How-To Guide
C2 THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
How to . . .
Choose a coffin When making arrangements with a funeral home some may have the mistaken belief that they must purchase a coffin or casket from the home, sometimes at high rates.
Enterprise staff
When arranging a funeral for your loved one, you should consider the type of coffin. When making a choice, you may want to consider the cost, materials used, style, if it is environmentally friendly and the personality and taste of your loved one. There has been a recent increase in the choices available for coffins. These include traditional wood coffins or caskets (oak or pine), cardboard coffins, veneered MDF (made to look like wood), woolen burial shrouds, wicker coffins, willow coffins, and coffins made from bamboo, seagrass or banana leaves. Blue Pine Coffins, owned by Dean and Danielle Newberry, is in the first year of their business of making environmentally affordable coffins built from regionally sourced blue pine. “We are using trees that have died of drought or beetle infestation,” said Danielle Newberry, business manager. The trees have been removed by PG&E due to their fire risk, she added. “They are 100-percent wood and are biodegradable; therefore they follow Jewish burial laws,” Newberry said. “We can customize the size of the coffin if needed.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Dean and Danielle Newberry are owners of Blue Pine Coffins in Davis.
Blue Pine Coffins
“The coffins have been loadtested and approved by a test engineer, Newberry said. “They are also suitable for green burials or cremation.” Green burials are a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact, according to the Green Burial Council. When making arrangements with a funeral home some may have the mistaken belief that they must purchase a coffin or casket from the home, sometimes at high rates. “Any funeral home must accept a coffin. It doesn’t have to be
• Locally made • NO living trees cut • 100% Biodegradable • Affordable • Delivering to all funeral homes • Under Rabbinical Supervision • Appropriate for green burials and cremation
purchased from them,” Newberry said. “You save money by buying it directly from Blue Pine Coffins. We want to make it affordable to everyone.” Indeed, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule “gives you the right to provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you buy elsewhere,” states its webpage. “The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else — or charge you a fee to do it. The funeral home cannot require you to be there when the casket or urn is delivered to them.” Blue Pine Coffins may be ordered in advance, though the customer will have to find space to store it. “If you are on hospice, we will store it for you,” Newberry said. “It is local, sustainable and made with love,” said Danielle, who has lived in Davis for 37 years. Dean went to school in Davis as a child and graduated from UC Davis. “We want to give back to our community because we love living in Davis,” Danielle said. Blue Pine Coffins is in Davis. Call 530-270-3029 or visitbluepinecoffins.com.
Dean & Danielle Newberry
bluepinecoffins.com • (530) 270-3029 • coffins@dcn.org
How-To Guide
THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 C3
How to . . .
Make your home an inviting refuge
Enjoy movie-watching and relaxing
BY PENNY LORAIN Special to The Enterprise We all know that dining, working and movie-watching at home is currently a far better idea than frequenting enclosed public spaces for these activities. We are spending more time at home and reevaluating our home interiors from a new perspective. Design professionals and general contractors both locally and nationally are seeing strong interest in home renovation projects by homeowners seeking to make improvements. Q What would make cooking meals at home easier and more appealing? Q Should I plan a more organized home office if I’m working from home regularly now? Q What would make movie watching or relaxing at home more enjoyable? If you're asking yourself any of these questions here are our answers:
Cooking made easier Still using a traditional oven and microwave? Let us introduce you to speed ovens and steam ovens. Speed ovens are a smaller convection ovens that cook food
Relocating the TV above the fireplace is a great solution that keeps the focus of the room in one direction instead of split between elements. COUTESY PHOTO
faster. They give you the quality taste of a traditional oven with the speed of a microwave. Available as a separate built-in unit or stacked above a traditional wall oven or even in over-the-range models, speed ovens cook food dramatically faster than traditional ovens, combining convection, microwave and sometimes grill cooking and toaster oven features. They dramatically cut down on pre-heat and cooking times with fabulous results in food texture or doneness. Steam ovens are the other great option. They are the healthiest
way to cook because they keep foods moist without the need for added fats or oils. Steam rehydrates leftovers and preserves vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fruit and proteins. Combined with convection elements, steam ovens can give you crispness and browning while making tasty, higher quality meals.
Efficient home offices If you’ve been working from home lately, you know that finding a good space to work at home can be a challenge. Combining a home
office with a guest room is a great option for those without an extra room, but you’ll need convertible furnishings to make the transition from office to guest room easy. A home office wall with a goodsized desk and a fold-down bed is one of the best solutions. Your office wall should have file drawers, bookcase space for reference materials, a storage cabinet for office supplies and good light. If you’re going to spend a lot of time there, you want the space to function well and make a professional back-drop for video conferencing.
If staying home on the weekend is your new normal, you might be spending more time watching TV lately than usual. Maybe replacing your worn-out sofa or sectional would make you more comfortable when you get the time to relax. If you want a larger TV for a movie-going experience at home, maybe you want to relocate the TV from where it is now. Consider talking to a designer about rearranging the furniture or wallmounting the TV or other design improvements to your family room that have been nagging you. Relocating the TV above the fireplace is a great solution that keeps the focus of the room in one direction instead of split between elements. Please feel free to call Lorain Design to discuss any home improvement project you’re considering. We have the design expertise and resources to make almost any design project attainable with beautiful and inviting results. Contributed by Penny Lorain, Lorain Design Associates, 527 G Street, Suite A, Davis (530) 7606625, penny@loraindesign.com.
(530) 760-6625 527 G St., Davis We Design Custom Kitchens!
penny@loraindesign.com Left to Right: Melyssa Lee, Mimi Ericson, Penny Lorain and Carrie King
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How-To Guide
C4 THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
How to . . .
Choose a memory care community Special to The Enterprise
As cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia have increased, so have the facilities that offer memory care. The rise in prevalence of these diseases has fortunately spurred an increase in alternative and traditional treatment options. If you or a loved one are suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, a memory care community is one such option that could prove a major help. These centers may be part of an assisted living center or operate as standalone facilities. Which you choose depends largely on individual circumstances. Here’s a basic primer in what you need to know when considering a memory care facility.
Staff
The experience and attitude of the staff members is one of the most important considerations. They should treat all patients with kindness and respect. The center should also provide continuing education to employees to assure that everyone is up to date with the latest in memoryloss research and care. Always visit a memory care center before admitting a loved one. Tour the facilities to make sure the building is clean and organized. The atmosphere should be calm and relaxing. Consistency and stability are important to those suffering from memory loss. The center should have a low turnover rate among staff members. No memory care center should rely heavily on parttime workers. Ask about the ratio of staff to residents, as well as the backgrounds of any medical practitioners employed by the center. Your loved one needs personalized care
METROCREATIVE PHOTO
You and your loved one should be comfortable with the memory care center you choose. The best facilities can give patients a much-needed boost and improve their overall quality of life. and attention. It is vital that the center has enough workers on staff to provide quality care for your loved one.
Secure, comfortable setting Quality memory care centers will resemble comfortable, inviting homes. They should not look
like hospitals. The facility should be clean and sanitary without appearing sterile. A center’s cleanliness is an indication of the dedication and price of everyone who works there. Ask questions about the activities offered to residents, how visits are handled and the types of therapies available. Because patients can sometimes forget where they are, it is
important to ask how the center protects its residents. What kind of security features do they use? Note your general impressions of each center you visit.
Support Quality memory care centers have support services for residents and families. Symptoms from dementia can
range from mild to extreme. The center should be equipped to handle all stages of dementia. The best centers have support groups for residents and family members. You and your loved one should be comfortable with the memory care center you choose. The best facilities can give patients a muchneeded boost and improve their overall quality of life.
THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
How-To Guide
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 C5
Assisted Living $3,450; Memory Care $4,450
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How-To Guide
C6 THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
How to . . .
Choose a gold buyer Special to The Enterprise
The value of gold experiences peaks and valleys, but this precious metal always holds the potential for financial reward. Whether you came by it through inheritance or by discovering valuable gold items around the house, selling gold is a common way to get quick cash. It also comes with a huge risk: potential dealings with unscrupulous experts who lack experience in determining the proper value of these items. Many pieces of jewelry might be worth more than their gold content or melt value. Anyone can make a mistake, but fly-by-night operators often will offer far less than the melt value of the gold in these items. They are counting on your lack of knowledge. Infomercials have also flooded the airwaves with ploys offering “immediate cash for your unwanted gold.” But mailing gold in flimsy prepaid envelopes to these dealers is the same as drop-
ping cash into the mail. Exercise caution when selling gold. While many buyers are honest and reputable, finding them requires research. Here are some tips to help you get the most
hardness and durability. Jewelry usually has an inscription identifying the purity of its gold content. For instance, 24-karat gold
money from selling your unwanted gold.
Research Do some research to determine the gold content of an item. Gold is soft, so it must be alloyed with other metals to increase its
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contains 99.9 percent gold. It is measured in terms of a troy ounce, equal to about 1.097 avoirdupois ounces, the kind of ounce we use in measuring butter, flour and body weight. One troy ounce of
14-karat gold contains 14/24th troy ounce of the pure metal.
Visit reputable jewelry stores
Next, take your gold items to reputable jewelers in your area for their opinion. A jeweler may charge a small fee for this service. It is the best way to establish the gold content when the piece lacks markings. Take it to more than one jeweler to verify the findings. The Better Business Bureau and the Internet are valuable sources of information about gold buyers.
Poor dealers usually leave a pile of complaints from disgruntled sellers whom they’ve allegedly cheated. Do not deal with these companies. Also, if a gold buyer operates from their home or business unrelated to precious metals, be careful. They probably don’t have enough experience to provide an accurate evaluation of your items. It pays to use a local business. If you must mail your gold items, insure the package and use registered mail available at the United States Postal Service. You could use a shipper that offers package tracking and delivery verification. Do not trust someone you don’t know and have never met. Learn as much as you can before visiting a gold dealer. Information is your ally. There are reputable gold buyers doing business today, and they will pay you for the true value of your piece. Doing the proper research and taking precautions will help you find the best people doing business today.
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How-To Guide
THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 C7
How to . . .
Choose a wood or pellet stove Special to The Enterprise Homeowners are now frequently turning to stoves to supplement their heat, saving money and creating the warm atmosphere only a real fire can bring. While wood is the natural choice many turn to, pellet stoves are an increasingly popular option. But your decision may come down to the stove itself. Both wood and pellet stoves come in a variety of models, and most consumers would have difficulty telling them apart without some education and research. Here are some hot tips on wood and pellet stoves.
Wood stoves Wood stoves are made of cast iron or welded steel. They burn wood to heat your home. People choose steel or cast iron because of the look and cost. The choice of metal has no impact on the stove’s performance. Wood stoves are quite simple. When the wood burns, it produces heat, ashes and smoke. Some people choose to purchase a stove with a catalytic converter. This type of stove makes use of leftover combustibles, reducing emissions and boosting efficiency.
Structured as a large format fireplace, the Valor H6 series is inspired by features that are proven in the field. COURTESY PHOTO
A stove without a catalytic converter will still burn wood completely, leaving little ash and smoke behind. It is always best to look for a wood stove with an efficiency rating between 60 and 80 percent. You should understand, however, that these ratings are not standardized and are often misunderstood by consumers. It is best to purchase a wood stove from a reputable retailer who will answer your questions honestly and clearly. Before purchasing a wood stove,
calculate the cubic footage of the area you are going to heat. You should also know the size of the logs you are going to burn. Sixteen-inch logs are usually recommended because they are easy to stack and manage. The log capacity of your stove should be about three inches longer, or 19-inches total. It doesn’t pay to purchase a cheap wood stove. The internal parts will usually wear out quickly. It is difficult to find replacements for them. Better stoves consist of quality material. They are covered
by a warranty. Understand the terms of your stove’s warranty before completing your purchase.
Pellet stoves Pellet stoves are similar to wood stoves, except they can also burn sawdust, waste paper, wood chips, bark and other organic materials ground into a pellet. Some stoves may also burn corn and walnut shells. The Environmental Protection Agency has found these stoves to be the cleanest solid-fuel burning
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appliances. They are often suitable for apartments and condominiums. These stoves are also exempt from EPA emissions standards. Freestanding and fireplace inserts are two types of pellet burning stoves. All of them have a feeder attachment and hopper to feed pellets into the stove. Modern pellet stoves have thermostats and sensors to regulate the speed the pellets go into the stove. It is a way to control the heat output and regulate the temperature. Stoves and pellets are easy to find due to their popularity. Manufacturers provide schedules for product maintenance, which will make your stove more efficient. Purchase a pellet stove based on the size of the home or room it needs to heat, its efficiency rating and design. Wood and pellet stoves are efficient and cost-effective sources for heat. It is highly recommend that a professional install your stove. While a stove is expensive at first, you will soon recover the costs by the money you save on utility bills. And you will continue to save for many years in the future. Not to mention the enjoyment you will get just having a wood stove in the home.
How-To Guide
C8 THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
How to . . .
Choose a furniture store Special to The Enterprise
employees who act as guides and teachers, not pushy salespeople.
Choosing the right furniture for your home means choosing a furniture store. You may be able to get some ideas of what you’re looking for online, but you’ll always want to see, try out and imagine what those pieces will look like in your home. Because you won’t always find furniture that suits your tastes or style, or works for your budget, the process can be challenging. But it can also be fun. Here are some things to look for in a quality furniture store.
Value, not just price It is best to pay more for a quality piece than to try to save money on something that will not last. The bigger the investment, the more important the design and quality become. Concentrate on finding the best value. An inexpensive sofa will not be a good value if it is built with cheap and weak materials. Likewise, the most expensive love seat will be an unwise investment if the frame is not built solidly. It’s best to look for brands with a long track record and good reputation.
Quality that lasts
Look for a store that sells quality, long-lasting furniture. While inexpensive accessories can be bought cheaply and changed often, big furniture investments — sofas, dining tables and the like — need to be purchased for the longterm. That means putting solid construction before a pretty style. Solid construction isn’t always apparent at first glance. It should feel solid, not flimsy, of course. Beyond that, find out as much information as possible about the frame, materials and what kind of warranty it comes with.
Service and delivery
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Elaine and John Cloutier will be happy to help you find the quality, comfort, style and value in your next furniture purchase. Lainey’s Furniture for Living offers a complete selection of quality name brand furniture. A well-trained staff can inform you about their furniture, how
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they’re built and why the construction matters. The best stores have
Every store has a different customer-service policy. Choose a store that is well known for being loyal to its customers. Inquire about return policies. Some furniture stores will allow you to exchange an item within a certain time limit if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Learn what fees are involved if you have to return an item — if that is allowed at all. Also, be certain to ask about the
There are only two things that matter: the quality of the furniture you are purchasing, and the level of service you receive. store’s delivery policy, including how much it costs, how far they’ll deliver and how quickly your furniture will arrive. If you are comparison shopping, factor in the delivery cost when considering different stores. A lowpriced couch will not save you money if it comes with an expensive delivery fee. It may be worth it to pay a little more for the couch if free or reduced cost delivery is available. The bottom line is that there are only two things that matter: the quality of the furniture you are purchasing, and the level of service you receive. Once you discover them both, furniture shopping can be a fun experience that that will beautify your home for many years. And you can be happy and comfortable with the furniture for generations to come.
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