Reviews by hclark2000

hclark2000 says "Know your tax preparer!" about H&R Block - Filing Taxes Opinion - Nationwide, USA

hclark2000 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:30:01 GMT

As tax time approaches many people will be flooding to places like H&R Block to get their taxes done. I would like to caution anyone going to these places. Sure, they're convenient and you can even get your money early, but you could be throwing good money after bad by using them.

Did you know that the majority of H&R Block employees have only a weekend of training to become your tax preparer? Granted there are some who do this year after year as their part-time job, but think about it; do you want someone with so little training to be your connection to the IRS?

I have a personal experience to share regarding H&R Block staff. My sister, who will remain anonymous, signed up to be their representative one year. After taking a weekend class to learn the computer software (which really does most of the work) she started preparing taxes for unsuspecting people.

Now, if you know my sister, you would realize that is not a good idea. She can barely balance her own checkbook let alone do her own...

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hclark2000 says "Hotel in the hills north of Mount Shasta" about Baymont Inn - Yreka, CA

hclark2000 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:53:27 GMT

The Baymont used to be an Amerihost hotel until June 2007. They have since remodeled. The outside is not that inviting, but the interior is mostly new and smells good.

There is an indoor pool off the entry and a small breakfast area with a very basic breakfast of carbs and more carbs served in the mornings. No elevator so be prepared to walk up some stairs if you stay on the second floor.

There is a newly remodeled Comfort Suites hotel across the street but they are right on the freeway. Check their prices and use this as ammunition to get a better rate at the Baymont. I would definitely choose the Baymont over this particular Comfort Suites. Their remodel job wasn't the best and their staff was less than friendly. On the flip-side, the staff was very friendly at the Baymont.

The rooms are average in size, no frills, but a nice room for the money. The bathroom has been redone with a molded shower/tub combination and a new shower curtain. The bedding and flooring were new which is very important....

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hclark2000 says "New Hotel in Valencia" about Embassy Suites - Valencia, CA

hclark2000 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:19:47 GMT

As of mid Dec. 2007 this hotel was only a month old when we stayed at it. It is a pilot hotel in its design and layout. Unlike other Embassy Suite hotels, this one is very contemporary and the room is set up like an apartment. There is a kitchenette and living room combination, then a large separate bedroom and a large bathroom. There are two 40" LCD flat-screen TV's on the walls and modern (uncomfortable) couch and chairs in the living room. The beds are comfortable and the unit is heated/cooled with a programmable thermostat.

The typical indoor courtyard is now outdoors with a swimming pool and lounge areas. Hint: get a room overlooking the courtyard, not an outside room if you like quiet. The only advantage to an outside room is the view. Some of the rooms overlook the Magic Mountain theme park and area mountains. Great views.

There is a lot of construction in the area but the hotel is set back from the freeway and it was relatively quiet. We were awakened at 6:30am by the construction...

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hclark2000 says "Almost as good as the real thing" about Brita Aqualux Pitcher (OB37/OB03)

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 05:02:03 GMT

Living in Arizona we find that it is imperative every home have a water treatment system of some sort. We could have opted for a $5,000 but decided to try a simple Brita pitcher instead. Apart from the fuss of soaking the filter before replacing it, the Brita pitcher is easy to use and reliable in the quality of the water after filtration. I will use the filter three or four times longer than the manufacturer recommends and still get quality water from each filter. The lid has a filter replacement indicator which I reset at least three times before replacing the filter. The design of the pitcher allows for optimal use of the refrigerator shelf space. We are on untreated Phoenix water and this filter takes care of all the impurities the aquaduct brings with it. We use the Brita water in our coffee pot and it makes our coffee taste great. You have to try it!...

hclark2000 says "Size Does Matter" about Sub-Zero 685/S

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:59:51 GMT

Our builder installed what we thought were quality appliances in our new home. We have Wolf and Sub-Zero. The Wolf line is very good, but the Sub-Zero refrigerator is not what we thought. It looks great with a stainless steel exterior, modern handles and a clear/glass interior. Although it looks like a large unit, the freezer is very small due to the ice maker and shallow shelves. The refrigerator section has plenty of slots to adjust the shelves, but the shelves cannot adjust much because the upper shelves have different widths. The crispers are not temperature controlled and cause the produce to wilt. Other brands we have owned, like the built-in Kitchen Aid, have much more usable space. We would not buy this model again....

hclark2000 says "From a Seattleite's point of view" about Seattle

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:02:15 GMT

Ask any Seattle native; you won't find anywhere more beautiful than the Puget Sound region. Between the snow capped mountains and the crystal blue sound you have a plethora of things to do and see. Although the winter weather can get a little wet, the rest of the year has become increasingly more moderate over the years. There is hiking, biking, snow and water skiing, water tours, underground tours, events and festivals year round. From Mt. Rainier to the Olympic Peninsula, the desert in Eastern WA to the rain-forest, there is so much to do it would take your whole life to enjoy it all. How about whale watching or cruising through the San Juan Islands. A trip to Whidby Island or a picnic at the beach? Shopping at the malls, going up in a sea plane, take the train to Canada or up into the Cascades. Take the kids to the zoo, aquarium or the Seattle Center. Sound nice? That's what Seattle has to offer and more. We are away right now for work and can't wait to get back again. There's no......

hclark2000 says "For efficient people with time constraints" about Magic Bullet Blender - High Speed Mixing System

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:39:16 GMT

The Magic Bullet is one of the most convenient appliances I have - and I have a lot. You need to at least buy the 21 piece set as it has an average size blender included. Otherwise you are stuck with making small quantities of everything. Clean up is a breeze. I have refused to use my full size glass blender for years because it is so hard to clean. My only issue is with the small gasket. If you take it out it is tough to get back in place again. We enjoy making smoothies and milk shakes. The money we have saved not going out for them has more than paid us back. It would have been nice for the company to have supplied us with a better cookbook, at least on-line, but they have not chosen to do so yet. There is one that comes with the unit, but it just gives you a small sampling of what this machine is good for. I wish I had this when my kids were babies, the savings in baby food would be amazing. But I intend to give my grandchildren the best baby food they ever ate when they come to grandma's......

hclark2000 says "The best coffee maker out there" about Waring Pro 12-cup Coffee Maker

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:21:25 GMT

If you love coffee the way my family does you will love the Waring Pro. We went through several coffee makers before falling in love with this one. The Waring Pro does not burn your coffee like most coffee makers do. With two 12-cup glass carafes and two burners with their own on/off switches you will never run out of fresh hot coffee at your next function. Don't like coffee? How about tea? We enjoy the instant hot water spigot for tea, hot chocolate and spiced drinks. I even use it for daily cooking. Pour two cups of cold water in the top and you will instantly get two cups of hot water for jello - no waiting for the stove! It's the only hot water all the time coffee pot I found where you do not have to have it hooked up to a water line. We like ours so much we are giving them as gifts this year....

hclark2000 says "The best coffee maker out there" about Waring Pro 12-cup Coffee Maker

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:21:21 GMT

hclark2000 says "HP Plasma TV - Clear and Concise" about HP - SRS Television

hclark2000 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:06:14 GMT

The HP Plasma TV looks good in any home with its piano black finish and small frame. Easily mounted on a wall or stands with its own stand. Clear picture and good sound. We took off the speakers to decrease the width and hooked it up to a detached surround sound system. We also own a LCD TV and find the plasma is dramatically sharper. It is heavy, but with the built-in and removable handles in the back one person can carry it. HP isn't just for computers anymore....