VirtualeNews

World News

2009-09-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

A new high speed train was introduced in Barcelona, Spain this week.

Immigrant families from Middle Eastern countries like Iraq and Afghanistan have been camping out just off of the northern shores of France, an area referred to as "The Jungle" are being told to leave or the police will be forced to bring them in for a hearing. Most of the Immigrant Families are hoping to find their way into the U.K. for asylum.

Bank of America executives will have to explain to a court the details of the Merrill deal and the reasoning behind the bonus money given to executives as well. Red rover, red rover, will Ken Lewis please come over..

Flooding in the southeast parts of the U.S. continues to be a problem as some areas in Alabama and Georgia receive up to 12 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. Following a three year drought, the southeast has quickly regained ground, or water.. that is, to the point of saturation. If much more rain falls this week it could become a national disaster area by the end of the week. Rain, rain, go away.. just go.

Overseas Markets were mixed early Tuesday with the N225 at 10370, China 2960.44, FTSE 5134.36, HSI 21595.12, CAC 3812.16, DAX 5668.65, and the THAI SET at 717.81 . The 10-year Treasury is trading around 3.49% ..U.S. markets open at 8:30 this morning.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from Swine Flu

2009-05-04T03:41:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu - How To Protect Yourself Quickly & Easily by: Simon DodererThe guidelines state: INFORM / THE HIGHEST LEVEL / BASIC HYGIENE SOLUTIONS Swine Flu: The current issue of the swine flu, this is caused by an Influenza A type virus. This determines the characteristics, such as shape and make up of the virus. Byotrol from Northern Environmental kills this type of virus. It is the infections that are caused by the swine flu virus that are difficult to control/treat. Byocare Handmousse used on hard surfaces or hands kills the virus it does not treat the disease. Byotrol helps ‘prevent’ and protect – EN1500 with 30 minute and 16 hours control! This may not be as direct proof as we like but we can be very confident that Byotrol is effective against flu virus Below are some guidelines on our website – I have highlighted in red several of the many key features whereby simple, back to basic measures underpinned by the Byotrol Technology can help. Swine Flu - Byotrol Publishes Guide Lines To Help Businesses 27th Apr 2009 Pandemic Flu Policy & Contingency Plan 1. INTRODUCTION A Swine Flu ( influenza) pandemic has the potential to severely affect UK Business, employees and their families, and requires specific planning over and above that made for disasters It is recommended the planning focuses on: • Raising employees awareness of the threat of a pandemic and testing staff preparedness: • Maintaining health surveillance and hygiene measures: • Producing action plans that are specific to each of the business’s locations, taking into account local healthcare provision and regulatory systems governing drug licensing and stockpiling : and • Enhancing protection for high risk and vulnerable employees. 2 Background Pandemic influenza (flu) is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most countries and regions around the world. Unlike the “ordinary” flu that occurs every winter in the UK, pandemic flu can occur at any time of year. Pandemic flu is much more serious than “ordinary” flu. As much as a quarter of the population may be affected – possibly more. Pandemic flu is likely to cause the same symptoms as ordinary flu but the symptoms may be more severe because nobody will have any immunity or protection against the particular virus. Swine influenza or “Swine Flu” is a contagious disease caused by mutation in influenza A viruses. Swine Flu - How To Protect Yourself Quickly & Easily 3 Planning for a PANDEMIC 3.1 The CEO should be the business’s designated pandemic coordinator and a pandemic response team from across the business should be set up and trained in clearly defined rolls. 3.2 The functions of the pandemic response team includes • Maintaining the team’s own awareness of global developments in Swine Flu (including guidance on containment strategies and vaccines) • Developing training and awareness materials for the business • Briefing the Management Board • Ensuring links are maintained with external stakeholders in planning for a pandemic flu (e.g. suppliers, customers and where relevant the Public) PANDEMIC RESPONSE Working practices and social distancing • Employees who are fit to return to work following an absence due to pandemic flu (and who have therefore developed immunity to the disease) might be considered for high-risk, essential roles. • The company should establish flexible working policies, enabling line managers to agree home working, different shift patterns, or relocation to a site more local to the employee’s home where appropriate. • Employees will be required to work at least one metre away from colleagues to ensure social distancing and managers will reconfigure work-site layouts to enable this to take place • Other social distancing responses are likely to include: o Absolutely no shared use of Telephones and mobiles o Advising employees to avoid face-to-face meetings and to use telephone and internet services instead, where possible o If this is not possible, meeting only in a large room and maintaining a distance of at least one metre between participants o Advising employees to avoid crowded places (lifts) or heavily populated gatherings (e.g. sporting events) o Advising employees to avoid travelling at busy periods on public transport • Essential workers who are totally reliant on public transport may be offered dedicated transport to and from work Infection Control • During a pandemic the business should seek to reduce the overall and specific risks to members of staff by taking appropriate infection control actions (e.g. strengthening guidance on hand washing, unnecessary contact such as hand shaking and isolataion of any member of staff with symptoms such as coughing) • Basic health protection advice including the following guidance: o Avoid close contact o Staying at home when sick or sickening o Covering completely with disposable tissues mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing sanitising hands afterwards o Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth • Additional protection measures will be taken to ensure that influenza does not spread through contaminated objects and surfaces, such as handles, railings and counters. Surfaces touched by hands will be cleaned at least daily using Byotrol products. • Staff with flu-like symptoms will be required to stay at home until the symptoms disappear and will be allowed in the workplace only in extreme circumstances • Staff developing symptoms at work will be accommodated in a designated isolation room while arrangements are made to transport them home. Precautions will be introduced for all those entering and leaving this room. • Swine Flu - How To Protect Yourself Quickly & Easily Staff at risk of developing influenza-related complications (e.g. pregnant workers and those with compromised immune systems) will be reassigned from high-risk work sites and locations in the event of a pandemic. Business and personal travel • Only essential business travel should be considered during a pandemic and procedures for approving travel need to be tightened, requiring authorisation from a senior manager • The pandemic response team should monitor travel plans and new procedures for notifying employees’ location during periods of business travel will be introduced in the event of a pandemic • Staff required to visit pandemic-affected areas on business will be provided with appropriate health advice and personal protective equipment (e.g. masks, Byotrol based handwipes) and employees will have the right to refuse to travel to such areas • Staff visiting affected areas for non-business purposes during a pandemic may need to be required to stay away from work for a period of quarantine on unpaid leave. 3.3 Goods services and functions of the business that are essential to its operations and survival will be defined and the Business will: • Carry out devolution planning: i.e. plan which services can be carried out by other sites: • Develop an order of succession: i.e. plan which services can be carried out by personnel other than those who normally given the task and train non-essential back-up staff to perform essential tasks • Stockpile small quantities of essential supplies, materials and equipment • Ensure that maintenance plans are up to date to guarantee that all equipment essential to the business’s operation is capable of sustained operation in the event of a pandemic • Prepare time lines for how long it will be possible for the Business to carry out its essential functions without critical supplies, personnel and equipment • Produce forecasts of employee sickness absence during a pandemic flu • Put in place policies to enable flexible working (e.g. home- working ) in the event of a pandemic flu: • Put in place a pandemic response team that will take steps to heighten awareness of the Business infection control procedures, particularly provisions covering hand hygiene: • Provide specific training for all employees and students on personal, workplace and family protection and actions to take as a pandemic develops; • Prepare employee support services, including grief counselling and psychiatric care ; • Ensure that adequate supplies of infection control materials (Byotrol mousse for hand hygiene, surface sprays, wipes, gloves and masks) are held in preparedness for a pandemic. The Byotrol hand hygiene programme is just one element of our ‘Hygiene Revolution’ whereby we can challenge and manage the Critical Control Points within food processing / preparation / service: Floors / Food Contact surfaces / Hands Product offering: Hand Hygiene / Skin care Unit Pack End user unit price Byocare Mousse 50ml 30 x 50ml £2.99 Byocare Mousse 600ml 12 x 600ml £8.50 Byocare Mousse 5L - re-fill 4 x 5L £16.00 Swine Flu - How To Protect Yourself Quickly & Easily FOOD MANUFACTURING For Food-processing, food-preparation and food-service there are complex hygiene issues such as:  Food preparation: deli, bakery, on site food prep: sandwiches etc Floors: HD Food Safe Degreaser/ food contact surface Byosan, Cleaner Sanitiser + (Ready for use), Byowipe (Byosan liquid inside)  Food storage, display and check out – floors, shelving, check-out conveyors Broad spectrum usage: Byowipe – kills and protects / multi surface usage People ‘hands’: one of the major contributing factor for food spoilage and pathogens – some statistics claim upto 80% can be attributed to poor hand hygiene (General public: circa 40% of men and 20% of women do not wash their hands after using the toilet) (Catering workers: circa 50% do not wash their hands prior to preparing food) Byocare – hand hygiene programme: soap, sanitiser, dispensers, training programme Prepared by Simon Doderer – http://www.nenviro.com with content from Byotrol PLC. Call 0800 808 7887 or email Info@nenviro.comAbout The AuthorSimon Doderer is managing Director and founder of http://www.nenviro.com. Dedicated to commercial solutions for the Environment.Visit the author's web site at:http://www.nenviro.com

Passing Your Job Interview

2009-03-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

How to Pass an Interview! by: Zohra Sarwari

Nine Steps to Interview Success These days, the average person changes their career seven to ten times within their life span. This means that the average person is going to send out several hundred copies of their resumes in their lifetime…and yes, they’re going to have to go through several interviews in their lifetime. Scary, huh? If the interview process makes you nervous, well, you’re not alone. But right now, it’s time to stop worrying. You’re about to learn the nine vital steps for interview success…how to pass any interview you face! Step 1: Research the Company that you are being interviewed for: It’s a pretty obvious trick: research the company you’re interviewing for and be prepared to show off what you know about them. Way too many people show up for an interview without having the first idea about what the particular company stands for. The truth is that you should know at least something about the company’s mission, its general business process, and its particular needs. Know how long the company has been in business and whether they’re financially sound and profitable. Research the company with a view to determine what you can do to help them achieve their goals. Be prepared to say specifically how your personal goals and experience are going to be valuable to the company. Step 2: Know your resume: In virtually any interview situation, you’re interviewer is going to ask you questions about your resume, about your experiences and even about the quirky stuff you’ve listed to pad it out. You should read your resume over and over, and know the details of it because you never know when you’re going to be asked about your chess playing experience or your interest in literature. Make sure there’s nothing detailed on your resume that you’re uncomfortable talking about. Step 3: Dress for Success: Appearance can become nine-tenths of the law if you don’t pay attention to it. For every interview, make sure you wear garments that are professional and appropriate the position that you’re seeking. Your clothes should be comfortable, clean, and pressed. Don’t create a crisis for yourself on the morning of the interview when it comes to your clothes. Pick out your outfit and make sure it’s ready the night before your big interview. Step 4: Make sure that you wake up early and are on time: Just as you shouldn’t let your wardrobe run you down on the big day, you shouldn’t let traffic or public transport delays upset you either. It’s also crucial that you don’t get lost on the way so have directions –and confirm them if you have to – well before you set off. These days, with MapQuest, you have no excuses. Make sure you leave the house early, and plan to be at the interview at least ten minutes early. Step 5: Review interview questions: Interviews may be pretty scary but they’re also pretty predictable. It doesn’t take much to predict the basic questions you’re going to be asked. Here are some examples: Tell me about yourself? Tell me about a time you failed miserably in your career? What is your greatest strength/weakness? Where do you see yourself five years from now? What are your salary expectations for this position? Why should we hire YOU? Prepare sample answers to these questions. Memorize a couple of key responses. Remember that no matter who you’re interviewing for or with, if it’s a job interview, the basic focus is going to be on your experience, your goals, and your potential to contribute to the company. Be sure you can argue a case for yourself on these key points. Step 6: Let the interviewer lead you: The interviewer is the one running the interview but you can set the pace. Wait for the interviewer to ask the questions. Take your time to listen to the questions. Give your answers carefully; make sure they are considered. That said, each of your answers should be given with an energetic and enthusiastic voice. Above all, smile and enjoy the interview. Be courteous and always thank the interviewer at the end of the interview. Tell them that you’re well qualified for the job, and that you will prove it to them upon being hired. Don’t be afraid to be confident in yourself and your abilities. Step 7: Ask for the next step: The interviewer will ask most of the questions but you will have a chance to get a word in shortly. Find out what will happen next, and what you should expect after the interview. When should you be hearing from them about the job? When will the hiring decision be made? Step 8: Send a thank you note: Everything you do regarding your interview has consequences. Just as a good sales person follows up on a lead, after each interview you attend you should be sure to send a thank you note to the employer and the interviewer, thanking them for their time. Going the extra mile in this way will generally show that you’re qualified for the position, or at least that you’re a serious and diligent person. Step 9: Follow-up: Of course, sending a thank you note is something you do immediately after the interview. A reasonable period after, usually a week or two at least, you should take one further step to follow up. Call the company offices and ask if you can speak to the hiring manager who interviewed you. You can start the conversation by asking if they received your note. Then you can ask them if any decisions were made and, if not, approximately when you should call back or otherwise expect to hear from them. Don’t be pushy; above all, be polite and courteous, even if a response is not forthcoming. WHEN YOU’RE HIRED…THINGS TO THINK ABOUT… If you are hired, remember that you need to stand up to your promises. You should always be putting 110% effort. An unspoken trick to get comfortable in interviews and to always get the job you want: in every job you accept, make yourself shine. Regardless of how much you are paid or how much responsibility and work you’re given, take the initiative to do more. The more you’re prepared to do for your job, the future each of your jobs will take you. Don’t worry about being rewarded, just keep working hard, and it will pay off. I guarantee it.
About The Author
Zohra Sarwari has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She is currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Studies. She is a mother of three beautiful children, and spouse to a great man. She is currently home schooling her own children, and teaching others about Business and entrepreneurship trainings while balancing home life. She is an author of the new ground breaking book, “9 Steps that Will Change Your Destiny”. She has also written two e-books “Become a Professional Speaker Today” and “Time Management For Success”. Her book has been reviewed in Al-Jumuah magazine, and there is an article about her up coming in Azizah magazine. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker to youth and adults. She loves teaching and learning. http://www.zohrasarwari.com/

War, Shoe-icide, and Crooked Politics in 2008

2008-12-30T04:40:00.000-08:00

Israel began dropping bombs on Gaza this weekend claimingthat Hamas was not honoring the cease fire. Several hundredpeople have been killed thus far.

Knoxville, TN
A flood of coal ash and sludge carrying one billion gallonsdestroyed Kingston, Tennessee like Santa dropping coal on a whole town. TVA promises cleanup but did not comment on thelevy or why it failed. The sludge is heading for the TennesseeRiver, which is the main water supply for many southeasterncities and towns.

BLAGOJEVICH, ILLINOIS GOVERNOR, REFUSES TO RESIGN AFTER BEING ARRESTED.
TV anchors were dropping like flies as they attempted topronounce Blogio-evicth, Bloganana, Blutosavitch, Blagoyardee..Also, it turns out that no one knows Blagojevitch. Manypoliticians in Illinois were questioned about their relationshipwith Blagojevitch, but no even knew who he is. The only personwho would admit to knowing him was a homeless man whom statedthat Blago was "a lizardman from outer space, which expains everything.". So, there you go.

SHOE-ICIDE - BUSHWACKED IN IRAQ BY A PAIR OF SHOES.BUSH DUCKED AS SHOE TOSSED AT HIS HEAD, THEN A SECOND ONE.The reporter who threw his shoes as a "kiss goodbye.." hasa following of supporters in Iraq marching about with signsshowing their support and favorite pair of shoes of theirown.

FLORIDA TOT MOM MAY BECOME TATER TOT IF FOUND GUILTY..
More on these stories at http://www.nytimes.com

Obama Needs Support to Win Election 2008

2008-06-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

SCOGOSTOLOGY-POLITICALOGY: Jewish Support Crucial For Obama's Nomination And Victory In General Election by: Scogostology.com

OBAMANISM IS THE CURE FOR CLINTONITIS AND MIDDLE EAST STRIFE. Obamanism is the cure for Clintonitis that has devastated America and I hope Jews all over US rally around Obama and support him to win both the nomination and the Presidency because after he wins, he would help the Jews and Israel as well as settle the Middle East problems. However, if Jews betray Obama and he loses, Africans worldwide would consider it a betrayal to the whole African people and will never forgive world Jewry. In retaliation, (eye for eye, remember!) Africa would consider expelling all Jews from Africa who have been mining African Gold and Diamond and enriching themselves for many centuries. It was African gold and diamond that built international finance, trade and banking that the Jews (Rothschild, Warbug, Rockefeller and others) dominate. It was African gold and diamond that built Jewish banks and wealth worldwide. Thousands of years ago, when Jews were starving and nearly perished in Palestine, they took refuge in Egypt, Africa. If Egypt and Africa did not feed the Jews, perhaps there would be no Jews today. Jews also took all Egyptian and African science, technology and religious knowledge that have helped them to develop themselves and to get to where they are today: on top of most of the industries and corporations all over the world. Jews owe Africa and Africans everything they have today because if Africa did not shelter them when they were homeless and starving, they would not be here today. If Africa did not give them their religion, Judaism and science and technology of the ancient astronaut Anunnaki’s gods, they probably would have not prospered. If Jews betray Africans by betraying Obama, there would be grave consequences that would shake the foundation of Earth. Let Jews remember who their best friend is! Hundreds of years ago during the Inquisition in Europe, the Catholic Church slaughtered Jews in Spain and all over Europe and forced most of them to convert to Christianity to stay alive. Moreover, during World war 2, Hitler and his Nazi regime gassed and slaughtered them too. When they escaped to America, they met opposition and discrimination everywhere. They had to hustle to survive. Again, Africa helped them by allowing them to continue mining all their gold and diamond. African gold and diamond are the foundation of the wealth of world Jewry. Abraham Foxman, we hope you remember that! The only people who have been nice to Jews have been Africans. It is now payback time and Africans hope you would not bite the hands that fed you and made you rich and the envy of the world today. Billary is divisive, cannot beat senator McCain!!! During their 30 yrs in Politics, they never solved even one single problem despite all their experience and slick Willie’s ingenuity. The best things that they gave America were endless scandals and the destruction of American reputation all over the world. (Sex and drugs in the White House) This empowered terrorists to attack America because they felt America had become weak and an easy target. Does anyone still remember 9/11??? McCain is a nice man. Great man. War Hero! Very respectable and likable man. But he is too old. He has no juice or fire. He has no agenda to fix American problems. The only issue he is passionate about is Iraqi war and he plans to keep America in Iraq for 100 yrs, while American economy and Americans keep suffering and languishing, as India, China, Japan, Korea and Singapore keep progressing and are now manufacturing and exporting all the consumer goods needed in America. It is an outrage that America is now being forced to borrow money from Communist China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia. Almost all American banks are controlled by Saudi Arabian money invested there. If they pull their money out, American banking system and economy would collapse. And Hugo Chavez would party all day and night. America is slowly becoming a nation of consumers and sliding into a third world status. Osama Bin Laden is still free roaming the world. They have not arrested him. Why? But they feel fine squandering trillions of dollars in Iraq while Iran works hard daily to acquire nuclear weapon that they plan to use to wipe Israel out. Something is very wrong and dreadful with the priorities of American foreign policy. Billary is part of the problem, not the solution and her presidency will be a continuation of her husband’s presidency that was scandal ridden. She is just a well informed candidate who is capable of crying to get sympathy and votes. If America puts her in White House, whenever there is a crisis, she would be crying instead of using her brain to figure out the solution. Can America afford a President who melts down and cry like a 16 yrs old girl, when she is faced with a challenge? Being the President of America is the most challenging job in the world!!! To support Billary to become the next President would make America to lose complete respect and it would amount to an open invitation to terrorists all over the world to come back and hit America more. Has Americans not learned any lessons? Has America not suffered enough? Does America need more terrorist attacks because their enemies perceive them as weak by putting a crying President in the White House? She will not have any nerve or ability to solve one problem in America because she is part of the problem, part of Washington gridlock, with a lot of obligations to special interests and PAC. Billary have been in politics for 30 yrs. They should retire because their brains are old and dried up and devoid of any new and fresh ideas. The only things they are very good in doing are lying, playing dirty politics and causing scandals! If they could not help America for 30 yrs that they were in office, they will never do it now that they are older and getting senile. Enough is enough. America has suffered enough of Clintonitis. Americans have spoken loud and clear: they do not want political business as usual that Clintonitis represent. They want change and they want it fast. They have chosen and anointed Obama as the agent of change. He is the new political Messiah who shall continue where JFK stopped. Americans seem to be in slumber and in complete denial of the present dangerous and volatile world situation. This is where Jews can help. By supporting Obama to win, they would cure America of Clintonitis and thereby be able to find a permanent solution to the Arab-Jewish problem in the Middle East. Jews must support Obama or face grave consequences. You cannot afford not to. Africans have been nice and helped Jews for more than 2000 yrs. Now, I say to Jews all over the world, it is time to show your gratitude. Hope you have enjoyed this article about Barack Obama for USA President, Vote for Obama, Michelle Obama, Hope and change, White House, next American President, super delegates, election 2008 campaign, American politics, Hillary Rod-harm Clinton, Bill Clinton, Billary, Clintonitis, Senator John McCain, Middle East Problem, Iraqi War, Iran Nuclear Weapons, WMD, American veterans, American soldiers in Iraq, Ikey G-khan Galacticca, World Peace, WPPM (World Peace And Prosperity Mandate), Scogostology.com, SCOGOSTOLOGY-POLITICALOGY, Scogostologism, Scogos, SGS, Scogostologist, galahuman, Galahumanism, Christianity, Democrats, independent voters, republicans, American politics, US Congress, American economy, tax rebates checks, Jewish support for Obama, World Jewry, Israel, American TV stations, American media, Obama blogs. Copyright Info: Copyrights 2008 by SCOGOSTOLOGY-POLITICALOGY (http://www.secret33.com/scogostology/what-is-scogostology.htm) This article is copyrighted and you may publish this article at your website, in your e-zine (newsletter, blogs) or send it to a friend as long as you retain the author’s resource box, including the website address, and refrain from altering the content or using it in any re-direction manipulation scheme. If you do not agree to these conditions, please do not copy and use this article. Anyone who violates this condition will be subject to legal action and payment of damages for violation of our copyrights. Thank you. By SCOGOSTOLOGY-POLITICALOGY http://www.secret33.com/scogostology/what-is-scogostology.htm
About The Author
For more info about SCOGOS, SGS, SCOGOSTOLOGY-POLITICALOGY, SCOGOSTOLOGISM, SCOGOSTOLOGIST, SCOGOSIAN, SCOGOSTOLOGICIAN, GALACTICCA HUMANA, GALAHUMAN, GALAHUMANISM, TMT POWER SECRETS FREE BOOKS, visit: http://www.secret33.com/scogostology/what-is-scogostology.htm

Stock Market Spring '08

2008-05-19T03:01:00.001-07:00

With oil trading above $125 a barrel, the stock markets have given us a nice bounce from the Winter '08 lows. Volume remains light and profit taking is becoming temping as the summer heat sets in.Last week the markets toyed with the 200 day moving averages, watch for better trading volume if you wish to remain bullish. On Tuesday the Senate voted to stop buying oil for the strategic oil reserve until the price falls below $75 a barrel. The other good news came on Monday when RIM introduced the 'Bold', which is expected to compete in the iPhone market as well as now offering 3G, a first for the Blackberry.

Stock Market for Monday

2007-12-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Last week the November jobs number was UP 94,000, unemployment was steady at 4.7% and Merrill-Lynch downgraded Capital One and American Express. This morning, UBS announced a $10B subprime writedown which shook early futures trading.

It appears that the markets expect at least a 50bp cut tommorrow, and if it is less, look out below! With housing in steady decline, banks and financials and even retail in steady decline, the Fed would have to have a heart two sizes too small to cut only 25bp.

Holiday Auto Accidents Can Be Avoided

2007-12-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents by: Daniel Richards
The number of car accidents has been increasing rapidly since the automobile was first invented. Accidents happen anywhere, at any time of the day, and they are usually unexpected. You don’t know accidents are coming. Even if you don’t have a car, you still might be involved in a car accident. Although car accidents have been increasing, it is surprising to find out that the average accident has been declining due to the policies that the government has implemented. The percentage of fatal accidents has lowered to 50%. This was aided by the car manufacturers, who have invented and added securities like airbags. The use of airbags has been a great help in cases of accidents. Did you know that drinking while driving is one of the major causes of accidents? It is not surprising to see in the papers and television that drunk driver has been killed on the road. It happens almost everywhere, at any given time. If a driver is drunk, his mind is not working properly. He does not pay attention to the road. Drunk drivers love to drive a car at high speed. Some will even race on the road, endangering other drivers. Another common cause of accidents is younger-aged drivers. Some young drivers tend to drive wildly on the streets with their friends. Some drive without a license and without insurance. A minor can get a student’s license but they should be accompanied by an elder who is an experienced driver. Minors are not allowed to drive because they are not aware and familiar with the signs and rules that are important in driving. Getting a license will train them to drive safely by following the rules. If your car is not maintained properly, which includes the wheels and the brakes, you can be prone to accidents. You will never know when your engine or brakes will fail you. So before that happens, you must carefully check if they are running properly by having your car serviced at regular intervals. Most accidents happen at nighttime. This is caused by poor lighting and impaired visibility. Having good headlights and indicators are very important. You are not safe if your lights are broken. A car ahead may not notice you, especially on a hard dark road. Lights serve as indicators and signals so that you can make your car visible even in the dark. Some drivers drive without full attention. Stress can cause accidents because the driver may not focus on the road; rather he is thinking of his personal problems. Talking on a cell phone while driving or fiddling with the stereo are all contributing factors to accidents. There may be many causes of car accidents and these are just the most common causes. What is important is that you should be disciplined while driving and ensure your car is road worthy.
About The Author
Daniel Richards has an interest in Cars. To access more articles on the common causes of car accidents or for additional information and resources on what to do if you have an accident visit this car accident site: http://www.gazettenews.org/

One Man's Solution to Global Warming

2007-11-27T16:29:00.001-08:00

The Ultimate Way To Stop Global Warming by: Jessica Brown
The Earth’s surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how earth’s climate responds to them. Energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Without this natural “greenhouse effect,” temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. Instead, thanks to greenhouse gases, the earth’s average temperature is a more hospitable 60°F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere. Consequently, the temperature of the planet earth is rising. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of world carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. All these have dramatically reduce the lifespan of living earth. The quest for efficient energy affects every country on the planet. Worldwide there is an increasing interest in developing clean, reliable alternatives to petroleum fuels. Many smart, safe, and clean alternative power sources are available in the market. People can easily install these clean power sources at their home as alternative energy to help reducing carbon dioxide emission as well as reducing their utilities bill. In recent year, people has come up with alternative power sources run their cars in order to reduce the spending on petrol gas and of course, reduce the carbon dioxide emission. Please play your part on global warming. It is easy and at the same time, you could save money!
About The Author
Jessica Brown has successfully installed alternative power source on her car. She never pumps gas ever since. Recently, she sold her 10 year-old car to a company. Visit: http://www.fczones.com

Breaking News - It's World Toilet Day

2007-11-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Our Tribute to World Toilet Day. We flushed smilin' Bob down our local gas station toilet as our way of joining the celebration. So here is to Jon Crapper, the potty, the can, the commode, De Latrine. Later, historians may revere this as the porceline throne of modern man.

China and The Dollar

2007-11-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

This morning a report regarding the dollar reversed markets like a kick in the groin. An old Chinese communist hardliner stated in a report that investing in weak currencies would be avoided in the future. There is still debate over would-a, could-a, or should-a, but the futures
are suggesting that would-a is in the current analogy, i.e., the weak dollar would possibly be avoided or even sold(AAAGH!). Currency markets are still reeling..

Writers Strike Begins Today

2007-11-05T04:26:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon! Reruns.. After failing to reach an agreement, the writers guild went on strike thismorning. More

SCHIP

2007-10-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

The New York Times today reports:"If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money," Bush said in his weekly radio address.Democratic lawmakers say votes to override the president's veto will be held in mid-October. That effort is not expected to succeed.

UAW settles GM Strike this morning

2007-09-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

According to news reports, the UAW has reached an agreement with GM to settle demands of workers including a health plan for retirees.

Car Buying Tips: Five Things You Need To Know To Avoid Hidden Fees And Additional Costs by: Scott Conklin
Before purchasing your next car, you're going to want to check for hidden costs, add-on fees, and other charges. You could end up spending hundreds, even thousands, of dollars over the lifetime of your loan. Once you've found the car you want, it's time to sit down with your sales rep to negotiate the terms of your contract. After a little back and forth on price, figuring out your interest rate, and calculating your monthly payment, you're ready to sign on the dotted line, right? Not so fast. When you read the fine print you may find that additional fees and charges have found their way into your contract – including add-ons you didn't necessarily ask for. Most car buyers are so focused on getting the best interest rate and negotiating the most affordable monthly payment that they're unconcerned with the fine print of the contract. By the time they get to the step where they review and sign the paperwork, if the sales rep is throwing industry terms at them that they don't fully understand, they're becoming exhausted from the entire process and just want to get it over with. Here are a few insider tips to make sure you don't regret signing those papers. 1.) Read the Fine Print While this seems pretty obvious and self-explanatory, it's amazing how trusting the consumer can be. Honestly, the last time you bought a car, did you read and fully understand the contract before you signed it? Probably not. Most people don't. Some unscrupulous car dealerships are betting on that. Because most people don't read the fine print, some sales reps can slide in additional, undisclosed charges or extras with huge mark-ups to their profit. Also, make sure there are no blank spaces on your finance contract that can be filled in later – wherever there are blank spaces, write in "$0" or "N/A." 2.) Typical Extras Most of us are familiar with learning about the standard features of an automobile and then figuring out which additional features we are willing to pay extra for, but here are some extras to look out for when reviewing your contract: * Rust proofing * Extended warranty * Fabric protector * Car alarm (including Lojack, a device police use to find your car if you report it stolen) * Paint sealant * Credit life insurance * GAP * Window etching The value of such extras depends on individual customer needs and situations. If the sales rep attempts to tell you that some or all of these extras are standard for every vehicle on the lot, ask to order your car from the factory, or suggest the dealership trade with another dealer that hasn't pre-packaged their vehicles. Extra products can add thousands to the negotiated price of the vehicle. Most products fill a customer need that when priced and disclosed correctly and can add real value to the whole transaction. The problems with extras occur in two areas. First, when the sales rep doesn't spend the time necessary to determine which products fit the specific needs of the customer. Rather than suggest specific extras individually priced, the sales rep lumps all the products together and pushes you to buy them as a package. Second, unscrupulous sales reps can add thousands of dollars to the amount financed for these products, but not disclose the price increase until the last possible moment, when the financing contracts are being signed. 3.) Documentation and Administration Fees Federal, state, and local governments are pushing more and more of their regulatory cost onto the local dealerships. In an effort to offset some of these fees and services dealers are required to perform, most add, a documentation or administration fee to the total cost of the transaction. Depending on state and local regulations, fee adding $100 to $150 seem reasonable and cover most of these additional items. These services include: * Duplicate Title Fees * Notice of Security Interest (to perfect lien) * 30-day Permits * Federal terrorist matching data bases * Federal information privacy requirements * State vehicle id verification * Highway Patrol Inspections for out-of-state titles * Registering leases at customer's county of residence * Carfax * FedEx charges/Shipping charges * Additional title addendums * Truth in lending record retention Some dealers have taken up the practice of marking up documentation and administrative fees and are now charging as high as $300 to $500 per sale. A few are even higher. The charge for most of these fees seems to be more based on getting a customer to pay extra after the customer has finished negotiating, not the average amount it cost to get most deals through various state and federal regulations, as implied. 4.) Ask for a Menu System Disclosure The best disclosure method I've seen in years involved using a menu system. On a separate sheet of paper the rep produces a document that includes: 1.) The negotiated price of the vehicle or trade difference 2.) The additional price of suggested extras (these can be shown as various option packages that may save money when bought in combination and as individually priced options) 3.) New totals initialed by both parties This procedure makes sure that any suggested extras are properly explained and disclosed. It also allows the customer time to consider each item separate from the longer and potentially confusing finance documents. The final numbers from the menu should get carried over directly to the finance document. 5.) Other Costs When buying a car, remember that there are other "hidden" costs (or, costs that aren't usually considered), that go beyond the dealership. During the lifetime of your vehicle, you're going to have to pay for registration and tags, taxes, insurance, oil changes and fuel every year, and periodically pay for maintenance and repairs. Older models (cars more than 3-5 years old) may cost less up front, but you will likely need to factor more maintenance and repair costs into your budget than if you bought a newer model. While new models need fewer repairs and maintenance work, you will have to pay more up front. Your wallet does not have to go through the ringer the next time you decide to visit a new or used car dealer. You can protect yourself from blindly signing into an unfavorable car deal by doing your homework, going to a car dealership with a good reputation, being prepared, asking questions, and double checking behind your sales rep.
About The Author
Scott Conklin is president of Conklin Cars, a Salina new/used car dealer (http://www.conklincarssalina.com/), Hutchinson new/used car dealer (http://www.conklincarshutchinson.com/), and Newton new/used car dealer (http://www.conklinnewton.com/) in Kansas

Which has Better Fuel Economy..Diesel or Gasoline Engines

2007-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Diesel vs. Unleaded: The Truth About Fuel Economy by: Gina Sarento
Ahh, you remember it, don't you? Sitting in the back of your family's station wagon as a kid, your father pulls up to the gas pump and a station attendant—an occupation about as extinct as the dinosaurs—came running out with a rag in his hand, leaned into the driver's window and said… "Diesel or unleaded?" Those days are long gone. And I'm not just referring to the attendant. Nowadays, at least in the U.S., you can expect to find three things at a gas pump: self-serve, pay first, and unleaded gasoline only. Misconceptions about diesel fuel being "dirtier" than unleaded gas several years ago ultimately led to diesel's obsolescence in the more environmentally progressive United States. Car companies began to manufacture cars that, for the most part, ran on traditional gasoline. In response, however, steps were taken to improve the cleanliness of diesel and now major car companies have begun to sell diesel-powered vehicles to consumers once again. In the past, especially in the United States, diesel fuel was considerably dirtier than unleaded gasoline. Vehicles in the United States also tended to be built for traditional gasoline, with the exception of large trucks, buses, and semis. In recent years, however, steps have been taken to improve the cleanliness of diesel fuel through regulation, and many companies have begun selling popular consumer cars that run on diesel fuel. One such company is Isuzu Motors, known for its popular 5-passenger Ascender SUV, and two models of high-performing pick up trucks (the i-290 and i-370). Isuzu's diesel engines have won a laundry list of awards in past years including "Truck of the Year" by Motor Trend Magazine, "Executive Diesel Car of the Year 2002" by Diesel Car Magazine (a publication in the U.K.), "Germany's best small and compact car of the Year 2001" by Mot Magazine (published in Germany), as well as having been named multiple times by Ward's Communications of the U.S. as one of the "10 Best Engines." In addition, Isuzu vehicles were voted the top medium-duty truck brand six times in seven years by truck dealers. Impressive, but not fully convinced that diesel's better? Keep reading… Diesel fuel actually burns more efficiently than gasoline, thus having a better fuel economy—about 30% more efficient on average. Why? Diesel is denser than its unleaded competitor. Proponents of gasoline are quick to point out that diesel engines produce more greenhouse emissions, which is true, emissions with diesel are about 15% higher than those of traditional unleaded gas due to higher volumetric energy density. However, the increased fuel efficiency more than offsets the higher percentage, so in the long run, diesels produce less emissions— 15% more per gallon used, but a trip in the good ole family car will use 30% less fuel to get to wherever you're going. Granted, this wasn't the case with Dad's old wagon. Back then, before the anti-diesel crusade, diesel engines were creating more emissions because they simply weren't efficient. Now, with the modern diesel engine achieving a 20- 40% better fuel economy, it's time to give diesel a second look. But that's not the only exciting news about diesel. Originally, the diesel engine was created as a way to run vehicles using vegetable oils. While farmers originally couldn't compete with big oil companies, with gas prices soaring, there's been a renewed interest in alternative fuel sources—and food-based diesel fuels can be produced quickly, cheaply, and with the abundance of products grown in our very own country. These "hybrid diesels" also known as "biodiesel" are compatible with existing diesel engines and can also be made from waste oils gathered from restaurants or homes—an alternative that serves several ecological benefits at the same time.
About The Author
Gina Sarento Isuzu has an all new truck, the http://www.isuzu.com/i370.jsp i370 is a light duty truck that everyone will be driving. Isuzu also has some of the http://www.isuzu.com/ best suv's on the market. So visit your local dealer or go online at http://Isuzu.com!

Markets Recovering?

2007-08-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

The stock market seems to be stable and possibly recovering from the last 4 weeks of panic selling due to grid lock in the trading of home mortgages. What are they worth? That is the problem as we see it now. Until the credit structure is broken down and analyzed, or we crash first, no one knows how to value the credit market at this time.

The Environment

2006-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

The Environment: A Global Overview by: Larry Butz
It is not difficult to become a believer in global warming. According to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center 2001 was the second warmest year on record and it was the 23rd consecutive year of above normal temperatures. Perhaps most troubling is the fact that the rate of temperature increase is accelerating. Add to this the data just released from insurer Munich Re stating that deaths from natural disasters were more than double in 2001 versus 2000 and insured losses were up more than 50%.UNEP estimates that the extra economic costs of disasters attributable to global warming are running at more than $300 billion annually. Some 180 countries are proceeding toward an expected ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of this year. Of the six gases it will control CO2 is by far the largest contributing nearly 90% of the global warming impact. The primary source of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore the focus on energy will continue to increase. Throughout the world different methods are being used to encourage reduced energy use. Japan has enacted the Energy Conservation Law in 1999 mandating huge efficiency improvements by 2004 for nearly all air conditioning products. The U.S. has revised ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for buildings to raise the minimum COP level for centrifugal chillers from the current value of 5.2 to 6.1 effective in October 2001. DOE and Green Seal have revised their recommended efficiency levels to an even higher level of 6.27. Some countries use laws. Others use codes and standards. An increasing number of countries are using environmental costing which increases the price of energy thereby increasing the financial attractiveness of high efficiency products. European countries have been using such “carbon taxes” for more than a decade. However a rapidly growing trend in developing countries is the reduction of subsidies to energy industries “so prices more accurately reflect environmental impacts” according to OECD’s Environmental Strategy for the First Decade of the 21st Century. China has shown leadership by reducing subsidies to the coal industry from $24.5 billion in 1990 to $10 billion in 1996 resulting in 7% emissions reduction while seeing a solid economic growth of 36%! China is now moving aggressively into environmental costing with the just announced (1/13/2002) 5-year environmental plan that commits 700 billion yuan ($84 billion) to help protect the environment. The government will provide the fist 65 billion yuan to initiate the project but will apply the “polluter pays” principle for the rest. The “environmental protection authorities will collect funds from the pollution-producing companies”. The impact on the price of energy is not known at this time. However it is clear that the addition of environmental costing will increase energy prices. According to a European Research Commission Report of July 2001 “The cost of producing electricity from coal or oil would double if costs such as damage to the environment and health were taken into account”. The global movement to high efficiency is accelerating just like the rate of temperature increase. But this is not all that is changing. This second environmental threat of global warming is making it clear that we need to give combined consideration to ozone depletion and global warming. But more important is the need to focus on the real issue which is the total environmental impact not address each individual environmental threat in isolation. This includes the concept of environmental risk exposure, which recognizes that there are other environmental threats that are less well understood today. However, there are “no regrets” decisions we can make today (such as minimum refrigerant charge, minimum atmospheric life refrigerants, etc.) to minimize these risks. Combined consideration would place more emphasis on reducing the use of CFCs, which are still being produced in developing countries until 2010 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Little attention is being given the large contribution to global warming from CFCs. Actions which cause confusion and delay the phaseout of CFCs cause increased environmental damage rather than lessening the environmental impact. The other rapidly changing factor in the HVAC industry is the shift to becoming a hermetic industry, where refrigerant is contained throughout the life of a chiller and recycled for further use when the chiller is replaced. This simple understanding that “if it doesn’t get into the environment it does no harm” is a powerful argument, which will lead to the continued use of the most efficient refrigerants in such closed hermetic applications as chillers. In just 15 years annual refrigerants emissions from chillers have been reduced from 25% to well below 1% today. This defines a whole different world than that which existed when the Montreal Protocol was crafted some 15 years ago. But perhaps the most important change coming to our industry is the realization that there are no new or “perfect” refrigerants waiting to be discovered. There are eight elements that can be combined for use in a vapor compression cycle. All feasible combinations of these eight have been evaluated. The reality is “what we have now is all there is”. This recognition is why we are now seeing a shift from the search for a perfect refrigerant to a search for the right refrigerant(s) for the right application. Said another way, the highest efficiency refrigerants for the lowest emissions applications. Many in our industry call this “Responsible Use”.
About The Author
Larry Butz is a business globalization and energy efficiency expert for GEA Consulting. GEA Consulting is a global resource dedicated to developing practical solutions that drive client revenue, efficiency, and operational productivity. GEA Consulting can be found online at http://www.gea-consulting.com.

Alabama: Monday's Child Abduction a Hoax

2006-12-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Shalinda Glass of Albertville, Alabama called the police last Monday claiming that her car, which was left running at the gas pumps, was stolen while she was inside a convenience store and her 5 year old son was sleeping inside the vehicle at the time. "My baby 's..in the back seat", she told police from a payphone in the store parking lot. The car, which had no tag, was noted by an individual shortly afterwards headed out of town. Later, only 6 miles from the scene, Shalinda's boyfriend, Kevin Towles was arrested when the child was found to be in his garage. Apparently little 'G', as he was known locally, had brought home an unsatisfactory report card from kindergarten. That's right, kindergarten. Towles has an extensive rap sheet while Glass appears squeaky clean. Kevin Towles was given a break by none other that Judge Roy Moore (Mr. Morality himself!) recently and should have remained in jail if it weren't for the fact that an election was coming. Hey, it's one more voter if he remains free.

Scientists Find Oldest Human

2006-12-04T00:24:00.000-08:00

Scientists Discover Oldest Skeleton Of Human Ancestor; Report Face Looked Like Hugo Chavez. by: Tom Attea
The most well-preserved skeleton of an ancestor of homo sapiens has been discovered in Ethiopia. The skeleton, dating back about 3.3 million years, is a member of the evolutionary group known as Australopithecus Venezuelas and had a face that looks remarkably like Hugo Chavez. Scientists have yet to determine if the homonid retained tree-climbing capabilities. Apparently, its arms hung below its knees, and it had a short neck like a gorilla. As they free more of the skeleton from the sandstone in which it was found, they will be able to determine if it did climb trees. Remains of an ancient manuscript were also found buried with the skeleton. It appears to be the work of an ancient medicine man who identifies himself as Neander Chompsky. Experts are attempting to decipher the language in which it is written. The scientists also discovered scratchings on a rock. So far they have been able to determine that the precursor of homo sapiens may have believed in the devil. One of the scratchings has been translated that states, "If you're looking for the devil, first look into a reflecting pool." Meanwhile, Hugo Chavez, on hearing about the remains, asked that they be turned over to Venezuela, because, if the ancient person did look just like him, he or she may be a distant ancestor, and so, he reasons, the remains belong to the Chavez family. He has also voiced the intention to lug the rock with the etchings on it to his next speech at the UN, where he plans to say he took its advice and looked into a reflecting pool to see the devil. He saw George Bush, because right before he looked, he tossed in a photograph of him.
About The Author
Tom Attea, humorist and creator of http://NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing "delightfully funny," "witty," with "great humor and ebullience" and "good, genuine laughs."

Cricket Podcast

2006-12-01T04:18:00.000-08:00

Cricket Podcast rewinds the golden moments by: Ella Wilson
The cricket lovers are not only passionate about cricket but they are obsessed about the game. Fans have started attaching their emotions with the game. If their favorite team looses the match, then they feel sad and if the team wins, they celebrate. Magic of cricket has engulfed the entire world with only 4 months to go for the World Cup. At the time of match, Scenario becomes so serious that people either stick themselves to television sets or glue themselves to cricket sites. Whatever the method is, the main aim is to catch-up with the live action of a tournament. If you happen to miss the live action, then cricket podcast is meant especially for you. Cricket podcast is a web based audio transmission of various aspects related to the field of cricket. This broadcast is done with the assistance of an RSS feed that can be accessed only through subscription on the internet. In fact, cricket podcast is meant to revive those glorious moments that were missed out because of some reasons. These aspects can be analysis of a match, views on a particular shot, some controversial matters or even important happenings in the cricket world. Cricket podcast is meant to familiarize fans with details of in and outs of cricket field. Cricket has become so famous that, you get to see a leg spinner, a batsman and an all-rounder at every home. Cricket podcast has infused a new life in the field of cricket. Cricket is not just a plain green ground with wickets and pitch. It also has an entertaining side, as cricket podcast helps to remember the glorious moments that were missed. Listening to cricket matches and analysis related to them had never been so interesting. Cricket podcast has created a huge interest in the audio version of cricket analysis. It is considered as a unique way of living the golden moments of a well known cricket series. The present scenario of life is that, everyone is running to achieve their aims. They don’t get much time to catch up with ongoing cricket action. Cricket pod cast has played an important role in enhancing the knowledge of cricket fans, even if they don’t have time for real action. You not only get to know about results of a match, but reviews of batsman’s shots, bowler’s way of spinning his arm, before and after the match status and much more. Cricket podcast makes it all the more interesting to know about the past moments of cricket world. If you are a cricket fanatic and have a habit of collecting glorious moments with their audios, then cricket podcast is the best source for you. Variety of cricket sites offers a huge range of podcasts for the benefit of cricket fans. After all, they know that fans should be catered to the desired information. Old cricket tournaments become new with these podcasts. It is because many people wish to catch an old and famous tournament. You can also have the advantage of downloading cricket podcast and preserving the information as long as you want.
About The Author
Ella Wilson is a cricket fanatic. She simply loves the game and tries to catch live action no matter where she is.At Stickiewicket she works on Online cricket score,cricket podcasts and Cricket News among other things. You can see her works at http://www.stickiewicket.com.

Fourth Person Dies from Huntsville, Alabama Bus Crash

2006-11-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

A fourth person has died from the Huntsville, Alabama school bus crash. The accident on Huntsville's I-565 involving a school bus and an orange Toyota has brought on many questions and much speculation. So, I am going to speculate too. Having driven that portion of I-565, I know from experience that it is somewhat dangerous due to poor design. The ramp offers two lanes leading to the overpass, but the right land ends too soon forcing drivers to cut sharply left and resulting and lots of near misses, angry drivers, and at least one birdie finger that I am aware of(ok..responsible for). The other possibility is that the Toyota may have had a bad strut or flat tire(s). From the news footage, it was visible that the right rear tire was gone, and the right front appeared flat as well. If the right side went flat on either tire, in conjuction with worn out struts, then the car would go to the left rather abruptly. I also used to ride the bus to tech school, the same tech school this kids were headed to, I feel for them and their friends. Tech school is greatly under rated by many parents, but I found it to be a great experience and full of very hard working and honest kids. A fund has been started to help these kids at Redstone Federal Credit Union in Huntsville.

MySpace.com

2006-11-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

The MySpace Phenomenon by: David Hobson
These days it seems like anyone who is anyone is on MySpace. In a short time MySpace has literally exploded from just a few members to millions of members around the world. This astounding phenomenon has made MySpace one of the most popular websites around and a virtual necessity for those who want to make friends through an online community or find old friends with whom they have lost contact. It has become one of the first places many Internet users turn when they want to learn more about someone in particular or make new friends. A few years ago the term, “Google it” became synonymous for the practice of using a search engine to find more information about a particular person or subject. Internet users were using the term “Google it” even when they were using different search engines because the name Google had been branded so well it became somewhat of a generic term for search engine. MySpace is well on its way to becoming the brand synonymous with online communities. Although there are other websites which offer similar services, MySpace is quickly becoming the most dominant one. Who is On MySpace? The answer to this question is just about everyone. While this answer is not nearly true it is also very appropriate. It is not nearly true because in terms of factual evidence, despite the large number of MySpace members, there are still many more people in the world who do not participate in the MySpace online community. However, an answer of everyone to this question is also fitting because individuals from different cultures around the world and different age groups are all using MySpace. Unlike online message boards and discussion forums where members are usually somewhat similar and share a particular interest, there are members who are vastly different in the MySpace community. MySpace members represent just about all nationalities, sexual orientations, financial levels, occupations, political beliefs, religions and other variables. While it is true that members who are vastly different may not be interacting to a tremendous extent on MySpace there is certainly representation from all walks of life on MySpace. MySpace Lurkers We have already discussed the extent of members on MySpace but the MySpace community is really much larger than the membership of the website. It is important to note that members’ websites are viewable to the public unless they are specifically designated as private websites. This means many members’ websites can be viewed by those who do not join MySpace. These individuals are known as lurkers and they effectively increase the size of the community by an immeasurable number. Lurkers may be completely harmless individuals who are just looking to read about others but who have no interest in sharing their own personal information or they can be predators. The latter is more serious because these lurkers can use the information they find on MySpace to stalk or otherwise harass members of their own community. Many members of MySpace include both pictures and their hometown on their MySpace profile. This information can be used, by unscrupulous predators, to gather more information about the individual. For this reason care should always be used when posting information on MySpace. Why Aren’t You on MySpace? If you aren’t on MySpace, many of your friends may wonder why especially if they use this community. In fact many members of MySpace join simply as a way to have fun and keep in touch with their friends and relatives. However, there are number of reasons some individuals may not join MySpace. For many time constraints is a significant factor which leads them to avoid joining MySpace. MySpace can become somewhat addicting with members spending increasing amounts of time updating their website or searching for new friends in the community. Others may not participate in MySpace because they find some websites in the community to be offensive. There are guidelines regarding the types of materials which can be posted on MySpace but there is always the potential for questionable materials to escape the attention of the MySpace administrators. There is also the possibility that members will be offended by content that is permissible.
About The Author
David Hobson http://www.myspacelowdown.com

North Korea

2006-10-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

North Korea has already tested a nuclear weapon. Ping-Pong Ding-Dong now says he will test a missile with a nuclear warhead..What the hell are we going to do with that. Hopefully the U.N. wakes up and comes up with a more rapid and decisive measure than those of recent history.

Dangers of Drinking and Driving

2006-03-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

One night years ago, while me and my friend Jeff were out driving around (drinking etc.) and listening to music, even singing along a little (badly, of course). As we came over a hill on the 4 lane divided highway, an object appeared. It was, a baby? Before we could respond, BAMM! Crunch! Eww! "We hit it..!" I said. "It looked like a baby, what would a baby be doing in the road at 11:00pm?". We went silent and any buzz we thought we had was long gone now. I said, "Maybe it was a pig..? This is out in the county..I mean, what would a baby be doing in the road?" Meanwhile, both of us stunned by the incident, we where just coasting up the road trying to grasp what had just happened. "We have to go back..", I said, "Maybe it was just a pig.". So we turned the car around and went back. The mile or so return trip to the scene of horror seemed to last forever. Finally, we reached the point of impact and turned the car around to look at what we had done. There it was bright red, smashed and destroyed, to never be the same again. It was a watermelon!

Avoid Dangers of Horseback Riding

2006-03-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

Horse And Rider Safety by: Trish Haill
There is no beating around the bush - horse riding is a risk sport. Apart from the obvious dangers of falling off when mounted, these large animals have always got to be treated with respect when handling them on the ground and in the stable.
Riding need not be any more dangerous than any other risk sport, as long as certain precautions such as those listed on this page are followed. Horse Rider Safety should always be borne in mind when riding or near horses.
Safety for Visitors on the Yard
Horses are large prey animals and have been designed through evolution to protect themselves from things they do not understand! Anyone standing behind them is in danger of being kicked. Horses characters can vary greatly - some can bite (either if they are in a bad mood, or if they genuinely believe the hand reaching out to stroke their nose is actually a carrot!) Visitors to a Riding Stables or Livery Yard, especially with young children, are asked to remember this, and keep their children under control at all times! Riding stables are not playgrounds, and children running round corners unexpectedly can cause a horse to rear.
Riding Hats
Riding hats or helmets MUST be worn at all times when riding, and are paramount to horse rider safety. They are also advised to be worn at other times when handling horses. Riding hats come in various designs - some designs suit one shape of head better than another, and of course some designs are more appropriate to your favoured riding discipline.
The most important thing about a riding hat is that it much be fitted correctly ideally by someone who had attending a hat fitting course. It must also conform to standards PAS 015 or EN 1384. Hats cannot prevent serious injury in all circumstances, but help in the majority of cases. Your skull is fragile - it is not worth taking a risk with.
If the hat suffers a severe impact, either as a result of a fall or a drop onto a hard surface it MUST be replaced. Riding hat prices start from around the mid £30s, and you can spend up to over £100.
Hats do not last forever as the protective padding gradually compresses with use, and the hat becomes looser on your head. You should purchase a replacement hat as soon as this happens.
Riding Hats and the Law
It is a legal requirement that children under the age of 14 MUST wear a riding hat which conforms to the appropriate standard when riding a horse on the road.
Body Protectors
Horse rider safety can be helped by a body protector which can give protection to the chest and back area if you fall from your horse. These are particularly useful if you fall onto a hard surface (such as a jump), or if your horse stands on you after a fall. Body protectors can help prevent serious injury.
There are three standards of protection, and each has a different coloured label in the shops to identify the level of protection offered.
Level 1 Black label
Protectors providing a lower level of protection that is only considered
appropriate for licences jockeys.
Level 2 Brown label
Protectors providing a lower than normal level of protection that is only
considered appropriate for use in low risk situations. These DO NOT include riding on roads or other hard surfaces, riding over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, or riding while still inexperienced.
Level 3 Purple label
Protectors providing a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses. Protectors to this level should:
Prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain.
Reduce significant soft tissue injuries to the level of bruising.
Prevent a limited number of rib fractures.
When first using a body protector it will feel very strange and restrictive. Most protectors mould to your body's shape, and do so more easily in warm weather than in cold. Although the body protector feels uncomfortable at first you really must persevere with wearing it. After a few times of wearing it when riding you will find you feel naked without it, and it will become second nature to put it on and use it every time you ride.
Body protectors cost from £60 up - a good investment for something that may save your life!
Body Protector Fit
Fitting is of paramount importance and a visit to a properly trained retailer is recommended, for example anyone displaying the BETA Safety course attendance certificate.
Ensure that you are wearing the correct size of body protector and that it is adjusted to give a close fit to the body, and that no RED VELCRO is exposed at the shoulder or waist closures. If RED VELCRO is visible the protector is too small or is incorrectly fastened.
The body protector should be tried on over light clothing. Check that is comfortable to wear in all simulated riding positions. The garment should fit securely and reasonably tightly to avoid movement during activity and to ensure that it is in place in the event of an accident.
Footwear
It is essential that you ride in appropriate footwear. Serious injuries can be caused if you fall off and your foot gets stuck in the stirrup. Proper riding boots are recommended - these have a heel to stop your feet sliding through the stirrups. Boots can be short (jophur boots) or full length. The most comfortable footwear is often short boots and half chaps - chaps keep the stirrup leathers from chaffing and bruising your legs. However, what you choose to wear is personal choice and how much you can afford (long leather riding boots can set you back around £100 up).
It is not appropriate to ride in trainers as they have no heel and can be dangerous.
Safe Tack
You are now equipped with riding hat and body protector, and proper footwear. Now it is time to turn to your horse!
The object of riding and of horse rider safety is to stay on top of your horse - your riding apparel may help protect you if you fall off, but really you want to avoid doing this at all costs! You do not want to part company with your horse due to faulty tack!
Tack needs to be checked regularly so you can spot a problem before it occurs.
Leather tack needs to be kept clean and well conditioned so that it remains supple - stitching needs to be checked to ensure there are no points of weaknesss. Buying quality tack in the first place is essential. You may find bridles costing little more than £20, and wonder why you should pay over £100 for the similar item. However, the more expensive bridle is undoubtably going to be made of better leather, and with good care will last you longer and be more reliable. The last thing you would want is for your reins to break when your horse is in mid gallop!
Tack can be repaired, but don't skimp here. If it is in bad condition, replace it! If your girth breaks you will fall off your horse and may suffer serious injury - is it really worth risking it?
Buy the right tack for your riding discipline. Also make sure the tack fits your horse properly for the comfort of both of you.
Finally it is good if you can develop a relationship with your tack supplier - for example, having the person who provides your saddle come out and check the fit regularly. They will be able to advise you on things that you may have missed.
Visibility on the Road
Wearing hi viz protective clothing when riding on the road can make you more visible to a car driver approximately 3 seconds earlier than would otherwise be the case. These seconds could be vital in saving the lives of you and your horse.
It is not always in poor or dark conditions that hi viz equipment is necessary - on a bright summers day the driver's vision may be hampered by bright sunlight!
Slogans on tabards, such as 'Pass wide and slow' also help remind drivers of the need to take care when passing horses. Unfortunately too many drivers nowadays seem unaware that horses cannot be depended upon in the same way as bicycles, and often come far too close and too fast.
Equestrian Road safety also includes thanking drivers who show consideration for horses and their riders - this encourages them to be as thoughtful in future. Sometimes riders do not help themselves if they ignore couteous behaviour! A simple 'thank you' can go a long way - so remember every time!
At any time in your horse riding career you may part company with your mount when you least expect it (or less politely get dumped!). Being prepared can help you get back into the saddle as quickly as possible, with little or no serious damage!
Horses weight half a ton or more – they must be respected!
About The Author
Trish Haill is the Webmaster for Limebrook Farm Riding School and Livery Yard. This ever growing website is a great resource for riders and horse lovers everywhere. Check out the site at http://www.limebrook.com.

Sports..sort of.

2006-03-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

A Quick Introduction to Fantasy Professional Football by: Kevin T. Fairbanks
Football has become a gigantic sport in the United States. Heroes are being made each weekend and the number of people watching football on TV is at an all-time high. With this popularity, more and more people want to get more from their experience with football. With computers and gaming on computers also gaining popularity, Fantasy Football is gaining popularity, also. Have you caught the bug yet and started participating in a Fantasy Football League? Now would be a great time!
Whether you already know every professional football team and player like the back of your hand, or you just want to learn enough to look less blank when conversing with friends, family or coworkers, fantasy football can enhance your NFL viewing experience.
As a lottery commercial says, "you have to be in it to win it". In order to join the fun, you have to pick a "host", select your preferred NFL players, and join or start a league.
You have a ton of options when considering where to host a fantasy football team. Some of the most commonly played "hosts" include CBS Sportsline.com, SportingNews.com, YahooSports Fantasy Football and CDM Fantasy Sports.
Depending on the host and league, you'll play one of several formats. One requires an upfront payment to enter your league, but doesn't charge you for players you pick up during the season from a free agent or "waiver" pool. Generally, the higher you pay as your upfront fee, the larger your prize if you win your league for the season.
The second format is free to join, but will cost you for most or all players you claim off waivers or as free agents after the initial draft period ends. Generally, trades with other players are free of charge. Be careful, though! Those trades can be costly in another way to you if you give away too much to get that must-have player.
The most common formats allow you a team made up of one or more quarterbacks, one or more running backs, one or more wide receivers, one or more tight ends and one or more defense/special teams (DST) units. Depending on the league, you may play all of your players at once or pick some players as "starters" and assign others as "reserves". Only your active players (starters} earn you points for that week. You get points for their league-defined accomplishments each week. What and how much your team will score will vary from league to league.
Now you need players on your team, so it is time for you to "draft" some football players. Using your basic understanding of football, and drawing on your NFL savvy, or some free or paid information sources to review, you'll rank real NFL players before your league draft. You may also be able to use the players as "pre-ranked" by your host.
You'll also need to decide whether you want the excitement and time commitment of a live draft, or the relative ease and less time offered by an automated draft. If you are a beginner, the automated draft is highly recommended.
During the season, there are "BYE" weeks, during which an NFL team and its players get the week off to recharge. Real players also can be injured, so you lose their productivity. On the other hand, you and your team don't get any time off, so you'll probably have to make trades and perform waiver wire moves to ensure that you have a full, strong team playing every week.
Those are the basics. Now, it is up to you to apply your special knowledge, instinct or hunches, and "Win one for the Gipper". Before your draft, you might want to challenge friends, family members or co-workers who have similar skills to yours to join your league. Some healthy competition can make your fantasy football experience even more enjoyable.
As with any game, keep in mind that it is only a game. You will not become rich or popular dependent upon how well you play. It is mostly purely entertainment. If you keep this in mind and don't take yourself or the game too seriously, you will have a great time. It is a great game and you should have no trouble finding others with your passion and skill level. Have fun and good luck!
About The Author
Kevin T. Fairbanks is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
http://CollectibleSport.com
http://www.Collectible-Sports-Memorabilia.com
http://www.GolfClubsHome.com

This Too..Shall Pass

2006-03-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

War and Peace by: Stephen Calder
The history of mankind to date having been one of almost continuous conflict, it should come as no surprise that the third millennium has started pretty much as the second ended. War and rumors of war dominate the daily news, raising fears that the species is again about to threaten itself with mass destruction, perhaps self-annihilation.
Attempts to manipulate the political process in order to avert such a disaster are becoming more inventive. Here in Byron Bay, 700 women stripped naked and lay down in a field, spelling out the words NO WAR with their bodies, and naturally received the gawking media attention they were hoping for. The message was clear, but whether it will be considered by those who matter was not.
Letters to the media, whether they advocate "standing up to terrorism" by invading Iraq, or disarmament to evade the threat of a planetary holocaust, display one common emotion-fear. This is also no surprise, given that fear is the basis of all conflict. The big question, for those who are determined to live in peace, is "What can I do as an individual in order to have peace?"
A moment's reflection should be enough to show that action in the world to solve the endless conflicts and human problems that exist-even stripping for peace-can have limited efficacy at best, and that nothing anyone can do in the world will guarantee a total and lasting solution. The best I can hope to do is enroll enough people to make a noticeable difference to one or another of the myriad problems we seem to face. Even if the Middle East crisis can be resolved, there is an endless list of causes of suffering, hardship and pain that must still be tackled, and no way in this world of bringing about an end, once and for all, to human suffering. Yes, OK
An impossible situation. The despair and helplessness felt by so many in the face of the apparent determination of the politicians to embark on yet another round of death and destruction is now leading some of them to look for a solution beyond this world-a solution that depends not on human efforts but on surrender to the divine within.
Is this possible? Only if you are prepared to undergo a radical shift in your thought system and take the next step in the evolution of man, in the process becoming something other than human, abandoning the self-constructed identity that led you into fear, and awakening to a realization that the totality of all the love in the universe is available to you, is within you, and in fact is you as you were intended to be.
That statement by itself will avail you nothing unless you sincerely desire the radical shift, and in fact may provoke a reaction along the lines of "That's all very well, but if Bush goes to war with Iran, my son/brother/husband may die. And if the war escalates, much worse may happen. There may be attacks on my country, perhaps even my city. How can I have peace when that threat is over my head?"
Well of course you can't. But the radical step just mentioned includes a realization that this world is an artifact of your mind, a collective construct that continually tempts you into fear. Seen from this viewpoint, above the battleground, the battle itself is illusory-a distraction that keeps you in fear now while seeming to offer hope of fulfillment in the future. The world, looked at this way, is full of promises that are never delivered, keeping you optimistic about the future in spite of your bitter experience. A fool's paradise.
Perhaps you can see the contradiction inherent in believing the world is real. On the one hand, it seems to be a fearful place, and you desperately want, or think you want, an end to fear. On the other, the glittering promises the world offers of happiness through material possessions, or power, or loving relationships, or whatever it is in the world that you think will fulfill you, are blindingly seductive, allowing you to forget that every goal you have realized up to now has left you wanting more. Even if this is not your experience, and you consider yourself fulfilled by what the world offers, you are still nagged by the thought that you will some day have to leave it all behind, and this doubt about what happens then is the serpent in the paradise you think you're in.
The answer to the question "How can I have peace in a fearful world?" will always point away from the battleground to what is eternal; while your objection to the ideas expressed here will always point back to the world. Because you have no intention of surrendering, your objection will be along the lines of "Spiritual enlightenment will not help me if a bomb is about to drop." You will insist on an answer to that question when in fact peace is only available to those willing to abandon the fear that the question implies.
For fear is always connected in some way to the body. If that is not clear to you, consider what it is you are most afraid of. If it is not some form of physical pain, it is the emotional distress that would be caused by loss, for example of a loved one or a prized possession. Why is the loved one or the possession valued? It satisfies some bodily need. The experience of enlightenment, or awakening, is the recognition that you are not a body, and that in fact the material world, as experienced by the senses, is illusory. The evidence of the senses is compelling, but for those who have awakened to the unreality of the physical, not compelling enough.
"I am not a body, I am free" is the joyful news from the Master in A Course in Miracles. The realization is available at any time. It may come spontaneously, but it may also come as a result of your decision and determination to be free. If you can recognize that determination and want to know what the next step is, the Course itself is a certain method of discovering the peace within, the only peace there is, the peace that passes understanding, the peace that depends on nothing in this world and is unaffected by the apparent trouble of this world. Peace be to you my brother, and joy and love forever. This, your natural inheritance, awaits you.
About The Author
Stephen Calder found A Course in Miracles in 1996 and, during a seven-year intensive study and practice of its principles, had a number of revelatory experiences and realized the truth it states. He lives in Lennox Head, Australia, and offers the course in audio form on his website, http://www.notabody.com/.
The Miracle Times: http://www.themiracletimes.com/

Detroit Pistons

2006-02-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

Could the Detroit Pistons be the Best in NBA History? by: Leslie Sinclair
The Detroit Pistons have everything on their side right now. Time, wins, great players and some say they may be one of the best NBA team to ever grace the professional courts of the NBA. What do you think?
Look at Detroit’s last season record of 54 wins to 28 losses making them first in the Central Division. Also, take into account the fact that two years ago, they took the NBA title by maintaining outstanding play throughout the season and with exceptional coaching. Will it be the same for the 2005 - 2006 season? What has changed and what has remained the same?
First of all, Detroit’s former Coach Larry Brown has moved to New York. Brown is often credited with developing the fabulous defense that gave the Pistons that winning edge. Brown is also credited with leaving players and fans angry in the wake of his decision to move to New York.
Now, Coach Flip Saunders, in his eleventh season of coaching with 411 wins and 328 losses under his belt, will try to heat up the courts as Detroit’s new head coach. Fans can expect to see a combination of unmatched defense as well as a diligent offense providing the scores needed to excel this season. Saunders transferred from the Minnesota Timberwolves after ten very successful seasons of coaching. Will he be able to fully prepare and implement the proper aggressive offense that has been missing in order to secure a berth in the Finals in his first year with Detroit? It is anticipated that he will, because of he did lead Minnesota into the playoffs for eight of the ten years that he was coaching at Minnesota. Offense has always been considered Coach Saunders strongest point. This should give Detroit the edge it needs to stay on top.
As for Detroit’s team members, G. Maurice Evans was added this year. After playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2001, Evans played in Europe until returning to play with Sacramento and then moving on to Detroit. He is known for his superior shooting from the outside, this should give Detroit the edge it needed in the past. If he is able to mesh with the remaining players this should give the Pistons another dimension that it has been lacking in the past. Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Carlos Arroyo, Carlos Delfino, Darko Milicic, Antonio McDyess, Lindsey Hunter and Tayshaun Prince remain from last year's line up. There were no key players lost this season.
Of course, Detroit is up against some stiff competition. It is never an easy job to be the best of the best in the NBA, but it looks like Detroit has accomplished this goal. Fans consider Saunders a good coach, but many of them wonder if he will be able to bring another championship home to the Motor City. If Saunders is able to get the players to play to their potential and adapt to his coaching philosophy, Detroit will be a team to be reckoned with this season. If the current players are able to use the teachings of Brown and the new techniques of Saunders this might be one of the best Detroit teams ever.
Detroit is very motivated and highly energized to finish out this season on top. They want to show Brown and the rest of the league that they can win without him and that they are here to stay. If they are able to play with the same intensity they have over the last couple of years winning shouldn’t be a problem.
It does help that the starting five Pistons will be returning. Beginning with Chauncey Billups, who would have earned a second straight MVP in the Finals had his team made it through the series, he'll be joined by Richard Hamilton, an established veteran. Center Ben Wallace at 6 foot 9 inches will make the defense glow again. Antonio McDyess will play a prime backup role again. He is known for his play during the playoffs. He will get help from veteran newcomer Dale Davis. Roster moves were minimal this season but those that were made should be key to the overall success for the team this season.
The only things that could possibly hold this team back would be key player injuries or team members failing to adjust to Saunders style of play. You can rest assured that the team wants to take the title this year badly, so it is rather doubtful that this team will not give it 100%. Yet, injuries are unpredictable and this could be the only way that this team is stopped. Barring injuries this team might walk away with the NBA title in the 2005-06 season.
Detroit is the team to watch this year. You should see some exciting play, different styles and a newly developed offense to complement the already strong defense. This team has all the components of a winner including: good coaching, great defense, strong offense, and great teamwork. The Pistons are easily one of the best team on the court today, and it is very possible they are one of the best teams the NBA has ever seen!
About The Author
This article was written by Leslie Sinclair sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com. If you’re looking to buy sports tickets for the next Piston’s game, look no further than Stubhub.com where fans buy and sell the hottest tickets. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link back to http://www.stubhub.com.
lesliesinclair01@gmail.com

Breaking News - Groom Your Dog

2006-02-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

Dog Health and Grooming - Simple Steps for a Healthy Dog by: Colin L Wolfenden
What can you do to improve the health of your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective? Grooming that's what! The small investment of time and money involved for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog's health!
Is your dog's coat looking dull, tatty and matted? Is your dog's sad looking coat causing you to worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple things can often provide very effective benefits, and in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one of these simple measures that can yield big results.
Dog health and grooming go hand in hand as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can help prevent many dog health problems before they arise. Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications of possible health problems are noticed and addressed before they progress to something more sinister.
Health Benefits of Grooming
Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor, keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for the health of the overall coat.
Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus having a positive affect on the dog's overall health in the same way that a massage does for humans.
Residual Benefits of Grooming
Aside from the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming there are other benefits such as: -
Bonding with your Dog - While grooming your dog you are helping to create a bond between you and your pet because of the physical touching and interaction. This also has a positive effect on the dog's emotional state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands. Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
Knowing your pet - While grooming your dog you get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem, for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched in an area where it usually loves to be touched would alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
Spot Possible Health Dangers - While grooming your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check of the dog’s skin should be a regular part of your dog health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the paws for problems that may require attention along with the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.
Possible Bonus Benefit for you
If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent, you may consider starting your own dog grooming service to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a full time business. Dog grooming services are in high demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better than making a living doing something that you enjoy.
What You Need to Start?
It is important to get the right grooming tools and information on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of information about grooming along with numerous sites that sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books on dog grooming.
The benefits to your dog’s health by regular grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog's coat will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog's skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your pet and he/she will love you for it.
About The Author
© 2006 Colin L Wolfenden
Colin L Wolfenden is Webmaster for
http://www.my-resource.com and
http://www.impressiveebooks.com
webmaster@my-resource.com

Johnny Carson Anniversary

2006-01-23T13:53:00.000-08:00

Tonight show legend Johnny Carson died one year ago today, Sunday Jan 23, 2005, of emphysema. Born in 1925, Johnny was
drawn to perform and entertain. He started out in Theatre and as a Magician.
Johnny had taken over the Jack Parr Show in New York City, NBC studio 6B before later moving to
California. Before the takeover, Johnny was talking to Ed McMahon backstage and told him, "When we take
over the Tonight Show, I'm taking you with me.." said Ed McMahon in an interview with Larry King in
December 2003.
Johnny and Ed always clicked when together. One night on the Tonight Show, Ed was doing an Alpo
commercial and the dog could have cared less about the Alpo. Ed was just getting that awkward look when
Johnny came out and played the dog while mimicking actually eating the Alpo. On another occasion, during
the taping of the show, it became obvious that the material was not going well, Ed set fire the the paper
that Johnny was reading. Without flinching, Johnny placed a trash can from behind his desk on top and held
the paper above it, at the same time Doc in the band began playing 'Taps'. Just another example of the
great combination of players on the Tonight Show working as a masterful comic team.
The show was actually taped even though all the clocks you saw would indicate 11:00pm. Ed would start
the show by warming up the audience. Ed needed a catch phrase so as not to become like woodwork on the
show. He thought all weekend before coming up with "Here's Johnny". This caught on like wildfire, everyone
was saying for about 6 months.
One of my favorite scenes from the show was when an elderly woman had brought her rather unusual
chip collection. Johnny had hidden a bowl of chips behind his desk and when she was looking away and
talking to Ed, Johnny went CRUNCH!. The look on the woman's face was priceless!
Johnny met Ed McMahon shortly after Ed came home from Korea. Ed had moved into an apartment building which
only happened to house Dick Clark as well. Dick had invited Ed to a party and asked him to tell some jokes and
generally entertain. Impressed with McMahon, NBC executives asked him to an interview. McMahon said he thought
he had blown the interview, but the executives were pleased with his talents. After taking work on the Jack Parr Tonight
Show, Ed met and clicked with Johnny.
Many entertainers made their careers on Carson's Tonight Show. Steve Martin, previously a writer, did a famous bit
where he asked if he could use Johnny's phone and just check his messages. The first message is from a woman who
tells Steve "don't worry about last night, it can happen to anyone, you're still a man to me..", then a second message,
"don't worry about last night, it can happen to anyone, you're still a man to me..", finally the third message sends Johnny
almost out of his chair laughing. A man leaves this message, "don't worry about last night, it can happen to anyone,
you're still a man to me..".
Politicians also made their mark on the world with an appearance on Johnny Carson. Bill Clinton was the butt of a
long joke when Carson spend over three minutes introducing him, flipping pages like it would never end. Clinton got
the joke, he had just given a speech at the Democratic convention that lasted 45 minutes. When Clinton said,
"in closing.." the applause was almost overwhelming.
We will miss Johnny, he will never be outdone.

Tax Issues - Innocent Spouses

2006-01-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

Innocent Spouses - Relief from Taxes by: Richard Chapo
Historically, tax issues arising from bad marriages fell into the category of “better or worse” for marriages. The IRS granted no innocent spouse tax relief, but has changed its views.
Tax Relief
When a marriage has problems, finances are almost always one of the elements that contribute to the strife. This can be particularly true where spouses file a joint tax return, which the both sign as tax payers. If the information provided on the tax return is false or inaccurate, the IRS has historically viewed both spouses as liable for the resulting assessments. If the relevant taxes were not paid, the IRS would also look to both spouses to pay the delinquent amount. In worse case scenarios, this can include criminal charges for tax evasion.
Fortunately, the IRS has modified its view of the liability of joint filers. The IRS now recognizes that innocent spouses can’t control their deadbeat former spouses. It allows such innocent spouses to claim three types of tax relief:
1. Innocent Spouse Relief
2. Relief by Separation of Liability
3. Equitable Relief
If the IRS comes after you for the tax liability of a former spouse, you can seek tax relief under these three theories if you meet all the following requirements. First, you filed a joint return with inaccurate information. Second, you didn’t know of the inaccuracies and didn’t have any reason to. Finally, taking into consideration the situation, holding you liable for the tax would be unfair.
The IRS will evaluate your application and render a ruling on your application. The IRS may agree to simply waive any tax claim against you and go after the deadbeat spouse as the sole debtor. Alternatively, the IRS may split the tax into a his and her account, only requiring you to pay one half of the amount due. While this may not sound great, it will immediately cut your tax bill in half.
In rare cases, you can seek equitable relief from the IRS. Equitable relief simply is another way of saying making you pay the tax would be manifestly unfair. You must show you and the spouse did not transfer assets as part of an fraudulent scheme, didn’t transfer assets with the intention of evading taxes, didn’t intend to commit fraud, didn’t pay the taxes due and you didn’t know what your spouse was up to. Equitable relief claims need to be handled very carefully as the IRS views them with a very cynical eye. Nonetheless, they are a last step that can be taken when all else has failed.

About The Author
Richard A. Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - recovery of business taxes through tax help and tax relief. Visit http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles to read more business tax articles.
ArticleCity.com - Innocent Spouses - Relief from Taxes

XBOX

2006-01-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

Xbox Catching Up in 2006 by: Chris Robertson
Although there was a delay in delivering the number of Xbox 360s that consumers demanded for the 2005 holiday season, Microsoft is expected to manufacture over 2 million of the gaming consoles in the first quarter of 2006. It's estimated that about 1 million Xbox 360s made it to stores in time for the holidays, so there's a pent-up demand for the console. In addition, reported bugs and cooling problems will likely be worked out in the near future.
The Xbox isn't the only consumer electronic hitting the news these days. At the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, a number of manufacturers of cell phones will be honored with innovation awards. For example, Firefly Mobile will be honored for their "Mobile Phone for Mobile Kids," which is specifically designed for tweens. In addition, Auvi Technologies will be presented an award for their innovative PHIP100 VoIP-enabled cordless speakerphone with a built-in webcam.
CES will also honor a number of innovative computer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard. HP has two products, the Media Center Photosmart PC and the Pavillion desktop PC, which combine computing with cutting edge digital entertainment features. Logitech will be accorded the 2006 Best of Innovations award for its customizable computer mouse, which allows the user to change the mouse's weight and balance.
Consumer electronics continue to be integrated into car design and sold as after market features. Audivox, for example, offers dual DVD players that offer backseat passengers a choice in which DVD they each watch, while Panasonic has an in-dash DVD monitor and receiver. Manufacturers are also producing after market products to integrate MP3 players and iPods into a vehicle's sound system. As a result, drivers and passengers no longer have to rely on a CD to bring their favorite tunes on the road.
Although many developers of video games seem to be waiting until the next generation of gaming consoles saturate the market, a few recent titles are noteworthy. Psychonauts is a hit, and for the role-playing crowd, Jade Empire is the video game du jour for the Xbox. In portable gaming, the Sony PSP comes out on top with Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, while the Nintendo DS offers Mario Kart.
On the whole, consumer electronics continue to improve in reliability and performance, while becoming increasingly affordable. In all respects, 2006 looks like it will be a stellar year for everything from video gaming systems to cell phones.
About The Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com
To learn more about subjects like Xbox please visit the web site at: http://www.neivatech.net
For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Electronics directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Electronics

Sports - Football

2006-01-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

Football Technique AFT 01 by: John Blenkin
The very youngest of us throw toys and toddlers soon kick balls. Kicking a football is a natural thing and provides justification for the joy found in physical exercise.
From the basic urge by youngsters to kick a ball the game of Football has developed into a worldwide industry now dependent on the highest level of skills needed to promote dynamic competitions to attract every class of spectators.
This series of articles is intended to make basic technique available to those whose circumstances prevent them from going to a recognized football academy. It is hoped by highlighting the technique of football for these newcomers to the game they too will become proficient at an earlier age to avoid later mistakes.
The football is usually struck by the top part of the foot to propel it to a specific point in space. Note the word ‘point.’ The ball should not be kicked vaguely in the general direction of the target but kicked to a specific point in space where the next player will be best placed to proceed further.
Ball kickers are either right or left footed. This refers to the foot they prefer to use when kicking a football. Some players kick equally well with either foot.
A football can be either still or moving when kicked. A still ball is a ‘dead ball.’ A moving ball can be moving in any direction or at any speed when kicked. A moving ball may be coming towards the kicker or moving away while it is actually being kicked.
A right-footed player may be on either the left or right side of the playing field [pitch] still or moving and be passing to a player who is either moving or stationary and who will also be either a left or right-footed player. A left-footed player will be faced by a similar set of opposite or handed variables.
A ball kicked with the right foot by a right footed player is likely to be more accurate and have greater power than if on the left hand side of the pitch. A right footed player on the left side of the pitch will be forced to move round behind the ball more to the left to bring his right foot into full use to make the pass. This takes time.
A player who is targeted for a pass may be still or either moving away or coming forward in relation to the kicker.
A dead-ball is always on the pitch when struck. A moving ball may be a low pass in contact with the pitch along the whole length of its moving path. A moving ball may be bouncing low or skimming the pitch or at any body height between pitch and head or above head to a considerable height.
The speed of a moving ball may be passive – losing momentum or be traveling at great velocity rising or falling.
The kicker creates each of these variables and the ball has to be dealt with successfully by the receiving player before becoming the next kicker.
A player will approach a dead ball to take a free kick awarded by the referee. The kicker’s angle of approach to the ball will depend on where the spot is in relation to the centerline of the pitch how far it is away from the goalmouth and the disposition of all the other players on the pitch.
The kicker will have to take into account the power and direction of wind and the angle of sunlight. There may be poor visibility from mist fog rain snow season of the year or time of day. The pitch may be bone hard when dry damp following rain or muddy after heavy use. The turf may be frozen slippery covered with ice or swept snow.
The ball must be kicked to arrive low or head high or high but dipping late or on a bending curve. A free kicker born to the game may not even appear to take these factors into account yet somehow will always place the ball exactly in the right spot for the next player to make his best move. An experienced player will calculate the effect of these variables also automatically but not with the same degree of style confidence or artistry displayed by the top hundred or so players in the game. The run-of-mill player may take more trouble but be more likely to hesitate allowing the importance of the kick to play into his fears causing the free kick to be wasted. Plus a kicker may be fit off form or recovering from injury and perhaps not fully match fit.
It is usual to place the support non-kicking foot immediately to the side of the ball next to the nearer face of the ball while the kicking foot swings down and through on the other front quarter face of the ball. The kicking foot toe should point to the target destination point achieve both direction and speed.
The ball can be hit by the underside toe of the boot – that is chipped – lofted by kicking with the top of the boot curved round the underside of the ball or hit at a point above the ball’s center of gravity line to put top spin on it and so keep it low.
The most accurate way to kick a ball is along the ground because the ball then moves in only a plane and has only two variables. A targeted kicked ball must be accurate in both direction speed and height. By kicking along the ground the height variable is eliminated and only the direction and speed have to be accurate.
This ground pass has the advantage of being the shortest distance between kicker and receiver. This means the pass arrives quicker at its destination. If the pass is short the time allowed for the opposition to intercept it is almost eliminated who have to adopt close marking to break up possession. If there are sufficient players in unmarked positions available to receive short passes ball possession will be difficult to break up by the opposition. In addition the defense will be forced into constant running especially in the attack area in front of goal. Players who can rest momentarily between each kick receive fewer injuries and always have time and energy in reserve to see where every player is on the field. Such possession inspires confidence in the team and may even result in spectator ridicule directed at the defense.
In dead ball situations these matters are not important but they become relevant after the kick is made. Goal scoring free kick right or left foot specialists from wherever outside the penalty area use the foot they prefer.
About The Author
John Blenkin is a retired architect and is now a watercolor painter and article writer. His interests are wide covering both technical and philosophical subjects. He also writes online articles on the technique of watercolor painting.
http://www.freefolios.com/
foka@spidernet.com.cy

Fed Decision

2005-12-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

The Federal Reserve has raised rates 25 basis points to 4.25%. Says "Some firming likely as needed in the future..". No words about letting off yet. Don't break it guys!

The Death Penalty

2005-12-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

The Death Penalty, Is it Good Or Bad? by: David G. Hallstrom, Sr.
I am and always have been the pro death penalty, however, even though I am pro death penalty, I probably would not be willing to pull the switch or push the button. I do not think that this makes me a hypocrit. Please bear with me while I explain.
As I stated, I am pro death penalty. I am not, however, pro death penalty as an act of revenge or retribution. I believe that in certain instances it does act as a deterrent to crime and can save lives. I realize that some people have no respect for life, not even their own, and would commit violent acts no matter what the penalty. I also realize that some people get caught up in the heat of passion and don't think about the consequences of their actions. There are people, however, that do care about themselves even if they don't care about others and the only thing that stops them from commiting certain crimes is the idea that they might, if caught, be executed. They may not have a conscience, they may not care about the harm they do others, they may not believe in or care about an afterlife but, they do care about their own skin and they want to protect themselves from harm. Many of these people don't care if they go to prison but they do want to live. Many of them while in prison would murder other prisoners or guards but don't because they don't want to turn their life sentence into a death sentence. If the death penalty saves even one or two innocent lives, I believe that it is worth having.
On the other hand, I am not omnipotent, I don't know everything. I realize that some, or even many, innocent people may have been executed by mistake. However, I believe that many more innocent lives have been saved than lost because of the death penalty.
I also know that the death penalty can be more expensive and cost the taxpayers more than incarcerating someone for life. However, if it saves innocent lives, it is worth the extra cost. Additionally, if the death penalty process was streamlined the cost would be far less.
Having stated the foregoing, I still probably would not be willing to pull the switch or press the button. Luckily for me there are others that for some reason, either out of a sense of duty or for some other reason, are able to and will do the deed.
My problem stems from uncertainty. Is there a God (I hope so.), and if there is a God, did he send down the Ten Commandments? If God did, what did God mean by "thou shalt not commit murder" (Note: It is not "thou shalt not kill" it is "thou shalt not commit murder", check with a theologian.)? Is it murder to execute a murderer or is it carrying out God's will by protecting other people. Would I loose my soul and an afterlife by executing a murderer. I would be willing to loose my soul in order to protect my love ones by killing someone who threatened them, or to go to war in order to protect my family and country but I might be too selfish to be willing to loose my soul by carrying out a legal execution. I just thought of something, could this selfishness cost me my soul? Oh boy, one more thing to ponder. I either don't have enough faith or I have too much faith. I can't be sure which it is, but I assume that it is not enough faith, because, if I truly believed in a just God, I would be able to trust in him and leave it in his hands.
Finally, I say I probably would not be willing to push the button. I say probably because you never know what you would do when it comes right down to it. I don't think I'd have the guts, however, if there was no one else to do it, who knows?
About The Author
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and currently publishes several internet directories including http://www.resourcesforattorneys.com a legal and lifestyle resources directory for attorneys, lawyers and the internet public. For more lifestyle information see http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com, the Lifestyle directory from Resources For Attorneys.

A was looking for gifts such as art, collectibles, crafts, books, baked gifts and I found them shopping online.

My wife always shops for clothes, shoes, makeup and jewelry online.

My kids said to go online for Christmas toys this year.

Most of the time I shop online for electronics such as audio, tvs, cell phones, wireless digital cameras and pdas.

I found all the furniture and hardware I needed online.

My friend the chef said to look online for kitchen supplies and recipes.

Survivor Update

2005-12-11T20:07:00.000-08:00

Dani wins one million dollars on this season of Survivor Guatemala!

Richard Pryor Dies at Age 65

2005-12-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

I am sad to announce that one of my favorite comedians, Richard Pryor, has died at the young age of 65. We love you Richard, See ya in a few!

Free Money

2005-12-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Nigerian Scams – Finally Going To Jail by: Richard A. Chapo
Ah, don’t you love those Nigerian scams? I’m the brother of Finance Minister… Well, they are finally being prosecuted and going to jail.
Banco Noroeste – Brazil
In the biggest scam of its sort, three Nigerian scammers managed to steal $242 million dollars from Banco Noroesto, a bank in Brazil. The Nigerians came up with a fake contract to build an airport in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. They promised a bank official a healthy commission in exchange for funding the contract. Sound familiar? Of course, there was no airport and the scammers headed off with the money. The bank, in turn, collapsed and customers lost everything.
In a joint investigation by Nigerian and Brazilian officials, the three fraudsters were identified as Emmanuel Nwude, Nzeribe Okoli and Amaka Anajemba. In prosecution efforts, Nwude and Okoli plead guilty to numerous crimes and forfeited $121.5 million dollars in assets. Anajemba rolled on the other two and received a two and half year sentence after agreeing to give back $48.5 million. Nobody has explained what happened to the other $70 million.
Nigeria Corruption
Nigeria is currently considered the sixth most corrupt country in the world. To deal with these problems, an independent Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been set up in Nigeria to go after all the fraudulent activity. The “EFCC” has the stated goal of:
“The EFCC will curb the menace of corruption that constitutes the cog in the wheel of progress; protect national and foreign investments in the country; imbue the spirit of hard work in the citizenry and discourage ill gotten wealth; identify illegally acquired wealth and confiscate it; build an upright workforce in both public and private sectors of the economy and; contribute to the global war against financial crimes.”
While a bit utopian, the Commission has a lot of power and is making a beeline for the people sending you the fraudulent emails. At this time, the Commission claims to have arrested over 200 email scammers and seized assets in excess of $200 million dollars.
Warning
While this is all very nice, there is a certain amount of common sense involved in this issue. Do you really believe someone will contact you out of the blue with a desire to give you a few million dollars?
Just because you are on the Internet, it doesn’t mean you should abandon your common sense when you start reading email. Trust me, such offers aren’t legitimate.
About The Author
Richard A. Chapo is a San Diego business lawyer with http://www.sandiegobusinesslawfirm.com - a San Diego business law firm in San Diego, California.

Immigration

2005-12-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

Assimilation or Multi-culturalism: That is the Question by: Donna Poisl
Maybe we need a combination of the two.
What does it mean to be American? Does it mean everyone talks the same and looks the same and believes the same things? Does it mean forgetting everything that our parents and grandparents had to go through to get to this country? Does it mean forgetting all the customs and foods and stories they were raised with?
Wouldn't that be awfully hard to do? And wouldn't this be a boring place to live?
This country was a huge land with very few inhabitants and then people from all parts of the world left their own homes and troubles and came here with one goal: to make a better life for their families than they could have in their homeland. They were the entrepreneurs, the hard working, stubborn, brave people who came with nothing and made something of themselves. In the process they built a great country for us.
George Washington said in 1783 that our borders were open for the wealthy and educated and oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions, who were free to participate in all our rights and privileges – if these newcomers followed American standards of decency and proper conduct. He wanted them to assimilate to their new country's values. And most of them did. Most of these European immigrants considered themselves Americans and never saw their homelands or families again. This was mainly because travel to Europe was difficult, not because the new country insisted on it, although it made assimilation easier to accomplish.
The goal used to be for all immigrants of different backgrounds to "melt" into a new race of people. During the civil rights movement of the 1960s, this ideal was challenged when we were encouraged to celebrate diversity and move beyond this melting pot. Assimilation was changed to multi-culturalism.
Multi-culturalism is promoted by many, but it doesn't give the people a common goal, belief or even language anymore. Many of the immigrants here now have no knowledge of the history of this country and no interest in learning it. They have no loyalty to any common idea or belief, and often don't consider themselves Americans. A large number never learn English and never learn their rights or responsibilities and never become a part of this country. What can we do to help them become Americans?
The task of assimilating into a new culture doesn't rest with the people already there, it is the responsibility of the immigrants to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to them in their new home. They must try to adapt to life in this country. It doesn't mean they should forget their own customs, it doesn't mean they should change entirely, but it does mean they should do their best to learn the language and the rules.
When Americans look back at their history of immigration, they assume that assimilation is a relatively easy process, since their parents and grandparents did it. But it is very hard for immigrants to give up old languages, customs and practices so they can be absorbed into their new society. Most people possess a strong, passionate attachment to their own culture and way of life and in most cases, they are emigrating because of poverty in their own country. If their country offered them a good life for their families, most of them would stay home.
We need the immigrants who are here and will need more all the time. We should find a way to combine the assimilation we used to strive for and the multi-culturalism that so many want now. We have to convince these new people to become Americans without giving up all of the customs from their former homes.
We need more Americans, not just citizens (or non-citizens) living here who never fit in.
About The Author
Donna Poisl is President of Live & Thrive Press and the author of "How to Live & Thrive in the U.S. / Como Vivir y Prosperar en Estados Unidos". She understands the problems immigrants face when moving to a new country and culture and wrote this reference guide to help them learn our system and succeed in this country. Contact Donna at http://www.howtoliveandthrive.com.

The Sky is Falling...Again.

2005-12-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Bioterrorism Preparedness by: Andy Jones
Bioterrorism has a history like anthrax attacks and is the most dreadful of all the probable massacres by terrorists and prompts us to instantiate the first step in bioterrorism preparedness by choosing the right safety gear like gas masks for bioterrorism protection.
Despite the safety measures imposed by the government, bioterrorism is a reality and it is essential that citizens be prepared for possible attacks. Bioterrorism involves the use of harmful germs or other biological agents to create illness and fear among the general public. A number of biological weapons can be used in an attack of bioterrorism--most notably, many people are concerned with smallpox, anthrax, and ricin.
Some of these agents can be spread by people who have become infected, such as smallpox. Others, such as anthrax, only pose a threat to those who come in direct contact with them. Many of these agents can cause infection via inhalation. If there have been news advisories either on television or the radio, you can increase your safety and that of your family by wearing gas masks during reported bioterrorism attacks.
You should always be careful when you receive mail from an unknown sender, as biological weapons such as anthrax can be delivered by such means. The FBI recommends that you check the postmark on any package you were not expecting to see if it is from a foreign country.
More information about biological weapons is at http://www.bestsafetyapparel.com/learnmore.html#Biological and to know more about bioterrorism preparedness visit http://www.bestsafetyapparel.com/bipr.html
About The Author
Andy Jones -Media Relations, Namebrands Retail LLC http://www.bestsafetyapparel.com
About Best Safety Apparel: Best safety Apparel, a subsidiary of Namebrands Retail LLC is a professionally managed company, gathering immense knowledge and specializing in safety apparel through relentless extensive research and is a leading supplier of bioterrorism preparedness equipment like gas masks- Baby Hood Protector to the full face civilian mask, Draeger military masks, Israeli gas masks, gas mask filters for all ages. You can find equipment to prepare for bioterrorism attacks and be ready for any emergency and are also suitable for industrial safety and agricultural applications.
Copyright ©2005 Namebrands Retail LLC, All rights reserved.

Commentary

2005-12-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

When We Help Immigrants, We Help Ourselves by: Donna Poisl
And some of the benefits are immediate!
Almost all of us who are not immigrants, are descended from immigrants. The United States was built by immigrants and it will always be a country of immigrants. When we think of Chinese, Italians, Germans, English, French, etc. we picture distinct people, cultures, food and languages.
When we think of Americans, we picture a combination of all the other countries. And it is always changing. When people used to picture Americans they saw white people from England, Germany and Scandinavia and the black people descended from slaves. Then Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants came; at that time none of these people were thought of as white. Asian immigrants came next and now the picture we have of Americans is becoming more Spanish speaking and from Latin America.
Throughout our country’s history, there have always been residents who thought the country was full or didn’t need people from certain countries. They seemed to believe, “I’m OK, you’re not”. But the bravest, strongest, most determined, entrepreneurial people from poor countries took a huge chance and moved here to build a better life for themselves. In the process they built a better country for all of us.
If you moved to a new country, what would you do if you knew only a few words of the language and even less of the laws and customs? You would probably first ask your friends, who often wouldn’t know the right answers. Then you might make several attempts to do something and then perhaps give up entirely. Then you would find out the hard way (tickets, fines, evictions, school suspensions) that you did something wrong. New immigrants are trying to adapt to life here and struggle every day to fit in.
When immigrants succeed, we all benefit. Some of the benefits are immediate: helping someone in the checkout line at the grocery store to understand the instructions or make change, helps the line move faster. If we speak slowly and help them learn some English, everything in our daily lives works better. Learning a new language is very difficult, but they won’t be able to assimilate if they don’t learn English. Some people say that these newcomers are stupid or not willing to learn the rules, while they probably are just not able to understand the language or the rules.
If we are friendly and welcoming to new neighbors, they will learn how to fit in and there will be less friction. If there is a neighborhood meeting, take them along. Many of them come from entirely different cultures and have to be shown how to fit into ours.
Tell them about open house and parent-teacher meetings at the local school. Their country’s schools might not have wanted the parents to be involved and they don’t understand how important it is here. Your children’s schools will be better schools if more of the parents are involved and help out. Your children will learn about other countries and cultures from these parents and students, too.
If there is a fire or weather emergency, check on them. Many of them don’t know where to go or who to ask about phone and electric service they have lost. They don’t know there are shelters and help available. Keeping your neighbors safe will make your neighborhood better and maybe they will be helping you next time. A close community of good neighbors has less crime and drugs and other dangerous activities.
In other words, do the same things for these newcomers that you would want them to do for you if you were new residents in their country. This is also called The Golden Rule.
This is our country, we have a right and a responsibility to help new residents learn how to live here. They won’t learn by seeing resentment and hatred on our faces. They will learn by example and friendliness. We will all be happier and we will all benefit when these immigrants become Americans, just like our immigrant ancestors did.
About The Author
Donna Poisl is President of Live & Thrive Press and the author of "How to Live & Thrive in the U.S. / Como Vivir y Prosperar en Estados Unidos". She wrote this reference guide to help immigrants learn our system and succeed in this country. Contact Donna at http://www.howtoliveandthrive.com.

Go Figure

2005-11-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Balance of Lives by: Terry Connors
George Bush is ready to spend $7.5 billion dollars to protect the US from a disease that currently poses no danger and has so far killed no Americans, and only 62 people worldwide. Meanwhile, Bill Gates, much maligned by the media and internet geeks, is spending over $258 million in research toward Malaria, a disease which kills 1.2 million every year.
Of the $258 million that Mr. Gates is spending, $107 million will go towards accelerating the development of a Malaria vaccine. The added money could lead to the development of a vaccine within 6 years. Experts estimate that a malaria vaccine will cut the number of Malaria deaths in half. In other words, it will save 600,000 lives a year, most of them children.
Bill Gates is quoted in the Washington Post:
“It’s really a tragedy that the world has done so little to stop this disease that kills 2,000 African children every day,” Gates said in a conference call with reporters. “If those children were in rich countries, we’d have headlines, we’d take action, and we wouldn’t rest until every child was protected.”
Exactly right, Mr. Gates. So why would we spend $7.5 billion to fight a disease that maybe, someday, sorta, could possibly become a pandemic that will, at its worst, do no more damage in total than Malaria does every single year? Why would we not spend a fraction of that money to save 600,000 children every year? Some Liberal pundits would cry racism or classism, but that answer is too simplistic. The real answer is: The Media.
Quite simply, there is a media frenzy around the Bird Flu, and there isn’t a media frenzy around Malaria. Even the leaders of the world are susceptible to influence by the media, and they will spend their time, resources, and money fighting perceived threats while ignoring real, but hidden, threats.
So why is the media doing this? why is there more coverage of the Bird Flu, which has only killed 62 people, than there was of the earthquake in Pakistan, which killed tens of thousands? Because panic sells. Alarmism sells. The only thing that sells more media viewing time than a disaster, is a disaster that hasn’t happened yet.
There is hope. Eventually, people will tire of hearing about the Bird Flu, and in 6 months you won’t hear a peep about it. The Bird Flu will go the way of Anthrax letters, Ebola virus, flesh-eating bacteria, and a host of other medical disasters that never quite managed to manifest.
About The Author
Terry Connors
I am Gen-X family guy with 2 step-kids and a loving wife. I frequently blog about current events, especially if there is a scientific bent to the news items. You can read more of my stuff at: Another Stupid News Blog - http://news.virtualdominion.net
All work is copyright, Terry Connors 2005

Your Credit

2005-11-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

We found several good articles on credit and credit repair for you:

Assumptions in Credit Repairby: Keith Gloster Click Here

Self-Employment Taxby: Matt Bacak Click Here

Guide To Free Debt Consolidationby: Mansi Gupta Click Here

All your business and finance needs including loans, stock market info, real estate services, insurance and news publications are found at Virtual Directory.

All your software needs for isp services, websites, hosting, graphics, development, office, games and security software are found at Virtual Directory.

Employment services for working at home, job boards, freelancing, eCommerce shops, resume services and education are all at Virtual Directory.

Christmas Shopping

2005-11-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Should I Shop Online Or Offline? A Shoppers' Guide by: Steve Hawker
I went shopping with my wife the other day, to a British city centre nearby. My ordeal lasted ten hours. During many idle moments, I compiled this rough guide for shoppers who are unsure whether to shop online or offline in future.
I decided that shoppers SHOULD shop offline, at a nearby shopping centre, if they:
* Enjoy getting up early, to drive through slow-moving traffic and secure cheap parking places.
* Aren't too worried if their parked cars are scratched or bumped anonymously whilst they're out shopping.
* Thrive outdoors in the British climate, and are impervious to rain, hail, snow, wind, heat, frost, fog etc.
* Welcome walking from shop to shop, to find what they or their partner needs, at the best prices.
* Don't panic when their partner says that s/he wants to try an eighth store for a 'special something'.
* Like driving and/or walking back to stores, if goods are faulty, the wrong size or they forget something.
* View the carrying of heavy plastic bags, which slice into their hands, as a form of exercise.
* See avoiding pickpockets, thieves and robbers as a bit of 'sport' too.
* Tolerate sinister young men with a taste for beer, lurking in boisterous groups on street corners.
* Humour young parents with 4x4 buggies and/or unruly, unrestrained toddlers that scream loudly.
* Think retired people should only go shopping at the weekends and in the evenings, at the same time as people who work.
* Believe wide friends have the right to amble slowly side-by-side, in ways that block pavements and passageways.
* Don't mind being buffeted by other hungry shoppers, also trying to secure tables at eating outlets.
* Shrug-off the astronomic prices in shopping centres, for snacks and drinks of indifferent quality.
* Enjoy dodging cars, vans and lorries, and feel they belong in city centres during shopping hours.
* Think that second-hand cigarette smoke and vehicle fumes add a 'certain something' to shopping.
* Relish sharing strangers' viruses, bacteria, body odours, exotic language, odd habits etc.
* Are tolerant of shop assistants' occasional bad manners, surly behaviour and incompetence.
* Like queuing, smelly toilets and litter, and/or removing dog mess and chewing gum from shoes or buggy wheels.
* Enjoy finding quiet spots in otherwise confined, crowded and claustrophobic public spaces.
* Think graffiti really is an art form, and smile when shop maintenance goes unattended for weeks.
* Shrug their shoulders if shops open only when it's convenient for owners, staff (and politicians).
* Remove carefully the flyers left furtively under their windscreen wipers whilst parked and read them avidly later.
I could go on but, if you identify yourself with most of these phenomena, then you probably should shop at a shopping centre nearby. If, like me though, you find many of them irksome, you might consider shopping online instead next time!
About The Author
Steve Hawker is a partner at http://www.ehawker.co.uk E-mail him at: info at ehawker.co.uk © Steve Hawker 2005. All rights reserved. This article must be reproduced in its entirity, including this biography.

A was looking for gifts such as art, collectibles, crafts, books, baked gifts and I found them shopping online.

My wife always shops for clothes, shoes, makeup and jewelry online.

My kids said to go online for Christmas toys this year.

Most of the time I shop online for electronics such as audio, tvs, cell phones, wireless digital cameras and pdas.

I found all the furniture and hardware I needed online.

My friend the chef said to look online for kitchen supplies and recipes.

Magazines

2005-11-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

Magazine Sale Nov 17 to Dec 31 2005;

Coupon code: MFL2010% OFF all orders of $20 or more

Coupon code: MFL50$5 OFF all orders of $50 or more

Christmas Shopping

2005-11-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

A was looking for gifts such as art, collectibles, crafts, books, baked gifts and I found them shopping online.
My wife always shops for clothes, shoes, makeup and jewelry online.
My kids said to go online for Christmas toys this year.
Most of the time I shop online for electronics such as audio, tvs, cell phones, wireless digital cameras and pdas.
I found all the furniture and hardware I needed online.
My friend the chef said to look online for kitchen supplies and recipes.

Storm Damage in Southeast

2005-11-16T14:24:00.000-08:00

Last night's weather left damage as seen in these pictures from the local news. Fortunately the damage was much less than expected given the weather conditions at the time. "The unstability that we saw in 1989 on this same day just wasn't there.." said local meteorologist Dan Saterfield.

Bad Weather Expected Tonight in Southeast

2005-11-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

Bad weather including thunderstorms and tornados are expected in the southeast U.S. today until late into Wednesday morning. Tornado warnings have already been issued in many counties in this region. Keep your eyes peeled for tornados. If a tornado overtakes you it is recommended that you put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye..

Breaking News - Coupons!

2005-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Another Emitations.com Jewelry Sale!
$5 Off $40 with Coupon Code: HDAY05
$10 Off $75 with Coupon Code: HDAY10
$25 Off $150 with Coupon Code: HDAY25
***Coupon codes will be expired on 11/15/2005.***
$22 Off CZ Channel Set Hoop Earrings
Save up to 25% with 3 Emitations.com pieces as featured in People's Holiday 2005 Style Watch Issue!
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TinyTotDressShop.com
Free Shipping on All Orders Extended Through December 31, 2005 We are currently offering free Standard Shipping on all U.S. orders through December 31, 2005. Express shipping is available for an additional fee.
Trish Scully (available in infant, toddler, and little girls 4-6x sizes)
Plum Pudding (available in infant, toddler, and little girls 4-6x sizes)
Sweet Potatoes (available in toddler and little girls 4-6x sizes)
The following coupon codes are valid through December 31, 2005. HOLIDAYTK15 offers $15 Off Orders of $100 or More HolidayTK10 offers $10 Off Orders of $75 or More Our coupons cannot be combined.
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CrazyforBargains.com
Coordinating Sleepwear for Kids and Moms We now have both Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer nightshirts for women and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer pajamas for children in sizes 12 months to 6X.
Character Sleeper Pajamas for Children Our new character sleeper pajamas for toddlers include:
- The Wiggles for girls
- Dora the Explorer for girls
- Blueâ€™s Clues for boys
- Shrek for boys
- Spider-man for boys
Santa Slippers for Women
Christmas Boxer Shorts for Men
Coupon Codes The following coupon codes are valid through December 31, 2005. Coupons cannot be combined. HOLIDAYSPFR offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more HOLIDAY10OFF offers 10% off orders of $40 or more
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Survivor / Tyra Banks

2005-11-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

I found three interesting articles for you:
Reality TV Still Going Strong With Survivor by: Gary Mitchell Click Here (See Bottom off page when you get there)
Tyra Banks Is Turning On Satellite Radio by: Scott Fish Click Here
I like the Three Stooges, so I added this one too:
Moe, Larry And Curly by: Kenneth McCormick Click Here

Sex in the City

2005-11-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

Emitations.com Jewelry Sale!
$1 SHIPPING OFFER UNTIL 11/10/05

also,
E-Gift Certificates

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Celebrity Engagement Rings

New Shops!

Clothes
EssentialApparel.com - Great apparel, great prices.

Home Decor
Elegant-Living.com: Gifts to brighten up your days!

Markets Rally!

2005-11-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

A follow through rally today brought 2 billion shares traded and a 2:1 Advancers vs. Decliners. Baby still need those shoes!

Rates Raised

2005-11-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

The Fed raised rates by 25 basis points today for the 12th time.

Will the Fed Raise Rates?

2005-11-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

The question on Wall Street is "will the fed raise rates?". The likely answer is yes, 25 basis points, but the future plans of the fed are more on the minds of investors. The word on the street is that the rate hike is priced in.

New Shops!
EssentialApparel.com - Great apparel, great prices.
Elegant-Living.com: Gifts to brighten up your days!
From now on until November 24th, 2005, we are offering a 10% OFF Site-wide Sale on Elegant-Living.com. This discount even applies to items already on sale!
New Coupons!
AcmeHardware.com
AcmeHardware is now until the end of the year we are offering $10 off on all orders of $80 or more. Simply type in DIYnow2005 in our checkout after you enter your credit card info.

Free Perfume

2005-10-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

PerfumeNStuff has a new perfume to give away for the Month of November 2005: Win a Full Size Bottle of CURVE For Women By LIZ CLAIBORNE! LIZ CLAIBORNE designed CURVE in 1996. Its fragrant nature explores essences of citrus, freesia and lily. Blended with notes of sandalwood, moss and vetiver, CURVE is a casual type of fragrance. We only require you to enter your email address, NOTHING else!
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Jewelry
Fabulous Gifting Ideas at Emitations Holiday Gift Center.

Follow Up on Ghosts

2005-10-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

The Ghosts of The Tower of London Pt2 by: Stuart Bazga
In this final instalment of The Ghosts of the Tower of London, you will learn about fate of Catherine Howard and discover the treachery behind the death of Lady Jane Grey who was Queen of England for only nine days.
The most grisly execution and thus haunting is that of the 70 year old Countess of Salisbury, the last of the Plantagenets. King Henry VIII had her executed for political reasons. The feisty Countess refused to put her head on the block like a common traitor. When her executioner came after her she ran, but was pursued by him, with his axe in hand hacking at her until he had hewn the Countess to death.
Her ghost has been seen reliving this truly gruesome act. Also the shadow of a great axe has been seen falling across the scene of her murder.
At one time the Tower of London was home to the Royal Menagerie. Lions, leopards, bears, birds, monkeys and an elephant, that was a gift from the King of France, were kept on exhibit. On the stroke of midnight in January of 1815 a sentry saw a bear from this menagerie emerge from a doorway. He lunged at it with his bayonet, it passed right through the apparition. The Sentry was later found unconscious, it is said he died of fright within two months of this encounter.
Something unseen and very frightening is in the Salt Tower. This is one of the most haunted areas of the Tower of London complex. This is a very old section, dogs will not enter this ancient building, and ever since one of the Yeoman Warders was nearly throttled by a force unseen, they will not go in the area after nightfall.
In 1864, a soldier whose post was to guard the Queen’s House at the Tower of London, saw a apparition so real, that after ignoring the soldiers three challenges, he charged with all his might at the intruder with his bayonet, only to go straight through the figure.
He was found unconscious at his post and was court-martialled for neglecting his duty. Luckily there were two witnesses who corroborated his story. The soldier was eventually acquitted.
Lady Jane Grey is another tragic story of a young life cut short at the Tower, due to the actions of others the most despicable of who was her own father.
She was the granddaughter of Mary (Henry VIII younger sister) and Louis XII of France. The Duke of Northumberland would lose everything if Henry VIII’s son was to die and Mary, who was Catholic, would become queen.
He and her father arranged her marriage to his son and persuaded her cousin Edward VI to name her his successor in case of his death instead of his two half-sisters. When Edward VI died she was crowned Queen of England, but the supporters of Mary overthrew her.
Her own father got scared and in hopes to save his own skin, left the Tower of London and went to Tower Hill to proclaim Mary I, as the Queen of England, Lady Jane never left the tower; she and her husband were immediately imprisoned and sentenced to death. Queen Mary carried out the execution of Lady Jane’s father-in-law but set both Jane and her husband free.
Her father was involved in a rebellion against Mary I, Lady Jane and her husband were again placed in the tower. Lady Jane watched as her husband was taken to Tower Hill where he was beheaded. She saw his body being carried back to the chapel, after which she was taken to Tower Green where she was beheaded. She was only 17 years old.
Lady Jane Grey’s ghost was last seen by two Guardsmen on February 12, 1957, the 403rd anniversary of her execution. She was described as a "white shape forming itself on the battlements". Her husband, Guildford Dudley, has been seen in Beauchamp Tower weeping.
Catherine Howard escaped from her room in the Tower of London. "She ran down the hallway screaming for help and mercy. She was caught and returned to her room." The next day she was beheaded. Her ghost has been seen sill running down the hallway screaming for help.
Other strange sightings at the Tower of London have been "Phantom funeral carriages" and “A lovely veiled lady that, upon closer look proves to have a black void where her face should be."
This concludes the brief insight to the Ghosts of The Tower of London. I hope this has fired your imagination enough so that you want to learn more about the Towers most GRUESOME PAST.
If you want to read about more haunting tales then visit my Haunted Castles page, where you can find out about the strange happenings at Windsor Castle and read about the Heroic tale of the two Pomeroy Brothers.
Best Wishes and Have a Great Day
Stuart Bazgawww.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com

About The Author
Stuart Bazga
A Guide to Castles of Europe was born from childhood dreams and aspirations. It is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves.
© 2005 http://www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com - All rights reserved.
You may copy or redistribute this article in its entirety including all links.
stuart@guide-to-castles-of-europe.com

Ghost Report

2005-10-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Ghosts of The Tower of London Part 1 by: Stuart Bazga
Over the coming week, I hope to lead you on a journey of discovery and adventure. Briefly taking a glimpse into a past so horrid. Of haunting tales and ghastly ends that awaited so many of her most famous occupants. Firing your imagination, so that you will delve deeper into her history for yourselves.
During her long and illustrious 900 years, The Tower of London has developed into one of the most haunted places in Britain. She has been home to beheadings and murders, torture and hangings, as well as being a prison to Queens and Nobles alike.
Thomas A. Becket is "the first reported sighting of a ghost at the Tower of London."
During the construction on the Inner Curtain Wall in the 13th century, Thomas appeared apparently unhappy about the construction, and it is said he reduced the wall to rubble with a strike of his cross. Henry III’s grandfather was responsible for the death of Thomas Becket, so Henry III wasted no time building a chapel in the Tower of London, naming it for the archbishop.
This must have pleased Thomas’ ghost because there were no further interruptions during the construction of the wall.
The Bloody Tower was the scene of the infamous disappearance of the two princes; Edward V (12) and Richard Duke of York (10), who are thought to have been murdered in 1483 on the probable command of the Duke of Gloucestershire, who was to be crowned Richard the III.
According to one story, guards in the late 15th century, who were passing the Bloody Tower, spotted the shadows of two small figures gliding down the stairs still wearing the white night shirts they had on the night they disappeared.
They stood silently, hand in hand, before fading back into the stones of the Bloody Tower.
These figures were identified as the ghosts of the two princes. In 1674 workmen found a chest that contained the skeletons of two young children, they were thought to be the remains of the princess, and were given a royal burial not long afterwards.
The story of the little princes is still to this day a heartbreaking story. They are "among the most poignant ghosts" in the Tower of London.
The most persistent ghost in The Tower of London is the ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn.
The King, Henry VIII, after learning the baby she carried for nine months was a boy and still born, accused by her of infidelity.
She was taken to TOWER GREEN and was beheaded on May 19, 1536.
Queen Anne appears near the Queen’s House, close to the site where her execution was carried out. She can be seen leading a ghostly procession of Lords and Ladies down the aisle of the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
She floats down the aisle to her final resting place. Queen Anne is buried under the Chapel’s altar. Her headless body has also been seen walking the corridors of the Tower.
Sir Walter Raleigh lived quite comfortable compared to others who were imprisoned within the walls of the Bloody Tower.
His "rooms" are still furnished as they were in the 16th century, and can be seen when visiting the Tower today.
He was executed by James I, and has been seen looking exactly as he does in his portrait hanging in the Bloody Tower.
I hope you have enjoyed Pt1 to The Ghosts of The Tower of London. In Pt2 we discover what happend to Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey as well as the Horrific end to the Countess of Salisbury.
If these tales have brought your imagination back to life and you want to discover more ghostly and gruesome stories of times past. Then pay a visit to my Haunted Castles page where you can find out about the grisly goings on at Windsor Castle or read about the Heroic tale of the Two Brothers of Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon.
Best wishes and have a great day!
Stuart Bazga
About The Author
Stuart Bazga
A Guide to Castles of Europe was born from childhood dreams and aspirations. It is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves.
© 2005 by guide-to-castles-of-europe.com - All rights reserved.
You may copy or redistribute this article in its entirety including all links.
stuart@guide-to-castles-of-europe.com

Halloween

2005-10-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Halloween Safety by: Rachael Towle
Between the Harvest Festivals, Halloween parties and social gatherings, this Halloween season could be very busy for you and your family. This is why all parents should make safety the number one priority while having fun. It also never hurts to be reminded of the precautions all Halloweeners should take while gathering candy.
Before leaving the house, every person going out to Trick-or-Treat should be dressed appropriately. Begin by making sure attire is weather appropriate. The cooler the temperature, the more layers needed to keep warm. These layers should be easily removed as not to interfere with the costume if it gets too warm. Any masks being worn should fit so that vision is not obscured in any way. Children can't be expected to be completely safe if surroundings can't be seen easily. Batman and Darth Vader costumes are popular this year, and their dark cloaks can make seeing trick-or-treaters almost impossible after the sun has set. Take the ultimate safety precaution by purchasing reflective tape and place it on the back of the costume, which can be done without changing the appearance or effect of the costume. It also helps to add reflective tape to the side of shoes to add extra reflective surfaces. If a car approaches your child from any direction, enough reflective tape will give your child shape and the driver will be able to see the children. Glow sticks and other accessories are also great ways to make sure you and your child can be seen in the dark.
When moving from house to house, children should refrain from walking in-between parked cars and ideally, should only cross the street at crosswalks. Some neighborhoods are easier to navigate than others, but it is always better to visit houses on one side of the street at a time. Keeping on sidewalks and driveways and refraining from grass and other soft areas will help prevents slips, trips, and falls. Holes and dips in the ground are hard to see in covered areas. Blacktop and concrete surfaces should be used for navigation as much as possible.
Only visit houses that are inviting. Houses without a light at the door or front porch, or without any light from jack-o-lanterns or other means or decoration should not be included in the list of houses to visit. Not only is it not safe, but obviously the tenants do not want visitors.
Although neighborhoods with larger houses in prominent areas are more appealing, it can be tiresome for smaller children. These houses take longer to go from door to door, ultimately causing small children to tire more quickly. If you drive to a neighborhood to visit, try to pick one with houses that are closer together to make the trip more productive with less walking.
Some of the best places to trick-or-treat isn't necessarily in a neighborhood going from door to door. Churches, malls and shopping center strip-malls often offer treats to those who stop by. Churches often offer forms of entertainment like "Trunk-or-Treating," where the parking lot of the Church is filled with vehicles where drivers give out candy from their decked-out truck beds and lawn chairs next to their cars. These are wonderful places to take children because the people giving candy may already be a friend, therefore giving parents a more trusted source of treats. Parents are also able to socialize and have some fun themselves, too!
We all know of the importance of screening the candy our children receive during Trick-or-Treating. Some communities offer free screenings with X-ray devices, which is an ideal way to make sure the stereotypical metal object hasn't been inserted into your child's candy. In addition to screenings, parents should check each piece of candy thoroughly before consumption. All candy should be wrapped or packaged well without any tears or punctures. Make sure the wrapper on the candy is still secure and bags are free of puncture marks or tears. If candy looks like it has been tampered with in any way, be sure to discard immediately.
Whether you decide to stay home and give out candy, or take a stroll or drive to your favorite haunts, be sure safety is first, no matter what! Enjoy your Halloween!
Copyright 2005 by Rachael Towle, The Parent Station. This article may be republished for web content as long as the author information, bylines, and active links are included.
About The Author
Rachael Towle is the owner of The Parent Station, a site where Parents & Friends connect through community forums and parenting resources.
theparentstation.com
jedi@theparentstation.com

Electronics Sale

2005-10-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

New iSellSurplus.Com Extended Coupons:FREE Power DVD Software With Any Purchase Use Coupon Code: POWERDVD Expires 10/31/2005OR,FREE Ground Shipping on All Orders over $25 - Use Coupon Code: FREESHIP - Expires 10/31/2005OR,10% off ALL Instock Systems / Notebooks - Use Coupon Code: SYSTEMSAVE Expires 10/31/2005OR Finally,FREE Corel Office 12 with any purchase $89 Value - Use Coupon Code: FREEOFFICE Expires 10/31/2005
Also for Jewelry,
Free Holiday Shipping at Emitations.com. Click here for more details.
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Emitations 6th Anniversary - 15% Off the ENTIRE Store! Coupon Code: Happy6th*** Offer is good until Oct 31***
Emitations Holiday Gift Center (Gift Ideas, Wishlist, Hold & Ship and 60 Day Returns).

Food News!

2005-10-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Your apples are expiring soon.
Apple Crunch
A great way to kill off those extra apples this year is to make apple crunch and add vanilla ice cream:
5 or 6 apples
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)
1/2 stick of butter or margarine (optional)
2 TBSP flour (optional)
1 TBSP lemon juice
1/4 cup pecan pieces
Peel and cut up apples into small pieces. Put apples in a bowl of water and lemon juice to keep from
turning brown and to keep fresh. In a separate bowl, mix sugars, flour, salt, cinnamon, and pecans.
and nutmeg. Add about half of the sugar mixture to the apples. Add softened margarine (optional).
Stir all together. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately
50 minutes. After the apples start cooking for about 20 minutes add the rest of the sugar mixture and baste apples every 15 minutes.

Serve with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream!

World Series Football

2005-10-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Football :
Schedule of events World Series We will have World Series championship gear available immediately after the game.
NCAA
10/22 Texas Tech vs Texas
10/22 Georgia Tech vs Miami
10/22 Tennessee vs Alabama
10/22 Purdue vs Wisconsin
10/27 Boston College vs Virginia Tech
10/29 Georgia vs Florida
10/29 Ohio St. vs Minnesota NFL
10/23 Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati
10/23 San Diego vs Philadelphia
10/23 Dallas vs Seattle
10/23 Denver vs NY Giants
10/30 Jacksonville vs St. Louis
10/30 Kansas City vs San Diego
10/30 Philadelphia vs Denver
Hot NFL Teams
Buccaneers, Steelers, Jaguars, Cowboys, Dolphins, Patriots Hot NCAA Teams Notre Dame, Florida, Florida State, Texas, USC, Georgia, Ohio State Hot Departments Sweatshirts & Fleece, Game day & Tailgate, Kids, Jerseys, T-Shirts, Beanies & Hats

New Fed Chairman

2005-10-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

President Bush has chosen Ben Bernanke as the new Fed Chairman. There will be a speech at 1:00pm where Bush will explain his choice.

The Economy

2005-10-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that we are suffering the reverse of stagflation? It seems that we are in a deflationary environment with a touch of inflation..huh? Basically, raising prices will not increase demand (like when we fed inflation in the late 70's), however, profits will still remain low because of this 'lock' on the economy. Government spending and printing of massive amounts of cash cannot solve this problem, but surprisingly are not that harmful, at this time. Look for investments that increase productivity, this is the key to profitability in this era. If you can't raise prices, you must increase productivity instead, those companies that can't, will suffer and so will their earnings.

Coupons!

2005-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

New iSellSurplus Coupons:
FREE Power DVD Software With Any Purchase Use Coupon Code: POWERDVD Expires 10/26/2005
OR: FREE Ground Shipping on All Orders over $25 - Use Coupon Code: FREESHIP - Expires 10/26/2005
OR: 10% off ALL Instock Systems / Notebooks - Use Coupon Code: SYSTEMSAVE Expires 10/26/2005
OR Finally,FREE Corel Office 12 with any purchase $89 Value - Use Coupon Code: FREEOFFICE Expires 10/26/2005
Take your pick, but hurry!

Could Your High Water Bill Be a Leaky Toilet?

2005-10-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Fixing Leaky Toilet
Leaky toilets are usually caused by one of two things: One, a leaky seal at the base. A leaky seal at the base will usually make itself known when you flush, the water will surround the base of the toilet immediately. Two, a leaky flapper valve in the toilet tank. Lift the cover and note the water level, or mark it with tape or a marker, if the water level varies without anyone flushing the toilet, then it is the flapper. In the case of the flapper leaking, you will likely hear the toilet hissing and filling every few minutes or so, check your water bill for evidence as well.

Resumes

2005-10-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

I added three new articles to virtualejobs resumes:Would You Lie On Your Resume? by: Ann Baehr Click HereI'm Changing Careers - How Do I Format My Resume? by: Ann Baehr Click HereHow Hr Works To Get The Job Done by: Ann Baehr Click HereI think you will find these useful, and the third article gives some insight as to what goes on with your resume in the human resources department.

Virtual Offices

2005-10-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Your website is your virtual office if you are a freelancer. I found several good articles on new websites that you may find useful:Need a Website? You Have 3 Options by: Joel Walsh Click HereBuild Websites Easier With Premade Templates by: Alex Marias Click HereThe Basics Of Search Engine Placement and Keyword Selections by: Alexi Kerbel Click Here

Space Shuttle

2005-10-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

Using newly developed radar, the popcorn and debris resulting from launch related vibrations can be better analyzed. Some popcorning cannot be avoided due to the properties of foam insulation, but larger debris remains a larger concern. At 10 to 20 seconds after launch a larger pattern of vibration is shown on the vibration level graph(derived from radar data collected during launch). Wind tunnel testing continues and the next launch date remains unconfirmed. Maybe we could just duct tape and saran wrap the outside surfaces! Where is that tape...

Concert Tonight

2005-10-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight at 10:00 Cental, APT presents Jack Johnson/Rilo Kiley on Austin City Limits. Check your PBS schedule for local listings.

Power Out in Bagdad

2005-10-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

The power in Bagdad has been knocked out by insurgents prior to tommorrow's big decision.

Easy way to find work

2005-10-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Freelancing is a great way to start your business or corporation. You can also use it to extend your skills or expand an existing business. If you are looking for a temporary employee, hiring a freelancer saves you both time and money.Gaining Experience is difficult these days. There is no longer any excuse for not working when you can just start working from a freelance site. Just like Ebay, projects are offered and you place your offer. You gain income and experience whether or not you have experience or degree. If you are a hard worker and you want new experience or just experience in anything from data entry to advance skills in programming, writing, translation. If it is done on a computer, you can do it here. :)

Tobacco Lawsuit

2005-10-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

I am going to sue my cigarette company. It says on the side of every pack that they will kill me, but they haven't done it yet. Thankfully, all of my friends have offered to join me in a class action suit against them.

Major Earthquake Kills 20000

2005-10-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

A major earthquake has killed at least 20000 in India, Kashmir, and Pakistan. The quakes' centre was located about 60 miles from Islamabad. At least 250 school children were killed when their building collapsed on top of them. Apartment towers made of reinforced concrete and steel are said to have collapsed in this violent earthquake. Already, twice the number of people killed in Katrina, these people will need your help. Please give to charities in order to help the unfortunate victims of this terrible disaster.

Katrina is "The Wrath of God" ?

2005-09-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

Alabama Senator Hank Erwin says that Katrina is the "..judgement of God." And that the people of New Orleans brought this upon themselves. Perhaps you would like to share your feelings with the Senator at his website. More on this story Here .

Nasa News

2005-09-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

A new part of the ATrain satellite system, Calipso and ClouldSat will add new capabilities in the studies of our atmosphere. This system of satellites will give us a look inside the clouds much like a catscan will your own body. A better understanding of the atmosphere and air quality related issues will result from the information gathered by the Atmospheric Services Data Center. We can look for concentration levels of various substances like water in clouds, dust and suspected pollution related materials. For more see nasa.gov.

FEMA Director

2005-09-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Lasting only about 24 hours, Porky Pig, who replaced Michael Brown Thursday, was replaced by Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen on Friday. A White House press release today said "It just doesn't make sense to go with a cartoon character, even if he is more experienced than Brown..". Brown was transferred to the CYA/cleanest desk department. His duties will include cleaning off his desk ~3 times a day.

FEMA Director Michael Brown Replaced

2005-09-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

The government has announced that FEMA director Michael Brown will be replaced by Porky Pig. Mr. Pig, 76, has extensive experience in cartoons and had this to say: "Bdee.. Bdee.. Thanks Mr. Bush, I will do the B-Ba B-ba the B-ba, a good job."

The Lighter Side

2005-09-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

An Egyptian Joke
A Christian riding his bike in Cairo is stopped late one night by a Muslim policemen who hates Christians. The cop asks for his license and begins to look it over for any error or violation but doesn't
find any. He then looks over the bike checking the mirrors and such but finds nothing. In frustration he
demands "Why are you out riding alone so late anyway? ". The Christian responds as he waves his hands
in the form of a cross across his chest "I am not alone, I have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost with
me..". The cop says "Three people on a bike..Come with me"

Please Help

2005-09-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

Please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina if you can. If you have no money, like me, please cut and paste my charity links to your website or blog. Also, give a link to my site as well if you can. Thank you and may God Bless all.

Charities

2005-09-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Charity Links
____________________________________________________
GUIDESTAR - Charities research site
____________________________________________________
PROJECT HOPE
____________________________________________________
SAVE THE CHILDREN
____________________________________________________
THE RED CROSS
____________________________________________________
DIRECT RELIEF
____________________________________________________
CARE
____________________________________________________
AHH-USA
____________________________________________________
MERCY CORPS
____________________________________________________
The people at GeminiSoftwareSystems wish to express their sympathy for all the victims
of Hurricane Katrina. Guidestar will help you with your research as
you look for the appropriate charity for you.

Hurricane Relief

2005-08-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

If you would like to give to the Red Cross or other charities for the hurricane Katrina relief effort, just follow this link: Charities .

Category 5 Hurricane to Hit New Orleans 7:00am Monday

2005-08-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Katrina, category 5 hurricane, is expected to hit in or near New Orleans Monday around 7:00am. The storm has been clocked at speeds as high as 184 miles per hour. It has been
recommended that anyone in this area should leave or prepare for the worst. Most storm
injures resulting in death are head injures (spelling?). If you can't leave, wear a helmet, motorcycle helmets or even football helmets can help protect your cranium from getting smashed by flying debri.

Gas Thief Turns self in!

2005-08-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Arrested and charged with killing the owner of a Texaco station in Ft Payne, Alabama, Alvin Dwight Benefield, 42, has turned himself in to the Ft. Payne Police Dept.

Bo Bice

2005-08-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Bo Bice will not be able to continue the American Idol Tour due to his having to get surgery for an intestinal blockage (according to cnn) yesterday. His mother said she could not give any more details at this time..just wish him well:-)

Pat Robertson Under Fire

2005-08-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Evangelist Pat Robertson is under fire for comments that he made regarding Venezuela's Chavez..Pat says it would be cheaper to kill him than to go to war. Other evangelists are backing
away from any support of these comments..most do not agree. Pat Robertson's supporters say that it was a part of his show that is for political commentary and not the sermon. hmmm:-(

Dog Catcher Dennis Rader Gets Sentenced to Life!

2005-08-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Dennis Rader, known as BTK, has been sentenced to Life without parole!The dog catcher spoke in his own defense today, or should I say blathered.Rader claims to be a Christian, claims he is not a dog catcher as he hadattended several law enforcement courses. Big deal, still a dog catcherto me. He said "I apologize to the families of victims..bla bla boo hoo for me.He even claims the cops have warmed up to him! Dog catcher Dennis was planning an 11th murder, but was captured instead.As a child he had tortured animals. Rader blaims it on factor X. The highlight of the trial for me was when the court presented picturesof rader in women's underwear, fully garbed out! The look on his facewas one of those priceless moments in life. As victim statements were being read, Rader's tough guy act failed him.Rader turned red and began to cry a little. Dennis Rader asks not to be referred to as a 'dog catcher' as he loveshis anacronyms (spelling?) so BTK is his choice, call him dog catcher Dennisjust to piss him off! See ya in 40 years Dennis! Oh wait, each sentence is separate, see ya never ahole!

Scott Sullivan Sentenced

2005-08-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Scott Sullivan was sentenced to 5 years today - pretty light for this guy.

Fugitives Captured!

2005-08-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Tennesee couple that shot a guard and took off ended up in Columbus, Ohio and were captured without incident. So much for my Florida theory...

Dana Reeve

2005-08-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Dana Reeve, widow of Christopher Reeve, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is a non-smoker and lived a healthy lifestyle. She also lost her mother earlier in the year due to complications in surgery for ovarian cancer. She remains optimistic about a recovery.

Tennessee Inmate Shoots Guard: Escapes

2005-08-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

An inmate in the East Tennessee Correctional Institute escaped this morning with the assistance of his shotgun wielding wife. They are believed to be in a Chevy Ventura Van, Color: Gold with a black stripe. Armed and dangerous (with possible injuries) call 1-800-TBI-FIND if you have seen them in east Tennessee, or the surrounding area. Most criminals either head for a relative's home, or Florida. Watch for these guys on I-75 South and I-95 South. A black male, he is around 6'5". The wife shot the guard with a shotgun. She is white with brown or reddish brown hair, she has a light complexion.

Markets Close Down, Oil Up.

2005-08-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Dow and Nasdaq were down with the Monday blues today. Oil was up at a new high, futures are now trading at $63.85 per barrel. There may be a connection between Saudi's changes and Iran's new nuclear tinkering threat, a..research, yeah, that's the ticket.

Peter Jennings

2005-08-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

Peter Jennings has died of lung cancer according to reports on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005.

Breaking News!

2005-06-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

Breaking News Here First!