Angie's List Urges DC Residents to Protect Their Homes From Advancing Hurricane

Tuesday's earthquake and the potential blow from Hurricane Irene are good reminders that you can never be too prepared for an emergency. By taking a few precautionary measures, you can rest assured that you're protecting your home, family and pets during the next round of severe storms.

Taking these steps will prepare your home for challenging storms. Angie's List is the nation's premier provider of consumer reviews on home repair and health care services. Visit Angie's List to find highly rated service providers in the Washington, D.C. area.Power outages are also likely in extreme weather conditions, so an alternate source of power can really come in handy. Investigate buying a generator for backup power, or test your existing generator to ensure it will work when you really need it. Also, make sure to check smoke-detectors.Reading by candlelight may be fun, but remember, candles remain one of the most common sources of residential fires. Instead, buy each family member his or her own flashlight. Store extra batteries in a designated "emergency supply" area, such as a linen closet, or consider purchasing a hand-cranked flashlight.Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202In heavy downpours, water can be your home's worst enemy. Inspect window casings for signs of cracks where water could come in. And if you have a basement or crawlspace, make sure your sump pump is in working order. It's a good idea to have a back-up just in case. Store any belongings on risers or in plastic containers to protect them in the event your basement becomes flooded.

Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

Oil conditioning unit optimizes lubrication performance

The SKF oil conditioning unit optimizes lubrication performance by serving as a low-pressure pump filtration device that circulates the oil in a system. The unit removes contaminants from the oil supply and can enable the desired temperature range to be maintained consistently. The unit connects directly to sumps, bearing housings, gearboxes, compressors and other machines. It has been introduced in two versions (filtration only or filtration with an air or water cooler to lower the oil temperature). Both remove oil from the bottom of the oil reservoir and return it filtered to the top of the reservoir. Units can perform continuously without constant maintenance; only periodic filter changes are required, the company says.

www.skfusa.com

ANTIQUE BROWN EMBOSSED CASCADE SOLAR WATER FEATURE

Just pounds 84.99 PLUS P&P (RRP pounds 99.9 5)

It requires no wiring or connection to a water supply as it features a solar powered pump. The separate solar panel (supplied) can be staked or wall mounted.SpecificationNo wiring, simply install and enjoy.Allow up to 14 days for delivery Offer subject to availability, pounds 295 UK Mainland p&p only (some exclusions may apply). Please call for a postage quotation outside of UK Mainland p&p. If not satisfied return within 7 days for a full refund or replacement. This product is sold and supplied by JEM Marketing Ltd. with whom you contract when you accept this offer.0844 811 6719 Quoting SMG15786www.MirrorReaderOffers.co.uk/786IncludesSmart Solar Brown Scroll cascade water feature.SAVE pounds 15!Low voltage pump with filter.Key FeaturesLow voltage solar powered pump with filter.34cm (width max) x 52cm (height).This attractive brown glazed ceramic with scroll pattern cascade water feature consists of a jug, three small bowls and a larger bowl that doubles as the water sump, all with an attractive brown glaze and scroll pattern band.

Allow up to 14 days for delivery Offer subject to availability, pounds 295 UK Mainland p&p only (some exclusions may apply). Please call for a postage quotation outside of UK Mainland p&p. If not satisfied return within 7 days for a full refund or replacement. This product is sold and supplied by JEM Marketing Ltd. with whom you contract when you accept this offer.

Author: Anonymous

Met-Pro Corporation's Global Pump Solutions Business Unit Receives International Equipment Order Totaling Approximately $800,000

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raymond J. De Hont, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Met-Pro Corporation (NYSE: MPR), announced today that the Company's Global Pump Solutions business unit has received an order to supply a total of six (6) large Fybroc brand vertical sump pumps to be installed at a mining location outside of the United States. This order is expected to ship in the third quarter of the Company's current fiscal year.

Still, a few things - the spirit of the Law and its philosophy are common to all the versions. Arguably, the most famous procedure is named after the chapter in the law in which it is described, Chapter 11. Following is a small discussion of chapter 11 intended to demonstrate this spirit and this philosophy.In the Czech Republic- the insolvency law comprises special cases (over indebtedness, for instance …). It delineates two rescue programs:

The Interim Trustee is empowered to do the following:
Well, the pioneers had a great thing going, but they made a fatal mistake, they started shouting "gold" and "jackpot"! Soon the rush was on. It is called competition and it came from every angle, manufacturer, supplier, retailer, wholesaler and especially installers.An incredible 60% of homeowners say they are dissatisfied with the way their waterfall turned out upon completion of the project."This order reinforces the Fybroc brand's reputation as the world leader in corrosion resistant fiberglass pumps," stated De Hont. "It demonstrates Met-Pro Global Pump Solutions' ability to work closely with engineers, contractors and end customers to provide the best solution to meet their needs including quality, delivery, service, and energy efficiency. This order, together with more than $1.7 million of international orders for our Strobic Air subsidiary announced earlier this month, is another example of Met-Pro's broad international reach and allows us to remain optimistic that circumstances are indeed improving for the release of other large projects we are pursuing."

To obtain an Annual Report or additional information on the Company, please call 215-723-6751 and ask for the Investor Relations Department, or visit the Company's website at www.met-pro.com.

Going Bankrupt in the World

It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed to creditors or to suppliers is not paid on time, interest payments due on bank loans or on corporate bonds issued to the public are withheld. It may be a temporary problem - or a permanent one.

5. Simple to operate;A District court appoints an "interim trustee" with broad powers. Such a trustee can also be appointed at the request of the creditors and by them.Chapter 11 - reorganizationIs sort of a legal hybrid, the offspring of chapters 7 and 11:By filing a bond, the debtor (really, the owners of the debtor) is able to regain possession of the business from the trustee.They face a tough decision: should they liquidate the company? In other words, should they terminate its business life by (among other things) selling its assets?Examples of such new claims: owners of debentures of the firm can receive, instead, new, long term bonds (known as reorganization bonds, whose interest is payable only from profits).

arrange unsecured financing for the firm

operate the debtor business to prevent further losses About Met-Pro35% of liner ponds and waterfalls are leaking water within nine months of completion for one of several reasons.3. they will last for decades;

Sale of the corporate liabilities in auctionsMaybe the biggest legal revolution embedded in chapter 11 is the relaxation of the ages old ABSOLUTE PRIORITY rule, that says that the claims of creditors have categorical precedence over ownership claims. From now on, the interests of the creditors have to be balanced with the interests of the owners and even with the larger good of the community and society at large.Poland is a special case, always pitting horses against tanks, always losing the war, as a result. The pre-war (1934) law declares bankruptcy when confronted with a state of lasting illiquidity and excessive indebtedness. Each creditor can apply to declare a company bankrupt. An insolvent company is obliged to file a maximum of 2 weeks following cessation of debt payment. There is, indeed, a separate liquidation law which Allows for voluntary procedures.1. secure & stationary;Met-Pro common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, symbol MPR.The pump in the reinforced concrete pondless waterfall produces 5,900 gallons per hour with a draw of only 350 watts (retail $430). A sump pump is supplied with the liner pondless waterfall kit (they advertise as the "premier" pump on the market ). However it produces 5,600 gal/hour (102 gal. less) at a whopping 912 watts power draw (50% more than an above-ground pump). It costs a whopping $530 more per year to operate (at $.13/kwh). The sump pump costing $600 retail, $175 more than a centrifugal pump. Many liner installers refer to it as "the best warranty in the industry" and it is only for 2 years, as compared to a centrifugal's 3 year warranty!

Classic bankruptcy (happens in 23% of the cases of insolvency). The concrete pondless waterfall can utilize the large, open basin to install an Aquafill automatic water leveling device. In addition, the basin can be made smaller because the space for water is not taken up by rocks as it is in the liner pondless waterfall basin. The only rock that exists is on top of the galvanized or plastic plank cover.As would be expected, this get-rich-quick fever turned into an epidemic, forcing up the price of pond liner kits to equal the cost of professional concrete construction. Since this craze started, proponents of liners maligned concrete construction, professing liner superiority over concrete construction. Making false statements about the integrity of reinforced concrete, they have attempted to elevate the benefits of rubber liners.Before wasting your hard earned money, do your research and use your own God-given common sense. Begin with the internet by searching "pond liners vs. concrete.More than 40% of all waterfalls will have serious structural damage within the first 3 years of construction.To obtain an Annual Report or additional information on the Company, please call 215-723-6751 and ask for the Investor Relations Department, or visit the Company's website at www.met-pro.com.And only if there is any money left after all these payments, it will be proportionally doled out to the unsecured creditors.Enter the court. It is only one player (albeit, the most important one) in this unfolding, complex drama. The court does not participate directly in the script. To say its lines - court officials are appointed. They work hand in hand with the representatives of the creditors (mostly lawyers) and with the management and the owners of the defunct company.What chapter 11 teaches us is that:There is not one decisive answer. In most cases, there is strong reliance on the figures in the balance sheet.The rocks of a reinforced concrete pondless waterfall are all securely mortared in place (covering the concrete shell). Consequently anyone, especially kids, may climb on the rocks without them shifting, possibly causing serious injury. Rocks will move and shift in the liner pondless waterfalls and in just a few months, the unsightly liner is exposed in the falls and the perimeter of the pond.In Hungary - Bankruptcy is automatically triggered. It is not allowed to swap debt for equity. Moreover, the law provides for a very short time to reach agreement with creditors about reorganization of the debtor. These features led to 4000 bankruptcies in the wake of the new law - a number which mushroomed to 30,000 by 5/97.Economies in transition were in transition not only economically - but also legally. Thus, each one adopted its own version of the bankruptcy laws.6. Simple to clean;Met-Pro Corporation, with headquarters at 160 Cassell Road, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, is a leading niche-oriented global provider of product recovery, pollution control, fluid handling and filtration solutions. The Company's diverse and synergistic solutions and products address the world's growing need to meet more stringent emission regulations, reduce energy consumption and employ green technology. Through its global sales organization, internationally recognized brands, and operations in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and The People's Republic of China, Met-Pro's solutions, products and systems are sold to a well-diversified cross-section of customers and markets around the world. For more information, please visit www.met-pro.com.Bad debts are transferred to base portfolios and have one of three fates:

But the law itself is toothless and lackadaisically applied by the incestuous web of institutions in the country. Between 3/93 - 9/93 there were 1000 filings for insolvency, which resulted in only 30 commenced bankruptcy procedures. There hasn’t been a single major bankruptcy in the Czech Republic since then - and not for lack of candidates.
• make management changesNo one is certain what is the best model. The reason is that someone has yet to come with answers to the questions: are the rights of the creditors superior to the rights of the owners? Is it better to rehabilitate than to liquidate?A more in-depth study of the bankruptcy laws shows that they allow for three ways to tackle a state of malignant insolvency which threatens the well being and the continued functioning of the firm:Wow! Check this out... reinforced concrete waterfalls are
• liquidate property and make distribution of liquidating dividends to creditors9. More natural in appearance and less liability. Lemons or apples? You decide!In England, for instance, the court appoints an official "receiver" to manage the business and to realize the debtor’s assets on behalf of the creditors (and also of the owners). His main task is to maximize the proceeds of the liquidation and he continues to function until a court settlement is decreed (or a creditor settlement is reached, prior to adjudication). When this happens, the receivership ends and the receiver loses his status.Unless the court rules otherwise, the debtor remains in possession and in control of the business and the debtor and the creditors allowed to work together flexibly. They are encouraged to reach a settlement by compromise and agreement rather than by court adjudication.Despite its clarity and business orientation, many countries found it difficult to adopt to the pragmatic, no sentiments approach which led to the virtual elimination of the absolute priority rule.8. Three-year pump warranty; andReinforced concrete pondless waterfalls use high-efficiency, above-ground pumps that are easy to service (3-year warranties).The priority creditors include administrative debts, unpaid wages (up to a given limit per worker), uninsured pension claims, taxes, rents, etc.
• To provide a fair and equitable treatment to the holders of various classes of securities of the firm (shares of different kinds and bonds of different types)It allows for reorganization under court appointed independent manager (trustee) who is responsible mainly for the filing of reorganization plans with the court - and for verifying strict adherence to them by both debtor and creditors.Each state has modified the Federal Law to fit its special, local conditions.This chapter allows for a mechanism called "reorganization". It must be approved by two thirds of all classes of creditors and then, again, it could be voluntary (initiated by the company) or involuntary (initiated by one to three of its creditors).If the company is traded in a stock exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the USA advises the court as to the best procedure to adopt in case of reorganization.The 1/3 HP pump is low profile, extremely quiet, and easily hidden with plants next to the falls, or the pumps can be placed in another part of the yard by extending the flexible PVC suction and return lines. The liner pondless waterfall uses a sump pump that is placed in the basin, and then buried with hundreds of pounds of gravel. In order to service this pump (only a 2 year warranty), all the stinky, slimy, rocks need to be first removed from the basin.The American legislator set the following goals, in writing the bankruptcy laws:
  Chapter 10These statistics are from the pond liner industry itself. I can confirm and attest to these numbers myself. I have built over 1,900 reinforced concrete waterfalls and ponds over the past 26 years and have ripped out and replaced scores of defective liner ponds and replaced them with concrete ones with lifetime warranties. Just prior to retiring, in August in 2007 I replaced a $276,000 liner pond and waterfall in Rancho Santa Fe, CA with reinforced 3500 psi concrete due to gopher damage! Pond liner installers provide no warranty against damage from rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots and sharp objects and this one refused to do anything to correct the problem.
  • Reorganization, debt-consolidation (a reduction of the debts, new terms, debt for equity swaps) and a program of rehabilitation.

    Until such time as these questions are answered and as long as the microeconomic debt crisis deepens -we will witness a flowering of versions of bankruptcy laws all over the world.

    
    
    
    Author: Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.
    
    
    

Pondless Waterfall - The History

In the early 1990s, a rubber sheet material, manufactured by Firestone and Goodyear, became a popular construction material used in building ponds and waterfalls. One innovative entrepreneur in Chicago began pre-cutting various configurations of rubber and packaging it with a skimmer, filter, sump pump and tubing, creating a do-it-yourself kit.

4. Cost less to build;The receiver takes possession (but not title) of the assets and the affairs of a business in receivership. He collects rents and other income on behalf of the firm.And so, chapter 11 allows the debtor and creditors to be in direct touch, to negotiate payment schedules, the restructuring of old debts, even the granting of new loans by the same disaffected creditors to the same irresponsible debtor.

To make sure that new claims received by the creditors (instead of the old, discredited, ones) equal, at least, to what they would have received in liquidation. The liner revolution is fading fast, the truth of their limitations are coming to light and their track record is badly tarnished. Leaky liner customers are fighting back with litigation nationwide and are winning because they were not told the whole truth in the beginning.2. permanent;Fybroc brand non-metallic fiberglass reinforced plastic centrifugal pumps were selected for this mining water application based on their ability to safely and efficiently handle corrosive liquids in difficult service applications.The American Law leans in favour of maintaining the company as a going concern. A whole is larger than the sum of its parts - and a living business is worth more than the sum of its assets, sold separately.The USA had many versions of its bankruptcy laws. There was the 1938 Bankruptcy Act, which was followed by amended versions in 1978, 1984 and, lately, in 1994.7. Virtually maintenance-free;So, British Law is much more in favour of the creditors. It recognizes the supremacy of their claims over the property claims of the owners. Honouring obligations - in the eyes of the British legislator and their courts - is the cornerstone of efficient, thriving markets. The courts are entrusted with the protection of this moral pillar of the economy.65% of "do-it-yourselfers" say they wished they were informed of the pros and cons of liners from the beginning or that they had hired a professional.In searching for the facts about concrete ponds and waterfalls from reading the literature of the greed-driven liner pond industry, it cannot be found. You ask why? Because if the facts were known, who in their right mind would invest in a pond liner unless they were going to use it for a limited period of time.It was not long before the word got out on how profitable pond construction was and even professionals were becoming "pond experts". Why not, if in one day you can dig a hole, pile dirt at one end, cover it with a rubber sheet, cover the sheet with rocks, fill it with water, drop in a sump pump, hook up a tube, and presto change-o, $6000 profit in 6 to 8 hours?

The Consolidation Bank (founded by the State) can buy a firm’s obligations if it went bankrupt at 60% of par. Until such time as these questions are answered and as long as the microeconomic debt crisis deepens -we will witness a flowering of versions of bankruptcy laws all over the world.Once the assets of the company are sold, the first to be fully paid off will be the secured creditors. Only then will the priority creditors be paid (wholly or partially).The company can, thus, go into "straight bankruptcy". The secured creditors will receive the value of the property which was used to secure their debt (the "collateral", or the "mortgage, lien"). Sometimes, they will receive the property itself - if it not easy to liquidate (=sell) it.But this is not the only way that a company can be rendered insolvent. It could also run liabilities which will outweigh its assets. This is bankruptcy insolvency. True, there is a debate raging as to what is the best method to appraise the assets and the liabilities. Should these appraisals be based on market prices - or on book value?The track record for pond liners speaks for itself:Owners of subordinated debentures will, probably, become stockholders and stockholders in the insolvent firm will receive no new claims.Chapter 7 (1978 Act) - liquidationDuring construction of the concrete pondless waterfall, many design liberties can be taken, such as altering the length, width or shape of the water feature as the project progresses. Unlike a liner pondless waterfall, the parameters have already been established by the manufacturer of the pond kit.

A Debt to Equity Swap (an alternative to bankruptcy) supervised by the Ministry of Privatization.Reinforced concrete pondless waterfalls have a lifetime warranty. Liner pondless waterfalls have only a one year warranty on labor, and a 20-30 year warranty against factory defects. But it has no warranty against damage caused by, mice, rats, gophers, tree roots, ground squirrels, sharp objects, etc.The proceeds of the sale of the assets is divided (as "bankruptcy dividend") among the creditors. It makes sense to choose this route only if the (money) value generated by liquidation exceeds the (money) the company as a going concern, as a living, functioning, entity.If the negotiations with the creditors of the company (as to how to settle the dispute arising from the company’s default) fails, the company itself can file (=ask the court) for bankruptcy in a "voluntary bankruptcy filing".

To eliminate burdensome debt obligations, which obstruct the proper functioning of the firm and hinder its chances to recover and ever repay its debts to its creditors.As time goes by, the creditors gear up and litigate in a court of law or in a court of arbitration. This is a technical or equity insolvency status.

"A man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument."

Author: Douglas Hoover

Keep Basement Exercise Equipment From Floating Away

The most common response to the possibility of basement flooding is to install a sump pump. While a quality sump pump is an important investment in flood prone areas, it should be the last line of defense instead of the first. To keep your proposed basement weight and exercise room from floating away, measures need to be taken to prevent the sump pump from being needed. The first step in protecting your basement from water damage is in the grading of the home site.

The grading of the trench is of primary importance. It should have a 1 or 2 percent grade. Add gravel up to within 5 or 6 inches of the surface. Top the gravel with a 3 or 4 inch layer of coarse sand and cover with a layer of sod or soil and grass seed. Some experts also recommend using a perforated drain pipe in the trench to carry overflow more easily.They were simple to install; andThese easy-to-install, easy-to-make-a-killing liners that come with a 20-50 year warranty (against factory defects only) are actually a meal down the road to a burrowing gopher, rat, mouse, ground squirrel, chipmunk or muskrat.This pump requires electrical power, the same as your washer and dryer, so it's important you take the time to make it is connected to an electrical outlet. To test the pump, pour buckets of water or running water from your laundry tub faucet into the hole at least once a year. If you don't do this annual testing, the consequences can be disastrous. If your pump does not turn on and begin pumping out the water you pour down that hole, call a plumber immediately.An interior drainage system can be used to channel leakage to the outside. This method involves breaking up the floor along the base of the basement walls, digging a trench, and installing drain tiles to carry the water to a sump pump or discharge point. This method does no damage to the room. The trench is then filled with coarse gravel and the floor replaced over the top.

Just as settling or erosion can cause foundation cracks, they can lead to cracks in basement walls. If this is the source of basement flooding, the only solution is to repair the cracks. Use a good quality caulking material. This should be followed by the application of waterproofing materials that seal the wall surface.

Author: Nick Messe