to Pacific Coast beaches, north to the tony shops of Healdsburg, south to the historic old mission town of Sonoma and even east, to Calistoga in Napa Valley via the mountain-pass roads.

There’s a lot you can do in Sonoma County, from watching a drag race on Wednesday nights at the Infineon Raceway at Sears Point in Sonoma to ogling the animals at Safari West Wildlife Preserve outside Santa Rosa to touring the site of an old Russian colony at Ft. Ross State Historic Park to savoring the fresh foods at the Healdsburg Farmers Market.

If you find yourself headed to Northern California, here are three Sonoma must-do’s:

Charles M. Schulz Museum
Good grief! An entire museum dedicated to the man behind the Peanuts comic strip? Yes. And it’s great fun for all ages. Exhibits include a replica of Schulz’s studio, Snoopy’s doghouse wrapped by the artist Christo and even the nursery wall painted by Schulz in 1951. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the museum itself is a giant mural of Charlie Brown and a football-holding Lucy created by Japanese artist Yoshiteru Otani. The mural was fashioned out of 3,588 2-by-5-inch ceramic tiles emblazoned with 10 years’ worth of daily “Peanuts” comic strips.

Schulz lived in Santa Rosa until his death in 2000. The museum is in his old neighborhood, across the street from his famous hockey rink, the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, and its restaurant, the Warm Puppy Cafe.

The Schulz Museum is kid-friendly, but there is plenty of fodder here for older children and adults as well. The exhibits take a topical and sometimes off-beat approach to the Peanuts phenomenon. “Laughter is the best medicine,” for example, offers 70 comic strips in which Charlie Brown and his friends cope with broken limbs, nervous stomachs, lazy eye and dieting. Another special exhibit, “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA,” examines the history of Apollo 10 and the comic strip’s involvement in the May 1969 flight ’round the moon

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
Lois Ruggero has to be a patient woman. The native of Oak Park, Ill., who moved west in the 1950s, works as a volunteer at the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. “Luther who?” you might ask her. You wouldn’t be the first.

“A lot of people tell me they’ve never heard about him,” Ruggero says. “They don’t realize how famous he was. Ford and Edison came here to visit him.” And so they should have, if you ask me. The great automobile pioneer and the inventor of the electric light must stand aside for Burbank, the man who developed the potato used to make most of today’s french fries. This potato, known as the russet Burbank, was a mutation of the Burbank potato that the botanist had developed earlier. At the time, the russet Burbank was thought of as “a freak of nature.”

Inventing the french-fry potato would be enough for most men, but Burbank was renowned for so much more. Through cross-breeding, hybridization and grafting, he introduced scores of new plant varieties, including: Shasta daisies; the “plumcot,” a cross between the apricot and the plum; and spineless cacti.

Learn all about Burbank and his miracles of botany on a quick, 40-minute tour that moves from the visitors center and gift shop in the old carriage house through the gardens and on to Burbank’s greenhouse (designed and built by him in 1889, it survived the 1906 earthquake unscathed except for some bricks lost from the foundation) and his surprisingly modest home.

Sonoma Coast State Park
The beaches of Sonoma County are beautiful, wild, rugged and seemingly always deserted. The tiny coastal towns have their restaurants and coffee shops, but many visitors prefer to order a sandwich from a local deli and head out to the beachfront bluff to soak in the scene.

© 2009, Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

“This year, the economy has dictated several changes to tax policy,” said Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com, a free online portal that offers an array of personal finance information for consumers.

Bills.com’s top eight tax topics that filers should know about include:

1. Maximize deductions: Consult with a tax advisor to receive all qualified tax deductions. Remember that donations to nonprofit organizations of money, vehicles, clothing and household items, or stocks or other investments should be included as well as contributions to retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, health savings accounts and 529 college savings plans.

In addition, medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income as well as flexible spending account contributions for expenses such as child care and medical care should not be overlooked.

Some health insurance premiums, such as those for self-employed individuals or people who cannot choose to purchase health insurance at work are also included, as well as student loan interest and some education expenses.

2. Take credit for economic impacts: Ask a tax advisor how you are affected by any losses in investments, or how a job loss affects current or future tax.

3. Deduct an investment in America: Taxpayers who bought a first home in 2008 can claim a maximum $7,500 income tax credit on their 2008 tax return. That credit must be repaid in $500 increments on future annual tax returns.

Americans who purchase a first home between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 1, 2009, may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000, which does not need to be repaid.

Home buyers can claim this credit on their 2008 tax return (either filed on time or with a six-month extension) or on the 2009 tax return.

4. Get paid back for green improvements: 2008 investments in home energy efficiency - such as solar systems, geothermal heat pumps or small home wind turbines - qualify for a credit for 30% of the equipment cost, up to $2,000. (That limit no longer applies in 2009). Energy-saving home improvements, such as windows, exterior doors and high-efficiency heating or air conditioning equipment, bring a 10% credit for 2008, with a maximum credit of $200 per category. In 2009 and 2010, the credit will be 30%, up to a maximum $1,500 total, with no category cap.

5. When a refund is not great: Some people are disappointed if they do not get a refund. But a refund means the taxpayer gave the IRS an interest-free loan. For most people, that cash would serve them better in their wallets every week. Those who have a sizable refund coming should talk with a tax advisor about completing a new W-4 with their employer and choosing a number of exemptions that will provide for the most appropriate withholding of taxes.

6. File on time: Filing late incurs penalties and interest for those who owe money to the IRS. If a return is filed more than three years late, the filer forfeits any refund on that return. The penalties for not paying tax owed with a filed return are much less than the penalties for not filing a return with an unpaid balance. Filers who are considering not filing a return because they cannot pay the bill are probably better off filing and avoiding the substantial late-filing penalties. When individuals or couples cannot pay because of a death in the family, serious illness, financial records lost in a natural disaster, or a reason the IRS deems “reasonable cause,” the IRS might waive penalties for those who contact the agency to negotiate solutions.

7. Get an extension: If for some reason a taxpayer cannot complete his or her return, he or she can file for an extension (IRS Form 4868). Keep in mind that this is an extension to file, not an extension to pay taxes owed. Penalties might still apply, but they will be less than if the person simply does not file.

8. Get help: Specialists, often found at or through reputable debt settlement firms, can negotiate directly with the IRS on behalf of consumers who owe $10,000 or more. Tax relief specialists usually are attorneys, enrolled agents or certified public accountants with special training and experience. They can navigate the intricacies of IRS forms and calculations, help consumers understand the criteria the IRS imposes, and then help them get back into good standing with the IRS.

“Tax filing season is a necessary evil,” Ewing said. “With appropriate preparation, you can make sure you are paying only what you owe and no more.”

For more information, visit www.bills.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

April brings showers and showers revive grass, but soon thereafter, people start showering their lawns.

The average lawn rarely needs to be watered, said Bruce Augustin, chief agronomist for Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., a garden products company. Many homeowners think they have to water their lawns because everybody does it, Augustin said. Yet federal research shows only about 15% of homeowners actually do, and the other 85% still have lawns. Here’s why - even if you and your grass are completely hooked on the sprinkler - you can (and should) start weaning your lawn.

For example, the Chicago area gets about 36 inches of rain a year on average; its grasses need about 43, Augustin said.

Overwatering is bad for your grass. It encourages weak, stunted roots that can’t keep the grass alive when the weather gets dry. It fosters fungus diseases and provides a perfect home for root-munching grubs.

Too much watering also pushes grass to grow faster. Lay off the sprinkler and you can mow less often.

What happens to water that your grass doesn’t need and can’t soak up? It runs off into storm drains and, combined with sewage, increases the load on treatment plants. If you’re also overfertilizing, as many people do, the runoff can carry nitrogen and phosphorus that pollute rivers and lakes.

There are other environmental costs that come with watering your lawn too much. The water from your outdoor faucet had to be taken from either a lake or a well; filtered; treated with chemicals to make it safe enough to drink and pumped to your house, at a cost in energy as well as tax dollars. Using potable water for lawns is wasteful, and “your lawn doesn’t really need fluoride,” said Debra Shore, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

In a world in which fresh water is growing ever more scarce, those of us blessed with an abundance of it “have a moral obligation to show that we are using it wisely and carefully and respectfully,” Shore said.

Here are some tips to keep your lawn happy and be conscious of the environment at the same time:

Mow it high - It’s the single most powerful thing you can do to get a lawn that uses less water, has fewer weeds and needs less fertilizer: Set your mower as high as it will go and leave it there.

Short grass is weak and needy. Taller grass - 3 to 4 inches - grows deep roots that absorb water and nutrients efficiently, collects more life-giving sunlight and shades or crowds out many weeds. Taller grass doesn’t mean you will have to mow more often, but when you do, leave the clippings on the lawn to return moisture and nutrients to the grass.

Get a rain gauge - Knowing how much rain has fallen will reassure you that you don’t need to water. When tempted to water your lawn, get a trowel and dig out a plug of lawn. If the soil is moist within the plants’ root zone, 3 or 4 inches down, leave the sprinkler in the garage.

Get sturdy grass - Fescues are tough and thrifty with water. Usually fescue seed is mixed with bluegrass, which is less drought-resistant but finer and spreads to knit the lawn together. Use a fescue-rich mix to seed or overseed. If your lawn is all bluegrass, overseed yearly with fescue.

Establish grass well - The only time to water your lawn every day is when you have scattered seed, in early spring or early fall, and are waiting for it to sprout. A brief sprinkle will do, just enough to keep the seed moist. Spread mulch to hold the water around the seed.

Embrace summer dormancy - Grass naturally quits growing and dries out in the hottest part of summer, then revives and greens up when fall rains come. Go with the flow rather than watering to force the grass to stay all-green, and you’ll save water and escape mowing under the hot August sun.

Water long and deep - When you do water your lawn, run the sprinkler long enough to lay down the equivalent of 1 inch of rain. (Use a rain gauge to check). Don’t water again until your trowel test tells you the grass needs it.

Fertilize, but not too much - A good lawn does not require the heavily advertised five-times-a-year fertilizing schedule. An application of slow-release fertilizer once in spring and once in early fall is enough.

Work on the soil - Top-dress the soil with screened compost at least once a year to foster the rich ecosystem of underground organisms that delivers nutrients to roots and makes soil great.

© 2009, Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Sometimes cutting back on grocery bills is as easy as preparing the foods most families keep stocked in the kitchen pantry. According to a recent National Fisheries Institute survey, more than four out of five (86%) U.S. adults usually keep cans or pouches of tuna in the house at any given time. More than half (56%) of adults have at least three cans or pouches of tuna on hand, and one in four (25%) usually keep five or more cans or pouches of tuna at home. With tuna already stocked on so many household shelves, families have a versatile lean protein ingredient ready to make a variety of modern-day dishes.

“A return to basic whole foods can be a healthful change in the way families shop,” said registered dietitian and seafood blogger, Jennifer McGuire. “In addition to canned fruits and vegetables and whole grains like rice and pasta, I always keep plenty of canned seafood like tuna on hand.”

While tuna is well-known for being rich in healthful omega-3s, many Americans may not realize how many other important nutrients are found naturally in tuna. In the survey, 45% of adults said that to them, omega-3 fatty acids are the most important nutrient found in tuna. However, only 14% of adults said this about lean protein. Other key nutrients such as B vitamins, potassium and magnesium were mentioned by even fewer adults as the most important nutrient found in tuna.

“Seafood like tuna is one of the healthiest, yet most under-consumed sources of lean protein,” said McGuire. According to a University of Delaware survey on consumer perceptions about seafood, more than three-fourths of U.S. adults don’t eat seafood at least twice per week.

Interestingly enough, the National Fisheries Institute survey found one of the most popular ways to eat tuna is with a “crunch.” Those who have eaten a tuna fish sandwich say the most common additions to tuna, beyond mayo (73%), include onions (41%), lettuce (40%), celery (27%) or pickles (25%). Naturally, people’s tastes vary. More than one in ten adults who have eaten a tuna fish sandwich put potato chips (12%) on tuna sandwiches, and slightly more like mustard (15%) with tuna. About one percent like to put tuna on their pizza.

Whether adding crunch to a tuna sandwich or using tuna as a topping, it’s simple to use what is already in the cupboard to make delicious meals.

Additional survey findings include:
-While about one-fourth (24%) of those who eat tuna sandwiches only eat it as sandwiches, three-fourths (76%) like to eat tuna in other ways, such as in a salad (28%), dip (9%) or casserole or pasta dishes (40%).
-One in six (17%) adults who have ever eaten a tuna fish sandwich like to eat tuna right out of the can or pouch.
-More than four out of five (83%) adults ever make tuna sandwiches, and among those who do, more than half (57%) make at least one sandwich each month and more than one in 10 (13%) make tuna sandwiches at least once a week.

Methodology
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the National Fisheries Institute. All data collection was done online within the United States between December 19 and December 23, 2008 among 2,144 adults ages 18+.

For more information, visit http://www.healthytuna.com and www.harrisinteractive.com.

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Here are five ways to spruce up your finances:

1. Shake the dust out of your financial plan. Take a look at what your goals are and whether you are meeting them or not. If the past few months have your financial plan on shaky ground, it may be time to rethink your goals and set new ones. Make sure everything is in order and the plan reflects any changes in your life over the past year.

2. Make your credit report shine. It’s important to get your credit clean and keep it that way, especially in today’s economy. Check your credit score (it’s free from each of the three main bureaus once a year or go to www.annualcreditreport.com) and clear up any discrepancies. Develop a strategy to pay off your debt. Don’t cancel zero balance credit cards if you will be applying for a loan; keeping them open but inactive enhances your credit score.

3. Simplify. Assess all of your open accounts - checking, money market and savings - and consolidate what you can. Have an account in another state? Close it. A 401(k) from a previous job? Roll it over to your current plan or IRA if it makes good sense under market conditions. Having as few accounts as possible will reduce confusion and help keep your finances healthy.

4. Be ready for a rainy day. Although it’s not easy these days to find any extra money in your budget, do what you can to put even a small amount away on a regular basis to build a rainy day fund. Now more than ever, having some cash on hand in case of a layoff, major home repair or other emergency is a good idea.

5. Get rid of the clutter. Determine what paperwork needs to be saved and what can be discarded. It’s recommended that you keep your past IRS tax records for at least seven years and try to keep copies of the returns as long as you can as they may contain valuable information and may not be available from the IRS.

If you feel a little lost and don’t know where to start, contact a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). CPAs are more than just tax specialists; they can provide a broad range of guidance for the years ahead.

For more information, visit http://www.icpas.org.

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Adopt an “80:20″ eating plan. Try to eat healthy 80% of the time. This means you can “blow” one meal a week and also indulge at parties and other special occasions.

Plan ahead. If you know you’ll be having a big meal one day, cut back on your food intake - particularly fats, sugar and sodium - before and after. For example, don’t order a big pizza for dinner the night before Thanksgiving or have a greasy breakfast the morning of a holiday.

Divide your plate. Fill half with fruit and non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots or greens. Fill one quarter with lean proteins (mostly white meats, beans and nuts) and the remaining quarter with starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas and black beans.

Be colorful. Try to get as many colors of the rainbow as possible, plus brown and white, onto your plate each day. You’ll find many reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and even purples in the fruit and vegetable aisles.

Include lean protein at every meal. Examples are fish, skinless poultry, pork chops, unsalted nuts, eggs and low-fat or light cheeses. Limit your red meat intake to about 3 oz. a week - roughly the size of a deck of playing cards.

Add fiber. The body digests protein and fiber slowly, making you feel full longer. Try mixing high-fiber cereals such as All-Bran and Fiber One into other types of cereal, salads, stir-fry, muffins, pancakes and yogurt. You can also grind up the cereal and mix it with bread crumbs to cook chicken and fish.

© 2009, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.).
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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Enjoying the vacation of a lifetime is much easier when travelers know that their homes and pets are in the capable hands of a reliable house sitter. While it is difficult enough to leave Fluffy and Fido home while going away on a holiday without worrying about their loneliness and discomfort at being left in a kennel, house sitting is the newest trend that is becoming popular across the country. With a house sitter comfortably tucked into the family home, pets can remain in familiar surroundings, and the home can be looked after.

The needs of each pet will be taken care of in a timely fashion. Plus, their stress levels will be kept to a minimum since they can stay at home. They might miss their owners, but these pets won’t experience the fear that comes with being in an unfamiliar location. Plus, there’s no need to deal with bad behavior once you return home from holiday since your pets have been well cared for in their own familiar environment.

Homeowners who are feeling the tightening grip of the credit crunch can still enjoy a fun holiday since they can save on boarding and kennel fees while they are away. They don’t need to worry about their pet since they know that they have a reliable house sitter taking care of them. Plus they can relax and enjoy themselves since their house sitter will not only take care of their pets but will also keep an eye on the home.

For house sitters, some of the best doors across the globe begin to open for them once they establish their reputations with a reliable service. Vacations that some individuals could only dream of before the recession have now become available to reliable house sitters across the world. These individuals get to enjoy new surroundings in rent-free accommodations.

Whether you are looking to enjoy a short jaunt away or a long trek to some exotic locale, a house sitting vacation is the least expensive way to go. No rent and no real need for travel insurance provide an inexpensive and fun way to vacation. The pets are great company for the house sitter and the chores are minimal.

The recession might have put a crimp in the finances of most individuals, but nonetheless, a good holiday is still possible thanks to the ingenuity of a few trendsetting groups. Perhaps due to their affordability, house sitting holidays are gaining in popularity as people become aware of the winning situation they create for all of those involved.

The house sitter enjoys a well-deserved break from the commonplace environment of their home. They get away to any number of locations of their choosing and enjoy a taste of the exotic, romantic, country, or unusual. The individual going on holiday gets to enjoy the delights of the trip with a worry-free mind since they know their pets are in the tender care of a house sitter who comes with credentials.

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The complete list of AskMen.com’s “Top 29 Cities for Men to Live In” includes:

1. Chicago
2. Barcelona
3. San Francisco
4. London
5. Sydney
6. New York
7. Berlin
8. Hong Kong
9. Copenhagen
10. Paris
11. Vancouver
12. Rome
13. Buenos Aires
14. Tokyo
15. Toronto
16. Miami
17. Madrid
18. Vienna
19 Los Angeles
20. Montreal
21. Panama City
22. Portland
23 Lyon
24. Melbourne
25. Tel Aviv
26. Santiago
27. Cape Town
28. Hamburg
29. Edinburgh

The “Top 29 Cities for Men to Live In” results were determined through eight unique rating categories developed by AskMen.com editors including: Dating, Sports & Entertainment, Culture, Fashion, Health, Power & Money, The Good Life and 2009 Livability. Cities earned points and elevated their rank on the list through an evaluation process that assessed several influential features, such as: the population of single, college-educated women, how late bars/clubs stay open, the presence of reputable menswear-only stores, the rate of male heart disease, the cost of living and the occurrence of annual international arts festivals.

As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago tops this year’s list as the best city for men to live in, offering a vibrant mix of culture and entertainment. The city’s cost of living and down-to-earth charm make it an ideal destination for men seeking a comfortable, cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Striking the perfect balance between fine arts and sports, Chicago offers world-class cultural fixtures like the Art Institute, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago International Film Festival, and professional sports teams like the Chicago Bears and Cubs - complete with storied pasts and diehard fans. In addition, the city boasts one of the world’s most diverse restaurant scenes and is internationally recognized for its signature pizza, Italian beef and hot dogs. This October, Chicago will participate as a finalist to host the 2016 Olympics, which will further enhance its global reputation and support the claim that it is indeed the best city for men to live in this year.

For more information, visit www.askmen.com.

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“In times such as these, coupons sent by mail are an effective way to relieve pressure on a household budget,” said Leslie Abi-Karam, executive vice president and president, mailing solutions management, Pitney Bowes Inc. “The research clearly shows that consumers have come to depend on the cost savings associated with coupons sent by mail.”

On the east coast, grocery coupons are wildly popular in Boston, where 95% of residents use coupons to put food on the table. Nearly half of Bostonians expect a 10% discount on groceries, but they have higher expectations for discretionary purchases such as electronics or travel, where they anticipate a 25% discount.

Seventy percent of residents in New York City are more likely to redeem a coupon for entertainment and performances while these subway- and cab-hoppers are the least likely to redeem one for auto parts and services. High expectations abound on discounts for entertainment and performances in the Big Apple, where one-quarter of consumers expect more than 25% off for a show ticket.

The west coast tells a different story though, where most residents (43%) in L.A. expect only a 10% discount on entertainment and performances. When they do redeem coupons, most residents (49%) in the “City of Angels” are least likely to use them on travel and most likely (84%) to use them on groceries.

“The rising cost of food and utility prices in today’s economy is influencing spending. If marketers can pinpoint select groups of people with which to target financial promotional deals, and they get buy-in, it’s a win-win,” said Robin Coulter, department head and a professor of marketing at the University of Connecticut School of Business.

Among the survey’s other findings:
-Miami (66%), New York (64%), and Denver (64%) residents are most likely to use coupons on health and wellness products; while residents in Houston (48%), Boston (52%) and Seattle (54%)-not so much.
-Travel doesn’t top the list as something to use a coupon on in L.A. (49%), Seattle (52%) or Chicago (55%), but it does in New York (68%), Denver (65%), and Atlanta (61%).
-Residents in Atlanta (64%), Denver (64%), Miami (64%) and Phoenix (63%) are most likely to clip their coupons for auto parts and services as opposed to residents in New York (42%), Boston (49%) and Seattle (48%).

For more information, visit www.pb.com.

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“We are chronically sleeping less and we are killing ourselves,” Opp said. “For years, your mom said if you don’t get enough sleep, you are going to get sick. Now, we have pretty compelling evidence that this is indeed the case.”

Did you get a flu shot this year? Did it work? Studies at the University of Chicago and the University of Lubek in Germany show that even short periods of sleep loss play a role in vaccination success. If you miss a night of sleep, it could affect your ability to respond to a vaccination for 30 days.

Opp explained: “You are a shift worker, you’ve been up all night, you are working in the hospital, and its flu season. You stop to get your flu shot on the way home from work, but you might be immune-suppressed because of the lack of sleep, and the vaccine might not be as effective.”

Most of us fall short

Just 28% of Americans get eight hours of sleep on a regular basis - down from 38% in 2001, according to the National Sleep Foundation report. And 2 in 10 sleep less than six hours a night.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health estimates that some 70 million Americans suffer from a chronic sleep disorder or intermittent sleep problem.

“We are staying up later,” Opp said. “We are working longer hours. We have to commute longer to work. We sleep less than what the biologic need is. It’s becoming more and more apparent, as a part of very large studies, that short sleep has negative health consequences.”

How much sleep should you get every night? “There is pretty compelling evidence that the biologic need is more than 8 hours,” Opp said.

Sleep loss is associated with increased obesity and diabetes. The risk of a fatal heart attack increases 45% in those who chronically sleep five hours per night or less.

According to the National Sleep Foundation poll:

- More than one-half of adults (54%) have driven when drowsy at least once in the past year. Nearly one-third of drivers (28%) say that they have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving a vehicle.
- 27% had disturbed sleep in the past month because they’re worried about money.

Tips for healthy sleep:

1. Keep a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule, and stick to the schedule on the weekend.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine, such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
5. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
6. Exercise regularly. Late afternoon exercise is the perfect way to help you fall asleep at night.
7. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol close to bedtime.

© 2009, Detroit Free Press.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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Here are five steps you can take to get your family fit this spring:

Five: Serve at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. It’s easier than it sounds: half a cup of veggies or half a medium-sized banana, for example, counts as a serving. Keep sliced fruits and vegetables within easy reach of children, especially at times when they’re looking for a snack.

Four: Give kids four servings of water a day. Avoid soda and sugary juices - they’re very high in calories and sugar - give them their own water bottles to fill up and keep a pitcher of water on the kitchen table.

Three: Aim for three daily servings of low-fat dairy products, which are rich in the calcium a child’s growing body needs. Examples of one serving are an 8 oz. glass of milk or yogurt and 1½ ounces of cheese.

Two: Limit a child’s total daily “screen time” to two hours or less (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time at all for kids younger than two). That includes watching television, being on a computer and playing video games.

One: Encourage children to get at least an hour of physical activity every day. Plan active family outings, sign up for team or individual sports and, if your neighborhood is safe, get kids to go outside and exercise by playing or riding a bike.

© 2009, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.).
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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According to Gail DeGiulio, founder and chief funster of SimplyFun, a company that sells board games, puzzles, and other family entertainment products through in-home parties, the average sales per party for the months of January and February were higher than any other January and February figures in company history. Compared to 2008, SimplyFun’s average party sales rose 7% in January and 5% in February this year. This success mirrors an overall surge in board game sales, which, according to NPD group, were up 6% in 2008.

“Families are wisely scaling back their entertainment budgets, choosing to stay home and revisit traditional family pastimes,” said DeGiulio. “Board games and puzzles can be enjoyed over and over, giving families more quality time to spend together, without breaking their budget.”

DeGiulio goes on to note that many families are also realizing that the fun afforded by SimplyFun can serve as a much-needed stress relief during these trying times. “People need to unwind, laugh and have some healthy fun, more than ever before in our society,” said DeGiulio. “Families want to bring down the noise, turn off the news, and enjoy some quality time together. They want to bring their family back to its center.”

“Families are taking this opportunity to revisit their priorities and to get back to the basics, devoting valuable time to the relationships that are most important to them, right now,” added DeGiulio. “Life’s most important moments come about when we play with our loved ones. We’re thrilled to provide wonderful products that make it easy to do just that.”

For more information, visit www.simplyfun.com.

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Celebration Cruise Line began operations out of Port Everglades with the inaugural cruise of the MS Bahamas Celebration on March 16. The new cruise line offers two and three-night cruises that depart from and return to Port Everglades every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. With limited advertising, cabin bookings for March are at 96%t capacity and April is trending similarly.

Celebration Cruise Line is creating its niche in the crowded South Florida cruise market by trying to offer the best value in the industry. According to Glenn Ryerson, the cruise line’s marketing vice president, passengers will get a top-notch cruise experience at prices starting at $199 per person for a three-night weekend cruise. For those on a tight budget, there are three-night cruise options available for as low as $119.

Understanding that money is tight in the current economy and schedules are hectic, Celebration Cruise Line offers lower priced two-night cruises with sailings every Monday and Wednesday. Celebration is the only cruise line in South Florida with two-night cruises to Nassau.

At nearly 700 feet and over 35,000 gross tonnage, the MS Bahamas Celebration can hold up to 1,500 passengers, making it both spacious and intimate at the same time. With its classic European style, the MS Bahamas Celebration has four restaurants, a 630-seat nightclub, multiple lounges, a spacious casino, a complete spa, a fitness room, three children’s clubs with age-appropriate electronic games and activities, a pool for adults and a pirate-themed pool with a 180-foot slide for children. The cruise also offers a variety of live music and shows, as well as snorkeling, sightseeing tours and beach resort excursions.

The four dining options include a classic American restaurant, serving five-course meals from a broad menu, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style steakhouse and buffet and a casual Italian restaurant, all as part of the cruise price. For individuals looking for more upscale dining, the elegant and romantic Cove Restaurant is available at an additional cost.

For more information, visit www.celebrationCL.com.

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