Everyone’s favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil popped out of his stump on February 2^nd 2012 and saw his shadow.  Which makes it official, winter is not going anywhere. Keep your shovels ready and you snow blowers handy, Jack Frost is here to stay. Sure a soft blanket of fresh snow is a delight to behold, but not when it’s 2 feet deep and on top of your car. So what has modern technology created for us to take on the herculean task of clearing our driveway and digging out our car? Over the next couple weeks we are going to dig into all things snow removal. First off we start with an oldie but a goldie the snow shovel.

The right tool makes all the difference.

Picking the right snow shovel

It was our use of tools that separated humans from the rest of the animals, and one of the oldest is the spade. While the under-appreciated shovel comes in many forms, few inspire more groans than the winter classic known as the snow shovel. Or as I like to call them, back breaking, arm numbing instruments of torture. They are great for lifting large amounts of anything and placing it a slightly different area. And certain types are very effective at breaking up ice and snow clumps. Of course breaking up, lifting and flinging snow and ice can be exhausting. Any good powder hound worth their salt knows how much even a few inches of snow can weigh.

Technology and technique are the keys to surviving the winter. Since I am not an occupational therapist I am going to leave it up to you to perfect your own lifting techniques; I will be focusing on the tools themselves. In recent years there have been some vast improvements in snow shovel design. There are almost as many designs as there are flakes in the sky. Here is a little guide on what type of shovel (or broom) suits your particular snow removal needs.

Metal shovels with clean/sharp edges are the best choice when you are tackling hard-packed ice and snow. While it might not be the quietest option, the metal scoop tends to be more durable and will bend instead of breaking. If there is excessive ice, you might want to go with a shovel that is flat and has a blade. The straight handled 8 inch flat spade is a classic design that has stood the test of time. The straight and sharp edges will help break the ice apart while the straight design allows maximum power output directly into the ice. Modern alloys have made these shovels lighter than years past and new carbon coatings can help keep the snow from sticking to the scoop. Just watch those toes when you are trying to break up ice chunks and frozen snow walls those blades can be very sharp!

Plastic shovels come in all shapes and sizes and tend to be lighter than metal shovels. Many come with large scoops and make it easier to move a large drift or deeper snow. Other plastic snow movers come in smaller sizes for so everyone can join in on the fun. (Don’t let the kids miss out on the fun of hard labor!) Plastic shovels don’t scrape ice quite as well their counterparts and have a tendency to break if used improperly, but they are usually inexpensive and readily available. There are many shapes and sizes of plastic shovels, but most are designed to be used more as scoopers rather than scrapers. If you have snow drifts and “lake effect” style snowstorms this type will be your go to. Do remember that bigger isn’t always better, pick a blade that is the right size for your lifting ability. Sometimes a smaller scoop will keep you from trying to be a “hero” and save you from “blowing out your back” and the embarrassment of crying like a two year old in front of your friends and neighbors.

Shop brooms make a very effective weapon when combating light snow fall. A normal shop broom is perfect when there is less than 2 inches and the snow is dry and fluffy. A quick back and forth usually pushes the snow right out of the way with minimal effort. If you can sweep your kitchen you can clear your driveway. Even a little dust broom can make quick work of steps without the risk of scratching your deck stain or house paint. But if the snow is damp and you might as well grab a shovel. Wet sticky snow will clump up and freeze on the hairs of the broom rendering all of your efforts useless.

Snow shovels come in a variety of designs, but some styles are better than others. If back pain is an issue, consider using a Shovel/Pusher combo shovel that has an ergonomic and curved handle. Some snow pushers even come with 2 hand grips so you can put both arms into it. And some scoop shovels have large double handles that make pushing a lot easier and many times more effective. Their design allows you to push at the waist and really put some man/woman power behind it. Many modern handles are made of steel and fiber so they can lift more ice and snow than their predecessors, while keeping the weight down. Modern ice scrapers are very effective, but you might need to supplement your scraping with snow melt. Even 2 centimeters of ice can cause a tragic slip that could ruin your day and your back.

Our lawyers here at whocanhelp.com would like to suggest you check with a doctor to make sure you are in adequate shape to lift 25 pounds or more of snow. (Or in our case to get a note from the doctor so the significant other will let you hire someone else to do the work.) Medical  bills can be a lot more than the cost of hiring local professionals with the right tools. Many times professional snow removal experts can knock out your job in less than half the time and with a quarter of the effort. Plus you get to stay inside and warm while you admire your clear sidewalks and driveway from your lounge chair, that’s called a win win!

Next time: Which Ice Melt actually melts ice?

Darrel Stone, founder of WhoCanHelp, found the inspiration for his innovative service provider website in a somewhat unlikely place: the crawl space of his home in Polson, Montana.

“A pipe broke on a Friday afternoon in July of 2008, and I couldn’t find a single plumber to hire. I thought ‘there has to be a better way to hire someone’.

Working with developer Doug Odegaard, Darrel initially launched the website that matches service providers with clients in Missoula in November of 2009. The roll out was successful. Nine months later, in August of 2010, WhoCanHelp began growing city by city. The growth has been driven by clients from across the country who create a post stating the service they need. WhoCanHelp sends notices out to local service providers specializing in that area of interest, and providers contact the client with offers that can be can be compared for a ‘best fit’ and best price.

Today, WhoCanHelp lists Portland, Oregon, Phoenix, and Seattle among their primary markets, has thousands of registered users, and employees nine people at their headquarters in Missoula.
Initial funding for WhoCanHelp was provided by investors, but there’s tremendous potential for revenue generation through advertising and upgraded provider accounts as the website reaches critical mass by reaching a wider audience in target markets.

“Services comprise a trillion dollar industry. We think we have an innovative approach and can contribute to Montana’s economy.”

Regardless of the number of clients WhoCanHelp attracts in larger markets, Darrel believes the quality of life and the pool of potential employees are great reasons to stay in Montana.

“We’re really proud to be in Montana…we’re committed to seeing high tech develop here, and plan long-term to keep headquarters here.”

Hopefully, you won’t need to hire a professional, but here are some party etiquette tips that can help make your entertaining and entertainment better.

Unwelcome additions to the holiday spread, though annoying, are a gesture of thanks. When a guest brings a pineapple-ham aspic salad it probably doesn’t fit your well catered spread, but it is still important to respond with graciousness. Thank the guest and make sure to put out the dish. Whether it is eaten or not, is not your problem.

Holiday parties often coincide with holiday drinking. When a guest has over indulged in spirits, its necessary to refuse your guest any access liquor. Pull the person aside and kindly inform them that they are inebriated and that he/she will no longer have drinking privileges in your home this night. Offer to call a car. Don’t let your guests drive home drunk. On the drinking conversation, if you are hosting a party, know your limits. You need to be the most aware and assertive if you are in-charge of your party.

Guests will often have certain dietary needs. If you know that you have a vegan guest make sure to have some options that accommodate their needs. No, you don’t need to make Tofurkey, but have side dishes that accomodate dietary needs.

Don’t cry over spilled milk…or wine. You’ll live. If the stain doesn’t come out with traditional cleaning, carpet cleaners are fantastic assets and not expensive for spot removal.

When you are going to a party, don’t bring uninvited guests without the host’s approval. Imagine if 10 guests brought a plus one. Feeding 20 guests instead of 10 is a huge expense and annoyance. You might not be invited back next time.

Gifts, they are an important part of the holiday season. If you are given a gift and do not have one in return, don’t apologize profusely. Graciously accept the present. You can give a gift in return later; however, if you do not send a gift, make sure to send a hand-written thank you. Yes, write it by hand, it is the least you can do.

Etiquette, check. Now, get your party on with WhoCanHelp.com!

Service Staff

Remember, you’re not paying for your guests to get a “Restaurant” experience at your event. You hired a Caterer to do just that, cater to the needs of you and your guests. When choosing a caterer, don’t just go off the quality and taste of the food, research the history of the company. Get reviews from previous customers or internet review services such as Google, and Yelp! You want your servers to know what they’re serving your guests. For example, this weekend at the rehearsal several of the waiters were unaware of what they were serving when asked. My mother had later asked me what I thought of the tuna that night. I had to search my mind, I knew I had tried every appetizer but tuna was not ringing a bell. It had turned out that instead of providing tuna skewers that night; we were served Chicken skewers instead. Needless to say my mother had to not only go through the hassle of asking why, but also had the worry that a guest may have unknowingly consumed something they could be allergic too.

Presentation

This is an important quality that can be applied to the Staff and Food part of your Wedding experience. Choosing the right caterer and venue can help reduce a lot of unneeded stress in planning. When evaluating your venues, you want to keep in mind several important factors. Accessibility is a very important trait to consider. First off you want to make sure it’s somewhere fairly accessible for your guests, especially those traveling from out of town. By providing a form of transportation or having an easily locatable venue will help calm the nerves of your guests and maybe let them enjoy themselves a little more without the worry of driving home. It’s your wedding; you want it to be beautiful. Obviously the look is one of the more important factors you’re going to consider. Remember to keep in mind good locations for pictures around your venue, a nice place for your bridal party to sit down and get ready for the big moment, and the overall quality of where your reception will take place. You want to have a caterer or venue that can provide you with a competent and eager Event manager. This weekend we had the pleasure of dealing with a truly skilled event manager. She was very impressive, on top of her game, providing bridal parties with refreshments, directing us for pictures, and generally keeping to the schedule and keeping the evening flowing. Being on the other side of the event, I can personally tell you how disastrous a wedding can go if you do not have the right Manager coordinating your evening. By hiring full service vendors you eliminate the hassle of communicating between multiple people and can also cut down on overall expense for the event.

Food

Besides how beautiful the bride was, and how well the ceremony went, the food will be one of the most talked about aspects of your event. This is also where choosing a venue and caterer can clash. Some venues will charge an extra fee to hire outside caterers or flat out deny the use of outside catering. Doing your homework and researching vendors can really come in handy. Just because the venue may offer what looks like a great all inclusive package, there can be hidden fees or vendors that may not meet our expectations. It’s best to get a price by price break down and bring it to your potential caterers. Chances are they’ll be able to offer you the same services for a lower price and the option of finding you a quality venue. But make sure you research your caterer as well; you want one that has a good reputation in the locale market. Some venues hire only exclusive vendors for varying reasons. Despite the mix up of the Tuna and Chicken skewers, all was forgotten when dinner was served. The power of food can be amazing! Immediately when my massive Braised Pork Shank was set down in front of me, the not so good appetizer experience faded away from my memory. The first bite was not disappointing; the meat was
so tender a knife was not needed! Needless to say with a few good drinks and a delicious meal all was forgotten and this picky Critic was able to have quite an enjoyable evening. No matter what industry you may work in, it’s always important to retune your skills. Being a foodie at heart and a caterer by trade, I love to take any opportunity to sit down and actually be served. It’s alright to let your opinions and critiques come out, why wouldn’t it be? You know your guests are always doing the same when you serve them your food! There is no better way to learn what a guest wants, then to become a guest yourself! So next time that wedding invitation comes in the mail, take at as a learning experience, and go enjoy yourself!

–Anthony Rea For over eleven years Creations in Cuisine Catering has been servicing Phoenix and the surrounding areas with innovative cuisine and event design. The goal is to be the first choice when planning your wedding, corporate cocktail reception or a catered affair in the privacy of your own home. An established reputation for being flexible and creative with our menu selections, at Creations in Cuisine Catering they use the freshest ingredients available to prepare your food with an emphasis on taste and creativity. The professional team of event planners will guide clients through all the steps necessary to help assure your event will surpass expectations. 

What if it doesn’t? How do you clean away odor? Don’t fret. WhoCanHelp has steps you can follow to take the smell away.

The process is simple and you can use things that are probably already in your pantry. You will need chlorine bleach, tri-sodium phosphate, apple cider vider vinegar, baking soda, lemons, air conditioning filter, and gloves.

Open up windows to allow proper ventilation for the process. The fumes can potentially cause dizziness and shortness of breath. A fan might also be a helpful tool.

If the smell is on clothing, bedding or fabrics and regular washing has not deceased the smell, use the following procedure: Using your plastic gloves, mix 5 Tbs of Tri-sodium phosphate, 1 cup of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water together in bucket or large bowl.

Soak garments in solution for 5-10 minutes and then launder as usual. Rinse out twice to ensure all chemical compounds are gone. Then air dry. Change your air-conditioning or furnace filters.

Often odor particles linger in the filter your HVAC system. If odor problems persist, you may need a professional duct cleaning service – an easy hire at WhoCanHelp.com!

If the odor is coming from floors, mix the same clothing solution as above and wash the floors with the solution. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.

Is the smell from the fridge? The fridge is a “cold bed” for bad smells. Unplug the refrigerator and wash with a solution made from 1 cup vinegar, the juice of three lemons and a gallon of warm water. Scrub the fridge thoroughly and smells will abate. Always a good idea to have baking soda in the fridge during normal use too.

If smells are still lingering it could be your insulation! Smells cannot be cleaned or deodorized if it gets trapped in insulation (think fire damage and cigarettes.) To rid this type of lingering odor, you will need to replace the insulation with new raw material.

Take a whiff, smell that? It’s the sweet scent of WhoCanHelp to the rescue. Until next time Toucans!

Gut Check. Did that sentence put a pit instead of a pleasant feeling in your stomach?

For some, the mere idea of holiday parties is frightening. Family and friends, cleaning before and cleaning up after – it can be a lot.

By creating a catering post at WhoCanHelp, you give us the details of your party/event from food to waitstaff. After submitting, we do all the leg-work for you. Caterers make offers on your job, and you choose which caterer fits best.

We asked Phoenix Professional Caterer Hannah G. of Crème de la Crème Catering to give us some perspective on catering specifics.

First, the holiday food line-up doesn’t need to be redundant. Caterers often provide the “spice” to traditional holiday foods, like Hannah’s recipe for Lavender Shortbread Cookies (see below.) FYI, we made them this weekend, a little touch of Yummy WOW!

As Hannah says, she highly recommends hiring a professional caterer for all holiday events. It takes the pressure and work off of the host(ess) and allows them to actually enjoy their own party and guests. Crème de la Crème catering offers services from start to finish for events, many caterers do. Creme has a knowledgeable and thorough staff that guarantees satisfaction. From menu planning and budgeting to taking care of the mess at the end, all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your family and friends!

Hiring a caterer can be a COST SAVER!

NO?

Believe it Aunt Betty.

That $10 dollars you spent for one pinch of saffron adds up quickly. Even more, caterers can provide the basics, or glam it up. It is up to you.

A good rule of thumb is to hire ahead of time. Late October and early November is the best time to start looking and hiring a caterer for your holiday party. The best advice, as soon as you know you want to hire a caterer – start looking. Popular chefs will book up months, even years in advance (depending on where you live of course.)

When hiring a caterer, taste their food. Don’t go for a walk blind, so don’t walk into a party tasteless.

Enjoy your party, relax and let WhoCanHelp find the caterer of your dreams. As Hannah G. would say – Best Eating!

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

These rich but not too sweet shortbread cookies have just a hint of sweet lavender fragrance and flavor. They are perfect to serve with tea, milk or lemonade. I make several batches to divide up and tuck into pretty decorative boxes or tins I’ve lined with pastel tissue paper. Share the recipe -write it up on lavender-colored paper to include in the box!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (3/4 pound) butter, at room temperature (no substitutes)

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons very finely chopped lavender florets (fresh or dried)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

2 1/3 cups flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325°F. Cover bottoms of two baking sheets with parchment or brown paper. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, lavender, and mint with an electric mixer. Mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add flour, cornstarch, and salt and beat until incorporated. Divide dough in half. Flatten into squares and wrap in plastic. Chill until firm.

On a floured board, roll or pat out each square to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut the dough into 1 1/2 -inch squares or rounds. Transfer to baking sheets, spacing cookies about 1 inch apart. Prick each cookie several times with a fork. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until pale golden (do not brown). Cool slightly, then transfer to a rack. Sprinkle with lavender powdered sugar.

Garnish with lavender powdered sugar: Put a 4 or 5 sprigs of lavender flowers in a sealed jar with powdered sugar for a day before using the sugar.

Makes about 4 dozen.

WhoCanHelp.com has unleashed a new post wizard. When creating a job post on the site’s homepage, our new wizard feature helps decide the category the job would fall under.

Take for instance carpet cleaning, sometimes it’s hard to decide whether you should list it under home maintenance or cleaning services. That’s where the new wizard comes in. We want to help in every way we can.

Our wizard reads your post and offers suggestions for categories. Once you start your initial post, you’ll be taken to the following screen to select your category

As you can see the POST PROGRESS lets you see your Basic Information, or the title of your project. In this case, we chose carpet cleaning and the zip code the job needs to be completed in. Then the WhoCanHelp post wizard helps you select the category the job should be listed under. You can then decide which category is the most appropriate for your need.

After selecting your desired category, then you can complete your job posting by adding additional information.

When adding Additional Details, you are simply providing the description of the job details. Let possible hires know exactly what you are looking for. The more details that you give, the better and more accurate offers you will receive. Do you need a licensed contractor? Special equipment?

Once you are happy with your description, click CREATE POST.

The last step, an email confirmation, is a security measure. Login to your personal email, there will be a confirmation email waiting in your inbox. Simply click the confirmation link and your post will go live!

Within seconds of clicking the confirmation link, possible providers will be contacted to make offers on your project.

So have a whirl with the WhoCanHelp NEW post wizard.

Get your to-do’s, to done – Today!

For the rest of us Northerners, here is a basic “to-do” before the winter becomes too blue!

Start with Furnace Maintenance. Remove all flammable material away from the furnace area. Its important to keep this area tidy for fire safety. If you have a hot-water radiator, bleed valves (open them and when water appears, close them rapidly.)

Fireplace Check-Up .  You might not realize it, but from spring through summer fireplaces are havens for nests of rodents and/or birds. Check for clean up. Also, if you haven’t had the chimney swept, then hire a sweep to remove soot and creosote (chemical by-products from the burning process of wood or coal.) Make sure your damper opens and closes, and make sure the mortar doesn’t have cracks, cracks require masonry repair.

It might seem strange, but Winterize Your Equipment. Your lawnmower needs to be drained of gas to prevent freezing. Clean summer gardening equipment and store for spring. Check winter snow and ice equipment. If rakes or shovels are worn, replace them with new ones. You’ll appreciate it later. Buy sand for ice, and tune-up your snow blowers before the first snowfall. If you have a pool or hottub, make sure you have the proper winterization for winter usage, spa services will know how to properly get you through the cold months swimmingly

Fill in the Cracks! Nobody wants to see any cracks, especially in winter. Check exterior pipes for crevice cracks and seal them. Weather-stripping around doors and caulking around windows is a great way to prevent high heating bills. If there are ANY cracks in windows – replace them. Basement? Cover your window wells with plastic shields, it will help protect your foundation and keep weather from damaging the window seals.  Storm windows go in now!

With all this sealing and tightening, there are Safety Features that come with winterization. Install  carbon monoxide detectors next/near furnace or water heaters. Make sure to test them! Also, make sure every room has a smoke detector – from electric blankets to menorahs we want to keep the home fires burning, but not the whole home.

Lastly, and often forgotten, Prepare Your Yard for the Freeze ahead. Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks to keep the weather from ruining the finish…or worse, putting a crack in it. Trim back branches that could snap and damage property or power lines during a winter storm. Move sensitive potted plants to sheltered areas. Blow out your sprinklers – its an important aspect of ensuring that your sprinklers have a long and healthy life, no cracks from freezing.

Winter is dead ahead, make sure you don’t miss the warning signs. If you need help finishing your winterization list, go to WhoCanHelp.com – make your To-Do’s, To Done, Today!

We aren’t so sure you are.

There are a few things that can help you know your contractor is the right man for the job.

First, in most states anyone who is hired to work on a job estimated at $500 and above (for work and materials) must hold a valid state license. You can verify the license on your state’s Consumer Affairs website.

The problem with hiring unlicensed contractors is the risk it involves. When they aren’t licensed, you are vulnerable to significant monetary harm. If the worker is injured, if the property is damaged or if the work is incomplete you are liable.

There are around 40 classifications of licenses as well. From general contractors to landscapers – make sure the license fits the project. You don’t want a licensed plumber rewiring your chandelier.

The more detailed your plan, the better idea of what kind of contractor you need for your project. General contractors oversee the project and coordinate specific licensed subcontractors for the job. So if your job needs two or more specialty contractors it might be easier to hire a general contractor.

Take the guesswork out of the hiring process know exactly what you want before your search. You can even expedite your search by posting on WhoCanHelp.com – find your handy man today!

It happens to everyone. Your window needs fixing while the duct-tape on the seat cushion just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Car repair is tricky.

As consumers, you hear horror stories about huge bills for things that don’t exist, cars that take days if not weeks to get back, and oh the price of parts!

WhoCanHelp is here to bust through those boundaries. Auto repair doesn’t need to be scary. It should be a positive experience. You should feel comfortable before you accept service, and even better when you get your bill.

Posting your auto body or auto repair need on WhoCanHelp.com and let auto shops bid on your needs. Sit back and let them work for your business.

Here are some general tips for hiring a mechanic:

Ask around -  Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find mechanics in your area that have done excellent work, and ummm…not so excellent work.

Ask for references: It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for references, especially for a large auto repair job with a mechanic you aren’t familiar with.

Search for dedication: Mechanics that have taken their time to become ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified have put in the extra time to learn the ins-and-outs of there profession.

Speak up: There are no silly questions! Ask away, most mechanics will be happy to help you understand the process.

So go ahead, tune-up your turbo and heal your horsepower. Post your automotive need at WhoCanHelp.com