Home Travel for the Holidays

You just have to make it through this week of classes, and then you get to go home for Thanksgiving.  No matter how long your drive is, you need to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel.  Keep reading to find out how to prepare for your road trip.

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

For more information see Consumer Reports.

A New Way To Travel to the Football Game

 This weekend try a new way to get to the football game.  The Tiger tour will feature University of Memphis students making the 2.7 mile bike ride to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the game.  The riders will be at Southern Avenue at 430pm.  There will be a police escort and someone to watch the bikes while at the game. Keep reading to find out more information.

 

Bicycle riders will be able to join a Tiger “tour” to the University of Memphis football game against Tulane University on Nov. 10.

In the “Tour de Tigre,” bikers will make the 2.7-mile trek from the U of M to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the 6 p.m. game.

Riders will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Southern Avenue parking lot by the Student Recreation Center for a warm-up. They will leave at 5 p.m. with a police escort down Southern to Hollywood and the stadium. A bide rack will be provided outside Gate 1; security personnel will be on hand to watch the bikes. Athletics will give any faculty or staff bikers and their family members tickets for admission to the game. Riders will assemble on the football field with Tiger mascot Pouncer for recognition at halftime.

After the game, riders will leave in a group from Gate 1 with a police escort back to the U of M. The U of M Sustainability Committee will provide hot chocolate and treats at the Recreation Center for a post-game warm-up party.

Riders must provide their own bicycle and are required to wear a helmet and have a working light on the front of the bike, flasher on the back, working brakes, and a bike lock.

The event is sponsored by Memphis Healthy U, Athletics, Tiger Blue Goes Green, and the Sustainability Committee.

For more information, or to register for the ride, contact Jacqueline De Fouw at jdefouw@memphis.edu or 901-678-4745. 

Also see Memphis.edu for more information.
Stratum on Highland

Trick or Treat Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun holiday for all ages.  Make sure to go over these Trick or Treat tips with your family before you head out door to door on Wednesday.  For more information see Halloween.

Stay Connected

The University of Memphis now has an app, so you can stay connected to the University at all times.  This app is free and includes grades, email, maps, and other important campus information.  Make sure to download it today!
 

Stay connected to the University of Memphis any time, any place, through the University’s free mobile app.

There’s something for everyone," said Allecia Powell, U of M webmaster. "Included are class schedules, a campus map, campus events, directory, grades, class rosters, campus card balances, athletic news, feedback, library information, Blue Line map and coming attractions."

Access to account-sensitive information requires a valid University UUID and password, but most components are available to the public. Users may download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for free — just search for "UofMemphis."

The interactive map of campus has four tabs: dining halls and parking lots, buildings, emergency phone locations and handicap-accessible entrances to buildings. The new map can also use GPS to provide straight-line directions for the user to a selected location.

The campus directory of faculty, staff and students is located under the top search bar. Below the bar is a list of important campus phone numbers, such as Police Services or the U of M operator. Tapping the department or name automatically dials the number.

Both official and unofficial student grades are viewable under the grades tab, and the class roster lists each class a particular faculty member teaches in a given semester. Users can view account balances for Tiger Funds and Dining Dollars. These components require login.

The library tab has everything the U of M Libraries site offers in one simple list, such as Ask a Librarian, catalog search, and hours and locations.

The Blue Line component has a map with the route and real-time bus locations for the new bus transportation system. 

For more information see the University of Memphis.

Prepare Now for the Holidays

 Starting now there will be many occasions that gift wrapping will occur.  Kids birthday parties to Christmas there is always something to wrap a present for.  Here are some great tips on creating an easy present wrapping station in your house.  This will prepare you for the whole year, including the hectic holiday season.

Yeah, we went there. Consider this the first salvo of the holiday season, for we are here to talk about organizing gift wrapping supplies. Of course, there are many occasions that could arise between now and the end of the year which would necessitate wrapping a gift, so if it makes it any easier to swallow, let's pretend we are posting this to make packaging your Aunt Tilly's birthday gift a little bit easier. But the reality is the sales and shopping will begin more sooner than later, and this project puts all of your wrapping needs at your fingertips.

Open up a random closet in your domicile and see what is hanging on the back of the door--some ties, a few belts or possibly a handbag or two. Jen at I Heart Organizing recently featured an impressive use of that often wasted space, an uber-organized gift wrapping storage station, courtesy of Cassie from Hi Sugarplum. It has it all--tags, tape, scissors, ribbon, bags and anything else you could possibly need. Using a modular rack system and a series of baskets allows for large and small items to live harmoniously side by side and doesn't allow an inch to go unwasted.

The metal magnet strip is a great addition, as is the birthday reminder sheet. While we may never achieve organizational prowess to this degree, we figure anything beats our current system of...well, no system at all.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

University of Memphis is a Certified Wildlife Habitat

 The University of Memphis has been recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.  The campus is a wildlife friendly landscape for animals and birds.  The 300 acre urban campus has plenty of space for animals to live with the campus life style.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has recognized the University of Memphis as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat. The designation recognizes the campus for providing a wildlife-friendly landscape for birds and other animals.

The University is an urban campus of 300 acres. There are large open lawns, a wide variety of shrubs, and more than 4,000 trees that provide food and shelter for wildlife. The campus has an amazing diversity of wildlife, including birds, grey squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks and snakes. Falcons, raccoons, red foxes, and coyotes also have been seen on the campus. 

“It is amazing that here in the middle of an urban setting we have an abundance of wildlife,” said Joellen Dimond, U of M horticulturist. “The Campus Landscape section of Physical Plant provides good stewardship of the land and has nurtured a diverse environment that sustains the four elements needed to attract and maintain wildlife – water, food, shelter and a place to raise young. The most outstanding wildlife are the Red-tailed Hawks. They are fascinating to watch majestically flying between buildings and catching and eating prey.”

The U of M also has many sustainability initiatives, including recycling, energy-saving, and a community garden.

NWF began the Wildlife Habitat certification program in 1973 and has since certified more than 126,000 habitats nationwide. The majority of these sites represent the work of individuals and families providing habitat near their homes, but NWF has also certified more than 3,000 schools and hundreds of business and community sites. The average habitat is less than an acre, but certified sites range from urban balconies to thousand-acre tracts.

“Students come here for academics, but the University of Memphis also delivers experiences in nature that will stay with them and all who visit for many years,” Dimond said.

For more information see Memphis.edu

Healthy Meals in Ten MInutes or Less

Running from school to soccer practice to piano lessons can make it very hard to cook a meal fast.  However, there are ways for your family to eat healthy in as little as ten minutes.  Here are ten great recipes that you can make in ten minutes or less.

1. Quick and Easy Fried Rice: Fried rice can come together even faster than 10 minutes if you happen to have a good selection of leftovers floating around. It's the end-all recipe to using up leftover rice and is tasty enough to eat for any meal of the day — yes even breakfast.
2. Apple-Arugula Salad Wraps: Although wraps seem more like a lunch food, for a quick dinner they can contain actual food groups and even do away with dishes if needs be. Perfect, no clean up!
3. Thai Crab Salad with Chili, Ginger, and Coconut: Since this meal merely needs to be chopped and tossed, it's quick to throw together and has big bold flavors that will satisfy without a laundry list of ingredients.
4. Miso Soup: Miso soup is perfect for those worried about over cooking tofu as it simply warms in this rich broth and suddenly, dinner is served! Check out this version with a poached egg — extra tasty!
5.The BEST Pancakes Ever: Pancakes might traditionally be breakfast food, but they're perfect for any meal in fact... we want some right now!
6. Egyptian Tomato Soup: This recipe just barely passes the 10 minute mark, but it can be made entirely from your pantry so there's minimal chopping or prep — making it a winner in our book!
7. Friday Night Slow-Cooked Brisket and Onions: So technically speaking this meal takes 5-8 hours to make, but there's really only 10 minutes of prep work involved. Make it before you head out the door to work and when you return dinner is already done for you!
8. Spicy Grilled Shrimp: These shrimp get a quick brine before hitting the grill, but since they cook up so quick, we're willing to overlook the extra brining time (only 30 minutes). Just make sure to drop them in the brine the second you come home from work or possibly lessen the salt and brine them while you're away (so they don't get too salty) to make things extra easy.
9. Thai-Style Omelet (Kai Jeow): This recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes which might even leave you time to walk the dog or check your email before dinner!
10. Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Corn, Goat Cheese, and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes: This meal is labeled as a 10 minute dish and mixes up with many things that you probably already have on hand.

For more recipe ideas see theKitchn.com