(NewsUSA) – The high “price tag” on groceries and gas do not have to put a damper on your plans to remodel your kitchen this year. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), just merely changing out the decorative lighting fixtures over the breakfast nook or center island can have a big visual impact, creating a fresher, more up-to-date look — and it is considerably less expensive than replacing the cabinets or countertops.
If your kitchen’s only source of lighting is from recessed cans, consider adding a few fixtures to serve as aesthetic and functional focal points in the room over the casual eating area and/or the island. To make all your lighting as efficient, effective and attractive as possible, dimmers are a must-have update.
“The greatest benefit of installing dimmers in an existing kitchen is that the quality of the resulting light will inevitably appear much more comfortable and flexible than what you had before,” explains Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.
Todd Phillips of Quoizel, a leading lighting manufacturer, keeps track of the latest trends in kitchen design. “Transitional is still the operative word,” says Phillips. “What’s popular right now is what I would describe as Cleaned Up Americana. This is representative of the classic, familiar shapes and elements we all recognize, but with a bit sleeker appearance and on-trend finishes such as bronze and brushed nickel.”
“Handcrafted, hand-forged designs are also gaining in popularity,” Phillips continues. “The key word is clean. Finishes are still neutral, simple and clean. Along with beige, white, bronze and brushed chrome, I’m starting to see more polished chrome. I also find the more custom designs are a bit bolder in their use of color in the kitchen and in the lighting,” he adds.
For help selecting the most appropriate, efficient and economical decorative lighting for your décor, visit an ALA-member lighting showroom. To find your closest showroom and to learn more about the latest lighting styles, visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call 800-BRIGHT IDEAS (800-274-4484).
Brighten Your Kitchen With a Few New Fixtures and Dimmers
Protect Your Home Against Winter’s Rush
(NewsUSA) – You’ve probably never thought of it this way, but your roof is to your home what a 300-pound football guard is to his team’s quarterback: the first line of defense against elements — in this case, the harsh winter weather — that would pummel it mercilessly if otherwise left unchecked.
Just like football players look for holes in their competitor’s defense, homeowners should first be on alert for missing shingles or deteriorated flashing (those metal seals around bends and joints on skylights and chimneys). More than 90 percent of roof damage occurs in these two areas, and spotting it early helps prevent bigger and more expensive headaches down the road.
“It really does make sense, financially, to perform inspections at least twice a year,” says Bob Tafaro, president and CEO of GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. “The best times are in spring, after severe weather hits, and then again in fall before the temperature and wind become too brutal.”
Continuing the football metaphor, here are some more tips from the experts:
Know Your Opponent
Especially given the crazy weather we’ve been having, you’ll want to examine the roof edge for wind damage, weaknesses or rusted nails, and handle repairs before the winter weather hits.
Next, be on the look-out for any spots indicating mold, algae and mildew growth — especially if there’s debris on your roof. (Hint: telltale signs include dark spots and discolored shingles.)
Call the Right Play
By “debris,” we particularly mean piles of wet leaves, sticks and small branches. None of these are your roof’s friend.
In fact, not only can they cause water to back up and flow under a roof causing rain or ice dams, but they’re also a shelter for pests eager to eat through your home’s top. So, routinely clean all gutters and drains, make sure the gutters are securely fastened, and check that downspouts point away from your house.
What to do should you discover damage? If you’re at all interested in prolonging your roof’s life, it really does pay to consult a professional roof contractor who is insured and uses quality materials. A free service that makes finding one in your area easy can be found at www.gaf.com.
Long Term Care Industry Ranks as Nation’s 10th Largest Employer
(NewsUSA) – As Washington considers reworking Medicaid — the healthcare program for the poor — a crucial fact remains ignored: For every $45 billion spent in Medicaid every year by federal and state governments, long term care facilities are able to generate $529 billion in total economic activity, support and create over 5.4 million jobs, and return over $60 billion in taxes back to federal and state coffers."In this economic engine that is the American economy, long term care is one of the pistons, consistently firing even in the worst of hardships," stated Governor Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).According to a national economic impact analysis compiled by AHCA using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) data software, the long term care profession ranks as the nation’s 10th largest employer, above merchandise retail, food retail and both military and non-military federal government personnel. In 2010, these companies created 63,000 jobs while many other businesses struggled to stay afloat. Long term care facilities support industries and sectors statewide, from food services to private hospitals to insurance carriers.The report underscores the important role nursing facilities play in the U.S. economy. Parkinson hopes the report will convince lawmakers to protect the funding streams that ensure these facilities can continue to play an important role in the national economy, saying, "If states cut Medicaid, that will have direct and drastic implications on not only our profession, but more importantly our ability to serve the greatest generation. The potential for increased job growth — a priority of every lawmaker in this country — is huge. Our profession must receive the appropriate funding needed for us to meet the demand of baby boomers in the coming years."For more information, visit www.ahcancal.org.
Pests Moving In? Evict Unwanted Winter Tenants
(NewsUSA) – Are you hearing a quartet of scampering and scratching during these long winter nights? Are you noticing droppings in your basement or cupboards or holes in boxes of cereal or pasta? If so, you might have a winter pest problem.
Winter pests aren’t just unpleasant. They pose severe risks to your health and property. Mice, for example, can chew through walls, electrical wires and baseboards, not to mention produce 12 babies every three weeks. Rodent droppings can trigger allergies and spread disease — causing headaches, fever, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Although most common, mice and rats aren’t the only pest threat this winter. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that a whopping 21 million rodents retreat indoors each winter. In addition to rodents, squirrels, carpenter ants, spiders, and cockroaches prefer to spend cold winter months indoors with us.
The pest experts at the NPMA suggest the following preventive tips for avoiding pest infestations during cold weather.
* Inspect firewood before bringing it inside, as several ant and cockroach species prefer to nest in firewood. Firewood piles should also be positioned on a raised platform away from the house. Arranging piles into neat stacks of wood makes pest infestations more noticeable.
* Clean kitchens thoroughly. Some homeowners wipe down countertops after every meal, but only vacuum the floor once every few weeks. Crumbs and leftover messes will attract ants, mice and rats — especially if left on the floor for days on end. Don’t leave dirty dishes spilling over the sink either. Standing water attracts ants and cockroaches, too.
* Don’t store birdseed or dog food in bags. Some pest professionals advise against feeding birds altogether because it will inevitably attract rodent activity. However, if you do have a bird house, make sure it’s at least 20 feet away from your home. Also, be sure to store your birdseed or pet food in sealed storage containers, not bags. This is especially important if you’re keeping the dry food inside your home.
For more preventive tips, or to find a pest professional near you, visit www.pestworld.org.
Archaeological Delights on American Soil
What do Newark, Ohio, Epps, La., Marquette, Iowa and the state of Illinois have in common? They are all sites of some of the most impressive archaeological wonders found anywhere in the world–and most seasoned tourists have no idea.
Native American mounds and earthworks are one of the more underappreciated archaeological treasures in the world, but a new “Top 10” list is now highlighting these attractions. The list of America’s Indian mounds and earthworks was formed from the authoritative book “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Mounds & Earthworks” and has been widely quoted by travel sites.
Five Tips for Aspiring Travel Writers
As the media landscape keeps changing around us, travel writers are following many paths to success. Some are book authors, some write primarily for magazines, and others are earning a good income by blogging or running destination websites. Tim Leffel, author of “Travel Writing 2.0” (http://travelwriting2.com), offers these tips on making it as a travel writer, whether in print, e-books, travel apps, or the next media we haven’t seen yet.
Actions You Should Take Before You Hit the Road
Checking mirrors and seat belts every time you get in you car might seem overly cautious, but Porsche Cars North America says that what you do before you turn on the ignition may mean the difference between life and death.
Routine maintenance is critical to your driving safety. For example, under-inflated tires are the primary cause of tire failures and can adversely affect you car’s handling and fuel mileage. Check you tires, including your spare, at least once a month. You should check your wiper blades monthly as well. Worn blades impact visibility and create glare on the windshield, even when they are not in use.
Football Season Marks the Time for Car Care
(NewsUSA) – As the leaves fall and the cold weather approaches, everyone begins to feel a little football fever. Just like the greatest coaches check their starting line-ups each year, make sure that your vehicle’s most important parts and systems aren’t corroded, empty, deflated or worn out. With kick-off around the corner, Firestone Complete Auto Care offers the following tips to ensure your vehicle is ready for fall after a long, hot summer.
Run some drills.
* Remember to have your belts, hoses, air filters, windshield wipers, lights, fluids, and battery cables and terminals all checked by a professional before the fall season begins.
* Fall weather can be wet and dreary. One way to prepare your vehicle for the wet weather is to check the tire treads with the “penny test.” Insert a penny in the tread, Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is worn and the tire probably needs to be replaced.
* Make sure to have your tires rotated according to the schedule in your vehicle’s maintenance guide — usually every 5,000 miles. Regular rotation will even out the wear patterns on your tires.
Hydrate.
* Check your vehicle’s fluid levels, including transmission, brake, power steering, windshield washer fluids and coolant to make sure they’re properly filled.
Get some air.
* You can’t tell if a tire needs air just by looking at it. The only sure-fire way to determine if your tire needs air is with a tire gauge. The tire could be six to 10 PSI under-inflated and still look fine.
Having a creative playbook is a must for any successful football team, but having a well-maintained vehicle is a must for any driver. So blitz the bad weather, and make sure your car is well equipped for this fall!
Tips for Your First Deep Sea Fishing Trip
For a truly unique vacation experience, try deep sea fishing in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica offers one of the healthiest fisheries in the world, where twenty-fish days are not uncommon, and fish simply don’t come in small sizes. Los Sueños Marina, which is home to an extensive charter fleet certified by the Costa Rican Ministry of Tourism, reports that dorodo average 40 pounds, and yellowfin tuna often push past the 300-pound mark. Other fish, including wahoo, roosterfish and snapper, as well as sailfish and marlin, also call the coast of Costa Rica home. Maybe the good fishing explains Costa Rica’s ranking as one of the happiest places on earth.
After Olympics, Richmond, B.C. Becomes Tourist Destination
Nearly 3 billion people watched the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on television. Those who tuned into the long track speed skating competition received what was probably their first view of Richmond, British Columbia, the city that hosted the competition in its Richmond Olympic Oval.
But as visitors to the games can attest, there’s more to Richmond than the Richmond Olympic Oval. The Games gave visitors a chance to discover a unique city with plenty of dining, shopping and multicultural attractions — and more are following in their stead. The city is fast becoming a growing tourist destination with a variety of activities for all ages and abilities.
