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In my experience, autocross can be a very fun and exciting sport. I have participated in several events in my local area. I found the hobby to be very addictive as well.

Out of all my other hobbies, I think this one is the best "bang for the buck" as far as thrills go with your car. Everybody can participate. Every car (some clubs have exceptions to this though like no SUV's, no Trucks) can race. The nice thing about this kind of race is that you are competing against others in your class usually defined by the SCCA, however, you are on the course alone so there is minimal chance of hitting other cars.

The hardest part about autocross (aside from learning how to race) in my opinion is finding the right car. Sure, you can use a daily driver, but that is not recommended if you are going to participate in several events a year. Autocross can create wear on the tires and other components very quickly and can get expensive very fast. I would recommend to get a vehicle that you can use for autocross. This can be a "trailer car" or a car that you can still drive on the road, but use only for this hobby.

There are 4 key components to consider when selecting a car for autocross:

1) What type of car to get

2) The Price of the car

3) The overall condition of the vehicle (if used)

4) Aftermarket upgrades/modifications

WHAT TYPE OF CAR TO GET FOR AUTOCROSS:

For autocross racing, some people would assume that the car has to be very powerful, small, 2 doors and modified. This is not entirely accurate. While that type of car would be nice, it is not required to be competitive in autocross.

Remember that most autocross events and clubs have the cars grouped in to some sort of class. The club I participate with follow the SCCA Class guidelines. The classes help group the cars so the same "level" of vehicles can remain competitive within each class.

This is done to avoid the "biggest and fastest is best" state of thought. It would be unfair to put a heavily modified Porsche GT3 up against a stock Ford Focus. This is why they do that.

So, to pick the right car for autocross, you would probably want a coupe or convertible FIRST if possible. Sedans can work well too, but some sedans are not geared for modifications, although, the sport sedans of today are really starting to take over.

Manual transmission would be recommended, however, if you have an automatic that is OK too. You may want to consider trading it for a manual in the future to remain competitive. Again, there are still "sport shift" type automatics out there that are getting better and better each day.

Ideally, you would also want a rear-wheel drive car for autocross. RWD cars typically provide better control and handling in most cases. I know some enthusiasts out there will disagree with me, but that's OK. On the other hand, I have used several front-wheel drive cars that run with the best of them.

PRICE:

The price of buying a car for autocross is always the factor for me. I, like many others, cannot afford an expensive vehicle for autocross. There are, however, those that can afford it and price is still something for them to consider.

The $0-$5000 range:

This is the range most of us beginners want to start. Of course, free is GOOD, but consider the 3rd component (overall condition) when this option comes to mind. Several cars that can perform well and have a lot of upgradable options are the following:

1989-1997 Mazda Miata - Very nice power to weight ratio. It is VERY popular at autocross. 1979-1991 Mazda RX7 - Fast small car, handles well. Many upgrades available. 1989-1998 Nissan 240sx - Several aftermarket upgrades, handles very well. 1990-1999 BMW 3 Series - Very versatile car. You can find very nice models in this range now. 1988-2000 Honda Civic/CRX - I have seen several models compete well in autocross. 1984-1999 Toyota MR2 - Low center of gravity, great performance, mid engine. 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon - Many upgrades, some models Turbo AWD. 2000-2007 Ford Focus - Very competitive cars. SVT models available in price range. 1997-2003 VW Golf - Hatchbacks always like autocross. VR6 models available in range. 1990-1999 Acura Integra - Like the Civic, very competitive with many upgrades out there.

There may be a few more cars that I missed that fall under this price range. The method I use to hunt for cars can vary depending on the type I am looking for. I will use local classified ads, Craigslist. I will also use the bigger car searches and expand my general "hunting" area. I have successfully found great cars using VEHIX, AutoTrader as well as Government Auction Sites.

But what about the autocross cars above the $5000 range? Well, I am glad you are think that because I am about to list them below.

If you have some money to work with and want to get something newer, you can consider the following cars:

The $5,001-$20,000 range:

This range can include newer cars as well as pre-owned cars that are no more than a few years old. Remember, cars usually depreciate very fast, so as the years go by, some of the newer cars can be within reach for less money and are great for autocross. The cars below come to mind in this range:

1998-Current Mazda MX-5 - Still same basic car, but more power as they got newer. 2003-Current VW Golf - Even more modified than the previous versions, compete well. 1992-1997 Mazda RX7 - 3rd Gen is twin-turbo and can compete in autocross. 1992-2006 BMW M3 - M3's are designed for racing. Some newer models will fall in this range. 1998-2003 BMW M5 - M5's are very powerful and compete in their class well. 1994-Current Ford Mustang/Cobra - Very versatile car. Competes well in class. 1994-2002 Camaro/Firebird - Competes well in class. Many autocross upgrades. 2007-Current Mazda Mazdaspeed3 - Turbo, hatchback, competes well in autocross. 2003-2008 Nissan 350z - Great autocross car, very popular on the track. Special Autocross Kit cars such as the V6 Stalker fall in this range as well.

Now, this price range can vary in vehicles. A lot of these cars are still new and may require loans to purchase them.

The $20,001 spectrum will consist of some of the current-day models as well as the obvious "super cars" we all respect such as the Corvette, Viper, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus and others. I will not include a list for those because if you are buying one of those for an autocross car, you did your research.

OVERALL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE (USED):

When buying a second car for autocross, treat it like when you are buying your daily driver car. You want the car to be relatively free of major problems. Autocross racing can put stress on the car's frame, the suspension, the brakes, the tire and the overall body of the car.

You want to be sure that the car has not been in any major accidents. Frame repair or frame damage can be very dangerous mixture when you autocross. That is the MOST important thing to check for when buying a car for autocross. I have experienced and used the service by Experian called AutoCheck. They offer an unlimited number of VIN checks for one of their service options and the price is way better than the other services out there. I have used it when shopping and comes in very handy when you are checking the history of a vehicle.

The next important item to check on the car is major component problems such as smoke coming out of the back of the exhaust, major oil leaks (small leaks are expected on most used cars) slight/major overheating of the engine. Autocross is outside and you push the car to the limit. You want the major components to be in the best shape they can be. The mentioned problems can leave you stranded at the track if you do not look out for them.

I usually have some expectation to do minor repair or preventive repairs on my vehicles when I am buying to autocross them. As I stated above, small oil/fluid leaks are "OK" and can usually be fixed very easily. Small leaks tell us that the car is just used and may not be suffering from the leak as a result. Large/major leaks tell us the car may have been neglected by the previous owner and may carry residual problems unseen at the moment. When looking at a car, start it up, drive it around with the A/C engaged (even if it doesn't work). When you are finished with the test drive, leave it idling while you walk around the car continuing to inspect it. If the car has an overheating problem, often this is the time it will show. This tip has helped me avoid several beautiful autocross cars that had an overheating problem.

Belts and hoses are my most frequent "preventive" repair I do, even if they are not a problem. It is always best to know when an important component has been replaced rather than to "guess" and trust the previous owner. Water pumps, too, fall in this category sometimes.

One thing people always check when buying a used car are the tires. Yes, this is important for an autocross car, but not to see how "good" the tires are, but to see if the car needs an alignment. Autocross is about handling and you need to be sure the car's stock "handling" ability is where it should be.

Why not worry about the tires? Well, tires should be one thing to consider buying for your autocross car to begin with, so the existing tires should be removed anyway. Tires are probably the most bought wear item an autocross member will buy. A lot of autocross racers will bring a set of tires for racing, one for driving home (those who do not use a trailer) and some will even bring spares for the racing tires. This is so common that Tire Rack offers tires just for autocross. I have used them and they are the best place to get tires for this.

AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS FOR AUTOCROSS:

If you ever look into the aftermarket world of the auto industry, you know that there are literally thousands of places to look and buy. I will list a few spots that most people do not think to look, but surprisingly have things for the autocross fans.

First and foremost, autocross cars do NOT always need major upgrades to be competitive. A driver can use a stock vehicle and compete against fellow stock vehicles and remain competitive. Once you start to modify or upgrade heavily, you may start to move into different classes and compete with other cars that are equally modified. Keep that in mind when you want to change something.

Usually, I say modify the easy things first: Intake, exhaust and general tune ups. Most autocross drivers do not go far from that. These should be the first things you try to upgrade while you participate in autocross to get the most performance out of your vehicle.

If you decide to go further to be more competitive, my next recommendation would be suspension and body roll modifications. Please remember, certain upgrades in this area may change your class. Be sure to check your club or groups rules with these modifications.

Usually, the fastest upgrade to an autocross car would be front and rear strut tower bars/braces. They are usually inexpensive to buy and easy to install. They are also very modular meaning that when you buy these, they will work with other suspension components in place (usually). This modification helps stiffen the car's suspension and frame and helps with cornering.

The next modification recommendation would then be the front and rear sway bars and links. These parts also help the body roll while cornering and handling and can sometimes be modular to the suspension system as a whole.

The final suspension upgrade is usually the most expensive: The struts (shocks/springs). This upgrade usually works well with the above items, but ads more stiffness, more response to the handling and sometimes lower the car overall for a lower center of gravity.

Once you have modified the entire suspension, my next recommendation would be to upgrade the brakes (at least the pads). This will help your stopping ability for those moments where a tap of the brake is needed during a lap. Please keep in mind that high performance brake pads usually wear much quicker than OEM.

One of the last things I recommend to upgrade is the tires. Now, I'm not saying that you should not FIRST buy new tires when you autocross, but I am saying not to UPGRADE them to an autocross/race tire just yet. Most autocross enthusiasts will tell you to get used to the stock/regular tires on your car first.

Once you get used to stock type tires, modifying them to a race tire or softer tire will actually improve your lap times (that's the theory anyway).

One last note. I recommend replacing the fluids in your car with as many synthetics as you can. Synthetic fluids have higher heat resistance and can take the intense moments you will be putting on the car during the autocross laps.

Some of the places I have bought aftermarket modifications and upgrades are from the following: Tires- Tire Rack, General maintenance items/Oil/Filters/Performance, MyAutocross Store, Auto Warehouse

Model and make specific forums are also a great place to find parts for your specific car. Usually people on those forums are experts with that model and are constantly modifying it and selling the used items.

Now that I have provided this information, I hope it is useful to at least one person out there interested in autocross racing. I know when I started I had to learn my lessons the hard way and ended up buying cars that either were no good or were not "for" autocross. Please keep in mind that these opinions are based on my experience and knowledge. I am open to changing or adding items I may have missed. Please comment if you'd like.

MyAutocross.com is the enthusiast's site for Autocross racing. Visit today http://www.myautocross.com

It happens every time during your Caribbean sailing charter. You are relaxing onboard in a peaceful, idyllic anchorage - the crystal clear turquoise water gently lapping against the hull- when suddenly, the warm tropical breezes lure you ashore like a siren song with the sound of a party! Every year, the Caribbean plays host to hundreds of different parties ranging from religious celebrations, music festivals, fishing tournaments, sporting competitions to sailing regattas. No matter where you go, a party in paradise can almost always be a part of your Caribbean sailing vacation. The greatest party, however, is the annual Carnival celebration. Basically a street party, it is a fun mixture of party, theater, art and folklore tradition. For each island, the annual Carnival is big business, and preparations for the next one begin almost the day after the last one ends.

The history of Carnival celebrations began hundreds of years ago in Italy where Catholics held wild costume festivals right before Lent. Since they were not supposed to eat meat during Lent, the festival got the name, "Carnevale", which means "to put away meat." The famous Carnival celebrations eventually spread to other Catholic countries, including France, Spain and Portugal. As Catholic Europeans set up colonies and entered the slave trade, Carnival took root in the New World as well.

Today, Carnival celebrations are found throughout the islands. They have been transformed, however, from those original Italian costume festivals to something distinctly Caribbean that differs from island

to island. The Caribbean Carnival is a blending together of many European cultures, as well as African dance and music. Important to the celebration of the Caribbean Carnival is the African traditions of parading in costumes and masks and moving in circles through villages in order to bring good fortune, heal problems and calm angry spirits. Carnival is an important way for the people of the Caribbean to express their rich African cultural traditions by creating elaborate masks and costumes. It takes months and a lot of energy and creativity to come up with a concept and develop costumes for the dancers to depict a common theme.

When Carnival first began, it was celebrated from December 26th until Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). Still using this traditional time, Trinidad has the largest carnival, with daily events for four weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday. The last two days are the frenzied culmination of all the parades, the largest floats and the final competitions to decide the winners of various contests.

Other islands hold their carnivals at different times so as not to clash and allow people to enjoy several celebrations during the year. If you are planning a Caribbean sailing vacation, check with each island's tourist office to get a schedule of events. It is great fun to plan a charter around Carnival. Although each island may hold Carnival during different times of the year, there are some common elements to the celebration. Many of the islands will use Carnival as the perfect occasion to commemorate other events in the island's past. All will include elaborate costumes (Mas) worn by many people. Colorful floats and street parades (Pan) are accompanied by lots of music (especially Calypso) and bands, and there is usually an elected King and Queen.

Following is a glimpse of Carnival celebrations throughout the islands:

British Virgin Islands

The biggest event in the BVI, this Carnival goes by two names. Some locals refer to it as the, "August Festival", while others call it the, "Emancipation Festival." It begins July 1st and ends August 31st. This annual celebration marks the 1834 Emancipation Act which abolished slavery in the British West Indies. All the islands celebrate with events taking place across the region, although most celebrations are held in Road Town, Tortola. Visitors are in a for treat including live music, dancing, street performers, parties, parades and food and drink booths laced with a distinct Caribbean flavor. A hotly contested calypso competition leads to the coveted crowning of the Calypso King. There is also a competition for a festival Queen. Events not to miss include the food booths set up near the waterfront in Road Town; the children's pageants; calypso, reggae and costume competitions; bands on huge sound trucks cruising the waterfront accompanied by crowds of dancers; steel bands on floats; all night parties and the grand costume parade.

St. Martin/Sint Maarten

This island is unique because it has a French and Dutch side-both of which are extremely distinct from one another. The way in which Carnival is celebrated is also distinct, depending on which side of the island you are on. Since French St. Martin is considered a part of Guadeloupe, see below. Carnival in Dutch Sint Maarten begins with the Balloon Jump-Up after Easter and lasts until April 30th, the birthday of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Balloon Jump-Up celebrates the opening of Carnival Village, an area two blocks from Front Street that houses more than 100 food booths. The Jump-Up parades are a top Carnival attraction with their brightly costumed dancers, floats and live bands. The largest of the processions is the Grand Carnival Parade, which features elaborately dressed Carnival dancers winding along a four-mile route. In between parades, spectators are entertained by steel drum bands from other Caribbean islands. Competitions (especially Calypso competitions) are an integral part of the festivities. A traditional art form of the Caribbean, Calypso competitions test the improvisational and narrative skills of a solo performer. The winner goes up against the previous years' Calypso King or Queen in a battle for the new title. The day after a new Calypso monarch is crowned, a Jump-Up Parade called Jouvert (pronounced Jou-vey) begins at 4 a.m. and lasts until sunrise. The grand finale to Carnival is the Last Lap Jump-Up, lead by King Momo, the straw figure who reigns over Carnival. The burning of King Momo signals the end of Carnival. Local folklore is that he takes the sins of the villages with him, thus leaving the island pure.

St. Barths

St. Barths is one of the three countries in the world where Carnival actually ends at the end of Ash Wednesday. It officially begins the Saturday preceding Ash Wednesday, but unofficially starts the day after New Year's Day. During this unofficial time, the Carnival associations begin rehearsals in the street and people spend their time making the beautiful floats for the parades. The official start of Fat Saturday (Samedi Gras) is an all night dance party. The king of Carnival is King Vaval - a giant mannequin. He is featured with revelers and floats on Fat Sunday (Dimanche Gras) when people enjoy Jump-Ups during the day and all night parties. There are parties every night during the official celebration of Carnival. On Fat Monday (Lundi Gras), everyone dresses in red for the day of the red devils. The costumes are beautiful works of art decorated with glitter and reflective silver. Finally, Ash Wednesday is the day everyone dresses in black and white for the funeral of King Vavel. Festivities continue until 7 p.m. when the straw figure of King Vavel is burned, marking the end of Carnival.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Carnival on St. Kitts and Nevis officially begins on Christmas Eve and ends on New Year's Day. The unofficial start occurs months before with costume making and float building. The Carnival season consists of many different activities such as beauty pageants, street jamming, calypso shows and competitions, masquerades, mocko jumbies and other traditional folklore.

Antigua

The Antigua Carnival dates back to August 1, 1834, when slavery was abolished and locals went to the streets to joyfully express their celebration of freedom. The celebration continued until 1957, when it was officially declared Carnival. Antigua's Carnival always takes place around the last week of July through the first week of August. The ten days of revelry includes marches, parades, Jump-Ups, shows, and dances to the beat of Calypso. The Antigua Carnival is a great time for visitors on a Caribbean sailing charter to immerse themselves with the culture of this island. During Carnival, St. John teems with street performers, food and drink booths. Pan Ban- steel pan orchestras- are followed by dance troupes wearing intricate costumes. The lively event culminates with a massive road party called Jouvert, (meaning "day break"), where everybody is on their feet dancing to the beat of steel drums.

Montserrat

Carnival in Montserrat is celebrated between Christmas and New Year's Day. The festival includes steel bands, Jump-Ups, King and Queen competitions, and parades. One of the highlights of Carnival is the calypso competition finals where performers dress up and act out their calypsos. Calypso is usually a social commentary about things that are going on in the island as well as feelings about the current government. There is usually a double entendre and the songs tend to be quiet risqué. The winner of the competition is awarded prizes and celebrity status on the island, and they will represent Montserrat in the inter-island competitions. Besides the calypso competition, Carnival also includes steel bands, sporting events, barbecues, and dancing contests.

Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe's Carnival also finishes on Ash Wednesday. Rehearsals begin in January, with groups disguised in costumes dancing and singing in the streets. Carnival reaches its feverous pitch between Shrove Sunday and Ash Wednesday. Shrove Sunday begins with parades, dancing, costumes, masquerades and street parties. On Shrove Tuesday, pajama clad masqueraders dance throughout the day. On Ash Wednesday, Guadeloupe's unique celebration of Carnival is apparent as revelers dressed up in black and white he and she wolves take to the streets. That evening, with people dancing and dining, Carnival comes to a close with the cremation of King Vaval. Midway between Carnival and Easter Sunday, Carnival is revived for one day at Mid-Lent Thursday, where revelers, depicting themselves as devils, dress up in red and black costumes.

Dominica

Mas Domnik is held at the traditional pre-Lenten time. During the ten day celebration, there are lots of activities taking place around the island. It is a feast of calypso shows and street Jump-Ups. The opening parade kicks off Carnival. The Queen contestants, calypsonians, the most popular bands, people in sensay costumes, moko jumbies, cheerleaders and many more people parade through the streets in a kaleidoscope of colors encouraged by a huge crowd of onlookers. Throughout Carnival, there are calypso competitions, costume contests, street jams, sensay festivals and beauty pageants. On the two final days of Carnival, music, culture and people merge to celebrate with costumes, bands and parades. The final event takes place on Ash Wednesday with the burning of the Carnival King and the beginning of Lent.

Barbados

Beginning in May and continuing throughout the summer with various events, Crop Over is Barbados' biggest, loudest and best-loved festival. Dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s, when Barbados was one of the biggest sugar producers in the world, the end of the sugar cane harvest was celebrated with big parties. Today, the celebration continues with more flamboyance and extravaganza. The event officially begins in early July with a ceremonial delivery of the last sugar cane harvest and the crowning of the Carnival King and Queen. The following five weeks is marked by a heady mix of live music (including tuk, calypso, soca and street bands), dancing, food and craft markets, cultural presentations and much more. The Pic-O-De-Crop is part of the Carnival celebrations and is a part of a fierce competition to pick the best calypso band. The best bands then compete against one another in a bid to win the honor of taking on the reigning Calypso Kings. This is a great community event. Carnival culminates with a parade called, "Grand Kadooment." Costumed bands take to the streets for the final competition for "Designer of the Year" crown. Revelers dressed in elaborate costumes depicting various themes wind their way through the streets, dancing as DJs play the most popular music.

St. Vincent and The Grenadines

Vincy Mas, as Carnival has become known since 1977, was first celebrated as a pre-Lenten festival by French colonists in the late eighteenth century. The observance of Carnival as a celebration of the privileged class continued under the rule of Great Britain, who celebrated the four days preceding Ash Wednesday as their annual, "Masked Balls". With the coming of freedom, the ex-slaves took Carnival to the streets introducing African cultural traditions. In 1872, the colonial authorities attempted to ban the celebration. On February 11, 1879, Vincentians decided that Carnival would be celebrated, ban or no ban. The people resisted the armed forces of the empire, leading to riots in the streets, and the St. Vincent Carnival Riots became part of the island's history. The peoples' festival continued to grow until 1973, when the Carnival Development Committee took charge to put resources into the planning and organization of the carnival. In 1976, the CDC decided to change the dates of the official celebration of Carnival, and the rest is history. Beginning the end of June, Vincy Mas today is a ten day festival of Pan (panorama), Calypso and Mas (costumes), where society becomes classless and non-racial. The streets of Kingstown become a hive of activity with around the clock excitement. Vincy Mas is filled with mirth and gaiety. The streets are filled with the constant hammering of DJ music blaring out of temporary bars. Various competitions, including costumed bands, Queen Shows (beauty pageants) and calypso are all part of the celebration. If you are on a Caribbean sailing charter, you will be overwhelmed by the riot of color, clash of music, display of talent and the teeming mass of humanity that overtakes the island during Vincy Mas.

Grenada

Carnival is one of Grenada's biggest annual festivals. Renowned for its color, creativity and unique cultural character, Carnival celebrations are held during the second week in August, just one week after Emancipation Day festivities. Although each parish has its own brand of traditional costume or mas, the main Carnival action is in the streets of St. George's. Festivities begin in July with the opening of various calypso tents, where singers vie for a chance to compete in the National Calypso Monarch Competition. In early August, Carnival celebration gains momentum. Every night of the week, there are cultural presentations and calypso shows, while steel bands rehearse for the upcoming Panorama competition. Carnival week proceeds with the National Carnival Queen show, the Soca Monarch Finals, and the Panorama Steel Band Competition. Carnival Sunday brings the Dimanche Gras Show- featuring the Kings and Queens of the Fancy Mas Bands in competition for King and Queen of Carnival. From dawn on Carnival Monday, the streets of Grenada's towns are filled with traditional masqueraders depicting Jab-Jabs (devils) and social commentaries of the highlights of the past year (Ole Mas). Spectators, and masqueraders alike dance in the streets to the sound of steel bands and popular music played by DJs. On Monday afternoon, the fancy or pretty bands appear on the streets as they make their way to the big stage for the fierce Band of the Year competition. The street party continues late into the evening as the Monday Night Mas Bands weave their way through the streets dancing and waving brightly colored fluorescent lights and continues until the early hours of Tuesday morning. On Carnival Tuesday, spectators and masqueraders again dance through the streets with the fancy bands. The party continues until midnight, when the official Carnival celebration ends.

Although the dates of the music competitions, Jump-Ups, food booths, beauty pageants, costume parades and others activities that make up the festivities vary from island to island, Carnival celebrations are held annually through the Caribbean. Even though each island may have its own twist to the event, it is an opportunity for the people of the Caribbean to express themselves artistically and socially. Carnival is a celebration of the sheer joy of life! Regardless of what your social status is or the color of your skin, everyone, including spectators, is a part of the celebration. No matter where you go, you do not need an elaborate festival to have a great time in the islands, but a Carnival celebration can be a fun part of your Caribbean sailing vacation.

Remember, "Dis party can't done 'til morning come."

Donna Wolfson also know as "Sailgirl" at Virgin Island Sailing, has been sailing in the Caribbean and writing about it for years. Learn more about Catamaran Charters.

Cooking together has always been a favorite activity in our family. My mother began to cook with me before I started school. One of my earliest school memories was when I was a first grader: our class was invited to be guests of the eighth grade cooking class and we were treated to hot cocoa and oatmeal cookies made by the "big kids." At the end of the party, we were allowed to help the eighth graders clean up, and I remember volunteering to wash a very large floured baking sheet. As the class was ending, I was still at the sink laboring with the industrial-sized baking sheet that was as big as I was. As a reward for my efforts, I was given a gold star on my forehead. Even now, many years later, I still remember that day as one of the proudest of my life.

And maybe it was that day that started me on a life in which my best memories involve cooking for myself, my family, and my friends. The best of the best memories are the times I cooked with my own children who have now grown up and have given me five grandkids (aged from 20 months to 18 years), with whom I can continue what I started with my children over 40 years ago.

Cooking gives children a wonderful sense of accomplishment and they learn early that hard work can pay big (sweet) rewards. Cooking allows you to talk to kids on many levels: they learn about their family histories when you use recipes handed down in the family (the names of their great grandparents, the foods that derive from their family roots in countries far away), they learn to follow directions, they learn to count (depending on their ages, this can range from simple to more involved calculations), they learn cooperation, they learn the joy of work that can give pleasure not only to themselves but to others, they learn to try and to experience different foods and cooking methods, they learn lessons of self-sufficiency that will serve them all their lives, they learn they must clean up after themselves, they learn to follow directions and how to plan ahead (shopping and prep time).

All the while they're learning all these things, they're having fun and so are you.

Children learn to enjoy food from the first moments of their lives, and they can learn the joy of cooking even as toddlers. When you cook with toddlers, it's important that you concentrate only on the task at hand, and it's best to limit your cooking class to just one short one at a time. I've found it best if the recipes are simple, and have an enjoyable anticipated outcome.

Getting started

These days, I've been cooking a lot with my three-year-old grandchild, Connor. I like to begin talking with Connor about what I want to cook with him. I describe how much he will like the dish, and when I get his interest, I give the recipe a fun name. I can keep his interest through the whole process if I start by writing the recipe down and discussing the ingredients and steps involved.

Then I plan a trip to the store for the ingredients. Again I involve the child. We look for the ingredients together, and we watch while the checker bags our stuff, and after we pay her (Connor learns that everything has a price), we go home to cook.

Washing hands is always the way we begin. It's fun washing up with Connor, who generally resists washing up at other times -- as he seriously throws himself into this activity when its for cooking. Next we gather our ingredients and utensils. And then we begin.

Fun and safety

I discuss the fact that we will need to warm up the oven while we're making our food; explaining that the stove is "very hot" and that he must never touch the oven; and that he only cooks with me, or his Mommy or Daddy. I usually tell him about the times I would cook with Daddy when he was a little boy. This usually gets Connor's interest. I measure out each of the ingredients, and Connor gets the fun and important mixing job.

If I'm using an electric blender or mixer, Connor gets to turn the appliance on and off (again discussing safety issues and the importance of not using these appliances by himself). If something has to be cooked on the stove-top, Connor stands close by watching the activity and depending on what's cooking he get a chance to stir the pot (under very close supervision).

By this time, things in the kitchen are starting to smell really good, and that gives us a chance to discuss what we smell and to build excitement about the end result.

Connor gets the honor of greasing the cake or muffin pans, or he can roll out dough (with some help). Depending on what we're cooking, he also gets the opportunity to help pour the batter into the pans if we're making a cake, cupcakes, or muffins. If we're making cookies, he can use the cookie cutters and later he can sprinkle the colored sugar over them.

Finally, we are ready to put the dish into the oven or onto the stove, set the timer, and anticipate the outcome. While waiting, Connor always helps with the clean up, and I admit this is his least favorite thing to do. But this is one of the lessons that are learned we must always clean up our own messes. It's not all work. While we're cleaning up, we get to look into the oven and watch the progress of the dish as it cooks. We discuss how the food will get to smell better and better, how it browns, and how the cake gets bigger as it cooks.

When the timer rings, with Connor closely watching, I take the food out of the oven and place it on the cooling rack. If the dish calls for icing, we use the cooling time to make the icing, and Connor helps put the icing on the cakes or cookies (and into his mouth).

At last, the dish is done and we get to eat it, sharing it of course with Mommy and Daddy, and anyone else who wants some. Since eating is a social activity, Connor basks in the glow of his accomplishment and enjoys the compliments and the conversation. In our family, after eating everyone helps clean up, so once again Connor is in on the action.

In general, anything that I choose to cook with Connor (or any other young child) has got to be simple and quick, recognizing that young children have finite attention spans. The time I spend cooking with Connor (or any of the kids) leaves me happy, tired, full, and contented; it leaves them feeling the same way, too, and proud of themselves as well.

The following are a few recipes that I have used successfully with Connor and with my younger grandchildren. I hope that you will try them for yourselves and add your own while you make memories for yourself, your children, and your grandchildren (or any kid who happens to be in your life).

The Recipes

"BaNANA" Bread

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 60 minutes Makes 1 Loaf

You will need: a large fork and a wooden spoon, 2 bowls, oven gloves, loaf pan, cooking rack.

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

½ cup cooking oil

2 or 3 very ripe bananas

Pam or some other spray to grease the pan

* Note: You can add ½ cup chopped walnuts to this recipe BUT I DO NOT GIVE NUTS TO YOUNG CHILDREN

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray the sides and bottom of loaf pan with PAM and sprinkle with a little flour (shake out the excess flour)

2. Peel the bananas and mash the bananas with a fork into a small bowl

3. In the other bowl, mix the sugar, oil and egg with the wooden spoon until the mixture looks creamy and is a light yellow color

4. Blend in the bananas

5. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Break up any lumps in the batter and stir until the batter is smooth and all the flour is mixed in.

To Bake: Spoon the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. (Test

for doneness: if the top of the loaf spring back after you touch

it, or if you stick a clean toothpick in and it comes out clean,

it's done.

Cool on the cooling rack for about 20 minutes, then flip the bread out onto the rack and cool some more before slicing.

Creamy, Dreamy Oatmeal

(to wake a guy up)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Serves: 4

You will need measuring cups, small pot (prefer a non-stick one), a long handled wooden spoon, 4 bowls, 4 spoons.

Ingredients:

2 cups of water

1 cup old-fashioned oats

Pinch of salt

Possible Toppings:

(i.e. the good stuff) Milk or Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar

or honey

Butter

Raisins

Sliced Bananas

Crunchy Wheat Germ

1. Pour the water into the pot. Add the oats and salt.

2. Ask a grown-up to help bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer.

3. Cook for 5 minutes or until the desired thickness, stirring occasionally.

THEN: Spoon into bowls and serve with the topping dejour.

"Butter and Nana Jama" Jam Sandwiches

You will need 2 tablespoons, a butter knife, and a cutting board

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread (or more depending on who is eating)

1 tablespoon strawberry jam

1 tablespoon butter (soften to room temperature to spread

easy)

1. Spread jam evenly on one slice of bread (again depending on how many

are eating) and evenly butter the other slice.

2. Press the jammed and buttered sides of the slices together to make a

a sandwich

3. Place on cutting board and cut into halves or quarters.

A variation that my family enjoys: substitute softened cream cheese for the butter and make Cream Cheese And Nana Jama Jam Sandwiches.

Shamrock Lucky Glass Cookies

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 8 to 10 minutes oven preheated

to 375 degrees

You will need:

One (1) package of pre-made sugar cookie dough (may

be store bought)

Green hard candy (Lifesavers etc.)

Zip Lock Bags and Small Kitchen Hammer (or any other

thing a child can use to "bam" the hard candy to little

bits)

Two (2) shamrock shaped cookie cutters (1 large and 1

small)

Some tin foil

A cookie sheet

To Prepare:

1. Roll out the cookie dough and cut out cookies using the large shamrock cookie cutter. Using the small cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of each of the cookies

2. Place the cookies on a foil covered cookie sheet

3. Put hard candies into a plastic zip lock bag and crush them using the kitchen hammer, rolling pin or any thing else that will "bam" the candy (the kids LOVE this part!)

4. Use the crushed candy to fill the holes in the center of the cookies.

To Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the over (adult only) and bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Watch these cookies because depending on your oven, they may require less time to brown.

Let these cookies cool completely and then peel the cookies off the foil and EAT!

Variations: Depending on the Holiday or Celebration (or just because), you can use other cookie cutters and colored candy---as for example, Christmas 1/4Tree Cookie cutters and red and green candy for Christmas.

Pruney Loony Muffins

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Baking Time: 15 to 20 minutes in regular sized muffin tin or 7 to 9 minutes in mini muffin tins.

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees Makes 12 regular sized muffins or 36 mini muffins. NOTE: Kids LOVE the mini muffin size.

You will need:

Muffin tin (regular sized or mini sized)

1 and 3/4 cups of flour

1/4 cups of sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg

1/4 cup salad oil

2 (4 oz. Baby Jars) of Pureed Prunes or you can use Pureed Apples

1/3 cup milk

Mixing Bowl and Flour Sifter and Measuring Cups and spoons

For the Topping (goes on before baking):

2 Tablespoon Wheat Germ

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

To Make:

1. Sift dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon into a bowl and make a well in the center.

2. Place eggs, milk and prunes (or apples) into a medium bowl and beat with a fork until well mixed.

3. Pour liquid mixture into the flour well and mix until just moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

4. Fill greased muffin tins to 3/4 full

5. Mix the topping ingredients together in a small bowl and sprinkle the topping on the muffins and gently pat on.

Bake in the preheated oven (400 degrees) for 15 to 20 minutes for regular sized muffins or 7 to 9 minutes for mini muffins.

Submitted to Online Cooking by Maureen R. Sinclair

Tropical fish tanks are a great addition to a home or office. It is time to get started, and you have some important, and fun, decisions to make. There is a stunning variety of saltwater and reef fish to choose from, the ones you have seen in many tropical fish tanks.

Buying Your First Fish Tank First things first. You need a tank. The best advice is to buy the biggest tank you can. Of course, space and money are the usual constraints, but many find they enjoy their fish so much they wish they had purchased a larger tank! Buying another tank means spending more money, so getting the biggest one you can may save you money down the road. Tropical fish tanks come in many sizes, but the smallest tank to consider would be a 30-gallon tank. This size will provide swimming space for the fish and sufficient surface area for adequate exchange of oxygen into the water. Of course you can always add aeration equipment to your tank, but if you want to add more fish in the future, you will want an adequately sized tank.

Tropical fish tanks are either acrylic or glass. Glass tanks are a bit less expensive and will not discolor over time, but if you have kids that like to have sword fights in the house, remember that glass tanks break easier than acrylic tanks. Acrylic tanks can be ordered online to your specifications and they are lighter than glass so you can use a smaller fish tank stand.

Setting Up Your Tank Here are some things to consider about the location of your tank in your home, office or business. Make sure your aquarium does not receive direct sunlight. Sunlight causes algae to grow which makes the water cloudy and requires more of your attention. Also, avoid locations close to room heaters or air vents. These can cause changes in water temperature and the fish like a stable water temperature. You may find acrylic fish tanks come with a stand. You will need a sturdier stand for a glass aquarium because of the weight.

To prevent the possibility of cracking the glass, and make sure you have a polystyrene or rubber pad between the tank and the stand. Once you have your new tropical fish tank situated, it is time for water, but just to check for leaks. Fill it up and keep and eye on it for a day or two. If it is water tight, then it needs a thorough cleaning, and do not forget to rinse the gravel. Any contaminants left in the tank can poison your new fish, so clean and rinse thoroughly.

Get Your Tank Up And Running Now it is time to add salt and chemicals. Make sure you use a good guide to determine exactly what you need. Once the tank chemistry is set, run all your equipment including pump and heater for 72 hours to filter and heat your water and stabilize your tank.

Just Add Fish The day you have been waiting for. It is time to add some color and life to your new tank. There is a wonderful array of beautiful fish to choose from and, of course, what you buy will depend on your budget and personal taste. Tropical fish tanks are a great addition to any home or office. I hope you enjoy your new fish tank.

Discover best tropical fish keeping tips at my tropical fish tanks site at http://www.TropicalFishTanksBlog.com, and get your free Fish Compatibility Guide.

Aside from deciding where to stay on Yellowstone vacations, deciding whether to eat in or eat out can be the hardest for many people to make. Only in Yellowstone, dining in means eating at one of the many restaurants in the area and dining out means cooking your own meal over a campfire.

Campfire cooking seems simple enough. After all, isn't it just like grilling in your own backyard? Experienced campers understand the logistics of planning a week's worth of meals, shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up. You want nourishing meals, comfort food, easy preparation, and easy clean up. One trick that works for many folks cooking their own meals on their Yellowstone vacations is to pre-prep as much as possible. Freeze what you can ahead of time, like pre-made hamburger patties. Clean, chop, or dice your vegetables and store in plastic bags or containers. Keeping packages in zippered bags can keep out the water from melting ice. Some canned items are always nice to have along. Baked beans always taste good with a grilled burger or hot dog. Breakfast cereals and a quart of milk make for a quick, easy breakfast, but try an omelet made in a plastic bag and cooked in just a few minutes in boiling water. Kids love making these! Don't forget to bring beverages. Water is best, especially in higher altitudes. Dehydration can set in quickly if you're not careful. Remember the old Boy Scout rule and drink before you get thirsty, then take a drink, and then take another drink.

Some people like to do as little cooking as possible while taking their Yellowstone vacations. They prefer to visit outdoor stores that specialize in camping equipment and supplies. There they find a wide variety of pre-made and freeze-dried foods. Most require water for preparation and some degree of heat. A word of advice is to try a few varieties before you decide to use them exclusively.

Yellowstone vacations can be fun and relaxing, especially in the evenings around the campfire, full from a yummy stew or burger, some fruit, and maybe some S'mores. But smart campers are always careful to clean up their campsite completely and to store leftover food in secure containers well away from camp. Bears can be a problem, even in the campgrounds. Nothing is more tempting to a bear then a readily accessible pile of trash left from the evening's meal. Check with park staff to learn how you can bear proof your campsite.

Some moms especially don't like the idea of cooking at all on their Yellowstone vacations, so they are interested in what types of dining is available for their families near the park. The sky is the limit in the communities surrounding Yellowstone National Park when it comes to dining. Many quick service cafes specialize in home cooked meals with hearty breakfasts, filling lunches, and the comfort food we all love. There are more upscale restaurants and grilles in the area than you might imagine, and they have some exquisite menus. Here meals are prepared by chefs who offer the bounty of the land in ways you might never have imagined. How about grilled salmon with huckleberry chutney, served with asparagus and roasted red potatoes? Or how about elk medallions drizzled with rosemary cabernet sauce, served with wild rice and seasoned fresh baby vegetables? Follow up with bread pudding with vanilla cream sauce or a lemon sorbet with fresh huckleberries. Try several of the local communities, lodges, and hotels for the widest selection when dining. There's plenty for every taste and every budget.

Yellowstone vacations are a great time to try a little of dining in and dining out. A quick breakfast before that hike up to the lake to fish is an ideal way to start the day. That beautiful trout makes a tasty lunch before trying that new hiking trail. And a gourmet meal in town is a perfect way to end any day. See, you can have it all on your Yellowstone vacation.

Joe Dockter
http://yellowstonevacations.blogspot.com

Grab Your Hiking Boots and Let's Go!

Hiking is perhaps the most popular activity in the Catskills.

The origin of many hiking trails in New York State have their roots in the Native American-made paths to various seasonal hunting grounds. Later, loggers with ponies pulled hemlocks out the Catskill forests to make tanning solution and bluestone quarriers dragged out huge slabs of this dense blue-grey rock to pave New York City. The intrepid artists of the Hudson River School used these trails to find beautiful panoramas to sketch and later paint in their studios. Naturalists such as John Burroughs recorded the variety of flora and fauna unique to the Catskill High Peaks while Ralph Waldo Emerson is inspired to write his groundbreaking essay Nature by the very same Catskills.

Fortunately for today's Catskill hiker, there is a wide variety of hiking trails ranging from the most easy such as the paved and flat like the path along the Ashokan Reservoir. to extremely difficult three mountain loop of Devil's Path or the ascent to Slide Mountain. Whatever the hiking level you desire, we have chosen the best of Catskills hiking that gives beautiful views; the payoff for what can be a most vigorous exercise!

How to Plan for a Catskill Mountain Hike

There are a few sensible precautions that need to be considered before embarking on a hike whether in New York or anywhere else. While the Catskills can be easily traveled to and are close to New York City, knowing your terrain is guaranteed to make for a more pleasant day. Not sure about hiking in the mountains on your own? Add some luxury and amenities to your New York getaway; look for local area resorts such as the Emerson that offer hiking packages with guided hikes and lodging.

What You Will Need To Hike the Catskill Mountains:

1) Water: Bring plenty of it as natural sources can be contaminated with giardia- unless it is marked as a natural spring.

2) Bugs: The hiking trails of the Catskills are cool and damp, so expect mosquitoes. And while lymes-disease carrying ticks generally prefer hot and dry conditions, its good practice to tuck pants into socks and use a strong insect repellent.

3) Gear: Do wear good hiking shoes with sturdy socks to prevent blisters. Dress light but carry a sweatshirt and rain poncho in your pack as the weather can change suddenly. A walking stick can be an excellent stabilizer if the terrain should get rough.

4) Animals: The Catskills are full of wildlife and none are dangerous as long as you respect their space. Bears are only a nuisance if you are camping with lots of unprotected food. Bears tend to be shy but if encountered; make some gentle noise and they should run off. Another concern can be snakes but if you don't bother them, they won't bother you. If you should see a rattler, admire it from a distance. Snakes are most often found on the sunny side of cliffs among large rocks and boulders.

5) Plan: Make sure you let someone know before you go off into the wilds. Take a map and don't expect to rely on your cell phone GPS.

6) Respect: Lastly, bring out what you bring in. Paper and plastic have no place in nature.

Where to Hike: Choosing the Perfect New York Getaway in Nature

Very Easy Trails: Ashokan Reservoir & Colgate Lake

These hiking trails are good for families from grandparents to kids who need a level walking surface without dips or climbs.

• Ashokan Reservoir:

The Ashokan Reservoir's two long walkways, one an actual promenade and the other a closed road the public now uses, provide a panorama of the Catskill Mountains and the pristine Ashokan Reservoir that serves as the drinking water for New York City.

Great for bicycles, walkers and wheelchairs, the two paths are beautiful stretches of wide paved paths that curve for 3 miles along the Ashokan Reservoir. To get to this wide mountain vista, travel to Winchell's Corners on Route 28, turn onto Reservoir Road. At the junction of "BWS road" make a left and at 28A, make another left. Travel ¼ mile and make the next left and at the end of the road is a roundabout parking area for both paths.

• Colgate Lake:

A magical hidden gem off of Route 23A near Tannersville, this pristine, man-made lake is open for swimming, although there are no lifeguards or roped in areas so visitors need to take appropriate precautions. There is a small trail that circumnavigates the entire lake that is bowled in by mountains. Caution must be used around Colgate Lake as there can be poison ivy.

Easy NY Hiking Trails: Kaaterskill Falls, North-South Lake, and Diamond Notch Falls

• Kaaterskill Falls:

The two tiered falls of 175 and 85 feet are the highest waterfalls in New York State. The lower Kaaterskill Falls is reached by a trail beginning on Route 23A. Driving east from Tannersville and Haines Falls, park on the area to the right before the highway makes its steep descent down the mountain. Then, walk carefully along the road until you reach a hairpin turn and the falls are seen on your left. To reach Kaaterskill Falls from the top, travel east on 23A and make a left onto Country Rd 18 by the Twilight Deli and then, about a mile later, a right onto Laurel House Road. Park at the end of the road and follow the trail 1/5 of a mile to a worn bank supported by wooden beams.

This is the top of Kaaterskill Falls and extreme caution must be used to descend onto the huge boulders to get a look at the valley below. We do not recommend a descent as the ground is slippery and there are many injuries, but there is a small short trail that runs to the right. Walking with care, you can get a nice side view of the falls and the natural amphitheater it has carved out over the centuries.

• Escarpment trail North-South Lake:

The short hike to the site of the Catskill Mountain House provides the reward of incredible vistas of the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires beyond. Longer and more strenuous hikes can bring you to such spots as Artist's Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman's Ledge, Boulder Rock, and the Kaaterskill Hotel and Laurel House sites. Follow the well-marked trails and maps to lead you where you want to go. Swimming is permitted at North-South Lake, but only when there is a lifeguard present.

• Diamond Notch Falls:

This hike has an amazing variety of indigenous, native plants and flowers that grow along the path. Please note that any digging or picking of greenery is strictly prohibited. The walk is steep in places, but not difficult to navigate. The waterfalls add a special interest and there is a wooden bridge above the falls that offers a different view of the cascade. Travel up Route 214 to Lanesville, turn left onto Diamond Notch Road and park at the very end. The trail starts at the far right corner of the lot.

Moderate NY Hiking Trails: Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain & Giant Ledge-Panther Mt. Trail

• Hunter Mountain:

For a unique experience, take the Sky Ride from the Hunter Mountain Ski Center. The lift will take you up a 1600 foot vertical from the valley floor. A 2 mile hike from there will take you to the fire tower with beautiful views of the Catskill High Peaks, but this is a steep challenge. Less active hikers may want to enjoy the view from where the Hunter Sky Ride leaves you off and just hike back down to the base.

• Overlook Mountain:

This popular hike is located a couple of miles north of the Village of Woodstock. Take Rock City Road north from the Village Green all the way to the top of Overlook Mountain where it will change its name to Mead's Mt. Road. Parking is on the right and the trail is to the left. The climb is steep and uphill for 2.5 miles but the 360 degree view from the fire tower at the mountaintop is the best in the Catskills! Also note an abandoned ruin of a stone hotel from the 1930s about 2 miles up. Great for dramatic photographs or an eerie romantic picnic!

• Giant Ledge-Panther Mt. Trail:

This trail starts out easy with yellow markers and then switches to the more challenging blue markers after the spectacular view of Giant Ledge. Giant Ledge is located roughly 1.6 miles up the trail and afterwards, the trail follows a North-South Ridge for another mile that offers more lovely Catskill Mountain vistas.

Difficult NY Hiking Trails: Slide Mountain & Devil's Tombstone

• Slide Mountain

Another tough hike, but the Slide Mountain Hiking Trail is also the most rewarding! With an elevation of 1780 feet and a 5.4 mile round trip, you will need lots of water and good hiking boots. Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskills, so the view from the summit is unparalleled. To get there, drive to the end of Woodland Valley Road off Route 28 near Phoenicia and travel to the very end to the Woodland Valley Campground. The trail head will be on the left with parking on the right.

• Devil's Path:

Also known as Devil's Tombstone, this trail is known as the toughest hiking path in the Eastern United States. Nonetheless, hikers are drawn to it as it allows them to cover 5 mountain peaks in one excursion. The Devil's Path is a self guided trail that can be done in three sections or combined. The first section, Plateau Mountain, is 8 miles roundtrip and it culminates in a nice view over to Hunter Mountain. Then the trail levels out (hence the plateau) and the highest point is at the far eastern end about 2 miles away. Continue on a short distance from the summit and a view of Sugarloaf Mountain opens up. The Hunter Mountain Section is 4.15 miles and the West Kill Mountain Section is 7 miles for a total of 24.20 miles of hiking. The best access is to drive from Phoenicia 8 miles north on Route 214 and park at the Devils Tombstone day use parking area on the left. The trail head starts on the right after the enormous rock that purports to be the actual Devil's Tombstone.

Whatever your chosen skill level, it will be easy to find just the right hike in New York's Catskills. Make it a weekend getaway and enjoy all the Catskill have to offer.

Jen Dragon
http://www.emersonresort.com

Emerson Resort and Spa, an extraordinary destination offering the reassuring sense that one is no longer part of the outside world. Make yourself at home in one of our 53 exceptional guestrooms and suites. Enjoy comfort food favorites at the Catamount Restaurant. Or indulge in one of the soothing treatments at our Forbes Four-Star Spa. Outside, the picturesque Hudson Valley will complete this perfect environment of total harmony.

This alphabet lists 26 key benefits and best practices of using a real estate blog. Not all of these entries will apply to every individual blogging scenario, but they all apply to real estate blogs in general. So you are bound to find something useful here that you've never considered before.

Here you have them, real estate blog benefits and best practices ... from A to Z.

Authoritative

Everyone knows you have to understand a subject well in order to write about it or explain it to others. When agents blog about the real estate scene in their cities or towns, they position themselves as authorities on the subject. In this way, a real estate blog can be a useful tool for positioning, branding and differentiation.

Believable

If used properly, a real estate blog can make the agent (or company) behind it more believable. And let's face it ... in the post-Enron, low-trust world of corporate skepticism, a little believability can go a long way. Use your real estate blog to communicate openly and honestly with your audience. Lose the fluff and the jargon. Be candid and sincere. And speaking of being candid...

Candid

It's a mistake to treat your real estate blog as "Website, Part 2." Blogs are easy to publish, so you can publish to them more frequently. In this way, a real estate blog can become an ongoing dialogue between you and your audience (potential clients). To get the most out of this dialogue, and to achieve the believability mentioned above, a real estate blog should take on the candid, heartfelt voice of the author.

Direct

Real estate blogs are direct-to-reader / direct-to-consumer. You simply type your message, click the "Publish" button, and your message becomes instantly viewable online. Unlike other forms of business communication, there are no journalists or editors to put their own spin on things. Your message goes from you, directly onto your blog, and directly to your audience.

Enthusiastic

In a perfect world, only the truly enthusiastic bloggers would publish real estate blogs. But this is not the case, and as a result there's a lot of "half-hearted" blogs online today. Half-hearted commentary stands out like a purple elephant in the blogosphere. This kind of blogging actually does more harm than good. On the other hand, enthusiasm comes across in blog posts -- but enthusiasm is both positive and contagious.

Flexible

The number of ways you can use your real estate blog is limited only by your imagination and energy. Maybe your blog will be a source for local real estate news. You can do that. Or maybe your blog will cater to a certain niche, such as condo buyers or home sellers. You can do that too. With the versatile publishing capabilities of most blogging programs, you can set up your blog to support any business, marketing or communication objective.

Google-friendly

A real estate blog can help you increase your online visibility in several ways. For one thing, a blog can help you expand your website with new content, easily and efficiently. Blog daily for a year, and you'll have 365 new pages of content. And search engines love topical content. A real estate blog is also more "social" than a regular website, so with time and effort your blog can acquire links from other blogs. This "link popularity," as it's known, can do wonders for search engine ranking.

Happening

Generally speaking, real estate blogs are much more "happening" than their website counterparts. Blogs are easier to update than regular websites, which is important in the ever-changing world of real estate, interest rates, etc. When you update your blog often with quality content, it becomes an active resource that people are more inclined to read, revisit and recommend.

Informative

When you keep people in your area informed about the local real estate scene, you increase the usefulness of your real estate blog. You also increase the likelihood of future business from those readers, not to mention the likelihood they will recommend your blog to others. Blogging is a simple but effective way to keep people informed. Before you publish a new post, get in the habit of asking yourself, "How will this blog post help my readers?" If you can answer that, publish a way. If you can't answer it, rethink the topic.

Jargon-free

In general, blogs are not the place for corporate speak or "fluff" content. This applies to the real estate blog as well. Write your blog in your own voice. Don't try to impress people with your vocabulary. The best blogs convey quality information in a conversational style. This will increase your readership, the level of dialogue, and (ultimately) the blog's profitability as a client-acquisition tool.

Knowledgeable

Dr. John Tuccillo, former Chief Economist for the NAR, recently said: "With the expansion of the number of Realtors, the level of competence has fallen to its lowest point ever." If this general perception spreads to the public in general, it could cause real problems for real estate professionals. This is another area where a real estate blog can benefit you. Use your blog to show readers how knowledgeable you are on your subject. Just remember, some of your readers will know as much about the subject as you do. So check your facts before posting!

Lead-producing

You stand to gain a lot from the interaction and trust mentioned previously in this list. When you interact with your blog readers in a positive way, you have a much greater chance of turning them into clients. You can also configure your blog to allow reader comments, which is another way to generate leads and start a dialogue.

Manageable

Blogging programs simplify the web-publishing process to such a degree that anyone can do it, regardless of their web experience. In fact, a single individual could easily manage a large web presence if it were built on blogging technology. This is ideal for real estate agents who operate independently, without the benefit of an I.T. department.

Non-invasive

A well-written real estate blog will "pull" readers into the message, as opposed to pushing the message on the reader (like magazine ads). People can sign up for your blog in total privacy, either by using the blog's RSS feed or an email subscription option (if you provide one). The readers come to the blog -- it is not thrust upon them. As long as blogs in general adhere to this non-invasive, respectful approach, they will be held in higher esteem than other communication channels like email.

Operational

A real estate blog is more than a simple communication tool. It can serve operational roles as well. This could include internal collaboration (like an intranet) or outward instruction (like a home buying seminar online).

Purposeful

Before you publish your first blog post, you should determine the purpose of your real estate blog. Sure, you can always dive right in and figure out your purpose as you go. But your blog will be more effective (and easier to produce) if you have a purpose and plan ahead of time. Ask yourself, "What do I want to accomplish with my blog? Who is my ideal audience? What information would they find useful?"

Qualitative and Quantitative

When real estate blogging is done well, it has both a quantitative and qualitative affect. The quantity of content will increase your website's usefulness and search engine visibility. The quality of content helps you position yourself as an expert and differentiate yourself from other agents in your area (see entry for "Knowledgeable" above).

Recyclable

Blog content can be reused for many purposes. For example, you could expand your blog posts into article-length and publish them online for additional exposure and web traffic.

Straight-shooting

This point is somewhat repetitive of 'C' for candid. Guilty as charged. But it's worth repeating, so I'm repeating it. The most popular real estate blogs got to where they are partly by being straightforward. In this context, straightforward refers to both the design and the content of the blog. Real estate blogs that are "overly designed" tend to look more like websites than blogs. I truly believe this reduces their candidness and authenticity. The same goes for the blog's content. Blog postings that are straightforward and candid will generate more interaction and "buzz" among readers.

Thoughtful

The best real estate blogs are thoughtful. I don't mean thoughtful in the sense of "kind" -- although kindness does go a long way on the Web -- but thoughtful as in "full of thought." Each time you publish a blog post, put some thought into the content. Make sure it (A) supports your overall blogging goals, (B) gives your readers useful information, and (C) reflects well upon you as a real estate professional.

Usable

When you first set up your blog, it will be straightforward and easy to use. The default settings of most blogging programs are designed this way for a reason. But some people feel the need to clutter up their blogs with all kind of nonsense, reducing the blog's usability and readership in one swoop. Avoid this. Keep you blog clean and easy to read. Web readers and researches are skilled at hopping from site to site. They don't need much of a reason to bail out on you, and they'll do just that if your blog is hard to navigate.

Voluntary

You should blog because you want to, not because you think you have to. If you start a real estate blog just because everyone else is doing it, it will lack the heartfelt enthusiasm that's a trademark of popular blogs. (See "E' for enthusiastic above.)

Wise

Your real estate blog is the ideal place to share your wisdom about the industry. This will help you position yourself as an authority in your field (letter 'A' above) and foster the trust mentioned under the letter 'T' above. A "tip of the day" series is a prime example of this. It's a great way to share your real estate wisdom, and it's the kind of thing that will keep people coming back to your blog and recommending it to others.

Xstensible

Yes, I cheated with this letter. But real estate blogs are truly extensible (and you try to produce an adjective starting with 'X'). Your blog can grow as your audience grows, or as your company grows. You can add additional authors, perhaps a colleague in the mortgage industry. You can add sections to cover additional topics. You can expand a blog however you need to support your objectives. And it doesn't require an I.T. department to get it done. Blogging programs are designed to be extensible.

Yours

A real estate blog can have one author or several authors. I've seen popular blogs published by individual agents, as well as some published by teams of writers. But the blog has to belong to somebody. It should be yours, or his and hers, or all of yours. Somebody needs to own the blog. Otherwise, nobody will trust what it has to say.

Zippy

The dictionary defines zippy as "lively and full of energy." These are great traits for a real estate blog. If you are passionate in the way you publish your blog, it will eventually connect with readers who are equally passionate about the subject matter. These are the kind of people who will promote your blog without being asked to do so! It goes something like this: "Hey, Barbara, you have to check out this real estate blog I've been reading lately. Let me send you the link..."

* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the ACTIVE hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.

About the Author
Brandon Cornett is the author of a popular real estate blog that covers marketing-related topics. He is the author of several e-books on blogging and Internet marketing. Learn more at http://www.armingyourfarming.com

Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after all, pets are family members too! In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their pet, and the majority stay in pet friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist. If you will be planning pet friendly vacations, here are some tips for safe and trouble-free travel.

1 - When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are allowed. An important advantage of reserving online is that you can see in writing whether or not pets are permitted and any restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information. Verbal reservations leave more room for misunderstanding and miscommunication. If reserving by telephone, ask the reservation person to mail you a confirmation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information.

2 - Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you should begin getting your pet more accustomed to traveling so that pet friendly vacations won't be something new. Begin by making your car a fun place for your pet. Get in the car with them, play with them, give them a treat -- have them enjoy being there with you. Then take a short drive with them. Gradually increase the length of time and distance that you drive with them. Before making a long trip with your pet, the idea is to have them comfortable with being in the car for extended periods of time.

3 - Remember that securing your pet while traveling in the car is crucial for their safety and yours. Consider purchasing a dog safety harness for your pet to use while traveling in the car. If you have a station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. They are usually sold at pet stores or are available online.

4 - Pet friendly vacations planning should include taking steps to ensure your pet can be found if it accidentally becomes lost while on vacation. Be sure that your pet has an identification tag and wears it while on the trip. The tag should have your pet's name, your name and phone number. If possible, use your cell phone number, a home number and the number of where you will be staying.

5 - Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your trip. If your pet should ever become lost, you'll be able to show others exactly what your pet looks like instead of just relying on a verbal description.

6 - Check with your vet for any recommended vaccinations appropriate for your trip -- exposure to ticks while hiking, exposure to other dogs while being boarded or heartworm prevention if your dog will be exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important preventative measures to take before your trip. If your pet is a dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for your dog's collar. If you decide to day board your dog while taking pet friendly vacations, you may be required to show paperwork proof of the rabies vaccination.

7 - Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform the check-in person that you have your pet. You can inquire if there are any restricted areas where your pet should not be taken. Pet friendly lodging staff should be very accustomed to answering these kinds of questions and will appreciate your awareness.

8 - In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or vacation home rental -- never let your pet use the furniture or beds to sit, lay or sleep on unless you've covered the furniture or bed with your own cover. Place your pet's food and water containers on a mat or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. When staying in pet friendly accommodations, you may even choose to feed your pet outdoors.

9 - If you'll be leaving your pet alone in the room or vacation rental, make sure the front desk or rental agent knows. Be sure that you leave your pet secured in their travel container or crate if housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any time to clean. You certainly don't want a housekeeper to enter and be surprised or even attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out of the room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured.

10 - Be very careful while taking pet friendly vacations in warm or hot weather. Leaving your pet in the car can be deadly. Even when the outside temperature is only in the 70's or 80's, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and higher, especially when parked in the sun. It doesn't take long at these temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to your pet.

Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging can be lots of fun -- after all, your pet is part of your family too. Just using common sense and planning ahead makes for enjoyable and surprise-free pet friendly vacations.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website to find pet friendly vacations lodging worldwide, log cabin rentals, vacation home rentals, places to get married, discount hotel rooms, adventure travel and more.

The old myths are shattered. You'll be introduced to fly fishing in an entirely different way. Fly fishing is no longer considered difficult to learn or expensive to participate in. You'll soon come to realize that this sport is easy to learn, and will reward your efforts with many fantastic days on the water!

Learning to fly fish is an excellent way to utilize all of the natural resources that are available to everyone -- world-wide. Oceans, streams, lakes, bays and estuary's literally teem with game fish, and are easily accessible . By learning to fly fish, you will enjoy the natural world around you, get some easy exercise, relieve the strain of everyday life, and even better, there are no greens fees or country club dues - no membership tab, and no lines to wait on!

Here's the list of myths:

1. Fly Fishing is difficult

Fly casting will take a few practice sessions to become proficient enough to hit the water -- but that's all you'll need to get started. Why not take a look at some online fly fishing lessons (see the resources section at the end of this article) -- then practice in a park, your backyard or another private place. Hit a lake or pond, where you won't find many obstructions behind you to get in the way. Catch a few pan-fish, learn to land fish - now you're ready for the stream, ocean or wherever you'd like to fly fish!

2. Fly Fishing is expensive

It simply is not. Fly fishing can be expensive if you spend a lot of your hard earned mullah on premier, top of the line (dare say - overpriced?) fly gear. Don't go bottom of the line either - inexpensive equipment is hard to use because inexpensive materials are heavier and not as stiff as quality graphite. Very inexpensive gear simply does not hold up to rugged fishing use - and we are rugged, aren't we?

So -- look around. There are some great deals on beginner fly fishing outfits -- don't let the word "beginner" scare you away. This gear is not only fairly priced, but the rods are specifically designed to be easier to cast and will last a long time if you take care of them. Take this from a fly fisher that broke his very first (and precious!) fly rod in the hatchback of a Toyota Celica! Some fly rod outfits even come complete with a protective rod & reel traveling case!

3. You can only Fly Fish for Trout

You get the picture. Trout stream, pipe in mouth, tweed jacket, leather patches, wicker creel...

Wrong. Today's fly fishing is so much more exciting than that (but if the above excites you - by all means - knock yourself out!).

I took up fly fishing in my early twenties as the result of a childhood memory of my father and other fly fishers on the famous Beaverkill in Roscoe, NY. Let's just suffice to say that there was a lot of tweed and wicker in the '60's. Today the world has changed! Now -- picture this forty-something year old with his wife on the flats in the Florida Keys hunting down barracuda, bonefish and permit. All tropical, all cool, all hot, we were fishing machines -- it was everything you'd ask for in the excitement department!

Species: so many - let's see, OK - trout, bass (large-mouth and small-mouth), carp, pike, pickerel, perch, sunnies, crappies, steelhead, salmon (many varieties - and Lox is not a variety of salmon!), then there's striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, weakfish, bonefish, barracuda, permit, mangrove snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel , jack crevalle. Oh the list goes on! But I'll stop.

4. Fly Fishing has to be done in Exotic Locations

Although the Florida Keys are very nice, as well as New Zealand, Christmas Island, Belize and the like...

There are so many places close to home that can and will provide you with the total fly fishing experience. Your local park probably may have a stocked pond. That pretty little stream with the bridge that you cross every day -- may be a trout stream. The beach that you take the dog to for a run -- there are fish to catch there! Fly fishing is a great sport in that it enables you to open your eyes and enjoy the world around you.

Then again, a vacation sounds nice too!

Places: rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, tributaries, lakes, ponds, farm ponds, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, bays, estuaries, jetties, flats, reefs...

5. You need a PhD in Biology to Succeed

You won't need a PhD in any subject to succeed in fly fishing! You might think so after conversing with some fly fishers. The reality is that you can over-complicate this sport as much as you'd like. Yes, here are times that fish are selective (won't take the fly you're fishing) --- but in most cases you can dupe them with a selection of about two or three flies properly fished.

6. You have to be an Olympic Athlete to Fly Fish

Just as in any other sport, you can participate to the level of your physical abilities and derive complete enjoyment! Groups continue to build handicap access sites on streams and lakes -- all over the US (and worldwide), and you can find a location to fly fish right outside your car!

7. You can't learn to Fly Fish on your own

Many have, and many will. Guides, fly shops, fly fishing schools and the like will try to convince you that you'll need those expensive lessons to get started. We disagree. And here are the key words -- "to get started". There are so many great resources for the beginner fly fisher -- just read a little, online or off, and get out on the water and fly fish!

8. I thought you had to attach a real live fly to the end of the line

Negative. Fly Fishing is all about imitating fish food with a hand-made "fly", often constructed of fur and feathers, but can also be constructed from man-made materials. The key here is imitating the natural food of the species of fish your are fly fishing for. For instance, saltwater species often feed on small minnows -- and saltwater "flies" often imitate small fish or minnows.

9. I can't do it, I tried once

Here's the thing about fly casting: You are not casting any weight at the end of the line as with a spin rod. You are casting the fly line itself. Here's a simple analogy: pretend that you are holding a stick with an apple pushed onto the top. You want to toss the apple across the room to your friend. You would have to swing the stick and abruptly stop the swing to let the apple fly off the top of the stick and hurl across the room to your waiting friend. Just imagine now that the stick is your fly rod, and the apple is actually your fly line. Fly casting is much the same as the analogy: your forward cast will start, just as when you swung the stick, and then stop abruptly to allow the fly line to hurl forward. See the resources at the end of this article for a cool animation that you can view, explaining the basics of fly casting.

10. You have to cast really far to catch fish

Most fish are you'll be targeting are within 30 ft -- or, you can get to within 30 ft of them. To cast to a fish this far away, you only have to be able to cast 21 - 23 ft of fly line, taking into consideration that most leaders (your terminal tackle) are 7.5 to 9 ft. We know, for certain, that with one or two practice sessions -- you'll be casting at least that far!

AnglerUniversity.com [http://www.angleruniversity.com] is an online resource for beginner fly fishers that combines online fly fishing lessons (with animations, video, and photos) with a fly shop that offers fly fishing combos, fly rods, fly reels, and accessories. Check out a couple of the resources below for fly fishing information and gear. When you're ready to fly fish -- make AnglerUniversity.com your first stop on the Internet!

I've included a couple of resources for you to check out:

Online Fly Fishing Lessons [http://www.angleruniversity.com/enroll3.asp]

Basic Casting Animation/Lesson [http://www.angleruniversity.com/lessons_intro.asp]

Stylish, sexy, sleek, streamlined, spirited and speed demon are all words used to describe sports cars, which are essentially two-door automobiles that are designed for high speeds, great power and smashing good looks. The manufacture of the modern-day sports car began only after 1945, when the economy started booming, technology developed dramatically and better roads were being built. They came in various shapes like convertibles, roadsters, coupes, grand tourers and sedans. Sports-car lovers are either devoted to timeless classics that have been souped up for current times, or are trendsetters looking for the latest kind of exotic car.

From powerful purring beauties like the Mercedes Benz SLK 350 to thundering thrillers like the Ford Mustang V-8, you can choose a sports car that matches your personality. In fact, sports cars are as much about personality as they are about performance - smooth aerodynamic bodies of carbon fiber, chrome pipes and fittings, rich leather upholstery, wide wheels, shiny wooden panels and snazzy paint jobs.

Different brands of sports cars adopt different principles of design. Some cars may be light in order to achieve greater acceleration, others may boast of extremely powerful engines for better car handling and performance, while still others may stress safety and comfort rather than style. The majority of contemporary sports cars have front-wheel drives as opposed to rear-wheel drives, which were more common in the earlier generation of sports cars. Many cars also have the engine in the center, driving the rear wheels, which is unique to sports cars. In these cars, the engine is placed behind the driver, at the middle of the chassis. Porsche is the only sports car that has the engine mounted at the rear, driving the rear wheels. This aspect is a crucial part of car design, as it affects the maneuverability or handling of the car, which is critical at high speeds.

The most well known brands today are Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Triumph. Companies which manufacture other cars also make some sports models; prominent among these are Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Nissan. Today, the design and manufacture of sports cars is becoming more specialized and competitive, with newer, more attractive designs and a higher degree of technical sophistication being utilized.

Sports Cars provides detailed information on Sports Cars, Exotic Sports Cars, Classic Sports Cars, Sports Cars for Sale and more. Sports Cars is affiliated with SUV Vans.

Impressive Gourmet Foods

Joining a creative cooking school will teach you the necessary skills you need to prepare gourmet foods. There are many different gourmet foods you can learn to cook, such as gourmet meats, seafood, coffee, chocolate, and more.

Hard to Find Meats

Gourmet meats are especially popular finer gourmet foods and this includes ribs, pork chops, and smoked turkey, just to name a few of the many you can choose from. Gourmet meats can be implemented into meals all throughout the day, and there are various cuts of gourmet meats, which differ in terms of their tenderness and flavor.

If you do live in an area that has a great supply of gourmet meats make friends with the in house butcher. Tell him what type of event you are planning and how many people will be attending. He will be able to furnish you with all the information about the type of meat and its cost that you can serve to your guests that is sure to impress. Locating Gourmet Coffee

Finding that perfect cup of gourmet coffee amongst the myriad of brands available can be a tedious task. The flavor is contingent upon many factors. They type of bean and where it is grown, the way it is shipped and packaged, how fine the grind and finally brewing method.

Starting or finishing a meal of finer gourmet foods with a cup of gourmet coffee is adamant. If you have spent the time and extra money on the main course you will also want to serve the most flavorful cup of java. Starting with a flavored coffee and ending with a cappuccino or espresso is recommended.

Finally the Chocolate

Of course no talk of finer gourmet foods would be complete without discussing gourmet chocolate. Everyone loves chocolate, and in fact there are very few foods in history that are as highly prized as chocolate.

Gifts of gourmet chocolate truffles, fudge, dipped fruits etc., are all highly prized by the recipient. They can be found online and shipped directly to your friend or loved one.

Searching for finer gourmet foods can be done easily online. They can be shipped conveniently to your front door and added to your next gourmet meal or dinner party menu. Whether you are looking for gourmet meats, coffee or chocolates it is always worth it to take gourmet cooking classes. The the extra time and effort will definitely pay off with the compliments you will receive.

Find the latest information on Creative Cooking School as well as Cooking School.

If you live in the beehive state or have recently visited Utah for the first time you might have noticed a youthful quality within the state. In Utah-especially in college towns-there is an entrepreneurial energy that keeps new businesses (and the experienced) in the hot skillet of competition.

Utah Internet Marketing: The Competition is Hot

Online virtual reality is becoming just as competitive or more so than it's offline counterparts. Utah business men and women are competing for top rankings and widespread advertisement campaigns. Utah Internet marketing campaigns are tough competition especially since online virtual mediums are in an almost constant state of change.

If you are a Utah business owner, it can be difficult to decide which Utah Internet Marketing company is the best Internet marketing company for your particular needs or whether or not you should consider an in-house Utah Internet Marketing option instead. This article is designed to help provide you with the information you need to make a more educated decision.

Looking to Outsource Utah Internet Marketing Services?

If you decide that you want to outsource your Internet marketing campaign to a Utah Internet marketing company, it's going to be more difficult to "keep tabs" on your company's Internet marketing projects. So.......when you go looking for a proactive Utah Internet marketing company you need to make sure you have the right information and the right people underway in your own company first.

Make sure your company is ready for outsourced Internet Marketing executing the following steps:

1. Find someone within your own company who can manage and consistently check up on the progression of your Internet Marketing campaign. Essentially, this "marketing" person doesn't have to be a full time marketing employee. An energetic and ambitious employee who normally works in research, HR, as a consultant, in sales or even in accounting might have a hidden flair for marketing and may enjoy watching, tracking and reporting the progress of the campaign. He or she must spend a good portion of his or her working hours keeping in touch with Internet marketing employees, staying abreast of SEO and PPC projects, contributing to blogs and taking time to approve SEO content. This might seem like an obvious expedient but but you might be surprised how many companies essentially leave their marketing process in the hands of a Utah Internet marketing company of which they know very little. This can damage a campaign even if the Internet marketing company in question is conscientious of providing the services they are contracted to provide. Simply put, almost any Internet marketing company is likely to grease the "squeaky" client wheels and if you aren't calling, checking up, asking questions and confirming launch dates, it's very likely that your company will receive second rate services.
2. Decide exactly what it is that you want your website to accomplish. Whether you want visitors to buy products, make inquiries or submit information via your website, you need to know your goals and the respective priorities that will help you reach them.
3. Decide how much you want to spend. Your budget will determine the range of prospective Utah Internet marketing companies you can work with. Spending more will not necessarily get you better service or results so it is important that you know how much you want to spend. That way, you can select the best Utah Internet marketing company within your price range without getting unduly distracted.

Start Looking for a Utah Internet Marketing Firm

Once your own company is prepared to invest in an Internet marketing campaign, it is important to look for a Utah Internet marketing firm that has the following five characteristics1:

1. The Utah Internet marketing company you select should be able to promise you something. Internet marketing sales persons might be quick to say that Internet marketing companies can never promise any thing since so many Internet marketing services are variable in nature. In a sense they are correct, but if they can't give you a promise of generalized progress over a given amount of time, it isn't likely that they are trying hard enough to win your patronage.
2. Does their site rank well? This is important since they are after all an Internet marketing company. Ask them which keyword phrases they rank well for and take a look at their online material. Their sales persons may be slick and polished but if their website is less than helpful it's not likely that you have found the Utah Internet Marketing company that is going to do your website the most good.
3. If a company can't guarantee a certain amount of satisfaction (defined satisfaction) then forget it and move on to another company.
4. Choose a company that is willing to explain their services to you. Some companies enter the world of Internet marketing without understanding what exactly their Internet marketing firm will do to recruit links for their site. Not knowing the basics can get your company in trouble.
5. Look for a company that prides themselves on their market research capabilities.

In-House Utah Internet Marketing

If you like getting your own hands in the action then perhaps in-house Internet marketing is the game you should play. In-house marketing is beneficial in the sense that you have complete control of your Internet marketing process. It also means that when things get "tight" you can suspend your campaign and not be penalized for late payments.

Whether you go in-house or take the route of outsourcing, investing in Utah Internet marketing is important for almost every kind of Utah business.

1 The five characteristics are taken from the following online article:
http://www.salemglobal.com/website-marketing-choosing-seo-firm.php

Marci Crane is a copywriter for Main10 in Orem, Utah. For more information in regards to Utah Internet Marketing, please feel free to contact a Main10 representative

Almost people who tend to seek a job understand that resume is the decisive factor to whether you can make it to the interview round or not. Moreover, don't forget that resume and resume is "two sides of the one" which show your outstanding capability. However, not everyone can know how to make his resume and resume become "decisive" to the employer. It is not about spending more time or providing more information in the resume that make that resume becomes well impressive to the employers.

The employers are very busy as they may receive hundreds of resumes and resumes each day from different candidates. So, think carefully before you send your resume and resume to an employer is a good way to win over other candidates. Don't expect to win the employer when your resume and resume are common without any particularity. So, don't waste time sending "imperfect" resume and resume to different employers because your chance of getting to the next round is not significant at all.

Following are some basic tips for you to make your resume perfect:

1. Understand what your resume is about to gain:

Resume is, in fact, an approach to market your own image. Your goal is to impress the employer to open the path to the interview phase. With such goal, your resume must achieve the following:

• Prove to the employer that you truly want to be employed and are willing to contribute your best to the job;
• Show the employer that you have good qualification and working experience that exceed other candidates;
• Show your personality and traits that are suitable to the job;
• Present your good achievements at work that you have gained;
• Show that you are ready to enter the interview.

2. Find out about the employers:

Don't let your resume or resume in disorder or write a resume or resume in a certain available form. Resume and resume are one way to show off your personality and make the best explanation to the employers' question why they are impressed at you but not at other candidates.

Before writing a resume, you should spend time find out carefully about the employer. The more you know about the job and the company, the more suitable your resume and resume may be to the job requirements and as a result, the more your chance will be. Nowadays, with the explosion of information technology and internet, you can easily sit at home or at the old company to research about the employer on its website or by asking friends and others (those who know about that company". Don't start writing the resume until you have any idea about the employer.

Also, you should remember this important point: you need to show the employers what you can benefit them but not what you may benefit from them. The perfect resume must focus on the strength in necessary experience and skills that the employer may require from you. You will score more point with your knowledge about the employers and understanding of what they expect from you.

3. Different:

Make your resume and resume differ from those of other candidates. As such, you should never start your resume with such general salutations as "dear sir," or "dear sirs,"...

Normally, when a company posts publically a recruitment ad, it will surely address the name, address and contact number so as the resumes may be sent to correct address. Don't miss these important details and don't forget to start your resume professionally with clear address of the company and even, the name of the responsible person. The employer will understand that you have researched carefully about them and correct your resume before sending to them, and, you have gained a good score then!

4. Make a professional resume:

A resume should start with short but clear and open sentences. Your goal is to show that how much you understand about the job, why you love that job and how much experience you have gained when doing similar jobs. Then, why don't you put those in your resume and it in a professional way?

The strength of your resume depends on your confidence, but confidence here does not mean arrogance. Your resume must absolutely avoid words and phrases that may make the readers think that you are too sharp and even deceitful. Use the resume and resume to make the readers understand that you are sensitive, professional, politely and well qualified.

5. Focus on the most importance:

A resume or a resume both requires focusing points. You should go deeply into the most important points about your qualification and knowledge about the job and the company. You may make bold or italic important points (if printing). The length of your resume should not be more than 1 page and there must be a full name with signature at the end of the page.

Also, don't forget that the content of the resume and it must not be "different" in information, especially important ones. However, it is neither a part nor a summary of your one. So, differentiate the it's function and resume.

6. Check spelling and grammatical errors:

Even the smallest spelling or grammatical error may become the reason that eliminates your name out of the list of potential candidates. So, don't forget to check carefully for any error before clicking the "send" button, or bringing the resume across a long way to the employer.

7. Finishing:

Don't forget to end it with promising sentences that you are ready for the interview and if there is chance and will actively contact the employer before he or she contacts you. This way will help impress and smartly remind the employer of you. And also, don't forget to put your name, address, e-mail and phone number at the end of the resume or resume.

You can use free materials about resume writing at:: Resume templates and How to write resume [http://howtowriteresumes.info/].

Direct Car Insurance is the option of buying your car insurance directly from an authorized insurance company instead of going through insurance middlemen and independent agents.

To explain let us take this example. If you are sick with pain in your joints, there are two options you can choose from. You either go to a general practitioner and he would recommend certain medicines that would ease your pain. Or, you proceed directly to an orthopedic specialist, one who specializes in illnesses related to the bones of the human body. Chances are that the bone specialist would be able to diagnose the exact nature of your ailment and prescribe maybe some medicines or exercises that will at once have better effect on your condition. The general practitioner would probably have an idea about your actual condition but may not be in a position to accurately treat it.

Something similar happens when you choose a direct car insurance policy over an indirect car insurance policy.

One may argue that it is far easier to get quotes and information on car insurance policies from multiple indirect sources, as there are plenty in the car insurance market. It may also be a better idea as these indirect car insurers offer a wide variety of services in order to keep their car insurance policies better than the rest.

This is however not without its associated costs. Remember middlemen and independent agents and such indirect car insurers are in a business and not providing you the service out of charity. They obviously are looking for their profits. While on the look of it you may be offered multiple services at some good prices, you must never forget that you are paying a higher rate for the same. The independent car insurance agents are putting in their profits into the quote. The larger these independent car insurance companies are, the higher the hidden costs.

The direct car insurance agencies, on the other hand have their benefits. If you go at first to a direct car insurance company, you will directly be in touch with the car insurance provider itself. These direct car insurance providers are usually large companies which have in house services like emergency pick up vehicles, tie ups with official car service centers, legal advisors and such important services. What happens here is that these direct car insurance providers may not have to outsource their services to other car insurance agencies? Even if they do, they have clear and set procedures that are outlined. This removes the reasons for inordinate delays in providing emergency car services, settling claims and providing interim relief through rent a car services etc.

When you buy a policy from a direct car insurance agency you also save on costs. You can get cheaper car insurance with some very good facilities. Remember it is not the amount of services that you can get but whether those services can be used when you need them.

You may even be able to work out cheaper premiums for flexible periodic payments as well when you go to direct car insurance agencies. And to top it off you may even get some free extra covers along with your standard cover as well. These come in handy and end up saving you some money at a later stage. For example you may get free extended territorial cover or the direct car insurance agency may offer extended legal liability to family members. These would be specific to the district of residence of course.

There are some direct car insurance agencies that also offer you a better premium if you insure more than one car with them. This really gets you a good reduction in your associated costs and it always helps if there is just one direct car insurance agency that has to be co-coordinated with at all times.

There are quite a few car insurance companies which provide direct car insurance and you may need to shop around a little before you actually make your decision. This will also give you adequate knowledge about what the direct car insurance agencies are offering in the car insurance market. So remember, going in for direct car insurance is in the larger picture more beneficial to your pocket!

Scott is a consultant at Direct Car Insurance [http://www.lespillets.com/Direct_Car_Insurance.html], a directory listing site with all your car insurance information needs. If you have any other car insurance questions please visit [http://www.lespillets.com/Direct_Car_Insurance.html]

Industry of movies offers numerous kinds of movies. These are particular genres of movies which entertain us. They make us laugh, make us cry and sometimes makes us scare also, but in any case we get entertained and feel excitement. Main movie genres can be categorised into 11 kinds. These 11 kinds of movie genres are Action Movies, Adventure Movies, Comedy Movies, Crime & Gangster Movies, Drama Movies, Epics/Historical Movies, Horror Movies, Musical (Dance) Movies, Science Fiction Movies, War (Anti-War) Movies and Westerns.

As name suggests each genre of the movie is filled with the named element, such as action with great stunts, comedy with nerve-tickling sequences and like that. Along with traditional genre movie kinds there are also non-genre movie categories. Some of these non-genre movie categories may be Animated Movies, Classic Movies, Cult Movies, Children Movies and like that. Whatever the genre is whatever the categories are, this is a true fact that movies entertain truly and they lead us to a whole new world of fantasies.

The movie show most beautiful faces, most ugly faces, most tender love-filled heart and at the same time the most ruthless heart, that is, we can see every emotion of our life in these movies. The movies have great dance sequences, music and views. No one can spare oneself with the magic of these movies. Social movies spread good message for making the society a good place for living. These films inspire us a lot. Movies do impart education in that sense.

One genre of movie which attracts a huge mass of movie lovers is horror movies. The horror movies have strange characters with unusual faces and body structures. These movies show sound effects which are very scary that causes chills and shudders. Horrors movies excite us also and they are full of spine-chilling sequences.

Horror movies have often a terrifying and shocking finale. They scare us while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror movies feature a wide range of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today's CGI monsters and deranged humans. They are sometimes combined with science fiction. Here the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens. The scariest movies show sequences of an old and deserted big palace with no one, but a ghost and a group of people meet him or her in bizarre consequences. These movies are full of special sound effects and light effects.

Everyone loves to get oneself scared by watching these horror movies. It scares, excites and sometimes makes us laugh under fear also. There are many sub-genres of horror movies also like slasher, teen terror, serial killers, satanic, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. You would love to move away in a fantasy land with these movies so often. Movie industry has produced many excellent horror movies. Some of the top rated horror titles are Psycho, The Innocents, Dead of Night, Peeping Tom, The Wicker Man, The Haunting, Theatre of Blood, Dracula, Brides of Dracula, Dead Man's shoes and Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde to name a few. The horror movies are generally a tale of repression, superstition and sexual hysteria. These movies boast excellent cinematography, superb acting and seriously scaring moments.

It is very difficult to find the movie of your choice particularly in horror movies genre. New-age online shopping portals are offering many titles under this category. They have classical horror movies, cult horror movies, scariest horror movies and like that. The titles available wouldmesmerise you for sure. Shopping for these titles is also very easy and full of fun. Just check one of these sites and you can see lots of excitement is waiting for you.

Alden Jerry is an expert writer. Visit to know more about latest horror movies at movie stores from price comparison shop

Why not use your health insurance for counseling? Isn't that what it is for?

Perhaps.

But using health insurance for mental health services is a little different than other medical issues. Sometimes mental health issues are not covered by your health insurance. Once you use your health insurance for mental health, you will have a mental health diagnosis on file - a mental health disorder/mental health illness must be on the insurance claim in order for insurance to pay for treatment. This will be in your permanent medical record.

Of course you want to consider using your health insurance for counseling, but there are some good reasons for you to consider why you may not want to use your insurance for counseling services.

Why doesn't my counselor accept my health insurance?

Many counselors choose not to accept health insurance for very good reasons. They want to focus 100% of their time in treating you. If they accept health insurance, there is a lot of extra work involved in accepting insurance, in addition to agreeing to work for a discounted fee. The counselor may spend hours on the phone getting benefit information, authorizations, or following up on claims payments. The counselor has to wait a month for payment from the insurance company. The counselor has to file progress reports with the insurance company. The counselor is required to submit treatment reports and other details about your medical history with the insurance company.

It's not that counselors don't like insurance companies, or don't want you to use your insurance (we have health insurance too!), but many counselors prefer to focus 100% of their time and energy in helping clients, rather than doing paperwork for insurance companies.

But this isn't the only reason counselors may not be in network with your health insurance company.

The other reasons are more compelling, and you need to consider them BEFORE you decide to use your health insurance.

Many counselors prefer not to work in network with health insurance companies so that they can better protect your confidentiality. Any information (claims, reports, or treatment plans) filed with health insurance leaves the protection of their office and their locked files and your personal, private, emotional information is outside of your counselor's office. In order for any insurance company to reimburse or pay for counseling (both in network and out of network), you must be considered "ill". You must be diagnosed with a mental health illness or disorder. If you are not ill enough to warrant a diagnosis, then insurance will not pay for counseling services. If you do qualify for a mental health diagnosis, your illness will be listed in your permanent medical record. Many counselors don't like this "medical model" of declaring someone ill, so they choose not to accept insurance because they want to focus on their client's strengths, and not label them as mentally ill.

Do you want to be considered mentally ill? If you have a mental health diagnosis already, because you have been to counseling or psychiatric appointments in the past, find out what your diagnosis on file is. If you already have a mental health diagnosis, this may not be a concern to you, but if not, you may not want this in your medical record.

Counselors also do not like releasing information to others to protect your confidentiality. Once a claim is submitted to the insurance company, who knows how many people take a look at it and rubber stamp it while it travels through the system? If insurance pays for any counseling sessions (in network or out of network), then the insurance company has the right to audit your complete file. They can request copies of counseling notes, assessments, and other personal emotional information to determine if you really are "sick enough" to warrant their payment. They can deny services to you if they think you aren't sick enough or if they think your counseling is not "medically necessary".

Additionally, there are many counseling issues that are not even covered by insurance at all. Stress management and anger management are usually not covered. Marriage counseling is usually not covered. Certain medical conditions/mental health conditions may be excluded (such as attention deficit disorder or adjustment disorder). Even if your illness or disorder is covered by your insurance plan, they may limit the number of visits they will cover (sometimes only 20 per year), and they will set a maximum amount they will pay per calendar year or in your lifetime.

Additionally, counselors prefer not to have someone in the insurance company telling them how to treat their clients. Insurance companies can decide what type of counseling is covered, what diagnoses are allowed, and how many times the client needs to come before they are cured. Many counselors prefer to work directly with clients to serve their needs, without interference from an insurance company.

Using your health insurance for counseling services can also affect your security clearance, life insurance rate, employment, or future health insurance coverage.

For the above reasons, I recommend that you be informed about using health insurance for counseling. You may choose to file anyway, but be an informed consumer.

• Be an informed consumer.
• Know your mental health diagnosis.
• Talk to your counselor about the diagnosis.
• Ask your counselor about your treatment reports.
• Decide if you have, or want to have, a psychiatric illness.

If you have clinical, severe depression, anxiety, or other issues, then you probably already have a diagnosis.

But if you are stressed, having relationship problems, or trying to figure out your purpose in life, your symptoms may be minor, and you may not want to have a mental health diagnosis in your records.

Once an insurance claim is submitted to your health insurance company, your diagnosis becomes part of your permanent medical record, and can affect future life insurance, preexisting conditions, or the cost of private health insurance.

Jama Thurman is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Manassas, VA. She helps teens and adults who are stressed and anxious find peace and purpose.

You can get a FREE download of her book, How to Find a Counselor at http://www.howtofindacounselor.com. This book will help you figure out if you need professional help, how to find it, and whether you want to use your health insurance for payment for counseling services.

She offers practical suggestions and answers questions most consumers have about counseling services. You'll discover
*Seven Reasons You MUST Seek Professional Help
*Seven Ways to Find a Counselor
*Differences Between In Network and Out of Network Insurance for Counseling

To get your FREE book, visit http://www.howtofindacounselor.com

Faulty information costs you money! Which of these

popular business misconceptions do you believe?

Popular Misconception #1:

"We Only Need Our Books Done Once A Year For Tax Purposes."

Are Your Accounting Records Adequate To Run Your Business?

Although it is important to keep records for tax purposes,

it is not the only reason (or even the primary reason) good

accounting records should be kept. Another frequent reason

clients request financial statement preparation is to obtain

bank financing. Although important, this also is not the

primary purpose of keeping good records for your business.

Good recordkeeping will enable you to extract meaningful

financial information for your business that will help you

to manage it properly. If you can`t access this information,

you will not be able to manage your business properly. Bad

management leads to business failure.

Yes, the primary reason good accounting records should be

kept is to produce periodic (at least on a monthly basis)

financial statements for management information purposes.

Only with this current financial information can you properly

manage your business. This information can alert you to

declining sales, excessive expenses, tax opportunities,

cashflow problems, and many other vital concerns for your

business.

To be of value, this accounting system should be set up

with meaningful account categories and departments. It may

be cost-effective to have an outside accounting service do

the monthly bookkeeping. However, with accounting software

that is readily available, you don`t have to be an expert

bookkeeper to do your own books and extract meaningful

financial information.

If you do your monthly statements yourself, it would still

be prudent to have your accountant or business advisor help

you set up your system and, as well review such information

with you to discuss problems and opportunities.

Popular Misconception #2:

"Writing My Hobby Off As A Business Loss

Saves Me A Lot Of Income Tax!"

Is Your Hobby A Tax Write-Off?

If your business has no reasonable expectation of profit, if it is a

hobby and not really a business, you will ultimately fail in your tax

objective. Since your losses are being incurred for a hobby and not a

true profit generating business, the tax authorities will take the

position that you aren`t entitled to any deductions. This is a double

blow. First, you`re losing money. Second, you`re denied tax deductions.

It is true, however, that if you enjoy what you`re doing, you`ll do

better at it. You`ll be willing to work longer hours and you`ll be

willing to put up with more hardships in order to make your business a

success.

Rather than attempting to have the tax system subsidize your hobby,

why not turn that favorite pasttime into a real, profit generating

business? This is a doubly rewarding. First, you make money at

something you love doing. Secondly, the tax authorities legally have to

allow your reasonable expenses to earn your now substantial business

income.

Prove that you`re running a business by running a business. Prepare and

follow a proper business plan. Keep good accounting records with at

least monthly financial statements to give you the information you need

to manage your business. Above all, make money from what you do.

Popular Misconception #3:

"I Don`t Make Enough Money to Incorporate!"

Will Incorporating Really Benefit You?

Some persons resist the idea of incorporating themselves because

the tax savings may not justify the added costs of incorporation,

annual minutes, and extra tax returns. However, incorporation gives

advantages that go far beyond tax savings.

Insurance may give you some protection against loss. However, you

may suffer business losses and lawsuits that may not be covered. For

extra protection, consider incorporating yourself. The limited

liability of your own corporation alone may justify the additional cost

and complexity.

Corporations may also be used for income-splitting with your family,

as well as estate planning and retirement planning objectives.

Additionally, corporations lend some credibility to smaller businesses

and may enhance your image and prestige in the eyes of clients or

suppliers.

Lower corporate tax rates will generally apply on small business income.

Even in loss years, wages can be paid by the corporation to you so that

you may utilize personal tax credits available. If unincorporated, these

credits might be lost forever. The now larger corporate losses can be

carried forward to future (hopefully more profitable) years.

A full analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation is

beyond the scope of this report. However, being incorporated may give

you more flexibility and advantages than you originally anticipated.

Certainly, it is not prudent to reject it as an option simply because it

is more complicated and costly. In fact, it may be one of the best

investments you ever made.

Popular Misconception #4:

"I really need an office out.

Being home-based makes me look amateur!"

Is A Home Office REALLY Professional?

Many times small business persons make the mistake of generating

unnecessary overhead in order to impress clients and prospects. Often

this attitude leads to escalating debt and business failure. One such

example is getting an impressive, but expensive, commercial office

space.

Customers aren`t stupid. They can see when such outside space is

necessary or advantageous for them. They can also see when it is a

waste of money and designed to fuel your ego. What matters most to

clients is whether they are getting cost-effective results or not. If

your product or service delivers such excellent value, your customers

will be impressed and come back. In contrast, if one allows his ego to

get in the way of satisfying the customers` needs, they will go

elsewhere.

With the move to telecommuting, downsizing, networked communications,

and home-based businesses, operating from your home office is actually

smart and trendy. Can you think of a more appropriate location for a

consulting firm specializing in home-based businesses? They of all

businesses should set the example in cutting unnecessary expenses and

operating efficiently.

This is not to say that there aren`t any disadvantages to being

home-based. One certainly must be well organized, disciplined, and

willing to follow good time management principles. This alone could

mark you as more professional than other businesses, home-based or not.

Expensive office space is not the answer to reflecting a professional

image. If you are truly concerned about your image, offer quality

service. Make sure that all your corporate communications (telephone,

websites, printed materials, et cetera) reflect the professional nature

of your business.

Popular Misconception #5:

"Since we`re not seeking financing,

we don`t need a business plan."

Do You REALLY Need a Business Plan?

To obtain financing, many persons will prepare a business plan.

Although entrepreneurs will go to great lengths to get their loan or

capital, these same business persons will not bother to plan ahead very

far or analyse their business. Even if you required no additional

money, preparing a business plan can help you to succeed in your

business.

Running a business without a plan is like going on a trip without a

map,sufficient gas, money, or even a destination. Just as you wouldn`t

go on a vacation without some planning, no business can be successful

without it. Putting that plan in writing helps you to think out a

strategy for successfully operating and growing your business.

Where is your business today? Where will it be tomorrow? What is your

mission statement? What product lines are profitable? Which ones

aren`t? What business do you think you are in? What business do your

clients think you are in? Should you be in a different business? Is

your product or service less attractive to your clients? How are

competition, global commerce, technological and social changes affecting

your company? What is your competitive strength? What are your

weaknesses? Who are your biggest competitors? What are their

weaknesses and strengths? What is your marketing strategy?

What are your projected income and expenses and cashflow for the next

year? How about the next five years? Do you have a capital budget?

What determines whether you buy an asset or not? Do you have an exit

strategy? How will you manage growth? Do you have a financial plan? Do

you have an operations plan? What definite sales and net profit targets

have you set for this year and the next five years? What factors could

interfere with the attaining of these goals? What contingency plans have

you made to deal with such problems?

The purpose of these questions is to get you thinking and planning.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Although your accountant or

business advisor can help you prepare your business plan, only you can

set the appropriate goals and follow through on them. Yes, you

definitely need a business plan, not just for obtaining capital, but as

a roadmap for your business.

Popular Misconception #6:

"I like bartering with clients

because it saves paperwork and taxes."

Are You Reporting Barter Transactions?

Bartering is an excellent way of doing business. However, contrary to

popular belief, some barter transactions are taxable, both for income

and sales tax purposes.

Legally, you must maintain adequate financial records for your business.

Barter transactions made by your business must be reported to the

appropriate taxation authorities and taxes paid. However, transactions

between friends not engaging in business with each other may not be

taxable.

If you are an auto mechanic and I am an accountant and I swap accounting

services for your car repair services, the transaction in this case is

most likely taxable, even if we are friends. However, your accounting

fees should be deductible as a business expense and so should the

business portion of my car expenses. Note also that sales and similar

taxes may apply on this transaction.

On the other hand, if I trade accounting services for a vacation for my

family, I should really declare the value of such services as income.

The firm supplying the vacation would be able to deduct that value as

accounting fees. Any sales or similar taxes would have to be paid on

such transaction.

Many persons don`t record such transactions. For some, it may be a

matter of wanting to believe that you don`t need to be bothered with the

extra paperwork or taxes. Remember, though, that ignorance of the law

is no excuse. Legally, you must keep proper records and pay all taxes

due.

Popular Misconception #7:

"All My Workers Are Self-Employed, So I Don`t Need

To Bother With Payroll Or Workers` Compensation."

Do You Need To Pay Payroll Taxes?

To save on payroll taxes and workers` compensation premiums, many

employers arrange their affairs in such a way that those working for

them are self-employed, independent contractors. This is good tax

planning.

On the other hand, some employers take the position that all those

working for them are self-employed, whether they are or not. Although

it is tempting to eliminate payroll taxes and workers` compensation

premiums, care should be taken to do so legally.

Whether those working for you are employed or self-employed is a

question of fact (which can be determined by the Courts). Do you supply

the tools and vehicles? Do you determine the working hours? Do you

have the right to control how the job will be done? Do you pay a

flat-rate or by-the-hour or a salary? Does your worker have other

clients?

By asking several such questions, a pattern will emerge as to whether

your worker is employed or self-employed. If it turns out that your

worker fits all the criteria of an employee, don`t say he`s

self-employed. On audit, you would still be responsible for the payroll

taxes (and penalties and interest as well).

Even if your workers are considered independent contractors by the

Income Tax Department, it is still possible that they will be considered

to be "workers" for purposes of Workers` Compensation legislation.

Thus, it is the responsibility of the employer to determine whether such

coverage is necessary or not. Failure to obtain proper coverage could

subject you to substantial (and unnecessary) costs.

In review, calling someone self-employed, doesn`t necessarily make them

self-employed. If you have a dog, call it a dog. Your position that

your dog is really a cat will not be successful. Likewise, make sure

that your position regarding your workers is legally correct.

Popular Misconception #8:

"My Accountant Charges Too Much.

I Can`t Afford It Anymore."

Is Your Accountant Worth His Fee?

Many business persons view bookkeeping, accounting, and tax preparation

as necessary evils. In their view, accounting fees are an expense to be

reduced, deferred or even completely eliminated.

A good accountant, however, can give you benefits far in excess of the

fees charged. Well-designed accounting systems will enable you to

extract meaningful financial information for your business that will

help you to manage it properly, avoid business failure, and alert you to

declining sales, excessive expenses, tax opportunities, cashflow

problems, and many other vital concerns for your business.

Your accountant can save you lots of money with the advice you receive

on tax and other business matters. As well, a competent accountant can

be a valuable resource in discussing business problems and opportunities

with you.

Popular Misconception #9:

"Nobody Makes Money On The Internet."

Can You REALLY Profit From The Internet?

Many people feel that the Internet is all hype. Many others feel that

it is overrated. Still others are of the opinion that it may be good

for some types of business, but not theirs.

Typical comments heard include: "I`ve lost money on the Internet...Major

corporations have lost millions...Do you personally know anyone who has

made money from the Internet?"

However, if you check out the list of recent billionaires, a high

proportion of these are Internet-related, and many of them under

forty years of age. As well as the very rich, you can find many cases

of more modest financial prosperity resulting from Internet commerce.

It is true that many are losing money on the Internet. It is also true

that many don`t know what they`re doing. However, with the proper

assistance, you, too, could profit from the net.

J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope Consulting Inc., http://www.popeconsultinginc.com/ has been helping clients to earn maximum business profits for over twenty-five years.

For valuable Work at Home Small Business Ideas, visit http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/

One of the most common arguments that school authorities use to justify public schools is that all children have a "right" to an education. Public-school apologists claim that all children have a right to an education, and that only the existence of a massive, compulsory, government-controlled public-school system can "guarantee" that right.

As I will explain below, the claim that all children have a right to an education ends up hurting the very children it was intended to help. I will therefore ask a seemingly shocking question -- do all children have a right to an education? If they do, public-school apologists are correct in assuming that we need government to guarantee that right so no child gets left behind.

What is an economic "right" such as the alleged right to an education? A "right" means that a person has a claim on the rest of society (other Americans) to give him some product or service he wants, regardless of whether he can pay for it or not. For example, if we claimed that everyone has a right to a car, that would mean if someone couldn't afford a car, government would give that person the money to buy it (the payment might be called a car voucher).

Similarly, if we say that all children have a right to an education, regardless of their parent's ability to pay tuition, then only government can guarantee this alleged right. Government has to guarantee this right because no private, for-profit school will admit a student if the parents don't pay tuition (unless the student gets a scholarship). If a private school doesn't get paid for its services, it soon goes out of business.

Local or state governments can guarantee this alleged right in two basic ways. They can own and operate all the public schools and force all children to attend these schools, or they can give subsidies (vouchers) to parents to pay for tuition in the private school of their choice. Since most school authorities strongly oppose vouchers, that means they support only a government-controlled system of compulsory public schools and school taxes to guarantee children this alleged right to an education.

But government produces nothing by itself. Government gets its money by taxing us. To guarantee this alleged right to a product or service, government tax collectors must therefore take money from one person to give it to another. They must take from Peter to pay Paul, as the saying goes. So, in effect, a person who demands food, housing, or medical care as an alleged right, is really demanding that government tax agents steal money from his neighbor to give him an unearned benefit he didn't work for.

Education, like housing or medical care, does not grow free in nature. Just as someone must pay doctors, nurses, and hospitals for all the services they provide, someone must also pay for teachers' salaries, textbooks, janitorial services, and school upkeep. Other than air, nothing that we need is free.

The average public school now gets over $7,500 a year per student, paid from compulsory taxes. To guarantee education as a "right," local, state, and federal governments must tax all Americans to pay for public schools. All of us are taxed, whether or not we have school-age children or think these schools are worth paying for. So when some parents claim that their children have a right to an education, they are really demanding that their local or state government steal money from their neighbors to pay for their children's education.

Here's an analogy that might help clarify this issue. Imagine that your unemployed neighbor comes to you and asks you to lend him money to pay for his children's education. You reply that, though you sympathize with his problem, your answer is no. He responds by saying that he is poor, points out that you have a big house and a job, and insists that his children have a "right" to an education. You say, "Sorry, my answer is still no because I need my money for my own children's education." Suppose that your neighbor then gets real mad, pulls out a gun, puts it to your head, and says, "I asked you nicely. I told you my children need an education. You have a job, and I'm unemployed, so you have a moral duty to give me your money." Then he clicks back the hammer on the gun.

Does your neighbor have the right to put a gun to your head and steal your money because his children "need" an education? He has no such right. Nor does he, or any number of your neighbors, have the right to rob you by getting government to be their enforcer -- by pressuring local governments to take your money through school taxes. Any school system that uses compulsory taxes is a system based on the notion that theft is moral if it's for a good cause. No goal, not even educating children, justifies legalized theft.

It is only natural that all parents want the best education for their children, but do good intentions justify stealing from your neighbor? A mugger on the street who puts a knife to your throat and demands your money also has good intentions -- he wants to make his life better with your money. One of the Ten Commandments says, "Thou shalt not steal." It does not say, "Thou shalt not steal, except if you need tuition money to educate your child." Since no one has a right to steal from his neighbor, no one, including children, has a "right" to an education.

Some might argue that I may be correct on this issue when it comes to adults, but surely we can't punish innocent children for their parent's failures? Just because parents are poor or unemployed, why should innocent children suffer and be denied an education? The answer to that question is one that many people find hard to accept, yet it is true -- there are no guarantees in life, not for adults or for children. Good intentions to alleviate a problem do not justify hurting other people by stealing from them. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Moreover, if we agree that children have a right to an education because their parents are poor, then shouldn't they also have a right to food, a bicycle, a nice house in the suburbs, and designer clothes? If poor kids (and all children) have an alleged right to an education, don't they also have an alleged right to everything else that other kids have whose parents are well-off? Why not then say that anyone, poor, middle-class, or rich who has less money than his neighbor, has the "right" to steal from his neighbor? Where do we stop if some people can legally steal from others because they claim their kids need this or that?

The answer is, we don't stop, and we haven't stopped. That is why our country has turned into a devouring welfare state that is drowning in debt. When I use the word "welfare," I don't mean only for the poor. Rich, poor, and middle-class alike in America now claim the right to everything from corporate tax breaks and subsidies, to price supports for farmers, to Medicare, to rent subsidies for unwed mothers. When we let government steal money from taxpayers to give unearned benefits or subsidies to special-interest groups, we open up a Pandora's box. We become a nation of thieves stealing from each other. Is this what we want America to become?

It is true that a free market does not and can not guarantee that all children have enough to eat or live in a comfortable house. Likewise, a free-market education system in which all parents have to pay for their children's education obviously can't guarantee a quality education for every child.

However, government-controlled public schools also can't guarantee that every child gets a quality education. These failed schools can barely teach our children to read. Also, neither system can make guarantees because there are no guarantees in life, and because each child's abilities, personality, and family background are so different that such guarantees are impossible. The real question, then, is not which system is perfect, but which system is more likely to give the vast majority of children a quality education that most parents could afford?

Public schools fail and betray millions of children, year after year. The only "right" the public-school system gives to school children is the right to suffer through a mind-numbing, third-rate education for twelve years.

In contrast, the free-market, while not perfect, gives us all the wondrous goods and services we buy every day, such as cars, fresh food, computers, refrigerators, and televisions. The superbly efficient and competitive free market gives us all these marvelous products at prices that most people can afford. Even the poorest American families today have a car, refrigerator, and sometimes two televisions in their homes. If we want to discover which system would give the vast majority of children a quality education at reasonable prices, I think we have the answer -- the free market, hands down.

We therefore don't need a failed public-school system to enforce an alleged right to an education, when there is no such right in the first place. Each parent should be responsible for paying for their own children's education, just as they pay for their children's food or clothing.

Finally, public-school apologists use this alleged right to an education to justify keeping the public-school dinosaur alive, in spite of these schools' never-ending failure. Many public-school apologists who claim that children have a right to an education do so out of good intentions. They want to give all children a chance to get a decent education. But good intentions mean worse than nothing if they lead to dismal consequences. This alleged right to an education lets government bureaucrats have tyrannical control over our children's minds and future.

The "right" to an education requires a massive government-controlled public-school system to enforce that right. But it is this same public-school system that cripples the education and lives of millions of children. So, ironically, the alleged right to an education is the worst thing we can offer our children.

Most low-income families don't need government education handouts anymore in the form of allegedly "free" public schools. Parents today can buy quality, low-cost food in a competitive, free-market food industry full of grocery stores and supermarkets. In the same way, parents today can give their kids a quality education using low-cost Internet private schools and homeschooling.

Only when we reject the notion that all children have a "right" to an education will we get government out of the education business, permanently. Only a fiercely-competitive free-market education system can give kids the quality, low-cost education they deserve.

Joel Turtel is the author of two books — “Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children" and “The Welfare State: No Mercy For the Middle Class.” He is also a syndicated columnist and education policy analyst. Website: www.mykidsdeservebetter.com Email: lbooksusa@aol.com Article Copyrighted © 2006 by Joel Turtel. NOTE: You may post this Article on another website only if you set up a hyperlink to Joel Turtel’s email address and website URL, www.mykidsdeservebetter.com

There is Southern Cooking and then there is SOUTHERN COOKING! You can follow a recipe and still come out with a dish that does not resemble what the recipe intended. The reason is technique and the little secrets that are not included in the recipe.

Technique is as important as the ingredients and proper technique helps you avoid the following common mistakes made by novice cooks. You can find many free Southern recipes on the internet, but few web sites provide the additional information needed to to be a real Southern cook. So when you find a site that does, bookmark it and stick with it for your Southern recipes. (See Resource Box below for recommendation).

7 Biggest Mistakes:

1. Failure to Properly Preheat Oven When Baking.

Have you ever made cornbread that came out soft and crumbly without a crust? Or biscuits that did not rise and have a gray color? It was probably due to the fact that your oven was not properly preheated. When baking, the crust is set in the first 10 minutes. So, if you want a nice, golden crust on your cornbread, be sure to get the oven up to 400 degrees before you put the cornbread in.

Ovens vary in how long it takes to reach a given temperature. Some ovens will reach 400 degrees in 4-5 minutes. Some will take as long as 15 minutes. A good practice is to get a thermometer (any food thermometer that goes up to 425 degrees will work) and time how long it takes your oven to reach 250, 350, 400 and 425 degrees. Write it down and keep it handy if you can not remember. Then always allow the alloted time to reach the desired temperature before beginning your baking.

2. Undercooked Vegetables

Keep in mind we are talking about Southern cooking. Not Chinese or West Coast casseroles. Many vegetables, Southern Style, are cooked considerably longer than most people tend to cook them. Specifically, green beans are cooked until soft and dark green in color. They are not crunchy and bright green. Okra and green tomatoes, are cooked until some burned edges appear and are very crunchy. As a general rule boiled vegetables are cooked until very tender and fried foods are cooked until crunchy (this goes for cornbread, fried chicken and pork chops, too).

3. Failure to Use Cast Iron

I have never researched all the reasons why, but Southern cooking is best cooked in cast iron cook-ware. The cast iron holds and transfers heat unlike any other type metal. Food just does not cook the same in aluminum or steel. Especially cornbread. Besides, it is the traditional way to cook Southern.

Older cast iron tends to have problems with rust and food sticking, but the newer cook-ware comes already cured (seasoned) so it is not as much a problem. However, it is not difficult to cure your cast iron if you have an older style. You can get complete, free instructions in the web referrals below.

4. Failure to Use Onions and Bacon

Onions and bacon (or bacon grease) are used extensively in Southern cooking. Some cooks, however, stray away form cooking real Southern because they (or family members) do not like onions and/or concerns about the fat content in bacon.

They do this because they fail to understand the reason for using bacon and onions. They are NOT in the recipe so that you taste onions or bacon. They are there only to provide subtle flavor. A unique Southern flavor. If you do not like onions, use only a small amount and remove the onion from the dish before serving (put onion in cheesecloth while cooking and it is easy to remove). If you are concerned about the calorie content of bacon, do not use whole bacon. Just add 1/2 tsp of grease from previously cooked bacon. And, accept the fact that Southern cooking is not inherently low fat. It is meant to be flavorful and robust. So, use that bacon and onion for real Southern dishes.

5. Overworking Dough

Southern breads are meant to be light and fluffy. Even cornbread should not be heavy and solid. Many Southern cooks never learn how to make good biscuits. And homemade Southern Biscuits are the trademark of good Southern cooks.

Three errors cause bad biscuits (and other breads). First, do not overwork the dough. Biscuit dough should only be kneaded three times. No more. Just enough to shape it for cutting out the biscuits.

Second, when cutting the dough, do not push down and twist the biscuit cutter. Push straight down and straight back up. Twisting compacts the edges of the dough and causes uneven cooking.

Third, remember the previous mistake above...preheat your oven. A cold oven can result in flat, hard biscuits.

6. Yellow Cornmeal and Sugar in cornbread

Everyone has their own preference, but, please do not use yellow cornmeal in cornbread. It may be mental, but it just does not taste the same as white cornmeal. Besides it looks funny. And, NEVER, NEVER put sugar in cornbread if you want authentic Southern cornbread. Cornbread is bread to accompany a meal. It is not dessert. It is not cake! It is BREAD. So, if you like sweet cornbread...go ahead and use your sugar...but, do not call it Southern Cornbread!

7. Failure to Use buttermilk

All good Southern cooks use buttermilk in everything except desserts. Regular milk does not add the flavor that buttermilk does. Especially in any dish with cornmeal (cornbread, hush puppies, tamale pie, etc.). If you do not have buttermilk, you can make a reasonable substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a cup of regular milk. Allow to sit for a minute before use.

These are some of the most common mistakes (or lack of Southern cooking technique) made in Southern cooking. You can ignore all of them and make eatable food, but it will not be traditional Southern. Even some good Southern cooks fail to comply with all the above, but they have probably developed a variation of these same techniques.

So, get in that kitchen, fire up the stove and make your family a real Southern dinner tonight.

Ken Miller is a free lance writer and webmaster for http://www.olsouthrecipes.com, Southern Recipes - Southern Cooking, where you can find FREE recipes for the most popular, authentic Southern dishes like fried chicken, fried okra, biscuits and gravy, cornbread and many more.

A health insurance broker is just like any other type of broker; this one just happens to specialize in the field of health insurance. A broker is somewhat like a matchmaker. His responsibility is to match up those seeking health insurance with health insurance companies that most closely match that person or group's needs.

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Health insurance brokers are sought by those individuals who, for various reasons, do not belong to a group insurance policy. These individuals are often the self-employed, or those with pre-existing conditions. However, a health insurance broker will also work with the coordinators of group insurance benefits in much the same way he works with an individual. The broker is given a list of desired benefits, either by an individual or a group coordinator, and the broker shops around to find the best match. The health insurance broker then presents what he feels is the best plan based on the list of needs, and if the person or group benefits coordinator agrees, the broker usually works to get a contract signed by both parties.

Who Does the Health Insurance Broker Work For?

It's important to understand that a health insurance broker does not work for a health insurance company. Instead, a broker makes it his business to know all about the different health insurance companies in the area including their reputations, their frequency of rate increases, and even such things as the way they treat policy holders who submit a lot of medical claims. But even though the health insurance broker is different from a health insurance company, it often does happen that a broker is given an incentive (usually a financial incentive) to recommend one health insurance company over another.

There has been a gradual introduction to the world of health insurance projected in this article. We had done this so that the actual meaning of the article will sink within you.

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Will it Cost More to Use a Broker?

We have not actually resorted to roundabout means of getting our message on health insurance through to you. All the matter here is genuine and to the point.

Does the cost of health insurance differ if it is secured by a broker? That's difficult to answer in general terms. A health insurance broker might be able to get an individual included in a group plan that is offered by the state or a trade union or organization and in such a case, an applicant might find the rates are lower and the coverage better than if he had attempted directly applying via a health insurance company. Most health insurance brokers work on commission and only make money when they've matched up insurer and insured. That means that one party or the other (and in some cases, both parties) typically is responsible for paying the broker's fee.

Because the rates and the rules regarding health insurance are continually changing, health insurance brokers are few and far between. Most states do have licensing requirements that brokers must meet before they're allowed to work as a health insurance broker. And because these requirements are issued at the state level, they differ from state to state. But if you find yourself lost in the tangled web of health insurance red tape, consider working with a health insurance broker. That person might just turn out to be your best ally.

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