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Weekend Get Away: Prague
Have you ever been to Prague? It is one of my top 5 European cities. It is relatively small and absolutely stunning and is one of these places where you feel surrounded by history! In short, a perfect European destination to spend a weekend with the family. Prague is yet again one of those cities I visited several times before having a kid and have not been to since. I was really happy when one of our readers Diane wanted to write about it who travels all over Europe with her family. Prague really stood out as a place that is very child friendly and fun for everyone no matter what age, so Diane has decided it was time to share her hard earned knowledge with all of us!
Petrin Hill – Located above Mala Strana, Petrin Hill is a great place from which to view the city. For even better views, take the elevator to the top of the mini Eiffel Tower located on its grounds. Note that the elevator cannot accommodate strollers. A mirror maze located on the grounds can be fun for kids of all ages. Even getting to Petrin Hill can be fun for kids – take the funicular and enjoy the ride up. Remember, you can't spell funicular without fun!
Prague Castle – no trip to Prague would be complete without a visit to Prague Castle. A whole afternoon can be spent wandering around the grounds. Much of it may not interest your kids but stick around for the changing of the guards, as that should grab their attention.
Vysehrad Castle – Prague's other, less visited castle has on its grounds a beautiful church, a cemetery containing the remains of famous Czechs like composers Dvorak and Smetana, and a well-stocked playground perfect for children bored by sightseeing.
Astronomical Clock – Located in the middle of Old Town (a must see as well) is the enormous astronomical clock. It is worth sitting down in a nearby café for a snack and waiting for the top of the hour to see what happens.
Kralovstvi Zeleznic – Located in the basement of a building in Novy Smichov, this train museum offers lots of model train sets of different varieties whizzing by miniature cityscapes and countryside. If your child even remotely likes trains, they will love this museum. Plus, it is entirely indoors, so it is a great rainy (or snowy) day activity. Your kids will recognize the Thomas train sets and older folks will appreciate the more historic trains, including the ones with "Czechoslovakia" written on the side. For the youngest visitors, there is a room set aside with Thomas trains and other age appropriate toys.
Zoo Praha – Like most zoos, Zoo Praha offers a wide array of animals on display. What makes this zoo stand out is its extensive children's area complete with a petting zoo, playground and small train that children can ride (with parents, if necessary). There is a café on the grounds. The zoo is a bit off the beaten path but can be reached by taking the metro and then a bus.
Komunitni Centrum KAMPA – During our travels we always try to give our children an opportunity to interact with others their age by seeking out age appropriate classes and inquiring as to whether we can pay for one or two visits. At the Komunitni Centrum KAMPA, we were able to pay for our daughter to attend a "Kids in Motion" class. This English-speaking class involved music, movement and every toddler's favorite, bubbles. After class, everyone heads next door to Kampa Park for its playground and views of the Charles River. (more…)
Weekend Getaway: Ibiza
Ibiza is a place I visited a long time ago in a different life. It is so easy to get to from mainland Europe and so full of life and excitement. I absolutely loved it, but it never occurred to me that it might also be a great place to visits with kids. Anne-Laure, a fellow Frenchy, has recently moved to Ibiza and kindly shares her favourite places to visit with kids. Turns out there are a ton of things to do for the whole family! Here's her guide:
Have you ever thought of Ibiza as an Island Break for family? Well Ibiza is the perfect spot because this tiny little island has it all! Wonderful weather from Easter to mid-November, good flight connections with most European cities, small villages, beautiful beaches, incredible food and lots of fun for kids and adults.
I moved here last February and even though I already loved the island before moving, I can assure you that the more I know it the more I fall in love with Ibiza. The positive energy which captivates all its visitors will also charm you.
I am a French native, a natural cosmetic blogger and mother of 2 incredible sons, Gabriel (20 months) and Paul (4 months)… I can see you raising your eyebrows! Yes, it is a hell of a lot of work and organisation to be able to keep up with all the things you used to do before having children, like going out for lunch with friends, shopping, partying, etc… But with all the tips I have listed down here you will be able to do it in Ibiza. Here's my list with all my favourite places to go around the island to enjoy the Ibiza Lifestyle with your children: (more…)
• Get our travel tips and give us yours at Gogobot!• Monika Elena Photography
Weekend Getaway: Bali
Have you ever been to Bali? Bali must be one of the most magical places I have been to and I can imagine it must be paradise for kids. It is so exciting that Jemma, a fellow blogger, offered to put together a post about Bali. Granted, not really a weekend away for most of us (except our South-East Asian readers, lucky you!) but it is a great holiday destination!
Jemma's love affair with the Island of the Gods began 15 years ago when she first travelled to Bali as a teenager. Fast forward a decade and a half and many trips and adventures later, Bali is now her home away from home for her and her hubby and their two little girls aged 3 and 2. Some people head down the coast for their summer breaks, but this family jet off to Bali for some fun in the sun, new experiences, nasi goreng and quality family time. After dishing out email after email to fellow travelling families on where to stay, where to eat and other tidbits about the island, Jemma decided to launch Little Bali Love which now provides families all over the world with advice and tips on all the best places to eat, play, shop, stay, see, experience and explore when holidaying in Bali.
Please note, the below guide has a strong Seminyak focus. For more tips and ideas on other places to eat, play, shop and stay visit Little Bali Love.
Cubbyhouse Kids Club (Petitenget, Seminyak): Located at the Semara Resort, Cubbyhouse is arguably the best kids club on the island, and open to all too, not just guests. Check the little ones in for 2 hours as part of the "Pampering and Playdate" package while you enjoy a relaxing massage, or even for the whole day where they can play, read, paint, draw and dress-up till their little hearts content.
El Parque (Seminyak): The new kid on the block, and a fun spot for the whole family to chill together and eat, play and swim. Seek out this spot in the backstreets of Seminyak, sample the Spanish inspired menu, and kick back and relax in the sunshine for a few fun hours together. We especially love the "no nanny" policiy – this place is all about rockin quality family time.
Waterbom Park (Kuta): An oldie but a goodie. What child doesn't love to splish splash around and some serious waterslide action. With over 17 waterslides, water cannons, rides, rafts, boogie boards and more, this place is sure to delight all from toddlers to teens.
Beachside fun (From Sanur to Seminyak, Canggu to Candidasa…): Paddling, swimming, sandcastles, shell-collecting, surfing, boogie-boarding, horseriding, hair braiding, BBQ'ed corn on the cob, manicures, pedicures, massages, buckets and spades, sunsets, fresh tropical juices… life's a beach, and life on the beach in Bali will provide hours of entertainment, new experiences, fun times and magical memories for visiting families. (more…)
Weekend Away: Sao Paulo, Brazil
I have always wanted to visit Brazil — everything about this country feels exciting: beaches, rainforest, samba and carnival! Not to forget Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo! I am super happy that Flavia, a mother of two living in Sao Paulo, agreed to put together a weekend guide to her bustling metropole. I think it is the first South American city guide we have had here at Babyccino Kids. I hope you enjoy reading about Sao Paulo as much as I did! (more…)
Weekend Away: Paris
We have had so many great contributors tell us about their cities, and each of them has made me want to pack my bag and go explore the city, so I wanted to do a post about Paris. I still sometimes step out of my flat and get a little bit excited. Why? Because I do live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sometimes I forget and then I look up and think: "Seriously… I am one lucky girl!"
So here is my list of what to do in Paris with your family for a weekend (or more!) in Paris:
The Pompidou Centre – great for the whole family. The permanent collection is world-class and well laid out, not too big and not too small. The ground floor has a little exhibition center just for kids that normally runs parallel to the temporary exhibitions and helps kids understand the exhibition. If nothing else, taking the rolling staircases, which are on the outside of the building in the plastic tubes, is an activity in itself.
The Galerie de l'Evolution – Paris's natural history museum, which has recently been renovated and is worth a visit, especially if it is rainy outside. It is a beautiful space and is set in the Jardin des Plantes, the Botantical Gardens. It is a lovely to have a walk around in.
The Menagerie in the Jardin des Plantes – Also in the Jardin des Plantes is the Menagerie, a little zoo that has been around since the mid-19th century and has not changed a lot since then. It is a great size for smaller children and very charming.
The Sacrée Coeur and Montmartre – Montmartre and the Sacrée Coeur is a fun place to explore – unfortunately a lot of tourists agree with this, so the main streets are often packed with tourists. It is quite easy to avoid them though, as the groups normally stick to a few road and squares.
I recommend taking the funicular (easily my favourite public transportation vehicle) up to the top of the hill (you pay with a metro ticket). The view of Paris from the Sacrée Coeur is one of the best. If you walk back down the steps you will find a beautiful old merry-go-round – you might recognize it from the movie Amelie Poulain.
Musée D'Orsay – The Musée d'Orsay is a really accessible museum for kids from about 5 years and up. It houses a lot of the famous impressionists, so it is a great introduction to art and famous artwork that your kids might already know. It is right in the heart of Paris on the right bank of the Seine, beside the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, the perfect place to go and have a run about in after a museum visit. Do note that one of the crazy things about parks in France is one is often not allowed on the grass and there are fierce looking officers with whistles paroling the parks to make sure it stays that way!
Cité des Enfants - The cité des Enfants is based in the Science Museum a little bit outside the centre of Paris at La Villette. It is definitely worth the treck out if you are staying for a few days. All the exhibitions are interactive, educational and fun. I have been there with my kids and it is quite interesting how different kids gravitate towards different part of the exhibition. The exhibitions are divided between a section for 2-7 year olds and a section for 5-12 year olds. I would advise booking tickets in advance from the museum's website.
Luxembourg Gardens – The Luxembourg Gardens is possibly my favourite park in Paris – it is beautiful and very, very Parisian. Again you will stumble over the problem that it is hard to find a piece of grass to sit on, but you can sit on the famous chairs, go on the merry-go-round, rent little boats to push around the little pond with a stick, visit the play area (you will notice all the French parents sitting on the benches outside the area while the foreign parents are running around the area trying to keep an eye on their children). (more…)
Weekend Getaway: Sevilla, Spain
My husband and I spent a week in Sevilla over Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) when our oldest was just 8 months old. It was such a magical, sunny week, and such a special time to be there (we lucked out — we had no idea of the Easter celebrations we would get to see!). We loved our trip so much and hope to go back some day. Luckily, one of our readers, Sarah, an American living in Seville, has offered to write a (very comprehensive!) guide to exploring her city. Sarah is mum to a toddler girl called Manuela, and has a blog called Babbles and Bibis where she shares what life is like as an expat raising a bilingual family in Southern Spain. Here is her guide:
Sevilla (Seville) is the capital city of the southernmost region in Spain and it is mostly known for its colorful flamenco, lazy siesta afternoons, bullfighting and of course, its delectable tapas. Visitors will also find it to be a great destination for a getaway with the whole family. There is so much to see and do, you might just have to stay a whole week. (more…)
Weekend Getaway: Rome
Rome is one of my favorite European capitals. When I visited I was so impressed that so much history, from the Romans to the Renaissance and turbulent 19th century, can be found on a relatively small scale. But how easy is it to explore all this history with the whole family? Sarah Petrucci, a true Roman and the owner of the newly opened toy boutique Il Pesciolino Rosso, was kind enough to write down her recommendations for a trip to Rome with familia!
Rome must be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Maybe because of the warm light so unique to this city which makes its palazzi in hues of gold and terracotta glow at sunset. Perhaps it has to do with the beauty of its flowering balconies and rooftops or the regal stance of the pine and sycamore trees that line the river and fill the parks. Of course it could be the abundance of wealth in monuments and churches, important ruins and treasures. And to top it off, that balmy climate, so mellow in each season giving a romantic feeling you can't get enough of as you walk the cobblestone streets and listen to the sweet sounds of Roma. Here are some ideas for a weekend in Rome… (more…)
Weekend Getaway: Munich
Courtney and I spent a hilarious weekend seven years ago (pre-children) at the October Fest in Munich. It was great fun: there was a lot of beer, schnapps, bretzels, German sausages, sleeping and card playing involved. I don't think we had ever seen so many people our age in lederhosen and dirndls. It was definitely not the kind of weekend you would have with kids.
I am pretty sure that a weekend in Munich now would be very, very different, but potentially as much fun — it is a beautiful city, very traditional but also very happening. For some local insight on what Munich has to offer for kids, Mitali, a stay-at-home mom living in Munich, has very kindly given us her tips and recommendations on what to do in the capital of Bavaria. She is a mother of two (son Nilay 6 years, daughter Nalini 7 months) and the proud owner of a crazy dog, Greta. She loves travelling and has lived all around the world, but, in the end, has always enjoyed coming home to Munich. She has some great ideas of what to do in Munich! (more…)
Weekend Get-Away: Madrid
I love Spain — the culture, the cities, the people and the great, great food. I have not been to Madrid in years (actually decades) and had no idea if it is a good place to visit with kids. Luckily we got some local intel from the lovely Beatriz.
Beatriz, a Spanish native, lives in Madrid with her husband, her daughter Martina and her dog. During the day, she works in communications for a Spanish Luxury Brand. During the night, she runs her blog Con Botas de Agua about things that inspire her.
Here are Beatriz's recommendations if you happen to be in Madrid (or need an excuse to go!): (more…)
Weekend Get-Away: Stockholm!
Stockholm is SUCH a cool city. I have been only a few times, but each time I felt an urge to move there (and not many cities do that to me!). It's beautiful, it's trendy, it's kid-friendly, most people speak English, and it's always voted one of the best cities for families to live… so it must be true! I recently met up with the lovely Britt Hanson, freelance illustrator, one half of the husband-and-wife duo behind fanfamfun blog and beautiful mama of two, and she had me green with envy over her recent three-year stint in Stockholm. I asked her to write a family-friendly guide to the city, and thankfully she obliged. Here is Britt's guide complete with her own cute illustrations…
It's horrible. It really is an awful place to visit. Hungry polar bears have even been known to roam the streets looking for food! There, that should do it. That should keep this geographical gem off the radar of the visiting hordes.
Ok, I'll come clean. Stockholm is one of the most beautiful (and clean) cities in the world and we absolutely love visiting. I should also mention, we've lived there for three years. So what's so special about it? Isn't it cold, dark and miserable? It's cold and dark in the winter, but oh so beautiful. And even more beautiful in the summer.
This is a city built on fourteen islands at the mouth of a lake and the Baltic Sea. These islands continue out to the Stockholm archipelago, where you'll find around 30,000 more islands and islets that will literally charm your socks off. So, there's water here, there and everywhere. What else? Do acres upon acres of parks and greenery take your fancy? Not forgetting culture, fine architecture, fashionable people and cutting edge design amidst this sea of blue water and ever so green greenery. And to top all this off, it's as child friendly as a cuddly toy polar bear.
Here are our favourite places to have some fantastic family fun.
- Stockholm Waterfront Walk – Take a stroll from the edge of Södermalm where it meets Slussen. As you walk across Slussen to Gamla Stan you can see Lake Malaren on your left and the Baltic sea on your right. Walk along the waters edge around Gamla Stan (the tourist friendly old town that's also a must see destination), towards Kungstragarden, Take in some magnificent architecture along the way, this includes The Royal Palace, The Grand Hotel and the National Museum. You'll also come across local fishermen catching salmon. When you reach Nybrokajen (the harbour with lots of tourist tour boats), follow the arc of the dock around and meander slowly down the beautiful tree lined avenue, Strandvagen. There are many landmarks to see as you approach the bridge that goes across to the island of Djurgarden. Once on Djurgarden you'll find lots to see and do. This really is a wonderful way to see the city.
- Gamla Stan – You go back in time when you stroll around the narrow cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town). This is the original Stockholm, most of the buildings are from the 1700's. It's a wonderful island to stroll through and pick up some tourist gifts. You might want to bring your Babybjorn on this trip, small stroller wheels really struggle on the very old cobbled streets. Be warned, it can be very touristy, but it's well worth a visit. And if you're lucky enough to be here around Christmas time be sure to visit the Christmas market at Stortorget square.
- Modern Museet – Get inspired at the beautiful modern museum on the island of Skeppsholmen. It has one of the world's finest collections of 20th and 21st century art. Make sure to visit on Family Sunday, there are fun and educational tours and workshops where your little ones create art inspired by the collections they've just seen. When you've got your fill of art, take a walk around the island and see all the house boats and views to many impressive landmarks.
- Fotografiska – The Photographic Museum is new to Stockholm. It's one of the worlds largest photography museums with some of the worlds biggest names showing. The building is next to the water front and views from the cafe are worth a visit alone. So take in a few floors of photos, even if some of the photographs are a bit racy it's a great place for kids to spend a few hours and learn about art.
- Sightseeing Boat Tour – See Stockholm from a boat. It's a wonderful way to explore this city of islands. There are many different tours you can choose from, but the Hop on Hop off is probably the best way to go. Kids love taking a boat trip! If you don't get a chance to take a boat tour, at least take the ferry from Djurgården to Slussen.
- Sergels Torg – Feel the buzz of the city at Stockholm's central point. Sergels Torg is made up of a very large pedestrian plaza with an iconic black and white triangular pattern. The plaza is surrounded by a busy roundabout with a tall glass obelisk at its centre. Three busy streets converge and there is lots of shopping and the imposing building Kulturhuset (www.kulturhuset.se) and the Stockholm City Theatre. (more…)
Weekend Get-Away: Dallas
The moment I hear Dallas, I automatically think of JR, Bobby and good old Sue Ellen hanging out in Southfork with their cowboy hats. I am sure this is a gross generalisation, and there must be so much more that Dallas has to offer than the Ewings and their crazy antics. Which is why I was very grateful that Sara, formally from the lovely children's clothing label Chakra Design Studio, offered to give us a bit more insight to what goes on in Dallas. Turns out that it is a wonderful place to visit with a family with a ton of things on offer.
Sara Hignite, our guest blogger, has put her master's degree in art history to good use as a museum professional, first in St. Louis and now in Dallas. She has also published Comic Art Magazine and in her most recent side project, she helped launch Chakra Design Studio, a boho children's clothing line. She lives in Dallas with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter, Ava, and is currently looking for her next project. Here are Sara's insider tips on a weekend away in Dallas: (more…)
Weekend Get-Away: Copenhagen
Did you know that apparently the Danish have the highest standard of living in all of Europe and possibly the world? And the highest standard of living in Denmark must be in Copenhagen, so I reckon it must be a very, very cool place to visit especially with kids: clean, safe, and beautiful (and by the sea!).
We are very lucky to have Christine, a mom of two who runs a maternity cafe called Lille Du and a lovely webshop called Happy Boheme, give us a list of things to do in Copenhagen. Reading her recommendations makes me want to book flight tickets and jump on a plane right this minute!
Weekend Get-Away: Boston
According to my friend, Marika, who is a regular visitor — Boston is an absolutely fantastic city to visit with kids because it is jam-packed with things to do for the whole family, regardless of age and interest. It's also super easy to get around town, either on foot or by public transport. The centre of the city is tiny and most sights are within walking distance of each other.
Marika lives in London and has two daughters. She also travels more than any other friend I have! She and her family (photographed below) have just returned from another family visit to Boston and she has kindly written down a weekend guide for us. Makes me want to take the kids to Boston — there's so much to do and it all sounds incredible.
Chicago Weekend Get-Away
Chicago has a special place in my heart as I lived close by in Illinois a very, very long time ago (between the ages of 6 and 8)…. I have vague memories of going up the John Hancock building and trying to get my head around the fact that Lake Michigan is actually a lake and not a sea, even though it is so big you can't see across it.
Luckily enough, Inessa from the lovely blog Diaper Style Memoirs offered to write a post for us with a more reliable version of things to do in Chicago. By the way the Chicago sky line is a watercolour & ink drawing by Comic Nurse on Etsy. Isn't it beautiful?
Here are Inessa's tips for a weekend with kids in Chicago: (more…)
• Ada Ada for beautiful beachy style• Mother's Day cards you want to give… and receive
Weekend Away Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is one of my top ten favourite cities. One of my closest friends lives over there, and so, before kids, I used to visit almost once a year. Kuala Lumpur is such a great mix between a modern metropolitan city and an ethnically diverse melting pot, full of history and buzzing with energy.
We are very lucky to have Vivien, a mom of two and a KL local, do a write up for us of her favourite child-friendly places in and around Kuala Lumpur. Vivien works with Irene Hoofs on one of our favourite blogs Bloesem Kids. She lives with her two daughters and husband in KL. Do let us know if you have other great ideas of things to do in KL. (more…)
Weekend Get-Away: Toronto
This time our Weekend Get-Away guide is all about the vibrant city of Toronto. It was written by the lovely Brandy who works in the Toronto fashion industry and who is the founder of Baby Blackbird, a blog about children's fashion. Very nicely, she took some time off writing for her own blog and put together a list of things to do and see in Toronto. I had no idea that Toronto had so many child-friendly things to do! (more…)
Weekend get-away: Miami
This weekend get-away post I am very, very excited about as it was written by my very dear friend Petra who I went to college with a long, long time ago in the Kent countryside of snowy England. After college we both moved to London and had some great times – to say the least. About 10 years ago Petra, a hotel expert, left Europe and never came back. She now lives in sunny Coconut Grove, Miami, with her lovely husband Christopher and their little daughter Ella.
Together with her friend, Oriane, a French girl who grew up in Miami and is a fashion writer by trade, they put together this great guide to Miami. I hope you enjoy it. Certainly reading it from snowy Paris, Miami sounds VERY tempting! (more…)
• Baileys Home and Garden• 11-13 weeks scan at the Fetal Medicine Centre
Weekend get-away: Berlin
This week's get-away is from one of my favourite cities, Berlin, which I cannot wait to go visit with my kids. Rumour has it that it is one of the most child-friendly cities in Europe. Judith is a freelance writer who loves to travel. She is also a mother of two (a 5 and a 3-year-old) and long time resident of Berlin. She has become an expert in seeking out Berlin's child-friendly hotspots and was kind enough to share her tips with us. (more…)
Weekend get-away: Hong Kong
If you travel internationally it is very hard not to have a stop-over at some point in Hong Kong. Chances are that you are on a long-haul flight so it is the perfect place to take a break in your journey. But it has never seemed to me like a kid-friendly place, so I was really excited to meet Kristen a few months ago, who runs the lovely eco-friendly and ethical e-shop Hocusadabra and lives in Hong Kong. (Hilariously enough we have friends in common in Kuala Lumpur which shows yet again how small the world is.) Kristen was excited to hear about the weekend get-away posts and was kind enough to write up what she would recommend doing with kids on a weekend in Hong Kong. I hope you enjoy it. Please do let us know if you have any other recommendations for what to do in this great city! (more…)
Weekend get-away: Athens
Greece is a dream holiday destination — the beautiful islands, the history, the coffee and the food. Athens is the the main hub and starting point for most trips to Greece, so why not spend a couple of days discovering this historic city, before hitting the beach?
Pepi, an Athens native, was gracious enough to give us some tips and ideas on what to do in Athens with children. She grew up in the city of Patras before coming to Athens many years ago. During her studies she spent a year in Scotland before settling in Athens. She now lives with her husband Chris and their little daughter Alice in this city full of history. Pepi is now a full time mom and spends her time with her daughter discovering and playing. Here are her insider tips: (more…)


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We recently stayed here and it was the perfect place to stay in Athens. Walkable to downtown which was very quaint. The B&B was so beautifully furnished and spotlessly cleaned. Elaine & Richard are the perfect hosts with a fabulous HUGE breakfast (the pecan muffins are too die for). They made us feel so much at home.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- This historic downtown Athens landmark was built in 1909 and is located just one block from the McMinn County Courthouse and two blocks from Tennessee Wesleyan College. Escape from the big city hubbub and retreat to a time of friendly neighbors and front porch visits. Surround yourself with family antiques and warm memories of personal service beyond anything you've experienced. You belong here. ... more less

subset: commoncrawl


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The electronic sign outside the Mike Daniel Recreation Center catches the eye with its announcements and advertisements.
It's also caught the attention of the state Department of Transportation.
The county had to get a permit for the sign, which the DOT considers a billboard. The permit comes with a $300 fee.
"This came out of the blue," said Troup County Manager Tod Tentler. "We thought we were exempt, because we're a county organization and also a non-profit. The sign is on our property."
The sign has been up for about a month, and was built and paid for by the Troup High School baseball booster club. The booster club also will pay the DOT fee.
Tentler said the club came to the county about a sign late last year. It wanted a way to publicize its events and events at the school, and agreed to let the county have six "spots" in the rotation to advertise recreation events. Advertising sprinkled in helps pay for the sign and fund the booster club.
"It was a win-win for us," Tentler said. "We can advertise our programs and if we have rain outs, we can get announcements up right away."
The sign does comply with the city of LaGrange sign ordinance, although since it's a county sign, it's technically exempt from city rules, Tentler said.
The DOT permit has stumped city and county officials. LaGrange City Manager Tom Hall said there are several other areas in town where signs would qualify as a "billboard" – like the electric sign in front of LaGrange High School – where no billboard fee has been charged.
A call to a DOT spokeswoman was not returned.


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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
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Planting Texas Persimmon in enclosed planter from San Angelo TX May 23, 2013 I want to plant a Texas Persimmon (in West Texas) in an enclosed planter 4' X 4' X 2.5' deep. What would be a good planting medium. Does it need to be deeper? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-fruiting Willamette raspberry plant in Wateford CA May 23, 2013 I have a 2 year old Willamette Raspberry plant that has many blooms, bees, great growing conditions, very healthy but has never set one fruit. I know about pruning. Any suggestions? It has been bloomi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shrub to hide gas line and water faucet from Stamford CT May 23, 2013 I have a small garden ( 8'x10') in front of my house in southwestern Connecticut which faces north. It gets very limited sun and the eave hangs over it. I am looking for a shrub to plant up against ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need to identify leaf extensions on the leaves of an elm sapling in Houston, Tx. May 22, 2013 I have an elm sapling which grows strange leave extensions on its leaves. Can I send you a picture? Tree looks healthy View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of insects on crepe myrtle in Florida May 22, 2013 I have large colonies of striped bugs on large crepe myrtle in my backyard. They stay in large groups and have long antennae. There are larger black bugs among the groups that appear to corral and g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with a two year old persimmon tree in Fredricksburg, TX. May 22, 2013 Hi Mr/Ms Smarty Plants, We planted a 4-ft Texas Persimmon, Diospyros texana, 2-years ago, with wonderful leaf and fruit production since. We recently had a hail storm (5/9/13) and although mos... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-native ligustrum in non-native fescue in Medina TX May 22, 2013 Is there an effective way to kill baby ligustrums coming up in my fescue yard without harming the grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought resistant small tree for Ft. Worth TX May 22, 2013 I am looking for suggestions for a small tree (no more than 25 feet max)that is drought resistant but can handle a little irrigation and a lot of wind. Something showy is a plus. Grouped with salvias ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What are the native plants in Kerrville, Texas? May 22, 2013 What are the native plants in Kerrville, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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Natuurhistorische Vereniging
Boulevard 12, 3707 BM Zeist
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Economy and Ecology of Heathlands
heathland ecology and management
- Author: W. Herbert Diemont, Wim J.M. Heijman, Henk Siepel & Nigel R. Webb
- Price: € 59,95
- Forthcoming in June 2013
- Heathlands in Europe reflect a long history of human activity and use. Through the ages they have been of importance as (semi)agricultural areas, hunting territories and various other uses of mankind. This diversity of use has created a cultural diversity all over Europe. The newest insights in heathland ecology and management. All about the economic future of these ecosystems...
Calcareous mires of Slovakia - Ecological Restoration - Peatland
Landscape setting, management and restoration prospects
- Author: Ab Grootjans, André Jansen, Viera Sefferová Stanová
- Price: € 49,95
- Slovakia has a great wealth of wet nature, sources, streams as well as low-and high moors. 'Calcareous mires of Slovakia' presents a number of these areas. Each chapter describes a specific area in detail and gives extra information about geomorphology, ecohydrology, vegetation and land use.
The Nature Guide to Eastern Rhodopes - Greece and Bulgaria
Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers, Herman Dierickx, Alex Tabak en Albert Vliegenthart
- Price: € 25,95
- The Eastern Rhodopes lie on the border of Greece and Bulgaria. Both sides boast a splendid, authentic and little visited landscape with a rich flora and fauna.
The Nature Guide to Northeast Poland
Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers en Bouke ten Cate
- Price: € 25,95
- The Biebrza marshes in North-east Poland are well known as the most pristine lowland river ecosystem. Likewise, Bialowieza National Park is famous for being the last primeval lowland forest left in Europe.
The Nature Guide to the Extremadura - Spain - Birdwatching
Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 24,95
- Available again!
- The wealth of birds and the splendid scenery has given Extremadura the status of a natural paradise. The rugged mountains, steppes and Mediterranean woodlands of this once unknown backwater in South-west Spain, are now one of the most appreciated destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. With this guide you'll discover why.
Veldgids Sprinkhanen en Krekels - eBook
A Field Guide to Grasshoppers and Crickets
- Author: Roy Kleukers, Rene Krekels
- Price: € 19,99
- NEW! eBook
- Introduces 65 species of Northwestern Europe. Includes detailed species information and introductory material on biology and ecology.
Aquatic Oligochaeta of the Netherlands and Belgium - Identification key for bristle worms - Water Quality Management
Freshwater and brackish water oligochaetes - ecology - taxonomy
- Author: Ton van Haaren en Jan Soors
- Price: € 195,-
- A comprehensive overview of aquatic oligochaetes, 136 species, focusing on morphology, collecting and preservation, identification, and ecology. Offering a new, practical key for identification to species level which mainly uses characteristics that are easy to observe, supported by clear photographs and schematic drawings. A unique book and an invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management.
Veldgids Amfibieën en reptielen - eBook
Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe
- Author: Ton Stumpel, Henk Strijbosch
- Price: € 19,99
- NEW! eBook
- Photo guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Europe.
The Nature Guide to the Andalusian Sierras - Spain
From Malaga to Gibraltar - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 24,95
- The mountains of western Andalusia host a flora that ranks among the richest of entire Europe. It is also the land of the Iberian ibex, the griffon vulture and a twice-a-year tidal wave of migratory birds flying back and forth between Europe and Africa. With this guidebook, you can explore and enjoy these superb nature parks to the fullest.
The Nature Guide to the Camargue - France
Camargue, La Crau and Les Alpilles - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 24,95
- Some areas just seem to have it all and the Camargue region in France is among those fortunate ones. Just far enough south the Camargue already displays some of the best that Mediterranean nature has to offer. Camargue, La Crau and Les Alpilles: combine the three areas and you have a region of incredible diversity. All you have to do is step outside and witness it.
The Nature Guide to the Coto Doñana - Spain - Birdwatching
and surrounding coastal lowlands - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 19,95
- The Coto Doñana is famous for its exotic and colourful flamingos, bee-eaters, purple gallinules, vultures, ibises, eagles, and so on, which flock in by the tens of thousands. Remnant populations of extremely rare animals, such as the Iberian lynx and Spanish imperial eagle further contribute to the Doñana's immeasurable natural value. The visitors to the area await a unique experience.
Veldgids Europese Zoogdieren
Field Guide to the Mammals of Europe
- Author: Peter Twisk, Annemarie van Diepenbeek en Jan Piet Bekker
- Price: € 32,95
- A complete up-to-date practical guide covering more than 200 European species.
Walvissen kijken in Europa
The best Whale Watching Spots - Observation Tips - Wildlife Photography
- Author: Martijn de Jonge
- Price: € 22,95
- A Nature Guide to Whale Watching in Europe. Backgroundinformation about 40 species. The best locations and observation tips. Wildlife Photography. Dutch language.
Zakgids vogels van Nederland
The Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide to the Netherlands
- Author: Luc Hoogenstein, Ger Meesters, Jip Louwe Kooijmans
- Price: € 12,95
- This is the first compact and concise guide to nearly 300 species of birds that live in or regularly visit the Netherlands.
Veldgids Libellen
Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Northern and Middle Europe
- Author: Frank Bos, Marcel Wasscher, Weia Reinboud
- Price: € 29,95
- This beautifully illustrated field guide covers all 96 dragonfly species in Northern and Middle Europe.
Fotogids Larvenhuidjes van Libellen
Photo Guide to Dragonfly Exuviae
- Author: Christophe Brochard, Dick Groenendijk, Ewoud van der Ploeg, Tim Termaat
- Price: € 49,95
- In the spring you sometimes can find them at the waterfront: empty covers in the form of an insect. From these exuviae dragonflies have just emerged after years of underwater existence as larvae. These exuviae do tell you a lot about the prevalence of dragonflies, and hence the ecology of the area.
De Nederlandse bijen - Dutch Fauna volume 11
The bees of the Netherlands
- Author: Theo M.J. Peeters e.a.
- Price: € 49,95
- This book introduces all species of Dutch bees.
Veldgids amfibieën en reptielen
Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe
- Author: Ton Stumpel, Henk Strijbosch
- Price: € 34,95
- Photo guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Europe.
Veldgids Roofvogels
Field Guide to the Birds of Prey of Europe, North-Africa and the Middle East
- Author: Benny Gènsbøl
- Price: € 39,95
- This field guide describes all birds of prey of Europe, North-Africa and the Middle East.
Veldgids Plantengemeenschappen - Vegetation Science
Field Guide to the Plant Communities of the Netherlands
- Author: Joop Schaminée, Karle Sýkora, Nina Smits, Marcel Horsthuis
- Price: € 39,95
- The first and complete up-to-date practical guide covering all plant communities of the Netherlands.
Veldgids Water- en oeverplanten - Aquatic Ecology
Field Guide to Common Aquatic Plants of the Netherlands
- Author: Roelf Pot
- Price: € 34,95
- This field guide contains a new set of keys based on the most obvious field characteristics and not requiring detailed knowledge of the plants and flowers.
The Reed Warblers - Behavioural Ecology - Ornithology
Diversity in a uniform bird family
- Author: Bernd Leisler, Karl Schulze-Hagen
- Price: € 69,95
- BB/BTO Best Bird Book 2012
- What an extraordinarily diverse group of birds! This magnificent book provides a panoramic yet penetrating overview of the reed warblers' intriguing. A fascinating read for bird watchers and bird researchers alike. British Birds Magazine and the British Trust for Ornithology awarded The Reed Warblers as the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year 2012.
Living on the edge - Bird migration - European birds
Wetlands and birds in a changing Sahel
- Author: Leo Zwarts, Rob Bijlsma, Jan van der Kamp, Eddy Wymenga
- Price: € 64,95
- BB/BTO Best Bird Book 2010
- 'This book provides a step-change in our knowledge of Sahel migrants. A fascinating read for those who want to know more about European birds in the Sahel zone than they can find in European bird journals.' British Birds
The Nature Guide to the Loire Valley - France
Brenne and Sologne - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers, Tony Williams
- Price: € 24,95
- The Loire Valley region in central France includes three large natural areas which form a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The best-known feature of the region are the thousands of reed-fringed lakes with their wealth of birds. The mosaic of lowery meadows, hedgerows, heathlands and old oak woodlands support an incredible flora and fauna.
Nieuwe Veldgids Dagvlinders
Field Guide to the Butterflies of Northwestern Europe
- Author: Irma Wynhoff, Chris van Swaay, Kars Veling, Albert Vliegenthart
- Price: € 34,95
- Covering almost 150 species, this is the most comprehensive butterfly guide for Northwestern Europe.
De Nederlandse biodiversiteit - Dutch Flora and Fauna volume 10 - Biodiversity
The Biodiversity of the Netherlands
- Author: J. Noordijk, A.J. van Loon, R.M.J.C. Kleukers, E.J. van Nieukerken
- Price: € 49,95
- Volume 10 in the the series 'Nederlandse Fauna' (Dutch Fauna) presents an overview of the current biodiversity in the Netherlands. Focuses on all species groups: plants, animals, fungi and protozoa.
Dagvlinders van Europa - Field Guide butterflies
The Butterflies of Europe
- Author: Tristan Lafranchis
- Price: € 24,95
- Price permanently reduced: € 24,95 instead of € 39,95
- Describes all European species of butterflies, including species of the isles of Madeira and Cyprus.
Fotogids Korstmossen
Photo Guide to the Lichens of the Netherlands
- Author: Arie van den Bremer, Leo Spier
- Price: € 19,95
- Photo Guide to the Lichens of the Netherlands. All 127 species found in the Netherlands are covered in this field guide.
Fotogids Mossen
Photo Guide to the Mosses of the Netherlands and Belgium
- Author: Klaas van Dort, Chris Buter
- Price: € 29,95
- Special price € 29,95 (normal price € 49,95)
- Photo Guide to the Mosses of the Netherlands and Belgium. All 600 species found in the Netherlands and Belgium are covered in this field guide.
The pursuit of complexity - Evolution and biodiversity
The utility of biodiversity in evolutionary perspective
- Author: Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis
- Price: € 14,95
- What use is biodiversity, and does it matter if species die out? These controversial questions arouse considerable debate. Most people believe they represent a moral dilemma, but The Pursuit of Complexity shows that it is possible to explore them in a scientific way.
Hoverflies of the Northwest Europe - Identification keys to the Syrphidae
dichotomous keys - 500 species - richly illustrated
- Author: Mark P. van Veen
- Price: € 47,95
- Hoverflies are beautiful insects and good bioindicators. This guide contains dichotomous keys which help identify 500 European hoverfly species. Richly illustrated with drawings that show details as well as whole flies. It is the first time that such a comprehensive work on the subject has appeared in English.
The European families of the Diptera - True flies of Europe - Identification key
Identification - diagnosis - biology
- Author: Pjotr Oosterbroek
- Price: € 59,95
- Presents an identification key and family descriptions of all 132 families of Diptera (midges, mosquitoes, gnats, true flies) occurring in Europe.
The Nature Guide to Finnish Lapland - Finland
and Kuusamo area - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 24,95
- Finnish Lapland is one of the last great wildernesses of Europe. Huge expanses of silent coniferous forests, impenetrable bogs and vast open fells compris the awe-inspiring landscape of Lapland. It is a paradise for hikers and adventurers who wish to experience nature in the raw.
Identification keys to the Microlepidoptera of the Netherlands
1427 species - identification, diagnosis and biology
- Author: Joop H. Kuchlein, Leo E.J. Bot
- Price: € 59,95
- This book provides identification keys to the Dutch smaller Lepidoptera, thus making an attempt to meet this difficulty at least for The Netherlands and as far as the adults are concerned.
Chironomidae Larvae - part 3 - Aquatic Orthocladiinae - Water Quality Management
Biology and Ecology of the Aquatic Orthocladiinae
- Author: Henk Moller Pilot
- Price: € 89,95
- Forthcoming in July 2013
- An invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management. Chironomids are a group of non-biting midges, the larvae of which are important in aquatic ecosystems. The subfamily Orthocladiinae is well represented in flowing water. This books contains information about their life cycle, feeding behaviour and their response to environmental factors. Presents a wealth of information for scientific and practical purpose.
Chironomidae Larvae - part 2 - Chironomini - Water Quality Management
Biology and ecology of the Chironomini
- Author: Henk Moller Pillot
- Price: € 79,95
- An invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management. Covers the most important tribes Chironomini and Pseudochironomini and presents a wealth of information for professionals for scientific and practical purpose.
Chironomidae Larvae - part 1 - Identification key for Tanypodinae - Water Quality Management
General ecology and Tanypodinae
- Author: Henk Vallenduuk, Henk Moller Pillot
- Price: € 79,95
- Chironomids are a group of non-biting midges, the larvae of which are important in aquatic ecosystems. The authors revised existing identification keys and collected additional information on the biology and ecology of the larvae. Where possible, the identification keys use anatomical characters that are easily observed. An invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management.
Drawn after nature - Botanical history - Carolus Clusius
The Complete Botanical Watercolours of the 16th-century Libri Picturati
- Author: Jan de Koning, Gerda van Uffelen, Alicja Zemanek
- Price: € 49,95
- Presents a vivid and complete picture of a unique historical collection of botanical watercolours.
Les ailes du Sahel - Oiseaux migration - Afrique
Zones humides et oiseaux migrateurs dans un environnement en mutation
- Author: Leo Zwartes, Rob G. Bijlsma, Jan van der Kamp, Eddy Wymenga
- Price: € 64,95
- NEW! French edition of 'Living on the edge'
- Entre 1970 et 2005, pas moins de 59% des migrateurs transsahariens, soit 75 espèc es d'oiseau sur 127, ont subi un déclin. Les espèces qui hivernent dans les savanes et les zones humides sahéliennes sont celles qui ont le plus souffert. La zone sahélo-soudanienne est sans aucun doute une zone trouble: cet ouvrage nous explique pourquoi.
European Flora of the Desmid Genera - part 2 - Desmidiaceae - Staurastrum and Staurodesmus - Identification key
morphology - ecology and distribution - taxonomy
- Author: Peter F.M. Coesél en Koos Meesters
- Price: € 99,50
- Forthcoming in July 2013
- This flora represents the European species of het desmid genera Staurastrum and Staurodesmus. Contains reliable identification keys and general information on the morphology, taxonomy, ecology and geographical distribution. An invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management.
Desmids of The Lowlands - part 2 - Mesotaeniaceae and Desmidiaceae - Identification key
morphology - ecology and distribution - taxonomy
- Author: Peter F.M. Coesél, Koos Meesters
- Price: € 89,95
- This flora represents all desmid taxa known from the Netherlands and adjacent lowland areas: morphology, ecology and taxonomy. Covers more than 500 species and more than 150 additional varieties. An invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists and water quality management.
Flora of the blue green algae of the Netherlands - Phytoplankton - Identification key - Water Quality Management
The non-filamentous species of inland waters
- Author: Ton A.M. Joosten
- Price: € 89,95
- An important flora for the identification of non-filamentous blue-green algae - 95 species - not only in The Netherlands but also in the whole temperate-zone of the Northern hemisphere. 'A first class study with many new data and extraordinary useful for taxonomists, aquatic ecologists and water quality management.'
Veldgids Flora en fauna van de zee
Field Guide to the Coastal Waters of the North Sea
- Author: Rob Leewis
- Price: € 34,95
- This colourful field guide covers nearly 240 common species that are easy to identify, like seaweeds, sponges, jellyfish, crabs, sea spiders, sea slugs, starfish, and sea squirts.
Biological Globalisation - Invasive species
Impact on nature, the economy and public health
- Author: W. van der Weijden, R. Leewis en P. Bol
- Price: € 49,95
- An informative overview of all aspects of bioglobalisation. About the impacts on the environment and on our economy, and how bio-invasions, invasive species, are threatening human lives worldwide.
De dagvlinders van Nederland - Dutch Fauna volume 7 - Lepidoptera
The Butterflies of the Netherlands
- Author: Frank Bos, Marja Bosveld, Dick Groenendijk
- Price: € 49,95
- Describes the current distribution of all 106 butterfly species known in the Netherlands and draws comparisons with previous distribution data.
De Nederlandse loopkevers - Dutch Fauna volume 3 - Carabidae
The Ground beetles of the Netherlands
- Author: Hans Turin
- Price: € 49,95
- Over 400 species of ground beetles are found in the Netherlands, varying in size from several millimetres to 4 centimetres.
Shorebirds - Bird migration - Coastal wetlands
An illustrated behavioural ecology
- Author: Theunis Piersma, Bruno Ens, Leo Zwarts
- Price: € 49,95
- Shorebirds are the most visible inhabitants of coastal wetlands worldwide. Many undertake spectacularly long flights between their wintering and breeding grounds, embodying the miracle of long-distance migration.
The Nature Guide to the Spanish Pyrenees - Spain
and steppes of Huesca - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers, Kees Woutersen
- Price: € 24,95
- Huesca (Spain) is the northern, and most diverse, of Aragon's three provinces. It covers both the wild High Pyrenees, their wooded foothills and the steppes in the basin of the Ebro. There are few areas in Europe with such a diversity of landscapes and of flora and fauna. This guidebook shows you the best sites and reveals their flora and fauna.
Inland drift sand landscapes of Northwest Europe
Origin and history; relief, forest and soil development; dynamics and management
- Editing: Josef Fanta, Henk Siepel
- Price: € 59,95
- In this book you will find different views on drift sand landscapes of Northwest Europe: the processes, origin, conservation and restoration of this very special but harsh biotope. Next to the relationship with man, ecology is highlighted starting from restraint to restoration of these extraordinary landscapes with their characteristic biodiversity for future generations.
De amfibieën en reptielen van Nederland - Dutch Fauna volume 9
The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Netherlands
- Author: Raymond Creemers, Jeroen van Delft
- Price: € 49,95
- This book introduces you to all species of amphibians and reptiles to be found in the Netherlands.
De Nederlandse zweefvliegen - Dutch Fauna volume 8 - Syrphidae
The Hoverflies of the Netherlands
- Author: Menno Reemer, Willem Renema, Wouter van Steenis, Theo Zeegers, John Smit
- Price: € 49,95
- Authoritative book on Dutch hoverflies.
Grasslands in Europe of high nature value - Biodiversity of grasslands
ecology - history - ecological restoration
- Author: Peter Veen e.a.
- Price: € 69,95
- A tribute to an essential part of our natural and cultural environment. 24 European cases studies written by international grassland experts. Thematic chapters provide essential background information on grassland fauna, the history of agriculture, grassland communities, the relationship between grasslands and climate and opportunities to conserve these grasslands of high nature value.
The Nature Guide to the Cévennes - France
and Grands Causses - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 25,95
- The Cévennes National Park, together with its twin the Parc Naturel des Grands Causses, are among the richest natural areas in France. Against a stunning background of steep cliffs, extensive forests and open, steppe-like plateaux, the visitor can discover an exceptional wealth of flora and fauna.
The Nature Guide to the Hortobágy - Hungary - Birdwatching
and Tisza river floodplain - Crossbill Guide
- Author: Dirk Hilbers
- Price: € 21,95
- The Hortobágy, the largest of the Hungarian Pusztas, is an immense plain with steppes and shallow marshlands, laced with forested river valleys. It is a birdwatcher's hotspot, with impressive numbers of water birds and several species typical of the eastern European steppe. In autumn, tens of thousands of cranes flock together, creating what must be one of Europe's top avian spectacles. But the Hortobágy is much more than a bird oasis alone...
Landscape ecology in the Dutch context
landscape, town and infrastructure
- Author: Taeke M. de Jong, Roel Posthoorn, J.N.M. Dekker
- Price: € 69,95
- This book is the result of three symposia of the Dutch Society for Landscape Ecology and presents important information about landscape ecology in the Dutch context.


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BMI Differences: The Immigrant Equation
May 5, 2011 The obesity problem plaguing Canadians is a story heard frequently these days. For Katerina Maximova, making connections between the rising body mass index, or BMI, among native-born Canadian versus ... > full story -
Sleep Disorder Research
Insomnia Research
Sleep Disorders
Diet and Weight Loss
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Night Owls at Risk for Weight Gain and Bad Diet
May 4, 2011 Staying up late every night and sleeping in is a habit that could put you at risk for gaining weight. People who go to bed late and sleep late eat more calories in the evening, more fast food, fewer ... > full story -
New Evidence That Caffeine Is a Healthful Antioxidant in Coffee
May 4, 2011 Scientists are reporting an in-depth analysis of how the caffeine in coffee, tea and other foods seems to protect against conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and heart disease on the most ... > full story -
'Fatting In': Immigrant Groups Eat High-Calorie American Meals to Fit In, Study Finds
May 3, 2011 Immigrants to the United States and their US-born children gain more than a new life and new citizenship. They gain weight. Now psychologists show that it's not simply the abundance of high-calorie ... > full story -
Young Adults' Beliefs About Their Health Clash With Risky Behaviors
May 2, 2011 Nine out of 10 Americans between ages 18-24 believe they're living healthy lifestyles -- yet most eat too much fast food, drink too many alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages and engage in other ... > full story -
Living With a Smoker May Raise Blood Pressure in Boys
May 1, 2011 Exposure to secondhand smoke, even at extremely low levels, is associated with increased blood pressure in ... > full story -
Children Held Captive in Smoky Vehicles
May 1, 2011 It is absolutely unacceptable to subject children to any tobacco smoke exposure in cars, according to ... > full story -
Canada Faces Obesity Epidemic, Legislative Changes Are Vital
April 26, 2011 With the increase in numbers of overweight children and young adults, Canada and other developed countries are facing an obesity epidemic and legislative approaches are required to address this ... > full story -
Flame Retardants at High Levels in Pet Dogs, Study Finds
April 26, 2011 Scientists have found chemical flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at concentrations five to 10 times higher than in humans, but lower than levels found in a previous study of ... > full story -
When a Salad Is Not a Salad: Why Are Dieters Easily Misled by Food Names?
April 19, 2011 Dieters are so involved with trying to eat virtuously that they are more likely than non-dieters to choose unhealthy foods that are labeled as healthy, according to a new study. It seems dieter focus ... > full story
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text:
I've not read 1Q84, but in yesterday's Swedish daily Upsala Nya Tidning, there was a review entitled "Harry Potter for adults". In a most positive way, as the reviewer insists. I'm put off this book because it seems to exemplify things I don't like, such as cult writers, popularised fantasy, and fat books.
The reviewer writes:
Not my cup of radioactive sake.And yet Murakami is never heavy or difficult. You must not forget that he has worked in the tradition of popular culture that is fantasy and sci-fi. This is literature as entertainment. In the most positive meaning of the term. 1Q84 is also rather like Harry Potter for adults. Here there is the same feeling for magic as with Rowling or C S Lewis, where a portal opens up onto an unknown world.


text:
News & Analysis
I was on summer vacation from a British university looking after a bunk of 10 ...
Neil Armstrong, First Man
George Leopold
WASHINGTON – Neil Alden Armstrong, who died unexpectedly Saturday (Aug. 25) from complications following heart bypass surgery, was largely misunderstood.
I should know, having added to the myth that Armstrong was a recluse by writing this too-clever-by-half story lead.
In truth, the first human to walk on the Moon did all that was asked of him by his country while striving to preserve some semblance of a private life. Clowns like me would be pestering him constantly for interviews to talk about himself, something Neil Armstrong simply did not care to do. After walking on the Moon in July 1969, everyone, it seemed, wanted a piece of Neil Armstrong. After returning from overseas several years back, Armstrong's signed customs declaration ended up for sale on eBay.
Uninterested in a self-promotion, the aeronautical engineer and first-rate test pilot understood that he was part of a technological continuum, and had happened along at precisely the right time (1930) and place (Ohio, a cradle of aviation and aerospace research).
Neil Armstrong's public addresses were always laced with references to the giants of aviation and rocketry on whose shoulders he stood: the Wright Brothers, Robert Goddard, Yuri Gagarin.
Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong's spacesuit was preserved in a warehouse in suburban Maryland before being moved recently to a permanent display at the Air & Space Museum Annex in Northern Virginia (Photo credit: George Leopold)
How does one get on with a normal life having just set his left foot on another heavenly body, then looked up to see the whole circle of the Earth? This was Armstrong's burden, and he carried it always with grace and dignity.
Next: Solving problems
The best orbit I've read on Armstrong so far. Understated; a touch of humanity ( I didn't know about his daughter Karen) but most of all, it speaks of Armstrong's desire to see the moon walk not as a one-time event but as continuim of science and engineering.
He was much too young to pass on, for such a trim-looking, athletic man. Shows you what complications from surgery can do.
I remember watching the event live on a black and white TV. It was an all too brief respite from Vietnam and other political issues of the day.
It was an event that likely inspired a lot of engineers to be.
I too remember watching that moment as a kid on a B&W TV.
One of the great things about working for EE Times is you sometimes get to meet or interview people who have shaped some such historic moment.
Thanks for bringing back a realistic and vivid portrait of the real Neil.
I guess Neil's is the one of the well known personalities across globe. Its sad that he passed away unexpectedly.
Robotics Developer
I too remember watching on B&W TV the grainy video of the first lunar walk and the subsequent excursions, what struck me was: the expansion of the possibilities for mankind that this represented. I can not imagine keeping my perspective if that had been me and not Neil, he must have been truly humble. He and his generation will be missed!
While he shunned the limelight, Neil Armstrong often said that he was pleased to hear that he had inspired so many. Many of those inspired were surely engineers.
He is a hero and will remain as a hero in the hearts of many around the world. The first news I read in today's newspaper in India was this. Not a good news to start the day with. I recalled my childhood days, when I learned about him that he was the first person to walk on the moon much before I was born! As I had a childhood dream to be a pilot and to fly to space, it used to fascinate me.
If I recall correctly, what I read in the newspaper about him was: he learned to fly at the age of 15, much before he got his driving license!
Brian Fuller2
Fabulous tribute, George. (And BTW, a great lead on that 2000 story!). Armstrong shares with most engineers what really is a key to success: a humility. The problems and challenges are always there, always bigger than we are, and we can only hope to string together a series of successes in a lifelong effort at technological improvement.
In 1969, my parents called me inside from whatever diversion I was doing outside. We sat on the couch and stared at our black-and-white Magnavox as Armstrong descended to the moon. Today, we're about to launch the era of private space flight and exploration, which we can watch live on our cellphones.
Here's to Armstrong and an army of engineers who keep pushing the rock downfield.
Makes me think of the song "Rocket Man".
But Mr. Armstrong, I would change one lyric of that song...we all know the man you were...RIP
...and it was never 'just a job' like the song portrays. One of the outstanding impressions of that select group of people is of their drive, daring and determination in opening up whole realms of science and technological achievement, perhaps the ultimate expression of the society that created the environment where such progress can occur.
While I'm here, I'll second the recommendation of the recent CPA interview with Armstrong at http://thebottomline.cpaaustralia.com.au/ to add to your memory of the man.
To remember Neil Armstrong and all the engineers of Apollo, we are preparing a a slideshow for later this week that will serve as a kind of reprise of our 2009 Apollo digital edition. That edition marked the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Below is a link to the Apollo digital edition:
I hope to see Neil Armstrong in heaven someday.
And to shake his hand for living an exemplary life. - Mike Peralta (hell3.weebly.com)
Neil Armstrong was a truly remarkable individual. He will be remembered of course as the first person to walk on the Moon, but clearly his life was much fuller and richer than just this one accomplishment.
For so many people my age, and I am one, the moon landing was the first thing we can remember watching on television. We lived in Uganda then and didn't have a television so went round to a friend's house in the middle of the night to watch it. The memory has never left me. The world changed that night.
Neil was, and will continue to be a source of motivation to advance technology for the benefit of mankind. He will be remembered across the globe for ages to come.
Lets say, "to Neil"
He became the face of the progress of science in 20th century, many might not remember his face but who can forget that footprint on the dusty surface of Moon.
I was on summer vacation from a British university looking after a bunk of 10 year olds at a summer camp (I read them Bradbury at bedtime :). The whole camp stayed up until 4am EST watching the landing. Absolutely unforgettable, that summer of '69. RIP Neil Armstrong.


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Checkers, like Tic-Tac-Toe should always end in a tie if neither player makes a mistake
Checkers, despite being played on the same board as Chess, is infinitely less complex than the latter game. In fact, it's so relatively simple, that it should always end in a draw.
You've probably played Tic-Tac-Toe hundreds of times with a friend and after a few games, neither one wins because they don't make any mistakes. The case is the same with Checkers.
In 2007, the University of Alberta announced that their program, Chinook, had solved the game. This meant that, if both sides played perfectly, the game would always result in a draw.
Now, this is much more difficult than it sounds, because the game has 10 to the 20th power number of legal positions. This is much larger than Tic-Tac-Toe, which is why it's much easier to tie at that game. However, it doesn't compare to Chess, which has an estimated 10 to the 50th power legal positions.


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As I am still reading in 'the apple branch' by A. Kondratiev (see books forum), I read today the chapter about midsummer, in which the author mentions some things on traditional herbal lore in the celtic world. About the story of Dian Cecht who killed and buried his son Miach, on whose grave healing herbs growed. These herbs were gathered by Miach's sister Airmid on her cloak, and after that Dian Cecht, still jealous with his son's powers, onverturned the mantle and confused the order of the herbs. This would be why not everything is known now today in herbalism, and the work of the herbalist is to reconstruct the mantle, learning about the healing properties as much as he can.
after this there is the part that immediately caught my interest:
A. Kondratiev in "The Apple Branch" wrote:...Breton herbalists (louzaouerien) who have preserved something of their esoteric tradition do indeed see herbs as corresponding to the organs of a slain divinity. The sacred herbs are twenty-six in numer (rather than 365!): vervain is at the head, Saint Johnswort is the blood, mugwort is at the waist, and so on. This confirms that the ositioning of the herbs on the brat Airmeithe originally was meant to correspond to the configuration of Miach's anatomy.
Regretfully the author provided no notes whatsoever as to where he found this information. It sounds very interesting; a traditionol celtic herbal lore, the is reflected/based in the story of Dian Cecht and his children? And even more, a connection between an old Irish story and a more modern Breton tradition? That would be quite special. And of course, I'd like to know more about this herbal tradition.


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MonsterUp Adventures free until Sunday
MonsterUp has been around for as long as I can remember on Windows Phone. Paul reviewed it over two years ago to give you an idea. Since then, it's received continued support from the developer in the form of updates and feature addictions. Its sequel, MonsterUp Adventures is even more addicting than the original and adds a story element to it. And now it's free until Sunday.
MonsterUp Adventures features gameplay made popular by Doodle Jump, you basically control a little monster as he jumps up platform after platform. Highly addictive gameplay that is great at killing time when you need a break. Here are some of the features outside of jumping straight up:
- A crazy story mode
- 20 different levels
- boss fights
- achievements
- online scoreboards
- 8 different monsters
- all new unique special powers
- saved games
- awesome artwork from Ilias Sounas
- original amazing soundtrack from Marietta Fafouti
- unlockable game ringtone
- hours and hours for fun for all!
It's a really great game and there's no excuse to not download it when it's free until Sunday.
You can grab MonsterUp Adventures for both Windows Phone 7.x and 8 here in the Windows Phone Store, use the QR code below, or swipe right in our app.
There are 21 comments. Sign in to commentZokudu says:
Been interested in this for a while. Of course I have to grab it for free.
PeterFrench says:
Got to try it seems as its free!
Squatting Hen says:
I tried this game a while ago and couldn't stand it. Maybe it gets better as you progress, but the first few levels seemed to take forever and never end.
Great to try it out for free. No reason not to download.
Residing says:
Yep. I tried it the trial, and really wanted to like it, but the length of the levels were just to long. I even considered downloading this for free, but I get the impression that the levels will still be too long.
marioskar says:
FYI, the level lenght was cut in half about 2 updates ago:) The game became significantly easier too:) Also, it's free and awesome updates with new features are coming!
link68759 says:
I just came here to post about how the levels are too long. It's certainly easy though. I guess this game is just too simplistic for me. I need to be engaged more...
VirtualMontage says:
I got this while it was free a couple of months ago. It's an entertaining game but it does get repetitive after playing for an hour or so. Hopefully this is a sign that the developer will be releasing another game soon.
mr toes says:
Am i the only one really not impressed with the monsterup games?
kubimonsta says:
no. this game is ridiculous.
YOLOsaurusRex says:
Feature additions*
gcdc_lumia says:
finally! i hope other old games would come up as free for a limited time as well. :D
Huw Watkins says:
Still £0.79 for me.
marioskar says:
Give it a few hours. Sometimes it takes a while to propagate to all markets.
fwaits says:
Great little game, for free it's a no-brainer if you like fun, casual but still challenging little games with attractive "toony' graphics.
Visual360 says:
Hmm, what's the difference between Monster Up, and Monster Up Adventure? I have Monster Up, and I still need to pay for the extra monster...
edit: NVM, looks like they are different only in terms of goals, etc. Cool game.
marioskar says:
Yes there is a big difference:) MonsterUp Adventures has much better graphics, gems to collect, levels to finish, bosses to defeat and really unique powers for the monsters.:)
DavidinCT says:
I played it once before, and found it entertaining...but, didn't want to spend $1.99 on it, Now I grabbed it for free. Thanks WPcentral !
uselessrobot says:
I got the original MonsterUp and didn't really like it. The game was too easy, to the point of merely being tedious. It was made worse by unlockables that take too long to acquire. But I got it instead of MonsterUp Adventures, because at least the gameplay made sense. MonsterUp Adventures has that weird gem acquiring mechanic.
It's too bad because visually the game looks decent. The problem is that I don't think the develoeprs invested nearly enough effort in game balance. And there's only so much you can do with a Doodle Jump clone.
Still, you can't go wrong with free.
lipper2000 says:
I must be really dumb but for the life of me how the hell do I control the guy?
lipper2000 says:
duh...I see it works with motion control...
edtrunks says:
I don't know how many apps and games I've downloaded for free because of WPCentral...I love you guys!


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This article was originally distributed via PRWeb. PRWeb, WorldNow and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith.
SOURCE: Real Estate Marketing Insider
The Real Estate Marketing Insider awarded its "Toby's Choice" Market of the Week to Washington D.C.'s metropolitan area.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 08, 2013
The Real Estate Marketing Insider named its "Toby's Choice" Market of the Week as Washington, D.C.'s metro area. The "Toby's Choice" award is given to a real estate market which shows growth or promise in mid-range houses. This week's award went to D.C. upon release of news in the West End Alexandria Patch that home prices in the area are continuing to rise steadily.
Like most urban markets in the country, Washington, D.C.'s real estate market was hit by the 2008 recession. In April 2009, shortly after the housing market collapse, the D.C. price index bottomed out, but it has been recovering slowly since then. In November 2012, the price index rose to 188.12, an 8-point increase from one year earlier and almost a 20-point increase from the April 2009 nadir. Meanwhile, price averages have been rising as well. December's average sale price was just under $495,000, a 7-percent increase from one year earlier.
There's no market in the U.S. quite like Washington. Its unique profile as a large metropolitan market and the national government seat means that there is a constant demand for housing in the city with a heavy flow of buyers and sellers. As the economy recovers, the demand will increase in the area, and well-positioned realtors will have no trouble selling properties. Local advertising, such as real estate postcard marketing, will go a long way in getting homes sold, because so much of the government population scopes the area in person. Every realtor should look at selling in REMI's Toby's Choice Market of the Week; it's a high-volume, low-overhead area that promises to sell quickly and easily.
The Real Estate Marketing Insider gave its Toby's Choice Market of the Week award to Washington, D.C., and the metro area surrounding it. D.C. has been enjoying increasing home prices for the last few months, and the Insider recommends that realtors maintain some listings in this high-volume area.
About the Real Estate Marketing Insider:
The Real Estate Marketing Insider helps realtors and agents stay up-to-date with news, trends and analysis. The online journal is based in La Jolla, Calif.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebtobys-choice-market/east-coast-real-estate/prweb10407140.htm


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Hotel Description | Hotel Photos | Hotel Prices | Reservation |
General Information |
The Corfu Luxury Villas are built slope and offer a breathtaking view of the ocean, with crystal-clear blue water lying straight ahead and nothing to block your sight for as far as the town of Corfu. Furthermore, the Villas offer a virtually private beach for the distinctive guest who are looking for some moments of privacy, since the sub lying bay is otherwise accessible only by sea!
Location |
Situated at Prinias district, right between two popular tourist destinations, Ipsos and Barbati , Corfu Luxury Villas are 16 klm. far away from Corfu town and 18 klm. from the international airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias".
The area of Prinias offers serenity and natural beauty while harmonically combining the deep blue of the sea with the extraordinary red-white of the rocky surroundings. The coastline of the north east is one of the most scenic and picturesque in Corfu, with the rich greenery of the hills and the sparkling turquoise waters of the sea. The drive way from Corfu city, is dotted with pretty villages almost clinging to the coastline. The whole area is perfect for those wanting a relaxing holiday, but nevertheless combined with nightlife for every taste to keep you entertained after the sun has set.
Tavernas and watersports are available along the pebble beach (1km away) which make it popular among locals and travellers alike.
Accommodation |
Each one of the villas is 250 sqm and features a private swimming pool and a large slab-stoned yard, "coloured" with beautiful flowers. Sun beds and umbrellas are provided for your relaxation. The interior includes a particularly spacious, finely furnished and tastefully decorated living room (Satellite LCD TV provided), a fully-equipped kitchen and 4 luxurious bedrooms with private bathrooms and private sea view balconies. Each room in the villa is air-conditioned.
A colourful combination of mountain and sea. The spectacular private beach, with azure sea has a dramatic backdrop of mount Pantokrator. Always popular for families with young children. Visitors return regularly to enjoy the wonderful beach, the water sports and the emerald waters. The Villas are furnished to a high standard, with ample space for al fresco dining on the large terraces with barbecue areas and each one with private pool, and provided with every modern convenience:
The kitchen is fully equipped with dish washer, coffee maker, fridge, toaster, microwave oven and cooking utensils
The villa consists of 4 bedrooms. Each bedroom decorated to a high standard with private bathroom, with toiletries, and private sea view balcony.
Dinning in the dinning area around the pool and enjoining the tranquillity of the panoramic ocean view could be an experience. The Barbeque is an alternative choice for recreational pool parties and jolly meals for the children.
The large area around the private pool is overlooking the ocean and is marvellous balance of comfort, luxury and privacy. Sunbeds, umbrellas and dinning facilities are provided for your convenience.
*Each 250 smq villa features a private pool, 4 en suite bedrooms, accommodating 8 people.
The Villa is the essence of comfort and style with its seemingly infinite Private Swimming Pool equipped with sunbeds and umbrella sets. Relax in the sun on the plush loungers by day, and dine on the candle lit terrace at dusk. Inside, you and your entire party have plenty of space to relax in the inviting –leather sofa and fireplace- living room and the four en suite bedrooms. The amenities of the villa are completed by a fully equipped kitchen.
Enjoy the romance of the candle lit alcove and relax in the essence of calm. The breathtaking ocean view and the patio leading to the private beach are fulfilling the luxurious holiday experience.
Services & Facilities |
*Cot and High chairs available on request
Grecotel Creta Palace
Sevices & Facilities
Creta Royal Hotel
Exterior View
Atrium Palace Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas
Thalasso Spa Center


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Ill. scales back Tamms prison rules
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois' prison chief has changed some security rules for inmates transferred from the high-security Tamms prison when it closes, despite a promise to lawmakers that the exacting standards for managing the state's most dangerous inmates would follow them to their new lock-up.
The day before the first Tamms inmates moved to Pontiac in early August, Corrections Director S.A. "Tony" Godinez jettisoned the policy the agency had said it would use for managing the volatile prisoners, issuing a one-sentence, confidential memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The agency won't release the obsolete plan, but the rules now in place mean fewer officers and fewer chains on inmates when they're out of their cells at their new home, the maximum-security prison at Pontiac, according to interviews and an AP comparison of internal Corrections documents.
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Welcome to my blog; here's your kitty gif and your platypus & have a nice day.
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Emily ∙ 19 ∙ Bi ∙ Single
Jamaica originally;
DC usually;
Ohio currently;
New Orleans eventually
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- Web browsing
- Intuitive UI design
- Well integrated gestures
- Good camera performance
- Messaging hub
- Lack of apps
- Steep learning curve, gesture navigation not for everyone
- Price
Say hello to Blackberry's (formerly known as RIM) last effort at surviving the ruthless competition in the world of smartphones: the Blackberry Z10. RIM has been on the backseat of the smartphone business for the last couple of years since the advent of iOS and Android. The Blackberry OS 10 devices are RIM's last hope for survival and a lot rests on this product line. Today, we dive into Z10, the latest BB OS 10 device.
Technical Specifications
The Blackberry Z10 is powered by a dual core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with 'Krait' CPUs and Adreno 225 GPU. It comes with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage and expandable micro SD card support (up to 64GB). That's plenty for multitasking and running CPU-intensive applications.
An Adreno 225 GPU ensures enough firepower for smooth gaming performance and enough space for the latest games on the market. Connectivity options are ample and include the standard Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, 4G-LTE (in select regions, carrier dependent) and USB 2.0 via a micro USB and 'separate' micro HDMI slot.
Powering the phone is a 1,800 mAh battery, and yes, it is removable. According to BlackBerry, the device supports up to 10 h of talktime and up to 312 h of stand-by time. It's safe to say that the battery will get you through your work day without dying on you. Anyway it is always good to have a charger on hand. The inclusion of NFC allows the Z10 to interact with compatible devices for data transfers, authentications and wireless charging too.
Display, Dimensions & Build Quality
The Blackberry Z10 has a candy-bar form factor and looks more or less like a slab of glass and soft-touch plastic. Nonetheless, the plain looks don't undermine the premium feel of the polished matte and rubberized finish of the body. The finish also provides decent grip. With it's elegant, premium and understated looks, this phone sort of looks like it's made for a James Bond-like personality. Weighing in at 137 grams, the Z10 is a lightweight phone, though not as light as the iPhone 5. Weight is very subjective; I personally prefer phones to not weigh like rocks and find myself very comfortable with the Z10's weight.
The display, a 4.2 inch 1280 x 768 resolution with a ppi of 355, looks absolutely stunning. It's a treat to watch videos and play games on the Blackberry Z10. The brightness is adequate, blacks are truly deep and contrast ratio is superb. Above the display we have a standard set of sensors and a 2MP front facing camera capable of 720p video recording.
The back is relatively plain with just the single flash 8MP camera and a big Blackberry logo at the center. The back cover is easy to remove as it's just held in place by a couple of clips on each side. I suspect that the cover will come out easily should the device fall and some of the clips might break too. Poor construction there. Underneath that is an elongated battery, a micro-SIM card slot, micro SD card slot and the NFC sensor. The sides of the device contain the volume rocker, voice activation controls (on the right), the power button (on the top) and the connectivity options i.e. USB and HDMI (on the left).
User Interface
BB OS 10 aims to modernize the Blackberry platform and break free from the chains of the traditional Blackberry UI centred on the QWERTY keypad and trackpad navigation. The result is similar to what we've already seen with other mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android.
However, where the competition relies on buttons for most of the UI navigation, BB OS 10 only uses gestures. In fact, there aren't even on-screen buttons for opening the home screen or a multi-tasking menu on the Z10. The Power button is used only to activate/de-activate the screen and has no other function. Gestures will be explained in detail at the end of this section. The Lock screen houses important notifications like missed calls, messages, appointments and reminders. There is a shortcut to the camera at the bottom of the screen too. You have to press the camera icon on the lock screen for a couple of seconds to activate the camera, a measure designed to prevent accidental opening of the camera. To unlock the phone the user must swipe a finger from bottom to top. While this is happening the lock screen gives the user a sneak-peek of the underlying content.
Upon unlocking, you're presented with the home screen which looks just like the iOS home screen at first glance and handles in more or less the same manner. However swiping to the left brings up the running applications (instead of search menu on the iOS devices) which contains tiles of all your running apps. There can be up to 8 applications stored on this screen. Swiping back to the right takes you to the home screen with all your applications whereas swiping to the left again takes you to the revamped BlackBerry Hub.
Swiping down from the status bar brings out the quick setting toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, silent mode, and rotation lock as well as the notifications panel. Unlike Android, this panel only occupies half of the screen, so you can still see what's going on underneath.
Coming to the gesture navigation. Application management in BB OS 10 relies heavily on gestures. Once an app is started it may be minimized by dragging a finger from the bottom to the middle of the screen. This places the app on the running apps menu. From this screen, the user can switch and close apps or open a new one.
The UI takes some getting used to, especially with the new Blackberry Hub and the navigational gestures. However, it gets easier along the way and the gestures become more of a second nature. It's an interesting take at the interaction between a smartphone and a user but it isn't exactly revolutionary. When an application is opened in the landscape mode, the situation gets tricky as you need to swipe from the bottom side of the display (which is actually the right/left side of the device when held in portrait mode). Also, the fact that you are always present in the messaging hub makes the user interface confusing as well.
Another confusing part is, when you get notifications from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Foursquare, clicking on the notifications takes you to the hub-like interface and not the actual respective app.
Contacts on the Z10 is a straightforward affair. Users can add their Google, Hotmail, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts in addition to local phone contacts. The phone prompts the users to link these accounts during initial setup. There still hasn't been an implementation of intelligent cross account contact linking in any mobile OS and BB OS 10 is no different. We really wanted to see this feature but alas, users still have to manually link the same contacts with varying names across different accounts.
Clicking on a contact will bring up their details including links to their social media profiles. These profiles use the native social apps for displaying more information. Z10 also notifies the user of the presence of a contact on a social network in case the user and the contact aren't connected. It is a handy feature for making new friends and finding old ones on social networks. The Updates and Activity tabs bring up updates from the contact's social networks and recent communication between you and the contact respectively.
Calling & Messaging
There isn't much to the Phone app in the Z10. Start it up and you're welcomed by the dialler screen (or whichever screen you closed it on last). There are three tabs: Calls, Contacts, Dial Pad. Calls holds your call history and favourite contacts.
Contacts holds the complete list of contacts. Tapping on a contact here doesn't bring up their contact card, instead it just slides out their number with a nice animation. The Dial Pad, well it's just a dial pad, nothing noteworthy about it. The call quality is decent and signal reception is strong. The Z10 was able to pick and maintain signals with ease and there were no dropped calls.
The BlackBerry platform has always been known for messaging. It has an impressive history of email management and free messaging via the BBM platform. The Z10 continues this tradition with some useful features and gesture implementations.
First off is the custom Peek gesture. Whenever a message is received, sliding a finger from the bottom of the screen will minimize the current screen and display the notification icons on the left of the screen. Swiping left from here will open the BlackBerry Hub where the user can read and reply to the message/Facebook post/Tweet.
The BlackBerry Hub is the universal inbox in the Z10. Housing everything from the texts and emails to social media updates, it can be accessed using the Peek gesture or by scrolling left from the home screen. Once inside, messages can be filtered by accounts. BlackBerry has done away with text messaging and email apps and has integrated them into the Hub. Emails can be filtered by accounts.
Also in development are BBM Voice and BBM Video, both exclusively available to BBM users and allow free voice and video calls between BBM buddies. It's a great way of sharing visual information quickly and reliably. These services operate over Cellular data or Wi-Fi.
Other Features, Apps & On-Screen Keyboard
BBM has evolved and sports a new look along with some really cool features. The first one is NFC support. Now you can add BBM buddies just by tapping against another NFC-enabled BlackBerry phone. The second is a unique QR code for your device. This QR code will allow people to add you by simply scanning the code.
The keyboard on the Z10 looks very much like a standard touchscreen keyboard and comes with portrait and landscape mode support. It is elegant and responsive with a well stocked word suggestion system. Upon typing, suggested words pop up over their first letter. Swiping up from that letter adds the word to the input text. This system is complemented by adaptive word suggestions which learns as you type more and more.
Web Browsing
Browsing the Internet on the Z10 is a fast and beautiful experience. The browser application has been built from scratch to be super-fast in loading and displaying online content. Sites load up extremely fast and there are no freezes or lags in the browsing experience. In addition to this, the Z10 also supports 4G-LTE networks for blazing fast Internet speeds. The browser app looks similar to the one found on Windows 8 phones, with a black navigation bar at the bottom. It also has a built in Adobe Flash Player 11 for increased compatibility with various websites.
The 4.2 inch HD display does a commendable job in rendering websites. The high ppi makes sure that font and images look crisp. Unfortunately, the absence of automatic text reflow makes reading a pain because the user constantly has to move from left to right. However, in answer to this problem, the browser app does include a reading mode which removes all the images and other multimedia content from the webpage and leaves behind just text in an easily readable format. Users are also given the option to adjust the font size via an inbuilt tool. Similar to most of the default browser apps on other smartphone platforms, there is support for multiple tabs in the Z10 browser. Bookmarks and browsing history are easily accessible.
As mentioned earlier, the Z10 comes equipped with an 8MP rear and 2MP front facing camera. Also on the back is a powerful single LED flash. The camera can be brought up by holding the lock screen icon or tapping the icon on the home screen. The app only takes half a second to start and then you're good to go!
It is a simple app and doesn't have all the options you'd find on a fully featured camera app. However it does get the job done quickly and that is one of the most important things here.
The camera held its own during our tests and we are pleased to report that the images are at par with that of rival phones. Images taken in well-lit areas were as good as any camera we've seen, while the ones in low light could've been a bit better. Also, when the flash light is used on a subject close to the camera, it blows up the details due to excessive brightness of the flash. The camera takes photos instantly with almost no delay because of the high shutter speed. There isn't a shutter button, instead one can just tap the screen to take a photo. The volume keys on the side can also be used for the same purpose. The camera app has autofocus but we've found that sometimes it takes up to a second to focus which is bad for a camera. There is no tap to focus, but if you hold your finger down to the screen then you can manually re-focus the camera. It's just a longer way to do the same thing.
Also worth mentioning here is a feature called Time-Shift. What it does is that it takes multiple shots of subjects' faces once the user clicks the photo and then allows the user to change the faces using the additional versions. This is great for getting those late smiles which always appear after the picture got clicked. Once a photo is clicked, you can tap anyone's face if it is highlighted by the camera app and a disc will pop-up. Moving the slider left or right will take you to older or more recent versions of the person's face respectively.
One can capture videos by opening the camera app and then switching to video mode using the icon on the top right corner. The rear camera is capable of recording 1080p videos and the front camera supports 720p video recording. Image stabilization let's you play the videos smoothly and scene mode options include night and beach or snow modes. While recording, one can toggle the single LED flash light on and off [to give you better effect] and this comes in handy especially when the recording switches between light and dark areas. The camera supports up to 5X digital zoom [the recording quality decreases as zoom increases].
Until Z10, BlackBerry was not very famous for it's multimedia support. But the new Z10 changes the equation with 16 GB in-built memory, microSD slot and a 4.2-inch full touchscreen Z10 making the device ready to take on any type of media you throw at it. One can drag and drop their media files through a BlackBerry link (BlackBerry Link desktop has to be installed first).
One can play the music through the Music app, where it displays library, recently played tracks and playlists. Capacitive controls at the bottom and aesthetic thumbnails for album art make up for a snazzy look. The screen featuring the track being currently played comes with the grey theme and the essential controls -play/pause, next, previous, back buttons at the bottom and repeat, shuffle buttons at the top. The settings menu does not offer many options, but the handy 'Play On' option enables you to stream music from the Z10 to other DLNA enabled devices. Still there is no information about the supported formats. Audio quality on the whole is very good). The video app offers recently played, camera and library options and on clicking on a file, you will land on the player (page). The player page just includes play/pause, back, menu keys and the aspect ratio toggle in the top right key.
Under the photo app, you will find the thumbnails of camera shots with Recent, Camera, Albums and menu options at the bottom. Albums cannot be created on the Z10, they have to be done on your desktop by syncing your Z10 with the computer through BlackBerry link. The photo editor function of the app houses as many as 16 effects to apply to your photos and tools to crop and rotate the image. You can first test the effects and keep them if you like what you see.
What is Z10 all about?
Well, the Z10 is a spectacular device with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a contemporary smartphone. It goes head to head against iOS, Windows Phone and Android OS based devices. However even with all it's brilliant features and impressive hardware specifications, sadly, it's not a game changer. We don't see it being THE device you'd want to have and it most certainly won't become iconic like the iPhone or the Nexus smartphones. What we do see is a positive future for BlackBerry, for this device is a fresh start in terms of thinking, design and most importantly execution.


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From the views to the location to the amenities, Rocky Mountain Views provided a perfect place to enjoy Estes Park and RMNP. Sleeping up to 12, this home has plenty of room for all to spread out, yet a nice big family room for all to congregate. The owners are accommodating and easy to work with, and the location is... More
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Estes Park
Free Parking
Ranked #58 of 75 Speciality lodging in Estes Park