Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Thomas Ray
There's something about spring that leads us all to want to make a fresh start. Spring-cleaning is far more than just a part of almost everyone's vocabulary; spring cleaning is a great way for you to take a much closer look at what you have, what you need and don't need, and to make sure that your home is a healthy home.
Cleaning your home - when a healthy home is your goal - is about far more than just going through the kids' rooms and getting rid of clothes and toys that they have outgrown. Cleaning your home, ultimately, is about taking the time to thoroughly check your home for mold and for allergens; it's about making an effort to ensure that your home is a healthy place for you and your family.
Rather than simply looking for the spring cleaning recommendations that will help you to get more organized - the spring cleaning recommendations that you can find in a wide variety of places - why not look for those tips that will help you to create a healthy home for you and your family? Rather than focusing on simply getting things tidied up during your spring-cleaning, why not focus on those deep cleaning processes that will ensure that your home is a place where you can be healthy and not a place that may potentially make you sick?
When you take advantage of the following spring-cleaning recommendations, you can be sure that you are making your home a healthy home:
1. Wear protective equipment when you are focused on intensive spring-cleaning. When you know that you could be exposed to mold, pollen, dust mites and allergens, it's important to wear a mask or respirator so that you won't be breathing in harmful particulates. Wear gloves when there is a risk of coming in contact with molds and rust as well as harsh cleaners that you will be using. Consider wearing safety glasses if necessary as well.
2. If you will be using a wet-dry vacuum, be sure that you take it outside for a thorough cleaning before use. Open the wet-dry vacuum outside in the event that water was left in the unit the last time that it was used; that way you will be able to know that you are not spreading mold when you vacuum. Start too with a fresh bag - the best bag that you can buy for your vacuum.
3. Remember that outdoor spring cleaning is important as well; check the gutters and downspouts of your home to ensure that there are not holes that could create leaks and check for holes around the foundation; if you find them, repair them and, if possible trap rodents or exterminate insects that could be causing damage to your home.
4. Check external walls around your home for mold and pay careful attention to the insides of closets where there may be a lack of insulation along with a lack of air circulation. If you discover that there is mold in the closets, you are going to want to remove any clothing that has come in contact with mold to clean it thoroughly; if mold is growing on the clothing, it should be discarded. Consider installing a transom to increase air circulation or a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.
5. Check all of the plumbing in your home. Leaks can create the potential for mold growth in your cabinets, so be sure that you are looking for signs of water damage that may have dried as well as current wetness.
6. Check the air vents within your home to ensure that there is nothing obstructing the flow of air. Remove the grates, and clean behind them; check for rust or anything else that could create health risks.
In addition to the value of these spring cleaning recommendations when it comes to ensuring that you have a healthy home, you will find that these spring cleaning tips will give you the opportunity to start thinking about those parts of your home that are often neglected.
Ultimately, these same areas that deserve close attention while conducting your spring-cleaning activities are areas in which home inspectors would discover problems in a home; by focusing on them during your spring-cleaning, you can be sure that your home is a good, healthy place to spend your time.
About the Author:
Thomas Ray operates ENView Inspections, based in Fairfax, Virginia. ENView Inspections serves Baltimore-Washington area residential and commercial clients. They provide key indoor environmental inspection and testing services to help their clients meet the challenges of indoor air quality management. To learn more, you can give them a call at 703-910-0912, or visit the ENView website at: http://www.enviewonline.com
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Standing Out From The Crowd Without Being Ostentatious
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Nicole Maschwitz
We girls are always on the lookout to find new ways to stand out in a crowd. When we go to a party, a business function, or even out on a date, we are looking for ways that we can make ourselves distinct and different from every other woman in the room. We want people to pay attention to us, and to seek us out as someone they will want to spend their time.
When we are at a party, we want people to notice us and to pay attention to us. When we are at a business function, we want our bosses and co-workers to take notice of our finer traits, including our style and fashion sense. When we are on a date, we want our date to see us in a different and brighter light than the women he has met before us.
Many of us have learned that alcohol is not a necessity for us to stand out in a room and get noticed. In fact, we can draw much more favorable attention with the clothes we wear and the accessories we use when we go out.
Don't Be Ostentatious
Most of us know women who are caught up in having the most expensive accessories in the room. For them, it is not just a matter of having distinctive apparel. No, for them, it is a matter of being able to claim more spending power than you or me. Of course, most of us know that spending power does not make you a more attractive person...
Few women who live outside of the major cities of the world, New York City, Paris, London, and Melbourne, Australia, and women who work outside of the entertainment industry, would seriously consider the purchase of a dress from Armani or Versace. We would likely never indulge $2500 on a Gucci purse or a designer dress, although we might spend a healthy amount of money to buy a beautiful wedding dress that we will keep forever - after all, we will only get married for the first time, once.
Stand Out With Style
The good news is that there are more ways to stand out in a room than to outspend everyone in the room.
Even an interesting set of earrings, a bracelet or a necklace can attract people quickly to our side to view the beauty or distinctiveness of our jewelry. Of course, it is not even necessary to indulge in gold or diamond jewelry to attract attention from others.
In fact, with the development of the global Internet marketplace, it has become much more easy to buy jewelry from other parts of the world, frequently for prices less than the cost of a cheap gold strand. For example, one could buy a necklace or choker with African styling or even Malaysian styling, for under $100. Despite the seemingly low cost, a piece of jewelry from another part of the world might just attract more attention and conversation than a Gucci purse or a diamond-studded earring set.
Speaking of Gucci, one could even pick up a handmade handbag with African, Mediterranean, Japanese, or Southwest Native American styling that attracts every eye in the room. Why spend $2500 on a handbag, when you could attract even more attention with a handbag that could be purchased for under $100?
The Frugal Shopper
If you are frugal in your shopping, that does not have to mean that you have to be the girl in the corner to whom no one is paying any attention. In fact, being frugal does not mean that you have to be plain or boring either.
Being a frugal shopper simply means that you have the ability to make your money go further, without giving up on having the things that make our lives fun and interesting.
Most women have households to run and children to support. Most of us have had the necessity to be frugal with our money from time-to-time, for the sake of keeping our households running smoothly. As such, many of us have learned that demonstrating style and beauty does not have to be expensive. In fact, many of us have learned that the trick to making our money go further can be summed up in one simple sentence, "don't be afraid to shop around."
About the Author:
Nicole Maschwitz writes about fashion and design. When you are in the market to shop the world for distinctive jewelry, handmade handbags, unique gifts or decorative home wares, please visit Gift Hut and browse their selection of products from around the world at: http://www.gifthut.com.au
Copyright © 2008 Nicole Maschwitz
We girls are always on the lookout to find new ways to stand out in a crowd. When we go to a party, a business function, or even out on a date, we are looking for ways that we can make ourselves distinct and different from every other woman in the room. We want people to pay attention to us, and to seek us out as someone they will want to spend their time.
When we are at a party, we want people to notice us and to pay attention to us. When we are at a business function, we want our bosses and co-workers to take notice of our finer traits, including our style and fashion sense. When we are on a date, we want our date to see us in a different and brighter light than the women he has met before us.
Many of us have learned that alcohol is not a necessity for us to stand out in a room and get noticed. In fact, we can draw much more favorable attention with the clothes we wear and the accessories we use when we go out.
Don't Be Ostentatious
Most of us know women who are caught up in having the most expensive accessories in the room. For them, it is not just a matter of having distinctive apparel. No, for them, it is a matter of being able to claim more spending power than you or me. Of course, most of us know that spending power does not make you a more attractive person...
Few women who live outside of the major cities of the world, New York City, Paris, London, and Melbourne, Australia, and women who work outside of the entertainment industry, would seriously consider the purchase of a dress from Armani or Versace. We would likely never indulge $2500 on a Gucci purse or a designer dress, although we might spend a healthy amount of money to buy a beautiful wedding dress that we will keep forever - after all, we will only get married for the first time, once.
Stand Out With Style
The good news is that there are more ways to stand out in a room than to outspend everyone in the room.
Even an interesting set of earrings, a bracelet or a necklace can attract people quickly to our side to view the beauty or distinctiveness of our jewelry. Of course, it is not even necessary to indulge in gold or diamond jewelry to attract attention from others.
In fact, with the development of the global Internet marketplace, it has become much more easy to buy jewelry from other parts of the world, frequently for prices less than the cost of a cheap gold strand. For example, one could buy a necklace or choker with African styling or even Malaysian styling, for under $100. Despite the seemingly low cost, a piece of jewelry from another part of the world might just attract more attention and conversation than a Gucci purse or a diamond-studded earring set.
Speaking of Gucci, one could even pick up a handmade handbag with African, Mediterranean, Japanese, or Southwest Native American styling that attracts every eye in the room. Why spend $2500 on a handbag, when you could attract even more attention with a handbag that could be purchased for under $100?
The Frugal Shopper
If you are frugal in your shopping, that does not have to mean that you have to be the girl in the corner to whom no one is paying any attention. In fact, being frugal does not mean that you have to be plain or boring either.
Being a frugal shopper simply means that you have the ability to make your money go further, without giving up on having the things that make our lives fun and interesting.
Most women have households to run and children to support. Most of us have had the necessity to be frugal with our money from time-to-time, for the sake of keeping our households running smoothly. As such, many of us have learned that demonstrating style and beauty does not have to be expensive. In fact, many of us have learned that the trick to making our money go further can be summed up in one simple sentence, "don't be afraid to shop around."
About the Author:
Nicole Maschwitz writes about fashion and design. When you are in the market to shop the world for distinctive jewelry, handmade handbags, unique gifts or decorative home wares, please visit Gift Hut and browse their selection of products from around the world at: http://www.gifthut.com.au
Friday, April 18, 2008
Understanding What A Paint Horse Is, And How To Identify One
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Paint horses did not get their name because their riders and owners tend to be creative types who stabled them in their private studio. Paints did not get their name because they possess some unique creative gift of their own.
Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints' markings don't have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse's body.
So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you're going to have some curiosity about what they describe.
The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse's withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse's legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse's face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.
On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The "painted spots" are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse's legs are white - at least from the hocks and knees down - and at least one of the horse's flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors - both dark and white.
Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse's neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse's tail as well.
When you're looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you're also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.
Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.
These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family - kids included - will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.
As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses - regardless of the pattern that they displayed - were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.
Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Paint Horses for Sale. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Paint horses did not get their name because their riders and owners tend to be creative types who stabled them in their private studio. Paints did not get their name because they possess some unique creative gift of their own.
Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints' markings don't have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse's body.
So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you're going to have some curiosity about what they describe.
The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse's withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse's legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse's face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.
On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The "painted spots" are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse's legs are white - at least from the hocks and knees down - and at least one of the horse's flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors - both dark and white.
Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse's neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse's tail as well.
When you're looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you're also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.
Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.
These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family - kids included - will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.
As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses - regardless of the pattern that they displayed - were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.
Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Paint Horses for Sale. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Florida Is Home to Sea Cows, Sea Horses and American Quarter Horses
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Ask someone what they see when they picture horses in Florida and you're likely to hear about an imagines scene that places the rider and horse on a Gulf Coast beach with the sun setting in the background over crisp blue water. While that is, admittedly, an idyllic scene that is fairly common, horses in Florida are also likely to be scene carrying their riders along state and national park trails, at racetracks and in both dressage and jumping rings.
Jumping and hunting horses are so common in Florida that many horses for sale throughout the state are described as jumpers and hunters. Because great hunters are less easy to come by than jumpers, listings for these horses in Florida and elsewhere tend to carry a higher price tag, but that doesn't mean that everyone who makes an investment in horses in Florida is going to buy a jumper - it's often a matter of preference, not just availability.
Beginners and seasoned riders alike have a variety of preferences when it comes to the horses that they buy and ride. To some extent, the preference that they have is going to be influenced by the style of riding that they are going to do. Those who are looking for a great all-around horse will be more likely to look at Paint horses or an American Quarter Horse.
Not only are Paints and American Quarter Horses both capable workers that are still common on farms in Florida, but they are also great horses for families, who want to be sure that their kids are brought up around horses - who have an even temperament and responsive disposition. American Quarter Horses are great for Florida rides in areas like Amelia Island State Park in the Northeast corner of the state where riders can watch marine life from the coastal shore. Just as the sea cow, or manatee, can be seen in great numbers near Crystal River, Florida, one could also rent horses for a day trip near the same location, north of Tampa Bay and two hours west of Orlando.
Of course, those who crave speed while on horses are likely to turn to Arabian horses and Thoroughbred horses. Likewise, when looking for horses for sale that can be groomed for the race track, plenty choose Thoroughbreds from stables around Florida.
As is the case in most places, when buying horses in Florida, the best guidance to choosing a horse is going to be what purpose the buyer has in mind. Those who wish to build a stable of racing horses will be looking at different animals than those who are casual riders. Those who are looking for a horse that will more or less be a family pet will be looking for different horses than those who need horses in Florida that will assist them with working their farms.
The motivation for buying a horse will, therefore, impact the breed of horse that is chosen. Once that decision is made, the next important considerations will be in regards to the health of the horse. A healthy horse will have the build that is best associated with the breed - for example, an American Quarter Horse will have well-muscled, strong hind quarters that enable it to reach sprinting speed quickly, thanks to the concentration of power. Likewise, its hooves, back, teeth and eyes will be healthy, and the horse will have good hearing and eyesight.
While a visual check of horses will help you to identify major health issues such as leg problems - evidenced by scarring or bumps and bulges in the horse's legs - having a veterinarian perform a more thorough examination is always a good idea. Whether you are looking for racing horses in Florida or a work horse, you want to be able to be sure that you are going to have an animal that will be in good health when you bring it to the stable.
Whether you are able to stable your horse at home or you rent a stall from someone who has a stable and pasture, know that owning horses in Florida will take some effort on your part and can be pretty expensive, depending on where in the state you reside. Still, many find that once they have had a horse, worked with it and experienced the thrill of riding, they cannot simply go back and not have horses as a part of their lives. Perhaps this is why horses remain an integral part of the American psyche, a century after the introduction of the "horseless carriage".
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Horses for Sale in Florida. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Ask someone what they see when they picture horses in Florida and you're likely to hear about an imagines scene that places the rider and horse on a Gulf Coast beach with the sun setting in the background over crisp blue water. While that is, admittedly, an idyllic scene that is fairly common, horses in Florida are also likely to be scene carrying their riders along state and national park trails, at racetracks and in both dressage and jumping rings.
Jumping and hunting horses are so common in Florida that many horses for sale throughout the state are described as jumpers and hunters. Because great hunters are less easy to come by than jumpers, listings for these horses in Florida and elsewhere tend to carry a higher price tag, but that doesn't mean that everyone who makes an investment in horses in Florida is going to buy a jumper - it's often a matter of preference, not just availability.
Beginners and seasoned riders alike have a variety of preferences when it comes to the horses that they buy and ride. To some extent, the preference that they have is going to be influenced by the style of riding that they are going to do. Those who are looking for a great all-around horse will be more likely to look at Paint horses or an American Quarter Horse.
Not only are Paints and American Quarter Horses both capable workers that are still common on farms in Florida, but they are also great horses for families, who want to be sure that their kids are brought up around horses - who have an even temperament and responsive disposition. American Quarter Horses are great for Florida rides in areas like Amelia Island State Park in the Northeast corner of the state where riders can watch marine life from the coastal shore. Just as the sea cow, or manatee, can be seen in great numbers near Crystal River, Florida, one could also rent horses for a day trip near the same location, north of Tampa Bay and two hours west of Orlando.
Of course, those who crave speed while on horses are likely to turn to Arabian horses and Thoroughbred horses. Likewise, when looking for horses for sale that can be groomed for the race track, plenty choose Thoroughbreds from stables around Florida.
As is the case in most places, when buying horses in Florida, the best guidance to choosing a horse is going to be what purpose the buyer has in mind. Those who wish to build a stable of racing horses will be looking at different animals than those who are casual riders. Those who are looking for a horse that will more or less be a family pet will be looking for different horses than those who need horses in Florida that will assist them with working their farms.
The motivation for buying a horse will, therefore, impact the breed of horse that is chosen. Once that decision is made, the next important considerations will be in regards to the health of the horse. A healthy horse will have the build that is best associated with the breed - for example, an American Quarter Horse will have well-muscled, strong hind quarters that enable it to reach sprinting speed quickly, thanks to the concentration of power. Likewise, its hooves, back, teeth and eyes will be healthy, and the horse will have good hearing and eyesight.
While a visual check of horses will help you to identify major health issues such as leg problems - evidenced by scarring or bumps and bulges in the horse's legs - having a veterinarian perform a more thorough examination is always a good idea. Whether you are looking for racing horses in Florida or a work horse, you want to be able to be sure that you are going to have an animal that will be in good health when you bring it to the stable.
Whether you are able to stable your horse at home or you rent a stall from someone who has a stable and pasture, know that owning horses in Florida will take some effort on your part and can be pretty expensive, depending on where in the state you reside. Still, many find that once they have had a horse, worked with it and experienced the thrill of riding, they cannot simply go back and not have horses as a part of their lives. Perhaps this is why horses remain an integral part of the American psyche, a century after the introduction of the "horseless carriage".
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Horses for Sale in Florida. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Sunday, April 13, 2008
An Automobile Driver? Several Benefits Why It Pays You Dearly, Any Way, For You To Have A Good Fuel Economy
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Benji O. Anosike
Judging by several public opinion polls and surveys periodically conducted among motorists and consumers by reliable national polling organizations, automobile gas costs and prices have been at the very top of the consumer concerns in Canada and the United States in recent years.
Clearly, high and escalating cost of fuel are a great source of worry and concern by the consumers in these countries, and most consumers would love nothing better than to have them in the lower range today, as in the yester years. In deed, just about everybody and every institution in the society, including the government of the day, frequently tell us that having lower prices and costs for fuel would be just about the most desirable and beneficial thing for the society and for almost everybody - economically, politically, and militarily.
Just recently, only in December 2007, the U.S. Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007," designed to tackle precisely that very same concern - reducing the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by the year 2020. That will mean an increase of 40 percent in fuel economy over current situation, literally meaning a savings of some 40 percent in the fuel costs of the average driver compared to today.
Fine. But does everybody, do most motorists, know the reason why, exactly, it is really good and beneficial that the average motorist or consumer should have good fuel economy in his or her driving, any way - aside from just the obvious economic reason or benefit that it would save you fuel and put more money in your pocket?
Following below, are some of the most significant reasons and benefits, aside from simply the personal economic or financial benefit accruing to the individual motorist, why it will still pay you, any way, to have a life of good fuel economy any way, regardless.
A. SURE, IT IS (IN PART) ABOUT MONEY
First, to be sure, a prime reason why American and Canadian motorists seek fuel economy for their vehicle rides, has to do significantly or largely with money — to save money in their fuel costs. At a time when gas prices are near record highs in America and Canada, it is, rather quite understandable that many people would be searching for ways to "beat the pump" to make gas money go a little bit longer.
Recent news reports saturate the newspapers and the news media and airways daily, with stories about the economic woes and horrors of motorists "at the pump" who face escalating gas prices. American drivers, from Los Angeles, California, to New York, and from Michigan to Florida, and in between, who were formerly used to spending about $30 a week to fill up a 15-gallon tank a year or two ago, are today now said to be spending some $50 or more, thus cutting painfully deeper and deeper into their already overstretched home budgets. While in Canada, from Ottawa and Newfoundland to British Columbia, and from Nunavuit to Mannitoba Winnipeg, the pump prices for the motorists have reached as high as Canadian $1.25 per litre (the equivalent of about $5 a gallon for the U.S.) only recently.
Clearly, then, the simple logic and commonsense is quite understandable that one major reason why the contemporary American and Canadian motorists would want — and do want — to find ways to have a higher or better fuel economy, is for economic reasons: namely, to make some real savings in the hopefully lesser amount of fuel they use in the operation of their vehicles, as well as in the escalating and increasingly crushing prices and costs of fuel. A money savings of up to $1,500 per year in fuel costs could be a major reward you get, for example, by choosing to purchase the latest most efficient vehicle of the year in a particular class, according to the latest U.S. EPA/DOE estimate! Not a small (money) saving by any means or calculations whatsoever!
However, there are more reasons and benefits. It is more than just that.
B. IT'S MORE THAN JUST SAVING MONEY, THOUGH
1. Strengthens the National Energy Security
But seeking to attain, or actually attaining, fuel economy and fuel savings, are NOT all about or only about money, however. Or, about personal money savings that go back into one's own personal pocket. Rather, attaining that goal achieves an even higher "reward" and purpose — a national, patriotic, and more "strategic" purpose for America and/or Canada. In deed, for the Mother Earth!
How? Simply by making it more feasible for us to start the process of climbing out of one big, dangerous, and increasingly entrenched, critical national security problem that North America has today — it's called the problem of "American dependence on foreign oil." For example, by recent estimates of the Washington Post, the U.S. citizens use 24% more gas today than they did some 17 years ago in 1990 — thanks to the 84 million gas-guzzling SUV's they are now driving these days. A whole 24% more!
In fact, this "strategic" or public benefit or purpose, rather than merely private or personal benefit or purpose, is the major reason advanced by U.S. Congress and President Bush only recently, in December 2007, when the Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" — a law designed to increase the supply of alternative fuel sources (of at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022), and to reduce the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by 2020.
2. America's Increasing Dependence on Foreign Oil
But, get this. That is only counting since 1990! What about going a little further back before then? A May 2007 report by the NBC's Today Show featuring John Hofmeister, the Chairman of the Shell Oil Company, stated that in 1973 when the Middle East oil producers embargoed oil shipments to the United States in response to the Yom Kippur War, "At that time the country imported about 35 percent of its oil. Since then and through six different Presidents, America's dependence on foreign oil has increased to more than 60 percent." More than 60 percent — since 1973! But, get this connection: this 60-percent-plus figure in the amount of total oil usage by Americans today, is also largely imported, particularly from the Middle East. And consequently, what this means is that America remains increasingly "oil dependent" on foreign countries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at least more than 50 percent of the oil used to produce the gasoline you put in your tank today is imported. The bottom line: America and American consumers continue to be increasingly vulnerable to (i.e., slavishly dependent on) foreign countries and sources for their economic and strategic life and the security of the nation, in terms of what price they'll pay for gasoline at any given point in time, or when they'll get a supply of gasoline or not, or even whether they'll get it or not, or under what terms and conditions, and so on.
Here's the point here, therefore. To put it in simple terms, the fact is that, a an individual motorist, any the gas-saving methods and measures you can find and employ which can actually reduce the amount of gas wastage you have and can economize and save on your gasoline usage, will translate directly into strengthening our national energy security as Americans and Canadians by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Petroleum imports cost Americans about $4.4 billion per week (the U.S. Department of Energy figures). That's money, or a part thereof, that could be used to fuel our own American economy — in whole or in part.
3. Protects the Environment and Our Earth
Finally, saving gas, or having a better fuel economy, has yet another major dividend for the larger society and the humankind that is far more than just your personal pocketbook — it's good for the environment. Burning fossil fuel (meaning mostly gasoline and diesel that are the kinds of fuel used in automobiles), creates a whole host of environmental problems, such as adding 'greenhouse' gases, mostly carbon dioxide or CO2, to the Earth's atmosphere, creating air pollution and smog, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Consequently, having a good fuel economy in the operation of your vehicle, and using fuel more efficiently in that process, serves as well to protect the air, the land, water, and the wildlife around us, and to improve the quality of lives over all.
Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. By expert estimate, for every gallon of gasoline your vehicle consumes (burns), about 20 pounds of CO2 (170cu. Ft) is spewed into the atmosphere. Consequently, when you reduce gas wastage and save on your gasoline usage (by employing the methods outlined in Anosike fuel-savings manual for that), you also automatically reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide your vehicle burns or puts into the atmosphere — meaning that you directly reduce your own personal contribution to the above-described environmental problems and to global climate change. For example, it has been estimated by experts that just by engaging in one single act, namely, opting to buy a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon, rather than 20, you can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. Ft.) of greenhouse gases into this Mother Earth over the lifetime of your vehicle. Consider that!
SUMMARY
Summed up very simply, the task of attaining better fuel economy or of using less gas for your vehicle, is not just good for your pocketbook. It is, even just as importantly, if not more so, also good for our nations, as well as for our environment, and our Planet Earth. What could be a better or more noble purpose and objective overall, for a society, or for a member of that society! That's even all the more cogent reasons why it pays very highly for you, as an individual and an American or Canadian, or as just plain human being in the world, that you should begin very seriously to engage in a credible program and behavior of effective green living, fuel-savings and fuel economy — the types that are fully outlined in the chapters of the manual mentioned below in author's box.
About the Author:
Benji O. Anosike, Ph.D., is an environmentalist and leader in the U.S."drive green" movement, and a best-selling author of over 24 books about self-help and cost-saving consumer techniques. His latest book, "Boost Your Auto Fuel Economy and Cut Your Gas Costs by At Least 50%, Guaranteed," exposes bogus fuel-saving remedies, and explores advanced automotive science that has been tested and proven to increase fuel economy and help motorists save money. For more on the author or his works, or to learn more about his latest book, please visit: http://www.GetAutoFuelSavings.Org
Copyright © 2008 Benji O. Anosike
Judging by several public opinion polls and surveys periodically conducted among motorists and consumers by reliable national polling organizations, automobile gas costs and prices have been at the very top of the consumer concerns in Canada and the United States in recent years.
Clearly, high and escalating cost of fuel are a great source of worry and concern by the consumers in these countries, and most consumers would love nothing better than to have them in the lower range today, as in the yester years. In deed, just about everybody and every institution in the society, including the government of the day, frequently tell us that having lower prices and costs for fuel would be just about the most desirable and beneficial thing for the society and for almost everybody - economically, politically, and militarily.
Just recently, only in December 2007, the U.S. Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007," designed to tackle precisely that very same concern - reducing the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by the year 2020. That will mean an increase of 40 percent in fuel economy over current situation, literally meaning a savings of some 40 percent in the fuel costs of the average driver compared to today.
Fine. But does everybody, do most motorists, know the reason why, exactly, it is really good and beneficial that the average motorist or consumer should have good fuel economy in his or her driving, any way - aside from just the obvious economic reason or benefit that it would save you fuel and put more money in your pocket?
Following below, are some of the most significant reasons and benefits, aside from simply the personal economic or financial benefit accruing to the individual motorist, why it will still pay you, any way, to have a life of good fuel economy any way, regardless.
A. SURE, IT IS (IN PART) ABOUT MONEY
First, to be sure, a prime reason why American and Canadian motorists seek fuel economy for their vehicle rides, has to do significantly or largely with money — to save money in their fuel costs. At a time when gas prices are near record highs in America and Canada, it is, rather quite understandable that many people would be searching for ways to "beat the pump" to make gas money go a little bit longer.
Recent news reports saturate the newspapers and the news media and airways daily, with stories about the economic woes and horrors of motorists "at the pump" who face escalating gas prices. American drivers, from Los Angeles, California, to New York, and from Michigan to Florida, and in between, who were formerly used to spending about $30 a week to fill up a 15-gallon tank a year or two ago, are today now said to be spending some $50 or more, thus cutting painfully deeper and deeper into their already overstretched home budgets. While in Canada, from Ottawa and Newfoundland to British Columbia, and from Nunavuit to Mannitoba Winnipeg, the pump prices for the motorists have reached as high as Canadian $1.25 per litre (the equivalent of about $5 a gallon for the U.S.) only recently.
Clearly, then, the simple logic and commonsense is quite understandable that one major reason why the contemporary American and Canadian motorists would want — and do want — to find ways to have a higher or better fuel economy, is for economic reasons: namely, to make some real savings in the hopefully lesser amount of fuel they use in the operation of their vehicles, as well as in the escalating and increasingly crushing prices and costs of fuel. A money savings of up to $1,500 per year in fuel costs could be a major reward you get, for example, by choosing to purchase the latest most efficient vehicle of the year in a particular class, according to the latest U.S. EPA/DOE estimate! Not a small (money) saving by any means or calculations whatsoever!
However, there are more reasons and benefits. It is more than just that.
B. IT'S MORE THAN JUST SAVING MONEY, THOUGH
1. Strengthens the National Energy Security
But seeking to attain, or actually attaining, fuel economy and fuel savings, are NOT all about or only about money, however. Or, about personal money savings that go back into one's own personal pocket. Rather, attaining that goal achieves an even higher "reward" and purpose — a national, patriotic, and more "strategic" purpose for America and/or Canada. In deed, for the Mother Earth!
How? Simply by making it more feasible for us to start the process of climbing out of one big, dangerous, and increasingly entrenched, critical national security problem that North America has today — it's called the problem of "American dependence on foreign oil." For example, by recent estimates of the Washington Post, the U.S. citizens use 24% more gas today than they did some 17 years ago in 1990 — thanks to the 84 million gas-guzzling SUV's they are now driving these days. A whole 24% more!
In fact, this "strategic" or public benefit or purpose, rather than merely private or personal benefit or purpose, is the major reason advanced by U.S. Congress and President Bush only recently, in December 2007, when the Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" — a law designed to increase the supply of alternative fuel sources (of at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022), and to reduce the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by 2020.
2. America's Increasing Dependence on Foreign Oil
But, get this. That is only counting since 1990! What about going a little further back before then? A May 2007 report by the NBC's Today Show featuring John Hofmeister, the Chairman of the Shell Oil Company, stated that in 1973 when the Middle East oil producers embargoed oil shipments to the United States in response to the Yom Kippur War, "At that time the country imported about 35 percent of its oil. Since then and through six different Presidents, America's dependence on foreign oil has increased to more than 60 percent." More than 60 percent — since 1973! But, get this connection: this 60-percent-plus figure in the amount of total oil usage by Americans today, is also largely imported, particularly from the Middle East. And consequently, what this means is that America remains increasingly "oil dependent" on foreign countries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at least more than 50 percent of the oil used to produce the gasoline you put in your tank today is imported. The bottom line: America and American consumers continue to be increasingly vulnerable to (i.e., slavishly dependent on) foreign countries and sources for their economic and strategic life and the security of the nation, in terms of what price they'll pay for gasoline at any given point in time, or when they'll get a supply of gasoline or not, or even whether they'll get it or not, or under what terms and conditions, and so on.
Here's the point here, therefore. To put it in simple terms, the fact is that, a an individual motorist, any the gas-saving methods and measures you can find and employ which can actually reduce the amount of gas wastage you have and can economize and save on your gasoline usage, will translate directly into strengthening our national energy security as Americans and Canadians by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Petroleum imports cost Americans about $4.4 billion per week (the U.S. Department of Energy figures). That's money, or a part thereof, that could be used to fuel our own American economy — in whole or in part.
3. Protects the Environment and Our Earth
Finally, saving gas, or having a better fuel economy, has yet another major dividend for the larger society and the humankind that is far more than just your personal pocketbook — it's good for the environment. Burning fossil fuel (meaning mostly gasoline and diesel that are the kinds of fuel used in automobiles), creates a whole host of environmental problems, such as adding 'greenhouse' gases, mostly carbon dioxide or CO2, to the Earth's atmosphere, creating air pollution and smog, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Consequently, having a good fuel economy in the operation of your vehicle, and using fuel more efficiently in that process, serves as well to protect the air, the land, water, and the wildlife around us, and to improve the quality of lives over all.
Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. By expert estimate, for every gallon of gasoline your vehicle consumes (burns), about 20 pounds of CO2 (170cu. Ft) is spewed into the atmosphere. Consequently, when you reduce gas wastage and save on your gasoline usage (by employing the methods outlined in Anosike fuel-savings manual for that), you also automatically reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide your vehicle burns or puts into the atmosphere — meaning that you directly reduce your own personal contribution to the above-described environmental problems and to global climate change. For example, it has been estimated by experts that just by engaging in one single act, namely, opting to buy a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon, rather than 20, you can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. Ft.) of greenhouse gases into this Mother Earth over the lifetime of your vehicle. Consider that!
SUMMARY
Summed up very simply, the task of attaining better fuel economy or of using less gas for your vehicle, is not just good for your pocketbook. It is, even just as importantly, if not more so, also good for our nations, as well as for our environment, and our Planet Earth. What could be a better or more noble purpose and objective overall, for a society, or for a member of that society! That's even all the more cogent reasons why it pays very highly for you, as an individual and an American or Canadian, or as just plain human being in the world, that you should begin very seriously to engage in a credible program and behavior of effective green living, fuel-savings and fuel economy — the types that are fully outlined in the chapters of the manual mentioned below in author's box.
About the Author:
Benji O. Anosike, Ph.D., is an environmentalist and leader in the U.S."drive green" movement, and a best-selling author of over 24 books about self-help and cost-saving consumer techniques. His latest book, "Boost Your Auto Fuel Economy and Cut Your Gas Costs by At Least 50%, Guaranteed," exposes bogus fuel-saving remedies, and explores advanced automotive science that has been tested and proven to increase fuel economy and help motorists save money. For more on the author or his works, or to learn more about his latest book, please visit: http://www.GetAutoFuelSavings.Org
The Best Whitewater Rafting Trips for Beginners
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Norm Schoenhoff
With dozens of whitewater rivers around the Northern California region, it can be challenging to find just the right trip for the beginner whitewater rafting enthusiast.
The rivers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe present the most attractive trips for beginners, and these trips are available year around. Beginner's courses are usually more tranquil in nature, and offer scenic views of the landscape, semi-challenging rapids, and very few drops.
Some of the most popular rivers are simply too dangerous and violent for beginners, but there are still many exciting options available for those without advanced whitewater rafting skills. Here are some of the best whitewater rafting venues for beginners of all ages:
South Fork American Whitewater Rafting Trip for Beginners
It's become one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in Northern California, and is perfect for beginners looking for a scenic and exciting adventure. The South Fork American River is a 21-mile stretch that can be found just 1-1/2 hours from Lake Tahoe and 45 minutes from Sacramento. The milder rapids make it easy to navigate along the river and still enjoy the view; you'll be floating along California's Gold Country, an area covered in lush hills, vegetation, and local wildlife. On a day with clear blue skies, this is one of the most attractive places to take in the best of nature in Northern California.
The most well known spots along the South Fork American include Racehorse Bend, Class III+ Troublemaker, and Triple Threat. After you paddle on through these somewhat rough waters, the river slows down around Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. After heading off to the steep canyon, you'll experience a series of fun and exciting rapids such as the Hospital Bar, Fowler's Rock, and more. The excitement runs high every season at the South Fork American, and is an ideal journey for beginners and lifelong whitewater enthusiasts alike.
Middle Fork American Whitewater Rafting Trip for Adventurous Beginners
Located just one hour east of Sacramento, the Middle Fork American is another ideal spot for rafting. It's best suited for those want to build their skills for a fast-paced ride, as it does contain a number of challenging rapids, twists, and turns that add some fast-paced excitement to the trip. The river begins on the west rim of Lake Tahoe, and flows through the Auburn State Recreation Area and Tahoe National Forest.
The river offers clear blue waters, lush landscapes, and views of the forested canyon and waterfalls throughout. The areas of smoother riding along this trip allow you to enjoy the scenic landscapes and catch a glimpse of the region's wildlife. Popular rapids along this trip include the Kanaka, Submarine Hole, and the famous 'Tunnel Chute', one of the biggest rapids that are sure to pique the interest of the enthusiastic beginner.
Truckee Whitewater Rafting Trip for Beginners
Be prepared for seven miles of fun, excitement, and unique views from this river that parallels Interstate 80. The Truckee River is chock full of Class II and a few Class III rapids, but the last mile is famous for some of the most adventurous runs. Since most of the river is calm and mellow, it's a great start for beginners who need to practice, but still want to enjoy a scenic trip.
The river is located in North Lake Tahoe, with gorgeous views of the surrounding hills, meadows, and forest. It begins near Carson pass and flows directly into Lake Tahoe; the best places for rafting are just below the Boca Reservoir known as the 'Little Truckee.' Being able to spot wildlife and regional birds are just a few other highlights of this trip, and it's a fun adventure for white water rafting enthusiasts of all ages.
If you're a beginner whitewater rafting enthusiast, or just looking for a safe and exciting trip for a group of beginners, there are a number of attractive options available. Finding the right match for your skill level is very important, as you want to enjoy the experience and stay safe at all times. Beginner's journeys generally feature a few manageable rapids, small drops, and more tranquil spaces to float by and enjoy the scenery. From the Truckee River to the South Fork American, be sure to consider all of these amazing rivers for your whitewater rafting adventure.
About the Author:
Norm Schoenhoff and his crew have been leading river rafting trips down four of the most beautiful Northern California white water rivers, since 1978. Whitewater Excitement provides trips designed for beginners to experienced rafters, with "Best in Class" standards of safety, service, pricing and quality. Church groups, business organizations, families, and groups of friends regularly make the fun and exhilarating trip down the rivers, with the expert rafters from Whitewater Excitement. Learn more by visiting: http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com
Copyright © 2008 Norm Schoenhoff
With dozens of whitewater rivers around the Northern California region, it can be challenging to find just the right trip for the beginner whitewater rafting enthusiast.
The rivers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe present the most attractive trips for beginners, and these trips are available year around. Beginner's courses are usually more tranquil in nature, and offer scenic views of the landscape, semi-challenging rapids, and very few drops.
Some of the most popular rivers are simply too dangerous and violent for beginners, but there are still many exciting options available for those without advanced whitewater rafting skills. Here are some of the best whitewater rafting venues for beginners of all ages:
South Fork American Whitewater Rafting Trip for Beginners
It's become one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in Northern California, and is perfect for beginners looking for a scenic and exciting adventure. The South Fork American River is a 21-mile stretch that can be found just 1-1/2 hours from Lake Tahoe and 45 minutes from Sacramento. The milder rapids make it easy to navigate along the river and still enjoy the view; you'll be floating along California's Gold Country, an area covered in lush hills, vegetation, and local wildlife. On a day with clear blue skies, this is one of the most attractive places to take in the best of nature in Northern California.
The most well known spots along the South Fork American include Racehorse Bend, Class III+ Troublemaker, and Triple Threat. After you paddle on through these somewhat rough waters, the river slows down around Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. After heading off to the steep canyon, you'll experience a series of fun and exciting rapids such as the Hospital Bar, Fowler's Rock, and more. The excitement runs high every season at the South Fork American, and is an ideal journey for beginners and lifelong whitewater enthusiasts alike.
Middle Fork American Whitewater Rafting Trip for Adventurous Beginners
Located just one hour east of Sacramento, the Middle Fork American is another ideal spot for rafting. It's best suited for those want to build their skills for a fast-paced ride, as it does contain a number of challenging rapids, twists, and turns that add some fast-paced excitement to the trip. The river begins on the west rim of Lake Tahoe, and flows through the Auburn State Recreation Area and Tahoe National Forest.
The river offers clear blue waters, lush landscapes, and views of the forested canyon and waterfalls throughout. The areas of smoother riding along this trip allow you to enjoy the scenic landscapes and catch a glimpse of the region's wildlife. Popular rapids along this trip include the Kanaka, Submarine Hole, and the famous 'Tunnel Chute', one of the biggest rapids that are sure to pique the interest of the enthusiastic beginner.
Truckee Whitewater Rafting Trip for Beginners
Be prepared for seven miles of fun, excitement, and unique views from this river that parallels Interstate 80. The Truckee River is chock full of Class II and a few Class III rapids, but the last mile is famous for some of the most adventurous runs. Since most of the river is calm and mellow, it's a great start for beginners who need to practice, but still want to enjoy a scenic trip.
The river is located in North Lake Tahoe, with gorgeous views of the surrounding hills, meadows, and forest. It begins near Carson pass and flows directly into Lake Tahoe; the best places for rafting are just below the Boca Reservoir known as the 'Little Truckee.' Being able to spot wildlife and regional birds are just a few other highlights of this trip, and it's a fun adventure for white water rafting enthusiasts of all ages.
If you're a beginner whitewater rafting enthusiast, or just looking for a safe and exciting trip for a group of beginners, there are a number of attractive options available. Finding the right match for your skill level is very important, as you want to enjoy the experience and stay safe at all times. Beginner's journeys generally feature a few manageable rapids, small drops, and more tranquil spaces to float by and enjoy the scenery. From the Truckee River to the South Fork American, be sure to consider all of these amazing rivers for your whitewater rafting adventure.
About the Author:
Norm Schoenhoff and his crew have been leading river rafting trips down four of the most beautiful Northern California white water rivers, since 1978. Whitewater Excitement provides trips designed for beginners to experienced rafters, with "Best in Class" standards of safety, service, pricing and quality. Church groups, business organizations, families, and groups of friends regularly make the fun and exhilarating trip down the rivers, with the expert rafters from Whitewater Excitement. Learn more by visiting: http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com
The Many Pay Offs And Benefits To You From Having A Good Auto Fuel Economy
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Benji O. Anosike
Judging by several public opinion polls and surveys periodically conducted among motorists and consumers by reliable national polling organizations, automobile gas costs and prices have been at the very top of the consumer concerns in Canada and the United States in recent years. Clearly, high and escalating cost of fuel are a great source of worry and concern by the consumers in these countries, and most consumers would love nothing better than to have them in the lower range today, as in the yester years.
In deed, just about everybody and every institution in the society, including the government of the day, frequently tell us that having lower prices and costs for fuel would be just about the most desirable and beneficial thing for the society and for almost everybody - economically, politically, and militarily. Just recently, only in December 2007, the U.S. Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007," designed to tackle precisely that very same concern - reducing the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by the year 2020. That will mean an increase of 40 percent in fuel economy over current situation, literally meaning a savings of some 40 percent in the fuel costs of the average driver compared to today.
Fine. But does everybody, do most motorists, know the reason why, exactly, it is really good and beneficial that the average motorist or consumer should have good fuel economy in his or her driving, any way - aside from just the obvious economic reason or benefit that it would save you fuel and put more money in your pocket?
Following below, are some of the most significant reasons and benefits, aside from simply the personal economic or financial benefit accruing to the individual motorist, why it will still pay you, any way, to have a life of good fuel economy any way, regardless.
A. SURE, IT IS (IN PART) ABOUT MONEY
First, to be sure, a prime reason why American and Canadian motorists seek fuel economy for their vehicle rides, has to do significantly or largely with money — to save money in their fuel costs. At a time when gas prices are near record highs in America and Canada, it is, rather quite understandable that many people would be searching for ways to "beat the pump" to make gas money go a little bit longer.
Recent news reports saturate the newspapers and the news media and airways daily, with stories about the economic woes and horrors of motorists "at the pump" who face escalating gas prices. American drivers, from Los Angeles, California, to New York, and from Michigan to Florida, and in between, who were formerly used to spending about $30 a week to fill up a 15-gallon tank a year or two ago, are today now said to be spending some $50 or more, thus cutting painfully deeper and deeper into their already overstretched home budgets. While in Canada, from Ottawa and Newfoundland to British Columbia, and from Nunavuit to Mannitoba Winnipeg, the pump prices for the motorists have reached as high as Canadian $1.25 per litre (the equivalent of about $5 a gallon for the U.S.) only recently.
Clearly, then, the simple logic and commonsense is quite understandable that one major reason why the contemporary American and Canadian motorists would want — and do want — to find ways to have a higher or better fuel economy, is for economic reasons: namely, to make some real savings in the hopefully lesser amount of fuel they use in the operation of their vehicles, as well as in the escalating and increasingly crushing prices and costs of fuel. A money savings of up to $1,500 per year in fuel costs could be a major reward you get, for example, by choosing to purchase the latest most efficient vehicle of the year in a particular class, according to the latest U.S. EPA/DOE estimate! Not a small (money) saving by any means or calculations whatsoever!
However, there are more reasons and benefits. It is more than just that.
B. IT'S MORE THAN JUST SAVING MONEY, THOUGH
1. Strengthens the National Energy Security
But seeking to attain, or actually attaining, fuel economy and fuel savings, are NOT all about or only about money, however. Or, about personal money savings that go back into one's own personal pocket. Rather, attaining that goal achieves an even higher "reward" and purpose — a national, patriotic, and more "strategic" purpose for America and/or Canada. In deed, for the Mother Earth!
How? Simply by making it more feasible for us to start the process of climbing out of one big, dangerous, and increasingly entrenched, critical national security problem that North America has today — it's called the problem of "American dependence on foreign oil." For example, by recent estimates of the Washington Post, the U.S. citizens use 24 % more gas today than they did some 17 years ago in 1990 — thanks to the 84 million gas-guzzling SUV's they are now driving these days. A whole 24% more! In fact, this "strategic" or public benefit or purpose, rather than merely private or personal benefit or purpose, is the major reason advanced by U.S. Congress and President Bush only recently, in December 2007, when the Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" — a law designed to increase the supply of alternative fuel sources (of at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022), and to reduce the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by 2020.
2. America's Increasing Dependence on Foreign Oil
But, get this. That is only counting since 1990! What about going a little further back before then? A May 2007 report by the NBC's Today Show featuring John Hofmeister, the Chairman of the Shell Oil Company, stated that in 1973 when the Middle East oil producers embargoed oil shipments to the United States in response to the Yom Kippur War, "At that time the country imported about 35 percent of its oil. Since then and through six different Presidents, America's dependence on foreign oil has increased to more than 60 percent." More than 60 percent — since 1973! But, get this connection: this 60-percent-plus figure in the amount of total oil usage by Americans today, is also largely imported, particularly from the Middle East. And consequently, what this means is that America remains increasingly "oil dependent" on foreign countries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at least more than 50 percent of the oil used to produce the gasoline you put in your tank today is imported. The bottom line: America and American consumers continue to be increasingly vulnerable to (i.e., slavishly dependent on) foreign countries and sources for their economic and strategic life and the security of the nation, in terms of what price they'll pay for gasoline at any given point in time, or when they'll get a supply of gasoline or not, or even whether they'll get it or not, or under what terms and conditions, and so on.
Here's the point here, therefore. To put it in simple terms, the fact is that, a an individual motorist, any the gas-saving methods and measures you can find and employ which can actually reduce the amount of gas wastage you have and can economize and save on your gasoline usage, will translate directly into strengthening our national energy security as Americans and Canadians by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Petroleum imports cost Americans about $4.4 billion per week (the U.S. Department of Energy figures). That's money, or a part thereof, that could be used to fuel our own American economy — in whole or in part.
3. Protects the Environment and Our Earth
Finally, saving gas, or having a better fuel economy, has yet another major dividend for the larger society and the humankind that is far more than just your personal pocketbook — it's good for the environment. Burning fossil fuel (meaning mostly gasoline and diesel that are the kinds of fuel used in automobiles), creates a whole host of environmental problems, such as adding 'greenhouse' gases, mostly carbon dioxide or CO2, to the Earth's atmosphere, creating air pollution and smog, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Consequently, having a good fuel economy in the operation of your vehicle, and using fuel more efficiently in that process, serves as well to protect the air, the land, water, and the wildlife around us, and to improve the quality of lives over all.
Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. By expert estimate, for every gallon of gasoline your vehicle consumes (burns), about 20 pounds of CO2 (170cu. Ft) is spewed into the atmosphere. Consequently, when you reduce gas wastage and save on your gasoline usage (by employing the methods outlined in Anosike fuel-savings manual for that), you also automatically reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide your vehicle burns or puts into the atmosphere — meaning that you directly reduce your own personal contribution to the above-described environmental problems and to global climate change. For example, it has been estimated by experts that just by engaging in one single act, namely, opting to buy a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon, rather than 20, you can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. Ft.) of greenhouse gases into this Mother Earth over the lifetime of your vehicle. Consider that!
SUMMARY
Summed up very simply, the task of attaining better fuel economy or of using less gas for your vehicle, is not just good for your pocketbook. It is, even just as importantly, if not more so, also good for our nations, as well as for our environment, and our Planet Earth. What could be a better or more noble purpose and objective overall, for a society, or for a member of that society!
That's even all the more cogent reasons why it pays very highly for you, as an individual and an American or Canadian, or as just plain human being in the world, that you should begin very seriously to engage in a credible program and behavior of effective green living, fuel-savings and fuel economy - the types that are fully outlined in the chapters of the manual mentioned below in author's box.
About the Author:
Benji O. Anosike, Ph.D., is an environmentalist and leader in the U.S."drive green" movement, and a best-selling author of over 24 books about self-help and cost-saving consumer techniques. His latest book, "Boost Your Auto Fuel Economy and Cut Your Gas Costs by At Least 50%, Guaranteed," exposes bogus fuel-saving remedies, and explores advanced automotive science that has been tested and proven to increase fuel economy and help motorists save money. For more on the author or his works, or to learn more about his latest book, please visit: http://www.GetAutoFuelSavings.Org
Copyright © 2008 Benji O. Anosike
Judging by several public opinion polls and surveys periodically conducted among motorists and consumers by reliable national polling organizations, automobile gas costs and prices have been at the very top of the consumer concerns in Canada and the United States in recent years. Clearly, high and escalating cost of fuel are a great source of worry and concern by the consumers in these countries, and most consumers would love nothing better than to have them in the lower range today, as in the yester years.
In deed, just about everybody and every institution in the society, including the government of the day, frequently tell us that having lower prices and costs for fuel would be just about the most desirable and beneficial thing for the society and for almost everybody - economically, politically, and militarily. Just recently, only in December 2007, the U.S. Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007," designed to tackle precisely that very same concern - reducing the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by the year 2020. That will mean an increase of 40 percent in fuel economy over current situation, literally meaning a savings of some 40 percent in the fuel costs of the average driver compared to today.
Fine. But does everybody, do most motorists, know the reason why, exactly, it is really good and beneficial that the average motorist or consumer should have good fuel economy in his or her driving, any way - aside from just the obvious economic reason or benefit that it would save you fuel and put more money in your pocket?
Following below, are some of the most significant reasons and benefits, aside from simply the personal economic or financial benefit accruing to the individual motorist, why it will still pay you, any way, to have a life of good fuel economy any way, regardless.
A. SURE, IT IS (IN PART) ABOUT MONEY
First, to be sure, a prime reason why American and Canadian motorists seek fuel economy for their vehicle rides, has to do significantly or largely with money — to save money in their fuel costs. At a time when gas prices are near record highs in America and Canada, it is, rather quite understandable that many people would be searching for ways to "beat the pump" to make gas money go a little bit longer.
Recent news reports saturate the newspapers and the news media and airways daily, with stories about the economic woes and horrors of motorists "at the pump" who face escalating gas prices. American drivers, from Los Angeles, California, to New York, and from Michigan to Florida, and in between, who were formerly used to spending about $30 a week to fill up a 15-gallon tank a year or two ago, are today now said to be spending some $50 or more, thus cutting painfully deeper and deeper into their already overstretched home budgets. While in Canada, from Ottawa and Newfoundland to British Columbia, and from Nunavuit to Mannitoba Winnipeg, the pump prices for the motorists have reached as high as Canadian $1.25 per litre (the equivalent of about $5 a gallon for the U.S.) only recently.
Clearly, then, the simple logic and commonsense is quite understandable that one major reason why the contemporary American and Canadian motorists would want — and do want — to find ways to have a higher or better fuel economy, is for economic reasons: namely, to make some real savings in the hopefully lesser amount of fuel they use in the operation of their vehicles, as well as in the escalating and increasingly crushing prices and costs of fuel. A money savings of up to $1,500 per year in fuel costs could be a major reward you get, for example, by choosing to purchase the latest most efficient vehicle of the year in a particular class, according to the latest U.S. EPA/DOE estimate! Not a small (money) saving by any means or calculations whatsoever!
However, there are more reasons and benefits. It is more than just that.
B. IT'S MORE THAN JUST SAVING MONEY, THOUGH
1. Strengthens the National Energy Security
But seeking to attain, or actually attaining, fuel economy and fuel savings, are NOT all about or only about money, however. Or, about personal money savings that go back into one's own personal pocket. Rather, attaining that goal achieves an even higher "reward" and purpose — a national, patriotic, and more "strategic" purpose for America and/or Canada. In deed, for the Mother Earth!
How? Simply by making it more feasible for us to start the process of climbing out of one big, dangerous, and increasingly entrenched, critical national security problem that North America has today — it's called the problem of "American dependence on foreign oil." For example, by recent estimates of the Washington Post, the U.S. citizens use 24 % more gas today than they did some 17 years ago in 1990 — thanks to the 84 million gas-guzzling SUV's they are now driving these days. A whole 24% more! In fact, this "strategic" or public benefit or purpose, rather than merely private or personal benefit or purpose, is the major reason advanced by U.S. Congress and President Bush only recently, in December 2007, when the Congress enacted, and President Bush signed into law, the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" — a law designed to increase the supply of alternative fuel sources (of at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022), and to reduce the average driver's demand and usage of fuel by requiring that the driver meet a fuel economy standard of 35 MPG (miles per gallon) by 2020.
2. America's Increasing Dependence on Foreign Oil
But, get this. That is only counting since 1990! What about going a little further back before then? A May 2007 report by the NBC's Today Show featuring John Hofmeister, the Chairman of the Shell Oil Company, stated that in 1973 when the Middle East oil producers embargoed oil shipments to the United States in response to the Yom Kippur War, "At that time the country imported about 35 percent of its oil. Since then and through six different Presidents, America's dependence on foreign oil has increased to more than 60 percent." More than 60 percent — since 1973! But, get this connection: this 60-percent-plus figure in the amount of total oil usage by Americans today, is also largely imported, particularly from the Middle East. And consequently, what this means is that America remains increasingly "oil dependent" on foreign countries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at least more than 50 percent of the oil used to produce the gasoline you put in your tank today is imported. The bottom line: America and American consumers continue to be increasingly vulnerable to (i.e., slavishly dependent on) foreign countries and sources for their economic and strategic life and the security of the nation, in terms of what price they'll pay for gasoline at any given point in time, or when they'll get a supply of gasoline or not, or even whether they'll get it or not, or under what terms and conditions, and so on.
Here's the point here, therefore. To put it in simple terms, the fact is that, a an individual motorist, any the gas-saving methods and measures you can find and employ which can actually reduce the amount of gas wastage you have and can economize and save on your gasoline usage, will translate directly into strengthening our national energy security as Americans and Canadians by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Petroleum imports cost Americans about $4.4 billion per week (the U.S. Department of Energy figures). That's money, or a part thereof, that could be used to fuel our own American economy — in whole or in part.
3. Protects the Environment and Our Earth
Finally, saving gas, or having a better fuel economy, has yet another major dividend for the larger society and the humankind that is far more than just your personal pocketbook — it's good for the environment. Burning fossil fuel (meaning mostly gasoline and diesel that are the kinds of fuel used in automobiles), creates a whole host of environmental problems, such as adding 'greenhouse' gases, mostly carbon dioxide or CO2, to the Earth's atmosphere, creating air pollution and smog, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Consequently, having a good fuel economy in the operation of your vehicle, and using fuel more efficiently in that process, serves as well to protect the air, the land, water, and the wildlife around us, and to improve the quality of lives over all.
Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. By expert estimate, for every gallon of gasoline your vehicle consumes (burns), about 20 pounds of CO2 (170cu. Ft) is spewed into the atmosphere. Consequently, when you reduce gas wastage and save on your gasoline usage (by employing the methods outlined in Anosike fuel-savings manual for that), you also automatically reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide your vehicle burns or puts into the atmosphere — meaning that you directly reduce your own personal contribution to the above-described environmental problems and to global climate change. For example, it has been estimated by experts that just by engaging in one single act, namely, opting to buy a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon, rather than 20, you can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. Ft.) of greenhouse gases into this Mother Earth over the lifetime of your vehicle. Consider that!
SUMMARY
Summed up very simply, the task of attaining better fuel economy or of using less gas for your vehicle, is not just good for your pocketbook. It is, even just as importantly, if not more so, also good for our nations, as well as for our environment, and our Planet Earth. What could be a better or more noble purpose and objective overall, for a society, or for a member of that society!
That's even all the more cogent reasons why it pays very highly for you, as an individual and an American or Canadian, or as just plain human being in the world, that you should begin very seriously to engage in a credible program and behavior of effective green living, fuel-savings and fuel economy - the types that are fully outlined in the chapters of the manual mentioned below in author's box.
About the Author:
Benji O. Anosike, Ph.D., is an environmentalist and leader in the U.S."drive green" movement, and a best-selling author of over 24 books about self-help and cost-saving consumer techniques. His latest book, "Boost Your Auto Fuel Economy and Cut Your Gas Costs by At Least 50%, Guaranteed," exposes bogus fuel-saving remedies, and explores advanced automotive science that has been tested and proven to increase fuel economy and help motorists save money. For more on the author or his works, or to learn more about his latest book, please visit: http://www.GetAutoFuelSavings.Org
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tips To Help You Spot and Avoid Online Dating Scams
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Lance Metzger
When seeking romance on the Internet, you should be aware of the many scammers that are seeking to victimize those looking for love.
A friend of mine recently experienced a scammer's attempt to get into his wallet. I warned him of the danger, but he wanted his new girl to be real, so he was willing to remain optimistic through the entire process.
Don't get me wrong, I do not have a problem with optimistic people, especially since I live an optimistic life, even myself.
Through the entire process, my friend would call and ask what I thought of his interactions for that day. I tried not to be too critical of his potential new love, but I frequently cautioned him to look for red flags in her story.
Here is a short list of the Red Flags you should be aware of when seeking a date online:
Declarations of Love after only a few emails. When someone declares their undying love after only a few emails and before you have met them in person, the most impressive of red flags should be triggered. There are only two types of people who declare love, without first meeting you in person: 1] desperate stalkers (do you remember the movie, Fatal Attraction), or 2] scammers.
They Are Out-of-Country - They may say they are from the United States, but for whatever reason, they are outside the country currently. This is the first signal of their upcoming bait-and-hook strategy. What this generally leads to is a suggestion that they do not have the money to come home and they need your assistance to pay for their flight; or in one conversation I was involved, her U.S. babysitter is demanding money to pay for babysitting services for her young child. If you send them the money, they will lose it, or the money will be stolen from them, and they will need more so that they can get back home to you.
They Dodge Personal Questions - They always seem distracted or dim-witted when you ask them questions. Nine times in ten, they will never answer a question you asked. If you are wondering what is up, keep asking questions. This is important, and it takes us to our next red flag.
Look For Inconsistencies In Their Story - My friend finally caught the red flag when his girl, who had already explained that both of her parents had died in a car wreck four years before, slipped up. She said the reason that she chose to go to college in Nigeria (go figure) was that her dad "owns" a business there. (Which dad? Her dead one?)
Bad Grammar and Spelling - Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of people here in the U.S., who don't spell so hot. But those who are in the States will mask their poor spelling and grammar with plenty of abbreviations: LOL (Laughing Out Loud), BRB (Be Right Back), TTYL (Talk To You Later), CYA (See Ya), ROFLOL (Rolling On the Floor Laughing Out Loud), and WTF (What The ... you know). Foreigners don't know these keyboard shortcuts, nor would they understand why they would be used.
Lackluster Photographs - Frequently they show pictures with little or no quality, pictures that are hard to see. Some will actually have two or three good quality pics, but not more. (This isn't a perfect catch, since I only have two photos, one of which is from a professional photo place.) But, as has been pointed out many times before, the scammers will NEVER have a photo with their friends. If the scammer sends you a small photo, ask for a bigger copy. The scammer will not be able to produce one. (This is an area where my own photos can be seen to be real, as I can produce all my photos in their original monster-size.)
Lack of Local Knowledge - When my friend found his girl, she claimed to have been from a town only 15 miles from his home. Even if he had never been to her town, he could go to Google to find some information about her town (which he did). When they are from your town, you can ask them about favorite restaurants or party places. Don't be afraid to test them by asking about something that you know does not exist. If they claim knowledge of what you know does not exist, then you will have received a super huge red flag.
They Have No Family - This is frequently a hook for gaining your sympathy. Sometimes it might be true, we do know of people who have lost their whole families. But if they volunteer the information, without your first asking, then you definitely need to red flag that contact, and start looking for other red flags.
Many of these red flag items should not be viewed as absolute signals of a fraudulent flirt. But, when red flags start piling up, you should be fully aware of the very real potential of someone trying to scam you.
If you see any of these red flags, but you wish to remain optimistic, figure out what you think the bait-and-hook will be, and then make sure that you don't fall for it when it comes to you.
If an online lover requires you to spend money or give them money, then you need to notify the dating website where you met this person, so that the dating website can kick that person off the website.
My friend was seeing red flags left and right, and yet he desired to remain positive. I told him what the bait-and-hook would be, and he continued forward optimistically. Then on a lark, he put a sentence from his lover's first email into Google and discovered a word-for-word documentation of all of the emails he received from his girl on a website called: http://www.RomanceScam.com
My friend did not have to play the game until the bait-and-hook was offered. Instead, he was able to see well ahead of that play that his girl was sending him a series of form letters that she (or he) uses with many potential marks.
Fortunately, my friend was able to see the light before his phony girl got into his wallet. And hopefully, since you have now read this article and you are now aware of what is going on out there in the online dating world, you will not get taken to the cleaners either.
About the Author:
Lance Metzger writes about relationships, offline and online dating. If you liked this article, you can read more of Lance's articles here: http://www.nsadatingsite.com/articles.htm "No Strings Attached" simply means, "Let's get to know one another before we start making any commitments to one another." To explore No Strings Attached Dating, at a website where all members get free email, please visit the NSA Dating Site at: http://www.nsadatingsite.com
Copyright © 2008 Lance Metzger
When seeking romance on the Internet, you should be aware of the many scammers that are seeking to victimize those looking for love.
A friend of mine recently experienced a scammer's attempt to get into his wallet. I warned him of the danger, but he wanted his new girl to be real, so he was willing to remain optimistic through the entire process.
Don't get me wrong, I do not have a problem with optimistic people, especially since I live an optimistic life, even myself.
Through the entire process, my friend would call and ask what I thought of his interactions for that day. I tried not to be too critical of his potential new love, but I frequently cautioned him to look for red flags in her story.
Here is a short list of the Red Flags you should be aware of when seeking a date online:
Many of these red flag items should not be viewed as absolute signals of a fraudulent flirt. But, when red flags start piling up, you should be fully aware of the very real potential of someone trying to scam you.
If you see any of these red flags, but you wish to remain optimistic, figure out what you think the bait-and-hook will be, and then make sure that you don't fall for it when it comes to you.
If an online lover requires you to spend money or give them money, then you need to notify the dating website where you met this person, so that the dating website can kick that person off the website.
My friend was seeing red flags left and right, and yet he desired to remain positive. I told him what the bait-and-hook would be, and he continued forward optimistically. Then on a lark, he put a sentence from his lover's first email into Google and discovered a word-for-word documentation of all of the emails he received from his girl on a website called: http://www.RomanceScam.com
My friend did not have to play the game until the bait-and-hook was offered. Instead, he was able to see well ahead of that play that his girl was sending him a series of form letters that she (or he) uses with many potential marks.
Fortunately, my friend was able to see the light before his phony girl got into his wallet. And hopefully, since you have now read this article and you are now aware of what is going on out there in the online dating world, you will not get taken to the cleaners either.
About the Author:
Lance Metzger writes about relationships, offline and online dating. If you liked this article, you can read more of Lance's articles here: http://www.nsadatingsite.com/articles.htm "No Strings Attached" simply means, "Let's get to know one another before we start making any commitments to one another." To explore No Strings Attached Dating, at a website where all members get free email, please visit the NSA Dating Site at: http://www.nsadatingsite.com
Saturday, April 05, 2008
The Coming Age Of HDTV - What Does It Mean To Me?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Lloyd Howard
HDTV - high-definition television: it is something that has been discussed for some time now, however not everyone has a strong sense of what it is and why he or she would want to have it.
Because all television stations will be required to broadcast a digital signal after February 17, 2009, many viewers are beginning to ask a lot more questions about how the new digital age of television will affect their personal viewing experience. They want to know whether or not their television set will be compatible, whether or not they will have to replace it, and what steps they will have to take in order to keep watching their favorite shows.
How To Identify If Your Television Is An Analog TV
Analog television has been with us since the inception of television broadcasting. Analog is the old way of processing a television signal.
Television technology took a big leap in the 1960's with the transition from television tubes to circuit boards, but that conversion failed to bring with it any major strides in the quality of the television picture.
If your current television does not have a logo on its front that indicates DTV (Digital TV), EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV), or HDTV, then your television set is an analog TV.
Understanding The Transition From An Analog Signal To The New Digital Signal
Digital image processing is a technology that began in earnest during the 1970's, when Japanese technology companies began to explore the concepts of HDTV. The Japanese TV manufacturers were exploring ways to improve the picture quality of the television image, as a way to find more customers for their television products.
While Americans were busy playing with building the computer industry, the Japanese were hard at work trying to build a better television set. The first HDTV systems developed by the Japanese still relied on the old analog system of sending a broadcast signal to their televisions, but they were still able to produce a better television viewing experience.
When initially introduced to the U.S. Government, the new HDTV system produced a myriad of concerns, which included the issue of an analog HDTV-system needing more bandwidth than what was currently allotted to the television broadcasters.
In 1993, a consortium of American researchers and manufacturers (known as The Grand Alliance) joined forces to find a way to bring HDTV-quality to the American public, while keeping the bandwidth requirements of broadcasters within the existing limits.
Researchers soon understood that they would need to push at least part of the television signal in a digital format to make sure that HDTV could be transmitted within the limits currently allotted to the television broadcasters. By the time they had finished their work, the Grand Alliance had created a system that was 100% Digital.
In 1995, after considerable opposition from the television broadcast industry, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission officially set the standard for completely digital HDTV broadcasting system. This put into motion the events that are just now coming to fruition, with the rollout of the new Digital Television broadcasting system.
Although most television stations have been broadcasting a Digital Television Signal now for a few years, analog television owners have been none the wiser. But that will all change on February 17, 2009.
Will My Analog Television Stop Working In 2009?
The simple answer is "yes", but that does not mean that you will have to buy a new television in order to get the new digital broadcasts. While you may not need to replace your television set, you may have to make changes in how you get your television signal.
There are in fact three ways that the average consumer can continue to get a television signal using their old television set:
1. Subscribe to a cable television service (and use their digital television converter);
2. Subscribe to a satellite television service (and use their digital television converter); or
3. Buy a DTV converter (Digital TV Converter) to receive signals from your analog antenna and to convert that signal back to analog, so that you can continue to use your analog television. (If you receive your television signal over-the-air, the Federal Government has implemented a Coupon Program to help consumers offset the cost of the DTV converter boxes: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html )
Understanding The Three Facets Of The New Digital Technology
1. Lines Of Resolution
The newer digital technology is all about Lines Of Resolution. With more lines of resolution, the viewer will receive more image information, therefore bringing the viewer much more picture clarity and detail.
When the Japanese rolled out HDTV on the Japanese mainland, the lines of resolution numbered 1080. To put this into perspective, the standard analog TV signal exhibits 330 lines of resolution. This makes it more than clear that the original analog HDTV format really was a real issue for television broadcasters in the United States. To produce a resolution of 1080 lines on a system designed for 330 lines would have literally required three times the bandwidth of the current analog system.
Here are the standard television resolutions:
Analog Television - 330 Lines of Resolution
VCR's - 240 Lines of Resolution
DVD's - 480 Lines of Resolution
EDTV - 720 Lines of Resolution
HDTV - 1080 Lines of Resolution
There is a caveat to this chart though. The minimum requirement of the FCC is that broadcasters must produce a minimum of 720 Lines of Resolution. As a result, some broadcasters like ABC chose the 720-resolution, and yet they can still legally call their programming standard, HDTV.
Other broadcasters like PBS opted for the higher 1080 format. Good for them.
In 1998, when the first HDTV's became available to the buying public, the Headline News newscasters were joking that with the rollout of HDTV, we the audience would be able to see every blackhead and blemish on their faces. Of course, they were probably correct in that assumption. The detail of the HDTV-signal is absolutely amazing.
2. Aspect Ratio
Another factor connected to the new HDTV-format is the Aspect Ratio.
In a standard analog television, the Aspect Ratio is a 4-by-3, which nearly looks square. The 4-by-3 ratio means that it can be measured 4-parts wide to 3-parts high.
With the new HDTV format, the Aspect Ratio has been changed to the same format seen in the movie theatre - a 16-by-9 Aspect Ratio, or 16-parts wide to 9-parts high.
3. Sound Quality
The third factor connected to the new HDTV-format is Sound Quality. In fact, most HDTV programming will carry with it Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, as frequently heard on DVD's. So long as you have a surround sound unit attached to your television set, the surround sound will enable to the television viewer to be immersed in the sound, so much so as it often feels as if you are in the middle of the action happening on your television set.
In Conclusion...
While it is true that you do not need to upgrade your television from the analog format to the new digital format, you might seriously consider doing so anyway.
Now that we are quickly approaching the end of the analog-television era, the cost of HDTV television sets has fallen considerably. Whereas five years ago, the average HDTV cost in the range of $3-4,000, the cost of most HDTV's has fallen to under $1200 today. After February 17, 2009, the cost of HDTV should drop again, making it much more affordable to the general public.
Although it will be possible to convert the digital television signal to analog, you will lose the extra picture detail on the conversion. So, if you stick with your analog television, you will be restricting yourself to the quality of picture you are currently receiving, even after the change in television broadcasting formats is complete.
Although color-technology was first introduced to audiences with the release of The Wizard Of Oz in 1939, color television did not become mainstream until the late-1960's. And although the technology of color was mainstream, black-and-white televisions were still being manufactured and sold well into the 1980's.
Fortunately, this transition will be a bit quicker than the conversion from black-and-white to color. Under the FCC rules for the transition to digital television, television manufacturers were required to include a digital tuner in all television sets manufactured after March 1, 2006.
This conversion is much like the transition from AM to FM as the standard listening medium in the radio industry. Radio listeners could not listen to FM stations until which time they had upgraded their radio from AM to the AM/FM format. The same thing will happen here as well. If you want to receive the beautiful, high-quality HDTV images, you will need to upgrade to a television set capable of displaying the HDTV images.
If you have any lingering doubts about the better HDTV standard, all you need to do is to visit your local television store and see for yourself just how awesome of a picture HDTV actually produces. Just as Dolby Digital Surround Sound enables the listener to feel as if they are in the middle of the action on the television, HDTV permits the viewer to feel as if they are standing in the same room as the actors, on the sidelines at the football game, or on the same beach as the models - it really is that good of a picture.
About the Author:
Lloyd Howard writes about technology and business. Satellite TV providers continue to outpace the performance of cable companies in the conversion to digital television programming. For example, DirectTV will have more than 100 channels and 231 NFL Football Games available in HDTV this year. To compare Satellite Television services, visit http://www.placeingit.com/satellite The growth of the Internet has spurred some of the greatest opportunities for small business entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Visit the following website to learn more: http://www.gibline.com/lloyd559/revenue_sharing.html
Copyright © 2008 Lloyd Howard
HDTV - high-definition television: it is something that has been discussed for some time now, however not everyone has a strong sense of what it is and why he or she would want to have it.
Because all television stations will be required to broadcast a digital signal after February 17, 2009, many viewers are beginning to ask a lot more questions about how the new digital age of television will affect their personal viewing experience. They want to know whether or not their television set will be compatible, whether or not they will have to replace it, and what steps they will have to take in order to keep watching their favorite shows.
How To Identify If Your Television Is An Analog TV
Analog television has been with us since the inception of television broadcasting. Analog is the old way of processing a television signal.
Television technology took a big leap in the 1960's with the transition from television tubes to circuit boards, but that conversion failed to bring with it any major strides in the quality of the television picture.
If your current television does not have a logo on its front that indicates DTV (Digital TV), EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV), or HDTV, then your television set is an analog TV.
Understanding The Transition From An Analog Signal To The New Digital Signal
Digital image processing is a technology that began in earnest during the 1970's, when Japanese technology companies began to explore the concepts of HDTV. The Japanese TV manufacturers were exploring ways to improve the picture quality of the television image, as a way to find more customers for their television products.
While Americans were busy playing with building the computer industry, the Japanese were hard at work trying to build a better television set. The first HDTV systems developed by the Japanese still relied on the old analog system of sending a broadcast signal to their televisions, but they were still able to produce a better television viewing experience.
When initially introduced to the U.S. Government, the new HDTV system produced a myriad of concerns, which included the issue of an analog HDTV-system needing more bandwidth than what was currently allotted to the television broadcasters.
In 1993, a consortium of American researchers and manufacturers (known as The Grand Alliance) joined forces to find a way to bring HDTV-quality to the American public, while keeping the bandwidth requirements of broadcasters within the existing limits.
Researchers soon understood that they would need to push at least part of the television signal in a digital format to make sure that HDTV could be transmitted within the limits currently allotted to the television broadcasters. By the time they had finished their work, the Grand Alliance had created a system that was 100% Digital.
In 1995, after considerable opposition from the television broadcast industry, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission officially set the standard for completely digital HDTV broadcasting system. This put into motion the events that are just now coming to fruition, with the rollout of the new Digital Television broadcasting system.
Although most television stations have been broadcasting a Digital Television Signal now for a few years, analog television owners have been none the wiser. But that will all change on February 17, 2009.
Will My Analog Television Stop Working In 2009?
The simple answer is "yes", but that does not mean that you will have to buy a new television in order to get the new digital broadcasts. While you may not need to replace your television set, you may have to make changes in how you get your television signal.
There are in fact three ways that the average consumer can continue to get a television signal using their old television set:
1. Subscribe to a cable television service (and use their digital television converter);
2. Subscribe to a satellite television service (and use their digital television converter); or
3. Buy a DTV converter (Digital TV Converter) to receive signals from your analog antenna and to convert that signal back to analog, so that you can continue to use your analog television. (If you receive your television signal over-the-air, the Federal Government has implemented a Coupon Program to help consumers offset the cost of the DTV converter boxes: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html )
Understanding The Three Facets Of The New Digital Technology
1. Lines Of Resolution
The newer digital technology is all about Lines Of Resolution. With more lines of resolution, the viewer will receive more image information, therefore bringing the viewer much more picture clarity and detail.
When the Japanese rolled out HDTV on the Japanese mainland, the lines of resolution numbered 1080. To put this into perspective, the standard analog TV signal exhibits 330 lines of resolution. This makes it more than clear that the original analog HDTV format really was a real issue for television broadcasters in the United States. To produce a resolution of 1080 lines on a system designed for 330 lines would have literally required three times the bandwidth of the current analog system.
Here are the standard television resolutions:
There is a caveat to this chart though. The minimum requirement of the FCC is that broadcasters must produce a minimum of 720 Lines of Resolution. As a result, some broadcasters like ABC chose the 720-resolution, and yet they can still legally call their programming standard, HDTV.
Other broadcasters like PBS opted for the higher 1080 format. Good for them.
In 1998, when the first HDTV's became available to the buying public, the Headline News newscasters were joking that with the rollout of HDTV, we the audience would be able to see every blackhead and blemish on their faces. Of course, they were probably correct in that assumption. The detail of the HDTV-signal is absolutely amazing.
2. Aspect Ratio
Another factor connected to the new HDTV-format is the Aspect Ratio.
In a standard analog television, the Aspect Ratio is a 4-by-3, which nearly looks square. The 4-by-3 ratio means that it can be measured 4-parts wide to 3-parts high.
With the new HDTV format, the Aspect Ratio has been changed to the same format seen in the movie theatre - a 16-by-9 Aspect Ratio, or 16-parts wide to 9-parts high.
3. Sound Quality
The third factor connected to the new HDTV-format is Sound Quality. In fact, most HDTV programming will carry with it Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, as frequently heard on DVD's. So long as you have a surround sound unit attached to your television set, the surround sound will enable to the television viewer to be immersed in the sound, so much so as it often feels as if you are in the middle of the action happening on your television set.
In Conclusion...
While it is true that you do not need to upgrade your television from the analog format to the new digital format, you might seriously consider doing so anyway.
Now that we are quickly approaching the end of the analog-television era, the cost of HDTV television sets has fallen considerably. Whereas five years ago, the average HDTV cost in the range of $3-4,000, the cost of most HDTV's has fallen to under $1200 today. After February 17, 2009, the cost of HDTV should drop again, making it much more affordable to the general public.
Although it will be possible to convert the digital television signal to analog, you will lose the extra picture detail on the conversion. So, if you stick with your analog television, you will be restricting yourself to the quality of picture you are currently receiving, even after the change in television broadcasting formats is complete.
Although color-technology was first introduced to audiences with the release of The Wizard Of Oz in 1939, color television did not become mainstream until the late-1960's. And although the technology of color was mainstream, black-and-white televisions were still being manufactured and sold well into the 1980's.
Fortunately, this transition will be a bit quicker than the conversion from black-and-white to color. Under the FCC rules for the transition to digital television, television manufacturers were required to include a digital tuner in all television sets manufactured after March 1, 2006.
This conversion is much like the transition from AM to FM as the standard listening medium in the radio industry. Radio listeners could not listen to FM stations until which time they had upgraded their radio from AM to the AM/FM format. The same thing will happen here as well. If you want to receive the beautiful, high-quality HDTV images, you will need to upgrade to a television set capable of displaying the HDTV images.
If you have any lingering doubts about the better HDTV standard, all you need to do is to visit your local television store and see for yourself just how awesome of a picture HDTV actually produces. Just as Dolby Digital Surround Sound enables the listener to feel as if they are in the middle of the action on the television, HDTV permits the viewer to feel as if they are standing in the same room as the actors, on the sidelines at the football game, or on the same beach as the models - it really is that good of a picture.
About the Author:
Lloyd Howard writes about technology and business. Satellite TV providers continue to outpace the performance of cable companies in the conversion to digital television programming. For example, DirectTV will have more than 100 channels and 231 NFL Football Games available in HDTV this year. To compare Satellite Television services, visit http://www.placeingit.com/satellite The growth of the Internet has spurred some of the greatest opportunities for small business entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Visit the following website to learn more: http://www.gibline.com/lloyd559/revenue_sharing.html
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Planning Your River Rafting Trip With The Kids
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Norm Schoenhoff
Most kids will be thrilled to go on a whitewater rafting trip or adventure, and it's a terrific opportunity for a family vacation or get-together. You'll need to pack a few extra items to make sure the trip is fun and safe for everyone involved, and kids will need to dress appropriately for both water and on-shore activities.
Rafting with kids also requires a few extra safety precautions and considerations, and you may need to contact the outfitter to find out about extra amenities, safety protocol, and rafting lessons for your kids' first experience.
Here are some other key things to keep in mind as you plan your adventure:
Activities for Kids
Many whitewater rafting trip packages offer a number of activities beyond the river. From camping on the riverfront to hiking across the wilderness, kids can take part in a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities as part of their experience. If your kids have special needs, you'll need to make sure they will be all right with any activities, games, or adventures scheduled along with the trip.
Types of Trips Available
Beginner's whitewater rafting trips are usually perfect for kids, as these contain milder waterways and rapids. Review the different options available; there are many wonderful and exciting beginners' trips in Northern California, and these offer unique views, attractive camping sites, and adventurous rivers to watch the area's wildlife and scenic landscapes. You'll need to find a whitewater rafting trip that is simple, fun, and not too challenging; the South Fork American is one of the most appropriate whitewater rafting adventures for beginners, and is a great choice for kids of all ages.
Length of the Trip
Not all kids will enjoy an entire day or overnight trip for their first whitewater rafting adventure, so you may want to consider just a half-day trip instead. Many outfitters offer a wide range of packages and trip options, and you can still enjoy some of the best trips with just a half-day course. Consider different options depending on your kids' skill level, age, and general interest.
Rafting Company or Outfitter Protocol
Find out what the rafting company allows and doesn't allow for your trip. Some outfitters will provide all rafting gear and food for your entire trip, and others will offer facilities and camping equipment for your trip. You'll need to let them know how many kids will be joining you on the trip so that they can accommodate accordingly. If the outfitter is providing food and snacks, make sure they are aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies so that you have the right type of food on hand throughout the trip.
Packing Comfortable Clothing
Kids need to wear comfortable clothing that's appropriate for their trip and rafting experience. They'll need clothes that can be worn on the raft, and also the right clothing for any camping and nature trails that will be a part of the trip. Sandals, light shoes, and swimsuits work well for kids as they go on the water; then they'll need to layer for any hiking or camping activities on the shore. Pack these in a backpack or tote that's waterproof, so your kids can travel with exactly what they need.
Sleeping Bags and Camping Gear
If your whitewater rafting trips will last longer than a day, make sure you've packed along the right sized sleeping bags and camping gear. These can be stored in waterproof bags, and need to be kept separate from all dry clothing in case they do get wet along the trip. Make sure the kids have plenty of snacks - granola bars, non-perishable foods, and a few pieces of candy - to keep up their energy level until meal time.
Appropriate Shelter
Whitewater rafting trips that extend overnight need to include appropriate shelter and facilities for a good night's rest, this is not negotiable. This is especially important if you're sending kids off on a rafting adventure on their own; still, you'll need to plan for an appropriate camping spot that is safe and secure. Plan ahead by reviewing guides and maps from your outfitter, and get recommendations from experienced whitewater rafters in the area to find out where to set up camp.
Organizing a whitewater rafting adventure for kids is a great way to encourage them to try something new and exciting in the great outdoors. Just keep these important considerations in mind as you plan that trip, and be prepared for a unique and memorable adventure!
About the Author:
Norm Schoenhoff and his crew have been leading river rafting trips down four of the most beautiful Northern California white water rivers, since 1978. Whitewater Excitement provides trips designed for beginners to experienced rafters, with "Best in Class" standards of safety, service, pricing and quality. Church groups, business organizations, families, and groups of friends regularly make the fun and exhilarating river rafting trips down the rivers, with the expert rafters from Whitewater Excitement. Learn more by visiting: http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com
--
Bring the water adventure home. Install a hot tub in your house.
Copyright © 2008 Norm Schoenhoff
Most kids will be thrilled to go on a whitewater rafting trip or adventure, and it's a terrific opportunity for a family vacation or get-together. You'll need to pack a few extra items to make sure the trip is fun and safe for everyone involved, and kids will need to dress appropriately for both water and on-shore activities.
Rafting with kids also requires a few extra safety precautions and considerations, and you may need to contact the outfitter to find out about extra amenities, safety protocol, and rafting lessons for your kids' first experience.
Here are some other key things to keep in mind as you plan your adventure:
Activities for Kids
Many whitewater rafting trip packages offer a number of activities beyond the river. From camping on the riverfront to hiking across the wilderness, kids can take part in a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities as part of their experience. If your kids have special needs, you'll need to make sure they will be all right with any activities, games, or adventures scheduled along with the trip.
Types of Trips Available
Beginner's whitewater rafting trips are usually perfect for kids, as these contain milder waterways and rapids. Review the different options available; there are many wonderful and exciting beginners' trips in Northern California, and these offer unique views, attractive camping sites, and adventurous rivers to watch the area's wildlife and scenic landscapes. You'll need to find a whitewater rafting trip that is simple, fun, and not too challenging; the South Fork American is one of the most appropriate whitewater rafting adventures for beginners, and is a great choice for kids of all ages.
Length of the Trip
Not all kids will enjoy an entire day or overnight trip for their first whitewater rafting adventure, so you may want to consider just a half-day trip instead. Many outfitters offer a wide range of packages and trip options, and you can still enjoy some of the best trips with just a half-day course. Consider different options depending on your kids' skill level, age, and general interest.
Rafting Company or Outfitter Protocol
Find out what the rafting company allows and doesn't allow for your trip. Some outfitters will provide all rafting gear and food for your entire trip, and others will offer facilities and camping equipment for your trip. You'll need to let them know how many kids will be joining you on the trip so that they can accommodate accordingly. If the outfitter is providing food and snacks, make sure they are aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies so that you have the right type of food on hand throughout the trip.
Packing Comfortable Clothing
Kids need to wear comfortable clothing that's appropriate for their trip and rafting experience. They'll need clothes that can be worn on the raft, and also the right clothing for any camping and nature trails that will be a part of the trip. Sandals, light shoes, and swimsuits work well for kids as they go on the water; then they'll need to layer for any hiking or camping activities on the shore. Pack these in a backpack or tote that's waterproof, so your kids can travel with exactly what they need.
Sleeping Bags and Camping Gear
If your whitewater rafting trips will last longer than a day, make sure you've packed along the right sized sleeping bags and camping gear. These can be stored in waterproof bags, and need to be kept separate from all dry clothing in case they do get wet along the trip. Make sure the kids have plenty of snacks - granola bars, non-perishable foods, and a few pieces of candy - to keep up their energy level until meal time.
Appropriate Shelter
Whitewater rafting trips that extend overnight need to include appropriate shelter and facilities for a good night's rest, this is not negotiable. This is especially important if you're sending kids off on a rafting adventure on their own; still, you'll need to plan for an appropriate camping spot that is safe and secure. Plan ahead by reviewing guides and maps from your outfitter, and get recommendations from experienced whitewater rafters in the area to find out where to set up camp.
Organizing a whitewater rafting adventure for kids is a great way to encourage them to try something new and exciting in the great outdoors. Just keep these important considerations in mind as you plan that trip, and be prepared for a unique and memorable adventure!
About the Author:
Norm Schoenhoff and his crew have been leading river rafting trips down four of the most beautiful Northern California white water rivers, since 1978. Whitewater Excitement provides trips designed for beginners to experienced rafters, with "Best in Class" standards of safety, service, pricing and quality. Church groups, business organizations, families, and groups of friends regularly make the fun and exhilarating river rafting trips down the rivers, with the expert rafters from Whitewater Excitement. Learn more by visiting: http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com
--
Bring the water adventure home. Install a hot tub in your house.
Horses in California Are Quite Common, Even Outside of Hollywood
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Mention horses in California and some people will give you a bit of a strange look. Those who are unfamiliar with California with the exception of wine country in the Napa Valley and major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, for example, might wonder exactly where people in California would keep their horses. Of course, horses have been kept in California even into the modern age, even by ordinary Californians.
Most famously, Californian Ronald Reagan owned horses and was very fond of going on a ride, whenever he was at home. While the Reagan's occupied the White House, both Ronald and Nancy were the proud owners of Arabian horses. Ronald Reagan's horse was a white Arabian stallion named El Alamein, gifted to him in 1981 by the Mexican President, Jorge. Nancy's horse was a chestnut gelding named Catalina Muzraff.
Just as the Reagan's had their own working ranch called, Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, California, to the north and west of Los Angeles, many Californian's have working ranches and farms in every nook and cranny of the state.
Likewise, those who do their research will find that horses in California don't just exist on working cattle ranches. At many of the state's Pacific Coast beaches, it's possible to enjoy horseback riding on the beach. The same is true for those who are visiting the state's redwood forests, the Sierra Mountains and various other areas throughout the state.
That doesn't mean that all of the horses in California are only there for the benefit of those who are working on a cattle ranch or for tourists, plenty of regular folks who live in California also own horses. After all, with a trailer in tow, they too can take their horse and ride along the shore, on trails in the forests, in state parks and even in the Sierras.
Many others look for horses in California because, well, like anywhere else, they have a love of the animal and have the space to keep one. They know that they are able to take long rides in meadows and pastures. They know that their kids can benefit from learning to care for horses (in fact, one program uses horses in California to boost the self-esteem and nurturing abilities of kids and teens who are struggling). Others want to be able to work with horses and train them for rodeo events and other competitions. In some California counties, horse racing is an extremely popular sport.
Therefore, when it comes to horses in California, it's impossible to say that there is only a single breed that is most common. For those who are involved in racing and training horses for the racetrack, Thoroughbreds are a popular choice. Many choose Arabian horses for their beauty. Paint horses are common. And, of course, when it comes to ranching and rodeo horses in California, the American Quarter Horse is as popular and common as it is in Texas and Nevada.
When looking at horses for sale in California, part of the decision will be made based on why the person is buying a horse, in the first place. Someone who is planning to work their horse on a ranch is not going to look for a Thoroughbred or a warmblood horse; they are going to look at the American Quarter Horse, or possibly a Pinto or Paint horses, because those horses are better suited to the buyers' needs. Likewise, someone who is looking for horses in California because they intend to train it for dressage are going to look for different horses, than someone who will be racing or simply riding casually.
It's important to have an understanding of horse breeds and what constitutes a healthy horse when you're looking at a list of horses for sale. The condition of the horse's hair, teeth, hearing and eyesight are important. The horse's hooves should be strong and healthy. The horse should have a solid muscle structure and, those who are looking for horses in California know, the legs of the horse should be straight and free of bumps and scars that could indicate a previous injury. Because not every injury a horse has sustained will be clearly documented or visible, it's always important to have a horse checked out by a veterinarian before making a purchase.
Despite the way people from across the world may perceive California in their mind's eye, horses in California are quite popular and provide their owners with a great way to see some of the state's beautiful landscapes. Choosing a horse is a matter of understanding the reason why you are buying a horse, what breed of horse is best for that purpose, and focusing on finding a horse with the right disposition and temperament to create a long lasting relationship - something that's true whether you are buying horses in California or somewhere elsewhere.
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Horses for Sale in California. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Copyright © 2008 Robb Fowler
Mention horses in California and some people will give you a bit of a strange look. Those who are unfamiliar with California with the exception of wine country in the Napa Valley and major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, for example, might wonder exactly where people in California would keep their horses. Of course, horses have been kept in California even into the modern age, even by ordinary Californians.
Most famously, Californian Ronald Reagan owned horses and was very fond of going on a ride, whenever he was at home. While the Reagan's occupied the White House, both Ronald and Nancy were the proud owners of Arabian horses. Ronald Reagan's horse was a white Arabian stallion named El Alamein, gifted to him in 1981 by the Mexican President, Jorge. Nancy's horse was a chestnut gelding named Catalina Muzraff.
Just as the Reagan's had their own working ranch called, Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, California, to the north and west of Los Angeles, many Californian's have working ranches and farms in every nook and cranny of the state.
Likewise, those who do their research will find that horses in California don't just exist on working cattle ranches. At many of the state's Pacific Coast beaches, it's possible to enjoy horseback riding on the beach. The same is true for those who are visiting the state's redwood forests, the Sierra Mountains and various other areas throughout the state.
That doesn't mean that all of the horses in California are only there for the benefit of those who are working on a cattle ranch or for tourists, plenty of regular folks who live in California also own horses. After all, with a trailer in tow, they too can take their horse and ride along the shore, on trails in the forests, in state parks and even in the Sierras.
Many others look for horses in California because, well, like anywhere else, they have a love of the animal and have the space to keep one. They know that they are able to take long rides in meadows and pastures. They know that their kids can benefit from learning to care for horses (in fact, one program uses horses in California to boost the self-esteem and nurturing abilities of kids and teens who are struggling). Others want to be able to work with horses and train them for rodeo events and other competitions. In some California counties, horse racing is an extremely popular sport.
Therefore, when it comes to horses in California, it's impossible to say that there is only a single breed that is most common. For those who are involved in racing and training horses for the racetrack, Thoroughbreds are a popular choice. Many choose Arabian horses for their beauty. Paint horses are common. And, of course, when it comes to ranching and rodeo horses in California, the American Quarter Horse is as popular and common as it is in Texas and Nevada.
When looking at horses for sale in California, part of the decision will be made based on why the person is buying a horse, in the first place. Someone who is planning to work their horse on a ranch is not going to look for a Thoroughbred or a warmblood horse; they are going to look at the American Quarter Horse, or possibly a Pinto or Paint horses, because those horses are better suited to the buyers' needs. Likewise, someone who is looking for horses in California because they intend to train it for dressage are going to look for different horses, than someone who will be racing or simply riding casually.
It's important to have an understanding of horse breeds and what constitutes a healthy horse when you're looking at a list of horses for sale. The condition of the horse's hair, teeth, hearing and eyesight are important. The horse's hooves should be strong and healthy. The horse should have a solid muscle structure and, those who are looking for horses in California know, the legs of the horse should be straight and free of bumps and scars that could indicate a previous injury. Because not every injury a horse has sustained will be clearly documented or visible, it's always important to have a horse checked out by a veterinarian before making a purchase.
Despite the way people from across the world may perceive California in their mind's eye, horses in California are quite popular and provide their owners with a great way to see some of the state's beautiful landscapes. Choosing a horse is a matter of understanding the reason why you are buying a horse, what breed of horse is best for that purpose, and focusing on finding a horse with the right disposition and temperament to create a long lasting relationship - something that's true whether you are buying horses in California or somewhere elsewhere.
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find horses available for purchase in your state, please visit the HorseClicks website to review Horses for Sale in California. Many breeds of horses around the country are listed for sale at: http://www.horseclicks.com
Military Gear Online for Convenience at Low Prices
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Emerson Vance
If you are involved in military reenactments, enjoy hunting or amateur or professional soldiering, need good equipment for camping, or just collect military articles, then there are online outlets offering gear at low prices.
Online shops such as Emersons offer a wide range, and also the convenience of shopping online from your own home. This way you can check out everything on offer before coming to a decision. How often have you purchased an item from a shop and then seen something better shortly after - often in the same shop - because you hadn't the time to check out everything available.
You don't have that problem when shopping from home, and buying military gear gives the time to look right through the site before making your decisions. Online stores have a large range of military gear, from BDU gear in various designs, including tops and pants, to flight suits and a large range of thermal gear. You can get black or brown thermal tops with collared or crew necks, and corresponding bottoms.
T-shirts come in a variety of designs and colors, including alternative camouflage designs and also with armed forces logos on the front. Headgear of various designs is available in most online military gear stores, and black hoods, face masks and balaclavas are particularly popular. You can also purchase boonies, head nets and black and green berets. GI spec helmets with a number of difference covers offer a number of design combinations to suit your helmet needs.
One of the benefits of buying military gear online is that you can see the complete range of options of each individual item on one page and then click to see more details of the ones you like along with a larger image. OK, so you don't see the actual product, just a photograph, but in an offline store you would likely only see a part of the range on offer, and then have to move from store to store till you found what you wanted.
Buying online has the advantage that it is all done from the comfort of your home, and that you see everything the store has in stock. Many people are unsure of the security of providing their credit card details, but in fact it is much more secure online than offline. That's true. Online payment security is more secure since your details are encrypted and never seen by human eyes, unlike an offline payment system.
The reason for this is that an online store does not own the payment system, and has to use an approved merchant specializing in encrypted card processing. There is no possibility of the store or the processor seeing your card details, so it is as 100% secure as any system can be.
However, back to buying military gear online and what items are available. We've looked at the clothing, and now for the accessories. Military rucksacks, backpacks and Alice packs of various types can be purchased from online military stores, and you can also get butt packs, medical bags, laundry bags and duffle bags. If you have a need for a military bag, you will find it at an online store such as Emersons.
What else do you need? Canteens - there is a range of canteens and cups, and also the other accessories, such as a wide range of various types of compass essential for anybody trekking or hiking over unfamiliar terrain. In fact my three main accessories would be map, compass and water bottle. Fourth would come a knife. There is a massive number of knives available online and it is difficult to make the right choice.
A survival machete or sharp survival knife is probably your best choice, but sharpness is paramount and the blade must be strong and hold its edge well. Pocket knives and army multi-bladed knives are also useful, although should only be used as back-ups for your main blade. If you are going to be traveling in jungle or scrubland, then a good machete is also a necessity.
Other field equipment includes flashlights, whistles, mirrors and pouches and dog tags and tag silencers. You want a GI Government Issue flashlight, and these are available from some online military stores as are the other accessories. The camping gear you will definitely need includes waterproof storm matches, that will light even when wet, and perhaps a magnesium fire-starter. Finish it off with a chow kit and can opener, and also perhaps a mini shovel.
For sleeping you can get a range of sleeping bags, and while everybody has their own favorite, it is hard to beat a Snugpak that is available in various grades depending on whether you will be in Arctic or desert conditions. You might also need blankets, a mosquito net or an emergency revival blanket. You can purchase all of this military gear online.
To finish off, you will also likely want some face paint and perhaps insect repellant. There's nothing worse than cutting your way through jungle terrain while being bitten to death by thousands of bugs. The right insect repellant can reduce this, if not stop it altogether.
It is easy to source and purchase military gear online at great prices, so find your favorite online military store and happy hunting. And for a great gift idea, how about a Military Watch. They come in styles for all the Services.
About the Author:
If you are seeking military gear online all of your needs will be met at http://shopatemersons.com/military-surplus-store.html where you will find a wide range of clothing, accessories and military watches to suit every need.
Copyright © 2008 Emerson Vance
If you are involved in military reenactments, enjoy hunting or amateur or professional soldiering, need good equipment for camping, or just collect military articles, then there are online outlets offering gear at low prices.
Online shops such as Emersons offer a wide range, and also the convenience of shopping online from your own home. This way you can check out everything on offer before coming to a decision. How often have you purchased an item from a shop and then seen something better shortly after - often in the same shop - because you hadn't the time to check out everything available.
You don't have that problem when shopping from home, and buying military gear gives the time to look right through the site before making your decisions. Online stores have a large range of military gear, from BDU gear in various designs, including tops and pants, to flight suits and a large range of thermal gear. You can get black or brown thermal tops with collared or crew necks, and corresponding bottoms.
T-shirts come in a variety of designs and colors, including alternative camouflage designs and also with armed forces logos on the front. Headgear of various designs is available in most online military gear stores, and black hoods, face masks and balaclavas are particularly popular. You can also purchase boonies, head nets and black and green berets. GI spec helmets with a number of difference covers offer a number of design combinations to suit your helmet needs.
One of the benefits of buying military gear online is that you can see the complete range of options of each individual item on one page and then click to see more details of the ones you like along with a larger image. OK, so you don't see the actual product, just a photograph, but in an offline store you would likely only see a part of the range on offer, and then have to move from store to store till you found what you wanted.
Buying online has the advantage that it is all done from the comfort of your home, and that you see everything the store has in stock. Many people are unsure of the security of providing their credit card details, but in fact it is much more secure online than offline. That's true. Online payment security is more secure since your details are encrypted and never seen by human eyes, unlike an offline payment system.
The reason for this is that an online store does not own the payment system, and has to use an approved merchant specializing in encrypted card processing. There is no possibility of the store or the processor seeing your card details, so it is as 100% secure as any system can be.
However, back to buying military gear online and what items are available. We've looked at the clothing, and now for the accessories. Military rucksacks, backpacks and Alice packs of various types can be purchased from online military stores, and you can also get butt packs, medical bags, laundry bags and duffle bags. If you have a need for a military bag, you will find it at an online store such as Emersons.
What else do you need? Canteens - there is a range of canteens and cups, and also the other accessories, such as a wide range of various types of compass essential for anybody trekking or hiking over unfamiliar terrain. In fact my three main accessories would be map, compass and water bottle. Fourth would come a knife. There is a massive number of knives available online and it is difficult to make the right choice.
A survival machete or sharp survival knife is probably your best choice, but sharpness is paramount and the blade must be strong and hold its edge well. Pocket knives and army multi-bladed knives are also useful, although should only be used as back-ups for your main blade. If you are going to be traveling in jungle or scrubland, then a good machete is also a necessity.
Other field equipment includes flashlights, whistles, mirrors and pouches and dog tags and tag silencers. You want a GI Government Issue flashlight, and these are available from some online military stores as are the other accessories. The camping gear you will definitely need includes waterproof storm matches, that will light even when wet, and perhaps a magnesium fire-starter. Finish it off with a chow kit and can opener, and also perhaps a mini shovel.
For sleeping you can get a range of sleeping bags, and while everybody has their own favorite, it is hard to beat a Snugpak that is available in various grades depending on whether you will be in Arctic or desert conditions. You might also need blankets, a mosquito net or an emergency revival blanket. You can purchase all of this military gear online.
To finish off, you will also likely want some face paint and perhaps insect repellant. There's nothing worse than cutting your way through jungle terrain while being bitten to death by thousands of bugs. The right insect repellant can reduce this, if not stop it altogether.
It is easy to source and purchase military gear online at great prices, so find your favorite online military store and happy hunting. And for a great gift idea, how about a Military Watch. They come in styles for all the Services.
About the Author:
If you are seeking military gear online all of your needs will be met at http://shopatemersons.com/military-surplus-store.html where you will find a wide range of clothing, accessories and military watches to suit every need.
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