Tax Professionals Help Company Secure Tax Exemption On First Aircraft

North American Retail Provider Very Happy With Sales tax Exemption On New Airplane

SACRAMENTO, CA: Aero & Marine Tax Professionals (http://www.aeromarinetaxpros.com) helped a company specializing in retail restocking and manufacturing logistics all over North America to obtain a sales tax exemption from the California Board of Equalization on the purchase of a Cessna T182T Turbo airplane.

An executive from the retail company stated: “Having the aircraft helped our business enormously – the flexibility helped a great deal. I have to tell you, I knew nothing about Aero & Marine Tax Professionals coming into this. A friend of mine had recommended that I give them a shout when I purchased the airplane. What I liked the most about their company is that they are so well organized. From day one, how things were presented, the detailed information that was provided, everything was in a logical form. It made it very easy to understand what the process was. This was all so new to me. I had never purchased a plane before and I had no idea what I was getting into in a lot of respects. Aero & Marine was very good in terms of educating me. They were watching what I was doing, and what I was providing - keeping me on track. They made everything so easy - it was incredible. I would recommend them to others without hesitation.”

Aero & Marine Tax Professionals is a pre-eminent tax firm specializing in aircraft and vessel purchases. The company helps individuals and corporations avoid paying California sales and use taxes when buying an airplane or vessel. Their unique knowledge and expertise has resulted in regular referrals from attorneys and accountants throughout the nation.

Tom Alston, President of Aero & Marine Tax Professionals, was open for comment: “When you are facing the problems and complexities of the California tax codes in purchasing an aircraft, it can be pretty overwhelming. When you have a firm with the know-how, familiarity and years of experience to expertly arrange the lowest amount of aircraft sales tax, perfectly within the law, it becomes very simple.”

Aero & Marine Tax Professionals shows purchasers how to avoid sales tax, specifically how to avoid aircraft tax and vessel tax in California and to make certain the full value of their next aircraft, vehicle or vessel goes into their pocket--not the government's. They have successfully filed hundreds of tax returns with the California State Board of Equalization. Mr. Alston has also published many articles on sales and use tax. His blog, which contains many articles related to purchasing of aircraft and vessels, can be seen at http://www.taxmattersblog.com/.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Aero & Marine Tax Professionals Obtains Sales Tax Exemption for Real Estate Company

Real Estate Investors Very Pleased With Sales Tax Exemption on Purchase of New Company Airplane

Sacramento, CA: Aero & Marine Tax Professionals (http://www.aeromarinetaxpros.com) helped a real estate investment firm in Northern California to obtain a sales tax exemption from the California Board of Equalization, on the purchase of a 2001 Piper Meridian airplane.

An executive from the real estate firm was available for comment: “Working with Aero & Marine Tax Professionals was wonderful. They were very clear in their instructions of what to do, very responsive if I did have a question on what to do, and very nicely followed up with me every month on my paperwork, making sure I got them what they needed. They were terrific to work with! I would definitely recommend them to others.”

Aero & Marine Tax Professionals is a pre-eminent tax firm specializing in aircraft and vessel purchases. The company helps individuals and corporations avoid paying California sales and use taxes when buying an airplane or boat. Their unique knowledge and expertise has resulted in regular referrals from attorneys and accountants throughout the nation.

Tom Alston, President of Aero & Marine Tax Professionals, was open for comment: “Despite the current financial crisis, the opportunities in the personal and business aircraft sector for tax savings is expanding. We have the knowledge, experience and expertise to help purchasers of aircraft in California to legally avoid paying aircraft tax.”

Aero & Marine Tax Professionals shows purchasers how to avoid sales tax, specifically how to avoid aircraft tax and vessel tax in California and to make certain the full value of their next aircraft, vehicle or vessel goes into their pocket--not the government's. They have successfully filed hundreds of tax returns with the California State Board of Equalization. Mr. Alston has also published many articles on sales and use tax.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Construction Company Helps Homeowners Spot Foundation Problems

Julian Construction Identifies Some Of The Common Indications Of Broken Slabs

Los Angeles, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., a construction and foundation repair company in Los Angeles, has researched some of the most common and certain signs of broken slabs in a home’s foundation. Today they are sharing this list with homeowners for identifying foundation problems early before they lead to more serious damage.

Cracks in a home’s foundation are a fact that many homeowners have experienced, whether they’re aware of it or not. Often it is a pretty easy fix for a foundation repair professional. Julian Construction, professional foundation contractor, offers the following list as the surest signs of a broken or cracked slab underneath a home:

- Stretched or buckled linoleum flooring
- Unlevel floors
- Broken floor tiles
- Bumps in carpet
- Cracks around windows and door frames
- Sloping floors
- Domed floors in center of room
- Sticky doors or windows that are difficult to open or close

The experts at Julian Construction are fully capable of rapidly handling a broken slab or other foundation problems for Los Angeles area homeowners.

Julian Construction’s founder, Julian De La Torre, stated: “The problem of a broken slab isn’t very difficult. We can spot it pretty fast, and usually that means that the foundation problem can be handled a lot faster than the homeowner was expecting. Our team has years of experience handling it.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Re-Roofing Cited As A Positive Solution For A Safer Home

Julian Construction Founder Julian De La Torre Stresses Safety in The Home

Los Angeles, CA: Julian Construction Founder Julian De La Torre recently announced his company’s intention to make California homes safer by proper re-roofing in the event of storms, earthquakes or other natural disasters that could damage a roof. Julian also stressed the factor that homeowners taking the job into their own hands may, over time, create too much weight on a roof leading to safety concerns.

A roof that has been damaged by storms or other natural disasters of course requires attention. Most shingle roofs can be fixed easily enough by the homeowner themselves, but adding shingles to a roof can create problems, and taken too far, is against building codes in many places. The difficulty encountered is that when the weight load exceeds what the structure can easily hold, any extra weight may cause structural failure. Julian Construction firmly recommends proper removal, repair and shearing of a roof in such a case, making a safer home. They have been successful in handling such situations, and have also helped homeowners with situations of dry rot or molding that can be a result of poor roofing.

Company founder, Julian De La Torre, stated: “You shouldn’t have to worry about the condition of your roof, wondering if it is safe enough. Many homeowners try to fix it themselves if anything happens, but that’s the biggest cause of collapsed roofing, which is much harder to repair and too dangerous. Our professionals know how to quickly and easily replace a roof, and we guarantee it will be ready for years of use.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Soulmates Dissipate To Become Major Motion Picture Series

Writer Mary “HoneyB” Morrison and Editor Susan Mary Malone’s Work to Hit The Big Screen

Miami, FL: At the 15th annual American Black Film Festival, July 8th 2011, Director/Producer Leslie Small and Producer Jeff Clanagan announced a seven-picture deal with New York Times bestselling author Mary “HoneyB” Morrison for the author’s series “Soulmates Dissipate.” The first book planned to be brought to film was originally edited by award-winning author and editor Susan Mary Malone (http://www.maloneeditorial.com).

Mary Morrison has established a fan base of millions after her 15 published novels, soon to be 16 with the release of “The Eternal Engagement” slated for the 26th of July 2011. This latest development is yet another milestone in the success story that is her “Soulmates Dissipate” series that all started with the first and title work edited by Susan Mary Malone. The book was published in 2003, and set off a wildfire word-of-mouth sensation. But no one at the time could have imagined how far it would go today.

Miss Morrison stated the following on working with editor Susan Mary Malone: “God blesses each writer with a gift. God blessed me with Susan M. Malone. While I possessed the talent to write awesome stories, heaven knows I was lacking in the nuts and bolts area (i.e., grammar, character development, etc.). But not for long. When Susan mailed me my manuscript along with her eighteen-page complete editorial, I was grateful I had chosen the perfect person for the job.”

Susan Mary Malone has worked as an editor, columnist and journalist since 1993, with a BS in Political Science and minors in English and Journalism. She has a client list that includes NY Times Bestsellers, Essence Bestsellers and books featured in Publishers Weekly. She is also an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction herself.  She participates as a speaker in literary conferences such as the recent Harriett Austin Writer's Conference (at the University of Georgia), the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference, the SouthWest Writer's Conference, and the recent East Texas Writer’s Guild  Conference, among others. Her full biography and featured list of published authors can be viewed at  http://www.maloneeditorial.com/

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Tax Advisors Announce Estate And Trust Tax Preperation

William D. Truax Tax Advisors Recommend a Firm Plan for Estate And Trust Beneficiaries

Los Angeles, CA: William D. Truax E.A. Tax Advisors, Inc. are urging those enacting a plan for estate or trust inheritance to speak with a professional tax advisor to ensure all matters of estate and trust tax are accounted for, relieving beneficiaries of the tax burden.

William D. Truax and his associates have over 30 years of experience working in the field of tax preparation. Just one of the fields his firm specializes in is estate and trust tax preparation. Effective estate and gift planning ensures the orderly transfer of assets to a client’s beneficiaries. Security in these matters can then be gained and can reduce or even eliminate the tax due. This has a myriad of applications, such as the necessity of a will or trust and matters of inheritance, business succession and continuity of ownership, and any other transfer of taxable assets between parties.

William D. Truax, founder of the firm, commented on the matter: “Security of mind in tax matters is always essential, and the transfer of assets is no exception. Prompt and thorough preparation in these matters can completely handle any difficulties that might have occurred. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order for your future and that of your heirs.”

Mr. Truax has been a tax practitioner and financial consultant in private practice for over thirty years. He is admitted to practice before the IRS and all state tax agencies and is also a member of the bar of the United States Tax Court. As a fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute, he is an Accredited Tax Advisor and a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents. Mr. Truax was a founder and Director of Professional Business Bank in Pasadena, CA, and was chairman of the bank’s investment committee, responsible for control and oversight of over $100 million in bank assets. Mr. Truax has been active in numerous philanthropic endeavors and is currently a trustee or a board member of several active charitable organizations.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Could Skin Care Treatment Reduce Psoriasis and the Risk of Bullying?

Skin MD Natural Urges Use of a Shielding Lotion Along with Other Treatments

Beverly Hills, CA - A poll of U.S. parents of children who had been diagnosed with psoriasis found that 44% of those children had been bulled with 38% of those cases being a direct result of the psoriasis. Bullying often included name calling, teasing, and exclusion. Although psoriasis can develop at any age it often begins to appear between the ages of 15 - 25. This creates the potential for difficult years throughout high school and college.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease said to be affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans or 2.2 percent of the population. This common skin disease can leave the skin feeling itchy, with plaques of red skin that is inflamed and appears to be covered with silver-colored scales. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation these and other symptoms cause nearly 60% of people with psoriasis to report their disease as a large problem in their everyday life. While there is currently no cure for psoriasis there are skin care treatment options available that can help manage and treat outbreaks.

With psoriasis becoming a cause for bullying, a skin care treatment that targets psoriasis symptoms is becoming more important for parents. There are many treatment options available for parents but many of them come with potentially hazardous side effects. One of the most common skin care treatments for psoriasis is topical steroids. When applied topically to the skin, steroids can cause a thinning of the skin, easier bruising of the skin, and enlarged blood vessels. Besides the damage topical steroids cause to the skin, they can also result in adrenal gland suppression and even Cushing’s syndrome, which causes rapid weight gain in areas that can be particularly unsightly.

These side effects have dermatologists and parents looking for a better skin care option for psoriasis sufferers. 21st Century Formulations (http://www.skinmdnatural.com) may have delivered the answer with their revolutionary shielding lotion Skin MD Natural. The use of a shielding lotion can help reduce the amount of steroid cream needed to effectively treat a flare-up. Dr. Peter Helton, a board-certified dermatologist based in Newport Beach, CA says he prescribes a combination of steroids to handle the inflammation along with a moisturizing cream. Helton explains, "A shielding lotion like Skin MD Natural combines the medication with a sealant that keeps irritants out and helps the skin to heal. We get faster results and the patient uses less medication. Hands down, a shielding lotion works better than any conventional creams."

Skin MD Natural is committed to providing high quality natural skin care products and dry skin lotion for dry skin care. Their product line was developed by a team of innovative chemists, with over twenty years of experience developing personal care products for many internationally respected cosmetic companies. Skin MD Natural is formulated with a special blend of five natural plant extracts that provide skin with unbeatable moisture while being light weight and non-greasy. Skin MD Natural is also committed to protecting the environment and is proud to say Skin MD Natural and Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 are manufactured in the United States using 100% solar power, free of animal products and animal testing. Their blog, containing regular skin care tips, can be found at http://blog.skinmdnatural.com/.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Big Trees Inc. Offers Irrigation Tips for Homeowners

Northwest Tree Supplier Says Summer Most Important Time for Irrigation

Snohomish, WA: Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com/), tree supply and installation company servicing the greater Seattle area, is offering irrigation tips for homeowners so they can keep their trees and lawns looking good during the hot, dry summer months.

Ross Latham, owner of Big Trees Inc., said “The hot, dry days of late summer and early fall is the time when irrigation is the most important for your trees and lawn. Most people think they just turn on the sprinkler and give the faucet a half turn and walk away. There’s a little bit more to it than that.”

Latham gives the following tips for homeowners:

1. How much water do your trees and lawn really need?  
Your lawn needs about an inch a week, either from rain or from your irrigation and is typically done with high volume, short duration systems.  This works fine for watering grass and small shrubs with shallow root systems.  Slow-emitting or drip irrigation systems work much better for trees that have much deeper roots.  Longer watering durations are also needed for trees with drip systems, but actually use less water.

2. What is the best time to water?
Morning.  The water will sink in rather than evaporate.  Some people think you should water at night. Why shouldn’t you do that?  Your lawn is more likely to get diseases like mold if you water at night.

3. Can you water too much?
Yes indeed, and it can cause problems.  A soggy or constantly moist tree rootball or lawn, especially when combined with warm temperatures, can lead to fungal diseases and insect pests taking hold and doing damage.  Our very wet spring has created many blight or fungi infections.

4. Can I get the cheapest water hose?
Yes, but don’t expect it to last very long, or perform very well. Hoses that cost a few dollars more are usually more flexible, have brass fittings that last longer than plastic, and will be the larger diameter and length to get the job done right.

5. There are water restrictions where I live – what should I do?
If you can’t water due to watering restrictions in your area, it’s best to let your lawn go dormant.  It will look yellow or brown, but will pop back when the rain comes. Don’t give your lawn just a little bit of water now and then during a drought – that will only stress it more.  Water the trees with drip irrigation and closely monitor the soil moisture at a 6-8” depth.  The soil should stick together when compressed, not crumble apart easily or allow you to squeeze water out of it.

Ross Latham is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including up to large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreeblog.com.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Big Trees Inc. Offers Summer Tree Transplant Tips

Northwest Tree Supplier Says with Certain Steps Trees Can Be Safely Transplanted in Summer

Snohomish, WA: Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com/), tree supply and installation company servicing the greater Seattle area, is offering tips for the best ways to safely transplant trees in the summer months.

Ross Latham, owner of Big Trees Inc., said “Ideally trees are transplanted when they are dormant. This is the period after the leaves drop in fall and before the spring growth begins. However, not to worry if you missed the ideal transplant time because with 25 years of transplanting experience I have developed methods that allow for successful summer transplants. With additional steps and treatments, I find one can transplant trees in the summer. The aim of antitranspirant and antidesiccant treatment applications are to reduce the water loss, and stress associated with water loss, of trees during the transplant process. Just what are antidesiccants and antitranspirants? The dictionary gives two different meanings for ‘desiccant’ and ‘transpire’. Desiccation means to ‘dry or dehydrate’, where transpiration means to ‘pass through pores or membranes.’ In the horticultural world an antidesiccant would be a substance used to stop dehydration in plants and an antitranspirant would be a substance that stops the loss of water from leaves. In the horticultural world both terms can be interchanged. For simplicity let’s just use antitranspirant from here on out.”

“Here is a brief introduction on tree biology. The evaporation of water from plants is called transpiration, and almost all transpiration occurs through leaf openings called stomata. Water is literally pulled to the tops of the trees by transpiration. Transpiration aids plants in mineral and water absorption, and it is necessary for the plant process of photosynthesis, which is critical for tree growth and ultimately the well being of the plant. Plants control the size of the leaf openings (stomata) based on external environmental conditions and internal chemical triggers. Transpiration is at its highest when light is available, the temperature is high, the humidity is low, there is a slight breeze and adequate water is available. If water is unavailable during high periods of transpiration the leaves of the tree wilt because water is lost through leaf openings faster than it is being absorbed.”

“With my company, Big Trees, we apply antitranspirants as a root soak and as a foliar spray. The foliar spray is a clear liquid coating that forms a shield over the leaf surface. This shield works as a physical barrier that aids in the prevention of water loss from the stomata. The foliar spray can significantly reduce plant stress associated with water loss during the transplant period. The foliar spray also provides protection against insect damage, UV degradation and windburn. The root soak is applied as a soil drench which can then be absorbed into the tree’s root system. It is best absorbed into the root system when the soil is already partially moist. Through transpiration the root soak is moved from the roots through the canopy of the tree. The root soak contains Abscisic acid (known as ABA). ABA works as a natural chemical trigger. As ABA is moved through the tissue of the tree it deactivates transpiration by triggering the leaf stomata to close. The plant reduces its transpiration naturally.”

“Both the root soak and the foliar spray work together to make summer transplant possible. They should be applied at least 24 hours prior to the dig. The effects of both applications can last up to three weeks. The root soak and the foliar spray come as concentrates which are diluted with water before they are used. They are easy to apply, they are environmentally friendly and completely safe, and best yet they produce excellent results,” concluded Latham.

Ross Latham is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting of all sizes. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreeblog.com.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Skin MD Natural Warns: Summer Skin Care Essential for Healthy Skin

Warns of Dangers of Skin Cancer in Summer Months

 

LOS ANGELES: Skin MD Natural (http://www.skinmdnatural.com), makers of a line of natural skin care products, warned the public that proper skin care and precautions are vital in the summer to prevent problems such as skincancer.

Summer is a time for trips to the pool, vacations at the beach, outdoor sports and barbeques. It is also a time to practice safe summer skin care. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation cases of skin cancer have jumped approximately 300 percent since 1994 and there are more new cases of skin cancer diagnosed than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and yet it is one of the most common forms diagnosed.

 

Amber Humphries, spokesperson for Skin MD Natural, stated “Many Americans seem to be forgetting what an important role proper summer skin care plays in their health. The number one skin care tip that can help prevent skin cancer is to properly apply sunscreen daily before going out into the sun. Australian researchers recently conducted a study showing that those who apply sunscreen every day to the head, neck, arms and hands reduced the chances of getting melanoma by half over those who only apply sunscreen occasionally.”

 

“Purchasing the right sun screen product to add into your skin care routine can be a difficult task. There are countless brands on the shelf offering varying types of SPF protection and other benefits. Some claim to be sweat proof making them perfect for sports players, while others falsely make claims of being water proof, giving swimmers a false sense of protection,” concluded Humphries.

 

In an attempt to make it easier for Americans to protect themselves and purchase the right sunscreen, the FDA is now making changes to sunscreen regulations for the first time in thirty years. Get ready to see those changes take affect on sunscreen products in 2012. The FDA is preventing skin care companies from labeling sunscreens with anything above a SPF 50 rating and consumers will see warnings appearing on sunscreens labeled with anything less than SPF 15. Companies are also being forced to drop the familiar phrases water proof and sweat proof from their labels. 21st Century Formulations the company responsible for the popular sunscreen Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is excited to see the FDA takings steps to better regulate the sunscreen industry.

 

California Dermatologist Dr. Peter Helton suggests “Consumers should look for dermatology recommended ingredients - they are already pre-certified. If you look at the ingredients and they are tested by a dermatologist and have a dermatology approved rating on them, that means that the Academy of Dermatology has assessed them as being compounds that aren’t dangerous.”

 

To help everyone practice safe summer skin care the Academy of Dermatology recommends following the “ABCs for fun in the sun.” A is for away, stay away from the sun in the middle of the day. B is for block, use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. C is for cover up, wear a t-shirt and a hat. S is for speak out, talk to family and friends about sun protection.

 

Skin MD Natural is committed to providing high quality natural skin care products and dry skin lotion for dry skin care. Their product line was developed by a team of innovative chemists, with over twenty years of experience developing personal care products for many internationally respected cosmetic companies. Skin MD Natural is formulated with a special blend of five natural plant extracts that provide skin with unbeatable moisture while being light weight and non-greasy. Skin MD Natural is also committed to protecting the environment and is proud to say Skin MD Natural and Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 are manufactured in the United States using 100% solar power, free of animal products and animal testing. Their blog, containing regular skin care tips, can be found at http://blog.skinmdnatural.com/. 

 

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

BigTreeSupply.com: Popular Trees For Creating Privacy

by Ross Latham

 

Screening trees are becoming more and more necessary as houses are getting closer and closer together. Let’s face it, we like our privacy and fences can only provide so much. This is where privacy trees come into play. Our saying here at Big Trees is “Big Trees Make Great Neighbors.” Whether it’s a solid row of evergreens or a strategically placed deciduous tree, this article will help you determine what options are available and what choices are best for your particular situation.

 

Best Pick for Small Planting Spaces: Emerald Green Arborvitae

One of the most popular trees for screening is the emerald green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘emerald green’). The emerald green arborvitae and the pyramidalis are different varieties of the same genus and species of tree. The emerald green has become the more popular choice over the years because it maintains a nicer shape as it matures. However, the pyramidalis are still effective screening trees.

The emerald green is a dense evergreen that maintains its deep green color all year. Because of its columnar growth habit, and limited spread, the emerald green is a great selection for small planting spaces.

If planted correctly, emerald greens will form a low maintenance solid hedge. The dense and columnar growth habit of emerald greens means that they require little maintenance and no pruning. However, emeralds can easily be sheared back to limit their spread and the tops can be trimmed to create uniform heights. Emerald greens are often planted on two to three foot centers. This means that there will be two or three feet between each tree trunk. Selecting a wider spacing means that you save on cost but you will have to wait for the hedge to become solid.

Emerald greens mature to be 15-20’ tall by 3-4’ wide. They thrive in full sun and in moist but well drained soils. When planted in shady areas, emerald greens have a tendency to thin out and develop patchy brown spots. The one down side to the emerald green is that they are slow growing. On average they will grow about 6-8” annually. Attention to irrigation and proper fertilization can help promote growth.

Best Picks for larger Planting Spaces: Leyland Cypress and Excelsa Cedars

Both the leyland cypress and the excelsa cedars make excellent screening trees. They are fast growing trees that can be hedged or maintained at a smaller size if necessary. The leyland cypress can seem less than impressive initially but they get big and full fast. Once established the leyland cypress can grow 3’ per year and the excelsa cedars trail slightly at 2’ per year.

Leyland cypress mature to be 50’ tall by 20’ wide and the excelsa matures to be 40’ tall by 12’ wide. Both are often planted on five to twelve foot centers. Our Big Tree horticulturalists can help you determine the best spacing for your particular situation and your long term landscape goals.

The leyland cypress thrives in full sun whereas the excelsa cedar will thrive in full sun to shade. Other, larger evergreen tree option are; castlewellan cypress, virescens cedar, Douglas fir, western red cedar, pines and incense cedar.

Broadleaf Evergreens

Broadleaf evergreens are leafy trees that maintain their foliage year round. Our most popular types of broadleaf evergreen used for screening are the Portuguese and English laurels. Both mature to be close to 20’ tall by 15’ wide. They can grow one to two feet per year.

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees, or trees that drop their leaves in fall, are often overlooked for screening purposes. We suggest them regularly here at Big Trees tree nurseries because they can give you coverage when you are outside in the summer and they let light into your house in the winter. Deciduous trees often are the right shape for screening, wide at the top narrow at the base unlike evergreens which are mostly cone shaped, wide at the base and narrow at the top. Deciduous trees give you coverage when you need it and where you need it and often when they are bare in the winter the branch structure alone can create a good visual block. Some deciduous trees are better screeners than others. Trees like the thundercloud plum or ornamental pears have dense branch structure and they leaf out early and they hold their leaves longer than other deciduous trees making them excellent screening trees.

We hope this helps you narrow down the search for the perfect screening tree. Please contact us if you have any questions. We can help you pick the best trees for your particular situation and budget.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Tax Reform – What Would I Do?

There’s a debate ongoing in Washington concerning tax reform. This was last done in 1986 and was done to simplify a tax system encrusted with special rates, exceptions, loopholes, deductions and credits for special interests. The idea was simple; close up most of the loopholes and abolish most of the special credits and deductions and in doing so raise so much revenue that one could then dramatically lower rates across the boards for all taxpayers.

It worked fairly well. The last years of the 20th century and the first few years of the 21st were the last flush of prosperity that we had as a nation. Since then, the economy has fallen into a deep pit which the Federal Reserve is trying to float it up out of by filling the pit with newly-minted money. So far, that’s not working too well, unless you view the not-so-gradual devaluation of the dollar and impending inflation as important policy achievements.

Even though the last big tax reform worked fairly well, politicians being who they are and the system being what it is, it was too much to expect that the tax system would not soon be re-encumbered by another load of chaotic special interest legislation enacted mainly to assist politicians to buy votes with public money.

And so, 25 years after our income tax system was reformed and simplified with the idea of making it reasonably fair and comprehensible, it’s once again totally out of hand. I do this stuff for a living and I hardly know what to make of it.

Not only that, but the boys in Washington are getting nervous. They’ve been running the numbers, and things don’t look too cheery. If all the taxes to which we, as Americans, are subject were to be doubled overnight, it would just about be enough to cover the deficit and our future commitments. Of course, life doesn’t exactly work like that. As an example, it’s easy to say that General Motors could become wildly profitable overnight by simply doubling the price of each car they sell, but don’t you think the price increase might have a small effect on sales? The more likely effect of an overnight doubling of prices would be bankruptcy in short order, as sales collapsed to almost nothing.

Well, saying that our government could double it’s income by simply doubling all its taxes is just about as glibly optimistic. You can safely bet that a doubling of taxes would result in some rapid and significant changes, the overall effect of which would not be to significantly increase tax revenue. We would more likely become a nation of rebels, both overt and covert, before we would quietly submit to such a monumental shearing. Remember your history, folks; the system of “from each according to his ability and to each according to his means” was tried really, really hard for about a century and really, really failed, police states notwithstanding.

So, let’s look at this as if we were politicians in Washington and had to come up with something which looked or sounded like a solution. Would would we do? We can’t just double taxes without setting off a revolt, so what other choices do we have? Maybe…….tax reform?

From the point of view of a rational economic system, we certainly could come up with a different and more effective tax system which would enable a rapid increase in our Gross National Product (GNP); enable a higher stream of tax collections out of that higher GNP; and provide for more overall prosperity for the populace, but hey, we’re elected politicians. We have to go with something somewhat familiar which all the special interests will find acceptable. So, how do we tinker up what we already got while calling it reform in order to squeeze a few more bucks out of it?

Here’s a few ideas of what I think might be likely to happen:

* Abolish the special rates on capital gains and dividend income. This is easy. We can trumpet the beneficial effect of an overall lowering of rates to those who actually have to pay the tax, which playing the “soak the rich” card to all those feeding at the public trough. We can buy enough votes to pass this one and reap higher overall taxes on investment income.

* Re-do the depreciation system for businesses. Get rid of all this current-year deduction stuff and force all assets to be depreciated in a few classes over a tightly-regulated period of years. Once again, we’d have to sell this to those who actually pay the tax by touting the overall reduction in rates, but beating the drum for simplification and rate reduction should be enough to get them to go along.

* How about reducing tax breaks for oil and gas companies? Nah…we may have some issues soon with some of our Middle-Eastern friends, and will need whatever oil can be squeezed out of American wells. We also need their dollars for our re-election campaigns.

* Abolish the current ability of American corporations to defer the taxation of foreign profits until the money is brought back into the U.S. Let’s make it all taxable now. We’d have to ignore the fact that we would become almost the only country in the world to tax the worldwide income of our domestic corporations, but that’s just a PR point. This provision would also have the effect of turning the USA into the world’s biggest “negative tax haven” and tend to drive out lots of businesses, but we can just make it illegal for them to leave. Depending on how it’s handled, the potential “profits” (can you call tax proceeds a profit?) are huge. Maybe we can phase it in gradually enough to make it (barely) palatable while promising lower overall rates, which we can just raise in a few years anyway. Brilliant.

* Let’s get rid of the ceiling on the wage base for Social Security taxes. Right now, we only tax about the first $106,000 of earned income for Social Security purposes, but the system is going broke. We need to be able to keep the promises we’ve made to generations of Americans, and if it means a moderate tax increase on a few rich people, it’s a small price to pay for our future economic security. Not only that, it’s potentially a lot of money and it should be easy to line up the votes.

* Let’s also abolish the tax break that owners of small business corporations get on the profits from their corporations. Right now, they only pay Social Security and Medicare tax on the income they earn from their actual work for the corporation, but not the profits of the corporation. Both Social Security and Medicare are in desperate need of funds, and we tend to think that all this chit-chat about small business being the biggest creators of jobs and economic activity in the country is overstated. Why should their profits only be subject to one level of taxation when the country is in a financial crisis? Plus, they’re not organized very well and probably don’t have the votes to stop us.

* Hmmmm………..while we’re on the subject, could we possibly subject corporate dividends to Social Security and Medicare tax? Oops. Too many negative votes here and too much bad press to overcome. Never mind.

* Penalties! This is a good one. After all, the country is in rough shape and needs us all to pitch in, and we’re going to make the tax system so simple a child could comply. So, let’s get serious with those shiftless deadbeats who aren’t paying their fair share (or paying it quickly enough) and impose penalties for each and every deviation from prescribed behavior, and make these penalties serious enough to cause nosebleeds. Of course, the fact that our eager tax collectors will use their newfound authority to impose penalties on almost anything that moves is simply a unavoidable side effect of the medication for the body-politic. I guess you could think of this as a sort of economic chemotherapy.

* Maybe we could abolish the mortgage interest deduction and replace it with a credit which would phase out for higher-income taxpayers. We’d have to be careful with this one and drop it like a hot potato if the PR doesn’t work and the middle class (or what’s left of it) starts getting upset. However, if we can get the public to buy off on it, maybe as part of a package of promises, we can always tinker with the thing later if we need more cash.

* Here’s another possibility – charitable donations. If you look at it for a minute, all those organizations are doing is the government’s work anyway, so why should we be handing out a tax break for funding them when we need the money more than they do? It’s already illegal for them to lobby or try to influence legislation, so they’re limited in what they can do to stop this, PR-wise. If we pitch this right, maybe allowing the deduction but limiting it to 10% of income or something reasonable, we can get most folks to go along. After all, who gives away more than 10% of their income except crackpots?

Well, there’s few money-raising ideas for you, and a few things to consider if you value your wealth. Let the taxpayer beware.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

BostonBrick.com: Neighborhoods are Different

By Jo Lauricella

I have always enjoyed looking at neighborhoods and trying to figure out what makes them different from other neighborhoods.

I first discovered this game in New York City. I took the subway to an area, got off and walked to the next subway stop. I got back on the subway and got off one or two stops later. Even as I climbed the stairs to the street I could feel the difference. New neighborhood, new feel, new look. I got caught up in the differences and yet how similar each neighborhood was.

I did not grow up in Los Angeles, and before I moved here I had the "Hollywood" impression of "LA LA Land". Nothing could be further from the truth. I have traveled all over Los Angeles County in my job as the Marketing Manager for Boston Brick & Stone. I get the opportunity to visit Real Estate Offices all over the County and have found an amazing diversity in neighborhoods. Just like New York City some of the diversity comes from ethnic differences, although more and more neighborhoods are ethnically and culturally blended. Yet there are still fascinating, though subtle differences.

Los Angeles has one difference from New York City, and that is the effect of earthquakes on different neighborhoods. Masonry construction in earthquake country has unique challenges and because Boston Brick & Stone specializes in Chimneys, I have had to learn a great deal about earthquakes and their effects.

Earthquakes shake, grind, heave and shift the ground. It is the geology of the ground affected by the quake which in turn affects the building sitting on that ground. This means that some neighborhoods are affected and others just a block away are not. There was a 4.5 quake in Chino a couple of years ago. A two or three square block area had a lot of chimney damage; the rest of the area was virtually undamaged.

If you are an Angelino, take a walk through a neighborhood and look up. Do you see chimneys with mushroom chimney caps on them? If you do that is a sure sign the chimney has been rebuilt since the Northridge Earthquake. If you are seeing a lot of these mushroom caps, chances are the neighborhood was hit hard by an earthquake. If a home in that neighborhood does not have a mushroom chimney cap there are three possibilities: first the chimney is not damaged (unlikely), or the chimney had a full reinforced masonry rebuild that allows for a variety of chimney caps, or the chimney is broken and has never been rebuilt.

I still play the neighborhood game every time I visit New York City. As I am now a true
Angelino, visiting the Big Apple as I walk and look at the tall buildings, I often think, "thank goodness this Island is not seismically active!"

About Boston Brick

Boston Brick & Stone was founded in October of 1993. It has always been a family-owned business and is now run by Dave and Karen Laverdiere, son-in-law and daughter of Don Hall. Don is the original founder of Boston Brick & Stone and has been one of the most prolific and trusted names in chimney inspections amongst homeowners and real estate agents in Southern California.
Over the last twelve years Boston Brick & Stone has grown to be the most relied upon chimney inspection and repair contractor in the greater Los Angeles area. Many real estate agents would never think of referring clients to any other company because of the long-standing and close relationship they have had with the company over the years.
Boston Brick & Stone has been a featured contractor on HGTV's "Landscaper's Challenge" and on "Backyard Brigade".

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Identifying and Correcting Draining Problems

By Shawn Kyles

A property owner can experience many different types of drainage issues, including rainwater collecting on the roof or water pooling on the ground.  Drainage problems can affect the structural foundation of your home, and should be identified and repaired immediately. 

Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause rainwater to accumulate on rooftops, which can result in moisture seeping into your house.  When any type of moisture enters a home, it can penetrate existing wall and foundation cracks, weakening the structure even further.  Standing water on a roof can also produce mold and mildew that can prompt asthma attacks, and cause allergies and pneumonia.

Whenever water pools in a yard, it is an indicator of a possible drainage problem. Water pooling can be caused by poor soil conditions or water draining into the yard from another location.  You can also have problems with pooling water due to soil erosion or a yard that isn’t graded properly.

Before any drainage problem can be corrected, the source of the problem must be located.  Rooftop water problems are often the result of rainwater that can’t drain because of clogged gutters and downspouts.  Many times the solution to this problem is to clean your gutters and downspouts, and keep them free of debris.  If necessary, you can also install additional downspouts in problem areas to ensure the water is transported off the roof and away from the house. 

Moisture-retaining soil will expand and cause a foundation to lift and crack. It will also put pressure on vertical walls, which can cause movement. Additional damage can occur when the soil contracts and the foundation settles. Expansive soil can fluctuate in volume by as much as 30% depending on the amount and type of clay in the soil.

One way to fix a standing water problem is to install a French drain, which is trench that contains a drainage pipe or gravel. French drains are used to transport excess water away from your home.  Drainage problems caused by soil conditions can be corrected with chemicals that help prevent expansion.  Other moisture control methods include erecting various types of barriers.

If you already have foundation cracks or settlement, contact a foundation repair expert to inspect your foundation and determine the cause of the problem. If drainage is an issue, you can find out how best to remedy the situation. A skilled foundation repair company can also repair your foundation to prevent slopping floors, bulging walls and windows and doors that won’t shut properly.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Julian Construction Offers 50% Off on Foundation Replacement

Company Says for Older Homes, Often Foundation Replacement is the “Permanent Solution”

 

Los Angeles: Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, is offering 50% discount on foundation replacement services through the month of July 2011. The company has been repairing and constructing home foundations since 2001.

Older homes present a problem in that many constructed before 1940 do not meet current standards of foundation construction. Those built up to 1970, while many are bolted properly to the foundation, may have suffered damage over the years needing attention. Julian Construction sees the need to ensure that living in an older home feels safe in the event of an earthquake. That’s why they are offering a 50% discount on foundation replacement.

Julian De La Torre, founder of the company, stated: “Even if a home foundation was built with only stone or brick, or if poor quality concrete was used in the construction, foundation replacement will effectively handle it. Older homes are more likely to have suffered foundation structural damage, even if the original structure was built soundly. In some cases it is possible for a resident to continue living in their home while we reinforce, repair and replace a home’s foundation. Structural damage due to the many earthquakes in Southern California is a real problem. Older homes have been though a lot of that and their foundations are the most at risk. Our team is confident they can give your foundation new strength so you won’t have to worry about that.”

Julian De La Torre has been doing foundation repair and retrofitting buildings since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. He formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout the region. Julian’s partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting.

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous

Editor Susan Malone Does It Again – Three Books in One Year

Developmental Editor Has Three Client Books Published This Past Year To Rave Reviews

Dallas, TX: Developmental Editor Susan Mary Malone (http://www.maloneeditorial.com/) edited three client manuscripts that have been published in the past 12 months by major publishers. The books have received rave reviews and are achieving major success in the market.

Ms. Malone has edited over 40 books to date that have all sold to traditional publishers. She does what she calls “developmental editing,” not just surface editing such as correcting spelling and grammar, but digging deep into the development of the characters and story.

“Kenkarta: Battle Of The Onoxmon” is the new ‘Tween Fantasy novel by Alison Kartevold. Filled with imagination, and drawing on the experiences and fantasies between her and her daughters, the book has gotten off to a howling start, and Ms. Kartevold has already been crisscrossing the country, from New York to LA, for book signings since its launch in May.

“Swiss Chocolate” is James M. Weil’s latest novel, a coming-of-age story set in the beauty of the Swiss alps. Just two of the reviews it has gotten so far from readers:

“Swiss Chocolate is the type of American novel that is difficult to put down. Once you start, you are in for a deeply moving adventure of love and coming of age. James Weil is a master of character development and human relations.”

“Swiss Chocolate’ is a great book…..among the best I’ve read in awhile. Honest, straight-forward, exciting and tragic. The author has a simple, yet elegant style. He is very open about Drew’s life in a dysfunctional family and his love of Alexandra, which spans decades. He has a gift for expressing intricate details of the beautiful places he travels. You feel like you’re right there with him on his journey. I highly recommend it.”

“Peter’s Last Sermon: Identity And Discipleship In The Gospel Of Mark” is an in-depth look at Mark’s gospel, as it was originally heard by its first audience. The author, James M. Dawsey, commented on the editing process with Susan Malone: “I loved working with Susan Malone. Working with her was like taking a graduate writing course. As would any superb teacher, Susan pointed out the flaws, made sure I understood, suggested approaches, provided unlimited follow-up as I revised, and her optimistic, bountiful encouragement made it all a fun experience!”

Susan Malone stated, “It’s so rewarding to see these authors succeeding with their creative works. The market for new books is horrible right now. And yet, my authors keep selling. They are genuinely gifted and creative people and a real joy to work with. I give them more than just a bread-and-butter copy-editing job, because almost all books need a much deeper developmental edit and a thorough and encouraging critique from the editor’s perspective IS the primary difference that makes a book ready for publication.”

Susan Mary Malone has worked as a freelance editor since 1993, with a BS in Political Science and minors in English and Journalism. Her client list includes NY Times Bestsellers, Essence Bestsellers and books featured in Publishers Weekly. She is also an award winning author of fiction and non-fiction herself, including “Five Keys for Understanding Men: A Woman’s Guide” by Gary L. Malone, MD and (sister) Susan Mary Malone, which recently hit the Amazon Best-Seller’s List. Susan Mary Malone participates as a speaker in literary conferences such as the Harriett Austin Writer's Conference (at the University of Georgia), the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference, the Southwest Writer's Conference, and the Golden Triangle Writer's Conference, among others. Her full biography and featured list of published authors can be viewed at http://www.maloneeditorial.com/

 

Posted via email from RealWeb Marketing Client News's posterous