- 1
Place the wooden plaque on top of several sheets of newspaper to protect your work surface.
- 2
Paint or stain the plaque the color of your choice. Allow the color to dry and turn over the plaque. Paint the opposite side and allow the wood to dry completely.
- 3
Measure from one side of the plaque to the center. Make a pencil dot on the center of the rear of the plaque, two inches down from the top.
- 4
Position a sawtooth hanger over the center dot so the teeth face down. Hammer two 1/2-inch-long nails through the holes in the hanger to attach it to the plaque.
- 5
Outline the design for the Arrow of Light on the front of the plaque. The design is rendered in two parts with the bottom section as an arrow made from a horizontal line with three ">" symbols on the left side and a right-facing triangle on the right side. The top section is an upward facing arc with seven lines protruding to resemble the top half of the sun with extending rays.
- 6
Paint over the design with yellow acrylic paint. Use yellow puff paint for a three-dimensional design that protrudes from the plaque.
- 7
Twist one screw hook onto each end of the bottom edge of the plaque. Rotate the hook so the open area is facing forward. You shouldn't need a drill to install the hooks.
- 8
Glue a 2-inch-square piece of flat cork on the bottom left corner of the plaque.
- 9
Place the Arrow of Light arrow onto the hooks to display and attach the Arrow of Light patch to the cork with a straight pin.
- 10
Hang the plaque on an anchored nail or screw in the wall.
5/11/11
How to Display the Arrow of Light
5/10/11
Natchez, Mississippi Casinos
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Natchez, Miss., is on the banks of the Mississippi River in the southwestern part of the state, and is home to the Isle of Capri casino. This casino is in riverboat setting, and is the only casino in the city. Along with the casino floor, Isle of Capri also features dining options and recreation areas for children. Hotel lodging is also available for casino guests who are in town for an extended stay.
The Casino
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The Isle of Capri's 17,600 square-foot casino floor has a tropical island-theme in its décor, and features electronic gaming, such as 600 slot and video poker machines. The floor also has 10 stations for table games, including blackjack, three-card poker and craps. People also have a chance to join the casino's Isle One Club, which offers you discounts on hotel rooms, dining and special events.
Isle of Capri Hotel
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The hotel building is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and rests on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. A complimentary shuttle bus is available for transportation to and from the casino. Deluxe rooms are available on the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel, and these rooms have separate sitting areas. Other hotel features include an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. The hotel also offers packages that include the room rate and dining at the casino.
Dining Options
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Onboard the riverboat casino is the Calypso Buffet, which is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week. The buffet restaurant serves international and southern-style cuisine. A seafood buffet is available on Friday and Saturday nights, while Sunday nights provide ribeye steak buffet options. The buffet is also open for Thanksgiving Day. A complimentary continental breakfast is available in the Isle of Capri's hotel lobby. Off-site dining is within 10 minutes of the restaurant in downtown Natchez and the city's Under-the-Hill district, which includes eateries such as Magnolia Grill and Cock of the Walk Restaurant.
Natchez Area
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When you are not gambling at the casino, you can visit the historic antebellum homes--southern mansions built before the Civil War--in the Natchez area. All of these homes can be seen on the Natchez Pilgrimage Tour, which is available year-round. During the holiday season, some of the antebellum homes, such as Longwood, are adorned with Christmas lights and hosts galas. Downtown Natchez also has its own annual Mardi Gras parade in early February. Hiking and bicycling opportunities are available on the Natchez Trace, a federal highway that goes from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee. The "Trace" is a 20-minute drive east of the casino.
How to Measure Meat on a Scale
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Place a sheet of wax paper over the surface of scale to protect against contamination. Be sure the scale is set to zero. If the meat will be measured in a container, set the empty container on the scale and weigh it. Record the weight of the container.
- 2
Add the meat to the container or place it directly on the wax paper. Record the value on the scale.
- 3
Subtract the weight of container, if used, from the total weight once the meat was added. The result is the weight of the meat.
- 4
Add or remove meat until the desired weight is reached. Subtract the weight of the container, if used, each time you weigh the portion.
- 5
Dispose of the wax paper and clean the surface of the scale using a rag dampened with hot ,soapy water.
How to Protect a Coke Can From Corrosion
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Keep the can sealed and away from anything that is abrasive. Scratching the can damage the lining of the can, which can result in corrosion.
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Store the can in an area that is free from direct sunlight, as the sun can fade the can.
- 3
Keep the can in a dry area so that exposure to water does not cause rust.
- 4
Store the can in a case that protects it from dirt and dust. Over time, dirt and dust can slightly etch the can, which makes the can susceptible to corrosion.
DIY: LED Light Cube Controlled by Music
Cube Creation
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Measure out six, 4-inch by 4-inch squares of the acrylic sheet, using a marker and a ruler and a marker to trace.
- 2
Cut out the squares with the jigsaw. Make sure to the sides are as even as possible so they fit together into a cohesive cube. Select a drill bit the size of your headphone jack cord. Drill a hole carefully into one of the squares.
- 3
Sand both sides of each square in a circular motion using the sand paper to create a frosted box that will defuse the light within the cube. Do the same to the three LED bulbs.
- 4
Hot-glue five squares together with the glue gun. Plan out which side of the box will be the top. The side that will not be glued will be the bottom. The square with the hole should be one of the sidewalls. Leave the sixth side off for now.
Creating a Light
- 1
Slip the headphone jack into the hole of the sidewall making sure the plug is on the outside of the cube. Open the headphone jack cable a bit to see the three wires. Connect the red wire to one of the outside prongs of the tip 31 transistor. This will input the electrical impulse of the audio. Connect the yellow, or ground, wire to the opposite, outside prong of the tip 31 transistor. Connect a piece of electrical wire to the tip 31 prong where the ground wire is connected.
- 2
Connect electrical wire from the middle prong to the shorter (negative) prong on an LED. Connect the longer (positive) LED prong to another negative prong of another LED. Connect the longer (positive) prong of this second LED to the shorter (negative) prong on the last LED.
- 3
Connect the electrical wire, which is connected to the prong with the yellow ground wire, to the negative battery input. Connect the positive LED prong of the last LED to the positive battery input.
- 4
Test out the connection by plugging it into your computer or stereo audio jack, and play a song. The lights should respond to the music. Glue down the components to the last square, and glue this last square to the cube, if it works. Check the connections again if it does not work.
5/6/11
OSHA Law on Bathroom Breaks
Purpose
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The purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guideline on bathroom breaks is to ensure that workers do not develop medical problems as a result of not being allowed to go to the bathroom. Such problems include, but are not limited to, urinary tract infections, constipation and kidney stones.
The Law
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OSHA states that all work environments must be equipped with properly working restrooms at all times. Restrooms must be separated by gender. Employers who do not comply with these guidelines will be issued a citation from OSHA. While the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to grant employees breaks under federal law, OSHA does state that employers cannot "unreasonably restrict" employees from taking a bathroom break to relieve themselves. No specific regulations have been created by OSHA in regard to how long, or how often, these breaks can be, since workers utilize the restroom at different rates based upon a variety of factors, including fluid intake and medical conditions.
Bathroom Break Issues
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OSHA recommends that companies use a "signal" solution In the event that an employee's bathroom needs conflict with the work she must get done. Employees may signal to another employee to cover their work while they utilize the bathroom. This solution is considered acceptable under the OSHA bathroom break guidelines.
5/5/11
Winter Activities for Kids in New York City
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Central Park is a winter wonderland for kids. winter in new york city image by Snezana Skundric from Fotolia.com
New York City attracts tourists throughout the year, and the winter features Christmas-themed shows, parades and lighted attractions not seen in other seasons. Most of the winter season attractions in New York City are kid-friendly. The winter season kicks off with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in midtown Manhattan, and continues with performances that your children will enjoy at the Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall.
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating
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Rockefeller Center is in midtown Manhattan, and during the winter, this area offers an outdoor ice skating rink. The Rockefeller Center ice rink accommodates up to 150 people, which is enough for a group outing, but the rink is never overwhelmed by massive crowds. Private lessons are provided upon request. The ice rink is open every day of the week during the winter months.
At the end of November, bring your kids to Rockefeller Plaza to see the annual lighting of its Christmas Tree, which stands over the Plaza's ice skating rink. Eateries at the Rockefeller Plaza include Ben & Jerry's and Au Bon Pain.
Department Store Window Displays
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Many of Manhattan's famous department stores adorn their front windows with holiday-themed pageantry and decorations. It is free to bring your children to the department stores to see the scenery. Macy's, which was featured in the Hollywood movie "Miracle on 34th Street," pays tribute by showing scenes from the 1930s film classic; this store is in midtown Manhattan's Herald Square.
Other department stores that have window displays include Barney's New York on Madison Avenue, Bloomingdales' on 59th Street and Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue, which uses antiques in their decorations. The decoration themes for these three stores vary from year to year. The stores' holiday decorations are usually taken down after the second weekend of January.
Nutcracker Ballet
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The Nutcracker Ballet is a 19th-century ballet performed every year at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Manhattan's Lincoln Square. The show consists of colorful costumes, dancing fairies and music by famed Russian composer, Peter Tchaikovsky. The show runs from late November through early January. Children may also enjoy the snowflakes that fall from the rafters onto the stage and auditorium seats during the performance. The ballet is performed by dancers from the New York Ballet Company.
Bronx Zoo Wild Winterland
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Situated in the borough of the Bronx, the Bronx Zoo is on the southern end of the Bronx Park. Formerly known as the Holiday Lights, the Bronx Zoo Wild Winterland offers the park's guests rides on Clydesdale horse-drawn carriage, ice-carved sculptures and live acoustic music.
Winterland occurs during the day, as opposed to the Holiday Lights, which was a nighttime attraction. Many of the wildlife exhibits are open during this time. The Bronx Zoo is accessible from Manhattan via the Bronx Park East rail transit station. The Winterland attraction occurs from early December through early January.
Chinese New Year Celebration
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The beginning of the Chinese Lunar Year occurs in February, which is the cause for a month-long round of activities in New York City's Chinatown and Soho districts. Children will enjoy puppet theater and arts workshops at the Lunar New Year Family Festival, which is hosted at the Museum of Chinese in America and Children's Museum of Art; both of these museums are in Soho.
The Chinese New Year festivities also include parades, such as the Lion and Dragon Dance Parade in the Chinatown district, and the Lunar New Year's Parade and Celebration in Flushing, Queens. These parades feature colorful floats, live Chinese-influenced music and dancing entertainment.
Paraffin Candle Hazards
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Whether setting the stage for a romantic candlelit dinner or acting as mood lighting creating a spooky, sexy or intimate atmosphere, candlelight is beautiful, heartwarming and fascinating to watch. However, it can also be a dangerous choice. The toxins and soot emitted are unhealthy to breathe, and the production of paraffin candles is based on a nonrenewable resource. The good news is that there are more environmentally friendly choices to choose from in the form of soy, vegetable and beeswax candles.
Toxins and Carcinogens
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When burned, paraffin candles emit 11 known toxins, two of which are the carcinogens benzene and toluene. Other toxins burned off include phthalates, lead, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. In fact, paraffin emissions are similar to those produced by burning diesel fuel.
Soot
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Because paraffin candles are made from a carbon-based fuel, black soot is produced when they are burned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency points out that airborne soot can be inhaled, allowing particles to infiltrate the deepest parts of the lungs and the lower respiratory tract. According to the EPA, sooting can be minimized by keeping wicks short, avoiding drafts and burning unscented candles, as scented candles tend to give off more soot. Soy, vegetable and beeswax candles also tend to burn off less soot than paraffin.
Nonrenewable Resource
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Paraffin candles are saturated hydrocarbons that solidify at room temperature. They are produced from crude oil, a nonrenewable resource. Relying on petroleum-based sources increases American dependence on foreign oil. On the other hand, soy, vegetable and beeswax candles come from renewable resources.
Burns and Fire
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Although a hazard not confined to paraffin alone, an article about candle hazards would be remiss not to point out the danger of burns and fires. Paraffin candles have a higher melting point and burn hotter and faster than soy or vegetable candles, but all candles do pose the threat of a burn or fire if left precariously positioned or unattended.
5/3/11
How to Clean a Gas Deep Fryer
- 1
Turn the gas cock to the pilot-light position and the thermostat off to start cleaning a tube style, element or flat bottom gas fryer. Allow the oil to cool to approximately 150 degrees F. Leave the fryer baskets inside, they will be cleaned along with the rest of the fryer.
- 2
Place a metal filter-cone frame, with a clean paper filter cone inside, over the top of a metal 5-gallon container. Set this metal container under the drain hole located inside the door of the fryer housing.
- 3
Turn the handle of the drain cock to the left, allowing the hot oil to flow through the paper filter into the metal pot. If the metal pot becomes full, turn the drain cock to the right to close the flow of oil. Remove the full pot of oil and dispose of it in the used oil tank, or reserve it for further use. Replace the paper filter on top of another empty metal pot, set it under the drain cock and resume the process of draining the oil from the gas deep fryer through the paper filter. If necessary, use the long, narrow, heat-resistant brush that comes with the fryer to clean the drain hole of sediment so the oil can flow freely.
- 4
Scrape the sides of the gas deep fryer free of sediment build-up using a flat metal implement such as a bakery dough cutter or spatula, and allow the dislodged sediment to fall to the bottom of the fryer. Remove the fryer baskets long enough to scoop out the sediment build-up in the bottom of the gas fryer and dispose of it in the trash can. Clean the sides of the gas fryer, the heating elements or the heating tubes with a stiff, heat-resistant brush. Replace the fryer baskets.
- 5
Use a metal, 1 qt., long-handled pot to dip oil from the 5-gallon pot to rinse the sediment from the sides and bottom of the gas deep fryer allowing it to flow through the paper filter. Dispose of the used paper filter full of sediment and pour the cooled used oil into the used oil tank.
- 6
Close the drain cock by turning it completely to the right. Fill the fryer to the oil-limit mark with water and 1 cup of powdered dish detergent. Immerse the fryer baskets into the fryer tank as though you were cooking. Turn the fryer on to 220 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- 7
Turn off the fryer and allow the water to cool to 100 degrees. Open the valve on the bottom of the fryer tank to drain the water into a metal pot. Pour the water into the sink after it has cooled to room temperature.
- 8
Close the drain cock and refill the fryer with clear water, add one cup of vinegar and repeat the boiling process to neutralize the detergent still left in the fryer and on the fryer baskets. Open the drain cock, drain the water, allow it to cool to room temperature and pour down the sink
- 9
Shut off the drain cock and clean and dry the clean gas fryer tank and heating elements thoroughly with a clean cloth.
- 10
Fill the clean gas fryer with the filtered oil or with fresh oil to the oil-limit mark, turn the fryer to 250 degrees F and allow the oil to heat slowly before turning the thermostat to frying temperature.
How to Remove Bostik Marine Sealant
Removing Wet Excess Bostik Marine Sealant
- 1
Blot the wet excess Bostik Marine Sealant with a paper towel to remove the adhesive from any hard or soft surface. Blotting keeps the sealant from spreading. Wear latex gloves to keep the sealant off of your hands.
- 2
Wipe the surface clean with another paper towel. Fold the paper towel in half and wet it with warm water from a sink.
- 3
Wipe the surface with the damp towel. Dry the surface with a clean paper towel.
Removing Dried Bostik Marine Sealant
- 1
Wipe the surface with a paper towel to remove loose dirt and dust. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands clean.
- 2
Apply two tablespoons of turpentine, paraffin or silicone stripper to a soft cloth or rag.
- 3
Blot the Bostik Marine Sealant with the rag. If the adhesive is bonding two pieces of material, pour turpentine or silicone stripper slowly between the two pieces, let the chemical sit for five minutes and use a putty knife to pry them apart.
- 4
Reapply two tablespoons of turpentine, paraffin or silicone stripper to a soft cloth or rag and continue blotting the adhesive until it is gone.
- 5
Wipe the surface clean with another paper towel. Fold the paper towel in half and wet it with warm water. Wipe the surface with the damp towel and dry it with a clean paper towel.