Take note: Garden tour lovers can visit seven gardens with historical connections to Skagit Valley’s agricultural past as part of the Skagit Symphony’s Gardens of Note set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 29. Several first-time garden openings will be featured including Ridge Road Farm, the private garden of Toni and John Christianson, owners of Christianson’s Nursery. Tickets for Gardens of Note cost $25. Call 360-424-7591 or visit www.SkagitSymphony.com.
Leaving home? Scripps Howard News Service and www.crimedoctors.com offer these tps to protect your home while on vacation:
Ask police to check your home and patrol your neighborhood more closely while you are away.
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or have a trusted neighbor collect them while you are away.
Ask a neighbor to remove any advertising fliers deposited in your mailbox or around your door, driveway or lawn.
Secure all doors, windows, pet entrances and garage doors.
Transfer valuables to a safety deposit box.
Place timers on indoor lamps and appliances to illuminate your home at night. Set timers to turn on radios and televisions randomly during the day.
Check that no bulbs are burned out on your indoor lamps, outdoor lighting fixtures or low-voltage lighting system.
Arrange to have your lawn mowed.
Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal appearance.
Have a trusted friend check your home, inside and out, each day.
Remove messages from your telephone answering machine daily so that the “beep” is always short. Don’t indicate on your outgoing message that you are on vacation.
And while you’re there: Note these hotel safety tips from www.burglaryprevention.org:
Always request a room on an upper floor.
Make sure your door has a peephole and night latch. Use them.
Turn on the TV or radio just loud enough to be heard through the door.
Turn on a single light in the room if you plan to return after dark.
Inspect the room upon entering and check all locks.
Ask the bellman for an escort and use valet parking if you are alone.
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