Professional grilling tips for the perfect backyard barbecue

May 14th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

grilling%20tips%20for%20the%20perfect%20backyard%20barbecueGrilling season has arrived. The unique flavors of sizzling meat on a hot grill are loved by  young and old. Whether you’re an enthusiastic foodie or a simple family chef, it’s time to get outside and perfect the art of the barbecue.

If you’re new to grilling, it’s easy to make some wrong turns. No one wants to end up with dried out chicken, burnt steak or flavorless ribs. When you’re cooking, keep in mind a few tips from the pros from the WETSU BBQ Crew, a competitive barbecue team sponsored by Tree Top.

* Get to know your butcher. He can help you pick out the best cuts of meat for your intended use. For example, fat marbling is one of the most important things to look for when selecting a steak, but too much or too little can ruin the cut. Chicken and pork are leaner meat options. Be ready to answer questions about preparation and cooking, because this information will guide his or her suggestions.

* Think about spices. Once you have your meat, it’s time to visit your spice rack. A harmonious blend of spices will bring out the natural flavor as it cooks on the grill. Some traditional grilling spices include paprika, salt, pepper and garlic, but more exotic spices like cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning can be used too if you’re feeling adventurous.

* Enhance your flavors. Barbecue pros around the country have a secret that takes their spice mixtures to the next level: fruit juice like Tree Top Apple Juice, made from 100 percent U.S.A. apples. Using juice, you can enhance the flavors of the spices and meat during the grilling process. Apple is a great juice option because the flavor pairs well with sweet, savory or hot spices. Tree Top Apple Juice can also be injected into the meat to keep it juicy and tender.

* Learn how to cook on a grill. When your meat is fully prepped, warm up the grill and get ready to cook. But before you start, keep in mind cooking on a grill is different than cooking on your stove or in your oven. Thin-cut meats cook better with direct heat like a charcoal or gas fire. Chicken, thinly-cut steak and pork chops will cook quickly and evenly. On a gas grill, use all the burners to ensure the heat is even throughout the grill, and grill with the hood down as much as possible. When turning meat, use a spatula or tongs. Don’t poke it, because this allows juices to escape and can result in a tough, dry main dish.

These tips should help you get the perfect grilled foods; but remember: if at first you don’t get it right, try again. With so many different steps and factors to consider, it takes practice to get the perfect succulent barbecue. Why not try this recipe for a tasty start to your grilling season? Your family and friends won’t mind being the taste-testers, and with so many wonderful scents floating through the summer air, your neighbors might be knocking on your door, as well.

Doc’s Beef or Brisket Rub

Ingredients
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon celery salt
1/4 cup kosher salt or sea salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon oriental mustard (dry)
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons course ground black pepper

Directions
Mix all dry ingredients well. Rub thoroughly on brisket or heavy beef. Use fresh spray bottle with Tree Top Apple Juice to spray down all dry ingredients on meat. Rub in thoroughly again because the apple juice activates the dry spices. Allow to marinate 4 to 6 hours or overnight if possible. Keep refrigerated.

Cook on smoker or any indirect heat for 6 to 8 hours or until internal temperature reaches 192 F.  Smoker or grill temperature 225 F to 240 F.

Courtesy of BPT

Cool new concepts for gardening

May 14th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

Cool%20new%20concepts%20for%20gardeningOne of the driving forces in gardening is many American’s pursuit of healthier eating and greener living. This means that the new face of gardening has begun to change considerably in recent years. Today’s gardeners are younger and more urban than traditional gardeners, therefore, making unique impressions on the green world.

So, what’s cool about gardening?

From growing vegetables in the front yard to creating an edible wall of green on the balcony, gardening is not limited to just a half-acre plot in the country anymore. Now, gardeners use any space available for a garden, no matter how urban or small. The key is adding individuality or personality to the garden in the form of handmade sculptures, water features, bird feeders or even the variety of unique heirloom plants that are used. Sustainability is also very important. Plants that serve a dual purpose – like low-growing thyme used as a ground cover in a small area or a cucumber plant that has been trained to grow up a trellis as a green screen – are excellent examples of how many gardeners have transformed traditional ideas of gardening. Looking at gardening and plants in new ways can lead to some great discoveries – and may even increase the productivity of a green space.

How can you join in the gardening movement? Here are some helpful tips to get started.

Maximize space:
Even if you only have a window, and no outdoor space, you can have a garden. An herb garden, like the Miracle-Gro Culinary Herb Kit, can be grown on a window ledge in the kitchen. No ledge? No problem. Just hang a hook from the ceiling and grow your plants in a hanging basket. For those with little outdoor space, try container gardening on the patio or use an outside fence or railing to grow a vertical garden. Simply hang pots on hooks or create your own “living wall” using chicken wire, coconut fiber lining and a quality potting mix. Then, plant trailing produce or flowers and watch your wall grow. If you have a sunny space in the yard, create a small garden using the new Miracle-Gro Ultimate Raised Garden Bed. This easy-to-use kit snaps together and can easily be customized to fit in nearly any space. Simply add nutrient-enriched soil, like Miracle-Gro Expand N Gro or Potting Mix, and plant the garden on a patio, deck, rooftop or balcony.

Redefine terms:
Produce plants are for vegetable gardens and landscaping plants are for the front yard … right? Not necessarily. The great thing about gardening is that the only necessary rules are the ones Mother Nature created: plants need sunlight, water, food and soil with good drainage. Other than that, do not be afraid to mix it up. Plant vegetables in the front yard, use strawberries in a hanging basket or plant an herb for groundcover along a path. Tomatoes will grow beautifully next to marigolds and sage will add a nice contrast when grown in a container alongside yellow daisies. Grow what you like that will thrive in your climate, even if it is not what your neighbors are growing.

Stay true to yourself:
If your favorite color is blue, then plant blue flowers. If you love salsa, then plant a “salsa garden” by using tomatoes, cilantro, onions and jalapenos. Add your own touch and make it personal. The materials used can represent your style and add interest in the garden as effectively as what is planted. With adequate drainage, even an old toolbox can come to life with some potting soil and impatiens. Collect stones and small objects with kids to make garden sculptures or bird feeders that the whole family can enjoy. Green plastic bottle caps can be turned into ornamental “trees” and grandma’s cracked tea cup could become a bird feeder with a little imagination. If you have extra produce, make sure to share it. Friends, neighbors, family and even many local food pantries will take donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Experiment:
Although gardening can be seen as a science, it should also be looked as an art. Gardeners should feel free to experiment and express themselves through their gardens. Let your green space reflect your home, your interests and your individuality. Make it a tradition to try at least one new thing every year and you may be surprised how much you learn along the way.

Courtesy of BPT

Make the most of one’s living space

May 8th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

Is your living space a place for show, only utilized when you are entertaining? Living rooms, as their title suggests, should not only reflect who you are towards the outdoors world, but they should also be lived in. Here are some recommendations for getting your living space warm and inviting for visitors as well as functional and comfy for household members.

In case your living space is large, divide it into smaller locations through the positioning of furnishings. You would like the “conversation pit” to become cozy – a couch and loveseat and a couple of chairs close to a large cocktail table will seat many people, yet they’ll all have the ability to hear what the others are saying. A great place for household meetings as well as for entertaining. Make certain all seats are within reach of a table – someplace to arrange those drinks and chips!

Face the couch to an architectural focal level, something like a fireplace or a large window that looks out to your garden or even the city lights. If you don’t have an architectural component to work with, produce one by hanging large photos or a mural on a wall. This allows people to admire the artwork and it’s safer than hanging something large over the seating (especially in locations susceptible to earthquakes!). Hang cloth wall hangings or little photos on the wall behind the couch. Don’t, however, hang a mirror where people will see their reflection all of the time. Not everyone is thrilled by his or her picture.

If you divide your living space in two or 3 seating and/or eating locations, use rugs to outline the talking space, another beneath the eating table, and another space to exhibit the Buddha you brought back from Thailand, or a wall of bookcases that not only maintain your books but additionally display your assortment of antique toys. Area rugs work well, more than waxed hardwood floors or neutral, wall-to-wall Berber-style carpeting.

An ornamental space divider, like Japanese shoji screens, can be utilized to separate a large space right into a living space and a Tv space. In a smaller place, face the couch to a wall unit that holds the television – it’s certain to turn out to be a preferred gathering spot for the household.

The days of covering the “good” living space furnishings with plastic are over! Leather or even the new microfiber fabrics are simple to clean, look great, and can survive visitors, children, and pets. If the furnishings are in neutral colors, add colorful ornamental pillows. Remember to keep a couple of throw blankets close to stay cozy on cool nights.

In case your living space walls are painted in mild neutral shades, you’ll have the ability to change the furnishings and ornamental touches easily. Other ways to change the look of one’s living space are by including tall plants or a silk tree, a permanent flower assortment in a basket or tall vase, and even a fountain or little pond in a sufficiently large area.

Don’t overlook lighting! Floor lamps, especially in darkish corners, can brighten large locations, while desk lamps can provide good light for the preferred reading/knitting chair. An assortment of candles on the mantelpiece or a desk adds ambiance to your living space. Now go ahead, live inside your living space.

by: Amy Wells 
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6822.shtml 

Spring cleaning your small business technology

April 30th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

For small businesses, technology is like the windows in a home. It’s an essential component of your overall operation, one of the important ways in which you see and interact with the world, and, like windows in a home, you probably don’t think about cleaning it that often. Yet your technology needs care and maintenance, just like the windows in your house.

Spring is a great time for small businesses to focus on cleaning up and organizing their technology. Doing so can make a business more productive and efficient and also reduce costs.

Here are seven must-do spring cleaning tasks for your small-business technology:

1. Appraise your security and protection programs. 
Ideally, your software settings should be programmed to check for security software updates automatically, but it’s a good idea every now and then to manually run an update check. Also, if your business’s PCs are running Windows 7 Professional, you’re one step ahead in security, since the operating system already helps protect your computer network from malicious cyberattacks and safeguards sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and employee and customer information.
2. Update other software that you use frequently. 
Checking for updates to programs such as accounting or inventory tracking software is important to make sure you’re running the latest version. To do this, simply go on product manufacturers’ websites to see if they have any available security updates, and follow the instructions for downloading and executing the updates.
3. Review your back-up system. 
Backing up your data is essential. If you don’t already have a back-up system in place, spring is a great time to start using one. If you already use back-up technology, review how well it’s working for you. Is it secure, easy to access and easy to use? Products such as Windows 7 Professional have features such as Backup and Restore, which allow you to pick a schedule to back up files, so all you have to do is set it, and then you can forget it.
4. Organize documents on your PCs and in the cloud. 
When working with numerous documents on a daily basis, things can easily get unorganized and misplaced. Being able to quickly access documents improves efficiency for your organization and employees. If you use Microsoft Office or Microsoft Office 365, you already have access to the tools you need to manage email, documents, contacts and multiple calendars. For example, the Navigation Pane and Microsoft OneNote can help you get your files in order, while the calendar-sharing capability in Office 365 makes scheduling meetings with team members easy.
5. Maintain or upgrade your hardware. 
When was the last time you cleaned your keyboard with compressed air? Or wiped down the monitor with a static-free cloth? Or checked the battery in your wireless mouse? Spring is a great time to do those things, along with considering an upgrade to a wireless or Bluetooth mouse or keyboard. It’s also a great time to research and check out new PCs on the market, such as ones that are more energy-efficient and easy to take on the go.
6. Give your printer some TLC. 
Printers tend to be one of the items no one thinks to maintain – if it prints, it’s good. But like everything else, it’s a good idea to do things like remove and empty paper trays to make sure no small bits of paper are trapped inside the printer, make sure components – such as the print cartridge – move smoothly, and check online for software updates from the printer manufacturer.
7. Don’t forget about yourself.
As important as it is to do some technology spring cleaning around your business, it is equally important to remember to take some time for yourself and smell the flowers. Sometimes it’s a good idea to disconnect and put your out-of-office message on. But sometimes that’s not possible, so products such as Windows 7 Professional can give you the option to take your business on the go and allow you to connect almost anywhere. 
Finally, if you need any more incentive to do some spring cleaning and upgrading, consider this: That new hardware or updated software you buy this spring can be a tax write-off come tax time next year. If you are considering updating this year, you should visit www.microsoft.com/windows/business and learn more about how Windows 7 Professional can help improve your business this spring.

Courtesy of BPT

How to blast through your weight loss plateau

April 30th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

If it seems like you work out regularly only to continue to struggle losing weight, you’re not alone. But losing weight in order to improve health may be the wrong approach. First you need to fix what’s holding you back on the inside, so you can see the transformation you want on the outside.

Cliff Edberg cringes every time he hears someone say: I want to lose weight to get healthy. In my opinion that phrase is backward, says Edberg, a registered dietician, personal trainer, and certified weight loss coach at Life Time Fitness, The Healthy Way of Life Company. People need to get healthy first in order to lose weight. Weight gain or being unhealthy isn’t directly caused by a lack of exercise, it’s a side effect of metabolic dysfunction.

Generally people refer to having good metabolism (someone who burns calories quickly) or bad metabolism (a slow caloric burn with leftovers stored in body fat). But metabolism is much more than the rate at which calories are burned. Metabolism is the process of breaking down food into smaller molecules for various uses in the body. Certain foods or ingredients might interfere with a person’s metabolism, as can a lack of nutrients, high blood sugar or an overabundance of stress hormones. This metabolic disruption is often behind a person’s inability to lose weight, even when they are taking steps to eat right and exercise.

Michelle Stork, 43, from Chanhassen, Minn., had resigned herself to creeping weight gain, despite diligently working out for years. As time went on it was easier to gain than lose weight, she recalls. Exercise alone wasn’t taking it off.

She accepted the weight gain as a normal part of getting older, but Edberg, her personal trainer, didn’t. He encouraged her to take a simple blood test to check for underlying metabolic issues. I could see on paper what the problems were and it motivated me to try what my trainer suggested, Stork says. She slowly added recommended supplements, including vitamin D, probiotics and fish oil, which increased her energy, but didn’t affect her weight. The next step was to change her diet.

We discovered a high likelihood that she was sensitive to gluten and dairy, Edberg says. Unlike an allergy, a sensitivity means the hormones derived from the metabolic process of such foods send confusing messages to the brain, which can cause various symptoms, including weight gain. Within a month of eliminating gluten and dairy from her diet Stork lost more than 10 percent body fat and dropped 12 pounds and two sizes.

If someone has a thyroid issue, nutrient deficiency, sex hormone imbalance, etc., they will gain weight Edberg explains. As a certified weight loss coach, he knows that unless the true underlying metabolic issue is addresseda person will not sustainably lose weight. All the exercise in the world will not fix a thyroid issue or nutrient deficiency. In some cases it might make the underlying problem worse.

This inside out approach to personal training is the standard at Life Time Fitness. New members take a comprehensive assessment, called myHealthScore, to measure six metabolic markers – cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, blood pressure, body fat ratio, glucose levels and nicotine use – in order to first set goals based on their internal health.

With information from myHealthScore Edberg says he can make precise exercise, nutrition, lifestyle and supplementation recommendations to support each client’s individual metabolism needs.

Stork is impressed with her results, but the implications go beyond a smaller waist line. Her father suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which looms large in her mind. The steps she is taking now she hopes will prevent a dependence on medication later. I know what may be ahead of me as I get older, and I know I need to start doing things to improve my overall health and fitness to help counter any disease I may develop later in life.

Courtesy of BPT

Bet Shira Congregation Selects New Rabbi

April 25th, 2013 by Hal Feldman

On February 28th, Pinecrest’s Bet Shira Congregation overwhelmingly elected Cantor Mark Kula as their new Rabbi. During the evening Kula said, “It is estimated that 20% of all religious institutions in the USA will either merge or disappear in the next 10 years. Bet Shira will NOT be one of them…”

As Cantor for nearly 25 years, Kula was admittedly nervous about the vote. “About five years ago, I decided I wanted to become a Rabbi, but knew I had to increase my Judaic knowledge and study to play a bigger role in the Jewish community,” reflects Kula. Clearly, the congregants felt it was his time.

As of a follow-up Board meeting in late April, his appointment was made official. In the upcoming days, Cantor Mark Kula will officially become Rabbi Kula. Inarguably modern, Kula is noodling what people should call him, as he will initially continue to serve as Cantor as well. “RC Kula seems to stick so far.” The R is for Rabbi, the C for Cantor.

Whatever people call him, Kula recognizes relationships are the core of his success in the community. “I have always fostered and cultivated them and know honest relationships are imperative to being a good Jewish person.”

One of Kula’s goals is to enrich and grow Bet Shira. “I want excitement and positive energy. I have a vision as to what our community can be and it includes our role in the Pinecrest community as well. As Rabbi, I feel I’ll be able to move us in a dynamic direction, help us outreach and integrate with the community at large.”

The new Rabbi’s day is filled with favorite moments, but if pressed Kula will tell you his time with the children is special. “As Rabbi, I don’t see a lot of change, but I know I’ll be able to interact with people even more in this sacred space. That excites me.”

Mark Kula looks forward to more dedicated time to study Jewish knowledge and wisdom, and act as an even stronger voice in his community. “We have the strength to endure, the integrity to flourish and the principled ideology to improve the world.”

MiamiHal - the smart move

Mayor Voices Opinion on Dolphins Stadium Referendum

April 24th, 2013 by Hal Feldman

The hot button topic around town these days is whether or not Sun Life Stadium’s $350 million renovations/upgrades should be subsidized using public taxes.  Cutler Bay’s Mayor Ed MacDougall has a very specific opinion: Absolutely NOT!

“It’s not easy to understanding what is going on here. There is an 80-page report that explains it,” MacDougall says, “but people are busy with their lives so I want to raise awareness before we have a 30 year deal we can’t get out of.”

Mayor MacDougall did just that. On April 24th, he held a town hall-style meeting in Council chambers hoping to enlighten the County residents and its officials. Unfortunately, the attendance was under 20 people and not a single media outlet from newspaper, radio or television bothered to come. In what is a sad sign of the times, people aren’t aware of the impact that will likely result if this project moves forward.

From Mayor Ed MacDougall’s standpoint, the request from Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross is an over-simplified version of a very troubling story. Ross contends he wants $350 million to renovate the stadium and in return he won’t move the Dolphins for 30 years. “But that’s not an accurate picture,” says MacDougall, “There are unfair items that would hurt taxpayers and business in unseen ways.”

MacDougall has been to Tallahassee to drum up opposition to the project, once traveling with Norman Braman, who years ago owned an NFL team. “Norm opposes this and sees this from a unique perspective. He sees this as a way for Ross to ‘own a fine piece of art without paying for it.’”

“The deal would mean throughout most of Miami-Dade County there would be a 1% increase on hotel bed tax  and the Dolphins would be refunded the taxes collected on goods sold at the stadium for 30 years,” explained MacDougall. “This is silly and Broward County was smart enough to turn this deal down a few years ago. Now, we should do the same.”

“Why should we have higher hotel room tax? Tourists and visitors would opt to stay outside of Dade County which would be bad for business. Also, the very patrons who attend events at the stadium would have their sales tax rebated right into the Dolphins’ owner pocket. It makes no sense.”

A more complete breakdown can be seen in this Miami Herald article.

The countywide referendum is still iffy and it will be canceled if Florida lawmakers don’t approve Dolphins-backed legislation before the session ends May 3. If it moves forward, voters can cast ballots in the May 14 referendum. MacDoughall hopes residents will make calls to their representatives to ask that it never see the light of day.

This video interview should enlighten those who weren’t able to attend the 30-minute meeting held by the Mayor.  His plea is to have “regular folk call their representatives because that is the only way to have a voice. Otherwise, the Dolphins-paid lobbyists will be the only information out there… and that’s bad for Miami-Dade County.”

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MiamiHal - the smart move

Tips and tricks for a bigger-looking bath

April 24th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

Do you wish you had a bigger bathroom? If so, you’re not alone.

In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Moen, almost half the respondents wished they could make their bathroom larger. But, a complete bathroom overhaul isn’t in the cards for most homeowners. And when your bath is too small, it can quickly go from being a retreat from the outside world to a stress-inducing, cluttered place.

Whether you’re hoping to update the guest bath or the master suite, you can create a larger-looking bath without actually expanding your space. With a thorough cleaning and some space-expanding illusions, you’ll be relaxed and rejuvenated in your new bigger bath in no time.

Blend in, but make a statement

Using an intense color palette is not always the best technique when it comes to a tiny bathroom. Bold, dark colors can weigh a room down, making it look even smaller. Instead, use pale and cool colors, like soft whites, pastels and neutral tones to add size and depth. Continue the color scheme to the woodwork, trim, vanity and door to create a disappearing look that will lengthen the walls. By eliminating the hard edges created by drastic changes in color, your eye will flow smoothly across the room.

It’s important to look at the small details, like faucets and accessories, to create a statement. Choosing a sophisticated design, such as the Moen Weymouth faucet in Chrome, LifeShine Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze or the new LifeShine Polished Nickel finish, can provide a beautiful focal point in your bath. Available in single-handle, widespread and wall-mount styles, faucets in the Weymouth collection feature traditional detailing, like porcelain inlays and a generously sized spout. The unique collection additionally offers matching faucets for the shower or tub, and a complete selection of accessories to provide the perfect eye-catching detail.

Take a look in the mirror

A mirror in the bathroom can do more than just show your reflection – it can stretch the space by reproducing it. Additionally, mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light, making a smaller room look bigger and brighter by bouncing illumination throughout.

Don’t think that mirrors need to only be above the sink. A great trick for improving your room’s reflective qualities is to hang a large, horizontal mirror along the longest wall of the bath. However, if a large mirror is out of your budget, or not practical for your space, the same effect can be created by grouping an arrangement of smaller mirrors. Unique mirrors can often be found at flea markets in different shapes and sizes. Simply paint each frame in complementary colors and group them along the longest wall. This allows for the room to stretch, while also providing a design element that’s uniquely yours.

Another easy, dramatic way to use mirrors is to turn the fronts of vanity cabinets into your canvas. Use glue to attach large, square mirrors, or tiny mirror tiles – either square or round – to the outside of cabinets and drawers. For a never-ending room, position two mirrors on opposite walls to create the perfect illusion. Whatever technique you choose, mirrors are great decor pieces that won’t muddle a small bath.

Say no to big and bulky

Traditional, large vanities with cabinet drawers can make an already petite-looking bath appear even smaller. In order to avoid this common misstep, there are two paths to follow: either install a vanity with open storage areas; or try suspending shelving for a contemporary feel. This will create a more spacious look – without losing precious storage – by giving the shelving a light and airy appearance. Open shelving is perfect for towels and linens, plus items like tissues and cotton balls, which can be stored in decorative jars or containers. Avoid a cluttered look by placing large wicker baskets on the bottom shelf of the vanity for large everyday items, such as brushes, toiletries and makeup.

You can create a beautiful bath – regardless of the square footage – that will become a place of relaxation and worthy of attention. Use these tips to turn a compressed and uncomfortable space to one that feels spacious and soothing – without a major remodel. For more information about Moen products, visit www.moen.com.

Courtesy of BPT

Taste of Pinecrest 2013

April 11th, 2013 by Hal Feldman

For eleven years now, the Pinecrest Business Association has organized the Taste of Pinecrest, a festival to showcase the many restaurants, businesses and services the Village has to offer. This year was unique however, in that the event was held outside of Pinecrest.

2013’s Taste of Pinecrest was hosted at the brand new South Dade Family YMCA campus (across from The Falls mall) which also used the day as their grand opening.

Taste of Pinecrest Chairman Mark Soldevilla called it “…a perfect combination of community. We wanted to celebrate this great new building with great food, music, people and fun.”

There is little doubt to the success of the combination. The attendance numbers were roughly double last year’s event at Pinecrest Gardens and the new YMCA signed up more than 240 new families during the week, more than half on the day of the event alone.

With food being sold using pre-purchased tickets, vendors serving everything from lobster sliders to salads to BBQ ribs had brisk business all day long. Many ran out of food 90-minutes before close.

Charlotte Donn, Assistant VP of Marketing and Communications for the YMCA explained, “We sold more tickets in the first two hours than we expected all day. We had to rush out and buy more to keep things moving!”

Local and regional bands performed throughout the day, providing a variety of high quality music for attendees. Everything from kids bands ‘Avengers’ & ‘The Rock Band’ to ‘Kaylee Rose’, ‘Blackstar’ and ‘The Vibe’.

Soldevilla praised Raf Fiol, The Vibe’s bassist and owner of kompoz.com, “He really took the musical entertainment we presented to a whole new level.” Fiol was helped by Tom Hall (of Mr. Nice Guy) who ran sound engineering all day.

The kiddie area has several rides, a rock climbing wall and the obligatory bounce houses.

For the adults, there were cooking demonstrations and the ability to learn about and connect with Pinecrest business.

Inside was an exhibit put on by ARTcycle co-founder Giselle Delgado, an group dedicated to raise awareness for bikers and drivers promoting wellness and safety while supporting the arts. Kids like 5-year old Krishelle Brown certainly enjoyed painting the bike.

Alfred Sanchez, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Miami, added “We’re proud to be associated with this premiere event and proud that our grand opening went so well.”

MiamiHal - the smart move

Protect natural resources, utilize solar electric power

April 10th, 2013 by Brenda Bassett

solar%20panelsSolar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower and biomass are some examples of renewable sources of energy. Using renewable sources of energy is good because these sources offer a more environmentally friendly option than utilizing fossil fuels. There will be an improvement in energy security and energy independence if people use renewable sources of energy. Also, renewable sources of energy are the cleanest and safest energy sources.

One well-known source of energy, solar energy, is an environment-friendly and endless renewable source. Also, solar power doesn’t result in the emission of harmful carbon dioxide, unlike the use of fossil fuels. The sun will be the unlimited source of energy and with the right technologies can provide sufficient electricity that could be used in every single household or even in commercial and industrial properties. 

The use of solar power has a positive effect on the environment because taking advantage of solar energy does not contribute to climate change, acid rains or any kind of pollution. When transformed from solar radiation, solar energy may be converted to thermal energy or electric power. This may also be employed in a number of applications like in agriculture and technology. At present, solar power is being utilized in two areas, namely for the production of thermal energy which can heat up water and producing of electric power by utilizing the photovoltaic cell.

Photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, capture solar energy then transform it into electricity. These cells convert sunlight into electricity by employing the energy developed when photons from sunlight push electrons into greater state of energy. Yet solar power is not limited to thermal energy and electricity because there are numerous devices which are powered by solar energy already existing in the market.

Solar energy is an excellent source of power for homes and companies, and by utilizing solar power you’re not merely protecting the environment from becoming polluted, but  you are also saving the rest of the earth’s natural resources.

One of the factors why many individuals are still hesitant to make use of solar power is because it is expensive. The initial investment of installing a solar power system for a home is not cheap. The need for a large amount of space is another reason why people aren’t considering solar power. But it is definitely worth the investment.

by: John Daviz

 Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1156.shtml