The Northwest Passage is the body of "ice" that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  Typically, ice breakers have had to be used to clear a path for commercial shipping.  However, according to BBC America this evenin, the Northwest Passage has completely melted, for the first time in recorded history.  Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia.  Personally, I find this information the most alarming indication so far that global warming is escalating at a faster rate than predicted.There has been speculation that with the advent of global warming the passage may become clear enough of ice to permit safe commercial shipping for at least part of the year. On August 21, 2007 the Northwest Passage became open to ships without the need of an icebreaker. According to Nalan Koc of the Norwegian ... 09/14/2007

When you approach the Ocean over the high bridge across the Indian River (the Intra-Coastal Waterway or ICW), your view is sweeping. It is not blocked by condos and hotels, thanks to strict zoning laws enacted well before the current rapid growth and development. For one thing, there are 3- and 4-story height limits, unlike what you find throughout much of South Florida. For another, there is lots of easy to find, easy to use “forever” beach access. Before development there was conservation, and Melbourne and its beachside communities have some of the nicest public beaches in all of Florida Melbourne also has a great Old-Town, downtown area with specialty shops, antique stores, theaters, restaurants and more. There are dining places overlooking both the Indian River Lagoon (the IntraCoa... 09/14/2007

We know everyone would like to get better gas mileage, and we all know keeping our tires properly inflated will use less gas.  But is anyone familiar with "low rolling resistance" tires?  First manufactured by Michelin and poo-pooed by the auto manufacturers, these tires have been around a long time but are now just getting the attention they deserve.  Low resistance tires essentially hug less of the road than the traditional tire, thus reducing the drag produced and garnering up to 4 mpg more in gas mileage.  Several tire manufacturers make these tires, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Yokohama.  I chose the Yokohama Geolander because of reputation, price, and composition. 09/13/2007

Melbourne Arts and CultureThe Melbourne/Brevard County area is extremely welcoming to actors, artists, musicians, photographers and writers in all genres.There are first class Art supply stores, photography, book stores and libraries for supplies and research.The Maxwell King Center brings in national acts, from Rock legends to Tony Bennett.Another important thing is that its very easy to get involved in the community and the Arts scene. I do wildlife photography and have found incredible promotional support from the Brevard Arts society here. It is very professional and very approachable group. email: at brezinal@artsbrevard.orgMelbourne and its communities are definitely receptive to new ideas and creativity.Listed below are a few places/organizations in the area. 09/11/2007

Going Green?  Well you may as well go all the way and include eco-friendly cleaning methods.  Here are just a few:Inside of your stainless steel pots "stained?"  Just boil a bunch of rhubarb for 10-20 minutes.  Rinse and your stainless is, well, stainless.Kids coloring on your walls again?  Use a toothbrush and tooth paste and watch the crayon disappear.Kids again, putting those pesky stickers on walls and doors?  Use a hairdryer to soften the stickers, gently scrape with a plastic putty knife.  To remove left on glue, a little eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball does the trick.Crusty shower and tub?  Mix one box baking soda with laundry detergent to make a paste.  Using a plastic scrubby apply the mixture and scrub, comes off like magic.Cruddy microwave oven?  Beyond scrubbing?  Take a cle... 09/06/2007

In a recent study, with a major space employer in Melbourne, the employees had this to say.Melbourne is a safe place to liveIt has great weather and lots of sunIt’s easy to travel and get to work and there are good job opportunities..There is a wide variety of recreational facilities.It’s easy to get involved in the community.It’s a great place for creative people.Three out of four would recommend a friend or family member to relocate to Melbourne.Melbourne has the amenities that a larger town would have yet it has a small town atmosphere.I call it user friendly.All that and the Real Estate is a good deal. As of this writing (summer 2005) single-family homes, minutes from the beaches can be had from 200,000 up.Melbourne, and its landside communities of West Melbourne and Melbourne Villa... 08/28/2007

Looking for a tire that is not only environmentally friendly but also made in the good old U.S. of A?  Then Green Diamond tires are just what you've been looking for.  Invented in Iceland and made in America, they have distributors in Alaska, Colorado, and New York and can be ordered online. Check out their website www.greendiamondtire.com. 08/24/2007

As always, when I see something I think all of us stagers can use to make our jobs easier, I try to post to the groups.  Here's another one I just saw on TV.  The website includes a video.  These moving straps are amazing.  I just ordered a set to try out myself.  Check out the website!www.buystraps.com 08/16/2007

Maybe AR is not the place for a medical blog, although I've seen several off-topic issues presented here. But for all women this information is important. If you've never heard of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, then you don't know the symptoms, and could be at risk of losing your life to this disease. This video is a good presentation of the disease, symptoms, and diagnosis. I post this in the hope that it may save at least one other woman. 08/02/2007

All you home stagers out there must be aware by now that Vitus Lau of Vitallia Insurance is a reliable, competent source for our staging insurance needs.  I contacted Vitus last week and got an immediate quote.  He was able to save me almost $800 per year on my staging insurance, and got me substantially more coverage than I was previously carrying.  Doing business with Vitus was nothing but pleasure.  He returned my call promptly, provided me with a quote, counseled me on my insurance needs, and is reading my contract to see if it needs any tweaking.  Usually I don't do business over the phone.  I prefer a face to face meeting.  But Vitus put me at such ease during our first phone conversation, I got over my need to see a face, and decided doing business with him was in my best interes... 06/27/2007

Selling a house in Brevard County?  Home staging is a must.  Vacant property on the market? Home staging is a must.  But post remodeling home staging?  That was a new one to me until I received three calls this week from women who had just had their homes remodeled and wanted a different look and feel to their homes.  They need help with various projects from selecting paint color to hanging curtain rods and re-arranging furniture.  All three clients have hired me to "stage" their homes, and not one is planning to sell.  They just need some professional guidance, and called a home stager for help.  So just when we think there are only one or two markets for our profession, another one pops up.  My next marketing material will include something about helping put the final touches in a ho... 06/22/2007

In the next few weeks, Congress could vote to DOUBLE the amount of greenhouse gases America produces from our cars and planes.1It's the greatest single threat to solving the climate crisis in a decade.It sounds crazy. But Congress is rushing through a package that could lock us into liquid coal as our country's new energy source for transportation. For every mile driven, coal-based fuels produce as much as twice as many greenhouse gases as petroleum.2 That means even a Prius would drive like a Hummer.The coal industry has been lobbying for this break for years, and many in Congress don't understand the facts. "Liquid coal would be a disaster in our fight against the climate crisis. Congress should vote against tax breaks and subsidies for coal."The legislation would take billions in tax... 06/06/2007

Hurricane season starts today and it promises to be an active one.  Here are some things you need to do now to prepare:1. Photograph everything you own.  Open drawers, closets, storage containers, you name it and take pictures.  Make sure to include all furniture, electronics, appliances etc.  On the back of each picture write the approximate cost of the major items and when purchased.  It will save you hours and hours and hours of time should you have a claim, trying to recreate what you own and what it cost.2. Have at least two sets of photographs.  Keep at home sealed in triple zip lock bags in the fridge.  The fridge is waterproof and pretty much fire proof.  Or put them in a fireproof safe.  The second set is in the safe deposit box at the bank.3. Have duplicate copies of all impor... 05/31/2007

Yesterday's Blue Light Special on Aisle 4 was my find of the week, or so I thought.  After 6 hours of shopping I came home with everything I needed, except art work.  So this morning I headed out and decided to stop at Family Dollar.  Every now and then they have some nice little accessories so thought I'd check it out.  I was totally surprised to see all the art work I needed, right there.  The prices were $5-10, definitely cost effective.  All of them were in nice high-end looking frames and the pictures were generic botanicals that can be used anywhere.  I bought enough for the upcoming staging job, and a few extras.  At those prices you can't walk out with too many pictures!Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT! 04/30/2007

Here in Florida we are in our drought season.  Water restrictions are cropping up everywhere, and one city in this state is predicted to run out of water by 2020.  We in the Active Rain community have been  blogging about water conservation, and all of us have come away with some new found ideas on how we can personally conserve.  One thing that I've been doing is to keep a bucket in the shower and while the water is running till it gets hot, it collects most of what comes out of the shower head.  On a daily basis our family of two collects three gallons of water.  That translates to roughly 21 gallons of water per week and 1092 gallons of water per year.  And that doesn't include what isn't captured in the bucket and goes down the drain.  A family of four would realize a savings of 218... 04/28/2007

Real estate marketing has a new weapon in its arsenal, its called STAGE it RIGHT! home staging and consulting!When it comes to real estate, the old adage, that you only get one chance to make a first impression is especially true.  But are your clients doing what needs to be done to make your listings stand out from the growing number of houses and condos for sale and for rent in Brevard County?STAGE it RIGHT! is a local company that helps you, an agent, and your sellers, sell homes at top dollar.  The best part for you, the agent, is that no money leaves your pocket.  Home staging is easy, it works, and best of all, its very cost effective.  The next best part is, the average cost for staging a home is around $250!  A small price to pay to present the house in the best possible light t... 04/26/2007

Here is another great product from Working Assets, the socially conscious and environmentally friendly provider of long distance and wireless phone service.  They offer a credit card with low APR, and they will plant trees, and donate to conservation causes based on your purchases.  I've had this credit card for several years, and the APR has never gone up.  In fact its the only credit card I now have. It's one credit card you don't mind using, and we can all use a break from high interest rates.  Check it out!  Don't want another credit card?  Then consider Working Assets as your phone provider.  You can check that out at www.workingassets.com, free cell phones provided with each new account!  And they will buy out your current cell phone contract to help get you started!http://www.wor... 04/21/2007

You've cleaned, polished and organized, and the house is complete.  Real estate agent has been over and listed the house, put the lock box on the door, and all is well.  You go to work on Monday, relishing the new face your house has to show potential buyers.  You're pleased with the outcome, and looking forward to arriving home to see how many showings you house had during the day.  You unlock the door, walk in, and find............ that your dog has done a little home staging of her own!STAGE it RIGHT! can "dress" any home and make it shine to potential buyers!  Call today for an appointment!  321-956-2495 04/15/2007

Your real estate agent is coming over in four hours, so you decide to do a little touch up painting. The phone rings.  When you finally get back to the task at hand you walk into the room and this is what greets you!We can only hope the paint is eco-friendly and easy to remove!  04/15/2007

As a home stager I have an eye, a knack, and a passion for staging a home.  What I don't have is an eye, a knack, and a passion for floral arranging, and I'm sure I'm not alone.  I can wander around Michaels for hours looking at the pretty flowers, wondering what I could do with them, if I only had an eye, a knack, and a passion.  Because I love to add beautiful bouquets to a staging, I've found myself paying more for a professionally done arrangement than my budget allows, till last summer.  I always take my camera with me and when I find an arrangement I truely love and know would work well with my current project, I take a picture of it, then proceed to walk the store and gather all the same elements that are in the finished product.  When I get home, I print the picture and set to w... 04/12/2007