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Ask The Pro Newsletter
-DoubleDave's Pizzaworks *COUPON*
-Katy Company Honored
-Fire Ants in Your Yard
-Maintaining a Palm Tree
-Pressure Treated Does NOT Mean Weatherproofed
-"It's Not Easy Being Green!"
Volume 2, Edition 3
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today.
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show Saturdays from 11 AM -
12 PM central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Thank you for your interest in the Ask The Pro Radio Show.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Budget Blinds Katy
Doug & Loree Brazil
KATY BUDGET BLINDS FRANCHISEE HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
AT NATIONAL CONVENTION
Loree and Doug Brazil, the owners of the Budget Blinds franchise in Katy were honored at the
franchisor's national convention held in Orlando, Fla. for outstanding performance. Only 20 of the
company's nearly 1,000 franchises are honored for this achievement.
"This is an honor for our entire team that has worked so hard to be the local experts in the window
coverings field," said Doug Brazil, who owns and operates the local Budget Blinds franchise with his
wife, Loree.
"We love Katy and being part of this community. Homeowners truly care about beautifying their rooms,
while maintaining privacy, controlling light, reducing noise and cutting energy costs with their window
treatments," Loree Brazil said.
Budget Blinds proudly offers homeowners and businesses in the area free, personalized in-home
consultations, professional measuring and installation, and a rich selection of quality window
treatments, including: shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and awnings.
______________________________________________________________________
Dream Landscape Design, Inc.
Melinda Sperl
Fire Ants in Your Yard
Our grass is brown, the leaves are falling, there is a nip in the air and fire ant mounds popping up in
our yards. This time of year most of our pests are inactive and it is not recommended you treat
insects. But, if you did not treat for ants earlier in the year you may have a bad problem by the spring.
During the summer the ants are mostly under the ground where it is cool. In the winter months they
come to the surface for the warmth and can make large mounds.
The most effective fire ant treatment is the two step method which uses a granular bait system twice
per year and then treating individual mounds using a dust, granule, or drench insecticide. Ask your
landscape professional for specific brands for your area. Bait systems work best when applied in early
spring on a dry lawn and in the fall while it is still warm. Complete coverage of your lawn and following
label directions are extremely important. You can use the baits alone but you will need some patience
as they will work but very slowly.
Unfortunately, it is too late in the year for baits to be effective so use a spot treatment now and have
patience until early April to put out a bait product.
Melinda Sperl is the owner of Dream Landscape Design, Inc., a full service landscape company. You
can reach Melinda at Melinda@dreamlandscapedesign.com or www.dreamlandscapedesign.com
_____________________________________________________________________
Simpsons Tree Service
Cammy Simpson
Maintaining a Palm Tree
Caring for and helping a palm tree reach its full potential is relatively straightforward. There are some
vital things you can do to ensure that your palm tree reaches full growth and health potential.
1. Fertilizaton - First, palm trees require a variety of nutrients to survive. Because palm trees naturally
thrive in sandy, well-drained soils, nutrients tend to leach away quickly. There are fertilizers specific to
palms that release nutrients very slowly, to provide steady, targeted feeding.
2. Mycorrhizal Fungi - Mycorrhizal fungi colonize plant and tree root systems. In exchange for food, these
fungi return to the palm vital nutrients and moisture. The fungi can even extend the root area several
hundred percent - helping it survive in very dry conditions. If you live in an urban environment, it's
possible that your palm is missing this vital and symbiotic fungi.
3. Pruning a Palm Tree - Palm trees grow quickly and pruning a palm tree can be beneficial when done
correctly. However, overpruning can be detrimental to the health and growth of the tree. The thought that
the more often a palm tree is pruned, the faster it will grow is an incorect notion. Yellow, brown or
broken fronds should be pruned off the palm tree. Loose petioles should be removed by hand. If they
do not pull off easily, leave them on the tree. Flower and fruit stalks should be removed from the tree.
When the tree is growing to fast for its surrounding, thin out clumps of palms and trim back new
growth. Green fronds should be left alone. Do not cut fronds too close to the trunk - this can damage
the tree.
Pruning keeps rodents away!
Palm trees with slumping, dead fronds can attract pests such as rats, roaches, bats and snakes.
Rodents may nest and breed within thick layers of dead fronds in untrimmed palm trees and have easy
access to your roof and home. Careful and periodic palm tree trimming will help prevent unwanted
pests on your property.
All tree care estimates are FREE and senior citizens receive a 10 percent discount.
And always remember to:
For tall palm trees, do consider hiring palm tree care professional. Call us for a free Palm Tree Pruning
quote: (281) 980-0095
_____________________________________________________________________
As Good As New
Earl Wright
Pressure Treated Does NOT Mean Weatherproofed
Everyday usage and various environmental factors will cause your exterior wood structures to weather
and to rot if not protected properly.
Damage can be done by any of the following:
SUN
The intensity of harmful ultra violet radiation causes discoloration of the wood's surface. These UV rays
dry out the wood by removing its natural resins. The lack of these essential resins (which are found in
living trees) makes the wood brittle and gray.
RAIN
When rain is absorbed by unprotected wood, moisture builds up below the surface, providing prime
growing conditions for fungus, mold and mildew. These microscopic organisms decompose the
wood, causing the wood to rot.
FREEZE
In the winter, snow and ice melt into existing cracks in the wood. When the temperature drops, the melt-
water freezes and expands. The Freeze and thaw cycle causes the wood to expand and contract which
leads to further cracking over time.
Pressure-treated wood is injected with a chemical that protects it against rot and termites, but pressure
treating wood does not give it weather protection. In fact, it actually makes the wood surface more
porous and even more susceptible to moisture damage.
Don't let your fence or deck rot. Protect your investment by weatherproofing.
For more information visit our website at www.asgoodasnewpreservative.com or call As Good As New
at 281 353 2088
______________________________________________________________________
INTERIORS by Decorating Den
Richard Koonce & Mykal Pedraza
"It's Not Easy Being Green!"
So says world famous Muppet, Kermit the Frog! But, actually in today’s environment, with so many
products and design options available, being “green” can be a relatively easy and environmental
beautiful design option.
From paint, lighting, accessories, fabrics, furniture and wall coverings, becoming eco-friendly has
become an extremely high priority for many home furnishings manufacturers.
Let’s take a look at a few of these exciting options.
Furniture. Natural fibers, found in rattan and plantation grown woods (rather than depleting forest
grown woods) give home owners a wide variety of styles, textures and designs. And how about
materials such as bamboo, abaca, and government certified hardwoods. If purchasing eco-friendly
furniture for your home is a priority, you might check to see if your furniture manufacturer is a member of
the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) which was established in 2007.
Lighting. Not only have halogen lamps been all the rage for the past few years, they are a boon to
energy savings, as are the wide variety of energy saving light bulbs available in the marketplace. In
addition many of today’s decorative lamps have been designed in wrought iron, allowing for a more
intricate detailing and design variety.
Fabrics. Believe it or not, gorgeous decorative fabrics are being made from recycled plastic water
bottles, recycled polyester, and recycled paper. And often times these eco friendly fabrics are treated
and finished with only water based or environmentally approved dyes.
Wall Finishes. Paints now feature low odors, faster drying times and stronger durability, all by
maintaining environmental codes. If repainting is in your future, be sure to ask if the paint you’re
considering has a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) rating, so that you can continue your
environmental stewardship. Natural grass cloth wall covering is another way to add warmth, beauty
and texture to your wall décor, while maintaining your green focus.
And let’s not forget the importance in design of the color GREEN!! Yes, it may not be easy being green,
but this long desired shade can be found in almost every design scheme. Whether you incorporate
green in plant foliage displayed in your room’s design, or you make this shade predominate, usually
any green shade will add a bit of the splendor of the great outdoors to any décor.
INTERIORS by Decorating Den
Richard Koonce Mykal Pedraza
The Deco Guyz TM
713-541-DECO (3326)
-Katy Company Honored
-Fire Ants in Your Yard
-Maintaining a Palm Tree
-Pressure Treated Does NOT Mean Weatherproofed
-"It's Not Easy Being Green!"
Volume 2, Edition 3
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today.
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show Saturdays from 11 AM -
12 PM central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Thank you for your interest in the Ask The Pro Radio Show.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Budget Blinds Katy
Doug & Loree Brazil
KATY BUDGET BLINDS FRANCHISEE HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
AT NATIONAL CONVENTION
Loree and Doug Brazil, the owners of the Budget Blinds franchise in Katy were honored at the
franchisor's national convention held in Orlando, Fla. for outstanding performance. Only 20 of the
company's nearly 1,000 franchises are honored for this achievement.
"This is an honor for our entire team that has worked so hard to be the local experts in the window
coverings field," said Doug Brazil, who owns and operates the local Budget Blinds franchise with his
wife, Loree.
"We love Katy and being part of this community. Homeowners truly care about beautifying their rooms,
while maintaining privacy, controlling light, reducing noise and cutting energy costs with their window
treatments," Loree Brazil said.
Budget Blinds proudly offers homeowners and businesses in the area free, personalized in-home
consultations, professional measuring and installation, and a rich selection of quality window
treatments, including: shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and awnings.
______________________________________________________________________
Dream Landscape Design, Inc.
Melinda Sperl
Fire Ants in Your Yard
Our grass is brown, the leaves are falling, there is a nip in the air and fire ant mounds popping up in
our yards. This time of year most of our pests are inactive and it is not recommended you treat
insects. But, if you did not treat for ants earlier in the year you may have a bad problem by the spring.
During the summer the ants are mostly under the ground where it is cool. In the winter months they
come to the surface for the warmth and can make large mounds.
The most effective fire ant treatment is the two step method which uses a granular bait system twice
per year and then treating individual mounds using a dust, granule, or drench insecticide. Ask your
landscape professional for specific brands for your area. Bait systems work best when applied in early
spring on a dry lawn and in the fall while it is still warm. Complete coverage of your lawn and following
label directions are extremely important. You can use the baits alone but you will need some patience
as they will work but very slowly.
Unfortunately, it is too late in the year for baits to be effective so use a spot treatment now and have
patience until early April to put out a bait product.
Melinda Sperl is the owner of Dream Landscape Design, Inc., a full service landscape company. You
can reach Melinda at Melinda@dreamlandscapedesign.com or www.dreamlandscapedesign.com
_____________________________________________________________________
Simpsons Tree Service
Cammy Simpson
Maintaining a Palm Tree
Caring for and helping a palm tree reach its full potential is relatively straightforward. There are some
vital things you can do to ensure that your palm tree reaches full growth and health potential.
1. Fertilizaton - First, palm trees require a variety of nutrients to survive. Because palm trees naturally
thrive in sandy, well-drained soils, nutrients tend to leach away quickly. There are fertilizers specific to
palms that release nutrients very slowly, to provide steady, targeted feeding.
2. Mycorrhizal Fungi - Mycorrhizal fungi colonize plant and tree root systems. In exchange for food, these
fungi return to the palm vital nutrients and moisture. The fungi can even extend the root area several
hundred percent - helping it survive in very dry conditions. If you live in an urban environment, it's
possible that your palm is missing this vital and symbiotic fungi.
3. Pruning a Palm Tree - Palm trees grow quickly and pruning a palm tree can be beneficial when done
correctly. However, overpruning can be detrimental to the health and growth of the tree. The thought that
the more often a palm tree is pruned, the faster it will grow is an incorect notion. Yellow, brown or
broken fronds should be pruned off the palm tree. Loose petioles should be removed by hand. If they
do not pull off easily, leave them on the tree. Flower and fruit stalks should be removed from the tree.
When the tree is growing to fast for its surrounding, thin out clumps of palms and trim back new
growth. Green fronds should be left alone. Do not cut fronds too close to the trunk - this can damage
the tree.
Pruning keeps rodents away!
Palm trees with slumping, dead fronds can attract pests such as rats, roaches, bats and snakes.
Rodents may nest and breed within thick layers of dead fronds in untrimmed palm trees and have easy
access to your roof and home. Careful and periodic palm tree trimming will help prevent unwanted
pests on your property.
All tree care estimates are FREE and senior citizens receive a 10 percent discount.
And always remember to:
- Wear thick work gloves to protect your hands from the rough bark and fronds.
- Leave at least two rows of mature fronds on the tree.
- Do not prune palms for cosmetic reasons.
- Be very careful not to damage the trunk of the tree with your lawn mower or trimmer. Open
wounds are entry points for insects and disease.
For tall palm trees, do consider hiring palm tree care professional. Call us for a free Palm Tree Pruning
quote: (281) 980-0095
_____________________________________________________________________
As Good As New
Earl Wright
Pressure Treated Does NOT Mean Weatherproofed
Everyday usage and various environmental factors will cause your exterior wood structures to weather
and to rot if not protected properly.
Damage can be done by any of the following:
SUN
The intensity of harmful ultra violet radiation causes discoloration of the wood's surface. These UV rays
dry out the wood by removing its natural resins. The lack of these essential resins (which are found in
living trees) makes the wood brittle and gray.
RAIN
When rain is absorbed by unprotected wood, moisture builds up below the surface, providing prime
growing conditions for fungus, mold and mildew. These microscopic organisms decompose the
wood, causing the wood to rot.
FREEZE
In the winter, snow and ice melt into existing cracks in the wood. When the temperature drops, the melt-
water freezes and expands. The Freeze and thaw cycle causes the wood to expand and contract which
leads to further cracking over time.
Pressure-treated wood is injected with a chemical that protects it against rot and termites, but pressure
treating wood does not give it weather protection. In fact, it actually makes the wood surface more
porous and even more susceptible to moisture damage.
Don't let your fence or deck rot. Protect your investment by weatherproofing.
For more information visit our website at www.asgoodasnewpreservative.com or call As Good As New
at 281 353 2088
______________________________________________________________________
INTERIORS by Decorating Den
Richard Koonce & Mykal Pedraza
"It's Not Easy Being Green!"
So says world famous Muppet, Kermit the Frog! But, actually in today’s environment, with so many
products and design options available, being “green” can be a relatively easy and environmental
beautiful design option.
From paint, lighting, accessories, fabrics, furniture and wall coverings, becoming eco-friendly has
become an extremely high priority for many home furnishings manufacturers.
Let’s take a look at a few of these exciting options.
Furniture. Natural fibers, found in rattan and plantation grown woods (rather than depleting forest
grown woods) give home owners a wide variety of styles, textures and designs. And how about
materials such as bamboo, abaca, and government certified hardwoods. If purchasing eco-friendly
furniture for your home is a priority, you might check to see if your furniture manufacturer is a member of
the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) which was established in 2007.
Lighting. Not only have halogen lamps been all the rage for the past few years, they are a boon to
energy savings, as are the wide variety of energy saving light bulbs available in the marketplace. In
addition many of today’s decorative lamps have been designed in wrought iron, allowing for a more
intricate detailing and design variety.
Fabrics. Believe it or not, gorgeous decorative fabrics are being made from recycled plastic water
bottles, recycled polyester, and recycled paper. And often times these eco friendly fabrics are treated
and finished with only water based or environmentally approved dyes.
Wall Finishes. Paints now feature low odors, faster drying times and stronger durability, all by
maintaining environmental codes. If repainting is in your future, be sure to ask if the paint you’re
considering has a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) rating, so that you can continue your
environmental stewardship. Natural grass cloth wall covering is another way to add warmth, beauty
and texture to your wall décor, while maintaining your green focus.
And let’s not forget the importance in design of the color GREEN!! Yes, it may not be easy being green,
but this long desired shade can be found in almost every design scheme. Whether you incorporate
green in plant foliage displayed in your room’s design, or you make this shade predominate, usually
any green shade will add a bit of the splendor of the great outdoors to any décor.
INTERIORS by Decorating Den
Richard Koonce Mykal Pedraza
The Deco Guyz TM
713-541-DECO (3326)
DoubleDave's Pizzaworks Bob Sudkamp *COUPON* Are you looking for a spot for your next team party, birthday party or group event? DoubleDave's Pizzaworks, located at 1660 South Mason (corner of Highland Knolls), can be your event location. Our party room can accommodate a large group of people. We have a wide assortment of games for the kids to play while enjoying our specialty pizzas like our Veggie, Buffalo Chicken, The Works, Barbecue Chicken and our Meateaters along with our famous Peproni rolls, Stromboli an assortment of desserts and a our Texas sized salad bar. DoubleDave's offers dine in, pick up, delivery and can cater your next event. Give us a try! We can be reached at 281-391-3283. *Bring this add in for $1 off your next order. |
Check A Pro Radio Show Check A Pro Radio is sponsored by CHECK A PRO. Learn more at www.checkapro.com.