When the topic of home security springs to mind, most people seem to think of burglar alarms and little to nothing else. Alarms can be a great way to protect your home, although they are only a small part of what makes up an effective home security system. Burglar alarms are a key to protecting your home – although there are other things you’ll need as well http://www.YourPhoneHome.org

Believe it or not, the windows are actually the key to home security. Homes that have poor constructed windows tend to get broken into a lot more than homes with secure and sturdy windows. When you are dealing with your windows, you should make sure that you have tough glass and locks that fit to the windows. When you are away from home, you should always make sure that your windows are locked. Even though some windows may be hard to reach, you should always lock them. Burglars make a living out of stealing – and they will normally find a way in if they see the opening.

Along with the windows, doors are also known to be a weakness of security around the home. Doors should always be strong and sturdy, complete with tough locks that aren’t easy to force open. If you have a spare key, you should be careful where you leave it. Losing your keys can also make you a target, especially if you have anything on your key ring that reveals your home address.

To better protect their homes, most people choose to invest in a home surveillance system. These systems are great for monitoring the home, as they can record video and keep it stored for you to view later. If you travel a lot, a home surveillance system can be an ideal way to keep a check on your home while you’re away.

Guard dogs are also common with home security as well. A guard dog can protect your home from burglars, thieves, and other types of trouble. Guard dogs can be very handy to have around, as most dogs are more than capable of scaring away trouble with their bark. The only downside to guard dogs is the fact that you’ll need to train them and ensure that they always have food and water.

Last, but certainly not least are burglar alarms. Burglar alarms can be effective to an extent, although they are primarily good for scaring thieves away. If you put an alarm in a visible location from the outside of the home, most burglars won’t even attempt to enter your home. Even though burglar alarms are great for scaring off thieves – you’ll still need to have other areas of your home safe and secure as well to get the most of your home security.

In 2004′ Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th anniversary, yet very few in the past would have ever considered it to be a place for a vacation, let alone a romantic getaway experience or wedding destination.
Perhaps, this is a draw back to the time when visitors would experience the unpleasant whiffs emanating from the SeaPro fish-rendering plant. In fact, it was not uncommon to hear the jingle: “Camden by the Sea, Rockland by the Smell.”
All has now changed in Rockland as SeaPro, along with the town’s two sardine-packing and other fish processing plants, have departed along with their odors. There is now a handsome harbor- front with a walking trail extending over four-miles connecting several points of interest as Snow Marine Park, Harbor Park, where the annual Maine Lobster Festival is held, Rockland Fish Pier, Coast Guard Pier, Maine State Ferry Service Terminal, North End wharves, Marie H. Reed Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
The latter two are often venues for some spectacular wedding ceremonies.
It is also home to The Historic Inns Of Rockland, a consortium of six independently owned inns that are dedicated to historical preservation, as well as providing their guests with a memorable experience within a locale that has reinvented itself as a mecca for the arts and outdoor activities.
In addition, three of these inns, LimeRock Inn, Berry Manor Inn and Captain Lindsey House have created a sub-consortium that inter-change and leverage their facilities offering a combined wedding venue that take full advantage of their unique attributes.
As all are in walking distance of one another, you can avail yourself of anyone of them for the rehearsal dinner, afternoon bridesmaid’s tea, wedding reception, and any other functions.
The gorgeous outdoor gardens of The LimeRock Inn make it an ideal choice to exchange vows providing plenty of space to move around.
The stately Berry Manor Inn with its drawing room, spacious parlor, dining room, and grand stairway, all presenting a Victorian flair, make this inn a most attractive wedding venue.
You can even engage the services of Captain Ken Barnes to perform the wedding ceremony. He and his wife Ellen are owners of the Captain Lindsey House. The intimacy of the Captain Lindsey House, that incidentally resembles a European style hotel, along with the Barnes’ wonderful collection of d?cor, relics, and authentic antiques acquired during their many years of travel, will surely provide the wedding guests with some interesting topics for animated conversation.
The combined number of rooms of these three inns is twenty- nine, and if you add the other three inns, Old Granite Inn, Waterman House & Gardens, and the Lakeshore Inn, you have a total of forty- four rooms to call upon. All total with roll-aways and cots you could conceivably accommodate about one hundred guests.
What is also noteworthy is that all, with the exception of the Lakeshore Inn, are in walking distance of one another. It should be mentioned that the latter is within an easy ten- minute drive from the others.
What is also interesting about these inns is their close proximity to many outdoor venues where wedding ceremonies can be celebrated. Here is a sampling:
? As mentioned above, the Marie H. Reed Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, is a very popular wedding venue offering spectacular panoramic ocean views of mountains, islands, Penobscot Bay, as well as schooners, island ferries, fishing boats depart and enter the harbor. There is also a small sandy beach leading to the historic Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
? Mt Battie located in Camden Hills State Park offers spectacular views of Camden, Penobscot Bay, and surrounding islands. During the autumn the foliage is breathtaking. If you are in the mood to add a little poetry to your ceremony, it should be pointed out that the famous poet and playwright, Edna St. Vincent Millay, who was born in Rockland, was inspired by the view from the summit of Mt. Battie when she wrote her poem “Renascence” which opens “All I could see from where I stood / Was three long mountains and a wood; / I turned and looked the other way, / And saw three islands in a bay.”
? One of the most popular venues is the non-denominational Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel, set atop a rock ledge overlooking unbelievable lush gardens. The chapel can seat fifty, however, there are other spots nearby where you can exchange vows that will accommodate a larger party.
? Don’t forget to check out the Merryspring Horticultural Nature Park with its herb and rose garden, the Perennial Border, and the Birds and Bees/Winter Color Garden. In late summer, the 250-foot long annual border is the star of the show, with some flowers blooming well into October.
? Last but not least are the many lighthouses that attract couples from all over the globe. There is the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Owls Head Lighthouse and the Marshall Point Lighthouse
In order to reach these various venues and at the same time keep the wedding party together, many couples rent a trolley from the All Aboard Trolley Company.
In addition, the trolley provides you with the added feature of having some great photo opportunities.
No doubt, with all of these resources available and a little imagination, weddings in Rockland Maine can easily compete with the best of them at any other destination. One last important mention, in most instances it is necessary to contact the officials of your chosen venue in order to arrange a date and time for the celebration of your wedding.
A UNIQUE GIFT
If you are looking for that special gift for the bride, mother and daughter getaway, mother-in-law, or wedding attendants, the Lakeshore Inn, a member of the Historic Inns of Rockland, offers a reasonably priced Ladies Only Spa Weekend during the months of Mid-October through June. From their arrival on Friday evening until they depart on Sunday, groups of 4 to eight ladies experience a wonderful line up of mind and body presentations with learning sessions with spa treatments that include facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and paraffin wax treatments. In addition, owner Pam Masson serves mouth-watering gourmet meals.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A great place to pick up some excellent wines produced in Maine is Cellardoor Winery & Vineyards located in nearby Lincolnville.
For delicious sandwiches, soups, breads and pastries check out Atlantic Baking Co. You won’t be disappointed.
Norm and Lily Goldman are a unique husband and wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic destinations.
Basically, they meld art and words to create an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom made’ for the story – original story and original art.
You can view all of their articles and art work on sketchandtravel.com.
Norm and Lily have collaborated with several Convention Bureaus and Public Relations Companies visiting many romantic travel destinations, resorts and inns throughout the New England States and Florida.

Not an easy subject right? Before we begin, the important thing to remember is that you don’t want to terrify your kids about the world we live in, or make them feel nervous on a daily basis. In particular with younger ones, we all know children are prone to nightmares when their imaginations are active about any kind of predator.
This is important for you as a parent also. We ARE very fortunate in Australia that the rate of non-parental child abductions is low in comparison to other countries. In our eyes though a ‘low’ rate is still too many, and our aim is that NO children or their families will ever have to go through the unthinkable. Other well reported statistics on the rates of child sexual abuse are far too high though, so some of the tips we’ll cover here are pertinent to helping your children protect themselves in these situations as well.
Let’s start with what NOT to say.
Most of us have been brought up with the traditional ‘stranger danger’ message. “Don’t go with a stranger” has been proven to be horribly ineffective in keeping kids safe. So first rule of thumb is leave the word ‘stranger’ out of your vocabulary when discussing safety with your kids. Why’s this?
Research has shown that most children when asked who a stranger is, will say ‘someone mean or ugly looking’. They simply won’t view a nice looking lady or a kind looking man as someone they should steer clear of. When you think about it, we too probably only avoid a ‘strange’ looking character who tries to talk to us in the street. In terms of child sexual abuse, the majority of children are molested by someone the family knows, sometimes by an actual family member. So advising children that only strangers are capable of harming them will place your children off guard.
For older children (around ten yrs plus) it should be ok to give the real reasons as to why you are concerned about child abductions and the tragic outcomes of some of these. For younger children though, we see absolutely no need for them to understand that there are people in the world who take children to sexually abuse and sometimes murder them. It is far better, and more advisable to ‘stretch the truth’ a little and tell them something like “there are people out there who don’t have children of their own, so they try and steal someone else’s child”. This, in our opinion, is far easier for a little child to comprehend, and while scary enough in thought for them to take heed of what you say, won’t create unnecessary terror in their little heads.
Some 65% of non-parental child abductions are committed by someone the child or the childs’ parents have actually met before, no matter how briefly. (We say non-parental because the rate of disgruntled non-custodial parents who kidnap their children are much higher than abductions from other people.) Think of some scenarios where you have had a friendly, albeit brief banter going with someone you don’t know. A tradesperson that has come to your home; someone you chatted with in line at the post office or in the general neighbourhood; a salesperson coming to your door. All your child needs is to witness is you having a chat or a laugh with someone seemingly ‘nice’, and the child no longer views them as a stranger if they happen to come across them again. If mum is out the front gardening and little Sally sees her chatting to someone walking past with their cute dog, Sally is far more likely to let this person chat to her if she is out in the front garden without mum a few days later – especially if they have that cute little dog with them! Remember, most paedophiles are incredibly child savvy and personable with children.
So What Do You Say?
The best approach is to teach young children not to talk to ANYONE if you, a teacher, carer or other parent is not by their side. This may not sit well with parent’s hoping to instill politeness into their kids, but it’s by far the safest move. If an adult or responsible carer is not by their side, there is no need for cordiality, and most adults today will understand that.
If your child is old enough to walk to and from school on their own, or travel down to the shops without you, they need to understand how to react in certain circumstances. For example:
No adult should ask a child for help or directions. Kids can be caught off guard if someone pulls over in a car while they’re walking along or riding their bike. If the person yells out for directions, let your child know it’s ok for them to not respond, or they can simply say ‘I’m sorry, I can’t talk to you – you need to go and ask an adult’. Make sure they know never to approach the car to engage in conversation.
Equally this age group may feel obliged if someone struggling with their shopping bags or having trouble lifting something into a car asks them for help. Adults should ask other adults for help – not children! Advise your child that if this ever happens to them, not to go over and help the person, but to say “I’ll just go and find an adult to help you”. If applicable your child should then go into a shop and speak to the shopkeeper only (again, not just a shopper), to advise them someone is wanting help outside.
Common Tactics of Abductors
We’ve already mentioned what your child should do if an adult approaches them for help, but there are many other well known ‘tricks’ used to lure children away from safety. The obvious one is an adult offering gifts or lollies, or suggesting the child come and look at some cute little kittens or puppies. Teach your kids (all ages) that these are common tricks, and if anyone ever tells them they have something great to show them, they should ignore the offer and go immediately to a trusted adult or to a group of other kids to tell them.
Another example is where an adult may say to a child “quickly, come with me, your mummy/daddy has been hurt and they want me to take you to them.” Let your kids know that if something has ever happened to you for real, you would only send a family member/teacher etc. to get them. Stress that, even though it might sound very plausible because the person seems to know family names, they should go and find a trusted adult who can check it out. Go over again with your kids that, although they may slightly know the person who is telling them to come with them, they shouldn’t feel bad about saying no, and getting assistance from someone they know well.
More Hypothetical Scenarios
God forbid your child has found themselves vulnerable in a dangerous situation, but should someone have managed to take your child, role play what the person may say to them to get them to ‘shut up’. Obviously an abductor/molester will want to hush a screaming child and may say things like “stop screaming or I’ll hurt your mother/father etc”. Let your kids know that this will not happen! and they are to scream, kick, scratch and punch for all their might. Yelling out “He/She’s not my mum/dad!” or “I don’t know this person!” is also advised. If your child has on his/her AmberWatch, then the alarm alert will really help draw attention from passer’s by to the situation.
Even with sexual molestation cases, children are often told by the perpetrator to keep quiet about what has happened, or he will ‘hurt’ someone else in the family, or something equally as terrible. If your child knows in advance that this is yet another well known ‘trick’ to keep them quiet, they can focus on protecting themselves, without the added fear and guilt that they may be causing more harm to others.
Be Specific about ‘No Go’ areas of the Body.
For the average parent, statistics that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will experience some kind of sexual molestation in their childhood, is heartbreaking. Make sure your children know that any part of their body that a swimming costume covers is a ‘No Go’ area for anybody other than a trusted family member. This also includes touching parts of an adults body. Make sure your child knows that any sexual advance towards them is against the law. This will give them the confidence to assert themselves if they know it’s a legal crime, rather than just something mum or dad don’t want.
Keep open communication with your children and encourage them to talk to you about anything without guilt. Remember, paedophiles often use the “our little secret” ruse.
On a final note, molesters are very good at detecting attention/affection starved kids. Address any work/home life balances before it’s too late, knowing the effort you put into your children today will sow the seeds for the next generation of emotionally healthy adults.
Jo-Anne Rowland is the director of AmberWatch Australia, http://www.amberwatchaustralia.com, the Australian distributor of the AmberWatch. Recently featured on CNN’s Youth Trend Report and currently taking the child protection world by storm, the AmberWatch is being heralded as a ‘first of it’s kind’ child prevention/protection product. The beautiful Teri Hatcher has just been announced as the international spokesperson. For information on the US parent company please visit http://www.amberwatchfoundation.com

Santa Monica, CA March 3, 2004 — Trans-Exec Air Service, the nation’s largest all-Gulfstream charter service, has always provided the highest level of security on their exclusive luxury jets. However, in light of current world situations, company president David Bilson today announced new additions to their security procedures that will provide unparalleled protection for their clients and their aircraft.

Headquartered in a new, state-of-the-art facility, the entire fleet of gleaming jets is protected around the clock with high-resolution security cameras, recording devices and perimeter motion sensors in all hangar, ramp, crew prep, and dispatch areas. Private security teams provide additional protection and systems checks.

Unlike most other carriers, Trans-Exec handles all aspects of food preparation and never uses outside caters. ???The food is never out of our control,??

Believe it or not, not everyone likes your family pet. By keeping your pet in an identified space with a good quality dog fence, Fido can remain as a good neighbor. I know, I know, it’s almost impossible to imagine that anyone who knows Fido doesn’t immediately fall in love with her. She might just be ok with the neighbors but the things she does in their yard make for some unhappy relationships. This is just one of the main reasons why every pet owner has an obligation to control their pets traveling range with pet fencing.

The problem of course is the about relieving themselves in someone else’s yard, Yes, your pet may be friendly and would like to visit the neighbors but the fact is, many people do not share your love affair with your pet. They don’t want the bother of picking up after an animal that’s not theirs nor having their yards soiled with urine “hot spots” and doggie piles. Dogs, although usually very friendly also can be destructive of plants and landscaping, making many breeds poor neighbors.

That’s not to say that your dog isn’t a nice animal. Dogs are typically social and enjoys the interaction with a variety of people. This play interaction however is not without consequences. Things get broken, chewed on and otherwise “enjoyed” by your pet no matter if they belong to you or the neighbor. Having to face an angry neighbor because your dog destroyed his prize winning rose bush garden isn’t something to be desired.

There’s also the issue of community security. This is especially true if your dog is a larger breed. Having a large dog escape the security of their yard could be seen as negligence on your part. Communities are becoming increasingly upset at pet owners who allow their animals free run of a neighborhood. Heaven forbid if your dog, while free, attacks someone or another animal. This is especially serious if the other dog or pet was on a leash.

The saying is that a good fence makes for good neighbors. A good dog fence also makes for a happy and healthy environment for your pet. By securing your dog using secure fencing, your best friend also has the security of knowing where his yard boundaries are located. There is no need to “guard” anything beyond the fence lines so you pet is more inclined to stay in his yard to better “watch” his property. Overall, electronic dog fencing is a good investment no matter what type of dog you may have as a pet.

Few spectacles symbolize autumn better than a gang of Canada Geese crossing a cloudy sky in V-formation. Common throughout most of North America, Canada Geese live around ponds, rivers, and lake shores where they feed on aquatic grass, roots, and young sprouts, as well as corn and grain. A strong inward pull called instinct urges these waterfowl into the skies to make this great annual southward migration. But instinct does not determine the route the birds take. Canada Geese migrate in family groups, and they will travel the same route year after year. The young geese learn the route from their parents, and use the same route in subsequent years with their own young.

Canada Geese are more family-oriented than many other species of waterfowl. Adults mate for life, although a widow will often choose another mate. Pairs look for appropriate nesting sites in early spring, just as soon as there is open water for mating, and snow-free sites for nesting. Together, they use grass and plant material to build their nests, lining it with feather down. When the nest is ready, the male, called a gander, will guard the area as his mate lays her eggs. An average clutch is five to seven eggs, but it can be as low as two or as high as twelve. Each egg will take a day of more to lay, and incubation lasts about a month.

Both goose and gander are present when the eggs begin to hatch. Goslings use their sharp egg teeth to peck their way out of their shells, an arduous task that can take a full day or two. These newly hatched babies resemble ducklings, with yellow and gray feathers and dark bills; but within a week they will have changed into awkward-looking, fuzzy gray birds. Once out of their eggs, goslings are able to swim immediately, and will enter the water accompanied by both parents. There they will begin their first task of diving and eating. They must eat continually in order to grow sufficiently for their first flight. Newly-hatched goslings can dive 30-40 feet underwater for nutritious, aquatic plants.

At nine or ten weeks of age, goslings have grown their flight feathers and look like smaller versions of their parents. Canada Geese are easily identifiable with their long black necks and heads and contrasting white cheek and throats. Their back, upper wings, and flank areas are brown capes draped over nearly white breasts and bellies. Short black tails, black legs and black webbed feet are visible when they waddle across an open field. While Canada Geese range in size, they are typically 20-50 inches long, with a 50-68 inch wingspan. The largest varieties are called honkers, while smaller geese, one fourth the size, are called cacklers.

The first two months of a gosling’s life its entire goose family is earth-bound. Ganders molt directly after mating, and geese molt shortly after her eggs hatch. Unable to fly, the family abandons the nest on foot to find better feeding areas. Adults will have re-grown their new feathers just in time to give their young their first flying lesson.

Few birds are as vocal as Canada Geese, and some say they encourage each other as they take their challenging journey. If you listen carefully, you can determine the gender of the goose by their vocalizations. Ganders speak in a low-pitched honk, while geese use a high-pitched hink. Goslings have a soft, wheezy call.

The journey is made easier by flying in V-formation. By flying in formation, the flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for those following behind. The geese take turns in the point position, as tired birds rotate back. If a goose is wounded or falls out of formation for any other reason, two of its flock will stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they will join another formation or catch up with their flock.

Canada Geese, though common, are fascinating creatures. In the words of Milton Olson, we can learn a lot from a goose!

You’ve been asked to be best man at a wedding. What an honor! Someone clearly thinks very highly of you – you must be quite the guy.
Flattered to the hilt, you happily agreed, but now that you’ve gotten yourself into this, you realize you may not be entirely sure what you supposed to do as the best man. Just what exactly are the responsibilities of the best man?
Yeah, I know, you’re usually a pretty confident guy, but now you’re feeling just a touch nervous and a little unsure of yourself. Maybe you haven’t been to that many weddings, and if you have, I’m betting you weren’t carefully studying the best man. The maid of honor, maybe – but not the best man. No doubt you had much better things to do!.
So now that you’ve been selected to wear these shoes, you’re feeling uneasy…You don’t want to come off looking foolish, and you don’t want to get anything wrong.
Chill, honey. This is going to be a piece of cake for you. We’ll run you through everthing you need to know, and you’ll pull it off with class and ease. You’ll be the man of the hour by the time you’re through this little crash course. A real confidence man.
Let’s take it from the top, shall we?
What is a best man?
The best man is the person selected to “stand up for the groom” at the wedding. The best man must be of legal age because he also serves as a legal witness to the marriage. (Remember, apart from all the wedding hoopla, marriage is a legal contract!).
During the ceremony, the best man stands next to the groom (to the groom’s right side). If there are other male attendants (ushers or groomsmen), they will stand to your right side.
If there is no ring bearer for the wedding (the little guy who carries that frilly little pillow onto which the rings are sometimes tied), the best man may be asked to hold the rings during the ceremony until the big moment comes for the couple to exchange vows and rings.
Since the best man serves as a legal witness, towards the end of the ceremony you will accompany the bride, groom, and maid or matron of honor (who is also a witness), to witness the signing of the legal documents.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the best man escorts the Maid or Matron of Honor up the aisle, following directly behind the bride and groom.
As you exit the church, you will stand with the bride, groom, and other bridal party attendants to pose for photos.
If all of this seems a little overwhelming or difficult to remember, don’t worry – it will all be carefully explained, and you’ll get the chance to practice it, and ask any questions you may have, at the wedding rehearsal a day or two before the wedding.
The Right Man for the Job
So who should be a best man at a wedding? If you are asking this, you’re second guessing yourself pal. The groom picked you because you’re the man! He knows what he’s doing, so relax.
The best man may be the best friend of the groom, or a buddy of the groom; he may be a brother, step-brother, or close cousin of the groom; he may even be the father or the step-father of the groom – which, in this wedding expert’s personal opinion, totally rocks (who could be more deserving of this honor than dear old Dad?).
What are the duties of the best man?
Let’s start with the best part first, shall we? If you’d like, you can host a stag party for the groom. I bet I don’t need to explain what that is. Keep in mind that stags are optional; you are not obligated to host one, but you may do so if you wish – and IF the groom does not object to the idea. (No, really. Some guys don’t want a stag). You might also ask the other male attendants in the wedding party if they’d like to host it with you, but they too are under no obligation. It’s strongly recommended that you discuss your intentions with the groom before making any firm plans for a stag. Some guys have agreements with their brides-to-be that there will be no stag party, and others have made promises about the types of activities which will and will not be involved. This can be a very touchy issue for many brides-to-be, and today many grooms, of their own free will, simply prefer to keep things pretty tame and mellow. The last thing the best man should be doing is creating upset between the bride and groom, so remember, talk to the groom-to-be about the types of activities that he is interested in, and determine what will be acceptable.
Attend fittings for tuxedos or suits at the scheduled time.
Attend any pre-wedding meetings or parties for the wedding attendants.
Attend the wedding rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner (that part is easy, just show up and enjoy!).
On the day of the wedding, arrive at the groom’s home prior to the ceremony to provide him with moral support, and ensure he gets to the church on time!
Hold on to the wedding rings and the marriage licence prior to the ceremony and guard them with your life! Make sure you have these prior to leaving for the ceremony. If the couple will be leaving for their honeymoon directly after the reception, you may also be asked to hold any plane tickets for safe keeping until the couple is ready to depart the reception.
Hang on to the payment for the ceremony officiant (the minister, rabbi, or other religious officiant, or the judge in the case of a civil ceremony) as well as payments for any ceremony musicians (organist, soloist, string ensemble, etc.), and ensure everyone gets paid at the end of the ceremony.
You may be required to stand in the receiving line either immediately after the ceremony or at the start of the reception. Sometimes the best man and groomsmen are excused from participating in the receiving line – this will be the couple’s call.
It is traditional and customary for the best man to make a toast to the groom at the reception. If you are so inspired, at your option you may also toast the bride, or toast the bride and groom together as a couple. No raunchy stories please – this isn’t the time or place. The groom’s grandma and great Aunt Alice will be there. Not to mention his new wife. Keep it classy.
Sometimes the best man is also asked to serve as Master of Ceremonies (otherwise known as the MC) at the reception, while in other instances, someone totally different may fill this role. If you are asked to MC, at the appropriate time, usually following the meal, you’ll have the job of introducing the bridal party seated at the head table, and of announcing special guests (like the brides great-great-great-great grandma), or out-of-towners. At the appropriate time, you’ll announce any of the individuals who will be proposing a toast or making a speech. You’ll read any telegrams that have been sent to the bride and groom from out-of-town guests who could not attend, and you’ll make any other special announcements that are passed on to you. Now don’t let any of this get you uptight – the bride and groom should provide you with written notes and instructions to prompt you on who to introduce and what to announce, you won’t be expected to memorize it! Once the dinner portion of the festivities is over, and the party really starts to get under way, all MC tasks are usually taken over by the DJ or band leader, freeing you up to party down!
Hang on to the payments for the vendors who will be providing services at the reception, and disburse the vendor payments to the appropriate individuals at the end of the reception.
Help the bridal couple make a smooth exit at the end of the reception. Ensure that a car will be waiting for them, or drive the new Mr. and Mrs. yourself (only if you’ve been sipping nothing stiffer than soda-pop throughout the evening, otherwise leave the driving to someone sober).
Other miscellaneous responsibilities:
You may be asked to run the occasional errand, help in decorating cars or the reception room on the wedding day, or other such small tasks. The couple will let you know if they are in need of any of these sorts of favors from you.
What expenses is the best man responsible for?
As the best man, you’ll need to cover the cost of your wedding day attire – tux or suit, shirt, tie, appropriate dress shoes. Generally the couple will choose the attire for you and the other wedding attendants, but it’s still up to you to pay for what you’ll wear. The couple may have you and the other attendants rent tuxes (which will generally run you between $50 – $100), purchase new suits, or, in the case of a less formal wedding, an easy going couple may allow you to wear a suit you already own (assuming you have one which is appropriate), but don’t hold your breath on that one!
Like any other wedding guests, you’ll also need to budget for a gift for the happy couple, if you intend to give them one. Etiquette says that gifts at a wedding are never “required”, and should never be expected by the couple. However, though wedding gifts aren’t mandatory, they are somewhat customary, so do what feels right for you.
If you don’t live in the same city or town where the wedding is taking place, etiquette requires that the couple cover accommodation expenses for attendants who must travel to participate in the wedding (but you pay for your own transportation). Now brace yourself here; not every bride and groom today is as up on their etiquette as they should be. If your bride and groom seem oblivious to the fact that this is the proper thing for them to do, you can always send them to this article to give them a gentle heads-up.
There it is in a nutshell. With all this info under your belt, you’ll pull this gig off like you’ve done it endless times before. Now there’s just one last instruction… Enjoy the wedding!
by Linda Kevich
Editor, SuperWeddings.com

Pugs are clowns at heart, known for their silly antics, but they still manage to maintain a sense of dignity. They are known as a lap dog and enjoy lounging around in the company of their human companion, and enjoy daily exercise in the form of a walk. An inside dog, they should never be left out-of-doors for any extended period of time.
The Pug is of Chinese origin. They were prized possessions of the Emperors of China and lived in a most luxurious atmosphere and at times were even guarded by soldiers. The Dutch traders brought the Pugs from the east to Holland and to England where the pug was enjoyed by many Monarchs of Europe.
The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1885. The Pug Dog Club of America was founded in 1931 and recognized by the AKC that same year.
Being a purebred dog, the pug does come with some high maintenance medical issues. Typical medical problems include ear infections, eye problems, mast cell tumors, and skin infections.
Some pugs can suffer from a collapsing trachea or elongated palate making it difficult for them to breathe, especially in hot weather. During the hotter months of the year, it is best to keep your pug in a cool room and avoid walks during the hottest part of the day as they can easily become overheated.
Pug owners in hot climates, besides running the air conditioner, can purchase items such as a cooling body wrap and cooling mat to keep their pug from overheating.
Although the pug comes in a small package, their shedding can be extreme. Be prepared to vacuum or sweep your floors almost daily during the summer when shedding is at its worst and several times a week during the cooler months. Invest in a good lint brush as your clothing will be covered in pug hair also (a minor inconvenience for those of us who love our pugs).
The pug loves food and can easily become overweight if over-indulged with snacks or larger than necessary meal portions. Talk to your vet about your pug’s appropriate weight.
Since the pug is susceptible to skin infections, a healthy diet is a must. Choosing a high quality food for your pug will pay off in a healthier dog with fewer visits to the vet (that means no grocery store dog food!). Read your food labels carefully and choose a dog food with more natural ingredients.
Your pug should visit the vet at least once a year for a physical. A blood test at age six is a good idea and can catch many potential health problems allowing early treatment with the appropriate diet or medication.
Pugs make excellent traveling companions and many pug owners take their pugs with them on vacation. Sharing their human’s bed is the preferred sleeping arrangement for the pug, although for those who would find this a difficult arrangement, a dog bed next to the bed will be tolerated.
If considering a pug breed, try adopting from a local pug rescue. You can find a pug rescue near you at www.rescuers.com.
Copyright 2006 Carol Stack
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles about dogs. Carol and her daughter Christy volunteer their time for a local dog rescue and are currently working together on a web site to promote the selection, care, and training of dogs => http://www.christysdogportal.com

You Can afford a Legendary Stag Weekend
Do Not Proceed Until You Have Met the New Kids on the Bloc
When it comes to the perfect stag weekend, Prague is certainly having its moment in the sun. For the better part of ten years the Czech capital has been the ‘it girl’ of the former Eastern bloc. And just like ‘it girls’ from Essex to Primrose Hill, Prague is being done like a dinner. Those who aren’t already going there are thinking of going there and everybody else already went in the 80s before, like, it became so popular. Now there’s nothing wrong with abandoning Bournemouth and Skegness in favour of a bit of Iron curtain history and culture, in fact it’s where the smart money is. But listen up people, there’s a whole map out there filled with quirky, exotic and down right crazy locations that are just champing at the bit to show you a good time. So let’s start with the new kids on the Eastern Bloc. Think of them as best friends you’re yet to meet. Lovers you’re yet to kiss, you get the drift. So here are some handy hints, interesting facts, useless trivia and some slap-your-granny-you-can’t-be-serious exchange rates on places that you might want to consider upon organizing the mother of all stag weekends. Gentlemen, get your phrase books ready.
Riga
Right now the capital of Latvia is one of the brightest stars on the European Horizon. As a result of frequent and cheap flights, an excellent exchange rate and – if you happen to hail from a European Community country – visa-free travel, more tourists than ever packing their phrase books and flocking to sunny Riga. And courtesy of a smorgasbord of thrilling activities and a smokin’ nightlife Riga is also quickly becoming the stag weekend destination of choice. So don your pastalas* and head over to the Paris of the Baltics, where the party is only just beginning.
Jumping Juniper! They Sure Know How to Make Them There Drinks!
They sure do. Those crazy Latvians have been making their legendary Riga Black Balsam since the 18th Century to a strictly guarded recipe which, some say, contains over 99 individual ingredients mixed in pure Vodka. The liqueur is also said to have curative properties with Lativian grannies everywhere sneaking a sip to cure everything from toothache to cancer. At about 90 proof we can only attest that it certainly has properties of a most ‘transformative’ nature. Other than the blessed Balsam, Lativians know how to brew a decent beer with Aldaris being one of the national favourites.
Riga has never been this good! Just drop a line to Amalia Illgner, she is a copywriter for chillisauce.co.uk; a fully bonded tour operator specialising in memorable stag parties. And there’s a whole map of possibilities for a great stag weekend, for some excellent adventure filled ideas check out chillisauce where they will tailor a Stag Do in Riga just for you and any number of your best friends. Now that’s what we like to call service!

Purchasing a crib is a critical decision for new parents. A baby crib is the focal point of the nursery, but more importantly it must be a safe place for the baby to rest while mom and dad are not in the room. Think about it! Your infant will spend most of her time away from caregivers in the crib. So selecting the safest crib for your newborn is of utmost importance; it will become the centerpiece of a warm, inviting nursery as well as the safest place when not in mommy’s arms.

The first choice you’ll need to make is which style baby crib you would like for the d?cor of your baby’s nursery. There are a variety of styles of cribs available nowadays.
The first and most common is the standard crib. When selecting the standard baby crib you need to be mindful of the two types of models.

Standard baby cribs either have a single drop side or a double drop side where both sides drop down. It depends on your needs and where you would like to position the baby crib in your nursery.

The standard baby crib will provide the classic baby nursery look; however it will not provide the longevity on the next option, the convertible baby crib.

Convertible cribs convert to a toddler bed from standard crib. These cribs even have the possibility to change from a toddler bed into a day or full sized bed. This long lasting feature offered by convertible cribs makes them a very attractive choice for new parents. Although they are a more costly item when new baby expenses are all ready piling up the convertible baby crib can ideally save you money in the long run.

Next in line would be canopy cribs have four posts on the corners of the bed. These posts hold up a usually metal frame on which you can place fabric canopies. Parents who buy canopy cribs want a more elegant & sophisticated design for their nursery. Round cribs are gaining popularity. Round cribs come with a canopy frame and they add a touch of class to your baby’s nursery. Round Cribs usually have large double wheel casters which make the round crib easy to move when you need to move to another area.
Let’s say you have guests and you want to have them sleep in peace and quiet, you can roll the baby in his/her round crib in your bedroom. Round Crib locks into place when you have found the perfect spot for it. Round baby cribs give the look and feel of a canopy yet round baby cribs add mobility for the parents.
For the traveling parents, a portable crib is an option. Portable Cribs give parents the flexibility of taking their child anywhere to get a good night sleep. The portable crib goes anywhere and everywhere you go. Bring the comforts of home when you travel – whether on vacation or just visiting Grandpa. The portable crib folds compactly to easily carry with you. Some portable cribs, convert into a comfortable crib mattress when your child outgrows the bassinet. Parents who travel often may consider the standard baby crib for home and opt for a portable crib when out and about.

Once you have decided the type of baby crib you’d like begin to shop around. For starters, research the names of reputable furniture stores and crib manufacturer.
Your shopping experience for baby cribs is one that is propelled by finding the best for baby. This isn’t a time to bargain hunt. Locate a store or showroom browse around and inspect the construction of the available cribs. Any crib worth considering should be made with a sturdy construction. The frame of the baby crib must be solid and secure. If possible check to see if the crib is stable in all positions as most baby cribs on the market today convert and adjust to grow along with the child. Inquire about when and where the baby crib was manufactured. If interested, learn the type of wood from which the baby crib is constructed. Be sure to verify that the baby crib comes complete with instruction and warranty.
When your choice is finalized and the crib arrives in your home there are a variety of safety matters that need to be put in place. The first begins with assembly. Be sure to follow all instructions. Test again to ensure that the crib is sturdy and secure as it was in the furniture store where you purchased it. If you opted for a crib with movable parts be sure all sides or rails lock into place. Nothing could be worse than the thought of the baby injuring himself while holding onto ill-assembled crib rails. When placing the mattress inside the frame of the baby crib make sure they are right against all of the sides of the crib sets. You would not want your child’s foot to get lodged between the crib and mattress. Over time any mattress that appears worn or ill-fitted to the crib frame should be replaced immediately.
Before long, the time will come when you can adorn your crib with the bedding. Some safety rules will apply here as well. You should always take off any jewelry, pillows or stuffed animals from the baby when you place them into the baby cribs. This will keep the baby safe from any choking or suffocation hazard. Do not place the crib sets close to windows, lamps, electrical plugs or curtains. Soft pillows, mattresses, comforters, stuffed toys and bumper pads are not be used in cribs sets. When babies play with toys in the crib they should be supervised. As your child grows it is important to reassess the safety of the baby crib.
For example, when the baby can sit up, make sure you move the mattress down to the lowest point. As your bundle of joy starts teething you may need to affix a plastic guard to the bed rail as many growing youngster develop the habit of gnawing on the crib frame. Some baby cribs are designed with non-toxic finishes. Selecting and using a baby crib for your infant is challenging task, but one that will provide safety and design to your baby’s nursery.