Support the CLEAR Act

There is a bipartisan climate bill in the Senate that uses a simple system to reduce global warming pollution while at the same time spurs clean-energy job growth and returns money directly to consumers. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for American Renewal (CLEAR) Act which would set up a mechanism for selling “carbon shares” to fuel producers and would return most of the resulting revenue in checks to every American.

express your support

Fight climate change, spur the American economy and protect American families. Support the Cantwell-Collins CLEAR Act.

about CLEAR
The Cantwell-Collins CLEAR Act would cut emissions, create jobs and put money in consumers’ pockets. The CLEAR Act would establish a monthly auction in which fuel producers would bid for “carbon shares.”

75% of the revenue resulting from these auctions would be distributed as a dividend to every legal resident in the United States as a way to offset the increased costs of carbon-based fuel likely to be passed onto consumers by fuel producers.

The remaining 25% of the resulting revenue would be used to directly invest in research and development of clean energy resources, energy efficiency programs, reductions in non-CO2 greenhouse gases and to address regional disparities in the transition to a clean energy economy.

This legislation would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050.

Every U.S. citizen would receive a monthly check from the government. A household family of four would receive a rebate from the government totaling an average of $1,100 per year, or $21,000 between 2012 and 2030.

The CLEAR Act represents a transparent approach to dealing with the climate challenges that face our nation.

Add your name in support of the Cantwell-Collins CLEAR Act.

take action
There are a number of ways to support the CLEAR Act:
• Contact Your Senator
• Make an Organizational Endorsement
• Support the CLEAR Act on Facebook and Twitter

About Whittemore Enterprises: A Brief History of the Leader of the Used Medical Equipment Industry

Whittemore Enterprises went from a small enterprise in Bill Whittemore’s garage 20 years ago to now being the leader of the Used Medical Equipment Industry and an international company.

Whittemore Enterprises provides quality equipment and professional services to United States’ medical and veterinary clinics, hospitals and surgery centers as well as to hospitals in developing countries. The company specializes in offering a money-saving alternative to the high cost of new equipment and therefore saving valued customers from 40 percent to 75 percent of the normal retail costs. It assists medical professionals with affordable prices so that they can practice state-of-the-art medicine.

Whittemore Enterprises also stands behind every sale and provides a 90-day labor and parts warranty on refurbished equipment, which starts at the date of shipment. The organization’s Certified Bio-Med Technicians use only authorized and certified replacement parts. Knowledgeable assistance and expertise is given to determine equipment needs. A five-year support and upgrade guarantee ensures that your medical equipment will continue to serve you and your patients with the level of quality that is expected and required.

When in Southern California, you are welcome to get a personal tour of the company’s 30,000 square feet fully-stocked showroom and 15,000 square feet refurbishing and repairing warehouse at 11149 Arrow Route, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. You can also telephone them at (800) 999-2452 with any questions or view its website at www.wemed1.com for further information.

How To Fix A Leaking Roof

When renovating or improving your home, one of the first things you should check is the roof. You may have noticed some leakage during rainfall, or just want to improve its appearance. You can call a maryland roofing company to do the job, or you can do it yourself. Fixing the roof without any professional help may be difficult, but hey, you gain a ton of experience and have the pride to say that you fixed it on your own. Here’s a step by step process on how to fix your leaking roof without the expenses of a roofing contractor.

A leaking roof is one of the common problems of a house. Leaks may happen due to damaged shingles. To check if your roof is leaking, there’s usually a stain on the ceiling, indicating that the space is leaking water. But how can you take care of it? Here’s how:

If you have a shingle roof, then you’re in luck. These types of roofs are the easiest to fix.

  1. Go up to your roof and check for broken or missing shingles. Remember to be careful and take your time. If you rush the inspection, you might not only miss the damaged area, but you can also get into an accident. Remember your safety when you’re up on the roof. If you find a large part of the roof damaged, then it’s time to replace the roof.
  2. When you see a damaged shingle, remove it by lifting the edges of the shingles surrounding the damaged one, pull out the nails with a pry bar, then slide out the damaged shingle.
  3. Purchase a new shingle and replace it with the old one by sliding it into the gap, aligning it with the shingles and putting it properly into its place. If you can’t find matching shingles in your town, then you can order online or make do with a shingle that doesn’t match. 
  4. Life the corners of the shingles surrounding the new one, and fasten the top of the new shingle by having roofing nails driven around each corner.
Very easy, not time consuming and is easy on the pocket. But you should put your safety first before fixing your roof. Be careful when up on the roof, you may even wear a helmet if you like. Walk slowly and carefully to avoid slips. You can find more tips online or ask any roofing contractor on what to do when you suspect your roof’s broken or damaged.

A Laser Cutting Machine Saved Our Business!

In 1995, my husband and I started a small business on the side. We sold jewelry out of a booth in our local mall and also at flea markets and special events in our community. At first things were slow, but soon we had gained a following. Business was great for a long time. Eventually we opened an actual shop in the sales district of our small city. It was a very scary big step in having our own successful business. Then in the late 2000′s all of our big business dried up. Online competitors were stealing our business. We tried the online thing, but we could not keep up with the demand, that was until we got two laser cutting machines.

We purchased the laser cutting machines because we just could not keep up with demand for our products. Each hand-made bead and pendant was taking us too long to make with all of the orders coming in. The laser cutters solved this by creating what took us several hours in just a few minutes. Now each necklace, bracelet, and earrings only take less than 15 minutes to put together and box to ship. This allows us to fill several hundred orders each day.

The laser cutters work wonderfully. We use the software that came with them to create a design on the computer. Then we send the design to the machine. The machine creates the design out of whatever material that we stick into it. It works so fast and is virtually error-free. We now can put out so much more sales and have lower turn-around time than ever before. Recently I have been able to add custom designs to our shop, all thanks to our laser cutters.

For more information on laser cutting machines, please contact Jamieson Laser.

Is A Water Softener Worth The Money?

I own a home water softener from Kinetico. When I first bought the gadget, many of my friends and family were pretty puzzled as to why I would shell out a few hundreds dollars just to buy a water purifier. They thought I had been conned. When I explained to them the significant cost savings I had enjoyed since buying the water softener, however, they realized what a good investment I had made.

Before I purchased the water softener, my household maintenance fees were killing me. I was replacing my water pipes, shower nozzles, coffee makers and just about any other water-using household appliance you can think of at least once every two years. I live in a region where hard water is a persistent problem and the mineral buildup in my pipes and appliances caused them to malfunction. There was a point when my shower nozzle got so clogged up with sediments that the water wouldn’t even flow. I went without a shower for two days till I finally found time to head to the local home depot and get a new shower head! 

I was also spending a bomb on utilities bills. It’s a well-known fact that the buildup of mineral deposits in your pipes makes water flow extremely inefficient. That’s why people living in hard water areas tend to pay significantly more in water bills than those who don’t. In addition, when mineral deposits build up in your water heater, more heat energy is required to heat the water passing through it. This also translates to higher utilities bills since your household ends up using more energy.

When people ask me, “Was your water softener really worth the money?”, my answer is an unequivocal “Yes”. Since installing my Kinetico water softener, the above problems have ceased to bother me. I’m spending less on household maintenance and public utilities than ever. My investment in a water softener has paid huge dividends and I’m proud to say I don’t regret spending a single cent.

Top Vocational Programs at LA James

In most states, licensing is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to enter the beauty service industry. Since professional training is a requirement before a license can be granted, aspiring cosmetologists and beauticians must be able to complete the required number of hours in training under a licensed institution before they can take the licensing exam. Those who are looking for a reputable beauty college in Iowa might want to consider LA James, a licensed training institution located in Mason City.

The college offers a number of beauty programs to cater to different people. Whether you want to be a professional cosmetologist, a nail technician, or even a massage therapist, you can find the program that best suits your goals and interests. Listed below are the top vocational programs offered by this renowned college:

1. Diploma Course in Cosmetology

 

Students of cosmetology will undergo 2100 hours of comprehensive training in both theory and application of techniques. After graduating from this program, you will receive a diploma certificate and be able to take the licensure exam straight from the Iowa Department of Public health. The curriculum includes training in skincare techniques and as well as nail technology so you will be able to explore a wide-range of career options after finishing the course. 

2. Nail Technology

 

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a nail technician and you are looking for a specialized course on the subject, the college’s nail technology program might be better suited for you. Under this program, you will undergo 350 hours of training that includes both theory and practical application of techniques. Graduating from this course will allow you to take the local licensure exam in Iowa for nail technicians, which requires applicants to have undergone at least 325 hours of training from a licensed institution. 

3. Massage Therapy

 

The College’s massage therapy program is one of the best in the state. Students who are enrolled in this program will undergo 650 hours of training. The curriculum includes a wide-range of massage techniques including but not limited to, acupressure, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, shiatsu, infant massage, pregnancy massage, and reflexology. After you have graduated from the course, you can take the national licensing exam or the local state exam for massage therapists.

Graduating from a renowned institution like LA James will give you an advantage not only when it comes to applying for a license but also when securing employment in the future. 

Becoming an Expert in Finding Free Stuff

Who doesn’t like to get things for free? Pretty much everyone does, and those that work hard at it will find great success. Free stuff can be found in a number of different places. One can find free offers online, in stores, and on receipts and coupons. By combining certain offers, one can sometimes even receive money back!

One of the easiest ways to find bargains is to search online. There are a number of different websites that offer deals they have dubbed as “freebies” daily. Most often, there will be a link from there to the actual site in which you can submit your request for the item. Sometimes you will be required to complete a survey to qualify. If so, be sure to complete everything that is required and to be completely accurate. If not, you stand the chance of your entry being rejected. Your mailing address will be requested, and if this isn’t correct you will not receive the item in question.

Stores will also sometimes offer free stuff. One good example is the free samples that many grocery stores hand out. Sometimes it will be a food sample of, for example, a new type of cereal. Other times you may find them distributing samples of aspirin or other OTC medications. Stores also will have in-store deals such as buy one get one free. Those are great to use in order to stock up on necessities.

There are more and more stores that are offering great coupons on the back of their store receipts. These coupons can often be used in combination with other in store offers and sometimes can result in getting the item for free, or close to it. When combined with other offers, the item ultimately may end up paying you back a few cents. That is even better than free!

Setting Up a Veterinary Clinic

People who have an innate love of animals often turn to the veterinary field as a career. Setting up their first vet clinic can be both exciting and challenging. There are many aspects to this including purchasing pet supplies, office staples, and surgical supplies.

The basics to any medical office are items found in the reception area or waiting room. These would include chairs and couches, a telephone system, computers, a copier, and a fax machine. When furnishing a veterinary office, one should keep in mind the fact that pets of all kind will be in the waiting room along with their human companions. This means the furniture should be easy to clean, and the floor should be tiled. Many times the front office will have a display case of items such as pet food or medicine.

A veterinary office will need supplies for their exam room as well. Items that fall into this category are examination tables which are normally made out of stainless steel for easy clean up. General supplies such as gauze and syringes can be found in these rooms as well. 

Surgical supplies are needed in most veterinary offices as even the smallest office will perform some type of medical procedure on their furry patients. Some of the more common procedures are neutering or spaying, stitching of open wounds, or declawing. Deciding on what types of surgical procedures will be carried out in the office will then dictate they type of supplies that will need to be on hand. Some of the smaller vet offices may not do any procedures while the larger ones may choose to do much more involved ones such as hip replacements.

Other things that are found in a vet office are items normally in the back, which is usually for staff only. Here would be cages for patients that are being kept for observation or perhaps being boarded, blood testing kits, and x-ray machines for example.

Setting up an office to care for our furry friends can be an exhausting task, but once everything is up and running the benefits are worth it.

The Need For Cleanroom Paper

When you are working in an environment that needs to stay clean and sterile, even using regular paper can contaminate that work area. In a clean room, it is more beneficial to use clean room paper. This type of paper ensures that the documentation that takes place in your work environment will not become contaminated. This product is manufactured in a clean room, and is free of lint. It is also packaged in a clean room for optimum sterilization. There are a variety of colors to choose from, which include: white, pink, green, yellow and blue. The paper that is made for a white room is made to help minimize the generation of particles, and are made specifically for a controlled environment. The polyethylene binding  helps lessen the amount of particles being generated. The particles are ultra low, so your work station will not be bothered with contaminating agents.   You can choose from record-keeping or note-taking paper. This product comes in the popular 8.5” by 11” and there are 250 sheets per ream. In each case, there are 10 reams, and each is qualified to be used in Class 10 or higher environments. There is not a use of fillers, and this paper has extremely low particle, NVR and ion extractable count. White room paper has high tensile strength and is heat resistant. The size of the paper and the cut is always consistent, and there is a standard 80 gram paper as well as a lighter weight at 70 gram. This would be an excellent product for places like research facilities or manufacturing businesses, where being sterile is  important. This product is made for use in a controlled setting for easy documentation. Custom ordering is available, and you can choose your specific amount, weight and color that is needed. 

Wowing Clients

Image is everything in marketing, and when you want to get your message across, it’s important that you do so in a way that will make your company appear as professional and cutting edge as possible. Whether in a retail space, in a kiosk, at a trade show, or even in face to face client meetings, the iPad has created a sleek, state-of-the-art, affordable and portable way for businesses to present their products or message. Of course, for all of its benefits, there are a couple of downsides to the iPad. One of the iPad’s strengths is also a potential weakness – because of its portability and appeal, given the opportunity there’s a chance that a passerby might steal the attractive tablet, either to sell on the street or for their own personal use. The other potential downside is that the Ipad has so many applications that an end user may use it to pursue their own interest rather than the presentation that you want them to see. One answer to both of these problems is a secure iPad wall mounting.

The solution to this problem is to use an iPad wall mounting as part of your display. This elegant answer allows you to provide your end user the ability to interact with your presentation via the iPad while it remains securely locked into its bracket. Brackets can be positioned near an outlet so that there is a constant source of power, and the frame of the bracket itself allows you to control whether there is access to other functions on the iPad or if it remains dedicated to the focus that you prefer. This easy answer provides you with the ability to convey your company’s modern outlook while still allowing you to be secure that your technology investment isn’t going to walk away or work against you.

Taking Your Child To The Dentist

The dentist’s office is often a scary place for adults. For children, it can be just even more terrifying, especially if it’s their first visit. The sight of the sharp looking tools, the chair that moves backward, the light in their face, the sound of the drill, a stranger standing over them staring inside their mouth. The list goes on and on. 

A child’s fears of the dentist aren’t always the same as an adults. An adult may fear some of the same things a child does, such as the sights and smells, but they may fear things a child hasn’t even though of, such as what if the instruments aren’t properly sterilized with cleanroom supplies?

For a child, all they knew is what they are seeing, smelling and hearing. And they know they don’t like it. Below are tips to make that visit to the dentist much easier on your child.

First of all, it’s important to choose the right dentist. A dentist that mainly treats adults may not be as patient as a pediatric dentist if your child has a meltdown. A pediatric dentist will be specially trained to handle these situations. A general dentistry office may not be a bad choice if your child isn’t afraid of new experiences or strangers, but for children who fear these things, it may be best to opt for a pediatric dentist. 

You should ask about their policy on working on a small child’s teeth. Some dentists use general anesthesia in a hospital to let the child ”sleep” if the child has cavities that have to be filled or pulled. Others prefer to use a shot of medicine that puts the child in a “twilight sleep”, where the child is strapped down to keep from hurting themselves. The child is only semi-conscious, with no memories of what has taken place afterward. 

Experts agree that you should take your child in for their visit when their first tooth comes in. Be sure to be consistent with check ups and cleanings. This way your child is comfortable going to the dentist and it doesn’t seem scary. If your child is older and you haven’t taken them in yet, don’t panic. Call the office and set up an appointment for a walk through to see what the office is like and what they can expect. This can calm your child’s fears when they know what’s going to take place. 

Above all else, if you or your child feels uncomfortable, switch dentists. You should both be comfortable with the dentist you choose.

When I Grow Up

What was your childhood mantra?  We all had them, didn’t we?  We’d tell our parents, our siblings and our friends, “when I grow up…” We were obsessed, or as obsessed as our childlike attention spans would allow us to be.  When I grow up…  Some of us wanted to be the President, an astronaut, or a beauty queen.  Others wanted to be obscenely rich, own an amazing car or simply visit Disney Land.  Obviously the odds are seriously against some of these – sadly we don’t really understand the laws of probability as small kids.   For me it was never about fortune and fame; it was adventure, plain and simple. There was never the slightest doubt in my mind that when I grew up, I would go on an african safari.  No question, it was simply a matter of time.

Well time passes, as it has a way of doing and some forty years later I have yet to experience my safari adventure.  I have set and achieved goals beyond number.  From educational pursuits, to career success; to a happy marriage and raising a family – done, done, done and done.  Incidentally, I seem to be at a point in life where I look around myself, truly satisfied and content with what I’ve done and what I have, yet still feeling a bit of the “now what?”.  I have (at least I hope I have) many years left in me; I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do (for the most part), so what’s next?  Clearly, it’s time for my “when I grow up”!

I’m doing it.  I am really sincerely going to do it.  I’m making a list of everything I have always wanted to do and see and scratching out those items that are inconceivable (riding a wild elephant – probably not my best idea as a child) or less important.  When my list is complete I’m going to research safari tour groups and select the one that comes closest to meeting my needs.  When I’ve found the best outfit for me, I’m booking.  No hesitation, no delay. I’m as grown up as I am likely to ever be.  It’s time. Africa, here I come!

Variations in Cleanroom Requirements

For those who are tasked with the job of purchasing cleanroom supplies, it is essential that you have a good understanding of the exact requirements of your particular cleanroom environment in order to make sure that the supplies that you purchase are adequate and meet the specific standards of your industry or employer. Some cleanrooms are only designed to cut down on particles brought in by street shoes; all that is required in a case like that is booties to cover the shoes. However, some cleanroom requirements are so stringent that they require entry and exit from the rooms through airlocked portals equipped with air showers, special furniture that minimizes particles and is easy to clean, special cleaning supplies, clothing such as hairnets, coveralls, cleanroom gloves and masks, and even special filtration systems that control the humidity and the way that air enters and exits the room.

The purpose of using a cleanroom is to control contamination, which is essential in a variety of applications. Although cleanrooms are not sterile, cleanroom supplies can be created for sterile environments such as surgical applications. The cleanroom is really an exercise in reducing the number of particles in the air, and that is why in a stringent cleanroom environment, the presence of natural fibers is usually forbidden, as items as simple as a pencil can shed particles.

Cleanrooms are found in a variety of businesses, but are most prevalent in the worlds of biotech, semiconductor manufacturing, and scientific environments that require careful prevention of any possible contamination.  Cleanroom supplies are designed to aid in keeping particles out; they are generally disposable, and it is essential that employees understand their use and are compliant, as the introduction of too many particles into a cleanroom environment can wreak havoc with the entire operation, requiring shutdown and cleanup and costing the cleanroom environment owners enormous time and money wasted.  

Active Ingredients: Active Indeed!

Have you ever looked at the side of a prescription medicine bottle and wondered what exactly the term “active ingredient” meant?  Given that the substance is listed by itself in a special category it would seem to be important, but what on earth does it do?  The answer, of course, is quite simple: the active ingredient (or ingredients) in any particular prescription treatment are the substances that have a direct effect on the body’s biochemistry.  In other words, anything active has an active effect on living tissue instead of simply passing through.  Another term for the same thing, used especially in medicine, is “active pharmaceutical ingredient” (or API).  API manufacturing is a massive worldwide industry dedicated to providing those ingredients (and, incidentally, making sure that mixing ingredient A and ingredient B together won’t kill anyone horribly).

The process involves the synthesis of an entirely new molecule: all those long fancy names with sixteen syllables and at least one entirely unnecessary “x” refer to molecules that a lab has specially designed, developed, and created for a specific task.  The laboratories used for this are held to rigorous standards (they have to be, to make sure that no foreign contaminants can ruin their products) and oftentimes some of the most advanced labs in the world– it takes a lot of time and effort to produce a new molecule intended to do a very specific thing to a very specific part of the human body, after all, and the pressure to create something that will be safe is immense. 

So, the next time you take a look at your prescription bottle and wonder at those active ingredients, consider this: tens of thousands of man-hours went into building that ingredient from scratch especially to handle your symptoms without clogging your bloodstream or causing any part of your body to light on fire.  How’s that for personalized service? 

Fixing a Steam Shower

Doing your own home repairs is often the greenest approach, avoiding chemicals and reusing instead of getting something new.

The technology has really developed and most people ensure that their households have a steam generator . A steam shower is the most popular one that everyone is trying to have; it is an inexpensive type of generator that can be used to improve someone’s bathroom. When you want it install it into your bathroom there are various mistakes you can avoid so that you can make the installation cheaper and affordable. Do not make the mistake of buying a very big steam shower and the space that you have is very limited, this will force you to buy another one or just fix the big one and the bathroom will become squeezed and it will not be comfortable for people to use. Continue reading

Green Choices for Baby

About two months ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and am so darn happy about it. Ever since I gave birth, I have been such a proud mother. I love the fact that I am able to do whatever it takes to make sure that my girl is able to have the utmost comfort in her life. This is why I do it would be very nice of me to make sure to buy clothing that is made from 100% cotton. I had to find a store that would allow me to buy such clothing. Well, I thought it would be nice for me to check online and love the fact that I decided to do such a thing. I am more than happy to have found an online store that sells nothing but organic baby clothes.

This is very good for my daughter, and I am a very happy customer when it comes time for me to shop from the online store. Continue reading

Bringing in the log cabin to the city

Eastern Europe and Scandinavia are the areas where log cabins were built. This house design came about because of the immediate need to build a shelter in the cold mountain ranges. Logs from pine trees were the materials which provided perfect insulation and were readily available. The looks of the log cabin became popular in other parts of the world and people from Europe who migrated to the United States brought the log cabin design to their new homes. Siding Marylandis one of the contractors in the states of Maryland and Washington D.C. that provides a log siding option for their clients. Although log cabin type houses are originally intended for cold mountain regions and forested areas, modern architects and house designers have incorporated them in the designs for houses in the cities. For this reason, siding contractors must include them in their listing of siding materials options. Naturally, the environmental impact of these choices should be foremost in the customer’s mind, but often it is not.

Log Cabin photo: Kjetil Bjørnsrud

Wood is a natural resource that is hard to obtain especially in today’s market so wood siding costs a lot more than vinyl or fiber cement. It’s not terribly environmentally friendly, either! The log siding finish for homes is commonly chosen by consumers who have substantial budget for their house construction. In areas where colder temperatures prevail, the log siding finish for homes provides the much needed insulation. With this type of material, beauty and function are both achieved in terms of architectural considerations. Moreover, log cabin finish has an elegant look although the concept dates back hundreds of years ago when house construction methods were still simple.

Although whole logs were being used in the past, modern day log siding is only rounded on one side. The side that would be fitted to the exterior wall of the house is flat. This kind of finish entails less cost and promotes easy installation. Log siding has to be painted according to the house finish. Moreover, wood preservative must be applied to protect the log from the elements and insects as well. Because of various wood preservation techniques that are now available, log siding would last longer compared to the log cabins in the past. In addition, proper maintenance is essential for this kind of material. Homeowners must do periodical inspection of the log to monitor their condition.

Green Home Improvement Options at a Discount

So you are renovating your home and you need a Lowes coupon to get a handsome discount on environmentally-friendly products at Lowes stores. Well, there are many websites and blogs out there who will provide you with lots of Lowes coupons free of cost, while others guide you about the methods of getting a fully usable Lowes coupon. It’s good to use Lowes coupons while purchasing from Lowes if you are receiving the coupon free of cost.  I mean if you are paying $25 for a 10% discount coupon, and you are supposed to buy something that costs around $200, you are wasting your money on the coupon. So you need to do your complete homework before “buying” a Lowes coupon.

As mentioned earlier, most of the websites will provide you with a Lowes coupon free of cost, so there is absolutely no need to buy something if you can easily get it free right on the next website. It’s not compulsory to always buy from Lowes while renovating your home. There are many other retail stores as well, but if you need perfect quality appliances for your home with superior services, you must buy from Lowes, especially when you are getting a 10 percent of 25 percent Lowes coupon absolutely free. Continue reading