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JULY 2023
23andMe and Changing Identity NO LONGER GERMAN
I used to be German.
different reason. But German is so low that it almost didn’t register. Everyone was shocked, and I think the entire thing is hysterical. How did we get it so wrong? Identity is a funny thing. While it is true that other people want to label us, we naturally do it to ourselves. We can’t help it. I am a dad, a property manager, and a small-business owner. When I was younger, I used to say I was a soccer player. And in my previous professions, I was a consultant and “in finance.” The labels are a mental shortcut that helps us process faster and break the world into buckets. But sometimes, they are limiting frames that encourage us to act a certain way, often against our natural inclinations. Take my “property manager” label, for example. If I am not careful, I put myself in a box that says I am a strict enforcer of rules and processes. Yes, that makes a good property manager, but it also limits my ability to see what else a property manager can do (and what a property management company can do). And it hinders certain situations where there are good reasons to bend the rules. Labels can lead to oversimplification, stereotyping, and prejudice, and, most importantly, related to property management, ignoring intersectionality. In my mind, intersectionality is where the magic happens. Bringing together all of our various labels is what makes us unique and allows us to do creative, important things that have an impact.
I still was, kind of, until just a few weeks ago.
Both my paternal grandmother and grandfather are German. We even have documentation showing that my great- grandmother came from Germany through Ellis Island in the early 1900s. I was forced to try sauerkraut so often as a kid that now I occasionally, willingly, add it to my plate during a potluck ... because I’m German. Unless they play against the U.S., I cheer for Germany in the World Cup and am actually disappointed when they lose ... because I’m German. I even married a woman who studied German in high school and college. That wasn’t why I married her, but it was a nice side benefit … yup, because I’m German. Well, 23andMe took my sense of national identity and threw it in the trash when my brother shared his results that said ... I am not German after all. And this wasn’t just a situation where I thought I was over half one nationality, and it turns out I am slightly less than half. I went from thinking I was north of 50% German to the truth that ... drumroll please ...
So, I’m not German?
I don’t shy away from the labels others give me (or the ones that I give myself), but I also am very aware that the combination of all of those elements makes me me . And I think that is what makes RCW the RCW you know now ... the combination of all the people and backgrounds that have shared values and who are pushing to a shared, meaningful goal. I’m happy that we are who we are at RCW, and I am honored that we get to serve as your property manager. Thank you!
Yours in still adjusting from not being German anymore,
P.S. Now that I am more Scottish than German, my ears are “pricked” when I hear things about Scotland. Did you know that the national animal of Scotland is the Unicorn? Yup, I read that recently (and confirmed it). That could be an interesting newsletter topic.
I am only 1% German.
Turns out I am over 60% Scottish, English, and Irish, which is funny for an entirely
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No-Sew, No-Stress How to Make a DIY Bench Cushion
Revitalize Your Carpets
With the Power of Steam Cleaning
What do you do if you notice a spot on the carpet while vacuuming? If you’re like most people, you’ll spray the trouble area with a carpet cleaning solution and carry on with your day. But what if this doesn’t clear the spot? Sometimes, your carpets require a deeper cleaning. Most experts recommend that you get your carpets deep-cleaned once every 12–18 months, and one of the best ways to do this is by using a steam cleaner. You can steam clean your carpets yourself or hire a professional cleaning company. Most home improvement stores like Lowe’s offer steam cleaner rentals for a low fee that are convenient if you only need to clean one or two rooms. There are also national and local carpet cleaning chains that offer steam cleaning services. The prices vary depending on the size of each room and how many rooms you need to be cleaned, but you will love the results.
It’s inevitable when hosting a large gathering that someone ends up sitting in an unconventional spot. Thankfully, there’s a way to turn any bench-like furniture into comfortable seating without ever needing to sew. You just need a few materials and a little time! Gather your materials. Start by measuring the area you want to cover. Then, head to your local hardware store and have them cut a piece of plywood to the exact dimensions. You’ll also need to get 3-inch medium-density bench foam, cut with a large serrated knife to be the same size as the plywood. Finally, gather an upholstery fabric of your choice, hi-loft batting, upholstery trim, a staple gun, a glue gun, spray adhesive, a drop cloth, and scissors. Start assembling! Putting the seat together is relatively simple, but it’s important to ensure your measurements are correct before starting! • Place your bench foam on top of the plywood, lay the batting over the foam, and trim it so the batting hangs over the foam by a few inches. • Once it’s trimmed, separate the pieces, set the plywood on the drop cloth, and cover it with spray adhesive. Press the foam onto the plywood until it dries. • Lay the batting on the foam, then lift one side of the batting and spray the foam with adhesive. Press the batting gently into the foam (you want the batting to stay in place while slightly shifting to minimize friction between the fabric and the foam). Repeat this process for the other three sides. • Trim the excess batting so that it’s flush with the plywood. Lay your upholstery fabric over the top of the cushion, trimming it with a few inches of overhang. • Gently flip the cushion over, plywood side up, so the upholstery fabric is on the bottom. • Starting on a long side, carefully pull the fabric up and around the plywood and staple 1 inch from the edge. Do this around the entire outside of the cushion, using as many staples as necessary. • For the corner, fold the fabric in two 45-degree angles before stapling. Trim any excess fabric. Your cushion should now look how you want it to look. If you want to permanently fix it to your seating area, use a glue gun to stick the cushion to the top of the seating surface.
When you use other cleaning methods, like shampooing, you have to use large amounts of water, and that doesn’t always completely dry. The leftover moisture can quickly turn to mildew and mold, which smells bad and releases spores that spread throughout the rest of the house. This isn’t an issue with steam cleaning. Steam cleaning removes the dirt,
bacteria, and germs that even vacuums and shampooing can’t reach. Not only will your carpets be cleaner, but they’ll also look better
and last longer. Steam cleaning removes
those stubborn stains that other methods can’t erase through a nontoxic solution and steam. And you won’t have to worry about colors running or carpets fraying when using a steam cleaner. The next time you need to give your carpets a deep-clean, try getting them steam-cleaned. You’ll be surprised at how much nicer your carpets look!
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GOING GREEN FOR SUMMER
Sustainable Living Made Simple
While summer is a favorite season for many, it’s also a time when people start slacking in their sustainability efforts. They start using more air conditioning or try other environmentally unfriendly methods. While there are certainly some days when we need the A/C, there are many more we can survive without it. In addition to turning off the air conditioner, there are other things we can do regularly to ensure a sustainable summer.
Here are a few practices to incorporate into your life this summer that will be less damaging to the environment than the alternatives. Control your home temperature and lighting. We all know how refreshing it can feel to walk into an air-conditioned home after a hot summer day, but air conditioners use a lot of energy. Instead of relying on the A/C, utilize your fans more often or open your windows after the sun goes down. Don’t leave your air conditioner on if you’re leaving the house for more than a few hours. Also, keep in mind that summer brings more sunlight, which means we can open the curtains and let the sunshine in instead of turning on a few lights. Get your produce from farmers markets. Farmers markets offer a great selection of local produce and other foods. If you’ve never been or don’t go regularly, you should make a habit of going as often as you can. Not only are you supporting local businesses and farmers, but you’re also helping the environment since you’re buying from vendors that don’t have to travel far to sell their products. Avoid using disposable products. Summer is the best time for picnics, and many will try to use Styrofoam cups and plastic utensils for easy cleanup. However, these items are incredibly harmful to the environment! Rather than buying single-use items, bring Tupperware or other reusable containers, and be sure to clean up after yourself.
The Best Broccoli Pesto Pasta
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
Directions
• 1/2 tsp salt • 4 cups broccoli • 1 lb penne pasta • 2 cups basil leaves • 2 garlic cloves, smashed • 1/4 cup pine nuts,
1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. 2. Add broccoli and cook until tender (around 4 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to a blender. 3. Bring water back to a boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente and reserve 1 1/4 cups of pasta water. 4. In the blender, add basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and Parmesan cheese to the broccoli and blend until smooth. Slowly add pasta water until a sauce forms. 5. Drain pasta and transfer back to the pot. Mix sauce and pasta together until fully coated. 6. Top with more Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and chili flakes if desired.
plus more for serving
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese,
plus more for serving
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
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57 DODGE AVE., STE. 107 NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473 860.613.6290
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INSIDE
1
23andMe and Changing Identity
2
Upgrade Your Seating
Give Your Carpets the Cleaning They Deserve
3
Stay Cool and Sustainable This Summer
The Best Broccoli Pesto Pasta
4
Want More Natural Light?
LET THE SUNLIGHT IN OR KEEP IT OUT Summer Curtain Call
Now that summer has arrived, the sun is shining brighter and longer than any other time of year. For that reason, you might want to turn off the fluorescents and let the sunshine into your home. How do you let in natural light while maintaining your privacy? Through curtains, of course!
Sheer Some sheer curtains
are made with a privacy liner so you can see out, but neighbors can’t see in. Sheer curtains often use breezy, light fabrics that come in all kinds of colors, so you can use them to add some pop in your decor. Layered Layered curtains are a combination of light and
heavy fabrics to give you even more control over how much light seeps into your house.
Blackout All that sunshine can create a glare on your television or other screens when it’s time to watch a movie or play a game. Blackout curtains can block the light out while giving you complete privacy.
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