B-Origin4l

As the most commonly recycled material in the United States today, steel is reused to make everything from the metal building you might be sitting in at this very moment to the car that you may have used to get there.   For over 150 years, the steel industry has been recycling this commonly-used metal alloy in order to save both money and energy.  The impact has been an extremely positive one, with the statistics regarding the amount of steel recycled in a given year quite impressive indeed.

The steel that is recycled each year saves enough energy to power approximately 18 million homes for a full year.  Indeed, recycling reduces the energy consumption of the steel industry by 75% as compared to what it would be if only new steel was produced from iron ore.  If the latter was the business model that the industry chose to employ when making the materials for prefabricated steel building construction and thousands of other uses, far more raw materials would be required.  For each ton of steel that is reused, it is estimated that an additional 1,100 kg of iron ore, 630 kg of coal, and 55 kg of limestone are saved.  In 2005 alone, 76 million tons of steel was salvaged for reuse.  While the amount of recycled steel in a prefabricated metal building or other construct can range from 30% to 95%, it is typically on the higher end for structural steel.

For home owners, a new fence can give a property a novel look, privacy, a safe play area for children, or area where pets can walk freely. Owners should consider the architecture of their home, as well as their natural surroundings, when choosing the material for a fence. Options include wood, vinyl, chain link, rock, aluminum—and each has its own advantages.

Wood fencing is a popular choice. Wood offers a look that matches nearly any style of architecture from rustic to ultra modern. In addition, wood blends in with any environment whether dry and rocky, plush and green, or a combination of both as seen along coastlines or lakefront areas. Styles of wood fencing range from split rail fences with a rustic, country look to picket fences with traditional appeal. Larger wooden fences provide privacy while enhancing the appearance of a property with taller boards placed side by side.

Some owners feel that wood fences are less durable than vinyl or metal; however, woods like cedar are remarkably long-lasting. Cedar trees grow in the Northeast, known for its humid and rainy weather, so this wood has natural rot-resistant properties and holds up well in tough climates. For fencing, Salem residents and others in cities throughout Oregon and Washington frequently prefer wood fences and tend to go with cedar. Whatever the locale, wood can be the ideal visual compliment to a home and the surrounding terrain.

Maybe you know everything there is to know about marriage and family therapy. Or maybe you’ve got 30 years of experience as a land surveyor. If you’re an expert in your field, consider authoring a McKissock course. McKissock offers continuing education for therapists, engineers, brokers, real estate agents, social workers, funeral directors, and many other professionals who could benefit from your expertise. Are you also a skilled writer? Contact McKissock about developing course materials.

Replacing a roof can be costly and inconvenient, so owners need to know how long to wait—without waiting too long! Home owners and building managers can always contact a reputable re-roofing contractor to check the condition of a roof, but it’s best to have basic knowledge about different types of roofs, durability, and expected wear.

Most roofs last about 20 years assuming the building is located in an area with a mild climate. Residential roofing contractor can give you more detailed estimates that take local climate and building trends into account. This includes shakes and basic composition shingles. Upgraded composition shingles tend to last a little longer, from about 25 to 30 years. Concrete tile typically lasts even longer than that, even indefinitely, as long as it isn’t damaged by a major weather event or foot traffic. Flat roofs can last about 20 years if they are installed by professionals. The lifespan of a roof depends mostly on what material was used to build the roof. Obviously, severe local climate and weather is also a factor.

Aside from the timeframe, how do you know when it’s time to call re-roofing contractors? Any leak warrants a call to a professional. In addition, damage to shingles, gutters, or flashing warrant repairs. (Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes, as well as valleys where sections of the roof converge.) When shingles are missing or damaged by wind, the roof becomes exposed to water damage. This leads to rotting and causes additional shingles to become dislodged and ineffective. Flashing and gutters can also become rusted, decayed or damaged over time—this too can lead to a damaged roof that fails to properly insulate the building. When owners notice this type of damage, it is best to call a roofer to make repairs. Roofs that are repaired in a timely fashion last longer!

What is it about French women that both American men and women have always admired? There’s a quixotic blend of coyness and elegance, of enigma and romance, of wantonness and composure that has endured as the consummate model of sexiness for ages. The great novelist Edith Wharton attempted to demystify the French allure in her 1919 tome “French Ways and Their Meaning” but got only so far as the conclusion that French women are simply more “grown up.”

While we continue to marvel at the classic French femme fatale, fine French lingerie from premier brands such as Aubade, Chantelle, Rien, and others have taken the next step and have captured those elusive French qualities for women on both sides of the Atlantic. French lingerie at Tanga Fine Lingerie ranges from sumptuous adorned pieces from Lisa Charmel to demure yet mischievous bras, panties, and corsets from Simone Perele. Slip into your own blend of French magnetism today when you order from Tanga Fine Lingerie.

There is an assortment of choices when it comes to top health insurance; international student travel is safer than ever as a result of the many plans that are offered today. Since many of these plans are available online, purchasing is also easier than ever. However, there are a couple of things to bear in mind when purchasing student travel health insurance over the Internet:

• Shop around. Brokers are very easy to find online by searching basic keywords such as “international student health insurance.” Plan to spend some time comparing terms and rates to make sure that you purchase a plan suitable for your needs.
• Don’t buy from a brokerage that does not disclose important details about itself such as location and contact information. A legitimate brokerage should also display pertinent information about licenses, registrations, and/or affiliations with a local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.
• Do purchase travel/health insurance from a brokerage that offers plans from a number of companies. A variety of plans from top-rated companies signals that the brokerage is serious about offering coverage that meets your needs at an affordable price.

To quickly and easily find the international health insurance or travel insurance plan that best fits you, just enter your criteria in the SelectaPlan® online service. You can also contact New York International Group at info@nyig.com.

The advent of spell checker has done much to further the fields of business and academic editing. However, there is simply no substitute for a sharp human eye. Consider the following:

Ode to My Spell Checker

Eye halve a spelling checker
It came with my pea sea.
It plainly marks four my revue miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a quay and type a word and weight for it to say
Weather eye yam wrong oar write.
It shows me strait a weigh as soon as a mist ache is maid.
It nose bee fore two long and eye can put the error rite.
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it,
I am shore your pleased to no.
Its letter perfect awl the way.
My checker told me sew.  

Obviously, this is example satirizes our reliance on spell checkers, but it illustrates the need for quality editors, particularly in the field of business editing. In the world of commerce, a misspelling or misplaced modifier could mean the loss of a contract, stagnancy or profit loss, and loss of professional credibility. Dictum meum pactum (“my word is my bond”) is never truer than in written communication between businesses. Spelling and grammar really do matter. Treat your writing as you would treat your health and always get a second opinion when it comes to editing your work.    

From silly birthday cards that feature cartoon characters and groan-worth jokes to handcrafted unique wedding invitations that are bona fide works of art, the greeting card industry is a booming one in today’s modern world. Who doesn’t love opening their mailbox and finding a greeting card from a distant friend or relative that commemorates a special occasion — or even offers special thoughts “just because.” Walking down the greeting card aisle in your favorite store or browsing the selection of cards online, it can seem like the number of cards out there are endless.

In fact, you might be surprised to learn just how big a hit greeting cards are with the American public. The Greeting Card Association (the United States trade organization that represents the interests of the stationary, greeting card, and wrapping paper industries), says that approximately 90% of American households purchase greeting cards during the year. The number of total cards purchased totals somewhere around 7 billion. That’s a lot of Christmas greeting cards and birthday well wishes. In the United Kingdom, the number of cards sold is somewhere around 2 billion. Just counting the cards sold in these two countries, the number sold per year could circle the Earth 54 times if they were lined up end to end.

From personalized Christmas cards to simple thank you notes, greeting cards are a simple way to bring joy to someone that you care about. Wish someone well, lift their spirits, or add a celebratory touch to festive events the tried, true and traditional way.

When you complete a money transfer to a friend, family member, or associate, you want to make sure that it is secure. Since money transfers are vulnerable to financial fraud, ensuring the security of your money is important but not always easy to do. Whatever type of online payment system that you choose to work with, keep the following tips in mind:

• Request a confirmation number for your reference so that you have proof of the transfer’s completion.
• If you are sending money over the Internet, visit the site to see what security measures are in place. EPAY, for example, uses data encryption, backup storage, 128-256 bit https account access, IP protection, passwords, and digital signatures to keep money transfers safe. 
• Find out of the transferring institution insures its transfers. EPAY backs its members’ accounts 100% in USD and EUR funds.
• Follow up with the recipient to verify that he or she has received the transfer in a timely manner.  

ost transferring institutions are committed to maintaining the integrity of their financial services, so they work hard to keep your money secure. However, it’s always a good idea to use caution and do a bit of research before sending money, especially if you are sending funds through an institution other than your usual bank.

Decorating your child’s bedroom doesn’t have to be pricey. One of the easiest ways to quickly transform the look of your child’s room is to select unique kids bedding, such as animation bedding. Animation bedding not only encourages your child’s imagination, but it also offers a great starting point from which to decorate the rest of the room. Select a cartoon character that your child already loves. This way, the existing toys and accessories in the bedroom can be placed around the room to match the bedding. Little girls will love Disney princess prints or butterflies, while boys can pick from Bob the Builder, Spiderman, and Batman bedding.

In addition to the bedding, a bedroom set is another great way to purchase everything you need at a lower price. A bedroom set may include a duvet, bed skirt, pillow case, and sheets. When it comes time to search for the perfect animation bedding, make sure you search online for the best prices. Homelinen.co.uk offers a wide selection of animation bedding options at very low prices. You can also browse the rest of their online catalog to find more children’s bedroom options, including bed linen, bedspreads, blankets, towels, and baby gifts.