HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US!

Wishing you a joyous, loving holiday!
Click on the link to see our holiday wishes for you all!

Great, Unique Gift for the Redfisherman!

How about something definitely different and useful for that fisherman in your life, especially those who go for redfish. Leo Hiles, former charter Captain says,

"If you want to catch fish on the flats you have to re-tool how you think, how you setup, and how you locate the fish. This is the one sport where you do not need common sense, you need fish sense."

Leo Hiles the former Inshore Fishing Techniques Captain has compacted 50+ years of experience from the Mosquito Lagoon area to bring you the PROVEN techniques that produce fish.

Order your copy for only $15 plus $3 S/H
Order now don't wait!

To Order by check send check
for $18.00 (includes s&h) to:
Leo Hiles
4384 West Indian River Drive
Edgewater, FL 32141

Black Friday and Beyond

A Little Less 'Crazy' in My Friday This Year

Yes, I have been one of the crazy shoppers who stand in line at 4 a.m. to pick up a big ticket item at one of the sales the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday. I shopped online last year, got done in two hours and after two years ago, finding out that almost every single item I had purchased, I could have gotten without getting out into the cold morning and hanging out with the other crazy shoppers, I have a few hours for enjoying my garden or decorating my house for the holidays. Or just relaxing with my family. I will kind of miss the laughter and the camaraderie of most shoppers out there first thing in the a.m. but I will enjoy lingering around in bed until at least 8 a.m. and not going out until the sun warms things up a bit. (Click on the paragraph to be directly connected to the deals)

Here are just a few of the deals that can be had online between now and Black Friday and some even longer.

Woman Within – I shop here and am really happy with this online store. I think this store is either the old Lane Bryant brand or they are affiliated with Lane Bryant AND these deals are good through December 6. Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or More, plus 40% off your highest priced item with promo code WWGIFTS

The Scholastic Store Online is advertising their Black Friday / Cyber Monday Super Deals for the upcoming weekend! They promise tons of special discounts all through their site - all weekend long. AND you can take an extra 20% off plus free shipping on orders over $25 with code SSBF20 - This promo code can be applied to already discounted merchandise for huge savings of up to 75% off retail price.

For those snow sports lovers on your list, check out THE HOUSE – In business since 1982, long before most ski areas had opened the slopes to boarding. They are stocked with thousands of boards, boots, bindings and accessories. We guarantee safe delivery of your products with the absolute best guaranteed backup service you'll find anywhere in the industry.

Columbia Sportswear Company is making shopping for your loved ones super easy with their holiday gift guides, so stay warm during any adventure this winter by shopping at Columbia for the best outdoor gear to keep the fun going – For your free shipping (no minimum) here is your promo code: HOLIDAY2010!

Or for those of you looking to enter the go green movement, Clean Edison is offering 15% off your entire order for classes and materials. CE hase educated hundreds of companies and thousands of individuals in green building practices both through customized training and the largest open enrollment green training program in the nation. CleanEdison has courses in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BPI (Building Performance Institute) Certification, Energy Auditing, Solar, Wind and Renewable Energy. CleanEdison has also developed numerous customized training programs specific to a business or organization's needs. Use the coupon code: FallDiscount2010

Don't really know what you are looking for? Check out all of our local and national business, please visit uscity.net, click on any state and start searching. Happy Shopping!

Gospel Musician Breakthrough

Learn how to play gospel (or any other genre) music in weeks ... not years or even months! I just got word about the most anticipated event of 2010 for gospel musicians... and after visiting the page, I'm pretty excited about what I've seen so far. HearAndPlay is the number one

It's called Musician Breakthrough and my friends over at HearAndPlay are the ones behind it. To my knowledge, it's the first of its kind for the gospel musician community.

They are featuring 7 world-class, professional "West Coast" musicians in a pretty unique format.

Each musician is covering what they call the "5 Dimensions of the Church Service."

-Praise
-Worship
-Shouting
-Transitional
-Traditional

If you do the math, that's 35 segments... and I'm told over 16 hours in total.

If you rush over to the page, you'll find video clips of each musician playing one of these styles. There are examples from all 5 categories. If nothing else, watch them and be prepared to be blown away.

Also, by voting and commenting on their page, you can win an Apple iPad and other cool stuff worth hundreds of dollars.

Head over to the page by clicking anywhere on this post. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky prize winners!

I hope that everyone reading this will take a few moments to reflect, remembering those who served our country well.

President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

There aren't enough words to express our gratitude to all who have served, are serving or will serve this great country. Because of you, we are free. Because of you, we can enjoy our way of life. Because of you, we do not live in daily fear for our lives. We keep you all in our prayers and we also honor the families left behind that have to play dual roles of mother/fathers, sometimes forever. It is not an easy life the military and their families live and we appreciate you all. God bless our military AND their families.

May we never forget what our country has asked of them and what they have given in return. I hope that everyone will care enough to give them the respect and honor they are due. And that everyone on earth will strengthen their resolve to build a world where there will be no veterans because there are no wars.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

We here at uscity.net wish all of you a very Happy Halloween. This year Halloween falls on a weekend, which means more traffic and more adult parties, so drivers, be on the lookout for kids darting in and out of the streets and parents, please keep an eye on your children, especially the middle and high schoolers who often stay out later.

Here are some other tips for making tonight a treat for all of us:

If you are driving:
1. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
2. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
4. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
5. Remember to have a designated driver if you will be drinking.

If you are a parent or guardian:
1. Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
2. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
3. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
4. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a anyone’s home.
5. Establish a return time.
6. Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
7. Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
8. Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

The Costume:
1. Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
2. Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
3. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
4. Since masks can limit or completely remove vision, most safety experts agree that face paint is safer than masks.
5. When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application. Remember that some children may be allergic to ingredients in face paint - "non-toxic" does not mean it is safe for skin or FDA approved. Also, washable refers to fabric, not skin.
6. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
7. Accessories Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
8. Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
9. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.


What the kids should know:
1. Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
2. Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
3. Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
4. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

Before and After:
1. Give children an early meal before going out.
2. Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
3. Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.
4. When in doubt, throw it out.

HAVE FUN!

Life's an Adventure -- Wear It!

Wintergreen Northern Wear
Wintergreen Northern Wear handcrafts the finest outdoor clothing. The outdoors is their way of life. They live, design, sew and sell our gear in Minnesota's Canadian border wilderness.

We are delighted to welcome our new member from Ely, Minnesota - Wintergreen Northern Wear. Made in the USA (in Minnesota to be exact) tested in the coldest climates on earth, WNW handcrafts the finest in outdoor clothing. The outdoors in their way of life.

A little history...
Susan Schurke developed her design talents by crafting Eskimo-style apparel from new synthetic fabrics, to be used on numerous expeditions which then became known as Wintergreen Northern Wear. In the late 70s and early 80s, Paul Shurkey and Greg Laid founded Wilderness Inquiry, a non-profit endeavor group, providing Boundary Waters canoe trips for disabled persons and Paul along with his wife, Susan teamed up with Will Steger to help run the Lynx Track Winter School, teaching dog sledding and wilderness skills to college and community groups. In 1986, Paul and Will, along with Ann Brancof and their team dogsled to the North Pole in the the first confirmed trek to the top of the world without resupply. Wintergreen clothing became a success, keeping the explorers warm throughout the 1,000-mile, 2-month journey, even as temperatures dipped to -70 degrees!

In 1990, Paul Schurke and Russian colleague Dmitry Shparo lead the Bering Bridge Expedition from Siberia to Alaska to help reconnect arctic cultures long separated by the Cold War. The US-Soviet border in the Bering Strait firmly closed and known as the "Ice Curtain" for most of this century is reopened. Presidents Bush and Gorbachev congratulate the Bering Bridge team for its role in the process. In 1997 Paul led a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences to the North Pole. Two years later he headed that
way again with a team that includes Admiral Robert Peary's great grandsons.

The Wintergreen Northern Wear company was formed in 1985 and they grew to include manufacturing facilities, a retail store and catalog, on Ely’s main street.

Wintergreen has been featured on the Today Show, Dateline and in Outside magazine. In 2005, Wintergreen opened it's second store in Duluth.

Wintergreen Northern Wear continues their efforts for ‘being Green’ and commits to mailing only one catalog per year.

In 2009, Wintergreen Northern Wear rolled out Group Sales division, offering a variety of clothing options for organizations and teams, along with a new website, which allowed connectivity into on-line communities.

Wintergreen has since introduced New Kids line of clothes and Wool Vest for Men and V-Neck Windshirts for Golfing. New owners, Curt and Becky Stacey, say their goal is to maintain Wintergreen’s integral role in the community while growing the business. And production will stay right were it is.

Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge is now a business entity separate from the Staceys’ Wintergreen Northern Wear, but the store and lodge will continue to be associated through cooperative marketing efforts. Wintergreen Northern Wear currently has about two dozen employees and independent contractors.

Now:
Wintergreen Northern Wear opened a new store, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Stone Harbor will be the exclusive reseller of Wintergreen Northern Wear clothing in Northeastern Minnesota.

In short, these people know what works. They test it, they use it. They live, design, sew and sell their gear in Minnesota's northern border wilderness.

Wintergreen Northern Wear continues to proudly make clothing in Ely, Minnesota, making it among a few remaining clothing manufacturers in America.

As for me, my hands get cold easily and I am going online to buy some gloves right now!

Indianapolis Bead & Jewelry Store

Judy & Edward Champa purchased a bead store earlier tihs year and in March of 2010 opened for business as Heirloom Classics - Jewelry and Beads. This cute little store sells beads,bead related products and finished jewelry - necklaces, bracelets and earrings and they are all handcrafted and one of a kind. Judy is the featured artist and you can be assured that whichver items you purchase, they will be unique. Classes are also offered and all are granted a warm welcome. The new business is located in the historic Fountain Square area just south of downtown Indianapolis.

545 People

I got this forwarded to me for the umpteenth time the other day from someone I admire and although I had received it before, I really read it this time. Of course that was after I went to Snopes.com, Googled it and checked Wikipedia to make sure it was legit and it was… sort of. It seems that people have added some of their own editing, but as far as I can find out, below is the author’s 1995 updated version.

Charley Reese was a syndicated columnist and wrote this while working in Florida for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and according to Snopes.com, he wrote this originally in 1985 and updated it throughout the years. It’s amazing how on point it still is. Will we ever learn??

All my fellow citizens should read it now and re-read it in November before we cast our ballots.

It's called The 545 People Responsible for All of America's Woes, and I hope you like it too.

Charley Reese was a syndicated columnist and wrote this while working in Florida for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and according to Snopes.com, he wrote this originally in 1985 and updated it throughout the years. It’s amazing how on point it still is. Will we ever learn??

All my fellow citizens should read it now and re-read it in November before we cast our ballots.

It's called The 545 People Responsible for All of America's Woes, and I hope you like it too.

The 545 People Responsible For All Of America's Woes
By Charley Reese

Politicians, as I have often said, are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Everything on the Republican contract is a problem created by Congress. Too much bureaucracy? Blame Congress. Too many rules?

Blame Congress. Unjust tax laws? Congress wrote them.

Out-of-control bureaucracy? Congress authorizes everything bureaucracies do. Americans dying in Third World rat holes on stupid U.N. missions? Congress allows it. The annual deficits?

Congress votes for them. The $4 trillion plus debt? Congress created it.

To put it into perspective just remember that 100 percent of the power of the federal government comes from the U.S. Constitution. If it's not in the Constitution, it's not authorized.

Then read your Constitution. All 100 percent of the power of the federal government is invested solely in 545 individual human beings. That's all. Of 260 million Americans, only 545 of them wield 100 percent of the power of the federal government.

That's 435 members of the U.S. House, 100 senators, one president and nine Supreme Court justices. Anything involving government that is wrong is 100 percent their fault.

I exclude the vice president because constitutionally he has no power except to preside over the Senate and to vote only in the case of a tie. I exclude the Federal Reserve because Congress created it and all its power is power Congress delegated to it and could withdraw anytime it chooses to do so. In fact, all the power exercised by the 3 million or so other federal employees is power delegated from the 545.

All bureaucracies are created by Congress or by executive order of the president. All are financed and staffed by Congress. All enforce laws passed by Congress. All operate under procedures authorized by Congress. That's why all complaints and protests should be properly directed at Congress, not at the individual agencies.

You don't like the IRS? Go see Congress. You think the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agency is running amok? Go see Congress.

Congress is the originator of all government problems and is also the only remedy available. That's why, of course, politicians go to such extraordinary lengths and employ world-class sophistry to make you think they are not responsible. Anytime a congressman pretends to be outraged by something a federal bureaucrat does, he is in fact engaging in one big massive con job. No federal employee can act at all except to enforce laws passed by Congress and to employ procedures authorized by Congress either explicitly or implicitly.

Partisans on both sides like to blame presidents for deficits, but all deficits are congressional deficits. The president may, by custom, recommend a budget, but it carries no legal weight. Only Congress is authorized by the Constitution to authorize and appropriate and to levy taxes. That's what the federal budget consists of: expenditures authorized, funds appropriated and taxes levied.

Both Democrats and Republicans mislead the public. For 40 years Democrats had majorities and could have at any time balanced the budget if they had chosen to do so. Republicans now have majorities and could, if they choose, pass a balanced budget this year. Every president, Democrat or Republican, could have vetoed appropriations bills that did not make up a balanced budget. Every president could have recommended a balanced budget. None has done either.

We have annual deficits and a huge federal debt because that's what majorities in Congress and presidents in the White House wanted. We have troops in various Third World rat holes because Congress and the president want them there.

Don't be conned. Don't let them escape responsibility. We simply have to sort through 260 million people until we find 545 who will act responsibly.

Hot September Events

Hot concerts for September include Lady Gaga, Roger Waters, Justin Bieber, George Strait, Harry Connick Jr., the Jonas Brothers, Nickelback, Rascal Flatts and Rush. Eminem and Jay-Z will play together on the same bill in concerts at Yankee Stadium and Comerica Park.

The NFL kicks off the 2010-11 regular season September 9th with a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game featuring the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints taking on the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome. The New York Giants play the first official regular season game at the New Meadowlands Stadium September 12th versus the Carolina Panthers. The New York Jets host the Baltimore Ravens at the new stadium on September 13th.

The United States Open Championship of Tennis runs until September 12th with the Men's Singles Final. UFC 119 takes place for the first time in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Wicked is playing Boston, Madison(WI), Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco. The Jersey Boys are playing Austin, Philadelphia, San Antonio and New York.

So Sorry!

We apologize if you are having a problem getting onto our site today. Please be patient and try back a little later if you cannot access our uscity.net website. We are having intermittent crashes due to hardware issues and working our tushies off to fix it!

We do appreciate our directory users and will do our best to remedy this as fast as possible.

Thank You
The Entire USCITY.NET Team

Driving Miss Daisy

On October 7, previews start for one of thenewest plays on Broadway, Driving Miss Daisy. The play, upon which the 1989 movie was based, is one of the most anticipated shows this season. The plot of the show centers on Mrs. Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old widow living in Atlanta, GA, who totals her car and has to find a chauffeur for insurance reasons. Her son hires a man named Hoke Colburn to drive her, but at first Daisy refuses to let him drive her anywhere, instead walking anywhere she needs to go. As the story develops, the relationship between the two grows as well. Daisy begins to realize that Hoke's race affects the way people treat him and the opportunities available to him. This production of the Alfred Uhry play stars James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave.

Choosing Between tubal reversal and IVF

One of my sister’s co-workers who was in her early 40s actually had this procedure (IFV) done and the result was a now 3-year old bouncing baby boy – it was really a dream come true for her and her husband and I wanted to share this article written by one of the Doctors in the clinic with our readers. We are proud to partner with the clinic and hopefully make more dreams come true.

By: H. Randall Craig M.D.
Tubal sterilization is the most common means of birth control used in the US. This permanent form of contraception will not allow you to subsequently attempt pregnancy unless you undergo another surgical procedure (tubal ligation reversal or microsurgical reanastomosis) or have an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.

The success of tubal ligation surgery is dependent upon the amount of fallopian tube remaining after the sterilization, and whether the surgery involved the use of cautery or burning the fallopian tube. Other factors include the quality of the male partner’s sperm, female age,, and egg quality and quantity. If the male partner has poor sperm quality (low sperm count or motility), chances for pregnancy are reduced. However, IVF with ICSI can overcome this problem. Pelvic conditions such as endometriosis or any scar tissue in the area of the tubes or ovaries would also reduce the chances for success after tubal reversal surgery. However, IVF pregnancy rates are generally not affected by these conditions, so IVF is a better option in women with significant endometriosis or pelvic scar tissue.

Because the quality and quantity of eggs decline in some women at a relatively young age, testing the "ovarian reserve" is recommended before proceeding with either tubal reversal or IVF. Maternal age is the most influential factor and a major consideration in the decision process. Fertility steadily declines each year after age 34, and dramatically declines after age 38. IVF significantly improves pregnancy rates in older women.

When considering pregnancy after tubal ligation, the majority of women choose IVF over tubal reversal surgery. However, each patient is unique and an informed decision should be made only after a comprehensive physician consultation and thorough review of your medical history.


Thank you to one of our newest members, Fertility Treatment Centerof Arizona for the article above.

August Events LIVE!

August live events feature something for everyone. Concert tours in August include Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Rush, Michael Buble, Phish, Rascal Flatts, Aerosmith, Dave Mathews Band, Kiss and the Black Crowes. For tween fans Justin Bieber, American Idols Live and Jonas Brothers are set to tour this month.

Sports
The Red Sox and Yankees play a four game series at Yankee Stadium August 6-9. The UFC has live events planned for Boston, Oakland and San Diego. The first round of the US Open of Tennis begins at the end of this month.

Theatre
Theatrical musicals this month include Wicked on Broadway and in Columbus, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and San Francisco. The Jersey Boys play Broadway, Austin, Las Vegas and Louisville. For other theatre and Broadway ticket offerings, click here.

Lollapalooza and Other Festivals - Conceived and created in 1991 by Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for his band, Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring heavy metal, alternative rock, hip hop, and punk rock bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. Lollapalooza ran annually until 1997, and was revived in 2003. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. Lollapalooza has featured a diverse range of bands and has helped expose and popularize alternative rock groups. This year’s headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day and a re-formed Soundgarden.

Other festivals in August are the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, OZZfest, Mile High Music Festival and the New England Country Music Fest.

Have A Happy & Safe 4th of July Weekend

All of us here at uscity.net wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Maybe today would be a good day to read the Declaration of Independence (The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America) - just click on this sentence!

About the Declaration of Independence

In the summer of 1776, the colonists' building desire for independence from England became an echoing call to action. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was then edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson took their edits and incorporated them into what would become the version finally adopted. A call was made and on July 4, 1776 the 2nd Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and soon the document was engrossed on parchment and 56 representatives from 13 colonies signed it.

Should we be celebrating July 2 or July 4 or August 2?

July 2, 1776 is the day that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn't actually signed until August 2. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document, although all were not present on that day in August.

Remember to be safe...

As we celebrate the USA's Independence, please remember to be safe while driving and especially as we celebrate with fireworks. Here are a few tips to make us safe while using fireworks~

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light one item at a time then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

WISHING A HAPPY, HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL OF YOU FROM USCITY.NET

Happy Father's Day To All

Our thanks to Bobbie Peachey for the clip art

Cruising with my Nieces

In our family, when one of my nieces or nephews graduates from elementary school, they get a fun weekend with Aunt Pam – this past June, I took two of my nieces on a cruise to the Bahamas.

I found a great deal – paid a little less than $800 for the three of us. It was so cool to see cruising through their eyes – it was the first cruise for both of them and we went on the Carnival Sensation. I chose this cruise not only for price but also for the slides.

The kids were in awe just walking into the Port and going through customs. When they saw the size of the ship, they started jumping up and down and could not wait to get on. We boarded early and had a great buffet lunch and walked all around the ship.

When they spotted the pool that was open they begged to get in – we had no bathing suits, but I told them to go ahead and go in their shorts. The slides (see photo) were one of the best parts of this Carnival cruise.

I had warned them ahead of time about the size of the cabins and one of them was a little worried that she might get “claustrophobia” – we were very pleasantly surprised at the roominess. We had two bunk beds and a single with a huge window.

The best part of the cruise was just being with each other. We had late night talks and early morning walks. I am glad I didn't have them in the Kids Club that is offered, because we spent lots of quality time together. We played ping pong and danced and listened to music together, they even played a round of miniature golf. Other highlights of the cruise were the slide of course, our snorkeling trip and swimming off of a beautiful beach in the Bahamas.

Thanks to uscity.net, where I found the best deal on a cruise using some of the links on this page (click here).



Heading out to snorkel the reef

Dancing with the waiters
At the beach
Having Fun

Remembering On Memorial Day

Today, we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and remember wars past. As we enjoy our friends and families, let us not forget how much has been given so that we can enjoy this day and every day in freedom.. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support. Please take at least a few moments today to remember all of those who have given their lives for us.

Opportunity for Change

What do you do when you the economy has taken away your means of living and you are a single parent with a little girl to take care of? Well, as one of uscity.net’s newest members Lisa (owner of Hug Bug Children's Boutique in Maryland), says: You can – Number One: Sit there and cry because bad things happened to you OR Number Two: Fix it and move on!

Lisa decided to take the latter option and move on with her life. Lisa says:

“As an only parent, I wanted my little girl to see that sometimes what seems like a bad situation is actually an opportunity for change! So I filed for unemployment benefits and for my business license right behind it! After that I started just walking up to women with children and giving them my phone number and telling them my plan for a consignment/resale store for children.”

With the economy reeling, her idea took off. Within a month she was in her own store, which is run by her and her three year old daughter. Hug Bug Children’s Boutique sells name brand children's and maternity apparel, toys, furniture and anything else that applies. On the shelves and racks are tutus, pillow case dresses, bows, organize zebra baking kits, Tatari jewelry, musical instruments and more. The shop is now carrying new, as well as gently used items. At this great new shop that was built with the spirit of a pioneer - breaking new ground and not giving up - there are special discounts given on top of the already discounted prices, like 10% off every day for military families. Grandparents Day at Hug Bug is every first and third Tuesday of the month, and all grandparents get 10% off.

The store is very bright and colorful and also includes a play area!

Please visit Lisa and her daughter whenever you get a chance. The store is located at 6501 Crain Highway in Laplata, Maryland. Or you can call Hug Bug Children’s Boutique at 240-776-4655 to find out what they have in the store or what specials they are running.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all Mothers and those who have been like a Mother to someone, USCITY.NET wishes you a very Happy Mother's Day!

May is Deck Safety Month

Thanks to our Virginia member, Casa Decks, for this helpful info and links to get our decks in shape for summer:

May is National Deck Safety Month as sponsored by NADRA (North American Deck and Railing Association). The concept is to promote awareness of deck safety and to provide consumer information in order to assist in inspecting their deck prior to the outdoor entertaining season. It is important to take the time to inspect and review due to potential aging of the structures and deterioration over time.

More information about Deck Safety Month, a ten point Consumer Safety Checklist and a Deck Evaluation Checklist are available for download at www.nadra.org. Make your summer season safe by participating in NADRA’s "Check Your Deck" program.

As my cousin would say: Blessed Calan Mai (roughly transalted: Blessings on the beginning of summer)

Rollin' On The River

This is one of the coolest most ingenious things I have seen in a long time! Fun in the sun - fun on the water! Since I love boating, swimming - anything water related, I am loving this new invention. Imagine cruising your favorite lake or river on a jumbo party barge with double the deck space of the biggest pontoon boats. Bring your family, bring your friends, you can even bring the band! You can put a camper on it and turn it into a houseboat!

Rolling Barges are giant party barges, 17' wide and up to 32' long on the water, that fold up in the launch ramp parking lot to only 8.5' wide. They require no special permits to tow on the highway. In addition, Rolling Barge builds Rolling Floating Docks that can be trailered down the highway and launched directly into the water. If you live on or are renting a house on the water, you can bring your own dock.

The party barge folds up onto its own wheels to trailer wherever you want to go. After you are done with your fun on the water, you just fold it up and tow it home. Check out the videos on RollingBarge.com to see how it works. If you live in Oregon, you are in luck; you can rent a Rolling Barge at Lake Billy Chinook. Or you can purchase your very own. If you like being out on the water, this site is a must-see!

For more information about Rolling Barge, please send an e-mail to info@rollingbarge.com.

A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

GREEN PEST CONTROL

When I think back to my childhood and how we treated roaches in our home, I shudder. My mother would not just spray the insecticide; she would drown any roach or spider she saw in it. We had sprays for ants and roaches, a spray for wasps and hornets and poison for rats (which were actually field mice) that she would use.

Back then no one had any idea of what kind of harm we were doing to the environment. We were poisoning not only the pests we were trying to control but also the birds that ate the pests and, we were most likely poisoning ourselves. We did not know about the awful effects to not only the animals, but to humans and the environment as well.

Thankfully, now more and more pest control companies are going green. USCITY.NET member Alpha Ecological is one of those businesses. Alpha Ecological stresses prevention with client education and regular inspections. They will eliminate conditions that attract pests into your home and this is the most natural way to keep your home pest free.

If your home or business is infected, a tailor made pest removal plan will be implemented. Some pest control businesses will come in monthly and spray all over the place while paying little or no attention to whether or not there are pests or pest-conducive conditions there. At my grandmother’s house, I can remember every month the pest control man came, sprayed the entire perimeter of the house, came in and sprayed inside the kitchen cabinets, all around the floor boards and in the closets. Just think of how much pesticide was used in that one house.

If bugs have invaded your home or business, Alpha Ecological will put together a safe, effective and ecologically sound plan for you, by first blocking entrances and eliminating bug-friendly practices and if needed, using a range of natural, botanical and mineral based products as well as synthetic biodegradable products that target specific pests and will use only what’s needed – a direct contrast to my grandmother’s pest control management plan.

So let’s all be pro-active on the pest control front and if you find yourself in need of professional services, please make sure that you are using a company that integrates the greener technologies. Help keep your family safe and help the planet!

Many thanks to Alpha Ecological for allowing us to post these Pest Prevention Tips from their website:

• Keep food sealed tight and stored correctly. Only feed pets as much as they can eat in one sitting. Do not let pet food sit overnight and only feed them indoors when possible.
• Routinely remove garbage and compost from the kitchen. Ensure your garbage and compost areas are secured.
• Remove/correct any sources of moisture issues such a leaky roof or plumbing, clogged gutters, poor crawlspace drainage, etc.
• If you have a hot tub, set it up as far from the home as possible. While they’re great for us, they are also an ideal harborage place for carpenter ants, termites, rodents and more, as heat and moisture are an attractive combination for many pests.
• Water lawns and gardens as minimally as possible. Or be hip and join the brown lawn brigade! (Tip if you insist on having green grass: Put an empty tuna can out with the sprinkler. When it is half-filled with water, you’re done!).
• Have air ducts cleaned and maintained regularly. Ensure there are no leaks in the duct work.
• Have your crawlspace and attic inspected every six months by a pest control technician for signs of moisture, open entry points, and possible pest activity. Invest in a crawlspace and/or attic restoration to protect your home's health and help prevent pest issues.
• Remove wood that is not necessary outside the structure (ie, boards, railroad ties and logs which are being stored or used for decoration).
• Keep firewood as far from the structure as possible. Stack it off the ground and do not allow it to lean against other structures.
• Trim shrubbery and other foliage so it is at least 6-8 inches from homes/garages/sheds

Click here for some common conducive conditions for pests.

Click here for pest identifying some common household pests.

New Member Increases Business by 25%

Aircare Lifeflight Systems, one of our new members, has seen an increase of 25% in his business since listing his site on the uscity.net internet business directory. ALS is an air ambulance company that flies patients worldwide. To read more about this story, please click here.

The company has been involved in the numerous air ambulance flights of patients worldwide in a variety of emergencies and relief efforts. We are always happy to hear of our members' successes and welcome them to our directory.

If you would like to sign up for a membership in uscity.net, just click anywhere on this sentence.