Dec 29

Will the vinyl revival continue or will vinyl albums hit the road soon?

It has been clear that vinyl albums have become a staple in the modern music scene. Indeed, vinyl is the most popular form for musical consumption among many, and even the younger age groups who do not even own turntables are enjoying the trend. While this is certainly an exciting time for analogue, the question looms in our heads about whether this is going to continue on or if this is simply a fad, a trend that will quickly fall to the wayside. With all of these things in mind, it is important to ensure that the vinyl record trend is not taken too seriously or that it is taken seriously enough. The sales figures will have to be our guides as we try to determine what the future holds for our dear vinyl albums and whether or not there seems to be any hope for their longevity.

So, what do the numbers say. In 2012, vinyl record sales numbers were on the rise. http://www.soundstagedirect.comIndeed, nearly 4.55 million units were sold, a 17.7% jump for the past year. While this was exciting, this also mean that CD sales were in decline. They dropped 13.5% on consumption. Digital downloads have also continued to grow and are a total of 37.2% of all musical albums sales, a tribute to the widespread success of iTunes and other mp3 retailers. All this being said, it is important to remember that while this has been a period of growth for certain aspects of the music industry, the sales for the industry as a whole dropped 4.4% in 2012. This means that there is all the more reason to celebrate the resurgence of vinyl albums, especially as their growth has come at a time when other avenues are dying off.

These numbers indicate a few different things to the experts. Most manufacturers imagine that the growth in vinyl sales is a bit of a trend as well as bit of a resurgence that is here to stay. Perhaps the thing that best represents this dichotomy is the two best selling LP records of 2012. At number one sits Jack White’s album “Blunderbuss” while the Beatles’s “Abbey Road” sits at number two. Representative of the old and of the new in album purchasing, it is easy to see why the experts say that the trend presents a mixed bag.

Indeed, another thing to note about the changes we are seeing are the ways the turntables and album accessories and equipment are being purchased. For example, there has been clear growth in manufacturing turntables, cartridges, phono stages, and other equipment necessary for playing vinyl albums. Whether you are looking at Rega turntables or at one of the many other turntable manufacturers, it is clear that the consumption of records by the public has been spurring on the growth of other parts of the industry. Keeping all this in mind, it seems likely that the trend will trail off after a while. Perhaps consumption will level off in the next few years. What this has proven, however, is that vinyl is here to stay, despite industry attempts to move away from analogue sound.

Dec 8

Keeping items in storage in good condition is easier with these tips.

When you get started packing up your self storage unit, you might not think about the possibility that the way you pack things could result in their ultimate survival or demise while in self storage. It seems unlikely to a casual packer that this could be something to consider, however it is an important note to make, as without proper packing techniques you could end up with a self storage unit full of damaged goods, defeating the purpose of the storage unit in the first place.

To begin with, packing items specifically with storage in mind is a bit different than packing them to go on a vacation. Many people imagine that they can just easily pack things up without really considering the ramifications of doing so, but you truly have to be methodical when packing up your things for storage for these reasons:

  • It will keep them in better condition for a lot longer if you pack them wisely.
  • You will be better able to locate things in your self storage unit.
  • Unpacking your unit down the road will not be a nightmare when everything is packed carefully and labelled carefully as well.

So, how then are you supposed to “pack for storage” instead of just packing normally. First of all, consider the trip that your items are going to make before they end up eventually in your mini self storage facility. Will they be driven a long distance in the moving truck? Will you simply be packing up your personal vehicles and making a few trips? Your move-in journey has a big influence on your packing strategy, as this journey could do a lot of initial damage if not planned out thoughtfully and carefully. In order to do the job right, pack your items in boxes specifically made for them. For example, invest in wardrobe boxes for your clothes and dish boxes for your china and dishes. While this will be a bit more expensive at the outset, the pay off at the end is undoubtedly worth it. Consider purchasing a moving kit from A-American Self Storage to make packing your mini storage unit much easier! At the end of the day purchasing the right kinds of boxes is less important than careful wrapping of breakable materials and organized packing rather than haphazard stacking of many different items into one box.

Once you arrive at your self storage unit, the best packing strategies include a few major goals:

  • Pack in aisles. This will make it easier for you to get around within your self storage unit and gives you a way to find things more easily.
  • Put furniture and oddly shaped pieces in first so that you are certain to have http://www.aamericanselfstorage.com/hemet_florida.phproom for them.
  • Pack the unit in sections so that you know where items of different types are.
  • Consider using shelving units to get your boxes off the ground. This will allow for better air flow throughout the self storage unit.
  • Always keep the boxes labelled and keep more frequently used items close to the front for easy access.
Dec 1

The benefits of essential oils are endless.

There are so many benefits to using essential oils in your life. You really can’t compare the magic of these healing plants to anything else. Of course you should consult your doctor for supervision of these treatments for minor to major ailments, but know that there is a essential oils world full of healing available to you when you use essential oils. So what are some of the ways essential oils can be helpful to you?

1. You can appease joint pain with the help of essential oils. There are so many that can help with rheumatism like frankincense oil which has been used in both traditional Chinese medicine and also in Indiana Ayurvedic practices for just that. You can actually make salves at your own home that help you to soothe sore joints and muscles.

2. Are you someone who suffers from depression, anxiety or other mood related issues? Then essential oils are a great option for you! You can smell them, you can put them in an oil diffuser, you can add them to a bath, or really almost anything you can think of (other than ingesting them). Oils like citrus are very uplifting.

3. Trying to treat minor to major acne? Who isn’t! Acne can be very embarrassing but there is no reason you should have to suffer. Why not try a dab of tea tree oil? Be sure to consult an aromatherapist to make sure you are using the right proportions but this little oil should do the trick.

4. Wanting to create a festive atmosphere in your home? Why not uplift you spirit by creating some amazing essential oil recipes that make your home feel like the perfect place to be in the winter. Plant Therapy is an essential oils company that provides not only low cost and high quality oils, but they also offer excellence when it comes to aromatherapy recipes.

5. Want to heal some digestive problems? Essential oils can help you with that as well. In fact, you don’t even have to ingest them to have a little help in that department. There are so many essential oils that can help soothe digestion. Check out Plant Therapy’s blog to see what they suggest.

6. Sometimes we all need a little help getting to sleep at night. With help from a little chamomile (Roman or German) and a little lavender, you can create a linen spray or a bath that will bring you into a deep and lovely sleep you are sure to enjoy.

7. Looking for a good household cleaner that doesn’t have all of the dangerous toxins and chemicals? Thought as much. Why not try using baking soda and a splash of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is effective for all sorts of cleaning methods.

8. Want to make the perfect gift for a friend? All you have to do is create a sugar scrub, some body lotion of a bath bomb to give them the soothing that their spirit needs.

There are endless possibilities of healing when you choose high quality essential oils from Plant Therapy.

Nov 27

Tips in Choosing a Storage Unit

The need to organize our homes can be a very difficult endeavor for every family. There are a lot of aspects that needs to be taken care of in order to achieve a clean and orderly living condition.  The need for a comfortable living space is equally important in maintaining a comfortable living condition.

A problem that has continuously plagued every American family is the need for an extra storage space. With the addition of a more modern, functional furniture, and home ware, there will always be a need for that space to store the old ones if you haven’t decided on getting rid of them.  This is where the need for the services of a self storage rental facility comes handy.

mini self storage rental

Storaging unit

However, getting the services of a self storage company may not be very easy. There are a lot of things to consider before you decide on using one of their storage units. Experts suggest being extra careful when dealing with storage companies and to follow these tips to make sure that your valuables are in a safe and securing facility.

Location.  Location is a very important factor when choosing for a storage unit. Choosing the location of the storage facility depends on how often you need to visit your storage unit.  It is advisable that you choose a storage unit that is near your home if you need a quick access to your belongings that are being stored.

On the other hand, if you do not have the immediate need to use the items being stored, you might want to choose a facility that is further and cheaper.  It is equally important that you schedule a regular visit to your storage unit to check on the condition of the items that are being stored.

Price.  The price of the services is also a very important factor when choosing a storage unit facility.  Since the self storage industry is one of the fastest growing industry sectors today, you should easily be able to look for a number of storage facilities in your location.  It is recommended that you do an advance research on all of the companies that are offering their services within your location for you to be able to get the most competitive price in the market.

Security.  The security of your belongings should be the most important factor to consider when choosing a storage facility.  A strict security protocol should be observed by the company to make sure that your valuables are safe with them.  Most self storage companies have a 24/7 surveillance system in placed to check the personalities who enter and exit their buildings. Additionally, it is also very important that there are security personnel who continuously monitor the building premises as well as the CCTV monitors.

Facility.  Experts suggest that you do a visual inspection before getting the services of a self storage rental facility. Cleanliness in the whole facility is very important in order not to attract rodents that may find their way into the individual units and may cause permanent damage to your belongings.  It is also important to check for the integrity of individual storage units to make sure that it is not compromised and no one can easily enter inside the individual compartments.

 

 

Sep 28

In Orange County, the Best Electrical Service Company is Mahaffey Electrical Services, in Newport Beach.

electricalWhen you own a home, there are countless different contractors and companies to keep track of, in order to keep your home in good working order, as well as renovate it, when you see fit.  Needless to say, you need plumbers, roofers, and various other professionals, to do this.  One of the most important aspects of your home, though, is your electrical wiring.  Electrical wiring runs throughout your entire home, and it affects nearly everything you do.  For that reason, you need to have a good electrician, whom you can call, for everything from renovations to emergency service.  In Orange County, the best electrical service company is Mahaffey Electrical Services, in Newport Beach.  They offer a wide range of electrical services, including emergency service, and they deal with both residential and commercial buildings.

As you know, there are tons of reason why you might need to hire skilled electricians, and Mahaffey Electrical Services can handle all of these issues.  One common reason why people need the help of an electrician is if they are trying to remodel or renovate their home or building in some way.  If you are trying to replace your lights with a different type of lighting, you undoubtedly need the services of a skilled electrician.  One thing that Mahaffey specializes in is recessed lighting, which gives the room a much more elegant and open quality.  Recessed lighting looks great in homes and even businesses.  Not only are the lights they install of elegant and high-quality, they are also far more energy efficient than ordinary lighting.  In addition to cosmetic additions to your home, sometimes electricians are needed, just for your home to function properly.  If you have a wiring issue of some sort, you should not hesitate to call a trusted electrician, right away.  In less time than you would think, they can get your home up and running again, so you can go about your life, as usual.  Not only that, because of their skill and precision, they can even conceal their work, so you never have to see wiring and other electrical equipment.  They use a technique called concealed wiring, to ensure that your electronics do not overtake the room, with cords, cables, and wires.

Though some electrical service companies only deal with either residential or commercial electrical issues, Mahaffey can deal with both.  Whether you need a commercial or a residential electrician, Mahaffey is the company to call.  In addition to maintenance, additions, and routine electrical work, they even provide emergency electrical service.  This is very important, as electrical issues can be scary, and even dangerous, in some cases.  Because Mahaffey understands this, they have a twenty-four hour line, so you can have an emergency electrician at your house in less than an hour, in the event that you need one.  Whatever the issue is, they can at least get it under control, so they can deal with it more completely, in the near future.  Either way, though, Mahaffey has the best electrical service, whether emergency or otherwise.

Sep 5

Determining the goal of your rental photo booth is important.

http://www.doubleexposurephotobooth.com/As with most things in life, it is important to determine the goal when you go to rent a photo booth.  This is true because if you simply rent a photo booth and hope that things go well, you might be sadly mistaken.  Photo booths require a lot of planning before they can be utilized by any event, party, or group of people effectively.  Therefore, you should decide what you are trying to get out of a photo booth rental before you go ahead and make the purchase.

If the goal of you renting a photo booth is simply for everyone at an event or party to have a good time, then you will want to make sure that you get a photo booth that is easy for people to operate and that prints out photo strips in a timely manner.  If the photo booth is complicated to operate, it will leave people feeling bored.  The same can be said for a machine that takes a long time to print out photo strips.  Look for a photo booth rental that has a touch screen, and preferably one that counts down before each picture is taken.  This will make it easy for people to operate the booth and easy for them to pose for the kind of picture that they would like.  Also look for a machine that prints out photos in just a few seconds.  This will keep the line moving and allow people to get into the booth without having to wait too much time.

Another thing you should think about before you rent a photo booth is what you would like to have on both the strips that are being printed out, and the background the people are placed in.  Many photo booths come with a curtain, so the main focus of each picture is the people that are in it.  However, if you would like the backdrop that people are taking the pictures in to be the event or the party, or to be something involving nature at the location of the event, you can forget the curtain and just have an open booth.  This can lead to all types of fun pictures with other people adding themselves into the photo.  You should also determine what you would like to be on the bottom of the photo strips that the machine prints out.  If you are renting the machine for a wedding, you might want to add the wedding to the bottom of the photo strip.  Or, if you are doing it for a corporate event, the company’s name along the bottom adds a great touch.  Photo booth rentals are incredibly fun, but without a little bit of planning they can be too difficult or time-consuming for people to want to enjoy them.  To ensure that when you make the investment to rent a photo booth, that it actually gets enjoyed by the people at the party, make sure you have a plan for how the photo booth should be used and the types of services it should provide.

Aug 24

Genstone products are an affordable alternative to natural stone masonry.

There are many benefits to traditional masonry construction. First and foremost traditional masonry construction gives an authentic old world craftsmanship appearance to your home’s exterior, while also providing durability to your structure. Unfortunately, traditional masonry construction can be difficult to install and is very expensive. Traditional masonry construction requires careful assembly and a solid foundation upon which to build. Because the natural materials used for masonry construction are very heavy, building upon a solid foundation is crucial. Without a solid foundation the structure can crumble or warp under the pressure of the construction materials. Additionally, masonry construction requires a great deal of labor and money. If you are drawn to the look and feel of traditional masonry construction but are unable to afford the materials, check out Genstone as an alternative for your exterior home improvement projects.

Genstone provides faux stone panel products that provide an authentic look of masonry construction without many of the above mentioned drawbacks. Faux stone panels have become a popular option over the last few years for people who want the look of masonry construction without the high cost. In additional to providing an authentic look, faux stone panels can also provide many of the same benefits as traditional masonry construction. Choosing Genstone products for your next exterior home improvement project does not mean that you have to sacrifice quality or durability in exchange for a more budget friendly product. In fact, Genstone’s products provide many benefits that traditional masonry construction does not, in addition to providing an authentic old world craftsmanship look.

According to their website, Genstone’s products can save the average homeowner up to thirty percent on material costs alone. This is not taking in to account the savings acquired after factoring in the labor and shipping costs. Genstone’s products are easy to install and require no expensive power tools in order to complete the project. Additionally, Genstone’s products can be installed by practically anyone with basic carpentry skills. This is beneficial for homeowners and contractors alike. Homeowners can save on installation costs by installing the faux stone panels themselves, while contractors can eliminate the need to hire out to complete the project. In terms of shipping costs, Genstone boasts an expert shipping team that is dedicated to shipping the product in a way that is both economically and time sensitive.

The benefits do not end there. In additional to being very cost effective, Genstone’s products are also environmentally friendly. By using man-made materials instead of natural materials, Genstone helps to relieve the stress on the earth’s natural resources. When installed correctly, their products can also help to reduce energy costs in the home. Proper installation leads to better insulation in your home, which requires less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. The authentic look created by Genstone’s faux stone panels combined with their energy efficient properties can help to increase the overall value of your home. If I have not already sold you on Genstone’s products, check out their website for more information about the many benefits that come along with their products.

GenStone Products

1075 South Yukon Street

Lakewood, CO

(720) 962-6655

 

Aug 21

Midland Self Storage is the Best!

storage unit

When was the last time you had to make a big move to another house or apartment in your state? I know from personal experience that I have had to move plenty of times, and it is always a very prolonged process whenever I had to go through it. Don’t get me wrong, the process has always been relatively easy, but the fact that it is an extra step is a part of the process doesn’t make the whole of the move any easier. However, I found that the good people at Midland Self Storage make the moving process such an effortless breeze! When moving from one apartment to another, I found that Midland Self Storage was more accommodating than the other local storage unit facilities, and that they made the entire process of moving much more comfortable than the other local self storage places. I know for a fact that I will be using Midland Self Storage for whenever I have to move again, and let me tell you why these people are the best in the business.

First, I found that Midland Self Storage has some of the best customer service in the greater Tacoma area. Not only are they warm and welcoming on the phone or in person, but they take the time to understand exactly what you are needing for your storage unit. For example, I’m an avid comic book collector, and a lot of my rare and vintage collectible comics need to be kept at the right temperature so they don’t sustain any wrinkles or general wear on their pristine pages. Without the understanding and cooperation of the people at Midland Self Storage, I wouldn’t have my comics in their best condition, and they were more than happy to set me up with a climate controlled storage unit rental.

Not only were the good people at Midland Self Storage content with helping me find the perfect storage unit, they were also very reassuring when it came to the security and safety of my stored goods. While it is understandable to worry about having a lot of your material objects stored in one place, I found that all of that worry went away when I had a talk with the employees at Midland Self Storage. They told me about all of their state of the art and advanced security measures, and they took all worry away from my thoughts!

With both excellent customer service, as well as the advanced and completely safe state of the art security system, Midland Self Storage is my go-to choice whenever it comes to a self storage unit, especially if I am in between apartments or houses! Whenever I have to suggest a place to a friend who is going through a move, I always make it a point to bring up all of the benefits of choosing Midland Self Storage. If you’re not in the greater Tacoma, WA area, I would suggest that you model your self storage selection off of what Midland has to offer.

Aug 21

The big five things that speech therapists can help with

Speech Therapists all around the world can provide a number of very valuable services to those who struggle with any aspect of speech including, tone, intonation, retention, phonation, components of respiration, resonance, variance of pitch, and producing sound. While there are many aspects to speech therapy, these things are generally broken down into five categories of the most common things that speech therapists can help their clients address.neurological therapy

  • Cognitive aspects of communication- this generally includes issues regarding the patients memory and attention as well as their problem solving abilities and executive function
  • General speech- this is one of the larger categories and includes things such as the phonation, fluency, resonance, articulation, and aspects of respirations and its impact on the voice
  • General language- this covers the more scientific aspects including issues of morphology, semantics, phonology, syntax and pragmatical and social aspects of communication, which include oral, written, graphic and manual language. General language skills can also often include issues regarding language processing such as pre-literacy, phonological awareness and other language based literacy skills
  • Voice- this aspect focuses on issues regarding poor vocal volume, hoarseness, or other abnormal voice quality such as the voice being too breathy, rough or strained. While many of the clients who come into speech therapy for voice issues are children who have trouble with these issues, this category includes the highest number of people who have lost or are struggling with these abilities because of a disease such as Parkinsons.
  • Swallowing and other upper aerodigestive issues- this issue comes most often with infants because of feeding or aeromechanical events. This can also touch in sensory awareness issues regarding the clients ability to properly swallow or any other aerodigestive functions.

Of course different speech therapists will have different specialties and experience in the realm of voice issues and speech problems. The best way to find a speech therapist in your area that is capable of fixing any specific issue that you are trying to deal with is by either talking to your current doctor to see if they know any information about the speech therapists in the area or by looking online. There are a number of different data bases put together by professional organizations of speech therapists or ever government health lists. From this you should be able to get a substantial amount of information that can lead you in the right direction to find a local speech therapist that will know what the best steps to take are for any particular problem or condition. Once you find a few highly recommended speech therapists in your area, you can start making appointments and talking to them to find out what they think the best options are to fix the problems that you are currently dealing with. By talking to each of the speech therapists, you should be able to have a clearer idea on which speech therapist will be best able to match your needs and get you on the road to more confident and clear speaking.

Aug 19

Steel Buildings are a great option for storage

The use of steel to manufacture buildings and homes has greatly impacted the way that we live our lives. The history of the steel industry is long and winding, but it has brought us to a place today where steel is one of the most valued resources. Before steel was able to be massed produced, it was used mainly for weapons and other small, expensive items. In the mid 19th century, a system was invented that allowed for the bulk production of steel. This invention completely changed the game. Steel started to be mass produced for all types of buildings and dwelling spaces, as well as the rail roads. With the mass production of steel came a better understanding of the properties of the product. Contracts and manufacturers began to realize that the strength and durability of steel was very high, and that the material contained great potential. In the beginning, Britain was the main source for the production of steel and nearly half of their steel was exported to the United States. After a while the United States realized that they could easily produce their own steel and soon became the world leader in steel production.

These days steel is still one of the most commonly utilized building materials for both industrial and commercial needs. Steel has proven to be one of the strongest and most durable building materials in the world, and the industry continues to make advances to improve their product. Even in the last ten years the steel industry has made great strides to increase the strength and durability of their product. There are many benefits to choosing steel for your construction needs. That being said, not all steel building manufacturing companies are the same. Capital Steel is one of the world’s leading steel building manufacturing companies and has many unique qualities that guarantee customer satisfaction.

Capital Steel prides itself on high quality products and high quality service. They set the standards high for the rest of the steel and metal building industry. With Capital Steel you are given options about how you want your building project to be completed. If you are hoping to be able to support your local economy with your construction project, not to worry. One of the things that makes Capital Steel so wonderful and unique is that they offer their clients the option to work directly with Capital Steel Corporate, or to work with a local authorized contractor. Capital Steel has authorized contractors all over the country who work locally to support the local economy. Regardless of which option you choose, Capital Steel guarantees that your steel building project will not be complete until it meets all of their highest quality standards. Capital Steel wants to help you to get your money’s worth when it comes to steel and metal building consturction. Their excellent communication skills and standards will help to make your project as easy and stress free as possible. If you are in need of a steel building contractor, call Capital Steel today!

Capital Steel Industries

10639 Bradford Road

Littleton, CO  80127

1-800-246-9640

 

Aug 15

The Lollipop Park is a timeless venue for children’s parties

If you’re looking for a place to hold your child’s next birthday party, I have the perfect spot.  I know there are tons of places around to have parties, but they usually end up costing a fortune and the kids don’t necessarily have that much fun for the price.  The Lollipop Park has two locations in Colorado and California and can provide the right amount of fun for the right price.  They don’t have complicated party packages or minimum numbers, they just invite you to bring your party to their fun center to do what you wish.

indoor play centerDepending on the day, you will pay between $12 and $15 per child for endless riding privileges.  The rides include carousels, bouncy houses, trains, swings, teacups, whips, ferris wheels, and fun mirrors.  It is basically a whole amusement park for children located indoors so that even in the middle of winter your birthday boy or girl can enjoy some outdoor-type fun.  In addition to rides there are games, prizes, and food to keep the kids happy.  The only thing that you need to provide is the cake with plates and utensils, if you choose to have one.  You can order kids meals, pizza, snacks and drinks from the concession area.

The Lollipop Park has been around for over 30 years, so they definitely have the experience to know what kids want.  That’s also why they don’t require deposits, minimum head counts, or time limits on parties.  They even welcome walk-ins if you’re planning something last minute.  This type of company just wants you to have a place to enjoy yourselves and to watch your kids have a blast.  The owners of the Lollipop Park have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the park equipment to ensure they have provided the safest rides that still provide the most fun.  And because they are invested in their community, the Lollipop park offers help to charities all year long.  When you walk into the park you will see hundreds of thank-you letters from charities that have benefitted from such a great community partner.  In addition to that, they also have served thousands of loyal patrons over the years that continue to come back to experience the fun of the park.

For ease and convenience, you can book your child’s party online and specify any special requests if you require them.  You can bring in your own decorations in addition to the cake if you would like, and trust that there will be lots of room for your party to spread out and have a great time.  The park has been given so many great reviews over the years that they have become a solidified element of the community.  It’s an ideal place to host a large party or just an afternoon of family fun with young children.  But even if your kids are getting a bit older, there are other options within the park to host parties for them as well.  You can book parties for laser tag, the fun zone, mini golf, the rock wall, and ice skating.

Aug 15

Experts say that we are in need of more eco-reserves

It seems to be a nearly indisputable fact that every expert now agrees on, we are in need of something new in order to prevent the increase of the temperatures around the planet. This was once called global warming, but now it more accurately is referenced as climate change. While the climate is getting warmer at some times of the year in some places, it is getting colder in other places. These changes are drastically different than the normal weather as we know it in these parts of the world, and the effects we are seeing lately have been devastating. In Indonesia, there has been a significant loss of rainforest, and with that has been a drastic decrease in the number of orangutan populations. While in that part of the world there is an organization that is responding to this loss, the Rimba Raya Reserve is working tirelessly to avoid the complete and total loss of forest and orangutans, there are not enough of these organizations to combat effectively the current rate of loss. The climate experts all agree that something must be done quickly to change the tide that we are experiencing, but they are not all in agreement that enough can be done to change the course that we are already on. Many do agree that anything that is done from here on out can have a beneficial effect on the global climate, but that it will not be enough to reverse the effects of what has already been done around the world. With Rimba Raya Reserve, they have been a drastic resurgence in the local orangutan population, and they have also been able to increase the quality of life of the local communities that are living around the reserve. These two things make their entire efforts worthwhile, even if they are proven to be less successful at having an effect on the global climate due to their efforts to stem the loss of rainforest acreage.

In the end, it can be proven that the Rimba Raya eco-reserve has been carbon positive and completely effective in that realm. rimba rayaThat is why they have been certified by so many organizations and are able to sell carbon credits to those who are unable or unwilling to reduce or end their carbon emissions. However, this is an important element of the types of eco-reserves that we are needing more of, because the more we have organizations working to preserve the forests and become certified to offer carbon credits, the less carbon we will have being released into the atmosphere with less forests to capture and contain it. This is just the thing that we need more of, and those experts who all agree on the problem, also agree on the solution. This is where we are, and that is what we need. More organizations working like Rimba Raya, in different regions of the world, to help protect forests and also to help generate income for local populations using methods that do not involve deforestations.

Aug 12

Generating healthcare leads for your healthcare industry

Let’s face it healthcare marketing is important because the healthcare industry is not what it used to be it is getting more and  more competitive and more people are realizing that it is a good place of business as well as a great place to be. But being able to have your healthcare industry successful you want to be able to have a good comprehensive marketing plan in place. By being able to properly market your healthcare industry will be able to have more people show up to your door for the healthcare needs.

By being able to do so you allow your business to generate the right amount of clientele or patience for your business you have more success.health care marketing Email can help people to want to know that they are going to be able to have their healthcare needs met. They want to be able to know that you are friendly and personable. This means that you are going to be able to have this shone through a good marketing healthcare website design. Healthcare website design is crucial for success in the healthcare industry today. It needs to be a place where people can go and have your questions answered and also need to be a place where they can get to know the doctors and personnel at the business. By being able to put good information on a website allows people to have the questions that they’re looking for answers and be able to know that this is the place for them to go and have their healthcare needs met. No matter what the special needs of your patients may be you can be the one that they come to you for their services when they can know that you can help them with their healthcare needs. You will be able to see a better rate of return for your business as you’re able to generate leads through a good comprehensive healthcare website design. There are also many ways in which you can have more success with your healthcare marketing.

By being able to target specific markets with your online presence can be a great way to use your advertising dollars appropriately and be able to know that those that are being drawn to the website and that you are marketing for are the ones that you are paying for. Today there is healthcare PPC which is a pay per click type of advertising that can be used on other people’s websites in which leads can be generated from. You only pay for the clicks that go to your website in this allows you to be able to specify your advertising dollars for what they are needed for. This type of advertising can be a great way to spend your advertising dollars and be a better rate of return for your money. By being able to specify keywords that can be used also can be a great way to use search engines to be able to generate leads for your website. Paper click is a great way in which you can spend your advertising dollars to generate leads for your healthcare industry. Finding unique ways like this online can be a great way to make the right kind a web presence to ensure that your healthcare company is going to be successful.

Aug 10

Self Storage is the Obvious Choice, for those Who want to Store Their Items, in a Location that is Both Safe and Secure.

self storageAmerica, the nation once known for its vast open spaces, is now beginning to experience a bit of a space shortage, at least in some urban areas.  In some larger cities, rent prices for even smaller apartments and houses are getting fairly exorbitant, and many people who move to these areas find themselves in a smaller living spaces than what they are accustomed to.  While you can get used to a smaller bathroom and kitchen, many people are faced with a difficult choice, when it comes to what to do with all of their excess stuff that does not fit into their new apartment or house.  For many, self storage is the obvious choice, as it enables you to store your items, in a location that is safe and secure.

Because of this increased need for more storage space, self storage rental has become a truly massive and pervasive industry, in the United States.  While choosing to store your possessions in a storage unit can be a great idea, it is crucial that you have found a good storage company.  Some of them are very safe and reliable locations in which to store your things, while others are not, and you need to know the simple ways to tell the difference.  One easy way to spot a bad storage rental facility is by noticing their security systems.  If they do not have a top-of-the-line, comprehensive security system, you should not rely upon them to store your possessions.  After all, what is the point of paying money to store something if there is a good chance it will be stolen, anyway?

As for the specifics of what makes up a good security system, there are three main components.  You need to have actual personnel, to patrol the grounds and make sure that nothing is happening.  Furthermore, you need to have a series of security cameras, so you can catch perpetrators, in the act, as well as, hopefully, prevent crimes from happening.  The final layer of protection, which is arguably the most critical, is the locking mechanism, itself.  Every storage unit needs to be one hundred percent secure, and the only way to be sure of this is to have an impenetrable lock, which can only be opened if you have the proper code, key, or both.

Beyond security, there are other factors that make a self storage company worth hiring.  For one thing, the price is always a factor.  It is not so much the rate itself that is unreasonable, but a lot of companies will charge you a bunch of silly fees for things that should honestly not be considered separate charges.  With a good self storage company, though, you pay one flat rate for one month of storage, and you will not be overcharged, after the fact.  Though it is considered ideal to limit your possessions to what you need, there is no good reason to get rid of a bunch of perfectly good stuff that you still want and would like to use.

 

Aug 10

Self Storage Rental May be the Way to Go.

self storage rentalWhatever the reason, people in the United States have more possessions than they ever had before.  Despite the fact that people are able to afford more possessions than they could in the past, the price of rent and real estate has increased, at a dramatic rate.  For this reason, people are running out of storage space, in their homes, for all of their many possessions.  Donations and garage sales are always an option, but sometimes you simply do not have enough space, even for the things that you really need.  If this happens, self storage rental may be the way to go.  Self storage rental is a major industry, nowadays, because so many people are in this exact situation.

There are a few extremely common situations that force people to rent storage units, in order to house their possessions.  One of them is moving.  There are two ways in which moving can force you to rent a storage unit.  First of all, if you are ever between your two residences, for even a few days, you will need a storage unit large enough for all of your possessions.  After all, you cannot bring your furniture with you to stay at a hotel or with relatives, but you also cannot pay an extra month’s rent, just for your stuff to be safe.  The other way in which moving can force you into getting a storage unit is if you are moving into a smaller place, and you will no longer have enough room for everything that you own.  In this situation, you may not need quite as large of a storage unit, but you will likely need it for a lot longer.  In fact, if you are planning on living there, for awhile, and you are not planning to get rid of those possessions, you essentially must rent your storage unit indefinitely.  Fortunately, some storage rental companies actually offer mini storage rental.  These units are significantly less expensive than the larger ones, which makes them the better option for those who need to store a few things, for a long time.

Nonetheless, no matter what your reason is for needing storage space or how long you will need it for, you need to be sure that you are not being taken advantage of by the storage company.  Unfortunately, there are some storage companies that do overcharge their customers, and they do this by using small hidden fees, which they apply for minuscule aspects of service that should be included in the price of storage rental.  You need to do some research on the storage companies, in your area, so you can avoid the ones that are likely to take advantage of you.  The best companies have monthly rates that do not change, for silly reasons.  In general, you should avoid signing long-term contracts, as month-to-month is pretty much customary, when it comes to good self storage rental businesses.  Storage units and mini storage units are sometimes necessary, but you do not need to get charged exorbitant rates, to use them.

 

Aug 10

Lifelong renter recommends carpet cleaning when moving out

There are many people in this country who never buy homes for any number of reasons. Some of them can never save up the proper down payment, and others prefer to not be tied down to one place and like to move around a lot. Some have unsteady or inconsistent employment and like the flexibility of not being tied into a mortgage. There are pros and cons to this process, certainly, but some lifelong renters have come up with the following six pieces of advice for even those who are just looking to rent for the short term.

1. Read every word of your lease before signing. In fact, read it twice. If you do not understand something or do not agree with a responsibility being placed upon you – such as cleaning gutters – then say so. You might be able to negotiate your way out of it. If not, at least you know exactly what you are getting into ahead of time.

2. upholstery cleaningAlways leave a paper trail. Whether it is a security deposit or any given month’s rent check, be sure there is some documentation: a canceled check, a cashier’s check, an email receipt, or anything similar. It does not matter what, but you need to have a record that you paid your landlord every month, and the same goes for the security deposit that was put down.

3. Be minimal with decorating if you can. Lots of holes in the walls from hanging paintings requires filling in when you leave, and painting any walls means they have to be painted back. All of this has to happen on your dime.

4. Consider saving up for and hiring carpet cleaners before leaving, especially if you have pets. Typically the rate you can get for carpet cleaning is going to be way better than what a landlord is going to deduct from your security deposit. If you do not want to pay for carpet cleaning, you have to keep the place meticulous and you have to document anything the moment you set foot in the place to the moment you leave, so that any damage or spots cannot be charged to you. Most tenants are not good at documenting this correctly, and can frequently get stuck with carpet cleaning bills deducted from their security deposits.

5. Beyond just carpet cleaning, document the condition of the home with lots of time stamped and dated photographs when you move in. Photograph everything: windows, floors, appliances, and even whether the place was clean enough or not. This will be important and a helpful tool for you to look back at when you are preparing to leave.

6. When leaving, do everything you can to leave the home in exactly the same condition it was in when you moved in. This is the best way to get your full security deposit back, and if you have followed step #5 above, you will have documentation against which to compare then and now. This will help you figure out if that mark on the wall or that scratch was there when you moved in, or if you need to fix it yourself.

Aug 8

5 reasons to host a sex toy party

vibrators

Have you been thinking of picking up a second job to make ends meet? Perhaps you have considered working at a restaurant in town on the weekends but you aren’t too thrilled at the prospect of giving up your free time. Many people are motivated by the need for cash to get a second job but are hesitant to make such sacrifices. One thing that many women may overlook as a great source of income (not to mention fun and free products) is hosting sex toy parties. Companies like Tasteful Treasures offer all the tools, toys and supplies necessary to set their consultants up for success. As a reward you can make great money and even get up to ten percent of your sales applied to credit at their store! If those reasons aren’t enough, here are five more why you should contact Tasteful Treasures today to get started selling the best vibrators, lingerie and adult sex toys on the market.

1. The first reason is that there is potential to make great money selling sex toys. You may not know it but many of your friends and people you work with probably have or will purchase a sex toy like a vibrator in the near future. Sex is a basic need that we all have to satisfy, be the one to cash in on it!

2. You can’t have more fun than this and still call it work. Many of the people who have hosted adult novelty toy parties in the past have come back and given enthusiastic reviews. You will be selling the highest quality vibrators, lingerie and sex toys so it is easy to get passionate and feel confident about the product you are pitching. The parties are informal and fun and can be hosted anywhere!

3. Free stuff. If you sign up to be a consultant and sell sex toys with Tasteful Treasures they will offer you a percentage kick-back for every dollar you sell. This means that not only are you making great money and having fun, but you are getting your own free sex toys too! Just think of how fun and improved your own sex life could be.

4. Choose your own hours. What other job lets you choose what days and times you work? What other job allows you to put in as many or as few hours a week as you want? It is hard to find a job that allows this level of freedom and flexibility. Make as much or little as you want, there are no quotas to meet here.

5. You will be helping your friends and loved ones spice up their relationships. By becoming a consultant for Tasteful Treasures you are doing so much more than simply selling sex toys. You will surely hear stories from those who have attended your parties about how things have really changed in their sex lives.

Contact Tasteful Treasures today and ask about how you can become a consultant and sell their amazing line of sex toys and adult novelty products!

Aug 8

It helps to get some professional decorating help

I have always felt that there are a large number of things that people can do for themselves but often go out and hire help. Some people just feel better about getting help so that they will hopefully do something better than they would have done on their own. One of the segments where I do understand this push though is when it comes to home decoration. Some people do really well on their own and are able to figure out what blinds go best with their couch and how to pick out a wall accent color from one tiny thing in the room. For the majority of us though when we try to do something like this it kind of turns into a bit of a disaster.

Since your home is one of those things that you are going to have to deal with and see every day, as well as have other people around and seeing it all of the time, it is worth it to go and have the bit of help from a professional so that you do not have to live with your poor decorating choices.

window coveringsA lot of the time if you know that you want to replace a few things around your house such as the furniture or even something smaller such as just replacing your window coverings, a number of the blinds and drapes retailers will be happy to help you with all of the decisions you are going to face regarding not only the functionality questions such as how important is it for your window coverings to be green and reduce your heating and cooling costs, what size the window coverings should be in order to fit properly or how much light and privacy are you looking for in your window coverings; but also the design questions such as which style of window coverings would look best in that particular room and what colors and patters should be used to make the window coverings match well with everything else in the room. The design experts at Lanera Decorating can help you find answers to all of these questions and any others you might come across. They can help show you examples of things that you might like as well as nicely give you a little push away from things that will not work well for your wants and needs.

Once you have a little bit of help deciding what window coverings will work best for your home, whether it is Hunter Douglas Blinds or Shades or some kind of very environmentally friendly Hunter Douglas Honeycomb Shades, you can start figuring out things such as colors and patterns. Once you have figured out one thing in the room it becomes much easier to start taking bits and pieces off the one object and using those same colors and patterns to decide on other things around the room. From what I have learned about decorating over the years is it is always better to pick one thing and go off of it for everything else rather than picking everything individually. 

Aug 6

THE BOOM IN COSMETIC SURGERY TOURISM

Over the last decade there has been a sharp increase in the number of American citizens who are leaving the country in order to have a plastic surgery performed in another country for a lower price. This trend of traveling to another country to have an operation is known as cosmetic surgery tourism and there are some things that people considering this option should know.

Cosmetic surgery has come a long way over the years as far as safety. Today, many operations are performed and the patient can be released from the hospital on the very same day. Cosmetic operations have come so far in fact, that many people have incorrectly begun to see them as something much more casual than a real life, medical operation. This is one of the big reasons that people have started to travel to forging countries to have their operation. People have taken up the idea that plastic surgery is so easy and risk free, that it can be done anywhere and by anyone. This is both untrue and dangerous.

Last year over five thousand Americans travel to Argentina alone, to have liposuction. The reason is that the cost of medicine in the South American country is much lower than that of the United States. People also imagine that they can kill two birds with one stone and have a cosmetic operation done while seeing a new country. The truth is that traveling to another part of the world and having an unfamiliar doctor do your surgery, is both dangerous and impractical. A person should never risk their health by having any kind of medical procedure done in a place that they do not know and cannot trust. The public does not realize that every country has its own medical standards for cleanliness and safety and that many countries do not uphold the same standards as we do here in our country.

Another reason that having cosmetic surgery done while on vacation is a dangerous idea is that when you undergo a serious medical procedure, like a plastic surgery operation, your body needs time to rest and recuperate. Being in a new place with new people, sounds and times, can be hard enough on your body, but when you toss in the fact that you are already weak from surgery, it is just asking for trouble. You need to be in a place where you can have complete rest during the healing process. One can imagine how something as small as a stomach bug could be terrible if you are already trying to get your body back up and running.

There is a lot of new information out there that is trying to warn people about the possible dangers of cosmetic surgery vacations and hopefully this strange new trend will start to decrease in the years to come. Remember that there is no place like home when it comes to having a serious operation done. Find a doctor who you can trust and who you know is trusted by our standards and have your operation done right.

 

Aug 1

New app allows prescription drug users to track and report side effects.

Beginning a new medication can be scary and cause a little bit of anxiety.Your doctor should tell you about some of the side effects that your new medication may cause and some of these side effects may be a little bit unpleasant. There may also be side effects that your doctor did not mention that you experience. It can be difficult to tell if you are having a normal reaction to that particular drug or maybe it is a combination of the drugs you are taking that are causing your symptoms. There is no way to tell unless you report your symptoms to your doctor, and even better yet to the FDA.

There is a new app out called MedWatcher that keeps you up to date on all of the latest news regarding medication, vaccinations and medical technologies.

side effect tracking

MedWatcher app

MedWatcher was created in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiologic Health (CDRH).You should, “Use MedWatcher to be notified of any government safety alerts and to learn about side effects that other people have experienced from medical products. You’ll also be informed of the latest news and research relating to products on your Watch List.” This information can be extremely helpful to you. It allows you to monitor your reaction to the drug and provide your doctor with better information regarding your reaction.

The drug tracking app is also a way for the FDA to keep track of what medications are causing what side effects and if perhaps they were released to the public prematurely. It can also offer information on combinations of drugs and the effects they have when mixing together. “Traditional voluntary drug safety surveillance is limited by substantial under-reporting,” said John Brownstein, PhD, director of the Computational Epidemiology Group within the Informatics Program at Children’s Hospital Boston (CHIP). “High profile failures to detect safety problems during the pre-approval period have brought new intense scrutiny on the drug approval process and underscore the need for additional methodologies and data sources to monitor drug safety.” Everyone wants safe drugs on the market, except a few money mongers. Better side effect tracking is essential to making the drug market safer for everyone.

People were not so inclined to fill out a paper form about their medications and mail it into the FDA. This resulted in a knowledge gap between the FDA, drug companies, doctors, and users. The new pharmacovigilance app should help raise the amount of reports the FDA receives and the increase in surveillance participation will benefit everyone. The pharmaceutical industry has a number of controls and and tests in place to keep harmful drugs out of the market but this doesn’t always happen. There are often side effects that go un-noted in testing and then effect thousands of people. MedWatcher will hopefully be a solution to the problem of lack of knowledge and evidence.

The bottom line is that the public should be informed but we also need to do our part and report the side effects that we experience.