Do you believe in Santa?

Hello, Neighbor,
I still believe in that jolly, old, red-suited guy. And I want to encourage others to do the same. Why? Because it’s fun.
It’s also the reason I’m transforming each of my Service Technicians into a “Top Secret Santa.” No, they won’t be wearing red suits trimmed with white fur. (Can you imagine trying to install a toilet or unclog a sewer pipe in one of those???)
But they will be making a lot of people smile.
Here’s what’s going to happen.
All during the month of December, my Service Technicians will randomly deliver special gifts and other holiday surprises to customers and NON-customers alike.  Every day we’ll load our trucks with plumbing supplies AND wreaths, toys, games, candy, fruit, poinsettias, Gift Certificates and more to leave with randomly selected customers, daycare centers, nursing homes, even total strangers walking down the street.
One customer will even receive a Gift Certificate worth $500 of our services.
It’s our way of saying… “Happy Holidays!”
For Preferred Plumbing (831-761-0644),
Raquel
P.S. Among the surprise gifts we’ll give out will the Johnny Lite™ I first told you about last January. It was a big hit when we gave it away in January. Who knows, call us for an appointment and you may receive one as my holiday gift to you.

Go to our website (www.preferredplumbing.com), call (831-761-0644) or email us (Preferred@PreferredPlumbing.com) to receive Preferred Plumbing’s Monthly Newsletter offering valuable coupons, discounts and information!

Thank YOU

“Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.” ­— Estonian Proverb

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” — Oscar Wilde

Dear Friend,
When they’re put side by side, two of the most powerful words in the English language are the words, “Thank you.”
I don’t know about you, but even though I do my best to try to share
a “thank you” whenever it’s appropriate… I know I miss too many
opportunities.
Since our country’s official Thanksgiving celebration falls in the month of November, I declare November my own personal month of thanks.
I invite you to join me.
Say a “thank you” to the person who holds the door for you… hands you your change at the
grocery store… or stops to let you cross the street (even though you’re jay-walking). Share a “Thanks!” with your spouse when he or she takes out the trash, does the laundry or picks
up the dry cleaning… without being asked.
Let your friends, family, co-workers and even total strangers know they are appreciated.
Do it on a daily basis. 
And my thanks to you for doing it. As G. B. Stern reminds us…“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”

For Preferred Plumbing (831-761-0644),
Raquel
P.S. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Go to our website (www.preferredplumbing.com), call (831-761-0644) or email us (Preferred@PreferredPlumbing.com)
to receive Preferred Plumbing’s Monthly Newsletter offering valuable coupons, discounts and information!

OCTOBER is the month of the… PUMPKIN!

Visit our website www.preferredplumbing.com and click ‘Newsletter’ to find out how to get a Gift Certificate good for $10.00 at Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola.

Happy Halloween everyone – give us a call if you need any plumbing services. 831-761-0644

1st Annual Preferred Plumbing White Sale!

Dear Homeowner,
You’re invited to save a whopping 43% during Preferred Plumbing’s first-ever White Sale. The sale starts September 1 and ends September 31. Here’s how it works. You’ll save 43% OFF the cost of labor for any service or installation call related to a:

• WHITE tub
• WHITE toilet
• WHITE water heater
• WHITE dishwasher
• Or any other WHITE appliance or bathroom fixture in need of a PREFERRED PLUMBING technician’s attention.

This includes toilet tune-ups, unclogging drains, fixing leaky faucets, hooking up an ice maker, installing a new water heater, and much more. Just ask!

Call me TODAY for an appointment at 831-761-0644 and mention receiving this letter about Preferred Plumbing’s White Sale.

Talk to you soon,
Raquel
For Preferred Plumbing (831-761-0644)

P.S. Don’t get me wrong. I love designer colors as much as the next plumber. But this
month we’re honoring the ever-faithful, goes-with-everything color of WHITE.

Go to our website (www.preferredplumbing.com), call (831-761-0644) or email us (Preferred@PreferredPlumbing.com) to receive Preferred Plumbing’s Monthly Newsletter offering valuable coupons, discounts and information!

Every Tuesday is “New Customer Appreciation Day”

Dear Neighbor,
Sad but true, calling me or any other plumber probably isn’t at the top of your list of things to do this week … unless you’ve got a plumbing problem.

Most homeowners don’t replace a set of faucets or water heater because they’ve seen a new style they think will look more fashionable in their home.

Nope, plumbing isn’t an impulse purchase and I accept that having your sewer line cleaned out isn’t something you do for entertainment.

What does all this have to do with my declaring each Tuesday as “New Customer Appreciation Day”?

It’s simple.  I’m always looking for New Customers.  And since Tuesday is the slowest day of my week, when you call 761-0644 for a Tuesday appointment I’ll show my appreciation by giving you ….
•    11% discount off repair parts and labor
•    $21 toward a new hot water heater, faucets, sink or toilet
•    FREE “Plumber’s Friend” plunger imprinted with my emergency phone number
•    FREE roll of my favorite toilet paper
•    FREE Gift Certificate good for one dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
This all comes with my personal thanks for trying our professional services and helping us stay busy on Tuesday.  Call 761-0644 for your Tuesday appointment.

Gratefully,
Preferred Plumbing, Inc.
P.S.  No, I’m not discriminating against those fine folks who are already my good customers.  Become a customer and you’ll soon find out about our “Customer Only” events and privileges.

Get your 25% OFF coupon for plumbing services from our website,
(see coupon for details).
Preferred Plumbing, Inc. | 831-761-0644 | www.preferredplumbing.com

Preferred Plumbing’s Ice Cream Contest!

Dear Friend,
In honor of ice cream lovers everywhere, I’m conducting an unofficial survey of favorite flavors AND putting out a call for interesting ice cream recipes. Please send yours to me at Preferred Plumbing, 80 Airport Blvd., Suite 103, Freedom Ca 95019, 831-761-0644 or email me at info@preferredplumbing.com. Make sure to include your name and address since prizes will be given for “Most Unusual Favorite Flavor” and “Most Unique Homemade Ice Cream Recipe.”

In preparation for writing you this letter, I did a little ice cream research.  Did you know there are recipes on the Internet for Cantaloupe Ice Cream… Lavender Ice Cream… Tomato Ice Cream… and how about this one – FRESH CORN Ice Cream? The last one gives new meaning to the phrase, “Eat your vegetables!”

I also uncovered this recipe for Easy Guacamole Ice Cream which seemed too interesting not to share.  It’s from those fine fire-y folks at TABASCO.

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon TABASCO brand Green Pepper Sauce
• 1 12-ounce container whipped topping, thawed

Blend avocados, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and TABASCO® Green Pepper Sauce until smooth in food processor or blender. Carefully blend avocado mixture and whipped topping in large bowl. Cover and freeze until firm, stirring once. Makes 6 servings.

Let me know what you think of this taste bud treat as you ….
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month!

Get your 25% OFF coupon for plumbing services from our website,
(see coupon for details).
Preferred Plumbing, Inc. | 831-761-0644 | www.preferredplumbing.com

Dear Homeowner,
Since only a limited number of people get married each year, I’m guessing you’re among those of us who are “weeding” and not “wedding” this June.

Weeding is good since it means you’re working in your garden, growing green things (in addition to weeds), and helping beautify your neighborhood.

Did you know many plants have both “nicknames” and scientific names? The pronunciation of many scientific names can be downright confusing. To make it even worse, some have more than one proper pronunciation. So, you can go your whole life hearing one pronunciation, then encounter another – and both are right!

Below is a list of 10 plants with one, sometimes two, problematic pronunciations. It was compiled by David Beaulieu, journalist and landscape design enthusiast.

Top 10 Difficult-to-Pronounce Scientific Names of Plants
1. Clematis: CLE-muh-tuhs or cle-MA-tuhs
2. Peony: PE-uh-ne or pe-O-ne
3. Cotoneaster: cuh-TO-ne-AS-tuhr or CAWT-tuhn-ES-tuhr
4. Poinsettia: poyn-SEH-tuh or poyn-SEH-te-uh (although we constantly hear the incorrect poynt-SEH-tuh.)
5. Chamomile: KAM-uh-mil or KAM-uh-mel
6. Achillea: A-kuh-LE-a or a-KIH-le-uh
7. Lamium: LAY-me-uhm
8. Lupine: LU-puhn
9. Forsythia: fohr-SIH-the-a
10. Kalanchoe: 4 pronunciations, all of which are correct – KA-luhn-KO-e, kuh-LANG-ko-e, KAL-uhn-cho, and kuh-LAN-cho

Happy Weeding!
Preferred Plumbing, Inc. | 831-761-0644 | www.preferredplumbing.com

“An APPLE a day may keep the doctor way but…5 to 9 servings of FRUITS & VEGETABLES are even better for you.” – From Your Neighborhood Health-Conscious Plumber

Dear Friend,
I bet you never thought you’d get a letter from your neighborhood plumber encouraging you to eat more fruits and vegetables. But that’s exactly what I’m doing and here’s why. I like having healthy, happy customers.

It occurred to me the other day that people pay more attention to maintaining their homes than they do to taking care of their bodies. Think about it. If you wouldn’t throw trash down your toilet, why would you put junk food in your body?

According to experts who know more about nutrition that I do, we should all eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day to keep our bodies healthy and happy.

Men should eat 9. Women should eat at least 7. Think about what you’ve eaten in the last 24 hours. How well do you fare?

One way to make sure you get a good mix of fruits and vegetables is to mix up the colors. By eating a variety of green, yellow-orange, red, blue-purple, and white fruits and vegetables, your body takes in a wide range of nutrients important for good health. Each color offers something unique. Find out more at www.5aday.gov. It’s interesting stuff.

A few more tips. Buy and eat whatever is “in season” to save money. Instead of cookies and chips, keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the table. Make sure everyone in your family starts his or her day with a serving of fruit. And remember, fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and low in calories – a “hunger-free” way to control your weight.

Your Neighborhood Health-Conscious Plumber,
Preferred Plumbing, Inc. | 831-761-0644 | http://preferredplumbing.com/ 

P.S. To encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables, all during May my Service Technicians will be delivering 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables FREE with every service call they make. It’s my way of showing my customers I value their good health as well as their business. If you need a plumber, call me at 761-0644.

Some friendly money-and-energy-saving advice about your water heater

While most water heaters last 10-15 years, it doesn’t hurt to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. And even if yours is working just fine, it pays to look for ways to reduce the cost of heating your water since this is the third largest energy expense in your home and typically accounts for about 14% of your utility bill. Here are some proven tips to follow. Put them on the refrigerator as a family reminder.

There are 4 basic ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, buy a new and more efficient water heater, or insulate an older model.
• Think when you’re at the sink. Run less water while brushing your teeth, shaving washing your face, and washing dishes.
Switch from baths to showers. A typical bath uses 15 to 25 gallons of hot water. A 5-minute shower uses only 10.
• Install aerators in faucets and shower heads. They decrease water flow and can reduce hot water consumption by half.
• Federal regulations now require new shower heads to use no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Installing a new low-flow shower head can save as much as 15,000 gallons of water a year.
• Repair leaky faucets and shower heads. A leak of one drip per second can cost as much as $1 per month. If you’ve got 2 leaky faucets, double it.
• Insulate an older hot water heater and pipes. By preventing heat loss, you can save as much as $50 a year with an older model. Be careful not to cover the water heater’s floor, top, thermostat, or burner compartment; when in doubt call us at 831-761-0644 for professional help.
• Buy a new water heater with a thick insulating shell. It may cost more than one without the insulation, but you’ll save energy and money over the 10-15 year life of the appliance.
• Drain a quart of water from your water heater every 2-3 months. This removes sediment and increases efficiency. Follow the manufacturer’s advice for doing this.
• Lower the thermostat setting on your water heater to 115-120 degrees. Every reduction saves you 13% per year or as much as $60.

If you’ve got any questions or would like professional help making sure your hot water heater is operating at top efficiency, call us at:
831-761-0644
Preferred Plumbing, Inc.
The Hot Water Heating Specialists
http://preferredplumbing.com/

Belated Happy Birthday to Your Toilet

When was the last time you gave your toilet a birthday card?

Or said a sincere “thank you” for being there for you when you need it?

If you’re like most of our customers, you’ve probably been taking your toilet for granted.

That’s why we’re sending this card to tell you and your toilet how much you are appreciated. And even though we don’t know your toilet’s exact birth/installation date, this card comes with our best wishes for many years of successful flushing.

With greetings & regards,
Your Friends at Preferred Plumbing
831-761-0644

P.S. If you don’t know how old your toilet is, you probably don’t know how old the seal or inner workings are, either. Please call us and mention this card for a FREE Toilet Tune-Up ($49.00 value). If we find anything that needs repair or replacement, you’ll receive 30% OFF all parts and labor.