NOVEMBER 2012
Beyond the Diag What’s Inside: Greeting from Beyond the Diag!.........1 Eating Mindfully During the Holidays…………………………………………...2 Flying Home for Thanksgiving? ..........3 Plans for November ..…….………………..3 Trouble Starting Your Car? ................. 4 Bike Safety and Maintenance ………....5 Apply to be BTD Neighborhood Ambassador! …………………………….…….5 How to Rent Sustainably ………………...6
Greetings from Beyond the Diag! My name is Benjamin Rosebrock; I am excited to join Beyond the Diag as the Program Manager. Prior to this position, I served for three years in University Housing as a Community Center Manager and two years at Adrian College as a Hall Director/ Safety Coordinator. I hold a Master’s of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. To sustain the vibrancy of Beyond the Diag, students must be the driving force. We are looking to expand the reach of our program and are putting a call out for more Neighborhood Ambassadors. If you live (or are planning to live) in an off-campus neighborhood, and are interested in a sense of community and safety in your neighborhood, you should consider becoming a Neighborhood Ambassador! See page 5 or more information. “Like” Beyond the Diag on Facebook to stay informed about news and events for offcampus students.
As You Leave for Break: • Remember to lock your doors and windows! • Do not hide extra keys in accessible places. • Disconnect power cords and electrical appliances that will not be in use. • Close all blinds.
Eating Mindfully During the Holidays The holiday season is upon us. Food is an integral part of many holiday rituals and traditions. It is normal to feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension, especially when you want to eat mindfully and healthily and have a positive body image. Here are some tips for taking good care of yourself and your body in the coming weeks. Listen to your body. Before you eat, check in to see whether you are really hungry. The clock may say that it is mealtime, but your body may say otherwise. It is okay to wait a while before grabbing a plate. Also, check in to see what you are hungry for. Your eyes may think the dessert looks delicious, but your body may be craving something else. Don’t be pressured into eating something just because someone worked long and hard to cook it. You can always take some home to enjoy when you are truly hungry. Make a healthy dish to share. One of the good things about being an adult is that you can have some influence over the holiday menu! Offer to cook a dish. In addition to providing a healthy option for everyone (and having an alternative to Aunt Mary’s green bean “surprise”), you can show off your budding culinary skills and take care of yourself at the same time. Leave the table when you are done eating. It is very easy to get caught up in “grazing” when you are no longer hungry. Instead of lingering at the table, take a walk, offer to help clean up, or catch up with friends and relatives. Reduce your stress. For all of the fun, holidays can also be stressful, and stress can trigger overeating. Prioritize self-care during the holidays—move your body, write in a journal, rest, or call a friend. Don’t skip meals. If you are over-hungry, you may end up eating more than you would have otherwise. This can be especially challenging because holiday meals are often scheduled at awkward times. Eat a small meal so that you are not ravenous when mealtime arrives. This will make it easier for you to listen to your body and eat mindfully.
Focus on the people around you. Concentrate on socializing and nurturing your relationships. Spend time conversing with relatives or catching up with old friends. Think about what you are celebrating and not just about the food being served. When you remember the spirit and tradition of the holidays you celebrate, this can make it easier to practice mindfulness. Contributed by Kellie Carbone, UHS Photo from http://naturesbountycafe.com/wp-content/uploads/thanksgiving-feast.jpg
Flying Home for Thanksgiving? Don’t want to pay for a cab? Reserve a seat on the CSG sponsored airBus for only $7! Here are the details:
• Transportation to Detroit Metro Airport from campus will be in service both Tuesday the 20th and Wednesday the 21st. • Pick up the bus at your closest convenience: Bursley, Alice Lloyd, or on State Street in front of the Michigan Union. • You can now order your seat online. It will be charged to your student account and you simply have to swipe your Mcard when you board. • Need a ride back to campus on Sunday the 25th? There will be airBus services throughout the day picking up at both North and McNamara terminals. No reservation needed. • Remember to give yourself enough time to check your bags and go through security. Check the airBus website for exact time schedules. Contributed by Monica Cerrezuela Information from https://csg.umich.edu/airbus Photo from https://www.facebook.com/msaairbus/timeline
Plans for November The sun rises and the alarm clock goes off at 9am. A student wakes up at the edge of his bed, falls off and comes to his senses. He has 2 exams coming up and 3 papers. What follows? Work, work and more work. Is there any hope for this poor soul? YES! While Thanksgiving remains distant there are many things to do off campus to clear your mind, have fun, relax, or simply get away from your life devouring books. Here are some places to visit, some places to hang out, and some to take shelter from the cold weather: Fun Things to do: Pinball Pete’s Arcade, Belmark Lanes Bowling, explore the Arb & Argo pond, tree climbing, Michigan Union 2nd floor billiards, Passport to the Arts (pick up a passport at the office of new student programs in the LS&A building on State Street and get free or discounted tickets to concerts, theater, dance performances and much more). Places to Relax: Visit Comet Coffee, Sweetwater’s Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, the University Unions (ex: the League & Pierpont Commons), and the Wellness Zone ( 3rd floor of the Michigan Union), where massage chairs, soothing music, and a perfect environment for leisure await. Enjoy all of these things while staying warm, safe, and especially sane as November goes by and coursework kicks in. Go Blue! Contributed by Francesco Balducci
Trouble Starting Your Car? As it gets colder, your car, much like you, tends to get slower and doesn’t want to get moving in the morning. In fact, you are more likely to find yourself with a dead battery in winter. Causes: Cold temperatures can cause the chemical reaction in the battery to slow. Besides the direct effect the cold has on your battery, your winter driving habits can also be tough on your battery. Winter drivers are using accessories like the heat and window defroster as well as having headlights on more often because of short days. All of the accessories are taking away from the energy that is supposed to recharge the battery while the car is running. This can slowly drain your battery over time. This is also why it is important to let your car heat up on cold winter mornings. Watch out: If your car has difficulty starting but seems to run normally afterwards, you battery could be running low. You should get it tested and recharged so you don’t end up stranded on a cold night. If you need a jump: 1. Turn both cars off. 2. Throughout the process, make sure the metal ends aren’t touching once anything is hooked up to a battery. 3. Dead car first: hook up the positive (Red cable) to the battery. 4. Good car (still off): Hook up the other end of the positive/ red cable to the battery. 5. Good car (still not started): Ground the negative (black cable) to the negative battery terminal. 6. Dead car: Ground the other end of the negative/black cable to an unpainted metal frame or an engine bracket. YOU CANNOT ATTACH THE NEGATIVE TO THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL ON THE DEAD CAR. 7. Start the good car. Turn off the heat, headlights, radio and other accessories that drain energy. 8. Try the dead car. If it clicks, it may need a minute for the battery to receive charge. Double check the cables as well. **Keep your hands and the cables clear of moving parts. I.e. do not ground to the fan. ***If the cables get hot, it means the cables are crossed. Watch for more detailed instructions and hints on how to tell if your battery is dead or if you need a new starter. Contributed by Sabrina Palombo Information from http://www.ehow.com/about_5240394_do-car-batteries-die-winter_.html Photo from http://socyberty.com/advice/top-25-things-people-should-know-how-to-do/ Photo from http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Assets/Driving_Assets/Photos/jump_start.jpg
Bike Safety and Maintenance: 2 x 2 x 2 Each year AAPD and DPS receive reports of stolen bikes, but by following these tips you can help keep your bicycle safe: • Always lock your bike! Purchasing a U-lock is worth the investment. While combo locks provide some security, U-Locks are much harder to crack. • Lock the front tire as well, but never lock your bike to just itself. Someone could easily carry away the entire bicycle. Keeping your bike in good condition will make it last longer (saving you money) and keep you safer. Here’s how: • Keep your bike somewhere covered that is out of the rain when not in use. Covered porches will do, but keeping your bicycle inside during the winter months is best. • Perform usual maintenance on your bicycle: • Keep your tires filled with air • Tighten your brakes as needed • Oil your chain several times a year. • Check out the newly installed bike maintenance station near CC Little. One of every forty car accident casualties is a biker. Here’s how to keep yourself safe: 1. Be Noticeable: If you bike at night, install a flashing light or wear something reflective. If you are not easily identifiable from far away, you need to make yourself more visible 2. Be Safe: Follow all traffic laws, and wear a helmet. Be prepared to stop even if you have right-of-way (getting into an accident with a vehicle usually turns out better for the vehicle than the biker). Contributed by Alex Blaty
Apply to Be a Neighborhood Ambassador! Want to meet exciting new people and become more involved in your community? Then join Beyond the Diag as a Neighborhood Ambassador! NAs act as liaisons between the University and off-campus residents. We provide helpful resources for students and work to improve the off-campus living experience by hosting fun events all year to build community within neighborhoods. NAs work approximately 16-20 hours per month. Want to learn more? Email beyondthediag@umich.edu with your resume and brief statement of interest or any questions. Contributed by Jadee Pope
How to Rent Sustainably In 2011, Ann Arbor City Council set a goal of reducing communitywide greenhouse gas emissions eight percent by 2015. With rental properties accounting for about half of the housing in Ann Arbor, conserving energy use in rentals will have a significant impact on reducing energy consumption communitywide. At this time of year, most students are likely to be signing a first lease, signing a new lease, or renewing a lease. Wherever you are in the process of finding housing, it is a good time to think about living more sustainably. For first-time renters – • Look for an energy efficient unit. Don’t know what makes a unit energy efficient? Download a renter’s checklist to help! • Ask your prospective landlord for an estimate of utilities, and if your landlord doesn’t have an estimate, try asking the current tenants. • Talk with your future roommates about their energy use habits and suggest splitting lower cost energy efficiency improvements, like purchasing LED or CFL light bulbs. For returning renters – • Learn more about your energy use behaviors. At the Ann Arbor District Library downtown, you can check out energy kits to help you learn more about how you and your roommates use energy. These kits can help identify what behavior changes, like unplugging your laptop, might help you save energy (and money)! • Challenge yourself and your roommates to use less energy than the previous year. • Try insulating your apartment windows this winter. For about $20, you can purchase a window insulation kit, and help keep the cold winter air outside! • If you pay your utilities, make sure to check your bill to track your progress. The City of Ann Arbor just started a new project to green rental housing. Check future Beyond the Diag newsletters for more information about upcoming focus groups and other events related to this project. For more information on how to save energy and become a more sustainable renter, visit a2energy.org/renter. Contributed by Jamie Kidwell, City of Ann Arbor Photo from http://www.aadl.org/catalog/record/1414313
For more safety tips and information about Beyond the Diag, visit http://offcampus.umich.edu Like us on Facebook @ http://facebook.com/Umbeyondthediag Follow us on Twitter @umbeyondthediag Still have questions? E-mail us at beyondthediag@umich.edu