Word Count:
390

Summary:
If you use a vehicle for conducting business, you can deduct certain automobile tax expenses from your tax bill. This is true even if you use the vehicle for personal and business needs.

Keywords:
automobile tax expenses

Article Body:
If you use a vehicle for conducting business, you can deduct certain automobile tax expenses from your tax bill. This is true even if you use the vehicle for personal and business needs.

Automobile Tax Expenses

The powers that be have historically written sections into the tax code promoting business activities. One of the traditional write-offs has always been the expenses associated with using a vehicle for business purposes.

The simplest automobile tax expense situation is one in which a vehicle is used entirely for business. For example, if you have a van used for a delivery service and nothing personal, all expenses associated with the van can be written off. This is known as the exclusive use situation. For many small businesses, however, a vehicle will be used for both personal and business reasons.

Where you use a vehicle for both personal and business reasons, you can only deduct the automobile expenses associated with the business use. Keep in mind that driving to and from work is not considered business mileage, while driving from an office to meet a client is considered business mileage.

There are two methods for determining deductible automobile tax expenses. The first is a simple calculation known as the standard mileage deduction. The second is the actual expenses method. You can choose whichever deduction provides you with the biggest deduction unless you lease the car. With a lease, you must use the standard mileage deduction.

The standard mileage rate deduction is a calculation wherein you multiply your total business mileage for the year by a figure provided by the IRS. For the first eight months of 2005, the figure provided by the IRS is 40.5 cents per mile. For the last four months of 2005, the figure has been bumped up to 48.5 cents to reflect high gas prices.

The actual cost expense option is exactly what it sounds like. It is the actual cost associated with using the vehicle for tax purposes for a particular tax year. Automobile tax expenses will include gas, tires, repairs, oil changes, registration costs, licensing, insurance and so on. In many cases, the actual expense deduction will end up being larger than the standard mileage deduction.

Regardless of the method you choose, you must document the automobile tax expenses. This means keeping a mileage book and receipts of anything you intend to deduct.

Word Count:
281

Summary:
Dear Adam:

I hope all is well with you. Things have been busy for me and I have not been on line much but, I did have one question for you. Have you ever done any research on the origin of the prong collar and it’s original use?

Also, I’ve heard it used in different ways, for example, leash getting hooked to one ring or both rings? Which information are you privy to and what technique do you use? I’m always open to learning true information.

Thanks for your time,
Ja…

Keywords:
dog, dog training, pets, animals

Article Body:
Dear Adam:

I hope all is well with you. Things have been busy for me and I have not been on line much but, I did have one question for you. Have you ever done any research on the origin of the prong collar and it’s original use?

Also, I’ve heard it used in different ways, for example, leash getting hooked to one ring or both rings? Which information are you privy to and what technique do you use? I’m always open to learning true information.

Thanks for your time,
Jag

Dear Jag:

I do not know the history of the pinch collar. It’s a good question. If I learn anything about it, I’ll write about it here, in my e-zine.

As far as using one ring (the D-ring) or two (the D-ring and the safety ring) … generally, I just hook the leash to the D-ring. This is how the collar is designed to be used.

You can, however, hook the leash to both rings. This will damper the correction. You can use the pinch collar in this manner if you have a very sensitive dog or if you’re training an exercises where–for some reason–the dog is self-correcting, accidentally.

For example, when teaching the dog “control” in protection work, we try to communicate to the dog that he should only lunge if the attack command is given, first. If the dog lunges before the attack command is given, then he is corrected. However, in such a scenario, we want to error on the side of under-correcting the dog, rather than have him think that he should NEVER lunge by accidentally over-correcting.

Make sense?

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

Word Count:
237

Summary:
Adding up to three forced repetitions to each exercise in your lifting routine is a useful means of intensifying the exercise process.

Keywords:
muscle building, bodybuilding, forced repetitions

Article Body:
You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate progressively stronger muscular contractions, so this calls for an emphasis on finding ways to increase exercise intensity. This should not be confused with exercise duration as maximum training intensity will actually shorten the time needed to achieve maximal muscular growth.

In an earlier article I outlined the ways in which you can intensify your training. Here we’ll focus on the role that forced repetitions have to play in intensifying the training effect.

When you reach the point of muscular failure it is impossible to manage one more complete repetition of any exercise, at least not without losing form or correct technique. There is, however, one way in which you can increase the intensity even further and that is by completing one or more forced repetitions with the help of an experienced training partner.

The best way to achieve this is by keeping the same weights on the bar and have your training partner do no more than is necessary to allow you to complete up the three extra repetitions with good lifting form.

Beginning bodybuilders should avoid forced reps until they have learned good lifting techniques and have prepared their muscles for the stresses involved in this particular approach. Intermediate lifters should consider adding forced reps to one exercise in the pre-exhaust sequence. Advanced bodybuilders can utilize forced reps based on their own needs and judgement.

Word Count:
410

Summary:
You know a picture tells a thousand words. Add to this line – a virtual tour (3D tour) tells it all! Plainly speaking words never speak better than a virtual tour. As internet has become the mainstay in media, 3D tours, the new kid on the block, is breaking the clutter of web graphics. High-end virtual tours takes the visibility of a business levels up.

Keywords:
3dtour, 3d tour, virtual tours, virtual tour company, 360 tours, 360 degree images, ipix, photos, real estate, home, restaurant, hotel, virtual tour provider, national photography, vendors

Article Body:
You know a picture tells a thousand words. Add to this line – a virtual tour (3D tour) tells it all! Plainly speaking words never speak better than a virtual tour. As internet has become the mainstay in media, 3D tours, the new kid on the block, is breaking the clutter of web graphics. High-end virtual tours takes the visibility of a business levels up.

Have it, flaunt it! Virtual tours authenticate a companies/organizations worth. It presents the big picture interactively making way for easy decisions. Virtual tours prove to be complete makeover for sagging web presence of a company into hospitality.

Virtual Tours – the Big Picture

Virtual tour (3D tour) is but the all-round view of a venue, location, machinery or system, composed of a varying degree of images. It can also accompany texts and audio so as to make the walkthrough interesting.

360 degree virtual tours are highly advantageous for real estate industries. Prospective clients browsing these tours get rid of the pain of physically inspecting the places and systems. As an educational aid, they are unparallel.

Besides, 3D tour is used more or less in product advertisements.

Virtual Tours – the Technology

Bluntly saying, this is a visual media. Technicians optimize a series of photographs or a video panaroma to the web standards. Panographers can add hotspots to allow the users click-and-enter various mappings of the tour.

Compatibility and compression are the major issues in creating 3D tours for web. Because one is exposed to the world at a click. A slow rendering graphics is worse enough to ward off the busy traffic.

Broadly, virtually tours can be divided into:
? Fixed format (do-yourself) virtual tours: One can create virtual tours by using software. All one needs is but to enter some images, texts and sounds (if required) to the program and choose the options of panning, size and time parameters. If the budget is pinching this can be well-to-do for small enterprises.
? Professional (full-service) virtual tours: Professional photographers, illustrators and programmers together can build a virtual tour as you specify. This can be expensive but one get the dream-results. One can also add/remove certain features as required. It is suitable for corporates.

Virtual Tours – the Benefits

? Over 50% of online viewers prefer to visit a real location after having viewed its virtual tour.
? It stimulates the buying decision of potential clients.
? Increases traffic and increases the recall-value in prospective clients.
? Increases retail businesses looking to show off their showrooms.

Word Count:
458

Summary:
Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes from massive Great Danes to microscopic Teacup Chihuahuas. It pays to be educated about the breed of dog you’re considering. Here are some things to take into account about the Maltese.

Keywords:
maltese dogs, maltese, toy dogs, small dogs, no shedding, maltese temperament, maltese characteristics

Article Body:
Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes from massive Great Danes to microscopic Teacup Chihuahuas. It pays to be educated about the breed of dog you’re considering. Here are some things to take into account about the Maltese.

The Maltese is a member of the toy class, usually weighing between three and 10 pounds. Its most prominent characteristic is its long, flowing white hair with no undercoat. Because the Maltese don’t have fur like other breeds, it will lose hair the way humans do instead of shedding like most dogs. Perhaps the most interesting and unique characteristic of the breed is its color-changing nose. The nose can change from coal black to a light brownish color or even pink depending on the amount of sunlight the animal is exposed to. The nose of a female Maltese may change color when she goes onto heat.

Because Maltese don’t shed if properly and regularly groomed, they make good pets for people who suffer with allergies.

The breed’s temperament lends itself to companionship. The Maltese is happiest when in the company of family and friends being lavished with affection. Like most small breeds, they are energetic and given to sudden bouts of activity, but their small size makes them a good option for apartment dwellers. Maltese are very smart. Their high intellect makes them easy to train and quick at picking up new tricks.

Maltese are generally good natured and playful, but like any pack-oriented animal, they might not do well with small children or strangers. They are very territorial and likely to be protective of the family unit.

Like anything else with hair, a Maltese must be regularly groomed to prevent matting. Some caretakers find a way around the chore by keeping their dogs in what is known as a “puppy cut” or a “teddy bear cut,” where the hair is kept short, about a half an inch, all over the body. This style is certainly less fuss and may be more comfortable for the dog, but it’s not acceptable for a show dog.

Maltese are relatively healthy dogs, usually unburdened with the afflictions of other pure breeds. However, luxating patella, white dog shaker syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy are common in Maltese that do develop problems. Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. White dog shaker syndrome is a sudden onset of tremors, sometimes full seizures, that troubles only white dogs. Progressive retinal atrophy is just what it sounds like. It will eventually result in blindness for which there is no cure.

In keeping with the designer breed trend, Maltese are often bred with other breeds, such as poodles, to emphasize their sweet nature and intelligence.

Word Count:
651

Summary:
Anyone who drives a vehicle on a public roadway in New Jersey has to have automobile insurance unless they wish to run the risk of severe and costly penalties.

Rather than drive uninsured and risk the suspension of your license, your car’s registration, plus enough fees to pay the national debt of a small country, perhaps it would be better to simply find some way of getting cheap automobile insurance online in New Jersey that you can actually afford to buy.

Obviously a…

Keywords:

Article Body:
Anyone who drives a vehicle on a public roadway in New Jersey has to have automobile insurance unless they wish to run the risk of severe and costly penalties.

Rather than drive uninsured and risk the suspension of your license, your car’s registration, plus enough fees to pay the national debt of a small country, perhaps it would be better to simply find some way of getting cheap automobile insurance online in New Jersey that you can actually afford to buy.

Obviously anyone can get online these days and start comparing automobile insurance prices haphazardly on one of the many sites devoted to making price comparisons for car insurance. But unless you design a “paper” policy ahead of time that will save you the most money possible, then all of your price comparisons are somewhat meaningless.

Let’s start with some of the things you can do to keep your insurance rates low. Such as the way you drive.

The way you drive probably determines the price you pay for automobile insurance more than any other one single factor. If you speed or drive recklessly and receive even one moving violation then you are not going to get the cheapest price on your automobile insurance.

And if you are foolish enough to drive under the influence or while intoxicated and you are convicted of a DUI or a DWI then you can forget all about reasonable automobile insurance rates for a minimum of 3 years. If you receive a second conviction for DWI or DUI you won’t be seeing low automobile insurance rates until you’re a very old driver.

If you’re under 25 years of age you are going to pay higher rates for car insurance. That’s simply a fact of life. However, if you can remain on your parents’ policy you can save some cash and if you’ll stay in school and maintain at least a “B” grade average then you can save another 5% each and every month through a Good Student Discount.

Older drivers can get a similar break if they take, and pass, a special driver’s refresher course. If you’re at least 55 years old ask your insurance agent if your company offers such a discount.

Many people save a lot of money on their automobile insurance by simply driving their cars a lot less. These people are using public transportation for almost all of their “driving” needs and car pooling to work and letting their car sit in their garage unless they need it for something special. If you drive less than 500 miles per month talk to your agent about getting a low-mileage discount.

If you have retired from work tell your agent. Cars that are not driven to work and back every day cost less to insure.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars that no longer have any Kelly Blue Book value. If your car has no real value your insurance company won’t give you anything for it anyway, even if you continue wasting your money on collision and comprehensive insurance.

How large of a deductible can you afford? Take your time answering this question because whatever number you come up with is an amount you will have to pull out of your own pocket anytime you have a claim – but the larger your deductible the smaller your monthly premium.

All right, now it’s time for you to take what you’ve learned from this article and create a “paper” policy that is specially designed to save you as much money as possible. Then get online and compare the price of this “paper” policy you’ve put together on a minimum of at least 3 different websites that are designed to make automobile policy comparisons.

Now all you have to do is get the cheapest automobile insurance policy quote you find and your work is done. You have now gotten the cheapest automobile insurance available in the state of New Jersey.

Word Count:
353

Summary:
Dear Mr. Katz

We have a 15-16 month old German Shorthaired Pointer named Copper. She is pretty well obedience trained (if a dog can be that). We have used a pinch collar and an electronic collar for her training. The one thing we would like to solve is her whining. I would like to find out what we could do to eliminate it. When we corrected her in the past for whining she’ll stop for a few seconds, but then start right back up again. My first instinct is to continue to cor…

Keywords:
dogs, dog training, pets, animals

Article Body:
Dear Mr. Katz

We have a 15-16 month old German Shorthaired Pointer named Copper. She is pretty well obedience trained (if a dog can be that). We have used a pinch collar and an electronic collar for her training. The one thing we would like to solve is her whining. I would like to find out what we could do to eliminate it. When we corrected her in the past for whining she’ll stop for a few seconds, but then start right back up again. My first instinct is to continue to correct until she stops, but I wanted to get your opinion on the topic first.

Thank You,
Mark

Dear Mark,

This tends to be a genetically motivated behavior. That is, we see some breeds that do it more than others.

In any event, it’s unlikely that using a leash or e-collar correction will work for this behavior, or you’d have already seen results. (Note: It does work on some dogs if applied consistently).

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Recognize that it’s an anxiety-based behavior. The anxiety is usually the result of your dog not being able to contain her excitement for getting involved with the situation around her. For example, if the dog is made to hold a down-stay, but she sees another dog playing with a ball in the distance. This is when your dog will start whining.

2. PAY ATTENTION: Most owners will release their dog from the down-stay at this point, thus rewarding their dog for whining. Instead, wait until the dog is quiet for at least FIVE seconds before releasing the dog.

3. It is your job to convince the dog that: The longer she stays silent, the more likely it is that she will be rewarded with the ball/food/play/praise or whatever you’re using as a motivator.

4. Be sure to NEVER reward the whining. Even though it may be a hassle in the beginning.

5. Recognize that you may never completely eliminate whining, but you should be able to minimize it to the point where it is no longer an annoyance.

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

Word Count:
528

Summary:
Spend time at any pet store and the choice of dog foods to feed your dog is in abundance. How do you know which to choose and which is good for your dog? The answer to that is simply, you do not, let your dog choose. Although there are some basics that are recommended.

Keywords:
dog food

Article Body:

Spend time at any pet store and the choice of dog foods to feed your dog is in abundance. How do you know which to choose and which is good for your dog? The answer to that is simply, you do not, let your dog choose. Although there are some basics that are recommended.

If you have purchased your dog from a breeder, ask the breeder what they recommend to feed your new pet. A good breeder should be able to tell you what has worked best for their dogs. This is a good place to start. However, if you have adopted your new dog, then it will be up to you to figure out what is good for your dog and what is not. The dog will certainly help you in determining the right food for him.

Always read the labels on a dog food package. What you want to look at is the first ingredient. You do not want to see meat meal, this can be anything within the food including road kill. Chicken Meal or Lamb Meal is a good start. You also always want to see the word meal; whole meat without the Meal is mostly water. Most nutritionists prefer chicken based dog foods as they are easier to digest.

You may see corn or a type of corn product in the dog food. Corn is a protein source the dog food makers use to keep the price reasonable. Some dogs like corn and others do not. If you see your dog start itching, licking his feet, scooting his butt, or getting frequent ear infections, this could indicate a lack of tolerance for corn. Beware of wheat in a food. Wheat tends to be more of an irritant in dogs than corn is.

You need to inspect the label for the sentence “AAFCO feeding trials confirm that (dog food brand) is complete and balanced for adult dogs or all life stages”. This sentence alone will tell you that the dog food was fed to any number of dogs and was determined to meet the nutritional needs for all life stages of a dog.

When it comes to feeding your dog there are certain guidelines that should be followed depending on the age of your dog. For instance, puppies should be fed more regularly than adult dogs. Puppies should be fed as often as four times per day and with a quality dog food geared towards puppies specifically. Adult dogs should be fed twice a day.

In general, feed puppies and adult dogs separately so you can be sure the amount they are eating each time and to prevent fighting. Set a feeding schedule for your dog, but not one to where they become anxious if you happen to be late. It is a good idea to teach your dog to sit before placing the dog food in the bowl; this will prevent them from jumping to get the food.

Nutritionists suggest only allowing your dog 15 to 20 minutes to eat then removing and disposing of the remainder.

Word Count:
395

Summary:
Bird watching typically conjures up images of people pursuing a relaxing day of staring into the sky with binoculars. Ah, but then there is the competitive side of birding.

Keywords:
bird watching, birding, birder, bird watching competitions, big day, world series of bird watching

Article Body:
Bird watching typically conjures up images of people pursuing a relaxing day of staring into the sky with binoculars. Ah, but then there is the competitive side of birding.

Flying Emus?err, Elbows

For many people, something is only worth undertaking if there is an element of competitiveness. With bird watching, no such element really exists unless you include adding to your life list as a competition. Even if you do, it is a rather vague, indirect form of competition. This is where bird watching competitions come in.

Also known as “bird days” or “big days”, bird watching competitions are typically one or two day events held in a specific geographic area. The idea behind the competition is to bring a bunch of birding enthusiasts together and see who tally the most species in a particular time period.

Since the honor code is tied into reporting your tally, the competitive aspect of such competitions isn’t overdone. This isn’t a situation like bass fishing where they roll you into a stadium afterwards to count your sightings in front of screaming crowds. Then again, perhaps an opportunity presents itself?

Can you imagine ESPN covering the event?

“Bob, it looks like Longbill Louie is in fine form today. Look at the way he balances those binoculars and what rotation!”

Probably not, but a man has to dream!

Back in reality, participating in a bird watching competition is a good idea for two reason. First, the organizers tend to pick spots with lots of species you may not have documented before. Second, it is a tremendous opportunity to meet other people who have caught the itch. This often can lead to future opportunities to bird watch with new friends in previously unknown areas.

If you must compete, there are official bird watching competitions. The World Series of Bird Watching is put on by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Teams of birders are formed and pitted against each other in early May of each year. With humorous names such as the “four loons”, “stokes stompers” and so on, it is a good time. The next competition is May 13, 2006, so you have plenty of time to get in top birding form.

Birding competitions are a bit serious for me, but to each his own. Having a Big Day, however, is a great way to get kids interested in watching.

Word Count:
530

Summary:
The career of Seattle Slew, one of the most cheaply bought triple crown winners and the only one to win one while going undefeated in his career up to that point.

Keywords:
horses

Article Body:
In the short list of triple crown winners, this horse had to be one of the biggest bargains in racing history. We’re referring to the puzzle of a wonder, Seattle Slew.

The story of this horse is just another reminder of how weird the sport of horse racing can be and how unpredictable it can also be. All over the racing industry millionaires were spending small fortunes trying to breed the best horses they could in the hopes of coming away with a winner. While this mad spending was going on a few friends got together and spent $17,500 to buy Seattle Slew when he was just one year old. You wouldn’t think that kind of money would get you much of anything. But these friends saw their investment go on to become a triple crown winner and also go on to be one of the greatest horses in the 20th century.

Seattle Slew was the son of Bold Reasoning and My Charmer. The horse was brought along very slowly in his career by a young trainer named William H. Turner. He was the oldest horse in history to make his two year old maiden race which was on September 20, 1976 at Belmont Park. Out of twelve horses in the field, he went off as a 2.6 to 1 favorite. He took the lead quickly and won the race by five lengths.

Oddly, Seattle Slew started just two more races as a two year old. He won an allowance race on October 5 and then won the Champagne Stakes eleven days later by a whopping 9 and 3/4 lengths. After that race people were already talking about whether or not he would be the next triple crown winner in just 4 years since Secretariat in 1973.

Again, once Seattle Slew hit three years of age, his trainer took things slow with him, not starting him in his first race as a three year old until March 9, 1977. That race was in Hialeah where he won by nine lengths. On March 26 he then won again at the Flamingo Stakes by four lengths. Finally, he won the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 23 by 3 and 1/4 lengths.

By the time the Kentucky Derby came around on May 7, because of his past performances, Seattle Slew was the overwhelming favorite to win going off at 1 to 2. Ironically, the race was nearly a disaster for Slew when he swerved and was sharply taken by the jockey. He was allowed to take an early lead because of this but that resulted in him tiring down the stretch that became a 3 horse race. Slew did manage to hang on and win by 1 and 3/4 lengths.

At the Preakness, two weeks later, things were very similar to the Derby as Slew was involved in a real horse race but managed to hang on to win by 1 and 1/2 lengths. At this time people were starting to worry that he would fall short in the Belmont. But Slew didn’t disappoint. The Belmont was a completely different story and Slew went on to win by four lengths.

The victory made him not only the 10th triple crown winner but the first undefeated triple crown winner. Slew finally retired at the end of the 1978 season.