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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
The numerous pets I have owned in my life have taught me many things, like how to take responsibility for another living thing and care for its needs at any age. But one of the biggest lessons about pet ownership is one I learned very early: You should always ask your parents for permission before agreeing to adopt a pet. When I was a kid, I noticed an advertisement in my elementary school newspaper that sought a new home for a pet mouse. To this day, I have no idea why I felt compelled to adopt this mouse. My family had never owned any cats or dogs, but all I knew was that I had to have it. So, I called the owner and agreed to adopt Whiskers before even asking my parents for permission. I wasn’t home when the person dropped Whiskers off at our house, which left my parents very confused and wondering what the story behind this mouse could be. It took a little convincing, but they let me keep Whiskers! For the next few years, Whiskers and I were pals. He would sit in my shirt pocket, and I’d sneak him little treats. This little brown mouse made for a great pet and, ultimately, became the first of many. After forcing my parents into being mouse grandparents, we adopted gerbils, guinea pigs, and tropical fish throughout the remainder of my childhood. These little pets were easy to take care of, and they were fun for us kids to play with. They kept us all on our toes, too. In fact, one day, we adopted what we thought was a male gerbil from the pet store and named him Herbie. As I was leaving for a week of Boy Scout camp one Friday, I saw definitive proof that our gerbil was not a male. Inside our cage were little pink logs, each one scrambling around, discovering their new world. I quickly shouted to my mother, “HERBIE HAD BABIES!” We ended up keeping some of those babies, and we all had a special place in our hearts for one in particular who had a little stumpy leg. We kept him the longest. FROM WHISKERS TO BUDDY How I Came to Be a Pet Owner
My years as a rodent pet owner came to a close when I grew up, but I still sought the companionship and joy of a pet as an adult. By the time my son, Nick, was 5 years old, we adopted a Labrador mix named Buddy from a lab rescue. He came to us already housebroken, which was a plus, and for the next 15 years, he was a faithful companion in our home. He was more of a mutt than anything, and he was a sweet dog. He was always excited to see us when we came home. We all loved Buddy, and it was heartbreaking to have to put him down in 2013. No matter how much responsibility caring for a pet requires or how many surprises they throw at us, we still adore them and treat them like family. From Whiskers to Buddy, having a steady stream of pets in my life has created many fond memories I will always have with me.
–Jim Serra
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARVEL MOVIES? Three Marvel Movies to Watch Out For
For the past 10 years, Marvel movies have delighted families and comic book nerds alike with their memorable characters, incredible action scenes, and sprawling, interconnected storylines. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the story of the Avengers so far, told through 23 movies. Even though this year marked the end of a massive arc that Marvel Studios dubbed “The Infinity Saga,” there are still more movies coming out that will feature everyone’s favorite heroes. Here are a few films coming up next in the MCU. A Black Widow Solo Movie International assassin Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, was the first female member of the Avengers and made her debut appearance in “Iron Man 2.” She never got her own movie, but Marvel announced recently that a Black Widow movie is officially in the works for the next phase of Marvel movies. Besides the fact that they’ve started filming, there’s not much information about it yet. But for many excited fans, this movie has been a long time coming. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, and the gang are all back in the third installment of this smash-hit franchise. Without getting into too much detail, “Avengers: Endgame” and the post-credits scene of the second “Guardians” movie provided some clues about the plot and possible main villain. Though details are slim, “Vol. 3” is sure to be another rollicking ride through the cosmos.
there would be a sequel. Audiences will journey back to Wakanda and see the newest adventures of King T’Challa and crew, although not much is known about the plot or the release date as of now. But you can rest assured that the creative minds behind the sequel are taking their time to make it as good as the first. The future storyline of the MCU is up in the air, but, if the previous movies are any indicator, families, fans, and audiences everywhere have a lot to look forward to.
‘Black Panther 2’ “Black Panther” was immensely popular (it earned nearly $700 billion domestically), and its success removed all doubt that
THE GOLDILOCKS PHENOMENON
HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR HOME’S HUMIDITY LEVELS STAY NEUTRAL
Your home’s environment can affect your health, mood, and sense of comfort. At Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, your comfort is our main priority and that’s why we offer more than just HVAC servicing. We also do all we can to keep ideal moisture levels in your home. In dry climates, portable humidifiers can be the perfect solution to dry skin, stuffy noses, and dusty furniture. Portable humidifiers can solve short or seasonal bouts of dryness in your house, but if your home is chronically dry, the best course of action just might be installing a whole-house humidifier. These devices are housed within your home’s HVAC system, and they don’t require the same level of maintenance as portable humidifiers. These devices run with your HVAC system, keeping your home at the right temperature and moisture level without the need for weekly adjustments or cleaning.
levels in your home climb past 50%, and your body can also feel the lasting effects of high humidity. HVAC experts tend to agree that a home’s ideal humidity setting is between 35% and 50%. Typically, your home’s basement and bathrooms can be trouble zones for humidity. The dark, cool surroundings of basements allow moisture to build up, and regular showers and baths add more water to your bathroom’s air. Dehumidifiers are commonly sold in portable styles, and some even come as a humidifier/dehumidifier combo, which can be great for homes in varying climates. But like homes that are too dry, homes with too much moisture can benefit from a whole-house system. This requires little maintenance for the homeowner and ensures that your home stays within the ideal humidity level. At Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, our technicians have the expertise to install a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier system. Learn more about these products by visiting AireServ.com/Mid- Hudson-Valley, or schedule a consultation or installation by calling 845-256-6158.
If your home has the exact opposite problem, where you can’t seem to get the sticky humidity out of your house, a dehumidifier can wick away the excess moisture. Your wood floors, furniture, and drywall are compromised when humidity
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Don’t Reach for That Sweater! Finding the Ideal Office Temperature for All Your Employees
Does this sound familiar? Outside, the weather is sweltering, but inside, you’re freezing. Your desk is frequently adorned with blankets and heating pads, while your trusty cardigan is always part of your work outfit. If so, you’re not alone. Researchers have found it’s not uncommon to feel chilly at the office. This doesn't just make for an uncomfortable working environment; studies have shown that this temperature may be directly impacting productivity. In 2004, a Cornell study found that people were more productive when the office temperature was a lukewarm 77 degrees. The study’s female participants were tracked for 20 consecutive days as they typed at work. When the temperature dipped below 70 degrees, error rates skyrocketed up to 25%! In addition, women might be feeling this chill more than their male counterparts. Scientists believe this is because women tend to carry their fat around their midsections and thighs. This means that while their torsos remain warm, their ears, arms, and necks are more susceptible to the frosty air wafting from the company’s air conditioning unit.
A recent study has even gone so far as to connect this productivity rate with gender norms. Tom Chang partnered with Agne Kajackaite of the WZB Berlin Social Science Center to study the test results of students — both male and female — while the temperature of the room shifted from 61 to 91 degrees. The experts found that as the temperature heated up, women performed better on the math and verbal skills portions, while the men’s scores plummeted, and vice versa. Despite the diversity in most working environments, many offices continue to maintain a cooler working temperature, like what would have been ideal for offices when its workers were predominantly men. Shifting the thermostat up a few notches could create a middle ground that is ideal for all your employees! Uncomfortable working conditions are detrimental to employees’ productivity and could be costing you extra money. If your company’s HVAC unit is struggling to keep your office at the ideal temperature, the experts at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can help. Learn more about our corporate HVAC servicing by calling 845-256-6158 or visit AireServ.com/Mid-Hudson-Valley.
Gazpacho, an Andalusian soup made of blended vegetables and traditionally served cold, is the perfect refresher on a warm summer day. SUMMERTIME GAZPACHO
HAVE A LAUGH!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced into ribbons • 1 small Vidalia onion, peeled and cubed • 1/4 cup basil leaves
• 1 clove garlic, peeled • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Place a blender and medium mixing bowl on your workstation. 2. Divide the tomato, cucumber, and bell pepper evenly between blender and bowl. Place all of the onion in blender. 3. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to blender. Blend on low, gradually increasing speed to high until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. 4. Add blender contents to bowl and mix until just broken up, about 10–20 seconds. 5. Let mixture sit in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer to bowls and serve.
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
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392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
My Many Pets INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
The Next Phase of Marvel Movies
Is Your Home Too Wet or Too Dry?
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Cooler Offices Temps May Be Influencing Productivity!
Summertime Gazpacho
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Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings
THIS AIN’T MOTEL 6!
AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb.
out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven
for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia line the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
Brand New Studio Earthship Taos, New Mexico
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
ManCave Apartment/Airplane Hangar Geneva, Florida
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned
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