Home family NEWS Windows, Doors & Siding You’ll love what you see Window Fashions “News You Can Use Around Your House” www.pennwindows.com • 610-433-4196 Happy Halloween! You can make memories as well as decorations this Halloween season, without breaking your budget. Halloween comes in right behind Christmas as the most popular holiday for yard decorations. A recent survey found that over 73 percent of Americans celebrate, spending a whopping $1.6 billion on decorations, $2.12 billion on costumes, $35 million on greeting cards and nearly $2 billion on Halloween candy. The average adult spends $44 on candy alone. To create your spooktacular display, first choose a theme. Ghost party, graveyard, haunted house are some easy, eerie themes. Ghost parties are particularly charming and inexpensive. You can create ghosts with simple sheets for the bodies and stuffing for the heads. Mount them on garden tools at different heights: tallest on the shovel; shortest on the a garden fork. Then think of a story line to enlarge on: ghosts at tea, ghosts at a grave, ghosts carving pumpkins. October, 2011 In This Issue Vinyl Siding New Blinds & Shades Company Update Senior Scene Salmon Steaks Local Business Spotlight We Specialize in . . . Refer A Friend Graveyards headstones can be more difficult to make, but search your house for items that might make a headstone. How about a Christmas wreath box turned upside down? Or lay out sheets or plastic in the shape of rectangles on the ground, then use old wood to make spooky crosses. Add carved pumpkins for light and extra spookiness. Don't forget to check out the Internet for fantastic (and free) pumpkin carving patterns. For a hauntingly fantastic front porch, use your garden fall foliage intermixed with pumpkins, gourds, fall flowers and a few spooky props, such as a scarecrow, spider webs, and bats. Bats are easy if you look up patterns on the Web. A scissors and some heavy paper is all you need. Use cotton batting, stuffing from an old pet bed or pillow to stretch for cobwebs. Construct a few weathered signs from old wood in your garage with Warning! or Wanted, Dead or Alive! or Open at Midnight! with the words written in “dripping" black or red paint. Use those rusted chains from your garage to drape over porch railings, and create a faceless monster to sit on the porch swing. Visit our showroom at 1518 Union Blvd. in Allentown Showroom hours: Monday — Friday 8 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 2 If you refer someone (friend, co-worker, relative, neighbor) and they choose us to do their project we’ll send you a $50 Visa gift card! We appreciate your business! 610-433-4196 Vinyl Siding 2011 has been the year of vinyl siding for Penn Windows, Doors & Siding. A lot of the sales have to do with the hail damage from last year in various parts of the Valley, but even still – we've done more siding this year than I can ever remember having done! All of our siding projects are installed by brothers Chris & Jack Foltynski (or as they're popularly known – the Polish guys). They've been working with us for over six years. Not only does the siding material come with a lifetime limited warranty, we also warrant Chris & Jack's workmanship for 10 years! We've carried Alside brand siding since the 1950's. Alside offers many levels of vinyl siding quality from new construction to insulated siding. We focus on the medium to high levels, starting with Odyssey Plus and going up to Prodigy (integrated insulation panels). Depending on your needs and budget, Rick Jr. will go over your options for style, color, insulation, and installation. For more information about Alside siding visit our website at www.pennwindows.com. Odyssey Plus siding is an economical option with premium features. It's available in 4" and 5" clapboard and Dutch lap profiles in 14 popular colors. Premium panel thickness (.044" nominal) and an advanced lock design provide superior rigidity so walls stay straight and smooth. Add Fullback insulation to increase energy efficiency, dent resistance and sound absorption! Charter Oak premium siding gives homeowners beauty and exceptional product quality. Charter Oak siding is available in a 4 ½" clapboard or Dutch lap profile. You may also choose the added detail of a wood texture finish or smooth matte finish. Charter Oak siding comes in 14 standard colors and 6 premium colors. The unique TriBeam system gives Charter Oak superior rigidity, helping to ensure straight course lines and even walls. For added insulation choose Charter Oak Energy Elite. It has four times the "R"-value of conventional siding; that's R 4.0 on Dutch lap and R 3.7 on clapboard profiles. Your energy bills can be as much as 20% lower with this engineered wall system. Prodigy is next generation insulated siding. Prodigy is designed with a system R-value of up to 5.3. The insulation is 1 ½" thick and wraps your home in a blanket of energy efficiency. Yet Prodigy breathes freely to resist water retention and is designed to allow moisture vapor to escape. This siding is available in double 6" and single 7" clapboard and 5" Dutch lap profiles. Siding panels are 16' 8" long (standard panels are 12') so there are fewer overlaps and a cleaner appearance. Prodigy offers 14 standard and 7 premium colors. Innovative, patent-pending panel locking design creates a tight, secure fit with no insulation gaps. For a free in-home consultation give us a call at 610-433-4196. MAIL- IN REBATE OFFERS $300/unit Duette VertiGlide with Duolite VertiGlide $100/unit Luminette Privacy Sheers or Modern Draperies FREE LiteRise cordless $100/unit Skyline Gliding lifting system Window Panels with purchase of: Duette, Vignette, Brilliance Pleated shades, Country $100/unit Vignette Traversed Woods blinds, EverWood blinds with VertiGlide $50/unit Pirouette FREE UltraGlide lifting system $50/unit Silhouette with purchase of: Duette, Silhouette, Pirouette and Vignette $40/unit Vignette Modern Roman Shades Valid September 13 thru December 12, 2011. No minimum or maximum purchase required! $25/unit Duette Architella $100/unit Duette Plus... You can combine rebate and FREE lift systems to maximize your savings! *Manufacturer’s rebate offer valid for purchases made between 9/13/11 — 12/12/11. Free Lift System upgrade valid until 11/30/11. Limitations and restrictions apply. All rebates will be issued in U.S. dollars, in the form of an American Express® Prepaid Reward Card. ©2011 Hunter Douglas. ® and TM are trademarks of Hunter Douglas. News from Home GenX Women Celebrate 40th Birthdays with a Party You've heard of the coming out party, Sweet 16 and quinceañeras, but GenX women have come up with something new, and it's catching on fast. The Big 4-0 party celebrates age 40 by their proclaiming vibrancy and the freedom to have a good time. Many of today's GenX women see the Big 4-0 as the midpoint of their lives and they are celebrating it with zest and fun. Some gather friends and go on a vacation together, but whether the celebration is luxurious or held at a friend's home, it captures the milestone. One partier emphasizes that they are showing the world that 40 isn't what it used to be. Now age 40 is still young! Online Trading for Moms By a child's 17th birthday, a parent has spent about $14,300 on clothes, of which 1,300 items were outgrown. ThredUP (thredup.com) launched as a kid-to-kid service in the secondhand market. Members bundle about 15 "new to you" items in a box. Other thredders can then buy the box for $5 plus the cost of shipping, and must eventually contribute boxes of their own, says Bloomberg Businessweek. For $30 a year, members can become premium members with advanced access to newly posted boxes. When to Hire a Pro •Booking a cruise. Travel agents can get the lowest prices and best accommodations. They put effort into it because they work on commission. •Updating your resume. A pro can help with everything from key words to up-to-date formats. It's worth the price, especially if you've been out of work for some time. Cost: $300 or more. •Installing electronics. Using a pro to put in a computer, digital TV or entertainment center can save you time and hassle. The cost is about $50 an hour. New Hunter Douglas Products for Fall 2011 Designer Roller Shades and Skyline Gliding Window Panels Designer Roller Shades and Skyline Gliding Window Panels are combined into one sample book with a shared fabric collection featuring NEW fabrics. Now it's easy to coordinate these two fashionable design options. Also, there is an expanded roller dual roller shade program (that's 2 roller shades in one headrail!) and new Designer Screen patio shades. Honeycomb Shades Finally! Battery powered remote control top down/bottom up and Duolite design options on all honeycomb shades! Until now, you had to choose one or the other for a remote shade. Enjoy versatility in your hard-to-reach windows! Provenance Woven Wood Shades Roller shade style for woven wood fabrics! A simple system with beaded chain operation, finished off with a 6" valance. Get the look of a woven wood with the convenience of a roller shade! Vertical Drapery, the most requested shade style, is ideal for horizontal and vertical window openings. Coordinate your patio door with your windows! Enhanced fabric collection includes new colors and new opacity options. Custom Vertical Blinds Somner Verticals collection adds 4 new designer fabric styles that are also available in coordinating roller/roman shades. Plus 4 new textured vinyl styles. Cadence Soft Verticals collection adds a new fabric in six colors. Company Update Why do we say this stuff? This newsletter is a little later than usual – sorry! We've gotten very busy these past two months so I'm swamped in the office (not that I'm complaining!). But there's great information in this month's issue about vinyl siding and the new Hunter Douglas updates that I hope you find helpful and interesting. According the phrases.org.uk, most common expressions arose from common circumstances that are sometimes no longer common. We love testimonials for Penn Windows and Richards Window Fashions! I publish customer comments from the satisfaction surveys I mail out after a project has been completed in this newsletter and on our website. But if you're a member of Angie's List or you've "liked" our pages on facebook, you can review us there as well! Online customer testimonials are becoming more and more important to small businesses because they affect the ranking of websites on search engines. And it's not just us! Any local small business can use your help with online testimonials! So if you're happy with us and you'd like to give us a testimonial – feel free to rate us on any one of many online resources such as Angie's List, facebook, or even Google! The Holidays are rapidly approaching – is your home ready for guests? There's no time to waste of you have projects you want completed by the end of the year. Call today for a free in-home consultation from Penn Windows, Doors & Siding or Richards Window Fashions See you next month! Rick Jr., Erin and Rick Sr. Erin Duffield Let’s Welcome these new clients into our “family”: John Corrado, Steve Erney, Denise McCall, Victor & Diana Kelley, Thomas & Joyce Petrie, Ken & Roseann Knerr, Eileen Venetz, Taffi Ney, John & Danell Fowler, Mike Curry & Shellie Shimmel, Adina & Aaron Preis, Holly Marstan, Ed & Jodi Miller, Bob & Catherine Van Orden, Margaret Herman, David & Brenda Butler We’d also like to thank our returning customers: Dottie Hoimes, Brian & Catherine DeAngelis, Grace & Frank Stettner, Dan & Mary Giannelli, Carl Christ, Robert Graboski, Priscilla Johnson, Trudy Fearon, Diane & Leona Gabrielle, Donna Knepp, John & Kathleen Guzley "Here comes the bigwig" The Bourbon kings of France, and in particular Louis XIII (1601 - 1643) were prematurely bald. It was Louis who started wearing wigs and as the king does, so his courtiers. As the custom went on, wigs became larger and larger until they sometimes required a scaffold to erect on the head of the victim. Some wigs housed birds. Eventually, the fashion became so extreme that it became unfashionable. But in England, British barristers still wear wigs, making the phrase both ancient and contemporary. “Go to pot" One of the earliest references was from 1682 when a writer said a man who was hanged went to pot. The idea being that it was a one-way trip for a chicken or another animal bound for the cooking pot. "Mind your Ps and Qs" At taverns, people drank from pint or quart containers. The bar maid's job was to remember who was drinking what. She minded her Ps and Qs. “Not playing with a full deck” In days past, there was a tax on decks of playing cards that included the ace of spades. To avoid the tax, people would buy only 51 cards. They were thought to be dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck." Thank you for the kind words... 6/27/11 "Very satisfied – product (patio door) looks great. Everything sales representative said it would be. Now I need window treatments and may possibly replace some windows and the front door." 9/3/11 (got shades for that patio door) “Excellent! If we have window/door/window treatment needs in the future, you will be our first choice. Thank you for a wonderful job!" Dan & Mary G. of Allentown "Rick was very helpful with suggestions in helping us make our choices. He spent a great deal of time with us and we didn't feel he was just giving us the typical "sales pitch." Frank and his son, who did our installation, were awesome. They did a great job & we are very pleased with the job. Thanks.” Linda N. of New Tripoli Smokey the Bear says, “Prevent woodland fires!” A great, crackling campfire is just what you need for your fun time out in the woods. But it is also a serious responsibility. Protect the woods you love by completely extinguishing your fire. Maintaining Your Campfire As you're enjoying your campfire, remember these safety tips: •Once you have a strong fire going, add larger pieces of dry wood to keep it burning steadily. •Keep your fire to a manageable size •Make sure children and pets are supervised when near the fire •Never leave your campfire unattended until they are cool to the touch. DO NOT merely bury the fire. It will continue to smolder, could catch roots on fire and eventually start a wildfire. REMEMBER: If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave! Don't burn dangerous things Never burn aerosol cans or pressurized containers. They may explode. And never put glass in the fire pit. Glass does not melt away, it only heats and shatters. Aluminum cans do not burn. They only break down into smaller pieces. Inhaling aluminum dust can be harmful. Pack it in, Pack it out Be sure to pack out your trash. Pack out everything that you packed in. •Never cut live trees or branches from live trees Extinguishing Your Campfire! Here is how to make sure your fire is dead out: Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible. Pour lots of water on the fire, drown ALL embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sound stops. Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel. Make sure everything is wet and embers are cold to the touch. If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix dirt or sand with the embers Senior Scene A Computer for Seniors •Develop a strategy before entering a casino. Never go in and play randomly. The A-Plus Senior Computer's simple design makes it easy for anyone, especially senior beginners, to connect with friends and family over the Internet. It has easy one step email, Internet, video chat, and many games. And it has easy picture transfer, plus you can make your own CDs and DVDs or type a letter. It's powered by Windows 7 and fully protected against viruses. The A-Plus is secure and completely maintenance free. You can enjoy the Internet without worrying about the computer. Just plug it in and you're ready to go. •Don't drink while playing. Alcohol undermines your concentration and judgment. Smaller RVs Are Hot Gambler's Checklist Visiting casinos is a favorite form of entertainment for retirees. It can be an adventure, but it can also be dangerous if you allow yourself to get caught up in a game. Here's some good advice from gambling instructor Henry Tamburin. •Slowly increase bets when you are winning. Take advantage of any streak. •Never quit during a streak, but quit as soon as your luck turns bad. •Never bet more when you are losing. The advice works particularly well for card games and roulette. But you have to be very careful and have limits even if you're just playing the nickel slots. Got the travel bug? Consider one of the new smaller RVs that have better fuel economy and space maximizing features like beds that drop from the ceiling. Experts at Fleetwood say older people don't need as much space. Health in the News Sudoku Decorate your plate and nourish your body If you regularly eat colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you've taken a big step toward good health. Here are a few recommendations by the Mayo Clinic: Meat: It's nutritious, but plant proteins, such as beans, split peas and lentils, also have protein and cost less. It's best to keep meat consumption to about 6 ounces a day. Choose low-fat cuts like round steak and skinless chicken. Substituting two servings of fish a week is recommended, but bake or broil it instead of frying. Fiber: Foods like whole grain cereal and bread, fruits and vegetables require more chewing time, making it less likely you'll overeat. And you'll feel full. Fiber also aids bowel function, lowers cholesterol levels and regulates blood sugar levels. The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks must contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box. The difficulty lies in that each vertical nine-square column, or horizontal nine-square line across, within the larger square, must also contain the numbers 1-9, without repetition or omission. Potassium: Increasing your intake may reduce your risk of high blood pressure and kidney stones. It's found in white potatoes, bananas, dried beans, fish and low-fat dairy products. Good fats: Unsaturated fats provide energy and help your body absorb vitamins. They are found in natural oils, such as olive, safflower, canola and flaxseed. Avocados, walnuts and almonds are great sources. Fatty fish, such as salmon or trout, supply omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3s reduce your risk of abnormal heartbeat decrease triglyceride levels, and slow growth of arteryclogging plaques. Every puzzle has just one correct solution. Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Steaks 6 5-ounce salmon fillets 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white wine 1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon honey 6 sprigs mint Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Coat a small saucepan with non-stick cooking spray. Over medium heat, combine the garlic, white wine, honey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for about 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Arrange salmon fillets on the foil-lined baking sheet. Brush fillets with balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with the parsley. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until flesh flakes easily with a fork. Brush fillets with remaining glaze, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Use a spatula to transfer fillets to serving platter, leaving the skin behind on the foil. Garnish each with a sprig of mint. Local Business Spotlight Local businesses that help the Allentown-area economy prosper LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT A. PINEL, LLC 1502 Center Drive, Suite 201 Bethlehem, PA 18018 484.821.0400 Rapinel@pinellaw.com Credit Repair • Contract • Collection • Real Estate • Employment nionFuel Company “The Comfortable Choice... Since 1887” Oil & Gas Heating Systems Repair & Maintenance 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed 610-253-6215 Bethlehem Bookkeeping Plus Nancie Fetter 610-428-3206 BethlehemBookkeepingPlus@verizon.net Unionfuel.com Home family NEWS Windows, Doors & Siding You’ll love what you see Window Fashions In This Issue “News You Can Use Around Your House” Penn Windows 1518 Union Blvd Allentown, PA 18109 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 163 WAUCONDA, IL Address Service Requested Vinyl Siding New Blinds & Shades Company Update Senior Scene Salmon Steaks Local Business Spotlight We Specialize in . . . Windows, Doors & Siding You’ll love what you see We specialize in ... • Custom vinyl windows - all styles • Custom steel and fiberglass entry doors, storm doors, French doors and patio doors • Premium vinyl siding, soffits and fascia, and gutters We specialize in ... Window Fashions • Hunter Douglas custom blinds & shades • Plantation shutters in wood and composite • Huper Optik window film • Custom draperies, valances, cornices and more! • Remote control options!