Horse racing is perhaps one of the most common and attractive wagering game. Every country that permits horse racing earns huge revenue through it. However, not every one is aware that a horse race has more to it than four legged animals and bets. For example, how many if us know about the evolution of horse racing, or where the first race was run, or the various horse breeds other than those that run in the famous Kentucky Derby? Horse racing has various connected activities that help us to witness and bet on the final race.

The game emerged in United States of America when it was a mere colony. The first official race track in North America was a grassy pasture in Long Island. This was the privileged track where Bulle Rock, the most popular horse of the eighteenth century, ran it’s race. In fact the Jockey Club, one of the most famous institutions today, came into existence way back in 1750. Eventually racing spread westwards with more families migrating to newer areas. However, racing was not always as strong as it is now. It has to face the brunt of some fierce legislations and wars. The first Kentucky Derby was organized after the Civil war and was a success. At present the most prestigious American races include Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.

The most famous racing horse of all times would always be the Seabiscuit. The horse fascinated the Americans so much that it has inspired a novel and a movie, as well. Seabiscuit was discovered in 1934, and won its first races in 1937. This legendary horse attained such popularity that death threats were made against him. One such plot was unearthed and made headlines.

The most famous breed of horse is the thoroughbred. The ancestors of this horse were bred in Europe from Arab and Turk sires. These were then imported from England, in 1700’s, and have multiplied since then. This horse has a capacity to carry heavy weights and gallop steadily for long distances. Owing to these characteristics, this royal horse is perfect for racing tracks.

Another breed is the Quarter horse. The quarter horse can sprint well over small distances and are known for their ‘cow sense’. Though they are used in races as well, they are primarily bred for ranches and herding cattle. Thoroughbreds are sometimes used to improve the racing capabilities of this breed.

The speed and adventure in these races make accidents quite common in horse racing. The lack of distances between the competitors endangers both the horse and its jockey. Slipping of the horse can be fatal for the jockey as he might get crushed by the other horses. Any mishap can be dangerous for the audience as well, as the horse might get a scare and choose to run away from the tracks.

The most common event in horse races is betting. The adventure and uncertainty of the game attracts various bettors. However, the bettors need to be aware players. Knowing the personal, medical, and racing history of the horse can help in placing the odds. Other factors can be the jockey and the prevalent weather conditions.

Horseracing is a phenomenon that involves various activities. The information about the various related arenas helps to be informed participants and not just passive on lookers.

Satellite Radio is great for us consumers. It gives us lots of choices for news, sports, comedy, music, weather and so much more. It works almost everywhere except in steep canyon roads and tunnels. Since it does not work in tunnels, this might cause a problem in an emergency. Television and normal radios have the public broadcast system to alert us of emergency; XM Radio can do the same. Only issue is that none of these will work in a highway tunnel.

Recently I drove through the Boston Tunnel after traveling up the East Coast. I noticed after going through several tunnels along the way that the XM Radio cut out. Of course I was not surprised as it is hard to get a signal while underground from a satellite. Yet each time I entered a tunnel, I happened to be listening to a really great song on the 80’s station. The Baltimore Tunnel was not an issue, there was no traffic and I sailed through; no big deal. In New York the tunnel took a little while to travel through due to the traffic, but still a few extra minutes and then the radio was as good as gold again. The real issue was in Boston and the traffic was fierce. I spent nearly 20 minutes in traffic while in the Big Dig, without the radio and had my CD collection in the back and could not get up to get it. This led me to believe there must be a better way. XM Radio has a slight time delay so you can go under highway over passes without cutting into your music or news on any of the over 200 channels. However, when going through long tunnels or in canyons you often miss the signal, as you do not have a direct line of sight to the satellite.

What I propose is one of two options. A.) We allow government agencies to tap into all possible channels of all satellite radio and regular radio stations to play pre-recorded information or B.) We put relays at the ends of such tunnels, which allow all satellite radio users to pick up the signal in the tunnel. If we do option “A” then the government agencies license free of charge the use of those signal frequencies with a caveat for a quick one or two-line commercial along with a public service announcement for instance:

“XM Radio brings you the following statement from the Great State of MerryLand; While traveling in the Baltimore Tunnel please remain in your lane and drive a constant speed of 45-miles per hour when traffic permits. Be observant of drivers around you at all times. If you see anything unusual be sure to call in the information to the Maryland Highway Patrol. Our alert status today is elevated and we rely on you to be our eyes and ears out there. If you see suspicious behavior please call. And thank you for making Maryland a great place, please drive nicely and be courteous at all times, thank you. This has been a public service announcement from XM Radio and the Maryland Highway Patrol and Toll Transit Authority”

If we go with option “B” then we need to allow the Authorities to break into the radio programming while in the tunnel during heavy traffic, Amber Alerts, Fugitive Watch or during heightened alert. Think on this.

There is a fierce competition between different providers of noni juice. Of course there’s the usual boasting that their noni juice is more pure, or better tasting, or more beneficial. But the real competition lies between the locales of noni juice origination. Is Tahitian noni juice better than Hawaiian noni juice? Or is there no difference?

I think you’ll be glad to know that noni juice is noni juice no matter where the noni fruit originates. Noni fruit is grown in tropical climates so Hawaii, Tahiti and the rest of the Polynesian islands are all great places for noni fruit and noni juice. There is a difference between quality and purity of noni juice made by different producers, however.

Hawaiian noni juice is produced from noni fruit trees brought to Hawaii by Hawai’I Loa. It was one of twenty seven species of plants that he thought was vital for their new life in the Hawaiian Islands. The amount of sun and rain on the islands are just perfect for the noni tree. Hawaiian noni juice is made from these noni fruits ripened naturally and in an open natural environment. A lot of noni juice producers even harvest the fruits by hand.

The best Hawaiian noni juice is made from the pulp of the noni fruit, not the bark of the tree, fallen fruit, leaves or seeds. Now I am warning you that pure noni juice smells absolutely horrible and tastes even worse. It is perfectly fine to mix it with fruit juices so that it is actually palatable. You can even buy Hawaiian noni juice already mixed with different fruit juices.

It’s a competitive world out there. Competition for investor funds is fierce. There is a lot of talk about how to position your product positively against the competition. But how do you compete with the thousands of startup entrepreneurs looking to grab a chunk of the same funding pool?

One way you can distinguish yourself from the masses is for your pitch to be seen as a formidable contender. Get investors excited. Here’s how to avoid the common pitch deck mistakes.

Here are the top 5 pitch deck mistakes and what to do instead:

1. Mistake: Pitch the Product – Solution: Pitch the Business

Investors don’t invest in ideas. They don’t invest in products. They invest in businesses. Investors invest because they want to get a big fat return on their investment one day. A product doesn’t give them a return. A viable, profitable and sustainable business can. If you have traction, lead with it. There’s nothing better to prove that you have something that a market wants, needs and will buy.

2. Mistake: Verbose – Solution: Be Succinct

Too many pitch decks are verbose. They are confusing and investors check out rather than write a check. From the very beginning provide specific and succinct details about the problem you solve, for whom and why your solution matters above all others. Resist over communicating. Get to the point quickly with your first slide.

3. Mistake: Wordy Slides – Solution: Visuals and Bullet Points

Too many pitch deck slides are packed with what the presenter is going to say. Entrepreneurs can read – and they can read faster than you can speak. Investors expect you to know your material without having to read it. Only put the primary points on the slide, a single critical point will do. Instead of a bunch of words on a slide consider using stunning visuals to make your point. Great visuals communicate a clear message and engage audiences emotionally. And while we’re on the subject of slide presentation, ditch the animations and transitions. They distract from the focus of your pitch.

4. Mistake: Focus on Tech (or Product Features) – Solution: Focus on Distribution

Your pitch deck needs to show that you know exactly what it will take to get, keep and grow customers in a competitive marketplace. This is a critical slide because investors will want a clear picture of how you plan to get your amazing product into the hands of lots of customers. Broad generalizations such as “social media networking” is a tactic, not a strategy. Show that you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in developing an actionable distribution plan and leveraging your unfair advantage.

5. Mistake: One Size Fits All – Solution: Tailored Pitch

Too many pitch decks are cookie cutter template-based presentations presented to all types of audiences including investors, channel sales partners and strategic partners. Know your audience. Tailor your pitch to your specific audience. How does your business fit with the rest of their portfolio? Do your homework, how is it smack in the middle of their investment “sweet spot”. Specifically shape your pitch, your business story, to the audience to which it is presented.

If you want an investor to get serious about your business get serious about your pitch deck. Look at your pitch from an investor’s perspective. Make sure each slide delivers a compelling answer to “What’s in it for me?” and “Why should I care?” The main thing is to focus on the main thing in the minds of your potential investors. Turn your pitch into a story well told.

The Mental and Psychological Side of Cricket – Batting

When you watch cricket on television, it can appear to be quite an easy and simple sport, but under the helmet of the batter, there is a whole different game going on inside the batters mind in an attempt to banish any possible distractions, and focus every bit of mental energy on the ball as it is released from the bowlers hand, this is the psychological side to batting.

As a batter, your aim is to score runs, stay in and help your team reach a certain particular target. To achieve this, you need to be in the correct mental state. To help reach this state of fierce concentration there are several things that you must do.

Firstly, you need to be clear your mind of any possible distractions, distractions can come in many forms; these may be concerns about the pitch, fielder’s comments, being scared of the ball, fear of getting out etc. These matters need to be cleared out of the head prior to the start of the bowlers run up to allow for the stages of concentration that will soon follow, this is vital, if there are distractions floating around your mind, you are sure not to be focussing to your optimum level and are more likely to male a mistake.

Every ball requires you to concentrate at your highest possible levels, and in so you should have a strategy to help you concentrate. I was taught by a prominent cricketing figure this following method that I find extremely useful in exploiting my maximum concentration levels. Firstly, after clearing all distractions from your mind, as the bowler starts to run up, you should enter a state of fine focus, in this state, your mind should have no negative thoughts and be concentrating on the top half of the bowler, you vision should be like a television, only focussed in on the top half of the bowler as her approaches, in this period you should have constructive positive thoughts, for example I say to myself over and over “Focus, watch the ball, focus, watch the ball” etc… By doing this and saying positive statements, it stops negative thoughts entering the mind and also stops any possible distractions drifting into your thoughts.

As the bowler enters his final steps your focus level should increase to what is commonly known as a state of fierce focus, in this stage all mental powers should be focusing on the ball and the ball only, your mental screen should now just be the size of the ball. This allows your brain to compute and work out the line, length and flight of the ball and so gives you the maximum amount of time to help you get your feet and body into position as early as possible helping giving you the best possible chances of making a good decision and playing a good shot.

This should be applied to nets as well as matches as this will get you well trained and so it becomes second nature.

The Mental and Psychological side to Cricket – Bowling

As a bowler, like batting, to gain optimum results, there are certain thought processes that need to take place. Again, like batting you need to eradicate possible distractions from your mind as you prepare to bowl, such distractions include worries about the batsmen “hitting out”, fear of making mistakes e.g. bowling down the leg side/a wide etc. With negative thoughts running through your mind, you are much more likely to tense up and make mistakes, your thought patterns should always remain positive.

Bowlers need a game plan (I discuss game plans in the free e-book), and they should plan their next ball as they are walking back to their mark. If you are deciding what ball you are going to ball while you run up, then you are likely to get caught in two minds and make mistakes. If you decide prior to starting your run up what type of ball you are going to bowl, e.g. slower ball, it gives you the opportunity to really focus and concentrate on how and where you want to pitch the ball. How you go about deciding where about you focus on e.g. the base of off stump, or where you want to pitch the ball is very much a personal matter which should be worked out in nets as everyone is different.

Shih Tzus can be a joy or a pain depending on your situation, and like any breed there are pros and cons. Here are a few things to consider:

Pro: They have the ideal temperament for singles or couples with older kids are people dogs – outgoing, confident and alert. While they may appear somewhat arrogant on sight, the breed usually possesses a sweet-natured temperament. can go from being the ultimate TV-watching couch potato companion to playful pet at the dangling of a toy or toss of a treat. These little guys seem to know they’re irresistible and enjoy being treated like royalty. But all the spoiling their owners lavish them with is returned a hundredfold with their fierce loyalty.

Con: They are not always good for babies or young children

Because are used to being the center of attention, they can get jealous of babies or young children who constantly need adult supervision. And an older Shih Tzu may snap if bothered by boisterous kids who are not respectful of its space. But some are more tolerant, and if pup and child are introduced properly at an early stage, they may get along swimmingly.

Pro: The breed requires minimal exercise

Unlike other action-loving breeds, are usually content with a short walk around the block or indoor play sessions. If you have a yard, letting your out for brief periods during the day will thrill him, but this breed is also well suited for apartment dwellers.

Con: High maintenance when it comes to grooming

The is a long-haired breed, and without regular brushing, it can become a matted, knotted mess. If you can’t commit to setting time out daily to comb your dog’s fur, you’ll have to make regular appointments with the local dog groomer for frequent trims to keep his coat short and clean. also require a weekly bath and nail clipping.

Pro: A storied history

If you want a piece of history ambling about your house, look no further than the. Based on the breed’s appearances in ancient Chinese paintings, it is thought that have been around since 624 AD and while the breed’s origin is a subject of much debate, they were known to be part of the Chinese court.

Con: A history of health problems

While generally healthy creatures, Shih Tzus are subject to a kidney disease called renal dysplasia. Also, because of their short faces, this breed has to be handled with more care than some other breeds – a Shih Tzu’s respiratory system is compromised by his short nose, so don’t smoke or use strong chemical cleaning products around him. Also, short-faced dogs have a high risk of heatstroke, so minimizing your dog’s outdoor activity during the summer is essential.

Pro: All the cool kids have

Because are awesome, they have been a staple in the American Kennel Club’s Top 10 Most Popular Breeds since 2004.

Con: All the cool kids have Shih Tzus

The burden of any popular breed is abuse by puppy millers and backyard breeders, who damage the gene pool by mass mis-breeding dogs for profit and not for the betterment of the breed.

So if you feel a Shitzu is for you, please start your search with a breeder referral from the AKC or a breed-specific club (in this case the American Shih Tzu Club) – these resources will steer you in the right direction. Never buy a puppy off the internet with a “buy it now” tab. Instant gratification is all good and well until you find your puppy is replete with health problems from poor breeding.

The most important event in the Indian year is the monsoon. India is an agricultural country, and the year’s crops depend on the character of the rainy season. A good monsoon means prosperity, but an excess of rain means destructive floods, and the failure of the monsoon spells drought and famine. The monsoon or trade winds, reach India about the month of June. Coming as they do over thousands of miles of sea, they are laden with moisture; and when they meet the cool heights of the Western Ghats, and later the Himalayas, clouds form, which soon condense in heavy rain.

In a good monsoon, the rainy season continues until about the end of September. How eagerly the monsoon is looked for! Before it breaks, the heat is well-nigh intolerable. Day after day the sun blazes down from an unclouded sky. The ground is baked and parched, the air is like the blast of a furnace, in many places water is scarce, and men and animals gasp and pant in the heart. At last a thunder-storm rolls up from the south-west and, with lightning, thunder and wind, the welcome rain pours down.

The change is almost magical. The air becomes delightfully cool and moist; the sun’s heat is day by day moderated by clouds; the dry, parched land is quickly covered with green vegetation; and life becomes bearable. Except, however, when it is actually raining, it is still hot in the rainy season; but the heat is not fierce and dry, but steamy and sticky. The farmers now begin to be busy, sloughing and showing the rain-soaked land for the kharif, or autumn, corps. The rainy season, though a pleasant relief from the fierce heat, has its disadvantages. Swarms of insects appear, flying ants, flies, mosquitoes, etc., which often make life a burden. And the mosquitoes, bred by the million in the standing pools, bring malarial fever with them. And other more terrible diseases, like cholera, work havoc among the poor. But the peasants much prefer to put up with these inconveniences than a failure of the rains, which means famine.

Work of a roofing contractor: Roofing of any residential or profit-oriented commercialized flat is a job which dictates extreme effort and pressure on the assigned contractor. He may divide the work in case he is unable to finish the consignment in time, the terms of which are mentioned in the contract before he undertakes the exigency. A roofing contractor has to be efficiently skilled and strong willed so that he can work even on the hottest day of summer and not flinch a bit. The roofs are stark-naked to all humidity, freezing winter season and fierce wind. Hence, it becomes very difficult to overcome all the elements of nature and try to finish the work before the bond lapses.

4 tips to find the best roofer for your house’s improvement plan: The roof of your home is in urgent need of maintenance or further construction. So, you need a roofing contractor who will provide quality work in minimal quantity time, taking fees that you can afford.

• The first and foremost thing you should look into when you are looking for a roofing contractor for the due work is validating the insurance claims of the contractor and subcontractors because in no situation, you would want to be held responsible for whatever happens during the period of the signed bond. Liability and insurance policy certificate is one of the primary concerns and hence always before you take any ultimate decision, ask for the insurer’s number and confirm the policy details.

• The second tip is to look around your own locality for fostering the assistance in your home improvement vendetta as a roofing contractor. This decision is wise and smart because it becomes convenient to track down the quality of work the prospecting roofers actually do and it will help you narrow down the best roofer for your home, depending upon the referrals of other community members. Whenever needed for whatever trivial or non-trivial job, you can easily find them and though nowadays everything is written in the contract, it is always helpful to get a background check and that can be done and re-done when it is a local roofing contractor.

• It isn’t always about the money you decide to spend. Sometimes, it is about honesty and trust in the workmanship. Part-time or non-established roofers might provide you with cheaper offers but in the long run, you might end up spending a lot more than what you would have had to pay if any reputed and well-respected roofer and his workers had been hired by you. So, monetary offers shouldn’t be the only criteria for selecting a particular worker.

• Needless to say, you must have the power of choice. Before the work begins, make sure that you and the contractor are on the same page about the terms of payment and the amount of work that has to be completed in the decided time. It would be better if you pay at the end of the work, taking a look at the penultimate result and deciding whether the outline of the outcome has matched your needs. Put every term in writing so that later on, there is no dispute over anything and the home improvement plan is carried out well and fine.

Deborah sets forth with help for you, the would-be ballerina or male ballet dancer, to gain more understanding and control over the demanding world you live in.

Any student of music, writing, and performing of any kind, needs to know some survival techniques to maintain emotional intelligence, and stick with positive thinking. Every new class, with new exams, and fierce competitions, can instigate implosions of self-doubts. How do you take command of your mental and emotional space before that important event? Or so you can sleep well every night?

Deborah designed this book so that teens and pre-teens could discover that there is a way to begin a dialogue about self-sabotaging beliefs and thoughts that so influence their patterns of behavior and success. This 48 page book introduces eight teens with common problems and challenges such as how to take charge of your feelings and how to perform like a pro in the dance studio or anywhere and everywhere. You will learn techniques such as Mental Rehearsing, Creating a Feeling, Refocusing and a very powerful Acting as If. These fun (but seriously amazing) activities will help to train your brain – whether a teen or an adult late starter in ballet – towards success.

As a ballet teacher, I’ve always recommended to students to look outside the dance classes for ways to help manage their frustrations, fears and struggles with the competitive and perfectionist aspects of the performing arts. I think that private and independent study is best for people – contemplation with direction, and applying uplifting creative techniques to maintain a positive perspective, in one’s own way.

That in itself is the challenge – finding one’s own way. “Train Your Brain: A Teen’s Guide To Well Being” is a wonderful first step on that path.

Pretty much every angler knows and would recognize a Northern Pike. Esox lucius as it is known to scientists is a species that can be found across the Northern reaches of America, Europe and Asia. As a fierce predator with the potential to grow big (reportedly 150 centimetres and 35 kilograms) the Northern Pike attracts its fair share of interest and plenty of angling devotees.

Few anglers will know as much about the Amur Pike. Esox reichertii is a species in its own right but just what makes it different and where are they found?

The Amur River is one of Asia’s great rivers. It flows for over 4000 kilometres (taking the longest tributary), eventually flowing out into the Pacific Ocean near the Straights of Tartary – the narrow sea between the Siberian mainland and the Island of Sakhalin. For part of its length it forms the border between the Russian Federation and China – an area that remained in dispute right up into the last century.

The Amur River has a number of significant tributaries including the Songhua, Argun, Shilka and Onon Rivers.

The Amur river-system is truly diverse, passing through desert, tundra, taiga and steppe. Many species have a significant Amur variation, including the Amur Tiger (bigger than the Bengal tiger, with a distinct white winter coat), the Amur Cork Tree (used in Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Amur Pike.

The Amur Pike is very similar to the Northern Pike in its habitat and lifestyle. It too is a predator, preferring to lie in ambush in vegetation and prey upon smaller fish in the water, and frogs, rodents and small birds on the surface.

The Amur Pike does not reach the same size as the Northern Pike but can still reach a size that makes it an attractive target for anglers. The largest on record measured 115 centimetres and 20 kilograms; that’s 45 inches and 44 pounds in old money).

The main distinguishing feature is the skin pattern. Amur Pike are covered in dark spots; hence their other name – Black-spotted Pike.

Amur Pike are only native to the Amur watershed and to Sakhalin Island. Specimens can be found in lakes in the region, especially oxbow lakes that were obviously part of the river system at some point in the not-so-distant past.

Many of the rivers in the Russian federation are heavily fished with nets reducing the chances for rod and line anglers wanting good sport. Some of the best fishing for Amur Pike takes place along the Onon River in Mongolia, which is well protected by poor access.

Amur Pike were introduced to Glendale Lake, Pennsylvania, back in the late sixties. However, the stock was wiped out in the summer of ’76.

Amur Pike make for an exotic alternative to Northern Pike for the serious pike devotee looking for a mission abroad. There is no need for any special gear, nor any restriction upon the methods to be used. Live or dead baits are acceptable; so are lures. Fly fishing for pike is catching on and would be well worth a try, especially as the same rivers also hold Taimen, the largest of the Salmonids. A Catch and Release policy is not compulsory but encouraged.