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November, 2009 – Astrology at Work

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ASTROLOGY AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE

 

November

 

By Karola CrawfordKarola Crawford

 

   With this month we are celebrating the Birthdays of all those travelling Sagittarians that are off somewhere to rescue an animal or spread the word about something new that they have learned.  Sagittarians are always attempting to liberate themselves from their lower nature, so consequently the Archer and the Centaur.  The Ruler is Jupiter, our largest planet, and the Ninth House is the house dedicated to this masculine, positive, fire sign.  Fire signs are enthusiastic and inspirational, as well as flexible, adaptable and optimistic.  They are dependable, friendly, honest and versatile, and have a gift at making and keeping friends.  If taken too far to the lower extreme, they can be tactless, irresponsible, quarrelsome and boastful.  Sagittarians always have a desire to travel, even if just to the grocery store and are continually on the move.  Sitting for long periods is detrimental to their health.

   Each sign has its own way of passing on information and of reaching people.  Sagittarius people are good at work where foresight and a willingness to take a chance is important.  They are the psychiatrists, lawyers, veterinarians, ministers, interpreters, explorers, professional sports people and travel occupants.  When a quiet approach to getting a message home does not work, get a Sagittarius to do the work for you.  Their outgoing and optimistic way of delivering the message will be heard by many that ignored the more laid-back way of communication.  Their key phrase is “I see”, and the key word is “freedom”.  They are the eternal philosopher, and the arrow indicates the outspokenness, which can sometimes be considered blunt and to the point.  They will not always sugar coat or color what they say, but hit the arrow into its mark so that there is no mistaking what exactly is being said. “The facts, please, only the facts”.  Of course, they have wonderful stories that go along with their facts that will support, with evidence, any research or knowledge that they are sharing.  Sagittarians are not about getting even; rather, it is their zeal for the truth that makes them blurt out just what they are thinking.

   They are interested in many kinds of sports, and running or long walks is extremely good for them as it gives them the feeling of freedom that they crave.  Sagittarians always search for the meaning of life, and wherever Sagittarius is in your chart is where you delve into life with questions of “Why?”, “Where does it come from?”, and “How does it work? “ If you want to see a busy person, look for a Sagittarius, who is almost always overextending themselves with too many activities and much energy being expended.  It is important for them to take adaptogenic herbs such as Siberian Ginseng and Astragalus in order to have enough stamina and health to burn the candle at both ends.  This goes for all signs because we all have Sagittarius somewhere in our charts.  Both of these herbs let you stay healthy by helping you adapt to more emotional, physical, and psychological demands.  Take them daily for a healthy body through this cold season!  It is also important for Sagittarius to take time out to meditate and practice yoga, qui gong, or another meditative discipline in order to take time out.

   This November is a good time to make some past activities permanent.  Foundations are being built now that will affect many people in years to come.  Your income will benefit from this in a good way.  A relationship started during this time has permanence.

 

Capricorn – You are undergoing some incredible changes from the inside out.  Just when you thought that everything that could come up has, there is more that you will be encountering and churning through.  Trust in the higher power that all will end well.

 

Aquarius – You have taken a serious turn towards the spiritual and this is right where you need to be.  Relax and take walks by the ocean, and any water source, as often as you can.

 

Pisces – Sudden changes, yes it is getting old, are still happening.  Your life is upside down and new seeds are growing all around you.  Don’t forget that as the doors are closing on the old, new ones are opening all over.  Open your eyes and see the signs.

 

Aries – Trying to find balance between relationships and giving time to yourself is still a theme for you.  It is important that you strive for a combination of both; time for yourself, and time for the family and for friends.  Do not exclude either at this time.

 

Taurus – It is up to you to communicate right now and make your needs known to others as they cannot read your mind.  Be bold and speak the truth from your heart and it will be accepted in a positive way.

 

Gemini – Your words are like magic these days, so use them wisely to get what you want and need.  Since you salesperson qualities are being amplified by the planets, take advantage of this and build your castle on stone.

 

Cancer – Forces beyond your control are breaking through your tough outer skin to get to that inner being where they can either hurt you or transform you.  Accept that this is for the best and allow the change to occur deep within yourself.  Apologize for years of indifference if you need to.

 

Leo – You are full of energy and can achieve any physical endeavor that you set out to do.  Use the rest of this month to carry out tasks that you couldn’t get to.  You are strong right now.

 

Virgo – Things seem to be stuck and you need to look at why.  Look inside yourself for the answer and change the way that you are doing things.  Deceiving yourself into blaming others will not fare you well at this time.

 

Libra – Your desire to make a strong new start is being rewarded at this time.  The world sees it your way, so make it happen.  Your ability to please others goes only so far, you then can pull out the other card and take care of number one.  Use the Aries part of your nature to dig in and make some personal changes that are far reaching.

 

Scorpio – The Universe is cooperative at this time, so communicate your deepest feelings in order to free yourself from those long standing burdens that you are holding onto.  What will it feel like to be light as a feather?  Find out!

Karola Crawford, MAFA, has been a certified Astrologer for 22 years. She has cast charts for clients all over the world and also practices Holistic medicine, Yoga, Shiatsu, Reiki, Auricular Acupucture and is an accomplished artist. Where does she get all of her energy? A grand trine in fire, of course. Karola can be reached at 561-615-1591 or by visiting the web site at www.karolacrawford.com.

 

November, 2009 – Outstanding Dogs

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Pet Talk 

Outstanding Dogs to be Honored at AKC/Eukanuba Championships

Frances Goodman
Frances Goodman

 

 

 

By Frances Goodman

Five dogs will be honored by the American Kennel Club on Dec. 12th for “significant contributions” to their communities in five separate categories of service.

The awards will be made at the nationally-televised AKC/Eukanuba national championships in Long Beach, CA. Each dog will receive $1,000 and a sterling silver medallion for their collars.

Here are the five and their service categories:

Exemplary Companion Dog — Electra, an eight-year-old standard poodle owned by Mandy Willis of Valrico, FL.

Electra has been seven-year-old Mandy’s constant companion since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatments began in February 2008. Electra lived the life of a top show champion until her owners learned about Mandy’s dream to own a poodle. Electra and Mandy bonded immediately and have been inseparable ever since.

Search and Rescue Dog — Sage, a 10-year-old border collie owned and trained by Diane Whetsel of Hagerman, NM, a K-9 officer for the New Mexico Corrections Dept.

Sage served at the Pentagon in the aftermath of 9/11 and went to Aruba in 2005 to search for the missing teen Natalee Holloway. Sage and Whetsel deployed to Iraq in 2007 and spent six months searching for missing soldiers.

Law Enforcement Dog — Robin, a six-year-old golden retriever owned by Mary and Joseph MacQueen of Frewsburg, NY.

Robin and Mary work for the Salamanca Police Department and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, assisting with searches for illegal drugs in western New York state. In 2009 alone, Robin has been responsible for getting about half-a-million dollars worth of dangerous narcotics off the streets.

Therapy Dog — Elliot, owned by Miriam Couto of Woodland, WA, a seven-year-old border terrier and registered therapy dog with Delta Society.

Elliot has logged more than 1,000 hours with patients, most of them children. He assists in the care of the children at his local children’s hospital, providing comfort and helping calm patients so doctors can better help them. Elliot has even assisted doctors in performing life-saving duties.

Service Dog — Benton, a six-year-old Labrador retriever owned by Margo Dietrich of Norcross, GA. Benton is a trained assistance dog for Margo. He helps her with daily tasks including retrieving dropped items, dressing, and transferring to and from a wheelchair.

“Each dog’s devotion to improving the lives of others and the impact they make in their community is an inspiration to dog lovers everywhere,” AKC spokesperson Ronald Rella said.

Frances Goodman is a professional dog trainer and pet care writer who lives in Royal Palm Beach. Got a question? Email her at [email protected]. Or click on her ad to visit her website, www.mypetnews.com. 

 

 For Obediance Training, call (561) 792-8224.

 

November, 2009 – Bobby Collins, Comedy Was His Destiny

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Cultural Corner

 

Bobby Collins – Comedy Was His DestinyGlenn Swift

 

by Glenn R. Swift

 

As one of today’s leading and most sought after comedic talents, Bobby Collins heartfelt and witty humor engages audiences with a clever blend of characterizations and hilarious observations to which everyone can relate.

 

Collins shows people themselves. While half the audience is nodding in knowing approval from hearing him tell some of their favorite stories and from seeing him on TV, many of the “newbies” are there because they’ve recently heard him on satellite radio. It’s that enthusiastic fan base and the tremendous word of mouth buzz that sells

out Bobby Collins’ shows.

 

Collins lives to make people laugh. From the moment he hits the stage, he connects with the crowd, gets into their mind and draws them inside his world. They willingly surrender to his energy and visual antics targeted directly at tickling their funny bones.

 

Tickle them he does.

Comedian Bobby Collins headlines at the George Street Playhouse on August 23, 2008 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
Comedian Bobby Collins headlines at the George Street Playhouse on August 23, 2008 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)

 

 

He holds up a mirror to each of us and helps us not to take ourselves so seriously. From starring in his own Showtime specials and being Rosie O’Donnell’s predecessor to hosting VH1’s Stand-Up Spotlight, to opening for such names as Cher, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias and Tony Bennett, Bobby Collins delivers. He was nominated for a CableACE Award as well as for the American Comedy Awards “Stand-up Comic of the Year.” Collins’ first CD, On The Inside, showcased his wide-ranging observational material and his second CD, Out of Bounds, earned him a Grammy nomination. His most recent DVD, Bobby Collins: Live From New York City, was released in April, 2007 to critical acclaim. While live stage performances in New York, Las Vegas and Atlantic City are forever expanding his list of faithful followers, Collins has also appeared in five feature films and numerous television shows.

 

As for how he ended up doing what he does, you could say comedy was Collins’ destiny. Growing up in a large family in a rough neighborhood of Queens, NY, Collins knew he wanted to be a comedian when everyone gathered to watch the Ed Sullivan show and the laughs never ceased.

 

“At school I was a total class clown,” he recalled. “I used my wit and humor to get out of fights and doing homework.” Then again, there’s often something in a name.

 

 

“I was named after my father’s favorite comedian, Bob Hope. Although I never saw him perform, a newspaper reporter from New York City caught my act in Philadelphia when I was performing there for the first time. The guy liked me so much he put me on the entire cover of the paper’s weekend section. Funny thing is, lost in the cover’s corner was a tiny picture of Bob Hope. While I was visiting with friends at the club, a black limousine pulled up and the driver handed me a manila envelope. There was a signed photo of Bob Hope inside along with a handwritten note saying ‘How dare you get top billing on a weekend’ with a happy face drawn at the bottom. I still have it to this day.”

 

Ironically, Collins was well on his way to a very successful career in corporate America. In fact, at age 26 he was atop the corporate ranks as vice president of Calvin Klein, but one night at a local comedy club in Manhattan, Collins had what you could call a “conversion experience.”

 

“After about an hour and a half at the club my girlfriend wanted to leave, but I was having way too much fun and told her, ‘Sorry, I’ve got to stay.”

 

What happened next?

 

“I got a cab for her,” laughed Collins.

 

What happened to the girlfriend?

 

“I married her,” cracked Collins.

 

Not long after that memorable evening, Collins convinced the staff at one of Manhattan’s premiere comedy clubs, Catch A Rising Star, to let him take the stage. Needless to say, he was a hit. Collins then continued to hone his skills until arriving on the Las Vegas scene a couple years later. He gave up Calvin Klein and it’s been a riot ever since.

 

“Making someone laugh for a few minutes of their day is a very gratifying experience,” Collins said. “They may be going through a difficult time in their life and not have laughed for quite awhile. I appreciate those moments when I help make a difference by connecting in a positive way.” With reverence to his favorite entertainment icons, he describes his comedic style as a combination of the physical movement of Jerry Lewis, the sleek, good looks of Dean Martin, the heart of George Burns and the city spunk of David Brenner. Don’t miss out on seeing one of the biggest comics on the circuit today when Bobby Collins takes the stage at the Sunrise Theatre, Friday, November 6 at 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (772) 461-4775 or visit www.sunrisetheatre.com.   

“Laughing can be a stress reliever. And when I interact with the audience, they see new things about their everyday world that make them smile. It’s a release.”

 

Glenn R. Swift is a freelance writer and editor living in Palm Beach Gardens. Winner of the Florida Magazine Association’s Bronze Award for Writing Excellence, Swift is Co-founder/Editor in Chief of the Palm Beach eMedia Group and Co-founder/Director of Marketing of the Theatre Orchestra of Florida.

Visit these sites for cultural events Around Wellington and beyond:
  

 

http://www.armoryart.org/

 

http://www.bocaratontheatreguild.org/

 

http://www.floridastage.org/

 

www.jupitertheatre.org

 

http://www.kravis.org/

 

www.lakeworthplayhouse.org

 

http://www.onstagepalmbeach.com/

 

http://www.scattershottheater.com/

 

 

On Stage Palm Beach

November, 2009 – Happy Thanksgiving

Letter From the Editor

 

November, 2009

 

Dear Around Wellington Readers,

 

Happy November! Is it just me or do the holidays seem to fly by as we get older?  Anyway, I hope that you’re gearing up for a fabulous Thanksgiving with your families and friends! I am grateful to you, dear readers and advertisers, for your support of this online magazine. I’m happy to be hearing from several families that they like the online magazine even better than the print publication (see Testimonials). I’m grateful for my family (pictured here with me in a pumpkin patch).Pumpkin Patch My kids are now four and two, so there is never a dull moment in my house…and it will be several years before the house is clean again. I cannot cross the house without tripping on a Mr. Potato Head nose or a plastic toy drumstick it seems, but it’s all part of life’s rich pageantry.

 

In case you don’t know it, Wellington is lucky to have a renowned international artist living and working here. Tito Mangiola hails from Italy, but has shown his paintings and sculptures in many countries. I had the pleasure of interviewing him and his wife Leonarda for this month’s issue. Even if his name doesn’t yet ring a bell, you might be familiar with his polo painting “Homage to the Village of Wellington,” a beautiful painted mosaic, which hangs in the lobby of the Wellington Community Center. See our AW Stories of the Month to read more!

 

Also in our AW Stories of the Month, author Deb Sharp takes us on a wild ride, just a couple of hours north of Wellington. She braves the Florida Cracker Trail Ride in the process of researching her latest funny mystery “Mama Rides Shotgun.” Deborah Sharp, a former reporter for USA Today, is the author of the funny, Florida-set ”Mace Bauer Mystery” series. She has appeared on the Today Show to talk about her latest novel. Don’t miss the inside scoop on her hilarious journey on horseback.

 

Do you have trouble handling interruptions at work? Writer and productivity coach Claudine Motto gives us helpful tips again this month on how to stay focused, even when there are so many distractions and interruptions seeming to get in the way.

Our really great Contests continue!  Enter to win between November 1st and 10th, and you could be the lucky recipient of a one-hour massage at Massage Envy Royal Palm Beach, valued at $75! Visit the Contest link for guidelines. Also, come back between November 13th – 18th to enter to win a family pack of tickets to SalsaFest. Thanks to ALL of our contest participants! THANKS to our wonderful advertisers and to the Palms West Chamber of Commerce for supplying these prizes!

When it comes to fitness, everyone is always trying their best to get into better shape. However, writer and fitness expert Cheryl Alker emphasizes the importance of stretching in this month’s “Health & Fitness.” There are so many amazing benefits of stretching, and you don’t even need to be at the gym to do it!

 

Are you a poet? If so, you can send us a poem by just emailing me and putting “Poem of the Month” as your subject title in the email. This month’s poem is actually a Thanksgiving Prayer.

 

In The Space Room, Sci Fi critic Anna Sanclement writes about Stargate Universe, which offers a “raw and dramatic turn” from its predecessor shows. As always, she offers tips on what to watch for in our sky this month for any budding astronomers or fans out there.

 

Tech Talk writer Jamie Allison gets nostalgic about early computers with his “Remember When . . .” column. Remember the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A, when it was first released in 1981 (sold without the monitor)? What a great step for the world of personal computers, but what a “beast” it was.

 

Are you a teen applying for college or do you have a teen in your household? Teen Talk writer Evan Baumel gives us a few great tips on how to apply for colleges and make the most of your efforts.

 

I’m so proud of our travel writer Terri Farris; it seems like just a few months ago, she began writing about chocolate for Examiner.com and now she’s quickly becoming an expert on this yummy subject with her first radio show spot this month! She combines the best of travel and chocolate for us with “Sweeten Up Your Holidays,” giving a few tasty dessert places and things to try, if you’re traveling and in the mood for chocolate.

 

Our “AW Spotlight” business for November is My Gym, a great place to take your young children. It was a lot of fun to write about the My Gym experience, since my two-year-old son and I both enjoy going there each week. At My Gym, the instructors help kids to learn new physical skills, build confidence and keep them laughing. See the three videos of “My Gym in action” within the article.

 

As usual, I wish I could tell you about every new article that we have for you this month. But brevity is the soul of wit and also – it’s better than being long-winded! So take a “self-guided tour.” Take a look at everything by clicking around on the left menu and the top menu. THANKS to our wonderful writers again this month!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families! THANKS to our terrific readers and advertisers! Thanks to our intern Nihanth Peta who continues to help me get each online issue ready. Thanks to all of you who remember to shop locally and use our AW Coupons when you’re Around Wellington.

 

 

Krista Martinelli, Editor

Aroundwellington.com

 

Have a Letter to the Editor?  Write me!

November, 2009 – Stop that Drip

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Living Green

Stop That Drip & Put Cash In Your PocketJathy Garcia of Hi-Tech Plumbing

By Jathynia Garcia

Water is a finite resource—even though about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use. According to statistics at least 36 states are projecting water shortages between now and 2013. Around 400 million people worldwide are currently facing severe water shortages, according to the United Nations, and by 2050, that number will be 4 billion. It is becoming a luxury when we are flushing the toilet and brushing our teeth.

In these dry times, it’s more important than ever to be sure that you aren’t letting water just drip down the drain, or leak out of your toilet. And it can definitely save you some pennies. According to the Earth Policy Institute, the average prices for water in America is about $2.50 per 1,000 gallons, which is about a quarter of what it costs in some European countries. It doesn’t sound like much, but considering that a leaky faucet can drip 20 gallons a day down the drain, and a leaky toilet 200 gallons. Add that up, and you might as well toss two crisp $100 bills down the drain each year.

Stopping these two leaks is easy, and definitely worth a couple hundred bucks. Try these few tips to verify if you’re flushing money down the drain.

For your faucets, just watch them, or put an empty glass where a drip would fall; if it fills up in a few hours, you’ve got a leak. Your toilet can be a little trickier, as it can be tough to “see” the water you’re wasting; test your toilet by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and if you see traces of it in the bowl 5-to-10 minutes later, you have a leak. (We recommend calling your local HI-Tech Plumbing technician.)

Now if you find yourself being a pretty handy kind of guy or gal, see our tips for fixing that drip.

Leaky Faucet Repair: 10 Tips to Stop Drips

  • Faulty washers are often the culprit. Washers may be replaced but still not fit properly to stop the drip. The best preventive solution is to buy a washer-less faucet.
  • Close the faucet tighter to stop the leak temporarily until you are ready to fix it.
  • You can stop the sound of dripping water by tying a long string around the end of the faucet. The water will drip on the string and run down silently.
  • For a washer type faucet, examine the stem. If the threads are badly corroded replace it. If it’s dirty then clean it.
  • Look at the washer, if it is flat or has a groove worn in it, replace it.
  • Replace the brass screw if it’s damaged.
  • Any faucet that requires a frequent washer replacement has a damaged washer seat. Either reface the seat with a seat dressing tool or replace it.
  • Install the correct type of washer. Preferably use a swiveling washer.
  • Put silicon grease or petroleum jelly on the threads of the stem to lubricate faucet action.
  • If the leak is around the stem and not the spigot, install new packing or O-rings.

If you still find yourself scratching your head after trying these tips, feel free to call us at 561-790-6966. Remember Don’t Fret . . . Just Call Hi-Tech. Hi-Tech plumbing is a plumbing contractor in your local Wellington area who specializes in “green” repairs. For more information visit our website at www.hi-techplumbing.com.

November, 2009 – Remember When . . .

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Tech TalkJamie Allison

Remember When…

By Jamie Allison

 

Personal computers have been around since the late 60’s – early 70’s. Now they are a part of our everyday lives. Simply put, there isn’t anything you can’t do with a computer it seems such as communicate with family and friends, start a business, record an album, create a work of art, play an online game with a friend in another country – just to name a few.

But sometimes I like to look back at when it all started and remember the first computers I had when I was young and look how much they have changed. Below are just a few that I started out with…

The Texas Instruments TI-99/4AThe Texas Instruments TI-99/4A

was an early home computer, released in June 1981, originally at a price of USD $525 (without monitor) and the TI-99/4A’s CPU, motherboard, and cartridge slot were built into a single console, along with the keyboard. The power supply board was housed below and in front of the cartridge slot under the sloped area to the right of the keyboard. Available peripherals included a 5¼” floppy disk drive and controller, an RS-232 card comprising two serial ports and one parallel port, a P-Code card for PASCAL support, a thermal printer, an acoustic coupler, a tape drive using standard audio cassettes as media, and a 32 KB memory expansion card. Sold separately was a Monitor (which was a modified 13″ Zenith Color TV) The TI-99/4 series holds the distinction of being the first 16-bit personal computer. The TI-99/4A had a 16-bit TMS9900 CPU running at 3.0 MHz.

Initially, the TI-99/4A was reasonably successful, and it has been estimated that it had about 35% of the home computer market at its peak. However, TI quickly found itself engaged in a price war, particularly with Commodore International, and was forced to lower the computer’s price in order to compete.

In February 1983, TI lowered the price to $150 and was selling the computers at a loss. And in June 1983, TI released a redesigned beige cost-reduced version that it sold, also at a loss, for $99. TI lost $100 million in the second quarter of 1983 and $330 million in the third quarter. In October 1983, TI announced it was exiting the home computer business. The 99/4A became the first in a series of home computers to be ‘orphaned’ by their manufacturer over the next few years. A total of 2.8 million units were shipped before the TI-99/4A was discontinued in March 1984.

 

The Commodore VIC-20 was an 8-bit home computer which was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980 roughly three years after Commodore’s first personal computer, the PET. The VIC-20 was the first computer of any description to sell The Commodore VIC-20one million units.

The VIC-20 was intended to be more economical than the PET computer. It was equipped with only 5 KB of RAM (of this, only 3583 Bytes were available to the user) and used the same MOS 6502 CPU as the PET. The VIC-20’s video chip, the MOS Technology VIC, was a general-purpose color video chip designed by Al Charpentier in 1977 and intended for use in inexpensive display terminals and game consoles, but Commodore couldn’t find a market for the chip. As the Apple II gained momentum with the advent of VisiCalc in 1979, Jack Tramiel wanted a product that would compete in the same segment, to be presented at the January 1980 CES. For this reason Chuck Peddle and Bill Seiler started to design a computer named TOI (The Other Intellect).

The Apple IIGS, the fifth model inception of the Apple II, was the most powerful member of the Apple II series of personal computers made by Apple Computer. At the time of its release, it was capable of advanced color graphics and then-state-of-the-art sound synthesis that surpassed those of most other personal computers, including the black and white Macintosh (apart from a lower vertical resolution). “GS” referred to its enhanced graphics and sound capabilities, which greatly surpassed previous models of the line.

 

The Apple IIGSThe machine was a radical departure from any previous Apple II, with its true 16-bit architecture, increased processing speed, direct access to megabytes of RAM, wavetable music synthesizer, graphical user interface, and mouse. While still maintaining full backwards compatibility with earlier Apple II models, it blended the Apple II and aspects of Macintosh technology into one. The Apple IIGS set forth a promising future and evolutionary advancement of the Apple II line, but Apple paid it relatively little attention as the company increasingly focused on the Macintosh platform.

 

The Apple IIGS was the first computer produced by Apple to use a color graphical user interface, as well as the “Platinum” (light grey) color scheme and the Apple Desktop Bus interface for keyboards, mice, and other input devices. It was also the first personal computer to come with a built-in “wavetable” sample-based synthesizer chip, utilizing technology from Ensoniq. The machine outsold all other Apple products, including the Macintosh, during its first year in production.

I have only list a few old computers from the past but there were so many, if you would like to see more of them, please go to: www.oldcomputers.net

 

Jamie Allison, MCSA MCP Net+ A+, can be contacted at PC Piece of Mind Computer Services, [email protected] or at 561-827-3792. AOL IM: pcpieceofmind. Visit www.pcpieceofmind.com Offering Computer Support & Troubleshooting, Desktop & Laptop Repair, Network Installations, Web Design & Maintenance, Web Hosting & Domain Name Services, Digital Photo Editing & Enhancement, Custom PC’s, eBay Auction Service, Computer Consulting & Training. We make computers fun again!

November, 2009 – Stargate Universe

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The Space Room

Everything Sci-Fi & a Little AstronomyAnna Sanclement with husband John and baby Emma

 

Stargate Universe, new SyFy Channel Television Series

 

by Anna Sanclement

 

Stargate Universe is the newest series in the Stargate franchise. It has the same premise as the others as far as the main object of the show, which of course is the Stargate. The new series takes place parallel to where Stargate SG1 ended and even has a couple of the main characters make appearances.

 

The new show promises to be a good sci-fi adventure, a little more edgy than its sibling shows with a little bit of a Battlestar Galactica feel. Following are a few key factors of Stargate Universe, or SG-U, and how they have developed so far.

 

Characters

 

There is a wide variety in the character line-up of SG-U; there is quite a repertoire of different ideals and morals. As the show progresses we are sure to find out much more about each one.

 

In the beginning of the show we had already seen the heroics of some who even sacrificed themselves for the good of others. But we will see others turn out as villains as well. All in all, the characters in SG-U won’t disappoint and they should keep developing as the series unfolds.

 

Setting

 

The series takes place mostly on a very old ship called the Destiny that is from the Ancients (very advanced beings that existed millions of years before). The crew ended up there by accident, or so it seems.

 

They were on a planetary base that was under attack and to escape they went through the Stargate thinking they would be transported to Earth. Instead, they were taken to this ancient ship that is on some kind of autopilot and in need of serious repairs.

 

As they travel in the Destiny they make stops at different planets as they search for supplies and materials for the ship. They can also travel to Earth temporarily by means of an ancient technology device that allows the user to switch minds with another body that can be millions of miles away.

 

New (but Ancient) Technology

 

The Destiny is a ship millions of years old and it holds within it some incredible technology that is far more advanced than what we know on Earth.  As if the Stargate alone wasn’t an amazing device, in this series there will be far more to discover as the crew uncovers new wonders left by the ancients.

 

The way the ship functions couldn’t begin to be imagined in our time here on Earth. It can ‘jump’ through space going millions of miles in a matter of seconds.

 

The Destiny may be old and decrepit, but it is an awesome piece of machinery. Even in its state of decay it can still travel all over the universe and keep itself going. Who knows for how long it has been traveling on its own before the human crew boarded it and where it has been.

 

Stargate Universe is a good continuation to the franchise. Although the general feel of the show is very different from Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis, it holds its own. It offers a raw and dramatic turn, which compares to Battlestar Galactica, but still holds the Stargate nostalgia within it.

 

Stargate Universe can be seen on the SyFy Channel every Friday at 9:00 pm EDT. For more info visit the website at: www.SyFy.com/universe/

 

Sky events to watch for this month, November 2009:

 

The Full Moon will be on the 2nd, we will see it in Last Quarter on the 9th and then the New Moon will happen on the 16th.

 

The Globular Cluster M15 in the Pegasus Constellation is a good sight for November. Looking towards the high south, this globular cluster lies just to the upper right of Enif, the giant and brightest star in the Pegasus Constellation. Pegasus is the big square shaped constellation found overhead in November at about 9:00 pm. M15 can be easily spotted with binoculars as an elliptical ball of light; it’s not quite visible with the naked eye.

 

The Pleiades come back to sight in November; look for them towards the eastern sky. The Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, are a cluster of stars whose brightest ones form a small dipper-like shape. They can easily be seen without binoculars, but when viewed with magnification much more detail becomes apparent.

 

The Orion Constellation, aka the Hunter, is one of the easiest to spot in the sky, with its three stars in the middle, or the ‘belt’, it can be seen even from bright city locations. In dark skies it becomes a beautiful sight when all of the constellation’s stars become visible. A fuzzy patch below the three stars can also be seen, which is Orion’s nebula. Much more detail can be seen when the nebula is viewed through a telescope.

 

Orion follows not too far behind the Pleiades, rising in the east between 8:00 and 9:00 pm EDT and getting higher in the sky between 10:00 and 11:00 pm, when it can easily be spotted by finding the signature ‘belt’ trio of stars.

 

The visible planets for November are still dominated by Jupiter. The bright planet continues to be easily visible all night, although it is slowly moving to the west earlier. Mars is rising earlier at about 12:30 am EDT and it is also visible before dawn high in the eastern sky. Saturn is now visible low in the east at around dawn as well. Mercury and Venus become out of sight for a while until they return low in the west around the evening twilight in about a month.

 

Look on up and smile!

 

For more sky events log on to: www.astronomy.com and http://space.about.com/od/computerresources/tp/2009MaySkyGuide.htm

 

You can read other articles and tips by Anna on these websites:

 

http://baby.lifetips.com/

http://www.helium.com/users/484623

http://www.examiner.com/x-6503-Ft-Lauderdale-Science-News-Examiner

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/354312/anna_sanclement.html

http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/annasanclement

http://anna-sanclement.net 

 

Anna Sanclement writes from home and has recently started to write articles for various Internet sites. She has also finished a novel and has written many stories and a movie script, just for fun.

 

November, 2009 – Thanksgiving Prayer

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Thanksgiving Prayer

By Peter Y. Chou

Thanks O Lord for thy daily food
Thanks to Thee for making us good
Thanks for thy shelter and keeping us fed
Thanks for thy drink and wholesome bread
Thanks for the seasons that come and go
Thanks for the flowers that bloom and grow
Thanks for the friends who help us in need
Thanks for the trials which make us succeed
Thanks for the children so dear and sweet
Thanks for the love which makes us complete
Thanks for the eyes in letting us see
Thanks for the mind in setting us free
Thanks for the music that touches our heart
Thanks for the muses that inspire our art
Thanks for the visions that reveal our goal
Thanks for the lessons that strengthen our soul
Thanks for the sleep that gives us the rest
Thanks for the sage who unfolds the Quest
Thanks for the sun so luminous and bright
Thanks for thy guidance and inner light
Thanks for the stars that sparkle and shine
Thanks for the peace that is thine and mine
Thanks for the kindness which you give
Thanks for thy Grace by which we live.

(THANKS to http://www.wisdomportal.com/Poems/ThanksgivingPrayer.html for this poem).

November, 2009 – Sweeten Up Your Holidays

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Travel with TerriTerri Farris

Sweeten up your holidays

By Terri Farris

Most of us look forward to the holiday season as a time to celebrate with family and friends while we reflect on the blessings in our lives.  On a much more indulgent level, I personally look forward to enjoying the treats and sweets that come with the season – especially chocolate!  This month, travel with me to three destinations perfect for sweetening up your holidays! 

The Chocolate RoomEnter The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood and you will enter into the realized dream of Naomi and Jon. Starting with very little funds, Naomi and Jon took a huge leap of faith and embarked on a journey to create an upscale dessert eatery. From their dream, The Chocolate Room was born. A very creative couple (she is a dancer and he is a drummer) their creativity is surpassed only by their attention to detail. Naomi says Jon is a perfectionist in everything from the menu… which took a full year to create…to the perfectly positioned strawberry on a glass of Prosecco. The space is intimate and romantic with exposed brick, unique artwork and soft lighting. You will be visually impressed the moment you enter The Chocolate Room but your visual experience must take a back seat to the experience your taste buds will have when you sample any of their delicious chocolate creations.

Utilizing the talents of Executive Pastry Chef, Jennifer Jupiter and Pastry Sous Chefs, Katie Meehan and Amy Wyatt, The Chocolate Room offers dessert sensations, a selection of fine red and white wines, dessert wines and ports as well as a wonderful selection of coffees and teas.  Bonny Doon Frambiose with raspberry aromas is the suggested pairing for the Chocolate Layer Cake, a perfect three layer blackout cake. One of their most popular desserts is the Brownie Sundae – a delicious brownie warmed and topped with your choice of ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and topped with a cherry – simple, yet delicious! For something unique, try the Chocolate Stout Float made with Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout and vanilla ice cream. Each dessert is made with the finest chocolate and achieves a perfect balance between the chocolate flavors and sweetness.  If a visit to New York is in your holiday plans, head over to Brooklyn to The Chocolate Room, it is an experience not to missed!  (http://www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com/)

Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections – affectionately known

Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections in DC and Alexandria - owner/artist Eric Nelson
Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections in DC and Alexandria - owner/artist Eric Nelson

 as ACKC – opened as Washington DC’s first Cocoa Bar Café in December 2007.  A second location in Del Ray just outside Alexandria, Virginia opened the following year.  ACKC is the creation of Eric Nelson and Rod Kingsgbury.

As a lobbyist for the Telecommunications Industry Association, Eric traveled the world, met interesting people and made a good salary. But Eric’s passion was art and as he entered his fifties he wanted to find a way to turn his passion into a career.  Rod grew up in Vermont where his great-grandfather owned a 150 acre maple sugar farm. As a child, Rod shared in the making of maple sugar candies. His grandmother was also a candy maker who became famous for her Vermont maple popcorn balls. You could say Rod was born to make candy. Eventually he opened Kingsbury Chocolates in Alexandria, Virginia.

When Eric and Rod met, they combined their talents and the result was the delightful Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections cafes!  Today Eric’s colorful paintings cover the walls and the hand painted tabletops of the cafes while Rod’s delicious confections are showcased in the café display cases.  Besides their love of art and chocolate, Eric and Rod discovered they shared a love for Hollywood’s Divas. In fact one of their initial conversations centered around Lucille Ball and her fiery red hair! In honor of some of Hollywood’s notable divas, Eric and Rod created a menu full of cocoa drinks named for the women who inspired them. There is the “Lucy” –  a semi-sweet chocolate infused with chipotle and topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. The “Marilyn Monroe” is a bold white chocolate based with a flip of crème de menthe finished with whipped cream and crumbled Oreo cookies. Or try the “Eartha Kitt” – a smooth and seductive semi-sweet chocolate with a dash of toffee syrup topped with whipped cream and toffee bits. Can’t you just hear her describing this? 

So it seems it was destiny for Eric and Rod to meet and combine their passions of art and chocolate to create a place where you can experience the delight of the Divas, take home a box full of delicious truffles or even purchase unique paintings! If you find yourself in Washington DC or the Alexandria, Virginia area this holiday season, you should definitely add this delightful place to your destination list!  (http://www.thecocoagallery.com/)

Anyone who has ever been to The Melting Pot for dinner knows it is a unique dining destination. If you have been there you have probably tried one of their cheese fondues and probably sampled some of their delicious filet mignon, seafood, pork or chicken entrees whileThe Yin Yang Martini at The Melting Pot interacting with your dining companions in a way only The Melting Pot offers. Everything you tasted was delicious, right? Of course it was, but if you did not save room for chocolate, you cheated yourself out of a treat!  This holiday season, sample some of their pairings of chocolate fondues and chocolate flavored cocktails.  They offer selections including Bananas Foster Fondue with Bananas Foster Martini, Tiramisu Fondue with Tiramisu Martini and Yin & Yang Fondue with Yin and Yang Martini. The Yin and Yang Martini is made from a creamy blend of Godiva chocolate liqueur and vodka vanilla flavors and was named the Best Signature Drink by Cheers Magazine in 2009. The Melting Pot has locations nationwide including 23 in Florida.  So, if the holiday season finds you closer to home this year, you can still get into the holiday spirit with some chocolate spirits from The Melting Pot! (www.meltingpot.com)

Terri Farris is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling. You can see more of her writing on her blog at www.terrifarris.blog-spot.com or contact her at [email protected].

November, 2009 – Hopscotch Rules

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Kids’ Cornerps_lookingback-forpage4
 

HEY KIDS! Hey…great young writers! Do you have a story that you would like to submit for aroundwellington.com? Send your 1-2 page story to us, along with your 1. Name, 2. Email address, 3. Age and 4. Phone number.

 

Hopscotch Rules 

 

Maybe your kids have outgrown such things as hopscotch, but if they happen to be anything like my four-year-old daughter, they are asking to play hopscotch everytime you walk outdoors!  So here are the rules, so you can remember how to play hopscotch. They come in handy!

 

Hopscotch is a wonderful hopping game that can be played on a bare patch of ground or on a floor indoors. There are hundreds of variations of the diagram that can be drawn. Use your favorite version to have children play.
Use chalk to draw a hopscotch pattern on the ground or use masking tape on a floor. Create a diagram with 8 sections and number them. Each player has a marker such as a stone, beanbag, bottlecap, shell, button, etc.

The first player stands behind the starting line to toss her or his marker in square 1. Hop over square 1 to square 2 and then continue hopping to square 8, turn around, and hop back again. Pause in square 2 to pick up the marker, hop in square 1, and out. Then continue by tossing the stone in square 2. All hopping is done on one foot unless the hopscotch design is such that two squares are side-by-side. Then two feet can be placed down with one in each square. A player must always hop over any square where a maker has been placed.

A player is out if the marker fails to land in the proper square, the hopper steps on a line, the hopper looses balance when bending over to pick up the marker and puts a second hand or foot down, the hopper goes into a square where a marker is, or if a player puts two feet down in a single box. The player puts the marker in the square where he or she will resume playing on the next turn, and the next player begins. 

Sometimes a dome-shaped “rest area” is added on one end of the hopscotch pattern where the player can rest for a second or two before hopping back through

 Contributed by Mari – Thank you!

THANKS to our source: http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/other_games/hopscotch.htm

Visit the above link for other variations.

HEY PARENTS! Are your young children (approx. 2 to 5 years old) ready for some online games that are challenging and educational? Here are some of our favorite links.

www.sesamestreet.org

www.noggin.com

tv.disney.go.com

readysetlearn

Feel free to suggest more of your favorite links! [email protected], subject heading: “Kids’ Corner.” THANKS!