How To Guide, 2019

GUIDE July 21, 2019

An advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune HOW TO GUIDE

2019

HOW TO

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I N DEX How To...

Cut Energy Costs this Summer ...................................................... 3 Choose a Stone Surface ................................................................ 5 Choose an Air Duct Cleaning Company ......................................... 7 Choose a Credit Union .................................................................. 9 Choose a Veterinarian ................................................................... 11 Keep a Happy Marriage in the Presence of Hearing Loss .............. 13 Pre-plan and Arrange a Funeral .................................................... 15 Protect Wood Floors from Inclement Weather.............................. .............................. 16

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July 21, 2019

HOW TO... cut energy costs this summer Summer is a season of rest and relaxation. Warm air and abundant sunshine often inspire a laid back feeling that lasts until the leaves begin to fall off the trees in early autumn. But summer also can be hard on homeowners, particularly in regard to their monthly energy bills.

As summer heats up, energy bills may rise right along with the mercury in the backyard thermometer.

Warmer temperatures outside compel many people to rely more and more on their air conditioners, leading to a spike in energy bills. Fortunately, there are ways to lower summertime energy bills without sacrificing comfort on hot days and nights.

• Upgrade your insulation. People who own their homes can conduct an inspection of their homes’ insulation to see if it can be upgraded. Direct Energy, which provides energy to more than four million home and business customers across North America, recommends sealing any drafts around windows or doors with weather stripping or spray foam. Sealing drafts can ensure cool air stays inside the home on hot days, potentially preventing homeowners from having to run their air conditioners on full blast to keep their homes cool.

• Upgrade your thermostat. Homeowners who don’t already have a smart thermostat can install one to help lower their energy costs. The Alliance to Save Energy notes that such thermostats can help homeowners optimize their homes’ energy usage. Smart thermostats allow homeowners to control the climate in their homes remotely while also showing homeowners their energy consumption in real time. Smart thermostats can show July 21, 2019

homeowners just how long it takes to cool a home, allowing homeowners to keep their air conditioners off while no one is home but still ensuring the home is comfortable, and that no energy was needlessly wasted to make it so, when they arrive home at night.

• Reconsider how you use your appliances. Bankrate. com notes that washing machines and dishwashers consume the same amount of water and energy whether these appliances are full or not. Wait to use washing machines and dishwashers until you have full loads. This provides more bang for your buck. In addition, hand-dry dishes and hang clothes on a backyard clothesline to save even more energy.

Energy costs tend to rise when summer hits full swing. But a few simple measures can help homeowners cut costs without sacrificing comfort.

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July 21, 2019

HOW TO... choose a stone surface Finding the Perfect Countertop When choosing your countertop, first ask yourself if you want a traditional or contemporary look. Traditional tends to have more earth tones, where Contemporary shows more greys and whites. Next decide whether you like a consistent pattern, or like the movement or vein look throughout the slab.

Something else to consider, is the lighting in your space. If you have a smaller space with little natural light, you will want to stick with a lighter color countertop. If your space is open and has lots of natural light, a darker countertop color would work.

After finding the perfect countertop, it is time to decide on the various fabrication options. First you want to select your edge profile. We have over 9 standard edge profiles to choose from along with many upgrade options. Next, choose the installation type for your sink. Undermount or Self Rim? With undermount sinks, we use a mechanical bracket that supports the weight of the sink and secures it underneath your countertop. We use a 30-year silicon to seal the sink to the countertop. Self-rim, or Top Mount sinks are supported by the countertop and rest on top. The last thing to think about is what type of backsplash. There a few options, if the backsplash needs to go all the way up to your upper cabinets, you can either choose tile or use the same countertop material as backsplash. If you don’t need to go all the way to the uppers, another option is to run a 4-6� strip of countertop material along the walls.

Decisions are made. Time to template the project. We use a laser template system to collect 2D and 3D data. After collecting the information, our template technician will go over some final details such as seam placement and outside/ inside radii. Once our programmer receives the data from the template technician, we can get you involved in layout with our state of the art layout software, where we have high resolution pictures of all of our slabs and can drop the templates on the slabs to show the various options in layout.

After all the data is processed, it is time to get cutting.

At Granite Concepts, we use a Saw-Waterjet CNC that can perform any straight cut with a Diamond blade, while finishing up arcs, inside/outside radii, sink cutouts, and cooktop cutouts with a very precise waterjet, giving us the upmost precision.

Once the CNC is done cutting out the tops, our fabrication team with a combined 20 years of experience will make sure the hand polish is perfect on your countertops.

Finally, Time for installation. Our installation team will arrive and carefully assemble your countertops in your home. After the install is complete, they will go over the routine care and maintenance to help your countertops look as good as new for years to come.

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July 21, 2019

HOW TO... choose an air duct cleaning company In today’s well-sealed homes, when particles, pollution, chemicals and mold spores get in, they have trouble getting out

vsmr (ventilation system mold remediator) duct cleaning certification? Are they a member of the better business bureau? If so what is their rating? What is their dun bradstreet rating?

Be sure to keep your heating, and ventilations system

Pricing

B EF O RE

Has this company provided you a competitive price?

Beware of the $99 whole house special sales gimmick. Check with other neighbors, or co-workers.

A FT ER C L E AN IN G

Is this a side line service for them?

Beware of low duct cleaning pricing if their real business is selling equipment & furnace parts? Make sure you have a bid from another heating dealer before letting your-self fall into this sales gimmick. Have a complete list of all major components of your hvac system you want cleaned before the cleaning begins.

Safety Job safety should be a top priority this means they employ the ‘best practices’ for safety at all job sites. Ask the company for their safety ratings? Do they use environmentally friendly, non-toxic, air purification products?

Quality control clean and well maintained so your indoor air isn’t worse than the air outside.

Experience How many years has the company been in business? You don’t want a fly by night business touching your expensive hvac equipment. Ask for their proof of licensing and bonding and liability insurance. Do they have contractor/public works licensing? Do they have local references? Ask neighbors, or co-workers about them.

Qualifications Is the company certified by the national air duct cleaning association (nadca) which has strict standards relating to training, equipment, cleaning procedures and ethical behavior. Do they have experienced technicians that have earned the prestigious ascs (air systems cleaning specialist) designation, as well as cvi (certified ventilation inspector) July 21, 2019

Ask what are their qc policies?

Customer survey’s on every residential jobsites? Visually inspection larger projects? To assure quality control, larger projects need completed reports for the facility or project manager.

Get your money’s worth, check references, how long has the company been in business? Ask for proof of licensing/ insurance!

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Proud Supporters and Volunteers in our Communities

Over 5,000 volunteer hours are donated to our local communities each year by P1FCU staff.

Your community, your credit union.

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HOW TO... choose a credit union The Credit Union Difference You’re a customer in every other aspect of the world – why not choose a credit union and be a member instead of being just another number? When you’re part of a credit union, you are a member AND an owner. You have the right to vote regardless of how much money you have on deposit, and you have the opportunity to run for the Board of Directors. Because the board is governed by volunteers, you can be sure that your credit union is looking out for your best financial interests, and not that of a stockholder group.

Financial Education for Members Credit unions look to improve the financial literacy of all members, with the hope that everyone can become a better educated consumer when it comes to financial services.

Offering tools and services to help achieve goals and financial wellness is just another way that your credit union looks out for you.

Choose a Convenient Location In an era of convenience-first, having readily accessible branches and ATMs is a priority for consumers. With 16 full service branches and two lending centers, P1FCU provides easy access for members across North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Additionally, as part of the Co-Op Shared Branching Network, members can access funds at nearly 30,000 ATMs and more than 5,000 branches across the 50 states.

Look for Beneficial Products and Services Your credit union should be your go-to for your financial needs – no matter where your life takes you. From standard products including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and consumer lending to expanded services such as commercial lending, merchant services, and mortgages, P1FCU can provide economic value to each and every member. Because credit unions are not-for-profit, loan rates can be lower, savings rates can be higher, and fewer service fees may exist.

People Helping People Your credit union should give back to the people and places that it serves; after all, it’s their community, too! P1FCU July 21, 2019

believes in enhancing the lives of those in the communities we are part of, in ways such as sponsoring events, monetary donations, and volunteering time and energy. In 2018 alone, staff members at P1FCU donated more than 5,000 hours of volunteer time to our communities. Investments aren’t always dollars and cents – sometimes, it’s about the time and the commitment to make the communities we live in just a little bit better.

How to Get Started Choosing where your finances belong is no longer a pointand-choose decision – our lives have become incredibly specialized and your financial institution should be up for the challenge of enhancing your financial situation, not hindering it. Visiting an institution’s website and Facebook page can help show you the products and services offered, as well as the qualities that set them apart from the others. Above all, your institution should have your best interest in mind with a people-first philosophy that you can count on no matter where your journey is headed. Find out more by visiting us online at p1fcu.org.

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MEET THE RUSTEBAKKE TEAM! Being of service to our patients is the definition of our purpose and the mission of our practice. We provide a highly trained and professional staff with state of the art equipment and technology. At all times, our clients and patients are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.

David A. Rustebakke, DVM

Rachel Micek, DVM

Christina Bustamante, DVM

Geoff McGee, DVM

Amy Keenher, DVM

RUSTEBAKKE VETERINARY SERVICE OFFERS: • EQUINE medicine, surgery, reproductive services & dentistry, and help with behavior and training problems.

• SMALL ANIMAL medicine, surgery, dentistry, reproductive services, full-service boarding and small animal grooming.

• BOVINE and SMALL RUMINANT medicine, surgery and herd health plus a haul-in cattle facility.

• LIVESTOCK supplies and vaccines.

• DIGITAL X-RAY SERVICES & ULTRASOUND • IN-HOUSE CLINICAL LABORATORY • ONLINE FEATURES including an animal pharmacy.

• OUTDOOR equine horse facility

Come say “hi” to LUCY, our official greeter, and ZIPPY, our office cat, on your next visit!

RUSTEBAKKE

RVS

Veterinary Service

(509) 758-0955 705 15th St., Clarkston www.rvsvet.com )B

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July 21, 2019

HOW TO... choose a veterinarian In today’s society, pets are generally considered to be members of the family. As such, they should be provided with the excellent health care that any member of your family deserves Many people neglect to bring their pets to a local veterinarian due to cost concerns. They tend to believe that it is simply not financially wise or necessary to provide their animals with regular health care. However, by ensuring that your animal has regular check-ups from an experienced professional, you can add years to your pet’s life and improve upon its happiness. We have the technology to pick up on potential problems long before they become actual problems.

You should never wait until your pet is sick to provide it with the health care that it needs. Many animal diseases can be prevented with regular check-ups, saving you time and money I the long run. Visits to the veterinarian will boost your pet’s health, allowing it to lead a happier, longer, and more vigorous life.

The process of searching for a veterinarian can seem intimidating. In the Tribune service area that should not be a problem; we are fortunate that in this area there are many competent veterinarians and veterinary clinics. Veterinarians in general are smart people, and most of us chose our profession out of our love for animals and our desire to help animals and animal owners. Most of us could have entered another higher paying profession with easier hours and better working conditions, however we chose veterinary medicine because we July 21, 2019

love what we do, and enjoy serving animals and animal owners.

We veterinarians do have differences. Some of us are more interested in working on a certain species, or in treating certain problems. We vary in our interests, our personalities, and our level of experience. Some of us may prefer surgery, some prefer treating medical cases. However in our region, none of us are incompetent. On social media, and online reviews you are likely to find that we all have our fans (doesn’t mean that we are better than anyone else) and our detractors (we all manage to offend somebody sometime, and even make an occasional mistake). Some of us may have payment policies that don’t fit your needs. Fortunately, there are choices.

So how do you choose a veterinarian? You may prefer to use a veterinarian who is located close to where you live.

You may choose depending on how well your personalities mesh.

Or you may choose based on what species or breed of animal you have; for example there are fewer of us who work on horses and cattle, that those of us who work on small animals.

I think in this area we are fortunate that you have several clinics and many veterinarians to choose from. My advice would be to make your final choice on who will be your veterinary medical professional based on how well they and their clinic fit your needs.

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HOW TO... keep a happy marriage in the presence of hearing loss Third, the programming of the hearing aids should be ontarget. This is a vital, and often overlooked, aspect of hearing healthcare. The amplification of the hearing aids should be exactly what you need at each frequency. No more. No less. This is what we call on-target. We test the aids while you are wearing Tom’s wife, Betty, had been suggesting that it might be them to ensure the programming is on-target. This is the best time to look into hearing aids. Tom was leaning in with his ear. method. Hearing aids should be comfortable for He was turning the TV louder until it was too you to listen through and comfortable to wear.

Hearing is the uncomfortable for Betty. Tom was growing Most important, hearing aids should allow you to more quiet. When he did converse, he relied sense most vital for understand speech. on direct eye contact. Betty was gentle, but companionship. insistent.

Ongoing support is also important. Better Most patients who come to our office either want to hear, or are responding to loved ones who tell them they can’t hear. What is less obvious is the greater effort it takes to communicate in the presence of hearing loss.

Caring for your

When Tom started wearing hearing aids, he hearing is not a one-day event. Hearing aids hearing will help you noticed changes. He realized that he had been need routine maintenance. With properly be your best. opting out of conversation because of the effort programed hearing aids, your brain will needed. He also noticed that Betty was less acclimate to the stimulus. While your brain drained. It hadn’t occurred to Tom that Betty was working harder acclimates, the need for slight programming adjustments is to communicate with him. She is relieved not to be working so natural and common. hard. Both have more energy. And they are back to doing more What to Look for in an Audiologist activities together.

You are entrusting your audiologist with so much more than Hearing Aids: What to Look For just your hearing. Consider the care that you are putting into There are three essential elements that make for a happy your audiologist’s hands. You need a thorough, comprehensive marriage with a set of hearing aids. When hearing aids are just audiologic evaluation. You need counseling to select the best not working for you, it’s because there is a problem in one or device for the unique shape of your hearing loss. And you want more of these three areas. the hearing aids to continue to provide optimal benefit.

First, no two people have the exact same hearing loss.

Audiologic evaluation. You want an audiologist with a high Each brain is unique in how it processes auditory input. Hearing level of expertise and clinical competence. Someone who has loss really includes two distinct but related aptitudes. The extensive experience fitting a wide variety of hearing loss profiles. aptitude that gets the most attention is the lowest volume you Hearing aid fitting. You want an audiologist who works can hear sound. But far more important for companionship is understanding speech. People also experience different listening with a variety of manufacturers and keeps up-to-date with the environments. There are people who are around a lot of ambient latest technologies. You want candor in your relationship. You want to work with an audiologist who asks the right questions sound. And some who lead much quieter lives. and understands how to make adjustments based on your Second, you need hearing aids that fit your unique experience. hearing profile. Hearing aids that work very well for a specific Your hearing aids. You want an audiologist who will ensure hearing loss profile can be a poor fit for another. Hearing aid the programming stays on-target. One committed to you manufacturers have different sound processing philosophies. enjoying the hearing aid experience.

To get the most benefit out of hearing aids, they should fit your hearing loss.

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HOW TO...

ensure peace of mind for yourself and your family

An option for seniors to remain at home

on their own healing and remembrance.

The second is that by prearranging you take care of urgent You’ve always strived to do things the right way in your decisions now and protect your family from unnecessary pain and life. Your good judgment, determination, organization, and expense. When that inevitable day arrives, you want your loved passion have helped you find success in both your professional ones to be focused on the truly important things and personal life. You’ve worked hard to build – remembrance, family support, and healing – not supportive, loving relationships with your “Death ends a life, making arrangements and decisions about your family and friends. Now you’re thinking about not a relationship ... funeral. Preplanning prevents them from having to prearranging your funeral because you want to do love is how you stay make considerable financial and logistical choices what’s best for your loved ones and for yourself. alive, even after you while under emotional duress.

Thinking about final wishes doesn’t mean that are gone.”

Third, is the peace of mind that comes a person’s sad, depressed, seeking to shock with knowing that you will say goodbye in a — Morrie Schwartz people, or looking forward to death. People way that uniquely reflects you and your life. By Tuesdays With Morrie preplan because they want to give their family prearranging your specific final wishes you ensure and friends as much comfort as possible on that

by Mitch Albom that your family will be guaranteed to have the difficult, yet inevitable day. Some do it because service you would have wanted on that important they’ve had a say in all the other major decisions day. Your decisions can shape how your family in their life and they want their funeral to be on their terms as well. and friends remember you and can help their healing process Others prearrange because they believe it’s just another part of with a personalized service that truly reflects your individuality and being a responsible adult. unique personality.

Whatever their reason may be, preplanning is a logical Finally, by preplanning and prefunding your funeral you decision that a rapidly growing number of people make each day. address funeral costs today and lessen the financial burden for More and more Americans have dispelled the antiquated notion your family down the road. Many people assume savings or life that death and funerals are taboo by taking control of their funeral insurance will cover their final expenses. Funerals must be paid for arrangements and finances well in advance. They’ve accepted upfront though and many life insurance policies or bank accounts that life follows a natural cycle and have decided that it’s simply aren’t accessible to families until well after funeral services are good sense to be prepared for the end. rendered. By funding your funeral in advance, you lock in the price of your specific wishes at current prices, avoiding rising 4 Key benefits to prearranging your final wishes: costs caused by inflation. You can then enjoy the rest of your life • Family Will Know Your Wishes confident in the financial relief you’ll give to your loved ones.

• Urgent Decisions Are Completed Now • Peace Of Mind Is Yours • Funeral Costs Are Addressed Specifically, there are four key benefits you should weigh as you consider prearranging your funeral.

First, it’s a practical step that lets your family know exactly what you want and minimizes disputes between well-meaning relatives. Your family and friends are the most important parts of your life, but without your clearly expressed final wishes, it will be up to them to try to reach a consensus during a difficult time.

Flowers, music, readings, and other simple decisions now can create feelings of animosity and disunity. Preplanning eliminates the guesswork and lets your loved ones have peace as they focus

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Prearranging your funeral allows you to show your love in a way your family will never forget. By taking care of all the details yourself – and well in advance – your preplanned funeral will exemplify the selfless love and generosity you have shown your loved ones throughout your life.

Nobody is eager to reach the day of their funeral, but taking control of that inevitable step and organizing your final wishes is simply the right thing to do for yourself and for your family.

Completing the preplanning process will create a great sense of clarity, joy and pride. You’ll have a renewed energy to live your life to its fullest with knowledge that you have accomplished something that your family will remember lovingly when the time comes.

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HOW TO...protect wood floors from inclement weather Wood floors are a worthwhile investment that can improve the beauty and function of just about any room in a home. Even though wood floors are durable, and new protective treatments help seal out many of the things that may have damaged floors in the past, homeowners still need to prioritize protecting their hardwood floors.

Certain seasons of the year can be more harsh on wood floors than others. For example, seasons characterized by moisture and precipitation, particularly the early spring, winter and fall, can be hard on wood floors. The experts at ServiceMaster Clean say that cold, snowy days can damage wood floors, and Lumber Liquidators agrees that winter weather can be harsh on flooring.

Homeowners need not give up on hardwood if they live in an area that sees all four seasons. They just need to take a few steps to keep floors looking beautiful.

• Clean up the salt. Salt that keeps sidewalks and streets clear of snow and ice inadvertently gets tracked inside a home. Hard chunks of salt can scratch wood floors, and, if left to sit, that salt can eventually cause white marks and other stains. Routinely vacuuming and sweeping up salt is necessary to protect wood floors.

• Invest in shoe storage. Wet or snowy boots can create puddles around the house. Have a special mat or tray by the front door where wet shoes can be kept. A nice bench in the entryway makes it easy for residents and guests to remove their shoes until it’s time to go back outside.

• Use water-wicking mats. Homeowners will probably need a few extra mats around to tame errant drips and wipe shoes. Any entrance that might be used by people or pets should be protected. Try to avoid petroleum-based, rubberbacked mats, as they could discolor the wood floor.

• Control humidity indoors. Cold, dry air in a home 16

can be problematic because the moisture in the wood can eventually evaporate into the air. The heat will suck that moisture from the flooring, causing it to shrink, creak and splinter and become more brittle. Think about investing in an in-line humidifier for the home’s HVAC system that can keep a moderate amount of humidity in the home. Hardwood floorboards are installed to accommodate minor temperature and humidity fluctuations. This is typically a range of between 60 and 80 degrees F with a relative humidity range of 35 to 55 percent, advises ServiceMaster.

• Use the right cleaning products. Avoid excessive water to clean wood floors, and select soaps that are specially designed for wood flooring. Consult with the flooring manufacturer for a list of detergents that are safe to use.

With proper care, hardwood flooring can survive rain, snow and cold weather.

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July 21, 2019