You love your child’s artwork and want to celebrate their creativity, right? Of course you do! But after their latest masterpiece finds a temporary home on the front or sides of your refrigerator and eventually has to make way for your child’s newest artistic gem, then what do you do with it? It’s easy to feel totally overwhelmed by the sheer volume of art your pint-size Picasso produces, but art preservation company My DigiFridge can help. By using your child’s artwork to create practical and fun gifts and keepsakes, My DigiFridge makes it possible for you to share in your child’s excitement, pay tribute to their artistic endeavors and prevent precious memories from simply cluttering up drawers, closet shelves, the space underneath beds and other storage areas. Send a clear message that you’re proud of your child by turning their artwork into puzzles, blankets, mousepads, placemats, mugs, aprons, screensavers, slides for digital frames, scrapbooks and more or simply preserve and store them on CDs or DVDs. The possibilities are endless!

The charming artwork on this blanket was done by the recipient’s grandfather to celebrate her birth.

This little girl’s artwork was used to create a cool puzzle.

This child’s artwork was turned into a colorful and practical mousepad.

The electronic waste (e-waste) recycling program run by the Lower East Side Ecology Center allows New York City residents to dispose of unwanted or broken electronics in an environmentally responsible way and this September and October they will be holding 17 e-waste recycling events in all five boroughs.

They accept electronics from households, small businesses (less than 50 employees, please call ahead) and not-for-profits. A list of acceptable recycling materials can be found here, as well as answers to other e-waste FAQs. They do not accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators or air conditioners.

All events will be held rain or shine and will run 10am to 4pm (with the exception of the September 20th event which will run 11am to 7pm). Directions to the locations listed below can be found here.

BRONX

September 25, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
VAN CORTLANDT PARK – Broadway between Manhattan College Parkway and Post Road

BROOKLYN

September 24, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
FORT GREENE – Habana Outpost – Fulton Street between South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street

October 01, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
CARROLL GARDENS – Smith Street between President and Union Streets

October 01, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
WILLIAMSBURG – The New New York, N 11th Street between Kent and Wythe Avenues

October 02, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, Pier 1, Furman Street between Old Fulton and Doughty Streets

October 15, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
PARK SLOPE – 8th Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets

October 16, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
PARK SLOPE – 7th Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets

October 22, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
BED-STUY – Restoration Plaza, Herkimer Street entrance between New York and Brooklyn Avenues

October 23, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
COBBLE HILL – PS 29 Schoolyard, Baltic Street between Henry and Clinton Streets

MANHATTAN:

September 17, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
CHELSEA – Tekserve, 119 West 23rd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

September 18, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
LOWER EAST SIDE – Delancey Street between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets

September 20, 2011 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
UPPER EAST SIDE – Church of the Heavenly Rest, 5th Avenue and East 90th Street

October 22, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
UPPER WEST SIDE – Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Amsterdam Ave between West 96th and 97th Streets

October 23, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
STUYVESANT TOWN – 14th Street Loop, enter at 14th Street and Ave A

QUEENS

September 24, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
St. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY – parking lot, enter at Gate 4, Union Turnpike and 175th Street

September 25, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
NY HALL OF SCIENCE -  visitor parking lot, enter at 111th St. and 49th Ave.

STATEN ISLAND

October 02, 2011 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
SHOWPLACE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER – 141 E Service Road, enter at Victory Boulevard and Beresford Ave

The average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and textiles in the trash each year, totaling 6% of our entire residential waste stream.  But with your help, landfills are going on a diet. More than 51,000 New Yorkers have helped NYC lose 1 million pounds by recycling unwanted clothing, linens, paired shoes, bags and more through GrowNYC’s textile recycling initiative.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why a textile recycling program?

5.7% of NYCs residential waste stream consists of textiles like clothing and towels. All told, New Yorkers discard 193,000 tons of textiles every year in NYC, at a cost to taxpayers and our environment.

Where and when can I recycle my textiles?

Textiles can be dropped off weekly at 8 select Greenmarkets: 97th Street, Union Square (Mon and Sat only), Grand Army Plaza, Fort Greene, McCarren Park, Inwood, Tompkins Square and Jackson Heights.

What items are accepted?

Our collections accept clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, bedding, linens, hats, handbags, belts, fabric scraps 36″ x 36″ or larger and other textiles.  We do not accept rugs or carpeting.

What happens to materials donated?

Materials are sorted into different grades including usable/non-usable, cotton scrap, cotton blend scrap and synthetics. These commodities are then sold for reuse as clothing, linens, etc or to recycling markets that turn materials into wiping rags, fiber for car seats and insulation.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! Your contribution to the program directly benefits Council on the Environment, Inc. d/b/a GrowNYC.

What if I can’t make it to these collections?

If you are unable to attend our weekly collections, contact Wearable Collections at 646-515-4387 or info@wearablecollections.com to see if you are eligible for a home pick up. Better yet, visit www.WearableCollections.com to find out how to set up a textile recycling program in your apartment building!

Can my business bring items to the drop-off sites?

NYC law requires businesses to recycle textiles if they comprise more than 10% of the company’s total waste stream. Visit NYCWasteLess to find a vendor.

ONE-DAY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

MANHATTAN

Saturday, September 10, 12pm-4pm
Tucker Square Greenmarket
Columbus Ave at 66th St

Saturdays, September 17 & 24, 11am-4pm
Tribeca Greenmarket
Greenwich St b/t Chambers & Duane

Saturday, October 15, 11am-4pm
Abingdon Square Greenmarket
Hudson St & West 12th St

BRONX

Friday, October 28, 9am-2pm
Parkchester Greenmarket
Westchester Ave & White Plains Rd

Wednesday, November 2, 9am-3pm
New York Botanical Gardens Greenmarket
Mosholu Gate on Southern Blvd b/t Mosholu Pkwy & Bedford Pk Blvd

ONGOING WEEKLY COLLECTIONS

FRIDAYS

97th Street Greenmarket, 8am-2pm
W 97th & Columbus

SATURDAYS

Union Square Greenmarket, 8am-6pm
Union Square Park, North Plaza (17th St.)

Inwood Greenmarket, 8am-3pm
Isham St b/t Seaman & Cooper

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, 8am-4pm
NW Entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Fort Greene Greenmarket, 8am-3pm
Washington Park at DeKalb

McCarren Park Greenmarket, 8am-2pm
Union b/t Driggs & N12th St, Greenpoint

SUNDAYS

Tompkins Square Greenmarket, 8am-4pm
E 7th & Avenue A

Jackson Heights Greenmarket, 8am-3pm
34th Ave b/t 77th & 78th Sts

MONDAYS

Union Square Greenmarket, 8am-6pm
Union Square Park, North Plaza (17th St.)

NOTE: Ask a market manager if you cannot locate the clothing drop-off.  All collections are year round but may be suspended due to major holidays or extremely inclement weather. Please call or visit our website for updated information.

Got a stash of old cellphones, video game players, cameras, e-Readers, laptops or other electronic devices cluttering up your space? If you do, then now is a great time to do some Spring cleaning & decluttering and get cash for your stash at the same time. Online companies like NextWorth and Gazelle make it easy and convenient for you to get additional value out of your used electronics equipment, while being environmentally responsible by keeping them out of the landfills.

Here’s how it works. Go to the website, list what you have to sell and receive back an offer. If you like the price you’re offered and accept it, you’ll receive a check, a Pay Pal credit card or a gift card and your electronics will be refurbished and resold or recycled. Warning: remove all of your personal data from any devices you sell before sending them on their way to new users.

Do you have family members, friends or other loved ones who are technologically challenged? Are you their one-man (or woman) tech support team? Now there’s a way to help them get their tech groove on. A website created by Google to Teach Parents Tech (so you don’t have to!) – TeachParentsTech.org – offers more than 50 2-minute videos with step-by-step instructions on topics such as how to send emails, cut and paste copy, change wallpapers, make text bigger or smaller, create a blog and take screenshots, among other things.

So, the next time you’re asked to lend a technological hand, let Teach Parents Tech help you empower those in need to become more technologically self-sufficient. Think of it as the tech version of Jesus teaching a man to fish instead of just giving him one! Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime! If recipients get the idea, you may be off the technological hook (pun intended!) forever!

Poof! In a split second, all of your computer data is gone. Emails, photos, music and other essential documents…gone in the blink of an eye. If your computer is damaged, stolen, infected or corrupted, that’s what can happen unless you have a reliable backup system in place. Thefts happen. So do fires and water damage from floods or leaks. And hard drives fail out of the blue and for seemingly no reason. If the thought of losing your data scares you then you should be backing up your files…NOW.

Incredibly, many people have no backup of any kind and many people only start backing up AFTER their first major catastrophe. Well, if that’s what it takes to get you to protect your data, OK, but that’s walking a bit too much on the wild side for me. Given that more and more people have their lives in the box that is their computer, you need to think about all the possible “what if” scenarios that can happen to that box. That’s just being sensible, smart and saving yourself a lot of potential aggravation and emotional and financial pain.

If you don’t backup because it’s time consuming, too hard to remember or you’re not sure how or what to backup, then you should check out Carbonite, available in PC and MAC versions. Carbonite provides UNLIMITED online backup for just $59 a year and all of your files are backed up to a secure, offsite location. Recover lost files anytime, anywhere with just a few clicks. Carbonite also offers remote file access. Just log into your account on the Carbonite.com website and securely retrieve single files over the Internet no matter where you are – away on vacation, traveling on business, at school, in the office or anywhere else you can get online.

But don’t take my word for it, experts like David Pogue, Technology Reporter for The New York Times, say that Carbonite is the easiest online backup software to use. Try Carbonite free for 15 days and enjoy the benefits of secure, easy, hassle-free online backup.

What are you waiting for? Your computer to crash?!

Spring cleaning your garage doesn’t have to be painful. Like the rest of your house, it’s a matter of planning and keeping in mind these helpful tips courtesy of Closets by Design.

1. Reclaim the garage floor – The trick is to use the space on the garage walls to your advantage. Toys such as golf clubs, tennis rackets and skates can be stored along the walls, while bikes can be hung on hooks from the ceiling. Rakes, shovels and other yard supplies can also be easily organized on an interior wall. Using this space wisely will not only help you to increase your storage space but make items easily accessible.

2. Cut the clutter – It’s amazing how many “things” you acquire over the years, and finding a place for each one is not always possible, or necessary. It’s important to discard items you no longer want or need. Sort through all of your tools and home maintenance supplies, and separate items into those you can sell, donate, throw away or recycle. If you haven’t used it in a year, you can probably get rid of it.

3. Sort and label – It’s not enough to simply get organized. The real test is to stay organized. Labeling boxes and containers eliminates the frustration of rummaging through all of your belongings to find one specific item. Put similar items into categories (i.e. tools, holiday decorations, etc.) so you will be able to maintain an efficient organizational system.

4. Safety first – Since you’re already sorting items, be sure to keep potentially hazardous chemicals together and locked. It’s best to use a lockable tool chest or cabinet for extra caution. Also, make sure that any power tools with an on/off switch are stored securely out of children’s reach.

5. Increase storage with sturdy cabinets and shelving – Because paint cans, tools and other bulky items will be stored in the garage, it’s important that cabinets and shelving are sturdy enough to support the extra weight. Not all cabinets are built the same and it’s important that you understand the construction behind your cabinet and the weight limitations. A proper storage solution can organize your items and keep them out of site. An important note when purchasing garage cabinets – make sure the doors will open when your car is parked in the garage.

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Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation as the nation’s leader in the closet organizing and storage remodeling industry. The company offers customers comprehensive solutions to all their organizational needs in a short and simple process by designing, building and installing custom home offices, closets, garage cabinets, wall units, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and other home organization systems. Closets by Design offers a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware. There are currently 33 locations serving major markets across the country. To schedule a FREE in-home consultation, please visit Closets by Design or call 800-293-3744.

To honor its worthy mission, I would like to recommend Catalog Choice a free service that lets you reduce unwanted mail and choose how you hear from brands. Catalog Choice was started by three environmental groups – the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation and the Ecology Center, which runs Berkeley, California’s curbside recycling program – with the goal of reducing the negative impact on our natural resources caused by the mass mailing of catalogs.

So, if you have no need for paper phone books, want to opt out of receiving paper catalogs, stop pre-approved credit offers at home or unwanted mail at the office, register with Catalog Choice now.

One organizing challenge I routinely encounter when working with clients with children is that the parents don’t know how or where to store the mountains of arts and crafts their children produce. Fortunately, I can help solve that problem by recommending Tara Sroka Designs.

Tara will design a unique scrapbook for your child using digital photos you take of their artwork or projects. (I suggest letting your children help to decide which items to include in their book.) It’s a great way to save the memories without holding on to every object and having them end up as just so much clutter. Your children will be thrilled when they see their scrapbook and so will you! Order multiple copies for grandparents and others to have as a special gift.

Another dilemma I come across in clients’ homes is what to do when they have a lot of sentimental clutter. Sound familiar? If you’re the recipient of too many family heirlooms and are feeling overwhelmed by them, take photos of the ones you don’t want to keep and then let them go. Tara can create a memory book from the pictures and the objects will always be available for viewing and reminiscing without creating clutter or taking up a lot of valuable space.

Tara makes preserving, sharing and enjoying the memories from any occasion easy and affordable. She’ll help you to tell the special story of your wedding, vacation, graduation, child’s first day at school or any other event you want to commemorate. During the creative process, Tara will keep in close contact with you to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. The end result of your collaboration with Tara Sroka Designs will be a beautiful, professionally printed and bound keepsake book.

 

Future generations of your family will thank you for preserving your memories and their heritage!

Spring is finally here.  It’s time to switch your closets from winter to spring wardrobes.   Proper handling and maintenance of your off-season garments is critical as it can extend the life of certain pieces by several years. Therefore, the wardrobe storage experts at Garde Robe created this introductory summary to help you.

• Always make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time.  Even if the garment looks clean, if it has been worn it may have bacteria and or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated for several months.  You should always remove your dry cleaner’s clear plastic bags immediately as these bags trap gasses that can cause discoloration and don’t allow the garment to breathe properly.

• Purchase and use the proper storage supplies.  Acid-free tissue, breathable garment bags and canvas boxes are inexpensive and vital to maintaining a garment’s pristine condition.  Boot trees and toe shapers for footwear and appropriate hangers are also highly recommended.

• Proper storage conditions and ventilation is essential.  Garments should not be subjected to dust, sunlight, humidity or drastic changes in temperature, so basements and attics are not recommended in most cases.  Proper spacing between garments must also be taken into account – never crowd garments into a small area in the back of the closet because they need to breathe.  Be extra cautious when storing leather and suede as these fabrics can bleed into one another – use acid-free tissue to separate these garments.  Never store furs at home as they must be stored in special cold storage units.  Always use a reputable furrier and have the fur revitalized as needed.

• Fold all knits with acid-free tissue to avoid creasing the individual fibers and place them in a breathable box with the heaviest ones on the bottom.  Material damaging insects such as moths will be attracted to cashmere and other natural fibers, especially if bacteria are present.  Placing cedar and lavender sachets in the boxes works as a deterrent and is far more pleasant than moth balls.  However, the sachets often contain oils so be cautious to avoid direct contact between the sachets and garments.  Heavily beaded garments should also be folded with tissue and not hung in most cases.

• Hanging garments require proper hangers and breathable garment bags.  Hanger selection should take into account the type of garment and its weight.  Heavy garments such as winter coats should be stored on strong, padded hangers.  In most cases, pants and slacks should be hung from the hem or cuffs to avoid creasing.  Take advantage of a garment’s support straps or loops to avoid stretching.

Named “Best Secret Service” by New York magazine, Garde Robe is the first and only luxury wardrobe storage and valet service.  Ideal for city residents with extensive clothing and footwear collections and/or inadequate closet space, Garde Robe provides climate-controlled luxury storage for off-season or infrequently worn clothing, shoes and accessories, professional photography and online wardrobe catalogs, complimentary same-day pick up and delivery, luggage-packing and shipping services, and more.

Garde Robe – (212) 255-3163