transportation Archives - Tammie's Take~

How Apartment Redevelopment Can Help Improve Entire Communities

Reviews · November 14, 2019

There has been a lot of heated discussions lately about affordable housing and community redevelopment. Something that many people may not be considering, however, is how redevelopment can affect the greater community. To better understand how redevelopment can impact residents and the surrounding communities, consider these benefits of improved housing.

Community Engagement

Creating a community by involving all stakeholders in a redevelopment project can have impacts that reach far beyond the residents and landlord. A redevelopment project can engage communities and their members to advocate for their needs, get involved with their neighbors, and build a sense of true community.

Mixed-use spaces create jobs and retail opportunities for neighborhoods. Adding housing to previously underutilized commercial or industrial buildings can revitalize downtown areas and create exciting opportunities to attract younger families to graying districts.

Increased Access To Transportation

If you look at a city like Los Angeles, it is easy to see the lack of affordable housing. LA-based Steven Taylor of Taylor Equities points to new Metro stops that can increase access to transportation for many apartment dwellers. but, that may link them to more than transportation. This can also open up job opportunities, which can increase the financial standing of residents in communities near those new stops. Increased access to public transportation may make reaching doctors, schools, and community services easier and more affordable.

Accessible Food Choices

Many low-density urban areas are considered food deserts, with little or no access to grocery stores or supercenters. That leaves the residents in these food deserts with few options for affordable healthy, fresh food options. Poor nutrition can lead to negative health outcomes like malnutrition, obesity, and higher risk for chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Redevelopment projects that incorporate increased access to transportation and food, as well as generate community engagement, can help revitalize more than a building. They can help breathe new life into entire communities.

Getting Inked Abroad: Top 4 Places for that Exotic Tattoo

Reviews · September 28, 2018

There was a time when getting a tattoo was not as easy as it is today, because there just weren’t enough people around with the skill or the tools to do it properly. While that is no longer the situation today, thanks to an abundance of tattoo parlors everywhere, there’s still something authentic and special about getting tattooed while traveling through foreign lands. Just in case you are planning a trip to any of the following four places, it might be time to finally consider getting that tattoo you have always wanted to.

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Japan

It is probably not a surprise to anyone that Japan is the first one on this list because the Japanese have an ancient and rich history in tattoo artistry. If you are going to visit Japan any time in the near future, consider getting a traditional Ukiyo-e print or a horimono done. These tattoos with ancient symbolism and based on folklore are a better idea than getting random Japanese letters inked onto your body without being absolutely sure what they mean!

Thailand

The west got a taste of ancient Thai tattoos when Angelina began to sport two Sak Yants on her back more than 14 years ago. These are the tattoos that you will find on all Muay Thai boxers because starting from the ancient days till date, they are supposed to provide protection, luck, power, and courage to the bearer, depending on the particular text and design. If you are on a vacation in the country, quality tattoo shops Thailand should be able to help you find the right design by acting as both interpreter and tattooist.

London, UK

The United Kingdom might not have been the first to adopt tattoos, but it certainly has a very high number of inked citizens. In fact, the roots of English/Scottish/Irish tattoos are more than 400-years old at this point, with the first of their kind dating back to the early 1600s. As London was specifically mentioned here, you can probably guess that this is the place to get your tattoo if you are in the region, and for good reason. Not only is London always a great place to get a tattoo, it becomes a particularly electric atmosphere for getting inked during the The London Tattoo Convention where artists from all around the UK and the entire world come and show off their craft.

China

In spite of being the ancient birthplace of Asian tattoos, China was until recently, not a place to get a tattoo from because it was prohibited by modern Chinese tradition and looked down upon. Social discrimination is still a possibility if you get a tattoo in China, but then again, you are just visiting! Beyond all the stigma and the negative associations, China has the most ancient history of tattoo artistry in existence, predated only by that of the ancient Egyptian civilizations that are now lost in time.

Before you get a tattoo though, there are a few points to keep in mind, which are hygiene, meaning, and relevance, in that order. It’s a lifetime commitment and there are health risks involved if you are not careful, so never get inked unless you are sure of everything first.

#Pittsburgh Bachelorette Parties

Reviews · December 21, 2017

Are you in the midst of planning a bachelorette party in Pittsburgh? This special event is destined to become one of your most special memories, especially with the proper planning and organization beforehand. We’re here to go over some suggestions to make sure your celebration is as joyous as it can possibly be!

Get creative

One popular trend for bachelorette parties happens to be paint and wine instruction nights such as the ones found at Pinot’s Palette and Painting with a Twist. With these destinations, a talented artist guides you through the steps of painting a masterpiece while you sip on your favorite alcoholic beverage with your group. In the end, you’ll get to take your art home, and it serves as a great reminder of this milestone event.

Step out of the comfort zone

If your group is the type that is willing to open up their minds for the occasion, there are a ton activities for you to consider in this area! Head over to Verve 360 to participate in one of of their aerial yoga classes. It is worthy to note that if you plan on enjoying drinks, save the physical activities for beforehand.

Bar hop in style

There’s no better occasion for a bar hop than a Pittsburgh bachelorette party! There are well established favorites as well as newer destinations to freshen up your itinerary. Some of the most popular include Bar Frenchman, New Amsterdam, and Smallman Galley. Try checking out some information online to see what’s the best scene for you and your group of ladies!

Transportation

Even if you don’t plan on drinking during your bachelorette party, it’s a good idea to reserve transportation to ensure that the night is as efficient as possible! Think about it, it’s a hassle to order multiple Ubers through the night. You’ll definitely be able to check out more destinations during this period of time with a professional chauffeur along for the ride, as they have the best knowledge of the roads and where locals go to have fun. Be sure to think about reserving a PA Party Bus for the night!

Pittsburgh Limousine Bus

232 Taylor Street #2

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

(412) 385-4412

6 Ways to Make Room in Your Budget for Daycare Expenses

Reviews · August 19, 2017

New parents often experience sticker shock when they first discover the cost of their new bundle of joy. There are diapers to buy, clothes to purchase, and all the gear to invest in. Once both parents are back at work, there’s the additional cost of childcare for your little one. Most working families struggle to pay the cost of putting an infant in daycare. In some parts of the country, it may be as expensive as a mortgage payment. Here are six ways you can help adjust your budget to pay for daycare.

1. Buy Used Baby Items

Before you start making payments for your child’s daycare, start your budget off strong by buying as many baby items as you can in used condition. There are plenty of social media neighborhood swap meet groups that offer gently used items for very little money, such as high chairs, toys, and baby clothes. Even better, check with friends or family members to see if anyone is trying to give away their baby stuff.

2. Use Cloth Diapers

Another big expense for any new parent is the cost of diapering a child. A new baby may go through almost 3,000 diapers during her first year of life. The cost of diapers can get overwhelming, especially if you consider how many years your child may be in diapers. An alternative that may help your family get more room in the budget is to try cloth diapers. Cloth diaper advocates suggest investing in about a dozen or so cloth diaper designs and reusing them throughout the child’s infanthood and toddler stage.

3. Look for Family Discounts

Once you enter the world of parenthood, you may even start to qualify for certain discounts. New parents can often take advantage of introductory coupon offers from baby formula companies or baby food producers. Be sure to sign up for any type of discount club or mailing list to get all of the savings for your favorite products. This can help lessen the blow of feeding and clothing your child over the first few years of her life.

4. Lower Transportation Costs

Transportation costs can also be adjusted for new parents if they think creatively. You can make more room in your budget for your daycare provider’s costs if you go down to one car for your family instead of two. Carpooling may also be a better option if you can’t completely get rid of your second car. There are also plenty of options for parents looking for discount Philadelphia auto insurance to help make more room in their monthly finances for childcare.

5. Stop Eating Out

New parents also need to make sacrifices when a new arrival joins the family. In most cases, these necessary sacrifices for your finances aren’t too difficult to make. You can help save thousands of dollars each year if you limit your time going out to eat. Most parents aren’t ready to take their infant to a fine dining establishment, and eating at home may work much better for your child’s sleep and eating schedule. Later, when your child is older and daycare costs less, you can start teaching them restaurant manners.

6. Stay at Home for Date Night

Finally, the last way you can help cut back on your spending to save room for daycare is with date night. Date night is an important part of a successful marriage, even for new parents. Avoid the temptation to put date night off the calendar for a few years. Instead, schedule a few date nights at home with meals you prepare yourself. Set up a romantic table and atmosphere when your baby goes to sleep.

Making room in your monthly budget for a new baby and the high cost of childcare is doable if you make some smart choices. This way, you’ll be better prepared for the next child and even more thriftiness.