All About Japanese Lacquer And Exquisite Sprinkled Pictures Before I describe these unique and beautiful works of art, exclusively Japanese, I feel that you need to know more about Lacquer, the extraordinary medium that was used. Only then will you fully appreciate these brilliant creations.For readers who are unfamiliar with old Japanese Lacquer, I suspect you will be thinking of the typical modern Lacquer trays and bowls that are mass-produced. These items are very decorative, but completely fail to compare with the magnificent earlier hand made works.From China to JapanLacquer is really the sap from a tree known as `Rhus Vernicifera'. The Chinese were the first to discover and use it, at least a century before Christ, when it was used as a paint, and more often as a preservative. It was a very effective preservative, as many pieces still exist from as far back as the Han period 206BC, when Lacquer was very popular and in extensive use. The earliest known Japanese Lacquer dates back to about the 7th Century, but it was not until the 14th and 15th century that the Japanese Lacquer works became so much more decorative. By then they had refined and created exceptional techniques, far finer and more beautiful than the Chinese lacquer that they had simply originally copied.The Chinese had used shades of black, brown, yellow, green, and mostly red or cinnabar Lacquer Turn your world for the remarkable alexander mcqueen skull scarf and let it be another must have in your fashion conscious closet.. They mainly favoured deep carving of the Lacquer, to form the decoration, and produced some outstanding work.They often applied the colours in layers, so that once carved, these colours would be revealed. One particular technique is known as `Guri' Lacquer: the colours mostly red and black were built up in layers, and then a geometric or symmetrical pattern would be carved with a deep `V' shaped cut, so that all these alternating layers would be revealed within the cuts. The Chinese also painted, incised and inlaid Lacquer with iridescent pieces of shell, but these works were treasured by the Japanese often more so, than by the Chinese. To begin with all these methods were copied, but by about the 15th century the Japanese had become, justifiably, the unrivalled masters of the art!Lacquer was, quite rightly, highly valued for its lasting qualities and strength. A very high gloss could be achieved, proving impervious to alcohol, acids and hot liquids. It would also have appealed to the Zen Buddhism ideals of `Yin and Yang�, as Lacquer appears to be so delicately beautiful and light in weight. Yet, it is hard, impermeable and enduring.The preparationIt is a very difficult medium to work with, uncompromising, sticky, and time consuming. It had to be strained to remove any impurities, and gently heated to thicken, and evaporate any moisture content. All the time it had to be kept in a dust free environment, and added to these difficulties, in its liquid form it gives off a poisonous gas! Strangely, it requires a damp humid atmosphere for it to harden.It had to be applied in very thin layers, otherwise it runs, and if too thick, will not harden at all but will just form a skin. After each layer had hardened, all the time in a dust free area, it was carefully rubbed down before another layer would be added. An average piece consisted of a minimum of 30 layers, in order that there would not be a trace of the wood base, or on larger pieces the hemp cloth applied in the early layers, to help strengthen the wood. The Lacquer Artist would have taken over, only at this stage, to create the decoration by the addition of yet even more layers.The number of colours possible, due to chemical reactions with pigments and the composition of Lacquer were limited. So Lacquer artists were still restricted and blue was a very rare colour. It was the Japanese that developed the idea and the techniques of adding gold and silver to liven up the decoration. Real gold and silver metals were used in the form of foil, flakes, metal particles of various grades, as well as powders. All of these precious metals were brilliantly used to great advantage, particularly in the late 18th and early 19th century.The sprinkling of gold or silver metal particles had been used before and over a very long period, to brighten up the interiors. Even very early Lacquer works have `Nashiji' inside. This is where fine particles of gold have simply been sprinkled in to the Lacquer. Some were scattered unevenly, producing cloud effects, whilst others varied in the density. However no pictures were formed.Sprinkled, not painted!In the 18th century they invented and refined the idea of sprinkled pictures, and these were used to great effect in what are known as `Togadashi' pieces. They are easily identified, as the surface of the Lacquer is always perfectly smooth in Togadashi work. These designs and amazing pictures were created purely, by very skilfully pouring various grades of fine metal and pigment powders on to the wet Lacquer, so that they would sink in. There was no way of correcting any errors! Extra layers of the background colour, normally black, would be added over the picture. Then by carefully polishing down until the picture reappears, the top edges of the metal particles would be made to glisten from the polish, providing brilliance impossible to achieve any other way. The last very thin coats would be of the purest clear Lacquer, providing the mirror like high gloss finish.Various shades of black were created, by charcoal mixed with different quantities of silver powder, so that they could even simulate painted brush strokes. These powders were mainly used for black pictures on a gold background, that one would never imagine were created by sprinkling techniques. What is also quite remarkable, is the very fine degree of control in shading that they were able to achieve. This meant that far more sophisticated pictures could be created, than had ever been seen before.There are three types of sprinkled picture techniques in all and Togadashi, already described, is my favourite! Another is `Hiramakie', which is where quite a thickly sprinkled gold powder is used, and the lacquer is raised just a little above the background. As usual the surface is polished and burnished, before the final clear layers, and has a very rich appearance. Lastly, there is `Takamakie', which is again similar to Hiramakie, only it is in much higher relief. This thickness was achieved by building up and modelling the areas required in relief, with a combination of Lacquer and charcoal, before applying the gold powder layers.Highlights of pure goldMany Lacquer artists made use of a combination of these techniques in a piece of work. Just to further enrich these pictures, finely shaped tiny pieces of pure gold, so small that it is hard to imagine how they were handled, are individually applied near the final surface to create highlights. Frequently these are exactly matched shapes, tiny squares or diamond pieces that are all so amazingly very accurately placed. Togadashi BoxesOne of our favourite examples of this type of work in this collection is a fine Box that appears as two overlapping boxes. One shows the figure of the swordsmith forging the sword `Little Fox', assisted by the Fox Spirit in the guise of a woman; the other has an overall design of a mass of gold and coloured flowers. Looking closely at the gold centres of the flowers one can see how these consist of a number of very tiny shaped flakes of gold; each flake has been carefully placed by hand. It also has a marvellous fitted tray just in gold Togadashi of three foxes running in a landscape with a really dream like quality. The border of the tray is decorated in `Gyobu�, which is where each individual flake of gold has also been positioned by hand, rather than sprinkled.Another wonderful Box that is purely, fine Togadashi, depicts a busy street market scene, and what more can I say, other than it is an outstanding piece of work!Neither of these boxes is signed, but they are nevertheless, of the finest quality. To see the photographs please use the link at the end of this article. These wonderful lacquer works feature on Japanese inro too (the subject of another article).Modern worksA word of warning when buying lacquer, it is important that the condition is both good and original. As there are now some cleverly repaired pieces on the market, expert advice should always be obtained.Fine Lacquer is made even today, and there are certain living traditional Lacquer artists who are held in very high esteem in Japan. So much so, that some have been designated as `Living National Treasures', and their contemporary hand made Lacquer work is in high demand and extremely expensive. I have seen an example, at a Lacquer study weekend held at the V & A museum. A remarkable modern box that combined thick clear Perspex with black Lacquer in a geometric design that really was very dramatic. Personally I still prefer the earlier works and for the cost of this modern box a very good collection could be formed!

A Small Story about Bratz Dolls by Aruna Kavuri
Bratz dolls are fashion dolls and manufactured by MEGA Entertainment. There are four types of Bratz dolls and 10� size Cole, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin. Bratz dolls are looks like teenagers with large and skinny bodies and almond shaped eyes with eye shadow, glossy lips.

Bratz had a computer animated TV series, based on the line of dolls. It was produced by Mike Young Productions and MEGA Entertainment and it became a big hit with 51,000 viewers on CITV Channel. Bratz DVDs and Video Games are also available in the market. Bratz: The Movie film made in 2007 based on cartoon characters and dolls.

The four best friends: Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha and Jade, are about to start high school. Although nervous, they feel excited and confident that they will excel. Head girl Meredith Baxter Dimly wants everyone to belong to a group (i.e. a clique), and goes about organizing people. She doesn't like the independent spirit of the four girls. She plots to destroy their friendship and make them conform to her pre-fabricated cliques. Cloe is an ace soccer player. She meets Cameron and is instantly smitten. Sasha is soon recruited as a cheerleader for her cheering ability. She wows the squad, including the head cheerleader. Jade does well in science club and designs great outfits. She meets Dexter and there's definitely chemistry between them. Yasmin's special talent is to sing; however she has terrible stage fright. She meets Dylan, who is deaf, but he is very good at lip reading. She makes a crass remark to him, and, of the group of four, it is she who ends up making a terrible start to her High School career. The friends begin to drift apart, as they are compelled to stay within their cliques Turn your world for the remarkable alexander mcqueen clutch and let it be another must have in your fashion conscious closet..

In June 2001, the first four Bratz dolls, Jade, Cloe, Sasha, and Yasmin, were released to market, each were in urban-styled fashions.

Remedy for Reflux - 6 Secrets about Curing Heartburn by Joe Barton
A remedy for reflux that actually works! Is this even possible? You may be surprised that acid reflux is one of the simplest ailments to cure naturally. In fact, heartburn and kidney stones rank close to #1 for most popular remedies. You will see why�

In this article, you will learn 6 simple secrets that will help you begin the home treatment for curing acid reflux. Say good bye to your antacids, because today could be the last day you use them!

6 Secrets about a Remedy for Reflux

1 doudoune parajumpers. Antacids will eventually wear out! Have you noticed your antacids not working quite as good? The truth is that antacids work by neutralizing the refluxed acid. Unfortunately, that is only a symptom of GERD. Natural remedies work by curing the cause of reflux which is a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is the muscle flap that sits on top of the stomach. By strengthening the LES, you can permanently cure heartburn.

2. Many of the things that we eat or ingest can damage the LES. It is important to allow your LES to heal by avoiding a few things. You should avoid hard and crunchy foods for a few days, avoid caffeine and also avoid smoking. If you like spicy food, you should also avoid this too! This will give your sphincter time to heal!

3. Drinking plenty of water after every meal and snack can create a tight seal for the LES and the stomach opening Parajumpers. You should be drinking at least 10 cups of water a day.

4. Honey is one of the oldest natural remedies around. And research shows that honey can actually help tissue regenerate quicker. You should suck on 3 teaspoons of honey daily to help the LES heal more quickly.

5. Try apple cider vinegar. We all know one elderly person who religiously takes swigs of apple cider vinegar. It has been shown that taking a swig of apple cider vinegar will add acid to the stomach to aid with digestion. This could greatly diminish the chance of reflux.

6. Finally, many fruits we eat can also naturally help cure acid reflux. For instance, my dad has been carrying around a red apple (or slices) everyday for almost 30 years. Try nibbling on a red apple next time you have a reflux attack.

Cure Acid Reflux Permanently

Imagine never buying or taking an antacid again? Imagine what a healthy sphincter would feel like?

If you would like to permanently cure acid reflux, please visit our website to learn about our 100% guaranteed Remedy for Reflux report. This step by step remedy report is guaranteed, researched and completely natural to cure you GERD in 24 hours or less! Learn more now!

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Coffees of India India produces two fine coffees, but even among coffee devotees � at least in America � they remain relatively unknown and un-drunk. That's too bad. They deserve to be extolled for the romance attached to them, if nothing else; happily, they also taste pretty good as well.According to legend, coffee was discovered in Ethiopia. The first big coffee craze, though, occurred in Arabia, where by the 13th century Muslims were brewing and drinking huge quantities of it. Travelers from Arabia took the beans with them wherever they went � beans deliberately made infertile, allegedly, by parching or boiling. Because of this strict export control policy, it is claimed that no coffee seed sprouted outside Africa or Arabia until the 17th century.Enter (or exit, as the case may be) one Baba Budan � one of the great heroes in the history of coffee, in my opinion. Wrapping up a pilgrimage to Arabia from his native land of India, Budan left Mecca with several fertile coffee beans strapped to his belly post by haiyan151. From those beans sprouted the first coffee trees to be grown in India, as well as an agricultural industry that could no longer be contained to one small part of the world.For romance, though, nothing in the world of coffee, to my mind, beats the story of Monsooned Malabar, one of the two coffees for which India is known today. The British began the modern commercial cultivation of coffee on the hills of southern India, along the Malabar coast, a century-and-a-half ago. The coffee grown there was packed raw into the holds of wooden ships and sent on a six-month trip, around the Cape of Good Hope, to the coffee houses and shops of Europe. On such a long journey, and in such vessels, the beans inevitably became exposed to almost constant humidity. That humidity turned the beans pale gold and leached them of their acidity. When the coffee finally reached its destination it had been considerably mellowed � and Europeans loved it.Progress eventually intervened, though, to temporarily deny the coffee drinkers of Europe their beloved aged Indian bean. The opening of the Suez Canal made the trip from the Malabar Coast much shorter. And, the coffee began to be shipped in modern steel vessels. These developments conspired to deprive the coffee beans of the prolonged exposure to humidity which had been responsible for their distinctive flavor.To meet the demand for the old style of coffee from Malabar, some growers hit on a simple but ingenious solution. They would duplicate the moist conditions of the old sea voyage by exposing their beans to the Indian monsoon. Thus, Monsooned Malabar.The monsooning process is a long one � and actually fairly labor intensive. First, the coffee to be monsooned is stored in a special warehouse to await the monsoon season. When the time comes, the sides of the warehouse are opened, allowing the wet monsoon winds to circulate around the beans. The beans may also be raked or hand-turned on the floor of the warehouse to assist in the process. Monsooning takes 12 to 16 weeks nfl jerseys. During this time the beans swell to twice their picked size and turn that signature pale golden color. The taste of Monsooned Malabar coffee is usually described in terms such as musty, earthy, corky and woody. Some writers have called it �mellow� yet �aggressive� at the same time! All agree that it has a polarizing quality � you'll either adore it or detest it. Maybe I just haven't had enough cups yet to really judge, but in my opinion the taste is not as idiosyncratic as all that. Musty, maybe, put not off-puttingly so. I think that many people would enjoy it, not just those of us who enjoy seeking out the more unusual offerings of the coffee world. And again, for my part, the fascinating story behind this particular coffee makes up for any deficiency in the cup.Unfortunately, you still can't find Monsooned Malabar just anywhere. Ordering it by mail is still the best bet for most of us. Oddly enough, until very recently it was easier to acquire green (unroasted) Malabar coffee beans than roasted ones. My first cup came from beans that I roasted at home, myself, in a popcorn popper. There are many resources on the Web for anyone interested in getting into home coffee roasting, an enjoyable hobby in its own right.There are a few coffee sellers on the Web now who offer roasted Monsooned Malabar and similarly exotic or hard-to-find beans. In the case of Malabar (as opposed, say, to geunine Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain), the price actually compares quite favorably with more mundane or �normal� coffees. If you like traveling the world in a coffee cup � and especially if you'd like to drink something with a bit of romance to it � you owe it to yourself to get your hands on some Monsooned Malabar. By the way, if you drink a lot of espresso, you might have had some Malabar coffee without knowing; some expresso producers include it in their so-called exotic blends.India's other major coffee variety comes from the Mysore region (now the state of Karnakata). Called Indian Mysore, Mysore Nuggets, Mysore Straight, or simply Mysore, it makes a rich and spicy cup of coffee that at its best may be termed �sweet� -- a word you would never hear applied to Monsooned Malabar cheap authentic nfl jerseys. Interestingly enough, though, Mysore coffee also gets its unique taste from being exposed to the monsoon wind and rain, which pump up the beans with moisture and smooth out their flavor. The difference may be simply that in the case of the Malabar, the monsoon exposure is purposely carried to an extreme.Mysore coffee is also becoming easier to find in the United States, although most people will still have to seek out a reliable seller on the Web. It's definitely worth finding and trying some. According to some connoisseurs, Indian Mysore at its best is among the finest coffees produced anywhere.-- Steve Smith

Chef Positions Explained Ever wondered what makes a Sous Chef? Or what exactly a Garde Manger Chef does? Or whether Commis Chefs still exist after the demise of the USSR? Well look no further, all the titles and definitions are listed below. Chef: The word in French is generally interpreted to mean boss, as when we say "chief" in English. However this can be confusing for our definitions here so please disregard this "loose" meaning. Chef de Cuisine: A term used more so in larger restaurants, hotels and establishments with more than one location. This Chef is the CEO of the kitchen and often the restaurant. Not only are they the one who chooses the direction for the food and conceives the dishes for the menu but they are often the high profile Chef that the public will know, even though they are seldom in the kitchen and rarely cook. Executive Chef: The top of the kitchen management structure. If there is a Chef de Cuisine present, the Executive Chef reports only to them, but since only the largest establishments actually have a Chef de Cuisine, the executive Chef is usually the top. He or she is the visionary leader, responsible for conceiving menu ideas, creating recipes, establishing standards, controlling costs and performing many administrative tasks. Due to all these responsibilities, they do very little actual cooking. Head Chef: The title given to the Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine of a small to medium sized operation wholesale nfl jerseys. He or she is responsible for planning menus, liaising with suppliers, controlling budgets and managing staff. Normally you would not find a Head Chef and an Executive Chef in the same establishment. Sous Chef: Literally translated means "under Chef". The Sous Chef is the second in charge. He or she is the hands on person; they do all the day to day management of the kitchen, are almost always in the kitchen and spend very little time in the office. They are regularly the most senior Chef in the kitchen and during busy periods often take the role expeditor. The Sous Chef's role as expeditor is to be the last checkpoint between kitchen and customer, ensuring that the restaurants high standard of food and timely delivery is being made. The Sous Chef might perform this role from the service side of the kitchen but may also do it while he or she cooks. The Sous Chef title can be preceded by the terms Executive, senior or junior, to designate a further specific hierarchy. Chef de Partie: Literally translated means "Chef of Section" and refers to a Chef in charge of a certain section such as grill or saut�. Again this is a term that can have precedents such as Senior or Junior. Commis Chef: These guys and gals are the junior staff in the kitchen yet do most of the work post by haiyan151. Chances are the food you eat in restaurants has in 9 out of 10 cases been prepared by them under the watchful eye of their seniors. Apprentice/Trainee Chefs: These are the chefs that are technically in training, although really the training never stops as all Chefs tend to continue to learn from one another. The duties assigned to Apprentice Chefs can test a young Chefs mettle, but these same duties lead to a great appreciation for their career choice as they advance up the hierarchy. Pastry Chef: Is the king or Queen of the pastry section; they are responsible for all those decadent and impressive desserts and sweets you find in hotels and restaurants. Although listed here beneath the Apprentice/Trainee Chef, this is not the case. Depending on the size of the operation the pastry section can have its own hierarchy within, however the whole section most likely still reports to the Sous and Executive Chefs. The pastry section or often the pastry kitchen is a world unto its own and is usually separated slightly from the main kitchen. Just as the section physically differs, so to do its inhabitants. Pastry Chefs are cut of the same cloth as most Chefs and can function under high pressure and at a quick pace but they often possess a higher level of patience. Not all of the above terms will apply to all kitchens. As you can imagine a kitchen with only 3 staff has no need for a Chef de cuisine, an Executive Chef and a Senior Sous Chef. The following titles refer to some of the many names given to chefs assigned to certain stations and not necessarily their place in the hierarchy. Garde Manger Chef: Is responsible for the cold section and sometimes the pastry if there is no designated pastry chef. Entre Metier Chef: Is responsible for the preparation of garnishes and vegetables. Saucier Chef: Is responsible for saut�ed items and most sauces nfl jerseys.

When Getting A Sydney Car Hire, Go Green by Nia Lawrence
The next time you have plans of using a car hire in Sydney, think of going green. The greenest choice is to use the fantastic public transportation system that Sydney offers which comprises of buses and trains that reach practically every nook in the city as well as many of the popular destinations outside of the city proper.

Many car rental companies all over the world are looking into going green. Hertz and Avis are multinational car rental companies that have already started purchasing new greener fleets made up of electric and hybrid engine cars that will replace their older fleets in the future post by haiyan151. These options may not yet be available in a car hire in Sydney but, in the meantime, consider acquiring rentals that get more mileage per gallon which will be much better for the environment, not to mention better for your pockets as well.

The future of rentals and automobiles could be changed in the coming years and you might be choosing a new Sydney car hire unlike any you've ever tried. Research from the University of Nevada in Reno has shown that it is possible to get oil from old coffee grounds. The biofuel that is produced can become an inexpensive option with a potential of producing millions of gallons every year authentic nfl jerseys.

Dr. Manoranjan Misra, Director, Renewable Energy Center Professor, Materials Engineering Division, founded this discovery all by accident. When he returned to a cup of coffee that he had left out over night, he observed a thin layer of oil was present around the edges of the cup nfl jerseys. Dr. Misra then executed a few tests on left over coffee grounds to find that it actually contained about ten to fifteen percent oil. He then went on to turn this oil into a biodiesel. Starbucks then donated plenty of leftover coffee grounds which is being used to further test and study this discovery reebok nfl jerseys.

Results have shown that coffee grounds become a more stable fuel than previous experiments with corn and soy. Using coffee grounds also produces less carbon emissions. Because the process is not exceptionally demanding, biodiesel can be manufactured for more or less a dollar per gallon. The fuel actually emits the aroma of coffee. So possibly within a few years there's a chance you will be driving around in a car hire in Sydney smelling like coffee.

Busting The Myths Behind Artificial Grass Perth by Justin Everley
If you do something with your lawn or have ever used any time on home lawn care, you have likely heard of synthetic grass perth. Though, when you heard about the artificial grass perth, you have likely heard lots of negative things, ranging from how simple it is to tell a real lawn from a synthetic turf perth to how unsafe the materials are for pets and children.

Instead of listening to rumor and sales people who need you to buy their materials, here are some things you ought to know about synthetic lawn perth that may just alter your mind.

Artificial lawn perth is created utilizing mixture of plastic fibers that are woven into a rubber backing. This plastic is produced to withstand all kinds of climatic conditions, from torrential rain to harsh waves of sunlight. Not just is artificial turf perth prepared to withstand these situations, its also made utilizing a broad assortment of greens and browns.

Whilst most individuals would bulk at the thought of having brown pieces of lawn in their garden, think about this: there is not a lawn on the planet that has one shade of green grass. All lawns are made of several different colors of grass, ranging from dark greens to greens tinged with browns. So as to keep artificial grass perth looking just as nice and natural as a genuine grass lawn, synthetic turf perth is made utilizing many colors.

While having natural colors is great, many people fret that the materials utilized to create synthetic grass perth could be unsafe to kids and pets cheap authentic nfl jerseys. The materials utilised to make synthetic turf perth are not dangerous to pets or kids. Actually, artificial turf perth is in fact safer for children and pets than natural grass.

So as to keep natural grass looking good, a lot of individuals have to use harsh chemical substances like weed killers and fertilizers to keep their yards looking striking. These chemicals are very bad for both kids and pets and could make them very sick.

Not only are these chemicals bad for pets and children, they even stay in the soil for a long time and can spread to other places of the yard after a heavy rain post by haiyan151. Rather than having to make use of these harsh chemicals, those with artificial grass perth can rest easy knowing that their yard requires no chemical maintenance or injurious materials to those they love most.

By choosing to do some simple detail examination, not just have you learned how good artificial turf perth is, you have even freed yourself from the chains of yearly lawn care- should you decide to switch.If you do something with your lawn or have ever spent any time on home lawn care, you have probably heard of synthetic grass perth. However, when you heard about the artificial grass perth, you have likely heard lots of negative things, ranging from how simple it is to tell a real lawn from a synthetic turf perth to how unsafe the materials are for pets and children.

Instead of listening to hearsay and sales people that want you to purchase their materials, here are some things you ought to know about synthetic lawn perth that might just alter your mind.

Artificial lawn perth is created using mixture of plastic fibers that are woven into a rubber backing. This plastic is produced to withstand all sorts of climatic situations, from pouring rain to harsh rays of sunlight reebok nfl jerseys. Not only is artificial turf perth prepared to survive these conditions, it is even prepared utilizing a wide assortment of greens and browns.

While many individuals could bulk at the idea of having brown pieces of lawn in their yard, consider this: there isn't a lawn on the planet that has a single shade of green grass. All lawns are made from several different colors of grass, ranging from dark greens to greens tinged with browns. So as to keep artificial grass perth looking just as nice and lifelike as a actual grass lawn, synthetic turf perth is made utilizing many colors.

Whilst having natural colors is great, many people fret that the materials utilised to create synthetic grass perth can be hazardous to children and pets. The materials utilised to create synthetic turf perth aren�t unsafe to pets or kids. In reality, artificial turf perth is in fact safer for kids and pets than natural grass.

In order to keep natural grass looking good, many individuals have to use harsh chemicals like weed killers and fertilizers to keep their yards looking beautiful. These chemicals are very unhealthy for both kids and pets and could make them very sick.

Not only are these chemical compounds dangerous for pets and children, they also remain in the soil for a very long time and can spread to other places of the lawn after a heavy rain. Rather than having to use these harsh chemical compounds, those with artificial grass perth can rest easy knowing that their yard needs no chemical maintenance or dangerous materials to those they love most.

Encouraging Volunteer Work in After - School Programs by Chris Lontok
Part of the objectives of After-School Programs in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines in Florida is to cater to children's social and emotional learning, and one of the most effective means of instilling these categories of learning is through first-hand experience.

According to child psychologists, encouraging volunteer work for school-aged children, specifically for K-5 graders, is a good platform for their future holistic development. K-5 After-School Programs in Florida, along with many other states, have been integrating volunteer work within their curriculum because it has definite benefits for the kids in terms of their socio-emotional development nfl nike jerseys. Encouraging volunteer work is also a useful tool for effectively teaching better character education among young learners.

However, educators also have to be aware of the age appropriateness of the volunteering activities children will engage in. The development of school-aged kids is fast but varies differently by age. Motor skills of first-graders are not yet quite as developed as a second-grader. Generally, kids' fine motor skills become greatly tuned by age seven. Interests and hobbies are also more readily observable in 8 year-olds than 7 year-olds. Principles from Piaget or Kohlberg have listed specific developmental skills for children for every age and being aware of these stages will surely aid the teacher in planning activities for the class.

Making a weekly plan for After-School Programs is usually easier to do than a monthly calendar of activities. This way, revisions or follow-up sessions can easily be done by the teachers. Some example of age appropriate activities would be making place mats for a soup kitchen by first-graders. This activity is more apt than actually serving a soup kitchen. For the older age group, teachers could ask them to lead a bike-riding safety seminar for their grade rather than conduct an anti-pollution seminar for their peers. The right activity for the right age makes all the difference in the effectiveness of the whole experience. By the end of this part of the curriculum, teachers can expect personal growth, an increased sense of social responsibility, and better interpersonal skills from the children.

Today, enrichment programs in Broward County have also began involving school children in annual volunteer work for retirement homes such as Park Summit and Covenant Village. Volunteer work has also made its way to many summer camp programs across the state including Dade County, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines. Collected data on children's positive behavior have continuously increased since the adaptation of this activity to their curriculum.

After-school programs including tutoring may also opt to include this particular learning experience for the students especially for kids who are in trouble or those who have problems in their family. Studies from the Points of Life Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network have indicated that engaging troubled children in volunteer work gives them a greater sense of self-worth and increases the probability of staying in school and avoiding vices discount nfl jerseys. Tutors for after-school programs can gradually introduce the concept of volunteering by discussing the importance of taking social responsibility for the community. However, leading the children to actually liking volunteer work cannot be done in a single session. This is why educational field trips are important to the curriculum. Exposure to places that raises social awareness and sympathy for those in need helps children realize the need to be involved in serving people. Reinforcing their exposure to places such as retirement homes or orphanages with positive moral and social concepts will pave the way to more ready and willing young volunteers cheap authentic nfl jerseys. Tutoring in Broward County and Dade County, Florida has involved over 300 kids in socially relevant work for over 5 years now.

Charity Auction Procurement Item Idea: Family Photo Party by Sherry Truhlar In most of the silent auctions my company conducts - and occasionally a live auction - at least one of the items will be donated from a photographer. Isabel Marant BOBBY suede sneakers rouge Usually the donation is a free sitting with one 8″X10″ print for a family, a couple, or an individual.It is almost a guarentee that the donated photography services will display nicely. Photographers always have lovely images of their work to serve as a prop. Despite all the visual appeal, the items rarely sell for top dollar.Procuring donated items for your benefit auction is a place where a committee can be creative and let their imagination roam. This is also the place for a committee to occasionally lead a donor and suggest twists on a donation that will really appeal to your audience. You can make a direct impact on your event revenue with procurement. So, if you have a donation that isn't historically a great seller, consider ways to tweak it until you feel you have maximized its value for your auction. The work you do during procurement will get auction bidders excited and excitement is what makes bidders pull out their wallet.As I often do with an item that I know is going to have a long life in the donation world, I have been looking for ways to freshen up this benefit auction item and get people excited about the item.Christopher Duggan is a photographer in New York, NY. His company is Threshold Visions and he shoots a lot of weddings, although I personally love these dance photos https://blog.thresholdvisions.com/2009/08/). The post that really caught my eye was this post talking about a family photo party.https://blog.thresholdvisions.com/2009/07/family-photo-party/The gist is that he reunited with some friends via Facebook, and one of them asked if he would do a Photo Party at her house. She offered to organize the party, inviting 10 to 15 families over so he could take family portraits for everybody.He thought it sounded like fun and his finished work post by haiyan114 shows families and kids. Has the photographer been asked to do a family photo party for your charity auction donation?Here's the $64,000 question: If a sitting is usually a 3-hour or 4-hour process in the studio, would a photographer be willing to visit a home and have the opportunity to shoot several families, albeit in a more candid way? I am betting that a mom or group of moms would really love this party for their families.The advantage of shooting in a studio is that the photographer can control the light and weather is irrelevant. It is more challenging for a photographer to work outside. But on the flip side, if the photographer is willing to shoot on location at someone's large home and yard, he or she might be able to Isabel Marant BOBBY suede sneakers bleu sell more finished prints. And that's a win-win prospect. You just need to ensure someone with the right home is willing to host the Photo Party.Copyright (c) 2010 Red Apple Auctions LLC<

April Celebrities Share The Diamond Birthstone With You - free article courtesy of ArticleCity.com

If you are still young enough to admit you have birthdays and your birthday falls in April then you already know the diamond is April�s birthstones. Celebrities who already have a love affair with diamonds are even more apt to be seen wearing diamonds if their birthday is in April. There are many April celebrities that share the diamond birthstone with you.

But did you know that the diamond is also deep in mystical powers from ancient times? It is said to enhance ones competence, trust and love relationships.

Diamonds also have a long history in their medicinal qualities. During ancient times diamonds were believed to heal illness. Diamonds were first placed into the bed to warm the diamond to enhance their healing qualities.

It is even said that over the centuries Cupid�s arrows were tipped in diamonds and thus it earned its reputation as the perfect gift of love.

The white and brilliant hues diamonds signify life, joy and innocence. But really diamonds come in a wide range of colors other than white which includes shades of gray, brown, yellow, blue, red, and green.

Pre 1400�s diamonds were only available to those of royal blood who were the only people able to wear the symbol of courage and invincibility. During the mid 1400s The Archduke Maximillian gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy beginning the long tradition of diamond engagement rings which is still carried on today.

The practice of wearing a diamond engagement ring on the third finger often referred to as the ring finger began in Egyptian times because it was believed the vein of love ran through this finger directly to the heart.

Besides being the birthstone for April there is no gift that is more symbolic of Isabel Marant BALESI denim tie dye wedge sneakers love than a diamond and no more convincing promise of eternal and everlasting love.

Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars that had fallen from the sky making a visit to earth. Others revered to diamonds as Gods Tears or dew drops. The origin of the first diamond has never been solved and remains a mystery to geologists and sciences even today.

Initially geologists thought that India was the first river-bed source for mining diamonds. The ancient Hindus called the diamond Vajra post by haiyan114 which means lightening. It earned this name because of its incredible strength and the light rays it emitted. Besides being the most beautiful gem they are also the hardest substance found on earth. Diamonds have been mined Botswana, Australia, Russia and South Africa, and recently Canada has been added to that list.

April does have an alternative birthstone which is the opal. Unlike diamonds which are simply crystallized carbon, opals are found deep within the earth where the intense heat develops this Isabel Marant BEKKET wedge sneakers blanc noir beautiful stone.

So even though there are many April celebrities that share the diamond birthstone with you the diamond is a celebrity and star all on its own. Recognized back to ancient times for its symbol of love and its beautiful brilliance.

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