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Through the GRN Luxury Resort Membership, you'll have unrestricted access to over 5,000 luxury resort destinations around the world. With no blackout dates or restricted weeks, you are in complete control...Whether you want to go to Hawaii in peak season, Cabo in fishing season, Colorado in ski season, Arizona in golf season, or take a Disney Cruise in any season, our membership offers a service like no other.

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http://www.timesharereplacementservices.com
Alan Beers
Independent GRN Affiliate

General Motors, worlds largest automaker and maker of quality auto parts like GM EGR valves, has recently announced its plans of producing a series of Hydrogen cars by 2010 as part of its strategy to push alternatives to conventional petrol.

During a presentation in Paul Springs, California, GMs chief engineer on the fuel cell project, Mohsen Shabana has stated that the hydrogen infrastructure would not be in place by then, but technicians are already working to make sure that car production is ready by 2010.

Meanwhile, GMs fuel cell concept vehicle, Sequel is using the third fuel cell generation which makes use of the lithium battery in storing braking energy. It is powered by an electric motor on the front axle and two wheel hub engines in the rear.

The new Sequel is able to travel 480 kilometers compared to its earlier model which can travel only 100 kilometers. The acceleration is also improved from 0 to 100km/h with time reduce from 20seconds down to 10 seconds. Top speed now stands at 145 km/h compared to the usual 100km/h.

The Sequel is purely a research vehicle of GM. The automaker has built only two units of this vehicle. To hasten the transition towards a hydrogen age, the automaker is planning to increase the test fleet to 100 vehicles and using the Chevrolet Equinox as its basis.

Ford has recently introduced a modified Ford Edge which is powered by a combination of compressed hydrogen and a plug-in battery pack that can be recharged with a standard home electrical cord.

It seems like General Motors is really serious about going green, as recently Iowa General Motors director of environment and energy programs Mary Beth Stanek said that the ethanol industry must strive to create higher blends of fuel. The announcement made at a biofuels forum is brought about by the desire of the automaker to increase production of flex-fuel vehicles.

Stanek also stressed that GM is committed to flex-fuel technology but also added that the automaker is very much open to the idea of developing an electric hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell technology. She said that the automaker has set a funding for research and development the only thing that is lacking is the corresponding support from the ethanol industry.

As answer to the points raised by Stanek, officials from the ethanol industry said that in order to make ethanol mainstream, there ought to be vehicles to burn it, infrastructure to make it and transport it. There is also a need for more technology to produce enough ethanol to meet demands.

Noah Scott is a 30 year old native of New Jersey, writer, and car fan - having grown up with both parents being auto enthusiasts. He works for an automotive consultancy firm and regularly contributes articles to car magazines. Youcan visit GM EGR valves for more information.

A fire pit can add dimension and value to your home. Fire pits are very nice in the winter as well as the summer.

There are kits available that allow you to simply put one together and away you go. However, I find that learning how to make an outdoor fire pit is the most cost effective way to go.

The first thing you want to do is consider what you want the fire pit to look like. Think about color, height, width, location and material needed.

You want to be away from any structures or things that could catch fire for obvious reasons, so location is the first thing to decide on. For material, most rock or do-it-yourself cement should suffice.

As these things go, always check with your local authorities for ordinances and regulations regarding fire pits in your area concerning where they can be placed and how big they can be. You want to be within the law with this. If you need building permits or neighbor's permission, get it so you are in line and legal so you don't run into problems later on.

With that out of the way, you can map out your location and begin. Here is an idea for a basic, in-ground fire pit that is approximately 24" inside diameter and 10" deep.

What You Need

You will need 2 or 3 bags of quick drying cement like Sakrete or the like, enough firebrick or stone to line it with, some quick mortar, a trowel, a 2x4 piece of lumber, a small piece of dowel wood, a can of spray paint (any color will do), some regular gravel and some string.

1) First, find the center of your fire pit's location and mark it with the dowel wood. Now attach a 12" piece of string to the dowel with a can of spray paint at the end. Using the string as a guide, paint a 24" circle. Then do the same thing with a piece of string 24" long.

2) Dig out between the paint lines 10" deep and you have a trench that is 48" in diameter at the largest point with a trench that measures 12" wide by 10" deep all around. This is your base.

3) Now add the gravel to the trench and tamp it down so it's firm. Then mix your cement and fill the trench to the top all the way around. Level this off with the 2x4 and smooth out with the trowel. Allow to set for at least two days, possibly up to a week so it has cured properly.

4) You will dig out the inside of the pit to so it is 2 to 3" higher than the sides, which will 7 or 8" and lay some more gravel in the bottom.

5) Then mix up your mortar and lay the firebrick so the bottom is completely covered. You may want to lay a second layer of brick. That's up to you entirely.

6) Allow the mortar to dry for a couple of days and you have an in-ground fire pit ready to go.

This is only one style among many, so look around and see what you want and go for it!

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Why does the landscape designing one does to surround a hot tub differ so greatly from ordinary landscape planning? Perhaps it's because you have a raised hot tub. Sure, you can just put down a layer of mulch, but it will be painfully obvious just how little you spent and how little effort you put into your so-called landscaping.

Ideas for landscaping around hot tubs don't have to be complicated to look nice. The first option is to simply purchase some nice looking planters or pots and some of your favorite shrubs and flowers to surround the hot tub. I like to take two larger pots and place one on each side of the steps. Then I plant two narrow finely manicured trees that will never grow out of the pot or become too tall. This frames the entrance to your hot tub making it inviting and beautiful.

The very best approach would be to integrate landscaping designs for appearance with what I personally feel are highly desirable landscaping ideas for privacy. One such an arrangement could involve putting up a screened-in gazebo, which will highlight your hot tub and also make it usable when it's rainy out or when the insects are swarming. Surround the hot tub by attaching some simple window planters filled with beautiful blossoms. And if gardening really isn't your thing, you can always use silk flowers which will require very little care.

The options for ideas for landscaping around hot tubs just never end. For example, there is an Oriental theme. You could put together a pergola to get the right mix of sunlight and shade. Another good option is to set out some planter boxes and fill them with pretty plants or shrubs that are native to your area. These touches will make your hot tub feel like part of the landscape, even if you just put it in.

The absolutely ideal hot tub would be a built-in set alongside a full-sized swimming pool. A miniature jungle would coordinate perfectly with those two elements. You only have to add several planters in groups of 3 (since odd numbers of items are always more appealing to the eye). If you use a variety of sizes for the groupings, you will create a terraced appearance. Hibiscus bushes, mini palm trees, and some draped strands of ivy will complete the tropical atmosphere.

There are so many ideas for landscaping around hot tubs that this only touches on the many possibilities. However whenever landscaping around a hot tub you must remember to still allow for the drain of the hot tub to be open. You wouldn't want to flood all your lovely landscaping while refilling the hot tub. Remember that you can be as creative as you want. Make it your own backyard oasis.

Ideas for landscaping around hot tubs don't have to be complicated to look nice. When it comes to the area around your hot tub, it's important to have landscaping ideas for privacy. The first option is to simply purchase some nice looking planters or pots and some of your favorite shrubs and flowers to surround the hot tub. I like to take two larger pots and place one on each side of the steps. Then I plant two narrow finely manicured trees that will never grow out of the pot or become too tall. The Asian backyard hot tub is a great example.

If you are suffering from a serious medical condition during your trip, you will need immediate attention, for this you will need travel insurance. While visiting the United States, you must take a visitor or travel health insurance plan in order to secure yourself during the trip.

You cannot predict when you might have a medical emergency and may even be in a position to need care in a hospital. Expenses when you are hospitalized can add up fast and become a big problem very fast.

The way the process of getting travel insurance coverage works is that when you buy your insurance plan you are given an identification card that you can use when you have a health crisis to get the help and services you need. Depending on the plan you get, different services and procedures are covered.

The procedure for filing insurance claims will be detailed in the paperwork the insurance company gives you and will vary from one company to the next. Basically when you need to file a claim, you will fill out the paperwork and submit the claim. The company will then ratify your claim and make payments according to what your insurance policy will cover.

The insurance company will usually make payment on your claims by employing one of two systems. One way is for the insurance company to pay the doctors directly, after confirming your claim. They issue a check to the hospital or doctor. The second way is for you to pay the doctor and then the insurance company will issue you a reimbursement check.

Your visitors health insurance operates in the same manner as other kinds of insurance. When you pay your premium, you are protected for the length of time the policy is active. At the end of that time period, you are no longer protected by the insurance. Paying your insurance premium should be a high priority for you, that way you know you are protected by your insurance.

You can now see the functionality of the visitors health insurance policy and the important role it can play for you. Now you can start looking for the right insurance company for you. Getting a reference from a friend or family member is a good idea. They can tell you how the company was to work with while they were traveling. This is one of the most reliable ways to get good advise.

If you aren't able to get a referral for an insurance company from your friends or family, don't worry. There are internet sites that provide help in choosing a reputable company. There are reviews that you can read about how they treat their customers when they need to file a claim and what kind of help they give when there are problems.

Referring websites in order to choose the insurance company provides you some extra benefits also. You can read testimonials and reviews from existing customers. Also, you can compare the plan and make a detailed study to buy the cheaper plan while sitting in your home.

Beyond all the facts and information we have talked about here, obtaining a travel health insurance plan is a wise move when traveling abroad. It is not just your safety, it is for the safety of your family and traveling companions. It is impossible to predict just when you will have an accident or health crisis. That is why obtaining a good visitor's health insurance policy is a good idea. It will allow you to have more enjoyable travels with out the worry.

Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Travel Insurance She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

You've picked your brand new kitten from a litter, and you're now ready to bring him home. You naturally want to give him the best possible start in life. Here are 10 tips to help him develop into a confident, affectionate adult cat who'll give you years of stress-free pleasure.

1. Make sure you're fully prepared for his arrival. Have his toys, food, litter box, scratching post and bed all ready for him. This will help him to settle in more quickly.

2. Handle him - a lot. If kittens are handled a lot when they're young, they get used to it and learn to enjoy it. As a result, they're much more likely to turn into affectionate adults that love to be cuddled and stroked. Your new kitten should always be handled gently. If you have young kids, you'll need to supervise them with Kitty at first, to make sure they don't accidentally hurt him.

3. Get him used to receiving everyday care from you. This includes grooming him, washing his face, bathing him and cleaning his ears and eyes. If he gets comfortable with all this when he's a kitten, you'll have few problems with it when he's an adult.

4. Safely introduce him to the everyday things that will form part of his world as soon as possible. This may include other people, kids, other pets, travelling in your car, boarding at your sister's house when you go on holiday etc. etc. Doing this will turn him into a confident, happy, adaptable adult.

5. Play with him and talk to him every day. Bored kittens and cats often seek amusement in activities that you won't be too keen on, such as destroying the furniture. Playing with your kitten will build your relationship with him and help to prevent boredom.

6. Feed him a wide selection of foods that are suitable for kittens. This gets him used to a varied diet, and reduces the risk of him becoming a gourmet cuisine snob who'll only eat fresh wild salmon caught in the Scottish Highlands...

7. Gently and calmly set boundaries. Kittens are like kids - they'll push their luck to see how much they can get away with. Common naughty kitten behavior includes scratching, biting, jumping on the kitchen worktops, scratching the furniture and abseiling the curtains. If your kitten is being naughty, stop him, say "no" (don't shout) and move him away from the scene of his crime. It's much easier to train a new kitten to be good than an adult cat, so setting the boundaries whilst he's young can save you years of frustration in the future.

8. Don't give in to vocal blackmail. Some kittens try to get what they want by meowing non-stop. If you keep giving in to this, your kitten will turn into a very vocal adult cat who'll drive you nuts with his constant noisy demands.

9. Keep him safe. Nasty frights - for example falling down the toilet, being tormented by a kid or having a dog bark in his face - will have a negative impact on him. The more unpleasant experiences he has as a kitten, the more likely he is to become a nervous, mistrusting adult.

10. Accept that your new kitten is a baby with loads of energy. Whilst you can discourage him from acts of willful destruction, you'll need to accept that your house is unlikely to survive completely unscathed. But hey, he's worth it!

Liz Allan is a cat behavior expert with 25 years experience of caring for cats. She lived and worked in a cat rescue centre for 3 years, and has fostered hundreds of cats at home. For more information on cat care and behavior, sign up for her FREE ezine at http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/cat-behavior-explained.html

To find out how to deal with the most common, frustrating cat behavior problems, visit her website: http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/index.html