Livingston Reporting - page 127

Deciding Which Style of Ornamental Aluminum Fencing Compliments Your Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Many people seem to think that they can choose any type of fencing for their yard and it will instantly match their home and improve their curb appeal.  However, that is not always the case, because some housing styles look better with specific fencing options over others.  That means that you will need to do a little research before purchasing the fencing that you have had your heart set on for years, because it won’t do you any good to purchase your dream fencing to only have it decrease the value of your home.

Aluminum fences are available in many different styles and colors, so that material is going to be your best option when you are shopping for a fence.  A few of the different styles that aluminum fencing is available in include two or three rails, arches, pickets, finials, and even flat tops.  A lightweight style can provide amazing curb appeal, but you may prefer the conventional wrought iron designs that will allow you to place the picket points wherever you want.

Many homeowners prefer pickets that are placed in a uniform order, but that doesn’t mean that you need to do the same type of installation on your property.  Instead, your aluminum fencing can have staggered pickets or even smooth surrounded pickets.

If you do not like the idea of pickets sticking upright, we recommend choosing an aluminum fencing that has a top rail over the pickets.  That top rail will keep everyone safe while also keeping your aluminum fence looking streamlined and beautiful.  You may also want to consider adding accessories like ball caps, scrolls, or even finials to your aluminum fencing to add a unique feature that will make it stand out from the rest of the fencing in your neighborhood.

Many aluminum fences that are installed are black however, that doesn’t mean you cannot choose to install aluminum fencing in a color.  Of course, you will want to make sure that those colors will match the current style of your home.

The best part of aluminum fencing is that once you choose your preferred style and color, you can also choose the height that will meet your needs.  A shorter fence can be used around your property if desired, while a taller fence always works better around swimming pools.

You will want to look at many different types of aluminum fences before choosing the one that you want to install around your home, as your first choice is not always your best option.

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

iFenceUSA

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Using Smart Technology in Age in Place Renovations

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

You do not need to be old or in poor health before you begin doing a little age in place remodeling, and in fact, you are quite intelligent if you choose to do it prior to the time you will need it.  While you have plenty of options available to you for age in place remodeling, one stands out more than the rest.  That option is using smart technology, and most of it will make your life super easy, both now and in the future.

Here are 5 types of smart technology that you should include in your age in place renovations:

  • Personal Assistance Devices

There are a couple different personal assistance devices available on the market, and you can choose whether you prefer Google’s Home, Amazon’s Alexa, or one of the others.  This device can remind you to take your medications, that your doctor’s appointment is coming up, or even to call your doctor.  You can even ask these devices a question that you do not know the answer to and it will give you the answer.

  • Smart Lights

You will not need to worry about walking around in the dark as you search for a light switch after you include smart lights in your age in place remodeling plan.  Smart lights can be turned on and off from an app on a smartphone or tablet and they can keep you from falling unnecessarily.

  • Video Doorbells

Older people are often targets for criminals and other unsavory people, but you can install a video doorbell during an age in place remodel to prevent a disaster from happening.  You can see who is on your front step, as well as carry on a conversation with them, all without opening the door or moving from where you are.

  • CookStop Devices

Leaving a stove on can be quite dangerous for anyone, which is why the CookStop devices were created.  You can install the CookStop and it will automatically turn your stove off after it has been on for a predetermined amount of time.  You can adjust the settings to meet your needs, and an alarm will always alert you right before it turns the stove off, so that you can turn it back on if necessary.

  • Keyless Door Locks

Fumbling with keys can be a thing of the past once you install a keyless door lock during your age in place remodel.  You can purchase one that needs to be opened via an app on your smartphone or you can choose one that you push the buttons and enter a code to get the lock to flip open.

All this smart technology will be of great assistance to you and it can all be installed during an age in place remodeling project.  You could wait to do an age in place remodel, but then you wouldn’t be able to use all this wonderful technology now.

Learn more about licensed and insured general contractor Glen Miller the Home Doctor and the variety of home improvement services he offers clients including: home maintenance plans, handyman services, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, handicap ramp installations, age in place modifications, basements transformations, and hardwood flooring installation and refinishing at www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com.  To contact Glen Miller the Home Doctor call 734.255.9793 for a free estimate.

 

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

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The Struggles of Planning a Summer Wedding

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Summer weddings are every bride’s dream until they realize that there are many things that can and will go wrong on their big day.  Unfortunately, not everything that can go wrong can be controlled, which means that summer brides need to be prepared to go with the flow and accept each unexpected event that comes their way.  Thankfully, a wedding consultant can help the bride and groom through the entire planning process, which should make things go a little smoother on the big day.

Almost every bride that wants a summer wedding also wants their ceremony and reception to be outside.  And who wouldn’t?  After all, bright blue skies, a couple of white puffy clouds, the glow of the sun, and birds chirping in the backyard all sound like each summer bride would have an idyllic day!

However, on the day of a summer wedding, many brides may face dark, threatening clouds that want to open and send rain pouring down any second, or such brutal winds that either no one can hear the wedding vows, or everyone is getting blown away.  The weather obviously can be controlled but our reaction to it can be and will of course set the tone for the rest of the event.

The first thing that a wedding planner will have couples do for their summer wedding is send out save the date cards.  After all, summer is a busy time full of vacations, summer camps, and more, and there is nothing worse than planning a wedding that no one can attend.

Couples will want to plan their ceremony for a later time in the day, so that they do not need to deal with the intense heat of the midday hours.  The only problem with that is everything after the ceremony ends up starting later and not every guest enjoys staying out till midnight as they are waiting for the wedding cake to be cut.  A wedding consultant can be quite helpful in these situations, because they can keep things moving in an orderly fashion.

The food that is served during a wedding can be an issue for summer weddings as well, because it needs to be kept at proper temperatures.  Cold foods can be almost impossible to keep cold unless they are set inside buckets of ice, and while hot foods can easily stay warm, it doesn’t take too long before those foods have bacteria growing in them either.  A wedding planner can be helpful at this point of the day, because they can make sure that the food is being kept at the proper temperatures, so that no one ends up getting ill afterwards.

Since not every guest is going to love the heat of the summer, couples are going to want to be prepared with ways to keep their guests cool and comfortable from the beginning of the ceremony until the end of the reception.  A wedding consultant can bring portable air conditioners to be used inside tents, while fans can be used near where the guests sit for the ceremony.  Ice-cold water should be available in more than one location, and a wedding planner will want to make sure that they order twice the amount that they think that everyone will go through or they will take a chance of running out.

It can be interesting trying to plan a summer wedding, but wedding consultants have planned so many that they know all the issues that can pop up at any given time.  The experience that wedding planners bring to each wedding will ensure that a couple never needs to be too stressed out over anything that may or may not happen on their big day.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  Contact the professionals at Event Planning DC http://www.eventplanningdc.com today!

 

 

Event Planning DC

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The Purpose of Bankruptcy

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

No one ever really wants to file for bankruptcy, but there are times when it can be unavoidable for many.  People will want to file for bankruptcy if they have quite a bit of debt and no way to possibly pay it off during their lifetime.

The main purpose of bankruptcy is to give everyone a fresh start in life without a mountain of debt hanging over their head, while also allowing their creditors to collect at least some of the money that is owed to them.  After paying their creditors the amount that the bankruptcy courts tell them to, they will no longer be responsible for any of their remaining debt to those creditors.

There are six different types of bankruptcy filing options, although, only two of them are meant for regular people.  Chapter 7 bankruptcy will find people liquidating everything that they own to pay off their debts, while Chapter 13 will allow a person to keep their home as they are repaying all their creditors.  However, both options will allow everyone to keep most of their property and assets in the end if they qualify for certain exemptions.

The other four bankruptcy options include Chapter 9, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 15.  Chapter 9 can only be filed by a municipality and basically requests a reorganization process for that area.  Chapter 11 is usually used by commercial organizations as they try to reorganize their assets to pay off debts.

Chapter 12 is the bankruptcy code that farmers and fishermen need to file under if their business is not going well due to circumstances out of their control.  Through this process, a bankruptcy lawyer can help them create a plan to get out of debt within three years, unless the court allows for a longer time frame.

Chapter 15 is for cross-border cases, where the creditor and debtor live in different countries.

Everyone is encouraged to hire a bankruptcy lawyer to assist them through the entire bankruptcy process, so that they can file for the proper chapter of bankruptcy.  After all, the entire bankruptcy system is quite complex and there are many legal terms and phrases that people may not know or understand.  It can be quite easy for a person to get lost in the process, which is why the guidance of a bankruptcy lawyer is always a good option.

Anyone that chooses to not hire a bankruptcy lawyer may find themselves worse than they were before, especially if they need to pay their creditors more than they should in a shorter amount of time.  The goal of bankruptcy is to get out of debt and move on with life, not continue to feel stuck for a longer period of time.

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

Bohikian Law

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In-House or Outsourced IT Services: Which is Best for Your Business?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Businesses of all sizes struggle with their own set of challenges. Amongst the challenges for small and mid-sized businesses, is that business owners often insist on doing everything themselves.  The age-old adage, jack of all trades, master of none has not lost its meaning in 2018.  Far too many business owners try to handle managed IT services on their own or in-house with employees that are not necessarily up on the latest in IT.  The problem with this is that they are unaware of all that is involved in creating a successful IT solution for their business.

Properly managing IT systems for a company of any size involves:

  • Increasing equipment longevity
  • Boost system uptime
  • Monitor staff productivity
  • Secure data and systems
  • Patch management and updates
  • Oversee server reliability
  • Routine disaster recovery drills and tests
  • Hardware procurement and monitoring
  • Network management
  • Software licensing, installation, and upgrades
  • Filtering for spam
  • Server setup and management
  • Email maintenance
  • Detection and removal of spyware
  • Data backup systems
  • Disaster recovery solutions

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list but servers to point out the myriad of services that are typical within managed IT services.  Most, if not all these activities require a highly specialized skillsets to perform.  Business owners who skirt these issues by attempting to do all of them on their own will quickly find themselves swamped and unable to execute them effectively, not mentioning the hours that go into running their business.  Even worse, many try to pass the buck onto employees who are unskilled in IT which causes several other problems, including less time to focus on their own tasks.

Outsourcing Managed IT Services

The solution, outsourcing managed IT services to an outside firm or team of professionals who specialize in IT services.  There are several benefits of outsourcing your business’s IT services including:

  • Protection against outages and downtime
  • Cost-effective
  • Disaster recovery
  • Increased data security

Outsourcing IT services means that instead of relying on your own knowledge or employees that are unskilled in IT you can trust in a team of experts that are not only trained to perform IT tasks but is resourced to do so with maximum efficiency.  No business owner wants to deal with downtime caused by equipment failure or server crashes.  Qualified managed IT professionals have all the resources to handle your business while preventing outages.

Outsourcing your businesses IT services can be more cost-effective in the long run.  Consider that salaries for technology experts are on the higher end of the scale. Recent estimates show starting salaries for technology professionals hover right above $50,000 a year. This means small to midsized businesses would be hard-pressed to afford to hire a permanent team to staff their IT department. Outsourcing IT work to an outside firm can help mitigate against the costs of hiring a permanent IT in-house team.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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How Staging Your Home for Sale Can Affect Its Value?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to selling a home, everyone seems to have their own opinion as to what will make it sell faster and for more money.  Some realtors believe that the smell of freshly baked cookies will convince a person to buy, while other real estate agents think that a home needs to be perceived as warm and inviting to entice a purchase.

Well, if you are the type of person that thinks that an empty home is easier to keep clean through all those open houses, and you want to remove everything, you may want to think twice.  It turns out that the aroma of cookies and cozy spaces can decrease the amount of time a house stays on the market, because potential homeowners can see themselves living there.

In addition to staged homes selling faster, most sellers and their real estate agents will agree that the value of the home will increase, due to the way that it looks when potential homeowners are walking through it or looking at the pictures online.  Some real estate agents believe that the home’s value will only increase by a percent or two, while other realtors believe that the value of the home will increase by as much as twenty percent.

One of the easiest things that you can do when staging your home is remove all the personal items from each room.  These items often include family photos, as you are trying to have someone else imagine themselves living in the space, and that is difficult to do when another family is staring down from the walls.

You will also want to remove any clutter, including that pile of shoes by the front or back door.  The idea when staging a home is to show how everything has its place and that there is room for everything.  It gives the appearance that the home is larger than it is, which is why many realtors will also recommend removing half of the items from inside all the closets.

Your real estate agent will want you to stage your home a specific way prior to having any pictures taken for the website.  That will ensure that your home looks exactly right to potential buyers from the start and hopefully will lure them to the open house.

Of course, once your home has been staged by your realtor, you will not be able to make any changes to it until it has been sold.  This can be difficult for some people, as you may feel that you are living in a museum but keep the end result in mind.  That shouldn’t be too hard, as a little extra money can usually motivate anyone.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Upgrading Medical Equipment

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medical facilities all have one thing in common and that is the need for progressive, radical technology and equipment.  To supply patients with outstanding medical service it is crucial that facilities exceed their needs by bringing in additional, updated medical equipment and adding services to meet the growing demands of a fluctuating marketplace in a constantly changing industry.

Leasing and Financing Medical Equipment

To keep existing patients happy and draw new patients in there needs to be products and services to attract them to your facility.  Keeping your facility up to date with the latest medical equipment will allow patients the assurance they need. Below you will find several reasons it is vital medical facilities keep up with the requirements of their patients, existing and future.

To show patients you care about their ongoing health care needs and comfort level it is vital that your facility keep medical equipment and its software up to date.  By obtaining current diagnostic equipment it allows patients to know that your facility has the means to solve their problems.  New patients, especially within the younger generation will be judging your practice on the services and technology you can offer them.  When you can provide care for your patients in house rather than referring them to other medical facilities it helps to grow your practice, maximize profits, and improves your reputation.

We all know that acquiring new, used, or even refurbished medical equipment, such as linear accelerators and CT scanners is costly.  One option to make it more affordable is to finance equipment through leasing.  Obtaining medical equipment that is paid for upfront utilizes valuable cash assets and lines of credit.  These funds are essential in day to day operations.  Leasing is the best option for medical facilities because it offers:

  • Fixed rate financing
  • Less upfront capital
  • Decreased payment monthly
  • Tax benefits

The team at Acceletronics, an independent medical equipment service company, is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Acceletronics

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Complete Guide to Iron Filters

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Due to recent news reports of tainted water passing into the drinking system of major cities around the world, there has been a renewed interest in the quality of water that people drink. After all, not all water is the same. There has also been an increase in demand for iron water filters and water treatment systems that help supplement the naturally-occurring minerals in most of the water we drink. Communities that live far from the city typically rely on well water for their needs. While this water is generally safe, it needs to be treated with iron filters or water treatment systems to ensure it has the right properties at the proper concentrations.

Why iron filters?

Naturally-occurring water may contain iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese among others. While these metals do occur in the human body in minuet quantities, they can be more concentrated in water thus becoming contaminants. High dosages of undissolved ferric or ferrous iron can also be present. This is responsible for the characteristic “orange-brown” water that sometimes comes out of the faucet the first time its turned on. If your water has iron in concentrations of 3 to 4 parts-per-million, then an iron filtration system is necessary. In a nutshell, how can you tell you need to purchase and install an iron filter?

  • When the water coming out of your faucet is orange-brown
  • When the water has a distinctive “metallic” taste
  • When the water pressure seems low
  • When the water-based beverages made from that water taste different
  • When the clothes washed in that water transform into a dull color

How does an iron filter work?

The best iron filters will begin the process by pre-treating the water via oxidation. This is achieved using an oxidant such as ozone, chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. This pre-treatment serves to enlarge the iron particles making them easier to remove.

Next comes the actual filtration process. This is the mechanism whereby the enlarged iron particles are removed. The best iron filters in the market are those that are able to do the best job when it comes to pretreatment.

Filtration is not a complicated science. Once the iron particles are enlarged, they are unable to pass through the chemical filter which only allows clean water. This process also continues into backwashing where the iron particles are completely forced out and eliminated by the filter.

Iron filtration achieves the following:

  • It completely removes ferric iron from the water. The result is clean, sparkling water which looks and tastes great
  • It eliminates the metallic taste in making water taste awesome
  • It eliminates any odor which is common in unfiltered water

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Reynolds Water

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Costly Mistakes That Are Made When Choosing a Medigap Plan

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to selecting the right Medicare plans it is important that you do your due diligence. With so many options out there, it is not hard to believe that so many seniors find out after they have made a mistake when choosing their Medigap plan. Unfortunately, once you sign up for a Medigap plan, you are locked in and have to wait an entire year to make any changes.

 

This mistake could end up being very costly and is irreversible until the enrollment period begins next year. Not only could it cost a lot of extra money, but it could even cost you by not covering certain services that you or your spouse may rely on.

 

5 Common Mistakes Made Wen Choosing a Medigap Plan

Taking advice strictly from television ads:

Unfortunately, we all are exposed to the many advertising on television and on the radio regarding the Medicare plans. This is especially true during the enrollment periods and as the ending of the signup comes around every. The problem comes in when you listen to a well-intentioned relative armed with the knowledge that they saw in on the TV. This can be a bit dangerous when they don’t know all of the details.

 

Not taking the time to thoroughly investigate Medigap prescription coverage:

One of the worst feelings is to find out at the wrong time that your Medigap plan does not cover all of the cost of a new medication that your doctor has prescribed. Since chances are great that your doctor is prescribing the medication that you really need it.

 

Not checking to see if the Medigap plan covers the gaps most likely needed:

Some people end up hurting themselves by not checking to be sure that they know if the Medigap plan that they probably rushed into signing up for did not actually completely fill in the gap of their Medicare plan. This mistake could be doubly bad if you end up without necessary coverage and that it costs too much.

 

Selecting the wrong insurance company for your Medigap plan:

The insurance company you chose is ultimately the most important. If you end up selecting the wrong insurance company it might not even matter if you choose the best plan that they have. If you cannot trust the company to be there when you need it, they are not the right company.

 

Choosing straight Medicare:

Signing up for the original Medicare plan and assuming that the Part A and Part B will suffice your needs could be the right choice, however, be sure that you ensure that you select a cap on expenses. This could easily end up costing you a lot of money.

 

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Benefits of Working with a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan Agent

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare supplemental insurance plans can be downright confusing, which is why it is always best for a person to utilize an agent throughout the entire process of finding a plan.  A Medicare supplemental insurance agent knows the details of each plan and can help a person choose the one that fits their needs the best.

Here are 6 Benefits of Working with a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan Agent:

  • Saves Time

Since the Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents know all the lingo and idiosyncrasies of each plan, they can save a person a lot of time during the researching process.  A person can simply go talk to a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent instead of spending hours doing their own research to come up with the same results.

  • Learn More

Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents take their jobs seriously, and they want everyone that they talk to, to learn as much as they can about the different types of available plans.  Everyone will know all their options and how they work side by side with Medicare Parts A and B.

  • Saves Money

There are never any fees when a person works with a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent, so no one needs to worry about receiving a large bill at the end of the session.  Plus, these agents can give a person multiple quotes for different policies, so that they can choose the best coverage for the lowest rate.

  • Receive Unbiased Advice

No Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents make more money selling one plan over any of the others, so everyone can remain confident that they are receiving unbiased advice during their meetings.

  • Purchase a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan at the Right Time

Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents will ensure that everyone knows when the best time is to purchase their plan.  It is important for a person to apply for coverage during their initial enrollment period, because during that time they cannot be rejected, charged a higher premium, or have the start of their coverage delayed.

  • No Second-Guessing Choices

There is never a need for a person to second guess their choices when they work with a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent, because they know that they are receiving the best coverage for the lowest price without overlooking anything important.

Anyone that is in the process of purchasing a Medicare supplemental insurance plan or who will be in the future, will want to set up a meeting with an agent sooner than later.  After all, why should anyone do a ton of work, when someone has done it all for them already?

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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