Your water rates are on the rise in 2013, 2014 and quite probably in the years to follow.

The Metropolitan Water District announced the 5 percent increases for the next two years Tuesday after weeks of argument and debate. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/10/met-rejects-sd-plan-sets-higher-water-rates/?page=1#article

Critics of MWD say the increase is to compensate for financial mismanagement. Approved rate hikes through 2014 and projected increases through 2017 means higher monthly water bills for you the consumer for the next five years and maybe beyond.

One way to combat higher bills is installation of an EasyTurf water saving lawn, reducing your water use by up to 70 percent. The significant reduction equates to thousands of dollars in your pocket and the peace of mind knowing you are not paying for the financial mismanagement of the Water District.

More than 250,000 active duty and retired service members and their
families live in San Diego County.

Whether serving on the front lines, home front or in times of
humanitarian need, these fine Americans sacrificed their time, energy
and freedoms to serve their country. Parents missed birthdays, spouses
missed anniversarys, and some children have lost a father or mother to
the enemy. They gave, and continue to give.

We should honor these Americans not just on Veteran’s Day and July 4th
– but every day. Because every day, a child misses his father or
mother who is deployed; every day, a spouse’s heart yearns to be
reunited with the one they love; and every day, around the world, our
young men and women serve the causes of freedom and justice.

As a token of appreciation and recogniztion of their service, EasyTurf
President Dave Hartman extends a 50 percent off discount to any who
retired from our Armed Forces or who still wear the uniform – not for
a ‘limited time only’ – but every day.

Be their hero and rescue them from the depths of their doldrums.  Scoop them up and whisk them away to the great outdoors to enjoy our beautiful So Cal weather. Here are a few easy activity ideas to get you started:

Create your own Summer Olympics:

Establish three or four events and have your children. The events could be traditional Olympic such as the long jump or sprints around the yard, use outdoor furniture for hurdles. You would obviously need a dog for that one, but whatever the event, ensure you officially recognize your participants with applause and a homemade medal. Use your outdoor patio for the awards platform.

Build a Bird House or Feeder

Local hardware stores stock easy-to-build bird houses and feeders even the most tool-challenged human can build. Whether simple or complex, your child will enjoy the time it takes – especially when he sees birds flocking to your creation.

Play Catch

Some of my fondest childhood memories are playing catch. Something about the rhythmic simplicity of tossing a ball back and forth in the yard is very comforting. It could be the fresh air and sunshine or perhaps the time shared with Dad.

Whatever the activity, get your kids off the couch, away from the TV to your outdoor living spaces and excited about summer again.

If you have the resources, you can purchase a complete outdoor movie theater package like this one HERE from Target. If you’re like me, and you’ve got a tighter budget, you can cut costs by purchasing the projector and speakers separately, and then “building” your own screen. I purchased a 10×6 foot of black-out fabric (available at fabric stores like JoAnn’s) for $24. I attach it to the side of the house – vinyl side out – and voila! Instant movie screen!

When you’ve got all the gear, it’s important to set it up well before the sun goes down – trouble shooting in the dark when your guests impatiently munch on their popcorn can be stressful. Make all the screen size, resolution and sound adjustments before your guests arrive.

Once the sun’s gone down, the popcorn’s popped, and the guests arrive, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. And if you’re looking for a good movie, I suggest my favorite – “Shawshank Redemption.”

First, so we’re on the same page, smelts are a family of small fish common in North American and Northern European lakes. The Delta Smelt, is found in the Sacramento Delta of California, and is an endangered species.

Southern California’s water supply is again the focus of local leaders and media, and recent article by the San Diego Union Tribune.  Pumping restrictions to protect smelt, pollution, lack of snowfall, water storage – they all play a part in the challenges California faces with r details the issues again coming to a head.  Pumping restrictions to protect smelt, pollution, lack of snowfall, water storage – they all play a part in the challenges California faces with regard to its water supply.

Historically and potentially, what that means to the consumer is increased water rates. You could likely see another hike your monthly bill – you could be paying more for your showers, to wash your laundry and dishes, to water your lawn …

Unless that is, you have an EasyTurf lawn.The lush green grass is the most realistic synthetic turf on the market. Artificial grass could help you save up to 70% on your water bill, you will also save time and additional money as EasyTurf is virtually maintenance free.  With water rates on the rise, now is a good time to consider EasyTurf.

So, it might be a stretch, but one thing EasyTurf and smelts have in common is a sincere appreciation for water conservation!

For the partier, Christmas lights aren’t just for Christmas anymore. Plain white lights strung in trees or gazebo add a touch of class to your backyard, whereas the multi-colored strands accented by some tiki torches like THESE from Lowes create a more festive atmosphere. Established walkway and path lights like THESE three tiered solar lights from Home Depot not only add a nice lighting touch, but also the element of safety for your guests.

For a more subdued night home alone or with a loved one, use candles and candle lanterns like these from Pier1 to illuminate your outdoor living area. The softer lights will also give you a chance to kick back on your lush EasyTurf lawn and do a little star gazing – without worrying about bugs or getting dirty.

Your backyard is a living extension of your home and should be enjoyed well after the sun’s gone down. Get a lighting plan, maybe a classic Hemmingway novel, and make the most of it.

The “Ultimate” Hamburger
Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato, cut thinly
• 1/4 cup garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon honey mustard

Directions: Here comes the hard part! Combine the ingredients, form patties and stick them on the grill. For some extra flair, create a smorgasbord of toppings for your guests to create their own custom burger fit to their liking! My personal favorite is some pepper jack cheese and avocado, yumm.

For the perfect final touch spark some fireworks with stars & stripes
fruit pops from your favorite party supplier, PartyCity. They make look
difficult to make but you’d be surprised at how simple they are.

Ingredients:

• Watermelon
• Green Apple

Directions: Start with two different sized star-shaped cookie cutters. Slice the watermelon and apples into sections big enough to a lot for the cookie cutter. Use the larger star-shaped cookie cutter for the watermelon. Cut out watermelon stars and set aside. Now take the smaller star-shaped cookie cutter and cut out the apple slices. Once you are complete carefully slide the apple center into the watermelon slices and accent with a blueberry on each. PartyCity twirled blue curling ribbon around cake pop sticks to create the stripes. We think that finished them off perfectly!

So now that we’ve taken the hard part out of the party planning; sit back, relax and enjoy yourself! After all you deserve it for throwing this fabulous party.

More than 10,000 happy customers make up the EasyTurf family. Ten years in business and thousands of Southern California installations helped EasyTurf garner the votes needed to reach the finalist round. Now, with three weeks of voting left, it’s up to registered users to pick the winner.

“We are pleased that San Diegans have once again recognized us for our superior line of synthetic grass products and customer service.” said EasyTurf President David Hartman. “Our nomination to this year’s finalist list proves that our dedication to offering the best and most innovative products that surpass the competition in terms of look and feel, drainage and durability and our commitment to quality customer service have not gone unnoticed.”

Help us become “San Diego’s Best Artificial Turf Company” for a 3rd year in a row! Votes are being collected now and can be cast at http://www.signonsandiego.com/bestof through July 3rd. Users must be registered to vote and can vote once daily through the end of voting. So be sure to sign on daily to cast your vote! The winners will be announced September 2, 2012 in the Union-Tribune’s 15th annual San Diego’s Best section and online at SignOnSanDiego.com. We’re crossing our fingers that you will vote us as the winner for 2012!

Faced with the losing battle of “Dogs vs. Lawn,” Brinah looked for another answer. She needed something that was pet friendly, not only safe but also something that would hold up to the daily wear and tear from the dogs. A product that would be easy to maintain so she could focus more on her passion for training. Most importantly she wanted something that would complete the look of her backyard oasis and appeal to her doggy clients.

Synthetic grass was the answer, and after researching different brands, Brinah confidently determined EasyTurf to be the best solution to her lawn problems. EasyTurf is the most realistic synthetic grass on the market, and its unmatched durability will stands up to the beating her dogs put into it. Brown patches and worn out spots are history. EasyTurf’s superior drainage is also the only synthetic grass backing that drains clean preventing pet waste odor buildup to keep the dogs cleaner and healthier.

Armed with the facts, Brinah called EasyTurf and the old, tired lawn was replaced with a lush green landscape, pet-friendly, play-oriented and optimized for training!

Instead of putting countless hours into trying to maintain a decent lawn, Brinah now spends the time focusing on her business, her clients and enjoying her gorgeous EasyTurf yard.