“COOL: SAN FRANCISCO & SHAKESPEARE”

Since entering the United States market in 1999, plasma televisions have been the industry standard in picture quality, style, and innovation. From their high-resolution capabilities to their slim-line design, plasma TVs aim to offer the best in technology and aesthetics. Compared to conventional CRT models, the plasma display is a standout: modern, elegant, and versatile.

Advantages of plasma televisions are numerous. It begins however with resolution. A plasma TV can display – without scan lines – full HDTV and DTV signals, as well as computer signals XGA, SVGA, and VGA. Picture quality goes hand-in-hand with resolution; as plasma-screen images are built from millions of pixels, not scan lines. Pictures are thus presented with an even clarity.

Typically, the native resolution (or number of plasma cells that can be illuminated at once) of an EDTV is 852×480. This means that 852 pixels across and 480 pixels up and down can be displayed on the screen’s surface. In order for HDTV content to be displayed however, look for a plasma screen with a resolution of at least 1024×768 or higher.

In addition to presentation, plasma televisions are efficient space-savers. They provide the largest images possible while making the most of available space. Standard depth is a mere 3.5” for 42” screens (and below) and 4” for 50” screens (and above). This space-saving ingenuity makes plasma screens perfect for the home theater, as well as the busy business environment. Plasma displays, which can be suspended from the ceiling, framed flat to a wall, or set on a table stand, can work literally anywhere.

Set within a bezel, a plasma screen looks very much like a photo frame and is just as decorative. The fact that the screen is perfectly flat means there is no edge distortion and the shape of the screen is one of its finest features as well. The 16:9 aspect ratio is standard on plasma televisions, making them ready-made for widescreen movies and HDTV content – whether it be sports or a favorite show. A plasma screen however can also accommodate the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, working in reverse to meet the demands of all broadcast programming.

The wide-viewing angle, which is typically 170° or greater, also helps in controlling brightness. No matter where a person sits or stands in a room, the picture should be as bright and as clear. Also, when shopping for a plasma display, be sure to consider the contrast ratio, which is the degree of variation between the whitest and darkest parts of a screen. You’ll want to look for sets with a ratio of at least 5000:1.

As for signals, plasma televisions can indeed accept an array. From basic composite video and s-video inputs to HDMI and DVI inputs (for HDTV signals), the versatility behind plasma TVs can meet most every request. What’s more, some plasma screens can double as PC monitors, making it a fine choice for gaming or commercial use. To convert your TV into a PC monitor, the inputs needed are VGA or DVI.

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Water is one resource that none of us can do without. And for those of us living in an area where rainfall is scarce throughout the year, finding ways to harvest rainwater is a good way to start a “green” home program. To help, rain barrels are the perfect solution. Simple and efficient, they can help you save water for a not-so-rainy day in the future.

Designed to capture rainwater runoff from rooftops, rain barrels are typically placed under residential gutter-down spouts. The barrel’s purpose is to conserve water, so that it may be reused at a later time. Having rain barrels will help with self-sufficiency, as well as reduce one’s environmental impact. For economic reasons too, rain barrels should prove a good long-term investment.

Homeowners can either buy ready-made rain barrels or construct them from scratch. Smaller barrels for garden and lawn use are usually made out of food-storage barrels or for aesthetics purposes, wine or wood-grain barrels. Regardless, any rain barrel should have a spigot at the bottom for easy water retrieval or to attach a hose to. Drums tend to be 55 gallons for residential use.

Such barrels are a simple solution to water conservation and sustainable living. The water can be used for watering the lawn, maintaining the garden, or washing the car during summer months. If properly protected, the water from a rain barrel is perfectly safe to use. In fact, rainwater is “soft water,” meaning the water collected is without chlorine, lime, or calcium.

For drinking, rainwater usually isn’t potable enough – unless a filtration system is implemented; and for residential use, this usually is not the case. However, any harvested rainwater should be protected from debris or insects. If building your own rain barrel, be sure to add a protective screen to the top in order to prevent leaves, dirt, or even breeding mosquitoes from landing in your water.

Lastly, rain barrels help lower the need for domestic water use. Energy and water bills are a fact of life, but they needn’t be so high. With a few workarounds via rain barrels or cisterns, you can lower those bills and also have a positive impact on your immediate environment. Indeed, diverting water from storm drains means reducing stream runoff. In short, saving water for a “dry” day means savings overall – both for your pocketbook and the planet.

Remember this: Rainwater is always free.

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Searching for eco baby-shower ideas? That’s good news to hear and fine timing too, as the whole world seems to trending towards “being green” and responsible for Planet Earth. Every little helps and making an effort is a big first step in reshaping one’s lifestyle. As poet Gil Scott-Heron once said: “Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.”

Indeed, for the eco-minded, sustainable living tends to enter the equation no matter what we do. And for a new baby, this means an opportunity to start the little one off on a wonderful green path from Go. When planning a baby shower for a friend who’s environmentally conscious, the most thoughtful thing you can do is to throw her a green baby shower. And with the growing number of stores carrying eco-friendly goods, this is becoming much easier to plan and carry out.

Eco baby shower ideas range from going organic to employing the three R’s: recycle, reduce, and reuse. It’s up to you how much of each you actually employ, but it’s good to keep everything on the plate “green” as you plan the shower. From selecting only eco-friendly products on the gift registry to sending out invitations on recycled paper, the message to guests and the Guest of Honor is clear: May your Baby’s life be sustainable.

When planning a shower, consider adding some of these tips to help green your event. Eco baby-shower ideas are very much like all eco ideas: Buy local, reduce waste, and be creative.

• Invitations: Select invitations made from recycled or repurposed paper. Consider invitations without envelopes to cut down on paper use. Or better yet, consider “plantable” invitations, which contain seeds for planting. Guests can soak the seeded paper, plant them, and watch them grow.

• Decorations: Remember that “going green” doesn’t necessarily mean the color green. These days, eco-friendly decorations are easier to find than ever and with a little creativity, you can make things green yourself. For example, a second-hand table designated for gifts. Perhaps fresh flowers cut from the backyard versus centerpieces delivered from the florist across town. A fun way to decorate is to use items that Mom can use afterwards, so that whatever is brought into the home, won’t go to waste. Think soy candles, biodegradable place settings, and real silverware and plates.

• Food: Locally grown fruits and vegetables (such as from the farmer’s market) are always a success. When possible, look for organic versions. Finger foods that can be served at room temperature are also a thoughtful addition. For serving, use ceramic plates and real drinking glasses in lieu of the typical disposables that only add up to a pile to throw away.

• Gifts: Finally, for gifts, encourage guests to buy their gifts from eco-friendly stores or even, suggest they bring a second-hand toy from their home or consignment store. For wrapping, ask them to use blankets, onesies, or cloth diapers: Things that Mom can use later. Keep in mind that wrapping paper is perhaps one of the most wasteful products around. It makes for beautiful presentation, but the impact on the environment - too high.

Eco baby showers may take more time to plan, but they’re well worth it in the end. The message sent and received will prove a wonderful welcome party – for both Baby and Mom to Be.

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Though not as well-known as other board games such as Risk or Monopoly, the German import Settlers of Catan is beloved by those who do know it. Given its combination of chance and strategy, the fact that no one truly “loses,” and that it configures differently each time it’s played, it is little wonder why Settlers remains popular among its fans. For those who are looking for a cool “new” game to get involved with, this one is perfect for anyone who enjoys stratagem and the nostalgia of board games.

Designed by Klaus Teuber, the original German game was published in 1995 under the name Die Siedler von Catan. It was an instant success, winning that year’s prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award. The following year, it made its way to the United States and was promptly dubbed the U.S. Game of the Year. Since then, Settlers has been translated into more than 25 different languages, spanning the globe and gaining new fans each day.

So, how do you play? The object of the game is to build up the newly-discovered island of Catan. To start, the board (or island) must be created. To do so, shuffle the land and sea tiles (hexes) and then arrange them randomly, with the sea tiles surrounding the land mass. Next, take the numbered tokens (2-12) and place them on the land tiles, with the exception of the desert hex.

Note: the closer a number is to “7,” the more likely it will be rewarded resources when the dice are rolled.

Next, the players (3-4 is best) establish two settlements each. The game then begins. As said, the object is to build up Catan. From the initial two settlements, players collect resources to create cities, roads, soldiers, and more settlements. Each time you “build” something, you gain points. For instance, a new settlement is worth one point; a new city, two. The first player to reach 10 victory points is declared the winner.

As for how resources are distributed, this involves the dice. Ea2ch turn, a pair of dice is thrown to determine a number. Whatever total is generated, that correlates to where on the board the resources go (based on the token). Thus, though it is “your” turn, it really is everyone’s. On each roll of the dice, all players are involved. The dice are the one random element that cannot be controlled.

Note: if a “7” is thrown, then the “robber” token is moved and resources can be denied on that turn and for players with too many stored resources, half will be taken away.

Strategy is key to Settlers as you want to try and develop your part of the island, while possibly denying other players from essential resources. A strategic road built to block access for example, is one way to gain an advantage on fellow players. Trading is also a big part in balancing power and can be done among players or “off the island.” Trading is also the main means by which players interact with one another and seems to truly mirror the cooperative spirit needed for success.

Suitable for ages 10 years and up, Settlers of Catan is a wonderful family game and given that it’s a new island each time, familiar replays are few and far between. Also, with every player having an equal opportunity to “win,” it keeps play interesting throughout the game’s length. What’s more, there’s no combat element. Settlers of Catan is a civil game, one that relies on strategy, cooperation, and compromise.

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You’ve dreamed of your wedding day for what seems a lifetime. Your hope is that the actual day be just as beautiful and perfect as that dream. For many couples, wedding planning can take as much as a year or more to ensure everything is just so. Wouldn’t it be a shame if all that meticulous planning was derailed at the last moment? The answer of course is “yes” and the solution is two short words: wedding insurance.

What is wedding insurance you might ask? This may in fact be the first you’ve heard of it. Of course, there’s auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance, travel insurance – but insurance for a wedding? Indeed, and as with any insurance, the hope is that you won’t need it. However, also like these policies, you’ll be thankful you have it should the need arise.

Couples around the world will tell you that it’s a good thing wedding insurance exists. Whether you need it or not, a wedding insurance policy can be just the calm to a pending storm, the perfect salve to your worries, the mending to make your wedding day whole. Reasons why you may need it are as varied as the coverage available. Whatever your concern, there should be a policy or supplement to cover it. A basic policy should take care of:

• unexpected weather

• the wedding site
• vendors/officiants
• the presence of family and key members
• a sudden illness that changes plans

All of these elements are essential, but in the end out of your control. Thus, having a wedding insurance policy in place helps protect you, should the unfortunate happen and you find yourself in need. For instance:

• The weather on the day is so severe that it changes travel plans. If a key person, such as the bride, groom, or a parent, is unable to make the ceremony, then it’s quite possible with wedding insurance to reschedule or make other arrangements.

• The site of your ceremony and reception closes down before your wedding day. What are you to do? What of the cost already invested? While you may already be covered by the contract signed with the site, if you have wedding insurance, you’ll also be covered times two. It’s this kind of peace of mind that you get in return with any policy. No matter what, you know there will be a way to fix it.

• The vendor or officiant doesn’t show up on time, thus delaying your entire wedding. What if the minister, rabbi, or justice of the peace is unable to make the ceremony? While distressing, if you have wedding insurance, you at least have recourse. The most basic policy should cover such unavoidable postponement.

• And finally, the bride or groom is overcome by an illness or injury. In such cases, the ceremony clearly cannot go on and arrangements will need to be made for another time. If so, then your policy should be able to help you with the cost (minus the deductible).

In addition to this basic coverage, wedding insurance may also be expanded. You can purchase coverage for military service (emergency leave), gifts, and other essentials like the photographer, videographer, and wedding attire.

While no one wants to think of it, what happens if your gown is somehow lost or damaged in relation to the wedding day? With supplemental coverage, you should be covered for repairs and/or replacement. This is especially important if the wedding attire or accessories are rented and must be returned. Similar to the wedding site, it’s possible that there’s coverage already in place (from the store). However, having wedding insurance ensures you’re protected. In short, all things being considered, buying coverage is commonsense.

Weddings today can cost nearly $30,000. In 2005, The Fairchild Bridal Group conducted a survey on American weddings and found that couples spent an average of $26,000-plus on their nuptials. That number has only gone up in subsequent years. If you’re spending that much on a wedding in the hopes that it be perfect, why wouldn’t you spend the extra few hundred dollars to protect it?

Wedding insurance is available today as a result of the misfortune of couples in the past, who only wished such protection existed for them. For you, it does. An average policy will cost between $125 and $500, and when you think of it – it’s really a wonderful deal.

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These days, more and more couples are choosing green weddings over traditional ones. In this respect, “green” is in reference not to the color scheme, but to the way the wedding is planned and carried out. The hope is to be as eco-friendly and earth-responsible as possible.

One of the biggest days of your life often also means leaving a big ecological footprint. To actively try and reduce this impression by any measure is a good step toward being green. You may not be able to achieve eco-friendliness across the board, but a little can mean a lot in the end.

Speaking of which, what’s the cost of green weddings? While “earthy” weddings may have once been associated with dressed-down ceremonies of the ’60s, today they’re much more elaborate. In some cases, going green can mean spending even more than for a traditional ceremony. However, savings are found in other ways, like in the reduced impact of your Big Day on Planet Earth.

Weddings on average cost over $25,000. This number includes rings, the ceremony, and reception, as well as transportation, gifts, and all-important wedding attire. Green weddings forego much of the decadence historically associated with nuptials. Instead, rather than indulging in all the frills, they tend to be simpler, more personal celebrations: One that will have guests talking still years from now.

Here is a quick look at what makes green weddings so “green”:

1. The size of your guest list is a good place to start. While many of us dream of a big wedding, the truth is, is that more people means a larger ecological footprint left behind. If possible, try and limit the size of your guest list to family and closest friends. You can always send digital photos and announcements post-ceremony to everyone – including those who did not attend.

2. Choose a venue that’s close to everyone. Though this is ideal, if not possible, consider renting a fleet of luxury hybrid cars to provide transportation for all. Carpooling will reduce emissions by a fair amount and transportation is probably the biggest contributor to any carbon footprint. Though destination weddings have become popular in recent years, the ecological and economic cost of such an affair seems far too indulgent. Go green, with personal touches instead.

3. Maintain a green theme throughout your planning process, from invitations to favors. For invites, look at ones made from recycled paper and that use soy ink versus traditional dyes. Note that the chemicals put into the making of a beautiful invitation are quite deceiving. As for the RSVP, simply use a postcard to cut down on paper use or even, request guests to send their answers digitally. Consider venues that are LEED-certified.

4. As for gifts, request that guests actively partake in your green wedding. Point them in the direction of eco-friendly retailers and let them know how important it is to you that you be able to use their gift for years to come. While guests will surely get the message behind your wedding theme once there, it also doesn’t hurt to further educate them as to how your wedding day was a green success.

5. And finally, the wedding attire and rings. This is where you can really stand out with your green choices and feel good about what you wear. Consider the material from which your wedding dress or tuxedo is made from. For example, many “green” brides will only consider vintage gowns, as it falls under the green categories of reuse and repurpose. As for the rings, research where the metal was mined.

The above merely scratches the surface. As you can see, green weddings require a good deal of planning, research, and thoughtfulness. Even more so than traditional weddings, a “green” affair can be a considerable undertaking, as the stream of details and related questions can seem endless. However, in the end, the reward of a successful “Green Day” to kick off your new, sustainable life together – should prove the stuff of dreams.

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A wage garnishment is assessed through writ, or court order, if a person refuses to pay off creditors, collectors, or the government. While this is usually a last resort, the reality is that it does happen and once it does, a person’s entire life is impacted. A wage garnishment does not normally end until it is completely paid off. A tax attorney can help with tax relief however, such as through an Offer of Compromise with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a settlement with the plaintiff in the case.

All states have their own way of following up with wage garnishment. In California, the maximum garnishment is the same as the federal government: Up to 25 percent of the debtor’s net disposable earnings. And once a California garnishment is in place, it remains until it is paid off. Also, because California is a community-property state, then the spouse of the debtor is subject to the levy as well.

As for statutes of limitations. While the IRS places no limit on when back taxes can be levied, the state of California does have a few limits in place that could impact garnishments. For instance, the state places a four-year limit on open credit card accounts and written contracts, and a 10-year limit on domestic and foreign judgments. While a person’s outstanding credit card debt would likely be addressed within those four years, there is a timeline that creditors and collectors need to work within.

If a garnishment is applied to a person’s wage, a Claim of Exemption could be filed on behalf of the debtor, stating that certain property or monies are exempt from levying. Statutory reasons must be listed in support of such claims and must be filed with the Levying Officer. In response, a Notice of Opposition to Claim of Exemption may be filed by the plaintiff.

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Reflector telescopes gather and shape light differently than refractor scopes, which are built to “refract” or bend light to form an image. Instead, reflecting telescopes use mirrors to reflect light, which is then focused and observed through an ocular or eyepiece.

The first reflecting telescope is believed to have been built by Niccolo Zucchi, an Italian monk and astronomer who used his invention to lay claim to a number of discoveries, including being the first to identify belts on the planet Jupiter in 1630; an examination of spots on Mars a decade later; and in 1652, the idea that phosphors didn’t store light, but rather, generated it. His telescope design would prove the inspiration for James Gregory and Isaac Newton.

Of the reflector designs, the two main ones are Cassegrain and Newtonian. In the Cassegrain model, there is a primary concave mirror (parabolic) which collects light, then a secondary convex mirror (hyperbolic) that reflects that light back through the primary. Both mirrors are aligned about the optical axis (the line which the light path passes). By “folding” the optics, the Cassegrain telescope can be a very compact design, of which there are also variants: Ritchey-Chretien, Dall-Kirkham, Schiefspiegler, and Gregorian (by James Gregory).

As for the Newtonian reflector telescope, Isaac Newton took the design by Zucchi and instead of a secondary mirror as is found in the Cassegrain model, a flat mirror is placed at a diagonal. This reflects the light at an angle into an eyepiece that is located on the side of the tube. The observer is thus positioned at the top of the scope, looking into the ocular which reveals the focused image.

As with refractors, there are advantages and disadvantages to the reflecting telescope. Though chromatic aberration is likely reduced, there are potential problems of misalignment (e.g. the Hubble Telescope’s early years). These are some considerations that need to be asked before deciding on which type of telescope is best, as a starter, a secondary, or upgrade. It should be said that the Newtonian reflector is a popular choice for first-time telescope builders.

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In March 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the United States to ban the use of plastic checkout bags at large supermarkets and chain pharmacies. Instead, the city allows compostable bags or bags made from recyclable paper. The groundbreaking legislation, which was sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, was approved by the Board of Supervisors 10-1.

While the California Grocers Association was disappointed with the decision, city residents overall seemed to support the measure – even if it meant higher prices to pay for the new bags. The reason? The price seemed small when compared to the litter/pollution, threat to marine life, and shrinking landfill space which plastic bags cause.

To make petroleum-based plastic bags, it takes 430,000 gallons of oil for every 100 million bags. An approximate 180 million plastic bags are (were) distributed in San Francisco every year. Now with the ban on the biggest plastic bag consumers, that number should reduce considerably.

The success of the plastic-bag ban could lead to similar legislation. Supervisor Mirkarimi is also looking to ban Styrofoam food containers for much of the same reasons. In addition, S.F. recently adopted the use of clean-fuel construction vehicles too, which is good news as city construction is endless here!

FYI: It should also be noted that while San Francisco is the first city in the nation to pass a plastic bag ordinance, plastic bags have already been outlawed in South Africa, Taiwan, and Bangladesh. Ireland levies a tax on plastic bags to curb usage, which was actually the approach San Francisco first attempted in 2005. After two years of debate, the ban was imposed.

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Wedding invitation etiquette has changed a bit over time – such as dual envelopes not being a must. But overall, etiquette standards remain. Wording for example, continues to be very specific for church weddings, home weddings, and second marriages. When it comes to wedding invitations, certain etiquette should be followed and in the end, it can actually help make the process easier, answering and eliminating questions.

When choosing wedding invitations, the style of wedding should really dictate what type of card is sent. If a formal affair, then the invitation should properly reflect that – though that doesn’t mean it needs to be the most expensive. If a less formal wedding, then even handmade cards will be fine. This will not only be cost-saving, but also add a personal touch for your family and friends. Color-wise, the invitations often match with the wedding’s own color scheme, such as for the reception. This all ties into wedding preparation, with invitations being one of the very first steps to establishing a wedding’s framework.

As for wedding invitation enclosures, the traditional ones are: a reply card (or postcard), a map or direction card, and a reception card. Traditionally two envelopes have been used for invitations, with the outer envelope serving as a protector so all parts of the invitation would remain pristine. However this is no longer regarded as necessary and a single envelope should be fine. Also, the reception card isn’t necessary today either, as a sentence at the end of an invitation could serve the same purpose: “Reception to follow.” As far as the RSVP card, an enclosed postcard could work. These slight changes in etiquette are a sign of the times, as well as budget savers.

Wording a wedding invitation traditionally comes from the home of the bride and all envelopes should be addressed by hand. This duty is typically done by the mother of the bride and while a printer could create beautiful fonts, it’s a wedding etiquette faux-pas to use it for addresses. To recruit help is acceptable (especially for hundreds of invites) and the maid-of-honor usually does just that.

Invitations should be sent at least eight weeks prior to the wedding date and depending on the size of the guest list, addressing envelopes should begin as soon as possible. At least three months before the wedding if possible. If hiring a calligrapher, orders should be sent four months in advance. RSVP cards should be received two weeks prior to the ceremony and if there are any outstanding replies, the bride or the mother of the bride should make a formal call to finalize the count.

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