Water. Friend or Foe?

There are a lot of people in Eastern Massachusetts who woke up this morning, put the toast in the toaster, watched the news, brushed their teeth, got their kids ready, and hopped in their paddle boat and made their way into work. Yes, it's been raining what feels like forever in Massachusetts and it FINALLY stopped this morning but the damages are already done. Rivers are overflowing, coastal flooding is a reality, basements are being pumped out and people have been searching for dry ground for 4 days now. Water in this instance....foe.

On a lighter note, the Cash for Appliances has trickled it's way into Massachusetts and will be overflowing our state next month. The exact dates are April 22 and running through May 5, 2010. It gives you only 14 days to buy an Energy Star Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Washer, or Freezer and save $50-$250. On March 22nd this site should have an updated list of appliances that qualify and should have $$$ on how much you'll get back for a rebate. This WILL BE, the best time to buy. Car companies always say that winter is the time to buy because it's the lowest costs because nobody's buying....well, this will be the best time to buy appliances because you'll be getting back huge rebates on energy star appliances! Water in THIS instance...friend!

If you would like to sign up for our email blast on when this will happen and what qualifies, click here.

Take Care,

-Brian

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The Concept of Cooking for 2050 in 2010 with Electrolux

Imagine this for a moment. Never cooking with pots again. (Guys, that means LESS cleaning for you right?) Never worrying about that recipe you can never find. Never not having too much cooking space. Electrolux has developed a concept that will revolutionize the way we cook and eat.

It's called "Heart of the Home".
It's a mind-boggling piece of artwork that ACTUALLY serves a purpose. The idea is that the UK believes that the population in the Urban areas will be up to 74% by 2050 (it was only 29% back in 1950). These alarming numbers sparked interest to try to develop simplified living while conserving as much space as possible. You'd think they'd start with like a hide-away bed in the floor, TV's that were simply a sheet of glass on the wall, I mean you can copy a ton of ideas from that movie Minority Report for starters! Why start with a something that will cook food? Because they can that's why.

"The Heart of the Home" as they call it is a great thought and would seem do-able to a degree, but there are some aspects of this that seem almost sci-fi'ish. Lets look at their idea:

First, the cooking surface would be able to detect the food you put on the cooking surface and will pull up a list of recipes that pertain to that food. Immediately my mind floats to fresh broccoli that you want to steam. Maybe potatoes you want to boil to make mashed potatoes? How would one do that?

Second, once you pick the recipe, you measure out (with your hand), how big the cooking surface should be and then you push the surface down to make an indent (if needed for that type of food) to begin the cooking process.

Finally you can control the heat and time it would take to cook with the touch of a finger. THAT to me seems like the only thing obtainable and believable at this current point in time. I mean, to have the ability to be able to push down on the cooking surface to make it like a pot, then cooking or boiling in it, serving from it, attempting to clean it, and then having to re-form the cooktop to make it look flat again??? It just doesn't seem do-able to me. BUT! The concept is incredible, the design is stunning, and the features and benefits are definitely problem solving. Check out this video below for a detailed view of this concept.

Take Care,

-Brian Read More!

Sound The Whiteout Alarm!!

The nation's capital has had the most snow it's seen in years. They got around 2' of snow this past weekend and are getting 18 to 24" of additional snow today. To make matters worse, Baltimore has weathermen like this guy...going NUTS over 22" of snow??? Crazy. We proud people in New England think its no big deal and take it in stride. It seems as though our snow blowers get more action than our lawnmowers! But it comes with the territory. That same snow is effecting us in Massachusetts today and a lot of people are sleeping in today.

So while you're sitting at home today because it's a school day, your office is closed, or maybe you're AT the office reading this...check out our page on the Cash for Appliances promotion. I've talked about this before and the promotion start date is coming real soon. This page is an informational spot you can go to get up-to-date information on when it will start and how much money will be given out. There are links to our local government pages and there's a sign up section to fill in and we'll email you when the time comes for this promotion to start. The monies are still unreleased and the date is still unknown but we are told it will happen soon.

Enjoy the day, enjoy the snow but remember to drive safe.

Take Care,

-Brian

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It's Boston Sports...Why Have It Any Other Way?

If you live in New England and if you've ever turned on a TV you've always been inundated with Boston sports. It's on every channel whether it's the Black & Gold, the Pats, the Sox or the Celts, you're either watching the game or watching the highlights. And whether you're a fan or not, something about it is infectious. Now you may be the type that says "not for me" and you stick by it. For some reason to you Boston sports, or ANY sports, for that matter are just too boring. But I'll tell ya...when you're THERE, it's a whole 'nother ball game...literally.

I had an opportunity to go to the TD Bank Garden last night for the first time and watch the Celtics play the Clippers. Now I consider myself a "Boston Fan"...to a degree. I love the Sox and the Pats and I thoroughly enjoy watching a Bruins game from time to time on my high def TV but I never got into the Celtics. It doesn't make me a BAD Boston Fan, it just means that to me, basketball isn't a sport I watch. Since the huge lockout back in 1998-99, I lost sight in why I loved the game. I still have my basketball card collection and I still have my memories of following the teams and players, but once that season hit I saw the ugly side of basketball and that was all about the money. Players and teams feuding about money that held the season back to 50 games instead of 82 games. Something about that kept me from following it all these years. Now I'm not going to say I'm going to go and jump on any bandwagon, but the game was fun last night.

I've been to Fenway Park only 4 times in my life. 3 times to see the Sox play, and 1 time to see Dave Matthews Band. I've been to 2 Patriots games at Gillette Stadium, but never have I been to the TD Garden until last night. The best part of going to Fenway and going to Gillette is hearing those Boston fans and hearing them cheer at the top of their lungs (no matter how cold outside it is). The sound sends trembles through your stomach like you're on a free fall on a roller coaster. You can't help but get on your feet and cheer along...even if it's "not for you". Same rang true for the Celtics last night. Except for them, it's an indoor coliseum. When the game started going in our favor, those fans went nuts and my ears were borderline deaf from the sound that was coming from them. This brought me back to why I love sports. Boston fans are the best in the world and it's evident when you watch the Sox play the Blue Jays for example, and there are more red jerseys in the seats than blue jerseys. That's dedication. So will I follow the Celtics now? Maybe. I love being a "Boston Fan" and plan on being one for the rest of my days.

Broadcast companies are doing a better job with sound and making it feel like you're there, at the stadium, cheering on the home team. Some of us wish we can have that in our own living room but don't want to spend a lot of money. Believe it or not, you CAN have that without breaking the bank. Come to Percy's and have one of our electronics specialists remind you what it really sounds like to be in the park...minus the hot dogs, sausage, pizza....mmmmm...sorry.

We have packages from in the box simple solutions including Sony, Samsung & LG to full blown home theater rooms. If you want in-wall speakers, home theater seating, and the power of the game in your living room, you owe it to your self, to the other fans of Boston, to at least come and experience it. You'll be surprised how inexpensive a system can be that makes a HUGE difference. We also have interest free financing available for all electronics over $499. Check out our audio section here for more information.

Take Care,

-Brian

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