Category: Uncategorized

A recent report by several independent researchers concludes that
participating in the arts nurtures the development of social, personal and cognitive skills. Programs based on Arts can improve academic achievement and decrease the tendency towards delinquency. It helps youth form positive attitudes about themselves and build self-esteem.

Arts programs involve communication, interpretation and understanding of complex symbols, much like mathematics and languages. Thus it fosters higher-order analytical skills and skills of evaluation and synthesis. Many of the programs make the child regularly use multiple skills thus making him dynamic and versatile.

Development of imagination, judgment and philosophy are fringe benefits of an arts-based activity. As opposed to the short 45-minute duration of the art classes at school, the extra time allowed in after school activities allows the child to get more involved. This results in more satisfactory opportunities for development of latent capabilities in the child. In turn, the child learns to set high standards of achievement. He understands what sustained focus is and learns that regular practice is the way to excellence.

In the shy or the withdrawn child, theatre, speech or drama lessons may be an outlet for pent up emotions. As drama entails getting into the ‘skin’ of another person, the child learns to verbalize emotions and express thoughts. These reasons account for the popularity of arts-based activities.

Read more here

Why let Tim and Lisa learn at home than send them to school?
Well, first of all, you don’t have to wake them up at 7 every
morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of
instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return.
Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that
affect your child. The growth and development of your child
is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone
can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring
the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child
is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling

Individual attention is another salient benefit of
homeschooling. For instance, if Lisa needs more time to learn
Math, then she can reduce the time for her English lessons.
There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means
that a child has the advantage of assigning more number of
hours to the subject that seems tough WITHOUT any additional
pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject
will depend on the abilities and interests of the child.

The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity.
Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure.
Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus,
the child receives more quality time with his parents. The
entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family
closeness becomes the focus here. The child is also free of
any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.

Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling. The
child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other
children. His confidence remains intact. Since parents have a
deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning
program to pique the child’s interest. It is also possible to
intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour
with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum.
Learning becomes fun. Parents can also tailor the curriculum to
suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through
reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see
objects in action.

Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and
religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to
incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child’s curriculum.
There is no confusion in the child’s mind either because there is
no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.

Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the
public school system. They believe that their children are being
pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to
discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many
repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on
the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories
of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for
homeschooling when it comes to their own children.

Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time,
the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After
all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself.

Read more here

Recreation is an important aspect in the life of human beings. Anglers represent the major group of leisure seekers, and have a determined advantage over the other groups who make use of nature’s wonderful creatures and elements for food.

Consequently, the popularity of fishing in many areas had continuously dominated the society. That is why along with its series of activities, people now realize the need for fishing lodges especially in places where fishing activities seem to never end.

Among all fishing lodges available in the industry today, the Alaska Fishing Lodges are among the most treasured and most popular fishing lodges in the United States.

The Alaska Fishing Lodge provides its customers full customer service satisfaction with their wide array of fishing activities and endless strings of fishing fun.

Normally, Alaska Fishing Lodges are made up of logs; sturdily build to provide each angler optimum convenience and comfort. It is known for its spacious interiors, creatively decorated with the right embellishments, thereby, setting the mood for fishing and wilderness.

In addition, because it carries the true Alaskan heritage, Alaska Fishing Lodges offer services and products that can be afforded by anyone. With its affordable rates, the place is inhabited by people, who mostly want to enjoy life and fishing but cannot afford to buy the pleasures in expensive beaches and lodges.

Best of all, Alaska Fishing Lodges are perfectly located in areas where the waters are abundant with the different species of fish. Usually, these lodges are situated in a place where trout, northern pike, and grayling mostly inhabit the waters.

On the other hand, most Alaska Fishing Lodges are built big enough to occupy 16 guests, in which each guest can avail of personal and individualized services.

Moreover, this type of lodge also houses a place where king salmon are abundant especially during the months of June and early part of July. Most lodges also provide a wide variety of fishing equipment, from rods to tackles and lines.

With all these beautiful features present in every Alaska Fishing Lodge, there is no better place to enjoy fishing and the wilderness like what this particular lodge can offer.

Staying in an Alaska Fishing Lodge is, indeed, an ultimate fishing experience.

Read more here

Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You’ll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.

But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil’s pH level, but it’s much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Now you are ready to plant. Well – almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy ‘one of everything’ your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.

Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.

The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.

Read more here

Among the so many varieties of credit cards, one of the most underestimated is the value of a business credit card. Many people do not choose to apply for a business credit card because aside from having a definite target market— the business owners or business executives—it seems to be complicated to use. Although a business credit card has more requirements and has higher interests compared to other types of credit cards there is, contrary to the common conception, t can be very helpful if used properly.

What is a business credit card?
Basically, business credit card is for the business people’s consumption. Compared to the regular credit card, a business credit card has a high limit plus low interest rates. Depending on the manner of choosing, a business credit card may also bring a lot of automatic benefits.

Since it is targeted towards businessmen or those people who are heading towards building a business, a business credit card can definitely benefit these small businesses. A business credit card helps the budding business by extending payments while improving the cash flow. Aside from bearing the image of a dependable credit card, business credit card boasts of having detailed reports and giving quality customer service as its major trademarks.

Aside from having limits and low interest rates, a business credit card provides many alternatives and numerous credit options for small businesses. A business credit card also caters to large corporations that are crafted to aid those people who are starting with their own business to grow while closely monitoring the baseline of credit.

Simplifying business credit cards
It really pays to go to the bank when one applies for a credit card to get the chance to answer all immediate inquiries. But since business credit card is for business people who are always on the go, many business credit card issuers offers online applications for business credit cards. When one applies for a business credit card, there is no need to visit the bank. There is also no need to wait in the queue just to talk to a bank representative. When you apply business credit card online, all you have to do is to select the business credit card option that would perfectly suit your small business or corporate credit requirements right from the comforts of your home or office. Aside from offering safe, secured, and simple processes that are designed help you take care of your starting business, most business credit cards online offer accessible features for the convenience of the business credit card holder like the online payment and reporting. Customized company logos and access to instant cash are also available on line. Other business credit card online offers detailed reporting features for easy monitoring and access.

Most business credit card applications offer free fee for the first year and no pre-set spending limit or finance charges. Other business credit card offers viable membership rewards program that enables the member to earn points towards travel, merchandise and other rewards for his or her business. Some of these business credit cards offer small businesses a line of credit up to $100,000 at a competitive APR as low as prime + 1.99% for both cash and check purchases; 100% of the line is available as cash and no collateral is required. The business credit card holder or customer might receive fee-free checks as well as a card to access the account. Everyday savings or exclusive savings, express approvals, no annual fee, up to 5 percent rebates on all qualified purchases, and 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases during first half of the year of card membership are some of the great offers of most business credit cards.

Although majority of the business credit card issuers offer great value deals, it is very important to research first what does your business needs. Whether your business credit card is meant for investing in inventory or just for payroll, it is significant to look for a flexible business credit card that can handle almost anything. Whether you opt to go directly to the bank or apply for a business credit card online, a number of premier business credit card suppliers are there to help you find the right credit card product as easy and convenient as possible.

Click here for more

Plaster is your best and most affordable option when resurfacing a concrete pool. Sider-Proof is one example of a product that makes plaster resurfacing easy enough for the DIYer.

An experienced professional will chip or sandblast out the old plaster to leave the original concrete shell. A bond coat is then applied. This is followed by one to two coats with new plaster tinted according to your preference.

Pebbles and quartz are both common additives. Quartz is less prone to staining than plaster. Mixing the two creates a stronger, more durable surface that gives your pool water a true sparkle. QuartzScapes from NPT and DiamondBrite at SGM are both popular quartz-plaster mixes.

Pebble-plaster aggregates, such as Pebble Tec, or Pebble Sheen, are the most expensive but create a striking look and a smooth, river-rock-like texture underneathfoot. Pebble blends are among the most resistant to chemical and staining of all plaster techniques.

Retiling is another option to revive your pool. This is the same procedure as indoors. The pool is given a scratch coat, then tiles are laid and grout is placed in between. Tiling can be expensive and time-consuming depending on the size and complexity of your pool. However, it will result in an elegant look.

Whatever type of pool your have, they will all need to be resurfaced. This is a deep dive into the methods, materials and costs.

Cracks will always appear. This can be caused either by chemical imbalances, UV rays, slight shifts of the soil or even minor shifting in the soil below the pool. The veneer could start to peel. You may see cracks that collect dirt and other debris. It can become a huge birdbath. Your pool may be time for a drain and resurfacing.

In-ground pools consist of concrete shells that have been sealed with a Portland cement-based material known as “plaster.” This protects and seals the shell. Plaster can often be covered with epoxy, paint, or fiberglass. The plaster can also be used to support tile.

Over time, the plaster’s surface and coating will begin to wear. It must be resurfaced. Depending on the area, your pool may require this treatment every ten- to twenty years. First, repair any spalling or cracks. Next, prep the entire pool shell. The prep is designed to remove any plaster that has escaped and to roughen the surface to allow new layers of plaster to bond to it. The prep can include sandblasting and chipping as well as chemical surface etching.

Click here for more

This patio and backyard pool were in dire need of an update. It is important to get rid of all the overgrown, tall bushes to reveal a beautiful view.

The pool was covered in concrete, and that was all it had before the renovation. This area seems uninviting due to the absence of landscaping.

This backyard renovation included the use of soft gray mosaic tile to line the pool. Outdoor entertaining is made easy with the addition of a covered dining and kitchen area.

What if your backyard vision goes beyond a simple remodel (replastering), of your spa and swimming pools? You might be determined to make the area around your pool a lively and entertaining spot. Let us know what your vision is!

Let’s face the facts, pools and spas make a big attraction for places like hotels, motels or resorts, as well as private clubs, athletic clubs, private clubs, and private clubs. Their wear and tear is much greater than that of residential pools and spas, and they are not always available for guests to remodel. Ultimate Pool Remodeling offers the solution. Ultimate Pool Remodeling approaches your commercial swimming pool remodel project as though it were our own.

While professionally-installed swimming pools are permanent fixtures that will last a lifetime, they will inevitably need some type of pool remodeling.

We offer everything you could need, including custom pool packages to give you exactly what your needs are.

But, it all depends on who you hire, which services you choose, how much work needs to be done and many other factors. You might not need to make major changes such as a complete pool cleaning or resurfacing of tiles and surfaces.

Keep in mind, however, that remodeling your pool can give you a fresh start if you haven’t been maintaining your pool service or maintenance.

Remodeling a pool can be as simple as adding a dive board to it or as complex as changing its size and shape completely.

This is one reason why pool remodeling costs can become so unpredictable. Because there is no way to “standardize” services, we do not offer a pool remodel calculator.

Click here for more

What is a Financial Planner?

Financial planners work with clients to help manage their money and achieve their long-term financial goals.

Financial planners need to have a deep understanding of personal finances, taxes, budgeting, investing, and taxation. A financial planner may be a specialist in tax planning, asset management, risk management, retirement planning or estate planning. Many of their clients are young professionals or retired people.

Financial planners assist their clients in a wide range of areas, including investing and saving for retirement and funding college educations or starting a business to preserve wealth.

Financial planning is defined by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board), as “a collaborative process that maximizes a client’s potential to meet life goals through financial advice that incorporates relevant elements of their personal and financial circumstances.”

Some financial planners are specialists in one area, such as retirement savings. Others offer a holistic approach that considers the client’s entire well-being. They might address the financial implications for family, education, and health.

Fiduciaries are financial planners. Fiduciaries are legally bound to act in the best interest of their client and cannot accept any payments from third parties when they recommend financial products to clients.

A financial planner who is able to offer specific financial products must have the right education, experience, and training. A practitioner can earn and maintain one or more professional titles, such as the Certified Financial Planner title, to prove their qualifications.

Financial advisors (including financial planners) generally fall under one of two types: commission-based or fee-based.

Fee-based financial advisors charge an hourly, per project or per asset under management (AUM) flat rate. Fees paid by clients are the main source of their income. Fee-based advisors can also make a commission selling certain financial products. Fee-only advisors on the other side, however, only earn income through fees paid to them by their clients.

Financial advisors who are paid a commission make their income by opening accounts and selling financial products on behalf of their clients. Commissions are payments from companies that the advisor recommends. Opening accounts for clients can help commission-based advisors make money.

Financial planners who are paid a commission can be tempted to recommend investment products to clients. This temptation is not available to fee-only planners.

Financial planners can sell insurance, investments, and other financial products. Others assist their clients in creating an investment plan, and then leave it up to the clients to make those decisions.

Financial advisors are all financial planners, but not all financial advisors can be called financial planners. Financial planners help clients (individuals, businesses, and families) to create plans that will achieve their long-term financial goals. A financial planner can offer general advice or specialize in a specific area like investments, taxes or retirement planning.

Read more here.

A lot of blogging software is specifically designed to be
simple to use, but even the least intimidating blogging
program can feel very overwhelming to somebody who
has not spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of
different kinds of software. Particularly for newer
bloggers, learning how to use the interface of blogging
software is the most difficult part of blogging. If you are
somebody who feels comfortable expressing themselves
in another medium, it may prove to be well worth your
time and effort to learn blogging software, but that
doesn’t mean that the task will be easy.

The main thing that will help you find success as you
learn how to use a new kind of blogging software is to
try and take things slowly. Many people get so excited
about learning to blog that they try to rush into the thick
of it and start exploring the most complicated features
of a program right away. This can lead to getting
confused and feeling frustrated, and all too many
potential bloggers burn out during this stage of the
process. If you take your time learning the basics of
your blog software program before you move on to
more advanced techniques, you will be more likely to
retain what you have learned, and to keep feeling
positive about your ability to understand the world of
blogging.

Readmore here:

If you run a small company, you may find that the world
of blogging for business owners is a world that you
want to be a part of. Blogging is a great way to get the
word out to consumers about your product or service,
and it can even be useful for inspiring employee loyalty
and helping you keep your workers at peak morale. If
you are looking for a way to take your business to the
next level, consider what starting a blog might be able
to do for you.

Blogging for business owners has a lot in common with
all other types of blogging, but it has its own unique
pitfalls and strengths. The key to having a successful
blog as a business owner is keeping your goals clear
and concrete at every step of your blogging adventure. It
can be all to easy to get sidetracked, especially if you
are just learning about the exciting possibilities of
blogging technology, but if you want your blog to
succeed you need to stay focused. Write up a plan for
how often you will update, how you will promote your
blog and retain readers, whether you will feature
photographs or video, and other aspects of your blog,
and then stick to it with the same kind of determination
that you used when you built your company.

Read more here: