Microsoft Heralds a New Age of Gaming With ‘Age of Empires Online’

New franchise installment joins exciting PC lineup of LIVE-enabled titles from Microsoft Game Studios.

Cologne, Germany — On the eve of gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. unveiled the newest addition to the famed “Age of Empires” franchise, “Age of Empires Online.” Microsoft also announced the development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new entry inspired by the best-selling “Microsoft Flight Simulator” franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced “Fable III,” fully integrate the free* Games for Windows – LIVE online service to deliver compelling socially connected gameplay experiences. [Read more]

Annual Hummingbird Festival Returns to LBL’s Woodlands Nature Station

Golden Pond, KY – Come out to Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area and witness the migration of the Ruby-throated hummingbird during the annual Hummingbird Festival Saturday & Sunday, August 7th & 8th, at Woodlands Nature Station (NS).

“Hummingbird migration in this area is at its peak in August,” said NS Interpreter Aviva Yasgur. “A large number of hummingbirds stop here on their journey south to Mexico and Central America. During this time, you can see up to 200 hummingbirds in a single day. The festival is an opportunity to be a part of this awesome event.”

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The Surprising Saga of Sporting Suspenders

At some point in the life of some older men, a shift occurs. The former rounded derriere becomes flattened and the formerly flat abdomen becomes a rounded tummy. This can occur because of lessened activity due to illness of some variety, a hernia that can happen to the central muscles of a man’s chest, or simply the advent of becoming a “couch potato” for a number of years. It can even happen when someone has indulged in too many trips to the beer keg or drinks cabinet. (Or, as someone has put it, he might have traded one “six pack” set of muscles for too many others in cans or bottles!)

The result of this shift to “no hips” and “more tummy than one wishes” may necessitate moving from the use of a belt to hold up one’s pants to the purchase of suspenders.
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Making Pools Safer

What could possibly go wrong? That is a question which doesn’t get asked often enough.

In June of 2002, it was discovered that the suction drain of a hot tub was strong enough to hold a child underwater. Seven-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker lost her life because a spa manufacturer did not ask the question: what could go wrong? The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was signed into law in December of 2007.

If it feels like five years was too long to wait for a regulation that makes spas and pools less able to hold children underwater – I agree. The Act calls for safety interlocks and anti-entrapment screens ─ all the things you think would be common sense, but apparently weren’t. Implementation of the law is still being worked out.

But here is the thing – the pool in the backyard is yours. You can assume that designers and manufacturers (and government regulators) thought of everything, or you can start asking your own questions. [Read more]

If, in a Moment of Insanity, I Should Dye

Two people in this lifetime you should never keep waiting are your attorney and your hairdresser. Without a doubt, you never ever want to get your hairdresser mad at you. (Think hair cut from the Underworld or hair style like a rock star!)

If you are–like me–totally incompetent at styling your own hair, you realize that your hairdresser is your best friend. (Hopefully, you rarely need the services of your lawyer except to draw up your will and assist with the purchase of your house so we’ll now proceed to the important area of your hair color!)

At any rate, in the olden days when I was delusional to the point that I believed I could dye my own hair, I actually tried it on several occasions. Born with mousey brown hair, I have had my hair frosted, auburn, blonde and once, mistakenly black! [Read more]

American Woman makes History with ‘Adventure Grand Slam’

Alison Levine – Adventurer, Explorer, Entrepreneur and West Point Adjunct Professor – Summits Everest and En Route Achieves One of Climbing’s Most Coveted Accomplishments

San Francisco, CA — Renowned adventurer Alison Levine made history by becoming one of the few Americans to complete the Adventure Grand Slam — climbing the highest peak on each continent (Denali, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif, Carstensz Pyramid, Everest) and skiing to both the North and South Poles.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Alison was born with a life-threatening heart defect that prohibited her from even climbing stairs, but after successful heart surgery she started climbing mountains and hasn’t slowed down since.

[Read more]

Top 10 Garden Pests

Frederick, MD — American gardeners face frustrating problems with their edible or ornamental gardens. These problems are caused by many different pests. Here are MasterGardening.com’s Top 10 garden pests and control tips:

1. Deer. These peaceful animals were tabbed as causing the most widespread damage in a USDA national survey. Clean up all unharvested fruits and vegetables. If you still see signs of deer damage — torn leaves or bark scraped off trees — you can try deer repellants, scaring devices or fencing. [Read more]

Land Between the Lakes Quota Deer Hunt Application deadline July 31st

Golden Pond, KY — Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area reminds hunters that July 31st, the deadline for applications for 2010 quota deer hunts, is rapidly approaching.

To submit a hunt application, go online to www.lbl.org and apply before July 31st, 2010. You can revisit the LBL website in late August and use your login information and password to see if you were drawn and print your permit and maps. If you are not drawn, your updated preference point information will be displayed.

Deer harvested on LBL are bonus deer and do not count toward statewide bag limits. All quota hunt permits will be either-sex permits. Also, there is an LBL-wide one (1) antlered buck limit. [Read more]

Fourth of July tops charts as most popular outdoor cooking holiday

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Offers Tips to Get Grilling for All-American Independence Day Celebration

Arlington, VA — Fired up for the Fourth; Americans agree Independence Day is the number one holiday for barbecues and outdoor cooking. In fact, 80 percent of adults say they plan to host or attend a cookout this Fourth of July, according to results from a new 2010 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) national grilling poll.

“The backyard cookout is an all-American pastime and a time-honored tradition that brings family and friends together in patriotic celebration,” said Leslie Wheeler, HPBA Communications Director. “The majority of Americans turn to outdoor cooking on the Fourth of July and throughout the warmer months because it provides a fun, easy and affordable way to create delicious meals while spending time together outdoors.”

[Read more]

Four simple rules for a successful kitchen remodel

August issue features advice for planning a stylish & functional kitchen remodel for less; Ratings of large and small kitchen essentials

Yonkers, NY — It’s a great time to remodel a kitchen – there are plum deals on almost everything from countertops to cooktops; contractors are eager for work and willing to negotiate. The August issue of Consumer Reports features a comprehensive kitchen remodeling package, including four simple rules to follow, that can help consumers plan their project and choose stylish and affordable products that can boost efficiency and function. The report includes the Ratings of ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, flooring, countertops and appliance stores. For kitchen spruce-ups, Consumer Reports lists its top picks for small appliances. [Read more]

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