Author: Family Fun

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Charitable donations Charity pick up Clothes donation

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

Veterans charities

Step back and take a look at your closet. All of those past season must-haves that you only wore a couple times are sitting on the back shelf, replaced with the next up and coming newest style. When it is that your clothes have passed their fashion peak, give them a chance to be enjoyed by someone else, as recycling and donating these items to those in need brings many benefits to all involved.

Veterans and military families are in great need for clothing donations. In 2012, the unemployment rate of veterans was a whopping 9.9%, up 2% of the national average of regular citizens, with 20.4% being veterans between the ages of 18-24. Additionally, reports from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics in March 2013 show an estimated 207,000 recent veterans unable to find work. With 12 million tons of clothing and textile waste being thrown out every year in the United States, about 90% being viable for recycling, clothing donations for veterans charities are a perfect option for your gently used clothing. It is clear many others have taken the lead with donations; in 2007 alone, an average of 5.8 billion worth of clothing donations were made to charity foundations, military charities included.

Mother Earth is also somebody we need to consider when disposing of waste and other goods. The average American alone generates 4.5 pounds of trash per day, capping out at 1.5 tons of solid waste per year. Estimates from the EPA show 75% of this solid waste is recyclable, but only 30% is actually disposed of properly. The truth is, recycling is incredibly efficient and long lasting, if we recycled just 1/10 of our newspapers per year, Americans would singlehandedly save 25 million trees. Imagine what the birds of the world would have to say about that!

Composting is another eco-friendly way to minimize your carbon footprint. As a country, Americans produce 21.5 million tons of food waste per year. If we simply compost that food it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere as taking 2 million cars off the road. Since cars are a necessity for most in this day in age, why wouldn’t you add to the 87 million tons of material that was composted and recycled in 2012?

Overall, donating, recycling, and composting are painless and easy and have an immeasurable impact on others. After all, think of the birds! Find more on this topic here.

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Colorado farms for sale Colorado horse property Hunting

American Agriculture How to Contribute to this Historic American Industry

Cattle ranch

Agriculture has long been a defining feature of our species. The first archaeological evidence of agriculture dates back to over 11,500 years ago in the Mediterranean region where wild barley, wheat and lentils were cultivated among other crops. Today there is agriculture in all 50 of the U.S. states with different crops and livestock adapting to the climate of each state. Due to its abundance of natural resources and the healthy condition of the land, the U.S. has always been primed to emerge as one of the world’s leaders in agriculture; statistics from 2011 show that the United States agriculture industry generated over $374 billion and employed over 750 thousand farmers, ranchers, and other agriculturalists across the country.


The History of Our Land

Early European colonists were the first to import their livestock to America, causing significant changes to the land. New crops, new livestock, and new invasive species all came along with the Europeans; naturally this resulted in the endangerment and extinction of dozens of indigenous American species. Over time, agriculture found its place in the United States with the introduction and broad adoption of scientific agriculture as of the mid-19th century. Although scientific agriculture resulted in a significant economic growth for the United States, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl caused many areas of farms and cattle ranches to become abandoned and later incorporated into national forests. Today the agricultural industry is as strong as ever with hundreds of Americans looking to start their own life as a farmer or rancher. Since the value of farming and ranching land in the United States amounts to around $2 trillion, it has never been a better time to try your hand at farming.


Settling on Pristine Farm Land

With over 2.2 million farms in the United States, chances are there is a farm that is right for you somewhere. It is estimated that the United States has a combined 920 million acres of farmland; the average farm in the U.S. is around 435 acres. California is one of the nation’s leaders in agriculture; the state produces 66 crops including but not limited to almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwi fruit, olives, raisins, peaches, pistachios, pomegranates, rice, walnuts, prunes, and of course oranges. The three most profitable agricultural exports from California include almonds, dairy and dairy products, and Californian wine. All together, California produces the most revenue for agriculture of any state with Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, and Illinois trailing closely behind. For those looking to settle on their own farm, once you decide on which crops to focus on you can get started sowing your seeds and growing your own agriculture.


Finding a Cattle Ranch for Sale

Cattle have long been a part of the United States thanks in no small part to the spaghetti westerns that depicted the cowboy as an American legend. That legend lives on today as one can find a cattle ranch for sale all across the Great Plains. Montana in particular is known nation-wide for its ranches; in order to keep up with population growth, there is an increasing demand for hard workers to buy a cattle ranch for sale and start their new life as a cowboy or a cowgirl. Keep in mind that ranchers must recognize that they can make a significant impact on the environment; always leave some greenery when finding grazing areas for your cattle, as over-grazing could compromise the ecosystem’s balance.

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Clothes donations Helping military families

The Future Has Already Arrived You Can Donate Without Getting Up From Your Couch!

Clothing drop off locations

You can use your phone to do just about anything these days — can you use it to donate used clothing as well? In Florida, this might just be possible in the near future.

According to Public News Service, the state Capitol is considering a ?Suits for Session? organization — lawmarkers, nonprofit agencies, and state employees can donate new or gentle used professional clothing. This clothing will then be given to individuals looking to re-enter the job market — but perhaps cannot afford to look the part just yet.

One Time Event Uses Uber

For now, it will likely be a one time event, and anyone in the area will be able to take part through use of Uber, a global ridesharing app and service. The service will help to prevent appropriate clothing from being an obstacle to employment — something many people living in or close to poverty report experiencing.

While this may seem like something that won?t come to your city anytime soon, the truth is, donation pickups are a service that already exist around the country! There are many charitable organizations that are willing to meet you halfway. It can be difficult to find the time — or sometimes, the ability to transport — the things you want to donate. But donating is important. Charitable donations not only helps keep items out of landfills, but can also help to serve local charities.

What You Need to Keep in Mind When Contributing Local Clothing Donations

If you want to receive a tax write off for your donations, you?ll need to support a group that files for tax-exempt service under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you plan on deducting more than $500 than you will need a qualified appraisal submitted with your tax return for the IRS. You may be surprised by how much some of your items are worth in a tax write off! A coffee maker, for example, can be worth as much as $15 in a tax write off. So long as you are not lying about estimated value, you will likely be okay.

When you’re on the fence between donating your used items or posting them to Craigslist, consider this: local clothing donations are a great way to support and get to know your community. Get more info here. Continue reading here.

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Safe dating online Secure online dating

Are There Any Safe Online Dating Sites?

Online dating background check

You’ve read the news, and heard the stories, and maybe even seen the films. You’re as aware as the next person that online dating sites may be a good way to meet the next axe murderer. And yet, the convenience, the choice, the idea that you might connect up with that one perfect person out there who’s been put on this planet just for you – you’re hooked on dating websites, like millions of other people.
There are ways to make sure that your online dating site isn’t harboring dangerous types. The safest dating sites, the kind run by dads and retired law enforcement officers, actually do background checks before letting people post their profiles online. That way, there’s a good chance that what you see online is what you’re actually getting.

First, the good news
There’s a reason why online dating sites are so popular. They do lead to thousands of people finding love and even lasting happiness. The stories about people getting married after meeting via online dating websites are true. Almost one in four, or 23% of online daters, have found their spouse or long term partner online through a dating site.
Dating sites are popular among those who are ?single and looking?, 38% of whom have used dating sites or apps on a mobile device. Again, contrary to the horror stories, many online meetings are not dead ends. They do lead somewhere, and two out of three or 66% of online daters have met up and dated someone they met on a online dating site or app. But you should be aware that if you decide to meet up with someone you know from their online profile, there are some basic safety precautions you can take.

Proceed with caution
Some of the top tips with regard to online dating safety are the common sense ones: don’t give away your personal information – phone, email, last name, address – at least for the first two or three weeks, until you know the person better. If you decide to meet, do so in a public place. Take separate transportation home.
Through conversation and questions, make sure that their stories add up – jobs, residences, family, kids, current marital status – does it all add up or are there any suspicious inconsistencies or contradictions? The last tip may be the most important: always trust your gut feeling, and don’t ever go against your instincts. Your subconscious works overtime making sense of patterns and if something makes you uneasy, there’s probably a reason for it.

Are there any safe dating sites?
Many people may eventually decide to carry out a background check, before taking the relationship to a new level. But experts warn that background checks may not tell the whole story. Some safe dating sites are putting into place more and more checks before posting profiles in the first place. Professional investigators will have vetted individual profiles before you even see them online. With these sites, you can be sure that the person’s profile accurately reflects who they are, and that there are no hidden dangers.
Like the Internet itself, the world of online dating sites is an exciting place with a lot of potential. Like the Internet, it carries its own dangers. The guarantee of anonymity can do strange things to people, and role playing is one of the commonest online behaviors. The safest online dating sites recognize this aspect of human behavior, and build their sites around it, to protect their users.

With all the cautions in place, there’s only one thing more to add: we wish you the best of luck in finding true love and happiness.

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Church steeples history Courtroom benches Steeples furniture

Shaping Your Religious Event to Meet Your Specific Needs

Antique church pews for sale

The world is full of many different types of religions today. The United States alone is home to hundreds of different variations of religions. In fact, there is often even variation among families. People are marrying outside of their religions, producing children who may choose one of the parents religions, or may choose a different religion altogether. This can pose problems for some religions. What do you do in the event of a baptism when your significant other or your guests are not of the same religion? Sure, you can still hold the baptism in the church of your choice, but you may even be more comfortable doing it in the setting of your choice.

The baptism of your child is possible at exterior locations. For instance, you can provide the service in the comfort of your own home. You will have control over the setting, the guests, the music, and the refreshments that are served. You will also have complete control over the time of your service, not having to schedule around any other events; as churches often have to do.

You might be wondering how to incorporate religion into your home setting baptism. It is, however, still a religious activity. Many rental companies provide customers with church furniture for rent, including a portable baptismal pool for the actual baptism. You may not want to buy church pews, as you will have no use for them after the actual baptism event. However, renting them will provide you with the convenience that is necessary.

In addition to the renting of the portable baptismal pool, you would also have the option to rent the church pews or even a church steeple, if desired. Until the early/mid twentieth century, it was actually common practice in Anglican, Catholic, and Presbyterian churches to rent pews in churches to families or individuals as a principal means of raising income. Also, many churches didn?t even use church pews. For over 1,000 years of church?s history, churches did not contain pews. Congregations stood and were free to walk around and mingle with other church members.

Considering that Gallup classifies 40% of Americans nationwide as very religious, based on their statement that religion is an important part of their daily life and that they attend religious services every week or almost every week, it is likely that there are different variations of religions throughout your family. Choosing to host the baptism in your home, with the rental of a portable baptismal pool will provide comfort for all of the guests. You can choose to include as much religion as you want into the event. Additionally, you can choose the pastor or the priest who will oversee the ceremony with the portable baptismal pool. Oftentimes, you are stuck with the churches head priest, with no choice. When you host the event in your home; you can interview and then choose the best option for your ceremony.

Religion has taken on new meanings in our world today. People are marrying outside of their religions, and families now involve multiple religions under the same roof. This can be tricky for raising children. A great solution to this issue is by providing baptism and other ceremonies in the comfort of your own home, where you can have control over the different aspects of the event. You can ensure that all guests are comfortable, and that the ceremony is exactly fitted to your preferences.

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Big green egg dallas tx Gas grills dallas tx Natural gas logs

The Essentials Bring Your Yard or Patio To The Next Level

If you’re a homeowner with a beautiful backyard, you should give yourself a comfortable way to appreciate it. When you’ve invested in your backyard by working with landscaping services, you should reap the benefits of those efforts. One of the popular ways to appreciate your backyard is by installing a patio. If you enclose your patio with walls and screens, you can enjoy the vistas of your backyard all year round.

If you’re a homeowner with a beautiful backyard, you should give yourself a comfortable way to appreciate it.

To relax in your patio, you’ll want to pick the best outdoor seating. According to Angi, the pieces you choose for your patio may depend on the size of your family and your personal choices. However, complete patio furniture sets typically include a couch, chairs, end tables, and sometimes, a fire pit.

Some homeowners make original choices when selecting a way to admire their backyard.

Some homeowners make original choices when selecting a way to admire their backyard. For example, homeowners who prefer to enjoy their backyard from the second floor of their home (or upper-floor apartment dwellers) can get the same effect by choosing some attractive balcony tables and chairs. In the end, although many a homeowner will augment their house with patio installations, you can admire your yard in your own way and have a great time.

Homeowners, consider adding an enclosed patio or removable patio enclosures to your home as a first step in designing the ideal backyard. Build your patio or deck before hiring a landscaper to put together your garden plots, shrubs, and trees. That way, your landscaping surrounds the patio or deck, including it in the yard’s holistic design.

Enclosed Patios and Decks Provide Enjoyment All Year
Some homeowners consider this a winter patio enclosure because it allows them to use their patio all year. Installing sun room panels or glass patios provides enough insulation that the homeowner can use the patio in any weather. Building a sun room addition can include running the home’s heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) system into the new patio room to keep it comfortable in any climate or weather event.

What should your new patio or deck feature?

Decorating Your Outdoor Living Environment
What should your new patio or deck feature? How do you decorate an outdoor room? If you create an open-air patio, consider adding a large umbrella and stand to the table and chairs. This umbrella offers shade from the sun and protection from light rain. Also, consider adding a ceiling fan, heating method, and cooking area. Let’s look at each of these options in detail.Patio heater dallas tx

Having a backyard is one of the greatest joys of home owning. Many people truly enjoy the chance to experience the outdoors and summer light from their homes, and invest accordingly — 56% of homeowners updated their landscape to make their yards more friendly for entertaining, and 44% did it to make their yards more functional.

Indeed, having a yard, and especially a patio, can also be a chore. The constant maintenance needed to keep them looking great can be exhausting. Enlisting the help of landscapers and gardeners, or even the boy next door to mow your lawn is completely necessary a lot of the time.

In terms of serious investments however, there are only three things you really need to keep your yard looking amazing. Check them out here to get started with an amazing summer of fun:

Patio Furniture Sets
Maybe you like the traditional cast iron types, or the comfortable, padded, water-resistant ones. Regardless of what you prefer, having ample patio furniture can transform the party or just your day to day backyard lounging. Eating al fresco will become a habit for every meal.

Grill
If you are like 72% of adults, you celebrated your birthday with a legendary barbecue. Indeed, there is nothing like roasting meat or vegetables outdoors while kids play and adults sunbathe. Having a grill is a serious must for any outdoor event, and is especially helpful for big, smokey pieces like prime cuts of steak and pork.

Fireplace
The one serious downside of having parties or events outside is that they usually have to be moved indoors once the sun goes down. With an outdoor vented fireplace log set, you won’t have to worry about light, or the nighttime chill by keeping everyone gathered around the fire for as long as possible. Consider gas logs for a safer and easier option to a traditional fire pit.

There are a myriad of other options for backyard and patio additions — playgrounds, sunken pits, ponds, and fountains are among them. But they are all frills — whats really necessary is to be comfortable, cozy, warm and fed with patio furniture sets, premium gas grills and a blazing fire!!

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Desirable location Home for sale Low maintenance living

Why Home Buyers are Searching Online

Homes for sale in tredyffrin easttown school distr

Did you know that 32% of people actively looking for new homes are first time home buyers? If you are a part of that percentage, you may be wondering where to look first. Years ago, your parents may have contacted a real estate agent when buying their first place, but today, 92% of home buyers use the Internet as a primary resource. In fact, almost half of all buyers browse the Internet as their first step in the home buying process, looking online at homes for sale. Only a small 14% first contact a real estate agent. We are living in a digital age, and online shopping of all sorts is becoming increasingly popular. But why is the Internet especially useful for home buyers?

Why home buyers are searching online for new homes:

  1. Time – Browsing the Internet is quick and easy, allowing home buyers more time to conduct an in-depth search from anywhere with an Internet hookup or wifi access.
  2. Selectivity – Buyers can use keywords to narrow down their search in order to find exactly what they’re looking for,
    whether that is a desirable location, a classic community, or low maintenance living.
  3. Anonymity – Although real estate agents can be very helpful, some people prefer to do the research on their own so as not to be influenced by outside opinions or motives.
  4. Distance – If the buyers are planning to move out of town, or even across the country, traveling to each prospective house would be highly inconvenient. On the Internet, buyers can view photographs and learn about the home without leaving their current residence.
  5. Information – There is no shortage of information on the Internet. By conducting a quick search, buyers can learn everything they need to know about the surrounding community of a new home. This includes information regarding crime rate, the school district, demographics, news, local weather, and much more.

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a new home. If you don’t know where to start, look online. Begin your search with your basic necessities and requirements, or a specific location. With the Internet you can also save and share information, which is beneficial for couples and families. More.

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Adjustable bed frames Adjustable bed systems King adjustable bed

The Smart Bed is Here the Most Popular Types of Adjustable Beds

Adjustable bed frame

In the United States, people are sleeping worse than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 35% of Americans fail to get enough sleep at night, and there are millions more with chronic sleep disorders.
If you’re interested in exploring new kinds of beds, particularly supportive beds, then adjustable bed systems have something for every sleeping need imaginable. The rise of new types of adjustable beds on the market suggest many people depend on the comforts of a more supportive bed. So what styles of adjustable beds are available in 2016?
Hospital Beds, Therapeutic Beds
When many people think of adjustable beds, they immediately think of the electric beds used in hospital rooms. And while these ancient beds may have been the beginning of the adjustable bed industry, they offer few of the comforts now provided by modern beds.
For certain medical conditions or in-home care, doctors may recommend adjustable therapeutic beds for patients. Other people are looking for relief from painful medical conditions. While many wonder if adjustable beds can help conditions like low back pain or insomnia, few medical studies have yet been done on the medical benefits of different styles of adjustable beds.
Ultimately, according to Spine Health, “It is important to remember that the patient?s personal preference for sleep comfort and back support should ultimately determine which type of bed or mattress is best. There is no single type of bed or mattress that works for all patients.”
Smart Beds, Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Beds
Yes, the 21st century has given rise to the smart bed. Modern adjustable beds have a wide range of settings, allowing sleepers to choose from thousands of potential settings. Not only that, but the best adjustable bed systems also come with wireless two-way remote controls, which allow sleepers to adjust their sleep position using Wi-Fi and a smartphone or tablet.
Memory Foam Adjustable Bed Mattresses
If you’re one of the millions of people that have become obsessed with memory foam mattresses and pillows, then you don’t have to choose between your mattress and styles of adjustable beds. Depending on the style you choose, it should be possible to purchase an adjustable bed designed for memory foam mattresses. Adjustable bed mattresses and memory foam are no longer mutually exclusive.
Massage Beds, Heat Massages
Like something out of a science fiction novel from the 1950s, it’s not only possible to use Wi-Fi to choose from thousands of sleeping positions, it’s also possible to buy twin, queen, and king size adjustable beds with built in heat massage features. For the 86% of people who wake up occasionally because they’re too hot or too cold, a heated massage option might be the answer to finding undisturbed sleep.

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Farm properties for sale Farmland auction Farms and estates for sale

Land For Sale

Hunting ranches for sale

For those who enjoy hunting, fishing, ranching, or farming, the phrase “land for sale” is music to the ears. Throughout the United States, vast tracts of land exist, already prepped for working, especially in the Midwest and Southwest. The myth that there is no American Wilderness anymore is just not true: lands and farms abound, and, when chosen carefully and managed efficiently, can turn a profit for the owners.

Ranches and farms still play an important role in the U.S. economy and contribute to a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether cash crops, field crops, livestock, or otherwise, agriculture is a thriving, sustainable business endeavor.

There are plenty of non-agricultural uses for open land, too. Hunting property, fly fishing ranches, equestrian stables, and camping lodges are all viable businesses that can make land profitable.

Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Montana, and Tennessee are all rich with opportunities for investment. It is easy to find a cattle farm for sale, hunting and fishing land for sale, or open ranchland for sale. And businesses are growing in these wide-open states; for instance, Montana’s population is slated to grow over 14% by 2043 and other Midwestern states follow suit.

Things to consider when buying rural land include the history and culture of the land, the effects of extreme weather in the area, and the proximity to markets; these will all have an affect on the profitability of your venture. Investigate the history of the land you?re interested in; sometimes, properties or houses have cultural significance that may influence the value or management of the land. Also consider what sort of extreme weather might affect the area and be sure the appropriate safety measures have been taken in reinforcing structures, providing emergency shelter, and establishing evacuation routes. Also, depending on what the land is used for, be sure you have access to the nearest markets.

Most importantly, it is important to have a land and real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the specifics of farm real estate. They should be able to identify the components of quality and value; besides location, other factors include building improvement value, diversity of agricultural resources, potential recreational features, conservation needs, and market percentages.

If you’ve always dreamed of owning ranchland, or if the sight of a roadside sign reading ?cattle farm for sale? intrigues you, go for it. There are plenty of opportunities available, and lots of ways to make farmland work for you.

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Featured

Report: Fully 88% Of Hoverboards Sold This Christmas Are Dangerous and Defective

Ever since “Back to the Future Part II” hit theaters in 1989 with its campy depiction of 2015, Americans have been obsessed with hoverboards. So it’s fitting that during Christmas 2015 “hoverboards” were the number three top search on Google for toys, although these so-called hoverboards don’t quite live up to the name.

Although they most definitely have wheels — that most definitely do not hover off the ground — these futuristic devices became a trending item in 2015. They operate like a Segway scooter but resemble a large skateboard, and the boards became an overnight sensation.

Unfortunately, a number of Chinese manufacturers in Shenzhen capitalize on trends like this by quickly pumping out bargain versions of consumer products, only without the regulations, standards, and oversight that Western consumers take for granted. Already, Shenzhen manufacturers have shipped millions of hoverboards, including 400,000 in October ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Some of these hoverboards ignite when overheated, posing a serious risk to their owners. Airlines banned the products from their planes, Amazon and other retailers restricted sales, and regulatory bodies in the U.S. and U.K. are sounding the alarm.

In December, the U.K. National Trading Standards service reported that fully 88% of the 17,000 hoverboards assessed at U.K. border crossings were deemed unsafe and detained.

According to a statement from the regulatory agency, “Officers from National Trading Standards Safety at Ports and Borders Teams and trading standards services in Scotland have detained the boards — a ‘must-have’ on Christmas lists this year — due to a range of concerns, such as safety issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or the [thermal cutoff switch] within the board, which often fails. Many of the items detained and sent for testing have been found to have noncompliant plugs without fuses, which increases the risk of the device overheating, exploding or catching fire.”

Thermal cutoff fuses are a single-use device designed to automatically cut off electrical flow in the event of overheating, and they’re required by regulators in countries around the world.

And according to Quartz.com, “Hundreds of makeshift entrepreneurs, many of whom have no engineering or technology expertise, are doing deals with white-label Chinese manufacturers to make hoverboards. They then re-sell them using names like Phunkeeduck, Swagway, Fiturbo, Hover Booster, Galaxy Board, and Cyboard.”

That means many of the hoverboards sold in U.S. stores or bought online were designed with faulty or counterfeit thermal cutoff fuses.

“All the hoverboards in the US are sold by importers, who barely even know the factories they are buying it from,” Andrew “Bunnie” Huang, a hardware analyst in Singapore, told Quartz in December. “In a hyper-competitive market that’s driven by a fad, taking six months to do a comprehensive testing program for safety means you’re missing out on a lot of business.”