Garner North Carolina is growing, “as they say” like a weed, well in the mist of all this growth a number of area businesses has found a little hidden treasure that most businesses have over looked, Local online advertising and marketing, meaning locally owned and operated.

Garner NC City Guide has been competing, not only with the online and off-line local newspapers, but other local online business directories and the Internet giants, “Most of the major search engines” for Garner NC business customers for the past few years and Garner NC and the surrounding area’s answered by a 600% increase in free and paid listings since 11/15/2007.

Garner City Guide is nothing fancy, like Other Directories with pop-up all over the pages, other ads all around your listings, promotional music and graphics screeming on your screen, but what Garner City Guide is, is a well managed local online key-word business directory,that brings more traffic to Garner businesses and websites, Free. Silver & Gold Members pay a small affordable yearly fee.

If the search engines can’t find Garner NC business directory and local City Guide, then its of no use to our Garner NC Businesses.

Garner North Carolina Business Directory!

The goal is to provide community businesses and residents with a low cost way to advertise and be seen by many people in and around our growing area. Now with our City Guide Site businesses can finally get the exposure they deserve.

City Guide, business directory, event calendar and free classifieds allows local residents, as well as anyone around the world, to find information about businesses ranging from a wide variety of categories in Garner, North Carolina. Offering a free business listing is nothing new, but wtat is the traffic you receive. Best of all, gold member businesses are evenly rotated and featured on the home page below, as well as on the top of their respective category page. Therefore, receiving the highest level of exposure for their business, plus even more exposure with a new personal webpage on our server. You can also use our MARKETPLACE for buying and selling your products and services in the CLASSIFIEDS ADS Section. Classifieds are Totally FREE, Garner NC City Guide more than just a place to advertise your business or promote your products and services, Find information, useful information about Garner NC and surrounding area’s that you and your business are looking for.

You should use Garner’s Event Calendar, it’s also free, “list your events” -Crafts, Government, Charity, Sports, Holiday, Business, Church, Theater, Party, Networking. Lots of things are happening in Garner NC.

Local Crafts Birdhouses Made In Raleigh NC

Savings heat up with solar-powered water heaters

(ARA) – More homeowners are deciding solar power is the right thing to do – for the sake of the environment and their wallets. New technologies make it easier than ever to use the sun to heat water in our homes. And Congress is helping make going green a cash-smart move too, by extending the federal solar tax credit another eight years.

Thanks to the tax credit program, you can recoup 30 percent of the total installed cost of a solar water heating system. “It’s a great time to switch to solar power for your water heating needs,” says Jim Cika, a solar water heating expert with VELUX America. But before you buy a solar water heater, do your homework, he urges, learn about the technologies available and review just how solar-friendly your home can be.

“Homeowners need to factor in geographic location, orientation of the roof for solar collectors, costs and tax incentives and rebates that may be available to arrive at an economically sensible and environmentally-sensitive decision,” Cika says.

While a solar water heating system usually costs more to purchase and install than a conventional water heating system, it can reduce energy costs in the long run and is much kinder to the planet.  

Cika says that the cost of an installed ENERGY STAR qualified system from his company will vary depending upon the volume of heated water required in a home. A packaged system consisting of one, two or three rooftop solar collector panels will usually be installed along with a 60, 80 or 120-gallon solar storage tank. An average installation is projected to cost $6,500 to $11,000, with some complex installations running as much as $12,000. Systems are available for gas, electric and boiler markets throughout the U.S., Cika says.

“On average,” he says, “if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50 to 80 percent — not an insignificant sum when you consider that the Department of Energy says that water heating can account for 14 to 25 percent of the energy consumed in our homes.”

According to Cika, in the construction of a new home, where the cost of the system is rolled into the mortgage, homeowners can save more on their monthly energy bills than the increase in their house payment. “Solar water heating provides a positive cash flow from the day of move in,” he says, “effectively giving an immediate payback.”

“In the case of an installation in an existing home in an area that has both federal and state rebates and incentives,” he says, “the payback can vary from three to seven years.”

Two primary solar technologies are available in the market right now: solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal. The photovoltaic process uses the sun to generate electricity and solar thermal uses the sun to heat water. Solar thermal often is the technology of choice for homeowners for a number of reasons. Kevin Hughes, a writer for GreenBuildingElements.com, who installed a solar thermal system in his San Francisco home, explains why.

“I prefer solar thermal, specifically solar hot water, a much older technology. It is much cheaper to install, much more efficient and has a much faster payback,” he says.  

For homeowners considering an installation, the Internet offers a number of websites that can be helpful with an analysis and then with locating products and installers. Findsolar.com and nabcep.org list certified installers by state. Solar-rating.org lists certified solar equipment manufacturers and certified installers for VELUX units are listed at veluxusa.com.

Eere.energy.gov/consumer includes a link to a calculator for initial cost, annual operating costs and determining payback, as well as a consumer’s guide to solar thermal, while nrel.gov offers a consumer’s guide to photovoltaic. Federal and state tax credit information, by geographic area, is available at dsireusa.org.

Cika says that solar water heating represents a logical first step for homeowners who want to harness the power of the sun because it is relatively simple technology compared to generating electricity from the sun. “The technologies accomplish different objectives,” he says, “but they both will pay increasing dividends to homeowners who utilize them now and in the future.”

For more information on the benefits of solar water heating or natural light and ventilation through skylights, call (800) 283-2831 or visit veluxusa.com.

Courtesy ARAcontent

Promote your Business & Products Here

Small businesses get credit boost from new fund

(ARA) – Despite signs of economic recovery, many small business owners continue to struggle to borrow money to sustain or grow their companies. This can have a big impact on local communities, which rely on small businesses to create much-needed jobs and provide critical services. With many traditional credit sources continuing to keep a tight rein on lending, many small business owners simply do not have access to conventional means of credit.  The good news is that small business owners are increasingly able to access alternative and innovative sources  of financing, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).  

CDFIs, which were created more than 30 years ago, provide affordable loans and banking services in communities that are underserved by traditional banks. These institutions have developed valuable community and business expertise, designed specialized loan products and they have a remarkable track record of success. CDFIs loaned and invested more than $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2008. Since their inception, CDFIs have provided more than $22 billion in financing, supported more than 51,000 small businesses and helped create thousands of new jobs.  CDFI loans to small business typically range from $15,000 to $300,000.

In addition, CDFIs often offer non-financial services, such as entrepreneurial education, savings programs and financial literacy training, which can help small business owners develop and grow their operations and prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs for success.

“CDFIs are a critical economic lifeline to small business owners, especially during periods of prolonged economic weakness,” says Bob Annibale, global director of Citi Microfinance and Community Development. “In many cases, they can make the difference between whether or not a small business struggles to survive or expands and creates new jobs, supporting  local economic growth and the community.”

While small business owners who work with CDFIs hail from a wide range of industries and geographies, they all share one thing in common: a need for quick financing that is not fully being  met by traditional banks.  For example, entrepreneurs in the heart of Big Sky country in Montana received two CDFI loans totaling more than $100,000 that enabled them to get their new lumber operation up and running, while the owner of a preschool in New Orleans borrowed money from a local CDFI to fund vital repairs to her building in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In coastal Maine, the owner of a specialty seafood company was able to access significant venture capital to expand the company’s distribution nationwide, while continuing to create jobs. In Austin, Texas, the owner of a small construction company received a $40,000 loan to pay for materials and other up-front costs associated with the industry.  In all these instances, the need for affordable loans was met with speed and flexibility and was often accompanied by invaluable entrepreneurial education and low-cost training as well as technical assistance in branding and marketing.

Citi recently launched the Communities at Work Fund, a new $200 million fund that will provide financing to CDFIs in urban and rural areas in all 50 states.  The fund was created in partnership with the Calvert Foundation and the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), two organizations expert in CDFIs. To learn more about the Communities at Work fund or to find out if your small business can benefit from the program and how to apply, visit www.communitiesatworkfund.com.

To find out a local CDFI and enquire about a loan, visit www.communityinvestingcenterdb.org.

The current economic climate may be challenging to entrepreneurs, but alternative financing sources like CDFIs can help small businesses keep their doors open – and keep thousands of Americans on the job.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Promote your Business & Products Here

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gemini Energy Services, a division of Orion International, has been awarded a $200,000 Workforce Development grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, to create a tailored training curriculum for military veterans that will translate their military skill set into a Technical career within the Wind Industry. Orion International has committed an additional $154,000 to the grant award for training, tools and equipment costs, and will oversee the continuation of the program once the grant funding has been exhausted.

“Veterans are ideally suited for the Wind Industry due to their leadership experience, technical skill, and proven performance under the most difficult of situations, and yet a lack of wind-specific training can present a barrier to entry”

“Veterans are ideally suited for the Wind Industry due to their leadership experience, technical skill, and proven performance under the most difficult of situations, and yet a lack of wind-specific training can present a barrier to entry,” said Mike Starich, President of Orion International. “We are pleased to have been awarded this grant by the DOE, which will allow us to develop an industry leading military-specific training curriculum to eliminate this barrier.”

The program will create an intensive multi-phase training curriculum, combining OSHA, industry-specific, and OEM training segments, as well as on-the-job practical work experience. Participants will be hired as employees of Gemini Energy Services, and will be supplied with all tools and equipment necessary to begin their career as Wind Technicians.

Upon program completion, the Veterans will be fully trained and qualified Wind Technicians, with immediate career opportunities within the Wind Industry. They will have the option to continue their employment with Gemini Energy Services as contract service technicians, or use Orion’s military career placement services to seek permanent employment within the Wind Industry.

According to James Haley, Director of Operations for Gemini Energy Services, “We are thrilled with the opportunity to create a world-class training and employment program for Veterans in the Wind Industry, at no cost to them. It is an added bonus that we will not merely be training these Veterans, but will provide career placement as well, in turn increasing the level of expertise and professionalism within the Wind Industry as a whole.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire

Empowering women – The best weapon in the fight against global poverty

(ARA) – From here to Africa, women around the world are striving to improve life for their children and communities, while often facing the harshest of circumstances. Women make up half of the world’s population. When women do not have the opportunity to secure an education, or earn money, or have a voice in family or community decisions, half of the world’s creativity, intellect and determination is not put to use.  These are barriers that women in the developing world face every day, and as a result, we all suffer when women’s voices remain silent. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can help.

While the women you look up to have certainly had to overcome their share of obstacles, women across the globe continue to fight against long odds to break the chains of poverty. Women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours, but earn 10 percent of the world’s income and own 1 percent of the world’s property, according to statistics from the nonprofit CARE, which works to empower women as a key method of combating global poverty.

However, research also shows that women have a significant role in breaking the cycle of poverty – especially mothers. Children of educated mothers are 40 percent more likely to live past the age of 5. Furthermore, it is mothers who are most likely to ensure that any extra family income goes toward educating their daughters. This is an important decision given the fact that each additional year of school boosts a girl’s future income by as much as 20 percent.

Empowering a woman can mean breaking the cycle of poverty for her family – and sometimes, her entire community – forever. To have this type of impact, you need to do a little homework to make sure your resources are reaching the people who need them the most. Nowadays, making a donation is as easy as clicking the mouse and entering a few keystrokes. While the act of donating has been simplified, charities are also working harder to educate donors on how their funds will be used to have a real impact in someone’s life. Below are some tips to help you select a worthy charitable cause.

* Make sure your money is going to the right place. Take time to review the organization’s mission, programs and financial information to ensure it is compatible with what you are hoping to support. There are also free online databases, like charitynavigator.org, that will give you more detailed information about a charity’s finances and activities.

* Even better than the peace of mind achieved through vetting the charity of your choice is being able to follow what your dollars are doing after you’ve donated. This will allow you and the woman you are honoring to take pride and ownership in your donation.

For example, Join My Village, which connects women in the United States with women and families in Malawi, provides donors with stories, videos and journals that allow donors to see how their money is empowering women in poverty. So far, donations to the program have enabled more than 500 women to participate in village savings and loan programs that enable them to save, borrow and start small businesses to earn more money for their families.

* Stretch your dollar. Charities often have special programs that will provide matching grants for your donation, in effect doubling how much you give. General Mills is currently partnering with the nonprofit organization CARE to match donations to Join My Village to fight poverty in Africa.

* If you are unable to make a monetary donation, consider donating your time. At joinmyvillage.com, visitors can also participate in free activities to unlock donations to the organization while learning more about the goals of the program.

* Get excited and educated. There are a lot of good educational materials out there on just about every cause. For example, in the book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” Pulitzer-Prize winning journalists and husband and wife team Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn lay out methods for ending global poverty through empowering women. It’s an educational and inspirational book for you, and anyone who has inspired you to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness in your own life.

Follow these tips and you can do your part to ensure women around the world, and generations of women to come, will have the resources to empower themselves, their families and their communities. We can all do our part to fight global poverty – one woman at a time.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Free Local NC Business Listing

Make your home your summer getaway

(ARA) – Summer is a time to take long weekends, enjoy the pleasant weather and make new memories with family and friends. It’s also a time to take a moment for yourself and find ways to savor that relaxing vacation feeling.

With just a few quick and affordable changes to your decor, you can transform your home into a calming and restful place to spend the summer:

* Roll up the rugs and clean and store them for the summer
* Put light-colored canvas slipcovers on dark upholstered furniture
* Change throw pillows to summery patterns/colors
* Put away knick-knacks for a lighter, more minimalist feeling
* Place Scentsy wickless candles in living areas to add a fresh, summer scent without the heat and open flame of traditional candles

“Summer scents allow us to draw upon wonderful memories and emotions, like the first time you dipped your toes in the ocean and felt the sand, or the smell of wonderful summer desserts like peach cobbler being served at a picnic,” says Heidi Thompson, co-owner of Scentsy. “Your home should be your retreat, and with different summer scents, every day can feel like a summer vacation.”

Some scents that evoke a summer feel according to Thompson are:

* A light floral fragrance is great way to keep your home smelling fresh and clean every day.
* A citrusy scent that features hints of oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit helps bring a tropical feel to any living room, even in the most humid environments.
* The scent of a fruity tart treat fills your home with fragrance without the added calories or need to turn on the hot oven.

To fill your home with these summer scents, all you have to do is select one of Scentsy’s decorative ceramic warmers, place some of the specially formulated scented wax into the dish, plug it in and turn it on. A low watt light bulb melts the wax at low temperatures to release the candle fragrance into the air.

In just a few minutes and for just a few dollars, you can create a summer retreat at home. Now sit back, relax and let your worries disappear as you enjoy a tall, cool drink and an exciting new novel.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Secrets every bride can use to make her wedding unique


(ARA) – Every bride-to-be dreams of putting her unique stamp on her wedding day.  Blending her chosen wedding colors into many of the occasion’s elements is just the first step toward a creative and beautiful event. Brides in gorgeous gowns, bridesmaids and groomsmen decked out in the wedding party’s colors and striking flowers are the perfect accompaniment to the colorful landscape of the summer and fall wedding seasons.

Selecting the perfect ways to feature wedding colors is a very personal representation of the bride and groom. If you’re a bride-to-be, picture homemade jewelry embellishing your wedding dress, table decorations that match your wedding theme and colors perfectly, or all your guests looking over unique programs that you made at your kitchen table.

“Making wedding decorations or even gifts for the wedding party allows you to put a lot of creativity and personality into the project. And, because you made it yourself, you’ll have a customized, one-of-a-kind item that perfectly matches your wedding and its decor,” says Courtney Talkington, manager of education and inspiration for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “Another idea for your DIY wedding is to involve your family, friends and wedding party in making the projects, allowing everyone to be included in the fun and creativity.”

Using a centuries-old technique of quilling is one way to create a homemade necklace with a unique look in beautiful colors. Not only does the rolled paper look beautiful in decorative flower shapes, it’s also a great way to incorporate keepsakes such as ticket stubs or love letters from the dating and engagement years into meaningful, wearable art. Are you new to quilling? Quilling classes will be offered at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores starting in September.

Quilled memory necklace

Supplies and tools:
Thin paper strips for quilling: scrapbook papers, ticket stubs, old love letters and other paper mementos
Quilling tool
X-Acto knife and cutting mat
Tacky glue
1 spool tiger tail
1 package each of 3 mm and 4 mm Blue Moon glass pearl beads
1 clasp set
Crimp beads
Crimp tool
Bent-nose pliers
Wire cutter
2 6 mm jump rings
1/4 yard Tulle
1/4 yard of 1/4 inch wide Organdy ribbon
Hand sewing needle
Thread
Optional book: “The Art of Paper Quilling, Designing Handcrafted Gifts and Cards”

Directions:
1. Using paper strips for quilling, make several flower shapes in various sizes and colors.  Set aside.
2. Cut two pieces of tiger tail about 12 inches long.
3. Attach one end of one tiger tail strand to clasp using crimp bead and crimp tool. Trim excess wire.
4. String glass pearl beads for about 8 to 9 inches.
5. Attach one jump ring to opposite end using a crimp bead and crimp tool. Trim excess wire. Set aside.
6. Repeat steps three to five for second tiger tail strand.
7. Cut two pieces of tiger tail – one 8 inches long and another 10 inches long.
8. Attach tiger tail strands to jump ring. Adjust the 8 inch strand to measure approximately 6 inches and the 10 inch strand to measure approximately 8 inches.
9. Lay paper flowers out on work surface so they fit nicely between the two pearl strands and on top of the two tiger tail strands.
10. Cut two pieces of tulle slightly larger than your flower layout, following the outline of the flower shapes. Cut two large strips of tulle – about 3/4 inches wide and 3 inches long – to tie onto necklace at the sides.
11. Sandwich the two tiger tail wires between the tulle. Hand stitch the tulle together close to the tiger tail wire.
12. Tie the tulle onto the necklace at jump rings. Trim tulle to desired length.
13. Cut two pieces of organdy ribbon each 2 1/2 inches long. Tie onto necklace at jump rings. Trim.
14. Glue paper flower in place on top of the tulle following desired layout. Let dry.
15. Add glass pearl beads to flower centers. Let dry.

If you’re looking for something for your guests to take home with them, consider designing your wedding programs with a keepsake envelope. The directions below use fall burgundy colors, but feel free to mix and match the colors to personalize the program to your wedding.

Personalized wedding program

Supplies and tools:
8 1/2 inches by 11 inches of Burgundy suede cardstock
12 inches by 12 inches of Black Magic cardstock, black/red two-sided
12 inches by 12 inches of Burgundy suede paper
Lime green cardstock
12 inches by 12 inches Vellum sheets, translucent clouds
2 shades of purple, narrow ribbon
5 round beads, grape
5 seed beads, grape
Silver leaf charm
Silver “Follow your heart” charm
5 headpins
2 jump rings
Silver heart brad
20-gauge Silver wire
Grape leaf template
Paper trimmer and scissors
Corner rounder
Hole punches, regular and large
Vellum tape
Adhesive dot runner or glue stick
Jewelry tools: wire cutter, round-nose and chain-nose pliers
Computer (to generate text)
Ruler and stylus (or bone folder)

Directions
1. Cut burgundy suede cardstock 5 1/2 inches by 12 inches. Score 4 inches up from bottom edge and fold, using ruler and stylus, to create a pocket. If left and right edges are not quite even, trim them now, up to 1/2 inch total. Punch top four corners of folded pocket with corner rounder.

2. Using included pattern, trace a grape leaf on the back of the pocket flap and cut out with scissors. Print the bride’s and groom’s names and wedding date on vellum, so that it will fit the leaf shape. Attach the vellum to the inside of the pocket with adhesive dot runner. Attach a panel of lime green cardstock behind the vellum for a subtle green hue. Cut a thin strip of burgundy suede cardstock to fit behind top of pocket. Round corners and attach so the back side of the paper is visible behind the suede pocket. Using large hole punch, punch a notch on the left and right sides, using photo as guide for securing ribbon.

3. Print vellum panels with wedding information, no wider than 4 1/4 inches. Mount on burgundy suede paper and Black Magic cardstock; round top right corner of vellum.

4. To create bead grape cluster, string a green seed bead on a headpin, followed by a round green bead. Make six to eight. Create a wrapped loop at the end of each. Curl one end of 20-gauge wire and string on grapes and leaf charm. Create a wrapped loop.

5. Wrap narrow purple ribbons around the wedding program pocket and tie in a knot to the right of the leaf cut-out. Slip the bead cluster onto a jump ring and attach over the knot. Tie the ribbon, catching the jump ring, to prevent it from sliding. Attach the “Follow your heart” charm to a second jump ring and attach it to the first jump ring.

6. Punch a hole through all three layers of the program and insert a silver heart brad.

“There are so many ways to take your wedding from mainstream to magnificent” advises  Talkington. “A little inspiration is all you need to incorporate your ideas into the wedding of your dreams.”

For additional ideas for unique ways to personalize your wedding through crafts, visit www.joann.com/wedding.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Free Local NC Business Listings

Three tips to make your utility meter run backward

(ARA) – What would you do with an extra $2,200 per year? That is the annual energy bill for a typical American home, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE). Dramatically reducing that cost, or even selling power back to the utility company, could mean having enough money for a vacation, a down payment on a car or a boost to your child’s college savings.

If you are wondering how this can be done, a trend emerging in new home construction, “net-zero energy,” is helping homeowners keep energy dollars in their pockets. Builders construct such homes with highly energy-efficient materials, and with the means to generate their own power. The goal is to reduce the yearly total energy bill to zero, and perhaps make the meter run backwards at times.

Lowering heating and cooling costs is critical to achieving net-zero energy, since these typically account for nearly half of a home’s energy use. Keeping warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer is key, along with adding on-site power systems. Steps can include new construction methods for greatly improved insulation, using energy-efficient windows, and installing solar panels or other renewable ways to heat water or create electricity.

1. Build with SIPs

Most homebuyers are familiar with “stick framing” – construction using numerous individual sticks (boards) with the insulation added between them. Yet an increasingly popular building method for high energy efficiency involves a different approach.

Known as structural insulated panels  - or SIPs – the body of the house is made of large-size prefabricated wall, ceiling and floor sections with built-in insulation. SIPs work like a giant insulated cooler. They are made of wood panels sandwiching a rigid insulating foam core. The result is fewer gaps in the home and more continuous insulation. Homes built with SIPs are 15 times less leaky and have 47 percent greater insulating capacity than conventional construction, according to DOE.

“SIPs can be used to build any style of home, and are generally stronger than stick framing,” says James Hodgson of Premier Building Systems, North America’s largest SIPs manufacturer. “They can cut heating and cooling costs up to 50 percent, and can even help save money by speeding construction and allowing for smaller furnaces and air conditioners.” SIPs also contribute to healthy indoor air by sealing out pollutants, and create up to two-thirds less waste during construction. (For more information on SIPs, visit www.pbssips.com or call (800) 275-7086 to speak with Premier Building Systems).

2. Install energy-efficient windows

In addition to well-insulated walls, ceilings and floors, another key consideration for net-zero energy homes is efficient windows. Such windows may have double or triple panes with gas fillings and special coatings to help resist heat gain or loss. Specially constructed frames help seal against air leaks.

How the windows are installed in the wall is also important, since much of the heat loss can occur around the window rather than through it. Proper mounting and sealing of the window in the wall can help protect against air leaks.

“Installing windows for high energy efficiency can be tricky,” says Jim Crowley, owner of Crowley Builders in Grass Valley, Calif. “If the window opening isn’t right, it’s like putting a round peg in a square hole; there are going to be gaps.”

Crowley addresses this by using SIPs for the walls. “In addition to providing insulation, SIPs have pre-cut window openings that are straight, square and properly sized. Combine this with proper sealing of the window and it’s the best way we’ve found to get a tight fit.”

3. Generate your own power

More new homes are using environmentally responsible, renewable energy sources on-site to further reduce reliance on utility companies. These systems can include geothermal heat pumps that obtain warmth from the ground, solar panels for electricity or heating water, and windmills that convert wind to energy. When combined with home construction methods like SIPs and energy-efficient windows, such systems can help the home achieve net-zero energy use. In some cases, homeowners have even reduced their consumption enough and generated sufficient power to make the meter run backwards – in essence selling electricity back to the power company.

“Achieving energy self-sufficiency in homes and other buildings seemed pretty radical not too long ago,” says Hodgson. “But building methods have advanced greatly in recent years, saving energy without homeowners having to sacrifice comfort or style. Why build with methods that have been around for a hundred years, when newer, proven methods are available that will outperform what can be done with conventional framing?”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Find a Contractor in Local NC

Don’t let achy knees keep you out of life’s game

(ARA) – Knee osteoarthritis (OA) can happen to anyone; in fact more than 10 million
Americans are estimated to suffer from this painful condition.

One of those 10 million is baseball legend, Hank Aaron. Hank is in the record books for breaking Babe Ruth’s legendary home run record, eventually retiring from the game with 755 home runs.

During his baseball career, he was in excellent physical shape. However, after retirement, Hank started to experience knee pain.

The pain got bad enough that he had trouble with everyday activities like walking short
distances, playing golf, and even driving. “It was really embarrassing, especially as an athlete, to not be able to do these simple things,” Hank said.

After his primary care doctor recommended that he see an orthopedic surgeon, Hank was
diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee and began discussing treatment options with his doctor.

He tried steroid shots and physical therapy. “They helped a little, but I still had pain,” Hank said. “I talked to my doctor and asked is there anything else that we can do – anything besides surgery? That’s when my doctor recommended a viscosupplement injection.”

“Hank’s experience is very similar to many of my patients. They want to relieve their knee pain, but they’re reluctant to have surgery or take a lot of pills,” said Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, orthopedic surgeon and best selling author of “FrameWork – Your 7 Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones and Joints.” “That’s where an option like a viscosupplement injection can be very helpful. It’s simple for the patient because it’s just one injection, but more importantly it can give them pain relief for up to six months. That’s time for people to get back to exercising, maybe lose a few pounds – both of which are really important for your knees.”

Now that Hank’s knee pain is gone he feels like himself again. “I’m able to go out and play with my grandkids,” Hank said. “I’m able to ride my bicycle. I can finally play golf again without riding around in a cart. I don’t think about my knee anymore.”

After seeing firsthand how much knee pain can affect his life, Hank’s now stepping up to raise awareness about osteoarthritis of the knee. Learn more about Hank’s experience and help him raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation at www.teamhank.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Free Local NC business Listing:City5nc Business Directory

A wag is worth a thousand words

(ARA) – Ever get the feeling that your dog knows what you’re thinking, without saying a word?  Many canine parents report that they’ve had an entire conversation with their dogs despite the obvious language barrier.  From “can I have a treat” to “let’s go for a walk,” dogs have a special way of sharing their feelings. According to a new survey, it’s the wags, not words that tell the story when it comes to canine communication.  

The survey, conducted by Kelton Research for Pup-Peroni dog snacks, revealed that most canine pet parents believe that they can communicate with their dogs even though they don’t speak the same language – giving a new twist to the old adage, “silence is golden.”  

Pet owners feel confident that they know what’s on their pups’ minds, even without the benefit of words. Almost three in four (74 percent) respondents believe their dog’s body language or facial expressions better indicate how their pet is truly feeling than barks or other sounds. They also estimate that they know what their dog is thinking nearly half (49 percent) of the time.

Seven in 10 (70 percent) respondents say there have been times when they shared a meaningful look with their canine companions.

“Dogs have an uncanny ability to pick up on even the subtlest cues from their owners, enabling them to ‘read’ humans like few other animals can,” said body language expert Patti Wood. “Even something as minute as a glance from their owner has meaning for a dog.”

Wood also points out that our modern dogs’ ability to communicate with us seems to be a product of millennia of interaction. “Research shows that, over time, there has been a deliberate selection of dogs with the ability to pick up on cues from humans,” she said. “It shows just how important nonverbal communication between dogs and people has always been.”

For many pet parents, the special bond they share with their pooch is one of the most important relationships in their lives. Without ever having to say a word, their pups are there for them through the good times and the bad, acting as confidants, therapists and most importantly, their best friends. Maybe it’s because of that unspoken connection between canines and humans that people feel their dogs are just as good a source of comfort and companionship as their human friends – or maybe even more so. With a smile and a wag, dogs just know – how many people can say that about their best friend or significant other?  

Courtesy of ARAcontent