Cris Carl

Cris Carl

Cris Carl is a talented journalist who has written for both newspapers and websites for the past 13 years. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association and the Society for Environmental Journalists. She has been a presenter and panelist at two Unity Journalists of Color conferences. Cris lives in western MA and loves to garden and make her home better every day. Cris has owned her own landscaping business and has been remodeling a 100-year-old house for over a decade.

She has written over a hundred articles for Networx.com. In addition to her home improvement articles for work such as power washing and cleaning, some of her articles include topics about adapting your home for a person with down’s syndrome (https://www.networx.com/article/adapting-your-house-for-a-person-with-do) and tips for ways to set up your home that can help keep your hyperactive kid calm (https://www.networx.com/article/can-a-house-calm-a-hyperactive-kid). For a person with down’s syndrome, she recommends having the simplest layout possible for your home, so it’s best to avoid a lot of push buttons and modern furniture. There are also certain types of stoves and locks that are easy and safe for a person with down’s syndrome to use, even if they can’t read. Cris also recommends making a private space for a caregiver who lives with them. For a hyperactive kid, Cris encourages parents to set up labeled bins and boxes where specific items are to be placed. She also suggests per expert Dr. Sharon Saline PsyD. to chart activities with your child using a dry erase board, chalkboard, or paper chart, to map out an organizational flow of the day.

Chris has also written articles for ridding your home of ferret odors by altering their diet and having a designated room for your ferret with easy-to-clean flooring (read more here: https://www.networx.com/article/ferret-odors-101-a-guide-for-new-ferret). She has also written articles about caring for rabbits (https://www.networx.com/article/six-facts-about-rabbits) and dogs (https://www.networx.com/article/fostering-dogs-short-term-canine-compan, https://www.networx.com/article/how-to-feed-your-overweight-dog).

Read more of her articles below!

Olive Street Lofts.  Photos: Cris Carl.

Greener Rental Units Emerge

Posted by Cris Carl | Apr 11, 2011

Mark Zaccheo is at the forefront of a growing trend to create rental units that make the most of green technology. “In ten years, if you don’t have an energy efficient building,...

Sarah Marriage/flickr

What's Lurking in Your Refrigerator?

Posted by Cris Carl | Apr 03, 2011

Danger! Your refrigerator may be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. The recommended setting for refrigerators is 37-39 degrees Fahrenheit, which inhibits some bacterial growth....

ana_labate/stock.xchng

Remodeling the Garage for a Garage Band

Posted by Cris Carl | Mar 20, 2011

Jim Weeks, an employee of Downtown Sounds in Northampton, MA, says there are three important considerations when remodeling your garage for a garage band. “You have to look at...

winjohn/stock.xchng

The 5-Second Rule and Other Kitchen Safety Myths

Posted by Cris Carl | Mar 13, 2011

A surprising amount of research has gone into testing the validity of the “5-second rule.” However, the findings are that any food you drop on the floor is instantly contaminated...

niceman/stock.xchng

Creating an At-Home Coffee Bar

Posted by Cris Carl | Mar 02, 2011

David Reffsin, of Pierce Bros Coffee Roasters in Greenfield, MA has some great advice for coffee aficionados. Reffsin explais how you can put together a coffee bar in your home to enjoy...

vancanjay/stock.xchng

Investing Wisely in Floor Tile

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 23, 2011

According to John Asselin, owner of Hampshire Tiling & Floor Company in Northampton, MA, the first tiling investment question centers on finding a tile you like. “Finding the...

Photo: ryanmcminn/Flickr

Is a Closet System a Good Investment?

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 14, 2011

If you have reached the point where you want to actively deal with whatever lurks in your closets, Jessica Waters of In Perfect Order has some good suggestions. Waters has run her organizing...

Photo: Bob Doran/Flickr

Comparing Types of Water Heaters

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 04, 2011

Alex Seleznev, a service department worker for Sandri Oil in Greenfield, MA, has some tips regarding water heaters. If you are looking to upgrade or replace your water heater, or you...

This house looks ready to sell.  Photo: nolaclutterbusters/Flickr.

What Not to Renovate in 2011

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 24, 2011

There are lots of great ideas available regarding good renovation suggestions. For example, watching DIY shows can inspire many ideas and plans. However, sometimes it’s helpful...

Aspen, CO (pictured here) has some of the healthiest drinking water in the US.  Photo: The Intrepid Traveler/Flikr.

8 Ways to Protect Your Town's Water Supply

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 20, 2011

There are several towns in the U.S. that have a high standard of water quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These towns include Aspen and Vail, Colorado; Georgetown,...