Removing those pesty oders

Daily Real Estate News March 12, 2007
7 Ways to Get Rid of Pet Odors

• When a house you’re trying to sell smells like a pet, there are some tactics that can improve the odor situation. Don Aslett, owner of Varsity Contractors, one of the country's largest cleaning companies, offers up these tips for identifying the source of the smell and then eliminating it:
• Use a fluorescent black light (pet-supply stores sell them), to expose odor-producing spots on the carpet, couch, floorboards and even on drapes.
• Remove all solids and blot up as much liquid as possible with a clean towel. Apply an appropriate odor neutralizer or cleaner according to directions.
• Never use ammonia, which takes on the smell of what it's supposed to be cleaning, can trigger more accidents.
• Choose the best product to remove the problem. On water-safe surfaces, try Simple Solution stain and odor remover. The problem area must be thoroughly soaked and left to dry.
• Bramton's Oxy Solution Pet Stain and Odor Destroyer can remove odors and stains from surfaces that won’t withstand soaking, but test first in an out-of-the way place.
• The most effective and safest disinfectant for use around pets is Chlorhexidine, which is sold under such names as Nolvasan, Chlorasan and Chlorhex by veterinarians and medical-supply outlets. Use these for problems that demand deep cleaning.
  When all else fails, temporarily neutralize odors using a product such as Fresh Wave.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sarah Casey Newman (03/10/2007)

Poker anyone

Want to Join the Poker Revolution? Here’s How to Play Texas Hold’em
By Toby Bochan
RISMEDIA, March 2, 2007-(About.com)-Learn Texas Hold'em rules and how to play the game in minutes. Start playing this popular party poker favorite, known as the "Cadillac of Poker."
Difficulty: EasyTime Required: 15 MinutesWhat You Need: 52-Card Deck, Chips, 2-20 Players
Here's How:The two players to the left of the dealer put out blind bets. The player directly to the dealer's left puts out the small blind while the player two to the dealer's left puts out the big blind.
Every player is dealt two cards, face down. These are called hole or pocket cards.The action, or the first move, falls on the player to the left of the big blind. She can either call the bet, raise it, or fold. Betting continues around the table, clockwise.
After the betting is completed, three cards are dealt face up in the center of the table, which is referred to as the board. The first three cards in Texas Hold'em are called the flop. These cards are "community cards" meaning everyone can (and will) use them in combination with their own hole cards to make the best hand.
From the flop on, betting begins with the player to the dealer's left, who can check or bet.A fourth card is dealt face up onto the board. This is called fourth street or the turn card.
Another round of betting.
The final card is dealt face up. This card is also called fifth street or the river.A final round of betting occurs. The remaining players show their cards and the person who can make the best five card hand by combining their pocket cards with the cards on the board wins.
Note: In some rare cases in Texas Hold'em, the five cards making up the board will actually be the best hand, in which case everyone left in the hand divides up the pot.And now you know how to play and all the basic Texas Hold'em rules!
Tips:
The 5 Best Hands in Hold ‘Em1) Ace-Ace: This is the best Hold'em poker hand you can hope to have. It's the best of the best, and will win more than any other hand.2) King-King: This 2nd-best hold'em hand is still incredibly strong and will win you a good chunk of change. Two kings, or "cowboys" are only dominated by aces.3) Queen-Queen: Two queens, or "ladies" are a very good hand. Sure, kings and aces will beat you, but you've got the upper hand on jacks and below.4) Ace-King: Ace-king is a strong but tricky hand. It is the strongest of the drawing hands, but the flop needs to work with you to give you a pair of aces or kings for it to really pay off. Suited it is slightly stronger than unsuited, as then you can also make the nut flush much more easily.5) Jack-Jack: A pair of jacks, ten-handed, will win almost 20% of the time. If the flop shows a queen, king, or ace, watch out, but otherwise, it's smooth sailing.
The 5 Worst Hands - You Should Fold ‘Em:
1) 2-7: 7-2 off suit is considered the worst hand in Texas Hold'em. They are the lowest two cards you can have that cannot make a straight (there's 4 cards between 2 and 7). Even if they are suited, they will make you a very low flush, and if either pairs, it's an awfully low hand.2) 2-8: This is the same basic problem as above, only you've got an 8 instead of a 7. Still pretty bad for a high card. Suited or not, this is a fold'em hold'em hand.3) Tie: 3-8 & 3-7: The 3 makes this hand able to beat the two above it, but with the 3-8 you still can't make a straight and the 3-7 still, well, just sucks.4) 2-6: While if the board gives you a miracle flop of 3-4-5, you will have a straight, someone with a 6-7 will have a higher straight. If you get a flush, someone will probably have a higher flush. Against even 4 players, this hand will lose about 90% of the time.5) Tie: 2-9, 3-9, & 4-9: The only thing these three hands have going for them over the hands above is the 9. If the 9 pairs, you'll have a middle pair that could still be beat by anyone holding pocket 10s, jacks, queens, kings, or aces, yet you might be fooled by a board filled with low cards into thinking you have the best hand and losing a lot of money. No straights can fill the gap between these cards, either. Beware.

Charles Stallions, CBR, CRS, CSP
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc.
2106- B Creighton Rd.
Pensacola, Florida 32504
850-478-8811
800-309-3414
charles@charlesstallions.com
http://charlesstallions.com
"SERVICE IS MY BUSINESS"