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Webassign

Webassign, WebAssign is the product of the first advanced educational systems, a private company incorporated in North Carolina. Our CEO, John Risley, Ph.D., specializes in physical education as a professor of physics at North Carolina State University. The company is located on Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.

History WebAssign

Teachers developed WebAssign. Aaron Titus, a graduate student in physical education at North Carolina State University, and Larry Martin, a professor of physics at North Park University in Chicago, independently developed systems of homework on the Web in the mid-1990s. In 1997 and 1998, Titus and Martin have collaborated to create WebAssign, a duty and a robust online system for managing tests. The test in several large classes, feedback from teachers and students in physics, mathematics, statistics, and chemistry has helped to broaden and refine the product.

WebAssign has been marketed since January 1998 as a hosted subscription service, providing superior performance and a common database issues under the direction of Mr. Risley. From the beginning, comments and suggestions of instructors from both schools and colleges and universities have played a crucial role in defining new features.

In 2003 the team moved Risley University Centennial Campus.
Today WebAssign

Today, WebAssign is the leading provider of powerful online tools for teaching faculty and students. In partnership with all major textbook publishers, WebAssign offers customizable pre-coded questions from a wide range of textbooks in mathematics and science as well as easy to use tools that allow teachers to create their own questions.

Our team of 130 + employees including programmers, content specialists, writers, editors, designers and instructors working together to maintain the system, create new features based on user feedback, and provide comprehensive support to customers.

To date, more than two million students have used WebAssign to submit more than one billion answers to homework, tests, and practical problems. In return, students have received millions of pages of comments on their work. At any time, over 300,000 students use WebAssign to over 1,500 educational institutions worldwide.

source : usspost

Accutane Side Effects Exposed

Do not treat the truth about Accutane side effects lightly. You need to protect your self before it is too late.

If you are undergoing the pain and trauma caused by the severe case of acne Vulgaris and your doctor says Accutane is the only solution; and you are ready to believe that the Accutane side effects will be nothing compared to what you are suffering now, please stop and read my article. I suffered from acne for than 13 years and I tried the full course of Accutane and caused serious and permanent damage to my knees due to it. After suffering the side effects my self and after dedicating seven years on research for permanent acne cure I believe it is my duty to tell all about the Accutane side effects.

Let Us First See a Very small Picture of Accutane Side Effects

Skin rashes
Severe and terrible headaches
A nauseating feeling
Severe ache in the stomach
Diarrhea
Chapped and dry lips
Dandruff
An itching sensation and dry skin
Dryness of the nose and bleeding from the nose
Irritation of the eyelids
Dry eyes
Blurry eye sight
Terrible mood swings
Rectal bleeding
A strange yellowness of the skin Pain in the joint and muscles
Delayed healing of wounds
Loss of hair
Severe sunburns due to extreme sensitivity to sun rays
Unable to see properly at night time
Depression and suicidal tendencies
Arthritis
Severe birth defects
Complete vision loss

Accutane side effects are a major controversial story. Till now, it is supposed to have caused 240 suicides all over the world.

Accutane due to its serious side effects should have remained a last resort drug that should not have been used unless in the severest of cases and when nothing else seemed to work. But that is not the way things are running now. Most doctors prescribe Accutane without wasting even a single thought about its side effects. Hoffmann-La Roche’s Accutane is one of the most popular acne drugs and its makes more than many millions for the company every year. Roche never properly warned its consumers about the Accutane side effects. That is the reason for so many Accutane lawsuits filed by families of Accutane users. Several Accutane users though haven’t survived to tell their stories, they committed suicide.

Congressman Bart Stupak has been trying to warn people about the serious nature of Accutane side effects – mental problems, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, birth defects and Lupus. Bart Stupak’s son committed suicide while on a course of Accutane.

Accutane is not the ultimate cure to acne. There are much better ways to permanently and completely cure acne. That too without side effects.

The anguish caused by acne is actually painful but still it does not mean that you need to suffer permanent damage in the name of a so called miracle drug that is said to cure acne. By adopting the holistic approach to acne you will be able to achieve far better results. You’ll be able to cure your acne completely and permanently and without a single side effect.

Mike Walden is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More- Open The Door To an Acne Free Life". Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

tag : accutane side effect, lawsuit, exposed, acne

“Medium” Cancelled

CBS is pulled the plug on Medium.

Attracting an average of 7.1 million viewers a week, Medium is the lowest-rated series on CBS. After all, this is the home of Two and a Half Men, TV’s most-watched sitcom. Almost all the other primetime programs on the network earn more than 10 million viewers per week.

Series star Patricia Arquette has confirmed that her days as psychic consultant Allison DuBois are numbered less than a year after NBC’s longrunning psychological thriller got the boot and moved to CBS. On Monday, Arquette confessed that the series’ current seventh season will be its last. The news hardly comes as a surprise. Speculation that the once hit show would be on the chopping block has been heating up The Watercooler ever since CBS announced in October that it was cutting back its episode order from 22 to 13. In fact, Medium only has two more episodes to film, leaving Patricia anxious to learn the fate of a character she’s grown to love.

“I was trying to get information from the writers about the last episode,” she tells Entertainment Weekly. “I don’t know what it’s going to be, but they’re really excited about it. They’re like, ‘We’re just going to burn the whole thing down!’ I’m really excited. It’s been a great time. I love that time in my life.”

source : popcrunch

Tag : medium, medium tv show, medium series finale, patricia arquette, medium tv show cancelled

Keith Olbermann gives abrupt goodbye to MSNBC show

NEW YORK – Keith Olbermann was MSNBC's most popular personality and single-handedly led its transformation to an outspoken, left-leaning cable news network in prime time. Despite that, he often seemed to be walking on a tightrope with his job. Friday night, it snapped.

Olbermann returned from one last commercial break on "Countdown" to tell viewers it was his last broadcast, and read a James Thurber short story in a three-minute exit statement. Simultaneously, MSNBC e-mailed a statement that "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract." The network thanked him and said, "we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Neither MSNBC President Phil Griffin, Olbermann nor his manager responded to requests to explain an exit so abrupt that Olbermann's face was still being featured on an MSNBC promotional ad 30 minutes after he had said goodbye.

Olbermann was nearly fired in November, but instead was suspended two days without pay for violating an NBC News policy by donating to three political campaigns, including the congressional campaign of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He returned and apologized to his fans, but not the network.

MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines insisted Olbermann's exit had nothing to do with the acquisition of parent company NBC Universal by Comcast, which received regulatory approval last week. That deal marked the exit of NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker, who saw Olbermann's value in turning around a once-unprofitable network, despite headaches the mercurial personality could sometimes cause his bosses.

"There were many occasions, particularly in the last 2 1/2 years, where all that surrounded the show — but never the show itself — was just too much for me," Olbermann said in his exit statement. "But your support and loyalty and, if I may use the word, insistence, ultimately required that I keep going. My gratitude to you is boundless."

Olbermann's father, Theodore, who was often cited when his son discussed problems in the health care system, died last March. His mother died the year before.

"A lot of people are trying to figure out if this was truly voluntary or not," said Adam Green, co-founder of BoldProgressives.org, which collected thousands of petition signatures urging Olbermann's reinstatement following last fall's suspension.

After Giffords was shot in the head on Jan. 8, Olbermann took to the air with an emotional editorial that night saying politicians and talk show personalities — including himself — need to swear off any kind of violent imagery so as not to incite anybody into acts like the Giffords shooting.

Olbermann's peripatetic career landed him at MSNBC eight years ago — his second prime-time stint on the network — with a humorous show counting down the day's top stories. That changed on Aug. 30, 2006, when Olbermann aired the first of a series of densely-worded and blistering "special comments," this time expressing anger at then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's criticism of opponents to the war in Iraq.

More anti-Bush administration commentary followed. Olbermann dropped any pretense of journalistic objectivity, and he became a hero to liberals battered by the popularity of Fox News Channel and its conservative commentators. Olbermann openly feuded with Fox, often naming personalities like Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck one of his "worst persons in the world" for some of their statements.

"Countdown" became MSNBC's most popular show. Instantly, a network that had often floundered in seeking a direction molded itself after Olbermann. Opinion was in, and MSNBC's prime-time lineup was filled out with Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell, who both had been subs for Olbermann when he was away.

Olbermann, before leaving the show with a final signature toss of his script toward the camera on Friday, thanked his audience for sticking with him. As was often his habit on Friday nights, he read a Thurber short story, this one titled "Scottie Who Knew Too Much" and published in 1940.

The story's final line: "It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all of the answers."

He thanked several people, including the late Tim Russert, but pointedly not Griffin or NBC News President Steve Capus.

He said he was grateful to the network that he was given time to sign off, noting that when he left ESPN in the 1990s, he was given 30 seconds — cut in half at the last minute to get in tennis results.

David Brock, founder and CEO of the liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America, said Olbermann "led the charge" against "conservative misinformation in prime time."

"Keith is an innovator and extremely talented broadcaster who showed there was a market for progressive views on cable news," Brock said. "I'm sure we'll be hearing more of him soon, and I eagerly await hearing of his next move."

The mood was different at Newsbusters, a website operated by the conservative Media Research Center: "You guys at Newsbusters should really break out the champagne and party," wrote one reader about Olbermann.

The Cornell graduate first became known for his work on ESPN's "Sportscenter," where he also cultivated a reputation for being talented but difficult to work with. His first MSNBC stint ended in the late 1990s when he quit, complaining his bosses were telling him to talk too much about President Bill Clinton's impeachment scandal.

MSNBC announced that O'Donnell, who had frequently filled in for Olbermann before starting his own 10 p.m. show, will take over Olbermann's time slot starting Monday. "The Ed Show," with Ed Schultz, will move to 10 p.m. Cenk Uygur of the Web show "The Young Turks" will fill Schultz's vacated 6 p.m. time slot.

Olbermann's plans are unclear. He signed a four-year contract with MSNBC two years ago; contract buyouts typically include noncompete clauses that keep a personality off TV for a period of time.

CNN has continued to struggle in prime time, most recently with a program in Olbermann's time slot hosted by Eliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker. Bringing Olbermann on, however, would mean a dramatic shift in the network's determined nonpartisan stance, and there was no indication such a change was imminent.

source : news.yahoo

tag : keith olbermann fired, keith olbermann suspended, keith olberman, keith olbermann married, msnbc

Hawaii won't release Obama birth info

HONOLULU – Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie will end his quest to prove President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii because it's against state law to release private documents, his office said Friday.

State Attorney General David Louie told the governor he can't disclose an individual's birth documentation without a person's consent, Abercrombie spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said.

"There is nothing more that Gov. Abercrombie can do within the law to produce a document," said Dela Cruz. "Unfortunately, there are conspirators who will continue to question the citizenship of our president."

Abercrombie, who was a friend of Obama's parents and knew him as a child, launched an effort last month to find a way to dispel conspiracy theories that the president was born elsewhere. The governor said at the time he was bothered by people who questioned Obama's birthplace for political reasons.

But Abercrombie's investigation reached a dead end when Louie told him the law restricted his options.

Hawaii's privacy laws have long barred the release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who doesn't have a tangible interest.

So-called "birthers" claim Obama is ineligible to be president because they say there's no proof he was born in the United States, with many of the skeptics questioning whether he was actually born in Kenya, his father's home country.

Hawaii's health director said in 2008 and 2009 that she had seen and verified Obama's original vital records, and birth notices in two Honolulu newspapers were published within days of Obama's birth at Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital in Honolulu.

Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo again confirmed Friday that Obama's name is found in its alphabetical list of names of people born in Hawaii, maintained in bound copies available for public view.

That information, called index data, shows a listing for "Obama II, Barack Hussein, Male," according to the department's website. The president was born Aug. 4, 1961.

"The index is just to say who has their records within the department. That's an indication," Okubo said. "I can't talk about anyone's records."

The Obama campaign issued a certificate of live birth in 2008, an official document from the state showing the president's birth date, city and name, along with his parents' names and races.

source : news.yahoo

tag : hawaii, release, birth info, obama, info of birth, barack obama, president, honolulu

Exothermic Reaction Examples

Are you looking for exothermic reaction examples? Read on to find what is an exothermic reaction and also examples for the same.

If you are a student of thermodynamics or even simple physics, you must have heard the term exothermic many times. While reading / studying about chemical reactions or even while understanding the procedure or the making of certain products, you must have come across the term 'exothermic reaction'. At the same time, you must have also come across the term 'endothermic'. The terms endothermic and exothermic are completely opposite to each other. Before taking a look at the exothermic reaction examples, let us know what exothermic reaction is.

Exothermic Reaction

If you wish to have the simplest and easiest definition of exothermic reaction, then note that is a chemical reaction which is followed by evolution of heat; i.e., heat is given out when this reaction takes place. You can also say that this is a reaction during which heat is lost or released. The heat or the heat energy released during these reactions is let out in the surroundings. You can take a look at the following formula to know what is an exothermic reaction:

Reaction of Chemicals / Substances ----> Products + Heat (Energy)

Here we can clearly see that the reaction of certain chemicals / substances gives rise to heat or heat energy. We can also safely conclude that whenever heat is released along with the product of any reaction, the chemical reaction is an exothermic reaction. On the contrary, in case of endothermic reactions, the heat from the surroundings is absorbed in order to carry out these reactions. Therefore, when defining the endothermic reactions, we can say that is is the chemical reaction where heat from the surroundings is absorbed. You can go through the write-up on endothermic vs exothermic to know more on the topic. Now that you know what is an exothermic reaction, let us take a look at the examples for the same.

Exothermic Reaction Examples in Everyday Life

While studying chemistry we come across several examples of reactions that take place between different chemicals or elements. These reactions also also be seen in out day-to-day life. However, we do not look at them with a scientific attitude and hence, fail to notice time. Now take a look at the following exothermic reaction examples and you will know.

Condensation of rain from water vapor
Cement and concrete setting
Combustion of fuels
Epoxy raisin setting
Mixing of water and acid
Mixing sodium sulfite and bleach
Mixing water with an anhydrous salt
Mixing water with calcium chloride
Adding water to anhydrous copper(II) sulfate
Burning of substances
Crystallizing liquid salts
Thermite reaction
Neutralization reaction
Polymerization reaction
Oxidation of metals
Nuclear fission

These are some of the most popular examples of exothermic reactions. Now if you are looking for exothermic reaction examples for kids, then note that making ice cubes, formation of snow, etc, are some of the prominent examples. You may not be aware but burning of a candle is also an example of exothermic reaction. Apart from these, you can also take a look at the endothermic and exothermic reactions for more information on these reactions and their examples.

You must have also heard about spontaneous exothermic reactions. A spontaneous reaction is the one which takes place on its own; i.e., no external force is required to carry out this process. If you are wondering, is an exothermic reaction always spontaneous, then the answer is No. There are several exothermic reactions that require an external force for reaction. However, rusting of iron is the most popular and easy-to-understand among all the spontaneous exothermic reaction examples.

These were some of the exothermic reaction examples from chemistry as well as day-to-day life. So, the next time you mix anything or form any mixture, why not note whether it is an exothermic or endothermic reaction? I am sure it will be a fun activity. Good luck!

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Japan rocket ferrying supplies to space station

TOKYO – A Japanese rocket carrying supplies for the International Space Station successfully lifted off from a remote island Saturday on a mission designed to help fill a hole left by the retirement of NASA's space shuttle program.

The unmanned rocket was carrying a payload of nearly six tons of food, water, clothing and experimental equipment to the astronauts in orbit in the space station, an international project involving 15 nations. The rocket also was carrying cargo for NASA.

After docking with the ISS, dropping off its cargo and being loaded up with waste material, the rocket's transfer vehicle, named "Kounotori2," will be detached and burn itself up upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere. Kounotori means white stork in Japanese.

Applause broke out at the control center on Tanegashima Island as officials announced that the launch phase was a success. Tracking was switched to a center in Guam as the vehicle moved rapidly away from Japan.

Kounotori2 is expected to reach the ISS on Jan. 27.

JAXA, Japan's space agency, hopes the project will help it build expertise for similar low-cost ferrying missions and push forward manned flights of Japan's own.

Cargo missions for the ISS have become more important now that the United States has scaled back its ability to launch supplies. Since 2009, the ISS has been manned by six astronauts, but keeping them fed and supplied has become a bigger challenge because of the retirement of the U.S. space shuttles.

NASA is linking up with commercial companies to launch future cargo expeditions.

JAXA officials say they are studying the possibility of reconfiguring the Kounotori vehicle — which is about the size of a large passenger bus — for manned flight.

Japan's space program has yet to attempt manned flight. Japan has a module attached to the space station that can be used by astronauts, but has relied on the United States to get them there. A Russian Soyuz is to take the next Japanese astronaut to the ISS in May.

Japan sent cargo on its first unmanned carrier to the ISS in 2009.

Money, more than technology, is generally seen as Japan's biggest hurdle.

JAXA's budget for last year was 180 billion yen ($2 billion), about one-fourteenth of what the U.S. spends on space exploration and less than half of what the EU spends, according to Japanese government estimates.

Even so, Japan boasts a reliable booster rocket in the domestically produced H-II series — the rocket used Saturday — and was one of the leaders in launching satellites.

But its program in recent years has been marred by setbacks.

Last month, a Japanese probe to Venus failed to reach orbit. Officials said they have not completely given up hope and are trying to reprogram the probe to try again in another five — or if that fails six — years.

Japanese scientists had been hopeful of success with the Venus probe after the country brought a probe back from a trip to an asteroid.

Japan has never succeeded in an interplanetary mission. It launched a mission to Mars in 1998 that was plagued by technical glitches and finally abandoned in 2003. Russia, the United States and the Europeans have successfully explored other planets.

Japan has also been overshadowed in recent years by China, which sent its first astronaut into space in 2003 and carried out its first spacewalk in 2008.

source : news.yahoo

tag : spacewalk, japan rocket, space station, supply, china, astronaut, asteroid, scientists, abandone

Carlina White

Carlina White, (AP) – More than two decades ago, a newborn patient with fever was abducted from a New York hospital, his mother crazy to return to the urgency of finding an empty bed. On Wednesday, police said the baby – now a woman – was found.

Carlina White was just 19 days old when she vanished from Harlem Hospital on August 4, 1987. The police searched for his captors, but never found enough evidence to indict the suspects. Her mother, Joy White, always felt that her baby was alive, his family said.

January 4, a woman known as Nejdra Nance, who grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut and now lives in Atlanta, contacted White, sending photos along baby that looked almost identical to Loved Carlina posted on the site for missing children. Nance says white she thought she could be his daughter.

“She said she was just a feeling, it felt different people from his farm, said maternal grandmother Nance, Elizabeth White, 71.” She looked, and then she found joy. ”

Joy White has contacted the New York Police Department to see if she could help determine whether the woman was really Carlina White.

“It seemed legitimate and credible, so I had disappeared to reach out to her, the detective said Martin Brown, who answered the call. DNA tests conducted on Joy White, her ex-husband, Carl Tyson Nance and 23-years match, police said. Nejdra Nance was Carlina White.

As part of their investigation, police detectives speak to retirement that handled the case years ago. As she was very young when she was kidnapped, it is impossible to know whether Nance has lived with the family during this time.

Nance was on his way back to New York from Atlanta on Wednesday, said Elizabeth White, and Joy White was en route to the airport to meet him. But they have already met once recently, when Nance came to New York with her 5-year-old daughter, Samani.

“It was wonderful, she did not even seem like a stranger, she has just the right person,” said Elizabeth White. “We all went there, we had dinner together, and her aunts were there. She brought her daughter beautiful. It was magical. ”

Elizabeth White said she did not ask too many questions Nance about how she grew and how she knew she was not a member of the family with whom she lived. She did not want to push too Nance.

“It will all come,” said Elizabeth White of history. “What is important now is our little girl is at home. She is at home. ”

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

In the fourth round, black type described on a family photo tinted bronze representing the meeting of “Carlina blanc”avec his biological parents at least 23 years (there is a reason to put it that way keep reading) after its removal from the hospital in Harlem. They are all forward, his arms around Mom Carlina, daddy’s arms around them. It’s a sweet picture (even if mom and dad are divorced some time now and everyone has a new family because they lost their daughter). “Children abducted City Hosp. 23 years ago,” says the dek, which, since it is geographically north of the main hed makes sense in context. There is a piece of lead in a white box with a band- red top that says “exclusive”.

source: usspost

The Investment Answer

The Investment Answer, When an author speaks of a period, it is generally not intended to be taken literally. But “The Answer”investissement” was born as a response to a diagnosis co-author Gordon Murray with a brain tumor.

Six months ago, Murray was diagnosed with glioblastoma AA – the same type of tumor that ultimately took the life of Ted Kennedy. Murray had already been there, and I knew the number that the treatment might take.

“We must go through an initial period of sadness, but you realize,” Okay, I can not do something, so let’s just make the most of what we have, “said Murray.” I could have a high quality of six months, or I could take the risk with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and all those other drugs they throw you, but it might actually make things worse. ”

Murray decided to forgo treatment, and time becomes a precious commodity not to be wasted. As he began calling friends and relatives to tell them the news, a friend had an idea about how Murray would spend his last months.

The book is a practical guide to investing for retirement, a subject Murray knows a thing or two about. For 25 years he was one of these “Masters of the Universe” on Wall Street, the huge institutional investment management at Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse First Boston.

One of the main objectives of the book is to demystify the investment, the return from the Whiz Kids on Wall Street. The book is its investment offering of atonement, if not for his sins, so maybe for the sins of the street.

Mr. Murray: I was surprised how useful it was to help others, and I really had a great joy of it. I have; in fact, I tell my children now, if you start to feel sorry for you, just do something for someone else.

SIEGEL: And that’s what Gordon Murray did. After a distinguished career on Wall Street, he began to educate people on Main Street. And in the last year of his life, he and his financial adviser Dan Goldie self-published a slim book smart investment advisory called The Answer”investment. “He made five points about how ordinary investors can avoid some common pitfalls. Thanks to coverage in The New York Times, the story of Gordon Murray is out, and the book got a publisher.

Mr. Murray: One of the best things to have one of these malignant glioblastomas, is that you get some time to get closure, to plan and spend as much quality time with your family and friends.

SIEGEL: Gordon Murray is survived by his wife and two son, and his book, “The Answer”investment.”

source: usspost

Airfarewatchdog

Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor (R), the world’s largest travel website *, today announced the winners of its 2011 Travelers’ Choice (R) Awards. These 676 years institutions have been recognized in the ninth year of competition. Unlike the entire honors hotel, TripAdvisor Travelers Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

Properties received awards in the following categories: best deal, Best Luxury, Best for Romance, Best B & Bs and inns, Best Spa and Relaxation, the hippest, Best All-Inclusive, and the Best Hotels in the U.S. States and the world.

The average night for the full list of winners Travelers’ Choice Award is $ 283 and nearly a third of hotels had an average night and 150 or less per night. Prices per night for the best deal is $ 93; B & Bs and inns $ 104, Best for Romance $ 400, $ 237; connected Recreation & Spa $ 427 Best and Top 25 hotels United States and 299.

“Based on the feedback of millions of travelers worldwide, TripAdvisor is able to recognize the most outstanding hotels in the world for the ninth year of Travelers Choice Awards,” said Karen Drake, Senior Director of Communications of TripAdvisor. “A exceptional service, great value and high quality are the hallmarks of our winners Travelers’ Choice. ”

Select 2011 Winners:
Best Bargain in the World – Seacoast Inn – Hyannis, Massachusetts
Best Luxury (4 stars 5 &) in the World – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) – Prague, Czech Republic
Best Luxury in the U.S. – Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea – Wailea, Hawaii
Ideal for services in the world – Anastasis Apartments – Santorini, Greece
Best B & B and Inn Worldwide – Invermoriston Scotland – The Old Manse
Best B & B in the United States – Sedona Views Bed and Breakfast – Sedona, Arizona
Best for Romance in the world – Capella Ixtapa – Guerrero, Mexico
Best for Romance United States – Spindrift Inn – Monterey, California
Best All-Inclusive in the world – Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso – Playa Paraiso, Mexico
Best Spa and Relaxation in the world – Adler Thermae Spa Resort – San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy
Best Spa and Relaxation in the United States – Bardessono – Napa Valley, California
The hippest Hotel in the World – citizenM Amsterdam City – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Trendy hotel in the United States – W Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

To the best hotels by region and a complete list of 2011 travelers’ choice, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor (R) is the world travel website, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor provides reliable advice from real travelers and a wide variety of choice and travel planning functions (including research flights, and friends TripAdvisor Mobile TripAdvisor travel) with direct links to booking tools.

TripAdvisor (R) Media Group, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts more than 50 million unique monthly visitors * across 17 popular travel brands **. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 40 million unique visitors per month *** 20 million members and more than 40 million reviews and opinions. Sites in 27 countries around the world including China as ****, daodao.com. TripAdvisor TripAdvisor for companies also operates a dedicated division that provides access to the tourism industry millions of TripAdvisor visitors. The division includes business listings, which allow hoteliers to connect directly to millions of traveler’s research, and vacation rentals, which help managers and homeowners, list their individual properties and hotel alternative showcase.

TripAdvisor Media Group sites were recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Conde Nast Traveller, Good Housekeeping, Time magazine and Travel + Leisure.

TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Group are companies of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE | PowerRating).

TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice and the logo are trademarks of TripAdvisor or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the United States and / or other countries. Other logos or product names and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

(C) 2011 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.

* Source: comScore Media Metrix for sites TripAdvisor Media Group Worldwide, August 2010
** In addition to TripAdvisor, the TripAdvisor Media Group of sites includes:

www.airfarewatchdog.com
www.bookingbuddy.com
www.cruisecritic.com
www.familyvacationcritic.com
www.flipkey.com
www.holidaylettings.co.uk
www.holidaywatchdog.com
www.independenttraveler.com
www.onetime.com
www.seatguru.com
www.sniqueaway.com
www.smartertravel.com
www.travel-library.com
www.travelpod.com
www.virtualtourist.com
www.kuxun.cn.

*** Source: comScore Media Metrix sites for TripAdvisor, the world in August 2010
TripAdvisor **** sites in 27 countries around the world:

www.tripadvisor.com
www.tripadvisor.co.uk
www.tripadvisor.ca
www.tripadvisor.it
www.tripadvisor.es
www.tripadvisor.of
www.tripadvisor.fr
www.tripadvisor.jp
www.daodao.com
www.tripadvisor.in
www.tripadvisor.se
nl.tripadvisor.com
www.tripadvisor.com.br
www.tripadvisor.com.tr
www.tripadvisor.dk
www.tripadvisor.com.mx
www.tripadvisor.ie
www.tripadvisor.com.au
www.tripadvisor.com.sg
www.tripadvisor.co.kr
no.tripadvisor.com
pl.tripadvisor.com
th.tripadvisor.com
www.tripadvisor.ru
www.tripadvisor.com.gr, and
www.tripadvisor.co.id
www.tripadvisor.com.ar
SOURCE TripAdvisor

First, try to book your flight and hotel together on a site like Travelocity or Expedia to save on both. If you do not see an affordable rate and you still have a few months, set up an alert avec”AirfareWatchdog or a similar service to know when a decent fare becomes available. If you listened to us to Tip # 1 and reside in the continental United States, see the situation revamped Greyhound bus (we’re talking about wireless and all), or intend to take a train or bus, or even drive to your destination. Do the math first if, sometimes, gas prices add up to more than airline tickets.
source : usspost.com

Sweet Gum Tree Facts

This article highlights sweet gum tree facts that you will find interesting. Brilliant fall color foliage, spiked fruits and ridged trunk are the identification features of sweet gum tree. For more sweetgum tree facts, read on...

Sweet gum, also spelled as sweetgum, is a highly popular landscaping tree in North America. With respect to its characteristic features, it is known by different names, like redgum, American sweetgum, alligator wood, star-leaved gum or simply, gumtree. One of the desirable sweet gum tree facts worth mentioning is its interesting fall foliage color. It is intense fall color attribute that makes sweet gum a popular ornamental tree amongst landscapers.

Facts about the Sweetgum Tree

The sweet gum tree is indigenous to the temperate climatic regions of America. Today, it in introduced in other regions as an ornamental cultivar, and also for harvesting lumbar. While most of the sweet gum types are deciduous trees, a few are semi-evergreen and evergreen trees. As expected, these evergreen varieties do not show any color changes in fall. To understand more about this spectacular tree, presented below are some American sweet gum tree facts.

Sweet Gum Tree Taxonomy
Sweet gum tree is a flowering plant that belongs to the order Saxifragales and shares family Altingiaceae with witch hazel tree. The scientific name for American sweet gum tree is Liquidambar styraciflua. The peculiar name is coined with reference to the sweet, resinous substances secreted by this tree. Previously, the bark exudate is used for making chewing gum.

Sweet Gum Tree Description
The adorable, cone shape canopy shape is another notable feature about sweet gum. At maturity, the trunk measures about 2 m in diameter and 20-35 m in height. Male and female flower buds develop in spring, in different branches. The compound fruits of this tree are commonly known as monkey balls and gumballs. Borne in fall season, they are spiked, hard, dry, round in shape (2.5-4 cm) and contain several capsules.

Sweet Gum Tree Leaves
The foliage is palmately lobed with pointed apex, and arrange in alternate phyllotaxy (leaf arrangement pattern). Do not confuse star shaped leaves of sweet gum tree with that of maple. Unlike maple tree leaves, they are glossy, thick and leathery. In active growing seasons, the leaves are lustrous and dark green in color. As fall arrives, the leaf color turns vibrant orange, red and purplish.

Sweet Gum Tree Growth
Sweetgum tree facts about growth rate is highly impressive. This medium to large sized tree, grows at a rapid rate. Hence, if you are relocated to a new place, and want some fast growing ornamental trees, consider growing sweet gum. Moist, acidic soil is excellent for planting sweet gum tree. As it establishes to the growing conditions over the area, sweet gum tree can tolerate brief drought period.

Sweet Gum Growing Requirements
As per plant data, sweet gum tree is adaptable to USDA hardiness zones 5-9. This deciduous tree grows best in sunlit areas, or locations that receive filtered sunlight. It is naturally found growing on the sides of streams, ponds, swamps and areas that remain moist at all times. You can either purchase tree saplings from nursery centers or propagate by means of viable seeds.

Sweet Gum Tree Wood
The wood of sweet gum tree is of superior quality, in terms of hardiness and texture. Commercially, it is the second most commonly cultivated hardwood tree, next to oaks. The harvested lumbar is marketed for flooring, veneers, cabinets, furniture and interior woodwork. This superior quality wood is applicable in the paper industry and in making boxes, baskets and other household products.

Sweet Gum Tree Drawbacks
Some of the problems faced with growing sweet gum tree are branches susceptible to breakage, increased snow accumulation in the ridged branches, and spiked fruits that do not decay quickly after falling to the ground. Since the gumballs are spiny and hard, they need to be removed regularly. Hence, before you go with the planting part, be thorough with the sweet gum tree facts about maintenance.

If your area is extremely cold, the sweet gum tree leaves may be damaged with the first frost, when they are still green in color. So, before including it in your landscape design project, confirm whether sweet gum tree will exhibit fall colors or not. Also, be prepared with the maintenance part. Remember that failure to cleanup fallen fruits may cause difficulty in walking over fruits and unwanted spread of this tree.

Well! This was all about sweetgum tree facts. The yellow-bellied sapsucker (a small species of woodpecker) loves the sweet resinous substance produced by this trees. It tends to peck the inside of wood for feeding purpose, thus creating holes in the sweet gum tree. I hope you find the above sweet gum tree facts interesting to learn.

Bluestem Grass

Bluestem grass is mainly used as ornamental grass for landscaping. Read the article to know more about the different varieties of bluestem grass and their uses...

Bluestem grasses, mostly found in the US, grow in bunches and serves in different ways, one of which is that herds of cows and other livestock feed on bluestem grass hay and also graze on readily available fresh grass. These grasses are perennial grasses that come in different varieties. As mentioned before, all the varieties have certain uses which make these grasses not just great for ornamental purposes in landscaping but they also serve nature by helping in different ways.

Bluestem Grass Varieties

Bluestem grasses are mainly of three varieties, more on which is discussed below.

Little Bluestem Grass - Schizachyrium Scoparium

Being one of the most popular ornamental grasses for shade, the bluestem grass seeds for this variety is widely available in the market. As the name of this variety suggests, the length of it is shorter when compared to the other varieties. Little bluestem grasses can grow up to 3 - 4 feet and therefore are the shortest of the lot. Little bluestem grasses prefer a soil ph level of 7.0. This variety of bluestem grasses are prevalent in north America and Canada. Depending on the climate, these little bluestem grasses present themselves in different shades and colors. The appearance of it truly is refreshing and pleasing to the eyes and this is one of the reasons of it being used in landscaping. Fall is the best time when these grasses look their best as they appear in bright red with the fluffy seed stalks in silver-white. The other reason is that although it comes in bunches, it mixes quite well with the wild flowers. Another one of the interesting characteristics of little bluestem grasses is that it has a better drought tolerance as compared to big bluestem grasses.

Besides its ornamental use, the little bluestem grasses available in the wild and open and are grazed by the animals and they are also used to produce hay. Although these grasses are best grown at a soil ph of 7.0, they are capable of adapting to different soil conditions. Little bluestem grass is not quite long but their height is substantial to provide cover to small wildlife creatures.

Big Bluestem Grass - Andropogon Gerardii

Unlike little bluestem grasses, these grasses highly tolerant to all kind of soil conditions. They may survive in a less fertile and sandy soil but moist and clay-like soil suits best for big bluestem grasses for good growth. Big bluestem grasses can grow up to the height of 10 feet. Little bluestem grasses are the preferred choice when it comes to ornamental gardening and landscaping. But as big bluestem grasses are taller, they are great to form borders. Adding these to an ordinary flower garden in the form of borders could give it a distinct look, adding more to the attraction of the existing blooms. These tall bluestem grasses also help in stabilizing soil beside the regular use of providing forage to the livestock and also to the wild animals and birds. Birds also use these tall grasses as shelter for nesting and also get their food by way of their seeds.

Sand Bluestem Grass - Andropogon Hallii

Quite understandable with the name that sand bluestem grass grow in sandy soil and therefore are found in places with such soil conditions. They are mostly found in the great plains region that consist of grasslands and also in the mid-west and they grow up to a height of 7 feet. This variety of bluestem grass helps in stabilizing the sandy soil. And like the other bluestem grass, these also provide food and shelter to the wildlife animals. As these grasses are drought resistant, they are a great option for xeriscape gardens, so it could be used as border plants.

Now unlike the other varieties, the big bluestem grasses tends to grow out of proportion and spreads at a faster pace like weeds. To curb this fast growth, some bluestem grass control measures could be taken. One of the easiest way of controlling this is using herbicide such as bensulide, glyphosate, trifluralin etc.

Hot Yoga Clothes

You have decided to take up hot yoga has a form of exercise, but you are at loss for the right hot yoga clothes. In this write up, we will read on, what is the right attire for hot yoga.

There are different forms of exercises, which are practiced all over the world. One of the type of exercise is yoga. Yoga is a traditional physical as well as mental discipline, which has originated in India. Patanjali is said to be the founder of formal yoga philosophy. From the time of Patanjali, many different types of yoga have come into existence. One such form of yoga is hot yoga. A number of people are taking to this form of yoga. People are confused about what is the right type of clothes to be worn for a hot yoga session. When one is going for hot yoga, it is important that you opt for hot yoga clothes, which are comfortable. If the clothes are not comfortable, you will not be able to enjoy your classes, as much as you would want to. We will read on what is hot yoga, before we read on hot yoga clothes.

What is Hot Yoga?

The founder of the hot yoga is Bikram Choudhary. Hence, hot yoga is commonly also known as Bikram yoga. It was in the early 1970’s that this school of yoga became very popular. One can differentiate this school of yoga from the other schools of yoga in that it is practiced in a room, where the temperatures are as high as 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 40% humidity is also maintained in the hall where yoga is practiced. The high temperature and humidity leads to profuse sweating and warms the body as well. It is from this fact, that this school of yoga is also referred to as hot yoga. The yoga poses are practiced for 90 minutes in every session of hot yoga. There are a total 26 yoga exercises or poses, which are practiced in this form of yoga. There are two breathing exercises, which are also a part of the practice.

The most prominent of all benefits of hot yoga is weight loss. Therefore, Bikram yoga and weight loss are always spoken about. This brings us to the number of calories burned in hot yoga. The exact number of calories burned depends on a number of factors, which influence the count. Other than weight loss, there are a number of benefits of Bikram yoga. It helps in making the body supple and helps in improving metabolism. Since this form of yoga is practiced in real hot temperature, comes the question what to wear to hot yoga. Let’s find out the answer in the coming paragraphs.

Hot Yoga Clothes

To derive hot yoga health benefits, it is important that one is dressed appropriately for the classes. If you happen to go to the market, you will come across clothes for hot yoga in different fabrics. Some of the fabrics which are available include cotton fabric, synthetic fabric, hemp and bamboo. When one chooses the yoga supplies, it is important that they are comfortable for use. It is not necessary, that one opts for the expensive branded yoga clothes. There are numerous comfortable lower priced clothes available in the market, which will also give you the same benefit, when you are doing the yoga workouts.

The yoga pants are an important part of hot yoga clothes for women and men. The pants should be made from lightweight stretchable material. The stretchable material moves with the body with which practicing different poses is an easy task. It is best to stick to cotton fabrics as opposed to synthetic fabrics, as they absorb sweat and let the skin breathe well. You will also want to ensure that there is a wide elastic waistband. In case your weight fluctuates, the drawstrings will ensure that the yoga pants have a comfortable fit. You may also choose to wear yoga shorts or capris for hot yoga sessions as well. As a matter of fact, many men choose to wear only shorts for hot yoga sessions. Women are often seen wearing yoga pants or capris in the hot yoga classes.

After the hot yoga pants are the hot yoga shirts. People often choose to wear plain tops. However, it is a personal choice and the person can decide to wear clothes, which are suitable for their style. Women normally tend to wear tank tops or sports bra. However, cotton t-shirts can also be combined with the pants.

If you are into organic and eco-friendly things, then you may opt for eco-friendly hot yoga clothes as well. The beauty of these clothes is that they are good for earth, as they are comfortable and functional, when one is practicing hot yoga. Before I end this write up a small tip is to opt for clothes you are comfortable in. If you are uncomfortable in the clothes, then chances are high that you will not enjoy your hot yoga class.

The History Behind Frogger Games

We tend to never think of the amount of time and thought that goes into the creation of online games, but we still enjoy them. Here is a brief overview of Frogger.

Frogger games were coded by Konami and are a well better-known game of category coin-operated and were coded in 1981. The frogger game was commissioned for its global publishing from an organisation named Sega. The main intent of the game is to direct froggers to their respective lilypads 1 at a time. Froggers must get away from motorvehicles when they are travelling over a very packed road and journey along the rivers which are full of risks. The users who are using frogger for a lengthy time may aswell gather up some additional points on the way as a result of their level.

Frogger games now are one of the most popular froggers among people who like to participate in online games. Heaps of versions of this game can be easily discovered on several game sites on internet. In frogger, the user has to start with at lease three froggers likewise, no no more than seven froggers where the froggers count must essentially be odd. The number of froggers indicates the number of lives which one has. The frogger starts at the bottom and the user has to direct it from the beginning. The game screen is forked into two divisions, bottom division of the screen is full of road risks such as motorvehicles, buses etc. and the top division of the screen is full of river risks such as crocodiles etc. At the tiptop of the screen there are 5 lilypads for 5 froggers and the user has to direct every frogger to their several lilypads.

Frogger games can be easily located at a galore of websites on internet and the control of the game is very easy. Each frog can be controlled by just the up, down, left and right bottoms in order to control frogger; but frogger isn't as easy as its control are, it is very tricky to reach the end of frogger. Joystick is used by the users to control the direct of frogger. Each level in this game is timed so the user has to end the level in the prescribed time. In the middle of the screen, between the bottom part of the road dangers and top portion of the pond dangers there is a portion where the user has to organise its voyage through the pond.

The user has to save frogger from the pond risks such as crocs and otters in order to conserve the amount of lives but may also grab the insects that are in the pond as well as could protect various girl froggers that are in the pond inorder to gain some extra points during the game. With the technology improving day by day and the gloally availability in the use of has made these games obtainable online and can be easily utilised by gamers over the globe. Frogger games are useable for free online and many versions of frogger can be readily played on.

Tekeu Cameron loves playing games, especially the frogger games. He plays many sorts of games online, but one of his favorites would have to be free frogger online games.