Keeping and bringing customers to your business

Business greeting cards are a clever way to introduce and keep contact with your potential customers. It is a perfect sales tool to open door with a prospective customer. There are times when you feel unappreciated. Ask yourself, how often do you feel taken for granted? Now think about your customers and ask yourself, how much are they worth to you? When you send well-presented greeting cards to your customers they feel that they matter to you. Most businesses focus on quality but remember that relationships make the difference. Keep in mind that people come back when they feel special. So get personal with your customers and they will reward you with more repeat sales and referrals than you can ever imagine. One of the good things about business greeting cards is that they last. When people receive cards from someone they don’t expect their curiosity is aroused. And after opening your card, chances are they would display it in their offices or living rooms. There are other reasons why business greeting cards are important in businesses. 1. Oftentimes, they are more effective than initial phone calls. By sending a greeting card you have a reason to make a follow up call a few days after the recipient receives it. 2. It is a good way to keep in touch without being too pushy. 3. The greeting card lets your customers know that you are always there when needed. 4. Your unique or humorous card will be too valuable to toss; thus, they will be a constant reminder that you sent them. For customers, business greeting cards also have advantages: 1. Your existing clients will think that you take time to think of them. 2. Greeting cards are a non-aggressive way of communicating. A greeting card will not interrupt their activities. 3. Your current and prospective clients will appreciate your effort to stay in touch with them. The idea is to keep your card short and to the point. Save the lengthy conversation for initial phone contact or meeting. Really, your greeting card can make your customers feel that you remember them and care about them. These little things are priceless. Just remember how much more difficult and time-consuming it is to find a new client rather than to keep a current one. In the end, taking time to contact your existing and potential customers will pay a lifetime dividend both personally and professionally.

Interview with svatoslav sterba the winner of world marbles championship 2005

In July 2005, the first World Marbles Championship in individual hole game took place in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The championship started on Friday, July 22 by official training. On Saturday, July 23, the competitors played against each other in two groups. They competed for better position in Sunday's double elimination system -- the group winners were seeded as number 1 and 2, players on the second places were seeded as number 3 and 4 etc. So the group winners played with the last one from another group in the first round on Sunday. On Sunday, July 24, the crucial part of the tournament started. Everybody had in mind that the winner of the double elimination system will become the World Marble Champion. After many hours of dramatic matches there were known the finalists - Svatoslav Sterba and Zbynek Fojtik (both representatives of the Czech Republic). It was very equal match in the beginning. But over time Svatoslav Sterba improved his game and rightly won the title of the World Marble Champion. A few months later, in the time when the new marble season starts, we interviewed Mr. Sterba and asked him the following questions: 1. You won Czech Marbles Championship 2002. In the year 2003 you beat over 200 competitors and was #2 in the Czech National Ranking. Next year you didn't participate in any marble tournament. And in April 2005 you were back and in very good condition -- in the first national tournament of the year 2005 you won 3rd place. Do you remember how did you feel before and after this tournament and what was your ambitions for the incoming season? Yes, I remember it very well. I have had serious health problems during all 2004 year. For that reason I was not able to play nor to train not only the game itself but also my physical condition. So I did not expect some results on the first tournament and also in course of the whole season 2005. The most important to me was to be back and in the condition enabling me to play. The third place was very agreeable surprise form me. 2. You easily qualified for the Czech National Championship. It was (except the Word Championship, of course) the most important tournament of the year. But your results were not according to your wish. What happened? I had a complete drop-out of my form, the real “blackout” which hits me only once or twice a year, fortunately. In addition to it there was bad weather at that time and I really do not like to play after rain in wet and dripping grounds. Everything summed-up resulted in my finishing after three matches. 3. Czech National Championship took place 5 weeks before the World Championship. When did you forget the bad result and began to concentrate for World Marbles Championship? I put the bad result on the Czech National Championship out of my mind very quickly. As I do not know exactly the reasons of my “total blackout”, it would be senseless to be concerned with it. In the other side, in the same weather conditions existing in the World Marbles Championship, the things would had turned out with me similarly as in the Czech National Championship. 4. What was your ambitions just before the World Marbles Championship? Did you believe that you will win? I have never dreamt of that. Not even after the first day when I won the qualifying group. The reason also was that my first rival on final was the Czech player and I did not wont it. Besides I lost all matches with him in the whole season 2005. Some of them were balanced up to the end but I did not manage the finish. Therefore I was very afraid of the first match in the World Marbles Championship final and I did not think of the victory at all. 5. What was your tactic before and during the Championship? I had not any special tactics. I tried to concentrate on each marble and to avoid my usual mistakes. Of course, I’ll not reveal my mistakes to facilitate my rivals situation in future matches. 6. On Saturday you played very well and you won in your group. It was good position for next day because you was seeded as #1 for the double elimination. Did you feel that the title is very close? How did you prepare in the last hours before the final part of the tournament? I already answered it partly above. Before the day of final matches I was very nervous, I even slept bad and far too little. For that reason I came to the court earlier to warm up and get going. A great help was also beautiful weather as well as beautiful surroundings where the tournament was realised - view of the river Vltava, Charles Bridge and National Theatre is really splendid and calming. 7. From your point of view, what was the most important moments in your way to the World Marble Champion title? Even that I outlined above. For me it was very important that I was successful in the first match with the rival which whom I in this year (2005) did not win. And it was in the situation when I rather easily lost two first games in this match and the situation seems bad. After it I won two following games and in the decisive fifth game I won too. 8. World Marbles Championship 2006 is coming soon. What are your ambitions this year? I am very happy to be historically the first world champion in this beautiful game. It’s my duty to do the maximum for the successful fight and defence the title. But I realise that to defend the title is always much more difficult than to win it first time. All will depend on the weather, on my game and also on my health. This are the words of current World Marble Champion. Maybe there will be interview with you next year -- you are welcome to come and represent your country. World Marbles Championship committees would like to invite people from all countries to participate in this tournament. For more information please visit the official World Marbles Championship 2006 website and contact the organization staff today!

What your tax dollars do for you

In this article, we will take a look at the influence the government exerts over our daily lives through our taxation, and the good and bad aspects of that influence. Through direct spending, the U. S. government controls approximately 43-45% of the economy. Today, government spending accounts for almost as much of the economy as spending in the private sector. After the passage of the New Deal legislation, during the late 1930s, the private sector controlled almost 90% of the economy. We have experienced quite a huge change in the last 2 generations. The average American remits about 5.3 months of his or her work year in order to support government spending. The American economy is separated into two sectors: there is one that is dependent upon federal, state, and local government spending, known as the public sector; all others known as the private sector. The private business sector is funded by tax dollars collected from Americans. What the government decides to spend and allocate is primarily funded by our tax dollars. Government spending controls $5.4 trillion dollars of the total spending, and when you figure in the $1.4 trillion government-forced spending, the government actually controls somewhere near 58% of the economy’s national income. That is a 3.5 times increase from a hundred years ago. And the economy has been in a steady decline. The ability of private sector growth to increase has been reduced over time, thanks to the fact that the government largely governs even private sector business. Increased government control gets a big boost from the special interest groups, and the capability of big corporate entities to lobby Congress for programs and funding, as well as changes in tax laws that benefit them alone. In addition, government-funded welfare and public assistance programs are a major contributor to the government spending programs. The problems with government spending are not going to end anytime soon. This isn’t what our forefathers had it in mind when they broke free of oppressive British rule and penned the Declaration of Independence. Without major reforms, in the near future, we will see our children paying $25,000 each year to support an overburdened and imperious government.

Sounds good to me a bullied bully

All our lives we have lived under threat from government laws that supposedly are to be in our best interest. This government now needs to take an interest in a mightier force where we fear for our lives and confined to our homes because of the street Bully. A visit to the corner shop to fetch a pint of milk can lead to receiving a pint of blood in a casualty ward. If the government is to impose new laws in our best interest then that is to take action with a view on sentencing the Bully with an eye for eye attitude. What is it going to take for the law to change and sort matters, how much more unnecessary blood spillage from innocent victims in hospital wired up to a machine acting as proxy for his/her last breath. Yobbos/bullies will carry on with their tirade of abuse using their fists feet and weapons on the defenceless because of the recognition received after conviction. The reward for crimes committed a warm bed, 3 hot meals, a wage at the end of the week and no rent to pay for the roof over their heads. This isn't punishment for a Bully who cripple/maim or kills. Sever punishment levels have to be administered on the Bully before the next victim is left brain dead fighting for his/her life for reasons unknown to them selves. Bring back the ball/chain, hit them where it hurts take away the designer gear and replace with the arrow suit. However changing the laws for a stronger approach on sentences for the evil doer (Bully) is not enough if we can not catch them. First and foremost we need more law and enforcement patrolling our streets, how do you catch a criminal if sitting behind a desk. This government needs to double the number in boys of blue and get them out there saving the day (or a life) instead of wasting time on which politician is sleeping with who. I say a prayer as I write, for those who may have lost someone close who was victimised by a Bully or still are; do not suffer in silence, please get help. The Bully has to be stopped and quick, a Bully does not work alone without accomplices, his gang so as to speak. Give him the gang alright, The Chain Gang, as I stated earlier an eye for an eye how about throwing in a tooth for tooth as well.

Proper preventive maintenance starts with knowing your restaurant equipment

Several weeks ago, I was forced to replace a very expensive piece of equipment at my bistro. A convection oven that I inherited with the building suddenly stopped working. I called a repair service and the machinery medics were quickly dispatched. Unfortunately, the news was grim... I would need to purchase a replacement unit. The technicians that came out were unable to repair it. In fact, they had no idea why the unit had failed, only that they wouldn't be able to fix it. I contacted my restaurant equipment supplier, who, it turns out, had sold the now defunct unit to the previous owner. When I told him about the old unit and that I would need a replacement, I expected him to be ecstatic, knowing full well that my wallet was about to take a major hit. Instead, he surprised me by asking me a series of questions about the old unit. With his help over the phone, we were able to get the unit up and running in about twenty minutes. That's pretty amazing, I think. The problem was caused by a lack preventive maintenance measures to the oven. We were under the impression that we were taking proper care of it, though in truth, I never bothered to check and see if there was more that we needed to be doing in the way of preventive maintenance. A few days later, I got a letter from my equipment supplier, with specs on every piece of equipment in my restaurant, along with the necessary preventive maintenance measures that I should take with each one. The majority of these I already knew about, but there were a few I was unaware of. Since I received the letter, my staff has been performing all the recommended preventative maintenance measures and we really notice a difference on the pieces of equipment we were neglecting to take proper care of. Preventive maintenance is important in the restaurant business, especially with the cost of replacing an expensive unit. The only way to take proper care of your equipment, however, is to know it well enough to know what preventive maintenance measures needs to be performed. I am grateful to my equipment supplier for helping me to realize that.

Why can t i get started

He sat and listened full of enthusiasm. This was his ticket out of the job he hated – the job where someone else controlled his hours and his income . . . where he was just a number in the company’s bottom line and the decision of whether he had a job tomorrow or the next day was not his. This was his chance to escape . . . to get off the never ending treadmill of working for someone else. He had heard it all before earlier this year. The first time in January . . . the second time in June. He bought all the materials after hearing the business opportunity in January . . . he was so fired up... he was going to make this work. Now, here it is October and the materials are still in the box. “I just don’t understand,” he muttered to himself. “I had such good intentions. . . what’s wrong with me?” Some of the people I met in January are already making money and I know I’m smarter than those guys. Why can’t I get started?” That was Joe’s big question, and he didn’t have an answer. It seems that life always seemed to get in the way. His daughter got married and his son wrecked his car and later there was the family vacation. If you have ever longed for a way out your dead-end job, you may have a similar story. It’s that vicious and all too familiar, dream-killing cycle of excitement . . procrastination . . . confusion . . . frustration . . . and then abandonment. Having personally been caught in this whirlpool of despair, here are some things I learned that helped me break free from this repetitive behavior. Invest in Your Education Don’t be hesitant to spend money on the education, training, tools and resources that will help you learn how to be successful in your business. It’s very scary to whip out your credit card and charge hundreds and even thousands of dollars on a seminar, program or new software system – but do it. Making a financial, mental and commitment to re-skill yourself will give you “skin in the game.” You have now openly obligated yourself to make something happen and you’re accountable. emotional A word of caution is also in order on this subject. Don’t become a “professional seminar attendee” or “hyper-buyer.” You don’t need every book, CD and gadget on the market. Invest wisely in tools and training that support your business goals and are in line with your skills and abilities to use them. Listen to those with the Biggest Piles of Cash Don’t be discouraged by naysayers . . . usually your family and friends. Listen to those who have made a lot of money in your business market. Take advantage of every coaching opportunity. Follow their program and don’t try to shortcut the system. Don’t fall into the temptation of second guessing the process. Although you may think you have a better way, there is a reason for every step and for keeping them in sequence. Since you haven’t made money in the business yet, and they have . . . try it their way first. Take advantage of processes, activities and automated systems that your predecessors have developed that will save you hours and hours of manual labor. Follow the advice and proven methods from those who are successful in your field. Network, network, network Network with others in the same business. Find Your Niche Don’t try to do everything at once. As Stephen Covey says, “Put first things first.” If you’re a real estate investor, it may be to first locate a property. Don’t worry about setting up an LLC for now. - If you’re in mail order, it might be to place an Ad, not to locate your fulfillment distribution center. - In any business, you will learn as you go. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Now that you know what to do, the first thing to do is “just do it”. If it’s to look at an investment, make a phone call, or write an offer – believe me your world will not come crashing down around you. After that, just challenge yourself to do something to move your business forward every day and you will begin to grow. What you will experience will be growing pains. We’ve all had them. Don’t worry about them, this is a good thing. For you to have more than you’ve got, you’ve got to do more than you’ve done and this will involve getting out of your comfort zone. Just remember this . . . if I want to run with the big dogs, I’ve got to get off my porch. How fast you get off your porch will be completely up to you. Don’t Be Afraid of Failing Ask yourself. . what’s the worst that can happen? If it’s being rejected, congratulations – you’re on your way. If it’s – my friends may laugh – just ask yourself “when have any of your friends written you a check? Don’t worry! If you’ve chosen your vessel to freedom, only you can decide when to set sail. Just don’t forget to pull up your anchor first! Be a perpetual student – never stop learning. Take Action Take a step forward every day – no matter how small – until you get used to the routine and then, pick up the pace. The only difference between you and a millionaire is the size of your dreams. What they all have in common is that everyone of them stepped off the ledge – unable to see what lay ahead - believing that they would land on their feet. They took a leap of faith – a risk in their future and did what it took to make it happen.

Discount shopping

Discount Shopping is a great way to cash in on the special offers made by companies and stores offering a whole range of products and services. Discounts range from gift certificates, bargain sales, clearances to free shipping offers to even free product offers. Also available are last minute hotel booking deals and online reservations. People who make their ticket reservations online benefit from a discounted rate as compared to people who book their tickets the traditional way by standing in queues at ticket counters. This is a great way to benefit from discounted rates. One can purchase almost all kinds of products, online or offline. Because of the rising competition in the consumerist market today, companies want to gain a higher market-share and they offer discounts on all sorts of products and services. Discounts, are however, usually seen on products like food items, grocery items, clothing, consumer durables like mobile phones, electrical appliances, digital cameras, MP3 players, DVD players, services like body massaging, gym memberships, club and resort memberships, face toning, weight loss, etc. Some companies offer discounts on bulk purchases. While discounted shopping may be available in online stores, gift certificates are usually less available on the internet. Besides, these are not seen on the official homepage of the company often. It is usually an online dealer who offers a lot of discounts. Benefits of Discount Shopping: By far, one of the biggest benefits of discount shopping is, of course, the kind of savings you can make on your purchases. Discount Shopping offers you cheap, cut-off prices on even branded products and services that you would otherwise have to spend a great deal more on. It could be that otherwise expensive birthday gift, dream camera, high definition LCD TV, etc. With discount shopping, you get it at discounted prices, and there is no compromise on quality or after sales services. Be sure to avoid scams, though. Get a clear picture of the actual price – compare the discounted rate, inclusive of the shipping price, taxes and duties, etc. against the market price. Read the fine-print very carefully. Another important thing to remember is to make sure that you read and understand the vendor’s return and money-back policies. Be sure to read these terms very carefully. Towards the end, we’d just like to tell you that all it takes is a couple of minutes to search and you could soon be saving a lot of money, and even time, if purchasing online. Do your research and act wisely to obtain the benefits.

How a web site became a ticket to the 2008 beijing olympics

Who knew that building a web site and active online community would be the path to qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games? Craig Harkins, the owner and operator of Fencing. Net, recently learned that he had become one of only 5,600 members of media worldwide to earn a spot in Beijing covering the Olympic Games. The Atlantan will be going to Beijing in 2008 to report on the progress of the US Olympic Fencing Team as their members attempt to improve on the Gold and Bronze medal brought back from the 2004 Athens Games. "When I was reporting on the Olympics in 2000, I was staying up late, using my Internet connection to view the fencing and relying on past interviews with the Olympians" said Craig Harkins. "After that, my goal was to make it to the next Olympics. When I learned that the USOC had awarded Fencing. Net a media credential for the Beijing Olympics, I did a little dance!" Fencing. Net has been featured in the most recent publication of the United States Fencing Association and recognizedas a key site on Olympic Fencing by Yahoo!'s Olympic guide as far back as the 2000 Games. The site, found at fencing. net/ offers a wide range of information about the sport as well as up to date news, training tips, and a thriving community site where fencers can discuss the latest news and share tips and gossip. "US Fencing is delighted to hear that fencing. net will be making the trip to Beijing. We know that the U. S. market will be provided with real-time news and interviews with the U. S. team and international athletes from across the world." said Cindy Bent Findlay, Media Coordinator for the United States Fencing Association. "Fencing. net has taken reporting on our sport to a new level and so we look forward to more great coverage from Beijing." Since 1995, Fencing. Net has provided resources for beginning fencers as well as experienced fencers looking to improve their level of competitiveness in the sport. Now the company site has extended its services to help people find fencing clubs and camps in their area and to provide the necessary equipment for participation in the sport. Harkins, who is taking a break from competitive fencing, now runs Fencing. Net as a full-time enterprise, having recently opened an online fencing equipment store at shop. fencing. net/.

Bridging loans the essentials

What are the mechanics of a bridging loan and what should the consumer concern themselves with? The often advised considerations of a bridging loan are to confirm the rate payable, depending on charge type anything between .95% on first charge upwards to 1.75% on second charge and/or blended rate. Since Mday (31/10/2004) within the United Kingdom and the involvement of the FSA all charges will be clearly identified within a KFI (Key Features Illustration). There will undoubtedly be an arrangement fee of anything between 1 to 1.5% of the loan advance, however the consumer must be advised and be made aware of any 'exit' fees. What is also commonly overlooked by the consumer and homeowner and a vital pre requisite is an identifiable exit route out of the agreement. Closed bridging finance is available to homeowners who have already exchanged on their intended purchase property, should completion after exchange be a drawn out affair the homeowner has the peace of mind that their property will sale i. e. an identifiable exit route. Open bridging finance is far more high risk for the homeowner and should not be entered into lightly. This type of bridging is typically for homeowners who have found their ideal property but their sale would seem protracted and/or a buyer has not been found. Open bridging would typically attract an additional 1% over closed bridging confirming the higher risk. Lenders will also, as part of their underwriting criteria, ensure that the security property has plenty of equity. The lender would also want to see a mortgage offer along with proof that your existing property is being actively marketed. While illustrating open bridging as somewhat high risk there are also many positives to bridging finance. There would be typically no valuation or legal fees as legal work is usually done 'in house'. With the consumer also encroaching into the residential and commercial property auction arena, bridging loans are also an ideal means of securing the property at auction, exchange would happen on fall of the hammer and usually leaving 20 working days to completion. Looking at the wider picture and asides from property bridging loans also offer such facilities as "buying out" a bankruptcy which can allow a consumers home and business to survive along with improving cash flow. This is also an ideal alternative to an I. V.A (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) which interferes with a credit record for a considerable period of time. In addition the fees involved in an I. V.A. can be very substantial and generally unsuitable unless there are multiple creditors. Buy to let investments and self build projects also benefit from bridging finance. A buy to let property where a 100% retention might be imposed would be if the property is considered either uninhabitable or there is no bathroom or toilet. With self build projects or development the money is released in stages, each stage being signed off by the lenders appointed architect and then the money released. Other instances may well be when the trustee of a deceased estate are unable to obtain probate because of unpaid taxes. if there is insufficient cash in the estate and the property can not be sold bridging is the answer. Repossessions can also be relieved even if the homeowner has received the judgment. One common misconception is that once evicted the dispossessed homeowner has lost the chance to recover their home. This is not the case as any mortgagee will want to recover their money as quickly as possible without the fuss of marketing. To calculate current bridging loan finance monthly charges on first, second and blended rates use the bridging loan calculator at mortgage-loan-uk. net/bridging_loan_calculator. htm

Is tv on pc a scam

If you are considering satellite TV for your home but cannot afford it or want an alternative way to watch your favourite programs for a lot less financial input then buy satellite TV for PC systems! This is a great way to save you an awful lot of money and give you what you want, and yet most people do not consider the option to buy satellite TV for PC at all because they think there is some sort of scam going on. There are certain situations in which you have to be careful, but if you purchase reputable satellite TV for PC software then there is no scam at all. Well, let me put your mind at ease about satellite TV for PC software! So, does satellite TV for PC work? Yes it does! There is no scam there at all! You simply download satellite TV for PC software onto your computer and begin to flick your way through the channels! There are no extra costs, no legal problems and no any extra hardware to hook up to your PC in order for you to get it to work. Although that was a quick summary of just how satellite TV for PC software can give you the advantage instead of conning you, I will now fully explain why you should buy TV for PC software in order to access the 3000 plus channels you will find on satellite channels without the added cost of at least $90 a month in order to keep your connection live. When you look at this amount and really think about it, satellite TV is actually a rip off. You are paying for the privilege of having more choice, granted, but how often do you actually watch those channels? Even if you did watch satellite TV fairly regularly, this amount would still prove to be a scam in itself! It would be so much better value for money if you were to pay a one off fee and then nothing else for the duration of your connection, as you would if you were to buy satellite TV for PC! When you do look to buy satellite TV for PC software, you will find that there are a number of options so you should always read consumer reviews first before choosing a specific one. However, no matter which satellite TV for PC software that you choose, you will find that it costs less than one month’s worth of satellite TV. As long as you have a connection of 56k or above, your picture quality will be TV standard, but the better connection you have the better reception you will get However, you should bear in mind that there is some scams out there, although it is easy to avoid them. Do not download or buy satellite TV for PC from a website that has not been reviewed. Always invest in a TV for PC software application from a reputable company that will offer you good customer support should anything go wrong as well as an eight week trial period to make sure that you are completely happy. You should not be required to pay anything else at all either so bear that in mind. Be informed, feel confident in your choice and you will have no issues when you come to buy satellite TV for PC!

Venice city guide

Venice is made up of over 100 islands, all linked together by Venice's unique canal network. As one of the most beautiful cities in the world Venice won’t disappoint its visitors. Explore Venice’s famous canals, old bridges, stunning palazzos and great art. What to do and see in and around Venice St Mark's Square The crowded St Mark’s Square is probably Venice’s most famous square. Enjoy a coffee in one of the cafйs while admiring the beautiful architecture surrounding you. Lots of Venice’s main attractions, such as the Campanile and the Clock Tower, can be found close by. Don’t miss the golden altar piece in the impressive St Mark’s Basilica. Gallerie dell’Accademia The Accademia Gallery has one of the finest art collections in Europe. The walls are lined with works by Venetian master painters including Bellini, Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Palazzo Ducale & the Bridge of Sighs The Palazzo Ducale was the home of the Doges from where they ran the Venetian state. You see all aspects of the life of the Doge from where he lived to where state matters were discussed and justice dispensed. Walk over the infamous Bridge of Sighs, whose name comes from the time when the bridge led from the court to the prison cells. The Prisoners saw the view of the beautiful lagoon and sighed. Ca’ d’Oro Ca’ D’Oro (House of Gold) located on the Grand Canal is a beautiful palazzo and a great example of gothic architecture. The Palazzo shows a fine collection of sculptures, tapestries and paintings. Santa Maria della Salute Guarding the entrance to the Grand Canal is Santa Maria della Salute a Venetian landmark and a magnificent Baroque Church. The sacristy boasts paintings by Titian and Tintoretto’s Marriage at Cana. San Giorgio Maggiore The San Giorgio Maggiore church is a well known Venetian landmark designed by Palladio the famous renaissance architecture. Inside, you will find several of Tintoretto’s paintings including "The Last Supper". Canals It’s impossible to think of Venice without thinking of canals and Gondolas. Cars are not allowed in the city and all transportation is on water. Travel like a true Venetian, hop on the Vaporati (water bus) and travel along the Grand Canal. It will take you under the Rialto Bridge and is a perfect way to admire the beautiful palaces lining the Canal. Rialto Markets The lively Rialto Markets are open evey morning. Fruit, vegetables, souvenirs and clothing are on offer. The Fish market has been held here for 1000 years - don't miss the live lobsters and crabs. Scuola Grande di San Rocco The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of Venice’s finest art museums with an impressive collection of more than 50 of Tintoretto’s works. Peggy Guggenheim Collection The Venier dei Leoni Palace was the home of American collector Peggy Guggenheim for 30 years. Now it is a museum with a most impressive collection of modern art. Artists represented include Magritte, Picasso, Pollock and Kandinsky. The Lido 20 minutes by waterbus from Venice The Lido is a long strip of sand sheltering Venice lagoon from the Sea. The island’s sandy beaches make it a popular day trip destination for families and sun worshippers. Verona 80 minutes by train from Venice The charming city of Verona has plenty to offer its visitors including roman monuments, impressive architecture and delightful restaurants. Make sure you don’t miss the Roman Arena where an open-air opera festival takes place every year.

Fraud facts and tips to help you

You can save yourself time, trouble and money if you know how to recognize-and avoid-some of the more common scams. Here's a look at one that could happen to you. The Scam You place an ad for your collectible, motorcycle or electronic equipment on a specialty Web site. КYou're contacted by a buyer. Everything appears legitimate. You even receive a cashier's check overnight. The only problem is the check is written for $5,000 over the sale price. The buyer says it was an error and asks you to deposit the check and refund the overpayment using a money transfer service. A week later, your bank informs you the check was fraudulent. No funds have been deposited into your account. Unfortunately, the item has already been sent, along with $5,000 in cash. When the payment is found to be a fraud, the funds are withdrawn from your account. In this type of scam, you could lose both the amount of the overpayment and the item you were selling. Because some banks allow funds to be drawn before an item has cleared, you might not learn of the fraud until it is too late. The Solution Before sending a money transfer transaction, consider these suggestions: 1. Don't use a money transfer service to send funds to someone you don't know. 2. Be wary of a buyer who is anxious to complete a transaction immediately. Most genuine buyers spend time asking questions and negotiating the price. 3. Check with your bank to find out how long it will take the check to clear. Just because the bank has given you access to the funds, that doesn't mean the check has fully cleared. 4. Wait until the check has cleared before sending the amount of the overpayment. 5. Remember the old adage: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Money transfer companies such as Western Union want to create a greater awareness of the various types of consumer fraud. If you feel you've been the victim of fraud, contact the Attorney General, other local law enforcement officials and your bank.

What to do if you have credit problems

The current mess that the United States is in due to the sub-prime lending fiasco has many people scrambling for ways to repair their credit. There is no set answer as every person has to assess their own financial situation and come up with a solution. Solutions can vary from debt consolidation to adhering to a strict budget to filing for bankruptcy. There are many choices and each choice is up to the individual. If you are having trouble paying your bills, you should first attempt to work out a budget that details your income and expenses. After you have identified where your money is going, identify your spending priorities. Your public library has information on how to draw up a sound budget. Many local community organizations sponsor counseling programs as well. You should immediately contact creditors if you are having trouble making payments. Many creditors will try to work out a more suitable payment schedule if they believe you are acting in good faith. If you are still having serious problems after attempting these steps, another option is to contact a credit counseling services to create a debt repayment plan. In these plans, you work out a payment agreement with a counselor, and the service distributes your payments to the creditors. Other methods of dealing with debt include consolidating debt through loans and bankruptcy. These are steps with serious consequences, and should be taken only after consultation with an attorney. If you are unable to obtain credit on your own, you can try to obtain a credit card or consolidated loan with a low credit limit from a local bank. If you pay promptly and that creditor reports this to a credit reporting agency, this information could improve your credit record. Another option is to obtain a secured credit card. With this type of card, you place a certain amount of money in a bank to guarantee your credit, and the credit grantor gives you a small credit line. There is no quick solution to rebuilding or repairing your credit. You just have to work out a solution that fits your current situation. Regardless of the solution, it will take time to get back on your feet and establish good credit again. It can be done with perseverance and persistence. Hang in there, stick to a budget, and pay off those bills. Soon you will be back to normal and able to lead a life where creditors don’t hound you day and night.

Domain forwarding versus domain masking

Even though a lot of people now realize that the word domain refers to the address of a website, some do not understand other words or tech-jargon associated with the term domain. So here is a quick look at two popular terms that are associated with domains, in case you or someone you know could use some help. Domain Forwarding & Masking Domain forwarding helps with the directing of your site link to the address of another website. And domain forwarding is very helpful for websites that may have longer, more complex addresses as well as for advertising purposes; for example, to use a new domain like MarchSale2007(dot)com for directing traffic to a special sales web page. The forwarding process is pretty simple. Begin by registering the new domain name of your choice that’s available. Next log into the domain area where you purchased your domain and click on the option to forward this new domain. A space should become available then where you simply insert the URL or domain name of the site where you want your visitors to be directed when they click the link. Domain masking allows you to hide or protect the address of your website while still continuing to allow your prospects and clients to visit your site and access the contents there. Domain masking works in this manner: - Register your domain name first. For example, register the domain name, TinyURL(dot)com or the domain of your choice. Then set up a forward as mentioned above and add masking to it by clicking the masking box in the control area and add masked description meta tag and masked keyword meta tag words to help direct search engines your way when people key in these terms for searches. - Although TinyURL(dot)com will be the visual address for people who click on the link, it will not be the main Internet address of the website because the main address is too long with too many letters to list in print ads, for example, like MyDomainNameIsTooLong(dot) Therefore the masked domain address TinyURL(dot)com will be listed in emails, ads and other communications to direct Internet visitors to the site. And your website visitors need only key in the address TinyURL(dot)com to discover all the content of the main address at: MyDomainNameIsTooLong(dot)com on their computers. Note that the main difference between domain forwarding and domain masking is that with domain forwarding, your site visitors will still see the original or actual domain name in their browser after they click the new domain link and get directed to the site. In other words, the new domain link does not hide the long original name. So when people click: TinyURL(dot)com, they are directed to the site, yet once they arrive at the site, the domain that appears in their browsers will read: MyDomainNameIsTooLong(dot) Why would you prefer to place a mask over the original address rather than simply forward traffic to the site? In cases like this: Some website addresses are very long, full of coding with numbers and letters that often may or may not make sense like: ThisIsYourAffiliateLinkabczyx12379_JohnSmith(dot)com . So to make the link easier to read and to look more professional, an Internet marketer may mask a short domain like JohnSmithNews(dot)com for two reasons (1) to hide the fact that it’s an affiliate link, causing some to be uneasy and leave the site right away and get in touch with the main seller instead and (2) to make the site appear more professional and memorable with a recognizable name as the address. For more information, visit movingaheadcommunications/service 24/7. Put an end to your (dot)com confusion.

Your world can revolve around internet marketing home business

If you are knowledgeable at internet marketing, home business opportunities abound for you and if not, there are at least a dozen experts who can help you out. Of course, their expert advice often contradicts one another, but with most service-related activities, you try them out until you find one that works for you. In today’s global market, just about everyone has a website and are in need of marketing. A website without a marketing plan is a hobby and few people can make any money and be successful with their hobby. It really involves a simple formula that shows that zero marketing will equal zero customers and everyone knows that zero customers equals going out of business. Bringing customers to their site is every business’s goal and a well executed internet marketing plan can do just that. You can have a good home business doing internet marketing for many customers and you can start with your own home business. When companies see your advertisements and contact you, they want to know how good you are. The short answer is that they were able to find you through an unsolicited means. Before you get started you have to understand that old style marketing involved getting your name in front of people who were in need of your services. In this case, it is just about everyone with a website. The old saying of not caring what they say, as long as they get the name right, was focused on the shotgun approach to marketing. Also considered playing the odds. Sending information to everyone you could think of and hoping for return percentage large enough to justify the expense. This approach rarely works with an internet-based business as surfers have so many companies to choose from that inundating them with information often turns them away. A targeted approach often can get their attention and get you noticed. While some believe that a one percent return on 10,000 ads is good, that is still only 100 expressing an interest and if you close on 10 percent that comes to 10 sales out of 10,000 contacts. By focusing your effort on only the 1,000 businesses that actually use your service, a one percent return still equals 100 and a 10 percent sales rate still equals 10 sales, but you saved the money for 9,000, which would have otherwise been wasted. Another form of marketing, guerilla marketing talked about in 1984 in the book Guerilla Marketing reveals how to achieve marketing on a limited budget. This type of marketing is ideal for small businesses and it extols the virtue of customer service and quality. The company uses personal contact and sales the person, not the product, and delivers a product or service on time that performs the function that it was promised to perform. Word of mouth takes over from there.

Online credit card use on the up

Internet commerce and shopping online have become extremely popular in recent yearspanies such as Amazon have revolutionised the way we buy books and CD’s. Also, booking travel arrangements such as airplane tickets, car rentals, hotels and other accommodation is no increasingly carried out online, by customers themselves, who are thus avoiding the costs of going through a travel agent or other middle man, and keep the savings for themselves. This area has been augmented by the growth in low cost airlines and the increasing popularity of taking short trips abroad more frequently. As well as these purchases, more and more services are becoming available online, from online banking, financial services, applying for loans and mortgages, and a whole host of online business dealings, have made the internet probably far more important than the high street for many shopping needs. And this trend is only set to increase. Already stores like Tesco and Asda offer online shopping services, where you select the items you want to purchase, add them to your electronic shopping basket, pay for them online, and then have them delivered to your door. The growth of online retailing is seeping into every area of the market and you can now even rent videos online. And what, you may be asking yourself, is the most popular form of online payment? Well, despite the huge growth in popularity of debit cards, it is still credit cards that are the most important means of paying for things online. Debit cards will generally only be available from companies that operate in your own country, which means if you want to buy from a company that operates outside of the UK. Then you will not be able to use your debit card and will have to use a credit card. And since, taking advantage of suppliers from all over the world is what the internet is all about, you will not wish to be limiting yourself to UK sellers by relying on a debit card. Almost all internet website that are selling something will be accepting credit card payments. However, this is becoming more flexible and accessible through the use of such payment intermediaries as pay pal and egold. A new credit card is being brought out in the near future that you will be able to use over the internet using your unique personal identification number (PIN) the number is entered into a keypad supplied by the credit card company. The next step to make online shopping much easier and safer. A word of caution however, if you are shopping using your credit card online. Beware of identity theft, which is a growing problem. Only ever do business with a company that you have heard of before and know you can trust and never give out your credit card details unless it is on a secure website. Identity theft can easily be avoided. Always destroy unwanted credit card statements. Whenever you stop using a credit card you should cancel it in writing immediately. If you decide to just leave an old credit card stored in your home, you leave yourself open to credit card fraud. Be aware!

Home improvement contract tips

Many a soul has hired a contractor to do repairs or improvements on a home only to find something is fishy. Here are some tips to avoid problems. Home Improvement Contract Tips Hiring a contractor to do work on your home is not always as easy as it sounds. Many people call themselves contractors, but really are not. The first step to avoiding problems is to make sure you hire someone with who is actually licensed as a contractor. If you subsequently have problems, you can contact the licensing board to raise a dispute. Most contractors are ethical, honest people and businesses. There are, however, others who are not. These individuals assume you do not really know what is involved in the construction process. This provides them with an opening to make substantially more profit. While you might think this means they will overbid the project, it does not. Most contractors believe you will pick the lowest price, so they rarely run up their estimate. There are, however, two other ways to boost profit. The first thing unethical contractors will do is use low quality supplies. As with anything you buy, there is a high quality and lower quality version. While you may want the high quality version, you may have a hard time determining if you received it. The difference between high and low quality is often how long something lasts, not how it appears. The way to beat this problem is to specify the exact brand, size and part number [if possible] in your contract. Doing so accomplishes two things. First, it puts the contractor on notice that you know how the process works. Second, you can always resort to legal action if you later find the correct materials were not used. Since you have everything in writing, the contractor has little defense. A second unethical tactic is the bait and switch. In this process, the contractor gives you a bid price that can’t possibly cover the project. You think you are getting a deal, but the contractor starts coming to you after the project has started requesting more money. The contractor refuses to continue work if you do not pony up. In this situation, the best defense is again to have everything in writing in the project contract. Make sure to include an attorney’s fee clause in it. If the contractor tries this tactic, you should contact an attorney. The attorney will set the contractor straight. If the contract refuses to finish the job, you will probably be told by the attorney to hire a new contractor while he sues the unethical one. Since an attorney’s fee clause is included in the agreement, you should end up paying no legal fees. This is not the best situation, but it beats getting scammed. In general, the best way to find a contractor is to ask for referrals from trusted friends. Next, get everything in writing. With these two steps, you should avoid any major problems.

My running fitness programme

If anyone has decided to embark on a diet and fitness programme, please read my article on my personal experiences in this area and feel free to use this in any other articles. Modern life results in many factors which can cause depression and anxiety in the normal person, life pressures, work, relationships, image and general well being all come into context. Today we are barraged within the media by articles and glossy altered images of beautiful people designed at making us buy products or by into a certain lifestyle manipulated by marketing corporates. Everyone to some effect are manipulated by advertising in the media, if not we would all buy the same products and look the same. I myself embarked on a diet and fitness programme many years ago and now run my life by this programme with the odd day off for good behavior. A few years ago I decided to take fitness seriously as the benefits included relieving stress and anxiety which at the time was becoming an issue in my personal life. I firstly took up running, at first this was extremely hard going only being able to run for about five minutes at any one time. I decided the best route to take was to write down my distances and time and log these for reference; a routine then developed in my running and before long I was up to twenty minutes in a session. I then made significant progress in the following months as part of a personal goal objective and quickly made an average of forty minutes running in a session. What I found as a result of this exercise was that I felt so much better in myself, my stress levels reduced and my anxiety dropped considerably. I also found that running first thing in the morning made me feel good for the rest of the day, it is documented that that early morning runs are the best time to burn fat as you run on an empty stomach and the body uses fat as fuel. When I run in the morning I find this clears my head for the rest of the day, any bad feelings are gone by the end of the session giving me a positive outlook. I also run in a local royal park which the early mornings holds many beautiful sites such as wild animals and birds sharing the same environment of me virtually undisturbed. I always ensure that I complete a full stretch exercise before running paying particular attention to the legs and thigh muscles, if you do not stretch then this could result in soreness and could tear important muscles as they have not had the time to get a good blood flow within the muscle groups. I would recommend stretching everyday even on the days when you don’t run as this will prevent fatigue and soreness which is very important. It also very important to refuel the body with good quality carbohydrates in within the hour after the exercise as this will give the body the required nutrients and energy. I would strongly recommend running as an exercise which benefits the body aswell as the mind.

Visit table mountain

Table Mountain is probably the biggest tourist attraction in the Western Cape Province. Whenever anyone lands, the first port of call is most definitely this magnificent mountain with its “table top”. The base of Table Mountain consists out of granite while most of the mountain is sculpted from sandstone and rises about 1 086 m above the bay. Its flat summit measures around 3 km from one end to the other. Table Mountain has been declared a national monument and is home to more than 1 470 species of plants. This is more than al the plant species put together in the whole of the British Isle! Many of these plants appear nowhere else on earth including the rare Silver Tree. On a clear day, the mountain is visible from over 200 km on the open sea. Most definitely a sight worth seeing. Take a boat out on the open sea and experience this breathtaking sight. It is unbelievable to think that people say Table Mountain was formed under the see, and because of erosion over millions of years (and many other reasons), it takes on the shape it has today. Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head appear on the eastern and western side of the “table”. Table Mountain is as well known for its “tablecloth” as it is for the flat top shape of a table. You might ask what this tablecloth is, so let met quickly explain. During the summer months (December – February, but sometimes longer), a great amount of cloud cover appears over the top of the mountain when the southeaster blows. This causes a white cover that looks exactly like a tablecloth, used in the kitchen or anywhere else. Safe access to the summit of Table Mountain can be obtained by the cable car that was opened in 1929. This cable car has expanded and changed so much that the newest car is even rotating! You can see a 360°C view without having to move, or push other people around you. More than 600 000 people are conveyed to the top of the mountain every year and the total time it takes to reach the summit, is an unbelievable 6 minutes! On the summit is a restaurant and souvenir shop from which letters can be sent, bearing the Table Mountain postmark. If you prefer walking and enjoying nature, you can opt to climb the mountain. There are more than 350 recognised paths to the summit you can choose from, ranging from easy and comfortable to extremely difficult. When you choose one of these paths, please do make sure you are accompanied by someone experienced who knows the route very well. It is very easy to loose your way if you don’t know the area. In the past, lions, leopards and buffalo used to live in these mountains. Over the years they died out and were killed as the Cape became a city, inhabited by many people. Only baboons, small dear and rabbits remain. Going to see Table Mountain is a great experience, relaxing for the soul and giving you the chance to live and breath the magnificent views once you reach the summit. The tremendous beauty can not be described in words, so please make sure you visit this great “flat top” Table Mountain. Try to visit when the skies are blue, with no cloud cover around.

How are fossils formed

: How are fossils formed? For fossil formation to take place a series of fortunate events must occur. If any part of the series is missing, we will never see the fossil! In fact, fossilization is a rare occurrence. Nature tends toward recycling. That includes just about everything from plants and animals to rocks and minerals. Let’s narrow it down to just animals for a minute.

Animals, dead or alive, are food for other animals. From insects to dinosaurs, an animal could be someone’s lunch! Any part of the animal’s body that isn’t consumed is usually scattered about; leftovers! Just like those leftovers in your fridge, these leftovers make great food for bacteria. In addition, these leftovers are exposed to the elements: sun, rain, and even the soil itself all help to breakdown and decompose the sturdiest of bones, shells and wood.

If we are ever going to see a fossil, some very specialized events must intervene to ward off the natural process of decomposition. The following is the most common scenario for fossil formation: How Are Fossils Formed? Death Is The First Step To start with, an animal or plant must die in water or near enough to fall in shortly after death. The water insulates the remains from many of the elements that contribute to decomposition. An example may be helpful. Let’s say that a trilobite has died of old age on the bottom of the sea. Bacteria consume the soft body parts but leave the hard exoskeleton intact. How are fossils formed? Step two is Sedimentation As time passes, sediments bury the exoskeleton. The faster this happens the more likely fossilization will occur. Land and mudslides definitely help. River deltas are also good for quick accumulation of sediments. This further insulates our trilobite from decomposition. The sediments themselves have a huge influence on how well our trilobite fossil turns out. Very fine-grained particles, like clays, allow more detail in the future fossil. Course sediments, like sand, allow less detail to show. The chemical make up of the sediments also contributes to the future fossil. If iron is present, it may give the rock a reddish color. Phosphates may darken the rock to gray or black. The possibilities are truly endless. Permineralization As the sediments continue to pile on, the lower layers become compacted by the weight of the layers on top. Over time, this pressure turns the sediments into rock. If mineral-rich water percolates down through the sediments, the fossilization process has an even better chance of preserving our ancient animal. Some of the minerals stick to the particles of sediment, effectively gluing them together into a solid mass. These minerals make an impact on our original trilobite as well. Over the course of millions of years, they dissolve away the outer shell, sometimes replacing the molecules of exoskeleton with molecules of calcite or other minerals. In time, the entire shell is replaced leaving rock in the exact shape of the trilobite. Uplift As the continental plates move around the earth, crashing into each other, mountains are formed. Former sea floors are lifted up and become dry land. This is exactly what has happened to our trilobite. Now a fully formed fossil, our trilobite is buried under hundreds or even thousands of feet of rock! Thanks to the movement of the plates, our trilobite will come closer to the surface and nearer to discovery by some fortunate fossil hunter. Luckily, nothing stays the same. Erosion at work Rain, wind, earthquakes, freeze and thaw all work toward erosion. The mountains that were built up are worn away over time. Our fossil trilobite once again sees the light of day! With a little wisdom about where to look and some luck, you may be the first one to find him! This is the fossilization process known as Permineralization. It is not the only answer to the question: "How Are Fossils Formed?" There are many other ways that fossils can be formed.

You can read about them using the links below.

How constipation affects your colon and health

Seventy percent or more of the population struggles with constipation. Some believe the number is even higher, 80- 90%. The market for laxatives is now approaching 1 billion each year. It appears that constipation is an issue that most of us have to deal with at one time or the other. Using natural means to clear constipation is what this e-book is all about. I believe that to have good health we need to use mostly foods and supplements that are free of additives and food enhancers that are harmful to the body. We need to eat the right foods and watch how we prepare them so we can digest and absorb them without creating or leaving residues that get turned into toxic matter in our colon. The first question that a nutritionist or any other health practitioner should ask you on your first visit is, “how many bowel movements do you have each day or each week?” If you visit a doctor, your colon is the last area they discuss with you. And perhaps, this is an area they may never discuss with you at all. In his article, The Bowel is an Ecosystem, in Healthy & Natural Journal, April 1997, Majid Ali, M. D. recounts, “When I returned to the clinical practice of environmental and nutritional medicine after years of pathology work, I began carefully testing the assertions of nutritionists, naturopaths and clinical ecologist who claimed that various types of colitis [a deterioration of your colon wall] could be reversed with optimal nutritional and ecologic approaches. To my great surprise, I found that such professionals, who are usually spurned by drug doctors, were right after all. My patients responded well to the unscientific therapies vehemently rejected by my colleagues in drug medicine.” Without good regular bowel movements and colon function, you will create various illnesses, colon discomforts, and diseases – including constipation. By concentrating on eliminating constipation and preserving colon health, you can take a major step in preventing many body conditions and illnesses that can shorten your life or make your senior years a miserable time. As with so many past health practitioners, I believe your colon is so important that any improvement you can make in your colon’s health will help you avert many unnecessary illnesses and suffering. If you make only one effort in improving your health, it should be towards creating a clean and healthy colon. Heart attacks, cancers, senility, pathogenic organisms and so on cause most deaths that occur in the US and throughout the world. There are few deaths related to natural causes or old age. Your colon provides nutrients and water to all parts of the body. So, when a specific organ has degenerated it is important to see what part colon toxins have played in this degeneration. If your colon is toxic, the blood will also be toxic. If your colon is toxic, these toxins will gradually reach all parts of your body through the blood and lymph liquid. The result is the body and various organs affected will become less efficient. Overtime this decreased efficiency will cause the body will become diseased and you will lose your good health.

Glaring tips on teeth whitening making that smile look better

Staring your day with a frown face will not give you any luck. The best way to have a beautiful day is to have a beautiful smile. Having a beautiful smile is having clean and white bright teeth. The first thing that you notice to a person when having a conversation is their teeth. Healthy bright white teeth always get special and extra attention. Nowadays, people are more conscious on how their teeth look like. As much as possible, a person wants to have strong and healthy white teeth. In order for the people to have white teeth they would tend to use teeth whitening. However, not all teeth whitening are advisable for the consumers. There can be a lot of side effects that may occur in making use of teeth whitening. Using teeth whitening can cause problem in your teeth, gums or even to your health in general. People are so fond of using tooth bleaching. In tooth bleaching, there should always a tray mouth that should be used in order to avoid the leaking of the bleaching agent. On the other hand, there are times that the mouth tray does not fit in properly to the consumer. As a result, they may tend to swallow the bleaching agent and it can even seep onto and it can irritate their gum tissues. If you are already suffering from this kind of condition, you should avoid using bleaching until your condition has been properly cured. Aside from teeth bleaching, all teeth whitening products has a peroxide content to make your teeth white. Peroxide and other chemicals that can also be a problem is also present in teeth bleaching which can damage your gum tissue and not only that, it can even cause nerve damage to your tissues inside your tooth pulp. Peroxide can also be one of the causes of increasing the tooth sensitivity from cold to heat and the cause of having tooth decay or even losing your tooth. In some country, they use 30 times the normal concentration to their teeth whitening products to be more effective. However, in other countries, they no longer allow these teeth whitening products that are mostly used in the United States to be out in their market because of the harmful effects and certain disadvantages that will put the consumer in to danger. Other things that can be of help in staining or permanently damage your teeth are tobacco, coffee and some other foods that have a strong content of chemicals. Therefore, stop using these things in order to have a pleasant and beautiful tooth. There is a saying that laughter is the best medicine so how you can smile or even laugh when you do not have a pleasant teeth to show everybody. The best way to make your teeth white and healthy is to eat the proper food and brush your teeth every after meal. If you are facing any problem and difficulties from your teeth, don’t let it stay for long and wait till the pain get worst. Always go to your dentist to for further treatment to your teeth. In addition, always pay a visit to your dentist at least once a month to make sure that your teeth stay strong and healthy.

Historical amelia island

To many travelers, Amelia Island is a newfound paradise. But centuries of people have been drawn to its tranquil shores and exquisite natural beauty. According to local folklore and historical evidence, Timucuan Indians first inhabited Amelia Island as early as 2000 BC. The Timucuan people were known for elaborate body tattoos in yellow, black, blue and red. The island was originally named "Isle de Mai" (Island of May) by Jean Ribault, a Huguenot leader who landed on Amelia Island in 1562. It is said that when Ribault and his troops arrived, they were welcomed by the Timcuans and given baskets of berries. Even though the Spanish had claimed the area in 1513, these French colonists showed interest in the Island to claim land for France and to seek refuge from the religious and political persecution given to Huguenots. Though Ribault and his company did not settle on Amelia Island, other Huguenots landed in 1564. This second colony constructed Fort Caroline in Northern Jacksonville near the mouth of the St. John's River. In 1565, Spanish troops came to the area, killed the French settlers and regained the territory, which they had claimed as their own years before. The arrival of these Spanish troops led to the first Spanish reign from 1565 to 1763. A mission called Santa Maria was built on the northern end of Amelia Island in what is now known as Old Town. The mission was created to convert Indians to Christianity. At that time, the original name "Isle de Mai" was changed to "Isle de Santa Maria". In the years to follow, the Timucuans of Amelia Island gained contact with the Europeans, and British settlements in the North soon took a keen interest in the naturally deep ports and the strategic trade route locations on the island. Once again the name of the island was changed, this time to "Amelia" in honour of the Princess Amelia, daughter of King George II. James Oglethorpe, Governor of Georgia, put the name change in place in 1735. The British changed the name of the island to "Amelia", but the land did not fall into British hands until the Spanish Florida was traded for British Cuba in 1763 in an agreement under the Treaty of Paris. During British rule, Amelia Island was known as Egmont. In 1783, the Second Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War, and Florida was returned to Spain. In 1811 a surveyor named George J. F. Clarke plotted the town of Fernandina, named in honor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. The Patriots of Amelia Island, an independent group of American civilians backed by the United States government, seized control of the island, drove out the Spanish, and raised the American flag. The following day, Amelia Island was ceded to the United States. 1870 to 1910 was considered the Golden Age of Amelia Island. During this era, several wealthy Americans made Fernandina their homes. Elegant Victorian style houses were built in what became known as the Silk Stocking District. Ulysses Grant visited the Egmont Hotel, one of the grandest hotels of its time. The turn-of-the-century boom of Amelia Island came about with the advent of the shipping industry, and increasing numbers of New Yorkers who came traveled by steamboat to enjoy the warm climate and elegant hotels in Amelia. In recent years, Amelia Island has grown and prospered as a popular tourist destination. Many accommodation choices are available to suit every sort of traveler, and the Amelia Island Plantation is considered to be one of the world's perfect island destinations. Modern tourists are learning what centuries had already known: Amelia Island is a true treasure.

Get the most of your traffic... monetize it

Establishing your own E-commerce site is not like what it used to be. There are thousands of competition that is all too willing to get a bigger share of the pie. Every scheme and method you can find to augment your sales would be very beneficial. We have got to admit to ourselves. Most of us are into it for the money. We are not going to waste our time and effort just for the fun of it. Many sites would not wait until hell freezes over just to see their profits. While there are some who takes things lightly there are always those who would rather see profit any given day. It is common knowledge that without traffic we have no business. Like any business, without any customers you don’t get sales. Traffic represents all the people that gets a chance to see what you have to offer. The more people who see your products the more people there would be to buy them. Nobody puts up an E-commerce site that doesn’t expect profit. We have a startup capital that needs to be regained. With a consistent traffic, we at least have a fighting chance to achieve that probability. Monetizing your traffic would optimize your chances of making the best out of it. Making Money out of your Traffic The best and most proven method of making a profit out of your traffic is using advertising. The internet generates hundreds of thousands upon hundred of thousands of traffic everyday. Most of them are searching for something. While some are just looking for information there is also a good percentage that is looking for something that they need. The internet has proven to be a very reliable source in finding what was deemed to be a very unsearchable product. The internet has made the world a smaller place; you can advertise a product from the depths of Istanbul and still find a buyer from the center of Philadelphia. Generating traffic is not an easy task. You have to contend with a great number of sites to generate a good number of traffic flow. But if done successfully this could open up a Pandora’s Box of possibilities. One of the benefits is monetizing your traffic flow. So, to get to the core of it the more traffic you generate the more likely you are considered as a desirable, desirable, in a sense that a good traffic flowing site is easily convertible to profit. Basically traffic equals profit. Advertising is the name of the game; with the good advertising scheme you can use your traffic flow to your advantage. When you have good traffic you have a good number of potential customers, customers that are willing to pour money into your coffers. Other than that these are also traffic that can be redirected to sponsored links that are willing to pay you for a sizeable portion of the traffic that you have generated. This scheme is called “pay-per-click”. With every click a visitor of your site makes on an advertised link you will be paid. The more traffic you generate and the more clicks that happens would spell to more profits. Affiliate Programs Another method of monetizing your traffic are affiliate programs. You can link up with other tried and tested sites and online companies and monetize your traffic by having a percentage of sales generated by traffic coming from your site. The basic idea is, traffic generated from your site will go to another site that can offer a product that you do not carry. Many programs can keep track and make records of transactions that was made possible because of site linkage. When purchases are made by customers that was led by your site to their site you get a percentage of that sale. Affiliate programs would give you the benefit of monetizing your traffic without the actual need of carrying or promoting a certain product. There are so many ways and methods to monetize your traffic. All it takes is a bit of hard work and the desire to successfully launch a profit-earning site. The internet is a veritable source of information, many tips and guides are offered everywhere in how to monetize your traffic and make your site a good profit earner.

Hawaii trips travel tips you may find helpful

Have you recently made the decision to vacation in Hawaii? If so, you are definitely not alone. Each year, an unlimited number of individuals, families, and couples, from all around the world, make the decision to take a Hawaii trip. Although Hawaii trips are fun, there are a number of important travel tips that you urged to keep in mind, as you should regardless of where you travel to. By keeping these travel tips in mind, you are sure to enjoy your next Hawaiian vacation, no matter how long or short it is. Perhaps, the most important thing to focus on is preparing for your trip to Hawaii. Whether you are departing from the United States or another country, it is important that you take the time to understand air travel rules. If you are arriving in Hawaii from the United States, you will not be required to obtain a passport; however, you may need one if you are departing from another country. Before you leave for the airport, it may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with what forms of identification are needed, as well as other air travel rules. Hawaii trips are only memorable if you get to experience them. That is why it is extremely important that you follow all air travel rules. In addition to air travel rules, it is also important that you pack for your trip wisely. One mistake that many Hawaii trip takers make is assuming that they know what the weather will be like. While the weather in Hawaii is consistently sunny and warm, there are no guarantees. That is why it is advised that you examine the projected weather forecast before you begin packing for your trip. Hawaii trips are almost always pleasant, but it is possible to have an unpleasant experience if you aren’t properly prepared, especially when it comes to the weather. While it is important to focus on the preparation needed for Hawaii trips, it is also important to place a focus on your vacation, while in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands are often referred to as popular vacation destinations because of everything that they have to offer. Whether you are looking for fun adventures, quiet activities, or something romantic, you are sure to find it on one of the many Hawaiian Islands; however, it is also important to keep safety in mind. Whether you are snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, or mountain climbing, it may be a good idea to go on a guided tour, especially if this is your first time visiting Hawaii. Hawaii trips are always filled with excitement, but it is also important to keep safety in mind. Aside from action packed adventures, many Hawaii trips are filled with sightseeing and shopping. Before you leave, it may be a good idea to leave additional room in your luggage. This additional room may allow you to bring home extra souvenirs or other Hawaii treasures that you just had to have. Whichever Hawaii Island you choose to visit, there is a good chance that you will walk away with a handful of goods to take home with you. If you forgot to leave enough room in your luggage or if one of your purchases is fragile, you may prefer to have your items shipped directly to your home. While shipping may be a little bit costly, in most cases, you will find that it is more than worth the cost. As much as vacationers wish that their Hawaii trips would never end, all vacations must come to a close. That is why it is also important to place a focus on your return home. Unlike many inbound flights to Hawaii, the outbound flights are subject to additional screening; screening that includes agriculture checks. You will find that it is against the rules to bring numerous items, including fruit and certain food and plants, back to the mainland. To prevent yourself from being held up at the airport, it is advised that when it doubt, leave it in Hawaii. The above mentioned Hawaii trip travel tips are just a few of the many that exist. In reality, the best tip to keep in mind is to use your common sense. You will find that thinking before you act is the best way to enjoy and safely make the most out of your trip to Hawaii.

Mountain bike brands

A newcomer to mountain bikes would be forgiven for thinking they are all pretty much the same. If you know your stuff, however, you will know that there are lots of mountain bike brands which vary in both quality and price. Although mountain bike brands originate in many different parts of the world, the best ones are known worldwide. Take Claud Butler for example. This is a brand originating in the UK, but its top quality and lightweight frames are well known and respected in the mountain bike community. If you’re setting out to buy a new mountain bike you’ll soon notice the sometimes enormous difference between prices for different mountain bike brands. While at first you might think you are simply paying more for the famous name of a certain brand, there is a lot more at stake than this. When you are out mountain biking, you’ll sometimes come across an area of terrain which requires you to hop off your bike and carry it on your shoulder for a short distance. If you have a more expensive bike at the top end of the market, you’ll be able to pick it up in one hand and jog with it for the required distance if you want to. If you have a cheaper version, you’ll find it to be weighty and much more awkward to carry. It’s this kind of difference that you’re paying for. The more expensive, better quality mountain bike brands have lighter alloy frames that make biking much easier and more enjoyable. Suffice to say you can go faster on a lighter bike than you can on a heavier framed one. Whatever brand you choose, the brand itself often only applies to certain parts of the bike. Sometimes it will only apply to the actual frame – the rest of the items that go to make up a complete bike will be made by other manufacturers. For example, perhaps the best known name in gear systems for lots of mountain bike brands is Shimano. Within that range there are different varieties, and the best mountain bike brands will use the best and most expensive gear system. Buying a mountain bike isn’t always an easy prospect. You need to consider which brand will serve you best, and which accessories have been used to make up each bike underneath the overall brand name. It’s worth taking your time to make the best choice for you. For buying and selling used or new (second hand) bikes and motorcycles check the link bharathautomobiles/motorcycles-s2_0.html

Beyond blackey smokey 10 great ideas for naming black dogs

How can you look the dog in the eyes ever again? Every time you call his name, he wallows in shame. You've banished him to the lowest level of dog name hell - you've named your Lab "Blackey." Any four-year-old can explain that a dog's name should reflect something about him - the way he looks, the way he acts, what he likes to eat… something. So most four-year-olds will take the next most obvious step - naming a black dog Blackey... or Smokey... or something equally inane. The thought that so many grown adults were not able to muster more creativity could undermine our society's basic faith in democracy. So let's hope that the over-abundance of such uninspiring monikers is the work of children - parents' having left the honor of naming the family pet to junior or sissy. While common, this type of delegation is rarely a good idea. Remember: Dogs can last half a generation; your little tyke will be mighty embarrassed in college to own up to a dog named Blackey. So to help inspire you - or your little one - here are some more unique names - and naming ideas - that might help you side-step the pit of pet name remorse: 1. Dirty Stuff: Grunge, Pitch, Soot (or Sooty), Spade 2. Darkness: Dusky, Midnight, Shade (or Shady), Twilight 3. Black / Dark Clothing: Patch, Sable, Suede, Tux (or Tuxedo), Velvet 4. Black Food: Gumbo, Goulash, Meatball, Meatloaf, Molasses, Mushroom, Plum, Rib-eye, Roux (Avoid Pepper) 5. Coffee Derivatives: Chicory, Latte, Mocha 6. Dark Beers: Guinness, Porter, Stout, Xingu 7. Small Black Dogs: (Also cute for very large dogs.) Scrap, Smudge, Smidgeon, Speck, Splotch, Wisp 8. Black as Evil: (These can be particularly cute for very large or very small dogs.) Cujo, Darth, Jezebel, Katrina, Lilith, Mordor, Reaper, Smut, Snitch, Sorrow, Vader, Vice, Wicked 9. Traditional or Famous Black First Names: (Most appropriate for African-American families.) Tanika, Aisha, Oprah, Bionce, Latifa, Snoop 10. African Geography: Congo, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda

4 Ways to use auto responders to build sales

Auto-responders, email systems which are built to deliver multi-step messages over time, will add value to your business in four ways: auto-responders can educate customers about your products and services, auto-responders can build rapport with your prospects, and auto-responders can carry much of your customer support and customer training load. These systems are always working for you delivering important and valuable information. Please see several ideas on how to do this below: 1municate with Customers: Enter company data and product information into a series of auto-responders. Messages should be informative for your customers and should include an offer of value which the recipient can respond to. The auto-responder cycle can add value by making your company information more accessible to your clients. 2. Increase New Business Sales: Put a lead management system in place with auto-responder functionality. This will solve a common problem. Sales people will work a lead list, and burn a lead if it does not respond. The multi-step auto-responder system keep your company in your prospects's mind. The AR system spark a low fire into the mind of your prospect and build mind-share touch by touch. 3. Distribute Training: Training is critical to customer adoption and customer retention. Training is expensive and can eat up valuable sales and operation time. Distribute training to customers, new and existing, with an AR. The messages can range from the "Welcome on-board" basics and can evolve to advanced learning. Why not create advanced usage streaming videos and content and load up a 7 or a 10 message AR and put this Advanced Training offer to your customers for a fee? 4. Distribute Support: Set-up an auto-responder with Frequently Asked Questions. Determine what customer queries are asked and put a series of answers into your auto-responder. Put your AR to work for you by distributing your FAQ to your customers and your trial users. The auto-responder sequences are fluid: work always to improve your messages and your offers. Your auto-responders can differentiate your business by optimizing customer communication and getting the most from your lead generation and marketing systems.

A money saving exercise

There is a simple money saving exercise that everyone should do at least once in their lives. It is ultimately one of the best ways to save money, because it is not about pinching pennies, but about discovering what you really want and getting it. It is so simple you may hesitate to try it. Just try it. Here it is: List everything that you have spent money on, are currently spending money on, or might spend money on. Don't just read this and think of a few things. Take the time to actually write it all down. Review your bank statements if you have to, in order to remember and include everything. Now go through the list, and carefully consider each item. Take the most time on the big items - past, present and future possibilities. If your timeshare on the beach is worth half what you paid, costs $1,000 per year in expenses, and is rarely used, you need to learn from that - not to punish yourself, but to have a richer life. If you think honestly about the number of times you will use that Recreational Vehicle, and the cost, it may be $250 for each day of use. That's okay if that is worth it to you, but maybe you really would enjoy $100 hotels more. Or maybe you can rent an RV for less overall cost, thus freeing up money for other important goals. You see, saving money isn't about sacrifice. We all are aware of the scrooges in life that pinch their pennies, bank the savings, and then do nothing with it. The point should be to save money in one area of life so you can use it in ways that make your whole life richer. Suppose you notice you're spending $8 per month on subscriptions to magazine you don't read, or on insurance for a motorcycle you almost never ride? Cancel the subscriptions or sell the motorcycle, and what have you lost? Is it a big deal? What will that $8 get you instead? - Bank it for ten years, and use the $1200 to take a second honeymoon. - Use it to pay for a day off work once a year, to spend with the kids. - Invest it, to have an extra $50 per month during your retirement years. - Buy six good books a year, to learn something new. - Make banana splits for the family once a month. - Give $100 per year to a worthy cause. $8 per month can do a lot if used wisely. Imagine what you could do if you stopped wasting $200 per month. That's why it is so important to discover what you really want - and what you don't want. This is one of the most intelligent ways to save money.

Follow your dreams with cancun discount airfare

Are you dreaming of white sandy beaches, an ocean to cool off in, and plenty of recreational activities? There are many places in the world you might find all three of these aspects, but can you find the discount airfare to get you there? Cancun discount airfares are available online, in newspapers, and with travel agents. The key is to know when to look and where to look at any given time. Certainly, you can employ a travel agent who will charge you a commission to find the best Cancun discount airfare and plan the rest of your trip or you could spend your Sunday searching the newspapers for any possible deal, but the best place to start looking for Cancun discount airfares is online. Not only can you look 24/7, but also you can choose where you look. If you are going to use the online resources that technology has supplied for all of us then you will need to learn how to find Cancun discount airfare with relative ease. Learn Before You Look First, you need to decide how you will look. There are literally thousands of travel websites that you can check out, but not all of them are going to provide you with the best discounts. Some have hidden fees that you are not aware of making the price higher and others may charge you fees for booking the trip for someone in your family while using your credit card. For more info see knowdiscountairfare/ on Discount Airfare. There are so many sites that the only way to eliminate the ones that are not effective is to do a little research. You will need to use keywords such as Cancun discount airfares, Cancun wholesale tickets, and travel deals to Cancun. Using words in a search engine that will eliminate the more general pages will help you save time during your research. Choosing The Time To Go The dates you pick will also be relevant to finding Cancun discount airfares. Most importantly, discounts are offered during the off-season, not that you cannot find a good deal during the busy season, but these usually take a year or more in advance to book. Make your dates flexible when you search for Cancun discount airfares. The computer can tell you when it is best to fly, which eliminates research on your part. You will want to start with a few websites and branch out if need be. Typically, the top websites of the search engine give you the closest result to your keywords. You might find a little out of the way website that offers better deals simply because they do not charge as high fees or taxes for the flights on a website that is found on the second page of your search.

Flexible payments mean happier customers

As a new business owner, you probably started out accepting cash and checks but not credit cards. Or if you have a business online, you might have accepted PayPal but no other payment options. As your business grows, you will have more people asking for more varied payment options, and as your budget allows, you should expand to offer as many different payment options as you can. Paying with credit cards and debit cards is becoming very popular. You might be hesitant to accept credit cards because of all the fess associated with them, but the truth is you might make up the cost of the fees in increased sales. People are likely to spend more when they are using plastic and to make more impulse buys than they would if they were paying with cash or a check. In addition to accepting credit cards, you should also get a payment processing device that allows you to accept debit cards, meaning it has a keypad on which customers type their PIN numbers. Many people like using a debit card because it's faster than writing a check but still makes them control their expenses since the money is coming right out of their bank account. Accepting debit cards is great for you as well because you know the customer has the money if the debit card payment goes through. The fees are also lower when accepting a debit card transaction than they are on a credit card sale. These days customers want flexibility. They, just like you, are busier than ever. There are a lot of people out there who never carry cash and who hate to write checks. If you don't offer a credit card or debit card option, you've lost a sale -- potentially a lot of sales. Opening up to different methods of payment will make your customers happier and bring you more profits. It doesn't have to take a lot of time or money to get set up with a merchant account, and once you do you'll wonder why you waited for so long. Some payment processing companies even offer free equipment and have very competitive rates that mean you'll get to keep more of your money and put it back into building your business. Having a merchant account is part of the price of doing business in the 21st century. Do some research about the different payment processing options and move forward on accepting credit cards as soon as you can. You'll be glad you did.

Are you letting your children manipulate you

Rachael is the young mother of Nathan, who just turned two. Rachael is a stay-at-home mother who works part-time at home and has the help of a housekeeper five days a week. Rachael consulted with me because of her problems with Nathan. “When Nathan is with David (her husband), he’s fine. He adores David and listens well to him. When he’s with Amalia (her housekeeper), he’s fine. He loves her and plays calmly with her. But when he’s with me, he’s impossible. He throws temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. He goes to sleep easily at night for David but not for me. I want so much to be a good mother and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I never get angry with him but sometimes I feel like throwing him across the room! I need help!” “Rachael, when you are with Nathan, what do you think is more important to you – to get him to love you or to be loving to yourself?” Rachael replied instantly. “To get him to love me. I never think about loving myself. I just want him to love me. If he loves me, then I know that I’m a good mother.” “And what does it say about you if you are a good mother?” “It means that I’m okay,” “So you have handed to Nathan the job of defining your worth. He has to love you for you to be okay. What do you think is most important to David?” “Oh, David takes good care of himself. He really doesn’t seem concerned about whether or not Nathan loves him. He’s very loving to Nathan, but if David wants to eat dinner when Nathan want to play with him, he just eat dinner and Nathan seems to accept it. If I want to have my breakfast when Nathan wants to play, Nathan has a tantrum.” “Rachael, Nathan has learned that he can manipulate you because you are so concerned with how he feels about you. As long as his loving you is more important to you than taking loving care of yourself, he will be able to manipulate you. This is not good for him or for you. It is too big a burden on him to have the responsibility of defining your worth. As long as your worth is attached to being a good mother, Nathan will be able to manipulate you.” “I can see that. Amalia is like David. If she has work to do, she just expects Nathan to play by himself, and he does. She loves him, but she is firm about what she needs to do. I can see that I give in all the time because I don’t want him to be upset with me. What can I do now to change this?” “First of all, you need to consciously detach your worth from being a good mother. You need to do some inner work on defining your worth separately from being a mother. Your sense of worth needs to be attached to who you are – your kindness, compassion, empathy, warmth, aliveness. You need to take responsibility for defining your own worth rather than making Nathan, David, or anyone else responsible. “Second, you need to care about taking care of yourself as much as you care about taking care of Nathan. Nathan is a brat with you because you don’t care about yourself when you are with him, so he has learned to not care about you. You are teaching him not to care about you when you do not care about yourself.” “Okay, I think I get this. I’m really going to try to do it differently.” Next week when we spoke in our phone session, Rachael reported that things had already dramatically changed. Nathan was listening to her, going right to sleep when she put him down, and seemed happier in general. His tantrums had not yet completely stopped, but they were far fewer. Rachael, too, felt happier because she was finally taking care of herself and her own needs. For the first time since giving birth to Nathan, she was having some time to herself.