Sauvignon Blanc Wine

Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light- to medium-bodied, and Sauvignon Blanc wine is recognizable for its grassy, herbaceous flavor and aroma. When grown in warmer climates the flavors are more fruity, melon-like. The grape is important in California, New Zealand and Northeastern Italy, but it really shines in France's Loire Valley and Bordeaux regions.

There it is used prodigiously as a blending grape and is responsible for the stand-alone varietals Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. Though not as rich and complex as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile grape, one that grows well in a number of places, responds well to oak or a lack thereof, and can be drunk young or aged several years. As well, Sauvignon Blanc can make for some fabulous late-harvest offerings.

The most salient characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc wine is its distinctive, penetrating aroma, which can evoke scents of grapefruit, lime, green melon, gooseberry, passion fruit, freshly mown grass, and bell pepper. Grown in cooler climates and in fertile soils promoting excessive vine growth, herbaceous smells and flavors can dominate the character of Sauvignon Blanc wine, while in warmer regions, the melon, citrus and passion fruit aromas and flavors emerge.

Sauvignon Blanc Wine Tip:

Sauvignon Blanc wine's acidic taste works in your favor, with oily-based dishes such as salads, and is perfect with lobster, oysters, scallops or in fact any type of fish. Sauvignon Blanc wine is also known as Fume Blanc.

Wine Ratings - Wine ratings, wine and winery related information for the enjoyment of fine wines.

Back To School ? Educators Deduct School Expenses

As teachers and students head back to school following a glorious summer, it's time to remind teachers to organize 2004 school expenses. Under a temporary tax code change, teachers can deduct certain school-related expenses from adjusted gross income.

Educator Expense Deduction

If you work in the education field, you may be able to deduct up to $250 from your adjusted gross income for 2004 taxes. Unfortunately, the deduction is only applicable to 2004, but there is a reasonable possibility it will be extended to the 2005 tax year and beyond. As a result, you should continue to keep records so you can claim the deduction if it is extended. So, who can claim it and what can be claimed?

"Educators"

Under the tax code provision, "educators" are defined as a fairly broad group of professionals. You are an education if you comply with the following guidelines:

1. You teach kids in kindergarten or through grade 12;

2. You are a teacher

3. You are an instructor

4. You are a counselor

5. You are an aide, or

6. You are a principal

If you fit within one of the above positions, there is an additional time requirement that must be met. You must work at least 900 hours in an elementary or high school during the year in question. This equates to roughly half a year.

Expenses

As an educator, you are allowed to deduct unreimbursed expenses you paid for school room items. Examples include books, computer programs, writing supplies and those little stars I used to love getting on my book reports. Just make sure the school is not covering the costs.

The educator expense deduction is a rather disappointing $250, but every deduction counts when it comes to taxes. Make sure you claim the deduction and keep your receipts for the write off.

Richard Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - recovering overpaid taxes for small businesses. Visit our article page - http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles - to read more tax articles.

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Tiger

1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts on the PGA Tour. Hold your small business team accountable for completing everything they commit to starting.

2. Set Priorities ? Like Jack Nicklaus before him, Tiger plans his schedule around peaking at the majors. Make time to prioritize your daily, weekly and monthly goals for maximum results.

3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone ? The recent commercial with Tiger spoofing Bill Murray in "Caddyshack" shows he will take chances. Allow yourself to reach beyond your imagined limits.

4. Keep Smiling ? While Tiger certainly shows frustration throughout a round, he still flashes that brilliant smile. Remember to do the same, especially when your employees need to see it.

5. Eliminate Distractions ? When Tiger was young, his father would jiggle change, make noises and toss balls during his swing. Practice overcoming conditions that affect your productivity.

6. Always Finish What You Start ? Tiger gives his best every Sunday, regardless of whether or not he's in contention. Follow through on important initiatives, instead of allowing your daily responsibilities to consume them.

7. Take Time Away ? Tiger limits himself to a set number of events each year to maintain some form of a normal life. Be sure to pause and recharge yourself occasionally.

8. Practice ? Golf is "the magnificent game of skill," and Tiger excels because of the work he puts in between competitive rounds. Continue learning and growing to maximize your potential.

9. Priorities Change ? Some said Tiger's struggles in 2004 were because he discovered a significant other. Life is a series of stages, and it's all right to focus on what's important along the way.

10. Think Big ? When Tiger turned pro, his father predicted greatness. That's a lot of pressure, but he clearly prepared his son for the spectacular. As the leader of your small business?imagine the impossible.

11. You Can't Do It Alone ? Tiger continually works with a coach to perfect (read: change) his swing. Even the greatest need an objective opinion to help them excel.

Copyright ? 2004 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there ? as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.

Union with Christ Unites Us to One Another

Jesus knew He would be abandoned

On the night He was arrested, Jesus knew His disciples would abandon him and scatter. "Scatter" means that not only would they be separated from Him, but also from one another. Nor would this be a one-time event, but an ongoing tendency. Scattering is what sheep do. That very night, to prevent the scattering of his followers, Jesus did at least three things:

• He washed their feet, setting an example of humility and service;
• He prayed for them to be united, establishing both a path and a destination; and
• He established the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper not only unites us to the Lord as we remember His death until He comes, but because we share in this symbolic meal, it also unites us to each other.

As Paul said, "Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Cor. 10:16-17).

Acts 20:7, the passage that suggests the first-century disciples were in a habit of weekly communion, says, "On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread?"

In this verse, not only is the first day of the week and the breaking of bread an important pattern, but also the coming together. "On the first day of the week, the disciples CAME TOGETHER to break bread." The disciples were scattered throughout the region around Troas, and the Lord's Supper brought them together.

With an attitude of humility, with a willingness to serve, with a willingness to follow the Lord's path toward His destination, let us "come together" and share in the bread.

What Jesus Predicted Came True

Jesus knew what would happen and it did: all of his disciples deserted Him and scattered. Can we read the gospel accounts, witness how the disciples abandoned Jesus and yet, like Simon Peter, claim, "That's not what I would do! Even if everyone else deserts Him, I never will"?

No, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are just as weak as they were. When the pressure is on and the stakes are high, when we are called upon to take a stand for Jesus, how often do we turn and flee?

Instead of standing together, united with Him and with each other, how often do we abandon Him and in our shame, avoid each other?

The cup we share symbolizes the blood of Christ, God's provision for the forgiveness straying sheep like us need. Paul said, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16).

Once more, in becoming one with Christ's death, we all converge on Christ Himself, and in doing so, we also draw closer to one another.

Here is a dynamic means of changing the world. Christ inspires us first to love Him and then to love each other; to unite with Him, which unites us with one another; to seek forgiveness from Him, and then to forgive and seek forgiveness from one another. The love we celebrate in the Supper is the love a bleeding, groaning world needs so badly.

Copyright ? 2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

Shooting Around Corners with New Concept

Currently the United States has weapons, which can shoot around corners, but they are not as accurate as we wish them to be. Often an insurgent will sit a top a building with a superior vantage point and a good location. He will then pick off our guys as they attempt to move and advance forward. Once this is learned a gun, which shoots around corners can be used to try to get the sniper or group of insurgents around the corner. Currently or soldiers have small cameras which display what is around the corner on the barrel of the gun which is bent to shoot around the corner, which displays in the night vision goggle system or head display on the helmet.

There are a couple of problematic issues with this shooting around corners weaponry. One is the recoil, which moves the weapon away from the wall and thus makes it hard to pick off your target first time, meaning you have now made yourself the enemies target as well. I propose suction devices to be used to place the gun against the wall and use the wall as a point for pivoting the weapon for aiming. I propose the same type of suction type grips used in the hardware business for vice clamps on workbenches. Here is one such device, but realize there are so many to choose from in the J.C. Whitney Catalog that we can pick one most similar to our needs and modify it slightly.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040310003&r=2133&g=116

There could also be a double lever, which uses suction for the other side of the wall without sticking your arm or other body part around the corner to secure it. The lever would automatically attach as you secured the suction devices on your side of the wall.

Next I propose we use no-recoil The AA-12 and AA-12 CQB type system or little recoil weapon where the bullets are fed around the corner into the chamber and then use this scenario:

http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_AA12,,00.html

With a rapid-fire system of many bullets at a time or a combination of this system and the designs used for the larger shelled "metal storm" weaponry. Additionally we need to look at a centrifuge scenario weapon, which can be used to shoot around corners in rapid fire like a machine gun. The wheel spins and lets loose of the bullets as it spins and wheel slightly sticks out around the corner. The suction clamps would in this case have and "L" bracket on the end to insure that it rests in place so the bullets clear the wall. The eye or vision camera would sit on top of the wheels center with an extension arm and site, as the information is sent to the helmet vision system for day or night warfare.

http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=539

We must be able to shoot around corners and kill the murderous insurgent radical international terrorists without losing our own soldiers. Besides such devices make sense for the "War on Drugs" and gang warfare as well. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Startling New Evidence: You Can Slow the Aging Process, Scientists Say

What if you could actually slow your rate of aging, and live healthier longer, simply by eating certain foods? U.S. Government scientists now say it's possible.

Floyd P. Horn, then Administrator of the scientific research arm of the USDA, broke the exciting news in February 1999.

"Young and middle-aged people," said Horn, "may be able to reduce risk of diseases of aging -- including senility -- simply by adding high-ORAC foods to their diets."

I don't know about you, but I find that statement tremendously exciting: "simply by adding high-ORAC foods."

Buddy, Can You Spare Some ORAC?

Unfortunately, most Americans have no idea that there may be a simple solution to preventing- or at least postponing- the ravages of decline, disease, and feeble old age.

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It's a test developed by the USDA and Tufts University to measure the antioxidant speed and power of foods and supplements. The ORAC test is quickly becoming the accepted standard for comparing antioxidant capacity.

And as you may know, oxidative stress, or free-radical damage, is implicated in all diseases associated with aging, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes- a short list of the 5 major killers of Americans.

She Told You So

An easier way to understand ORAC is to look at particular foods. Let's take spinach, for example. We all know spinach is good for us. Mom said so. And Popeye.

When USDA scientists tested spinach, they found it has an ORAC value of 1260 units per serving. So spinach qualifies as a "high-ORAC food," which may help slow the aging process.

It turns out Mom was right. She knew it would keep you healthier. But she probably never told you that spinach may keep you younger- to actually help you age more slowly.

Sound the Alarm

We have an epidemic of age-related disease in America. The statistics are shocking. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in Atlanta now says that 80% of elderly Americans have at least one chronic disease. And 50% have two or more!

And the ORAC tests help explain these terrible numbers. The truth is, our diets are woefully deficient in nutrient-dense, high-ORAC foods.

USDA researchers estimate that you need somewhere around 5,000 ORAC units in your diet every day to get the ORAC benefits that slow aging and prevent disease.

But they also estimate that the average American gets only 1,200 ORAC units a day. This means that most of us are eating our way to one or more of the chronic diseases of aging.

Is it any wonder, then, that the diseases of aging are out of control? The average American gets less than the antioxidant (ORAC) value of one serving of spinach every day.

So what do you do if you hate spinach? No worries! There are many foods that rank high on the ORAC scale. Many delicious fruits and vegetables have high ORAC values: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, kale, alfalfa sprouts, and Brussels sprouts are all rich in ORAC. Just find the ones you like, and eat more of them.

Vitamin C, a common health supplement, scores 1,890 units per gram. (For comparison, spinach delivers 12.6 units per gram) And that's another very good reason to supplement your diet with antioxidant vitamins.

But if you want to get serious about a true anti-aging diet, there are specialty food ingredients available that deliver far higher ORAC values than ordinary foods and vitamins.

The Next Level of ORAC

Scientists are now testing "superfood" antioxidants that can give you astonishing ORAC protection- much higher than ordinary foods and vitamins.

One of these new generation ORAC foods, derived from the skin of immature apples, tests as high as 13,000 per gram on the scale- over 1000 times more powerful than spinach!

Anti-aging enthusiasts are now using these super-antioxidant ORAC foods to get maximum protection for aging and related physical and mental decline.

Why? Because high-ORAC foods may slow aging. And the next-generation ORAC food ingredients are showing remarkable health benefits in human and animal studies, against the same diseases associated with aging- heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's.

So let me ask you:

If you are growing older

If 80% of older Americans have at least one chronic disease

If the USDA says that high-ORAC foods may slow aging

Isn't it time that you consider adding a lot more high-ORAC foods to your diet?

Or maybe, you didn't get the memo.

David L. Kern is a health researcher and specialist in anti-aging nutrition. "There is now solid scientific proof," he asserts, "that we can actually slow the aging process." Discover the latest breakthroughs in high-ORAC anti-aging nutrition at http://www.applepoly.com/anti-aging.

Your Wedding Countdown

This is intended as a guide to help you plan the essential elements in the count down to the wedding day. Organise everything in advance and everything should go smoothly and seek help from family, close friends and professionals.

One year before your wedding

?First things first, set the special date and arrange a time with the priest, minister or registrar.

?Discuss in full detail your plans with the person who will be performing the ceremony.

?Decide on a budget and stick to it.

?Remember to suit the ceremony to your budget, and to both your personal tastes and wishes.

?Talk it all out now!

?Decide on the type of ceremony, type of reception and hoe many guests will attend.

?Choose your venue and arrange a meeting with the people in charge.

?This goes for hotels, caterers, musicians (for the ceremony, the reception) etc.

?Plan your wedding cake, cars, photographer and florist.

?Think about wedding clothes and costumes, particularly your bridal dress, colors, fabrics and accessories.

?Remember you will probably want a color scheme and a style that carries throughout the day so talk your plans through with the your dressmaker, florist and caterer.

?Both of you should book in for a pre-marriage course. Start thinking about your honeymoon.

Six months before the wedding

?Order wedding stationery, cake boxes, and favours.

?Discuss the order of the service with the person performing the ceremony and decide on service sheets for guests.

?Discuss your wedding menu with your caterers/hotelier. ?Decide on a wedding present list.

?Choose the rings.

?A doctor and dentist check up is a good idea.

?Plan inoculations for your honeymoon if necessary.

?Organise visas, passports etc.

?Think about your 'going away' attire and clothes for your honeymoon

Three months before the wedding

?Make sure you have all the appropriate pre-marriage documents and certificates.

?Finalise details of your color scheme, bouquets, buttonholes with the florist.

?Finalise the wedding guest list and have the invitations sent. ?Remember to keep a careful track of replies.

?Choose gifts for the best man, bridesmaids and attendants.

?Arrange accommodation for attendants and advise travelling guests of the rates for your hotel.

A month before the wedding

?Organise the final fittings for your dress and for the bridesmaids.

?On the day of your final fittings make sure all the bridesmaids are wearing the same shoes that they intend to wear on the big day.

?Finalise fittings for the groom and best man. ?Have a hair and make-up rehearsal.

?On the day of the hair and make-up rehearsal remember to bring the head-dress with you for the experts opinion.

?Finalise seating arrangements for the church and wedding reception.

?Plan the wedding rehearsal with the priest, minister or registrar.

?Eat properly for the next few weeks, you will need all your energy with all the running around you will be doing.

A fortnight to go

?Arrange your honeymoon and going away clothes, including passports, tickets and visas.

?Now is the time to arrange travellers' cheques, insurance, car hire and all other documentation.

?Give advice to the hotelier of the approximate number of quests for the reception.

?Plan the table setting, place cards and linen etc.

?Finalise details with the florist, photographer and caterers.

?Try all your wedding clothes on and make sure all fits correctly and all is comfortable.

A week to go

?Have the wedding rehearsal.

?Nominate someone to look after the wedding dress and the groom's outfit after the wedding.

?Wrap all the gifts for the bridesmaids, best man and attendants.

?Arrange all fees for the church or registrar, musicians (best man should do these).

?Do one last check on all documentation required including passports for the honeymoon.

?Give all documentation to the best man for safe keeping.

Two days before the wedding

?Confirm your final guest list to your hotelier.

?Make sure the wedding cake is fine and arrange all transport to and from your reception.

The day before

Have a manicure and pedicure, a long hot bath and an early night

The Big Day

?Relax.

?Have a good breakfast.

?Get your hair and make up done.

?Give yourself plenty of time to reach the church or registrar and always allow for the last minute hiccup.

Have a fantastic day to remember

About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Wedding Dresses which includes Wedding gowns, Designer wedding gowns, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your wedding interests.