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.