Monthly Archives: February 2012

I recently had a chance to visit a small town on the Mississippi called Nauvoo, Illinois. Actually, Nauvoo was once the largest city in the state until around 1840 when Chicago outgrew it. Though my trip lasted only a couple of days I was pleasantly surprised at the rich culture and many activities and events that were available. We stayed at the Woodruff Hotel, a historic Nauvoo landmark. I truly felt like I had traveled back in time. I recommend this experience to anyone looking for a nostalgic look at American history. Here are a few of the must see attractions in Nauvoo.

Horse-drawn Carriage Tour

Yep they have horse-drawn carriage rides for the family available throughout the day. And best of all they are free. These tours are narrated every step of the way. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. The tour takes you through Old Nauvoo — a part of the city that has been recreated to appear as the actual city did in its peak 160 years ago. You can walk around town and go in some of the buildings, but I thoroughly enjoyed the carriage.

Family Living Center

The Family Living Center recreates what daily life was like in 1800′s. You will see how everyday items were made by hand such as candles, rope, bread, and even barrels. After seeing this exhibit you will be extremely grateful for conveniences of modern life we often take for granted.

Nauvoo LDS Temple

The Mormon temple in Nauvoo is one of the most beautiful and elegant buildings I have ever seen. Though the current temple is a recreation of the original, it was initially built in the 1840′s. They incorporated some original pieces from the first building. The craftsmanship is amazing, especially when you think they finished the building with man and ox power and only the technology of the time.

The Summer Nauvoo Pageant

Sadly, I missed this event because it only happens in the summer. But what I have heard about it makes me want to come back just to watch it. Every summer kids from across the country come to Nauvoo to participate in the pageant. The show commemorates the trials and hardships of the early settlers in Nauvoo. Every piece of music is original, scripts are professionally written, and the acting is well done. It is outdoors and seems like the perfect way to spend a cool summer night. If you plan to come for the pageant I recommend you start looking at Nauvoo, Illinois hotels pretty early because apparently demand is high during the summer.

I hope you will take this opportunity to step outside the box and learn about a part of our history you may not be familiar with. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The Woodruff Hotel
1200 Mulholland
Nauvoo, IL 62354
Ph: (800) 860 – 1215

When I was a kid, I remember going to the doctor because I had an ear ache. While there, I remember being intrigued when I was told that I didn’t have an ear infection but in fact, the cause of my ear ache was actually a sore throat. Our bodies are extremely complex and it is interesting that an effect on one part has such an effect on other parts that may seem unrelated. Things such as this are common when dealing with the head. One common cause of migraine headaches that many people do not realize is a TMJ disorder.

The reason why TMJ can cause headaches is because the nerves around your TMJ and your ear canal are exposed or rubbed since the bones do not align properly. These headaches can be constant and dull or painful migraines.

Common symptoms, aside from headaches, of TMJ include clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth, a locked jaw, change in your bite, pain in the neck, shoulders, sinuses, and back, and dizziness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with persistent headaches, your headaches could be dentally related.

You can try pain medications, therapy, and at home remedies to relieve the pain, however they will not take care of the problem. The best thing you can do if you suspect that your headaches are dentally related is to visit a specialist dentist and get an examination. In one office visit, a qualified dentist can determine if your headaches are caused by a dental problem. As it were my TMJ dentist had apparently moved across the country with the help of some dental practice brokers.

There are a variety of treatments a dentist or prosthodontist may prescribe for you. The first are medications such as painkillers, tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, corticosteroid drugs and botulinum toxin. These temporarily cover the problem but do not take care of it. Therapies and exercises have proven to help by strengthening the muscle and relaxing the jaw. The final category of TMJ treatment is surgical or other dental procedures. Depending on the severity of your TMJ your dentist may give you corrective dental treatment to help improve your bite, perform arthrocentisis, or as a last resort, have you undergo surgery to repair or replace the joint. That is of course if your dentist didn’t sell their dental practice, in which case there are directories of specialist TMJ dentists available online.

There is no reason why you should have to endure headaches that lessen your quality of life. Talk to your dentist today to get the help you need.

ADS Transitions
Dental Practice Brokers
1621 Ivanhoe Street
Denver, CO 80220
888.ADS.4237

My fiancé and I swore our undying love. We gave each other beautiful rings. We found it impossible to say no to each other. We had so many wonderful plans for the future. At least, I did. My plans were grand and shiny and perfect. Nothing would ever separate us. I would rather be by his side in the event of a catastrophe than safe and sound somewhere else with someone else.

His feelings were somewhat different. I’m glad I found out before it was too late. Who would have guessed a trip to meet his parents would turn into a search for a personal injury attorney in Arlington, TX.

During my first trip to Texas, where his family lives, the dreaded catastrophe struck. And I wasn’t anywhere else but by his side. He should’ve been beside mine as well, but he ran. He actually ran away from the situation and left me there to fend for myself.

We were sitting on his parent’s patio, showing off our rings, telling stories, making his parents laugh at us, falling more and more in love, when suddenly the wind began to blow and we found our selves in the middle of a hail storm that Texas is famous for. Hail stones began pelting the patio with such force that at first all I could think to do was to duck and cover. But where to go? I couldn’t see anything! I called his name, but he was already gone. The hail fell harder, and I began to cry with the pain of it. I scrambled to my feet, but slipped on the ice chunks that littered the ground. I fell. Hard. Instantly, I knew I’d broken something. I couldn’t move. I covered my face with my arms and endured the last few moments of the storm. Almost as quickly as the storm had arrived, the sun reappeared, but my fiancé didn’t. I lay there in pain for what seemed like eternity before he was at my side.

Oh, he appeared concerned. He acted anxious as he drove me to the hospital, where they found that I had fractured my tail bone. He put on a marvelous show of regret that I was injured. But if he cared so much, why had he left me in the icy clutches of a Texas hail storm? He said he’d helped his mother inside, then came back for me, but I was out there too long for that. He said I was being unreasonable, but what could I think? He should’ve been there to help me. He wasn’t, and now I was hospitalized, bedridden, and he was about to be seriously jilted.

Everything fell apart. He left me. Stuck in Texas. Personally injured. What a fair weather friend he turned out to be! So, I found myself searching for a personal injury attorney, Arlington TX. That ex-fiancé of mine was going to help me pay for my hospital bills, and I needed to get help. Since I’d suffered a personal injury, Arlington, TX was where I would get that help.

Law Firm of Roger ‘Rocky’ Walton
2310 West Interstate 20 Suite 200
Arlington, Texas 76017
Ph.(817) 429-4299

There are many times in your life when you will be completely certain of a decision or a path that you’ve gone down, especially when it comes to a career. Whether it is for the money or for the lifestyle, sometimes people will pick a career path based upon economical benefits rather than the benefit of doing something you love. Many people that you look up to and admire professionally have worked hard to get where they are now. More often than not these people also went down the career path of doing something that they love, something that instills them with a passion to keep succeeding. If you’re a dentist and have always wanted to rescue animals, then contact a dental practice broker and go pursue your passions.

• Knowing Yourself – The first step to finding your passion is to become completely aware of what it is that makes you happy and gives you motivation. This means you might need to go outside of your comfort box and try your hand in new fields. Many-a-time there have been those who were convinced by others that a certain career was what lay ahead in their future. This not only takes away from the person free agency, but limits their ability to do good in this world. A great way to really get to know yourself is to meditate. I’m not talking about crossing your legs and humming, I’m talking about slowing down for a second and pondering life. Think about what it is that brings you joy, or puts a smile on your face. There is a much greater need in this world for a bag boy who loves his job than another lawyer who is solely focused on monetary gain.
• By Example – A common expression is “lead by example”, but what is almost as equally important is to “follow by example”. When you follow in the footsteps of someone who is out to do good in this world, you can not only follow but improve upon their goals and visions. Studying those we admire is a great way to develop the necessary habits to become who we want to become. If you want to be a pioneer in the field of physics, consider studying the life and works of Albert Einstein and see how he revolutionized the way we think. When you start with following by example, it can lead into you becoming an incredible leader.
• Never Give Up – This classic Toy Story catch phrase is perfect for what you are trying to accomplish. Remember, just because you haven’t found your passion yet, does not mean you never will. There are so many careers out there, it may naturally take quite some time for you to find your perfect fit.

When you make the decision to pursue the career of your dreams, there will be many roadblocks and obstacles along the way. This is purely because you are trying to do something good for yourself, so opposition will naturally occur. If you’re interested in becoming a dentist, then consider taking over an already established practice by investigating companies that deal in dental practice sales.

ADS Dental Practice Transitions
1621 Ivanhoe Street
Denvere, CO 80220
Ph: (888) ADS – 4237
Contact: nancys@ADStransitions.com

Driving down the highway, you see ads for storage facilities everywhere you look. Do we really need all these storage facilities? Apparently so, as I have recently realized I need a storage in Sandy Utah, not one in West Jordan or Salt Lake; I don’t want to drag my stuff that far out of my way. I have developed a checklist for items to look for when deciding which storage facility is right for you.

Location
This will depend on how frequent you will need to visit our unit. If it is more than once a week, look for a facility that is close to your home or workplace.

Upkeep
Let’s be honest, many self storage facilities are not well kept. A few signs to look for are whether or not the lawn is mowed, if the employees are friendly, and if the office is tidy. If a storage facility passes all these tests then good job — most do not.

Security
Nobody would try to steal from a storage unit right?!?..Wrong!! I can’t even tell you of all the horror stories I have heard from people losing their belongings from a storage unit. Ask how many cameras are on the property and how many times someone has successfully broken into their facility. A good way to gauge the security of a business is to examine their locks. If the facility is still using pad locks then it’s like swimming in shark infested waters with an open wound.

Climate Control
Here’s a new one. Just because your stuff is securely locked doesn’t mean it will be in the same condition when you come back for it. The climate can have a huge effect on whether or not your personal belongings will be damaged or not. Uncontrolled units can speed up the process of deterioration to wood and metal. Many times these climate controlled units come at a higher cost but if you are storing something nice it will be worth it.

Cost
This should not be your only criterion for determining which is the right storage unit. That’s why I put this one last. If a storage facility advertises one price but when you pull out your wallet they add a bunch of extra fees, walk out and don’t look back. You’ve probably noticed as I have, if someone is untrustworthy when it comes to advertising most likely they are untrustworthy in other areas of their business. I am happy to say most companies that offer self storage in Sandy Utah don’t participate in this advertising model.

Now that you know what to look for I encourage you to jump in and explore the exciting world of self storage facility shopping. Good luck!

Stor-N-Lock Sandy
8620 South 300 West
Sandy, UT 84070
801-803-6350

Granite countertops are a beautiful addition to any home. They are however, one of the more pricey options for your kitchen, bathroom, fireplace surround, or other custom design. What makes them more expensive? Let’s start from the beginning.

• Composition
  Depending on the type of granite, it will have different minerals in it, but it will always contain quartz and feldspar. These two materials are what gives granite a light color. Darker granites have various minerals to give it the darker color. These large mineral grains fit tightly together and when combined with the slow cooling period the rock underwent, you have a very durable and strong material. In fact, its main two minerals, quartz and feldspar are actually harder than steel.
• Formation
  Granite is found all over the earth in areas where the Earth’s crust has eroded. Granite forms when the Earth’s continental rocks melt usually due to applying large amounts of heat or adding other components such as water or carbon dioxide. When the Earth slowly releases heat and fluids, continental crust turns to granite.
• Quarrying Granite
  In the early days of quarrying granite, workers used steam drills, wedges and hammers to free it from the Earth. The drills would make holes along the edge of the granite and then wedges and hammers would break it off into slabs. Today, quarries use powered tools and blasting techniques to get the job done. Most quarrymen also need to be knowledgeable in rock structure.
• Creating Your Countertops
  Only a small percent of granite leaves the quarry as a rough block. Most is cut to the correct dimensions and finished for the project in mind. From this point, the designers and installers take over to create and install customized granite countertops.

Granite is not only a hard and durable material, but also takes time and energy to quarry, create, and install as countertops. With a variety of colors and patterns, you are sure to find something that fits your home and lifestyle that will last.

Bedrock Quartz
5996 Dannon Way (9280 S)
West Jordan, UT 84081
Phone : 801-282-3322
Fax : 801-282-8866
Email : info@bedrockquartz.com

Preparing your yard for winter will help to ensure that it is healthy in the spring. As fall is fast approaching, many areas such as Utah, are starting to fill the chill. Now is the time to get your yard ready!

• Lawn – Many lawns are composed of cool-season grasses so during the spring and summer months they are not very active. These types of grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and perennial ryegrass. To prepare them for the winter, they should be fertilized in two increments. First, it is recommended to use a fertilizer high in nitrogen around mid September. Around Thanksgiving, or before the ground has frozen, use a high phosphorus fertilizer. The fall is also a good time to reseed to repair damage caused during the summer.
• Trees and Bushes – Most people prune away their trees and bushes to get ready for winter. If you do some pruning, go easy. It is actually recommended by master gardeners to not prune at all during the fall. This is because pruning stimulates plant growth. Don’t encourage your plants to grow as they are trying to prepare for dormancy. Do however, clear up any branches around your fencing to protect it from damage. Also, clean up any dead wood to insects don’t make it their home during the winter months.
• Flower Beds – Clean out those flower beds! This doesn’t take a lot of work. It is important to get rid of any perenials as the melting snow and spring rain can cause rotting. You can leave ornamental grasses in place though. It is also a good time of year to plant bulbs for the spring.

As you prepare your yard feel free to contact landscaping and a fence company for advice or help. Doing a bit of cleaning now will pay off come spring.

Stonehenge Fence
140 North 1200 West
Orem, UT 84057
(801) 607-5733

Every bride and groom would love it if their wedding stood apart from the rest. Remembering a wedding day is very important, as stories will be told of the glorious affair, and photos will be shown documenting a day of love and unity. Now the question is always asked, what can we do to make sure our wedding is not only remembered, but looked upon as a fond time in everyone’s lives?

There are several methods that have been proven to ingrain memories that will have a tough time being overlooked or forgotten, but petting zoos can often times be a bit too much. Jokes aside, here are a few ways to make a memorable moment impossible to forget:

• Pictures say it all, and more. – Photography backdrop stands are a fantastic way to turn any ordinary wedding photo booth into the highlight of the party. Don’t forget to ask for a few baby photography props as gifts for the future, you know…just in case.
• Nobody ever said they were too old for games. – Make certain that your guests are entertained. Enough with sitting around waiting for their chance to meet the lucky couple. Set up a few games and things are definitely going to get interesting.
• Themes are not only for holidays. – Consider a themed wedding. It doesn’t have to be tacky, nor does it have to involve elaborate costumes and staff dressed accordingly. Something simple that reflects your personality.

There is such a wide spectrum of choices for the modern age bride and groom. Consider a unique venue for the wedding or reception. Have your event catered creatively by your favorite local mom-and-pop restaurant. Whatever it is you decide to choose, remember to bring your individuality and rely on the true feelings that are shared between the Mr. and Mrs. to be. That recipe in itself will always come up with fantastic results.

PepperLu
909 W 500 N
Lindon, UT 84042
(801) 785-9880
PepperLu
3822 West 1987 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Ph: (801) 756 – 6114

When booking and making travel arrangements, many people assume that anything described as “private” or “luxury” is ridiculously expensive. At face value, it may seem to be, however when you consider the services you get and if you do it right, you can actually save money and time.

• Price
  To see where you can save, you need to compare the cost per person. For example, I looked at one private service offeringairport shuttle services from Salt Lake to Park City at a base rate of $100 for 1-3 people. Another shared service shuttle ran $70 a person for the same trip. If you split the cost with 2 other friends, you’ll be saving around $37 or ($74 round trip).
• Consider the Service
  Most shared shuttle services are pretty basic. They pick you up at the airport and drop you off at your location. With a private or luxury service, you can usually arrange for any special requests. You can have them stop at a store if you forgot anything, pick up an have a ski rental ready for you, help unload your bags, etc. This can save you time and make your arrival much more low key and easy. Even if the cost is a little higher, the convenience is definitely worth it.
• Comfortable Ride
  If you’re arriving at the airport, chances are you’ve just spent the last few hours sitting uncomfortably close to a stranger on a plane. Once you’re on the ground, you don’t need to be corralled into a shared shuttle to do it all over again. Arranging for private luxury transportation will let you relax a bit before arriving at you hotel. It’ll make your check in process much smoother. In addition, since the driver’s focus is on you, you get much better service and plenty of room for all of your baggage and gear.

When planning your next trip, don’t shy away from luxury transportation. It may be a better deal in the end.

Alpine Transportation
1364 S 1000 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Phone: (801) 410-4001
Email: info@alpine-transportation.com

To do a job right you will often need the best equipment, specially designed for whatever work environment you’re in. Speaking solely of the different industries, whether it be mining, gas and oil, or agriculture, it’s absolutely essential to have the right equipment for storage and means to load and unload into that storage. In every different age there has been advances in machinery that allow those industrial workers to streamline the process and produce goods on a much larger scale at a much faster rate. For example, oil field equipment has gone from hand dug wells to being 115 ft. in depth because of the unique ways developed to utilize ever inch of the oil field. Today we’ll be focusing on the agricultural industry and all of the benefits these advancements have lent to farmers and other industry workers alike.

Innovations

• Agricultural – This story begins with corn and cotton, and how the high demand of each lead to incredible inventions.
  • Life on the Farmstead – Beginning with sowing by hand and cultivating by hoe, the invention of the cotton gin marked the beginning of the agricultural revolution that took place between the 16th and 18th centuries. The cotton gin eliminated the need to separate cotton fibers from cotton seeds, this lead to hundreds of man-hours being saved and the southern states becoming extremely wealthy due to the increased production. Some 20 years later, Jethro Wood patented a revised version of Charles Newbold’s cast-iron plow. This new iron plow with interchangeable parts allowed farmers to adjust their plow to the soil condition they were working with, thus allowing all types of land to be cultivated for agricultural use. After the later patents of the reaper and threshing machine the need for reliable storage for the abundance of goods became a necessity, leading way to the 1842 invention of the grain elevator in upstate New York. With all of these increases in supply it was no longer a question of supporting your local community, but making your product available on a national scale which helped our country grow at a rapid pace. Later on the implementation of conveyor belts such as the enclosed conveyor systems allowed goods to be stored for longer without the usual risk of spoiling due to exposure to the elements.

This brief tribute to those great inventors who helped shape the way goods were manufactured and stored is nowhere near the recognition they deserve, but hopefully some will think of these great individuals when enjoying modern day luxuries.
Cambelt International