GF Insider
Great Falls Network Newsletter
August  2012
In This Issue
Storm Stories
Generator Anyone?
A Tree Fell
Google Great Falls
Scammed or Cheated?
FCPS Calendar
The Homestead's Offer
Upcoming
Next Month

 

Welcome To GF Insider

 

If you're reading this it's likely you are a member of the Great Falls Network Group on LinkedIn or were invited.

 

To continue receiving this newsletter you need do nothing. To subscribe or unsubscribe click on the appropriate links below.

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SPECIAL OFFERS

Great Falls' Realtor

 

ROZ DRAYER

.Sotheby's International 

 

CPC PAINTING

 

Now serving Great Falls, McLean and Others.

 

www.cpcpainting.com 

 

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1975 

Generator anyone?
 
GROUP BUY SIGNUP
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WowWow

June ended in disaster, July started out beyond hot, you were forced to leave town, contractors swarmed, generators became essential and a tree fell.

And we decided to do a newsletter. We have catching up to do in this issue and as you can tell from some of the click thru ads we're already looking forward to later this year.

In future issues we will bring you your  stories, interviews, useful links, special offers, and other valuable information. Let us know how we are doing and what you want to see us do. Submit comments, articles, ideas, etc. by email.
The 22066 Forecast

Storm Stories 


The next time the weatherman says  "derecho" run for cover. The June 29th storm was a fast moving storm with strong wind gusts.
 
Overnight our utility poles and lines broke, trees fell, gutters clogged and
roads were rendered impassable.

 

Thousands in Great Falls were left for days without power for appliances and water. Homes were damaged and food  discarded as record high temperatures baked the area.
Best Advice

It is likely to happen again. Trees and branches will grow and Mother Nature will hurl another one our way with predictable consequences.

Prepare with the best local forecast and storm prep advice. Click the NWS icon for the local forecast and the NOAA  storm advice.
 
Watch for Fairfax County emergency alerts delivered direct to your smartphone or email. Signup for alerts here.
Generator anyone?
 
The "Generator Anyone?" post on linkedin resulted in much discussion as users continue to sign up for the group buy or share their experience with a specific brand, an installer or annual servicer.

(Note: Everytime someone posts an item you are notified. You can restrict the number of update emails you receive from linkedin groups by changing your group settings. Go to the Network's Group page and select the  "Your Settings" option on the "More" tab.)
 
Recent events obviously created a surge of interest and in demand (along with an explosion of overnight generator dealers) for both small portable units and the large fixed standby units.  Units are today pricey and currently range in cost from a few hundred dollars for the do-it-yourself  portable to tens of thousands of dollars for the fully installed fixed unit. Major brands include Briggs-Stratton, Generac, Honeywell, Kohler, Oman, Honda and others.
 
What you want to power and the difficulty of installation will determine your final cost. Installation costs as much as the equipment. In addition to dedicated generator dealers, the larger HVAC firms will help you install and service generators. Note: Once installed, the larger units require annual service contracts which may range in cost from a few hundred dollars to a thousand dollars.

 

If you are buying a generator, set a budget first and visit several manufacturers who have posted product information on their respective websites to help you determine your needs. Other groups have posted info regarding generator sizing and other decision making guidance as well. If you buy a large one you will need a concrete pad, electric and gas lines installed, and a switch in addition to the unit itself.

 

Some manufacturers offer tiered pricing and other discounts for group buys. If you wish to participate in the group buy email and we will keep you informed of our progress on these pages and a future information session. An email requesting additional information will be sent to those signed up.

A Tree Fell


The massive old oak fell unexpectedly, crushed a car killing its occupant and blocked two lanes of Georgetown Pike during the height of the rush hour. A second oak was deemed unsafe and ordered cut down.

 

The oak that fell had no roots and was hollow at its base. It stood for over a hundred years finally giving in to disease, age or both. 

  

Signs of trees about to come down include a loss of leaves, large falling branches, bark that is flaking off, open sores or wounds, severe trimming and leaning angle.

 

VDOT encourages the public to file online reports of unsafe trees alongside roads or in the "right of way" here or by telephone at 1-800-367-7623.

 

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"Google Great Falls Virginia"

 

The gift shop, hardware store, others and now, the Exxon?

Recent business relocations, reductions of hours or spaces, and closures, as well as rumors of more, have alarmed the residents of Great Falls. While residents lament their loss businesses claim they are not well supported by residents and also blame high rents for the losses. Want to do something about it? Use Google to locate shops and others and shop Great Falls. More on the Exxon next month.

Scammed or cheated?


If you feel you have been taken advantage of by a contractor or other business, both Fairfax County and the State of Virginia may be able to help. Learn about the county's resources here. Read what the state offers here
FCPS Calendar 

It is never too early to plan that next vacation. To help you with your reservations here's the 2012-13 school calendar.
The Homestead Exclusive Offer


If you are planning on going this Fall here's the popular "Taste of the Homestead" vacation package assembled for network members:

Room (2 night minimum) - Daily breakfast for 2 - 1 group activity per person per stay (total of 2) - and additional discounts of 25% off of additionally purchased outdoor activities, 15% off of individually purchased spa services, and 50% off of Kids Club.

Weekday rates starting at $199.00 per night. Weekend rates starting at $249.00 per night. (These rates exclude resort charge and taxes, and would not apply to any existing reservations.) The rates fluctuate depending on when you go, but they represent a 30 - 50+% savings compared to current rates. Valid Sept. 1st -Dec 22 (Not valid over Thanksgiving)

Call 1-800-838-1766 ext 3 and mention "Great Falls Taste of the Homestead" to take advantage of the offer.

 

BTW, the water slide opens in August.

Upcoming Events


We organize happy hours and lunches which are open to fellow members and other professionals but while we're off for the summer vacation do take advantage of: 

 

Happy hours and lunches return in September.
9/13 - "Helping Children Soar"
 
This year's Children's Law Center benefit highlights educational access and honors key partners.
  
 

More than 400 participants will honor GE and Arnold & Porter as the "Pro Bono Champions" for their partnership on special education for poor children. Info/reserve here.

10/1 - Golf Tournament

Sponsorships & Foursomes Available
Next Month


It is "Back to school!" and "Back to work!" but that's not all.

 

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