Archery -Three Noted Histories

Archery is a sport or practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. Throughout history archery was used for many purposes including hunting and combat. It now has mainly become a sport of precision. Some history on archery is that it was said to have begun around 15,000 years ago, but the earliest that proven evidence was reported on archery was between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago. The bow is said to have originally come from the use of hunting animals, and then it became a very useful tool in combat and warfare. It became the dominant means of shooting projectiles after replacing the "atlatl".

Some of the histories of Archery include Classical, Medieval and Asian Archery. The Classical groups that used archery included the Greeks, Indians, and Chinese. They had great numbers of archers in their armies.

Archers were one of the most decisive tools in warfare. Some archers were known to ride horseback, where combining their range, speed and mobility proved to be one of the deadliest weapons of all warfare. The phrase "a parting shot" came from this type of riding and it meant that a rider turned in the saddle to shoot as he rode away from the enemy.

Medieval European archery is one of the more popular studied forms of archery and it is recognized that the archers in the warfare of Western Europe were the most vital tool in their armoury. What many don't know is that they were one of the lowest paid of all types of soldiers. Because bows and arrows were so inexpensive it was cheaper to arm a man with these than to arm a man with a sword and highly expensive protective armour. The bow, to them, was viewed as a "lower class weapon", and it was hardly used to actually decide any of their battles.

The Vikings were the most noted for using archers in their battles, and that is why they had so much widespread success throughout the 9th and 10th centuries. Archers from this era were often trained very hard from early stages of childhood. Usually the boys were given bows that were of their own height and tournaments were regularly held to help the boys practice their efficiency.

In parts of Asia, archery was also highly developed. It is noted that Central Asian tribesmen were the most skilled at archery on horseback. These "horse archers" would shoot while charging at their targets, then in one motion turn around in their saddles and shoot at the targets again while they rode away.

A deviation from the norm in Asian archery was a tool called the "Foot-Bow". These were often preferred because they could fire arrows a lot faster, and at a longer range than most conventional bows or crossbows. The technique to use a foot-bow was for the person to lie down on their back, with the bow at their feet, then they would put the arrow between their feet and pull the string on the bow back with both of their hands and use their back and legs to bend the bow. It was said that the aim was not very good, but with the combined weight and velocity of the five foot long arrows, that became less important.

And a Child Shall Lead Them

Rookie goaltenders have had success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before – most notably with Ken Dryden in 1971 and Patrick Roy in 1986, both leading the Montreal Canadiens to the Cup – but never before has a crop of rookie goalies dominated the playoffs like they have this season.

Of the five remaining teams in this year’s playoffs, three are led by rookie goalies and another by a first-year starter. Carolina’s Cam Ward, Buffalo’s Ryan Miller, Anaheim’s Ilya Bryzgalov, and San Jose’s Vesa Toskala have all enjoyed incredible playoff success thus far.

Seven-year veteran Dwayne Roloson of the Edmonton Oilers, who was acquired in a mid-season trade with the Minnesota Wild, is the only experienced goaltender left. I don’t think anyone would have predicted that, especially with the presence of such big-name goalies as Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprusoff, and other veteran backstops or NHL powerhouses like Detroit’s Manny Legace, Dallas’s Marty Turco, and Colorado’s Jose Theodore, among the contenders. 

The New Favorite

Thanks to a surprisingly easy 4 games to 1 victory over the New Jersey Devils, and a dominating performance winning four straight games over Montreal after losing the first two in Round 1, the Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as the new favorite to win Lord Stanley’s Cup. Despite finishing the regular season with 112 points, just 1 behind Eastern Conference leader Ottawa, the Hurricanes’ odds of winning the Cup entering the playoffs were posted at 10-1. That was before the oddsmakers had seen Ward turn away almost every shot he’s faced.

In 10 playoff games, the 22-year-old rookie has allowed just 17 goals while posting a 1.77 goals against average (GAA). Ward let in just five goals in Carolina’s four victories over New Jersey as he outplayed his boyhood idol Brodeur. With his stellar play, and the Hurricanes’ opportunistic offense, led by 100-point scorer Eric Staal, Carolina will be tough to beat.

The Upstart Challenger

The Sabres’ Miller is the only U.S.-born goalie among the Fab Four. He hopes to duplicate the feat of another rookie American goalie, Ron Hextall, who led the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1987. After a shaky start in Game 1 against Ottawa, Buffalo’s defense and Miller shut down the Senators the rest of the way, allowing two or fewer goals in each of the last four games. The Michigan native has a 2.25 GAA and a .921 save percentage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Buffalo’s defense has been stellar in front of Miller. Defensemen Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder lead all playoff performers in plus/minus at plus-13. The Sabres’ offense has been scoring in bunches. Buffalo has a team-leading 43 goals scored in 11 games and is riding high after winger Jason Pominville’s shorthanded, overtime goal clinched the series against Ottawa.

Mr. Perfect – Almost

Anaheim’s Bryzgalov has been the most surprising and impressive of all the rookies. Bryzgalov didn’t even enter the playoffs as the Ducks’ No. 1 goalie. That honor went to Jean-Sebastian Giguere, who led Anaheim to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, his second year in the league, and was named the Conn Smythe winner as the MVP of the playoffs that season. 

After splitting their first four games against Calgary in Round 1, the Ducks made the switch to Bryzgalov and they haven’t regretted it. The 24-year-old Russian has practically stood on his head as he is sporting a ridiculous 0.87 GAA and .967 save percentage. He recorded three straight shutouts, including Game 7 at Calgary to clinch that series. In doing so, Bryzgalov set a rookie playoff record, holding opponents scoreless for 249 minutes, 15 seconds. Only Montreal’s George Hainsworth, 270:08 in 1930, has had a longer playoff scoreless streak.

The Final Four

San Jose’s Toskala is hoping to join his fellow first-year netminders in the conference finals. After an excellent series against Nashville in Round 1, including a shutout in Game 2, and two 2-1 victories to open the Edmonton series, Toskala and the Sharks find themselves on the ropes as the Oilers have stormed back to take a 3-2 series lead. Edmonton will try to close it out at home on Wednesday night.

San Jose’s offense is led by Patrick Marleau, who leads all playoff goal scorers with nine. The Sharks will need to get an early lead and help Toskala protect it to force a Game 7 at home on Friday.

The Finals

The matchup between Ward and Miller should be as entertaining as it gets. Both are capable of stealing a game or two for their respective teams. Carolina is the favorite, but Buffalo has a lot of momentum and Miller has shown he can win the close games with four one-goal victories against Ottawa. Look for the Sabres to get to the Finals.

The Ducks have had a long time off after unexpectedly sweeping the Avalanche. Anaheim may be a little rusty to start the conference finals, but the Ducks have good veteran leadership in Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne and will ride the stellar play of Bryzgalov past either the Oilers or the Sharks to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Ancient Coins as Collections

Many collectors hesitate to buy ancient coins to collect because they can be terribly expensive. What is most important is the uniqueness of these coins and the benefits they provide their collectors.

Here are some tips that should be considered when buying ancient coins:

1. Conduct a research of ancient coins. It is important that a collector is aware of what coins are considered ancient. It does not require a collector to go to a library since many websites on the Internet can provide all the information needed to become well-informed about ancient coins.

2. There is a wide variety of ancient coins available for collectors. A collector can choose from different eras and civilizations. He can choose from a Chinese civilization, ancient Rome, Greek, Persian, etc. It is preferable for a collector to focus on a specific group or era when collecting coins.

3. Once a selection has been made, a collector may then focus on the buying of these coins. To start select coins that are least expensive –set a price range such as $20. Once the collection grows, he may then want to start buying the more expensive coins.

4. A collector may also try searching for ancient coins at auction houses or online auctions where ancient coins are available. Always be aware of possible fraud no matter which venue you are using and take extra care in buying coins at online auctions.

5. It is also suggested that the collector make a list of the ancient coins that he would like to buy. He can list them according to his order of preference which will make his search for ancient coins an easier task. Included on his list should be the amount he is willing to spend on a certain type of coin. The list will be helpful whether online or at an auction house, enabling him to manage his budget easily.

6. It is important to have a separate holder for his ancient coin collection or his other collections. Separate holders will help the collector organize and preserve his coins. Ancient coins are generally more expensive than other collectible coins so it is necessary for a collector to know the proper care for them.

Ancient coins should not intimidate coin collectors. They are an exciting way to enjoy the hobby of collecting coins. Not only do they provide fun but they serve as a source of knowledge for many coin collectors.

Ancient Coins And Legal Tender

Getting Started with the Hobby of Numismatics and Collecting Coins

What is Numismatics?

Numismatics – the very name sounds mysterious and evocative. In simple terms, numismatics covers the science and study of coins, cash, and other legal tender, as well as medals, tokens, and medallions. The collection of ancient, commemorative, and rare coins is a fun and exacting hobby, and opens up a realm of history that most people never get to see. A numismatist holds an ancient coin that has passed through dozens or hundreds of hands throughout the millennia. In medieval times, the collection of ancient coins was already popular, but it was known as a hobby for kings. Today, building a fascinating collection of coins does not have to be expensive, and everyone can participate in this exciting pastime.

How do I Start Collecting Coins and Legal Tender?

When deciding which coins to collect, you should consider your interests, your budget, and your return on investment.

The first step when building a collection of coins is to decide what category of legal tender interests you most. Some people like to focus their collections on specific precious metals, such as gold, silver, copper, or bronze coins. Others like to concentrate on a specific time or region, like ancient Roman coins. Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.

Another interesting choice for numismatists is a token collection. Tokens were historically used in place of legal tender, if coins of the right value were not available, or were not convenient. In the modern day, tokens are still used at gaming arcades and some vending machines. Tokens may not be as valuable as true moolah, but they are an interesting look at local history, and can be fun to collect.

The price of a rare coin depends on supply and demand. If only a few coins were made but there are tons of collectors, it will be very expensive to start that kind of collection. Ironically, ancient coins are some of the most inexpensive and most interesting coins to collect. Because of the large number of coins in circulation between 650 BC, when stamping coins became popular, to the fall of the Roman Empire in 450 AD, tons of coins were created, and more are being uncovered every day. Common bronze coins that were being used in the time of Archimedes can be bought for about $10 apiece.

The third, and probably least important thing to consider when starting your collection is the likelihood that your coins will increase in value. Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor. There is always the possibility that the coins you buy will include counterfeits, and the coin market can fluctuate even more wildly than other kinds of investment. For these reasons, it is probably wiser for you to focus on building a collection of coins, tokens, or legal tender that you enjoy than to build your collection with an eye on getting a large return on investment. However, high-grade ancient coins, gold coins, Morgan dollars and Walking Liberty half dollars are among the kinds of collections that are most likely to increase in value over time.

An Introduction to the Bowling Game

Models use the runway for cat walking and balls do too. Bowling balls are tossed energetically to knock down ten bowling pins. This by far has becomes one of the most sought after stress relieving games in the world. It's main objective is to get something really hard and heavy and throw it to knock down all of the pins.

There are more than 120 countries belonging to the International Bowling Federation, which claims that there are about 110 million people who now enjoy bowling. They call bowling centers 'alleys' and there are different sizes of alleys and gimmicks used to lure patrons to play the game. The largest bowling alley in the world contains more than a hundred bowling lanes. The average commercial bowling centers contain only about twenty five to thirty lanes. There are already 11,000 bowling centers in the whole world.

Bowling consisted of four parts: the lane, the approach, the pit, and the pin deck. The approach is where players take several strides to get the maximum adrenaline they need to release the ball and knock down the pins. There is a control line (foul line) which marks the place where players must let go of the ball. The player must not cross the line before or after the ball has been thrown.

In the America alone, there are more than 7,000 bowling associations in different states that support countrywide competitions for more than 4 million bowlers. Americans find the bowling attitude the same as their culture, however, they are unable to take credit for the discovery of the game. Since bowling history is colorful and full of twists and turns, researchers have discovered that the game is actually the very first sport that was discovered. Back in 5200 B.C. they found primitive balls and pins in Egyptian tombs. They also found Polynesian cultures that practiced the same sport and found lanes about 6 feet long. However, the development of the game, which started in the third century A.D., is credited to the religious leaders of Germany. A kegel - which represents the devil - was used as a pin. It needed to be hit as a sign of purity and freeing from sin and anyone who failed to hit the target was determined to be wicked. It was a practice that led the congregation to salvation and was even more standardized by Martin Luther. But when bowling was banned and used for illegal transactions, 10 pin bowling was invented to bypass the law.

The American Bowling Congress started in 1895. Now there are about 55 million players in the US and bowling has become the American game, played to unite and promote equality among fellow men.

An Introduction To Hockey

Hockey is a sport that is enjoyed by many players and fans. Because it is most frequently played on ice (professionally anyway), it is often referred to as ice hockey, though there are some variations of the game using a roller rink rather than an ice rink making it possible for those who don’t have the benefit of ice rinks to engage in the game for fun. Hockey that isn’t played on the ice is generally referred to as roller hockey.

Ice hockey is played in a 200 foot by 85 foot rink. Lines are painted on the ice to mark various zones. The red line in the center of the rink marks the middle of the ice so the hockey players can tell how far to shoot. Blue lines are used to mark the three zones of the ice – the defending zone, the attacking zone and the neutral zone.

One each end of the rink, in the center of the ice is a set of goal posts which are set six feet apart, and a net. Between the goal posts there is a red line painted on the ice which is called a goal line. The object of the game of hockey is to make goals by knocking the hockey puck into the net using a hockey stick. A team achieves points when the puck crosses the goal line and goes into the net which oddly enough is also called the goal. The blue area in front of the goal that is painted in blue is called the crease. Only the goaltender is allowed in the crease, so if a player skates into the crease while attempting to make a goal, they may get an interference penalty.

Generally there are six players per team on the ice at one time. The three players that line up at the front of the team are called forwards and they mainly serve as the team’s offense. Depending on their placement they are referred to as the right wing, the center and the left wing. Behind the forwards are two defensemen, one on the right and one on the left. The sixth player is the goaltender, also called a goalie. The goalie generally stays in the crease to protect defensive zone, the defensemen also defend the goal as the forwards attempt to make goals for the team. Forwards and defensemen are allowed to provide both offense and defense for their team as they react to the activity of the game. At the end of three twenty-minute periods, the hockey team with the highest score wins. Tied games go into a five-minute period of overtime.

Another Excuse for Sugar: Halloween Costume Party Desserts!

A favorite, all-American dessert is the Rice Crispy Treat, a lip smacking pairing of marshmallow and crispy rice cereal into a crunchy, sweet dessert bar. To make a fabulous dessert to bring to the neighborhood Halloween costume party, prepare the Rice Crispy Treats according to your favorite recipe.

When it comes time to press your gooey mixture into a baking dish, use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to shape your tricky treats. Use chocolate chips to create eyes and a mouth for a Jack-o-Lantern perfect for a Halloween costume party. You can also use other Halloween costume shapes like a ghost or a witch to make them. I’ve opted to use different ingredients to make a wide variety of Rice Crispy Halloween costume party treats, like caramel chips to create the pumpkin’s orange color or green food color to make the Wicked Witch an emerald green.

Everyone Likes to Be Tricked and Treated at Halloween Costume Parties

At my elementary school, everyone longed for the day that they would be in Ms. Larsen’s 4th grade class. She was known as the festive holiday chef, and she would tailor her lessons and class activities to fit with the current holiday. At Halloween, she would let us all wear Halloween costumes to school, and in all her years of teaching, she always wore a Halloween costume, too. One beloved class tradition was making Spooky Soil, or put simply, Dirt. It sounds rather unappetizing, doesn’t it? Just keep in mind that the ingredients are crushed Oreos, chocolate pudding, gummy worms and spiders, and fudge. It’s one of the simplest recipes out there. You just need two prepared packages of pudding, a bag of Oreos, some creepy-crawling gummy worms, insects, and spiders, and a warmed-up jar of store-bought fudge or chocolate syrup. Mix up all the ingredients, and serve in clear throwaway cups. I’ve made this “dish” and served it at Halloween costume parties in a black plastic cauldron. Let your ghoulish guests ladle out worms and layers of delicious dirt!

Try to Add Festive Extra Touches to your Halloween Costume Party Recipes

Many trick-or-treaters and Halloween costume party guests have savored the delectably sweet bites of a candied apple. What a great combination of crisp, fresh apple and lick-your-lips melted caramel! This year, why not hand out (or serve at your Halloween costume party) an extra special variation on the candied apple? Melt 14 ounces caramel with about a tablespoon of water on your stovetop. Be sure to stir constantly, so that your sugary mixture does not burn. Using six washed apples of your favorite variety (many people prefer the tart, tangy taste of Granny Smith), dip apples individually in the caramel mixture. Set the apples on a sheet of wax paper. Let cool for 10 minutes. Next, melt 4 ounces chocolate chips over the stovetop, and dip apples halfway into melted chocolate. Let cool entirely on the wax paper, and serve in a festive bowl. It’s a wonderful way to change up your menu at your Halloween costume party—and the three layers look grea

An Introduction To Fantasy Football

Okay, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat, we are talking about American football here, you know the sport with the funny shaped ball! Anyway, let’s not waste time on semantics I have stuff to do.

The way fantasy football works is like this, every participant or owner as we are called in the Fantasy Sports World, drafts or buys through an auction a team of players. For the purposes of this introduction we are going to assume the fantasy football league is NFL, but it could also be based on college players. The way the actual completion plays out depends upon the individual fantasy football league you happen to belong to. In some fantasy football leagues the winner is determined by total points at the end of a season, while others actually play against each other weekly with the team having the best record at the end of the fantasy season being declared winner of that fantasy football league.

The internet has been responsible for taking fantasy football from a hobby played out in sports bars and individual homes to a multi-billion dollar industry now according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. According to the FSTA, nearly twenty million players participate in fantasy sports and the industry has a growth rate of around ten percent. Fantasy Football is the most popular of all the fantasy sports available and continues to grow even faster with the explosion of websites and software to help with the game as well as the proliferation of fantasy football magazines available today.

Most fantasy football leagues will be made up of around ten or twelve individual teams which will have their own mock drafts before the season starts. Because you are drafting real players and their performance really matters it pays to stay in touch with what is going on with them during the off season and pre-season. For example if you draft a Ricky Williams and he decides to go off and smoke dope, too bad, you are screwed out of a running back! In some fantasy football leagues each owner must draft a new team every year, while in others you may be allowed to keep a handful of players which will not be entered in the draft. Some leagues have even gone as far as to create so-called dynasty leagues where an owner may maintain his team from the previous season and only draft incoming rookies. This is very similar to how a real football league works.

Players that are not drafted are designated as “free agents” and may be chosen during the season by trading players that an owner may currently have and making them free agents. The rules that govern this practice vary from league to league.

An Introduction To Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer, who joined NASCAR racing less than four years back, has managed to become one of the most popular racing champions in the country. Born in 1979, Bowyer stated racing in the motocross at the young age of five. Over a period of eight years, till the age of thirteen, Bowyer managed to take home more than 200 titles, championships and victories.

Bowyer is one of the most versatile drivers on the tracks today, having participated in and won a number of modified vehicle as well as truck racing championships. We could say that he began his adult racing career with street stocks in 1996 at the Thunderhill speedway in Kansas from where he went to on to post several modified vehicle victories and top five finishes in a number of races. Bowyer picked up the Modified championships title in both 2000 and 2001, winning his first one in Mayetta and the latter in Kansas City.

His career with NASCAR began with his participation in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series where he also won the Midwest championship in 2002. This was around the time that he finally began racing on asphalt. After another season of racing in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Midwest Series and showing great potential in the subsequent Nashville Superspeedway, he was finally picked up by Richard Childress to race for his club in the NASCAR championships.

Bowyer started racing for Childress in the NASCAR Busch Series of 2004, where he co drove a #21 Reese's Chevrolet with Kevin Harwick. This was the beginning of another great period in his driving career as he went on to notch a considerably successful season with a large number of top ten finishes and some even better than that . He also managed to finish 3rd in the 2006 Busch Series championships, while also managing to come first in one of the races. The year proved to be even more of a success for Bowyer when he managed to chalk up his first Craftsman Truck Series Championship, where he participated with his #46 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet Silverado.

Today, Clint Bowyer is one of the most popular emerging stars in NASCAR racing, and his huge fan following is ample testimony to this fact. In case you are also a Clint Bowyer fan then make sure that you show your loyalty by wearing Clint Bowyer sports clothing and accessories. You can easily lay your hands on Clint Bowyer jerseys and caps in your neighborhood sports collectible or clothing store or on the large number of online sports clothing outlets that stock NASCAR collectibles. So the next time you go to the races, make sure that you have your Clint Bowyer jersey and cap on in order to show your loyalty and support for your favorite NASCAR star.

An Insight Into Michael Owen

Do you think Michael Owen is past his best? Do you think he should still command a regular starting place in the England team? Has Michael Owens injuries affected him too much? Has Michael lost some of his passion to the play at the top level of the game? In this article I give my own opinion about these questions, I hope you enjoy the read.

Michael Owen burst onto the international football stage with what can only be described as a wonder goal against Argentina in the World Cup. At this stage he had pace to burn and was lethal in front of goal. The future was very exciting for his club, country and of course for himself.

Owen played for Liverpool for many years and scored lots and lots and goals. A couple of years ago he moved clubs to Real Madrid. At Madrid he did not in my opinion seem to get much a chance, however his goals to games ratio was still very impressive. During this period Michael started to have a few problems with niggly injuries. He has found it quite difficult to have a sustained period free from injury. Last season he moved clubs again with a big money move to Newcastle United. This saw the prospect of him teaming up again with Alan Shearer. Owen however has played only a handful of games for his new club due to his fitness levels.

It seems that Owen is now on his way back, he recently started Englands latest friendly match against Hungary and looked quite hungry. I feel that Michael is way past his best, I think that due to the fact that he is not getting any younger and all of the injuries he has sustained, that he has without doubt lost some of his electric pace. He is however and should remain for a number of years to come a potent and top striker but whether he is still world class remains to be seen.

Michael Owen has never in my opinion let England down. He always seems to pop up with a goal and has certainly been one the nations hero's over the last eight years. I would prefer to see Michael come off the bench for say the last thirty-five minutes of matches instead of starting the games. I think England should have lanky Peter Crouch with another pacy striker such as Theo Walcott to really rough up and bruise the opposition. Michael could then come on when they are starting to become a bit weary.

I do not think Michael Owen has lost any of his passion or desire to play for club or country. In fact I think the opposite is true. He will be itching to get back to somewhere near his best and will be very determined to help his country to win the World Cup.

America's 'Mane' Attraction: The Golden Age of Horses

More Americans are learning why riding off into the sunset equals living "happily ever after."

With recent movies such as "Seabiscuit" and "Hidalgo" topping the charts, it seems horses are more popular than ever - but it's not just Hollywood.

The trend is sweeping the nation as more people discover the wonderful world of horses. Participation in horse events is at an all-time high. Nearly 2 million Americans own horses, and millions more would like to.

In fact, a recent survey found three out of five adults would be happy if they were given a horse as a gift. And, a majority is interested in horseback riding while on vacation, attending a rodeo and going to a horse race.

With interest in horses on the rise, it's no surprise that more Americans are finally getting involved. They are taking vacations at dude ranches, going on relaxing trail rides to de-stress after work, skipping gym workouts to fulfill fitness routines on horseback, and even using horses to teach kids responsibility and confidence.

And more importantly, they are finding affordable options.

"Getting involved is easier and less expensive than you might think," said Bill Brewer, executive vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association. "With our nationwide network of professional horsemen, AQHA can connect people - regardless of interest level, age or income - with horses. It's what we do best."

Brewer mentioned several cost-effective options for enjoying horses without the cost of ownership, such as leasing, time-sharing, vacationing at a ranch or taking lessons.

"With these affordable options, there has never been a better time to get started," he said.

AQHA is making it easier than ever to get involved by offering a gift set for $30. The set includes a Breyer model horse, a book about American Quarter Horses and a certificate good for one free riding lesson from a local professional trainer in your area.

"This gift is an easy way to make a dream for a horse come true," Brewer said. "A lesson on a dependable breed like the American Quarter Horse, which we call the 'golden retriever of the horse world,' is a fun and safe way to be introduced to the joy of a life with horses."

Alumacraft Boats - Why You Should Get One

If you've been thinking whether to get a Alumacraft, chances are, you're someone who goes for quality, durability and performance. Why?

Because that's what Alumacraft boats are renowned for amongst boating lovers! Besides that, there are also loads of features in Alumacraft Boats that makes them a good choice. Here's a listing :

(1) Less Feedback Steering & Hence Drier, Smoother & Quieter Riding Experience

Due to the specific technology used, Alumacraft boats reduces the transmission of prop troque through the driver. It's much easier and safer to ride at a higher speed as the wheel won't spin out of your hands that easily and cause a loss of control!

Partly because of this reduced feedback and vibration, a Alumacraft tend to cruise over the surface of the water without splashing, resulting in a much drier, smoother and quieter travelling experience.

(2) Best Quality Hardware & Heavier, Top Grade Marine Gauge Aluminum

Built with chromed metal hardware renowned for being durable and strong, Alumacraft boats gives a better grip even if you're wearing gloves! The heavier, top grade marine guage aluminum material used further enhances it's durability.

Hence with proper care, it's not surprising at all to find some Alumacraft boats to be in perfect working condition even after many years of usage.

(3) Ease of Customization

Alumacraft boats is manufactured by one of the largest independently owned boat maker. That makes it easier to rig the boat to your preference. Definitely a dream come true for boating lovers!

(4) Larger Aircraft Grade Rivets & Tighter Fit between Welds and Rivets

With large rivets comes greater strength and because of this, less of them are required as compared to smaller rivets. Lesser holes are needed to be drilled into Alumacraft boats thereby reducing the tendency of losing rivets.

This simple logic, coupled by the tighter fit in between welds and rivets improves compactness of the boat's body as a whole and reduce the possibility of leakage. All in all, this helps to further explain why maintenance is a such a breeze for Alumacraft boats.

(5) More & Better Ribs

The use of more and better ribs is also the main reason why Alumacraft boats can take more pounding than you thought. Another great explanation on why they're so durable.

(6) Great Paintwork.

Alumacraft boats are painted with the best quality paint used by major auto makers. Since both base colour / clear coat colour are similar, it's easier and less costly to do touch ups than repainting the whole boat. What does that mean? Once again, lesser cost and lower maintenance effort!

(7) One Single Piece of Hull

At first glance, it didn't seem to mean a lot. But the fact that it does meant there's a lesser tendency of losing rivets or pieces falling apart, isn't it? A rare phenomenon that you see with other brands of boats.

Now, with the so many great features listed above, there's really no reason for you not to consider an Alumacraft, isn't it? Though they come in various sizes, shapes and styles for a wide spectrum of uses and budgets, with careful selection, you'll still be able to find the right one that suit your needs.

Without burning a hole in your pocket, of course!

Allen Iverson’s Exclusion from the Dream Team is a Clear Mistake

I considered it insulting and inexplicable when I heard that Allen Iverson got left out of the Dream Team by Jerry Colangelo. The executive and managing director of the United States Men's National Team made a sure mistake when he decided not to ask Iverson to the tryouts in Las Vegas this summer.

The Dream team has not been giving out its best results since 2004 but then again the U.S. wasn't represented by its best talent in Athens or Indianapolis if you don’t send the best you’ve got don’t expect the best results.

But this time the nation’s superstars where standing in line to represent the country and bring back some glory. The selection committee chose seven of the eight leading scorers in the NBA, but they left Iverson behind. Colangelo said it was because the team needed distributors.

Iverson's age has also been used as an excuse and not a exactly a bad one when you think that Iverson will be 33 when the Beijing Olympics are played outside 2008, but Bruce Bowen will be 37, Chauncey Billups and Antawn Jamison will be 32, so for the others age isn't a legitimate argument to keep him out. Plus, Iverson has yet to slow down.
Iverson is not without his flaws, but he is one of just two NBA players -- along with Dwyane Wade -- who rank in the top 10 in scoring and assists. Kobe Bryant, the league's leading scorer, ranks 28th in assists.

This team is talented enough to win with or without Iverson, but he should've at least been given the opportunity to compete. If he misses out on making the final roster of 12, then fine. But Iverson has earned the right to be there, not only because of his past with USA Basketball but because he remains at the top of his game although he's a few months shy of his 31st birthday. He deserved better.

All Shook Up in Surry – the Perfect Corporate Mix

England is a land of contrasts – on one hand you will find the vibrant cities filled with lively activities, glittering nightlife and other attractions, on the other hand you will be equally delighted to discover the green and serene countryside. Filled with an impressive sense of fashion, quality dining, clubbing, shopping and much more, England is the favourite corporate event venue for arranging all sorts of fun filled corporate activities. From treasure hunts, team building activities, spy missions to dragon boat racing and cocktail making, you get a wide range of corporate events at your display.

Cocktail Making in Surry

Ever thought of participating in a contest in front of around 3500 live spectators? It definitely sounds thrilling. Chillisauce, with its treasure house of corporate event planning ideas, provides you the opportunity to do just that. Pairs of contestants are pre-chosen from your company to participate in the fun filled cocktail making challenge on stage. Each pair is given a bar with similar sets of cocktail ingredients. You get to perform on stage to show your creative side amidst constant cheering from the audience. The cocktail making challenge in Surry is easily one of the most sought after corporate event. It’s a fun packed corporate show full of entertainment, comedy and creativity.

Advantages of Cocktail Making Corporate Activities

If you are looking for creating a social bond amongst the corporate team members, then cocktail making is the best way to do it. It is an excellent choice to pep up the team spirit as this corporate event aims at rewarding a team for a job well done. The participants will be eager to share their on stage experience with their colleagues, thus encouraging constant interaction with all the team members.

When you take cocktail making corporate activity in Surry to a competitive level, it turns up to be one of the best corporate team building means with equal enthusiastic participation from all the members of the corporate team. As far as exciting and team involving corporate activities are concerned, trust Chillisauce to deliver you the perfect choice you are looking for.

All About Cue Tips

Do you think that your choice in tips is the right choice or simply politically correct? What I mean by politically correct is, is your choice in tips controlled by the opinion of your peers or some professional player that you know, or is it based on fact? By the end of this article you should be able to answer this question for youself.

## What are the differences in pool cue tips? ##
As you probably already know, you have everything from very soft singlepiece animal skin tips from various types of animals (elk, cow, water buffalo and cape buffalo) to very hard single piece animal skins. There is also the laminated tips ranging anywhere from three to fifteen layers. The laminated tips also range from soft to extremely hard using various animal skins and tannages. The end result is a myriad of confusing choices. I would like to unmuddy the water for you somewhat. All of these variables can impact power, accuracy, and your sight picture.

First let's assume that you already know that the shape or radius of the tip is of utmost importance and must be maintained at all times during gameplay. That very important shape that I just mentioned is the radius of a dime (roughly) or a "0.375" radius. In other words, hold a dime edgewise up to your tip and look over the top... If it does not match the shape or radius of a dime on the top of your tip, you've already got a problem.

When the ball is struck by the tip, the portion of the tip that takes the force is no more than an eighth of an inch offcenter in all directions. This is true regardless of whether you've struck the cue ball a sixteenth off center, or a full tip off center. What this radius does is generate the force, regardless of where it is struck, to the center of the tip and down through the center of your cue. Soft tips create more distortion than harder tips. In otherwords, a larger area of the tip makes contact and wraps around the cue ball in the case of a soft tip. This may give you more tip confidence, particularily if you're a beginner, because you will miscue less, despite having a sloppy stroke; but, the price you will pay is less power and a whole lot more deflection of the cue ball, because you have moved all of the tip to one side of the cue ball with virtually no penetration. On the other hand, a hard tip will focus the energy in a much smaller area at impact and will give you a higher degree of penetration. When I speak of penetration, I mean the force being directed to the cue ball by virtue of the direction the cue is being swung or pointed and that force penetrates the cue ball in the direction that the shaft or cue is being driven. As an added bonus, a harder tip lasts longer.

## What about miscueing with hard cue tips? ##
The simple fact of the matter is, that the small, glasslike particles of chalk, which cause the friction, are held higher up on the surface on a hard tip so that they will penetrate deeper into the surface of the cueball at impact. A soft tip allows more particles to come into contact because of it's increased tip surface at impact; however, though there be more particles in contact with the cue ball, it does not penetrate the cue ball as deeply and therefore creates less friction per particle. Bottomline: You have the choice of either more particles penetrating less or fewer particles penetrating more... The net total friction is about a trade-off. Whether the tip you choose is one single piece of hide or laminated multipe pieces of hide, the key issue is the more penetration means more accuracy, more power, and tremendously less cue ball deflection and negative effects on your sight picture. As a side note: You've probably noticed, if you've played much, that a tip plays its best just before it has to be changed. This is because it has been pounded enough through constant play to make the tip more dense (harder in all areas).

## What does Meucci Originals do with this information? ##
After testing every tip on the market, and measuring it's resultant power and deflection variation, we have found that a hard tip with even harder outside edges around the circumference will perform the best. Harder outside edges so that the energy is directed into the cue will be focused more towards the center of the shaft, while at the same time keeping the outside walls of the tip from breaking down. There is only two ways to get this result: 1. A hard water buffalo tip. or 2. To compress the tip of your choice as hard as you can, then shape to a dime radius and then pound the outside edges to further harden the circumference and reshape that area to be once again a dime radius.

We take both the latter and former choice at Meucci Originals with the well-known Le Professional tips or hard water buffalo tips. I hope I haven't caused you even more confusion. I think the choice should now be simple: your choice should be made according to knowledge and experience instead of the fashion of the day.

All About Box Lacrosse

Box Lacrosse, also referred to as boxla or boxcrosse is an indoor version of outdoor field lacrosse. The difference between a field lacrosse game and a box lacrosse game is like night-and-day.

Box Lacrosse is predominantly played in Canada during the summer months. Box Lacrosse started in the 1930's as a means to bring revenue to hockey rinks in the off season. Additionally it kept players fit during the summer months.

In Canada box lacrosse is more popular than field lacrosse from which it was derived. The rules of box lacrosse and field lacrosse are very different and of course the surface of play is very different. Box lacrosse is played indoors, in hockey arenas (without the ice) or on indoor soccer fields.

The goal in box lacrosse is smaller than the goal in field lacrosse and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Play in box lacrosse is significantly rougher than in a field lacrosse game. The rules of box lax encourage passing and running which improves a players overall lacrosse skills and athletic ability.

Box lacrosse should not be confused with indoor lacrosse which is a newer version of the indoor game. Indoor lacrosse was intended to be less violent than the other indoor version of the game, box lacrosse, on which it is based. Indoor lacrosse is also played in regions where box lacrosse is not played. Indoor lacrosse was designed to combine the most exciting elements of box and field lacrosse. Box lacrosse is a summer game, while indoor lacrosse is played in the winter.

Professional indoor lacrosse combines the physical play of hockey with the high scoring, fast pace and play-making style of basketball. Indoor lacrosse is played with six men per side, a rougher and faster derivative of the outdoor game. There are more scoring opportunities, and far more big hits, making indoor lacrosse an intense experience for players as well as fans.

The two indoor games have become increasingly similar in recent years with the primary difference being the equipment used in game play. Indoor lacrosse allows only sticks with hollow shafts, while box lacrosse allows solid wooden sticks. Also indoor lacrosse games consist of four quarters of fifteen minutes each, while box lacrosse games consist of three periods of twenty minutes in length.

The age of indoor lacrosse is evident when discussions relating to the first World Indoor Lacrosse Championships arise. The first Championships were held in 2003.

Airsoft Guns: An Introduction

Airsoft guns are considered replicas of real firearms but not all replicas are Airsoft guns. There are some replicas that don't have a firing mechanism while others, such as the Real Action Markers, may have a different mechanism and shoot non-Airsoft types of projectiles. This fact alone makes airsoft guns a great collector's item. Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle which can be either: spring, electric, or gas-powered.

Airsoft is a combat game similar to paintball in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting them with 6 mm (or occasionally 8 mm) plastic BBs launched from airsoft guns. An airsoft player is shooting from behind cover wearing goggles that fully seal the area around the eyes and a balaclava to protect the face. The sport of Airsoft started in Japan during the early 1980s. Airsoft has been popular in Asia for a long time, and there is now a growing interest in airsoft weapons and events in North America and Europe. Airsoft started appearing in North America and Europe during the middle of the 1990's. Airsoft is a very popular sport these days.

Airsoft game scenarios can vary widely according to mission type, number of teams, number of players per team, the objective of the game, victory conditions, and game durations. Airsoft games can be run by the players themselves using agreed upon rules. Airsoft guns are most commonly powered by one of three sources: gas, air, or mechanical boxes that use motors to pull back and release a spring piston. Airsoft guns are NOT toys and are not intended or designed for children. Airsoft guns are to be purchased and used by adults 18 years of age or older.
Airsoft guns are used all over the world for target shooting, firearms training instructors, class III-weapons enthusiasts, motion-picture studios, and most commonly, for tactical and military simulation war games. Airsoft guns are ideal for tactical training. Airsoft guns are remarkably accurate for smooth-bore guns.

Airsoft Guns

Airsoft guns may soon be going the way of real guns around the world, even in the US. Built to resemble actual weapons, Airsoft guns instead shoot pellets and are used in several games much like paintball. These games range from freeform death match style in which all the players are basically out for themselves and anything goes, to team play that resembles war games. Although pellets are used instead of bullets or paintballs, getting hit can still result in a nasty sting and a lingering wound.

Complaints against Airsoft guns have come from a number of quarters. For instance, the University of Hawaii at Manoa has banned Airsoft guns. Despite that ban—or, indeed, perhaps because of it—the campus was the site of a series of assaults on students by someone using an Airsoft pellet gun. Even so, much of the uproar has less to do with the damage done by the pellets and more with the construction of the guns themselves.

Airsoft guns can take the form of handguns or larger rifles and they can look remarkably realistic. It is this realism that has raised questions of safety, not the actual damage done by the pellets. Recently in Florida, a middle school student was shot by police after he brandished a weapon at them. The weapon turned out to be a pellet gun, though it was never established whether or not it was actually an Airsoft gun. From a distance, Airsoft guns definitely resemble the real thing and this has certainly led to a move to ban them.

In light of the calls to ban what are essentially toys, it’s quite ironic that the rise of Airsoft popularity began in Asian countries where access to real firearms is difficult. The realistic look of the guns contributed to the popularity of the games in which they used, lending them a certain reality that older style pellet guns simply didn’t have. Eventually, the craze pushed westward and took up residence in Europe and America. With the lax gun control laws in America, these Airsoft guns are much more dangerous. While it’s unlikely that a large group of young people in Japan or England would be walking around openly carrying real guns, the police in America don’t have the luxury of second guessing. If a policeman sees a gun that looks real he simply has to assume that it is real, especially when pointed at him.

The answer, clearly, doesn’t have to be outright banning of Airsoft guns. Since even accidental victims of pellet shots often admit that getting shot by one of them isn’t terribly painful, it seems rather ridiculous to ban these guns when the banning of real handguns are impossible. Rather, why not just make them less realistic? That doesn’t necessarily entail stripping the Airsoft guns of all realism, but would it hurt to redesign them subtly so that it is obvious they aren’t actual handguns?

The cost of realism in a game hardly seems worth the price of a life.

Airshows Are Action Packed Shows Of Flying Machines!

You just can’t imagine the magnitude of ‘adventure, entertainment, excitement, and fun’ that airshows are gonna give you. Airshows certainly are action packed shows of flying machines. Surely, you can have plenty of air amusement, aeronautic enjoyment, and flying fun at airshows.

Airshows are air-expos where aviators exhibit their aircraft flying skills and capabilities. These shows really offer great exhibition of aeronautic proficiencies and a wide variety of aircraft and helicopters that are often aviated in these shows. You can really watch out static airplanes, parked on the ground, or out of their hangars at static airshows, but you can enjoy a lot of real flying action at airshows.

Airplanes look catching when they are laid out orderly at the venues of airshows. Most of the airshows allow you to wander around the static airplanes, before the start of the shows. Often, the non-military airshows allow you to watch or photograph the static aircraft. However, the organizers of military airshows generally ask you to stay away and to leave the venue once the flying action is over. Most of the non-military airshows generally allow you to linger and have fun at the airshow venues.

Airshows may feature air races, aerobatic demos, jet demos, military jet demos, warbird demos, helicopter demos, skydiving/paragliding demos, skywriting, wingwalking demos, glider demos, airdrop demos, etc. These shows may also dish out replicas of some of the earliest aircraft, new-technology demonstrator prototypes, battlefield simulations, cargo airplanes, fire-fighting aircraft, and remote-controlled aircraft.

Generally, airplanes require fine weather conditions for flying, but weather really can’t stop you from having fun at airshows. Rarely, adverse weather is responsible for the cancellation of airshows. Though, it may sometimes delay the start of airshows. Once you are at one of such shows, there is no stopping to your fun. Often, static airshows are arranged, if weather becomes wicked. In static airshows, static flying machines are exhibited and you are free to view them closely and chat with their pilots.

Airshows generally begin in the late mornings or early afternoons, and the flying action usually goes on until late afternoon or early evening, or even into the night. The aircraft that fly in evening or night airshows are especially lit, and have bright afterburners. They give spectacularly dazzling view when they release flares or fireworks or other pyrotechnics. The evening airshows are generally organized on the Fridays.

So, if you have fascination for flying machines, you mustn’t miss any of airshows. Surely, there is loads of flying fun, adventure, excitement waiting for you at airshows. You just need to grab your airshow ticket, and you can realize your flying fantasies. You can buy airshow tickets online.

Airline Reservations and Ticketing Tips

If your travel plans fall during a busy period, call for reservations early. Flights for holidays may sell out weeks - sometimes months - ahead of time. Don't buy a standby fare or an 'open return' ticket if you need to fly during a high-demand period. You could be stranded for a week or more before a seat becomes available.

* Ask the reservations agent to give you the on-time performance code for any flights that you are considering. This is a one-digit code in the reservations computer that shows how often that flight arrived on time (within 15 minutes) during the most recent reported month. For example, an "8" means that flight arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time between 80% and 89.9% of the time. If you are deciding between two flights with similar schedules and fares, you may want to choose the one with the better on-time record. (Only the largest U.S. airlines are required to maintain these codes.)

* When you make a reservation, be sure the agent records the information accurately. Before you hang up or leave the ticket office, review all of the essential information with the agent - the spelling of your name, the flight numbers and travel dates, and the cities you are traveling between. If there is more than one airport at either city, be sure you check which one you'll be using. It's also important to give the airline your home and work telephone numbers so they can let you know if there is any change in their schedule.

* Your ticket will show the flight number, departure time, date, and status of your reservation for each flight of your itinerary. The "status" box is important. "OK" means you're confirmed. Anything else means that the reservation is not yet certain (e.g., waitlisted).

* A "direct" (or "through") flight can have one or more stops. Sometimes flights with only one flight number can even involve a change of planes. Ask about your exact routing.

* If you are flying to a small city and your flight number has four digits, you may be booked on a commuter airline that has an agreement with the major carrier in whose name the flight is held out. If you are unsure, ask the reservation agent about the airline and the aircraft type; these flights are identified in the computer.

* When a reservation agent asks you to buy your tickets by a specific time or date, this is a deadline. And if you don't make the deadline, the airline may cancel your reservation without telling you.
* Try to have your tickets in hand before you go to the airport. This speeds your check-in and helps you avoid some of the tension you might otherwise feel if you had to wait in a slow-moving ticketing line and worry about missing your flight. Using an e-ticket speeds up the process also.

* If your reservations are booked far enough ahead of time, the airline may offer to mail your tickets to you. However, if you don't receive the tickets and the airline's records show that they mailed them, you may have to go through cumbersome lost-ticket procedures (see the end of this chapter). It is safer to check the telephone directory for a conveniently located travel agency or airline ticket office and buy your tickets there.

* As soon as you receive your ticket check to make sure all the information on it is correct, especially the airports (if any of the cities have more than one) and the flight dates. Have any necessary corrections made immediately.

* Bring a photo I.D. when you fly, and have your airline ticket issued using your name as it appears on that I.D. Many airlines are requesting such identification at check-in in order to reduce the re- selling of discount tickets. (Airlines don't permit tickets to be sold or given to other persons.) On international flights, make sure your name is the same on your ticket and your passport. If your name has recently changed and the name on your ticket and your I.D. are different, bring documentation of the change (e.g., a marriage certificate or court order).

* It's a good idea to reconfirm your reservations before you start your trip; flight schedules sometimes change. On international trips, most airlines require that you reconfirm your onward or return reservations at least 72 hours before each flight. If you don't, your reservations may be canceled.

* Check your ticket as you board each flight to ensure that only the correct coupon has been removed by the airline agent.

Advice for Hikers and Hunters

As brightly colored leaves dazzle the fall landscape, hikers and hunters nationwide will migrate to mountains, woods and fields, but many, unfortunately, are ill prepared for the beating their feet will take, warns the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

"Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don't realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walking on uneven terrain," said Marco Vargas, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon based in Sugar Land, TX. An avid outdoorsman himself, Vargas said lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts into his office each fall for treatment of foot and ankle problems such as chronic heel pain, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal infections and severe blisters.

"Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven't conditioned properly before hitting the trail," said Vargas. "Also, many don't realize that cross-training athletic shoes aren't the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well constructed hiking boots, they wouldn't have suffered sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons."

Vargas advises hikers and hunters to make the investment in top-quality hiking boots. He said strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. "The supportive shank decreases strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So if a boot bends in the middle, don't buy it."

In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Vargas recommends synthetic socks as the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable. "Wool lets moisture evaporate more readily than cotton, so fewer blisters develop," added Vargas.
What happens if your feet or ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? Vargas said pain usually occurs from overuse, even from just walking. "If you're not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get tired and cause muscles and tendons to ache," he explained. "To avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting."

According to the ACFAS consumer website, FootPhysicians.com, pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. "Serious injury risk escalates significantly if you continue hiking in pain," Vargas said. He likened hiking to skiing in that beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident.

Vargas also recommends visiting a foot and ankle surgeon if there is persistent foot or ankle pain following a hiking or hunting outing. "I'm most concerned about ankle instability and strained Achilles tendons. Inattention to these problems at their early stages may lead to a serious injury that will keep you off the trails for a long time," Vargas said.

Advantages of Bowling

Bowling can be considered one of the all time favorite sports in the world. Its popularity throughout the history of its evolution has a consistent trend that people seem to adapt and accept. In 1976, about 25 percent of the total population of the United States played the game. By the start of the millennium, the percentage has gone down by about 10 percent because of the changes of interest of many people to


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Article Body:
Bowling can be considered one of the all time favorite sports in the world. Its popularity throughout the history of its evolution has a consistent trend that people seem to adapt and accept. In 1976, about 25 percent of the total population of the United States played the game. By the start of the millennium, the percentage has gone down by about 10 percent because of the changes of interest of many people to different activities.

There was a resurgence when bowling alleys realized that they had to modernize their facilities and equipment to keep with the trend of modern technology. There was a total transformation within every facility and with all equipment. Computer generated scoring was one of the futuristic adaptations of the game. There were also improvements in the bowling lanes and pin machines to provide faster setting of the pins in the target area.

Many venues have realized that there was an increase in the number of casual bowlers when they cut the schedules of leagues and shortened their events by a few weeks. More people have time to go bowling because the availability of the lanes was improved. By the start of the new millennium, many people were working less than eight hours a day and this led to the adaptation by bowling alleys to a schedule suitable for employees that wished to enjoy bowling after work.

Many people have considered the change of the concept of bowling from a sport to a social activity. Some people see bowling as a recreational or social activity while others see it as a competitive opportunity.

People find many advantages when bowling. Playing the sport on a regular basis will enable a person to develop a fitness activity by learning how to balance and coordinate body movements. The bowling executions a person uses provides exercise through walking and swinging of the arms. It not only provides good body exercise for the arms and back, but the joints, fingers, hips, and legs as well. The muscles limber up when a person bowls on a regular basis, keeping the body in good condition.

Addiction: When Gambling Becomes a Problem

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.

Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.

What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.

Am I a Compulsive Gambler?
1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?
2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?
3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?
4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?
5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?
6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?
7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?

If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.

Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?
Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.

How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?
1) Group Therapy:
Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.

2) Individual Therapy:
Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.

3) Psychiatric Medication:
It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.

Accident-Free Skiing And Snowboarding, Anyone?

Many people have different opinions about the relationship between skiing and snowboarding. Some hardcore enthusiasts in these sports maintain that these two are distinct and different from each other. Nonetheless, skiing and snowboarding share the same platforms and manner of execution, namely snowy slopes and downward acceleration. This results to almost the same approach in the preparation and equipment perspectives of the two.

Whether you are a first timer or a veteran at skiing and snowboarding, you must learn how to prepare physically and mentally before subjecting yourself to the unforgettable adrenaline rush that these two sports offer. And that includes protecting yourself against possible injuries that can happen while you are speeding down the slope.

Besides training hard to improve performance level and overall skills, you must completely comply with the safety requirements to become a confident participant in these two sports. As over one hundred thousand people are unnecessarily injured in skiing and skateboarding every year, a serious effort to prepare against injury in these two sports is imperative.

In skiing and snowboarding, the key to an accident-free slide is in the preparation. Before you even take the wild ride down a snowy mountain cap, be sure to do all necessary preparations. The following tips could spell the difference between an enjoyable skiing or snowboarding vacation and a visit to the hospital.

Take skiing and snowboarding lessons. There is no such thing as a born skier or snowboarder. You need guidance from experts who have been into these sports for years so that you will improve your performance and safety in skiing and snowboarding.

With regard to your skiing or snowboarding outfit, wear clothing that is dependable against water and wind. Make sure that your apparel has enough protective features like wide collars that can be enfolded to cover your face against wind and zippers and strings that enable you to adjust your outfit easily and comfortably.

Acquire the proper equipment for skiing and for snowboarding. If you own the equipment, like skis and snowboards, have them custom-fitted to your preferences. If you are renting them, be sure to choose the ones that you will most likely be comfortable in. Having the right equipment will drastically improve your performance and lessen the chances of accidents.

Also, the temperature in the snowy caps rapidly changes. Sometimes the coldness in the slopes can be unbearable and you may find yourself losing much needed heat which could lead to other complication like loss of consciousness and tiredness. To prevent this wear head covering like helmet or headbands and gloves.

The snowy slopes in which you slide down your skis and snowboards have very low temperatures. Dress up in layers of clothing to keep the chill out. But also make sure that the fabric you are wearing on the inside is comfortable on your skin and absorbent of the sweat that is sure to come out of you because of the excitement skiing or snowboarding offers.

Do not forget to wear eye protection devices like goggles and sunglasses. Without eye protection, you are most likely to close your eyes due to cold winds as you speed down on your ski or snowboard. Sliding in closed eyes, you will certainly bump on anything and could even wake up in the infirmary the next day.

Get enough sleep the night before the big day. You need to be alert and sportive on the skiing or snowboarding slopes. A tired mind and body can cause accidents and injuries.

About Ming and other dynasties

Your with a group of friends. Someone starts into a conversation about sports dynasties and inevitably, New York Yankees are automatically a part and parcel of the very first line. The topic switches to famous coaches and Vince Lombardi pops up on everyone’s list.

Doesn’t matter if it’s the Ming Dynasty of ancient China or a sports dynasty of modern America, a true dynasty dominates. It completely obliterates. It takes unwavering control, choking the life out of all who challenge it for superiority.

If you’re willing to look at it that way, then nothing and nobody can compare with the amazing John Wooden orchestrated dominance the UCLA Bruins held over all comers during a string of 10 NCAA basketball seasons.

As for the Yankees, it’s one thing to say things like, “They’ll always be there” or “They always seem to find a way” doesn’t stack up. The Yanks had to find a way to rule over an eight team league for a pennant or the best another eight had to offer for a series title.

The Bruins started evey season knowing somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 teams were looking to gun them down. Over a dozen years from 1964 to 1975, “the Bruin Era”, only Texas Western near the beginning and N.C. State during the decline, ever managed to pull it off. For an amazing run from ‘67 to ‘73 UCLA was unstoppable. For those seven years it was about more than just winning the Final Four. It was full season records, dominating the regionals, and rolling right over the unfortunate championship game opposition. No matter who that might have been. The Bruins were merciless.

The John Wooden coached team numbers over those 12 years defy criticism. Only five losses over the course of their seven year championship reign. Four undefeated seasons of 30 and 0 basketball. An 88 game winning streak involving four seasons. 38 straight NCAA tournament victories. And, for seven straight championship finals, not even allowing the opponent a sniff of victory.

There’s about as much chance of these records being toppled as another Ming in China.

About Airsoft guns

An Airsoft gun is not a traditional BB gun. The traditional BB gun shoots out a .177 metal BB; airsoft guns shoot out 6mm plastic BB. The BBS that an Airsoft gun shoots are slightly bigger and are not made of metal. The only thing that the two have in common is the fact that they resemble a real gun or weapon. Airsoft guns are also, unable to shoot full auto like machine guns.

Some people get them confused with paintball funs. Paintballs are more single in design and don’t resemble a real gun. Paintballs are mainly used for war games and they shoot plastic balls that filled with pain. The size of a paintball gun is much bigger than 6mm, almost three times bigger. Paint guns shoot like machine guns, and that isn’t an airsoft gun. If you have an airsoft electric gun, then you can shoot like a machine gun, but only with an electric one.

The airsoft gun started in Japan. People in Japan where interested in having their own gun, but the law prohibits them. So the airsoft gun was designed to look like a real gun or weapon and do not break the law. Manufactures of them have a license agreement with regular gun manufactures so that they can legally make replicas and designs the same.

They are meant to look and feel like a real, firing gun, but it doesn’t mean to cause deathly injuries. Don’t fool yourself, any time of gun can cause some harm and can hurt if one of the BBs were to hit the skin. However, they are designed to shoot for a distance of 50-300 feet and made not to even shatter glass. If you are shot with an airsoft gun BB, you may became cut and bleed a little, but the BB will not penetrate the skin. Most injuries caused by these weapons are not life threating, but they can shoot your eye out. Professionals recommend that goggles be worn to protect the eyes.

When it comes to airsoft guns, there are three basic types of guns. There are spring airsoft guns, electric, and gas-powered guns. Each type is different in the way they shoot out the BBs. You will want to learn how to properly use your airsoft gun by refereeing the type of gun. The guns are legal in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

Some other countries also allow them to an extent. Because they look identical to real guns, many countries that forbid guns forbid airsoft guns as well. But because they look so much like real guns, you should always be cautious to where you go with one or how you act while holding one. In the United States, the nozzle of the gun needs to have an orangish, red tip so that people can differentiate if the gun is real or if it is an airsoft gun.

ab exercises that you can do at home

There are plenty of simple ab exercises that you can do on your own, in your house, with no special equipment required.

Most of the best exercises for strengthening the ab muscles are crunches. Crunches are exercises where you bring your body right forward, curling upwards to bend yourself into a tight ‘V’ shape. There are very many variations on crunches.

One of the most popular is the exercise ball crunch, which is where you lie back onto an exercise ball, and then do a crunch slowly, without the ball moving. This allows you to keep a good crunch speed, as well as supporting your back while you crunch.

Another good method is the full crunch, where you extend out your legs and then put your hands behind your head. As you pull yourself up with your hands, push outwards with your legs. If it is done right, this will exercise both your upper and lower body.

You might also try the reverse crunch (sometimes known as a V-up), where you lie on the floor, put your legs in the air, and then instead of bending up towards your legs, you bend your legs back towards you. This has the same effect, but is less strenuous, as you are lifting less weight.

A word of warning: as ab exercise becomes more popular, some companies are trying to cash in by hawking ab exercise machines and tools – those little frames that you put around yourself while you exercise, and that rock you back and forward. However, research has shown that there is no difference between the benefits of using these machines and just doing a normal ab crunch. There is, however, certainly a very large difference in price (the difference between free and very expensive), so it’s best to just avoid them altogether.

A Well Paid Tribute to the Seven Time Champion

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to honor his father’s birthday at the Talladega Superspeedway by driving a replica of his black No. 3 Chevrolet with white lettering and silver and red stripes. Hoping he will achieve to evoke the feeling that used to go around the track when any driver saw the car on their rearview mirror. Only this time the car will be showing No.8 since his father’s No.3 has not been displayed on the tracks since his death in 2001.

The act is a tribute part of a larger act of greeting at Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is celebrating 3 events Earnhardt's thursday night induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, his overall accomplishments at Talladega and his 55th birthday, which would have been Sunday.

Birthdays bring happier memories, which is why, it is correct to assume, the change of attitude in Earnhart Jr. He was not comfortable last February in the celebration of the anniversary of hthe champion’s death.

What brings drama to the event is that after all, it is Talladega and Daytona where he is more like his father, the two fastest and more dangerous tracks. Dale Earnhardt was the leading man at restrictor-plate racing, especially at Talladega. Junior inherited the skill required to work the draft, he has five victories at Talladega and two at Daytona.

A Training Guide to Baseball

Handling the beater or putting wood at the ball, is the key with the success or the failure of the club of ball and the individual.

There is no great mystery about what makes to a boy a good bruiser. He must have:

1. A certain quantity of normal capacities
2. A control of the fundamental principles
3. Confidence in its capacity to strike

Normal covers of capacities of expression much. They mean the arms, the wrists and the hands forts; fast reflexes, good coordination, perfect sight and speed under development.

Independently how much of normal capacities a boy has, however, of him will not strike like him if if it does not control the fundamental principles and does not believe in its capacity to strike the ball while it comes by the zone from strike. The confidence of art of the self-portrait, naturally, comes from success. Moreover, success in the wadding in sheet comes from the practice. The following text describes the mechanisms to strike while they apply to the bowlers in general. While following the implied principles, the well coordinated boy could easily become the wadding in sheet hold the first role of his team; the average boy could certainly become a bruiser better than average.

While getting information about handling the beater there are some key points which you will have to know. Those include sectors of

The Position The Step Positions of arm and hand The Oscillation

The position required depends on the side which they support. If a boy is a droitier, it should turn its left side in the jug; the good so left-handed side.

The body should rather right and be slackened with the weight distributed even on the two feet. The hips and the shoulders should be level. The feet should be width of shoulder with share with the toe of the foot before even with the instep of the back foot. When the ball is delivered, beats heels should be to the top slightly, its slightly bent knees. Covers of step how the call should be struck. While the ball is delivered to the dish, the smooth paste should raise its foot before Juste above the ground and slip it ahead (towards the jug) approximately six inches. This stage, a part criticizes to strike, starts what generally names synchronization. All other movements which are a part of flow handling the beater of it.

Practical with this formula:

Loan?

Stage and torsion. Again with the starting position. Still, stage and torsion. Back. Stage and torsion. Back

Co-ordinate of positions of arm and hand with the position and the step. Droitier beats: place your left palm against before your right shoulder, little finger to the bottom, inch upwards. Advance the left hand approximately six inches and made a fist.

Left-handed person beats: place your right palm against before your left shoulder, little finger to the bottom, inch upwards. Advance the right hand approximately six inches and made a fist.

The elbow of the arm which is now prolonged through the body should not have almost any curve in him and there should not be any constraint on the arm. In fact the arm and the hand guide the beater by the oscillation. The opposite arm and the hand provide the power.

Make a fist with the power give it and place on the hand of guidance.

Thus raise the elbow of the arm of power it is of level with the top of the shoulder. There will be a certain constraint there. Drop this elbow slowly until there is no constraint. The elbow of the arm of power should come to a stop approximately two inches below the top the shoulder.

Maintain the elbows and the hands left the body!

A Torrid Summer For British Sport

This summer promised so much for lovers of British Sport but as usual all of the hype led to some very below par performances and results. The football team in the World Cup were very boring to watch, played in a very negative way and never looked liked winning the tournament. In this article, I will be writing about this sporting event as well as looking at the Wimbledon tennis championships and the recent international cricket one-day series with Sri Lanka.

I was very excited about this summers sporting activities involving our British sporting stars. I really believed that England could have won the World Cup and still think that they should have. Our team has so much more talent in it than the eventual winners Italy, but had an inept coach who must have been laughing all the way to the bank, earning the crazy amounts that he did. Yes Wayne Rooney was stupid but how frustrated must he have been after being left to play up front on his own, this is a position which is not natural to him and is a huge waste of his talents.

Other players in the team such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard looked shadows of their former selves and must have been completely bemused at the tactics employed. I am not really that enthused at the future prospects under Sven's understudy Steve McLaren. I think we need someone who is going to make some big decisions such as playing the youth when required and dropping players like Ferdinand when they are not performing.

At the Wimbledon tennis championships the British challenge died out before it seemed to have got started. I have to admit that I did not really hold out any hope for any of our players but it was the way in which they lost that upset me the most. Where has the British bull dog spirit gone? These players may as well have held up a white a flag in the first set for the effort they seemed to put in after this point.

In the latest one-day cricket international series against Sri Lanka, England lost all five matches. Perhaps they are saving themselves for the ashes tour of Australia, if they win over there I will let them off I suppose. The team has also had quite a few of their big time players out injured but again just like at Wimbledon it was the way in which the team lost that was the most annoying thing.

It really has been a summer which promised so much but one which I will now happily forget. Lets think positive, things can only get better!

A Swing Set Is A Kid's Best Friend

The needs and desires of children are often overlooked as a family transitions into a new home. There is no shortage of important things to consider when moving. Parents think about location, prices, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and perhaps the jobs or schools that are near the new home. The attention to these kinds of details cannot and should not be avoided, but there are a couple of simple ways to keep your children happy when you move. Can you think of anything simple that would be relatively inexpensive, easy to assemble, and provide your children with hours of fun to help ease the ache of moving? Ever thought about buying a swing set?

A swing set is a great thing to add to your yard when you arrive at a new home. While you and your spouse are busy unpacking and settling in, your children can be out of the way and enjoying time on the swing set without making trouble.

Buying a swing set for your children will also help them cope with one of the hardest parts about moving: lonliness. No child likes to leave friends behind for a new city or even just a new neighborhood. Having a swing set can be one way for your children to play with each other and maybe even to meet new friends. There is nothing more inviting to a neighborhood kid than to see kids outside playing on a swing set. It is a safe and easy way to help your kids attract other kids to play and build friendship. If for no other reason, you should consider the addition of a swing set to your new home to help your kids settle in and make new friends.

In the past few years studies continue to show that kids are becoming less and less active. Parents are allowing kids to spend hours on end watching television, playing video games or surfing the internet. Fewer children are getting outside, burning off energy and getting healthy exercise anymore. A swing set is a great way to encourage your children to be outside and active. They can swing, push each other, and have fun making up games playing with the swing set. When kids have fun ways to spend time outside they will be much more likely to choose play time over television time. What parent doesn't want healthy, active kids?

Whether you are preparing for a move, have recently moved, or have been in the same house for years, look outside your kitchen window and find a place to set up a swing set for your kids today.

A Summer Of Great British Sport

Are you a Brit who loves their sport? Are you looking forward to the Fifa World Cup? Are you a tennis fan? Do you love the cricket? If you are fan of sport then this could be a summer to saviour and remember. I personally have been looking forward to this summer for many months and am very excited at all of the sporting events that are forthcoming. I am from England and really believe that my national team have a real chance of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

As well as the World Cup there are many more sporting events taking place that should make this summer one of the best in years.

The World Cup itself is only a week away and I can not wait for the tournament to commence. I am a massive football fan and even if England are knocked out in the group stages, I will still continue to watch and enjoy the matches.

I can not really see this happening as for the first time in many years England have a realistic chance of winning the trophy. There are some real winners in the team, John Terry, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard are three that spring to mind with little thought. I know for a fact that the players believe and that countries such as Brazil do not scare them. They of course have respect for these teams but have an inner confidence that this could be England's year.

If England can lift this trophy, can you imagine the response that will take place in the UK? The ashes heroes and the successful English World Cup rugby team have been treated like gods. Football is one thousand times more important and popular in England than these sports and these players lives will be changed forever. The country will party for months!

As well as football, there is the Wimbledon Tennis Championship, the cricket, the Derby in flat racing and many other sports such as athletics to wet the appetite of the British sports fan.

I am quite interested to see how the English tennis supporters treat Andrew Murray at Wimbledon. Murray has stated that he will be supporting every team at the World Cup who play England. He is Scottish of course. I hope he has a lack of support as this is a very childish attitude from a chap who has one very little thus far. I like the way he plays tennis but think he should keep his mouth closed as I now have very little time for him. When the Scottish team play in the World Cup I hope that they win, I surely would rather a team from the UK do well than a team from South America. He is of course very young and no doubt upset that his national team have not reached this years World Cup Finals.

This summer is a time to relax, drink a few beers and to enjoy what will be a great summer of British sport.

A Short and Snappy History of Bowling

As the most popular sport during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, bowling is still one of the most popular sports in the world. Over 100 million bowlers from nearly 90 countries participate in the sport. The popularity of bowling has been traced back many years and the game has contributed benefits to many people world wide.


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Article Body:
As the most popular sport during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, bowling is still one of the most popular sports in the world. Over 100 million bowlers from nearly 90 countries participate in the sport. The popularity of bowling has been traced back many years and the game has contributed benefits to many people world wide.

The memoirs of bowling start in 5200 B.C. when some archeologists unearthed ancient forms of bowling pins and balls in the crypt of a child with Egyptian lineage. This discovery proves that Egyptians were the earliest bowlers in the world.

From that time on, bowling has taken many forms, using different pins and balls and played for different purposes. For instance, during 200 A.D., it has been recorded that Germans were fond of festivities and "village dances" and that among their ancient rituals was a game that resembles bowling today.

In this particular German game, Germans rolled or threw rocks or stones at nine clubs that were made of wood. These clubs are known as "kegles", and that is why Germans who played this type of bowling were known as "keglers" and not bowlers.

After so many years of struggle for recognition, bowling was finally recognized in England as a form of sport during the 1100s.

From that time on, the popularity of bowling created an epidemic-like influence, infecting millions of people. King Edward III even prohibited the game so that his knights would focus their attention on the "archery practices" instead of rolling the balls.

By the 17th century, when the United States was still a colony, bowling was introduced in the area. The "Dutch" colonists brought this remarkable game to the Americans. They introduced a game of nine pins that are placed in a triangular formation, hence, the name "Dutch pins".

As the nine pins or the "Dutch" pins strived to claim fame, the state of Connecticut banned the playing of "nine-pin" bowling because some unscrupulous people used the game as a means for their gambling activities.

Connecticut then added an additional pin to the game, creating 10-pin bowling. This was the start of a new form of recreation as bowling continued to proliferate in the society. With this additional pin, this new form of bowling had definitely hit "the mark" and now many people all over the world continue to patronize the game.

With almost 50 million Americans playing the game, bowling is considered one of the most popular and pleasurable sports in the U.S.

A Primer For The Best Snowboarding Boots

The snowboarding boots are the most important equipment in the sport. The boots serve as your connection to the snowboard itself; without a secured and comfortable link to your board, you can be exposed to all sorts of accidents and the chance of enjoying snowboarding is jeopardized. Therefore, choosing the right snowboarding boots for you is of utmost importance if you ever want that peak performance in this extreme sport.

In buying your snowboarding boots, you might deal with making a choice between a step-in and a strap-on snowboarding boot. Step-in boots have convenient mechanisms that lock your footing onto the snowboard. Strap-on boots, on the other hand, bind your footing onto the snowboard by using straps and are the classic and standard ones.

But no matter which type of snowboarding boots you plan to buy and irrespective of the amount of money you are willing to spend for your boots, the most important factor in choosing your snowboarding boots is the manner in which your feet fits inside them. Your snowboarding boots, unlike ordinary shoes, should last for a long time and therefore you have to choose what you think is the best and most comfortable pair for you.

Choosing the best pair of boots for you can be a challenge in itself. But the improved performance and the unparalleled experience of a perfect slide down snowy slopes is well worth your efforts to find the most comfortable snowboard boots that will meet your snowboarding needs. Read on for the inside story of finding the perfect pair of snowboarding boots.

Listen To Yourself And Yourself Alone

So what if your friend has an expensive pair of professional grade snowboarding boots? When you are buying boots avoid being influenced by other snowboarders' choices. Most snowboarding boots look great on the outside but can be heavy and downright painful to wear; so never sacrifice comfort by going with what your friends like and tell you to buy. Your feet are unique and you alone can decide the kind of snowboarding boots that will work for you best.

Do Not Rush

Looking for the perfect snowboarding boots for you can take a chunk of your precious time. Avoid committing the folly of rushing thru your shopping for boots. Unlike ordinary footwear that can embody the form of your feet over time, snowboarding boots do not easily and conveniently mold into the unique shape of your feet. So you need to set aside ample time in choosing your boots before making the purchase.

Try out every pair for sizes. It is also a good practice to try the boots wearing the socks that you will use in snowboarding. If you found a pair that you think fits, try walking around in it. If they still feel comfortable after leaving the boots on for a few minutes, then you may have found your snowboarding boots.

Resist The Urge To Buy Bigger Boots

The problem with snowboarding boots is that they are harder and they seem inflexible unlike ordinary leather shoes. So some people tend to buy snowboarding boots that are a little oversized to give more room for the feet. Oversized boots can cause injuries like sprains and even bone fractures. If your snowboarding boots are oversized, try wearing thick socks to compensate for too much space inside your boots.

In buying snowboarding boots, always put in mind that comfort, while foremost on your list, should not eliminate your control and stability on the snowboard. These factors should be balanced in order for you to have safe and unforgettable snowboarding.

A preview of July's UK Horse Racing

The quirks of the racing calendar have nudged Newcastle’s Northumberland Plate into the first day of July and there cannot be a better way to begin the month’s racing. Few staying handicaps are as fiercely contested as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ and this year’s race is no exception to that familiar rule.

Anyone thinking of having a bet in this grueling two-mile contest needs to pay strict attention to the draw. Year after year horses drawn high race wide at Gosforth Park struggling to secure a prominent early pitch with the result that they are forced to sit and wait at the back of the field while the race unfolds up front. More often than not, the die has been cast by the time a high drawn horse is able to make its belated challenge.

Older horses too tend to rule the roost these days and the times when progressive three-year-olds were able to annex this valuable prize have long gone. The doughty Archduke Ferdinand was the last of the younger generation to win the Plate in 2001 and remarkably, there are no representatives from this age-group in this year’s renewal.

Good recent form is an obvious plus in a race of this nature and Richard Fahey’s Greenwich Meantime and Amanda Perrett’s Bulwark are two talented sorts that rise swiftly to the surface when studying the entries for this year’s race. The former is on quite a hot roll at present for his canny trainer and might well be the one they all to beat in 2006.

Over at The Curragh on July 2 there’s the weighty matter of the Irish Derby to consider though this year’s renewal is already suffering from a bad case of the absentee blues with Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy and unlucky-in-running third Hala Bek both forced to miss the race through injury and the 2006 renewal already looks a below-par affair.

Both Dylan Thomas and Dragon Dancer, the fourth and second respectively at Epsom, are set to fly the flag for the Derby form and this useful pair should come toe-to-toe with Darsi, a surprise winner of a typically open French Derby at Chantilly last month.

The performances of the French three-year-olds’ at pattern level in Britain has left a lot to be desired this season, and it would be no surprise to see them failing once again. Classic form is essential on any potential winner’s c.v and perhaps this year’s Irish Derby winner can be found within the ranks of the Epsom Classic.

The Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 8 is famous for its traditional clash between the older and younger generations. The latter age group receives a chunky 10lb weight-for-age allowance and in sixteen runnings of this Group 1 race since1990, the three-year-olds have managed six victories while five four-year-olds have triumphed alongside five five-year-olds. Honours, then, are even across the age groups.

The loss of Sir Percy through injury has probably sunk the three-year-old challenge below the water and it would raise few eyebrows to see an older horse come out on top. The Godolphin stable continues to stutter at the top level and for David Junior, a bitter Royal Ascot disappointment behind Ouija Board, this is a chance to atone for his recent defeat though if the latter lines-up again after her Ascot heroics he may have to settle for a supporting role once more.

On the same day as the Coral Eclipse, Haydock hosts the Lancashire Oaks which is often won by a late developing filly, a category into which Luca Cumani’s talented Princess Nada fits very snugly. She is one to watch out for when the entries are published. Punters should pay close attention to the running of the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, another race in which Cumani holds a terrific record having landed the last two renewals courtesy of Alkaased and Zeitgeist. Scan the entries for his hat-trick seeking runner who may well be the rejuvenated Soulacroix.

Newmarket’s three-day July meeting dominates the middle of the month and the opening day should see a back-to-form Soviet Song land her third Falmouth Stakes on July 12. She is sure to be a cut above the opposition while on the same card the juvenile fillies do battle in the Cherry Hinton Stakes and the Queen Mary Stakes winner Gilded may be hard to beat.

On the second day of the July meeting Hoh Mike, who was poorly ridden by Jamie Spencer when runner-up at Royal Ascot, bids to go one better in the July Stakes while the Willie Muir-trained Enforcer seeks to improve upon his Hardwicke Stakes third in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes. Watch out here for any runner from Sir Michael Stoute’s stable.

On July 14 the final day of the eponymously-titled meeting, there’s the small matter of the Bunbury Cup, a highly competitive seven furlongs handicap. James Fanshawe is poised to bid for compensation with Polar Magic, a runner-up last year to the evergreen and mercurial Mine while Ian Semple is seeking to improve upon his Royal Ascot second in similarly competitive handicap with the plucky and consistent Appalachian Trail.
Ed Dunlop’s Britannia runner-up Easy Air would be an intriguing contender too hailing from stable that has suffered a hatful of near-misses in the race in recent seasons.


The six-furlong Group 1 July Cup is the meeting’s highlight on July 14 and recent results have shown just how volatile a medium the top sprinters can be for backers with winners at 25-1, 12-1, 14-1 and 50-1. A 33-1 winner of the Golden Jubilee rubbed further salt into punters’ wounds at Royal Ascot and in my view betting on so-called top drawer sprinters is something of a mug’s game.

Inevitably a good run in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot as well as a bold showing in the King’s Stand Stakes from that same meeting is often a pointer to July Cup success but fathoming just which horses are likely to run well from those races is a difficult business. Perhaps Moss Vale can shine providing he’s a sharper starter than his slow-coach self at Royal Ascot.

York’s John Smith’s Cup On July 15 is one of the best ten-furlong handicaps of the whole season and remains ultra-competitive. Once again the three-year-old generation has found it difficult to scrape a place in the line-up and older horses are preferred. Trainer John Gosden’s three placed efforts from as many runners in recent seasons bodes well for the chances of his stable’s Wild Savannah, a good second at Royal Ascot on his latest start.

Newbury stages the Weatherbys Super Sprint on July 22 and the unmistakable message for punters is to pay close attention to any horse saddled by Richard Hannon, who has won this two-year-old contest on no less than six occasions with three of his winners coming in the last four seasons.

July’s racing comes to a close with the fabulous King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Britain’s premier all-aged middle-distance event. This year’s renewal had looked like a shoo-in for Hurricane Run but his defeat in France last time opens the race up and Japanese challenger, the late-developing, Heart’s Cry, Sir Michael Stoute’s progressive Mountain High and Godolphin hotpot Electrocutionist, seem sure to have a big say in the race’s outcome. As for the three-year-olds, well, they are a dying breed in this race with only four horses from that age group bothering to contest the prize in the past four seasons.