World Of Tourism

Along with paella, the ubiquitous Spanish omelette - tortilla de patatas - is perhaps one of the best-known Spanish dishes. It is impossible to find a self-respecting tapas bar that does not feature tortilla in its repertoire.

As delicious as it is versatile, this Spanish staple lends itself to countless variations according to personal taste. Some cooks mix in mushrooms, beans, spinach, and tomatoes, while others choose to omit the onion and instead cover the tortilla in tomato sauce. Others still would never dream of serving the tortilla without heaping mounds of mayonnaise. Each region, and each tapas bar, will have its own variation of the traditional tortilla. This delicious tapa can be served warm or cold.

* Serves: 4
* Difficulty: Very easy
* Preparation time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

* 1/2 pint of olive oil
* 5 medium (40 oz each) baking potatoes, peeled, sliced
* 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 5 eggs
* Salt

Preparation

Heat the olive oil in a 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices carefully, because the salt will make the oil splatter. Try to keep the potato slices separated so they will not stick together. Cook, turning occasionally, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the potatoes are tender. Drain into a colander, leaving about 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt. Add the potatoes, and stir to coat with the egg. Add the egg-coated potatoes to the very hot oil in the skillet, spreading them evenly to completely cover the base of the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, shaking the pan frequently, until mixture is half set.

Use a plate to cover the skillet and invert the omelette away from the hand holding the plate (so as not to burn your hand with any escaping oil). Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and slide the omelette back into the skillet on its uncooked side. Cook until completely set. Allow the omelette to cool, and then cut it into wedges. Season it with salt and sprinkle with lemon juice to taste (optional).

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Just for a laugh courtesy of the telegraph.co.uk:

German men have been voted the world's worst lovers, narrowly beating English men to the unwanted title.

A poll of 15,000 women found that Germans are considered "too smelly".

English lovers came second because they are so lazy, while men from Sweden were branded "too quick to finish" and came third.

Spanish men topped the table as the best lovers, followed by Brazilians and Italians.

The poll, carried out by global research site www.OnePoll.com, asked women from 20 countries to rate nations on their ability in bed and give reasons for their answers.

Germans were deemed to have bad body odour, Englishmen were accused of letting women do all the work, whilst Swedes were a bit too quick to finish.

Men from Holland were "too rough" between the bed covers and Americans were accused of being "too dominating" in the bedroom.

Greek men were said to be a bit too soppy.

Other countries who didn't fare well in the poll were Scotland (too loud), Turkey (too sweaty) and Wales (too selfish).

Russian men crept in at tenth place amid accusations they are too hairy for the average woman.

A spokesperson for www.OnePoll.com added: ''These results are an eye-opener for thousands of men around the world and female travellers might judge potential new lovers by looking at these results.''

WORLD'S WORST LOVERS:

1. Germany (too smelly)

2. England (too lazy)

3. Sweden (too quick)

4. Holland (too dominating)

5. America (too rough)

6. Greece (too lovey-dovey)

7. Wales (too selfish)

8. Scotland (too loud)

9. Turkey (too sweaty)

10. Russia (too hairy)

WORLD'S BEST LOVERS

1. Spain

2. Brazil

3. Italy

4. France

5. Ireland

6. South Africa

7. Australia

8. New Zealand

9. Denmark

10. Canada

“For those thinking about buying a new car this year, this deduction may give them a little more drive to make their purchase this year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This deduction enables taxpayers to buy now and get cash back later on their tax returns.”

The deduction is limited to the state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle.

The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.

IRS also alerted taxpayers that the vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010, to qualify for the deduction.

The special deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on their return. The IRS reminded taxpayers the deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns.

Here in Spain (and in Europe generally, I think) rainfall is measured in terms of litres per square meter over a given period. The period during which the rainfall is experienced is obviously important, because if 100 litres of rain falls in say, 12 hours, that will be a very different thing than if that same volume of rain falls evenly over a month. The former would be a downpour, the latter a

Sex has always been and always will be a controversial issue. I doubt that anyone likes having the birds and bees discussion with their wide eyed and bushy tailed 10 year old. But what is becoming clear is that sex education needs to be taught and at an even younger age. As parents, we desperately want to believe that our children will remain virgins forever because I don't think we could handle the mental image of our children being sexually active. But the reality of today's situation is becoming more and more alarming.

I would rather have my daughter equipped with the knowledge about sex and all that it entails, than have her blindly walking into situations with second hand information. Knowledge is power and in this case, it's power one cannot afford to be without. STD's, AIDS/HIV, teenage pregnancies, the list of frightening problems is truly endless.

TWO leading medical societies have stressed that sex education should be taught in schools ‘from a very young age’. The Spanish Contraception Foundation (FEC) and the Spanish Contraception Society (SEC) say that children rarely receive necessary information about sexual relations at home and they are not taught enough – nor sufficiently early – in school. This means they learn about the birds and the bees via the internet, or via classmates of the same age.

Another recent survey revealed that a significant number of heterosexual adult women believed the contraceptive pill helped to prevent the transmission of HIV in addition to stopping pregnancy. This is a concept that seems to stem from the stone age and is still being believed in the 21st century, that should be enough of a wake up call.

The two associations have also reminded doubters that evidence has shown that the availability of the morning after pill over the counter does not lead to an increase in underage sex. The organizations also said they were in favor of teenagers being able to have an abortion without parental consent or knowledge. Breathe.....

They said that children should feel able to discuss sex and unwanted pregnancy with their families, but in cases where parents and children do not have a good relationship, a young girl’s lack of freedom to choose to abort without telling her mother and father could have harmful consequences all round. I tend to agree with this line of thinking. As frightening as this must seem to some parents, these are problems we cannot afford to ignore. Pretending these things don't happen is making the situation worse, let's be honest and provide these solutions so that we can safeguard our kids. It's not the ideal situation but it's the best we can do.

Mostly continuous heavy rain over the past 30 or so hours (expected to continue for a while yet) has caused significant disruption throughout parts of lowland and coastal Murcia region, with the worst affected areas being Cartagena, Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón.On Sunday upto 80 litres of rain per square meter fell in the Campo de Cartagena and there was severe disruption in the local road

A reoccurring theme has caught my attention. At first I dismissed it as my imagination running wild and playing the "victim" one too many times but through the mist of self doubt and a naive optimism of the human spirit, I am starting to see people a little more clearly than I would like to. Ignorance truly is bliss.

My circle of friends is admittedly not large but I've always treasured the fact that the people in my life are honest, decent and people I can call, without reservation, friends, in every sense of the word. But how well do we really know each other? It can take years for someones true colors to show and by then you're so invested that you start making excuses for behavior that is mean, spiteful and down right nasty.

Unfortunately this has happened to almost all of the relationships, I believe I have nurtured, in the last few months. I have always prided myself on the fact that when a friend is in need, I have indeed been that friend to turn too. But as my life has started taking unexpected turns and certain aspects are changing, I've found a disturbing amount of jealousy. It's an unmistakable look. It's an unmistakable turn of the lips into a forced smile. Needless to say, it has made me very wary to share any kind of good news, there will be no spreading on my part, in fact, I find myself down playing my achievements and trying to be less of who I am.

A trip has unexpectedly come my way and as joyous as I am, I find that I have no one to share it with. The people I used to call "friends" have all but told me to jump off a bridge, I had one friend say "I'm going to Mozambique!" another said "Don't get your hopes up, a lot can change in a year" and another said "Oh......good for you", the pain on their face saying that one simple statement, is something that has plagued me for a while.

I remember when they went overseas, I was shouting from the rooftops, "Congrats!! Whoohoo! You're going to love it, take loads of photos and I want to see them when you get back!" and all that they can muster for me is negative sentiments, competition driven statements and forced good will toward men, in this case, myself.
My daughters first birthday, a day that was as important to me as to my little angel, was marred by a jealous and clearly insecure woman, I had considered a kindred spirit. It made me wonder how long the wool had been pulled over my eyes and how long I had been dancing ignorantly in the dark to the tune of insincerity.

I'm not saying in anyway that I am immune to the charm of jealously but I have never (yes, I can say that with absolute certainty) lowered myself to making someone else feel bad about the good news they are sharing with me. I have, actually, gone above and beyond the call of duty when feeling happy for someone else, because let me tell you, no one likes a bitter Betty. Well that's what I thought, but apparently bitter Betty's are a dime a dozen. Go figure.

My naive way of thinking is fast becoming a thing of the past and I find myself wary of the intentions of others, as much as I don't want to live like this, as much as I want to believe in the best in people, I have yet to be shown that that part exists. Show me a genuine person and Ill show you the optimistic and loving side of myself until then I'll keep my eyes open and my heart shut.

When I was a young girl, I distinctly remember the first time I met an openly gay woman. She had a wicked sense of humor and would make me laugh until my sides hurt, she was kind and wonderful. I used to look at her and wonder why she would dress like a man, I never saw her in anything feminine. I asked her about it one day, as a child the fear of judgment doesn't exist, so I came right out with it, I looked her in the eye and asked "Why do you dress like a man?" My mothers eyes went wide and before she could reprimand me for being so forward, the woman replied "Because I am a man trapped in a woman's body" and then she laughed. I laughed with her but at that moment, I thought how terrible it must be to be trapped in a body that doesn't suit who you are on the inside.

Ever since that moment, I have had a deep respect for people that are gay, I do not for a second believe that they choose to be different or that they would want to "complicate" their lives according to the normal rules of society. And I can only imagine the pain that comes with feeling trapped in a skin that doesn't mirror who you are on the inside.

I recently read about a young boy of 12 who is undergoing a sex change, now as scary as I think that is (does a 12 year old know how to make a decision like that?) I felt enormous pity for him and his family. His school was informed that this was going to happen and instead of taking the appropriate action, they left it and when he arrived at the school, in a dress and pigtails and insisted that everyone call him by his new name, I'm sure you can only imagine the chaos that followed. Parents should have been notified so that they could equip their children with the knowledge of what was happening. Instead this little boy, soon to be a little girl, was bullied mercilessly.

We are all aware of how cruel children can be, some of the insults thrown at me at a young age, still haunt me to this day. If only we could all be taught the ability to think about what it would be like in someone else's shoes, I think our sympathy levels would sky rocket. And this does not only apply only to children but to some adults as well. Ignorance knows no age restriction.

My thoughts go out to that child and his family. It's going to a difficult road but at the end, you'll be better for it.

How can I best summarise the events of the MCC AGM held on 24th September? Well, it was a tiring evening. I remained after the formal meeting ended at 8.35pm and took part as one of the 'counters' for the 3 elements of the votes it was decided to tabulate last night - those for president, the individuals who stood as representatives in their own names and the administrator firm. We completed our

When servicing automotive air-conditioning systems, vehicle owners generally have several options to recharge a/c systems with refrigerant. One option is to top-off your car's system with refrigerant, and another is to evacuate and recharge the system. Both of these options will provide cool air in the passenger compartment for some period of time. Neither service, however, involves permanently fixing the a/c system leaks that allowed refrigerant to escape resulting in a lack of cool air. You might therefore also choose to have any leaking components in your a/c system repaired or replaced.

By stopping the leak, you will prevent refrigerant from leaking into the atmosphere. The refrigerant in older vehicles is CFC-12 (also known as Freon, a brand name), which is no longer manufactured in the United States because it depletes the ozone layer. As nationwide supplies dwindle, it is becoming increasingly expensive to purchase CFC-12, so that fixing a leak may be more economical in the long run than continuing to purchase CFC-12. This document will provide answers to certain questions you might have about recharging your car with refrigerant during the course of a/c servicing.

1. What's the difference between a "top-off" and an "evacuation and recharge"? Why would I want one service or the other?
2. I came into the shop with some refrigerant in my car, so why is my technician charging me for the full amount of refrigerant charge -- shouldn't I get credit for the amount I came in with?
3. My technician told me that EPA regulations prohibit topping-off the refrigerant in my car without getting the leak fixed first. Is this true?
4. My technician told me he could not locate the leak in my system, so he topped-off the refrigerant in my car, but did not perform any leak repair. Now it seems to be low on refrigerant again -- I know the leak is still there. What can I do?

What's the difference between a "top-off" and an "evacuation and recharge"? Why would I want one service or the other?

A top-off involves simply charging refrigerant into your vehicle. An evacuation and recharge service includes removing whatever remaining refrigerant is in your vehicle, removing impurities from that refrigerant using recycling equipment, recharging it into the vehicle, and adding new refrigerant to replace whatever has leaked out. The cost of both the top-off and the evacuation and recharge will usually include a performance check, and may include a test to discover the source of your leak.

Topping-off alone is less expensive than the evacuation and recharge service. So why would you consider the more expensive evacuation and recharge? The manufacturer of your vehicle has determined that a specific amount of refrigerant -- 2.2 pounds, for example -- is correct for your car. When you bring your vehicle into a service facility, your technician has no way of determining precisely how much refrigerant is left in your vehicle's system. As he tops off the system, then, he relies on his experience to guess how much refrigerant to charge into the system; however, he may undercharge or overcharge the system, thereby affecting system performance. Most recent models have a feature that shuts an overcharged a/c system down in hot weather.

On the other hand, during an evacuation and recharge, once the technician has extracted all remaining refrigerant from the system, he will then be able to charge the system with the precise amount of refrigerant recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer.

Some technicians may tell you that evacuation and recharge is better for the system than a mere top-off because, after the refrigerant is evacuated, it gets cleaned in the recycling equipment, and it's a good idea to clean the refrigerant in your system. There is, in fact, no reason to clean the refrigerant in your system unless you open up the system. If you request that your technician repair or replace system components in order to fix leaks in your system, then he will need to open the system and should recycle the refrigerant.

I came into the shop with some refrigerant in my car, so why is my technician charging me for the full amount of refrigerant charge -- shouldn't I get credit for the amount I came in with?

Your service technician has no way of determining precisely how much refrigerant is left in your vehicle's system, so it will be extremely difficult for him to determine how much credit to give you. As a result, many shops charge a flat fee for the service, whether it's a top-off or an evacuation and recharge. Other shops may charge a fee for the labor, and a separate, flat fee for a set amount -- perhaps two pounds -- of refrigerant, whether they've actually charged 1.8 or 2.2 pounds into the vehicle.

EPA requires that shops use special equipment to recover and recycle refrigerant. Some shops pass that cost through to their customers by charging a recycling fee; others choose not to charge a separate fee, but instead to keep whatever refrigerant they recover, in order to make up for the cost of the recycling equipment.

In order to find the source of a leak, the technician will need to add refrigerant to the system if only a small amount of refrigerant remains, and the refrigerant is at a pressure of less than 50 pounds per square inch. However, if there are at least a few ounces of refrigerant already in the system, a technician should not need to add refrigerant in order to identify which components will require replacement. (Keep in mind that a greater quantity of refrigerant -- usually a minimum of 1-1.5 pounds -- must be in the system in order to determine if the system will provide cooling.)

Once the technician has provided his diagnosis and estimate of repair costs to the customer, the customer may decide not to have the repairs performed. The technician should then either remove all the refrigerant that was installed in order to perform the diagnosis, or, if the customer prefers, the technician can top-off the system.

Technicians may occasionally tell their customers that any refrigerant that was in the vehicle when it came into the shop cannot be returned to the customer due to federal regulations. No such federal regulation exists, however.

Even though you are entitled to the refrigerant that was in your vehicle when you brought it in, you should keep in mind that technicians are unable to determine precisely how much refrigerant they have removed from a/c systems -- their recovery equipment does not indicate the amount extracted. So if your technician attempts to remove any refrigerant he added to your system in order to perform a diagnosis, he can only rely on his experience to make an educated guess as to when to turn off his recovery equipment.

My technician told me that EPA regulations prohibit topping-off the refrigerant in my car without getting the leak fixed first. Is this true?

EPA regulations do not dictate any particular service, as long as your technician is certified to work with refrigerant and any recycling equipment he uses meets EPA standards. EPA does not require that leak repair be performed before refrigerant is charged into a vehicle, although certain states and localities may require leak repair.

In addition, EPA does not require that the refrigerant be evacuated and cleaned prior to recharging the system with refrigerant. In other words, if your technician tells you that EPA requires evacuation and recharge and does not permit top-off, he is mistaken. If you are unsure about any EPA regulations governing auto air-conditioning, call the Hotline at 800-296-1996.

My technician told me he could not locate the leak in my system, so he topped-off the refrigerant in my car, but did not perform any leak repair. Now it seems to be low on refrigerant again -- I know the leak is still there. What can I do?

Leaks can be identified most, but not all, of the time. Your technician may have difficulty locating very small leaks in your a/c system, even if he is very careful and uses the most sophisticated equipment available.

Keep in mind that even when pinhole leaks cause slow emissions over long periods of time, your system may seem to lose its cooling capacity suddenly. This is because most motor vehicle a/c systems have controls that shut off a system when the system pressure drops below a certain point.

In order to maximize the chances that your technician can locate the leak, make sure he uses an electronic leak detector certified under the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1627 standard. Note that the system does not need to contain a full charge of refrigerant to locate the leak -- a few ounces of refrigerant (about 10% of the normal charge) is sufficient to perform the leak check. Some technicians may also use a trace dye and a black light to help find persistent leaks.

There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else - every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food and wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people - the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall.

In 2007, around 2.2 million overseas visitors tramped, wheeled, wined and dined across the country, up almost 40% from a relatively meagre 1.6 million in 1999. But at what cost? Extra visitors strain the clean, green environment NZ is renowned for, and all this wilderness frenzy is having an impact: the skies above Franz Josef Glacier buzz with droning aeroplanes, tourists still shampoo in creeks, and locals simply avoid entire chunks of NZ because of the tourist hordes. In response, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has implemented a booking system for its Great Walks - there are nine including the Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Abel Tasman Coast Track - to avoid overcrowding and minimise environmental damage. The NZ tourism industry is embracing all things ‘eco’, while regionally, eateries and farmers markets selling local produce present sustainable options. Regardless, hardcore environmentalists claim the industry and government aren’t moving fast enough. Drought and climate change are fanning the flames...

The U.K. Government wants to encourage more freight to travel by water instead of road where this makes sense. To achieve this will often require engagement with the planning process. It is vitally important that the planning process is used effectively.

This Good Practice Guide has been produced for the Government by the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities to show, through practical advice and examples, how good planning can help support and encourage the use of inland waterways for freight transport.

It is designed to help policy makers and planners, bodies responsible for the management and use of waterways, carriers, regional development agencies and any other bodies with an interest in exploiting the potential of inland waterways.

Case studies highlight how different organisations have worked together to resolve specific issues by implementing good practice.

I was admittedly having a pity party for myself this morning. Those mornings that you wake up and everything feels like its going to go wrong. Work was bringing me down, my finances are in a shambles, my friends were irritating me with their moaning and I just felt down right miserable.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to blog about today so as I was surfing the net I came across a story that put my life in perspective. One of those stories that wants to make you hang your head in shame at even thinking for a second that you actually have it bad, because there's bad and then there's BAD.

Eight bodies were found after a small sailing boat carrying would-be African immigrants to southern Spain sank off the coast of Morocco. Seven of the deceased were women, two of whom were pregnant. Three babies and four pregnant women were among the eleven survivors of the shipwreck and most were Senegalese and Nigerian nationals attempting to enter Spain via the ‘back door’. The majority of those on board the dinghy had lived on the streets of Tangiers for up to a year, saving up for the crossing by begging.

I want you to read that paragraph again. Is your life nearly as bad as you think it is? I highly doubt it. It's stories like these that really knock my soul. The fact that human beings have to suffer like this makes me even angrier at how the world is operating today. There are sports players, movie stars, television stars that are receiving ridiculous amount of money in the name of entertainment and these people are risking their lives and the lives of their unborn children for a better life.

It's so incredibly backwards isn't it?

New Years Day (January 1) is a quiet day for recovery from the celebration of the previous evening. Activities usually include sleeping late and watching football games on the television. Some folks have dinner parties for their family or invited guests. Most businesses and shops will be closed. Some restaurants, bars and even a few shopping centers may be open.

Valentines Day (February 14) is the holiday of love. This unofficial holiday dedicated to the Christian Saint Valentine is a day for sweethearts and lovers. Admirers send each other Valentine Day greeting cards. Lovers and spouses buy flowers, candy and gifts for their sweethearts. Many couples go to restaurants for intimate dinners. All stores and businesses are open.

Easter is primarily a Christian holy day commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is celebrated on a Sunday in early spring. Most activities are church or family oriented and usually includes a gathering of the family for a dinner feast. Children often search for colored eggs that the Easter Bunny has hidden in their yard. Businesses are little affected since this holiday is always on a Sunday. Most restaurants, gasoline stations and convenience stores remain open but some shopping centers will close or open only for abbreviated hours.

Memorial Day is usually celebrated on the last Monday in May. It is the traditional beginning of the summer vacation season and the start of the long school break. Originally, this holiday was a time to remember deceased relatives and friends and a time to visit their graves. Today, Memorial Day is a celebration of the beginning of Summer. Most people use this long weekend for picnics, excursions, short vacation trips, or just relaxation and shopping. Businesses and office will be closed but all attractions and shopping facilities will be open.

Independence Day , the Fourth of July, is a time for patriotic celebrations, picnics and relaxation. Many cities and towns across the country hold parades, musical performances and fireworks displays. Business offices will close but all stores, restaurants and attractions will remain open.

Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is the traditional end of the Summer vacation season when most schools begin their new terms. This long weekend is usually celebrated with an excursion, a picnic or one last mini vacation of the season. Many folks choose stay at home to relax or catch up on chores. All attractions and shopping facilities will be open.

Halloween is celebrated on the 31st day of October. This "hallowed evening" preceding the ancient church holiday of All Saints Day, was superstitiously believed to be a time when the souls of the deceased would return to earth to roam about. Today it is a festive occasion in the USA. Some people decorate their homes and yards with images of ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons and Jack o' lanterns. (Hollowed out pumpkins carved into scary faces and illuminated by small internal candles) In the evening, small children dress in costumes and visit houses in their neighborhoods collecting sweets. Many towns and cities have costumed Halloween parades. The most elaborate and outlandish Halloween parades are held at Greenwich Village in New York City and in San Francisco, California. All businesses and stores are open for normal business hours on this holiday.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This is equivalent to the annual harvest festivals in many other countries. It is a time to reflect on all of your blessings and to express thanks for a bountiful harvest. It is not a religious holiday. Most people in the USA celebrate this holiday by gathering at their family home for a feast. The traditional dish for the Thanksgiving Day dinner is a large roasted Turkey. After dinner, the preferred recreation is watching football matches on the Television. Most business offices will close on this day. Some stores, shopping centers, restaurants and bars will remain open. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the traditional opening of the Christmas shopping season. Stores and shops all offer bargain prices and people flock to the shopping centers in great number.

Christmas is primarily a Christian religious holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus. It always falls on the 25th of December, but the holiday season actually begins weeks earlier. From the beginning of December, people begin shopping for gifts to give to their children and other family members. They attend holiday parties at their offices, at friend's homes or at restaurants throughout December. Many families decorate their homes and yards with multicolored sparkling lights.

Most families erect small evergreen trees in their homes and decorate them with colored lights and glittering ornaments. On Christmas morning, children awaken to find brightly wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. Christmas day is an intimate family holiday. Children and grand children all return home for an annual Christmas dinner and exchange of gifts. Close friends, relatives and neighbors often visit each other on Christmas evening. Nearly all businesses, tourist attractions and shopping centers are closed on Christmas. A few restaurants, bars, gasoline stations and convenience stores will remain open.

Hanukah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated in December. Hanukah, or the feast of lights, is a Jewish holiday that also includes a tradition of gift giving. It is usually celebrated in mid December. Kwanzaa is a relatively new Afro-American holiday celebrated from December 26 through January first. It has no religious affiliation but is a joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life with an emphasis on Afro-American heritage and culture. Together the three holidays of Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa make December the most joyous and festive month in the USA.

New Years Eve (December 31) is a time for big parties and celebrations in the USA. Nearly every restaurant, bar and club hosts a grand New Years eve ball. The festivities usually include music, food, drink, dancing and a lot of noise with a traditional champagne toast at midnight. Some cities and towns host large outdoor celebrations that usually culminate with a huge fireworks display at midnight. The most famous outdoors New Years Eve celebration is held at Times Square in New York City. Most businesses and shops will be open normal hours on New Years Eve, as the celebrating does not begin until evening.

The Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum was added to the Gatekeeper’s Museum in 1992, after the collection was donated to NLTHS. Marion Steinbach pursued a wide variety of interests throughout her lifetime, and loved anything that had to do with nature—the study of which inspired her collections.

Throughout Marion’s lifetime, she amassed a world-class collection of over 800 utilitarian and fine baskets from 85 tribes throughout California and western North America. In addition to collecting baskets, Marion also collected Native clothing, jewelry, tools and pottery. Pottery from Maria Martinez is featured in the collection.

Desire for knowledge about the art of basket weaving sent Marion looking for the few Indian women who were weaving fine baskets using traditional methods. Trips to remote areas frequently led to an afternoon sitting under a big shady oak tree, visiting with a weaver. Marion cultivated relationships with these women, and would sit with her notebook and pencil, taking meticulous notes, trying to learn as much as she could about this art. Her fear was that one day, these older women of great skill would be gone and fine basket making would become a lost art. Sharing her knowledge by teaching basket weaving classes, talking with others and showing her baskets gave Marion much pleasure.

Along with her collection were extensive notes about basketry techniques and records of where, when and how much she originally paid for each basket. The collection was her treasure that she wanted to share with others. Her wish was that the baskets remain together as a single collection, and that all of them would be on display at the same time. After her passing, the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society received the collection from Marion’s family, and helped to realize Marion’s dream with the construction of the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum to house her collection.

The Museum Store is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. and entrance to the museum is free. Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertaining and educational events. Members can enjoy monthly Southwest Preservation Tours and special interest lectures on the fourth Saturday of the month, with advanced registration strongly encouraged. Family activities take place on weekends, including Storytime on the first Saturday, DigIt! Family Style, a hands-on archaeology program on the second Sunday, and Kit and Kaboodle, a craft-making project in the Museum Store, on the third Saturday of each month.

The Braun Research Library, located in a separate building at the Southwest, will continue to be open by appointment. The Casa de Adobe on Figueroa Street, remains open for special activities and tours.

The Southwest Museum currently holds one of the nation's most important collections related to the American Indian. However, some of the collection has been damaged, while other objects have been put at risk due to over crowding and the significant deterioration of the Southwest building. Most recently, water leaked into the museum building necessitating the entire pottery collection and tunnel dioramas to be moved for their protection. The elevator tower was flooded, causing it to be shut down because it posed a temporary electrical threat. Vermin, including silverfish, have infested both the artifacts and the containers in which they are stored.

Insufficient and antiquated storage facilities have imperiled the collection. The inadequate exhibit space in the Southwest Museum requires 98% of the 250,000 items in the collection to remain in storage at any given time. Currently, the collection is largely stored in the seven-story Caracol Tower, which is inappropriate in size and condition for the conservation, documentation, and scholarly requirements of the collection.

Until new facilities are constructed, the collection will be moved into the exhibition galleries until proper storage and exhibition facilities are built as part of an expansion of the Autry's Griffith Park campus. Relocating the collection will result in more than five times the current gallery space, as well as state-of-the art storage and scholarly facilities.

After a long search for an appropriate site, the California Indian Heritage Center Task Force and California State Parks secured a new location along the Sacramento River in West Sacramento. On June 18, 2008 the West Sacramento City Council approved an agreement that places the new State Park museum and cultural heritage complex at the 43 acre East Riverfront property. The proposed location overlooks the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. “A riverfront location was essential because of the significance of natural resources to American Indians,” says Larry Myers of the CIHC Task Force.

"This is an extraordinary place in our region," says West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. "It's unspoiled but still urban. What better way to honor and celebrate Native American people who have been in West Sacramento much longer than the city.” The CIHC will be the home for one of the state's largest collection of American Indian artifacts, including over 3,000 California Indian baskets and priceless regalia.


The California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) will honor the diversity and history of California Indian people by preserving cultural and tribal traditions, nurturing contemporary expressions, and facilitating research and education for California, the nation and the world.

The CIHC will be world-class in both content and design. The design will reflect Indian values in form, materials and the Center’s placement on the land. Plans for the facility include formal exhibit galleries for historic and contemporary exhibitions and programs. The Center will house the State’s extensive collections of California Indian baskets and other cultural treasures and will provide a research center, meeting rooms, museum store and potentially will include food service facilities. The grounds will be restored to their natural state and will accommodate seasonal outdoor programs and ceremonial areas for special events and traditional gatherings, as well as becoming an asset to the local community in which the center is located.

The CIHC will fill a long standing need in the state, serving Native and non-Native people. It will be a place where Indian people can come together, celebrate and preserve their past, and promote the continuation of their traditions. It will also be a place where all Californians can learn about the history and contemporary life of the state’s indigenous people. The California Indian Heritage Center will be a destination for tourists from around the world to learn about Native American culture in California.

The California State Indian Museum displays exhibits illustrating the cultures of the state’s first inhabitants. California’s prehistoric population, one of the largest and most diverse in the Western hemisphere, was made up of over 150 distinct tribal groups who spoke at least sixty-four different languages. California Indian population estimates, before the arrival of the first Europeans, were at least 500,000 people.

California Indian cultural items in the museum include basketry, beadwork, clothing and exhibits about the ongoing traditions of various California Indian tribes. Descendents of the first Californians, tens of thousands of them, still live in California and still cherish and carry on their unique cultural heritage. Indigenous people have donated many photographs of family, friends and memorable times for use in the museum. A section of the museum features a hands-on area, where visitors can try their hand at using Indian tools, such as the pump drill, used for making holes in shell beads and other materials; the mortar and pestle and soap root brush, made from the soap root plant, all used for grinding acorns.

Location and Parking:
The California State Indian Museum is located in the downtown area of Sacramento at 26th and K Streets.

Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street exit. Travel straight on 30th Street, then turn left under the freeway at L Street and travel on L Street to 26th Street. Bus parking is available on L Street by Sutter's Fort. Metered automobile parking is available on 26th and K Streets.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

Planned building stabilization is taking place to protect this landmark building and its collections. More information about the stabilization project is here.

Check this website for more information on the museum's reopening. A comprehensive online catalog of the museum's collection is here and information about the American Indians of the Great Basin is here. Virtual tours of the museum before the exhibits were de-installed for stabilization are here.

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is a unique and eclectic folk art structure located in northeastern Los Angeles County. The museum houses objects created by the American Indian cultures of the western Great Basin, California, and the Southwest.

Other American Indian cultural centers, museums and parks to visit in the region are here.


Take this virtual tour of Kachina Hall. More tours here.

Built in the 1920s among towering rock formations in the Mojave desert, the museum is a unit of the California State Department of Parks and Recreation system.

Antelope Valley Indian Museum
Avenue M between East 150th & 170th streets
Lancaster, California

For information, call California Department of Parks and Recreation, Mojave Desert Sector: 661-942-0662

NASCAR racing quickly spread across the USA

From its 1948 beginnings in Daytona, NASCAR, by 1951, had crossed the country. The first West Coast race was held in Gardena, California. Detroit hosted a Grand National series race in honor of the 250th anniversary of the city. And also in 1951, NASCAR added to the competition schedule the "Sportsman Series," races that were originally for amateur, weekend racers.


By 1954, NASCAR began receiving television coverage, when a half-hour show celebrating speed week in Daytona, "Wire Wheels," was aired in New York. Other television shows followed. 1954 was also the first year a driver used a two-way radio to communicate with his crew during a race. Lee Petty, father of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, won the Grand National championship in 1954.

In 1958, Richard Petty began his NASCAR career. That same year Fireball Roberts was the first NASCAR driver to be voted "Professional Athlete of the Year" by the Florida Sportswriters' Association.

By the 1950s and 60's, stars such as Fireball Roberts and Junior Johnson emerged from the pack of speeding stock cars. The racetrack in Darlington opened in 1950 and began the era of super speedway racing. In the 1960s, the racetrack in Charlotte, North Carolina, still known as the "Mecca of motor sports" opened.

Richard Petty dominated the sport in the early 60's. He's still called the "King of NASCAR." Like many other racers, Petty is following a family tradition. He's the son, father, and grandfather of racers.

From the South to the rest of the States

NASCAR was a regional sport; it is now a national phenomenon. The FOX television network's coverage of NASCAR attracts huge audiences. Former racer Darrell Waltrip mans the mike while his younger brother, Mike, is a competitor in the races.

Tracks across the country from New England to California host NASCAR events. Even glitzy Las Vegas has opened her doors to this down-home sport. You can keep up with the fast cars and racing news daily throughout the season from its beginning in February through its end in November.

NASCAR today consists of three primary "big events." The premier NASCAR series is the Winston series whose cars have 750 horsepower engines and reach speeds of 200 miles per hour on some tracks. The 2001 Winston Cup schedule lists 36 events at 23 tracks. Busch series cars pack 550 horsepower and attain less speed. Many drivers compete in both series. Some drivers use Busch series racing to move up to Winston Cup racing. NASCAR also runs the Craftsman Truck series where pickup trucks that hit speeds of around 150 miles per hour take to the track.
Anny in a NASCAR Car


A race weekend is a several day event

Before the main event racers compete for starting positions in the race. In addition to the driver, a NASCAR team is composed of a pit crew and crew chief. Many races have been won or lost by the skill of these men who can change four tires, refuel cars, and make minor adjustments in under 15 seconds. The team also has skilled spotters who communicate with the driver throughout the race, telling him where other drivers are on the track. At many raceways, you can rent radios that will allow you to eavesdrop on these conversations.

Currently events are held at tracks all across the United States. Winston Cup events are scheduled in Atlanta, Georgia; Bristol, Tennessee; Fontana, California; Chicago, Illinois; Darlington, South Carolina; Daytona, Homestead-Miami and Talladega, Florida; Dover, Delaware; Charlotte, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Watkins Glenn, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada, and other venues. For a complete listing of Winston Cup or Busch Series races check at http://www.nascar.com/

The Urban Art Project at Heathrow

In June 2001, an eight-metre wall at Heathrow Airport was spray painted in graffiti as part of an Urban Art Project by Hillingdon's Youth Awareness Programme (YAP). Eight young people aged 19 to 25 (naming themselves the YAP Stars) spent a week creating the artwork. BAA Heathrow commissioned the artwork.

The objective for BAA Heathrow was to enhance the experience of passengers and staff using and working at the airport. It was seen as a commercially viable project and the commission was professionally structured and managed. Now completed, the artwork will be photographed and reproduced into 'actual size' prints for display in terminal lounges and walkways used by passengers.

The YAP was given a brief for the project incorporating BAA's requirement for the designs to relate to aviation and travel. The young people produced their designs on this basis. Working on this project was unpaid and voluntary. It was said to be a very positive and responsible experience for the young people involved. The young people's families were invited to the unveiling of the artwork and the young people were given a VIP tour of Heathrow. The YAP manager considered the whole process was important as a means of showing the young people that they were valued.

Heathrow's Managing Director commented in the press release that accompanied the unveiling of the artwork that:

The YAP manager commented in that same press release that the project had created:

Although the press release for the artwork at Heathrow referred to the development of the YAP Stars to help tackle graffiti and vandalism in the Borough, the YAP manager commented that the project is primarily about promoting expression and channelling the young people's skills and energies into positive outcomes. As such, it is not an anti-vandalism project, although the involvement of the young people in urban art projects does raise awareness about their environment and a greater sense of ownership and responsibility.

Uxbridge town centre subways

The origins of the YAP stars

The YAP in Hillingdon is one of ten projects managed by the national charity In-volve. The other projects in London are based in Newham, Merton, Sutton and Thamesmead. Hillingdon's YAP aims to provide a holistic youth support service that empowers and enables young people to make informed decisions. The Hayes and West Drayton Single Regeneration Budget Partnership Board, the Drug Action Team, the local authority and the health authority contribute monies to Hillingdon YAP.

In the initial stages of setting up the urban art project, young people were invited to a meeting to discuss their interest in graffiti. It was evident from the views expressed that young people are interested in graffiti and it was not just about writing their name or spray painting but also about music, skateboarding and break-dancing. The YAP identified that graffiti and vandalism were symptoms rather than the problem, and what these young people wanted was a voice and for the community to listen to what they wanted to say.

Engaging the young people in artwork was seen as a solution and an outlet for the young people's talents and energy. As a first step, the YAP sought to gain the young people's trust and involvement in a public art project. The young people needed to feel that the project as real and would value them.

Gradually the interest built up and the young people first worked on a kickabout area in Hayes that had long standing problems from racist and sexist graffiti. The young people involved in this vandalism were then involved in the painting and artwork. The success of this initiative led to other contracts. Including a skateboard area in Uxbridge and the painting of murals in some of the Borough's subways.

In the subways at St Andrew's roundabout in Uxbridge town centre, eight young people created murals with themes from the RAF and underwater scenes. The young people were helped in this and the BAA Heathrow venture by A. Dee (the Artful Dodger) who is a member of the YAP staff. A. Dee is well known and respected in the international graffiti subculture. Hillingdon Borough Council provided the funding with the aim of tackling graffiti in the subways and creating a pleasant and less threatening pedestrian environment. Past experience had shown that efforts to remove the graffiti only had temporary success.

Ive never understood how a teacher can fall in love with a pupil, especially if that pupil is only 15 years old. The teacher in question, this time, is Helen Goddard and she was the popular music teacher that had an affair with one of her female students.

I remember my teens, it was a confusing time. What does a 15 year old girl know about love? I can guess pretty much nothing and they are saying that the young girl instigated the relationship. What the hell is that about? Dare the teacher, the supposed responsible one, to say no? She's been jailed for 15 months for her foolish behavior.

I can completely understand the fury that the parents are experiencing. Teachers are there to teach, to be the one responsible when the parents are not around and they are abusing that power. You cannot tell me that you can experience anything closely related to love with a child.

It's unacceptable, enough said.

Emergency Transport Technology (ETT) of Milperra, is part of the Byron Group, and employs 115 people (140 globally). ETT is a world-leading ambulance and emergency vehicle manufacturer, and consults in providing ambulance services internationally.

The company has received assistance from the NSW Government to exhibit at Arab Health 2009 in Dubai. The funding came from the NSW Government’s Bio and New Export Opportunity programs.

Emergency Transport Technology head office, administration and manufacturing facilities in Milperra, are supported by workshops in Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne, and internationally by a sales office in Malaysia, China and Dubai. It has an accredited paramedic training academy in Malaysia.

Emergency Transport Technology has two fully equipped test facilities in-house. One is a dedicated in-vehicle test area for testing fittings and fixtures inside the vehicle. The other is for testing components such as seat strength, restraint belts, harnesses and other components.