“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

As independent or small business owners, we typically fill most, or all, of the job descriptions for our business. And when we're busy working in our business, we often don't have the time, or even energy, to work on our business.

Your Board of Directors is sharing their expertise on September 23, 2009, at the 3rd Quarter 2009 Informational Seminar held in Goodyear, Arizona. You will receive guidance on how to stay focused on revenue generating activities with strategies for reducing your administrative activities. Topics include:

• Organizational standards
• Technology standards
• Financial reviews
• Marketing strategies
• Business insurance

 and how these areas impact your bottom line.

This $250 value is yours for only $75, with $25 refunded at the door. Only advance registrations are accepted and space is limited. Visit the website for more information: YourDirectors.com or call 623-444-2395.

Your Directors Panel:

Deb Morgaina - Productivity Expert

Dave Carattini - Business Technology Expert

Linda Kay Andrews - Small Business Bookkeeping

Randy Akers - Business Insurance Specialist

Carol Cox - Marketing/Website Consultant

Graphic provided by Your Board of Directors

The high winds that we see every year during the monsoon season can damage your roof so it is important to visually inspect your roof after every storm. Some roofs will lose shingles and others may lose tiles. The result of this kind of damage is likely to be water getting into your attic which may or may not be evident inside of your house. When a roof leak becomes evident inside your home it is possible that your roof has been leaking for some time. There may be extensive damage by then. This is why it is so important to inspect your roof on a regular basis.

It is important to inspect your roof at least once a year. A roof inspection should include looking at all roof penetrations for any signs of cracking or separation at the tarred portion of the seal. These seals will typically last only two to three years before they need to be resealed.

Debris sitting on your roof can also lead to problems. Whether you have a flat roof or a pitched roof, shingles or tiles, debris sitting on your roof is a problem that should be taken care of as soon as it is identified. Trees near your house will almost always deposit debris on your roof and this debris will interrupt the natural flow of water off of your roof.

Swamp coolers and roof mounted air conditioners are sometimes the source of excessive water exposure on Arizona roof tops. Air conditioners have water condensation drain pipes that can become clogged or broken and swamp coolers can leak water as well. Both of these conditions can lead to excessive water exposure on your roof top. These conditions will rapidly degrade roofing material. If you notice water leaking off your roof top, and it is not raining, it is time for quick action. These conditions can be repaired rather easily so there is no need to panic. Homeowners that are handy with their hands can often repair these items themselves. If not these are good items to have a handyman repair.

With some simple maintenance, you will have the peace of mind that your roof will weather the storms and provide you and your family with the protection they deserve.

These roof maintenance tips and warning signs have been kindly provided by Rictor Contracting, LLC. If you have any questions about your roof, you can reach them at 623-842-5413, or visit their website - www.RictorContracting.com.

The mercury is rising! But, morning temperatures are still delightful allowing you to enjoy a hike on one of Thunderbird Conservation Park's 17-miles of trails.

Starting on February 6, trained trail crews from the American Conservation Experience (ACE) have been performing maintenance to the Park's trails.  No new trails will be constructed, but maintenance steps such as boulder removal, raking of loose rocks on inclines, tread leveling, installation of erosion controls and more are being done to improve the trails.  The crew will work through the end of May (unless the temperatures become too hot). Only short sections of the trails will be closed at a time.

Source: http://www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation/parksandfacilities/thunderbirdpark.cfm

Dedicated to preserving the desert environment, the 1,185-acre park also offers multiple Ramadas, an amphitheater and four Viewing Blinds – decorative block walls with “windows” for viewing the 50+ different species of wildlife attracted to the man-made water feature.

Open daily from sunrise to sunset - the gates are locked at sunset.

The main entrance is located on 59th Avenue between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads.  Additional parking and entrances are available on 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane, and on Pinnacle Peak east of 55th Avenue.  For additional information about the park and a description of the trails visit click here.

We asked pool care expert Billy Whitmore, owner of Summer Breeze Pool & Spa Services, LLC, in Surprise, Arizona, for some tips on getting swimming pools ready for summer. He offered the following F.A.C.T.S:

Filtration
Clean filters and cartridges. Suntan lotion, baby oils, and dirt clog filters. If the filter is dirty, the water will not circulate enough and algae will form. Summer Breeze recommends annual cleaning of D.E. and card cartridge filters by taking apart and cleaning the internal filter elements. Dirty filter = dirty water!

Adequate Agua (Water)
Check your water level! Dry, hot days and splashing cause water loss. Nothing will ruin equipment faster than lack of water. Without proper water levels, pumps cannot function and water will not circulate. In Arizona, we lose 10 feet of water through evaporation per year!

Circulation
Make sure to run the pump enough. Pools need to filter and circulate water much more often in the summer months. Timers should be set to run as follows:

• Summer: 8-12 hours a day
• Winter: 4-8 hours a day

Algae will grow if the pump isn't run often enough. RUN THE PUMP IN THE EVENING, DURING "OFF PEAK" HOURS. (9pm - 9am)

Toys
Take toys out of the pool. Toys will find your skimmer, drains, and pool cleaners, causing blockage and restricting water flow. Kids are attracted to toys! Please protect your family by removing toys for the pool after swimming.

Sanitizer
Chemicals such as Chlorine, Muriatic Acid, and Stabilizer are critical when it comes to healthy pool water. Adequate chlorine levels need to be kept up on a weekly basis. Chlorine kills bacteria and prevents algae growth. Without chlorine, your pool will turn green before you know it. Muriatic acid (also called hydrochloric acid) helps control the pH and Alkalinity in your pool. If these get out of balance, you risk itchy skin, pool staining, and equipment corrosion. Stabilizer (conditioner) is important because it protects the chlorine in your pool from the sun. Chlorine is very unstable when exposed to heat and UV rays. Stabilizer works like sun tan lotion for chlorine. Chemicals should be added and tested weekly.

By following these F.A.C.T.S., you should have a refreshing, sparkling pool to enjoy all summer. Finally, if you have dogs, Whitmore recommends keeping them out of the pool as much as possible. Dogs zap chlorine from your pool and dog hair clogs drains, skimmers, pumps and filters. One dog swimming in your pool is equal to 10 adults!

If you have additional questions about pool cleaning or maintenance, contact:
Billy Whitmore
Summer Breeze Pool & Spa Services, LLC
(623) 866-3128

The 2010 Maricopa County Property Valuation notices went out on February 20, 2009. If you feel your home was improperly valued, you can appeal, but must do so by April 21, 2009.

You can obtain a “Petition for Review of Valuation” along with filing instructions from the Assessor's office via:

• Phone – (602) 506-3406 – have your parcel ID number ready
• Internet – www.maricopa.gov/Assessor/PropertyValueAppeals.aspx
• Mail – the request form is on the back of your 2010 Property Valuation statement
• In person – 301 W. Jefferson, #120, Phoenix, 85003

It's important to remember the Assessor's cover letter states that even though your assessment may decrease (and in some areas by quite a bit), this does not automatically reduce your tax bill. The assessment determines each property owner's share of the total obligation for their taxing jurisdiction.

If you need additional information on the appeals or want to check the change in median Full Cash Value (FCV) by city or zip code from 2009 to 2010, visit the Maricopa County Assessor's web page at www.maricopa.gov/assessor.

If you're going to be in Historic Downtown Glendale this weekend for the 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival, I highly recommend making a stop at our favorite coffee stop - A Shot of Java.

And we're not the only ones that think the coffee - with drinks like their signature Cocamochanut Frappe - is great.  A Shot of Java was voted Best Neighborhood Coffee House, West Valley, by the Phoenix New Times.

Relax with a book or play a board game.  Free Wi-Fi is available.  Or, come enjoy the music of local musicians that appear regularly.

Open daily, A Shot of Java is located behind Old Roma Pizza at 7003 North 58th Avenue, Glendale, AZ  85301.  Click here to check store hours.

The weather forecast for this weekend looks perfect for getting outdoors.  For more information on the Festival visit: Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival