Alternative Venture Finance: Federal Grants and Loans

While most companies seeking venture capital initially think about angel investors and venture capitalists, a large alternative source of financing is federal grants and loans. The two largest federal grant programs are run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and by Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs).

An SBA loan, regardless of whether it is a direct loan from the SBA, or, as is more common, a bank loan guaranteed by the SBA, is essentially a bank loan. The benefit of it versus a traditional bank loan is the rate. SBA rates are typically much less than traditional business loan rates.

In most cases, in a guaranteed SBA bank loan, the SBA guarantees 90 percent of the loan will be repaid to the bank. As such, banks are at much less risk than in most other loans, and are a bit more flexible with regards to who they offer these loans. However, the SBA usually requires the founders of the company to personally guarantee the loans, which makes them risky should the venture collapse.

Alternatively, Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) are privately organized corporations that are licensed and regulated by the SBA. Small or emerging businesses which qualify for assistance from the SBIC program can receive equity capital and/or long-term loans from these companies. Essentially, these companies provide their own capital, which is supplemented by federal funds, to the companies they fund.

Interestingly, U.S. taxpayers benefits from the SBIC program as tax revenues generated from successful SBIC investments have more than covered the cost of the program. Likewise the program has created hundreds of thousands of jobs.

In summary, SBA and SBIC financing are viable alternatives to financing from angel investors and venture capitalists and should be considered in the capital raising process. Similarly to angel and VC financing, companies seeking SBA and SBIC financing need a strong management team and value proposition, and a highly professional and compelling business plan in order to raise the capital they need.

Why buy a Gas Scooter

By Flemming Andersen

Buying a gas scooter is a great idea for anyone that is wants to save money and have fun at the same time. You can get a lot of use from one of these fun and exciting motorized vehicles. A gas scooter is a money saving idea that will give a lot of people the fun and the power to get from one location to another.

There are scooters of all sizes to meet the requirements that you need to have in order to ride safely. You can take your time and pick out the one that you like best. You will learn to feel comfortable and get attached to your gas scooter just like you would a regular bike or even a car or truck.

One nice thing about a gas scooter is that her is no registration require for it. This means that you do not have to pay anything for the running he scooter. This will save you money each year. You will not have to send in the form and the money to the commonwealth each year to ride the scooter on the road.

You also do not need any special license or insurance for the gas scooter. This means that you can ride the scooter and not have to worry about the high cost of insurance or going and getting a special drivers license to ride it. However, this also means that if you wreck the scooter or it gets damaged in any way, you will not be covered and it may cost you more to have it fixed. These are the things that you have to consider when you are thinking about getting a gas scooter.

The best part of a gas scooter is the money that you are going to save on gas. You will save a fortune if you are someone that is always on the go. You will not have to worry about paying a lot at the pumps when you are driving a scooter. You will still have the power to make it up steep hills because it is a gas scooter. You will get a lot better horsepower with a gas scooter then you would with an electric one. This is a good idea if you live anywhere that is not flat.

Gas powered scooters are a lot less expensive than cars and other forms of transportation. When you want to save money and still get around on your own, a gas scooter may be just the thing for you. You can still go where you want to and when you want, the only difference will be that you will not have to pay high gas costs and all the extras like insurance or registration. This may be worth your time checking into in order to save time and money.

For more info visit: http://www.scootergas.info/

Are You A Potential Crime Victim?

I’ve been in law enforcement for 17 years and have a great deal of experience working in the street and dealing with the common problems and crimes of the average person. This article addresses the common crimes that are occuring to people when removed from their homes. This is to make you aware of them and how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Unattended Property

Many people in the city become a victim to this crime. This mainly happens when someone is in a public place and puts down their wallet, purses, etc., doesn’t pay attention, and then someone picks it up when noone is watching. Popular places for this crime to occur are coffeshops, bars, supermarkets,
gyms, churches, schools, your place of business, just about any public place.To help avoid this happening to you follow these guidelines. Never leave anything down by itself, even where you work! It’s as simple as that. If you do have to put something down make sure that you or someone that you are with keeps a close eye on it. If a criminal is trying to take it odds are he won’t if he/she sees someone paying attention. These criminals want to steal your property and walk away when noone is watching, they don’t want to be seen or chased. Do not leave items of value in your car, especially your wallet
when playing sports or when you are at the beach.

Pickpocket

Otherwise known as a Grand Larceny in the Penal Law. This usually occurs when someone removes something from someone else’s pocket, bag or purse. Famous places for this to occur are subways, buses, bus stops, bars, stores, crowded sidewalks. It can happen in just about any busy, noisy, crowded place.Follow these suggestions so they don’t get you. For women always carry your pocketbook towards the front. When carried on the back or side you cannot see when someone is trying to reach in. For the men always carry your wallet in your front pocket instead of your back pocket or in a jacket pocket. For those of you who are tired or had too much to drink and are traveling on public transportation, don’t fall asleep! Falling asleep makes it much easier and the criminals will even cut your pocket open to get out that wallet, it happens all the time on the subway. In addition to the above
just be aware of what is going on around you, criminals will strike when someone is not paying attention.

Snatches

More famously known to the public as a purse or chain snatch. There are many new snatches out there today. The criminal will take just about anything from you. These include cell phones, money, ipods, metro cards from the subway. Many times these criminals are on bicyles for a fast snatch
and getaway.Right now cell phones seem to be the most popular. The best way to avoid this from happening to you is not to carry those cellphones, ipods, money and cards in your hand. When not using these items put them away in a safe place. When you have to keep them out, such as when talking
on your cellphone, be aware of your surroundings. Place yourself in a position where it would be hard for someone to run or walk by you and hold onto them tightly when someone is near. As with all the other crimes listed here, pay attention to your surroundings.

Robberies

A Robbery is when someone takes property of another by using force. That force can be physical or just the threat of force. I save this for last because all the crimes discussed above can easily become Robberies. If the purse snatch is done with force, it’s a Robbery. Many times a criminal will use
force to steal that money, cell phone, ipod, etc., instead of just snatching it. So if you follow all the guidelines above for unattended property, snatches, pickpockets you will automatically reduce your chances of getting robbed. When driving in your car make sure you keep your doors locked to prevent someone entering. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you so you can move forward and around if necessary when approached by someone. If you live in an apartment building never enter the building with someone you’ve never seen before. If you see a stranger in the lobby or
hallway after entering turn around and leave. Use extreme caution and make sure noone is following you when you have just come from the following places: cash checking, banks or any place where you displayed some money.

Follow these safety guidelines and you will definitely reduce your chances of becoming a victim. If a criminal approaches you and tries to commit any of these crimes, it is important to remember not to resist. Your life is more important than your property. Property can always be replaced but not you.
Stay safe!

Beat Your Examiners with Exam Techniques

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Are exam techniques better than knowledge?
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Half a century ago I learned about exam techniques. At that time I was snowed under with study, and my headmaster said that I had as much chance as the Man in the Moon of passing three Ordinary level GCE subjects.

He was right at that time! It didn’t matter how much study I did, term exam questions were always about stuff I hadn’t studied.

Then I learned that you perform best in an exam if you know more about exams rather than about the subject of the exam.

I liked that.

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Using Exam Techniques
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So I studied exam techniques. What were the results? I passed eleven GCE ordinary level subjects.

When artistic talent was handed out, my brother got it all, and there was none left for me. I panic every time I am asked to do a stick-drawing.

However in the GCE exam, my brother set out to do good art, and I used exam techniques to get good marks. To my great glee I got a better pass mark than my brother did. I was sure that proved that exams are unfair, but remained very smug.

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Multiple Choice
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My wife had a multiple-choice paper on a subject about which I knew nothing. I tried the exam techniques in my book. My wife assured me that I would have passed – without knowing anything about it.

Then came a time that I studied maths again, and I was hopelessly at sea. I learned maths where the best methods were those that worked – fast. New maths had been introduced since I was at college. Now the explanations were just nonsense to me. However when the exam came around, it was another multiple choice test, and I passed!

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We’ve learned nothing
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My daughter’s final exams were coming. I searched libraries for the most modern examination techniques, and received a great shock. All the books still advised lots of hard work. There was no mention of exam techniques at all.

They mentioned mnemonic techniques to help me remember, but I’d been using them since the middle of last century and knew how they could let me down.

The day before a university exam I decided that I would probably get a question about the life cycle of Fasciola hepatica. So I used a mnemonic technique to memorise every number in the complicated life cycle.

Next day the expected question appeared, and I remembered every number – BUT – I had forgotten the units. It was no use remembering the number 3 if I didn’t know if it was three hours, or three days, or three weeks, or three months, or three years. So I couldn’t answer the question. Fortunately examination techniques got me through the exam.

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Birth of Exam Mastery
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I wrote a book about how to pass exams to help my daughter. Unfortunately she thought that she knew everything… and didn’t bother to read the book… and failed her exams. Recently I updated the book to take the internet into account.

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The arithmetic of success
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Suppose you’re taking an essay exam with five questions. You know you can give good answers for three questions, but think that you know nothing about the rest. I’ve seen students walk out of essay exams in that situation – they hadn’t studied exam technique.

Your teacher has brainwashed you by punishing anybody who wrote a three line essay for homework. But two essays of three lines each could take you from failure to a pass mark. My book shows what to put into these few lines, but think of the arithmetic.

You got 45 marks out of 60 for your three good questions. The pass mark is 47%. You get one mark out of 20 for each of the remaining two answers. You have a pass mark. That is better than walking out of the exam in a panic – isn’t it?

In fact I usually got about 75% by using exam techniques. Oh, they aren’t magic. I failed an occasional exam, but I passed many exams that I didn’t deserve to pass, especially using crafty essays.

5 Tips For Developing A Website For Your Audience

Developing a website is important if you want to be a player in ecommerce. However, you dont want to just develop a website any old way. Instead, you want to develop a website for your audience. When doing research online you have probably seen generalized information on how to develop a website, however it is unlikely you have found significant information on how to develop a website specifically for your audience. The following tips will be really helpful to you to develop a website just for your audience.

Tip #1 Goal

First you need a goal when you are developing a website for your audience. If you do not know what you are looking to achieve then it will be very difficult to be successful. Also, it takes a goal to drive your website where it needs to be. A goal is what allows you to develop an initial plan for your website and helps guide you in developing your website as well.

Tip #2 Audience

Your audience is very important and should be considered in conjunction with your goal when developing a website. Basically, you are developing your website for a certain audience and these are the people that will help meet your goal so this is very important to consider. Just make sure you determine who your audience is before you begin developing your website.

Tip #3 Content for Audience

Once you have determined your goal and your audience it is time to determine the content that will be used for your audience. You might not realize it, but the type of audience you are focusing on will really affect the content you use on your website. So, make sure you have your audience targeted so you know what content will work best for these individuals.

Tip #4 Update

Another important tip for developing a website for your audience is to plan when you will provide updates. This might seem like something you could consider down the road when your site needs updating, but is really not the case. You need to know when your audience will most likely be viewing your site and when they wont so you know when to provide updates. A little bit of planning will go a long way.

Tip #5 Format

The format of your website is also a very important aspect and one that will really affect whether or not you reach your audience. Once you know who your audience is you will have no problem developing a format that will reach them. Also, your format improves your sites message, so it is beneficial in a variety of ways.

2006 Baltimore Orioles Preview

2005 Overview:

Prior to the All Star break the Baltimore Orioles were playing like they were destined for one of those dream seasons. On June 21, Baltimore held a two-game lead over the division rival Boston Red Sox and had assembled an impressive 42-28 record. The Orioles were also just 24 days away from celebrating Rafael Palmeiro’s 3,000th career hit and were 4th in the American League with a .278 team batting average. But after June 22nd Baltimores dream season quickly faded. The Orioles would lose their next six games and win only 32 of their final 92 games (just under 35%). Rafael Palmeiro would be suspended for steroid use on Aug. 2, and second-year manager Lee Mazzilli would be fired just two days after Palmeiros suspension.

The three offensive bright spots in 2005 were shortstop Miguel Tejada (.304 36 98) 3rd baseman Melvin Mora (.283 27 88) and outfielder Jay Gibbons (.277 26 79). On the downside, 1st baseman Rafael Palmeiro (.266 18 60) appeared in only 100 games and the off season acquisition of Sammy Sosa (.221 14 45) proved to be a wasted gamble. As far as pitching, only starters Rodrigo Lopez (15-12 4.90), Bruce Chen (13-10 3.83) and closer B.J Ryan (36 saves in 41 opportunities) proved reliable. The Orioles ended their season with a disappointing 74-88 record, 21 games behind the division-leading Yankees and Red Sox.

Off Season Moves:

After Free Agent Closer B.J Ryan signed with the division rival Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore quickly traded Steve Kline to Giants for RHP LaTroy Hawkins (2-8 3.83 6 saves in 2005, 25 saves in 2004 for the Chicago Cubs). The Orioles also added Free Agent catcher Ramon Hernandez (.290 12 58) and 1st Base/ Outfielder Jeff Conine (.304 3 33) as well as former Red Sox Kevin Millar (.272 9 50) hoping to supplement the loss of Rafael Palmeiro as an offensive force in the everyday lineup. Baltimore also traded SS Nate Spears and LHP Carlos Perez to the Cubs for Corey Patterson (.215 13 34) in order to better jumpstart their offensive production in 2006. To address their starting pitching problems the Orioles traded with the Mets for RHP Kris Benson (10-8 4.13) in exchange for relief pitcher Jorge Julio.

2006 Analysis:

Expect the offensive additions to help better protect Tejada and Mora. The newly acquired Millar and Conine will probably split time between 1B, outfield and DH. The starting five appear at this point to be Lopez, Erik Bedard (6-8 4.00), Daniel Cabrera (10-13 4.52), Chen and John Maine (2-3 6.30) plus newcomer Kris Benson who is expected to bump Chen or Maine to the bullpen. Although the addition of Benson will help, the starting rotation doesnt quite offer enough to seriously contend against Toronto, Boston and New York. The departure of lefty closer B.J Ryan will clearly be missed. The Orioles are keeping their fingers crossed that LaTroy Hawkins can once again close games like he did in 2004. Relievers Eric DuBose (2-3 5.52), Chris Ray (1-3 2.66), Tim Byrdak (0-1 4.05) and Todd Williams (5-5 3.30) complete the Oriole bullpen. Javy Lopez will most likely DH this year with the acquisition of Free Agent catcher Ramon Hernandez joining the club.

Radio Controlled Cars A Model To Suit All Needs

Whether you choose the simplicity of electric radio controlled cars or the realistic sights and sounds of nitro rc cars, one major decision the newcomer is faced with is just what type of radio controlled vehicle will best meet his needs.

Whatever you choose, think carefully about just how you will be spending your time with your new hobby and balance this against your current level of experience. Here is just a taste of the options open to you.

On-Road vehicles.

On-road cars are undoubtedly the most popular type of radio controlled vehicle. The standard for on-road radio controlled cars is the 1/10 scale model, although 1/8 scale models are also commonly seen. With the recent influx of micro and mini rc cars, there are now also a number of hobby quality on-road cars as small as 1/18 scale.

Both electric and nitro radio controlled cars come in on-road versions, and can be purchased either ready to run or as self-build kits. Built and geared for speed, on-road radio controlled cars should be your choice if you plan to race your cars.

Off-Road vehicles.

If you want to be able to run your radio controlled cars just about anywhere, you’ll definitely need the rugged construction of an off-road vehicle. These sturdy cars and trucks will handle hills, uneven terrain, jumps and even sand. Available in two or four-wheel drive versions, off-road vehicles can be driven in your back yard, a vacant lot or just about anywhere you like.

Like their on-road counterparts, off-road radio controlled cars can be purchased ready to run or as self-build kits and there is a wide range of both electric and nitro cars, as well as trucks, for you to choose from.

Although they are not the fastest cars available, off-road rc cars are durable, rugged and can be run practically anywhere.

Buggies.

These durable little vehicles are powerful enough to handle on and off-road terrains with speeds of up to 60 mph and are becoming increasingly popular. Although buggies can be great fun, for a wide choice of models, you will need to buy your buggy as a self-build nitro kit and this can be a lot to handle for the beginner.

Airplanes.

Radio controlled flyers also feature amongst the most popular and exciting of rc vehicles. Electric and ready-to-run versions are the most accessible for the beginner, though of course there are nitro and self-build kits available to allow for growth and customization.

Radio controlled airplanes are extremely light weight, and can be made to fly at very low speeds. The electric versions are also quiet enough to be run in a school yard, which makes them a great option for the newcomer to the radio controlled scene. If you wish to include competition as a main element of your new hobby though you should be aware that there are many fewer competitions run for rc airplanes than there are for rc cars.

Helicopters.

Though perhaps a little too complicated the beginner, radio controlled helicopters are both exciting and challenging to fly. They are normally run on gas, and can be great fun for the more experienced hobbyist.

Boats and Watercraft.

Available in both electric and nitro powered versions, radio controlled boats are normally only available in kit form and the need for waterproofing adds an additional level of difficulty. As a result, boats and other watercraft are not recommended for beginners but, once you become familiar with the workings of radio controlled vehicles, you will find boats and other watercraft possibly the most fun of all to build and race.

Although it is very much a personal choice, the newcomer would be best advised to start with ready-to-run, on-road electric radio controlled cars and, once he is familiar with the basic art of running and racing rc cars, he can then move up in stages towards his preferred model.

Home Skin Care Tips: Emilys Smart Move

Thinking about home skin care but worried about looking like Tammy Faye? Read this real-world scenario of how one person found home care tips for skin online to become beautiful.

Ever wonder how some people manage to do all their skin care at home, without the expensive skin care products you’ve tried, and still look better than you do? No, they’re not secretly using the most expensive product at the cosmetics counter. Its not easy, but successful home skin care is certainly possible.
Meet Emily

This is the story of Emily, one hypothetical person who used home skin care tips she found online to look like a million bucks for a few dollars worth of household supplies and a little creativity.

Emily had to go on a camping trip in a few days with her new boyfriend and a group of his friends, all of them real nature nuts. Emily was afraid that being in such close contact with her boyfriend and his friends would make it impossible to keep up the pretence that her shining skin was really just all her positive energy radiating out–and not several hundred dollars worth of skin care products, each one made of a long list of chemicals Emily couldn’t even pronounce.
Home Care Tips for Skin: Emilys Salvation?

Emily decided to search online for home care tips for skin. She knew it would be foolish simply to trust the manufacturers of skincare products for this information. Searching on the internet, she found a website that did not belong to a skin care products manufacturer, but instead reviewed different products and provided information on living a healthier, less toxic lifestyle. She followed the links on those sites to websites that sold books, tools, and ingredients for home skin care.

Emily knows there are a lot of cheats on the web, even when it comes to something as simple as home care for skin. She didn’t want to try something recommended by someone who didn’t know what they were talking about and risk giving herself a rash, so she was careful. Heres what she looked for:

* Some of the websites that sold skin care products had a link to the Better Business Bureau. Clicking on the link, Emily saw the companys record: member in good standing with no unresolved complaints.

* Emily looked at several websites before trying any of the home care tips on her skin, to see if there were any disagreements about what to try. For instance, one website recommended using an old-fashioned wart remedy, while another website warned against the old remedy, saying it could provoke an allergic reaction in some people.

* Emily double-checked on the tips she had found by searching on the names of any ingredients or techniques she didn’t recognize. That way she would know exactly what she was getting herself into.

* Emily looked out for any claims to results that were too good to be true. She skipped anything that sounded like a medicine that would have to be sold with a prescription–using words like “cure” or promising to radically alter her body’s chemistry.

* When Emily was finished with her internet research, she set aside a few hours after she got home from work to test the tips out. She used a patch of skin on her leg that would be covered up anyway, and left plenty of time before the camping trip. That way, she wouldn’t have to parade around the scars of any mistakes.

Did Emilys Home Skin Care Tips Work?

Emily ordered some essential ingredients for home care skin remedies online with overnight shipping. She also printed out some articles with instructions for home skin care tips that only required ingredients she already had at home.

One of the remedies Emily tried out worked, but the lemon juice left her smelling a little too appetizing. She wouldn’t want to be fending off mosquitoes all during her trip, so she put that one aside for later. Several of the tips didn’t work at all. But she did find a recipe that used chamomile and wheat germ to make a pretty effective skin softener. She also learned how to deal with stress better to keep small lines from forming on her face.

On the camping trip, one of her boyfriend’s female friends bragged how everything in her cosmetics case was biodegradable. Emily wowed everyone when she showed them that everything in her cosmetics case was not only biodegradable, but edible. Now Emily’s boyfriend is amazed to have found a woman who is not only beautiful but rugged, too. Emily’s amazed to have found a way to shave hundreds of dollars off her cosmetics purchases each month.

Do you want to look beautiful naturally, just like Emily did? Start by doing your homework on home care tips for skin on the web.

Three Words to Unlock the Cheerfulness of the Present Moment

Copyright 2006 Tom Russell

Has a ray of happiness ever reached you at an unexpected moment? Havent you longed for these rays to break through more often, and with greater intensity?

The present moment can be compared to an island in the middle of the sea. It appears to be isolated but beneath the surface the island is one with the entire globe. Like the island, you appear to be separate from the whole of life; however, at a deeper level you are one with God/Truth/Reality and no storm has the power to disturb this connection.

Awareness is a secret known for countless centuries. It is like the letter that was well concealed by placing it out in the open in the center of the table. Its beautiful simplicity often caused it to be overlooked and unappreciated. For example:

* The Buddha was asked, What do you and your disciples practice? He replied, We sit, we walk and we eat. The questioner continued, But sir, everyone sits, walks and eats. The Buddha told him, When we sit, we know we are sitting. When we walk, we know we are walking. When we eat, we know we are eating.

* P.D. Ouspensky, author of In Search of the Miraculous writes:

Trying to remember yourself is always right. Whatever you are doing, just try to realize that you are doing that. Effort to remember yourself is the chief thing, because without it nothing else has any value; it must be the basis of everything. Only in this way can you pass from the mechanical to a more conscious state.

Awareness flourishes when you remember what a deeper part of you already knows, and does so in all kinds of circumstances and events, both pleasurable and challenging, simple and complex.

There are three simple words you can use to unlock the cheerfulness of the present moment. They are: I am Here. These three words instantly release you from rambling thinking and return you to the pleasantness of the present moment. They can be used many times a day, either silently or audibly, to teach the mind the supreme value of now.

Voice the words I am Here and let them remind you to notice as much about your environment as possible, including colors, the breeze, your posture, your voice, the room and the objects, the car youre driving and the passing scene. Awaken to the subtle! No other place is richer than now.

I am here unlocks the power to keep your mind where your body is. Your body is always in the present moment, so why not join it? This is a classic tool for growth taught by historys greatest teachers, including moderns like Vernon Howard, J. Krishnamurti and Idries Shah.

It is nothing short of amazing how much I am here opens you to the cheerful breeze that circulates through NOW. There is no force or hard effort in these words, just simple recognition. The wise increasingly understand, Now is happiness — now is intelligence now is where I really want to be.

Smoking Bans And Heart Attacks

LAST YEAR RICHARD John Singer Sargent and Robert Alan Shepard, two physicians World Health Organization had campaigned for a smoke prohibition in Capital of Montana, Montana, announced that their efforts had paid off more dramatically than anyone could have imagined: The ordinance had led to an astonishing 60 percentage drop curtain in spirit attacks in the six months after it took effect. By the time their study, co-authored by anti- activist Stanton Glantz, was published in the April 5, 2004, issue of the British Medical Journal, the drop cloth they attributed to the proscription had become 40 per centum–not quite as impressive but distillery remarkable. And hush preposterous, even if you accept the anti- movement’s claims approximately used fastball and mettle disease.

According to the American Heart Association, heater is responsible for(p) for close to pct of nerve disease deaths. Even a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing that completely eliminated photograph to hummer (which ‘s didn’t, since it did not apply to private residences) could not achieve anything like the effect described by , Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr., and Glantz, WHO in any case made no attempt to measure photo. Hedging their bets, et al. noted that a BAN not only reduces pic to bullet but besides encourages smokers to give up or cut back.

But even if ‘s ordinance caused every smoker in town to fall by the wayside (which it assuredly didn’t), it stillness could not be creditworthy for a 40 dip in spunk attacks. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accounts for just about 20 of pump disease deaths.

An immediate 40 fall in ticker attacks across the whole population too implies a much quicker and larger risk reduction than is seen in studies of people drop by the wayside .

In response to educators’ need for better ways to deal with teens World Health Organization smoke, the American English Lung Connection developed a new gender-sensitive, schoolhouse-based adolescent smoke surcease programme called Not On Baccy (N-O-T). N-O-T is intentional to provide an effective, easy-to-manipulation, and usable method for helping adolescents drop out . The plan is especially configured for 14 to 19-class-old youthfulness WHO ar regular smokers likely to be addicted to nicotine; volunteer to enter (whenever potential); and wish to give up exploitation a grouping platform.

Scared of buying online? Looking for Scottish, Irish, Celtic Music?

Buying online for many people can be a daunting task; particularly for those who are not entirely familiar with the internet. Who to trust, where to go, how to do it? If youre interested in the very best of Scottish Muisc CD and DVD, the following introduction will be useful to you.

Our new affiliate website musicscotland.co.uk makes it easy, fast and secure to browse, search and buy Scottish, Irish and Celtic music CD and DVD. The website boasts an extensive collection of all types of music; particularly focusing on Scottish, Irish and Celtic genres with many albums by fiddlers, accordionists, pipers, etc available.

Scottish Music can be increasingly difficult to source, Tommy Newcomen at musicscotland.co.uk is alwayas available to help source titles through his network of contacts within the Scottish recording and distribution industry. Simply visit the website at musicscotland.co.uk and give Tommy a telephone using the number on the site.

Musicscotland.co.uk allows users to browse the many categories available such as Accordion, Big Band, Bothy, Box Sets, Celtic Moods, Comedy, Classical, Country, Easy Listening, Female, Fiddle, Flute, Pipes, Folk, Guitar, Gaelic, Lute, Harp, Irish, Traditional, Mouth Organ, Party, Piano, Pipe Bands, Scottish Choirs, Country Dance, Vocal, Oldies, Video, DVD and World Music etc. Users can also search easily by product name or description, track names are also included in the search (useful if you are looking for a single track). Once you decide what you want to buy, add items to your basket, enter some details then check out. Musicscotland offers the option of paying by Debit/Credit card via PayPal or by Cheque/Cash in person at the shop in Blairgowrie, Scotland.

Visit the home of the very best in Scottish, Irish and Celtic music musicscotland.co.uk

Workingout for those of us over forty.

This is not a quick fix for any medical problems,this is what worked for me and my wife Vanessa of 22 years , not to long ago I was sixty pounds over weight , I did not liked walking past mirrors at all so I decided to loss weight and get myself into tip top shape. So me and my wife came up with a wonderful running/weight training program, which was very simple exercise for 30-40 minutes per day everyday regardless of whatever is going on stop,and drop everything and take care of yourself now! We give ourselves a lot of leadway as far as what we do during this time for example one day we may go bike riding next day maybe jogging,then weight training the next ,and we have great results such as looking and feeling younger, being in a much more positive frame of mind. I don’t think a person knows how much happier they are when they love the way they look,or at least I did not realize I would much happier I’d be after losing sixty pounds, being always being told by family and friends, how much younger I look. so any way here’s the perfect workout for anyone who ever had trouble losing weight.

Getting Started With Aromatherapy – Easy Ways To Enjoy Essential Oils

Beginning ‘bona fide’ aromatherapy, beyond burning a scented candle or soaking with a pleasing pre-packaged bath salt blend, can be a little daunting to many people. All those little bottles of pricey liquids, electric contraptions, and fancy-sounding blends – how does one actually use essential oils to improve their health, happiness and well-being? It’s easier than one might think – getting started can open a whole new world of fun and effective natural remedies that can lift your mood, calm your nerves, and support healing of a great many common ailments.

The basics of aromatherapy are simple, once a few fundamental concepts are understood. Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils – the aromatic compounds of plants, extracted through steam distillation or other methods. The oils act as the chemical messengers and protectors of the plant kingdom. Each essential oil can contain hundreds of different ‘volatile’ (easily evaporated) compounds, most of which are very compatible with the physiology of the human body. What’s so wonderful is they can also do for us what they do for plants – act as chemical messengers through affecting our smell sense and limbic system, and defending the body against foreign invaders by their anti-bacterial and anti-viral actions. In this article, we’ll focus on the mental and emotional effects of aromatherapy, and address the physiological aspects at another time.

Essential oils are best used in one of two simple ways: through inhalation, where the oils can directly affect certain areas of the brain, and through topical application, where the oils are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. (Note: Oral ingestion can be an option, but only under experienced medical supervision – further, SOME OILS CAN BE TOXIC, and other even seemingly harmless oils should not be used under certain conditions. If you are pregnant, or have specific medical needs, consult a knowledgeable practitioner before continuing!)

Inhalation of Essential Oils

Essential oils when inhaled directly effect our limbic system, the brain’s emotional centers. Many oils have been found to sharpen concentration, reduce tension and anxiety, and even reduce depression. How can we reap these magnificent benefits? There are a few simple, cost-effective ways to prepare essential oils for inhalation – and experience these wonderful effects: the ‘handkerchief method’, making your own ‘smelling salts’, and making your own aromatherapy ‘mister’.

The handkerchief method is pretty straightforward – put a drop or two of an oil or blend on a tissue and inhale (careful with some oils though – peppermint, for example, can burn the sensitive skin around your nostrils if put in direct contact). You can even leave the tissue (or ‘handkerchief, or piece of cloth, or cotton, or whatever) in a room or your workspace and the oil will continue to evaporate and have its effects.

Making your own ‘smelling salts’ is similar, though your preparation will last a while longer. To make the salts, fill a small vial (dark glass with a good cap is best) with natural sea salt and drop essential oils into the salt. The amount of oil is not too critical – enough that there is detectable aroma, and not so much that the salt gets completely wet. Just unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle whenever you need a lift, or, like the handkerchief, leave the vial open in your space, letting the aroma slowly fill the area.

A ‘mister’ can be used infuse a room with aroma – just add essential oils to water in a small spray bottle, shake (before each use) and spray!

Here are a few easy recipes for the inhalation method (Note: in all recipes, the number of drops of oil and/or amount of carrier can be used as a ratio, which you can increase or decrease as you need):

For uplifting the mood and brightening the mind – 4 drops of Rosemary Cineol, 3 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Lemon and 1 drop of Peppermint, OR 3 drops Clary Sage, 2 drops Bergamot and 1 drop Sweet Orange.

For calming anxiety – equal parts of Roman Chamomile, Bergamot and Orange, OR 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Neroli and 1 drop Bergamot.

For creating a harmonious atmosphere – 3 drops Jasmine, 1 drop Ylang Ylang and 1 drop Sandalwood, OR equal parts Geranium, Patchouli and Bergamot.

Aromatherapy Massage

Now for the topical application method. Usually this is described as aromatherapy massage – ideally, this is done with a partner, but self-massage will work as well. Creating your own massage oil is a straightforward process – just dilute 10 – 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. There are a variety of carrier oils available, though Sweet Almond is a great all-around oil and is recommended for general aromatherapy massage. As for the massage, itself, any technique will do – let your intuition be your guide. When you wish to get a little more advanced, do a little further research to create synergy with certain essential oils and certain acupressure points.

The same blends for inhalation can be used for massage, though here are a few more fun recipes:

For a sensual massage, per ounce of carrier oil, add – 8 drops Sandalwood, 6 drops Rose, 4 drops Lavender and 2 drops Ylang Ylang.

For opening the heart, try 4 drops Spikenard, 4 drops Lavender and 2 drops of Rose.

Finally, for sheer relaxation, use 6 drops Lavender, 4 drops Neroli and 2 drops Bergamot.

Don’t be afraid to create your own blends! You will certainly find particular oils that you enjoy – and aromatherapy is like that. It is the oils you find most enjoyable that are likely those that are most effective for you. My only recommendation is to change the ratios of oils you are blending very slowly. Start with one drop of each oil in a small vial, mixing them and allowing a few minutes for them to blend before adding more oil 1 drop at a time. In general, citrus oils ( Orange, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime) tend to bring alertness while calming at the same time. Herb oils (Peppermint, Rosemary) tend to be invigorating, while floral oils tend to be relaxing (Lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli). This is only a guideline – many oils have complex properties and will affect individuals differently – use your nose as a guide.

Conclusion

Getting started with aromatherapy is easy, and with these simple ideas, you will be able to create essential oil preparations tailored to your needs and enjoyment. This can lead to a lifelong appreciation of these wonderful gifts from nature.

How To Find Hidden Treasure

Where can you find hidden treasure? Almost anywhere. How can you find it? Here are some new ideas on that.

I was once involved in tearing down an old house. In the attic, hidden underneath the insulation, I found a glass piggy bank of old pennies. I also found a rare old magazine and a few other minor treasures.

Treasure is not always things of obvious value, though. Hidden in the walls of that house was a treasure that at the time never occurred to me: copper tubing. I later discovered that the water lines we paid to have hauled away were sold as valuable scrap by the junk man. It made me wonder what else could be “treasure,” and where else I might find it.

New Ideas On Hidden Treasure

Hidden in a warehouse in the small town where I used to live, was a mountain of old boxes. It was the leftover inventory of a wooden clock factory that had gone out of business. The owner of the clocks had let them sit there for at least ten years. Finally someone explained to him how he could sell them on Ebay, and he realized the treasure he was sitting on.

An old Mayan Indian we met at a hot spring in Arizona showed us how to find arrowheads and metates (used for grinding corn or mesquite beans) in the desert. They’re hundreds of years old. He sold one of his metates for $200 during a yard sale, but this may be illegal now. Check with authorities on this one.

I have hidden money several times in my life. Many people do. What happens when people die unexpectedly? The money and valuables they hid remain where they are until discovered. There is an estimated several billion dollars in hidden currency alone in this country, and who knows how much in silver, gold, jewelry and other things. Here are some of the places people have discovered these hidden treasures.

- Under sinks (money).

- Hidden inside the pages of books (bills).

- Buried in crawl-spaces (all sorts of treasure).

- Above ceiling tiles.

- Buried under the edges of cement patios.

- In walls behind outlet plates.

- In pump houses.

- Under floors in sheds.

- In old heating oil tanks (coins).

- Under rocks in highway rest areas.

That last one is a favorite hiding place for drug dealers and other criminals who need to hide cash fast. If they never get out of prison, or die, the money waits for a treasure hunter to find it. Sometimes you just have to look to find hidden treasure.

Watching Movies Privately Today

People are looking for ways to download full length movies from home, it seems. From the number of online search counts for the words like download movies online for free, how to download DVD movies cheaply and so on, it suggests that many people want to increase their DVD movie collection but do not wish to spend tons of money while doing so. If you belong to this group of folks, perhaps it is time for you to consider some of the affordable membership sites online that let you download full length movies as many as you wish for a low one-time fee, not pay per download.

Types Of Drums Based On Your Musical Genre

The components of your drum kit may vary greatly from that of any other drummer based upon the genre in which you play as well as your personal preferences and financial resources. Transportation issues may also play a part since you need to have a vehicle large enough to transport the drum set, and the more equipment that you have, the more room it will need for transportation. The venues where you perform may also have a bearing on the components of your set. If you are continually playing small clubs, the stage may not be large enough to accommodate a large number of drum components, so in spite of your genre and personal preferences, you may need to reduce your drum kit out of necessity.

My Year On A House Boat

Like many young people, I graduated from college with no clue of what to do next. Sure, I had a degree, but what did that really mean anyway? I still had a craving to head off on my own and see the world. I wanted to explore and put the books away for a while. I came up with the best plan ever: I would move to Amsterdam and live on a house boat with an artist friend I had met during a semester of study there.

My parents were not too thrilled with the idea, but I think they also knew that I couldn’t do much else with my degree in Creative Writing. So they eventually let me buy a ticket to Amsterdam and head off to live on a house boat with someone they had never met. Looking back on it, it feels a bit crazy and really surprising that they let me go. I guess they must have realized my need for adventure and even perhaps the good that would come from a year of living on a house boat.

I absolutely loved each day I spent on the house boat with Ana, my Dutch artist friend. We would sleep in till whenever we felt like it and then come onto the deck of our house boat to drink coffee and make small talk about the people passing by on the riverwalk or about the things we cared about most in life. We spent endless hours coming up with our philsophies about life and love and everything in between. Being the writer that I was, I was determined to record the year on the house boat in four spiral bound journals I had crammed into my suitcase upon living my home.

I spent my afternoons wandering the streets of Amsterdam and stopping for a coffee or a snack every so often. I would sit down and just watch people sometimes and try to write brilliant poetry about their clothes or their hairstyles or their secrets. The only brilliant writing that came out of my year on the house boat was my journals. I have kept those journals close these past thirty years and I have slowly begun to share them with my children as they become adults and seek to conquer the mysteries of the world in their own ways.

I wouldn’t trade my year with Ana on the house boat if it meant my life. I loved that year. I learned more about myself, more about the world, and I decided that writing really was the thing I loved most. My parents were happy that I found myself that year and that I moved a little closer to home to continue schooling.

Traveling with Scuba Dive Gear and Equipment

With todays state of air travel and airport security, scuba divers often have to decide how to travel with all their dive gear. For those scuba divers who plan to rent all their equipment at their destination, this isnt an issue. However, the trend in diving has always been that as divers become more experienced with more dives logged after initial open water certifications, they tend to want to use their own equipment rather than rent. This is especially true with masks, regulators, wetsuits and dive computers. Avid scuba divers will often travel with their entire gear including fins and buoyancy compensators. Of course because of weight issues, scuba divers rarely travel with tanks or weights.

I have an air integrated Oceanic scuba dive computer that I wouldn’t want lost or delayed in checked luggage during my dive trips so I always carry it on with me on airplanes. I have never had any problems going through airport security. Sure, they might check my stuff because scuba dive gear looks pretty foreign to most airport security staff but that’s okay as my scuba dive computer always got through. The only thing I have to be careful of is how I pack it. On a few occasions, I had put the computer in a soft bag that also contained my regulator, another piece of my own scuba equipment that I would prefer to use rather than deal with a rental. During travel, one of the buttons on the dive computer must have gotten accidentally depressed which activated the device. Because of the altitude and/or pressure changes during a flight, the dive computer thought that it was going on an actual dive. It started beeping because it didn’t like the statistics it was sensing which was a bit annoying on board. After the flight, my dive computer actually locked out for 24 hours. It was a good thing that I didn’t dive until the next day. So from now on, I always pack my scuba dive computer in a box which prevents accidental activation and then the box goes into my carry on baggage. I also carry on my mask as well as my log book and certification cards. I wouldnt want to be refused for diving by a dive operator in case my checked baggage was lost so it is highly recommended to carry your log book and certification card with you.

Everything else like my wetsuit, booties, fins, snorkel and buoyancy compensator goes into my checked baggage. If my checked baggage is lost, stolen or delayed, I can always rent the extra equipment I need without losing any dives. Some folks believe that one should not check in any large scuba dive bags with the dive flag displayed as it may advertise luggage containing expensive dive gear. In this case, one can always pack a flexible scuba dive bag inside a larger regular suitcase. So a good rule of thumb to use is to always carry on the scuba dive equipment that you cant afford to lose or be without for your diving and check the rest.

Calculus: The Science of Fluxions

The science of fluxions was Sir Isaac Newton’s terminology for the new field of science known today as calculus. Newton and German mathematician Leibnitz appear to have discovered the principles of calculus in about the same time; but Leibnitz published his work first. For years, there was friction between the two countries, England and Germany regarding which country was to take credit for the discovery of calculus. In the final analysis, it appears that both men arrived at their findings at about the same time and independently of each other. Both men appear to have learned from Egyptian, Indian and ancient Greece sources.

Custom Printed T-Shirts- Top Seven Tips for Using Them in Your Business

When you decide to create your own business you often find that there are a number of expenses that you do not think about. Uniforms, advertising, things to raise employee morale, and promotional items are all costs that people often overlook but can quickly add up. Custom Printed T-shirts are a great way of taking care of all of these things. This list will give you seven tips that will help you be successful when choosing the right company to use and the right products purchase. We hope to remove some of the information asymmetry that small businesses, especially those which are new to the process. We want you to know what to look for so that you can be a more educated buyer.