How To Backpack And Travel Safely In South America

Becoming a victim of crime is a possibility no matter where you travel nowadays - even when you stay at home! However, being aware of some of the popular scams and tricks that criminals and opportunists use to victimize tourists can help avoid problems that could ruin a good trip.

South America is a popular destination for world travellers and especially for backpackers, adventure enthusiasts and those taking a gap year. The country certainly has plenty to offer and a wonderful variety of landscapes from tropical beaches to the spectacular Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls, active volcanoes, and fascinating wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Many travellers choose to take in the exciting and colourful fiestas and carnivals, or visit the sites of ancient civilizations. (Tip: To avoid disappointment, tickets to visit the Inca Trail and ruins at Machu Picchu should be purchased in advance).

The best travel advice is to do lots of research and set off armed with as much knowledge as possible. Take a quality guide book and Spanish and Portuguese phrase books. Chances are that nothing bad will happen but, unfortunately, travellers are vulnerable and criminals know it. They will take any opportunity to separate you from your money and possessions! The most common crimes anywhere in the world involve theft and pickpockets and theft of passports is a huge problem worldwide. Care should be taken in places where it is easy to be distracted and forget to watch your belongings, such as airports, internet cafes, on public transport or while renting a car. Avoid using public transport at night or walking alone at night in isolated areas.

Thieves have been known to target tourists by pretending to be police officers, tour operators, taxi drivers, or other officials (for example, a real police officer will never ask to see your wallet!) Taxis should be booked in advance with a reputable company, when possible. So called 'express kidnappings' are a problem in some areas where victims have been held captive and their bank accounts emptied before they are released. Female travellers should be especially cautious, especially when walking alone at night, on public transport, and in isolated areas, as rapes have been reported. Be on guard also for spiking of drinks - a problem which has become more prevalent. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers, leaving drinks unattended, and make sure that they are poured in plain view.

Be aware that many shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels may not accept credit cards in South American countries. Watch for counterfeit money and bogus ATM machines. In Peru, in particular, some ATM machines do not release credit and debit cards automatically unless a button is pushed - and instructions are not always written in English! It goes without saying that travellers should avoid all contact with illegal drugs or drug trafficking as the penalties are severe, involving imprisonment for long periods in extremely unpleasant conditions.

All travellers, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions, should have a thorough check-up and necessary vaccinations before leaving home. Diseases like yellow fever, dengue fever, cholera, and malaria are problematic in many areas. Evidence of valid inoculations may be required to travel between some countries in South America.

The above tips are just a sample of the knowledge travellers should be armed with before setting off. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office 'Know before You Go' campaign is an excellent resource for travellers. Their 'Travel Advice by Country' section contains current travel updates and advisories and the Travellers Checklist is another useful tool. Young travellers should pay attention to their Gap Year information. Avoid attracting the attention of police, keep the locals happy, and impress your travel companions with your awareness of local customs, laws and expected etiquette for each country.

Adventure travellers and adrenalin junkies will find plenty of outdoor activities and thrills. Activities like kayaking, white water rafting, surfing, hiking, mountain biking and mountaineering are popular. Care should be taken to ensure that the correct travel insurance policy is purchased which will provide cover for any potentially hazardous sports activities. Chile and Argentina are popular destinations for downhill skiing during the UK summer months and, again; don't forget that additional insurance coverage may be needed.

Many areas in South America are remote with limited access to good emergency medical facilities. If a medical emergency should arise, medical care or evacuation and repatriation may be necessary. Without comprehensive travel insurance the costs could be astronomical and mean the end of any further world travel plans for a very long time!

By: Jean Andrews

Tenancy Laws Every Landlord Should Know

Laws vary from state to state and it is up to you to find out more about them. But here are a few general guidelines and questions which may help you discover what your state dictates with regard to these issues. Find out simple things like a limit on the amount of rent increase you can ask for, any interest on the security deposit you need to pay, maximum period of retaining a security deposit after the tenant leaves, any fee you can charge in case of late payment and how long you have to wait before you can demand for that fee, etc.

The rental agreement you draw up is usually taken care of by the attorney but it would not hurt to find out more about it. Find out about the various legal documents required in your state and how you can tailor these forms/ documents to suit your needs. In addition, learn more about where these documents get legally recorded ? related fees, taxes etc. A good attorney can usually see you through all of this safely.

It is essential that you know about the housing acts in your state. Tenants are usually guaranteed with some basic rights such as a dwelling fit for human habitation, unlawful discrimination, power to hold the landlord liable in case of damages caused due to the landlord?s negligence and protection against being locked out without a legal notice. You need to make sure that you do not falter here and in case of disagreements with regard to the above, you carry out the procedures legally.

When it comes to disclosing facts about the rental you need to cover a range of issues. Some states may require specific checks to be conducted on the house and the results revealed to the tenants ? like sexual predators in the neighborhood, presence of radon gas etc. There are both federal and state requirements regarding disclosure of certain facts to tenants and you must adhere to these.

Most of the above can be handled by yourself but when it comes to evictions, you need a good attorney and a thorough knowledge of the laws. If you at least have a basic idea then you may not do anything rash like shutting off the power supply because of a late payment. You need to find out the conditions on which an eviction is actually applicable. Additionally find out the exact procedure, the notice you will have to serve, the total cost etc. This will help you judge if you even want an eviction as opposed to a settlement out of court. If you do seriously consider eviction, hire yourself a decent attorney.

Knowing your laws is important as you want to stay well within the legal boundaries. It will make your life simpler and prevent you from making rash decisions that may cost you an arm and a leg.

Sadiya Anjum - ChoiceOfHomes.com - Find listings of Homes for Rent online. Home owners / landlords may also advertise their home rental online.

Cosmetics Guide: Chanel

Background:
Coco Chanel (born Gabrielle in 1883) began her fashion career after opening a millinery shop in 1912 making simple but stylish hats. A ready market helped her expand into clothes and by the 20?s she had built a substantial fashion house with its emphasis on comfortable elegance. It swept away the fussy, sometimes painful clothes considered suitable for women of the time and her designs blended features previously exclusively male with innovative fabrics. They were astonishing to the more rigid tastes of the times and marked a liberation in women?s fashion. Her signature creations included the jersey suit and dress, the draped turban, the chemise, pleated skirts, the cardigan suit, the little black dress, the sling pump, the box jacket, the strapless dress and the trench coat.

Chanel first branched into perfumes in 1922 with the iconic No 5 (it was the fifth and last in a selection she had commissioned). As with her fashion it defied norms. When most perfume bottles of the time were ornate hers was simple and modern, when others reflected a single floral essence (rose, lily of the valley) hers was a complex mix of natural and synthetic and the name itself was at odds with the standard overly-poetic naming conventions.

Cosmetics Range:
The House of Chanel today produces a select range of cosmetics and fragrances. Their make up includes products for the face (foundation, powder, concealer, blush); eyes (mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrows); lips (lipsticks, lip gloss, lip liner, lip care); nails (nail enamel, nail care). The skin care range includes cleansers, toning lotions, exfoliation and masks. The fragrance range starts with No 5 but also comprises Chance, Allure, Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, No 19, Cristalle, Exclusifs Boutiques, and for men, Allure Homme, Allure Homme Sport, Anteus, Platinum Egoiste and Pour Monsieur.

Poker Fans Embrace Online Backgammon

Condo Hotels: Baby Boomer's New Retirement Option

Despite national reports citing the real estate frenzy is approaching a freeze, there is a rising demographic that will continue to heat the market: The Baby Boomers. As they pursue their quest for the ideal vacation or retirement home, analysts suspect that this equity-rich group of retirees will keep the momentum of the market at a steady pace.

The historical components of the last 50 years helped to shape the profile of the Baby Boomer. Absorbing the examples of their parents, who experienced the economic constriction of the Depression and rationing of World War II, Boomers have been traditionally conservative spenders. Snapping up real estate, flipping properties and trading up houses during the time when Boomers were having their children in the late 60?s and early 70?s was not common. All changed with the red hot economy of the mid 90?s. Riding the wave of the peaking economy, the conservative spenders soon became savvy investors. Though the sizzling stock market burned out with the dot-com bust of the late 90?s, low interest rates coupled with amended tax laws fueled the housing boom of the early 2000?s. With children exiting college and retirement on the horizon, Boomers redirected their investing in real estate.

New research indicates that the number of second homes purchased between 2000 ? 2004 has nearly doubled. The value of homes doubled as well, with the average home rising 55% during these 4 years. Keunwon Chung, a statistical economist at the National Association of Realtors, says the Baby Boomers, especially those with above average incomes, are primarily motivating the second home market. Chung cites one reason these Boomers are snapping up homes is to diversify their financial portfolio. Another reason is to position themselves for their golden years. Tax friendly retirement states such as Florida, Arizona, and Nevada already have witnessed an explosive growth in both home construction and appreciation. Florida experienced a 25% increase in home prices last year, with one in five of those homes being purchased as a second home or investment property. Nevada?s home prices increased 17%, with a comparable rate being purchased as an investment property. The U.S. Census Bureau expects this rate to steadily continue and predicts second home purchases from Baby Boomers will reach 6.4 million units by 2010.

Most Baby Boomers are seeking luxury in their second home purchases. According to a Coldwell Banker survey, the Boomer generation ??wants luxurious homes and wants to remain active.? Neil Howe, author and expert on generational theory, confirms this by stating, ?Boomers want to live somewhere where they can remain active. They want to be near cultural and spiritual hubs that keep them connected with community and culture.? And this generation can afford their desires. From the accumulation of wealth through the stock market, home equity, and inheritance, along with the earning power of working during retirement years, Boomers have more money than any previous retiree generation. Studies from Harvard, NAR, and NAHB all agree that Boomers will most likely use their cash resources and home equity to purchase multiple residences that focus on prime location and amenities. While condos traditionally filled this requirement, a growing number of Boomers are now turning to condo hotels, condotels, and other various resort style residential options.

Condo hotels appeal to Boomers because it markets luxury and location, the two main ideals these Boomers are looking for to sustain their dynamic lifestyle. ?Why buy a condo in town that sits empty for ? of a year when they can own a condo hotel, have to five star amenities available to them, be centrally located in a top vacation destination, and receive rental income?? says Steven Roszell, owner of CondoHotels.com and HotelsForSale.com. The rental of the condos, provided by the hotel management company when the condo is unoccupied, is another main attraction of condo hotels for Boomers. Bob Waun, of vacation-finance.com, says that although Boomers desire resort style living and luxurious amenities, not all Boomers may afford it. Says Waun, ?Fewer than 20 million (26.5%) of US Boomers will be wealthy enough to afford a whole-ownership second home without rental income.? But because of the rent potential, condo hotels offer ?subsidized luxury that will be a growing choice among savvy Boomers.? Waun also believes sheer Boomer demand will motivate the condo hotel market. He cites, ?if only 1% of this generation demands condo hotel as a second home option, 1.45 million units will be needed. That?s 96,000 condo [hotel units per year, every year?.? for the next fifteen years that Boomers will be retiring. Considering that currently the US has only a handful of markets for condo hotel resorts, it is probable that that demand will supersede supply.

78 million US Baby Boomers retiring over the span of the next 15 years will undoubtedly make an impact on the real estate market. With the oldest of the Boomers turning 60 this year, realtors are getting reading to accommodate their demand. ?We will see large market cycles in the condo hotel market,? says Roszell, ?and CondoHotels.com is ready for it.? Though explosive appreciation and development is not anticipated, analysts do agree that the Boomers will help sustain a buoyant real estate market.

Steven Roszell is owner and operator of CondoHotels.com and HotelsForSale.com and specializes in the sale of Lodging and Hospitality properties around the world. Based out of Denver, Colorado, Steve has been hailed by the Denver Business Journal as one of Colorado's Heavy Hitters.

Steven brings 15 years of real estate knowledge to his businesses. Being a licensed real estate broker in Colorado and Florida, Steven has been able to build a vast network with both real estate developers and owners. Throughout his career, he has worked with several high profile clients including Turnberry Associates, Millennium Partners, W Hotels, WCI Communities, Citibank, and the United States Government.

Steven remains current with real estate industry news by attending trade shows and conferenes. He is considered an expert in his field and has been quoted in many internet newswires.

California Defaults Up 67%

Mortgage defaults rose to a three-year high in California for the second quarter of 2006. The 67% year-to-year increase saw 20,752 default notices sent to homeowners across the state.

When compared to the first quarter, the increase was 10.5%, up from 18,778. There were 12,408 notices sent out in the second quarter of 2005. Notices of default mark the first step in the foreclosure process.

This is an important trend to watch, but doesn't strike us as ominous, said Marshall Prentice, DataQuick's president. We would have to see defaults roughly double from today's level before they would begin to impact home values much.

Prentice added that due to the extreme low numbers of defaults in recent years, most industry experts have expected to see defaults rise as home appreciation slowed.

We hear a lot of talk about rising payments on adjustable-rate loans triggering borrower distress, he said. While there's no doubt some of that is going on, as far as we can tell the spike in defaults is mainly the result of slowing price appreciation.

Slowing prices make it more difficult for homeowners to sell their homes for the amount they owe. Many are left with more debt than home value.

With the increases in interest rates over the past two years, the formerly booming market has begun a slowdown. California defaults hit a low of 12,145 in the third quarter of 2004. During 2004, home prices were gaining over 20% annually.

This year, annual price gains have fallen into single digits in many of California's key markets, according to DataQuick data. As home prices level out, more defaults are expected to come.

In July, median home prices in San Diego and Sacramento counties fell about 1% for the year. Second-quarter defaults rose by 99% in San Diego County and 109% in Sacramento County.

DataQuick reported that defaults remain one-third the peak levels reached in 1996, the last time a housing recession hit California.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

The Greek Island of Corfu

Crescent shaped Corfu, the second largest and most beautiful of the Ionian Islands (the Eptanissa or Seven Islands) is located in the north of the Ionian Sea, across from Italy and 3 km from the Albanian coast on the east. The name is derived from the Greek korifo or summit, which refers to the Acropolis where the city stands and where refuge was sought from pirates during the Byzantine period. To the Greeks it is known as Kerkyra, from Corcyra, its ancient capital city. Verdant and fertile from abundant rainfall and lavishly picturesque, its great natural beauty and local color is its enchantment. Unlike the islands of the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, etc.) the scenery is not composed of white cubic houses on barren stretches of rock. Corfu is endowed with a landscape of rustic scenery and woodlands, rich plains, hills, flourishing olive groves, imposing mountains, valleys, lakes, charming harbors and bays, long coasts with broad beaches, and traditional villages, which provide spectacular vistas and quite a variety of destinations for the tourist. Many powers dominated the island over its long history but it was the lengthy presence of the Venetians that gave the island its character and permeated the culture, art, music, and mostly notably, the architecture, and cuisine. It was the setting used by many writers from Shakespeare's The Tempest, to Lawrence Durell's Prospero's Cell, and Gerald Durell's, My Family and Other Animals.

Inhabited since around 70,000 to 40,00 B.C. (Upper and Middle Paleolithic periods), it is widely believed the ancient seafaring Phaeacians resided there (when Homer's Odysseus came ashore before reaching Ithaca). The colony of Corcyra, the ancient capital, was settled by Corinth in 734 B.C. and never part of the Golden Age of Greece but in the Second Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.) Athens came to the aid of Corcyra against Corinth. Under Roman rule in 229 B.C. Corfu opposed Augustus Caesar (31 B.C.) to support Antony and Cleopatra and was punished by having its monuments destroyed. The Romans finally lost control; in the 6th century A.D. the Vandals wrought havoc on the island, and in the 11th century the Normans' rule was interspersed by the raids and plundering of Crusaders. After laying siege to Corfu the Byzantines rid the island of the Normans. The French controlled it in intermittent spurts and then lost it when Napoleon fell from power.. The Ottomans did not oppress the island for four hundred years as they did the rest of Greece but working in partnership with the Russians from 1799 to 1807 they signed the treaty that formed the Seven Island State of Corfu. The British were the last to rule before it became part of Greece in 1864, and contributed to developing agriculture, building schools, roads, bridges, administrative buildings, and hospitals. Mussolini invaded in WW II and when Italy surrendered to the Allies Germany retaliated by massacring Italians; the whole community of Corfiote Jews was wiped out.

Indeed the first destination as a tourist is Corfu Town on the east coast, when coming in by ferry from the port of Igoumenitsa on the mainland (an hour and a half ride). The visibly green and historic town seems to spill up onto the promontory and outwards, as the ship glides in at the dock at Mandouki The town is divided into districts: the historic center with the old port and Byzantine Fourio (fortress), the old Venetian neighborhoods of Campiello above the harbor; Kofineto with the well known Esplanade used for public events (the cricket pitch at one end was left by the British), flanked by the arcaded street, Liston, designed during the French occupation to look like Rue du Rivoli in Paris, now lined with caf?s; the commercial district next to it and the area of the new fortress with the market and what is left of the old Jewish quarter. Renovations made after the 1994 EU summit have left it quite attractive. The old town, with its Venetian air is captivating and colorful; diverse architectural styles, 18th century shuttered buildings, a Catholic Church above a steep stairway, narrow alleyways, clotheslines hung between tenements (a characteristic feature of Corfu town), tourist shops and boutiques weave an interesting tapestry.

Numerous worthwhile sites await the tourist. The Archaeological Museum showcases the well-preserved massive (17m) archaic sculpture of the Gorgon Medusa from the 6th century B.C. Temple of Artemis at Corcyra. The impressive Asian Museum, housed in the Palace of Sts. Michael and George, built as a residence for the British High Commissioner in 1819 and later used by the Greek monarchy, contains a fabulous collection of Oriental Art (screens, porcelain, bronze, etc.) amassed and donated by a Corfiot diplomat. Nearby is a museum dedicated to the famous 19th century Greek poet, Dionyssios Solomos, who penned the Greek national anthem. In the restored church of the Panagia (Our Lady) of Andivouniottissa, the Byzantine Museum houses a fine collection of church frescoes and mosaics from the site of Paleopolis (the old city), pre-Christian artifacts, and icons from the 15th to 19th centuries. The most famous church in the town is Agios Spyridon, where its patron saint's mummified relics can be viewed. St. Spyridon (who attended the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 A.D. and for whom much of the island's males and females is named after) is accredited with saving Corfu from a plague in 1632 and from famine in the 17th century; during WW II the church was untouched by Nazi bombs. The relics are paraded in Corfu town on Palm Sunday, Easter, and August 15th, when the town is transformed into a stirring spectacle of cramped streets flooded with townspeople trailing in religious precession (accommodations are booked solid for those days so plan ahead).

On the outskirts south of the town, the woodland estate of Non Repos, built in 1824 by the British and given to Greece in 1864 was the birthplace of Prince Phillip, husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth. Its museum contains archaeological finds, period furniture, and modern exhibits. Temples dedicated to Poseidon and Hera are on its grounds. Just 4 km south of the town, where once sat the ancient capital of Corcyra, is a peninsula. The gorgeously green hill above it, with a stunning vista, is the area of Kanoni where the French had artillery in 1798 (one cannon remains). At the tip of Kanoni, below the hill, is the most photographed, tiny, tree filled islet of Pondikonissi (Mouse Island), one version claims it to be the petrified ruins of one the Phaeacian ships that took Odysseus back to Ithaca; Vlaherna and its little white convent of the same name is the islet next to it, attached to the peninsula by a causeway.

A huge new water park, Aqualand is 9 km west of the town in Agios Ioannis and offers family activities. There are also many excursions and boat trips from Corfu town to keep one on the go. In the rustic village of Gastouri (4.5 km sw) lies the Achillion, the neoclassical summer palace of the Empress Elizabeth (Sissy) of Austria, built in 1890 with an interior of mixed styles and frescoes of heroes and philosophers. A museum in the morning, at night it turns into a casino; located on the top floor, it opens onto a romantic terrace, lined with statutes of the muses and surrounded by a lush, overgrown terraced garden leading to the sea. The famous statue of Achilles, her favorite hero, graces the garden; beyond is a magnificient view of the island.

Touring the island further south on the east coast is the popular resort town Benitses that has toned down its wild image over the years; besides lots of accommodation and good food, there is traditional village with winding streets, a fine shell museum, and ruins of a Roman bathhouse. Further down at the tourist resorts of Moraitika and Mesongi the beaches are better and Ano Moraitika has an unspoilt village a steep walk up At Boukari the coast of pebbled beaches is quieter and, inland, is the out of the way woodland of Argirades, ideal for nature lovers and peaceful walks. Almost at the southern tip inland, amongst lovely olive groves, is Corfu's second largest town, Lefkimi, situated on the largest plain of the island; some interesting architecture and several pretty churches can be seen and as its limits extend to the sea it is a port of call and has a lovely bay and cape.

Coming up around from the southern tip through Agia Varvara, the lovely sandy beach sweeps up toward Lake Korission (5km long), surrounded by dunes and marshes and inhabited by tortoises, turtles, lizards, indigenous birds. Traveling up past numerous beaches, is the inviting Halkouna beach and then Prasouda, and Paramonas. Going inland toward a 13th century castle and further inland are the wooded slopes of the promontory of Agia Deka; below the peak is a monastery and flourishing orchards. Back to the beach at Agios Gordios, popular with backpackers because it's near Mt. Deka and continuing upward are the best beaches on the west coast. Pelakas, reknowed for its lovely beach and spectacular sunsets that can be viewed high above the village at Kaiser's Throne; broad, sandy Glyfada, and the very charming Myrtiotissa whose praises Lawrence Durrell sang in Prospero's Cell complete the trio. The area has many large, luxury hotels and facilities for water sports.

Still northbound, the busy resort of Ermones is in a pretty verdant setting with the mountains in the background. Inland on the Ropas plain is the Corfu Golf Club which is perhaps one of the largest in Europe. The stunningly beautiful village of Paleokastritsa with its coves, luscious greenery, dramatic rocky promontory and indescribably beautiful blue green water is certainly the gem of Corfu. It may have been the Homeric city of Scheria where Odysseus was washed ashore and Nausica brought him to her father, the Phaeacian King Alkinous. Diving, water sports, and boat trips to other beaches and seawater caves or grottos offer fun in the sun and fantastic views of the coast. Perched above the village is the picturesque 13th century monastery of Theotokou that has a museum with an impressive collection of Orthodox icons and relics of the church. The ruins of the 13th century Byzantine Fortress of Angelokastro built by the Despot of Epiros is 6 km up the coast, accessible from the village of Krini, which offers more spectacular views from above the coast. Nearby, inland, is another unspoilt village, Lakonos.

Further up the coast is Agios Georgios, a busy windsurfing center. The long, sandy beach of Agios Stefanos attracts families; a boat trip from the harbor is a great way to explore the Diapondia islands: Erikousa, Othoni, and Manthraki, thinly populated but boasting stunning views. More tourist resorts wind up around the northern coast: the hilly and picturesque Avliotes, Sidhari (near camping facilities), and Roda with its rocky, swampy beach in parts, camping and horse riding. . Aravi offers a route to the slopes of Mt. Pandokrator, the island's highest peak, passing small hamlets like Lafki and Agios Martinos, another entry point to the slopes, winds north to the western side of the mountain after Pyrgi. Strinylas is a popular village with walkers. Almyros beach is one of the longest on the island. Northeast, the Andinioti lagoon, a haven for birds is near Cape Ekaterinis, the northern end of the Corfu Trail, a 200 km, ten day hiking path opened in 2001 whose southern end is at Cape Asprokavos.

Coming down south from the cape is the resort and fishing village of Kassiopi, another port of entry; it is said that the Roman Emperor Tiberius once had a villa there and the 16th century church of the Panagia Kassopitra may have been the site of a temple of Zeus. Not to be missed: the idyllic setting of the harbor and bay of Kouloura, amidst the pine trees; Kalami, a quaint village noted for its most famous resident, Lawrence Durrell, who lived in the White House (now a taverna) and wrote Prospero's Cell: and the cove of Agni where flocks of people come to taste its exceptionally good Corfiot food. Winding down the steep mountain road one comes to Barbarti, the best beach on the northeast coast and popular with families. Closing the circle, outside of the town to its north is the yachting marina of Gouvia and the very popular, narrow pebbled beaches and tree-lined bays of Ipssos and Dassia.

Wherever one goes on Corfu there is always seductively good Corfiot food beckoning in tavernas be it sofrito, bourdetto, traditional Greek dishes or fresh grilled fish and an island nightlife of live Greek music, discos, or local tavernas where guitars strum Corfiot melodies. Accommodations range from back packers specials to quaint or modern apartments to luxury hotels in idyllic locations. Whether its diving in crystal clear waters, walking through olive groves, mountain biking, sailing, windsurfing, horse back riding, or island excursions Corfu offers a unique holiday on an island of rich historical and cultural heritage and much to satisfy one's curiosity.

About the Author

Visit www.MyGreeceTravel.com to get help in planning, preparing and organizing your travel to Corfu and the rest of the Greeck Islands.

How to Cure Lower Back Pain In Days

My husband had lower back pain for 10 years. X-rays had revealed that he had a slightly slipped disc in his back. He had been to see Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Sports Therapists, Acupuncturists, Physiotherapists and nothing had worked.

Eventually he allowed the pain to control him and he grew frustrated and worried daily about how he would play with our children when the time came.

After 10 years and an unknown amount spent on professionals we were willing to try anything.

We experimented with various techniques and this is what we found:

When we focus on something, we give it energy.

When we focus on pain, we attract pain.

When we focus on love, we attract love.

Our bodies are designed to be healthy- If your body is in a state of dis-ease it is trying to tell you something is wrong.

There may be various reasons why your body has created this dis-ease and it is up to you to play detective. In my husband?s case it was more than one reason.

Firstly, he lower back region of the body relates to support and finances. My husband has not had the support he needed from his family and friends and whenever we returned from a family visit his back was much worse.

Secondly, he might be creating the lower back pain in order to NOT participate. Now I know this might sound like self sabotage and that is EXACTLY what it is. In order for him to not make a fool of himself or fail at the activity he simply gave himself back pain as an excuse to not even try.

Now, you have to understand that this is all SUBCONSCIOUSLY. He did not ?give? himself pain knowingly.

Your subconscious is immensely powerful.

It has a primary goal: To make whatever you believe to be true.

Say, ?My back is killing me today? and it will probably hurt twice as much as it normally does.

Pay attention to your words and thoughts. Your subconscious is ALWAYS listening.

And that?s why we decided to use it to our advantage.

Affirmations. Ever heard of them? Yes, the mantras you recite over and over to yourself in the hope that what you say comes true.

Well, guess what?

They work!

He wrote the following on a small piece of cardboard and carried it in his pocket and every time he went to the bathroom he would repeat it over and over- about 50 ? 100 times a day.

I LOVE BEING PAIN FREE AND BEING ABLE TO DO AND ENJOY ANYTHNG I WANT

And the lower back pain disappeared within 3 days and he is now able to do exercises (the ?cobra pose? in Yoga is a great exercise for strengthening the lower back).

He still uses the affirmations and does 50 ?cobra? repetitions a day and so far is still free from lower back pain.

What a pleasure!

Lana Rolfe is a Life therapist and qualified in various alternative therapies. She runs a successful private practice where she assists people in becoming their SublimeSelf?. Her goal is to raise awareness of the body?s own ability to heal itself and to share proven methods with millions around the world. To learn more visit the Alternative Medicine Natural Healing web site today!

Being a Veterinarian Today

A veterinarian (from Latin veterinae, draught animals) is an animal doctor, a practitioner of veterinary medicine. Although veterinarians hold doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine, not all veterinarians enter clinical practice. Those that work in clinical settings practice medicine in specific fields, such as companion animal or pet medicine, reptile medicine, ratite medicine, livestock medicine, equine medicine (e.g. sports, race track, show, rodeo), or laboratory animal medicine. Other veterinarians research areas of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacology. Research veterinarians were the first to isolate oncoviruses, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and various other pathogenic agents. They also helped conquer malaria and yellow fever; solved the mystery of botulism; produced an anticoagulant used to treat human heart disease; and developed surgical techniques for humans, such as hip-joint replacement, and limb and organ transplants.

Like all physicians, veterinarians must make serious ethical decisions about their patients' care. There is ongoing debate over the ethics of performing certain controversial procedures, like declawing cats and docking tails, cropping ears, and debarking dogs. In some countries, these procedures are illegal, and therefore their practice is contentious. The Veterinarian's Oath was adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates July 1969, and amended by the AVMA Executive Board, November 1999. It goes as follows:
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

Some veterinarians work in a field called regulatory medicine -- ensuring the nation's food safety by working with the USDA FSIS, or work by protecting us from imported exotic animal diseases by working for the USDA APHIS. The emerging field of conservation medicine involves veterinarians even more directly with human health care, providing a multidisciplinary approach to medical research that also involves environmental scientists.

More than 3,800 veterinarians in the USA currently work at veterinary schools where they teach student vets what they need to know to graduate -- teaching is another career path for a veterinarian.
Veterinary school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, which is involved in the education of future veterinary practitioners (veterinarians). The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of veterinary programs offered at veterinary schools vary considerably around the world. In the U.S., a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree (D.V.M.) (Or in the Veterinary Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania, a degree of veterinary medical doctor (V.M.D.) is awarded) is a four-year program. The program generally consists of 21⁄2 to 3 years of mostly traditional classroom coursework followed by the clinical rotations. Currently, unlike human medical school, a subsequent internship and/or residency are not required, but are optional to those who choose to seek further education and possible accreditation. Unsurprisingly, the number of veterinarians pursuing internships and/or residencies will continue to increase as the understanding of veterinary medicine continues to grow greater. A good veterinarian enjoys working with animals and their owners. Admission into veterinary medical school is so competitive that in the United States it is far easier to gain acceptance into either a medical school or a top Law School than to meet the GPA requirements for most veterinary schools. This situation occurs mostly because there are far fewer schools, allowing the schools to be much more selective. According to the US Department of Labor, only 1 in 3 applicants were accepted into a veterinary program in 2002. Prerequisites for admission include the undergraduate studies listed under veterinary medicine and extensive veterinary experience (typically about 500 or more hours) in private practice or other veterinary environment. The average veterinary medical student has an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and a GRE score of approximately 1800. US graduates are awarded either a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or the less common Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree, depending upon the traditions of the veterinary school.

Public health medicine is another option for veterinarians. Veterinarians in government and private laboratories provide diagnostic and testing services. Some veterinarians serve as state epidemiologists, directors of environmental health, and directors of state or city public health departments. Veterinarians are also employed by the US Agriculture Research Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Library of Medicine, and National Institutes of Health. The military also employs veterinarians in a number of capacities -- caring for pets on military bases, caring for military working animals, and controlling various arthropod-borne diseases or other such things.

Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. Veterinary Science is concerned with the scientific basis of animal production, health and disease. It requires the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge in several disciplines and uses technical skills towards the solution of animal production, health, management and welfare problems.
Veterinary medicine is informally as old as the human/animal bond but in recent years has expanded exponentially because of the availability of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for most species. Animals nowadays often receive advanced medical, dental, and surgical care including insulin injections, root canals, hip replacements, cataract extractions, and pacemakers.

Veterinarians assist in ensuring the quality, quantity, and security of food supplies by working to maintain the health of livestock and inspecting the meat itself. Veterinary scientists are very important in chemical, biological, and pharmacological research.

In many countries, equine veterinary medicine is also a specialized field. Clinical work with horses involves mainly locomotor and orthopaedic problems, digestive tract conditions (including equine colic, which is a major cause of death among domesticated horses), and respiratory tract infections and disorders.

As in the human medical field, veterinary medicine (in practice) requires a diverse group of individuals to meet the need of patients. In addition to veterinarians, many veterinary hospitals utilize a team of veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants to completely care for healing, critical and well animals. Veterinary nurses are generally registered as veterinary technicians in most states and are legally qualified to assist veterinarians in many medical procedures. Veterinary assistants, who are not licensed by most states, but can be well-trained at facilities such as The School for Veterinary Assistants, are also becoming increasingly in-demand in the veterinary industry due to a wide range of treatments and services being offered to meet the higher expectations of pet owners in the United States.

About the Author

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

Veterinarian Uniforms Chef Uniforms Dickies Medical Uniform Scrubs

An Organized School Year In 10 Easy Steps

Organizing your kids and keeping them organized throughout the school year can be a real challenge. But it doesn't have to be. With an effective organizational system, your family can experience a life without chaos and clutter.

It all starts with establishing a system that works. As parents we're in the driver's seat when it comes to teaching our children how to be responsible individuals. One of the best ways to do this is to model the behavior and habits we would like to encourage in them and make our school aged kids responsible for their own belongings.

Being organized is all about developing family routines that work. Good routines are anything you do on a regular basis that simplifies your life and makes it run smoother. It could be setting regular sleep and wake-up times for your kids (and yourself) or something as simple as setting the breakfast table, making lunches, or laying your clothes out the night before.

A positive family rhythm is an organized one. Effective organizing involves having a solid system in place with regular family discussions, limited extra curricular activities, creative scheduling and a plan for conflict resolution when it occurs.

To learn more about how to organize your family and your child's school year visit http://www.familysanitysavers.com/organizingtips.html

Following are some tips to help your family get and stay organized this school year and beyond.

Color-code supplies. Keep things simple by having a different color knapsack and lunch bag for each child. You could also take the color-coding idea one step further and use it as a way of keeping your children's class materials separate.

Create a homework schedule. Have your child do her homework when and where it makes the most sense to her. Support homework completion by encouraging a regular daily routine.

Eliminate frustrations with an organized backpack. Showing your child how to effectively use her backpack can eliminate a lot of last minute hassle. Have her use the main section for books and binders. Signed permission slips can find a home in an outer pocket. The remaining small pouches are ideal for separating pens, pencils and calculators from personal items like a tooth or hair brush.

Daily backpack habits. Make it a habit to sort thorough your child's backpack with her the same day it comes home. Depending on your schedule allot some time after school or after dinner. Sign permission forms and record important school events at the same time.

Record everything on a family calendar. One of best ways to keep on top of everyone's schedule is to have a central spot where things are recorded and easily referred to. A large family calendar in a high traffic area like the kitchen is a great way of keeping abreast of what's happening and when.

Schedule in nightly preparation time. Encourage your child to spend 15 minutes each night gathering all that they need for the next day. If you have several children set up a shelf with baskets or cubby holes so each child has his or her separate space to store school related belongings. Include in this time clothes planning for the next day.

Ready, set, leave. Set up a spot near the door for things that need to go to school (backpacks, school books, sports equipment, musical instruments etc.)

For more creative tips on how to get your kids up and out in the morning visit http://familysanitysavers.com/morningmadness.html

Make lunches in advance. Plan non-perishables like drinks and snacks
a week or two ahead. Make sandwiches once a week and freeze or prepare them the night before.

Plan breakfast the night before. Save time in the morning by setting the kitchen table in advance and making cereal and bread available to those who are ready first.

Set your alarm clock earlier. Trying to get yourself and everyone else ready at same time in the morning only breeds panic. Do yourself a favor by rising half an hour before everyone else. It's amazing how smooth your morning will go if you're showered and dressed before waking the kids.

About the Author

Sherrie Le Masurier is a lifestyle columnist, organizing consultant and a member of Professional Organizers in Canada. She offers up smart solutions for busy families via http://www.familysanitysavers.com and http://organizedliving.blogspot.com - Copyright.

What Every Buyer And Seller Should Know About Fair Housing Laws

Five major Acts of Congress have created protections for home buyers and sellers in the U.S.. These protections are known as Fair Housing Laws. Many states have enacted their own Acts which add additional protections. Locally cities and counties can add additional protections (or protected classes's. Be sure to check what state and local laws in your area cover in addition to Federal Fair Housing Laws. There are exceptions and variables to these laws, inquire at your local governmental office for complete details.

-Federal Protections. Age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex.

-State and local protections. Sexual preference, ancestry, defining disability as both mental and physical,and military status.

-Blockbusting. When real estate agents suggest that renting to or selling a property to a member of a protected will negatively affect property values.

-Steering. When real estate agents suggest specific neighbors based on the clients age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex. Homebuyers and renters should consider and look at properties in any area they wish.

-Discrimination. The intentional policy or practice that results in unequal treatment of a person or persons in a protected class.

-Complaints. File Fair Housing Complaints with the Federal or your local office of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. His tried and true real estate tips has been featured on Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. Purchase his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com.

How to Prevent and Overcome Mastitis Healthy Breastfeeding Tips

Having your baby can be one of the most emotionally fulfilling experiences. Life just takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of your little one. If you have a newborn, your first priority now is to feed your baby. If you have decided that bonding and providing essential nutrients from your bosom is for you, then you need to know how to prevent or rid yourself of mastitis. Nothing should get in the way of a mother's ability to breastfeed her baby.

How to Avoid Mastitis

Mastitis is an infection caused by a clogged duct in the nipple of a nursing mother. To reduce the chances of developing clogs in the ducts of your nipples, avoid wearing bras or tight fitting tops that constrict your breasts. Sleep on your back or side as a clog may occur by sleeping on your stomach.

Make sure that you are feeding your baby breast milk on a regular basis. Missed feedings can cause your breasts to become engorged, which can cause your ducts to clog. Breast compression or breast massage before latching is one of the most effective ways to avoid clogged ducts all together. Using a breast feeding pillow can help ensure you are feeding in a good position.

Warning Signs

There are many indicators of a possible case of mastitis that every breastfeeding mom should be wary of. These are just a few:

-- What may begin as a tingling sensation in the nipple and quickly develops into pain while the baby is nursing may be mean mastitis. However, not every case of mastitis results in significant pain so a nursing mother should pay attention to other indicators as well.
-- Soreness and redness around the area of suckling could be caused by mastitis; the site of the clogged duct develops a very pronounced red spot, which is extremely painful to the touch and holding, or carrying your baby on this side may become unbearable. There may also be a lump visible or detectable by touch.
-- A breastfeeding mother may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever with chills and body aches. Mastitis may also cause exhaustion as many women report with mastitis have reported a sharp decline in energy.

Tips for Reducing the Effects of Mastitis

As soon as you suspect you have mastitis,

-- Go to sleep as soon as possible and get good rest! Sitting quietly for a few hours without much activity can help shorten the duration of mastitis.
-- Take Echinacea and Vitamin C to enhance your immune system and help fight the infection. If the infection persists beyond a few days, you should consult a physician.
-- Apply warm water to the site of the clogged duct. Use warm tap water or immerse your breast in a pot of warm water. A warm shower or bath can work wonders as well.
-- Try to nurse and if you do not succeed at first, try and try again. Attempt to nurse the baby on the side of the clogged duct as often and as long as possible to work out the clog. (If you are away from your baby for a period, you might try using a breast pump, to find one locate a good breast feeding supply store near you). Massaging the breast while the baby suckles may also help.

Article By Michelle O'Connor, Breast Feeding Questions

About the Author

Advice Columnist

How to Gain More in Miami Real Estate Market

There are many factors that could cause any investor or future home owner to be successful or just a failure in Miami real estate market. Actually, knowing which properties to buy and the approach made in investing is all there is to become successful Miami Real Estate Market. Although, this requires different talents and abilities, all these can be learned and developed in order for someone to boom.

Skills sets are available for anyone who is interested in Miami Real Estate Marketing. One of the most important among these skills is being interpersonal. This is needed when dealing with real estate negotiations. The make or break scenario usually depend on how an investor or a marketer built the relationship with the other parties in order for them to build the trust needed in closing a deal. Rapport should be established and spending time to meet with the other sellers makes a huge difference. This is a win-win situation for both parties. Whatever transaction is made as long as they were made in a healthy atmosphere then everything will turn out fine. This will also a good turn for the future when some of their business friends will be recommended as well.

Simple mathematics should also be learned in order to be successful in Miami Real Estate Market. One should learn how to analyze the monthly cash flow and how the appreciations of property costs are being computed. It also important to do computations on how much is to be considered for renovations and repairs and relate the results to the flipping and the fixed sphere in Miami Real Estate Market. Tag an architect and a contractor along to assume whether the transaction being made is reasonable.

Lastly, remember that bargaining especially in Miami Real Estate Market really has need of patience as there are more than a hundred of real estate properties to choose from. Look for something that would yield better results and costs in the future to make sure that such property is a sure deal. See to it that the Miami Real Estate Market property is personally examined to be assured of the things itemized during the agreement and something that fully met the required needs.

Consider these tips in order to yield successful results in Miami Real Estate Market, specifically leasing:

- expect more than ten times of responses if an ad is placed with the ?Option to buy? terms than when a ?for Rent? is placed. That is because many are still trying to buy a piece of property in Miami and leasing could be their last resort.

- there are more calls coming from more interested tenants to a property and there is higher price involved.

- remember that the lease option when selling out a property yields more monthly income. The fees include the granting the lease fee and the monthly rent for the property. In return more cash flow is expected.

- it?s a positive outlook for future buyers as well because they are given the opportunity and the chance to possibly own a place in one of Miami?s real estates. These people are willing to pay a higher amount for the leasing agreement just to have a place of their own.

Cleo Capili

http://www.miamirealestateinc.com

Florida Real Estate Expert Cleo Capili specializes providing assistance to buyers in Florida. She guides families who would like to invest and purchase their dream home in the exciting warm paradise of the Real Estates in Florida. Her skills in negotiating and inventory to make sure that sales and experience bring out the best for each purchase sets her apart from the different common realtors in her location.

Cleo have good background in marketing, business, real estate financing, and advertising to give clients the best options when buying a Florida property. No matter what your needs are, Cleo could share her professional and interpersonal skills for outstanding results on each of your property purchase in Florida.

A Shocking Report on Low Back Pain Problem in Children

Why low back pain is increasing amongst kids.

Low back pain, neck pain in children is increasing in an alarming rate and back pain is no more a problem of old and obese people. Degenerative disc disease is actually a form of arthritis and has identified to be a common cause of lower back and leg pain in children Even 50 years before back and neck pain was a rare pediatric condition.

Recent statistics shows that low back pain is responsible for approximately 23% of most school absenteeism and the number becomes 29% once we include sports injury.

Parents need to address the pain management of their kids properly because childhood low back pain triggered depression and other psychological problems.

Prime Causes of Low Back Pain in Children?

Poor posture, misalignment of vertebrae, trauma, emotional stress and sports injuries, have the same affect on children and adult.

Today's children carry backpacks that weigh 10-20% of their body weight and carrying of this extra weight normally triggers the neck and back pain.

A research was conducted in England involving children between the ages of 11 and 14 to find out the relation between low back pain and stress amongst the kids and teenagers. Research report shows that revealed that children with higher levels of psychological and social challenges are much more likely to experience low back pain than their peers.

Should You Consult Chiropractic For Back Pain

If you consult an Orthopedic Care unit, possible common treatments will be Cortisone Shots, Anti-inflammatory Drugs or back surgery. All of these has side affects and requires recovery time.

One of the most popular treatments for back pain is Chiropractic Care. The chiropractic approach consists of physical manipulations of bones and joints in an attempt to line things back up and it?s recommended typically 2-3 times per week.

Chiropractic treatment is an excellent way to enjoy natural relief of back pain. A professional chiropractic doctor can address subluxation (where vertebrae become misaligned) with great success. A proper attention to subluxation also helps to address frequent earaches, headaches, infant colic, and neck pain and carpel tunnel syndrome

If your child is suffering back pain due to vertebral misalignment, chiropractor will painlessly adjust the vertebral column without potentially harmful drugs or invasive surgery. Chiropractor will recommend appropriate exercises to relieve low back pain.

Arindam, Author of this article is suffering from lower back pain for last 5 years. I practiced simple yoga regularly and attended chiropractic session thrice a week for last 1 year. I learnt the chiropractor techniques heal with your hands and ecome-a-chiropractor to manage my own back pain effectively. I recommend you should take your kid to a professional chiropractor for a better alternative treatment. You can drop by http://www.find-a-chiropractor.info to know more on pain management

Dodge Concept Cars For Auction

If you are one of those few who do live to search the world over for unique and one of a kind vehicles, then you might want to take part of this upcoming auction. You see, there would be a pair of Dodge Firearrow vehicles that would be put up for auction during the 36th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event.

The 36th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event would be held on the 13th of the 21st of January come the following year. This is according to a statement that the organizers of the mentioned event released just last Friday. And as per the pair of Dodge Firearrow vehicles, it would be quite an interesting fact to know that these are actually concept cars and are convertibles. They have been built in the 1950s and they are the only ones that were built during that period that are still in a more than good condition. Sure enough, these vehicles would be in mint condition and will come still bearing the original Dodge parts that it was built with.

From 1953 up until the following year, 1954, the Dodge brand was able to create four of these Firearrow concept cars. Although these vehicles did not actually reach the production stage, they were mostly produced so as to be able to bring up the interest of the consumers. It was Virgil Exner who created the designs of these concept vehicles from Dodge. And according to the organizers of the event, the pair of Dodge Firearrow concept cars is the second and the fourth vehicles that were produced. The first and the third units are no longer around.

Organizers of the 36th Barrett-Jackson event say that for those who do not know what this vehicle is, the Dodge Firearrow II (the second one produced) is a roadster that is colored yellow. And as per the Dodge Firearrow IV (the fourth and last one produced) is a convertible that holds two seats. The latter also has roll up windows, a jump seat, a folding top, a full instrumentation panel and a radio.
About the Author

Joe Ratzkin is an avid fan of anything automotive. This 34-year old bachelor wanted to be a mechanic when he was a kid but changed his mind and became a freelance writer and researcher instead. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois.

Seven Solo Backpacking Tips

Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk to means no words are put between you and the beauty around you. The miles just flow. It's entirely up to you to say when you eat or take a break. Want to jump in that alpine lake? It's your decision alone. It's a unique experience.

Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk to means no words are put between you and the beauty around you. The miles just flow. It's entirely up to you to say when you eat or take a break. Want to jump in that alpine lake? It's your decision alone. It's a unique experience.

A solo backpacker also is vulnerable. Twist your ankle, and there's nobody there to help you. Have you ever been stuck alone without food for days? How can you make your solo backpacking trip safe? You can't. It's inherently more dangerous to go alone into the wilderness. What you can do though, is make it safer.

Some Solo Backpacking Tips

1. Tell someone where you'll be, and when you expect to return. It's probably best if you leave a map with them, and let them know who to call if you don't return on time.

2. Bring a cell phone. I don't do this yet myself, but many lives have now been saved by cell phones. Turn it off and put it in the bottom of your pack so it won't bother you.

3. Bring the usual safety items (matches, 1st aid, iodine tablets, etc), but double-check to see if they are there and in working order, as you'll have nobody elses supplies to back you up.

4. If you're not sure of your abilities, or have a bad knee or other potential problem, stick to well-traveled trails. On many routes, another backpacker will be by every hour. That's good to know if you're in trouble.

5. Learn well how to read a map and use a compass. If you are two miles off route and can't get a signal on your phone when your knee gives out, you're in trouble. Even if you like to wander, you should be able to know where you are on the map for safety.

6. Know your abilities. Don't plan on twenty-mile days if you haven't done them before.

7. Learn to lighten your load. When you're alone, you lose the efficiency of sharing the load for stoves, tents and other common items. It's easy - and dangerous - to become overloaded when yours is the only backpack. You might want to read up on ultralight backpacking.

Solo backpacking is riskier, but for some of us, it's well worth the risk. Try it, and you might agree. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com

Toxic Hazards Linked to Plastic Baby Bottles What is Your Baby Really Consuming?

Free MLB Picks Free College Football Picks

Free Picks September 14-16, 2006

Written by BetWWTS and Ecobika Free Sport Betting Picks


LOS ANGELES -150 (KUO) VS. CHICAGO (MILLER) 2:20 ET September 14. I really liked the way the Dodgers bounced back last night at Wrigley after giving up a game they should have won the night before. They took off out of the gates, and broke it wide open in the 5th inning with a four run frame. Look for more of the same as the Dodgers continue to battle pretty much the entire NL West for the division crown. This Kuo kid impressed in his one and only start last week at New York pitching 6 innings of shut-out ball while striking out 7 and walking 3. The Cubs tend to make pitchers they've never seen before look like Cy Young, so I'm expecting them to be fooled by this guys stuff as well. Wade Miller is making his second start since coming off the DL. The first one wasn't pretty in Atlanta where he gave up 5 hits and 4 earned runs in only 3 innings of work. He'll be on a pitch count once again this afternoon, and it shouldn't take the Dodger bats more than an inning or two to figure his stuff out. It's weak, and nowhere near what he was capable of a few years back. With an important weekend series with San Diego on deck, look for the Dodgers to get out of Wrigley with a series victory.


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PHILADELPHIA +123 (MOYER) VS. ATLANTA (JAMES) 7:35 ET September 14. The Phills have won 3 of Jamie Moyer's four starts since he came over from the Mariners, and I'm expecting them to complete the sweep this evening before heading out to Houston for an important 3-game set. As long as the Phills continue to pound the ball in the clutch, I'll be riding them. Even more so with such a nice return!!! Am I seeing this correctly? The Braves are a buck thirty chalk at home to beat the Phillies. The same Phillies that swept a double header from them yesterday, and the same Phillies that have won 11 of the 17 match-ups this year. You must be talking about another Philly team, or is it the one that now only sits 1.5 games in back of the Padres for the Wild Card lead? You've got to be kidding me!!!! The Braves do NOT deserve to be the chalk in any meeting with the Phillies at this point in the season. Certainly not this high of one. They're home field advantage is null and void, and was never a really good one to begin with. Ryan Howard is swinging like a madman, and most of the Braves big hitters are riding the pine injured.


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MARYLAND/WEST VIRGINIA OVER 47 7:30 ET ESPN September 14. Make no mistake about it people, this is a huge rivalry that's seen the Terps get the best of the Mountaineers the L/5 years. Both Head Coaches Ralph Friedgen and Rich Rodriguez took over each of their respective programs back in 2001, and it's been The Fridge that holds the upper hand in the series by a 3-2 margin. That being said, the Mountaineers are a much different animal right now than they've ever been under the tutelage of HC Rodriguez. They come into this match-up the #5 ranked team in the country, and will no doubt want to put on a show for all the casual onlookers with this being the only primetime pigskin game of the night. However, the turtles aren't just going to lay down and allow the Mounty's to manhandle them. I believe Maryland has kept it very low key in their first two games of the season. Once they built a comfy first half lead vs. MTSU last week, HC Friedgen elected to pull a bulk of his starters and march a number of his reserves in for the remainder of the game. He also hasn't shown much of his aerial attack this year, and I'm hoping he's planned on unleashing it against WV's inexperienced secondary. That's where the Mounty's are most susceptible, so I'm sure the big guy has devised a plan to attempt to pick it apart. I'm going to give him and the turtles the benefit of the doubt and predict they'll be able to do it. However, I don't see the Terps containing WV's potent offensive attack at all, and RB Slaton has already said he plans on doing a number vs. the team he planned on playing for early in his career. QB White will also be able to burn the Terps defense with both his legs and his arm, and I'm looking for enough points to be accumulated by both squads to push the total 'Over' the closing number.


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IOWA STATE (+13') VS. IOWA 12:00 ET ESPN September 16
Remember, QB Tate sat out last week's game at Syracuse with an apparent abdomen injury. He won't be 100% in this one, and if the Cyclones manage to knock him out you'll cringe once you see back-up QB Manson in action. He looks the part, but he can't throw worth a damn (4 INT's). Wow, wow, wow!!! This line is way too high people!!! This is an enormous rivalry that's seen Iowa State hang with much better Iowa clubs in the past both ATS and SU!!! Don't fall for the trap!!! Even if you think Iowa will simply take it to the Cyclones after they were embarrassed in Ames last year. Don't do it. Take all the points you can get here, and enjoy what's going to be another classic battle. ISU is a solid 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS the L/8 times these teams have met. Iowa State is a very well coached football team. HC Dan McCarney is an alumnus of the University of Iowa, and has coached on the same staff with Kirk Ferentz in the past. These two guys know each other very well, and that's a main reason why these games have been so competitive in recent years. The Cyclones still boast a fantastic offense led by QB Bret Meyer who was one of the Big 12's best QB's a year ago. They've got an excellent WR corps and a solid running game. They will be able to put some points up on the board vs. the Hawkeyes defense. Grab all the points you can get as these teams square off for Iowa bragging rights.


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MICHIGAN (+6') VS. NOTRE DAME 3:30 ET NBC September 16. Rev up the hype monster, because Michigan/Notre Dame is here!!!! You really never have to dig into all the numbers in this rivalry game. Your best bet is to just take as many points as your out is offering since the underdog is a stellar 9-1 ATS the L/10 times they've met. The Irish knocked off the maize and blue in the Big house last year as seven-point underdogs, and now it will be Michigan that look's to return the favor this season. The Wolverines are saying all the right things heading into this match-up, and it's Notre Dame that's begging them to come and prove it. Well, I believe they'll do just that and give the Irish faithful a major scare along the way. Michigan looked awfully good a week ago ripping apart what I believe to be a decent Central Michigan squad. The Irish looked good as well in defeating Penn state, but the Wolverines are a completely different monster. They're much more experienced on both sides of the ball, and I think they have the better overall defense. Look for them to try and get pressure on QB Quinn on a consistent basis since GTECH showed that as being the key to keeping this Irish offense grounded. Offensively, look for RB Mike Hart to be the reason the Wolverines cash this ticket. Passing has been darn near impossible against the Irish this year with their solid safety tandem, but running the ball hasn't. The Irish have given up a combined 277 yards in their first two games. Look for RB Hart to bounce back with a huge effort here after getting knocked out of last year's game in the first half. This will no doubt be a more entertaining game than last season, but as much as things change they tend to stay the same. In other words, grab the points!!!


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HAWAII (-12) VS. UNLV 12:00 ET September 16. The Rebels lost a tough game last week even though they believe they won it on the final play of the game. In case you were unaware, the last play of the game saw QB Steichen loft the ball into the endzone for an apparent TD catch. However, the officials said the pass was incomplete and the game was over. UNLV was so irate that it refused to go into the locker room for 15 minutes screaming at the officials and waving their helmets in the air. Still, they lost the game and might have lost QB Rocky Hinds for an undetermined amount of time as well. Now they have to trek out to the islands to take on a Hawaii team that I feel is a complete monster this season. The Warriors have one of the best offenses in the country on hand, and its defense will no doubt play better in front of the home crowd. QB Colt Brennan is the best QB in the country whom you've never heard of, and he's got one of the best WR corps in the country as well. UNLV is an improved team this year, but I don't believe their heads will be in this one. The island is always a tough place for opponents to come and play because of the beautiful surroundings. Hawaii has had two weeks to prepare for this game after nearly upsetting Alabama in Week 1. It's lights out for UNLV tonight, but at least they'll get to partake in some beautiful sight seeing and maybe be fortunate enough to get leised.


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About the Author

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Dallas Real Estate Agencies

Dallas real estate agencies help in buying and selling residential and commercial property in Dallas and its suburban areas. Like real estate agencies elsewhere, they do not own or buy any property that they list. They work on commission for their clients. Within the broad buying and selling functions, the real estate agencies in Dallas help in relocation, moving, rentals, mortgages, and other realtor services like insurance. The range of options offered by Dallas real estate agents for residential property includes houses, apartments, condominiums, lakefront homes, and sometimes ranches, too. Dealings in commercial property are largely restricted to the business areas, and some of the newly developed and developing areas.

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is the state government agency that issues licenses to real estate agencies operating in the state of Texas. Hence, the real estate agencies in Dallas come within the purview of TREC. TREC requires real estate brokers and salespersons to have sufficient education that would make them eligible to hold a license to work as a real estate agent. This is to ensure that consumers of real estate agencies get to interact with qualified and competent agencies.

Merely holding a license issued by TREC does not qualify a real estate agency to be a realtor in Texas. To qualify as a realtor, a real estate agency or professional should be a member of the National Association of Realtors, the national real estate industry association. Most real estate agencies in Dallas are members of this association, apart from being members of the MetroTex Association of realtors, the association for North Texas real estate professionals, which also consists of the Greater Dallas Association of Realtors. The Texas Association of Realtors is a statewide organization with 80,000 members that serves as a platform for realtors in Texas, including those in Dallas.

Most of the real estate agencies in Dallas have individual websites that list all the properties that they advertise for selling or buying. The websites are helpful for non-Dallas based clients to find property listings in Dallas quickly.

Dallas Real Estate provides detailed information on Dallas Real Estate, Dallas Lake Front Real Estate, Dallas Real Estate Agencies, Dallas Commercial Real Estate and more. Dallas Real Estate is affiliated with Austin Commercial Real Estates.

Realtors Never Die

If anyone thought that the present sluggishness in many housing markets in North America was going to hurt Realtors the most is better off to think again. It seems that the slowdown in both the new construction and the resale markets and the consequential drop in pricing levels is having reverberations none other than in ... Europe. This is so because we have reached such a high level of economic integration, that it can be safely stated that when we screw up in North America our European friends end up footing the bill.

Globalization is the term commonly used to refer to the growing economic interdependence of countries worldwide through increasing volume and variety of cross-border transactions in goods and services, free international capital flows, and more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology. Clearly the economic interdependence between the United States and Canada on one side, and many members of the Eurozone - especially those belonging originally to the former Western Europe - on the other side has never been more remarked than now. Not only there is a vigorous flow of capitals going both ways, but also the trade of goods is at its apex. And this appears to be the problem.

The European Union has released economic data as to the end of the second quarter, showing a GDP growth of 3.7 percent annualized, its fastest in six years. So fast, in fact, that for the first time ever the Zone has outrun America, Britain and Japan. The engine that has spurred such record-breaking growth, however, was the ever-increasing consumerism mostly on the part of Americans. In essence, Europe has cashed in on the spending power of Americans, which has increased hand-in-hand with the credit that lenders in North America have extended to consumers, secured by their over-valued and over-appreciated real estate equity.

Consumers in North America have had more financial flexibility these past few years than ever before, and for good or bad they have taken full advantage of it. This flexibility has allowed them to choose to carry debt when in the past they may not have had this option. Additionally, it is certainly true that low interest rates have encouraged more borrowing, which in turn has spurred more spending. All the Porsches, BMWs, Volvos and Mercedes that we see on the streets are proof of it.

Now, however, the tide is changing and the American economic powerhouse is slowing down. This fact alone is causing a series of short-term changes that will make life harder for the Euro economies. North-American consumers seem to be more and more reluctant to snap up German cars, French perfumes and Italian vino. The United States, with an annualized GDP growth of 2.5 percent as at June 30 lead the way, and there is a high degree of scepticism among analysts that European consumers alone will be able to fill the 1.2 percent GDP gap so as to keep the Euro GDP high and steady.

Furthermore all this comes at a time when some Euro area countries, most notably Germany and Italy, are due to tighten their budgets. Their public finances need repairing, and they need to act fast. In Germany, the government wants to raise the value-added tax by three percentage points next January. Italy's newly elected government, based on a very frail one percent majority of a coalition of center and leftist parties, is not openly talking about any such drastic moves but, nonetheless, has initiated already a series of public spending cuts which are sure to make the Fall labour market exceeding Italy's sweltering mid-August heat by a few degrees. It would appear that the new economic theory of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of lowering taxes and raising pensions was more palatable to Italians than Romano Prodi's neoclassical approach of everybody out. Some unions are calling already for a psychiatric evaluation of the new Prime Minister.

Finally, the European Central Bank (ECB) has begun raising interest rates last December and is expected to keep doing so at least until the end of this year. One may wonder why is the ECB poised to increase interest rates at a time when exports are slowing down. The reason lies not with demand but with supply, as unsold inventories are beginning to accumulate, mostly for political reasons. In fact no one dares to lay off workers now, after the civic commotion caused by the recent French rioting.

It turns out, therefore, that real estate agents in North America are not the casualties of the markets taking a breather, at least not the only ones - Europeans stand to lose a lot more.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Educational Toys, Video Games and Enron

I was watching CBS 60 Minutes and they had an article on Echo Boomers. A prominent professor and pediatrician was told by a fortune 500 executive that the thing that struck him most about the new generation coming into the workforce, was their lack of long term vision. He said that they treated business like a video game, where if they didn't see instant results, then it wasn't of interest. He also commented that today's young employees cannot proceed in a step wise fashion, cannot accomplish a task in a methodical way. As a retailer of educational toys I immediately drew a connection. The pediatrician noted that the echo boomers had been coddled by their parents, driven to soccer practice, provided with trophies for participating. He had observed that when left to play by themselves without adult organization, they were often lost.

I couldn't help but think of the Enron scandal, where earnings were fabricated to meet the expectations of the market. I know those involved in Enron are of an earlier generation, but are we teaching similar behaviour through video games.

Educational toys have always been a mainstay of my children's fun and games. We often use science kits and science toys as fun activities on a rainy day. My children are still impulsive, but they are also prepared to make sacrifices for something that excites them.

Educational toys may not be the solution to all the world's problems but I think they are a good place to start.

About The Author

Ted Moryto is an engineer, father and owner of Brain Waves Educational Toys Canada. Click on http://www.brainwavestoys.com to see hundreds of fascinating educational toys, games and science kits.