7113

One of the most important factors in survival of a weather related disaster is early awareness of severe weather conditions, their current location, and expected path of travel. Although weather alert radios have been available for quite some time, the technologies and tower locations have been much improved in recent years. Most of population of the United States can receive these transmissions using a weather alert radio.

A weather alert radio is a receiving device that monitors radio transmissions from The National Weather Service. When a weather alert is broadcast for a particular area or region, the weather alert radio will automatically announce the alert so that listeners are aware of and can prepare for the event.

In the event of tornadoes and flash floods, a few minutes of early warning from a weather alert radio can minimize both serious injuries and loss of lives. Even hurricanes that are tracked for days or weeks can contain tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, damaging hail, and rapid flooding. In fact, most loss of life during hurricanes historically has been from flooding, not the wind event.

Weather alert radios are available in many styles, shapes and sizes to accommodate the different needs associated with severe weather. There are desktop models, hand held models that are built into 2 way radios, and even portable, crank powered models. Most are modestly priced, and anyone should be able to find one that they can afford. Some models will receive additional alerts such as Amber Alerts, chemical spills, emergency action notifications, 911/local system outages and even terrorist attacks. Many newer models have SAME (Specific Area Messaging Encoding) system specifications and can be programmed to announce only in specific areas related to their location.

Every home and business should have a predetermined plan for natural disasters, and should review and practice their plan often. Employing a weather alert radio is an integral part of the plan that will allow the additional time needed in order to enact the plan for an otherwise unannounced major weather event.

Jeffery Hunt is Co-Owner of Rhinohorn Sales, LLC, and http://www.weatherprepared.com - a retail website offering products and information regarding weather related disater preparation. Products include Weather Alert Radios, Survival Kits, 2 Way Radios, Emergency Flashlights, and accessories.

Weve all watched the shows on Travel, Discovery, Animal Planet, etc., and each of us is swept away by the people, food, and scenery. The world outside of our basic environs is an interesting and wonderful place, but free time and money are precious commodities that can severely limit our opportunities to travel and expand our horizons. Traveling on a budget can make the world available to many who would otherwise not consider such an adventure possible.

Three Lodging Tips for Traveling on a Budget:

Hotels: A major consideration is that travel is about sightseeing, not where one stays. Its important to have a clean room and bed, but as priorities lie, the experiences outside of the hotel are the ones to remember. One way to save money is to book a hotel that isnt centered in the middle of major tourist areas, usually on the outskirts of town. Safety however is always a consideration; so dont ever sacrifice this when trying to save money. Depending on the area, bus fare or even walking to tourist hot-spots can add even more to your savings. So leave the neon signs and under-the-pillow chocolates for the tycoons and moguls. The internet has many sites that cater to budget travelers. Make sure to check out www.hotels.com.

Hostels: Todays hostels are no longer for youths only. The price range is $6-$20 a night, depending on the location. If you have never stayed at a hostel, you should know that you sleep in a dorm-like setting with 10-20 other people. Many hostels offer single-sex rooms and co-ed roomsmake sure to ask! Lockers are available for luggage and valuables, and typically there is a common area for food preparation or a cup of coffee, thus cutting back on the cost of eating out. There are also bathroom areas to shower and change.

Hostels offer a wonderful opportunity for meeting fellow travelers. Make sure to ask them for money saving travel tips. Each hostel is different, so make sure to find out the rules of the establishment at check-in. Noise and lack of privacy are the drawbacks, but in the long run these are small prices to pay when trying to keep travel costs low.

Camping: A third option is camping. Campsites typically have a water supply and bath and shower facilities. During the warm seasons, camping provides a great opportunity to experience the natural setting of your travel destination. Obvious drawbacks are possible wet or cold weather and rustic sleeping conditions. When circumstances allow, this is the cheapest option for the budget traveler.

Traveling should not only be a pastime for the rich and famous. When done on a budget it is available to one and all! Staying in places such as those listed above is not only a means of saving money. They can allow for a fuller travel experience. You will see things that are ordinarily off the beaten path and will meet a more diverse group of people. Often travelers are herded into trendy places instead of seeing the true beauty of their destination. Use these traveling on a budget tips to plan your next vacation.

JustAway.com is a resource for travel related articles. Are you interested in saving money and learn how to travel on a budget?

With all the weight loss products available, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. That is why we need to compare weight loss supplement products carefully before buying them. Its not enough to just compare weight loss supplement products by brand. Compare them based on how they work, their side effects (if any), how fast they work, and their prices. Here is a simple guide to help you out.

Prescription weight loss supplements
You can compare weight loss supplement products based on whether you can buy them with or without a prescription. Prescription weight loss supplements are usually given to obese patients who need more potent medications. Obese patients are those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, although a BMI of 27 may require the same medication if the patient has a high risk of heart disease or other complications. Prescription drugs are also given to those who are having a hard time losing weight, even with proper diet and regular exercise. These drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Effectiveness may vary from person to person, but most users lose around 5% to 10% of their original weight.

Another way to compare weight loss supplement products is by the way they work. The two most common types are appetite suppressants and fat blockers. Almost all prescription weight loss supplements work as appetite suppressants, except for Orlistat (Xenical). Approved by the FDA in 1999 as an anti-obesity drug, it works by inhibiting the lipase enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary fat in the body. Xenical can decrease the body's fat absorption by up to 30%. However, it comes with minor side effects, such as cramping, flatulence, intestinal discomfort, oily stools, and diarrhea.

Meridia
Another popular weight loss supplement is Meridia. Unlike Xenical, it is an appetite suppressant, so it works in a completely different manner. It received approval from the FDA in 1997 and works by increasing brain chemicals believed to help reduce one's appetite.

Despite its FDA approval, however, Meridia has been linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure. It should not be used by those with hypertension , heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and congenital heart problems. Other side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, and headaches.

Short-term supplements
You can also compare weight loss supplement products based on how long you can use them. Some anti-obesity drugs are prescribed by doctors, but approved by the FDA only for limited and short-term use. Examples are Desoxyn (methamphetamine), Bontril (phendimetrazine tartrate), Adipex-P (phentermine), and Ionamin. These drugs are restricted because of their potential side effects. They should not be used by people who have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or an over-active thyroid gland. Since they are speedy, they are only approved for a maximum of three weeks.

Over-the-counter weight loss supplements
Some products are available over the counter, with no prescription needed. When you compare weight loss supplement products of this type, be sure to look at their ingredients, supposed benefits, and potential side effects. Most OTC weight loss supplements contain phenylpropanolamine as their main active ingredient.

The phenylpropanolamine scare
Phenylpropanolamine is also used as a nasal decongestant. However, studies have found evidence that it increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in the brain. Because of this, the FDA has requested the drugs manufacturers to stop selling products containing the ingredient. The FDA has also warned consumers through a public health advisory in November 2000 to stop buying and using such products.

Unproven claims
Since the FDA does not strictly regulate supplements, many weight loss product manufacturers make false claims about their products. You never know when a promising product will turn out to be a fake or contain something harmful to your health.

Be especially careful of products with the labels natural or herbal. These terms do not necessarily guarantee safety. Not all herbal ingredients are safe; in fact, some may even be dangerous for people with existing medical conditions. If you are unsure about a product, check with your doctor first and do a little research on your own. Learn which ingredients to look out for and which ones to avoid. Remember, labels dont tell you everything, so always get a second opinion.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

I have been a stone and marble mason for forty years and for all of my working life I have been obsessive about keeping potential stain creating products out of my workshop and away from my stocks of stone , marble and granites. It therefore follows that my experience of stain damaged materials have been limited to rare accidents over the years. And most of these have involved marble, in fact I have been unable to recall a single occasion when we had an example of granite staining.

With the increasing use of granite for kitchen worktops and my current specialty house signs, I have recently had cause to consider just how stain resistant is natural granite? To try to answer this question I set up a small experiment to try to deliberately introduce stain damage to a piece of granite using products found in the average kitchen.

The Experiment:

I used a piece of Nero Impala granite 20mm thick with a highly polished face. Nero Impala is a tight grained, mid to dark grey mottled granite from South Africa. I chose this type of granite as being a typical mid-range granite in terms of hardness and colour. This piece has a normal polished finish and has never been sealed to prevent staining.

I lay the piece of granite on a horizontal surface indoors and left it to thoroughly dry out for a couple of days.

I stuck a number of small labels across the face of the granite and next to each label introduced one of the chosen staining agents and as I introduced each new product, wrote he name of the product on the adjacent label in pencil. (Tip: if you are labelling something in conditions where the labels may get wet, use pencil.)

I then left the granite and the staining agents to do their worst for a full eighteen hours.

The Staining Agents: (and my expectations of them)

1. Vegetable Oil: Oils have always been taboo around marble workshops and are guaranteed to stain marble. I was certain these oils would leave at least a wet looking stain on the granite.
, 2. Same as vegetable oil really but different oils do have different characteristics and olive oil is common to most kitchens.
3. Soy Sauce: I thought the combination of the dark colouring and the potentially corrosive nature of the vinegar base would be a serious contender to cause damage
4. Vinegar: I expected the vinegar to act as a corrosive and at least slightly degrade the polish.
5. Beetroot Juice: Beetroot juice is one of the most deadly stains I know of, as any housewife knows and I was pretty sure that this would soak in and leave a nasty purple stain.
6. Ketchup: Contains oil and vinegar and a lot of colouring is superb at staining kids clothes!
7. Tea Bag Wet: Tannin is a strong staining agent I expected this to leave at least a surface stain and an underlying water mark.
8. Washing up Liquid: Soap will stain marble so definitely worth a try.
9.Scotch Whisky: Don't panic! I used the cheap cooking stuff. I really was confidant that this would degrade the polish. On marble any strong alcohol spirit will cut through the surface polish so I assumed the same would be true of granite.
10. Red Wine: We all know how pervasive red wine stains can be. And any excuse seems good to open a new bottle!
11. Lemonade: You may be suprised to know that lemonade will also destroy the polish on marble if left for long enough, over eighteen hours I was pretty sure it would do some damage to the granite.
12. White wine: Ok I didn't think this would do any harm but it was open anyway!
13. Tabasco Sauce: Hey! this stuff burns throats like anything so why not granite ?
14. Lemon Juice: Very acidic of course, and if the lemonade does the trick neat lemon juice should work even better ( or worse depending on your viewpoint!).
15. Half an Orange: Citric acid and orange colourant, should be interesting.

Ok that's the lot, I was pretty confidant that the oil, the beetroot and the whisky would cause some damage but I was not sure about the others.

After the eighteen hours I mopped up the residue of the various staining agents and cleaned the surface of the granite with a normal kitchen spray cleaner and left it to dry for ten minutes.

I then inspected the granite in daylight for damage to the polish from corrosive acids and staining from the colourants and the oil based products.

The Result:
Nothing! No staining no degrading of the polish not even the wet looking stains I was sure would be caused by the oils and the wet agents. This was a real surprise, eighteen hours is a long time and under normal domestic conditions any spillage would be cleaned up much sooner.

This is a really impressive result for the granite but a bit of a blow for me as I had hoped to write further articles on removing stains and re-polishing alcohol spots!

Still I mustn't be too surly about it, I have always been an admirer of the qualities of granite but now I can quote the stain resistant virtues of the stuff with great confidence.

One caveat however, there are many different types of granite and I cannot guarantee that this performance will be as impressive with them all, or that I have tried every potential staining or corrosive product, but I have no reason to think that other granites are more susceptible to damage or that any other agents pose a bigger threat.

Steve Walker has been a craftsman in stone and marble for 40 years. In his long career has practised as a stone mason, letter cutter, restoration carver, marble mason, and fireplace designer/manufacturer.

He now specialises in engraved stone, granite and slate house signs as: http://www.stoneengravings.co.uk StoneEngravings, Engraved Natural Stone House Signs.

Yes, you can fix-it plumbing yourself. Repairing your plumbing is not a tough task as soon as the problem is simple. If there is a complicated repairing need, you are strongly recommended to take the services of a professional plumber.

Equipments required You need certain equipment to fix-it plumbing yourself. This equipment include hand plumbers tape, small gas torch, solder, flux, plumbing sandpaper, pipe cutter, gas tape (to seal gas line), and maybe some pipe glue.

Procedure Follow the procedure as mentioned below in order to fix-it plumbing yourself.

• The very first thing you need to do is that as soon as you realize that the old water heater has to go, start draining it, turn off the main water valve, and open up all of the faucets to eliminate any pressure. Always remember that it can take several hours to drain.

• If the unit is a gas unit, you should turn off the main gas line in the house; f it is electric, turn off the breaker.

• While you fix-it plumbing yourself, you should try to purchase the same unit in order to prevent yourself from adding pipe and new valves.

• Now, size up the job and disconnect the tank from the water pipes, gas line, or the electrical connection. If it is gas, you should disconnect the flue as well.

• Make sure that you save all parts in order to match them up when you purchase your supplies.

• Once you have disconnected the tank, remove it from your workspace.

Thus, here we see how easy it is to fix-it plumbing you.

William Samson has written many more articles about kitchen and bathroom plumbing.

If you are touring San Diego, do consider to visit the Wild Animal Park. This park is situated some 34 miles north of San Diego, outside of Escondido. The 1,800-acre park houses some 3,500 animals representing 429 different species. This is truly a remarkable park that you will not want to miss when you are in San Diego.

The uniqueness of San Diego Wild Animal Park is that, the animals are allowed to room freely in this vast enclosure. They live just like they would be in their natural habitat. In the park, you will find giraffes, antelopes, rhinos, endangered California condor among others, wondering at the mature landscape amidst the exotic vegetation from many parts of the world.

The central attraction of San Diego Wild Animal Park is the 5-mile Wgasa Bush Line Railway. This is a 60 minute monorail ride (price included in admission). The monorail will bring you through areas designated as East Africa, South Africa, Asian Plains, and the Eurasian Waterhole. As you wheeled through these landscapes, you will see animals such as the white rhino and the rhinoceros which will enchant you.

After the monorail, you might want to take a walking tour. You can take a 2-mile Kilimanjaro Safari Walk which you can experience the re-created African and Asian landscapes. In the park, you will also experience various simulated natural environment, such as the Australian Rainforest and the Hidden Jungle. You can also visit the new Lion Camp and the Cheetah Run Safari. At the Cheetah Run Safari, you will be able to see the worlds faster land mammal in action, sprinting after a mechanical lure.

If you want to have a close-up view of the animals, you can take the Photo Caravans which uses an open-topped truck to shuttle small groups around the park. You will go to the animals turf meeting the rhinos, ostriches, zebra, deer and giraffes. Perhaps, you can even feed the giraffes alone the journey.

You will end your day tour at the Nairobi Village. This is the parks commercial center where most of the facilities can be found. It has many shops selling Africa-related books and souvenirs. There is a nursery area where irresistible young uns can be seen frolicking, bottle-feeding and sleeping.

Finally, if you do not want to go back to San Diego city for your sleep, you can sleep with the animals! Not exactly. There is a Roar & Snore Program which runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April to October. This program allows you to camp out next to the animal compound. From where you camp, you will be able to observe the nocturnal movements of the rhinos, lions and other animals. If you are excited about this program, check out with the park. Otherwise, head back to San Diego city and have a good night rest.

During summer, there are lots of visitors to the park. Therefore, it is better to visit early. On the other hand, there are usually less visitors during winter. The temperature here is usually 5 to 10 degrees warmer than in San Diego city. Bring along your sunscreen and plenty of water as summer in California can be a bit of a scorcher. So, be prepared for the hot weather and the sun.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is one of the three major animal parks and the Big Four in San Diego. Visiting the park should be one of your outdoor activities in your itinerary. Plan your San Diego Travel today.

Rose Mary enjoys travel and write. Visit Airline Tickets site and compare cheap tickets from 100+ major travel sites in one search and save up to 70%. Do not buy your tickets until you have make comparison. Why pay more? Or you can visit the link at: http://www.fibcool.com/cheap-flights/

On a global scale every year we can expect approximately 100 extremely disruptive earthquakes, around 10,000 floods, roughly 100,000 thunderstorms, hundreds of landslides and tornadoes as well as scores of hurricanes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, droughts and tsunamis. Fortunately, not all of these events will occur in areas that will harm the human population, but many will.

What can man do to even the score? How can we know beforehand where calamity will strike? How can we foresee the evil and protect others and ourselves? Providentially, earth's inhabitants have a built-in early warning system that could aid in turning the tables and would more than reimburse man for his efforts in studying its secrets. According to the exogenic theory of climate, forces outside of earth's atmosphere exercise an influence on terrestrial weather. A correlation has been observed since the dawn of time between certain planetary phenomena and earth's atmospheric conditions. Unfortunately, modern man has viewed as quixotic even the most brilliant of history's minds that have studied and successfully employed this knowledge. Johannes Kepler, discoverer of the planetary laws of motion, first became famous for his long-range weather forecasts such as the one that foretold of the bitter cold winter that put Styermark, Germany on ice in 1593. Isaac Newton's prediction, based on certain celestial conditions, of the destructive gales and sharp earthquakes that would rock London in 1750 materialized right on schedule-twenty-three years after his death!

One need not be of superior scientific stature to effectively forecast coming weather patterns. The twentieth century produced a few excellent astrometeorologists one of whom was G.J. McCormack. In 1962-3, Mr. McCormack published a series of long-range forecasts months in advance in Analog-Science Fiction, Science Fact magazine. He was judged as 93 percent accurate. Mr. McCormack was an electrical engineer by profession.

In a similar vein, John Nelson, a radio propagation analyst for RCA and amateur astronomer, shocked the scientific world in the 1950s by announcing his discovery of the influence of planetary angular relationships on earth's magnetic storms. For years afterwards he published his long-range forecasts pinpointing the dates of severe magnetic storms that would wipe out short wave radio transmissions.

Based on Keplers long-range forecast method, the Southeast US through the Ohio Valley is in for a round of severe weather around August 14th and 15th. One scenario shows a tropical system approaching the west coast of Florida and pushing inland with soaking rains. Another model suggests strong storms with damaging winds and possible flooding over the same area. Either way, there should be a very active weather pattern that should not go by unnoticed.

Ken Paone has been working with Kepler's long-range weather forecasting method for about 15 years. His published forecasts have appeared internationally. You can email Ken at kensweather@msn.com. Check out more long-range weather forecasts for August 2006 as well as the results of his past forecasts at http://www.theweatheralternative.blogspot.com

Of the thousands of weight loss products available in the market today, nothing beats the weight loss drug Clenbuterol for the buzz it generates, especially among the young and hip Hollywood-Los Angeles crowd.

Clenbuterol is originally a drug prescribed by veterinarians to treat respiratory problems in horses. In other European countries, it is considered a prescription drug to treat asthma. Later on, athletes, particularly bodybuilders started using Clenbuterol for weight loss and muscle building. Female bodybuilders are particularly fond of the drug as it's not only incredibly effective for weight loss, but it also increases strength and muscle size without inducing masculine traits such as facial hair and a deepening voice, commonly seen in frequent steroid users. Only recently has Clenbuterol (or its nickname Clen) became young Hollywood's weight loss drug of choice.

In the case of humans, when one ingests a high dose of the drug, the result is rapid muscle growth and weight loss. Unlike other weight loss pills and supplements, Clenbuterol doesn't interfere with sleep and lasts much longer in a person's system. However, the drug can also accelerate one's heart rate, elevate blood pressure and induce tremors and nausea.

Due to the drug's side effects, Clenbuterol is actually illegal in the US. However, this doesn't stop people from purchasing the drug all the way from Mexico and Canada. Others simply just turn on their computers and visit websites that sell the illegal weight loss drug Clenbuterol for profit.

As a drug for weight loss, Clenbuterol is distributed in two forms: liquid and pill. Most users prefer the pill, as it is handy and can be used discreetly. Clenbuterol is commonly dosed at 20 micrograms per tablet, which is a tiny amount. To show the contrast, a caffeine tablet usually contains 200 milligrams, which is 10,000 times greater by weight. The same amount of Clenbuterol can be harmful to the body.

In Hollywood, rumor mills talk about celebrities who are allegedly avid users of the drug. One fitness trainer from Hollywood commented that perhaps the city's nearness to the Mexican border makes it easier for movie stars to purchase the drug. In the border town of Tijuana, California, just outside of Southern California, pharmacies can easily dispense the drug to anyone who asks for them.

This news, however, isn't very surprising. Just turn on the TV and watch the movies playing in the cinemas right now and you would see many female celebrities getting thinner and thinner.

When analyzed for its effects, despite promising rapid weight loss, the pill isn't actually effective in maintaining a Clembuterol user's slim body. Because it works so fast inside the body, it also becomes so fast for those taking the pill to gain all their excess weight back. This is the sad truth-----using Clenbuterol for weight loss can actually make one become heavier than their previous weight. Its good for rapid weight loss, but not for a long-term solution.

One such case is that of a former female model who used Clenbuterol for weight loss. The drug was effective for a while; the woman easily lost 10 lbs. However, the drug eventually backfired on her when it ruined her metabolism. To compensate, she started taking an increased dose of the drug which led her to crash and get depressed. Now, she has put on 50 more pounds after she got off Clenbuterol.

The bottom line is that a doctor-supervised diet and exercise program is still the best method for weight loss. When combined with discipline and determination, these programs offer long-lasting effects. There's no need to take Clenbuterol for weight loss anymore.

Here are some tips to help you lose weight safely:

1. Change your eating habits. - This is probably one of the hardest things to accomplish when one is trying to lose weight. However with a doctor's guidance and your loved ones' support, you can actually do this!

2. Set realistic goals. - Some people fail in their weight loss plans because they set very hard, even impossible standards for themselves. It's so much better to lose weight slowly but safely, then lose it in a snap then gain it all back in an instant.

3. Take up a new sport. - This is a fun and safe way to lose weight.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

A satellite radio is a special radio that receives signals broadcast by satellite. This allows the listener to follow a single channel no matter where they are because the signal's reach is not limited by station power and curvature of the Earth. Satellite radio, also called digital radio, offers commercial and distortion free, CD quality music beamed to your car radio or home stereo from space.

We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car radios or home stereos, flipping between stations as we drive to and from work, on errands and around town. But when you travel too far away from the source station, the signal breaks up and fades into static. Most radio signals can only travel about 30 or 40 miles from their source. On long trips passing through different cities, you might have to change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in and out. Obviously, it's not much fun scanning through static trying to find something to listen to.

Imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles away, and then come through on your car radio or home stereo with complete clarity. You could drive from Anchorage, Alaska to Miami, Florida, without ever having to change the radio station! Not only would you ever hear static interfering with your favorite tunes, but the music would be interrupted by no commercials. Welcome to the world of satellite radio....commercial and distortion free listening from coast to coast!

Car manufacturers have installed satellite radio receivers in some of the latest model automobiles, and electronics companies have launched several models of portable satellite radio receivers. Satellite radio is also available for the home for commercial and distortion free listening enjoyment!

What are the two types of satellite radio?

In the United States, there are XM and Sirius.

XM is a service in the United States that provides digital programming directly from two satellites (nicknamed "Rock" and "Roll") in geostationary orbit above the equator, and a network of ground-based repeaters. It is based in Washington, DC.

XM's business model is to provide pay-for-service radio, with commercial-free music channels, analogous to the business model for premium cable television channels. They also provide other data services such as weather information for pilots and weather spotters. In addition, they transmit coded traffic information directly to navigation systems using TMC technology. Their service includes music channels, news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, premium channels, regional traffic and weather channels. The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. XM's competitor in the U.S. is Sirius.

Sirius is a (DARS) service in the United States that provides streams of music, sports, news and entertainment. The streams are broadcast from three satellites in an elliptical geosynchronous orbit above North America. Sirius is based in New York City. Its business model is to provide pay-for-service radio, free of commercials, analogous to the business model for cable television.

Sirius' spacecraft Sirius 1 through Sirius 4 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral. The first three of the series were orbited in 2000 by Proton-K Block-DM3 launch vehicles. Sirius 4 is a ground spare, in storage at SS/Loral's facility in Palo Alto, California. Sirius was previously known as CD Radio. The dog in the Sirius logo is unofficially named "Mongo."

Reginald Sharp is a writer and the webmaster of Satellite Radio: Sirius & XM

As the sizzling hot and stylish summer 2007 is unwinding, it's time to start thinking about some of the wonderful accessories to add to your collection for fall 2007. As is the case with each season, I'm again playing trend watcher and would like to share some of my favorites with you to help you adorn your unique essence and ensuring that your personal style is a reflection of your individuality. So, here are the trends I'm seeing:

Fashion Jewelry

Metallics, sculpted resins in smooth and bold designs, semi-precious gemstones, Murano-style glass, shell and crystal glass are all still setting the glamorous trends in fashion jewelry this fall. Bracelets will remain the "it" fashion accessory and non-traditional hearts, lock and keys, crowns and other girlie motifs guide brooch and pendant designs.

Let's look at how these materials are being used to create artistic beauty:

Boldly colored necklaces

Cuff bracelets

Chokers and shorter necklaces

Large pendants

Earrings and bracelets using concentric circles and bold loops

Link bracelets

Bangles

Brooches

Chunky rhinestone or Swarovski-crystal cocktail rings

Handbags

Naturally, we can't forget one of our favorite accessories. Handbags! A handbag is the ultimate accessory to complete your outfit and adorn your uniqueness. The big themes for fall 2007 are:

Oversized bags in patent leather, pebble-grain leather, clear plastic or patterned

Medium doctor bags

Metallic bags in silver, gold and bronze

The medium-size envelope bag or a clutch in metallics or shiny satin

Faux crocodile or snake-skin handle bags You're a style trendsetter with any of these handbags.

Shoes

The toes will now need a hiding place since the weather is becoming crisper. So, what are the key styles this season?

Pointed-toe pumps

Ballerina flats

Thick masculine boots with laces at ankle

Below-knee boots

Two-toned thick pumps

Oxford heels

Fall fashion shows show the models again wearing extreme heel heights from flats to spectator pumps and other more generous heels. (Please remember that tennis whites are still not vogue when pounding the pavement to work. Stick with the cute flats and loafers!)

And what are the key colors dominating fashion jewelry, handbags and shoes?

Black

Dark brown

Gray

White

Cream

Burnt orange

Merlot

Burgundy

Maroon

Chili pepper

Scarlet red

Fuchsia

Magenta

Royal purple

Dark olive

Apple green

Chartreuse

Dark turquoise

Peacock blue

Dull gold

Polished silver

Jewel tones

Collections for fall 2007 are simple, chic, elegant and truly glamorous. This fall, black is back in a variety of shapes and textures. However, what ensures that clothing is not boring and drab are the powerful colors appearing in fashion accessories, as outlined above.

Keep in mind that you should only purchase a fashion accessory, which you can easily afford or you haven't seen anything else like it anywhere. Don't buy it if you won't get multiple uses from it, it won't match anything in your wardrobe and most importantly, you really can't afford it. Playing with integrating some of the fall 2007 fashion accessory trends into your wardrobe is meant to be fun. So, keep it light!

Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style

Marion Chamberlain is founder of MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com), an Internet store for European fashion accessories sourced from unique and highly-talented small design shops in Europe. The online store offers high-quality European fashion jewelry and leather handbags to those women who want to be unique. MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com) European fashion accessories are truly unique and can't be found in department or chain stores.

The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment. It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on exercising, keeping fit, losing weight and long term weight loss as well as address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.

The total number of overweight American adults is approximately 58 million. (overweight defined as a BMI value of 273 percent or more for women and 27.8 percent or more for men).

Nearly 70 percent of the diagnosed cases of cardiovascular disease are related to obesity. Obesity more than doubles one's chances of developing high blood pressure, which affects approximately 26 percent of obese American men and women.

Every year, 300,000 people in the U.S.A. die from being overweight.

Now imagine the statistics for the whole western world!

If you visit the articles following this one, You will continue to see the above stats.

I don't apologize for that - these are frightening statistics. However, in this day and age, thankfully, there are options for those wishing to either lose weight, get fit, or lead a far healthier lifestyle.

Weight Loss Questions You Asked About Weight Loss

If you are concerned about your body weight, your well being or considering starting a weight loss program, here are a few of the more common questions I am asked regarding weight loss

Do I Need To Consult My Doctor?

If you are the type of person who normally leads a healthy and active lifestyle and wish to lose a few pound only, then perhaps not.

On the other hand, if your current diet is generally unhealthy and/or you are significantly overweight, I would strongly recommend that you consult your doctor, discuss your weight loss goals, and develop a natural weight loss plan that is right for you and your current physical condition.

Whats The Best Diet For Losing Weight?

Again, this very much depends on the individual, their current weight, their current lifestyle and weight loss goals.

There are, however, common factors which apply to all of us.

First and foremost, make sure your body gets all the nutrition it requires to stay healthy. Also, the natural weight loss diet you follow should result in the intake of fewer calories than your body normally burns on a regular basis.

A word of caution dont be misled into thinking that if you cut right down on your calorie intake youll be on a winner. Overdo it and you will have an adverse effect on your metabolic rate, adversely effect your general well being and be totally disappointed.

Balance in everything.

Im On A Diet, Why Should I Have To Exercise?

You dont. However

I promise you that you will find it a lot more difficult to reach your weight loss goals. Apart from that, do you not want a lean and fitter body? Dont you want to look GOOD?

Try and aim for an half hour of exercise each day. Leave the car, take your bike or use your legs and walk. Be creative any activity that burns calories will definitely help you reach your weight loss goals.

Can I Lose Weight Without Changing My Lifestyle Or My Diet?

In a word NO.

If you generally follow a healthy diet and you are getting the right levels of nutrition, it may be you just want to lose a few pounds or tone up. Great, simply increase your levels of exercise and physical activity (remember balance) and burn more calories than usual.

If you know your diet is poor and your lifestyle is distinctly unhealthy, you need to be prepared to tackle both of these issues head on. This is all about long term weight loss, improved physical and mental well being. As mentioned earlier, if you are seriously overweight, consult your doctor.

When I Lose Weight, How Do I Keep It Off?

Your strategy is to lose weight gradually and re-educate both yourself and your body about nutrition, good food and bad food, then you'll have a good start. The secret to keeping weight off is to balance your energy needs with your food intake. Eat enough calories to supply your body's needs. Too many and your body stores the excess as fat.

Choose exercises / activities you enjoy and are happy to do on a regular basis.

You will be the leaner, fitter person you want to be. You deserve to be.

Take those first steps today to a leaner, fitter you and a more active lifestyle. Learn the facts about nutrition, diet plans, and how following a natural weight loss strategy will work for you.

Learn the truth from our articles and reviews and get the success you deserve...

Visit Our Natural Weight Loss Website Today

When building a chicken coop, it is suggested that you follow the guidelines below for a successful endeavor.

Element #1. - Appearance and Design:

Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do anything else. Think of the colors you will paint the roof and chicken coop walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop is clearly visible to your neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to your entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of its utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking chicken coop so that your neighbors do not complain of its detracting appearance. Once finished, always remember to remove and dispose of any types of garbage or weeds from around your chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing landscape around it to enhance its overall appearance.

Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:

When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use sound judgment in almost every aspect of the way.

For instance, you want to use building materials in which the cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you install should open inwards, not outwards. You don't want your chickens roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding windows.

A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop who's floors are easy to hose and spray down without much puddling? Well the secret to that is to slightly slope the flooring toward the door. This way, when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow out, hence solving your puddling problem.

Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:

So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum protection? Then listen up.

As you may know, a well built chicken coop will protect your chickens from hazardous elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hale, snow, cold climates, etc,) but they will also protect them from hungry predators, theft and injury.

So how do we accomplish that?

Easy. You want to build a draft free chicken house with windows and doors that can be opened and closed as needed. Make sure the windows and doors both have proper screening systems installed in them such as a heavy gage mesh wire. Building the chicken coop on a high yet well drained area with ensure the least amount of dampness of the coop. Be sure to build your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and dry the soil and coop itself after it rains.

To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to do is to bury your outside runs with chicken wire all around the coop about 1 foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry predators such as raccoons, cats and even dogs from digging underneath it.

Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:

You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will not only keep your chickens locked up and protected from bad weather and predators yet receive the proper ventilation it requires. If so, then you already understand the importance of draft free air movement from within the coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same goes for the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia build up and dampness that may grow inside its walls.

Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper insulation installed which will help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens are dry, they can handle cold climates very well, but humidity plus cold weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore, insulated walls are a must!

Strategy # 5. - Light Source:

If you want a good source of light and warmth for your chickens during the cold months of the year and a solid source of ventilation during the hot months, then be sure to install the chicken coop windows facing the southside where they will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.

On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will produce great eggs all year round, then you should look into an electrical source of light. You should be able to easily install an electrical light at the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling light should be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops though, try to install one electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.

Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Wateres and Chicken Feeders:

Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your flock will have easy access to them. However, you have to becareful where you place them because chickens like to make a mess of everything they eat due to their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't want to see your chicken feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the chicken feeders at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the waterers. Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water throughout the day.

There you have it folks. 6 quick and easy strategies that will show you how to build a chicken coop fast and efficiently. Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a small one, these tips should get you moving in the right direction.

Folks, did you know that the average american spends about $300 to build a chicken coop? Some even invest over 2 months of work trying to assemble the darn structure and in the end aren't even fully contempt with their product. Not very enticing is it? A great chicken coop plan can cut your time and efforts in half while saving you a vast amount money on building materials. To learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum benefits for your flock without investing a magnitude of your time and money , click here: how to build a chicken coop.

Dale Higgins has been raising chickens and poultry for over 20 years and is an expert in building chicken coops. You can visit his website here: http://www.mybackyardchickenfarm.com

Do I feel happy and at peace with myself? Do I like myself? Do I live each day with passion and purpose?

Well, did you answer yes to the 3 questions? Read them again slowly and reconsider.

Well, did you answer YES? - and did not hesitate - YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ ON - you can continue with your present diet or take on a diet and lose the access weight and you will be in shape, shortly.

Did you hesitate or said no to any question READ ON. All of us are driven by a purpose or goal - for practical reason; let's use losing weight as an example.

Be happy and at peace, with one self. - Knowingly or unknowingly we question or attack our self-worth and break our self-esteem down or perceive that we are not worthy. ( not our total being but only certain small pieces of our whole being). It might be something like physical appearance.

The mind is a very powerful part of us. The fact that "What the mind belief and conceive it will achieve" are very relevant here. Zero in on the small piece of our whole which we are not happy or uncomfortable with, acknowledge and accept it. When doing this, you will notice that there are much more to be happy and at peace with, than the few minor accusations which we ourselves make into a big issue. The unconscious processes and thoughts that inhabit your thinking dictate our self-image, and hence our feelings and actions. The way to overcome the old conditioning, which is no longer helpful to us, is to take conscious control of the brain. Nourish our minds with positive affirmations. By enforcing this, we will overcome our obstacles and it will sustain a healthy state of mind for future ventures and successes.

Do I like myself - yes, we all do. As a whole we are great and each one unique. At various stages in our lives we notice a draw back and need to fix it. How?

Live each day with passion and purpose - Most of us know, when setting a goal, that it will take a lot of effort, strength of character, sincerity, self control, continued and maintained enthusiasm with a positive goal orientated attitude, to achieve it. We know, that the only way to succeed is to visualise one self, what it would be like, after reaching the goal. The self- fulfilment and glory of winning! This is the purpose, towards self - actualisation.

We know that when setting a goal we have to: - Break the goal down into small workable stages. Timed and measured interim small goals towards achieving the major goal. Reward your self on the successful completion of the smaller stages towards the major goal. (Have an Ice cream, no only one, small one :-)

The 3 Requirements for any goal are: Technical Knowledge - The "know how" and vehicle we use towards our goal (lose weight).

Acquired skill and competence - The ability to apply yourself (a little physical action) towards achieving the goal.

The passion to succeed - We may have all the knowledge, skills and competence, but without REAL PASSION to lose weight, we should not even try. Do you have enough passion? Not, re-read from the beginning or see my other Weight Loss related link.

Kind regards to all shapers.

Enjoy today, it's the first of the rest of your life!

I am Frik van der Schyff born in Pretoria, South Africa. 1947. After graduating and 32 years in senior corporate management as Operations Director in a major retail chain. I opened my own business and are involved in various projects.

My experience of life and well being of the mind and body is of extreme importance. The balances between our spirit, mind and body and the effects and influence it has on our selves, others and our environment. Social, political, religious, financial and natural environment.

My preferred field of interest, social and natural environment, are increasingly threatened. The bigger picture of the cause, impact, influences,problem analysis, possible solutions and problem solving of a specific.

My articles are based on real life experience and are dedicated to improvement, restoration and preservation of the above.