Pop Tug

Just 35 minutes outside of Atlanta is the small town of Kennesaw, Georgia, the site of the 1864 Civil War Battle of Kennesaw Mountains. Listed as one of the country’s “10 best towns for families” by Family Circle magazine in 2007, Kennesaw, Georgia offers something fun and interesting for everyone in the family. Kennesaw Mountain…

First, you need to know that you do not need to hire a Wikipedia writer in order to create a new article or edit an existing article on Wikipedia. Wikipedia is free for anyone to edit and write content so doing it yourself is your best option if you want to save money. However, you…

Country music fans in Cincinnati, who are headed south to Nashville can expect a lot of free, family-friendly activities, which will be a part of this year’s CMA Music Festival, on June 7-10 in downtown Nashville. This year, The Buckle is where it all comes together. Situated along Broadway between First and Fourth Avenues, The…

Are planning on incorporating a kite flying unit into your preschoolers’ studies this April? Have you already settled upon a list of themed activities and games yet? If not, you may want to check out a few of mine. Perhaps you’ll find them useful. Here they are: Language Arts Why not let the kids practice…

Though it has been said that Dudley Moore was about as much of an alcoholic as the character that he played in the movie Arthur (1981), he actually died from progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative brain disease. However his alcoholism did not help matters much. So to watch Russell Brand play the lead character in…

The Academy Award nominations are out and in the race for Best Actor we have an exceptional and unconventional collection of actors. Both the star of “Real Steel” and the star of two ‘Hangover’ movies now call themselves Academy Award nominees. Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper find themselves now listed alongside esteemed actors Daniel Day…

International Cities Within One State Sacramento is the state capital of California and its many attractions include historic museums and hiking trails along wilderness scenery and waterfalls of the Sierra Nevada foothills. This holiday destination hosts expansive rivers, forests, meadows and canyons. The largest city in California is Los Angeles with its bustling lifestyles, ethnically…

There’s no question about it- living in New York City certainly has it’s perks. From fashion, to culture, to celebrity sightings- there’s never a dull moment. Unfortunately, there’s rarely an inexpensive moment either. The model New Yorker’s sky-high apartment costs, pricey cocktails, and desire for keeping up with the latest fashions are certainly capable of…

Many people participate in an employer-sponsored Health Care Flexible Spending Account. The benefits are that all of your contributions are deducted from pay on a pre-tax basis. This can be of great benefit for many people, here’s how; If you make $76,000 in 2012 then you are most-likely in the 28 percent tax bracket. This…

Markus Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images – all involving teens The 20s and 30s had Hemmingway and Fitzgerald, the 60s gave us Harper Lee and the 80’s Alice Walker… and so it goes that at the end of the 2000s we get J.K. Rowling,…

So how much does it cost an American athlete to become an Olympian? I guess that all depends. A recent article in Forbes magazine featuring 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Maya Lawrence (whoop whoop) highlights her struggles as she fought for her chance to represent the United States in London in fencing. For the high level…

Nothing is better at Christmas or Thanksgiving than a pan of cornbread dressing. You folks up north may call it stuffing. Down south it’s dressing and although it is not cooked inside of a turkey it is best when served up with a big serving of plump, juicy turkey breast. This dressing recipe is how…

When I first laid eyes on my ex-husband, I didn’t think very much of him. *Eric was an arrogant individual with a larger than life ego and I knew that he was not the guy for me. As time passed, I got to know him and I realized that he was not that bad of…

Friday evening we elected to check out the new Oliver Stone move, “Savages,” starring Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Benicio Del Toro, Damien Bichir, Salma Hayak, and John Travolta, I had checked out a couple of reviews so I borderline knew what to expect, but even I was not prepared for the opening scenes…

When a middle-aged person considers buying a home, they need to deliberate on far more than a younger person. People are living longer than ever, and it is important to consider more than just the quality of the structure and the overall appearance. I had planned to buy a house, and what I was looking…

The many scientific studies indicating eating carrots may help lower the risk of lung, colon, skin and breast cancer, are just a few of the many reasons for including carrots in a plant-based diet. Native to the area known today as Afghanistan, carrots (Daucus carota) are part of the plant family Umbelliferae. The name refers…

Not many people know the name Pauline Friedman Phillips a.k.a. Abigail Van Buren; however, many will remember her as Dear Abby. Her column was read by millions of newspaper readers around the globe. According to Canada MSN News published on Jan 17, 2013, Pauline Friedman Phillips died at the age of 94. “Publicist, Gene Willis…

On Thursday, August 16, 2012, Oliver Robins dropped by New Beverly Cinema to talk about the making of “Poltergeist.” In the movie Robins played Robbie Freeling, the only son of the family who was terrified of that weird looking tree looming outside his bedroom window. These days Robins works as a filmmaker, but he explained…

It’s no secret. Car insurance is expensive. The amount of money you spend on your insurance policy could feed a family of four in an underdeveloped country for a lifetime. But how much do you really know about your insurance coverage? Ummm, well, you did review that official-looking document describing your policy in a font…

In May, Styx and REO Speedwagon launched “The Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour along with Ted Nugent, which was kicked off on May 1 in Hidalgo Texas. The 30-city tour will make a stop at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center on Tuesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. “I am a Midwest boy, born and raised…

When I called Duke University in hopes of enrolling my son with potentially fatal food allergies in a study that could desensitize him to the very allergen that could take his life, I was hopeful for the future. I’d managed to make it to 7 years of age without one instance of anaphylaxis with careful…

Wow. That’s all I could say when I saw how much crud could accumulate on seemingly clean windows. Well, that and “ewwww”! Some back-story. We just bought a house whose previous owner was a smoker. Not surprisingly, there was a faint odor throughout the house. No problem thought I, a little cleaning and it will…

Are you new to the food blogging world? Or maybe you’ve been blogging a while and are just looking at improving your site traffic. One of the great things about the food blogging world is that there are specific and unique ways geared just to the food community in order to increase site traffic. I’ve…

11th Annual Easter Bonnet Pet Parade, Delray Beach Cheer your favorites as well-dressed animals parade down famed Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach from The Cornell Museum near Swinton Avenue to the GreenMarket on SE 4th Avenue. The event will take place on April 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Participants in the parade can…

“A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of themselves and their contribution to praise the skills of the others.” Norman Shidle A fundamental part of being a highly effective team is the ability to make effective decisions as a team, but which way is the best way? In tackling this question,…

I thought bath salts were Grandma’s remedy for a soothing bath. Turns out they are, but now there is a new hallucinogenic drug powder that is also called “bath salts.” When I typed “bath salts” into the search engine Google, all the results that came back had to do with the latter rather than the…

My personal blog was not originally intended to be a fashion blog, but after only a few weeks I found that outfit posts far outnumbered anything else I had done. Figuring I had subconsciously found my calling, I decided to roll with it and market my blog primarily toward fashion saavy gals. However, it didn’t…

My wife recently decided to be a stay-at-home mom again. This decision (which I supported) was both because she missed staying at home with the kids and because her hours were being cut back at work anyway. Even though we made some budget changes to accommodate this decision, my wife was still determined to bring…

Europeans love to vacation, and thanks to so many low-cost airlines, they find it a bargain to fly between countries. These cheap flights are frequently more economical than trains or cars and certainly save on time. Here are a few of the more popular airlines offering great deals for European travel. Air Berlin Air Berlin…

Vines are a versatile plant; they can create privacy, soften architecture, hide ugly walls or fences, or be a living fence. Before you buy a vine, there are a number of things to consider. Function What do you want your vine to provide? Options include shade, privacy, screening, or maybe just a colorful floral display….

With Wanda Nell Culpepper at the helm of Bring Your Own Poison (the fourth installment in the Trailer Park Mysteries) you’d think everything would be fine. You’d be wrong all on accounts. It’s been awhile since I read the last installment and forgot a few things which aren’t typical as time has gone by. A…

It is likely that we all have some spending habits that could use a little reflection and realignment. Now, you are probably thinking dollar signs. It’s not all about the money, though, you know. There are things that we spend, often carelessly, that are even more important than dollars, our time. As I sit on…

So you want to knit socks? To start off on the right foot, you need the right stuff. You won’t need many tools in order to knit socks and they need not be expensive, but you will want to choose carefully to avoid frustration down the line. The most important and the only really necessary…

Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:1-22 based on the LCMS Daily Lectionary for August 23 Meditation: While we wish it were otherwise, avoiding trouble isn’t always possible. Paul speaks about this, using words like: “sufferings,” “distressed,” and “hardships”. Unwanted tragedies come into our lives at the most unexpected times. How do we deal with these unavoidable…

With the acquisition of Dwight Howard this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have once again added a superstar center to their storied franchise. Starting with George Mikan back when they were still in Minneapolis and on through the success enjoyed by Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers have seldom lacked for…

When 19-year old Miley Cyrus announced her engagement to 22-year old Liam Hemsworth , the media was abuzz with messages of doom for the couple. Cyrus is still a teenager, making their union a young one. However, it is not illegal. In fact, marriages between young girls and older grooms have occurred often in the…

There are many reasons why a person would want to self publish instead of submitting their work to a traditional publishing house. While the decision is a personal one, there are some practical considerations that should be discussed before you decide for certain where you want your work to end up. Perhaps the most appealing…

In 1796 Irish immigrants Adam and William Holliday knew they had found something special when they first set foot in Blair County and began plans to develop the city of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The city soon became the gateway to western Pennsylvania and the main transfer point between the Pennsylvania Canal and the Portage Railroad, bringing…

Assassin’s Bullet is a halfcocked attempt at a political thriller – a film that not only skimps on the expected action thriller elements but also labors mightily on a profoundly implausible plot and incredibly weak character development. It actually constructs itself around two twists, one the filmmakers didn’t even attempt to keep hidden and another…

The creation of St.George’s Park has been met with widespread approval and marks a deliberate attempt to bridge the gap between England’s usually disappointing National side and the elite of World Football (BBC). However, the key element that appears to be missing from England’s plan, is a revisiting of the way that grass roots level…

In the year sixteen twenty The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock. This was to be the beginning of our great country called the United States of America. Over the last four centuries, an abundance of people from many different countries have immigrated here and raised their families. They came to the land of the free…

A linebacker plays defense, in American football, and generally does not get very many chances to run with the ball. When Andre Parker, a linebacker for the Kent State Golden Flashes, scooped up the ball on the seven yard line in the team’s first game of the 2012 season, he took advantage of the opportunity…

“Let’s get ready to Ruuummmmble!,” as Michael Buffer’s trademark [or is it copyright?] saying goes. Or, to paraphrase Hank Williams, Jr.’s, erstwhile Monday Night anthem, “Are You Ready For Some HOCKEY?” For college hoops fans, their ultimate month has come and gone. For college hockey fans, the Frozen Four is history. For Major League Baseball…

“How far you reckon it is to the moon?” Jesse asked Sammy as they sat on that old faded blue front porch in the cool evening air. “Shoot Jesse I don’t know, miles and miles I suppose. Jesse and Sammy had known each other since, as they would put it, “knee high to a grass…

When you’re planning a cruise to or around Europe, don’t miss the chance to explore some of the major cities, tourist attractions, and key points of interest. When the ship is docked at cruise ports in Italy, Spain, France, or the United Kingdom, head off on a guided tour of the nearest town or city…

Rating: PG-13Length: 108 minutesReleased: May 4, 2012Directed by: Nicole KassellGenre: Comedy/Drama Stars: 3 out of 5 If your life has ever been touched by cancer, especially terminal cancer, this movie will both touch your heart and challenge your emotions. When a movie takes on a painful subject like terminal illness, it is hard to know…

My local utility company installed smart meters for gas and electric at my house last year. It was not a request, it was a demand. My opposition to the smart meter installations at my home fell on deaf ears. Having called the company in advance of their coming, I was not able to convince them…

Heating water is vital for many household functions, from bathing to washing dishes. However, it can also be quite expensive if you use traditional devices. Although initially costly, tankless water heaters are cheaper to run, and will more than pay for themselves over the long-term. Heaters serve many functions, from heating a whole house, to…

Cover songs are an interesting challenge for a band. Sure, there are some groups of musicians who form bands specifically to cover cherished favorites of bar and restaurant patrons for the purpose of getting steady, paid work. I won’t ever knock that, but this advice is geared more towards the band that wants to perform…

I once saw Leif Erickson buying groceries at the IGA grocery store. Don’t think me mad; I’m not talking about the famous Norse explorer whose likelihood of beating Columbus to the so-called New World is so well established that he has received his own day of commemoration. Leif Erickson happens to be the screen name…

Unless you’ve been hiding under a stone for the last few weeks, you’re probably aware of Chelsea FC’s appointment of Rafa Benitez as its new manager replacing Roberto DiMatteo. Yes, DiMatteo, the dude that led the team to 2 major trophies in his first 6 months in charge. The dude that took a broken, disheartened…

Transitioning out of the military is never easy. Whether it be finding a job or applying for college, there’s always something to worry about. However, if you plan your separation from the service well, everything will fall into place sooner than you realize. Here are three tips on planning your discharge from the military service:…

(Photos by MOXIE) Do you enjoy watching tv commercials? What is your opinion of the infomercials that are trying to sell all of those products and services? Would you make a purchase after watching a TV commercial or infomercial? Do you ever think of all of the talented creative people who influence us in making…

How do you remove a tenant that you no longer want on your premises? You take them to court. That would be the legal way to go about it but there are a few times when the right way doesn’t favor the landlord or doesn’t work within his timetable. There are some landlords that resort…

Waikiki isn’t the only place to visit on the island of Oahu. About an hour and a half away from Honolulu is the beautiful town of Haleiwa. Haleiwa is a small town on the North Shore of Oahu and during my time living on the island, was one of my favorite places to visit. Besides…

This is the final part in the Workout-X Guide to Abdominal Training series. In part 5, we will be discussing the importance of how your diet and nutrition influence killer abs and how to maintain your killer abs. Following your abs routine will certainly give you results, but you won’t achieve killer abs without paying…

Parents, it is not too early to begin researching summer camps your kids would like to attend during the summer break. Summer camps are a great way to keep your child learning and active during their summer break! If your child is interested in science or nature, USC-Upstate in Spartanburg County will have three camps…

As a previous daycare owner, I enjoyed teaching curriculum and craft projects that would help children to not only gain knowledge on art subjects, but also let them make special designs of their own. My love for art has driven me to learn about multiple artists, study their skills, and teach the children in my…

The first time I heard the word gluten, I thought folks were talking about gluttony. I’m not alone. A friend admitted that she thought gluten had something to do with an eating disorder describing people with an unhealthy craving for glue. You’d be hard pressed to make such associations of late. The sheer number of…

I have had the chance to view countless sports uniforms in person, on television, and on news sites. Most of the time, I like what I see. However, I occasionally espy an outfit that should never have made it out of the drawing room. Here are 25 of the worst uniforms ever created for a…

The cops in this country are showing signs of extreme authoritarianism. Cops across the country have been over stepping their boundaries, and going far beyond the call of duty. What would you do if your daughter was caught alone with a boy by a police officer in public. What if she was then asked to…

You’re getting married and are thinking about what to do for music at your wedding. Maybe you have heard “Here Comes the Bride” in movies and television shows only to tell yourself, “I want something unique, not a song that has been played at every wedding in the world!” One of the best things about…

The U.S. economy has not fully recovered, and millions of unemployed citizens have to rely on public assistance programs and unemployment benefits. I am going to give you some professional advice that may change your life, and in the process allow you to change the world, one child at a time. I graduated from the…

What is a bully? I think most of us picture a big, mean kid who stands at the end of the schoolyard stealing money or just beating kids up for the fun of it. Maybe you picture a kid with a t-shirt who has his sleeves rolled up with a pack of cigarettes or a…

1. The Ever-So Suspicious Chin Ever since Rashad Evans’ knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98, his chin has been called into question. During his venture back into title contention, he fought Thiago Silva and Quinton Jackson. Evans was severely rocked in both bouts. When he fought Silva, Evans was all but out on…

I have been a real estate investor in Utah for over ten years. I have had many investment properties and have learned a lot. One thing that I found is a must is having a great property management company. Being a landlord is already stressful enough, so make sure you find a company that is…

Qualifiers: players will be classified under one position even if they played at more than one. They must also have at least two seasons as the team’s primary starter at the position. Nomar Garciaparra: Six-time All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra developed into a phenomenal pure hitter and one of the top players of his generation with…

Lord Evandale, an English nobleman, and Dr. Rumphius, a German Egyptologist, approached the great necropolis in the valley of Biban el Moluk near the Egyptian city of Thebes. Lord Evandale was handsome and irreproachably dressed. Dr. Rumphius looked like a bird-headed god, and his garb showed that science concerned him more than personal appearances. They…

During this year’s Olympic Games, there were many events that were memorable. However, beyond memorable lies those events that are simply historic and leave people in awe. One of those riveting and most compelling events of the 2012 Olympic Games occurred on day 15. A record that stood for more than 25 years was obliterated…

When I receive an invitation to a bridal shower, I sometimes experience a sense of dread about attending. All too often, bridal showers end up being nothing more than a chance to eat a free meal, participate in a couple of awkward games, and act as a spectator while the bride opens her mountain of…

Today my singer-songwriter client, Crystal Nicole was interviewed by a mainstream romance website on why love songs are so much more successful in the United States than they are overseas. Crystal Nicole is a twenty-six year old Grammy-winning artist who has written for such artists as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Natasha Bedingfield,…

One of the reasons that McDonald’s foods costs a little more than it should is that they spend good money on lawyers whose job is to track down smaller companies around the world that the Golden Arches believe are infringing on their trademarks. Believe it or not, but those lawyers don’t always earn their pay:…

Defensive players in the NFL come in all shapes and sizes, but only one can win the Defensive Player of the Year award. The award often goes to a player who is a standout defensive star on a good or even great team. Players from non-competitive teams rarely have a chance at earning this honor….

On a Saturday morning, you can pretty much drive through any city or town and see the vast array of yard sale, garage sale and estate sale signs posted on poles and street corners. Every yard sale is different, however. You can find some that sell nothing but complete junk and there are others that…

Avoid common mistakes to improve your chances for a successful project and empower yourself in the process. Home improvement projects are sometimes a daunting task. For many men the thought of bringing in a professional is equal to a loss of masculinity. For many women there is the fear that the contractor will treat her…

I love building design. I love buildings that force me to stop in the street and think about the handful of architects that moulded the area with their own vision. I love designs that think about their users, and trigger creativity or comfort with well thought out spaces, atriums, and good light and air flows….

On Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Cultural and Civic Center in Marion, Illinois, Nora and Delia Ephron’s play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, was presented by the Paradise Alley Players and co-producers The Bank of Marion. The play is based on Ilene Beckerman’s book of the same title. I own a copy of…

My life hasn’t been a bowl full of ice cream lately. My Mom has fractured her pelvis and requires constant care. I provide that care, but I don’t get much of a chance to write anymore. But after Google’s notorious “Panda” algorithm change, I didn’t have many clients left to write for. But two weeks…

Worms Revolution continues the turn based fighting between those cute little crawlers giving you the chance to battle with some unique and interesting weapons including the ever popular exploding sheep. Ratings: Graphics & Audio: 21/25, Gameplay: 21/25, Creativity 21/25, Fun 21/25 Total: 84/100 Team 17 brings the next installment of Worms to us on a…

Unlike many of the seasoned tourist attractions in St. Augustine, Florida, Old Florida Museum, also known as Fort Menendez has literally been moved across the street in the past few years. I visited the original location in 2003 and was mildly impressed with the variety of activities for kids (though I was no longer a…

“Parker” is quite the conundrum. It’s not bizarre enough in visuals to be unique, nor is it edited flashily enough to be contemporary. It’s not overly violent, exploitive, gratuitous, or edgy in any manner and the story is severely lacking creativity. The combination of Statham and Lopez is curious at best, but Statham doesn’t rack…

My third child was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) which is a terrifying condition where most of these babies are given on average a 50% chance of survival. We were blessed in the fact that our son lived and I will be forever thankful but we didn’t expect the financial toll that came…

I was speaking with my physician a few weeks ago and he asked if I had been feeling depressed. First I looked at her as though she had two sets of eyes. But then she reassured me that she was routinely asking me this question just to rule out the cause of my ailments. I…

History of the Zoo The Philadelphia Zoo’s 42-acre Victorian garden is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of them rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. Cheetahs, hippos, giraffes and much more make the…

I never did get a chance to see the movie that won the Academy Award in 2012 for best film, so when The Artist was released Tuesday on DVD I wanted to see if all the accolades were deserved. My feelings are mixed. The Artist is Director Michel Hazanavicius’ homage to the silent films of…

Are you hoping to decorate your home with an indoor nativity scene for the holidays? If so, you may want to contemplate making the adult nativity figurines yourself. Based on my experience, tabletop size nativity figurines are simple and enjoyable to create. Here’s how to do it: Supplies Needed In order to create your adult…

“I’ve got a job and I earn my own money. I’m able to go places and meet different people, play sports (Special Olympics basketball and bowling), and I volunteer on Sundays. I’m part of my community and this is how I want to help my community. I think my dad is proud of what I’ve…

For some people, it’s a chore to throw a party. After all, there is a lot of work involved, with cleaning, decorating, inviting, and preparing. For me, the biggest hurdle was always trying to make each party much different than the last, from the foods, to the decorations. By the time you have many birthday…

It was the Psychedelic Sixties and there I was, living in San Francisco, enjoying a front row seat to it all. I had succeeded in my “Great Escape” from the small farm town of my youth to walk among the Stars in Hollywood and hob-nob with the Rockettes in New York. Now I was living…

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been called a lot of things. Before this season, however, one of those things was not “future Hall of Famer.” It is now. The shy, reserved, often frustratingly monotone quarterback has quietly gone about his business since being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2004. He’s endured…