London Patriot

How Some Cities Are Reducing Water Pollution

Water is by and large the most important natural resource on our planet. All living beings require water in one way or another to survive. Animals, including humans, need it to hydrate their bodies, plants need it to carry nutrients through their stalks, and the atmosphere needs it to maintain the climate.

Unfortunately, according to the EPA’s National Water Quality Inventory, 40% of rivers and 45% of lakes in the United States are heavily polluted. Thankfully many cities are taking steps to reduce and even reverse this pollution to keep our water and our planet healthy.

Dewatering 

Don’t let the name of this procedure fool you; it’s not about getting rid of the water. Stagnant water from the bottom of lakes, rivers, and ponds or from ditches in and around construction sites is dredged out and pumped through industrial bag filters VA to filter out oil, pesticides, and other contaminants that have settled into the silt. The filter bags are also used to filter pollutants out of stormwater runoff. 

Drainage Nets

The Australian city of Kwinana made global headlines with its simple but ingenious pollution solution: attaching nets to the ends of drainage pipes to collect trash and debris. Within the first six months, these nets collected almost 900 pounds of garbage. Since this strategy showed massive success, cities and towns all over the world have followed suit and have had equally impressive results. 

Green Infrastructure 

Rather than constructing expensive, inefficient, and at times environmentally counterproductive water treatment plants, green infrastructure seeks to utilize the natural processes of plants. Trees, bushes, and other native flora planted along roadsides catch and absorb storm runoff before it can flow out onto city streets, causing flooding and collecting pollution. Some city water plants now consist of massive greenhouses that clean both the air and the water. Green infrastructure also has social benefits such as community food gardens and parks for recreation and education.

Water Efficiency Subsidization

The less water we consume, the less wastewater, and thus the less contamination, we produce. This is why cities like Highland Park, Michigan, and Sacramento, California are experimenting with subsidizing homes and businesses to install new and efficient appliances, faucets, and fixtures. These efforts have thus far resulted in collectively saving millions of gallons of water annually. 

With these efforts and more, along with cooperation from governments, companies, and individuals, we can all keep our planet’s water clean and safe for generations to come.    

4 Reasons To Invest in Extra Car Keys

The dealer likely gave you two keys when you bought the car, helping you out with a spare. That extra is a great start, but there are many reasons you should invest in a couple more. You never know what life may throw at you. Prepare now to reduce stress and be able to get into your vehicle and get it started. The following are four reasons when replications could come in handy.

1. You Share Your Car

Couples and their kids often share vehicles, trading them back and forth depending on the day’s activities. Maybe someone needs to take the truck to grab something significant. Does only one car have the children’s seats? You could be going back and forth that way. The more you swap, the more likely it is that you could lose or misplace someone’s spare. Avoid calling for last-minute car key duplication Orlando by having each person have their own plus an extra from the start.

2. You Break the Main Key

Life happens, and even those tough keys can break. You could drop it in a weird spot. Perhaps you slam it in the door. Maybe your four-year-old decided to turn it into a toy. For whatever reason, it could bust. Then, you’re down to one. If something happens, you could get left in the cold.

3. You Lose Your Key While Out of Town

Security during vacation is essential. When traveling, a hidden spare could protect you. You want to have one readily available in a discreet location; plus, you should store one with a friend or family member. Rather than bust open the door, you could grab it from the secret storage area or phone a friend to help.

4. You Can’t Afford to Wait for Service

It can be expensive to produce a key when you lose one. Having it done early often costs less and makes it simple during trying times. What happens if you need to make an appointment but are stuck at the gas station with a broken piece. Could you stand to be late for a big meeting because you locked yourself out and didn’t plan? There are times when you can’t wait for service, and the inconvenience of not having a key proves challenging.

Sometimes one isn’t enough. Get several copies made and then put them in convenient places so that when a crisis occurs, you can pull one out and get back on track for the day.

4 Home Improvement Projects Worth the Investment

As real estate prices have soared, homeowners may be thinking of upgrading their current homes rather than moving to a new space. Home improvement projects can transform your living space and can be done on almost any budget. Here are four home remodeling projects that offer a high rate of return on your investment.

1. Kitchen Remodel

For most homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Not only is the kitchen a place where meals are prepared, but families also spend time together here. The kitchen is a vital room and can be a centerpiece of your house. Renovations made to the kitchen offer a high rate of return for the dollars that you spend. The changes you make can be major or minor. A great way to transform a dated kitchen is with new custom cabinets Milwaukee WI. Cabinetry can be designed to give your kitchen a completely new look and layout.

2. Landscape Upgrade

The first thing people see when they come to your house is the outside, including the yard. A beautifully landscaped yard can add points of interest and is pleasant to view. You get a lot of enjoyment coming home to a lovely outdoor space. Landscaping improvements have been known to return 80% to 100% of the amount they cost. If you choose to upgrade with a pool, a deck, or just a redesign of your plants and shrubbery, you should be able to recoup most of your cost with an increase in the value of your home.

3. Garage Door Replacement

For many homes, the garage door is the largest item on the exterior of the house. A dilapidated garage door will make a house look run down and in need of repair. Fortunately, the cost of replacing the garage door typically adds the same amount to the value of your house. You will have the satisfaction of coming home to a new garage door that makes your whole house look better. You will also have the bonus of knowing that what you spent has increased the worth of your home.

4. Master Bathroom Update

Real estate professionals indicate that one of the most important rooms in your home is the master bathroom. The master bathroom is known to be a significant factor if you are trying to sell your house. Many options are available for renovating a master bath, from major upgrades to minor improvements. The benefits of remodeling a master bath include an increase in the value of your property that results from the improvements.

Remodeling projects can be a great way to increase the value and enjoyment of your home. As renovations can be costly, you want to make sure that you are getting the most for your money with the right improvements.

Ready To Paint Your Building’s Exterior? Be Sure To Do These 6 Things

Is it time to upgrade your home’s exterior? Are you ready for a new look outside, sprucing up some of that fading paint? Homeowners don’t touch up the outside often, so it’s a big project when it’s time to repaint the facade. Before covering up that old color, be sure to do the following things.

1. Test Colors

Be sure you like what you are putting on the walls. Sometimes you want something in the store, but then it doesn’t look right when placed. You can pick up samples from the store, putting marks on the back or sidewalls. Let it sit for a week or so and see which one you like best.

2. Look in Magazines and Online

If you don’t know where you begin, and you definitely want something new, then consider browsing through online pictures or home magazines. Get some ideas for how you could alter the aesthetics and get the style you desire.

3. Invest in the Right Tools

Exterior painting takes time. You may not want to stand up on a ladder for days, so plan to get some solid, reliable equipment. It could reduce your workload.

Along with paint and brushes, look into an air compressor service Jacksonville FL. This tool could allow for spray painting to go significantly faster and more efficiently.

4. Check With Your HOA

If you live within a designated community, check your homeowner’s association rules. If you plan to swap out colors, they often require you to fill out paperwork and get approval, and not doing so could lead to fines.

5. Pressure Wash the House

Walls get significantly dirty as the wind blows the elements onto the house. If you paint over it, the shade does not look as good. Instead, take the time (or pay someone) to pressure wash the outside, getting windows and siding or stucco thoroughly clean.

6. Repair Cracks and Gaps

Over time, buildings start to crack from settling. Fill these in. Look over the doors and windows, too, fixing any loose or deteriorated trim. 

Get excited about a brand new look. First, though, ready yourself for a significant undertaking. Do you research, finding something that appeals to your interests? Search out stores to find various potential colors, thinking about which one is your favorite. Then, work with your community board to get approval to move forward. With that done, patch any visible concerns and invest inappropriate tools.

Is it time to upgrade your home’s exterior? Are you ready for a new look outside, sprucing up some of that fading paint? Homeowners don’t touch up the outside often, so it’s a big project when it’s time to repaint the facade. Before covering up that old color, be sure to do the following things.

1. Test Colors

Be sure you like what you are putting on the walls. Sometimes you want something in the store, but then it doesn’t look right when placed. You can pick up samples from the store, putting marks on the back or sidewalls. Let it sit for a week or so and see which one you like best.

2. Look in Magazines and Online

If you don’t know where you begin, and you definitely want something new, then consider browsing through online pictures or home magazines. Get some ideas for how you could alter the aesthetics and get the style you desire.

3. Invest in the Right Tools

Exterior painting takes time. You may not want to stand up on a ladder for days, so plan to get some solid, reliable equipment. It could reduce your workload.

Along with paint and brushes, look into an air compressor service Jacksonville FL. This tool could allow for spray painting to go significantly faster and more efficiently.

4. Check With Your HOA

If you live within a designated community, check your homeowner’s association rules. If you plan to swap out colors, they often require you to fill out paperwork and get approval, and not doing so could lead to fines.

5. Pressure Wash the House

Walls get significantly dirty as the wind blows the elements onto the house. If you paint over it, the shade does not look as good. Instead, take the time (or pay someone) to pressure wash the outside, getting windows and siding or stucco thoroughly clean.

6. Repair Cracks and Gaps

Over time, buildings start to crack from settling. Fill these in. Look over the doors and windows, too, fixing any loose or deteriorated trim. 

Get excited about a brand new look. First, though, ready yourself for a significant undertaking. Do you research, finding something that appeals to your interests? Search out stores to find various potential colors, thinking about which one is your favorite. Then, work with your community board to get approval to move forward. With that done, patch any visible concerns and invest inappropriate tools.

Items a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Needs To Be Successful

Have you ever wondered about what it takes to operate a successful medical marijuana dispensary? These types of businesses are becoming very popular in many areas today. Like any other retail business, a dispensary needs the right tools to sell products to customers. With the right help in place, a business owner can be very successful.

Get the Right Packaging

Medical marijuana dispensaries sell a large variety of products to suit the needs of customers. The products will be in various shapes and sizes and contain various types of marijuana substances. Customers will need to be able to determine if a product is right for them by reading the information on the respective package. When a business owner needs to choose what packaging they’ll use, they can consult with companies that provide package concepts and materials.

Acquire the Correct Licenses

A dispensary business must be properly licensed by the state in which they operate. When someone first decides to go into this type of enterprise, they will need to make sure they are correctly following their local laws. They will need a license to do business and work with medical professionals to ensure everything is done legally. Some states will also require each individual dispensary employee to have a license to sell marijuana products.

Find the Right Employees

Running a busy marijuana dispensary isn’t possible without the help of a trusted team of employees. Salespeople will need to be knowledgeable enough to sell the correct products to customers. Using online recruiting sites is helpful if you don’t have your own proprietary hiring platform. Dispensary owners and managers will need to interview candidates to make sure they have the right skills for the job. The busier the shop gets, the more help it will need.

Engage With Technology

Many successful dispensaries rely on the help of technology to assist their customers. Creating an app for customers to place online orders can help them save the waiting times when they come to pick up their orders. Apps and other websites help relay information to potential customers so they can learn more about the products. You also want your shop to be searchable on the internet, so it helps to provide this information to various search platforms.

There are many other important aspects of running a marijuana business. Hard work and good planning will help business owners make profits for years to come.

Tips for Installing a Heating Oil Tank

Heating your home with a professionally installed oil tank can potentially save you a lot of money. It is safe and efficient, but there are strict regulations involved. If you are interested in installing your heat source, make sure you consult with your local authorities in your location before committing to anything.

This article is an introduction to the process of installing a heating oil tank. Continue reading to help decide if this utility is suitable for you.

Install the Tank Indoors

The best place to install an oil tank is in a garage or other storage room. Keeping your tank indoors will protect it from the weather and other eroding factors, thus extending the life of your tank. Placing the tank inside makes it easier to keep it at a consistent temperature, improving its functioning and keeping maintenance costs low. If a tank is placed outside in a cold climate, the lines can freeze, making the tank inoperable. An indoor tank is also protected from vehicles or other factors that might damage it. Make sure you inspect the tank regularly for leaks and other problems so you are not left without heat for an extended period. Finally, the tank should be easily accessed by a truck for delivery or oil tank removal Westchester County NY.

Keep it Accessible and Protected

In addition to being placed indoors, there are some other things you should keep in mind when installing an oil tank. For one, you should be able to walk around the entire perimeter of the tank for inspection purposes. You should consult your local authorities for exact spacing regulations. The tank should be placed at a suitable distance from any heat source or item that uses fuel. Your installers should be aware of this as well but always double-check. Your local official can also tell you how high the tank needs to be set off the ground. The height is vital for rust prevention, especially on concrete floors. If your tank is in the garage, try blocking the tank off, so you do not run into it with a car. Finally, a pan needs to be placed underneath that can catch any potential leaks. The pan should be big enough to account for long absences in case you are away and damage occurs.

A heating oil tank is a great way to remain self-sufficient, either as the primary heat source or backup. Work with your local officials and hire a professional to install a tank so you can stay warm no matter what.

4 Bankruptcy Myths People Believe

According to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, at least 500,000 people in the U.S. file for personal bankruptcy each year. Even though that number is so high, bankruptcy is not talked about frequently and is often seen as a shameful or embarrassing thing to go through. Because of the relative silence surrounding filing for bankruptcy, myths abound about the impact that bankruptcy has on a person or their finances. Consider these four common myths and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: You’ll Be Free of All Debts After Filing
One common misconception is that following either Chapter 7 or 13, you will be relieved of all your debts. This is untrue. While you will find relief from most of your debts (credit card balances, personal loans and medical bills), by filing for bankruptcy, you will still be responsible for personal debts, which include child support, taxes and any court rulings related to fraud. Additionally, you will likely still be responsible for any student loans you have.

Myth 2: You Will Lose Everything
Some people are afraid to file for bankruptcy because they believe they will have to forfeit their car, house and personal assets. Assets necessary for living, such as a house, are typically considered exempt, which means you’ll be allowed to keep it. However, if you have a luxury vehicle, the court may require you to put it up for auction. What about expensive equipment you have, such as a surround-sound system for your OLED television? Most creditors don’t want to deal with auctioning items like that off, so you’ll probably be allowed to keep them. If you’re concerned about what will stay and go, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer Rockville MD.

Myth 3: Your Financial Future Will Be Ruined
Filing for bankruptcy does not signal the end of your financial future. It’s the opposite: an opportunity to start fresh unencumbered by stressful debt. Yes, you will have to rebuild your credit and will probably even see an increase in interest rates on credit cards and personal loans, but your credit score will come back if you pay your bills on time.

Myth 4: You Are Bad With Money
There is so much judgment surrounding bankruptcy, but did you know that nearly 60% of people who file for personal bankruptcy did so because they had crippling medical debt? Regardless of your financial situation, filing for bankruptcy should not be considered a personal failure but a chance to free yourself of unmanageable debt.

What You Need To Know Before Opening Up a Bar

Opening up your own bar can be an exciting time for you as a business owner. Before doing anything, make sure you have taken care of the basics. That way when grand opening day arrives, you know just what you need to be successful. 

Knowing What Type of Location You Have

Where is your bar located? Are you downtown, near restaurants and other places people might come visit in the evening or are you on the outskirts of town? This will also play a factor in the types of customers you appeal to. A bar downtown in a metropolitan area might appeal to business people, while something in the country and in the middle of nowhere would be of interest to bikers or other types of travelers. 

Making Sure the Correct Paperwork Is Filed

Before you open up for business, you want to be sure you have all the crucial paperwork filed. If it isn’t, this could spell legal problems for your establishment and even cause you to shut down if necessary. You would need a Texas alcohol permit in order to sell. It’s also important that your staff has the right training so they can recognize if a customer is intoxicated and then know how to handle the situation. 

Ensuring You Have Enough Staff Present

When you finally decide to have your bar open, you may do so on a Friday or Saturday night. Those are often busy times for nightlife establishments anyway, so you’ll want to be sure you have enough staff present to handle the number of customers coming in. Consider doubling up on staff and make sure that whenever you decide to do your grand opening, it should be an “all hands on deck” type of situation. 

Having Security Available 

Security can keep a busy bar in order, help patrons feel safe, and stop fights before they escalate. Make sure you know what qualities to look for when you are hiring staff. You don’t want problems to become worse, but you do want to establish a sense of order if things get out of hand.

Opening your own bar is exciting, but make sure to pay attention to the smaller details. Keep in mind the location of your bar, and ensure you have permits to sell alcohol. Have enough staff present on the night you do your grand opening, including security personnel. This can prevent bigger problems from arising. 

 

 

How To Shop for the Best Quality Items

If you mindlessly throw things off your shopping list into your cart, you likely aren’t doing yourself any favors. In fact, you could find that you’re buying food that isn’t as fresh as it could be.

Stores use the FIFO policy – first in, first out. This policy means that the items that have been in the store for the longest are the most readily available on the shelf. While this might not be an issue with some things that move quickly or have a long shelf life, it could be an issue for other things. Being mindful of what you pick up can help ensure that you won’t get home and find that the product isn’t the quality you thought it was. Here are some things to be mindful of when you’re shopping for good-quality products.

Bread Products

Despite what you might think, bread products don’t sell as quickly as you might think. Yes, people love bread, but there are also a lot of choices, and your preferred brand might not sell as quickly as others. Sometimes bread comes in bags that you can’t see through, so you can’t inspect it for mold. To prevent getting home and finding old, stale, moldy bread, always look at the best by date. That date is a good gauge of how long the bread has been sitting on the shelves. Look at multiple loaves of bread and choose the one with the best by date that is the farthest away. This will ensure that your bread will be as fresh as possible. 

Medicines

Whether you are buying pain or cold medication or supplements, you want to know that no one else has opened those containers. If you get all the way home to find that the safety seal has been removed, you’re going to be pretty upset to have to drive back to the store to replace it. All medicines have tamper proof caps of some kind. When choosing what to buy, inspect the cap to ensure it hasn’t already been opened. If it has, take it to an employee for them to deal with. 

If the product has a cap that easily comes off, ensure that the tamper proof seal hasn’t been broken. Some products might have a tab on the cap that you must break off to open the cap. Regardless of the safety method, make sure that it hasn’t been destroyed before adding the product to your cart. 

Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen

If you have decided that it is time to make some changes to your kitchen then these tips for reorganizing your kitchen will certainly be of use to you. One of the first things to think about is how you store your food and grocery items in your kitchen. Do you keep them in your pantry, fridge or freezer? Next to the industrial blenders? Do you separate your ingredients and stock according to types?

Reorganizing Shelves

Now, when you are reorganizing your shelves, cabinets and containers make sure that you keep your containers of water bottles up high so that they don’t spill onto the floor below. It’s very easy for them to get knocked over and break, resulting in nasty little leaks which can be very difficult to fix. If possible try and keep them out of the way of your food preparation so that the water bottles don’t tip over. Similarly, make sure that your spices and marinades do not get left behind on the counters or cabinet tops and that they don’t spill onto the floor. If you can get your spices and marinated foods stored in clear plastic containers then that is the best bet.

Separate by Supply

Another tip for reorganizing your cabinets and containers is to sort your baking supplies and ingredients by season, type, or brand name. When you have finished making a recipe note the quantity of each ingredient required and add them to the cupboards according to where they will be stored. For example, if you have a large collection of citrus fruits then segregate your baking ingredients into sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice and honey. Not only will this help you make the most of your kitchen cupboards by making it easier to find specific items when you need them, but it will also save you a lot of wasted time sorting through the fruit.

Sort by Expiration Date

A third way to save time when reorganizing your kitchen pantry is to sort your items according to expiration date. Many people tend to leave expired items on their counters or shelf, which can cause a significant amount of clutter. If you find that some items of no use to you to have expired, then either throw them out or put them in storage for later use. You might also consider putting expired produce on the shelves where it can be accessed easier. While this can be time consuming, it will help you save valuable floor space as well as preventing you from wasting food.

Cabinet Organizers 

With everything organized, it’s time to move on to cabinet organizers. With just a few simple accessories, you can turn your cabinets from messy disorganized to functional organizing compartments. Lids for your containers are a great option if you want to keep all your kitchen storage items in one place. Some lids even come with handles so you can easily slide them from one container to another. Whether you want drawers for prepackaged foods or drawers designed for canned goods, there are many types of cabinet organizer accessories that will make your life easier and your kitchen more beautiful.