Archive for September, 2009

Review: Panasonic EP-1272 Massage Chair

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The focus of this product review is one of the massage chairs from the Real Pro Elite line from Panasonic. The Real Pro Elite represents a cohesive approach to consistent massage therapy techniques and mechanisms in each recliner. We will take an in depth look at the EP 1272 model.

One of the important aspects of the purchase is your long term protection. The warranty coverage is designed to remove the longer term risk from the purchase. Let us take a look at what Panasonic offers with the EP-1272. This model comes with 3 years parts and 1 year labor. Labor is only available at authorized outlets which is not too convenient. Panasonic now offers in home service, but does not include it with this model. We find this warranty under par for the rest of the industry.

There are some effective massage therapy treatments included with the EP1272. There are 4 automatic massage programs. Start these at the touch of a single button. There are 8 different manual massage treatments. Also, you can target the back with 3 separate back massage courses. The lower body is covered with the feet and calf air massage system.

The EP 1272 has 4 automatic, one touch programs. There is the Shiatsu massage for stimulating the back, shoulders and neck with both tapping and deep rubbing movements. Try the Swedish which uses longer strokes to loosen back muscles and then uses rhythmic, circular motions to relieve tightness. The Stretch massage will elongate the back, neck and shoulder muscles with a combination of shiatsu, kneading, rolling and pressing massages. If you do not have much time, select Quick for a fast but thorough loosening of the full back and neck.

With the EP-1272, there are 8 manual massage techniques for a tremendous variety of options for your massage therapy needs. The Real Pro Elite series features the following massages: Swedish, Hawaiian, soft shiatsu, tapping, regional rolling and full rolling. We particularly like the Hawaiian massage which loosens up the back muscles and also provides deeper penetration. Got tight shoulders, try the kneading massage to relieve the tension. The compression massage is great to provide overall relief and to help your full body relax. This massage recliner has some sensational massage therapies.

The leg rest has a dual purpose massage. It can be used to massage the calves or the feet. If you place your legs into the leg rest, then it will target your calves. To massage your feet, the leg rest must be raised more horizontal and you must bend your knees to place your feet in. The leg rest provides an air compression massage. This is accomplished by energizing airbags built into the leg rest. They provide a gentle or firm squeeze, hold and release massage. This is particularly effective to relieve tight, sore or aching muscles in the calves and feet.

The remote control of the EP 1272 is well designed. The main automatic programs work from one-touch buttons. The manual massage functions are contained in a middle side panel of the main remote. The side panel can be flipped open to reveal the manual controls. You can adjust the massage intensity or speed. There is a function to adjust the width of the back rollers. This is used on the tapping, soft shiatsu and rolling massages. You can also select the area of focus for the back. There are options for the neck/shoulders, lower back and for pinpointing.

Overall, the Real Pro Elite model EP 1272 is a well designed shiatsu recliner. It comes with an excellent variety of massage therapies and can be effectively targeted to specific regions. The design aesthetics of the chair could have been better along with the warranty. The Panasonic EP 1272 does deliver effective massage therapy, so if you are in the market for a mid range massage chair, then this deserves your serious consideration.

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An Office Design Which Ensures Efficient Workflow Can Enhance Productivity

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The interior designing of an office has become very significant as firms confront increasing pressure to enhance their productivity. Through proper office design, which pays extra attention to workflow, you can make sure that the functioning of the office continues with as less hindrances as possible, hence resulting in higher productivity.

An efficient office design takes into consideration many factors like layout, fittings and furniture, and technology to deliver an excellent work setting for both the staff and clients. Each of these components can affect workflow and efficiency, and hence they have an excellent impact on the performance of your company.

Having a proper workflow entails enabling smooth and quick movement of both employees and merchandise. This means that a great deal of focus should be on the layout of the office so as to ensure that movement from one part to another needs least amount of effort and time. It is always advisable to install elevators in the office if you have more than one floor. Further, the corridors should be adequately broad and must have carpets in order to prevent accidental falls.

Interaction is one of the primary aspects of workflow in an office, which implies that there must be the minimum number of barriers between colleagues. One of the ways of ensuring this is to avoid separate rooms and go for a cubicle based office design. Even if you have to keep the rooms, they must have glass walls, symbolizing the absence of a barrier.

Teamwork has a crucial role in the operational performance of a business. To enable staff to exchange thoughts and recent developments it is essential that you offer a place for meetings. Such rooms should have adequate space for seating a group and must have all the required equipments necessary for modern meetings such as projectors, computers and telephones.

Along with assignment and delivery of work, a proper workflow also deals with the execution of work. Only a physically fit workforce can be productive and that is why ergonomics play a very crucial role in an office. You should thus take care that the design of the workstations has been approved by an ergonomics specialist. Office chairs and desks demand special attention in this regard, and their height must be carefully chosen.

If the office has a good workflow then it will make a huge difference to the performance of your firm and will take care of the welfare of the staff. Therefore, it is wise to patiently think about these issues while designing the office.

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Cheap Wind Power Generators To Power Your Whole Home

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Power and fuel costs are rising, and many people are looking to stop depending on energy companies. Wind power generators are a source of free power and are becoming much more readily available. They are expensive to buy, but luckily there is another option.

You can build your own wind power generator for your home. The ideal situation is an area that is 20ft higher than the nearest obstacle or building, and about 250-400 feet away. The average wind speed in North America is about 9-10m/s, which is great for using wind power.

Wind power generators an excellent alternative energy source. Because they can generate 1000 watts of power versus 100 watt for the average solar panel, they are a higher output system and cost less per Watt.

The spinning energy in the blades is converted to electricity by a DC motor. It uses a powerful magnet to induce charge in wire. You can buy one for $50-$200 or so, depending on the size of your turbine.

You will also need to buy a tower, or improvise one. Recycling towers is a good idea – people that have old TV towers they don’t use any more may actually pay you to take them away. You will also need some great engineering blueprints to get you started on your project.

Many people have bought guides and made their own 500 watt turbines from scratch using PVC piping, a DC motor, TV tower recycled and a grid connector unit. This can be done in less than a week and for less than $300. On the other hand the same turbine might cost $1500 or $2500 commercially.

Wind power generators are actually very basic and don’t require much maintenance if you create them correctly. You can find plans on the Internet to build your own fairly easily.

Anybody that has over a half acre of land, some PVC, a motor, some batteries, and either a tall TV Antenna, or some 2 or 3 inch steel to build a tower, can put together their own wind power generator, with basic tools.

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Basic Information About Home Termite Repairs

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Once they find out that their homes are infested with termites, homeowners immediately seek out methods of termite repairs. This is just as well since the longer the termites infest a home, the more damage they do. Here are some basics that every homeowner should know about termite extermination.

Home Value

Whether you are buying, selling or flipping a home, the presence of termites affects the overall value of a piece of property. Not knowing how much you need to spend for termite repairs can ruin your budget considerably and you may just get less than you bargained for. Even if you were not buying or selling however and simply own a home, you would be interested in termite repairs to maintain the beauty and safety of your home.

Doing It Yourself

If you are one of those individuals gifted in the home improvement department, you might want to perform termite repairs by yourself. The main problem with a do it yourself method however is that you have to exterminate the pests first and you may not be fully aware of the extent of infestation and damage. You might be able to repair damaged property beautifully but since you are not an expert in extermination, the colony might just survive and return to damage your repairs.

Termite Inspection

The first to effective termite treatment, regardless of the method you choose to employ, is to ask a reputable or trusted termite control company to do the initial termite inspection. Termite inspection simply means that experts on termites have to look at all of the areas in your home to look for the presence of or clues to the presence of termites.

When hiring a termite control company for inspection, you have to remember that in order for them to be able to perform the task well, they may need to have access to basements, attics, and areas termites can thrive. Once inspection is done, an inspector can give you some advice about extermination before termite repairs can be performed.

Choosing a Company

As with everything else, not all inspection companies have the same commitment to service and quality so you need to locate a good company. You would need reasonably priced but very thorough service. You may be able to get a hold of the best if you first ask for recommendations from people you know. Get price quotes from several companies before settling on some good choices. In some cases, you may want to consider having a second inspector for a second opinion on your termite condition.

Contact Specialists

Termite companies, as mentioned can have different services so make sure that you get a company that is an expert in termite inspection, termite control and termite repairs from your area or region. Sometimes, the nature, degree and kind of infestation may vary from one region to another. You may therefore require a customized way of dealing with your particular termite condition.

Preparing for Inspection

Prior to termite inspection, prepare your home to make it easier for the inspectors to work faster. Make it a point to clear areas and detachable storage equipment from walls. Crawl spaces, attics, basements and garages should also be kept as clear of debris and objects so inspectors can easily have a look at possible areas that are affected by termite infestation and termite repairs can be done properly.

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Low Income Apartments for Families

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Low income apartments are apartments that HUD pays part of the rent to the apartment owners and the renters pay the remaining portion. HUDs program lets people who can not pay market rent to live in better apartments.

To find out your qualification level for living in low income apartments, contact HUD or visit their website. Their website has information that you will need to determine eligibility. In order to live in low income apartments, your yearly income has to be below a set amount which is established by HUD.

Go to a HUD office and fill out the necessary forms after you have determined that you qualify for low income apartments. You can start searching for and applying to low income apartments after HUD gives you the thumbs up. The best way to begin your search is online.

Go to HUDs website for a list of low income apartments for rent. They allow you to search for apartments by city. You can also use other third party websites to search for low income apartments. These websites have extra features such as letting you search by number of bedrooms, area code, rent, etc.

If you would rather get a feel for the area you want to live in, you can drive around the area. By doing this you can see the neighborhood and surrounding area of the low income apartments.

After you have picked out a few low income apartments, go for a preview of the area. Talk to the residents and you can get a clear picture of what it is like to live in that complex. Ask some specific questions about the low income apartment such as whether or not the apartment pays for cable, internet, and utilities.

Look inside the apartment that you will be renting and see if there are any problems. If there are problems, you should take note and let the landlord know so they can fix it before you move in.

You may have to wait on the waitlist for a low income apartment. This is because some places have a lot of people that want low income apartments but there are not enough. In this situation, be prepared to wait up to a year before you move into your low income apartment.

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November Guide For Garden And Landscape

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

In Northern United States and Canada

Plant deciduous trees and shrubs that are to be set this Fall without delay. Stake any that need support to prevent them being damaged by Winter gales. A mulch placed over the ground around newly planted trees and shrubs is helpful. The first part of November is Tulip planting time. Set the bulbs in deeply prepared, well-drained, fertile soil at even depth.

Now is the time to make hardwood cuttings of a wide variety of deciduous shrubs and some trees. Let the cuttings be pieces of shoots that have grown this year, eight to ten inches long and of healthy, well-ripened wood. After the cuttings are made, tie them in bundles and bury them horizontally outdoors or in a coldframe or cool cellar under six to eight inches of moist sand. In early Spring remove the bundles from the sand, untie them, and plant the cuttings vertically in nursery rows with just their tips showing above the surface.

There is still time to insert cuttings of evergreens, such as Hollies, Boxwood, Yews, English Ivy and Euonymus in a propagating bed of sand and peat moss in a cool greenhouse, but the cuttings should be made before they have been subjected to very severe freezing. Complete without delay the Fall clean-up of the garden. Make sure that everything is shipshape for Winter.

Don’t be in too great a hurry to apply Winter cover to Roses, perennials, biennials and other plants. Not until permanent frost to a depth of three or four inches is in the ground should such protective materials as salt hay, branches of evergreens and cut Corn stalks be applied. Cover lightly rather than heavily and take particular care that the covering material permits the admittance of some light and the circulation of air about plants that retain their foliage through the Winter.

In locations where evergreens need protection from strong Winter sun and sweeping winds (by screening them with branches of Pine or other evergreen or with screens of burlap) install the screens before the ground freezes so deeply that it is difficult to push stakes into it. Coldframes filled with plants need care, especially in the matter of ventilating. Don’t try to keep the climate inside them too warm and cosy. The plants they shelter must be prepared for severer weather to come. Ventilate freely whenever the outside temperature is above freezing, and cautiously whenever the outside temperature is between 32 degrees and some five or ten degrees below freezing. Now is a good time to lift from the garden and to set in coldframes stock plants of hardy Chrysanthemums that you will need next Spring for cuttings.

In the South

Plant deciduous trees and shrubs as soon as they have had a heavy leaf fall. This will usually mean the latter part of this month or early next. Roses and most fruits are included in this category. Late November and early December is the time to plant, in coldframes or outdoors, hardwood cuttings of many deciduous shrubs and a few trees.

Sow seeds of many vegetables in the lower and middle South. Kinds include Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Cabbage and Kale in the middle South, and all of these, plus Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Swiss Chard, Onions, English Peas and Turnips in more southerly parts. November is a good month in which to lift, divide and replant perennials.

On the West Coast

Proceed as long as weather permits with the important work of making ground ready for planting to be done this Winter and Spring. In some parts of this area this is the time to plant Roses, fruit trees and other deciduous trees, asparagus plumosus and shrubs. In northern sections sow seeds of asparagus plumosus and hardy annuals where they are to bloom.

In southern California make sowings of Peas, Lettuce, Beets, Carrots and Turnips. In the Northwest clean up the garden in preparation for Winter. In colder sections give thought to preparations for protecting plants that need this care over Winter. Push ahead with the planting of any bulbs that have not yet been set out.

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Product Review Of The Sanyo HEC SA 5000 Massage Chair

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

The focus of this product review is the mid range Sanyo SA5000 massage chair. We will evaluate this massage recliner in 5 separate categories ranging from warranty coverage to massage therapy. Each category can earn up to 20 points. An overall rating is given by adding up the scores for each category for a total of 100 possible points. This structured review helps to balance the review and provide a consistent basis for comparison. Let us take an in depth look at the Sanyo SA5000.

Warranty & Customer Service: Let us start at the company level and rate the warranty and customer service for Sanyo. Warranty coverage is a good benchmark of the manufacturer’s confidence is its product. Sanyo gives a 1 year labor, 1 year parts and 1 year in-home service. It does cover the roller mechanism for 3 years. For a company as large as Sanyo, the warranty is a little weaker than we would expect. Sanyo did start offering in-home service, which is an important service upgrade to match others in the industry. At least with in-home service they provide 1 year. Overall, customer service is competent. They have a national hot line with 24/7 service. Turnaround time on service is ok. Our Rating in this category is 15.

Comfort & Ergonomics: When one thinks of a massage chair, you think of comfort and relaxation. The ergonomics of the chair design needs to be comfortable and fit the users. The SA 5000 has a nice appearance with the triangular armrests. The armrests are well padded and comfortable. The side view of the chair is a little plain below the armrest detail which is a little industrial from our point of view. The chair is comfortable to sit in. The upholstered back pad is plush and soft to the touch. The headrest pillow can be adjusted to accommodate different users. The leg rest is one area of concern in that it cannot be adjusted or extended. Taller users may want to see how well they fit in the chair. This chair was originally designed for the Japanese market, so it is scaled for the target population. Our rating in this category is 15.

Ease of Use: Massage chairs have evolved to full body massage loungers. This is an excellent development, but on the flip side, manufacturers need to ensure that their product remain simple and easy to use. The SA 5000 remote control is fairly straightforward to use. It has 4 single touch automatic programs. You have a Program Memory button that memorizes the last few minutes of massage and will store it for future use. There is a side panel that contains the manual massage functions. The SA 5000 comes with a wired sub remote. This sub remote has the pulse monitoring system and has the program memory function and enables you to work the foot rest and chair back. This recliners earns an 18 in this category.

Key Features: The SA-5000 comes with some unique technology from Sanyo. They include their GK roller systems for neck and shoulder massage. They also have a stiffness detection system integrated into the massage recliner. The GK roller system can reach out over the shoulders. It performs a grip massage that is effective to relieve tension and soreness in the shoulder and neck regions. The stiffness sensor is based on lie detector technology. It monitors your pulse and perspiration to determine areas of stiffness in the body. This is then fed into the computer which then directs the massage for those specific areas. The SA 5000 earns an 18 in this category.

Massage Therapy: The SA 5000 comes with 4 automatic programs, 4 programs stored in Memory, 4 manual massage techniques and 4 massage courses for targeted relief of stress areas. You can select from 5 roller width setting and 5 massage speed settings. The 4 full body automatic courses include: Stiffness, Relax, Recovery and Fine. Sanyo incorporates its exclusive multi-point shiatsu massage for the legs and feet. The air system covers the lower body including the feet, calves and thighs. There are a total of 24 airbags. The air only comfort course includes a multi-point shiatsu massage is delivered to the lower body for a comforting lower body massage. There is also an ankle grip massage. The ankle grip massage is performed by holding a range of built in airbags around the foot. Our rating in this category is 18.

How does the Sanyo SA-5000 stack up? We give this massage chair an 84/100 in our overall rating. There is some innovative technology contained in this mid range model. We are impressed with the GK roller system which is also in the high end Sanyo model.

This provides superior coverage of the neck and shoulder regions. The warranty coverage is a bit light on the parts side and you may want to consider an extended warranty. The memory program is another nice feature enabling the chair to memorize a particular massage and its settings for repeat use. If you are looking at a mid range massage chair, this one is definitely worth a serious look.

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Atlanta GA Real Estate

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Have you had thoughts about moving? Maybe you should look at Atlanta Georgia. Now would be a good time to look at Real Estate in Atlanta. Take advantage of the down turn in the Atlanta market.

Buying a house or condo in the Atlanta would be a smart move. Atlanta is the hub on the Southeast. People are always moving in and out! That generally keeps the market strong. Buy today and pick up some great equity down the road.

Home Inventories remain high but are dropping every month. Interest rates are still extremely low. You should look at the best areas of Atlanta and buy the best house for the money. Take advantage of the down market and years down the road you will be glad you did!

An educated buyer would hire a professional Realtor group like the Home Source Group of Atlanta and REMAX Greater Atlanta to represent them in their next Real Estate transaction. This is the biggest investment of the life. Get some professional help! Go to their new website FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com. You don’t have to register and will not get any agents calls. And no spam to your inbox.

You can get on the internet and see ALL homes for sale in the metro Atlanta area for FREE. When its time to buy or sell, call the Home Source Group of Atlanta at 678 248-3500 and ask for Becky Veal or Wade Morris. Make the call and get the most competent Real Estate Agents in Atlanta Georgia

Selling your home? Use the new website FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com to see your competition. Time to sell your home and need to do some thing to your home, go the vendor page to get all the best trades people in the business.

Make you appointment today and they will make the time to see your home.

Home Source Group – REMAX Greater Atlanta Becky Veal / Wade Morris 678 248-3500

FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com

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Big Bear Lake, CA Homes For Sale: A Biased But Factual Account

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Big Bear Lake, CA has been a great place to call home since I was a child. I am also a realtor in Big Bea Lake, CA homes for sale. Big Bear homes are very charming in the way they are built. But one of the best things about Big Bear homes is Big Bear Lake, CA itself.

Big Bear Lake can be very quiet and very busy at times. Vacation days and weekends can really cause quite a fun bustle in our community, but the rest of the time it is blissful, relaxing paradise. In the slower times, you can always find a place to park, never have to wait in line and always find a place to hide away and find some calm, cool peace and quiet. When you’re up here, you can find peace and relief, even for your lungs.

When you visit us, just take a deep breath. You won’t believe how pure and refreshing it is not to be breathing in all that smog you may be used to elsewhere. Also without the smog, the night sky is amazing. It is so clear, you can see vivid constellations. Especially without all the extra light pollution as well. Yes, We even have less light pollution.

What really sets Big Bear apart from the other mountain communities is our wide array of services. In the other communities, you are lucky if they have one smaller supermarket with a limited selection. In Big Bear we have two full size supermarkets with full meat departments, produce sections, deli’s, etc.

Big Bear also has close to 100 restaurants to dine at, unlike some other mountain cities. We have six movie screens in two locations, pubs, a dance hall and even Kmart. So if you do want to own a Big Bear vacation home, you don’t have to take a vacation from the essentials, and a few nice extras.

Big Bear Lake, CA homes for sale are a smart place to put your money, I say. The recession has been a little milder up here. Prices haven’t dropped as much and many homes have avoided repossession by the banks because they are second homes, which has helped the overall market and home values.

Some cities have over half of their real estate caught up in foreclosure. Big Bear real estate is actually on the rise in a way. More and more Big Bear homes are actually being sold. This year we are up almost half as much more than last year. And most houses are being bid on and are not forced to take their first offers.

Big Bear Lake, CA really is a great place to buy a home. If you have questions on Big Bear Lake, CA homes for sale or would like any information on anything for sale in our beautiful valley, watch for more of my exciting stories. Take care.

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Bee Removal in Florida – the New Reality

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

The practice of removing bees in Florida is changing quickly. During the past few years African bees have become well established in South Florida and much of West Central Florida. Some colonies have even been established in North Florida. As a result the focus of bee removal over much of Florida has shifted dramatically toward public safety.

This change is the result of the behavior of Africanized bees. African bees are quite defensive and easily provoked. The existing honey bees, called European bees, are quite mild mannered by comparison. Although the title “killer bees” is not deserved, these bees do require a lot of respect Bee removal specialists strongly recommend learning some simple safety measures.

Africanized bees regularly take over a European hive without a fight. Queen bees typically live between 6 months and 1 year. The new queen must leave the hive to mate. If that queen mates with an African drone, the European honey bee hive can become an Africanized hive rather quickly.

In the Southwestern U.S. Africanized bees have been well established for many years. Records show that one-half of all Africanized bee attacks occur after the victim was aware of the nest. In those situations, removing the bees would be the right thing to do. If the nest had been removed when discovered, those attacks would not have happened.

Bees are an endangered species and they are needed to pollinate our food crops. Because of those facts, in the past we encouraged bee removal experts to save nests of wild bees. The situation changed when African bees began invading Florida. Beekeepers now are hesitant to keep Africanized bees.

Where Africanized bees have become established, there may be 100-200 colonies per square mile. Removing one wild bee nest does not significantly reduce the overall population of bees. State officials are NOT attempting to destroy all wild nests, or even all Africanized bees. They do recommend however, that any bees found nesting near people be removed immediately, and that all honey bee removal be performed by a state certified Pest Control Operator.

Here is what you should expect of your bee removal expert. They need to explain what nests and swarms are and how to distinguish between them. They should be able to explain in detail how they will remove the nest before they begin. To perform the removal they should wear a sting suit, a veil, and gloves. They must remove all dead bees and all honey combs. And afterwards they should talk to you about bee proofing your property.

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