Local Activities

Autumn Health and Safety Tips Fall into good habits this autumn! Follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy.• Get involved: Help your kids with activities at home

and at school, ensuring they are safe.• Take steps to prevent the flu: The single best way to

protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year in the fall. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often. Stay home if you get sick.

• Get smart about antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, but not viral infections. The common cold and the flu are viral, so avoid using antibiotics if you have these. Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

• Have a safe and healthy Halloween: Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for all.

• Test and replace batteries: Check or replace carbon monoxide batteries twice a year when you change the time on your clocks. Replace smoke alarm

batteries once a year. Test alarms monthly.• Keep food safe: Food is center stage during the

holidays. Be sure to keep it safe by following basic food safety steps. Clean hands and surfaces often. Separate foods to avoid cross-contamination. Cook to proper temperatures. Chill promptly.

• Be prepared for cold weather: Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises. Remember that using space heat-ers and fireplaces can increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Wash your hands: Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It’s best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.

Source: cdc.gov/family/autumn/index.html

Understanding Energy Star• Seeing the label on the left on an appliance or other energy-using product indicates that the EPA has rated it as energy-conserving based on a number of factors. • Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.• Certified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.• If the certified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time• Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.• Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.• Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.

• It’s important to also look at the EPA Energy Guide label on appliances and other products when deciding which product to purchase base on energy usage.

Source: EPA Energy Star

Tips & Ideas

Monthly Quote

Management and Resident Services wish a “Happy Birthday”

to all residents born this month!

D.C. EventsH Street Festival Sept. 16, noon-6 p.m. The festival includes musical and dance performances, children’s activities, crafts, international foods and more. For more information, visit hstreetfestival.org

Source: hstreetfestival.org

Catch a Washington Redskins Game

this Month! Sep. 10 Philadelphia Eagles

Sep. 17 (Away) Los Angeles RamsSep. 24 Oakland Raiders

Housekeeping TipsCleaning Hacks for the Most Common #SummerStainsHere are a few favorite cleaning hacks from Merry Maids to help make sure stains don’t leave their mark on your summer. No matter what stain you’re tackling, it’s important to test an inconspicuous area before beginning.• Grass Stains: These can be a parent’s worst nightmare, but have no fear, Merry Maids has a simple and natural solution: vinegar. Apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to the stained area, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then launder the item and let it air dry. For set-in stains, combine vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, and rub it onto the stain with a toothbrush, launder the item and let it air dry.• Muddy footprints: In most cases, the first rule of stain removal is to act fast – but in this case, your best bet is to let the mud dry completely, then move the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner slowly across the affected areas. If you still have some residue, gently scrape it with a flat object to loosen it, then vacuum again. Once you

have as much off as possible, put a bit of dishwashing liquid on a damp microfiber and gently blot. Then, rinse the cloth of any sudsy residue and blot again. Repeat as necessary – and be sure you have a mat by the door to remind family and guests to wipe their shoes and feet before coming indoors.• Berries and Juice: These are summer staples, but when put into kids’ hands they can make quite a mess. It’s best to catch these spills soon, first use a paper towel and then a microfiber cloth soaked in warm water. If the spill occurs on a cloth surface, blot the wet area with ice cubes and dry it with a microfiber cloth. For berry-stained hands, combine lemon juice with salt to remove the color left by the berry’s juices.• Sunscreen Residue: Sunscreen is a must, but if you apply it inside your home, be careful. Lotions can leave oily residue on your hands, which you can transfer to furniture, clothes or other things you touch. Aerosol varieties may seem easier to apply, but watch where you spray it, as it can leave a film over windows, walls and floors. For mirrors, windows and walls, wipe the excess with a dry microfiber cloth, then use warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent to remove the remaining residue. For floors, remove the excess sunscreen with a microfiber cloth or spatula, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum the area.

Source: New York Times Well Guide

Newsletter for Columbus Property Management Residents September 2017

Volume 1, Issue 12Table of Contents

Page 2Local DC Activities

Monthly Quote

Housekeeping Tips

Page 3Tips & Ideas

Page 4Recipe of the Month:

Financial Tips

Never Write a Rent Check Again

Grievance Policy

Learn About Ways to Promote Healthy Growth in Children and Prevent Obesity

About 1 of every 5 (17%) children in the United States has obesity and certain groups of children are more affected than others. While there is no single or simple solution, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month provides an opportunity for learning about ways to prevent and address this serious health concern. Childhood obesity is a major public health problem.

• Children who have obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults. This can lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems, including diabetes and increased risk of certain cancers.

• Children who have obesity face more bullying and stigma.• Childhood obesity is influenced by many factors. For some children and families

factors include too much time spent in sedentary activities such as television viewing; a lack of bedtime routine leading to too little sleep; a lack of community places to get adequate physical activity; easy access to inexpensive, high calorie snacks and beverages; and/or a lack of access to affordable, healthier foods.

• There are ways parents can help prevent obesity and support healthy growth in children.

• To help ensure that children have a healthy weight, energy balance is important. To achieve this balance, parents can make sure children get adequate sleep, follow recommendations on daily screen time, take part in regular physical activity, and eat the right amount of calories.

• Parents can substitute higher nutrient, lower calorie foods such as fruit and vegetables in place of foods with higher-calorie ingredients, such as added sugars and solid fats.

• Parents can serve children fruit and vegetables at meals and as snacks.• Parents can ensure access to water as a no-calorie alternative to sugar-sweetened

beverages.• Parents can help children get the recommended amount of physical activity each day

by encouraging them to participate in activities that are age-appropriate and enjoyable. There are a variety of age appropriate aerobic, muscle and bone strengthening activities that kids can do.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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www.columbuspm.orgwww.missionfirsthousing.org

twitter: @MissionFirstHG

CPM Connections is written by CPM’s Resident Services

Department.Check out what’s happening at Columbus Property Management

online!

Track Your Spending, Then Track Again

There are two types of spending: essential and discretionary. Your essentials are costs you can’t avoid, like food and shelter. Weekly happy hour? Sorry, that’s discretionary. To keep track of your mon-ey, you need to get a handle on where it’s going in the first place. Here’s how:

1. Record each and every penny, nickel and dime of your daily output for the entire month. Even parking meters. If tracking for a month sounds like a huge task, start out with a week and go from there.2. Categorize what you spend into essentials and discretionaries.3. Commit to shaving off at least $2 a day from your overall spending next month.4. Repeat each and every month until...At the end of the year, you’ll end up with at least $730 in cumulative savings, which you can contribute towards paying down debt, surrender to the wonder of compound interest or set aside for the goals that really get you out of bed, no caffeine necessary. Once you get in the tracking habit, you’ll be amazed at how many opportunities you’ll find to save money, reduce debt and achieve your financial goals.

Source: Feedthepig.org

Never Write a Rent Check Again! It’s the beginning of the month-you got things to do, places to be, and bills to pay. We know how busy you are and how long that ‘to-do’ list can get.

That’s why we’ve made it as easy as possible to mark “pay rent” off the list every month with our convenient and secure, electronic payment and mobile app option! You can make a one-time rent payment online or with our app without purchasing a money order or standing in line. It’s fast, easy and can be done when you want, from where you want.

Plus it’s FREE! That’s right, FREE! Save time and money by paying your rent online or with our app! Please contact Susan McMichael at (215) 557-8414 x3211 to sign up today!

Grievance Procedure for ResidentsA resident may ask CPM to reconsider any adverse decision should a dispute not be resolved through normal procedures at the site level. Request for reconsideration must be in writing and must set forth the specific reasons why the resident or prospective resident believes the decision was in error. Any reconsideration request must be limited to the allegation and issues directly related to the alleged adverse action. The complainant must identify all relevant information that he or she believes is incorrect or that was omitted from previous consideration. The request must include all new and material information believed to support the reconsideration request. All grievances will be reviewed by a company officer and will be responded to within 10 business days of receipt. Please direct all grievances to: Columbus Property Management, Attn: Grievance/ Complaint, 2042-48 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by email to: corporate@columbuspm.org

Ingredients• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil• 3 1/2 pounds beef chuck pot roast• 2 teaspoons salt • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper• 1 cup diced carrots• 1 cup diced celery• 1 cup diced onion• 1/4 cup butter• 1 teaspoon dried rosemaryDirections:1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).2. Pour vegetable oil into a large oven-safe pot over medium high

heat. Season the chuck roast with salt and black pepper. Brown the meat on both sides in the hot oil, and transfer to a plate.

3. Stir carrots, celery, and onion into the pot, and cook and stir until vegetables start to release their juices, about 3 minutes; loosen any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Add butter, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Then sprinkle in rosemary, stir the vegetables, and return the roast to the pot. Cover the pot with a lid.

4. Roast in the preheated oven until the chuck roast is tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Season vegetables with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.

Source: allrecipes.com

Recipe of the Month: Simple Beef Pot Roast