CT Smart Growth

Most people have heard about the importance of installing water filters on their kitchen sinks.  Who wants to drink water full of chlorine and other harmful chemicals?  Chlorine can make you sick and research suggests it can even increase your chances of fatal diseases, such as cancer or heart disease.  Despite the hype about finding clean drinking water that keeps the bottled water business booming, most people never think twice about the other ways that chlorine and harmful chemicals invade their homes.  In fact, when you take a shower, you absorb much more chlorine than you ever would by drinking a glass of unfiltered water.  It seems absurd, doesn’t it?  Unfortunately, it’s true.

When you take a steaming hot shower or a long hot bath, chlorine in the water becomes vaporized.  It enters your body with each breath you take.  As the hot water opens the pores of your skin, the chlorine seeps through each pore.  As your body is in contact with such a relaxing hot shower, the chlorine can start to irritate your lungs, throat, eyes and even mucous membranes.  These subtle symptoms often go unnoticed, or people chalk them up to a simple allergy problem.  Chlorine continues to go undetected and wreaks havoc on our bodies.

When you take a shower in water that has been treated with chlorine, the chlorine can actually cause irreparable damage to your skin and your hair.  Your hair might become dry or brittle.  If your hair is bleached blonde, it can turn green after prolonged exposure to chlorine.  Even if you have never dyed your hair, the chlorine content in your shower water can wash away your natural color, leaving your hair dull and unhealthy.  In the same way, chlorine is damaging to your skin, stripping it of important oils.  Your skin becomes excessively dry and starts to age prematurely.

More upsetting than the damage to hair and skin is the effect chlorine has on your internal organs.  Research found that over time, exposure to chlorine in shower water can significantly raise your risk of getting bladder cancer, heart disease and colon cancer.  All three of these conditions are often fatal.

While you may have always imagined a hot shower to be a great way to relax, you could be doing your body irreparable harm with each minute you stand beneath the unfiltered spray.  If you want to truly protect your body from harm, don’t overlook your shower faucets when installing water filters.  A good water filter can effectively remove chlorine and other harmful pollutants from your water.  You will preserve your health, prevent premature aging and reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma.  Shower filters are an easy way to improve your health and take steps to take better care of yourself.

If you don’t have filters installed in your showers, shop online for a shower filter system that fits within your budget.  Compare the various brands and find one from a reputable company.  Order online and have the filter shipped to your home so you can install it and protect your body from any future damage from polluted water in your baths and showers.

Managing your personal finances doesn?t have to be hard or scary, you just need to learn how to make your money last. You can?t afford to put off creating a personal budget. Once you?ve managed to do this, you?ll be able to stop living from pay check to paycheck. Financial experts recommend sitting down a spreadsheet that lists all of your expenses to that you can see exactly where you?re money goes.

Financial experts recommend that you treat your personal budget with the same type of seriousness that you would treat your budget if you?re running your own business. You need to be aware of how much money you have coming in, and how high your expenses are. You should also make it a point to cut the extras from your expenses, at least until you?ve managed to pay off a few bills and have created a decent savings.

When you sit down to figure out your personal budget, you need to create goals for yourself. Pick a few bills that you want to get paid off by a certain time. Not only will this help you determine a better budget, but you?ll also find that you can use these goals as benchmarks that will guide you to financial independence.

There?s no reason to be frightened by the idea of creating a budget. Granted you might have a few months where you have to give up some extras, such as going out to dinner or taking in a movie, but in the long run you?ll find that taking the time to organize your personal finances will actually reduce the amount of stress you feel on a daily basis.

No one likes getting a power bill that is more than they were expecting. Many times we forget about all the things we did that month that would raise it higher. Or there may be things we are doing that we have no idea are making our power bills go higher. There are many things that we can do that can help us lower our power bills and they are very simple and easy to remember.

#1: Cut off the water. Many times when we are brushing our teeth or washing our hands, we let the water run. This is a very small thing that can raise your power bill more than you think. When you wet your toothbrush and while you are brushing, cut the water off until you are done and ready to use it. This will help you not waste water and keep your bill low.

#2: Cute off lights. Try and remember that anytime you walk out of a room, cut off the light, even if you think you are going to come right back in. Many times, families will leave lights on while they go out for the day or even leave a computer running or TV on. These things can make your power bill go much higher and keeping on top of these things will lower it drastically.

#3: Check your windows. More than anything, doors and windows will let air out that needs to stay in or it will let air in that needs to stay out. Check your doors and windows and makes sure they are sealed well around the frame and if you need to replace them do so.

Have you ever made such a fool of yourself that you wished you could just disappear? Most of us have managed to do something we later regret; after all it?s basic human nature to screw up. Some of us are just better at it than others.

My greatest moment of indignity involves a dinner date with a guy I considered a good friend. He asked me to come over for a special dinner, drinks and a dunk in his hot tub after work one night. I thought that sounded like a fantastic plan so I readily agreed. On the appointed day I excitedly packed my skimpiest bikini and made ready for whatever the evening would bring.

After a hectic day at work I was more ready to flop on my couch than to undertake an evening complete with dinner, drinks and a dunk. I had virtually no previous experience with hot tubs but I was looking forward to the opportunity that was presenting itself. Wearily I grabbed my bag and drove to my friend?s place for our special evening completely unaware of the pitfall awaiting me.

My friend grilled a couple of thick, juicy burgers and we gobbled them down along with pickles, onions, cheese and ketchup. Potato salad and potato chips rounded out dinner and we made ice cream floats for dessert. After a nice after dinner drink I was ready for the dunk part of the evening as we headed out to one of those fancy air baths resistance pools like I had always dreamed of owning.

Most of what happened later that night could have been prevented. For instance, I did not realize that the combination of jacuzzis and alcohol can be problematic. 104° water acts as a stimulant while alcohol acts as a depressant; talk about confusing your system. Not only that, 104° water causes alcohol to take effect very quickly; drinking alcohol while dunking in 104° water causes you become drunk much quicker than you would under normal, dry circumstances. I wish I had been in on that little secret.

Like a lemming running towards a cliff I continued on my path to self-humiliation. I was totally relaxed luxuriating in front of the best Saunatec massage jet in the whole world (at least I thought it was). I inhaled a couple more drinks before I began to feel woozy; I was so dizzy I thought I was going to pass out. I tried to stand but only fell back into the water. I honestly believe that I could have drowned. My wonderful friend pulled me from the water choking and sputtering. The rest of the night is a blur; I was miserably sick and terribly embarrassed.

I may have made a fool of myself but I learned a valuable lesson; alcohol and hot tubs don?t mix.

Connecticut is one of the original thirteen colonies. It is also the home of Yale; one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. However, I bet it would surprise to you know that Connecticut also has a thriving fan base for a new trend in online gaming; no deposit bingo.

As strange as it seems, through out the nation, the world in fact, there has been a growing demand for one of the internet’s newest most guilty of pleasures. Bingo is one of those littler known all American pass times. But one that keeps a following as loyal as fans of baseball and apple pie.

All over Connecticut people fire up their computers, their phones, heck even their iPads, every day, just to play a little virgin bingo. It’s not very surprising though. When you consider the demand for easily accessible online gaming platforms. Simply put, people love online bingo. It would not be unusual to go into one your favorite local Starbucks located smack dab in the middle of Connecticut and see over a dozen loyal fans plugging away at sites like bingocams.

But this new social gaming phenomenon doesn’t just extend to Internet cafes. No. You should not be surprised to ride the transit system and see one of the locals on their newest phones searching the newest and best bingo sites.

This explosion in popularity has caught the Internet by storm and made games like xbingo one of the hippest online gaming trends in the nation. Connecticut may be one of the strongest supporters of this new craze, but rest assured, the rest of the world is following close behind.

This isn’t surprising, however. Consider this. Among the top selling electronics devices throughout the globe are computers, phones, and, of course, gaming consoles. All three of these easily make games like online bingo accessible to the masses. Developers do this for one main reason. If they streamline their gaming experience so that the average consumer, with little to no gaming experience, can pick up, play, and, most importantly, have fun on any number of platforms then (let’s be honest) that is just a recipe for success.

The bottom line… Connecticut loves playing online bingo. And soon, so will you. Don’t believe me? Well, don’t be surprised when, one fine day, boredom strikes and you find yourself searching the web for online bingo sites. Then as you click on the link to your newest source of fun you can think pioneers like Connecticut for all the smiles you will ensue.

Joe and Maria were unsure of where to begin in their search for a new vehicle. They wanted to stick to their budget, but also wanted to purchase a vehicle that got great gas mileage, and one that was better for the environment as well. They started doing their homework to see what options were available, and they were surprised to learn about the benefits of electric vehicles. Since an electric model was out of their price range, the hybrid car seemed like a great choice. Several things really appealed to them about hybrids over electric vehicles, so they were able to cross electric cars off the list and look only at hybrids. They also knew they wanted to try and purchase a Toyota, since they had been pleased with all their Toyota purchases in the past.

After lots of research and window shopping, they were finally ready to go for some test drives.

The first vehicle they chose for a test drive was a Toyota Camry. One of the features about the Camry that Joe really liked was that the car could run in all electric mode, all gasoline mode, or a combination of both. It was like having the best of both scenarios for them and ultimately it presented the best cars concept imaginable!

While on the lot, they also drove the hybrid only model Prius. While a more expensive hybrid than other models, it had some other perks ? like a top of the line navigation system, Lane Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Pre-Collision System. Joe and Maria also knew that Toyota vehicles usually got great safety ratings, which was also as important to them as the electric vehicles charge capability.

Finally, they decided to look at something a little larger, and decided to check out the Hybrid model Highlander. Maria liked that the Highlander could seat seven, perfect for taking the grandchildren on an outing. They learned that the Highlander was the first seven passenger hybrid of any manufacturer ? most seated five or less. They also liked that the Highlander was manufactured in the United States.

After driving all three, they went home and weighed all the pros and cons of each vehicle. All of them had a really smooth ride on the road, were within their price range, and each had many of the energy saving options that they wanted in a vehicle.

However, they felt the Prius was a little smaller than what they needed, so they were able to cross that one from the list. While they also loved the Camry ? that already owned a 4-door sedan that was meeting their needs, and got pretty great gas mileage. What they really needed was something to take trips and hold friends and family. The Highlander was the right one for them. They even decided to go for some of the upgrades like heated seats and a Hybrid Highlander. They felt great about their decision and about the fact that their vehicle was better for the environment. They even decided to save up for an electric scooter to use on quick errands to take another step to help the environment.

As you become older, it can become somewhat difficult to maintain all the pleasures of your youth. I?ve always been a really intellectual, mental type of guy. I?ve worked as a computer technician in Connecticut for over twenty years and I?ve always loved playing with the latest technology. But as I began getting older I have started to feel like I?m constantly walking around with clouds in my head. I really would like to be able to have that mental agility I possessed when I was younger, but I guess it is true what they say-the older you get the less mentally agile you become.

Now I?m not going insane or senile. That isn?t the problem at all. I just simply feel like I?m not as mentally adept as I used to be. I talked to my wife about this and she went to a local store and purchased some puzzle books for me insisting that it would really help me maintain and regain some of my mental agility. I tried to enjoy these books, but it really didn?t help out much at all.

One day I was on my computer playing solitaire when a thought hit me that perhaps I should try to find other games online. I searched online for word games and ran across online bingo. I was quite intrigued. My wife loves playing bingo and she actually goes to Connecticut bingo halls twice a month to play, but I never knew there was online bingo that she could play in the comfort of your own home. I decided to give it a try at xbingo.com and I must say it is quite different than what I thought it would be.

It turns out that WonderBingo is exactly what I needed to get my mental juices flowing again. Everything is completely interactive. I can select an assortment of bingo games that include different ball counts as well as different formats and styles. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there are numerous websites that have bingo games all of them quite different from each other. I can actually spend hours playing bingo games, moving from Costa Bingo to Foxy Bingo.

My wife walked in one day and saw me at the computer deeply engaged and wanted to know what I was doing. I told her that I was playing online bingo. She seemed quite intrigued herself because as I mentioned before she plays bingo twice a month at the bingo halls. So I showed her how playing bingo online works and she seems very interested in learning how to play.

I?ll be turning 65 years old soon and I know that as long as you keep active growing older doesn?t have to be a bad thing. For me, I want to grow older with my intelligence intact. Finding out about online bingo has been the best thing to happen to me because now I have something that keeps me mentally alert and engaged and I?m very thankful for that.

All leather needs proper caring to maintain its beauty, color, texture, and elasticity. Improper care will lead to cracking, fading, and breakage. Ostrich leather is considered an exotic type of leather. It requires proper cleaning and care to maintain its beauty and for it to last long. Many products are made using ostrich leather. These include boots, handbags, purses, wallets, briefcases, belts, and other accessories. Ostrich leather is also dyed to achieve a desired color – green, blue, red …

The proper way to clean this type of leather is by wiping it with a clean and lightly damp soft cloth. It must be free of detergents, which may ruin the color or texture. In case of having an oil or grease, stain in the leather, prompt action is required. Sprinkle talcum powder on the stain and let sit for a few minutes. It will absorb the oil. Next is to brush the spot with care, brushing the excess with a soft brush.

Protect the leather from ink or direct applied heat, as it will result in marking the leather permanently. Many ostrich leather products are made with natural, pure leather that have not been treated or protected, only dyed. In this case, to protect the leather from water you will need to use a wax protectant spray made for this type of leather. This will protect the leather temporarily and you will have to reapply to continue water repellent protection.

When not using the ostrich leather watch bands item, you must store it away from direct light, preferably in a flannel case in your closet, and always away from any heat source such as a vent or heater. With regular care ostrich leather will last you long.  Also tough are Swiss Army watch bands and replacement watch bands.

Guardian generators provide reliable, efficient service as well as peace of mind in case of power outage. They’re great for using in severe weather, when you really need to be up-to-date with the weather forecast in your region as well as keeping your refrigerated and frozen goods from spoiling. A Guardian generator is a great tool for any responsible homeowner.

There is a wide range of power output available from Guardian generators; they range from 14kW to 505kW, and they can provide backup for anything from an industrial setting to an RV. Before you shop, assess your power usage needs carefully to determine what wattage will best suit your family. The cost of fuel is an important consideration as well; most of these generators operate on gasoline, propane, or diesel, so the fuel prices should aid you in determining which Guardian generator would be most affordable for your situation.

Guardian generators can be easily installed by a professional; the installation time varies based on the electrical set up that already exists; it can be accomplished in as few as a couple of days, even in an environmental setting. As with every mechanical object, maintenance is very important to keep your Guardian generator running for a long time. Regular maintenance is simple, and any Guardian dealer will be glad to perform the services that are required to keep your generator in good working order. This maintenance can be as easy as cleaning the generator to replacing parts like fuel filters. This will help increase the efficiency to your generator.  Also efficient are Yamaha generators.

When considering a move to Madison, Wisconsin, the person may be considering finding an apartment that is going to work for them. They are in luck, since the town has many different kind of complexes to choose from. They are going to offer studio apartments, and those that have one or even three bedroom apartments. The person is definitely going to be able to find the apartment complex that fits their needs and desires. However, what else do these apartments offer?

Most of these apartments are going to include some sort of clubhouse, which is going to allow people to get together, as well as have some place to go to relax or just have a good time. Usually the club house is going to have activities such as a computer room, fitness room, hot tubs, Jacuzzis or so forth that the resident and their guest are going to get to enjoy. The person is going to find that they have everything that they need without having to go out into town much.

The amount of rent that people will pay will vary greatly, depending on the type of apartment that they get and the deal that they are given when they move in. For example, there are some apartments that are as cheap as $450 per month, however, they may not include that much room and any other amenities that adults are wanting, but for college students it is great. There are even apartments that are going to be around twelve hundred dollars per month. Which are going to be the luxury apartments for those that want them.

Madison Campus Apartments & Portage Apartments

When you think of computers, the internet and web design, what part of the country do you think of?  It likely wasn’t Wisconsin, Minnesota or Illinois, but that may change.  The Midwest is developing strong presences in the online world – and with good reason. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois have strong factors driving website advancement and, while they aren’t Silicon Valley yet, they are proving to be strong and quickly growing even stronger.  The reasons for this are simple – a growing tech industry and a vibrant university system.

If you are a website design specialist living in the Midwest, you are in an ideal position.  You are in an area with strong technologically orientated industries making strides in your markets and you have an excellent University system fueling further technological growth.  The University of Wisconsin in Madison is one example of this as is the University in Milwaukee. Milwaukee website design is flourishing because of this, in fact.  Website designers in Illinois have similar benefits with the University of Chicago being the most obvious example.  Chicago web site design is moving toward the head of the pack in the nation at a steady pace.

Another factor that is assisting with the growth of web design in the Illinois and Wisconsin areas is the cost of living in these areas.  It is much less expensive to hire website designers in Appleton, for instance than it is to hire from Silicon Valley.  And while for many industries the buyers would be in the same geographical area and thus limit the value of variations in expenses, this is a much smaller factor in website based industries – in other words, Wisconsin can get business from people in silicon valley easily, which is good for Wisconsin and Illinois, but not so good for website developers in Silicon Valley.

All in all, unless something happens to cause web developers to seriously drop their prices in California and the tech industries in Wisconsin and Illinois dry up suddenly, there is no reason not to believe that the growth seen in these areas will continue at a brisk pace.  They may not overtake the giants on the coast, but they will almost certainly give them a run for their money.

Below are some links that you may find helpful if you are searching for web design help:

• Follow this link for website design Minneapolis MN professionals.  There is a wealth of talent in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
• Here are some helpful links for those looking in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee website design and website design Appleton WI.
• For those in the Chicago, IL area, follow this link to find website design Chicago IL professionals.
• Of course I didn’t mention Texas, but I’ve found some very talented Austin website design specialists, as well as Round Rock website designers that both exceeded my expectations.