Monthly Archives: February 2011

A Quick Guide To Mahogany Antique Reproduction Furniture

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Mahogany furniture is a largely English furniture institution. Much of the antique furniture originating in the 18th Century was made of mahogany. Not only did it look extremely appealing, it was also widely known for its hard wearing and long lasting properties. As mahogany was not native to England, it was exported from Puerto Rico and Cuba for use in furniture making. However, it is extremely expensive today and is not commonly used for furniture. Antique mahogany furniture is also really expensive so if you are looking to decorate your home then you may want to investigate the possibility of buying mahogany antique reproduction furniture.

Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is beautiful as a result of its carved patterns and rich colouring. It can add character to any room and should be the focal point if it is purchased for your home. Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is very popular and can be used to great effect, regardless of whether you choose to purchase one piece or a whole house full.

Although you will not find mahogany antique reproduction furniture in regular antiques stores, there is still a huge market for it. Craftsmen that make the mahogany antique reproduction furniture are highly skilled individuals and give the pieces character and style. As a result, there are a number of stores that have snapped such pieces up to market them effectively. There are online and offline stores that stock mahogany antique reproduction furniture so it is easy enough to locate and not all that expensive to buy. As it is still made of mahogany it does have a fairly high price tag, but not nearly as high as the real thing.

The mahogany used to make mahogany antique reproduction furniture is actually imported from Africa so it should tell a tale in itself. However, by the time its gets you it has a completely different history.

Every piece of mahogany antique reproduction furniture is reliable and should last a lifetime or two. Most pieces are carved in great detail and are very pretty, especially if placed in the right place. The pieces are also functional and can be used in daily life. However, most mahogany antique reproduction furniture is in a more formal style and thus would do well in a room designed for entertaining, such as a dining room or office. Many designs appear in a Victorian style and thus can seem a bit overbearing at times. However, if combined with carpets and walls in lighter tones then it would go extremely well in any room of the house.

You should care for mahogany antique reproduction furniture in much the same way as you would authentic antique furniture, with a little tender loving care and a soft cloth! It can add value to your home and give it an individual flavour that most crave so enjoy it while you can!
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Popular Identity Theft Cons

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There are many popular identity theft scams that are circulating, some have been around for decades while others are new to the scene. Some thieves will never stop trying to find a way to steal the one thing that is most important to you – your very identity. Each year, millions of people have their identities stolen in some way or are defrauded in some way.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular schemes to steal your identity and how you can determine if they are scams or not when you are faced with them.

Phishing

Phishing is an email scam that is supposed to get you to input your account information, banking, credit, personal and financial information into a website or email form. The link in the email is usually fake but made to look like the real thing. None of the financial sites or merchant sites will request this information from you in email format. Chances are any email like this is a scam to steal your identity.

Work at Home

Many work at home offers are legitimate, however many are not. Not only do you have to worry about anything that offers you to ‘get rich quick’, you also have to watch for jobs that seem too good to be true – if you think it might be, then it probably is. You should never have to pay to work and you shouldn’t believe a job where you are offered amazing amounts of money for virtually no work.

Classified Ads

These classified ads promise to pay for an item that you have listed for more than you are asking – usually the buyers are from another country. They want you to accept a certified check, deduct the cost of the item plus shipping charges and send the rest in a money order back to them. The check you received is fake and very well done, yet you are on the hook for the money when they are discovered during processing.

Free Government Grant

An offer for free government grants where you are ‘selected’ to receive a grant and all you have to do is pay a small service charge, that the government will take from your bank account directly. Never give out your personal information over the phone unless you have called the company and verified their legitimacy.

Tax Refund

You may receive an email from the federal government telling you that you may be owed a federal tax payment. This is most definitely a scam, the government does not use email to get personal information or deliver this type of information to people.

Telemarketing Scams

Telemarketing scams are very old and have been around for decades. The key to not being taken by a telemarketing scam is to NEVER give your personal information, checking account information or credit card number over the phone to an unsolicited caller, even though you may want the product. Be wary of promises where you can pay a small shipping fee and cancel at any time or pay a small fee after that- chances are they will delay sending your materials until your time to cancel has expired and then charge you with multiple charges to your credit card or checking account. Because you’ve sanctioned this charging, there is nothing you can do to reverse it or stop it.

You’ve won the lottery or a great prize

You have not won the lottery via email, nor a great prize and you certainly can not win something you didn’t enter. You also should never have to pay any shipping or fees for a prize you won.

In short, you should never give your personal information of any sort to someone unsolicited, via the phone, email or messenger. Protect your information and guard it closely and only give it out when necessary.

Puerto Rico Is An Incredible Vacation For The Whole Family

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Imagine a place where it is just cool in the winter and not freezing. A place where you can lay down in a hammock and listen to nothing except the waves crashing against the sand in a beautiful beach. A place where not only crickets sing, but the wonderful soothing sounds of the native Coqui. No, I’m not just making up such a place. That place is the island of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is an incredible vacation for the whole family. The island is very family oriented and makes your family feel right at home. You have the wonderful and beautiful beaches for the surfer and beach lover. The great non stop nightlife for that party girl. Filling up your schedule with activities will be easy in Puerto Rico. You can explore the forests and see beautiful scenes like waterfalls in El Yunque. Puerto Rico also is rich in culture as you can explore Old San Juan and step foot in the same exact place were the Spaniards stood at in El Morro. Take a drive down to the south to Ponce and visit the Taino Village and see how the native Taino Indians lived. A must do in Puerto Rico is the Tropical Trail Rides, a guided horseback tour through the “real” Puerto Rico! Step inside of the oldest fire station in Puerto Rico in the very popular Plaza las Delicias. Eat the local Ponce ice cream in “Los Chinos”. Walk around and keep an eye out during the summer for dolphins at Ponce’s boardwalk “La Guancha”. Make sure you order some pinchos while your there, a personal favorite for yours truly.

You will fall in love with Puerto Rican food when you visit any local restaurant and order some “comida criolla”. Alcapurrias, bacalaitos, sorullitos de maiz, rellenos de papa, empanadillas and much others fall into this exquisite category. Their main dishes are to die for with their arroz con gandules, arroz con pollo, and pernil. You can’t leave the island and say you went to Puerto Rico without trying the foods mentioned above.

As you can see history and food is a big part of Puerto Rico. Scenery is right behind it though. You can explore caves and caverns in Las Cavernas de Camuy. Puerto Rico is ideal for bird watching because the temperature remains fairly constant and see one of the fifty species of birds seen here, the bird watching will not disappoint. Imagine you laying down on a hammock, drinking a cold freshly made pina colada, and listening to the soothing breeze. This could all come true in Puerto Rico. Like they say “Your not dreaming, your in Puerto Rico!”
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Overseas Auto Transportation Can Be Made Easy

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Moving overseas is certainly quite a bit more complicated than moving to another city. Unless you are going to sell your car and buy a new one at your destination, you are going to have to employ a car shipping service. Many people are unsure if it is worthwhile to have their car transported when staying overseas for a while.

Understandably, it seems like a complicated process. However, with the help of a full service auto transport service, the process is fairly simple and stress-free. If you’ve never shipped a car overseas before, this article will provide an overview about your car’s upcoming journey.

Types of Overseas Transports

The first leg of your car’s journey is the trip from your home to the port. If the port is close you can drive it yourself. If it is farther away, you will probably have the auto transport company handle that part of the journey as well.

Once your car arrives at the dock it will be shipped one of three ways: RORO (Roll On Roll Off), in a 20-foot container, or in a 40-foot container.

Roll On Roll Off is commonly used for short trips. For example, it is the most common way that cars are shipped to Hawaii or Puerto Rico. The ship is basically a large car ferry. Your vehicle is driven aboard and parked along with many other vehicles. Upon arrival, it is driven out onto the dock. RORO service is usually cheaper than container shipping. However it is also less safe and your vehicle is more likely to be damaged. This shipping method covers the car itself. There is no provision for shipping any personal belongings.

A 20-foot shipping container is a safer method of auto transport. The car is loaded into a standard shipping container, secured so it doesn’t move during the trip, then the container is brought aboard the ship. Most of the time these smaller containers will fit only the car itself. If there is room in the container some shippers will allow you to ship personal belongings as well.

The best solution for shipping both your vehicle and household items is a 40-foot shipping container. The other items are loaded in first then a wooden bulkhead is placed in the container to separate these items from the car. The vehicle is driven into the container and secured as above. This shipping method is safer for both the car and your other belongings but is likely to be the most expensive shipping method.

Other Details of Overseas Auto Transport

Overseas transport is going to be more expensive than typical ground car shipping. Shipping will incur port fees at the destination. If shipping to another country, you will have to pay that country’s tariffs. Finally, your insurance will almost certainly not cover your vehicle during the trip. You will need to purchase maritime insurance which generally costs 1%-3% of the price of the vehicle.

International shipping has stricter documentation requirements. You will need the original title to the vehicle and may need other documentation depending on the destination. An experienced international auto transport company will be able to help you with the details so that you can get everything prepared before your move.

Auntie DD Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

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Easy No Fail Pizza Dough Recipe

This recipe provides either a soft or hard crust pizza shell – cooking time for a softer shell would be 5 min less. Makes 2 large pizza shells! It is easy to make and can be make one day ahead. After the dough has risen, simply punch down, divide into two balls, place in saran wrap and place into fridge. Can also be frozen for later use – up to 3 months.

3 cups bread or all purpose flour (white)

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water or skim milk

1 packet active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven 550?F. I prefer using milk for the liquid in this recipe. It adds flavor to your dough, but water is fine. In a large bowl place sugar, salt and yeast.Pour warm milk or water over mixture and let sit for 5 min.Add oil, stir and add flour to form smooth elastic dough, kneading dough for about 5 min.Place dough in a large bowl, drizzle a bit of olive oil on top; using hands coat dough with oil, cover and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.Punch dough down to release any air bubbles.Divide dough in two balls, sprinkle corn flour unto pan that will be used for baking pizza.Using hands, stretch dough out into desired shape, place into pan and complete stretching.Top with your favorite spaghetti sauce, spreading out using the back of a spoon. (Do not use too much sauce.) Sprinkle cheese on top of sauce, add toppings, and then finish off with more cheese.

Use your favorite meat and or vegetables.

Bake at 550 for 8 min, and then reduce temperature to 400 to complete the baking process. Depending on your oven the entire cooking process will take approximately 15-25 min.

Check the bottom for the desired browned look. The cheese on pizza should be melted and bubbly before removing from oven.Let sit for 5 min before slicing and serving.Enjoy!

The Puerto Rican Flag – It’s Origin and History

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“Que bonita bandera. La Bandera Puertorrique?a.” Definitely beautiful but where did that flag come from? Who designed it? And what does it mean?

When asked, many can identify it: Red, white and blue with five horizontal red and white strips and a white star centered in a blue triangular field on the top corner of the hoist side.

The red stripes represent the brave warriors’ blood while the white are symbolic of the victory and peace of gaining independence. The star represents the island, the triangle indicates three branches of government, and the blue field signifies the sky and coastal waters.

The Puerto Rican flag is the inverse of the Cuban flag, reflecting the comradery of 19th century Cuban and Puerto Rican patriots in exile.

Created by the Puerto Rican portion of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, to advocate independence from Spanish rule, the flag’s actual author remains controversial and uncertain. Some possible creators include Gonzalo (Pach?n) Mar?n, Antonio V?lez Alvarado or Manuel Besosa.

Mar?n was said to have presented a flag prototype to the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee in New York City since then he has received primary credit.

Another rumor is that V?lez Alvarado was said to have stared at the Cuban flag for several minutes before seeing it inverted as an optical illusion against the white wall of his Manhattan apartment.

And finally, Manuel Besosa’s daughter wrote a letter stating she sewed the flag creating a belief that he could have been its designer.

The original, created in 1895, contained a light blue hue in its design, yet a darker blue tone was later chosen for today’s official flag. Adopted in 1952, the very day Puerto Rico became a commonwealth or a “free associated state”, the darker blue represented a severance from the flag’s original revolutionary ties.

In 1898 when Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States, the Puerto Rican flag became the mark of resistance to the invasion and it was considered a felony to display it in public. Anyone caught doing so was arrested on charges of insubordination against the United States. During that time the only flag permitted to be flown on the island was the U.S. stars and stripes.

Then in 1948, when Luis Mu?oz Marin was elected governor of Puerto Rico, his administration adopted the dark blue version making it the official Island flag. To date it has only flown along side the United States flag.

The shade of blue used on the flags tends to correspond with political views. Pro-independence groups prefer the original lighter blue, while those who favor statehood use the darker shade, more closely representing the American flag.

Regardless of the hue, the flag remains a symbol of pride for Puerto Ricans everywhere.
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Hawaii Superferry Guide – The Best Way To See Hawaii

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The best part is that you can bring practically anything with you when you go from island to island on the Hawaii Superferry. All you need to do is turn up 30 minutes before your ferry leaves with your boarding passes and you’re good to go. This inter-island service allows you to see the whole of Hawaii on your terms.

Things to Bring

For your comfort and safety you should wear comfortable shoes on your Hawaii Superferry trip. High heels are best left at home for when you’re painting the town red. Open toe shoes are also not recommended. Sneakers are best for your Hawaii Super ferry trip.

You also need to bring some form or government issued photo ID if you are over 18 years of age or an unaccompanied minor. If you suffer from motion sickness then take a motion sickness pill well in advance of your journey. Taking an anti-nausea pill when you start to feel nauseous is not going to help you.

If you have never been on a Super ferry and are not sure how you will react to being out to sea then there are a few steps you can take to make sure you don’t feel sick. Make sure not to skip meals, you can have motion sickness even on an empty stomach.

Don’t eat spicy or greasy foods, as this will make you feel queasy on your journey. Bring a bottle of water or ginger ale to sip on the journey and stare at a fixed point on the horizon. Alcohol and coffee is absolutely the worst thing on a journey like this so make sure you don’t have either right before your trip. If reading on a car trip makes you queasy then reading on a Hawaii ferry will definitely make you sick.

Things to Leave at Home

Although you can bring your car, diving equipment or strollers on the ferry there are some things you have to leave behind. If you are bringing plants on the ferry such as roots, seeds and root stock you have to get a HDOA inspection and certificate prior to boarding. Without this you will not be allowed to bring these items onto the ferry.
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Garmin Nuvi GPS Systems Guide You

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Have you heard of Garmin Nuvi GPS systems? There is a good chance that you have due to their immense popularity. I bet you’re wondering why they are so popular though. There are a lot of reasons. One is that they have a great reputation for offering extremely accurate and reliable navigation instruction under extreme conditions. Another reason they are popular is because they have a ton of additional features that make using them fun. Even more, some people love these devices because they come in such a stylish package that they make the cars you place them in look good.

The Models

There are over 30 varieties of Garmin Nuvi GPS systems. In this article, we will look at seven models that seem to be more popular among both consumers and reviewers. Though the descriptions will be brief, they will give you a better idea of the standout features that make each model both unique and appealing to customers.

200 – This device is more moderately priced than some of the others, costing around the same price as its model number. But because it has a lower price doesn’t mean it is skimping on the features. If you like to travel within or outside of the continental United States you can do both thanks to its preloaded maps of the 48 continental states, as well as those for Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It comes with an extensive POI database, 2D and 3D maps, turn-by-turn voice navigation, and tools like a picture view, world travel clock and currency converter, making it more than a navigation device.

250 – The Garmin Nuvi GPS 250 is a small step up in price from the 200 but offers a huge leap in features. For example, the preloaded map database is broadened considerably to give you coverage of North America and Europe. It also has 2D and 3D maps, turn-by-turn voice instruction, and POIs. Even more, you get the picture viewer, world travel clock, currency converter and measurement converter for no extra charge.

250W – If you like the features you get from the 250 but need a wide screen then you might want to get your hands on the 250W. It has the same features as the 250, but with a 4.3-inch screen instead of a 3.5-inch screen. If you have vision problems or simply like the look of a bigger screen then this is the choice for you.

350 – This model is often advertised as a pocked-sized personal travel assistant. This is because it is much more than just a navigation device. For example, in addition to the street maps, POIs, and turn-by-turn instruction, you get an optional FM TMC traffic receiver, as well as entertainment features such as a MP3 player, audio book player, picture view, language translator, anti-theft feature, and a lot more.

360 – Also considered a pocket-sized travel assistant, the 360 gives you all of the features you love about the 350 with one extra – Bluetooth technology. With this Garmin Nuvi GPS system, you can go anywhere, enjoy your extras, and even talk to your friends hands-free without ever having to pick up your phone. Even more, when you scroll through the POI database you can call any of the locations with 1-touch dialing.

660 – This is probably the most popular Garmin Nuvi GPS system on the market. It is well known for all of its features, which include everything listed in the above models with a few more. Some include a FM transmitter, traffic alerts for road construction, a 4.3-inch large touchscreen display, customizable POIs, turn-by-turn voice navigation with street names called out, and language translation.

850 – Stepping it up a notch is the Garmin Nuvi GPS 850, an advanced navigator with speech recognition that let’s you make menu selections verbally, a widescreen display, FM translator, and tons of preloaded maps. Even more, by using the “Where am I?” function, you can ask this simple question to the device and it will give you your exact latitude and longitude coordinates on the map then give you the closest police stations, hospitals, fuel stations, addresses and more. If you want to plan your route ahead of time, you can save up to 10 routes in the system before you even leave your house. It will simulate the turns and give you an electronic bread crumb trail to tell you where you’ve been.

This list of Garmin Nuvi GPS systems is definitely not complete. But it does give you a good idea of the great features you can expect from these devices. So take the time to look over the Garmin Nuvi GPS devices on the market. You are guaranteed to find the one you love.

Can Older People Get Asthma?

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Many people who develop asthma as adults had breathing problems as children. Asthma is a breathing problem that can start at any age. There are also people who have asthma as children and it goes away as they grow older. It may come back later in life. Some people get asthma for the first time when they are older.

Asthma is a breathing problem that makes it more difficult for you to get air in and out of your lungs. When a person has asthma, the breathing tubes are sensitive. This extra sensitivity triggers reactions to smoke, pollen, dust, air pollution, and allergies. The breathing tubes may tighten, become inflamed and swell. When the breathing tubes react or get inflamed, they become narrow and this makes it harder for you to breathe fresh air in and stale air out.

In older people, it is sometimes difficult for the doctor to determine whether the problem is asthma or another lung disease or heart disease. Other lung diseases, particularly in people who smoke, which cause similar problems, are:

• Bronchitis

• Emphysema

The most common symptoms of asthma are:

• A wheezing sound when you breathe, sometimes only when you have a cold.

• Cough: You may cough up mucus; the cough is present often and may last more than a week.

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing only now and then, or you may have problems often. The feeling is as if you can’t get enough air into your lungs.

• Tightness in the chest may occur in cold weather or during exercise.

• Chest tightness may be one of the first signs that your asthma is getting worse.

Asthma is a serious and continuing health problem. There is good news for those who suffer with asthma. It can be treated successfully. People with asthma can live normal, productive lives with regular medical care from an experienced doctor. Without proper treatment, however, asthma can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.

Scientists are unsure why some people have asthma and others do not. The tendency to have asthma may be inherited. Other factors may also be involved. Those factors may include:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or anything else increases the risk of developing asthma symptoms. Secondary smoke increases the risk of asthma for children or anyone around the secondary smoke. It is wise to avoid smoke and people who smoke.

• Asthma can run in families. It may be more common in certain Hispanic people, such as those who come from Puerto Rico.

• Having a blood relative such as a father, mother, sister, brother, son, or daughter with asthma creates a higher risk of getting asthma.

• People who are allergic to pollen, pets, or dust are at higher risk of developing asthma.

• Some medications such as those to treat heart disease and high blood pressure may cause asthma symptoms or make asthma worse. Be sure your doctor and pharmacist know all the medications you are taking. Keep an up-to-date list of all medications you use, both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.

Source: American Lung Association

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.
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