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Our home & garden section offers information and links for people interested in improving their home surroundings. We hope you'll find some ideas that will save you money and enhance your home life.

Railings for Decks, Docks & Stairways
Are you tired of looking at your beautiful, Pacific Northwest view through, around, and over your deck railings? Now, you can have railings that won't obscure your view AND they'll enhance the beauty of your home or business. ClearView is a new and exciting line of railing designed for modern care-free living. This new railing systems is ideal for decks, marine docks, and stairways (both interior and exterior). These new railings are affordable, sturdy and have an unlimited life-span.

Windows and Window Tinting
City Glass & Upholstery can install new windows on your home to improve the view, inside and outside, plus save you money with insulated glass that reduces your utility bills.

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SIX SECURITY TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE

USE DEADBOLT LOCKS
A deadbolt lock can be easily installed in most solid wood doors. (It does require drilling and chiseling.) A deadbolt lock uses a sliding metal bolt that connects through the door into the doorjamb. The bolt makes the entry way door extremely difficult to breakdown. Deadbolt locks should be used on each exterior door and the interior door leading up from the basement. A deadbolt lock requires a key to lock and unlock the door. This means that even if a burglar gains entry into your house, possibly through a broken window, there is no way that he can use the door unless he finds a key. Keep deadbolt lock keys hidden and safe.

USE CHAIN BOLTS
A chain bolt is even more easily installed than a deadbolt lock. All of the work is done on the surface of the door and the doorjamb. A chain bolt allows people inside to open the door slightly to allow items to be passed through. They look more formidable than they really are, so don't rely on them solely for security. Make sure that the door doesn't open wide enough to allow an intruder's hand to slip through and disengage the chain.

INSTALL WINDOW FILM
Properly installed window film can give you windows that are almost impenatrable. The window film adheres to the inside or your windows and adds super strength to the glass.

TRIM BUSHES AND TREES
Bushes and trees should be trimmed so that no one can hide in the foliage near your entry. Trimmed bushes and trees do double duty. They keep pests away from your home walls, too.

INSTALL A BURGLAR/FIRE ALARM
For a few hundred dollars you can install a burglar alarm system in your house. For better protection, you can have a monitored alarm system from a security system professional. Monitored alarm systems respond to break-ins by notifying the police or fire departments. Monitored systems cost for installation and a monthly service charge, but also help reduce some insurance costs. Many systems also have panic buttons to instantly call for help.

PURCHASE A PERSONAL ALARM
Personal alarms are about the size of a Snickers candy bar. When turned on the emit a loud shreak to hopefully scare off burglars. For as little as five dollars some protection is afforded. Keep personal alarms by the entries and by your bed.

S & S Security Systems
We all need to protect ourselves and our loved ones. S & S Security Systems provides monitored alarm systems to keep you safe. S & S Security Systems has security systems for both home and business. At their site, you'll also find some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and secure. Of course, one of the best ways to keep your family and employees safe is by selecting a professionally installed home security system. S & S Security Systems combines the most advanced technology with the simplest operation.

FREE Grocery Coupons, click here! - Free Grocery Coupons, Shop for groceries online, Get paid WebBucks for shopping at your local supermarket...clip here to start SAVING!

FOUR HOME REPAIRS THAT PAY

• Insulation - Attic insulation can save nearly 30 percent of your fuel bill. Most heat is lost through the attic. Here in the Pacific Northwest our cold and wet winters can cost a fortune in heating bills. For about 25 cents a square foot you can insulate your attic and cut your utility bills.
• Seal Air Leaks - A couple tubes of caulk and some felt strips can save keep cold air out of your home. A good way to look for drafts is to walk around your home with a candle. Watch for a dancing flame, trace the draft to its source and plug the leak. You'll stay warmer and save money.
• Replace Single Pain Windows - By installing insulated glass windows and storm windows and storm doors can both improve the look of your home and reduce utility costs.
• Paint Your Home - Painting a house not only beautifies the home, but also protects the wood siding and helps to seal air leaks.

Rainier Construction And Remodeling
For over 18 years Clive Ebsen has been helping Pierce County families turn their houses into comfortable homes with personality. RAINIER CONSTRUCTION offers remodeling for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, attics, interiors and exteriors.

All Transmissions & Automotive
Keep your motor home and RV's rolling with All Transmissions & Automotive's trained and certified mechanics. Located next to the Emission Control facility, All Transmission & Automotive can repair your autos and trucks as well as your RVs and motorhomes.

For 45 years, Hickory FarmsŪ has been a tradition in holiday gift giving. And for good reason: Tasteful gifts of their award-winning Beef Stick Summer Sausages, delectable cheeses, meats, desserts and coffees that are easy to give - and always delicious to receive. With a gift from Hickory FarmsŪ, you never have to worry about the correct size, color or fit because everyone loves great-tasting food! You can send a gift from Hickory FarmsŪ with complete confidence knowing your friends, family and co-workers will savor, share and enjoy it...and appreciate your thoughtfulness. Hickory FarmsŪ: It's the gift everyone loves to get!

When you order from Omaha Steaks, your satisfaction is always unconditionally guaranteed. If you are not absolutely thrilled with your order from Omaha Steaks for any reason at all - they'll cheerfully replace your order or refund your money, whichever you prefer. You can't lose. Check out their Website for the Omaha Steams weekly special.

FIVE WAYS TO CHEAT ON HOUSEWORK

• Choose medium shades and patterns for furniture upholstery - Tapestry prints and tweeds don't show dirt, stains and lint like very light and dark colors.
• Select densely woven and textured fabrics (stain resistant) - These fabrics are less likely to show soiled areas.
• Stay with tweed carpets or medium-toned Oriental style rugs - Avoid deep pile carpets which trap dirt and require more sweeping and cleaning.
• Use free-flowing wallpaper patterns - Flowing patterns hide dirt and soils better than centered designs and white backgrounds.
• Use sponge-paint on walls, doors and woodwork - Sponge-paint can hide little fingerprints and other stains.

JR Reding Company
If you have antique furniture that needs repairing, then you need John Reding's quality remanufacturing -- located just off South Tacoma Way. John can handwork your time-worn wooden jigsaw puzzle projects into beautiful pieces of usable furniture. If your fine woodwork, wooden floors or furniture has mars, scratches and stains, you'll find John's FREE INFORMATIONAL site on scratch and stain repair very useful. The following information is from John's Website.

HOW TO REMOVE STAINS AND SCRATCHES ON VARNISHED WOOD

ALCOHOL AND WATER RINGS
Moisten a cloth in salad or olive oil and touch the cloth to some rottenstone (limestone, polishing particles) and gently rub the stained area.
Do not wax or polish over an alcohol or water ring. That will permanently set the stain on the wooded finish. If the ring is new, you may apply a clean blotter over the stain and press a warm iron on the blotter until the stain is removed. Do not use a hot iron. Do not use steam. If you'd rather not try the iron and blotter technique, you can rub the stain with a soft cloth and olive or salad oil. If this doesn't remove the stain you can try rubbing the stain with mayonaise or petroleum jelly and then leave it overnight. Wipe it clean the next morning.

CRAYON AND LIPSTICK
Your favorite cleaning/wax should remove these surface mars as part of your normal cleaing routine. Check the instructions on the can or bottle.

FINGERNAIL POLISH
Do not attempt to remove fingernail polish with fingernail polish remover. Fingernail polish remover is usually a lacquer thinner. It will damage your varnished surface even more. Take a sharp knife and gently scrape off the polish. If the suface has been scratched, follow the instruction for removing alcohol and water rings on varnish (above).

PAINT
Paint is removed just like fingernail polish. Scrape it off gently.

SCRATCHES
Scratches in dark oak mop boards and trim can be covered up with black, fine-point laundry markers. On red finished mahogany, scratches can be made invisible with iodine and sometimes a red, fine-point laundry marker. With the wide variety of present day shoe colors, shoe polish is also a good cover-up solution. Check out your local shoe repair shop for a sample of colors to match your furniture and floors. Rubbing scratches with the meats of oily nuts will also help remove apparent scratches. Floor wax can also be used for neutral shades of wood.
Deep scratches may need some of the scraping, sanding, and filling techniques mentioned in some of the tips above.

Paintings by Esther
You'll appreciate the miniature art of Esther Petersen. You can brighten your home with her Northwest artwork, or you can use her artwork (attributed) on the Internet for FREE.

Sharper Image
"I started this business more than 20 years ago for one reason - it was fun! And today, my passion for discovering great new products hasn't diminished one bit. I hope you share my enthusiasm for the innovative products you'll find here - especially those items "invented here" by Sharper Image Design. I want you to have fun shopping at The Sharper Image and I want you to feel great about what you buy!"
Richard Thalheimer, Founder, Sharper Image

Daily personal horoscope and video advice by reknown astrologer Melissa Townsend. You can choose to listen to an audio version or view the video/audio version. simply "click" on the appropriate traiangle.

Audio Direct - Specializing in home and car audio with over 1600 items to chose from. Your Internet Source For home audio and video products. www.Audio-Direct.com

Four Wheel Bicycles - By Rhoades Car - Quad Human Powered Vehicles, Street Legal, 1,2,& 4 Passenger recumbent models, Multi-Speed, FREE INFO

Create Space In Your Garage - Tired of that tennis ball on a string. Create space and protect your property with the ParkingSpot. Order yours on line today.

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