Creating Shady Relief in Your Yard for Summer Begins Now

Welcome to our spring newsletter! With the weather warming up, it is an exciting time here at S&W as our waterproofing and building restoration projects are keeping us busier than ever! However, we still can take a break from our regular jobs to peek in on how our AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPION baseball team, the KC Royals, are

doing this year. The Royals will discover what S&W has known for years – hard work plus talent are an unbeatable team whether it is baseball or commercial waterproofing. But, just like us, we know the Royals will be up for the challenge!

In honor of the Royals, we’ve loaded this issue with some baseball humor and our thoughts on turning your home into a summer slice of heaven - just like Kaufmann Stadium! Have a great spring and we’ll see you this summer in our next newsletter!

A Message from our President/Owner, Bob Svoboda:

Congrats! You’ve survived freezing temps, tons of winter snow, months of hibernation inside your house, and survived to see the spring flowers begin to bloom. But if you want to make your backyard your little piece of outdoor heaven this summer and spend quality time without oppressive heat, bugs, or too much sun, now is the time to prepare. Luckily, you can create a cool, shady and even bug-free spot for yourself, no matter the size of your outdoor space or your wallet.

Natural tree shadeBefore building a patio or deck canopies,

take another look at your yard. Perhaps nature has a solution? If you don’t have a nice tree already, consider planting one. Trees provide natural canopy, especially during the summer when they have the most leaves.If that is not an option or you want to

enjoy shade while your newly planted tree is growing, take a good look at your backyard and think of how and when you want to use the space, which will help you pick the right solution.

Office: 816.931.5311 www.swwaterproofing.com Fax: 816.931.8187

S&W WATERPROOFING SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTER

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Warmer weather and sunnier days are on their way and many homeowners are itching to begin home improvement projects. If you are one of them, consider these areas of your home when prepping for spring.Windows and doorsFrom a full window replacement to

a simple coat of paint, updating your windows and doors can have a big impact on your home.If your windows felt drafty this winter, it

may be time for replacements. Replace your old single-pane windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows. Double-pane windows can help you save on heating and cooling bills; they help keep the temperature in your home consistent year-round and help protect your furniture, carpet and window treatments from the sun’s fading rays.Need to bring some fresh color into

your home but don’t want to paint? Try updating your blinds or shades. From different styles to colorful fabrics, blinds and shades can add a pop

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Spring Projects to Spruce Up Your Home

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Help S&W Stop the Sinister Mr. Drop!

Get your waterproofing questions answered at www.swwaterproofing.com/forum

“I kept forgetting our anniversary, but now I just pretend it’s a baseball stat.”

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Creating Shady Relief in Your Yard for Summer Begins Now continued from page 1

UmbrellasA free-standing umbrella, grouped with

a table or a chair, will provide shade for open-air dining or a morning coffee. Also, a bright umbrella can add a splash of color to your home’s exterior. Most umbrellas can be easily moved, so you can block the hot sun from any direction or stow it away when not in use.PergolaFor a more traditional and permanent

option consider a custom-made pergola. They can provide a real sense of having a room outside that is either open to the sky, air and nature, or fitted with an automated system of fabric or slats. You can also screen the sides of your pergola for added privacy or insect protection.Think low maintenance materials such

as acrylic trim boards, fiberglass columns and woods such as ipe (ironwood) or redwood. This way you can enjoy

your pergola rather than spending time cleaning, scraping and painting it.CabanaYou may not have a cabana boy to wait

on you, but for a tropical option at a fraction of the cost, go with a cabana that you can pick up at most outdoor furniture stores. Customize your piece with outdoor fabrics in colors or patterns that match the style of your home. Pack it up and store it when the weather turns cold or if you’re expecting a storm.Retractable AwningMotorized retractable awnings are a

great adaptable option, which allow you to enjoy the sun or shade, whenever you choose, at a press of a button. Maximize energy savings by having your awning react to the weather or a schedule set by you. Automatic sensors will also protect your awning during high winds or rain by retracting it.

Shade “sails”Tension fabric shade sails can be ready-

made or custom designed. Select durable material and make sure that the cloth is pitched to allow rainwater to fall off of it. Water that collects in the middle of the cloth sail can stretch the fabric or damage the system. Design it so you can easily take down the fabric canopy and store it for the winter.Covered patioIf you already have a covered patio or

are adding one to your home, consider integrated, automated screens to keep the bugs out, and/or to provide additional sun protection. This option gives you a useful space no matter the weather, year round.There are tons of options for you to pick

from and most are available at your local hardware or home improvement stores.

S&W WATERPROOFING SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTER

4 Ways to Energize Your Mornings continued from back cover

3. Pack your breakfast with protein.According to Health.com, eggs — and

even bacon — can be effective breakfast options to provide your body with the energy it needs to power through the day. Eggs are a great source of nutrients, just one egg contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein and antioxidants. And seriously, with microwave bacon, ready-made egg substitutes in several flavors, and a

piece of toast, you’re talking 6 minutes of cooking time. Don’t make excuses. 4. Shift your bedtime. If by nature you are a night owl who

routinely sleeps later but wants to start your day sooner, start gradually moving your bedtime earlier. The most productive early birds aren’t sleep deprived. As Benjamin Franklin aptly noted, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

These days, there are hundreds of quick-and-easy breakfast options that give you the proper nutrition you need to get started. Breakfast shakes, protein drinks, nutrition bars or even a container of low-fat yogurt do not take any prep time. Even zapping a light low-fat breakfast bowl in the microwave at work will do better than skipping this critical meal. Just make sure you skip the fast food drive-thru or the donut shop.

Baseball Humor

A conceited hot-shot rookie was pitching his first game for the Royals. He walked the first six men he faced when Ned Yost went to the mound to yank him out of the game. The rookie slammed his glove on the ground and yelled, “Darn it, Ned … you can’t take me out when I have a no-hitter going!!”

Two old men had been best friends for years, and they both live to their early 90’s, when one of them suddenly falls deathly ill. His friend comes to visit him on his deathbed, and they’re reminiscing about their long friendship, when the dying man’s friend asks, “Listen, when you die, do me a favor. I want to know if there’s baseball in heaven.”The dying man said, “We’ve been

friends for years, this I’ll do for you.” And then he dies.A couple days later, his surviving friend is sleeping when he hears his friend’s voice. The voice says, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that there’s baseball in heaven.”“What’s the bad news?”“You’re pitching on Wednesday.”

Q: What’s the difference between a Kaufmann Stadium hot dog and a Wrigley Field hot dog?

A: You can buy a Kaufmann Stadium hot dog in October!!!

Q: Why was Cinderella so bad at baseball?

A: Because she had a pumpkin for a coach!

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Aunt Ruby’s Strawberry-Rhubarb Crunch

of color to your room. Your front door is a major focal point of

your home, enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Make a bold statement and improve your home’s energy efficiency with a new ENERGY STAR-certified front door. Consider options with decorative glass accents, and sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.Looking for something even easier? A

new coat of paint to your existing door is a quick and easy way to give your home a fresh, new look. Gutters and downspoutsExcess water near your foundation can

cause thousands of dollars in damages. Luckily gutter cleaning and downspout repair is fairly low-cost.After all the snow melts, you’ll want

to make sure to clean your gutters and clean out any debris that may keep spring rains from flowing freely through your downspouts.Along with replacing damaged gutter or

downspout sections, you’ll also want to make sure you have added downspout extenders to ensure water is draining far away from your home’s foundation.

Extenders should reach at least five feet into your yard.Gutter covers can also be

added to minimize debris from gathering in gutters throughout the year.Air conditioningIt may be a few more

months before you’re turning on the A/C, but spring is a great time to start getting your cooling system ready.Often you have to call in

the pros for air conditioning work but things like spraying off any overgrowth or debris, cleaning coils and changing filters are fixes you can easily do on your own. Also, trim back any shrubs that are nearby. Keeping the outdoor unit clean from debris will boost your A/C system’s efficiency.You can keep part of your

indoor duct work clean by removing register covers and wiping clean any of

the visible parts. You’ll need to contact a professional for a full duct cleaning.

Ingredients: (serves 14)

• 3/4 cup white sugar• 5 tablespoons

all-purpose flour• 4 cups sliced fresh

strawberries• 4 cups diced rhubarb

(about 5 stalks)• 1 1/2 cups

all-purpose flour• 1 cup packed brown sugar• 1 cup butter• 1 cup rolled oats

Springtime means seasonal fresh fruit will be showing up in the markets near you. This simple recipe combines the sweet taste of strawberries with the tart snap of rhubarb to make a dessert everyone will love. For a healthier dessert, try substituting Splenda for the sugar and use a sugar-free brown sugar to dramatically cut carbs and sugar.

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Spring Projects to Spruce Up Your Home continued from page 1

Directions:

photo courtesy: ©2015 Local Kitchen | www.localkitchenblog.com

Hint: The words go in a straight line – in any direction!

D T N Y Y U U K D T J M Q S T N R K J B O V S F O S U A T A G E A B R O A D W A Y N S R L X P E V A E G M B F B O T O L L Y F R E O S P D O R T O P G I O X U G L N M R A O S R S R C U G K I C U D E E O E N I A G W Q B Z V E O O R M W V R S L H Y T O R T J B R V Z P E S L A B E L A S Y O C C M N M W F Y R E G K T E M J E L F A W

TOP AREA BREWERIES

How many of these words can you find? BROADWAY GREEN LABEL

LOGBOAT MCCOYS ROOM

TALLGRASS TORN WESTON

AMERISPORTS BORDER BOULEVARD

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, mix white sugar, 5 tablespoons flour, strawberries, and rhubarb. Place the mixture in a 10X15-1/2 baking pan.

3. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats until crumbly. You may want to use a pastry blender for this. Crumble on top of the rhubarb and strawberry mixture.

4. Place on middle rack and bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp and lightly browned. To be safe, place foil or a bigger baking sheet under pan as juices sometimes run over!

5. Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream.

Construction news to be enjoyed over coffee.

6601 Universal AvenueKansas City, MO 64120

When it comes to starting the day early, finding energy fast is vital.Whether you’re up early for work, hitting

the gym, getting your kids ready for school, or just dealing with a annoying internal clock, it’s important to make the most of your mornings. Try these tips for finding your inner early bird:1. Don’t snooze.When you hit the snooze button

repeatedly, you’re fragmenting what little extra sleep you’re getting, so it is of poor quality, Instead, try moving your alarm

farther from your bed, so you have to stand up to turn it off.2. Have a quick and hearty breakfast

ready to go. Studies consistently show the benefits of

breakfast for promoting productivity during the day. However, according to a January 2014 study conducted by global polling firm, Penn Schoen Berland, although nearly 85 percent of Americans believe breakfast is important, 53 percent skip it because they don’t have enough time, want to get extra sleep, or don’t like preparing it.

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IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 1• Spring Projects to

Spruce Up Your Home• Creating Shady Relief in Your Yard for Summer

PAGE 2• Baseball Humor

PAGE 3• Seasonal Recipe Bliss

PAGE 4• 4 Ways to Energize Your Mornings

S&W WATERPROOFING SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTER

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