Fun Facts

Energy Efficient Air Conditioners

Knowing which air conditioner to buy for a room requires some knowledge as to the size and use of the room. The size of the room, for instance, will tell the retailer how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) your air conditioner should have. These BTUs are affected by the number of people using the room and also by the amount of sun or shade that the room enjoys. Matching the size of the AC to your home is the key to energy savings. So, the first priority is to know what size of air conditioner you need if you are looking for energy efficiency. Having an air conditioner that is too small will mean it runs constantly. Having one which is too large will also mean it runs constantly and will leave the room damp and clammy. Whole House Air Conditioners The most popular type of whole house cooling is central air conditioning. It takes a qualified technician to install this type of air conditioner correctly as it will need to be connected to the duct work. You may find help at the ACC…

No-Hassle School Supply Shopping

School supply shopping is an experience for you and your youngster, but on the other hand it can be quite a chore. New is fun—fresh starts, new teachers, new friends, new clothes, new shoes, new school supplies, new lunch boxes, and new backpacks. Be that as it may, it can be overwhelming. (Your child is growing up way too fast—and is presently sulking in aisle two.) Don’t panic! Here’s a guide to what you will need to get. Before starting, you should check with your school to see if they provide a supply list. Compare it to what we have here to see what else you might want to get. Your child’s backpack might be worn out from last year, for example. Some schools have the teacher buy the majority of the school supplies to guarantee every kid has similar things—and to make sure they have exactly what is needed. In these cases, a donation to the teacher is never a bad idea, to help cover the cost of these supplies. There might also be organizations that help obtain supplies fo…

World’s Most Expensive Golf Carts

What are the world’s most expensive golf carts? Golf carts used to be little vehicles that served a simple purpose — getting you around the golf course comfortably. With the advent of these new luxurious models, you are no longer confined to the course and can make a lasting impression everywhere you go! Garia LSV – $62,000 This most expensive of golf carts is actually allowed on the street and comes equipped with seat belts, mirrors, hydraulic brakes and speeds up to 25mph. You can also install a stereo, digital instruments and a dashboard refrigerator as well as other extras. The Garia LSV is customizable with over 100 colors for the body, roof and dashboard; 3 different colors of upholstery and 10” and 12” aluminum wheels. Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit Golf Car- $52,000 This cute little cart comes from the Porsche factory in Finland. Looking more like a golf cart than the Hummer model available for $19,999, it is a limited edition version of the standard Garia golf car. It…

How to Design a Patio Sanctuary for Your Backyard

Redesigning your patio can be as simple as adding a few pieces of outdoor furniture to your backyard. Or it can be as elaborate as installing an adjoining concrete slab with an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Visualize the Design with a Quick Mock-up A bench and a potted plant transform this bare patch. As you begin a design project for a backyard patio, always check whether you need permits to make your ideas a reality. Once that is done, you can actually start the project. You may have chosen a designer to do it for you, or more probably you have decided to do it yourself to save money and because you generally like home improvement projects. Decide where your patio is best situated. Most patios lead off from a living area or kitchen to make entertaining guests easier. Check the space you have available and size your patio accordingly. Lay out a rope or garden hose to visualize the footprint of your patio. Set a few chairs in the space to ensure it is not to small. Decide…

Is Your Child’s Car Seat Installed Correctly?

By law it is mandatory for child passengers in a car to be properly secured in an infant seat, car seat or booster seat. Making sure your car seat is secured properly could save your child’s life in the event of an accident. Get the Seat that Matches Your Child The car seat is one item you can't spend too much on. There are various seats available on the market, depending on your child’s age and height. Checking out a good guide will give you a good idea of what to look for and what to expect. Since your child will grow quickly, but will need a seat until they are about twelve years old, you may want to buy seats which convert and grow with your child. There will be some difference in installation depending on your chosen car seat, so for up to date information always refer to the manual that comes with the seat (or search online for manufacturer’s instructions), as well as your car manual. The first and most important factor is to make sure you have the right seat for your …

4 Home Improvement Projects In One Weekend

Refresh Your Bedroom Giving a fresh look to the bedroom can be done quite quickly by giving the walls a new look and updating the soft furnishings. Not every home improvement project has to be a complete renovation. A new headboard for the bed can be created out of a variety of items, even reclaimed doors or windows. Remove the glass and cover the backs with foam board or fiber board. Dress up the pieces with any fabric or leftover wallpaper you have lying around. Another idea to try is a symmetrical arrangement of mirrors on the wall, in the same way you would hang pictures. The mirror effect can brighten up a bedroom and make it seem larger. Cover the walls with oversize pattern wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint for a sophisticated look. If someone in the family is handy with a sewing machine, update your curtains and soft furnishings with some interesting matching fabrics. Bedding can also receive an upgrade with a new quilt cover or bed sheets. Add some moder…

Hurricane Preparation Made Easy

The best time to prepare your personal emergency plan and make sure it is up to date is before you need it. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some easy ways to be prepared for the next hurricane: The first step to being prepared for a Hurricane is to know the common terms used in forecasts. A “Watch” means that a hurricane or tropical storm are possible. A “Warning” means that the storm is expected. Hurricane warnings usually are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds. The eye of the storm is a clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm. While there are calmer conditions in the eye, this doesn’t mean the storm is over. The area surrounding the eye is where some of the most severe weather is with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation. Rain bands come off the storm and produce severe weather conditions, such as heavy rain, wind, and even tornadoes. A storm surge is the result of ocean water swelling as a result of the storm. Th…

Find Your Next Pet in the Classifieds

The classifieds are a great place to find a pet. Many pet owners and breeders use the classifieds to let others know their dog, cat, fish bird, turtle or snake needs a new home. Look for Adult Pets You can skip the house breaking puppy phase by buying an adult dog. When adult pets are sold, it is often because the owners are moving and can’t take the pet with them. This usually means the pet will come with its own toys, cage, or tank, even food. Also, ask for their vet’s contact info, so your vet can get your pet’s health information. As long as you are reading the classifieds, it’s a good time to look for additional pet accessories. Hamster cages, dog kennels, and cat trees can all be found in usable condition. Just be sure to thoroughly clean any used items before giving them to your pet. Find a Reputable Breeder When using the classifieds to find a pet, check that the breeder is running a good operation where the animals are in good health and not living in filthy condi…

Looking For Work? We Can Help!

Looking for a job is the easiest part of the process. Our classifieds offer several pages devoted to listing vacant job positions. Being well-prepared, though, is a little more demanding. There will probably be a lot of competition for the job, and you will need to find ways to be better-prepared than most. Resume Having a very good resume will immediately increase your chances of getting the job. Make sure you use good quality paper, a good font style and size, and write a very cordial and interesting cover letter. These documents are your introduction to the employer and will be their first impression of you. Therefore, you have to make sure you seem an organized and methodical person. Tailor every resume to the job you are applying for, a generic one will not do. Use a standard format and include all the relevant details of your education, training and past employment. Remember, you want to sound like the right person for the job, so show the employer why they should choose…

5 Things You Should Buy After Buying a New Home

If you’ve just bought a house…congratulations! You’ve survived the offer, the home inspection, mortgage application, financing, closing! Now it’s time to make that house your home. Keys and Locks Many people don’t think of this, but it’s a great idea to replace the locks or “rekey” them so that the old keys no longer work. Changing locks is easy to do, but you can hire a locksmith if you’d prefer to leave it to experts. This is also a good time to find a great “hiding” place for a key so you don’t get locked out. Under the doormat is way too easy to figure out. You never know who has a copy of the old key. They may have left some with friends and family, or loaned it out to an ex-roommate. They might even have a spare for themselves. Even if you’re buying a new home, contractors who worked on the home might also have keys. Now, there are some fun options for door locks. They have Keyless Entry door locks, which allow you to program in codes for people…this eliminates the ne…