The city announced this week the release of a free application that allows residents with Droid phones to point, click and send photos of graffiti, over-height weeds, abandoned shopping carts and other blight violations to the city’s Neighborhood Services Department.
According to phoenix.gov, “Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the violation and then tap “submit.” Using built-in global positioning system technology, the application will attach a location to the picture and send the complaint to the Neighborhood Services Department. Residents also can choose an option to receive updates on the status of their request.”
What a great Idea. It’s good to know that residents in Phoenix can take charge of making this a better city.
Unfortunatelly, Graffiti Removalis a service that we often need. I feel that when a legitimate business gets tainted by the ignorance of (more often than not) teens, not only does the business owner suffer, but the entire community.
Aside from educating our teens to value the property of others, it’s important to teach them the responsibility of maintaining the presence their own community.
I Applaud the city’s efforts and I hope parents suggest this application to their children and download them for themselves.
To download the app for free, Droid users can download the app from the Droid Market by searching “myphoenix.”
The Special Edition of the 20111 BMW M3 was sold-out in 15 minutes. The only 30 copies available, with base cost of $77,600, come with a sweet Space Gray base coat, covered in a BMW ColorSystem silk matte clear coat finish.
The problem with a $10, 000 paint job, is that it comes with no warranty. A signed agreement warns that any repairs to the paint must be completed by a BMW trained body shop, among other specifications.
Paint care agreement
Never polish or wax the frozen gray paint as it could lead to a glossy surface.
If washing your frozen gray M3 in a automatic car wash choose a car wash that does not apply vehicle wax. Rinse the M3 with high pressure water to remove dirt before sending it through the automatic car wash to avoid scratches from sand, dust and other micro-particles.
Remove bugs, bird poo, tree sap, tar, fuel spills or oil immediately using a soft sponge.
Avoid strong rubbing while cleaning the frozen paint. BMW sells suitable products for maintaining the frozen paint at your local dealer.
Repairs to the paint (scratches, dents, etching) must be completed by a BMW trained body shop. Most auto body shop will not be capable of repairing the frozen gray paint.
You should use your pressure washer weekly and/or after each time you use the boat in order to counteract the harmful effects of oxidation, salt, bird droppings, and other pollutants that accumulate on the surface and in the water.
The Arizona Republic reported on sunday that city officials are examining whether to increase or eliminate the cap on awards for its employee-suggestion program, which now gives up to $3,500 for each successful suggestion.
In fiscal 2009-10, the city received 175 ideas. Twenty of them were implemented, awarding employees about $20,600 for saving the city an estimated $435,720. says the report.
“I don’t have a problem with rewarding someone handsomely for bringing in an idea that ultimately saves the taxpayers a lot of money,” Mattox said. “I’m just trying to up the ante and make it more attractive so more people will participate.” says Councilman Claude Mattox who has proposed eliminating the cap. Read more: at Azcentral.com
Mold lives off of any organic matter, and loves a warm, humid environment. Most often, mildew, which is a form of mold or fungus, infests our living or work spaces when there is a high level of moisture, like a musty basement or a shower wall. It comes in through our walls, windows, doors, carpets, or under the refrigerator.
Doctors warn against breathing in mold over long periods of time. Often times, our homes and offices are infested with toxic mold and mildew. And, because it can hide in cracks in our walls, as well as other invisible places, most of us are unaware that we are being exposed to the extremely harmful effects.
Because old spores can be carried in on our clothing, shoes, pets and our bodies Pressure washing can lend a hand at solving problems that could pose risks to your home. If you have a mold, mildew or fungal infestation on the exterior of your house, you can use a pressure washer to help remove this unwanted growth. Simply spray the surface with a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and one tablespoon of bleach. After allowing the bleach a few minutes to kill the mold or fungus, apply a focused, direct stream to the surface with a quality pressure washer.
Homeowners performing any surface cleaning should observe proper safety precautions such as the use of surgical latex gloves, goggles, and a N95 rated mask. If using a weak bleach solution, never mix with any compound other than water. Thoroughly dry the affected area.
Yes, The National Safety Council established June as National Safety Month in 1996 with the purpose to educate and influence people to prevent accidental injury and death.
Here at Az Cleaning Equipment we believe safety is very important and when you rent or buy equipment from us, we want you to feel confident that you know how to best use it. Here are some guidelines on pressure washer safety provided by the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Pressure Washer Safety
A pressure washer is a power tool that sprays water at high pressures to clean large, sturdy surfaces such as buildings, farm equipment and roads. Pressure washers may be used more often during disaster clean up when the risk of injury may be higher.
When using a pressure washer, always follow the safety instructions included in the owner’s manual.
Risks
The strong spray from a pressure washer can cause serious wounds that might first appear minor. Wounds that appear minor can cause a person to delay treatment, increasing risk for infection, disability or amputation.
The fast, strong spray can throw objects that strike and injure others who are close by.
Electric shock can occur if the pressure washer is not used properly and if safety instructions are not followed. ·
Using small, gasoline powered engines can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Workers should not use any equipment powered by gasoline engines inside buildings or other partially enclosed spaces unless the gasoline engine can be placed outdoors and away from air intakes.
Precautions
Never point a pressure washer at yourself or others.
Never attempt to push or move objects with spray from the washer.
Never use a gasoline powered washer in an enclosed space.
Always test the ground fault circuit interrupter (circuit breaker or outlet) before using a pressure washer.
Always plug a properly grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle.
If an extension cord must be used, keep the pressure washer’s power cord connection out of any standing water, and use a heavy duty extension cord with components rated for use in wet locations. Keep both the power cord and extension cord connections as far away as possible from the item being washed and away from any water runoff.
Wear rubber soled shoes that provide some insulation when using the pressure washer.
Never cut or splice the pressure washer’s power cord or extension cords.
Never remove the grounding prong from the pressure washer’s power cord plug or the extension cord.
Always have a qualified electrician check the pressure washer for electrical problems after it has tripped a circuit breaker.
Never allow children to operate a pressure washer. Keep children at a safe distance when an adult is using a pressure washer.
If you are hurt by a pressure washer:
Call 911 if emergency help is needed.
Take care of any wounds:
Before treating the wound, wash your hands with soap and clean water.
Remove any object that is in the way of caring for the wound.
Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth to stop bleeding.
After bleeding has stopped, pour bottled or clean running water over the wound.
Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
Pat dry and use an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth to cover the wound.
Leave unclean wounds open.
Persons who have high pressure spray wounds are urged to get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional might XRay the injured area, provide a tetanus shot and antibiotics, or make a referral to a specialist.
In her article, featured in Professional Car wash & Detailing Magazine, “What Can Green Do For You?” Kate Carr explains:
“There is a green solution for every operation; from small efforts like recycling programs or reducing paper waste, to bigger ideas like wind turbines and LEED certification. The trick is finding the match for your carwash and deciding how to present it to your customers. Not every market has a niche for green consumers, and choosing to broadcast your green business practices is at your discretion.
At a minimum, every operator should consider the cost savings and efficiencies that result from eco-friendly choices. After all, when you can’t raise the cost of a carwash or squeeze another car down the tunnel, that’s all you have left.”(Read Article Here)
The following Video is part of the series “Cheap Ways to Decorate a Patio with a Texas Theme” by Peggy Charlton. I Find ehow.com to be a very helpful website for home improvement projects and everything else. There are also many other videos on pressure washing and equipment maintenance.
Today I want to share this link and invite you to make full use of it - whether you’re from the area or you live out of state. visitphoenix.com is a great resource of information about our city and it shows you why boycotting the places, services, and the people of Arizona, for a political issue is the WRONG THING TO DO.
Aside from being informative, this site can be a great tool to explore the city.
They have a great mobile site and with its “Trip Planner” you can add anything in things to do, places to stay or where to eat, and the builder will map it for you, show you ratings and reviews, photos, and then you can email it or print it for your trip.
Today we celebrate Earth Day, 2010. I’d like to invite you to the following events that are happening in the area this weekend. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend some quality time with your family; it’s a great way to learn about green living.
This free family bike ride is a twelve mile out-and-back ride. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the ride starts at 9:30 a.m. Free t-shirts for riders, while supplies last. Raffle for prizes. Raffle tickets are $1 and all proceeds will benefit the Not One More foundation, whose goal is to stop collisions between cyclists and vehicles. Helmets are required for all bike ride participants.
Radio Disney will be live from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A “Green Fair” with city department booths highlighting their environmental programs and vendors showcasing their environmental products. Bring your plastic grocery bags for recycling.
When: April 24, 2010 at 9 a.m.
Where: Mountain View Park, Mesa
Peoria and Salt River Project are hosting an event to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day. Volunteers will plant donated vegetation and clean the New River channel and Skunk Creek trail just west of the park. Other activities include a full schedule of “going green” educational sessions, a family bike ride on Peoria’s trail system, and vendors and exhibits with information about environmental awareness.
When: April 24, 2010 from from 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Rio Vista Community Park and Recreation Center, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria
Have fun with the family while learning more about nature, the environment, and the outdoors. Special guests will provide information booths and entertaining presentations.
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