Article Kingdom

TV viewers from around the world are quickly gearing up for the coming of the digital revolution. This change in broadcasting represents perhaps the biggest advance in television broadcasting since the first black and white sets rolled off the assembly line.

The good news is that the new digital signals will offer superior performance and exceptional clarity. The bad news is that those who are caught unaware my find that their television sets no longer work at all. TV viewers who don’t want to be left in the dark after the digital revolution has passed should be sure to prepare well in advance.

In the UK the conversion from analogue to digital television is being conducted in stages, with each region converting on its own schedule. The conversion to digital broadcasting began in 2008 and will continue until the last region has been converted in the year 2012. At that time all analogue signals will cease, and only televisions equipped with a digital tuner or converted box will be able to receive the new digital signals.

Throughout the United Kingdom free digital broadcasts are supplied through the Freeview service. The extensive coverage network of the Freeview service has put digital television broadcasts within the reach of virtually every resident of the UK. And while many happy television viewers have already been enjoying these high quality digital broadcasts, those who are still receiving old style analogue signals on outdated television sets will need to get ready as the switchover date for their region approaches.

Preparing for the digital switchover has many advantages for the average televison viewer, so it definitely pays to get started early. One of the most important advantages of early conversion is the ability to view additional channels. These additional changes include BBC Three, S4C2, E4, More 4, ITV2, ITV3, FilmFour, CBBC, Cheebies and more.

Those viewers who choose to subscribe to a pay TV service can enjoy even more channels, including channels dedicated to all manner of sports, movies, art, music and more. Pay TV services also provide the ability for viewers to watch their favorite shows on their schedule, certainly an important consideration for today’s busy world.

In order to enjoy all these digital channels and avoid problems after the conversion, TV owners will need to make sure their sets are equipped with a digital tuner. Those who purchased their televisions within the last year can be reasonably sure that their TV has a digital tuner built in, but those with older sets are likely to have an analogue tuner instead. TV owners who are unsure of their sets’ status should consult their owners’ manuals to determine the type of tuner it contains.

If the TV contains a digital tuner, nothing more need be done to start enjoying all the benefits of digital television. If, on the other hand, the set contains only an analogue tuner, it is time to get going. Viewers with old analogue televisions have a number of choices .

Choice #1 – Upgrade to a New TV

Viewers who have been hankering for a new TV may want to use the analogue to digital crossover as an excuse to buy that beautiful new high definition TV. Buying a new TV is a great way for viewers to be sure their television equipment will be able to handle the new digital broadcasts.

There are of course many different digital ready televisions on the market, at all different price ranges. No matter what the budget, viewers should be able to find a set that meets their needs and the needs of the new digital broadcasters.

Choice #2 – Obtain a Digital Converter Box

Those viewers with older TVs who do not wish to purchase a new TV have another option. Those owners of older televisions can obtain a digital box. These easy to use devices can be attached to virtually any television.

Option #3 – BBC Freesat

BBC Freesat is a superb alternative to Freeview, which currently boasts upto 200 free digital channels, and is also broadcasting certain channels in High Definition, for Free! There are no monthly subscriptions and no contracts. All you pay is a one of cost for installation of a satellite dish and Freesat receiver, and you will be ready to receive the service on offer.

Option #3 – Sky TV

Sky are market leaders in the United Kingdom when it comes to the variety of channels and shows on offer. Currently having the largest channel line up, including High Definition programming, on demand box office movies and further technologies to come, it is easy to understand why this service highly regarded with the british public. However, to receive Sky, you do require to commit to a 12 month contract and pay a monthly fee to receive the package of channels you opt for. However, Sky have their own Sky Freesat system, which is free from any subscriptions, but unlike BBC Freesat, they do not provide HD programming.

There are some additional considerations viewers should be aware of, including the need for accessories and other equipment. Some televisions will need new digital aerials in order to receive consistent signals, and it is a good idea for viewers to start looking at TV aerials long before the cutoff date arrives. Again, shopping early is the best way to get the best deal and the highest quality digital aeriels. Preparing for the digital TV revolution will take some work and some planning, but the superior quality of digital broadcasts will make it well worth the effort.

Aerials & Satellites are installers of digital satellite and aerial equipment, and are on hand to provide advice regarding the digital switchover, and how to ensure you are ready for when it happens.

The Apple I-pod is one of the most technologically advanced multi media players on the market. The new I-pod touch and I-pod video have the capabilities to store and play thousands of songs and pictures like the older models, but now have the technology to store and play hundreds of hours of video as well.

Apple has taken instant, hand held entertainment to a new level, allowing I-pod users to create their own videos and upload them onto their I-pods to enjoy and share, or to purchase their favorite music videos from I-tunes (or one of any number of other online retailers) to carry with them anywhere they go.

Where to get your Favorite Videos

There are a number of ways to get your favorite music videos and movie clips onto your I-pod where you’ll be able to enjoy them wherever and whenever you want.

The Safest Bets

You can join a website for the specific purpose of supplying videos for portable media players. This is often a good option, because the files will already be in the format that will be compatible with your I-pod software, so all you have to do is essentially point and click to have all of your favorite music videos in the palm of your hand. The only downside to joining a membership site, is that you have to pay the fee regardless of how many videos you download - so if you only find a few that you really want, then you could be paying an exceedingly high per-video fee. The up side is that downloading videos this way is perfectly safe and legal; you can search and download all the videos you want without any fear of viruses or legal repercussions.

You can transfer videos from DVDs that you already own, which will be free, but a little bit more complicated. I-pods only support video in the MPEG 4 format, which means that any videos in any other format will have to be translated into the MPEG 4 format in order to be compatible with your I-pod. Translating video into this format will require you to purchase software that can change the video format, creating an extra cost and adding an extra step to the process. You may or may not be able to find a software application that can translate certain video formats for you for free, but be very wary about what sites you download programs from - in looking for a cheaper alternative, you may just find yourself with an unwanted virus.

You can also join a “pay as you download” site, where you won’t have any out of pocket cost to join, but will pay for each individual video that you download. This is just as safe and legal as the pay membership sites, but you will probably end up paying a bit more for each individual video that you download. These sites often have very extensive libraries containing thousands and thousands of videos to choose from, so finding the exact videos that you want shouldn’t be very challenging.

A Cheaper but, Risky Option

If you don’t want to pay for the software to translate videos into the MPEG4 format, or pay anything for the videos that you download, you can always visit a free download or shareware site. You’ll usually be able to find exactly what you are looking for on these sites, but the big downsides here are that it is dangerous and illegal. These sites usually aren’t monitored very well, so it’s pretty common to find that either a virus or some form of spy-ware has found it’s way onto your computer, particular if your are on the sites often.

Whatever method of downloading videos to your I-pod that you happen to choose, you’ll be opening yourself up to a whole new style of entertainment. You’ll have instant access to all of your favorite music videos, no matter when or where you want to view them. Apple has totally changed the way we are able to entertain ourselves with the capabilities of the new series of I-pods.

View the largest collection of music videos online featuring all of the most popular artist and bands including Akon, Lil Wayne, Eminem and more!

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

Learn about the culture of the unconquered Seminole Indians. Located on a 60-acre cypress hammock, more than one mile of boardwalk nature trails winds through ceremonial grounds and a living village.

Located 17 miles north of 1-75, exit 14. Big Cypress

Amelia Earhart Park

Explore 515 acres, including a freshwater lake, photo above, and the Bill Graham Farm Village (open 9a. m. to 4 p. m.), complete with a petting zoo and weekend pony and hayrides. The park also features Tom Sawyer’s Play Island, picnic pavilions, and bike and paddkboat rentals.

401 E. 65th St., Hialeah

Art Center - South Florida

Art Center provides work and exhibition space for more than 81 visual artists through its juried artists program. Art Studies in various media and artistic levels are available for all ages.

Galleries and studios are free to the public.

At 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road Miami Beach.

Art Deco District

Eight hundred classic buildings, photo above, from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s make up this historic area. Walking tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive) every Thursday and Saturday. Miami Beach (305) 672-2014.

Biscayne National Underwater Park

With 181.000 acres of marine habitat, the park offers prime sightseeing for snorkelers and divers, and glass-bottom boat rides. Fast end of SW 328th St., nine miles east of Homestead (305) 230-1100.

Butterfly World

Three acres of tropical gardens, photo below, house thousands of live, brilliantly colored butterflies. The natural habitat also includes a hummingbird aviary suspension bridge and museum. 3600 W Sample Road, Coconut Creek (954) 977-4400.

Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux

Dating from 1141 and exemplifying early Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the church was brought to America by William Randolph Hearst in 1925.

It remained in crates until 1952 when it was erected in North Miami Beach. 16711 W Dixie Hwy, N. Miami Beach (305) 945-1461

Coconut Grove

This trendy and sparkling area, photo below, is full of galleries, theaters, night- clubs, fine restaurants. CocoWalk and Mayfair Shops. Beautiful Peacock Park and Kenneth Myers Park are along the waterfront. Very romantic place.

On Biscayne Bay bounded by S. Dixie Hwy. (Hwy, 1), S. Bayshore Drive and Douglas Road Coconut Grove.

Coral Castle

This architectural curiosity of coral rock, built by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951, is a national historic site. Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 28655 S.

Dixie Hwy. Homestead

Coral Gables

Founded in the 1920s, Coral Gables features plazas, fountains. Roman-style arches and Cuban tile blended with lush foliage. The turreted Colonnade, Coral Gables Playhouse, University of Miami, exceptional dining, theaters and public golf courses make this a choice destination.

Bounded by Biccayne Bay Sunset Drive, Old Cutler Road Ponce de Leon and Red Road

Deering Estate at Cutler

Take a guided tour of more than 420 acres, including endangered natural areas and archaeological sites, with recreation facilities and a view of Biscaync Bay. The estate also boasts the historic Richmond Cottage, portions of which date back to 1896, and the Mediterranean Revival winter home of industrialist Charles Deering, completed in 1923.

Open daily from 10a. m. to 5 p. m. 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami

Everglades Alligator Farm

Airboat tours and shows featuring alligators, snakes and other wildlife educate visitors on the native land and species.

Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 40351 SW 192nd Ave

Everglades National Park

Covering 1.5 million acres of land and water, this habitat of tree islands, mangroves, coastal prairies and subtropical hammocks is fed by a 200-mile- long, 50-mile-wide river. Many native and endangered species call it home.

Fairchild Tropical Garden

This 83-acre paradise of tropical plants offers tram tours, miles of paths, a conservatory and museum. Open year round, 9:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables.

Flamingo Gardens

Everglades and wildlife adventures begin with a tour through botanical gardens featuring a 200- year-old live oak hammock and some of Florida’s largest champion trees. From a 1-1/2 - mile tram ride, view Everglades, rain forests and citrus groves, with flamingos, alligators, river otters and birds of prey.

Read Full story…

Read the full article: In and Around Miami Beach

Houston Texas is one of the most difficult and challenging climates to design and build landscape gardens in the country. We have heavily compacted soils that when inundated with torrential rains suffocate plants and low lying flood areas that if not installed with a proper drainage system could flood a house. In Houston our temperature extremes from summer drought and 100 degree days to humid fall and spring weather causes plant stress and diseases. These weather extremes also can take their toll on outdoor building elements such as pool and deck surfaces, arbors, and night lighting fixtures. In hiring Houston Landscape Designers, you want not only creative ideas but material know-how, local construction standards, and someone who knows the durability of materials as well. Below we will present the four types of Houston Landscape Designer services available with their positive and negative perspectives as to what they bring to the table for your particular project.

The “design-only” landscape designers

This would be an individual who will meet and provide a design for your landscape but is not involved in the supervision, construction or maintenance of designed elements.

Positives:

• The positive here is that you could get an overall design of your site or master plan for the property to phase in over time and get alternate bids from various landscape contractors for proposed design elements.

Negatives:

• Some of the plants, materials, and design ideas may not work if the landscape designers do not have regular experience with construction, maintenance and plant care.

• Construction of some elements may be cost prohibitive if budget is not taken into consideration with the design.

• Another understandable problem is that the designer is not responsible or does not have to concern themselves with the implementation of proposed elements.

“Landscape Contractors” as “landscape designers”.

A landscape contractor is usually at the other end of the spectrum from the landscape designer in that they may know how to implement and install a garden but may lack design experience.

Positives:

• The positive is that you know what it will cost and a landscape contractor will be able to cost out several options or make several proposals to finally arrive at an acceptable budget.

• Another positive is there may be a cost savings and scheduling may happen much quicker because they may do 80% of the installation.

Negatives:

• The negative is that an overall design is often missing.

• The quality of craftsmanship is questionable even with a portfolio.

• The implementation from proposal to built vision might not be fully realized which are conveyed in design plans, material and construction methods chosen.

Horticulturalist as landscape designer. This might be someone who works at a nursery or local garden center. This person have lots of knowledge about soil and plant health as well as the right plant for the right location. A horticulturalist or plants man may not have an overall design vision, knowledge of irrigation systems, drainage systems, patios and walks.

Positives:

• The positive here would be the variety of plants and proper soil preparation and planting of plant material.

Negatives:

• There could be too much plant variety.

• Could be too much of a plant lover’s garden rather than simple overall home aesthetics.

• Overall design layout of patio, walk and lawn areas might not be as strong.

Landscape Design-Build Company as “designer” and “installer”. In this category responsibility is taken for the overall design, supervision, management and implementation of the landscape plan through completion of all elements to their maintenance.

Positives:

• Design ideas must be able to be implemented.

• Overall costs are based on actuality.

• Flexibility to phase the project in many ways.

• Intent of the design is carried through the construction process.

• Knowledge, understanding and responsibility for the project as the property continues to be maintained.

Negatives:

• May be some additional costs for over sight and general contracting of elements.

The Design-Build process is the most ideal scenario because all design decisions, construction, installation, costs and maintenance of the entire project are taken into consideration representing the most experienced view.

Conclusion

Choosing Houston landscape designers is a difficult task. Considerations including like ability of the designer and fit with their style of work are all essential. In the end analysis one has to decide if compromising price is also compromising quality and value of work.

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At Exterior Worlds you can read more about Landscape Designers

The rescue of America’s Automakers has been a controversial issue with the American public, these bailouts have really put the American publics feet to the fire. The need to save American jobs and to keep families from being thrown into financial distress has been a main concern. While at the same time public money should not be used to support bad management decisions. The American public refuses to reward poor business practices on the part of American Automakers.

Looking at the list of bailouts for the year 2008 is scary. If the leaders of the financial world do not get a handle on this runaway train of financial gluttony we are going to be in big trouble. Admittedly it is difficult to go from steak to ramen noodles but there are days when this might be necessary, and if the rest of working America can sacrifice so can our financial elite. It is so much easier to work with a man when he doesn’t mind getting in there and pushing too.

General Motors will receive $4.0 billion on December 29, 2008, and another $5.4 billion on January 16, 2009. An additional $4.0 billion is scheduled to be released on February 17, 2009 Congress will have the final say so. There are a number of terms that go along with getting this bailout money. One being the government debt takes top priority as much as the law allows, the perk of the corporate jet must go, not to mention a few other non-essentials. It was not required that management be changed, although the red light is flashing. Well, we will have to wait and see how that turns out.

The economy was obviously encouraged by the agreed bailout. The stock market took a positive Q from the Automakers Rescue at least for a moment and it is also clear that to leave the auto makers in a bad way would place more American families in jeopardy. It is certainly obvious that the economy is in tough shape and there will be some job loses and only time will tell if this bailout will work. The public must start to purchase these products; with the economy being in a down turn no one knows when this is likely to happen.

The desire for the unions to cut wages is going to be a touch and go situation. It is difficult to ask average working people to take pay cuts when the wealthier segments have made so much and government is bailing them out, and they still have their money and their jobs. Ford is the only automaker that is willing to swim for it, and will probably benefit from the bailout, but you don’t mind helping a man who is willing to help himself.

Picture your child tearing up a toy and you just go right back and buy him another, at some point you must stop buying and let him go without. The Automakers must realize although jobs and livelihoods hinge upon what they produce they must do it responsibly or pay the consequences, as the old saying goes,” the good suffer with the bad.”

For more information on the Automakers rescue, visit http://www.automakersrescue.com/

When you want to work at home, there are many ways in order to Make Money Online. You can research on the Internet and find hundreds and hundreds of opportunities that you could take advantage of in order to make money right from the comforts of your own home and start being your own boss. There are websites that you could sell stuff on through auctions and buy it now categories. You can try out many of the business opportunities that sell products online such as gifts, health and fitness, and beauty products. An example of one of these money making websites I created is http://LogOnMakeCash.com

You could work at home by joining one of the many affiliate programs that Make Money Online and start making your own commissions off of the products that they sell. There are websites that will pay you in order to write various articles for them and the sky is the limit as long as keep your fingers typing and ideas in your head. You can create and sell different types of websites for people who are not knowledgeable or do not want to deal with this aspect of their business. You can even start your own Internet store and sell a craft that you may be really good at making.

The business opportunities are endless when it comes to the work at home jobs that are available online today. You could be really quick at typing and sell this skill that you have for transcribing services that are looking for people like you. If you have another language that you speak, you could sell that skill for translation services that can be found on the Internet. You can create a blog website that gets a lot of traffic to it and then sell advertising space in order to Make Money Online as well.

You can register with a lot of the survey websites that pay their visitors a certain amount of money to take their surveys. This type of money is not a lot, but if you take a lot of surveys this will surely help you to Make Money Online. There are special websites that will pay you money to upload pictures and share them with the rest of the world. There are websites that pay people to do their Internet research for them because of the time involved. There are so many opportunities out on the Internet that a person would just have to be committed and patient in order to find the right money making system for them.

My personal story is I am 51 years old, living in Mission Viejo, California. I work full-time for a large Hotel chain. My site has seen at least 50% of the people who work there have been laid off. I believe that this scenario is being repeated thousands of places throughout this great country. Since there is no longer any security in working till retirement with a big company, we must all find our own security. They say knowledge is power and this is very true. I acquire new knowledge every single day and there is plenty of nformation to master, It is a doable project and my mission is to help people in their own quest for financial security by making money online.

Rick Eriksen http://CashBringItOn.com

The sheer weight of history to be found in Egypt is awe inspiring; an experience that is much more significant if you are there with your life long partner. The longevity and magic of Egypt make it the perfect place for a holiday with your loved one, as well as the height of romance as a destination for your honeymoon. Egypt has the weather, the monuments and the excitement to make your trip the most amazing experience of your life, and if there’s one holiday where you want to have the best of everything, it’s this one. So we count down the top five luxury places to stay so that you can get the most from your Honeymoon in Egypt.

5. The Nile Palace, Luxor

Luxor, in southern Egypt, is the doorway to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The city is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Thebes, and is steeped in legends and wonders. This makes Luxor a hub of activity and history, and the Nile Palace hotel is in easy walking distance of it all. Overlooking the Nile itself, the hotel provides for all of your Egypt honeymoon needs. The luxury gym and health club give you the chance to stay active while away, and the outdoor pool allows for romantic dips under the star-lit Egyptian sky at night. The restaurants are designed to pamper and delight you, the bars, to calm and relax you, and the rooms to make your luxury honeymoon in Egypt romantic and enchanting.

4. Oberoi Philae Cruise on the Nile

Cruising down the Nile conjures up images of thin reed boats tacking back and forth while trailing nets or cargo, but nothing could be further from the reality if you are looking for a luxury honeymoon in Egypt. We suggest the Nile cruiser Philae, a 58 suite ship designed to take you up the Nile in style and complete luxury. The suites have private shower and bathroom facilities, balconies and sun loungers, and deliberately have adults in mind, with little or no provision for children (no screaming kids to ruin your romantic trip together). The ship also has a bar and restaurant, appointed with luxury in mind and exquisite food on offer.

3. Kasr Ibrim, Lake Nasser

For those who want history and a cruising experience, but in a more out of the way setting, cruising on Lake Nasser is a must. The Kasr Ibrim is appointed in a similar way to the Philae in terms of luxury and convenience, catering to your every honeymoon need while in Egypt. It also stops at one of the lake’s recovered historical sites each day (the lake is man made, and the sites were moved stone by stone to avoid their destruction) with a launch that takes visitors who want to go to each site. Holidaying on the Kasr Ibrim gives you a different take on the idea of a honeymoon to Egypt, mixing the history of the area with fewer tourist traps for luxury that’s a little off the beaten track.

2. The Al Baben Shall, Siwa Oasis

For a completely secluded and authentic luxury honeymoon in Egypt, try The Al Baben, a boutique hotel by the Siwa Oasis close to the Egyptian sand sea. The oasis has been a stop over for travellers for many thousands of years, and the hotel is tucked away in the walls of Shali, at the very heart of the area. Enjoying your honeymoon in this part of Egypt means having a truly Egyptian experience; rooms are luxurious but with a rustic feel, and the rooftop restaurant serves exquisite regional food. This hotel is for those who want to be more adventurous in their honeymoon choice and wish to immerse themselves in a luxurious, but uniquely Egyptian, trip.

1. The Mena House Oberoi, Cairo.

To many people, a luxury honeymoon in Egypt means only one thing: Cairo. The mystique of the city, the power of the Pyramids at Giza and the opulence available since the time of the Pharaohs make it the perfect honeymoon destination, and the Mena House Oberoi is the peak of this perfection. A luxury hotel since 1869, it has seen its fair share of royalty and heads of state, and the luxurious suites and lounges are a testament to its exclusive history. There is 24-hour room and butler service for those who want to stay in, and excellent bars and restaurants for those who don’t. The hotel also has one of the most magical views in all of Egypt; the outdoor pool is in the shadow of the Pyramids themselves - breathtaking when set against the background of an African sky. The hotel and the experience create an Egyptian luxury honeymoon that you’ll remember as the trip of a lifetime.

Joanne Hensman is an Egypt holiday and honeymoon experts for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in Egypt and Honeymoons in Egypt , as well as holidays to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Italy, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

Every day, more and more news is coming out on just how damaged the environment has actually become. We are finally awakening to the fact that we have severely damaged our planet and we are looking for ways to live better and not deplete our precious natural resources.

One simple way to help the planet is by planting trees. Trees have a natural ability to convert carbon dioxide that is present in the air, into oxygen. Another way to help is to conserve water so there is enough water for all humans, plants and animals.

Here in lies a paradox. How can we achieve a balance between giving plants very little water while trying to conserve it, yet giving those plants enough water to survive?

Scientists are hard at work trying to develop plants that are genetically engineered to require little water to grow, but we can also do our part. One way is through a gray water rerouting system.

What is Gray Water?

Water that is generated from our baths, dishwashing, hand washing and laundry is called gray water. Black water is water that is generated from our toilets. It is estimated that an average family of four, generates nearly three thousand gallons of gray water weekly. This water is wasted down the drain and could be reused.

The gray water that is discarded does contain soaps and detergents and often bleach. These soaps and detergents do contain certain minerals that can actually help plants, but the gray water also contains chemicals that may harm plans and the soil. Bleach is especially dangerous as it damages the roots and can actually stay in the soil for a long time.

It is possible to reroute the gray water that is now going down the drain and reroute it to your garden. This is done through a series of treatment tubes and a filtration system. This will help the environment by permitting more plant life to grow and you are conserving water by reusing water that would have gone to waste.

The following tips will help you get started to use gray water for your garden.

If you are planning to use gray water to water your garden, then take note of the following tips before you start. Check with a local plumbing supply house or repair shop to see what products are available to reroute gray water.

Drip irrigation systems that direct gray water directly to the plants are available. These types of units are very efficient as they direct water to the root system of the plants where it is needed and best absorbed.

Most gray water does not require treatment, but a filter on the system will help keep dust or debris that may harm delicate plants, out of the water. Your plumbing supply will be able to assist you on how to treat the water. A stop at your local gardening supply center or landscaping professional will be able to give you information on whether or not you can use gray water on the plants you have in your garden.

Most gray water contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which benefit plants. These chemicals are found in organic soaps and shampoos. Check the labels on the products you purchase and look for natural or organic products. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and bleaches. If you notice that your plants are suffering damage from the gray water, stop using it and consult a horticulturist or gardener.

Research is needed before you can use gray water. Every garden is different and has different plants with different growing conditions. If your passion is gardenias, you may not want a gray water recycling system as gardenias to not like soap products, and can damage them severely.

If all this sounds expensive and beyond your ability, remember that you can still recycle gray water by keeping a bucket handy whenever you do your laundry, wash your dishes, or take a bath. If you use organic soaps, you can use this otherwise discarded water on your plants.

Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer. Visit http://totalrecyclingwebsite.com for news, podcasts, articles and guides covering many aspects of recycling. To understand recycling, read Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Recycling, But Never Dared to Ask. (available on website)

Here’s an article circulating on the internet from today, from CNN Money, about car buying and car negotiating. I think it’s ok, not great. There are a few tips left out: first, arrange your own financing and your own loan in advance, because the dealer’s loan is often deceptive and more expensive even if it seems similar to the one you’ve arranged at your own bank. Second, if the dealer makes any representations about the car, make the dealer write these down on the “due bill” portion of the sales documents, and have the dealer sign the due bill and indicate that the promises made about the car are a part of the car’s warranty. If the dealer refuses to write down the promises, BIG RED FLAG. Third, if you’re buying a used car from a franchise dealer (i.e. a Ford from a Ford dealer, etc.), have the dealer print out the service records for you so you can review the warranty service records on the car to know if the prior owner or owners had any recurring major problems with the car.

Hope these tips prove useful to you. Thanks for reading & here’s the article.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — If the annual model year change-over - and all the sales that go with it - have you in a car shopping mood, don’t be lulled into paying more than you have to. The deep discount you think you’re getting may be nothing more than an illusion. Car dealers can make you think you’re getting a fantastic deal, and buyers tend to hear what they want. Here’s some advice on how to really get the best deal.

Don’t: Fall in love with a car

Don’t get us wrong here, a new car is a big purchase, so it’s important that you really do love your car. If you want to buy a microwave oven just because Consumer Reports recommends it, go ahead. A car, like a home, should make you happy and that’s something only you can judge.

But you wouldn’t marry someone after just reading their Facebook profile. You’d at least want to go out a few times, right? So don’t decide you’ve got to have that cute new SUV you just read about in a magazine. Calm down, catch your breath and wait. Wait until you can drive it. Wait until you can drive some competing models and get a sense of whether it’s really all that terrific.

And you may want to wait until the price comes down. Dealers often tack on premiums, charging more than full sticker price for brand new models they know will be in high demand from day one. So rushing to be the first one on the block with the hottest new model can cost you thousands of dollars.

And that “first with the hot new thing” thing fades quickly. Then there will just be you and that car. And those car loan payments. Hope you still like it.

Don’t: Take that long, long, long, long loan

Super long car loans may seem like a painless way to get a new car with low monthly payments. That’s certainly the way the salesman will pitch it to you. But here are two things to remember:

First, the bottom line is that you are just, flat out, paying more money. Whether you’re paying it in three years or six years, it’s just more money. (And a big part of that “more money” is more interest, so it’s not even buying you anything.)

Second, it may be painless now, but it won’t be painless if you find yourself trading in that car in a few years. If you haven’t paid off a big chunk of your loan by that time, you could end up “upside down” in your current car. That means you owe more money than the car is worth.

The car dealer will be only too happy to help you out with that problem, but that just means adding the money you owe into the loan for that next new car. And guess what? That means another long loan and you’re stuck again.

Don’t: Negotiate trade-in and purchase at the same time

Buying a car is really a series of transactions. Yet buyers tend to subtract what the dealer is giving them for their trade-in from what they’re paying for their new car. Then they say: “Hey, I’m getting a $42,000 car for $35,000!”

Actually, those buyers can’t take all the blame since that’s how the salesman presents it: as if that $7,000 is a gift, and they’re just doing you a favor by taking that old car off your hands.

Remember, they’re taking something of real value in exchange for that money. And you have the right to get as much as you can for your old car. Don’t allow the dealer to tell you what it’s worth.

You also have the right to pay as little as you can for your new car. But there’s no way you can negotiate both those things effectively if they’re attached because you won’t be able to see the numbers clearly.

Negotiate the price of the new car first. Get that number down to something you’re comfortable with. Then negotiate your trade in and get that number as high as you can, or if you still feel like it’s not enough, take the car elsewhere or sell it yourself.

Don’t: Negotiate in person

For some reason, buyers still feel like they need to negotiate the price of a new car in person at the dealership. In the old days, that was the only way to do it. If you called a car dealer on the phone, they wouldn’t even discuss pricing.

These days, most dealerships have salespeople, or even entire departments, that specialize in dealing with customers over the phone and by email. The old days of not talking to customers who weren’t physically in the store are over because a dealer knows that if he doesn’t negotiate a price over the phone, someone else will and he’ll just lose the sale.

Negotiating over the phone or via email keeps you in your comfort zone - your home or office - not the dealer’s showroom. While you’re waiting for an answer on your offer, you’re not stuck in an uncomfortable chair with nothing to look at but brochures.

Many dealerships now have Web sites where you can even search the vehicle inventory online and request a quote on a specific vehicle. That way you can be sure the vehicle you’re negotiating on really has all the features you want.

When the negotiating’s done, ask them to fax you the deal in writing so there will be no surprises when you arrive to get your car.

But we’re not recommending you avoid dealerships altogether. Before you get down to numbers, you’ll want to test drive the vehicles and get a walkaround from a knowledgeable salesperson. Just be clear when you go in that you’ll not be purchasing the vehicle that day. You still have some other research you want to do.

Don’t: Take a ‘great deal’ on the outgoing model year

You may be tempted by a steep discount on an outgoing 2007 model year car, but be careful. Remember that the car will ultimately be worth less at trade in time than a 2008 model year car.

That will be much less of an issue if the 2008 model year version is unchanged from 2007. If the 2008 version is all new or substantially changed, though, watch out. Your car will be seen as “old” the minute the new version hits the roads and will take a steep drop in value.

In that situation, only a huge discount will make up the loss. Or, if you just like the old version better, the extra cost may be worth it to you. As long you’re aware of what you’re getting into.

Robert F. Brennan, Esq. is a principal with Brennan, Wiener & Associates, an AV-rated law firm in La Crescenta, CA.? His firm specializes in consumer protection litigation, including lemon law, car dealer fraud and consumer class actions.? He can be reached through his website:http://socallemonlaw.com

I hope the economic downturn is not beating you up too badly. Obviously it’s taking its toll on several sectors of the economy, one of which is car dealers.

I would hope that car dealers will fight their way out of the downturn with ethical and honest sales and service, and undoubtedly some will. However, there will be those that will not, and will turn instead down the dark path of deceiving consumers. To prevent against these dealers and these deceptions, we offer the advice and insight as found on my blog and in several articles I have written for many publications.

One area of car dealer fraud that we continue to see quite a bit of involves fraud in car leases. Even with the credit crunch, dealers are still able to arrange for financing for car leases, and car leases are frequently more expensive for consumers, although they appear as less expensive on the surface.

The classic lease fraud is the “bait and switch,” where a consumer goes to a dealer to buy a car and believes he is buying a car, but is instead switched into a lease. Sometimes dealers will tell consumers that they need to sign up for a lease “for a short time” to let interest rates come down, or some other malarky, and promise to change the deal to a purchase deal “in a few weeks.” When the consumer returns “in a few weeks,” the salesperson who negotiated the lease with him is nowhere to be found and no one at the dealer has any interest in changing the consumer into the promised purchase transaction.

There are various reasons why dealers would prefer to put you into a lease as opposed to a purchase. For one thing, dealers often get larger incentive bonuses from the leasing companies to put consumers into a lease, so dealers frequently make more money from the lenders on leases. Same with the manufacturers: depending on what is going on with vehicle inventory, manufacturers will often give dealers incentives to put consumers into leases instead of purchases. Finally, lease contracts are confusing, permitting dealers to throw more curveballs into the lease which result in higher hidden fees and payments by the consumer.

Currently, as of today, GM sales are off by over 40% and Ford sales are off by over 30%. I do not know the current status of Chrysler sales, but it’s probably similar. GM and Ford are in a position where they, and their dealers, will do just about anything to move vehicles off the lot. As stated above, there are truthfully quite a few dealers who will respond to the current pressures with honest ways and means of promoting vehicle sales, but there are also those that will respond dishonestly.

I do have a few tips if you are concerned about being switched into a vehicle lease, or if you are confused as to whether you will be paying more for a lease than for a purchase. Here are a few tips and pointers:

1. Remember that, with a lease, you are not buying the car. You are borrowing it, or renting it, for a longer period of time, and a lease deal actually has much in common with renting a car. There are often hidden fees at lease end which can make a seemingly less-expensive lease actually cost you more. There are hidden fees for excess mileage and wear and tear to the vehicle. If you know you drive 25,000 miles a year, then your lease should reflect that you drive 25,000 miles a year. If you lease a vehicle with a lease allowance of 15,000 miles a year, you would be penalized severely at lease end for the additional 10,000 miles a year.

2. It would be virtually impossible to describe all of the ways in which a lease can be more expensive than a purchase. First and foremost, you are buying nothing other than the use of the vehicle for a period of time within certain mileage limits, nothing more. You are not buying any ownership interest in the vehicle. Right then and there, a lease is usually more expensive because you have no trade-in at lease end. Many consumers are confused because they believe they can trade in a lease at lease end and receive credit, as if they owned the vehicle. This is not true.

3. At lease end, if you have any outstanding obligation on the lease (mileage penalty, condition penalty, unpaid lease payments), these are often rolled into your next vehicle purchase or lease. Watch your contract carefully to make sure that you get a fair deal on your next purchase or lease.

4. I recommend to all of my clients that they not sign anything on the spot at the dealership. Take the lease or purchase contract home and digest it overnight. Discuss it with a friend or a spouse. Go over it more than once. If consumers took this step alone and nothing more, they would likely avoid much of the fraud and monkey business at dealers because they would not be signing documents in a pressurized situation, after having been worn down by hours at the dealership.

If you, or your friends, have any further questions on leases and the potential for lease frauds, please do not hesitate to contact us. And, if you have been cheated on a lease, please consider us for your attorneys to resolve the situation.

Robert F. Brennan, Esq. is a principal with Brennan, Wiener & Associates, an AV-rated law firm in La Crescenta, CA.? His firm specializes in consumer protection litigation, including lemon law, car dealer fraud and consumer class actions.? He can be reached through his website:http://socallemonlaw.com