The Best Slice in Florida
Posted on August 31, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
Those who are looking for the best of everything in a state as big as Florida will need to book some extra time. There are way too many cities, and every one of these is eclectic and exciting in its own way. It would be worth the time to spend a week in every neighborhood in Miami, or the same amount devoted to each beach, but time is usually to short. Those who come to enjoy the five star Florida hotels usually want fast recommendations, and the good news is, visitors are in good hands.
There’s something for everyone, and the concierge can usually make a great starter recommendation, and the locals one might meet can take it from there. For pizza, there’s plenty of choice. In Southern Florida, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza gets lots of raves, and there’s plenty of locations to taste it. Amici’s in Coconut Creek also does it New York style, and they specialize in serving the neighborhood and community with a friendly atmosphere. A nod has to go out to Chicago-style pizza, and the thin crust version of it is superb at Pusateri’s in Stuart. Devoted Chicago natives have given it great notices, and that’s always saying something.
Different Types of Insurance
Posted on August 29, 2010 - Filed Under Health
If the need to review term life insurance plans is presented, you should definitely take the time to do so and not avoid the issue. Unfortunately, life insurance purchases generally have an emotional aspect to them and if you can simply detach yourself and look at life insurance in the same objective manner you would purchase car or even health insurance, it will make the process that much easier to deal with. It will also help you to relax and understand some of the terms and paperwork a little better.
Life insurance, is similar to the other insurance needs in your life in respect to the perspective that you are purchasing it with the hope that you will not have to use it. However, that is also a point of difference. Your life insurance policy will be paid out at some point, most people just hope that it doesn’t happen until very late in life, long after the original term has expired. With car insurance, you can certainly hope that you will never have to make a claim.
Health insurance is slightly similar to life insurance in that most people hope not to use it, though almost all people, if not everyone, does. And this is going to apply to standard health care and prescription medication costs. The hope that one doesn’t have to use it is in the case of emergency services and major illnesses. Of course insurance that might be related to your work is also the type that you hope you never half to use, though this is one that is not universally needed.
The World as a Virtual Lab
Posted on August 26, 2010 - Filed Under Technology
Today’s working environments can skirt between making a living and having a life, and often crosses the borders between the two. At times, this can be in rather uncomfortable ways, where more and more people are expected to take their work home with them. At the same time, there are also certain freedoms that are offered by integrating more tasks to an on-line platform, so that the official working day is based on a much looser structure. In these situations, taking work home can be rather liberating, because it means that there are more opportunities to do things during the day. It’s a question of integrating work and life .
It’s a new way of doing things, certainly, and the world has entered into a new series of structures and challenges. It is as if the culture were entering into a new virtual lab , where there are explorations of ways to make work meaningful, and also take advantage of the new technologies that can give more flexibility to labor. Online platforms where tasks and ideas can flow freely are but one step toward making new mental constructs that inform how lives are to be organized. It is a laboratory, and the fascinating part of it is that every participant also gets to play the role of scientist.
Delhi Lacks Good Repository Museums
Posted on August 22, 2010 - Filed Under Arts & Culture
India knows that any responsible nation that can afford to preserve its heritage does so. India, to this end, is moving that proverbial mountain: closing factories in order to save the Taj Mahal from air pollution and spending more to reduce water pollution of its holiest of rivers.
In order to conserve their heritage, great nations have created museums that consisted of exhibits to educate the public and to be repositories that store scientifically important specimens, so that future scientist can study them. The Indian Museum in Kolkata and the National Museum of Natural History in Delhi, which both bring in tourist from other countries who stay at Delhi hotels , fulfills some of the exhibit functions, but they both lack modern curatorial and storage facilities for scientific specimens. Whereas the Natural History Museum of London and the Smithsonian Institution of Washington are amongst the most famous and most respected institutions that have the best scientific collections. India lacks an equivalent.
Collections breathe life into science when they are curated and accessible. They inspire young people to study India’s heritage and encourage foreigners to learn about India. India needs a central repository that can curate such specimens after researchers retire. A great nation deserves a great museum .
Finding an Excellent New York Mortgage Broker Exam Training Course
Posted on August 19, 2010 - Filed Under Finance
Mortgage loan originators and brokers in New York must now pass a New York mortgage broker exam to conduct business in the state. The New York mortgage test is a new requirement by the state and with Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System , otherwise known as NMLS. Mortgage professionals must pass the New York mortgage exam within four tries or risk the ability to do business in the state in the future.
Failed candidates must wait 30 calendar days between each test in order to take the exam again. After the 4th attempt, they must wait 180 days before retaking the New York mortgage broker exam .
The New York mortgage broker exam was released by the NMLS in 2009 and the test consists of 50 scored test questions and 10 un-scored test questions. The mortgage brokers exam for New York includes six topics:
o New York State Banking Department
o New York State Law and Regulations Definitions
o New York License Law and Regulation
o Compliance
o Disciplinary Action
o Unique New York State Test Areas
There are training facilities that have the formulas necessary to help prepare a potential loan originator with the New York mortgage license exam. These training facilities will cover:
o Awareness of Exam Content
o Assessment of Knowledge Level
o Arrangement of Course Material
o Action Plan
o Analysis and Self-Evaluation
It’s important to find a New York Mortgage Exam training course that has a comprehensive formula insuring that the exam be passed on the first attempt, if they do not, move on and find one that does.
Turning Personal Injury into a Positive
Posted on August 16, 2010 - Filed Under Personal Growth
For everyone on their path in the world, life is going to be full of setbacks, as well as strokes of luck. It takes some time, and some learning, to discover ways of turning these setbacks into opportunities. It’s one of the more difficult things to do, especially when it seems obvious that the setback has come from an outside force. Injury does have a tendency to bring out the victim mentality in everyone, and it’s perfectly natural. It’s also perfectly natural to learn how to take responsibility for things as they are at the moment. That simple step can begin the process of transformation , where the injury becomes an opening into a new way of seeing.
It is a much easier process, however, if there’s a little help with the legal aspects. A New York City personal injury lawyer can take care of the busy details of making things right in terms of the specifics of the incident, and this can free up the mind and body to create new patterns of living. It’s sometimes simply a question of moving away from blame, and letting someone else take care of that step can create more mental space. In some ways, then, an injury can turn out to be something very fortunate, because it can be the moment when a life changes completely, and for the better.
Language, Furniture, and Environment
Posted on August 12, 2010 - Filed Under Education
It’s the hardest job in the world, but it’s also the most rewarding. Raising children is a very complex task. That probably goes without saying, but the challenges come at every turn, and they can always be surprising and unexpected. It’s said that when they’re very young, the challenges are mostly physical ones, and as they get older, the challenges are mental. Parenting always involves a little bit of both, and a whole lot of love.
With toddlers, one of the most exciting things to observe is the development of language. The first words are already well under way, and chances are, they’ve learned a whole lot more words than one is really aware of. But at this stage, they start putting words together to make sentences. Two-word sentences is the sign that toddler-hood has begun. From here, the language processes will become more complex, but for the immediate present, the challenge is to learn to decipher the vowels and consonants into a meaning.
Here, the atmosphere of the home is very important. Toddlers like to comment on just about everything, but they begin with tangible objects. Toddler furniture is often the focal point of conversation, since this is what they see during the bulk of their days and nights. Parents will usually be delightfully surprised to find that the young ones seem to have opinions about the objects, and are starting to create their own inner narrative, constructing a world of language based on where they are.
Get Familiar with Car Transport Terminology
Posted on August 6, 2010 - Filed Under Automotive
What is car transport? Car Transport is the act of transporting a car from one location to another location. There are several nuances to shipping a car that most people are unaware of such as door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal and open carriers or an enclosed carrier. Choosing which of these types of car transport can be hard. Below you’ll find the difference between all the categories, which will help you make the right decision.
Door-to-door car transport is when the transport truck will come straight to your house and pick up the vehicle. You’ll get to watch as they load the car. Door-to-door mode of car transport is the most common, safest and convenient way to ship your car.
Terminal-to-Terminal car transport is where you’ll drop the car off at a car lot or most times it’s a junkyard, and leave the vehicle there until a transport truck comes to pick it up; sometimes, it can be months before that happens and you don’t get to see how your car is loaded on to the truck.
An open carrier is a huge truck with 6 to 10 slots designated for vehicles. You’ve most likely seen these types usually transporting brand new cars to a car dealership, but they are also used to transport personal cars also.
Enclosed transportation is when your car is loaded into a giant container that will protect your car from bad weather and road hazards. Usually, your car is very safe on an open carrier, and most car transport occurs on this type of truck, but it’s worth spending extra for an enclosed transport truck ensuring you’ll receive a dent and scratch free car.
Now that you know the most common terms involved in car transport, you’ll be on your way to a worry free process.
Haunted Theatres, Schools and Nightclubs in Minneapolis
Posted on August 1, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
As with all other major cities and towns in the United States, there are some buildings and sites located in Minneapolis that have reached various hauntings listings. There is a certain fascination that many people have with possible hauntings and it really doesn’t matter whether or not it’s true the idea alone is thrilling and entices people from all walks of life. And while the friendly staff at some of the Minneapolis boutique hotels are unlikely to suggest haunted locations as top tourist attractions, they certainly entice many visitors and residents alike. Meanwhile some of the top tourist attractions also have a reputation for being some of those that are haunted.
The old Guthrie Theatre is one of those. And with most theatre’s worth their curtains, they come complete with the theatre ghost. Of course that’s based on legend, isn’t it? There were stories about a former usher haunting the place, though in 2007 the theatre moved into a new building and has seemingly left the former employee behind. Another popular haunting is with the First Avenue nightclub . It has been reported that frequent sightings of a blonde haired woman wearing a green jacket occur hanging in one of the restrooms. Strange encounters with lights and odd sightings on the dance floor are also reported to occur. The City Hall and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design are a couple of the other reportedly haunted locations in the city.
Family Fun on Electric Bikes
Posted on July 29, 2010 - Filed Under Sports
Bicycles have always been popular forms of local transportation and recreational activities. They are also great ways to keep in shape. However, the recent trend toward environmental awareness and natural resource conservation efforts has contributed to an increase in their overall use. It is easy to incorporate bike riding with public forms of transportation , however one of the major trends is incorporating electric motors onto personal bikes. This makes them much more diverse and allows for greater distance transportation needs and is also extremely economic.
All of these are great reasons to consider choosing from the diverse selection of electric bicycle motors that are available in today’s market. These motors run smooth and are extremely quiet and of course they are also extremely clean running. There are various personal transportation devices that can make use of these motors and it is easy to find a kit that is right for your bike or even scooter. They are easy to install, maintain and operate and the initial investment will absolutely save you a lot of money with their use. They can be fun for families or couples and provide a great new way of taking a Sunday cruise. And what better way to ride down to the local park for an afternoon picnic .
Regardless of the type of bike you own or the particular motor you decide to purchase, it will greatly enhance the reasons for choosing to ride your bike and will be financially rewarding.
Diversity of Mens Costumes
Posted on July 23, 2010 - Filed Under Holiday
Most people have associations to men that are kind of rugged, tough and possibly even conservative. Dressing up in costumes is not one of the immediate associations most people will make. However, if you think about it, even the Marlboro man, the American icon of masculinity, was actually a model in a costume. At the very literal level, sports team uniforms are actually costumes. And costumes are part of many social events and even career choices, which is part of the reason you will find plenty of options in plus size mens costumes. However, one of the other and extremely common reasons men wear costumes is for the simple fact it is fun. And just like everyone else, they will be eager to take advantage of the opportunity whenever the social occasion allows.
Halloween is one of the standard holidays for which you will find almost everyone dressed in elaborate and detailed costumes. However, if you have ever been to a Renaissance fair you have seen plenty of actors in period costumes, as well as numerous patrons who consider costumes an essential aspect of participation. Rodeo clowns, Santa Claus and Uncle Sam are characters that are typically associated with men and definitely require the use of costumes.
Men’s and women’s theme costumes are increasing in popularity and common use. And their uses go far beyond the once a year Halloween party. Couples frequently purchase or create thematic costumes for all sorts of social events and celebrations. Men in costumes is a lot more common than what most people realize, though if you think about it, it’s an extremely attractive social element.
How To Spend Less On Software All At Once
Posted on July 21, 2010 - Filed Under Technology
Software for computers these days can get to be very expensive. For some people, this can be the reason that they turn to stealing the software for free. There is a better way though than to resort to illegal activity. It is also mutually beneficial because illegally downloaded software can make it harder to publish projects without getting caught.
One of the best things you can do if you can’t afford the software outright is to see if there is a website from which you can buy software for cheaper than other places. This can help with the costs. If this still hasn’t reduced the cost enough, try buying it one piece at a time. Save up and get one piece at a time. If there are a number of pieces that you need, wait it out and do only projects that need that one or two pieces of software. If you have to use all the pieces of software together, as happens sometimes, use a freeware knockoff to get you started on the ones that you can’t buy yet. these usually won’t have all the features that a fully featured piece of software will have, but using Google docs, for example, when you can’t afford Microsoft word, although it has less features will allow you to have a writing program that is all yours until you can get one with more features.
Choosing The Right Exterior Shutters
Posted on July 15, 2010 - Filed Under Home & Garden
There are many options when it comes to choosing the right exterior shutters that will contribute to the beauty of your home, but it’s not an easy decision, not only because there are hundreds of styles, types and models to choose from, but because these exterior shutters will be on your house for years to come and will have a significant impact on how your home will look.
Selecting the style should be your first consideration; each type has its own tradition and history such as the Louvered exterior shutter: this is the traditional, classic style that can have the broadest of applications. Louvered blends in well with most modern homes. Many builders and interior designers use the louver style because the home owner has control of the amount of sunlight that will enter into the home.
The Raised Panel style has the distinction of an authentic colonial look. There’s really no substitution for the elegant beauty of a solid exterior shutters with designed wood panels that are inserted in the frame.
Flat panels give the look of a raised panel exterior shutter and are less expensive, but don’t have the quality of beauty as the authentic raised panel shutters. Board-n-Batten exterior shutters create a look of the ‘Town and Country’ home or the coastal New England or rustic simple design. With the Board-n-Batten you can create many different looks with the heavy planks secured by slats that can be horizontal or diagonal.
You can always create a combination of the louver and the raised panel or board-n-batten, which the top pane can be the louvered and the bottom is the solid section. As you can see, it’s a tough decision.
R2K, Las Vegas
Posted on July 12, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
The photography studio is a kind of sacred space in the art world. It’s not only the glitz and glamour spot where beautiful people in swimwear get photographed for corporate advertising shoots, but much more than that. That is the bread and butter of the spaces, surely, but the appeal to the local community becomes apparent whenever there are art gatherings. Las Vegas does have its share of photography studios, as one might imagine from the kinds of high rollers that pass through the city. One of these that fits the bill and stands apart is R2K Studio .
The space is impressive, and can even make jaws drop from those who are used to the kinds of gorgeous spaces at the Las Vegas hotels . It’s a large warehouse, with an open plan that feels airy but also interesting. The sense of design is nothing less than crisp, and it always seems lively, no matter what’s happening , but on gallery nights, it’s especially appealing.
These are the famous first Friday events, where the local galleries in the downtown arts district open their doors in the early evening, so that the locals can see art for free, and rub elbows with each other. It’s also a very fun evening out for guests, with a break from the casinos in order to see what the cool kids in town like to do on weekends. There are plenty of surprises in store.
Comedy and Open Mic Clubs Cincinnati
Posted on July 2, 2010 - Filed Under Entertainment
People have different ways of experiencing new cities and cultures. Some think that the only way to really get to know a city is by sampling the local food. Others think that experiencing a locally based performance is the key to understanding a new place while there are still others who think this is dependent on a combination of these features. Then there is a large population of people who feel that the only way to really experience a new city is by getting up and performing at an open mic music venue or comedy club. Those people exist from the extreme population, while others among them feel you just have to enjoy a performance at one of the clubs.
For that population of tourists who visit the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, they are in luck. Cincinnati has some great comedy clubs as well as live music open mic venues. And even the luxury hotels Cincinnati have been known to get in on the act, pardon the pun. They have hosted comedy competitions, which by the way is becoming something of a national obsession. Meanwhile, other clubs in town like Go Bananas Comedy Club host some incredible comedians and provide some of the best laughs you can hope to find this side of the Ohio River.
Go Bananas has various shows and features some of the top local talent. The club also hosts competitions and has a great menu to compliment the show. RP Mcmurphy’s is a great place to enjoy and maybe even participate in some open mic performances. Open mics are most frequently associated with music though they also feature poetry readers and comedians. If you are interested in performing at an open mic club, all you need to do is call in advance and ask what their requirements and potential limits are and then show up with your material and your friends and begin your path to stardom. Or at least have a great time enjoying your stay in Cincinnati and getting a feel for the local culture. You might want to try some of the food while you’re there, too.
Florida’s Weeki Wachee
Posted on June 30, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
There are a lot of unusual creatures in Florida. There are the ones who haunt the clubs on weekends, and then the ones that live in the swamps. In a place that’s so immersed in the waters that surround it, there are other mythical creatures that have gotten people’s attention for thousands of years. Sea monsters and mermaids appear all over the world, in folklore and literature, and in popular films. They also live in Florida, about an hour north of Tampa, in a delightful attraction called Weeki Wachee Springs State Park .
In 1946, a former Navy Seal named Newton Perry was wandering around these springs, and had some ideas. The springs have been here for thousands of years, and go so deep into the earth that divers haven’t been able to touch bottom. The currents twenty feet below the surface are about 5 miles an hour, which is considerable for shallow water, but further than that it starts to get pretty treacherous. While thinking of ways to train military personnel, he conceived of an idea where rubber tubing pumping oxygen could be sent down to shallow levels. Divers at this level could breath fresh air from the tubes, and stay down for indefinite periods.
He also thought about how everyone loves mermaids, and if performers trained to swim could do work at these lower depths, there might be something lucrative in all this. It turned out to be a very good idea, and it took off like fire on the water. Weeki Wachee became a roadside attraction, drawing people come to enjoy the best resorts Florida has to offer. In the old days, families would drive up to the attraction. The women performing as mermaids would lounge outside the spring, and hearing their cars, take their cue and dive under to get ready for another show. It’s more sophisticated technology that guides the shows these days. The mermaids have codified their training, and even have special showcases to honor the mermaids of the last generation.
For now, they perform tales like The Little Mermaid for the entertainment value, but there’s not a small amount of myth and mystery going on with the shows. The park was actually in danger of closing recently, but a couple of years ago it was indoctrinated as a Florida state park , and it looks like the mermaids will be around for a long time still.
Los Angeles Perfect for Pampered Pets
Posted on June 27, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
We have all seen the stars that don’t go anywhere without their furry companions whether they happen to fit in a hand bag or could be classified as a small horse. Everyone wishes they could bring their pets with them on vacation. They’re often better behaved than the kids why should they be stuck in a kennel for a week? Thankfully this niche has been answered eagerly by boutiques, restaurants, and hotels all over Los Angeles.
When you start looking for a hotel and plan to bring your pet look closely at any special requirements the hotel sets on its “pet friendly” policy. Obviously, if you are planning a week of fun in the sun with your Great Dane you do not want to accidentally book a room at a hotel that insists on a 40 lbs. weight limit on your pet. Also, call around and don’t be afraid to ask if the concierge knows of a hotel that might accept you and your furry friend. Some hotels offer special services just for your pet, personal bed, special treats, even sometimes going as far as to treat your pet as well as a human guest would expect to be treated.
There are many spots to spend quality time with your dog, at Lake Hollywood there is a dog park below the Hollywood Sign. You’ll love the photo opp of getting to see your pooch posing under the sign. Afterward, why not head over to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to admire the paw prints of Lassie’s or Rin Tin Tin . There are a variety of dag parks available many leash-free or offering a specialized amenity for your pet. Laurel Canyon Dog Park has a pool specifically for the dogs and has special hours dedicated to being leash optional.
If you can’t find a hotel to accept your companion or you want to venture off for a day of your own you can make arrangements with the Kennel Club LAX. A resort-type “kennel” for dogs, here your dog or cat can have a suite to itself; complete with lounge bed and TV/VCR. If you want your cat or dog treated like royalty the stay can include pet massage and yappy hour, not to mention pedicures and toe polish. Luckily, many five star hotels Los Angeles offers are more than willing to help accommodate you though you’ll likely have to make a special deposit or pay a cleaning fee.
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington
Posted on June 25, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
The Civil War is just one of the significant events that has changed the cultural landscape of this country and is remembered in Washington DC. This was one of the pivotal events that could have taken this country in a couple of different directions and the contemporary residents consider it a blessing that the war ended the way it did and the nation remained united and became what it is today. The African American Civil War Memorial in DC is one of the major testimonials to the many men who served the country and fought for the Union during this epic event.
Guests in a five star hotel Washington will be more than aware of the contributes made during this time period by the then President Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Washington and almost everyone who pays a visit to DC will also visit the memorial while they are there. The memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922 and it is located on the National Mall. This is just one of several memorials that have honored various presidents though it is definitely one of the most popular and famous.
Daniel Chester French was the sculptor of the main statue of Lincoln and artist Jules Guerin painted the interior murals. The architect of the building was Henry Bacon. The building’s design is in the style of a Greek Doric temple and the sculpture contains two inscriptions of his famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. The memorial has been the site of numerous famous speeches and events including Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, which was delivered in October of 1963. In October of 1966 the memorial was added to the list of National Register of Historic Places.
From DC to Arlington and Back
Posted on June 23, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
When visiting DC there are so many things that you may want to do don’t expect to see them all. For the most part you don’t need to have a car to get around this city either. You grab a schedule and head off on the subway which can get you anywhere. You can get an appointment with your senator if they are in DC and not back home, you can see all the monuments, the White House, the National Mint and much more. While all of this will be interesting for some people, others will be itching to get out of the city and over to Mount Vernon and Arlington cemetery. Thankfully for those people there is an easy way to do it even without the use of a car. This is because there are a number of tours that go out this way. It takes a full day but it is more than worth the time you put into it. The only problem is that they will not pick you up in front of your beautiful boutique hotel dc offers, so you will need to get to the pick up point on your own.
For those who don’t have a very good concept of geography you will travel out of DC and into Virgina for the day. The first stop is Mount Vernon which was George Washington’s home. Much of the land has been sold off over the years but the house has been preserved thanks to a number of people working to keep it open to the public. While you are in the area you will also be able to stop in a small sea port town in Virgina where you will be able to see the church that George Washington went to as well as some 17th and 18th century homes.
When you get to Arlington , there is something magical about it. This is the final home of so many soldiers who have died to keep America safe. There are two ways to really tour Arlington. One is on foot, which won’t get you far, but if you know where you want to go it might be the quickest way. If you just want to see everything there is to see you may want to ride the tour bus around the grounds and learn a little more history about this place. They will make sure you get to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony as well as the eternal flame on Kennedy’s grave site.
Louisiana Crawfish
Posted on June 21, 2010 - Filed Under Dining
There are many different foods that inspire people to theorize how their tastes came to grace the tables of people. The invention of butter and beer were surely the products of a lot of trial and error after a few happy accidents, and pasta came from developments happening in several countries at once. But when it comes to the crawfish, it’s not hard to see how this came to be a staple food in Louisiana. The crawfish were there, and people decided to eat them.
With a little bit of trial and error, and a few happy accidents, butter and beer were found to be rather nice accompaniments, and fresh crawfish on a bed of pasta is quite nice. As long as there have been people in Louisiana, they have been eating crawfish, more than likely, and it’s this convergence of coincidences that brings people here to visit the towns, and check out the lovely hotels. Louisiana is more than crawfish, of course, but it’s not a bad place to start.
Today, there is a huge industry based on these crustaceans, and they bring in millions of dollars every year to the state. For those who come to visit and decide they just can’t get enough, and no one would blame them, there are places like Louisiana Crawfish Company and Louisiana Crawfish who will ship fresh supplies, and also offer a dizzying array of crawfish ephemera.
There’s more, too. In St. Bernard Parish at the end of March every year, there is the Louisiana Crawfish Festival . This is three days of crawfish and crawfish related activities, that includes live music, special rides for the kids, and an event that elects special festival queens. There is a lot to love about the crawfish. It’s rich in protein, low in fat, and the taste can range from simply good to way out of this world. There’s a whole lot to love about Louisiana, too.
Witchcraft Accusations in Colonial Boston
Posted on June 17, 2010 - Filed Under History
The witchcraft trials and executions that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in the early 1690s is well documented in American history and is part of the national lore. And one of the main components associated with its occurrence is the belief that it was a singular occasion and a unique experience. The fact is that the Puritans living in early New England believed in the power of their view of witches and witchcraft an the fear of that was a standard aspect of their lifestyle. And while the major trials and hangings that occurred in Salem were the only example of such an extreme hysteria and devastating response, accusations of witchcraft extended far beyond the limits of Salem.
The events going on in Boston at that time of the Salem trials is often overshadowed by the more sensational and of course tragic events that were occurring north of Boston at the time. Researchers continue to explore the culture and societies of the early colonial settlers and the pre Revolution history of this country. During the seventeenth century Boston had its own issues with witchcraft , which included some trials and even death sentencing of its own. And this is in addition to the individuals from Boston that were indicted in the Salem accusations.
For women were actually tried, convicted and sentenced to death for witchcraft in Boston during the 17th century. In addition to those there were numerous others were accused and sometimes tried for the crime. One of the factors present during the Salem trials was the structure that if you confessed to the crime you would not be hanged, but if you didn’t confess you would die for your crimes. This also led to the further finger pointing and accusations of others as you were expected to disclosure your associates once you confessed. This and other intriguing historic elements of Boston’s colonial culture continue to interest tourists who are staying in one of the luxury hotels Boston USA .
Kramerbooks & Afterwords in Washington
Posted on June 13, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
A trip to the nation’s capital can be exhausting. By the time, you’ve explored the branches of Government — visiting the White House , checking out the Capitol Building, and stopping by the Supreme Court Building –you might want to slow down for a coffee or lunch and actually participate in some of the liberties courtesy of a democratic form of government and purchase a few good books to read. If that’s the case, there’s hardly a better place to go than Kramerbooks & Afterwords . This independent bookstore and cafe serves the public by serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a full bar and live music from Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Bill Kramer opened the bookstore and cafe in 1976, thirty-four years ago, after managing a store his father ran, Sidney Kramer Books over on I Street. While his father’s store closed in 1997, Kramerbooks & Afterwords not only thrived, but became a cultural landmark where true Washington locals meet after work for drinks, and presumably some light reading. If you think you might have heard of this store, it’s possible you’re recalling the moment the bookstore gained national prominence in 1997 during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, when it fought a subpoena from Kenneth Starr who wanted the store to reveal which books Monica Lewinsky purchased. In that instance, the bookstore won its fight, keeping the books it sells to its customers private, so you may buy what you’d like in the store without fear of anyone else in Washington knowing about it.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords is located just above Dupont Circle, in the historic center of Washington, D.C. at 1517 Connecticut Avenue, NW, and across the street from The Dupont Circle Q Street Metro Exit. While it’s open 24 hours a day on the weekends, if you’ve arrived on a weekday, it’s still possible to stay fairly late, until one a.m., then take your books back to some of the best hotels in Washington , where you may read as late as you like.
Looking for an Apartment
Posted on June 10, 2010 - Filed Under Home & Garden
Whether you are just moving out on your own or you are just looking for a change of scenery, finding the perfect new apartment can be an exciting process. With so many places to choose from it can be a hard decision, but once you are settled it will be worth the process.
There are a few different ways to begin your search for an apartment. 1) You can look on your own or with the assistance of family and friends. 2) You can hire a realtor to show you different properties and help you through the legal process. 3) You can work with a property management service like transglobe.com . There are many pros and cons for each, but ultimately the decision is up to you.
Location, location, location is a key phrase to keep in mind when buying a home; however, it also applies to renting. Even though you are renting and will probably not be in the area as long as someone who is buying, you still want to make sure that the location fits your needs ; consider where you work and where you hang out. Though the price will probably be a factor, you want to make sure that the apartment is in an area that you will feel safe and secure in.
The amenities may seem like unimportant details; however, they could make or break your stay. For example, does the apartment have a washer and dryer in unit or do you have to go to the complex laundromat? What appliances are included? On the other hand, things like a tanning salon or weight room don’t usually rank high on the list of necessities. Make a list of the must-haves as well as the things that would nice but aren’t required. Don’t be afraid to keep looking until you find the place that meets all of your needs.
Lastly, before you sign your lease, make sure that you understand everything that you are signing. Though many property owners work with a property management service like Transglobe Property Management services that will ensure everything is done legally, not all do. It is best to read everything over first. And before you know it, you’ll be all settled in to your new apartment.
The Exploratorium in San Francisco
Posted on June 9, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
No matter if you stay with friends or friends of friends or in one of the five star hotels in San Francisco , this unique American city can be a place that challenges your imagination and opens up hearts and minds. For the latter, visitors may not have to wander much farther than the city’s Exploratorium.
Located inside the landmark structure, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium gathers together hundreds of interactive exhibits, focused in three fields: science, art, and human perception. This is not just a museum, but museum as educational center, providing information about science and technology, nature and art. It was founded in 1969 by physicist Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, and he worked as its director until he passed in 1985. From 1991 to 2005, the museum was in the charge of renowned French scientist Dr. Geory Delacote, and today, since May of 2006, is led by science education and policy expert, Dr. Dennis M. Bartels. These two men have carried on the work of Oppenheimer to let the public in on how people know what we know.
There’s a large range of interactive exhibits at the museum, exploring a number of scientific topics, such as a solar eclipse, faultlines and earthquakes, frogs, the science behind skateboarding and baseball, the science of illusions and how our mind perceives images. You can hear conversations with Laurie Anderson and Brian Eno as they speak about music or you may figure out what makes people human in a section titled, Evidence: How Do We Know What We Know?, which examines how human society establishes facts in the first place.
Another exhibit you’ll find only at the Exploratorium is the Tactile Dome, a dome of complete darkness in which you may only use your sense of touch to guide you. It’s an internal sculpture exhibit, put on display in 1971, where visitors enter into a totally dark maze. You feel your way, bumping and sliding and crawling through hundreds of materials and shapes. The intent is to disorient your sensory world, creating a place where the only sense you may rely upon is touch.
Admission inside the Tactile Dome is twenty dollars per person, with discounts for school field trips, with the warning that the Tactile Dome is not for everyone: If you have back or knee injuries, or are in a cast, or if you have claustrophobia or you’re in the last trimester of pregnancy, skip this particular exhibit. If you’re a child, you have to be at least seven years old to visit the Dome.
For those of us who know we suffer from claustrophobia, we may stick with the Microscope Imaging Station, or other permanent exhibits on the perception of sound, seeing, and the traits of life.
Best Ballet in Miami
Posted on June 7, 2010 - Filed Under Arts & Culture
When in Miami, you’ll noticed it has the best, first-class cultural institutions, but it’s the Miami City Ballet (MCB) that has helped change the face of the county. Ranked among the top 20 dance companies in the country, MCB consistently earns international and national recognition for its outstanding achievements in classical and contemporary dance. The company performs at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale; and at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, which has a dramatic 2-story 120 x 30 foot mural that covers the entire east facade of its Fern Street studio.
Miami City Ballet main residence is conveniently located at 2200 Liberty Avenue in Miami Beach, or 777 S. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The 2010 – 2011 season will feature a diverse repertoire featuring a premiere by legendary choreographer, Lar Lubovitch. Program I, starting October 15th, 2010, will feature the Company Premiere of Jerome Robbins’ Fanfare; Program II, starting January 7, 2011, will highlight the Company Premiere of Twyla Tharp’s ‘Baker’s Dozen’, where she flings a dozen dancers onto the stage, spinning, hustling, shimmying, but yet romantically inclined all at the same time; Program III, beginning February 11, 2011, spotlights Paul Taylor’s ‘Promethean Fire’, a work that has been suggested to be Taylor’s response to 9/11; Program IV, beginning March 25, 2011, premieres John Cranko’s acclaimed full-evening version of the world’s most famous love story – ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Besides a spectacular 2010 – 2011 season, MCB has added four talented new professional dancers to the company, which will prove to be their best season to date. So, with the 2010 – 2011 season, you’ll have time to make arrangements to book a five star hotel Miami offers to all its visitors, especially for the discerning tourist in need of the best accommodations in all of Florida as they attended one or more of the 4 Miami City Ballet programs and experience one of the best Ballet Companies in all of the United States.
Fastest Transportation in Amsterdam
Posted on May 28, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
Amsterdam’s Fast Flying Ferries works as a hydrofoil commuter service from Amsterdam to Velsen. You can’t miss the Fast Flying Ferries because their colours, which are the same mix of fluorescent and ivy greens as the city buses, are the brightess things in Amsterdam. This form of transportation is just as reliable as the bus system, but boarding a hydrofoil is definitely not like boarding a bus. The Fast Flying Ferries are always on time and leave every 30 minutes, so don’t be late for one, or you’ll have to wait a half hour for the next ferry. Tickets can be purchased at the Amsterdam Tourist Office, at a wooden cabin behind Amsterdam’s central station, or at the Fast Flying Ferries desk. Students get free use with a transport card and bicycles are allowed on board.
As the vessel nears the dock, it recedes back into the water , navigating towards the dock like a normal boat. Near the dock, the purser steps through the vessel’s aircraft-type doors to coordinate the mooring and to secure the vessel. Once secured, the purser opens the passenger door and lets out the passengers. Then it’s time to board and the purser greets everyone boarding as you show him your ticket. You’ll go down a couple of steps and stand in front of a big wood paneled engine room and cockpit. You’ll feel like you’re in some kind of ditched vintage aircraft and as you look through a window, you’ll see water, but the interior is like that of an old airliner. Head on back to the left of the vessel and you’ll see a large passenger area with rows of chairs, or is you head right, you’ll pass through doors leading to the cockpit, which is located at the bow of the craft; there are about a dozen chairs behind a panoramic window. This is the best place to take a seat and get a great view of Amsterdam.
The Fast Flying Ferries run from Midnight till 10pm Monday through Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays – Midnight to 6:30pm. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3.10 for children and seniors. There are daily, weekly, monthly and annual offers as well. Check with the concierge at the Amsterdam hotel where you’re staying at to see if they offer their guest any discounts for the Fast Flying Ferries. Taking a ride on a fast moving hydrofoil is a must before leaving Amsterdam.
New Orleans King Cake
Posted on May 19, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
New Orleans King Cakes, a tradition that goes right along with Mardi Gras, is a sticky, coffee cake like pastry that evolved into one of the most fabulously delicious, famous and most hungered for symbol that represents the meaning of Mardi Gras. The King Cake symbolizes the unity of faiths and each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors: Green, representing faith; Purple, representing justice; and Gold, representing power. The Baby, which is baked into each cake, represents Baby Jesus. The twelfth day after Christmas, otherwise known as the Epiphany, January 6th, the tradition of the Kings Cake began around the 1800s as a part of the celebration of Mardi Gras. King Cake is the most beloved of traditions in New Orleans.
If you are planning a visit, and staying at any of the hotels around New Orleans There are many bakeries you could go to in New Orleans that make the famous King Cake, but there are only two of those – Cannata’s King Cakes and Dianne’s King Cakes, which make the best King Cakes in town.
Cannata’s King Cakes is the favorite amongst the locals and considered even better than Dianne’s King Cakes. Cannata will deliver to your hotel room and taste as if it just came out of the oven. Cannata’s King Cakes are a not only a feast for the palette, but for your eyes as well. The designers put great care into each King Cake they make; they are exquisite and beautiful and when you bite into one, you’ll understand what makes the King Cake the best part of the celebration of Mardi Gras.
Dianne’s King Cakes are also a delicious treat, truly a King Cake that does more than satisfies. Together, with the help of state-of-the-art equipment, the best ovens and years of experience with loving devotion to producing one of the best King Cakes around, Dianne’s King Cake is a triumph, and a pure delight to look at and to eat.
Tickets to New Yorks TV Shows
Posted on May 16, 2010 - Filed Under Entertainment
Is one of your TV shows taped in New York City? For instance, like the morning TV shows: Today Show, Good Morning America, or late night TV shows like: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon or the Late Show with David Letterman. Well, getting free tickets to see these shows is easier than you think and making reservations at a New York hotel that is right around the corner from one of these TV shows is a breeze, learn more at .
The Today Shows studio is on the ground-floor level at the corner of 49th Street and Rockefeller Center and overlooks the Rockefeller plaza. Each weekday, just outside the studio, you’ll see many eager tourists wave their hand-made signs hoping to get on television to show the world and their friends that they’ve made it to New York City. If you’d like to participate, you’ll have to get there very early in the morning, usually around 5am. All you need to do is head up to the Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Streets and park yourself outside the studio.
You can join with Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, Chris Cuomo, Robin Roberts, Sam Champion at their Times Square location, weekdays from 7am to 9am, click on their website and get free tickets by filling out an on-line form. Even though the official address is 7 Lincoln Square, the best way to locate the studio is to go to the corner of West 67th and Columbus Avenue. You’ll need to be there by 7am for a stand-by number, if you didn’t get the free tickets on line; standbys are seated first-come, first-serve after the ticket holders.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tickets are available in advance either by phone, going to the website, or get standby tickets offered daily at the NBC Experience store.
Saturday Night Live tickets are only available once a year by lottery in August. But they are good for both live tapping’s and dress rehearsals. You can try waiting in line for standby tickets on the day of tapping, but so are hundreds of other people.
David Letterman’s Late Show tickets are available by request on their website and in person at the Ed Sullivan Theater. You might also try same-day standby tickets to callers who correctly answer a trivia question.
London Bedlam
Posted on April 27, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
There’s a wealth of important and fascinating historic places in London, all testifying to a rather wild and brilliant story that stacks up like years on the edges of the world’s library. Some of the more fascinating little haunts are places off the beaten path, and some of them are rather large and looming, and may have a smaller following. But certainly interesting all the same, and some would even argue that the real treasures of the city are here.
For all the underworlds that exist side by side with the usual waking life, asylums have a special place in the folklore of a people. In contemporary lenses, most anything related to the mentally ill is visibly barbaric. That might very well play into Foucault’s ideas of madness, and help to unpack the cultural constructions that reveal as much about people as the historical events can suggest. And perhaps seeing the way people were treated then is just a way to justify contemporary practices, which might very well be seen as barbaric by future generations.
However it washes out, Bedlam is an amazing place. Since 1997, it has joined with SLaM, and is considered by many to be at the forefront of care for the mentally ill. There is a small museum on the premises, but it’s more revealing to see the larger exhibitions that are shown at places like the Museum of London . There, one can get an overview of its history in a much larger sense.
It’s a rather disturbing story, but that’s much to be expected from a place that’s become synonymous with madness and chaos. It was built in 1247, and served as a priory for nuns and monks for a century before it became what it’s known as today. That means that it’s been an asylum for over 750 years now, although the term asylum would now be rather questionable. The most notorious years were between the 18th and 19th centuries, when the patients suffered from enormous neglect and absolutely inhumane treatment. Thousands of Londoners would pay to come in and look at the inmates, as if it were a show, like a circus.
Eventually people came to their senses, and that madness was stopped. Visiting London and looking into Bedlam reveals some very interesting truths about the human condition, and how madness shifts in definition according to times and customs. It’s enough to warrant leaving the coziness of a gorgeous hotel , coming to see exhibitions that can help us reflect on who we were and are.
The Doors in Miami
Posted on April 21, 2010 - Filed Under Music
March 1, 1969 was a very hot day in the history of rock and roll. This was in Miami, and the events on that night only serve to make another reason to visit the city, and spend time in the lovely hotels , and follow some of the traces of the past to the present. It’s a lively city, with a number of enormously passionate musicians and artists, and this was just another moment in that peculiar and complex story.
Some people might remember that this was the night that the Doors gave one of their most exciting performances of their entire career. It wasn’t very spectacular musically, although truth be told, a lot of their live work hasn’t been particularly deft or complicated. It was always more interesting because of the performative elements of the group, and the front man was one of the performative icons the world has known.
Jim Morrison wasn’t arrested that night, interestingly enough, and the charges weren’t to come until after they’d left. By the time the show started, he was already well into a wild state of intoxication, and ready to incite a riot. So it seemed. That he wasn’t able to, even though he yelled provocative things at the crowd all night long, may be a testament to the coolness that can sometimes come over Miami audiences, who were no doubt more interested in watching what he would do next rather than try to start a revolution in an auditorium.
Known to Doors aficionados as the Miami Incident , the incident lasted for a couple hours, where he did use a lot of profanity, egged the audience on, and was even allegedly engaging in acts of indecent exposure.
This was a key moment in music and also in performance in general. There’s something very old about the idea of a romantic figure doing things that are against the grain. Lord Byron certainly had his moments, and Dorothy Parker spent her short life honing her ability to shock. The icons use the tools and art forms available at the time, and somehow manage to turn entertainment into art, and there are ripples around the world producing revolutions in thought that even the artists themselves could not have imagined.
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