Applications Now Accepted for Home Heating Equipment Rebates

               
Rebates are now available to help

Pennsylvania residents conserve energy and save money by upgrading their home heating systems, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said today.

The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program offers rebates of up to $500 toward the cost of replacing non-electric residential hot water heaters, furnaces and boilers fueled by home heating oil, natural gas or propane with more efficient, ENERGY STAR-rated units.

The $11 million program is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“With the home heating season ending, many Pennsylvanians may now be thinking about replacing their old, inefficient heating systems,” said Hanger. “The Home Heating Rebate Program offers a financial incentive to upgrade two of the largest areas of energy use in a typical household—heating and water heating. It was designed to complement conservation efforts and rebates offered by electric utilities to upgrade household appliances.

“By focusing our federal Recovery Act money on heating and water heating, we are encouraging our residents to make investments in their homes that will enable them to save substantial amounts of energy and money over the next two decades,” he added.

Pennsylvania residents may reserve a rebate online at www.paheatingrebates.com. Those without Internet access can call 877-592-2061.

Read more...

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Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

St. Brendan's Organic Salmon Recipe

     
Here is a great Salmon dish to to help usher in the springtime.  This sounds great after a long cold winter.    

Grilled St. Brendan's Organic Salmon with Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

4- 8oz. filets of  St. Brendan's Organic Salmon

For the Rub:

2T extra virgin olive oil

1T chili powder

juice of 1 lime

1T chopped fresh cilantro

For the Salsa:

2 mangoes peeled, flesh removed from the pit and chopped

juice of 1 lime

1T fresh cilantro

1/2 red pepper diced

1/2 red onion diced

1/2 jalapeno pepper, split, seeds removed and chopped fine

salt to taste

Directions:
Combine salsa ingredients and toss gently varying the heat by adding the jalapeno slowly. Allow this to sit and combine flavor for 2 hours.  In a ceramic or glass dish combine the rub ingredients and pour over the salmon filets. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.

Grill over hot coals, or on your gas grill set on medium for approx 8 minutes per side to cook through. Spoon some salsa over top and serve.

Serve this dish over a bed of spring greens dressed lightly with some good balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

I like to serve salmon with a Pinot Gris.

Enjoy with friends and family!

This article was submitted by Marc BrownGold of  JustEat by BrownGold
 
Marc BrownGold
JustEat by Brown Gold
JustEat Facebook
267-247-2605
 
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Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Superior Woodcraft and Kat Robbins Interiors Exhibit @ GreenChic Living

    

GreenChic Living

Featuring Superior Woodcraft and Kat Robbins Interiors along with other fine, eco-chic products, food, fashions and services in our area.

Hear Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability for the City of Philadelphia speak about our city's plans for the future. See models showcase bamboo and organic clothing. Watch recycled jewelry made on site. Other highlights include solar innovations, local beer, liquor distillers and restaurants, a beauty bar, Superior Woodcraft's custom cabinetry, Stone Glidden and more!

Proceeds to benefit the Sustainable Business Network
(SBN) and Schuylkill Banks.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Crystal Tea Room
100 South Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Tickets $15.00 online, $20 at the door
http://www.greenchicliving.eventbrite.com/

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Superior Woodcraft Supports The Travis Manion Foundation

     

Superior Woodcraft donates custom table to honor Travis Manion and all the military men and women and their families.
     

Please help Superior Woodcraft support the Travis Manion Foundation's mission to assist the families of Fallen Heroes, Wounded Warriors and our entire military at their annual Memorial Event. It promises be a memorable and fun-filled event to include lunch, dinner, cocktails, prizes and an exciting auction featuring a custom table handcrafted by the artisans at Superior Woodcraft of Doylestown, Pa.

                                                                                                                                                

Your contribution enables the foundation to carry forward a legacy of those that have given so much of themselves for this country and our freedoms, and make a significant impact by helping our military community and future leaders.

If you would like to attend the Dinner Event and Auction or would like additional information please contact 215-348-9080.

3rd Annual 1stLT Travis Manion USMC Memorial Event

Monday April 26th, 2010

Doylestown Country Club

Doylestown, PA

Travis Manion Foundation on Facebook.
Team Travis

About Superior Woodcraft's custom table:

The artisans at Superior Woodcraft carefully handcrafted this heirloom-quality custom table, using traditional mortise and tenon construction to join a set of turned legs with a decorative valance apron. The solid oak base is hand-stained, painted black and then artistically distressed to show the stained wood beneath. The top is a substantial 2 1/2” thick slab of natural solid cherry, rubbed with a food-safe oil finish suitable for direct chopping. This lovely piece is designed using the ‘golden ratio’; at 36” high and 22 ½” square this table provides a perfect area to prep meals and entertain at home.  Click on the photo to see an enlarged image.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft Blog

The 10 Dirtiest Foods You're Eating

        
The locavore movement is somewhat newer than the movement for organic and free range foods.  The ideas somewhat overlap, but there are particulare nuances between them.  Many look at these movements as simply trends or  fads that cost more money and don't provide any real benefits.  This article The 10 Dirtiest Foods Your Eating, might change your mind. Take a look at this information from the article .....Look for birds labeled "free range." Close quarters in the henhouse give bad bugs the chance to spread....  This doesn't mean that you shouldn't take proper precautions with free range or organic foods, but it does mean that you could be reducing the probability of getting sick from food born pathogens by chosing free range or organic food.  Take a look at this article  and see the number of times that organic and free range is listed as a solution.  The results could surprise you.

How Locavore Works is a great article that provides an introduction, history and details about the locavore movement. This is a great read for those who want to learn more about being a locavore.

The Doylestown Food Club is one possible solution to consider for those folks living in the Doylestown, PA area.  For others check to see if your area has a Food Club, CSA, organic farms and orchards.  You just might have a great time, find wonderful food and friends and improve the quality of food in your family's kitchen.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Superior Woodcraft and Kat Robbins Interiors Exhibit at 2010 Philadelphia Go Green Expo

   
Superior Woodcraft and Kat Robbins Interiors will be teaming up for the 2010 Philadelphia Go Green Expo.

Kat Robbins Interiors and Superior Woodcraft have partnered to exhibit sustainable furnishings and finishes for your home.

Visit booth # 108 at the 2010 Philadelphia Go Green Expo.

Go Green Expo
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
100 Station Avenue
Oaks, PA 19456

Go Green Business-to-Business Expo Schedule

Friday, April 16th, 2010 • 10am - 5pm
Go Green Business-to-Business & Business-to-Consumer Expo Schedule
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 • 10am - 6pm
Sunday, April 18th, 2010 • 10am - 5pm

Source:
 
Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Great News for Energy Star Customers!

   
For months, we have been updating you on the continuing changes from the Federal Government with regards to “Cash for Appliances” or Energy Star rebates. (Cash for Appliance Clunkers - Update, Cash for Appliance Clunkers) We are excited to announce that a program has finally been developed for anyone who purchased an Energy Star qualified appliance since July 1st, 2009. More surprising yet is that the program was developed and funded by PECO Energy.

Recent legislation out of Congress has placed caps on the amount of energy power companies can sell each year, beginning in 2011. Companies who fail to comply, or exceed their allotted usage, will be subject to government fines. In an effort to avoid the situation altogether, PECO has embarked on a major campaign to change the way we use energy in our homes.

The great news for the consumer is that you win on two accounts. First, purchasing an Energy Star qualified appliance is just good business. The savings in energy compared to the old unit will offset the purchase price in just a few years. Secondly, the rebate from PECO is a “no strings attached” check sent to you simply for choosing to upgrade an existing appliance. Better yet, the program is retro-active back to July of this past year.

For more information, visit the Homepage of  Bill Vandegrift for a link to the webpage on PECO Energy’s website. From there, you can download the rebate form to begin the process of collecting your money.

This article was contributed by James Bender of Bill Vandegrift, Inc.


Bill Vandegrift, Inc
450 E. Butler Ave
New Britain, PA 18901
215-345-1892
http://www.billvandegrift.com/

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Superior Woodcraft Supports The Mann Center for Performing Arts

     
Going, Going, Gone.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a handcrafted table by Superior Woodcraft of Doylestown, Pa.

You can own this table and support The Mann Center’s annual free Young People’s Concert Series at the same time.    How?  By bidding for Superior Woodcraft's custom table via the Mann Center's online auction.

About Superior Woodcraft's Custom Chopping Block Table:

This one-of-a-kind table, handcrafted by the artisans at Superior Woodcraft, features traditional joinery with solid oak aprons mortised into the carved columns. Additional storage space is provided below by a stretcher shelf with a beaded edge detail to match the apron.

A butcher block top of FSC-approved hard maple is treated with a hand-rubbed oil finish, suitable for use as a prep area for direct chopping. The exceptional construction, materials and care that go into creating this table will provide a lifetime of beauty and service for generations. Dimensions: 28” wide, 21” deep, 36” high.

About The Mann Center's Young People's Concert Series

The Young People's Concert Series plays a vital role in our community outreach, making high-quality and culturally diverse performing arts programs accessible to all children in an informal atmosphere. Performances by professional and emerging artists offer our young people a chance to experience and be inspired by the talents of others their age!

GO TO THE ONLINE AUCTION NOW.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Pennsylvania's Forests - The Commonwealth's Treasure

     
The Wood Products Industry has been identified as an important part of Pennsylvania’s economy and is part of the Lumber, Paper, Wood Industry Cluster. As an essential part of the Commonwealth’s economy this industry cluster has been identified as one of nine industry clusters in Pennsylvania that warrants public support and investment to help it prosper in order to benefit everyone in Pennsylvania. By supporting Pennsylvania based wood products companies you are helping to support the Commonwealth’s economy, everyone living in Pennsylvania and helping to support and care for more than half the land (17 million acres) in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is a national leader in the implementation and promotion of sustainable forestry practices that support a thriving forest products industry, while ensuring that the forests in the state are available to provide renewable forest products and other benefits for future generations.  

Even the Commonwealth’s name, Pennsylvania, highlights the importance and rich history of Pennsylvania’s forests. Pennsylvania was named in honor of Adm. Sir William Penn, father of William Penn. It means “Penn's Woodland.”

Quick Facts about Penn’s Woods:

No matter where you live in Pennsylvania, you aren't far from a beautiful forest. Our forests provide a multitude of products that we use in everyday life, an essential economic benefit to the Commonwealth, recreational and tourism opportunities, as well as providing habitat for wildlife.

• Pennsylvania is the largest producer of hardwoods in the country, accounting for 10% of the total hardwood output in the US.

• Revenues from Pennsylvania's forest products industry exceed $5.5 billion annually.

• Approximately 90,000 Pennsylvanians make a livelihood on the industry. Over 10% of the state's manufacturing workforce is involved in the forest products industry.

• There are over 3,000 separate businesses involved in the forest products industry, with a presence in every county of the Commonwealth.

• Every dollar paid to a timber owner for trees ultimately generates, through manufacturing, more than $17 worth of economic growth.

• More than half of Pennsylvania - about 17 million acres - is forest.

• Our forests are increasing in size. The Federal Forest Inventory shows 20% growth in the last decade.

• The majority of Pennsylvania's forests, about 70%, are privately owned, including 5% held by forest products companies. Approximately 30% of the forests are government owned.

Source: Pennsylvania Forest Products Association

For over 43 years Superior Woodcraft, Inc. of Doylestown, Pa has been privileged to use one of Pennsylvania’s richest resources – Pennsylvania’s forests. Because we benefit from their use, we must be active stewards. Our stewardship of natural forests is multifaceted: first, we strive to use these resources wisely. Many of the trees harvested to create Superior Woodcraft cabinetry took 75 years or longer to mature. Considering this fact, we feel that it is only fitting that our cabinetry provides long lasting beauty and utility. Next, we strive to purchase woods from companies that have sound environmental practices. Lastly, we firmly believe we have been given a special opportunity to use natural wood to add beauty, utility and harmony to our clients' homes and lives. It is our obligation to nature and future generations that we replace the trees which were harvested for our use.  .

As you can see Pennsylvania is is a national leader in the implementation and promotion of sustainable forestry practices that support a thriving forest products industry, while ensuring that the forests in the state are available to provide renewable forest products and other benefits for future generations.

By supporting Pennsylvania's wood products companies you are supporting Pennslyvania's economy, over half the land within the state, a valuable and renewable resouce, recreational resources, wildlife habitat and helping to purify our drinking water.  Sustainable forests and the use of wood for long lasting purposes also helps reduce greenhouse gases.  This is an additional reason why Superior Woodcraft's cabinetry is crafted to long lasting and used for multiple generations.

Growing forests sequester carbon by absorbing CO2.  This carbon is then stored in the form of wood. Think of the wood as a carbon bank; often times referred to as a carbon sink.   When this wood is harvested and used for long term purposes the carbon is stored (banked) for the life of that product.  In sustainable forests new trees are planted and start capturing more carbon to repeat the cycle and banking even more carbon.  Through the Hardwood Forestry Fund Superior Woodcraft helps to plant sustainable forests for future generations - "Too old to plant trees for my own gratification, I shall do it for my posterity." - Thomas Jefferson.

If you wish to support the Hardwood Forestry Fund you can use this form.

Pennsylvania's forests are truly a treasure for all Pennsylvanians - help support our treasure, support Pennsylvania's wood products companies.



Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Affect PA Farmers

State Representative Marguerite Quinn understands the importance to our overall state economy of protecting our number one industry from excessive restrictions. The success of the Pennsylvania farmer is important to all Pennsylvania residents. Not only do our farmers put food on our tables, but they contribute a large portion to the Commonwealth’s economy. Many farmers are already on shaky economic ground as prices for animal feed and other products necessary to agricultural operations continue to rise, while their already slim profit margins shrink.

Quick Facts:

Pennsylvania's 63,200 farms (occupying nearly 8 million acres) are the backbone of the state's economy, producing a wide variety of crops. Leading commodities are dairy products, cattle and calves, mushrooms, greenhouse and nursery products, poultry and eggs, a variety of fruits, sweet corn, potatoes, maple syrup, and Christmas trees.  Farm's with 1-99 acres in size comprise 64% of the farms in Pa while 32% of the Pa farms are 100-499 acres in size. 

Pennsylvania has 9 targeted industry clusters that are important to the Commonwealth’s economy. They are: Agriculture-Food Production, Building-Construction, Business-Financial Services, Education, Information-Communication Services, Life Sciences, Logistics-Transportation, and Lumber-Paper -Wood Products.

Information from Marguerite Quinn - Pennsylvania Farm Bureau - State Legislative Conference

The source of the following information is from State Representative Marguerite Quinn's Newsletter - News You Can Use.

Last week members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) visited the Capitol to educate members about the importance of maintaining a healthy agriculture industry because it is Pennsylvania’s number one industry.

One issue of great importance is ensuring new motor carrier safety regulations will not place an undue burden on agricultural operations. Pennsylvania had to update its regulations to meet a federally set deadline of March 31 to avoid losing $28 million in federal funding.

In an effort to shield farmers from the regulations, the Commonwealth has provided some exemptions to farmers during the growing season, which has now been extended to cover the entire calendar year.

The regulations do not change the ability of licensed drivers under the age of 18 to operate farm equipment weighing less than 17,000 pounds on roadways, but will place the following restrictions on farm vehicles:

-Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive a truck-trailer farm vehicle combination exceeding 17,000 pounds on public roads.

-Operators of single-unit farm vehicles traveling more than 150 miles from the farm must possess a medical certification.

-A record of vehicle maintenance must be kept for a single unit farm vehicle exceeding 17,000 pounds operating under a certificate of exemption.

-A pre- and post-trip inspection must be completed for a single unit farm vehicle greater than 17,000 pounds operating under a certificate of exemption.

The exemptions provided to agricultural vehicles include:

-Hours of service requirements and the keeping of logs and time records are waived during the growing season, while operating within a 100-mile radius.

-Pre-employment road testing and obtaining driving history requirements for drivers of farm vehicles are waived. The vehicle must be operated within 150 miles of the farm in order for this waiver to apply.

-Non-Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) farm truck drivers who operate beyond the 100-mile radius but within 150 miles of their normal work reporting location will not be required to keep logs, but will be subject to hour limitations and time-keeping requirements.

-Operators of single-unit farm vehicles within 150 miles of the farm are exempt from possessing a medical certification.

It is my understanding that legislation is being drafted to address this issue; however, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a warning that the proposed legislation would put the federal aid in jeopardy. Read the full release from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

I understand the importance to our overall state economy of protecting our number one industry from excessive restrictions. Many farmers are already on shaky economic ground as prices for animal feed and other products necessary to agricultural operations continue to rise, while their already slim profit margins shrink.

I will continue to keep you informed as information becomes available.

State Representative Marguerite Quinn

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog