This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.

Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.

So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.

Where to Shop for Hiking Boots

If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.

When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.

Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.

If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.

Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.

Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.

Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots

Here is what you need to look for:

* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.

* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).

* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).

* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.

* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.

* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).

* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.

* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.

* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.

* Double stitching on all visible seams.

* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.

* Fewer seams is better.

Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.

* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.

* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.

* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots

The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.

You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:

* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.

* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.

* Non-attached tongue.

* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.

* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.

Fitting your Hiking Boots

You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.

With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.

Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.

Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.

If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.

Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.

Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.

Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm

Packing men’s clothing is easy once you get organized. As a rule, they will not take as many items as women pack so you can use a smaller case. Lightweight luggage with a removable suiter inside is the easiest way to go if you are packing one or two suit or sports jackets. The suiter will keep the jackets almost wrinkle free. Of course, you can always pack a travel steamer just in case. There are models that will use any type of tap water. International steamer models can be used around the world. If the luggage does not have a suiter or if you are taking more than two jackets, you will have to use a garment bag. A garment bag will hang all of the clothing on hangers right from your closet.

Shirts can also be hung on the same hanger underneath the jacket. Garment bags are easiest to pack when they are hung up. Gravity will pull the clothing straight and keep everything neatly in order. There are usually small mesh pockets and other zippered pockets for underwear, pajamas and shaving gear. A small narrow pocket will hold ties. Shoes or sneakers will fit on the bottom of the garment bag. Pockets that will hold socks are located on the top on either side of the hanger hook. Because hangers slope down, this is a perfect area for small items. In the outside pocket, you can slip some casual items or gym clothing. Try to leave room for a lightweight raincoat and a small travel umbrella. Garment bags come in soft models or those with wheels and a pull handle.

Packing a Pullman case with the removable garment sleeve is very easy. Jacket and slacks can go on one thin wire hanger. Place them inside the garment cover. They will usually fold once or twice depending on the size of the luggage. Then the balance of the clothes you’ve chosen can be packed. The garment cover is generally in the top part of the luggage. Underwear should go in first on the bottom of the case, against the inner bars of the pull-up handle. It’s easiest to pack first inside a packing cube, so he can unpack quickly by dropping the cubes in one of the hotel drawers. Next, pack any additional slacks on hangers to continue to make unpacking easy. His cotton shirts can be packed in a shirt cube. These keep the shirts from wrinkling and they will look like you just picked them up from the laundry or cleaners when you unpack. This type of cube also keeps everything from shifting inside the suitcase to further eliminate wrinkles. His socks can be placed inside the shoes or sneakers. Cover the shoe or sneaker with a travel shoe cover and pack them around the perimeter of the bag. Continue to pack any travel accessories around the perimeter of the case.

The new airline regulations do not allow you to take your toiletries on board. The only liquids and gels you can carry with you have to fit inside a quart sized clear plastic bag. Inside the bag, liquids can be in containers no larger than three ounces. And travelers may take only one of these on board. Easy-go and Travelon are two companies that make this convenient 3-1-1 bag with the correct sized travel bottles included. The balance of your toiletries must be packed in your luggage. That means hair gels, toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash, and shaving cream and after-shave lotion all must be carefully packed. The safest way is to cover each container with plastic wrap and then pack everything inside a man’s shave kit. These are usually leather on the outside and washable nylon lined inside. If anything leaks or spills, the kit will hopefully protect your clothing from being soiled or ruined. Discount luggage can also be stained inside from these dangerous spills and leaks.

Many shorter trips can use a carryon bag. These trips have to plan carefully because carryon bags generally can be no larger than 45″ measuring length plus height plus width. Some of the carryon bags have a suit fixture inside. You will need to pack your slacks and jacket on one thin wire hanger inside the carryon. It will fold up with soft padded folds usually once or twice depending on the design. Toiletries will have to be in the regulation 3-1-1 clear plastic bag. There’s usually room inside these carryons for a small travel umbrella. Underwear and pajamas will fit inside one of the smaller packing cubes. These carryon bags are convenient and easy to travel with on short trips. You don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel and can be on your way as soon as the plane lands. These cases are popular corporate gifts and can be individually monogrammed with your initials, or with a company name or logo. However you travel, pack well and enjoy your trip!

Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 38 years. She is currently working at Village Luggage and Gifts.

titleHow To Get Your Dog To Stop Jumping On You (And Pee On Cue)/titlepDoes this scenario sound familiar? Youre dressed to impress, ready to leave home for an important business or social gathering. Youre about to open the door when your dog-who doesnt want you to go without him-jumps up on you, leaving smudgy paw marks and pet hair on your best clothes. Feeling exasperated, you raise your voice and shove your dog away from you, which does nothing to change his future behavior and quite possibly leaves him feeling a little confused and with hurt feelings in the present./ppOr, youre walking your dog right before bedtime. The hour is late, youre tired, its beginning to rain and your umbrella is back at the house. You really want your pooch to hurry up and pee so you can both go back inside-but your dog is having such a tough time finding the perfect clump of grass to water that getting to bed looks like being an hour away./ppDont feel like the Lone Ranger. Even the most experienced animal communicators can find it difficult to alter canine behaviors like these. Just remember that the trick to changing a dogs natural behavior lies in creating positive experiences, preferably ones that provide multiple positive reinforcements for the behavior you desire./ppConsistently visualizing what you want your dog to do is tremendously important. Because visualization is the most ancient and powerful means of communicating, animals always give precedence to the images we hold in mind over our verbal cues. Unfortunately, we humans tend to unconsciously hold the image of the behavior we dont want in our minds instead of the action we would like the animal to take. When our mental images are different from the verbal commands we give, animals choose to obey the mental image almost every time!/ppTeach jumping on before staying off/ppNow, to help you solve the first of the two very common problems mentioned above: In order to teach your dog not to jump on you, you must actually teach him to jump on you first./ppThere are two psychologically sound reasons for this approach. The first is that teaching your dog to jump on you is easy because jumping is something most dogs enjoy. The second is that teaching him to jump on you provides a frame of reference for staying off of you./ppBegin by changing into some clothes comfortable for playing with your dog. Invite him to come and sit in front of you and provide a soft food treat when he does. Picture your dog standing on his hind legs with his front paws on your chest as you pat your chest invitingly and say, Come up! in a friendly, playful tone of voice./ppThe moment your dog obeys, spend a minute petting and praising him, telling him how smart he is. Then, using the same friendly tone of voice, say, Off as you gently place your hands flat against on his chest and lower him into a sitting position in front of you again. Spend no more than five minutes repeating this sequence before ending the training time./ppAdd visual reinforcement/ppRepeat the sequence several more times during your next training time, which can be later the same day. This time, after praising your dog for jumping up as instructed, hold your hand palm facing out in front of the dogs face for a second before saying Off. This adds a visual reinforcement to the verbal command and helps you to shift the mental image youre holding from on me to off of me./ppGradually increase your emphasis on the hand signal until you feel confident your dog understands what it means. Then call the dog to you, but hold your palm up and say off before he begins to jump. Reward him for staying off with praise and a treat. When your dog has this sequence down pat, youll never have to worry about his jumping on you without an invitation again!/ppOnce you have taught your dog when he can and cant jump on you, you can take it a step farther and teach him he can jump up and down with you. Just start jumping up and down yourself after you have given the off hand signal. Your dog may initially misinterpret this as an invitation to jump on you, but just continue to give the off signal and continue jumping, and your dog will soon catch on and enjoy this new game./ppAnd now, a few words about peeing…/ppFinding precisely the right spot to pee is terribly important to dogs. They can spend hours sniffing every tree, shrub and blade of grass in an area no bigger than the average garage. And while allowing our pets to retain as much of their culture as possible, sometimes we simply need them to hurry it up a bit./ppThe way to speed up your dogs relief trips is to cue the dog to do what you want as he or she is actually doing it. In other words, when your pooch starts to pee, say, find a spot, find a spot, find a spot over and over again to set up an association in your dogs mind between the cue phrase and the action you want./ppBe patient-it usually takes a number of sessions for this association to be firmly made. But once it is, all you have to do is say, Find a spot, Spot and youre on your way back home!/ppCopyright Julie S. Crawshaw 2007. Julie S. Crawshaw is a freelance writer, animal lover and the author of Talking With Animals, available at a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.comhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/a ./ppPlease feel free to use this article with attribution and without changes, and to visit a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.htmlhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.html/a for more articles about interacting and communicating with animals./pbrbr

titleTrademark Law India/titlepTrade Mark means a registered trade mark or a mark used in relation to goods for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a connection in the course of trade between the goods and some person having the right as proprietor to use the mark; and a mark used or proposed to be used in relation to goods for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a connection in the course of trade between the goods and some person having the right, either as proprietor or as registered user, to use the mark whether with or without any indication of the identity of that person, and includes a certification trade mark.(See Section 2(v) of the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958)/ppIn other words, a trade mark is a visual symbol in the form of a word, a device, or a label applied to articles of commerce with a view to indicate to the purchasing public that they are the goods manufactured or otherwise dealt in by a particular person as distinguished from similar goods manufactured or dealt in by other persons. A person who sells his goods under a particular trade mark acquires a sort of limited exclusive right to use of the mark in relation to those goods. Such a right acquired by use is recognized as a form of property in the trade mark, and protected under common law. A person can also acquire a similar right over a trade mark, not so far used but only proposed to be used, by registering it under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958. The law of trade marks is based mainly on two concepts ; distinctiveness and deceptive similarity./ppFunction of Trade Mark/ppThe function of a trade mark is to give an indication to the purchaser or possible purchaser as to the manufacture or quality of the goods, to give an indication to his eye of the trade source from which the goods come, or the trade hands through which they pass on their way to the market. It tells the person who is about to buy that what is presented to him is either what he has known before under the similar name as coming from a source with which he is acquainted, or that it is what he has heard of before as coming from that similar source. It gives the purchaser a satisfactory assurance of the mark and quality of the article he is buying, the particular quality being not discernible by the eye. It is on the faith of the mark being genuine and representing a quality equal to that which he has previously found a mark may be used to indicate not only that the goods are of a particular maker but are goods of that maker of a particular kind or quality. Thus a trader may indicate his best quality by one trade mark, his second quality by another trade mark and so on./ppUnder modern business conditions a trade mark performs four functions:brbr(1) it identifies the product and its origin, brbr(2) it guarantees its unchanged quality,brbr(3) it advertises the product, andbrbr(4) it creates an image for the product./ppObject of Protecting Trade Mark/ppWith the immense growth in the scale of business, and the advertising that accompanies it, modern customers rarely have that personal knowledge of suppliers which is the hallmark of a village economy. Even so, their interest in source of supply has not in essence changed. Information about origin is only a means towards an end : their main concern is in the quality of what they are buying. In the case of some goods, part of that quality may be bound up with source in a specific way : as for instance, when the goods will need servicing and the manufacturer or supplier is looked to for the services. But in a great may cases source, particularly when indicated by a Cypher such as a product mark or get-up, does not have even this significance. What it does is to enable the purchaser to link goods or services to a range of personal expectations about quality which derive from previous dealings, recommendations of others, attractive advertising and so on. Nor should it be forgotten that, however persuasively the advertiser may seek to promote this sort of symbol, it retains a neutral character in one sense : once a consumer learns that he does not want particular goods, the mark, name or get-up becomes a significant warning signal./ppA law protecting marks, names and get-up accordingly, seems unavoidable in a capitalist economy. In various aspects, however, these laws have tended to develop in a manner that may appear to confer power without responsibility. The trade mark owner acquires the all important right to stop imitations of his indication of source, but his own use is conditioned by few limitations of positive requirement. It is perfectly possible for the public to be taught that a box bearing a particular mark and get-up contains 500 gm. of chocolates and then, by discreet expansion of the packaging, to reduce that amount to 475 grams. (See Surya Roshni Ltd. v. Samana Steel Ltd., AIR 1997 Del 321, where plaintiff was held entitled to temporary injunction for protecting its trade mark)./ppDifferent forms of Protecting Trade Mark/ppIf the mark is a registrable one the best way to protect it is by registration. Infringement of the mark can be easily established. If the infringing mark is identical and the goods covered by registration, the success in an action for infringement is almost certain unless the registration can be attacked on the ground of invalidity of registration or the defendant could established honest concurrent user, or acquiescence on the part of the registered proprietor, or prior user. If the marks are not identical but only similar then the plaintiff will have to establish that the defendants` mark is deceptively similar, that is to say, the similarity is such as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion which is a proposition not easy to establish. Ultimately the question of similarity is one for the judge to decide on which opinion may often differ./ppIn the case of unregistered marks and marks which are not registrable the only way they can be protected is by an action for passing off. The plaintiff will have to prove sufficient use of the mark so as to create valuable goodwill of the business connected with the goods bearing the mark./ppProperty in Trade Mark/ppUnder common law a trader acquires a right of property in a distinctive trade mark merely by using it upon or in relation to some goods irrespective of the length of such user or the extent of his trade. As between two who are each desirous of adopting the same mark it is entirely a question of who gets there first./ppProperty in a trade mark which is only proposed to be used in relation to some goods can be obtained by registration of the mark under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958./ppThere is no right to the exclusive ownership of a trade mark apart from its use or application of it in connection with some vendible commodity. In other words property in a trade mark does not exist in air./ppa target=_new href=http://www.delhilaw.firm.in/patent_intellectualpropertyright.htmhttp://www.delhilaw.firm.in/patent_intellectualpropertyright.htm/abr a target=_new href=http://trustman.org/lawfirm/trademark_india.htmhttp://trustman.org/lawfirm/trademark_india.htm/a br Trustman Co – A Law Firm at Delhi India for patent, patent PCT application filing real estate Intellectual property right corporate law company formation/ incorporation/ registration international trade trademark real estate debt collection credit report due diligence legal risk business law foreign direct investment approval / permission to set up business/ company legal outsourcing LPO./pbrbr

Before we begin if you have no idea what custom embroidery is, it’s the process of forming decorative designs on objects with needlework. For your business this can be your company name, logo, slogan or all three stitched on a hat, shirt or other product.

It’s easy to get your companies information on clothing from an online store. Usually you only need to select the type of product you want embroidered and upload your graphic or text wait 2-4 weeks and then start marketing.

The best part is it’s not just a one shot and done advertisement such as TV or Radio commercial it is a multi-viewable advertisement that a potential customer has the opportunity to see over and over again. Even if they’re not currently in the market for your product or company at the time they view it, you’ve planted the seed.

According to the Bender Graphics Blog; they created a custom shirt to help the Red Cross raise money for September 11 relief and from a post dated May 2 2008 “Just yesterday I saw one of those shirts being worn around town. That was six years ago”.

It also allows for another portion of the marketing spectrum; customer trust. Unlike the above mentioned TV or Radio commercial or even a billboard on the side of the road it adds a face to your business, every one of those embroidered products that is seen being worn by another person is a personal endorsement from the wearer that they like and respect your company. There is nothing better than a personal endorsement for selling your business or product.

Think Nautica, Calvin Klein, Polo or Kenneth Cole every piece of apparel they manufacturer comes with an embroidered Logo or name on it. The person wearing that article of clothing is actually advertising your company to every person that sees them wearing it.

It doesn’t even need to be someone buying your apparel. If you create a company shirt you can have all your employees wear it to work. They’ll then be seen at other places advertising your company such as the grocery store, hair stylist or dentist. You can even give them to your current clients whenever they make a purchase; you never know when they’ll wear it and who may ask about you and your company.

Don’t you want thousands of mini custom billboards advertising your business over and over again? What are you waiting for?

If you want Custom Embroidery or some Custom Hoodies for your companies marketing strategy talk to Bender Shirts.

Think Bill Gates; the image that pops up in your mind is of a suave business tycoon, wearing a Giorgio Armani suit, diamond cufflinks and tiepin, a diamond studded top-of-the-line Rolex wrist watch, Gucci shoes, et cetera. The more imaginative amongst us may even smell the Calvin Klein Eternity perfume he must be wearing. Then there are people who may see the profile of a ruthless monopolistic tyrant with little regards for laws of fair play and equality.

A larger chunk of people will have the vision of their role model, inspiration personified, a living proof of what can be achieved in a lifetime and that is literally EVERYTHING. But probably then they belong to that fortunate strata of society that is just cursorily checking out this article from the confines of their plush offices, comfortable homes or from a swanky, up market cyber cafe. But the name Bill Gates have altogether different connotations for little Ankit.

Ankit is your normal kid apart from the fact that he has been diagnosed as an AIDS patient- the only inheritance his mother, a sex worker living and working in the by lanes of Kolkata, could pass on to him were strains of deadly HIV virus. For Ankit, “Bill Gates” is the name emblazoned on the side of the van that comes to distribute medicines and nutrient supplements in the slum he lives in. He is also aware of the fact that this is the name of individual who along with his wife is paying his medical bills and funding the NGO that runs a school where he is currently studying. Yes, we are referring to the “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”, the largest transparently operated charitable foundation which is currently the guardian angel for millions like Ankit across the globe providing them the right and means of living in an otherwise hostile world.

Welcome to the brave new world of successful entrepreneurs who are sweeping the world with winds of change through their considerable works of philanthropy providing succor to the underprivileged amongst us. In this august list Bill Gates is more of a rule then an exception. Here, we are talking about those self-made billionaires and millionaires who having seen the hardships of life are ready to give back to the society and make this world a better place to live in. This is the new crop of business persons who routinely make it to the Fortunes’ list of Who’s who but are still not snobbish or uptight about it.

Many of them have succeeded not because of the society but in spite of it. But still they acknowledge the fact that we all are clogs of the same wheel and well being of the individuals is not a zero-sum game. For them philanthropy is not just an extension of their corporate social responsibility, or the pursuit for the bored wife of a high flying CEO. For them it is a means of defining their existence in the larger scheme of things, something that completes them and provide them a purpose apart from mindlessly chasing money. That is why we get to see most of them so passionately involved in various projects and activities and they are not there simply writing down checks but they are more “hands on” making their presence and influence felt as well as leveraging their experience and intellect for the cause.

Let us try and examine what makes a successful entrepreneur a philanthropist. Is it in their DNA or had they learned the art of giving and sharing on their way up. It is worthy of being noted here that several studies point towards the fact that when it comes to charity self-made entrepreneurs are almost twice as generous as  compared to charitable Heirs that is millionaires who got their wealth mostly through inheritance. So it appears quite ironical that people hailing from the cut-throat world of modern day business where success often comes at the price of morality and innocence are so willing to support others.

But it will not appear so ironical if we study the fine print in greater detail. Most of these entrepreneurs have themselves got a helping hand early in their career. Whether it is in form of an angel investor or the friendly neighborhood uncle who let them use their garage, or the professor at the University who believed in them and polished their business proposal for final presentation; they all have got some help in one form or the other. Most of them were also beneficiaries of various scholarship schemes in the early phase of their career. It all makes them realize how significant even a small help can look from the end of the beneficiary. This ingrains the art of giving and reaching out in their hearts and this is a lesson they do not easily forget later in their lives. Most of the entrepreneurs when they start working on their innovative ideas do so in collaboration with some good friend or associate, someone who believes in them as well as in their dreams. So naturally they learn the ropes of sharing and collaborating and how beneficial symbiotic relations can prove to be.

So this is where they pick their living-for-each-other traits. They have the intellect that keeps them bothering with status-quo and as soon as they figure a way out they get on to work towards achieving it. In this world, ideas are a dime a dozen but success comes only to them who can execute these ideas and shape them into reality. This is a quality that makes them a success in business and this is the quality that distinguishes them in the arena of philanthropy as well since the projects they undertake usually achieves the objectives they have set out for. They bring in money and influence; have an eye for recognizing talent and try to nurture it. They want to be a part of the solution and hence their impact is often very positive and encouraging.

For more on entrepreneurship, please go to canadiantradeenclave.ca

If you are worried about getting a good haircut in a hair salon, that should be the least of your worries. Microscopic organisms, viruses, and bacteria thrive in hair salons. Dirty and contaminated combs, brushes, clips, curling irons, towels, robes, shampoo capes, shampoo bowls, chairs and floors are violations for a growing number of salons. State boards of cosmetology are the regulators for sanitization in hair salons, but their hard work still leaves room for improvement with the respect for health concerns of the consumer.

If this disturbs you, then you might want to consider inspecting the hair salon yourself. There are several factors that you should consider when evaluating the cleanliness of a hair salon.

First, look at the overall picture:

• Are the walls, floors, and ceiling clean?
• Is there dust on the shelves, on the products for sale, on the chairs?
• Can you see trashcans without lids for hair clippings?
• Are the shampoo bowls and hair strainers clean?
• Are the towels in a closed cabinet and do they smell fresh?
• Do you see dirty towels overflowing from a container?

Next, look at the workstations:

• Are there hair clippings on the floor, counter, chair?
• Is there a container for used combs and brushes?
• Are the clean combs and brushes in a drawer? (Note: It may be impossible to know if the combs and brushes are in a sterile environment without intruding!)

Finally, observe the hairstylist:

• Does he or she wash his or her hands in between customers?
• Is the hair stylist’s fingernails and clothing clean?
• Do they have food around their workstation?
• Does the stylist use a clean towel or neck strip on the patron before using a shampoo cape?

All of these questions relate to the sanitation and cleanliness of the salon. You may have never thought about these issues, or maybe you just thought all hair salons are regulated, so they must be clean. Speaking from experience, many hair salons are only inspected once a year, not nearly enough in my opinion.

Everything considered, you could reduce your chances for getting sick from unsanitary hair salons the following ways:

• Buy your own combs and brushes, and insist the hair stylist use them on yourself and your family.
• Inspect the salon for sanitation yourself, even though you will never be sure there are not lurking bacteria and contamination of equipment.
• Do not go to a hair salon. Cut your family’s hair at home.

One more thing… To the three quarters of a million hair stylists in the United States, if you are practicing sanitation and sterilization as you were trained in cosmetology school, THANK YOU! You should not be offended by this article, and know this is not meant to harm you and your business. For the ones who are careless about sanitation, please reconsider your current practices, as your health and the health of your customers depend on it.

Great Home Haircuts was founded by Pamela Collins, the author of this article, in effort to educate and inform hair enthusiasts. At http://www.greathomehaircuts.com you will discover how easy it is to cut hair at home for your family and friends. Step by step videos for bobs, layered cuts, clipper cuts, children’s cuts and more are available at this website. Hair recipes and more articles can be found there as well.

The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in one article. Searches on the internet can reveal information that is either pro or con regarding food additive substances.

Depending on one’s personal philosophy, it is possible to justify the inclusion or the exclusion of food additives. There are many companies which justify the addition of food additives of one sort or another with various rationales. In fact, some — or even many — of the additives can be consumed with no immediate obvious harmful effects.

The reader is referred to the Natural Ovens Bakery / Nutritional Resource Foundation (http://naturalovens.com) article which details all of the many food additives: “Toxin Additives in Food and Drink: Toxic compounds in your foods:”

In this reference, Paul Stitt, CEO, Natural Ovens Bakery, makes the statement that his company will NEVER use any of those additives in their products as they are listed here:

http://www.naturalovens.com/lib/content/

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Toxin_Additives_in_Food_and_Drink.PDF

It is a professional decision for A Better Community For All (ABC4All) to screen info/products/companies/ingredients and work only with those companies, like Natural Ovens Bakery, that do NOT include in their products anything that is known to be harmful as much as possible.

At the same time, anyone can be allergic to anything at any time. So one simply needs always to proceed with caution, be alert and on the lookout, and then deal with whatever reactions are manifesting should they occur.

Prevention may be the best approach, and this area of focus is becoming very much more explored in health circles. The information posted about the scientific development of “Plasma Activated Water (PAW)” at http://ABC4All.net/paw.htm may provide future protection against many bacteria/viruses that are being avoided, supposedly, with the additives.

Many so called health supplements/products that contain additives can be shown via sound research to be beneficial over time. That does not mean the last word is in. It is a well known fact that long-term harmful, even dangerous, effects can emerge over time. Those companies preferring to avoid the possibility for allergic and other harmful reactions to substances like sodium benzoate (and so many other food additives, as referenced by Paul Stitt above) are at least attempting to watch out for the consumer to the best of their ability and are offering that much more protection against potentially harmful influences.

The final answer, possibly, will lie with those who are interested in health maintenance first and in the protection of others, not in allowing business decisions to come first or in earning the dollars associated with the lucrative health supplement industry that so often includes unhealthy ingredients in spite of all the claims, testimonials and even scientifically conducted research.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton Danet, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist (retired)

Founder, A Better Community For All (ABC4All): “Maximizing Charitable Contributions on the Internet”
http://ABC4All.net

Burton Danet, Ph.D., Co-Founder of A Better Community For All (ABC4All) was interviewed by Holistic Junction: “Glimpse of a Remarkable Health League of its Own: Burton Danet, PH.D. & ABC4ALL:” http://www.holisticjunction.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=2990

Through a collaboration with Huck-Fin Environmental Education (HFEE), San Diego, California, ABC4All/HFEE have originated a comprehensive solution to the obesity epidemic (”globesity”): Community Health, Exercise and Nutrition for All (CHEN4All): http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prweb178191.php

This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.

Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.

So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.

Where to Shop for Hiking Boots

If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.

When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.

Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.

If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.

Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.

Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.

Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots

Here is what you need to look for:

* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.

* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).

* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).

* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.

* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.

* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).

* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.

* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.

* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.

* Double stitching on all visible seams.

* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.

* Fewer seams is better.

Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.

* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.

* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.

* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots

The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.

You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:

* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.

* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.

* Non-attached tongue.

* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.

* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.

Fitting your Hiking Boots

You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.

With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.

Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.

Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.

If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.

Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.

Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.

Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm

It’s 08 – Are your packaged products ready for prime time? Here are a few insightful tips to help you out.

There are many packaging issues afloat in the minds of the consumer.
We just came off the traditional “wrap rage” cycle that stirs everyone into a frenzy around the holidays. Be aware that it’s still an issue to contend with in the minds of the consumer. Clamshells, twist ties and difficult to open packages still get mileage in the media.

Packaging has many detractors. We are getting serious scrutiny from everyone in the realm of environmental sustainability, less packaging, more environmentally friendly packaging, save the earth packaging and so on. Every week I read about a new packaging crusade that is supposed to solve our environmental woes. But I have been researching for an upcoming presentation Sustainable Packaging – From Green To Great. The lack of new packaging innovation to solve the problem is quite distressing. Most of what I am seeing revolves around the same supplier using the same packaging materials. Unfortunately, a lot of it is smoke and mirrors that touts “green” but does not back it up with true sustainable documentation. There are a few good examples of innovation. In researching environmentally friendly lipstick tube examples, the results were woefully inadequate. “Cargo Plant Love Biodegradable Lipstick” was the only company I discover (with a great marketing story I might add).

So, I pose these questions to all product packaging developers. How green are you? Do you want to be? Do your consumers and your target demographic even care whether you are green or not? This is going to be one of the prime time packaging issues in 08 so you better make some serious strides in deciding what you want your product packaging to reflect.

Another key matter will be product security, integrity and product origination. (AKA – The Made in China Syndrome) Currently the Made in China tag is becoming a political hot button. One of the trends I am starting to see is a China backlash. Products made and packaged in China are coming back to the US. Some companies are using China Free on their product packaging as a marketing tool — and it’s helping sales.

People are reading labels AND scrutinizing them. What it says on that label will influence whether they buy your product or not. I just read that cloned meat will be coming on the market in a few years. At present, the FDA won’t require food makers to label that their products came from cloned animals. ICK!! I’d want to know from the product packaging and, I believe, so would most consumers. The point being is that any high profile package or product will be looked at thoroughly by consumers. What you tell them better be the right message and true.

Watchdog groups about and they are on the lookout for your product to make a mistake. Whether they deem you are marketing to an inappropriate market (EX: Spykes marketing liquor to children) or that your packaging isn’t telling the whole truth (Ex: McDonald’s and all the other fast food companies and fat content), it’s sure to become newsworthy and in the worst case scenario could seriously impact your business.

Consumers are fickle. What is a hot issue today may be gone tomorrow. However, in the interim if you are not on target with the right packaging message you may alienate them or force them to buy a competitor’s product because your packaging is not sending the right packaging message.

So, before you embark on any new packaging campaign in 08 understand and incorporate into your product packaging what the consumer wants to know about the product. Be sure your packaging is ready for prime time to the right consumer with the right marketing message.

Need to know whose got the latest concepts in packaging innovation? I know that’s what I do-track packaging trends and innovation and how it is going to impact your business. Get
connected with me JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva through my websites listed below or by phone 1-678-594 6872.

I package people, products and services. Get started in the right direction packaging anything by visiting any one of my websites for free advice, articles or just plain help. You can ask a question to a packaging expert too, list your packaging request, subscribe to my complimentary newsletter Packaging News You Can Use or just visit my website to ask me your packaging question. I *will* find your perfect packaging solution!

Personal Website: http://packagingdiva.com/

Corporate Website: http://packaginguniversity.com/

Packaging Help: http://packagingcoach.com/

JoAnn Hines (The Packaging Diva) work is featured in Package Design magazine, Shelf Impact, Webpackaging and many other packaging portals and magazines. In the months of Sept. and Oct. her packaging commentary was used in Chicago Tribune (2), Entrepreneur Magazine and Cision. She is recognized as one 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th Century and the founder of Women in Packaging.