I recently researched a piece for Bankrate.com about what type of travel policy you would consider for various trips. This is an abridged version. Remember, be fore you buy any policy, check to see if you're already covered through your credit card or ? See all stories on this topic ?
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The surcharge to travel to or from Newark Liberty International Airport will rise from $15 to $17.50. Research. More 'working' vacations planned. With more Americans worried about the direction of the economy, a survey found that 52 percent of employed ? See all stories on this topic ?
Activists Urge Lifting of HIV Travel Bans ? Voice of America ?
The GuardianActivists Urge Lifting of HIV Travel BansVoice of AmericaSpeaking at the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC that concluded Friday, ? See all stories on this topic ?
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My name is Shon Hyneman and I?m a Husband of ten years to Londina Hyneman and Father of two children. I am a speaker and owner of Never Again Ministries which promotes Marriage Enhancement and Holistic Relationships from a Biblical perspective yet apply it to your everyday life. I am the author of four books If You Apply These Principles?God Is More Practical Than We Think (2008) It?s The Woman You Gave Me (2009) Workbook:Three Are Even Better (2010) and my latest book WISDOM: Preventing Problems Before They Happen (2012)How I became an author is through conversing with my Wife about various issues in Marriage and relationships from money to children to sex. In these conversations is where I would get my materials for my books. We would coach married couples and singles on the most relevant issues surrounding their lives. I?m an avid reader so material would come from books too. One key to writing a successful book is to be transparent to the readers. Not only talk about your achievements but talk about your failures and how you overcame adversity.Writers block happens to the best of us. What works for me is to step away from the notepad, desktop or whatever I use to write and do something else to take my mind off writing. Later on I come back to writing with a clear mind to write about my book?s topic. I try to take as many notes as possible when I have an idea for a book so when I write I already have a table of contents and at least a chapter to start with. That?s what works for me when I encounter writers block. I prefer to self-publish than to go with the traditional publishing company route. With today?s social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn one is able to promote their work online. I have an editor, graphic artist (for book cover design) and I purchased a block of ISBN numbers for future books I write. I also have a printing company I use when it?s time to order copies of my books in bulk. For marketing you can have a virtual book tour which is someone you pay for them to connect you with people who have their own radio shows and interview you on their blog. It?s a great and efficient way for an unknown author to get the necessary publicity they need.I suggest one write about what they are passionate about as opposed to what?s popular. Whatever one is passionate about they will go the extra mile to do the research for the necessary material they need for their book. Also, read as much as possible about what you are passionate about. For example, I am passionate about marriage and relationships so I read at least fifteen books a year on that topic. If one choose to use material from other books make sure you give them the credit. The last thing an author need is to be known for plagiarism.Guest post by?Shon Hyneman
There is a faint hypnotic tune ringing hauntingly in the distance. It is pulling you into a blissful trance-like state; slowly it blends with your senses and takes you into this inexplicable high, up to the seventh heaven. Can?t figure out where it is coming from? Look closely; there is no sign of an instrument nearby. For all you know, this idyllic piece of music may be coming from a smartphone.
With approximately 4 billion cell phones around the World (inclusive of 25 million iPhones), there is a lot of potential in mobile creativity, that is, using mobile phones for a host of unimaginable purposes. Perhaps, it all started when Ge Wang, a Professor of music at Stanford CCRMA, with an aim of bringing about a ?mobile renaissance?, founded the Stanford Mobile Phone Orchestra, popularly named MoPhO. Says Wang,
?It levels the playing ground in some ways because everyone has a cell phone. Further, they are communication devices. So inherently, they connect people.?
Transform the multi-touch screens, built-in accelerometers, built-in microphones, GPS, data networks and computation into powerful and yet mobile chamber meta-instruments ? transforming the phone device into a grand instrument is not as complicated as it just sounded. Devise a quick code and the cell phone turns into ?one of the most intimate and personal devices man has ever known, but also one of the most ubiquitous.? In 2008, Wang co founded a company called Sonic Mule (SMULE), exploring interactive sonic media. With this began an array of music making mobile applications. Not your regular touch and play apps, but more comprehensive, interactive, sound centred applications that pave a promising way for music making applications.
http://bit.ly/NPaGem
The trendsetter in this category is Ocarina, an app that converts the iPhone into a 12,000 year old clay wind instrument called ocarina. The app enables users to blow into their smartphone devices? microphone to play flute like music. Available for 99 cents on App Store, Ocarina creates sounds in real time, based on gestures, tilt, wind input and finger placement on the four holes displayed on the touchscreen. Another part of the app shows the globe of the world with glowing points of light on different parts of the globe, each of which showed someone somewhere who had just used the app. You tap on a glowing point and a tune played by someone in that part of the world will be heard by you, wherever you are.
?This is connecting people musically that was not possible with formal performance,? says the founder. Perhaps this is the first instrument that connects and lets others having the same instruments hear what they are playing. ?One of the most magical programs?, as put by the NY Times writer David Pogue, Ocarina is among those very few music making apps revolutionising the mobile applications category.
I have listed below some other apps in the mobile music making category that have gained widespread admiration, owing to their unique features:
http://bit.ly/OvJiRF
iBone: It is a phone trombone which lets the user touch or blow into the mic to play a sound. Pitch can be changed by sliding the finger on the touchscreen and volume can also be adjusted. This app is available on Android as well.
Gliss: Gliss goes beyond the method of music making, uniting different human senses and skills. It lets you create music by drawing on your smartphone. The app sort of lets you draw what you?d like to hear. There are 5 colours in the palette, each representing a different type of sound. A cursor on the screen interprets your drawings. Tilting the phone left and right enables you to play the music backward or forward, fast or slow. The tilting also leads to the drawings falling to the either side, thus changing the sound?s pitch.
http://bit.ly/O9rBd7
Drum Meister: If you are someone who likes loud music and huge instruments, then this iPhone music making app is for you. It allows you to play drums on your phone using fingertips. It includes 10 drums, all on the same screen. Perhaps the coolest thing about this ap is that it lets you rearrange the position of the drums which influences the sound produced, through the 3D surround effect. It is available for $1.99.
So many apps focusing on enabling users to make their own music through their smartphones makes me wonder if everyone owning a smartphone will soon turn into a musician. It is truly a mobile revolution. As Ge Wang says, ?A mobile marching band isn?t far off.?
The month of August brings us not one, but two full moons. The first will kick off the month on Wednesday (Aug.1), and will be followed by a second on Aug. 31.
Some almanacs and calendars assert that when two full moons occur within a calendar month, the second full moon is called a "blue moon."
The full moon that night will likely look no different than any other full moon. But the moon can change color in certain conditions.
After forest fires or volcanic eruptions, the moon can appear to take on a bluish or even lavender hue.? Soot and ash particles, deposited high in the Earth's atmosphere, can sometimes make the moon appear bluish. Smoke from widespread forest fire activity in western Canada created a blue moon across eastern North America in late September 1950. In the aftermath of the massive eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991 there were reports of blue moons (and even blue suns) worldwide. [Infographic: Blue Moons Explained]
Origin of the term
The phrase "once in a blue moon" was first noted in 1824 and refers to occurrences that are uncommon, though not truly rare. Yet, to have two full moons in the same month is not as uncommon as one might think.? In fact, it occurs, on average, about every 2.66 years.? And in the year 1999, it occurred twice in a span of just three months.
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For the longest time no one seemed to have a clue as to where the "blue moon rule" originated.? Many years ago in the pages of Natural History magazine, I speculated that the rule might have evolved out of the fact that the word "belewe" came from the Old English, meaning, "to betray."? "Perhaps," I suggested, "the second full Moon is 'belewe' because it betrays the usual perception of one full moon per month."
But as innovative as my explanation was, it turned out to be completely wrong.
More mistakes
It was not until that "double blue moon year" of 1999 that the origin of the calendrical term "blue moon" was at long last discovered.? It was during the time frame from 1932 through 1957 that the Maine Farmers' Almanac suggested that if one of the four seasons (winter, spring, summer or fall) contained four full moons instead of the usual three, that the third full moon should be called a blue moon.
But thanks to a couple of misinterpretations of this cryptic definition, first by a writer in a 1946 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, and much later, in 1980 in a syndicated radio program, it now appears that the second full moon in a month is the one that's now popularly accepted as the definition of a blue moon.??
This time around, the moon will turn full on Aug. 31 at 9:58 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (6:58 a.m. Pacific Standard Time), making it a blue moon.
However, there is an exception: for those living in the Kamchatka region of the Russian Far East as well as in New Zealand, that same full moon occurs after midnight, on the calendar date of Sept. 1. So in these regions of world, this will not be the second of two full moons in August, but the first of two full moons in September. So, if (for example) you reside in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky or Christchurch, you'll have to wait until September 30 to declare that the moon is "officially" blue.
Blue moon/New moon
While we've assigned the name blue moon to the second full moon of the month, it seems that we have no such name for the second new moon of the month.? Nonetheless, these opposing phases seem to be connected with each other. For if two new moons occur within a specific month, then in most cases, four years later, two full moons will also occur in that very same month.
As an example, there were two new moons in August 2008. Now, four years later, August 2012 will be graced with two full moons.
The next time we will see two full moons in a single month comes in July 2015 (July 1 and 31). But if you still have a calendar leftover from last year, check the month of July.
You'll find that there were two new moons on the 1st and the 30th.
Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.
Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
? 2012 Space.com. All rights reserved. More from Space.com.
Written by schoolanduniversity 2012-07-28 05:58:42
Overview:Since the economic situation of business world is facing dynamic changes, each and every organization is keen in managing their financial resources. Accounting is considered as the lucrative job roles in business sector. Accountants have to maintain all the financial records and review its accuracy.
Eligibility:The main job responsibility of accountants is the proper management of financial resources and transactions. Accountants keep track of all the business operations, analyze the investments, generated revenues and expenses to prepare the financial reports. Tax deductions and tax returns are maintained accurately in compliance with the federal laws and regulations. Budgets are prepared and reviewed in order to perform the analysis of costs which will help in developing new business strategies to enhance the effective management of money.
Job Prospects: The job prospects are expected to be good for both the entry level accounting professionals. Candidates with professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) may find better job opportunities. A master's degree in accounting or a MBA degree with specialization in accounting can provide an edge in the job market.
Degrees Offered:
Doctorate/PhD Certificate
Public accountants provide wide services such as taxations, accounting and auditing, consultation to clients such as corporations, federal government sector, individuals and for non-profit organizations. Management Accountants work in the private or corporate organizations and their main focus is on budgeting and performance evaluation. Professionals who work with the government agencies or render services in preparing financial records subject to the federal laws and regulations are termed as government accountants.
For more information on Accounting ,
Visit:http://www.schoolanduniversity.com/study-programs/business/accounting
http://www.trafficgeyser.net/lead/account
The victim of an alleged hate crime in Nebraska has decided to make her name and face public for the first time since her attack, she says, to squash those skeptical that it ever happened.
?I?m not hiding from this anymore,? Charlie Rogers of Lincoln, Neb., told KETV in Omaha.
Rogers told police three masked men broke into her home early Sunday, bound her wrists and ankles with zip ties, beat her and carved anti-gay slurs into her arms and abdomen.
The men also allegedly spray-painted a derogatory term for lesbians inside the home and tried to set it on fire, in what police in Lincoln, Neb., are investigating as a hate crime. Rogers told police she was targeted because she?s gay.
Lincoln police so far have no suspects, Officer Katie Flood told NBC News, leading some to question whether Rogers made it all up.?Rogers says the doubters are making her a victim all over again.
?Being a victim in situation like this or a survivor and then having your integrity questioned, I guess, it feels very victimizing again,? Rogers said. ?It makes an already difficult situation more difficult because my world has been changed forever by these events.?
Rogers said she hasn?t spoken publicly about her attack because she doesn?t want to affect the police investigation, but she says she wants her own voice to be heard.
?I understand that people sort of have a hard time wrapping their heads around the things that have happened, as do I,? Rogers said. ?But I?m a person with feelings, with concerns. For people to think that this doesn?t happen here, it does. It did.?
"We are investigating all aspects of the case, including the possibility that it is a false report," Flood said. "This type of evaluation is not uncommon and is necessary in completing an investigation. This is a complex case that takes time.?At this time, investigators are aggressively pursuing all leads in the case."?
Rogers was a standout basketball player at the University of Nebraska, and she says she?s an avid volunteer and a small-business owner.
Vigils in multiple Nebraska cities were organized in the days following her attack and more are planned, though Rogers says she won?t be attending them because she?s still in hiding.
?I could never thank them in a way that I feel adequately expresses how much it has meant to me that people are standing with me and people are standing for me,? Rogers said. ? There is fear, but there is resilience. There is forward.?
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When you visit the city of Houston, Texas, you will usually need a car rental during your stay as without this it will be very difficult for you to commute on the cities busy roads. Especially if you have plans to visit different places in the city and around Houston, you will surely need to rent a car from car rentals in Houston. This will assure you the freedom to visit all the places in the city with your own schedule and without depending on any of public transportation modes. This will make your trip easier and relaxing.
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If you move for a holiday to the Houston city, then you should be surprised by exploring many of the fabulous holiday spots in the city. You can save much of your money on transportation by availing good offers from cheap car rentals around the city, who are offering cheap rates for rent a car in Houston, Texas.
Also you can rent a car to cut down your budget to some extent and yet experience all the charms of the city. Look out for cheap car rental rates in the market.
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In Houston you can directly rent a car from the airport on arrival of your flight and you can deal with?car rentals?directly through the websites that offers special discounts on rental cars. You can get the best deal according to your need and enjoy your stay around. So, start your Houston journey in a lavish car with all comfort and luxuries.
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If you talk about the city, it is full with enjoyment factors due to its connection with almost all the global cities around the United States.
With all the historical moments and traditional things that have certainly influenced the whole city one gets much more to explore. With lively environment, growth of the industrial sector and most beautiful places are founded in this city. You can experience the magic moment of your life here, which is unforgettable nights and days and hanging around with your ease.
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Roaming around the Houston city is just like a ride around the dreamland. The culture and the tradition of the Houston city are extraordinary with comparison to other famous cities around. You can visit the art galleries on the way and much more. The place of beauty can make many effects on your eyes because the city reveals its beauty with style. You can savor the nightlife and the enjoyment at its best when you are at the city.
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Since you will be availing a vehicle from the car rental you will be responsible for the car that you rent, it is wise to know the responsibility that you have towards the car and the car rental company. In case of unpredictable incidents like damage to the vehicle or injury to the occupants, neither the customer nor the company should feel wrong and have big loss. So looking for an insurance check while you rent a car will be the best option to avoid such troubles.
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About Elite Rent A Car: Elite Car Rental Houston, Texas is the largest Auto Rental Company in Houston providing a Cheap Car Rental service in the industry to its clients by simplifying the process of rent a car. For more details and discounts visit http://www.eliterac.com/
From: Paul Joyce, Deputy State Examiner of the State Board of Accounts
Brian Bailey, Commissioner of the Department of Local Government Finance
Date: July 24, 2012
Re: New Funds for Certain Income Tax Distributions
Implementation of the uniform county chart of accounts has brought to light that counties have been commingling income tax certified shares and distributive shares with property tax dollars. This practice fails to provide accountability for each of these revenue streams and any remaining balances. In order to avoid creating shortfalls in these commingled funds State Board of Accounts (SBOA) did not ask for change in 2012 but we are looking to improve the uniform accounting system in 2013 and beyond.
Beginning in 2013, the SBOA is instructing all county units to use funds, 1110, CAGIT County Certified Shares or 1121, COIT County Distributive Shares, as applicable, to receipt, disburse and account for balances of county income tax dollars not otherwise designated for special legislation or property tax relief. Planning and budgeting for this change is necessary during the 2013 budget process. Please enter these funds as new "home rule" funds in Gateway.
These new funds are separate income tax revenues for the purpose of fixing the county budget and may be used for any allowable governmental purpose. Salaries, fringe benefits, capital expenses are all appropriate uses of these funds. Income tax, however, is the only revenue source for the fund. The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) recommends leaving costs that affect the maximum levy calculation in the general fund where the property tax is receipted. Costs affecting the maximum levy calculation for counties include the mental health and mental retardation contributions. Leaving these costs in the property tax supported fund should prevent possible future challenges.
It should be noted that no changes are required for CAGIT PTR, CAGIT for county specific legislation, COIT for county specific legislation, CEDIT or any of the LOITs for property tax relief. These amounts are already accounted for in separate funds.
Lafayette isn't only the name of a simple town in France, it's likewise a trendy city right close to San Francisco Bay. Besides citizens with popular names, the French influence is fairly ostensible in different places in this city. A lot of homes here likewise have French architectural influences, including mansard roofs.
It's simple to locate mansard roofs from miles away due to their distinct form, incomparable to the normal roofs on most suburban houses. They take their name from Francois Mansart, a 17th-century French architect who drew palaces for the nobles. Mansard rooftops were extremely popular in the 1850s in Paris, and several structures in the city still hold to this time-honored design. You can notice mansard roofing on enormous mansions and chateaus; but what makes this roof design so well-known?
Not like the majority of roofing styles, mansard roofs help maximize attic space and make operational rooms from it. The rafter is fixed in a pentagonal shape like the base plate of a baseball field, with the parallel sides are a little bit slanted. Several support structures such as floor and ceiling joists, ashlarings, curbs, and sprockets aid the mansard shape.
You can recognize that you're looking at a mansard roof if you can hardly notice the upper slope. The steep sloped edges allow your home windows to be placed along the sides and present sufficient ventilation to rooms inside the mansard structure. While the mansard roof structure shares some commonalities with another roofing style, the gable, it's imperative that you understand that they are somewhat different.
In the U.S., mansard roofs can be found mostly on mansions and hotels. They are still a craze in Lafayette, particularly with condominium proprietors aiming to add more space without adding one more floor. In fact, as reported by Daniel Bromley, writer of Sufficient Reason, building owners pick the form of mansard roofing Lafayette has today to be exempted from property taxes. So although a building has 7 floors, it simply seems to have 6 when watched from outdoors.
Such was the situation throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, in which mansard roofs grew in popularity. Many look at this Lafayette roof construction approach a clever trick, while others would rather think of it as "innovative." Still, if you're living the good life in magnificent Lafayette, mansard roofs may help you save a lot.
Mansard roofs just seem awe-inspiring and are practical too. Visit MansardRoof.org and find out more about this roof style. Otherwise, you can ask a Lafayette roofing contractor to know if this example of Baroque architecture is parfait for your little chateau.
For more details, search roofing Lafayette, Lafayette roof and Lafayette roofing in Google.
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Despite a drought that threatens the business and livelihood of U.S. ranchers, someone at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) thought it?d be a great idea to encourage agency employees to go vegetarian once a week because, apparently, eating meat causes global warming, er, global climate change.
Unsurprisingly, when people heard about ?Meatless Mondays,? things didn?t go over so well and the agency has since backed off the initiative.
?This move by USDA should be condemned by anyone who believes agriculture is fundamental to sustaining life on this planet,? said J.D. Alexander, president of the National Cattlemen?s Beef Association.
The agency proposed the meatless initiative in an online newsletter to employees about ?greening? efforts.
?One simple way to reduce your environmental impact while dining at our cafeterias is to participate in the ?Meatless Monday? initiative,? the USDA newsletter stated. ?This international effort, as the name implies, encourages people not to eat meat on Mondays.
?How will going meatless one day of the week help the environment? The production of meat, especially beef (and dairy as well), has a large environmental impact,? it continued.
?According to the U.N., animal agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases and climate change. It also wastes resources.?
The newsletter also informed employees about the ?many health concerns? associated with ?excessive consumption? of meat.
After the release of the online newsletter, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to clarify the departments? position.
?Never in my life would I have expected USDA to be opposed to farmers and ranchers,? Moran said in a statement. ?American farmers and ranchers deserve a USDA that will pursue supportive policies rather than seek their further harm.?
?With extreme drought conditions plaguing much of the United States, the USDA should be more concerned about helping drought-stricken producers rather than demonizing an industry reeling from the lack of rain,? he added.
Moran asked whether it is USDA ?official policy? to discourage consumption of ?American grown meat,? according to Fox News.
?It is my hope that the USDA has not abandoned farmers and ranchers in pursuit of policies best left to the Environmental Protection Agency,? he said.
For its part, the Agriculture Department says ?Meatless Mondays? was made ?without proper clearance,? the Associated Press reported.
USDA spokeswoman Cortney Rowe says the department does not endorse the initiative, which is part of a ?global public health campaign.? The agency removed the posting hours after the National Cattlemen?s Beef Association denounced it in a news release.
Chinese investors have spent over $10 billion on residential real estate in the past two years, and invested $1.71 billion in commercial real estate in 2011 alone. This large influx of Chinese buyers makes it important for real estate professionals to understand their wants and needs.
First, let?s look at why U.S. investments are so appealing to Chinese investors. If one word comes to mind, it?s value.
Real estate is very expensive in China, and high prices are the driving force behind investments in the United States. ?For the price of a 500-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong, around $2 to $3 million US, one can buy a 5,000 square foot house on a half-acre lot in most parts of the U.S.,? said Robert Hsu, editor of InvestorPlace?s China Strategy column, in a recent article.
In the article, titled Chinese Investments in U.S. Real Estate, Mr. Hsu shows that Chinese buyers are purchasing everything from stereotypical homes in suburban areas to lavish estates. ?My friends in China often ask me about a $34.5 million Beverly Hills mansion that was recently sold to a mainland Chinese couple. In New York City, a $50 million apartment in the new One57 condominium tower was also sold to mainland Chinese buyers,? he stated.
Whether purchasing a small house in Phoenix, Arizona or a full-floor condo in New York City, many Chinese buyers make decisions with numbers in mind. To accommodate them, developers are actually planning projects based on ancient Chinese philosophies.
During the planning of One57, developers decided to put the largest, most luxurious units on the 80th through 88th floors. Since the number eight is believed to be a lucky number associated with prosperity and wealth, it should be no surprise to hear that many of the units were purchased by Chinese buyers.
Aside from lucky numbers, feng shui is also very important.
Originating in China thousands of years ago, feng shui is a system of geomancy that uses the laws of Heaven and Earth to receive positive qi (or chi). Following feng shui principles and building positive energy is believed to improve one?s quality of life.
When it comes to real estate, feng shui applies to everything from putting toilet seats down to furniture positioning to color schemes. Surprisingly, implementing feng shui concepts can actually boost home value and decrease time-on-market, while on the flip side, ignoring feng shui can adversely affect sales. This is especially true in areas with a large number of Chinese buyers, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami.
A study released in 2007 by the Chinese Science Research Institute found that 21 percent of the public say they believe in feng shui. This means over one-fifth of Chinese buyers in the United States will likely make decisions with feng shui in mind, which adds up to billions of dollars in investments.
In conclusion, marketing is all about understanding target markets, and real estate professionals in the U.S. are beginning to understand Chinese buyers. However, there?s still a long road ahead.
Money management has an affect on almost every part of your life. Take charge of your finances. The following tips will give you some great advice on how you can keep your personal finances in check.
Never sell when you aren?t ready. Leave your stocks alone if you?re earning money on them. Instead, look at stocks that are doing worse and determine whether you want to move them around.
TIP! You should always get rid of your financial documents in a safe manner. You can buy a shredder to help with this.
It is important that you file your federal income taxes in a timely manner. If you?re expecting to get a refund, you?ll want to file your return as early as possible in order to get access to your money. If you owe the government money it?s better to just file near the date they?re due which is April 15th.
Protect your finances by ensuring you have the proper medical insurance policy. Everyone, at some point in life, will get sick. This makes it vital that you have a good health insurance policy. Before you know it, a stay in the hospital, as well as doctor?s bills, can reach tens of thousands of dollars. With the right insurance, you?ll be covered instead of facing years of debt.
TIP! Review your monthly bank statements when you receive them. This way you can keep an eye on any increases in monthly rates or fees.
Do not borrow money or start new lines of credit unless you have no other option. While credit may be necessary at times, you will be happier if you are without debt and save money for those larger purchases that come along. A home or a vehicle are some things you might have to take out credit for
To create a emergency fund setup, an automatic transfer amount to your savings. Automatic deduction frees you from the responsibility of remembering to save all the time, and the money you save could be a lifesaver in the case of unexpected unemployment, medical expenses, disaster or other crises.
Looking online can be a good way for one to find coupons that would not have been available through any other form, such as a newspaper or in a store. Looking for coupons only takes a few minutes and you could save a lot of money.
TIP! Make sure you pay attention to the news so you can expect market movements. Americans tend to ignore news from outside the U.
Cancel your cell phone service in order to save money. This may not sound like a good suggestion, but many people have survived before without cell phones. Actually, your smartphone and PDAs are a matter of convenience more than anything. At least try to see how much you use and attempt to reduce your bill by opting for a cheaper plan.
Each weekend, set aside a certain amount of money that is dedicated for your weekend spending. Once you receive your paycheck, do not touch it. This is a good idea since it will prevent you from spending unwisely.
Make sure you have a secure way to dispose of documents that contain personal information. It is a good idea to invest in a shredder for this purpose. You could risk fraud and identity theft if you don?t properly dispose of old files you no longer need. You need to thoroughly protect yourself to prevent this from occurring.
TIP! If the timing is wrong for you, avoid selling. Leave your stocks alone if you?re earning money on them.
It may not be possible for everyone, but avoiding debt as much as you can is one of the most sound financial decisions you can make. Take out a loan for only big ticket, necessary items such as a new car or a house. But you should not charge your credit cards for everything.
There are ways to negotiate with debt collectors. They most likely bought your debt from the original company for a much lower price. Even if you only pay a little bit of the debt you owe, they profit. Take advantage of this to get rid of any old debt at a low price.
If you want to buy a big-ticket item on credit in the near future, raise your credit score before doing so. You could either take small loans and pay it quickly or get credit cards and pay them every time. When paying your bills, always pay a bit more than the required minimum payment.
TIP! Keep your eye on the market trends when planning your forex trades. When you stay informed on a timely basis, you can be sure you are ready to buy and sell at the optimal times.
A helpful saving strategy is to set up an automatic withdrawal from your main account into a high interest savings account. While you may not like this at first, it will eventually become routine to you and you will have a good deal of savings to show for it.
The way you handle your finances affects every part of your life. Make sure you maximize the positive affects by employing these tips into your personal financial scheme
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Contact: Abigail Seadler aseadler@agiweb.org American Geological Institute
Alexandria, VA As a part of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2012 Global Diaspora Forum, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), other top scientific organizations, and the U.S. Department of State have signed a mutual memorandum of understanding establishing the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Expert Partnership.
The STI Expert Partnership seeks to promote economic prosperity, democratic governance, and social development through increased scientific and technological diplomacy worldwide. With the support of U.S. embassies and international networks, the Partnership will exponentially expand the reach of U.S. scientific experts traveling abroad through identification of new and existing diplomacy opportunities worldwide. The initiative aims to highlight the global challenges facing the international scientific community, and hopes to collaboratively solve these critical issues moving forward.
Cooperating partners for the STI Expert Partnership include the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the Association of American Engineering Societies (AAES), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the National Academy of Sciences, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department of State.
"The American Geosciences Institute is thrilled to be a member of this distinguished group," said Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, Executive Director for the American Geosciences Institute. "With our diverse member societies and access to over 250,000 geoscientists, AGI is uniquely positioned to help tackle the global challenges facing the geoscience community. We look forward to engaging with new and foreign publics and strengthening the foundation for expanded international geoscientific cooperation."
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The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Contact: Abigail Seadler aseadler@agiweb.org American Geological Institute
Alexandria, VA As a part of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2012 Global Diaspora Forum, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), other top scientific organizations, and the U.S. Department of State have signed a mutual memorandum of understanding establishing the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Expert Partnership.
The STI Expert Partnership seeks to promote economic prosperity, democratic governance, and social development through increased scientific and technological diplomacy worldwide. With the support of U.S. embassies and international networks, the Partnership will exponentially expand the reach of U.S. scientific experts traveling abroad through identification of new and existing diplomacy opportunities worldwide. The initiative aims to highlight the global challenges facing the international scientific community, and hopes to collaboratively solve these critical issues moving forward.
Cooperating partners for the STI Expert Partnership include the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the Association of American Engineering Societies (AAES), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the National Academy of Sciences, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department of State.
"The American Geosciences Institute is thrilled to be a member of this distinguished group," said Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, Executive Director for the American Geosciences Institute. "With our diverse member societies and access to over 250,000 geoscientists, AGI is uniquely positioned to help tackle the global challenges facing the geoscience community. We look forward to engaging with new and foreign publics and strengthening the foundation for expanded international geoscientific cooperation."
###
The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
We?re looking for a native English speaking writer to write 10 health articles. Topics typically range from general health to foods and digestion.
There is a minimum of 550 words each. Writer should have SEO experience of keyword density in content writing
The subjects and keywords will be provided to the winning bidder.
Please provide writing sample and qualifications. ALL WORK AND HEALTH STATEMENTS MUST BE CITED. References should be in AMA or MLA format.
All written work have to be original, and well written. Plagiarized work will not be tolerated. All work will be scanned by Turnitin and Copyscape.
Dieticians and health professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.
***PLEASE READ*** Please provide a writing sample and list your qualifications.
*The Winning Bidder must be able to provide their general personal information for a ?Work for Hire Agreement?; if you don?t know what this is or have a problem with this DO NOT BID.
Upon successful completion of this project, the writer(s) will be given a chance for a long term business relationship.
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Not a Conflict says Malloy school board appointee whose family company will get 60 of 130 new preschool slots in Bridgeport.
The Connecticut Post has picked up on the news that two daycare facilities that are personally connected to one of the Malloy Administration?s seven appointees to Bridgeport?s illegal board of education has ?won? nearly half of all the new preschool slots the state is funding in Bridgeport.
According to the CT Post, ?Nearly half of the new preschool slots awarded by the state to the city are going to a program that is part of the ministry of Rev. Kenneth Moales Jr., a state-appointed city school board member.?
The article continues that ?Kingdom?s Little Ones Christian Academy, an East End daycare and after-school program run by Moales? mother, Peggy Moales, and his sister, Kenya Moales-Byrd, is getting 60 of the 130 new slots awarded to the district and some $500,000 that goes with it?
Wait, What? Readers may remember a June 21st post about Moales and his conflict of interest.
Moales presently serves as the Vice Chairman of the school board that was appointed by the Malloy Administration when the State of Connecticut attempted to take over the Bridgeport Schools. Following a Supreme Court ruling that the State?s action was illegal, the appointed board was allowed to continue its work until a special election could be held to select democratically elected members of a new Bridgeport board of education, an election that will take place in September.
Moales, who is also one of the Democratic Party?s endorsed candidates for the new board, not only voted to hire Bridgeport?s present $229,000 part-time superintendent of schools Paul Vallas, but helped lead the effort to extend Vallas? contract in order to prevent the new board from selecting a different administrator.
As I wrote about a month ago, Kingdom?s Little Ones in Christ, Inc., a company affiliated with Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc., [Moales? church] had received approximately $600,000 in public funds for day care and after school services? from the City of Bridgeport over the past year and more than $2.2 million since 2006. You can find the details here: http://jonathanpelto.com/2012/06/21/rev-moales-its-called-freedom-information-act-even-applies-you/
As part of Governor Malloy?s ?education reform? effort, the City of Bridgeport is now getting its share of an additional 1,000 early care slots.
The CT Post writes that according to Bridgeport?s director of early childhood education, the slots were ?awarded based on strict state criteria that took into account whether providers had spaces immediately available, were already receiving early childhood slots from the state, had adequate and qualified staff and which were accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.?
Bridgeport?s School Readiness Council also plays a role in the allocation process and Moales? sister serves on that committee.
When the allocations were announced late last week, the City of Bridgeport took 40 additional early education slots, Moales? centers received 60 new slots and the remaining 30 will be given to other entities that provide these types of services.
When the CT Post asked Moales about the situation, he said that ?it is not a conflict ? I cannot apologize for being a leader in my community. I am not taking away anyone?s business?
While their corporate filings have not been properly maintained at the Secretary of State?s Office, Peggy Ann Moales, Kenneth Moales? mother, appears to serve as the President of Kingdom?s Little Ones in Christ, Inc. and the President of Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc.
The full CT Post story can be read at more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Bridgeport-ed-board-member-denies-conflict-of-3729325.php
Purpose: I wanted to create a roleplay in the Avatar:The Last Airbender world that would give players the freedom to explore different themes and styles of bending. The roleplay should let players participate with a character that can bend any/all elements to varying degrees of power without godmodding. There will be an overall plot about interaction with the spirits and the world that hasn't yet been developed. Ultimately, though, the roleplay will end with the creation of the Avatar Spirit and people only being able to bend one (if any) elements.
Roleplayers should be able to handle a quick-paced plot, post more than once per week, and maintain a high level of roleplaying.
About Me: I'm an Avatar fangirl - been with the series since its premiere (good memories watching the first episode with my brother as it came on air for the first time!) and I help to mod an Avatar fansite. I have about 7 years roleplaying and intermediate experience in GMing and DMing (for DnD). I'm happy to work on characters or plots with anyone!
About The Roleplay:
The Plot: The year is 10,000 BSC (Before Sozin's Comet). The Great Lion Turtles have left the people of the land; and society is in the midst of the advent of bending. The nations have not yet formed, and the subsects of the elements have not yet split. There is no legend of the avatar yet; although there are whispers of a man who can bend with great skill more than one element. The world is being ravaged by rogue spirits. The great guardians ? the Lion Turtles ? have left, and in their wake, a flood of malevolent spirits has entered in the space where they once reigned.
The Society: Technology exists, but sparely. The world is not beautiful; while some may specialize in the creation of new technologies or art forms, the majority of humanity is attempting to survive and to, perhaps, conquer their rough world. Naturally, the cultures of each respective area are just forming. The Future Water Tribes are equal in prosperity; the brave settlers who have attempted to tame the landscape have erected huts and are figuring out short-distance travel over sea and snow. The Future Earth Kingdom is the most diverse in culture. Their huts are made out of earth and wood. Some areas are inhabited by nomadic wanderers. Some areas have developed agriculture; and with that development, a social system is starting to blossom. The Future Fire Nation is the newest colony. The settlers there are quick and intelligent, and have started to tame the shores of the volcanic islands. They are plagued by volcano spirits, by natural disasters, by their own failures. The Future Air Nation has not even become a dream in the minds of the more spiritual people.
Even the ethnic boundaries have not yet split. Many villages are isolated by the color of their skin or shape of their eyes, but some are still a collection of settlers that still have diverse backgrounds and features.
Keep in mind; the geography that you know is not the geography of the past. The Great Divide is but a small creek. The Desert of the Earth Kingdom engulfs the majority of the Southwest continent. Kyoshi has not yet become an idea.
The Bending: Bending is shifting. Where people were once able to control the energies of the land, they are realizing that their control is decaying. Everyone can bend all elements, but most have a talent or preference for one instead of the other three. Some have retained some ability to bend the energies, but most have lost their abilities, finding instead that they can manipulate the world around them. It does not take a long time for people to pick out their preference in bending ? some have even lost their ability to bend all but their ?natural? element. No one knows the cause. Is it because the Lion Turtles left? Some sort of evolution? Or is it the intervention of more malevolent spirits?
The Game: The village that will be focused on is in the Northwest Earth Kingdom. It is a small, diverse village, and very new.
Have any questions? Feel free to post below! If you're interested, please let me know here! I'm looking for at least a few people before I'll make it into a roleplay.
Gold IRA rollovers are being done more regularly by individuals who have a current IRA, 401k, or some other kinds of retirement savings accounts. A gold IRA gives a wide range of advantages however these accounts can also have some disadvantages as well. The rollover procedure must be very carefully managed to make certain that the account funds are right transferred from one administrator or custodian to a different one without ever going to the account owner.
A rollover with IRA funds so that gold is an option can be an excellent investment for many people but careful attention and caution should be used. The gold that is bought for the IRA account should meet strict Internal Revenue Service guidelines, and must also be a great investment choice as well. These retirement accounts should choose the gold purchased after consideration. Some forms of valuable metals are not acceptable holdings for virtually any IRA account and are not allowed in accordance with the IRS guidelines.
Picking gold IRA rollovers may not be the very best move for some people. The price of gold could plummet suddenly, leaving people who own this metal with similar amount of gold but less value as a result of market movements. The reverse is also true and the price of gold could continue increasing, and this will increase the worth of the metal held by the IRA instead.
IRA accounts which allow for valuable metal purchases are just permitted to invest in some types of gold as well as other precious metals. Numismatic coins are not authorized, and the IRS laws reveal that the gold content should be high quality. Some Canadian gold coins and many American versions are typically permitted as long as weight, purity, and investment worth standards are fulfilled. Gold Eagles, Gold Maples, and several other choices are specifically authorized by the IRS for IRA account purchases.
If the balance is high enough then gold ingots or bars can be picked instead of coins, and this is an acceptable alternative that allows for bigger investments to be made. Make certain that any gold bought is suitable based on the IRS rules, and lots of experts advise choosing coins that are mint version and not proof version. Proof coins are more costly but contain the same gold content so they are not suitable for investment purposes.
Gold IRA rollover have several benefits for many investors.
Entertaining is excellent fun, and having parties in the summer is a great way to share your home with family and friends. Having a party, however, can be difficult if you do not have the right space or the right tools to help you keep things neat. This article considers how to improve your space to make your parties more fun to enjoy.
Open Up Your Home
If you are lacking in external space to hold a party, there are ways that you can open up your home more and increase the social area for your parties. Removing your back doors and installing roller blinds instead will allow you to open up the back area of your home,as well as make the space for entertaining feel far larger and far more welcoming to guests. Having the back portion of your home open like this allows for food to be kept inside, and the party to go on outside.
Create Unique Comfort
A great way to make your parties stand out is to add some unique comfort to the situation. Having an area with two or three hammocks will allow people to relax and enjoy their afternoon. Installing hammocks will make your party stand out in peoples? minds, and they are a great alternative to sitting around on deckchairs. Other unique seating arrangements can have the same effect, but it is often difficult to store furniture after a party, so hammocks are a good solution.
Invest in Some Stand-Out Games
Having garden games at your family party is a great way to keep everyone entertained and amused. There is a huge array of outdoor games, but ones that require accurate throws are perhaps the best for all age groups. With one or two games set up around the garden, you will find that they become very entertaining when people begin to engage.
Games can be used in the pool area too, and this can be a great way to entertain the children. To keep children busy, you could consider hosting a pool Olympics, wherein the children engage in different swimming games to see which team can win overall.
Cater With Style
Barbeques are fun to host, but there are other ways in which you can feed a party of guests. Supplying a spit-roast pig or lamb will make your party stand out dramatically from the rest, and this can be easily done, as long as you prepare in advance. Other catering ideas like large and varied buffets will also go down well with your family and friends.
Ease the Cleaning Process
One thing that deters most people from hosting parties is the clean up that has to take place the next day. To ease the cleaning process, you can utilise paper plates that can be easily thrown away. Keeping the pool clean with an automatic pool cleaner will also greatly improve the cleaning process and ease the burden of tidying up after a party. To reduce the difficulty of cleaning, you can leave some bins around the garden during the party and let people clean up after themselves.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]U.S. ? (llenrock.com) With great risks comes great rewards. While an investor can get rich buying and selling residential properties, true wealth comes from.
Buying a commercial property, for instance a gas station, is totally different than buying a house, so don?t treat them as identical transactions. The following advice will help you get the best deal on your property.
Take plenty of pictures of the building when you purchase gas station business holdings. Your pictures should portray any damage or defect in the property. Common things you should look for include any cracks or holes in walls, and damages to the carpeting.
When looking for commercial real estate properties to house your business, keep in mind that size is among the biggest factors. If you don?t invest in commercial property that allows for growth, your business is going to be hunting for a new home again within a few short years.
When you want to invest in apartment complexes, remember that small properties sometimes come with more problems than larger properties; because of this, some seasoned professionals in this industry suggest not investing in properties with less than 10 units. However, each opportunity and property is unique, and you should allow your investigation of a specific property to influence your decision.
Always check the credentials of the inspectors you hire. This is especially true of people who work with insect or pest removal, as there are many non-accredited people working in these fields. Staying on top of this will help you avoid issues after the deal is completed.
Distinct among the individual risks of those who invest in commercial real estate is fluctuation in interest rates. The current economy makes rates fall and rise with unpredictability, and can leave investors susceptible to majorly increased interest rates. When you are shopping for commercial property, make sure you consider the long term.
While searching through different properties, make a checklist of each tour you went on. Accept responses to the initial proposals, but don?t go further than that unless you inform the property owners. Do not fear letting the owners know that you are interested in other properties. Letting this fact slip may even result in your getting a more lucrative deal.
Know that there are many different kinds of brokers when it comes to commercial real estate. For example, some brokers represent landlords as well as tenants, while others only work with tenants. Consider hiring a broker who only works with tenants. This type of broker may have more experience with helping tenants successfully enter the commercial real estate market.
There are a lot of different kinds of real estate agents. A full service broker works with both the tenants and the landlord. Some agents represent only the tenants. Consider hiring a tenant-only broker as he?ll have the most experience in dealing with situations such as yours.
As has already been stated, the purchase of commercial property can be a very profitable investment. Be sure to try the tips in this article so that you can best succeed, and stay away from well-documented pitfalls.
At this moment, if it turns out you might really like to come across a bit more with regard to buying a gas station for sale, make sure you have a look to find further insights => HowToBuyaGasStation
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Despite a drought that threatens the business and livelihood of U.S. ranchers, someone at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) thought it?d be a great idea to encourage agency employees to go vegetarian once a week because, apparently, eating meat causes global warming, er, global climate change.![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 26-Jul-2012
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Entertaining is excellent fun, and having parties in the summer is a great way to share your home with family and friends. Having a party, however, can be difficult if you do not have the right space or the right tools to help you keep things neat. This article considers how to improve your space to make your parties more fun to enjoy.