Nikolas Allen Interviewed for Community Business Website | BAM ...

I live in Siskiyou County, which encompasses a handful of small towns in the far northern reaches of California. A new website launched in this area called Interview Siskiyou that features interviews with over two dozen local business owners in our community.

I was interviewed by Arthur Cronos, who runs the site, and felt like he asked some great questions that shed some light on what it?s like to be a small business owner. In order to share some fresh business and personal insights with my BAM! Blog readers, I?ve included my interview here.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Interview Siskiyou: What made you want to start BAM! Small Biz Consulting?

NA: ?I had 15 years of experience in the advertising industry back in Minneapolis, MN. When I moved to Mt. Shasta in 2008, I saw a lot of small business owners struggling with their marketing (or ignoring it completely), which was negatively affective their revenue. Many were missing opportunities to create a unique brand, and most weren?t taking advantage of the affordable and effective marketing tactics and strategies available. Seeing this was painful because I?m truly passionate about branding and marketing, and I knew these businesses could be doing better. So I decided to start BAM! with the goal of helping my clients become Heavyweight Marketing Champions.

IS: If you had to pick one thing out of your day, what?s the most exciting or favorite?

NA: There are two things that stand out: First, I love mornings in my home office. Firing up my espresso machine and computer, pulling out my weekly to-do list, and diving into the work at hand. Whether I?m working on client projects, or engaged in the blogging, social media and marketing activity I do for BAM! Small Biz Consulting, I find the promise of each new day to be quite inspiring.

Secondly, on days when I have client meetings, I really enjoy visiting my clients on their turf, speaking with them and hearing first-hand what their objectives, desires, problems and frustrations are with their business. Whether I?m conducting a BAM! Free 30-Minute Needs Assessment, presenting a marketing proposal, or providing website training on their new WordPress platform, I learn so much with each and every conversation. To me, spending this one-on-one time with my clients is priceless.

IS: Who is your ideal customer?

NA: If you?re a small business owner who meets the following criteria, You will be a good fit with BAM! Small Biz Consulting:

• You realize you could be doing more when it comes to your branding and marketing.
• You are truly ready to make the effort to implement change.
• You are somewhat accessible, regardless of your busy schedule.
• You have an allotted marketing budget and are ready to invest in your brand.
• You understand and appreciate the value that I bring to the table.
• You realize that marketing is a long-term commitment and not a quick fix.

?
IS: What do you consider your biggest weakness?

NA: I?m currently capacity limited because I?m doing all the work myself (for my clients as well as my own company). While I do have a network of talented strategic partners, most of the client budgets I?ve been working with so far have not been large enough to allow for additional contractors to get involved.

IS: How are you improving on that weakness?

NA: Seeking clients with bigger budgets! Also, I?m strengthening my relationships with my strategic partners, so when the larger projects do roll in, my extended team is ready to go.

IS: What is your biggest strength?

NA: I truly desire to help improve the conditions of each and every client. If I don?t think I can do so, or if I don?t feel the client is truly willing to so, I will not accept the assignment. I can occasionally be bold, direct and curt with my clients ? BAM! ? but that?s because I truly want the best for them and their business.

IS: How do you like running your own business?

NA: Personally, I don?t fish, but I?ve heard a saying used by old-timer fishermen that goes, ?The worst day fishin? is better than the best day workin?!? That?s exactly how I feel about self-employment: All the stress, the problem-solving, the income tax headaches, the setbacks and the occasional client miscommunications is far better than the mind-numbing, soul-sucking, clock-punching tedium I?ve experienced working certain jobs as an employee.

IS: If you could change one thing about your businesses day-to-day routine, what would it be?

NA: Well, the beauty of self-employment ? and the consulting field in particular ? is that you can create your own routine, and every day is different. If I want to go swimming with my girlfriend on Tuesday afternoon, hit the mall in Redding on a Friday morning and spend all day Sunday building a website, I can. In fact, that?s exactly what I did last week!

IS: What?s the main reason a person would choose to hire BAM! Small Biz Consulting as opposed to other choices, including the choice of doing nothing at all?

NA: A solid referral from someone they trust who is a satisfied BAM! client is an ideal starting point. In lieu of that, I encourage my prospects to shop around. They will certainly find cheaper solutions, as I provide premium services, but they will not find someone as experienced and well versed in big-picture thinking who truly cares about improving the condition of their business, and ultimately making their lives better.

IS: If you had a chance to say one thing to a brand new customer, before they walk in the door, what would it be?

NA: If you?re looking for a cheap product or a quick fix, keep walkin?. If you?re ready to invest time, effort and money in creative, effective solutions that will grow your business with more loyal customers, then step in the ring with BAM! and I will help you become a Heavyweight Marketing Champion!

***
Mt. Shasta, California ? Heavyweight Marketing Champion, Nikolas Allen, runs BAM! Small Biz Consulting where he helps small business owners attract more loyal customers and grow their business through creative branding and marketing strategies.

If you?re ready to step in the ring with BAM!, contact Nikolas Allen for your FREE 30-Minute Needs Assessment. Phone: (530) 859-5454 ? Email: bamsbc@gmail.com

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Source: http://www.bamsmallbizconsulting.com/2012/07/31/community-business-site-interviews-bam/

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Video: Missy Franklin: passion without pretense

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Frederick Arts 'n Action callin for artists and - Altus Times

Preparations are under way for this year?s Arts ?n Action to be held in Frederick on Saturday, Sept. 15at the Tillman County Courthouse Square.

The Frederick Arts & Humanities Council is now accepting applications for artist booths. Booth spaces are $45 each and the artist has their choice of a 10?x10? open space or 2-4?x8? panels. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, Sept. 7. Applications can be picked up at the Frederick Chamber office, or forwarded by mail.

For more information you can contact the Frederick Chamber of Commerce at (580) 335-2126, or by calling Arts ?n Action Chair Karen Caldwell at (580) 305-5287.

In addition, the Frederick Arts & Humanities Council is now booking talent for the Art Show. They are look for all singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians! If you or someone you know is interested in performing, please contact Michelle Wood at (580) 305-2956.

Source: http://www.altustimes.com/bookmark/19637600

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SatLink Communications... B-Ball Into Asia | Middle East ...

Satnews Daily July 30, 2012

SatLink Communications... B-Ball Into Asia | Middle East (SatBroadcasting?)

[SatNews] SatLink Communications Ltd. has confirmed that FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, had selected...

...SatLink as its content distribution partner for the FIBA Women?s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Ankara, Turkey. FIBA used SatLink?s proven Occasional Use (OU) capabilities to provide professional service with maximum flexibility and reliability for viewers in Asia, the Middle East and Americas. The live broadcasting of the tournament, which occurred place June 25th to July 1st, was transmitted to the Asia Pacific and Middle East via AsiaSat 5 and on the Intelsat IS805 satellite to the Americas. The tournament saw 12 national teams compete in a last chance tournament to achieve qualification for the London 2012 Olympic Games with Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France and Turkey eventually qualifying for London. SatLink transmitted more than 15 games across 6 days to broadcasters around the world including NHK and SBS ESPN Korea. The Company has provided global OU services for more than 20 years for other major sporting events as well, including: the FIFA World Cup, Tour de France and Formula One. SatLink provided turnaround for FIBA?s satellite coverage in C-band in order to deliver the content in HD formats to FIBA's international broadcast partners.

Source: http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1281355941

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AP Exclusive: Guards at 7 Ill. prisons searched

FILE - This Nov. 4, 2011 photo shows the Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. The Associated Press has learned that the Illinois Department of Corrections has searched guards departing at least half a dozen prisons over the last week beginning Monday, July 23, 2012. Shakedowns occurred this week at prisons in Danville, East Moline, Pontiac and Taylorville; Menard, the Shawnee lockup in Vienna and Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, according to workers and the union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. (AP Photo/The Southern Illinoisan, Paul Newton, File)

FILE - This Nov. 4, 2011 photo shows the Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. The Associated Press has learned that the Illinois Department of Corrections has searched guards departing at least half a dozen prisons over the last week beginning Monday, July 23, 2012. Shakedowns occurred this week at prisons in Danville, East Moline, Pontiac and Taylorville; Menard, the Shawnee lockup in Vienna and Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, according to workers and the union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. (AP Photo/The Southern Illinoisan, Paul Newton, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2008 file photo, corrections officers leave the Pontiac Correctional Center during a shift change in Pontiac, Ill. Illinois authorities took the unusual step of searching guards and other prison employees for contraband as they left at least seven facilities last week, sparking worker allegations that the checks may have been reprisals for complaints about overcrowding and understaffing and inside information leaked to the press, workers and union officials told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) ? Illinois authorities took the unusual step of searching guards and other prison employees for contraband as they left at least seven facilities last week, sparking worker allegations that the checks may have been reprisals for complaints about overcrowding and understaffing and inside information leaked to the news media, workers and union officials told The Associated Press.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano would not confirm that the searches had intensified, but she said they are a routine security measure to control banned materials from cellphones to weapons.

The dustup over the pat downs comes as Gov. Pat Quinn pushes a cost-cutting plan to shutter several state correctional facilities, including next month's scheduled closure of a "supermax" prison in Tamms. The move has been fiercely resisted by prison workers who fear increased violence if currently isolated gang members are moved elsewhere.

The searches began just days after prison workers complained publicly in Springfield about prison conditions and followed a newspaper report about where some displaced Tamms inmates would go. That report was based on an internal Corrections document.

The employees' union said such searches are rare and may constitute "retaliatory harassment," which the Corrections agency denied.

Employee searches started July 23 at prisons in Danville, East Moline, Pontiac and Taylorville; the Menard prison in Chester; the Shawnee lockup in Vienna; and Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, according to workers and their union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. At least some have occurred when workers punched out.

Illinois Department of Corrections policy allows searches of employees at any time ? beginning, during or ending a shift ? to ensure they are not carrying banned materials, from magazines and cigarettes to illegal drugs and weapons.

But Kim Larson, an accountant at the Danville prison for 12 years, said she never received a pat down before when she left her 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.

"It was weird. Usually, they do it at the beginning of the shift, when we're coming in," she said. "I mean, what are we going to take out?"

She said no one told the employees the reason for the search, which for Larson involved going to a restroom with a female officer, emptying her pockets and undergoing a pat down of her body.

Larson said that type of search, even when arriving at work, is so unusual that she can't remember the last time she had to go through any security measure other than the daily inspection of bags and walk through a metal detector.

Solano would not say where pat downs occurred or the reason behind them.

"The department has full authority to search employees whenever it chooses ... to ensure that employees are not participating in the movement or introduction of contraband inside the facilities," Solano said. "IDOC is vigilant in keeping contraband out of the facilities, and this is one such measure the department is taking to ensure safety and security inside the prisons."

It's conceivable that information leaked from a prison would be in paper form because correctional officers, for instance, don't have continuous access to email. But AFSCME is more concerned that the action may be aimed at gagging staffers.

"Coordinated shakedowns of staff are nearly without precedent in anyone's memory," AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said. "To do this at the same time union members are coming forward as whistleblowers to reveal the dangerous consequences of the administration's closure plans reeks of retaliatory harassment."

Solano denied that the department retaliates against staff but said, instead, the agency "encourages employees to use the proper process" for reporting problems to the Office of the Executive Inspector General.

Quinn's announcement of the prison closure plan has been followed by several reports of troubling incidents inside correctional facilities.

The AP reported earlier this month, after tipped by people knowledgeable about the prisons, on a string of violent incidents and an inmate drug overdose in the previous six weeks.

AFSCME members and correctional workers came to Springfield two weeks ago and publicly testified against closing prisons because of inmate overcrowding and understaffing. Illinois prisons currently hold about 48,000 inmates in a system designed for 33,000. The number of employees has fallen from more than 16,000 in 2002 to less than 12,000.

Days after AFSCME's public forum, the (Decatur) Herald & Review reported on an internal Corrections memo that designated nine Tamms inmates for transfer to prisons out of state. That prompted lawmaker complaints that Tamms should stay open because other Illinois prisons couldn't control some of the state's worst criminals.

The Tamms supermax isolates gang leaders and violent troublemakers from the rest of the incarcerated population, stifling problems at other prisons, advocates say. Quinn says it's underused and too expensive and wants it closed, along with a prison in Dwight.

The Decatur report prompted a letter to the newspaper from Corrections executive chief Jerry Buscher. It warned that publishing the information could jeopardize the safety of guards and inmates and would be viewed "as attempting to promote disorder within the prison system."

Buscher sent a similar letter to The Associated Press after a reporter asked Solano about information from internal documents the AP had obtained.

Lindall said corrections officials told AFSCME the pat downs are necessary because officials recently found inmates with cellphones during a search at Stateville prison in Joliet. Solano confirmed authorities found contraband earlier this month at Stateville but would not comment further because an investigation is ongoing.

Toby Oliver, a correctional lieutenant at Tamms who was stabbed by an inmate at Stateville in 1995 and has criticized Tamms' closure, called it "coincidental" that the pat downs began two days after the Decatur newspaper report.

He said he never remembers an end-of-shift pat down.

"What is coming out of the institution seems to be the priority," Oliver said. "You'd think it would be the other way around."

___

John O'Connor can be contacted at https://www.twitter.com/apoconnor .

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-07-30-US-Illinois-Prisons-Staff-Searches/id-b648f49c7a5b4173a7c17101caf984e2

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Neighborhood health clinic - HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

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Source: http://curryrecipe-jp.net/health-2/neighborhood-health-clinic/

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What You Should Do Today To Build Greater Muscle groups ?

If you would like end up in muscle development, you want the proper details. You have to know the way to bulk up, if it will be your target, but you could also want to find out how to construct lean muscle. Without the suitable guidance, muscle building might be much harder than it needs to be. Follow this advice to keep it uncomplicated.

Even though you may possibly believe picking up large weights is the perfect means of body building, this isn?t always the case. Lifting lightweight is also extremely important in terms of muscle building. Picking up different amounts of bodyweight function diverse muscle fabric, which will help you ensure your muscle mass acquire is of top quality.

While whole-foods are the best way to obtain your calories on the whole, a protein shake right after your exercise routine might actually be much easier for your body to process and procedure. A fast shot of healthy proteins following a workout offers your system the property obstructs to keep introducing muscle mass, as an alternative to using current muscles to replace its energy reserves.

Your training session regimen constantly requires objectives, so set a fresh objective when you have obtained an older one particular. Hitting a goal seems fantastic, and you also deserve to truly feel proud of your accomplishment. Remember that muscle building is actually a procedure that you could maintain operating at forever, providing you have got a new goal to strive for.

Transform it! To stop your whole body from becoming accustomed to any certain physical exercise, fluctuate your routine typically. You are able to continue to carry out your preferred exercise routines, just be sure that you will not be dropping right into a rut. Whenever your entire body is not challenged by a training, it isn?t building muscle.

Fluctuate the level of body weight that you just lift up. It is really not to your advantage to elevate weighty dumbbells on a regular basis. You can expect to make use of altering the weight load regularly and also the repetitions that you do with all those weight load. This will help to focus on distinct muscle groups or fibers offer you higher quality of muscle mass.

Usually do not function your ab muscles out initially. Help save those workout routines for the finale of the day?s session. When you overexert your abs muscles, they can become fragile rather than help your system in the course of other exercise routines. This can lead to serious accidents when weight training to exercise other muscle groups. Workout your abdominal muscles within an individual exercise soon after your excess fat education.

This information has taught you just what it will take to easily build muscle tissue and increase your quality of life. Now it is perfectly up to you to definitely manage your entire body and begin to coach it inside a wholesome, successful approach. All you want do is get started these days!

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Source: http://all-articles-directory.com/what-you-should-do-today-to-build-greater-muscle-groups/

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Revised draft raises hopes for arms trade treaty

UNITED NATIONS (AP) ? A revised draft of a new U.N. treaty to regulate the multibillion dollar global arms trade raised hopes from supporters and the British government, which has been the leading proponent, that an historic agreement could be reached by Friday's deadline for action.

The draft circulated late Thursday closed several loopholes in the original text, though the Washington-based Arms Control Association said further improvements are still needed to strengthen measures against illicit arms transfers.

A spokesman for Britain's U.N. Mission, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said the new text is "a substantial improvement" and "an historic agreement that effectively regulates the international trade in conventional arms is now very close."

The estimated $60 billion international arms trade is unregulated, though countries including the U.S. have their own rules on exports.

Opponents in the U.S., especially the powerful National Rifle Association, have portrayed the treaty as a surrender of gun ownership rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The issue of gun control, always politically explosive one for American politicians, has re-emerged since last week's shooting at a Colorado cinema killed 12 people

In Washington, a bipartisan group of 51 senators on Thursday threatened to oppose the treaty if it falls short in protecting Americans' constitutional right to bear arms. In a letter to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the senators expressed serious concerns with the draft treaty that has circulated at the United Nations, saying that it signals an expansion of gun control that would be unacceptable.

Supporters of a treaty say it will not affect law-abiding individual gun owners, but would close loopholes that allow arms dealers to evade the strict laws that already exist in countries and transfer guns through weaker states.

The U.N. General Assembly voted in December 2006 to work toward a treaty regulating the growing arms trade, with the U.S. casting a "no" vote. In October 2009, the Obama administration reversed the Bush administration's position and supported an assembly resolution to hold four preparatory meetings and a four-week U.N. conference in 2012 to draft an arms trade treaty.

Widney Brown, senior director for law and policy at Amnesty International, said the latest draft closed "some of the significant loopholes that we were concerned about have if not been closed, definitely been narrowed."

It would require all countries to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and to regulate arms brokers, and would prohibit states that ratify the treaty from transferring conventional weapons that violate arms embargoes or facilitate acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

In considering whether to authorize the export of arms, the draft says a country must evaluate whether the weapon would be used to violate international human rights or humanitarian laws or be used by terrorists or organized crime ? and if there is "a substantial risk" the treaty would prohibit the transfer.

The new draft makes clear that doesn't pertain only to arms exports but to all types of arms transfers, closing a loophole raised by campaigners.

The United States objected to any requirement to report on exports of ammunition and that remains out of the latest draft.

Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, said that the new text would potentially allow states to exclude arms transfers that are not commercial sales, such as gifts, from review under the terms of the treaty and does not include a broad enough list of weapons to be covered.

He said it would also potentially allow states to exempt arms sales under previous defense cooperation agreements under the terms of the treaty. That could undermine another line of attack from opponents in the U.S. ? that the treaty would prevent arms sales to allies like Israel and Taiwan.

"We urge the United States and other arms exporters and importers, including China, Russia, the U.K., and India, to work with other states, especially those most affected by violence fueled by illicit arms dealing, to provide the leadership and flexibility needed to reach a sound agreement by Friday's deadline," Kimball said.

With the conference scheduled to end on Friday, negotiators have been trying to come up with a text that satisfies advocates of a strong treaty with tough regulations and countries that appear to have little interest in a treaty including Syria, North Korea, Iran, Egypt and Algeria.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/revised-draft-raises-hopes-arms-trade-treaty-224409793.html

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A tour of the biker bars in Daytona | Resort ... - Travel & Leisure

Daytona is a stunning area of Florida, and what better way to see it than on a Harley Davidson with some friends. I rode out for the day on a Glider that I?d hired. It is the only bike you can ride in Florida without being lynched. The bike is like an armchair. It even has a stereo.

We start the day riding to a bar called The Fox Head Lounge in Osteen. The word ?lounge? is used lightly in this case. It is easily interchanged with the word ?dive?.? It is 9.30am on a Sunday morning and there are already about 15 people drinking at the bar. The bar has been open since 8. That?s some serious dedication to drinking. We order Bloody Marys apart from me ? I have always felt there is something slightly wrong with drinking tomato juice, you might as well drink watered-down ketchup.

The next stop on the ride is a bar called The Cabbage Patch in Samsula. The Cabbage Patch is covered wall to wall with graffiti and is famous for ?Coleslaw Wrestling?. The bar is also adorned with hundreds of photos of women in various states of undress floundering around in a giant wrestling ring full of vegetable oil and cabbage. You can look it up on the internet. There may be booze involved.

There is a sign outside the back of the bar requesting ?No Colors? ? by this they mean the back patches that many of the bike gangs wear. Although written in small letters underneath is ?No Nigers?, incidentally spelt wrong. Such was the intelligence and prejudice level of the sign writer. The Cabbage Patch is the sort of bar where you have to be very careful what you say. One of my friends tells me there is a KKK community nearby. Needless to say, we didn?t stay long.

By lunchtime we were riding through the Daytona nature reserve known as The Loop. This was amazing, just like riding through a jungle. I kept expecting rattle snakes to fall down from the trees. As we rode, I saw the odd alligator wallowing around in the water by the side of the road. This definitely confirmed my suspicions that we shouldn?t get off the bike for lunch. Unless we were the lunch.

So instead we ate in a Marks Sports Bar overlooking Daytona beach. Delicious chicken wings and? clams. The weather is hot, absolutely roasting with 80% humidity. But I have discovered Mountain Dew, the drink of the gods, so all is well. And what a view of the beach!

Our last stop on the way home is The Last Resort Bar, a notorious place, famous for one of it?s rather dodgy patrons ? Aileen Wuornos, dubbed ?America?s first female serial killer?. Miss Aileen was a lesbian prostitute who knocked off 7 men during the between 1989 and 1990. She was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 2002. The bar is also an Outlaw bar, one of the most vicious motorcycle gangs in America. If walls had ears The Last Resort could tell many a horror story.

Outside the bar known as ?The Japanese Garden?. From it hangs the rusty corpses of Japanese motorbikes. I realise I should probably keep quiet about the 2 Yamahas in my garage back home.

My friends and I were the only patrons when we arrive, so we sit at the bar and order some beers After 6 hours on a bike in the Florida sunshine I am really looking forward to it. The barman goes by the name of ?Cannonball?. He is about 6?6 tall and at least as wide. He is wearing rings that were so big that when he took one off, you could drop a quarter through the hole. He regales us with tales of some his escapades in the Vietnam war. There are too many to write here but for more travel stories, try Blue Trips.

As an addendum to my review of this bar. I actually came down with heatstroke whilst I was there and ended up being looked after by Cannonball, who gave me a small air-conditioning unit from under the bar that he had been using. He told me ?Don?t worry, if you die, we?ll bury you out the back with the others?. We all chuckle awkwardly, full well knowing that he isn?t kidding. He keeps loaded guns behind the bar. After spending a couple of hours in the bar recovering, I?d also like to point out that if you ever find yourself in need of the loo at The Last Resort. Think twice about it. Rustic isn?t the word.

This guest blog was written for Travel & Leisure Group, timeshare resales vetrans with over 20 years of successul buisness, buying, renting and selling timeshares. Image by Steve Pike.

Source: http://www.travelandleisure.co.uk/destination-news/?p=1629

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Japan-Russia talks bring no progress on island dispute

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and Japan sparred on Saturday over disputed islands that have strained their relations since World War Two, making no visible progress in talks toward a resolution weeks before Russia hosts a summit of Asian states.

Japan wants Russia to hand over four islands at the southern end of the Kuril chain that were occupied by Soviet forces at the end of the war in 1945, saying they are Japanese territory.

Moscow disagrees, and senior Russian officials have drawn protests from Japan in the past two years by traveling to the Pacific islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories.

Tension over the issue was palpable beneath the diplomatic language at a joint news conference following talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba, who was also to meet President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"It is very sad that 67 years after (World War Two) the territorial issue is still not resolved," Gemba said, speaking through an interpreter.

"I believe that amid conditions of serious changes in the strategic situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the need to resolve this problem is becoming greater and greater," he said in an apparent reference to China's growing might.

Lavrov rejected Japanese criticism of trips by officials including Dmitry Medvedev, who made the first visit to the islands by a Russian president in 2010 and traveled there again on July 3, this time as prime minister.

"We cannot accept the protests that have been heard from Tokyo about this," Lavrov said. "Russian authorities are responsible for improving the socioeconomic situation in this part of the Russian Federation and we will continue to do this."

Russia has dedicated new funds and political attention to the country's vast but sparsely populated Far East in advance of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the coastal city of Vladivostok in September.

Lavrov said dialogue on the dispute should be held "in a calm atmosphere without whipping up emotions and without artificial historical interpretations."

Gemba said he had conveyed Japan's regret over Medvedev's trip to Kunashir, one of the islands, which lies 15 km (10 miles) off the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/japan-russia-talks-bring-no-progress-island-dispute-130113517.html

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Steny Hoyer: Republicans wasting time and blocking economic progress (Washington Bureau)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/238407624?client_source=feed&format=rss

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sandstone paving, stone cladding - Stone Cladding:Beautifying Your ...

Would you like to improve the appearance of your home? Try perth stone paving. This has countless distinct functions for garden landscaping. You could find these smooth-textured pavers in patios, sidewalks, driveways. Contractors and landscape design specialists use them frequently for garden walls, borders, and seats. Additionally, they set this all around private pools or use this to create steps, retain walls, or stepping-stones. Your homebuilder or artist may incorporate pavers of various styles, sizes, and tones to make a stylish paving design. Here is additional information concerning this option.

Sandstone Paving: Beautifying Gardens

Sandstone paving is popular in garden areas. These pavers can be piled over one another to make short walls all-around a garden or fountain. Your homebuilder ought to place mortar in between the pavers to help keep the construction from falling over. Sandstone pavers make good-looking borders trimming around patios, driveways, and gardens.

You may place sandstone pavers about private pools for a vivid and attractive surface area. The earth-toned colors of sandstone usually contrast perfectly with the pool colour. Your building contractors may use a sealer to guard the sandstone from deteriorating from saltwater or sunlight. They can even utilize sandstone pool coping along side the side of the pool for a consistent appearance. They could even use special non-slip coatings to the surface for security.

Homebuilders may install these pavers as steps leading to the entranceway, patio, deck, or porch for a resort-like feel. Setting up the stones in a mortar base can even them out and keep them long lasting. You may turn sandstone pavers on their sides to make a small retaining wall over the side of the steps.

You may use stone cladding for both the interior and exterior of your home to add inventive and decorative feature. You will discover this inside a home, near fireplaces and walls. On the exterior, home builders utilize stone cladding over the framing or affixed on outside walls- either siding or brick to offer a durable finish.

Here are popular types of stone cladding:

-Solid Stone

This is the most favorite kind of stone cladding. This is naturally hefty and difficult to move. Even though some people still construct homes entirely out of polished stone, it is more common to utilize this as an accent. These are great for chimneys, or a single wall.

-Faux Stone

Faux stone is a manufactured product that appears and feels like real stone. It is available in lots of tones, shapes and sizes. The only real distinction is its weight- it is lighter than authentic stone. Makers create faux stone from poured concrete and shape this into slate pieces or stones using moulds. As opposed to real stone, you don't need to seal this to prevent wetness from seeping within.

-Polyurethane Foam Panels

This sort of stone cladding features the appearance of real stone but none of its weight. They are really light and resistant to moisture. Also, they are easy to install and ship. You can set these over existing siding or interior walls, boosting the efficiency of your insulation.

With sand stone paving and cladding you could make your house more appealing and long lasting. Get top quality materials and employ specialists for proper installation.

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Apple OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Just like the last few versions of Apple's laptop-and-desktop operating system, OS X Mountain Lion ($19.99) came out of the gate this morning as the best consumer operating system there is.

At first glance, Mountain Lion looks like an identical twin of its predecessor, OS X Lion. Upgraders from Lion will face an almost flat learning curve, because almost every feature they've learned to use works in almost exactly the same way as before. But Mountain Lion unobtrusively slots in dozens of new features?Apple counts two hundred of them?that enhance sharing, messaging, cloud-based synchronization, security, Web browsing, instant notifications, and accessibility.

When installed on the latest Mac hardware?recent MacBook Air models and the new MacBook Pro with Retina display?Mountain Lion even keeps working while the computer sleeps, downloading software updates, messages, mail, and much else while the laptop's lid is closed and its lights are off, so the system is up-to-date the moment it wakes up. Mountain Lion isn't perfect, but it leaves the consumer competition so far behind that you'll need to look hard for convincing reasons to use anything else.

While adding security and sharing features that make it a more powerful system for getting work done, Mountain Lion also makes some convincing advances on Windows' throne as the leading platform for playing games. The new OS makes it easy to use a Mac as a high-powered game console and media center, easily sending its screen to an HDTV connected to an Apple TV add-on box. Though Apple won't say a word about it, this "AirPlay Mirroring" feature clearly looks forward to a future TV manufactured by Apple itself.

Apple charges $19.99 to download Mountain Lion from the App Store and?for that single one-time payment?you can upgrade all your existing Macs from OS X Snow Leopard or OS X Lion. If you recently bought Mac?on or after June 11, that is?don't kick yourself: your upgrade is free. Don't bother trying to buy Mountain Lion on a disk; it only comes on a new Mac or via the App Store. If you buy a MacBook Pro with Retina display with Mountain Lion installed, be warned: you may spend so much time feasting your eyes on Mountain Lion's high-resolution desktop backgrounds that you won't get any work done. I only stopped being distracted by the gorgeous imagery when I changed my desktop background to a solid color.

A Different Approach
Compared with last year's debut of OS X Lion, what's different is that, this time, Windows 8's release is imminent (it's currently available as a Release Preview). While Mountain Lion wins as a consumer OS, it will also be extremely interesting to see just how much attention it gets from businesses, too?especially smaller businesses that wouldn't take advantage of the Windows 8 Server.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/3LsmB5klNok/0,2817,2400311,00.asp

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Tips Before You Start Sport Fishing

For people living near large bodies of water, sport fishing is one of the most satisfying activities they can pursue. Fishing requires you to have a certain level of concentration and patience. Likewise, because of the beauty of oceans and rivers, it is one of the most relaxing sports in the world as well. A great place to find information on fishing and equipment from brands like Raymarine Australia is on the web. Scour the internet as well as sport fishing web forums about information on where you can find the best fishing spots, as well as the best places to score a deal on equipment. Likewise, you will be able to get info about the particular fish that can be caught in your area. These community boards forums will also be able to give you info about places where you can hire sport fishing guides and tours if you do not own a boat.

Moreover, there are many places on the internet where you can download charts and maps from. To make your fishing trip easier, you can just download these data and upload it to an onboard navigational computer like a Raymarine Autopilot. Before the date of your trip, make sure that you are equipped with enough hooks, reels, rods, and bait for your trip. If you are looking to catch a certain type of fish, make sure that you prepare specific bait for it. Likewise, do not forget to bring other essentials on your trip a well. Bring enough fuel, food, water, and do not forget the beer.

Sport fishing will require a certain level of patience. Make sure to? prepare some form of entertainment to help you divert your mind while waiting for the fish to bite. If you have enough money, you can also choose to buy a Raymarine C120 to help you control your boat easier. These kinds of tools will help you manage the otherwise tedious tasks on a boat easier and make your experience more enjoyable. ?Just like any other sport or recreation, your success in sport fishing will be determined by your attitude, your skill, and your equipment.

Check out these fishing auctions at eBay:

MINI LED Deep Drop Underwater Fishing Squid Lure Light blue flashing

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Source: http://tonycardone.com/tips-before-you-start-sport-fishing/

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The Roofing System and the Storm Water That Flows Over It

Considering that everybody can be afflicted with the environmental damage, everyone has a part to take in fighting it. This is the reason people all over the world still create means to minimize the damaging effects of water and air contamination. But did you know that your home's roof contributes to the production of messy storm water runoff that seeps into the ecosystem?

Researchers from the Gdansk University of Technology in Poland were able to set up this reality few years back. They proposed the concept that chemical substances and other substances from many roof covering components contribute to the presence of particulates and other damaging matter seen in storm water runoff. They tested four roofing materials: bituminous membrane, ceramic, zinc, and asbestos. After examining, they found out that they were on the money.

Since your roof contributes to the contamination of what would have been reusable storm water, does that necessarily mean you have to change it completely? This isn't exactly what those experts were attempting to indicate. Rather, homeowners need to utilize preventive procedures to abate, if not totally get rid of, the consequences of polluted storm water that originates from their roofing systems.

For example, it would be smart to set up special screens that can capture particles and other dangerous substances, thus permitting clean storm water run along the gutters and into the sewage. You will discover plenty of these screens, particularly for gutters, on the market today. If you desire to save on the cost of buying one, nevertheless, you'll ought to undertake suitable roof maintenance task.

In the long run, it all amounts to how properly you deal with your roof structure. If you are living in Walnut Creek, California, where the moderate Mediterranean environment is suitable for cultivating various crops, then it would be in your best interest to defend the environment. To stop adding to environmental degradation, phone Walnut Creek roofing specialists who can perform expert cleansing and restoration jobs before the next storm comes along.

There's no doubt that the type of modern roofing Walnut Creek homes have contain chemically treated elements. Consequently, regular maintenance and repair are needed to make certain that runoff moves smoothly and cleanly. Clean up the gutters at least twice per year, particularly if leaves and dead branches have built up in the gutter. Grime and sludge can also pollute storm water runoff, so be sure to do away with them as soon as you can.

You can access the study from introduction to conclusion at the website of the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies at PJOES.org. Always keep your roof clear of any debris. Don't think twice to communicate with the roofers Concord residents regularly suggest.

For more details, search Walnut Creek roofing, roofing Walnut Creek and roofers Concord in Google.

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IdeaMarketers.com
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Earthquake Insurance: How it Shakes Out | News Blog With 1 Vision ...

Please use our new Real-time Earthquake Map to access the latest earthquake information and event details. The links to the The Real-time Earthquake Map User Guide describes how to use the map and all its features.

Both are just two miles from the epicenter of a 3.7 magnitude earthquake that rattled nerves here at 3:18 a.m. Local officials say no damage or injuries have been reported from the temblor which the USGS has said hit at a depth of 5.6 miles. They said

Insurance bosses have hit back after Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said he has "lost patience" with the industry over the quake rebuild. Brownlee yesterday vented his frustration over the stalled settlement process and laid the blame

Insurance bosses have hit back after Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said he has "lost patience" with the industry over the quake rebuild. Brownlee yesterday vented his frustration over the stalled settlement process and laid the blame

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake rattled Los Angeles early Wednesday morning. No damage or injuries were reported, and most Angelinos slept through it. Or tweeted. By Daniel B. Wood, Staff writer / July 25, 2012. The Los Angeles, Calif. downtown skyline is

Source: http://the1vision.com/2012/07/earthquake-insurance-how-it-shakes-out/

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Soda companies racing for a new sweet spot

A Monday, June 11, 2012, photo shows cans of ten-calorie soda from PepsiCo Inc. displayed in New York. Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste. The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But coming up with such a formula could still be years away. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A Monday, June 11, 2012, photo shows cans of ten-calorie soda from PepsiCo Inc. displayed in New York. Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste. The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But coming up with such a formula could still be years away. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A Monday, June 11, 2012, photo shows a bottle of Pepsi Next displayed amongst cans of ten calorie sodas from PepsiCo Inc. in New York. Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste. The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But coming up with such a formula could still be years away. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A Monday, June 11, 2012, photo shows bottles of Pepsi Next and Pepsi Max displayed amongst cans of ten-calorie sodas from PepsiCo. in New York. Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste. The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But coming up with such a formula could still be years away. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste.

The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But such a formula could be years away.

That's because the ingredient that makes soda taste good is also what packs on the pounds: high-fructose corn syrup. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame that are used in diet drinks don't have any calories but are seen as processed and fake. Natural sweeteners that come from plants present the most promising alternative, but companies haven't yet figured out how to mask their metallic aftertaste.

Despite the complexities, soft drink makers push on in their search.

"I can't say when it will be here, but it's in the reasonable future," said Al Carey, who heads the beverage unit for the Americas at PepsiCo Inc., the world's No. 2 soda maker.

There's good reason that soft drink makers are so eager to tweak their formulas. Once a beloved American treat, sodas are now being blamed for the nation's bulging waistlines ? two-thirds of the country's adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That, coupled with the growing variety of flavored waters and sports drinks, has sent per capita soda consumption down 17 percent to about 1.3 cans a day since its peak in 1998, according to Beverage Digest, an industry tracker.

In New York City, a ban on the sale of sugary drinks bigger than 16 ounces in restaurants, theaters and stadiums could take effect as early as March. The mayor of Cambridge, Mass., proposed a similar ban last month. And in Richmond, Calif., voters will decide in November whether to pass the nation's first penny-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks such as fruit juices and teas.

All the negative publicity has some once-faithful soda drinkers cutting back. Krista Koster, a 29-year-old who lives in Washington D.C., used to down about two cans of soda a day. Now she's trying to kick the habit and be more conscious about what she drinks.

"I've just been hearing how bad soda is," said Koster, who works in public relations. "You start considering a lot of the ingredients, whether it's fake sugar or the real sugar."

High-fructose corn syrup, the cheap sweetener that's used in most sodas, has the same nutritional value and taste of sugar. A can of regular soda typically has about 40 grams of high-fructose corn syrup and 140 calories. By comparison, the same amount of apple juice has about 38 grams of sugar and 165 calories, but companies can tout the vitamins and other nutrients juice provides.

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener commonly used in drinks such as Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, doesn't have any calories. But some drinkers worry about the fact that the sweeteners are not naturally occurring in nature. Public perception has been colored by past studies that have suggested it caused cancer and brain tumors in rats even though The American Cancer Society says there's no evidence showing it has any link with an increased risk for cancer in adults.

The concerns have led soft drink companies to search for natural, zero-calorie sweeteners, including stevia, which is derived from a South American shrub. Natural sweeteners have neither the calories of sugar nor the negative associations of artificial sweeteners. The trick, however, is figuring out how to make them taste good in colas.

"Every sweetener has its own notes that need to be mixed with other flavors," said Mehmood Khan, chief science officer for PepsiCo. "It's a bit like an orchestra playing music, as opposed to one instrument."

So far, stevia is the natural sweetener that has gotten the most attention and is already used in Coca-Cola and PepsiCo products, including orange juice and bottled teas. But it's proving more difficult to hide the aftertaste in colas.

Soft drink makers are testing different extracts from the stevia plant that they hope will be easier to blend. They're also scouring the world for other naturally occurring sweeteners, such as one called mogroside that is extracted from monk fruit and a derivative of a berry called miracle fruit.

Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, says it's currently testing additional drinks that use stevia and other natural sweeteners but declined to give details. The tests are part of the ongoing "home-use tests" the company conducts, in which consumers may be given a six-pack of a new product to try over the course of a week.

To accelerate the pace of such trials, Coca-Cola two years ago dedicated a production line at one of its plants solely to churning out test beverages. But taste isn't the only consideration for the world's biggest soda maker.

"Some of the very exciting (sweeteners) we're playing with are really small in terms of production and planting, and they need to be nurtured," says Katie Bayne, president of Coca-Cola's North American soda business.

Coca-Cola also is testing versions of its Sprite and Fanta that use stevia in Atlanta, Detroit, Louisville, Ky. and Memphis, Tenn. The drinks have about half the calories of regular Sprite and Fanta (70 per can, instead of 140 or 160, respectively). But the "Select" drinks fall short of the ideal because they have sugar.

PepsiCo, based in Purchase, N.Y., is also on the hunt for new drinks that use natural, no-calorie sweeteners. In 2010, the company entered a $62 million, four-year deal with food flavor company Senomyx Inc. to develop natural sweeteners and "taste enhancers" that can intensify sweetness. Coca-Cola also previously had an eight-year contract with Senomyx; neither of the partnerships has yet produced any products for commercial use.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, the nation's third-largest soda maker, also is searching for the right combination. The company's line of flavored sodas, such as Sunkist and A&W Root Beer, may make it easier to mask the taste of natural sweeteners like stevia than with colas.

At a beverage industry conference earlier this year, Dr Pepper's Chief Financial Officer Marty Ellen said he thinks a "sweetener breakthrough" is achievable in the next few years.

Recreating the exact taste of extremely valuable brands such as Coke and Pepsi is a high-stakes game and companies don't want to rush any drinks to the market. But making a natural cola that doesn't have any calories isn't impossible. Smaller companies such as Zevia, based in Culver City, Calif., already make such colas using stevia.

Zevia is now sold in 10,500 locations ? including Kroger and Whole Foods ? up from just 850 locations four years ago. CEO Paddy Spence doesn't think Coke and Pepsi's efforts to come up with their own zero-calorie drinks will threaten his company.

"When consumers see a brand all of a sudden with different positioning, they see right through that," Spence said. "They'll say 'you're a sugar soda company that has a couple different stevia products.'"

Still, considering their enormous resources, it's likely that soda companies will eventually find a way to make natural drinks with no calories that taste good, says Mike Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

"If you look 10 years ahead, we're going to see a different marketplace for sodas," he said.

___

__AP Writer Jason Keyser contributed from Chicago.

Follow Candice Choi on www.twitter.com/candicechoi

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2012-07-26-Soda%20Race/id-6a0d03af78304a3c82c07f486b5de21e

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Cop said suspect was pounded because he resisted arrest, but tape in

from NYDailyNews.com

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/video-beatdown-suspect-pounded-resisted-arrest-tape-25m-suit-shows-man-put-fight-article-1.1120579

Simon W. Johnson

swj@swjlawoffice.comLaw Office of Simon W. JohnsonMartindale, Avvo, Justia, LawGuruLinkedIn, Twitter, FacebookServing Cleveland and Ohio, 44124

No related posts.

This entry was posted in Lawyer Blogs, Legal Advice from Lawyers and tagged Personal Injury by John J. Sheehan. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://safeguardfreedom.com/blog/?p=6938

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Get Internet Explorer for Xbox Before Anyone Else Does [Xbox]

Major Nelson just announced that Microsoft is accepting beta testers for the next version of Xbox Live which includes new features like Internet Explorer for Xbox, better search and discovery, an updated dashboard and more. If you're interested and of course you are (new features yay!) you can sign up right here. [Major Nelson] More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/MheF6uWT3pQ/get-internet-explorer-for-xbox-before-anyone-else-does

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4 Ways to Create Killer Product Launches ? Make Money Online ...

Do you have the next awesome product that everyone should be buying?

If you are anything like me you are often thinking of a new killer product launch. A launch that will be so successful that you will never have to work another day in your life?don?t kid yourself! That is unlikely to happen. If it does please please please share with me your secrets. I would pay big bucks for this secret.

Product launches have become one of my main focuses as we near the end of 2012. I want to have a few successful launches to end the year with a big kick. I am fairly new to this part of my career as an Internet marketer. My main focus has been on my AWESOME niche websites that earn most of my online income. I began my?entrepreneurial life creating niche sites and article writing.?My very first niche site was purchased on eBay which began my interest in many other money making programs. I started buying into everything I could to earn a living only to find out that I was making the seller richer and I was not benefiting at all.

What kept me going was the small results from ebook sales on eBay as well as the mediocre results from my niche sites that I had purchased. I actually had no idea what I was doing. I was following a step by step guide which I happened to purchase from eBay. At that time eBay was one of the hottest places to buy and sell ebooks as well as websites. Little did I know there were better resources like WarriorForum.com and a few others to boot. The point of this story is I kept going and did not give up. I have no ounce of give up in me. I call that the easy way out. I am the type of person that if I am unable to do something I will keep trying until I master it. Don?t believe me ask my wife. I learned how to code that way. I started building websites as a result of my not a quitter attitude. It has gotten me this far so I am not giving that trait I have up.

Ok?so enough about my past marketing efforts and failures. Lets move on to the real subject of this blog post.

?

1. Past products you have purchased

We have all bought a special report or ebook that gives some sort of valuable information. The idea is to create a similar product and make it even better. Whether it is adding more value or a whole new perspective. Why not dig up some of those old ebooks that you bought or even created your self and rewrite them to make them more appealing and more of value. This is probably one of the most common ways people come up with great launches. They seen a product?there is the idea?they created their own version?there is the product?their version had more to offer?there is the value.

Keep in mind that when using this method you want to make sure that you are creating your own product not copy and pasting. It is unethical to say the least.

You can do this with services, software, etc. Get creative.

2. Your blog magically turns into an ebook

Is your blog a popular blog with lots of great tutorials or content on topics that have value to anyone reading them? If you answered yes to this question you can create an ebook with lots of your already created blog content saving you loads of time. All you have to do is make the blog articles flow. Put them together in a way that it makes sense in your new ebook. You don?t have to tell people what you did but you can. You can post this on Amazon and earn a decent profit and gain a new audience all at the same time. Sounds pretty cool?RIGHT? I think so!

3. Find a need?Create a solution

This has to be one of the most popular product creation methods out there. Most?software?sold online was created to do something or do something with ease. Lets say for example this blog. I use WordPress a free software that makes having a website or blog easier than it was 15 years ago. Themes are another great example. People with no design skill or coding knowledge can now create a professional looking website all because someone thought to create a theme that would fit right in with WordPress. Need I say anymore?

Find a need?create a solution and market that solution. You don?t have to have thousands of dollars to create a solution. It can be a simple solution but still a solution that fixes a?particular?issue. You can even use this method and method 1 together. The need was already fixed but maybe you can do it even better. Get creative and you will be surprised the outcome.

4. Graphic packs are real good sellers

Are you a creative designer and have a skill that allows you to create web art so good that it converts well when used on your own web properties? Create a graphics pack full of graphics that appeal to a large audience. I like seeing graphic packs with great call to action art. That is a big seller to me. I know a lot of my friends in the business like optin forms and squeeze pages. These are really good sellers if they are of great quality. Once again get creative and out do your competitor. I suggest checking out similar products and creating the same time of graphics with your own style and add to it. Go above and beyond.

This method could easily turn into a membership package or a service. You could offer a membership package and offer new graphics each day, week or however you want to do it. The more you offer the better your sign up numbers will be.

Bonus Content

Here are 5 ways to engage your audience and increase overall sales:

Your story?? Let your audience get to know you a little by telling them your story and why you created this product to help them. This builds rapport with them and gives them a chance to like you. Remember to keep your story on topic and more targeted toward your target audience.

Your audience?s pop point?? Tap into the emotions and what the cost is of not taking action.

Benefits?? Tell your audience how this will benefit them. Give them the key points to a solution they are looking for once again tapping into their emotions.

Testimonials?? Testimonials and success stories are sometimes all a buyer needs to make their decision on whether or not to click the shiny button that say ?BUY NOW?. A great way to get testimonials or reviews is to offer your product free to about 10 people in exchange for an honest review of the product. Due to the new FTC regulations you must have proof of your testimonials and reviews. Be sure to keep those handy if you ever need them.

Call to action?? give people reason to act right away. Mention things like this price is to only for the first [#] buyers then it jumps [this much], using your own judgment on the number you use of course. Also saying like, this deal closes in [this amount of time] etc. Get creative with your call to action. I love to use arrows pointing to my action button or form and I never use the words ?buy now? in the button. It is more along the lines of ?Gain Instant Access? or ?Download Now?.

Jonathan Smith

Source: http://wealthcrave.com/4-ways-to-create-killer-product-launches.html

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TSX dips as Europe woes offset Rogers earnings

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tsx-turns-positive-china-data-rogers-134552044--finance.html

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