“100 Club Officers and Firefighters Heroes Raffle” benefiting families of fallen or injured officers serving our community

The 100 Club of Arizona will host a booth space at the at the upcoming January 14, 15, 16, 2011 Maricopa County Home Show at the Arizona State Fairgrounds to educate the public about their organization and they will be hosting a fabulous raffle to help raise money for their non-profit association. 

If you don’t know who the 100 Club is or what they do, please check out their website: http://100club.org. In short, their Mission Statement is:  To provide immediate financial assistance to families of public safety officers and firefighters who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, and to provide resources to enhance their safety and welfare.

"I can’t image the sacrifice our officers and firefighters make, going to work every day and putting their life on the line to help us be safe" says Rene' Smith, President of the Maricopa County Home Shows.  "This is the perfect opportunity for us all to thank them for their public service"

There will be 100's of items donated.  All you have to do is purchase your raffle tickets at the 100 Club booth and place your ticket in the box next to the item you want to win!  After the show, the 100 Club will pull the winning ticket and notify that person they won the prize of their dreams!

Here are a few of the items donated:

• Custom Security Screen Door:  Value $700 provided by Eco Advantage Security Doors 
• UV Resistant, Snap on Cover for RV Fabric Awning:  Value $99.00 provided by Awning Pro-Tech, LLC  
• Home Energy Assessment:  Value $99.00 provided by Greener House Today  
• QT Logo Shirts:  Value $44.00 provided by Quik Trip  
• $250 Sand and Gravel Gift Certificate:  Value $250.00 provided by Bedrock Sand and Gravel  Air Jetted Bath Tub:  Value $3664.00 provided by Jetta Whirlpool Baths & More 
• Bags of Oven Baked Carmel Corn:  Value $24.00 provided by Johnson Design Studio  
• Fred Astaire Dance Studio Gift Certificates:  Value $2400.00 provided by the Paradise Valley Fred Astaire Dance Studio 
• KVAR Energy Saving Saving Device:  Value $400.00 provided by Safewire Energy 

The Home Show is also doing it’s part by donating a portion of the January ticket sales to the 100 Club.  Our goal is $10,000.00.  Also, we have posted on our facebook FAN page: The Maricopa County Home Shows FAN page would like throw the challenge out to all of our AZ friends...help this FAN page reach 20,000 "Like" friends by January 14, 2011 and we will donate $5,000.00 to the 100 Club of Arizona!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phoenix-AZ/Maricopa-County-Home-Shows/156378504820.

Be sure to click on the link above and then when on the Home Show facebook page, click the "thumbs up" "LIKE" button at the top of the page and we are one step closer to helping reach the 20,000 goal.  

Please attend the January 14, 15, 16, 2011 Maricopa County Home & Garden Show and stop by the 100 Club booth and lend your support!

Home Show interviews Jason with Cutco Cutlery

CUTCO Cutlery is celebrating its 60th anniversary

Since 1949, skilled craftsmen have been making quality knives at their factory in Olean, N.Y. Today, they are the largest manufacturer of kitchen cutlery in America.

Rene' from the Maricopa County Home Shows interviews Jason Jeffery

What Makes Cutco Cutlery so Special?

The Cutco Forever Guarantee!  Click here to check it out!

What is new and innovative in your industry?
We have, in the last year, become the largest Closing Gift Company in America for Realtors.  For any company wanting to thank a colleague for their business or help, this gift is unmatchable.  The beauty is that it is 100% tax write-off.  Include your name and # ENGRAVED with your LOGO on the knife that your customer will use Forever!  The top-mind-awareness is unmatchable.  Plus, the kitchen is where people hang out nowadays, this sparks more referrals for your company.  
 
Your best money saving tips:
Consumers Digest states the average family spends $1400-2000 on knives over a lifetime (they say 45-year time frame).  CUTCO sets start at $300 and are guaranteed forever, with sharpening included as a free service in any city over 100,000 in population.  Smaller towns can send their knives in for service, polishing, and sharpening at the factory in New York.   Our most popular set is $797 and that includes everything you need forever, and with the lifetime warranty, you can pass it on.  In summary, save $$ by buying Cutco, and make life easier every day by having kitchen tools that WORK to prepare food.  Save time preparing food, and save money by buying Cutco!

Jason says:Wow . . . what a great year!  Thanks to all!

Here are my newest recommendations:

Need some gifts OR just want to add some pieces to your collection?  The holidays are always just around the corner and there's no better time than now to get GREAT DEALS on Cutco.  Check out the purchase site by clicking on any of the BLUE TABS at the top of the page.  Don't forget to check back once in a while for different specials (posted to the right).  

Also, take a look at our NEWEST PRODUCTS :

NEW Santoku Style Cheese Knife - Perfect for entertaining!

NEW Santoku Style Trimmer - Great for small carving & large fruits!

NEW Santoku Style 3" Paring Knife - No more broken tips!

NEW Red Super Shears

(portion of proceeds from purchase of RED products supports Go Red For Women Movement & the Amercian Heart Association)

We're taking more service requests than ever before AND we're working our hardest to build the support structures necessary to ensure you get service as soon as you need it.  I'll be back and forth to Michigan from Phoenix 3 times this year!

Need your Cutco Serviced?  Click "CONTACT ME" just above my picture and submit a request.  This will email us and you'll automatically be added to our list of people to schedule an appointment with the next time I'm in your area.

  

Always remember, if I can be of any service at all, I'm only a phone call or email away!!

Your CUTCO guy with 2 first names,

Jason Jeffrey

Questions Homeowners Should ask Potential Contractors

Timing is everything in comedy, but NOT in remodeling.

Questions ho   Questions homeowners should ask potential contractors.

Timing and money are the most common questions a home improvement contractor hears, but during an interview with a homeowner when homeowners should be asking about credentials and verifying business practices what is often heard is, “When can you start? When will it be finished? How much will it cost?"

These simply aren't enough. Yes, timing may be "everything" in comedy, but that certainly isn't the case when it comes to remodeling. If you are going to have a successful remodeling project, you need to learn the right questions to ask and how to ask them.

When a group of Greater Phoenix Chapter members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)  remodeling contractors were asked what questions homeowners asked most frequently, the group unanimously agreed that their most popular queries were:

When can you start?

When will you be finished?

What time will you knock on my door each morning?

What time will you quit for the day?

Are you going to work every day?

Can you finish before (insert any major holiday or significant family event)?

How much will it cost per square foot?

Unfortunately, these are not the type of questions that are going to tell homeowners much about a particular contractor.

While a reasonable timetable and budget is important, it shouldn't be the primary focus of an interview or a job. Homeowners should also focus on trust, quality, ethics and integrity. All agreed that they should start by asking questions about a company's business practices and experience in a similar type of project.

Here are 9 questions NARI members recommend every homeowners ask before signing a remodeling contract:

·  How long have they been in business?

·  Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?

·  Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?

·  Does the company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? (Always verify this information by calling the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you, the homeowner, know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date, a homeowner cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. Also ask if the contractor is licensed and call to verify compliance with the law.

·  How many projects like yours have they completed in the past year?

·  Can a list of references from those projects be provided?

·  What percentage of their business is repeat or referral business?

·  Are they members of a national trade association?

·  Are they or their employees certified in remodeling or had any special training or education, such as earning a Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) or Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR) designation?

It's also important to realize that sometimes it's not the answers homeowners get that are significant, but what answers they don't get.

Unlike a homeowner’s accountant or stockbroker, a remodeler will be a part of a homeowner’s daily life. He or she will be privy to your personal life, more so than a homeowner’s doctor or lawyer or even a neighbor!

Remodeling can be a fun experience. Homeowners get to create their dream room or addition and learn a little about design and building along the way.

To find out more about the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and to see a list of members who are dedicated to the ethics and integrity of the remodeling industry, go to www.greaterphoenixnari.org.

Greater Phoenix NARI is a 501c6 organization.

What is NARI?

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the homeowner's resource for finding quality contractors, design-build firms, suppliers and other related professionals in the area.

NARI Chapters are not-for-profit trade associations committed exclusively to the service of the professional remodeling industry. Representing professional remodeling contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade and consumer publications, utilities and lending institutions, NARI stands as the spokes group of the industry and an ally to the nation's homeowners. The professional remodeling contractor who is a member of NARI has immediate access to the latest information through the Internet, trade publications, educational programs, bi-annual conventions, and expositions that feature new products, materials and techniques. The NARI remodeling contractor is pledged to uphold the Association's Code of Ethics and is dedicated to the professionalism and integrity of the remodeling industry. When you decide to remodel, look for the NARI logo and contact your local NARI contractor. It's the mark of a professional.

History

NARI's roots go back to 1935 when President Roosevelt's National Recovery Act established the beginnings of NERSICA (The North East Roofing, Siding and Insulation Contractors Association).
In 1956 President Eisenhower established Operation Home Improvement, a nationwide effort emphasizing the rehabilitation of existing housing rather than new construction. The National Home Improvement Council (N.H.I.C) emerged from this effort.
By the mid-1960s, NERSICA no longer reflected the membership of the growing industry and its name was changed to the National Remodelers Association (NRA).
In 1983, the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council joined to establish the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Today, NARI has 58 chapters nationwide and has enjoyed a sizeable growth period during the past decade. In 2000, NARI moved its national headquarters from Alexandria, Virginia, to Des Plaines, Illinois, and as the Voice of the Remodeling Industry^TM, continues to prosper.
NARI’s Core Purpose is to advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism, product and vital public purpose.
Greater Phoenix NARI began 20 years ago as Arizona NARI. The Chapter's name was changed in 2008 at the request of NARI National when NARI of Southern Arizona was in its inception. Today, Greater Phoenix NARI is 125 members strong and rich in talent, expertise and remodeling professionalism.

Click here to visit the Greater Phoenix Chapter of NARI

Abstract Horticultural Therapy Program within Retirement Communities

Abstract Horticultural Therapy Program within Retirement Communities

Many Health care facilities are trying to make successful strides in managing their facilities, creating a small intentional community for their residents and staff to interact in. A place that focuses on their life, the heart of which is found in the relationships that flourish. A radical departure from the traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities of the past. A Horticultural Therapy program will focus on creating the physical and structural real life environments that will propelled your facility to “A world class leader” in your industry. There is a need to exhaust every effort to accelerate the advancement of creating the warmest, most comfortable place for all residents to live meaningful and useful interactive lives. Have your “common areas” been overlooked and are they in desperate need of a radical overhaul? Are your outside private or courtyard areas sterile, lifeless, and institutional which present a nursing home feel? We can make these areas fit into your present commitment and endeavors to activate and stimulate your residents. We offer you an opportunity to change these areas into a setting that gives your current residents and staff members a warm, home like environment where they can feel they are a contributing member of a community.

Goals and objectives · Designing and implement an intergenerational model Horticultural Therapy program using Eden Alternative Principles within your common areas, courtyards, and landscapes will create a better mutually beneficial environment to all residents and staff. Realizing this goal presents an opportunity to transform unused areas into a setting that will reflect a true home like patio experience. These areas can be designed to be private and more control oriented places for staff to interact with the residents, lessening their sense of loneliness and boredom. Places that offer beauty, warmth, friendliness, sunlight, plants, and a feeling of outdoor freedom and fresh air. A place where people have an inert sense of belonging to something greater than themselves.

Target population This program will target the bored, the complacent, and the lonely unmotivated residents that need to be brought out of their rooms and hallways into home-like areas of your facility. They can then experience the sense of living an interactive life. With a focus on socialization, fun, play and activities that meaningfully contribute to their day to day existence.

Project activities Establishing a new Horticultural Therapy Program will permit you to expand and improve your “areas” visual attractiveness while offering new and exciting resident interactive activities. This new program will create a reliable mechanism to quickly respond to the changing needs of your residents through growing activities in but not limited to gardening, walkways, exercise, ramps and bridges. Along with shaded areas for sitting, reading and reflecting, perhaps a lean to greenhouse, areas that promotes growth, health, communication and sharing, as well as privacy and retreat, putting greens, rubberized horseshoe tossing, deck shuffle boarding, butterfly gardens, flower gardens, wheelchair gardens, standing gardens and an endless supply of horticultural activities that involve both residents and staff. Volunteer and interns programs, flower arranging, planting projects, nature tours, classes, lectures and crafts, In house garden clubs and events. .

PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS Progress can easily be measured by an immediate renewed resident participation not only by the increased usage but also attendance in the classes and activities the program offers. There will be a clear and defined improvement in the ascetics’ of your facilities and in the general attitudes and well being of your residents and staff. You will witness and experience a significant direct sense of quality of life in our community measured by the smiles on the faces, the light in the eyes and the tones in the voices of your residents and staff as they take pride in being part of a progressive national model for retirement living. STAFFING After the initial physical design review and development process in most cases, a Horticultural Therapist can be absorbed by current program funding. The “right person” is the key to generating, motivating and maintaining the program. As stated by the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s website http://www.ahta.org “Horticultural therapists are specially educated and trained members of rehabilitation teams (with doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and other) who involve the client in all phases of gardening - from propagation to selling products - as a means of bringing about improvement in their life. The demand for trained horticultural therapists has prompted universities, colleges, and other organizations to offer degree and certificate programs in the field.” Often times an Occupational, Activity or Recreational Therapist with a strong background or interest in gardening can facilitate a Horticultural Therapy Program.

Conclusion

Horticultural Frontiers can design a custom program that will address your present areas that are physically old and requiring repair, high maintenance, and expense. These areas offer little in the way of beauty, pleasantness, and in home personal contentment. This nationally proven media of Horticultural Therapy when added will be the first of its kind. This will offer a new and exciting avenue to provide state of the art programming for your residents. It is sensory stimulating as well as visually pleasing for not only the staff and residents, but for visitors and new prospective customers and donors. It’s green and healthy, active and affordable, and most importantly its fun and offers intrigue, excitement and expectations. It causes anticipation, It buds, begins to grow, blooms and even dies. Life lessons every day. It is active. It is alive. It is something to look forward to at the beginning of the day as well as something to reflect on at the end of the day. it is ever changing and improving. It is an art, a science, a living thing of beauty and positive in its nature. Here-in lies its treasures and rewards. It is in itself therapeutic and contagious. It’s new, and it’s fresh and will prove to be the initial key to your future reputation and success.

Free Home Improvement Seminars for Sunday, Oct 3 at the Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show!

Home Improvement Seminars
Sunday, October 3, 2010

11am- How to Design your Landscape:

So many things to think about, where to start? Spend an hour with Gary Petterson of Gardeners Eden Landscaping and get handouts to show you the way.  Correct plant placement yields a great microclimate for your outdoor living as well as saving energy on heating and cooling your home.  Plan an outdoor kitchen or garden for fresh veggies.  You can do it with these tips from the expert. 

12 noon- Great Cleaning Tips from the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb presented by Kinetico Water:

Bring you pencil and paper because she will be teaching you how to make fast, cheap, effective and natural cleaning products. Plus lots and lots of giveaways!

1pm- Home Ideas from The Home Hunter:

Meet Dianne & Tiffany Hunter from ABC 15 the "Home Hunter” and their special panel of home remodeling experts to help you get your next home improvement project started!

2pm- Feng Shui and Interior Design: 

Learn to use Feng Shui in your design plans and make sure the home stays balanced while you redecorate. Learn colors and shapes for areas that will help bring your designs to life.

3pm- “How To” Step by Step Interlocking Paving Installation presented by Toro Concrete & Masonry & Landscaping LLC:    

Information and “cheat sheet” with step-by-step information on how to install your own pavers for the driveway, walkway, patio and more. Material cost, design, and installation process.  At this seminar, you will learn how to do it yourself or find the company to do it for you!

4pm- How To Make an Emergency Preparedness Kit:

Be ready for whatever life’s curve ball may throw your way!  The Phoenix Police Department will show you 3 samples of how to make an emergency preparedness kit for your family.

Free Home Improvement Seminars for Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show!

Home Improvement Seminars

Saturday, October 2, 2010

11am- Great Cleaning Tips from the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb presented by Kinetico Water:

Bring you pencil and paper because she will be teaching you how to make fast, cheap, effective and natural cleaning products. Plus lots and lots of giveaways!

12 noon- Score Savings on Your Energy Bills with APS:

Conserving energy, saving money and protecting the environment doesn’t require a radical lifestyle change, thanks to Green Choices from APS. We’re here to help you save with a variety of options – you choose the programs that fit your lifestyle best.  We have simple ways to reduce energy use – like installing discounted CFLs, scheduling an energy checkup for your home, or switching to Green Choice rates; or more robust options like installing a more efficient pool pump or investing in renewable energy. Come hear about rebates and incentives – even how APS will pay you to let us pick up and recycle your old fridge. Enter a raffle for merchandise signed by Steve Nash! Come get in the game with APS!

1pm- Home Ideas from The Home Hunter:

Meet Dianne & Tiffany Hunter from ABC 15 the "Home Hunter” and their special panel of home remodeling experts to help you get your next home improvement project started!

2pm- Southwestern Feng Shui:

Learn the basic principles of Feng Shui and how to make adjustments to accommodate a Desert Environment. Feng Shui is easier to make work in places with mountain water.  Learn quick ways to balance those missing elements for Arizona.

3pm- How To Make an Emergency Preparedness Kit:

Be ready for whatever life’s curve ball may throw your way!  The Phoenix Police Department will show you 3 samples of how to make an emergency preparedness kit for your family.

4pm-Energy $aving Strategies for your Home! Heliocol:

a) Reduce your Energy footprint and $ave money with simple upgrades (Duct sealing, Whole house envelope seal, R-38 + insulation, efficient windows & doors, $ 99 Blower-door test by REEIS co-sponsored by APS and SRP,  your current A/C efficiency analysis, & thermo-measurement tests, and more...)
b) Produce your own "Solar Heat" to heat your Pool & Spa, Hot water for Showers, laundry, dishwashing, bathing, shaving, etc.
c) Produce your own "Electricity" from the Sun to minimize your Electric bill usage with Solar PV Grid-tied Energy Systems

5pm- “How To” Step by Step Interlocking Paving Installation presented by Toro Concrete & Masonry &

Landscaping LLC:  

Information and “cheat sheet” with step-by-step information on how to install your own pavers for the driveway, walkway, patio and more. Material cost, design, and installation process.  At this seminar, you will learn how to do it yourself or find the company to do it for you!

6pm- International Wine Seminar - Wines for the Season:

White and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes, yams, herb-filled stuffing, cranberry relish, pickled this and peppered that, all the way to pumpkin or pecan pie.  Then we have honey baked ham, roasted turkey, roast beef and even duck or goose. We love our gingerbread, Stollen & pudding, fruitcake and enjoy a few sips of eggnog in between. Light to medium bodied wines (dry or fruity), with lower tannins and complexity are better suited to the vast array of flavors. Must be 21 to attend this seminar.

Champagne            great for any occasion

                           Pinot Noir              light, low tannins

                           Malbec                  medium, fruit forward

                           Dornfelder             on the fruity side

                           Rosés                    perfect match for poultry

Riesling                  everyone will love it

            Pinot Blanc            elegant for the occasion