Month: September 2013

Cain Center closed because of water damage

Executive Director Tere Lawyer said the Cain Center would be closed at least through Monday because of extensive water damage after Saturday’s torrential rain in Athens. We had to start doing a lot of Water Damage Restoration. The update came Saturday night in posts to the Cain Center Facebook page and Henderson County Now. The torrential rain causes lots of problems across the town so we’re trying to get it fixed as quickly as possible. Lots of homeowners have had their homes destroyed and it’s very upsetting to see.

Professional restoration companies like erie restoration, will arrive in your place of emergency within the hour, for the most part. They know that time is of the essence and prompt attention to your emergency will lessen the duration and cost of the restoration project. These experts arrive ready to assess the water damage in your home and start drying out the property immediately. They also tell you if you require a roof repair service., if your water damage was caused by bad weather as this type of damage requires immediate attention. The trucks are equipped with gear and supplies necessary for any fire, smoke, sowot and water restoration job. Professional water extraction and drying tools that are used for water removal from your property are industrial strength and are designed for any type of repair and restoration efforts. They truly offer dependable, competent and personalized service for a variety of disaster recovery situations. You can click here now for more about the water damage restoration company.

It is the process of repairing a house or property to its pre loss condition. Damage to the property could be because of an overflow, flood or any other water damage event. The water damage restoration process involves several key procedures like loss assessment, categorization based on the water contamination levels, decontaminating and drying the structure, monitoring of the process and completion of the process. The S500 damage due to water guide is the benchmark tool that is used by companies that specialize in restoration of water damage.

This is where water damage control and clean-up companies offer the most value. Obviously, I would reccomend looking around for prevention tips for water damage, but when it’s too late it’s best to call in the experts. It will take you several hours of research and learning to figure out the best restoration plan for your house while a professional restoration company will often have years of experience on their hands. Their experience and their expertise will allow them to immediately go to work on restoring your property in the most time-efficient and cost-efficient manner. They will also be able to advise you about potential problems with the construction of your house that might lead to future water damage problems.

The water damage contractor needs to be certified by the IIRC that also provides certifications to inspectors, restorers, mold inspectors and other specialists in water damage removal. They must also bear a contractor’s license. If you want to check, contact the licensing board in your state. Confirm the number and status of the contractor’s license. Also, make sure that the experts have years of experience already in the business. This means they know more or less how to handle the different issues concerning flood water damage restoration.

Lawyer said the damage was both upstairs and downstairs.

“We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience and will be up and running as soon as possible,” she said.

No more SNAP Challenge

By Michael V. Hannigan

After five days of the SNAP Challenge, I have called an end to the experiment. Technically, Jeff and I were supposed to go through the weekend, but after a really long week, I want to be done.

Jeff was ready to finish out, but my family has some weekend plans I want to enjoy. I admit it: I bailed out.

But five days was long enough to learn two important facts:

1. I can live on only $4.80 a day for food and drink.

2. I don’t want to.

Which also answers, for me at least, two of the big questions that started this challenge for us. Is the food stamp allowance a pittance as some have said, or is it a luxury as others say?

I say the answers are no and no.

I have written elsewhere that with planning, cooking, and controlled portions, you can do OK on SNAP.

But it also means no restaurants and little in between snacks …. and I REALLY wanted an unsweet Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade). I have had nothing but water or coffee for 5 days.

So I was ready to be done, and yes I know that proves that I was never living the same life as the folks who are really on SNAP — I didn’t have any skin in the game, as Jeff says. I accept that criticism.

But five days were enough for me.

Thanks for the conversation this week … we didn’t come to any answers other than education is the key, but we will continue doing things to try and spark the debate.

Sophia’s Journey sets fundraiser

Eustace resident Reba Bailey has started an organization called Sophia’s Journey to raise money to help a private Christian school, the Kingstar School, in Tanzania, Africa. She worked there this past summer while on a mission trip.

Her organization will be holding its first fundraiser, a miniature golf tournament, at Whatz Up in Seven Points on Saturday, Oct. 5. The cost is $20. Registration will begin at 7 and tournament will begin at 8. Hole sponsorships can be purchased for $20.

You can learn more about the organization at www.sophiasjourney.org, and you can read about Reba’s mission trip on her blog tsolove.blogspot.com.

If you have any questions you can call Reba at 903-292-8174 or her email is [email protected].

Sophia's journey

Day 4 SNAP Challenge reflections

(Editor’s note: Michael Hannigan and Jeff Weinstein have taken the SNAP Challenge, and are eating on the food stamps allowance of $4.80 per day.)

By Jeff Weinstein

This morning my stomach is telling me I’m hungry. I’ve done a really poor job of planning this week. I never went to the grocery store and basically skipped meals. I know that’s not healthy but my hunch is that it’s typical of many non-planners.

I love the discussion my FB family is having on this issue. We have so many amazing people in Henderson County who care so much about our community. To those of you that chimed in and shared your personal stories of SNAP, your stories were a true gift to each of us.

Today (Thursday), Avery has a dive meet in Frisco. From past experience I know there will be a lot of down time. I need to keep busy so I don’t think about hanging out at the concession stand. Have a great day.

SNAP Update: $4.80 a day isn’t all that bad

(Editor’s note: Michael Hannigan and Jeff Weinstein have taken the SNAP Challenge, and are eating on the food stamps allowance of $4.80 per day.)

By Michael V. Hannigan

For those who are wondering, the SNAP Challenge is still going forward. Today (Thursday) is Day 4 for me and I am still on track and spending no more than $4.80 a day.

As for the actual food, this is what I’ve found: You can eat fine on $4.80 a day. So far this week, I’ve been eating eggs, bread, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, pasta, chicken, grapes, frozen mixed vegetables, tuna, and some potatoes.

You must plan, however, and cook. You can’t go through life the way many of us do, grabbing food through a take out window or microwaving something pre-made and frozen. You have to buy raw foods, make meals with planned leftovers, and you have to carry your lunch box.

You also have to eat portions like the doctors tell us and not like society tells us.

The truth is that we would all probably do a lot better if we followed those guidelines and cranked the money up to, say, $6 a day so that we can get better fresh veggies and fruit. … No, I’m not suggesting the SNAP benefit go up, I’m saying that many of us eat pretty badly when you think about it.

So I don’t have a big problem with the $4.80. It is enough to eat OK, but not so much that you can afford to go out and be splurging at the grocery store.

Other numbers are not so easy to quantify. The government says that the program has just 1 percent fraud, which is amazing. But opposition like Fox News claims that number is misleading because the government has put so many people on the program who don’t need to be there.

And for every story about a family able to pull itself up and become successful with the help of food stamps, there is a story about someone selling food stamps for cash, or buying alcohol.

So the debate comes down to the numbers you are inclined to believe from the beginning. It is not a good place to be.