The garden year is defined by many words and, as circumstances change, they change, too. This year’s garden word, it pretty much goes without saying, is “drought.”At this point, that’s no revelation, but as the buds burst on the dogwoods and green tips push up through the soil, many of us are considering how we want to garden in this year of water restrictions and drought-weakened gardens. Here are a few ideas for getting by when the going gets dry.

First, find some way to collect rain water. You have options at all price points. Whether you piggy back a bunch of retrofitted garbage cans together, buy pre-fabricated rain barrels, or have an above or below ground cistern installed, you can and should try to collect water. Even if you don’t plan on doing a lot of planting, your existing plants may be quite weakened from the drought last year and will be much more susceptible to giving up the ghost this year.

In your container gardens, use water-holding granules or mats. The mats can be cut to fit containers, placed in the bottom, and planted over. During the heat of summer, it’s helpful to keep saucers under your containers so that when it rains or you water, you have a little reservoir of water for the plants to draw from over the coming days. Deep saucers are even better than the standard shallow ones for this. This is a temporary technique, however. Do this in winter or during a wet season and you could have plants rot out on you if you don’t dump the excess water periodically.

Many people are asking about drought-tolerant plants, and with good reason. Just bear in mind that, with few exceptions, drought-tolerant plants are not drought-tolerant the first year in the ground. If you plant them this year, make plans to water them regularly, too. Next year they’ll reward you with their toughness and durability (probably just in time for a record wet year).

Make sure you get a nice 3-inch layer of mulch layered over your garden beds, as well. Mulch isn’t just a nice way to pretty up the garden; no, mulch is your friend. It will help keep water from evaporating from the soil. It will smother emerging weeds. It will help keep soil and soil-borne diseases from splashing back up onto plants during what we hope will be frequent rainstorms. It will keep plant roots cooler in the heat of summer and nice ‘n’ toasty during winter.

Read More:News & Observer

The thought of “going green” in the garden might seem a bit redundant to some, but your eco-friendly efforts do not have to start and stop with a rain barrel. With the glory of yet another spring season upon us, why not make your garden even more “green” this year with some earth-friendly products:Cordless comes of age

The Environmental Protection Agency has found that a gas-powered string trimmer emits as much air pollution in one hour as driving a car for eight hours. Black & Decker’s new 36-volt, zero-emissions, cordless beast of a trimmer can actually outperform many of the standard gas-guzzlers. With a large, 14-inch cutting swath and using heavy-duty .080 line, the trimmer is powered by a super-efficient electric motor with a patented gear drive transmission for increased torque to achieve a cut rate of 51 square feet a minute. Black & Decker backs it with a full three-year guarantee. Retails: about $250. Information: www.blackanddecker.com.

Electro-mower

A small lot doesn’t require a big gas-powered mower. Two cordless electric mowers enter the scene. Black & Decker has a zero-emission, Energy Star-rated mower with a 19-inch cutting path and costs about $10 a year to operate. It can perform as a mulcher, so grass clippings are recycled back into the lawn as mulch and natural fertilizer. Homelite offers a cordless mower that cuts a 20-inch swath and also has the heft to mulch grass cuttings. Both mowers can be found locally at large home improvement stores. The Homelite sells for about $320, while the Black & Decker model goes for about $400. Take a look at Homelite’s mower at: www.homelite.com. More information on the Black & Decker cutter is at www.blackanddecker.com.

Have a ball with barley

Springtime in the water garden often means yuck-time, as ugly, nasty algae become active with the rising temperatures. An all-natural, effective way to deal with algae’s hyperactivity in the spring is to add barley straw to the pond. As it decomposes, it releases byproducts that discourage algae growth with no harm to other plants or fish. Small bales of barley can be floated in a pond, but a compact, perhaps more eye-appealing way to introduce barley into a water garden is with a Barley Ball, which floats in the water and contains enough barley wheat to control algae in ponds that range from 700 to 2,244 gallons in volume. Retails: $34.95. Order: (800) 427-3363 or at www.gardeners.com.

Seeing red

For many gardeners, growing better, bigger tomatoes means applying more fertilizer. Unfortunately, adding fertilizer means a greater chance that water-soluble nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus will wash out of the soil and into creeks and rivers. Now, a greener way to grow bragging-right tomatoes is to see red. Research at Clemson University has found that red plastic mulch had a definite positive result on the number of fruit produced. Further tests by the USDA also discovered that red mulch helped plants produce tomatoes that were an average of 46 percent more in weight than plants not using the mulch. Although some searching might find it locally, Park Seeds sells 25-foot by 18-inch rolls of red mulch for $5.95 each. Contact: (800) 213-0076, www.parkseed.com.

Read More:News & Observer

(ARA) – Fuel prices show no signs of dropping and hybrid automobiles are often hyped as the answer to improve fuel economy. That fact is, there are simple ways to get better fuel economy from your current car or truck and avoid the expense of buying a hybrid.

Here are a few easy ways to get hybrid-like fuel economy without buying a new car or changing your lifestyle.

* Simply follow the maintenance recommendations in your owner’s manual. An out-of-tune engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. Always follow your car manufacturer’s suggested tune-up schedule.

* Upgrade your motor oil. You can save gas and improve performance by switching to high performance synthetic motor oil. According to independent tests, upgrading to Royal Purple motor oil improved fuel economy by as much as five percent and produced notable increases in horsepower and torque. The company’s Web site, www.royalpurple.com, has a ‘fuel-savings calculator’ that can show you how much money you can save annually by upgrading lubricants.

* Regularly replace your air filter. A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Air filters keep impurities from damaging the interior of the engine, so replacing dirty filters will save gas and protect your engine.

* Keep the tires of your vehicle properly inflated. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to six percent. One study estimates that 50 to 80 percent of the tires rolling on U.S. roads are under inflated. Astonishingly, we could save up to two billion gallons of gas each year simply by properly inflating our tires.

* Keep your gas cap on. About 17 percent of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year according to “Auto Service Operator” magazine. A quick visual inspection of your gas cap every time you fill up is an easy, painless way to make sure your fuel is not vanishing into thin air.

To learn more, visit the following websites:

www.royalpurple.com
Web site of high performance lubricant manufacturer Royal Purple.

www.fueleconomy.gov
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Web site dedicated to issues related to fuel economy.

www.gaspricewatch.com
A Web site that helps consumers find the lowest gas prices in there area.

Are You Satisfied With Your Present Job And Lifestyle?

(ARA) – Graduating seniors in both high school and college are now facing one of life’s greatest questions: What do I want to do for a living? It’s a thought that not only plagues graduates, but many people who are unhappy or bored with their current job. So how do you find a career that suits your personality, is satisfying and still financially rewarding?

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you find a job that matches your needs and personality:

1) What type of work environment do you prefer? Do you like to stay in one place behind a desk, or travel to different locations and work with different people?
2) What type of work personality do you have? Do you prefer to work alone or collaborate with groups?
3) Do you like variety or consistency at work? How do you feel about having different assignments every day? Do you prefer similar responsibilities in day-to-day work?
4) If you didn’t have to work, what would you like to do? Travel, explore museums, hike, research history, practice a hobby?

Despite a slowing economy, there is one industry that is still thriving — travel. Right now business is growing for travel professionals. “Tour directing is a good job choice for people in many different life situations. You don’t need to spend months away from home, your schedule is flexible, and it is personally satisfying,” says Ted Bravos, co-founder of the International Tour Management Institute (ITMI), a state-certified school for training professional tour directors since 1976.

Leading tours can be very lucrative. Besides getting a free trip to worldwide vacation destinations, including meals, expenses and your own private accommodations, tour directors make approximately $200 to $250 per day. Bravos cautions, “tour directing is not for everyone. As satisfying as tour directing is, it can be quite demanding at times. It requires you to be creative, think on your feet, and utilize all of your leadership skills. Being able to laugh at yourself is a great attribute when things don’t go according to plan.”

After becoming certified, tour directors can work as much or as little as they choose. ITMI prepares students for a tour-directing career in a 15-day intensive Certification Training Program. Students learn about the tour and travel industry through practical “hands-on” experience in the field, including 5 days training aboard a deluxe motor coach and an overnight fieldtrip where they actually perform the role of a tour director. ITMI not only trains you how to be a tour director, they also train you how to get a job with placement assistance.

Here are some groups of people who are benefiting from the flexibility and excitement of tour directing:

Part-Time and Seasonal
Teachers and college students find working as a tour director during summer vacation to be an interesting way to see the world and earn extra income. Self-employed or entrepreneurial people have slower months where tour directing is a natural fit.

Retirees
Retirees have often not had the time, money or luxury of being able to travel. Retires are now finding their niche in tour directing. They get paid to travel, as many have always dreamed of after retirement, and they get the satisfaction of helping others.

Women and Mothers
Women in particular are reaping the benefits of travel industry opportunities. As tour directors, schedules can be custom tailored to coincide with summer vacations, weekends, or child-care hours. Choosing between a rewarding career and a family is not a choice that has to be made as a tour director.

Full-time
For those who want a major lifestyle change, and fulfill a lifetime dream of traveling the world and getting paid to do it! Full time tour directors can be “on the road” over 300 days a year. It’s your choice.

So if you dream of traveling the world, enjoy meeting new people, and want a flexible lifestyle career, perhaps you should explore tour directing.

Visit the ITMI Web site at www.itmisf.com or speak with a professor by calling (800) 442-4864

(ARA) – Placing disposable cameras on reception tables has become a modern American wedding tradition. The cameras make guests feel involved because they are helping to create a photo record of the most important day of your life. Sometimes the pictures they capture are among the most heart-warming, moving images from your wedding day.But what do you do with those hundreds of pictures once the honeymoon is over and the developing done? Will you let them languish – disorganized and unseen – in a shoebox or drawer? And what about the dozens of pictures guests will take with their own digital cameras or cell phones to e-mail to you later?

“The sad truth is many newlyweds simply don’t know what to do with all those pictures,” says Donna Burt of PhotosYourWay.com, a new social networking and photo-sharing Web site. “They hold on to them, but often not in a manner that allows the couple or their loved ones to enjoy these precious memories.”

A growing number of smart brides are turning to photo-sharing Web sites to preserve, organize and share amateur images from their weddings, and to create keepsakes like photo books and memorabilia. Most sites allow you to easily upload your images and make them available online for viewing by others. Other options such as organizing and sharing vary considerably from site to site.

Here’s what you should know about photo-sharing Web sites before you choose one to host your precious wedding day images:

* There should be no charge for uploading, storing or sharing your images. “If a site wants to charge you for these basic services, look elsewhere,” Burt advises. “Sites make their money from prints and products. A handful also make a small percentage when you sell an image – through their site – to a third party like an advertising agency or online content publisher.”

* You’ll potentially be uploading hundreds of wedding images, so look for large storage capacity. For example, PhotosYourWay.com provides 7 GB of free storage, enough to upload and store thousands of photos.

* Look for a site that offers the greatest flexibility for organizing images. Seek a site that will allow you to organize those images in a variety of ways, such as by who took the pictures (Photos by Uncle Joe), subject matter (Who Danced with the Bride) or chronology (Pre-wedding Prep, Walking Down the Aisle or Post-Reception Partying).

* Consider how the site allows you to share images. Can you send e-mails inviting friends and family to visit and view your images? Can you designate your images “private” or “public” at the time of upload? Does the site allow you to launch your own “community,” where your pictures can be viewed by not only your loved ones but other Internet users who may share your interest?

* Comparison shop on prices for prints and other products, such as photo books, canvas prints, mugs, T-shirts and other memorabilia. Be aware of shipping charges, which can amount to more than the cost of the prints or products themselves.

* Does the site allow those you share the photos with to download the images and print them on their own? Or will they be required to purchase prints through the Web site? PhotosYourWay.com will allow you or any of your family and friends to download the photos themselves and print them on their own or wherever they choose.

* Does the site offer you the opportunity to sell your images online to third parties, like advertising or public relations agencies, online publishers and others who need stock photography? PhotosYourWay.com is one of the only sites that offer users the chance to make money from their images.

“There’s a huge demand for wedding-related images,” says Burt. “That adorable photo of your father dancing with your niece may warm your heart, but it could also make you some money if someone wants to buy or rent it for use in their marketing materials.”

To make money from your wedding photos, simply designate them for public viewing – and available for rent – during the upload process. The images will be funneled through PhotosYourWay’s sister site, ImagesYourWay.com, where clients who need a steady stream of fresh, quality images will have the chance to view and rent them. You will pocket 60 percent of the rental price for your photo – as much as $180 in some cases.

To learn more about organizing and sharing your wedding photos, visit www.PhotosYourWay.com.

(ARA) – Feeding wild birds is a popular interest of many Americans. In fact, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, around one third of Americans feed wild birds. Whether it’s the enjoyment of viewing wildlife up close and personal or listening to the pleasant chirps and trills of the birds’ songs, more and more Americans are being inspired to put up feeders, buy outdoor pet food and turn wild birds into lovable outdoor pets.On the other hand, some people are hesitant to dive into the hobby of feeding wild birds because they are discouraged by the shells (and subsequent weeds) that can accumulate around a feeding station. According to research done by the Wild Bird Feeding Industry (WBFI), the number two reason why people don’t feed birds is because of the mess left under their feeders. Innovative wild bird food manufacturers have taken notice of this concern, which has resulted in the creation of “waste-free” and “less mess” mixes. These formulations allow bird lovers to enjoy the best of both worlds: a yard full of colorful outdoor pets and a lawn that is neat and tidy.

Less mess products are designed to keep outdoor living areas clean because they are made without the shells of seeds. Without the shells, there is less leftover debris scattered around the feeding station. Better yet, premium mixes like Wild Delight’s Less Mess line of products are specially formulated to help prevent the germination of seeds into weeds under feeders.

When trying to keep a clean yard, it’s important to consider the type of seed being put out. “Basic mixes” or “economy mixes” contain many extra ingredients that birds simply sift through and push to the ground. These mixes can also attract less desirable birds, such as starlings and sparrows that typically gather in large numbers and can make quite a mess. For those who want to avoid a messy yard (and nuisance birds), look for products that are made with premium ingredients like fruits and nuts that more sought-after birds such as cardinals and finches love. Products like Wild Delight’s new Less Mess Fruit & Berry blend, for example, is formulated with real cherries, juniper berries, peanuts and hulled pumpkin seeds – ingredients desirable birds will gobble up without excessive sifting and leftover mess.

Another option for those who want to keep a clean yard is to place a tray under a feeder. Trays will help catch any spilled seeds and make cleanup much easier. Plus, they act as another level to the feeding station. What some birds pass up and toss onto the tray, others might feast on happily, creating a wide variety of feathered friends at one feeding station.

Feeding nectar and suet is another way to keep a tidy lawn. These types of food help attract many different types of sought-after birds like woodpeckers, orioles and hummingbirds, creating a beautiful spectacle of unique wildlife. There are even suet products that you can place close to your home. No-waste products such as Deck, Porch N’ Patio Party Suet from Wild Delight don’t contain filler ingredients like corn and milo that birds either toss aside or ignore completely. Plus, premium suet products are formulated so they will not melt even in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is also important to put out multiple feeders to prevent overcrowding. When too many birds gather at one feeder, things tend to get a little hectic and messy. If birds have the option to dine at more than one feeder, there is less pushing and shoving, which may mean that more seeds are eaten instead of thrown to the ground.

Finally, spreading mulch under feeders is another easy way to keep a yard looking cleaner. Mulch will hide the seeds that may fall, and it can even dress up a feeding station. By adding a border with stones or other decorative items around the mulch, a feeding station can become a nice addition to a landscaper’s design.

With the proper food and a little bit of planning, bird lovers and new bird enthusiasts alike can enjoy both the wonderful hobby of bird feeding and a well-groomed lawn at the same time. Thanks to the creation of less mess products, birds can delight in the foods they love, and bird lovers can admire their outdoor pets without the mess.

What Every Man Should Know About How a Routine Doctor Visit Can Make a Surprising Difference in His Overall Health

(ARA) – Men are notorious for not going to the doctor. Whether they think they can simply tough it out or they prefer to avoid an uncomfortable conversation about their health, men tend to visit their physician only under extreme circumstances. But advances in erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment options over the last 10 years have had the added benefit of encouraging men to see their doctors.Advances in Men’s Health
This positive change is perhaps most apparent when it comes to men’s sexual health. One example is the once-taboo area of ED, which is more common than many people think: ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States.

What a Difference a Decade Makes
Before the availability of oral medications for ED, treatment options for men with this condition were limited to injections or suppositories. But that all changed 10 years ago with the introduction of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets, the first oral prescription pill for the treatment of ED, which opened the door for millions of men with ED to seek treatment for the condition.

“The older treatments for erectile dysfunction were not particularly pleasant to use, so a lot of men were reluctant to try them. But the availability of an oral pill made the treatment of ED a much more practical option,” says Dr. Steven Lamm, a New York City physician and bestselling author of “The Hardness Factor.” “Viagra revolutionized the way men to talk to their doctors about ED symptoms and seek treatment. Because of Viagra, today men with ED have the opportunity to enjoy a more satisfying sexual experience.”

In the 10 years since its approval, Viagra has helped 25 million men with ED and continues to be the most prescribed oral ED treatment. What’s more, Viagra’s safety and effectiveness for the treatment of ED have been demonstrated in 120 clinical trials involving 16,000 patients, according to Pfizer, Viagra‘s manufacturer. Even today, Pfizer continues its ongoing support of research and education in sexual health.

Opening Doors to Lifelong Health
As the “ED conversation” brings more men to the doctor’s office, physicians say this visit is an opportunity to talk to men about other important areas of their health, too, such as heart health. The development of ED is as predictive of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes as a family history of heart attack, cigarette smoking or elevated cholesterol, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Another analysis showed that almost 90 percent of men with ED were at risk for heart problems because of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking. So talking to doctors about ED can inspire conversations about addressing a broad range of health concerns.

“More men are visiting their doctor and taking control of their sexual health. This is often the first step in learning about additional health concerns prevalent among men,” comments Dr. Lamm. “The conversation may start with ED, but this visit really lets us talk to our patients about many issues that contribute to overall health, happiness and well-being.”

Additional Health Concerns for Men
One top concern men should discuss with their physicians is cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, one in three adult men has some form of cardiovascular disease. Keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is one simple way to help ensure a healthy heart.

Diabetes is another important health concern that becomes more common with age, but it can be detected with regular medical checkups. Some risk factors for the disease can be controlled, like being overweight or physically inactive, smoking or having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, so it is important for men to discuss these risks with their doctors.

For lifelong health, men need to talk with their doctors. To learn more about ED and Viagra and to get full prescribing information, people can visit www.viagra.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

VIAGRA is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

If you take any medicines that have nitrates in them (like nitroglycerin for chest pain)—every day or even once in a while—you should NOT take VIAGRA.

Discuss your general health status with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomforts during sex, seek immediate medical help.

Erections lasting for more than 4 hours may occur rarely with all ED treatments in this drug class. To avoid long-term injuries, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

If you are older than age 65, or have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you at the lowest dose (25 mg) of VIAGRA. If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25-mg dose and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25 mg of VIAGRA in a 48-hour period.

In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicines, including VIAGRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA, and call a doctor right away.

Sudden decrease or loss of hearing has been rarely reported in people taking PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking VIAGRA and contact a doctor right away.

If you have prostate problems or high blood pressure for which you take medicines called alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of VIAGRA.

Remember to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.

The most common side effects of VIAGRA are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light may briefly occur..

(ARA) – The birds are back … and unfortunately so are the squirrels. There are few sights that ignite as much frustration in the hearts of bird-lovers as a squirrel’s bushy tail bobbing happily in the bird feeder. Serious birders and casual bird lovers alike know that when the squirrels move in there’s not often much left for the birds.It is possible, however, to provide for your feathered friends and send the squirrels packing. With the right seed mix and some nature-friendly squirrel control tactics you might just be able to win the age old battle of the birds and the squirrels, and keep everyone happy in your backyard habitat.

The first step is to draw the birds to your back yard. Next, provide alternatives or deterrents to convince squirrels to stay out of the bird feeder. Here are some steps for doing just that:

Start with the Right Seed

Birds, like people, are selective – even picky – when it comes to food. To attract the most birds to your feeder, buy the best seed possible. Many commercial feed mixes contain cheap filler seeds like red milo that most songbirds just don’t like. They’ll sort through the undesirable mix to get to the “good stuff” – and leave the rest in the feeder or on the ground. What the birds won’t eat, the squirrels will love, so reducing the waste will help reduce your feeder’s appeal for squirrels.

Opt for a mix, like Cole’s Wild Bird Products, that offer birds select natural seed choices specially formulated just for them. Cole’s feed is comprised of top-of-the-crop seeds pulled from the top 1 to 2 percent of every crop. The complete line of wild bird feed was developed and based on factual research about what birds really eat.

Finally, select seed mixes that attract specific types of birds. A good mix will contain seeds that appeal to bright favorites like goldfinches, woodpeckers, cardinals and bluebirds, as well as colorful migrating species.

Birds are like people; give them what they like to eat and they’ll keep coming back – and they’ll bring their friends. For more information on Cole’s products visit www.coleswildbird.com/products.html.

On to the Squirrels

Squirrels need not be an inevitable element of bird feeding. Love them or loathe them, most birders agree they don’t want squirrels in the feeder, where they can damage the feeder itself and devour seed meant for the birds.

One alternative is to stock your feeder with a seed that the birds will love, but squirrels will hate. Squirrels will eat just about anything you put out for birds … but they won’t like Cole’s Hot Meats. It’s top quality sunflower meats infused with an exclusive Habanero chili pepper and Safflower oil that birds find delicious but squirrels simply hate. The blend is a safe, effective and a humane way to feed the birds and not the squirrels.

Another option is to serve the squirrels something they’ll find even more appealing than bird seed. It is possible to enjoy both the squirrels and the birds in your back yard if you lure them away from the feeder. Squirrels love whole, dried corn-on-the-cob, loose dried corn and Critter Munchies, a blend of whole yellow corn, striped sunflower, peanuts in the shell, black oil sunflower and raw peanuts. Provide Critter Munchies on an open platform style feeder, an ear of dried corn on a stick, or even a stake (or pinecone) coated with peanut butter, and hopefully squirrels will be less of a problem at the bird feeding station.

Finally, if you just can’t stand the bushy-tailed pests in your back yard, consider an organic solution that sends them packing safely and effectively. Messina Wildlife Management’s Squirrel Stopper is an OMRI certified 100 percent organic animal repellent. Easily applied in a ready-to-use spray bottle, it dries clear, has a pleasant aroma and works for 30 days before reapplication is needed, no matter the weather. Spray it around your feeder and the squirrels will stay clear. It won’t harm the squirrels or the birds. For information of Squirrel Stopper, and the full line of Messina’s pest repellents visit: http://www.messinawildlife.com 

Prime Only Steakhouse & Sushi Bar has named James Iadanza the Managing Director. “Beaming colors, rustic brick and steel girders expose the decadent side of the Prime Only facade. The location that saw the rise of Raleigh’s power grid now caters to a power crowd of steak lovers and their indulging friends,” stated Mr. Iadanza. The location is divvied up into two floors, with a minimalist staircase separating the second-floor private dining area and lounge from the main dining room. A separate sushi bar features a trendy crowd of young hip professionals. Decor is decidedly modern, with touches of rich wood and old world design serving as a warm balance to the stark industrial architecture.

The food at Prime Only Steakhouse & Sushi Bar is flawless, the beef is easily on par with Ruth’s Chris, Morton’s and the Palm’s. Appetizers range from soups, seafood and sashimi to smaller steak samplers that allow the more indecisive to taste the goods without investing in an entire meal. Prime Only Steakhouse & Sushi Bar is usually hopping with Raleigh A-Listers dining and couples catching a live dinner show in The New Rat Pack Lounge. “The guest list has seen everyone from good ol’ boys to the Backstreet Boys indulge in this quintessential Raleigh location,” reveled Mr. Iadanza. Prime Only Steakhouse & Sushi Bar is located at 505 West Jones Street in downtown Raleigh’s Glenwood South District. www.primeonly.com

SOURCE: CarolinaNewsWire

ARA) – You helped her learn to walk. He’s totally potty trained at last. Just when it seems you’ve conquered the most angst-ridden issues faced by parents of toddlers, here comes another source of concern: In a world increasingly dominated by technology, familiarizing your child with a computer and online tools is more important than ever.

Parents can’t afford to wait until their children start school to introduce them to technology, says Craig Cincotta, senior product manager at Microsoft Corp.

“Schools are incorporating computers into their curricula at very early grade levels. It’s not unusual to find a computer loaded with learning software in preschool and daycare settings,” he says. “Children who have experience with computers at home will have an edge over those who first encounter technology in the classroom.”

Even if they already have one computer, parents may be intimidated by the prospect of networking it with another PC or other devices such as smartphones. Yet computers are rapidly becoming the hub of the home’s entertainment, scheduling and shopping activities. Parents may feel the urgency to keep pace at home with the technological world their children will encounter outside the house. Here are some tips for parents:

* Getting up to date on technology and getting online doesn’t have to be difficult. Home PCs are more user-friendly than ever, with a range of hardware and software options designed to be useful and fun for users at every level of experience.

* Keep security in mind, especially if you have family members who are new to the Internet. When getting your family online for the first time, you’ll want an operating system such as Windows Vista that provides parental controls and premium security features. Windows Vista Parental Controls allow you to track and monitor your child’s online activity and time, as well as help prevent him or her from accessing material you deem inappropriate. Also, be sure to set your PC to receive Windows Update, a free service that continually improves your computer, keeping it up to date, safer and more reliable.

* Educational features are important when choosing hardware and software, but don’t overlook the entertainment value of home computing as well. For example, with Windows Media Center, which comes standard on Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Home Premium, you can share photos with loved ones, access your favorite music and even record TV shows so you don’t miss an episode of your favorite programs.

* Although price will always be a consideration, the good news is the cost of technology falls almost as rapidly as the technology evolves. You’ll have no trouble finding a wide range of options, no matter what your budget.

* Many computer manufacturers are now making models that are sleek and stylish and fit into virtually any décor. For example, Dell, HP and Sony offer notebooks in several colors, including a vibrant red.

* It’s easier than ever to get online. Many manufacturers now offer desktop and laptop computers that are already equipped with everything you need to go online — and wireless — with just a few mouse clicks.

* Expert advice is easily available. Head to your local library and use one of its PCs to log onto sites such as Windows Vista Team Blog (http://windowsvistablog.com), where you’ll learn about the numerous features and advantages of Windows, the country’s most-used operating system. Or check out the Windows site ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digitallife/default.mspx ), which offers information on the operating system, software options and the latest in compatible hardware.