INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Getting to know individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life within your community may give you a new perspective on the problems facing your community. Some ways to get to know the people and places in your community might include:   Introducing yourself to people. Make a habit of introducing yourself to the people you meet in daily life. Show genuine interest in them, and ask them questions about their lives, jobs, and families.  Connecting with neighbors. Ask neighbors you know to come and visit you, or visit them yourself. Ask about their lives, work, health and family, and get their perspective on local problems.  Visiting new places. Visit businesses and public areas that you don't typically visit. Take note of changes in your community as well, such as new neighbors, local construction projects, or newly opened or closed businesses.  Walking around your neighborhood. If it is safe to do so, walk or take public transit instead of driving a car. This will allow you to see, hear and experience your community and its members more intimately. If you want to raise awareness about problems facing your community and encourage peace in your community, then organizing a peaceful event is a good option. Try banding together with some local community members to put together an event, such as a community picnic, a food drive for a local food bank, a peaceful protest, or a walk through your community to raise awareness about a problem your community is facing.  If you don't feel ready to plan an event, then you could also organize a small meeting. Try planning a meeting and inviting some other community members who are interested in making your community a more peaceful place. Use the meeting to share your concerns and discuss possible solutions. Volunteering is great way to help your community and it may also be a good way to promote peace. Local anti-violence organizations may have a need for volunteers in outreach or other programs. However, don't limit your considerations just to organizations focusing on violence. Any opportunity to better the community, from volunteering to pick up trash to participating in after-school programs for children, will allow you to meet new people in your community, and promote a sense of togetherness and cooperation. Look into volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter. Try visiting local organizations' websites or calling to see if they are looking for volunteers. Encourage everyone in your neighborhood to do the same, and be sure to provide your own contact information to your neighbors. This will allow you to quickly get in touch with your neighbors when a problem arises.  It will also make it easier to check on people in your community and maintain your relationships with them. Here are some suggestions for information to gather:  Home or cell phone numbers Workplace addresses and phone numbers E-mail addresses, or social media accounts Contact info for neighbors' immediate family, in case of emergency Community events give community members the opportunity to get to know one another in a safe, positive environment, creating a sense of community spirit and cooperation. Make it a habit to seek out opportunities to gather with your fellow community members, such as at a neighborhood barbeque, school event, church function, festival, or charity drive.  If you can, consider offering to help set up, run, or clean up after the event. Most towns, and most communities within larger cities, have some form of local government or citizen council that holds meetings that are open to the public. At these meetings, community members have an opportunity to voice concerns and learn about changes in local laws and policies. Attending these meetings is a great way to learn about what's happening in your community and to voice your concerns.  Depending on what community you live in, there may be many meetings that you have a right to attend, including city council meetings, meetings of other government committees, and meetings of public organizations such as parent teacher associations. Online resources, such as https://www.usa.gov/local-governments, are available to help you locate public offices, services and meetings. You can also contact your local city council, chamber of commerce, or other local government organization for help.

SUMMARY: Become more familiar with your community. Plan a peaceful event. Explore volunteer opportunities. Make sure you have current contact information for your neighbors. Attend and participate in community events. Go to local government meetings.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Mice are initially attracted to your cozy environment. If you clean out your house and make it less hospitable, mice will be less inclined to stay.  Remove all clutter throughout your house. Don't leave out clothes, papers, or materials that mice could use to create nests. Don't forget to tidy up storage spaces, especially where paper goods or old clothes are kept. Be incredibly through about this, as mice can make a meal out of almost anything. Wipe up crumbs from behind appliances and in cabinets.  Do not leave food sitting out. This includes pet food. Be in the habit of sealing and storing your pet's food at night. This will make it harder for the mice to get comfortable. Food stored in a pantry should be completely closed. For example, if you've opened a sack of flour you should transfer it to a sealable container for longer storage. Put the trap in the room that you've noticed the most mouse activity. Once you've placed your trap, you'll want to avoid the space for a while so you don't accidentally drive the mouse away from the trap. If you don't have a counter to use, you can create a ramp by propping up a small board. Place a bit of peanut butter on the end of the ramp.The mouse will still be able to get in the trash can, but won't be able to get out. Dab a little peanut butter on the inside of a very tall trash can (at least two feet high) and set the trash can next to a countertop that is taller than the trashcan. Crease an empty paper towel tube to create a flat tunnel and stick a little peanut butter on the inside at the end. Set this tube on the counter so that the end with the peanut butter hangs out over the trash can. If using a purchased live trap, be certain to follow the packaged instructions.

SUMMARY: Begin by cleaning your space. Clean up and seal away all food. Place the trap strategically. Make a humane trap.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Choose someone who you’ve been in some uncomfortable situations with. These are most likely to be the times you’ve smiled inappropriately.  Even if you’re positive that you smile inappropriately, it’s good to ask a friend. They might not have noticed, or the problem may not be as bad as you think. You can ask your friend to keep an eye out for your inappropriate smile in the future. Make sure they know to only alert you to it afterward, in private. Your friend might have insight into the kinds of situations that cause you to smile inappropriately. For example, they may notice a pattern such as you smiling when someone conveys bad news or when someone hurts themselves. You might already have an idea of what triggers your inappropriate smiling. Be as specific as possible in pinpointing what your personal triggers are.  For example, instead of deciding that you smile when you feel uncomfortable, be more specific. Is it when you feel shy in front of an authority figure? Or when you feel put on the spot? Or when talking to someone you secretly find attractive? All of these situations might be uncomfortable, but the more specific you can be, the better. If you catch yourself smiling inappropriately, don’t beat yourself up over it. Simply take note, and remember what the scenario was so you can practice changing your behavior. You may not want or be able to stop smiling at all uncomfortable moments. Pick one or two situations that you want to focus on while you practice not smiling.  Your trigger may be one specific person or scenario. If this is the case, you may do best to avoid that person or scenario until you have become practiced at not smiling. You can choose the situation that is the hardest for you, or one that might be easier. It’s up to you. You may want to pick a scenario you’re in frequently, so you can use your new skills often.

SUMMARY: Ask a friend if they’ve noticed your inappropriate smile. Notice what makes you smile inappropriately. Choose the moments that you want to stop smiling.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When the safety pins are connected to one another, they should be long enough to comfortably wrap around your wrist. The chain will be transformed into a bracelet when it wraps around your wrist. When the chain is long enough, take the last pin, drape it around your wrist, and chain it together with the first one.

SUMMARY:
Gather enough safety pins to reach around your wrist. Continue adding and adorning pins to form a chain.