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On Tyranny 1st Edition
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Top Customer Reviews
Kojeve, in his discussion of Strauss's comments, will elucidate his peculiar mixture of Hegelian, Marxist, and Heideggerian philosophies in order to defend the unity of `Tyranny and Wisdom' at the end of history, with some amusing asides on Strauss's tendency to build a philosophical cult. Modern tyranny (Stalinism) is rational, or wise, because it leads to the universal, homogenous state. The state in which everyone -- people, politicians, and philosophers -- will be fulfilled. This state, where the people will be safe, politicians renowned, and philosophers enthralled by the rationality of it all, will happen as a result of historical action, or work. We will be living in a world that we made with our own hands. And, as the conflicts of history weed out ever more irrationalities, we come to feel more and more at home in this fabricated, technological world. This leads to less conflict and more fulfillment. Which means, as Kojeve said elsewhere, "History is the history of the working slave." This leaves some of us, Strauss included, wondering if the only thing more wretched than being a slave would be living as a contented one.
Strauss comments on all this in a reply that briefly starts out with a discussion of Eric Voegelin but then turns to the main event. Strauss wants to know how anyone will want to live in this world where everyone thinks the same, feels the same, wants the same. A world in which anyone who thinks/feels/wants differently, as Nietzsche said, goes voluntarily to the madhouse.Read more ›
Thus it really is very funny how Kojève 'accuses' Strauss of insanity! By this, Kojève only means that if a philosopher does not go forth and change the World he can never know that his understanding is not mere private fancy - that is, madness. Since Kojève believes that in order to be rational philosophy must rule all he accuses the practical moderation defended by Strauss of madness. Of course, one could moderately accuse Kojève's 'Enlightened' dream of One World of the same thing...
Thus the argument between them is not whether philosophy should rule - but exactly how it should rule. Kojève believes that without the arrival of the Final Philosophical Artifact -the Universal Homogenous State (UHS)- philosophy is only a private mania. But Strauss says that the UHS will make philosophy impossible. To Kojève, the UHS is a monument to Philosophical Reason while for Strauss it is its tomb. Kojève invites Strauss to join him in making the UHS -it is a great honor!Read more ›
landmark of the hermeneutics in the 20th century, revival of ancient insight,
most insightful and exciting book I ever read.
helping the eager few to rediscover the world which Xenophon artfully conveys with a common appearance.
if this work doesn't wake one up from the modern ignorant self-confirming allusion, perhaps no book can.
splendid discussion between the two great philosophers.
best introduction to ancient thoughts.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Although the book is entitled, "On Tyranny", according to Strauss and Kojeve, it really is about the philosopher's relationship with the state, the philosopher's potential... Read morePublished 15 months ago by Django Rienhardt
This work which speaks to the problem of political power is quite compelling. It takes a long forgotten work by a relatively obscure Greek philsopher as the beginning point for a... Read morePublished on January 4, 2014 by Timothy E. Kennelly


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About kylecanuck
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- Birthday 10/17/1984
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being out and about in the world
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Well if you know how to actually do math it's probably all wrong.... Hahaha
kylecanuck replied to Al-mo's topic in Trades, Rumours, SigningsThis is the biggest downfall im seeing by the regime, for some reason it seems like if your associated with the tigers you are getting a job with the canucks. Im not sure what effect Linden is having other than being a soothing face to a overly disgruntled fanbase. If anyone has any insight into Lindens doings I'd love to know. As as for benning, I'm understanding his moves. Some have taken me by surprise, OJ being a major one for me. At first shocked to hear a name I hadn't heard before when all these big names still out there. Then I started my research and I found this to be be probably the safest pick outside of Laine and Mathews. Sexy he does not seem to be, but the level of praise he gets and the strength of composure being his ticket to the big show. I couldn't be happier with this pick, and I also see his other picks being solid to good with a couple possible surprises. While I can see why people are complaining with benning trading away 2nd rounders since it is his strongest attribute. The players we have got though, are young and proven at at least bottom 6 nhl talent. For me im happy with trading 2nd+ round picks for NHL talent.
Very true, it's hard to gauge talent when you spend most the time lolygagging around all day! I actually played some fairly competitive baseball and it's some intense training and hard workouts. Unless you absolutely shine at a minimum one thing in baseball, its rough.
Hockey was established in 43 MLB was 36 NFL was 62 NBA looks like it was 59 yes its true that a high number of the players in the hall of fame weren't even drafted, gretzky himself included. It's funny that baseball has had the HOF for the longest and just had their first number one overall make it in.
Hmmm when I read into it I didnt read that correctly then, I thought the builders where included into the total number. Thanks for clearing that up.
I agree, when your bottom 6 can win night in and night out it make it much easier on your top six. Where do you see ours linning up against other teams bottom half? Etem - Horvat - Baer Burrows - Granlund- Gaunce/dorsette its not bad looking, I see the Horvat line playing well against all they face. The burrows line could be a third so im happy going up against other fourth lines with them.
No but if you really think about it, maybe the total number of people mentioned in the HOF for their respected sports is the total number of people in the HOF and not just first over all picks? Always think, then hit reply to clarify, people in each HOF doesnt just include players. There are coaches, managers, and even announcers/broadcasters in the HOF
Im not saying draft like detroit, I specifically said that it's not possible to copy someones drafting as each prospect has their own path. To say that detroit hasn't done one of the very best at developing their prospects, taught the league the importance of drafting, then I dont know what to tell you Yes detroit got very lucky with drafting and grabbed players late that no other GM had seen let alone scouted. That being said, they where able to continue to bring players onto their team out of their farm system rather then having to make big name trades. which other teams struggled to do up untill the last 10-15 years where everyteam started getting as serious as detroit in drafting. Yes we have had one player since either Linden or Bure that was ready as a teenager in Horvat. I believe that we hurt McCanns development by having him up here to early. Virtanan is a different story as I dont think he would of learnt much more in Jr, but wasn't ready for the NHL. Wouldn't be surprised to see him start with the comets. What GM have we had that has done better at drafting then benning in our organization then?
kylecanuck replied to Salter's topic in White NoiseHow do you get an elephant into a safeway bag? you take the S out of safe, and the F out of way....
kylecanuck posted a topic in Other SportsJust heard a very interesting baseball stat that is not only amazing but indicant on what a first over all pick could get you in a draft. Ken griffy jr was just elected to the hall of fame, he is the first ever first overall pick in MLB history to be elected into the hall of fame. MLB has 1 out of 310 = .3% NFL/AFL has 14 out of 303 = 4% NBA has 11 out of 160 members = 6% NHL has 7 out of 268 = 2% While the first overall these days seems like a sure fire, it shows that in all major sports, only a total of 33 players have been elected to their respected halls of fame. Are you guaranteed a good player with the first over all, in this day and age? As history is bound to repeat itself, is this a trend that we will continue to see or will first over alls start being locks for the HOF?
It's a great example, they are easily the best drafting team in the nhl over the last 25 years. Drafting is pretty much impossible to copy as each prospect has a different path, so even if a team wants to its not possible. Where we want to emulate Detroit in my opinion is how they brought their prospects into the NHL. They would let them sit in jr and the AHL till they where fully prepared, and then could come in swining. This on top of drafting leaders and character players helped them set a precedent for the rest if the league. Who would you rather copy? A bottom dwelling tanking team who prays their top picks aren't busts?
Im very happy with the new set up, makes it much less appealing to show a ugly face to the league and your fans by tanking just to potentially fall outside of the top few still.
Im pretty sure Pittsburgh litterally won the lottery when they drafter crosby first over all. The previous year was a lock out season and every team was given the same odds at number one. I dont think Malkin was a first over all, as Ovechkin was in 2005. That means no tank for him either. Maybe Pittsburgh has tanked in the past to get the first over all, but you can't say they did it to win the crosby sweep stakes. All im saying is tanking doesnt always get you some of the best players. Sometimes luck... Hell its always luck, just wait and see if we get any with the prospects we have.
kylecanuck replied to CanadianRugby's topic in Canucks TalkNot sure what the big freak out is here, no trades are really suggested, no players are marked for certain demise. Its true, we don't have anything to trade that will get us back anything other then Tanev and possibly Edler if someone takes a flyer. Personaly im happy with trading tanev if someone wants him bad enough, when a player is sought after a overpayment is needed. Tanev is our best D man, and as pointed out in the article is tops shut down D man in the league and is mentioned with some of the best for a reason. If another GM is willing to trade us a young scoring 2nd linger winger, and blue chip prospect and a first over all would you say no? If anyone thinks that no one will pay that much for tanev, there are a few things to consider. Taylor hall, top 5 LW in the league. Traded for larsson, a top 4-6 D man on a contending team. Tanevs age is still young enough he might still improve for a couple years. Tanev has one of the best contracts in the league. Top shutdown, play against opposing top line players every night. Yes it would hurt loosing Tanev in a trade but Tanev might just fetch us a kings ransom, and even though I wont abide tanking, its not like we are going to win the cup with out without Tanev right now
kylecanuck replied to Bertuzzi44ever's topic in Canucks Talkfor me it's not about the expectation to win the cup but the want. I think benning is making positive moves for this team to be a contender in the near future. It's highly doubtfull we will be a favourite again for a long time unless all our rookies blossom into their full potential. The fact is our team will always be pushing for the playoffs, this is what the owners want so this is what the fans will get. I love this philosiphy personally, it means that we will be playing competitive hockey and never looking for the bottom. Teams that try for the first over all spoil what the nature of sport is, and that is to win. Im the type of fan who believes if we can get into the playoffs, then there is a chance we can win the cup. We are bigger, tougher, much younger, have the best looking rookies coming up we have had since the sedins where drafted.... Think about it, they are about to retire. Nothing is going to be done over night, lets all just relax and see where this goes. Remember, no amount of whinning or crying is going to change any decision this team makes. +1 to the OP

subset: commoncrawl


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The Little Freakin' Knight!
Born and raised by cauliflower, Claveman is totally random!
A fan-fiction take on the legendary series!
Very funny!
Even a devout Protestant like me found this funny. Great job, as this is in my Monthly Top 10.
lmfao...it was great
one of the most original flash animations ive seen yet!
lol original
it was gr8. i gave it a one cuz...the people turnd to rabits lol. i gave humor a 6 because i wasnt rotflmao during the flick.
lol that rabit sure can boogie tho
Fun but Short
Great flash, I really like your work. This is a big improvement over Gorbo (which I thought was good in it's own right...). You animate well, have a good sense of timing and style, and can't wait for a piece of work you can really put some time into (this one was sadly short...)
its good
good job doug it wasin that humoris but much better the gorbo keep up the good work


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Welcome to Bob Vila
- Major Systems >
- Yes, It's the Humidity: How to Control It and Lower Your AC Bills
Yes, It's the Humidity: How to Control It and Lower Your AC Bills
For the comfort, energy efficiency, and health of your home during the dog days of summer, humidity matters more than you might think. Read on to learn why your current AC may be letting you down, and what you can do in the future to slash costs and live better.
One of the great, game-changing inventions of the 20th century, air conditioning has become so firmly entrenched in our lives that we now wonder how we ever lived without it. Of course, in the same way that any technology tends to improve over time, cooling systems have come a long way since their earliest incarnations. Even today, though, as effective as AC can be, the average system still underwhelms in at least one important regard—humidity control. Everyone's heard the saying, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." But you may not have considered that the expression pertains as much to indoor comfort as it does to the weather outdoors. If your air conditioning fails to remove sufficient moisture from the air in your home, there are consequences—and not only for your comfort, but also for your bottom line and potentially for your health. The good news: advanced options like the Unico System control humidity much more effectively than traditional HVAC. Read on to learn why that really matters.
No matter its age or sophistication, any functionally sound AC system can maintain the temperature set by the homeowner. However, if the same system does little to mitigate humidity, you'll have to set the thermostat at a low temperature to feel comfortable. The Unico System works against both sweltering heat and sticky humidity. In fact, compared to conventional setups, Unico proves 30 percent more adept at eliminating moisture. That ability enables it to combine cool temperatures with low humidity levels. Further, Unico stands out for its ability to ensure a uniform environment throughout the whole home, from wall to wall and one room to the next. Traditional systems are notorious for the opposite—for turbulent, staccato-style operation characterized by hot and cool spots. Unico sidesteps the problem in an ingenious way, by channeling cool air into living areas using a method called "aspiration" so that it draws the ambient air into its stream, achieving consistent conditions of the utmost comfort.
In the summer, lower humidity means greater comfort, but it also means more savings. With air conditioning being one of the biggest household energy hogs in summer, humidity can influence your monthly utility bills more than you might think. It's simple: Because air-conditioned homes with lower humidity feel cooler, you can set the thermostat several degrees higher and still achieve comfort. Each one-degree increase in the target temperature translates to a three percent reduction in energy use. So with the Unico System, thanks to its exceptional humidity control, you can trim costs a little bit every hour, every day. Over the long term, those savings add up. Another reason Unico helps you save: Its ducts are not prone to the inefficient air leakage commonly associated with standard, rigid metal ductwork. Encased in dual-layer insulation, Unico System tubular, flexible ducts minimize air leakage, maximize efficiency, and in so doing, ensure you end up paying only for cooling that you and your family actually felt.
Mold: You know its musty smell and its off-putting appearance. And you're probably aware that for asthma and allergy sufferers, mold can be a trigger for severe symptoms. But you may not have considered the role played by HVAC. Mold can crop up virtually anywhere, but only with access to a food source and—this is critical—moisture. Because mold feeds off the sort of particulate matter that is found in virtually every home (e.g., wallboard, books, cardboard and other paper sources), controlling it becomes mainly a matter of controlling moisture. For that reason, the Unico System goes further than average technology, not only to limit mold, but to prevent it from blooming in the first place. Plus, since humidity invites the proliferation of dust mites, Unico actually protects indoor air in more ways than one.
Don't forget that a healthy home environment also requires adequate ventilation. Here too, Unico excels. With a programmable control board at its core, the system calculates how much fresh air to bring indoors at any given time. Then, according to those calculations, the system works to ventilate the home, precisely according to need, ensuring fresh air and a further layer of protection against mold growth.
While conventional air conditioning can cool your home on even the hottest days, only systems like Unico are equally effective against both high temperatures and high humidity levels. That's important, because after all, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." If you're relying on technology capable of managing one but not the other, then, unless you live in a particularly dry climate, you'll have to spend a fortune on utility bills to feel fully at ease in your home during the dog days of summer. Indeed, HVAC directly impacts not only your personal comfort, but also your financial comfort. It can even impact the health of your home, owing to its ability either to suppress mold or leave the door open to its proliferation. There's a lot on the line, in other words, when you choose an air-conditioning technology for your home, and the market offers no shortage of options. In the end, though, remember the negative impact of humidity in your home, and the many benefits that humidity control brings.
This article has been brought to you by Unico. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
- Lawn & Garden >
- Cool Tools: A Triple-Threat to Help Your Garden Thrive
Cool Tools: A Triple-Threat to Help Your Garden Thrive
The newest multitalented water wand from HYDE delivers a trifecta of weeding, feeding, and watering capabilities that will help your lawn and garden survive the summer.
Summer teases us with warm breezes and long days just perfect for relaxation and repose. But for many homeowners, too many so-called "lazy" summer days are spent performing the backbreaking work necessary to maintain or beautify the yard. When you're not straining to spread weed killer on the grass or direct water into awkwardly positioned planters, you're hunched over scrubbing the patio furniture or cleaning the sidewalk. If you're ready to take a vacation from all this strenuous summer activity, look no further than the HYDE PivotPro Garden Wand Kit for your salvation. Whether you're tasked with weeding, feeding, or watering the garden, or just tidying up around your property, this must-have multi-tool—complete with a pivoting three-setting spray nozzle and a weed-feed additive dispenser—can eliminate the stress and fatigue of getting your lawn and garden in tip-top condition.
Effortlessly and Efficiently Weed Out Unwanted Greens
Unsightly weeds can be hard to reach and even harder to tame when they grow in hilly terrain or in awkward nooks and crannies of the lawn. Add to this the difficulty of pushing a weighty walk-behind spreader up and down those same slopes, and it's easy to see how applying weed killer could seriously strain your arms, legs, or back. If, however, you swap out the standard spreader for the lightweight HYDE PivotPro Garden Water Wand, which attaches to an unrolled hose, you can weed the lawn at your own pace and in a comfortable, upright position.
To make the most of this smaller and smarter garden helper's weeding capabilities, start by connecting the PivotPro to your garden hose. Then, simply pour the liquid weed-control concentrate of your choice into the tool's 16-ounce weed-and-feed additive dispenser. Set the liquid ratio dial to the concentrate-to-water ratio recommended by the product's manufacturer, and toggle the mix control switch to the "on" position. Water from the garden hose will dilute the concentrate as you work your way down an overgrown sidewalk or along the edge of the garden, gently sliding the handle to adjust the spray angle. Thanks to the wand's 135-degree pivoting nozzle, you'll have easy access to tight corners and narrow corridors, and even around irregularly shaped bushes.
Nourish Your Turf
When you're finished weeding, there's no need to switch out tools before you tackle your next seasonal to-do. Because you can remove, wash, and refill the detachable dispenser with any additive, you can put the PivotPro Garden Water Wand—the same one that you just used for spreading weed killer—to work fertilizing your lawn. The tool's versatility means that you can save time, money, and storage space.
After you've thoroughly cleaned out the weed-killing concentrate from the dispenser, refill it with fertilizer concentrate. Here again, you have full control (and flexibility) when it comes to the feed-to-water ratio your plants require. The wand's automatic liquid ratio adjustment mechanism ensures optimal fertilizer spread with no measuring, calculations, or manual premixing required on your part, so you can transform your nutrient-starved grass into a luxurious lawn in a fraction of the time it used to take.
Water More Than Just Grass
While the PivotPro Garden Water Wand delivers a quick one-two punch of weed killer and fertilizer to a lackluster lawn, it can just as easily be used to rinse or clean countless items throughout your yard. Toggle the mix control switch on the wand to the "off" position, so its nozzle will spray only plain water. The jet, fan, and shower modes of the three-setting spray nozzle—as well as the wand's 46-inch reach—offer remarkable flexibility: You can direct a gentle mist over the rim of a hanging planter, then maneuver down to ground level to hose off dingy tools, shoes, or garden furniture with a powerful jet of water. Better yet, fill the dispenser with soapy water to turn the PivotPro into an all-purpose cleaning tool for all seasons! Wherever you put it to use, the PivotPro Garden Water Wand can help you attain greener pastures on your own home turf.
Purchase HYDE PivotPro Garden Water Wand, $39.99.
Watch the video below to see the HYDE PivotPro Garden Water Wand in action!
This post has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
- How To's & Quick Tips >
- 5 Even Easier Fixes for Household Problems—All in 1 Innovative Can
5 Even Easier Fixes for Household Problems—All in 1 Innovative Can
Finally, you can put the power of WD-40 to use in even the most awkward and annoyingly tight spaces, thanks to the long, flexible applicator of the product's new can.
An essential at job sites, in workshops, and on garage shelves for more than 60 years, WD-40® Multi-Use Product has earned the trust of do-it-yourselfers by solving hundreds of problems in both household and professional settings. It works to un-stick, un-gunk, and protect virtually any item that has moving parts. Yet, while its multitasking formula and short, stiff applicator consistently delivered positive results, success still required very precise aim on the DIYer's part and often necessitated stooping, twisting, or reaching awkwardly around. The product's latest packaging, however, makes the go-to fixit a whole lot easier to use on a wide variety of projects.
Fear not: The formula you've long relied on for repairs at home and at work remains the same. But now, the brand-new flexible straw on WD-40 EZ-REACH™ enables you to apply the tried-and-true solution in tight or inconvenient spots without having to twist yourself into a pretzel to get it where it needs to go. Using just two fingers, you can easily shape and reshape the eight-inch applicator into any angle, curve, or hook necessary to lubricate hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. The new straw can reach around corners, maneuver between staggered fan blades, and even arch over tall items to spray WD-40 exactly where you need it, providing greater precision with less time and effort than ever before. No more creaks. No more squeaks. No more frozen push buttons or pulleys. No more wasted product.
Stock up, and say goodbye to scraped knuckles! We've rounded up five handy ways that the new flexible applicator on WD-40 EZ-REACH™ can make daily DIY projects and repairs a cinch.
Loosen Under-Sink Plumbing Connections
No need to scoot about and twist yourself into knots under the sink just to fix a clogged trap. With a can of WD-40 EZ-REACH™ in your arsenal of tools, you can lubricate the entire circumference of a stuck galvanized or metal plumbing joint by contorting your spray nozzle, not yourself. Simply twist and reshape the metal flex straw to hook around the back and sides of the connections. Saturate the joint thoroughly and give it a few minutes to work its magic before using a pipe wrench or water pump pliers to twist the connections loose.
Keep Mower Blades Clean and Sharp
Savvy homeowners and professional landscapers alike know that clean lawn-mower blades create sharper cuts than dull, gunked-up ones—and already entrust WD-40® with keeping their mower blades cleaner for longer amounts of time. They've seen for themselves how the go-to lubricant makes it easier for grass clippings to slide off rather than stick during the job. But tipping the mower on its side after each run to remove the blade and apply a coat of WD-40® isn't easy. With WD-40 EZ-REACH™, however, you'll spend less time underneath the machine because it's so much easier to reach behind the blade. Just bend the flex straw upward to direct the spray toward the blade and the undercarriage to keep grass from sticking and prevent hard grass deposits.
Repair Noisy HVAC Fans
Shrill squeals every time the AC kicks on can drive you up the wall, especially when the ductwork carries that annoying sound throughout the house. With a little WD-40®, however, you can lubricate the HVAC blower fan assembly and achieve blissful peace and quiet. Before you tackle this repair, first turn off the breaker to the HVAC unit. Remove the cover from the squirrel cage fan, then bend the straw of the WD-40 EZ-REACH™ can to aim between the fins. Thanks to the straw's pliable length, you'll be able to easily and directly spray the shaft to silence the squeaking.
Extend the Life of Your Garage Door Opener
Over time, corrosion causes garage door opener chains to bind, putting unnecessary stress on the motor—enough to potentially cut its life short. Spare yourself the inconvenience and expense of replacement by preserving your current machine with a yearly application of lubricant. With the garage door closed, climb a step stool or ladder and let the hooked straw of WD-40 EZ-REACH™ provide just the boost needed to spray the top of the opener chain. You'll want to coat the entire length of the chain, from the door to the opener. The lubricant will seep down into the links to remove rust, cut friction, and ultimately extend the life of your garage door opener.
Slide Closet Doors with Ease
You probably already reach for WD-40® when it's time to silence a squeaky door hinge, but did you know that you can also ease the motion of a sliding closet door, thanks to the new and improved applicator on WD-40 EZ-REACH™? With the door in its open position, bend the straw to reach above the wheel assembly, which is tucked between the top of the door and the trim. While you're at it, carry the can over to any pocket doors to smooth out the movement along their tracks in the same manner.
Save yourself the hassle of any of these five home improvements by purchasing WD-40 EZ-REACH™ today.
This post has been brought to you by WD-40®. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
- How To's & Quick Tips >
- How To: DIY and Apply Your Own Deck Cleaner
How To: DIY and Apply Your Own Deck Cleaner
Keep your platform for outdoor fun looking great for pennies—without harming nearby plants.
Your deck gets a lot of traffic. Muddy shoes, spilled food, and wet dogs can leave it dirty, stained, and smelly. Even a deck that's not a party platform is up against the elements—pollen, leaves, and algae all take their toll. But you needn't use a harsh, expensive deck detergent to restore it. In under half an hour, you can mix up a batch of homemade deck cleaner, apply it with a deck brush, and then rinse away all manner of dirt and grime.
- Garden hose
- Large plastic bucket
- Warm water
- Powdered oxygen bleach
- Deck brush with attached pole
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
- Borax (optional)
Clear the deck of whatever furniture, grill, gardening containers, and other miscellaneous outdoor equipment you can easily stash elsewhere. Spray the deck amply with plain water from your garden hose to loosen and soften mud and debris, making it easier to remove.
While the ingredients suggested here are relatively safe and won't damage garden greenery, it's a good idea to dress in goggles and rubber gloves to protect sensitive eyes and skin should the homemade deck cleaner accidentally splash.
Pour 2 gallons of very warm water into a plastic bucket, large enough to accommodate a deck brush. Add 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach (found in the laundry detergent aisle), which is milder than liquid chlorine bleach. Submerge the brush and stir gently until powdered bleach completely dissolves. Then add 1/4 cup of liquid dishwashing soap and stir just enough to disperse it through the solution.
Liberally saturate the deck by dipping the brush into the homemade cleaning solution and sloshing it over the planks. Starting at one end and working your way to the other, scrub with the brush to work up a light lather, rewetting the brush's bristles as needed. Give the solution 15 minutes of dwell time to allow the oxygen bleach to work.
Spray off the DIY deck cleaner with the garden hose. Let your deck dry naturally and completely in the sun's rays before redecorating it.
• Banish mildew with borax. If your deck has visible mildew stains, add 1 cup of powdered borax to the solution at the same time you add the oxygen bleach. Borax, found in the supermarket laundry aisle, is a natural mineral compound that won't damage nearby landscaping plants. Apply the solution as instructed above.
• Treat stains with oxygen bleach paste. To treat a stubborn stain, mix just enough warm water with a small amount of powdered oxygen bleach to make a paste. Apply directly on the stain with a stiff-bristle brush and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse.
• Sweep away dirt promptly. A light sweeping—daily, ideally—will free your deck of loose dirt, leaves, and other debris before it can be ground into the wood surface.
• Apply a penetrating sealer once a year. Wood is a product of nature, and even pressure-treated decks will eventually succumb to harsh UV rays, wet/dry cycles, and temperature fluctuations. To add years of useful life to your deck, treat it annually with a good penetrating sealer. The best time to apply a sealer is after a thorough deck cleaning!
Now that your deck is clean as new, take a look around you. If wood handrails, balusters, even outdoor wooden furniture seem less than fresh, mix up some more deck cleaning solution to safely restore them and you're fully prepared for any outdoor gathering large or small.
- Lawn & Garden >
- DIY Lite: Easy Tiki Torches for a Bug-Free Backyard
DIY Lite: Easy Tiki Torches for a Bug-Free Backyard
Light up your backyard without attracting any bugs to the party when you build this trendy design for a DIY tiki torch.
Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering like unwanted guests, namely the buzzy ones. Enjoy summer nights free from the mosquitoes by staking a few tiki torches around your backyard party. Filled with citronella oil or citronella tiki torch fuel, they'll keep bugs at bay while you and any invited guests play. This particular pro-quality setup—with likeness to the ever trendy industrial wire pendant lights—actually boils down to six easy steps and a handful of creative materials. Follow the easy tutorial below to make one DIY tiki torch, and repeat until your yard is fully illuminated past sunset!
- Mason jar
- Hammer
- Nail
- Fruit picker basket
- Cutting pliers
- Copper spray paint
- 3⁄4-inch copper pipe (5 feet)
- 3⁄4-inch copper pressure slip coupling
- Cotton swab
- Rubbing alcohol
- Adjustable stainless steel pipe or hose clamp
- Screwdriver
- Tiki torch wick or 100 percent cotton rope
- Citronella oil or Tiki fuel
The actual citronella candle and flame for your DIY tiki torch will be housed in a sealed 8- to 12-ounce glass mason jar. To convert the canning staple, you'll need to first perforate the lid so that you can thread the torch wick through it. Place the lid on a piece of scrap wood, then position a nail at its center and tap with the hammer until it pierces through the metal into the wood. Pull out the nail using the hammer's claw; the resulting hole needs to be a tight fit so that the tiki torch wick stays in place.
Set the punctured lid and jar aside until you fill it up in the final step.
To create the wire cage support in this DIY tiki torch, we started with the unique wire design of a fruit picker basket. Intended for pulling ripe fruits from tree branches, this orchard tool possesses a diameter just wide enough to hold a 12-ounce jam jar—our soon-to-be citronella candle. Look for one without an extension or telescoping pole for less than $10, either online at Amazon or in the garden center of your big-box home improvement store.
Peel out the soft cushion (meant to keep each piece of fruit free of bruises while picking), and use cutting pliers snip the metal ends that look like rake tines where they connect with the top arched wire. After you make your cuts, your basket's trimmed side should still be higher than the other, but sleeker without claws—and so begins the transition into a more industrial candle holder.
Spray paint the fruit picker basket and the mason jar lid. Apply several coats (remembering to allow adequate dry time between each) to cover both pieces completely with the copper paint.
Take the 5-foot length of 3⁄4-inch copper pipe and slide a matching 3⁄4-inch copper pressure coupling over the top end; this addition will add extra thickness to the pipe so that you can snugly slide the fruit picker basket over top.
Pro tip: If you need to remove a red sticker from either of your copper pipe pieces, simply wet it with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol for a clean and easy peel.
Slide the narrow end of the fruit picker basket (the part that would typically attach to a telescoping pole) over the end of the copper pipe and the pressure coupling. Unscrew to open up a stainless steel pipe or hose clamp, wrap it around the base of the basket, and tighten the screw once more in order to hold the clamp (and basket) in place.
Fill the mason jar a quarter to a third of the way with tiki fuel or citronella oil. Thread the wick—either a specific tiki torch wick or 100 percent cotton, but not nylon, which melts—through the lid so that 2 inches stick out the top and several inches hang beneath. Twist the lid onto the jar to seal it, and let the wick soak for about 10 minutes before lighting the candle.
While that's working, go ahead and plant your new torch (or torches, if you've built a few according to these instructions) in the backyard. Ensure that the pipe is sufficiently stable by driving it into the ground before you place the candle in shiny copper cage. Then light the candle at the start of the evening, and refuel whenever supply looks low for outdoor festivities minus any unwanted guests!
Ama is a DIY addict and the creative mind behind Ohoh Blog. She likes home decor, lighting, and furniture projects that may involve painting, sewing, drilling…no matter the technique! Whatever she has on hand is inspiration to create, and fodder for her serious addiction to upcycling.
- Lawn & Garden >
- Bob Vila Radio: Keep Backyard Mosquitos at Bay
Bob Vila Radio: Keep Backyard Mosquitos at Bay
Get those biting bugs to buzz off by identifying and eliminating any mosquito breeding grounds and hiding spots that may exist on your property.
With Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses on the rise, it's a good idea to take a close look at the mosquito control measures you use on your property.
Mosquitoes multiply in standing water, so double-check your yard for any spots you might have missed. Make sure flower pots and plant saucers are empty. Bird baths, water bowls for pets, and kiddie pools should be all emptied and refilled regularly so that any eggs laid there don't have a chance to turn into biting bugs.
If you have water that can't be drained, like a fish pond, don't worry. Hardware stores carry specialized chemicals to add to the water that will bump off mosquitos without harming your fish. Also, because mosquitos love to live it up in damp leaves and other organic material, don't forget to keep a rake handy—and to use it often!
Bob Vila Radio is a 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day carried on more than 186 stations in 75 markets around the country. Click here to subscribe, so you can automatically receive each new episode as it arrives—absolutely free!
- Contests & Give-Aways >
- Official Rules: Bob Vila's $5,000 Dream Office Give-Away from BDI
Official Rules: Bob Vila's $5,000 Dream Office Give-Away from BDI
Bob Vila's "$5,000 Dream Office Give-Away from BDI from BDI" (the "Sweepstakes") is sponsored by BobVila.com, LLC, Post Office Box 835, West Barnstable, MA 02668 ("Sponsor"). The Sweepstakes consists of one (1) drawing. The Sweepstakes Period will begin July 31, 2016 at 12 PM EST and last until August 31, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. At the end of the Entry Period, there will be one (1) drawings in which one (1) potential winner ("Winner") shall be selected from all eligible entries received for each prize available during that Entry Period by employees or representatives of the Sponsor to receive the prize designated for the Drawing for that Entry Period. The winning entry will be chosen at random. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ONLINE ENTRY ONLY AND INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED. AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM MAY BE REQUIRED.
Open only to permanent legal U.S. residents of all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Void in all other geographic locations. Employees of Sponsor and its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies and any other entity involved in the development or administration of this Sweepstakes, and their immediate family members or household members are not eligible to participate in or win the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any person who fails to meet the eligibility requirements or any person it determines, in its sole discretion, to be sufficiently connected with the Sweepstakes such that such person's participation could create the appearance of impropriety. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void, and Sponsor expressly reserves the right to disqualify any entries that it believes in good faith are generated by an automated program or via scripts. Entries that are determined, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor to constitute advertisements, commercial messages, or "spam" will be disqualified and deleted.
Void where prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply. No purchase is necessary to participate in the Sweepstakes. You may enter any given Drawing one (1) time per household per day by visiting the BOB VILA website at http://www.bobvila.com and submit your name and email address using the online "$5,000 Dream Office Give-Away from BDI" submission form. Each entry submitted in response to a Drawing and in accordance with the Official Rules will constitute an official entry. Duplicate entries submitted through either method within one day will be deemed void. If you do not have internet access, alternative means of entry for each Drawing is available by faxing your name, address and phone number to the Sponsor at 508-437-8486 during the applicable Entry Period. One (1) alternative entry per household per day. Any additional entries submitted via fax within one day will be deemed void. Entries received after the end of the Sweepstakes Period will be deemed void. Normal time, toll, connection and usage rates, if any, charged by your Internet service provider will apply.
All entries become the property of the Sponsor. By entering any Drawing during the Sweepstakes, you will be agreeing that any information collected in connection with the Sweepstakes may be used by Sponsor in accordance with BobVila.com, LLC's Privacy Policy, a current copy of which can be found here. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules. The number of eligible entries received during the Entry Periods for a Drawing determines the odds of winning for that Drawing. The Sweepstakes will be conducted under the supervision of the Sponsor. If the Winner is determined to be ineligible, forfeits or does not claim the prize, the prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor's sole discretion based on a subsequent drawing from the pool of eligible entries. Other restrictions may apply. Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding with respect to all matters related to the Sweepstakes.
All prizes (or in the event of a lost, misdirected, or otherwise unavailable prize, a prize of equivalent value) will be awarded. In no event shall the Sponsor be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Rules. Winner shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. To receive a complete list of winners or a copy of the Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, BobVila.com, LLC, PO Box 835 Barnstable, MA 02668. Specify winner's list or rules on your request.
The Winner will be notified by email, or in the case of alternate entry, by phone; Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their respective prize within twenty-four (24) hours after the date of notification of their prize. A Winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified twenty-four (24) hours will be considered such Winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate Winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate Winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. Sponsor reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the mailing and/or email address (as applicable) provided by Winners during their entry to the Drawings.
The prize for the Drawing shall be the Winner's choice of one (1) piece of BDI furniture from each category (Category 1: Sequel Lift Desk 6052 (MSRP $2205) with optional drawer (MSRP $280), or Sequel Lift Desk 6051 (MSRP $1905); Category 2: Tall Mobile File Pedestal 6005 (MSRP $890), or Low Mobile File Pedestal 6007-2 (MSRP $845); Category 3: Sequel Storage Cabinet 6015 (MSRP $1525), Sequel Lateral File Cabinet 6016 (MSRP $1565), Sequel Multifunctional Cabinet 6017 (MSRP $1675), or Sequel Return 6002 (MSRP $1145), with optional Back Panel 6009 (MSRP $235) and Return end Panel 6012 ($135)) in choice of four stains. No transfer, substitution or cash redemption will be awarded in lieu of Prize. Limit one prizes per winning entrant per Entry Period. Prize provider shall arrange for prize delivery within 30 days from end of the Sweepstakes Period. An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes, and his or her entry may be deleted, if he or she fails to comply with each provision of these Official Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Participation in the Sweepstakes is at entrant's own risk.
Sponsor shall not be liable for (1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the Drawings entry forms, (2) entries and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind, (3) any electronic miscommunications or failures, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate in part or wholly in the Sweepstakes, (4) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Sweepstakes or (5) any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof, which shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of the prize.
Sponsor does not make any, and hereby disclaims any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, your entry constitutes your permission to use your name, photograph, likeness, voice, address (city and state) and testimonials in all media, in perpetuity, in any manner Sponsor deems appropriate for publicity purposes without any further compensation to such entrant. By entering or accepting a prize in the Sweepstakes, Winners agree to be bound by these Official Rules and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. When applicable, the Winner (or, if the Winner is a minor, the Winner's parent or legal guardian) may be required to execute and return to Sponsor within three (3) business days an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability and Publicity Release and relevant tax forms to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner may be selected. Winner may be required to furnish proof of identity, address and birth date in order to receive a prize.
By entering, an entrant agrees to indemnify, release and hold harmless Sponsor and each of its respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any damage, injury, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability (collectively, "Claims") that may arise from their acceptance, possession and/or use of any prize or their participation in the Sweepstakes, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, regardless of whether such Claims, or knowledge of the facts constituting such Claims, exist at the time of entry or arise at any time thereafter. Released Parties are not responsible or liable to any entrant or to any Winner or any person claiming through such Winner for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal) labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond the Released Parties' sole control.
The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing, electronic or human errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes; (2) viruses or technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications or entry information, any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, failures or technical malfunction of any computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, email, players or browsers, whether on account of technical problems, traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or on account of any combination of the foregoing; (3) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (4) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (5) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; (6) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use or misuse of any prize; or (7) late, lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete or mutilated entries or for theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries. These indemnification and release provisions shall survive expiration of the Sweepstakes.
Persons found tampering with, abusing, or otherwise disrupting any aspect of this Sweepstakes, or otherwise attempting to defraud Sponsor, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and their entries will be deleted. If disqualified, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the entrant's eligibility to further participate in this Sweepstakes and future promotions and sweepstakes of Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Any attempt by an entrant or any other individual to undermine the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Sweepstakes is strictly for promotional and entertainment purposes and may not be used in connection with any form of gambling. In the event this Sweepstakes is challenged by any legal or regulatory authority, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Sweepstakes, or to disqualify entrants residing in the affected geographic areas. In such event, the Sponsor shall have no liability to any entrants who are disqualified due to such an action.
Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Rules in any way or at any time. Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Sweepstakes should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Sweepstakes. In the event any portion of this Sweepstakes is compromised by any non-authorized human intervention, actions of entrants, or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, corrupt or impair the integrity, administration, security, or operation of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend, modify, abbreviate or terminate the Sweepstakes without further obligation.
If Sponsor elects to abbreviate the Sweepstakes, Winner(s) will be determined from all eligible entries received for Drawing(s) prior to the action or compromise giving rise to the suspension or termination of this Sweepstakes. In the event of cancellation, abbreviation or suspension, Sponsor shall promptly post a notice on the Sweepstakes entry page to such effect. This Sweepstakes shall be governed by New York law. By participating in this Sweepstakes entrants agree that New York courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Sweepstakes and that venue shall be only in New York City, New York. The failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any part of these Official Rules is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that part will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the remainder of these Official Rules will remain fully in force.
- Major Systems >
- Meet the Cost-Effective and Customizable Alternative to Central AC
Meet the Cost-Effective and Customizable Alternative to Central AC
Are you ready for the hot times head? This year, beat the heat and keep your home cool all summer long with a versatile, unobtrusive system that doesn't require bulky ductwork—or the extensive renovation it typically entails.
Summer never fails to usher in higher temperatures. And, unfortunately for the typical homeowner, the season also tends to bring higher energy bills. After all, homeowners across the country rely on air conditioning to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, and as conventional cooling options are infamous energy hogs, their operation usually incurs a considerable cost. Year in, year out, you may face a familiar, frustrating choice: Unable to have both at once, you must trade comfort for savings, or savings for comfort.
Only one innovative technology enables homeowners to enjoy both. Mini-split systems from leaders like Fujitsu General minimize energy consumption and running costs without sacrificing performance. Whereas older, increasingly outmoded systems typically score Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings between 4 and 10, the Fujitsu mini-split operates at a jaw-dropping 32 SEER. Indeed, many Fujitsu mini-splits are certified by Energy Star for their ability to deliver cooling at a savings of up to 25 percent over less efficient systems.
Another reason for the growing popularity of mini-splits—easy installation. Traditional central air can be challenging to retrofit or extend, in large part because it depends on elaborate networks of ducts. Mini-split systems, by contrast, can be completely ductless, if desired. For this reason, they are often much more compact, taking up only a fraction of the space ducted systems occupy. Because they're so compact, mini-splits lend themselves to unobtrusive installation that entails neither the hassle nor expense of remodeling.
A basic mini-split consists of nothing more than an outdoor condenser and an indoor unit. (Here, in contrast with traditional AC, there's no need to make room in the basement or attic for an evaporator.) Thin copper tubes, narrow enough to fit through a discreet, three- to four-inch opening in the home exterior, run between the condenser and indoor unit. Those tubes carry refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, so it can distribute conditioned air into the space.
A single outdoor condenser can power multiple indoor units. With Fujitsu, in fact, a single condenser can run as many as eight indoor units positioned throughout the home. To help homeowners incorporate all those indoor units discreetly, manufacturers like Fujitsu offer a range of designs. Wall-mounted units install above eye level, while floor-mounted units work best in rooms with minimal wall space, such as kitchens. Slim-duct units, yet another option, can be recessed into the ceiling, where they remain virtually hidden.
Want even more evidence of mini-splits' versatility? Look no further than their ability to target temperatures on a room-by-room basis. With traditional central air, if you want to cool any room, you must cool all rooms. Besides being unnecessarily expensive, all-or-nothing cooling ignores the fact that different family members often prefer different temperatures. With a mini-split, you can not only save by cutting back on cooling in rarely used rooms, but you can also put a stop to feuds over the thermostat setting.
Perhaps best of all, homeowners can depend on mini-split systems for comfort, not only in summer, but in each and every season, year-round—that is, if the outdoor condenser boasts inverter technology. Take the Fujitsu Halcyon, for example. Here, the push of a button switches the system from cooling to heating mode. In cooling mode, the condenser draws heat from inside the home and expels it outdoors. In heating mode, the operation reverses, harvesting heat from the outdoor air and channeling it indoors.
More attractive than window units, more compact than central air-conditioning systems, and more efficient than either one, mini-splits offer a compelling climate-control alternative that, while already popular in Europe and Asia, hasn't yet gone mainstream here at home. That's all changing, though, as more and more homeowners discover the features and benefits of versatile mini-splits. Ready to take the next step? To find a Fujitsu General contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or go online right now to visit www.constantcomfort.com.
This articles has been brought to you by Fujitsu. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
- Major Systems >
- The Pros and Cons of Radiant Heat
The Pros and Cons of Radiant Heat
Experts agree that for comfort in winter, no other technology comes close to matching the performance of radiant heat. But is it the right choice for your home? Like so many other questions in building and home improvement, the answer depends. Learn the pros and cons, and decide for yourself.
Its no surprise if home heating doesn't rank high on your list of priorities right now, but let's face it: If you were uncomfortable at home last winter, you are going to be uncomfortable again in only a matter of months—that is, unless you make a change. Particularly if it's been years since you last surveyed your options, you might be surprised by how much the landscape has changed. No, a 100% perfect climate control system hasn't been invented yet, but many of the most exciting options today excel where forced air fell short. The leading heating technology of the past several decades, forced air isn't without virtues, but on the whole accounts for the perception that home heating must be hit-and-miss in performance yet consistently expensive. By contrast, innovative options like radiant heating prove that homeowners can now enjoy total comfort at a lower cost.
Radiant heat isn't new. In one form or another, it's been around since the days of the Roman Empire, but it wasn't until relatively recently that it became a viable option for average homeowners. Today, many would argue that it outperforms its peers, delivering a qualitatively home heating experience than forced air ever did. Not only does it operate silently to create even, all-encompassing, "everywhere" warmth, but it does so at least 25% more efficiently than conventional HVAC. That said, radiant heat may not be the perfection climate control solution for every homeowner, in every situation. Much depends on the precise nature of the project you are planning. Some who are convinced of its benefits ultimately decide not to pursue radiant heating in view of its installation requirements. Keep reading now for details on the biggest considerations that come into play.
PRO: Uniform heating
Homeowners are eschewing traditional forced air in favor of radiant heat, largely because there's simply no question as to which provides a higher level of comfort. Installed beneath the floor, radiant heat panels deliver warmth across virtually every square inch of the home. That way, no matter where you travel in the home, you always get the same temperature. With forced air, it's a different story. Designed to operate in a stop-and-start pattern, conventional HVAC dumps hot air into the home, then stops. Minutes later, once the temperature has dipped below a threshold point, the system snaps on again, and the cycle repeats. The result? Dramatic, uncomfortable temperature swings, only enhanced by the fact that hot air quickly rises to the ceiling after arriving. Radiant heat, meanwhile, concentrates comfort not above your head, but at floor level where you actually feel it.
CON: Rigorous installation
Heating and cooling components are often integral to the basic infrasture of the home in which they are installed. That being the case, most do not lend themselves painlessly to retrofit applications. With forced air, ducts are the foremost impediment to installation. With radiant, the complicating factor is that panels must be set beneath the floor. If you love the flooring in your home and had no intention of removing it, even if only temporarily, then the installation requirements of a radiant system may give you pause. But of course there are plenty of occasions when homeowners enjoy a blank slate. Custom home building may present the out-and-out ideal opportunity to install radiant heat, but you can also capitalize on the technology during a renovation. In fact, manufacturers like Warmboard offer ultra-thin radiant panels specially designed to fit seamlessly into existing homes.
PRO: Quiet and clean
Walk into any home heated by forced air, and the system soon announces itself to you, one way or another. The first thing you notice might be the unsightly metal grille of an air vent, or it might be the sound of conditioned air roaring through the ductwork. There's also the issue of dust. Though intended to channel warm air through your home, ductwork also often ends up collecting and distributing dust and other impurities. Over the years, having become so accustomed to forced air, many homeowners may assume that home heating has to be ugly, noisy, and dusty, but it doesn't. With panels slotted out of view beneath the floor, radiant systems are invisible, and in the absence of blowers and rushing air, they operate not quietly, but silently. Plus, for allergy sufferers and others concerned about indoor air quality, radiant heat can be like a breath of fresh air, as the ductless system does nothing to diminish indoor air quality.
CON: Boiler dependent
To supply the water that lends heat to a radiant system, you need a boiler. If you'd need to buy a new boiler, that would add to the final project cost. But of course, in any HVAC system, there are upfront costs and operating costs, and the latter are perhaps the more important. Radiant keeps running costs low, because thanks to its duct-free design, it's not susceptible to the air leaks and energy loss that compromises forced air. That's the main reason why radiant has been found to operate at least 25% more efficiently. To save an extra 10 to 20 percent each month, opt for a radiant system with highly conductive panels. Why? The more conductive the panel, the less hard the boiler needs to work. By way of example, Warmboard panels transfer heat so effectively that they can keep the home comfortable using water boiler-fired to a temperature 30 degrees cooler than that required by other, broadly similar systems. From one month to the next, year after year, incremental savings can really add up.
Already widely popular in Europe and Asia, radiant heating has been steadily gaining traction in the United States over the past several years, as homeowners discover its unique and compelling advantages. Able to operate at a whisper-quiet decibel level even while promoting indoor air quality, the "out of sight, out of mind" technology ultimately delivers on a deceptively simple promise: It enables you to enjoy greatly enhanced comfort during the winter months, and often for less per month. Indeed, for the increasing numbers of homeowners who are foregoing traditional HVAC in favor of radiant, the obvious pros of the latter far outweigh any potential cons.
This article has been brought to you by Warmboard. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
- Lawn & Garden >
- How To: Custom-Build The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen
How To: Custom-Build The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen
Earn your stripes as a DIY and grill master when you build this outdoor kitchen equipped with a concrete countertop, built-in cutting board, and extra storage—all you could possibly need for your next backyard BBQ.
Whether you're accustomed to hosting the big barbecue or simply enjoy the occasional family dinner from the grill, you're likely familiar with the inadequate storage and prep space around a standard outdoor cook station. Rather than spending thousand of dollars on the latest all-inclusive grill station, build yourself a custom unit that's comparable to your indoor kitchen. This DIY design incorporates any portable grill into an outdoor kitchen station that also features concrete countertop, built-in cutting board, and lower shelf—all mounted on wheels to move about easily.
- Portable grill
- 6mm plywood
- 2×2 lumber (64 feet)
- Handsaw
- Wood glue
- 2-1⁄2-inch nails (18)
- Hammer
- Pencil
- Cutting board
- Rebar (143 inches)
- Wire
- Concrete (33 pounds)
- Plastic bucket
- Trowel
- 1×6 lumber (16 feet)
- Garden cart wheels (2)
- Wrench
- Drill
- 2-1⁄2-inch screws (44)
- 2-inch metal brackets (8)
- 3⁄4-inch screws (16)
- Wood stain
- Varnish
- Brush
- All-purpose glue
- Palm sander
Start this project by making the concrete counter so that, in the few days it takes to cure, you can turn your attention to the wooden base.
Our grill was 13 by 20 inches, so we planned the total countertop to be 20 by 44 inches. But the best part of any DIY project is that you can adapt the design to meet your own needs! Keep in mind: You need at least 3 inches of concrete all around the grill. If yours is no larger than 14 inches by 24 inches, you can follow along with this tutorial and simply adjust the inset to accommodate the grill. Otherwise, here's the basic formula we used to determine dimensions for the countertop and, therefore, the outdoor kitchen cart:
Your grill's length + 3 inches to the left + a 18-inch wide prep surface = Your cart's width
Your grill's width + 3-inch lip around front + 3-inch lip around the back = Your cart's depth
For the rest of the tutorial, we'll stick to actual dimensions used.
Since most of the countertop will be concrete, you'll need to build a mold with interior dimensions that match what your plan. Cut your 2×2 lumber so that you two 44-inch pieces (the same length as the cart) and two 23-inch pieces (3 inches longer than your cart's width). Arrange them on 6mm plywood—FYI, this will be the top of your concrete counter when you undo the mold—so that the two longer pieces are parallel and a shorter piece connects them at each end to make a box. These will be the walls to your mold.
Apply wood glue wherever your 2×2 pieces meet one another, and reinforce the corners by hammering one 2-1⁄2-inch nail through each end of the 23-inch cuts. Then glue the open rectangle to the center of your plywood and secure with nails, one at the end of each 2×2 piece.
Next, build a rectangular frame from 2×2 the size of your grill to hold its place in the left side of the concrete mold. Since ours is 13 inches by 20 inches, we cut two 13-inch-long pieces and two 17-inch-long pieces (which, when added to the two 1-1⁄2-inch-thick 2×2 sides, make up the 20-inch sides).
Measure in 3-1⁄2 inches from the left wall and draw a line all the way down using pencil, then do the same for each long side. Glue one 13-inch length inside the first penciled line you drew. Next, position the two 17-inch pieces parallel inside their pencil lines so that each have one end touching the 2×2 already in place; glue these to the 2×2 and the plywood. Finally, glue the second 13-inch length to the open ends of the frame and plywood.
We're also integrating a wooden cutting board on the open side. Since the plywood will be removed to reveal the top of your counter, you cannot affix the cutting board to it with nails. Instead, place your cutting board in place first where you'd like it to set. We also fastened extra scrap wood behind it using nails to steady the addition as the concrete cured.
Next, prep a rebar frame along the perimeter of your countertop's features to help strengthen the concrete; otherwise, you risk breaking the concrete when taking the counter out of the mold. Cut and lay two 43-inch pieces on the edge lengthwise, and cut three more 19-inch pieces to lay perpendicularly as seen above.
Two important things to know: First, the rebar needs to be totally connected wherever it intersects with another piece, so wrap wire at each intersection. Second, the rebars should not laid directly on the bottom. To prevent it from sinking to the bottom of your mold (and potentially peeking through the top of your counter), form W shapes with the wire behind the rebar at each intersection to help raise the structure from the plywood panel, then lay it into place halfway through your concrete pour.
Once you're sure all of the wood glue has dried, you can start to prep the concrete. Fill a plastic bucket with dry concrete and mix with water using a trowel or a large kitchen spoon, carefully following the package's instructions. Rather than make the entire package at once, work with several small batches at the time. The more concrete, the harder it is to mix—and the heavier it is to pour.
Pour each batch evenly across the entire mold, as if in layers. When you've filled the mold halfway, lay your rebar frame. Then cover and continue until your mold is completely filled.
Tap lightly along the edges of the mold with a hammer. This releases trapped air bubbles and ensures that the concrete is homogeneous. Let cure for a few days, or as long as the packaging's instructions require. When ready, you'll un-box a 1-1⁄2-inch-thick concrete counter.
Next up: The wooden base for your DIY outdoor kitchen. Cut four 30-inch lengths from the remaining 2×2 lumber to make its legs, and drill holes and screw garden cart wheels to the bottom of two. Washers and any other hardware included with your wheel will twist onto the opposite side of the leg to keep each from falling off.
Now, the four legs need to be exactly the same length in order to keep your grill cart level at all times. Since the wheels add a couple of inches to the two legs depending on the size you picked up, you'll want to cut a some from the non-wheeled ends to compensate. Line bottoms of your four legs (wood and wheels) to determine how much needs sawed off, pencil your marks, and cut.
Space the two legs (one simple leg and one with a wheel) 41 inches apart and glue their tops so that you can adhere a 44-inch 2×2 across them. Reinforce with two 2-1⁄2-inch screws through the top at each end.
Next, measure 20 inches down and connect the legs with a 41-inch 2×2. Again, glue and screw into place (two screws at each end).
Repeat Step 7 to build the second side of your cart's frame. In order for both wheels to be on the outside of the cart, build this second side as a mirror image of the first (see above).
Flip the two sides so that the wheels are in the air and on the outsides of the legs. Connect their top corners (the ones now resting on the ground) with 17-inch cuts of 2×2. Glue each into place, then use 3⁄4-inch screws to reinforce each corner with a 2-inch metal bracket—you want to make certain that the structure is strong enough to support its concrete countertop.
Glue two more 17-inch cuts of 2×2, this time 20-3⁄4 inches below the top ones. This time, drill two 2-1⁄2-inch screws through each leg into the new additions.
Stand the cart upright so that you can attach a bottom shelf made from the 1×6 lumber.
Cut the lumber into 40-inch pieces and fit them to lay over the 17-inch 2×2 support at either end of the grill cart. We purposefully installed the side 2×2 supports so that they were 3⁄4 inches below the 2×2s along the front and the back, so that when you lay the 1×6, it will be even with those 40-inch supports already in place. If there's a little gap, evenly these three new slats to make it less obvious. Attach first with glue, and then screw down through the top, two into each end of every slat.
Brush on one to two coats of stain, depending on the color you want to achieve. Be sure to allow the structure to dry completely after each coat. Once the stain dries, apply at least two coats of acrylic varnish.
Now, you're ready to assemble the two parts of this build.
First, check that the concrete top is dry. To undo the wooden mold and reveal your concrete creation, remove the nails one by one and pull.
Next, cover the top of the cart with all-purpose glue and place the concrete counter on top. Ask for some help before you lift: Its weight requires at least two people to carry the counter and flip it right side up onto the wooden base. Wait for the glue to dry before you continue.
Sand the edges and the wooden cutting board, if needed. Then use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away all of the dust from sanding.
The hole in the concrete should be exactly the dimensions of your grill, meaning that if you place your portable grill in right now it would drop through to the lower shelf. To prevent any damage to your grill, screw four 2-inch brackets (one in each corner) into the concrete as well as the wood frame immediately beneath; their open bottoms will hold the grill in place.
Pro tip: When you switch from drilling holes in the wood to boring concrete, change to a masonry bit and then work slowly.
Fit the grill into place in the top of your DIY outdoor kitchen, and get ready to turn up the heat! A job well done deserves a burger made to the same specifications.
Ama is a DIY addict and the creative mind behind Ohoh Blog. She likes home decor, lighting, and furniture projects that may involve painting, sewing, drilling…no matter the technique! Whatever she has on hand is inspiration to create, and fodder for her serious addiction to upcycling.


text:
Marc Brown is the creator of the bestselling Arthur Adventure book series and creative producer of the number-one children's PBS television series, Arthur. He has also created a second book series featuring D.W., Arthur's little sister, as well as numerous other books for children. Marc Brown lives with his family in Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard.
Arthur and the Baby (Arthur Adventures Series)by Marc Brown
View All Available Formats & Editions
Arthur's family is expecting a baby and everyone is excited. But Arthur wonders, will the new baby change everything?
Arthur's family is expecting a baby and everyone is excited. But Arthur wonders, will the new baby change everything?
Product Details
- 9780316129053
- Publisher:
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date:
- 06/14/2011
- Series:
- Arthur Adventures Series
- Pages:
- 32
- Sales rank:
- 157,571
- Product dimensions:
- 7.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.30(d)
- Age Range:
- 4 - 8 Years
Meet the Author
Brief Biography
- Hometown:
- Hingham, Massachusetts and Martha¿s Vineyard, Massachusetts
- Date of Birth:
- November 25, 1946
- Place of Birth:
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Education:
- M.F.A., Cleveland Institute of Art, 1969
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Hyena's Comedy Nightclub – Fort Worth
(817) 877-5233
Located in beautiful Downtown Fort Worth at 425 Commerce Street, between 3rd and 4th Street
Hyena's Fort Worth
(817) 877-5233
425 Commerce Street
between 3rd and 4th Street
Thursday Shows
Doors open 7:30
Showtime 8:30
Two-item minimum purchase per person.Friday Shows
Doors open 7:00 & 9:00
Showtimes 8:30 & 10:30
Saturday Shows
Doors open 6:30 & 9:00
Showtimes 8:00 & 10:30
Customers must be 18 and up to enter, and 21 to order alcohol.
Admission is $12 with a two-item minimum purchase per person in the showroom.
Preferred Seating is available on request for $17 per person and is recommended for the best seats. Prices are for general admission and don't apply to special events.
Best FREE Parking!
– Walking Distance
– Completely Free
– Convenient Access
Sundance Garage II – corner of 3rd and Calhoun across from AMC Palace Theater
Sundance Garage III – corner of 3rd and Taylor above PF Chang's
Buy Ft Worth Tickets Now!
Todd Yohn
July 28 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
July 29 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
July 30 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
For over 20 years Todd Yohn's high energy, non-stop act has blended stand-up, improv, and music into one deliciously stimulating show. His fresh and clever original comedy tunes such as "The Femenine Hygene Song" "Daddy Please Don't Go" and the very popular" Orange Barrels" have separated Todd from the "other" guitar playing comedy acts.
Todd has been an accomplished musician for many years and still has a songwriting deal with MCA Publishing in Nashville, Tennessee. He is one of the few performers today who has the rare ability to produce large amounts of laughter with the lift of an eye brow or droop of the lip.
Todd's combination of material, uncanny sense of timing and his complete uniqueness of personality, has earned him the reputation as one of the best club comedians in the country. As a matter of fact, Tom Griswald of the nationally syndicated morning radio show "Bob and Tom" has said that, "Todd Yohn is, by far, the funniest live comedian show anyone will ever see". At 6'3" and 180 pounds Todd is a red-headed, walking, talking cartoon. A master of physical comedy, Todd can move in and out of characters within seconds and make anyone think they are watching multiple performers. But then again, that's what Todd does best!
Watching Todd's show, one gets the feeling that they are watching an "out-take" of a movie as Todd is laughing himself and having a genuinely grand time on stage. This self-deprecating comic puts you at ease from the beginning to the end of his show and you will hurt from laughing as you leave his performance.
Todd is heavily requested on the college circuit as well as the corporate world and national comedy club network. You might have seen Todd on HBO, SHOWTIME, VH-1, and COMEDY CENTRAL.
He has worked with Glenn Campbell, The Four Tops, Charlie Daniels, and is Joan Rivers' favorite opening act (in his price range). His humor and songwriting have made him one of the ORIGINAL "regulars" of "The Bob and Tom Show".
According to Kevin Brady of Outback Concert Promotions, "Todd is my number one closer for the "Friends of the Bob and Tom Show" national tours." Simply put, Todd does comedy the way comedy was meant to be performed. He is a total performer who will thrill any audience!
Don't miss the opportunity to experience this "one of a kind" entertainer! Read more...
Owen Benjamin
Aug 4 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Aug 5 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Aug 6 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Owen Benjamin is a comedian and actor, best known for his hilarious blend of stand-up and musical comedy. He has appeared in the movies The House Bunny (2008), All's Faire in Love (2009), Jack and Jill (2011), and the soon to be released Staten Island Summer with the cast of SNL.
Owen is no stranger to television, having recently held one of the lead roles on TBS's Sullivan & Son. He's performed his unique stand-up sets on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Chelsea Lately, Inside Amy Schumer, and Comedy Central Presents: Owen Benjamin. His first hour-long special High Five Till It Hurts premiered on Comedy Central in 2014. Owen can be also heard on an upcoming episode of the long-running Fox comedy Family Guy.
Presently, you can catch Owen Benjamin perform stand-up live throughout the country leading up to his second hour-long special Huge Pianist. Read more...
Michael Malone
Aug 11 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Aug 12 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Aug 13 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Comedian Michael Malone is a larger than life performer who delivers heavy-hitting punchlines with the weight of a veteran and the heat reserved only for the country's hottest up and coming comics. Known best for his top-10 selling comedy album debut on iTunes and "rubber face," Malone is a force to reckon with in the comedy world. His blistering humor and irreverent views on life, love and personal tragedy Read more...
Quinn Dahle
Aug 18 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Aug 19 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Aug 20 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
With appearances on The Tonight Show, Showtime, Comedy Central, Lopez Tonight and Carson Daly, Quinn is a smart and witty stand-up comic with impeccable timing and gut-busting facial expressions. He has worked with such names as Robin Williams, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Dane Cook, Dana Carvey, Norm McDonald, Brad Garrett, Jon Lovitz, Bill Maher, Frank Caliendo, David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Tommy Chong, John Pinette and Harland Williams.
Originally from Minnesota, Quinn has lived in Colorado and Arizona before settling in Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. Now married to a Mexican-American girl from east L.A., Quinn is never short of material, which recently landed him a development deal for a sitcom with 20th Century Fox. His comedy appeals to all age groups and ethnicities and he loves to talk about them all. However, audiences often come back just for his improvisational crowd work where he can be the most spontaneous. Read more...
Dan Soder
Aug 25 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Aug 26 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Aug 27 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Dan is a New York-based actor, writer and stand-up comedian. He has appeared on Comedy Central's Inside Amy Schumer, The Half Hour, Conan and Opie & Anthony. He had a leading role in the feature-length indie film It Had To Be You opposite Cristin Milioti.
Jose Sarduy
Sept 1 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Sept 2 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Sept 3 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Gathering material from a wealth of life experiences, Jose takes audiences on the rollercoaster ride that's been his life. Born in Cuba and deported because of his father's political prisoner status, he came to the U.S. at a young age. Growing up with a hard working, and always quirky, Cuban family brought loads of funny moments everyday.
From his mother's ability to kill a chicken with her bare hands, to his Dad's ability to hit on any woman, anytime, there was never a dull moment. What they did best was teach him to work hard for his dreams, and not forget how to laugh at life and himself. He made them proud when, after high school, he was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He became an officer in the Air Force, is an accomplished aviator, and is a veteran having served in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He's been all over the world and has even been shot at in two countries. This and more he brings to the stage believing that, "if you can't laugh at a hard time in your life, you ain't over it yet."
His comedy career started out in New York and Philadelphia, getting on stage anytime he wasn't serving. He performs all over the country now and is rapidly becoming an audience favorite for his ability to make deportation, and life threatening moments hysterical.
He's been featured in the Air Force Times, was selected for the 2007 Latino Laugh Festival in Los Angeles, and the Lucky 21 Contest at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. In 2008 he won the Funniest Person In South Texas Comedy Competition and was a semi-finalist in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. In 2009, he was a finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition. In 2011 he was the winner of the Rocky Mountain Laugh Off in Salt Lake City, UT. He's been seen on CNN, CBS, Fox, and Lifetime's "Coming Home" with his touring group, The GIs of Comedy, and recently on NUVO TV's "Comedy Unfiltered," with Anjelah Johnson. He is the co-host of NUVO TV's Stand Up and Deliver which airs it's fourth season in 2015. Most nights you can find him on stage somewhere, but one week a month its all dog tags and volleyball, down in Texas, teaching the next generation of top guns the basics. Read more...
Dustin 'Screech' Diamond
Sept 8 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Sept 9 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Sept 10 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Dustin Neil Diamond was named after singer Neil Diamond who he is related to on his father's side (he is not, however, related to Mike D of the Beastie Boys). He was born in San Jose, California, but he graduated from Zion High School in Anaheim. Diamond has kept busy after the popular teenager sitcom, Saved By The Bell, was cancelled. He has been featured on many shows, and he also participated in a celebrity boxing Read more...
Heather McDonald
Sept 16 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Heather McDonald doesn't hold back on anything, especially when it comes to demonstrating her many talents. She continuously proves to master her craft as a comedian, actress, story producer and best-selling author. Her first special 'I Don't Mean to Brag' can currently be seen on Showtime. Heather is best known for being a staff writer and for her regular roundtable appearances on E!'s top rated show 'Chelsea Lately'. McDonald is also a best-selling author: her debut book (released June 2010), You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again, spent seven weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, and climbed to Read more...
Sept 15 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Sept 17 - 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Paula Bel
Sept 22 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Sept 23 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Sept 24 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Paula's performances are hysterically dark...
A Los Angeles native, her voice and delivery are undeniably strong, not your average female comic. The unexpected truths along with her delivery are hilarious. Currently you can watch her on Jenny McCarthy's Dirty Sexy Funny on Netflix. Paula's numerous credits Read more...
Collin Moulton
Sept 29 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Sept 30 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Oct 1 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Collin is one of the most fun, personable, and sought after headliners today. He has had his own half hour stand-up special on Showtime, a featured spot on Nickelodeon, and has been touring constantly for 15 years.
America knows and loves him. His familiarity Read more...
Daryl Felsberg
Oct 6 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Oct 7 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Oct 8 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Likeable, laughable and liable is what Daryl Felsberg is. After being on the road for over 10 years now, he has honed his comedy voice into a character that the industry and fans alike are taking notice of. In 2009, Daryl produced his album "BadFattitude" selling nationwide, while getting airplay on XM / Sirus Comedy. That same year Daryl was tapped to be the host of "The Shopper's Club"; a shop-from-home show on a regional cable network. Daryl was yanked off the air after only 3 months for mocking the clients and their products, although viewership was at an all-time high. Daryl is recognizable from many commercials and voiceovers. His rants on obesity and society, and the absurdities of everyday life, keep audiences laughing and on guard. From stage to TV, the only thing bigger than he is... are the laughs.
Read more...
Dustin Ybarra
Oct 13 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Oct 14 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Oct 15 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Dustin Ybarra is a stand-up comedian and actor. He has been seen most recently in a recurring role on the ABC series, The Goldbergs and the CBS series, Battle Creek. Other television credits include a recurring role on the cable series, Californication, Stand-Up Revolution, Chelsea Lately and Live At Gotham. His recent film credits include Ted 2, Hop, We Bought a Zoo, Date and Switch and 21 & Over. Originally from Bedford, TX, Ybarra resides in Los Angeles. Dustin will be seen in the upcoming FOX series, Gotham.
Bobcat Goldthwait
Oct 20 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm
Oct 21 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Goldthwait is no stranger to entertainment and is one of the most recognizable comedians in show business today. Bobcat's stand-up features hilarious riffs on politics, divorce, and his career as a writer and director of film. His show is a wild ride of fun finding the funny no matter what the situation.
Goldthwait continues to follow his passion for writing and directing. In his latest film, "Call Me Lucky" he bravely tells Barry Crimmin's incredible story of transformation from a rage-fueled funnyman into an acclaimed proponent of justice who personified the healing power of comedy. His new movie has had the film festival circuit buzzing with audiences and has won Best Documentary awards at the Boulder International Film Festival, the Tampa Gasparilla Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Chattanooga Film Festival. "Call Me Lucky" was also nominated at the Sundance and has received wide critical acclaim.
Bobcat's sixth movie entitled "Willow Creek", a movie about Big Foot, is a found footage horror film about a young couple who hike into the remote woods in search of the famous Patterson/Gimlin Bigfoot footage sight. It was shot on location in and around Willow Creek, and features a mix of actors (like Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson who co-star) and local townspeople in real interviews done for the film. Bobcat's inimitable talent for writing and directing was clearly displayed in his fifth film a black comedy entitled "God Bless America" which stars Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr. The movie was likened to a modern day Bonnie & Clyde. Bobcat's imaginative eye behind the camera caught the attention of Esquire Magazine where they named Goldthwait "Director of the Year".
Bobcat unleashed his one of a kind brand of comedy in his Showtime one-hour special entitled "You Don't Look the Same Either". The genre-defying Police Academy alum returned with a self-deprecating and topical instant comedy classic, taking the audience on a hilarious journey through his 30 year career as an eighties icon, to the guy who lit the Tonight Show set on fire… literally!
He has come a long way since his first film "Shakes the Clown" back in 1991. Since then Goldthwait has gone to make many more movies including "Windy City Heat", "Sleeping Dogs Lie", and "World's Greatest Dad" that starred Robin Williams. There's no doubt, there will be many more movies to come.
Since his first appearance on David Letterman at the age of 20, Bobcat has expanded his resume, directing movies and sharing his behind the camera talents on shows such as; "Jimmy Kimmel Live", "The Demetri Martin show", "The Chappelle Show", "The Man Show", "Maron", and "Crank Yankers". Best known for his unforgettable movies that were huge in the 80's, Bobcat has also starred in several HBO specials and a slew of television appearances too numerous to mention. Bob continues to push the envelope with his unique brand of humor headlining major comedy clubs across the country. Read more...
Dustin Ybarra
Oct 22 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Dustin Ybarra is a stand-up comedian and actor. He has been seen most recently in a recurring role on the ABC series, The Goldbergs and the CBS series, Battle Creek. Other television credits include a recurring role on the cable series, Californication, Stand-Up Revolution, Chelsea Lately and Live At Gotham. His recent film credits include Ted 2, Hop, We Bought a Zoo, Date and Switch and 21 & Over. Originally from Bedford, TX, Ybarra resides in Los Angeles. Dustin will be seen in the upcoming FOX series, Gotham.
CJ Starr
Oct 27 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Oct 28 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Oct 29 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
CJ Starr was raised all over the Midwest, but his comedy was born in Texas at local open mic in Corpus Christi, Texas over 10 years ago. His comedy continues to make all crowds laugh about the things that make him win step-dad of the year and anything else that can happen to a mid-30′s man as he tries to figure out what he wants to do when he grows up. CJ Starr's Comedy can relate to any audience as he makes fun of his upbringing, his bi-racial marriage, family, kids, stereotypes, jail time, and 10 years of Community College. His comedy is very versatile; as well as his fans he has acquired over the years and that is why he has fan base includes every walk of life.
In the past couple years alone, CJ Starr was picked to perform at Gilda's Laughfest, East Texas Comedy Festival where he was voted "Crowd Favorite" twice, voted top 40 in The World Series of Comedy, and headlined one night The Amsterdam Comedy Festival in Dallas, TX. He has continued to expand his comedic talent as writer and actor for the soon to be release Web series Giggle-Lows. In 2014, CJ Starr appeared in commercials for Hyundai and Wal-Mart, not to mention just film a set for Fox series Laughs, all will probably never be aired. Read more...
Mike Baldwin
Nov 3 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Nov 4 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Nov 5 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Mike is from Kansas City, Missouri. He was the 2010 winner of the Trial By Laughter Comedy Competition. He was a semi-finalist in the Laughing Skull Comedy Competition in 2010. He got 3rd in the San Francisco Comedy Competition in 2007. He had his debut album, Bees Can Taste With Their Feet, featured on iTunes and it reached #8 on the iTunes comedy charts. He has also met famous people.
Steve 'Mudflap' McGrew
Nov 10 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Nov 11 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Nov 12 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Comedian Steve 'Mudflap' McGrew (the hellbent southern gent) has been featured on Comedy Central in his own half-hour special. He can be heard on 24/7 Comedy and on Sirius XM radio. Mudflap has released several comedy CDs. His latest, "One Sick Puppy", is now available on iTunes. He is a regular at Brad Garrett's Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory and Sin City Comedy club in Las Vegas. Read more...
Jon Reep
Nov 17 - 8:30pm FREE SHOW
Nov 18 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Nov 19 - Buy Ft Worth Tickets for 8:00pm, 10:30pm
Does this face look familiar? Maybe you've seen Jon on NBC's Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend or the half-hour special Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep. Maybe you've seen him on TBS's Pit Stop Comedy, NBC's Late Friday, or the ABC Sitcom Rodney as Officer Gerald Bob the dim-witted cop. If not then you probably know Jon from Dodge's popular ad campaign as the "Hemi guy". Jon is known to millions as the redheaded hillbilly in the Dodge Ram commercials who leans out of a beat-up car and utters the now famous line: "That thing gotta Hemi?"
Born in Hickory, NC, Jon moved to Raleigh to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater at North Carolina State University. In 2000, Jon was invited to perform at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada and has since been invited back to perform in the "Best of the Fest" and a "Gala" show. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles to further his career as an actor and a stand-up. Jon is one of the hardest working comics in America, selling out venues and getting standing ovations in clubs and theaters across the country. His show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super clever writing, and, of course, the one talent that separates Jon from all other comedians in the world: He's the best redneck dancer since Elvis. Look for Jon in the film, "Harold & Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay". Read more...