Being prepared for a disaster is a matter of anticipating the unexpected. Nobody knows when or even whether a disaster will hit, so it’s wise to be prepared. The information on the American Red Cross’ disaster-preparedness Web site (www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared) can help.
The Red Cross offers suggestions for putting together a disaster supplies kit, useful for even minor emergencies like power outages, and provides specialized information on such topics as dealing with children or pets in a disaster and considering the needs of the elderly and others with special concerns.
Early bloomers
Drink in the colors of autumn. They’re the last bright spots you’ll be seeing in the landscape for a while.
Remember this, though: When the winter doldrums descend, you can bring a little spring color into your life by forcing branches into early bloom indoors.
A page from the University of Illinois Extension’s Web site, Forcing Branches Indoors, at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/forcing, tells you how to do it, and also includes a list of suitable plants.
Urban renewal
For some modern-day colonists, the New World is found in old cities. These urban pioneers are stemming the decay of neglected areas and turning them into thriving neighborhoods.
They’re the audience for The New Colonist, an online publication devoted to this latest form of urban renewal.
The site, www.newcolonist.com, contains articles on everything from city planning to street food, pages devoted to specific cities and a gallery of artwork related to urban themes, as well as a discussion forum and bulletin board.
