AireServ - May/June 2022

AireServ - May/June 2022

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley | 845-256-6158

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

The Best Memories

IT’S MOVIE NIGHT!

I’ve Made at the Movies

there is something to be said for going to the movies. The action and excitement are more intense on the big screen, and you have the option to grab a tub of buttery movie-theater

popcorn or an oversized box of candy while you’re there.

When I was growing up in the ‘70s, there was really only one way to see movies (unless you wanted to wait months for them to come out on TV — and then you had to suffer through the commercials!). Some friends and I, or my family and I, would all pack into a vehicle, load up on snacks, and head to the drive-in theater. The drive-in I went to as a kid is now a shopping plaza, but I have a lot of great memories from its movie days. Of course, the movies I preferred to watch changed as I grew older. In my teens, my friends and I were interested in horror movies, but I quickly learned that wasn’t the best genre for me when we went to see Squirm . If you haven’t heard of it or seen it, allow me to paint a picture. After a storm downs a power line near a town, the worms go mad and start to hunt people. It sounds pretty tame by today’s standards, but I could not get past watching worms devour people! But by far, the coolest movie I ever saw at the drive-in was Star Wars , the movie that would eventually be known as Episode IV: A New Hope . That movie kicked off a phenomenon that has yet to die down, and I wish I could go back and experience it for the first time again. I had never seen special effects like that before, and it all felt so real. Nothing has compared to seeing the action of a galaxy far, far away on the big screen. These days, we can choose a movie to watch from the comfort of our homes, and we have dozens of platforms to choose from. (And if we pay for it, we don’t have to watch commercials either.) But

If we didn’t go to the drive-in, my family would occasionally go to the movie theater. I can remember seeing the first Rocky movie in the theater when it came out. It’s one of my favorite movies to this day, and I think having experienced it in the theater contributed to how much I still enjoy it. It’s a great memory. These days, if I’m settling in for a movie, there’s a good chance it’ll be a superhero flick. I enjoy watching the underdog or regular guy save the day. In many ways, I would call Rocky a superhero movie. Rocky is an underdog who agrees to fight the champ, Apollo Creed. We’re made to believe Creed is the villain in the movie — he later turns out to be a good guy — and while Rocky doesn’t win, we all learn a lesson about perseverance and never underestimating the regular guy. In many ways, you can only encapsulate that message through a movie. So, whether you head to one of the few drive-ins left in the country, visit the theater, or choose to watch Netflix at home, I hope you find your movie nights to be as memorable as the ones I’ve been fortunate enough to have so far during my lifetime.

Jim Serra

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TIME TO BE A MOVIE CRIT IC!

Every

Three Motion Pictures Inspired by Books

Your home’s a and cooling s through you

We’ve all heard the saying, “The book is way better than the movie or TV show.” Movies and TV shows provide you with a great

rabbit holes of this case. There is more to this crime than what appeared in the media, such as cult practices and ties to other cases like Charles Manson and his family.

visual representation of the characters and storyline. Some films are equally as good as their respective books in their own right. Here are a few films inspired by books that you should check out.

those!?” Af componen

Looking for Alaska John Green has captured the hearts of millions of readers across the world, and now there is a movie inspired by his first novel,

Here’s w

How Air d coo thr h i

The Shining 3-Part Mini-Series This is one of Stephen King’s

“Looking for Alaska.” This coming-of- age story follows a teenage boy as he searches for the meaning of life. Then, a sudden tragedy strikes, and the boy and his

most famous novels. There is even a much-acclaimed 1980 movie based

on the book. But did you know that Stephen King directed and produced his own mini-series? The three one-hour episodes follow the book precisely and provide more information on the characters. Spoiler alert: There are no twins or garden maze in this series, but there are moving topiary hedges! The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sam There are a lot of conspiracy theories about the Son of Sam and his crimes. Some have argued that David Berkowitz didn’t commit these crimes alone — and they have evidence to prove it. Follow along with journalist Maury Terry as he makes his way down the

friends must come to terms with the event. The movie shows the emotion, grief, and love the boy deals with on his journey. Pull out your tissues for this film; it’s sure to be a tear-jerker. You don’t need to read the books first in order to watch the TV show or movie — these films can stand on their own. These are only a few of the many movies and TV shows that are based on best-selling books. Now it’s time for you to be the judge and determine if the books are, in fact, better than their films.

In the Hot Seat WE EXAMINE THREE HOT WEATHER MYTHS

Humidity isn’t hotter. Humidity is a constant reminder that we all sweat and it’s an unwelcome guest every summer. But high humidity doesn’t make for a hotter day. It’s just that our bodies have a more difficult time cooling down. Here’s how it works: When we get hot, we sweat. This is the

It may not feel like it yet, but hot, humid days are coming soon. Thankfully, air conditioning units make summertime heat much more bearable, but that doesn’t mean heat is completely absent from our lives. In the spirit of summer, we explored some common heat myths.

body’s way of cooling us down. Ideally, the sweat will evaporate in the hot, dry air; however, if the air is already moist, this is more difficult. So, while we sweat, the evaporation process that cools us down takes longer. Hence, we feel hotter in the humidity! Turns out that a dry heat really is more comfortable … and less sweaty. Heat lightning is real. This one might come as a shock to you! It’s not uncommon to see streaks of lightning during the hottest nights of the summer, but without rain, thunder, or wind, one would make the logical assumption that the heat is creating lightning. But this isn’t true! Actually, lightning in the distance during a hot night is actually just lightning … from a thunderstorm. If you see “heat lightning,” it’s best to seek shelter for protection. There may be a few myths about heat, but there is one fact we know: It sure can make a home uncomfortable! If your home’s air conditioning unit needs repair this summer, call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley.

You can fry an egg on the ground. Eggs won’t sizzle when they hit the sidewalk like they would in your

frying pan, but it is possible to cook an egg on the sidewalk. Most eggs need to reach about 158°F to fully cook, according to the Library of Congress. Sidewalks don’t quite hit that temperature, but you

could aid the process with the help of tools like a magnifying glass or mirror. Other surfaces, such as the hood of a car or a patio table, could also reach egg-cooking temperature. But we recommend just using the frying pan on your stove.

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ything You Need to Know About Cleaning Air Ducts

air ducts are an essential component of your home’s heating system, as these are the conduits through which air moves ur home. This may cause you to wonder, “Should we clean fter all, you have your air filters changed and other HVAC nts cleaned on a yearly basis, so why not clean the ducts, too?

into your home. This can also be

a sign that there is a larger issue with your unit as a whole! We recommend cleaning your ducts and other components of your unit when you notice more dust and

what we say about that.

w often should we clean our air ducts? ducts are not like other components in your heating and oling system. They are simply the channels that allow air to flow rough your home. As such, some dirt and debris won’t impact how your system operates, nor will it impact the pollutant level in your air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that while cleaning your air ducts can be a good thing, it only needs to be done on an as-needed basis. In most cases, it’s not necessary to clean them every year. When do we need to clean our ducts? If we notice a dirty air duct while servicing a system, we will always offer our clients a cleaning service. However, there are some signs that indicate it’s time to clean your ducts. As mentioned, the EPA’s studies have not found that dirty air ducts push many toxins into the air, but as grime and dust build up, the air moving through can push some of these particles

grime either in the air inside your home or on furnishings and other surfaces. What should I do if they need to be cleaned?

While they’re only one component of an HVAC system, very dirty air ducts can impact air quality, and buildup can affect their performance. Trust your home’s air duct cleaning to a professional technician to avoid potential mishaps or accidents. Simply ask your technician to examine your air ducts during your yearly maintenance appointment. They have the tools to clean the ducts thoroughly and the expertise to look for significant issues. Our team can help you make the right call about whether your ducts are due for a cleaning. Call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley today to set up an appointment.

HAVE A LAUGH

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH RAINBOW FRITTATA

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F and coat an ovenproof skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet, cook the sweet potato, yellow pepper, and broccoli over medium heat until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the egg mixture has set. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle sriracha on top, if desired.

• Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 cup diced sweet potato • 1/4 cup diced yellow pepper • 1/4 cup chopped broccoli • 8 eggs • Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste • 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced • Cherry tomatoes, halved • Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Movie Memories Worth Sharing

Are the Books Better Than the Films? Can You Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk? Find Out!

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FAQ: Should We Clean Our Air Ducts? Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

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Hate Souvenir Shopping? Let’s Make It Easy

PICKING THE PERFECT SOUVENIR

A way to preserve or share a piece of your trip is to bring home a souvenir, but choosing a souvenir isn’t always a stress-free experience. How do you pick the perfect souvenir and not just the first thing you see in a tourist shop? Here are some tips for picking a truly meaningful gift for yourself or your loved ones.

there are many regulations that affect which souvenirs you can bring home. Even if you find the item in a tourist shop, that doesn’t mean it’ll be allowed into the country or even onto the plane. And the TSA does take this seriously. In 2012, two tourists were detained at the U.S. border for trying to bring home chocolate Kinder eggs — a specific kind that are illegal in the U.S. due to the potentially hazardous small toys inside. Purchase a handicraft. Handicrafts — items created by local artisans — are awesome souvenirs! But make sure you buy where artisans actually sell their own goods, such as an open-air market. Unfortunately, while some popular tourist shops may sell “locally made goods,” many souvenirs intended for tourists are actually made by cheap manufacturers in other countries. Keep something from the adventure. Bringing a glass bottle to take home some sand is a popular way of creating your own souvenir from a beach vacation. But you can do this with almost any item! Whether it’s stones, ticket stubs from favorite shows and activities, or a handmade item from a class, make sure to look out for souvenirs that’ll remind you of great memories and experiences.

Who are you buying for? What are your recipient’s interests, or what do they spend the most time doing? If you’re buying for yourself and enjoy coffee, you might buy a local coffee blend to enjoy from home. However, if your recipient doesn’t enjoy coffee or rarely drinks it, that type of gift might not mean much to them.

Is it legal to bring home? Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally,

We hope these tips will help you make the best choice. Bon voyage!

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