raising money for a business

The task of raising money for a business is not as difficult as most people seem to think. This is especially true when you have an idea that can make you and your backers rich. Actually, there's more money available for new business ventures than there are good business ideas.

 A very important rule of the game to learn: Anytime you want to raise money, your first move should be to put together a proper prospectus.

 This prospectus should include a resume of your background, your education, training, experience and any other personal qualities that might be counted as an asset to your potential success. It's also a good idea to list the various loans you've had in the past, what they were for, and your history in paying them off.

 You'll have to explain in detail how the money you want is going to be used. If it's for an existing business, you'll need a profit and loss record for at least the preceding six months, and a plan showing how this additional money will produce greater profits. If it's a new business, you'll have to show your proposed business plan, your marketing research and projected costs, as well as anticipated income figures, with a summary for each year, over at least a three year period.

 It'll be advantageous to you to base your cost estimates high, and your income projections on minimal returns. This will enable you to "ride thru" those extreme "ups and downs" inherent in any beginning business. You should also describe what makes your
business unique - how it differs from your competition, and the opportunities for expansion or secondary products.

 This prospectus will have to state precisely what you're offering the investor in return for the use of his money. He'll want to know the percentage of interest you're willing to pay, and whether monthly, quarterly or on an annual basis. Are you offering a certain percentage of the profits? A percentage of the business? A seat on your board of directors?

 An investor uses his money to make more money. He wants to make as much as he can, regardless whether it's a short term or long term deal. In order to attract him, interest him, and persuade him to "put up" the money you need, you'll not only have to offer him an opportunity for big profits, but you'll have to spell it out in detail, and further, back up your claims with proof from your marketing research.

 Venture investors are usually quite familiar with "high risk" proposals, yet they all want to minimize that risk as much as possible. Therefore, your prospectus should include a listing of your business and personal assets with documentation - usually copies of your tax returns for the past three years or more. Your prospective investor may not know anything about you or your business, but if he wants to know, he can pick up his telephone and know everything there is to know within 24 hours. The point here is, don't ever try to "con" a potential investor. Be honest with him. Lay all the facts on the table for him. In most cases, if you've got a good idea and you've done your homework properly, an "interested investor" will understand your position and offer more help than you dared to ask.

 When you have your prospectus prepared, know how much money you want, exactly how it will be used, and how you intend to repay it, you're ready to start looking for investors.

 As simple as it seems, one of the easiest ways of raising money is by advertising in a newspaper or a national publication featuring such ads. Your ad should state the amount of money you want - always ask for more money than you need so you have room
for negotiating. Your ad should also state the type of business involved (to separate the curious from the truly interested), and the kind of return you're promising on the investment.

 Take a page from the party plan merchandisers. Set up a party and invite your friends over. Explain your business plan, the profit potentials, and how much you need. Give them each a copy of your prospectus and ask that they pledge a thousand dollars as
a non-participating partner in your business. Check with the current tax regulations. You may be allowed up to 25 partners in Sub Chapter 5 enterprises, opening the door for anyone to gather a group of friends around himself with something to offer them in return for their assistance in capitalizing his business.

 You can also issue and sell up to $300,000 worth of stock in your company with out going through the Federal Trade Commission. You'll need the help of an attorney to do this, however, and of course a good tax accountant as well wouldn't hurt.

 It's always a good idea to have an attorney and an accountant help you make up your business prospectus. As you explain your plan to them, and ask for their advice, casually ask them if they'd mind letting you know of, or steer your way any potential investors they might happen to meet. Do the same with your banker. Give him a copy of your prospectus and ask him if he'd look it over and offer any suggestions for improving it, and of course, let you know of any potential investors. In either case, it's always a good idea to let them know you're willing to pay a "finder's fee" if you can be directed to the right investor.

Olive Garden House Dressing

Olive Garden House Dressing.

8 ounces Paul Newman's Vinegar

and Oil Dressing

1 clove garlic,

peeled and minced

1/2 teaspoon Dried basil

1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano

3 packages Sweet and Low ; ; or

1 tablespoon Sugar

Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well.

Refrigerate 24 hours before using.

Naruto

Naruto

With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.

The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.

There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.

So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."

Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.

Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?

Right Medical Billing and Coding Training

Medical billing and coding training courses costs a lot, that is why it is very important to find the most valuable course. This article will describe the vital aspects of an effective training course.

A good course will get you up to speed with everything required to become a successful medical billing professional. The majority of the training can be completed online. Online courses are more convenient, and are usually preferred by most people. A thorough training course usually takes about 6 to 12 months to complete. More extensive training, such as an associates' degree programs or bachelors' programs, may be up to 2 to 4years, respectively.

Before you spend your hard earned money, make sure that your training course is accredited by one of the following organizations and bodies: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, American Health Information Management Association or Regional Accrediting Bodies.

A solid training course will provide you with the necessary expertise for medical billing and coding. This includes being comfortable with registering patients' information, performing an insurance verification, preparing and posting transactions, charging patient accounts, coding and billing insurance claims and collecting patient payments.

By the end of the training, the students usually have a solid understanding and substantial knowledge of the medical terminology and abbreviations, communication techniques, various insurance plans (Commercial, State, Federal insurance plans, etc.), the Accounts Receivable cycle (i.e., registering patients, accounting transactions posting, insurance claim forms' completion, collections, etc.), as well as medical coding and billing itself.

The requirements for the majority of the training courses include: keyboarding proficiency, basic understanding of Microsoft Word, and a good command of written English. Students are usually not required to have any health care work experience.

It is a good idea to take a course provided by a local university or college. The overwhelming majority of these courses are accredited so you don't have to worry about whether your education will be acceptable. Registration takes place at the university or college where medical billing course is being offered. Registration can at times be done over the telephone or online. These courses are usually conducted online, and students may be completely saved from the trouble of traveling to school. Therefore, it's a good idea to search out a university or school which offers the best courses at the lowest fee, without worrying about how far it is located.

A big advantage of medical billing training courses is that they are usually self-paced. You can complete the course at your own pace. For most of the courses, you will get at least 6 months to complete the it (depending on the course). However, if you think you need more time, you can usually extend your course by at least another 6 months.

Options Trading

There are many traders who still consider options and warrants to be long term trading markets, but options can even be traded short term. It is important to understand that trading options short terms is not dramatically different from trading any other market but there are a couple of options specifics that need to be taken into account. In short term trading, the aptitude to steer the short term market is a key component for continued success. As an equity trader one has to learn to trade with the short trend of the markets to reduce market risk.

An option trading is a strategy that does not depend on the market direction; in fact it does well in volatile markets. With options trading there are two methods through which you can enter a long trade and short terms trade. While a long fundamental trade can be entered either by buying a call or by selling a put, a short underlying trade can be entered either by buying a put or by selling a call.

In short term options trading calculating risk reward is yet another important point that trader need to well aware of. Calculating the risk reward can be defined as the amount trader would risk if he or she were wrong and the amount trader would make if he or she were right. If we don't figure out this number, the chances are more where we may find the stock that may go in favor but the option goes against.

If we compare long term and short term options trading, then both have their own advantages. However, buying short term options can be very beneficial as it gives more control. It very general that no one can exactly make prediction very clearly when it comes to stock trading. It's really hard to predict what will happen to a stock 3 months down the road. Though sometimes it is easier to predict which way the stock will be heading in just a few weeks as opposed to a few months. Thus, selling short term options allow capture more premiums over a longer time frame.

How Disability Coverage and Disability Insurance Work?

Q: I was recently injured during a softball game and my doctor said I could not return to work for 9-12 months. Am I eligible for New Jersey disability coverage? Are there other additional forms of disability coverage?

The Problem - Not Understanding Your Disability Benefits
Three in 10 workers entering the work force today will become disabled before retiring. An illness or accident will keep 1 in 5 workers out of work for at least a year during their working careers. Unfortunately, over 70% of working Americans do not have enough savings to meet short-term emergencies. Most people do not understand their disability benefits until they are disabled.

The Solution - Understanding Your Disability Benefits
New Jersey is one of only five states that offers disability benefits to their work force. Just a quick background on disability benefits and disability insurance. Let's start with a basic definition of a disability. It is an accident, condition or illness that prevents you from performing your job responsibilities. Interestingly, a maternity leave may qualify you for disability benefits. Unlike workers compensation insurance, which provides coverage for injuries on the job, disability benefits covers workers for non-work related events.

Before we dig into disability benefits, let's dispel two common myths about publicly provided disability benefits.

Myth No. 1: The State of New Jersey Provides Adequate Coverage
Unfortunately, NJ provides the lesser of two-thirds of your weekly wage or $502 per week. Benefits are limited to 26 weeks or $13,052 and are not payable immediately. Most individuals cannot survive on this meager benefit.

Myth No. 2: The Federal Government Provides Adequate Coverage
Unfortunately, the federal government's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is available to those out of work for at least one year. A startling 70% of claims are denied. The average monthly SSDI benefit is a mere $978. Clearly, this is an inadequate benefit for those individuals that do qualify for benefits.

Disability Insurance (DI) provides a source of replacement income during your disability. It provides an income stream to partially replace the wages lost when you are unable to work for an extended period of time. Most policies limit coverage to 60%-70% of your previous income.

State laws and insurance regulations are designed to discourage workers from realizing the same level of income while disabled. In essence, it provides an incentive to return to the work force.

Disability Insurance Policies Should be Examined Based on Three Key Criteria:

1. Elimination Period
This defines how long you will be precluded from receiving benefits. The longer the elimination period, the lower the cost of the policy.

2. Benefit Period
This defines how long a benefit will be paid. A typical benefit period is through the age of 65. Coincidently, this is the age at which many workers are eligible for full benefits under Social Security.

3. Inflation Protection
This is a critical part of any policy. In order to keep up with the rising costs of living, most policies provide for inflation protection ranging from the 3% to 5% compounded on an annual basis.

Many employers provide a combination of short and or long-term disability benefits. These benefits may or may not be employer paid or subsidized. Although benefits provided by an employer may come with a lower price tag, due to group pricing, they are not generally transferable if you leave the employer. An individual DI policy provides much greater flexibility, as it is not tied to a specific employer.

Rent Stabilized Apartments

What is a rent stabilized apartment?

The laws concerning rent stabilization and rent controlled apartments can be quite complicated. To simplify the important information as much as possible, we believe you need to know the following:

There are three qualifications

1. Apartments in buildings of six or more units built between February 1, 1947 and January 1, 1974.

2. Tenants in buildings of six or more units built before February 1, 1947 and who moved in after June 30, 1971

3. Buildings with three or more apartments constructed or extensively renovated since 1974 with special tax benefits.

If an apartment is rent stabilized, the rent can only be increased between three and five percent per year (depending on the year), unless one of the following occurs:

For the owner to increase the rent of the apartment:

- The apartment is renovated. If the apartment is renovated, 1/40th of the total cost of renovation can be added to the apartment's monthly rent.

(If the rent for an apartment is $1,000 and an owner spends $8,000 renovating the apartment, the owner can add $8,000/40 = $200 to the rent for a new total rent of $1,200.)

- If there is an MCI (major capitol improvement) to the building, the cost of this improvement can be added to the rent of every apartment located in the building.

(The formula for calculating the exact increase is quite complicated, but a basic example is as follows: the owner replaces the roof of a building with 100 apartments at a cost of $20,000. The owner can then increase the rent of each apartment by $20,000/100(apartments) = $200 (per apartment)/12(months) = $16.66 per month rent increase to each apartment in the building. Again, this is a very simplified version of the actual formula.)

Have You Ever Wondered What Colon Cleanse Is?

A natural colon cleanse process is essential for a human body. There have been numerous instances wherein people from across the globe have claimed to regain their lost health using the colon cleanse supplements on a regular basis. Let us now discuss what colonic cleansing actually stands for.

Colon Cleanse Is A Natural Healer

A colonic cleansing process is often confused with the application of laxatives. This is incorrect as laxatives are simply 'over the counter' medications which are mainly used to provide proper bowel movements for a short span of time. Over a period of time, laxatives can start causing problems for a human body. The main reason behind this is the presence of harsh chemicals in them. On the contrary, a colon cleansing supplement is completely natural and free from harmful side effects.

It Is Essential For A Longer Life

Colon cleansing is definitely linked with longevity. There have been numerous instances wherein people have managed to increase their general life span after having used a natural colon supplement. Besides flushing harmful toxins from within the digestive tract, a natural colon supplement has the ability to increase your existing life span by keeping your body free of diseases.

It Cleanses Plaques and Parasites

Colon cleanse supplements are used to cleanse the digestive tract. Whenever the colon is flushed clean of impacted fecal matter that has been accumulated for years, the chances are that you also get rid of the plaque and parasites as well. When plaques and parasites are removed, you can hope to get rid of chronic abdominal diseases such as gas, indigestion, chronic constipation and bloating of the stomach at warp speed.

When in a Hill Country Bed

One of the reasons why places for bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg, Texas and its surrounding areas are so popular for weekend getaways is the quaint, authentic German influence that pervades this small city.

In fact, Fredericksburg was named after Prince Frederick of Prussia, a nephew of King Frederick William III. The county seat of Gillespie County, Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, then the Commissioner General of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. The area was settled largely by educated Germans escaping from the Revolutions of 1848, and has a strong German cultural influence even today.

Seemingly to prove this point, this jewel of the Texas Hill Country is also famous as the home of Texas German. This curious dialect is a variation of German spoken by the first generations of settlers who initially refused to learn English. It is best described as a sort of German slang, since anyone with a good understanding of continental German can understand it but may not be able to speak it.

For vacationers staying in a Hill Country bed and breakfast, Fredericksburg is an interesting and beautiful place to visit. The city's main street and its surrounding neighborhoods are rife with old German styling cues, and its bakeries, restaurants, stores and museums are definitely a sight to behold. The best part is, if bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg is a bit too pricey for visitors, there are equally, if not even more, beautiful and competitively priced places in its vicinity. After all, one need not be staying in Fredericksburg itself to know that this place is a must-see when in the Hill Country.

Whether You Have Diabetes

The typical American lifestyle reads like the ADA's list of risk factors. We're obese and inactive. We eat foods that give us high blood glucose and high cholesterol. We stress ourselves out and raise our blood pressure. It's not surprising, then, that there are over one and a half million people with type 2 diabetes in California alone.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of diabetes. If you find yourself experiencing them, it may be a good idea to check with your doctor.

• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability

Some people get "pre-diabetes," a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels, but nothing high enough to diagnose as diabetes. This can still be harmful to the body, but if you are aware of the possibility, you can prevent it from ever becoming full-blown diabetes.

The best way to avoid diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels healthy now. This means eating right - plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains over Wonderbread, fish, dried beans, lean meats, diet drinks over sugar-laden ones, liquid oils over solid fats. This also means cutting back on the desserts and generally watching portion sizes. Really, it's the wonder diet you've been looking for.

The other key to avoiding diabetes is lots of exercise. If you can walk instead of driving, do it. Anything that gets you moving will help, whether its running or climbing or swimming or playing tennis. If you feel that you may be at risk, talk to your doctor about safe exercise for people who may have trouble maintaining healthy glucose levels during exercise.

Get the Facts on Choosing the Right Mutual Fund For You

Mutual funds should seriously be considered as part of your investment portfolio if they aren't already as they allow for diversification and reduced risk. Gathering as much information is vital to becoming a successful investor. Here are the different types of mutual funds available.

Money Market Funds

These are generally categorized as having the lowest risk as these typically consist of Treasury bills and government bonds. While you shouldn't expect a huge return on your investment, money market funds are ideal for those who are conservative or want to avoid risk altogether. The good thing about these types of funds is that you can expect to get back twice what you would get from a savings account.

Balanced Funds

As you can probably guess by the name, these types of mutual funds invest into different types of assets such as stocks, bonds and other equities. These funds typically consist of 40% fixed income assets with the other 60% invested in equities. These funds are ideal for those investors who want to diversify their risk by investing into different assets while also getting a return on their investment.

Global Fund

Global funds consist of investments around the world and are generally difficult to classify them as being riskier or safer than other types of mutual funds. One thing to note is that depending on the economic climate of the country being invested in, they can be extremely volatile. However, these types of funds are excellent for countries with potential economic growth such as India or China.

FIGHTING PLANT ENEMIES.

The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two sorts:

(1) those applied to afford mechanical protection to the plants; 

(2) those utilised to apply insecticides and fungicides.

Of the first the almost valuable is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of naturally, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, building it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They is used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables. 

Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such that as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar newspaper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch about into the soil. 

For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one by the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be furnished with one and only of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For a lot of extended work a barrel pump, mounted during wheels, will be desirable, but among the above will do a good deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines could follow received for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them. 

Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- ability also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it won't be needed. 

Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is adverted to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary. 

Still another kind of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they leave not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden. 

As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden instruments, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, don't forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.

Hermans Tortoise

Testudo Hermanni is the Latin name for this little tortoise. It is often better to go by the Latin name rather than the common name to get the best research on the species. The spelling is more usually Hermann with two n's. So this can cause confusion!

If you are thinking of buying one of these little pets to care for at home there are a few things you will need to consider. At first glance, caring for a Herman tortoise may appear to be straight forward as they are well known to thrive in captivity and they are one of the smaller varieties for you to choose from.

If you have decided the this is the species you want then the next few points will help you to plan your enclosure and what you should place in it in order for your pet to live a happy and illness free life. After all many of these creatures do live for a long time!

Top Five Herman tortoise tips

1. How big should your enclosure be? This depends on the size of your pet. This particular species will grow up to 10 inches in length. The males will average about 5 inches. The basic rule is that you should provide at least 3 square foot of space per inch of tortoise. This can be a considerable area to find spare in your home. At first however, you will be fine with a reasonably sized tortoise table or enclosure. But you must keep in mind how large your pet may grow.

2. What sort of environment should you provide for your Herman tortoise? It's natural habitat is Europe from France through southern Italy and Greece. They naturally live in Mediterranean forests and grasslands so you have to try to mimic this as far as is possible in your enclosure.

3. Make plenty of hiding places inside your enclosure so that your pet has time to hide away at times. If they are constantly on show they become stressed and this often leads to physical illness. The substrate (covering on the bottom of the enclosure) is also very important as some types are dangerous for the tortoises digestive tract.

4. Artificial lighting and heating. All chelonians are exothermic (cold blooded) and have to bask in sunshine and heat in order to function normally. Therefore you will have to provide a special reptile lamp that is placed above the enclosure. This is a critical element in the care of your pet. You will also need to provide appropriate photoperiods for your pet as they need to have a certain amount of light in their day or they will again become unwell.

Bird Strikes on Windows

The dangerous relationships between birds and windows is one that comes in varying degrees. Sometimes it's just a quick peck of bird meeting glass. Others it's a small series of crashes and a flutter of wings. The worst, however, are the jarring impacts that resonate throughout an entire house, leaving you and your family members startled and often crippling or killing the bird.

Sadly, these impacts are far more common than you might think. In an article for Audubon magazine, David Malakoff cited that in North America, window strikes kill between 100 million and 1 billion birds annually. According to an NPR story, Professor Daniel Klem of Mulhenberg College things that Malakoff's estimate is too conservative, and that the real number easily exceeds 1 billion birds in the United States alone.

Why do window strikes happen?

It's hard to know for certain exactly why window strikes happen, but observation has granted some measure of insight. The first, and seemingly most common, rationale is that birds simply cannot see glass. The transparency of the glass makes the window look open, and this is often complicated further by a window on the opposite side of the house. This causes what is commonly referred to as the "tunnel effect," meaning that the bird believes that the two windows lack glass and thus represent a clear tunnel to fly through.

The other primary reason for bird strikes seems to be reflections. Windows in houses and buildings can easily reflect the environments around them. So, while the house or building certainly appears to be a house or building, the windows look more like wooded areas which are perfectly safe for flying.

Ways to prevent window strikes

There are a range of possibilities for preventing window strikes. The most effective method is to remove a window, or to completely cover it with something opaque and non-reflective like wood or cardboard. Granted, this removing a window is a bit drastic and not practical for the vast majority of home owners. Thankfully, with a little understanding as to why birds strike windows, home owners can reduce bird strikes with more people-friendly methods.

Covering Windows

While boarding up windows is an extreme solution, it does prove a point. Putting something between the window's glass and the outside world can both alert a bird to a physical object and prevent reflection. The line for most home owners seems to be when such a covering moves from the area of protecting birds and into the realm of obstructing views. Home owners have several options like summer storm screens, to heavier plastic "shade cloth" and even the commercial CollidEscape film, all of which help to remove transparency and restrict reflection to various extents.

Silhouettes and Obstacles

Another tactic is to prevent the bird from coming near the window. Some homeowners put blockades, such as a tree or bird feeder, in front of a window, particularly windows that are struck with some frequency. If you notice that your bird feeder is causing birds to strike your window, then moving the feeder further from your house would be a prudent move. Another popular method, which works to varying degrees, is to intimidate birds away by way of statues and silhouettes. A statue of an owl, or a cut out made to resemble a flying hawk can cause an errant bird on a collision course with a window to change course.

Buying a Car

Ah, the topic that never seems to get old when it comes to talking about anything auto-related is the topic of buying a car

for the very first time. Almost everyone who purchases a car for the first time will tell you that it's like trying to commit the perfect crime; no matter how hard you try, you always make mistakes that will catch up to you.

Before you even think about hitting the dealerships, think about who you are as a person as well as the types of things you enjoy doing. Figure out whether or not you even need a vehicle to begin with. Do you travel a lot or are you a home body? Do you live in a small town where everything is within walking and/or biking distance? Do you live out in the country where you would be smart to purchase an SUV or some similar automobile that would be able to traverse rough terrain? These and more are the sorts of questions that you will and should ponder.

Next, you will want to consider how much money you have set aside to purchase a vehicle. While buying an SUV may be the most practical for you based on where you live, it may not be the most affordable option, which will limit you in getting what you want. You need to learn to ignore the salespeople at car dealerships as well but not entirely. Listen to what they have to say, but take everything with a grain of salt knowing full well that at the end of the day, they are trying to make a sale. The tricky thing about salespeople is that many of them are cunning, immediately trying to buddy up to you to pretend like they are your friend. After all, your closest friend wouldn't steer you wrong in buying a car, right?

Know the majority of the fact about the type of vehicle that you want before you head out to the dealership. Especially if you are a woman, you should bring someone with you to the auto dealerships (preferably a male companion who knows something about vehicles and vehicle purchasing). Do not reveal to the salespeople what you do for a living or how much money you pull in each week, month or year because many will use this information against you later to try to guilt you into buying a vehicle, citing that "you can afford it".

Dark Chocolate

If someone were to tell you to eat more chocolate as part of a healthy diet, you may look at them like they sprouted a second head. Actually, they are right and wrong. Dark chocolate provides many healthy benefits, whereas milk chocolate and white chocolate do not. So, the statement should really be to eat more dark chocolate. The benefits of the healthy chocolate are that it helps fight off bad things in the body.

Dark chocolate offers many good healthy benefits. It has been shown to lower high blood pressure. That's not to say you should eat as much as you can get your hands on, but it is a good treat to have daily to increase the antioxidant levels in your body. The antioxidants destroy the free radicals that get in the body through poor diets and the environment which can lead to heart disease. Studies have been done to compare and contrast dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate. Dark chocolate, the healthy chocolate, was better for the body hands down over the others.

Although you cannot live on this kind of chocolate alone, making it a part of your daily diet is not a bad idea. Be sure that you balance it out with other healthy foods as well. Vegetables, lean meats and fruits are also important to take in regularly. Replace your sweets intake with the dark chocolate and include with your regular diet to be healthy.

If you hear your friend stating that she needs chocolate to reduce her stress, or to make her feel better after a bad day, then she is expressing the need for seratonin and phenylethylamine, which are mood boosters found in chocolate. Eating chocolate releases those into the body and gives a feel good experience

Condition Yourself to Silky-Smooth

Many people shy away from conditioner because they think it makes their hair limp or dull-looking. While using conditioner incorrectly can have this effect, using conditioner properly can result in healthy-looking, shiny, well-moisturized hair. Here are a few simple tips to make sure that your conditioner is working for your hair, not weighing it down.

First, you should make sure you're getting conditioner that's formulated for your hair. Conditioners for thick or textured hair are going to weigh down fine hair, and conditioner for dry, damaged hair will overwhelm healthy hair. Unless you have a dry scalp (i.e. during certain times of the year), you don't need to work conditioner into your scalp. The natural oils in your hair take care of the first three inches from your scalp, and putting too much conditioner on the scalp will actually can make the hair look greasy and less bouncy.

Don't use too much conditioner on your hair. With more expensive conditioners like bumble and bumble de coco conditioner, you don't need more than a teaspoon, especially if you don't have long, thick hair. With your drugstore-variety conditioners you might use a little more, but using a palmful of conditioner is almost always going to be too much and will make your hair look lank and heavy.

Although most conditioners work best if you leave them in for 3-5 minutes so that they can really repair and moisturize your hair, make sure you wash the conditioner out completely after you let it sit. Rinse your hair with warm water, as hot water can dry out your hair.

Lighter, spray conditioners are a good alternative for people with extremely fine or thin hair. They keep the hair moisturized without over-conditioning, which can happen more easily with lighter hair. Using a wide-toothed comb while conditioning is another good way to make sure your hair is getting even coverage and isn't getting over-conditioned in some places. Comb the conditioner through your hair completely. This will also get a little to the roots without over conditioning them.

ABC OF BREASTFEEDING

ABC OF BREASTFEEDING.

From the first moment the infant is applied to the breast, it must be nursed upon a certain plan. This is necessary to the well-doing of the child, and will contribute essentially to preserve the health of the parent, who will thus be rendered a good nurse, and her duty at the same time will become a pleasure.

This implies, however, a careful attention on the part of the mother to her own health; for that of her child is essentially dependent upon it. Healthy, nourishing, and digestible milk can be procured only from a healthy parent; and it is against common sense to expect that, if a mother impairs her health and digestion by improper diet, neglect of exercise, and impure air, she can, nevertheless, provide as wholesome and uncontaminated a fluid for her child, as if she were diligently attentive to these important points. Every instance of indisposition in the nurse is liable to affect the infant.

And this leads me to observe, that it is a common mistake to suppose that, because a woman is nursing, she ought therefore to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this plan is, to cause an unnatural degree of fulness in the system, which places the nurse on the brink of disease, and which of itself frequently puts a stop to the secretion of the milk, instead of increasing it. The right plan of proceeding is plain enough; only let attention be paid to the ordinary laws of health, and the mother, if she have a sound constitution, will make a better nurse than by any foolish deviation founded on ignorance and caprice.

The following case proves the correctness of this statement:

A young lady, confined with her first child, left the lying-in room at the expiration of the third week, a good nurse, and in perfect health. She had had some slight trouble with her nipples, but this was soon overcome.

The porter system was now commenced, and from a pint to a pint and a half of this beverage was taken in the four and twenty hours. This was resorted to, not because there was any deficiency in the supply of milk, for it was ample, and the infant thriving upon it; but because, having become a nurse, she was told that it was usual and necessary, and that without it her milk and strength would ere long fail.

After this plan had been followed for a few days, the mother became drowsy and disposed to sleep in the daytime; and headach, thirst, a hot skin, in fact, fever supervened; the milk diminished in quantity, and, for the first time, the stomach and bowels of the infant became disordered. The porter was ordered to be left off; remedial measures were prescribed; and all symptoms, both in parent and child, were after a while removed, and health restored.

Having been accustomed, prior to becoming a mother, to take a glass or two of wine, and occasionally a tumbler of table beer, she was advised to follow precisely her former dietetic plan, but with the addition of half a pint of barley-milk morning and night. Both parent and child continued in excellent health during the remaining period of suckling, and the latter did not taste artificial food until the ninth month, the parent's milk being all-sufficient for its wants.

No one can doubt that the porter was in this case the source of the mischief. The patient had gone into the lying-in-room in full health, had had a good time, and came out from her chamber (comparatively) as strong as she entered it. Her constitution had not been previously worn down by repeated child-bearing and nursing, she had an ample supply of milk, and was fully capable, therefore, of performing the duties which now devolved upon her, without resorting to any unusual stimulant or support. Her previous habits were totally at variance with the plan which was adopted; her system became too full, disease was produced, and the result experienced was nothing more than what might be expected.

The plan to be followed for the first six months. Until the breast- milk is fully established, which may not be until the second or third day subsequent to delivery (almost invariably so in a first confinement), the infant must be fed upon a little thin gruel, or upon one third water and two thirds milk, sweetened with loaf sugar.

After this time it must obtain its nourishment from the breast alone, and for a week or ten days the appetite of the infant must be the mother's guide, as to the frequency in offering the breast. The stomach at birth is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its wants, therefore, are easily satisfied, but they are frequently renewed. An interval, however, sufficient for digesting the little swallowed, is obtained before the appetite again revives, and a fresh supply is demanded.

At the expiration of a week or so it is essentially necessary, and with some children this may be done with safety from the first day of suckling, to nurse the infant at regular intervals of three or four hours, day and night. This allows sufficient time for each meal to be digested, and tends to keep the bowels of the child in order. Such regularity, moreover, will do much to obviate fretfulness, and that constant cry, which seems as if it could be allayed only by constantly putting the child to the breast. A young mother very frequently runs into a serious error in this particular, considering every expression of uneasiness as an indication of appetite, and whenever the infant cries offering it the breast, although ten minutes may not have elapsed since its last meal. This is an injurious and even dangerous practice, for, by overloading the stomach, the food remains undigested, the child's bowels are always out of order, it soon becomes restless and feverish, and is, perhaps, eventually lost; when, by simply attending to the above rules of nursing, the infant might have become healthy and vigorous.

For the same reason, the infant that sleeps with its parent must not be allowed to have the nipple remaining in its mouth all night. If nursed as suggested, it will be found to awaken, as the hour for its meal approaches, with great regularity. In reference to night-nursing, I would suggest suckling the babe as late as ten o'clock p. m., and not putting it to the breast again until five o'clock the next morning. Many mothers have adopted this hint, with great advantage to their own health, and without the slightest detriment to that of the child. With the latter it soon becomes a habit; to induce it, however, it must be taught early.

The foregoing plan, and without variation, must be pursued to the sixth month.

After the sixth month to the time of weaning, if the parent has a large supply of good and nourishing milk, and her child is healthy and evidently flourishing upon it, no change in its diet ought to be made. If otherwise, however, (and this will but too frequently be the case, even before the sixth month) the child may be fed twice in the course of the day, and that kind of food chosen which, after a little trial, is found to agree best.