An Introduction to Home Kitchen Appliances

[ad_1]

In order to make life a whole lot easier, kitchen appliances were invented and developed in order to make food preparation and cooking fast and efficient. Over the last 50 years, a lot of major changes have been made to the most commonly used appliances in the kitchen. Furthermore, labor saving kitchen appliances have been brought about by the introduction of electricity.

Typically, the most familiar equipments that you can find in a kitchen are refrigerators and cabinets for food storage, a sink for dishwashing and cleaning food, and, of course, a stove for cooking.

For centuries, kitchens have been present in each and every household, whether big or small. Servants used to do most of the kitchen work in the past, especially in the homes of affluent families. However, housewives ended up doing most of the culinary tasks in the kitchen after the civil war period since most people don't have servants anymore. And because of this, majority of the kitchen appliance were invented to help in carrying out the job at a lesser time and with greater ease.

Choosing kitchen appliances can be a little overwhelming. There are both large appliances and there are also small ones. So it is necessary to plan your kitchen first before making any purchases so as to avoid going over the top. This will also prevent your kitchen from being cluttered with appliances that you might not even use at all. In that way, you can also avoid wasting money buying things that you don't need.

Another important consideration is the amount of time you are going to use a certain kitchen appliance. If you rarely have guests and you live on your own, buying a double oven cooker is not really a wise decision. It will just sit around the corner of your kitchen. So it would be better to purchase a smaller cooker instead and save a sizable amount of money.

You also have to consider the brand, size and style. You have to assess the available kitchen space and imagine how your kitchen would look like with the presence of your chosen appliances. Try to find something that would fit your kitchen and suit your cooking needs.

Before any kitchen appliances were developed, inventors and manufacturers were aiming to provide convenience. Users can save time and effort with almost all of the kitchen appliances available today. Because of the demands of modern society, households would truly appreciate the help that they can get from modern appliances because time is not a luxury that everyone can afford.

In terms of food safety, kitchen appliances can also fulfill this requirement. The quality and freshness of foods can be preserved with the help of large kitchen appliances like refrigerators and freezers. Also, one can cook at reliably hot and sufficient temperatures with the help of modern day stoves.

The development of kitchen appliances is endless with the acceptance of the public and with creative minds formulating technological advancements. Around the globe, people are always looking forward to new things that will help them have a more hassle-free time in the kitchen.

[ad_2]

Source by Stuart Max

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen Utensils

Surge Protectors

Food Storage

Cookware

Indoor Grills

Camping Equipment

Kitchen Gadgets

Employee Retention Tax Credit

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/an-introduction-to-home-kitchen-appliances/?feed_id=38181&_unique_id=64cfe3f75161e

A Comprehensive Guide to Get Started With Garden Care

[ad_1] Many people have not yet discovered the joys of garden care. They may not realize the value of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping elements that give a home its beauty and charm. However, these elements will pay off in time and money. It may sound strange, but the quality of water that a homeowner uses can have a profound effect on the health of his or her plants. The water temperature, too, can be a contributing factor. Hot water can burn plants, which can lead to death. On the other hand, cold water is great for watering plants. The temperature is less than it is in a refrigerator, so plants do not freeze. Agarden pond needs to be maintained in order to provide a habitat for fish and other wildlife. Likewise, the layout of a garden may depend on how it will be used. If it is a wind-swept area, for example, then some designing may be necessary. Another important element in the maintenance of a garden is the use of mulch. This keeps a gardener's plants from getting soggy and prevents them from being affected by frost. It also prevents weeds from growing and can reduce or eliminate a garden's need for fertilizers. Garden mulch is available in a variety of types and textures. It comes in strips, stones, gravel, pebbles, and even seeds. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The type of mulch, a gardener chooses depends on the type of soil he or she has, as well as on the kinds of plants that will grow there. For instance, if the soil is sandy or rocky, a smooth rock would be more appropriate than gravel. If it is not, a smoother type of mulch would be preferable. Like all garden care, garden mulch maintenance is simple and inexpensive. Not only does the material itself need little upkeep, but mulch is also reusable. People who collect the mulch often put it in their flower beds and in their front yard. Because plants and flowers require such a good deal of water, gardeners must be mindful of their water use when deciding what kind of mulch to use. Leaf mulch, for example, is suitable for use with perennials and other plants that do not require constant water. It can help to save space in flowerbeds and other areas where plants are grown. Solid mulch is especially useful for people who have lawns and gardens with large areas of water that need more than sprinkler head time to dry out. This type of mulch works well for homeowners who have lawns and a variety of plants in the garden. The continuous spray of water keeps the area drier for longer periods. [ad_2] Source by Dan Licamara https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-get-started-with-garden-care/?feed_id=38165&_unique_id=64ceb22e65913

Lawn Mower Service

[ad_1]

Reasons you should complete your lawn mower service

The maintenance on lawn mowers, especially push mowers is very simple. The average home DIY type person can easily handle their own lawn mower service. With a few simple tools, and a little bit of elbow grease, you to can handle the upkeep on your mower. The first place to look would be your owner's manual. If you don't have one, you should contact the manufacturer of your mower. This will list all the service intervals of various items on your mower.

There are many reasons to maintain your mower.

Longevity - You wouldn't drive your car without changing the oil would you? Then why would you neglect your lawn mower? When you keep up on the maintenance on your lawn mower, you lower the overall cost of ownership. Your mower will last you many years if properly taken care of.

Quality - When your mower is completely serviced, it will perform at its peak. This means engine running in top shape, and also your blade(s) are sharp and balanced. The end result is a mower that will start reliably, cut clean, and always be ready when you are.

Common Tasks during a lawn mower service

Basic maintenance goes a long way, and is simple. Most jobs can be completed at the end of the cutting season before winter storage, or can be completed right before season begins. These common items include the following.

Air Filter

Oil

Spark Plug

Sharpen and/or replace blades

Cleaning under the deck

Air Filter

Typical lawn mower air filter.

As cheap as they are, air filters should just be done once a year. Most lawn mowers have easy access to the air filter housing. Either unlock a couple tabs, or loosen a couple screws. Air filters for lawn mowers are usually the soft foam type, or paper type. If you allow your mowers air filter to become clogged, it will lose power and not burn the fuel completely. See you owners manual for the correct filter.

Oil

Oil catch pan

At least once per year you should change your engine oil on your lawn mower. This will usually require you to tip your lawn mower up on its side, and drain through the fill port as most don't have drain plugs. Many lawn mowers will run SAE 30, but there should be a chart comparing your climate temperature to recommended oil use. Simply unscrew the fill plug, tip the mower on its side and drain all the oil into an approved container. When your container is full you can bring it to a local garage or recycling center for disposal.

Oil Chart

Oil chart for recommended oil weight for climate. Consult owners manual for your specific engine.

The type of oil you use will change some, depending on your local climate. Most all manufacturers have a chart in the owner's manual showing temperature ranges.

Spark Plug

All small push lawn mowers have a single spark plug. The job of the spark plug is to ignite the gasoline to supply power to turn the blade. Overtime this spark plug may become dirty, or fouled. When this occurs your mower will either not start, or will run rough and not perform well. To change a spark plug you will need a spark plug socket. Spark plug sockets have a special rubber insert inside them to protect the ceramic of the spark plug, and also grip and hold it in place.

Once your spark plug is removed you will see what model number it is, by looking on the side of the ceramic. You should be able to see a number, usually in blue colored writing. This will tell which spark plug to replace. Install the new plug, and snug down.

Lawn Mower Blade

When the lawn mower blade is sharp, it will make for a cleaner cut obviously. But this also helps the grass grow better by actually cutting it and not ripping it. When you look at a blade of grass on the tip you should see a nice, clean cut. If its ragged and torn, it means you need to sharpen your blade.

Having a sharp blade also requires less work on the engine. This over the long term will result in longer engine life, as it is not loaded all the time.

Sharpening your blades at home is something a DIY person can do. At the minimum it requires a file, and would make it much easier with a vise to hold it securely while you will work.

Another option is also a grinder, which is much faster, but not everyone has a grinder at their home.

Newer styles of sharpening are using a blade sharpener. These work much like a knife sharpener found in your kitchen, but scaled larger for lawn mower blades.

Sharpening is pretty straight forward. But first we must remove the blade.

Removing a lawn mower blade

Securely raise the mower, so you can access the underside where the blade is located. If you do tip it on the side, drain as much of the gas as possible, and also put the muffler of the engine pointing up. This will keep the oil from running into the muffler, and causing quite the smoke show on startup.

Remove spark plug wire just as a precaution to accidental startup.

Using your blade holder, secure the blade from rotating. This tool is a life saver compared to using a block of wood.

Using a breaker bar and correct size socket, loosen center retaining bolt.

Remove blade.

This is also a good time to remove any grass buildup from under your deck.

Sharpening and Balancing

Now that you have your blade removed, its time to sharpen. Now considering you haven't hit any rocks or other solid objects you shouldn't have any major chips in the blade. If you do, just buy a new set of blades and install.

Hold your blade either securely in a vise, or you could hold by hand. It's important to wear gloves! This will keep your fingers intact. Using a blade sharpener, run from center to tip until a nice sharp edge is formed. Repeat on the other side.

Now we must make sure your blade is balanced. Using a blade balancer, set your blade on it and make sure it is setting level. If one side seems to dip more than the other, take more material off.

The purpose of balancing is to reduce vibration. It's the same concept as balancing your car tires.

When complete install blade back on your lawn mower. Installation is reverse of removal.

Final thoughts on lawn mower service

Doing your own lawn mower service is something just about anyone can do. This is a job that you should complete once a year, and is fairly low cost. Once you purchase all the tools you need, maintenance on your mower will cost next to nothing.

Completing your own lawn mower service is rewarding as you know the job will be done right. It will also save you money over and over again.

Enjoy your lawn mower service, and Happy Cutting!

[ad_2]

Source by Zachary Marlow

Lawn Mowers

Weed Eaters

Lawn Blowers

Fans

Repair Tools

Indoor Grills

Binoculars

Kitchen Gadgets

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/lawn-mower-service/?feed_id=38038&_unique_id=64c15b70ed0ce

Grass Colors and What They Mean

[ad_1]

Everyone knows that grass is green, but did you know that your lawn can change its color slightly throughout the year? The color of grass depends on the environmental conditions - how much sun and rain it gets and what the soil is like. Most subtle color changes are harmless, but if your lawn seems to be changing color drastically it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Below are some colors your grass may go, and what they all mean.

Dark Green

Dark green grass is a sign that it's producing lots of chlorophyll - this is a sign of a healthy plant. It's got enough nutrition to produce chlorophyll and thrive. Your grass may turn a darker green during the spring and summer when it has lots of sun, especially if you've fertilized during the spring. Make sure your lawn has enough water and you should have a lush green garden all summer long.

Yellowish

Yellowish grass isn't producing much chlorophyll because it isn't getting enough of the right nutrients from the soil. You may need to use a fertilizer to get the green color back. The best time to fertilize is during the spring and autumn, as this gives the grass time to take on nutrients before its main growing and 'sleeping' phases. If the fertilizer doesn't work your grass may have a disease.

Red

A red tinge to your grass could mean several things. Sometimes it's just a sign that the grass isn't producing a lot of chlorophyll. If your grass turns red during autumn and winter, wait for the warm weather to come round again because this might cure the problem. Some grasses, like Ryegrass, have a natural reddish hue so check what species your plant is. Red can also be a sign that the plant is under stress - this could be because of environmental conditions, or it could be because of disease.

Orange

Orange color is normally produced by fungi that live on the grass plant. Rust disease for example leaves orange-colored spores that come off if you rub the grass between your fingers. They're harmful and can kill the grass, but they usually don't kill the whole thing off. If you do have rust disease you'll need to treat your lawn to minimize damage.

Tan color

By the time your grass goes tan it's most certainly dead. Tan grass has been scorched and dried out in the sun, shriveled due to lack of water, or mown too harshly and succumbed to damage. If you've looked after your lawn and it's still dead it's probably been a victim of disease.

You should always try to make sure your grass has a healthy growing environment, as this may halt or reverse the color-changes you see. Make sure your lawn gets enough water and nutrients and ensure that you mow correctly. A stressed lawn is prone to weaknesses and this is when negative (although reversible) changes can occur. If nothing works then you should assume your lawn has a disease and look into that instead.

[ad_2]

Source by Sylvia Kittens

Hose Storage

Grass Seed

Wheel Barrels

Badminton Sets

Grilling Tools

Outdoor Speakers

Leaf Blowers

Limb Trimmers

Health and Entrepreneurs

Business Services

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/grass-colors-and-what-they-mean/?feed_id=37933&_unique_id=64b8272aa484a

5 Big Benefits of Portable Tool Boxes

[ad_1]

Portable tool boxes function wherever you require them the most. You can slide in your portable tool box inside your vehicle when there's plenty of work, or just set it aside when there is nothing to be done. These tool boxes often come in a whole range of colors, shapes and sizes where they are mostly crafted in wooden boxes, stainless steel and durable plastic. These portable tool boxes are frequently found in garages and sheds but these are also beneficial for more than just your tools and equipments.

Handy in kitchens

Portable tool boxes are also convenient in most kitchens. If you love to collect kitchen gadgets, a tool box are perfect storage systems for them where they can be organized neatly in its shallow compartments. There is no more hassle of digging for gadgets when you are in need of them. A stainless tool box would also go well in kitchens with stainless steel appliances.

Beneficial in craft rooms

Tool boxes are also convenient add-ons to your craft room. You can sort your brushes and place it in one compartment. Your paint in another one and your embroider threads could go well in another compartment.

Convenient in kids' bedrooms

A portable tool box in your children's room would certainly look great particularly if his decor is in a car theme. He can utilize this tool box to reorganize all his toys or he can simply shove his entire collections therein.

Make excellent gifts for newly-weds

A portable tool box might be a rare and bizarre wedding gift that you can give to a newly wedded couple where both can use it for several more years. Whenever they are going to dig for tools they will certainly think of you. They might seem unsuitable but no need to fret since tool boxes are convenient in every home.

Essential for do-it-your-own-projects at home

Each household must have a tool box with essential tools and equipments. Even if you are not mechanically inclined, you never know when you may require some tools and equipment for important projects at home. There are several essential tools offered for in the market that will tender everything that you might require for simple household repairs and maintenance.

There are lots of tool boxes that might be suitable for your needs. Searching for an excellent portable tool box might not be too hard for you since these are accessible everywhere. You can even go online to find the best tool box that will cater to your needs as well as your family.

[ad_2]

Source by Ryan Tyler

Tool Boxes

Flashlights

Wood Floor Repair

Roofing Tools

Keyless Locks

Tire Pumps

Ladders

Safety goggles

Worx Tools

Coolers

Gardening Tools

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/5-big-benefits-of-portable-tool-boxes/?feed_id=37927&_unique_id=64b7484066a7d

The Tools You Need to Tune-Up Your Bicycle

[ad_1]

The cost of repairing a bicycle on the road can be incredibly expensive if you are not properly prepared. Regular maintenance and a home shop will go a long way in ensuring things are well done and work out properly. The first step in this is to have the proper home shop tools in place. Just a few of the basic tune up tools that every bike owner should have and a bottle of chain lubricant will make sure you are fully prepared every time you go out on the trail or road. As you continue, add tools and gear to your collection as needed to make sure that whenever a repair comes up, you have what you need to accomplish it.

The first thing you should remember is that most regular tools are not made for bicycles. Even the most expensive wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers are built for much more durable and tougher machines than a bicycle, plus they can cost much more than standard cycling tools, so try not to spend extra money on these tools when you could easily save a few dollars and buy bike specific tools.

Tune Up Tools

The following tools will help you complete a standard tune-up on a bicycle every time before you go for a ride:

Allen Keys - Make sure you have all of the necessary sizes: 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and a long handle for those deeply seeded 9mm bolts.

Screwdrivers - Have three sizes of standard screw drivers and a small and medium Phillips.

Wrenches - Have at least one complete set of open ended metric wrenches - 8mm-19mm should be efficient.

Floor Pump - Make sure this has a built in pressure gauge.

Steel Ruler - For checking chain wear

Pliers - Have needle-nose, standard, and reversible pliers

Cutters - Diagonal cutters for cutting cables

Spoke Wrench - Make sure this is a three-way to fit all sizes of nipples.

Pedal Wrench - Make sure you pick up one that matches a headset wrench to save yourself some money.

Crank Bolt Wrench - A good option for those without allen bolts.

Third Hand Tool - This helps when you work on your brakes.

Chainring Nut Wrench - The easiest tool you will find - comes in one-size-fits-all.

Other Possible Tools You Might Use

While the above list is good for any standard tune-ups, it will be insufficient if something breaks and you need to start making major repairs to your bicycle. The following tools might need to be purchased at a later day to provide additional repair assistance when working on your bike.

Chain Rivet Tool

Cassette Lockring Tool

Crank Extractor

Deraileur Hanger Tool

Cone Wrenches

Chain Whip

Tire Levers

Sealed Bottom Bracket Tool

Flat Line

Mallet

Adjustable Wrenches

Bottom Bracket Lockring Tool

These tools will all go a long ways toward making sure your bicycle keeps operating on a regular basis without any issues every day you take it out for a ride.

[ad_2]

Source by Kevin Kenne

Bicycle Tools

Tire Pumps

Walkie Talkies

Indoor-Outdoor Grills

Fishing Rods and Reels

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/the-tools-you-need-to-tune-up-your-bicycle/?feed_id=37764&_unique_id=64aad3c9bd969

Handyman Do's and Don'ts

[ad_1]

If you own a home, you are well acquainted with the maintenance required to keep everything running smoothly. Patch and repair work will always be necessary for as long as you own a dwelling. Some homeowners are staunch do-it-yourselfers while others can't even stock a proper tool box. If you fall into the category that could use a bit of help around the house, hiring a handy person can be a wise idea. Here are some dos and don'ts for hiring a repairperson.

Do:

- Check his or her references. Ask for references and call them all. A word-of-mouth referral from a trusted source is even better. You want to employ someone who has done similar work for a friend, relative or neighbor. Ask about his or her reliability, skill and timeliness in job completion. If possible, take a look at the handiwork that the repair person did for your source.

- Talk about money up front. Get specifics in terms of fees and payment. Does the repair/crafts person charge by the job or by the hour? It is easier to gauge the price tag with a per completion cost agreement. It may sound like you're getting a great deal if they charge a low hourly fee, but if it takes them three times as long as the next person, the charges will add up. If they aren't sure how long something will take and only will accept the hourly wage, think long and hard about running an open ended tab. Who knows how high the final tally might end up?

- Do get more than one estimate. Price shouldn't be the only consideration, but it is one of them. Also notice whether the bid is given in a timely and professional manner. This will tell you a lot about his or her work ethics.

- Don't think every handyman is male. This occupation should actually be called "handy person" because there are many competent repair and craft persons who are female.

Don't:

- Don't pay them everything up front. It's customary to pay a down payment on the day that they start the job, something in the middle and the bulk at the end of the job. If you don't hold out the carrot for the end of the job, satisfactory completion may never occur.

- Don't accept a verbal estimate. Be sure that everything is done in writing. A written estimate is your contract and you won't have a leg to stand on without an agreement on paper.

- Don't hire a handyman without a license for crucial building components such as plumbing, electrical and roofing. It is important to select a highly skilled and experienced professional who is licensed with the Board of Contractors whenever dealing with the installation of plumbing, roofing and electrical.

- Don't forget to thank your handy person for a job well done. A verbal thank you, gifts of food while he or she is working and prompt payment will all show your appreciation.

A house should be well maintained in order to retain its property value by employing a handyman or handy woman.

[ad_2] Source by Alfred Ardis

Worx Tools

Framing Tools

Sump Pumps

Drywall Repair

Fishing Rods and Reels

Camping Equipment

Water Leak Detection

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/handyman-dos-and-donts/?feed_id=37639&_unique_id=649c6c44e9dd7

Deck Design - Why Firm Foundations Are Essential

[ad_1] Preparing a deck design for your backyard is all the rage as a home improvement project for this summer, however there is great temptation to build a pallet like structure that just sits on the ground outside your back door. Yes there are many ways to prepare the ground so that an unconnected deck design structure will sit level to the ground, for example by using concrete slabs in four corners... but it's still just a big pallet sitting on the ground and the slightest soil erosion below will result in a rocky deck!. The only way to make a deck design that you can be proud of, that will stand the test of storms and wind AND that you can build onto as years go by, is to prepare firm LEVEL foundations before you start to build up. A ground level deck design should not just sit flat on the ground, its important to raise the deck frame off the ground to allow for drainage AND to protect the wood, however, keep in mind that the top level of your deck should not be higher than the entrance to your home - so that the rain doesn't run off your deck design and through your back door. The importance of anchoring your deck design at the very start of your project cannot be over emphasized and are an essential requirement for:

• Complying with planning permits for your area.
• Hopefully improving the value of your home.
• Quality workmanship will improve the usefulness of spaces in and around your home.
• Adding value to the time you spent doing the work -it's much more worthwhile when the job is done properly.
• Allowing you to extend your decking later - for example if you want to add an extension for a BBQ area or a step up to encompass your new hot tub with deck surround...

Your First Step in preparing the ground for your deck design foundations will be to find out where any underground pipes extend out into your backyard, you don't want to dig into any electrical or water pipes of any sort. Your second step, (with the details from step one in your possession) should be to apply for a building permit and benefit from their sound advice regarding deck design in your area. There is no guarantee, but if your deck is going to add any value to your home you must have your paperwork regarding the proper building permits in order. Once your permit comes through you will have permission to create an anchor ledger at the side of your home to which you can connect your deck design using masonry anchors and you will know where you can dig to place your concrete footings where your post anchors go. Get all these initial components nice and level and firmly placed and it's plain sailing for the rest of your deck design construction. [ad_2] Source by Arpad Nyikos https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/deck-design-why-firm-foundations-are-essential/?feed_id=37483&_unique_id=648f3ab9b44e1

Landscaping and Lighting to Quickly and Easily Increase Curb Appeal

[ad_1] A large proportion of home buyers choose whether or not to look inside a household or take it seriously based on its curb appeal. The curb appeal of a residence is the look many people look at when they drive by or come along for a showing. You actually can help be certain they want to come inside your house hold by just spending some energy working on the its landscaping visual appeal. Producing a pleasing front yard with the use of landscaping can subtly alter the all round feeling given by your property, making it a good deal more inviting and comfortable for your possible home buyers and your family. Even in daunting economic settings, an attractive, well-tended front yard can promote the selling price of your residence up-wards. When prospective buyers show up at your real estate for a viewing, the look of a enjoyable lawn will completely set them to thinking about 'coming home' to your residence. It is actually hard to look at your own household in the equivalent way that possible home buyers do, because when we become familiar to the way your home looks and functions, we are unable to see its faults. Decide right now to give up thinking of the residence as a household. It is a house-a commodity you intend to put up for sale for the highest dollar attainable. The next time you drive home, stop across the avenue or significantly enough down the driveway to get a decent view of the house and its setting. Just what is the original impression of the home and yard area? What are the finest exterior qualities of the household or property? In what way can you further enhance them? Just what are the undesirable exterior characteristics of the residence or lot? How can you minimise or upgrade them? Build a checklist of the trouble areas you identified. Tackle clean up and maintenance jobs initially, then set aside some time into projects that make the yard more desirable. Wipe out mold and mildew on the property, sidewalks, roofing, or driveway. Put away unnecessary garden accessories and gear. Thoroughly clean home windows and gutters. Pressure wash unclean house siding and run down porches. Tidy up sidewalks and take away plants growing between concrete or bricks. Trim the grass. Dispose of weeds. Rake and dispose of leaves, whether or not your yard is wooded. Trim tree braches that are near or touching the house's roofing. Perform your curb appeal activity over again at sunset, simply because it is not unusual for potential home buyers to cruise by homes in the evening. One quick way to enhance evening curb appeal is by working with illumination. Set up landscape lighting not only increases curb appeal but it also can make you property less dangerous and boosts home value. Landscape lighting need not be luxuriant or expensive to generate a remarkable effect. String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and around significant landscaping components. Include a ornamental street light fixture to a front porch. Make sure that lighting is visible through front gates and windows increases the home's appearance. Now there are occasions that bringing elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, however there are different circumstances when doing away with something is much more productive. Most buyers cannot visualize adjustments, and generally will not likely take a 2nd look at a residence if the first look doesn't appeal to them. Potential home buyers who can picture modifications, and are well prepared to make them expect you to cut down the price of the residence to make up for the labor they plan to complete. If you brainstorm, you'll discover that there is a alternative to most troubles-one that lets you keep within your price range. The trick is to find the areas where enhancements are needed, then work on them as best you can. Things you need to keep in mind are the total of space available, the height of walls and keeping path ways and window locations clear, as well as the time of year, weather situations and color combinations. It doesn't matter what plants or flower you consider to place in, whether it is flowers to cover ground, foliage to fill space or vines to climb walls, it will almost certainly boost the value of your home by far more than the cost of the landscaping alone. Fort Worth Real Estate [ad_2] Source by Alexander Chandler https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/landscaping-and-lighting-to-quickly-and-easily-increase-curb-appeal/?feed_id=37440&_unique_id=648cea3ee07d4

Setting Up Your Homeschooling Room - Lighting Is Extremely Important

[ad_1] Perhaps you didn't realize it but lighting in the classroom is a crucial part of learning. It was discovered through research that fluorescent lights, when they flicker, could cause severe challenges to students trying to learn. Often fluorescent lights are uneven as one wears out over time, this blinking causes distractions and disrupts eyesight and thus, slows the learning process. It can cause nausea, drowsiness, and even tax the immune system. Obviously, that's not good for schools, but what if you are homeschooling? Have you considered your home lighting, shading, level of light? At the 2013 "Strategies in Light" symposium and conference there was a workshop on Interior Lighting and one of the questions considered was the challenges we have in our schools, not only the costs associated with changing the lighting, or the power requirements of various types, but the effect all this had on the workplace and in classrooms. Look here is the deal, if professionals in education are so worried about this, and if businesses and corporations realize that they lose productivity with poor lighting then perhaps you as a homeschooling parent ought to also take immediate notice. You might think you are saving money with those special light bulbs or with LED lighting, but if it is not done correctly, you'll cause eyestrain and drowsiness, and well, your child will not be learning at optimum, and perhaps lose concentration, comprehension, and/or retention by over 50%. The first thing you should realize is that natural lighting is the best of all. If you are homeschooling try to use a room with the most natural lighting during the day. As the sun goes down or during a cloudy or overcast day use UV lights, not fluorescent, and not LED. No, LED lights are not that bad, but they'll get enough LED lighting from their computers, laptops, tablets, and perhaps future flat screen TVs. UV light bulbs are the closest to natural lighting. Your child should be sitting near the light, and not across the room in a shaded area, as that makes the eyes tired, and your child may have some trouble concentrating. It is also worthy to ask your child how they like the lighting. Does it fluster them? Does it annoy them? If so, that is a good reason to lower the intensity a bit or adjust the closeness of the light source. All of this matters and an annoying light or poor lighting will make the difference in the quality of your homeschooling progress. So, please consider all this and think on it. [ad_2] Source by Lance Winslow https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/setting-up-your-homeschooling-room-lighting-is-extremely-important/?feed_id=37368&_unique_id=6488a0c34c7c0

Repairing and Renovating Decks

[ad_1] Removing stains For bad stains it may be necessary to wean the timber with an oxalic acid timber wash, which is biodegradable, so any run-off from your deck cleaning will break down naturally and rot kill all your plants! Apply the mix to the surface with a stiff scrubbing brush. After about 15 minutes it will have done the job of removing dead timber cells and the residues of old oil finishes. It will have opened up the cellular structure of the timber surface ready for a fresh intake of protective oil. Wash the acid off with water, or better still with the high-pressure cleaner. If your timber work has gone black Many people over the years have mistakenly finished their timber decking with linseed oil, thinking it will protect the timber. But linseed oil is mildew food so when used on exterior timber and exposed to moisture it will eventually turn black. Linseed oil also offers little resistance to UV and is not particularly durable for surfaces under foot. Fixing the problem is not easy: Multiple applications of a commercial timber wash product may be necessary to remove many layers of built-up linseed oil, or you can make up a solution using oxalic acid flakes purchased from a hard-ware store. Be sure to test one or two timbers before proceeding with the whole deck. As a follow-up, or if your decking only requires a light treatment, you may also consider washing all the timber work with a strongly mixed oxygen bleach solution like NapiSan. Once the deck is washed (or if you've just laid a new deck), I'd recommend that you leave it to dry out and allow the natural mildew-killing action of the sun to work on it before applying a new finish. Make your decking go 'silver' If you replace some old rotting timbers with new boards, they may not match your existing boards, which possibly will have that grey silver look from exposure to the weather. The silvered look is a result of the natural tannins that give timber its colour leaching out and washing away, leaving the surface to become sun bleached. If you don't finish the new boards at all, they won't take too long to silver off and be indistinguishable from the original boards. If you're in a hurry, this process can be accelerator by mopping the new boards with a mixture of baking soda and water. One box of baking soda to a half bucket of water should do it. If you have a whole deck you want to silver, repeated treatments of an oxalic-acid-based timber wash, followed by cleaning with high-pressure water cleaner, will help. Once the timber does form the silvered surface you're after, no further protection will be required to maintain it In much the same way as tarnish works on metal, the silvery layer of dead timber cells provide a protective surface for the timber below, Don't be tempted to oil that surface or it will just turn it black. From time to time you can reapply the timber cleaner with a stiff scrubbing brush to keep the surface from becoming too rough. Making your silvered deck look new! To return deck timber to its original c dour, the deck can be sanded in the same way as a timber floor: 1 - Make sure you clean the deck really well, and remove all the debris that's collected in the cracks. 2 - Then make sure all nail heads are embedded below the surface with a nail punch and hammer, or the sandpaper will catch and tear. 3 - Use a belt sander if its a small deck, or hire a floor sander if it's large. Begin sanding across the wood's grain with a coarse belt, then diagonally with a medium belt, and finish with a fine belt going with the grain. 4 - Once the deck is sanded it can be left to silver off again evenly if you like that look, or you can use the opportunity to apply tinted decking oil. Refinishing the deck Keeping the coatings up to your deck is your best defence against its early demise. There are many choices of finish available, from clear oils to opaque acrylic paints. As you'll know by now if you've read the rest of this book, I'm a great fan of oil-based products on outdoor timber as it's a natural waterproofing agent. But you should choose a product that also contains pigmentation as a UV inhibitor. Staining a treated pine deck Treated pine timbers can be stained, but for best results wait three months to a year after installing if you can. This allows any excess resins to leach out. The slightly faded timber will also give a truer colour to the stain you choose, Most of the timber finish companies consider the colour of raw treated pine in their colour sampling, and if you have a look at the colour swatches at a hardware store you'll see the different colours applied to treated pine. The best bet would be to test stain a few off-cuts for you before purchasing all the stain required. Use a tinted decking oil rather than a straight stain; it's easy to apply and will help preserve the timbers of your new deck. It's also easy to reapply to high wear-and-tear areas, like stair treads. [ad_2] Source by Brad C Parker https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/repairing-and-renovating-decks/?feed_id=37347&_unique_id=6487757ae7b88

The Importance of Regular Home Improvement

[ad_1] Home improvement, by definition, is making changes to one's home by making improvements on the house's looks. Home improvement is usually done by professional contractors, handymen, and even the house owner himself. Home improvement is important because real estate's value appreciates more if a property is well-maintained. Home improvement is seen by many as unnecessary cost. However, losing value of a real estate is usually caused by neglect in a property's maintenance. Therefore, in the long run, regular maintenance is crucial for the property's value to appreciate. Regular home improvement jobs and renovations will surely make your current living conditions more favorable. People do not easily notice that some areas of the house need improvement. In the long run, regular maintenance will reduce the serious structural damages to your property. It is also important to note that there are different maintenance schedules for different areas of your house. For instance, plumbing should be checked monthly. Ovens, heating systems, smoke detectors, and the like should also be checked monthly to prevent unfortunate disasters. The garden area should be maintained regularly and should undergo rigorous maintenance every four months. This is to prevent insects and termites infestation which can cause significant damage in infrastructure. The landscape of a house should also be in good appearance to help preserve your property's value. Refrigerators should be checked every three to four months. Check for faulty or loose wiring and avoid energy overload. The roof, on the other hand, should be checked at least every six months. Check for shingles and leaks and take care of them right away. Watch out for blocked gutters as this can lead rainwater to go inside your house. If your house is made mainly of wood, have a regular termite exterminator team visit your house. Aside from these standard areas in the house that need improvement, remodeling or renovating is also a good idea. It can also add value to real estate. Remodeling can be as simple as changing the paint color in your living room or laying a different color of carpet in your bedroom. Something this simple can make significant changes in your house's ambience. Renovating can be as major as tearing down the common wall of two rooms to make them one big room. Tearing down walls creates a bigger space which can be used for many purposes. Additional extensions can also be done. Additional space that can be used as garage space is useful. Home improvement tasks that require massive construction should be done by professional contractors. Make a list on what you want changed inside your homes and consult with a team of contractors. This way, you will have an idea on the costs that will be incurred as well as the extent of the repairs and improvements you can do. Home improvement is important because essentially, it is considered taking care of your home. Aside from the additional value it gives your property, preventive maintenance and remodeling is always good to decrease future damages in your property. [ad_2] Source by Jaxson Smith https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/the-importance-of-regular-home-improvement/?feed_id=37123&_unique_id=64727400d1584

How to Start a Profitable Home Improvement Referral Service

[ad_1] Home improvement referral services are cropping up from New York to California. They are taking the time to do the legwork to find reputable and reliable contractors and these businesses are reaping profits from good work. It really doesn't take much to start. A home improvement referral service business takes only a little money and not more time than a regular 40 hour a week job. They can actually start making money within the first year of business. The first thing to consider is what types of home improvement businesses your will refer. This can include gutter cleaning and replacement, remodeling, building additions, fencing, lawn maintenance, and many others. Remember, all though you may like to paint a client may not like it or have the time. Therefore, no business should be overlooked. Once you have an idea of the types of contractors for your referral service business, you will need to call the local, county, and state government offices. Get the regulations and requirements regarding licensing, bonding, business registry, and insurance for each type of contractor. This is the first step to building your list. Any contractor that does not meet government regulations should not be on your referral list. By knowing these requirements and using them, your home improvement referral business will gain credibility with your clients. They will know that if the contractor doesn't meet these requirements, they will not be on your list. It makes the client feel more sure the job will be completed professionally and correctly. Another way to ensure creditability of your referral service business is to only look at contractors that are recommended by their past happy customers. But this is not the end of the screening process. Recommendations are not enough. Once a contractor is recommended to your home improvement referral business, you need to check out his or her service. Talk to them, explaining your referral service business. Many contractors will give you the needed information happily. Ask to see their licenses, bonding information, and insurance to ensure they are current and up to date. Ask for a list of services they provide and the cost for these services. Finally ask for references you may speak to. Now you have gotten your contractor referral list started. While working on creating this list, you should have started thinking about a name for your referral service business, advertising, office area, office equipment, and ordered a phone line for the business. You may want to use a computer right away, but an index card or file system could work just as well and for a fraction of the cost, until your company grows. Keep in mind that as your company grows, the office space, office equipment, and referral list system will probably need to become computerized to save time and money. Since your referral business is going to begin locally, check with local newspapers and periodicals to see if they would be interested in doing an article about your business. Make some flyers and ask local hardware stores if you could leave some there to advertise your service. You may also want to send letters to realtors announcing your business, they can be great advertisers for you. Make your services free to the people calling into your business looking for referrals. Many home improvement referral businesses charge the contractor anywhere from 6% to 15% depending on the size of the project. You put the customers in touch with the contractor, and upon completion of the project, the contractor pays you a fee. Advertise that no contractors pay you to get onto your referral list. If clients or contractors ask how they get on the list, explain to them the only way for a contractor to get on the list is for a customer to recommend them. You may want to explain the whole screening process to let the person know the exact qualifications the contractors need to have before being accepted. A referral service business can expand easily and rapidly. Once your business starts to grow, create a business plan to set goals. Decide how much you want to expand and consider starting franchises in other locations or expanding the list to include contractors that were not included originally. This is your home improvement referral service business and you can take it wherever you want. [ad_2] Source by Randy Wilson https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/how-to-start-a-profitable-home-improvement-referral-service/?feed_id=37065&_unique_id=646e5ffa9c266

Recommendations for Routine Wood Deck Maintenance

[ad_1] Wooden patios and deck are a wonderful addition to any home or property that can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. But if you do not maintain your wood deck properly, it will begin to deteriorate quicker, leading to things like warped boards, wood rot, and moss infestations. Not only can these damages render a deck unattractive, it can make it unsafe to use too. Continue reading to learn how to properly maintenance and repair a wooded deck so that you may enjoy your wooden deck or patio all year long and for many more years to come! Common Problems With Wooden Decks It is important to regularly inspect your deck for problems so that you may solve them before they get out of control, become a hazard, or wind up being very costly to repair. A small problem can evolve into a major one over a short amount of time, which is why you must stay vigilant when it comes to routine deck maintenance and repair. Here are a few common issues to look for: Loose Nails - Replace damaged or corroded nails on floorboards, posts, sills, joists, railing, stairs, and more. Hammer down any protruding nails until they are even (or below) the wood surface. You may also replace protruding or loose nails with deck screws. Warped Floorboards - Cracked, warped, splintered, or protruding floorboards are hazards. Replace them as needed. Dry Rot - This type of fungal growth digests wood, rotting it from all over. Signs include soft or moist floorboards, musty odors, discoloration, or shrunken floorboards. Replace immediately upon discovery. Mold and Mildew - Additional types of fungal growth, like mold and mildew, are hazardous for wood decks and patios. Also, mushroom growth, moss growth, green or black algae, lichen, and more make for dangerous patio conditions. Debris - Leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, and more are examples of debris that needs cleared regularly from decks and patios. Accumulation can provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, and more. Wood Deck and Patio Care All of the above problems, and more, should be addressed right away in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable deck or patio this summer. Nails should be hammered in or replaced with deck screws, organic growths should be sprayed with an eliminating solution, rotted or damaged floorboards should be replaced or patched, and debris should be swept away on a daily basis. All of this should prevent costly and hazardous wood deck problems. In order to preserve your wooden deck or patio, it is important to implement certain strategies and chores that will safeguard it all year long. For example, dry rot can be prevented by painting a layer or two of wood preservative underneath the bottom of the wood deck. Also, applying a quality sealcoat and deck protectant is vital for safeguarding against natural wear and tear. It is helpful to know that replacing boards with dry rot right away will evade the potential for it to spread to other boards. And last, continue to retreat your wood deck with fungal protection to keep it mold and mildew free all year. Consult a professional general contractor for advice, information, and assistance with deck maintenance and renovation. They retain the experience, knowledge, and tools to get you and your patio ready for an early spring! [ad_2] Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/recommendations-for-routine-wood-deck-maintenance/?feed_id=37012&_unique_id=646a8a9d9b3ec

Insulating a Slipform Stone House

[ad_1] There can be no question that insulation should be of primary importance when considering new house construction. Slipform stone houses are no exception to this rule. Helen and Scott Nearing, early proponents of this stone building technique, claimed that their New England homes were comfortable year-round without much thought given to insulation - indeed, their first slipform home was built right into a Vermont cliff-face, and made use of bare ledge as one wall. While the thermal mass of the earth itself surely served to maintain house temperatures above freezing, by modern standards, there can be no doubt that this uninsulated stone house would make for a chilly winter. Insulation is key to efficiency, and there are a number of ways to insulate a slipform stone structure. Stud Wall and fiberglass batting One common approach to the question of insulation in stone and concrete structures is the construction of a standard framed stud wall against the interior wall. This framed wall is then insulated in the traditional manner, using fiberglass batting insulation between the studs. While this approach works fine, and brings the comfort of familiarity to many builders, the construction of the stud wall is wasteful, and the studs themselves present the opportunity for thermal bridging, significantly reducing the overall insulation of the house. Rigid Insulation Rigid insulation offers a number of opportunities when it comes to insulating slipform stone homes. Rigid insulation, correctly installed, allows for no thermal bridging and creates a tight envelope inside the house. There are a number of techniques for building this type of insulation right into the walls themselves, either by laying the insulation inside the forms as you build, or replacing the interior forms entirely with nailbase - rigid insulation mated with OSB, plywood, or even sheetrock on one side. Adding rigid insulation after the walls are standing can present a challenge to the typical owner/builder. The biggest hurdle here is figuring out how to secure the insulation to the stone/concrete wall. One of the best ways to do this is using furring strips - narrow boards attached to the wall, into which screws can be driven. A powder-actuated nail gun, or ramset can be used to attach the furring strips to the wall. Another approach is to embed the furring strips into the concrete itself as you build the walls. The downside to this approach is that the furring strips will degrade and rot away over the decades, leaving gaps in the wall and weakening the overall structure. Fully removing the furring strips and replacing them could be a challenge. Spray-on Insulation This nifty product could be used to spray a seamless layer of insulating foam directly onto the interior of the slipform wall. The insulation would then be cut, sanded, or squashed flat before a finish layer of sheetrock is applied. Both of the above approaches present difficulties when it comes to hanging anything on the walls, as there are no interior studs for screwing or nailing into. Strategically placed furring strips could be used for this purpose. There are any number of other conventional and unconventional approaches that you might pursue in insulating your slipform stone masonry structure, but these three options are both simple to implement and proven in many homes over a number of years. Whatever you decide, it's very important to ensure that your slipform stone house is snug and well insulated. [ad_2] Source by Rick R Young https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/insulating-a-slipform-stone-house/?feed_id=36965&_unique_id=6467d4965bdff

Home and Gardening Flower Box and Other Accents

[ad_1]

Technology offers a lot of innovation in today's method of accentuating our home with gardening. There are various ways on how we can make some wonderful home interior arrangements. We just need some gardening boxes or ornaments to complete the theme.

Flower box is the most widely used container gardening method to give our home a greener touch. We can either buy container boxes or make some customized window boxes for our window ledges. To create such a wonderful style for our container boxes, we need to select a matching flowering plant to the box theme. Selection would need to be more bountiful blooms of flowers that could cover most part of the box. It really gives a stunning look to the design if the flowering plants will cover most of the box design. If you want to have a designer box instead, you can choose to trimming the plant or pick one that does not have an overflowing bloom.

Planter box is another one gardening decoration that we could include in our home improvement plan. It happens to have different varieties and that includes the commercial planters. Commercial planters are normally big and the name itself tells that it is designed for business buildings. Mostly it placed on the lobbies and patios. Restaurants, hotels, and malls are usually using commercial planters to give the building the environmental look and concept. Other planter boxes would include the wooden, PVC planters, fiberglass and illuminated planters.

Another accent that we can add to our home and garden is the hanging basket. Hanging baskets are normally plain and we just have to develop the flowering plant that goes well with it. Mostly bountiful flowering plants are used for hanging baskets such as supertunias, sunsatias, and kalanchoe.

Terrariums are one of the newest modern home and gardening ornaments that are not yet being used by most people. It is actually an aquarium but is improvised and made as a container gardening box. There are different types of terrariums namely, bubble, globe and hanging glass terrariums. They can be either attached on the wall or hung on the ceiling.

All these ideas are possible if we just open our minds to innovation for home and gardening.

[ad_2] Source by Ernestus Penuela https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/home-and-gardening-flower-box-and-other-accents/?feed_id=36960&_unique_id=6467cf3d0d918

A Few Home Inspection Plumbing Basics

[ad_1] When a home inspector inspects a home, plumbing is one of the critical systems he examines for his report to you. Naturally, one of the first things he will do is to check faucets and fixtures, looking for leaks. According to the American Water Works Association, almost 15 percent of all the water used in a typical household is wasted through plumbing leaks, leaky faucets and wasted water. Finding and fixing leaks will save money on water and energy bills. Furthermore, water damage to floors and the foundation is all too common and must be dealt with to prevent further problems. Also, though it sounds silly and unnecessary at first, your home inspector will make sure cold water comes from the right side and hot water from the left when faucets are turned on. That's the conventional standard. You wouldn't want anyone to be surprised by getting scalded in the shower because they thought they were turning on the cold water. Your inspector will check the type and condition of water pipes, which are usually made of copper, brass, or galvanized steel. Copper is the most desirable material, with brass next, and galvanized steel the least desirable. Copper is best for water distribution piping. It lasts the longest and is usually trouble free. As for brass pipes, mineral content in the water affects their durability. White mineral deposits on brass pipes means there are pinhole leaks. This shows the pipes are deteriorating and may need replaced at some point in the future. Galvanized steel pipes corrode on the inside which constricts water flow. It's like trying to merge three lanes of highway traffic into two or even one. When these pipes are in poor condition, using more than one water fixture at a time causes problems. For example, if someone is taking a shower, avoid flushing the toilet, using the dishwasher or the washing machine because the shower will either become very hot or cold. When you're purchasing a home, your inspector should tell you what material the plumbing pipes are made of and what condition they're in. Replacing water distribution piping is quite costly, should it be necessary. Your inspector should also let you know about the water supply pipe that brings water into the home. Again, copper is the best material because, if the pipe is made of galvanized steel, it could have the same corrosion problem noted above. If this pipe is made from lead, excessive amounts of lead may be leaching into the water, which poses a health hazard. The best solution is to replace this pipe. However, this costs thousands of dollars. If contaminants such as lead are coming into the home's water supply, consider adding a water filtration system where water enters the building. Also consider adding a water treatment system in the kitchen where water is used for drinking and cooking. The water heater is another important item your inspector will check. If it's a gas water heater, it must be installed properly and allow for good ventilation. A metal flue pipe must let toxic gases flow up and out of the home through a chimney. Improper ventilation will result in accumulation of toxic and deadly carbon monoxide. If the flue pipe slopes downward it should be repaired and replaced. Heat from the water heater's gas combustion must rise upward, as it is meant to do. These are just some of the plumbing issues your home inspector's report will address. A home's plumbing is one of the most important areas in need of attention before a home is purchased or sold. Spotting and taking care of problems now will keep many problems in the future at bay. [ad_2] Source by David Haigh https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/a-few-home-inspection-plumbing-basics/?feed_id=36948&_unique_id=6466dfcf52ab4

Restaurant Hoppen: Best spots in Omaha for patio dining - KMTV 3 News Now Omaha

Menu
Quick — imagine the perfect patio.
I’m guessing you’re picturing a sunny, sprawling space with comfortable seating, cold drinks and decor that transports you out of Nebraska into a more tropical locale.
That’s all great… but wouldn’t it be even better with a fantastic plate of food?
Not all restaurants with great patios serve top-of-the-line eats, just as many of Omaha’s finest eateries don’t have a patio. But when you find somewhere that offers both, it makes for an epic meal experience. Here are five awesome Omaha restaurant patios that supply sun, shade and scrumptious snacks.
Nite Owl
Nite Owl’s interior is similar to that of a college bachelor’s house: it’s dark, quirky, and features one-of-a-kind artwork (not to mention the giant TV playing so-bad-they're-good '80s movies). But the patio offers a different vibe. It’s relatively small, giving it a cozy, exclusive feel.
And the food is better than you’ll find at any bar in the city. The burger, with two brilliant smashed patties, is among Omaha’s finest. The wings are plump, crispy, and coated with creative, delicious sauces. There are few better appetizers to share than a plate of Tot-chos (crispy tater tots smothered in gooey queso, cooling crema, and a fresh, vibrant salsa verde). And Nite Owl treats its craft cocktails like an art form — these offerings, which change with the seasons, are artfully composed and put most bars’ offerings to shame.
La Buvette
Want to spend an afternoon at a French cafe without jumping across the pond? Order a bottle of wine and some shareable plates at La Buvette, a wine bar and grocery that’s provided an intimate, inviting space for Omahans to dine, sip, and shop for more than 30 years.
The menu at this downtown locale changes every day, constantly giving guests something new to try. From pastas to salads, sandwiches, and meat and cheese boards, La Buvette has a French dish for any desire, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find tastier bread service. And the wine selection is downright ridiculous — patrons can pick a bottle off the racks inside, then savor it on the sunny patio outdoors.
To top it all off, you can’t beat the people watching downtown. Any meal on La Buvette’s patio doubles as dinner and a show.
Taco Co.
If there were a picture of “Taco Tuesday” in the dictionary, it would be of Taco Co.’s patio. Located off the backside of the restaurant, the wooden fences and walls of other buildings give the space a secluded, intimate feeling. With both bench and high-top table seating, this patio simply screams summer.
The restaurant is known for its margaritas, group drinks served in fishbowls, and alcohol pouches (think a Capri Sun, but for adults), not to mention its strong selection of Mexican beers. They’re all great for washing down Taco Co.’s famous puffy tacos, which stuff various meats inside fried shells that have perfect crispiness on the outside, yet somehow maintain the soft, doughy texture of a flour tortilla on the interior. Whether you want to celebrate happy hour in style or chow down on some of Omaha’s best tacos (or both), the Taco Co. patio is your place.
Pacific Eating House
There’s absolutely nothing like eating a meal outdoors in Hawaii. The warm rays of the sun are cooled by a gentle breeze as you savor fish so fresh it tastes like it was swimming five minutes ago.
Given that it’s in the middle of the country, Pacific Eating House isn’t that. But it’s as close to that life-altering experience as I’ve found in the Midwest.
The owners are Seattle transplants, and they’re so committed to wild-caught (“farmed” is a dirty word here) fish that all their seafood is sourced from Hawaii or Seattle. It tastes so clean and fresh that you’ll swear you’re dining on a coast. The wine and beer menus are extensive and the “Tiki Libations” are fruity and clever. And while the patio doesn’t offer incredible ambiance, the fact that you can enjoy this level of fresh catch in Omaha in a shaded, spacious area is a dream.
La Casa Pizzaria (Pacific Springs location)
An Omaha institution since 1953, any Omahan worth their salt has had a taste of La Casa Pizzaria’s pizza. These rectangular, thin-crust pies are an important part of Omaha’s food history. From the cult-favorite hamburger pizza to the brilliant double-crust Cudduruni, La Casa’s pizzas have delighted Omahans for nearly 70 years.
But La Casa isn’t all about tradition, and its newest location (located off 168th and Pacific) embraces modern aesthetics. That includes an inviting outdoor patio, complete with two courts for bocce ball. For a casual summer gathering, La Casa offers pizza patio perfection.
BONUS: Fariner Bakery
So technically it’s in Ashland, not Omaha. But Fariner’s atmosphere, especially on the new patio, is so charming, it’s absolutely worth the short trek outside the city.
Open in the morning for coffee and pastries or in the evening for wine, fresh breads, and small-batch cheeses, this patio is captivatingly rustic and beautiful. With some of the best-baked goods in the area (the cinnamon roll is a must-try), excellent coffee, and a quiet, intimate space, this is a great place to work remotely or meet an old friend for a coffee date. Though less than a year old, Fariner has quickly established itself as a go-to destination for a quiet atmosphere, good vibes, and incredible pastries.
Is your favorite patio missing from this list? Let me hear about it! I want to experience all the epic patios Omaha has to offer, so tweet at @danhoppen, message Restaurant Hoppen on Facebook, or DM @dan_hoppen on Instagram to let me know what patios you think are among Omaha’s best!
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.

source https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/restaurant-hoppen-best-spots-in-omaha-for-patio-dining-kmtv-3-news-now-omaha/?feed_id=30326&_unique_id=63ee93035078f

New tools available for propane marketers amid driver shortage - LP Gas magazine

Photo: Urupong/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
At the National Propane Education & Training Conference earlier this year in Dallas, Eric Kuster of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) asked attendees to raise their hands if they were experiencing difficulty finding drivers.
Nearly every hand raised.
The driver shortage affects the entire industry, and propane retailers are searching for ways to combat it while still growing their businesses. Several resources address the issue head-on.
The North Carolina Technical Education Center (NC-TEC) addresses workforce-related issues specific to propane.
Through NC-TEC, students receive the education and training necessary to receive all CETP certifications and obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). NC-TEC partnered with a third-party company that offers CDL training to incoming industry drivers. Through that partnership, students can earn the 80 hours of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-mandated driving required to obtain a CDL. According to Juan Pena, director of education at NC-TEC, the training can be completed in as little as two weeks.
Additionally, the CDL earned through NC-TEC transfers to all 50 states, so students across the country can enroll in the program and work wherever they prefer upon graduation.
“The employee is immediately able to begin their mandated 80 hours of driving, knowing that two weeks later, they’ll be good to be back at the company and working,” says Pena.
GeneratioNext Propane Pros is a job-search website designed to connect prospective industry employees with marketers. Candidates can sign up and apply to various propane companies, filtering by location, job type and more. Students who may not have the experience required to be a licensed professional are able to use the site to find internships and apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, propane retailers can use the site to post job openings for candidates. They can also access a directory of profiles to find potential employees to fill roles at their companies.
In addition to GeneratioNext Propane Pros, Vets2Techs helps marketers hire and train military veterans for open positions. Lpgasjobs.com also connects employers and job seekers.
The National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Registered Apprenticeship Program includes four pathways: one for propane service technicians and three for drivers. The apprenticeships are competency-based rather than hours-based.
Bobtail driver apprentices must complete 50 core competencies, while utility/service drivers and transport vehicle drivers must complete 44 and 56 core competencies, respectively.
The apprenticeship program is also designed to help marketers retain employees. Mississippi-based Sayle Propane is one of the first retailers to participate as an apprentice sponsor, according to NPGA.
“Sayle Propane is experiencing a very tight labor market in our service area,” says Chuck Clement, director of operations. “Apprenticeship programs have been very successful in comparable industries over the years. We felt like it could help our company set up a formal curriculum to train and develop new employees with little previous experience.”
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to LP Gas to receive more articles just like it.
Name ( required )
Email ( required; will not be published )
Website





 


© 2022 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved.

source https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/new-tools-available-for-propane-marketers-amid-driver-shortage-lp-gas-magazine/?feed_id=15195&_unique_id=63c5302b1a013

Xometry introduces tools to accelerate the creation of locally resilient supply chains - Design World Network

Design World
By PR Editor | June 30, 2022
Xometry, Inc. unveiled new digital sourcing tools on Thomasnet.com for enterprise buyers and a new cloud-based manufacturing execution system for suppliers, which will be open to third-party developers to build integrated applications. The new products are designed to bring buyers and suppliers even closer together and further accelerate the creation of locally resilient supply chains.
At the company’s “Xometry Marketplace Summit: Powering Tomorrow’s Supply Chain,” Xometry CEO Randy Altschuler detailed how the popular Xometry Instant Quoting Engine, Job Board and financial services features from the Xometry Marketplace are now fully integrated into the Thomasnet.com platform. Tightly integrating the Xometry Marketplace and Thomasnet.com platform enables Xometry to scale its network of active buyers and suppliers more rapidly by putting the “buy it now” option in front of the more than 1.4 million Thomas registered users who generate millions of sourcing and quoting sessions annually, Altschuler said.
The new products unveiled today include:
• The Industrial Buying Engine, which helps enterprise customers source and purchase from the more than 500,000 top suppliers on Thomasnet.com. It digitizes the old and time-consuming request-for-quote process, condensing to just hours or minutes what once took days and weeks to complete. Through the Industrial Buying Engine, enterprise buyers can request quotes for products and services from trusted, high-value suppliers and they can also access the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine for more immediate transactions. Additionally, buyers can start a conversation with suppliers directly on Thomasnet.com, and suppliers can instantly submit quotes and accept projects. The Industrial Buying Engine will be available on Thomasnet.com beginning June 30th.
• Workcenter, which gives suppliers a one-stop view into all of their Xometry and non-Xometry work. A centralized project management and payment solution, Workcenter brings everything suppliers love about Xometry – like the popular Job Board and financial services – into one, easy-to-use system. With Workcenter, shop owners can build and manage workflows for all their projects, including those from non-Xometry customers; quote new projects from Xometry and Thomas; assign tasks to team members and track the status of projects. Workcenter is robust and yet flexible enough to help small- and medium manufacturers make the much-needed leap to digital. Workcenter also helps suppliers take advantage of expedited payment terms so they can continue to expand. Workcenter will be available at no charge from Workcenter.Xometry.com .
Additionally, Altschuler noted that Xometry will open up the API-enabled Workcenter to third-party developers, establishing Workcenter as an emerging platform for innovators seeking to deliver an ecosystem of interconnected solutions for suppliers.
“Recent global events have underscored the need for the vital role that Xometry plays in the rapid digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, from the procurement process to the shop floor,” Altschuler noted. “With our large and growing network of suppliers, expanding set of manufacturing capabilities and new software to integrate with our customers’ internal systems, Xometry is an enterprise-wide solution. We work across the supply chain and are deeply embedded with procurement managers, buyers and engineers on the one hand, and thousands of manufacturers on the other.
“We are scaling quickly to be the technology solution that drives efficiency for the $2.4 trillion manufacturing industry, and we are becoming the de facto rails through which buyers procure services and the thousands of small- and medium-sized suppliers across the country deliver it,” Altschuler added. “With our new integrated Industrial Buying Engine and Workcenter offerings, we’re leveraging the strategic acquisition of Thomas with the power of our AI-driven Xometry Marketplace and Instant Quoting capabilities to deliver on our promise of advanced technology solutions benefiting buyers and suppliers. The new products align with our mission of championing manufacturing, the backbone of our economy here and abroad.”
Xometry
www.xometry.com
Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.
Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more
The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »
Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

source https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/xometry-introduces-tools-to-accelerate-the-creation-of-locally-resilient-supply-chains-design-world-network/?feed_id=11961&_unique_id=63bfdd3559d59