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Beside all the organized sports our children are attending throughout the year, summer time provides great opportunities for kids to attend a summer camp and learn new skills or make new friends. In fact, it’s been proven so many times that by keeping kids active and interested in sports or arts, they will stay out of trouble and away from bad influences.

But with all the choices out there it can be difficult to find the right kids summer camps. This article will concentrate on providing some guidelines on the numerous factors to consider when choosing the best camp for your child.

WHOSE DECISION IS IT?

If you want your child to attend the worst summer camp, send him or her to a camp without involving them in the decision. Otherwise, make sure to sit down together and talk about what really interests him, what does he love about a particular activity and what does he want to gain from the camp experience. Regardless of the age of your child remember to include him in the decision. Looking through brochures and sharing some favourite summer camp stories with your child is a great way to build his excitement.

WHAT PROGRAM

Once you have determined your child interests decide if it’s best that he attends a traditional or a specialized camp. Traditional Summer Camps are more appropriate for children who love to do many different types of activities such as outdoor recreation, arts and crafts, individual and team activities, and more. Specialized Summer Camps focus on one activity and are more appropriate for children that are motivated towards one specific activity. The most common kids camps and activities are:

Adventure Camps: hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, rope courses, rafting, outdoor cooking, and fishing.

Watersports Camps: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, waterskiing, windsurfing, volleyball.

Individual or Team Sports Camps: soccer, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, horseback riding, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, fishing, golf.

Arts Camps: acting, directing, writing, photography, choreography, dance, music, circus, paining.

Science Camps: nature, geology, astronomy, biology, archaeology, physics.

Religious Camps: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Christian.

Computer Camps: web design, graphic design, video game design, 3D-modeling and animation.

WHAT TYPE OF CAMP?

After taking into consideration your work schedule, child’s age and the experience you and your child are expecting to gain from the summer camp, consider the type of camp that makes the most sense for your child. Depending on the type of camp, you can choose between overnight camps, day camps, all boys or all girls’ camps, or brother and sister camps. Also take into consideration the age groups represented and the percentage.

WHERE IS THIS CAMP?

If it’s the first time your child is attending a summer camp look for something closer in order to lessen some of the anxiety he or she might be feeling. Consider the proximity to your home or work especially if your child will be attending a day camp. Keep in mind the camp environment, security, and medical facility and remember to choose the camp based on your child’s interests rather then how close the camp is.

WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES LIKE?

Most camps will schedule a tour for parents to visit the facility and meet the directors or you can talk to the camp administration on the phone about your concerns if visiting the camp is not an option. Talk to them about your child’s needs and interests and how you can ensure that your child will have a successful summer camp experience. Enquire about the sleeping arrangements and what toilet and shower facilities exist. It is also important to find out what medical facilities are available and where is the nearest hospital.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

As a rule of thumb, non-profit camps are less expensive then the private camps. Most of these kids’ camps are tax deductible under the Income Tax Act, falling under the general rubric of the “childcare expense” deduction. Talk to your accountant to see if you qualify. Beside the actual price of the camp you will also have to take into consideration the extra expenses such as the spending money needed by your child, transportation or camp uniform. Be sure to check the cancellation and refund policy!

HOW MANY CHILDREN WILL ATTEND THE CAMP?

The number of campers will vary depending on the size of the facility. Large camps are often organized into smaller segment groups in order for campers to receive the same attention as they would in a smaller camp.

WHAT ABOUT THE STAFF?

It’s important to enquire about the staff before you and your child commit to a certain camp. Ask questions regarding the camper-to-counsellor ratio, the experience of the staff and directors, background, and what kind of staff training is provided. Don’t forget to ask who prepares the food and what medical staff is on campus. Although most kids’ summer camps are required to undergo detailed staff checks for anyone working with children, you have the right to ask for references of families who have previously enrolled their children in the camp.

Last but not least, visit the Canadian Camping Association’s website for a list of accredited camps and information regarding provincial standards. Make sure your family is comfortable with the program you have chosen and remember that at the end of the day it’s important for your child to have fun, fun, and some more fun.

Kids Activities Castle is an online Canadian community of like-minded parents who are looking to make other parents lives easier by offering information and ideas regarding children activities, afterschool classes and family friendly attractions.

If you’ve ever watched as a cat “flipped” over fresh catnip perhaps you’ve been struck with the question; “what causes Catnip to affect cats that way?” Catnip is indeed an unusual phenomenon among cats, it has the ability to alter your cat’s behavior like nothing else can. So what exactly is the reason for what scientists have coined as “the Catnip effect”?

Unfortunately for such inquisitive minds the exact reason of why Catnip affects cats in such a manner remains mostly a mystery. There is however much that we do know about Catnip and cats even if we don’t have the ultimate answer of exactly “why?” yet answered.

The Science Stuff

Catnip is scientifically classified as Nepeta cataria and is a perennial herb from the mint family and is in fact also referred to as “Catmint”. It is a plant indigenous to Europe but has been exported and is now found all over including the United States and Canada.

The active ingredient in Catnip is an oil; Nepetalactone, which is found in the leaves of the plant. This is the reason you are able to find Catnip in a bottle or spray form in some pet stores.

Other Uses For Catnip

Catnip is not only good to stimulate activity in cats, it can also be used by humans as an herb for a medicinal tea which may soothe toothaches, help against coughs, and may also perform as a sleep aid. Furthermore, Catnip can be used as an herb on salads or other foods as has been the case for centuries in France. Lately Catnip has also been garnering favor as a natural insect repellant rivaling the effectiveness of many store bought varieties of repellant.

Catnip and Kitty

Catnip affects approximately half of all cats. What determines whether or not a cat will react to Catnip is a genome that is inherited (or not inherited as the case may be) at birth. Kittens, regardless of whether or not they carry this genome, do not react to Catnip until reaching about 3 or 4 months of age and becoming sexually mature. Older cats are also more likely to have a diminished or non-existing reaction to Catnip, which leads scientists to believe that the Catnip effect is based at least partially on sexuality and that the reaction may be something like an aphrodisiac. Further adding to this belief is the similarity of a sexual pheromone found in the urine of the male cat to nepetalactone (the active product in Catnip).

Cats that can be traced to regions where Catnip is not indigenous appear to be unaffected by Catnip. The domesticated housecat is not the only cat that may be affected by Catnip. Larger cats can also be affected by the Catnip effect, felines such as the bobcat, lynx, tiger and even lion are known to react much the same way the common housecat would. It is interesting to note that while Catnip can act as a stimulant when a cat sniffs it, it can conversely act as a relaxant if ingested. Therefore, you may see a different, nearly opposite result depending on whether your cat chooses to eat the Catnip you provide for him/her or merely sniffs it (the latter being the more typical behavior).

How to Use Catnip With Your Cat

Catnip can prove to be a very useful tool for a few common problems with your cat. If you are lucky enough to have a cat that does react favorably to Catnip then here are a couple of ideas for you and your furry little friend.

Catnip and Lazy Cats:

Catnip can be used to get a lazy cat off his or her butt. Some cats are notoriously lazy, choosing to sleep much of their day away in a nice golden patch of sunlight on the living room carpet, only waking up to eat and gather some necessary attention from their indulgent owners. If this sounds like your cat, you may soon see (if you haven’t already) that your cat is becoming more and more round. This is generally not a good thing. Catnip may be able to help. Presenting catnip to your cat encourages activity (of course provided the cat sniffs rather than eats the herb).

Many adult cats will respond to Catnip in a manner that resembles their childlike kitten hyperactivity, jumping, playing and running around as if it was given an injection of kitty adrenaline, which in essence, is the case. The effect of Catnip on a cat can last somewhere between two and fifteen minutes. If the latter is the case, then this is a decent amount of exercise and will help keep your cat a little more svelte than without a Catnip treatment. Furthermore, if you leave the Catnip out for a few hours then your cat may return to the herb later (an hour or two after the effect has worn off) and again react in an energetic fashion. So in this sense you may consider Catnip sort of like a kitty energy drink.

Catnip and Cats That Scratch Furniture:

If you have a cat that seems bent on the destruction of your furniture then Catnip may again be able to come to the rescue. Cats can be frustratingly picky about just about anything under the sun including where they want to sharpen their furniture destroying claws. It is not uncommon for a cat to damage or destroy a piece of furniture just because the owners finally gave up on trying to redirect their cat to the unused cat scratching post that set them back anywhere up to a hundred dollars and more. A good way to attempt to change this frustrating and expensive behavior is to rub some Catnip or Catnip oil on a scratching post that you are attempting to get the cat to use. Introduce your cat to the newly “Catnipped” scratching post and see how he/she reacts. If all goes well, your cat will sniff and inspect the post and then begin clawing at it. After a few times (you may have to re-Catnip the post) hopefully kitty will be trained to use the post rather than the sofa.

Using Catnip with Multiple Cats

If you’ve never used Catnip before and you have more than one cat it is advisable to try it out individually on each cat before introducing it to all of your cats at the same time. The reason is because Catnip affects some cats in a negative manner causing the cat in question to become aggressive rather than merely playful. Introducing it to your cats individually enables you to control the situation and keep a cat that may react aggressively isolated from your other cats. This of course means avoiding a possible catfight that could result in broken furniture, hurt kitties (possibly requiring a vet visit), annoyed neighbors (and probably owners), or a combination of all of the above.

Growing and Keeping Catnip

Growing your own Catnip can be rewarding as it can save you money, give you the satisfaction of doing something yourself and ensuring that you always get fresh, high-quality Catnip for your cat. A word of caution however; the exact kitty reaction you want to grow your own Catnip is something to be wary of. If you plan on growing your Catnip out of doors and other cats can access your Catnip garden then be prepared for unwelcome feline visitors. This may not be a problem for you personally, but cats are by nature territorial and if you have a cat that lives alone without the company of other cats this could prove to be an area of stress for your cat. Even if you keep your cat inside at all times, your cat may get agitated if he/she looks out the window to see another cat frolicking in territory your cat considers his or her own. If you choose to grow your Catnip indoors, be careful to keep it out of reach of kitty. Otherwise you’ll likely have Fluffy jumping up on furniture even to the most out of the way place to get access to the tempting herb. Cats are great jumpers and not really known for respecting precious household knick-knacks. So if you do decide to grow it indoors for a cat that reacts to Catnip, be careful to grow it in a place that your cat won’t be able to access it. A room that you always keep closed to the cat is probably the best solution for indoor grown Catnip.

If you do find that your cat reacts positively to Catnip you should be sure to use it sparingly so as not to dull the effect which can be the result of overexposure. A good rule of thumb is to not treat your kitty more than once a week on average to Catnip.

Given all the positive effects that Catnip may have on your cat you owe it to yourself (and naturally your fluffy little ball of affection) to see how he/she reacts to this strange and well known herb. It will provide enjoyment and exercise for your cat and most likely an entertaining show for yourself as well. It’s a win win situation.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, ZapGraphix.com, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.

No matter what kind of small business you have, you need read these “small business survival tips” which will help you to succeed.

You may be in Internet business, traditional business, or you may be a local merchant with 150 employees; whichever, however or whatever–you’ve got to know how to keep your business alive during economic recessions. Anytime the cash flow in a business, large or small, starts to tighten up, the money management of that business has to be run as a “tight ship.”

Some of the things you can and should do include protecting yourself from expenditures made on sudden impulse. We’ve all bought merchandise or services we really didn’t need simply because we were in the mood, or perhaps in response to the flamboyancy of the advertising or the persuasiveness of the salesperson. Then we sort of “wake up” a couple of days later and find that we’ve committed hundreds of dollars of business funds for an item or service that’s not essential to the success of our own business, when really pressing items had been waiting for those dollars.

If you are incorporated, you can eliminate these “impulse purchases” by including in your by-laws a clause that states: “All purchasing decisions over (a certain amount) are contingent upon approval by the board of directors.” This will force you to consider any “impulse purchases” of considerable cost, and may even be a reminder in the case of smaller purchases.

If your business is a partnership, you can state, when faced with a buying decision, that all purchases are contingent upon the approval of a third party. In reality, the third party can be your partner, one of your department heads, or even one of your suppliers.

If your business is a sole proprietorship, you don’t have much to worry about really, because as an individual you have three days to think about your purchase, and then to nullify that purchase if you think you don’t really need it or can’t afford it.

While you may think you cannot afford it, be sure that you don’t “short-change” yourself on professional services. This would apply especially during a time of emergency. Anytime you commit yourself and move ahead without completely investigating all the angles, and preparing yourself for all the contingencies that may arise, you’re skating on thin ice. Regardless of the costs involved, it always pays off in the long run to seek out the advice of experienced professionals before embarking on a plan that could ruin you.

Particularly when sales are down, you must be “hard-nosed” with people trying to sell you luxuries for your business. When business is booming, you undoubtedly will allow sales people to show you new models of equipment or a new line of supplies; but when your business is down, skip the entertaining frills and concentrate on the basics. Great care must be taken however, to maintain courtesy and allow these sellers to consider you a friend and call back at another time.

Your company’s books should reflect your way of thinking, and whoever maintains them should generate information according to your policies. Thus, you should hire an outside accountant or accounting firm to figure your return on your investment, as well as the turnover on your accounts receivable and inventory. Such an audit or survey should focus in depth on any or every item within the financial statement that merits special attention. in this way, you’ll probably uncover any potential financial problems before they become readily apparent, and certainly before they could get out of hand.

Many small companies set up advisory boards of outside professional people. These are sometimes known as power Circles, and once in place, the business always benefits, especially in times of short operating capital. Such an advisory board or power circle should include an attorney, a certified public accountant, civic club leaders, owners or managers of businesses similar to yours, and retired executives. Setting up such an advisory board of directors is really quite easy, because most people you ask will be honored to serve.

Once your board is set up, you should meet once a month and present material for review. Each meeting should be a discussion of your business problems and an input from your advisors relative to possible solutions. These members of your board od advisors should offer you advice as well as alternatives, and provide you with objectivity. No formal decisions need to be made either at your board meeting, or as a result of them, but you should be able to gain a great deal from the suggestions you hear.

You will find that most of your customers have the money to pay at least some of what they owe you immediately. To keep them current, and the number of accounts receivable in your files to a minimum, you should call them on the phone and ask for some kind of explanation why they’re falling behind. if you develop such a habit as part of your operating procedure, you’ll find your invoices will magically be drawn to the front of their piles of bills to pay. While maintaining a courteous attitude, don’t hesitant, or too much of a “nice guy” when it comes to collecting money.

Something else that’s a very good business practice, but which few business owners do is to methodically build a credit rating with their local banks. Particularly when you have a good cash flow, you should borrow $100 to $1,000 from your banks every 90 days or so. Simply borrow the money, and place it in an interest bearing account, and then pay it all back at least a month or so before it’s due. By doing this, you will increase the borrowing power of your signature, and strengthen your ability to obtain needed financing on short notice. This is a kind of business leverage that will be of great value to you if or whenever your cash position becomes less favorable.

By all means, join your industry’s local and national trade associations. Most of these organizations have a wealth of information available on everything from details on your competitors to average industry sales figures, new products, services, and trends.

If you are given a membership certificate or wall plaque, you should display these conspicuously on your office wall. Customers like to see such “seals of approval” and feel additional confidence in your business when they see them.

Still another thing often overlooked: If at all possible, you should have your spouse work in the business with you for at least three or four weeks per year. The important thing is that if for any reason you are not available to run the business, your spouse will be familiar with certain people and situations about your business. These people should include your attorney, accountant, any consultants or advisors, creditors and your major suppliers. The long-term advantages of having your spouse work four weeks per year in your business with you will greatly outweigh the short-term inconvenience. Many couples share responsibility and time entirely, which is in most cases even more desirable.

Whenever you can, and as often as you need it, take advantage of whatever free business counseling is available. The Small Business Administration published many excellent booklets, checklist and brochures on quite a large variety of businesses. these publications are available through the U.S.Government printing office. Most local universities, and many private organizations hold seminars at minimal cost, and often without charge. You should also take advantage of the services offered by your bank and local library.

The important thing about running a small business is to know the direction in which you’re heading; to know on a day-to-day basis your progress in that very direction; to be aware of what your competitors are doing and to practice good money management at all times. All this will prepare you to recognize potential problems before they arise.

In order to survive with a small business, regardless of the economic climate, it is essential to surround yourself with smart people, and practice sound business management at all times.

———————————————————
Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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Indie film financing and movie distribution reminds of what it would feel like dancing nude on stage (much respect for exotic dancers at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club!). You show up to pitch your movie project and need to be able to dance to a film investor’s music. It’s their stage and not yours as an indie filmmaker seeking film funding. They want you to make a sellable movie which appeals to movie distributors so the production can make money.

Most investors I’ve met with are not interested in putting hard money into indie art house films because those are tough sells to movie distributors and overseas film buyers aren’t usually interested in seeing them. The dialogue and scenes of certain art house type films don’t translate well to foreign buyers and movie viewers. Action, horror and skin does not need subtitles for people to follow the story is what I’ve been told by distributors. Talking head movies can make no sense to viewers that don’t understand subtle lines spoken in a foreign language.

Independent film financing continues to change as indie movie distribution gets more financially shaky. The place it’s hitting indie movie producers hardest is right at the source – film financing. Film investors right now aren’t feeling excited about putting money into movies that do not have bankable name actors. This is not like so-called indie movies that have A-list actors or are produced for millions of dollars. Those type of indie film passion projects you can make once you’ve made it in the entertainment business at the studio level.

Indie film investors and movie distributors won’t expect you to have an A-list actor, but they do want producers to have actors (B-list or C-list or D-list) with some name recognition or celebrity. The first question film investors and movie distributors ask is who the cast is. This is where most indie movie producers are blown out of the water because they have an unknown cast of actors. Plus there is a glut of indie movies being made because technology has made it more affordable to make movies.

The bright side is that entertaining indie movies are being made that might not otherwise ever have seen light of day before. The downside is meaningful movie distribution (getting paid) for indie produced films continues to shrink as indie films being made rises (supply and demand 101). I talked to one movie distributor that caters to releasing independent films and they told me they receive new film submissions daily.

They were honest saying they get very sellable movies and ones that are less than appealing, but with so many movies out there they no longer offer a majority of producers advance money against film royalties or pay a lump cash “buy-out” to secure distribution rights. Their business viewpoint is most indie filmmakers are just happy seeing their movie released. The term they used was “glorified showreel” for an indie filmmaker to display they can make a feature film. So, they acquire many of their movie releases without paying an advance or offering a “buy-out” agreement.

Not making a profit from a movie does not make financial sense for film investors that expect to see money made. When people put up money to produce a movie they want a return on their investment. Otherwise it’s no longer a movie investment. It becomes a film donation of money they’re giving away with no expectations. I’ve been on the “dog and pony show” circuit meeting with potential film investors and learning invaluable lessons.

I’m in the habit now of talking to indie movie distributors before writing a screenplay to see what types of films are selling and what actors or celebrity names attached to a potential project appeal to them. This is not like chasing trends, but it gives producers a sharper picture of the sales climate for indie films. Sometimes distributors will give me a short list of actors or celebrities to consider that fit an independent movie budget. Movie sales outside of the U.S. are where a bulk of the money is made for indie filmmakers.

Movie distributors and film sales agents can tell you what actors and celebrity talent is translating to movie sales overseas at the indie level. These won’t be A-list names, but having someone with some kind of name is a great selling point to help your movie standout from others. Brief cameos of known actors or celebrities used to be a good way to keep talent cost down and add a bankable name to your cast.

That has changed lately from my conversations with distribution companies. Movie distributors now expect any name talent attached to have a meaningful part in the movie instead of a few minutes in a cameo role. Cameo scenes can still work if there is a visual hook that grabs the attention of viewers in some way. But having name talent say a couple of lines with no special hook won’t fly anymore.

Another way to make an indie film in need of funding more attractive to investors is to attach talent that has been in a movie or TV show of note. Their name as an actor might not be that well-known yet, but rising stars that have appeared in a popular movie or TV show can give your movie broader appeal. If you cast them in a supporting role keep working days on the set down to a minimum to save your budget. Try to write their scenes so they can be shot in one or two days.

When you’re pitching to serious film investors they will want to be given a detailed movie budget and distribution plan on how you plan on making money from the film’s release. The Catch-22 that happens a lot is that most movie distributors that cater to releasing indie films won’t commit to any deal until they’ve screened the movie.

There is not built-in distribution like with studio budget films. Film investors that are not traditionally part of the entertainment business can get turned off when a producer does not have a distribution deal already in place. They don’t understand the Catch-22 of indie filmmaking and distribution. This is where a movie producer really needs to have a solid pitch that explains the financial dynamics of indie film distribution.

Most film investors will pass on an indie movie producer’s financing pitch that mentions self-distribution in it. From a movie investor’s business perspective it takes entirely too long for an indie movie to generate money going the self-distribution route. It’s like the old school way of selling your movie out of the trunk of your car at places, but now it’s done online using digital distribution and direct sales via a blog. That’s a long grind that most investors will not be interested in waiting around for. Moving one unit of a movie at a time is too slow of trickle for investors.

A possible way around the Catch-22 is to reach out to movie distributors while you are pitching to film investors. With a firm budget number and possible cast attached you can gauge to see if there is any meaningful distribution interest in the movie. It’s always possible a distributor will tell you that they would offer an advance or “buy-out” deal. They usually won’t give you a hard number, but even a ballpark figure of what they might offer can let you know if your budget makes financial sense to approach movie investors with.

I know one savvy indie movie producer that makes 4-6 movies a year on very reasonable budgets and knows they’re already making a profit from the advance money alone. The film royalty payments are a bonus. The producer keeps budgets extremely affordable and streamlined at every phase of production. Once you have a track record with a distribution company you know what you can expect to be paid. Then you can offer film investors a percent on their money invested into the production that makes sense.

Social networking with other indie filmmakers lets you hear what’s happening with movie distribution from other people’s real life experiences. A cool thing I’ve been hearing about is that there are film investors that won’t put up money to make movie that is going to be self-distributed, but they will roll the dice on a feature that is going to specific film festivals. Not the art house film festivals. The ones that are very genre specific like for horror or action films. Like Screamfest Horror Film Festival or Action on Film (AOF). Film buyers attend these events and meaningful distribution deals are made.

Independent film financing and movie distribution are areas of the entertainment business all filmmakers will have to deal with and learn from each experience. I was in the hot seat today pitching to a film investor. I’ve streamlined the budget as much as I can without making the plot lose steam.

The jam I’m in as a producer is there are hard costs that cannot be avoided that include lots of gun play including two rigging shots where baddies get shot and are blown backwards off their feet. Badass action films need experienced and seasoned film crews to pull-off hardcore action shots off clean and safe. The cast I want to hire has the perfect appeal and name recognition for this indie action movie to rock viewers. There is nothing that can get lost in the translation in this film for foreign film buyers and movie viewers.

What I think got lost in the translation with the potential film investor today is if I keep taking out below-the-line crew to save money I’m going to have to do rewrites to the screenplay to take out action scenes. These are selling points that will hurt sales if they are written out. But it’s my job as an indie filmmaker to balance a budget that appeals to film investors. We’ll see how this goes. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing fade out.

Get the inside scoop on writing, producing, directing, and movie distribution at Slice Of Americana Films. Check out the life and times of filmmaker Sid Kali.

Getting vehicle, truck, auto or car insurance is something everyone who drives a vehicle has to do. But many people end up paying too much for their auto insurance and they’ll never know that they are doing so. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance quotes, you’ll want to consider long established as well as new insurance companies for the cheaper rates. Newer auto insurance companies are competing for your business and have to work harder. They don’t have the history of the long established companies to back them up. With the ease of being able to go online and get free, cheap car insurance quotes in just minutes, it shouldn’t prevent anyone from finding out who has the best rates.

You also may want to consider the longevity you have with your current insurance company, especially if you have a fairly good record. The length of your insurance coverage may play a part in the rates you have now or with other variables in your policy that might be different and more valuable to you than with a newer company — even at a lower or cheaper rate. Car insurance rates and quotes are never the same for each company; there are usually many variables in the plans. And make sure to find out exactly how much deductibles will be and any conditions that are attached to them.

If you’re already insured you can choose to stay with your present auto insurance company or go with a new insurance company and low cost or cheaper rates may be the best reason to switch to another insurance company. And keep in mind that insurance companies change their rates now and then so the quote you got yesterday may not be good today. When you’re doing your homework you’ll want to check out the car insurance company’s rates, the types of coverage they provide you, the deductible information and all discounts that are available to their customers.

A discounted insurance policy doesn’t mean that you’ll have the best car insurance policy so you’ll need to check this out carefully and make sure to compare it with other insurance companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you’re over 50 years of age, you and your spouse can become members of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) for only $12.50 a year for US residents. They deeply discount insurance and are currently affiliated with just one insurance company and are can give you an online cheap car insurance quote. If you have a teen in the household, teenage drivers who have no driving record will have higher car insurance premiums. Young drivers are often offered discounts if they take further driver training on recognized courses, such as the Pass Plus scheme in the UK.

There are also insurance companies that offer discounts to good drivers. This is just one more reason to concentrate on driving defensively and keep focused on your driving. If you’ve always been with one company, don’t assume you’re getting the cheapest or best rate. Get quotes from other companies and compare plans. You want to closely compare the cheap car insurance quotes that you do get. Some of them may be similar but some quotes may be quite different.

Take a good look at your current insurance policy before you renew it. There may be a few things you can eliminate from the policy that would greatly reduce the cost. Most single line and multiple line companies offer good discounts and other benefits for carrying both car insurance policies and other lines of insurance in the same household.

Some car insurance companies do offer special discounts for women too so if you’re a female make sure to ask about them. You can go to insurance company websites and request free cheap car insurance quotes and you’ll need to give them some very basic, detailed information about your car insurance history, your current situation and what you need.

These are just some of the best tips that can help you save money on your auto insurance and give you an idea about what to ask and look for when you’re trying to get a cheap car insurance quote. And remember to compare as many car insurance quotes as you can find time for and you should be able to come up with some of the best, free, online, cheap car insurance quotes.

Save money with free online cheap car insurance quotes and for finding the best auto insurance online visit http://www.Cheap-Car-Insurance-Quotes.info a popular website specializing in cheap car insurance advice, resources and auto insurance discounts including tips on how to save money on your car insurance quotes.

If you want to lower maintenance requirements, as well as keeping your fish healthy and your water clear and beautiful, accentuating the ambiance of your home, then pick the perfect filtration system for your fish tank. Make it simple. Consider the specific requirements to best suit the needs of your fish. You have to take into account that the water volume and shape of your fish tank, the kind of fish you keep, as well as the exact amount of food your fish will need all factor in to the equation.

Without a proper fish tank filtration system for your fish tank, your will die from the toxins that build up in the fish tank when there is an absence of proper filtration. There are biological, chemical, as well as mechanical kinds of fish tank filtration systems available on the market today. This article will explain in more detail the differences between biological fish tank filtration systems, chemical fish tank filtration systems, and mechanical fish tank filtration systems.

Having the very best fish tank filtration systems are essential for you, especially considering that if you choose the right one, it will require the simplest maintenance possible. In addition, the proper fish tank filtration system will ensure the health and beauty of your fish tank. Indoor fish tanks are a great idea for your virtually any home décor. But if you decide to keep decorative, pet fish, you need to choose the very best filtration system – one that will best suit your specific, individual needs.

Biological fish tank filtration systems are virtually always crucial. Nonetheless, the other two fish tank filtration systems (which I will discuss later on) are good options in several cases as well. The excreted waste of our fish is expelled into the water, and will then become poisonous to the fish. To battle this toxic condition, a biological fish tank filtration system will transform the bacterium in this waste, and other particles. A biological fish tank filtration system will turn these kinds of toxicity into a relatively harmless chemical: nitrate.

Nitrate actually encourages the growth of algae in your fish tank. Some fish feed on this kind of algae – but usually not enough, they do not consume all of it, and some consume none. Nevertheless, you will (from time to time) have to scrub your fish tank clean of the buildup of algae. If you cycle your fish tank using a biological fish tank filtration system, you can certainly create a biological environment. When you have already designed a specific biological habitat, and if you purchase a new biological filtration system, your fishes etc. will not have to adjust.

With a new biological fish tank filtration system in your old biological fish tank, the underwater environment will not (or, at least, with high quality equipment it should not) change at all. Instead, it will simply become a fish tank now maintained by a higher quality fish tank filtration system. It is a win-win-win situation when you purchase a higher quality fish tank filtration system. It is better for you, better for your fish, and even better for your home décor!

There are, however, two additional options the first of which I will discuss is a chemical fish tank filtration system. Many people choose chemical fish tank filtration systems for their fish tanks, indoor reflecting pools, and more. Chemical fish tank filtration systems are virtually always designed to use carbon or chemical resins to remove any toxicity from the water.

These fish tank filtration systems are aggressive in their objective to remove toxins. They continue to do so until they become saturated with these poisonous elements. As long as the toxic chemicals are not gumming up the filter or hurting your fish this kind of fish tank filtration system is a great idea! Of course, chemical fish tank filtration systems will need to be regularly emptied, cleaned and /or otherwise properly maintained.

The last of the fish tank filtration systems I will mention is the mechanical fish tank filtration system. This filter is a system designed to simply push water through a kind of filtration strainer. The strainer, as with any mechanical fish tank filtration system must be cleaned on a semi-regular basis. If you do not remember to change or clean out the filter of your mechanical fish tank filtration system when the water becomes dirtier, it will, of course, be dangerous for your fish.

The most common kinds of filter equipment for mechanical fish tank filtration systems are items such as filter floss, filter pads, sponges, and in some cases even gravel. From the very popular goldfish, to koi, to a wide variety of tropical, saltwater fish, and much, much more to choose from, there are certain kinds of pumps that will be the perfect solution. All you have to do is be sure you pick the right one. No matter what kind of fish you choose, a great fish filtration system will be absolutely necessary.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on home decor, please visit homedecorworld.com, supplier of high quality Living Room Decor and Garden Decor.

One morning, one of my favorite students asked me an interesting question. She asked me how do you create a perfect dog in a world where everyone is short on time, will, skill and money? When I asked her to describe the perfect dog, she told me that she wants a dog that will never sniff on a walk, will never jump on people, never steal food, never pull on a walk, never be bad.

Smiling, I remarked those are a lot of “nevers” for a dog to master. Honestly, most people aren’t that well-mannered. The quest for perfection can be hard on dogs and people, alike. I added that perhaps the dog in his natural state of imperfection is good enough, and that the dog is fine just as he is. So, instead of striving for perfection, why not strive for Doggie Wabi Sabi, a state of appreciation for the dog’s appropriate imperfection?

Doggie Wabi Sabi is a philosophy of living with your dogs that takes into account their natural doggy imperfection. Dogs are creatures of rustic simplicity, endowed with understated elegance, bursting with quirks and endearing oddities that add to their uniqueness and instinctive appeal.

Enmeshed with this natural elegance is a genetic drive that makes a dog unique, the desire for emotional, energetic congruence with a matching energy source. If this wish for intimacy (joining up with the Alpha) is not fulfilled, even on occasion, then the dog turns inward, onto and into himself and in the end becomes something dark and dangerous.

So, what are the benefits of embracing Doggie Wabi Sabi? The first benefit is balance. Physical balance, emotional balance and mental balance. A balanced dog is unconsciously perfect everywhere, all the time, with everyone, due to emotional surrender to the leader. To the untrained eye, it seems as if the dog’s perfection is a result of a happy accident.

The second is fluidity. Living with a dog in the way of Doggie Wabi Sabi is living with the dog that is perfect according to the circumstances and in the context of other people, places and things; the appropriate irreducible minimum of suitable behavior. You don’t have to practice with this dog, you don’t have to go to classes, you just have to live as you wish with the dog all the time.

The third is facility. There are two guiding principles at work when using Doggie Wabi Sabi; resonance and magnetism. The principles of resonance dictate that like attracts like; and with magnetism, like repels like. I prefer that all teaching of the dog should be done according to the principles of resonance; the attraction of like to like. Resonance, or as I like to call it, FarFenflugle, as it is easily used in the real world and in real time. This technique energizes the dog’s first compelling genetic need; harmonize energetically, emotionally, with the leader.

We are so lucky that dogs are “all for one” creatures, and that for them belonging to the collective is more important than belonging to oneself. Personal liberty for man is a great gift, it is a slow death for a dog.

I have found that the American ideal of a perfect dog is an ideal of robotized mechanical perfection, a dog that does nothing at all, and most importantly, never does anything that a normal dog might do. Artificially induced non-action, is a burden, an affliction and an unfair punishment. This mindless, soulless, robot-like obedience has no relation to creating a dog that fits in with a modern urban lifestyle.

Traditional dog obedience training can be artificial; a time consuming affliction, in many cases a burden to dog and owner alike. Traditional dog obedience training, in most cases does not create dogs that are safer, friendlier and an asset to the community because generally the training environment seeks perfection; the perfect sit, the perfect stay, the perfect heel. The focus is on very specific, very artificial external skills, not emotional, mental,or energetic resonance with you and your life.

If the natural internal drives and instincts of the dog are not groomed appropriately, obedience training has a minimal impact on reducing the inappropriate behaviors of a dog. If the dog does not believe with every cell of his body that you are his Alpha, then in his mind, he always has the right to say, “No”. This is the dog that is rebellious, aggressive, independent and out of control; he jumps, he barks, he bites. This is the dog that you see on any city street pulling the arm of his owner out of the socket, and if you are able, you cross the street to avoid. This is a dog that has gone over to what I call the Doggie Dark Side.

With Doggie Wabi Sabi, you gather the natural inclinations of the dog and mold them, coax them, guide them into a masterpiece of a dog that is appropriate in the imperfect now. If he is hyper, you make him less so; if he is sedate, you make him more so according to the moment; always seeking energetic resonance.

If you want a dog that is appropriately pleasant while accompanying you through your life, you have to do more than just contain the body or constrict the mind of the dog. Instead, I would encourage you to enhance you dog’s natural elegant essence, and turn that to your benefit. The daily walk with the dog is the best way to ignite the dog’s natural, genetic compulsion to hook-up with a leader, to pack up.

WALK THE DOG…IT’S GOOD DOGGIE WABI SABI

If you want a good dog, walk your dog.

If you want a friendly dog, walk your dog.

If you want a protective dog, walk your dog.

If you want a healthy dog, walk your dog.

If you want a calm, cooperative, submissive dog, walk your dog.

If you want to learn to love your city; walk your dog.

If you want to live longer; walk your dog.

If you want to be happier; walk your dog.

If you want to reduce litter in your neighborhood; walk your dog.

If you want to reduce crime; walk your dog.

If you want your dog to love you, walk your dog.

If you want to reconnect with nature; walk your dog.

If you want Doggie Wabi Sabi Now; walk your dog!

A dog cultivated with the principles of Doggie Wabi Sabi, may not know or even need to know sit or down or stay or heel. In fact while the training may be incomplete at best, but by using resonance, the attraction of one energy to another, the dog is always perfect, moment to moment.

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ALL ABOUT AMI Her first and true love is canine behavior modification and problem solving. Ami Moore has pioneered the use of electric dog training equipment as positive reinforcement, and combined this groundbreaking innovation with the dog’s natural drive to follow a strong leader.

From my point of view, a proper and balanced dog-human relationship is something that every person who has dogs in their life should experience, just as everyone should experience falling in love.

Student’s ask me why I train my dogs, I tell them that “From my point of view, I train because I am very, very lazy and I want to to where I want, when I want; and I want to take my dogs with me when I go.” And then, I always add, ” Training dogs, my personal dogs, equals freedom for for them. I want my dogs to have a beautiful life from a dog’s point of view. For a dog that means he has someone to follow and somewhere to go. I want my dogs to be “lucky dogs” not liabilities. http://www.dogdoright.com/

If you are a coach or part of a nonprofit kids group that wears uniforms then you know that it is important to get quality uniforms for a very low price. If your team has 12 to 15 games during the season let’s say for soccer or Little League, then your game shirts and uniforms will be worn perhaps 16 times including team pictures.

This also means that they will probably be washed at least 15 times in the wash machine. Uniforms go through a lot of the abuse on the field and in the wash. This is why you need strong uniforms. You also need lightweight material for better performance of your athletes, but with all that said; you also need to save money. This makes picking out uniforms very difficult when you are on a budget and sometimes it means you might need an extra car wash fundraiser or some were candy sales to make up the difference.

Now let’s talk about silk screening on team sport uniforms. When putting silk screens on uniforms you must be very careful not to make the logos to large because it can cause the shirts to stick together or get too hot. Also, as the athlete moves around the logo cannot be read if it is too big.

Many nylons type shirts will not be able to have silk screening because it will melt the shirt. These are all serious considerations to ask your uniform vendor about before spending the extra money on quality sportswear for your athletes. Please consider all this in 2006

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.