Locks and Keys

Tom Watson asked:


It is not enough to be thinking about home security systems.  If a security system is on your mind, then you need to take action and not just think about it.  You may not require one for your whole house, but at least an alarm or camera to cover an area of your home that you feel is most vulnerable.

Keeping your doors and windows locked is such an easy challenge for an educated burglar or intruder.  If he is determined enough, he will get in your house.  A home security system is the answer and the persuasion needed to change his mind.

Think of the vulnerable areas around the house where a home security system is needed.  Here are a few ideas: Dark or dimly lit windows and doors that are partially hidden by trees or shrubs; sides of your house not visible to streets and neighbors; basement windows that are not locked or maintained; outbuildings and sheds or garages that are not locked. 

In the title of this article, two for safety refers to two types of home security systems to consider.  The first one we will refer to is the Home Alarm. This is a good course of action because you want to prevent the intruder from penetrating the perimeter of your home.  There are alarms that attach to windows and doors that serve their purpose well.  If it is an area just inside your home that needs protection, there are motion sensor alarms that will sound when movement is detected.

The second type of home security systems is the surveillance camera, or home security camera.  Again, these cameras are set up around the perimeter of your home.   Doing this enables a chance to catch the culprit in the act of breaking and entering, vandalism, destruction of property or even a “peeping tom”.  The most popular model of this security system allows the owner to monitor what the security camera views on his TV set.  Most homeowners will also record this on their VCR.  This provides actual proof of any violation to law enforcement officials.

Many people would just buy a dog for their home security systems, and that’s okay.  However, when your are away from home, you won’t have to be concerned about feeding the dog, letting him in and out, or even getting him to the vet.  These electronic security systems do it all without the extra care.

Home security systems have come a long way with technology.  They are now more affordable and can be installed by you without referring to a professional. 



CECIL

Jen W. asked:


Siesta Key may be small, but it certainly packs a lot of vacation punch just offshore from Florida’s cultural center of Sarasota. Popular with individuals who prefer a slow pace and a laid-back atmosphere, it is the perfect place to escape from the stress of daily life and integrate yourself into a fun-loving, tropical paradise where endless adventures await.

Although you could easily fill your itinerary with activities and amusements, a vacation in Siesta Key also means taking the time to relax and soak in the simple pleasures of the warm water, soft sands, and gentle breeze. While you are appreciating your stunning surroundings on this 8-mile long barrier island, you can catch a glimpse of dolphins and manatees frolicking in the Gulf and bay waters or exotic parrots, storks, spoonbills, and plovers thriving in this tropical atmosphere. The natural, untamed environment of Siesta Key is quite a sight to behold, and can easily be missed if you are always rushing from one activity to another, so be sure to set aside some time to seek out its wondrous features.

As you are taking in the sights and sounds of the key, the aspect most likely to catch your eye is sure to be the fine white sands, which are a true treasure since they are composed almost entirely of quartz. Surrounded by lush palm trees and always cool between the toes, it can be difficult to pull yourself away from the picture-perfect setting for even a moment. In addition to the remarkable sand, the warm azure water is just as inviting and definitely family-friendly since it remains shallow for a long way out.

While there are a few excellent options to choose from, Siesta Key Public Beach is always the more popular since it offers a fairly large parking lot, the cleanest, softest, and whitest sand, and a wide, flat beach that is ideal for running, strolling, and even biking. Visitors can seek out a hidden cove for snorkeling or kick back in the sand for an afternoon of sunbathing, swimming, and bodyboarding. Crescent Beach also offers excellent sands and water sports, while Turtle Beach, on the south end, is known as being a secluded, hidden jewel where shelling and relaxing are always the order of the day.

Although the beaches are always the most appealing aspect of the island, Siesta Village is a welcome surprise as a laid-back and exciting beach hangout. Boasting an amazing atmosphere, excellent restaurants, and a plethora of pubs, you can enjoy the center of Siesta Key without any of the uninteresting chain restaurants that dominate other popular resort areas. The energy and noise of the village can be quite overwhelming, especially if you have been resting on a quiet strip of sand, but be sure to take advantage of the outdoor seating for a refreshing meal or beverage in unbeatable surroundings.

With the cultural attractions of Sarasota just a stone’s throw away, a journey to the mainland is the perfect way to compliment your island retreat. The top attraction in the city, the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts features the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ca’ d’Zan (the former Ringling Residence), the Ringling Museum of the Circus, and the Asolo Theater. The Mote Aquarium and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are two other must-sees, while the upscale boutiques and first-rate restaurants make a day trip to Sarasota an all-around fulfilling and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages.

Since the activities and amusements of this stunning barrier island are clearly centered around its shimmering, white sand beaches, staying directly on the water is an ideal option for getting the most out of your getaway. Siesta Key vacation rentals offer the most convenient access to your favorite stretches of sand and are the perfect way to soak up the natural wonders of this pristine jewel in the Gulf. Your private patio offers a panoramic view over the expansive blue waters and just steps away the white sands invite you out for an early evening stroll along the shore. If perfection and utter relaxation sound appealing for your vacation, you simply cannot go wrong with a luxurious Siesta Key rental.



DARREL

Robert Cohen asked:


Ten Things You Must Do If You Want To Vacation In Key West

By Robert (Bob) Cohen

Planning a vacation in Key West can sometimes be a daunting task as there are so many things to do in Key West. The Key West Welcome Center can be your focal point for planning your vacation because they are in the service of assisting visitors with their vacation planning.

The Welcome Center can make all of your reservations for you so you do not have to stress over what to do, who to call or what to plan.

HOTELS, MOTELS, BED & BREAKFAST, VACATION RENTALS

Key West is a small island that is 1.5 by 4 miles in size with only 4,000 total hotel, motel, bed & breakfast and condominium rooms on the entire island. During special events and holiday weekends, there is usually a 3-nite minimum stay at the bed & breakfasts as well as some of the 4-star hotel resorts on the island and condominium resorts.

If you are coming in for just one night during the week, then you probably will not need advanced reservations for a hotel or motel room. Sometimes, we can get you into a nice bed & breakfast for just one night due to last minute cancellations. But, if you plan on staying for a few nights or longer, advanced reservations are definitely in order.

Working as a Concierge for a number of years, you see just when and where rooms are available for nightly rental. If you are looking for private homes for your vacation rental, then expect places that are only available for a minimum of one week. Some places are only available on a monthly basis.

On another note, if you are like me and have animal companions, they are a part of your family and do not like the idea of leaving them home when you are out having fun. Most accommodations, including the vacation rentals, are not pet friendly. The ones that have more pet friendly rooms are the bed & breakfasts. Contact the Key West Welcome Center to find out what is available that is pet friendly and they will make the reservations for you.

In the off-season (June 1 to December 15), accommodation rates start at about $89 for a basic room up to a 4-star resort starting at $200 a night. During high season (December 16 to May 31), rates can start at $169 per night.

FISHING THE KEYS

If you are an avid fisherman, coming to Key West is something you will never forget. There is no better fishing in the State of Florida than there is in Key West. Try your hand at game fish such as Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Tarpon, Permit, Cobia, Wahoo or even Shark. More records have been broken here than anywhere else in the State of Florida.

There are three basic types of fishing:

1. Off-Shore

2. Back Country Light Tackle

3. Flats

OFF SHORE - Off-shore fishing is where you go for the big stuff such as Grouper, Sail Fish, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, King Mackerel, etc. The boats are usually a six-pack (maximum six passenger) and you take turns in the hot seat. The method of hooking the fish is by trolling. You can reserve by the seat (1/2 day $135; full day $185), or private charters (1/2 day starting at $600; full day starting at $800).

BACK COUNTRY LIGHT TACKLE - This type of fishing is using a spinning rod on boats that are never bigger than 28-feet with a maximum capacity of 4 passengers. This is usually sight casting and can use either lures or live bait. You will catch things such as Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Tarpon, Cobia, Permit, Bone Fish, etc. These are strictly private charter with 1/2 days starting at $450; full days starting at $650

FLATS FISHING - This is the ultimate challenge to a fisherman because you are in waters that are rarely deeper than 2 to 3 feet and you are using either 15 lb. test line on a spinning rod, or fly fishing. These boats are specifically designed for high speeds in very shallow waters. Here you can hook into Tarpon, Permit, Bone Fish, African Pompano, and sometimes even sharks. Imaging the thrill of catching a 90 lb. Tarpon on 15 lb. test line. It will be an exercise to see who tires first; you or the Tarpon (in many cases it will be you). These boats can only take a maximum of 2 passengers. Charters for 1/2 day start at $350; full day start at $550.

3. SNORKEL, SNUBA AND SCUBA DIVING

Over 80% of the visitors to Key West and the Florida Keys want to go either snorkeling or scuba diving. This is due to the abundant and colorful sea life one would see while on either a snorkeling or scuba diving experience. To Scuba Dive, one must be a certified diver (PADI, NAUI, etc) as they have anywhere from Open Water Certification to Master Diver.

If you have never done scuba diving before, there is something called SNUBA which gives you an experience similar to Scuba, but instead of having a tank strapped to your back, the regulator in your mouth is attached to a 20-foot long air hose attached to a compressor on the surface. This way you get the experience of being underwater without having to get certified.

If you want to see what it is like to Scuba Dive, you can take a Resort Course which gives you enough training to go out with an instructor on what is called a 2-tank dive in up to 45 feet of water.

Snorkel trips start at $35 per person, Snuba starts at $95 per person, Scuba starts at $90 per person and resort courses start at $155 per person.

FT. JEFFERSON AT THE DRY TORTUGAS

Day trips to the Dry Tortugas has to be the most popular excursion in Key West as you get to the Dry Tortugas by either a high speed catamaran or by seaplane.

The Catamarans take a little over two hours to go about 70 miles west of Key West and they give you about 4.5 hours at the Dry Tortugas. The Seaplane takes about 35 minutes to get there and they give you about 2.5 hours on the island.

Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is 16 acres in size and it is the largest coastal fort in the United States. It just draws you into its history when the historian tells you about the place. This is a trip you do not want to miss.

Boat prices to the Dry Tortugas start at $110 to $129 depending on the boat, and the seaplane costs start at $189 per adult.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT EXCURSIONS

The Glass bottom boats give you the experience of seeing the sea life at the Living Coral Reef. We call it a “Dry Snorkel” trip as it is like snorkeling without getting wet.

Large tropical fish, colorful coral await you at the reef. Prices start at $35 per person.

6. FINE DINING IN KEY WEST

Key West is privileged to have so many fine restaurants that it would be difficult to chose which ones to eat at.

We have everything from the fast food chains, all the way to 4 diamond quality restaurants. Other than a few minor exceptions, you do not have to make a reservation and you never ever have to dress up for dinner.

Key West has what we call, “Key West Casual” which means shirt, shorts and sandals and this is the code of dress for every place in Key West.

You can have something as simple as a good hamburger or Conch Fritters, to something as extravagant as Lobster Mango Tango (lobster sautéed in Brandy and covered with a Mango Salsa). The choice is yours in Key West.

DINNER CRUISES

Many people come to the Keys for its fabulous sunsets. Why not have your sunset and a 3-course gourmet dinner along with it. A sunset dinner cruise is the way to go.

On one of the dinner cruise boats, the chef will prepare your food while the captain of the dinner cruise takes you on a wonderful journey around the Key West Harbor and once you sample this wonderful cuisine on this dinner cruise, you will wonder how he does it for such a low price.

Formerly a chef at a 4 diamond restaurant, he will present you with mouth-watering options for your meals and it includes domestic and imported beers, wines and champagne.

Dinner cruise prices are from $65 to $75 per person not including tax and gratuity. Private Charters for the dinner cruise are available for special functions and weddings. The one we prefer for your dinner cruise has a maximum seating of 20 so this is ideal for a nice sunset wedding and dinner cruise.

AERIAL TOURS

Want to see Key West from the air?

Take a aerial tour in either a biplane or a helicopter to see Key West from the air. Aerial tour trip times vary depending on what you want to see. Biplane rides start at $120 for two people and helicopter rides start at $99 for 3 people to see the coral reef from the air.

KAYAK TOURS AND RENTALS

If you want to really see the coastline of the lower Keys and Key West, there is no better way to see it than on one of our wonderful Kayak Tours.

Take a trip with an environmental scientist or someone that was born and raised here and knows the mangroves like the back of their hand.

Visit some of the Marine and Bird Sanctuaries and see some of the life forms that you would never see otherwise.

Prices start at $40 per person for a tour.

SUNSET SAIL

One of the more popular things to do in Key West is to see the sunset from the water.

Take a sunset sail on either a sailing catamaran or a schooner.

Many of the younger crowd like the sunset sail on the sailing Catamarans because they can have a great party while on the sunset sail. This is very popular with the Spring Breakers during that time of year as it includes as much beer and wine one can consume in a 2 hour time frame.

A sunset sail on a schooner, however, is a lot more romantic as you can see the sails glistening when the colors of the sky change and you know that you helped to raise the sails on this sunset sail excursion.

During the months of November thru April, you can have your sunset sail and a buffet dinner all in one on one of the clipper ships that come in from Boston for these months.

Sunset sail pricing starts at $30 and goes up to $75 if you want the dinner cruise on the clipper ship.

In conclusion, by using the expert services of the Key West Welcome Center, you will save money, save time and be absolutely sure that you getting exactly what you want and not what someone else wants.

The Key West Welcome Center has been in business under the current ownership for over 10 years. The current manager of the Welcome Center has lived in the Keys for almost 16 years and knows the place like he has lived here all his life. If there is something you need to know about Key West, he is the person to ask.

Robert R. Cohen

General Manager

Listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who in America

I firmly believe that we have the best Reservations Service in the Key West area and we can make all your dreams come true. Use the Key West Welcome Center for all your reservations:

www.keywestwelcomecenter.com



SHELTON

Duane Shinn asked:


Transposition is changing the key of a piece of music, or changing the notes without changing their relationship. This is often done to make the piece of music easier to play or sing. It’s a common practice in bands that don’t perform their own material; the singer may wish to cover a song with vocals that are far out of his or her range. Transposition can correct that problem by shifting the key into a range that is comfortable for him or her.

Transposition is also used with instruments. Some instruments (called transposing instruments) are not tuned to the same note; for instance, a Bb clarinet is tuned to a B flat and an alto clarinet to an E flat. Transposition of the sheet music for these instruments ensures that they won’t sound discordant when playing with the rest of the orchestra or band.

Transposition may be a simple concept, but it’s often tricky to achieve. The easiest sort of transposition -and technically it is not transposition at all, since it remains in the same key - is done by octave - simply moving the piece of music up or down eight steps. This sort of transposition may work for a male singer wishing to sing a female’s part, but it does little for transposing instruments or other areas of vocal work. In these cases, it’s best to use transposition by either scale degree or harmonic interval.

Transposition by scale degree uses the scale degrees of a piece of music to determine the relationship between the notes. Each note in a piece is assigned a scale degree (tonic, dominant, subdominant, mediant, submediant, etc.) and the same scale degrees are used for the new key. This type of transposition once understood is relatively simple, as the relationship between the notes will always remain the same, regardless of the key.

Transposition by harmonic interval uses intervals as a guide for the transposition. By finding the interval between the dominant notes in the two keys, one can deduce the interval between the all the notes. If the difference between the notes is a major third, then transposition of all the notes will be done by a major third. This type of transposition is also potentially simple but calls for an added carefulness when dealing with accidentals that aren’t expressed in the key signature.

The very best way to transpose is to learn to think in more than one key. Most beginners start learning in the key of C, so after awhile they can think in that key — they know where the notes in that key are, and their fingers can get to them easily. Since every key a person can play in is mathematically the same as every other key, by learning to play in a 2nd key one can learn to think in that key, just as they did in the key of C.

Keys are like languages: if you don’t know Spanish, you certainly can’t think in Spanish, and when you learn to speak it, you will have to rack your brain for the right word for quite awhile before you begin to think in Spanish. Its the same in music — there are only 12 major keys in which you can play (in contract to languages, where there are hundreds) — so if you can eventually learn to think in all those 12 major keys, there is no key left that you couldn’t transpose in to.

Practically speaking, however, most people don’t need to know all 12 keys — just the keys in which most songs are written: C, F, G, D, A, Bb, and Eb. If you can learn the other six too, that’s fabulous, but you can certainly get by with just those 6 keys, or perhaps even less — and least C, F, and G — the “big 3″ when it comes to keys.



AARON

John Leo asked:


A man’s home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today don’t normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a home security alarm, and preferably a monitored home alarm system, is needed to ensure your home’s security. Not only does installing a home burglar alarm system improve the safety of your family and possessions, but it can also decrease your home insurance costs. The Top Ten Home Alarm and House Security Devices list highlights ten devices and features of home security alarm systems that can make your house a safer place.

The Top Ten 10 Home Security Alarm Items:

1. Smoke Detectors - Add another layer of protection to your home, especially when they are integrated into the home alarm system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give you time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems even integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors. That means you will not have to ever replace the batteries!

2. Back-Up Power Supply - Is important in maintaining home security even during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. Your home alarm should be effective even when your power is not. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. Look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower your maintenance costs.

3. Master Control Panel - Is vital to any home alarm system. The heart of the home security alarm system, the master alarm control panel is typically installed on a wall in a location with easy access. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If you choose to arm the system from the panel when you leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when you return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone!

4.Talking Devices - Make it easy for you to comprehend the status of your home security alarm and monitoring system and also make programming your alarm system simple and quick. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes.

5. Installation, Monitoring, and Repair Services - These services increase not only the level of safety but the convenience of keeping your home safe. A house alarm alone cannot notify the police or fire department in the event of an emergency. The most complete systems include buttons to notify police departments, fire departments and medical help instantly. Another advantage offered by the best monitoring companies is live customer support and full service installation and repair of the system by employees who have been background checked, licensed and drug tested to ensure your safety. Finally, some companies even offer relocation services to keep you secure even when you move.

6. Wireless Systems - Safeguard your residence without adding excessive wires which may create a tripping hazard or require professional installation of behind the wall alarm cable. In wireless home security alarm system magnetic alarm contacts, keypads and other devices transmit information to the master alarm control panel using radio signals or through available previously installed wiring in your residence. A burglar will never be able to disarm the system by snipping the alarm cable. This ensures the system is fully integrated and monitoring all parts of your home without using up your outlets or creating an obstacle course of alarm cable for you.

7. Key Pads - May not always be enough to keep burglars out. Magnetic Alarm Sensors on Windows and Doors decrease the chance of a home invader entering undetected and are a vital component of a residential security alarm system. The degree of security protection is elevated when Security Alarm Motion Detectors are installed within the residence. The most sophisticated security motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets’ movement to avoid constantly setting the alarm off inadvertently.

8. Extra Key Pads - Are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure key less entry to your family. Some systems also offer remote control key pads which are lightweight and portable. A home alarm system that features a security code with a key pad increases the security of your home. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry which indicate a possible break-in attempt.

9. Yard Signs and House or Window Decals - Advertise your home’s protection. The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company’s yard sign (SIA Research Update, Security Industry Association, October 2001). Some choose to post the signs to deter possible break-ins without actually installing a home alarm system. While this effort will lower the odds of an attempted burglary, a yard sign alone cannot fully protect your home.

10. Extra Key Fobs and Remotes - Some home alarm systems include extras like Key Fobs and Remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a car’s key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate the house alarm system. Some even include a “panic” button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary greatly and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button as well. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help you understand your system a little better.

Of course, this list is not comprehensive, and the needs of every home and homeowner are different.



HIRAM

John Allen asked:


Longboat Key Florida is an eleven mile long island that stretches between the Gulf of Mexico and the Sarasota mainland. There are approximately 8,000 permanent residents that occupy condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes and luxury estates. The island offers endless activities while also providing a relaxing, secluded environment. Longboat Key is known around the world for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking water views, fine dining, great weather and luxurious lifestyle.

Things to Do on Longboat Key

Longboat Key is a national and International tourist attraction. The gorgeous weather and outstanding water views create the perfect environment for visitors while they enjoy local activities, such as boating, fishing, jet skiing, golf, tennis, shopping, fine dining and more.

The Longboat Key Club & Resort offers several amenities and is open to tourists and their club members. Some of the amenities they offer include:

- 45 Holes of Golf and practice facilities

- Tennis Courts

- An On-Site Marina

- Indoor and Outdoor Restaurants

- A Spa and Fitness Center

- Family Portraits

- Wedding Planning and Facilities

- Beach-front Pool

Longboat Key Real Estate

Longboat Key offers a wide range of architectural styles. From contemporary to Mediterranean, there are options to suit almost any lifestyle preference. Both national and International home buyers are looking for homes and condos that meets the needs of their lifestyle. Some want a condo on the beach and some want a secluded estate with access to the water, while others just want to be close to the golf course. No matter what you are looking for, Longboat Key has it all.

The condos and homes on Longboat Key provide a retreat to those visiting their second or third home. The island is quiet, luxurious and magnificent. Longboat Key is a wonderful place to buy if you are looking for the perfect Florida waterfront home. The right Realtor can help Longboat Key real estate buyers find the home they have always dreamed of. A wonderful resource to search all longboat Key real estate listings is http://www.buysarasota.com/Longboat-Key-pg6.cfm. In addition to MLS listings, there is a wealth of information on many Longboat Key condominiums as well as detailed community information.

Location

Longboat Key is only minutes away from St. Armand’s Circle where tourists and residents enjoy shopping, world-class dining, cultural activities and more. The mainland of Sarasota is only a short drive way and Money Magazine named Sarasota the “Best Small City in America.

About Sarasota

Sarasota has become a popular place for celebrities to buy a home because it is private, charming and it is a great place to raise a family. Sarasota has world-renowned beaches that have been listed as one of the “Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world” to visit. There are nationally-recognized arts and cultural activities, such as the Sarasota Film Festival which brings in famous actors from around the world. If you visit Longboat Key you need to visit Sarasota because it is a rare gem that is still hidden, it provides a refuge for those looking for privacy and the environment is so stunning you may never want to leave.



EFRAIN

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Most US residents worry about leaving their home unprotected while they work or travel. And if they live in “bad” neighborhoods where crime is frequent, they may even have trouble sleeping. Unfortunately, living in fear isn’t that unusual today. Elderly people living alone and latch-key kids at home alone after school are vulnerable and less able to protect themselves. Fear may even drive people to keep guns in their homes, introducing the risk of being injured or killed by your own weapon!

No matter how unrealistic our fears may be, they are based on real events. The daily news is evidence of the danger of becoming a victim of crime, and the proliferation of crime-oriented television shows creates even more concern. Let’s face it. People are becoming more cautious these days, and well they should.

Even in sparsely-populated rural areas, people are locking their doors and windows. Children are taught not to open the door to strangers. Dead bolts and chain locks are top sellers. When families leave town for a few days, they stop mail deliveries and ask neighbors to keep an eye out for them. Whole neighborhoods cooperate to establish Neighborhood Watch programs. And many households are equipped with home security devices.

Modern burglars, vandals, and other intruders are smart. They don’t enter just any home. They watch and wait for the right opportunity to relieve you of your possessions or deface your property. They do their homework, identifying easy entry points, observing family schedules, and always planning alternative ways to make a fast buck.

Locking your doors and windows just doesn’t cut it anymore. Unless your home was constructed using hard, heavy-duty lumber, massive doors, thick unbreakable glass, and double-secure installation, windows and doors might as well be open portals to the experienced intruder. Even those extra-secure features will only serve to slow a burglar down. They may prevent break-ins if your intruder as to make a lot of noise to get in. But is it worth the risk?

Criminals pay attention to home security systems, too. They know how to disable or avoid them. But a house that’s well-equipped with a reliable home security system that combines alarms, motion detectors, and video monitoring is a good, dependable deterrent.

The truth is that even the best home security systems aren’t enough alone. Households that contain a lot of valuables, whether they’re expensive items or precious family heirlooms with sentimental value, need extra security measures to be secure. A strong fireproof safe is an asset, particularly when you have important papers and cash on hand. And good lighting around the perimeter of your home and yard discourages strangers who don’t want to be seen.

Alarms are popular and fairly effective, as most intruders will bolt when that screaming alarm sounds the alert. The better burglar alarm systems include a variety of security measures like motion and sound detectors, multiple control panels, cameras, and remote control keypads. Homeowners who can afford the bells and whistles will find it well worth the investment to get the added protection.

No matter where you live and what your neighborhood is like, you can secure your home from unlawful entry. There isn’t a fool-proof security system: criminals are too smart and greedy for that. But if you want to install a reliable system to protect your family and prized possessions, you must make a thorough assessment.

Know what your home’s vulnerabilities are and what types of measures will secure those vulnerabilities. If you need electronic equipment, do your research and find out what’s most cost-effective and reliable before you make purchases. Consider all your options, including guard dogs or high-protective family pets, to improve home security and protect your family.

You don’t have to live in fear or buy a gun. You can take reasonable precautions that will make your house a real, safe home.



TYSON

Terry Wedding asked:


Perdido Key

Perdido Key is a beautiful area of protected beaches between Orange Beach and Pensacola, near gulf Shores, Alabama. Located near historic Pensacola, America’s first settlement, Perdido Key offers a unique blend of traditional beach pastimes like angling, deep sea fishing, and water sports along and shopping, golf, and historic and artistic flavor. Perdido Key is an ideal place for a family vacation because there is something for everyone of all ages. Below is just a sampling of the eclectic offerings available.

Perdido Key Watersports

Perido Key offers common *********** like surfing, deep sea and pier fishing, diving and SCUBA. For an interesting military twist, consider diving the USS Oriskany CV/CVA 34, the largest vessel ever sunk as an artificial reef. The ship is 911 feet long, 157 feet wide and over 150 feet tall. If this type of exertion doesn’t fall into your vacation style, try chartering a Perdido Key cruise that offers reduced rates for sunbathers, swimmers and wildlife aficionados. Your fishing family members will love the thrill of the chase, while the rest of you relax, walk the decks, and spot sea turtles, dolphins and other ocean fauna. Also, considering visiting the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico for sightseeing and fishing action.

Perdido Key Art and History

Perido Key has a multitude of local museums, and your whole family will love the excitement of visiting the home of the Blue Angels and learning about naval aviation. If art is more your style, you can visit local studios, or stop by the Pensacola Museum of Art, which offers everything from wine tasting classes to Saturday Art “Ed-ventures” which include tours of the museum and hands-on creative activities for children. Perdido Key visitors in the fall can also enjoy the Great Gulf Arts Festival, where hundreds of local artists come together to celebrate their creative endeavors.

Perdido Key Kids

Perdido Key kids parks range in size and type from the Big Lagoon State Park and wildlife sanctuary, which offers everything from beaches and water activities to playgrounds, canoeing and camping, to local water parks and entertainment arenas. Many of these parks are located within or near shopping and dining, so that after a hard day of play the whole family can relax.

Perdido Key Shopping and Dining

Perdido Key seafood is so famous that they have an annual seafood festival, generally held each September. All year round, however, Perdido Key offers fine dining at both popular chains and local hangouts filled with local flavor and the finest seafood dishes.



EUGENE

Find A Local Locksmith asked:


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WARREN

Duane Shinn asked:


How do transposition and modulation relate? Are they the same? Let’s take a look at both of them and see what makes them tick.

I am sure that you have had the experience sometime in your piano-playing life when someone asks you to play a song — but in a different key than in which it is written. It might be a singer wanting you to lower the song a step so he/she doesn’t screech. It might be a song leader wanting you to play a song in a more comfortable keys for a congregation or group. It might be a trumpet player looking over your shoulder and wanting to play along with you — but when he/she plays the same note you are playing, it sure doesn’t sound the same!

So….it’s your job, as pianist, to get that song moved to a different key. That’s transposition — playing or writing a song in a different key than in which it was originally written.

Modulation is similar but different — modulation means the process of getting from the old key to the new key. In other words, if I’m playing in the key of C, and then want to play in the key of Eb, I have to learn to modulate — move smoothly from one key to another without being too abrupt and jarring.

There are basically 3 ways to transpose:

1. by intervals

2. by scale degrees

3. by solfege — the moveable “do” system.

But since solfege applies mostly to singers, we will ignore that possibility and just take up the first two:

1. Intervals: If the new key is an interval of a minor 3rd above the old key, then all notes in the song will also be an interval of a minor 3rd higher. In other words, if you are transposing from the key of C to the key of Eb, which is a minor 3rd higher (or major 6th lower — whichever way you want to look at it), then all melody notes will also be a minor 3rd higher:

“G” in the key of C would become “Bb” in the key of Eb. “E” in the key of C would become “:G” in the new key of Eb. “A” would become “C”, “B” would become “D”, and so on. All chords would also move a minor 3rd higher. The “C chord” would become the “Eb chord”, the “F chord” would become the “Ab chord”, and so on.

2. Scale degrees: Each key you play in has it’s own scale degrees. In the key of C the scale degrees are: C=1, D=2, E=3, F=4, G=5, A=6, B=7, C=8. In the key of Eb, however, Eb=1, F=2, G=3, Ab=4, Bb=5, C=6, D=7, Eb=8. So if I want to transpose Silent Night, for example, from the key of C to the key of Eb, I need to notice what scale degrees I am using in the key of C, and then use those same scale degrees in the key of Eb. For example, Silent Night starts on the 5th degree of the scale, goes up to the 6th, back to the 5th, then down to the 3rd. In the key of C that is: G-A-G-E. But in the key of Eb it is Bb-C-Bb-G. Why? Because the scale degrees 5-6-5-3 are constant — we just need to apply them in each key. What about chords? Same idea. If the chord progression on Silent Night is the I chord followed by the V chord, followed by the I chord, followed by the IV chord, etc. — then in the key of C that means C-G-C-F-etc., but in the key of Eb it means Eb-Bb-Eb-Ab-etc.

Modulation means getting between keys, so let’s say you are playing in the key of C, but you want to get to the key of Eb smoothly, without jarring the nerves of the listeners. There are lots of ways to do it, but the main point is that you have to get to the V7 chord of the new key. So from the key of C to the key of Eb, that means getting to Bb7. How do we do that smoothly? We look for chords with common notes. Since the V of the V of the new key would be Fm7, we have C as a common note. So we hold the C in the C chord, and move the rest of the C chord to Fm7, then Bb7, then Eb, and presto — we are there!

Hope this has helped you understand both the process and the difference between transposing and modulating. Just remember this: Transposition means to play a song in a different key, while modulation is the process of getting from key to key.



GLEN