suns http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for suns Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:23:38 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/suns Phoenix Suns Tickets Will Bring You To The Local Nba Fireworks Show http://www.artwoo.com/article/phoenix-suns-tickets-will-bring-you-to-the-local-nba-fireworks-show http://www.artwoo.com/article/phoenix-suns-tickets-will-bring-you-to-the-local-nba-fireworks-show#comments Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:27:06 +0000 phoenix sunsamare stoudemiresteve nashboris diawhesnba titlepurists http://www.artwoo.com/article/phoenix-suns-tickets-will-bring-you-to-the-local-nba-fireworks-show Phoenix Suns tickets, you need to be ready to move your head back and forth as the ball zooms up and down the court for 48 frenetic minutes. The Suns make no apologies for their style of play, even though their offensive game tends to ruffle the feathers of basketball . The Suns have seemingly been in contention for the for years, and below we'll take a look at their prospects for the upcoming season.



Additions

The Suns appeared to be relatively quiet during the summer, but they did actually change the face of their team somewhat. The Suns lost Tim Thomas, but brought in Eric Piatkowski and Marcus Banks and got star back from a long battle with a knee injury. Piatkowski obviously brings a sharp shooter to the floor, which could and should be a good match for the Suns' high-powered, high-flying offense, and Piatkowski could enjoy a year of catching bullets from outside the arc and firing away.



The Stoudemire "addition," however, is what's going to determine the fate of the Suns this year more than anything else. When he's physically right, he's completely dominant, and he's worth the effort of obtaining Phoenix Suns tickets all by himself. However, when he's not 100%, he can slow down the offense and create problems with ball movement. His healthy return is critical.



Strong Suit

It's all about the offense with the Suns, as has been mentioned. The Suns like to put pure athletes on the floor, spread it out and run the other team into the ground over the course of 48 minutes. That strategy works well, particularly against plodding, physical teams who just can't keep up with the speedy Suns. They don't get tired, and Steve Nash is the best in the game when it comes to breaking down a defense and finding the open man. He's also a master at dictating tempo. Hungry scorers like Shawn Marion and know that their stat lines will look great if they run with Nash, and that's exactly how the Suns operate.



Outlook

As fun as the Suns are to watch, there is one flaw that seems to haunt them every year in the playoffs. Their style is ultimately not enough to get them through the rugged Western Conference, as playoff basketball is just a different breed than regular season games. The Suns cannot be counted on the make that "big" stop when they need one, and that will get you eliminated in the postseason.



The Suns should once again cruise through the regular season, but they need to ramp up their defense if they're going to get through the Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets and other teams with size and speed. If they can do that, they're a threat to go all the way. If not, it'll be another playoff disappointment. Regardless, Phoenix Suns tickets are always worth the effort to obtain, as they never fail to put on a great show. Written by Jay Nault, sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/ . StubHub sells Phoenix Suns tickets: http://www.stubhub.com/phoenix-suns-tickets/ sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. ]]> Will Phoenix Suns Tickets Allow You To See An Historic Run? http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:20:01 +0000 phoenix suns ticketssteve nashamare stoudemiremicrofracture surgerynbaathleticismplaying the game http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run athleticism with your entertainment dollar, will provide that and potentially more - the Suns are on a run that's getting to be historic in nature. Their winning ways have captured the hearts of their fans and instilled fear in everyone they play. This recent run has even gone as far as to bring back fans of the who were turned off by the grabbing, overly-defensive style that became the norm over the past 15 years. Below we'll take a look at what makes this team potentially special, and what we can expect as the season comes to an end.

An Angry Two-Time MVP

Something happened to over the summer. Either he got tired of being a respected non-champion, someone said something to him he didn't like, or he's just ready to add a championship to his already-impressive trophy case.



Regardless, he's with a sizable chip on his shoulder this season, and the Suns are reaping the rewards from that attitude. Nash was always the guy who was more satisfied with making others better, setting up the open man for a shot and leading the fast break. This year, he's added the "dagger" jump shot or drive to the hoop to his game. When the Suns need a basket in the 4th quarter, Nash is starting to shoot first and score. That added dimension only makes him even tougher to defend, and makes his teammates even better.

The Return of Amare

People forget that the Suns have been succeeding in a big way in recent years without their superstar post player, . Stoudemire basically lost two years with on his knee, but he's back with a vengeance. He's averaging more than 19 points, 9 rebounds and a block per game, and he's someone who will destroy your interior defense if he's not guarded carefully. With Nash tearing through the lane and Stoudemire lurking for the dunk, the Suns are even more difficult to defend than they have been, and Nash-to-Stoudemire makes Phoenix Suns tickets worthwhile all by itself.



What Will it Mean?

The one thing that could once again derail the Suns is the need for physical, defensive basketball to succeed in the playoffs. However, true basketball fans have to be rooting for the Suns to succeed, and if their style of play does win a championship, the influence that would follow would do nothing but good for the game. It says here that it's possible, but if you want to see for yourself, you'll need to grab some Phoenix Suns tickets and catch the most entertaining team in the NBA today. Written by Jay Nault, sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/ . StubHub sells Phoenix Suns tickets: http://www.stubhub.com/phoenix-suns-tickets/ sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. ]]> Will Phoenix Suns Tickets Allow You To See An Historic Run? http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2007 06:27:07 +0000 phoenix sunssteve nashamare stoudemirehesmicrofracture surgeryplaying the gameathleticism http://www.artwoo.com/article/will-phoenix-suns-tickets-allow-you-to-see-an-historic-run athleticism with your entertainment dollar, tickets will provide that and potentially more - the Suns are on a run that's getting to be historic in nature. Their winning ways have captured the hearts of their fans and instilled fear in everyone they play. This recent run has even gone as far as to bring back fans of the NBA who were turned off by the grabbing, overly-defensive style that became the norm over the past 15 years. Below we'll take a look at what makes this team potentially special, and what we can expect as the season comes to an end.

An Angry Two-Time MVP

Something happened to over the summer. Either he got tired of being a respected non-champion, someone said something to him he didn't like, or he's just ready to add a championship to his already-impressive trophy case.



Regardless, he's with a sizable chip on his shoulder this season, and the Suns are reaping the rewards from that attitude. Nash was always the guy who was more satisfied with making others better, setting up the open man for a shot and leading the fast break. This year, he's added the "dagger" jump shot or drive to the hoop to his game. When the Suns need a basket in the 4th quarter, Nash is starting to shoot first and score. That added dimension only makes him even tougher to defend, and makes his teammates even better.

The Return of Amare

People forget that the Suns have been succeeding in a big way in recent years without their superstar post player, . Stoudemire basically lost two years with on his knee, but he's back with a vengeance. He's averaging more than 19 points, 9 rebounds and a block per game, and he's someone who will destroy your interior defense if he's not guarded carefully. With Nash tearing through the lane and Stoudemire lurking for the dunk, the Suns are even more difficult to defend than they have been, and Nash-to-Stoudemire makes Phoenix Suns tickets worthwhile all by itself.



What Will it Mean?

The one thing that could once again derail the Suns is the need for physical, defensive basketball to succeed in the playoffs. However, true basketball fans have to be rooting for the Suns to succeed, and if their style of play does win a championship, the influence that would follow would do nothing but good for the game. It says here that it's possible, but if you want to see for yourself, you'll need to grab some Phoenix Suns tickets and catch the most entertaining team in the NBA today. Written by Jay Nault, sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/ . StubHub sells Phoenix Suns tickets: http://www.stubhub.com/phoenix-suns-tickets/ sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. ]]> Solar Power And You Pool Hot Tub http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-power-and-you-pool-hot-tub http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-power-and-you-pool-hot-tub#comments Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:25:00 +0000 automatic pool cleanerpool waterpool supplyusing solar powersunspoolselectricity http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-power-and-you-pool-hot-tub using solar power for heat whether it simply be setting out in the sun and warming up or today's high tech devices that convert the energy into . Over the past 100 years our dependence on solar power has diminished as we used the natural resources such as gas and coal to heat our homes and create electricity for our ever whim. History has a way of repeating itself just like when the automobile was fist introduced their was a divergence on how to power it many companies produced electric cars even steam cars were made for a short time but it was not until the advent of cheap gasoline that the manufactures concentrated their efforts on the gas power internal combustion engine. Today the car manufactures are looking to alternative fuels again they are looking at electricity for a car power source just like they were some 100 years ago.

The same thing is happening with the pool and hot tub industry at one time the only way to heat water was with the sun today companies are again looking at using the free solar energy being supplied by the sun to heat our . We have all sent the standard black panels surrounding pools that have pumped through them and the suns energy is transferred to the pool water. This solar heating of the water results in a better user experience in pool or hot tub usage the water is warmer and will remain warmer in the fall and will heat up quicker in the spring allowing a longer swim season.

Today's new solar panels are much more efficient than the panels of old the new technology has been imported from Europe where the cost of energy is much higher so the development of alternative energy has been accelerated.

Today pool manufactures are looking closer at utilizing the suns energy to help reduce the amount of fossil fuels our pools consume each year. A new item on the market is a solar powered skimmer this skimmer is an that runs completely on solar energy no wire no hoses, I just swims through the water collecting debris, the manufacture claims that with the new solar skimmer you can reduce the operating time of your pump by two thirds! The solar skimmer also acts as a chlorine distributor it will dispense chlorine as it does its job. The manufacture is looking at adding some other features such as a remote control and a pool alarm to the skimmer. Jake Plumer is an author for http://www.a1hottub.com ]]> The Phoenix Suns - The Early Years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:55:03 +0000 phoenix sunsjerry colangelochicago bullshr blockrichard blochbroadcastercotton fitzsimmons http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

On January 22, 1968, the NBA awarded expansion franchises to an ownership group from Phoenix and one from Milwaukee.

The primary investors in the Phoenix franchise at its inception had close ties to Tucson, Arizona's second largest city. They were:

=95 , a Southern California investment broker/real estate developer and former Tucson resident (no relation to the Richard Bloch who was the co-founder of tax preparation provider HandR Block).

=95 Karl Eller, owner of a major outdoor advertising company and one of the Phoenix area's most influential business leaders at that time. He was a former football player for The University of Arizona;

=95 Donald Pitt, a Tucson-based attorney;

=95 Don Diamond, Tucson-based real estate investor who eventually replaced Eller on the ownership managing team.

All four men were alumni of The University of Arizona. According to the history section of the Suns website, other investors in the Suns included prominent entertainers such as Andy Williams and Henry Mancini.

According to the Suns website, the original logo was designed by Stanley Fabe, owner of a Tucson printing company, for $200.

The new Suns ownership group hired former executive to be general manager (he was 28 years of age when he took the position). Colangelo in turn hired Johnny "Red" Kerr (as of this writing a with the Bulls) to be the first head coach of the Suns. Kerr was forced to resign midway through the 1969-70 season, and Colangelo himself coached a few games. replaced Colangelo as Suns coach for the 1970-71 season. He took the team to their first winning season, with a final record of 48-34.

Fitzsimmons would return to the head coaching job in the late 1980s; he would go on to be greatly loved by Suns fans, wildly popular (and successful) as a coach, broadcaster and executive with the Suns organization.

In the 1970s the Suns experienced mild success, combining the talents of such players as Dick Van Arsdale (The Original Sun), his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale, Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, Len "Truck" Robinson, Alvan Adams, and center Neal Walk. In 1976, the year the movie Rocky was released, the Suns proved to be a real-life basketball version of Rocky. They finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but shockingly they beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, giving the Celtics a tough battle before falling in 6 games. Game 5 was a triple-overtime classic that is considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history, with Suns forward Gar Heard hitting a buzzer beating rainbow jump shot ("The Shot") to send the contest into the third overtime at Boston Garden.

In the late '70s and early '80s, the Suns enjoyed several successful seasons, making the playoffs for 8 seasons in a row. Problems arose however, on and off court, in the mid '80s. In 1987 the Maricopa County Attorney's Office indicted 13 people on drug-related charges, three of whom were active Suns players (James Edwards, Jay Humphries and Grant Gondrezick). These indictments were partially based on testimony from star player Walter Davis, who was given immunity. No defendants ever went to trial: two of the players went into a prosecution diversion program, while another received probation. Nevertheless, the scandal, although now perceived in many respects to be a witchhunt, tarnished the reputation of the franchise both nationally and within the community. The scandal did provide an opening for general manager Colangelo to lead a group that bought the team from its owners for $44 million, a record at that time.

With a drug scandal and the loss of promising young center Nick Vanos, who was killed in the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 after taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the franchise was in turmoil on and off the court. The Suns' luck began to turn around in 1987, however, with the acquisition from the Cleveland Cavaliers of Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and Tyrone Corbin for popular power forward Larry Nance. In 1988, Tom Chambers came over from Seattle as the first unrestricted free agent in NBA history, Jeff Hornacek a 1986 second round pick continued to develop, "Thunder" Dan Majerle was drafted with the 14th pick in the draft, which they obtained from Cleveland in the Kevin Johnson trade, and the team began a 13-year playoff streak. Kurt Rambis was added from the Charlotte Hornets in 1989, and the team (coached by Fitzsimmons), in a shocking upset, beat the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games that season before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. In 1991, The Suns stormed to a 55-27 record, however they lost in the first round to the Utah Jazz 3-1. In 1992, the Suns cruised to a 53-29 record during the regular season. While having sent four players to the all-star game in the last two years (Chambers, Johnson, Hornacek and Majerle), the Suns were poised to make a serious run at the NBA Finals. They showed their poise by sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games. But once again the Suns fell in five games to the Trail Blazers in the conference semifinals, however the series was punctuated by an electrifying game 4, in which the Suns lost in double overtime 153-151. The Suns were yet again denied a shot at a title, but in subsequent seasons enjoyed even greater success than ever before. Check out all the latest basketball news at http://www.basketballxpress.com ]]> The Phoenix Suns - The Early Years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:27:10 +0000 phoenix sunscotton fitzsimmonsjerry colangelochicago bullshr blockphoenix arizonauniversity of arizona http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-phoenix-suns-the-early-years Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

On January 22, 1968, the NBA awarded expansion franchises to an ownership group from Phoenix and one from Milwaukee.

The primary investors in the Phoenix franchise at its inception had close ties to Tucson, Arizona's second largest city. They were:

• Richard Bloch, a Southern California investment broker/real estate developer and former Tucson resident (no relation to the Richard Bloch who was the co-founder of tax preparation provider HandR Block).

• Karl Eller, owner of a major outdoor advertising company and one of the Phoenix area's most influential business leaders at that time. He was a former football player for The ;

• Donald Pitt, a Tucson-based attorney;

• Don Diamond, Tucson-based real estate investor who eventually replaced Eller on the ownership managing team.

All four men were alumni of The University of Arizona. According to the history section of the Suns website, other investors in the Suns included prominent entertainers such as Andy Williams and Henry Mancini.

According to the Suns website, the original logo was designed by Stanley Fabe, owner of a Tucson printing company, for $200.

The new Suns ownership group hired former executive to be general manager (he was 28 years of age when he took the position). Colangelo in turn hired Johnny "Red" Kerr (as of this writing a broadcaster with the Bulls) to be the first head coach of the Suns. Kerr was forced to resign midway through the 1969-70 season, and Colangelo himself coached a few games. replaced Colangelo as Suns coach for the 1970-71 season. He took the team to their first winning season, with a final record of 48-34.

Fitzsimmons would return to the head coaching job in the late 1980s; he would go on to be greatly loved by Suns fans, wildly popular (and successful) as a coach, broadcaster and executive with the Suns organization.

In the 1970s the Suns experienced mild success, combining the talents of such players as Dick Van Arsdale (The Original Sun), his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale, Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, Len "Truck" Robinson, Alvan Adams, and center Neal Walk. In 1976, the year the movie Rocky was released, the Suns proved to be a real-life basketball version of Rocky. They finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but shockingly they beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, giving the Celtics a tough battle before falling in 6 games. Game 5 was a triple-overtime classic that is considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history, with Suns forward Gar Heard hitting a buzzer beating rainbow jump shot ("The Shot") to send the contest into the third overtime at Boston Garden.

In the late '70s and early '80s, the Suns enjoyed several successful seasons, making the playoffs for 8 seasons in a row. Problems arose however, on and off court, in the mid '80s. In 1987 the Maricopa County Attorney's Office indicted 13 people on drug-related charges, three of whom were active Suns players (James Edwards, Jay Humphries and Grant Gondrezick). These indictments were partially based on testimony from star player Walter Davis, who was given immunity. No defendants ever went to trial: two of the players went into a prosecution diversion program, while another received probation. Nevertheless, the scandal, although now perceived in many respects to be a witchhunt, tarnished the reputation of the franchise both nationally and within the community. The scandal did provide an opening for general manager Colangelo to lead a group that bought the team from its owners for $44 million, a record at that time.

With a drug scandal and the loss of promising young center Nick Vanos, who was killed in the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 after taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the franchise was in turmoil on and off the court. The Suns' luck began to turn around in 1987, however, with the acquisition from the Cleveland Cavaliers of Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and Tyrone Corbin for popular power forward Larry Nance. In 1988, Tom Chambers came over from Seattle as the first unrestricted free agent in NBA history, Jeff Hornacek a 1986 second round pick continued to develop, "Thunder" Dan Majerle was drafted with the 14th pick in the draft, which they obtained from Cleveland in the Kevin Johnson trade, and the team began a 13-year playoff streak. Kurt Rambis was added from the Charlotte Hornets in 1989, and the team (coached by Fitzsimmons), in a shocking upset, beat the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games that season before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. In 1991, The Suns stormed to a 55-27 record, however they lost in the first round to the Utah Jazz 3-1. In 1992, the Suns cruised to a 53-29 record during the regular season. While having sent four players to the all-star game in the last two years (Chambers, Johnson, Hornacek and Majerle), the Suns were poised to make a serious run at the NBA Finals. They showed their poise by sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games. But once again the Suns fell in five games to the Trail Blazers in the conference semifinals, however the series was punctuated by an electrifying game 4, in which the Suns lost in double overtime 153-151. The Suns were yet again denied a shot at a title, but in subsequent seasons enjoyed even greater success than ever before. Check out all the latest basketball news at http://www.basketballxpress.com ]]> Window Treatment Basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics#comments Sat, 17 Feb 2007 06:27:02 +0000 uv rayswindow blindswindow treatmentscontrol sunlightcurtainssunshardwood flooring http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics
There are three major functions that can perform. They are privacy, light control, and decor. Very few will perform well in all three areas, so it's important to priorities which functions are most important to you.

Privacy protection

Privacy is obviously important, especially for windows in the front of your home that probably face a street or other public throughway's. Windows facing more private areas of a fenced yard, on the other hand might not need to provide much in the way of privacy.

Several window treatment designs can provide privacy. Blinds or thick most notably, but privacy can also be attained with use of window frostings or diffusers. These will however obstruct your view of the great outdoors.

Light control

Sunlight and glare needs to be controlled in the bedroom if sleeping comfort is interrupted by light entering through the windows. In a room where sunlight will interfere with TV watching or computer use needs window treatments that are effective in light control too.

Any room with items that can be damaged by the need window treatments that are good at controlling light. Any kind of artwork, antiques, or photographs can benefit from this protection. Even carpeting and can be damaged by the suns UV rays. Consider this when deciding on a window treatment type for any particular window.

Window tinting can be very effective at blocking UV rays. Other than that, window treatments that open and close easily are preferred - blinds, curtains etc. excel here.

Complementing the rooms decor

The decor of window treatments in any given room is more important to some of us than to others. If decor is not an issue for you, then some simple are inexpensive and effective at the other two criteria.

If decor is more important to you, then you can have your work cut out for you depending on taste. Curtains are available in almost any pattern and color of material. A little sewing experience can make a DIY curtain project a breeze, or perhaps you know someone who is willing to sew curtains to your specifications, using our preferred material.

Window treatments aren't just for decoration, light control, or privacy, but some level of all three. Depending on what is important to you for any given window in a room, you can now easily decide which type is best for you. Dave Marx writes for http://vinyl-window.net ]]> Window Treatment Basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics#comments Mon, 01 Jan 2007 08:27:05 +0000 uv rayswindow blindswindow treatmentscontrol sunlightcurtainssunshardwood flooring http://www.artwoo.com/article/window-treatment-basics
There are three major functions that can perform. They are privacy, light control, and decor. Very few will perform well in all three areas, so it's important to priorities which functions are most important to you.

Privacy protection

Privacy is obviously important, especially for windows in the front of your home that probably face a street or other public throughway's. Windows facing more private areas of a fenced yard, on the other hand might not need to provide much in the way of privacy.

Several window treatment designs can provide privacy. Blinds or thick most notably, but privacy can also be attained with use of window frostings or diffusers. These will however obstruct your view of the great outdoors.

Light control

Sunlight and glare needs to be controlled in the bedroom if sleeping comfort is interrupted by light entering through the windows. In a room where sunlight will interfere with TV watching or computer use needs window treatments that are effective in light control too.

Any room with items that can be damaged by the need window treatments that are good at controlling light. Any kind of artwork, antiques, or photographs can benefit from this protection. Even carpeting and can be damaged by the suns UV rays. Consider this when deciding on a window treatment type for any particular window.

Window tinting can be very effective at blocking UV rays. Other than that, window treatments that open and close easily are preferred - blinds, curtains etc. excel here.

Complementing the rooms decor

The decor of window treatments in any given room is more important to some of us than to others. If decor is not an issue for you, then some simple are inexpensive and effective at the other two criteria.

If decor is more important to you, then you can have your work cut out for you depending on taste. Curtains are available in almost any pattern and color of material. A little sewing experience can make a DIY curtain project a breeze, or perhaps you know someone who is willing to sew curtains to your specifications, using our preferred material.

Window treatments aren't just for decoration, light control, or privacy, but some level of all three. Depending on what is important to you for any given window in a room, you can now easily decide which type is best for you. Dave Marx writes for http://vinyl-window.net ]]> What Are The Benefits Of Retractable Awnings? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-retractable-awnings http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-retractable-awnings#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:17:55 +0000 retractable awningsretractable awningsuns raysbad weatherdoors windowssummers daystorefronts http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-retractable-awnings s tend to be the most popular type of awnings available today. They can be used on patios as well as on and they come in a wide variety of colors and styles to suit all homes.



When you think of retractable awnings you are likely to first associate them with blocking out the and allowing you to relax comfortably on your patio on hot . Now whilst most people do use awnings for this reason, there are some who use them to protect their home and furniture and some businesses also use them to advertise their services.

Generally they can be used on doors, windows, porch ways and patios and they tend to be made from either aluminum or fabric.



Fixed or Foldable Awning?

There are two main different types of awnings and these are fixed and folding awnings. The fixed awnings are basically fixed anywhere and once they are attached they cannot be moved around. Foldable awnings on the other hand can be moved and put away whenever you choose. They are also known as retractable awnings and they really do come in handy. You can purchase them with either manual or automatic control and they are extremely convenient.

Fixed awnings on the other hand are also otherwise referred to as stationary awnings. Generally they tend to be used the most on windows to stop the suns rays from coming into the home and ruining the furniture and carpets. They can also help you to save money on your bills as it helps to keep the home cool in summer.



By using a retractable awning you get the option to either shade yourself from the sun or allow it to shine down on you. However retractable awnings are not really designed to withstand really but luckily enough you can easily fold them up so that they do not have to cope with it. Due to this fact they do tend to be the most popular types of awnings available today. Stores even like to use them as they are ideal for covering up large areas.



Generally all awnings are excellent to use and they can extend your garden giving you more space to enjoy the summer months. You can purchase them in a wide variety of shapes and styles and so there is always something to suit each home.

If you want to select from a large variety of colors and sizes then the best place to look would be on the Internet. There you will even find tips on installation and you can potentially save a lot of money too. Overall awnings are useful and they are used for a number of different reasons. They would make a welcome addition to any household no matter what its personal style might be. Adam Peters is an online entrepreneur and writes for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . A website with tips on patio awnings, and many related topics: http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/RetractableAwnings.html ]]> Can we Really Use Solar Power in the UK http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-we-really-use-solar-power-in-the-uk http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-we-really-use-solar-power-in-the-uk#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:15:32 +0000 uk experienceshigh in the skysolar modulespower demandscloudy daycloudy skiessolar panel http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-we-really-use-solar-power-in-the-uk cloudy skies is solar power really a viable option to the average homeowner in the UK. The idea or myth that you need blue skies for solar energy to be effective, probably arises, because although people in general understand the basics of how s work they probably do not understand the intricacies of how solar power is produced. I will hopefully dispell a couple of these myths in the article.

1st Myth: You need blue skies with the sun .

Blue skies in the UK doesn't seem to happen that often, but, let me ask you this have you ever been to the beach on a , and been sunburnt at the end of the day. At the same time you are getting burnt by the suns energy, solar panels can be collecting this energy. This will be less than the amount of energy you would collect on a sunny day, but as long as their is a degree of sunlight, the panels will continue to collect the sun's energy. This energy can then be stored in batteries, , and then used in the evening to provide power to a home.

2nd Myth: We don't get enough sunlight in the UK

Over the course of a year, on average, the 2.5 hours of sunlight a day that can be used to produce energy. Not very much, but with current technology it is more than enough to handle the of the average home without fully draining the solar modules. The methods and technologies used in storing and gathering the solar energy are also continually improving which will allow for even greater demands on the stored energy.

An average solar panel can capture 15 to 20% of the energy collected, again this looks like a low figure, but it is enough to power an average home during a cloudy day, without having to dip into the battery power. Storing the energy in solar modules allows future use of the energy and is easily expanded by adding to the number of panels and modules.

Solar energy is still a relatively new resource in our search for alternative energy options. While the concept of solar power has made some great advances in the past thirty years or so, the next decade should see a number of technological improvements. These new innovations will make the harnessing of the suns rays even more viable as a means of not only safe and clean power to our homes. As we continue to refine the process of using solar energy, perhaps we can also rid ourselves of some of the misinformation about solar energy that has become part of our public consciousness in the UK. Mind you I would still like to see more blue skies.Gavin Dye is the webmaster at Solar Power 4u where you can learn about solar power and other forms of alternative energy you can use around your home. You can also learn how you can do your bit to stop Global Warming and learn more about Solar Power.]]> Three Options For Choosing A Swimming Pool Cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-options-for-choosing-a-swimming-pool-cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-options-for-choosing-a-swimming-pool-cover#comments Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:34:53 +0000 solar pool coversswimming pool coverwinter pool coverspool manufacturerspool ownerpool sizewater evaporation http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-options-for-choosing-a-swimming-pool-cover swimming pool cover, there are generally three options you can choose from, including: Winter Covers, Safety Covers, and . Most have a wide range of products that can suit the needs of any , and most can custom design a cover for you if needed. The important thing is to have an idea what you're looking for and shop around for the best prices.

A swimming pool cover can either come in a manual style, meaning you pull over the water surface by hand, or you can purchase an automatic style that unrolls the cover with a push of a button. Some automatic covers even come with remote controls for convenience and ease. Compared to the manual styles, motorized covers can be quite expensive, but may be a better choice depending on and individual homeowner needs.

Winter covers are one of the three main options when it comes to shopping for a swimming pool cover. These covers can be used all year long, but are especially useful in the cold winter months. Not only do they reduce , the cover can also protect the pool from leaves and branches that can damage filtration systems. Most are made with a mesh like material, and while some are made like tarps and keep everything out.

Covers also can be made of a woven material that allows snow and water to drip into the pool even when covered. Since winter covers keep everything out of the pool, re-opening the pool may require a thorough cleaning or pumping out of excess water caused by rain and snow. Many homeowners add a leaf net to their swimming pool cover in order to separate debris from the cover during the opening process.

Another common swimming pool cover is a Safety cover. The main objective of this cover is to protect small children and animals from accidentally falling into the pool. These covers are made from strong material and are often found in netted or mesh fabric materials that can most often support large amounts of weight. This cover is different from other covers because it is tightly fastened to anchors on the side of the pool to prevent someone from sliding underneath it and into the pool.

Another common pool cover is a solar cover. These covers not only retain the water heat and prevent evaporation, but they also heat the water via the suns energy. Solar covers come in all shapes and sizes and can be fit to in ground pools, as well as above ground pools. Most solar covers are made from synthetic polyethylene material and can trap the suns rays and transfer the energy in order to heat pool water.

These types of covers can be environmentally friendly, and increase waters temperature by 10-15 degrees. A swimming pool cover can be considered a good investment. Not only do you reduce cleaning time when not in use, but energy and money can be saved from using natural resources. For more swimming pool information please visit http://www.swimmingpoolbasics.com - a popular pool website that provides tips, advice and swimming pool resources.

Don't forget to check out our page on swimming pool cover. ]]> How to Make Your Own Solar Powered Winter Garage Heater http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-solar-powered-winter-garage-heater http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-solar-powered-winter-garage-heater#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:57:15 +0000 wet dry vacuumaluminum cansuse solar powersolar furnacesuns rayswood gluevacuum hose http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-solar-powered-winter-garage-heater
However you can take advantage of the sunny days of winter and from the sun to produce heat in your garage. Particularly if you live in hilly or mountainous areas, where the sun can reflect the as you could build a to collect some of that sunshine that bounces off the snow or that just beams down. Solar powered furnaces have in the past recorded to reach temperatures of up to 110 degrees. So if you have a lot of scrap laying around in your basement, then put it to good use.

You can start with some 2x4's and plywood to make a simple box. It helps if you build your box to the dimensions of the material that you are going to be fitting in there, in this case you should use because they're easy to get hold of and to fit into your home made box. 50 cans in 5 columns of 10 will funnel air upwards.

Before putting your cans in the box, be sure to seal the edges with to ensure that any of the heat that the box produces does not escape.

So you may have already thought, "How can air climb the columns of cans when there's no hole at the bottom of the can?" Answer: drill press and 3/4-inch bit. Times 45.

The last five cans, the bases of each column, will sit on the bottom of the box and thus will be unable to draw air from underneath, so I poked holes in the sides of each of the five. Stack the cans with liberal doses of adhesive caulk. Give them enough time to dry. Once they have dried paint each column with black BBQ paint to absorb the suns heat, make sure that the paint is matt, as it absorbs more heat like this, BBQ paint is also very good because it keeps from flaking off the cans.

At the top, you can then drill an outlet hole. Leave an inch or two of space between the tops of the columns and the top of the box to permit air to flow out of the columns. Drill out the outlet hole based on the diameter of a wet-dry that you could find laying in your basement, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

At the bottom you can use another wet-dry vacuum attachment; the rectangle shaped end that you use on the carpet, this will disperse the incoming air more evenly. Screw it in at each ends, then glue the seal. Then you can start to glue the columns in place. Remember to have drilled your inlet hole in the bottom. You can drill an inlet hole at the base for each column if you have time, this way the air can simply pass over the cans (there's about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch between the cans and the upper edge of the 2×4 frame) and all the air would be forced to pass though them picking up all of the absorbed heat.

You can then make a frame for your solar powered furnace using anything strong enough to hold it up towards the sun, you may wish to attach a thermometer to it to see how quickly it heats up and to what temperatures it can reach. Once it has been out side all day you can then bring it inside your garage and the heat that has been preserved by the solar heater shall radiate through your chosen space to heat up.Xavier Tikadar is the solar panels expert at EcoSwitch The environmental social network.]]> Zeitgeist: A Movie For The Time http://www.artwoo.com/article/zeitgeist-a-movie-for-the-time http://www.artwoo.com/article/zeitgeist-a-movie-for-the-time#comments Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:25:01 +0000 christ conspiracyintense controversyglobal phenomenonnew revelationegyptian religionzeitgeistmovie comegyptian theater http://www.artwoo.com/article/zeitgeist-a-movie-for-the-time Egyptian theater in Hollywood. As one of the sources for Part 1 of ZEITGEIST, I was in attendance as a featured panel speaker addressing some 650 people, who shared a mind-blowing evening. Both Peter and I have also done several radio programs addressing the subjects raised in ZEITGEIST, with me specializing in Part 1. The movie's narration has also been translated into a number of languages, including German. Truly, ZEITGEIST is a !

What is so special about ZEITGEIST that it has attracted so much attention? First of all, the movie is done in a very powerful manner - and, secondly, its message is controversial, to say the least! Since my work inspired some of Part 1, I can only discuss as an expert that segment, which deals with religious conspiracy. Part 1, in fact, claims that our modern religions, including and especially Christianity, are not "original" or "" but remakes of ancient faiths, particularly that of the Egyptians. In my books, "The " and "Suns of God," I have striven to demonstrate that fact, with a combined 1000+ pages of fascinating research as to the true meaning of religion. Because of the surrounding ZEITGEIST, with forums all over the net engaged in heated debates over the movie, I have now completed an ebook specifically addressing some of the comparisons between the and Christianity. This new ebook is called "The Companion Guide to ZEITGEIST, Part 1," and it scientifically examines the purported parallels between the Egyptian god Horus and the Jewish godman Jesus, including whether or not Horus was born on December 25th of a "virgin," among other important assertions made in ZEITGEIST. The research on this subject was so abundant that I was unable to put it all into an ebook. In almost 50 pages, I did, however, manage to highlight these significant issues, including ancient resources in their original languages, with translations!

It is the fervent belief of both the creator of ZEITGEIST and me that this information is extremely important in this day and age, in order to further cultural understanding and bring greater peace to the planet, as well as to provide an insight into the working of society's elite, who may not have in mind the best interests of the common man. In this regard, we have taken the risk of bringing this controversial and often contentious material to the public eye, with the hopes of greater enlightenment worldwide. Acharya S is the author of the controversial books "The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold," "Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled" and "Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ." Her latest book on the movie "ZEITGEIST" can be found at http://www.StellarHousePublishing.com/zeitgeist.html ]]> How To Extend Your Hot Tub Or Pool Season http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-extend-your-hot-tub-or-pool-season http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-extend-your-hot-tub-or-pool-season#comments Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:24:59 +0000 hot tub enclosuresharmful uv rayspool enclosurescause skin cancersun wellsliding doorshot tubs http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-extend-your-hot-tub-or-pool-season hot tubs and cover our pools and say goodbye for the winter months. Well if you truly enjoy using your hot tub year around you may want to consider extending your season with an enclosure. Today's enclosures are a far cry from those of old many of today's enclosures are available in enough standard sizes to meet most any need.

There are many benefits to enclosing your pool or spa that you may never have thought about. Normally an enclosure is connected to the house this adds an extra room to your house that becomes a vocal and a gathering point. Can you imagine taking a nice dip prior to going out and shoveling your driveway or soaking in a hot tub when you are done? Like to take a swim at twilight without any mosquitoes bothering you? These are just a few of the many advantages of having an enclosed pool or hot tub connected to your home.

The original enclosures manufactured in the 60's used a fiberglass panels but today's enclosure are made of polycarbonate this holds up much longer and is more durable and will last many years. The modular layout of today's enclosures allows the home owner to lay out just what they want can be added where they are needed. Like the you can have a retractable roof to let the direct sun in or you can have tinted panels that cut down on the suns glare and block the that . Window shades that controlled by remote control to allow sun in one area and shade in other areas to suit every ones needs.

Although the thought of adding a pool or may sound like a huge expense there are many cost savings associate with . UV rays from the sun actually account for bout one half of the chemicals used in the pool so enclosures will save you approximately 50 % in pool chemicals. So if the pool is covered less debris will get in the pool the need to operate your filter will be reduced and the amount of time spent cleaning and vacuuming will be reduced. Heating cost believe it or not are actually reduced with an enclosure as less heat is lost to evaporation. Jake plumer for http://www.a1hottub.com ]]> Why Sewing Window Treatments Can Look Great In The Home http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-sewing-window-treatments-can-look-great-in-the-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-sewing-window-treatments-can-look-great-in-the-home#comments Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:30:01 +0000 window treatmentscontactknow what typethis means thatfact that theyshapes and sizesharmful rays http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-sewing-window-treatments-can-look-great-in-the-home Window treatments come in a large variety of . you need to know what you want before you set out looking for the right window treatment for your home.

Sometimes in decorating, it is the little things that can make a huge difference and this is especially true with window treatments. They can really help to complete a look and whilst they do take up just a small portion of space, they can really change the atmosphere of a whole room.

Another thing to remember about window treatments is that they have a number of uses and they come in a variety of different forms. You could have blinds, window shades or shutters and they can help to protect the home from the suns , as well as allowing you a little privacy at the same time. The only trouble you will have with window treatments, is knowing which ones to actually choose for your room.

Knowing Which Window Treatment to Choose

Everybody has their own personal tastes and this is reflected in the decorating of their homes. So, what one person may love for their window treatments, you may prefer a completely different style altogether. This means that before you can choose the right window treatment for you, you need to of treatment you are after.

Think about your home and the room that the window treatments will be in. What do the windows currently look like? By taking into account the character of a room, you will then be able to see which styles of window treatments would best fit in. By taking the time to think about the window treatments that would best suit the room, you are ensuring that you achieve the best possible results.

If you have no idea where to look for your window treatments, then you could always a specialist window treatment dealer. An advantage of using them would include the could advise you on which window treatments would go better in your home.

An important consideration to make, is how much privacy would you like? Different window treatments come with differing privacy levels, so it is always better to know how much privacy you need. You also need to think about what temperature you want the room to be. Some window treatments can keep the heat in for example, whilst in others you could use a thinner material to keep the room cool.

Overall there are a number of factors which you need to consider before you rush out and purchase a window treatment. By knowing what you are looking for, it makes choosing a window treatment that much easier. So, think of everything you want included with the treatments and you should easily find something to suit you. Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on decoration for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Find more publications about curtain sewing patterns at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/0606sewing-window-treatments.html ]]> Little Known Ways To A Safe Scuba Diving http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-a-safe-scuba-diving http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-a-safe-scuba-diving#comments Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:20:01 +0000 scuba diving clubwaterproof sunscreensun protection factorweather conditionlocal weatherdangerous sportwater leakage http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-a-safe-scuba-diving dangerous sport. Yet, if you follow these tips, you can have a fun, fantastic experience of scuba diving:

and#8226;Get scuba dive gear that fits

For a fun scuba diving, make sure that the gear fits you properly. The mask should be comfortable and water-leakage-free. The BCD should be snug enough so that it does not ride around in the water. The Booties and fins must not cause discomfort or blisters.

and#8226;Drink lots of water

Make sure that you remain well hydrated. Just water, no alcohol.

and#8226;Learn first

Take some lessons before you jump into the water. Get qualified by a certification agency before participating in SCUBA diving.

and#8226;Check out with your doctor

Itand#8217;s better to do a check up with your doctor before deciding to scuba dive.

and#8226;Safe places to dive

Even though youand#8217;ve got your certification of scuba diving, do not dive in dangerous waters or in any other environment of which you are not qualified to dive. Avoid dangerous laced for they require special scuba training. You can easily get lost or trapped and run out of air.

and#8226;Get a friend

Never ever dive by yourself. Get a friend or join a diving club.

and#8226;Know the weather

Know for sure the local before getting on a dive. Check out if the water and weather conditions are safe enough. Cancel the plan if it is going to rain or there will be storm. And if you are already in the water yet it rains and even you hear a storm, get out of the water immediately. You donand#8217;t want to get struck by lightning.

and#8226;Protect your eyes and skin

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes against the suns damaging rays. Wear a with a containing a high rating such as 15 to protect your skin. David W Richards loves to scuba dive. He and his wife are members of a . He also has such big interests in other fileds that he creates some websites: http://rhrv.com, http://rvnr.com, and http://yfnf.com. ]]> Here Comes The Sun: And I Say It's Alright http://www.artwoo.com/article/here-comes-the-sun-and-i-say-its-alright http://www.artwoo.com/article/here-comes-the-sun-and-i-say-its-alright#comments Sun, 25 Jun 2006 06:32:16 +0000 american journal of public healthharvard health letterfun in the sunsuns rayshttpnatural health practitionerpublic health studies http://www.artwoo.com/article/here-comes-the-sun-and-i-say-its-alright
Is it any wonder researchers are finding us vitamin D deficient (Ref. 2006)? To understand why this is significant it is first important to inquire: What exactly does Vitamin D do? Yes, Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and teeth, but what most don't know is it is key in reducing the risk of many types of cancer including breast, colon , prostate and ovarian (Ref. The ).

Studies now conclude that 15 minutes in diffused sunlight can set off the metabolic process in skin which creates vitamin D. Yet before tanning yourself beyond recognition: use your head. This is not permission to stay in the sun for long periods as its aging qualities are still applicable. Limit yourself to 15 minutes and choose parts of the day when you are not in direct sunlight. You know, even on a cloudy day you are absorbing the and it can also penetrate through clothing. Therefore, if you do choose to increase your exposure; use common sense.

If the sun or outdoor activities are not for you, there are other options to stock up on vitamin D as well. Salmon is rich with vitamin D, for example, as is milk. Or you could opt for cod-fish based supplements with vitamin D added. These additions to your diet are well worth your time and research. As always, do your homework and consult with your healthcare provider to choose a vitamin D option for you. Perhaps a healthy dose of will be just what the doctor ordered. Laura Turner is a and author. She hosts http://www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( http://www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness! ]]> Two Tales Of NBA Betting http://www.artwoo.com/article/two-tales-of-nba-betting http://www.artwoo.com/article/two-tales-of-nba-betting#comments Sun, 12 Nov 2006 06:27:05 +0000 phoenix sunsdumbfoundedboston celticsnba historyhistory gamedel marbet http://www.artwoo.com/article/two-tales-of-nba-betting betting warriors from previous hardwood campaigns.

Any bookmakers' list of NBA betting legends would have to include "Cryin' Kenny," a notorious 'under' player who was well known around North Las Vegas sports books in the 1970s.

Kenny cried about everything and the more he drank, the more he cried. In 1976, Kenny made a tap-out wager on what turned out to be one of the most famous games in , Game 5 of the league championship series between the and . Kenny didn't stray from his usual NBA betting strategy, betting the game 'under' the total at the old Race and Sportsbook.

Kenny already was counting his winnings when the game went into overtime. During the overtime, the Suns shrewdly called a time-out they didn't have, giving the Celtics a technical foul shot but getting the ball back in time to force a second overtime. (The rule subsequently was changed). Incredibly, the game still was under the total. Then, in the waning seconds of the second extra session, Phoenix's Garfield Heard hit a miraculous shot to send the game into a third extra session.

Talk about bad beats! It required a manipulation of the rules that no longer is possible, a shot "Heard" 'round the NBA betting world, and three overtimes for Kenny to lose his 'under' bet. For once, you couldn't blame Kenny for crying.

Kenny paced up and down during the overtimes, beating a path into the already thread bare carpet at the Del Mar. When the game finally went 'over' the total, Kenny walked out of the Del Mar without uttering a word. Patrons accustomed to Kenny's cries were ; it was unprecedented for Kenny to leave the sportsbook without expressing some complaint.

What his fellow players did not know was that Kenny would be back in a few minutes, this time, packing heat. Having retrieved a handgun from his car, Kenny re-entered the Del Mar and approached the television on which he'd watched the Boston-Phoenix game. Standing no more than six feet from the TV, Kenny raised the gun, extended his arm, took dead aim at the screen, pulled the trigger...and missed. The bullet lodged in a cinder block where it remained for years, the object of countless tales and stories.

So what happened to Kenny? Did the late Bill Dark, one of Las Vegas' most innovative bookmakers, call the police? No. Did he grab Kenny by the lapels and throw him out? No. Did he ban him from the premises? No. Dark couldn't do any of those things. Cryin' Kenny owed him money.

A few years after Cryin' Kenny went bust--sometime in the mid 1980s--there was a crew operating on the Las Vegas Strip, getting down all it could on NBA totals. Two things made this NBA betting syndicate unique. First, they only bet on Detroit Pistons games. Sometimes they bet 'over' and sometimes they bet 'under' but they always risked a ton of money.

Second, they were very, very good, at one point during their three-year run winning 16-of-18 games, a streak which tested the bottom lines of many books.

After a while, word spread that the Pistons Syndicate had someone on the inside. Reportedly, it was the Detroit timekeeper, a man in a position to manipulate seconds on the end of each play to either add or subtract time from the game clock. Supposedly, the syndicate bet 'over' when he added time and 'under' when he subtracted it.

The only problem with this revelation was that it wasn't true. Bookmakers finally proved this to themselves when they were allowed to review the tapes of several Detroit games. A lot of the bet takers timed the games themselves and found that there was no manipulation of the clock.

So how did the Pistons Syndicate do it?

It turned out there was a vast difference in the quality of the officiating back then. Some officials called a lot of fouls and the scores on those games were higher. Other officials condoned a rougher style of play and the scores on those games were lower. The Pistons Syndicate simply was getting prior knowledge of the officiating crews in Detroit and placing their bets accordingly.

That's no longer possible. For one thing, the disparity in officiating has been all but eliminated. So, while there still may be slight differences in the interpretation of how much hand and body contact is permitted, the difference is so slight and unpredictable as to offer no NBA betting advantage.

The league also got a lot smarter. For reasons of personal security and league integrity, the NBA no longer releases the names of officials prior to games. Referees stay in hotels under assumed names and follow no prescribed travel schedule.

Alas, after the league adopted this policy, the Pistons Syndicate soon was dissolved and, like Cryin' Kenny, quickly passed into NBA betting folklore. By Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com/ . The Greek Sportsbook and Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering NBA betting: http://www.thegreek.com/ NFL betting and all other major sports. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com/ . ]]> Seattle Supersonics - A History http://www.artwoo.com/article/seattle-supersonics-a-history http://www.artwoo.com/article/seattle-supersonics-a-history#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:27:06 +0000 lenny wilkensall star gamenba all star gamenba franchisesam schulmanstar game mvpsupersonics http://www.artwoo.com/article/seattle-supersonics-a-history Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded the for the city of Seattle. Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations. Named the , they were Seattle's first professional sports franchise. Beginning play in October of 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All-Star guard Walt Hazzard and All-Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker. The expansion team stumbled to a 23--59 record, and Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the start of the next season for future Hall-of-Famer . Wilkens brought a strong all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game for Seattle in the 1968--69 season. Rule, meanwhile, improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. The SuperSonics, however, only won 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as coach during the off-season.

Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, and Wilkens led the NBA in assists during the 1969--70 season. Early in the 1970--71 season, however, Rule tore his achilles tendon and was lost for the rest of the year. Wilkens was named the 1971 All-, but the big news of the season came when owner Sam Schulman managed to land ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP Spencer Haywood following a lengthy court battle. The following season, the SuperSonics went on to record their first winning season at 47--35. The team, led by player-coach Wilkens and All-NBA forward Haywood, held a 46--27 mark on March 3, but late season injuries to starters Haywood, Dick Snyder, and Don Smith contributed to the team losing eight of its final nine games -- otherwise, the 1972 team might very well have become the franchise's first playoff team. The following season, Wilkens was dealt to Cleveland in a highly unpopular trade, and without his leadership the Supersonics fell to a 26--56 record. One of the few bright spots of the season was Haywood's second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, as he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.

The legendary Bill Russell was hired as the head coach in the following year, and in 1975 he coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. The team, which starred Haywood, guards Fred Brown and Slick Watts, and rookie center Tommy Burleson, defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series before falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The next season, the SuperSonics traded Haywood to New York forcing the remaining players to pick up the offensive slack. Guard Fred Brown, now in his fifth season, was selected to the 1976 NBA All-Star Game and finished fifth in the league in scoring average and free throw percentage. Burleson's game continued to strengthen, while Watts led the NBA in both assists and steals and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. The SuperSonics again made the playoffs, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in spite of strong performances from both Brown (28.5 ppg) and Burleson (20.8 ppg) during the series.

Russell left the SuperSonics after the 1976--77 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5--17. Lenny Wilkens was brought back to replace Hopkins, and the team's fortunes immediately turned around. The SuperSonics won 11 of their first 12 games under Wilkens, finished the season at 47--35, won the Western Conference title, and actually led the Washington Bullets three games to two before losing in seven games in the 1978 NBA Finals. Other than the loss of center Marvin Webster to New York, the SuperSonics roster stayed largely intact during the off-season, and in the 1978--79 season they went on to win their first division title. In the playoffs, the Supersonics defeated the Phoenix Suns in a tough seven game conference final series to set up a rematch with the Washington Bullets in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the SuperSonics in five games to give Seattle its first, and so far only, NBA title. The championship team roster included the powerful backcourt tandem of Gus Williams and Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, second year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and key reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.

The 1979--80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56--26 record. Fred Brown won the NBA's first three-point shooting percentage title, Jack Sikma played in the second of his seven career All-Star Games for Seattle, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were both named to the All-NBA Second Team, and Johnson was also named to the All-NBA First Defensive Team for the second consecutive year. The SuperSonics made it to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season, but lost to the Lakers in five games. It was the last time that the backcourt of Williams and Johnson would play together in SuperSonics uniforms, as Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980--81 season and Williams sat out the year due to a contract dispute. As a result, the SuperSonics fell to last place in the Pacific Division with a 34--48 mark. Williams returned for the 1981--82 season, and Seattle managed respectable 52--30 and 48--34 records during the next two years.

In October of 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley, initiating a period of decline and mediocrity for the franchise. 1984 saw Fred Brown retire after playing 13 productive seasons, all with Seattle. His career reflected much of the SuperSonics' history to that time, having been on the same team roster as Rule and Wilkens during his rookie season, playing a key role on Seattle's first playoff teams, and being the team's important sixth man during the championship series years. In recognition of his many contributions to the team, Brown's number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984--85 season, and when Jack Sikma was traded after the 1985--86 season, the last remaining tie to the SuperSonics' championship team (aside from trainer Frank Furtado) had been severed.

Among the few SuperSonics highlights of second half of the 1980s were Tom Chambers' All-Star Game MVP award in 1987, Seattle's surprise appearance in the 1987 Western Conference Finals, and the performance of the power trio of Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, and Dale Ellis. In 1987--88, the three players each averaged over 20 points per game with Ellis at 25.8 ppg, McDaniel at 21.4, and Chambers at 20.4. In the 1988--89 season, with Chambers traded to Phoenix, Ellis improved to his scoring average to 27.5 points per game and finished second in the league in three-point percentage. The SuperSonics finished with a 47--35 record, and made it to the second round of the 1989 playoffs. Check out all the latest basketball news at http://www.basketballxpress.com ]]> Roofs And Gutters 101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/roofs-and-gutters-101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/roofs-and-gutters-101#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:30:00 +0000 types of roofsslate roofroofing materialhailtop choicessleetharsh elements http://www.artwoo.com/article/roofs-and-gutters-101 sleet, snow and sun off of you and your possession, when you are choosing the roof and gutter for your building, you need to take your time and make sure you get them strong enough to stand up to what Mother Nature dishes out.

You need to make sure they will be water proof as well as fire resistant. They need to be strong and durable to handle such as sleet, , as well as the sun's bright light and intense heat. As most roofs that are installed today are dark in color, which makes them get hotter with the suns light then say a light concrete sidewalk. Heat can play a major role in breaking down the materials that hold a roof together.

There are many different materials and styles of gutters and roofs that you can choose from. Materials such as: slate, asphalt, metal or even concrete tiles can be used for your roof.

You can also add optional items such as a chimney to help take the heat from the inside out. Gutters have become a standard part of roofing as they help to protect the roof from water damage from water or snow that can collect and sit on top of the roof.



One of the in you may see is slate. Slate is both attractive and it is very long lasting. This is also one of the best fire resistant choices on the market today. If you choose a , be prepared to pay a higher price as they are harder to install.



If you opt for a concrete roof, then you will have the option to have the roof molded to what ever size or shape you need it to be. The downfall of a concrete roof is that it can be damaged by hail and snow. Hence these are best used in areas that are not likely to have hail.



So if you are planning on installing a roof and gutter to your home or business, then make sure you do a bit of homework. You want to make sure you get the roof that is right for your needs as well as one that is within your personal budget.

For more information about roofs and gutters, visit: http://www.tipsongutters.com . For more info and a free newsletter visit: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com . Get more tips on gutters at http://www.tipsongutters.com ]]>