Warm up with fall collection

From storage units to bedding, J.C. Penny recently introduced the Cindy Crawford Style home collection. The pieces provide homeowners with furnishings to update their decor in a new way or to add to the style they love. Pieces include a storage trunk for the living room ($229.99) and multi-texture throws ($29.99 each).

Safeguard your home

For the sixth year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is promoting September as “National Preparedness Month” across the country. The effort encourages individuals and businesses to secure their surroundings against natural disasters and other emergencies. One way homeowners can prepare for the unexpected is to create a family disaster plan and invest in security items such as a home safe ($135 from Walmart, Kmart, Meijer and Kroger). Other ways to protect your home include purchasing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, security doors, first-aid kits and household fire extinguishers. To learn more, visit www.ready.gov.

Beauty in bloom year-round

Imagine walking through more than 3,000 specimens of orchids — even on the coolest of days. The Wheeler Orchid collection, in Christy Woods on the west side of the Ball State University campus, recently received various awards at the Indiana State Fair. Some 60 orchids were displayed for judges. The orchids are part of a vast collection of tropical treasures near the Muncie campus. Visitors can view the prize-winning orchids from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round. For more information, call (765) 285-8839.

— T.J. Banes