Heartfelt Connections
Caring for and Sustaining Beloved ones During the Pandemic
Most of us face the heartbreak of watching our beloved ones become dependent on us. In good times, this can be joy. Nothing fills the soul like spending the final years with a family member. Anyone who has taken care of a cherished parent will look back (after the tears) on one of the most meaningful parts of life.

 

However, that’s in normal times –

In the all-pervasive Pandemic the challenges of multifold.  The statistics are grim:

As of mid-July, 2020...

*More than 40% of US COVID-19 deaths the direct or indirect consequence of elderly and handicapped individuals living in nursing homes.[1]

*Recent articles and anecdotal reports indicate some, if not many of these deaths are cause by "broken hearts."
We need to see and touch our beloved ones -- and they need us even more.[2]

4 Reasons Why we Can be Optimistic

·        
Safeguards are in place at nursing homes to permit visits by specific relatives and caregivers

·        
Zoom and Facetime Communications Draw Us Closer when we Can't see our beloved ones face-to-face.

 

·         More family members and caregivers can visit under various new state laws.

·         We are ‘adjusting to the Pandemic – it is our Brave New World. Consequently, we’re arriving at creative solutions such as game playing, online theater, getting our loves ones involved in Zoom political events and fundraisers.

We are optimistic and hopeful that times are changing,

 

Sound Coping Strategies to Minimize COVID-19 Stress

·         Find creative ways to entertain and excite loved ones who are in nursing homes, rehab facilities, and hospitals.

·         Never miss the opportunity to let them know you love them, even if you cannot touch them.

·         Coordinate with nursing home staff to instruct caregivers to offer more exercise programs.  Suggest group exercises, online acting and improv classes.

·         Direct institutional staff to ensure that your beloved ones consume key nutrients and vitamins by consuming plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean meats and fish.  Because it is difficult to get all the nutrients you need for your body to thrive, take 100% natural, bring them organic supplements to meet their body’s need for essential vitamins and nutritional substances

a

---

[1] New York Times  July 2020 (statistics for June to mid-July 2020)

[2] Ibid.

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Choosing a “Green” Engineering Firm To Oversee Your Eco-Friendly Building Project

Choosing a “Green” Engineering Firm
To Oversee Your Eco-Friendly Building Project

 

 Creating a Green (ecofriendly) building makes sense. And if your project attains the prestigious
LEED™ (for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC), it will be ranked among America’s environmentally friendly
buildings. The points based LEED rating system encompasses commercial buildings, schools,
retail space, health care facilities and are awarded on four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and
Platinum.

According to the USGBC: “LEED is an internationally recognized green building
program. It provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and
implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and
maintenance solutions.”

The Advantages of Hiring a LEED ™ Certified Engineering Firm

To attain LEED certification an engineering firm must meet rigorous professional standards for
ecofriendly design, construction and maintenance while earning continuing education credits.
Following are just a few of the benefits you will receive if you hire a LEED Certified
engineering consultants such as Universal Engineering Sciences.

● LEED certification signifies that your engineering firm is a leader in the environmental
design field and an active participant in the green building movement.
● A LEED professional must demonstrate a track record of contributing expertise to the
design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings and neighborhoods that
save energy, use fewer resources, reduce pollution, and contribute to healthier
environments for their occupants and the community.
● LEED certified engineering companies are able to help your project achieve lower
operating costs while increasing the value of the buildings.
● LEED Certified engineers are experts in the conservation of energy, water and other
resources
● A building project created under the direction of a LEED certified engineering firm will
be provide a safer, healthier place for its occupants.
● Projects that attain LEED ratings often qualify for tax rebates and zoning allowances.
● Green buildings save on energy costs. In fact, according to a 2012 report issued by the
White House Office of Management and Budget, investments in energy efficiency during
the previous four years are expected to yield energy cost savings by as much as $18
billion over the life of the projects.

For more information on environmentally sensitive construction projects, please visit
Universal Engineering Sciences, a geotechnical engineering firm headquartered in Orlando,
Florida with regional offices throughout the Southeastern United States. Universal
specializes in geotechnical engineering, hydrologic/geophysical, environmental sciences,
construction materials testing, and threshold inspection and is the largest familyowned
business of its type in America.
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Selecting the Perfect Game Table

Selecting the Perfect Game Table

 

Whether you like to play cards, chess, checkers or board games you can find the perfect table to
fit your needs and budget. Whether you’re looking for contemporary styles or classical elegance,
you can select a great table from a trusted online retailer such as HomeElement.com. And some
of the best deals include free shipping! Following are 4 tips to make your online game table
shopping easier:

1. Measure your available space before you shop. This tip would seem to be a no brainer,
but impulse shopping online can get you into trouble. If you don’t determine ahead of
time how much space you can devote to your game table, you might wind up purchasing
something that’s too large or too small to fit your needs. Once you write down your
measurements pay close attention to the specifications listed for each table.

2. Shop on trusted sites such as HomeElement.com that feature sharp digital images of their
game tables so you will know exactly how your new table will look once it arrives.

3. If you enjoy playing lots of different games look for a multiuse
game table such as
HomeElement.com’s 3in1
Game Tables or MultiGame
Game Tables.

4. If you like to enjoy beverages while playing games you might consider a versatile table
such as the Butler Pub Game Table or the Butler Game Table – Heritage, which features
a reversible playing surface – one side is designed for checkers & chess, the other for
backgammon.

For a large inventory of attractive game tables check out HomeElement.com. You’ll find
a wide assortment of outstanding values, including:

The Coaster Mitchell 3 in One Game Table

Made of beautiful oak this affordable multipurpose game table features gentle curves and exquisite attention to detail. Its finished table top offers the perfect surface to enjoy drinks, snacks or meals while you’re enjoying relaxing home entertainment and the thrill of competition.

Home Styles’ St. Croix Game Table

Quickly turns from a gorgeous dining table to an attractive gaming table. All you have to do is flip the top and the elegant dining room surface turns into a felt lined
game table that accommodates eight players and features eight drink holders and chip slots. Your friends and family will love it! The Home Styles’ St. Croix Game Table boasts a durable Asian hardwood and engineered wood construction in a compelling black finish.

Check out HomeElement.com’s superb inventory of high quality game tables. You’ll also
find a complete selection of furniture for your home or office from the world’s top
manufacturers at HomeElement.com, the Online Furniture Superstore.

Global Dimming and its Effect on Climate Change

Global Dimming and its Effect on Climate Change

Global warming and its impact on climate change is a widely known consequence of both natural events and human activities. However, global dimming, the result of pollutants from fossil fuels causing clouds to reflect sunlight away from the earth, is a lesser known phenomenon that also has had an influence on climate change. As a result of global dimming, less heat and energy reaches the earth, and has been blamed by many scientists as the probable cause of the drought in Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s that resulted in the deaths of millions. The reasoning is that the droughts were caused because global dimming prevented ocean water in the Northern Hemisphere to attain temperatures high enough to produce adequate rainfall.

8 Facts about Global Dimming

1. The fossil fuels that cause the greenhouse effect, a contributing factor in global warming, also cause global dimming.
2. The impact of global dimming was first observed by a British scientist named Gerry Stanhill who was working in Israel when he noted hat records showed that the amount of solar radiation that reached the Earth’s surface had decreased up to 0.32% each year from 1958 to 1992. It was Stanhill who coined the term, global dimming.
3. Aerosols are thought to be the major cause of global dimming. Aerosols and other particulate matter absorb solar energy and reflect sunlight back into space. Examples of aerosol particulates include haze, dust, various pollutants and smoke.
4. The amount of sunlight that reached the earth decreased by 4% between 1960 and 1990 according to scientific testing.
5. Some scientists believe that vapor trails from airplanes (also known as contrails) are a contributing cause of global dimming. Because of the constant flow of air traffic, this theory could not be tested.  However, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, civil air traffic was nearly shut down for three days, making possible the observation of the effect of the contrails. Scientists observed an increase in daytime temperature variation of more than 1 ° centigrade in some parts of the U.S.
6. Intense volcanic activity can also contribute to global dimming. In fact, Benjamin Franklin contended that a massive volcanic eruption in Iceland in 1783 was the cause of unusually cold weather in Europe.
7. Clean air legislation in the United States and Europe has effectively counteracted the effects of global dimming and has increased the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth.
8. Some scientists believe that global dimming has actually masked some of the impact of global warming, temporarily lessening the rate of temperature rise. These scientists believe that the global dimming might lead to future predictions of increases in the rate of global warming.

For information on how environmental engineering firms such as HSA Golden are at the forefront in implementing effective technologies to manage climate change, please visit HSAGolden.com.  HSA Golden offers an expansive menu of engineering services in the disciplines of landfill/waste management, greenhouse gas/carbon offsets, mining projects, energy projects, contamination/remediation, soil testing, water supply/hydrogeology and litigation support.

Not just for Stairs! The Many Uses of Runner Shape Rugs

Not just for Stairs!
The Many Uses of Runner Shape Rugs

 Runner shape rugs are not exclusively used for stairs. These long, narrow, rectangular-shaped rugs can be used in many other ways to enhance the décor of your home. If you have a narrow space to cover, a high quality runner rug might be exactly what you need. A gorgeous runner shaped rug can almost magically turn an otherwise ordinary hallway or entryway into a lovely slice of your home decor with a personality of its own. Following are just a few of the ways you can use runner shaped rugs to beautify your home or office.

1.      In the bathroom. Some enterprising decorators are using runner shaped rugs to place in front of double vanities. Others use them on the bathroom floor as a sophisticated counterpoint to the typical bath furnishings and décor. If you use a runner shaped rug in the bathroom, make sure it is water resistant and has a rug pad designed to prevent slippage.

2.      In the hallway.  You can make a bold statement with a contemporary designer runner shaped rug in a narrow hallway.  Or you can select a rug that perfectly complements the décor in the rest of your home.

3.      In the office.  Runner shaped rugs are ideal in small offices where space is limited. They’ll look great in front of your desk or in the entryway.

4.      Home entryways. Runner shaped rugs are an excellent for narrow entryways; they can add color and style to a portion of the home that’s often overlooked by home decorators and will be one of the first things a guest notices. Feel free to make a great impression with a colorful, distinctive rug in your entryways.

5.      In the kitchen – Place a lively colored, beautifully designed runner shaped rug in front of your kitchen counter. Rugs in the kitchen are easy on your feet and can actually save a few dishes from breakage because they are much softer than uncovered flooring.  Make sure that it’s easy to clean because spills do happen in the kitchen! It’s also a good idea to purchase a rug pad to prevent slipping.

How to Select the Right Runner Shaped Rug

1.      Measure your space.  This is a rock-solid rule of thumb when purchasing any rug. When dealing with the narrow spaces where you’re going to place your runner shaped rugs, correct measurements are especially important.

2.      Work from a budget. It’s easy to let expenses get away from you unless you start with a budget.  Give your budget a little bit of wiggle room in case you discover a deal that’s just too good to pass up.  Look for clearance sales and other money saving offers. 

3.      Make sure the runner shaped rug fits into your design scheme.

4.      If you’re looking for the convenience and savings of online shopping, use only trusted websites that offer a bountiful selection, shipping discounts and secure shopping. Make sure the online retailer offers online privacy protections.

5.      Buy only from respected manufacturers. 

Discount Rugs News: Available in America with an International Twist

Discount Rugs News:
Available in America with an International Twist 

A huge quantity of meticulously crafted, highest quality rugs are created, marketed or sold in America – many at heavily discounted prices designed to fit virtually any budget.  In many cases, these high value, low cost rugs are made or influenced by weavers across the globe whose superior workmanship and obsessive attention to detail make these products treasured additions to homes, offices and institutions.

You can find the best deals on these top quality rugs by shopping at trusted retail online destinations such as Dirt Cheap Rugs (DirtCheapRugs.com)

Five of America's most prominent manufacturers of high value, top quality rugs which are influenced by international artisans are Chandra USA, Dalyn, Surya, Amer and Foreign Accents Rugs. Four of these manufacturers are headquartered in Georgia, amid one of the world's richest concentrations of rug and carpet manufacturers.

Chandra USA

 Chandra USA's acclaim rests with its adherence to tradition, heritage and contemporary design, seamlessly melded into vibrant, modern rug art produced by the finest artisans  artisans from India. These elite artisans spend months crafting their wares using simple yet time-proven technologies, handed down through generations of family craftsmanship. Chandra's masterfully woven area rugs display a true culture of rug crafting. Connecting extensive fields of research to the mold, Chandra Rugs and the reliable, creative artisans of Bhadohi, India work together in a dedicated cohesion to bring these traditional, contemporary hand-crafted Indian rug masterpieces to the forefront of the room and floor accessory industry.

Dalyn

The largest custom rug manufacturer in the world, Dalyn has created gorgeous, hand tufted, printed, and woven rugs at an affordable price for more than three decades. Today, Dalyn offers rugs in four primary categories, machine woven, hand-tufted, printed and custom. Dalyn decorative rugs are designed in a broad array of exquisite styles and colors. The distinctive area rug styles satisfy virtually all home decorating tastes, not only traditional decor but also modern styles.

Surya

One of the world's most respected makers of fine crafted area rugs and home accessories, Surya offers a diverse inventory of rugs designed to appeal to just about any lifestyle and aesthetic taste. With its elite group of world-class designers, Surya rugs and accessories are noted for the innovative use of color and design. Founded in Ugapur, India in 1976 by Surya Tiwari, the company began doing business in the United States in 1986.   Surya is building its new U.S. Corporate headquarters in Bartow County, Georgia in the Atlanta metropolitan area which will create more than 200 new jobs in the state.

Amer

Amer's breathtakingly beautiful rugs are created by thousands of artisans using tufted and knotted looms along with state-of-the-art automated wool and silk dyeing and drying machinery; including extensive labs and test equipment to monitor grades of wool and quality, Amer also boasts a large exporting facility in Atlanta, Georgia.

Foreign Accents

Founded in an adobe building in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1985, Foreign Accent has access to a wealth of designs, fibers, and mills. It has imported rugs from more than 30 countries, combining quality workmanship, innovative design, and exciting patterns. The company painstakingly selects its rugs from the very best designs crafted by thousands of accomplished artisans located all around the globe.

Earth Tones and Unusual Design Typify Foreign Accents' Rug Collection

Visit DirtCheapRugs.com to choose from a large selection of Amer, Chandra, Dalyn, Surya Rugs and Foreign Accents Rugs for the best values anywhere.  To speak directly to a customer service representative call toll-free 800-503-4033 Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm Eastern time.

les, fibers, and mills,
we bring these designs to
our line of extraordinary
rugs; rugs with a bright
independent spirit. select our rugs from
thousands of designs by
talented artists. With
access to a world of
styles, fibers, and mills,
we bring these designs to
our line of extraordinary
rugs; rugs with a bright
independent spirit.