We had the chance to test out the Sport-Brella Chair, the only umbrella chair with 360 degrees of coverage from the sun's rays. We did four days of testing on the beach, and we approve!

The Sport-Brella Chair was lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for older adults. It was so comfortable for elderly friends on the beach. The chair worked great for them, and without it they would not have been able to enjoy the family vacation at the ocean.

The Sport-Brella Chair comes in Dark Blue, Olive Green and Red, and is available to purchase for $39.99. 

In the last Closets by Design blog post, we discussed renovating your garage space to improve space in your home and provide additional room.

At Closets by Design, we have experience in improving these spaces. Check out the photos of what we can do, and call us to learn more about your own garage space!

Chapel Valley Landscaping showcases the entrance to the Muddy Branch Square shopping Plaza with colorful Green and Red landscaping to welcome shoppers!  Our commercial landscaping has a lot of green thumbs too.

Nothing breaks up the look of pavement like the fresh look of well manicured grass, trees and shrubs to enhance the shopping experience. Our landscaping design, installation and maintenance crews for commercial, office and retail landscaping is dedicated to keeping our clients looking their best.

We continue the red and green them throughout the mall with these decorative islands that provide lighting and décor to the malls walkways...

Nothing says welcome like an array of three different beautiful flowers at the entrance for commercial landscaping in Gaithersburg, Maryland

For more photos of this property, like us on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/chapel.valley.landscape

Landscaping needs to be updated to a contemporary look, just like interior decorating. Plus, landscaping grows and needs to be trimmed and sometimes replaced. 

A challenging project for East Coast Landscape Design stemmed from a 35-year-old landscape at a home on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC. The homeowners just moved into the house, and wanted an updated yard. More specifically, they were looking to increase curb appeal by making the yard look more professional and contemporary. 

East Coast Landscape Design removed the entire front and side yard to meet the needs of the homeowners. By adding a retaining wall and putting a ground cover over the hill, they were able to present the homeowners with an updated landscape look for their new home in Northwest Washington, DC.

We are excited to announce that  ”Murder at the Oh No Coral” is the latest murder mystery to take place at Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland!

The Gold Rush is over and the town of Oh No is slowly dying… as are some of its most prominent residents.  Travel back to the Wild West and see if you’re fast enough on the draw to catch a killer..

“Murder at the Oh No Coral” beings this weekend, so come by Blair Mansion Restaurant to see if you can figure it out!

Grab your home improvement wish list and head out to the ACS Suburban Maryland Fall Home Show this weekend. The Home Show is designed for all homeowners in every stage of home improvements and remodeling, landscaping and even decorating. Hundreds of exhibitors with merchandise and product demonstrations will be available to meet you. Get expert advice from all the pros at the Home Show.

Renewal by Andersen of Maryland is excited to be part of this popular event. Stop by to see our beautiful replacement windows and doors on display and see how you can add beauty and energy efficiency to your home.

Event Dates and Hours:
Saturday, September 10, 10am – 8pm
Sunday, September 11, 10am – 6pm

Admission is FREE

Event Location:
Discovery Sports Center at Maryland SoccerPlex
18031 Central Park Circle
(Boyds) Germantown, MD 20841

Click here for directions.

Learn more at the Renewal By Andersen website.

If you are looking for other ideas to improve the space in your home and de-clutter, think about renovating your garage space!

Wire or wood shelves and new cabinets will help provide extra space for sports equipment and those Sams Club bulk purchases. This will be extra beneficial come fall and winter, when kids' sports are getting busier and storing for a cold winter begins.

Plus, a more organized garage gives you more room to store that cool car!

Call Closets by Design toll-free at 800-293-3744 to receive more information about renovating your garage space in Washington, DC, Virginia or Maryland.

Hello and welcome to the new blog for East Coast Landscape Design!

What makes East Coast Landscape Design different from the other guys is our experience! Mark Simpson has been in business for 32 years (since 1979!), and has managed over 750 landscaping projects; doing everything from designing and installing walkways, patios and ponds to planting trees and shrubs.

The diversity in the types of work done by EAST COAST LANDSCAPE DESIGN makes us stand out from the competition, which is why we have created this blog! We want to share some exciting experiences and photos of our work in Montgomery and Howard counties, Maryland and in Northwest Washington, DC.

Be sure to look at our blog entries and photos. We would love to connect with you on Facebook, so visit our page and Like us!

Chapel Valley provide a comprehensive maintenance program for this site.

The maintenance includes multiple flower rotations for both seasonal color in the beds as well as multiple pots on the property.

We also provided the installation of the landscape on this property.

This water feature is surrounded by a burst of color with annual flowers.

A warm and welcoming walkway connects the features on site.

To view more photos of this property, like us on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chapel.valley.landscape

Did you suffer storm damage from Hurricane Irene?

Wheaton Restoration can help! 
We can help with emergency board-ups for damaged roofs, windows, and doors.  We can repair and replace roofing, siding, gutters and trim.  In fact, we can fix anything on the exterior of your home.
We are experts at home restoration and helping homeowners recover from disaster.  Just last year, we processed more than 1,000 homeowners’ claims from hail storm that struck the Waldorf, MD area and parts of Northern Virginia.
If you live anywhere in the DC area, including parts of the Eastern Shore such as Annapolis, Severn, Ocean City, Easton, La Plata, Dundalk, Lewes (DE), Rhehobeth (DE) as well as in the DC Metro including Rockville, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Silver Spring, Columbia, or Gaithersburg, as well as parts of Northern Virginia from Alexandria to Leesburg, and including Arlington, Alexandria, Great Falls and Reston, call us for immediate service.
Wheaton Restoration can help you with siding and roofing repairs.  But we can also help you maximize your insurance benefits, often with little or no out of pocket expense to you.  In many cases, insurance companies shortchange their customers by paying out less than is needed to properly rebuild.  That’s where we can help.  As your contractor of choice, we advocate on your behalf, pointing out damage which insurance adjusters conveniently overlook.  It is not unheard of for us to generate thousands of dollars in additional payments on an insurance claim.   That’s money you can use to properly rebuild. 
After major storms, many unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors flood an area looking for victims.   Don’t be fooled!  Choose a licensed, bonded, contractor locally based with a name you can trust.   Wheaton Restoration has been working with customers since 1945.  We have tens of thousands of satisfied customers.

Call TODAY for a free damage assessment. 888-794-0489

Congratulations to Consuela Lowery, winner of our “Drop Dead, Gorgeous” photo contest. Consuela’s photo will be featured on the Blair Mansion Restaurant website and Consuela will receive a $50 Blair Mansion gift certificate.

Check out her winning photo!

Home offices provide a comfortable working environment in the convenience of your own home. Another trend we've noticed at Closets by Design is revamped home office space. Dual desks, including homework desks for kids, provide additional work areas for the whole family.
Here are some benefits to a new, custom home office:
•More productive work space •Cleaner, less cluttered look
•Additional space for office supplies
•More comfortable environment to work at home in
At Closets by Design, we can help you design the home office of your dreams. Call us to find out how we can help you with your new-and-improve home-work place!

Tempered glass is one of two kinds of safety glass regularly used in applications in which standard glass could pose a potential danger. Tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard glass and does not break into sharp shards when it fails. Tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, making it harder than normal glass.

The brittle nature of tempered glass causes it to shatter into small oval-shaped pebbles when broken. This eliminates the danger of sharp edges. Due to this property, along with its strength, tempered glass is often referred to as safety glass.

The thermal process that cures tempered glass also makes it heat resistant. Tempered glass is used to make the carafes in automatic coffee makers and the windows in ovens. Computer screens, skylights, door windows, tub enclosures and shower doors are more examples of places you will find tempered glass. Building codes also require the windows of many public structures to be made of tempered glass.

Automobiles use a different type of safety glass for the windshield and tempered glass for the back and side windows. Windshields are made from laminated glass, which sandwiches a sheet of plastic between two panels of glass. When the windshield breaks, the glass panels stick to the plastic film, rather than falling away to possibly injure the driver or other passengers.

So tempered glass will:

1. Make your home more energy efficient

2. Not shatter if it is broken

3. Protect your home because it is stronger

If you have more questions about tempered windows, vinyl windows, security windows, etc, please give Wheaton Door & Window a call. 866-736-1722

No one likes having clutter in their life, and at Closets by Design, we love helping home owners create their own perfect solution cluttering. A popular trend we've noticed in our industry is pantry renovation.

Here are some ways to improve pantry space:

• Spice racks
• Lazy Susans
• Pull-out trays with deeper shelves
• Custom wall shelving

By improving your pantry space, you can make room for more items while eliminating clutter in your home. Call Closets by Design toll-free at 800-293-3744 to receive more information about improving your pantry in Washington, DC, Virginia or Maryland.

Mosquitoes a Problem From Baltimore to Bethesda

A common pest across Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC are mosquitoes. Our area is actually home to almost 60 different breeds of mosquitoes. Besides causing an itchy bump, mosquito bites can also spread disease malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. For the first time in nearly 50 years, endemic cases of dengue fever and malaria are in the United States.

Mosquitoes need water to reproduce. Mosquito eggs are laid on stagnant water and must go through a development cycle that requires them to remain in the water until they become adult mosquitoes. If they are deprived of the water at any time before adult mosquitoes emerge (whether it drains away, evaporates or is dumped), no mosquitoes will result.

So what can we do in our own backyard to help combat the mosquito population? One of the best ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard is to implement a regular program to dispose of accumulated water. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, there are steps you can take around your property to help rid the area of mosquitoes:

• Gutters are one of the most overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around homes. Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely, and replace old gutter systems that don’t drain properly.

• Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in tires used for playground equipment.

• Store plastic wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not in use.

• Turn over or remove clay pots and plastic containers.

• Dispose of all empty beverage containers, plastic wrappers, discarded toys, etc.

• Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.

• Pump out bilges in boats. Turn canoes and small boats upside down for storage.

• Replace water in bird baths at least twice a week.

• Remove pet food and water dishes that are not being used.

• Don't leave garbage can lids lying upside down. Be sure water does not collect in the bottom of garbage cans.

• Flush water in the bottom of plant holders twice a week.

• Fix dripping outside water faucets.

• Turn wheelbarrows upside down when stored outside.

• Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.

• Check ornamental ponds, tree holes and water-holding low areas for mosquito larvae.

Taking a few precautions to eliminate standing water around your home and yard can significantly reduce the number of mosquitoes and lessen your chances of contracting one of the many diseases mosquitoes transmit.

Thompson Creek at Montgomery County Fair

Thompson Creek Window Company continues to exhibit this weekend at the Montgomery County Fair.

Please visit the Thompson Creek display area to see our vinyl windows, siding, doors, rain gutters and to learn more about our award winning customer service. Thompson Creek windows qualify for the new 2011 energy tax credit. Our gutter system is guaranteed never to clog or pull away from your home. Our vinyl siding will insulate your home and block up to 45% more noise than regular siding. You will increase the curb appeal of your home with a new entry door, sliding glass door, or French doors. Visit our booth for details.

Details:

63rd Montgomery County Fair

Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds

Gaithersburg, MD

August 12-20, 2011, 10am-midnight

Over the past 30 years, Thompson Creek Window Company has become the mid-Atlantic's premier home improvement replacement products company. Replacement windows and doors, clog-free gutters, vinyl siding – custom-manufactured, installed and serviced from our family-owned and operated facilities in Landover, Maryland.

Thompson Creek knows that our customers want replacement home improvement products that beautify their home, increase their home value and return on investment, save them money in energy costs, and will incur no additional maintenance or costs in the long run.

We pledge to give you the best product on the market today, the best price possible, the best installation, the best customer service and most of all our best effort every day to keep our family of customers happy.

At Blair Mansion Restaurant, we love giving our customers a great deal! Our latest coupon is out, and we are giving you a half-priced entree when you buy one at full price!

That’s right- buy one entrée, and get half off! Be sure to print this coupon and bring it with you to Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland to redeem.

Published by:  Michael Ullrich  A.I.A.

As our homes become more and more energy efficient and the exterior building envelope gets more and more tightly sealed, indoor air quality becomes a major concern.  Think of it this way; have you ever been in an old home on a cold day and felt a draft?  Though this draft is horrible for home efficiency, it is hugely beneficial to air quality because that draft  brings fresh air into the home and creates circulation (air movement).  

 ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has developed  Standard 62.2  which establishes some minimum requirements for creating constant air movement throughout our homes.   Studies by the American Lung Association and EPA have shown that poor indoor air quality can pose serious threats to our respiratory health.

The good news is maintaining healthy indoor air quality is a relatively simple endeavor, thanks to some new bath fan technologies.   Manufacturers like Panasonic, Broan-Nutone, and Air King have developed " smart fans" that can  serve the dual purpose of exhausting moist bathroom air as well as managing your home's  indoor air quality.  Running at near in-audible sound levels and very low constant speed, these fans consume minimal energy while cycling air throughout our super-sealed and insulated homes. 

As you improve the efficiency of your home, incorporate this low impact solution to maintain the air you, your family, and your home "breathe".

At Pagenstecher GROUP, we are constantly on the look -out for the newest products and innovations in residential design and construction.  If you are considering a home renovation project in Maryland, DC or Virginia, let our experts develop a unique design solution for you.

Regardless of the temperature outside, every homeowner can benefit from keeping things cool on the inside, whether it’s for comfort or for cost saving purposes. Here are a few options to consider when looking for ways to beat the heat:

Air Conditioning: When purchasing a new air conditioning system, evaluate the size of the room and/or square footage of the home to make sure it has the ability to be energy efficient, based on your needs. If you have an older central air unit, consider replacing the outdoor compressor with a newer, more efficient model.

Regular Maintenance: There are a number of ways to keep your unit in tip-top shape long term. Clean the filter or replace it monthly (depending on the model and maintenance guidelines from the manufacturer) so dust and dirt won't reduce air flow. In conjunction with your own maintenance routine, have an HVAC professional come in once a year to give your system a full tune up. They'll assess the unit's current condition and provide recommendations for any additional maintenance and/or repairs.

Heat Build-Up: Try to keep the thermostat around 78°F and supplement air conditioning with ceiling fans. Keep the house closed up tight during the day and don’t air condition rooms you don’t use. Keep the use of heat-generating appliances including the stove, washer and dryer, or dishwasher to a minimum, especially during daylight hours, and consider replacing any that put an extra burden on cooling the house overall.

Windows: It may be beautiful outside, but when it’s warmer than normal keep those curtains pulled and the shades down during the day, particularly for windows getting direct sun exposure. Consider getting thermal or insulated drapes. To further keep heat and light from entering your home, have tightly woven fitted screens or bamboo shades installed on the outside of the windows.

There are many ways to keep things cool on the home front this summer. Just be conscious of all the little things you can do that will add up to some real savings, and then sit back and enjoy the season! Learn more by contacting the Pagenstecher Group.

Published by:  Michael Ullrich  A.I.A.

Who'd ever think of writing about shower drains?  Utilitarian-looking at best, they are certainly not a design feature in most bathrooms.  Well that sentiment may soon be changing.  Infinity Drain (www.infinitydrain.com) offers a variety of unique bathroom drains  with an architectural edge.

Their linear strip drain systems offer a multitude of design opportunities that can be incorporated into the overall aesthetic of the shower.

Even more intriguing is their "TILEDRAIN" which virtually disappears into the shower floor.  Available in 3-sizes, the tiledrain can be covered with the same material (up to 3/4" thick) as the rest of the  shower floor. 

At Pagenstecher GROUP, we are constantly on the look -out for the newest products and innovations in residential design and construction.  If you are considering a home renovation project in Maryland, DC or Virginia, let our experts develop a unique design solution for you.

Published by:  Michael Ullrich  A.I.A.

Looking for space to tuck a powder room (or half bath) into your already cramped for space home?  There is a new product that might be the answer for you, but you will have to think outside the box a bit.  Caroma (www.caromausa.com) has introduced a unique fixture that integrates a dual flush toilet and a sink basin into a singular unit.  

This all-in-one fixture offers an environmental (water re-use) benefit to boot.  After the toilet is used clean, fresh water is fed through the integrated hand-washing faucet instead of flowing straight down the drain (literally) like conventional toilets.  The handwashing water is collected in the toilet tank where it is stored for the next flush.

Though slightly unconventional, the fixture offers a couple key benefits worth considering; 1) it is environmentally conscious, which is never a bad thing.   2) It allows for a very compact footprint and greater flexibility when locating a powder room.   3) Cost of all-in-one unit is offset by reduced installation cost since singular water and drain connections serve both toilet and sink functions.

On top of that, it is bound to become a conversation piece for all visitors.

At Pagenstecher GROUP, we are constantly on the look -out for the newest products and innovations in residential design and construction.  If you are considering a home renovation project in Maryland, DC or Virginia, let our experts develop a unique design solution for you.

Our latest murder mystery show “Drop Dead Gorgeous” at Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring has run its course. Luckily, it’s not too late to experience the drama and intrigue!

This weekend, you can still catch “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and meet our former supermodel, Georgianna Traylor. Georgianna has developed an exciting new product she wants to share with the world. Unfortunately, it’s a world of competition, and some people would kill for the recipe..

Come to Blair Mansion Restaurant this weekend in Silver Spring, Maryland to find out what happens with Georgianna and her new product!

Summer is winding down, but the Happy Hour at Blair Mansion Restaurant isn’t going anywhere! Stop in at our location in Silver Spring, Maryland and enjoy a selection of drinks at our bar.

From 3-6pm Tuesdays to Fridays, join us for drink specials starting at $3. Check out the menu!

The organization experts at Closets by Design have helped countless homeowners makeover their closets, and the National “I Dream of Shoes” contest gave one lucky fan a makeover of what is in their closet with a $1,000 shoe shopping spree.

For the contest, Closets by Design fans Liked the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/closetsbydesign) and posted pictures of their favorite shoes. The entry with the most votes by July 22 won the $1,000 shoe shopping spree. Closets by Design announced that Gayle Curtis is the winner of the “I Dream of Shoes” Contest. Congratulations, Gayle!

Replacement Windows In Alexandria, Virginia

Jason and Christine from Alexandria, Virginia, met with various replacement window companies to replace most of the windows in their home. Their old windows were aged, leaky and drafty. They ultimately decided to work with Thompson Creek, and they are more than pleased with the decision. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve this home's energy efficiency.

Jason tells us, "Their response to our initial visit as well as the installation was immediate and professional. After filling out an online home-consultation request, I had a call back to set up an appointment within 4 hours. I wish all contractors valued their customers as much as Thompson Creek."

New Siding in Riverdale, Maryland

Theresa and John were in need of new siding for their home in Riverdale, Maryland. They'd worked with Thompson Creek Window Company in the past to install vinyl replacement windows. They said, "We dealt with them the past couple of years so we know the quality of work that you all do and that is why we came back." So they knew Thompson Creek was the company they would use for their new vinyl siding.

The replacement vinyl siding installed by Thompson Creek will insulate Theresa and John's Prince George's County house from drafts and block noise with interlocking foam insulation that blocks up to 45% more noise than regular siding. Their home is now protected from ice, hail and damaging winds up to 165 miles per hour with siding that’s 300% more impact resistant. They will never have to paint their home again with Thompson Creek's vinyl siding. And they have peace of mind knowing that their siding is backed by our unbeatable lifetime guarantee.

Theresa summed up her experience with Thompson Creek by recognizing our commitment to customer service. "I have been most satisfied with the qualtiy of work. Everything was done right. It looks like a new house when they finished everything! The quality of work and knowledge that their people have is exceptional. They did a very excellent job. I couldn't have asked for better service. They work with the customer on arranging times for appointments and are great about answering questions."

• Low maintenance features like vinyl replacement windows. No need to scrape or paint again and warranted not to rot, flake, blister, peel, crack, pit or corrode.
• Excellent insulator: prevents heat or cold transfer into or out of your home.
• Strength of Fibrex® material makes narrower frames, allowing for more glass area
• Available in 22 standard color combinations
• Stainable wood interiors available, including oak, maple and engineered pine.
• Fibrex® material contains over 40% reclaimed wood fiber, reducing impact on the environment
• Resistant to changes in temperature – doesn't expand and contract like some materials

July Heat Waves - How Did Your Windows Perform?

The heat waves experienced last month from Severna Park to Bethesda to Fairfax won't soon be forgotten. The Washington DC/Baltimore metro area experienced record-setting high temperatures throughout the month and was tied for the fifth-hottest month ever. The high on July 22 of 106 degrees at BWI Airport was the second-hottest temperature in Baltimore's records. And on that same day, the heat index (a measure of the combined heat and humidity) reached 121 degrees, which is the highest it's been since July 18, 1980, when it reached 122 degrees.

With all this record-breaking heat, how did the inside of your house feel? Did your windows and siding do a good enough job at keeping the heat out and your cool air in? Or did it feel like your AC couldn't keep up with the heat of the sun pounding down upon your house?

If you have Thompson Creek windows, your home is already more efficient than your neighbor's. As a local manufacturer, Thompson Creek Window Company designs and manufactures windows that withstand the rigors of the hot summer conditions in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. All of our windows are made of low-emissivity glass and are coated with a glaze. This glaze controls heat transfer through the window, keeping the summer heat outside and cool air inside. And Thompson Creek energy efficient windows can help you save money on utility bills.

Saving energy by installing Thompson Creek windows can help to lower your cooling costs this summer and will be a great investment for years to come.

Don’t forget about the Photo Contest going on at Blair Mansion Restaurant! Join us for one of our Mystery Dinner Shows and take a picture with your mobile phone or digital camera and post it to the Blair Mansion Restaurant Facebook page along with your funny comment.

One winning picture and comment will be selected for each show and the picture will be posted on our website, and you will receive a Gift Certificate for a free Mystery show at our restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland!

To enter, all you have to do is post your photo to our Facebook page.. So easy! http://www.facebook.com/blair.mansion

On Friday August 5th, Renewal by Andersen will be among 3,000 crustacean lovers at the 66th annual Annapolis Crab Feast taking place at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. This local all-you-can -eat and all-you-can-drink event is the WORLD’S LARGEST crab feast. Not only will crabs be served, but there will be hot dogs, sandwiches, corn on the cob, barbecued items and lots of delicious deserts.

The Crab Feast is The Annapolis Rotary Club’s signature fundraiser. Proceeds will go directly towards local charities and over $1 million dollars of Crab Feast proceeds has been donated over the past 66 years.

The event runs from: 5:00 -8:00 PM rain or shine.

Advanced tickets will be available until July 31st.  On-site tickets will be available at the stadium’s box office at 4:00 on the day of the event.

http://www.annapolisrotary.org/crabfeast

With TruScene™ insect screens, the view from your window stays as clear as all outdoors. With over 50% more clarity than our standard insect screens, they’re virtually invisible and totally innovative.

 Worried a stink bug infestation is right around the corner? Give those pesty, odorous bugs one less way to enter your home. TruScene™ insect screens are made with a micro-fine stainless steel mesh that’s one-third the diameter of standard screen wire to let more fresh air and sunlight in, while keeping some of even the smallest insects out.

 
TruScene™ insect screens from Renewal by Andersen—they’re like nothing you’ve ever seen.
 
• Nearly invisible
• Strength of stainless steel
• Protection against even some of the smallest insects
• Superior ventilation
• Lets more light into your home

Payment Options for Replacement Windows

You may be considering replacing your home’s doors, windows, siding or gutters. But are you faced with a decision on the best way to pay for these projects?

Thompson Creek’s energy efficient products are very affordable, and we have finance plans to fit every budget. We offer over 50 different financing options for qualified buyers, from low monthly payments to interest-free options. We will work with you to find the best finance plan for your budget.

 The Mind is a Garden

     When I think of what it takes to grow a healthy garden with beautiful flowers and vegetables, I envision that same kind of nurturing when it comes to cultivating the mind.  Think of your mind as a garden.  The more naturally you live the better the garden will function.  If you fill a garden or you mind with anything toxic or unhealthy, the results will be negative.  Like a garden, your mind will thrive and flourish when you fill it with a healthy, positive mindset and lifestyle.  So today, here’s a step you can take in planting a healthy garden or a healthy mind. 

     First, when you are outside, take a look at the ground.  How healthy is the soil?  Is the ground hard?  Can you plant seeds for future growth? If the soil is difficult, then you need to cultivate it, take care of it, and nurture it so that it can grow healthy flowers and vegetables. What does that take?  Try lots of sunshine and water.

     The same is true for the mind.  In order to have a healthy, positive lifestyle and thoughts, you have to nurture yourself so your mind is open to new ideas and healthy relationships. Cultivate your mind! What does that take? Here’s a few tips:

* Balance career and personal time

* Get the physical and mental exercise you need to stay fit

* Go outside and spend some time in nature 

* Take self-care time to nurture yourself, like meditating, a

   bubble bath, reading for pleasure, and so many more!

For more information:

     Susan Samakow, PCC, CPCC

     Certified Business and Life Coach,

     Speaker, Facilitator & Trainer   

     susan@selftalkcoach.com

     www.selftalkcoach.com

     301-706-7226

    In MD & VA

New Windows in Windsor Mill, Maryland

Marcus and Katanya had replacement windows installed in their Windsor Mill, Maryland, house. Thompson Creek windows were installed to replace their old wood windows that had were damaged and let in drafts. Vinyl replacement windows from Thompson Creek Window Company are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve this metro DC home's energy efficiency.

The couple was more than pleased with their decision to use Thompson Creek: "My experience with Thompson Creek was one of the best with any of the companies I have ever dealt with. No nonsense, straight forward, and honest. A++."

Replacement Windows in Crofton, Maryland

Donald and Mary Ellen from Crofton, Maryland, met with various replacement window companies to replace most of the windows in their home. Their old wood windows were aged, drafty, and had a lot of condensation making it difficult to see out of them. They ultimately decided to work with Thompson Creek Window Company, and they are more than pleased with the decision. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve this Anne Arundel County home's energy efficiency.

Gutter Screens Clog During Summer Storms

Summer in the mid-Atlantic can be brutal, with scorching heat and heavy downpours. How are your gutters holding up to all the summer thunderstorms? If you have gutter screens, they're probably not operating at peak performance.

When leaves, twigs and storm debris pile up on your roof and those gutter screens clog, the gutters are unable to effectively carry rainwater off your roof and away from your home.

Cleaning your gutters and downspouts is a thankless chore, not to mention a dangerous one. But for most homeowners it’s a necessity. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up, ultimately damaging your siding and fascia. Clogged or overflowing gutters can harm your landscaping and cause erosion. Water can eventually seep down along your foundation, even finding its way into your basement.

The best solution is one like the Thompson Creek Gutter System, which completely encloses and protects your gutters. There are no vertical openings for leaves and debris to enter and no screens to clog. Rainwater flows over and around the nose of the gutter system, into your gutters and swiftly though your downspouts. Our gutters offer protection against the elements with our exclusive high back system with eight flow reducers, preventing unwanted overflow and completely protecting the fascia.  And it makes cleaning gutters a thing of the past!

At Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland are excited to announce our new 4-course Twilight Menu, offered Tuesdays through Fridays from 3-6pm.

For $12.99, guests can enjoy an appetizer, entrée, dessert and beverage. This is a great chance to spend time with friends and family and see what Blair Mansion Restaurant has to offer, all while enjoying cuisine at an amazing price!

To make a reservation for the Twilight Menu at Blair Mansion Restaurant, call 301-588-1688. We look forward to seeing you on-location in Silver Spring, Maryland!

Money Back Guarantee

Thompson Creek Window Company custom-manufactures every window we sell right here at our factory in Landover, Maryland. And we are so sure that our products and services provide you with the best value for your money that we provide you a "Price Assurance" guarantee for every window we install.

We are so confident that you'll be 100% satisfied with your final products that we back it up with a money-back guarantee.

For complete terms and conditions of our 30/30 Money-Back Guarantee, contact a Thompson Creek customer service representative and schedule your free in-home demonstration today.

Our latest murder mystery dinner show has arrived at Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland, and it’s full of glamour and drama!

“Drop Dead Gorgeous” features former supermodel Georgianna Traylor, who has developed an exciting new product she wants to share with the world. Unfortunately, It is a world of competition, and some people would kill for the recipe..

Find out about Georgianna and her new product when you come to the murder mystery dinner between July 22 and August 20, only at Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland.

With this being on of the hottest summers in the Nation’s Capital, why not find an activity to help you cool off?  There are many attractions to help you stay cool in this area.  You can:

1. Rent a kayak,
2. Rent a motorboat,
3. Go white water rafting, or
4. Rent a standup paddleboard. 

There are many companies in this area that offer these kinds of services. Potomac Paddlesports <http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com/> offers lessons, sales and rentals on their kayaks, rafts, and stand up paddleboards. They also offer a wide variety of paddling and boating gear.  Also, the Thompson Boat Center <http://www.thompsonboatcenter.com/rowing> offers rentals and lessons on their kayaks, canoes, and rowing shells.   These companies service right on the Potomac.

Motorboat rentals on the Potomac are much harder to come by.  The closest places to the DC area to rent motorboats are in Annapolis. South River Boat Rentals <http://www.southriverboatrentals.com/> in Annapolis offer sailboat and powerboat rentals on ½ day or full day schedules.   They offer 8 different models of sailboats and 4 different models of powerboats.  Also, Sun Time Rentals <http://www.suntimerentals.com/> in Annapolis offers boat, Jet Ski, and water sports equipment rentals all summer long.  They also offer their rentals on a ½ day or full day schedule.

Whether you choose to go kayaking, boating, rafting, or paddle boarding, you are guaranteed to have a great time.  All these activities will keep you cool and help you beat the summer heat.

Rick Wuest Appears on "Around the Home"

Earlier this month, Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek Window Company, appeared on "Around the Home" on WJLA-TV in Washington DC.  He spoke to host Doug Eberhart about the importance of building a window that's made to last.  Thompson Creek windows are maintenance free, energy efficient and add to the value of the home.  He also talked about the benefit of working with a local company - Thompson Creek, with their factory in Landover, MD, and administrative offices in Lanham, MD, designs a window that's made to accomodate the weather conditions in the mid-Atlantic.

Disengage from the routine and try something new fun and delicious, the Blair Mansion Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland.

My wife, a friend and I decided to visit the Restaurant last Saturday night for the murder mystery dinner, “A Foal and His Money” by C.J. Crowe, presented by Do or Die Mystery Theatre. Warning: The most dangerous thing is not the murder mystery, but the desserts! You might want to eat more than one, and they will let you! I had to exercise self-control or exercise more the next day. What a prospect!

The buffet selection is too numerous to include everything but suffice it to say there were plenty of delectables to indulge in. Be careful not to eat too much of the bountiful salad in order to save room for the buffet dinner. I like the Eggplant Parmesean, the Pasta Primivera and, of course, the Virginia Baked Ham. Be careful to not eat too much dinner in order to save room for the desserts, especially the Apple Brown Betty that come from a 52-year-old recipe. The show was a fun “Whodunit” mystery with plenty of audience participation. It was fun for everyone, from the seniors to the adorable group of 10-year-old girls who selected the restaurant for a birthday celebration. There were others celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, as well. (The Restaurant is a great place for that!) And how did kids get so smart? They had the most incredible questions and answers when the sheriff showed up to solve the murder mystery. The crowd was almost as much fun as the cast!

As you may suspect with something this genuine and amusing, it is definitely a family affair. Bob Zeender took over management, along with his soon son-in-law-to-be Grant Nolan, and they are always on the premises to make sure a great time is had by all guests. The Blair Mansion Restaurant is located on a portion of the Pierce-Shoemaker Estate, which was granted by King Charles II of England to George Pierce in 1685. In 1959, Mr. Gusti Buttinelli, one of Washington’s noted restaurateurs, bought and renamed the stately old house the Blair Mansion Restaurant. Under Mr. Gusti’s personal direction, the Mansion was extensively renovated and remodeled. For more information regarding the colorful and interesting history of the Restaurant, please visit http://www.blairmansion.com/about-the-mansion.

All in all, it is great break from the norm of Bethesda eateries and downtown dining. This is fun for the whole family, and great for corporate events or family celebrations. However, whatever you do, make sure to attend the dinner theatre. Blair Mansion Restaurant is living proof there is no reason historical cannot also be hysterical amount of fun.

Windows Protect From Summer Heat

When researching replacement windows for your home, you’ll soon come to realize there’s a lot of science that goes into manufacturing and installing quality windows.

You can tell almost everything you need to know about a window's performance by looking at its NFRC ratings. Adopted by the National Fenestration Rating Council in 1998, window manufacturers who are concerned about energy efficiency voluntarily go through NFRC testing to obtain the performance ratings. If a window does not have NFRC data, chances are you're not dealing with a reputable manufacturer.

With the heat waves we're experiencing this summer in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, you want to be sure to pay attention to how well a replacement window deflects the sun and keeps heat outside of your home. Three key ratings to look at are:

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The SHGC tells you how much heat radiation from sunlight a window lets in. In warmer climates, where air-conditioning costs are a bigger factor, look for a lower number.

U-Factor: The inverse of "R-Value" (which measures insulating value), the U-Factor measures how easily heat flows through the product. The lower the number, the better it keeps heat where you want it.

Air Leakage (AL): The Air Leakage rating refers to the amount of air that can infiltrate cracks in the window assembly. The lower the number, the less infiltration. Look for windows with an AL rating of 0.30 or less.

Here at Thompson Creek Window Company, we build our products locally, using the best parts and materials available. We make your products to order so they fit perfectly in your window openings. And we do it all in the most efficient manner possible.

Thompson Creek knows that our customers want replacement home improvement products that beautify their home, increase their home value and return on investment, save them money in energy costs, and will incur no additional maintenance or costs in the long run.

And we're so sure that our windows are the best around that we guarantee them with our unbeatable Lifetime Warranty. Not only that, it's a Double Lifetime Warranty. What does that mean? It means that if you ever decide to sell your home, the warranty coverage on your windows does not end. You are able to transfer the warranty over to the next owner of your home.

Trust your home to Thompson Creek!

New Gutters in Fairfax, Virginia

Gloria C. of Fairfax, Virginia, needed to have the gutters replaced on her home as the screens and downspouts were clogging due to age. She decided to meet with Thompson Creek. The Thompson Creek Gutter System completely encloses and protects your gutters, eliminating the worry of clogged gutters for good. Now Gloria doesn't have to worry about climbing a ladder to clean gutters. Her new gutter system protects her home from costly water damage to siding, interior walls and landscape erosion.

Gloria is very happy with the outcome of this home improvement project: "I was very pleased with Thompson Creek from the get go. From the very beginning when I was first approached about the gutters all the way through the project I was very satisfied with my experience."

 Going “Green” Can Be Stress Free

     For some people going green can be stressful.  Many of us see environmental consciousness as another project to add to a  never-ending and always growing to do list. Other thoughts I’ve heard are: What’s it going to cost?  I don’t have the time for this; everyone else is doing it so I don’t have to bother…one person won’t make a difference. 

     Well, let’s clear up these negative misconceptions.  Yes, you do make a difference.  A positive difference!  And yes, it will make a difference in your life, in your health, and for future generations. Think of your kids and grandkids! Remember, when you light a candle and then light many other candles from that original flame, you will not diminish the light of the original candle…you can light up the world from the original flame.  How’s that for the power of one?

     My philosophy is that if something feels too big, if it feels overwhelming, chunk it down.  You don’t have to do everything at once.  Take chunks or baby steps instead of a grand leap.  Keep moving forward!

     For example, start by replacing your current non-green products with green products as you run out of them.  You can do this for the products you use inside your home as well as outside your home.  If there is a price difference, it’s more manageable to shift to green one product at a time.

     Going green is healthier for us, now and in the future.  By laying the seeds in the present, we all can build a brighter future.

For more information:

     Susan Samakow, PCC, CPCC

     Certified Business and Life Coach,

     Speaker, Facilitator & Trainer   

     susan@selftalkcoach.com

     www.selftalkcoach.com

     301-706-7226

Replacement Windows in Trappe, Maryland

Frank and Jennifer from Trappe, Maryland, needed to replace most of the windows in their home. Their old windows were drafty and not energy efficient. Frank is in the building industry and knew the importance of working with a reputable company with a quality product. That's when they decided to work with Thompson Creek, and they are more than pleased with the decision. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve this Eastern Shore home's energy efficiency.

Frank commented, "I am a builder and developer by profession. I've built around 7,000 houses in my career. You're one of the few companies that followed through on when you were going to do it and how you were going to do it."

Wet Basement? Check Your Gutters.

Wet or damp basements are a common problem in homes. Wet basements create mold, mildew, and ruin flooring and wall materials. It’s easy for water to find its way into your basement, merely from gravity – water flows down hill and along your foundation, stopping when it hits the basement. The wet soil all along the outside of your foundation walls creates pressure, finding its way through the smallest crack, or worse yet, the pressure creates its own cracks in the wall. Often homeowners will turn to more expensive fixes such as waterproofing the entire basement, which requires extensive excavation and landscape repairs.

But before deciding on such an expensive fix, the source of the water in your basement should be identified, possibly offering a much cheaper solution. Ground water can seep through floors and foundations due to heavy rain or seasonal run-off, or it could be constant water seepage. Often the source of this water is your home’s gutters and downspouts.

Gutters can overflow because of excessive rainfall, clogging from leaves or debris. Improper installation, for example, can cause draining from the second floor gutters into the first floor gutters, overflowing them. Sometimes homeowners install gutters in one or two locations but not all the way around the house. This causes an overload of water into your gutters which cannot drain away from your house properly. Water problems can also be caused by disconnected downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to direct water away from the house.

So before deciding to undertake an expensive basement waterproofing project, first check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t causing your wet basement problems.

Heat Wave Poses Dangers

The National Weather Service is forecasting continued rising heat and humidity for the mid-Atlantic area through this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach triple digits, with even higher humidity than we normally experience in the Washington DC area.

Health officials are doing all they can to ensure area residents stay indoors as much as possible. Officials in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, Fairfax County and Washington DC are opening cooling stations throughout the area at swimming pools, community centers and senior centers, and encouraging residents to use pulic facilities such as libraries to keep cool.

The Fairfax County Government has the following suggestions for staying cool during the heat wave:

• Drink two to four glasses of cold water every hour.

• Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.

• Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area.

• If you must go outside, go out before noon or at night.

• Eat lots of light meals.

• Wear light-colored clothing and sunscreen outdoors.

• Never leave children or pets unattended in a car.

At Closets by Design, no job is too big or too small. We had the opportunity to create a new custom bedroom set, and are very happy that our customers love their new set! Read on..

"We are just thrilled with our new bedroom. We consider ourselves very lucky to have had you come over for what we had thought would merely be a talk-through of our needs. We're very glad that we went ahead and ordered immediately. You seemed to zero-in immediately on exactly what we needed and wanted for the bedroom. We had a 46-year-old American of Martinsville set of furniture, and we were reluctant to give it up even though the tops were in very bad shape. We figured we would never be able to duplicate the "craftsmanship" of such a set. However, we are certain that we made the right move. We love the clean lines of our new set and the way the furniture fits in perfectly on the designated wall. You figured the television area just right, so that now we have the perfectly designed wall unit with a television in the middle. Also, we're very happy with the size of the two nightstands. You designed them to be narrow enough so that we can now add a chair to that area for television-viewing in comfort. You knew we wanted more space in the room and a cleaner look to things. That is just what we now have. We're glad that you spent the time with us to work out the sizes of things, because we now have lovely new furniture, with LOTS of drawer space and cabinet space in the unit itself. We also have, we're happy to say, an uncluttered, "new" bedroom."