Davis Ace

Container Gardening for Earth Day

2011-04-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

Gas prices are high and going higher - emissions are plain bad for our environment - we have the solution:

Gardening!

I, Davis Ace blogger, live in a small rental home with little to no space. When a coworker suggested this money saving/ Earth saving idea - I scoffed. No room in my poolside villa (Or 1920's box, as some might call it). Ah, but my coworker saved me and told me all about container gardening.

I now have two tomato plants and a few other veggies on the cement out my backdoor and I am excited to chow down on some fresh veggies this summer - and save gas!

Thus, my seemingly successful patio garden leaves me wishing to spread the knowledge of self-sustainabilty. Following are top tips for container gardening from our expert gardening staff:

1. Use your planting common sense - pick plants that can withstand your sun conditions, use fertilizer and make sure you water whatever you plant.

2. Choose a container wisely. Recycling old items from around the house works great - just make sure there are drainage holes. Also, get something deep enough to let your roots flourish.

3. Don't just stick to regular old tomato plants. Fig trees, small apple trees and even citrus trees can thrive in a container. Looking to just add color? perennials and annuals work great in containers.

4. Use Davis Ace as your one-stop shop for all of your gardening needs! We're closer than most other stores, keeping your gas use low and saving the planet from all those nasty emissions :-)

Happy Earth Day from Davis Ace!

Cut down that water intake!

2011-04-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is approaching and today we're focusing on water conservation.

We've been told to use low-flow shower heads, but some of them just don't have the water pressure you need. Oxygenics has the solution.

We have an entire end-cap of these shower heads, varying in size, design and water usage. Our lowest price model is $34.99 and only uses 1.75 gallons per minute. Some come with tons of settings, others are basic models, but they all save water - saving you money.

A toilet can waste a whole lot of water. Beyond our flush saver add-ons, we also carry a low-water usage toilet that can qualify for a City of Davis rebate.

The toilet, priced $169.98 for a regular and $214.98 for an elongated model, uses only 1.28 gallons of water per flush. If installed properly, you can receive a rebate for up to $120 from the City of Davis - see City of Davis for details.

You can find more info on the rebate here: http://cityofdavis.org/pw/projects/toilet-rebate/

Interested in finding more water savers? Check out our Hardware department and the aisles of plumbing supplies!

Stay tuned for more Earth-friendly products tomorrow!

Drying your clothes for less

2011-04-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

It's day number two of the Davis Ace blog's Earth Day Extravaganza and we've got an old, but wonderful way to save money and the planet.

You'd be hard pressed to find a larger selection of outdoor drying tools than Davis Ace. With seven types of line, six types of drying racks and five choices for clothes pins, we can help you deck out your drying practices.

Beyond serving as a friendly reminder of Grandma's backyard, you'll stop heating up your laundry room in the hot summer and cut energy costs. Most importantly, you're using the sun rather than gas or electricity. It's an all-around win.

Clothes lines start at $6.50 and pins start at $3.99. We also carry full outdoor drying sets for an easy fix.

Earth Day at Davis Ace

2011-04-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is only a short week away and we at Davis Ace are determined to get our customers on the Earth Day train. Starting today, we'll feature a new, affordable Earth-Friendly product each day.

Today's product is something just delivered this morning and so wonderful I plan on buying one on my lunch today!

The Brita Bottle.

You know the disposable bottles of water you pay 1.50 for every day are horrible for the environment, but our area water can be so not tasty. Brita has a solution. This nifty BPA free bottle can replace 150 plastic water bottles per filter. Sporting a stylish blue, it comes with a carrying loop and is proven to reduce cholorine taste and odor. It's also dishwasher safe!

The bottle is priced at $9.99 and comes with a starter filter. We also carry the replacement filters for $9.99 each.

Stop in our Housewares building and end the waste of disposable bottles of water!

Home Safety Tips

2011-03-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

You’ve heard your neighbors talk about it, you read the Enterprise today or maybe you’ve unfortunately fallen victim. I, the Davis Ace blogger, have been hearing about this crime situation from co-workers, customers and yesterday, someone posted on our Facebook wall about it. A little worried, I decided to check out our home safety section.

After cruising aisle 11 and getting help from a few of our hardware gurus, I discovered mechanisms I never knew to exist and got some great tips for keeping my home safe – info so great, I just have to share with you! :-)

Davis Ace Blogger's favorite safety tips:

- Change all of your locks when you first move into a new home. Our helpful hardware staff informed me Schlage is one of the better brands to use - harder to pick than most locks, which will often deter criminals.

- Instead of putting your spare key in one of those obvious key boxes or under some lawn ornament, wrap it in a secure material and bury it some place easy to access.

- Still have a home phone? Going out of town? Adjust the ringer to the lowest volume possible. An unanswered phone is a big tip to any passers that your home is unoccupied.

- Store valuables in places not obvious – For small valuables, chisel out a spot in the top of your door. Larger items? Drop ceilings, attics and other places that are a hassle to access make great hiding spots.

- Trim back any shrubbery blocking window views. Make your home easily seen by neighbors - the less hidden a burglar, the more chance of catching him or her.

- And lastly, don't forget your sliding door. Those skimpy locks that usually come standard aren't so strong. I found this cool item pictured below that wedges between your door and the wall, making it much more difficult to break into!

Any questions? Come in and talk to one of our Hardware Associates. They'll be able to direct you to our home safety equipment and give you good info on the best products.

Small Business in Davis

2011-01-26T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Sunday, January 30, the Davis Downtown Business Association is promoting a valuable event for both business and consumers.

The main idea is for Davisites to spend at least $30 at local businesses this Sunday. On one side, it's a great way for us small businesses to promote and on the other, it's a great way for all of you to explore why local business is worth your time.

Though our name bares the nationally recognized Ace Hardware, we are and always have been a locally owned store. For nearly 90 years, the Anderson family has conducted business here in Davis. Today, an Anderson (Jennifer) is still running the business. What does this mean for you?

Any local business is better able to stock their store or restaurant with what fits in Davis, not what fits in some town 2,000 miles away. If we loose you, we loose our livelihoods. We're not here to hop from business to business. This is our business. Thus, we're going to listen to your concerns, serve your specific needs and do whatever it takes to finish your project, furnish your kitchen or plant that perfect garden.

Beyond Davis Ace are the fantastic offerings of all of Downtown Davis. Unique & delicious menus, people happy to come to work and items you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

To see a list of all businesses participating, visit http://www.davisdowntown.com

To download our special coupon, visit: http://davisace.com/pages/specials.cgi?spccatid=&spcid=36

Happy Shopping!

Pruning How-To Clinic this Saturday, January 22 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

2011-01-19T16:00:00.000-08:00

Orris Gibson, Davis Ace Hardware's very own gardening know-all, will teach how to prune rose bushes and fruit trees for beauty and maximum production. There is no cost and no RSVP. Just show up and soak up the knowledge!
To hold you over, a little preview of the good tips you'll be receiving this Saturday:

1. Always chop at a 45 degree angle
2. Careful with your first pruning of the season - never below the second leaf axil.
3. Prune the center! Overgrown centers lead to fungus. Gross.
4. All old leaves must go!
5. You can seal cuts with clear nail polish or glue.

To learn more and bloom all season, stop by and hang out with Orris this Saturday(1/22)!

Thanks to generous Davis Ace customers

2011-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

Very exciting news for any blog readers:

Our customers helped us raise over $4,700 for UC Davis Children's Hospital through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals!

Big thanks to anyone who donated!

To learn more about what Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals does and where your money went after the paper balloon, visit www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org. Their Youtube channel is full of heartwarming stories and the website has some great info.

Davis Ace celebrates National Bird Day

2011-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Did you know today is National Bird Day?

With all the odd bird activity happening across the United States and world (or maybe just over-hyped bird activity for all you naysayers!), it seems as if now is a great time to appreciate and assist our local bird population.

Wondering what species are around here and how you can beautify your backyard with their presence?

Hummingbirds, found year-round and all over our area, are very easy to attract. All it takes a hummingbird feeder filled with nectar or sugar water. Why attract these crazy-cool birds? They lay the smallest egg of all bird species, they feed every ten minutes and their hovering is fun to observe.

Finches love black thistle seed, so long as it's dry. They also like dandelions and coreopsis. Their singing is most enjoyable and so are their variety of colors. It's life expectancy is four to seven years, but can reach up to 20 years old!

Magpies are very unique to our area. The Yellow-Billed Magpie can only be found in Northern California. Very distinct, their nests are so large they are sometimes mistaken for vulture nests. They are also easy to feed, as they'll eat most anything. Wild bird seed will do just the trick for them if found in your feeder.

Facts gathered from thebirdersreport.com and our resident bird expert, AJ.

So celebrate bird day - whether it's setting out a feeder or making an origami crane - appreciate what birds do for our environment and how attractive they make our world!

To learn more about Bird Day, visit http://www.nationalbirdday.com/

Davis Ace's solutions to your resolutions

2010-12-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

We love our customers. Some of them make us laugh, some make us feel warm & fuzzy, others just plain brighten up our day. We definitely hope all of you start out your new year healthy and happy – but we also hope you sustain it the whole year.

Sticking to our motto, we want to be your helpful place, especially with making this year worth your while. Thus, we came up with a few common resolutions you might have and ways we can help!
1. Avoid miserable circumstances

While Davis Ace can’t cure the flu or a cold for you, we can make it a little more livable with these amusing humidifiers made by Crane. Plus, the animal shapes add as much fun as you can add to being sick.

2. Quit wasting so much money on simple plumbing/home improvement projects

How many people call a plumber to fix the toilet or unclog the drain? Instead, why not come in and talk to a Davis Ace associate? These people are really knowledgeable on basic home improvement projects. Heck, some of our associates in our lumberyard helped build catapults a few months ago!

3. Breathe life back into your winter

Nothing brings a little light into these rainy months like a green indoor plant. Our garden center has a very nice selection, as well as some helpful people to show you how to maintain them.

4. Relax

It’s go, go, go for a lot of you – give yourself a break. With relaxing bath accessories, candles – and these really cool wellness mats, you can make every task a little more enjoyable.

It looks like a boring old rug - it's not. Made by WellnessMats, cushioned, designed to make standing comfortable. Test it out near our housewares register. We want one in our kitchen!

5. Get organized

Whether it’s boxing up things you don’t use, sorting kitchen items or cleaning up the office – our housewares building has all sorts of bins, containers and little tools made just for organizing. A clean place is a happy place, right?

Hope you readers have a wonderful last few days of 2010 and an even better 2011!

Happy and successful baking wishes from Davis Ace

2010-12-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

So, you've decided to make the best pie ever created for Christmas.

Obviously, you'll succeed with this goal because you, Davis Ace customer, are a phenomenal baker. You've probably already got that winning recipe and a full table of people prepared to devour.

How about taking it to the next level and really winning something for that out-of-this-world creation?

Emile Henry is currently sponsoring a contest titled "How Pretty is Your Pie?". You can check out the rules for the contest here: http://www.emilehenryusa.com/recipe/Contest-Rules.html.

Happy baking and holidays from us here at the store!

Just a little disclaimer: We, Davis Ace Hardware, have nothing to do with this contest. Purchasing anything from our store will have no direct effect on your chances of winning. We just thought it sounded like a yummy contest and wanted to share!

What we're thinking about

2010-12-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

The holidays are stressful - everyone knows this. Especially in retail, it's a real job to keep things stocked, please customers and make things as easy as possible for everyone. Lucky for us, we're always focused on creating community and positive energy in our store. This year, a few extra activities are helping generate that positive flow of business.

First is our involvement with Lights for Life. Some Ace Hardware co-op stores collaborated with this organization last year and were able to raise over $14,000 for the organization. This year, Ace hopes to up their donation by 50% and we're assisting in getting to that mark.

How do we get there? Super simple! All the organization asks is for old, broken or unwanted string lights. After you dump them off here in our housewares or hardware building, we ship them to the nonprofit's headquarters in Colorado where the lights are sold to a recycling center for the PVC and copper. The profits from these sales go directly to families of children with cancer.

The second exciting thing happening in our store is the Children's Miracle Network. This is an annual fundraiser we take part in. We're excited by the strong response this year - already over $1700 raised and are anxious to see what more we can contribute. Davis Ace will be matching contributions up to $3000 and we're hoping to make that maximum contribution.

We've been so overwhelmed with the generous spirit of our customers this season and are constantly reminded of why we do what we do - to be a part of this amazing community!

Happy holidays from us here at Davis Ace Hardware - and happy giving, too.

10 Gizmos and Gadgets = Super Stocking Stuffers!

2009-12-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite holiday traditions is the Christmas stocking. I remember my very first stocking, crafted by the loving hands of my mother. Every year, as I place it on the mantle, I am filled with cherished memories.

However, my children are not quite old enough to be nostalgic. They say the best part of hanging their stockings is the cool gifts they find inside.

I know many families, like mine, enjoy the “sport” of finding great gadgets and gizmos to stuff in their Christmas stockings. So to help you, I asked my sales staff in the Ace Housewares building for their super stocking stuffer ideas. Come by Davis Ace and let us gift wrap these gadgets for you free of charge!

Kitchen Timers-“Available in animal shapes and garlic, lemon or tomato, they bring fun into every kitchen.” Julia

Rabbit Wine Bottle Stoppers-“These colorful, rubber wine stoppers come two in a box, so you can double your giving with a single purchase!” Marlene

Onion Saver-“These come in white, yellow or purple and look just like an onion. A much better way to store onions than a plastic baggie.” Gretchen

Bag Cap-“Such a handy gizmo. It turns every bag into a reusable container. Love that!” Tootie

Microplane Grater-“As a personal chef, this is one of my favorite gadgets and is a must for every kitchen! I love to grate hard cheeses over my pasta or add a citrus zest to my recipes. Also, use it for garlic, ginger, chocolate…the uses are endless!” Judi

BBQ/Fireplace Lighters-“These are not those boring, plain lighters. They’re available in many shapes to suit any hobby…cue stick, fishing pole, golf club, hunting rifle, and more!” Daniel

Mobile Phone Charging Shelf-“Aren’t you always looking for a place to charge your phone besides the floor? Everyone needs one of these. Great colors and made in the USA.” Miguel

Cookie Scoop-“A great stocking stuffer since it has so many uses. Not only is it perfect for cookie dough, but for melons, ice cream and meatballs too!” Denise

Firewire Flexible Grilling Skewer-“This flexible 100% stainless steel cable makes marinating and grilling easy. It holds twice as much as a regular skewer and clean up is a snap because it is dishwasher safe.” Kyle

Epicurean Large Turner-“Manufactured from eco-friendly fiber in the USA, this turner is also dishwasher safe and heat resistant to 350 degrees. As a certified chef, I highly recommend this product!” Brian

A Chocolate Lump of Coal-“Put a piece of this coal in everyone’s stocking. They’ll be glad you did.” Laura

Jennifer Anderson is president of Davis Ace. Her grandfather, Gordon Anderson, started a mercantile business in 1906, which marked the humble beginnings of Davis Ace Hardware.
Reach her at info@davisace.com

Red, White & Blue are this Year's Holiday Colors

2009-12-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

December 9, 2009
Are you looking for something that is red, white and blue with a side of stars and stripes this holiday season? At this point you may be thinking, “Jennifer is confused. It’s Christmas not the Fourth Of July!”
I can assure you that I know it is December 9th. I also know, that just like you, I am feeling a bit of
stress trying to find those elusive, final gifts.

Therefore, I want to spend this week’s column discussing some perfect gifts that are Made in the USA. I have spoken to many shoppers who want to support our domestic economy and workers, yet lament the lack of products that they can find are manufactured in America. When these folks come into Davis Ace, I am proud to show them the diverse assortment that we have. Some examples are:

#1 Vic Firth Gourmet Rolling Pins
All of the wood and materials come from America and are assembled in the company’s Newport,
Maine facility. Vic Firth, CEO, says it is American manufacturing at its finest.

#2 USA Bakeware Pans
These high quality cake pans and cookie sheets are made of commercial grade heavy duty aluminized
steel. It is cut, shaped and manufactured in the USA. Each pan’s corrugated surface allows heat to circulate and the nonstick silicone coating eliminates the need for oil or parchment paper.

#3 Plasticware by Preserve
These fun, colorful mixing bowls, colanders and cutting boards are made in America from 100% recycled
plastic. Available in green, red and white, they are perfect holiday colors.

#4 Epicurean Cooking Utensils and Cutting Boards
These items are manufactured in the USA from American-made materials. Even the trees used to make the eco-friendly fiber are harvested from certified, managed forests in North America. You will love the way they look and feel!

#5 Chef Marcus Samuelsson Cookware by Regal Ware
This beautiful, satin-finish cookware has superior heat conductivity and cooking performance because of the tri-ply construction. It is professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core. It can be used on any cooking surface and is dishwasher safe.

#6 Root Candles
Since 1869, the Root family of Medina, Ohio has laid claim to “making the best candles in America.”
Each candle is handcrafted using the latest in manufacturing technology. Enjoy their subtle fragrances
and sophisticated color palettes.

Jennifer Anderson is president of Davis Ace. Her grandfather, Gordon Anderson, started a merchantile business in 1906, which marked the humble beginnings of Davis Ace Hardware.
Reach her at info@davisace.com.

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

2009-12-14T15:38:00.000-08:00

December 2, 2009

With the recent focus on encouraging everyone to “go green” in order to reduce our carbon footprint and global warming, I want to use this week’s column to share my top Five Green Gift Ideas. By “giving green” you will have two reasons to celebrate this holiday season. Not only will the person on your list thank you for such a wonderful present, but our planet Earth will thank you too! If each of us does our part to inspire one more person to become green, we really will bring Joy to the World.

#1 Stainless Steel Bottles by Ecousable
These stainless steel bottles are great for the planet. Use them over and over instead of those plastic water bottles that go into our landfills after only one use! They come in many colors such as pink, silver, yellow and green and make a great gift for men, women and kids.

#2 Bambooware by Joyce Chen
Bamboo is a renewable resource as it can grow nearly four feet per day. Joyce Chen has an extensive line of bamboo cooking utensils including spoons, spatulas, tongs and cutting boards which make thoughtful gifts for your favorite chef!

#3 Compost Keeper by Norpro
These ceramic countertop crocks are ideal for collecting food scraps. Their high gloss finish will look great in any kitchen and the activated carbon filter in the lid traps food odor. You will feel good feeding your garden and not the landfill. They come in a variety of colors and are perfect for anyone!

#4 Organic Kitchen Towels by John Ritzenthaler Co.
These are made from 100% organic cotton which is grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. They are available in earth tones and are very soft making them excellent stocking stuffers!

#5 Stuff N’ Go Bags by Blue Avocado
These collapsible, reusable grocery bags are so much better than canvas tote bags because they fold inside one another to take up virtually no space! You can tuck them into your purse or backpack and when you need them they expand to full size. These bags are stylish (cute colors and patterns) and functional (expandable mesh and insulated versions available). You will never have to answer the question, “Paper or Plastic?” again!

Jennifer Anderson is president of Davis Ace Hardware. Her grandfather, Gordon Anderson, started a mercantile business in 1906 which marked the humble beginnings of Davis Ace. Reach her at info@davisace.com.

I Give Thanks for Being Part of the Davis Community

2009-12-14T15:34:00.000-08:00

November 24, 2009.

As I plan my family’s Thanksgiving meal, I reflect on what I am most grateful for. At the top of the list is being part of the Davis community. I am proud that my family has owned and operated Davis Ace for over 100 years and that in some small way this store has helped thousands of families, celebrate their holidays, move their children into their college dorm rooms, and create beautiful gardens. I am proud that this store has given back to the Davis community through its support of so many local charities over the years, such as The Davis Blue and White Foundation, Davis Rotary, STEAC, Davis Schools Foundation, and the Davis Art Center.

I am thankful that Davis Ace is located in the heart of downtown and that we have four buildings enabling us to offer the products that Davis citizens need for home and garden improvements. To enhance the interior of your home we offer fireplace inserts and tools, cookware, bakeware, kitchen gadgets, small appliances, canning supplies and more. For your garden we offer plants, rakes, sprinklers, hoses, gravel, top soil and many other items. For your home improvements we have full paint, plumbing, electrical and hardware departments as well as automotive and bicycle supplies. We continually add new products to our inventory which allows us to keep up with the challenging needs of Davis shoppers.

I am thankful that our store is small enough to provide service to each customer, yet large enough to offer a wide variety of products. Where else in Davis can you find a $20 coffeemaker next to a $100 model and a qualified sales person to explain the difference?

To show my gratitude to the Davis community, I will be writing a series of articles that will give you ideas for gift giving, cooking and decorating which will help you survive, simplify and enjoy your holiday season. It is just one more way Davis Ace can give back to the community!

So thank you for letting Davis Ace be a part of your lives for the past 100 years and I look forward to the next 100!

Jennifer Anderson is a third generation Davisite and president of Davis Ace Hardware. Her grandfather, Gordon Anderson, started a mercantile business in 1906 when he arrived in Davis which started the humble beginnings of Davis Ace. Reach her at info@davisace.com