Different Types of Grave Markers

A cemetery is a sacred place for it contains the remains of previous generations, loved ones, and friends. To identify or mark the location of the burial or internment of each person, some type of grave marker is used. Depending on cemetery regulations, the deceased’s last wishes, and the family’s finances, different types of markers can be used.

Here are some of the most common types of grave markers:

Headstones – Placed at the head of the grave, these markers can be made of many different materials including fieldstone, marble, granite, and cement to name a few.

Footstones – As its name implies, a footstone marks the foot of the grave and usually has the person’s initials carved on it. These markers are almost always found in marble.

Lawn Markers – Using carved marble or granite block or a bronze plate bolted onto a stone, this type of grave marker is mounted flush with the ground.

Companion Markers – This type of marker usually has two or more people mentioned with the most common being a husband and wife.

Niche Markers – These small marble, granite or bronze plaques are usually mounted on wall in mausoleums.

Ledger Stones, also called Grave Covers – Again, as the name implies, a grave cover does just that – it covers the grave. These markers are usually six feet long, by three feet wide and approximately four inches thick. They can be inscribed or used in conjunction with a headstone.

Temporary Grave Markers – Used to mark the plot after burial and before the permanent tombstone is created and installed, temporary grave markers have traditionally consisted of a card that was either typed or handwritten including the name, birth and death dates and occasionally a plot number. This card was affixed to a plastic stake.

Removable Photo Frame Temporary Grave Markers– These markers are revitalizing temporary markers. Invented as a different type of keepsake, this grave marker contains all the traditional information, but can also be fully customized and coordinated with the theme of other funeral stationery. Photographs, poems and additional text can be added to the temporary markers. Once the permanent marker is in place, the photo frame is removed from the stake and the family is presented with a unique keepsake.

No matter what type of permanent grave marker a family decides upon, temporary grave markers that convert to elegant, solidly crafted keepsakes are an ideal choice and are being well received by the funeral industry and the families served.

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

What Does a General Contract Do?

A general contractor provides commercial facility managers, homeowners and property owners with a single point of contact during the construction or renovation of a property. The GC, as he is known, will remain the common thread throughout the entire project.

A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.

Some of the types of projects a general contractor may be of service for include:

• Tenant build-outs are unique commercial remodeling services that require a great deal attention to the details and time management skills. Tenant build-outs are typically fast paced projects, as occupying the space is often linked with the client’s ability to create revenue. The quicker the project is completed correctly, the better it is for the tenant. Tenant build outs can occur in area malls, shopping plazas, medical offices, office centers, industrial parks, and national chain locations.
• New construction – as the name implies, new construction is constructing a new building for a client and is a common project for a general contractor. The goal is simple, to ensure that clients receive the best possible product, on schedule, at or below estimated costs.
• Renovations can include interior and exterior renovations. This type of project may be completed for almost any type of building be it a restaurant, hotel, apartment complex, condo, high rise, medical facility or shopping plaza. Renovations can be as simple as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or as extensive as completely updating the interior and exterior of the property including renovating the parking lot.
• Residential construction typically goes smoother when there’s a general contractor involved. When beginning a renovation, remodel, or home-building project, the builders input and knowledge is essential to the integrity of the finished product. Going at it alone can be a costly mistake.

Starting any project, a general contractor must first assess the project-specific documents. In the case of renovations, a site visit is required to get a better understanding of the project. The contractor will then calculate a price, also called an estimate. The general contractor will consider the cost of materials and equipment as well as the cost of the labor to provide the owner with an approximate price for the project.

A general contractor is responsible for providing all the material, labor, equipment and services necessary for the construction of the project. The general contractor hires specialized subcontractors to perform all of portions of the construction work. Responsibilities may include applying for building permits, securing the property, providing temporary utilities on site, managing personnel on site, providing site surveying and engineering, disposing or recycling construction waste, monitoring schedules and cash flows, and maintaining accurate records.

Implementing solutions for projects of all sizes, AFS General Contracting offers a wide range of services. Whether you're looking to renovate, repair, build-out or construct a new building, AFS GC is the only contractor you need to know.

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of services that can be customized to meet the needs of each client. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property maintenance needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

The Importance of Safety Signs and Pavement Markings

Reducing the risk of a personal or property injury at your commercial facility is probably pretty high on your priority list. Everyday pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and possibly public transportation vehicles may be in and out of your parking lot. Having pavement markings and safety signage to direct traffic, impose speed and parking regulations, and mark areas for pedestrian crossing is a must.

At ABC Paving and Sealcoating, we understand that ensuring safe driving is important to you. We can help you direct traffic; avoid confusion and accidents with caution signs, slow down signs, and other traffic signs. The traffic signs we install are constructed of durable material to last for many years to come.

Installing new signs either after your parking lot has been paved, or newly seal coated can improve not only the safety of your parking lot, but also the appearance.

Using U-channel signposts, the safety signs we install will stand for years due to the strength and durability of this type of sign post. Plus, they come at a cost savings compared to square-tube posts. Other benefits of U-channel sign posts include:

• U-channel signposts have been standing up to the hazards of roads and weather for decades.
• The configuration of U-channel posts makes it less susceptible to bending when driven into the ground
• U-channel can be installed by one person with conventional tools.
• Signs can be mounted on U-channel posts before they are installed in the ground
• All installation work is done at ground level
• Using U-channel posts cut post costs by as much as 58% compared to square-tube.
• U-channel posts yield and tensile strengths are approximately 25% greater than square-tube posts.

Road markings include stripes, shapes and symbols to denote the rules of the road by giving lane boundaries, guides for turning, crosswalk locations, and warnings of potential hazards. Pavement markings work in conjunction with road signs and traffic signals to give motorists a clear picture of the roadways characteristics. Because pavement markings are directly in the driver’s view of the road, they offer an effective means of communication.

In July 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. ADA compliance is in affect for every business big or small. ABC Paving & Sealcoating has the knowledge to keep your company compliant with ADA guidelines on re-striping and new parking lot layouts.ABC Paving & Sealcoating has expertise in line striping design and pavement marking layouts of parking lots to ensure effective traffic flow and compliance with ADA regulations.

Additionally, ABC Paving & Sealcoating utilizes the industry's highest standards of equipment and materials on every job.

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Setting Realistic Expectations for Dance Students

Learning how to dance can be a magical time for both students and their parents. Together, they can celebrate special moments as the child progresses through their dance lessons. Learning new steps or dance techniques and performing in public are all events to be acknowledged. However, pushing a child to continue dance lessons when they have no interest, or pushing them to achieve to a certain level at an accelerated pace are all setting the student up for failure.

Let’s take a step back and look at the process of learning how to dance. Once a professional dance studio has been selected, the parents, student and dance instructor can discuss a schedule and training that fits thee child best. Selecting a style of dance in which the child is interested as well as one that has music that makes them feel good will aid in their success.

As their lessons progress, parents will soon see that there will be physical progress in the execution of their child’s dance technique. The parents should understand that learning to develop dance techniques as well as performance choreography are an important parts of the students training; however, the development of a positive outlook on his or her unique movement abilities and developing a positive body image are key aspects to dance training.

Dance students should be focused on attending the dance classes to learn and to take on the responsibility of being a good student. Some noteworthy points students should take into account are that:

• Students are expected to make every effort to regularly attend all classes and to be on time.
• Students are expected to put forth their best effort and attitude in all dance classes.
• Students are expected to be well rested and well-nourished for each day.
• Students, and parents, must adopt a realistic idea of how much activity provides for a quality, non-injurious dance training regimen.

In return for the efforts of the parent and student, dance instructors should be highly qualified to teach students. The dance teacher should hold a degree in dance, be certified to teach dance, or have danced with a professional company.

The dance studio itself should be a warm and inviting place. The floors should be cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping and the studio should be clean and well-maintained. Additionally, in an effort to give students a chance to refine their skills, the dance studio staff should concentrate on seeking and offering performance opportunities locally and out of state for students of all ages and abilities.

Learning how to dance requires the efforts of not just the student, but the dance instructor, the dance studio staff and the parents. Each party should know what is expected of them in this equation so that they can all celebrate their achievements together.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Regulating Traffic with Speed Bumps

Most drivers and pedestrians have encountered one or more types of speed bumps. There are several different types, each with its own specific purpose when it comes to traffic and parking lot management.

Street speed bumps, known as traffic calming features are designed to cause drivers to slow down significantly in order to go over them safely. Placed across the entire roadway, with a space on either side for drainage, the speed bump is a bump in the road with heights typically ranging between three and four inches. The depth of speed bumps is typically less than one foot. The bumps serve as a reminder to drivers to watch their speed and making it impossible to speed through the areas in which speed bumps have been placed.

Commercial speed bumps on streets and in parking lots tend to be larger and made of high impact materials, such as concrete or asphalt. They can have stripes or the entire surface painted in embedded reflective tape or highly visible paint colors, such as yellow or orange.

In residential areas, speed bumps are used to reduce the speed of motor vehicles in high traffic or areas that have had speeding problems. These bumps are typically smaller in size and are made of lower impact materials, such as recycled plastic or rubber. They may also be painted orange or yellow or embedded with reflective tape for easy visibility, day or night.

Speed humps are used for the same purpose as speed bumps, but they are designed to be driven over at speed of up to twenty miles per hour without having to stop or slow down. This type of traffic calming feature is wider than the typical speed bump in that they are typically ten to fourteen feet in depth. Unlike speed bumps, which are intended to make drives stop abruptly, speed humps are designed to encourage a gradual stop and to remind drivers to maintain the speed limit. Speed humps can be used for different traffic and parking situations; however, they are primarily used in residential areas.

Poorly designed speed bumps can be hard to negotiate in vehicles with low clearance even at slow speeds. Speed bumps can also pose a hazard to motorcyclists, bicyclists, and even pedestrians if not visibly marked. In some cases, the speed bump will be designed so that a break in the bump in the middle of the road allows two wheel vehicles to pass without having to pass over the bump.

Controlling vehicle speed with a speed bump or speed hump is the most effective method to improve the safety of a parking lot, driveway or private lane. High visibility speed bumps and signs are the best way to communicate to drivers to keep their speed to a minimum.

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Parking Lot Maintenance 101

Preventative parking lot maintenance is an ideal solution to control deterioration of a parking lot and protect a facilities investment. It’s also the most cost-effective solution to maximize the life of the pavement while minimizing risk.

Keeping up with parking lot maintenance means as soon as a pavement first shows signs of wear and tear such as cracking and raveling, or deterioration of the pavement surface it is important to take the necessary steps to mitigate risk.

A commercial facilities parking lot promotes a positive image of the company. It also improves curb appeal and protects your investment.

Some of the more common parking lot maintenance services that commercial facility maintenance companies provide are:

• Sealcoating helps protect asphalt from the harmful effects of the weather as well as petroleum based products like gasoline and oil. Commercial grade coal tar emulsion base sealer, which meets and exceeds RP-355e specifications, is idea.
• Striping a parking lot enables a facility to direct traffic safely and efficiently. Using latex striping paint will guarantee a professional look in which the sealer does not bleed through.
• Asphalt repairs are necessary over time as newly applied asphalt surfaces begin to wear and break down as they are repeatedly exposed to elements such as water, sunlight and chemicals. The liquid asphalt that binds the materials together begins to lose its natural resistance to water, allow it to penetrate beneath the surface. Once this occurs the pavement can quickly fall prey to a number of different types of deterioration including cracks and potholes. Asphalt pavement repairs and prevention will increase the longevity of any asphalt surface.
• Asphalt overlays are popular approaches to pavement preservation because of their ability to provide improved ride quality, maintain surface geometrics, reduce noise levels, reduce pavement distress, reduce life cycle costa and provide long-lasting service.
• Traffic coating protects wearing surfaces like concrete or plywood from vehicular and pedestrian traffic abrasion, and in the case of concrete, protection from freeze-thaw damage and chloride induced corrosion with its destructive force on reinforcing steel. Where decks are elevated, these coatings provide excellent waterproofing for the occupied space below.

American Facility Services’ parking lot maintenance division is dedicated to maintaining the park lot and sidewalk areas for commercial facilities throughout the state of Florida. From pothole repair to lighting issues, our highly trained staff is continuously striving to be the best parking lot maintenance company in the state, to finish projects safely and on-time and to deliver high-quality results.

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of services that can be customized to meet the needs of each client. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property maintenance needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

Different Types of Dance Shoes

Dance shoes are very different from regular street shoes.Dance shoes of all types are designed to be lighter and fit the dancer’s foot snugly. Dance shoes provide support and balance as well as protection from the shock of movements across the floor.Each kind of dance shoe tends to be used for one specific kind of dance.

Here are some of the more commonly worn dance shoes:

Tap Shoes

Tap shoes are available in a variety of shapes, styles and colors. Tap shoes are generally made of four materials including leather, canvas, wood and plastic. Young tapers typically begin with Mary Jane style of tap shoes. More experienced dancers typically prefer flat leather oxford tap shoes. Tap shoes with heels are also available. These tend to be a little more difficult to balance on because they put more weight on the ball of the foot and the toes. More advanced dancers usually opt for split-sole jazz tap shoes, which allow more flexibility for performing advanced tap steps.

Jazz Shoes

Jazz shoes are a type of dancing shoe which is manufactured in both low-rise and high-rise styles. The shoes are intended to provide dancers with the necessary foot flexibility to make the required dance moves on stage. Some shoes come with a rubber sole that offers extra cushioning and absorbs the shock during jumps and other advanced moves. Most jazz shoes are made of leather or canvas and are available as slip-ons or with shoelaces. Some jazz shoes may be more flexible than others and have split-soles, which will make it easier to ben and flex your toes.

Ballet Shoes

Pointe shoes are a type of shoe worn by ballet dancers when performing pointe work. Point shoes developed from the desire for dancers to appear weightless and have evolved to enable dances to dance “en pointe” or on the tips of their toes for extended periods of time. They are normally worn by female dancers; however, male dancers may wear them when men are performing as women in dance companies. They are manufactured in variety of colors, most commonly in shades of light pink.

Ballroom Dance Shoes

Ballroom dance shoes can be worn for Latin ballroom dance, Salsa and Swing dancing. This type of shoe will have a thinner sole than normal street shoes. Most dancing shoes have a steel shank for support and are manufactured using flexible and lightweight material. Ballroom dance shoes should fit snugly, but not be toe-crushing. Slim heels for women make turning and moving easier; however, flared heels are preferred for the Latin dances because they provide more stability. Non-slip soles are essential; however, rubber sneaker-like soles can stick to the floor and cause knee injuries, and leather soles can slide too much.

Having the right footwear for the dance style you will be dancing is essential to prevent injuries and to perform at your best.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Are You Thinking About Talking Singing or Voice Lessons?

Learning to sing can be an immensely rewarding experience. Unlike any other instrument, your voice is part of you and learning to use it well opens up virtually limitless possibilities for self-expression.

Private voice lessons will enable you to learn all the essentials to singing at your best. Some key elements to learn how to sing are learning:

• The proper breathing techniques including breath support, relaxation and projection.
• How to increase your vocal range, volume, resonance, diction.
• How to warm up.
• How to strengthen your voice.

At typical voice lesson begins with exercises which will get you ready to work on moving up and down your vocal range. You will practice vowel sounds and proper breathing techniques. Lip trills, in which the student sings notes while making a “trilling” noise with the lips pressed together may also, be part of a warm-up. This exercise helps engage the diaphragm in breathing and teaches breath control. Another warm-up exercise would be where the student emphasizes each vowel sound, a, e, I, o, and u; however, they are pronounced ah, eh, ee, oh, ooh.

Once the warm-up is finished, the lesson will progress on in different fashions depending on the style of music the student would like to learn and how much musical experience they have already had. If the student doesn’t read music, for instance, the voice teacher may work on the basics of music theory while the student learns to sing by ear.

Whatever style of music the student selects, in the repertoire portion of a lesson they student will learn the melody of the song, how to sing it in the best way for their voice, and how to make the emotional aspects of the song shine through.

Perfecting the expression of a piece of music is an important part of learning to connect with an audience. Every style of music involves a bit of acting and using your facial expression and body posture in addition to volume and tone of your voice to make the feeling of the music more clear. Additionally, in every style a good voice teacher will teach you the most important lesson of all – to listen! Listening to recordings of great musicians and attending live performances will aid in every aspect of learning how to sing.

Whether you are a complete beginner who wants to learn the basics of how to sing correctly or an experienced singer looking for a voice coach to take you to the next level , Wagner Dance and Music can provide you the instruction you need.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

All Dance and Music Studios Are Not the Same

There are many options to choose from when looking for a dance studio for children in Arizona, although proximity is not necessarily the best way to choose a dance studio. In the East Valley; however, the choice is clear – Wagner Dance and Music. Here’s why: At Wagner Dance and Music our focus is on our students. We are continually improving classes, our instructors and our facilities.

Qualities of a Good Dance Studio

If your son or daughter is interested in taking dance lessons, here are a few things to be on the lookout for when selecting a studio:

1. Some dance studios are commercial in nature, or their focus is more on fun and recreation. Class sizes at these types of studios are typically large and their focus is solely on the annual recital. However, if you want your child to learn proper technique and receive quality instruction, you should seek out a professional dance studio with smaller classes and qualified instructors.
2. So, let’s talk about class size. The fewer students in your child’s dance class, the more individual attention your child will receive. A teacher can better manage and maintain control over a smaller class. Every dancer in a dance class deserves proper instruction and if he or she has a question, or need additional help, it’s important that the dance teacher is available to give that one-on-one attention.
3. Let’s face it, all dance studios aren’t alike and neither are the dance instructors. Your child’s dance instructor will make or break the success and the attitude of their students. Bad habits learned at a young age can be hard to break. Injuries can happen if proper technique isn’t taught and motivation of students can drop off if the dance teacher doesn’t know how to work with his or her students.
4. A good dance studio is built from the ground up, and that includes the dance floor! Dancing on the wrong type of floor can cause undue stress on bones and joints, especially for ballet dancers doing leaps and jumps. A professional dance floor is one that’s well-cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping. If the studio you’re looking at has a concrete floor – just walk out!
5. Your dance studio should always be providing their students and parents with the best experience possible. At Wagner Dance and Music, we are dedicated to quality performing arts education with a commitment to developing confidence and self-esteem for students of all ages.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Orlando Mayor Dyer Works-Along with OUC and ESA Renewables to Install Solar Panels on City Facility

Yesterday, Orlando Mayor Dyer worked along with OUC Vice President of Customer and Sustainable Services Byron Knibbs and ESA Renewables to install solar panels on the roof of the City’s Fleet Management Division Building. The solar project is part of Green Works Orlando, the City’s sustainability initiative to engage everyone who lives, works and visits Central Florida in the effort to “go green.”

“Through Green Works Orlando, the City is working to ensure Orlando remains one of the most environmentally-conscious cities in our country,”said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “A key part of our plan is investing in the next generation of clean, green energy, like solar, which will not only help us continue to prevent pollution, but also create new high-tech, high-wage jobs for our community and further diversify our economy.”

ESA Renewables Project Manager Kirk Kieffer, Orlando
Mayor Buddy Dyer, OUC Vice President of Customer and 
Sustainable Services Byron Knibbs and City of Orlando
Energy Manager Nate Boyd.

At the event, Mayor Dyer and Knibbs joined the ESA Renewables construction team to help mount the three-foot by six-foot solar panels to the roof of the City facility. When complete in February, a total of 1,392 solar panels will be installed in the three array system, which covers about 50,000 square feet.

View the work-along video.

Mayor Dyer installs solar panel. Photos courtesy of The City of Orlando.

“OUC is proud to help power Orlando’s designation as a Solar America City through projects like this,” Knibbs said. “In fact, later this year we will begin work on Central Florida’s first community solar farm at our Gardenia facility. The community solar farm will allow customers to purchase solar power without the expense and hassle of installing it at their home or business.”

The 417 kilowatt solar array is estimated to save the City $800,000 in energy costs over its 25-year life. In total, the project will generate enough energy to power about 43 average Orlando homes and offset emissions equivalent to planting 2,400 trees and taking 2,375 vehicles off the road per year.

“We are proud to be a part of the City’s efforts to move towards sustainable energy,” said Jeffrey Burkett, President of ESA Renewables. “Not only does this project contribute to the health of our environment, it also has a positive effect on our economy through the creation of 20 green jobs.”

Watch the Mayor’s interview on YouTube.

ABOUT GREEN WORKS ORLANDO:

Mayor Dyer launched Green Works Orlando in 2007, and since then the City of Orlando has led by example to promote environmental stewardship, educate people about “going green” and encourage others to incorporate a concern for the environment into the everyday workings of government and private business. Some of the initial successes under Green Works Orlando include:

• Achieved more than $1 million in annual energy savings
• Expanded the Downtown LYMMO bus circulator and began SunRail construction.
• Completed eight LEED-certified municipal buildings, including the first newly constructed LEED-certified NBA arena in the country
• Performed energy efficiency retrofits to 1,200 houses
• Planted 10,000 trees and established four community gardens
• Adopted the 2012 Municipal Operations Sustainability Plan

To engage more residents in the City’s sustainability efforts, Orlando has launched GreenWorksOrlando.com. This interactive forum allows Orlando residents to provide feedback and further the ideas of other residents as to how to continue to make Orlando a more sustainable and livable community. These suggestions will be used as the foundation for Orlando’s future sustainability plans.

ABOUT OUC:
Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides electric and water services to nearly 228,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. Visit www.ouc.com to learn more about our commitment to reliability, affordability and sustainability.

ABOUT ESA RENEWABLES:

Located in Lake Mary, FL, ESA Renewables has positioned itself as a leader in the industry providing turnkey solar PV systems globally. ESA owns and operates a diverse portfolio of more than 500 solar PV power generating facilities located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain and Italy. ESA’s scope of services includes financing, engineering, construction, testing, monitoring and operation and maintenance. With headquarters in Castellon Spain, ESA has additional offices in Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Italy. For more information about ESA Renewables, LLC, please visit http://www.esarenewables.com or call 407-268-6455.

ESA Renewables Secures Spot on Top 100 Solar Contractors List

The year 2012 proved to be an exciting one for ESA Renewables with many significant benchmarks including placing 25th on Solar Power World’s 2012 Top 100 Solar Contractors.

As we ring in the New Year, one thing is for certain, 2013 will prove to be an exciting year for ESA Renewables. New solar projects are on the horizon and ones under construction now will soon be commissioned. The solar industry in itself is expanding and growing with new demand. There’s no denying, future of solar keeps getting brighter!

Looking back on 2012, a few specific events come to mind that put in focus ESA’s achievements and growth for the year. Let’s recap them now:

1. The first event was receiving the Intersolar AWARD. In July of 2012, ESA Renewables was presented the Intersolar AWARD for Solar Projects in recognition of its Martins Creek Elementary School Solar PV project which demonstrated strong innovation. The Intersolar Award recognizes projects, both large and small, which utilize advanced technology, incorporate aesthetic and architectural concepts and exemplify outstanding services and products. ESA Renewables’ Martins Creek Elementary School installation in Murphy, North Carolina is one of the largest solar farms on school grounds in the US at 1MW. The system, which covers 5 acres, produces 20% more energy than initially projected: 1.3 million kWh of electricity. Some funds generated by the project equate to keeping approximately two school teachers employed annually.
2. ESA is expanding across the globe! In August of 2012, ESA announced its expansion to Central and South America. As part of the great strides ESA is achieving in these regions, the company opened a new development office in Chile.
3. Focusing on high quality workmanship, perfection of installation methods and quick commissioning, ESA was able to construct a 500kW rooftop solar installation in just three weeks from start to finish. The rooftop solar installation located in the Asheville, North Carolina area is expected to generate the annual amount of electricity as consumed by 45 houses in the area.
4. ESA’s fourth notable achievement happened just as the year was coming to a close. Solar Power World released a list of the Top 100 Solar Contractors of 2012. ESA Renewables was awarded the number twenty-five slot on the list having installed multi-megawatts of power in 2012. Having been founded in 2009, ESA Renewables is clearly a growing, stable and indeed an exciting place to work!

About ESA Renewables, LLC:

Located in Lake Mary, FL, ESA Renewables has positioned itself as a leader in the industry providing turnkey solar PV systems globally. ESA owns and operates a diverse portfolio of more than 500 solar PV power generating facilities located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain and Italy. ESA’s scope of services includes financing, engineering, construction, testing, monitoring and operation and maintenance. With headquarters in Castellon Spain, ESA has additional offices in Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Italy. For more information about ESA Renewables, LLC, please visit http://www.esarenewables.com or call 407-268-6455.

Funeral Candle Customs

The burning of funeral candles has been linked with death and the dead from ancient times.  Throughout history, mankind has developed such customs to express grief, comfort the living and honor the dead.  Today, customs performed after a person dies utilize funeral candles.  Their use crosses different cultures and different religions. 

Here are some examples of funeral candle customs: 
•    Catholics light votive candles on All Souls’ Day in memory of the faithful departed. 
•    Jews burn a lamp for 24 hours every year on the actual anniversary of the death of a loved one. 
•    Japanese celebrate the Feast of Lanterns.
•    During a Chinese funeral, a wake is held for several days.  Family members keep an overnight vigil for at least one night in which the person’s picture, flowers, and funeral candles are placed around the body and the family sits in wait.
•    A perpetual light burns on Christ’s tomb in the church of the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem. 
•    Mexican culture embraces death as a part of life; however, for Mexican Americans, it is still important for them to say good-bye to their loved ones.  Their customs call for elaborate funerals, long periods of morning, and family members bringing funeral candles to church to light at the altar for nine days following a death.

From the roots of civilization funerals and candles have existed.  Even the word funeral itself was derived from the Latin word funus, meaning “torch.”  It was believed that torches and lights at a funeral could guide the departed soul to its eternal abode.  Lamps were used and were considered an aid the dead to find their way through the darkness.  Later times the flickering light of a funeral candle was symbolic of human life. 

Originally, however, candles, torches and lights near a corpse or grave served a completely different purpose.  Above all, they were a relic from the days when fires were lit around the dead to frighten away supernatural evil beings anxious to reanimate the corpse and take possession of it.  Their domain was darkness and they were afraid of light.  The burning of funeral candles was to prevent the ghosts from returning to haunt the survivors.

Today, funeral directors report that they will use funeral candles in more than forty percent of their funerals.  This number is expected to increase as awareness of personalization options increase as well.  Now, a funeral candle can be more than a simple votive.  Funeral software enables the funeral professional to create candles with photos of the person who has passed away, add psalms or other special text, the person’s name, dates of birth and death and/or any other images or text they wish.  The options are endless.

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Online Funerals Not Just for Celebrities

In the last few years or so, online funerals have become more prominent.  Celebrities like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson have been memorialized in front of millions – over the internet. 

Streaming a funeral live over the internet, many celebrities funerals are broadcast by the wire service, which also offered the feed to other broadcasters to air on television.  Because they are celebrities, their fans, followers and family want to pay their last respects.  Obviously, everyone will not be able to attend these events due to location, time constraints, monetary or health issues and security reasons.  Hosting an online funeral makes it possible for anyone wishing to view the service online to be able to do so.

For non-celebrities, funeral webcasting is becoming more popular too.  With the war overseas, events like Hurricane Sandy and financial strains many families are experiencing, it isn’t always possible to attend a funeral in person. 

Streaming a funeral online, families gather around a laptop in their living room and watch the live webcast.  If the service time conflicts with another event, such as work, the family can also watch the funeral at a time more convenient to them.

There are some hurdles for gaining access to a funeral webcast.  First, a password is needed and a website address for the access point must be giving to mourners wishing to watch a funeral online. 
Although not being physically present, some mourners may feel challenged by having to participate by webcast.  Viewing the funeral from home, they may feel distant from the event and may not feel the full effect of the service.  For example, most people watching a funeral from home won’t rise when the other mourners do and they may not say prayers aloud with the rest of the bereaved.  However, while the emotional attachment may be limited, a funeral webcast is certainly better than not being able to be present at all. 

As most rituals change over time, including funeral services, funeral webcasting offers families a way to connect when not previously possible.  Will the traditional way of attending a funeral ever completely go away?  Probably not; most of these ritualized ceremonies are intimate encounters that revolve around cherished norms.  However, time has come to be more open to change and as the digital age keeps expanding, new rituals and traditions will emerge.

Funeral software developed specifically for funeral webcasting makes it possible for any funeral home to host a webcast.  Isn’t it time you brought this new technology into your funeral home?

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Popular Funeral Songs

When a loved one passes away, families strive to put together the most meaningful service.  One of the most difficult things to do can be music selection.  Finding the right songs for a loved one’s funeral can be overwhelming.  The choices are literally endless. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a song can be worth a thousand memories.  As more funerals are being personalized, to better memorialize their loved one, using popular music in place of hymns is gaining popularity. 

Hymns and other so called traditional funeral ways are giving way to funeral personalization and life celebrations.  For instance, more and more pop music is being played during funeral and memorial services.  Generic funeral stationery is being replaced with personalized funeral products.  Even the way people attend a funeral is changing.  Funeral webcasting makes it possible to attend a funeral online.  Through a password protect site, the bereaved can log in and watch the service live or as a delayed broadcast.  New technology and funeral software makes all this possible. 

Another great way the bereaved are incorporating the most popular funeral songs and personal favorites into a funeral service is by including them in a DVD tribute video.  Funeral directors can use specialized software to create these keepsake videos in-house using a menu driven program.  The cinematic quality result is a moving tribute complete with favorite songs, pictures capturing special moments, and introduction and ending videos for a complete movie-like feel.

How to Select Funeral Music
Many people may select a funeral song that was meaningful to the deceased – perhaps it was their favorite hit that they played again and again.  Other families choose more traditional funeral music.
The top funeral songs range from religious in nature to soft, slow melodies all the way to rock songs.

Here are some examples of some popular songs:

• Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
• What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
• Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – Guns N’ Roses
• Candle in the Wind – Elton John
• Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy
• Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
• Amazing Grace – Various Artists

Currently, on a list of top 20 songs heard at funerals, while Frank Sinatra is on top of the chart with My Way, Adele isn’t too far behind coming in at number 22 with her smash hit Someone Like You. 
Whether the bereaved select songs about death, songs about love, sullen songs or bright anthems, each one, in its own way, can help connect the living to the deceased in a meaningful way. 

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Three Reasons to Use Funeral Stationery Software

Creating personalized funeral stationery in-house has never been easier.  Reading that last sentence, you may say, we’ve been personalizing funeral stationery at our funeral home for years.  But, chances are, the personalization options your funeral home was able to provide were probably pretty limited.  Most funeral homes have three, maybe four options for a theme -- if you could call the designs themes.  The selections aren’t so much as a theme, but a generic selection of doves, angels, and maybe a sunset.

With today’s funeral stationery software, creating a truly personalized, entire line of coordinating pieces in-house is easy, and the options are endless.  Here are three great reasons to use funeral stationery software:

Ultimate Theme Personalization – Funeral stationery software offers more than five hundred coordinating themes to assist client families in the personalization of their loved ones life celebration.  While some stationery companies offer just one standard template, or they have you stock paper for each different theme, using funeral stationery software, your clients can select a theme that best depicts their loved ones personality, hobbies, career, interests or religious attachment. 
Each theme includes a layout for a funeral register book, memorial folder, prayer card, acknowledgement, book mark, DVD tribute video packaging, and a candle.  All the themes are stored electronically.  When a client family selects a theme, you simply put the blank stock paper into a full-color printer and print as many as you need on-demand. 

One Time Data Entry – With some funeral stationery, for each piece it is necessary to re-enter the deceased’s name, dates and other information.  With the latest funeral stationery software it automatically connects to your funeral management software program.  There’s no duplicate entry, no wasted time, just push a few buttons and you’re done.

Affordable – Because all the stationery items are printed from blank stock, all you need to do is inventory blank paper.  No high over-head in stocking multiple themes! 

Not only can you provide client families with more than five hundred options for themes without stocking pre-printed paper, printers are available at an extremely affordable rate.  For less than sixty dollars a month, and a low cost per page price of eleven and one-half cents for color prints and two cents for black and white, your funeral home can utilize a printer that includes toner, any repairs or maintenance, as well as help desk support seven days a week, twenty-four hours and day, three hundred sixty five days a year.

To be ready to customize a funeral service means everything to a family.  Isn’t it time your funeral home looked into funeral stationery software that can provide the most complete options for personalization?

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Funeral Memory Boards Replaced With DVD Tribute Videos

Technology is a wonderful asset to the funeral industry in many ways.  Now, funeral directors can track client family information using funeral software, they can create personalized funeral stationery in-house, and even create cinematic quality DVD tribute videos.

As with other aspects in life, technology changes things – usually for the better.  How client families and funeral directors used to handle certain aspects of a life celebration are no longer needed or the process has been updated and infused with technology.  One example is the replacement of funeral memory boards with DVD tribute videos.  This technology upgrade has definitely been for the better.  Better for client families and better for funeral directors.

Funeral memory boards traditionally were created by family and friends of the deceased.  Usually a point person from the family would contact others to gather photographs and memorabilia that would bring the memory of the person to mind as each visitor pays his respects at the funeral home. 

Thick poster boards were used to tape photographs, printed words – such as “In Loving Memory” or the person’s name to the board.  Ribbon, bows, or other stickers were used to further decorate the memory board. 

After the funeral or memorial service, typically an immediate family member would take the memory boards home and put them in a closet for safe keeping.  The boards were too inconvenient and large to easily share with others after the services have concluded.

Now, tribute video software offers a way for the funeral director to take those pictures and make a unique keepsake.  The photographs still need to be collected by the family, but once they are gathered, they are given to the funeral director.  Any family videos the bereaved would like to include in the tribute can be sent electronically to the funeral director.  A favorite song or selection of funeral music can be chosen by the family and any special psalms, quotes, verses, or poems can also be included.

Once these elements have been selected, the funeral director can open up the tribute video software program, scan the photos and import the video.  A theme can be selected for the tribute video – most families usually use the same one that they are using on their funeral stationery so that everything is well coordinated.

In minutes, the funeral professional can combine pictures, video, music, and any text the family would like to include.  Burning duplicate copies is easy as clicking a button.  The family can order as many copies as they wish to have or to give to others. 

Once complete, these little movies become part of a family’s history and are treasured keepsakes – not something that needs to be stuffed into a back closet and forgotten.  They can be watched again and again.
Tribute video software is simple and affordable – for both the client family and the funeral director.  Isn’t it time you started offering technology solutions like DVD tribute videos to the families you serve?

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Funeral Program Templates for Complete Customization

There are several different names for funeral programs.  They may be referred to as a funeral bulletin, funeral memorial programs, funeral service programs or memorial service programs. 

Whatever the term, the meaning is the same.  A funeral program usually contains the order of the events of a funeral service.  The pallbearers names are listed, special poems or verses, and anything else client families wish to include to help celebrate the life of their loved one.

Personalizing Funeral Programs
Client families look to their funeral director for funeral personalization options.  They wish to honor the life of their loved one throughout the service with attention to every detail. 

In addition to including the order of service to advise mourners of the schedule of events during the funeral service, a funeral program can be utilized to further memorialize the families loved one.  Some things that can be suggested to the family to include in a funeral program for maximum customization are:

Photographs – The cover of most funeral programs will contain a photograph of the deceased.  Whether the family wishes to include a picture of their loved one in younger years or one that reflects how the deceased looked recently – the option is theirs.

Readings – During the funeral service, certain family and friends may have been selected to read a scripture reading or a poem.  In the funeral program, the name of the individual to perform the reading can be mentioned.

Funeral poems – Another option client families can choose to include in the funeral service program are funeral poems.  Perhaps there was a particular poem that was special to the deceased?  Some families may choose a famous poem to include in the funeral program that speaks to their feelings.  For example, Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 or Canon Henry Scott Hollands’s “Death is Nothing At All”, or a personal favorite, Mary Elizabeth Frye’s “I Did Not Die”.  If there is space inside the program, they can be included there; otherwise the back cover can be used.

Pallbearers – Typically, the back cover of the funeral service program is reserved for any messages from the family to other mourners, such as one that thanks them for their attendance.  Additionally, the names of the pallbearers are usually listed there as well.  Other options would be to include a short biography of the deceased.

Funeral Home Software for Personalization
With the invention of funeral software, funeral program templates allow a funeral director to choose from an online library of hundreds of background templates.  Once selected, these templates can be used for other funeral stationery items as well so that the entire service and keepsakes are well coordinated. 

The flexibility of these funeral program templates enables the funeral director to not only easily customize and print them in-house, it also enables the family to receive a completely customized funeral program for their loved ones life celebration.

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Keepsake Boxes for Funeral Register Books

Client families looking for memorial ideas to honor their loved one can now purchase a keepsake box to display and protect the funeral register book from the service.

At some time in their lives, both the young and old have created a memory box.  A mother may fill a keepsake box with art work, school papers, ribbons, photos, and other special items from their child’s school days to hold on to special memories for viewing at a later date. 

Grandmothers may put aside keepsake boxes for their grandchildren to one day inherit.  These boxes may contain jewelry, photos, old family letters, and other tidbits and treasures collected throughout the years.  These boxes are more than just a collection of stuff; they contain family history and capture special moments in time.  Often the boxes are treasured reminders of not only that individual, but of feelings and memories of happier times.

One of the most significant moments in a person’s life is the passing of a loved one.  During this juncture in life, families tend to gather together, share memories, and help each other with their grief. 
During a wake, memorial and/or funeral service, relatives and friends will sign a guest register book to remind the family of their presence.  Guest may simply sign their name or there may be a place in the funeral register book where mourners may offer words of comfort and support to the immediate family during this tragic time. 

After the services are concluded, the funeral register book historically has enabled the immediate family to have a written record of guest’s attendance so that acknowledgement cards can be sent.  The register book was then either stored away, or later discarded. However, in recent years, funeral register books have become more than just a list of signatures.  These register books are becoming a deeper part of a family’s genealogy in that they provide insight into the life, hobbies, career, hopes and dreams of the deceased.  Not only are the funeral register books of today more inclusive and personalized, they include photographs, favorite poems, words to favorite songs, family trees, a biography of the deceased’s life, and really anything else client families wish to include.

With the initial purpose of the funeral register having changed from a simple record of names, to a more complete memorial keepsake book, keepsake boxes to store these registers are called for.  A funeral register keepsake box can be coordinated to match the register book and all the other funeral stationery.  A photograph of the person who passed away can be included on the cover of the box and presented to the family at the conclusion of the services.

The register book keepsake box provides a beautiful way for families to store and display their memory book long after the service.  The keepsake box will not only protect, but will preserve the funeral register book as it is stored in a prominent place on a bookshelf or on a coffee table.

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Live or Delayed Funeral Webcast

Funerals fill an important role for the bereaved mourning the loss of a loved one.  By providing surviving family and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to share thoughts and feelings about death, funerals are an important step in the healing process. 

It is not always possible to attend a funeral in person.  A funeral webcast allows those who are out of town, ill, deployed or otherwise unable to attend a funeral in person to attend a funeral online.  Through the power of the internet and funeral webcasting software, a funeral home can offer funeral webcasting to the families they serve.

A webcast can be viewed lived or on a delayed stream.  If a mourner wishes to view a delayed streaming of the webcast, a stored recording of the funeral service can be played at any time immediately after the funeral home uploads it to their website in a password protected environment.  It can be viewed again and again over a set amount of time that the funeral home and the client family have arranged.  Some families ask for a copy of the webcast to be burned to DVD to keep at home or to send to others who may not have internet access.

For a funeral director who wants to set up his funeral home to offer webcasting, customized software makes this easy and affordable.  Even though offering a webcast is the newest and most innovative funeral service your funeral home has ever offered, it’s so easy that anyone can make this happen.
To set up a funeral webcast, all you need to online is a simple video package including HD camera, tripod, wireless microphone and a USB video capture device.  The funeral webcasting software leads you through the entire process and provides the most reliable video streaming server to assure that the service will be streamed and broadcast without a hitch.

With no long term contracts, no upfront costs, no equipment to buy and no support fees, funeral webcasting is affordable too.

By offering online funerals, funeral directors help client families view a funeral in the peace and comfort of their own home, office or hospital room.  A funeral webcast enables many friends and relatives to be a part of the service that would not have been able to. 
Funeral webcasting software is simple and affordable to use.  Isn’t it time you offered this value-added service to the families you serve?

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments.  For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.