Welcome to Champaign County

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

It is our intention to make the beauty and resources of Champaign County, Illinois accessible to visitors and residents alike. We invite you to experience the many cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities that we offer. We are proud to provide this web site to introduce our great area businesses and attractions, and are confident that you will find it interesting and easy to use.

Whether you come for business or pleasure, the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s professional staff is available to provide guidance and assistance to ensure you feel welcome. When planning a meeting or convention, consider Champaign County. The Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau will be happy to assist you.

We hope you enjoy our community as much as we do, and that you will make Champaign County a regular stop on your future travels.

Urbana, Illinois

Urbana, Illinois

Whether you’re here on a weekend getaway, business convention, or just visiting, Champaign County has plenty of things to do and see. Relax and get back to nature by exploring the Anita Purves Nature Center. Nature lovers will also enjoy the beautiful and diverse prairie flora at The Arboretum and the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden. Sports fans will want to visit The Olympic Tribute, a monument honoring the achievements of Olympic athletes from our county. And for a different sport visit the Homer 500, the areas first drag strip for snowmobiles and ATV’s. And don’t forget the kids. You can pick apples and pumpkins at Curtis Orchard, feed the barnyard animals at Prairie Farm, try your luck with the 7-acre Cornfusion maze at Hardy’s Evergreen Acres and Reindeer Ranch, or learn about the stars and planets at The William M. Staerkel Planetarium, the 2nd largest in Illinois. Attend a flea market or other show at Gordyville or expand your international knowledge at the Japan House. Swim some laps at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center or take a leisurely stroll through the Wandell Sculpture Garden.

Posted in Community, United States

Choosing Dinnerware for Your Home

Posted on April 6, 2013 by admin| Comments Off
vietri nj

It doesn’t matter if you are the type to regularly throw dinner parties or the occasionally party-thrower who prefers practical dinnerware; choosing the right dinnerware is important so that you don’t get into a rut when you need them. There are many kinds of dinnerware you can choose from, and the type you choose is dependent on what you need for your lifestyle.

If you are a very social person who often has guests over for meals, then buying good-quality dinnerware with high aesthetic value is definitely recommended. The beauty of these kinds of dinnerware will attract the attention of your guests, and at the same time present the meal in a visually-pleasing way. You can even buy different types of specialty dinnerware for different occasions; the Italian Vietri brand is an example of a brand that carries dinnerware in various patterns for different occasions. The products in the Vietri line are all handcrafted to exquisite beauty, so they are worth every penny paid. You can search for a local distributor using Google search. For example, if you live in the NJ area, you can try a search term like”vietri nj“. Even if you very rarely hold dinner parties or lunch gatherings, it’s worth it to invest in a set or two of high-quality dinnerware.

For regular use at home, practicality is probably the highest priority when compared to aesthetic. You should look for dinnerware that is easy to clean, and if you use a dishwasher, then the chosen dinnerware should be dishwasher-friendly as well. Also, if you have young children, choosing dinnerware made of glass or china probably isn’t a good idea. Instead, aim for dinnerware made of metal or plastic so that even if a plate or glass gets dropped onto the floor, it will survive the fall. 

When shopping for dinnerware, besides considering the type you should buy, you should also consider your budget. There are dinnerware options available for any budget; however, if you want to buy specialty dinnerware, then you should have a bigger budget. Also, you should decide on the size of the dinnerware set that you need. For those who often have large groups of company, a very big set or several smaller sets may be necessary. Also, check with the manufacturer or retailer whether they can sell you replacement pieces, in case any of the pieces in the dinnerware set go missing or get broken. Avoid buying a particular set if getting replacements is difficult, especially if you are investing in expensive dinnerware. 

Posted in Cooking, Food & Drink, General

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The History of Locket Necklaces

Posted on September 18, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

If you asked me what my favourite fashion accessory was, I wouldn’t have to think twice. I’d pick the humble locket necklace. They’re not only a trendy, stylish accessory, but also boast a rich and fascinating history. Did you know that lockets have been around for centuries?



In their earliest incarnation, lockets were conceived as a way to keep precious keepsakes as safe as possible by concealing them on one’s person. Items commonly concealed in lockets included good luck charms, precious stones and important documents. Another important early function of lockets was to contain mementos of deceased loved ones. Lockets used for this purpose usually contained  macabre items such as the hair and ashes of the deceased. Till today, some people continue to associate lockets with the occult.



Surprising though it may seem, lockets were not manufactured for purely decorative purposes until fairly recently. The Victorians may be credited with the mass production of lockets which began around the start of the 20th century. They benefited from the vast improvements in industrial technology which allowed them to efficiently produce large amounts of locket necklaces, lavishly decorated with colored stones, seed pearls and intricate carvings. More expensive lockets, however, were still manufactured by hand in the workshops of master jewelers and were decorated with diamonds and other precious stones. Heart shaped lockets were the most commonly seen, probably because they were so popular among young lovers. As cameras became more affordable and photography became more accessible to the masses, photo lockets also became increasingly popular.



Wasn’t that fascinating? Throughout their long history, lockets have maintained their position as the most sentimental and meaningful fashion accessories around. If you want to pick up one for yourself, take a look at Heartsmith Lockets. It’s the store I frequent myself and I’ve yet to be disappointed.

Posted in Jewelry, Shopping

Why I Purchased My Water Softener

Posted on August 31, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

Hard water is not a good thing to have to deal with in your home. It can ruin your plumbing, clothing, fixtures, and make getting clean or just cleaning in general difficult. When I had hard water it did all of these things and also tasted and smelled just plain bad. When we moved into our new home we thought there was something wrong with our well. We spent so much money in that first year just purchasing case after case of bottled water. We went through nearly one case per day. This was all before we called a plumber for advice and they told us to get a Kinetico water softener.

I called around to several dealers to find the best price for a water softener. I quickly had a company come out and give me an estimate. They were prompt, courteous, and very informative. I ultimately went with purchasing the water softener from American Water. They had it set up within several days after the initial estimate. It takes up little space and does not add any to my electric bill. It really has been a budget-saver.

We had it installed just over two months ago and we love it. So far we have yet to purchase any more bottled water. That alone has saved us over $100 per month. The water also tastes just as good as bottled, if not better. I was worried about how well the dish washer and washing machine would work after the change, but so far the dishes and clothes are coming out cleaner than ever. The hard water stains that had taken over my shower have completely gone after one cleaning and have not come back either.

You can contact American Water to get some more information about the Kinetico water softener.

Posted in Business & Finance, Small Business / Entrepreneurship

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A Once in a Lifetime Experience

Posted on June 13, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

I love to travel, and recently an opportunity came my way that I just couldn’t pass up. A friend of mine has been on a few safaris, and invited me along to travel the African wilderness with him. With no reservations whatsoever, I eagerly took him up on the offer.

I have been hiking in Australia and backpacking throughout Europe. Neither of these experiences prepared me for what was to come during my adventure in Kenya. The instant I stepped off the plane, I was overwhelmed with the African culture. It was fantastic. Our excursion company had a car waiting for us at the airport and brought us to camp. Many safaris offer lodging in a hotel-like building. Ours was different in that we were camping out under the stars in tents. The tents were extremely comfortable. They all had running water for a shower and a working toilet. The bed was king-sized and extremely comfortable. It was heavy canvas with a zippered front for privacy. That evening was spent eating delicious local cuisine and getting to know our fellow travelers. The safari guide also met with the group and went over what to expect on our adventure the next day.

We were up bright and early as that is the best time of day to catch the biggest number of animals. The drive into the Kenyan wilderness did not take long at all. Before I knew it, our guide had spotted a herd of wildebeest so we headed in their direction. Throughout the day we were able to see a variety of wild animals up close. Besides the wildebeest we enjoyed watching elephants and their babies, a herd of lions, and a few giraffes. On the way back to camp we saw a group of zebra galloping in the distance.

Safaris are a great way to enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat. I loved my adventure and am already planning my next trip!

Posted in Africa, Travel

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Turn Sixteen in Style

Posted on June 4, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

Yes, your turning sweet sixteen and want to have a super awesome party, right? If I told you that you could have the party of your dreams and have memories that will last a lifetime, listen closely. There is a company called sweet 16 ct, and they know how to get your party rocking. This Connecticut based business is all about giving you the best party experience ever and memories that you will never forget.

How does a limo ride to your destination with all your friends sound? What about loud music and a big screen television that plays all the corresponding MTV videos sound? Does all this sound good so far? I hope so, because it is about to get even better. What about custom tables that light up, cool lounge furniture and awesome lighting effects – how does all that sound? What if I told you, you could have a total Hollywood, Marti Gras or Nightclub themed sweet sixteen? Are you still interested?

Well, you can have all this and more by using one of the best party companies in the state of Connecticut. Super Sweet Sixteens has been rocking parties for several years now. They have everything you would want for your sixteenth birthday. You don’t have to have a dull birthday for this very special day. By using Super Sweet Sixteens, you just sit back and relax while they do all the work. All you need to do is provide the place and time and let them plan your party for you. They will even take care of the clean-up. Their team of professional party planners, DJs, and designers help transform a dull and boring space into the theme of your choice, making your party the talk of the town. A girl’s sixteenth birthday is a very special time for her, so why not make it one memory she won’t forget.

Posted in Entertaining, Home, Garden, & Family

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Get Creative – Go Custom

Posted on May 24, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

For the ultimate creativity in party décor and favors, fundraising, marketing and so on –  customize, customize, customize!  With a little time and at the click of your mouse you can now design and order custom printed ribbon, napkins, banners, sashes and stoles, among dozens of other products, all for a relatively small investment.

I doubt there are many among us who aren’t familiar with those yellow “Livestrong” wristbands – the result of a 2004 Lance Armstrong Foundation campaign to raise funds for cancer awareness and research.  Most of us also probably recognize that within just a few years those silicone wristbands exploded as a fad and are now everywhere in every imaginable color.  They come embossed, debossed, engraved or printed to say anything you wish. What better way to show team spirit, fan support or group unity?

Another extremely common way to making an obvious yet quiet statement is via awareness ribbons.  Ribbons have been used since the 70’s to demonstrate support. Initially it was yellow ribbons tied around trees and even in some cases, affixed to our vehicles; as a sign of support for military troops.  Since those early days the ribbons have evolved into small signs and tokens that one can wear on his or her clothing; often imparting a very serious and personal message.

You may be fund-raising for a specific cause or involved in a team building exercise.  You may be planning a wedding reception, birthday party, retirement party, baby shower or graduation celebration.  You may be a den mother or scout leader or just one of those really awesome involved team parents.  Whatever your role and no matter the occasion you should consider creative custom printed items. There was a time when anything with the word “custom” in it, automatically meant essentially “expensive” and “out of reach”, but those days are long past; custom is now readily available and completely affordable.  Make a statement, commemorate an occasion or simply make something a little more fun and memorable.

Posted in Other Shopping, Shopping

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Placing Your Trust In An Order Fulfillment Company

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

When beginning a new business, it is imperative that you are well organized.  Being organized can save you a lot of money and be the difference between making money and losing money.  If you are not organized, you run the risk of losing orders and losing valuable time.  By using anorder fulfillment company (like Bergen Logistics), you can be well prepared and run your business a lot smoother.

An order fulfillment company allows you to focus on other parts of your business without the worry of shipping out product.  As a business owner, the list of priorities can be overwhelming.  Sometimes hiring the right people to take care of certain responsibilities can help your business to be better.  Hiring people with an expertise in a particular area that you may have less experience with is a good business practice.

You can be sure that your customers are satisfied with their orders when outsourcing the work to someone more knowledgeable about order fulfillment.  These companies have years of experience filling orders for companies.  This type of service is great for small and large businesses as most are experienced with low and high volumes.  Small businesses are focusing on getting off the ground while larger businesses may not have the time to pack and ship all orders that come through their company. You cannot be everywhere all the time, so placing trust in others is inevitable when running a successful business.

The space needed for products can cost quite a bit depending on the type of business.  Many companies do not have the money to spend on big warehouses to store product.  When you outsource the work, you take the space needed out of the equation.  This can free up a lot of money for things like research, personnel, and advertising.  That is why utilizing a company that can handle the orders will be a great investment into your business.

Posted in Business & Finance, International Business

Shopping for iPad Wall Mounts

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

It seems like everyone is sporting a smart phone and a tablet these days. As technology continues to evolve into increasingly exciting inventions, we continue to wait with barely contained excitement for the latest gadgets to hit the market so that we can swoop down and scoop them up. Undoubtedly, the iPad is one of the most coveted gadgets on the market right now and accessories that facilitate the wall mounted iPad are highly sought after.

Investing in the iPad wall attachment allows you to mount your device on your wall at home or in your office and you can even have it mounted on your desk. Mounting the iPad can be useful in a number of situations when you are unable to, or do not want to hold the device in your hands.

Shopping for the iPad wall mount is fairly easy. Many stores carry them, especially computer stores but they can also be found in some department stores. The easiest way to find one however is to search online. There are many online stores which sell the iPad wall mount attachment. It is important that before you purchase the attachment from one of these online stores that you verify that they are a trusted seller, that their payment portal is safe and that they have very good customer reviews.

You also want to ensure that the company or seller has customer friendly policies, like refund or return policies, as well as warranties and guarantees. You should also pay close attention to the price. Different sellers will have different prices so you need to ensure that you choose a product that will give you value for your money. You do not want to spend a lot of money on a wall mount attachment. You will also want to note the shipping costs associated with your purchase it is best to use a dealer with a lower shipping cost especially if their product is good.

Posted in Gadgets

Florida Commercial Real Estate Basics

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

Many Sunshine State business owners have a need for florida commercial real estate during some point of their entrepreneurial careers, and using a broker can help business owners save money and time. With today’s economy, many owners of corporate real estate such as offices and shopping centers are willing to negotiate rental or selling prices. However, negotiating with a property owner takes finesse and skill.

Before entering an agreement with a florida commercial real estate broker or realtor, set yourself up for success by having all of your paperwork in order. If you cannot prove your personal and professional financial fitness, even the best real estate broker will have a hard time helping you find the office space of your dreams. Expect the broker to pull credit reports on you. Some property owners will also pull their own credit reports especially if you are trying to buy rather than rent a commercial space in Florida.

Having cash on hand is critical, especially if you plan to work with a broker to buy a business property. At least 20 percent down is the general rule if you hope to get a commercial mortgage. For rentals and leases, generally you need first month’s payment, last month’s and a security deposit that could equal an entire month’s rent. Again, it depends upon the expertise of your florida commercial real estate broker, the owner of the property and your individual and business profile. A new business owner will usually be expected to spend more cash upfront than an established entrepreneur.

Once you and your broker settle on a business property, read the agreement carefully. You usually must have at least a pre-determined amount of liability insurance whether you are renting or paying on a commercial mortgage. Protect your investment and your customers once the deal is closed.

Posted in Business & Finance, Real Estate

How to Choose Organic Baby Clothes

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

Organic baby clothing has been rising in popularity in the past decade. This is because most parents have become particular about the type and quality of materials that their babies are exposed to on a daily basis. This rising concern over quality is understandable as it can be difficult to tell which companies have their products manufactured overseas and some manufacturers tend to compromise the safety of consumers to lower production costs. It is normal for any parent to want the best for their kids and going organic is the best way to go. While you can find a wide array of organic baby clothes in department stores, specialty baby stores, and clothing stores (try B Nature Organic), it is still important to check whether such clothes are really made of 100% organic materials.

 

Check the Label

All clothes have labels sewn at the back that indicate the materials used. Make it a habit to check the label before purchasing any article of clothing. Materials that are commonly used for organic clothing include: cotton, wool, silk, and leather. However, organic baby clothes are typically made out of 100% cotton. Since cotton is soft and comfortable it is ideal for the sensitive skin of babies. It is worth noting, however, that not all clothes labeled as 100% cotton are organic, as organic clothing should be made of cotton that was naturally produced without the use of pesticides and other chemicals.

 

Know Your Synthetics

Most clothes are made out of a mixture of organic and synthetic materials. Synthetic or man-made materials that are commonly used for clothes include: polyester, rayon, spandex, and acrylic. If you want pure organic materials for your baby’s clothes, then you should avoid purchasing clothes that use these materials.

 

Stick to Reliable Brands

When shopping for organic baby clothes, it is best to stick to brands that are widely used and highly recommended by other parents. You can check out online reviews or ask close friends and family for recommendations. This will ensure that you are getting what you want for your baby. Brands like B Nature Clothing, for instance, produce high quality organic baby clothing made out of 100% organic cotton.

 

While organic baby clothes are more expensive than those made of synthetic materials, the benefits of going organic still outweigh its costs.

 

 

Posted in Babies, Home, Garden, & Family

An Amazing And Unique Space In Atlanta

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

When visiting Atlanta, an amazing attraction is The Jane at Grant Park. This atlanta retail space is changing the way people look at commercial and residential properties. It’s goal is to combine the two into one amazing display that visitors and natives will both be blown away by.

Located at 437 Memorial Drive in East Atlanta, in the heart of Grant Park, this spectacular view is a place of work for some and a home for others. It has 33,000 square feet of commercial space and eight bi-levels known as The Lofts at the Jane. It’s close to transit and downtown, making the location ideal for those who live there, and it is the only residential / commercial property of it’s kind in the area.

With town so close by, it just makes sense that the residents of The Lofts would want to walk to their destination. To make this easier, the city approved a zoning change last year, making sidewalks wider and allowing the development of ground level shops and condos nearby. Whether you rent a loft for a home or for an office, you can have all of the perks of downtown, without the traffic or parking issues. Another reason the location is ideal is that the State Capitol building is less than one mile away.

The lofts feature varied floor plans so you can choose exactly what fits your style and budget, amazing views from your very own deck, plenty of parking and storage, stylish bathrooms and kitchens, high ceilings and it’s only minutes away from downtown and midtown. It even has green space courtyard and plenty of natural light to light your home or office.

The Lofts at the Jane are the only commercial / residential combination in Grant Park, making this a very rare and unique place to work, live or both if you choose.

Posted in Business & Finance, Real Estate

Three Common Causes of Roof Failure

Posted on May 11, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

From my years of experience working with many reputable maryland roofers, I have realized that the vast majority of roof failures can be classified under three categories: failures caused by lack of maintenance, flashing problems and bad weather.

Poor maintenance is undoubtedly the single biggest cause of roof damage. Many people don’t realize the amount of stress our roofs are placed under and hence neglect roof maintenance. For example, when was the last time you inspected your roofing shingles for cracked or buckling tiles? Such physical damage might not be immediately visible from ground level, but even the slightest gap between shingles can admit rainwater into your house which then proceeds to cause mold and rot in the wooden roof beams. Conducting regular roof inspections is an essential part of any responsible home maintenance scheme as it will help you identify any problems before they become too severe to fix.

Just because your roof shingles are intact does not mean your roof flashing is. Flashing ensures that your roofing tiles fit tightly together and the roofing as a whole is securely fastened to the roof beam. This means that the slightest problem in your flashing, usually caused by wear and tear, can spring a leak in your roof. Some small flashing defects can be solved using a silicone sealant while other defects resulting from faulty design or erroneous installation will need professional assistance to remedy.

Finally, even the most immaculately maintained roofing can fall prey to bad weather. Strong gales, for example, can loosen nails and dislodge roofing tiles, causing the structural integrity of your roof to be compromised. Fortunately, weather damage is the easiest to identify or repair. After a heavy storm, you can be almost sure that there will have been some damage done to your roofing and should arrange for roof inspection or maintenance immediately.

Almost all common roof problems boil down to these three causes. Get to know them so you can keep your roof in good working condition.

Posted in Home, Garden, & Family, How-to & Home Improvements

How to Select the Best Roofing Company

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

A roofing project is a very important job, so you want to give it to someone you know will give you the best value for your money. Selecting your roofing company then, should be taken very seriously. Maryland residents can choose a reputable Maryland roofing company to do their roofing repairs, while residents in other parts of the country can select from within their areas.

When selecting a roofing contractor or company, it is a good idea to shop around for the best price. Different companies will offer different prices for the same service so do not be afraid to look around until you find something within your budget. Do be careful however, because some companies will charge you to prepare an estimate for the job. Look for those companies that will offer you a free estimate.

You should also narrow down your choices by looking for companies that have substantial experience and certification. It is safe to assume that if a company has been in business for many years it is likely to have sufficient and relevant experience to provide you with the best service. You also want to ensure that the contractors or workmen employed to the company is sufficiently qualified or will be under direct supervision from someone who is, while on site. Both the company and its employees must also have the relevant certification to work on your roof.

Another important thing to look at when selecting a roofing company is their references. Nothing will better alert you to the efficacy and efficiency of the company than their past customers. Many companies these days have a testimonial page on their website with satisfied customers singing their praises. It may be useful to take a glance at this information but it is even better to get actual references. Try asking your roofing company for one or two references with contact information so that you can call the customer to get a first hand impression of the quality of work and service you should expect.

Posted in Home, Garden, & Family, How-to & Home Improvements

If Refinancing Worked for Personal Relationships

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

You know that refinancing refers to the replacement of one debt with another debt under somewhat more different terms, yes?  Choosing to refinance one’s home, for instance, means that you are choosing to swap out the arrangement for paying off all your loans with another arrangement (one that might be easier for you to meet, or one that puts all of your debts under a single umbrella, or one that isn’t as risky as the first).  This works pretty well for banking and finance: you’re more able to meet your obligations and the bank is able to extract more money from you over a longer period of time.

But what if this worked for personal relationships?  Think of the possibilities.

If, say, you borrowed a rake from your brother’s garden shed, you could keep it… and keep it… and keep it…. and then when he asked when you were going to give his rake back, you could ask if you could refinance his rake– replace your existing obligation to give his rake back eventually with another obligation to give his rake back only if he gets down on his knees and begs you.  If he objects, you could re-negotiate the deal by agreeing to keep his rake indefinitely in exchange for giving him, perhaps, that bowler hat you won as a white elephant and that you never wanted anyway.  It would look dashing with his Hawaiian shirt collection, surely?  And then the next time he asks for the rake, you can inform him that your debt has been paid according to a new deal and that you don’t owe him anything.

Not bad, right?  Although… come to think of it… this does sound an awful lot like what happens anyway in day-to-day life.  Is refinancing, then, merely a fancy name for negotiations between you and a financial institution?  Is it possible that the whole business of refinance is merely barter on a larger scale?  Who’d have thought!

Posted in Business & Finance, Loans/Mortgaeges

Flowers and Therapy: How two New York Businesses Saved my Relationship

Posted on April 11, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

A year ago, I was going through a real rough patch. I was having trouble with my marriage- not my wife, but my marriage. Our relationship was crumbling because I spent so much time at work, and just couldn’t compartmentalize my stress at work and my life at home. I would come home feeling high strung, negative, and be too tired to feed our relationship. My fast paced NYC lifestyle was tearing us apart.

After a few months of putting up with this, my wife lost her patience and started being just as high strung and negative. My stress was toxic and had affected her. We were communicating less, and blaming more, and neither of us could understand the other’s point of view. For a while, I wasn’t sure she would stay much longer, and as bad as things were the thought of losing her was so awful that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else, and my performance at work started to slip.

That was when I finally decided to see a psychologist near my home on the Upper West Side, who specialized in couples therapy. I went alone, because I knew that I needed to make a change. My therapist helped me with some coping mechanisms for work, showed me how I was not always saying what I meant, and how I needed to communicate in order to get what I wanted, but empathize so I could give my wife what she needed as well. She told me that even if work was getting me stressed, I needed to let that go when I left the office, and resume being me in the outside world… Who was I? A thoughtful, adventurous, spontaneous man, who was 15 pounds lighter than I let myself become.

Orchids from Plant ShedSo I started a new routine: every week, after my session was over, I would walk to the florist my therapist recommended (also on the UWS), and pick out a different arrangement of flowers to surprise my wife. Soon enough, the flowers were not a surprise anymore, but just one of the wonderful things her husband did for her on a regular basis. She followed suit, and started doing nice things for me as well, just because. We would exercise and do more together in general. Pretty soon, our marriage was once again as beautiful as the flowers I was bringing home every week.

Posted in Gardening & Horticulture, Mental Health

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What is a VA home loan?

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

VA home loan is one of the famous types of home loans available in the US, and Champaign County residents should make themselves aware of the options. These home loans are given by the US Department of Veterans Affairs or VA Department to the veterans or their spouses upon fulfilling certain requirements. In fact, these are the mortgage loans which are guaranteed by the VA department. A veteran can now purchase any kind of residential property without paying any down payment. This is one of the most famous types of loans available in the US for veterans or I must say military veterans.

Anyone can apply for a VA home loan from the official website of the VA department provided the individual is capable as well as eligible for the loan. You can find all the details about the eligibility, criterion, terms and rules, policies and restrictions over the internet and from the VA website. Since there are many legal obligations involved in the whole process right from applying till approval, most of the veterans and their spouses usually don’t get approved for a VA loan even if they are eligible. So alternately, most of the people apply for this particular loan through a lender.

Applying for a VA home loan through a lender has many benefits. Your lender will do all the work on your behalf and will definitely provide you with a loan. Importantly, lenders are legal intermediaries and VA department do accept and allow veterans to apply for loans through them. So if you are applying for a VA home lain through a lender, you need to rest assure since lenders have more experience than anyone else and will surely get you through smoothly. Lenders will provide you all the details and mandatory information about the loans. You don’t have to do anything at all after hiring a lender. Although, the lender will charge you a petty commission of fee upon successful approval, but you can afford their fees easily. I mean if you are applying for a loan that is worth millions, you can easily pay the fees of the lender. So the preferred method of applying for a VA home loan is through a lender.

Posted in Business & Finance

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What custom printed ribbons can do for you?

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

Custom printed ribbons are not new on the market. People have used them for years in Illinois and elsewhere, but with the passage of time, custom printed ribbons or self printed ribbons or personalized ribbons are getting famous. It’s now our need to use personalized ribbons since we cannot afford to miss all the fun, joy, entertainment and excitement that a custom printed ribbon will bring in our lives.

Custom printed ribbons have many benefits and this is the reason that we find lots of Illinois companies and individuals that specialize in printing ribbons with whatever we want. Read more »

Posted in Shopping

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Beautiful Midwestern America

Posted on February 10, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

There is so much about the midwest that is beautiful, amber waves of grain not excluded. From Illinois to Iowa, from Dubuque to De Moines, the midwest of the United States is a treasure trove of beauty of all kinds. In fact, beauty contest winners are often from this section of the U.S.

Also beautiful, and beautifying, is La James College in Mason City, Iowa. It’s heartening to think of the Heartland as a place where beauty is created. Hair, makeup, nails, and massage, beauty can be a joy as well as a career opportunity.

The “all-American girl” mythos that we all love is rooted in a girl that looks natural; sun-kissed, perhaps freckled skin, jeans and flannel shirts or simple dresses, this is something right out of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Nonetheless, we expect our beauties to use the latest techniques for hair and makeup, to have a sophistication under the scrubbed surface, and that’s where beauty school comes in.

Posted in Education

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Ebertfest Sweepstakes

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin| Comments Off

There are lots of wonderful reasons to visit Champaign County, but perhaps winning a sweepstakes is the most delightful. Winners of Ebertfest tickets have that distinct pleasure.

Our visitors come for business or for pleasure. They visit family on happy occasions and sad ones. They attend reunions, they tour the countryside, the take side-trips from Chicago, and all of those are worthy reasons. But another excellent reason is to attend Ebertfest: Roger Ebert’s annual film festival held at the Virginia Theater in Champaign. Founded as the “Overlooked Film Festival” in 1999, the name was officially changed to Ebertfest in 2007.

Famed film critic Roger Ebert is a native son of Champaign County, and brings his very special film event to the area each April. The festival shows hand-picked films (not submissions) and always includes a documentary as well as panel discussions. In 2011, such films as “Me and Orson Welles” and “My Dog Tulip” were shown.

Posted in Film & Television

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