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Oceanaire View Virginia Beach

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Dave

Oceanaire, the newest addition to the Ocean Beach Club Resort, is bringing an entirely new level of vacation luxury to the Boardwalk. Designed by world-renown designer Cleo Design, this $75 million tower features 106 timeshare units, including 10 incredible three bedroom penthouse units. Cleo Design, along NCG Architects, have combined to ensure that every little detail is as stunning as the oceanfront views.

Individual rooms are equipped with the finest appointments, including full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Rooms also feature whirlpool spa tubs to help you relax after a fun day on the beach. The highlight of each room is the 12 foot wide floor to ceiling windows which provide amazing oceanfront views.

Oceanaire completes the already amazing Ocean Beach Club Resort, which has a Premier Resort status by Interval International, and will quickly become one of the best oceanfront destinations in the East.

The Oceanaire Resort Hotel features:
•Studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with fully-equipped kitchens and 42-inch TVs
•Access to amenities at the Ocean Beach Club (neighboring)
•Four oceanfront pools – two indoor and two outdoor
•10th floor lounge and sun deck
•Sky Fitness, fitness center overlooking the ocean
•Kids’ game room

Charlie Brown Christmas Stamp

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Dave

On December 9, 1965, millions of Americans learned what Christmas is all about. That evening, A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first animated special featuring characters from Charles Schulz’s beloved comic strip Peanuts, aired on CBS. Over the years, watching the beautifully understated ode to the holiday season has become an annual tradition. The program now airs every year on ABC.

You can pre-order A Charlie Brown Christmas 50th anniversary stamp at the USPS website. The issue date is October 1, 2015.

A Charlie Brown Christmas was completed just ten days shy of its national broadcast premiere. All involved believed the special would be an unmitigated disaster. Melendez first saw the completed animation at a showing in a theater in the days before its premiere, turning to his crew of animators and remarking, “My golly, we’ve killed it.” Melendez was embarrassed, but one of the animators, Ed Levitt, was more positive regarding the special, telling him it was “the best special [he’ll] ever make […] This show is going to run for a hundred years.” Mendelson was similar in his assumptions of the show’s quality, and when he showed the film to network executives in New York, their opinions were also negative. Their complaints included the show’s slow pace, the music not fitting, and the animation too simple. “I really believed, if it hadn’t been scheduled for the following week, there’s no way they were gonna broadcast that show,” Mendelson later said. Executives had invited television critic Richard Burgheim of Time to view the special, and debated as to whether showing it to him would be a good idea. His review, printed the following week, was positive, praising the special as unpretentious and writing that “A Charlie Brown Christmas is one children’s special this season that bears repeating.”

The program premiered on CBS on December 9, 1965 at 7:30PM ET (pre-empting The Munsters), and was viewed by 45% of those watching television that evening, with the number of homes watching the special an estimated 15,490,000, placing it at number two in the ratings, behind Bonanza on NBC. The special received unanimous critical acclaim: The Hollywood Reporter deemed the show “delightfully novel and amusing,” while the Weekly Variety dubbed it “fascinating and haunting.” Bob Williams of the New York Post praised the “very neat transition from comic page to screen,” while Lawrence Laurent of The Washington Post declared that “natural-born loser Charlie Brown finally turned up a real winner last night.” Harriet Van Horne of the New York World-Telegram hailed the scene in which Linus recites scripture, commenting, “Linus’ reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season.” Harry Harris of The Philadelphia Inquirer called the program “a yule classic […] generated quiet warmth and amusement,” and Terrence O’Flaherty of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Charlie Brown was a gem of a television show.” Ben Gross of the New York Daily News praised the special’s “charm and good taste,” while Rick DuBrow of United Press International predicted, “the Peanuts characters last night staked out a claim to a major television future.”

The show’s glowing reviews were highlighted with an ad in trade magazines; one thanked Coca-Cola, CBS, United Features Syndicate, and the show’s viewers. Fantasy released the special’s soundtrack the first week of December 1965, coinciding with the special’s airdate. United Feature Syndicate pushed hard to promote the special, while Word Publishing issued a hardcover adaption of the special. CBS promptly ordered four additional Peanuts specials. A Charlie Brown Christmas was awarded the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program in 1966. “Charlie Brown is not used to winning, so we thank you,” Schulz joked.

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Dave

PopCap Games, creator of some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), today announced Backyard Battleground, an all new dynamic hub in Plants vs Zombies™ Garden Warfare 2. This interactive environment connects players to every map and mode, and brings to life all new ways to experience the Plants vs. Zombies universe through solo and social play. As soon as the game starts, players will be immersed in a wild playground with dynamic events and tons to discover and do. They can invite up to three friends into their Backyard Battleground to do almost anything they want – take on daily quests, complete missions for Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss, interact with some of their favorite Plants vs. Zombies characters, ignite an all-out war by crossing over enemy lines and much more. The Backyard Battleground is an immersive hub unlike anything that has been in a Plants vs. Zombies game before.

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is partnering with BioWare™ on an intergalactic pre-order. Fans who pre-order the game will get access to a new Grass Effect Z7-Mech when they start Garden Warfare 2. Crafted by Dr. Zomboss, and inspired by one of the development team’s most favorite videogame franchises, this mech will help ensure Zomburbia’s galactic future. Gamers will have a blast playing with what was built to be the best-looking bane of plants everywhere. The Z7-Mech comes strapped with tools like the melee Zomni-tool, as well as interlocking ceramic plate armor with kinetic padding. This character is designed to augment tech, biotic, and weapons damage.

The battle for Suburbia reaches crazy new heights in Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2. For the first time in franchise history, zombies have taken over Suburbia and plants are on the attack. Each faction has enlisted new characters to join the fight, including Rose, an all-powerful sorceress from the past that can turn zombies into playable goats and Captain Deadbeard, a crusty pirate that has been adrift for hundreds of years. All the over-the-top fun takes place across 12 new immersive maps that are bursting with personality and humor, spanning everything from a Time Travel Theme Park to Moon Base Z. Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 taps into the heart of what fans loved about the original and goes above and beyond to deliver the funniest, craziest, most over-the-top shooter.

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 ships in Spring 2016 and is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver. The game is available on Xbox One, the all-in-one gaming system from Microsoft, PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system and Origin™ for PC.

Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Dave

Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis was selected in the first round, 10th player overall, out of Notre Dame by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL Draft. He finished second in the NFL in rushing during his rookie season after gaining 1,429 yards. Included in that total were his first career 100-yard and 200-yard rushing games, both of which came against the New Orleans Saints. His 212-yard day that season was a career-high. At the time he was only the eighth rookie in NFL history to rush for 200 yards in a game. His output that year marked the first of eight 1,000-yard seasons in his first nine years. He was named Rookie of the Year by numerable media outlets and was chosen as a first-team All-Pro and All-NFC.

Bettis led the Rams in rushing each of his three seasons with the club before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second- and fourth-round draft pick. He rebounded from a subpar year in 1995 with the Rams to earn Comeback Player of the Year and was again named first-team All-Pro in 1996, his first in the Steel City. Bettis gained 1,431 yards on 320 carries and scored 11 TDs for the division-winning Steelers.

The 5’11”, 243-pound runner continued to carry the load for Pittsburgh. He was the Steelers’ leading ground gainer eight times in 10 seasons. Bettis, a six-time Pro Bowler, retired following his lone Super Bowl appearance in the 2005 season (Super Bowl XL). The Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, in the game played in Bettis’s hometown of Detroit.

At the time of his retirement, Bettis ranked fifth all-time in rushing with 13,662 yards on 3,479 career carries. Nicknamed “The Bus” for his bruising running style, he also scored 91 rushing touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game 61 times during the regular season and three more times in playoff games.

In addition to his rushing totals, Bettis amassed 1,449 yards on 200 receptions and 3 TDs. His combined net yardage (15,113) was 19th best all-time at the time of his retirement. Bettis also completed three passes, all for touchdowns in his 13-season, 192-game career.

Link

Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis

Windows 10

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Dave

Windows 10 free upgrade details

Windows Offer Details- Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows, not a trial. 3GB download required; standard data rates apply. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows for free on that device. Windows Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Security and features are kept automatically up-to-date which is always enabled.

More info

See the Windows 10 How to Upgrade page for details.

Windows Features

Windows Questions Answered

Great Grandmothers Grave site

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Dave

Great Grandmothers Grave site

Josephine Gurley Bryant

Hollywood Cemetery Jackson Tennessee

Interesting History of the Cemetery

On December 23, 1886, a group that had six days earlier incorporated as Hollywood Cemetery purchased fifty acres from Robert A. Hurt for $3,000. Nearly 100 people were buried at Hollywood prior to the turn of the century, including nine whose markers show death dates prior to the cemetery’s founding, and who were moved to Hollywood from various other burial grounds. Founded during the post-Reconstruction era segregationist movement, Hollywood Cemetery was established within a year of Jackson’s African-American cemetery, Mt. Olivet. New cemetery plot buyers in the respective ethnic groups (Hollywood for whites and Mt. Olivet for blacks) were attracted to the new, racially exclusive burial grounds rather than the older, integrated Riverside Cemetery. Hollywood’s modern layout allured upper and middle class patrons interested in following the newest graveyard design trends. Hollywood’s location near the outer edge of one of the first street car suburbs of Jackson is significant because it exemplifies the period between Reconstruction and World War I when the population of many southern towns expanded due to industrial growth, pushing city limits and residential neighborhoods to the fringe areas rimming the core urban area. With the expansion, new cemeteries were needed and typically located on the outskirts of the newly developed communities. Hollywood served the new upper middle-class, white-collar segment that primarily occupied the suburban area and reflects their new tastes in cemetery design and art.

Graceland in Memphis

Posted on June 18, 2015December 10, 2025 by Dave

Graceland is a mansion on a 13.8-acre (5.6 ha) estate in Memphis, Tennessee that was owned by Elvis Presley . It is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in the vast Whitehaven community, about 9 miles (14.5 km) from Downtown and less than four miles (6 km) north of the Mississippi border. It currently serves as a museum. The mansion was opened to the public on June 7, 1982. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1991, and declared a National Historic Landmark on March 27, 2006. Graceland is the second most-visited house in America with over 650,000 visitors a year; second only to the White House.

Elvis

Elvis Presley died at Graceland on August 16, 1977. His will appointed his father, Vernon Presley, who had long handled Elvis’ personal, non-career business affairs, as executor and trustee. The beneficiaries were Elvis’ grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley; his father, Vernon Presley; and his only child, Lisa Marie Presley. The will provided that Vernon Presley could, at his discretion, provide funds to other family members as needed. Vernon Presley died in 1979. Minnie Mae Presley died in 1980. This left Lisa Marie Presley as the sole heir to the estate. Elvis’ will stated that her inheritance was to be held in trust for her until her twenty-fifth birthday, February 1, 1993.

Website

Harrahs New Orleans

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Dave

Harrahs New Orleans

Harrahs New Orleans website

If you love slots, you’ve come to the right place! At Harrahs New Orleans Casino, we have over 1,700 of the city’s most exciting slot machines spread across a 115,000 sq. ft. gaming floor. A wide variety of your favorite games including progressive slots and video poker makes Harrah’s payout paradise!

Love penny slots? We’ve got 700 of the hottest one- and two-cent games for you to choose from in our high-energy Penny Gras slot section. You can also try your luck at one of our ultra-high limit slot machines in the Court of Good Fortune where payoffs are big. Don’t forget to stop by Smuggler’s Court, Party Gras and Mardi Gras Court where the fun and action continues. These games offer many ways to win and cool bonus features too. Discover them all!

Bourbon Street

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Dave

Fried bologna hamburger with side of jambalaya at Bayou Burger on Bourbon Street.

In one of the oldest cities in America, Bourbon Street is rich with historic venues, social tales and iconic buildings. The street dates back to 1798, when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Also known as “Rue Bourbon,” this monumental street sits at the heart of the French Quarter extending 13 blocks from Canal St. to Esplanade Avenue.

With a walk down Bourbon Street you are bound to hear music on every corner that will make you want to dance the night away. But if you’re looking for some good old-fashioned jazz, you’ll find it at Fritzel’s European Jazz Club. Located in an almost 200 year-old building, Fritzel’s hosts live traditional jazz performances on every night of the week!

Website

Beignets New Orleans

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Dave

Beignets are commonly known in New Orleans as a breakfast served with powdered sugar on top. They are traditionally prepared right before consumption to be eaten fresh and hot. Variations of fried dough can be found across cuisines internationally; however, the origin of the term beignet is specifically French. In the United States, beignets have been popular within New Orleans Creole cuisine and are customarily served as a dessert or in some sweet variation. They were brought to New Orleans in the 18th century by French colonists, from “the old mother country”, and became a large part of home-style Creole cooking, variations often including banana or plantain – popular fruits in the port city. Today, Café du Monde is a popular New Orleans food destination specializing in beignets with powdered sugar, coffee with chicory, and café au lait. Beignets were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986.

Equipment to make Beignets:

Box of Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix
Temperature Controlled Frying Pan/Frying Skillet works best
Fry Basket (to retrieve the finished Beignets)
Spoon (to stir the water and mix into a dough)
Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cup
Rolling Pin (to roll finished dough into a flat sheet)
Pizza Cutter (to cut dough into squares for frying)
Vegetable Oil/Louanna Cottonseed Oil is recommended
Powdered Sugar (to use as topping for finished Beignets)
Flour (to keep dough from sticking to rolling pin)
Water