There’s nothing better than a good summer read. At least to some of us, the idea of sitting under an umbrella in the warm summer air, all the while sipping delicious homemade concoctions and turning page after page is pure bliss. Whether you’re reading the latest best-seller or turning your attention to the classics, time spent reading a good book is relaxation and entertainment in its simplest form.

Since before we can remember, story telling has been a part of our culture, and has continually evolved. Sometimes the stories told in our favorite books become so admired that they are then featured in the cinemas. This summer’s example is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, which was published in February 2006, and the movie, starring Julia Roberts, was released to theaters on August 13, 2010. Both the book and movie have people raving about this woman’s journey through Italy, India and Indonesia. It’s fun to feel a sense of adventure through someone else’s eyes sometimes. It can also be fun to read a book and delve into the details, imagining the characters in that time or place.

So if you are looking for a little relaxation and a hint of adventure, sit under the umbrella in your own backyard with a book in your hand. You may ask, “Adventure in my own yard?” You never know. Maybe the book is set in Italy, and you can imagine all the beautiful textural stone work, chiming church bells and delicious meals served with savory wine. Though maybe it’s not so difficult to imagine when you are sitting in your own little getaway surrounded by stunning paver stones and a softly trickling water feature. Either way, enjoy your summer read in bliss.

Looking for books based in Italy? Here are a few selections we thought you might like to add to your reading list:

Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

A Room with a View – E.M. Forster

Under the Tuscan Sun – Frances Mayes

Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy – Frances Mayes

A Farwell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway

A Venetian Affair – Andrea Di Robilant

Summer in Tuscany – Elizabeth Adler

Angels & Demons – Dan Brown

The Agony and the Ecstasy – Irving Stone

Giacomo Casanova: The Story of My Life – Giacomo Casanova

New Moon – Stephanie Meyer

It is no surprise that maintaining the perfect lawn can be time consuming and costly! Our pet and eco-friendly SP Turf is the perfect solution to the never-ending hassle associated with traditional sod lawns. There’s nothing better than a lawn that saves you money and time, so you can enjoy the simple things in life.

Not only will SP Turf save you money on your monthly utility bill, but for Southern California residents, increased rebates can earn back money on the installation too! According to www.socalwatersmart.com, “Grass is one of the most water-intensive plants in your landscape. Its high water and frequent maintenance needs make it a time-consuming, expensive option.”

So now, if Southern California residents choose to remove their irrigated grass to reduce water use, they become eligible to receive up to $1 per square foot! This reward for helping save water has increased $0.85 since the region-wide program began June 1, 2010 continuing through April 30, 2011 or until funds are depleted. Start saving money on monthly bills and ensure your rebate by installing SP Turf today!

For more information on water rebates, visit www.socalwatersmart.com or for more information on SP Turf, CLICK HERE!

Inspired by friends and clients’ genuine interest and enthusiasm for their homeland, System Pavers Co-founder Larry Green and his wife Debbie have extended a personal invitation to personal friends, close colleagues and valued System Pavers clients for an exclusive, South African adventure. After continued inquiries, the “Friends of System Pavers South African Experience” was launched early last month.

The adventure is scheduled to take place March 18 – 27, 2011. The Greens will take a group of System Pavers customers on a 10-day, 9-night five-star tour through Johannesburg, Sabi Sabi and Capetown. Each stop in the tour promises to bring unique explorations including safari sightings, inspiring encounters with knowledgeable speakers and native inhabitants, and an awakening sense of discovery.

Prior to the launch, the Greens have guided several groups of friends on a tour where they were able to experience the captivating beauty of South Africa.

“Our greatest pleasure has been hosting and witnessing the awe, enjoyment, education, and fun our guests have encountered as well as enjoying the incredible quality of time spent together,” said Larry Green.

Paul Makarechian and Anna Lake, one of the couples who joined the 2006 trip said, “The only way I can describe the Green's Africa trip is ‘never to be outdone.’ This trip will remain one of the most profound, eye-opening and cultural experiences my fiancé and I have had to date, after having traveled throughout the world. We cannot thank Larry and Debbie enough for the once-in-a-lifetime experience!”

Additional information about SP African Experience can be found online at www.SPAfricanexperience.com  

Summertime means enjoying the beautiful weather and quality time spent with family! So, invite the kids and grandkids over to enjoy summer fun right in your own yard. Your lawn will be the center of it all, and with SP Turf, the whole family will want to know the secret to your beautiful carefree yard. Kids and dogs love SP Turf too! Not only is it safe for them, but it looks and feels as good as the real thing. They will no longer drag dirt and mud into your home after a fun day of playing in the yard. Not to mention, when our four-legged friends make a mess, it’s quick and easy to clean without the worry of damage or burn spots. SP Turf is perfect for the whole family – children, pets and everyone who loves the look of year-round green grass without the cost and hassle associated with a traditional sod lawn.    

With SP Turf, you can say goodbye to:

Watering                             Mowing                                Upkeep Costs                    Weeding             

Pet Damage                        Muddy Areas                   Pests                                     Seasonal Die-Off

See how delighted one of our Northern California customers is with her beautiful, new driveway and turf. Sounds like her grandkids love it too! 

The sun is the largest energy source in our solar system. It powers the Earth with its light and heat, feeding trees, animals, plant life and changing seasons with its radiant and vital power. In the past few decades, mankind has developed more efficient energy technologies in response to the growing global energy crisis, which has not only caused environmental concern, but inflated the cost of utility rates in homes all across America.

Major advances in solar power have brought the vision of self-sustained communities to a reality. Solar power, or the science of absorbing life-generating solar rays from the sun and converting them into electrical power, holds many benefits for families and communities that utilize this exciting technology.

With over 50 years combined experience providing innovative solutions for homeowners worldwide, System Pavers Co-founders Larry Green and Doug Lueck made the decision to launch a full-service, custom-design solar power provider. The enormous potential in this groundbreaking new industry really struck them, and so they launched Kianga Solar! Kianga Solar offers the best quality and lowest pricing you will find anywhere, with superior customer service, quality installation and the most efficient, highest quality panels in the industry!

Don’t fall prey to the rapidly rising utility rates! When your Kianga Solar System produces excess power, the meter will begin to spin backwards, accumulating credits with the utility company to offset your bill. Contact us today at 866-210-4900 or visit us on the Web at www.kiangasolar.com to start watching your meter run backwards!

Don’t take our word for it. See what our customers have to say:

“I would like to thank you and your team for carrying out the installation of my solar system in such a professional manner. Your team at Kianga Solar has provided me with the means to produce my own energy and reap the rewards of a reduced energy bill as well as enabling me to participate in contributing to preserving our environment. A ground mount system installation presented many challenges which were dealt with in an efficient and committed manner. I wish you all the best in the future and would not hesitate to refer Kianga Solar.”
Sincerely,
Bill Hauf, CA

“I am a spokesperson for Energy Star and winner of the Flex-Your-Power award. Making a conscious decision last year to reduce my environmental CO2 emissions, and therefore have PV installed on the roof of my home, was an easy one. Or so I thought! I researched solar companies and had five reputable businesses visit my home to assess and quote. Four walked away saying my roof was ‘too difficult’ to install solar panels. Your team at Kianga Solar successfully engineered a solution of 12 panels over 4 arrays integrating individual inverters on each panel. This overcame my shading and pitch issues. Kianga Solar delivered what I was promised, always arrived on time as scheduled and I signed off the installation without any issues. My first net energy metering electrical bill arrived yesterday and it was for $47 as opposed to the previous months $126.53. Wow!! That is totally amazing!
Thanks for your expertise, ingenuity and professionalism.”
Mark Raissen, CA

Go Green and Save Money! Don’t wait this is the absolute best time to get solar installed! As a preferred System Pavers customer, take advantage of the special introductory price and free $500 engineered analysis & design. Think ahead by taking action now while rebates are still available. See how ‘Going Green’ can be practical too!

When you are looking for a good contractor, price should not be your sole consideration. In times of financial downturn, making economical decisions may be necessary, but it should not be at the cost of quality. So before you sign the dotted line, become an informed consumer and avoid being victimized by unscrupulous or unlicensed operators by asking the right questions ahead of time. Most licensed contractors are competent, honest and hardworking, and they won’t mind answering a few questions.

Protect Yourself, Ask the Important Questions

• Does the contractor have a valid and current license with the state contractor board?
• What kind of insurance does the contractor carry?
• How long has the contractor been in business?
• Does the contractor specialize in one area of contracting?
• What kind of warranty does the contractor offer?
• Ask friends and neighbors for personal recommendatios. Satisfied customers are one of the best ways to find local contractors!

What to Avoid – Contractors Who:

• Appear to do the job at an unusually low price
• Only provide a post office box for their business address
• Require full or substantial payment before work begins
• Refuse to provide you with a written estimate or contract
• Refuse to provide you with a state license number
• Refuse to provide you with references

Before You Sign the Dotted Line – Make Sure the Contract Includes:

• A detailed summary of the work to be done
• A description of materials
• The total contract price or how the price will be calculated
• Timelines and provisions that address what will happen if the contractor fails to meet the contractual deadlines

Don’t Let This Happen to You

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Contractor’s State License Board

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects consumers by licensing and regulating California's construction industry. There are more than 310,000 licensed contractors in the state, in 43 different licensing classifications. In addition to educating consumers about contractors and construction law, CSLB activities include administering examinations to test prospective licensees, issuing licenses, investigating complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors, issuing citations, suspending or revoking licenses, and seeking administrative, criminal, and civil sanctions against violators. In FY 2007/08 CSLB obtained more than $35.2 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

The CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) works to eliminate unlicensed contractors working in California. Undercover sting and sweep operations are conducted weekly around the state.

On this Web site you can find educational materials about hiring contractors and the construction process. You can also check the status of a contractor's license, find other important Contractors License Law information and file a complaint.

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/contractors/

Seasonal or year-round, allergies often affect many people. It’s not just us who suffer, however. Our furry friends can be just as affected by common outdoor allergies. So when spring and summer come along, it’s not just you and your kids you have to worry about, Fido may be enduring the allergy season too.

We wanted to find out more about how our furry friends are affected by allergies, so we went to www.sniksnak.com, where our friends from Pawprints & Purrs, Inc. had some helpful information. In short, this is what we learned:

What are allergies, and how do they affect dogs?

One of the most common conditions affecting dogs is allergy. In the allergic state, the dog’s immune system “overreacts” to foreign substance (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin; either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.

Aren’t there several types of allergies?

There are five know types of allergies in the dog: contact, flea, food, bacterial, and inhalant. Each of these has some common expressions in dogs, and each has some unique features.

What is inhalant allergy?

The most common type of allergy is the inhalant type, also known as atopy. Dogs may be allergic to all the same inhaled allergens that affect humans. These include tree pollens (cedar, ash, oak, etc.), grass pollens (especially Bermuda), weed pollens (ragweed, etc.), molds, mildew, and the house dust mite. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. However, others are with us all the time, such as molds, mildew and house dust mites.

What happens when a dog inhales something to which it is allergic?

When humans inhale allergens, we express the allergy as respiratory problems. These include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. The dog’s reaction, however, usually produces severe generalized itching. He will chew, lick or scratch almost any area of the body, including the feet. Chewing and scratching produce hair loss and inflamed areas of the skin. Saliva will stain light colored hair, so dogs that lick excessively will have an orange or reddish brown hair. This is often seen on the feet. Although most people think that itching is related to fleas, the most common cause of itching in the dog is inhalant allergy.

The System Pavers Solution to Allergies

When it comes to allergies, wouldn’t you want to do anything to minimize the impact on you, your family and pets? SP Turf is the perfect solution to minimizing the common grass pollen allergies. Our synthetic grass looks and feels as good as the real thing without the worry of itching, runny noses and watery eyes. With the antimicrobial infill, SP Turf keeps clean and fresh 365 days a year, so it’s safe for families with pets and children. Not to mention, when our four-legged friends make a mess, it’s quick and easy to clean without the worry of damage or burn spots. SP Turf is the smart, eco-friendly solution to allergies and high monthly water bills. Save on vet bills, utilities and tissue use! Visit www.systempavers.com for more information.  

SP Turf is perfect for the whole family – children, pets and everyone who loves the look of year-round green grass without the cost and hassle associated with a traditional sod lawn. Not only is it safe, so your kids and pets can happily play on it all day, but it looks and feels as good as the real thing. Take it from our delighted customer in Northern California, whose family has spent more time enjoying their backyard and lawn than ever before!

A Weekend of Classics

If you have a classic car and want to show it off or you simply love to admire them, then cruise over to the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, where the 2^nd Annual Hot San Jose Nights Auto Show will be held this weekend. The show will host hundreds of classic, vintage, exotic, custom and all around beautiful cars. Expect car enthusiasts from all over Northern California to be in attendance as it promises to be an entertaining weekend.

Each day promises to have something for everyone, including entertainment, autos, food, a casino, carnival games and award ceremonies… Not to mention, System Pavers will be there! So as you admire the beauty of all the classic cars, you can imagine how much more radiant they would appear resting atop luxuriously designed paving stones.

Hot San Jose Nights General Info 

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds

344 Tully Rd. San Jose, CA 95111

Show Dates/Times: Friday, July 9 (Noon – 7 p.m.); Saturday, July 10 (8 a.m. – 7 .pm.); Sunday, July 11 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

For scheduled events and detailed information visit www.hotsanjosenights.com.

Happy 4^th of July Everyone!

On July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was adopted, ending the American Revolution (1775-76), and we gained our independence from Great Britain. This day has been celebrated in the United States ever since. People often gather for parades, backyard barbeques and firework displays.  

Bring the festivities home this year! Invite your friends and family to celebrate this fun mid-summer holiday in the comfort of your home. The ambiance in your backyard will be the perfect setting with the soft trickle of a water feature, the aroma of a delicious feast coming from your custom barbeque island and the glow of SP Lighting.

Our favorite things to cook up this Independence Day are tasty hamburgers (with everything on them, of course), veggie kabobs and maybe some old-fashioned potato salad. For a delicious, patriotic dessert try this recipe for Flag Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream from bettycrocker.com.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

½ cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Strawberries for garnish

Blueberries for garnish

Frosting

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

3 to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Up to 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients until incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on med-high speed for 3 minutes.
• Divide batter equally in half between two bowls.
• Use red food coloring to color one bowl of batter to desired color of red.
• To make flag striped cupcakes, alternately place a spoonful of red batter and then a spoonful of white batter in the cupcake holder. The batter is the think, so it won’t spread on its own. A great tip is to set out a little bowl of water where you’re working. Dip your finger in the water and then gently spread the batter out. The water will make it so the batter doesn’t stick to your fingers.
• Bake cupcakes according to the cake mix package directions.
• Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Frost cooled cupcakes. Garnish with strawberries and blueberries.