In your patio the biggest role is given to your patio cushions. the term patio means a rule falls under hardscape. In the literal sense it is a paved area adjoining the house. If you want them to be inviting you need to introduce colors in it and one of the easiest ways to do that is through patio cushions. purchase the patio cushions in lots and that too in different vibrant colors. Thus it will make the patio more inviting. you have to admit that, they can just help. Even though they are an important part of the décor, they by themselves cannot do much

Just by getting a few ornamental or flowering plants grown in beautiful planters and water features like waterfalls or fountains add life to the otherwise inert piece of land. There are many other ornamental items meant for use in the outdoors. look for them in garden stores, gift stores or even in dollars stores. all said and done, beautiful and bright cushions have a special impact. There are many kinds of them. Seat cushions are meant for the seats only, but if you need them to cover both the backrest and the seat, look for chair cushions.

Then there are sofa cushions, bench cushions, chaise longer cushions, wicker furniture cushions etc. apart from that, you have floor cushions to flop on or throw cushions to add the extra tinge and they all come in as many shapes and designs as is conceivable. however, what sets them apart from ordinary indoor cushions is their water repellant capacity. Most of them are water resistant as well as stain free. for the sake of aestheticism, make sure that the cushions blend with the surrounding colors, especially the umbrella fabric.

In the patio décor; the umbrellas play an important role. the majority of the umbrellas appear with different built-in features that makes the operation easier. After all they are quite awkward in size and shape hence they need special handling. A coupling in the umbrella pole makes the transportation and storage easier. when you see a commercial outdoor umbrella it does not have any such device.  A solid pole without any joint also means there is good amount of chance for them to stand erect even during a storm

Likewise, cranks and pulleys are also helpful in opening, closing or even lifting the umbrella, but in a commercial place, they remain open to abuse from some much too active customers. therefore, it is best to avoid them in commercial outdoor umbrella. instead pay due attention to the fabric. There are various types of it; some are thinner, more suitable to be used in fair weather only while some thicker and more expensive umbrella fabric can save those sitting under it from moderate rain and snow as well.

The umbrella frame must also be given due importance. they are of mainly three variations. • Teak and other Asian hardwoods are used to make wood patio umbrella. they are very strong and reliable, but the ribs made of wood cannot absorb gust of wind and therefore not so durable.• The Aluminium frames are more durable in comparison with the wood and come with different types of finishes. they usually have different features incorporated in them.• Fiberglass frames are lighter in weight, but sturdier than either wooden or aluminium frames. the ribs are made from fiberglass thus it can last quite long even under high wind conditions

In case if you have a commercial space, you can try to have a commercial patio umbrella, but see to it that their ribs are atleast made of fiberglass ribs. But these types of umbrellas may not have all those features that make operation easier, but at the same time they do not lack in grace and beauty. But anyways if the tilting mechanism is absent it may result in a little inconvenience, in keeping consideration of the public security, one should be able to bear that. If you are more dedicated for the public safety it should drive you to choose wall mounted patio electric heaters. If you install those heaters in a strategic way it will keep your customers comfortable, as well as it will remain out of reach of the meddling hands

Few patio electric heaters are available that are floor standing. Small sized patio electric heaters are portable. it can be placed anywhere of your preference. one could be carefree as it emits radiant heat and not wind flow. This is one of the distinguishing factors compared with gas heaters. the other factor is that they do not need any refueling hence can give daylong service without any hindrance.  it also does not produce any live flame to cause an inferno. on the other hand, the gas patio heaters also have some advantages. so do a comparison on the pros and cons of each before making any final decision

Lots Of Patio Cushions In Different Vibrant Colors Makes The patio So Very Welcome

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Children in Southern Illinois can sleep a little easier thanksto the efforts of one charitable organization and the generosity ofthe people of Southern Illinois.

At its annual dinner and auction Saturday, the Poshard Foundationfor Abused Children raised $26,000 to buy new beds for childrenin need.

Jo Poshard, director of the Poshard Foundation, said thefoundation’s advisory board discussed the need for beds with theagencies they work with and decided to try to raise money for thebeds.

She said the original goal for the evening was to raise$3,000.

“Glenn (Poshard) went to the crowd and made a plea for the bedsand said we’d like to raise $5,000 for beds tonight,” she said. “Weall held our breath because we thought we’d be lucky to$3,000.”

She said when her husband asked if anyone was willing to donate$1,000, 20 people stood up and by the end they had raised$26,000.

“We were just completely in awe of the generosity of the crowd,”Poshard said. “It’s very gratifying, we’re so grateful.”

Poshard said the money raised will go toward purchasing new bedsfor children who don’t have beds, a need she said that is veryreal.

“We have children sleeping on patio cushions, palettes andfutons,” she said. “These children have already been involved inabuse or abandonment or neglect. the children have already sufferedand now they don’t even have a bed.”

Bonnie Wheeler, Poshard Foundation dinner chairwoman, said itwas an amazing experience to witness the generosity of SouthernIllinoisans.

“I was crying,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do. I still getgoose bumps every time I tell the story.”

Poshard said the foundation is in the process of coordinatingdelivery of the beds to children in need. she said the foundationis seeking help from anyone interested in helping either with adonation of a new bed or with the delivery of a bed.

“We would like these children who have already suffered to havea nice, new bed to sleep in,” she said. “The mistakes of theparents should not mean that a child doesn’t have a bed to sleep inat night. they shouldn’t suffer needlessly when we can helpthem.”

Helping kids sleep tight

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The contestants find that they will travel from the 100-degree weather of Ghana to Kiruna, Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle.  Phil tells us that, because there are limited flights, all contestants have been given tickets on the same flight, routed through Frankfurt, Germany, “if they chose to use them.”  Hint, hint. Remember Evil Nick, who berated his lovely and much-tattooed partner Vicki last week?  well, they get into the taxi and Nick says to the cab driver, “Arctic Circle.  Do you know where that is?”  was THAT what Phil was getting at when he said, “… if they choose to use them”?  that they could taxi up to Sweden instead of flying there?  No worries.  Vicki saves the day by telling Evil Nick, “No, that’s where we’re heading.  We need to go to the airport now.” Ha ha ha.  Shut up for the rest of the race, Nick. Michael & Kevin have the right idea, however.  they call ahead and find there is an earlier second leg of the flight from Germany to Sweden than the one TAR producers have booked them on.  At the airport, they share the information with Gary & Mallory, because both are parent/child teams, so they have some sort of shared interest.  the Doctors, Nat & Kat, also figure out the earlier flight and share the information with the TV Hosts, Brook & Claire.  No, I don’t know why, other than everyone seems to watch “Survivor” too much and thinks alliances are somehow advantageous on any reality competition show. in Sweden, teams have to drive themselves to a hotel built out of ice and pick up a clue to get them to the Road Block.  the TV Hosts, Gary & Mallory and the Doctors take a wrong turn and Michael and Kevin arrive first, finding their Speed Bump.  they have to sit on blocks of ice for 10 minutes.  what?  That’s all?  they are shown complaining how cold it is and how their butts feel like pin cushions, but they do it and head on their way.  I’m disappointed.  Not much of a penalty for being saved from elimination.  Do you think? so Michael and Kevin depart the Ice Hotel in 1st place, Speed Bump accomplished.  (I guess they earned it when they had the good sense to check for earlier flights from Germany.) All of the early fliers depart the Ice Hotel for the Road Block before the later fliers arrive in Sweden. the Road Block requires one member of each team to harness up a team of sled dogs, then mush down a road, grabbing five flags as they go.  Michael, Mallory, Claire and Dr. Kat perform the challenge for their teams, starting in that order.  Only Mallory has any problem—she misses one flag and has to mush a penalty lap, allowing Claire to overtake her. the next clue directs them to a train station, and they are on their way, as the later fliers are arriving at the Road Block.  well, except for Jill & Thomas, who manage to get lost and go a mile out of their way, on foot, requiring them to back-track that same mile.  they are comfortably in last place, both starting and finishing the Road Block.  the rest of them teams have little problem and head for the train station as well. At the train station, they find a clue to tonight’s Detour, which has the following choices: Sleds – teams must race down a course (think of a bobsled-type run) on these ridiculously cool little sleds, which have two short skis in front, one in the back and handlebars to steer while kneeling on them.  both competitors have to finish the course in less than 1 minute, 58 seconds.  I immediately tell Mrs. Bucky that I want one for Christmas.  “please, please, please, can I have one?” were my exact words.   Beds – teams have to erect and furnish a kohte, which is, basically, Swedish for teepee.  the furnishings are reindeer skin beds and a fire. Of the early fliers, Michael & Kevin choose Beds, while the rest choose Sleds. Michael & Kevin struggle with figuring out how to erect the kohte and at one point Kevin tells us they thought they just had to build a bed.  the Sledders don’t have much problem—Dr. Kat goes off the side of the course, so they have to run it a second time—but they finish first anyway, and get the next clue that directs them to the Pit stop, on the border between Sweden and Norway, where Phil awards them a trip to Belize for winning this leg of the race.  the other three teams soon follow. the late fliers all arrive, save Jill & Thomas who are still paying the price for getting lost, and all choose Sleds.  the Princeton Nerds start sledding first, but they are crashing all over the place and have to run again.  Chad & Stephanie run next and while Chad has no problem, Stephanie is a mess, mostly because she is scared out of her mind.  she crashes several times and when she finally finishes, she says she won’t go again.  they switch to Beds and as they depart the race course, Stephanie is crying un-con-trollably.  C’mon.  it wasn’t that hard. (SKK: As soneone who has never been on skis or anything comparable, I imagined that task to be totally terrifying to someone unused to ice sports. in other words, I totally got where she was coming from with those tears.) the Beach Volleyball team sleds once and decides it’s not for them—ok, these are beach girls.  I’ll cut them that slack.  they also switch to Beds, as do the Princeton Nerds after, I think, four attempts.  Jonathan just cannot steer the sled and crashes repeatedly.   Evil Nick & Vicki grab their sleds and have no problem.  Vicki tells us that this is because they are a physical team, not a mental team.  they are also motorcycle riders and snowboarders, so they have all the right moves for this sport.  one try and they are off to the Pit stop. Jill & Thomas finally arrive and pick Beds, but when they see how complicated the task is, they decide to play their Express Pass and head for the Pit stop. back at Beds, Chad has little trouble figuring out the kohte—he must have been a boy scout or something.  the Princeton Nerds and the Volleyball Team race each other in finishing their kohte and then driving to the Pit stop.  And the losers are … the Nerds, who sort of march up to Phil and the finish mat, singing “Pomp & Circumstance” because this was graduation day back at Princeton.  they actually take their elimination very well and sing their way off into the Norwegian sunset.  the final order of finish for tonight: 1st – the Doctors, Kat & Nat2nd – Gary & Mallory3rd – the TV Hosts, Brook & Claire4th – Michael & Kevin5th – Jill & Thomas, who spent their Express Pass6th – Evil Nick & Vicki, Team Tattoo7th – Chad & Crybaby Stephanie8th – the Volleyball Team, Katie & Rachel9th – and eliminated, Connor & Jonathan, the Princeton Nerds so, that’s this week’s recap, but … wait! We have our own little Reality Check twist! Loyal readers, you have a Road Block to perform before you return next week. (DWTS readers, you are welcome to join in the fun!) Here it is.

(From SKK: I’m normally indifferent about Wisconsin, but they did my team a HUGE favor this week. so WOOOO, YAY, BADGERS.)

Reality Check: ‘The Amazing Race’ recap: Cold as ice – Reality shows, TV reviews and Baltimore contestant news from Sarah Kelber – baltimoresun.com

There I was, in yet another black dress, almost always my color of choice when dressing up. but somehow, it didn’t feel right. I suddenly wanted color and so began to search through a couple of drawers where I keep clothes I’m not wearing but am nowhere near ready to discard. Voila!

There was my beloved red bias-cut slip alongside a long beaded red chiffon dress I had not even looked at in more than a decade. I shook them out, ran an iron over them, slipped them over my head and was thrilled with the results. both fit perfectly and made me feel as if I were being embraced by old friends.

And what exactly does this have to do with cooking?

I have a similar relationship with recipes. Cooking trends come and go, but every now and then I find myself thinking of old favorites, their aromas, flavors and textures vivid in my imagination. the morning after the benefit gala, as I watered the garden and noticed the abundance of ready-to-pick zucchini that seemed to appear overnight, I suddenly longed for preparations I’ve enjoyed for decades — but not recently.

Foods, like clothes styles, come in and out of fashion. some trends are best left in the past — bell-bottoms, huge shoulder pads and sun-dried tomatoes with pesto, for example — but others are best kept nearby and in our hearts, so we can revisit them whenever the longing recurs.

This dish was served as a complimentary appetizer with every meal at A Chez Nous, a family-owned French-Algerian restaurant that thrived in downtown Cotati for a decade. I learned to make it at the side of the chef, the late Hubert Saulnier, when I worked there as a waitress in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Algerian Carrots and Zucchini

6 to 8 servings as an appetizer

1 pound carrots, peeled

Sixteen of the best sites for outdoor furniture cushions. Know of another site that should be listed here? Leave your suggestion at the bottom of this page. (Related searches: Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Furniture, Patio Umbrella, Target Patio Furniture)

1. American Cushion Company – Browse for outdoor furniture cushions by type (wrought iron, wicker, teak, aluminum, etc.), by size or by fabric, or get a completely custom-made cushion set. (americancushioncompany.com)

2. Replacement Patio Cushions at the Cushion Corner – Replacement cushions for your cast aluminum, wicker, wrought iron, wood and other patio sets. (thecushioncorner.com)

3. Cushion Source Outdoor Furniture Cushions – Cushions for outdoor furniture including chairs, chaises, benches, rockers, window seats and more. A self service cushion quote system lets you choose a Sunbrella fabric pattern, give furniture dimensions and get a custom quote. (cushionsource.com)

4. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at eBay – Over 180 patio furniture cushion sets up for auction or immediate sale here. A random assortment to be sure, but you just might find the right cushions on the cheap, or the replacement cushions you couldn’t find elsewhere. (shop.ebay.com)

5. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at Patio Shoppers – A variety of cushions for outdoor chairs and chaise lounges, including cartridge-style cushions, sling and strap cushions, boxed and welted cushions, deep seating cushions, smooth edge cushions, barrel style cushions and wicker cushions. (patioshoppers.com)

6. Summer Living Direct – “Custom replacement patio cushions and umbrellas.” if you’ve got your outdoor furniture measurements, they’ve got the cushions. Boxed button tufted cushions, French seam tufted, deep seating, cartridge, cushions for wicker and wrought iron furniture, more. would be helpful if there were a few actual photos versus the drawings of the types of cushions, although if you saw the photo and it didn’t look exactly like your cushion, you might freak out and think it was not what you needed. (summerlivingdirect.com)

7. Outdoor Furniture Cushions from Target – Shop Target.com for replacement chair cushions, love seat cushions, chaise lounge cushions, wicker furniture cushions, bench cushions, ottoman cushions, and accent pillows. (target.com)

8. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at eAdirondackStyle – Adirondack chair cushions, outdoor bench cushions, chaise cushions, outdoor ottoman cushions, rocking chair cushions, porch swing cushions, outdoor dining chair cushions and more. (eadirondackstyle.com)

9. Outdoor Furniture and Patio Cushions from FoamOrder.com – Offers foam cushions that it says are quick drying. Choose the shape to fit your chairs, chaise lounges, bar stools or other patio furniture, give the dimensions and get a custom price quote online. (foamorder.com)

10. Outdoor Furniture Cushions – Care and Cleaning – many lawn and garden furniture cushions are coated in such a way that they can take a licking, but still you want to take care to make them last. here are some pointers. Written by Anne Field with references from the Soap and Detergent Association. (web1.msue.msu.edu)

11. Cushions & Umbrellas Outdoor Furniture Cushions – Furniture cushions for your deck or outdoor patio available here include: aluminum furniture cushions, sling furniture cushions, wrought iron furniture cushions, cast iron furniture cushions, and wood furniture cushions. (cushionsandumbrellas.com)

12. Retro Outdoor Furniture Cushions at Frontgate – Need cushions for retro outdoor metal sofas and chairs? Look here. (frontgate.com)

13. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at New Harbour Cushions & Accessories – Cushions for wicker, cane and rattan furniture, as well as replacement cushions for other metal and wood patio furniture. (newharbour.com)

14. Cottage Outfitters Cushions, Pillows & Tablecloths – Custom-made outdoor furniture cushions using your choice of Sunbrella fabrics. (cottage-outfitters.com)

15. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at Patio Furniture USA – Cushions and pads for outdoor chairs, long benches, wicker furniture, swings, chaise lounges, high back dining chairs, more. (patiofurnitureusa.com)

16. Outdoor Furniture Cushions at Ewins.com – Good selection of cushions for outside chairs, chaise loungers, love seats, ottomans, bar chairs, throw pillows, more. (ewins.com)

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Outdoor Furniture Cushions

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By Larry Bilotti 

What's the best part about grilling? no pots and pans to clean up, according to a survey conducted by the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA). But that doesn't mean that grills don't require continual maintenance to operate efficiently and safely. Continuing to use a charcoal grill after its prime can be a risky undertaking, not only from a food standpoint, but a fire-safety one as well.

How can you tell if your grill is passed its prime? here are five warning signs that indicate it's time to replace your charcoal grill.

1. Evidence of RustSince grills are exposed to the elements — rain, sun, wind, and sometimes, an unexpected snowfall — even the best of them can start to reveal signs of weathering. if your charcoal grill shows patches of rust or corrosion anywhere, you should consider it a sign to replace it. Rust on the legs and joints and the underside of the unit could eventually compromise the sturdiness of the apparatus over time. And nowhere is this more important than on the grilling grate itself, where tiny particles of metal may already be transferring onto the foods you grill. if there are signs of rust, it's time to replace your charcoal grill.

2. Signs of Flaking PaintFlaking paint is another sign that your charcoal grill needs to be replaced. Most new grills are painted with a baked-on porcelain enamel finish; if your grill is old and losing paint, the exposed metal could result in rust and corrosion and lead to more problems over time. Additionally, flaking paint inside the grill could be burning off during cooking, adding potentially dangerous and chemically laden smoke to your food. Thinking a fresh coat of paint will solve the problem? think again! Painting your grill is a fire hazard waiting to happen. if you see evidence of flaking paint, it's time to replace your charcoal grill.

3. Blocked Air VentsAll charcoal grills are built with air vents that help control the air intake and conversely the heat and fire during cooking — an important feature according to Leslie Wheeler, Communications Director of HPBA. The vents in the bottom and sides of charcoal grills can get clogged or blocked if not cleaned routinely. “If the vents of your grill are not working properly, your grill is not performing as effectively as it could,” says Wheeler. if you have blocked, inoperable air vents, it's time to replace your charcoal grill. 

4. Grease BuildupWe all know that grilling, grease and fire are fine companions. however, you don't want grease to build up to the point that it creates a more serious hazard. if you have not been diligent in cleaning your grill after each use, the grease that is not burned off during cooking could be building up on the inside of the grill and cover. so if the inside of your grill is showing signs of grease accumulation, clean it with soap-filled steel wool pads and a stiff wire brush, then rinse well with water. if it can't be cleaned, it's time to replace your charcoal grill.

5. StabilityThis seems like a no-brainer, but if your grill is not sturdy and sound — and the joints can't be tightened with a screwdriver or crescent wrench — you should look into a replacement. an unstable grill can be dangerous to people, pets and patios.

HELPFUL HINTS: looking to extend the life of your new charcoal grill? clean your grill after each use, consider an all-weather covering when not in use, and make these supplies part of your grill cleaning tool kit:

• Wire grill brush
• Soap-embedded, fine steel wool pads
• Mild dishwashing soap
• Sponge or dishcloth

Larry Bilotti Larry Bilotti has an extensive background in DIY home improvements and home maintenance, not only from his years as executive editor of Country Living magazine, but from personal hands-on experience restoring his Catskills, N.Y., retreat — Trout House.

Copyright (c) 2010 Studio one Networks. All rights reserved.

WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather – WLNS.COM

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Patio furniture is often the ‘afterthought’ in a patio design. Ideally, however, your design plans should incorporate fundamental ideas about patio furniture. a well-coordinated appearance is feasible only when the patio itself, the patio awning or canopy, and the patio furniture accentuate each other.

You have a diverse variety of choices available. one of the most popular is cast aluminum patio furniture. so long as you avoid tubular framing, these furniture pieces are extremely functional on a patio. In spite of being fairly lightweight and effortless to move about, solid cast aluminum chairs are sturdy enough to endure the wind and weather to a large extent.

Just make certain that you adhere to the maintenance instructions to the letter, or you may find that you have voided your warranty! usually all your aluminum patio furniture wants is to be spruced up with some water, to which a gentle detergent has been added. this is frequently followed by a light coating of car wax as a sealant.

The Telescope Sling Collection is a sample of aluminum patio furniture, with styles to suit any patio design.

Wood patio furniture is a popular choice, because of the warm atmosphere it gives. Western Red Cedar is often used, because of its well-known weatherproof attributes. as the wood isn’t susceptible to warping or cracking, it is extremely usable outdoors.

Cedar is oil-rich, an important factor as far as wood preservation is concerned. it also has an inbuilt insect repellant! a Cedar set has a richness, which could be even more improved with your choice of fabric for the patio furniture cushions.

Another category you may think about is plastic and resin patio furniture, such as the Kettler Outdoor Furniture variety. a wide range of chairs, chaise lounge designs, and tables are available. Resin patio furniture is superbly appropriate for outdoor use, due to its weather-resistant characteristics.

Resin has the ability to go with the flow, so to speak. it expands and contracts with changing weather conditions, and doesn’t fade. the Kettler variety of patio furniture uses a double-injection molding process, which contributes to its quality and explains why these items have such a long life.

Your patio furniture cushions, decked in Sunbrella’s fashionable fabrics, will be impossible to fade or stain. your patio is there to add to your quality of life, and to facilitate effortless entertaining. each and every aspect of it should, thus, be easy to maintain. by selecting Sunbrella fabrics, you select carefree patio living.

If you want more information on Replacement Cushions Wrought Iron Furniture, don’t read just rehashed articles online to avoid getting ripped off.

Go here: Replacement Cushions Wrought Iron Furniture

this entry was posted on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 at 3:59 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Replacement Cushions Wrought Iron Furniture – Coordinating Cushions, Chairs, And Canopies « Sheryls-Originals.com

Entergy Arkansas said it will file for a rate increase after this summer’s unusually hot weather and rising natural gas prices, even though the state’s largest electric utility recently lowered its rates.

Calling this year, “one of the hottest summers in the state’s history,” Entergy officials said that a power purchase rate increase could affect an average residential customer’s bill by less than $5 a month, if approved by the state Public Service Commission.

A residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will pay $90.70 starting October 1. if approved, the rates will remain in effect until the first billing cycle in April 2011, when any additional fuel adjustments would be made, the company said.

On July 1, new rates had kicked in to lower Entergy customer bills by 22 percent. at the time, system efficiencies from nuclear power and reduced natural gas costs had paved the way for the utility to lower bills.

Walmart reorganizes U.S. store approachWith sluggish U.S. same-store sales for more than a year, Walmart reshuffled its top merchandising operations by naming four new product heads to run its American stores.

In a Sept. 3 memo, Walmart’s U.S. CEO Bill Simon realigned four merchandising divisions and appointed executive vice-presidents to head them.

The four merchandising units are general merchandise and replenishment, food, softlines and a group that includes consumables, health and wellness and walmart.com.

At an analysts’ meeting this week, Simon said that back-to-school sales appeared delayed by shoppers. he also said he expected an “aggressive” holiday shopping season with customers focused on essentials like socks and underwear.

Wal-Mart has reported five consecutive quarters of falling U.S. same-store sales, a key indicator of corporate health in the retail industry.

Bank of the Ozark buys Florida bankLittle Rock-based Bank of the Ozarks acquired Horizon Bank of Bradenton, Florida after state and federal regulators closed the troubled financial institution.

As of June 30, Horizon Bank had approximately $187.8 million in total assets and $164.6 million in total deposits. the little Rock bank said it agreed to purchase essentially all of the failed bank’s assets.

In the past year, Bank of the Ozarks has bought two banks with branches in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

Murphy Oil acquires ethanol plant in TexasMurphy Oil has purchased an ethanol plant near Amarillo, Texas that was stalled due to construction delays and bankruptcy from the original builder, Panda Ethanol.

The El Dorado-based oil and gas company said it would finish construction and should be pumping fuel within a year from the facility. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The plant should be capable of producing 115 million gallons of ethanol per year, which in combination with a North Dakota plant could meet up to 50 percent of Murphy’s needs. the El Dorado firm will use the ethanol to blend with its regular gasolines sold at more than 1,000 retail outlets nationwide.

Arkansas soybean farmers could be in for heckuva rideThe Arkansas Soybean Board said that Ford Motor co. will feature bio-based polyurethane foam in 100 percent of its seat cushions, headrests and headliners by the end of 2010.

The use of soy foam in automotive applications could boost a new market for Arkansas and American soybean farmers. Ford is pursuing the initiative to eliminate its dependence on petroleum-based products, which could lead to greater independence from foreign oil.

Arkansas currently ranks 10th in the nation in soybean production, producing 122 million bushels annually valued at more than $1 billion.

Arkansas soybeans are grown by thousands of Arkansas farmers in 50 of the state’s 75 counties.

Realtors association chief resignsAt its annual convention in Rogers, Arkansas Realtors Association CEO Andy Schaus submitted his resignation. ARA Chief Operating Officer Miki Bass will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is found.

Also, the ARA announced it would up its annual membership dues from $100 to $160 — a 60 percent increase. the association says that currently there are 7,337 realtors in Arkansas, but it expects that number to drop to 6,613 members in 2013‚ a decrease of nearly 10 percent.

Southland, Oaklawn record big gambling months in AugustOaklawn and Southland racetracks recorded huge months of electronic games of skill (EGS) wagers, but fell short of their biggest months in gambling history.

For the month of August, West Memphis-based Southland Park Racing & Gaming saw EGS wagers hit $56,588,487, a new second highest total in the racetrack’s history. Southland topped $57.7 million in EGS wagers in March of this year, its highest month ever.

Hot Springs-based Oaklawn Racing & Gaming had its fourth largest month of EGS wagers in August with $37,452,737 bet on electronic blackjack, poker and other games.

Cumulatively, the two tracks reported total EGS wagers of $94,041,224 for August. Year-to-date, the two tracks EGS wagers have topped $723.8 million.

——-Roby Brock, a freelance journalist based in little Rock, writes weekly for the Arkansas News Bureau. His weekly television program airs at 10 p.m. Sundays in Central and Northwest Arkansas. His e-mail address is ; his Web site address is talkbusiness.net.

Entergy to file for rate increase 

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No, but the cushions need to dry out completely to prevent mildew, and fading is the biggest issue.

We use one of those large plastic boxes on the deck that hols the cushions when we aren't using them or when rain is threatening

Do I need to bring my Sunbrella outdoor furniture cushions inside, every time it rains?