Livingston Reporting - page 328

Various Elements In Michigan Landscaping

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The exterior of a home is as equally as important as the inside.  It needs to be cared for, maintained and kept up to date.  Often people are unaware of how to do this or even where to begin.  It is important to realize that the siding, roof and windows of the home are important to the overall appeal of your home as well as the landscaping surrounding the home.  The key is to blend it all together to create harmony and to give the home curb appeal.

Creating an environment on the exterior of a home that is inviting to people is something many homeowners try to do.  With a yard like the one that surrounds my home the key elements of inviting exist naturally with a bit of tweaking from us however this is not the case in all areas.  We are lucky in that a large river flows through the back yard.  It is easy to incorporate landscaping elements that create a sense of being at peace with a natural water source.  This is especially true here in Michigan.

This is not always the case and such is why homeowners have the option to hire landscape designers to create a space like this for them.  The other option is to go out on a limb and try landscaping yourself.  I know this may be a scary thought for many however with a bit of knowledge and a few tips it is a job that can be tackled.

The first thing to think about when doing landscaping around your home’s exterior is to think about the natural environment.  Plants that are indigenous to the area will grow easily and without much added work.  The best plans are those that contain plants of different sizes and bloom in different seasons.  This way your garden will have flare all year round.  Indigenous landscaping also keeps the cost within reason and maintains curb appeal from an ease of maintenance point of view.

Another thing to really take into consideration is the different heights of plants. It is important for the garden to look full.  One way this is done is to by stacking plants.  Taller plants will live toward the back of the garden and smaller ones will be featured throughout gradually towards the front.

I love the idea of little paths and many yards already have them designed into the yard maybe without even knowing it.  The ways in which the yards are accessed can easily be turned into ornate little walkways using a variety of materials.  You can enhance these features by using small flowers or shrubs.  This turns an ordinary path into a garden walkway.  I love smelling the rose bushes we put in place as I stroll through the backyard to sit around a camp fire in the summer.

The landscape of a yard is constantly changing.  This is an important thing to remember as you start on the journey.  We have lived in our home for four years.  Each year something is added to enhance the natural layout and landscaping that is present.  Last year it was bitty bushes to cover some brick work that was showing on the garage that I did not particularly love.  This year as we replenish the mulch I will be looking into adding some different types of daisies.  They are a fun and free flower and I am tying in New Year’s resolutions to everything the family is a part of so our landscaping shouldn’t be left out, right?

Bladerunners Landscape

Deciding What Medicare and Medigap Supplemental Insurance Coverage Suits Participants

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Medicare is a government issued program created to provide seniors, 65 and older, with medical coverage.  The main issue with Medicare and the supplemental insurance programs associated with it is that it is hard to decipher what is covered by each plan and what is needed by each participant.  It is apparent that Medicare Part A and B will only cover the basics of what most seniors need.  For this reason Medicare supplemental insurance plans can be purchased to cover the gaps in Medicare coverage.  Understanding what is offered by each individual plan and deciding if the cost to the participant is justified is often difficult for participants.  It is important when participants are nearing the golden age of 65 that they research and review their needs against the different supplemental insurance plans.

First it is important to look at what is covered by the bare bones of Medicare Part A and B.  This is what is provided by the government, for free, to individuals who qualify.  Medicare Part A is the piece of the insurance plan that assists with the fees related to inpatient care for hospitals, skilled nursing, hospice facilities and home health care.  Medicare Part B participants pay a small premium each month which covers two basic services; medically necessary services and preventative services.  Part B covers services and supplies needed to diagnosis and treat medical conditions through approved methods.  Preventative services include things such as flu shots, vaccines or test that would offer early detection of an illness when it is relatively inexpensive to treat.

Medicare supplemental insurance plans often covered Medigap, because it is the Medicare insurance that fills in the gaps left with Medicare Part A and B.  If purchasing options to fill the void in Medicare coverage is not of interest to participants there is still one more choice offered by the government; Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part C.

There are advantages and disadvantages to Medicare Advantage Plan as with any insurance program.  With Plan C participants are able to seek care through only providers willing to participate with this type of coverage. For some participants this may mean driving a great distance to receive care from providers who will work with your plan.  Specialist may only be seen through a referral this is only one of the rules that is laid forth.  If a provider the participant is going to suddenly stops participating in the Advantage Program the care is no longer covered and will need to be sought by a participating provider.  This may be a difficult transition if during existing treatment.

As with Medicare Part A and B with supplemental add-ons there are different Advantage programs to choose from as well; HMO, PPO, PFFS and SNP.  It is important to for participants to look into all angles and options before signing up for any of the government insurance plans to ensure that the coverage you are taking on meets the need of the participant.  The rules that surround Medicare are often difficult to understand and may take a professional to help.  Thankfully there are many Medicare supplemental insurance professionals who will review what services are needed and desired and fit a plan specially designed to each participant.  Through the internet search on Medicare supplemental insurance and several companies should pop up across the country that can offer free services to assist in participant understanding of the Medicare program.

Senior Health Direct

Search Engine Placement Changing The Internet One Site At A Time

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When looking around at today’s society what is one of the most prevalent characteristics of the world we live in?  The answer being on top; everyone is concerned with being number one and number two is viewed as mediocre.  This could not be any truer than in the world of online business. Search engine placement, also known as search engine optimization and SEO, is the art of getting your website to rank within major search engines such as Google for certain key terms related to your business.  This is how the world of marketing is continuing to evolve.  Internet worthiness is no longer based on only the design of your website, visibility is and rankings are what prove your site worthy of customers.

Many websites are optimized by search engine placement professional.  Using the internet search “search engine placement” I would bet that you would choose a website optimization professional that is within the top ten.  Think about it, if they can get their site to show on the first page in search rankings they can do the same for you.  There is a lot that can be said for a company based on their website but in order to view it you have to find it and finding it is where SEO comes in.

The first order of importance is to think about the products and services the company offers.  Think about what the average person would search for in looking for your product or service.  This is where the keyword research begins.  There are lots of high priced tools out there that claim to offer you the top searched keyword terms however that is not necessarily what your company is looking to do.  For instance if you are a roofer you are looking for clients that need a roofer not clients that need home repairs even though roofing is a home repair you are looking for a more specific audience.  This is where professional search engine placement companies can help.  Picking the keywords to target for a website is one of the single most important steps in the SEO process.

The next step, one that is often overlooked, is optimizing your site.  This does not only include the information seen by clients but also the backend programming.  This includes title tag optimization.  This process builds the title of each page on the site directly around the keyword phrases chosen for the page.  It should be short, precise and under fifty-four characters. The next item is adding the keyword and surrounding phrases into the backend as well.

Content within the site should be relevant to the keyword as well.  The search engine will crawl the website looking for relevant information and key wording.  Text that is closes to the top has more weight than the bottom portion of text.

A site map of your unique website will also help to improve the rankings you receive in certain search instrument tools.  It is important to use a combination of proven search engine optimization tools in order to rank well. A professional search engine placement company will completely revamp the optimization of sites that are not ranking well using a variety of techniques.  Changing one thing about the site will not produce results.  Using a combination of techniques will bring you closer to ranking within the top ten search engine results for terms key to your site.

Creative Programs and Systems

Logistic Consultants Work To Improve Business Supply Chains

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Business is all about making money unless of course it is a non-profit set out to free the world of injustice.  One thing all business owners for profit or not have in common is that they are always on the lookout for cutting costs.  This is truer now than ever before with the constant shifts in our economic culture.  Business’s are no longer frivolous when it comes to who is offering services to them and at what costs.  It is no longer a given that business owners will stick with old suppliers if new suppliers offer the same services at lower rates.  More businesses turn to consultants to keep their businesses running efficiently.

One business affected by the economic down turn is the shipping industry.  The competition is increasingly high to deliver high speed delivery at reasonable costs locally, nationally and globally.  This in turn affects industries relying on these services for shipment of their products and for their product shipments. Logistic services firms are called in to do a complete supply chain audit for companies.  With this a company can improve their receiving and distribution expenses and maintain or improve upon existing quality.

A supply chain audit starts by doing a freight analysis.  This is done to determine where the business stands as of the moment the logistic service team walks in.  Later on this will help provide a starting point to measure future results.  The analysis will look into two major areas that can increase costs substantially which are the actual freight costs and fuel surcharges.

It is important that a supply chain audit is thorough.  Logistic service firms will audit and evaluate shipment lanes, shipment volumes and discounts, rate and class categories, fuels surcharges and current pricing arrangements.  It is important for the logistic team to get information on where the business is in comparison to industry averages to see how much room is open to negotiate better terms for their client. There are several tools that are used as benchmarks within the supply chain industry such as; air freight, small parcel, ground freight, international/global freight transportation, truckloads, ocean, rail, canal, warehousing or a combination of services.

A supply chain audit provides a logistic team with the information it needs to optimize logistic services within the company.  The next step after knowing where issues exist, after negotiations and answers are given is to implement the plan and make the necessary change to the businesses logistic division to maximize mode optimization.

Implementation of the various levels of supply chain audit can be done with either help from the logistic consultants or without.  That will be dependent upon each individual company. If choosing to implement the changes within the company without help from the logistic service consultants it is wise to at least allow them to reevaluate the changes a few months down the road to make sure everything is working as it should be and that all areas that needed addressing have been and are implemented as desired.

Rock Solid Business Solution

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Qualification Facts

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Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a common procedure for individuals seeking debt relief.  It is a legal process that allows individuals relief from overwhelming debt based on a meeting a set criteria.  Factors such as current income, amount of debt and the standings of their financial situation.  Debt situations can arise and burden individuals for a number of reasons; large medical bills, overextended credit and many other reasons.

When an individual decides that their debt has become overwhelming and declares bankruptcy they can expect the entire process to take about three to six months.  An individual may file bankruptcy once every eight years.

In order to file bankruptcy an individual must qualify and meet a standard of bankruptcy requirements. When individuals want to file for bankruptcy they must pass a means test first.  Individuals with income less than the state median for the state in which you live for a family the comparable size as yours qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Another means test is if you find yourself with an income greater than the median for the state but unable to pay one hundred dollars towards your debt for the next five years.  You will not qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcies if you make more than the median income for the state in which you are filing bankruptcy for a family the same size as yours and you have the financial means to pay one hundred dollars towards your debt for the next five years.  This is a good guideline to follow when looking into chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Otherwise you can look into chapter 13 bankruptcy.

During a chapter 7 bankruptcy assets are liquidated and sold to alleviate some of the debt you are responsible for to your creditors.  It is important to know that not all property has to be included in a chapter 7 bankruptcy some is exempt.  One of these exceptions is the homestead exception.  The homestead exception applies if there isn’t any equity in your home.  Under this circumstance you may keep the home and your current mortgage.  However, the payments on the home must be brought up to date before the bankruptcy hearing.

Another exception is a vehicle exception.  If the value on your vehicle is less than the remaining loan amount plus the allowed exception individuals may keep your vehicle.  Otherwise if the value is more than that amount you may be able to work out a deal with the bankruptcy trustee to actually buy the equity in the car yourself instead of someone else.

The final exception is a retirement exemption.   During a chapter 7 bankruptcy your retirement assets are not allowed to be counted towards your bankruptcy estate.  This protects pensions, 401k, IRA and Roth IRA accounts.

When filing chapter 7 bankruptcies there are certain debts that are unforgivable.  Typically trustees will not forgive debt associated with child support, federal and state taxes, HOA fees or debt accrued through student loans.  Even without these loans and debts being forgiven it is possible to catch up on them when individuals have been forgiven in other areas of debt.  Another reason debt would not be forgiven is if it was accrued during criminal activity or if injury or death was caused during the use of drugs and alcohol.  Any debt left off or neglected to be associated with the original filing of chapter 7 bankruptcy is also not forgivable.

Bohikian Law

Easy Options In Flooring Renovations

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Redoing any room in the house is stressful, exciting and a lot of hard work. The same can be said for flooring renovations as well.  It is often more work than anticipated and over budget but the final result makes homeowners stand back and ooh and ah.  The options in flooring renovations are abundant. The choices once you have decided upon hardwood, carpet, tile, etc… are even more plentiful.  That can be the most stressful part of the entire project; just deciding what option would fit the lifestyle, budget, style and wear worthiness homeowners are looking for.

One option in flooring renovations is engineered wood plank flooring.  This is a great option for budget consciences homeowners who are looking for the warmth and look hardwood give to a room without the hassles of sanding and finishing.  Engineered wood plank flooring is durable, long lasting and is “easy” to install.

Engineered wood flooring is an option that floats above a thin rubber underlayment.  It is composed of wood material but is not solid wood.  Think of plywood and that is a lot like what happens with the construction of engineered wood planks.  They are interlocked with a tongue and groove joint so no nailing or glue is involved in the installation.  A major advantage to this type of flooring is the options available to homeowners in color, wood types and of course price.

Another option in flooring is vinyl.  Floating vinyl sheets are an affordable popular option with in kitchen, baths and laundry room renovations. Unlike its predecessors vinyl flooring of today no longer needs to be glued to the floor, which was a hassle in itself.  Today the vinyl sheeting floats.  The steps involved in laying vinyl basically include removing the floor molding, mark out the floor layout, cut the floor, lay the floor onto a sub floor and put the molding back into place.  You can still find peel and stick options however this is not a durable option.

Laminate is another flooring option.  It closely mirrors the engineered wood planks.  The major differences are that the flooring is plastic. This makes the flooring incredible durable and scratch resistant, stain resilient and fade resistant.  Many laminate flooring options come with thirty year warranties the product is that durable.

Carpet and carpet squares are popular options as well.  Carpet comes in a ton of styles, colors, textures and budgets.  Carpet is a traditionally popular item in homes.  It adds warmth.  Carpet needs to be properly cared for to have a long lasting life.  Without proper care including vacuuming and regular professional carpet cleanings homeowners will find themselves with dingy carpet that is unappealing.  With a bit of maintenance and upkeep carpet can last well over fifteen to twenty years.

Another option that is becoming more and more popular is cork.  Cork is attractive, durable and is affordable.  It also has one quality not seen in many other flooring options; it is one hundred percent renewable.  The cork is harvested from the bark of live Oak trees. Cork is soft and provides a good source of sound proofing.  The options are endless with color and patterns available.  Installation can be a bit trickier than other options but is becoming easier as cork becomes a substance that is used more frequently.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

The Importance Of Engineering Services and Disiplines

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Our complex world continues to prosper.  It continues to grow and change.  The world as we know it and enjoy it is the way it is in part from engineers and the services they provide for us to enjoy.  When we cross bridges, flush a toilet, run a lawn mower or enjoy the convenience of driving our car thank an engineer.  The branches of engineering run far and wide.  The many concentrations and extensions of engineering services allow us to enjoy the benefits we do in society.

Civil engineering is of utmost importance to allow for society to blend growth, functionality and natural environments.  The designs, construction and maintenance civil engineers provide allow us to use the land without exploiting it.   Within civil engineering there are several sub-disciplines.   Each brings a unique twist to the discipline and helps transform the environment.

Geotechnical engineering explores the use of raw materials coming from the Earth and how using the resources will affect the environment as well as the project on a whole.  As the name implies they are mainly concerned with the geological resources within a civil engineering project site.  They explore, extract and process the raw substances and give analysis and recommendations based on the information collected.  For instance when doing land surveys they often perform a soil analysis.  If the soil analysis were to find substances within the soil that could be hazardous if leaked into a water supply a project may be moved to another plot of land.

Structural engineering is a division of civil engineering that handles issues that arise with the structures support.  They ensure that a structure is stable for the environment that is built.  In California buildings are built structurally sound to prevent major disasters during earthquakes.   Structural engineering services also provide for buildings to support incredible winds, weather related events and different architectural engineering.

Transportation engineering ensures the safety of people and goods as they are transported via roadways, waterways, rail systems and through the air too.  This includes things we take for granted such as stop lights and the way they are timed out.  Engineering services provide for us to enjoy traveling safely without too much congestion and without running into one another. They also provide railway safety and air safety to allow for safe travel and design programs to allow for tracking.

Environmental engineering applies to improving, maintaining and protection of the environment we are building in and around.  The services they provide are designed around the ecosystem.  They apply sanitary engineering, hydraulic engineering and municipal engineering.  Working together these engineering services help protect our surroundings and allow the environment and society to design a co-habitat for all the living and non living resources in it.

Civil engineering services are just one of the many that allow our society to function as it does.  Engineers design, implement, maintain and provide the analysis to keep us safe and moving forward.   Engineering services allow for the function of everyday life and provides solutions for the hiccups that arise.

SRCMI

Fire and Smoke Damage Professional Restoration Tips

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When handling fire and smoke damage restoration one might think the best approach is to get to it fast and attack the clean-up efforts.  This option may be one that only wreaks more chaos.  It is going to be hard; anxious is a light word to use in this situation but really the first step in fire and smoke damage restoration is to get professional advice.  Contact your local insurance agent, who most likely will be one of the first calls you make, they will put you in touch with many local restoration professionals for advice and services.

Fire restorers will help in determining salvageable items.  Restoration professionals will provide tips on how to restore items with fire and smoke damage; they will give tips on whether it is wiser to refurbish or replace an item and can provide estimates for cleaning services throughout the home.  There are plenty of times when a fire has occurred and the damage may look like nothing much on the outside however structurally can totally be disastrous.   Fire and smoke damage restoration professionals can help sort out the bigger picture.

If choosing to attempt fire and smoke restoration on your own it is important to still follow certain tips and guidelines.  Although it is not the preferred method of restoring ones home sometimes this option is the only one available.  Below is important information when restoring a home after smoke or fire damage enters the picture.

  • Understand that not all structures are safe to enter after a fire.  It is important to get clearance from the fire marshal BEFORE obtaining access into the home.
  • Circulation is a key component.  Open all windows and allow fans to circulate the air throughout the rooms.  Things to remember if it is super cold the heater will run and the filter will need to be continually cleaned until the soot does not appear.  If heat is a factor the cooling unit alongside a dehumidifier will be the best combat.
  • Wet items should be removed and dried. This will help prevent mold and mildew.
  • Smoke will destroy brass and copper items within twenty four hours.  Remove them, clean them and store in a safe spot until cleanup is complete.
  • Soot will stain carpets, drapes and all textiles in the home.  The oils present will stain.  When cleaning and deodorizing these items it is important to remove them before restoration takes place.  Soot should be dealt with using heavy duty professional equipment.  Regular vacuums grind the soot in instead of lifting it out.
  • Smoke will linger for ever if not properly deodorized.  Ideally a professional smoke damage restoration professional will assist you in the process.
  • If a professional is not in the budget you can try to treat clothes and textiles with a mixture of one cup dishwasher detergent and one gallon hot water. Other items that can be bleached can be soaked with six tablespoons tri-sodium phosphate, one cup Lysol or bleach and one gallon water.  Then rinse with clean water.
  • Walls and soot is another beast.  Paint thinner or rubbing alcohol can work.  The problem lies with the fumes and smell.  Wear gloves and a ventilation mask.
  • Smoke can penetrate drywall, air ducts and other porous surfaces.  It is important to use aides to neutralize the odor.  Concealing it is not a wise option in cases of fire and smoke damage.

Go Maher

Residential, Commercial and Industrial Gate Operator Options

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Automatic gates are more popular than ever now days.  When selecting a gate there are many things a homeowner should contemplate.  The same is true with the gate opener, commonly referred to as the gate operator.  Depending on what you are looking for the gate possibilities are endless for residential, industrial and commercial use.

When choosing a gate operator it is important that it fits the gate chosen.  Most gate operators have limits on the amount of weight and type, slide or swing, gate they can handle.  Heavy use requires a heavy duty operating system for the gate.  Determine the amount of use the gate will need to withstand as well as the type of gate before choosing a gate operator.

Single swing gates are popular and are usually sold in only twelve foot sections.  As you can imagine the fence is heavy and will require a powerful gate opener to access the property.  A single swing arm is used and operated with only one long arm controlling the motion of the actual gate.  The arm will swing back and forth to open and close the gate. This type of gate and operating system is best used in residential areas where the driveway is around twelve feet wide.  Many residential driveway needs are met with this style fence and gate operator.

Bi Parting gates are popular amongst gated community entrances.  This system allows the fence to open split down the middle.  This is popular because it allows access from both directions.  A car can pass through the gate as one is leaving.  This is not the case with a single swing gate.  These gate openers use an arm to direct each gate on its own. Each gate is opened with its own gate operator/opener.

Another option in gate operators is a sliding gate option.  With this option the gate slides into a space alongside the fence.  This is a good option for driveways that are on a slope.  Swing gates do not work well on a slope.  Slide gates however will slide into the space on the side of the fence so are perfect for these harder areas to access.

Gate operators also have different means of being powered.  The options include; batteries, solar power and electricity.  There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each method.  Many owners chose a combination of options.  An environmentally sound option is of course solar panels which allow energy from the sun to be stored and used to control the gate operator.  This is not a feasible operation in all areas. An option that does not require hard wiring into the home is batteries.  A battery/solar panel option is the choice for many gate operating systems.  If electricity is a choice an extra power source will be accessed through an opening in the garage and neatly concealed below the Earth.

The choices in gate designs are ever abundant as well.  When researching a new fence for residential, industrial or commercial use it is important to explore all options. With a purchase of this magnitude it is important to get an operator that will withstand the use it is put through, fits the desired need and is appropriate in style.

SAC Fence

Important Upgrades For Resale Value

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Upgrades are an important part of any home and are helpful when going to sell in the future.  Certain features are more for the benefit of the homeowner while they are living there and do not add up to big selling bonus points. However, things such as energy efficient windows with blinds built in add extra digits to the asking price of a home.  How do homeowners decide if there renovations will pay off in the future?  Consider the area in which you live to determine the benefits of various remodeling efforts.

First start with a renovation such as putting in a new swimming pool in areas with four seasons it is not as lucrative as in areas where the sun is blazing year round.  In areas such as Arizona and Florida pools increase the value of your home over eight percent.  When adding a pool it is best to think about the long term enjoyment it will bring to your family.  If that outweighs the fact that in a more temperate climate a pool can be seen as a drawback than go for it but if not think long and hard before soaking money into an investment that won’t give a favorable return.

Basement renovations are another area that can prove to be profitable if done correctly.  Before worrying about carpet or fancy furnishings think about the area and the moisture.  Basements are notorious for smelling damp and musty.  If you have flooding or the home is prone to water leakages call in a professional to fix the issue before continuing with the basement remodel.  When remodeling a basement don’t over or under renovate it.  It is important that the quality keeps in line with the rest of the home and the homes in the area.

Central air conditioning is another renovation that can add weight to an asking price.  On average a central air unity can cost between four to eight thousand dollars.  This may seem like a lot of money but it is safe to consider that the unit will boost the selling price of the home by ten to twenty percent.  Add a central air conditioning unit and windows with blind built in you are looking at keeping a home cool in the summer.

Landscaping is another area, if done correctly that can have major paybacks.  The curb appeal of your home is what will draw buyers in.  Keeping up on lawn maintenance along with reasonable landscaping will draw prospects into the home to look further.  Perennials and trees are items that homeowners should look into when remodeling the landscape of their lawns.  These items require lower maintenance and add value. The home should be visually appealing not to over grown or too busy.  When contemplating items for the landscape consider the natural environment around the home this will help maintain continuity throughout.

Homeowners should live in their castles and make it home. It is only imperative to think about home renovations in the form of resale value when the possibility of moving enters the picture.  If a renovation will bring happiness than don’t worry about the cost or value adding qualities it brings just go for it and enjoy it while you can.

Heatkeeper