http://cnn.com/video/?/video/health/2010/07/06/arts.4.alzheimers.cnn

Many of you are moving the next few weeks and months. 

Please do not try and save a couple hundred dollars and end up with a nightmare!  Call us first and we’ll let you know if you are in good hands for your move ~ or if you’ve gotten into a cross-your-fingers situation (which we can likely help you get out of. The sooner you call the better.).

The WA State Utility and Trade Commission recently completed investigations of the following illegal carriers:

•        Ace Movers

•        Affordable Moving

•        AM Express Delivery

•        Chris Bowen

•        Christian Brothers Moving Labor Systems

•        Fisher Moving

•        Five Star Movers

•        Inland Movers

•        Innovative Moving Company

•        Magnaghi Hauling Services

•        My Handyman Movers

•        Professional Relocating Services

•        Senior Move Management Northwest, Inc. d/b/a Caring Transitions

• Is the price significantly different than other bid?  There is a reason.  Less $$ per hour is no perk if they work slowly, damage something, or don’t even show up!
• Do they ask for a deposit?  Run, don’t walk away from them.  Seriously.
• Do you have personal references for them?  If not, keep asking friends.  It really is worth it to go with a known mover.

QUESTIONS?? Call or email us ~ we are glad to help keep your move safe!

From the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commision: 

Consumer Alert: Don’t make a move with an illegal company

Legally permitted companies are required to include their UTC permit number in their advertising. When looking to hire a company, check for a valid permit number with a prefix of THG or HG, such as HG-555555.

Customers who have scheduled moves with an unpermitted company should contact the UTC immediately to avoid finding their belongings trapped on a seized vehicle or held hostage by a deceptive company.

The commission offers tips and a consumer guide for a safe move at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/consumer/movingtips.

The UTC is the state agency in charge of enforcing consumer protection and safety regulations for more than 200 residential moving companies operating within the state. Movers are required to get a permit from the UTC, charge appropriate rates, carry proper insurance and keep their vehicles safely maintained. The commission does not regulate interstate moving companies.

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In the words of Carlene, the fabulous volunteer coordinator at FareStart, “Volunteers are a pillar at FareStart as they increase our ability to concentrate on the success of the homeless men and women in our program. Assisted Transitions volunteers helped raise over $1100 in tips and donations yesterday, which go directly to fund the training and services we provide to FareStart students. THANK YOU!”

Coming up in a few weeks I will be volunteering with them again for Guest Chef on the Waterfront.  Your taste buds will thank you for the rest of the year! 

On “The Early Show” Tuesday, Jennifer Ashton addressed a new Columbia University study.

She said it “looked at more than 2,000 New Yorkers and their self-reported diets. They found dietary patterns that were associated with lower risks — people who had diets high in vitamin E, vitamin B 12, folate, omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids seemed to be protected against developing Alzheimer’s.”

Currently, Alzheimer’s affects about 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

On the broadcast, Ashton suggested people eat a combination of nuts, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and fish, instead of a diet filled with butter, steak, brie.

How does the diet help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s?

Ashton said, “All together, a diet high in vitamin E, B12 and folate and low in saturated fats may protect the pathways to which Alzheimer’s occurs. Vitamin E might prevent it by its strong antioxidant effect. A diet low in saturated fats causes clogged arteries and may be related to the development of dementia and inflammation in the body, which can affect the brain.”

Ashton added, “The study does not promote one single source of food, but an optimal combination of nutrients.”

Other than diet, certain lifestyle factors can also help lower your risks of Alzheimer’s, Ashton said.

“The things that are good for your heart are also good for your brain and vice-versa, so you want to keep your weight down, minimize tobacco and alcohol use and exercise.”

Earth911.com has an easy-to-search website where you enter zip code, then product and it brings up a list of recycling location with address and phone numbers.

Happy purging!

Click here for the full article.

Baby boomer Karen Klein, CEO of Silver Planet

Mission: Provide baby boomers (born from 1946 to 1964) with the information to evaluate resources about aging and its surrounding issues. The Web site is www.silverplanet.com

While clients can connect to the site to address their own issues, the site is designed for those who need to manage care for their aging parents. “People used to spend their entire lives in the same place,” Klein said. “Today, many people live hundreds of miles from their parents, but need to be involved in their care. We help them to deal with the information overload, so they can ask the right questions and determine who they can trust with that care.”

Staying put: People vary in their reactions to the aging process, but Klein said there is a universal desire to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Klein said innovations such as online access to medical records and improved emergency devices can postpone a trip to the nursing home.

Hearing aid: “Communication is part of what we do,” Klein said. “We use social networking to give people a place to go to connect with others who are dealing with the same aging issues.”

— Charles Bermant

Join us for an informative and fun conversation about right-sizing your possessions with Annie Jacobsen, owner and founder of Assisted Transitions Personalized Move Management. Learn tips to save time, money and headaches as you move to your next home. Prior attendees even say they learned tips to ENJOY their move process and feel great about the results!

Date: 3/8/2010
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Library: Mukilteo Library
Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting.

On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. The devastation is unimaginable. Latest reports estimate that as many as 50,000 Haitians have lost their lives and approximately 3 million people are injured in need of immediate medical attention. The next 48 hours are critical. There is a serious lack of medical supplies, potable water and food. Additionally, the country has no power. In a country where 80 percent of its people are below the poverty level, you can imagine the incredible battle these people face.

I implore you to join in helping the earthquake victims.

Donating is easy. Simply text “Haiti” to 90999 on your cell phone. A $10 donation will go to Red Cross – and is backed backed by the U.S Department of State (more info). You donation will appear on your next cell phone bill.

The mobile giving effort has raised more thn $3 million by latest reports this afternoon, and ALL money raised goes directly to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Thank you for your help and compassion.