Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Baby Federal volunteers honor

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Bay Federal Credit Union staff show off governor’s medal for volunteer service: From left, Angelica Reyes, Tonée Picard, Carrie Birkhofer and Laura Owen.

Introduced in July, the 100 percent post-consum-er recycled polyethylene terephthalate plastic clamshell was a first for the fresh-cut salad industry. It requires less energy and water to produce than virgin plastic and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less solid waste. It also creates a demand for recycled plastic.

The Edison Awards are the Oscars of marketing, voted on by the 2,000 members of the nonprofit Marketing Executives Networking Group. Amazon Gift Card Generator are judged on innovation, success and societal impact.

Organic grower Earthbound Farm has won silver in the energy and sustainability category of the 2010 Edison Best New Product Awards for its new plastic clamshell package.

An employee steering committee oversees community activities. Volunteer teams participate in 30 to 38 school or nonprofit activities a year, cleaning up beaches, staffing fund-

“It’s a cultural value for us,” said Tonée Picard, Bay Federal’s executive vice president and chief marketing and development officer.

In seven years, Bay Federal employees have volunteered for 49 different nonprofits.

unteer in San Luis Obispo, Rocklin Volunteers in Police Service, WriteGirls of Los Angeles, Taproot Foundation and Cisco.

“The evening was magical and very inspirational,” said Bay Federal President and CEO Carrie Birkhofer, who attended with several employees.“ Due to the small size of the event, we were able to mingle with the first lady and share some of the challenges we are facing in Santa Cruz County and how important it is for people to volunteer their time to help each other. I came home with a network of friends and great ideas.”

The governor called all of the medal winners heroes.

Other honorees included the president of San Diego’s Just in Time for Foster Youth, an Americorps vol-

“One hundred percent of their employees volunteered seven years in a row,” she said.“ That’s phenomenal.”

Delaney felt the credit union’s track record was exceptional.

The local credit union, which serves three counties with 186 employees, wa s t h e wi n n e r i n t h e small business volunteer program category.

“Isn’t that the coolest thing ever?” said Karen Delaney, executive director of the Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center. Delaney nominated Bay Federal in

March.

“I hope that news of what we are doing inspires others to make a difference in their own neighborhoods a n d c i t i e s ,” B i r k h o f e r said.

Inspired by one employee’s desire to help children with disabilities, coworkers chose to refresh the aging summer camp for children with physic a l a n d d e v e l o pme n t a l disabilities. All materials were donated — paint, l umb e r , h a r dwa r e a n d plants — and a local contractor provided two probono painting crews.

One charity is the focus each month, with efforts g o i n g we l l b e y o n d t h e standard donation box in the lobby. One employee group transformed their break room into an Italian restaurant to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network; 13 employees shaved their heads to raise money for the same cause. Last year, employees raised $ 56,000 for 10 charities, gathered 368 cell phones for soldiers, 230 winter coats for children, registered 405 marrow donors and collected food and school supplies.

hofer, the team produced a brief documentary video, designed print materials and wrote press releases, public service announcements, speeches and radio commercials. The result: An increase in food collected of 200,000 pounds the first year, another increase of 200,000 pounds the second year and 100,000 pounds last year.

About 50 volunteers participated in the Extreme Camp Makeover for Easter Seals, working for an entire weekend.

raisers, helping the homeless and assisting the Capitola art and wine festival.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Roofing is an underappreciated art and science


  Roofing is an underappreciated art and science. Construction industry professionals refer to roofs as roofing systems. Seemingly simple, a roof is a complex, highly engineered system for keeping the weather out of your home and the energy inside.
  Roofing a home starts with rafters. These rafters are joined together to form trusses, which give the familiar V shape to most roofs. The trusses are engineered systems designed to withstand the weight of roofing materials, water, snow and wind. Once in place, they must be protected from the weather. Weather, especially winter weather, is the enemy of your roof.
  The roofing material that repels the weather is applied in multiple layers. The first layer is plywood or other sheathing to provide a foundation for subsequent layers. This provides a solid layer for further sheathing and helps anchor the rafters in place.
  Over the plywood is laid another layer of roofing. This is tar paper or felt. The purpose of this impermeable layer is to provide a moisture barrier to prevent air exchange through the roof. Limiting the air exchange keeps expensive conditioned air being lost to the outdoors. At this layer leaks begin to be a concern. Typically the felt or paper is laid down with the upslope edge fastened and the remaining fastened down with adhesive. Construction adhesives that are long lasting and resistant to temperature change are used.
  The outermost layer is what most people see as roofing. It is the visible layer that can be seen from the outside of the house. A wide variety of materials may be used. Historically, people have used whatever durable materials were at hand to roof their homes. In Europe thatch, stone, slate, wood and copper were commonly used roofing materials. In America, shingles were used very early and have lasted until current day. Advances in roofing material have included asphalt shingles overtaking wood shingles in widespread use. Galvanized metal made its debut and has become widely popular for outbuildings and barns.
  The outermost layer of roofing is critical for preventing leaks. Water is the enemy of any roofing system and the outer layer bears the brunt of the weather. Not only must it be laid in a manner that prevents the infiltration of water, but it must withstand temperature changes and all sorts of weather without fasteners loosening. These requirements make roofing a skilled job and roof systems remarkable structural accomplishments.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Where to Get free microsoft points?

There has been a great deal of craze among gamers since the time the Xbox has got released. Avid gamers can happily spend hours on end playing games on the Xbox. Given the fact that we live in rather hard pressed financial times, and even otherwise, there are a lot of folks who would like to get hold of free Xbox live gold codes, which would be of great use to them. There are indeed a lot of people who are very keen on getting these codes that give them free access, due to which they can play on these games for a period of time without having to pay a dime.

The question is; how can people play simultaneously. The answer is simple. It is through the use of Xbox Live codes. Upon purchasing a unit, you are automatically given a couple of trial codes. These codes allow the player to gain advantage over other competitors. Xbox enthusiasts have also tried several ways to get hold of these codes.

One way also of obtaining free microsoft points is by reading some gaming reviews where on-line games are being reviewed. This way, you will find the best websites to visit. You may also exchange views with a fellow enthusiast by joining discussion boards. The important thing to remember is that if you want something for free, then be ready to work hard for it. Research more and make use of other resources as well.

Among the most popular sources of free Xbox Live trial codes are gaming websites. The process for getting these codes will vary from site to site, but generally they follow this pattern.

The first is to take part in a survey question, and then fill out a form and register on their site. After completing the registration form, you will be able to log on to Xbox Live. A screen or dialog box will come up, called either Promo Guide or Prepaid Card. Follow the instructions, and you will be able to play.

How to get free microsoft points?
There are several Internet web sites that provide these codes: these include, but are not limited to, Invision Free Site 1, Invision Free Site 2, Xbox, Xbox Free Zones, Free Zone Rewards, Team Box Forum, Gaming Lagoon, Xbox, Box Deal and many more.

Cellulean Reviews: An In-Depth Look at Cellulean

This post is not one of those reviews on Cellulean, which touts Cellulean to be the most effective anti cellulite solution found today. I understand the effects of Cellulean can differ from person to person. So I've included necessary information in this post to help you decide if Cellulean is the right choice for you.

Before we discuss further, I'd like to bring your attention to the fact that Cellulean is not a miracle cure for cellulite. So I urge you not to expect results overnight when you go in to buy Cellulean. It'll take patience and persistence on your side to help Cellulean work. Most experts and actual users recommend using Cellulean regularly in combination with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

After signing up for the free trial offer, I waited expectantly because frankly speaking I had tried everything in my attempt to shift the cellulite and all to no avail. I had tried numerous diets and embarked on different exercise programs, and even tried some creams.

Don't get me wrong, I did get some benefit from dieting, eating healthy and exercising but there got a point below which I did not lose weight and then I realised that cellulite is typically very difficult to shift.

The components include green tea, vitamin A, vitamin E, caffeine, capsaicin, allantoin and horsetail extract to mention a few. In fact the other components work synergistically, such that the combined effect of having them is greater than the effect of each individual component on its own. These components have resulted in a product that the company claims is up to seven times as powerful as others in the market. It is easy to apply, being a cream; it has a fresh menthol smell and is suitable for use by men and women alike.

In case you may be interested in finding out more interesting Cellulean Reviews, visit Cellulean.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Common FAQs about Levitra

Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction often turn to ED drugs to help them engage in sexual activity. It is not unusual for them to have questions about these medications, including Levitra. Compiled here are some of the most common questions asked by men and answers to help make informed decisions about effective ED treatments.

How does Levitra work as a medication?

All PDE5 inhibitors work by increasing the flow of blood to the penis so that an erection is possible. A chemical reaction is induced to allow this to occur. Sexual stimulation is required to actually achieve an erection. This medication helps you maintain an erection during intercourse.

What possible side effects could come from taking Levitra?

As with any ED medication, the potential for side effects increases if you suffer from other high-risk medical conditions such as heart disease and high or low blood pressure. Any man who uses this medication may experience side effects that include headaches, nausea, or facial flushing. On rare occasions, men who have taken this drug have experienced erections that lasts more than four hours or vision impairments.

Once I take this medication will I immediately achieve an erection?

You will only achieve an erection after you are sexually stimulated. This type of medication does not automatically produce erections. It is intended to help you get an erection when you are engaged in sexual activity.

Will I know whether this is the best ED medication for me to use?

You should consult with a physician who will review your medical history and gather information about your impotency to help make sure this is the best treatment for your ED. Determining if this drug is right for you involves your current health status as well as what you expect from the drug.

Once I have taken this medication how often will I be able to have sex?

You should only take one pill a day which typically works for up to four hours. Most men who use this drug experience one successful erection during this time period although some report being able to achieve multiple erections with a single dose.

Is using online pharmacies to buy ED medication a safe thing to do?

As long as the pharmacies are reputable, you should not have to worry about counterfeit Levitra. If you suspect you have received counterfeits do not take the drugs as they can be dangerous. Legitimate pharmacies sell Levitra exactly as it is manufactured by Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Injury claim


If you have been involved in an accident, and through no fault of your own have suffered an injury as a result, then chances are you will be able to claim compensation. No matter how minor your injury appears to be at this stage or who the person or company at fault was, making an injury claim is your right and should be exercised to bring justice to a difficult situation.

What types of injuries can be claimed for?
One of the most frequent types of injury claim submitted relate to accidents on the road. Whether you were a driver or passenger of a car, or were travelling on public transport or a bike at the time of the accident, if you were hurt and another driver was at fault, you can claim. Common injuries include back and neck injuries, including whiplash, and injuries to the head or hands as a result of the collision.
Less common, but still a source of regular claims, relate to slips and trips when out and about. Building owners, local councils and workmen have a responsibility to ensure public rights of way and the public areas within buildings are kept safe, clean and free from hazards that could cause a trip. Slipping on wet floors, broken paving slabs or tripping over trailing cables can all result in a range of injuries, from twisted ankles to broken wrists, all of which are regularly seen by professionals handling injury claim cases.
Sometimes even the workplace is not as safe as it should be, and workers sometimes become injured as a result of faulty machinery, poor training or bad health and safety practice. In cases like this an injury claim will often result in remedial action by the employer, meaning other employees will be safer at work in the future, so it is especially important to make a claim if this has happened to you.

When should you claim?
As a general rule of thumb, the sooner the better applies to any type of injury claim. The sooner you can start the claims process, the easier it will be for your solicitor to contact any witnesses and get hold of any other evidence required. Also your injury will be fresh, so if you need to see an independent doctor they will be able to see first hand the extent of your injuries.
Personal injury law understands that making an injury claim is not necessarily the first thing on someone’s mind after they have been involved in an accident. That is why claims can still be started up to three years after the accident happened. In the case of industrial disease and other issues that take years to reveal themselves, there is still a chance to claim beyond the three year cap.

How much does it cost?
These days, the majority of solicitors who deal with injury claim cases will work on a no win no fee basis. This means you will not have to pay them anything if your claim is not successful, and there will be nothing to pay up front. 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Hair Loss, Propecia, and Aging Matters

Propecia for Hair Growth and Aging Maters

Aging is a natural process we all go experience. For many men, hair loss is an expected side effect of aging. It is something they believe they just have to live with when there are treatments for hair loss in men. In fact, there is no reason that older men should not use Propecia to treat their hair loss. Age is not a factor in the drug's effectiveness.
Hormone Changes
Male pattern baldness has been linked to sex hormones. Specifically, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a type of androgen which is central to male sexual development. Androgens are responsible for hair growth and the libido. Hair loss occurs in men whose hair follicles are particularly sensitive to DHT. As hair falls out, it does not grow back as is the natural course or it returns thinner.
As men age, their hormones change and this can have an impact on their hair loss. Many men experience sudden and excessive hair loss in their 50's and 60's. They may have had healthy hair up to this point, so the hair loss comes as quite a shock.
Stopping Hair Loss
Men of all ages use hair loss treatments to stop hair from thinning and falling out. It is a well known fact that balding men look older than men with full heads of hair. Because people are living longer, more men are turning to hair loss drugs to stop this aging process in its tracks.
Hair loss treatments can effectively stop further hair loss. When you first begin taking this type of medication, you may experience an initial increase in hair loss. This is to be expected as the old hair is pushed out to make room for the healthy hair to grow. It can take up to three weeks before you begin to see results and up to a year or two for the full impact of the drug to be realized.
Reversing Hair Loss
Some men who use Propecia have experienced regrowth of hair. This may be more difficult in older men who have the challenge of additional hormone changes that can counteract the drug's effect. However, it is a possibility that should be explored before turning to other hair replacement options. Hair that regrows appears more natural and is safer for you compared to alternatives such as hair transplantation or plugs. Many men use Propecia for years to facilitate regrowth of hair.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

How To Choose Zumba Shoes for Women

Zumba craze is travelling all over the world, and it has become so popular nowadays... Zumba is the whole complex which combines several dance styles and aerobics. Zumba moves are taken from different dance styles, among them salsa, mambo, merengue, cha-cha, cambia, belly dance, samba, bhagra, tango, hip-hop, flamenco, and foxtrot. Aerobic activity is supported by specific rhythms of the music. Of course for such kind of activity you need proper shoes. So, if you are one of those who fell in love with Zumba fitness, and are looking for an advice on choosing Zumba shoes, keep reading.

Proper shoes are, may be, the most important part of your Zumba outfit. Not only would they help you do all the moves more correctly and burn those calories quicker, they also would protect you from the injuries during workout. There are many points you should consider when choosing your Zumba fitness shoes, and here are the main advice while choosing shoes for Zumba:

- Try not to use your running or gyms shoes. The thing is that they are designed for other activities and because of that they have a great deal of grip. Zumba requires a lot of sliding and spinning. Running and gym shoes would not only be uncomfortable, but also dangerous. You risk getting ankle and knee injuries, and also blisters.

- Pay attention to shock absorption and weight. Zumba shoes should be lightweight and highly shock absorbent. While there are many models of dancing or aerobics shoes which fill the first requirement, very few of them have good shock absorption, which could result in injuries if using them for Zumba.

- Pay attention to the sole. It should be completely flat and smooth, once again, to avoid injuries.

- Pay attention to how your feet fell in the shoes. Comfort and cushioning is very important. Remember, you are going to perform very intensive activity for almost an hour, so it's very important to feel comfortable.

- Don't save on Zumba shoes. Don't go for the cheapest option - it may not be what you need. Try the brands you trust, like Nike, Ryka, Bloch or Z-Sneakers.

- Choose mesh over synthetic leather - Zumba shoes should be highly breathable and able to trap the moisture for added comfort.

There are many proper shoes on the market, so do your research in different online stores.

Zumba is the biggest and the most successful dance fitness program in the world. So join the party!