natural disasters http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for natural disasters Copyright 2008 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:14:37 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/natural+disasters Disasters Change Lives Forever http://www.artwoo.com/article/disasters-change-lives-forever http://www.artwoo.com/article/disasters-change-lives-forever#comments Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:27:12 +0000 disaster mitigationnatural disastersdisaster survivalmanmade disasterssurvival suppliesnatural hazardlink in the chain http://www.artwoo.com/article/disasters-change-lives-forever natural disasters killed over 25,000 people and caused $57.7 billion in damage worldwide. Besides the obvious, direct impact of natural disasters (such as a tornado destroying a house), there are usually many indirect effects. Although these effects may be less obvious, they are often times more costly and can add years on to the recovery time from a disaster. As people who live in communities that have been devastated by a will often say, "there is no such thing as a complete recovery, disasters change people's lives forever".

is the first of . Mitigation is the process of reducing the severity of the impact of natural hazards through planning. Each hazard requires a specific type of mitigation. In some cases, we can use engineering solutions. Earthquake-resistant construction and devices to hold objects in place such as earthquake straps could at least reduce the impact of a natural hazard. In other cases, the only form of mitigation that is guaranteed to be successful is to limit or not allow human activities where the hazard occurs, such as floodplains, volcanoes and high fire risk areas.

But unfortunately, in some cases such as Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami, the fact that there was little or no planning or mitigation took its toll on human life. These types of disasters have a profound impact on us all. Prediction of natural disasters has improved greatly but more work needs to be done. Protection against must continue in a logical, controlled and decisive manner.

The second link in the chain of disaster survival is personal preparation. Making plans for evacuation, having the correct such as water and food that has a five-year shelf life, a flashlight that doesn't need batteries and a radio to stay connected to the outside world, is essential to us all. It is suggested that each person have at least 72 hours of supplies. Statistically, the citizens of the United States are not prepared. Less then 40% of the population has a plan and even less have supplies. The list of items is overwhelming to some people and just knowing where to start can be a conundrum.

Disasters do come in all forms and change our lives. We have seen it first hand in recent years. Mitigation, preparation and prediction will decrease loss of life and property. Every one of us must participate in disaster preparation. Some people say "expect the unexpected" but in reality we must anticipate the expected and prepare. For more information about emergency disaster preparedness or to see a comprehensive list of survival kits to help you get prepared in the event of disaster, visit: http://www.survivalkitsonline.com ]]> Three Wedding Cakes Disasters You Want to Avoid http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-wedding-cakes-disasters-you-want-to-avoid http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-wedding-cakes-disasters-you-want-to-avoid#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:08:26 +0000 professional bakerswedding cakesfood budgetplanning your own weddingnatural elementssense tipscake designs http://www.artwoo.com/article/three-wedding-cakes-disasters-you-want-to-avoid wedding cakes melting, falling down, trampled upon by nature, thrown by guests, and just simply ruined. Now that you are , you definitely do not want these disasters to happen at your special day, not when your wedding cake is the main highlight of your reception. Not to mention, you spent a good deal of the on it!

The best way to avoid wedding cakes disasters is to hire with the right equipment to safeguard your wedding cake. You can choose from among a wide array of and flavors and they can answer your questions about your cake.

The Natural Cakes

We are not talking about wedding cakes made of organic ingredients and fresh flowers. We are talking about cakes ruined by Mother Nature's creatures like insects, birds, cats, dogs, and other undesirable .

You have insects landing on your cake and adding in a natural color; you have birds pooping on your cake and adding in a natural flavor; you have pets that literally put their stamp of approval; you have leaves adding crunch; you have wind that thinks your cake is its birthday cake. The list goes on and on.

You can avoid these wedding cakes disasters by:

* Renting or investing in a screened tent for your wedding cake

* Erecting a fence to surround the cake with an umbrella poised above it

* Instructing someone to stand guard over the cake to shoo away undesirables

* Conducting your reception inside even when you have an outdoor wedding.

The Falling Cakes

This is one disaster you laughed at the hardest since this is the most obvious. For your wedding day, this is no laughing matter and one that you can avoid by following a few common :

* Make sure your wedding cake is placed away from high traffic areas like the dance floor and the entrance and exits.

* Ensure that it is far from the loudspeakers as the inevitable shaking is bad for your cake's stability especially when it is of the three-tiered variety.

* Check the stability of the cake table especially when you have multiple wedding cakes; remember that it will be on display for hours and wobbly tables are disasters waiting to happen.

The Melting Cakes

Sure, you want a melt-in-your mouth cake that will be the rave of your guests. What you do not want is literally melting cakes with icing flowing down like gooey make-up on a very hot summer's day, colors running into each other like a painter's canvass gone bad, and flowery designs turning into Goth symbols.

This disaster usually happens on a spring or summer wedding when the heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your wedding cake. You can avoid this by:

* Ensuring your baker stores the cake in a carefully-controlled environment during the decorating stage and the transport to the reception venue

* Covering the cake with a tent if you are having an outdoor reception

* Keeping the cake away from heat sources and windows if you are having an indoor reception.

If you want to be surer, then you can always have cupcakes as your wedding cakes. It is practical and it is becoming more fashionable.With expert advice on your dream bridal dress, wedding favours and wedding cakes, you will never have disasters on your hands on your wedding day. Visit BestforBride.com and get this expert advice today!]]> Solar Water Purification Inventions, What Is New And Exciting http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-water-purification-inventions-what-is-new-and-exciting http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-water-purification-inventions-what-is-new-and-exciting#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:30:03 +0000 ultraviolet rayssolar water purificationwater supplynatural disastersthird world countriesinventionunpredictable weather http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-water-purification-inventions-what-is-new-and-exciting unpredictable weather, there are purification s being developed so that you can get safe and health . Things like the New Orleans Hurricane and other have left areas in devastation. There is no food or clean water, however a new invention has been proven to help those survivors by cleaning the water. It will make sure that the water is disinfected good enough to drink. This is a small device will use the sun's to quickly clean the water supply.

It will clean your water supply so that you can stay safe and in such an inexpensive way. The rays will kill harmful bacteria and viruses that might linger in the water. It will prevent others from getting cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and other diseases that can be seriously harmful or deadly. This invention has affected thousands of people. It could be used to help clean your day-to-day drinking sources, however, it was made for emergencies. Depending on the type that you get, you may not even have to worry about the electricity it takes to run it because some will rely on gravity for water flow.

This is such a great development in water purifiers because you are able to utilize the earth's natural resources. It will end up purifying the water in a natural and safe way. This method is usually used by because it is also very inexpensive to use and works great when it comes to giving the water a better quality. For more info see http://www.ewatertreatmentsystems.com/watertreatment/Buy_water_treatment_on= line.html

Although, right now it will not help those who have a major chemical contamination, but it can be used to help filter your water from dirt and soil particles. For right now, they are focusing on the every day contaminations that may occur, not those caused by disasters. You can expect to see new improvements to the solar purification system and you will be able to purify all water from major spills and contaminations.

Right now, there are labs that are working on improving their devices and making them able to handle jobs like New Orleans. You can find out more about solar water purification by doing a thorough search online. This maybe the method that could help you improves your water system and water quality. This great start to something that will help everyone and the environment through disasters and spills. You can also find more information at http://www.ewatertreatmentsystems.com/watertreatment/GE_reverse_osmosis_wat= er.html on water filter cartridge and http://www.ewatertreatmentsystems.com/watertreatment/Hard_treatment_water.h= tml on water treatment. ]]> Am I Covered? Travel Insurance and Acts of God http://www.artwoo.com/article/am-i-covered-travel-insurance-and-acts-of-god http://www.artwoo.com/article/am-i-covered-travel-insurance-and-acts-of-god#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:29:21 +0000 hurricane katrina hit new orleansannual travel insurancetravel insurance companiescheap travel insurancetravel insurance policyseven plaguescheap annual travel insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/am-i-covered-travel-insurance-and-acts-of-god annual travel insurance is hugely popular amongst UK holiday goers, allowing them to travel when and where they wish without having to worry about booking travel insurance for every single trip. Many people assume that their will cover them against every eventuality, but this isn't the case. There are plenty of exclusions in the average travel insurance document, and one of the most well known but least understood of these is the "acts of God" exclusion. What do mean by an act of God? And what might not be covered by your annual travel insurance?

What are "Acts of God"?

Traditionally, "acts of God" was a standard exclusion clause that featured in many different kinds of insurance; travel, housing, property and so on. Essentially, it refers to "a sudden and violent act of nature that could not have been foreseen or prevented", typically meaning natural disasters such as:

• Hurricanes and tempests

• Lightening storms

• Floods

• Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Mass outbreaks of infectious diseases are also often classed as "acts of God" (perhaps in some kind of biblical reference to the of ancient Egypt!). Essentially, the exclusion clause means that if an event is classed as an act of God, any costs that you incur as a result of it may not be covered by your travel insurance, and you will not be entitled to any compensation from your insurance company.

Nowadays, an actual "acts of God" exclusion isn't always in a , but most insurers still have similar exclusions in place under different names, such as "natural disasters". It may seem like a chore, but you really do need to read your travel insurance policy carefully before you go -- if you think you are covered for something and you aren't, you could end up paying a small fortune in medical and transport costs. When and Florida, hundreds of holiday goers found themselves caught out, unable to claim compensation for the costs incurred or the cancellation of their trips.

If you are travelling to a place that has a risk of natural disasters, make sure you talk to your travel insurance company to make sure your insurance will protect you.

What about Acts of War and Acts of Terrorism?

While acts of God is one of the most well known exclusion clauses, in today's international climate, terrorism is also a common exclusion. Much like natural disasters, if you incur costs or your holiday is cancelled because of terrorism, your travel insurance may well be invalid. If terrorism is a potential hazard for your destination of choice, check that your worldwide travel insurance will cover you against acts of terrorism -- some insurers do provide this kind of protection, but many do not.

Most travel insurance policies will be invalidated by serious civil unrest or if war breaks out in a country while you are travelling there -- the Foreign Office website is the best place to visit to check up on the political stability of your holiday destination, as it provides up to date and accurate information about the potential hazards of every country in the world.Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Journey's Travel. Their commercial travel insurance website, Insuremore, offers for families, couples and singles with a quick and easy online claims feature.]]> Building Your Natural Disaster Preparation Kits http://www.artwoo.com/article/building-your-natural-disaster-preparation-kits http://www.artwoo.com/article/building-your-natural-disaster-preparation-kits#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:36:24 +0000 natural disaster preparationhurricane disasterwaterproof flashlightsled flashlightflooding in the midwestpreparing for a disastermidwest flooding http://www.artwoo.com/article/building-your-natural-disaster-preparation-kits flooding in the Midwest has the strength and devastation of natural disasters on everyone's mind. The sad fact is that families seem to just be coming to understanding that natural disasters can happen to anyone, anywhere. Thankfully, more people are trying to educate themselves on what they can do to be prepared. No longer does refer to stocking up on bread and water. Recent disasters like the and even the Katrina are forcing us to realize that families must be prepared to relocate or hunker down with vital belongings in a hurry if they want to keep their families and some of their belongings safe. This requires long-before it is devastating your home town.

FEMA and the Red Cross, along with several other disaster recovery organizations, are stressing the importance for every home to have a disaster preparation kit stocked and ready.

Below are the key items each home should have in their prep kit in order to have what they need if the power goes out or roadways become blocked.

Every Day Needs

Every disaster preparation kit should include food, water, and clothing. Non-perishable items like jars of peanut butter or fruit, granola bars, crackers, and canned goods should be packed in a box along with a large store of bottled water. Each family member should also pack an emergency bag with a few days of extra clothing and keep in near the other kit materials. This way it can be easily picked up should a fast evacuation be called for.

Equipment

One of the most important things that you need in your kit is a , preferably the waterproof LED flashlights. Though LED flashlights can be a bit pricier than the typical grocery store flashlights, the technology of the LED make them much more useful because they are able to last several times longer than a standard flashlight and require fewer batteries over the long term. These lights also put out a much brighter light, making them good for signaling for help. Also pack replacement batteries for your LED flashlights and keep them close to the actual flashlights so they are easy to find in the dark.

A disaster kit should also include a good knife, preferably a Swiss army or utility knife. These are compact multi-purpose tools that can help cut ropes or other things that may hinder evacuation, open canned goods and remove screws in other equipment.

A battery operated AM / FM radio is important so your family can hear news regarding the disaster, weather predictions, and evacuation notices. Keep all of the equipment together in an easy to carry box or case in an easy to get to place.

Documentation

Important family documents are one of the things most often forgotten in a disaster preparation kit. You should collect and keep a zip lock bag with your family's important documents, like birth certificates, passports, marriage license, insurance information, etc. sealed inside. Keep the bag in with your disaster materials or in with an adult's clothing. These documents are vital if you want to get back on your feet once the disaster has passed.

The fact is that natural disasters can happen in a matter of minutes, and before you know it, a bad situation can turn disastrous in an instant. The best way to protect your family is to be prepared. The best way to be prepared is to have your natural disaster kits ready before the disaster strikes. It could be the difference in being able to get out of town and into a decent hotel, or a relatives home safely and scrambling to collect your things before water and winds trap your family. This has been an active season for natural disasters; don't wait until it is too late.

~Ben Anton, 2008Ben Anton lives in the Northwest and writes for DLK.Ben Anton invites you to read more about the features of quality Coast multipurpose tools on our discount utility knife website.]]> Insuring Your Overseas Home http://www.artwoo.com/article/insuring-your-overseas-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/insuring-your-overseas-home#comments Sat, 08 Jul 2006 08:27:07 +0000 natural disastersearth quakesinsurance policiesholiday purposesnatural disasteruk home insuranceinsurance provider http://www.artwoo.com/article/insuring-your-overseas-home holiday purposes, such as with Spain, in other cases they're bought for the purpose of spending at least part of the time of the owner's retirement, such as with Cyprus. Either way, more often than not the British owner of the home would prefer not to have the overseas home insured by an offshore , but rather by an insurance provider closer to home.

So, if you have an overseas home and would like a company to provide you with insurance, what can you expect to get?

Home Contents and Home Buildings Insurance

A number of providers of overseas home have merged the home contents and home insurance policies to be an amalgamated overseas home insurance policy. This mega policy should cover you for both circumstances.

Public Liability Insurance

Should be a must, especially if you are considering renting the overseas home out for the part of the year that you are not there.

Lost Earnings

If you think that renting your overseas home about is going to be a major money spinner for you, you may well want to consider insuring yourself against any lost earnings. Basically, this insurance will reimburse you if your holiday tenants suddenly have to cancel.

Theft

As with mainland UK home insurance policies, you need to make sure you are protected against theft. All the usual precautions about invoicing your possession needs to be taken into consideration with your holiday home. Also, you need to check the excess deductibles carefully, as in most cases this can range from £50 - £200

s

As recent natural disaster such as the hurricanes, tsunami, and have shown, certain geographical regions outside of the UK are more prone to natural disasters than the UK itself is. Consequently, you should make sure that your overseas home is adequately insured against this risk.

Insurance for your overseas home can be arranged cheaply over the internet, or else you can arrange to have the insurance provider by a specialist overseas home insurance company in your area. Do keep in mind that as this is effectively your second home, your home insurance premiums will be marginally higher than you may normally be expected to pay with the home you live in, especially if you are using the home in any way to generate income. Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk ]]> Business Continuity Planning - Proactive And Reactive http://www.artwoo.com/article/business-continuity-planning-proactive-and-reactive http://www.artwoo.com/article/business-continuity-planning-proactive-and-reactive#comments Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:20:00 +0000 business continuity planworst case scenarioman made disastersfloods and droughtsinnocent civiliansbusiness returnnatural disasters http://www.artwoo.com/article/business-continuity-planning-proactive-and-reactive business return to normal following an interruption, crisis or even disaster. It is not just about dealing with disasters when they occur but also about planning procedures and systems to avoid any foreseeable crisis.

If you watch the news you will notice that disasters are happening on a daily basis around the globe. The biggest harbinger of trouble is Mother Nature with her volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, . Have I missed anything?

Mother Nature is closely followed by . Wherever man is around you can be sure that some sort of crisis is getting ready to erupt. Man specialises in eroding the environment, starting a war, oppressing the weak, bombing and creating environments where fire spreads quickly!

In both man made and the first thing to often get affected is the internet and our ability to communicate effectively. So therefore this is the first item on the agenda in a decent . What proactive measures can the business can to have as many channels of communication open and how can it establish communication as soon as possible once it has gone down?

Data is another important factor to consider. What proactive plans does the business have to ensure that a backup of data is kept at a separate location? How can this data be used effectively if the infrastructure is damaged or in a - destroyed?

Having clear plans in place to cope with injury and in worst cases a loss of life can often help to reduce any potential losses. Bear in mind that it is not only business that you have to think about but also the family members of the victims of the disaster.

How will your customers cope if you can not meet their requirements in time? Do you have alternative suppliers available to keep your customers ticking over until your business is ready to supply them again?

Finally do not forget to consider your suppliers. They will also suffer and some could even close down if you are their largest customer.

By creating a business continuity plan the manager of a business can get a deeper understanding of the critical parts of the business. By having both proactive and reactive plans and procedures in place, it makes it far easier to avoid some foreseeable crisis and being able to deal quickly with a disaster when it does occur. Naz Daud is the Founder of the CityLocal Internet Business Franchise Opportunity. http://www.citylocal.co.uk http://www.citylocal.co.uk/frontend/franchiseinfo.php?cityid=79 http://www.citylocal.ie http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=120141 ]]> American Politics And Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-politics-and-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-politics-and-insurance#comments Tue, 07 Nov 2006 04:27:10 +0000 federal emergency management agencyinsurance companiesterrorist attacksnatural disasterstriaterrorism attacksfema http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-politics-and-insurance natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Natural disasters are not the only emergencies in which organizations have been founded to help citizens when insurance policies are nonexistent, or not enough; organizations such as the , better known as , have stepped in and helped during troubled times. However, past , and present risks of terrorist attacks, have prompted the federal government to get involved and pass the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, also known as .

TRIA may not be an organization like FEMA, but the act is designed arrange a provisional program that makes sure both citizens and are prepared -- as prepared as can be -- in the event of a terrorism attack. TRIA does this by guaranteeing that the federal government will share the costs of losses due to with insurance companies. This helps ensure that insurance companies will not, for lack of better terms, run out of money. It also helps ensure that American citizens provided with the help they needs, as well as be compensated for their losses.

Insurance companies were not adequately prepared for the financial losses that resulted from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and had to rely heavily on reinsurers, companies that make available insurance to insurance companies, to help pay the cost of damages. Now that TRIA is in effect, insurance companies are at less risk for being inadequately funded. Plus, the time it takes to underwrite an insurance policy is reduced since the losses have been reduced. http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/ http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/ http://www.myquoteguide.com/Term-Policy.shtml ]]> Home Contents Insurance -- For Peace Of Mind http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-contents-insurance-for-peace-of-mind http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-contents-insurance-for-peace-of-mind#comments Sat, 24 Feb 2007 06:27:04 +0000 home contents insurancenatural disastersfree legal adviceearthquakesinsurance providerinsurance policyinsurance companies http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-contents-insurance-for-peace-of-mind home contents insurance policy.

If you are searching for home contents insurance here are four things that you should look for;

1. No limits home contents insurance - Some, but not all, have a limit as to how much of your home's contents you can protect. Try to find an that does not place a limit on the amount of coverage you can buy. It is important that you have the flexibility to cover everything that is of value to you.

2. Home contents insurance for man-made and - Make sure any policy you are entertaining the idea of getting covers any and all damages from any type of emergency. Most of us think to protect against natural disasters like fires, floods, , etc. But what about damage caused by a malfunction of the house itself. Like when the washing machine overflows in the upstairs laundry room while no one is home.

3. Ease of payment - Most insurance companies will offer several options when it comes to making payments on a home contents . Some companies will offer discounts if you agree to pay on a yearly basis but will charge a service fee if you want to pay monthly. If you look hard enough you should be able to find a home contents insurance provider that will let you make monthly payments with no service fees.

4. Combined policy discounts - If you can bundle your home contents insurance in with your regular homeowners policy chances are your insurance company will give you a discount. Try finding out if there are additional benefits as well such as 24 hour service, free recovery service, and even .

Home contents insurance gives you the security and peace of mind that all your personal belongings are covered in case of any sort of home disaster. The best place to start is with you're your current homeowners insurance company chances are they would be happy to provide you with this type of insurance. To learn more about home contents in insurance visit the web site Home Insurance Quotes at http://home-insurance.home-choices-net.com ]]> Dealing With Hurricanes And Luxury Vacations http://www.artwoo.com/article/dealing-with-hurricanes-and-luxury-vacations http://www.artwoo.com/article/dealing-with-hurricanes-and-luxury-vacations#comments Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:35:00 +0000 worst case scenariowhen is hurricane seasoncruise travelersnatural disastersworld cruisesense adviceluxury vacation http://www.artwoo.com/article/dealing-with-hurricanes-and-luxury-vacations luxury vacation, a large concern can be . The number one feared natural disasters for travelers today are hurricanes. So concerning are hurricanes, that there is a foretold "hurricane season." Many travelers will postpone or cancel a trip simply because it falls in this season. Others will not even go if there if there is a slight chance that a hurricane could hit. But with so many myths and baseless fears, it can be difficult to plan a trip. Let us dispel some of these myths and uncover some common on how to deal with fears and the worst-case scenario.

When is "Hurricane Season?"

This is one of the number one questions asked by luxury world and other tourists who plan to be near or on an ocean for their vacation. Depending on who you ask, the answer is usually different. Some will say that for the Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific, it is from August until October, while others say June to November. Some say the South Pacific is prone to hurricanes from November to May, while others say it is year round. Basically, there is no certain way to predict any type of weather, and these "seasons" are mostly based on past year's data. The problem is, each year is different, and sometimes drastically so. The reality is a hurricane can happen at any time in any month at any destination! For the latest luxury travel deals check out http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html.

Don't Panic

Hurricanes could happen in any costal region in the world at any time of the year. Without trying to sound harsh, there is no way to be able to avoid a hurricane other than traveling to a land locked destination. This does not mean you should never travel. You could step outside your door tomorrow and be struck by lightning, but that does not mean you should become a recluse. Fear should not drive decisions you must make in life. If you want to take a luxury travel vacation to a costal region during one of the supposed "hurricane seasons," simply do it. Find American Express Travel Exclusives at http://www450.pair.com/amtfrank/american-express-exclusives.html.

Protect Yourself

What if, of all the 365 days out of the year, out of all the islands and coastal regions in the world, a hurricane hits your destination during your luxury vacation? Take actions to protect yourself. When you purchase your vacation, simply purchase travelers insurance. Most insurance protects you in case of a natural disaster, and the better traveler's insurance will protect the cost of your vacation as well as your person. The best recommendation is to book your trip through American Express Vacations and add "American Express' "Cancel For Any Reason Insurance." This insurance runs from $89.00 to $129.00 per person, and must be purchased at the time of deposit. It covers the complete cost of your trip, including air, plus medical protection, baggage loss and emergency evacuation costs. You can cancel for any reason, so if a hurricane hit the week before and your reconsider, you will not be stuck with the bill. Seize the day, but protect yourself just in case! For help on planning your next luxury travel vacation go to http://www.amtvacations.com.

There is no reason to get into a fuss about hurricanes. Your travel could be affected by the break out of wars, famine, illness, terrorism and other natural disasters. The fact is, these variables can suddenly come into play at any time. This is the same as with hurricanes. The best you can do is not panic. Do not let fear of the "what ifs" dictate they way you live or travel. Purchase travelers insurance for those what if situations, take a deep breath and enjoy the delights of your luxury travel vacation. Virginia Morgan is a travel writer and frequent contributor to http://www.amttravel.com/, a premier Internet resource for http://www.amtcruises.com. Serving customers online since 1996. ]]> Dishing Cooking Perks Is Delicious http://www.artwoo.com/article/dishing-cooking-perks-is-delicious http://www.artwoo.com/article/dishing-cooking-perks-is-delicious#comments Sat, 02 Dec 2006 20:27:05 +0000 natural disastersmodified mercalli scaleuniversity of nevada renohurricanesearthquakephotographunited states department of agriculture http://www.artwoo.com/article/dishing-cooking-perks-is-delicious United States Department of Agriculture has identified empirically: that food in Hawaii costs a third more than a similar market basket of goods on the mainland.

So, when strategizing healthy, flavorful cooking on a tight budget, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's food editors suggested that striking teachers and professors consider--stews. Culinary responses to the challenges disasters pose differ, in other parts of the country. While Hawaii's teachers are vulnerable to the high cost of living on the Pacific islands; while on the Atlantic coast, residents--including schoolteachers--have to prepare to cook their way through . North Carolina can be hit by five a year.

So how can you cook, when the storm has blown over the power lines? The State University-based North Carolina Cooperative Extension provides residents with a list of foods that require no cooking, to help them last the storm. Fruit, breakfast bars, and canned milk make breakfast; canned meats, fish, and poultry can be combined with raw vegetables to make a lunch or supper. Residents are warned, however, that canned foods require refrigeration after opening; when there's no power; they have to be eaten at one sitting. Hurricanes are not the only natural disasters that strike coastal residents.

In 1906, an measuring 8.3 on the struck the city of San Francisco. Among the images that survived the disaster is a of a man cooking, currently in the University of Nevada, Reno Library, Department of Special Collections. Captioned, "Cooking at the curb." After the Earthquake, San Francisco--April 1906," the photograph shows a man wearing a hat, bending over to tend a toy stove. Wood is piled to one side, and smoke from the stove's chimney indicates that a good fire is going. Pressed into the work of an adult stove, this child-sized cook stove has been surrounded by wood partitions on three sides as well as above to improve its draft. The earthquake survivor is has a coffee boiler on the cooking surface, and is looking into the fry pan's contents. Stanford University Archives include a complementary image (Stanford Archives GP 9904) that indicates all 'quake survivors were not so fortunate. A photograph of five students cooking outside their dorms shows has not a stove in sight; the men have propped their griddle on bricks as they slice bread and peel potatoes. Cooking fires and candles were commonly credited with having started the fire that followed the earthquake. James Brown writes about http://www.cookwarecoupons.com/Coupons/Food%20Network.html, http://www.cookwarecoupons.com/Coupons/Chef's%20Corner.html and http://www.cookwarecoupons.com ]]> Property And Casualty Insurance Trends http://www.artwoo.com/article/property-and-casualty-insurance-trends http://www.artwoo.com/article/property-and-casualty-insurance-trends#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2006 04:27:05 +0000 property and casualty insurancecasualty insurance industrycasualty insurance companiesproperty and casualtynaiiacts of terrorismnatural disasters http://www.artwoo.com/article/property-and-casualty-insurance-trends insurance industry, to the point where these types of insurance are more expensive and more difficult for consumers to obtain.

The property and posted a $7.9 billion net loss in 2001. According to the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and the National Association of Independent Insurers (), this is first time that the industry has ever reported a net loss. Experts predicted a negative 2.7 percent return rate for property and casualty insurance, almost 6.5 percent lower than the return rate of the year 2000.

These losses have caused a number of property and to cut back in an effort to economize. One step taken to reduce losses was to avoid adding any new property and casualty insurance policies. The insurers have also purposefully stopped updating or renewing existing property and casualty insurance policies. As a result, the premium price of property and casualty insurance policies has increased.

A number of factors are said to have caused the property and casualty insurance problem, including , , economic turmoil, and even mold.

The headline of one trial lawyer publication, "Mold is Gold", indicated that recent court decisions against insurers had jeopardized profitability of the property and casualty insurance industry. Invasive mold was recognized as the latest household hazard, and property and casualty insurance policyholders were cashing in with lucrative lawsuits. A well-publicized Texas lawsuit resulted in a staggering $32.1 million decision -- extremely profitable for the owner, potentially devastating for the property and casualty insurance industry.

The terrorist attacks of September 11 greatly contributed to the negative impact on the property and casualty insurance industry. It has been reported that property and casualty insurance claims related to the events of September 11 totaled as much as $70 billion. The same event has also caused the decline of the stock market, adding to the insurance industry's downward trend.

This negative impact has also had a detrimental effect on the real estate industry, where property and casualty insurance is essential. Property and casualty insurance coverage is essential when applying for a conventional, government-assisted and commercial mortgage; without it, lending companies will reject the mortgage application. Therefore, the real estate market cannot function properly if this type of insurance is more expensive or less accessible. In real estate, mortgages are paramount in closing the vast majority of sales. Without property and casualty insurance, there won't be any mortgages, and sales in the real estate market will plummet. Moreover, without property and casualty insurance coverage, homeowners would find it difficult or impossible to maintain their mortgage obligations. Lenders would be forced to foreclose on the property, or subject the homeowners to expensive lender forced-place coverage.

No one can contest the devastating personal consequences of natural disasters, acts of terrorism and disease. The insurance and real estate industries are two examples of how these events have had a negative impact on our economy as well. Linda Davis writes for several web sites, such as http://yetra.com and http://tocip.com ]]> You Can Find Useful Jobs While On Holiday http://www.artwoo.com/article/you-can-find-useful-jobs-while-on-holiday http://www.artwoo.com/article/you-can-find-useful-jobs-while-on-holiday#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:20:02 +0000 volunteer vacationnatural disastersfires in californiaturtle hatchlingstsunami reliefwasting your timevacation time http://www.artwoo.com/article/you-can-find-useful-jobs-while-on-holiday volunteer vacation. When you take a vacation like this you will be able to relax and also help others. You will be able to make a difference in the world, instead of in front of the TV. You will find that you can join a partner program and you'll be able to work within your community or a distance community and make a difference. Your ability to work will and volunteer your time will allow you to build some skills and stand out in your community. You will find that there are things that you can do to volunteer that you are truly interested in. You'll also be able to make a difference in the world at the same time. You will find that there are many disadvantages of the world that you can help with.

There are opportunities that are offered all over the world. You will find that you can join an orphanage, a school, or daycare, and you can also work with the elderly or disabled. You will be able to find that there are plenty of causes that are interesting, but also that you can take the opportunity to make something good for the community. You will find that a volunteer vacation will help to inspire you to do more for the people of your community and of others.

With the like the New Orleans flood, the , or the mudslides that are affected the country, you will find that there are tons of things that you could have to rebuild or clean. You will also find that there are still 's that need to be helped. You can go to these places and help with your hands or you can take your to raise money for the disasters. You may even want to learn about some of the world's leading projects. Then you can always make the money to donate for the projects. You will find that there are things like rehabilitating sick penguins or releasing . You may even be able to protect some wildlife groups or reservations so that you can help the ecosystem.

If you prefer to work with people, you will want to think about teaching someone a second language or help tutor someone. You will also be able to stand as a role model for children who need to fight drug addiction or just become a big brother or sister. You will be able to help those who are underprivileged, educate them, and support them to be better. This is just one of the meaningful vacations that you could take. You will find that you can help the world to become a better place when you learn the value of volunteer work.

When it comes to finding things to do for your vacation, you can always feel good knowing that you can take a volunteer vacation. You will be able to help others while feeling better for yourself. There are so many people in the world that you can help that need help, but you can also feel good about yourself knowing that you are doing something good for humanity. Ken Morris continually produces detailed reports on ideas associated to Costa Dorada and Spain. With his detailed writings (for instance http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html on Costa Blanca ) he demonstrated his skill in the area. ]]> Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2006 06:50:05 +0000 natural disastershousehold maintenancehomeowners insurancepoor householdearthquakesdepreciationpossessions http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters for the owner of a home and even for people who rent an apartment, house, condomium, or other. A standard policy insures the home itself and all the belongings and furnishings inside. A package policy, homeowners insurance covers both damage to a person's property and the associated liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage that person or members of that person's family cause to other people.

This also includes damage caused by household pets. Most damage caused by is covered but there are three that are not covered by homeowners insurance: flood, , and poor . For any of these disasters, the person must purchase separate and additional policies. Also, maintenance-related problems are generally almost always the responsibility of the homeowner.

Within this general framework, there are many kinds of choices such as a limited choice policy, a basic policy, varied levels on that basic policy as well as separate policies specific for renters. Actual cash value policies is the kind of policy that seeks to replace the value of the home or minus a deduction for . Replacement cost policies pay the cost of rebuilding and repairing the home or replacing possessions without a deduction for depreciation. The third tier of protection in policy is the guaranteed or extended replacement cost policy which offers the highest level of protection.

A guaranteed replacement cost policy pays whatever it costs to rebuild the home of the insured as it was before the fire or other disaster, even if it exceeds the limit of the policy. This means that the insured is protected against sudden increases in construction costs due to a shortage of building materials after a widespread disaster or other unexpected situations. It generally does not cover the cost of upgrading the house to comply with current building codes. Some insurance companies offer an extended rather than a guaranteed replacement cost policy.An extended policy pays just a certain percentage over the limit to rebuild the home of the insured. Despite its cost, a guaranteed or extended cost policy offers the best financial protection against disasters for the home. These coverages as in all insurance coverages, are dependent upon location and insurance companies.

One of the first steps in protecting the valuables and possessions in a home, is taking an inventory. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help the insured get their insurance claim settled faster, verify losses on their income tax return and help them purchase the correct amount of insurance. Taking an inventory can be easy or tedious depending on the size of your household, amount of belongings, and level of organization. However, it is very worthwhile. One of the first steps is categorizing possessions, separating clothes and big items such as large furniture, valuables, jewelry, equipment, technology, and other possessions.

You can videotape your rooms, or take photographs to help in the inventory process. Making a list of all the possessions in separate categories with approximate cash value, is very useful. You can create these lists on your computer, PDA, or other device so that you have an easily accessible back-up list. You should store these lists and update them with valuables in a safe-deposit box, or at a friend or relative's residence, or other secure location apart from your personal residence, so that you can access this list in case of a disaster. Paul Babs is the webmaster of FGU Insurance tackles all insurance matters.For more information, go to: http://www.fguinsurance.com ]]> What to do if Your Vehicle Has Damage From a Storm http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-damage-from-a-storm http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-damage-from-a-storm#comments Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:50:17 +0000 auto body shopauto body repairsauto body shopsrim repairauto body repairwheel rimwindshield repair http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-damage-from-a-storm
You first need to check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for any storm damage. They will let you know if and what they will cover. They will also tell you what your deductible is for the repairs. If you decide to use your insurance to help pay for the s you will need to see if they require you to use certain repair shops or if you can just use one of your choice. You may be surprised to find that many times the repairs are quite affordable and most people do not even choose to use their insurance.

You will also need to decide whether you will be getting a repair or replacement. A repair is a great way to go since they take less time to complete and will cost much less as well. Auto body repairs that can be completed at most s include bumper repair, auto body repair, , paint touch up, paintless dent removal, wheel , interior repair and much more. The repairs come out looking great in the end and it is hard to notice that there was damage to begin with. Also the repairs hold up safety wise just as good as the replacement does.

Your next step is to choose an auto body shop for the repair. It is important that you look around for an auto body shop that will produce the best quality work for your vehicle. You should start by asking around to check the reputation of around you. Then you should visit them and see what kind of operation they are running and make sure you feel comfortable there and with the auto body repair specialist as well. You may also want to ask while you are there to see some examples of their work so that you can see the degree of quality they produce on their work. You also want to get a good deal, so get estimates from all the places you are considering especially since they are usually done for free. Also remember if you are using your insurance you need to check to make sure that they auto body shop accepts the insurance provider you are using.

You want to make sure that you take care of repairs quickly since many times unrepaired damage leads to more damage which means more money out of your wallet. So look for an auto body shop to repair your vehicles storm damage today.If your car is in need of auto reconditioning start looking for a qualified professional to handle your concerns. Look for an auto body professional to take care of your ride from bumper repairs to fixing the major auto body repairs]]> How To Find Affordable Homeowner's Insurance In Nevada http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-homeowners-insurance-in-nevada http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-homeowners-insurance-in-nevada#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:25:00 +0000 types of natural disastersnevada state lawmortgage agreementhomeowners policiesinsurance costswind damagefire and smoke http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-homeowners-insurance-in-nevada Nevada state law does not require a homeowner to carry homeowner's insurance, but if your home is financed through a bank or other financial institution then you may be forced to carry homeowner's insurance as part of your .

But even if you are not forced to carry homeowner's insurance it really makes good financial sense that you would want to insure what is probably your biggest asset =96 plus a homeowner's policy also covers the possessions inside your home.

With a homeowner's policy your home and your possessions are insured against many (though it is important to note which types of natural disasters are excluded, such as flood and often ) as well as being insured against burglaries and injuries to others on your property.

One of the biggest mistakes many Nevada homeowners make is to underinsure their homes. According to recent statistics, almost 25% of all Nevada homeowners do not carry enough homeowner's insurance to replace their home and its contents if it were destroyed.

With home prices higher overall today than they were just a few years ago, it is important for homeowners to review their policies and make certain that they are still covered for the full replacement value of their home in today's market.

Of course, that brings us to the unpleasant part: the need to find affordable homeowner's insurance.

There are several things you can do to help keep the cost of your insurance as low as possible. Since fire is a big concern for companies writing homeowners' policies, making your home more fire safe, by installing detectors and at least one fire extinguisher in the kitchen, can significantly reduce your .

Burglaries are another big factor in the price of your homeowner's insurance, so anything you can do to make your home less inviting to a burglar should result in a lower premium payment.

Start by making sure every door to your home has a working deadbolt as well as a standard lock. Make sure every window in your home, including all upstairs windows, are lockable. Trim all bushes around doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for burglars while they do their work.

And, surprisingly, keeping your credit rating good is another way to keep your insurance costs down; homeowners with good credit are better insurance risks.

Once you have done those things it is time to get online and to make comparisons of homeowner's policies and costs from one company to another. There are several sites on the internet designed to make such comparisons relatively quick and easy and allow you to find the most affordable homeowner's insurance in Nevada. By spending a few hours one day making comparisons, you can possibly save yourself and your family hundreds of dollars each and every year in insurance premiums. Recommended sites for low rate insurance http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/ Affordable Homeowner's Insurance Quotes in Nevada http://www.myquoteguide.com/Home-Quote.shtml Cheap Homeowner's Quotes ]]> Benefits Of Investment Property Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-investment-property-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-investment-property-insurance#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:27:05 +0000 natural disastersborrowed moneyjeopardyproperty insuranceinsurance companyexposureseconomic hardship http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-investment-property-insurance
People should realize just how risky buying their first property is. There are a few questions that you need to find answers before spending your money on a new property. The worst scenario is when you buy a new property with and short time after the transaction the prices fall. Interest rates and a less valuable property will both be yours.

2. Obtaining quality insurance

Everybody who owns a buisness should obtain investment . The insurance will not protect you against variations of prices but will help you to get the money back in case of unusual accidents. Each property has its own risk level and the insurance fee depends mostly on this criteria. So, before deciding what property to buy, you should check yourself if there are any risk involved.

>From the point of view of the there are four general criteria for deciding whether to insure events or not. 1. there must be a larger number of similar objects so the financial outcome of insuring the pool of is predictable. Therefore they can calculate a andquot;fairandquot; premium. 2. the losses have to be accidental and unintentional from the point of view of the insured. 3. the losses must be measurable, identifiable in location, time, and be definite. They also want the losses to cause . That is, so the insured has an incentive to protect and preserve the property to minimize the probabilty that the losses occur. 4. the loss potential to the insurer must be non-catastropic. It cannot put the insurance company in financial .

3. Insurance protection

The most important risk came from but some of them can be predicted. Usually insurance will protect you from the most common accidents but some companies require you to pay an extra fee for each type of disaster that can occur. Before buying the investment property insurance, you should check if there were hurricanes, earthquakes or inundations in the area in the last 30-50 years.

4. Kinds of insurance

There aee many kinds of insurance. The adjusted risk discount rate technique is combined by two kinds of rates. The risk-free rate covers just a few of unpredicted event and is very cheaper and premium rate covers lot of disasters or event human mistakes, but it is a little expensive. It is easy to avoid paying for things that wont happen when using the two rates togther. For more great insurance related articles and resources check out http://brokerinformer.info ]]> How To Get Low Cost Home Owners Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-low-cost-home-owners-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-low-cost-home-owners-insurance#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:27:03 +0000 home owners insurancenatural disastersinsurance policytornadosmundaneinsurance providershomeowners insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-low-cost-home-owners-insurance natural disasters is the primary reason for getting . For most people this only makes sense because their home is their most important investment. For many people getting low cost is just as important as making sure that their home has the proper coverage.

There are all manner of disasters and emergency situations that require a good home owner's . From hurricanes, floods, and hail storms to the more broken water pipe on the second floor that leaks through the ceiling. Home repairs can be expensive and without home insurance the cost of repair can be more than most people can afford.

Here are some tips that can help get that low cost home owners insurance policy.

1.Increase your deductible -- This can work on an existing insurance policy you already have, giving you instant savings. When shopping for new home owners insurance you can adjust your deductible until you find a rate that fits your budget. One word of warning, do not increase your deductible to high. Many people do not have the money set aside to cover this if an emergency repair for their house needs to be done.

2.Install a security system -- Nearly all give rate discounts for hard wired security systems, particularly those that report back to a central call center. Fire alarms and your proximity to the nearest fire station can also help reduce your monthly payment.

3.Combination coverage's -- Find an insurance company that provides both home and automobile coverage's and find out if they give a discount if you purchase a combined policy from them. Most do and in some cases you will save up 10% off your premium. This type of coverage will also make your life a little easier as you will only have to pay on one premium, instead of remembering when to pay on separate coverage's.

4.Shop around -- Don't settle for the first quote you receive. Filling out low cost home owners insurance quotes if free so get as many quotes as you can. Be sure to compare them closely, you want to make sure you get the coverage you need for a fair price. Also see if any discounts are available that you can take advantage of.

Finding low cost home owners insurance is easy if you follow these four tips and do some up front research. Make sure that you have the coverage that suits you best before agreeing to purchase a home owners' policy because you want your primary asset covered if disaster should strike. To learn more about how to get low cost home owners insurance please visit the website Home Insurance Quotes at http://home-insurance.home-choices-net.com/Home-Owners-Insurance-Quote.html ]]> Protect Your Home From Cooking Disasters http://www.artwoo.com/article/protect-your-home-from-cooking-disasters http://www.artwoo.com/article/protect-your-home-from-cooking-disasters#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2006 00:27:07 +0000 cookinghomeowners insuranceweather elementssmoke alarmsmiling facesunexpected disastersdelicious http://www.artwoo.com/article/protect-your-home-from-cooking-disasters Cooking is a past time enjoyed by many people. Cooking is even a profession for some people. To these people, there's nothing more satisfying that getting their hands dirty in the ingredients of a favorite dish, the smell of an even more delicious meal wafting through the house, and the of their family members and friends when they take those first and last bites from their plates.

Yet, as silly as it may sound, cooking can be as dangerous past time or profession as it is enjoyable. Have you ever been cooking what was supposed to be a scrumptious for your significant other only to be jolted out of your skin because the suddenly started going crazy? Maybe you were relaxing on the couch, maybe you right at the stove. In any event, things got overheated and your smoke alarm was giving you a heads up.

So, food can burn as easily as it can cook, and if you're in another room or even if you're right there with it, things can get out of control. What was supposed to be a romantic dinner can quickly turn into a house fire. When this happens is no time to be worried about your homeowner's insurance.

Having adequate homeowner's insurance is crucial -- not just to protect your home from theft, vandalism, and damage from , and not just to protect yourself and others on your property from personal injuries. Having adequate homeowner's insurance is crucial in times of your own negligence, or loss of control, too.

When the time comes for you to decide how much homeowner's insurance to purchase, it's important to take into account the location of your home, the size of your home, and the condition of your home, as well as any visitors to your home. However, it's also important to take into account those such as cooking gone bad. http://www.myquoteguide.com/Car-Tips.shtml http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/ http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/ ]]> Homeowners Insurance Guide http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-guide http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-guide#comments Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:27:08 +0000 homeowners insurancenatural calamitiesmaterial possessionsdisastershousehold petshousehold itemsinsurance policy http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-guide Homeowners insurance covers damages resulting from most kinds of . If a third party lender finances a home, it becomes important to obtain homeowners insurance, in order to cover the building and the inside.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy: This means that homeowners insurance takes care of both, the damage caused to the home, and the legal responsibilities involved. Homeowners insurance can also be used to protect the homeowner against injuries or property damage caused to other people, by the owner or his/her family members. This includes injury caused by .

Homeowners insurance covers damage caused by most except floods, earthquakes, and the lack of maintenance. Individuals are required to buy separate policies to cover the losses incurred due to earthquakes and floods. Maintenance related damage is not covered by any .

Types of Homeowners Insurance

Following are the four types of coverage included in the standard homeowners insurance policy: -

Coverage For The Structures

This policy pays for repairing or re-building the house if it gets damaged because of fire, hail, lightning, hurricane, damage caused by vehicle or aircraft, explosion, windstorm or other disasters, according to the formulation of the policy. Most of the standard policies also deal with structures that are not attached to the house, like the garage or a gazebo.

Coverage For Contents Of Home

This policy covers personal belongings such as furniture, clothes, electronic goods and other that get destroyed by any of the insured disasters. Most companies offer coverage of 50% to 70% of the amount insured for the building. For example, if a homeowner has $200,000 worth of insurance on building structure, then he/she would have $100,000 to $140,000 worth of coverage on the personal belongings. The best way to find out whether this coverage is adequate is to carry out a home inventory, which includes the original cost of each item.

Protection Against Liability

This covers against lawsuits for any physical injury or property damage that the homeowner, or his/her family members, or pets cause other people. This liability policy covers a homeowner anywhere in the world. For example, if a homeowner's children, or dog, or any other pet accidentally damages the neighbor's furniture, or expensive carpet, or any other property, the homeowner is covered by this policy. But the homeowner's own property is not covered by this policy, if the children or pets damage it similarly. Liability coverage generally starts at $100,000.

Additional Living Expenses Under Conditions The Homeowner Is Not Able To Live In The Home:

This policy pays for the additional cost of living away from home if it gets damaged by fire, lightning, hail, smoke, theft, storm, volcanic eruption or any other insured disaster. It covers restaurant bills, hotel bills and additional living expenses incurred while the home is being repaired. Generally, companies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on the structure of the house.

For example, if a homeowner has insurance worth of $100,000 on the structure of his/her house, then the additional living expenses coverage in case of damage will be 20% of $100,000, which is $20,000. This policy also reimburses the rent amount if a part of the damaged house had been on rent.

For most people, a home involves a large investment. Insuring it against damage due to some unforeseen calamity can protect you from bearing the burden of such losses. Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk ]]>