California's Big Four Wine Regions

The state of California was first introduced to grape vines in the 18th century by the Spanish, who planted vineyards with each mission they established. The wine was used for religious sacraments as well as for daily life. The vine cuttings used came from Mexico and were the descendant of the "common black grape" (as it was known) brought to the New World by Herna¡n Cortas in 1520.

California has over 427,000 acres (1,730 km2) planted under vines and ships close to 500 million gallons of wine per year accounting for almost 90% of the total wine produced in the United States. There are over 107 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), including the well known Napa, Russian River Valley, Rutherford and Sonoma Valley AVAs. The Central Valley is California's largest wine region stretching for 300 miles (480 km) from the Sacramento Valley south to the San Joaquin Valley. This one region produces nearly 75% of all California wine grapes and includes many of California's bulk, box and jug wine producers like Gallo, Franzia and Bronco Wine Company.

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Over a hundred grape varieties are grown in California including French, Italian and Spanish wine varietals as well as hybrid grapes and new vitis vinifera varieties developed at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. The seven leading grape varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel. North Coast

The North Coast includes most of the northern coast of California, north of San Francisco Bay. The large North Coast AVA covers most of the region. Notable wine regions include Napa Valley and Sonoma County and the smaller sub AVAs within them. Mendocino and Lake County are also part of this region.

Napa Valley is California's 3rd highest tourist destination behind the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland and worthy of its own discussion. Some of the worlds biggest names can be found within this small section of the North Coast region. North Coast's Napa Valley

North Coast's Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps: Most notable for Bordeaux style red, vineyards in Stags Leap, Rutherford, St. Helena and Oakville.

Cakebread Cellars: Reputation built on big, rich Chardonnays, first vintage bottled in 1973, primary vineyard is Rutherford A.V.A.

Opus One: Founded in 1979 as collaboration of Mondavi and Rothschild, Bordeaux style blend of Cab, Cab franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot Silver Oak WineryPrimary focus on Cabernet Sauvignon with vineyards in Alexander Valley A.V.A. and Oakville A.V.A.

Although it is not required to memorize the history or location of every California A.V.A., it is wise to pay very close attention to Napa and its sub-appellations.

Central Coast

Includes most of the Central Coast of California and the area south and west of San Francisco Bay down to Santa Barbara County. The large Central Coast AVA. Notable wine regions in this area include Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, San Lucas AVA, Paso Robles AVA, Santa Maria Valley AVA and Santa Ynez Valley. Most Notable:

Paso Robles: Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California's Central Coast and is the fastest growing A.V.A. in California. Varietal's produced primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zin, Chardonnay, home to Vina Robles Winery.

Santa Lucia Highlands Located in Monterey County, at 1200sqft above sea level, primary grape produced is Chardonnay; most notable wines produced are sourced from winery located in another region of California.

South Coast

Includes portion of Southern California, namely the coastal regions south of Los Angeles down to the border with Mexico. Notable wine regions in this area include Temecula Valley AVA, Antelope Valley/Leona Valley AVA, San Pasqual Valley AVA and Ramona Valley AVA.

Traditionally, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes dominated the acreage here. However, in recent times the climate of the South Coast has fostered a new age of growing hearty Rhone, Italian and Spanish grapes, perfect for red varietals such as bold Syrah, spicy Tempranillo and white varietals such as crisp Pinot Grigio.

There are almost twenty-five wineries in this area. Callaway Vineyard & Winery is the largest producer; others include Maurice Car'rie Vineyards & Winery, Culbertson Winery, and Mount Palomar.

Central Valley

- Includes California's Central Valley and the Sierra Foothills AVA. Notable wine regions in this area include the Lodi AVA and Clarksburg AVA. Central Valley Wineries produces the majority of the state's wine, yet few producers use the name on their label. This is because many people associate the region with mass produced, cheap wines. Some notable areas:

Lodi: Primarily small family farms, Zinfandel do very well in the area. Abundance Winery is located here and we carry many wines sourced from this A.V.A.

Clarksburg: Clarksburg Wineries are located in the Sacramento Delta. Much of the fruit is purchased by non-resident wine producers, but a handful of Clarksburg wineries are turning heads with Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah.

California's Big Four Wine Regions

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Bathtub Faucet Repair Tips and Techniques

Did you know that you can fix a leaking shower faucet and save hundreds of gallons of water a year? Most people just think of a dripping faucet as an annoyance and don't realize how much precious water is being wasted one drop at a time. The good news is that almost anyone with a few basic hand tools can learn how to fix most dripping faucets.

Let's start with the basics. Faucets have one primary purpose, to allow the water in your pipes to be used in a controlled manner. This means that they have to open to allow water out of the pipes and close to keep water in the pipes. Not rocket science, right? The closing part is what we want to concentrate on here.

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There Are Two Basic Faucet Designs

Faucets drip when they fail to completely trap the water in the pipes. Most faucets use one of two basic methods to stop the water flow. Some, primarily older designs, use rubber or neoprene washers which tighten against a "seat" and block the flow of water. Drips from these faucets are addressed by replacing the washers and/or seats. We'll talk about how to do that in a minute. Most other faucet designs involve some sort of cartridge. Some people call these "washerless" faucets. Repairing newer style water faucets like these usually involves replacing the cartridge(s).

Washers And Seats

Older faucet designs often use washers to block the water and keep it in the pipes. Tightening the handle compresses the washer against a "seat" and seals the opening, thus stopping the water flow. If you need to do a bathtub faucet repair on a three handle wall faucet you probably have this type. You will also run into this style if you need to fix a leaking shower faucet hat has two handles. Many sink and lavatory faucets also use washers. One way to tell whether or not your faucets use washers is to see if the handle gets harder to turn as you turn it off. If turning it really tight stops the drip, this probably, but not always, means that you have washers. If you do have a dripping faucet that has washers, the basic repair process is very similar whether you need to know how to repair a shower faucet,repair a leaking tub faucet or fix a dripping sink faucet. There is, however, one important difference.

Bathtub Faucet Repair

The one critical thing to remember when fixing a leaky bathtub faucet is that you will have to turn the water off to the entire house before removing any parts other than the outer trim pieces. If you're not sure which pieces are trim, just turn the water off first just in case. Once you have turned off the main water to the house you can begin taking things apart. There are lots of different brands and designs of faucets out there and they all come apart a little differently, so you will have to sort of feel your way through.

Removing The Trim

The first step is to remove the handles. This is usually done by removing a cap to expose the handle screw and then removing the screw. Next, remove the handle. This may require a little finesse, as the handles sometimes get stuck in place. One trick is to place the handles of a pair of channel lock pliers behind the valve handle, one on each side, and tap evenly on the handle to nudge it loose. If this doesn't work you can buy a special tool to remove handles but these tools are sometimes hard to find and usually a little patience is all you need to do the trick.

After he handles are off, there is usually some sort of sleeve over the stem itself. This typically has to come off too. Once again, there are many different configurations. One popular design uses threaded plastic tubes to connect the trim sleeve with the valve. Other types have the sleeve threaded directly onto the valve. You will have to figure this step out before you can proceed. If you can determine what brand valve you have there is a good chance of finding instructions on-line.

Now For The Root Of The Problem

OK, so you have removed both the handles and any remaining trim sleeve from the valve. Now you are ready to get to the root of the problem, your valve stem. The washer is almost always at the other end of the valve stem from the handle. Usually the stem is threaded into the valve body and you will just need to unscrew it to remove it. Here's a tip. Stick the handle back on for a second and open the valve half way. This relieves pressure on the stem and makes it easier to unscrew. Now you just need to make sure you are loosening the correct nut.

Lots of valves have a packing nut around the stem. It is usually a little smaller and just in front of the actual connection with the valve body. The packing nut's purpose is to squeeze some special packing material around the stem to prevent water from leaking around the stem when the valve is in use. Loosening the packing nut won't help you, you need to get your wrench on the actual connection to the valve body. By the way, a deep socket is often the only tool that will work to remove the valve stem.

Removing The Valve Stem

The easiest way to make sure you have the correct nut is to see if there is a gap opening up between the nut and the valve body as you loosen the nut. The valve stem itself will also usually turn when you have the right one. If you have loosened the packing nut by mistake, don't worry, you will adjust it before you are finished anyway. Go ahead and remove both stems and keep up with which one is which, it matters on many valves.

After you have the stems out you should be able to find the washer on the "inside" end. If it is nicked, torn or brittle it is likely the cause of your drip. Even if it looks brand new, go ahead and replace it. You've already come this far. You can get replacement washers at almost any hardware store. Sometimes you may want to replace the whole stem, especially if the handle end is stripped out. It's best to just take the stem with you to the store and see if you can match it up. Most Do It Yourself stores have replacement stems for many popular brands. If your valve has a center diverter valve to switch the waterfrom the tub spout to the shower head the same process applies. Many times it is easier to replace the diverter stem than to repair it. This really depends on the design of the stem.

How Are Your Seats?

One more thing to check is the seats. These are the part of the valve body that the washer tightens up against to stop the water flow. If you can get your finger inside the valve, feel of the seats and see if they feel rough. If so, it would be best to replace them if you can get them out. The inside of the seats, which is where the water flows through when the valve is open, usually have either a hex or square recess. Special seat wrenches are used to remove the seats. You can usually get these wrenches at the same place you get the other parts and they're not expensive. You just stick the wrench through the seat and unscrew it. The replacement seats screw back in the same way, just put a little pipe dope on the threads before you install it.

Put It All Back Together

Once you've figured out what needs to be replaced and have done that, you just need to put everything back together. If your valve has packing nuts don't put the trim back on until you have turned the water back on. Once the water is on, go ahead and stick the handle on for a second and open the valve. Make sure no water is leaking around the stem. If it is leaking, with the handle opened half way, snug down the packing nut until the leak stops. Easy does it. If you get it too tight the handle will be hard to turn. Now finish installing the trim pieces and you are done.

Repairing Newer Style Water Faucets

If you have a newer, "washerless" type valve the repair process is similar, but usually easier. Many of these type valves use a self contained cartridge. If the valve starts to drip, just replace the cartridge and you're done. You still need to turn the water off and remove the handles and trim. The cartridge is usually held in place by a retaining nut on the valve body or, in the case of most Moen valves, by a retaining clip. Simply remove the cartridge and put another one in it's place. If your hot and cold are backwards when you finish, turn the water back off, pull the cartridge back out, turn it over 180 degrees and re-install it.

Delta Style Valves

One other common design that is considered "washerless" was made famous by Delta and copied by several other makers. It uses little "cup" seals that fit over springs recessed in the back of the valve body. The springs press these "seals" against the cartridge and regulate the flow through little tapered openings in the cartridge. If you have one of these and it's dripping, changing these springs and seals will usually correct it. Here's a tip. Once you have the cartridge out of the way, insert a phillips screwdriver into the seal and pop both the seal and spring out. Stick the new ones on the end of the screwdriver to help guide them into place. This is especially helpful if you don't have long slender fingers.

Delta, and a few imitators, also have a faucet design that uses a ball instead of a cartridge. This is not as common in tub or shower valves but there are plenty of them out there. The springs and seals are the same but there are lots more o-rings an parts to deal with. The good news is that these parts are readily available. While it's a little more complicated than learning how to repair a Moen kitchen faucet, which is a piece of cake, it is still easier than working with most washer type faucets.

These Techniques Work In The Kitchen Too

Armed with the knowledge you've gained in this article you now not only know how to repair a shower faucet and to repair a leaking tub faucet, but you can apply these skills to many other faucets as well. After fixing a leaky bathtub faucet, stopping a dripping outside hose faucet will be a breeze. The techniques that you will use to complete a "washerless" bathtub faucet repair can be used when repairing newer style water faucets of all kinds. Whether you have an old dripping tub faucet or a newer kitchen faucet that just won't quite shut off you can now fix it. So put these new skills to use, roll up your sleeves and stop that drip!

Copyright 2008 Bryan Stevens

Bathtub Faucet Repair Tips and Techniques

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Ten Must-See Attractions in California

Known as the "Golden State", California has the largest population of any US state, over 33 million. It also contains some of the country's most popular tourist attractions. In fact, there are so many exciting places to see in California, it's hard to pick out just a handful.

Nevertheless, here is our top 10 sites to visit in the state:

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1. Alcatraz (in san Francisco bay): Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay was once a maximum security prison that held notorious criminals such Al Capone. Today, it's a historic site managed by the National Park Service and you can catch a ferry ride to the island from Fisherman's Wharf.

2. Cable Car System (in San Francisco): The San Francisco Cable Car System is the last manually operated cable car system in the world, and rightly has become world famous. Visitors can ride the cable cars which are in regular use, or visit the museum which houses historic cable cars.

3. Disneyland Resort (in Anaheim): Contains the world-famous Disneyland theme park, Disney's California Adventure which is a theme park based on the history of California, several hotels, as well as the "Downtown Disney" site for shopping.

4. Fisherman's Wharf (in San Francisco): A popular neighborhood in San Francisco that contains many attractions, as well as some superb seafood restaurants.

5. Golden Gate Bridge (in San Francisco): When it was completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world. While it no longer retains that status, it is still an impressive and iconic symbol of the city.

6. La Brea Tar Pits (in Los Angeles): A famous location where asphalt seeps to the surface. In prehistoric times, many animals such as mammoths, ground sloths and saber-toothed cats got stuck in the tar and became fossilized, and hence the La Brea Tar Pits are today an important palaentological site.

7. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (in Los Angeles): The largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of over 100,000 pieces.

8. Napa Valley: One of the most important grape-growing regions in the world, the Napa Valley is visited by 5 million tourists each year, making it the state's second most popular tourist attraction after Disneyland.

9. Universal Studios (in Los Angeles): This movie-themed theme park originally offered tours of soundstages and sets, but now includes rides and other attractions.

10. USS Midway (in San Francisco): An aircraft carrier which served with the US Navy from just after World War Two until 1992, and which today is a museum ship and open to the public.

Ten Must-See Attractions in California

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Best Places To Take Photographs In Flagstaff, AZ

If you like to photograph the beauty of nature in her seasons the fall is the best time of year to get great snapshots of the changing colors in Flagstaff. The fall foliage in the months of October and September are a kaleidoscope of vibrant yellows, oranges and various shades of red.

Fern Mountain affords a 360degree view of the surrounding area. Looking at it through the lens of a camera gives you a new appreciation for its majestic splendor. It is somewhat hidden but once you find the trail head the rest is a shutterbugs haven. You can find all natures smallest creatures busily preparing for the coming winter. If you are still and quiet you can get magnificent photographs of all the flora and fauna this area has to offer.

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You can find authentic adobe pueblo home near Old Caves, Pueblo. There is also an excellent chance to get a great shot of the Black Swallowtail, Butterfly. It is worth the hike to get a glimpse of one of these beauties. Photographs of the Barringer meteor crater are always interesting. It seems no two is ever the same. Perhaps no two photographers view the site in exactly the same way.

Monument Valley has some of the most photograph faces in the world. There will also be a great deal to photograph at sunset as the light plays throughout the valley. The shades and contrast are striking. Just east of Flagstaff there is the famed Petrified Forest. The ages old tress, fossils and natural formation will make an interesting subject for any photographer.

The Hubbell Trading Post is a nice place to take a break and also take photographs of one of a historical relic that is still being used for its original purposes. You can also get great photographs on the Navajo lands. There are tourist attractions that recreate the lives of the Navajo from years gone by. Antelope Canyon is just such a place. It is a beautiful almost surreal location and sits on Navajo land. Be careful traveling through here, leave it the way you found it for the next set of photographers.

Photography is an art that allows you to see the world through the mind of the person taking the pictures. You can find an interesting subject to photograph of at almost anytime. Most people who come to Flagstaff on photography missions keep their cameras ready always. You never know when that perfect shot will present itself.

Best Places To Take Photographs In Flagstaff, AZ

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Alamo Monument in San Antonio

San Antonio is one of the diverse, intriguing and dynamic cities of Texas. It is particularly attractive to tourists because it is rich in great cultural tradition as well as a progressive contemporary entertainment scene. Tourists can spend the afternoon at a major historic landmark like the Alamo and then spend their evenings at a great play or dancing in a great nightclub, along with a number of other options.

The Alamo is one of the nation's great symbolic landmark treasures and numerous people visit San Antonio every year to spend sometime exploring this historic battleground. The Alamo's history dates back to long before the infamous battle for which it will now always be remembered. Construction of the post on the present site began in 1724 after it was established as a mission and home for converted Indians. It was originally named the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which it was known as for many years. After 1793 when the Spanish officials secularized the five known missions in the San Antonio region, the men and women that lived there remained and continued to work and farm the area. Then in the early 1800s the Spanish army established an outpost where the former mission had been. The newly established outpost was destined to play a critical role in the Texas Revolution.

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The events of the fateful battle began to develop and then escalate after the 1835 conflict with the Mexican troops in the city. Ben Milam led a group of volunteers to fight the Mexicans in a five day battle which led to the Mexican's surrender. However, in February of 1836 General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's army arrived with more troops and surprised the volunteers. However, they fought and the battle continued for 13 days. William B. Travis sent out a request for help and by the 8th day 32 more volunteers arrived. This increased the total number of volunteers to around 200. Men were willing to come and fight because the Alamo was viewed as the key to Texas' defense. David Crockett and Jim Bowie were among those who were fighting there.

The end of the battle came in March of that year when a new supply of Mexican soldiers arrived and attempted to scale the walls of the post. The volunteers fought back and were able to hold them off for a while, until they were overwhelmed by the larger force. The Mexican soldiers were successful in getting into the post and turned a cannon on the Long Barrack and the church. By the morning of March 7, 1836 the battle was over and General Santa Anna entered the Alamo to survey the scene.

The Alamo and the famous battle that occurred there are known throughout the world and symbolize the struggle for independence and freedom. This is a particularly important landmark to Texans who recognize it as their will to make the ultimate sacrifice for their freedom.

Alamo Monument in San Antonio

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Las Vegas Death Valley Tours

The driest, hottest climate is to be expected while touring Death Valley. Man never could have tamed this unique naturally formed valley. To capture an image of Death Valley is to make a photographer's dream come true. Some of the formations of Death Valley are a million years old and have harshly sculpted peaks. Death Valley tours consist of majestic mountains, colorful canyons and volcanic craters. Tours include free hotel pick-up and drop-off at designated hotels.

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Do ask for any special services you may need. Bottled water and snacks are provided. Fully narrated tours with selected photographic stops are given to the tourists. In the unlikely event of extreme weather conditions, the trip may be rerouted. If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, please seek advise from your doctor before reserving your Death Valley tour. Passengers are requested to make a confirmation of their reservation within 24 hours of their tour. The price of the tour is approximately one hundred and thirty dollars. Cancellations will be subject to a non-negotiable service fee of per ticket if you cancel your reservation at the last minute.

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A full-day Death Valley tour is a really hot, yet mysterious, adventure. So get on a Motocoach to tour Death Valley so you can view the Mohave Desert from Scotty Castle. Make your path to Ubehebe Crater, where the remains are left from a volcanic eruption. Furnace Creek Ranch and Dante's View are other spectacular sights to see. You will be guided on the tour, and a picnic lunch is provided. Your Death Valley tour is incomplete without reaching Zabrishie Point. Moreover, as a memento, some of the Death Valley tour organizers award you with a special memento of your adventure with a Death Valley Explorer Certificate.

Las Vegas Death Valley Tours

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More About Paige Texas

Tucked up in the north east corner of Bastrop County almost to the Lee County line is the sleepy little "burb" of Paige. The elevation is approx. 535', the weather is moderate year round. The school system is Bastrop ISD and depending on where you live kids might attend Lost Pines Elementary, Bastrop Middle School or Bastrop High school. Paige proper is not much bigger than a total of 18 blocks and as is typical of small Texas towns there are still some beautiful old vintage/historic homes and buildings still standing or still in use. The area surrounding Paige is a mix of rural residential properties and farm and ranch land. Horse enthusiasts covet the sandy loam soil that can be found in parts of Paige such as out Old Potato Road, or Old Pin Oak, or Antiock and Cardinal Roads.

Paige was established in 1872 along the Houston and Texas Central Rail. The old abandoned rail line is still there which runs along side parts of Old Highway 20 and would make a great section of "Rails for Trails" as it is not in use at all now. Paige was named after one of the civil engineers that worked on the railway. There was a rail station in Paige up until 1876 and then it was moved to its present location approximately 3 miles to the east. There is a volunteer fire department which was established in 1982 along with the Paige Community Center, and Paige has had a Post Office in town since1874. In those days the majority of the population was of German heritage as was much of the Central Texas area. The population of Paige has fluctuated over the years. In the late 1880's the town was said to have had a population of 500. Back then the Paige rail station was a shipping point for livestock such as cattle and hogs. Local industry included a pickle, creamery, and broom factory. Today some of the local businesses include The Old Frontier Store which is on Highway 290 and has a little bit of everything to offer from groceries to a meat counter to a small deli/diner, and Yarnorama a yarn and fiber shop.

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Paige is approx. 40 miles outside of Austin on Highway 290. Bastrop is 14 miles away on Highway 21, and has just about everything anyone could want or need with coffee shops, two feed stores, box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes on the way, great restaurants, a movie house and bowling alley. About half way to Bastrop from Paige on Highway 21 is Lake Bastrop which offers campgrounds, swim beaches, boat rental and boat launch on both the north and south shores. If you decide to head to Smithville, the town where the movie Hope Floats was filmed is just less than 13 miles on FM 2104. Just before you get to Smithville on the west side of the road you will find Buecher State Park and Lake. If it is the coast you crave you can get to the Gulf in just under two hours from Paige. Circle D, Pioneer Pines Farms, Pine Valley and Pine Tree Cattle Ranch are just a few of the subdivisions that fall in the Paige area that offer rural residential living in the 'lost pines" of Bastrop County. The Paige area is also full of wonderful ranches and recreational properties (great for hunting) and periodically they do come on the market.

More About Paige Texas

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Nascar Tracks - Lowes Motor Speedway

NASCAR lovers, golf aficionados and water dogs unite as Charlotte and its surrounding communities offer something for everyone. If you'd rather play, Charlotte features many state-of-the-art golf courses and is home to the U.S. NASCAR's strongest competition. Coming from CBS' "60 Minutes," just recently, with 7.2 million viewers, NASCAR is quoted to be the second most watched sport in America. Lowe's Motor Speedway is considered the home track to many of the famous NASCAR drivers.

lowes laminate flooring

Lowes Motor Speedway tickets sell quickly, so call now to purchase your tickets! There are many sites online that list Lowes Motor Speedway NASCAR tickets along with all other nationwide events. This race track is where NASCAR comes alive, and Lowes Speedway tickets bring it right in front of your eyes. Lowes Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler always puts on a great show. Lowes tickets provide some of the best racing on the NASCAR schedule in an area that is also known for great short track racing.

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Lowes Motor Speedway tickets are among the most sought after in NASCAR , and this year's contests make victory at Lowes even more important, as it looks like a strong NASCAR turn-out once again. This great track has also undergone some much needed remodeling to keep up with the other tracks. After the problem with the tires, the speedway was repaved in 2006. Speed increases were also a result of the repaving. After the problem with the tires, speedway officials promptly announced that they plan to repave with a new generation asphalt. The speedway also provides an opportunity to be part of the Speedway Club which offers amenities such as climate-controlled club suites, open-air box seats located on the Club Deck, indoor seating in the Clubhouse - underwent million renovation in Fall 2006, outdoor seating in the veranda and the new veranda .

Today, more than 167,000 fans can buy tickets to see three events featuring Nextel Cup drivers, two Busch Series races and a Truck Series race in NASCAR competition each year. The track also includes an extensive array of luxury suites and, another innovation being copied at other tracks, a first-quality restaurant called the Speedway Club that is not only open for racing events, but draws patrons all year round. Visitors to the track can enjoy the race from every single angle on more that 167,000 permanent seats. Charlotte will also soon be home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is set to open its doors in early 2010. When you race a competitor for 500 miles and lose to him by just a few feet, that's racin'. When a hot dog wrapper blows out of the stands, gets caught across the air vent on the front of your car and causes your engine to overheat, that's racin'.

This raceway is also home to a very popular dirt track. The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway, one of the nation's most modern and fan-friendly dirt tracks, host several special events each year, featuring the world's premier dirt racing series.

Lowe's Motor Speedway is also the site of NASCAR's annual all-star race.

Nascar Tracks - Lowes Motor Speedway

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Traveling To Green Valley, Arizona

When was the last time you could just relax, explore some of the world's most scenic surroundings, and take the time to soak in a beautiful sunset? Next time you need to cut away your busy life's strings, consider a visit to Green Valley, Arizona, a place where time slows down to an unhurried pace and you can get back to nature. Set amongst the picturesque surroundings of the Santa Catalina foothills, Green Valley is a magnet for those with a spirit for adventure and discovery.

mission valley mall

Located just twenty minutes south of Tucson, Green Valley offers a wide range of attractions and activities to choose from. For those who would prefer to stretch their legs out a bit, this Southern Arizona destination offers all kinds of great places to hike and explore. For example, the nearby Madera Canyon is a wooded valley right at the base of the Catalina Mountains with a wide range of trails to check out. This canyon is also world-renowned for birdwatchers, where it's easy to spot a wide range of hummingbirds, and frequent sightings of nighthawks, swifts, hawks, golden eagles, flycatchers, owls, and peregrine falcons are common.

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At Green Valley, also enjoy natural wonders such as the Colossal Cave, one of the world's largest dry limestone caverns. Discover a new world underneath the Earth's crust with multiple tours throughout the day. If you'd like to dive more into the world of stalagmites and stalactites, try the Kartchner Caverns State Park, which features over 13,000 feet of underground cave formations. The Kartchner Caverns were only discovered in 1972 and have since become one of Arizona's most popular state parks, with over 2 ½ miles of cave passages to explore. The Asarco Mineral Discovery is also worth a visit, with its award-winning exhibit center, open-pit mission mine, and mill tour.

In the mood for a little history and culture? Be sure not to miss the San Xavier Mission [http://www.sanxaviermission.org/Index.html], a fine example of Spanish Mission architecture that is known as the "White Dove of the Desert". As for culture, explore the Sonoita Vineyards and Santa Cruz Wineries, where you can sample impeccable wine of the Arizona variety. For a glimpse into America's day of old, venture over to the oldest European settlement in Arizona, Tubac, a vibrant village full of unique arts & crafts. Also, the Tucson Museum of Art is just up the road, featuring pre-Colombian artifacts and a wide variety of arts that help paint the picture of Arizona's rich history.

When it comes down to it, seeing is believing, and if you're planning on discovering the gems of Green Valley for yourself, consider the Wyndham Canoa Ranch Resort as your home base. A relaxing oasis that is in-tune with the beautiful natural surroundings, the Wyndham Canoa Ranch is a top-notch resort with two world-class golf courses featured on the pristine Santa Catalina foothills. Plus, on top of a relaxing outdoor pool & jacuzzi, fully-equipped fitness center, and health club, the resort features one & two-bedroom condos, with balconies, patios, full kitchens, living rooms, and dining room areas. Come heed the calling of the Arizona winds and explore a beautiful side of America you thought only existed on the sliver screen.

Traveling To Green Valley, Arizona

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Ideas For Birthday Flowers

Flowers are a marvelous way to show the birthday person how much you care for them and how special they are. Even if you buy them another gift, choose a special bouquet of flowers to accompany it. Here are some ideas for birthday flowers to make your gift an extra special one.

Choose Birth Flowers

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Did you know that everyone has a special birth flower the same way they have a birthstone? A bouquet or floral arrangement made with the birth flower adds a new dimension to your birthday gift and will give you unlimited ideas for birthday flowers. Here is a list of the months with their corresponding flowers.

o January - Carnation
o February - Iris
o March - Daffodil
o April - Daisy, Sweet Pea
o May - Lily of the Valley
o June - Rose
o July - Larkspur
o August - Gladiolus
o September - Aster, Morning Glory
o October - Marigold
o November - Chrysanthemum
o December - Narcissus

Choose Flowers According to the Color

Understanding the meaning that the specific colors convey can give you innumerous ideas for birthday flowers.

o Yellow - Choose yellow flowers when you want to make someone smile. They´re associated with happiness and friendship. This color is warm and bright and is a great way to add color to an arrangement.

o Pink - This color represents innocence, youthfulness, joy, grace or a teasing interest. A bouquet of this color often leaves the recipient wondering about the intensions of the person who gives them.

o Orange - Orange is a color that shouts enthusiasm, excitement and exuberance. It shows an air of confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life.

o Red - This color carries the strongest meaning of all. It is associated with beauty, passion and love. The number of flowers included can mean anything from "I love you," to "Will you marry me?"

o Other colors - Blue shows dignity, serenity and calmness, while purple represents success or pride. White flowers symbolize innocence and purity and lavender means royalty.

Choose Specialty Arrangements

There are unlimited ideas for birthday flowers that you can choose from. Here are a few to get you started.

o Add special accessories like plain, colored balloons or balloons with a special message. Add a teddy bear for a special touch.

o Choose a vase that conveys a message. Something with a Smiley Face will tell them you are wishing them happiness.

o Take an undecorated cake to your florist and ask them to make a decorative arrangement for the top. Use the recipient´s favorite flowers or favorite color.

o A special idea for birthday flowers for men could be something like this. Purchase a work pail from Lowe´s and ask your florist to add a floral arrangement. Include a gift card from Lowes.

o Choose a "because you´re special" gift basket with an array of treats and a floral arrangement.

o For friends who enjoy drinking coffee, a floral arrangement in a mug would be special.
Ideas for birthday flowers are only limited by your imagination. Be creative and let your imagination run wild. Have fun and enjoy yourself as you choose that special arrangement for the person you wish to honor.

Ideas For Birthday Flowers

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How To Prevent Basement Flooding - Why It Happens And How You Can Stop It

Every homeowner's worst nightmare is when something goes wrong in their home. Especially when it's a big problem like water in the basement. Basement flooding is not only a nuisance, but it can be a health hazard. Damp walls are breeding grounds for toxic mold. Excess water can also damage the integrity of your home. So, what do you do? First, determine what is causing the excess water to enter your home. Once that is determined, you can focus on how to prevent it from happening again.

There are three main causes for water entering a home's basement. The first is when the home was built the basement may not have been properly sealed. This means the floors and walls are susceptible to leaking. Secondly, your house may have settled. Over time, settling can cause cracks in the walls and floor allowing water to seep in. Lastly, the water pressure outside may have built up so that it is actually leaks inside. This can happen when your water table rises or because of extreme rain or melting snow.

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What can you do to resolve basement flooding?

The first step to prevent against basement flooding would be to repair any cracks and holes in the floors or walls. Using a water-proofing compound which is easily purchased from a hardware store like Home Depot or Lowes, simply fill in any deficiencies.

If this doesn't work and you are still having problems with basement flooding, you can then call in a plumbing professional. There are a few things they can do to help prevent against unwanted water. A licensed plumber can install drainage channels and a sump pump inside the basement. This allows outside water to drain into a pit, where the sump pump then pumps the water back outside.

If the problem persists it may require drainage to be dug outside the foundation of the home. This will then redirect the water from the basement.

Hopefully you never have to deal with flooding in your basement. But if you do, just remember there are ways to rectify the situation. You don't have to live with a wet basement forever.

How To Prevent Basement Flooding - Why It Happens And How You Can Stop It

LOWES VALLEY