* Mubarak's patronage system helped ensure his survival

* Local strongmen in rural areas key to network

* Patronage network now backs army chief Sisi

SHEBIN EL KOM, Egypt, Jan 29 (Reuters) - When an uprising toppled Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak, men like Ahmed Saif who helped run his vast patronage network melted away.

Three years later, Saif and other former members of Mubarak's party are back in action in the populous countryside, offering everything from refrigerators for newlyweds to welfare-like stipends to the poor in exchange for votes.

Their return casts fresh doubts about the stumbling political transition in the biggest Arab state.

Although Sisi is expected to win by a landslide, the backing these wealthy local kingpins are offering suggests he could entrench his rule much the same way Mubarak did.

The 2011 revolt was meant to rid the political landscape of operators like Saif, who served in parliament under Mubarak. His money and connections give him immense sway in rural Egypt, where people usually vote for whoever distributes jobs or funds.

Saif's door is always open for anyone in the Nile Delta town of Shebin El Kom, a collection of cinderblock apartment buildings on a tributary of the Nile that winds through the country's most productive farmland, north of Cairo.

"Sit down," he said, twirling prayer beads as he sipped tea in his parlour above his nationwide tour company and greeted two men who wanted money to repair their mosque.

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Our Membership Solutions

Dear New Frugal You,

I always do my best to keep the electric bill down in our home. I'm constantly turning off lights and appliances and reminding my family to do the same, yet our electric bill never seems to decrease. Am I missing something? Where does electricity waste happen normally in homes? Is there something more I can be doing? I've noticed a lot of cable companies are now providing services to manage energy usage in homes. Is this something worth looking into?

- Jaxon

Dear Jaxon,

Good question. For most of us the electric bill is one of the larger bills that we pay each month. So it's only natural that we'd want to reduce it if possible.

So let's look at your question three ways. First, how does your bill compare to the average. Second, what makes the average electric bill so high. And, finally, what can you do to reduce your bill.

We'll begin by learning a little about the typical electric bill. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) the average New Mexico home uses 656 kWh per month and spends $74.62. That's lower than the U.S. average energy consumption of 903 kWh and $107.28.

You don't say how high your bill is, but if it's concerning you, I'd have to assume it's above average. Of course, the difference could also be explained by an above average sized home.

FYI, the EIA published a short-term energy forecast that electric will increase modestly to about 12.3 cents per Kwh in 2014. So expect that your bill will increase a little in coming months.

Next, let's take a look at what devices consume the electricity we pay for. The EIA released a paper in 2013 that answers that question.

Excerpt from:
This is Why Your Electric Bill is So High

Houston, TX (PRWEB) January 25, 2014

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Just as a floor refinisher removes a layer of wood to reveal the beauty underneath, the stone restoration process removes the damaged layer of stones. Surface areas that are damaged are carefully removed to ensure that chipped areas are smoothed and stains are eliminated. Once the damage is treated, an acid wash is used to open the pores of the stone and prepare it for the next step.

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About Texas Stone Sealers is a professional company offering a range of services for existing natural stone services. They can seal stones for protection around saltwater pools and protect brick driveways from other stains. In addition to sealants for new surfaces, they offer restoration services for existing patios and floors. More information can be found by calling the company at 888-275-5354.

The rest is here:
Texas Stone Sealers Announce New Stone Restoration Services

Mobile Power Washing Services in Dublin

By: Gregory O Brien

Continued here:
Mobile Power Washing Services in Dublin - Video

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Peter Walsh Thursday, January 23, 2014 9:46 AM

The A140 in Suffolk was closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am yesterday.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

More here:
Video: Traffic chaos after A140 lorry crash closes road for more than eight hours

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Peter Walsh Thursday, January 23, 2014 9:46 AM

The A140 in Suffolk was closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am yesterday.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

More here:
Traffic chaos after A140 lorry crash closes road for more than eight hours

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Ross Bentley and Matt Hunter Wednesday, January 22, 2014 10:03 PM

The A140 has been closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

More here:
Video: Police warn of road closure on the A140 near Stonham after lorry driver is trapped in vehicle by fallen ...

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Ross Bentley and Matt Hunter Wednesday, January 22, 2014 10:03 PM

The A140 has been closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

See original here:
Video: Reports of travel “chaos” as A140 closes after lorry hits telegraph pole

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Ross Bentley and Matt Hunter Wednesday, January 22, 2014 10:03 PM

The A140 has been closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

View original post here:
Update: Police warn of road closure on the A140 near Stonham after lorry driver is trapped in vehicle by fallen ...

A lorry overturned on the A140 near Little Stonham and took down overhead cables.The lorry was carrying tuna and washing up liquid.

Ross Bentley and Matt Hunter Wednesday, January 22, 2014 10:03 PM

The A140 has been closed for more than eight hours after a lorry overturned when it hit a telegraph pole.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The lorry driver was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour and a half because the electricity wires were draped across it.

Police were called to the incident near the Stonham junction shortly before 10.40am.

A large curtain-sided, articulated lorry carrying washing-up liquid and tuna cans was on its side in the field next to the road. It had smashed through the telegraph pole which was also lying in the field.

The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was not seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance when eventually freed. He is believed to have suffered a broken nose and a hand injury and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A total of 376 homes were initially left without electricity after the incident. Staff from UK Power Networks removed the cables from the lorry and have restored services to 366 household so far.

Police warned that the whole road would have to close from about 3pm as they recover the lorry.

More here:
Video: Reports of travel “chaos” as A140 is still closed after lorry hits telegraph pole