Custom Bathroom Vanities – Adding Beauty & Value to Your Home

Custom bathroom vanities are a great way to add value to your house or the house you are remodeling. These are not vanities that you will find in your neighbors homes nor will you find them at your local home improvement superstore. It used to be that custom vanities were exactly that… custom made for each situation. They were designed specifically for you and according to the requirements you set forth. With more and more products being made in China, they have even started importing Decorative or Custom Bathroom Cabinets that come completely assembled, with the vanity top, sink bowl, hardware, and matching mirror(s).

So Why Should you Consider a Custom Bathroom Vanity?

The are many reasons why they could be right for your project, but most importantly would be resale value. Buyers like the idea of getting a great bargain for their money and are often eager to buy a home that has custom cabinetry in the kitchen or bath that is unique to that house. With all of the mass produced neighborhoods popping up, homeowners are looking for ways to differentiate their homes from those of their neighbors. Because of this, it is very rare that you won’t recoup your investment when you go to sell your house.

There are many things that make custom cabinetry and vanities appealing to many different people but one of the most easy to identify is the quality of not only the workmanship involved but also the craftsmanship. It shows when you have custom cabinets and buyers will recognize that ‘pride of ownership’ and experience less apprehension when buying from you, particularly if you’ve taken great care of your woodwork. With higher quality materials, and more attention to detail, I decorative bathroom vanity will hold up much longer to the wear and tear of your family.

The best reason for making the investment in a custom bathroom vanity is for your personal enjoyment. The bathroom is where we usually start and end our day. With more and more people trying to turn their bathroom into a spa environment, it only makes sense to carry that feeling over to the vanity that you install.

A custom made vanity is not only about appearance but should also meet your requirements for functionality. Everything seems to work better when it has its own place and is put back into that place. A good custom vanity will have a spot for all your morning bathroom routine needs.

Where can you find a decorative bathroom furniture vanity?

Even with the increase in popularity, custom pieces are still hard to find. Since they are not mass produced, you won’t find custom vanities gracing the aisles of your local home improvement stores. As I mentioned before, you can find some manufacturers and importers online by searching for decorative bathroom vanities or custom bathroom vanities, but even the search engines have a hard time finding all of the companies that are available because of the lack of traffic they generate. Searching for local carpenters is another way to go, but be prepared to pay a lot for your custom project and be ready for a long lead time.

Most of us have a good idea of what we like when it comes to design features and looks but have very little knowledge of the actual physics involved in getting the look and functionality we desire. Searching on-line is a great way to find samples or pictures of what bathroom vanity you would like to have for your bathroom. It will also give you an idea of what styles each manufacturer or carpenter specialize in.

A custom bathroom vanity or a piece of decorative bathroom furniture can not only add value to your home, but also create a unique focal point for your oasis. By having a good idea of what you are looking for, doing some research on-line, and narrowing down the manufacturers and carpenters that specialize in what you are looking for, you will be able to build the custom bathroom of your dreams.

I have been remodeling houses for over 15 years, and I have found a way to save hundreds on each bathroom that I remodel. If you are looking for a High End Bathroom Vanity , Euro Vanity, or RTA Bathroom Vanity check out one of these links to find out my secret.

Top 10 Weirdest, Most Ridiculous Jobs

Think your job is dull? Check out some of the bizarre things people do for a living in this list of jobs you probably didn’t know existed. You’ll either wish you were doing one of these, or you’ll be thankful for the job you do have. And now, the top 10 weirdest, most ridiculous jobs out there:

Pet Food Taster Not only do these people eat dog food all the time, some actually enjoy it! It’s kind of like wine connoisseurs enjoying a new wine, except its stuff your dog or cat eats. To each their own…

Gross stunt producer If you’ve ever seen a show where people have to do disgusting things for money (like wade through rat-infested sewers or eat living bugs), rest assured it’s because someone’s job is to come up with such twisted concepts. A surprising amount of research is necessary to make sure that your ideas are not only gross, but also safe.

Bad Breath Smeller How else would you figure out if your company’s chewing gum is getting the job done? This also implies there are people whose job it is to chew gum and breathe in people’s faces.

Whiskey Ambassador Getting paid to drink whiskey- a job college kids everywhere can only dream of. These lucky people’s responsibilities include selecting the best whiskeys and teaching clients how to fully appreciate each whiskey’s nuances.

Ufologist As the name implies, ufologists are all about the study of UFO’s. History, recent reports, government conspiracies, it’s all included, so if the unknown is your passion this might not be a bad start.

Cryptozoologist These are the people you see on television explaining so convincingly why Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster are real. It’s all about using your science skills in less conventional ways.

Chicken Sexer The actual job responsibilities for these guys are relatively mundane- chicken sexers just have to figure out what gender baby chicks are and sort them accordingly. Still, nothing quite spices up your resume like a job with that title.

Pathoecologist You’d be surprised how much you can learn from…poop. Pathoecologists study feces from thousands of years ago, learning much about the lifestyles and diets of our ancestors.

Foley artist You probably hear their work all the time and don’t even realize it- foley artists are responsible for making those everyday environmental sounds in movies and shows on television. They often utilize whatever objects they please (from watermelons to flare guns) to accentuate sounds.

Queen Bee Producer If bees aren’t your thing this is probably the least desirable job out there, as these people work with bees everyday. But not just any bees- they specifically raise the most impressive of them all: the queens.

Andrew is a recent college graduate working on MyCareerRx http://www.MyCareerRx.com, a site devoted to making the job hunting process easier for college students everywhere, from free career personality tests to resume and interview help

Choosing an Assisted Living Home For Your Elderly Parent

Making the decision that your elderly parent needs more than assistance in their own home is a difficult one. However, finding an assisted living home that meets your needs can ease the process. What sorts of things should you consider when choosing an assisted living home?

1. Proximity. If possible, choose a home that is close to your own so you can visit often and spontaneously. Knowing you are just a few minutes away will be comforting to your parent and will ease the transition.

2. Caregivers. Visit the home during each shift to meet the caregivers. States require training and certification, but you should look for experienced caregivers who genuinely enjoy caring for the elderly. Sometimes you can tell by the expressions on their faces if they are happy there, or just going through the motions. Ask how many caregivers there are per shift, and how many residents live in the home. Try to find an assisted living home with a high caregiver to resident ratio.

3. Meals. Visit during mealtimes. It is important that the food served be nutritious and delicious. The elderly eat less as they age. Appetites diminish over time, and taste buds degenerate. Food must be appetizing, fresh and high quality so that the amount eaten provides adequate nutrition. Ideally, choose an assisted living home with a nutritionist on staff, or one that consults with nutritionists for meal planning. Be sure the home caters to dietary needs and offers substitutes for restricted items.

4. Activities. Activities should nurture the body, mind and spirit, and create community. Ask for the monthly calendar of activities. Are the activities interesting, fun, engaging, varied? The primary reason the elderly are placed in assisted living homes is concern for their safety living alone. An assisted living home should not only be a safe place, but one of community for your loved one. Are residents in the common areas, or are they all sequestered in their rooms? Do they speak to each other at meals or during activities, or are the only voices those of the caregivers?

5. Amenities. Amenities can add much to the quality of life in a care home. This is where care homes can differ significantly. Ask what makes their home special. Do they nurture the body, mind and spirit? Do they offer holistic therapies? Special programs? Do they have doctors that make house calls?

6. Volunteers. Befriend volunteers, as they can be eyes and ears of anything amiss with the home. Homes that are interested in the well being of their residents will often utilize volunteers, such as for reading out loud, helping residents with writing cards or checks, etc., because it allows them to offer more to their residents.

7. Pets. There are organizations all across the country that train pets and their owners to provide therapy visits. Visits with animals are particularly appreciated by the elderly, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Find out if volunteers come to the home, and what they do for the residents.

8. Cleanliness. Is the home neat and clean? Do the bathrooms look and smell clean? Are the common areas tidy? Do the residents look groomed and are their clothes clean? (Residents have rights and they are free to refuse showers, food, medication, assistance with dressing and hygiene, all of which can cause a resident to appear uncared for; however, the resident’s doctor, guardian or relatives are to be notified so that any underlying issues can be addressed. If all the residents appear to be unkempt, there may be an issue with the care being provided.)

9. Violations. States have regulatory agencies that keep track of the violations of assisted living homes. It may not concern you that much if a care home failed to chart one of its routine fire drills, but it should concern you if there have been multiple claims of abuse, neglect, or safety issues.

10. Cost. Care homes usually have sliding fees based on the size of the room, whether it is a suite with a private bath, and the level of care the resident requires. The more care, the higher the fee. The larger the room, the more the cost, with suites being the most expensive. Personal items, such as Depends, other hygiene items, denture creams, medication, etc. are all the responsibility of the resident. Meals and snacks, assistance with daily needs such as getting up, going to bed, bathing, toileting, cleaning, laundry service, activities and entertainment are usually included in the monthly fee. Find out what is not included in the fee, so that there are no surprises at the end of the month. And do not be afraid to ask what their policy is in raising fees: do they give notice, how often have they raised fees in the past, do they anticipate raising fees in the next six months?

Take a checklist or list of questions when you visit care homes. Make sure you get the answers to all your questions so that you are fully informed when making your decision. When you’ve done your homework and narrowed it down to the best 3 or 4 that meet your needs, if possible, take your parent to tour the homes. Allow your parent to select the one that feels right for them. You’ll ease the transition by including your parent in the decision-making, and you’ll both have peace of mind that you’ve made the best choice.

Karla Roberts is owner and visionary of Sharon Gardens Holistic Assisted Living Home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her vision is to create an environment that uplifts, fulfills and soothes the body, mind and spirit of all who enter Sharon Gardens: residents, caregivers and visitors alike. To ensure their well being in every way, holistic therapies and treatments are a routine part of care of the residents and caregivers.

Sharon Gardens will be the recipient of donations through the author’s work with Humanity Unites Brilliance (HUB). The intention is to give free care to the elderly who have spent their lives serving others and do not have the funds to pay for needed assisted living.

For more information on Sharon Gardens Holistic Assisted Living home, visit us at
http://holisticassistedliving.org/

For more information on how you can positively impact the world and your life, visit
http://hubaz.com/

Cork Flooring Saves Trees

For some people when it comes to installing new flooring, they stick with the standard wood, but others know that cork flooring can be a great alternative. A cork floor may make some people think of a bulletin board in their old school, but it’s really nothing like that. Cork is beautiful and comes in almost every shade and color you can imagine, it will fit with any décor. You can get a cork floor in a wide array of textures and patterns too. Some make you think of pergo flooring and havea faux marble or wood grain pattern.

If you need something that will offer you excellent insulation then try cork. You will feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It is very energy efficient and you will have your bills lowered in the cool months. It is much better in terms of energy efficiency than discount wood floors or laminate floors. It also helps keep noise pollution down too. From between floors or even rooms.

Cork feels soft to the soles of your feet and more comfortable to walk on than stone, wood, tile, or bellawood. In the kitchen it is a great option since you spend so much time on your feet there. If you drop a plate, you might find that they don’t break or crack quite as easil on your cork flooring. This is a great plus, not to mention the fact the it is fire retardant, which can make your home safer.

Cork is an excellent choice in terms of the environment, since it is made from the bark of the tree. These cork oak trees grown in Spain and Portugal and do not need to be cut down to use the cork. The bark is simply stripped down and then it grows right back so it can be stripped down every nine years or so. This means that buying cork flooring does not deforest any land area, which is a major problem today.

You install cork flooring by either gluing it down to the ground or nailing it. You can lay it down on top of concrete or wood. You need to ensure your subfloor is dry before you put it down. Make sure you paint a sealant down before you lay down the cork flooring so it can be less moist. You can also get tiles of the peel and stick variety too,. These are super easy to lay down.

You can use a paint roller to lay down the adhesive before the cork flooring. When you put down the tiles you won’t see the seems. If you use a razor knife you can cut the tiles to fit difficult angles or corners. You will need to use a 100 pound floor roller after installation to make sure the flooring goes down properly. You can rent this. You should put a urethane layer over it for better protection.

Greg Hansward’s long articles can be found on many web pages related to laminate floors and cork tiles. With his detailed writings like http://www.insidewoodworking.com/flooring/cork_flooring.html, he confirmed his knowledge on things associated with cork flooring.

Five Awkward Things You Have to Acknowledge Before Starting Up Your Computer Fixing Business

It is a bold step starting out on your own to become a local computer mending person. You’ll be in competition with others like you, computer stores and larger companies who provide for your market place.

Some of the most sizable challenges you’ll confront nonetheless will be when you are actually on the task. Opposite to what many may believe, supporting domestic and small business enterprise users is rather a lot harder than working in a large scale corporate environment. Here are some of the reasons why, so you can be educated and be more effective – building you a sound reputation and more word of mouth referrals.

Home and small business users can be the most trying customers you’ll ever handle. They will expect extensive value from you and will challenge their bills unless they are 150% content.

1. They will expect you to recognise what a problem is and how to fix it the same way they would a plumber who came round to unblock a waste pipe. It won’t occur all the time but once in a while expect for them to decline to pay for any time you pass ‘working out what the trouble is’.

2. They don’t experience the luxury of being able to swap out their PC with one from the storage room or to work on someone else’s while you work on theirs. Therefore when they are dead in the water, unable to work and losing money because of it – the pressure will be on you. You will decidedly want to be able to deal with this and get used to somebody standing over your shoulder hassling you to hurry up.

3. They will need you to look at all varieties of different things aside from what you’ve booked in to see them about. If you have allocated them a certain measure of time to perform a certain problem then you have to be clear at the starting of the call. See if there is sufficient time left over at the close of the call or schedule another one. The most all-important thing is to express at the beginning of your visit that you are there to do a certain task. A professional looking work order will aid a plenty here.

4. They do not have uniform desktop builds with good antivirus and policies that keep them from downloading and installing whatsoever they wish. This is what makes this type of work so fascinating, and obstructive. Just think spyware, spyware spyware, be braced for it and anticipate to find it everywhere you go.

5. They will fault you for things that have gone wrong that aren’t your error. Ever heard this phrase before?

“Well it was fine until the IT person came and today it doesn’t work (I’m not paying this invoice!)”

Expect this to happen a great deal. Again professional looking work orders and effective documentation of all work carried out will be the proof you need to present precisely what you have and haven’t done. A client once phoned up and shouted at my boss right after a visit because his printer quit working just after I left. Turns out he switched off the PC it was connected to.

Offering computer fixing services to small business enterprise and home users can be a enormously rewardful experience. And of course being your own boss is as good as it gets. I trust the above-mentioned points haven’t put you off, the intent is to educate you for some of the worst parts of the occupation.

You can protect yourself and be disciplined just by setting up an efficient system for work orders, call documentation and routines for particular situations. Do this and you’ll get recognized in your area as the go-to somebody and have too much work to manage.

Now go get ‘em!

Peter Webber is a free lance IT advisor and contractor to large and small businesses. His website focuses on numerous facets of working in the IT industry in particular how to set up your home computer fixing business

10 Plant Care Ideas You Can Make At Home For Your Organic Garden

There is a renewed interest in organic gardening and organic foods and the health of our families. With the right homemade plant care recipes and tips you will be able to achieve an organic garden, with healthier foods for you and your family. By reducing the use of commercial chemicals you will be doing your part to help improve the environment.

1. Homemade fertilizer recipes:

Homemade fertilizer recipes for your garden will make it easy for you to fertilize all of your plants. You will always develop preferences for one method over another because of things like ease of use, availability of materials, cost of materials or whatever, but making your fertilizer at home will make fertilizing your vegetables, fruit trees and flowers easier for you. and you will have the confidence that your food is more healthy for your family. Use things like Epsom salts for fertilizers.

2. Homemade insecticide:

The first thing you should remember. There are more good bugs than bad ones, be sure to target your insecticide usage to the bugs you actually want to kill. Frequently things like garlic, molasses, hot peppers, etc. are suggested to kill insects.

3. Homemade fungicide:

The first consideration when using many of the homemade fungicides is to keep them agitated as you use them and be sure to cover all of the plant. Interestingly we can often target very specific diseases with homemade products. Steep some Chives in water to control Powdery Mildew. Many times the simple things work very well.

4. Weed Control:

A weed is any plant growing where it’s not wanted. Try to control weeds before they mature and produce seed. There will be far less next year. There are a number of home based things we can use to kill weeds, like salt (be very careful where you use salt). Did you know weeds can be part of our physical fitness programs. Just pull em.

5. Green Manure:

Green manure is a crop that is seeded for the purpose of being incorporated into the soil when it is still green and succulent. The crop species are usually legumes because of their ability to fix nitrogen in their root system and to release it back to the soil as the plant breaks down. The organic matter available from green manure is so good for the soil that it is hard to duplicate .

6. Composting:

The practice of mixing vegetable matter and a small amount of animal matter together so natural microorganisms can break down the fibrous portions and make a soil amendment. Compost is extremely valuable around the garden for adding organic matter to soil, serving as a mulch for your plants to control soil moisture and adding nutrients.

7. Vermicomposting:

Vermicomposting is composting using earthworms to speed up the process and to make a richer compost for the garden. The microorganisms in the gut of the earthworm break down the food. The castings from the earthworm contain large numbers of these microorganisms as well as organic matter. The benefit of these microorganisms to the soil is unmeasurable. Did you know? Vermicomposting can be accomplished in an apartment because the worms speed up the composting process and eliminate the odor.

8. Compost Tea:

The best liquid fertilizer you can make. Use compost from vermicomposting to make compost tea and use a diluted version of the resulting liquid, for all of your plants. You can use regular compost or even animal manure for compost tea bur vermicompost is always the one of choice. Compost tea is often recommended for spraying on your plants to control some fungal diseases. Soak the compost for at least 2 weeks.

9. Soil improvement in your garden:

The proper treatment of your soil is of prime importance in getting the most nutritious and flavorful food possible for the family. The spring rush to plant our crops frequently means we do not take time to prepare the most important part of our garden. Slow down just enough to prepare your seed bed properly.

10. Homemade houseplant fertilizer:

Most of us enjoy houseplants especially in the winter months when the days are short, the weather is cold and snow is frequent. Using homemade products to get lush green houseplants helps to brighten the winter period and avoids undesirable chemicals in the house. Try black coffee diluted 1:4 water every 2 weeks.

When you grow your own food, control the fertilizer you use, the pesticides you use and harvest your own garden produce, you know what you are feeding yourself and your family. Can you be that sure of the food you purchase?

Carm Paynter BSc.(Agr.) Carm graduated with a Bachelors degree in the field of agriculture. He worked in and taught in the field of Agriculture for many years. He is presently retired with a mini farm and a greenhouse, where he grows much of his own food and potted flowers for the spring garden trade. He has been observing the loss of several bird species in his area and is growing very concerned with the major reduction in the bee populations which he attributes to excessive pesticide use. His Homemade plant Care E-Book has a great collection of recipes for homemade plant care products and numerous other tips and ideas. We recommend you read and use it: http://www.funhobbiesmadeeasy.com/gardening

Inner Freedom

“We hold these truths to be self-evident.”
–Thomas Jefferson

When we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S., we commemorate our struggle to free ourselves from tyranny, and celebrate victory in the quest for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. We remember the freedoms we normally take for granted and we appreciate our responsibility to honor, maintain, and clarify those freedoms every day.

Mostly these freedoms are associated with rights – the right to free speech, for example, or to worship freely, assemble peaceably, petition the government, and to due process of law.

I gratefully acknowledge these privileges and freedoms and, frankly, would do well to recognize them more often. And I think about other freedoms, perhaps not mentioned in the Bill of Rights, but freedoms nonetheless; freedoms I don’t actually practice as much as I might.

I’m thinking of inner freedoms, quality of life options that have less to do with restraints by others and more to do with how I limit myself. These include but are (definitely) not confined to the freedom …

• To choose my attitude, even when I have no choice over the circumstances
• To decide not to take things personally
• To talk things out in difficult situations instead of holding back
• To laugh when everything around me seems to be falling apart
• To breathe
• To smile
• To center
• To be curious
• To see the good in people

The Declaration of Independence is an amazing document.

Could we create an inner declaration that frees us from prejudice, arrogance, blame, and justification (just to name a few)? A personal set of self-evident truths that protect us from our self-imposed limits – the shackles that cause us to struggle so and bring stress to those we love and work with everyday?

Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, said aikido is the art of peace, a way to practice freedom through compassion, wisdom, and fearlessness. If we use this definition, how free are you? And what holds you back?

Stop a moment. Breathe, center, smile, and return to freedom, the freedom that is always at your disposal and that only you can restrict.

About the Author: Judy Ringer is the author of Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict and the award-winning e-zine, Ki Moments, containing stories and practices on turning life’s challenges into life teachers. Judy is a black belt in aikido and nationally known presenter, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a positive work environment. She is the founder of Power & Presence Training and chief instructor of Portsmouth Aikido, Portsmouth, NH, USA. To sign up for more free tips and articles like these, visit http://www.JudyRinger.com

Prince Karim Aga Khan – A True Leader of Islam

11th July 2007 marks a landmark in the history of the Ismaili Muslim community, as this day marks the completion of the 50th year of Imamate of the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, Prince Karim Aga Khan 1V. He is the current (49th) Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. His contribution in the field of education, medicine, architecture, social work, institution building, relief work, etc., is spectacular. He always tried to bring the positive image of Islam in front of others. His attractive personality has influenced many Muslim brothers to work for the welfare of the people. He is the direct descendant of Sir Aga Khan 111, whose contribution for the establishment of Pakistan can never be forgotten.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Aga Khan IV is the eldest son of Prince Aly Salman Khan and his wife, Princess Tajudowlah. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland on December 13, 1936. His brother name is Prince Amyn, and sister name is Princess Yasmin Aga Khan. The Aga Khan spent his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, where his early education was done by private tutoring. The Aga Khan later attended the Institute le Rosey in Switzerland. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history. As a modern leader of Islam, he always tried to emphasize to improve the lives of the Muslims.

Following the death of his grandfather, Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, Prince Karim, at the age of 20, became the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 11 July 1957.

Upon becoming the Imam, the Aga Khan stated that he intended to continue the work his grandfather had pursued in building modern institutions to improve the quality of life of the Ismaili community. The main themes that the Aga Khan emphasized are development, education, interracial harmony, and faith in religion. He elaborated on this concept in a 2006 speech in Germany stating,

“The role and responsibility of an Imam, therefore, is both to interpret the faith to the community, and also to do all within his means to improve the quality, and security of their daily lives.” Throughout the early years of his Imamate, the Aga Khan continued his grandfather’s work through the establishment of institutions such as the Aga Khan hospital in Nairobi in 1958, and primary and secondary schools in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in the 1960s, The Aga Khan Hospital in Pakistan, and numerous educational institutions throughout the world. We can say that he is the leader of a common man. He is the King of the Muslim community. He always work for the betterment of the lives of the people of the third world country.

The Aga Khan has been particularly interested in the elimination of global poverty; eradication of illiteracy; the advancement of the status of women; the promotion of Islamic culture, music, art, and architecture, upgrading the economical status of the third world country, etc.

Prince Aga Khan always believes in building bridges between religions. He always tried to restore peace in the world and brought the positive image of Islam in the modern world.

In 1977, the Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, a premier award recognizing excellence in architecture that encompasses contemporary design and social, historical, and environmental considerations. It is the largest architectural award in the world.

He is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world, which works towards social, economic, and cultural development in Asia and Africa. The establishment of the AKDN brought under the same umbrella a number of development agencies and institutions that The Aga Khan’s humanitarian endeavors draw inspiration from ethics of compassion, generosity, sincerity, etc.

Few of the agencies of AKDN are as under:

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AAKAM) Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS) Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) Aga Khan University (AKU) The University of Central Asia (UCA) Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate of the AKDN, is responsible handling disasters. Recent example includes the massive earthquake in Pakistan, Oct 8, 2005. Prince Aga Khan team handled the prevailing problematic situation effectively.

He is also the Chairman of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, which he founded in 1977. This institute is one of the best Institutes, where different Islamic degrees programmes for our younger generations are being offered. The objective of IIS is to promote scholarship and learning of Muslim cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary, and a better understanding of their relationship with other societies and faiths.

The Aga Khan has been recognized by several national and international organizations for his service to humanity. Few of them are as follows:

The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has awarded him the title of His Highness on July 26, 1957. On August 12, 1957, the Sultan of Zanzibar invested the title of Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. It was his first visit to Pakistan with his wife when the President of Pakistan granted the title of Nishan-e-Imtiaz on January 15, 1970.

The World Monuments Fund honored the Aga Khan IV with its prestigious Hadrian Award for his vigorous and fruitful efforts to preserve and revitalize historic cities in Islamic world on October 28, 1996 at New York.

In 2003, he was named Knight Commander in the Order of the British Empire (KBE) “for services to international development, especially in Asia and Africa, and to UK-French relations.” In 2005, he was awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy, the 2005 Die Quadriga and the 2005 Vincent Scully Prize. He was also named Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada. His Highness has been awarded honorary degrees by universities in Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has also received numerous awards and prizes from various professional organisations in recognition of his work in architecture and the conservation of historic buildings. There are around more than 18 million followers of Prince Aga Khan throughout the world. Whatever he has done for boosting the economy of Pakistan by investing in to various sectors like hotel industry, banking, etc., are laudable. His Highness the Aga Khan donated $50-million to support rehabilitation, socio-economic development, and earthquake-preparedness in areas of the North West Frontier Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir affected by the 8 October 2005 shock. Prince Aga Khan provided a combination of financial and technical support to the urban and rural communities in high-mountain, seismically sensitive areas in Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia. There are many schools, colleges and universities in Pakistan as well, which were created by him for the development of intellects in Pakistan.

Scholars have called his community, the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the most progressive, organized, schooled and financially well-off sect within Islam.

Today, he is working all over the world to eradicate the social problems. His basic concern is of Muslim brothers and sisters, for whom he works day and night for their upliftment. He is creating a positive image of Islam globally for which we salute him.

He is truly the leader of Islam in this modern world. Wish him a very happy Golden Jubilee.

Munir Moosa Sewani is one of the famous, prominent and creative names in the field of Education since 8 years. He is a Master Trainer In Special Education, Post Graduate, Teacher Educator and a Teacher. He is a Freelance Writer and Photographer too. He is an author of the famous self-published storybook for children named as “The MORAL STORIES FOR CHILDREN” and has also written Biology course book for Secondary Classes. He has written almost more than 30 articles on social, health, educational and cultural issues, which are internationally recognized and published on most of the famous world wide websites, magazines and newspapers. He is also a Social worker, private tutor, career counselor, musician, lyrics writer and have multi- dimensional talents. His future plan is to write dozens of informative books and articles and to work for education and media too.

Green Bathroom Renovation on a Budget

As the global economy reels, and foreclosure rates continue to set new records across the country, more Americans are using green bathroom renovation to save water and energy use as well as a reduction in sewage and gas production. Contrary to the belief by some that green remodeling is expensive. The initial cost may be expensive, but the savings in water and energy bills are immediate and the benefits, lasting. Here are tips on how to create your next eco-friendly bathroom on a budget.

Save money by installing a low-flush toilet
Think of this this dirty estimate. According to the EPA, about 4.8 billion gallons of water are flushed down the toilet every day. To break it down for your share of the billions of water going down the drain everyday, American Water Works Association, an average household uses 20-28 gallons per day just to flush the toilet. Therefore, toilets are the singular and most important way that water goes down the drain. That’s why in 1999 the Energy Act, mandated residential toilets to use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush compared to 3.5-5 gallons of water per flush toilets. Cut back by installing an ultra-low-flush toilet.

Dual-Flush Toilets save water bills
As the name implies dual flush toilets offer two types of flushing modes, one mode for number one and the other mode for number two. One of the modes uses only 0 .8 – 1.1 gallons of water per flush.

Save water bills by installing low-flow shower heads
The next water guzzler after toilets and washing machines, are showers heads. By installing new low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators homeowners are reducing their consumption by as much as 50%. In addition and equally important is that the cost of the energy that is used in heating the water is also reduced. Reduction in water use benefits the environment and puts quite some green in your wallet.

Be thankful for a tank-less water heater
Here are reasons to be thankful for tank-less water heater after your eco-friendly remodeling.
1. Tank-less water heaters never run out of hot water- you save energy because of not losing heat in the water tank.
2. Immediate and constant flow of hot water
3. Low energy use means low carbon emissions.
4. Besides energy efficiency, tank-less water heaters take up less space, are easy to maintain, and more convenient to operate.

Use skylights or compact fluorescent lighting
Indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. By installing skylights, you enjoy the twin benefits of fresh air and huge savings on energy bills. There are also available today, varieties of electric bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs that save money and the environment.

Use recycled or recyclable materials
The complaint used to be that recycled and recyclable floor materials or even counter-tops are not available. Bathtub refinishing for instance, saves beautiful antiques, bathtubs and counter-tops from ending up at the landfills. Additionally, bathtub refinishing is about 20% of the cost of tub replacement.

Get greener cleaners
Now that you’ve taken the time to renovate your bathroom in the most eco-friendly way available, with the resources available to you, don’t undermine your environmental gains by using cleaning products containing VOC’s. We recommend that after your green remodeling, that your indoor-air quality by using non-toxic organic soaps and cleaners.

Wilson Uche Ukah, is the President of Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving the bathtub reglazing needs of homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. He writes regularly on green remodeling. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com

Obama’s Cabinet Choices

Barack Obama will be the President of the United States (POTUS) in a mere 40 days. To now, he has filled most of his Cabinet and not only with people that agree with him: Two of his rivals for the nomination, Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson have been named Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce respectively. Obama has history on his side in appointing his rivals to important posts: Abraham Lincoln did it following his election in 1860, as did Franklin Roosevelt did the same in 1932-33. Obama has told us that he has read up on both of his predecessors when making these decisions. All of the cabinet posts require confirmation by the United States Senate, under the ‘…advice and consent…’ clause of the Constitution.

One of Obama’s first appointments was to ask Robert Gates to remain as Secretary of Defense. Gates proved on more than one ocassion during the Bush Administration that he was not going to be a ‘yes’ man and to tell President G.W. Bush just what he thought of the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The respect he has gained in Congress will be helpful as the country winds down it efforts in Iraq. Obama’s stated goal is to have all troops out within 16 months of his inauguration, April of 2010. Gates will oversee that process.

Some critics, even his liberal supporters have criticized his appointments as being too conservative, too many bows to the Clinton and GW Bush Administrations. Obama has been around Washington for less than four years, about two of those campaigning for the Presidency, so he needs people around him that how how the city works. The ‘culture’ of Washington needs a change, so said Obama during the campaign. Critics and not just conservative critics ask how the ‘culture’ can change if his Cabinet is a rehash of the same people. Here’s how: They have new marching orders that come from the top to change or rearrange priorities.

Before January 20th comes around, the Cabinet will have been filled. The rest of the posts to be filled will be the low profile ones, like Education and the Administrator of the Environmental protection Agency-The EPA.

It should be a good four years.