• Published Article (February 2006 Okinawa Living): PDF
• Sales Letter: html or PDF
• Newsletter (December 1998 Insurance Focus, a publication by Morgan & Cheves, Inc., Alexandria, VA): html or PDF
• News of Value (August 1998 News of Value, a publication by Morgan & Cheves, Inc., Alexandria, VA): html or PDF
• Published Article (September 1998 Today's Supervisor, a publication by the National Safety Council, Itasca, IL): html or PDF
• Published Article (September 1998 North Carolina Builder, a publication of the North Carolina Home Builders Association, Raleigh, NC): html or PDF
• Pitch Letter: html or PDF
• News Release: html or PDF
  

Sales Letter

Increase your productivity and reduce employee turnover for less than the cost of a T-shirt per employee.

September 24, 1998

Dear Business Owner:

With our nation's vibrant economy and low unemployment rate, it is more important than ever for employers to keep employees happy. Raises alone won't do it. Flexible hours won't do it. For companies to reduce turnover and keep workers happy, they have to use an overall approach that makes employees happier and more satisfied with their jobs. They must add value to the employees' lives and commit themselves to employees' lifelong learning and growth.

We've developed a way for you to do just that: host Employee Value Seminars at your work site for employees and their families. Here's how the program works. Once every two weeks, we'll schedule a half-hour seminar on one topic, with subjects ranging from health and well-being to business and technology. We'll book highly qualified speakers, provide all notices to be posted at your facilities, and provide materials to be handed out by the speakers. In addition, we'll handle payment to the speaker (if a fee is required) and coordinate any management or employee participation teams. All you have to do is provide the room.

This is the kind of benefit most employers would provide for their employees and their families—if only they had the time, if only they had the contacts, if only they didn't have to worry about handling all the details. Day Consulting has the time, we have the contacts, and we have the knowledge and experience to make the program a success.

Separate yourself from the competition. Provide a valuable benefit for your employees and their families, and commit to their lifelong learning and growth. And do it for less than you think.

For less than the cost of a T-shirt per employee, you can provide 24 educational and fulfilling seminars a year for your employees. The attached information contains more facts on the topics, details, benefits, and speakers.

Act now to book your Employee Value Seminars. Give me a call at 757-723-7871 for a free, no obligation estimate for your company.

Sincerely,

Leslie L. Day, SPHR

P.S. Put these cost-effective, results-oriented Employee Value Seminars to work for your company. Call me at 757-723-7871 or email me at leslieday@msn.com for a free, no obligation estimate for your company.

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Newsletter
(December 1998 Insurance Focus, a publication by Morgan & Cheves, Inc., Alexandria, VA)

Umbrella Liability Insurance
Catastrophic losses are neither particular to specific areas of exposure nor to certain types of industries-and they can happen anywhere, at any time. Umbrella liability insurance closes the gap between underlying limits of coverage and possible claims in excess of that coverage. In recent years, it has become common for businesses, associations, and individuals to purchase this type of coverage, partly because today's juries often award huge sums of money to litigants. Prior to 1962, jury verdicts for a million dollars did not exist; since then however, thousands of verdicts for a million dollars or more have been awarded.

Umbrella liability insurance originated sometime in the 1940s when it was known as "blanket catastrophe liability insurance." The primary reason for its existence was to provide an extra layer of protection for companies or individuals who needed to have the gap closed between their standard coverage and the possibility of a catastrophic claim. Umbrella insurance can be purchased as a personal and/or commercial policy with high limits of coverage for catastrophic losses.

Because no "standard" umbrella policy exists, it is important to work closely with an insurance professional to design a policy that meets your community association's particular needs. Insurance professionals frequently work with a client to structure a policy that will reflect the needs and exposures of a particular company or individual. Sometimes these policies are called "excess liability," "catastrophe liability," or "blanket catastrophe liability" insurance. Whatever name is used, the primary function remains the same: to close the gap between underlying limits of coverage and possible claims in excess of that coverage.

We Already Have Insurance—Why Do We Need More?
Anyone who has read the fine print in most insurance policies has probably noticed a paragraph dealing with exclusions and another with policy limits. Frequently, liability contracts are limited to bodily injury or property damage. Although this may cover most typical insurance claims, there is also the possibility of injury to an individual that does not necessarily cause bodily harm, such as mental anguish, mental injury, shock, fright, humiliation, false arrest, invasion of privacy, or discrimination. Such exclusions could prove costly to a community association.

An umbrella policy serves two primary functions: 1) to provide higher excess limits of liability than those typically covered by underlying policies, and 2) to provide coverage for losses that may not be covered by standard underlying liability policies.

Although the whole point of insurance coverage is to shift the burden of payment of a claim from the business or individual to the insurance company, insurance companies will not pay more than the policy limits. The typical community association primary liability policy, for example, might have limits of $1,000,000, which may not provide adequate protection against claims made by someone who had an accident on association property. A standard liability policy might not provide coverage under certain circumstances. Filling in these significant gaps is the reason for obtaining umbrella coverage.

What's the Difference Between Excess and Umbrella Liability?
An excess liability policy provides coverage up to its limit of insurance for a covered loss above a specified amount. If, for example, a community association has a primary liability policy with a $1,000,000 limit of insurance for bodily injury and an excess liability policy with a $5,000,000 limit that includes bodily injury claims, the excess liability policy will only pay after $1,000,000 of a bodily injury claim has been paid by the primary policy. An excess liability policy only extends coverage to claims covered by the primary, underlying insurance policy.

An umbrella policy, on the other hand, is broader than a straight excess policy because it extends or expands liability protection by covering some losses that would be excluded under the underlying insurance. Umbrella coverage is generally a "follow form" policy, which means it follows the insuring agreements and conditions of the primary insurance policy and also extends coverage beyond that provided by an excess liability policy.

Parts of the Policy
The Declarations page of a typical umbrella policy lists the name of the individual or business being insured and the policy's coverages, limits, and premiums. The policy period for most umbrella policies is usually one year. Such policies also list what the company agrees to do for the insured party, such as paying for defense or indemnification costs a business or community association may incur.

Umbrella policies often include self-insured retention limits, which require the association to meet certain specified retained limits for some coverages. Often, the retained limits are the same as the required limits for the underlying policies. A Self-Insured Retention (SIR) is similar to a deductible and applies to events that are not covered by the standard policy. For example, if an umbrella policy is subject to a $10,000 SIR, a community association would be responsible for paying the first $10,000 of a covered claim when the umbrella policy provides primary coverage.

The $10,000 SIR would not apply when the umbrella policy responds on an excess basis. Community association umbrella policies should provide coverage for indemnification and defense costs. The umbrella policy insuring agreement should specify that these expenses are to be paid on behalf of the insured. It is preferred that defense costs be paid outside of the policy limits.

Exclusions
Although umbrella coverage is considerably broader than most underlying standard insurance policies, a few exclusions exist. For instance, intentional injury or damage might not be covered by an umbrella policy. Some catastrophes, such as pollution disasters, are so great as to be ruinous to the insuring company, and these are sometimes listed as exclusions. Obligations incurred under workers compensation laws are routinely excluded, because the law mandates such coverage anyway. Generally speaking, property should be insured through property insurance, not umbrella coverage, although policies vary with regard to property under the care, custody, and control of the insured.

An Umbrella That Fits
Because no "standard" umbrella policy exists, it is important to work closely with an insurance professional to design a policy that meets your community association's particular needs. All major loss exposures should be identified so that appropriate coverage can be procured. It is very important that the underlying policy coordinates as much as possible with the umbrella policy. A community association umbrella policy should extend over the underlying general, auto, employers, and Directors and Officers liability coverages. A community association should study its risks, safety record, business operations in general, and current insurance coverage. In this way, the insurance company can determine possible vulnerabilities and either correct these situations or insure against them.

In Conclusion
Increasingly, community associations are finding it necessary to cover all their bases with regard to risk exposure. Although a standard insurance policy is obviously the front line in this defense, umbrella insurance is becoming the bottom line. Lawsuits are commonplace and juries are unpredictable when rendering judgments or awards, making the type of coverage provided by umbrella insurance a necessity. It is critical to review your association's legal responsibilities and insurance needs with qualified professionals, including your association's legal counsel. If you have any questions, please call Steve Dickerson at Morgan & Cheves (703-739-2346).

Chart
Owning property today can be hazardous to your financial health, particularly if anyone-resident, visitor, salesperson, contractor, or guest-is injured on your property. The following recent losses bear that out. Community associations owe it to their members to obtain appropriate umbrella liability insurance coverage for their specific situations.

Jurisdiction: Maine
Description: Tenant in a condominium complex fell down an improperly lit interior stairwell. Plaintiff suffered ankle, knee, and back sprains, chronic pain syndrome, inflammatory back disease, and also suffers from depression.
Case Result: Verdict of $765,000 for multiple injuries.

Jurisdiction: Nevada
Description: A person was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex. It was alleged that the owner's general manager was aware of drug deals being conducted on the premises and failed to provide sufficient security.
Case Result: Verdict of $12,600,000 for wrongful death due to negligence in providing proper security. The verdict included $2,600,000 for punitive damages.

Ask the Expert
"Ask the Expert" is a regular column in Insurance Focus, featuring an interview with an expert about an important insurance issue facing community associations. This month our expert is Mr. Fabian A. Labat of Chubb & Son in Washington, DC. Mr. Labat is a Senior Account Manager in the Casualty Department and has over twenty years of insurance industry experience. He has also served as a board president of a homeowners association in Torrance, CA.

How important is it to have discrimination coverage in our association's umbrella policy?

Discrimination claims against third parties are increasing, particularly in the residential real estate arena. Unfortunately, discrimination coverage is typically excluded under a commercial general liability primary policy. In addition, not all umbrella policies provide coverage.

Title VIII and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the "Fair Housing Act," constitute a detailed housing law applicable to a broad range of discriminatory practices that are enforceable by the federal government. In 1988, the Fair Housing Act was amended by adding families with children and handicapped persons to the group protected by law. As a result, there is the potential for unlawful discrimination based upon the theory of disparate impact. Examples of activities by an association that could be interpreted as discriminatory are association covenants, rules and regulations that adversely affect families with children, or the unreasonable restriction of children's use of facilities or services that are available to adults, such as a pool or spa.

Under the disparate impact theory, a plaintiff must identify a rule, policy, or procedure, which although neutral at first glance, has an adverse effect on members of a protected class. Under this theory, it is not necessary for the defendant to have intended to discriminate, and even a defendant who undertakes a policy or procedure with the very intention of eliminating discrimination can be held fully liable.

Another scenario for potential exposure to an association is in the area of advertising, particularly with a new development that runs several features in the real estate section of the newspaper, in magazines, or on television. If the models used in the ads are not representative of the racial demographics of a particular area, it is possible that the advertising may be deemed "racially directed" and thereby in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The award amounts or settlements may vary greatly, and in many instances, indemnification is not even paid. However, discrimination cases can be expensive to defend, and unexpected payments can disrupt the balance of even the most stable associations. Therefore, it is important to determine whether your umbrella policy provides coverage for discrimination and to understand your association's potential exposure to third party discrimination claims.

(The information in this newsletter is taken from sources which we believe to be reliable, but is not guaranteed and is not necessarily a complete statement of all the available data. Conclusions are based solely upon our best judgment and analysis of technical factors and industry information sources.)

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News of Value
(August 1998 News of Value, a publication by Morgan & Cheves, Inc., Alexandria, VA)

Snow and Ice—It's That Time Again
In these hazy days of summer, it's hard to believe that winter is just around the corner, but before you know it, we'll be contending with snow, ice, and the general hazards of the season. Community associations must be prepared for inclement weather and have a snow removal plan in place. Because three out of five premises-related claims will be "slip and fall" accidents during the winter months, snow removal operations should be performed properly and thoroughly, on a timely basis. Below are some tips to help you prepare.

What's the First Step?
Every community association should have an effective snow removal program, combined with detailed record keeping of removal activities. An effective snow removal plan should include a list of primary areas to be cleared and sufficient resource allocation. The priority is to get people into and out of the building safely, during both routine activities and emergencies. Therefore, priority areas to be cleared include entrances nearest to parking lots, fire exits, and fire suppression system components, such as hydrants, fire department connections, and post-indicator valves. A reasonable timeframe should be established for removing snow from these routes, and routes that are not cleared should be closed.

How Do I Keep Track of Snow Removal?
Snow removal activities must be documented in detail. Bodily injury claims resulting from slip and fall accidents during winter are often not reported for several months and allege that the premises were not properly maintained. To assist managers in maintaining accurate snow/ice removal records, we strongly recommend using the enclosed Snow Removal Chart. Every incident, including complaints from residents and accidents, should be documented under the "General Comments" section of the Chart.

What If We Use an Independent Contractor?
It is essential that the association have a Certificate of Insurance on file indicating that the contractor has appropriate automobile, general liability, and workers compensation insurance coverage. The association should also ask the contractor for a loss run for the current policy term to show that aggregate limits are not in jeopardy of being exhausted.

The contract should include a "hold harmless agreement," with indemnification and defense clauses, which protects your association's interests against allegations that the contractor failed to properly provide snow/ice removal services. We also suggest that you require independent contractors to complete the enclosed Snow Removal Chart for review by the manager.

What Should I Do If There Is an Incident?
Claims must be reported to your association's insurance agent and/or company immediately. Prompt reporting and investigation are vital to the mitigation of damages and proper disposition of premises accidents. Often, an injured person will pursue a claim because of the poor manner in which he was initially treated, or because the claim was reported late and no effort was made to provide proper attention. Courteous treatment throughout can result in much smaller claims. Managers should listen to anyone who has fallen, indicate concern (but make no promises), and obtain prompt medical attention for such individuals.

Questions or Concerns?
If you need some answers, please call Steve Dickerson at Morgan & Cheves, Inc. (703-739-2346) or your Association attorney.

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Published Article
(September 1998 Today's Supervisor, a publication by the National Safety Council, Itasca, IL)

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer
High blood pressure is a silent killer-it often gives no warning signs or symptoms to the one in four American adults who have it, and a third of the 50 million Americans who have it don't know it. In fact, people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain or kidneys.

High blood pressure increases a person's chance of having a heart attack or stroke and of getting kidney disease. It plays a role in 700,000 deaths a year, and the illnesses brought on by uncontrolled high blood pressure cost Americans billions of dollars a year.

What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. It's recorded as two numbers. Systolic pressure is the force when the heart beats (the higher number); diastolic pressure is the force when the heart is at rest. Blood pressure is considered high when the level is 140/90 mm Hg or above, on a consistent basis. The only way to measure blood pressure is with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer, which is quick, easy and painless.

What causes high blood pressure?
In 90-95 percent of the cases of high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. This type is called "essential hypertension." Though it can't be cured, it can be controlled in most cases. In the remaining cases, high blood pressure is a symptom of a recognizable underlying problem, such as a kidney abnormality or a tumor of the adrenal gland. This is called "secondary hypertension" and is usually cured when its root cause is corrected.

Who's at risk for getting this disease?
Several factors increase the chance that a person will develop high blood pressure:

• Heredity (A person is more likely to develop high blood pressure if his parents or other close relatives had it.)
• Diet high in salt
• Obesity
• Heavy alcohol consumption (Michael J. Hogan, MD, a consultant in hypertension and internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic, says that "Two drinks a day is the breaking point-when alcohol consumption exceeds that, blood pressure goes up.")
• Sedentary or inactive lifestyle
• Race (African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than white Americans.)
• Male sex
• Age (The older a person gets, the higher blood pressure tends to be.)

What can be done to treat high blood pressure?
Because medical science doesn't understand the causes of most cases of high blood pressure, it's hard to say how to prevent it. Still, several steps can be taken to control it. A physician should be consulted when high blood pressure persists. Treatment consists of lifestyle changes and medication; a doctor may recommend one or both forms of treatment. With lifestyle changes, a person may be able to lower his blood pressure without taking medicine. The American Academy of Family Physicians says more than 80 different medicines are available to treat high blood pressure, and more than 90 percent of patients with hypertension get good results from antihypertensive medicines if they follow their doctor's instructions.

Even though heredity, race, sex and age can't be changed, everyone can take action to lower his chance of developing high blood pressure:

• Maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight if overweight;
• Increase aerobic physical activity (30 to 45 minutes most days of the week);
• Eat healthfully (choose foods lower in calories and salt);
• Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all; and
• Do not smoke.

What can be done at work to lower high blood pressure?

• Establish regular blood pressure screenings, so employees can learn their blood pressure. "Make sure employees feel comfortable and that the information is confidential," says Beth Reitz, director of community health services at Chesapeake (Virginia) General Hospital. Some employees don't want employers to know they have high blood pressure for fear of losing their jobs. "Make sure they know you're there to help them—not to take their job away," says Reitz.
• Teach employees how to manage stress. Stress is known to raise blood pressure, but its long-term affects are not yet well understood. Still, some of the traditional methods for managing stress, such as losing weight and exercising, are good habits for overall good health. Ruth Verick, a senior billing representative at UMass Memorial Hospital who has high blood pressure, says the easiest way to control stress at work is through deep breathing exercises. "Just close your eyes and take deep breaths," she says. "Some people stare at their computers while they're doing this, and people think they're working."
• Encourage healthful eating. Five years ago, Len Andreozzi, a senior program manager at Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colo., had blood pressure of 190/120. After two heart attacks and open heart surgery, he has learned the benefits of healthful eating. "I used to be a meat and potatoes guy-now I eat rabbit food," he says. "I'm very uncomfortable with heavy meals and high fat food now. But I do allow myself a treat once in a while." His blood pressure is down to a healthy 120/80.
• Encourage exercise during lunch and breaks. Dr. Hogan of the Mayo Clinic suggests starting out with walking 15 minutes a day and adding a house each day. "Over four weeks, you'll get to where you're walking 30 minutes, five days a week," he says.
• Establish a wellness program. Organizations like the American Heart Association offer comprehensive wellness programs that help employees make lifestyle changes and lower their blood pressure.

What's the bottom line?
High blood pressure can be controlled, but it can seldom be cured. By following treatment prescribed by a physician, the risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure can be reduced. All employees should keep track of their blood pressure and keep it under control.

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Published Article
(September 1998 North Carolina Builder, a publication of the North Carolina Home Builders Association, Raleigh, NC)

A Floor for Every Room
Choosing flooring for the rooms in a home is one of the most important decisions a builder and home owner can make. Floors must endure much of the wear and tear in homes, and they contribute to the overall look and feel of a room. Because different rooms have different functional and aesthetic requirements, the flooring for each room must be considered separately.

Several factors must be considered when choosing flooring for a home, including the purpose of each room, the look desired, the performance required, the cost of the flooring, its durability, the maintenance required and the manufacturer's warranty.

Here's some questions to ask homeowners who must decide the type of flooring they want in their homes. What look are you trying to achieve in the room? Do you want a traditional look or a more contemporary look? Do you want the room to be cozy and inviting or more formal? What performance will you require from your floor? Is the floor in a high traffic area that will have to withstand heavy wear and tear, or is it is a spare bedroom that will get only occasional use? How long do you expect the flooring to last, and is a warranty important to you? What kind of effort will it take to maintain it? How much money are you willing to spend on each room's flooring?

With the large number of flooring options available today, it is more important than ever to weigh all of these factors and answer all of these questions before choosing the best option for each room.

Laminates are all the rage
Laminate flooring is the newest entry in the flooring field. In fact, "There hasn't been a whole lot of change in flooring besides Pergo," says Will Biddle, project manager for builder and consumer practices surveys at the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, referring to the world's best-selling laminate floor. Pergo, which has been available in Europe for more than a decade, was introduced to the United States a few years ago and has taken the country by storm. Perstorp Flooring, the Swedish company that manufacturers Pergo, says that Pergo is distributed in 30 countries and has been installed in millions of homes worldwide.

By one estimate, more than 40 companies are selling laminate flooring in the United States. Laminate flooring is quite similar to Formica countertops, but manufacturers claim it is anywhere from 10 to 25 times more durable than a countertop. Laminate flooring consists of a hard core material made of some type of fiber board. Underneath the core is a special backing material that resists moisture and provides increased stability. The top layer, or decorative wear layer, is filled with tough melamine resins to make it very dense and impervious to fading, scratches, stains, indentations, impacts (e.g., high heels) or burning with a cigarette.

Laminate flooring is made with interlocking tongues and grooves that float over an existing subfloor, which means it is not nailed or glued down to the subfloor. Specially formulated water-resistant glue is placed between the tongue and grooves of every plank to hold the planks together and to keep out moisture. It's usually possible to install a laminated floor over an existing floor, such as a vinyl or hardwood floor. The subfloor could also be a new wood subfloor or a concrete slab.

Most of the floors simulate real wood, although more designs are coming on the market, including marbles and sandstones. Laminates are easy to care for-all that's needed is vacuuming, dust mopping, and an occasional damp mopping.

Mannington, which already manufacturers vinyl and wood floors, recently introduced their line of laminate floors. Mannington differentiates its line by is use of a unique ThermoComposite™ technology that doesn't use glue. Mannington says moisture or bacteria can attack the glue that holds some plastic laminates to the core, causing delamination over time. Instead of using glue, this new method forces thermal-set plastic resins all the way through the three surface layers and deep into the core.

Formica flooring also offers a laminate line in eight diverse collections, from Woodgrains, which replicates familiar and exotic grains, to Patterns, which evoke the detail found in handmade paper, woven textiles, brushed watercolor, tooled leather and polished stone.

Vinyl is still a popular choice
Vinyl continues to be a popular choice among builders and home owners. Vinyl floors come every imaginable color, pattern and geometric design-Mannington alone offers more than 300 choices. In addition, vinyl is easy to care for, it generally stands up to normal household use, such as kitchen chairs scraping along the floor, and the wide variety of vinyl available ensures a floor for every budget.

Vinyl flooring, also referred to as resilient flooring, comes in two basic forms: sheet and tile. Sheet vinyl comes in two types: perimeter-bonded and fully adhered. Perimeter-bonded flooring was developed as a replacement product, but Congoleum recently launched a new installation system, called "Your Choice," which allows the builder to choose the method of installation. Your Choice allows retailers and flooring contractors the flexibility of deciding how to install the product based on the circumstances of the job site, conditions, consumer preference and other variables. "This new system is very popular in the Carolinas and Georgia," says Angela Matticola, director of residential marketing for the Mercerville, N.J., Congoleum Corporation. "A lot of builders have found this helpful. We have put on several clinics and have had a lot of interest."

Vinyl flooring is manufactured one of two ways: inlaid or printed. Many patterns are printed onto a foam base and then topped with a clear wear layer. This process is sometimes called photogravure, the name of the printing process used to create it. Inlaid flooring requires more care in manufacturing. Millions of vinyl chips are laid on top of a carrier sheet and fused together under intense heat and pressure. The pattern goes all the way through to the backing. A clear wear layer tops the inlaid chips. Inlaid flooring costs more, but it generally will last longer and look better.

The quality of the wear layer determines the overall performance of a vinyl floor. The wear layer is measured in mils of thickness. One mil equals the thickness of a telephone book page, so a 10 mil wear layer would be comparable in thickness to 10 pages in the telephone book. Generally, the thicker the wear layer, the more expensive the vinyl flooring. The past decade has seen tremendous improvements in wear layers. Urethanes have become the dominant wear layer of choice.

Hardwood makes a comeback
"Hardwood flooring is making a comeback," says the NAHB Research Center's Biddle. "People like the look, and it's very durable. Now that carpet's been around for 40 years, people want to go back to the traditional look." In addition to the distinctive look of a wood floor, other benefits are that wood floors last for generations and are energy efficient because they act as a natural insulator. Wood floors come in solid and laminated versions and in three basic styles: strip, plank and parquet tile.

A traditional wood floor is made of ¾" tongue and grooved solid oak strips. The width of each strip is generally 2½", and lengths range from one to seven feet. Solid oak floors have a square or beveled edge. Nowadays most come finished with a tough urethane top coat, although unfinished varieties are available. Solid wood floors can only be nailed over suspended wood sub floors; they cannot be glued or floated. In addition, a ¾" expansion gap must be left around the perimeter of the room to allow for the wood's natural expansion across the width of the planks.

Manufacturers are developing new techniques to make hardwood flooring. Engineered wood, or laminated hardwood, is made by bonding layers of veneer and lumber with an adhesive, with each ply running in the opposite direction. This "cross-ply" construction gives the flooring more dimensionally stability-because the wood's natural growth direction is changed, expansion and contraction is drastically reduced. It is not necessary to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of a room when installing most engineered floors. Like solid oak, this flooring is available finished and unfinished, with a square or beveled edge. One difference is that these products are ideal for glue-down or floating installation. Another difference is that they are generally available in more thicknesses and widths, but the lengths generally do not exceed four feet.

B.A. Mullican Lumber & Manufacturing Company, located in Maryville, Tenn., produces Appalachian hardwood floors made of eight species and quartered oak and herringbone slats. Warren Spradlin, a spokesman for Mullican, says there's a difference between wood flooring and laminates. "If you want a hardwood floor, you won't be happy with a laminate," he says. "It does not look like wood; it has a print pattern, and it doesn't look natural. It's not indestructible, and you can't sand out scratches. With hardwood floors, you can sand out scratches." Spradlin says Mullican's products are of superior quality. "Our quality control is among the best in the nation. We continually check and recheck from the beginning to the end of the manufacturing process. When you're dealing with Mullican, you're dealing with consistent quality."

Carpet holds its own
In a 1996 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, What Today's Home Buyers Want, wall-to-wall carpet was preferred by the vast majority in the living room (75 percent), family room (73 percent), bedrooms (89 percent) and hallways (64 percent). Carpet absorbs sounds and hence cuts down on noise, provides natural insulating qualities and provides a cushioning layer of comfort underfoot.

Kathryn Sellers, director of public relations for the Carpet and Rug Institute, the national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry and headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, says "The industry is trying to make people aware of the value of carpet. People keep coming back to carpet for its comfort. In fact, the rooms where people live, like the family or living room, are almost always carpeted." Sellers cites two trends in carpeting today: textures and patterns. "We see a trend of using much more textured carpets. Another trend is the use of more patterns. Pattern has always been used as a serviceable product, like in hotels." Sellers says people are bringing those patterns, which include florals and geometrics, into their homes.

Carpet is available in three styles: cut pile, loop pile and cut and loop pile. In cut pile, the loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. This is one of today's most popular constructions; examples of this style include velvets and saxonies. Cut piles come in many varieties, making them suitable for almost every area of the house. In the loop pile style, the carpet loops are not cut or sheared. This style generally offers long-lasting wear for high-traffic areas. Today's popular berbers are loop pile. Cut and loop pile provides a variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects. This style provides soil-hiding qualities.

The Carpet and Rug Institute says that roughly 97 percent of all carpet is produced using synthetic fibers, which are designed to feature style, easy maintenance and outstanding value. Synthetic fibers include nylon, olefin (polypropylene), polyester and acrylic. Wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers, but it is noted for its luxury and performance.

Ceramic tile gains in popularity
Ceramic tile, long popular in the southwest, is gaining popularity as a flooring material throughout the United States. Today, numerous manufacturers make literally hundreds of styles and colors of tiles. Ceramic tile is simply a mixture of various clays and other minerals that have been shaped and fired under high temperatures. Ceramic tile is long lasting and easy to maintain, although the grout must be maintained properly. Ceramic tile is an extremely hard surface, and china and glass will likely break if dropped on it.

Many manufacturers are offering different sizes of ceramic tiles. Brenda Agee, product manager for Esquire ceramic tile, based in Clarksville, Tenn., says, "Today, there is a wide variety of sizes and shapes to lend enormous versatility to the use of ceramic tile. Until recently, floor tile was most commonly sold in 8" x 8" squares. Now you see floor tile available in 12" x 12" squares and also in grand 16" x 16" formats, and moving toward even large geometric shapes for increased design capability." Manufacturers are also coordinating wall and floor tiles with decorative accent tiles and strips that allow for custom designs.

Irene Steelman, a spokesperson for Esquire, says, "Homeowners are very interested in natural material. A design trend is bringing the outside in. With ceramic tile, it's easy to achieve that look. Also, real stone and marble are popular. Ceramic tile offers a way to get that look at an affordable price."

Regardless of the flooring chosen for different rooms in a home, proper care and maintenance are crucial. With the right planning and informed decision-making, the flooring in homes can be beautiful, durable and affordable.

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Pitch Letter

March 23, 1995

Susan Respess
Homes Editor
Florida Times-Union
1 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Dear Susan:

Enclosed is a sample of a new product that is sure to revolutionize the way America cleans showers, and you have the opportunity to be among the first to try it. You'll never scrub your shower again by using Clean Shower, the world's only shower rinsing agent. What's more, your shower will always be clean when you use Clean Shower.

This exciting new product was invented by a local businessman and entrepreneur, Bob Black, and is manufactured right here in Jacksonville.

The traditional cycle of letting the shower get dirty and then cleaning it is an inefficient, time-consuming and back-breaking method. Americans have been doing this for years without really thinking about it. But consider this: Why not use a product that cleans your shower without scrubbing and always keeps it clean?

Clean Shower works with a simple daily application, eliminating all need for scrubbing. Simply spray Clean Shower on the walls and tub after each use. There is no need to wipe, scrub or clean the shower. The rinsing agents in Clean Shower stop the growth of mold and mildew on contact and prevent them from building up.

For Clean Shower to work, it must be used every day. It may take two weeks for all deposits to disappear, but after that, your shower will always be clean. Take the enclosed sample home and use it—we are sure you'll be satisfied. Everyone who's tried it love it. (We even fought over samples here in the office before Clean Shower was available in stores.) Once you use it, you'll want to let your audience know about it.

This remarkable new product is now available in Jacksonville at all 8 Till Late locations. More information about Clean Shower is enclosed. If you have any questions or would like more information regarding this remarkable new product, please contact me at 904-353-8755.

Remember, with Clean Shower, your shower's Always Clean...Without Scrubbing.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Shannon R. GaNun
Public Relations Account Executive

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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Shannon R. GaNun 904-353-8755
Bob Black 904-730-0566

REVOLUTIONARY NEW SHOWER CLEANER
NOW AVAILABLE IN JACKSONVILLE

JACKSONVILLE, FL; March 22, 1995—Clean Shower, a revolutionary new shower cleaner, is now available in Jacksonville, announced Robert H. Black, inventor of the product and chief executive officer of Automation, Inc., the locally-based manufacturer and marketer of the product.

"Clean Shower is the world's only shower rinsing agent," said black, a chemist and businessman. "It's sure to change the way America deals with keeping the bathroom clean."

Clean Shower works with a simple daily application, eliminating all need for scrubbing. Simply spray Clean Shower on the walls and tub after each use. There is no need to wipe, scrub or clean the shower. Mold and mildew will stop growing on contact and will be gone at the end of two weeks.

The surfactant in Clean Shower loosens present deposits and prevents future deposits from forming. Clean Shower makes the calcium, magnesium, iron and copper deposits soluble and carries them away. This not only prevents buildup on shower walls, but it also prevents these minerals from becoming food for mildew. Without the minerals necessary for growth, the mildew stops growing and dies.

This remarkable new product is now available in Jacksonville at all 8 Till Late locations.

Clean Shower is unlike any product currently on the market. Although dozens of different cleaners are available, they all fall into one of three generic types: bleach, poison and acid. Clean Shower does not fit into any of these categories, making it a truly unique product.

What's more, Clean Shower doesn't contain any abrasives, phosphorous or bleach, so it's safe for people and the environment. "I'm a fanatic about the environment and household safety," said Black. "I have six grandchildren, and I don't want to endanger them or leave a polluted planet. These concerns led me to develop a product that's nontoxic and safe for the environment."

Clean Shower is safe and effective on tile, fiberglass, brass, chrome and plastic and will not scratch or dull these surfaces. It will give chrome the mat finish look of silver, and rinsing the Clean Shower off will return the chrome to its bright state. Clean Shower will keep a plastic shower curtain clean and flexible. Clean Shower's light fragrance is gentle and easy on your senses.

Black developed Clean Shower to solve a persistent mildew problem in his own bathroom. Encouraged by his wife of 32 years, Black tried all of the cleaning products on the market with no success-the persistent mildew problem would not go away. In a desperate attempt to eliminate the mildew, Black developed a spray rinsing agent to take the place of cleaning. The mildew problem was later found to be caused by a leak behind the shower wall, but by then a clean shower was a reality and a new product was born.

Black is an accomplished chemist and engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, and an MBA from the University of Akron. He was trained as an avionics officer in the Air Force and later directed the largest electronics warfare organization in the history of the world during the Vietnam War.

Black holds two patents on electronic connectors and two in underwater acoustics. He and his wife have two children and six grandchildren.

The suggested retail price for the 32 ounce Clean Shower is $2.49.

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