GET ORGANIZED & SIMPLIFY...  Spring cleaning has become a tradition for many - it is the classic time to freshen up our homes as we prepare for busy spring and summer days and evenings. Whether your spring cleaning plans include a floor to ceiling once-over, or an all-out purge of closets, carpet cleaning and a fresh coat of paint, putting together a spring cleaning "to do" list will help organize the tasks at hand. We started with our kids' closets and had them try on clothes from last year and made stacks of keep, throw away and give away. It took hours, and the kids were not thrilled, but it felt great to have this task done and it helped create a spring/summer clothes shopping list. Here are a few more tips we have come across that we hope you find helpful:

• Start at the top and work down - Begin by dusting corner to corner, cleaning light fixtures and dusting ceiling fans.
• Organize & purge as you go - Store off season clothing and get rid of things you have not used or worn in the last year.
• Clean all of your appliances - Refrigerator, Stove top, microwave, dishwasher, dryer and freezer.

Decorating our homes comes easier for some than others.  I know I struggle with finding quality art without spending a fortune.  There is a unique fundraiser for the SB Museum of Art next month where you can go home with an original piece of art.  Both our local museum and your home decor will benefit! Tickets are going fast to this second annual event >>

GET MOVING... April 19-25 is National TV Turnoff Week, a semi-annual event that challenges families to turn off the television. Current statistics show that every week children watch an average of 1,680 minutes of television - that's 28 hours in one week! Although TV Turnoff Week is half-way done, you can still take this opportunity to talk to your kids about some fun things you can do as a family instead of watching TV. Use the time that was slated as screen time to read, play a game, go for a bike ride, bake, and do the things we never feel we have time for.

This week also marks National Volunteer Week. Thank you to all of you who give your time and talents to local organizations.  Visit our Families Giving Back page for ideas on volunteering.

Happy Earth Day!  Congratulations again to our winning GREEN families: the Brody family, the Pearce-Allen family, and the Romeo-Conrad family! We want to thank the Community Environmental Council for partnering with us and for all of their hard work putting on the Earth Day Festival last weekend. Thanks also to SB Mayor, Helene Schneider, for presenting the awards.
Pictured: the Brody family, SBParent.com's own Julie Sorenson, and SB Mayor Helene Schneider at the microphone.

Click here to view a list of all the home & garden businesses. >>
Click on the names below to go directly to their websites.

Below is a partial list of upcoming events and activities so click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Camp Calendar | School Schedules | Movie Showtimes

Submitted by Summer Walhberg of Budget Blinds

Dangling window cords have been involved in over 200 strangulation deaths of young children since 1990 in the U.S. according to the Window Covering Safety Council. In Canada, 28 strangulation deaths involving window treatment cords have been reported since 1986, according to Health Canada.

A continuous loop cord can be made safer by simply making sure that they are properly secured to the wall. Earlier versions of tensioners were open plastic loops that mounted to the wall to keep the continuous cord loops taunt. Today's tensioners are enclosed to prevent tampering and breakage.

In addition to this new tension device, there are a variety of cordless window treatments which eliminate operation cords that can be very tempting, but dangerous, playthings to small children and animals. Many window treatments can also be motorized to eliminate cords and add convenience.

New tensioners will enhance safety around the home, but nothing can replace the watchful eye of a loving parent or caregiver.

WHAT HOME OWNERS CAN DO:

• Order a retrofit kit from the Window Coverings Safety Council if needed: website
• Replace window coverings in question with a safer option.
• Adhere to the safety tips available on Budget Blinds' safety webpage.

SB Foods Not Lawns is a grassroots group based in Santa Barbara.  This group encourages neighbors to grow edibles, help each other with advice and even labor, and to share the harvest with each other. That simple!

Neighborhood Garden Exchanges And Other Growing Food Gatherings: Share your enthusiasm about gardens, growing food and community. Bring homegrown veggies, fruits, herbs, flowers, seeds, succulent cuttings, compost worms, eggs, chicken manure, baked goods, recipes, garden books and magazines, garden wisdom, garden questions, friendship, etc!

Everyone is welcome (all ages) to attend any and all exchanges. It is our hope you will be inspired to organize a group in your neighborhood that will not only gather and share but also dig in the soil together.  Visit our website for a list of neighborhood exchanges or get information on how to start your own.