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APRIL 2014

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE

Mother’s Day gift ideas for any mother

in brief

A brief Mother’s Day history

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Here’s what you need to know about Mother’s Day. n The driving force behind Mother’s Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated

the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. n Jarvis started the tradition of wearing a carnation on Mother’s Day. A colored carnation means your mother is living; a white carnation means she’s passed away. n In the beginning, people celebrated Mother’s Day attending church and writing letters to their mothers. Things have certainly changed. Last year, family members spent $20.7 billion

on Mother’s Day gifts. The average amount spent was $168.94. And spending for Mother’s Day gifts surpasses Father’s Day by 41 percent, according to the National Retail Federation. n Mother’s Day ranks third in terms of holiday spending, coming in after Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Father’s Day ranks fifth. Electronics are high on the gift-giving list, with 14.1 percent of buyers choosing something technology-

related for their mom last year. In 2013, an estimated $2.3 million was spent on electronics for Mother’s Day. The same amount was spent on flowers. n Mothers are priceless, but Insure.com did a study in 2013 that put a number on all she does for you. The various tasks moms perform at home were worth $59,862 a year in the professional world — that’s down $60 from 2012.

M-O-T-H-E-R “M” is for the million things she gave to me.

“O” means only that she’s growing old, “T” is for the tears she shed to save me, “H” is for her heart of purest gold; “E” is for her eyes, with love-light shining, “R” means right, and right she’ll always be, Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER,” A word that means the world to me.

— Howard Johnson

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Recycled Seat Belt Tote Bag of Many Colors $52, www.theultimategreenstore.com

Made of recycled seatbelt webbing, this Tote of Many Colors is an eco-friendly way to add a fun flourish to your summer trips to the beach or weekend getaways. With its versatile design and bold colors, this roomy tote will hold everything you need and want, even that extra pair of shoes. It’s durable and built to last.

Jenny Downing (979) 731-4660

Kyrstie Cox (979) 731-4665

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/shopbrazos Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. ©2013 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

April 25th

Jared Sterrett & The Hired Guns

May 16th & 17th 1st Annual Shuffle Fest

www.thewesternclubbarandgrill.com 9524 Hwy 6 Loop South • Navasota, Texas 77868 • 936-825-9070 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

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Building savings

Rock-Crete helps customers save money with foam insulation

By SHAUNA LEWIS The Eagle Rock-Crete Foam Insulators, Inc. in North Zulch can install foam insulation to save homeowners or businesses money on their heating and air conditioning bills while blocking out airborne pollutants, according to the company.

“We make homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, with fewer dollars spent,” said Greg Pruitt, who owns Rock-Crete with his wife Dianne Pruitt.

Greg Pruitt said he and his wife first brought foam insulation to the Brazos Valley area almost 10 years ago when they opened Rock-Crete, at 28555 Pleasant Grove Road. Rock-Crete can install foam insulation on new and existing homes, barns, shops, garages, restaurants and other buildings.

Pruitt said with a proper air conditioning system, foam insulation could reduce a heating and cooling bill by about 70 percent for a new home and 30 percent or more on an existing home. A 2,744 square foot home, for example, will have a heating and cooling bill of about $45 or less a month.

Rock-Crete works closely with an air conditioning

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source, and can help customers get set up with the right type of air conditioning. Pruitt said he most often recommends two-stage air conditioners that have the ability to operate at half of their capacity.

Pruitt was formerly a homebuilder for almost 20 years, so he is knowledgeable of the entire building process of a home. Pruitt encourages people to visit with him before construction begins on their home because he could help them save money.

The savings on an energy bill, along with building materials not used when foam insulation is used, often means the cost of upgrading to foam insulation on a new home is a “break even” or nominal charge, he said. The amount it costs to upgrade an existing home to foam insulation is typically recovered in energy savings within a year to five years. Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) also offers a rebate that pays 10 to 25 percent of the cost of foam insulation on existing homes.

the amount of foam for which they pay. All foam insulation installers are Rock-Crete employees, and are insured.

Rock-Crete workers have the advantage of experience with spraying foam insulation, so their foam insulation jobs look smooth, he said.

“Because of the 120 percent expansion, newcomers to the industry have a hard time making the foam look consistent,” Pruitt said. “Our employees have been doing it a long time, so when they spray foam, they really make it look good.”

The average foam company stays in business six months to two years, and four in the area have gone out of business, he said.

when applied, seals off every nook and cranny, while fiberglass cannot.

“Once you seal the attic, you lose that chimney effect,” he said. “It’s the No. 1 problem with homes, and we fix it.”

In the summer, when an attic without foam insulation would be 140 degrees, it would be 77 to 85 degrees with foam, Pruitt said. In the winter, an attic that would be 30 degrees without foam insulation would be about 65 degrees with it.

Foam insulation also seals the building against airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, odors and other pollutants. Foam insulation,

along with proper HVAC air management, helps ensure that the indoor air quality is healthier than outside air, Pruitt said.

Foam insulation is also environmentally friendly. It contains no ozonedestroying chemicals, and its high efficiency allows buildings to be heated or cooled with the least possible consumption of the natural resources required to produce energy, he said.

Rock-Crete’s foam meets all of the latest code requirements, as well.

Other insulation and services

best type of insulation, Pruitt said, Rock-Crete offers fiberglass, rockwool and cellulose insulation, too. Another option is that customers can choose to get a combination of foam insulation with one of the other three types of insulation.

Rock-Crete also offers roof coating to repair leaks on metal roofs.

More information For more information on Rock-Crete and its services, visit www.rockcretefoam.com or call 1-888-269-9949, 936-3994674 or 979-229-3493.

Although foam is the

“Rock-Crete’s nearly 10 years of business speaks of continuity. Our experience stresses quality,” Pruitt said. “With us, you actually get what you are paying for and are not shorted. Usually a bad foam job will outperform a good fiberglass job, but foam done right gives astronomical savings.”

Rock-Crete’s prices are competitive and often less than other foam

How foam insulation works

insulation providers, Pruitt said, and unlike some companies, Rock-Crete has a quality control program to ensure that customers get

Pruitt said the problem with most homes is the “chimney effect,” in which warm or cool air goes into the attic and outside the house. Foam,

Greg Pruitt owns Rock-Crete in North Zulch.

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Rock-Crete installs foam insulation, which seals off every nook and cranny, and prevents warm or cool air from escaping.

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Vintage Bicycle Planter

Matte Tulip Floral Vase

$149.95, www.plowhearth.com

$60, www.luluandgeorgia.com

The nostalgic look of this Vintage Bicycle Planter is enhanced with spinning flowers on the wheels and a prismatic solar light in front. Fill the lined faux wicker baskets with plants or flowers for some extra color. This unusual piece is a cheerful addition to yard or garden.

Bring the outdoors in with this delightful vase by Lulu and Georgia. A spray of tulips dances across the transferware glass for a light and feminine touch. Perfect for spring blooms and all through the year.

Vintage

GARDEN

BEAUTY

By Melissa Erickson | More Content Now

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the mom who likes to get dirty in the garden, or who simply admires the beauty of nature.

Poppy Rain Chain $59.95, www.gardeners.com

Tame a downpour with a pop of color with the Poppy Rain Chain. Water will gently cascade from your roof valley or gutter over the poppy-shaped cups of this 8-foot chain, then to the ground or into your rain barrel. Rain chains are a centuries-old way to tame downpours and prevent mud and mulch from splashing onto the house and foundation plantings.

Peep On Chirping On! Herb Pot Set

Western Chief Woman Vintage Floral Boots

$34.99, www.modcloth.com

$34.99, Murdochs.com

Keep on gardening with this chipper herb pot set by Wild & Wolf. This British brand captures the spirit of innovation, while also supporting the organization WaterAid, which helps provide clean drinking water to people around the world – and makes this vintage-inspired set of three even sweeter. A charming little bird warbles on the ivory surface of each enamel pot, accentuated by mint-green trim. A stylish home for prized herbs and succulents, these pots add chic flair to your dwelling.

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Garden in style with the Western Chief Woman Vintage Floral rubber boot. Waterproof with a natural rubber sole, these mid-length boots have a cushioned removable insole, side strap detail and a comfy cotton/knit lining.

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Beat the cold and heat!

WE ARE NOW OFFERING A VARIETY OF INSULATION OPTIONS:

FIBERGLASS

CELLULOSE

FOAM

FAIR?

BETTER

BEST!

Rock-Crete Foam Insulators customers proclaim how comfortable they have been in the cold climate. They laugh at the cold and the heat. Best of all they have been Warm! It is cold now, but this cold could be followed by a hot summer. Why not get your house insulated or brought up to code before the Summer Heat begins? If you’re a BTU customer, you could still get 10-25% rebate incentive for existing buildings! Have not seen any commercial customers take advantage of this offer. Now is the time to let Greg Pruitt evaluate your insulation/AC needs. Get the problem fixed and get paid to do it!

Not ready for foam, but feel the blown fiberglass in the attic is not doing its job? We can install premium Applegate stabilized cellulose insulation on top and redeem the R-value of the fiberglass insulation, call us for a free quote for an inexpensive way to make your house more comfortable and economical to heat and cool.

Let m e Over , Greg Pru 2 use l 000 hap itt show p y ess e laugh lectr y custom ou how. icity. ers n at ut M o il and w ity bills d y custom w u e inter. r r You c ing summ s an to er o.

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When you INSULATE with RockCrete Foam Insulators it is the last time. Rock-Crete foam reduces your temps, and your bills, typical savings is from 30-70%

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