Articles written by Thomas Alan Gray
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Colorful Campfire Hash Brown Potato Recipe
Hash browns make a tasty hot breakfast whether at home or in camp. Frozen hash brown potatoes make it quick and easy, and fresh or frozen peppers make it colorful.
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New FoldTuk Flexible Bakeware for RVs
FoldTuk is a collapsible bakeware product with the non-stick durability of silicone and freezer-to-oven-to-table convenience that folds flat for storage in RV cupboards.
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How to Sterilize Wine Bottles for Homemade Wine
Sanitizing wine bottles before bottling homemade wine reduces the chances of oxygenation and spoilage that can destroy the appearance or taste of the wine.
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How to Wash Wine Bottles for Homemade Wine
Whether new or recycled, wine bottles must be carefully washed before they are sterilized and home made wine is put into the bottles. Some tips for doing the job.
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Wine Making Supplies & Equipment for Bottling
The wine kit is complete - fermented, stabilized, clarified - so what all is needed to successfully transfer the wine into bottles for storage or gifts?
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Wine Making Supplies for Finishing & Clarifying
Fermentation converts grape sugar into alcohol, but the resulting murky liquid can hardly be called fine wine. The wine needs to be stabilized and clarified. Here's how.
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How to Dispose of Medications in an Estate
The executor of an estate is concerned with cleaning up financial affairs. But how about cleaning out the medicine cabinet of expired antibiotics and unused drugs?
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Best Homemade Red Wine Valentine Gift Basket
A sweet, fruity wine such as the award-winning red wine beverages from Vineco's Niagara Mist line makes the perfect glass for Valentine sharing. Pack the basket & enjoy!
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Best Homemade Blush Wine Valentine Gift Basket
An exceptional home-made blush wine makes for an exceptional wine gift basket, customized to melt a special heart. Start in fall or New Year with a four-week wine kit.
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Best Homemade White Wine Valentine Gift Basket
A tasty home-made white wine beverage in a wine gift basket can melt a special heart. Start a 4-week wine kit before Christmas or after New Year for Valentine Day.
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Advanced Accessories for Wine Making
For the serious home vintner or for the wine hobbyist who really gets into it, wine making accessories are great gifts at Christmas or anytime throughout the year.
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Wine Making Accessories for Wine Kits
A basic wine-making set generally includes all the essentials, but a few low-cost simple accessories can make home-made wine simpler and easier.
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Basic Wine Making Equipment for Wine Kits
A basic set of equipment (not counting supplies) for making wine from a wine kit consists of only a few large items; good hardware will last for years, make lots of wine.
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Best Low-Cost Holiday Red Wine Making Kit
The easy 4-week California Red wine kit in Vineco's California Connoisseur line offers an everyday red wine that "goes well with everything from burgers to pasta".
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Walmart Picks Best Toys for Boys
Walmart's a popular shop stop for Christmas gifting. Walmart toy department manager shares best toys for boys. Check out her hottest toys list for guys.
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Best Low-Cost Pinot Blanc White Wine Kit
Vineco's California Connoisseur line has entry-level easy 4-week wine kits. Their version of a California Pinot Blanc gives a pleasant, fruity, medium body house wine.
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Air Hogs Best Indoor Flying Toys for Christmas
Small, light, durable, safe for kids and furniture, these indoor RC helicopters and RC planes make excellent gift ideas for rumpus-room fliers aged 8 to adult.
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Walmart Picks Best Toys for Girls
A Walmart toy department manager's top picks for 2009's best toys for girls. Her picks fill the shelves.
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Best RC Flying Toys at Walmart for Christmas
A Walmart toy buyer looks at the top trends in RC flying toys (mini RC helicopters have been incredibly popular) and shares picks for Christmas from the Air Hogs brand.
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Drake Landing Solar Community, Okotoks Alberta
Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is a unique award-winning example of sustainable home design. Solar thermal energy is stored underground for green home heating.
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Big Rock Roadside Attraction in Okotoks Alberta
"The Big Rock" - the world's largest glacial erratic about 30 minutes south of Calgary, Alberta - is a travel attraction worth a stop to stretch the legs.
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Alberta Travel – Okotoks, Near Calgary Alberta
The town of Okotoks, 15 minutes south of Calgary, has taken bold steps for sustainability, becoming a leader in water and waste management and eco-friendly housing.
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Best Spicy Snack Mix – Nuts and Bolts Recipe
One of the best recipes for a deluxe party snack mix (known as "Nuts and Bolts", "Meli-Melo" or "Chex Snack Mix"), this is sure to be a holiday party favorite.
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Alternatives to Declawing a Cat
When a cat scratches people or furniture, the owner may consider surgical declawing. Some viable alternatives - training, deterrence, and claw blunting - are examined.
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Soft Paws and Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats
Cat claw covers (brand names Soft Claws and Soft Paws) are popular long-term alternatives to declaw surgery for preventing scratch damage to people and furniture.
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Yuma's Palms – Best RV Holiday Resort in AZ?
Looking for the best resort for an RV holiday? Take a look at The Palms, a luxury Yuma RV Resort opened in 2008 and self-styled "the newest 55-plus RV Resort in Arizona".
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Proactive Measures for Flu Prevention
Regardless of what the media reports (SARS, avian flu, swine flu) as the "disaster of the year," good health habits year round build immunity for cold and flu season.
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Flu Prevention – Social Measures
It may not be possible to prevent the flu, but it is possible to take some actions against its spread without becoming a hermit or refusing to hug family or friends.
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Flu Prevention – Preparatory Measures
When flu season rolls around, single parents or those who live alone can plan to avoid or prevent getting sick with influenza. A few simple steps will do the trick.
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Flu Prevention – Personal Hygiene Measures
How to reduce the spread of influenza - and reduce your chance of getting the flu - through simple measures of personal hygiene and cleanliness habits.
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Symptoms of Influenza vs Cold and Stomach Flu
Three virus-caused illnesses are often lumped together in people's minds, though the symptoms and treatment may differ. Here's how to tell one from the other.
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Green Tips for Low-Cost Household Cleaning
Home cleaning tips that cost little and work well are always popular. "Green" methods that use natural products or recycled materials are even better.
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Outback Ultralight Trailers Factory Tour
A look at the Calgary Canada factory of Team Trillium, which manufactures the Outback ultralight RV travel trailer, and a chat with owner Joe Thoen.
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Outback Ultralight Fiberglass Trailers
Team Trillium in Calgary, AB manufactures the Outback, a lightweight fiberglass towable "based on the popular Boler trailer of the 1970s". Owner Joe Thoen speaks out.
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The Trouble With Liberty – Kristin Butcher
Popular and pretty, Liberty enjoys being the center of attention and will do almost anything to get her way. Even stealing boyfriends and accusing a teacher of rape.
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Swine Flu Vaccine – Why People Refuse the Shot
Some 50% to 60% of people are reluctant to take the "pig flu" vaccine. Reasons are the apparent lack of testing, concerns about safety and effectiveness, and more.
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Swine Flu Vaccine – Rushed to Approval?
Think the swine flu vaccine was carefully tested before being injected into Canadian children, pregnant women, and the general population? Think again. It was a rush job.
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Review – Dog Walker by Karen Spafford-Fitz
Want to make money fast and attract girls? Turk's your man. But his dog-walking business goes awry when his muscle-bound locker neighbor muscles in on the action.
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Swine Flu Vaccine – Inadequate Testing?
Although government health agencies claim the swine flu vaccine is safe, some detractors question the adequacy of testing. Is the swine flu vaccine truly safe?
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Swine Flu Vaccine – Two Reasons for Refusing
Almost half of the people in North America are planning not to take the H1N1 vaccine. Two reasons: low risk and perceived low danger of swine flu infection.
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NADA Guides – Used RV Prices on NADAguides.com
The NADA "blue book" website at nadaguides.com provides used RV retail prices. How accurate is that, and how does it compare with real local used RV prices?
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Pomegranate Glazed Chicken Recipe for Two
Skinless chicken breasts in a pomegranate juice glaze, with baby carrots, red onions, and pomegranate seeds. A healthy low-fat dinner recipe - colorful and tasty, too.
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Review – Cracked by Michele Martin Bossley
Teen sleuth Trevor and friends Robyn and and Nick haunt the bobsleigh run at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB to solve a mystery of sabotaged sleds and counterfeiting.
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Review – Laggan Lard Butts by Eric Walters
Sam and his friends campaign to have the school team changed from "Lairds" to "Lard Butts". Their mischievous scheme has some startling (and touching) outcomes.
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Review – Chat Room by Kristin Butcher
Linda hides behind her nick in the school chat rooms, despite warnings from her friend Janet. The other chatters are fellow students. The chat rooms are safe. Right?
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Lacombe RV Sales and Service
Relocated 2008 to the SW corner of Hwy 2 & Hwy 12, Lacombe RV has doubled in size. Suite101 visits the new showroom and talks with GM Pat Hodgins about the new facility.
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RVing in Alberta – State of the Industry
Pat Hodgins, with years in the business and currently general manager of Lacombe RV, shares his observations on RVing in Alberta. His conclusion: RV sales is a fun job.
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Wine Making Supplies – Secondary Fermentation
Making wine with wine kits is a fun hobby. Make up to 30 bottles of wine for only a few dollars each. Here is a list of equipment needed for secondary fermentation.
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Wine Making Supplies – Primary Fermentation
Wine kits provide up to 30 bottles of house wine for only a few dollars each. Here's what it takes to get started on the first step of this tasty hobby.
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How to Remove Wine Bottle Labels
Wine making kits produce good, inexpensive home-made wine. Recycled wine bottles reduce the cost of wine making supplies, but how to remove those stubborn, sticky labels?
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Customer Management Software for Complaints
CRM complaint software tracks customer issues and analyzes the data for better customer service and product quality. What to look for in complaint handling software.
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What are the Benefits of Group Dance Lessons?
Most dance studios offer private or group teaching. Do the benefits of group dance instruction outweigh those of private dance classes?
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What are the Benefits of Private Dance Lessons?
Dance studios offer both private and group teaching. What are the pros and cons of of private dance classes? Are private dance lessons worth their higher cost?
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Bad Credit RV Loan
A bad credit rating need not be a roadblock to getting an RV loan. Online lenders of bad credit RV loans cover their risk by charging a higher interest rate.
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Fall Holiday Decorating Ideas for the RV
RVers often like to keep up holiday decorating traditions, but lack the space to carry or set up the decorations that used to brighten their homes. Time to think small.
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Types of Complaining Customers
Five types of complaining customers and suggestions for helping them. The types may be useful for training customer service staff and improving customer relations.
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Handling Customer Complaints
Even difficult customers can be turned into satisfied clients with good Customer Service Management. Basic advice and specific steps for handling customer complaints.
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Dog Friendly RV Parks
Camping with a dog? RVs and pets seem to go together. Here's what to look for in a pet-friendly place and how to find a dog friendly RV park.
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Official Suppliers at Vancouver 2010
Good corporate citizenship or rampant commercialism? Running an Olympic Games takes big bucks, and Big Business steps up with the money in exchange for exclusive rights.
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Corporate Sponsors of Vancouver 2010
The Olympic Games have become the largest sporting event in the world and a marketing dream. Corporate sponsors pay big bucks for exclusive marketing rights.
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Christmas Decorations for the RV
Snowbirds may fly south for the winter to escape the cold, trading a white Christmas for desert sand or southern sun. But RVers don't forget their holiday spirit.
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Samsung Electronics Links World to 2010 Games
Electronics giant Samsung plans to link fans to events at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games via special Wireless Olympics Works (WOW) software and Samsung mobile phones.
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Free Writing Contest for Back-to-School Students
Free writing contests help teachers meet curriculum requirements and give students a chance of publication, a thrill that starts many a young writer on a career.
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Old-Time vs Modern Western Square Dance
Modern Western Square Dance evolved after World War II, diverging from the simpler Traditional style into a sport with more flexible moves and multiple levels.
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RV Parks in Barriere, British Columbia, Canada
The town of Barriere's scenic mountain/river location makes it a natural for RVers. A number of small RV parks in the area are attached to motels or the golf course.
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Barriere, BC Motels & Restaurants
Barriere is a small town in a scenic spot north of Kamloops on the Yellowhead Highway. A good place to stop en route from Vancouver to Jasper National Park.
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Hike the Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, British Columbia, lives up to its name with spectacular views of Barkley Sound, rocky shores, and ancient rainforest.
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Polar Expressions Short Story and Poetry Contest
A small Canadian publisher runs writing contests for students each fall, and for adult poets and fiction writers each spring. Entry is free; winners are published.
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RVer's Notebook - Trip Tracker & More
RVer's Notebook online travel software is straightforward, simple, and convenient. Like most such software, it requires daily care and feeding to give the best results
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For a Cheap Notebook Computer, Go Laptop Lease
Cheap notebooks for students won't do the job for a business. But high-end business computers have a hefty price tag. Advantages of laptop leases are discussed here.
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The Pros and Cons of Laptop Rentals
For the small to medium business, renting laptop or desktop computers and related equipment such as servers, printers or projectors may be the ideal short-term solution.
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Rent, Lease, or Buy a Business Notebook Computer
There are four common methods by which businesses can acquire a new PC or laptop computer: Rent, Lease, Finance, or Buy. The benefits of each are briefly discussed.
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Mountain View Farm Campsite at Calgary, Alberta
Mountain View Farm RV Park and Campground promises "Fun Times" and "Live Music" but delivers neither. And not a mountain in sight. Why is this campground so popular?
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Coke Sponsors 2010 Vancouver Olympics
The longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympics, Coca-Cola has been associated with the games since 1928. Interesting facts about Coke and the Games.
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Acer Laptops at Vancouver 2010 Winter Games
Acer notebooks will be the computer of choice at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and London 2012 Summer Olympics, per an agreement with the IOC signed in 2007.
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International Sponsors at Vancouver 2010 Games
The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics has a roster of international partners whose well-known brands add the weight of their names (and their cash) to the Games.
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Vancouver 2010 Olympics Commemorative Stamps
Canada Post, an official supplier of the 2010 Winter Olympics and supporter of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, has a colorful lineup of stamps and collectible products.
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How to Create an Alias in MS Outlook
People who work from home may create a separate email address for work, but there is a simple way to create an address that automatically forwards to your regular account
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Sheep River Campground South of Calgary, Canada
Charming, well-treed 61-site RV park and campground alongside the sparkling Sheep River hidden in the heart of Okotoks, Alberta. Nice place to stay.
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2010 Vancouver Olympics Torch Relay
The 2010 Winter Games Torch Relay claims to set records for distance traveled, number of torch bearers, and number of communities through which the torch passes.
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Workamping Job Search
Workamper University's Jaimie Hall Bruzenak offers a webinar home-study course on how to write a dynamite resume and get the best-paying part-time jobs while on the road.
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Efflorescence and Basement Water Damage
Efflorescence, white powdery crystals on basement floors or walls, is a sign of moisture penetration. Canada's Shell Busey offers a simple fix.
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RV Demolition Derby
In perhaps the first-ever event of its kind, six Class Cs smash themselves to pieces before an enthusiastic capacity crowd for the OC Fair's "Think Big" theme.
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What is a Warranty?
Myths and misconceptions about warranties and their purpose can frustrate consumers. Learn what a warranty is, what it isn't, and how to identify a good one.
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What's the Best RV?
Choosing the RV that will best meet your needs means understanding exactly what those needs are. Here's a checklist to help you decide which RV is right for your family.
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Fraud Protection for Fiberglass RV Owners
Fiberglass RV owners are fraud victims in a scam offering Californa campers cheap on-site gelcoat application. How the scam works; fraud protection tips.
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Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Mascots
Legends from Canadian aboriginal culture have been converted into cute and cuddly critters called Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga as mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.
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How to Store RV and Auto Tires
Advice from manufacturers Goodyear Tire and Michelin Tire will help save money by keeping RV tires running longer. Storage tips that apply equally to car and truck tires.
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2010 Olympics Mascot and Emblem Stamps
Stamp collections worldwide will be enhanced with Vancouver 2010 first day covers as well as a batch of colorful stamps featuring 2010 Winter Olympic Sports and mascots.
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Avoid This RV Purchase Scam
RV owners who try to sell through an online classified ad service such as Craigslist or eBay may be hit with a common buying scam, often under the name Nathan Seer.
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Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Sports Stamps
Canada Post issued five commemoratives featuring "Sports of the 2010 Winter Games" highlighting curling, snowboard, freestyle skiing, bobsleigh, and ice sledge hockey.
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Buying an RV on eBay or Other Auction Site
It can be risky to buy an RV online. But with caution, common sense, and eBay's Vehicle Protection Program, bargain-hunters can protect themselves.
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Vancouver Hotels Full, RVs May Camp on Beaches
With space tight in area hotels, Vancouver Parks & Rec proposes 365 RV parking spots at Metro beaches for 2010 Winter Games visitors; sites may open in July 2009.
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LIfe Under Glass
Abigail "Gaie" Ailing, Mark Nelson, Sally Silverstone were sealed for two years inside a full-size terrarium, Biosphere 2. Details of their daily life and challenges.
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Aboriginal Art at 2010 Vancouver Winter Games
The Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Art Program will provide an enduring cultural legacy by showcasing 140 works from over 90 Canadian Aboriginal artists in Olympic venues.
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Pop-Up Trailers for Motorcycles & Subcompacts
Pop-up or fold-out tent trailers light enough to tow behind a motorcycle, Mini Cooper, or Smart Car offer much more than just canvas and gear storage. Light and sweet!
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Changing Partners in Group Dance Classes
Dance teachers will usually have group students change partners frequently during the course of a lesson. Benefits range from social mixing to better dance training.
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2010 Vancouver Olympics Sustainability Star Jury
Big names from industry and government form the Sustainability Star jury for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
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Business Etiquette for RV Campground Guests
Business etiquette - courteous and productive dealings between a campground and its guests - can go a long way to make for a pleasant camping vacation for RVers.
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Ski Cross – New Sport at 2010 Winter Olympics
Ski Cross-the only new sport at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver-promises excitement, a fast pace, a rugged course with moguls, jumps, and turns - and wipeouts!
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