News, Photos and a Holiday Season recap

 

Greetings again!

We just wanted to take time today to check in with everyone and give you all a quick update on what Ice Now has been up to.

The holidays were a busy time for us this year. One of our biggest changes in 2014 was that it marked the VERY FIRST year that we offered snow in the city of Las Vegas.

This launch was HUGE for us and required new strategies as we always have a manager on site to oversee the snow production and trouble-shoot as necessary.

These types of events are different each and every time we do them. Most obstacles we can pinpoint ahead of time, and some pop up unexpectedly no matter how much planning is done beforehand. This is exactly why we always do a site visit (which is free) before the day of the event.

And while we can’t say that every event went off without a hitch, we can say that every customer we had a contract with received the snow they ordered on time. That is something to be proud of.

We had so many opportunities through our new Las Vegas division. We delivered snow everywhere from private events to paid public sledding, small 10 ton deliveries to 40+ tons of snow, and from North Las Vegas to Henderson.

There are two things we can say from our experiences. First, Las Vegas loves to have a good time. And second, we look forward to providing snow into the New Year and then coming back to do it all again.

*Note: While Ice Now produces snow year-round, the busy season is in the colder months*

Thank you for following us into the New Year. Follow and see the surprises we have in store!

When a little isn't good enough: How much snow does your party need?

Welcome to our latest post for Man-made snow. We have already covered the Snow Event topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party, and How Churches and Schools Benefit from Snow.

This is the final addition in the series so if you haven’t read the previous posts, I encourage you to take a look.

Then be sure to jump back here and find out How Much Snow it Takes to pull off your next event.

 

“Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.”

-Bill Watterson

Children in cold country spend their time hoping for a good snowfall. For snow they will sink in. Snow that packs well. Enough to cover their favorite sledding hill.

In Phoenix and Las Vegas however, we help nature out a little bit. Children don’t spend the winter with noses pressed to chilled windows in hopes that a storm will form. Instead, parents pick out the location and depth of the snow they want to appear bright and early the next morning.

Because we can make whatever they order.

Every fairy-tale themed birthday party… Every White Christmas holiday gathering… Each ‘snow day’ festivity… We make it happen.

Which leaves the question… how much snow do you need?

Is more snow always better?

The hardest decision our customers have to make is HOW MUCH SNOW TO ORDER. We spend countless phone calls and emails counseling customers about how each ton covers approximately 200 square feet of yard space for minimum snow depth.

But sometimes, no matter how much explaining we do, the struggle continues. We watch the internal debate go back and forth, balancing budget versus the “bigger is better” theory.

And while we agree that bigger can definitely be better, we decided to share true life pictures to give everyone a better idea of what different quantities of snow look like.

It’s a great visual for indecision.

 

 

 

- A minimum for play areas is 5 tons of snow. It fits into most spaces and can handle a few children.

- 10 tons of snow begins to cover enough for a small sledding hill or a little bit larger play area.

- 20-40 tons of snow is typically ordered for large events with crowds of people.

Our main goal is happy customers. We can advise, but we can't tell YOU what will make YOUR vision come to life how you imagine.

And when you're ready to set the date in stone, give us a call.

 

That's a Wrap

This series may have come to a close, but next week we'll be back with the next series Frequently Asked Questions. Be sure not to miss a beat by SUBSCRIBING. Simply click the button on the right. We will send posts directly to your inbox.

Snow-tacular! How snow days help Church and School organizations succeed

 

 

Welcome to the fourth post in our latest series on Man-made snow. We have already covered the topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, and How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party. By now you should be nearly an expert at how to create a memorable day of snow play.

(If you missed those posts I highly recommend you jump back and take a look.)

Much of the previous information was for private home events. But did you know that organizations and businesses also benefit from hiring snow companies to produce snow scenes on site?

We actually use snow days to help church and school organizations succeed!

Schools and churches are focused on outreach, community, and building strong family bonds. We love to be a part of it.

Let’s get started on the subject of Churches and Schools and how we fit in with these institutions.

Say what??

As we discussed earlier, one of the key elements in creating an event is finding the right way to announce the important date.

To kick off this segment, here are a few humorous quotes taken directly from church bulletins. Please refrain from using the following ways to announce a day of snow at any church functions.

*Note* All wording is un-edited.

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to
love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the
congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship
that began in their school days.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement
on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a
blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 P.M . Please use the back door.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double
door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My
Pledge - Up Yours.

Obviously someone forgot to have their work checked for editing. The congregations may not mind, but I’m sure it left a number of people rather embarrassed.

But let’s back up for a moment and explain why churches, schools, and snow go hand-in-hand.

“Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.”

Church and school institutions mainly focus on education. But they also launch major events throughout the year for members who are involved with their organization or facility. This is where strategic planning takes a new turn. And requires a little help from the pros.

Here are ways these facilities plug snow events into their yearly needs.

·         Fundraising events: If you want people to come to a fundraising event, you have to feed them and entertain them. We provide the latter. Fundraisers also introduce young people to business and sales.

·         Holiday events: Fall festivals and Christmas holiday festivals fit easily with snow production. Church and school festivals need entertainment that is appropriate and fun for all ages—not always easy to find.

·         Anniversary celebrations: Sledding hills and play areas keep young people busy and entertained. At mile-marker celebrations, bigger is always better.

·         Thank you events: Snow parties are the new “pizza party.” Students work harder when the reward is greater. And it has been proven that the reward of an experience outweighs the reward of a “thing.”

·         Team building exercises: You may not have your own ropes course, but a snow company can create a “winter” course. You bring the challenges, we will do the groundwork.

·         School spirit assemblies: Pep assemblies are more exciting when you cover the football field in a layer of snow! It’s a quick way to boost team spirit and energy.

Snow company services aren’t just for private home entertainment. Snow breaks boundaries and brings a whole new meaning to the term “snow day.” Especially in areas that don’t experience typical snow cancellations.

It’s flexible, custom entertainment. Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.

Not like that, tell them like THIS

Are you ready for your church or school to get involved?

Before you start talking, let’s go back to our humorous bulletin bloopers. The examples above are a comical look at mishaps that turned announcements into humorous antidotes. Let’s edit them into perfection.

Here are some BETTER ways to announce a big day.

·         “Join the youth this Sunday night as we raise funds for the summer mission trip. Purchase tickets to our snow play area by calling…”

·         “Our holiday party this year will feature REAL SNOW. Invite friends and family to join us for a chilly night of celebration.”

·         “Help celebrate Fall with a snow-packed Fall Festival this year. Let’s reach out to the community and help them discover the love of God.”

These announcements are much easier to digest. And quite a bit more enticing, don’t you think?

Take my advice… call us for your next event and we will give you a few pointers on pulling of a smooth and successful day.

We can even share a few stories we’ve encountered along the way. We kind of do this “stuff” a lot ; )

 

Don’t forget to catch all our future posts by clicking the link to the right and SUBSCRIBING to our blog page. We appreciate all our loyal followers and strive to keep you informed and entertained.

When ice machines fail: Quick fix or emergency call?

 

A company is only as good as the reliability of their equipment. And for establishments that rely on offering cold drinks, one often overlooked machine is the ice maker.

If you’ve been in business for any length of time, then you know that ice machines are often unreliable. Especially in the hottest times of year.

Just like any equipment, ice machines need regular maintenance and have separate parts that can break. Have you ever noticed that the number of air conditioner repair companies you see out on the road is almost overwhelming during a heat wave? That’s because of the strain the heat takes on air conditioning units. They have to run all the time to keep your home cool when the temperature soars.

The same is true for ice machines. During high times in your service season, ice machines can be strained to keep up with ice production. They are constantly running to produce ice and running to keep the ice below freezing. And unfortunately, they give out just when you need them most.

That’s also why it’s vital to keep a reliable ice delivery company on hand in case of emergencies. Relationships with your support teams matter when you suddenly realize the ice you rely on has suddenly depleted.

What to look for

Do you know what to look for when your ice machine is in trouble? And more importantly, do you know what to do to check for a simple fix and when it’s time to shut it down and call for help?

Here are a few tips.

Signs your machine is in trouble are

• It doesn’t produce ice
• The temperature is above freezing
• Machine is leaking
• Ice tastes bad or is wrong color

Where’s the ice?

Often the first sign your ice machine is in trouble is the day it refuses to produce ice. Obviously this spells trouble for your home or business, especially when you have glasses to fill for the day.

Most likely, the failure of an ice machine is due to a mechanical malfunction. But before you pick up the phone, make sure the ice maker was not accidentally switched off. Next, check the water line running to the ice maker. Look for kinks or breaks.

If all the above fails, it’s time to check for a repair company, one with good references.

Temperature Rising

If your thermostat is reading above 10 degrees Fahrenheit, ice is going to melt. And that means you won’t have anything but a soppy refrigerator.

So what do you do?

First, check to make sure your machine is not in a de-frost cycle. If that isn’t the case, give the repairman a call and be sure to have a back-up source for ice that day.

Leaky Freezer

When your freezer leaks, check a few things before assuming it’s broken.

First, make sure the freezer is sitting level on the ground. Next, check the water supply tube for problems. Look specifically for cracks in the hose, a pinch in the feed, and a proper connection.

After checking these things off, it appears you will be replacing a part.

Bad Ice

Do you regularly look at and taste your ice? If not, you should.

Ice with a foul taste or off color is either a problem with the water you are using or with the cleanliness of the ice bin. It would make sense that the quality of your water will equal the quality of your ice. Input always equals output.

Freezers need to be cleaned regularly, preferably on a regular cleaning schedule. Freezers can grow layers of mold and mildew. Hair and other debris can also collect inside. (Not something you want to think about.)

Keep on running

As they say… even when the ice machine breaks, the show must go on. Well, maybe that’s not the exact saying but it definitely applies to the food and entertainment industries.

So in closing, let me ask you a question. After reading through possible scenarios: If your ice machine breaks, who would you call? It’s a question you will eventually have to answer. It’s better to know now than at say, 6pm on a Friday night. During Happy Hour. On a holiday weekend.

A history of refrigeration and ice: How 3 common men, weren't

PP Digital

 

We use it. We love it. But we think very little about surviving summertime without it.

The modern world can barely imagine survival without refrigeration and ice. Who of us in surviving generations can even imagine what it was like to use a cellar?

But something we think of as so “simple” actually isn’t so. It took decades of trial, error, and pure imagination to get machines like the refrigerator and the ice machine to hit mass production. And especially the help of three very common people who refused to be ordinary.

William Cullen

The basis for modern refrigeration is thanks to a demonstration given by William Cullen in 1756 at the University of Glasgow. He operated a medical practice and lectured on chemistry and physiology at the university.

Cullen had curiosity. And curiosity always leads to invention, although it wasn’t until much later that the next curious mind would take his steps in a new direction.

How did he move the gears of invention? The Professor used a pump to cause suction over a container that contained diethyl ether. As the ether was boiled, it absorbed heat and created a small amount of ice.

Impressive as it was, it was not yet useful to anyone.

Michael Faraday

Modern refrigerators took a step forward thanks to techniques presented by Michael Faraday. Faraday was able to change ammonia vapors into a liquid through compression. As it evaporated, the air was cooled.

But Faraday wasn’t a professor. He barely even had earned an education. In fact, at a very early age he apprenticed to bind and sell books. But greatness doesn’t take a back seat to opportunity, and Faraday’s opportunity came in the disguise of a simple trade. Surrounded by books, he spent much time reading through those he bound. He taught himself about all kinds of subjects and discovered a love for science and technology. Eventually, earning his own name in their pages.

Modern historians claim that Albert Einstein kept a photo of Faraday on his wall. And it’s undisputable that Faraday’s experiments had great influence on refrigeration, electrolysis, and electromagnetic induction. Not so common anymore, now is he?

Carlinde

An inventor named Carlinde from Switzerland was the first to make a machine that could actually refrigerate a food item—a drink in fact. In 1874 he found that Faraday’s process could be confined in order to chill his beer.

Who can say Switzerland doesn’t love beer?

The same process was used to later create the freezer which condenses liquid to -18 degrees.

And Then Came Ice

In America, refrigeration became essential for another reason. A condensing system was used by the physician named John Gorrie. He needed ice to keep the room cold where his yellow fever patients slept. In 1851 he patented the ice machine.

Also in the 1800’s, Alexander Twining and James Harrison patented ice making machines although is unclear if they had prior knowledge of Gorrie’s uses.

Andrew Huhl decided to make an ice machine in 1867 specifically for the Texas beef industry. Texas beef production was growing and orders were being shipped further than ever. In 1873, Columbus Iron Works received a contract on that patent and produced ice-makers to sell commercially. Eventually, interest in the company and process ended up in the hands of W.C. Bradley, Co.

Take Not for Granted

Now that you’ve followed along for a crash course in technological history, you’ll know who to thank for the summertime iced drinks you enjoy and the chilled fruit within easy access. In fact, refrigeration and ice is exactly what made it possible to have most of the foods in your refrigerator. Take a look at stickers in the local grocery store. They’ve likely travelled from California, Florida, and South America.

Yes. Tonight as you crack open the fridge, take a moment to thank Cullen, Faraday, and Carlinde for giving you the precious gifts of ice. And the grit to see their ideas through to the end.