THE MASONRY MONTHLY
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com | June 2018
GET LOST!
5 Best Camping Destinations in the United States
F amily vacations are so complicated these days. Resorts. Cruise ships. Theme parks. Staycations. Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned camping trip? Nothing brings the family together like exploring the great outdoors, sharing s’mores around a campfire, or sleeping beneath the stars. But half the battle of camping is knowing where to go. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with a few suggestions your family is sure to love! North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Visiting the Grand Canyon is on most people’s bucket list, so why not make it your vacation destination? This natural wonder is also an incredible camping location. But you won’t be sleeping in the canyon. North Rim Campground is located beneath towering Ponderosa pines, shading campers from the hot Arizona sun. You can hike in the Grand Canyon, roast marshmallows over an open fire, and watch the sunrise over the Colorado River. Between May 15 and October 31, campsites are available by reservation only, so claim your spot by visiting recreation.gov. Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho Looking to explore the true untamed wilderness? Then venture into Sawtooth National Forest. Northern Idaho is about as far from civilization as you can get, though you’ll never feel alone with the impressive Sawtooth mountains to keep you company. Hike rugged trails, fish in rivers and lakes, and find the perfect place to pitch your tent in the thick forests. But before you head out, be sure to get your wilderness permit from a local Forest Service Office. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico isn’t technically in the United States, but it is a U.S. territory, and that counts for this list. Flamenco Beach is the only place on the island of Culebra where camping is permitted, and it’s a beautiful location. Spend the day frolicking in the waves, snorkeling, or relaxing in a hammock beneath the mangrove trees before you grill dinner on one of the many barbecues available throughout the site. It’s all the fun of camping in the wild combined with a tropical getaway.
Oz Farm, North Coast, California Oz Farm is the destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life who would still like to use a fully equipped kitchen. An eco-friendly escape, you can enjoy 230 acres of blooming meadows, redwood groves, and rushing rivers before returning to your private cabin for the evening. From the scenic Tower Cabin to the relaxing Newbird Cabin, Oz Farm features several housing options, so there’s sure to be one that fits your family. Space is limited, so book your stay at hipcamp.com/discover/california/oz-farm today. Nãpali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii This scenic Hawaiian paradise is another fantastic location for a beach camping trip. But sunbathing on the sandy beaches isn’t the only thing to do here. Nãpali Coast is also home to Kalalau Trail, a stunning 11- mile path that attracts hikers from all over the world. This challenging trail is recommended for experienced hikers only, but the pristine waterfalls and lush valleys make it well worth the trouble. If you’re thinking about camping at Nãpali Coast, be sure to buy a camping permit at camping.ehawaii.gov/camping/welcome.html. These amazing destinations can make your family trip one to remember. What are you waiting for? Grab a tent, get some bug spray, and invite your family on the adventure of the summer!
-Dave Laverdiere
www.bostonbrick.com |
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Keys to Making Core Values Count
Establish the Guiding Heart of Your Business
central to them as individuals and expand that to include values that are vital to your entire company.
A cohesive vision for the future is central to any thriving company; it’s the road map by which you and your team steer the business to success. But a set of lofty goals isn’t quite enough to motivate and unify an organization. It’s important to have an overarching aim for the coming years, but you also need to provide some guidance on how your business should conduct itself today. You need core values that encourage a certain spirit for your team and hold them to a high standard of excellence. To build a set of core values that’s unique and valuable to your business, you must first decide whose input you want during the process. This should be a panel of the key players in your business and employees skilled at providing new and powerful ideas. Ensure that each of the members of your think tank embodies the qualities you want to see throughout your organization. Next, get everyone in a room to start brainstorming. Set a date for a meeting and encourage everyone to come prepared with a list of values they feel are the most important for your business. Ask your think tank which values are
"We recently purchased a 1910 craftsman in a historic neighborhood of Orange County (there is one — really!). During the inspection, it was uncovered that the chimney was falling in on itself and needed a full replacement. We were referred to Boston Brick & Stone by many people because of their deep experience working with historic homes and the cities and boards that protect them. Burton and his crew were absolutely fantastic. They went above and beyond in working with our local historic society to get the needed changes approved, which was no small task. The crew was incredibly clean when working in the living room of our house. They were professional, kind, and so clear on what they were going to work on each day. Even though I was here with the crew each day, I received a call every single night from the foreman recapping what had been completed and what the plan was for the next day. Fantastic work and the best work crew I have ever worked with. I would recommend Boston Brick in a heartbeat." – Jenny M. Rock-Solid Reviews After you’ve got a healthy list of good ideas, combine and define them. Look for commonalities. It’s likely that many of them will orbit just a few key principles. After a bit of pruning and rewording, these principles become your core values. Once you’ve got your set of 5–10 main ideas, outline exactly what each of them means in a few sentences or a paragraph. You may want a skilled writer on board during this step to nail down a set of clear and compelling definitions. The process may be difficult, but once you’re done, you and your team will have a set of powerful, unifying core values. These will state your company’s purpose and drive your team to excellence. Core values may seem like a small consideration in the midst of day-to-day operations, but they can make an enormous difference.
CHIMNEY
•Inspection •Restoration and repair •Construction •Sweeping
FIREPLACE
•Inspection, restoration, or repair of an existing structure •Installation or reconstruction of new structures
HARDSCAPE
•Backyard patios •Outdoor kitchens and barbecues •Outdoor steps, walkways, and paths •Retaining walls •Outdoor fireplaces •Driveways
HISTORICAL RESTORATION Our previous restoration work includes the following:
•Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim •Repair and restoration of chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim •Historical chimney restoration for the lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park •Faithful restoration of the chimneys on the Nottingham and Arden properties in Beverly Hills
BRICK RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION
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THE MAINTENANCE YOUR FIREPLACE NEEDS
Now Is the Time to Give Your Fireplace a Checkup
Having a fireplace inside your home offers comfort and beauty. It allows for cozy fires and can be a centerpiece of the decor, attracting the attention of guests as they enter your home. You wouldn’t want it falling into disrepair. Now is the perfect time to clean and inspect your fireplace, keeping it maintained for its many uses throughout the year.
Before getting your fireplace inspected, it’s a great idea to thoroughly clean it out. Before you begin to clean, be sure that the ashes and the firebox are cold. This will help protect yourself and ensure that the ashes won’t burn through anything. Any of the ashes that are left within the hearth and firebox should be the first to go. To remove any remaining debris from your fireplace, use a vacuum to reach into the corners and get into the small spaces. After clearing out the firebox, it should be washed with a non-flammable cleaning solution mixed with water. If you have a gas fireplace, it’s equally important to take care of it throughout the year. Before you clean out your gas fireplace, be sure that the gas valve is shut off and that it’s cold to the touch. The glass should be cleaned thoroughly and any dirt should be removed. The valves, hot air vents, and venting system should be checked when properly inspected. At Boston Brick & Stone, we can offer you a fireplace inspection. Call us at the number on the bottom of the second page for more information and to set up an inspection today.
Getting your fireplace inspected once a year will extend its life. Not only will you be able to catch any problems that arise quickly, but discovering
any problems early on will prevent them from becoming worse. Neglecting your fireplace, firebox, or chimney can create serious issues that may be expensive to repair. Doing today what you could tomorrow will save you a lot of hassle in the long-run.
MEME CORNER
Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings This Father’s Day, spice up your wings with this zesty recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
• 4 pounds chicken wings • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened • 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste • 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce • 1 lime, halved • Extra-virgin olive oil • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • Chopped cilantro for garnish
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown. 3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture. Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro.
Inspired by foodnetwork.com
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SERVING THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA
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2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
INSIDE
page 1
Turn Camping Into an Adventure
page 2
Core Values Are Vital — But How Do You Create Them?
page 2
Rock-Solid Reviews
page 3
Cleaning Out Your Fireplace
page 3
Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings
page 4
3 Fathers Who Risked It All for Their Kids
3 Awesome Dads Fathers Who Put Their Lives on the Line for Their Kids
This Father’s Day, thousands of dads will receive a “No. 1 Dad” mug to sip coffee out of at the office. But the following dads took that “No. 1” to a new level.
and when that didn’t work, he leapt onto its back and started punching it in the face. When the bear finally released Gabriel, Greg threw rocks until it fled. His son was hurt but made a full recovery in the hospital over the coming weeks.
Brian Munn gave his son a liver transplant .
Artur Magomedov saved his daughters from ISIS.
When doctors discovered that baby Caleb Munn had a rare disease called biliary atresia, they told his parents that he was unlikely to survive past age 2 without a liver transplant. Luckily, his father was a perfect match, and he eagerly donated part of his liver in March of 2015 to save his son’s life.
Artur Magomedov was devastated to discover that his wife had taken his 3- and 10-year-old daughters from their home in Dagestan under the cover of night, flown to Turkey, and crossed into Syria to join ISIS. But he resolved to get his kids back. After a long, hazardous journey, he arrived in Tabqa to embrace his two daughters. To leave the caliphate — under penalty of death — they hitched a ride to the border one night and crawled along a railway line until they were within 70 meters of the border. Then they ran under fire from Turkish border guards until they could scramble into tall grasses. After some help from the Russian consulate in Istanbul, they made it back home, together again and safe.
Greg Alexander battled a bear for his son’s life.
While camping in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greg Alexander was startled awake at dawn by the screams of his 16-year-old son, Gabriel. He rushed out of his hammock to see a black bear dragging his son away by the head. Without hesitation, he kicked the beast in the side,
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