Towards A Healthy Economy + Marketing World

Self-insuring Time Bomb

Just because you don’t want to talk about it, “doesn’t mean it isn’t there”. It’s there and it is not going away. I don’t like to dwell on a lot of statistics, but more of my experiences. What I am seeing is that there are more people needing long-term care than ever before. Why? We are blessed with an opportunity to live longer lives than ever before. Unfortunately, a statistic that cannot be ignored is that according the American Society on Aging 70% of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care. The other, which I feel, is virtually unknown is that 70% of all married couples will have one partner need care. This one is the most compelling in my opinion because some married couples are living on a “hope and a prayer”. What I have witnessed is that some married couples have decided to “self-insure” meaning they will be their own insurance company and pay the bill out of their own pockets. The sad truth is this: You can’t take a couples liquid assets and divide them evenly “down the middle” so that one partner gets 50% and the other 50% because in all my years I have never seen both people need the same exact care for the same length of time. One will need more care than the other will. (Example-couple has worked to accumulate $300,000. One of them is stricken with an illness or accident that takes their “nest egg” down to $50,000. Now the surviving spouse hopes he or she doesn’t outlive the remaining “nest egg”. Therein lies the sad untold story that is played out repeatedly. Before you ask, “what is the total amount (assets) that a person should self insure”? That’s another discussion for another time, but what I have found is that is regardless of a person’s wealth it is a personal decision as to what they would like to do with their money. (I have a client that plans to leave $250,000 to his local SPCA, because of his late wife wishes). To each his own. I know that in my mother’s case her $15,000 savings was just as important to her as $100,000 is to someone else. She wanted her grandkids to have it!

Two Delays

“There are two delays that are affecting most people when it comes to dealing with their long-term care dilemma. One is human nature. “I don’t want to talk about it (now).” Or some have the mindset “it’s not going to happen to me”. Unfortunately, with all of us living longer there is likelihood we will all need some type of care. (It doesn’t always means an illness or accident either; I have people that have “just worn out”). It seems that some people in their 50’s and early 60’s want to “roll the dice” and “gamble”. This leads me to the delay that is truly sad. By delaying their decision concerning finding out their options (on their terms), when they do have a health change (and most of us do) they then decide, “We better find out what we can do” and the result, it is too late. Delay has now turned into DENIAL. They are denied coverage because in all honestly, when they were healthy they did not want to talk about it (on their terms), now that they have health issues, and they are looking for (any) answers and panicking.” It is very sad.

It’s always about you…

To be perfectly blunt, this really is not about you. It’s about your family and how your care will affect them emotionally, physically, and financially. Long-term care changes everyone’s lives that it touches. The best thing that you can do for your family is find out your options concerning long-term care insurance.

Long-Term care insurance can be summed up best in one word. CHOICE. There are really only two choices in handling paying for long-term care. Pay it yourself (self-insure) or have an insurance company pay most or all of the expenses.

By having long-term care protection, you will have:

• The choice to remain independent and receive care in your home.
• The choice not to burden your spouse and families with the emotional, physical, and financial responsibility of your care.
• The choice to keep your assets and receive quality care.

One last thought. Long-Term Care protection will not keep you from getting sick or injured. It will however, help you enjoy this wonderful opportunity we have been given…to live a long life, worry-free.

Doug Worman has been a Long-term Care Insurance Specialist for the past 30 years. He represents all the insurers of long-term care. He offers a FREE PROGRAM to clubs and organizations, “The Problems and Concerns of Needing Long Term Care”. One organization after hearing the program wrote, “It was the most informative and entertaining program concerning long-term care we have ever heard”. Additional references are available. Call 1-800-929-2602 or email namrow@comcast.net for more information.
Visit http://www.ltcinshelp.com.

Step1 - Understand podcast/podcasting :

A podcast is basically an audio file that is stored on the
Internet that people can download to their computers , IPODS and
MP3 players and listen to whenever and wherever they want to.
Think of a podcast as a way to deliver any audio content to a
large audience worldwide.

Step 2 - Podcast recording :

You have to get your message recorded using a mic. It is called
podcast
recording.You can either use your own voice or use a
software like Jvw Podcast creator to use text to voice
conversion for your podcasts. You can use articles, ebooks,
lyrics, poems, white papers, tutorials, press releases, emails,
business letters and more.

Step 3 - Create
RSS feed for podcast :

You can create a simple Rss feed for your podcast with Enclosure
url using a text editing software or use a podcast
recording software. Make sure you make the feed itunes
compatible. A simple Enclosure tag for podcast would look like
this :

url="http://www.jvwinc.com/first-podcast.wav"
length="433296″ type="audio/wav" />

Step 4 - Validate your podcast

After you create a
podcast , it is necessary that you validate your podcast
feed to make sure there are no errors in it and that it is Rss
specific and itunes compatible. You can use
http://feedvalidator.org to check out rss feeds or search for
more options on Google :
http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&q=podcast+validator&meta=
for Podcast validators.

Step 5- Submit your podcast

Make sure you popularize your podcast. Submit your podcast to
directories and podcasting specific websites after you have
created and validated the feeds. You can search for them at
google :
http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&q=submit+podcast&meta=

Is all the chocolate from your kids’ Trick-or-Treat bags gone already? And not because your children ate it all? If you are anything like me, the chocolate candies are nowhere to be found because you have relentlessly snatched them from your unknowing children and, with much guilt and remorse, ate them all. Not because you don’t like your kids eating too much chocolate (it’s for their own good, right?). And not because you are desperately trying to put on a few pounds. The truth is, you are a serious chocoholic, and anything containing chocolate doesn’t last long in your home because it ends up in your stomach.

Now, many of us are well known as chocoholics, but others, to some extent, still have one leg in the closet. Those close to us know we love chocolate, but when the candy goes missing we don’t claim any responsibility. I have recently removed myself from the darkness and became a self-proclaimed chocoholic. Moreover, I am ready to explore the reasons behind my desires and what can be done about it. In fact, it’s probably time we all came out of the candy-filled closet to discuss this propensity for the sugary sweet. Why do we have it? Is there a genetic component to our needs? And what is truly so bad about being addicted to this mere cocoa bean? Most importantly, what can we do to keep our habitual desire in check? I will explore all of the above and detail a healthy way to keep chocolate in our diets.

Why are we the chosen addicted to chocolate anyway? Within my research, I have found that several scientists believe genetics does play a part in why certain people become consumed by the taste and smell of chocolate. Although I am not a scientist, I also believe that the inevitable craving for chocolate has some hereditary component. In my family, both parents have the desire to eat anything containing even a trace of chocolate. My sisters have also been burdened with this want for any such version of chocolate. In addition, my eldest brother requires much will to keep himself away from the candy cabinet in his home. This may not be scientific evidence, but it is my experience and stands to reason in my mind. No doubt, many chocoholics reading this article can think of at least two relatives that require a daily dose of chocolate to keep them happy.

So what is the big deal about chocolate anyway? Is it really that bad for us? I guess the answer is yes and no. Yes for some of us, no for others. Many doctors and psychologists believe that being addicted to chocolate means that one has the genetic code for simply being an addict. Many chocoholics are also alcoholics, smokers, and on down the line of addictive behaviors. Research also shows that many obese people are burdened with chocolate addiction as well as addiction to other foods. For these folks, addiction to anything has the potential to become problematic.

What about those of us who are chocoholics but not obese and not regular addicts? I myself am not obese. I am also not an addict…to anything but chocolate. I have never dealt with any other addiction. I do not have addictive behavior and do not believe I have the disease of addiction. I am simply in love with chocolate and want it almost as much as I want a good nights’ sleep. Is it truly dangerous for me? Of course it’s not the healthiest of foods to love but I’ve yet to enter the realm of danger. But it wouldn’t hurt to find a better way to fulfill my desires.

Most chocoholics know their habit is not necessarily a good one and would be willing to try a healthier alternative. Replacing chocolate with carob chips could ease kicking the chocolate habit, but the taste is just not the same. Another alternative is dark chocolate, which is known to have health benefits such as lowering high blood pressure. It also contains a potent antioxidant which helps to fight heart disease and other ailments. Just don’t wash it down with a glass of milk because milk prevents absorption of the good stuff. Dark organic chocolate is said to be the healthiest choice. It is more expensive than the average chocolate bar but is very rich in flavanoids and antioxidants. Dark organic chocolate, when consumed in moderation, can help to control diabetes and blood pressure. This is the best replacement for those who are addicted to chocolate but need a healthier variety.

Whatever your choice, it is imperative to remember that all types of chocolate contain large amounts of sugar and should only be consumed by healthy individuals. I myself would like to say that from now on I’m only going to eat dark organic chocolate in moderation. But who am I kidding. I know that I lack the willpower. I believe in strength in numbers, however, and look forward to all the emails I will receive from fellow chocoholics wanting to mellow, if not curb, the habit. I don’t think that chocolate is going to kill me, but it is certainly not going to save my life. I will attempt to limit my consumption and focus on buying dark varieties of chocolate. Especially now that all the Halloween candy is gone. And if I can do it, so can you.

Elizabeth Smith is a part-time freelance writer when she is not too busy mothering her two children, ages 3 and 6. She also runs an online and offline gift basket business entitled Crafty Gift Creations ~ Gift Baskets for Any Season and Every Reason. Visit her online at http://www.craftygiftcreations.com and check our her beautiful and yet tasty chocolate gift baskets and gifts!

Most of us take our bicycle wheels for granted. Once we’re rolling, we may think about the handlebars or derailleur and we definitely think about the saddle, but until we get a flat tire, we rarely give a thought to our wheels. Just like someone who works on their feet all day should pay attention to the shoes they wear, bike riders should know at least a little about their wheels.

When we say “bicycle wheels,” we are talking about the whole circular complex of the front and back wheels. No matter what kind of riding you do, road or mountain, racing or recreational, your wheels, linked to your human kinetics power through the crank of the bike pedals, are what move you through a distance in such an eminently satisfying manner. They consist of a tire, probably a tube inside the tire, a rim, spokes, and a hub. The tube is going to claim the most attention: this is what goes flat when you ride over a tack or thorn or simply inflate it wrongly. At very least, every single bike rider out there, anywhere, should know how to change a tube and carry a spare tube and a pump or air cartridge. It will seem like so much extra baggage right up to the moment your tube blows. At that precise moment, your spare tube and air supply turn instantaneously into salvation. Riding any distance at all on a flat tire will destroy your rims, and this is a costly replacement.Carry a tube and know how to change it.

Your tires will age, but not so quickly that you will need to replace them often during the practical lifetime of your bicycle. What you will probably find in regard to this component of your bicycle wheel is that you will choose to have several different tires for your bike, especially if you are riding a hybrid model that crosses the lines between road and mountain models. You will want knobbier tires for off-road adventures and smoother tires for your daily commuting or for that long distance road ride. Basically, the knobbier and fatter your tires, the more stable your ride AND the more work it will take to propel them. Balance your needs by investing in a second set of tires.The kind of frame you have will affect what tires you can fit, but there are varieties for all frames.

As for the rest of what constitutes your bicycle wheels, the spokes and rims and hubs, there is not much you will do once you have your bicycle. Rims and spokes and hubs vary enormously, but once you have purchased your bicycle you won’t do much to these elements other than to keep them clean, free of dirt and grease. Wiping down your bike after a ride is an exceptionally good practice, and while you’re doing it, always run your fingertips lightly over each tire. Early detection of burrs and glass shards can spare you (excuse the pun!) a flat on your next ride.

Alastair Hamilton is a successful writer who offers a truly unique depth of experience in competitive cycling, he also contributes adding technical articles on road bikes to some cycling online magazines like http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com You will find further information on bike wheels and tires at http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com/bike-parts/bicycle-wheels.html

One of the biggest challenges a copywriter faces is to make future clients feel confident in his or her ability. You know you can deliver, but your clients don’t know that… yet! In my own experiences as a freelancer, I’ve noticed that the most hesitant potential clients often ask the same questions. Following are answers to help allay their fears.

Copywriting FAQ’s:

1. How do I know your writing style is the right one for my company?

I understand where this question comes from, because I ask it myself when I need to solicit the help of another writer. A good copywriter would never inject her own personality or opinion into the work she does for other people. Rather, she adopts the appropriate tone for their particular industry.

When it comes to writing, I consider myself something of a chameleon. If you take a look at the varied samples on my website, Wordfeeder.com, you’ll see that I can change my colors to suit a purpose. Am I Cybil? No, I’m just good at imitating the way that people talk.

Professional copywriters will agree: language is a handy tool for manipulating emotions. If you choose your words carefully, you can make people respond in a certain way. If you know how your target audience thinks and speaks, you can communicate with them in a way that brings a favorable reaction. It’s sort of like being emotionally multilingual!

How is a copywriter able to write a whimsical children’s story one day and a hard-hitting marketing brochure the next? Acute awareness of the audience, and the ability to switch the “voice” that comes out through the words. You do this all the time without even thinking about it!

Let’s say you’re a lawyer by day, and a family man by night. Imagine yourself having a phone conversation with a client. What words do you choose to convey your message? What tone do you take? Later on, after you’ve hung up, you’re tucking your little boy in for the night. He asks for a bedtime story. Do you speak to him in the same manner you used earlier on the phone? Of course not! You instinctively change your tone, from cool and professional to tender and fatherly. This is the same strategy that copywriters use to make their living. It’s our job to represent YOUR company, by mastering the language that your audience understands.

2. We just became acquainted. How can you write for someone you barely know?

Once you sign a writing contract with me, I make it my business to know who you are and what you stand for. If you’re a corporation, then I take the time to familiarize myself with your company philosophy. If you’re an individual, I learn your goals and personal style. It’s incredibly important for a copywriter to know what makes his clients tick… so that he can embody this in his writing and effectively drawn in a responsive audience. The process happens in steps.

1. We’ll have an initial phone conversation or email correspondence.
2. I’ll send you a questionnaire that you can either fill out in detail, or we can discuss over the phone.
3. I research your company, industry, and target audience.

Every so often I use an icebreaker to get things flowing between me and my entrepreneur clients. This is great fun for me, and my clients really seem to enjoy it, too. I send them what I call Twenty Questions; an informal quiz that will help me get a flavor for who they are. Two sample question from the quiz:

- What’s the thing that drives you get out of bed every morning, ready to face a new day?

- If you were a superhero, what would your special power be?

Sounds a bit off the wall when placed in this context, but let me stress that I only use the quiz on select clients (never for corporations). It works every time! Remember: my goal is to capture the essence of who you are and what you represent. We’re going to keep on trying until we hit the nail on the head.

3. What do you know about branding?

People ask me this all the time. Branding is nothing more than a concept, but an unbelievably important one that should be the basis for all of your advertising messages. Branding is the gradual process by which you burn your name into the mind of the consumer. Some classic examples of branding at its finest? General Electric. McDonalds. Microsoft. You get an instant and distinct impression when you hear these names. That’s some killer branding all right!

How did these brands come to be the households name that they are? Consistency. If you want to build a solid reputation for your company, you must stand firm in your philosophy. You must develop an actual physical image that people recognize (think of the Golden Arches). And above all, you must always speak to the same people in the same way. When people know that they can count on you for predictable behavior, they’ll begin to trust you. Customers who trust in your brand always come back.

As a copywriter, I’m your Branding Watchdog. I’ll make sure you never fall off the branding wagon and start talking like somebody you’re not. You should never have to tell your writer, “Let’s work on branding,” because it’s something that gets factored in automatically. Branding is part of the package, and you won’t be a smashing success until the backbone of your brand is firmly in place.

4. What if I don’t care for what you’ve written?

Clients with a tight budget usually ask me this question. The answer that always pops into my mind is this: “Do you walk into a restaurant and ask, ‘What if I don’t like the food?’” Of course not, because you understand that there’s always a small amount of risk. “Let the Buyer Beware!” is the famous cliche that still rings true. Even so: if I want to keep you as a customer, I’m going to do the best job possible to ensure your satisfaction.

I’m like the guy who runs a restaurant. He makes sure your food is prepared just the right way, so you’ll enjoy it and return again. Likewise, I prepare your copy just the right way, in the hope that you’ll absolutely love it and want to return to my website for some repeat business.

My sole purpose is to create writing materials that reflect your brand intelligently and professionally. You pay me to represent you, so I make your needs priority one. That means I provide rewrites until you’re happy with the end result. Copywriters with a true passion for their work will welcome this challenge, and they won’t stop until you’re completely thrilled by what they’ve created for you. I truly feel this way, and I promise that once we work together, you’ll “catch the creative fever,” too.

5. How long will this project take to complete?

I’ll be perfectly honest: to provide you with the most accurate assessment, I need your feedback. Give your copywriter a helping hand, and volunteer as much information as possible. How many words/pages? Will this be a kit that contains multiple elements, or a quick 500-word article? Will this project require in-depth research? All of this affects the time it will take to do a quality job. And while quantity is important, quality is more important. I refuse to hand in sloppy work because you wanted the job done yesterday.

Additionally: the less certain you are of what you want, the longer I’ll spend doing “test drafts” that you’ll read and give feedback on. This is quite all right by me, but I will warn you that it may lengthen the time it takes to finish the project. On the other hand, if you know exactly what you want and can express it in a detailed way, your website copy could take less than a week to create!

I hope I’ve been able to address your concerns as a potential copywriting client, as well as shed some light on the copywriting process itself. I truly love what I do, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than putting my creative skill to work helping you build an empire of wealth and success. If you’re thinking of starting your own business, now’s a great time. I wish you all the luck in the world! And if you ever need a copywriter… you know who to call.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years’ industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys”R”Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.

Silicon Shortage Drives Global Solar M&A

By Catherine Lacoursiere February 16, 2006

Acquisitions in the global solar industry are off to a strong
start in 2006 following a major realignment in the solar
industry. The recent sale of Shell Solar’s crystalline solar
business to SolarWorld was a clear indication that the economics
of the photovoltaic manufacturing business has changed. Global
merger and acquisition activity in the renewable energy sector
has been growing at just under 50 percent per annum for five
years, reaching $14USD billion in 2005, according to London,
UK-based New Energy Finance. Activity in the photovoltaics
sector, which has been one of the most acquisitive, is expected
to increase.

The worldwide silicon shortage is a major driver of the pickup
in M&A activity says Walter Nasdeo of Ardour Capital Partners.
Over 90 percent of global solar cell production is silicon
based. Despite very high demand for photovoltaic equipment, the
raw material shortage is squeezing margins. Solar World cited
two major benefits of the Shell deal: one, it secures more
access to silicon supply and, two, monocrystalline solar
technology provides the highest yields and, thus, requires less
silicon. The deal makes the German photovoltaic supplier the
largest solar power company in the US.

Amidst a major industry realignment, it is becoming hard to keep
track of all the new solar entities. In addition to solar IPOs,
which led new issues last year, many companies are acquiring a
presence in the solar business to capitalize on global demand
growth in excess of 30 percent. Carmanah Technologies
Corporation (TSX: CMH), which has established itself as a world
leader in lighting technology through its LED business, acquired
Soltek Powersource last year–a photovoltaic manufacturer and
distributor–to become the largest solar manufacturer in Canada.
On the strength of its new solar business, Carmanah reported
record profits last quarter. Soltek, itself, is the product of a
number of global acquisitions.

Yet while solid opportunities to invest in the solar boom exist,
the high stock valuations and investor demand also raise concern
of a solar bubble, and not the ones used as a cover on swimming
pools. At the other end of the spectrum are solar companies that
are emerging overnight through acquisitive shell
companies–stocks that are listed on a stock exchange but are
not actively traded.

While the number of potentially accretive deals is indeed
finite, there are discernable trends. Many companies are
building core competencies in promising technologies–nanosolar,
thin films and building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This
month, Barnabus Energy (OTC BB: BBSE) completed its transition
to a solar energy pure play, divesting its natural gas assets
and adding two more solar companies to its portfolio–Connect
Renewable Energy and Solar Roofing Systems–buying a presence in
the fastest growing sector of photovoltaics, building integrated
photovoltaics. Barnabus’ core solar business has been the
development of a patented solar concentrator.

The raw materials shortage will also continue to drive deals
across the supply chain. In the charge to reduce costs, solar
gear producers are buying solar industry equipment suppliers
with a view to improving efficiencies. Ardour Capital’s Nasdeo
expects to see more suppliers being bought up. In Europe, Theo
Kitz of Munich-based Merck Finck says that there are many small
solar companies that are too small to survive on their own,
particularly during the silicon shortage, offering opportunities
to be bought out at attractive prices.

Of course, the high solar stock valuations are providing
currency to do these deals while also raising concern that some
solar stocks are overvalued. This week, a few analysts cited
high-growth Q-Cells, the world’s leading independent maker of
solar cells, as overvalued as it was dragged down by Cypress
Semiconductor’s spin-off, SunPower, which reported lower than
expected earnings due to the high cost of raw materials. Both
Q-Cells and SunPower issued initial public offerings in
December. “Q-cells has quite an aggressive plan to build new
production lines but they all have trouble securing the silicon
supplies for existing production,” says Kitz. In addition to
ramping up production lines, last year, Q-Cells entered into a
joint venture agreement with Evergreen Solar to manufacture
Evergreen’s higher yielding String Ribbon solar cells.

In fact, many of these solar plays may be trading at a discount
due to the silicon deficit. Analysts note that capacity
constrained solar gear makers can sell anything they can
produce. Fortunately, the silicon industry is moving quickly to
increase production. With the anticipated easing of the silicon
shortage in 2008, SolarWorld expects its Shell buy to help bring
the company from 50 percent capacity utilization today to 100
percent by 2007/2008. Kitz sees 20 percent upside in
SolarWorld’s stock price based on a blended analysis of
discounted cashflow and economic value added (EVA), a measure of
shareholder wealth over time based on a firm’s profitability
relative to its cost of capital.

Myths have been around since the beginning of time. It originated with the Greek’s account of creation and covers subjects from origins of civilizations, hero’s, customs and most any other imaginable subject. It has served as an excellent form for passing down history, and customs form one generation to the next; was one of the earliest forms of children’s literature.

“In the beginning there was a period of Chaos, when air, water, and matter were combined in a formless mixture. On this floated a Cosmic Egg, from which there arose Gaea (Earth) and Uranus (Sky). These deities created the earth and its creatures and the Sun, Moon, and Stars.”

The study of such is known as mythology. Where one studies a body or collection of myths belonging to a people addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes, or myths associated with an event, individual, or institution

Myth’s origins have became even more prevalent and proved invaluable as an instrument in promoting and perpetuating religions, folkways and mores as civilizations evolved into more complex and intellectual forms; in primitive times in preserving a nations or peoples history and passing it down from one generation to the next.

In conclusion then we might purpose that it is from the study of humanities difference and similarities whether it be their cultures, how they view themselves or govern themselves that myths not only originated, they perpetuated.

Writing has become a habit which gets more enjoyable with each article submitted.

Hvar Island is situated in the Adriatic Sea and belongs to Croatia. The island spreads out on 80 km from west to east and it is truly paradise for its tourists. People all over the world visit all four major parts of the Hvar Island as its surprises are many and diverse.

During its existence, the Hvar Island was know by other names also, depending on what culture it belonged to. First it was known as Pharos and after that it was called Piteyeia (around the third century B.C.) as we know from the Greek poet Apollonius of Rhodes. While it was under Roman rule it was called Pharia and later Fara. The Slavs, people that occupied the island during the middle ages, named the island Hvar. Even if the island was under Slav occupation, a lot of the inhabitants were Roman-speaking and convinced the Slaves to change the official name once more, this time into Quarra. In the eleventh century the Italians changed the name again into Lesina (meaning forest), a word full of meaning because at that time the island was perfectly characterized by a woody terrain. This name was kept until the nineteenth century when it was changed back into Hvar Island.

This place exists nowadays under the name of the Hvar Island, but the Hvar Culture has long been extinct. It is said that this culture existed from the year 3500 to 2500 B.C. The Hvar Island is an important piece in Croatian history being one of the important literary centers of this country during the Renaissance. Nowadays it is known as a producer of lavender, honey and wine and these aspects can be charming to those interested in stimulating their senses. Because of its climate and unique position, the Hvar Island is home to a lot of different species of flora and fauna like the Croatian Fighting Toad. An interesting fact about the Hvar Island is that it gets 2800 hours of sun per year. As you can see, there is no possibility for anyone to get bored on this island because it reunites history and culture for those with this kind of interests and it can be a great place to relax by bathing in the sun and admiring nature.

There are many cities to visit on this island, each with its own story and appealing characteristics. The town of Hvar had a population of little over four thousand people in 2001. It can be a tourist attraction because this is the place where the first public theatre was opened in Europe back in 1612. The town of Stari Grad located in the northern part of the Hvar Island had almost three thousand inhabitants in 2001. It is the site of some of the first human settlements on the Adriatic Sea from Antiquity. Jelsa, a town in the central northern region of the island, it’s said to have had a population of approximately 3.600 back in 2001. The fourth region that might capture your attention is the town of Sucuraj, a city of picturesque beauty situated on the east cape of the Hvar Island. Sucuraj has been named officially the center of the eastern part of the Hvar Island. The town is said to be 2300 years old, fact which can fascinate anyone. The city has been blessed with mild climate and a beautiful country side which makes it even more perfect for contemplation and relaxation. The 400 people settled here live off tourism and fishing therefore any person who is interested in this location will be received with open arms and will have a wonderful time.

The Hvar Island is thought to have been inhabited since the year 5000 B.C. Since then, a lot of different cultures living there in each age known to man have left their own fingerprint on the place. The Neolithic age proves its existence in the history of the Hvar Island by a fragment of pottery dating from the year 2500 B.C. The bronze pottery and hilltop sites represent the Bronze Age. The Iron Age left behind a lot of settlements including a castle; most of these settlements were even equipped with some rudimentary forms of defense. After that, the ancient Greeks became very interested in the Hvar Island. Remains of the Greek colony can still be seen through some of the defense walls that are still standing. After the Greeks, a lot of different cultures left their legacy to the people on the Hvar Island, like the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Turks and even newer states like Austria, France, England and Russia had their own influence.

The Hvar Island is a great place for a vacation. One of the few places were you can escape from the big city life and all its problems, a place where you can really catch your breath and relax. Strolls on a forested sea path or a week of quiet life in one of the picturesque villages to see how life is without any connection to civilization. The Hvar Island is a relaxation heaven. There are a lot of sites to admire like one of the monuments of the Hvar Island, the Saint Lawrence Church which is known for the collection of paintings by old masters. The Hvar Island also has one of the largest naturist camps. There is simply no way you can get bored here.

One of the few places that man hasn’t destroyed yet, the Hvar Island is a must see just like other famous places in the world. It’s just that it hasn’t had so much publicity and this is perhaps the reason its beauty remains untouched. You can enjoy the scenery and you can see the way native people live there. This will give you an idea about the way our forefathers made a living without having to work in loud plants and polluted environments. As a fact, it is necessary to say that Hvar Island is one of the perfect places you can visit and unwire yourself.

Life in the big cities is tiring and soliciting. This is why people take vacations and search for the perfect place to forget their daily lives. One of the best places to do exactly this is Hvar island in Croatia.

Everywhere we look, and in every magazine we read there is at least one new tidbit about our current crop of celebrity babies and their parents.
We’re all just a little embarrassed if we’re caught reading the checkout counter rags in the stores, but we just can’t seem to help ourselves.

Is this a passing trend? Will we ever tire of the offerings of pictures and information presented to us by the paparazzi? It’s extremely doubtful. We mean no harm. We wish these stars, our Made in the USA, versions of the Royal Family our best, but give them absolute privacy? I don’t think so.

Celebrity Mom and Baby tracking have become an international pass-time. How very interesting it is to peek inside their world for just a second. However, if there’s a trend worth noting, the celebs appear to be becoming less glamorous and more like average everyday people to me. Granted, they are jet setters; people with deep pockets and quirks a-plenty. But if there were one thing all the media coverage has brought to the surface, it would be that the majority of our stars are more like us than we ever dared to dream.

They look stunning on the red carpet, but the candid photos show that even the shiniest of stars look a little worse for wear on the spur of the moment trip to the quick stop store. Could it possibly be that they walk their colic-y babies at night to calm them just like the rest of us? While the nannies may need to take over while mom’s shooting a blockbuster film, there’s evidence of everyday movie star mom involvement with the kids.

Remember the days when the annual Christmas Special was the only time celebrities and their babies appeared to share the same room? Was this because the photographers of that day gave them more privacy and only snapped pictures at scheduled photo shoots? Or was the attitude at that time that children were to be seen and not heard?

Whatever the reason, the Mommie Dearest moments seem to have gone by the wayside and have been replaced with hands-on parenting of a much more loving nature and we the public can’t get enough.

By Jan Bay

Freelance Author of Nursery Decorating Articles, Baby Gear Reviews and Webmaster for UNIQUE-BABY-GEAR-IDEAS.COM

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Everyone wants to look the best we can and often we focus on the lower half of the body. We want to ensure that we have nice looking leg muscles and a flat, well toned abdomen. But the upper body also needs attention. Well toned arms and chest will round out the appearance and give the impression of a fit and healthy symmetrical body which is pleasing to the eye. There are many types of exercises that will help accomplish this.

You need to be sure to use all your muscles in your upper body when working out with weights. This includes arms, back, shoulders and chest. Your chest and back muscles can typically handle more weight as they are larger muscles. The arms and shoulders should be used to tone and build muscle but will usually use slightly less weight than the chest and back.

When you work out your upper body you should do so two to three times per week but do not do it on consecutive days. It is important to give your muscles a rest between workouts. A good rule of thumb is to alternate lower body and upper body if you are working out on consecutive days and to let the entire body rest for a day or two. This is perfect for people who like to work out during the week and have the weekends free for rest and relaxation.

Make sure you do sets that include repetitions in the amount of weight that is suitable to just finish. If you are looking to tone, use lighter weights with more repetitions. If you are looking to build muscle, use heavier weights with fewer repetitions. Also, make sure you do not get into a rut with your work out routine. You do not want to continually do the exact same exercises each time. Instead, change it a bit so you do not get bored.