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The Story
On November 23, 2016, a fire started along the Chimney Tops 2 that would spread throughout Gatlinburg and become the worst fire in Tennessee of the last 100 years. It claimed 14 lives and over 2,000 homes and businesses.
As the devastation became apparent, Jeremy had an idea to use his camera to bring healing and awareness to the region's victims in a series.
December 14-20, Jeremy photographed families on a white mattress contrasted by the dark rubble of their destroyed homes. Using a camera attached to a drone, he broadcast their stories and needs to the world.
These are the "Voices of Gatlinburg"
Kirk Fleta
My name is Kirk Fleta and I grew up on a 3,200 acre watershed called Norton Creek. My father, after many years, lost it after being distraught from the death of my mother when I was 11.
My brother, sister and I were each given one acre and I managed to hold on to mine despite good offers. It's been my dream to build a stone house since I was a kid. I've been working on it for years one step at a time doing all the work myself with some help from dear friends of mine. It's a creative process so I love it. What I had built thus far was at work of art using solid Oak and Eastern Cedar.
It was just a two-story shed, 720 sqft, but it was beautiful. Now I am standing in its ashes wondering, why me? But it wasn't just me, it was my whole town. None of us saw it coming. It was the perfect firestorm. The recent drought lasted for months with layers upon layers of leaves from numerous fall seasons just waiting for a spark. As misfortune would have it two mischievous teenagers would spark it with matches and local record breaking winds preceding an oncoming storm would fuel the fire.
Now it's time to rebuild putting all regret and disappointment behind us. My best friend tells me turn tragedy into triumph, but that is my instinct anyway and that's the way I roll. Thousands literally have reached out to me with assistance and I'm grateful and honored to have such wonderful friends and family out there in the world. This tragedy has reinstated my faith in mankind. I've always been one to prefer giving over receiving, so as I get back up on my feet I will boomerang all of this love and compassion right back to my home community so that we all can rise up stronger and better than ever before! It's time to shine like the sun and make the world a better place!
It's not about the "stuff" as the many people who have lost everything I've met have said. Stuff is replaceable. I am not. My pets are not. But it's also a huge loss because that stuff was bought with hard-earned money.
I've worked multiple jobs my whole life and everything I had I earned. That's tough. But still it's not those things that make me the most heartbroken. It's the sentimental gifts and tokens and memories that are lost in the rubble and I can't get back physically. But as long as I have the memory of them, I still have them in a way and always will.
I may have only lived in Gatlinburg for four years, and Tennessee for eight years, but I do consider it home. I can tell you my community and its people are hard working, resilient, kind, strong, and full of faith. And now more than ever I believe in the heart of this town and its ability to bounce back from this just as our beautiful park will.
It will take some time and the road isn't easy. But remaining positive, putting one foot in front of the other each day, not giving up, keeping the faith, and looking forward and not back is what will see us recover from this devastation.
We can't change what happened. It's part of our story now and this is our chance for a brand new start.
People were leaving their cars and running up the road some with personal chainsaws some on fire crews, I saw a friend pass and shouted but he kept running. Some went down to the river. I didn't know until almost a week later but a park ranger forced them to open a road block and divert traffic onto both sides of the road. If it wasn't for him I may not be here, and many other people may not be here.
As I approached the block I could see the glow of the fire ahead of me. As I started to hit the burning area, the winds picked up with heavy gusts flames began to hurl accross the road, burning embers hit my car, fire was all around me. A river of hot ash pouring over a rock face like a red waterfall.
As I headed towards a wall of flames I told my parents on the phone I loved them and what was happening. I could hear the fear in their voice.
I watched the car behind me catch a flame and I said I had to keep going, even as tears filled my eyes. Suddenly the flames lessened and I could see the bright lights of emergency crews and the Christmas decorations of Pigeon Forge. Somehow I had made it out and within moments it seemed like a dream.
I made it to the hotel to meet other members of my team but was quickly rushed back into my car to driver farther away as another fire started behind our hotel. We eventually made it to Starbucks and developed a new plan. Eventually settling in a new hotel, unable to help, unable to do anything, and not knowing about my house.
We spent the day in the hotel trying to pass the time, it wasn't until checking my phone before bed that I found a video online from someone who snuck behind the fire line the day after the fires. As they drove down the road the for a flash of second turned the camera towards a familiar field. A field were my house should be. It was then I knew. On Thursday my boss, who was on fire crew went to verify, and on Friday I was able to go in and dig through the ashes of what was left, which was essentially nothing. Even a package that had been in my mailbox with the rewards of black Friday shopping was turned to ash.
I feel naked in a metaphorical sense. You have so many things around you that make you, you and make you unique. The few clothes I grabbed were nothing special, some don't even fit. The things I liked to do all gone. All of my pottery and artwork turned to shreds and ashes. I feel almost lost.
Alex ludden
On the morning of November 28, the sky outside was orange, almost like an eclipse. It had been smoky for 2 weeks, but never this color. By 6 or so in the evening the smoke was getting heavier inside the house, mostly from the winds that were picking up speed.
Never did we ever imagine we would be in danger. Never. Even when the EMTs came up our street yelling and making noise, we could not believe it was due to the fire. Surely they are evacuating us for the dense smoke?
As they came up our driveway they were yelling, "Get out! Get out now" My brother replied, "Ok, Ok, but let me get a jacket." They yelled back "No! Get out! Get out!" "But I have to grab my medication," said my dad. "No! You can take care of that later!"
As we jumped into our cars after grabbing our dachshund, it never occurred to me that I would never see our home again, or all of my mom's memories. You see, she died last year and all we have left of her is the museum. Another hard pill to swallow was the loss of my brother's DeLorean which he cherished for 30 years. If you ever walked the Parkway in Gatlinburg in the evenings you might have seen it driving by. There is one less DeLorean in the world.
We have lost all our tools, both in photography and in jewelry-making and now we have to start again. Like they say, rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. I now tell people, we have lost a house, but Gatlinburg is home.
Chad Founts
Honestly, the thing I will miss the most is not the stuff inside at all. I had a lot of good memories in that house. A lot. I'm relatively new to this area. I've been here almost 3 years but when I moved here it was the greatest thing that I've ever done.
One of my best memories was the very first day I started guided fly fishing. I'm a guide and I just remember waking up and getting all my gear ready knowing that I was about to take out random strangers to fish and it made me really happy. I was going out to do what I enjoy.
For Gatlinburg, this was never on their plate as to what could possibly happen. I know a lot of people and I see it on television...they're pissed at the town, they're pissed at the city and everything, but honestly, it should have been a lot worse. They did a damn good job getting us out of here.
As far as I go, I had a lot of family and friends. I'm doing pretty good right now. I just want the rest of Gatlinburg to be good and to get back on their feet and get back to normal because it's a busy town and we need to get back to that busy.
Mayor Mike Werner
I am so thankful for the strength and peace that the Lord has given me. I continue to ask for wisdom in the healing and recovery period. My family is amazing and comforting to me and I am so fortunate to have them. Better days are ahead for all of us.
I am not surprised by the love and actions of the people of this area they are the reason this place is so special. We thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and donations. Right now, the best thing you can do is make plans to come back to Gatlinburg.
Please visit Mountain Tough for ways you can help those who were affected by the wildfires.
On Monday morning, as we were headed to school, it was already very smoky. When I went to work at 11, I was incomplete shock. It looked like it was 7pm, but with an orange tint! They called school out at 12-ish. We went home, and the house was smelling smoky, so I taped off around all the doors, and closed the flue. I went and did errands, and came back to the house around 6. It was definitely smokier inside. A few people called, saying I should leave, but I really didn't even think it would happen. Finally around 7-ish I decided we would go, because my daughter said her eyes were burning. So I loaded our 2 dogs and a few other things into the car. It was so windy, I told her to look at the ground and cover her eyes.
When I finally got in the car, well, as I was shutting my door, I saw embers in the driveway. My heart dropped. Then she started screaming and crying, and pointed out the top of the hill to the left of us was on fire! I got to the bottom of our hill, and the whole mountain was on fire.
There's a hotel below our house, so I drove over and ran and told them. They said they just saw and just called. My daughter was frantic! All I could think about was the other houses in our neighborhood where I knew there were elderly people. But as I drove, I was trying to think of anyone close by that could take my daughter so I could go back and tell them. Before I knew it we were on 321. We were going to my sister's house, but apparently a power line had just fallen.
We were only 3 cars back, and waited and waited. So finally I turned around, and thought I would just go down and around and take the bypass. As we were driving, I want describe how she was screaming, "Mommy, I don't wanna go back home." Right as we got to the parkway, a policeman had just closed it off. So the absolutely only way out was turning back around towards the power line.
It was scary because the smoke was so bad and sirens just kept passing going both directions. We finally got to my sister's, but the sky was bright orange. We had no idea where it exactly was, (it was Cobbly Knob) we caravanned on the back road. We were at a dead stop for hours. We made it to Kodak around midnight. I had confirmation my house was gone at 6am. Someone did a favor and took a pic. Everything I owned was gone, just like that!
Natalie morton
I will most miss my daughter Victoria's writings, books, photographs, and her remains were in the home as well. No amount of insurance money can replace any of that. Also, all of my family heirlooms from my mother and childhood growing up in the Northeast. These are treasures that are gone forever.
The national media doesn't seem to be as interested in this story as other national disasters. I think most people here aren't concerned with that, because they just want to get back on their feet, and then help each other. The local community here is extremely close, strong and generous. People here live simply, and they are just thankful for what they have, instead of stressing about what they don't. I think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I am fortunate to call this my home.
Well, it's a long story how we got out. We barely did. We were trapped by trees and fire was all around us. Our power was out, and when it got dark we could see fire all over Wiley Oakley. We looked down at Westgate, and saw it catching. Then we got in my mom's SUV with the two kids, one is 9 months, and the other one is 8 years old. We couldn't back out because of trees down. We got the kids out and came back in...
Once we came back in, we called 911. On the third time of calling them, they answered. After talking to them I knew they were inundated with calls, so I was afraid they wouldn't get to us.
Down the road I saw someone chainsawing trees down. I ran down there, and asked him if he could help us. He was helping someone up the road get out. So I asked him if, when he was done, he would come help us. About 15 minutes passed, and we were seeing the fire grow. People were calling us, and asking if we were getting out, but we were trapped. He came back and started chainsawing, and as soon as he was done, we got into my dads old truck. Me, myself, the kids, my mom, and the other pets. Dad stayed behind. The police later retrieved him, and made him evacuate shortly after
By the time we got to the bottom of our hill, two houses behind Westgate, fire was all around. We were directed out of Gatlinburg, into Pigeon Forge, in the other lane on the spur. We could feel the fire all the way in the truck. Smoke was everywhere. We have never been so happy to breathe fresh air. That night we stayed at my cousins.
What we miss the most: our family heirlooms. And our pictures. We also miss the comfort of our home. We are grateful for everyone's help but we certainly miss our home.
If people need to send donations to our family, they can send it to: the Compton Family, 1402 East Parkway Suite 6, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Thankfully, no one was at home during fire. David and Fran were out of town, Brannen was at work, and Claire was at college.
As real estate agents here in the Smokies, we have always told buyers to make sure they have adequate fire insurance. Our professional and volunteer fire departments are great, but because of the mountainous terrain, as we all witnessed two weeks ago, there is no way for fire crews to get to some of these locations and actively fight fires.
The Troxler Family is Mountain Strong, but only through Jesus. As the song lyrics go, "We are weak, but He is strong." We are so grateful to God for sparing our lives, and we now want to use our lives to help our friends and neighbors, here in the Sevier County, Tennessee area, who are not as fortunate as us during this tragedy. Our physical home may be gone, but it can be rebuilt. If we had lost family members, we would never be able to get those physical lives back.
Gary and linda jackson
Gary and I lived in this home at 834 Leisure Lane for 16 1/2 years. His Mom, Virginia Jackson, lived with us almost 8 years. She passed away one week, to the day, before the fire.
We moved to Gatlinburg in January 1999 when we purchased an overnight rental business. We had always loved vacationing here. We were so blessed by the guests who came, and we loved sharing "our mountains" with them. Many of our homeowners and guests have become lifelong friends. We sold our business in January this year to spend more time with Mom Jackson, and give her the care and attention she needed and deserved. Mom passed away November 21.
Gary and I were out of town when the fire took our home. 2016 has been a hard year for us. Mom's health deteriorated before our eyes. I had a heart attack in June, and lost a brother to brain cancer in September. We needed to get away for a few days. On the morning of November 29, we turned on the TV for the news and saw Gatlinburg burning! We could not believe our eyes!!! A couple of days later we learned our home was one of the many that was lost. We praised God that we were not there to evacuate. We know God's hand was in our being away, and truly believe we would not have had time to get off the mountain, and very possibly could have died that night.
We really haven't had time to grieve Mom's death, and now we are dealing with the loss of our home. I think we will miss the future memories of the life of retirement in that home. Gary loved the view, and spent as much time as possible on the deck enjoying it. It was his favorite spot for communing with God and nature. We lost things and stuff. Almost 50 years of things and stuff! It can all be replaced. We have so many wonderful memories there, but we are alive and have each other. God is holding our hand and keeps us standing. We have learned this past year that Philippians 4:13 is a true and real promise. We CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us). Our faith in God assures us that He "has this" and is in control of everything! We will be alright.
As for what you can do to help us, pray for all of us for guidance in this time of uncertainty, and help the ones who have no insurance coverage. Pray for Gatlinburg, and please return to our beautiful Smoky Mountains, which will assist all of us in our journey back to a more normal life.
Bill May
The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts was originally established in 1912. Seventy years later, Arrowmont is known for its craft workshops, conferences and symposia, and for its support of artists.
Monday, November 28, the city was filled with dense smoke from the fire burning at Chimney Tops in the Park. The fires seemed to spread everywhere almost at once. In a matter of hours, the initial feeling of security fled, and we began evacuating our campus.
With everyone safely evacuated, I worked to wet down the parts of buildings closest to the fires spreading down the hillside behind our campus. Fire had engulfed our maintenance building, and the Wild Wing and Hughes Hall dormitories. I left the campus to find help from a fire unit located by the Pi Beta Phi Elementary School. These firefighters followed me back to the School, and I am sure their actions were vital in protecting the rest of campus.
When I was forced to evacuate, the flames were pushing towards the heart of campus, and I left expecting the worst. As I made my way to my house, which was also under a mandatory evacuation order, the wind lessened, and a welcome rain was falling. Our home was spared.
Given the extent of the fire, and the incredible destruction all around, Arrowmont was very fortunate to lose only three buildings. My focus began to shift from what was lost to what had survived. Most importantly, all of our staff was safe, and no one lost their homes. What remained far outweighed what had been lost.
The Arrowmont staff was able to return to our campus on Monday, December 5, to begin planning for our recovery. However, our immediate focus was on what Arrowmont could do to reach out to artists and craftspersons and others in our community who were hurting. We partnered with Jerry's Artarama from Knoxville to put together painting and drawing kits to distribute to children who have lost their homes but need, more than ever, something creative to do, and to have the means to express themselves. Arrowmont will offer scholarships to our Children's classes and Community classes to those who lost their homes or studios.
The outpouring of concern and support for the School, and this community, has been humbling. We can never forget the horror of these fires, but we will always remember our local and national communities reminding us of the importance of what we do. Arrowmont will emerge from this experience stronger — with a deeper understanding of our importance to the local community, and recommitted to supporting artists and enriching lives through art.
Our workshops and conference schedule will not be affected, and our workshop descriptions are now online. To help Arrowmont recover, take a workshop and see what we do. Take the opportunity to learn something new, to have a creative experience, to gain a deeper understanding of others and yourself.
Visit our website to register for a workshop or make a financial donation.
Tommy Bullen
I work at The Potter and The Park @ Maples Forge, a creative co-op for five artists. We were evacuated at 5:30 Monday night, and were barely able to see or breathe for all the smoke. There were cops, people, and pets everywhere.
When we got home, the power got knocked out, and we had limited phone service. We didn't know we would be in any danger on the east side of town, until the winds kicked up a bit (87mph).
We decided to play it safe and pack and leave our house, and help my 85 year old grandfather do the same, but our shared driveway was blocked by a huge downed pine tree that my brother and I had to cut up and remove. It was pretty stressful and scary! Our homes were okay. Escaped with minor wind damage, but the studio was a total loss.
We could only save an ash covered, all white pottery order. I miss the creative atmosphere, projects, teamwork, and the memories of working with my grandfather on many projects for the city. I lost my personal glaze recipes, a month of sculpture work, my handmade stamps, tools, racks, boards, and potters wheels. I need help raising money for replacing equipment and materials.
Pete thompson
I went to work that morning, like I always do. By 9am I knew that something was wrong. I was working on Sevier County Ambulance Service. We did business as usual until later that evening. It was about 10 or 11pm that evening when I first got pulled into Gatlinburg for mutual aid with EMS response. On my way to staging I passed by my residence and it was still there. We continued to run several more calls and about 1–2am I was going to meet up with another GFD EMS unit. That's when I passed my residence, and that's when I saw that my house was gone.
I had to make the hardest phone call to my wife and kids, and tell them that everything we owned was gone. We are going to rebuild and this won't run us off. We will be back. We (Fire, Police, and EMS) were just doing our jobs that night.
An American neighbor came knocking on my door telling me you need to get out and get your kids out. He repeated that over and over until he finally got me to understand it wasn't safe for me and my family. We left Gatlinburg at 5pm. It was so hard to breathe.
I desperately need a permanent home. I go out daily trying to find something better and I haven't had much luck. Last night I was staying at the shelter. I'm a single mom struggling to stay strong for my babies and find us a home. I need a place where I can feel secure for me and my two babies. We won't be able to have a Christmas.
This is my family's first home as a family... our pictures, special moments... we have worked so hard to begin our lives together, welcoming our new baby girl, and now we have nothing again.
We are needing to find a permanent home. I go out daily trying to found something better. Haven't had much luck. The most desperate need is a home. We have no Christmas plans, our family is all scattered, we all lost our homes, my mom's house burnt, my aunt and my husband's family also lost everything.
Gifts for Fatima can be mailed to:
Gatlinburg UMC
742 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
We are staying in a friend's dining room until we can find a permanent home. We left our home at 8:30 pm, and when we saw the fire coming down the hill we left with the clothes we had on. We got in our car and drove away with the fire burning our neighbor's house.
My husband and I came seeking a better opportunity in this church, and to help our family back home in Honduras. We both worked very hard, double shifts to have the few things we had. We miss everything about our home; pictures, special moments, being able to sleep on our bed, the joy of eating our native home-cooked food, and so many wonderful memories we shared together in this house.
Just today, we found an apartment to move into on Monday. We need furniture, beds and everything thing else to get started and back on our feet again. We have no Christmas plans. My wife is the only one who has immediate family here, and her sister also lost everything. We are hard working individuals, but with winter here, jobs are slowing down, no money on us, we are in great need. We never imagined having to start over this way. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Gifts for Hector & Nora can be mailed to:
Gatlinburg UMC, 742 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
We got word from friends that the fire had spread and Gatlinburg was being evacuated. The winds had grown ferocious, and trees began to fall. One large tree fell across Mark's house, and another one across the driveway behind our parked cars, trapping us on the mountain. Authorities, as well as friends, tried to get to us, but were unable. The power went off and, we could see sparks flying through the treetops. I didn't know what to do, but began to pray hard, like I have never prayed before - that God would send someone to rescue us.
At that moment, I noticed headlights come on at the cabin below us. Mark ran down to catch them. It was a young couple and their baby, about to drive off and evacuate. They agreed to let us ride off the mountain with them.
Our 91-year-old Momma on her walker, Mark, me and L'il Kitty made our way down our driveway — through the wind, smoke and sparks blowing all around us — dodging fallen tree branches. Momma hurt her back hurrying up into the passenger seat of the 4WD truck. Steven, the young man said, "We have to go now!" The rest of us, packed in the cabin of the truck as close as sardines in a can — people, luggage, cat, baby and all, and Mark in the bed of the truck.
It got heated real quick, and my neighbor Chris was talking to his wife Marcy on the phone when the cell tower went out. Marcy was saying "We gotta go, we gotta go now!" when a tree fell behind the car. They were already wetting handkerchiefs, getting ready to walk down the mountain cause the car was trapped. She couldn't get out. If Chris wouldn't have came up at the time he did...
Embers were blowing from this way and all directions. My son was trying to cut the tree, but he couldn't get the chainsaw started. He was cutting with a machete, and it just got to be too much. So Chris came up and saved their lives. They got out with about 10–15 minutes to spare. Their chances would have been real low cause they couldn't even see anything due to how smoky it was.
My daughter is autistic, and a lot of autistic kids don't have any core strength. They just don't move like other kids do. She's verbally autistic. She still smiles and loves and hugs like other kids do, she just can't talk. We got the therapy horse to help her core strength. We also built a big rope swing that went out over that mountain, and she loved it. We built a big harness so she wouldn't fall out. That was a gazebo over there. She had her little table with her colored stones from Mama, and it was her haven. And then she had this swing set she loved. I mean, it was every day, same thing. She loved it.
I've already noticed she's lost muscle tone since the fires so we're trying to get her back on track. We just moved the horse over to Sevier County and we see her on a daily basis now. The horse got burned in the fire, but she's going to be okay. We're glad she made it.
Nobody will ask for help. Everyone around here is real prideful. But even if they have nothing to give, they'll give. Just to help somebody out. That's just how it's always been. That's why I like it. Everyone knows everyone.
Kathy Brown
November 28 will forever be painted in my memory. I returned to Gatlinburg to start my life and career over since the loss of my spouse, the love of my life. I remember that day vividly.
I went that afternoon to the bookstore to purchase Dolly Parton's book "The Coat of Many Colors" for my granddaughter. When I returned home, I got out of my car, and the smoke was very heavy. I saw what looked like snow, so I put my hand out and the small flake fell into my hand. I realized it was ash. I would have never thought that within a few hours I would be without my home. My belongings were reduced to ashes. I'm just grateful to have survived.


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The Benefits Of Glow In The Dark Gravel
Outdoor lighting always looks good and it adds something unique and interesting to your house. If you want to add lighting and you don't want to deal with wires and other hassles you might want to look into glow in the dark gravel. With glow in the dark gravel you can enjoy beautiful lights that have a soft glow and you won't need to hire an electrician. The gravel lasts for years and it has a soft glow that is very attractive. You can count on the gravel to look great for a long time and you don't have to worry about any issues since the gravel is going to look fresh for decades.
The gravel is easy to use and it has a fresh glow that brings out the beauty of your home. It is easy to get started with the gravel and the gravel is going to help your yard look more interesting and unique. If you are looking to do something different with your home and you want it to look more interesting, you can't go wrong with glow in the dark gravel.
This gravel is very easy to use. Ambient Glow Technology makes multiple colors of this gravel and it will be easy to choose the gravel that is going to work best for your needs. The pigments in the gravel will last 20 years before they start to fade. The gravel charges with the sun and it only needs to be exposed to an hour of daylight to glow brightly for the entire night.
You can easily create patterns with the gravel by pouring it onto the surface you want to use it on. Take your time and think about the patterns you want to create with the gravel. Make sure that you buy enough gravel for your project. You probably want to get a little more than what you need because this will make it easier to deal with any mistakes. All you need to do is pour out the gravel and use a rake to move the gravel into place. The process is very easy and efficient.
The gravel is going to help you add personality to your yard. It looks great and you can really enjoy using it to make your yard glow. You can use the gravel in many areas and there are lots of ways to use the gravel that look unique. The gravel is a great investment in your yard and there are so many things you can do with it. The gravel helps your yard look its best and you don't have to deal with a lot of hassle when you use it since it is so easy to use.
If you are looking for an easy way to add color to your yard, you can't go wrong with this gravel. It will glow for years and you can enjoy looking at it for a long time. The colors are beautiful and you can really enjoy the way the colors look in the dark.
Essential Tips For Selling Toronto Homes
The Toronto home market is hotter than ever. From a seller's perspective, there are plenty of buyers available, most of whom are willing to pay a premium for properties in the city. In fact, if you ask any real estate expert, they will most likely tell you that it is currently a sellers' market, meaning that sellers have the upper hand since there is not a lot of inventory currently available.
Despite that, there is still a lot that you need to know about selling Toronto homes before you put your property on the market. The more you can educate yourself about the home selling process, the more likely you are to find a buyer who is willing to pay the price that you want for your home.
If you want to sell your home as quickly as possible, you should take the time to clean it up before putting it on the market. Freshening up your space will make it more attractive to buyers, increasing the likelihood of getting an offer right away.
Start by evaluating your personal belongings. What items absolutely need to be in the space and which ones can be removed? Ideally, you should pack away anything that doesn't need to be on display – especially if it is personal in nature.
For instance, you may love your family photos but potential buyers may have a hard time envisioning themselves living in the space if there are photos of your family hanging on the wall. Putting the photos away makes it easier for buyers to imagine what their own belongings would look like in the space.
You should also make any necessary repairs to the home. Any obvious problems such as loose cabinet doors or holes in the wall could raise a red flag for buyers, making them less likely to put in an offer.
Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls to brighten up the space. Nothing makes a home feel cleaner than freshly painted walls. Choose a paint color in a light-toned neutral shade. This will help make your home feel a lot lighter, making it more attractive to buyers.
Finally, make sure that you work with the right real estate agent. Choosing a real estate firm like Toronto Homes Canada is a good option since they focus primarily on homes that are located in the city. As a result, they are more familiar with what homes in the area are currently selling for and can help you choose the right listing price for your property.
Selling a home is quite an undertaking. Even though there are a lot of potential buyers out there, you need to figure out how to make your property appeal to them. By doing so, you increase the chances that you will get multiple offers on your home, allowing you to make as much money as possible off of the sale. Taking the time to prepare your home before listing it will make a big difference in the number of interested buyers that you are able to reach.
Looking For Land For Sale Grayson County?
There are many ways of making money by investing in property. Buying a land in Grayson County is one such method. But there are many risks involved in investing in land for sale Grayson County. You may be looking for a vacant land in Grayson County to build your dream home on it. That is why you need to be cautious when investing in a vacant land in the area. Here are some tips to consider when investing in land for sale Grayson County.
Finding your dream home is not an easy task. You must have spent a lot of time checking online listings and attending open houses to find your dream home. In fact, your dream home might be a construct in your mind. Hence, the best way to make it a reality is to invest in a land in Grayson County. But you have to remember that buying a land can be more difficult than investing in a home. Buying a land involves zoning restrictions, easements, and other environmental conditions. When you decide to buy a vacant land to build your dream home, there are many important things to consider. Here are some things that you need to consider when investing in a vacant land in Grayson County.
The most important thing is to work with a professional real estate agent when buying land. Many buyers think that they have to work with a pro only when investing in a property. But this is not correct. In fact, buying a vacant land is much difficult than investing in a home. Hence, a reputed real estate agent will help you with your decision of buying a vacant land in Grayson County.
Make sure you consider the value of the homes in the neighborhood when investing in a land. One of the biggest advantages of building your own home is the ability to customize the home. In fact, you should build your dream home in a neighborhood with similar taste. Don't skip environmental tests and the survey when investing in a land. Similar to a home inspection before buying a property, the land is subject to checks and tests to ensure that you buy a land which you can build a home later on. Environmental tests are important to check the state of soil contamination from previous use. In fact, a site of a former auto body shop or gas station is likely to have a soil that is contaminated. On the other hand, the land's potential for flooding and poor soil conditions need to be examined before you invest in it. A surveyor should take a look at the land to identify its boundaries. These are important things to consider when investing in a land for sale in Grayson County.
In conclusion, there are many things to look for when investing in a land for sale compared to buying a property. That is why you need the service of a professional real estate agent such as Collins & Associates Real Estate in Grayson County.
Remove Raccoons With An Animal Control Toronto Service
If you have been hearing chewing noises at night and are starting to see damage around your deck, porch, or roof, you could be dealing with a raccoon. Raccoons can cause quite a bit of damage as their claws are sharp and they are territorial. Once they decide to make your home their home, it takes a lot to get them to leave and they can cause serious damage in the process. You need an animal control Toronto service to safely remove the raccoons so you can get on with your life.
If you have raccoons, you are likely to hear them and you can often hear their babies crying during breeding season. The will chew holes in the soffits and fascia of your roof and move into the attic where they can eat the wiring and potentially cause a fire. They can also chew and dig on the rafters. Even worse, the raccoons will use your attic as a toilet and leave toxic urine and feces everywhere that will need to be cleaned up.
Raccoons will also try to move in under your porch. They will try to make a home there and they can create damage to your porch skirting or deck when they do. Raccoons can be a hazard to cats or small dogs and they will fight if they get cornered. They could end up killing or injuring your cat or dog.
Raccoons sometimes become rabid which could result in you getting a nasty and deadly raccoon bite. Their feces also can contain a dangerous parasite that can cause a lot of problems if it gets accidentally ingested. If you are gardening around the porch or deck, you could get infected. You need a reliable animal control Toronto service like Swat Wildlife that will humanely remove the raccoon and repair the damage that the raccoon has caused. They will also clean up the site and fix it so that new raccoons won't come back.
It is important to close up any openings so the raccoon can't get back into the same place. Removing a raccoon can be dangerous and you don't want to attempt to do it yourself. They will attack when they are threatened and you could get hurt trying to remove them, especially if you corner them. It is much better to leave the removal to a professional service like Swat Wildlife. They have years of experience dealing with raccoons.
When you call for service the technicians at Swat Wildlife will give you a comprehensive assessment of your property and a written estimate. They guarantee their work and they are licensed and fully insured. They are also available for emergency calls in case you need the raccoon removed right away.
Raccoons can cause a lot of problems when they invade your home and you want to get rid of them ASAP. If you think you have a raccoon problem, call Swat Wildlife and have the raccoons removed.
How To Obtain Discount Homes For Sale Bahamas Deals
If your goal is to purchase property in the Bahamas, and you want to save money, there are ways that you can find discounts on some of the better homes. This is a location that many people decide to move to after they have retired. It's a beautiful location that is warm and inviting. Homes in this area of the world are very expensive. However, it is possible to get homes for sale Bahamas at a discounted rate. You can find many of the top offers by looking at websites on the Internet. Let's go over how you can find the special deals and why you should consider working with the MCR Bahamas Group.
How To Search For And Find These Homes
To find excellent deals on homes in the Bahamas, you will need to go to a website that is showcasing the latest offers. Similar to many real estate sites, there will be homes that have just been put up for sale, and those that have been on the market for quite a while. Many of the websites will make it easy for you to search for properties based upon your budget, and the size of the home that you would like to purchase. You can also speak with real estate agent that you can work with directly to place offers on homes and also negotiate with sellers.
A Few Of The Best Locations In The Bahamas
There are so many locations in the Bahamas that you can live that that feature some of the top luxury homes available. There are houses in the community of Paradise Island, Old Fort Bay, Lyford Cay, and Albany. By connecting with local realtors that are constantly listing and selling properties in the Bahamas, they will be able to keep an eye out for properties that are exactly what you need. One of the top businesses to work with is called MCR Bahamas Group. This is a company that can help you get into a luxury property at a reasonable cost.
Overview Of MCR Bahamas Group
This is a company that provides one of the most comprehensive websites featuring listings for luxury real estate in the Bahamas. They typically work with clients that would like to remain confidential, and this includes selling, buying, or leasing real estate. When you visit their website, you will see that they have listings for properties that are currently available, and sections devoted to both sellers and buyers. You will also be able to receive weekly notifications on properties that might be exactly what you are looking for.
If you have not been able to find properties in the Bahamas that are appealing to you, certainly consider working with the professionals that MCR Bahamas Group. They will have the latest listings of luxury properties in the Bahamas that will eventually provide you with something that you would like to purchase. Whether you are looking for something that is designed for you and your spouse, or if you are moving your family to the Bahamas, they can find something that you will want to purchase. Contact them today to learn more about the homes for sale Bahamas that you could purchase at a reasonable cost.
How To Effectively Buy Tile Online
Buying your tile flooring online offers a number of advantages such as getting a great price, being able to choose from a number of designs, and having the ability to read customer reviews about the quality of the tile. The only major setback to buying tile online is that you're unable to physically inspect your tile and touch them to ensure that the construction and quality are up to your standards. Before you get ahead of yourself and binge order several dozen tiles, it's important to consider the advice below!
1. Take Accurate Measurements
Tiles are sold in packages oftentimes, however, in some cases, designer tiles can be purchased by the piece. It's important to take measurements before you purchase tiles and know exactly how many tiles you need for even coverage. Use a tape measure to take down measurements of your floor space. Once you have that down, search for 'tile calculator' on the Internet and you will be able to get a definite number of tiles your project will need.
2. Find The Right Retailer
You need to find the right retailer for your needs when you opt to buy tile online. It's fairly simple to do a quick search on Google and come up with a few of the top-rated tile merchants online. Keep in mind, the highest ranked retailers are often some of the more expensive ones!
3. Read Reviews About The Tiles
It's important that you're getting the quality that you're paying for when you purchase tiles online. Most merchants allow customers to share their thoughts and concerns in the form of reviews. Read reviews and feedback of all tiles you're considering, but be sure to judge fairly– some consumers are hard to please!
4. Review Warranty And Return Policy
Since you're ordering tiles without physically inspecting them, it's advisable to purchase only from a company that stands behind their products. If you're unhappy or the tiles aren't as described, you should be able to send them back for a full refund. In addition, an honorable retailer will offer a warranty on their products that can range from a few years or even a lifetime.
5. Check Shipping Charges
Many retailers charge a flat rate for shipping their tiles and other flooring products. However, if this isn't the case with your retailer, make sure you review the shipping charges and take into consideration whether or not there are coupon codes or discounts that you can apply to your order. Always read any fine print before finalizing your order as it can be hard for companies to change or cancel the order once it has been placed.
Buying tile is fairly easy, but you must use common sense during the entire process and take into consideration all details including the quality of the tiles, the cost as well as any negative reviews or feedback. In addition, only choose a company with a good return policy and decent customer support should you need to return the tiles.
What To Look For When Looking At Whitby Real Estate
There are a few things you need to know about Whitby real estate if you are out looking for a home in the area. Finding a home will be a bit of a process and it is important to go into it with a little bit of a plan. When you do this, you will find the process a little easier and a little more fun and it will lead you to a new home.
You should figure out about where you want to live. There are a lot of homes when you search for Whitby real estate and many different areas you could choose from. Figure out where you want to live whether it is based on schools, location or even just what the neighborhood looks like. You want to feel good about the location of your next home.
You also need to figure out how much you want to spend on a home. Think about your income and what you feel comfortable spending. Think about what your mortgage would be and how much you would want to pay each month. Think about how much you could put down on a home too. That will reduce your monthly mortgage costs.
Once you have figured that out you can start looking at homes. You can drive around areas looking for houses for sale, you can look at online listings or you can talk with a realtor. It might be a mix of all three of these methods that will allow you to find your next home. Keep looking until you find the one you love the most.
When you are looking at the homes, think about what is important to you. Try to look at houses that have what you need. Don't be afraid to walk away from a home you didn't like and tell people why. You shouldn't have to settle when it comes to buying a house.
Keep in mind that new houses go on the market each and everyday. If you feel like there is nothing out there to look at, wait a few days and check the listings again. Your perfect piece of real estate could be the next listing. Try not to get discouraged because there is always going to be a new home showing up for sale.
Make sure to keep the line of communication open between you and your realtor. You want them to know what you are looking for so they can help you find it. If you only want to look at three bedroom homes it wouldn't help anything if they think you want two bedroom homes.
Looking for a new house can seem a bit overwhelming. It is important to remember that the right house is out there for you, even if it takes you a while to find. Be patient and do what you can to keep looking at homes and you should be a homeowner who owns real estate in no time.
Four Things To Think About When Buying Milton Ontario Real Estate
Milton Ontario is a great place to live. The town is growing and it is full of exciting things to do. If you love getting outdoors, you will love living in Milton because it is home to many parks and recreation activities. You won't be left out if you like nightlife and cultural events either because Milton is home to many galleries and cultural centers. If you are interested in buying Milton Ontario real estate, here are four things you need to consider.
Get Pre-approved For A Loan Before You Start Looking
The first step towards buying the Milton home of your dreams starts with your loan application. It is difficult looking at homes when you don't know how much you can spend. This can lead to lots of disappointment, especially when you find your perfect home and learn that you can't afford it. To avoid these problems, get preapproved for your loan first, then you can start shopping.
Think About Your Future When You Are Looking At Homes
While that small 2 bedroom home you have your eye on might be cute and fit your needs at the moment, it may not ten years down the line. If you are planning on starting a family or need more room to start a business, plan on a bigger house. You never know when a family member will move in with you or you will need that extra room for expansion.
Always Work With A Real Estate Agent
When you are buying a new home, especially if you are a new homeowner, you will want to protect yourself by working with a real estate agent. Your agent will work on your behalf and make sure the real estate deal is in your best interest. Real estate agents protect your interests and ensure that you don't get taken advantage of. When you work with a real estate agent you will usually get a better price because the agent knows all the ways to get the price down on your behalf.
Don't Spend More Than You Are Comfortable With
Oftentimes when you apply for a loan you get approved for an amount that is at the top of your price range. While the lender feels you can afford this amount, it might be more than you are comfortable with. The higher loan amount might make it difficult for you to make ends meet as well. You don't want to spend too much of your income on your mortgage payment. Make your life easier by sticking to the lower price point.
Buying Milton Ontario real estate is one of the most exciting things you can do. Living in Milton might just be one of the best decisions you ever make. Milton is a great place to work and it is a great place to raise a family. Milton is full of beautiful homes and it is a place you will never want to move away from.
Buying Milton Real Estate: 3 Tips for a Successful Transaction
When I purchased my first home with my new husband, I knew it was not going to be my forever residence. Still, I thought we would be here longer than five years. We originally purchased the house for the location. It was equidistant between our two places of work. In addition, it was close to the highway, which I had to take to get to my office each day. However, the local school system is not great, and with a rising kindergartner in our family, the time is right to purchase a Milton real estate property.
In order to ensure that we are happy with our new property for quite a while, I researching buying a new home quite extensively. The following are the best tips I found.
Location Matters
Before you start looking at properties, mentally review what is important to you with respect to location. School systems should be a factor, regardless of whether you have children or not. Being in a good school district will help you sell your home faster, and for more money, later on. However, there are other factors to consider as well. Do you want to be close to the highway? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Do you want to be in a neighborhood, with other families, or close to the downtown area where there are restaurants and entertainment? Once you decide what you want, search for your Milton real estate property in that area.
Have a Budget
It is easy to get caught up in the buying process. Discuss a budget ahead of time and stick to that. Obviously, you should meet with a lender and find out how much you are approved for with respect to a mortgage loan. Remember, though, that the number you are given is the maximum you qualify for. You do not have to spend that, so take your other bills and your entertainment needs into consideration.
Focus on the Layout
Any home can be staged so that it looks attractive. Try not to let that factor into your decision. After all, the furnishings you see will not come with the house. Instead, evaluate the layout and the structure of the building. Think about where you would put your belongings. Similarly, do not let easy fixes put you off. These include wallpaper or paint color.
I now feel ready to look at potential homes. Hopefully, we will be in our new house for many years to come!
Scheduling Tours to Look at Bridle Path Real Estate
If you are thinking about moving to Bridle Path, the first thing that you need to do is find a home to live in, otherwise you will not have any place to go when you first get there. Luckily, there is an impressive selection of beautiful homes that are on the market. It may take you some time to find the most ideal one, but that is only because you will need to spend some of your time checking out the different options to see what is being offered.
Are you looking for anything specific? You may want to make sure that the home you end up buying does have enough rooms, whether you want something with one bedroom, two bedrooms, or even four bedrooms.
You can also pay attention to the square footage that each home has to offer, especially since the square footage will give you a better idea of how large the home is before you even schedule your tour.
Scheduling tours to see Bridle Path real estate is a crucial step to take when you are house hunting. You cannot just buy a home without actually seeing what it looks like on the inside. Consider the tour a bit of inspection that you get to take. You can have a look around each home to see exactly what the rooms look like, what types of appliances are in the kitchen, and whether or not there is a basement or an attic in the home for additional storage space.
If you are getting help from a real estate agent, he or she will be able to take you on tours of the different homes that are available in Bridle Path. It may be wise to consult with a real estate agent, especially if you are having a tough time finding what you are looking for on your own. The agent will have a list of the different homes that are on the market, many of which may be exactly what you are looking for in a home.
After finding the perfect piece of real estate, you can begin to work on the process of becoming the owner, which may include putting a down payment on the property. Once you officially make your move, you will be able to enjoy the cozy, safe, and comfortable environment that Bridle Path offers while living in a beautiful home that you love.

subset: commoncrawl


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When 600 Million People Lost Power
With constant electricity shortages, India won't abandon coal any time soon.
Blackouts crippled India last week, leaving more than 600 million people without electricity. Trains were stranded, traffic snarled, and the country's economy ground to a halt. According to news reports, the blackouts were caused by excess demand, with some states in northern India taking more power than they had been allotted by the grid operator. And while the investigation into the disaster continues, one result is certain: India won't be abandoning coal any time soon.
While the Sierra Club pushes its "beyond coal"...


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Enter Here: 4 Tickets to Virginia Rep's Buffalo Solider
Who: Residents within the FM and TV broadcast radius of the Community Idea Stations. Must pick tickets up in Richmond.
What: A 4 Pack of Tickets to Virginia Rep's Buffalo Solider at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn – Feb 2-26
When: Entries close 1/18/17
Official Rules are part of the entry form.


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The photographer and mover-and-shaker behind Alisha Sims Photography and Fearlessly Feminine.
I'm here to diary your breath-taking love in all its forms. The sweet intimate love between two people. The self love you see when a woman really feels good in her own skin. And the love you see in families when they're celebrating something as joyful as a wedding or as precious as a birth. I'm all about connected, modern and oh-so-fun images that vividly tell your love story.
I wish I could live in an Anthropologie catalog. It brings me a giggle fit of joy every time Siri addresses me as princess. I'm a habitual over dresser because I believe pretty high heels are meant to be worn and getting up in the morning is a reason to celebrate. I love brides that turn into friends, grabbing drinks with the tribe of lady-bosses i'm privileged to call pals and shopping, ohhhh I really love shopping.
I live downtown Evansville with my main squeeze, Dakota. We love the downtown community, anything fresh from the farmers market and traveling frequently. We'll never get enough of St. Thomas, and in my heart I wish I was always on island time. I met Dakota at an Easter egg hunt when I was two and he's been making appearances in my life ever since. We're the very proud parents of a miniature golden retriever named Inara. Firefly anyone? (We were super into scifi in high school) Who am I kidding, we're still really into scifi.
I'm blessed to wake up everyday to a job I'm passionate about and a life I love and can't get enough of! I'm a dreamer of big dreams, a believer in hard work, a goal digger and an advocate of self love.


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Back in early April, when the market was still doing fine, and the odds of a double-dip seemed incredibly remote, we went and visited Nomura for a briefing on the US economy.
One line from top economist Lewis Alexander really stood out for us at the time.
Here's what we wrote at the time:
We'll talk about more of the points later on, but one interesting thing we learned is that investors are interested in the 2013 budget "fiscal cliff" a lot earlier than Alexander expected. He had assumed people would start focusing on it later this year, but there's already tons of interest.
Now you really can't turn anywhere without hearing about the fiscal cliff, and how it's already freaking out businessmen, who are hoping for a clean GOP sweep that takes the issues off the table.
All that being said, we're not sure which way the causation goes. Is the economy/market faltering because of the fiscal threat? Or is the faltering economy an excuse for people to start shouting louder about the fiscal threat. After all, the slowdown is global, and Europe seems clearly to be a big contributor to it.


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Truly Dreadful Websites – Part 2
This is part of an occasional series looking at some of the poorer websites found on the web today. For the first post, click here.
Today, we're going to look at the navigational nightmare that is http://www.1001pens.com/ OK, it's not as offensively bright as the last site we looked at but it's still so bad that it's going to scare away lots of potential customers.
Starting from the top it's not too bad – some handy drop downs, a search function and a menu with some random links. Not a great start, but we've seen worse and if you're looking for a particular pen then it might even work since you can avoid the rest of the home page.
However, below this it starts to get worse. First there's a picture of a book which you're invited to click on, even though you've no idea what it's about. If you've come to buy a pen then why would you want to buy a book? Then you can chat with Max, who we must assume is the owner of the site. Then there are some pens but also a poster you can order. OK, that's a bit weird – I don't want a book or a poster, but we'll press on…
Next, we have a welcome to the site and a huge wad of text stuck inside a textarea which is barely readable. That's not good. Surely the welcome should be one of the first things you see? And the textarea is just a complete mess which shouldn't be there at all.
After this, it all goes to pot a bit with various links, contact details, animations and more links. In fact, there are thousands of links – many of which lead to pages which say "Sorry, no Products this Collection". If that's the case then why have the links?
As for the rest of the home page layout, it just seems to be a totally random collection of pens. It's a complete nightmare to use this site!
Also, if you click some of the links – perhaps to the pen nib gallery or to the waterman galleries then it's impossible to get back to the home page unless you click the back button.
Now, the really sad thing about this site is just how good it could be. I have no idea who Max is but I'm pretty sure Max loves his pens and if you were to ask Max a question about a pen he could keep you there for hours with various facts and figures about this pen.
Also, if you search for 'antique fountain pens' then there's Max's site near the top of the Google rankings. I'm pretty sure that he gets a LOT of traffic but far less sales from his website because it's such a soul destroying experience trying to use the site. Not only is it difficult to use but it makes Max look like a completely amateur, when I suspect the truth is actually the complete opposite. But if you look like an amateur then no one is going to want to buy from you.
In this case, what Max needs is to spend a little bit of money on getting a decent web designer into sort out a logical layout for the website and design a really professional looking site. I'm certain that Max would make his money back very quickly through increased sales from his website.
This is a classic example of a great business let down by a poor website. Max probably felt that he could save some money by doing the website himself. In fact, he'd make far more money if he'd got it done properly in the first place.
Have you seen any Truly Dreadful Websites? Post them in the comments and I'll take a look.


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Save up to 50% on Clearance Items!
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Get FREE Shipping on any order!
About:Founded in 1996, Onlineshoes.com is the nation's first online shoe retailer. Built upon the traditional ideals of exceptional value and service, the company offers high quality footwear for men and women in more than 21,000 styles and 140 premium brands. For work or play, from rugged to refined, there's something for everyone.Shipping:Shipping is FREE!Customer Service:1-800-786-3141Coupon Usage:Enter the coupon code in the "Promotion Code" field during checkout and click "Add Code".


text: Dave joined the Stanford Design Program in 2007 where he teaches the popular Designing Your Life courses. Dave's passion is to help undergrads and grads apply the innovative principles of design thinking to the wicked problem of designing your life after Stanford. Dave obtained his BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering and returns to Stanford following 30+ years of executive leadership and management consulting in high technology. Dave product managed the first mouse and early laser-printing projects at Apple, was a co-founder of Electronic Arts, and has consulted to dozens of start-ups and major corporations. Designing Your Life - the book is due out from Knopf, Sept 13, 2016. Sign up to hear more at www.designingyour.life. Contact Dave at email: email@example.com, cell: 408.857.1903


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Rosehip and Jasmine Enzyme Treatment
This active enzyme treatment removes dead skin, uncovering newly nourished skin, while rich, penetrating oils deeply moisturize. Leaves skin saturated, dewy & beautiful.
Directions: Apply a generous layer and leave on for 10-15 minutes: then remove OR use small amount working it into a very dehydrated complexion as moisture.
Key Ingredients: Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Organic Gotu Kola, Organic Horsetail Plant, Organic Geranium, Organic Comfrey, Organic Dandelion, Organic Aloe Leaf, Palm Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jasmine Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Jojoba Oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Dimethylaminoethynal (DMAE), Wildcrafted Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Papaya Enzyme, Sesame Oil, Camphor, Tea Tree Oil, Spirulina, White Willow Bark, Orange Essential, Honey, Wintergreen Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E).
Benefits: Intensive skin re-hydrator, prevents skin damage, attenuates scars, skin moisturizer, nourishes, restores normal skin color, firms wrinkles, exfoliates gently. The positive action of Rosehip Oil in helping to regenerate damaged skin tissues is due to its content of Trans-Retinoic Acids in a natural state as part of a complex system of unsaturated essential fatty acids. Therefore, its action is controlled and slowly released by nature, eliminating the risk of overdoses. For the same reason it has no side effects as other products containing trans-retinoic acids synthesized in the laboratory. Scientific evidence has demonstrated the properties of Rose Hip Oil in reducing surgical and accidental dermal scars, the elimination of certain hyper pigmented spots and the lessening of wrinkles. Jasmine has antiseptic and great healing properties, which make it beneficial for various skin disorders. Combats especially dry or sensitive skin.


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Well, hello there.
I hope you are having the best day of your life, or, maybe it's tomorrow, who knows. anyway i hope you're alright. me? how's my day? Well, I've spent a inappropriately long time standing out the back in the rain. Mostly because I've just planted some grass seed and I think I have a real shot at a lawn and watching that process is important to me. So thanks, it's really nice of you to ask about me, about my day, you're good like that. Enough chit chat!
This is an update targeted at the small but fervent members of the S. BOW Grand Street Gang on the island of Australia, specifically the Melbourne corner, so anyone anywhere else in the world (you know who you are) - Antarctica, UKingdom, Siberia, Kuala Lumpur, Panama, Canary Islands, Arctic Circle (that includes you Tromso!) or anywhere I've forgotten to mention including Canada (who I forgot on purpose) get back to work! This is not for you and it would be rude to pry.
Good. It's just us now. lets talk frank.
I need back up. The Gang needs back up! I've been working my magic legs off down on Southbank, down at the Malthouse, winning new territory, but it's a tough side of town. I know what you're thinking, "what are you doing down there? That's where the big gangs hang out, it's dangerous"
Yep you're right, there are some big gangs, the Warhol Weiwei Gang, there's a whole bunch of MTC gangs with big white pipes and even one a gang with Marcia Hines in it. "Stu, you're just a little peanut with a tin foil helmet on. What are you doing?"
Honestly, I have no idea! I need back up. Please spread the word. This is the meeting place: Malthouse Theatre, TUES - SAT 7pm, SUN 6pm until the 17th of April. AND don't leave it to the last minute, I need back up NOW. Tell people - invite you're old school friends, your work colleagues, your neighbours, the internet even, yes invite the internet. Tell them to go to join the She Was Probably Not A Robot *Gang.
It's not all bad on the south of the bridge though. Don't be scared, I've been building some alliances with other powerful splinter gangs:
The Wil Greenway Gang is hairy, fierce but fair and strong in the field using words as weapons. Zoe McDonald, a powerfully formidable force. Adrienne Truscott, a deadly grip and wrestling aficionado. Damian Callinan a well dressed swing dancer with an extraterrestrial alliance. There's an uprising on the way! AHAAAHHHAHAHA!!!
So come on down! Let's do this.
Now I'm going to get back to the grass.
*it's just my show, there's nothing actually gang related in the content of the show, I'm just using that as a flashy, attention seeking PR angle, sorry. Although I do believe theatre: the act of gathering, creating community, uniting with ideas; is a political act. Anyhoo.


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University of Alabama
Mark Edwards commentary: Alabama survives LSU's best shot
Death Valley didn't kill Alabama's perfect season.
Every champion has to survive at least one night when everything isn't going its way. It has to take all the punches, remain upright and find a way to win.
Alabama did it Saturday night in a 21-17 win Saturday night over LSU, as AJ McCarron came alive on the last drive, just in time to keep the Tide pointed toward a possible repeat appearance in the BCS National Championship Game.
Alabama has faced this every week -- not nearly this harrowing, but it seems as if every team tries its hardest to push the Tide the way LSU pushed.
After winning a national title last year and holding the No. 1 ranking this season, the Crimson Tide brings out a barrel full of emotions and desire from every team's fan base every week.
Everybody wants to beat Bama. It's unfair to say it would make a team's season to knock off the Crimson Tide, but a victory would be a pretty big bowl of ice cream at the end of the meal. Teams approached Alabama this way when Bear Bryant coached the Tide, and they do so again now.
We hear so much about Alabama's not-so-strong schedule, but the Tide faces a unique situation no other team in the country must handle. Oregon doesn't face this every week. Neither does Kansas State. Not even Notre Dame.
The Crimson Tide faced it again Saturday against LSU. If there ever was a situation in which the emotion, stakes and timing could do in Alabama, this was it.
First, LSU is a good team. The Bengal Tigers entered as the nation's No. 5 team and earned that. They were at home. On Saturday night. They had lost only once at home on Saturday night in the previous 10 seasons.And this one seemed to have even more of an edge. More media showed up, with an LSU record number of credentials distributed. More fans did. the crowd of 93,374 set a record for the biggest to attend a football game in Louisiana.
Even five hours before the game began, traffic snarled for miles around the stadium. Parking lots already were filled.
And so many of these folks came to see if Alabama finally would get taken down.
The Bengal Tigers appeared ready to cooperate. LSU's running game gashed the Crimson Tide defense unlike anybody in the Southeastern Conference has in two years.
LSU took an early lead. It was only 3-0, but it was a lead. Alabama hadn't been behind by as many three points in regulation since last year's game against Tennessee.
But Alabama responded. The Tide didn't panic. McCarron had his worst game of the season, but midway through the first half, he engineered a 92-yard, six-minute drive for a touchdown, coming on a 7-yard run by Eddie Lacy.
At the end of the half, he put together a quick-strike drive of 63 yards in only 57 seconds. Taking advantage of LSU safety Eric Reid out of the game with a chest contusion, McCarron watched the Bengal Tigers follow his receivers, who were out wide. The middle opened up, and McCarron ran through for a 9-yard touchdown.
LSU had more waiting for Alabama, however, putting together an improbable rally to retake the lead at 17-14 with 12:58 to play. Alabama faced trouble. It faced the end of its perfect season.
But the Tide survived.
If Alabama finishes the season unbeaten, it will have earned its place in the national championship game. It's hard when everyone is hunting your hide, and you deserve respect if you can handle that and not lose.


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Beginning on June 9th, which just happens to be the first day of E3 2014, Microsoft will sell a $399.99 Xbox One that does not include the Kinect sensor.
In their blog post explaining the Kinect-less Xbox One, Microsoft says, "We've heard that you want more choices from Xbox One." However, they are quick to point out that 80% of Xbox One owners are actively using Kinect, with an average of 120 voice commands used per month on each console.
For people who do buy the Kinect-less Xbox One next month, Microsoft says the standalone Kinect sensor will be sold this fall for an unrevealed price.
As for Xbox Live, Microsoft's monthly free game service Games with Gold will see a huge expansion in June. Not only will Xbox 360 Gold members receive three games (Dark Souls, Charlie Murder, Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition) instead of two, but the Xbox One will also be joining the program with Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault.
Past that, Microsoft will offer the use of apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV, HBO GO, and more without having a Gold membership.
With this new $399 Xbox One SKU, how do you think it will impact the race between PS4 and Xbox One? Let us know in the comments below.


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Mark Thompson
Född 1972 i Peterborough, Storbritannien
My primary drive as an artist is to try to make sense of my place in the world. Through the inconsistencies of memory, I hope to access a collective experience of place.
I do not seek to illustrate a particular place in point of fact however, but rather develop and ultimately 'make' a version of the world. Memory appears to retain only what is personally important, and the inevitable mix of my own history fills in the gaps. Only that which remains is important – the extraneous and fleeting are not registered. The final image is therefore a remnant, the world distilled. This remembered world inevitably fades and decays, and I catch all I can before there is nothing left. This is my starting point.
Each image is something already gone - it is the seeing of things for the last time.


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California's Existing E-waste Recycling Laws
SB 20 (Sher, 2003) Electronic Waste Recycling Act
On January 1, 2005, California enacted pioneering legislation to implement an electronic waste recovery and recycling program modeled after the European Economic Union's Product Stewardship Initiative. The intent of SB 20 was to provide cost-free recycling opportunities for consumers, to reduce/prevent illegal dumping of electronic waste (and reduction in e-waste "stockpiling"), and to decrease the hazardous materials entering the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream.
The Good News: Numbers to-date
- According to state waste and recycling data, California generated approximately 140,000 tons of CEDs in 2005, with more than 60 million pounds of this electronic waste taken back for recycling through the program. In 2007, this number rose to more than 135 million pounds recycled and in 2008, the number is more than 214 million pounds.
- For 2008, the recycling rate for covered electronics was 58%, almost triple from 2006, when the recovery rate was at 29%.
- Since enactment of SB 20, more than 600 recycling locations have been established statewide, and more than 30 approved recyclers.
- This program has contributed to the recovery and recycling of more than 2 BILLION pounds of Covered Electronic Devices, since the program's inception.
AB 2901 (Pavley, 2004) Cell Phone Takeback and Recycling
This law requires some of California's largest cell phone retailers to embrace the takeback/recycling model and collect used cell phones, at no cost to the consumer, to be reused, recycled or properly disposed.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) estimates that of the 18 million cell phones sold in California in 2010, 3.7 million were recycled, for a 21% recycling rate. This is up from 2007, which had 17% recycling rate. To put this number into perspective, the national recycling rate is 10%, according to the U.S. EPA.
AB 1125 (Pavley, 2005) Rechargeable Battery Takeback and Recycling
AB 1125 was modeled after the same takeback concept of the cell phone bill. AB 1125 requires all retailers that sell rechargeable batteries to accept back used rechargeable batteries at no cost to the consumer. This legislation creates convenience and incentive for consumers: it's easy to drop off and recycle end-of-life batteries (and cell phones) at locations statewide, and consumers then feel good about doing the right thing with their disposables. Click here for the fact sheet.
In 2009, over 8 million pounds of rechargeable batteries were collected from consumers for recycling.
- Read more about the Cell phone and Rechargeable Battery Issue
- Read more on the Background of Universal Waste Regulation
- Return to E-waste Home
AB 1419 (Eggman, 2016) CRT Panel Glass Recycling
New LCD and LED technology for televisions and monitor screens has taken over and demand for old-fashioned Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) devices has dropped dramatically. The end-use market for CRT glass generated from recycling scrap CRT's has dried up and recyclers across the nation are struggling with what to do with the glass. Today, old TV and computer monitors are stockpiling up throughout the state with no where good to go other than in the ground or over seas.
AB 1419 reduces the environmental risk inherent in the stockpiling and export of glass from monitors and televisions, by allowing scrap CRT panel glass to be used in many new products where it is determined to pose no harm, including tile and radiation shielding glass.


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Hello lovelies! Here is my latest Tor.com Short Story review (pssst, I super liked this one this week!)
Interested in joining? See below for what to do to be a part of it!
- On Thursday, I will pick a short story from Tor.com for us to all read…
- The next Thursday, we will all review the Tor.com story that was picked the previous week…
- The review can be in depth or short and snappy! There are no boundaries on how you want to review the story…
- After my own personal review of that weeks story, I will post the next story to read for next week…
- And on and on it goes…
- Please remember to tag back to my post (pingback!!) if you join in on this meme, that way I can read all your reviews!
Ahh, I apparently love romance stories that involve sci-fi, end of the world situations because this was so beautiful! It's sort of heartbreaking but lovely all at the same time.
This story is ultimately about the end of the world, a virus has come and brought about "eternal returns" (nostalgia, memories), and there are a few people living in a contamination free place. Our main character is falling in love during the end of the world, but she's also falling in love with the end of the world.
Even if you don't do this meme, I would urge you to go read this short.
(I got a little shock, as it mentions 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat' as that's the book I'm currency reading! Strange little coincidence!)
NEXT WEEK'S TOR.COM STORY IS: Ecdysis by Julianna Baggott
Our young narrator has many skins. Shedding and taking on new ones help them to find their way back home after leaving to avoid more tragedies and assaults. But what price do they have to pay to acquire the one true skin that fits the best?
(Ugh, what a gorgeous cover for this one!!)


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Going Native Garden Tour 2014
Matt & Val's Native Garden (5 photos)
Garden #27, Santa Clara
Showcase Features: This professionally designed garden is restoration inspired and features plants mostly from the oak woodland and grassland communities that once used to exist in this area. Special attention was paid to include many local plants.
Other Garden Attractions: In the front yard, Idaho and California fescue grasses and perennial wildflowers are mingling under a coast live oak, a valley oak, a blue elderberry and a California buckeye. For added color and texture, the garden is edged with bee's bliss sage, dwarf coyote brush and California fuchsia. Additional accents are provided by carpenteria, pink-flowering currant, snowberry, coast silk tassel, toyon and a Dr. Hurd manzanita. An ornamental, meandering dry creek bed helps to drain some of the storm water runoff. In the back yard, the concrete paths and part of the existing patio were broken up and recycled into a permeable hardscape that extends to the side of the house. In the heart of the garden is an oval-shaped red fescue meadow, accented with native wildflowers and a bubbling fountain which can be enjoyed from the patio as well as from the seating wall on the opposite side. The native plants here mingle with raised vegetable beds--built from recycled lumber--and a lemon. Along the back fence, colorful spring accents are provided by a western redbud and a Ray Hartman ceanothus, while a California wild grape does the job in the fall. At the west side of the house, hollyeaf cherry offers privacy and shade from the hot sun. The homeowners are exceptionally eco-minded who use solar panels, a rain sensor, a worm compost bin, grow their own organic produce and drive a hybrid vehicle!
Gardening for Wildlife: The garden provides food, shelter and places to raise young. A birdbath & a circulating fountain offer fresh water.
Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 7
Garden Size: 2500 sq ft
Designer: Agi Kehoe
Installer: Benz's Landscaping & Tree Care
Click here to download the plant list in PDF format (from year 2009).
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Copyright © 2003-2020 Going Native Garden Tour. All rights reserved.


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I, Tokyo
I came to Tokyo for the first time in the spring of 2006. My girlfriend Sara had got a job there, and so I decided to move with her to explore the city in which she had grown up. It was a society I had never experienced before, one which I had little knowledge of and to which I had no real sense of relationship.
Initially, I felt invisible. Each day I would walk the streets without anyone making eye contact with me. Everyone seemed to be heading somewhere - it was as if they had no need of communication. Most mornings I would take the Chuo line from Nakano to Shinjuku, and even though the train would be packed with salary-men and school girls in uniform, I rarely heard a word being spoken.
Though Tokyo and its people seemed unreachable, I felt drawn to the tight and confined reality of the metropolis. My feeling of isolation and loneliness was overwhelming - it was something I had to find a way to change. And so I began taking my pocket camera out with me on the streets and in the parks. Rather than focusing on the impressively tall buildings and the eternal swarm of people, I began searching for the narrow paths and the individual human presence in a city that felt both attractive and repulsive at the same time. I wanted to meet the people, to get involved in the city, to make Tokyo mine.
The pictures in this series are a recording of what I saw and the people I met during these 18 months.
In my attempt to try to understand Tokyo and its people, I found myself returning to the same streets and parks again and again. There were certain areas in Shinjuku and Yoyogi Park that always captured my interest and inevitably they became the places that I felt closest to. I think that it was meeting the people there, on a one to one basis that helped to give me a better impression of what it means to be a part of Tokyo today.
Some of those I photographed became my friends, others I shared only a short moment with. The pictures are something that grew from these meetings - pictures I took out of curiosity, and to help me remember how I felt that day, my experience of the city. When I photographed I tried to work by instinct as much as possible so as to connect and involve myself with the places I visited and the people I met. Taking snapshots supports the feeling of something unpredictable and playful. I believe it is when pictures are unconsidered and irrational that they come to life; that they evolve from showing to being.
Jacob Aue Sobol


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If You're Tired and You Know It…(clap, clap)/
From the March 2015 Newsletter
I was tired all of last week. Not just normal tired but more of a feeling that I had nothing left to give yet there was so much more being asked of me. It was as if I ran out of gas several miles away from any gas station and yet I still had many miles left to travel. I think many of us can relate to this for some reason or another. Maybe we've over extended ourselves and committed to too many things.
Sometimes we have seasons where we find it hard to say no or there are time sensitive assignments that occur in times where there are events scheduled at the same time. Whatever the reason is most of us can sympathize with being tired. As I was reading through the scriptures I came across Isaiah 40:28-31. As Isaiah was writing to the people of Israel who were in captivity they needed to be reminded that God was their strength in their time of weakness. Here are three things I believe we can learn from the words found in Isaiah.
1. God does not get tired.
God can commit to so many things and remain faithful. He doesn't need to worry about over extending himself or having to say no because he is exhausted. He doesn't even get tired with the many requests and problems of His children. When we have so many people asking so many things of us it can become easy to just stop listening and put ourselves on auto-pilot. God doesn't do this with us. When we have a real need or concern we can come to God knowing that it's not a burden for Him. Because God is an "everlasting God" He operates outside of time. Because He operates outside of time it's quite easy for Him to give us His time when we need it. If we are tired, we need to remember the one who always has time for us.
2. He gives strength to those who are tired.
God is the ultimate supplier of strength. He has an abundance of power and he longs to administer that power to those that call on Him. God wants His people to be strong because it actually displays His power and glory. God is all about getting the glory. He wants our lives to reflect how great He is. So if we rely on His strength He will ultimately receive glory.
3. It is better to wait on God than to jump the gun.
"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength." When we are tired we need to ask ourselves the question "Have I said yes to things that God would have wanted me to say no to?" There are many good things out there to spend our time on but not all things are for us. We need to make sure that we know what God wants from us so that we can say with wisdom" yes" or "no". Ministry is to get involved with what God is already doing, not asking God to bless what we are doing. Let's take time to acknowledge what God is already doing and wait on Him for the cues.


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Nelson's graceful playing is subtle and full of nuance, understated and respectful of the tune, not just out on it's own agenda
A stellar break-out recording that is worth the wait.
It is easy on the ear as Todd plays with feel rather than flash and the melody is never too far away.
And the groove rarely stops on Here, though it is nicely varied. "Wheels across Sonoma" recalls music from one of the Pat Metheny Group's best albums, the soaring travelogue American Garage: You get the sensation of hot wind blowing through the sunroof as your car cruises through the Mexican countryside, maybe on the way to California."
Nelson impresses without ever showboating; while more nimble-fingered than most axslingers (at times bringing to mind such heavyweights as Bill Frisell and John Scofield), his guitar lines hew mindfully to the emotional intent of each composition, and he is always sure to leave plenty of space for both the melody and his rhythm section...


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Recent Comments
Alignyo Bodega
A few of our favorite yoga products and accessories to elevate your practice.
This yoga for Super Hero Strength video from Tara Stiles isn't just about building muscle. Sure, you'll get physically stronger thanks to the chaturanga pushups, Warrior II lunges and twisting planks, but Tara says that this yoga flow is about "building strength and working with ease, so you can calm your mind and work towards hard things in an easy way." Now that's our kind of strength training.
Find your inner super-hero with Tara Stiles:
Love this video! Flows very well. This will be my new morning routine.
Thanks for sharing alignyo


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Vigorella brings you to life with layers of softness and comfort that wrap effortlessly around your body.There are many layers to your day, many layers to your personality, and the Vigorella "layers for life" concept allows you to select from the classic, the timeless, the innovative and the seasonal to create what works best for you and your lifestyle. MADE IN AUSTRALIA. Preen is a proud official stockist of Verge.
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Timaru, Oamaru or Miss Timaru?
If so try 'login' using your e-mail address we have on file into 'existing customer' and use it as your password too.
You may have some loyalty bonus's with us so go for it!


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Air Conditioning
Indoor Air Quality
Water Heaters
More Services
- Maintenance Program
About Us
Contact Us
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Water Heater Services in Glendale, CA by AG Heating & Air Conditioning
At AG Heating & Air Conditioning, we believe that your time and convenience is every bit as important as your comfort. That is why we have gone out of our way in order to ensure that we are able to provide you with just about any service that you may need to make your home a more comfortable place to live. Why bother dealing with multiple contractors and juggling technicians, when you can get everything that you need, all in one place? From water heater installations to comprehensive heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services in Glendale, CA, you can count on our staff to provide you with what you need for convenient, comfortable living.
AG Heating & Air Conditioning provides heating, air conditioning, and water heater services in Glendale, CA.
Leave Your Air Conditioning Services to Us
Our intense summer heat can put any air conditioner to the test. If you want to know for certain that your air conditioner will rise to the challenge again and again, simply schedule your air conditioning services in Glendale, CA with a member of our staff. We have the systems and services that you need to cool your home with well–deserved confidence, even during the hottest time of the year. Call today to get started.
We Carry Various Thermostats
You may not even be aware of just how many different kinds of thermostats there are available for installation in your home. Choosing the right one for your needs and personal preferences is paramount for ensuring your 100% satisfaction with its operation. We are here to ensure that you choose your thermostat wisely, so call with any questions that you may have.
What Do Heat Pumps Have to Offer?
If you've ever wished that you could heat and cool your home with the very same system, then a heat pump is the answer to your dreams. With a heat pump, you can remove heat from the air in your home during the summer, just as you would with an air conditioner. During the winter season, you can use existing heat in the air outside, transferring it within, in order to efficiently heat your home.
We Are Commercial Air Conditioning Pros
You want to keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer, and that desire should carry over to your commercial property. After all, your clients, tenants, and employees are count on you to keep them cool and comfortable when within this space. Schedule your commercial air conditioning services with us, and this will be the case.
Our Heating Services Are Exceptional
We all know how intensely hot it can be around here during the summer season, but that doesn't mean that you can afford to overlook just how important your heating system in Glendale, CA is. When the temperature falls below a comfortable level, you can count on our heating services to keep you warm. Contact us to discuss available heating options. Our technicians will happily outfit your home with a great heating system, so call now.
Furnaces Are Among the Most Effective and Efficient of Heating Systems
There are a lot of great heating systems on the market today, but the furnace remains among the most popular of all. Furnaces heat air directly, and then use air ducts and fans in order to distribute that heated air throughout the house. When you allow our skilled technicians to install and service your furnace, you can count on getting a truly great performance from your home heating system.
Is a Gas Furnace Right for Me?
If you have access to natural gas in your home, then you are wise to consider the installation and use of a natural gas furnace. Natural gas is quite affordable, and natural gas furnaces operate with great efficiency. They are also very effective, and can help you to heat your home with great reliability.
Are Electric Furnaces Good Heating Options?
Definitely. It's true that electricity comes with a higher price tag than natural gas. However, modern electric furnaces are also incredibly efficient, so they can close the price gap considerably. Plus, electricity is available all over, unlike natural gas. If you don't have natural gas, or if you just don't want to pipe a combustible fuel to your home, an electric furnace may be right for you.
How's the Indoor Air Quality in Your Home?
Are your allergies acting up? Do you notice that it's tough to keep up with your dusting and vacuuming? Does it feel too humid, or not humid enough, in your home? These issues indicate that your indoor air quality in Glendale, CA is not high enough. You can trust our technicians to provide you with the quality products and services necessary for boosting the indoor air quality in your home. Contact us today.
How Can a Humidifier Benefit Me?
Is the air in your home sufficiently humid? If not, you are not going to live in the comfort that you deserve. Very dry air can dry out your skin and sinuses, and can also cause wooden floorboards to split and paint to chip. You can use a whole–house humidifier in order to effectively and conveniently add humidity to the air throughout your home, though.
Do You Need an Air Purifier of Some Kind?
Should you have subpar indoor air quality in your home, we recommend that you use an appropriate air purifier in order to improve matters. There is no one air purifier that can resolve all indoor air quality problems, though. We'll make sure that you have the right air purifier for your needs installed in your home.
A Dehumidifier Helps You and Your Property
Very humid air can have a number of negative consequences on your property, your comfort, and even your health. Dial our number if you'd like to have a whole–house dehumidifier installed in your home in order to resolve these problems. No matter what your dehumidification needs are, we'll make sure that they're met.
There Are Still More Services to Consider
Do you want to ventilate your home more successfully and efficiently? Then you should consider the use of an attic fan or whole–house fan in your home. Looking to prevent excessive heat transfer? We offer insulation services as well. No matter what type of service you're after, we've always got more services to offer. Contact us any time for more details. Our goal is to ensure that all homeowners are living as comfortably as possible.
Insulation Is Important
When you run your air conditioner, you don't want heat from outside making its way into your home. Heat always seeks out cooler environments, though, and it will do just that if you don't have sufficient insulation in your home. By scheduling your insulation services with us, you guarantee that your home will be protected against unwanted heat transfer.