Plumbers in Scranton have it easy. Make no mistake; they're hard-working, industrious and know their business. It's easy for them because of the number of older homes in the area.
Plumbing that dates back nearly a century inevitably means leaky pipes. Some of those pipes are actually made of lead, which is toxic to living things who drink water from lead pipes. Repair and replacement of old pipes is just one thriving plumbing application.
Ground water and wet basements means sump pumps -- which need maintenance, repairs and replacements. While the annual rainfall here is less than that of the Pacific North-West (which is classified as a temperate rain forest), there's still plenty of rain and groundwater to get into the foundations of houses.
Hot water heaters have a limited life span. When they go, they need replacement. Local plumbers can upgrade the quality of the replacement to be more energy efficient (including the new solar hot water solution).
Then there are the inevitable clogs, leaky faucets, sewer problems and the like. Bathtubs and sinks eventually wear out and need to be fixed or replaced. All the normal plumbing chores that need attention just add to the ease with which Scranton plumbers get more and more work.
The trick for Scrantonians is to find the right plumber for the particular job that needs doing. A pipe-fitter or steam-fitter is not a plumber. Neither is a “helpful” neighbor with a smattering of plumbing knowledge (who recently screwed up the installation of a float in a toilet). Check out Scranton Plumbers for a reliable, hard-working plumber at http://vincerunza.com/scranton/plumbers/.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Scranton Mortgages | Mortgage Brokers in Scranton
The word "mortgage" literally means "dead hand". Figuratively, it means a pledge unto death. Old-fashioned mortgages were never paid off. They didn't amortize, or liquidate the debt itself. Instead, they gave the right to build and use the property for life, with the understanding that the ownership of the property remained with one who originally owned it.
Old English property laws were intended to protect the holdings of the elite. Mortgages were a way to "monetize" their land without surrendering control of it. Nowadays, the idea that someone could "mortgage" land without eventually surrendering it to the one paying the mortgage is unthinkable.
There are still forms of this archaic method of long-term leasing:
Today's mortgage market has seen a troublesome use of so-called ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) loans. While these loans are not in and of themselves bad, giving them to those who will not be able to make the payments when the loan "adjusts" upward has created a crisis in the Real Estate market and the world economy as a whole!
Rather than dissect this problem here, consider well which type of loan you choose for your own home purchase or Real Estate investment property. It is up to you to do your own due diligence when it comes to borrowing a substantial amount of money. It is imperative that you do so when that money represents your life savings and your future net worth.
In Scranton, there are plenty of mortgage brokers to choose from. The key is to find one that will take into account your total financial plan and fiscal "fitness". Do your research and find the Mortgage Brokers in Scranton that will best serve your needs and select the best of the best.
Old English property laws were intended to protect the holdings of the elite. Mortgages were a way to "monetize" their land without surrendering control of it. Nowadays, the idea that someone could "mortgage" land without eventually surrendering it to the one paying the mortgage is unthinkable.
There are still forms of this archaic method of long-term leasing:
- Ground rent
- 99 year leases of property
Today's mortgage market has seen a troublesome use of so-called ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) loans. While these loans are not in and of themselves bad, giving them to those who will not be able to make the payments when the loan "adjusts" upward has created a crisis in the Real Estate market and the world economy as a whole!
Rather than dissect this problem here, consider well which type of loan you choose for your own home purchase or Real Estate investment property. It is up to you to do your own due diligence when it comes to borrowing a substantial amount of money. It is imperative that you do so when that money represents your life savings and your future net worth.
In Scranton, there are plenty of mortgage brokers to choose from. The key is to find one that will take into account your total financial plan and fiscal "fitness". Do your research and find the Mortgage Brokers in Scranton that will best serve your needs and select the best of the best.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A Scranton Masonry Contractor: D.P. "Don" Shiffer
I watched a local masonry contractor put up some very large blocks as a retaining wall. Stone masons, bricklayers and others who build structures out of the stuff of the Earth used to be part of a secret guild. The way this particular contractor did it looked like magic to me.
One day, there was a stack of these impressive, ornate blocks ready to be fashioned into something useful. The next day, they were! It wasn't a particularly large job, but even a dozen of these blocks that were used reminded one somewhat of building the Pyramids in Egypt.
I stopped and introduced myself to Don Shiffer, the owner, telling him of my admiration of his work. "I've been a bricklayer since 1978," he said. There was a quiet pride in his eyes, something he'd earned from decades of skilled labor and a well-deserved reputation.
He doesn't have a fancy display ad in the Yellow Pages. A simple classified listing of his Clarks Summit location and phone number is enough. He gets referrals from other satisfied customers.
His son, Mark, has been thinking about getting a Web page or something for the business. Looking at the future of local business promotion, that's at least a better choice for this business than some others are.
Given the nature of how the Internet works these days, having a Web presence via a Front Door page could be the best solution for a Scranton Masonry Contractor. There's an example here: http://www.vincerunza.com/scranton/contractors/mason/ for Mark Shiffer to consider. It's new construction, will build to suit and no long-term lease!
One day, there was a stack of these impressive, ornate blocks ready to be fashioned into something useful. The next day, they were! It wasn't a particularly large job, but even a dozen of these blocks that were used reminded one somewhat of building the Pyramids in Egypt.
I stopped and introduced myself to Don Shiffer, the owner, telling him of my admiration of his work. "I've been a bricklayer since 1978," he said. There was a quiet pride in his eyes, something he'd earned from decades of skilled labor and a well-deserved reputation.
He doesn't have a fancy display ad in the Yellow Pages. A simple classified listing of his Clarks Summit location and phone number is enough. He gets referrals from other satisfied customers.
His son, Mark, has been thinking about getting a Web page or something for the business. Looking at the future of local business promotion, that's at least a better choice for this business than some others are.
Given the nature of how the Internet works these days, having a Web presence via a Front Door page could be the best solution for a Scranton Masonry Contractor. There's an example here: http://www.vincerunza.com/scranton/contractors/mason/ for Mark Shiffer to consider. It's new construction, will build to suit and no long-term lease!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Brazilian Restaurants in Scranton? There's at least one...
If you search Yahoo! local for Brazilian restaurants in Scranton, here's what you get: Sorry, no Brazilian Restaurants found in or nearby Scranton, PA. Funny, there's one about half a block from me here in North Scranton. Ipanema Grille is most definitely Brasilian in tone, flavor, presentation and the food on the menu!
Of course, given that local listings from a huge, impersonal search engine can be mistaken, I feel it's my duty to set the record straight. This is an authentic Churrascaria with a special flair.They describe it this way: “Churrascaria is a traditional Brazilian Steak House that distinguishes itself from others with its specialty, Rodizio...”
Their rodizio has to be seen to be believed! Oven roasted meats (more than a dozen varieties, with grilled pineapple as a delightful “foil” to those flavors) are presented on skewers at your table and hand carved directly onto your plate. There's a method to this madness, too. You get a “flipper”, which is red and green:
There's a sumptuous salad bar, a varied menu that includes American and even Italian cuisine and incredible desserts. They have a fully-stocked bar that offers all your favorite cocktails, Sangria and Brazilian caipirinha.
Green means "Bring it on"
Red means "Stop for now"
1st Stage- Keep the flipper Green side up, the carvers will keep on visiting the table.
2nd Stage- You always can slow it down or take a break by turning the flipper to Red.
3rd Stage- When you are ready to indulge again, turn the flipper to Green and keep on enjoying.
4th and Last Stage- Remember you are in control of how much your stomach desires. Your Rodizio meal is only over when you ask your waiter to remove your plate.
They're open for lunch and dinner:
Tuesday to Friday -- Lunch : 11:00 am/3:00pm. Dinner: 5:00pm/10:00pmCall for reservations! You may walk in on a night when they're packed and have to wait, stomach growling, as some table turns their flipper to green. The number in Scranton is 570-558-0742.
Saturday & Sunday -- Lunch: 12:00pm/3:00pm. Dinner: 5:00pm/10:00pm
Ipanema Grille: the answer to the question, “Are there any Brazilian restaurants in Scranton?”
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Scranton Malpractice: Doctors and Lawyers and...Counties?
Professional malpractice, whether it's involving doctors or lawyers, is a hot topic in our increasingly litigious society. That's why this article in The Times-Tribune caught my eye. For those of you who inevitably won't click through to it, the article lays out a case for possible "municipal malpractice" in hiring 5 local lawyers with questionable qualifications to work on a bond issue. It turns out that "none is a member of either the National Association of Bond Lawyers or the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers."
Wait, it gets better. Some don't even practice in areas of finance and municipal law. Sure, there's at least one who does medical malpractice and personal injury. But where's the expertise in finance, municipal law and bond issues in particular? I especially liked this quote from the article: "Mr. Munchak conceded that hiring an attorney who does not have a background in finance to work on a municipal bond transaction doesn’t make sense." The real issue here is one of transparency and accountability, not finger-pointing.
This brings up the point as far as The Scranton Front Door Pages: is there a need for a new classification: scranton/municipal? That'd be the place for Scranton Lawyers Municipal Malpractice and Scranton Insurance Municipal Malpractice to promote themselves. While I invite local law firms who specialize in medical malpractice and insurance agencies who issue malpractice insurance for professionals to avail themselves of the service, I'm not sure I want to get involved with any municipal malpractice at all!
Wait, it gets better. Some don't even practice in areas of finance and municipal law. Sure, there's at least one who does medical malpractice and personal injury. But where's the expertise in finance, municipal law and bond issues in particular? I especially liked this quote from the article: "Mr. Munchak conceded that hiring an attorney who does not have a background in finance to work on a municipal bond transaction doesn’t make sense." The real issue here is one of transparency and accountability, not finger-pointing.
This brings up the point as far as The Scranton Front Door Pages: is there a need for a new classification: scranton/municipal? That'd be the place for Scranton Lawyers Municipal Malpractice and Scranton Insurance Municipal Malpractice to promote themselves. While I invite local law firms who specialize in medical malpractice and insurance agencies who issue malpractice insurance for professionals to avail themselves of the service, I'm not sure I want to get involved with any municipal malpractice at all!
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