40 THE COURIER SUN • AT HOME • JULY 17, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com at home PREPARE FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING THIS SUMMER After a long winter trapped indoors, nothing beats a great backyard get-together to catch up with old friends, introduce yourself to new neighbors or just enjoy a beautiful day. Now that the weather is warmer, you may be thinking about your fi rst gathering of the season, but before the guests arrive, get your backyard in shape with these easy and affordable tips. • Take advantage of green space. One of the fi rst things guests will notice about your backyard is the yard itself so give your lawn a little TLC before the day of the event. Mow the lawn and bag the clippings if your grass is long - this will prevent those stragglers from sticking to your guests’ shoes and feet. Next, trim the bushes and pick up any lose sticks or toys that may be lying on the lawn so guests won’t step on or trip over something they wish they hadn’t. • Make patio furniture sparkle. Your guests will want a place to sit and relax, so pull your patio furniture out from storage and give it a thorough cleaning with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. You can also sprinkle a little baking soda underneath the chair cushions to keep your outdoor furniture fresh all season long. • Add a dash of color. Nothing complements your green space like a little pop of color. If you have a fl ower box, head to your local homeimprovement store and pick-up fl owers to suit your style. If you don’t have a fl ower box, you can purchase inexpensive planters and hang them in your backyard. If you have time, paint the fl ower boxes in a complementary color. • Get the grill ready. If your annual summer tradition includes barbequing, make sure the grill is ready to be the center of attention. Sprinkle Arm & Hammer Baking Soda on a damp brush to scrub the grill clean. For tough, greasy stains, scrub with a wire brush and a paste of three parts baking soda to one part warm water. No matter which cleaning regimen you use, remember to rinse the grill thoroughly after scrubbing. • Make your deck shine. The deck is a frequent stopping point for guests, especially if it’s near the grill or coolers, so give it a thorough power wash to remove winter residue. For wood decks, check that all of the boards are structurally sound and that none have elevated nails or splinters. If you have time, consider putting a fresh coat of water sealer on your deck to make it shine all season long. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, evening soiree or pool party, taking simple steps to prep and clean your home now will save you time and stress in the future. For more ways Arm & Hammer Baking Soda can help get your patio and yard ready for the summer season, visit ArmandHammer.com. Courtesy BPT Found the home of your dreams Buying in Long Island City? Lyons Mortgage Services offers: Found the home of your dreams in Long Island City? For financing contact in Long Island City? For financing contact Residential, Commercial & Construction Loans Quick & Efficient Closings • Low Fixed Rates Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. Residential, Commercial Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. Residential, Commercial www.elyons.com 800-448-8101 & Construction Loans Quick & Efficient Closings & Construction Loans Quick & Efficient Closings Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIN Low Fixed Rates Low Fixed Rates For More Information and a FREE Pre-Approval www.elyons.com For More Information and a FREE Pre-Approval www.elyons.com Or call us 718-267-2000 Or call us 718-267-2000 Headquarters 48-02 25th Ave Suite 303 Astoria, NY 11103 Headquarters 48-02 25th Ave Suite 303 Astoria, NY 11103 The Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Ave 26th Floor New York, NY 10174 The Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Ave 26th Floor New York, NY 10174 Like us on Facebook Like us on Facebook @LyonsMortgage for great real estate and mortgage tips! @LyonsMortgage for great real estate and mortgage tips! Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. is a Mortgage Banker Licensed by the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Banking Departments.1-800-448-8101 Lender NMLS ID 58702. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. is a Mortgage Banker Licensed by NY Department of Financial Services and the NJ, CT Banking Departments. Lyons Mortgage Inc. is a Mortgage Banker Licensed by the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Banking Departments.1-800-448-1-8101 800-448-Lender 8101 NMLS Lender ID NMLS 58702.ID 58702. Rates Rates and and terms terms subject subject to to change change without without notice. notice.
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