Home & Garden

“What type of paint sheen should I use?”  The answer depends on where the paint will be applied and the general purpose of the painted surface.  Here are some very helpful tips to keep in mind to help make the selection easy.
Flat Paints – The most commonly used sheen in homes is called flat or matte finish.  Most flat and matte finishes tend to have no shine at all. 

One of the many traditions on All Hallows Eve is the making of a Haunted House.  Some residents opt to dressing up their home in scary attire, while others create a fortress in the backyard.  Either way, if you want to give the kids (and adults) a truly scary haunted house experience this Halloween, try a few of these tricks and treats (pun intended):

For nearly a century, the American Cancer Society has fought for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.  We have taken what we’ve learned through research and turned it into the potential for more birthday celebrations.  This year alone, 11 million cancer survivors in America will celebrate a birthday this year.

In an effort to address the challenges and needs of our military personnel and their families, the Santa Clarita Adult Day Health Care Center is proud to announce the expansion of services to veterans.  If you are a veteran or caring for a veteran you will find the center’s day care therapeutic environment is designed to promote socialization and stimulation and maximize individual potential for independence, dignity and quality of life among functionally impaired adults.

Let’s play:  What went wrong?
Date 1 – We met at a two-day training and sat next to each other for 16 hours.  We had a great time, enjoyed each other’s company and shared a lot of laughs.  So, he asked for my phone number.  Gladly, I gave it and waited for the call.  The next day, he asked me out.  “What would you like to do?”  he asked.

While many are choosing to hunker-down, there’s always those fortunate few who seem to make the right choice; they are at the right place at the right time.  They don’t miss windows of opportunity and they reap all the benefits.

Homeowners today realize what a terrific investment they’ve made installing a swimming pool and spa in their backyards.  It adds value to your property, but more importantly, the backyard becomes a focal point and center of activity for all forms of entertaining.
Children who once watched unlimited hours of television or played video games are now outside getting exercise, sun and having fun with friends and family. 

Temperatures may still be in the three-digit range, but Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s Home Tour League is busy making preparations for their 2009 Holiday Boutique and is inviting crafters to participate.

Inspired by the success of the “Cash for Clunkers” program in August, the U.S. Department of Energy will launch a “Cash for Appliances” program this fall, providing nearly $300 million in stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to consumers who purchase new energy-efficient kitchen appliances. In a statement announcing the plan, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, “These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs.”

Since 1964 Magic Maintenance, Inc. has been providing exceptional residential, commercial, construction and Homeowner Associations services to the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding areas.  Growing with the building industry, Magic Maintenance, Inc. has eight divisions within its organization to better serve your needs.

“The grass is always greener”. . . on the other side of the fence, the street, or in a neighbor’s yard.  But why not in your yard?  If the weeds do so well, why does the lawn do so poorly?

I often find it interesting the incentives that are put before us as an enticement to get us to do what others want us to.  The best examples of this are to be found in the parent/child relationship.

If the kid keeps their room clean or attains a high enough grade point average, then some type of reward or, perhaps it’s even a bribe, is offered for this compliance.  

We have created a way for you to save up to 75 percent off the regular price of painting and still get the expertise of A.Allbright.   It’s called the “Allbright Painting Party”

There are two unwritten rules in the parent-child relationship: Children will play with and around things they are not supposed to, and parents must do their best to keep their children from getting into danger.
As a help to parents, Budget Blinds encourages parents to look for hidden hazards around window areas, particularly the window cords.

Give your cabinets new life by refacing instead of replacing.  Replacing kitchen cabinets can be very expensive and time-consuming.   If your current cabinetry is not broken or permanently damaged, choose refacing instead.  Your cabinets will look like new without the expense and inconvenience of a demolition and remodel.

Whether it is a dusty, windy day, or an afternoon drizzle, weather in Santa Clarita can take a toll on the look of your patio furniture.  To keep your outdoor living space looking its best, cover your furniture when you are not using it.  Premium protective covers will shelter your investment from the harshest conditions. 

Last October while watching an agricultural show on television I got the idea to grow my own pumpkin for Halloween.  The farmer on the show had won a contest for the largest pumpkin weighing in at 1,500 pounds.  He explained how he did it and I wrote everything down so I could do the same thing. 

School has started, the holidays are near and the seasons are changing, so this is a good time to re-think your garage organization! Your goal should be to gain space for things you really love and use and reduce time looking through the clutter.

In Southern California, particularly at this time of year, we have to remember that an emergency evacuation may be necessary. Be sure to have your most important items and your “emergency kits” ready to go at a moments notice (see September’s Magazine for details). After that, think about your upcoming sports, school and the holiday activities.