Don Maker
Don Maker received his B.A. in English and Comparative Literature from the University of California, San Diego, and his M.A. in Education from Chapman University, concentrating on the history and financing of the public education system. He has had the good fortune to travel extensively both nationally and internationally. A member of the California Writer's Club, Don currently writes for a number of Internet sites on such subjects as education, travel, sports, and social issues. Don spent 20 years as a marketing/communications executive and is now a credentialed high school English teacher. His fiction writing includes novels, stage plays and screen plays. You can reach Don at metacognition2@yahoo.com.
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Education/Experience
M.A. Education, Chapman University (Concord Extension), CA; B.A. English, U.C. San Diego, La Jolla, CA; A.A. Communications (Speech Arts), Mesa College, San Diego, CAMotto
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First person: Our $65,000 kitchen remodelWith knowledge and DIY, you can add an elegant kitchen to an upscale house without breaking the bank. Make sure you match the furnishings, appliances and details to the look you want. -
Winter Activities at Lake Tahoe, California, Come in All FlavorsFrom skiing to sleigh riding, experience an incredible variety of fun things to do and scenic splendors to see all around the huge natural and man-made settings in this Northern California resort area. -
Split, Croatia, Offers Great Shopping in the Heart of the Sightseeing DistrictWhether you take a cruise tour or travel directly, the shopping in Split, Croatia, is both highly varied and scenic. For tourists who are limited in their time, it is also very centrally located. -
California Has Failed Public Educational Systems Due to State ControlSince 1971, the California public education system has gone from “first to worst”. There are many reasons, but the main reason is a lawsuit that took the funding and control away from local school districts and gave it to state politicians.
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New Plan Regarding Illegal Immigrants: What Will Change?The new plan sounds great in theory, but is still vague in details. More importantly, the current policies are ignored or deliberately undermined. How will this “plan” be any different?
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My Personal Message to the President in His Inaugural AddressWhat I would want President Obama to say -- and mean -- as he enters office for his second term.
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Day Trips Enhance International Travel and VacationsBoat trips, coach tours, and other excursions just hours outside of metropolitan areas can greatly enhance your vacation at very modest costs. -
National Parks on the West CoastAmerican national parks offer an incredible variety of beautiful sites and exciting activities for very modest fees. Whether you like to rough it or stay in luxury, all levels of accommodation are available either within the parks or just outside. -
With “Quotas”, Police and Teachers May Be Tempted to Cheat the SystemOffering monetary rewards to public employees such as police and teachers for specific numerical results can lead to great abuses and very bad results.
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People Kill – but People with Guns Kill a Lot More, a Lot More EasilyAutomatic weapons, assault rifles, easy access to ammunition – an insane society allows insane people to commit mass murder. And what does the government do about it?
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First Person: The Impact of Pearl Harbor on Teens – Specifically My ParentsLike many teenagers, December 7, 1941, changed their lives and they way in which they viewed the world. This is the story of my parents. -
Life Lessons I Learned from Traffic SignsIf you think seriously of the messages that signs along streets and highways convey, you can learn a lot about how to live a safe, enjoyable, cooperative, and productive life.
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Should Young Athletes Play Tackle Football?When we know the extreme dangers of full-contact sports, should we allow young athletes to play tackle football, or boxing or martial arts?
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First Person: Laid-Off as a Teacher in My Mid-50sThe recession caused many teachers to be laid off, and that will be the last priority as the economy recovers. Knowing this, college students are not majoring in education. The prospects for the profession are not good for years to come. -
Olympia, Greece, Home of the Olympic GamesOlympia, Greece, is the ancient home of the Greek gods and the Olympic Games, combining beautiful statues and buildings with religious ceremonies and superlative athletic achievements. -
The Acropolis of Athens, Capital of Greece, a “Must See”While Rome is probably the most famous city in the world for seeing multiple magnificent archeological sites, Athens takes a close second. Featuring the most buildings in one place and the best views of the city, the Acropolis is a must-see for tourists. -
First Person: 7 Homeowner Tips for Dealing With ContractorsSeven suggestions on how to save money and frustration when dealing with home contractors—as well as other types of contractors. -
International Travel With Friends or Small GroupsWant to take an extended trip with your best buds? There is safety in numbers, but there can also be problems when traveling with friends or a small group that is not being hosted by a guide. Here are topics to consider before you take off. -
Is Obama Learning How to Improve the Economy?With new jobs going up over the past three months, is Obama learning how to jump-start the economy, or has it taken that long to turn around the mess left by the Bush administration?
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5 Tips for Safety, Economy, and Convenience for International TravelWhen traveling internationally for business or pleasure, there are many things you need to know to make your journey safer and more comfortable, as well as more economical. Here are five tips to consider before you take off. -
Visit Schonbrunn Palace and Park in Vienna, AustriaThe 1,441 rooms of the baroque-style palace and expansive gardens include splendid opportunities for sightseeing, relaxing, dining, and seasonal entertainments. -
The Next President Needs to Create Jobs and Get the Economy Back Under ControlBecause the majority of people are middle class, which candidate will really work to make their lives better, beginning with reducing unemployment and reducing the U.S. debt ratio?
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Holiday Islands Near La Rochelle on the Coast of Southern FranceFrom exploring historical fortifications to modern theme parks, there are numerous entertainments to be found on the Vendeean islands of Ile de Ré and Ile d'Oléron near La Rochelle, France. -
Affordable Accommodations in France and Spain: ReviewsA recent “budget” vacation through France and Spain (Paris through San Sebastian) produced some thoughts and ratings on the places we stayed. -
Despite Poor Job Numbers, Still Willing to Give Obama Four More YearsBoth sides say the other is incompetent, but at least I know which party got the US into this mess.
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Visit Historical Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, England, Home of Oliver CromwellFor a very relaxed trip back into critical English history, Huntingdon offers some lovely sights and peaceful activities a few minutes away from Cambridge.
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Visit the Colleges of Historical Oxford University, EnglandFor anyone interested in the history, tradition, and beauty of the colleges of Oxford University, not to mention education, a visit to Oxford is well worth the effort.
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Take a Packaged Tour or Travel Internationally on Your Own?There are pluses and minuses to every aspect of buying a packaged tour or electing to travel on your own. Some of the major aspects are explored in this article, along with some suggestions for combining modalities.
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Budapest, Hungary: Beauty and Variety for Young and Old Spanning the DanubeThere is a great variety of things to do and see in the twin cities of Buda and Pest; old or young, enjoy the main cosmopolitan center of Hungary at affordable prices.
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Delphi, Greece, Offers Two Historical Complexes: A Lovely Town and Great VistasThere is so much history throughout Greece that it’s hard to visit every site, but two extensive complexes and the quaint town on a mountainside make Delphi a must-see for all tourists.
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Pick a Theme for Your International Dream VacationDon’t travel randomly; pick a theme for your vacation and plan the entire trip accordingly, including activities, destinations, seasons, accommodations, food, travel, and tickets.
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A Doom and Gloom Prediction: The New Owners of the Golden State Warriors Repeat the Mistakes of the PastThe new owners of the Golden State Warriors, Peter Guber and Joe Lacob, with holdover General Manager Larry Riley, are heading in the same mediocre future as the previous incompetent owner, Chris Cohan, based on their recent "blockbuster" trade.
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First Person: From Corporate Executive to 'Newbie' TeacherWhat are the ups and downs of becoming a teacher after an “early retirement” from private industry?
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Hike in Plitvicka Jezera National Park in Beautiful, Affordable CroatiaA great hike to view waterfalls, lakes, and flora in a fantastic mountain setting in Southern Croatia.
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Tour Beautiful, Affordable Croatia for a Variety of PleasuresCroatia offers a multitude of beautiful natural and historic sites, enjoyable activities, and great food and hospitality at very affordable prices!
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A Lovely B&B in CroatiaOnly a few hours’ drive from Vienna, Klet Kozjak is a great place to stay on your way into or out of Croatia.
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Hike, Bike or Horseride in Briones Regional Park, Central Contra Costa County, CAFor San Francisco Bay Area residents who want more challenge in their walk than flat trails, Briones provides some hills and a wide variety of Nature activities.
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River Thames Day Trip from London Ideal for Summer VacationA summer’s day on the River Thames is a great way to see the English countryside and some historical sites not far from London.
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Why Polytheism was Replaced by Monotheism: A Very Brief History of ReligionFor perhaps a quarter of a million years, all cultures worshiped multiple gods to explain the various phenomena in the world. In the last 10,000 years, all but one of the major polytheisms have died. Why did this trend begin in Mesopotamia?
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Our Declining Public Schools: Whose Fault is It?Especially in California, the quality of our K-12 public school system has declined. There are many causes, but few fixes: a discussion of both from the standpoint of a teacher.
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Jean Piaget's Enlightened Influence on the American Educational SystemEarly psychologists and American educators agreed with the repressive “Prussian” educational model of building obedient, robotic students. Several more nurturing people, such as Maria Montessori and Horace Mann, helped our system trend more positively.
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When Serving, Go with the Toe for the PlacementUse foot placement, not a change in body motion, to hit a tennis serve down the middle or to either corner. You won't telegraph the location or type of serve from your foot position.
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What is “Truth”, and Why is it Important?What each individual believes is, for them, the truth. Various information, facts and factoids that we gather throughout our lives lead to those individual beliefs. But, if everyone’s “truth” is different, then what is the value of truth?
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The Movie “Anonymous” is Worse Than a Farce – It’s a TravestyRoland Emmerich's “Anonymous” contends that Shakespeare was a drunken actor who had neither the education nor wit to write his works, and little documentation exists to prove he did. Here’s a possible explanation for all of those questions.
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Tennis – the Ultimate Individual Sport in the WorldIncluding the aspects of physicality, variety of components necessary to play the game, and mental challenges, everything combines to make tennis the most challenging individual sport in the world.
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The California Fraud Fund is a Fraud—But Wait! There's MoreCalifornia politicians frequently perpetuate “fraud” against its citizens by diverting funds from public use, including schools, to pay the bills they have run up through bloated bureaucracies and mismanagement.
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Jerry Brown Sells Out California University Spots Once Again to Illegal Immigrant Students with AB131The “Dream Act” will cost California taxpayers millions of dollars, and deny the children of those citizens the state education and financial aid they deserve so that illegal students can take their place.
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Steve Jobs: High-tech Genius, Marketing Mavin, Electronics IconWhat made Steve Jobs the man he was, what he meant to the tech industry and the world of art, his style, and what's next for Apple.
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In Monotheism, It’s a (God)Man’s WorldIn the early ages of human history, women were equal to men. They were the primary healers and religious leaders, and practiced all of the arts and sciences. This radically changed with the advent of monotheism, the belief in one god.
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Al Davis, “Silver and Black Saint” to the Oakland Raiders and Their Football FansLove him or hate him—and most American football fans did both—Al Davis was a towering figure for both the early National Football League (NFL) and short-lived American Football League (AFL).
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First Person: Building My Dreamhouse for Fun and ProfitIn these uncertain times, perhaps it makes sense (and dollars) to put your retirement funds in building your own dream house, both to enjoy now and profit on later.
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First Person: Success for Hispanics in Starting and Owning a Small BusinessMy personal experience in starting and building a small consulting business in California.
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Milton's Use of "Narrative Technique" in Paradise LostIn writing his epic poem, Paradise Lost, Milton relied on the "narrative technique" to give life to an old story.
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We Have Met the EnemyThere are many solutions to difficult problems ... and sometimes the conspiracy theories are right.
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Gracehaiku based on an image
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When Vacationing Abroad, Begin Your Roaming in Rome!When planning a vacation somewhere in the western world, Rome is the best and most logical place to start.
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Are the San Jose Sharks "Chokers" and Patrick Marleau "Gutless"?Sports announcers and writers seem to have free license when it comes to insulting teams and players to gain an audience.
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How I (a Teacher) Will Spend My Summer VacationThe five things I'm most looking forward to over the summer break (June 16 to August 28), and what I'll do instead.
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David Viens Murder Case Proves the American Legal, Justice and Penal Systems Are InsaneOur legal system, our judicial system, and our penal systems are totally insane when it come to how much money we spend on them and how badly screwed up they are.
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Have You Been Suckered into a "bait and Switch" Package for Products You Don't Want?Many companies make "bait and switch" offers, or just won't stop sending you products and charging you for them--then they threaten to ruin your credit if you don't pay. The best way to stop these unethical practices is to file class-action lawsuits.
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High School Teacher Natalie Munroe Rants About Her Ill-behaved, Unmotivated StudentsParental involvement is key to the culture'"and the results'"of public schools.
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The NCAA is Hypocritical About "amateurism" in SportsWhile inter-collegiate athletes are banned from making money through their sport, college students can compete in any other field and still accept pay for their talent.
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Cal Shuts Down Baseball and Other SportsThe recent furor over the value of sports in colleges emphasizes that our public institutions have lost sight of their mission, and allowed extraneous issues and bloated bureaucracies to lead us to inevitable economic failure.
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New Owners May Put Warriors Fans in a Golden State of MindWhile many SF Bay Area media types are lamenting that billionaire Larry Ellison did not win his bid to buy the NBA Golden State Warriors, the actual new owners, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, may actually be better for the team.
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San Francisco Giants Overcome History and Long Odds to Win MLB World SeriesWith a World Series victory drought since the Giants moved from New York in 1958, and in spite of all expert predictions that they would not have enough offensive punch to win their division, the hard-working SF Giants are the 2010 world champions.
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Is Brown Using "Dirty Tactics" Against Whitman in California's Gubernatorial Race?Jerry Brown has made much of Meg Whitman's liberal spending in her quest to become California's first woman governor, but he has quietly spent a lot of "hush" money'"and perhaps enlisted dirty tactics as well.
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Obama and the Feds "Know it All" when it Comes to California Prop. 19President Obama wants to dictate policy on all subjects to the states, telling California that Prop. 19 to legalize marijuana is "ill conceived" without taking into account the specific circumstances impacting California on this issue.
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Queen Elizabeth Suffers Budget Cuts to Show the Masses She Feels Their PainQueen Elizabeth, like all other world leaders, makes "concessions" to the world-wide recession while really not even understanding the economic suffering of the people.
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San Francisco's District 6 Candidate Theresa Sparks Offers a Strong PlatformSan Francisco's District 6 supervisor candidate, Theresa Sparks, a self-proclaimed transgender woman who is recognized as a national leader in the fight for LGBT civil rights, is far more than a "one-trick pony".
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VAT to Simplify Economic as Well as Illegal Immigrant Problems?Edward Gonzalez, state congressional candidate in San Jose, proposes a single national sales tax he claims would simply our current economic system and help alleviate one of the problems with illegal aliens.
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Prop. 23 Seeks to Suspend California's Landmark Global Warming Law, Assembly Bill 32Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman contest the California governorship over the battle between clean-air proponents and entrenched polluting industries, claiming the fight is about creating jobs and making the state's economy healthy once again.Also published on:
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Adachi Pension and Healthcare Reform Measure Under Attack from SF Unions and PoliticosBecause San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi wants to reform bloated public pension and healthcare benefits to save taxpayers money, he has come under both professional and personal attack by labor unions and politicians in the city.
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It's SF Vs. LA -- for California Attorney General SpotSan Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris (D) and Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley (R), battling for the state attorney general position, represent the schism between Northern and Southern California.
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AT&T and the Oakland A's Slug it Out for San Jose TurfWhile the Oakland A's have been trying to move to San Jose for years, a city which would welcome them, the San Francisco Giants and now AT&T are fighting to block such a move.
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Candidates Spend Own Millions to Win Public OfficesCarly Fiorina and Meg Whitman, both former Silicon Valley CEOs, are willing to spend millions of their own money to win public offices against well-known political opponents.
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Tolls for Driving into and Out of San Francisco?Like their tolls for crossing bridges in the SF Bay Area, SF County Transportation Authority now proposes tolls for driving into and out of the city itself.
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San Francisco is Just One Example of Corruption in Public AgenciesWhile corruption runs rampant at all levels and in various ways in every public agency, San Francisco provides a wide variety of local scandals to incense taxpayers.
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Alienation and Transformation: Establishing Our IdentitiesOvid's "Metamorphoses" and Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" discuss how people become alienated from their society, and seek transformation or have it thrust upon them so that they can find an identity that will make them acceptable within that society.
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California and the City of San Jose Want to Solve Their Economic Woes by Legalizing PotSearching for new revenue streams without raising taxes, the City of San Jose, and California in general, seek to legalize and tax the use of marijuana.
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The Battle Over Gay Marriage in San FranciscoAlthough the argument over gay marriage rages throughout the U.S., California is particularly vehement over this issue, and Mayor Gavin Newsom has made San Francisco "ground zero" for the battle.
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Will San Jose and Other Bay Area Cities Drown in Public Employee Compensation?The current economic crisis is perhaps greatest in the State of California, not the least of which is due to high and growing compensation and retirement packages for public employees.
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ACLU Sues California Schools for "Substandard Education"The ACLU complains about the current poor education offered in many California public schools, without any consideration to the actual causes of the decline.
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Consistency of the Serve in Tennis is Critical to SuccessEven an intermediate club player can have an effective, consistent serve. Here's how to hit a good first and an effective second serve to improve your tennis game.
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Playing from the Ground Up: Improve Your Tennis Game Through Eye-foot CoordinationWhat is eye-foot coordination, and how can you improve your tennis game by learning proper positioning for your groundstrokes?
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The Rules for Critiquing the Writing of Others--and Having Yours Critiqued!To be a good writer, a person must learn how to give as well as to receive critiques. There are rules for critiquing, and they should be followed pretty closely. This article explains how to find good critiquers, and the rules of the game.
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Hiking the Samaria Gorge on the Beautiful Greek Island of CreteThere are many wonderful sights that can easily be reached from Chania, a city of 140,000 residents on the north shore of Crete. One of the most spectacular is the Samaria Gorge, if a visitor feels up for a good hike.
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Enjoy Hiking and Mountain Climbing in the Northern California Wine Country!Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties are most famous for, of course, fantastic wines and cheeses. However, great hiking and even mountain climbing are also available.
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Keep Your Website and Blog Fresh!Entrepreneurs can do a lot of business via the Internet these days. However, if they don´t keep their websites and blogs fresh, they can lose the clients they´ve gained. Why an entrepreneur should keep their site fresh, and a few suggestions on how.
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Athletes Are Entertainers, Not HeroesMost sports journalists use the word "hero" to describe athletes, and their sports accomlishments as "heroic". This cheapens the word, and minimizes the actions of the true heroes we should admire and emulate.
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The Process of Interpreting Literature and Writing a Persuasive EssayHow to read a piece of literature, follow and analyze various literary devices, and understand the messages of the story. In addition, an explanation of how to write a persuasive literary essay, with examples.
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Our Failing Public Schools, Part II: Illegal ImmigrationThe six states with the worst public school systems are the six highest in illegal immigrants. Coincidence? Hardly. An exploration behind the reasons, and how this growing national problem will eventually kill the U.S. educational system.
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"Bleeding Heart Liberals" Cause Many Hearts to BleedWhen known, confessed or absolutely convicted monsters such as John Gardner are allowed to roam the streets after such terrible crimes, we are not being compassionate or generous. The people who let them out are accessories after the fact.
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How to Prevent Writer's BlockWhile some writers suffer from "writer's block", there is really no reason to. This article will help you develop ideas for new stories, as well as completing those you have already started on.
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Six Tips for Succeeding in CollegeOne in four college freshmen drop out--even good high school students--because they have not prepared themselves to succeed in this new, totally different environment. Here are six ways to prepare and succeed.
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How to ChangeWhat really distinguishes Man from beast is the ability to think about the way a person thinks, which allows us to change. This is the greatest power we have in our lives. What is Metacognition, and how do we perfect it?
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Are You a Writer? Then Take Note!For all sincere writers, the art of taking notes is critical. This article contains several ideas to help you take notes -- even when you are asleep! -- and how to use them.
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Six Factors that Make a Game a SportThere is a great confusion about what makes a game into a "sport". Here are six criteria of what determines a sport, and an explanation of why golf is not a sport.
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Our Failing Public Schools, Part IV: ADAOur school systems are failing in many states. One of the most serious reasons is that local school districts no longer have control of tax funds. States control the funds, distributing money back to districts through average daily attendance.
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Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: A Warning to Elizabeth?For most readers, Romeo and Juliet is a lesson to over-passionate lovers. But Shakespeare may have had a much deeper message for Queen Elizabeth concerning her rule over her Catholic and Protestant subjects.