Expedia launches direct communication tool for hoteliers

Expedia has begun its rollout of Expedia Partner Central Conversations, which encourages direct dialogue and engagement between hoteliers and booked guests, providing a more personalized experience for guests and enabling them to reach out directly to hotels to inquire about additional amenities and services.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1L12ngW

Five big forces that are reshaping travel marketing in 2016

Digitally-driven self-serve experiences have done wonders to increase transparency and reduce operating costs for travel companies. But the flip side of "no human interactions" is that a key way of differentiating a travel brand - great people - has been eliminated from millions of guest trips and stays.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RhNHXi

Hotels have to be as annoying as airlines, says Hilton CEO

After it's US$ 50 cancellation fee experiment, Hilton is in the process of doing further tests to move its customers down that journey of recognizing, "if you want total flexibility, there's a price for that".

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1L12jxP

HotelTonight’s ‘magic’ words make it easier to search for the right hotel

Last-minute accommodation booking service HotelTonight has a set of 13 "magic" words that you can use to help you find the right hotel.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDhgN

Skyscanner eyes U.S. market after Miami office opens

As Skyscanner enters the North American arena, its strategy will focus on what it does well: international travel and a wide range of partnerships. The company's localized products in 45 markets let it customize the user experience to cater to the needs of a country or culture's travel habits.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21FDn2M

How internet behavior is changing around the world

Last year, marketers and businesspeople around the world saw a huge change in the way people use the internet. Most notably we saw that more people were using their mobile devices to search for things online than on their desktop computers.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDhgH

Webinar wrap-up: How to rank on page #1 in Google search results

While there isn't a silver bullet to skyrocket your hotel website to the top of the first page of Google overnight, there are strategies you can put in to action that will get your site moving in the right direction – up.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21FDmMm

Sojern Private Marketplace: Build brand affinity with travel audiences

The Sojern Private Marketplace offers top advertisers access to exclusive inventory from premium publishers, including selected preferred deals, private "invitation-only" auctions and a curated, premium whitelist.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDgti

Expedia launches direct communication tool for hoteliers

Expedia has begun its rollout of Expedia Partner Central Conversations, which encourages direct dialogue and engagement between hoteliers and booked guests, providing a more personalized experience for guests and enabling them to reach out directly to hotels to inquire about additional amenities and services.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1L12ngW

Five big forces that are reshaping travel marketing in 2016

Digitally-driven self-serve experiences have done wonders to increase transparency and reduce operating costs for travel companies. But the flip side of "no human interactions" is that a key way of differentiating a travel brand - great people - has been eliminated from millions of guest trips and stays.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RhNHXi

Hotels have to be as annoying as airlines, says Hilton CEO

After it’s US$ 50 cancellation fee experiment, Hilton is in the process of doing further tests to move its customers down that journey of recognizing, “if you want total flexibility, there’s a price for that”.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1L12jxP

HotelTonight’s ‘magic’ words make it easier to search for the right hotel

Last-minute accommodation booking service HotelTonight has a set of 13 “magic” words that you can use to help you find the right hotel.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDhgN

Skyscanner eyes U.S. market after Miami office opens

As Skyscanner enters the North American arena, its strategy will focus on what it does well: international travel and a wide range of partnerships. The company's localized products in 45 markets let it customize the user experience to cater to the needs of a country or culture’s travel habits.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21FDn2M

How internet behavior is changing around the world

Last year, marketers and businesspeople around the world saw a huge change in the way people use the internet. Most notably we saw that more people were using their mobile devices to search for things online than on their desktop computers.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDhgH

Webinar wrap-up: How to rank on page #1 in Google search results

While there isn’t a silver bullet to skyrocket your hotel website to the top of the first page of Google overnight, there are strategies you can put in to action that will get your site moving in the right direction – up.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21FDmMm

Sojern Private Marketplace: Build brand affinity with travel audiences

The Sojern Private Marketplace offers top advertisers access to exclusive inventory from premium publishers, including selected preferred deals, private “invitation-only” auctions and a curated, premium whitelist.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21yDgti

How to Remove 4 Common Carpet Stains

• allow it to release from the carpet fibers. Try one of these oils to get the gum off your carpets:
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Olive Oil
• Peanut Butter
• Apply oil to the gum with a cloth. Do not pour the oil directly on the gum; it is much easier to control where you are applying the oil when it is placed on a cleaning cloth first. Saturate the gum wad with oil by repeatedly applying oil with the cleaning cloth.
• Scrape the gum off gently using a butter knife. Gently lift the gum off the carpet by scraping a knife over the gum in the same direction each time. Wipe the gum off the knife blade after each pass to avoid re-applying the gum to the carpet. Rubbing back and forth may damage the carpet fibers and cause more damage to your flooring.
• Clean the area with dish soap and water. Once the gum has been removed there may be some residual oils left from the cleaning process. Mix a teaspoon of a grease fighting dish soap with a quart of water and scrub the carpet with a cloth dipped in the soapy solution. Source: WikiHow

 

We hope that this post helped you learn about carpet stain removals. For more information please contact us.

 

Contact:

 

Curlys Carpet Repair

Vancouver

1255 Comox Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 1K6

Canada

Phone: (604) 282-6630

 

Bellingham

1206 Jefferson St

Bellingham, WA 98225

United States (US) Phone: 360-303-6462

The post How to Remove 4 Common Carpet Stains appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.

from Curlys Carpet Repair http://ift.tt/1Ls35Ur

How to Remove 4 Common Carpet Stains

• allow it to release from the carpet fibers. Try one of these oils to get the gum off your carpets:
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Olive Oil
• Peanut Butter
• Apply oil to the gum with a cloth. Do not pour the oil directly on the gum; it is much easier to control where you are applying the oil when it is placed on a cleaning cloth first. Saturate the gum wad with oil by repeatedly applying oil with the cleaning cloth.
• Scrape the gum off gently using a butter knife. Gently lift the gum off the carpet by scraping a knife over the gum in the same direction each time. Wipe the gum off the knife blade after each pass to avoid re-applying the gum to the carpet. Rubbing back and forth may damage the carpet fibers and cause more damage to your flooring.
• Clean the area with dish soap and water. Once the gum has been removed there may be some residual oils left from the cleaning process. Mix a teaspoon of a grease fighting dish soap with a quart of water and scrub the carpet with a cloth dipped in the soapy solution. Source: WikiHow

 

We hope that this post helped you learn about carpet stain removals. For more information please contact us.

 

Contact:

 

Curlys Carpet Repair

Vancouver

1255 Comox Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 1K6

Canada

Phone: (604) 282-6630

 

Bellingham

1206 Jefferson St

Bellingham, WA 98225

United States (US) Phone: 360-303-6462

The post How to Remove 4 Common Carpet Stains appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.

from Curlys Carpet Repair http://ift.tt/1Ls35Ur

Increase hotel RevPAR by targeting today’s consumers

Make sure you are not just lowering rate to fill your need period. Look at consumer demographics and how they change during the week to guide your marketing and rate strategy for maximum ADR and revenue performance.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqKPO

Hilton cans cancellation fee after pilot

Hilton Worldwide has decided against enacting a $50 cancellation fee at its hotels, for now. Hilton launched a pilot in November at a handful of its hotels, charging guests a $50 penalty if a reservation was canceled anytime after booking.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV4Hd

Booking.com rejected as trademark

The U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board refused Thursday to register "Booking.com" as a trademark, ruling that the site's name was generic for the travel agency services it would be used for.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqL6n

ASTA applauds Hilton for including agents in direct-booking campaign

The American Society of Travel Agents said today it commends Hilton Worldwide for recognizing travel agents in its new ad campaign. Both ASTA and Hilton sat down for several "productive" discussions on several industry issues affecting both parties.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV6yP

HOTREC and TripAdvisor join forces to call for faithful behaviour on online review platforms

HOTREC Hospitality Europe and TripAdvisor shine a spotlight on a challenge facing the travel industry – attempts at fraudulent activity on review sites – and raise awareness of how businesses can help combat the issue.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqMat

The value of a hotel brand promise

Recent findings by Deloitte show that a clearly defined and credible hotel brand promise can help generate rebooking, ancillary spending, and brand advocacy.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV6ig

The future of advertising is native social commerce

Today's shoppers are skeptic of pure play tactics. They see value in connecting and acquiring rather than reliance on a brand's library of products. As a result, they are looking for shopping destinations or inspirational sites.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqMan

Google’s move away from right-rail ads: The hotel marketer’s action plan

The primary result of Google's move away from desktop right-rail ads will result in less "ad real estate" and fewer text ads, which means increased competition and higher Costs per Click.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV3D6

Hilton cans cancellation fee after pilot

Hilton Worldwide has decided against enacting a $50 cancellation fee at its hotels, for now. Hilton launched a pilot in November at a handful of its hotels, charging guests a $50 penalty if a reservation was canceled anytime after booking.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV4Hd

Booking.com rejected as trademark

The U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board refused Thursday to register “Booking.com” as a trademark, ruling that the site’s name was generic for the travel agency services it would be used for.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqL6n

ASTA applauds Hilton for including agents in direct-booking campaign

The American Society of Travel Agents said today it commends Hilton Worldwide for recognizing travel agents in its new ad campaign. Both ASTA and Hilton sat down for several “productive” discussions on several industry issues affecting both parties.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV6yP

HOTREC and TripAdvisor join forces to call for faithful behaviour on online review platforms

HOTREC Hospitality Europe and TripAdvisor shine a spotlight on a challenge facing the travel industry – attempts at fraudulent activity on review sites – and raise awareness of how businesses can help combat the issue.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqMat

The value of a hotel brand promise

Recent findings by Deloitte show that a clearly defined and credible hotel brand promise can help generate rebooking, ancillary spending, and brand advocacy.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV6ig

The future of advertising is native social commerce

Today’s shoppers are skeptic of pure play tactics. They see value in connecting and acquiring rather than reliance on a brand’s library of products. As a result, they are looking for shopping destinations or inspirational sites.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqMan

Google’s move away from right-rail ads: The hotel marketer’s action plan

The primary result of Google’s move away from desktop right-rail ads will result in less “ad real estate” and fewer text ads, which means increased competition and higher Costs per Click.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1KWV3D6

Increase hotel RevPAR by targeting today’s consumers

Make sure you are not just lowering rate to fill your need period. Look at consumer demographics and how they change during the week to guide your marketing and rate strategy for maximum ADR and revenue performance.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1VMqKPO

Calgary’s epic foodie scene

The gateway to Alberta, Canada is Calgary, a bustling big city that I didn't have a lot of expectations for. My mind was more on the mountains.

I'm going to be totally honest here; I was not expecting a foodie scene and so many epic meals. Hell, I love surprises when traveling! But more on that in a minute.

But I love giving cities a chance, and I think it's important to be openminded about places when you're exploring the world, don't you? Don't judge a book by it's cover and all that shit.

Anyways, I arrived in Calgary late in the evening right after New Years and headed straight to the Hotel Elan and planted facefirst into the comfiest bed ever.

The next morning I woke up early with my mind on coffee and headed over to the Simmons Building in the East Village. An old two-story mattress factory converted into a thriving foodie center that just opened this year, I was really excited to see what was in store for me there.

Cough cough, hot coffee.

Right next to the river, it reminded me a bit of my old haunts around New York and New England, but I wasn't prepared for just how an amazing experience it would be until I walked inside.

Wow, Alberta, you are full of surprises!

Tucked away in the heart of the up and coming East Village, the beautiful wooden beams, exposed brick and soft lighting of the building created one of the most welcoming atmospheres I've experienced in Canada. It felt like it's own little market.

Right next to me as I walked in was Phil and Sebastian, an open coffee shop that you could immediately likely serves the best coffee in Calgary. Normally when I arrive in a city I seek out cafes like this, minimal with a focus on high quality coffee. It's like they read my mind.

I'm such an addict.

In the back I could see the Charbar and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and my nose and interest was piqued. Without skipping a beat I ordered my standard latte before grabbing a seat and waiting for company. I was immediately curious about what made this place tick. Sometimes you just know when a place has a story.

And I was right, a rare occurrence.

When I walked inside the Simmons Building, I was immediately blown away by how cool of a spot this was. If you value quality food and meals prepared with mindfulness and love, THIS is the place for you!

A building destined for the wrecking ball, it was saved with the idea of turning it into a community space. Hundreds of people vied for the lease to set up shop but three innovators won out – a cafe, a bakery and a restaurant, none of them typical of course.

I'm not a food writer but this was too good not to share. Here's their story along with my favorite bites from Calgary.

Phil and Sebastian

Phil and Sebastian studied engineering together at university, working as lab partners. They became friends over good food and better coffee. You can probably see where this is going, the result of which is amazing coffee in Calgary that Me (and probably plenty of you guys) couldn't get enough of.

Read more of their epic story here. Trying to summarize it would just do it an injustice.

I like my coffee with a story so I was lapping it up when I was hearing the story of engineers turned award winning baristas. Isn't that something we can all relate and aspire to? Leaving the comfortable to follow your dreams in the hopes that they pay off?

It's an inspiring space, and I love that you see every angle of how the coffee is prepared, evne it seems a bit intimidating. I'd rather learn that not, you know.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

After a couple cups of coffee, I wandered over to the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. I needed something to stuff my face with after so much coffee. I was jittery.

With a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu and a no BS attitude, this Israeli owned bakery combines tradition and innovation in every bite. I knew I was going to like this place when the owner asked if she could feed me. Um, duh. Yes please!!!

With almost every ingredient made in house, including the yeast that makes the bread, there is though, purpose and love in every dish here to make you want to stay all day and try everything.

Charbar

Where do I start? The best brunch I've had EVER of all time was at Charbar. Omg did it blow me away. And I don't say that lightly.

Blending together Argentinian, Spanish and Italian flavors over an Argentinian woodfire grill, I wish I hadn't eaten for days to prepare me for this meal. But don't worry, my mom raised me right and I didn't leave anything. What was left came with me as leftovers. Obviously.

It's also a really funky space. Definitely try the pizzas and ceviche mixto. ZOMG.

Working together with Phil and Sebastian and the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, they all compliment each other and really show off the best there is in Calgary.

Yellow Door Bistro

The rest of my time in Calgary I ate pretty well too, with dinner one night at the Yellow Door Bistro, an eccentric restaurant with a fine menu. It was the first time I tried pierogies in Calgary, a local staple.

As someone with a Polish ancestry who is not the best chef, I've always struggled with making pierogies so it had been a while since I indulged. GOD, they have to be one of my favorite dishes. And honestly, what more could you want when it's a balmy -10 degrees outside?

I couldn't get enough of the delicious perfect sized mains or the regal throne chairs. This place was cool.

Red's Diner

My last morning in Calgary I found I was quite bummed to leave the city. Living in one of the most remote, rural areas of the world here in New Zealand (wouldn't have it any other way) I can fully appreciate it when I get to spend time in the big cities.

Starting with variety and ending with an ample selection of diverse and delicious food. Yum. I headed over to Red's Diner, a local fave for a hot brunch before driving out to Canmore and the Rockies.

Ok, I am going to admit that I SERIOUSLY miss diner style food when I am outside of North America. It just takes me back to university and hanging with friends late at night or recovering from a big night out.

My spicy breakfast burrito with a whopping portion of guacamole was my last Mexican fix before heading back to a world without good Mexican food. And obviously we shared a plate of pierogies.

Calgary, I blame you for me not fitting into my snowpants when I arrived in Banff.

Have you ever visited a place with a surprising foodie scene? Have you been to any of these spots in Calgary?

Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Canada. Like always I'm keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me. 

The post Calgary's epic foodie scene appeared first on Young Adventuress.

from Young Adventuress http://ift.tt/215h5p5

Calgary’s epic foodie scene

The gateway to Alberta, Canada is Calgary, a bustling big city that I didn’t have a lot of expectations for. My mind was more on the mountains.

I’m going to be totally honest here; I was not expecting a foodie scene and so many epic meals. Hell, I love surprises when traveling! But more on that in a minute.

But I love giving cities a chance, and I think it’s important to be openminded about places when you’re exploring the world, don’t you? Don’t judge a book by it’s cover and all that shit.

Anyways, I arrived in Calgary late in the evening right after New Years and headed straight to the Hotel Elan and planted facefirst into the comfiest bed ever.

The next morning I woke up early with my mind on coffee and headed over to the Simmons Building in the East Village. An old two-story mattress factory converted into a thriving foodie center that just opened this year, I was really excited to see what was in store for me there.

Cough cough, hot coffee.

Right next to the river, it reminded me a bit of my old haunts around New York and New England, but I wasn’t prepared for just how an amazing experience it would be until I walked inside.

Wow, Alberta, you are full of surprises!

Tucked away in the heart of the up and coming East Village, the beautiful wooden beams, exposed brick and soft lighting of the building created one of the most welcoming atmospheres I’ve experienced in Canada. It felt like it’s own little market.

Right next to me as I walked in was Phil and Sebastian, an open coffee shop that you could immediately likely serves the best coffee in Calgary. Normally when I arrive in a city I seek out cafes like this, minimal with a focus on high quality coffee. It’s like they read my mind.

I’m such an addict.

In the back I could see the Charbar and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and my nose and interest was piqued. Without skipping a beat I ordered my standard latte before grabbing a seat and waiting for company. I was immediately curious about what made this place tick. Sometimes you just know when a place has a story.

And I was right, a rare occurrence.

When I walked inside the Simmons Building, I was immediately blown away by how cool of a spot this was. If you value quality food and meals prepared with mindfulness and love, THIS is the place for you!

A building destined for the wrecking ball, it was saved with the idea of turning it into a community space. Hundreds of people vied for the lease to set up shop but three innovators won out – a cafe, a bakery and a restaurant, none of them typical of course.

I’m not a food writer but this was too good not to share. Here’s their story along with my favorite bites from Calgary.

Phil and Sebastian

Phil and Sebastian studied engineering together at university, working as lab partners. They became friends over good food and better coffee. You can probably see where this is going, the result of which is amazing coffee in Calgary that Me (and probably plenty of you guys) couldn’t get enough of.

Read more of their epic story here. Trying to summarize it would just do it an injustice.

I like my coffee with a story so I was lapping it up when I was hearing the story of engineers turned award winning baristas. Isn’t that something we can all relate and aspire to? Leaving the comfortable to follow your dreams in the hopes that they pay off?

It’s an inspiring space, and I love that you see every angle of how the coffee is prepared, evne it seems a bit intimidating. I’d rather learn that not, you know.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

After a couple cups of coffee, I wandered over to the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. I needed something to stuff my face with after so much coffee. I was jittery.

With a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu and a no BS attitude, this Israeli owned bakery combines tradition and innovation in every bite. I knew I was going to like this place when the owner asked if she could feed me. Um, duh. Yes please!!!

With almost every ingredient made in house, including the yeast that makes the bread, there is though, purpose and love in every dish here to make you want to stay all day and try everything.

Charbar

Where do I start? The best brunch I’ve had EVER of all time was at Charbar. Omg did it blow me away. And I don’t say that lightly.

Blending together Argentinian, Spanish and Italian flavors over an Argentinian woodfire grill, I wish I hadn’t eaten for days to prepare me for this meal. But don’t worry, my mom raised me right and I didn’t leave anything. What was left came with me as leftovers. Obviously.

It’s also a really funky space. Definitely try the pizzas and ceviche mixto. ZOMG.

Working together with Phil and Sebastian and the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, they all compliment each other and really show off the best there is in Calgary.

Yellow Door Bistro

The rest of my time in Calgary I ate pretty well too, with dinner one night at the Yellow Door Bistro, an eccentric restaurant with a fine menu. It was the first time I tried pierogies in Calgary, a local staple.

As someone with a Polish ancestry who is not the best chef, I’ve always struggled with making pierogies so it had been a while since I indulged. GOD, they have to be one of my favorite dishes. And honestly, what more could you want when it’s a balmy -10 degrees outside?

I couldn’t get enough of the delicious perfect sized mains or the regal throne chairs. This place was cool.

Red’s Diner

My last morning in Calgary I found I was quite bummed to leave the city. Living in one of the most remote, rural areas of the world here in New Zealand (wouldn’t have it any other way) I can fully appreciate it when I get to spend time in the big cities.

Starting with variety and ending with an ample selection of diverse and delicious food. Yum. I headed over to Red’s Diner, a local fave for a hot brunch before driving out to Canmore and the Rockies.

Ok, I am going to admit that I SERIOUSLY miss diner style food when I am outside of North America. It just takes me back to university and hanging with friends late at night or recovering from a big night out.

My spicy breakfast burrito with a whopping portion of guacamole was my last Mexican fix before heading back to a world without good Mexican food. And obviously we shared a plate of pierogies.

Calgary, I blame you for me not fitting into my snowpants when I arrived in Banff.

Have you ever visited a place with a surprising foodie scene? Have you been to any of these spots in Calgary?

Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Canada. Like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me. 

The post Calgary’s epic foodie scene appeared first on Young Adventuress.

from Young Adventuress http://ift.tt/215h5p5

5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Secure While on Vacation

Rushing out the door to begin enjoying a vacation can cause people to overlook several easy ways to ensure their homes will be protected. Luckily, we'll discuss 5 tips for keeping your home secure while on vacation. Read On!

Keep your entryway clean

If solicitors are regularly leaving materials at your door or in your driveway, ask a family member, friend or trusted neighbor to collect these items for you.

Put your newspaper and mail on hold. Most post offices and newspapers will temporarily suspend delivery to avoid items from accumulating in your mailbox or driveway.

Eliminate potential hazards. Unplug appliances and other electronics that aren't in use while you're way. Source: Ackermansecurity

Hold Your Mail

Piles of mail and newspapers can make it clear that you are away. While you can temporarily stop mail and newspaper delivery while you're on vacation, the IntelligentCruiser.com doesn't recommend this practice because newspaper or postal workers will know you are away. Failing to receive regular deliveries also can tip off burglars that you aren't at home. Source:OuterbanksVacations

Make Your Home Look Lived In

An occupied home looks lived in. Lights go on and off, and cars come and go. When you're away, everything stops. To help create the illusion that the residence is still occupied, invest in timers that turn on the interior lights for a few hours every evening. If you can get a neighbor to take out your garbage and put the cans back after the garbage pickup, it's another way to send the message that everything is proceeding normally at your house. Source: Home.HowStuffWorks

Remove Spare Keys

Remove any spare house keys you may have hidden around your property, including ones in your car or garage, under a doormat, inside a fake rock, under a potted plant, etc. Thieves know all the popular hiding places, so don't take any chances.

Look in your windows from outside to see if any burglar-enticing valuables are out in plain sight.Source: blog.canary.is

Safe-Keep Your Valuables

Lock up jewelry, the deed to your home, wills, and any other valuables or sensitive documents in a fire-proof safe. Source: SafeSoundFamily

Taking the necessary precautions to protect your home while you're away will save you those worries so you can thoroughly enjoy your trip.

The post 5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Secure While on Vacation appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1OGLV07

5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Secure While on Vacation

Rushing out the door to begin enjoying a vacation can cause people to overlook several easy ways to ensure their homes will be protected. Luckily, we’ll discuss 5 tips for keeping your home secure while on vacation. Read On!

Keep your entryway clean

If solicitors are regularly leaving materials at your door or in your driveway, ask a family member, friend or trusted neighbor to collect these items for you.

Put your newspaper and mail on hold. Most post offices and newspapers will temporarily suspend delivery to avoid items from accumulating in your mailbox or driveway.

Eliminate potential hazards. Unplug appliances and other electronics that aren’t in use while you’re way. Source: Ackermansecurity

Hold Your Mail

Piles of mail and newspapers can make it clear that you are away. While you can temporarily stop mail and newspaper delivery while you’re on vacation, the IntelligentCruiser.com doesn’t recommend this practice because newspaper or postal workers will know you are away. Failing to receive regular deliveries also can tip off burglars that you aren’t at home. Source:OuterbanksVacations

Make Your Home Look Lived In

An occupied home looks lived in. Lights go on and off, and cars come and go. When you’re away, everything stops. To help create the illusion that the residence is still occupied, invest in timers that turn on the interior lights for a few hours every evening. If you can get a neighbor to take out your garbage and put the cans back after the garbage pickup, it’s another way to send the message that everything is proceeding normally at your house. Source: Home.HowStuffWorks

Remove Spare Keys

Remove any spare house keys you may have hidden around your property, including ones in your car or garage, under a doormat, inside a fake rock, under a potted plant, etc. Thieves know all the popular hiding places, so don’t take any chances.

Look in your windows from outside to see if any burglar-enticing valuables are out in plain sight.Source: blog.canary.is

Safe-Keep Your Valuables

Lock up jewelry, the deed to your home, wills, and any other valuables or sensitive documents in a fire-proof safe. Source: SafeSoundFamily

Taking the necessary precautions to protect your home while you’re away will save you those worries so you can thoroughly enjoy your trip.

The post 5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Secure While on Vacation appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1OGLV07

3 Tips in Teaching Kids Effective Security Habits Around the Home

Do your kids know much about home security? Routines are an excellent way to install a good habit within children. These article will cover 3 tips in teaching kids' effective security habits around the home.

Inform them About Security Alarm Basics
If your home isn't already equipped with a home security alarm system, it's advised that you get one as soon as possible. This is especially critical if there are times when your children are unsupervised at home. At this point, there are a number of alarm systems available that are packed with features, even options that make it easier for children to use them. If you plan to purchase an alarm system, hire a certified and fully trained locksmith to install it. Once installed, it's your job to teach your children exactly how the home alarm system works and how to use it. Source:Technofaq

A Go-To Emergency List
This is very important when it comes to providing your kids with the information they need during an emergency. Make a list of all essential phone numbers such as police, fire, poison control, emergency contact cell phone numbers for all family members and so forth. Make sure you show your kids the list and go through it all with them so they know who to call when an emergency happens. Also make sure to put the list in a place that everyone can see it and find it. Source:Besthomesecuritycompanys

Open Door Policy
Before you leave your child home alone, teach them basic home safety practices, starting with keeping the doors locked. Stress that they should never open your home's door to someone they don't recognize, and discuss which family and friends can be let into your home when you're not there.
Tip: If you have a monitored home security system, teach your child how to arm and disarm the system. You might also consider positioning a security camera at the front door so your child can see who is outside without opening the door. Source: Safewise

At a young age, it is a great idea to start building constructive habits that can help a child as they grow. If you want to know more about home security system, please give us a call or email us here.

The post 3 Tips in Teaching Kids Effective Security Habits Around the Home appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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3 Tips in Teaching Kids Effective Security Habits Around the Home

Do your kids know much about home security? Routines are an excellent way to install a good habit within children. These article will cover 3 tips in teaching kids’ effective security habits around the home.

Inform them About Security Alarm Basics
If your home isn’t already equipped with a home security alarm system, it’s advised that you get one as soon as possible. This is especially critical if there are times when your children are unsupervised at home. At this point, there are a number of alarm systems available that are packed with features, even options that make it easier for children to use them. If you plan to purchase an alarm system, hire a certified and fully trained locksmith to install it. Once installed, it’s your job to teach your children exactly how the home alarm system works and how to use it. Source:Technofaq

A Go-To Emergency List
This is very important when it comes to providing your kids with the information they need during an emergency. Make a list of all essential phone numbers such as police, fire, poison control, emergency contact cell phone numbers for all family members and so forth. Make sure you show your kids the list and go through it all with them so they know who to call when an emergency happens. Also make sure to put the list in a place that everyone can see it and find it. Source:Besthomesecuritycompanys

Open Door Policy
Before you leave your child home alone, teach them basic home safety practices, starting with keeping the doors locked. Stress that they should never open your home’s door to someone they don’t recognize, and discuss which family and friends can be let into your home when you’re not there.
Tip: If you have a monitored home security system, teach your child how to arm and disarm the system. You might also consider positioning a security camera at the front door so your child can see who is outside without opening the door. Source: Safewise

At a young age, it is a great idea to start building constructive habits that can help a child as they grow. If you want to know more about home security system, please give us a call or email us here.

The post 3 Tips in Teaching Kids Effective Security Habits Around the Home appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1KWboaV

3 Things Burglars Don’t Want You to Know

Knowing how to stop break-ins isn't hard and shouldn't be an all-consuming mission either. Here are 3 things burglars don't want you to know, including: knowing what to look for, revealing vacation plans and getting an alarm system.

Knowing What to Look For
Even a half-witted burglar knows to check medicine bottles for those diamond earrings, and scour through the sock and underwear drawer for more valuables. But he just might not bother going into the children's bedrooms.
Even though the sun's beginning to set, you insist on keeping your blinds up or curtains open to milk what little daylight is left to lighten up the room. Meanwhile, a savvy burglar is strolling about the neighborhood, catching glimpses through windows that he can see through because it's dusk (let alone night time). This way he can pick easy looking targets or ones with visible valuables. Source:Huffingtonpost

Revealing Vacation Plans
Never reveal your vacation or business tip plans on your Facebook page. Don't assume nobody could figure out your address just because it's not on your page.
No errand is too short to leave the alarm system turned off. A burglar can invade your home and steal your valuables in a lot less time than it takes you to run the shortest errand. Products that you don't have to arm, like the Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt with a built-in alarm feature, can also help out when only stepping out for a short amount of time. Source: Robertsiciliano

Getting an Alarm System
I don't want to be noticed. I want to walk in and out as quietly as possible. And to that point, Post the alarm security sign in your front yard. Save us both the time and trouble.
Keep valuables in a safe, and make sure that safe isn't portable, or it's coming with me. One of the first places I check is your sock drawer.
Lock doors and windows, even when you're home. I can slip into an empty room any time. But not if I'm locked out. Source: Alarmrelay

The post 3 Things Burglars Don't Want You to Know appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1Ut3pUK

3 Things Burglars Don’t Want You to Know

Knowing how to stop break-ins isn’t hard and shouldn’t be an all-consuming mission either. Here are 3 things burglars don’t want you to know, including: knowing what to look for, revealing vacation plans and getting an alarm system.

Knowing What to Look For
Even a half-witted burglar knows to check medicine bottles for those diamond earrings, and scour through the sock and underwear drawer for more valuables. But he just might not bother going into the children’s bedrooms.
Even though the sun’s beginning to set, you insist on keeping your blinds up or curtains open to milk what little daylight is left to lighten up the room. Meanwhile, a savvy burglar is strolling about the neighborhood, catching glimpses through windows that he can see through because it’s dusk (let alone night time). This way he can pick easy looking targets or ones with visible valuables. Source:Huffingtonpost

Revealing Vacation Plans
Never reveal your vacation or business tip plans on your Facebook page. Don’t assume nobody could figure out your address just because it’s not on your page.
No errand is too short to leave the alarm system turned off. A burglar can invade your home and steal your valuables in a lot less time than it takes you to run the shortest errand. Products that you don’t have to arm, like the Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt with a built-in alarm feature, can also help out when only stepping out for a short amount of time. Source: Robertsiciliano

Getting an Alarm System
I don’t want to be noticed. I want to walk in and out as quietly as possible. And to that point, Post the alarm security sign in your front yard. Save us both the time and trouble.
Keep valuables in a safe, and make sure that safe isn’t portable, or it’s coming with me. One of the first places I check is your sock drawer.
Lock doors and windows, even when you’re home. I can slip into an empty room any time. But not if I’m locked out. Source: Alarmrelay

The post 3 Things Burglars Don’t Want You to Know appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1Ut3pUK

Top Technical Diving Myths

By guest blogger Richard Devanney, senior TDI and SSI technical dive instructor

While some forms of technical diving do indeed demand extensive training and experience, much of the sport is also quite accessible. Technical diving myths and misconceptions keep many divers from giving it a try, although common opinion is slowly beginning to shift. Here we'll offer an overview of the main misconceptions, as well as explain why they're wrong. Perhaps after reading them you'll consider trying technical diving yourself.

Myth #1: You must be addicted to danger to tec dive
Let's put 1,000-foot (300 m) world-record depth attempts to one side for a moment. I intend to come back in one piece from every dive I do, be it a decompression dive, a wreck-penetration dive, or a shallow, easy dive. Yes, if you're doing a decompression dive to 250 feet (75 m), there's the potential for serious injury, so you seek training to learn how to do those kinds of dives as safely as possible. Tec divers are very good at risk management. We must always consider the best course of action to prevent problems from occurring in the first place, and have a plan of action in place should something go wrong during a dive. If we cannot reduce the risk of a certain dive to an acceptable level, then we don't go diving. It's that simple. Thorough dive planning, equipment maintenance, skills practice and contingency planning are inherent aspects of tec diving — you must be addicted to problem solving and planning, not danger, to love tec diving.

Myth #2: It's all about cave diving
There are some fantastic spots around the world where you can train to cave dive, but if caves are not your thing — and for many tec divers they aren't — there are all kinds of other tec dives you can do. Ice diving, mine diving, muck diving, wall diving, thousands of shipwrecks — there are tec dives in all these categories. Or you can just make longer dives, and add nitrox to stay longer at depth without worrying about getting low on gas before you hit your no-decompression limit. Sidemount is fast becoming the most popular way of doing all these, for a variety of practical reasons. I have trained many people that never intend to do any decompression diving, but who do most of their fun diving on sidemount because it's straightforward and works well for them.

Myth #3 The gear is too heavy
Okay, steel twinsets are quite heavy; actually, aluminum twinsets are heavy too. You may have seen tec divers load up the boat with endless amounts of gear and try to seem as though they're not struggling with a twinset that's obviously giving them trouble. So where does that leave us with regards to this "myth"? Sidemount, that's where. You can carry your dive gear around without crippling yourself. You can put your equipment on and take it off in the water (also reducing your chance of injury if you fall over on the dive boat, compared with having one or two tanks strapped behind you). The BC and harness are comfortable and lightweight, and you won't feel over-encumbered when diving. Sidemount is changing the face of tec diving, and it works in caves, wrecks, mines, open-water pinnacles…you name it. Likewise, rebreathers are getting ever smaller and lighter, and are usable on any kind of dive.

Myth #4: Only geeks like tec diving
You may have been on a dive boat and seen a group of tec divers huddled around a laptop, pointing at a graph. Yes, this can be a part of tec diving. But people dive for many reasons. Some people are only interested in fish; some like the history of shipwrecks. Tec diving ticks all the boxes for me because I like understanding how the equipment works. I'm interested in physics and physiology, so the decompression theory appeals to that part of my brain. I love wrecks, caves, marine life, strong currents, and the potential to see something mind-blowing on every dive. I also like a challenge and get a lot of satisfaction from planning a dive and then, as we say, diving the plan. Tec diving attracts people of all ages, with different abilities and different interests. Being tec qualified simply gives you more options with your diving, and will make you a more well-rounded, safety-conscious diver overall, and that can only be a good thing.

So the next time you're on a dive boat with some techies, strike up a conversation and hear those technical diving myths debunked once again.

 

The post Top Technical Diving Myths appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Top Technical Diving Myths

By guest blogger Richard Devanney, senior TDI and SSI technical dive instructor

While some forms of technical diving do indeed demand extensive training and experience, much of the sport is also quite accessible. Technical diving myths and misconceptions keep many divers from giving it a try, although common opinion is slowly beginning to shift. Here we’ll offer an overview of the main misconceptions, as well as explain why they’re wrong. Perhaps after reading them you’ll consider trying technical diving yourself.

Myth #1: You must be addicted to danger to tec dive
Let’s put 1,000-foot (300 m) world-record depth attempts to one side for a moment. I intend to come back in one piece from every dive I do, be it a decompression dive, a wreck-penetration dive, or a shallow, easy dive. Yes, if you’re doing a decompression dive to 250 feet (75 m), there’s the potential for serious injury, so you seek training to learn how to do those kinds of dives as safely as possible. Tec divers are very good at risk management. We must always consider the best course of action to prevent problems from occurring in the first place, and have a plan of action in place should something go wrong during a dive. If we cannot reduce the risk of a certain dive to an acceptable level, then we don’t go diving. It’s that simple. Thorough dive planning, equipment maintenance, skills practice and contingency planning are inherent aspects of tec diving — you must be addicted to problem solving and planning, not danger, to love tec diving.

Myth #2: It’s all about cave diving
There are some fantastic spots around the world where you can train to cave dive, but if caves are not your thing — and for many tec divers they aren’t — there are all kinds of other tec dives you can do. Ice diving, mine diving, muck diving, wall diving, thousands of shipwrecks — there are tec dives in all these categories. Or you can just make longer dives, and add nitrox to stay longer at depth without worrying about getting low on gas before you hit your no-decompression limit. Sidemount is fast becoming the most popular way of doing all these, for a variety of practical reasons. I have trained many people that never intend to do any decompression diving, but who do most of their fun diving on sidemount because it’s straightforward and works well for them.

Myth #3 The gear is too heavy
Okay, steel twinsets are quite heavy; actually, aluminum twinsets are heavy too. You may have seen tec divers load up the boat with endless amounts of gear and try to seem as though they’re not struggling with a twinset that’s obviously giving them trouble. So where does that leave us with regards to this “myth”? Sidemount, that’s where. You can carry your dive gear around without crippling yourself. You can put your equipment on and take it off in the water (also reducing your chance of injury if you fall over on the dive boat, compared with having one or two tanks strapped behind you). The BC and harness are comfortable and lightweight, and you won’t feel over-encumbered when diving. Sidemount is changing the face of tec diving, and it works in caves, wrecks, mines, open-water pinnacles…you name it. Likewise, rebreathers are getting ever smaller and lighter, and are usable on any kind of dive.

Myth #4: Only geeks like tec diving
You may have been on a dive boat and seen a group of tec divers huddled around a laptop, pointing at a graph. Yes, this can be a part of tec diving. But people dive for many reasons. Some people are only interested in fish; some like the history of shipwrecks. Tec diving ticks all the boxes for me because I like understanding how the equipment works. I’m interested in physics and physiology, so the decompression theory appeals to that part of my brain. I love wrecks, caves, marine life, strong currents, and the potential to see something mind-blowing on every dive. I also like a challenge and get a lot of satisfaction from planning a dive and then, as we say, diving the plan. Tec diving attracts people of all ages, with different abilities and different interests. Being tec qualified simply gives you more options with your diving, and will make you a more well-rounded, safety-conscious diver overall, and that can only be a good thing.

So the next time you’re on a dive boat with some techies, strike up a conversation and hear those technical diving myths debunked once again.

 

The post Top Technical Diving Myths appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock

Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock. For further information go to www.mrlocksmith.com

Why do I have an Abloy Deadbolt protecting my house? I train Locksmiths, Military, Police and Government agencies convert and overt methods of entry. The one Deadbolt on the market that has "no known convert" methods of entry and what I consider not only "pick resistant" but "pick proof" is Abloy Protec 2 Deadbolts.

If the I get locked out I know that it will not be an easy job gaining access through my Aboly deadbolt. Most deadbolts and High Security deadbolts can be drilled open is seconds or minutes. I know that I or anybody will be spending alot of time, effort and money trying to destroy my Abloy deadbolt.

The face of the deadbolt has hardened steel and will chew up a dozen expensive drill bits I use to open safes.

Note: most safes are opened with one drill bit.

I have reinforced my door with a Mag Plate that doubles the strength of the door and I have have reinforced the door frame with an 18″ strike with 4″ screws attaching it to the door frame making the door and frame more difficult to force or kick open.

Bottom Line: I want to protect my family, my home and my stuff and I sleep better and go to work or vacation knowing I have the best lock, Alboy deadbolt installed on my doors.

Mr. Locksmith™ is an ABLOY® Protec Authorized Dealer. For further information on Hands-on and On-Line Locksmith training and our famous "Dumb Key Force Tool" go tohttp://ift.tt/1GFfnQ5

Mr. Locksmith™ is an ABLOY® Protec Authorized Dealer

The post Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

from Mr Locksmith Calgary http://ift.tt/1XSoV5b

Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock

Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock. For further information go to www.mrlocksmith.com

Why do I have an Abloy Deadbolt protecting my house? I train Locksmiths, Military, Police and Government agencies convert and overt methods of entry. The one Deadbolt on the market that has “no known convert” methods of entry and what I consider not only “pick resistant” but “pick proof” is Abloy Protec 2 Deadbolts.

If the I get locked out I know that it will not be an easy job gaining access through my Aboly deadbolt. Most deadbolts and High Security deadbolts can be drilled open is seconds or minutes. I know that I or anybody will be spending alot of time, effort and money trying to destroy my Abloy deadbolt.

The face of the deadbolt has hardened steel and will chew up a dozen expensive drill bits I use to open safes.

Note: most safes are opened with one drill bit.

I have reinforced my door with a Mag Plate that doubles the strength of the door and I have have reinforced the door frame with an 18″ strike with 4″ screws attaching it to the door frame making the door and frame more difficult to force or kick open.

Bottom Line: I want to protect my family, my home and my stuff and I sleep better and go to work or vacation knowing I have the best lock, Alboy deadbolt installed on my doors.

Mr. Locksmith™ is an ABLOY® Protec Authorized Dealer. For further information on Hands-on and On-Line Locksmith training and our famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” go tohttp://ift.tt/1GFfnQ5

Mr. Locksmith™ is an ABLOY® Protec Authorized Dealer

The post Best Lock for your home: Abloy Protec 2 High Security Deadbolt, My Favourite Lock appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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An Atmosphere of Giving in the Philippines

The owners of Atmosphere Resorts, Matt and Gabby Holder, saw an opportunity to give back to the community that they now call home. But far from just giving handouts, the couple opted to offer knowledge and opportunity to help locals help themselves. What followed is a testament to the intelligent philanthropy of a conscientious couple, as well as the determination and desire of the community around them to work hard to improve their own situations. The couple made it very clear that they didn’t feel like Atmosphere Resorts did much at all, but merely served as a catalyst, a spark that lit the way for the local Filipinos to follow, if they chose to do so.

Soup kitchen

Seeing a need in the community, the Holders hired an expert at establishing successful soup kitchens in impoverished areas. They engaged the parents of local children to volunteer in the kitchen so they had ownership and responsibility in the success of the endeavor. The kitchen has grown to serve 80 children a day, providing a balanced, nutritious lunch five days a week throughout the year.

Located about 30 minutes away from the resort, the kitchen is fully funded by Atmosphere with the occasional contributions given by guests who’ve toured the kitchen on one of the resort’s twice-weekly visits.

In order to encourage education, every day that a child attends the local community school they receive a ticket for a free meal at the kitchen, and nearly all of them participate. The kitchen weighs the kids to make sure their weight is healthy, as well as providing toothbrushes, floss and school supplies. All of the food is sourced locally, further contributing to the betterment of the community.

Crafts from recyclables

Even the local dump sparked an idea in the minds of the Holders. They noticed that some locals were rummaging through the dump, looking for anything of value. With some assistance from outside resources, they taught many of the local women how to make jewelry from recyclables such as aluminum cans, magazines, leather and cotton. They’ve turned a dump into a source of beauty, fashion, and most importantly – income.

For the parents of the children in the community school, the jewelry they make has become the sole means by which they support their families. This endeavor has become a thriving business, Lumago. The women of the group create new designs and continue to improve upon the quality of their products. All of their items – bracelets, necklaces, keychains, purses and bags are for sale in the Atmosphere Boutique.

To expand upon this initiative, Atmosphere Resorts is providing a platform for a sewing co-op so that new members can increase their skillset and tap into additional markets for income.

 

Piggy Project

One of the latest ventures for the community is what Atmosphere has called the Piggy Project. The resort gives local families piglets to care for and raise to adulthood. The families provide the food and care for the pig and, when it’s fully grown, they sell it at the market for a considerable profit. The families are able to pay Atmosphere back for the cost of the piglet (no profit for Atmosphere), take some profit for themselves, and then invest in purchasing another piglet.

School

After having children of his own, Matt felt as though the local schools were lacking, and that the better educational facilities were too far away and far too expensive. Beginning with just three students in their own living room, the Holders started a private school on Atmosphere Resorts property. That living room has grown into a Philippine Accredited school with 30 students, which is also a member of the Council of British International Schools. The school has a significant tuition cost, but it’s far less than the cost of any of the private schools in Manila. It’s a non-profit school, funded by Atmosphere and the tuition costs.   Having a quality school nearby allows expats with children the opportunity to live and work in the area, as well as giving locals another option to the more expensive Manila schools. Right now, the school serves children up to 10 years old, but they are aiming to expand the age group, as well as increase the number of children from 30 to 60, with a maximum of 12 students per teacher. To the Holders, the best part of the curriculum is that it’s transferable to other countries, so children attending here are not behind any other country’s standards.

Credit where credit is due

The Holders feel strongly that the success of these endeavors is owed entirely to the people who benefit the most from them. They feel that it took so little effort on the resort’s part to put things in motion since the people of the community were eager to jump onto the opportunity. Matt in particular aims to speak to other resort owners across the world and share these ideas and the means by which their resort was able to see them to fruition. He hopes to put to rest to rest the misconception that this kind of philanthropy is difficult and expensive, and that resorts across the world will follow in Atmosphere’s footsteps.

Check out our video of Atmosphere Resort

Atmosphere Resorts, PhilippinesCheck out our latest video episode featuring Atmosphere Resorts in the Philippines!

Posted by Scuba Diver Life on Sunday, January 31, 2016

The post An Atmosphere of Giving in the Philippines appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/1pfd5q0

An Atmosphere of Giving in the Philippines

The owners of Atmosphere Resorts, Matt and Gabby Holder, saw an opportunity to give back to the community that they now call home. But far from just giving handouts, the couple opted to offer knowledge and opportunity to help locals help themselves. What followed is a testament to the intelligent philanthropy of a conscientious couple, as well as the determination and desire of the community around them to work hard to improve their own situations. The couple made it very clear that they didn't feel like Atmosphere Resorts did much at all, but merely served as a catalyst, a spark that lit the way for the local Filipinos to follow, if they chose to do so.

Soup kitchen

Seeing a need in the community, the Holders hired an expert at establishing successful soup kitchens in impoverished areas. They engaged the parents of local children to volunteer in the kitchen so they had ownership and responsibility in the success of the endeavor. The kitchen has grown to serve 80 children a day, providing a balanced, nutritious lunch five days a week throughout the year.

Located about 30 minutes away from the resort, the kitchen is fully funded by Atmosphere with the occasional contributions given by guests who've toured the kitchen on one of the resort's twice-weekly visits.

In order to encourage education, every day that a child attends the local community school they receive a ticket for a free meal at the kitchen, and nearly all of them participate. The kitchen weighs the kids to make sure their weight is healthy, as well as providing toothbrushes, floss and school supplies. All of the food is sourced locally, further contributing to the betterment of the community.

Crafts from recyclables

Even the local dump sparked an idea in the minds of the Holders. They noticed that some locals were rummaging through the dump, looking for anything of value. With some assistance from outside resources, they taught many of the local women how to make jewelry from recyclables such as aluminum cans, magazines, leather and cotton. They've turned a dump into a source of beauty, fashion, and most importantly – income.

For the parents of the children in the community school, the jewelry they make has become the sole means by which they support their families. This endeavor has become a thriving business, Lumago. The women of the group create new designs and continue to improve upon the quality of their products. All of their items – bracelets, necklaces, keychains, purses and bags are for sale in the Atmosphere Boutique.

To expand upon this initiative, Atmosphere Resorts is providing a platform for a sewing co-op so that new members can increase their skillset and tap into additional markets for income.

 

Piggy Project

One of the latest ventures for the community is what Atmosphere has called the Piggy Project. The resort gives local families piglets to care for and raise to adulthood. The families provide the food and care for the pig and, when it's fully grown, they sell it at the market for a considerable profit. The families are able to pay Atmosphere back for the cost of the piglet (no profit for Atmosphere), take some profit for themselves, and then invest in purchasing another piglet.

School

After having children of his own, Matt felt as though the local schools were lacking, and that the better educational facilities were too far away and far too expensive. Beginning with just three students in their own living room, the Holders started a private school on Atmosphere Resorts property. That living room has grown into a Philippine Accredited school with 30 students, which is also a member of the Council of British International Schools. The school has a significant tuition cost, but it's far less than the cost of any of the private schools in Manila. It's a non-profit school, funded by Atmosphere and the tuition costs.   Having a quality school nearby allows expats with children the opportunity to live and work in the area, as well as giving locals another option to the more expensive Manila schools. Right now, the school serves children up to 10 years old, but they are aiming to expand the age group, as well as increase the number of children from 30 to 60, with a maximum of 12 students per teacher. To the Holders, the best part of the curriculum is that it's transferable to other countries, so children attending here are not behind any other country's standards.

Credit where credit is due

The Holders feel strongly that the success of these endeavors is owed entirely to the people who benefit the most from them. They feel that it took so little effort on the resort's part to put things in motion since the people of the community were eager to jump onto the opportunity. Matt in particular aims to speak to other resort owners across the world and share these ideas and the means by which their resort was able to see them to fruition. He hopes to put to rest to rest the misconception that this kind of philanthropy is difficult and expensive, and that resorts across the world will follow in Atmosphere's footsteps.

Check out our video of Atmosphere Resort

//

Atmosphere Resorts, PhilippinesCheck out our latest video episode featuring Atmosphere Resorts in the Philippines!

Posted by Scuba Diver Life on Sunday, January 31, 2016

The post An Atmosphere of Giving in the Philippines appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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New Airplane Wreck Found in Malta

Malta, a diminutive island nation in the very southern part of the Mediterranean, is further south than North Africa's coast. The nation is made up of more than a dozen rocky islands, but only the largest three, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited. And it's a magnet for scuba divers near and far. Malta boasts some of Europe's best diving, particularly for those who like wrecks. Malta's history dates from the Crusades, and it's long been a key destination when it comes to military expeditions and trade with the Middle East. The island of Malta itself has seen a vast volume of ship traffic since the days when the Knights of St. John took up refuge here. And as an important strategic point for naval operations in the Mediterranean, it was the site of intense fighting in both World Wars I and II.

With that kind of history, it's no surprise that the waters around Malta are littered with wrecks. When you factor in that these waters are deep, yet dive-able, warm most of the year, and offer quite good visibility, the allure becomes apparent.

And now Malta has another draw for traveling scuba divers: an additional wreck, and a rare one at that. While many divers have visited shipwrecks, there's something special about diving on an airplane, and that's just what has been found just off Malta's east coast. The plane is a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (known as the P2V in the U.S. Navy), a U.S.-built patrol aircraft and submarine hunter. This one was damaged and ultimately went down during a routine landing at what was then called Luqa Airport (now Malta International), a few miles from the site where it was found. It was stripped of all salvageable items and supposedly even featured in a 1958 film, but its location was eventually forgotten and the plane was lost.

While it may seem odd that a wreck can be lost this way, when it has already been found once, it's important to remember that finding specific locations underwater can be extremely tricky without GPS or sonar, none of which were available to the general public until quite recently. After all, the Thistlegorm was lost again for years after it was found in the 1950s.

The P-2 sits in about 100 feet (30 m) of water, making it a fairly easy dive for advanced divers, and it's not Malta's only aircraft wreck. A Bristol Blenheim bomber from World War II sits just outside recreational range at 147 feet (45 m), but remains a highly popular dive among locals and visiting divers alike.

The post New Airplane Wreck Found in Malta appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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New Airplane Wreck Found in Malta

Malta, a diminutive island nation in the very southern part of the Mediterranean, is further south than North Africa’s coast. The nation is made up of more than a dozen rocky islands, but only the largest three, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited. And it’s a magnet for scuba divers near and far. Malta boasts some of Europe’s best diving, particularly for those who like wrecks. Malta’s history dates from the Crusades, and it’s long been a key destination when it comes to military expeditions and trade with the Middle East. The island of Malta itself has seen a vast volume of ship traffic since the days when the Knights of St. John took up refuge here. And as an important strategic point for naval operations in the Mediterranean, it was the site of intense fighting in both World Wars I and II.

With that kind of history, it’s no surprise that the waters around Malta are littered with wrecks. When you factor in that these waters are deep, yet dive-able, warm most of the year, and offer quite good visibility, the allure becomes apparent.

And now Malta has another draw for traveling scuba divers: an additional wreck, and a rare one at that. While many divers have visited shipwrecks, there’s something special about diving on an airplane, and that’s just what has been found just off Malta’s east coast. The plane is a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (known as the P2V in the U.S. Navy), a U.S.-built patrol aircraft and submarine hunter. This one was damaged and ultimately went down during a routine landing at what was then called Luqa Airport (now Malta International), a few miles from the site where it was found. It was stripped of all salvageable items and supposedly even featured in a 1958 film, but its location was eventually forgotten and the plane was lost.

While it may seem odd that a wreck can be lost this way, when it has already been found once, it’s important to remember that finding specific locations underwater can be extremely tricky without GPS or sonar, none of which were available to the general public until quite recently. After all, the Thistlegorm was lost again for years after it was found in the 1950s.

The P-2 sits in about 100 feet (30 m) of water, making it a fairly easy dive for advanced divers, and it’s not Malta’s only aircraft wreck. A Bristol Blenheim bomber from World War II sits just outside recreational range at 147 feet (45 m), but remains a highly popular dive among locals and visiting divers alike.

The post New Airplane Wreck Found in Malta appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Amadeus launches first online GDS booking platform in UK

Amadeus has officially launched its Selling Platform Connect in the UK. The company claims it has a number of key benefits including allowing real customisation and localisation capabilities to meet each business' specific needs, both in the front and back office.

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Airbnb admits that it purged 1,500 unflattering New York listings right before data release

In a pair of letters sent to state legislators and Airbnb users in New York, Airbnb admitted that it purged more than a thousand New York City listings from the site before publicly releasing data to regulators as part of a push to publicize corporate transparency.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QhwEYS

Hotelquickly enters Japan with acquisition of Tonight

Last-minute hotel booking app, HotelQuickly, has acquired Japan's domestic booking app, Tonight, paving its entry into the "Land of the Rising Sun". With the acquisition, HotelQuickly adds its 16th country and another 400 hotels to its roster.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QBghCl

Ritz-Carlton responds to consumer desires with redesigned website

The new RitzCarlton.com includes user-generated content, an exploration hub and a more dynamic design in the interest of a user-friendly and more personalized experience.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QhwEIw

Amadeus launches first online GDS booking platform in UK

Amadeus has officially launched its Selling Platform Connect in the UK. The company claims it has a number of key benefits including allowing real customisation and localisation capabilities to meet each business’ specific needs, both in the front and back office.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QBgju7

Airbnb admits that it purged 1,500 unflattering New York listings right before data release

In a pair of letters sent to state legislators and Airbnb users in New York, Airbnb admitted that it purged more than a thousand New York City listings from the site before publicly releasing data to regulators as part of a push to publicize corporate transparency.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QhwEYS

Hotelquickly enters Japan with acquisition of Tonight

Last-minute hotel booking app, HotelQuickly, has acquired Japan’s domestic booking app, Tonight, paving its entry into the “Land of the Rising Sun”. With the acquisition, HotelQuickly adds its 16th country and another 400 hotels to its roster.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QBghCl

Ritz-Carlton responds to consumer desires with redesigned website

The new RitzCarlton.com includes user-generated content, an exploration hub and a more dynamic design in the interest of a user-friendly and more personalized experience.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1QhwEIw

White paper: The changing face of revenue management

Revenue management has transitioned from being one of the most under-loved, and often misunderstood, hotel departments to becoming a central force in a hotel's ability to manage demand and drive pro tability.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RrWo3P

White paper: The changing face of revenue management

Revenue management has transitioned from being one of the most under-loved, and often misunderstood, hotel departments to becoming a central force in a hotel’s ability to manage demand and drive pro tability.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RrWo3P

Why guests still call hotels for reservations

With the rise in online travel, few predicted that by now anyone would still be calling to make a reservation. Yet here we are in 2016 with the phones still ringing; and ringing they are, with many hotels even experiencing an increase in calls as those who search on smartphones use the "click to call" feature.

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Google drops right-side ads from desktop results pages: What hoteliers need to know

Sabre Hospitality Solutions anticipates a rise in cost-per-click as there will be less ad space at the top of the page, making these positions much more valuable. This rise in cost will most likely have a bigger effect on non-brand campaigns as they tend to be highly competitive.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21lzBPl

Can personalizing your content increase hotel bookings?

According to a recent Mindtree study, 78% of travelers have bought online based on personalized promotions they have not bought before. Consumers want to see content tailored to them. Once you know what your audience wants, how do you know what to show them?

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1R68fC9

Why guests still call hotels for reservations

With the rise in online travel, few predicted that by now anyone would still be calling to make a reservation. Yet here we are in 2016 with the phones still ringing; and ringing they are, with many hotels even experiencing an increase in calls as those who search on smartphones use the “click to call” feature.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1R68fSr

Google drops right-side ads from desktop results pages: What hoteliers need to know

Sabre Hospitality Solutions anticipates a rise in cost-per-click as there will be less ad space at the top of the page, making these positions much more valuable. This rise in cost will most likely have a bigger effect on non-brand campaigns as they tend to be highly competitive.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/21lzBPl

Can personalizing your content increase hotel bookings?

According to a recent Mindtree study, 78% of travelers have bought online based on personalized promotions they have not bought before. Consumers want to see content tailored to them. Once you know what your audience wants, how do you know what to show them?

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1R68fC9

3 Common Cause of False Alarms and How to Prevent Them

There are different causes of false alarms that are easily preventable. We’ll explore the common causes of false alarms and give you tips about how to prevent them.

Below are 3 common cause of false alarms and how to prevent them:

Lack of Maintenance/Upkeep
The maintenance and proper use of an alarm system is the responsibility of the alarm user. False alarms can be caused by a variety of things; most are caused by human error. Defective equipment, telephone line trouble, electrical problems, improperly installed or adjusted equipment and overly sensitive sensors also cause false alarms.
How to prevent it: The best way to avoid false alarm fees is to ensure that your system is in good working order and that everyone uses it properly. If you are aware that your system has emitted a false alarm, have your alarm company cancel the police response. If we are canceled within five minutes, you will not be charged. If your system is set off because of a criminal act, report the crime to the Police and contact the Alarm Administrator. Source: Cityofdayton

Poorly-Designed Security Systems
Your system is more susceptible to false alarms If the installer did not consider the home, who lives in the home and how you use the home.
Some examples of a poorly designed security system include:

• Smoke detectors placed too close to heat sources. Your smoke detectors shouldn’t be too close to stoves or fireplaces or they could easily trigger false alarms.
• Smoke detectors placed too close to bathrooms. Steam from the bathroom can also cause false alarms.
• Not using pet-friendly motion detectors in a home with pets. A normal motion detector will cause all kinds of trouble for families with pets.
• Bad wiring. If you have a hard-wired alarm system, the wires can get crossed or come loose and cause false alarms.
• Loose doors or windows. Sensors on loose doors or windows can trigger false alarms when the door or window jiggles.
• Incorrectly placed motion sensors. Motion sensors placed too near a heating or cooling vent can create a false alarm. Check out our best practices for placing motion detectors.

How to prevent it: Hire a trustworthy security company to install a custom security system rather than relying on pre-packaged security products. Source: Ackermansecurity

Outdated or Old Equipment
False alarms are typically due to human error. In fact, roughly 70 percent of false alarms are attributed to user mistakes. But if you think a false alarm is caused by a malfunction of your home security system, contact your provider immediately. A representative from your home security company will be glad to check the status of your alarm system.
How to prevent it: The most fundamental way to prevent false alarms is by using your home security system on a regular basis. When your family uses the security system consistently, they’ll get comfortable with how it works, and that means there’s less likelihood of a false alarm. Source:Safewise

The post 3 Common Cause of False Alarms and How to Prevent Them appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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3 Common Cause of False Alarms and How to Prevent Them

There are different causes of false alarms that are easily preventable. We'll explore the common causes of false alarms and give you tips about how to prevent them.

Below are 3 common cause of false alarms and how to prevent them:

Lack of Maintenance/Upkeep
The maintenance and proper use of an alarm system is the responsibility of the alarm user. False alarms can be caused by a variety of things; most are caused by human error. Defective equipment, telephone line trouble, electrical problems, improperly installed or adjusted equipment and overly sensitive sensors also cause false alarms.
How to prevent it: The best way to avoid false alarm fees is to ensure that your system is in good working order and that everyone uses it properly. If you are aware that your system has emitted a false alarm, have your alarm company cancel the police response. If we are canceled within five minutes, you will not be charged. If your system is set off because of a criminal act, report the crime to the Police and contact the Alarm Administrator. Source: Cityofdayton

Poorly-Designed Security Systems
Your system is more susceptible to false alarms If the installer did not consider the home, who lives in the home and how you use the home.
Some examples of a poorly designed security system include:

• Smoke detectors placed too close to heat sources. Your smoke detectors shouldn't be too close to stoves or fireplaces or they could easily trigger false alarms.
• Smoke detectors placed too close to bathrooms. Steam from the bathroom can also cause false alarms.
• Not using pet-friendly motion detectors in a home with pets. A normal motion detector will cause all kinds of trouble for families with pets.
• Bad wiring. If you have a hard-wired alarm system, the wires can get crossed or come loose and cause false alarms.
• Loose doors or windows. Sensors on loose doors or windows can trigger false alarms when the door or window jiggles.
• Incorrectly placed motion sensors. Motion sensors placed too near a heating or cooling vent can create a false alarm. Check out our best practices for placing motion detectors.

How to prevent it: Hire a trustworthy security company to install a custom security system rather than relying on pre-packaged security products. Source: Ackermansecurity

Outdated or Old Equipment
False alarms are typically due to human error. In fact, roughly 70 percent of false alarms are attributed to user mistakes. But if you think a false alarm is caused by a malfunction of your home security system, contact your provider immediately. A representative from your home security company will be glad to check the status of your alarm system.
How to prevent it: The most fundamental way to prevent false alarms is by using your home security system on a regular basis. When your family uses the security system consistently, they'll get comfortable with how it works, and that means there's less likelihood of a false alarm. Source:Safewise

The post 3 Common Cause of False Alarms and How to Prevent Them appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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