5 Must See Movies for Artists and Art Lovers!

Sometimes artistic vision can be illusive. It’s not that your creative well has run dry or that the world’s stockpiles of inspiration have been depleted. It’s just that sometimes you have to travel a bit further than your front door to find it. Most company that are looking for a storyboard artist for hire has a skill set of Adobe Photoshop.

Fortunately, for those who don’t have an endless supply of money and time, these five documentary films do a fantastic job of taking you on an artistically inspiring journey around the world and through time.

Whether you find your muse in the beauties of nature, or your motivation comes from the stories of other artists, these five films are sure to pique your interest in the world and expand your creative horizons.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

(2011)

Rated PG

You don’t have to like sushi to appreciate this heartfelt biopic. Jiro Dreams of Sushi tells the story of 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, whose small, basement restaurant has become one of the most sought-after destinations by sushi connoisseurs from around the world. His lifelong love affair with the art form, passion for beauty, and all encompassing quest for perfection are inspiration to the artist and art lover alike.

The lowdown:

Perhaps you’re thinking, “Come on, it’s sushi-how beautiful can it be?” I have to admit, I asked the same question when I first heard about this film; but I quickly realized that we aren’t talking about sushi rolls from your neighborhood grocery store. Jiro’s creations are true art in every sense of the word. His discipline, focus, and passion for creating beauty are inspiring and become a great model for artists striving to improve their process.

(available on Netflix in the United States)

Samsara

(2011)

Rated PG-13

This visual masterpiece was shot on five continents over nearly five years. Samsara showcases the beauty and interconnectivity of nature as well as cultures from around the globe. A blend of breathtaking cinematography and powerful visual storytelling grants the viewers access into a world they might otherwise never experience.

The lowdown:

Let’s face it, although our world seems to have shrunk thanks to advances in technology, it’s not uncommon to spend most of your life in the town where you live and work. Samsara grants the artist a chance to “travel” the world, taking in the sights, sounds, and excitement of places and people far different from those around you. Since so much of what you create comes from experiences, this film is a great opportunity to broaden your repertoire and encourage fresh creativity.

(available on Netflix in the United States)

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

(2010)

Rated G

An unlikely museum in the south of France contains the earliest known human artworks. Unlike the lavish galleries of Paris, this display is located deep within a cave discovered by three locals in 1994. Inside, scientists found paintings and etchings preserved so well, and of such cultural significance, that the French government immediately restricted access to the cave. Cave of Forgotten Dreams is the first “public” view of the Chauvet cave and the artwork preserved so long within.

The lowdown:

I knew that art was nothing new, but to realize just how deeply ingrained it is into humanity was kind of a jolt. Many thousands of years ago, someone who was probably a bit hairier and clothed a bit differently than myself-but with the same desire to create art-painted scenes from day-to-day life onto the walls of this prehistoric cave. Watching this film, I couldn’t help but wonder who the artists were. Are we talking a band of rogue graffiti artists? Or was it just a couple of creative do-it-yourselfers sprucing up their first home? I’ll never know, but I sure appreciated this inside look at art from ages past.

(available on Netflix in the United States)

Born into Brothels

(2004)

Rated R

This provocative documentary begs the question, Can art change the world? In the impoverished backstreets of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, many women are forced to turn to prostitution for survival-both for themselves and their children. Born into brothels is the story of their kids; unfortunate victims of circumstance who seem destined to inherit the misfortunes of their parents.

However, when documentary filmmakers Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman present a group of kids from the red light district with cameras, film, a crash course in photography, and the mission to photograph life from their point of view, the power of the art they create offers them a glimpse of something more.

The lowdown:

Born into Brothels is a beautiful and humbling look at the healing power of art. No matter your artistic medium of choice or your reason for creating, this film is proof that the art you create and the encouragement you give to others does leave a lasting impression.

The Rape of Europa

(2006)

Unrated

As the Nazis swept across Europe during the Second World War, they took more than just human lives. A significant part of their reign of terror included the theft of thousands of rare and precious works of art by history’s masters. Both during and after the war, heroic individuals and groups sacrificed their safety and often their lives in order to hide and protect these priceless artworks. The Rape of Europa is their story.

The lowdown:

Often we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone, but the men and women who sought to protect works threatened by the Nazis realized their value and did all within their power to protect them for the enjoyment of future generations. The Rape of Europa is full of mystery, intrigue, and incredible stories of sacrifice. The film brings to light the important role that art has played in human history and the influence it will undoubtedly have on our future. Well worth the watch!

(available on Netflix in the United States)

by Jeremy Rowland

Find more great articles and resources for artists and art lovers alike at http://www.seniorartist.com. Plus sign up to receive the free weekly online magazine!

Permanent Car Paint Protection

New car paint protection is important in recovering your auto paint to its past glory. It additionally secures it so you vehicle has terrific look for many years to come. Numerous car care products exist out there today and all of them declare to supply protection to your automobile paint. However the truth is that not every one of these products are the same, the same way not all vehicles are comparable. While every automobile could generally get you from factor X to Y, there is still a huge difference in between automobile models. The same puts on car wax, paint protection and gloss. Every one of these items offer specific quantity of sparkle, however that is as comparable as they can get.

In this page, we enlighten you, whether you are a new vehicle owner or a not-so-new one, on the essential realities concerning paint protection items that are offered available. By doing this, our company believe you could make the right choice when selecting the very best protection for your beloved auto.

Are all car paint protection items the exact same?

Naturally they are not. There are a number of types of paint protection products and they have differing top quality and price. Nonetheless, when getting car paint protection Melbourne folks should not make the mistake of basing their choice completely on the price of that security product. Instead, your decision on the type of defense you decide on ought to be informed by what it is that you wish to obtain. A product that offers security versus UV rays, bird going down roadway salt, acid rain and bug remains all rolled into one is definitely much more expensive compared to an item that only supplies short-lived sparkle.

An additional point is that different products provide differing degrees of sparkle. If you intend to get an item that offers you a much longer beam but requires less upkeep, be readied to pay a few added dollars for it. Bulk of protectants that are offered in the marketplace currently offer just minimal amount of security versus the elements stated over. Most of them do not give long lasting shine and require reapplication. It is extremely important that you be cautious of exactly what you pick for your car.

Can car paint protection aid preserve your vehicle s value along with resale value?

The paint job and appearance of an auto will certainly help in preserving not only its worth but likewise resale worth. A car that is well kept with a mirror finish paint, has a boosted resale worth. It also conserves you money and time now. With a great paint protection, a great deal of time is reduced cleaning it given that crud and dirt are easily gotten rid of. Additionally, it won t need polishing to maintain its appearance.

Exactly what are some of the things you can get out of an excellent car paint protection?

Among the major perks of car paint protection is that it includes real value to the motor vehicle. A correct paint protection application can offer your vehicle incredible glass shine in addition to keep its value. For these factors, folks are typically ready to component with $1000 simply to get good paint protection. When done properly, there will certainly be much less shaving and the cleansing will certainly be a lot easier in situation your vehicle obtain dirty and has to be cleaned. This translates to more financial savings in future.

Can your car s paintwork be harmed by just bird dropping?

The answer is yes. Possibilities that your auto is acquiring damaged daily without you most likely discovering are really real. Many people only assume that the greatest hazard to their automobile s paintwork is UV rays. While this holds true, the damages comes after a number of years. Bird droppings are nonetheless much more prompt threat. They create harm in simply an issue of days.

Bird droppings, as you being aware, are the item of a bird s intestinal device. Without going excessive into biology, droppings could have high degrees of acids which can ruin the paintwork.

Most people are shocked by the amount of damage that could result from a bird dropping. While it can go unnoticed to an inexperienced eye, a specialist which understands what he desires in car will conveniently see it.

Is automobile waxing the best solution?

Although car shaving is recognized to provide instant shine, it is not the best option. The factor it is called wax is given that it is constructed from wax. And as you being aware, wax will certainly melt when subjected to heat. When polished paint is used on your automobile, it ends up being soft when exposed to warmth. This loosens luster and also makes your automobile a lot more vulnerable to entrapping impurities. It is fantastic for program autos considering that these do not rest in the sunlight for a whole day everyday.

Likewise, by its very nature, wax rarely stays with the vehicle surface. As a matter of fact, wax can not attach well to any sort of surface area. Simply attempt sticking wax to any surface and you will view this. In the same way, wax at some point washes off of your car, which will leave your car with much less or no security whatsoever.

Exactly what are the other things that you should understand about car paint protection?

The have to properly care for your vehicle, that is, detailing and cleaning, could not be overemphasized. Deciding on credible automobile wash outlets and detailers is not only essential but also shields your vehicle from harm. In short, address the paintwork of your car the same way you would take care of your skin. Anything that gained t harm your skin gained t harm your vehicle s paintwork.

One more crucial ordeal is an excellent quality auto hair shampoo. This minimises area scraping that results from friction when the automobile is being washed. You also require a soft stack wash mitt or sponge and it have to be of first class. If you desire a streak-free drying out, you have no choice however to insist on a terry towel or a leather-made chamois to dry your auto.

Verdict

Just like anything else, you simply acquire just what you have paid for with car paint protection. For that reason, it is necessary to select the best place to wash or specific your car. This need to be directed by the span of time it takes to wash your car safely and effectively.

Car Stickers and Decals – Why People Need Them

That’s a pretty strong statement I made in the title, saying that people need car stickers and decals, isn’t it? I personally don’t use them myself, so I understand people who don’t and I really don’t care if you do put them on your car or if you purchase them from me. Oh… I just remembered… my wife just put an “UPWARDS” decal on our van to support our son’s sports league. Absolutesignsolutions.com.au company provides cheap, high-quality matt and stickers Sydney anywhere in Australia.

Socio-Economic Factors: Who Puts these Graphics on Their Automobiles?

I have not done a scientific study of socio-economic layers of society to determine what percentage of the population puts car graphics on their vehicles. But as an offhand guess I would conjecture that 80 to 90% of automobiles on the road have decals of some sort on them. Maybe more, but I think that’s a pretty safe guess. There are those that state political bias, insult particular politicians or presidents, past and present; those that tell people where you went to school, humorous bumper stickers; and those telling the world what sports team or teams you root for, business posters advertising where you bought your car, and the list goes on.

I have noted that blue-collar guys (a.k.a. rednecks) like really big rear window vehicle graphic prints, preferably perforated decal material that covers the entire rear window of their jacked-up Chevy Nova or Ford pickup (gotta be careful here as I have a Ford F250 – but the rear window is clean). Usually it’s either an American Flag or a Rebel Flag. Sometimes such stuffs on the rear window are tasteless and tacky on these rigs, but blue-collar guys (and some gals) love their big auto graphic displays.

On the other end of the vehicle graphics socio-economic spectrum are the expensive cars like Mercedes and Lexus and Ferrari. These rarely display anything except maybe interior static clings of the Ivy League school they attended, or maybe the one their kid attends. Except for a friend of mine who owns a bunch of independent Verizon stores who completely decks out his Mercedes, Lexus, and Ferrari with full car wraps! His wife has a great sense of humor.

Then, there’s the middle where most of us live. The ones that we put on our autos tend to vary far more than either end of the socio-economic spectrum hitherto discussed. Whereas the blue-collar guys are thumbing their noses at the Lexus driver, and the Lexus driver is on his way to work to tell the blue collars what to do for the rest of their lives, the middle class is simply trying to belong.

Pride Factors: What Kind of Automobile Stickers and Decals Americans put on Their Automobiles

These image prints tell others that you are proud of your group, whatever that may be. It is programmed into the human psyche to belong – to a family, a church, a civic club, an alumni association, a fan club, and there are those for at least some of those associations in everyone’s life. As I stated in the first paragraph, we even have one now on the mini van for our son’s sports league. We belong.

Of course, geographically, most people around here support local sports teams with their car stickers and decals, unless of course, they’re from somewhere else. They still belong to a tribe somewhere and flaunt their tribe’s sports team’s graphic logos. Downtown there are so many various university and college vehicle decal prints, that to belong downtown, you just need to have gone somewhere. Humans need to belong to a tribe. What tribe do you belong to? I’ll bet I can tell by looking at your car’s graphic stickers.

Barry Brown has been in the Sign, Banner, Decal and Display Business for over 20 years. It isn’t what he thought he’d do with his life, but he says he knows too much now to do anything else!

He has been marketing these products online since 1998, and the company he was general manager of in 1998 was the first sign company to be listed on Yahoo!

Barry is a great resource for information regarding Signs, Banners, Decals, and Displays, and is also an outstanding source of information on how to shop online without getting ripped off.

He invites you to visit Visigraph and check more on stickers and decals designed for cars.

Enlightening Findings About Home Inspections

Let’s face it: For most people, the subject of home inspections is anything but a fun subject. However, it is an important subject. Increasingly, new home-buyers are required to make sure that their homes are up to a certain standard. Furthermore, it’s in your own health interests to make sure that the new house comes up to those standards. So while it might not be terribly exciting, you would be well-advised to learn about this subject.

Back in 2001, a study was conducted by the Market Enhancement Group (or MEG) about home inspections. While that was seven years ago, it’s the most exhaustive examination of the subject that has been conducted, before or since. The results of the study were enlightening.

First let’s discuss the methodology of the study. It was done through MEG’s omnibus poll. This poll consisted of 1,000 phone interviews which were divided equally among four regions of the United States, with 250 persons in each of these regions: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Those who responded to the survey were all U.S. consumers who had bought a house within the 18 months prior to the survey. There was a margin of error in the study of plus or minus 3.4 percent.

Now let’s look at who the study found obtained an inspection. According to the study, 77 percent of recent house buyers had gotten a house inspection before they bought their homes. Seventy-nine percent had attended this inspection and participated in it. An astounding 97 percent said they felt the inspection was worth what they paid for it.

Only a tiny fraction — 23 percent — of home-buyers said they’d bought a new house without getting an inspection. Of those who did buy one, most selected their inspectors after receiving a recommendation for him or her from their real estate agent (69 percent).

Of those who hired an inspector, 43 percent did so only after their real estate agent suggested they do so; however, the majority, 57 percent, did so of their own volition.

Now let’s consider the differences that the survey found according to geographical location. Those buying a new home in the Western region had the highest incidence of hiring a home inspector, at 81 percent. The South follows closely at 80 percent, with the Midwest next at 77 percent and he Northeast Region at 70 percent.

Just at those in the West had the highest incidence of hiring inspector, they also had te highest rate of selecting a home inspector after a real estate agent recommended the person.

However, home-buyers in the South

o For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at their personal request was highest in the South Region (65%) and the West Region (60%), followed by the Midwest Region (53%) and the Northeast Region (47%).

o For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at the real estate agent’s request was highest in the Northwest Region (53%).
What this study shows us is that there are a whole lot of people who choose not to have their houses inspected–and of those who do hire an inspector, many do so only after a real estate agent suggests one. This means that many home-buyers are not yet independently convinced of the need for such an inspection. But here are some reasons–and areas of your house–that call for an inspection.

1) A home needs the exterior inspected. If a roof is just now starting to age, then the subtle defects and damages are probably not going to be readily apparent to you, a novice on the subject. They can be found by a qualified inspector, though. Keep in mind that you’ll spend several thousand dollars resurfacing a roof if you wait too long. The same holds true for the siding. Finding problems while they’re still minor can save you big bucks.

2) A home just as urgently needs the interior inspected. For instance, you don’t want to wait until after you’ve moved in all your furniture to discover that your basement floods easily. It’s important to have an inspector check the basement for any clues of possible water intrusion, like a damp odor, mildew, water stains, etc.

Also on the interior, the house should be checked for proper ventilation and insulation. What many people don’t understand is that inferior ventilation, particularly in the attic, can actually accelerate the deterioration of your roof deck. This can cost a lot of money to fix, if you wait too long.

The interior inspection would also include a check of the paint surface, to make sure it does not contain lead paint.

3) And finally, a house needs to have its electrical work and plumbing inspected. You need a qualified inspector to check for problems such as over fused circuits, burned wiring, poor wiring connections, amateur-installed wiring, openings in the wall where a young one could put his or her fingers, and dead-ended / exposed wiring.

As for plumbing, you need an inspector who can look for old lead pipes or galvanized steel ones. Replacing bad ones could be costly. Naturally, he’ll also look for leaks and, using a moisture meter, he’ll evaluate plaster or wall board suspected of having damage caused by leaks. Many plumbing issues are not clearly visible to the average house-owner, which is why it’s so essential to have a professional–one who knows where to look and what to look for — do it for you.

There are many other responsibilities for a professional inspector. However, these are some of the crucial issues, and they are ones that any knowledgeable expert will be able to investigate. Most importantly, they are issues that, if left to an amateur, could result in expensive repairs in the not-too-distant future. Sure, hiring an inspector will cost money–but it’s quite likely that it will save you more than it costs.

Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056
Copyright © 2008 Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspectors,
2008 All Rights Reserved

Please visit my inspection mega-site for more information about my full service home inspection and environmental testing company. We service Brooklyn, Queens, New York, Manhattan, Staten Island, Nassau County, Yonkers and the Bronx. You may also wish to visit my learning library which is packed with great tips and advice for buyers, sellers and homeowners alike. Lastly, you can also take advantage of my VIP referrals for vendors in over 50 home related trades, where your satisfaction is assured and the inspection of vendors completed workmanship or products is conducted on your behalf for free; visit my site for more details or call toll free 866-476-2056.

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How to Choose the Best Wedding Catering Company

The ability of a wedding caterer to work with certain locations is an important thing to be aware of. Many caterers will work with areas in churches, major meeting halls and even some outdoor areas around the London or midlands areas. However some wedding catering companies will have limits with regards to how many people they can support for different catering needs. It will be best to see if a good amount of versatility is involved when it comes to getting a wedding caterer ready.

It helps to see how far a wedding caterer can be from the site of the wedding. There are a number of different caterers around the London and midlands areas along with other parts of the UK. There are also plenty of wedding facilities around the London and midlands areas too. Therefore it will help to see who is relatively close to a facility that a wedding will be taking place at.

This is an important consideration to be aware of in that many wedding caterers will charge extra for travel from one area to another. This is an important thing to see in that the costs that are involved for travel and gasoline can vary in accordance with each UK caterer. After all, traveling from London all the way to the midlands can be something expensive for a caterer to be able to handle.

Another thing to see is that in some areas a facility that can handle a wedding reception will work with its own catering company. It will help to take a look at what that facility has when it comes to getting foods prepared for a wedding. If the services that are being offered by that company are not good enough then it would be best to hold the wedding reception in some other area so that another caterer can be used.

All wedding catering companies can work with a variety of different types of foods. A good thing to do is to check out all of the options that can be made available with regards to foods that are available for serving to people at a wedding. Cuisine options can include tapas, salads and soups, main entrees, side dishes and desserts. Each caterer will work with all sorts of options for every palate so it helps to take these factors in mind.

The alcohol policies that different caterers can work with should also be considered. A caterer should be one that can offer a good drink list that includes not only non-alcoholic drinks but also plenty of alcoholic options. Some will offer wines that can come from large wine lists while others can offer different types of beer and even some specialty drinks.

Be sure to take a look at how the alcohol can be sold. Sometimes a company will offer a cash bar where people have to pay extra money for certain alcoholic drinks. In other cases a company will include the drinks with the rest of the catering materials.

An important thing to see deals with how well the caterer can adjust to the dietary needs guests can have. There are many cases where some people who are attending a wedding could have to avoid certain foods due to health reasons. In many cases people might avoid certain foods because of personal reasons. Whether a person is a vegetarian, is allergic to certain ingredients or is supposed to avoid certain types of foods it will help to be sure that a wedding caterer can be found that can adjust its cuisine and cooking habits in accordance with different people in mind.

The last thing to check out with regards to the foods at the wedding deals with, of course, the wedding cake. Many wedding catering companies can work with in-house bakeries that can help to get cakes prepared. A variety of cake designs can be made available by a catering company so it will help to take a look at what options are available. These include cakes that can come in multiple tiers. Don’t forget to also watch to see that the cake that is being prepared is one that is large enough to where it can be enjoyed by everyone at the wedding.

Be sure to think about how early in advance a catering service should be planned. In order to get the most beautiful foods ready for any palate it will be important for a caterer to have plenty of time to prepare. In most cases a caterer will require a customer in the UK to book services in London or the midlands about a month or earlier in advance. Therefore it will help to take a look at how soon a client needs to get reservations ready.

Don’t forget about the costs that are going to be involved. Some wedding catering companies will charge clients by the head or by the amount of food that is going to be handled. All companies offer different billing rates so it helps to take these options in mind when getting a catering company to work for one’s needs.

It is great to take a look at all of these things when looking around for wedding catering companies around the UK. There are many London and midlands wedding catering companies to choose from and when looking around for different companies like these it will help to take some things in mind to make sure that a caterer is one that can work with one’s wedding event needs in mind. This is so a good wedding reception can be enjoyed by all and that there will be no problems involved with the entire event.

The above article talks about Wedding catering in UK. For more catering information on topics like contract catering or catering companies, follow other articles by this author. When choosing a catering company, make sure you do a food tasting session, check their sample contracts and check if the costs are including everything promised to you. There is a lot of information on the internet about budgeting your catering especially for weddings and big events. Good luck with your wedding/event and thanks for reading.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Arjun_Sandhu/20641

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Find a Great Mechanic – Avoid These Common Pitfalls

A car or truck is often your treasured possession. A lot of time was spent choosing it, with even more time spent working to pay for it, but at the end of the day any car is just a machine. And regrettably, the truth about machines is that they eventually break and they routinely require maintenance and service.

Since the cost of maintenance and repair is an inevitable cost of ownership, the challenge for consumers is getting the very best VALUE for every maintenance dollar. The secret to getting this value is simple – find and stick with a great mechanic.

So how do you find a great mechanic? Sometimes, it is better to know what not to do. Avoid these easy pitfalls to find a mechanic that will save you money and deliver value on every dollar you spend at their shop:

  • Don’t go to a dealership
  • Don’t use a quickie lube shop for oil changes
  • Don’t let them guess

First, a car dealership sells service and repair at an inflated price because the brand name of your car is on the garage wall. There is a widely held assumption among consumers that goes something like this, “Well, the mechanics at the Toyota dealership must know the most about Toyotas.”

This assumption just doesn’t hold up. In fact, the technicians inside the dealer’s garage probably have the same level of training and certification as other ASE certified mechanics at an independent garage. However, the dealership is going to charge a premium on their labor and a steep mark-up on their repair parts. So you are not getting value at the dealership. Instead you are paying for an image and a marketing idea that just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

Second, don’t go to a quickie lube shop for your oil changes. The allure of getting an oil change for less than $20 is powerful, but this is a waste of money. The quickie lube shop is staffed mostly by minimum wage employees with limited technical training, and they are going to try to sell you something else in order to drive the bill up around $40. You aren’t getting a real “mechanic” looking at your car, and the pre-planned “up-sell” is part of their business model. So in the end you won’t know if your car is developing problems because you haven’t had it looked at by a certified technician and you may end up paying more for oil changes than it would have cost you at an independent garage.

Also, and more importantly, your routine oil changes are like check-ups at the car doctor. Every car has a unique character and seems to develop its own little ticks and fits around 100,000 miles. By having your oil changed at an independent garage instead of the quickie lube shop you will get service by an ASE certified technician that will see your car routinely and begin to take notice of its unique issues. This familiarity with your, car and a solid understanding of the trend lines your car is on, are essential to the long-term maintenance plan for ensuring your car stays safe and reliable for as long as you plan to keep it.

Finally, don’t let them guess. There are really two components to this recommendation. When I say “don’t let them guess,” I am referring to the training and experience of the diagnostic technicians and the reference material they have at their disposal.

To begin with, there are a lot of guys who “have worked on cars their entire life.” This is a great foundation upon which to build a qualified and certified automotive technician. However, this is NOT by itself an acceptable level of proficiency for a great mechanic. With the introduction of computer controlled everything, a great mechanic REQUIRES formal training in automotive diagnostics and repair.

Insist on ASE certification. Look at the walls in your independent garage and make sure you see certificates for their technicians. These certificates are your assurance that the mechanics in your garage know how to read schematic diagrams for the sensor system feedback loops that govern your engine’s electronic controls. Sound complicated? It is, and only a certified mechanic is traines to do what’s required to take care of a modern car.

The final element of, “Don’t let them guess” is making sure your independent garage has access to Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) technical data. What we are talking about here is an online service that provides the technicians will all the manufacturers specifications for sensor voltages, wiring diagrams, component installation and other technical data.

There are a lot of fly-by-night garages, even some with certified technicians, that do not subscribe to an OEM data source. Without this data even trained technicians will be guessing at what a sensor voltage “should” be. Or they will be taking their best shot at the step by step procedure for removing a component deep in the engine compartment. So ask the service desk what they use for an OEM service guide. Some of the more popular national products are All-Data and The Mitchell Guide. Without one of these tools the mechanics in the service bay are guessing and you deserve better.

In the end, if you avoid these simple pitfalls you will find a garage that makes you feel comfortable, appreciates your business, and when they are doing it right, makes you feel confident that they are taking care of your safety and the safety of everyone that rides with you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6207020

How to Plan Your Office Catering

1. Decide on a Budget

Before you make any further plans for your office Christmas party, you need to have a set budget. In order to define an accurate budget, figure out the number of employees attending the party, and work out an affordable price per head. The overall cost will take up a large portion of your budget and affect other decisions such as venue hire, entertainment, and your bar tab. Once your budget is set, you can start to look for appropriate venues as well as interview potential caterers. Your workplace Christmas party isn’t just about celebrating the holidays: it’s also a way to communicate your appreciation of your employees. Be generous with your budget, but be sure that you adhere to it.

2. Choose a Venue

You might be considering holding your office Christmas party on your company’s property: this could save you money and be far easier to organise. However, if you hold your Christmas party offsite, you’ll find that hiring a professional venue can be economical and far simpler to organise. It also takes you and your employees of the office premises: allow your employees to relax in a new, fresh, festive space, away from the work place. Your employees will enjoy the opportunity to socialise outside of the office environment.

There are a few important things to keep in mind when you’re choosing a venue for your Christmas party. Your venue should be centrally located, so that it’s easy for all of your employees to travel to. You should also look for a venue that provides enough parking for you and all of your guests. If you want to add an extra touch of class, you could even look for a venue with valet parking.

The theme of your event will determine the type of venue that you choose. If you’re looking to hold a classical, sophisticated Christmas dinner, look for a banquet hall or function room at a local venue. These professionally hired venues should offer you a range of different sized rooms for your party: you can select a space that best suits your budget and the length of your guest list. The other advantage of hiring a banquet hall or function room is that the venue hire company usually supplies you with décor, tables, chairs, and tableware. A professional venue hire company will also offer you the convenience of having their staff decorate the space in order to create a suitably festive atmosphere.

If you’re looking for something more relaxed, and if you’re catering for a relatively small crowd, you could hold your Christmas party in a picturesque park by the ocean; in flourishing botanical gardens; or a similar outdoor space. If you choose to hold your party outdoors, you may have to hire out your own equipment and decorations for the space. Search around: some venue hire companies will have outdoor spaces available to you.

3. Create a Festive Menu

Once you’ve found the ideal venue for your office Christmas party, you can start searching for an appropriate caterer. Some venues will have their own on-site catering service, but you could also look for a preferred catering company. Deciding on a caterer for your Christmas party will depend on a number of points: the flexibility of your budget, the type of food you’d like to serve, and the theme of your occasion.

A good catering company will be able to offer you a range of different choices, as well as offer you a number of different types of service: from a seated meal to a cocktail menu; from food stations to a buffet. A professional catering service will also be able to provide for any dietary requirements that your guests may have. Before you meet with your caterer, it’s important that you have a list of your guests’ dietary requirements; whether they’re allergic to foods, on a strict diet such as veganism, or if they have any religious dietary restrictions. Discuss these requirements with your caterer to see just what they can provide for you.

You should also speak to your caterer about refreshments for your guests. If your budget permits, you could provide an open bar for your guests: but be sure to ask your caterer, and the venue staff, if they have a license for the service of alcohol. In Queensland for example, it’s illegal to serve alcohol without a Responsible Service of Alcohol license.

Your caterer will need a copy of your guest list in order to know how much food to order, and how many staff to employ for service at your Christmas party. You want your evening to be enjoyable, festive, and without complication: there’s nothing worse than running out of food or receiving poor service due to insufficient staff. Ensure that your caterer or your venue hire service can provide you with waiters and waitresses, bartenders, and cleaning staff.

An office Christmas party is a simple, thoughtful way to thank your employees for the work they’ve done in the past year. It also provides you and your employees with the opportunity to enjoy one another’s company outside of the workplace. With some careful planning, the right venue, and the right catering service, you can pull of a Christmas party that your employees will be talking about until the next party.

Pure Catering Brisbane organise catering in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and across the whole of South East Queensland. With modern menus, the best customer service and an exceptional eye for detail, Pure Catering Brisbane has established a reputation as one of the best caterers in the region. Pure Catering Brisbane & the Catering Sunshine Coast pride ourselves on trying to be as ethical as possible without inflating the price. We source our ingredients from local Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Australian suppliers. All of our meat is free range and we use local shops wherever and whenever we can.

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