Mantle clocks are mantel clocks.  Did I just say that?  Or did you just wonder what you read?  The two spellings of the same word, mantle and mantel, are used almost interchangeably nowadays.  As I write this blog post, I am looking up how many times mantle clocks and mantel clocks each show up?  Honest, I haven’t looked before, but let’s find out together.

OK.  Done.  Mantle clocks yields about 739,000 results in a Google search.  And mantel clocks?  Only 278,000 Google search results.  I am really shocked, I must say!  I have always thought mantel clocks was the “American” spelling and mantle clocks was the European spelling.  Apparently but not necessarily so.

Let’s move on to the dictionary definitions of mantle clocks and mantel clocks, and see if we glean any horological spelling insights, or clock terminology country of origin insights.  I will now check the Random House dictionary online.  I left my horological dictionary at home — just kidding, don’t have such a clocks dictionary …. not sure if I’ve ever even seen one before, and I’ve seen more clocks books of all types than I care to mention.  Anyhow, on to the dictionary definitions of mantle clocks and mantel clocks.  Ladies and Gentleman, place your clocks bets!

Well this is interesting and not very conclusive.  Looking at the origins of the 2 terms:

No matter what type of clocks you are looking for, you likely will be able to find them at 1-800-4clocks.com.  All types of both new and antique clocks are being offered, including grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, wall clocks and atomic clocks.  We always attempt to offer both the greatest selections and savings on all the clocks we sell, while at the same time offering the best service service and being a helpful source on the internet for both those doing shopping and looking for the best clocks on sale and discounts grandfather clocks etc., as well as educating customers prior to the sale with the information to the range of clocks options and as much as possible answering sales questions ahead of time, through resources such as our Clocks Blogs, as well as expert resources available when customer inquire about specific or even general sales questions when they are actually contemplating a clocks purchase.

We also offer custom clocks and customized clocks for special needs such as those clock needs for hospital, such as hospital wall clocks, universities and colleges, where a uniform look and accuracy are desired within building and classrooms and offices and patient rooms, etc., and between building and facilities.  Facilities managers and purchasing directors are among our most loyal customers, and this is as true for corporations large and small as well.

Atomic clocks have taken on a special place in the hearts and minds of those purchasing clocks, looking both for wall clocks accuracy and wall clocks each of maintenance in general and during time changes, such as Daylight Savings Time.   Atomic Clocks were sometimes known and frequently referred to as Radio Controlled Clocks, a term which is essentially synonymous with atomic clocks.

Global atomic clocks are a newer kind, reading signals from different atomic clocks around the world.  The USA and Canada are essentially covered regarding data transmission by the well-known Atomic Clock in Fort Collins Colorado.  Picking up the signal can sometimes be an art, and we get many pre-sales questions regarding this aspect of atomic clocks accuracy.  We plan to start to offer global atomic clocks within the next 6 months.  Watches and wristwatches, e.g. those made by Casio, have had computer systems built in which essentially adjust for time differences if you “tell” your watch what zone you are in.  Whether we will be carrying global atomic clocks that act in that way, or those that actually pick up atomic signals from other parts of the world when one is traveling there, remains to be seen.

Manufacturers of some of the best wall clocks and mantle clocks  include Howard Miller, Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Seth Thomas Clocks, Lacrosse and Infinity Clocks, and clocks we have carried on and off including Rhythm clocks and Oregon Scientific Clocks.  While not directly relevant, we also currently carry E. Howard  watches which are atomic in gold and silver cases.

Please read our Blog Postings, especially here at Clocks Clog, to learn the most you can about antique and new wall clocks, mantle clocks, grandfather clocks, atomic clocks and mantel clock alternatives.  Custom clocks are our specialty.

See anything timepieces elsewhere that you don’t want but don’t see on our website, then please email or call us at 1-800-4CLOCKS, and we will see if we can help!

Wall clocks in hospitals large and small, as well as in colleges and universities, along with all major businesses, have a continuing need for wall clocks.  It can be especially important to have clocks that keep good time and do not break down, so that hospital workers and office individuals are not disagreeing about whether the quitting time has actually arrived or not.

Even hospital purchasing organizations, procurement divisions of government, businesses and other organizations are always seeking to maintain and improve the systems in place to track time, and wall clocks, not surprisingly, are the clock of choice.

When it comes to accuracy, radio controlled or atomic clocks have gained much favor and general acceptance by major institutions.  Many purchase just a few to test them out to ensure they will work well for them.  There is also a technology known as an Autoset or Auto Set clock which is generally not an atomic, but does automatically move forward an hour and back an hour on the appropriate days for changes in daylight savings time.

There are a tremendous variety of clocks to choose from.  Even within the atomic wall clock category, there are atomic analog wall clocks, atomic digital wall clocks, clocks which may show the date, the day of the week, and even the temperature in the room.  The atomic analog clocks come in wood finishes, as well as hard plastic and glass.  The size of the digits in digital atomic wall clocks generally vary from 1-2 inches, and the size of atomic analog wall clocks are generally about 10 inches to 16 inches in diameter, with 12 inches being by far the most popular models offered and sold.

The most popular makers of atomic wall clocks include Howard Miller Clocks, LaCrosse Clocks, ITC Clocks and Infinity Clocks.  The Howard Miller Wall Clocks are especially popular, and all are good sellers.  We can also customize many of the wall clocks with logos or in other ways that customers desire.

Additional clocks which are not atomic clocks open up a wide range of styles and choices, including oversize and gallery wall clocks, contemporary wall clocks, many traditional wall clock styles, some designer wall clocks, and still a choice of analog vs. digital wall clocks.  Wall clocks by Howard Miller, Seth Thomas Wall Clocks, Infinity Instruments wall clocks, La Crosse Wall Clocks, Hermle Wall Clocks and the Ridge wall Clock and Bulova Wall Clocks Collections offer many many choices to wall clock shoppers and those seeking wall clocks discounts.

We cater especially to institutions who are looking for custom wall clocks or other forms of personalized wall clock design or unique implementation.  Promotional wall clocks, and clocks as awards or gifts for executives are also a specialty, but tend to generally be more used with mantle clocks, with custom Movado Clocks being especially popular, whether a crystal Movado clock or a more traditional corporate clock look.

Call us for all your volume custom wall clock needs and options.

When is a brand not a brand?  When it is words in another language translated because they both sound and look good!  This is the case of the so-called branded Tempus Fugit Grandfather Clocks.  Tempus Fugit is Latin for the words “time flies”.  Because of that, everybody and their brother whom manufactures grandfather clocks, or who has made grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, tall case clocks or longcase clocks over the last 200+ years has had many of them wearing the Tempus Fugit name prominently displayed on these antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks.  Even many pocket watches say Tempus Fugit on them!

At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we get at least one call a day from individuals wanting to know what their “Tempus Fugit” branded grandfather clocks are worth, and when they were made.  Guess what — just about all the major clock brands, from Howard Miller Clocks to Seth Thomas Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, and many more have made models bearing that Latin phrase, and it is absolutely irrelevant in determining the value of a grandfather clock.

Before Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, and Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and Seth Thomas and Hermle Grandfather Clocks, there were many tens of thousand of great makers around the world making clocks some of which no doubt sported the Time Flies saying in Latin.

Even many mantle clocks and wall clocks also have the Tempus Fugit saying on them.

In a previous post we stated, not to be anti-social but rather to save everyone some time, to please not call us if you are looking for grandfather clock parts or mantel clock parts or wall clock parts because we do NOT carry them.  Well, by the same logic, and not to sound anti-clock or unhelpful, please do NOT call us asking about the value of your Tempus Fugit grandfather clock.

It’s about as valuable in appraising a clock as E Pluribis Unum is in telling you what your coin or dollar bill is worth.

May Father Time be with you!

No thank you, we do not carry parts for grandfather clocks. Or wall clocks parts, or parts for mantle clocks, or even mantel clocks, nor atomic clocks nor parts for cuckoo clocks. And we do not sell movements for grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantle clocks, atomic clocks, or pretty much any clock or watch or pocket watch.

So why do we get so many visits and calls and emails from prospective customers looking for grandfather clock parts.   Not to be rude, BUT PLEASE DO NOT CALL US FOR GRANDFATHER CLOCK PARTS! OR ANY WALL CLOCK PARTS, OR MANTLE CLOCKS PARTS, OR CUCKOO CLOCK PARTS — well, you probably get the idea…

You might be interested in the grandfather clock parts resource we supplied in one of our posts to our very own grandfather clocks blog and is repeated here for your use and convenience.

We would suggest the following 3 resources:

1. Look on this page on our website to see if you can find an answer to your question(s): just click on -> http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/page/CLOCKS/ClockFAQ
2. You can locate a Howard Miller Authorized Service Center local to you here -> http://cql.howardmiller.com/HM/ServiceCenterLocator.aspx. NOTE that all mechanical Howard Miller clocks had Hermle movements in them until about 5 years ago, and that most any if not all of these Service Centers should be able to work on any Hermle Clock. This Service Center Network is a great resource, and we have had an excellent experiences working with Service Centers around the Country (and also Canada) using this Service Center Network. Probably at least half of these Service Centers can work on antique clocks too, as well as other Brands of Clocks!!!!
3. You can order Hermle (and other) Parts (e.g. movements, weights, pendulum, keys, etc.) from the following 2 suppliers -> www.BlackForestImports.com and www.Merritts.com. While we have no relationship to them whatsoever, we personally have had good results working with them ourselves. Their contact information is available on each of the noted websites. We would most definitely recommend calling them rather than attempting to order from their websites (which would likely be a fruitless effort).

Please pay special attention to the Howard Miller Authorized Service Center Directory, which is search-able by zip code.  It can even come in incredibly handy if you are moving a grandfather clock from one part of the country to another.  Just simply find and hire the best available packing grandfather clocks  shipping (who should also have knowledge about the shipping companies and access to the best rates, if you are not transporting the clock yourself.  Then you can hire a local Howard Miller or Ridgeway Authorized Service Technician on the delivery end to unpack and set-up the grandfather clock in its new home.  It is not at all uncommon that even with the best packing, and reasonable handling, a grandfather clock may require adjustment upon delivery by a qualified technician.

For repairs or transportation of grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantle clocks, atomic clocks and more, IF YOU ARE IN THE New York tri-state region, feel free to contact us.  If you live elsewhere, you will save yourself some time by following the advice above, and get your parts elsewhere in almost all cases.

When thinking about a perfect wedding present, and finding the ideal gift, especially to give to the bride and the groom, a grandfather clock has become a favorite for parents and parents-in-law to give the to the Bride and Groom to be.  It is, or certainly can be, a timely present that will be a gift with heirloom quality and amazing appreciation on the part of gift recipients.

We have also seen an increasing trend toward giving grandfather clocks as special anniversary presents by one loved one to another.  Or to a parent or parents, or group of siblings, to especially appreciated offspring who have the means to pay for such a gift.   A special promotion, a present for a special birthday, and many other occasions for celebration can be great excuses to give clocks.  And it is not only grandfather clocks.  Wall Clocks, Atomic Clocks, Mantel Clocks, and others, including antique clocks, make great gifts — even for members of the wedding party, including the Best Man and Matron of Honor or Maid of Honor.  And don’t forget gifts for the groomsmen!

The brands that are most popular include Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks,  Seth Thomas clocks, and especially Movado wall clocks and Movado mantel clocks, or mantle clocks, as gifts for groomsmen.  They all make great wall clocks, mantle clocks, gallery clocks, indoor-outdoor clocks, grandmother clocks, grandfather clocks, novelty clocks, and so much more.  The clocks can also be customized, and it can be especially cost-effective for larger order quantities.  We have customized logo and even promotional clocks for some of the largest corporations, hospitals, government organizations, non-profits or charitable organizations, universities, and many other organizations around the world.

Have you ever heard about a gasoline powered alarm clock?  What about gasoline powered grandfather clocks with the Energy Star seal of approval from the US Government.

Well, throughout history, as the saying goes, truth can be stranger than fiction.  Unbelievably, the USA Government’s Energy Department’s system for qualifying for the EnergyStar Seal of approval for many products, allowed approval for many products, including the gasoline powered alarm clock and other products, that well, did not actually even exist!  There was also an “air purifier” that was actually an electric space heater with a feather duster pasted on top that also received the right to use the Energy Star Seal of approval.

Congressional Auditors posting as several different companies submitted these and other bogus products to see how effective the vetting process for receiving the EnergyStar seal of approval really was.

In its defense, the program managers said that only preliminary steps were passed in many if not all of the cases, and that a required “human review” had not yet taken place.  That was the case for the gasoline powered alarm clock, among others, said the Agency.  We really wish someone had also submitted a fake diesel powered grandfather clocks application or a water powered wall clocks model.  Or perhaps antique grandfather clocks powered by history.

Watchdogs within the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, among others, have been somewhat cynical of the effectiveness of the program and how helpful it really is it identifying individual products that are truly energy efficient.  As we understand it, at least historically, some companies that qualified for this rating for one product were automatically therefore allowed to advertise the sign on other products that had never been submitted for any testing.

No doubt this program will from now on start to receive the attention and credibility that would greatly benefit consumers and businesses with lower costs and lower world dependence on depleting natural resources.

Very seriously, 1-800-4CLOCKS.com calls for Energy Standards to be considered and implemented by our government, and hopefully international agreement, that over time will be both uniform and help set forward thinking and planning goals that will help us all.  If you agree, please write to your Congressional representatives and President Obama.

As for the gasoline powered alarm clock, don’t hold your breath.  Or on second thought, if you do somehow get a gasoline powered alarm clock, holding your breath may in fact be the best course of action .

Well, it’s the Sunday in Spring after the 2am morning change where we switch from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time.  Most people remember the “Spring Forward Fall Back” mnemonic to help remember what to do when.  The writer of this Blog Post tried to go to bed an hour earlier last night to help ease into the time change of the loss of the hour’s sleep, or at least time, from our schedule as we move forward until next fall.  Just after winding all of our new and antique grandfather clocks.

The good news is that it will now be lighter, with natural sunshine across the USA, later in the day.  And theoretically at least, we as a country are supposed to use less energy as a result of the extra amount of sunshine, balanced with the mornings being naturally brighter as we move from Winter to Spring. Not sure this has ever been proven in any definitive study, but the basic theory is sound.

Over the years, the US Congress has switched the dates as to when Daylight Savings Time (DST) and Standard Tine (ST) start and stop.  Aside from being time and tempo aficionados, you may wonder how or why we are so keenly aware of this change when it is made by the Government?  Well, one reason is that we sell some clocks which have what is know as an Autoset mechanism.  What this feature does, is automatically move the time forward one hour during the spring at the designated day, and the time backwards one hour on the designated day in the winter.  Sounds straightforward!  Sounds great for our customers too!  But what happens when Congress decides to fiddle with the actual dates when these time changes take place.  Well, this happened just a couple of  years ago, and boy did that cause problems for our customers and us.  All of the sudden, their clocks were changing time forwards and backwards on the wrong days!!

For those customers with the forethought to contact us, we were able to either send replacement movements or completely new clocks which had the NEW correct time and hour and DATE coded into them as to when to make the time change.  Many clocks shoppers and customers, though, contacted us after the problem became apparent.  We were able to make all of the customers eventually satisfied by replacing their clocks with the appropriate movements or replacement wall clocks.   Most of these clocks are used in institutional organizations, such as hospitals clocks, schools clocks, or factory clocks, or corporate clocks throughout an organization.

Atomic wall clocks obviate the need for this potential problem and solutions, as they set their time EXACTLY according to the atomic time on the atomic clock in Fort Collins Colorado.  So it may take an individual clock a few hours to pick up the revised signal, but it is smart enough to make the change by itself for itself.  This is one big advantage of atomic clocks, aside from keeping absolutely incredibly accurate time.  The only downside to the atomic clock is that some may not be able to pick up the atomic signal, particularly if they are in buildings with very thick concrete walls.  This is occasionally as issue for our clocks shopping customers, and we always try to make clocks discount hunters aware of the potential downside when considering this kind of wall clocks.  Happily, in most instances, it’s not an issue or problem.

Now what about the Monday following the change in Daylight Savings Time.  As a clocks shop employee, where we sell many types of grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, antique clocks of all kinds, not to mention atomic clocks and Autoset Clocks, I personally dread those Monday mornings?  Why, you might ask?  Well, the reason is that most calls on Monday begin with How do I change the time on my grandfather clock, wall clocks, mantle clocks or whatever clock, new or antique.  This is true regardless whether the brand is Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Kieninger Clocks selection, or Bulova clocks,  Antique clocks too — and an antique grandfather clcok wik have special considerations regarding what NOT to do to change the time that will not apply with a newer Howard Miller grandfather clock or one of the Ridgeway or Hermle grandfather clocks.

Maybe I will take tomorrow off  .  But nope, I love clocks of all kinds, and like-love most all of the clocks shoppers, whether they are always looking for discount grandfather clocks or grandfather clocks on sale.

What was that clocks vow I took — “for better or worse”,  “in sickness and in health, including changes in Daylight Savings Time”.

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com will be open tomorrow to help all of our past and present grandfather, wall, mantle, autoset, atomic, mantel, and antique clocks shoppers.

p.s. be sure not to not forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  The semi-annual changes in time with DST are a great time to do that.  Also, you may want to look at how many years old your smoke detectors are, and whether it is time to invest in new ones which will both (hopefully) definitely work and have the latest in technology.  It could just save the lives of you and your loved ones!

As we ring in 2010, we thought we might look forward in time by looking backwards.  Sound strange?  Well, here is the thinking.  If we know what are the top 10 Features that people most want in their grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, wall clocks, etc., it will help us all to offer clocks to better meed the clocks sale needs of customers everywhere.

Here is our guess at a Top 10 clocks features list.  We would love input and look forward to sharing it over time.

1.  Clocks on sale or clocks discount.   Sorry, but had to get this one out of the way, even though it may not technically be a clocks feature.  We know it’s top of mind of most consumers shopping for discount grandfather clocks and other clocks, so we thought we would get it out of the way (and remember our Low Price Guarantee!).

2. Atomic time.  Atomic clocks, formerly and still also known as radio controlled clocks, are an incredible innovation in timekeeping accuracy.  Gone are the days when workers argue about when the 5pm quitting time really begins, and gone are the days of hospital workers who may have to note the time of death (sorry on such a cheery subject, but a reality, and a good example) with no issue of accuracy.

3. Automatic night time shut-off on grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, and wall clocks.  Customers who purchase clocks with this feature have the HUGE advantage of having their clock shut off its chime automatically every night at, say, 10pm, and start up again the next morning at, say 7am.  Some customers have commented on how helpful this feature can be if they have a clock in a room in which visitors sleep over.  They have the option of turning the chime off.  Others just love it because they think or fear the sound-chimes might bother them.  it really a personal choice, but it is a great one to have.

4. Illuminated Dials.  While not new in general, this feature is reasonably new to some high-end models of grandfather clocks, most notably some Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks.  Some have illuminated interiors as well.  The big advantage is one can see both the clock’s time, and the clock and dial, even when the light is out.  It is cool!  The only downside is that the clock needs to be near an electrical outlet.  But this is a reasonably new feature many people love.

5. Ave Maria and ode to Joy Chimes.  In very recent years, the high-end clock makers have introduced movements that many times in addition to the Westminster Chimes, offer one or both of the Beethoven ode to Joy and/or Schubert Ave Maria Chimes.  While the Westminster Chimes has been the overwhelming favorite for decades, even when customers have triple chime grandfather clocks, there are many many excited customers eager to also have one or both of their Ave Maria and Ode to Joy Chimes on their Clocks.  And these have been made available not only on quartz movement mantel clocks and wall clocks, but also on some grandfather clocks as well, such as the Howard Miller Clayton Grandfather Clock Model 610-950 (610950) .  We expect this feature with these chimes to be much more popular in the coming decade.

6. Customization of clocks, especially custom or customized atomic wall clocks.  We have seen an increasing desire on the part of businesses and other organization to have atomic clocks, which were addressed above, but with dials that are customized to their needs.  While this might seem simple, many clock manufacturers have stumbled in this area.  We have been able to address this issue with some special design approaches.  And customized atomic clocks for home and office and other organizations will only increase in popularity!

7. Contemporary grandfather clocks.  Many people, and we do not agree with this thought, but nonetheless, many people think of grandfather clocks as very traditional and perhaps out of date for today’s times.  We hear this at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com quite frequently.  Despite the fact that we think there is nothing more beautiful than a traditional or contemporary grandfather clock, and that it adds great home decor value and should be recognized as a treasured piece of furniture, some people are “turned on” only by the contemporary grandfather clocks.  We’ve had clocks of ours of a contemporary nature featured both in TeenVogue as well as on a National NBC Home Rescue show.  Contemporary is here to stay, and will open up many new avenues and new demand.

8.  PC or computer or iPhone or Cell Telephone Clocks.  To be writing about this subject and not recognize the reality that people are seeing the time in many more ways than they ever have before, whether it be on their Apple Mac or PC or iPhone or iPod or simply a basic cell phone (and we’ll mention Google’s Droid phone here too, because we like Google).  Gone are the days of Victorian England when Parliament had to legislate Public Clocks and Pub clocks so the masses would know what time it is.  We believe that the home decor and collectible value of clocks of all types will mean that they will be in homes and offices for many generations to come.  it’s interesting that very recent studies show that with so many sources for time, clocks and watches still receive 90%+ of the views when an individual is seriously interested in knowing what time it is.

9. Clocks for Special Needs or Special Markets.  Technology is allowing clocks to be made which are leaps and bounds ahead in serving individuals with special requirements.  For those who are hard of hearing or have difficulty waking up in the morning, clocks are know available which will not only shake your bed, but they will also have varying forms of strobe lights, AND they have alarms that will knock your socks off, literally and figuratively.  For people who are vision impaired, the shaking and the piercing sounds can be an amazing blessing.  We plan to be carrying these types of clocks very soon.

10. Green clocks.  Would you believe that there is a clock on the market that literally runs on water.  And it’s an LED clock, not tied to a bucket.  We will right more about this amazing clock, and may soon carry it. And solar clocks are making headway in the market.  we expect to see a lot more.

So what do you think?  Will we soon have a solar powered atomic customizable grandfather clocks selection? Which features are most important?  What new ones should we be looking at?  PLEASE share your views with us so that we may serve you better!

1-800-4CLOCKS, which is based in New York City, is proud to have been a participant in making this Open House National NBC Television Show come to life.  The major contribution we made was the selection, donation, delivery and placement of one of the nicest contemporary grandfather clocks we sell, which is the Howard Miller Coco Grandfather Clocks Model  which can be seen just below:

Howard Miller Coco Grandfather Clock

Read all about it below and see where you can tune in locally in New York, as well as Nationally across the USA brought to you by NBC and LXTV.

‘OPENHOUSE NYC,’ WNBC’S PREMIERE DESTINATION FOR ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE & DESIGN, GIVES HOLIDAY MAKEOVER MIRACLE TO SINGLE MOTHER AFTER DEVASTATING FIRE GUTS HER HOME

Renowned Designer, Christopher Hyland, Teams Up with Home Improvement Guru George Oliphant, to Surprise a New Jersey Family with a Whole House Restoration Just in Time for the New Year

‘Open House-To the Rescue’ Airs on WNBC on Sunday, December 20

EMBARGOED INFORMATION FOR ONLINE/PRINT, December 14, 2009—OpenHouse NYC, WNBC’s popular real estate and design series (that regularly outperforms its competition on Sunday mornings), is giving back this holiday season when the program’s home improvement guru, George Oliphant, partners with OpenHouse contributor and prominent  Manhattan-based interior designer Christopher Hyland, to create a holiday miracle for one Parsippany, NJ family.

Over 20 local and national businesses, including lead contractor Stephen Fanuka of Fanuka, Inc., will come together to give Laurie O’Hara and her family what was taken from them just under one year ago—their home. The entire re-build and restoration, from start to finish, will be featured on a special half-hour, OpenHouse– To the Rescue on Sunday, December 20 at 8:30am on WNBC in the New York region, and nationally on all NBC owned and operated stations (check local listings).

On January 24, 2009, while Laurie O’Hara, a paralegal, and her two teenage children were out shopping for a new car to replace the one that was totaled in an accident just days before, a fire started in their laundry room spreading throughout the home’s three levels. The disastrous fire destroyed all of their belongings, including priceless heirlooms, photos and memorabilia. Sadly, one of the family dogs also lost its life to injuries received in the fire. As a single mother with a son away at college and a daughter in high school, the matriarch of the household did all she could to move past the tragedy and rebuild their lives. But when it came time to renovating her home, she needed help. As such, she wrote into OpenHouse asking if they would send host George Oliphant, who lives in nearby Montclair, for a “To the Rescue” shoot. While the popular weekend real estate show did get back to her and offer help, little does she know the extent that they’re stepping in! This holiday season, OpenHouse is giving the gift of rebirth to this deserving family.

“The ‘To the Rescue’ segments are always rewarding,” commented Oliphant. “But this one in particular, really pulls at your heart strings. I can’t wait until the family sees the final product!”

The six-room raised ranch is being outfitted by Christopher Hyland with luxurious interior design elements and architectural detail. After months of work, the master bedroom will be decked out in old Hollywood glam; the kitchen will get an art deco refinishing with bright cabinetry; her son, who is an avid hockey player, will have a room decked out with official NHL paraphernalia and Catskill-style stick furniture; her daughter’s room will incorporate her love of cheerleading with a country Swedish aesthetic; and every room will be wallpapered with varying grass cloth to add opulence, texture and environmental sensitivity. Thanks to OpenHouse, they’ll be able to celebrate the New Year with a fresh start, in home that has been completely transformed by Oliphant and Hyland.

Hyland added: “This modern and comfortable design scheme can be at home in any upscale setting – from the existing suburban location, to Park Avenue or a beachside vacation community.”

About LX.TV

Emmy Award-winning LX.TV was founded in 2006 and purchased by NBC’s Local Media Division in January 2008. LX.TV produces high-quality original content accessible on multiple platforms from on-air to online to out-of-home. LX.TV’s original programming includes “1ST LOOK,” which runs in all of NBC’s Local Media markets and “OPENHOUSE,” which currently runs on all NBC owned and operated stations, in syndication and on cable. LX.TV also produces special series and programs including the wedding series, “I Do,” and the documentary series, “My First Time” and the home improvement program, “George To The Rescue.”   LX.TV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC Local Media.

Media Contacts:

Bonita Lynch / Stephanie Baumoel at FerenComm for LX.TV

bonital@ferencomm.com

stephanieb@ferencomm.com

212.983.9898