The post Enhancing Your Culinary Skills appeared first on Other CMS.

The post Best Jobs for Retired Teachers appeared first on Other CMS.

The post Winter Steps To Help Your Spring Garden appeared first on Other CMS.

What You Don’t Know About St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day in America has experienced an intriguing evolution over the past century and a half. Ostensibly a saint’s day in the Roman Catholic Church – in Ireland, it’s treated more as the equivalent of our Thanksgiving – it has morphed from an expression of Irish-American immigrant pride complete with parades and performances to an almost generic holiday anybody can celebrate as long as they like green beer.

Due to that odd evolution, most Americans know little (and, to be fair, care less) about the holiday’s origins or even its namesake. To cite but one example, few St. Patrick’s Day revelers realize they are celebrating not the saint’s birthday but that of his death: March 17, 461 AD. While you rummage through your closet for the proper green attire and consider cooking corned beef and cabbage, here are a few overlooked facts that can make your St. Patrick’s Day more rewarding. Erin Go Bragh!

Ireland’s Patron Saint Was British: Much of what is known about St. Patrick is shot through with folklore and legend, but historians generally believe he was born in Britain near the end of the 4th century. At 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold as a slave to a Celtic priest in Northern Ireland before escaping back to Britain six years later. He later returned to Ireland to serve as a Christian missionary. By the way, his real name was Maewyn Succat until he changed it to Patrick when he became a bishop.Those Snakes? Just a Fish Story: Among the legends most associated with St. Patrick is that he stood atop a hillside and banished snakes from Ireland. Truth be told, the latest research indicates there were no snakes in Ireland to begin with. There are no signs of the reptiles in the country’s fossil record and water has surrounded Ireland since the last glacial period. Before that, the region was covered in ice and would have been too cold for snakes.

On the March: Records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Fla. More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in Boston in 1737 and in New York City on March 17. Enthusiasm for St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York City, Boston and other early American cities grew from there and took on a much larger importance with the arrival of massive waves of Irish immigrants.

‘Irish Need Not Apply’: While the nation has long embraced St. Patrick’s Day as a shorthand celebration of Irish culture, the first wave of immigrants to these shores was positively reviled. Beginning in 1845, a devastating potato blight caused widespread hunger throughout Ireland. While approximately 1 million perished, another 2 million abandoned their land in the world’s largest-single diaspora of the 19th century. More than 1 million came to the United States, where they were looked down upon as disease-ridden and unskilled and regularly denied work and basic human rights. The first ghettos in American history were built to house the Irish.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post What You Don’t Know About St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Other CMS.

This acquisition takes a big step in fulfilling Harmony Communities’ mission to provide the opportunity for homeownership to people who otherwise could not afford it in this costly area and “will bring the largest influx of affordable homes the area has seen in the last twenty years,” says Harmony Communities’ president and founder Matthew Davies.

Here’s how:

• According to a study by McKinsey Global Institute, the state of California needs to increase its housing supply by 3.5 million homes by the year 2025. Nationwide, our country has a shortage of 7.2 million affordable and available homes for families in need.
• The median home price is over $600,000 in California and over $800,000 in the Bay Area, a home price that is unaffordable for most families. By contrast, a tiny home in The Garlic Farm RV Park has a target starting price of $89,950. 
• About one-quarter of Garlic Farm RV Park’s residents work in the garlic industry and Gilroy, California is known as “the Garlic Capital of the World,” producing a large portion of the nation’s garlic and home to the annual Garlic Festival each summer. The Garlic Farm RV Park provides an affordable place for these workers to live.
• Teachers, firefighters, skilled tradesmen and women, and commuters priced out of San Jose also call The Garlic Farm RV Park home. The park is located twenty-five miles from San Jose Proper, a reasonable driving distance from the city.

Tiny home communities maximize available land to provide housing for more people. Whereas a typical single-family home subdivision requires on average about an acre for every 4-5 homes, a community of tiny homes holds up to 25 or even 30 residences per acre.  

Furthermore, Harmony Communities is working to cut costs and benefit the environment by installing solar power to the park by the end of 2021. The new solar system will supply 95 percent of the energy that the park’s residents require.

Harmony Communities began installing solar panels in its California communities in 2012, eight years before the enactment of state legislation requiring solar panels on newly constructed homes. While the legislation doesn’t apply to manufactured homes, Davies has seen firsthand the benefits of installing solar panels in terms of saving money and helping the environment – a move he calls a “win-win.”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post What Harmony Communities’ Latest Acquisition Means for Affordable Housing in California appeared first on Other CMS.

“This was a trailer park when Harmony bought it. Now they are turning it into a tiny home park,” says John – known as Johnny to his friends. “When they’re finished, it will be a community in every sense of the word.”

Bayshore Commons offers forty home lots – or spaces – and is slowly filling those spaces with new tiny homes. Currently, they have 21 tiny home units installed and eight of those are for sale.

Little House, Big Appeal.

What makes them appealing, Johnny says, is “they’re brand spanking new.” Many of the homes have a second floor loft, which appeals to many buyers. The homes have modern kitchen appliances, including mini stainless steel dishwashers, double door stainless steel refrigerators, and a stainless steel four-burner stove.

“The main office calls them ‘tiny homes,’ but I think they’re bigger,” says Johnny. “They feel like cottages.”

Community Improvements

“One of Harmony’s main priorities is cleanliness, keeping the park clean and safe,” Johnny explains. Since purchasing the property, Harmony made many improvements, including the installation of cameras and lights. “It feels nice, safe, and peaceful,” says Johnny.

Harmony Communities has plans to install an area for overflow parking and, upon acquisition, gave the community a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. “There used to be yellow homes everywhere. Now, there are different colors,” Johnny explains. “It’s bright and cheerful.”

The People Who Call Bayshore Commons ‘Home’

Residents of this growing community include a mix of working people and retirees. They enjoy proximity to shopping, restaurants, and Lake Chabot, which offers fishing, swimming, and twelve miles of hiking/biking trails.

A Manager Who Cares

Johnny is committed to maintaining a clean community and to serving both current and future residents by taking his time to assist them. He performs smaller, lightweight repairs as well as weeding and gardening, and says Harmony has a maintenance crew for bigger repairs. He also enjoys taking the time to show future residents the homes and apartments for rent. “I’m a friendly person,” he says. “I like talking with people.”

Bayshore Commons also has an apartment complex inside the park which includes eleven apartment units. “I grew up in apartments,” Johnny says. “I had a few landlords that were mean. I didn’t want to be like that. I wanted to be nice, friendly, understanding, and respectful.”  

And that he is, affirms Harmony Community’s Manager Sherrie Johnston. “John cares so much,” says Sherrie. “He goes above and beyond in everything he does.”

To learn more about Bayshore Commons or to arrange for a tour of one of the homes for sale, contact Harmony Community’s office at (209) 932-8747 or email info@harmonycom.com.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Bayshore Commons’ Community Manager, John Medieros appeared first on Other CMS.

• Plan Ahead

Owning a tiny house can limit the amount of space and appliances in the kitchen. With that in mind, think well ahead of time about what meals will be possible to make before hosting guests. It’s also important to consider how many dishes will be used with each meal and how the food will be stored afterward. For example, chili or soup makes a perfect meal to prepare ahead. This dish typically only requires one pot to make cleaning up easier. Also, chili and soup can easily be reheated for another meal. 

• Create Multifunctional Furniture

When not in use, furniture should store easily or be multifunctional. When hosting company, the two major pieces of furniture to consider are the dining table and guest sleeping accommodations. A table that can fit 2-6 people can take up a lot of space, so finding or making a table that can fold up against the wall is a great way to create more space when not in use. A couch that can fold out into a bed is a great option when hosting family or friends for an overnight stay.

• Utilize Decorations

In small houses, maximizing the space you have is key. However, every house needs decorations to contribute to the aesthetic. When decorating, consider every inch of your space. Decorations should not clutter countertops or tables but should be hung on walls and even the ceiling. For the holidays, consider decorating with hanging mistletoe and string lights. 

• Stay Clean and Organized

Tiny homes can get dirty much faster than larger houses. With limited space, clutter should be minimized as much as possible. Utilizing storage space and containers is vital to keep clutter off furniture and tables. To minimize clutter, keep only items that serve a purpose. Cleaning can be reduced if a little is done each day. Creating a scheduled time at the end of the day to put things back in place can go a long way in reducing overall cleaning efforts. 

Hosting people in a tiny home doesn’t have to be a hassle. Following these tips can help make holiday seasons more enjoyable, even with less space.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Four Tips for Hosting Company in Your Tiny Home this Holiday Season appeared first on Other CMS.

“In many ways, the pandemic exacerbated a problem that is already approaching crisis levels; missed work due to illness, joblessness, and wage reductions during the pandemic could drive an estimated 250,000 new people into homelessness,” Davies writes.

Davies proposed these solutions to help increase the affordable housing stock and provide assistance to those truly in need:

1. Reduce regulatory barriers to affordable housing.
2. Maximize land space with greater densities.
3. Incentivize density with tax incentives.
4. Grant rent subsidies – not rent control – to ensure help is given where it’s needed most.

Read the full article here.

The post COVID-19’s Impact on Affordable Housing: Harmony Communities’ President Contributes Article to Rental Housing Journal appeared first on Other CMS.

As a tiny home owner, you’re already taking a HUGE step in reducing your carbon footprint. Tiny homes generate substantially less CO2 than average homes and traditional mobile homes. Heating and cooling a tiny home generate roughly 850 pounds of CO2 compared to 12,000 pounds of CO2 to do the same for a traditional home.

More efficient heating and cooling systems aren’t the only way tiny homes reduce their environmental impact. The manufacturing process is also substantially more efficient. Tiny house builders employ greener, more sustainable materials. During the construction of an average 2,000-square-foot home, four to seven tons of waste can be generated. Tiny homes generate significantly less waste in their construction.

Recent research also suggests downsizing to a smaller home has a positively impact on consumption habits in other areas of your life. According to the study, downsizers were likely to eat less energy-intensive food products and adopt more environmentally conscious eating habits. Participants traveled less by car, motorcycle, bus, train and airplane, and drove more fuel-efficient cars than they did before downsizing. They also bought less stuff, recycled more plastic and paper, and generated less trash.

Here are several ways you can further reduce your carbon footprint, no matter the size of your home:

1. Replace High-Energy Appliances: Homes over 15-years-old could usually benefit from a new HVAC system. HVAC systems over 15-years-old are often considered very inefficient by today’s standards. Replacing them with more efficient units can go a long way. Upgrading other household appliances will also help reduce your impact. Harmony Communities’ newest park models come equipped with energy-efficient appliances.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat: Programable thermostats enhance heating and cooling efficiency by allowing homeowners to achieve a desired temperature at the lowest cost. Programmable thermostats learn what you like and automatically adjust to ensure comfort and savings.
3. Switch to LEDs: Switching to LEDs throughout your home has numerous benefits. You can read more about the benefits of switching to LEDs here.
4. Saving Water: You can cut down on costs and water consumption by installing low-flow water fixtures in your home. They use the minimal amount of water needed to get the job done. These upgrades pay for themselves thanks to the amount of money you’ll save on your water bill.

Reducing your carbon footprint won’t only help your wallet, it might just help make the planet a greener place.   

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Reducing your Carbon Footprint with your Tiny Home appeared first on Other CMS.

Mobile homes sit above ground and do not have a basement where pipes can be insulated from the cold. Depending upon its foundation type, a home that sits above ground can face a higher risk of pipes freezing. Newer homes, such as many of the ones that reside on a property managed by Harmony Communities, tend to fare better due to frost-resistant foundations. 

However, during very cold temperatures, nobody is immune to frozen pipes. And as damage from burst pipes can cost you a great deal of time and money, it is important that mobile homeowners and tiny homeowners take special precautions as well as understand what to do in the event that their pipes freeze.

Steps to Prevent Freezing:

• Robust and intact skirting around the bottom of your mobile home is one of your best defenses against frozen pipes. Unless your home has a foundation, you will have skirting around the bottom. Checking your skirting thoroughly before very cold weather hits, or before you go on a winter trip, is imperative. Unfortunately, skirting can often be compromised by lawn maintenance issues, shrub overgrowth, kids’ soccer balls, digging pets, and/or varmints looking for shelter. Any opening in skirting allows cold air to flow under your home and greatly increases the risk that your pipes will freeze. If your skirting is broken or worn, it might be time to replace it. Certain types of skirting are better than others; some is made with built-in insulation, which can make protecting your home from the cold even easier. Consider investing in high-quality skirting; it will be worth it in the long run. 
• It is important that underlayments are intact. Underlayments are plastic vapor barriers that fit snugly under your home, keeping moisture and pests out as well as the climate-controlled air inside. Torn underlayments can let moisture and cold airflow in. In addition, your underlayments should enclose insulation that also maintains warmth below your home in the winter months. If your underlayment is worn, your insulation might be as well. Ensuring your underlayment and insulation are in good working order will help to ensure that your home is ready for the winter months. 
• Consider water pipe insulation. Insulation sleeves for your pipes can be purchased at any hardware store. Placing sleeves around any pipes that could be exposed to the elements will help prevent freezing. Make certain the insulation fits as snugly as possible to prevent any wind from passing through to the pipe.
• A freezing level warning light can make for a good investment; this will tell you when temperatures are dropping to the level that might freeze pipes. Or simply watch the weather forecast; you especially should be concerned when temperatures are expected to drop into the teens or lower. If a particularly cold spell is on the way, you can leave one of your faucets on enough to drip. This will relieve pressure on the line; flowing water is much less susceptible to freezing. To ensure you are not wasting money on water, consider this only on the coldest nights of the year, and you can always place a container below the drip and use what you collect to water plants, make tea, etc. 

What to Do if a Pipe Freezes

If your pipe has already burst, unfortunately, there is not much you can do except to call a plumber. Your Harmony Communities office manager should have recommendations for reliable plumbers in your area. 

If you are lucky to have caught the pipe before it has burst, the first thing you should do is to open the water tap; this will allow the pressure in the pipe to release and will reduce the likelihood of that frozen section causing the pipe to burst.

Finding a frozen pipe can be tricky. In a mobile home, it is most likely going to be under the floor. It may also be closest to any compromise in the low wall or floor of the home. In other words, you could have an undetected draft that needs fixing. Once you have access to the pipe, a cool laser pointer temperature detector can be run along the pipe and will reveal where the temperature is near or below 32 degrees, or simply using touch – your hands – should tell you when you reach the frozen spot. 

Once you have found the frozen spot, wrapping the pipe with a warm towel is one option to help it thaw. Have patience and thaw the pipe slowly. The act of thawing the water too fast can lead to a sudden rush of pressure that can burst your pipe.

Heating the space near the pipe (such as inside a cabinet) using a space heater may also be an option; warming ambient air will help to thaw the pipe. However, do not use an electric heater or other devices – such as a hairdryer – directly under or close to the pipe; leaking water can cause an electrocution hazard. You can also let the heat of your home get to the pipes by opening cabinets or crawl space doors. Again, always open the faucet before thawing. 

An Ounce of Prevention…

If it appears there could be a broken pipe, turning off the main water valve to the home – if feasible – can relieve pressure and stop a burst pipe from becoming a major flood. Then call a plumber. 

As unfortunate and costly as this situation may be, take comfort in the fact that most standard homeowner policies provide coverage for burst pipes. This means your policy may cover the repair of the pipe as well as any repairs needed to damaged walls, furniture, and rugs.

Of course, the best scenario is to prep your mobile home to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in the first place. Nobody wants to come home to a burst pipe! 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Protect Your Pipes During the Holidays and Winter Months appeared first on Other CMS.