Kids Playdough Recipe

Playdough, silly putty, and sludge are three favorite words of many children.  However, buying these products in the store over and over again can be expensive.  Here is a simple easy recipe to make silly putty in your home.  The kids can even make it with some supervision.

For one small batch:
1/2 bottle of glue (or 1/4 cup)
a little less than 1/4 cup of water + 1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon borax
Food Coloring

Borax is so easy to find! And it’s cheap. Just look in the laundry section of the store. One box is enough to make about a million batches of Silly Sludge.

To make Silly Sludge, first start by measuring and pouring the glue into a glass bowl. It doesn’t have to be glass, but it will be easier to clean if it is.



Then add a little less than 1/4 cup of water and stir it until it’s mixed up pretty well. The amount of water doesn’t need to be exact at all!



Add in a tiny bit of food coloring. Like even one drop if you can.  If you add too much, you may get some on your hands when you play with it. Mix it up until the color is combined.



Set that bowl aside. Now measure out 1/4 cup of hot water and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Borax. Mix it around until the Borax dissolves. It may not all dissolve, but mostly is okay. The hot water really helps.



Now comes the fun (and educational) part! Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir.



Almost immediately, the Borax causes the glue to make a polymer chain (which means, it makes the glue’s molecules stick together). It’s pretty cool!



If all of the water doesn’t absorb into the Silly Sludge, it’s no big deal!  Move the Silly Sludge out of the bowl and play with it! The more you play with it, the better it gets. You can store it in a small zip lock bag.

For more information see Love and Laundry. 

Pumpkin Festival

 Make sure to take your family to the Pumpkin Festival at the Gardens Park.  You can get your pumpkin for Halloween and participate in tons of other activities with your family and friends.

 

Summerlin will be seeing “orange” this fall at the Pumpkin Festival taking place Saturday, October 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gardens Park.  

In addition to purchasing your pumpkin at the most festive pumpkin patch in town, Summerlin residents may purchase wristbands to participate in a variety of activities such as a hay maze, petting zoo, bounce houses, and a costume parade.  

Wristbands will be sold at the Gardens, Trails and Willows Community Centers beginning September 17 for $5 each (checks only, made payable to The Summerlin Council).  Wristbands also will be sold on the day of the event for $7 each (proof of residency required).

In addition, the Las Vegas Farmers Market will be on-hand selling their home-grown and homemade goodies including fruit and produce, flowers, corn-on-the-cob, barbecue dinners and more. 
Look for more information about this event in the October issue of Summerlines or call The Summerlin Council at 341-5500.

For more information see Summerlink

9/11 11 Years Later

 Putting aside politics and remembering 9/11 is something that everyone did today.  There were memorial services all across the United States as everyone came to remember that day 11 years ago.  Read more about the services that went on around the country.

Americans marked the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks Tuesday in familiar but subdued ceremonies that put grieving families ahead of politicians and suggested it's time to move on after a decade of remembrance.

As in past years, thousands gathered at the World Trade Center site in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., to read the names of nearly 3,000 victims killed in the worst terror attack in U.S. history.

But many felt that last year's 10th anniversary was an emotional turning point for public mourning of the attacks. For the first time, elected officials weren't speaking at the ceremony, which often allowed them a solemn turn in the spotlight, but raised questions about the public and private Sept. 11. Fewer families attended the ceremonies this year, and some cities canceled their remembrances altogether.

"I feel much more relaxed" this year, said Jane Pollicino, who came to ground zero Tuesday morning to mourn her husband, who was killed at the trade center. "After the ninth anniversary, that next day, you started building up to the 10th year. This feels a lot different, in that regard. It's another anniversary that we can commemorate in a calmer way, without that 10-year pressure."

Meanwhile, Marisol Torres clutched a photo of her cousin, New York firefighter Manuel DelValle Jr., as she walked into the memorial plaza in lower Manhattan for the somber ceremony. Torres told CBS New York station WCBS-TV the ceremony is as tough as it was after the first year.

"I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn't," said Torres. "I think you learn to live with your grief so in some sense it gets easier but you sort of learn to carry that around with you."
DelValle was 32 years old when he was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center.

As bagpipes played at the year-old Sept. 11 memorial in New York, family clutching balloons, flowers and photos of their loved ones bowed their heads in silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment that the first hijacked jetliner crashed into the trade center's north tower. Bells tolled to mark the moments that planes crashed into the second tower, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, and the moments that each tower collapsed.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama observed the moment in a ceremony on the White House's south lawn, and then laid a white floral wreath at the Pentagon, above a concrete slab that said "Sept. 11, 2001 — 937 am." He later recalled the horror of the attacks, declaring, "Our country is safer and our people are resilient."

   

Victims' families in New York began the solemn, familiar ritual of tearfully reading the names of nearly 3,000 killed, with personal messages to their lost loved ones.

"Rick, can you hear your name as the roll is called again? On this sacred ground where your dust settled?" said Richard Blood, whose son, Richard Middleton Blood, Jr., died in the trade center's south tower. "If only those who hear your name could know what a loving son and beautiful person you grew to be. I love you, son, and miss you terribly."

Thousands had attended the ceremony in New York in previous years, including last year's milestone 10th anniversary. A crowd of fewer than 200 swelled to about 1,000 by late Tuesday morning, as family members laid roses and made paper rubbings of their loved ones' names etched onto the Sept. 11 memorial.

Commuters rushed out of the subway and fewer police barricades were in place than in past years in the lower Manhattan neighborhood surrounding ground zero. More than 4 million people in the past year have visited the memorial, which became more of a public space than a closed-off construction site.

Families had a mixed reaction to the changing ceremony, which kept politicians away from the microphone in New York for the first time. Charles G. Wolf, whose wife, Katherine, was killed at the trade center, said: "We've gone past that deep, collective public grief." But Pollicino said it's important that politicians still attend the ceremony.

"There's something missing if they're not here at all," she said. "Now, all of a sudden, it's 'for the families.' This happened to our country — it didn't happen only to me."

And Joe Torres, who put in 16-hour days in ground zero's "pit" cleaning up tons of debris in the days after the attacks said another year has changed nothing for him.

"The 11th year, for me, it's the same as if it happened yesterday. It could be 50 years from now, and to me, it'll be just as important as year one, or year five or year ten."

For more information see CBS.

Fall Organizational Tips

  Fall is around the corner, which means it is time to reorganize your house for the next season.  These are some great tips on how organize your apartment for fall, and get rid of that clutter that has gathered from summer.

Tip #1 Since the floor plan may seem small, the best way to add storage as well as décor to your apartment is through wall shelving. By adding shelves, you're able to make use of wall space by storing CD's, books, videos or any other collections on the shelves and off the floor. Wall shelves are also a great way to display framed photographs or other knick-knacks.
 
Tip #2 As an avid shoe collector, I know that small closet space can be a problem in most apartments. A great way to get shoes off the floor and allow space for other items is to purchase a shoe organizer. They can be found just about anywhere, and are a great low cost alternative to closet clutter. The best ones hang right over your closet door, allowing easy access to your favorite pair of shoes. By organizing your shoes, it also cuts down on time spent looking for them, especially when you're in a hurry!
 
Tip #3 Another great way to make the most of limited closet space is to buy adding an additional closet rod. This apparatus is simply hung from both sides of your original rod by 'hangers', allowing for a second row of clothing to be added below the first. A great space-saver, this item can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a low price.
 
Tip #4 Depending on available floor space, a common storage unit can come from the form of a trunk, or chest. These are good for putting away seasonal items or even extra towels for the guests. They're also a great additive to room décor, and can also provide additional seating in a bedroom or be used as a table for pictures or flowers.
 
Tip #5 In the living room, store books or games in storage furniture like Ottomans or coffee tables with drawers and shelves. Ottomans are essential for living rooms in that they provide a leg rest instead of the coffee table, and they can store things away from sight. You can also use them to store everyday items like the remote controls, or a TV Guide to reduce clutter in the living space.
 
Tip #6 Another good space for storing items is under the bed. While most people do hide things under the bed, most often they're not stored properly and items can get dusty and sometimes damaged. Plastic bins are an easy way to store winter sweaters, extra bedding or items you just don't know what to do with. There are specially sized plastic bins that are made thin enough to fit right under the bed, allowing for easy accessibility and freshness when particular items are needed.
 
Tip #7 If you have extra space on your closet floor, adding plastic drawers can organize and reduce clutter from other areas of the house. Organize belts, scarves, ties or anything else in the plastic drawers to make room in your regular drawers for clothing or undergarments. You can also use these drawers to hold gym clothing, extra shoes or slippers, or laundry supplies to keep with the laundry pile. These drawers, as with any size or type of plastic bin, can be found at discount retailers like Target or Wal-Mart for a low price.
 
Tip #8 Cut down on clutter by adding hanging hooks to the living room, kitchen or bathrooms. These inexpensive items allow for usable wall space to be turned into a storage area for day-to-day items like your cell phone, keys or hats. Use hooks in the bathroom to hang bathrobes or wet towels, or even decorative towels can be used for both display and practicality. In the kitchen, hang dishtowels or spare keys for easy accessibility or organization.
 
Tip #9 An easy way to store a lot of items is to have a TV entertainment center with lots of drawers and shelves. Since they are usually large, make the most of the space it takes up by storing DVDs, CDs, books or video games. Try to find enough shelves to fit the electronics, and when you're all finished setting everything up, clip together the electrical cords to make it look more neat and clean. By clipping all the cords together, it's also easier to vacuum and reduce the amount of dust buildup behind the furniture.
 
Tip #10 The last tip is to shop around for furniture that has multiple uses. You have a limited amount of space to work with, so make the most of it. Most bedroom sets offer beds with drawers, so this is a great way to attain additional storage. Ikea is a great store to shop for storage solutions for affordable apartment settings. Coffee tables, end tables, and even miniature bars all have shelves or storage space, so use it wisely!

For more information see yahoo.

Trash into Treasure

 Trash into treasure is not something that everybody automatically thinks of.   This Vegas native takes the trash that you see on the street and make it into something for tourists to treasure.  Can you image that broken glass on the street getting turned into a cute tourist drinking glass?  This guy makes that happen.

Tucked in a warehouse a mile from the Las Vegas Strip, a handful of employees cut, grind, sand and polish glass — turning tourists' trash into treasure.

It's the business of bottles, and there's certainly no shortage in Las Vegas. The Strip's 24-hour party cycle sends scores of empty liquor, wine and beer bottles to the trash, much of it destined for burial at a landfill.

The demise of this perfectly good glass troubled Steve Cherry, founder of Bottles & Wood, a new Las 
Vegas-based company that repurposes discarded alcohol bottles.
 
"The last thing we should be doing with these bottles is crushing it and filling a landfill," he said. 

"That does nothing for anyone."

His business idea didn't start in Las Vegas, though. A Southern California native, Cherry began repurposing glass water bottles to make candleholders for a friend's restaurant. Customers approved of the new decor and asked where to buy it.

A sudden demand for the unique glassware got Cherry, a former software executive, thinking: Could this little side business be the start of something greater?

"I was like a shop guy when I was a kid," he said. "Never thought I was going to make a living at it."
Fast forward to July. That's when Cherry moved his burgeoning business into warehouse space with a view of the Strip on the west side of Interstate 15. He pays 40 cents a square foot to rent the space and, so far, employs a dozen people.

"There are more liquor bottles coming out of this one-mile Strip than in Southern California," Cherry said, explaining his rationale for moving to Las Vegas. "It's an enormous anomaly."

In a sense, his business model emulates the actual recycling process: He takes unwanted glass bottles from Las Vegas establishments, repurposes them and sells the new products back to wholesalers, tourists and locals. His glassware, ranging in price from $7.50 to $50 per piece, can be bought online or in gift shops.

Have a favorite liquor brand? There's probably a product made from it. Drinking glasses made from Grey Goose vodka bottles line one display shelf. Across the way, there's a light fixture featuring glass from a Jack Daniel's whiskey bottle. Other products include candleholders, candy bowls, wine tumblers and jewelry.

Cherry said his company was pursuing trademark licensing agreements with major liquor brands.
"We don't put any logos on anything we do," he said. " We just take existing product and repurpose it."

The "wood" part of the company name refers to a similar venture in California's wine country. The company's San Francisco factory takes old wine barrels and creates products, such as cheese trays and cutting boards.

In Las Vegas, Bottles & Wood has received discarded bottles from the Mob Bar, Bar + Bistro, Triple George and Krave, to name a few, Cherry said. He's working with Strip properties but can't yet disclose their names.

It's an opportunity Cherry calls a "win-win-win" for all involved. Bottles & Wood pays establishments 10 cents to 50 cents per bottle of liquor or specialty beer, he said.

"The hotels pay by the ton to have their glass hauled away," he said. "So if we take away a ton a week, it's less money they pay."

Cherry also views his new company as a way to make an impact in Nevada, a state known for its scarce environmental laws. He hopes to offer tours of the Las Vegas factory to school groups.

The 58-year-old admits his new venture is a far cry from software company boardrooms — and the ocean, for that matter. He's an avid sailor.

"I thought it was time for me to give back to the community," he said. "Doing software is horribly financially rewarding and empty in every other sense of job satisfaction."

Just don't ask about his favorite drink. It's water, he says, laughing as he looks at all the repurposed alcohol bottles surrounding him.

For more information see the Las Vegas Sun.

Rockin' Walk for the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation

Do you know about the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation’s Rockin’ Walk?  It is a great golf and walking event hosted by the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children.  This event includes a walk, various golf events, and activities for the whole family.   The best part is all the proceeds go to a great cause.  So, get on your walking shoes and come participate in this walk with your family.  The event takes place September 30^th, and space is limited so sign up now.

  Put your best foot forward at the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation's 3rd Annual Rockin' Walk hosted by the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin Golf Course, and you just might find yourself up close and personal with Justin Timberlake and 132 PGA Tour Professionals!

What is the Rockin' Walk?

The Goodie Two Shoes Foundation's 3rd Annual Rockin' Walk stands alone! This family-friendly, outdoor walking event has something for everyone! Choose your course: one-mile mixed hole, 2.5-mile back-nine or five-mile 18-hole walking opportunities. Enjoy live entertainment, great prizes, giveaways and goodie bags for all walkers (while supplies last)! Take in the day's football games on The Hill's 24 big screen TVs, the interactive kids zone and maybe catch a glimpse of the 132 PGA Tour professionals or celebrity participants practicing for the weeklong Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, which begins Tuesday.

The Rockin' Walk ends at 12:30 but all walkers are invited to stay and take in the FREE First Tee of

Southern Nevada Youth Golf Clinic!  And, all walkers receive a free single-day admission ticket to return to the Tournament at TPC Summerlin, October 2nd - October 7th.

Students of all ages can participate in the Rockin' Walk and we'll award you 2 hours of community service! Just bring your service log to THE HILL tent AFTER the walk for verification.

Active Military

Register with your active military ID and walk for FREE! Offer limited to first 100 active military members/military dependents.

Awards and Recognition
Back by popular demand! There will be special awards and recognition for the largest corporate and school teams (most registered walkers), the team or individual whom donates the most pairs of NEW shoes, as well as the team or individual whom raises the most monetary donations on behalf of Goodie Two Shoes!! Remember, just $25 helps GTSF outfit a child in need with new shoes and socks, and often more!

Your participation in the Rockin' Walk will directly impact thousands of disadvantaged children right here in the Las Vegas Valley!

So, put your best foot forward and rally your friends, family and co-workers in support of the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation's Rockin' Walk! Get out, get active, and help provide thousands of disadvantaged children with new shoes, socks and more.

For more information see Goodietwoshoes.org

Weekend Community Events

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?  There are tons of community related events happening all over Las Vegas for you and your family to participate in.  Many of the events are free or low cost, so they are great for the whole family to participate in.

Free Table Tennis Tournament (ages 7-14)
Friday, August 17, 5 p.m.  Register in advance.
Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., (702) 229-6374.
Players will compete by age divisions. Winners in each division are awarded a special prize.

Era by Ciara at The MarketLV
Friday, August 17, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Tivoli Village, 302 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas
Era by Ciara will be hosting Ladies Night with Lola. There will be free champagne, make-overs, and
raffles at each event.
Admission is free

Scottish Country Dancing (ages 13+)
Friday, August 17, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person at the door; $4 for members of Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.
Scottish country dancing celebrates the beautiful ballroom dance styles of Scotland. Dances can be
lively and joyful or gentle and graceful. From the first chord to the final bow or curtsey, participants will
be inspired by the driving reels, jaunty jigs, snappy strathspeys or lilting airs. Dancers should wear
comfortable clothes and soft shoes. Cosponsored by the Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers, a
nonprofit volunteer organization. For more information, call (702) 656-9513.

Music on Main Street: Glen Galarde Project
Friday, August 17, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
The Courtyard at The District at Green Valley Ranch
The Concert Series presents a variety of local and regional talent representing a diverse line-up of
musical genres. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. Admission is free.

Free lakeside concert: Friday Night Classic Rock
Friday, August 17, 7 to 10 pm
The Village Lake Las Vegas
The Village Lake Las Vegas hosts free lakeside concerts, every Friday and Saturday night, through
October 27th.

The Outdoor Picture Show: Beethoven
Friday, August 17, dusk
The Green at The District at Green Valley Ranch, adjacent to Whole Foods Market
Enjoy a movie under the stars that the whole family can enjoy! Guests are encouraged to bring blankets
to sit on, and picnic baskets with snacks to enjoy. Complimentary popcorn is provided. Admission is free.

Dash & Splash
Saturday, August 18, 7:30 a.m.
Cost: $15 preregistration; $20 event day.
Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive, (702) 229-1488.
Get your exercise with a 1.5-mile run through Veterans Memorial Park followed by a 300-meter swim in
the pool. No age limit, but participants must be able to swim 100 meters successfully.

Summer Square Dance Hoedown (ages 8+)
Saturday, Aug. 18; introductory lesson 6:30 p.m.; dance 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $8. Pay at the door.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., (702) 229-6383.
Enjoy square dancing to callers Joe Valvo and Ron Sowash and cuer Ron Hartzell. Newcomers and
families are welcomed. No need to bring a partner. Mainstream dances, plus mixers and round dances
will be included, as well as a chance to win door prizes. Refreshments will be available. For more
information, call (702) 348-4906 or 229-6383. Cosponsored by the Stardusters, Las Vegas Square &
Round Dance Club, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

Music on Main Street: The Stephanie Sanchez Project
Saturday, August 18, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
The Courtyard at The District at Green Valley Ranch
The Concert Series presents a variety of local and regional talent representing a diverse line-up of
musical genres. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. Admission is free.

Free lakeside concert: Freddie B
Saturday, August 18, 7 to 10 pm
The Village Lake Las Vegas
The Village Lake Las Vegas hosts free lakeside concerts, every Friday and Saturday night, through
October 27th.

Salsa Under the Stars - featuring musical guest Vol. 1
Saturday, August 18, 8 to 11 p.m.
Tivoli Village, 302 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas
Salsa Under the Stars will feature a live salsa band, salsa dancers and an open dance floor for all who
want to dance the night away. Cash bars will be located outside providing refreshments for guests
Admission is free

The Outdoor Picture Show: An American Tail
Saturday, August 18, dusk
The Green at The District at Green Valley Ranch, adjacent to Whole Foods Market
Enjoy a movie under the stars that the whole family can enjoy! Guests are encouraged to bring blankets
to sit on, and picnic baskets with snacks to enjoy. Complimentary popcorn is provided. Admission is free.

Pet Adoptions
Sunday, August 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tivoli Village (inside The Dog House), 302 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas
Extraordinary animals will be on display and available for adoption.

For more information please see vegas4locals.