Everyone -- Our partners at eBillme are running this fun contest and wanted to let you know about it. CSN Stores is part of the contest, so please take a look at the abbreviated release below and then go back to http://www.csnstores.com/ -- and used eBillme with your next purchase. Thanks!
Hey Big Spender Contest Launches for Online Shoppers
Payment provider eBillme and leading online retailers partner for a consumer contest that will pay one lucky shopper’s online order
RYE BROOK, NY— Consumers spend more online and buy higher ticket items when given the option to pay securely with cash. This is what retailers have found after adding eBillme, which enables consumers to shop online with cash using online banking or walk-in locations. Now, eBillme and leading online retailers are on the hunt for the biggest cash spender. The shopper who places the largest order on a participating merchant site using the eBillme payment option will have their order paid for by eBillme.
The eBillme “Hey Big Spender” contest will pay the bill for the shopper who places the largest eBillme order, up to $5,000. So whether you are shopping for home furniture, sports equipment, or appliances, eBillme merchants offer a wide selection of products and discounts for your chance to shop, save and win. CSN Stores is a participant in this contest. (To see others, go to the contest link below.)
Any eBillme purchase made on CSN's retail sites from now through July 15, 2010 will qualify for the contest. After the contest closes on July 15, the shopper with the highest bill will have their purchase paid, up to $5,000.
To qualify for a chance to win, shoppers can simply select eBillme as their payment option at one of the participating retailer’s online checkout. The order is confirmed with a bill sent to their e-mail address. Consumers simply pay the bill the same way they pay utilities, loans, insurance, and other bills, either through their online bank account or at one of over 75,000 walk-in locations. All participating retailers will also be offering additional savings, coupons and discounts on eBillme orders during the contest.
“eBilme is ready to reward our top cash spender,” says Marwan Forzley, President and CEO of eBillme. “eBillme offers a unique shopping experience. It’s convenient, secure, and debt-free. This is a great opportunity for any online shopper to try out eBillme at one of our participating retail sites. You’ll shop interest free and if you’re lucky, we’ll pay for your order. It’s a win-win for shoppers!”
For more details about the eBillme “Hey Big Spender” contest, visit http://www.ebillme.com/shop/contest/bigspender
Monday, June 21, 2010
Guest Blogger, Barbara Young -- A CSNSupply.com Fan
Everyone,
We're delighted to share this very informative article with you from writer and CSNSupply.com fan, Barbara Young. It tells you a lot about solar energy. Thanks so much, Barbara, for your submission. Everyone, here it is:
HERE'S A RAPID WAY TO UNDERSTAND HOW SOLAR PANELS WORK
What is solar power ?
Solar energy is radiant energy that's produced by the sun. Each day the sun radiates, or sends out, a huge quantity of energy. The sun radiates more energy in a second than people have used since the beginning of time!
The energy of the Sun originates from within the sun itself. Like other stars, the sun is known as a big ball of gases––mostly hydrogen and helium atoms.
The hydrogen atoms in the sun’s core combine to form helium and generate energy in a process called nuclear fusion.
During nuclear fusion, the sun’s extremely high pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to come apart and their nuclei (the central cores of the atoms) to fuse or combine. Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to become one helium atom. But the helium atom contains less mass compared to four hydrogen atoms that fused. Some matter is lost during nuclear fusion. The lost matter is emitted into space as radiant energy.
It requires millions of years for the energy in the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and then just a little over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to earth. The solar energy travels to the earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, the speed of sunshine.
Only a small percentage of the power radiated by the sun into space strikes the earth, one part in two billion. Yet this quantity of energy is enormous. Each day enough energy strikes the united states to provide the nation’s energy needs for one and a half years!
Where does all of this energy go?
About 15 percent of the sun’s energy that hits our planet is reflected back to space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water, which, lifted into the atmosphere, produces rainfall. Solar energy is also absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans. The remaining could be used to supply our energy needs.
Who invented solar technology ?
Folks have harnessed solar power for centuries. As early as the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would cause wood to catch fire. Over a century ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to make steam to drive a steam engine. At first of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar technology in earnest. One important development was a remarkably efficient solar boiler invented by Charles Greeley Abbott, a united states astrophysicist, in 1936.
The solar hot water heater came into common use at this time in Florida, California, and the Southwest. The industry started in the early 1920s and was in full swing right before The second world war. This growth lasted prior to the mid-1950s when low-cost gas took over as primary fuel for heating American homes.
The public and world governments remained largely indifferent to the possibilities of solar technology until the oil shortages of the 1970s. Today, people use solar energy to heat buildings and water and also to generate electricity.
How we use solar power today ?
Solar energy is employed in a number of different ways, of course. There are two simple forms of solar energy: 1. Solar thermal energy collects the sun's warmth through one of two means: in water or in an anti-freeze (glycol) mixture. 2. Solar photovoltaic energy converts the sun's radiation to usable electricity.
Let us discuss the five most practical and popular solutions solar power is used:
1. Small portable solar photovoltaic systems. We have seen these used everywhere, from calculators to solar garden tools. Portable units may be used for everything from RV appliances while single panel systems can be used traffic signs and remote monitoring stations.
2. Solar pool heating. Running water in direct circulation systems via a solar collector is a very practical method to heat water for your pool or hot spa.
3. Thermal glycol energy to heat water. In this method (indirect circulation), glycol is heated by sunshine and the heat is then transferred to water in a warm water tank. This method of collecting the sun's energy is more practical now than ever. In areas as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, solar thermal to heat water is economically sound. It can pay for itself in 36 months or less.
4. Integrating solar photovoltaic energy into your home or office power. In many parts on the planet, solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible method to supplement the power of your own home. In Japan, photovoltaics are competitive with other kinds of power. In america alone, new incentive programs make this form of solar energy ever more viable in many states. A frequent and practical method of integrating solar energy into the power of your home or business is through the use of building integrated solar photovoltaics.
5. Large independent photovoltaic systems. If you have enough sun power at your site, you might be able to go off grid. You may also integrate or hybridize your solar power system with wind power or other types of alternative energy to stay 'off the grid.'
How do Photovoltaic panels work ?
Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to produce photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electric power. The energy created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the energy into basic voltage and AC electrical power.
Photovoltaic cells are prepared with particular materials called semiconductors like silicon, which is presently the most generally used. When light hits the Photovoltaic cell, a particular share of it is absorbed inside the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is given to the semiconductor.
The power unfastens the electrons, permitting them to run freely. Solar cells also have one or more electric fields that act to compel electrons unfastened by light absorption to flow in a specific direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the -Photovoltaic cell, the current can be drawn to use it externally.
What are the pluses and minuses of solar energy ?
Solar Pro Arguments
1. Heating our homes with oil or natural gas or using electricity from power plants running with coal and oil is a cause of climate change and climate disruption. Solar energy, on the other hand, is clean and environmentally-friendly.
2. Solar hot-water heaters require little maintenance, and their initial investment may be recovered in just a relatively short time.
3. Solar hot-water heaters can work in nearly every climate, even in very cold ones. You just have to choose the right system for your climate: drainback, thermosyphon, batch-ICS, etc.
4. Maintenance costs of solar powered systems are minimal and the warranties large.
5. Financial incentives (USA, Canada, European states…) can aid in eliminating the price of the first investment in solar technologies. The U.S. government, for instance, offers tax credits for solar systems certified by by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), which amount to 30 percent of the investment (2009-2016 period).
Solar Cons Arguments
1. The initial investment in Solar Hot water heaters or in Solar PV Electric Systems is greater than that required by conventional electric and gas heaters systems.
2. The payback period of solar PV-electric systems is high, as well as those of solar space heating or solar cooling (only the solar warm water heating payback is short or relatively short).
3. Solar water heating do not support a direct combination with radiators (including baseboard ones).
4. Some air con (solar space heating and the solar cooling systems) are very pricey, and rather untested technologies: solar air conditioning isn't, till now, a truly economical option.
5. The efficiency of solar powered systems is rather determined by sunlight resources. It's in colder climates, where heating or electricity needs are higher, that the efficiency is smaller.
About the Author: Barbara Young writes on camper solar kit in her personal hobby web log 12voltsolarpanels.net
Her efforts are centered on helping people save energy using solar power to lower CO2 emissions and energy dependency.
We're delighted to share this very informative article with you from writer and CSNSupply.com fan, Barbara Young. It tells you a lot about solar energy. Thanks so much, Barbara, for your submission. Everyone, here it is:
HERE'S A RAPID WAY TO UNDERSTAND HOW SOLAR PANELS WORK
What is solar power ?
Solar energy is radiant energy that's produced by the sun. Each day the sun radiates, or sends out, a huge quantity of energy. The sun radiates more energy in a second than people have used since the beginning of time!
The energy of the Sun originates from within the sun itself. Like other stars, the sun is known as a big ball of gases––mostly hydrogen and helium atoms.
The hydrogen atoms in the sun’s core combine to form helium and generate energy in a process called nuclear fusion.
During nuclear fusion, the sun’s extremely high pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to come apart and their nuclei (the central cores of the atoms) to fuse or combine. Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to become one helium atom. But the helium atom contains less mass compared to four hydrogen atoms that fused. Some matter is lost during nuclear fusion. The lost matter is emitted into space as radiant energy.
It requires millions of years for the energy in the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and then just a little over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to earth. The solar energy travels to the earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, the speed of sunshine.
Only a small percentage of the power radiated by the sun into space strikes the earth, one part in two billion. Yet this quantity of energy is enormous. Each day enough energy strikes the united states to provide the nation’s energy needs for one and a half years!
Where does all of this energy go?
About 15 percent of the sun’s energy that hits our planet is reflected back to space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water, which, lifted into the atmosphere, produces rainfall. Solar energy is also absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans. The remaining could be used to supply our energy needs.
Who invented solar technology ?
Folks have harnessed solar power for centuries. As early as the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would cause wood to catch fire. Over a century ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to make steam to drive a steam engine. At first of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar technology in earnest. One important development was a remarkably efficient solar boiler invented by Charles Greeley Abbott, a united states astrophysicist, in 1936.
The solar hot water heater came into common use at this time in Florida, California, and the Southwest. The industry started in the early 1920s and was in full swing right before The second world war. This growth lasted prior to the mid-1950s when low-cost gas took over as primary fuel for heating American homes.
The public and world governments remained largely indifferent to the possibilities of solar technology until the oil shortages of the 1970s. Today, people use solar energy to heat buildings and water and also to generate electricity.
How we use solar power today ?
Solar energy is employed in a number of different ways, of course. There are two simple forms of solar energy: 1. Solar thermal energy collects the sun's warmth through one of two means: in water or in an anti-freeze (glycol) mixture. 2. Solar photovoltaic energy converts the sun's radiation to usable electricity.
Let us discuss the five most practical and popular solutions solar power is used:
1. Small portable solar photovoltaic systems. We have seen these used everywhere, from calculators to solar garden tools. Portable units may be used for everything from RV appliances while single panel systems can be used traffic signs and remote monitoring stations.
2. Solar pool heating. Running water in direct circulation systems via a solar collector is a very practical method to heat water for your pool or hot spa.
3. Thermal glycol energy to heat water. In this method (indirect circulation), glycol is heated by sunshine and the heat is then transferred to water in a warm water tank. This method of collecting the sun's energy is more practical now than ever. In areas as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, solar thermal to heat water is economically sound. It can pay for itself in 36 months or less.
4. Integrating solar photovoltaic energy into your home or office power. In many parts on the planet, solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible method to supplement the power of your own home. In Japan, photovoltaics are competitive with other kinds of power. In america alone, new incentive programs make this form of solar energy ever more viable in many states. A frequent and practical method of integrating solar energy into the power of your home or business is through the use of building integrated solar photovoltaics.
5. Large independent photovoltaic systems. If you have enough sun power at your site, you might be able to go off grid. You may also integrate or hybridize your solar power system with wind power or other types of alternative energy to stay 'off the grid.'
How do Photovoltaic panels work ?
Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to produce photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electric power. The energy created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the energy into basic voltage and AC electrical power.
Photovoltaic cells are prepared with particular materials called semiconductors like silicon, which is presently the most generally used. When light hits the Photovoltaic cell, a particular share of it is absorbed inside the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is given to the semiconductor.
The power unfastens the electrons, permitting them to run freely. Solar cells also have one or more electric fields that act to compel electrons unfastened by light absorption to flow in a specific direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the -Photovoltaic cell, the current can be drawn to use it externally.
What are the pluses and minuses of solar energy ?
Solar Pro Arguments
1. Heating our homes with oil or natural gas or using electricity from power plants running with coal and oil is a cause of climate change and climate disruption. Solar energy, on the other hand, is clean and environmentally-friendly.
2. Solar hot-water heaters require little maintenance, and their initial investment may be recovered in just a relatively short time.
3. Solar hot-water heaters can work in nearly every climate, even in very cold ones. You just have to choose the right system for your climate: drainback, thermosyphon, batch-ICS, etc.
4. Maintenance costs of solar powered systems are minimal and the warranties large.
5. Financial incentives (USA, Canada, European states…) can aid in eliminating the price of the first investment in solar technologies. The U.S. government, for instance, offers tax credits for solar systems certified by by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), which amount to 30 percent of the investment (2009-2016 period).
Solar Cons Arguments
1. The initial investment in Solar Hot water heaters or in Solar PV Electric Systems is greater than that required by conventional electric and gas heaters systems.
2. The payback period of solar PV-electric systems is high, as well as those of solar space heating or solar cooling (only the solar warm water heating payback is short or relatively short).
3. Solar water heating do not support a direct combination with radiators (including baseboard ones).
4. Some air con (solar space heating and the solar cooling systems) are very pricey, and rather untested technologies: solar air conditioning isn't, till now, a truly economical option.
5. The efficiency of solar powered systems is rather determined by sunlight resources. It's in colder climates, where heating or electricity needs are higher, that the efficiency is smaller.
About the Author: Barbara Young writes on camper solar kit in her personal hobby web log 12voltsolarpanels.net
Her efforts are centered on helping people save energy using solar power to lower CO2 emissions and energy dependency.
Imagination Nation Winners Announced
CSN Fans, Bloggers and Parents -- We have just announced our winners for CSN Stores' Imagination Nation Contest -- The Search For The Country's Most Creative Kid. We had nearly 600 entries and each one was very compelling and showed both talent and promise.
The Grand Prize goes to Jack Gosselin (Total Prize Value: $4,500)! Jack will receive a Full Year Of Free Toys (Value: $2,400), plus a Deer Run Loft Bedroom Set from Lea Industries (Value: $2,000) and Atmosphere’s Classic A4 Globe (Value: $100). Congratulations, Jack!!!
Our Second Place Winner is Chase Marshall (Total Prize Value: $800)! He'll receive a Kids’ Art Corner from ALEX Toys, including Easel Set and Monster Art Supply Center Set (Value: $400)and the Little Tikes Racecar Bed (Value: $400). Congratulations, Chase!!!
Our Third Place Winner is Ashley Jannatpour (Total Prize Value: $200)! She'll receive The Kids’ Theatre/Imagination Corner from Melissa & Doug, including a Deluxe Puppet Theatre and Select Puppets (Value: $200). Congratulations, Ashley!!!
And our Facebook Winner is Daniel Lusted! Daniel will receive $100 in assorted toys and games from ToysandGamesOnline.com. Congratulations, Daniel!!!
Thank you all so much for entering and voting. The response was tremendous. Please stay tuned for more fun contests. To enter our current contests, go here: http://www.csnstores.com/Contests-C389403.html.
Congratulations everyone!
The Grand Prize goes to Jack Gosselin (Total Prize Value: $4,500)! Jack will receive a Full Year Of Free Toys (Value: $2,400), plus a Deer Run Loft Bedroom Set from Lea Industries (Value: $2,000) and Atmosphere’s Classic A4 Globe (Value: $100). Congratulations, Jack!!!
Our Second Place Winner is Chase Marshall (Total Prize Value: $800)! He'll receive a Kids’ Art Corner from ALEX Toys, including Easel Set and Monster Art Supply Center Set (Value: $400)and the Little Tikes Racecar Bed (Value: $400). Congratulations, Chase!!!
Our Third Place Winner is Ashley Jannatpour (Total Prize Value: $200)! She'll receive The Kids’ Theatre/Imagination Corner from Melissa & Doug, including a Deluxe Puppet Theatre and Select Puppets (Value: $200). Congratulations, Ashley!!!
And our Facebook Winner is Daniel Lusted! Daniel will receive $100 in assorted toys and games from ToysandGamesOnline.com. Congratulations, Daniel!!!
Thank you all so much for entering and voting. The response was tremendous. Please stay tuned for more fun contests. To enter our current contests, go here: http://www.csnstores.com/Contests-C389403.html.
Congratulations everyone!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Finalists of CSN Stores’ Imagination Nation Contest. (Cont.).
Hey everyone!
Welcome to the Finalist Stage of the ‘Imagination Nation Contest: the Search for the Country’s Most Creative Kid.’ Below you will see the 30 amazing finalists. Browse the list and be sure to vote for your favorite entry at the top right of the blog. The entry with the most votes will be automatically slotted into the Top Five. Also, please feel free to leave encouraging notes in the comments section under each entry. Congratulations to all of these creative kids and to everyone that entered!
(Few things to note. This is a continuation of the Facebook voting. All of those votes have been tallied and registered and these votes will be added on to that total. Unfortunately, Facebook has experienced some technical difficulties recently and we had to move this stage of the contest to the Blog. The deadline for voting is still June 15th. Keep in mind that the numbers assigned to the entries below are slightly different than they were on the Facebook page. Please leave a comment under the post with any questions and concerns).
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
ENTRY #30
My son, Chase, is six years old and already has big plans for his future. Chase's "when I grow up I want to be ..." statement doesn't change from one occupation to the next. Instead, the new career choice gets added to his list. He is going to be one busy boy because while he's training for NASA, he will also be cooking at a restaurant, teaching school, treating the sick, building houses and serving as a veteran.
The one occupation however, that he thinks about and discusses many times throughout each day is being an inventor. His inventions range from creating a new food such as "banana casserole" to curing diseases. One of my favorite inventions was a rocket that will fly him to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. When he arrives, he will use another invention to melt through the icy surface of Europa. Chase hopes to discover an ocean under the ice that has life in it. In my son's world there are no limits; anything and everything can be repaired, created, healed or discovered.
(This is a video of Chase displaying his creativity): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZAhwgp95J8.
ENTRY #29
Ty Collins is the most creative child for his age that I have ever met. Yes, I may be partial, because he is my son, but he is genuinely funny and creative for 21 months. He may not be able to make things like an older child, but he does know how to use his imagination.Every night before he goes to bed, he has to feed and water his play animals. He has many horses, cows, sheep, birds, dogs, etc. and a barn on a farm floor matt. I purchased some fake hay that he feeds them with and we used a play dough container as a watering barrel. He lines all the animals up and feeds them every day, just like his daddy and paw paw does on the farm.
It’s so cute to watch and you can just see his mind working when he does it. Sometimes the animals bite him and he puts them in time out. He also gets out our tupperware containers and makes us get down like a dog on all fours and pretend like we are eating from the dishes. He’s so much fun! His mind just goes with creativity and I hope that continues to do this throughout his entire life, because an imagination is so important.
(This is a picture of Ty and his ‘farm’).
ENTRY #28
My 4 year old, since the last Presidential election, has been so intrigued by President Obama, that he knows he won the election, who he beat, and why he beat him (because he got more votes). So over the spring and into the summer, my son says when he grows up, he’s going to be President Obama and live in the white house. He said we needed to make a video for Rock Obama (as he calls him) so he can ask him if he can come to the white house and visit.... and so we did just that. My son made a video where he asked Rock Obama if he could come to the white house and visit. We sent it off to our congressman, and while we didn’t get to met President Obama, we did get to take our boys on a white house tour this past summer.
My son still says he will met Rock Obama one day, and I have no doubt with how creative he is, he will find a way.
(This is a video of the boy asking Rock Obama if he can come visit):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_0S8G1xg7M
My son still says he will met Rock Obama one day, and I have no doubt with how creative he is, he will find a way.
(This is a video of the boy asking Rock Obama if he can come visit):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_0S8G1xg7M
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