I adore photographing seniors and Lainey was no exception. We kicked around downtown Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to find some interesting spots. My favorite place was just a junk heap with tall grass and an old jalopy car.

]]> http://superiorhvac.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/important-home-maintenance-tips/ Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:11:28 +0000 superiorhvac http://superiorhvac.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/important-home-maintenance-tips/

Just like your car, your home comfort system needs routine maintenance to keep it running at its best. Without regular servicing, heating and cooling systems waste energy and are more likely to break down. But with the proper attention, they can keep you comfortable year-round.

Below are some basic tips to keep your system running efficiently.

Blowers
Tuning up the distribution side of a forced-air system starts with the blower. The axle should be lubricated; blades cleaned and lower motor checked to insure the unit isn’t being overloaded. The fan belt should be adjusted so it deflects no more than an inch when pressed. Every accessible joint in the ductwork should be sealed with mastic or UL-approved duct tapes. Any ducts that run outside the heated space should be insulated. On a hot-water system, the expansion tank should be drained, the circulating pump cleaned and lubricated and air bled out of the radiators.

Thermostats
While thermostats rarely fail outright, they can degrade over time as mechanical parts stick or lose their calibration. Older units will send faulty signals if they’ve been knocked out of level or have dirty switches. To recalibrate an older unit, use a wrench to adjust the nut on the back of the mercury switch until it turns the system on and, using a room thermometer, set it to the correct temperature. Modern electronic thermostats, sealed at the factory to keep out dust and grime, rarely need adjusting. However, whether your thermostat is old or young, the hole where the thermostat wire comes through the wall needs to be caulked or a draft could trick it into thinking the room is warmer or colder than it really is.

Humidifiers
A neglected in-duct humidifier can breed mildew and bacteria, not to mention add too much moisture to a house. A common mistake with humidifiers is leaving them on after the heating season ends. Don’t forget to pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain the unit. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. Mist-type humidifiers also require regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits.

Filters
Most houses with forced-air furnaces have a standard furnace filter made from loosely woven spun-glass fibers designed to keep it and its ductwork clean. Unfortunately, they don’t improve indoor air quality. That takes a media filter, which sits in between the main return duct and the blower cabinet. Made of a deeply pleated, paper-like material, media filters are at least seven times better than a standard filter at removing dust and other particles. An upgrade to a pleated media filter will cleanse the air of everything from insecticide dust to flu viruses.

Compressed, media filters are usually no wider than six inches, but the pleated material can cover up to 75 square feet when stretched out. This increased area of filtration accounts for the filter’s long life, which can exceed two years. The only drawback to a media filter is its tight weave, which can restrict a furnace’s ability to blow air through the house. To insure a steady, strong airflow through the house, choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.

If you are looking for a Oklahoma HVAC company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

507 last night was one for the books. The band was holding a benefit for band member Bryan Short’s uncle who was in need of a heart transplant. Over $1300 were raised last night! Thanks to everyone who came out in support. Now, other than raising money for a good cause we also had the chance to rock out like it was 1986! (Or.. you know.. the year I was born…) I turned a little Japanese but other than that there wasn’t any lasting damage- my hair isn’t still teased and, three jars of Vasoline later, I finally got those leather pants off. Basically, if you need ideas for that mix tape you’ve been wanting to make, come out to the next Stuck In A Decade show.

So now, on to big big big things…. and you know the Martyr guys  and big things run hand in hand… don’t you dare forget about this Saturday. As I already mentioned the new line is ready to go. It’s scratching at the door, whining and begging to get out. After talking to everyone in New Jersey it turns out Jenks in Point Pleasant is going to be crowded. I mean pretty much everyone is coming. Tattoo contest with $2000 in prizes judged by the Inked Up Angels, Scarlet Carson’s CD release party, and the entire Martyr family make this a night you probably shouldn’t miss. Besides, tattooed chicks, rock stars and a gorgeous blogger running around? I take it back- this isn’t a night you probably shouldn’t miss, this is a night you most definitely can not AFFORD to miss.

See you Saturday at 9 PM (or at 10 PM for a $5 cover),

Love and life,
Ché

Hello!

It is an exciting day here at Martyr as our website is just about to launch, our clothing line is ready for all you anxious Martyrs and our blog is finally up! I can’t even begin to explain the enormous magnitude of today… which is.. January what? Oh, January 21st. Right, also known as Martyr Day from here on out. Every January 21st we will celebrate by blogging, selling clothes and listening to great music. And as today is the first of many Martyr January 21st’s to come, we are celebrating BIG. Tonight at 507 in Belmar, Stuck in a Decade will be playing their catchy, second time around jams. Come have a few drinks with us tonight as we kick back and celebrate the end of Thursday and welcome in Friday.

If you can’t come, don’t forget that Saturday is another chance to hang with us (we’re very awesome). So here’s the deal, Jenks in Point Pleasant is hosting a Tattoo Contest. $2000 in prizes will be awarded in different categories such as best color, best black and white, and best over all. The contest is judged by none other than our Inked Up Angels. But, just as awesome is the fact that this is also Scarlet Carson’s “Burn It All” CD release party. Doors open at 9, and there’s only a $5 cover charge after 10 p.m. So look under your couch, mow some lawns or cash in a few IOU’s and get out there. Not to mention our new line will FINALLY be available and will be making it’s live debut on Saturday as well. Be easy, it’s the lines first time at Jenks. It might get a bit sloppy, but you know what it’s like…

Anyway, enough about us. How are you doing? How’s your January holding up? Finding time to not keep your resolutions yet? Keep on keeping on.

-Ché

(From the Poetry Center’s website.)

Next Word in Poetry: Philip Jenks, Akilah Oliver,
and Brandon Shimoda
Thursday, January 21, 8:00 p.m.

Also: On Friday, January 22, at 4:00 p.m., the Next Word poets return for a panel discussion.

Philip Jenks was born in North Carolina and grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia. Flood Editions published his first volume of poems in 2002, On the Cave You Live In; a second volume of poems, My First Painting will be ‘The Accuser’, was published by Zephyr Press (2005). He has also published two chapbooks, The Elms Left Elm Street (Plane Bukt, 1994) and How Many of You Are You? (Dusie, 2006). He collaborates with Simone Muench, publishing Little Visceral Carnival (Cinemateque Press, 2009) and with Sasha Miljevic, publishing Distance, an ekphrastic hybrid of prose and poetry (Dutch Art Institute, 2009). He recently completed his third manuscript, Colony Collapse. He teaches at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He plays drums and sings with the Howling Hex. He is a vegan committed to having mercy for all animals.

A poet, performer, and teacher, Akilah Oliver is the author of the she said dialogues: flesh memory, recipient of the PEN Beyond Margins Award, and her performance with collaborator Anne Waldman can be heard on the new CD, Matching Half. Oliver has been an artist-in-residence at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Los Angeles, and curator for the Poetry Project’s Monday Night Reading Series. She is the co-founder of the avant-garde feminist performance group The Sacred Naked Nature Girls, and is on the faculty of the Summer Writing Program at Naropa University. A Toast in the House of Friends is dedicated to her son, Oluchi McDonald (1982–2003). She currently lives and teaches in Brooklyn.

Brandon Shimoda was born in the USA, and has since lived and worked in nine states and five countries. His collaborations, drawings, and poems have appeared in print, online, on vinyl and on walls, as well as in The Alps (Flim Forum Press), The Inland Sea (Tarpaulin Sky Press) and O Bon (forthcoming from Litmus Press). He currently lives in the USA.

Okay so we’ve been away for quite awhile, and while we apologize for nothing we are glad to be back for the new year and to be bringing you all that Roman is Burning has to offer (not saying much but hey it’s a start).

Seeing as the calendar has flipped on a new year and a new decade we thought it would be fitting to start off with some resolutions for our beloved Chicago sports teams.  Since 2009 was an up and down year across the Chicago sporting landscape we think that each team should have a few things to work on in 2010.  So without further ado let’s begin…and welcome back Burn Out Nation.

Chicago White Sox

First and foremost stop pretending it’s 2001 with some of your free agent signings.  Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones were excellent ball players back in their day, just happens that day was several years ago.  The Sox should also look to trade closer Bobby Jenks as soon as possible.  I know this isn’t a popular move amongst most White Sox fans but it’s the smart move.  You have J.J. now to go along with Thorton so the 8^th and 9^th innings should be taken care of.  Bobby is starting to break down but still has the ability to close at a high level, why not get something for him before its too late?

Chicago Cubs

STOP GIVING STUPID CONTRACTS.  That should be their only concern moving forward, however seeing they ended 2009 (signing Byrd to a 3yr $15 million deal) almost as badly as they ended 2008 (trading DeRosa) I don’t know if there is much hope for the Cubs to keep this resolution.  The Cubs need to start thinking about the future and building up their farm system, I’m sorry to say Cub fans but I think the window is closed for the time being.  They need to ride out the Soriano, Fukudome and Byrd deals before they can think about contending for a title.

Chicago Blackhawks

If it aint broke, don’t fix it.  For the most part the Hawks are set; save for one small item, which is Mr. Brent Sopel.  He needs to go but his contract isn’t exactly trade friendly, the Hawks should trade one of their forwards for some defensive help and keep Sopel as a healthy scratch.

No Country for Old Sopel?

Chicago Bulls

Where to start with this one?  I think the Bulls could make enough resolutions for the entire city if they really wanted to.  They have set themselves up nicely for the 2010 free agent sweepstakes but for the season at hand they need to decide if they are in or out.  It seems inevitable they will just continue to coast and end up sneaking into the 7^th or 8^th spot in the East which will cost them a higher draft pick.

Resolution number two for the Bulls should be to make up their mind on the coaching situation.  Let’s be honest I don’t think that LeBron or D. Wade is going to want to come and play for Vinny.  So ride out the season with Vinny then in the off-season go get a big name coach, heck let LeBron or D. Wade pick who they want to coach.

Chicago Bears

The Bears have a whole host of off-season needs they need to fill but since we are working on resolutions they should resolve to send Jay Cutler, the Devins, Knox, Square Jaw Olsen and Earl Bennett to some warm weather area and make sure they don’t leave each others side until training camp starts.  Since they don’t have a 1^st or 2^nd round draft pick in the upcoming draft they are going to have to win with the offensive weapons they have.  It’s time to starting getting these guys in-sync with each other.

There you go, some simple resolutions for each of the Chicago teams that could help make 2010 a great sports year.  It’s good to be back Nation.

Tulsa Oklahoma, News Wire, 862 Foxy Newz; introduces itself as a source of media power for the public. Have you ever had the news ignore your story or issue?
Today we have a new release of power for the general citizen. Introducing over the next month 862 Foxy Newz. Tulsa, Oklahoma, Newest fair and accurate reporting for all to become self educated.
This power is a learning art with the concept of social media, lets work together and change the way we can tell our true set of facts and circumstances that lead to our at home issues.
It will be a innovative race for local news stations in Tulsa, OK., like news channel 8 KTUL, news channel 2 KJRH, news channel 6 KOTV, and not to ever forget Fox. It will be these stations that will have to create new jobs in the area of research and development in order to figure out how to compete with their new icon in the industry now known as 862 Foxy Newz., a news organization founded by David B. McDermott, II, a very controversial and successful citizen in Tulsa, OK.
McDermott, who is now the CEO and Founder of his own empire known as Go Junk, Junk Removal Service, 1-877-4GO-JUNK, seeks to cause a new source of media at a interactive level..
Details to be released soon. McDermott stated to this reporter that the reason he founded the new 862 Foxy Newz was to do one thing and one thing only, educate the public on how and why to use the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. “Silence is Consent Folks”
McDermott, a very powerful person with his words has taken on some of the heaviest hitters in the legal system Tulsa, OK., has ever had to offer. McDermott, quoted by some of Tulsa’s finest judicial members at the federal level as an “Idealist”.
McDermott is heavily known for his relentless attitude and will to remain involved with issues that most would drop due to the level of self sacrifice it takes to push certain issues through our legal system in the United States of America today.
Learn more as the popularity of 862 Foxy Newz grows on you.
Jordan LeMasters
Chief Student writer.
contact: Jordan, eight62foxynewz@yahoo.com

14 kids had minor injuries after one elementary school bus ran into the back of another bus. None of the kids had any life-threatening injuries. More buses came to pick up the kids without injuries.

Of course the link to the full story..  http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20091208_11_0_Police242043

from theflopbox.com

26 pages. 8.5″ x 5.5″.offset printed. stapled. black and white. 70p matt cover. limited to 300

26 artists each given the first letter of their graffiti name to draw. Featuring, Abno, Bonus, Cecster, Dr.Sex, Erupto327, Fword,

Grey, Honke, Isore, Jenks, Kofie, Lions, Mutes, Navy8, Optimist, Pysa, Qs, Ruets, Sibl, Twigs, Usuck, Vizie, Waldo, Xvae, Yetie, and Zeam .

Cover Illustrations by Rime / Jersey Joe

These photos I took were originally posted as two posts n January 2009.  Since I didn’t have time to write a new post, I thought I’d give you something to look at.  That’s my pet fish by the way.  I’ve named him Snuggles.  Enjoy.

I missed a few photos Friday. When I took the pictures I divided them into two folders: “Fish” and “Other.” Here are the “Other” pics.

Jenks High School's Jarrett Lake

Not surprising to this writer, the best high school football coach in the state of oklahoma – Allan Trimble, of Jenks High School – self-suspended himself (along with disciplinary measures for two more school sports administrators) today for helping provide a living arrangements for HS transfer, Jarrett Lake, who was also a future Bob Stoops and oklahoma sooners football commit. Not only was Lake given special housing arrangements, he was actually ineligible to play last season (and played in 8 games anyway), and to-date this season, he hasn’t played a single game. Because of his play last year, Jenks High School will have to forfeit nine games from its 2008 football season. Despite all of these accusations and disclinary measures, it sounds as though oklahoma will honor Lake’s scholarship offer, despite his lack of play this season or the trouble this incident has caused. Of course they will. Really did we expect anything different from Stoops?

First, cheating for land. Then, cheating at a car dealership. Now, cheating at the apartment rental office. Obviously, Bob Stoops’ recruiting efforts at the college level are rolling down to the high school level. Perhaps “boomer sooner” stands for every sooner recruit blowing up their chances of ever being successful at the next level; save Adrian Peterson – who was from Texas and kinda of knew better.

It’s unbelievable what high school sports are coming to. Eyes Of TX remembers clearly the blatant accusations that my high school supposedly recruited top basketball and football players from other areas around the state or country. To this day, that seems unreasonable and far-fetched, more importantly it was never proven. But, who knows what goes on behind the scenes at many elite high school or college programs in today’s environment?

SPORTS:

Can Oklahoma’s 6A high school football class be anymore of a joke? Allowing oversized schools compete against such smaller schools is not fair to kids that have no choice in what school they go to.

Have you seen attendance difference between the top MEGA SCHOOLS such as Broken Arrow, Tulsa Union, and Jenks and the new cattle being sent up to be slaughtered in 2010 in Bixby and Shawnee?

Broken Arrow (4,461.85), Tulsa Union (4322.43), and Jenks (2903.10) have over twice as much as some of the smaller schools. These numbers are ridiculous when you take a look at the number of people at the bottom of class 6A. Del City (1352.31), Bixby (1259.01), and Shawnee (1245.80), all which are more than half the size of Jenks alone. OSSAA Football Classifications (PDF)

Some people might be saying, “Why do I care?” well guess what, no other class has a 3,200 member jump from top to bottom.  Most classes are separated by hundreds not thousands of kids. The biggest difference in size is in 5A where Tulsa East Central (1242.30) versus Southeast (702.20), which is a 500 kid difference, not even close to 3,000 kids.

How can 6A truly be competitive with such a big difference? Well guess what? It hasn’t been, 6A state champions have been either Jenks or Union since 1995 when Midwest City went back-to-back in ‘94 and ’95.

Very few teams other than Jenks and Union have even had an opportunity to play in the championship game.

The OSSAA needs to forget about private schools having an edge because they can “recruit,” how about the OSSAA look into finding a solution to your biggest class being the biggest joke when it comes to football.  Force these teams to split into new schools or make 6A smaller and move more schools down to 5A.

If I had a kid that wanted to play football there would be no way I would send them to class 6A to go and get slaughtered.

Name This Sea Creature From The Oklahoma Aquarium

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Finding Nemo At Oklahoma Aquarium

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Spikey Fish At Oklahoma Aquarium

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A Star Fish? At Oklahoma Aquarium

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Blue Fish At Oklahoma Aquarium

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Just a random sim that came into the world with one dream… Become an astronaut. Brian was one daredevil of a sim and if going to the moon is not daring, then she doesn’t know what is. S0 first thing in the morning she got up with the eager wish to join the military career. With her mind set she got up to that front door, staring her destiny in the face saying, “Military Career, thy name is Brian Jenks, future astronaut” so she started her days as bathroom scrubber. After getting a job she visited the gym out of free-will and determination, but that as we know is not as easy as it sounds. After a day of pumping iron, Brian had become fatigued to the point where she herself could barely stand. Mags Newbie was waiting near her to use the shower and they began talking and hit it off really well.. that is until Brian, a child-hater, found out that Mags loved everything about families. It ended with a fight and Brian humiliating herself with a shameful loss. This loss made her realize that she needed more determination and perseverance if she wanted to complete her dream of becoming n astronaut and fulfilling her newfound wish of beating Mags in a fight. Nothing would stop her now. Going to bed early and being the first to rise would help Brian to get an early morning jog without running into anything unpleasant (such as Mags). She did this for days hoping that something would eventually come up and turn into the miracle she needed, so she kept at it with all her strength, however little that might be. So she kept on running day in and day out until that day. Brian had had a bad night’s sleep on her ragged old bed so she got up to go for a jog. After finishing her jog she noticed she had ran a total of 500km! A big accomplishment, and on top of that she got promoted with a bonus of over 500 simoleons! Things were looking up as she finally got to sleep on the brand new bed she’s been wanting since the big move into town.