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December 2008 Newsletter
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Greetings!
What an incredible year this has been. Politics, tumbling economy, bank scandals and a lingering war. You name it, we've seen just about everything this year. And if forecasters are accurate for 2009, it too may be a solemn year to remember. But as it went this year, please allow me to suggest an alternate focus. As the picture above illustrates, there are so many moments that we treasure and always will, even in a crazy year like this one.
The holidays always remind us of the really important things in life and regardless of the turmoil we observe or experience, we can experience the inner joy of Christmas throughout the year.
At the risk of sounding preachy, what do you see in the picture above? A Christmas tree? Two women working diligently to decorate it? How about a loving mother and daughter sharing a seasonal moment together, building a relationship that will bring precious memories for years to come.
Aren't these the moments that bring us joy throughout the year, whenever we reflect upon them? And isn't it the sacrificial giving of one's self that builds the inner peace within us?
It is for me and I'm sure that most of you feel the same way, too.
So as we go into 2009, let's keep the Christmas spirit alive all year.
Let's keep our eyes open for those who may be less fortunate than us and share with them in what ever way we can. Let's keep the inner glow of Christmas in our hearts and love for each other, alive throughout the year.
Merry Christmas from the Casey family.
PS...We have something special for you at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Christmas is for family, not plumbing issues.
How to avoid seasonal drain clogs
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This is the season when we kick back, enjoy family and friends and usually, share a holiday meal.Most of the time, everything goes off without a hitch. But each season brings a new crop of frustrated homeowners dealing with plumbing failures, during or immediately after the holiday.Plumbing contractors everywhere experience a huge increase of drain stoppages, most of which could have been avoided.Here are some holiday tips to get through the season without drain problems...- Use your garbage disposal very carefully. This has been the number one culprit for seasonal drain stoppages for our customers. Here's what I do at my house and I've never in 22 years had a slow drain. First, don't put too much material at once into a disposal, especially if you have a smaller one - 1/2 hp or less. Instead, with the water running, trickle the material in until done then let the water run for at least 60 seconds after the material disappears. This will insure that the material makes it all the way out. For a fool proof method, I simply gather up whatever material that needs to be disposed and put in my kitchen trash can - foolproof, works every time!
- Don't pour grease down your drains. The grease builds up on the inside of the pipes and eventually will clog completely. Instead, pour grease into a disposable container and put it in the trash.
- Don't use "drain openers" in a can or a bottle. It doesn't matter what the label says about being safe for your pipes, think about it; if the opener is strong enough to dissolve solid material, it can and often does create plumbing leaks in piping.
For drain problems, call... 503-643-4433
CCB 147298
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Going away for the holidays?
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Extreme cold weather can cause some disastrous plumbing problems. Your best defense against freezing and bursting pipes is to take the correct steps to prevent a problem now. * If you're going away for the holidays or the cold weather months in general, the safest bet is to turn the water off to your house until you return. Open some faucets to ensure water is all the way off. Make sure you leave your heat on, set no lower than 55 degrees or your pipes are in danger of freezing or bursting. * Make sure everyone in the house can locate the main water shut-off valve. If no water comes out when you turn your faucets on, your pipes are probably frozen. Leave them on and immediately call a plumber. If you've already discovered that your pipes have burst, still keep the faucets on, but turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and call a plumber. * If you suspect your pipes are freezing, wrap towels that have been soaked in hot water around cold pipe sections. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes and turn on faucets just enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping the water moving will help prevent freezing. * Never try to thaw a pipe with a blowtorch or other open flame and do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. * Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. * If you end up needing to call a plumber because of an emergency, keep a clear head. Give us a call and we'll get out there right away to solve the problem. 503-620-9111
CCB 147298
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Holiday Fire-Safety Tips
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With Christmas here, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people to look for and eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights and decorations that could lead to fires and injuries. Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 8,100 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations, and Christmas trees. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in more than 400 fires annually, resulting in 30 deaths, 90 injuries, and an average of more than $17 million in property loss and damage.Have a safe and happy holiday season by following these safety tips.Trees * When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. * When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green; needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. * When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.Lights * Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. * Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. * Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. * Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.For more information, please call the best... "Keeping the lights on"
503-643-8833
CCB 147298
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Tangy Honey Glazed Ham
By Sue Family.com
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I came up with the glaze for this ham using ingredients on hand and it's the best I've ever tasted. This ham is very nice served with scalloped potatoes, creamed peas and biscuits.
Prep Time: 15m
Cook Time: 2h 45m
Ready in: 3h
Yield: 1 (10 pound) ham
Ingredients
1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup honey
1/3 large orange, juiced and zested
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan.
2. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Bake ham in preheated oven uncovered for 2 hours. Remove ham from oven, and brush with glaze. Bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, brushing ham with glaze every 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 851 cal Total Fat: 50.4 g Cholesterol: 185 mg
Sodium: 3623 mg Carbohydrates: 31.9 g Fiber: 0.2 g
Protein: 64.8 g
Click here for more ideas at Family.com
Click here for even more great recipe ideas click...
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I am humbled with the response we have received over the years for our unique quality focused service.
I covet your continued patronage and promise to continue our level of service whenever you should need us.
Sincerely,
William Casey - Owner and GM
Casey's Plumbing Inc.
Rooter n Drains
Metro's Best Electric
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Joy in giving
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The Christmas season is the time of giving and I would like to provide you with some resources below, that rely heavily on on folks like us for their work.
If any of these charities don't appeal to you, please find one you that you would like to support and offer a helping hand if you can.
If this information seems a little out of place, I completely understand. It is only because I myself have found so much fulfillment in helping that I want to share this opportunity with others.
And, because there seems to be a greater need this year than in previous years, I have personally been compelled to help in this small way, by including this information in this month's newsletter.
Shepherd's Door
Shepherd's Door is a division of the Portland Rescue Mission. They offer housing and training to homeless women and their children. Many of these women were victims of abuse.
Friends of the Children
Friends of the
Children provides vulnerable children with
full-time, paid, professionally trained mentors (called Friends) to
ensure that each child has a positive, consistent and supportive adult
in his or her life.
Oregon Food Bank
"Oregon Food Bank works to eliminate hunger and its root causes ... because no one should be hungry."
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Quick Links
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First 10 winners
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Our "First 10 to open this newsletter", campaign has proven to be very popular. We have issued twenty $25.00 checks over the last 2 months.
Be sure to check your your e-mail regularly. Each month we will continue awarding $25.00 to the first 10 people who open our newsletter.
Merry Christmas
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OUR PLUMBERS AND ELECTRICIANS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS
A LONG TIME!
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caseysplumbing.com
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DISCLAIMERS
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Helpful tips provided in this newsletter are for educational purposes only and Casey's Plumbing, Metro's Best Electric and
Rooter n Drains are not responsible for any potential damage or injuries that results from using them.
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