Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Lexington Goes Purple


The Town of Lexington will turn purple for two days in June with programs and activities to raise awareness about the far-reaching impact of Alzheimer’s disease and to support affected residents and families.

The events begin on Saturday, June 8 (events 10:30-5) in Cary Memorial Library at 2pm with a presentation “The Science of Hope:  Progress Toward A World Without Alzheimer’s Disease”.  The talk will be given by Kelsey Gosselin, Manager of Medical and Scientific Engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association World Medical Congress, who will discuss the latest research in the field including information on how residents can participate in clinical studies.

Following the talk, the Library will host the Citizen’s Science project “Stall Catchers”.  Attendees can play this web based video game on their mobile devices and, in so doing, help researchers at Cornell University advance their research.  The Library will also host a lemonade stand.  Stop by for a cup of lemonade.  All donations will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Cary Library’s Idea Wall will feature Alzheimer’s and dementia related and questions on which  community members can provide feedback and share their experiences for all of June, which is Brain Health month.
Then on Sunday, June 9 (events 11-4) activities start with the Purple Puppy Promenade at 11am, open to all dog owners. Dress your pooch in purple and join in a walk around Emery Park and along the Minuteman Bike Path.  Make a donation and take home some purple swag for your pup.  Show off your pet’s tricks and obedience skills and win a prize!   Register in advance by emailing Joyce Murphy at joycesmurphy@gmail.com or on site the day of the event.

The events at the Lexington Depot begin at noon and will include activities for the whole family. 
Children can participate in a multi-generational dementia coloring book project and learn origami to help create 1,000 paper cranes as a symbol of hope and healing and to fulfill the wish for a cure for Alzheimer’s.  The afternoon will also feature a performance by the Lexington Chamber Society and a closing celebration with purple ice cream.

From 1:00 to 4:00pm, Brookhaven at Lexington will host a social bridge tournament.  Partners will be provided and prizes will be awarded.  Registration in advance is required, and a $10 donation is requested.  Please contact Jim Osten at ostenj724@gmail.com or Jeanne Krieger kriegerjk44@gmail.com for registration and more information.

Lexington Goes Purple is part of the Alzheimer’s Association event “The Longest Day”.  All proceeds benefit the research, advocacy and support services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Spring Cleaning Your Lexington Home


It’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your Lexington home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, particularly if you’re an allergy sufferer. You owe it to yourself and your family to enjoy a clean that’s more than dirt-deep. Think allergen-deep.
And you don’t have to dread spring cleaning. Just follow the top 10 spring cleaning tips and tricks for allergy sufferers from Sylvane.com:

1. Make a Schedule
Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Regardless of where you start, having a plan for when you’re tackling each room will keep you focused on the task at hand.

2. De-clutter
Decluttering makes you more efficient and keeps you organized. But more than that, clutter has psychological influences. It signals to your brain that work isn’t done. Studies have shown that a disorganized home adds to your stress level. The scientific implications of inhaling dust – combined with the psychological stress of coming home to a pile of unsorted laundry or cluttered desk – can take a toll.
Set aside some time to:
Organize your closets
Dust and organize your office
Look through that dreaded junk drawer
You may be surprised how fresh you feel after you eliminate unnecessary stress from your life.


3. Always Work from Top to Bottom
When you think about how to spring clean your home, it’s important to start from the ceiling down. This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first.
Then dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming all the dust and debris off your floors. It will save you time.

4. Use a HEPA Vacuum
Is your vacuum ready for spring cleaning? Finding the right vacuum is one of the most important parts of spring cleaning. Remove more than just dust and build-up when you vacuum. A high-quality HEPA vacuum catches particles you can’t even see. It traps pet dander, allergens and all household particles in your home.
It’s one of the best spring cleaning supplies you can arm yourself with. Using a vacuum with HEPA filtration will remove dirt and dust, but it will also remove allergens and impurities from your air.
You’ll see this suggestion on just about every spring house cleaning list.
If you don’t have a HEPA vacuum, look for one with attachments, like dusting brushes and crevice tools, and hoses that can be used to clean any location.
These tools make it simple to clean ceiling fans, cobwebs in corners, furniture, pillows, and tight spaces like behind furniture. Be sure to move your furniture too (or at least vacuum under it).

5. Think Green When You Spring Clean
You want to start spring off on a clean note, so don’t expose yourself to chemicals and toxins. A steam cleaner is one of the best green products for spring cleaning. It can be used to clean your microwave, tile, hard floors, kitchen appliances, bathrooms, and even outdoor areas.
Since steam cleaners only use hot water vapor, they are a 100% natural and chemical-free cleaning solution. But keep in mind – not everything can be steam cleaned.
If you don’t have a steam cleaner, one of the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. These ingredients are affordable, non-toxic, and have worked for ages when it comes to cleaning.

6. Walls and Windows Need Love too
People almost always clean their floors, but they typically forget about walls and windows. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Just use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds (starting from the top). Remove and wipe down the window screens outside.
When it comes to the actual window, we don’t suggest using chemical cleaners. A steam cleaner with a squeegee is a great way to clean windows.

7. Don’t Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom
Kitchens
Wipe down your cabinets.
Go through your pantry and refrigerator. Wipe down the shelves, and throw away any old items.
If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other issues.

Bathrooms
Change your shower curtain.
Go through your cosmetics drawer or medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items.
Consider installing or upgrading to a new bathroom fan. Replacing an existing fan or adding a new one can help to ensure your bathroom remains in top notch condition. They are great for ventilating moisture during showers and removing odors/vapor removal. Depending on the unit you select, it may even come with built-in lighting, automatic operation, and other user-friendly features.

8. Don’t Forget About Your Air
Replacing furnace and HVAC filters is one of the most important and overlooked parts of spring cleaning. In fact, replacing a standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating will help keep you healthier as you enter spring.
It will catch smaller, irritating particles. Air conditioner ducts build up dust during winter, and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles so they don’t enter your space. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air.
The best way to ensure healthy spring air void of allergens, indoor chemicals or odors is with an air purifier. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or wakes up stuffy during allergy season, adding an air purifier to his/her bedroom will help.

9. Have Severe Allergies? Protect Yourself.
Cleaning will more than likely unsettle all the winter dust on furniture and fixtures. If you suffer from allergies or are using heavy-duty cleaners, be sure to read the labels. For safe spring cleaning, wear rubber gloves, masks, scarves and even hairnets. Protective clothing will help guard against skin irritations and allergic reactions.

10. Let Spring Cleaning Set a New Tone
If your space feels dark and heavy, you can make small changes to help make it light and fresh for spring. Adding new colorful pillows or art are great ways to change up your space. Replacing items like bedding, towels, table linens, and even window treatments are other ways to transform your rooms for spring and warm weather ahead.





Monday, May 20, 2019

Discovery Day in Lexington




Lexington’s Greatest Street Fair
— A Fun Filled Day for the Entire Family!
— Live Music and Dancing! —
— Food and Fun! —
— Tables of Bargains! —
— Balloons and Clowns! —
— Exhibits from Town Departments —
— Free Parking All Day —
— Free Lexpress Rides in Lexington —
COME OUT AND JOIN THE FUN!


Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Remove Odors from Lexington MA Home

Lexington MA House Cleaning Tips
If you're preparing to sell your home in the Lexington MA real estate market this spring, or you're spring cleaning, removing home odors should be a priority. As your Lexington MA real estate agent, allow me to share some tried-and-true methods for common home odors:

Pets – The odor of pets, particularly pet urine, is a hard one to remove. Apply an enzyme spray on the floor or furniture to break down odor molecules. Replacing carpet might be necessary.
Lingering food smells – Cook with windows open and range hood fan on high. Clean pans and utensils right away after cooking. Absorb smells overnight with a bowl of vinegar or coffee grounds.
Paint – A cut onion can neutralize paint smells. Who knew?!

For more common odors and how to remove them, check out this realtor.com article. When ready to buy or sell in the Lexington real estate market, contact me, your Lexington real estate agent!

Theresa D'Antuono

Monday, May 6, 2019

Happy May Day Lexington


May Day is usually celebrated on May 1 but this year will be celebrated on May 6. It is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities. In the late 19th century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day.
The earliest May Day celebrations appeared with the Floralia, festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, held on 27 April during the Roman Republic era. It is also associated with the Gaelic Beltane, most commonly held on 30 April. The day is a traditional summer holiday in many European cultures.

As Europe became Christianized, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and May Day changed into a popular secular celebration. The secular versions of May Day, observed in Europe and North America, may be best known for their traditions of dancing around the maypole and crowning the Queen of May. Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbors’ doorsteps.
In some parts of the United States, May baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. May Day celebrations are common at women's colleges and academic institutions.

In Minneapolis, the May Day Parade and Festival is presented annually by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre on the first Sunday in May, and draws around 50,000 people to Powderhorn Park.



Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Lexington Visitors' Center Will Temporarily Relocate to Cary Memorial Building on April 22


Shortly after Patriots' Day, on April 22, 2019, the Visitors' Center will temporarily move operations to the Cary Memorial Building at 1605 Mass Avenue for approximately 12 months while we construct a brand new Visitors' Center, which will open spring 2020.
What:  
The existing Visitors' Center will be demolished, and a new 6,000 sq. ft. Visitors' Center will be built in its place. During the interim, the Visitors' Center and its programs, including the gift shop, Liberty Ride Trolley Tour, and private charter tours, will operate from the Cary Memorial Building at 1605 Mass Avenue (adjacent to the Town Office Building, near Grant Street). The Battle Green Walking Tours will still be available on the Lexington Battle Green.
When: 
The existing Visitors' Center will temporarily close from April 22 through May 5, 2019 to move operations into the temporary space.  The Visitors' Center will reopen on May 6, 2019 in its temporary space in the Cary Memorial Building (1605 Mass Avenue).  The Visitors' Center will continue to operate a limited gift shop in the temporary space and maintain the other programs on a regular schedule - the Liberty Ride Trolley and the Battle Green Walking Tours – until the new Visitors' Center is move-in ready, expected spring 2020.
Who:
The Visitors' Center is host to over 120,000 guests every year – from Lexington residents to international tourists. We will continue to serve all our guests with generous Lexington hospitality and our passion for the American story.
Why:
The Town chose to build a new Visitors' Center in 2018 to better share the story of Lexington’s role in American Revolutionary history. The original building was built in the 1960’s to accommodate a third of the current visitorship; it lacked essential accessibility accommodations and was suffering from structural disrepair. The Town is committed to being stewards of our country’s birth story and views the new building as a gateway for those coming to experience Lexington.

Contact:
Phone: 781-862-1450
Email: visitorscenter@lexingtonma.gov