College Papers On Problem Fixing

You can focus the format of your college paper on problem solving on several different things. The focus of your college paper is going to direct what issues it explores and its potential readership. To write an "A" level college thesis on problem solving you need to focus your topic on a narrow sub-topic of problem solving and then develop that sub-topic thoroughly.

Instructions

1. Create a theory-based focus for your college papers on problem solving. For example, your paper can have a single theory focus, in which case it would focus on the theory of social problem solving, the theory of inventive problem solving or the theory of problem-solving behavior. Your paper can also have a multiple theory focus. In this case you would either give an overview of numerous problem solving theories, or you would compare and contrast two theories in depth.

2. Focus your papers on the characteristics of the individual. For example, you can focus your paper on how age impacts the type of problem solving strategies that are used or you can examine how the sex of the individual impacts the type of problem solving strategies that you are using.

3. Take a look at how animals solve problems. In this type of thesis focus on a specific specie or breed of animal. For example, you can examine how dogs in general or collies in particular problem solve. You can also compare and contrast how different animals solve problems differently. For example, you can compare how dogs solve problems differently than primates.

4. Compare and contrast how animals solve problems differently than humans. This can be a very complex topic for a college paper, so you will need to select a very succinct thesis statement. For example, you can focus your paper on the different problem solving strategies used by human toddlers compared to the problem solving strategies used by chimpanzees of the same age.

Contacting Sales Techniques

Many a young salesperson has sat frozen with fear in the parking lot trying to get up the courage to get out of the car and make a cold sales call. The uncertainty of how you will be received, how what you are selling will match the customer's current needs and how you will handle the fear of rejection are all anxieties that can be relieved by becoming confident in cold calling sales techniques.

Cold Calling Defined

There are basically two types of cold calling. The first takes place on the telephone when the salesperson calls a prospective client and tries to generate either a face-to-face appointment for a sales presentation or actually tries to close a sale during the call. The second type of cold call is when salespeople appear at a customer's place of business with no prior appointment, introduce themselves and their company and also attempt to make a presentation and close a sale.

Overcoming the Fear

One of the most fearful aspects of cold calling is the feeling of rejection. As a salesperson, there is no doubt you are going to be rejected by some customers some of the time, but if you are well-prepared when you make the cold call, you will lessen that chance. Sales people must possess a thorough understanding of the product they are trying to sell so they can answer any questions or objections the customer may have. A salesperson must always be cognizant of the fact that the customer may have pressing matters demanding his time when a salesperson shows up or calls. Simply accept this situation as an opportunity to make an appointment to return at a more convenient time.

Cold Calling Obstacles

Many companies and purchasing departments purposely create obstacles to discourage the unannounced sales call. Often a secretary will tell the cold caller that Mr. Customer only works by appointment. Because you are there, make an appointment on the spot.

Some companies set aside specific times during the week when they will see salespeople. Keep track of these windows of opportunity and be sure show up at the time set aside for sales calls; at least you will know you'll get an audience with a buyer.

Voice mail is a recent innovation that can be a blessing. The recorded message will probably ask you to leave a message, usually adding that someone will return your call. This is a great way for the buyer to screen salespeople. If they do call you back, you know you have a prospect that has shown interest in what you have to sell, so it is important that the message you leave contain information that will spark the customer's interest.

Be Aware

When you do make it into your customer's office, make yourself totally aware of the surroundings. Notice if the customer has pictures of grandkids or family; you might comment on them. If there are deer horns and mounted fish on the wall, you might want to break the ice by talking about hunting or fishing. You also should be alert to any of your competitor's products or literature lying around the office.

Do Your Homework

Making successful cold calls requires not only that you have a thorough knowledge of the products you are selling but also that you

have a thorough knowledge of your customer's needs. If you go in asking what do you need today, you will most likely not do any business. However, if you can intelligently talk about some aspect of your customer's operation and how a product of yours will make his work easier or less expensive, you are much more likely to walk out with an order.

Code Of Ethics In Marketing

Adhering to a code of ethics is vital for successful marketing.

Though it includes numerous activities, marketing is basically meeting the needs of customers in return for appropriate payment from them. According to Management Help, marketing discovers the needs of clients and then determines meet those needs. It involves analyzing potential customers and competitors, evaluating what clients will be willing to pay or invest, and deciding present products or services to the public.

Ethical Norms

Adhering to a code of ethics is vital for successful marketing. The American Marketing Association (AMA) offers a concise ethical code to be embraced by the marketing community. Ethical norms, the first part of the code, are established standards of conduct that provide guidelines for behave. These norms include careful adherence to laws and responsible decision making, which will protect marketers from harming those they work with or for. Marketers must build trust between the marketing community and its clients. Finally, marketers need to embrace ethical values that will build consumer confidence.

Values

According to the AMA, there are six core ethical values to be practiced by members of the marketing system. They include honesty, responsibility, fairness, respect, transparency and citizenship. Though some of these values may seem obvious, it is important to emphasize how they affect the everyday actions of marketers. Transparency is the need to create a spirit of openness in marketing operations, and it involves communicating clearly, stating risks and listening to constructive criticism. Ethical citizenship is making decisions that will positively benefit society and the world.

Practice

Abstract ethical ideas sound good on paper, but it can be difficult to put these ethical codes into practice. Marketers have numerous job descriptions in varied sectors of society ranging from technology to industry. Thus, marketers face diverse ethical issues that need to be addressed proactively by the marketing industry they are a part of. Marketing organizations should encourage the discussion of ethics and reward the ethical behavior of their members.

Specifics

The Business Marketing Association (BMA) also lists a code of ethics for its members. In summary, marketers must fairly represent whatever they are advertising. Though this is ethically right, it is also a practical measure because it will build a healthy relationship between marketer and stakeholder. Marketing goods or services that do not exist is completely unethical, along with deceitful methods of gaining favor such as bribes or kickbacks. Claims or business communication made by the marketers should be accurate and trustworthy, and any misleading information should be avoided.

Competitors

Competition with other companies can be one of the most difficult situations in which to adhere to an ethical code. The BMA demands that members avoid disparaging attacks or unfairly attacking a competitor. However, it is possible to ethically compare the services of a competitor and to illustrate how one company or product would be a better choice for a consumer. As long as comparisons remain fair, are not misleading and accurately represent all parties, unethical treatment of competitors can be avoided.

Use Print Advertising

There are many ways to advertise products. Print advertising has been around for years and it's still as effective as it ever was. You do need to come up with good eye-catching copy in the right advertising medium to get the most return for your advertising dollar.

Instructions

1. Decide the purpose of the advertising. Advertising to introduce a new product is likely to be different from advertising for an established product. Sales ads are another example of purpose.

2. Determine your target market. If you are selling laundry soap, in all likelihood you don't want to pay for a print ad in a scientific journal. Rather, you'd want the ad to run in a magazine or newspaper designed for the people in the household who do the laundry.

3. Choose the best venue for your print advertising. Look for newspapers and magazines with high circulation numbers. This gives you the most value for your advertising dollar.

4. Analyze how much you are willing to spend on the print campaign. Set a budget and stick to it. Shop around for the best advertising deals. It may cost more but consider placing your ads in the first section of a newspaper, on the right-hand side and near the top.

5. Design the ad to catch the reader's attention and hold it. Appeal to the reader's emotion. Make the copy clean and readable. Never do white print on a black background. Only use graphics that pertain specifically to your product.

6. Be sure to place your print advertising in a timely manner. If you have a product that gets most of its usage in the summer, like a swimming pool, you are going to want to set your advertising campaign to begin in February or March. If you are placing ads in a monthly publication, depending on their deadlines, you need to have your ad to the publisher even earlier than that.

Closing A Good Investment Account

The tumultuous economic climate has created a situation in which banks and investment companies are abruptly closing at a moment's notice. This economic emergency has prompted many people to take a second look at their investments and determine whether it is time to close some accounts while they still have some money left them. It is important to know properly manage and close your investment accounts in order to avoid any extra charges or penalties.

Instructions

1. Read your investment account's application and contract to find out about any fees associated with closing your account. It is best to know what you'll have to pay to close the account in order to prevent sticker shock when you don't get a check for the entire account balance.

2. Check the account's application and contract for any specific rules or procedures for closing the investment account. Some institutions require that you follow explicit rules in order to successfully close your account.

3. If you don't see any specific directions for closing your investment account, write a letter to the company that is holding your investment account. The letter should state that you would like your shares sold, the account closed and the monies sent to you via a check. You can also opt to pick up the funds if there is an office near you.

4. Print out the letter, place it in a stamped envelope that is addressed to your investment account institution, and mail your request.

Client Management Training

Having clients is what helps support businesses.

Assisting clients is what helps supports a business. Hiring the correct people to manage clients takes training. Client management is a course that helps build relationships with inner and outer clients. It is a necessary course employees have to take in order to advance in their work.

Key Points

Client management training is a workshop that helps identify strategies, tools and techniques to help with client management in various businesses like consulting and tax preparation.

Building Skills

The management training will help attendees build healthy relationships with clients. Attendees will learn conduct and set up meetings and receive training on the process of recruiting, like approach prospects and begin the interview process.

Needed Skills

The workshop will help attendees practice thorough communication, avoid misunderstandings and save time and money with indecisive clients. An example might involve having clients fill out a questionnaire or pre-interview form stating their likes, dislikes and what services they are looking for.

Concepts

There are four concepts within client management training. These include setting and managing expectations, strategies, process, roles, time lines and consequences and push-backs.

Considerations

According to Recruiting Tool Box, it takes approximately one half to a full day to complete the client management training. Check with your place of employment to see if the company offers client management training or if you are responsible for finding the course and completing it on your own time.

A Brief History Of Electricity Footwear

DC Shoes specializes in footwear for skateboarders, snowboarders, BMXers and participants in other extreme sports. The company also sells snowboards and street clothing. With its roots in making unique T-shirts for skaters, the company is now a technical shoe specialist and was the first to produce a technical skateboarding shoe. DC Shoes sponsors sports teams and events, working to create skater-friendly environments.

Beginnings

In 1989, 20-year-old snowboarder Ken Block created his first screen-printed T-shirts for skateboarders. These shirts became the Eightball line, launching a new business. While studying computer design at Palomar Community College, Block met his partner, Damon Way, who helped him sell and distribute the clothes. Damon's pro-skateboarding brother, Danny, would later endorse the new T-shirt line.

With a $10,000 loan from Block's parents, the two men moved into a rented warehouse, bringing in Aaron Lovejoy to do the printing as sales began to skyrocket.

Circus

In 1992, the friends launched the Droors jeans brand. Rob Dyrdek became involved, first as a friend and later as a skateboarding team member, business partner and designer of the first-ever technical skate shoe.

Clay Blehm, an accountant and father of a friend, became the CFO and helped guide the company through its growth. The company incorporated as Circus Distribution, Inc., in 1993 and moved into a 3,000+ square-foot office/warehouse in Carlsbad, California.

Circus introduced its first DC Shoes and the Dub snowboarding outerwear brand in 1994. Danny Way and Colin McKay both put their name on early shoes. In 1994, the company moved again, to a 16,000 square-foot complex.

In 1997, Circus sold off the Dub and Droors brands to concentrate on its core business. The company renamed itself DC Shoes in 1998.

Marketing

DC continued to market aggressively, creating limited edition shoes, and sponsoring skateboard, motocross and surfing teams. It produced two million pairs of shoes in 2001, catering to skateboarders by offering exclusive skate-shop lines.

DC set up events to showcase the pros' skills (for example, Danny Way "skateboarded" from a helicopter in DC-brand shoes). The 1990s saw a growth in the popularity of extreme sports in general, including the Olympic-style X-games, all of which helped improve DC's bottom line.

The company started advertising on TV in 1999, and introduced children's shoes the same year.

2000s

The year 2002 was tough for DC. Billabong International, Inc., tried unsuccessfully to buy the company out. It underwent an IRS audit and then laid off Blehm. He sued DC and Billabong for age discrimination; DC counter-sued for breach of financial responsibility. None of this, however, stopped DC from introducing a skateboarders' outerwear line that same year.

In 2003, the Dyrdek-DC Shoes Foundation partially funded the first skate plaza, a special kind of skate park set up with railings and benches as "props" in Dyrdek's home town of Kettering, Ohio. DC released its first movie, DC Video, and Danny Way and Colin McKay received equity stakes in the company. DC released Fallen shoes, aimed at hardcore skaters.

Today

In 2004, Quiksilver acquired DC Shoes and released a girls' clothing line. The company continued to do research and opened the DC Mountain Lab, the first privately owned facility for development of snowboarding products.

With Yamaha, it developed the DC/Yamaha SXViper Mountain snowmobile, designed to get snowboarders to the powder.

Code Of Conduct & Business Ethics

Redefining business thics

According to Business Network, the code of conduct is defined as "a statement and description of required behaviors, responsibilities, and actions expected of employees of an organization or of members of a professional body." Business ethics are principles of morality laid down by an organization for ensuring corporate responsibility, quality assurance and customer satisfaction. In a competitive business world, the code of conduct and business ethics, together, create excellence, accountability and transparency.

Written Framework

Some organizations have verbal principles that act as a guiding framework for motivating and regulating the employees, in addition to providing a focus for achieving the business goals. Most of the multinational corporations and large non-profit organizations have a written framework, which an employee can refer to in case of doubt or confusion. A written code of conduct and business ethics acts as a rigid set of laws that must be abided by all members of the organization to perform good business practices.

Constituents

A code of conduct and business ethics for an organization should have two sections: an aspiration section and a rules section. The aspiration section highlights the mission, vision, short-term goals, long-term goals and strategies for achieving them in a stipulated time period. The rules section emphasizes the principles laid down by the organization, which the employees have to follow in day-to-day operations. The two sections help the individual employee to work with

zeal and creativity without crossing the boundaries of professionalism.

Enforcement

The organization must enforce its code of conduct and business ethics for ensuring progressive growth and retaining a positive image in the society. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the organization must enforce disciplinary measures, such as "counseling, oral or written reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions in salary, termination of employment and restitution." These disciplinary acts for enforcing the code of conduct and business ethics apply equally to the violator, the person who does not detect violation, the person who withholds the act of violation, and the supervisor who condones violation.

Example of McDonald’s

The global fast food giant, McDonald’s, has a written Standards of Business Conduct, which outlines the company’s goals and the behavior of its employees as they work in the organization and serve the customers. McDonald’s has posted its code of conduct and business ethics on the company’s website to provide an easy access to its principles among the public. According to McDonald’s 2008 Standards of Business Conduct, the company promises ethical conduct of business activities, delivery of quality and customer satisfaction, and personal accountability of its employees who can be terminated in case of violation. Supervisors and managers oversee the operations and also prevent retaliation against an employee who reports a wrongdoing.

Stakeholders’ Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the stakeholders, including the employees, the supervisors, the Board of Directors, the consumers, the media and the government, to ensure that the code of ethics and business conduct is implemented fairly at all times. To sustain a good corporate image, the stakeholders must work in unison for attaining continuous improvement of quality of products and services.

Open A Sales Call

Picking up the phone is often the quickest way to close a sale.

Developing new business comes in many forms -- the Internet, product press releases and direct marketing, to name a few. However, the best avenue in scoring new business is from simply picking up the phone. The goal with a sales call is to follow-up on previous written communication or to get an appointment with the person qualified to buy what you are selling. Opening a sales call can be intimidating for a novice, but using a few tried and true sales tactics can not only lead to a comfortable, easy dialog, but the sale you are seeking.

Instructions

1. Speak clearly and confidently. Take a moment to relax before dialing the number. Assure yourself you know what to say and deliver your message.

2. Keep the conversation formal to get the person's undivided attention.

Introduce yourself. When the person answers the call, usually by saying their name, repeat their name keeping it formal. If John Smith answers his phone by saying, "This is John Smith," repeat it back formally asking a question: "Hello, Mr. Smith?" The person will answer yes, which means they are already engaged in the conversation.

3. The tone of your voice should be upbeat.

Exchange pleasantries. After you hear affirmation that it is the person on the phone that you indeed need to talk to, respond with something positive, such as "It's a honor to finally speak to you." This does not directly identify you yet and allows the prospective client to engage more into the conversation without thinking about if he wants to talk to you.

4. Ask a question that gives you a "yes" answer.

Ask permission to ask a question. Rarely will someone say no. This establishes the format of your sales call and puts you in charge. Ask a question that directly relates to the benefit of you two doing business together. You already believe a business relationship will benefit both of you, so craft this question right and the prospective client will, too. This makes it a mutual decision to continue the call.

5. The hook of the sales call is used to unite the two business parties.

Catch the person's attention by using a "hook" that is directly of interest to this specific prospect. For example, if the prospect is in the fashion business, give them an example of what you have done to help another fashion-related corporation. "We have helped XYZ fashion manufacturer to reduce overhead by 30 percent last year alone." This gives the prospect a tangible benefit to hold onto. Keep the hook to one or two sentences.

6. Explain who you are. This is the time to reveal your organization and give it a brief description. The opening to your sales call is complete and the prospect can now ask questions as well.

Chinese Business Traditions & Culture

Understanding Chinese culture will help improve business relationships

With the growth of capitalism in China, many companies are now finding that they have Chinese business partners. In international business, it is not just important to know the language of those you are doing business with, but it is vital to know about their cultural and business rituals.

Nonverbal Communication

In the western word, communication is generally done orally and in a direct way. But in China, businessmen tend to be less direct in their communication of information. This is especially common when Chinese businessmen are expressing disagreement. They rarely say no, even if they mean to, and often express disagreement non-verbally.

Orientation

Western businessmen tend to be "I" oriented or to speak of their company from the perspective of their leader. Chinese businessmen focus on the team and are more "we" oriented.

Relationship

Chinese businessmen find the relationship between businessmen to be paramount in their transactions. They generally believe that a written agreement is secondary to the relationship. This encourages several business rituals, such as going out for drinks, sharing a meal and shaking hands, to strengthen a business relationship. In some cases, western businessmen will be asked to share a baijiu drink, which is 80 to 120 proof but is important in the Chinese bonding ritual.

Loyalty

The importance of relationships for Chinese business informs their tendency to remain fiercely loyal. Once a relationship has been formed, most Chinese businessmen are unlikely to break it. This makes it difficult when western companies rotate their personnel who are then faced with forming new relationships with their Chinese partners.

Food

Chinese business rituals generally involve food. While business breakfasts are not common in most Chinese provinces, a morning tea, lunch or dinner are very popular. The most popular business ritual in China however, are evening banquets, which last for two hours or more. These banquets observe strict seating etiquette and guests should arrive early or on time.

Global Customs Compliance

Global customs compliance helps regulate world trade.

The rise in global trade has brought advancing regulations in customs compliance. For example, the U.S. Customs Modernization Act of 1993 increases customs responsibilities for importers in the U.S.

History

Improvements in transportation and courier services during the 1970s led to more countries importing goods, notes the "Global Materials Compliance Handbook." Gradually, national customs agencies became overwhelmed by the increase, and customs checks of shipments suffered as a result.

Progression

Australia instituted a "statistical" customs compliance program in the 1990s, in which customs agents checked an exporter's shipments sporadically, which eventually amounted to an overall statistical report detailing the exporter's compliance record. Further, in April 2005, the European Commission amended its Community Customs Code for faster and more targeted customs checks.

Identification

According to the "Global Materials Compliance Handbook," compliance means the purpose or method of government agencies whose principal business involves encouraging, and sometimes forcing, citizens to meet their public obligations. This definition plays out in customs compliance by determining imported product quality and ensuring no illegal goods come through.

Setup Televisions In Sports Bar

One of the main draws in a sports bar is setting up televisions for customers to watch the big game. People are more apt to come out, have a drink and party with their friends if they know there's a giant flat screen TV with all the action on it. Indeed, when establishing a sports bar, televisions are likely the most important decorative item you need. Setting them up isn't all that different from setting them up in a home. You simply need to have a good idea of your bar's requirements.

Instructions

1. Examine the space in your bar: each of the tables, chairs, booths and standing spots. You want TVs to be accessible to as many different spots as possible within your budget.

2. Determine exactly how many TVs you can afford on your stated budget, factoring in the number of TVs that you can comfortably fit into your space. The good news is that LCD TVs are getting cheaper by the day, making it fairly easy to pick up a large number of them. Don't forget to allot money for sturdy mounting brackets, satellite or cable installation and monthly satellite or cable bills.

3. Identify the central location in your sports bar--usually the bar itself--and set that aside for the main TV. It should be as large as will fit--40 inches or larger if possible. In some cases, you may wish to have auxiliary TVs placed alongside it, particularly if you intend on showing multiple sporting events at once.

4. Establish spots in your bar for smaller TVs where customers tucked away in booths can still watch the game. Corners are usually good locations, and you should always place your TVs high up on the wall where they can be seen over standing customers.

5. Note locations in the bar walls or roof where you can run cables up to the satellite dish. Make sure they can be easily inserted, that they look discreet, and that you don't need to run them across the floor or anywhere where your customers might trip over them.

6. Call a satellite or cable company to set up a programming package. Ask about sports packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket and MLB Extra Innings: the more programming options you have, the better. DirecTV has a package specifically for bar owners, and other satellite companies may offer similar deals.

7. Mount each TV in your selected locale using a high-end mounting frame. If possible, secure them to the studs in the wall rather than drywall or similar material; it makes them sturdy.

8. Call the satellite or cable company and have them install your programming package. Check each TV to see that it's working before the satellite installer leaves.

9. Monitor the sporting schedule in your local area (as well as national sporting events) and set your TVs to cover as many of them as possible.

Cheap Methods To Develop A Patio

Cheap Ways to Build a Patio

Building a patio is not terribly expensive if you eliminate expensive labor costs, which can add up to more than what you pay for the materials. One way to do this is to build the patio yourself. If you have any handy friends, ask them to help you out. If you live in an area that has a trade school, you can ask them if they are interested in bringing a class out to your home to do a patio project.

Build It Yourself

Build a concrete patio that you pour yourself and you will save a stack of money. Bags of concrete are cheap as building materials go, and doing the work yourself will save the price you would pay for labor.

Build a BBQ grill for your patio using cinder blocks and mortar, also cheap cement products. These pre-made blocks also make solid foundations for stationary benches and tables on a patio.

Make a half wall for your patio with the same cinder blocks and mortar if you want to section off this outside area. You can make the wall chair height and attach wooden planks along the top of the wall for extra seating.

Install your own wood burning fire pit, which is nothing more than a dug out hole in the ground with a border of rock, blocks, or bricks. This can be built adjacent to your patio with clean playground sand around it so you can put your bare feet in the nice warm sand on cool nights. This will also extend the season for your patio and it is another cheap way to build an area of a patio. Make sure you call your municipal building department for any permits or specs you may need for the patio or a fire pit.

Trade School Services

Find a cheap way to have your patio built for you if you are not able to do this yourself. The elderly and people who have a disability are especially eligible for help from a nearby trade school. Depending on how busy the schools are, they may be able to fit your project in.

Trade schools will often come out to your home and do a project at no cost, as long as you pay for the materials. Sign up at the beginning of the semester to increase your chances of receiving this service. Many trade high schools also offer this service. Students learn from hands-on experience in the field, so many of these schools welcome the chance to do this with their students.

Look up your area trade schools and see if there is one that offers this type of service. You can have a patio made from stone, brick or concrete from the masonry division of a trade school or a wooden patio constructed like a deck from the carpentry division. The savings is tremendous and best of all the work is done with the supervision of a master craftsman, the instructor.

Cheap Dinner Suggestions For Two

Simple, inexpensive food presented well is a delicious, healthy way to have a pleasant meal.

Whether you are short of money or simply want to conserve resources, dinner does not have to be uninteresting and cooking dinner doesn't have to be a dreaded event. By viewing food in its simplest terms, delicious, healthy and very nutritious meals for two can be created for very little money.

Look in the Refrigerator

Before looking at specific dishes, there are a couple of things that can help as you consider making an inexpensive dinner for two. Look in your refrigerator. What do you already have, and don't need to buy? Sometimes, the contents of your refrigerator may trigger ideas of additions to make a great meal on a budget. Do you have carrots? How about herb chicken drumsticks with potatoes and fried carrot medallions. To make the fried carrot medallions, steam the carrots until almost done, then sear them in a very hot pan.

Use Your Imagination

Consider how things will work together and be very creative. For example, if you have a pork roast and some apples, make a pork stew but use the apples instead of potatoes. Adding some cinnamon to the apple pork stew can also be very good. Consider how the flavors you already have could combine into a new and unusual dish. Remember, recipes are for your reference only, unless you are baking cakes, breads or cookies.

Creative Use of Ramen

Most people consider ramen noodles to be a low-end food suitable for college students and those weeks when your food budget has simply run out. However, Chinese home cooks often use ramen noodles, or any inexpensive instant noodle, to create a variety of noodle dishes. Cook the ramen noodles as instructed. Do not add the flavoring package yet. Look in your refrigerator for meats and vegetables that are either left over from other meals or that can be quickly cooked. If you don't have cooked meat, slice some uncooked meat thinly and stir fry with whatever thinly cut vegetables you already have. When the vegetables and meat are cooked, add the ramen noodle flavor packet and add the drained noodles. Briefly stir fry the noodles to mix the flavors together. By adding vegetables of varying colors, you can create a delicious, inexpensive and beautiful meal.

Beans & Rice Variants

Properly cooked beans, spiced well with a few simple vegetables combine with rice to create a very high protein dinner. By adding vegetables, a meal of simple beans and rice can be both healthy and delicious. Try adding some slices of meat, more as a texture and spice than for its nutritional value.

Least expensive Method To Ship A Motorcycle In The New England Towards The West Coast

Ship your bike instead of renting a new one when you arrive at your destination.

Participating in an out-of-state bike race can be an exciting opportunity. Keep the excitement up by shipping your bicycle from the East Coast to the West Coast as cheaply as possible. You must obtain shipping quotes from different shipping carriers, but, with a few shipping tricks, you can box your bicycle at the cheapest cost possible. Shipping your bike to a cycling event will save you money on bike rental costs, which can be pricey.

Instructions

1. Measure the bike frame from the front to the back, as well as from the center of the crank to the seat tube.

2. Buy an accurately sized cardboard bicycle box, which are available at local bicycle shops. Sizing the box beforehand will help you to save on shipping costs. To learn size a bicycle box, proceed to Step 3. If you are familiar with this process, proceed to Step 4.

3. Measure the dimensions of the box, which include the length, height and depth. Use a shipping calculator to estimate the shipping cost. Websites such as FedEx.com and UPS.com, both of which offer shipping service from the East to the West Coasts, provide online and in-store shipping calculators. Enter the shipping address for the bicycle and estimate the weight of the box.

4. Pack the box tightly. Using a larger bicycle box than is needed may result in your bicycle exceeding the approved dimensional weight and height allowed before additional charges apply. Remove the wheels, pedals, seat post and handlebars if necessary. You can also position the handlebars sideways if you do not wish to remove them.

5. Protect your bicycle with a fork protection block, which you insert into the fork to prevent damage. Use an axle protector, which you press onto the front axle to prevent it from bursting through the box.

6. Save money by transporting your helmet, bike rack (which can be disassembled using a screwdriver), cycling gear, air pump and other accessories in separate luggage. Transport these items to your destination by car, bus or plane, if possible.

7. Ship your bicycle in advance of your cycling event to avoid hefty overnight charges. Insure your bicycle based on its estimated value.

Qualities Of Monetary Globalization

Economic globalization depends on national market economies opening up to the world.

Globalization describes the process by which the world becomes more deeply interconnected in all spheres. Economic globalization is the process of that interconnection relating to employment and the production of goods and services across national boundaries. According to the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, a "globalized" country typically benefits from a population who enjoy a relatively high standard of living when compared to countries that are not globalized.

Definition of Economic Globalization

According to United Nations University, economic globalization is "the free movements of goods, services and capital across borders." This process allows more powerful, richer economies to find new markets across the world, while bringing new economic opportunities to countries that are prepared to "globalize." Although most obviously associated with the trade of goods and flows of money, globalization also includes the movement of workers and technological knowledge around the world. A global marketplace means that multinational enterprises have developed and are described by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, as economic globalization's "key vector."

Information Technology and Global Connectedness

Developments in information technology have facilitated the acceleration of economic globalization. Through the Internet and telephone communication, business can be carried out across oceans. Globalized nations are integrated into the world's economy, trading internationally in a way that wasn't possible before the dawn of the "IT Revolution." Data transfer via the Internet also allows cultural data to be disseminated much more easily, allowing different countries to learn more about each other as long as the Internet is not state-censored, as is the case in China.

Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI, is an investment made by a business with a view to pursuing interests in another country. The investor and its foreign affiliate company embody a multinational corporation. FDI sets up a long-term relationship, and as a result, the investor expects to gain meaningful interest over the "direct investment enterprise," the body operating in the foreign country that receives the investment.

International Trade

Globalization is made more difficult by barriers to international trade, and so globalizing forces seek to remove the barriers. Import tariffs make imports more costly. The IMF states that international trade "promotes economic resilience and flexibility," encouraging countries to specialize in their own profitable areas and then export their goods and services around the world. By 2007, the IMF states that 62.1 percent of the world's gross domestic product, or GDP, was generated through international trade of goods and services. Furthermore, the global amount of workers based in foreign countries jumped from 78 million to 191 million people between 1965 and 2005.

So How Exactly Does Scotch Tape Work

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

3M, the manufacturer of Scotch Tape is highly secretive about its process. 3M was one of the first companies to begin making this type of tape and regards its process as a complete and total secret. Richard Dew, the inventor of Scotch Tape, actually worked for the company during the 1920s in the Research and Development department. He created masking tape and adapted that formula to create Scotch Tape. He found a way to attach adhesive to cellophane tape, which was completely clear. Dew used a series of polymers and adhesives that dried slightly when added to the surface of the tape. The formula itself is a trade secret, but it involves using a special type of pressure sensitive adhesive developed by the 3M company.

Polymers

Scotch Tape relies on a special series of polymers to work. Polymers are types of molecules that attach together to form long chains. The original polymer contained rubber, natural oils and synthetic resins. Today 3M and other companies making similar types of clear tape use a polymer that includes acrylics in the blend. Acrylics are noted for their strength and durability, as well as their quick drying capabilities. The polymers are mixed together to form a material and heated until it takes on a liquid consistency. The liquids slowly applied to sheets of clear plastic or cellophane. The pieces are then cooled, which causes the adhesive to dry slightly, while still maintaining its sticky feel. They use evaporation or add chemicals to remove the liquids and then dry out the pieces.

Sticking

One of the most common theories regarding how Scotch Tape works and why it remains sticky involves the use of bubbles. While the surface of the tape appears smooth and flat, it actually contains a series of small bubbles. When adhesive is applied to the surface of the tape, it's impossible to remove all the air bubbles and make the surface completely flat. There are small areas where the bubbles rise off the surface and dip back down. This creates a series of small valleys in between the bubbles. When the tape is laid onto another surface, it traps air inside those valleys. The air bubbles function as a sticky substance and attach themselves to the surface of the object and add even more adhesive. The bubbles actually cause the rises on the tape to attach to the object. When viewed under a microscope, this is all evident.

Challenges Of Property Development & Management

With knowledge of the housing market, commercial or residential, a skilled team and loyal clients, property development and management professionals get an opportunity to see their visions turn into properties clients rent or buy for their homes and businesses. While the work is rewarding, they are many challenges property development and management professionals face along the way.

Licensing, Regulations and Permits

Just like any other small business, property development and management companies must register as legal entities within the state where they are established. Depending on the state and the nature of the project, a property development and management business owner may also have to apply for licensing and permits in accordance with regulations, which may present challenges such as delayed projects, going over budget and even losing projects.

Budgeting and Financing

Securing funding for projects can be problematic for development and management companies for various reasons, including having too much open credit to apply for more, getting denied for loans, needing a co-signer for applications or banks not willing to lend money because of downturns in the economy. When property development and management companies face these types of situations, they may have to end or delay a project if they cannot find alternate sources of funding. Owners of property development and management companies have strict budgets they must operate within for each project they undertake. While initial estimates for jobs may appear to fall within a given budget, problems can arise which cause the company to go over the budget.

Identifying Locations and Properties

Developing properties is a gamble, so owners spend substantial time researching locations and properties before they decide to take on projects. Through their research, they discover how much growth a neighborhood may experience, the types of businesses in the area and the values of the homes. Developers often rely on information from outside sources, such as real estate agents and appraisers.

Hiring Contractors and Staff

Property development and management companies have to decide whether to hire a staff or work with contractors to complete their development projects. The cost to hire employees can be too high for smaller companies, causing them to opt for contractors. In either case, they have to manage workers to ensure that jobs are completed on time and on budget.

Finding Renters or Buyers

Once a development is ready to rent or buy, property development and management companies have to go through the process of marketing their projects to clients. When managing a rental property, they have to collect payments from the tenants on time, handle any service requests and ensure that they follow all residential and commercial property laws.

Challenges For Selling On The Web

About two-thirds of online users purchase items online and 78 percent believe it is a convenient method of shopping, according to a 2008 Pew Research study. This presents a significant opportunity for anyone who has a product or service to sell online. Though selling on the Internet comes with a number of benefits for business owners, it's also important to take a look at the potential challenges.

Time Requirement

While some Internet businesses run on "auto-pilot," others may require a significant time investment from the owner. For example, if an online merchant sells tangible products, he must review, process and ship orders daily. A consultant who services clients online must email or chat with her contacts daily to ensure that the project is on track. An Internet business can become overwhelming for one person to manage.

Communication

Because the Internet entrepreneur talks to customers, clients and business contacts over the Internet, communication can prove challenging. Sometimes it's difficult for the business owner or customer to communicate needs and messages effectively over the Internet. The two parties don't have the benefit of seeing body language, voice inflections or facial expressions while discussing business matters online. At the same time, spending a significant amount of time on the phone or at in-person business meetings defeats one of the main purposes of selling online --- the benefits of a simple, automated Web transaction.

Trust Issues

Some Internet sellers also experience challenges due to trust and security issues when operating online. The threat of Internet scams, compromised websites, credit card fraud and other online threats may cause a potential customer to pass on purchasing from an online seller's website. For example, about 75 percent of online users have reservations about giving out a credit card number online, according to the Pew Research study on online shopping.

Bad Web Design & Navigation

According to Pew Research, 58 percent of Internet users feel "frustrated, confused or overwhelmed" during online shopping. When a website is poorly designed or doesn't have adequate information, the site owner may lose sales. One key example is inefficient navigation --- if the customer clicks a link expecting one result and doesn't get the answer, it could deter sales. The business owner may also unknowingly lose sales if basic features of the website, like the shopping cart system, don't work properly.

Sell Suggestions To Companies

Sell your ideas and take your career to the next level.

Do you have an idea that could take your career to the next level? With a little preparation and some skills, you can sell your idea to your boss, your company bigwig or even to another company.

Instructions

1. Earn the company's trust. Sell ideas suitable to your credibility level. If you're a mailroom clerk, pitch an idea about a better way to sort mail. If you're a mailroom clerk who has an idea about a new computer program, prove your expertise in that area with a resume and recommendations from recognized people in the field. Or work to make yourself known to executives in the company who have expertise in the area you are interested in. Write letters or e-mails to executives and ask their advice for meeting other company people for informational interviews. Get names from these interviews and network further. Also, go to trade shows to meet company people in your area of interest. Speak or manage a booth at trade shows to demonstrate your level of ability.

2. Do your research. Know what ideas the company is already interested in or has worked on in the past. Understand what types of activities and ideas appeal to the company. Talk about how your idea ties into the company's strategies and objectives. Show the company how your plan will help further its goals. Make your idea part of the "big plan."

3. Solve a problem. Get someone to pay attention to your idea by resolving an issue for them. Understand the needs of the person from whom you are trying to win approval. If you can't figure out help that person or help her company, you can't really sell your idea to her.

4. Use relationships. Find support within the company. Ask for co-chairmans within the company to help you pitch your idea. Make sure these co-chairmans are enthusiastic and optimistic about your idea.

5. Name your idea. Give your idea a memorable or catchy name. Call it "Project ____" or whatever unique name you can think of. People will remember your idea and be more willing to think about it and discuss it.

6. Use exciting words to describe your idea. You can help shape the way executives think about your idea with the words you use. Words like "innovative," "cutting edge," "state of the art," and "visionary" will help sell your idea.

7. Try to be present at most meetings where your idea is discussed. One naysayer in the room can destroy your idea. If you are present at meetings, you can rebut negative comments.

8. Be ready to address objections or weaknesses in your idea. Don't downplay weaknesses. Most good ideas have cynics. Be ready for objections and negative comments when you present your idea and have rebuttals prepared.

9. Understand the funding process. Each company has a different way of funding projects. Get information from a variety of departments to find out the best way to get funding for your idea. If you rely on someone else to do the funding legwork, you may find your idea gets canned.

10. Close the deal. Once you have presented your idea and dealt with objections, summarize your basic points and take a look to the future. Ask questions, such as "Does this meet your objectives?" and "When can we take this to the budget committee?" Don't go on too long, or people will get sick of you and your idea. Wrap things up in a timely manner while people are still excited about your proposal.

Ce Certification & Ul Certification

Electronic devices are often stamped with the UL logo.

Millions of products worldwide are tested for safety and environmental conformance before they are sold. Standards differ depending on region, so markings often indicate within which set of standards a certain product has been tested. A CE mark, for example, indicates a product meets European standards. UL certification shows that a product meets North American codes and standards.

UL Certification

The independent organization Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) has been testing products and writing safety standards since 1894. According to UL, products carrying its stamp have been tested and approved for physical and environmental safety. In 2009, the UL stamp appeared on about 20 billion products. Nearly 20,000 types of products were evaluated worldwide in 120 UL inspection centers.

UL Examples

More than 1,400 UL safety standards are applied to products in a wide range of industries, so certain product types are grouped under UL numbers. For example, certified audio-video products and accessories are stamped with UL 1492, according to manufacturer Crown Audio. The standard for professional audio-video equipment is UL 1419. Reference standard UL 1581 is applied to the more general area of electrical wires, cables and flexible cords.

CE Certification

According to UL, the Conformance European (CE) mark indicates that a product adheres to safety, environmental, health and consumer protections under European law. Countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) require manufacturers to include the CE mark on their products. The CE mark serves as a "passport" for products traded internationally throughout the European Union.

CE Examples

Like the UL stamp, the CE mark is used on a variety of product types, each of which require a separate set of standards. Crown Audio notes, for instance, that "audio video and similar electronic" products must pass the EN 60065: 1998 test. Such tests ensure products pose no shock hazards or cause very little electromagnetic interference.

UL and CE Differences

UL warns that the CE stamp "is not a safety certification mark." While UL certification indicates a third party has tested each product, the CE stamp is based on "self declaration." Manufacturers are required to sign a Declaration of Conformity in order to carry the CE mark, but that does not indicate compliance with North American installation codes or safety standards.

Other Certifications

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) mark, Crown Audio says, also indicates a product has been tested by a non-profit, third-party laboratory. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recognizes the CSA mark as a safe alternative to UL certification. ETL certification standards are also accepted throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Compact disc Rates Versus Ira Compact disc Rates

CDs are certificates of deposit offered by banks to give customers a higher rate of return in exchange for holding the money in the bank for a specified period of time. Bank customers can use a time certificate for regular savings, or they can keep the money in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for conservative retirement savings.

Defining Accounts

An IRA CD account is a long-term investment structure, designed to be held until at least age 59 1/2, that allows an investor to save money toward retirement. Non-IRA accounts are designed as personal savings accounts.

Tax Considerations

IRA CDs earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. You must pay taxes on the interest earned from non-IRA CDs annually.

Suitability

For those who are seeking to preserve capital in IRA accounts, a CD is a good option compared to stocks or mutual funds. Non-IRA CDs are suitable for people who have extra savings funds and want to get a higher rate of return on the money.

Time Frame

CDs have the same duration regardless of whether they are IRA CDs or not. Options may be anywhere from 3 months to 3 years in length.

Rate of Return

The designated rate of return on the CD is the same, regardless of whether it is in an IRA. The difference is in the benefit of tax-deferral, where the IRA will have a greater advantage in the rate of return.

Cause & Aftereffect Of Unemployment

Losing a job can be distruptive, particularly to workers with less education.

At any given time, the number of available workers typically exceeds the number of jobs available. This means that some unemployment is expected. However, unemployment rates fluctuate due to various factors that all affect the public and employers.

Market Fluctuation

The rules of supply and demand apply to all businesses. When the demand for a service or product is low, companies have a harder time making enough profit to pay employees. These companies often have to lay off workers and downsize to stay afloat, or they shut down altogether if demand remains low over an extended period.

Attitudes, Perceptions and Values

The goals and objectives of employees and employers play a role in whether an employee continues to work. For instance, an employer who is not willing to sacrifice company profit to keep workers employed may not have a problem letting employees go. Employees may leave the workforce if their beliefs and attitudes cause conflicts in the work environment.

Status of Employee

Employment is related directly to the employee's skill set and physical ability to work. If an employee is injured on the job, he may lose the ability to do the manual tasks required. Similarly, a worker may be let go if he fails to fulfill his job description, or if he cannot adapt to meet the demands of the company as the market, technology and business protocol change.

Economic Issues

When a territory, state or nation enters a period of economic recession -- which is caused by multiple factors -- companies sometimes have a harder time covering the costs of operations. Additionally, people don't have as much money to make purchases, so demand for products and services may decline. To reduce costs, companies must cut other areas of their budget or lay off workers.

Social Stigma

Even though some people lose their jobs through no fault of their own, unemployed workers sometimes suffer from a social stigma. Others sometimes believe that if the employee had only worked harder, or if he had put more effort into finding work, then he would have a job.

Disruption

Unemployed workers face disruption in many areas of their personal lives. For example, they may have to uproot their entire family and move to take another job somewhere else, or they may run into problems with creditors because their income is too low to cover debts.

Physical and Emotional Distress

The disruption and social problems caused by unemployment often lead to problems with health, depression, stress and anxiety. For instance, Paul Solman of PBS noted that unemployment has been connected to higher instances of heart attack, lower self-esteem and increased medical visits.

Less Stable Economy

When workers are unemployed, they cannot put as much money back into the economy. This perpetuates the unemployment problem, as companies depend on spending to stay in business. Overall, this makes the economy less stable, increasing the strain on the government in terms of public assistance programs.

Reasons For Air & Water Quality

The average adult in the United States breathes 3,000 gallons of polluted air everyday, according to GreenStudentu.com. Moreover, Americans use over 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides annually, which are eventually flushed into bodies of water. Almost 73 different types of pesticides have been found in groundwater that is used as drinking water in most parts of the country, making it harmful for living beings. If these statistics sound alarming and you would like to make an effort to be kind to the environment, do so. To understand how you can make an effort, it is important to understand the causes and sources of this contamination.

What is Pollution?

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment due to human actions or natural disasters. The three main types of pollution are land pollution (caused by commercial, agricultural and industrial activities), air pollution (caused by the accumulation of dangerous substances and gases in the atmosphere) and water pollution (caused by the accumulation of chemical and biological matter in bodies of water). Simple and small alterations in your daily life can help reduce both air and water pollution. This will not only protect the environment but also improve human health.

Causes of Air Pollution

Air pollution is a general term applied to a range of contaminants accumulated in the atmosphere. The biggest source of air pollution is waste from the internal combustion engine that emits smoke and sulfur dioxide, both of which are harmful to the environment. The exhaust spews chemicals that contribute to smog and result in air pollution. Chemicals released into the air through photochemical reactions, industrial processes, power-generating stations and factories that burn oil and coal are a large contributor to air pollution. Other causes of air pollution include tobacco smoke, acid rain, paint fumes, aerosol sprays, nuclear weapons, deforestation and wildfires.

Causes of Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of bodies of water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and groundwater. Water pollution degrades the quality of life for organisms that live in water and for those who consume it. Pesticides and fertilizers often find their way into streams, rivers and groundwater. The harmful chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers contaminate freshwater and contribute to water pollution. Oil spills and waste from industrial and manufacturing plants are causes of water pollution. Shipping, mining, refineries, human sewage, failing septic systems, household soaps and detergents, car leaks and animal waste also cause water pollution.

Groups Of Patent Protection

Patent protection ensures nobody will profit from stealing your idea.

Inventors understand that obtaining a patent is not an easy process. Lengthy and very detailed descriptions must be written out, along with any drawings that may be needed. Furthermore, what category to file the invention under may be uncertain. Knowing that the application process is difficult, the United States Patent Office (USPTO) offers guidance on go about categorizing your invention so you can obtain protection accordingly.

Design

A design patent protects the visual, ornamental design of the object you invented. For example if you invented a new cosmetic case, this category protects the visual aspects of the case. It does not protect the materials that the case is made of, or the locking mechanism, or the hinge. If you invented a new type of hinge for the case, you must file in another category for machine mechanism protection. Another example would be a new design of a clock face. You cannot invent a clock, since those were invented hundreds of years ago, but you can protect the artistic part of the face with a design patent. According to the USPTO, design patent protection lasts for 14 years from the date of issuance.

Utility

According to the USPTO, this is the most common type of patent application. A utility patent covers new machines, processes (new ways of making something), material composition or an improvement. An example of a process would be if you develop a system that reduces the time needed to build a car from one day to 10 minutes. If so, you can file for and obtain a utility patent. For an example of an improvement, suppose all the chairs in the world have only three legs. You invent a chair that has four legs, which improves stability. If so, you can file for and obtain a utility patent.

Plant

If you develop or cross-breed plants and develop a new type of hybrid, you can file for and obtain a plant patent. Several restrictions, however, are involved. First, the plant must be asexually reproduced. It must be other than a root-spread plant, such as potatoes or peanuts. Furthermore, the plant cannot be found in an uncultivated environment (naturally growing in the wild). Mutations can be covered by a plant patent, but only if the mutation could not occur naturally in the wild. An example of a hybrid is a tangelo, which is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit.

Casual Clothing Friday Benefits

Most workplaces allow employees to dress down on Fridays. Although this policy is known by different names, the most common is "casual Fridays." Employers and employees reap the benefits of this inexpensive, innovative concept.

Free Company Incentive

Employers look for ways to motivate their employees and provide additional benefits that make the job more enjoyable. In economically tight times, casual dress Friday is a workplace incentive that costs the employer nothing but provides great intrinsic rewards. A few of these no-cost rewards for the employer are a more motivated work force, a work force that has received what they see as a free perk and the right to express themselves, if only for a day.

Less Expensive

Some people have tried to encourage companies to expand the concept of casual Fridays to other days of the week. They argue that casual clothes are less expensive than suits and other business attire. However, some managers worry about the lack of professional appearance and adhere to the old adage that clothes make the man. From a practical point of view, no one can argue that blue jeans are cheaper than a business suit.

A Sense of Unity

In reality, suits and business attire are basically uniforms. People are known on the professional business ladder by how they dress. On casual Fridays, everyone is dressed in a similar manner. There is no longer a visible, structured pecking order, so people feel a sense of unity.

A New "Professional" Look in the Workplace

It could be argued that a new professional look has developed in the workplace that which could be described as professional casual. Many people are loosing the coat-vest-tie look for the more simple shirt, tie and dress slacks or in some cases simply a polo shirt and dress slacks.

The Future of Casual Fridays

As the new professional casual look gains ground, the relevance of casual Fridays will diminish. But in the meantime, a day when the employees can let their hair down and mingle with the upper crust has many rewards for both the employer and the employee. By allowing more casual wear in a workplace, the barriers tend to become blurred, and that could result in more positive attitudes among employees.

Casio Ms 120te Instructions

The Casio MS 120TE is a 12-digit desk calculator that can perform basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is not equipped to handle algebraic, geometric or statistical problems. This calculator is suitable for school, home or office.

Instructions

1. Push the purple "C/AC" button to turn on the Casio MS 120TE calculator on.

2. Enter the first number grouping in your equation. Enter the numbers from left to right. For example, if your equation is 123 + 456, press "1," "2" and "3" to enter the first grouping in the equation.

3. Push the button that correlates to the appropriate function: addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. For the sample equation of 123 + 456, press "+."

4. Enter the second number grouping in your equation. For the sample equation of 123 + 456, press "4," "5" and "6."

5. Continue entering numbers and functions until your entire equation is entered. For example, if the equation is 123 + 456 - 789 +321, push "-" followed by the next number of "7," "8" and "9" and continue on until the entire equation is entered. Once complete, press the "=," or equal button, to display the answer to the equation.

Casinos Near Lake tahoe California

Roulette is one game found at Tahoe casinos.

Tahoe, located between California and Nevada, is known as "America's year-round playground" because of its numerous outdoor and indoor recreation activities. Besides skiing in the mountains or boating in Lake Tahoe, visitors in the area can test their luck at one of the area's casinos. Blackjack, craps, slots and video poker are just some of the games featured at local casinos.

Harrah's Lake Tahoe

Video poker, blackjack and Rapid Roulette are just a few of the many games offered at Harrah's Casino at Lake Tahoe. The casino, which remains open 24 hours a day, features slots, table games, keno and poker. Attached to the casino is Harrah's 18-story hotel, a swimming pool and a luxury spa. It also features restaurants including the Station Steak & Seafood Grill, which offers panoramic views of the lake. Live acts in music and comedy often perform at the casino's South Shore Room and Casino Center Stage.

Horizon Casino Resort

The Horizon Casino Resort features a complete selection of the most popular slot machines, as well as many of the classic slots, in its 42,000-square-foot casino. In addition to the games, the Horizon has a variety of restaurants, including the Town Square Buffet and the Four Seasons Restaurant. For more entertainment, relax with some drinks at the Aspen Lounge or play some virtual reality games at the resort's Arcade World.

Lakeside Inn and Casino

This Lakeside Inn and Casino features many games players would find at a larger casino, including slots, keno, table games, a race and sports book and live action poker. For those who are new to any of the games, its owners encourage guests to approach any staff members with questions, or attend the "University of Lakeside" -- a free class that teaches the fundamentals of poker, blackjack and craps. Attendees also receive a free cocktail, souvenir and $5 to play at the slots. Additionally, the inn features pet-friendly guest rooms, as well as eateries including The Timber House Restaurant and Bar, Latin Soul Restaurant and Tavern Bar.

Tahoe Biltmore

The Tahoe Biltmore Casino offers more than 240 slots, eight table games -- including blackjack, craps and roulette -- as well as video poker machines and a sports book. The Tahoe Biltmore also has a lodge with 113 rooms and suites, in addition to cottages overlooking Lake Tahoe. There are two restaurants at the resort: Cafe Biltmore and Conrad's Steak Chops and Seafood. Ski packages for nearby slopes are also available for guests.

Cash Loan Laws and regulations On Came back Inspections

When cash advance lenders loan out money, the borrower generally enters a legal binding contract to repay the loan and any fees that have been government regulated. However, there are no laws that guarantee payment from the borrower for the returned check. Not paying the returned check could result in the closing of any and all accounts of the borrowers, which the bank and cash advance lender has the right to do if payment has not been made for the returned check or fees associated with the returned check.

Criminal Charges

If a borrower's check is returned to the cash advance lender for insufficient funds, no criminal charges can be brought. The cash advance lender cannot have the police or court of law file a criminal case against the borrower, because no law has been broken. The cash advance company may file civil action, but no criminal actions can take place against the borrower.

Types Of Fees

There are different types of fees associated with a returned check. The bank or financial institution that the check is written on can charge a fee to the account holder if a check is written on an account with insufficient funds, and the lender can charge fees to the borrower for the fees that the company's bank will charge for the returned check. The law allows these fees to be charged to the borrower for returned checks. The borrower is responsible by law for paying these returned check fees.

Small Claims Suit

Laws allow the cash advance company to file a small claims suit against a borrower in order to retrieve the money given to the borrower. A judge decides if the cash advance lender is eligible to receive the money given to the borrower for the cash advance, and what if any fees are to be repaid by the borrower as well. The laws for the time frame in which a cash advance lender may file a suite vary from state to state, as does the process to file the civil suit.

Bank Misconceptions

The laws that apply for the cash advance company do not apply to the bank that the check was written on. If there are no funds in the bank to cover the check, the check will not clear, and the bank can charge a fee for insufficient funds, and these fees are added to the checking account holder's balance. When the account does not have sufficient funds, but the bank pays the amount of the check as a courtesy, or because of overdraft protection coverage, the account holder must legally pay the amount of the check or he can be charged with a felony and face jail time, fines or both for passing a bad check.

Returned Check Prevention

To prevent returned checks, some cash advance lenders are allowed to give borrowers other options, such as payment extensions or payment plans. Each state has mandated repayment plans and grace periods that the cash advance lender must offer a borrower. When a borrower enters an extended repayment plan, she is still responsible to make on-time payments according to the extended agreement. Failing to do so can result in returned check fees, bank fees and payment of the original account in full.

Career Options For Shy People

Whether you prefer to work quietly on your own or with a small group of trusted colleagues, there are multiple career options to satisfy your needs. Being shy or introverted does not need to impede your career progress or stunt your professional growth. With the right training and credentials, your dream job may be well within reach.

Library Science

Do you enjoy researching diverse topics, keeping up with cutting-edge technology and serving as a trusted resource? If so, library science may be a good fit. Interactions with the public are generally relaxed and low-key, ideal for the shier sort. Pay ranges from $8 per hour for a library assistant to over $100,000 for a director of a large urban institution. For more information on educational opportunities and career choices, visit the American Library Association at http://www.ala.org.

Graphic Design

If your ideal job involves being creative and technically astute while keeping social interaction to a minimum, graphic design is well worth considering. A four-year degree is generally required for an advanced position, but an associate degree can open the door to an entry-level job. Those new to the field can expect a starting salary of $35,000-$40,000. To find information regarding educational opportunities, go to http://www.graphicdesignschoolreview.com.

Medical Coding/Billing

Would you prefer to spend the bulk of your time working independently? Do you have a facility for numbers? Consider a career in medical billing. Precise attention to details, not people skills, will enhance your ability to succeed. According to payscale.com, hourly rates range from $10 to $18 per hour. To find an accredited online school with courses in medical billing, visit http://www.collegeanduniversity.net.

Legal Support

If you are drawn to research, writing and details, the paralegal field may offer exactly what you're looking for. While you will interact with attorneys and clients, rest assured you will be focusing more on tasks than on small talk. Salaries range from $29,000 for a new paralegal to $65,000 for someone with over 20 years' experience in the field. Go to http://www.findtherightschools.com to locate an accredited online school, or investigate universities offering four-year paralegal programs at http://www.petersons.com.

Computer Science

For those who prefer to be rewarded for their technical expertise, precision and analytical prowess, computer science is an excellent choice. You can expect to work alone much of the time with few social hassles. Pay ranges from $37,500 for a network support technician to $78,000 for a senior software engineer. A bachelor's degree is not required, but more than half of computer programmers possess one. Be proactive about keeping your skills current to effectively compete.

Remove Gold From Black Sand With Nitric Acidity

Learn recover gold from your black sand with nitric acid.

Recreational prospectors typically end up with a lot of black sand in the bottom of their gold pans or in the sluice box. Gold dust often appears with the mineral sand and dirt that remains after the removal of the larger pieces and nuggets. Processing the black sand can recover more gold, yielding a bigger profit for the prospector. Physical methods are available but are labor intensive. Chemical methods of removal are easier but you must take care when using the hazardous chemicals the separation requires.

Instructions

1. Place a small pile of black sand into a pan. Make a small depression in the center of the sand and place a small amount of mercury in the center. Mercury aids in removing the gold from the black sand by forming an amalgam with the gold.

2. Work the mercury back and forth through the black sand until it has formed an amalgam and no gold colored flecks remain in the sample of black sand.

3. Transfer the mercury to a 250 ml beaker and add 40 to 50 ml of dilute nitric acid. The nitric acid will dissolve the mercury into solution but leave the gold.

4. Transfer the glob of amalgam to a porcelain parting cup and heat slowly on a hot plate until the bottom of the cup is red hot. Add fresh acid and allow the digestion to complete. If necessary, heat the sample on low heat. Do not boil the sample.

5. Pour off the remaining acid and wash the remaining gold with warm water three times.

6. Add a few drops of alcohol and dry on low heat.

7. Heat the bottom of the cup to a low red to anneal the gold. This will drive off any remaining mercury before you weigh the gold.

About China'S Major Religions

About China's Major Religions

There are three main religions in China. They consist of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Each religion is practiced in all different parts of China, as well as the rest of the world. It is rare for only one of these religions to be practiced solely. It is usually a combination of two or more beliefs and practices that Chinese people use in conjunction with each other.

Identification

Buddhism began in India about 2,500 years ago, but spread to other countries such as China and Japan. While it is the dominant religion in the Far East region of China, it is becoming more popular in the Western regions, as well. Wherever Buddhism is practiced, Buddha is recognized as the "Enlightened One," meaning to have full spiritual insight into the nature of the world.

Although Buddhist beliefs vary across different areas, they all share an admiration for the figure of the Buddha and the goal of ending suffering, as well as the cycle of one's rebirth (transmigration) until he lives a life that does not require he be reborn: he has paid his karmic debts and can enter nirvana.

The sacred texts that the Buddhists read are the Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutra and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. These ancient texts are now available in English translations, as Buddhism is often practiced in Western countries.

The Buddhists practice rituals such as meditation and mantras (sacred verbal sayings included in prayer and incantation).

Like many religions, Buddhist believers have symbols. One of these symbols is the Zen Circle, which represents the universe in a single, simple stroke of ink that can only be done properly when the artist has complete focus on his drawing. Another popular Buddhist symbol is the Buddha eyes, which represent wisdom. Between Buddha eyes is a symbol for the number 1, which signifies the way to reach enlightenment through the Buddhist religion.

Taoism is based on the teaching of the "Tao-Te Ching," which is embodied in the philosophy of total tranquility. It emphasizes spiritual harmony. The text consists of 81 short poetic sections. The author of this text is not fully known, but is believed to be Lao-Tze. The oldest manuscript of the text dates back to 200 BC, according to the Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions, 2000. You may also hear Taoism referred to as Daoism.

Ch'i is a very important part of Taoism. It is literally translated to mean "air" or "breath." It refers to the belief that there is a life force (energy) that is in all things, whether that force is good (yin; female) or evil (yang; male).

One can change this life force to promote good health and a long life through breath control. It is a meditative breathing called "hsing-chi." Ch'i is being used in some Western countries today as a form of medicine and treatment in patients through the use of acupuncture and massage, among other techniques. Ch'i not only controls physical well-being, but psychological health, too.

Life and death in Taoism is considered reality and death is not something to fear. Death only means changing from being to non-being (yang to yin). While death is not looked upon as a favorable thing, it will happen to all, and it is accepted.

The spiritual beings of primary importance are the eight Immortals. These beings are perfect and live far away in a happy place. They have complete freedom and are ageless. They eat only air, drink dew and can fly. The main focus of Taoism is attaining immortality. They achieve this by focusing their attention on their bodies through diet, exercise, and mindfulness.

Confucianism is a way of life taught by Confucius in the 6th to 5th century BC. It began when Confucius took his education very seriously and began to develop basic concepts about how humans could learn from their ancestors and things that happened in the past. He began teaching these beliefs to others, and soon became well known for his wisdom and insightfulness. Confucius himself did not start this religion, but rather his teachings were adopted as a true way of life by others who followed his practices and devoted themselves to his teachings.

Confucianism is sometimes viewed more as a philosophy rather than a religion. It has a very optimistic view of human nature. They insist humans can be taught, improved and perfected. The religion is deep-seeted in beliefs of ren (benevolence), li (ritual performances), zhong (loyalty to oneself), shu (loyalty to others), and xiao (respect for parents and ancestors).

The books that are important to Confucianism are the Lun-yu and the Confucian Canon. The Lun-yu is the most revered, holding the sacred scriptures of Confucius. It is based mainly on the Master's sayings. The Confucian Canon consists of the Five Classics and the Four Books, which are the Five Classics:

Shu Ching (History)

Shih Ching (Odes)

I Ching (Changes)

Ch'un Ching (Spring and Autumn Annals)

Li Ching (Rites)

Four Books:

Lun Yu (Analects) of Confucius

Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean)

Ta Hsueh (Great Learning)

Meng Tzu (Mencius)

These books contain poetry, documents, speeches, and Analects of Confucius. They were presented during the Sung Dynasty by Chu Hsi.

Considerations

China has many other religions that are being practiced as minor religions. One of the most practiced of these is Chinese folk religion. This religion could arguably be considered a major religion, and some Chinese scholars have placed Chinese folk religion under an umbrella with Confucianism. There is still much debate about this fact.

Chinese folk religions stem from a belief in the worship of gods and goddesses. Along with this belief are many festivals and holidays that celebrate these immortal beings. What makes this type of religion unique is that it does not conflict with the other major Chinese religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism, but rather complements and embraces those beliefs as well. In other words, they work together. Many Chinese people practice familiar folk religions in conjunction with other major Chinese religions.

Just as there are hierarchies within the Chinese government system, the thousands of gods and goddesses of the folk religions have hierarchies. There are primary gods and goddesses, secondary ones and so forth. The importance of an immortal being is based on legends that have been passed down through many generations. In fact, Chinese folk religions are as old as China itself.

It was the ancient Book of Rites that outlined the difference between mortal and immortal supremacies. Immortal rulers live in tien (heaven) and influence physical and psychological events on earth. Mortal rulers are those who are in human form and rule in the physical realm. As far as power to rule, gods and goddesses are given as much honor and respect as human leaders.

Learn more about Chinese folk religions, specific gods and goddesses, and festivals at the Chinese Folk Religions website. See Resources.

Types

Other types of religions of growing popularity in China are the Muslim (estimated 15 million followers) and Christianity (estimated 10 million followers) religions. Christians are under great persecution in China, so this estimated figure could be higher or lower because of fear of persecution for stating belief in this religion. The Muslim religion was brought to China by Arab traders during the Tang Dynasty in 7th century. Christianity was introduced in China by missionaries from Peru in the 7th century as well. These facts and figures can be found at the Sacu.org website.

Expert Insight

Below are some interesting facts surrounding the major religions of China. The statistics are taken from Adherents.com, and are considered accurate as of 2005. The link is provided below in the Resources section.

Chinese folk religion, Taoism and Confucianism are sometimes considered to fall under an umbrella called "Traditional Chinese Religions," and are by far the most practiced religions in China with an estimated 394 million followers in China alone. Buddhism comes in second with an average of 376 million followers. Keep in mind that this Buddhism statistic is an average of all believers in the world, not just in China.

A side note regarding Buddhism and Confucianism is that many don't see these two as a "religion," but more of a philosophy. This is why one can be a Jewish Buddhist or a Catholic Buddhist. You can easily see in this situation how Chinese will often intertwine their beliefs and use them to work together.

Features

One common ground that all of the major Chinese religions seem to have is the fact that they are based around the belief that not only one "being" created the universe. There are many gods and higher powers that have accomplished this task. Another basic belief that still prevails in China is the fact that ancestors are to be revered and honored, and many festivals and rituals are based upon helping ancestors enjoy a prosperous afterlife.

Religion is a very important part of a Chinese person's life, no matter what religion he practices. It is inspiring to see how so many legends and beliefs have been passed down through the centuries and the Chinese are still as committed to their religions as they were a long time ago.

Carbon Emission Reduction Buying and selling

As the issue of man-made climate change, and the adverse effects it could have on human civilization, becomes more pronounced in international politics, many concrete proposals aimed at curbing the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are beginning to emerge. One of these is the cap and trade system, and although it appears both novel and constructive, it does have its critics and suffers from a number of problems that could derail the whole initiative in the United States.

How Carbon Emission Reduction Trading Works

Formally called "Carbon Emission Reduction Trading," this system essentially enlists the free market in order to facilitate the efficient reduction in the amount of carbon put out by various corporations. According to the Center for American Progress, the end goal of the cap and trade system is the reduction of carbon dioxide output to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. This will be accomplished by issuing permits to carbon emitters strictly limiting the amount they can release into the atmosphere per year. Every year, this amount would be reduced, until the amount of carbon emissions permitted, drop to the levels described above. However, this is only the first component of the system; the second allows emitters which are more efficient and who emit less than their permitted amount, to sell the right to emit more carbon on the open market. This will supposedly create strong monetary incentives for companies to become more efficient, as it will allow them to profit from reducing their total carbon output.

Also, corporations which need to emit more carbon but have already reached their limit, could also "offset" their emissions through initiatives such as planting trees, or paying other groups not to emit as much carbon. In essence, the government sets the limits on carbon emissions and then lets the free market decide how best to implement them.

Criticisms of the plan

While the system appears promising, critics have emerged alleging both the possibility of abuse, and the negative consequences of adopting it. For example, Matt Taibbi from Rolling Stone Magazine, claims that the international investment banking firm, Goldman Sachs, stands ready to reap immense profits from the packaging and sale of financial products derived from carbon permits. He argues that the two financial bubbles experienced in the last decade (the tech stock bubble and real estate bubble) were made worse by the efforts of Goldman Sachs to artificially inflate the prices of related assets. He points out that several top Goldman Sachs executives have already positioned themselves in key places, to do the same thing with the carbon market, effectively engineering the next destructive bubble.

Additionally, the Washington Post reports that Europe, which has already implemented a cap-and-trade system, is experiencing problems such as German homeowners having to pay 25% more in electricity while electricity companies continue to make profits. Further, many businesses have found increasingly difficult to stay operational and have lost customers to cheaper Chinese imports.

An unknown future

Despite those potential problems, many continue to press for the implementation of some sort of carbon trading system in the United States, including many Democratic political leaders in the House and Senate. While it may be that carbon is reduced in the long run, it remains to be seen what actual effect this will have on worldwide temperatures and what other unintended consequences might arise within the economy and society at large.

Create A Ramp For Any Shed

Making a ramp for shed can mean all the difference of what you can store in that shed. Having a ramp allows you to roll heavy items in and out, such as lawn mowers or a place to store that extra refrigerator. A ramp for a shed will also keep the mud factor down that can occur at heavy traffic areas in the yard.

Instructions

1. Cut one of the five treated 2 x 4’s in half to four feet long. Nail this horizontally to the entrance of the shed using the 16 p galvanized nails and leaving ¾ of an inch from the top of the 2 x 4 to below the sheds floor. Be sure to center the 4-foot length on the doors opening.

2. Measure back sixteen inches from one end of the full length 2 x 4 and make a mark. Use the square to make a straight, angled line from the end of the bottom edge of the 2 x 4, to the pencil mark on the opposite vertical side. You should have an angled pencil line on the wide side of the 2 x 4 that gives a slope length of approximately 16 3/8 inches long. Cut the four 2 x 4’s along this line.

3. Nail these 2 x 4’s vertically to the horizontal one, below the sheds door opening, keep the top of the boards even with each other. In other words only the 1 ½ inch side should be facing up and the wide side of the boards nailed to each other. You should have one on each end and the other two evenly spaced between the two on the outside. The slope ends should be placed on the ground.

4. Attach the ¾ inch plywood to the 2 x 4 sloped frame using the 8 p galvanized nails. Nail the plywood every six to eight inches around the ramp. The ramp should be firm to walk on and the top of the plywood should be even with the sheds floor.

5. Paint the plywood with the outdoor paint; before the paint completely dries, sprinkle the fine paint sand on the surface of the wet paint. This sand will give you a slip-free surface when it is wet, and the paint will help to preserve the wood from the elements. Apply as much sand as you need for a non-slip surface.

Visit Jail In Texas Because Of Not Having to pay Back A Pay Day Loan

Payday loans are loans that are small in size and short in duration, typically lasting several days to a month. Most payday lenders charge extremely high rates of interest. According to the Federal Trade Commission, annual interest rates on payday loans can reach 391 percent. Failure to pay back a payday loan can result in severe financial consequences, including additional fees and a lower credit score. However, in Texas, as in other states, you cannot be placed in jail for defaulting on a payday loan.

Lending Money

Most payday lenders require that borrower offer payment on the loan in one of two ways. First, a borrower can write out a post-dated check that the lender can cash on the date the loan comes due. Secondly, the borrower can offer a bank account number, which the lender can use to withdraw the money. If the account provided by the borrower has insufficient funds to pay back the loan, the loan will go into default.

Penalties

If you default on a payday loan, you will be assessed a number of additional fees and potentially charged a higher rate of interest on the loan itself. In pursuing repayment of the loan, the lender or a collection agency acting in its stead may take a number of actions, including attempting to place a lien on your property, garnishing your wages, or freezing your bank account. However, according to the Federal Trade Commission, it is illegal for a payday lender to threaten a debtor with jail time.

Texas' "Hot Check" Law

Texas has a law, known as the "hot check" law, that makes writing a bad check a criminal offense, punishable by up to two years in jail. Theoretically, if you write a check to the payday loan company and it bounces, you could be placed in jail. However, for this to happen, a prosecutor would have to prove that you knew that the check was going to bounce and wrote it with intention of defrauding the payday lender.

Jail For Other Offenses

The United States does not have debtor's prisons. Save for some people who owe child support, debtors cannot be arrested for owing money. However, if you fail to comply with a judge's orders in a case related to debt -- for example, if a judge orders you to appear in court on a certain day and you refuse -- you can be placed in contempt of court and potentially arrested.