BURST! Media released a study on May 18, 2005 revealing the use of the internet compared to other media sources. The study found that individuals were using the internet up to 30% more than other media sources. The Pew Research Center found that more individuals in the 20 – 34 year used age demographic are going to the internet for news, rather than depending upon newspapers and broadcast news. The sudden surge in the popularity of the internet raises many questions, questions that traditional news outlets haven’t been quick to answer.

In April of 2005, 300,000 protestors marched the streets of Baghdad to protest Operation Iraqi Freedom and the U.S occupation of Iraq. A typical television news watcher did not see this coverage on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, or FOX News. Newspapers in the United States didn’t camouflage this enormous event. In fact, if it wasn’t for the internet, many Americans would not have known this event had taken place. Many still do not. Bloggers, however, found this story on International news websites and the story began to circulate. What is wrong with the media in the United States when an event like this does not garner press? If the situation had been reversed and 300,000 Iraqi individuals were protesting the insurgents currently fighting a civil war in Iraq, this sage would have been front page news.

It is often said that the media in America is liberal. This claim has been made by those conservatives in the media, such as Sean Hannity, Bustle Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter. However, the coverage of the war in Iraq paints a different picture, one of nationalism. Arguments using the impact of the media in the Vietnam War are given when the media is questioned about the lack of accurate coverage of the war in Iraq and with pre-packaged news packages airing on television stations all over the country, one questions whether the U.S mainstream media borders on serving propaganda as a war tactic and to garner support for the war in Iraq.

An example of irresponsibility in the media comes with the Terri Schiavo case. For approximately three weeks, television news broadcasts and newspapers ran extended coverage of the Terri Schiavo case, often times over-saturating it. It was then made into a political issue, dividing the conservative right against the liberal left. Mainstream media irresponsibly aired many hours of footage of a handful of protestors outside of a hospice center in Florida. Although, through polls, it was determined that the majority of Americans supported the removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube, the media had created a culture war between the right-to-die groups and the pro-life groups. Strangely, protests with less than 1,000 individuals made the news multiple times a day, but a protest against the United States with 300,000 participants did not.

Internet news services offer a look at news as it happens, with news stories being available almost immediately. Internet news services allow perspectives outside of the Pro-USA media flooding the United States everyday, even from “liberal” channels, by making available news information from countries across the world. Bloggers are able to communicate this information in circles equivalent to the water cooler in a corporate office. Another element added to the war on the media is the content of blogs. Blogger.com, a free blogger service, holds the personal memoirs of many Iraqi citizens and American soldiers currently fighting in Iraq. Without being filtered through the channels of advertisers, corporations, editors, and producers, real people living in Iraq can allotment their experiences fighting in this war. Or it was until the military stepped in. Colby Ruzzel had a blog called My War which chronicled his experience serving in Mosul. Ruzzel’s blog was getting over 1,000 visitors a day. Once his commanders found his identity, he was ordered to have his blog entries reviewed before he was allowed to publish them on the web. Although the military states that this is done to prevent sensitive information being publish and giving their enemy an advantage, many soldiers – now discharged- claim it is an effort to suppress the reality of the war in Iraq.

With the many examples of the mainstream media letting down its viewers today, a surge in internet use was inevitable. When will the mainstream media start taking responsibility and procure its journalistic integrity? An easy answer is not during a time of war. In the documentary, Weapons of Mass Deception, Danny Schechter examines the media coverage of the war in Iraq. In this documentary, veteran war correspondents speaking candidly about the media in Baghdad, a position that networks paid approximately $5,000.00 per reporter. Also examined were journalists embedded with military personnel in Iraq. A campaign created by a public relations firm to garner support to the war and give the soldiers in Iraq a face.

The direction that the mainstream media has taken puts into quiz journalistic ethics. Does one portray the news honestly or does one cater to the big business behind the mainstream media? The answer, generally speaking, is an easy one; however, the pressure to create a myth during war is far too great for any organization to ignore. Not only are news organizations dealing with pressures from the current administration, but they are battling the ghosts of the past. Bobbi Garcia, a managing editor for an independent news magazine, states, “The news is the news. It unbiased depends on how you spin it. No one wants to be the news organization that cracked. No one wants to be blamed for sleeping with the enemy. Vietnam haunts news agencies. U.S Media produces watered down news because of this. And because of the size of our “enemy.” Our “enemy” doesn’t simply live in Iraq, there are fright cells every where. News isn’t about news anymore, it is about business.”

In this war, the best war coverage has not come from big networks; it has come from the corporate-free blogger.

In the grand scheme of things the BSA — Boy Scouts of America — is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. For nearly a century, the BSA has helped develop the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through nearly a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society. The previous is similar to what is on SCOUTING.ORG, the official BSA website.

From a humble beginning Scouting has grown into guiding a young man through ethics, morals, and life skills training with practical application for the 21^st Century adolescent. Scouting began in England in 1907-08, created by General Robert Baden-Powell. B-P, a 50-year old bachelor at the time, was one of the few heroes to come out of Britain’s Boer War. He was known primarily for his unusual ideas about military scouting, explained in his book Aids to Scouting. Startled to discover that many boys were using his military book as a guide to outdoor activities, he began to think how he could convert his concepts of army scouting for men to “peace scouting” for boys. Gathering ideas from many sources (including Ernest Thompson Seton, who had founded a boys organization in the US), he tested his program on a group of boys on Brownsea Island in 1907. The island camp was successful, so B-P rewrote his military book, calling it Scouting for Boys. The climate was right for a youth program like Scouting, and it spread quickly around the British Commonwealth, then to other countries.

The Boy Scouts of America – BSA – was founded by Chicago publisher William Boyce on February 8, 1910. History direct us that he was in England walking the streets looking for an address that eluded him. He saw a young man and asked for directions. The boy brought him to his destination and when Mr. Boyce offered him a tip for the service the young man responded, “Sir, I cannot accept your money, you see…I am a Scout.” So flabbergasted by the response Mr. Boyce wanted to more about these Scouts and the young man arranged a meeting with B-P.

Scouting to this day serves the youth of this country in ways that no one can define. Offering a moral compass, and a accurate physical compass, to guide the young man in decisions that will affect his future, and the future of this country, The United States of America. A scout takes an Oath to himself to do his best for his country, and his god. Scout Oath is as follows:

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To support other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

There are three promises in the above oath. First to perform his duty to God and his country; second to help other people at all times; and third to keep is body physically strong, his mids active and awake, and his spirit morally straight. A portion of the oath states the he will obey the Scout Law.This is a site of valuesthe Scout learns. Twelve words, or points, to measure a decision. “Does what I want to do plunge in line with Scout Law? ” The Scout Law is:

A Scout Is…

• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean
• Reverent

All of this is, for the most part, done in commune with nature. Accidents and incidents happen when they are not planned for; after all…this is why they are called accidents. If you instruct and learn what to do in nearly any spot you get comfortable with the scenarios, and if you are thrust into those situations, you can get through it with little or no problems. But if you plan for all events and you encounter something for which you had never learned about, the experiences and training you received for the other million and one things will apply in some way to this all new and different incident you are now in the middle of…this is Scouting. Learning life skills in commune with nature.

OK, not in commune with nature, that sounds too distinguished like you go out and hug trees or something. But rather it teaches and demonstrates how to live with all of nature and have respect, admiration, and a real sense of awe when experiencing ‘natural’ nature for the first time.

Here’s an example, a Scout Troop from the inner city plans and executes a camping toddle into the Mountains over a three day weekend. Leaving and traveling on Friday after school, and planned to return home on Monday afternoon. Initial impression by someone not familiar with Scouting would think that the adults let the youth know the plan, when they are leaving, getting home, and what they will be doing on the excursion into the mountains.

But, in reality, the Scouts themselves settle all aspects of the trip, and then inform the adults as to what their role will be on the weekend. A role such as drivers, there needs to be a seat for each person and a place for each person’s gear. The adults other role is Safety, watching out to ensure the Scouts do not get into a problem they can’t get themselves out of, note I stated they cannot get THEMSELVES out of. Getting into a “jam” is not always a awful thing. Refer back to my earlier comment about a million and one things that could happen. Scouts learn to think about the situation and then determine the best course of action.

For example, a newer Scout going to the mountains for the weekend with the troop wants to save a couple pounds of weight in their backpack, and since they have two sleeping bags they opt for the lighter and smaller bag in place of the warmer and heavier bag. Other – older – Scouts let this newer Scout know it is not a bright idea to bring the smaller bag, but the Scout wants to save 3 pounds in his pack. The adults shake their heads but don’t say anything.

Over the weekend – IN THE MOUNTAINS – the temperature gets up to 75 or 80 during the day but once the Sun sets the mercury falls into the upper 30’s to mid-40’s. The Scout is cold in that lighter bag the first night and barely sleeps. In the morning he crawls out of his tent into a cloudy sky and stands near a miniature campfire and complains to the adults and anyone within earshot that he was freezing during the night and they need to do something about it. One of the Assistant Scoutmasters, an adult, asks where his warmer sleeping bag is, the one he normally brought on campouts; he looks the adult in the eye and tells them the other bag was heavier and he wanted to bring the lighter one. The adult declare him, “OK, that was your choice.” Conversation over. The new Scout is amazed that this adult is not going to fix his mistake.

Our new Scout asks another adult what he can do to be warmer during the night. He is instructed to ask the Senior Patrol Leader; the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) can be the oldest or highest ranking Scout on the slide. The SPL asks if anyone has extra blankets or clothing they are not using and the new Scout is taken care of for the remainder of the weekend. The adults oversee the event but do not interfere with the SPL unless a safety mumble is involved. “OUCH! … Learning Has Occurred!”

This Scout learned a valuable life lesson. Pack for weather slightly worse than what you expect. Although you trade off a couple pounds, the heavier items can or will be worth their weight in gold. If the others on the trip did not contemplate this through, our cold-Scout would not have had extra items to be warm during the subsequent nights and turn a potentially awful camping experience into a weekend of fun and excitement. An experience that could have turned this young man off to Scouting has been turned around and has demonstrated to everyone the value of friendship, training, and experience when camping in unknown areas, or even areas in which you are familiar and comfortable.

Take our young Scout once again. The next morning, after a long and warm night’s sleep, the troop is awakened an hour before sunrise and they are not all that tickled about it. The Scoutmaster was the person who woke everyone up, adults too, and told them to get dressed and then to follow him for a short hike. So, all of the adults and Scouts follow the Scoutmaster on a short hike to a high ridge facing east over a large and spacious valley. After a few minutes the Sun begins to rise and the sky changes color and begins to swirl in every color imaginable. Scouts, and yes adults, are standing there with their mouth open in amazement at the spectacular beauty of the creation of “today”. Without the Scoutmaster to prod everyone to join him in this morning sunrise hike, no one would have experienced this unique event, an event that will never-ever happen again; the beginning of today. Our new Scout talks about the nuances of the sunrise for the rest of the weekend, and you can be sure his parents will hear all about it when the campout is over, and he will suppose all his friends about at school the next week. The next time he is camping in the mountains, the one thing he will plan to do is watch the sun rise. This is something that not only the Scouts in attendance will talk about, but also the first time adults camping in the area. They, as the Scouts, will remember this sunrise for the rest of their lives. It connects them together to a solitary event, and the shared experience makes them friends, the trust and camaraderie grows through this and other such experiences.

The role of the Scoutmaster is getting each Boy who joins the troop to the rank of First Class, not to Eagle Scout as is commonly believed. To aid the novel, or experienced, adult leader in their role the BSA has a multitude of training opportunities ranging from with-in the troop education to national training sessions held at a Scout ranch in New Mexico mountains called Philmont. The first training session all new leaders must go through is Youth Protection. This educational opportunity is available locally at the council or district level, and also online at the national BSA training website. Adult leaders who spend time in a Scouting environment get the training bug, and for some the culmination of Scout training is a course in leadership, Wood Badge for the 12st Century. It give the leader the chance to learn to be a better leader, and this training spills over into their personal life and career in the aspect of leadership; and a greater respect and understanding of the outdoors and Scouting. The training is not simply an education class but it gains the leader a greater belief of how to give the Scouts – of all ranks – the knowledge they need to succeed and earn their next rank.

From the initial rotten of Scout, through Tenderfoot…Second Class…and finally First Class the boy gains the knowledge and skills through training and experience to live in the wilderness and survive and enjoy his time there. The adult ensures he has role models in the older Scouts, and the instruction is fair, complete, and safe. Along the way the Scout earns Merit Badges. There are more than 120 at this moment in time and each of them is fresh and affords the Scout a glimpse into a career, profession, hobby, or skill they would not have otherwise been exposed to during their lives. Some merit badges completed by Scouts turn into a major when they enter college, such as electronics or engineering; while others become a lifelong hobby, like leather work, basket weaving, rifle and shot gun shooting, and more.

The ranks of Star – Life – and Eagle are the ranks that each Scout decides they WANT to go for. The Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters are there to help guide and aid all Scouts if asked, but they do not assure them what they need to do, nor do they negate them in most cases. Teaching is the responsibility of the older Scouts. Each rank in Scouting from beginning to end build on the skills and experiences learned, including leadership and training, of the previous rank. As a Scout learns a skill, that Scout is tasked to mumble a younger or novel Scout that skill. This serves a two-fold purpose. The instructor-Scout learns the skill better than they knew it so they would not recognize bad teaching it, and the new Scout is introduced to the skill and learns it for the first time.

Each rank below Star has an impressive list of requirements that, once learned, keep you safe in the woods and teach you how to cook, camp, hike, and play in the wilderness safely. The ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle utilize those learned skills and develop the Scout into a leader by requiring the boy to take on responsibility through a leadership role within the troop, and eventually…for a few…culminate in the Eagle Project. A major undertaking where the Eagle Candidate becomes the Project Manager for the duration, start to finish, of anything from the installation of a picnic area for their church, to a memory garden in a local park, to the installation of a station of flag poles at a Community Center. The projects are limitless and most recreational state park systems and communities have a list of projects that can be used as Eagle Projects, under the watchful eye of the entity who will eventually take possession of the completed and ready to use facility the Eagle Scout will complete. The Eagle Scout will manage all volunteers, fundraising, planning, permits, documentation, and gaining permission from not only the government locations, but also under a review by their Troop Committee and the District Eagle Board to validate the project and verify the Scout knows what needs to be done and that they understand the process to complete the task in an efficient and safe manner. A district is a subunit of the council. Scouting is made up of units called Packs, Troops, and Crews. A district is made up of multiple units, and the council is made up of multiple districts.

Once the Eagle project is complete and accepted by the owning organization – the organization receiving the project cannot be a BSA entity – the Scout must create a close out report with all information, number of hours worked for the Eagle Scout and the volunteers, pictures, costs/budget, and any other information specific to the completion of his project. This booklet is carried to the Local BSA Council Office and handed to the Eagle Board before the Scouts 18^th birthday. The Eagle Board of Review does just that, reviews the booklet and interviews the Eagle Candidate to determine if this young man is deserving of the Eagle Scout award. Mostly a formality and to ensure all requirements are met, the Eagle Board is there to talk with the Scout and procure out what he learned during his time as a Scout. They are not there to test any skills, or knowledge, he may have attained, simply to talk to him. Once the board approves the candidate he is told that night that he has attained the faulty of Eagle Scout and the presentation of the Eagle rank can be done anytime, even after his 18^th birthday; but all paperwork and requirements for Eagle must be completed and submitted to the council office before the 18^th birthday of the Scout.

Finally, the young man is awarded his Eagle Scout badge at an Eagle Court of Honor. His parents and all who have helped, and sometimes pushed, him there are very proud of him, but most importantly he is proud of himself. It is a great accomplishment that less then 5% of all Scouts attain. It is something that can never be taken away, it is a lifetime achievement, and it is personal.

After turning 18 the Scout may not be seen at a lot of troop activities but that is not a bad thing. At 18, life-occurrences like college and work take a front seat in your life as you begin to use the training, experiences, and skills learned over the past several years in the Scouting program. Scouting is a ‘fill-in’ to do if you have the time. But in the future, when he has a son, he will remember Scouting as a positive and life changing experience, and he will want his son to be a part of that adventure. He may even become one of the adults, a Scouter, who will befriend lead his son’s troop on a campout into the mountains, and wake everyone an hour before dawn just to say hello to the sunrise. The cycle begins once again. You see, an Eagle Scout is tasked to give assist to Scouting. This can take many forms and it can take several years. Eventually, every Eagle Scout returns to the program to guide the youth of future generations

There are three facets of scouting that build on each other. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing Scouts. What’s the difference? Age, abilities, experiences, knowledge, and most importantly capability.

In reverse, Venturing is for boys and girls age 14 to 20 and is designed to be a high adventure experience. Yes, you read that correctly, Venturing crew are Co-Ed! Camping, Skydiving without an airplane (you jump into a vertical tube with a giant fan blowing straight up and you float like you are skydiving), white water rafting, rapelling, and a whole lot more. The youth in the Venturing crew lead/run all aspects of the crew.

Boy Scouts are either in the 6^th grade, 11 years old or 10 years old and attained the Arrow of Light Rank as a Webelos Scouts. As a Boy Scout you conception and effect your plan after the adult leadership verifies and approve whay you came up with. Youth urge the troop; each patrol, weekly meetings, and a monthly Patrol Leaders Council where the next months are planned and possible original activities are introduced. Canoeing, hiking, camping, and a variety of other activities are available and limited only by the collective imagination of the Scouts in the troop.

But for young boys, Cub Scouts is the beginning. Boys from the first grade through fifth grade become a portion of the fun. With each grade level there comes an appropriate amount of requirements designed to build character, experiences, and most importantly…FUN! Tiger, Wolf, Hold, Webelos I and Webelos II are the ranks associated with grades 1 through 5.

There are 10 main purposes or program goals for Cub Scouting:

1. Character Development
2. Spiritual Growth
3. Good Citizenship
4. Sportsmanship and Fitness
5. Family Understanding
6. Respectful Relationships
7. Personal Achievement
8. Friendly Service
9. Fun and Adventure
10. Preparation for Boy Scouts

If the program is implemented properly by trained leaders using the program, the boy will not have any understanding that he is not only learning new skills, but he is acquiring life skills in the process. From the Tiger through the Webelos II Scout fun is the optimum word and every pack leader likes to have fun. After all, if it is not fun to be at a meeting, would you really want to be there?

A Webelos II can find the highest rank in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light. Once earned, the Cub Scout can move to Boy Scouts where the knowledge learned as a Cub Scout will be built upon in the Boy Scout Troop.

A Boy Scout progresses through the ranks at their own plug, which is different than the Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts work on advancement as a group, and the group is called a Den. Boy Scout infamous starts with the Scout rank. The Scout rank is nearly identical to the requirements for the Arrow of Light rank in Cub Scouts and gives the recent Scout confidence and a sense of accomplishment. The next rank is Tenderfoot and the requirements are designed to build on the Tenderfoot improper and prepare the Scout for the Second Class rank. Having more skills such as the safe exercise of fire, knives, cooking, camping, and focusing on a healthy respect for the outdoors. The Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank can all be worked on at the same time. Most go hand in hand and all ranks provide an increasing level of skills, knowledge, and of course fun in the woods.

Iit is recommended that a new Scout attend Summer Camp their first year in the troop. While at Summer Camp they can earn the First Aid Merit Badge. Once they accept the First Aid Merit Badge, the First Aid requirements for all of those ranks are completed and can be signed off. This applies to other Merit Badges including Orienteering and Swimming.

With each requirement that is signed off the spark of accomplishment grows unprejudiced a bit brighter in the Scout. As that spark ignites into a flame for the program, the Scout begins to give back by providing the newer Scouts with the education he learned when he was a unique Scout.

A new Scout will have the other Scouts looking out for them, as they will be watching out for their friends, both new and old. Once the Scout attains the rank of First Class, he knows that he can survive in the woods.

Physical growth is a part of life, and cannot be hurried or slowed; but there is another type of growth within Scouting that can be aided…nurtured…individually for each youth and adult involved in the program. That is the belief in a Supreme Being, God or whatever your faith calls this person. It is the same for any facet of Scouting. This is not the god of Christianity, or Catholicism, or Judaism; nor is it Buddha, Mohammad, or any other specific deity. But the requirement is to have a belief system where you can grow spiritually, worship in your own procedure, and on occasion allotment your beliefs with fellow Scouts to educate them in what your family or culture follows as their religious beliefs. One important thread that binds all religious belief systems together is the undertone of helpful service and a moral conscience. The twelfth point of Scout Law is “A Scout is…Reverent” for a reason. Through spiritual growth and maturity, the Scout learns to be respectful of other people’s beliefs and faithful to his enjoy. To be of service in which ever way he can throughout his life.

Following that heart of service that Scouting has nurtured in its members, a national campaign called, “Good Turn for America” has Scouting in the USA at nearly 8.5 million, that’s 8,500,000, service hours to date and increasing each and every day. Go to http://www.goodturnforamerica.org for more information.

If you would like to know more about Scouting, or how you can become a part of the fun, visit http://www.theScoutzone.org

The West Hartford, Connecticut station is home to many golf courses, both public and private. Golfing, in all of its manifestations, is a favorite leisure- time activity and avocation for West Hartford, Ct residents of all ages. From driving ranges and miniature golf outlets, to 18- hole, manicured, professional golf courses, golfing is a very current activity with local residents. Because of the high level of local interest in the game of golf, there is a steady demand for all types of golf equipment and supplies in the West Hartford, Ct dwelling. Presented here, in an wretchedness to succor the consumer, is a guide which briefly profiles some of the top golf equipment and supplies retailers in the West Hartford, Connecticut place.

A) Golfer’s Warehouse..75 Brainard Road, Hartford, Ct..(860)522-6829
Golfer’s Warehouse is one of the most well- known and well- stocked golf equipment and supplies retailers in the West Hartford, Ct area. The selection of top- quality golf equipment, supplies, apparel and accessories here is vast, to say the least. All types of golf clubs are always in stock here. These include; drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, iron sets, putters and wedges. Some of the brands of golf clubs featured here are; Adams, Nicklaus Golf, Callaway, Cleveland, Macgregor, Srixon, Pure Golf, Ram, Cobra, Tiger Shark, Nike Golf, Taylor Made and Top Flite.

Several brands of men’s and ladies Complete Sets are offered at this West Hartford, Ct area golf equipment and supplies retailer. These include Adams, Ram, Taylor Made, Tiger Shark and Tommy Armour. A huge selection of golf balls, in various quantities, are available at Golfer’s Warehouse. Some of the brands of golf balls sold here are; Bridgestone, Callaway Golf, Precept, Srixon, Pinnacle and Volvik.

Men’s golf apparel at this comprehensive golf equipment supplier in the West Hartford, Ct place includes; polo sirts, windshirts, mocks, pants and jackets. Ladies golf apparel here includes polo shirts, sphere and windtops, skorts, crops and wind jackets. Many types and brand- names of bags, recede bags and covers are offered, as are several varieties of golf carts. Men’s and ladies golf shoes and gloves, as well as a multitude of golf accessories are well- represented at this West Hartford, Ct dwelling store. A wide assortment of Junior’s golf equipment and supplies is featured here, as is a Ladies Only shop. Additionally, golf gifts, gift cards, practice and training items and team logo gear are regularly in- stock at this West Hartford, Connecticut area golf equipment and supplies retailer.

B) Play It Again Sports..15 South Main St, West Hartford, Ct..(860)523- 4692
Located in West Hartford Center, this sporting goods store is unique to the area, in the sense that it regularly stocks both new and used sports equipment. With an ever- changing selection of men’s, ladies and junior’s golf equipment, supplies and accessories, often at deep discount prices, Play It Again Sports is a great place to shop for golf equipment. From individual golf clubs, to bags and complete packages, this golf equipment supplier normally stocks top- quality drivers, putters, wedges and woods, in addition to a host of related- products.

Because this store buys, sells, trades and consigns new and conventional sporting goods, virtually any type of golf equipment or supplies may be in- stock at any given time at this West Hartford, Ct retailer. Many types of golf accessories, including bags, balls, shoes and towels are also available here. Some of the brands featured at this store in West Hartford, Connecticut are; Callaway, Cobra, Ping, Taylor Made and Titleist.

C) The Sports Authority..1600 Southeast Road, Farmington, Ct..(860)676-8918
With approximately 400 stores in 45 US states, The Sports Authority, Inc is one of the leading sporting goods retailers in America. Their large selection of golf equipment, supplies, apparel and accessories is unparalelled at many other retailers. At their Farmington, Ct location, on the West Hartford town line, many plot golf enthusiasts regularly acquire all of their golf- related items, often at discounted prices.

A wide range of golf clubs and sets are featured at this retailer. Some of the brands of golf clubs and sets normally in- stock here include; Maxfli, Tour Collection, Taylor Made, Affinity, Wilson, Nike, Odyssey and Golden Bear. Both adult, or standard, and junior- size golf clubs and sets are available at this golf equipment and supplies retailer in the West Hartford, Ct area. Many brands of golf balls are carried here, including Wilson, MC Lady, Nike, Callaway and Titleist. Golf bags, both standard and junior sizes, some with wheels, and travel covers are also available at The Sports Authority.

An extensive assortment of high- quality golf apparel here, such as golf shoes, shirts, hats and gloves features many brand- names, styles, sizes and colors. For all golf equipment and supplies needs in the West Hartford, Connecticut area, this store is highly recommended.

Golfing is one of the most popular sports in America. Even if people don’t play it they watch it on TV. I bet that you know someone that is an avid golf player or fan. This Christmas season you can make that golf fanatic contented with a gift that they can either employ when they are playing or to point to off that they love golf.

First on the list for the golf player is a sleeve of top quality golf balls. A sleeve is a set of 3 balls in a box. The top quality balls will cost around $10 to $15 for 3 balls. If you plan on giving golf balls as a gift don’t give the low cost cheap balls as they would only be an insult to the avid golfer. An average golfer will usually play with the cheapest and best performing ball for their swing but never think about splurging on the more expensive brands, that’s when you come in with a gift of the best brand of golf balls. Go for the better brand names like Nike and Callaway.

Next on the list of grievous cost Christmas golf gifts is the all important golf towel. The towel has an eyelet and hook for attaching to the golf bag. Its important function is to wipe off the golf ball and the club face of dirt during play. The towel can be a simple one color affair or one that shows the other golfers on the course what other things in life are important to the golfer. I have seen many golfers with towels showing off their favorite football team. Another theme is to have a popular personal mascot (like Tiger Woods with his tiger) and have that on their towel.

Third on our gift list is for non-playing golf lovers as well as golfers. This is an item that you wear – jewelry. You can find many jewelry items with a golf theme on them made of Sterling Silver for under $20.00. Earrings and charms top the list for ladies and money clips for the men. With the sales in full swing at many jewelry outlets at the local malls I don’t think you will have much trouble finding something with a golf theme on it under $20.00.

Fourth on our list is something you will have do a little planning for. You will need a picture of the person you belief on giving the gift to, but it will have to be a picture of them playing golf. After you rep a really nice photo of them playing golf you will need to search out a suitable frame with a golfing theme on it. Several gift shops and even the local dollar store might carry such a frame.

Fifth on our list of low cost Christmas gifts for the golfer are accessories that they can use while playing golf such as a divot replacement tool, a golf size umbrella that attaches to the golf bag or even a ball cap with the name of their favorite golf course on it.

Lastly one of the best places to shop for the avid golfer is not at the local mall or department store but at the pro-shop at the golf course itself. Many of the pro-shops are sorely lacking in business accurate now and have dropped their prices drastically.

My mouth was dry, the only indication that my mind acknowledged death. I didn’t believe it. How could I assess reality? How when so many questions have gone unanswered. Which friend killed me? Which friend betrayed me? Which friend set me up as the descend guy? Were they all in it? I rubbed my face wishing the act would clear my brain.

“Any last words, Mr. Lineman? “

A hole opened inside my belly. Hope or emptiness? I nodded. But what to say?

While the attendant strapped my legs and arms to the chair, I wondered who watched from beyond that dark one-way mirror. The media? The traitor? The Vice-President?

“Sir? “

I cleared my throat. “I am a man of honor.” I paused to swallow the waver in whisper. “My honesty is a quality friends could count on, better than a blank check.” Tears stung my eyes at the bestiality of my quandary. How could I put into words the crime committed against me, when the President of the United States lay dead?

“It began with that God-accursed golf ball. Yep. That’s legal. Demonic-hah…” The laugh barked out of my throat. I couldn’t believe my own story. Would anyone else believe it? Would it matter? But telling my account wouldn’t hurt, couldn’t hurt when it brought me precious seconds of life.

“Are you finished? ” The attendant avoided my gaze.

A drop of sweat trickled down my forehead. My body knew death waited. I felt his presence like a dark cloud by my side.

“Two weeks before the Iron Man Chills Classic, I bought a bucket of balls at the driving range, as was my normal pregame practice. Like Tiger Woods says, once you have an established routine, you shouldn’t ever break it. It will only ruin your game. You’ll have to start all over again, finding your natural rhythm. I’ve always been known for my legendary straight drive. “

#

The bucket filled, then the machine gave a rumbling urp from inside like it had eaten something raunchy. One last ball paused at the spout exit glowing eerily then dropped toward the green plastic pail.

A shiver ran up my help at the dark stain on the ball’s side. Even my golfing buddies in A1-Flight, former buddies from Vietnam, Bowman, Charlie, and Davis noticed. Davis’ eyes flashed green as he snatched for the ball but my fingers closed over it first. “Hey, is this what I think it is? ” I held it up to the light just underneath the contest notice that explained the finder of the skull & crossbones golf ball would win $500.

“Arnie, you are so darned lucky.”

“Hey, bet you double that you can’t play three games on that ball before collecting.”

“Yeah, I’m in.”

“Yeah.”

I don’t remember which of them suggested the bet, no matter how many times I have scratched my head over the matter. In the end we all jumped on it. “Men, you got a deal.” Chance at $3500 instead of $500 on the luck of the scheme? A cinch. I always drove straight so I rarely lost a ball. Warmth spread through my belly like the first chocolate trick or treat. Hoo-wee, I was in the money.

The game that day went fast and easy. I couldn’t stop laughing at every birdie I made. Later I’d remember, practice wasn’t the same as the real game.

#

A storm blew in that night and knocked the oak tree against the house, while I drank my gin and tonic. It’s only at night I remember how gnarled my hands have grown, how mild the house gets without my dearly departed Wilma. The pitchfork lightning probed for entry inside. A splendid demonstrate, I thought at the time.

Exhausted finally, I stumbled towards bed to part the icy sheets. As I entered the hallway, my foot set down on something hard, my ankle twisted and I fell, grabbing for the door handle I missed.

When the pain rocketing up my hip diminished enough to feel the hard object poking me in the back, I rolled over. There it was. The skull & crossbones golf ball. I walked downstairs and put it in my golf bag. Again.

Then I went to bed.

When I awoke, sure enough, the skull & crossbones golf ball was nestled up against my belly button. I’m sure I put it in my golf bag, didn’t I? Wintry shivers ran down my spine

I was stiff for the rest of the week after the fall.

#

As I putted the golf ball on the thirteenth green that next Saturday, the ball glowed for a minute before curving away from the hole. I gritted my teeth, set up again and missed a foot-long putt. I noticed Bowman or was it Charlie smirking and clenched my fists, somehow stemming the curses that sprung to mind.

Davis poked me in the arm. “Never seen you putt quite so badly, Arnie.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Cursed ball. But I don’t have to win to collect.” I smiled. Then the rain began. Only five more holes, I told myself, then this round could be history. I missed the putt on the next green too with two feet to spare.

Bowman blew his nose. “I’ll give you this one.”

“You know I don’t cheat.”

“Sheesh, give a little unbiased once. Be human.”

Ha, not me. I set up at the next tee. When I took my practice swing, my arm extended down the edge of the lake, I noticed them for the first time. Secret service I guessed by the metal detectors sweeping the fairway and trees before them and the dark suits. I paused. Then took my swing and out sailed my ball, flashing UFO green under the autumn sun and then it curved toward the lake for a heart stopping moment before curving back toward my drive line and falling at the banks edge.

“Lucky you are, Arnie Lineman, I thought I was going to see a slice out of you.”

When I met the faces of the A-1 Flight cold bit into my belly because sure enough, they all looked smug.

When we finished the 18^th, I don’t remember who packed up my golf bag while I was in the restroom and I don’t remember who dragged me off to the electronics store with the excuse their garage door needed a fix. I don’t even remember going into the store, even if the clerk identified me.

#

The day of the Iron Man Chills Classic had my nerves on edge. My normally straight drive was unpredictable with the skull & crossbones golf ball. The crowd of professional golfers ready to capture us amateur stiffs out gathered outside the pro shop. Because the United States President was playing we’d all been through who knows how many searches and interviews. The course was abuzz.

But not as abuzz as my nerves. The sensation of something wrong set my teeth grinding every time I touched that cursed golf ball. I found my hands shaking every time I went to drive. But my straight drives returned.

By the time we reached the dogleg on number 15, I was hyped. I don’t know which round I played with which of my partners. Their faces remained smooth and they never once joshed me. It made the hair on my neck stand up, but that was better than their smirks.

I teed up and took my practice swing. Then someone grabbed my arm. “Wait Arnie, wait, there’s someone in our fairway.” Sure enough. I waited. And waited. Finally the course marshal shooed the secret service man into the trees. I took another practice swing, then reached back and swung through. The ball soared straight and clear. But on the downward arc, the ball flashed green. Belly feeling like a ton of lead, I watched the ball slice, straight over that secret service man.

“Fore,” I yelled, with a sinking sensation. I knew I yelled too late.

A roar went up.

I choked, closing my eyes. Praying no one got wound.

Secret Service men drew their weapons and all headed straight for me.

My driver slipped out of my hands as I backed into someone. I shoved to get away but hands grabbed me and next thing I knew, my mouth pressed dirt and my arms pulled taut behind my back. My hands wore icy icy handcuffs.

“What happened,” croaked out of my mouth as I was tugged to my feet.

Someone patted me down, taking a plastic box with a dial out of my pocket and holding it in the sunlight.

That’s when I met my friend’s faces. All pale. Upset faces with no hint of smile.

“He’s got a timed controller in his pocket.”

That shook me. Because whatever the court proved, I didn’t.

Charlie smirked first. “Your straight drive was nothing but a cheat.” He spat at my feet. Bowman’s nose scrunched and he turned away. “You’re sick.” Davis laughed, shoulders shrugging up and down. “A cheat. Probably done it for years.”

I opened my mouth to argue but no words could arrive out. How could they treat me this map? It wasn’t upright. I stumbled. “No, just this once.”

Voices said, “It was an accident and no, it wasn’t,” and “The President’s dead.”

Every word drove me into the ground like a stake. Me, lie? Me, cheat? At golf? No bloody way.

#

I must have stopped speaking for awhile, turning my memories over and over. Sweat dripped down the insides of my prison garb. I hated that.

“Have you finished, sir? “

No, I haven’t I wanted to yell. I’m not a liar. I’m not a cheat. I managed to croak out no.

“Interpret the ball”, the attendant replied and when I looked up, I saw his face recognized me.

This time I turned my face away to wipe it against my shoulder. My heart beat recant, recant, you don’t have to die. But, oh, you see. My friends really knew me well. Knew I would never recant. Knew that a man that believed more in his fill honor would sooner lie about impossibilities like killing a president with a golf ball then live through lies about his honor.

“The lab cut into the golf ball, found metal beads, a receiver and a battery. Depending on the signal, the beads would shift position and alter the moment of inertia for the golf ball. When skewed to one side, a drive would slice. That battery magnetized it so it wouldn’t miss the steel plate in the President’s head.”

“And the fingerprint on the controller? “

I shook my head, facing the guilty verdict in the attendant’s face. Never touched the controller, but then I had confessed.

Most golf newbies, and even some experienced golfing amateurs need to learn how to correct their golf slice. It is one of the most common golfing mistakes and even after correction, one’s slice tends to go back to the former erroneous crop.

Of course, this and a lot of mistakes made by new golfers could be avoided if people took professional golf lessons. Most ‘golfers’ originate out playing in order to pass the time, and when they find out that they actually enjoy the game, thats when they launch taking golf lessons, but by then a LOT of bad playing habits have already been deeply ingrained.

Most new golfers tend to get frustrated when they sever the ball aiming for the hole, only to have it spinning away at a tangent to the intended direction, this a very common mistake that happens because slicing a golf ball produces a side spin which carries the ball away from the intended direction of the shot, a way to minimize this is to purchase an elbow strap or wrist band that restrains the arm so that it will follow a more apt path when swinging.

You can also practice a number of golf drills developed by researchers at the University of Southern Carolina. These drills segment a golfers swing into a number of separate actions which are then practiced individually, with the aim of putting them together into a full swing, after each individual portion of the swing has been learnt and mastered.

Often golfers have problems with a particular fragment of their swings, in this case all the golfer has to do is to work on that drill till he has perfected it, a lot of golfers have a particular fault when it comes to their swing, there is the ’split-hand’ drill which enables a golfer to correct the release of a golf ball, by becoming more aware of the path his swing takes, and there is the ‘toe-in’ drill which mainly affects the situation of the body during a swing.

Becoming aware of the path your swing takes is very effective as a corrective measure, doubly so if you usually swing from the outside in. Here is how you carry it out.

-Stand in front of a mirror so you can see yourself clearly.

-Take a golf club – but not a ball – and swing it slowly as though you wanted to drive a ball straight through the mirror’s center.

-Stop your swing at the halfway point of your follow-through.

-Then check if you can notion your nose without moving your hed, if your swing is correct, you will not be able to see your nose because it should be blocked from your view by the head of your golf club.

A different practice drill involves looking straight at the mirror, right through your swing, done correctly, you should be able to view the image of the club going through your line of recognize on the mirror, both on the swing and on the follow through. Practice your swing until you are able to do this consistently.

Maintaining good body flexibility has a very beneficial effect on a golfer’s swing. Particularly important are the back, hips and shoulders. If your body movement is restricted in any way or you feel stiff in any part of your joints, your golf swing suffers, so its essential to take up yoga lessons (proven for helping improve flexibility) or ask your fellow golfers to teach you a couple of flexibility exercises to hep loosen you up.

As the saying goes, if you are going to start playing golf, you’ve gotta learn to play it right!

If you look at the tip of a ball point pen you will see that it has a little ball on the very end. This little ball allows the ink to move smoothly around on the paper in a long even line. The ball point pen was not always popular, it went through may trials and tribulations before it was perfected into the pen that it is today. The first ball point pens had a lot of problems that have been ironed out through the years by many different people.

The original ball point pen was invented in the late l800’s and it obsolete a tiny ball that rotated and was constantly bathed on one side with ink. The problem with these early pens was getting the ink to rush smoothly in a even line Sometimes the pens created little blotches on the paper or the would log up and wouldn’t let the ink out at all. T he pens would leak in peoples pockets and slay clothes. Sometimes it was impossible to mix up a batch of ink that would work properly. For years the ball point pen would work well at 70 degrees but it would clog up at temperatures below 65 degrees and it would leak and smear if the weather was too hot.

It wasn’t until World War II that the ball point pen was really made to work great. The U.S. Air force needed a pen that would write upside down so the looked around to find such a pen that would write smoothly even upside down. They found a pen that worked and in l944 production of the first pen that could write upside down was do into production. The pen worked because the ink was siphoned to the front of the pen. That meant the pen no longer depended on gravity to make the ink flow to the point. The ink ran smoother but it composed was gloppy and problematic at times. Ball point pens ruined many shirts back then and many people vowed never to buy another ball point pen again. The sales of ball point pens dropped.

Many people tried to perfect the ball point pen. The ball point pen was a large idea it just had some glitches to it. In l949 a man named Marcel Bich introduced a six sided pen that didn’t leak or jam. It worked very well and was a hit but Marcel thought that his name might be a problem in America. Some people had given his new ball point pen the nickname of the Bitch pen. Marcel thought his name might be bad for his fantastic product.

In l958 Marcel set up shop in American but instead of using his full name on his pen he shortened the name to Bic. And that is how the Bic pen got it’s name. Bic pens were amazing they would work under the most awful situations. They even worked after being shot out of a rifle, drilled through a wallboard or after being strapped to the feet of a skater. The Bic pen was a hit it was a tough pen, it was inexpensive so it was even being sold in grocery stores so they could be purchased easily. In l967 Bic was selling 500 million pens and 60 percent of the sales were in the American market.

Bic ball point pens have lasted for years and they are basically the same pen that they were in the l950’s. Now people can enjoy having a ball point pen in there pocket and they don’t have to worry about the pen leaking on their clothing so noteworthy and when they write with a ball point pen they don’t have to worry about the pen making a big glob on your paper. The ball point pen is now an economical pen to buy where once it was not too affordable for the regular person. The Bic ball point pen has come a long draw and it is now a dependable pen that people use everyday.

Golf is a mental game; one requiring a measure of concentration and detachment at the same time. If you play golf, you know how little distractions can really throw your game off and ruin a round.

As a golfer, therefore, it is handy to know what drives other golfers crazy, whether they’re fragment of your foursome, or patiently waiting behind you as you play. Here are the things that people do on the golf course that really irritate other golfers.

Elaborate Set-up and Pre-shot Routines

This is one that will not only cause golfers behind you to fume, but can result in your not being invited to play with your golf mates in the future. Every golfer has seen this; the guy or gal who has read in a golf instruction book that you should have an unvarying set-up routine to help you prepare for a shot. While this is true, it should not be elaborate or too time-consuming. Here’s an example of a set-up routine that is over the top. This golfer stands as stiff as a heron, staring down at the ball. He then raises his club in a prayer position and bows, holding the pose for several seconds. After he moves in for his address, he lifts up on his toes and slowly lowers the club. Now, just in case you judge this is too much, he than proceeds to stand there, perfectly stiff, until his calf muscles quiver before finally begins his backswing. If this guy was a good golfer, it would be bad enough, but most of the time, he slices horribly.

Taking Too Long to Read Your Putt

Getting a read of the green is primary to success in putting. But, before you go through a complicated process of doing what you see the pros do, you better know what you’re doing. Squatting and staring at the green for more than a minute; walking all around your line, and holding up your club like a plumb bob can sometimes be forgiven if you make the putt. It will salvage you curses if you miss by six feet, or putt it past the hole.

Not Being Ready to Hit Your Ball

Okay, so golf is partly social, and it’s nice to be able to chat with your playing partner as you journey down the green to your ball. This is not a good idea, though, if he’s on the right side of the fairway, and your ball is somewhere in the trees to the left.

Giving Golfing Lessons

Everyone who plays golf thinks he’s better than the guy who unbiased hit a banana hook into the trees. Don’t, for goodness sake, tell him what he did wrong. Trying to get the ball to do what you want it to do is already hard enough. No one needs the added complication of instructions from some guy who has only been playing two weeks longer than he has. I once had a lady walk up to me on a tee box just as I was about to tee off and inform me that my foot position was all wrong. I didn’t hit her, but I did mishit my drive – Ar-r-rgh! Real pros and experienced golfers never critique during play. If they spy something you did wrong, they place it for the clubhouse.

Talking

If you’re a doctor or emergency worker, or if your company insists that you be in constant contact, you might have no choice but to take your mobile phone with you to the course. Mercifully, many courses ban hand phones. If you have to do it, though, hold the dratted instrument in your bag, or discretely in your pocket. Set the ringer to buzz or at a low volume. Don’t beget calls, and if you get a call, go off into the trees and answer it. Don’t answer the phone while your partner is setting up a putt or getting ready for a tee shot. Don’t talk at all when someone is addressing the ball. This is a gross violation of golf etiquette.

Getting Even

If you happen to encounter any of the above behavior in your foursome, here’s a good way to get even and obtain the offender pay for his transgressions. Wait until he takes a club out for a shot and innocently ask, “Do you breathe in or out on your backswing? ” I got this one from a PGA teaching pro friend, and have only had to utilize it twice, but boy, is it effective. The best thing to remember is that golf is supposed to be a game of courteous men and women. Be considerate of other golfers, and maybe, objective maybe, they’ll return the favor.

Golf for beginners can involve a steep learning curve. As a beginner golfer, you are probably more concerned with the ball actually making contact with your club than how far the ball goes when you golf. For beginners, golf is a game in which the more time you invest, the better you become. In addition, you don’t need a partner or a team to practice golf. All you need is yourself, your clubs, and a lazy afternoon at the driving range.

Here are five things you can practice now to improve your golfing ability.

1. Support your knees bent.

One of the most important concepts when it comes to golf is that your body must be low enough that you make contact with the ball. Many first-time golfers create the mistake of lifting their body away from the ball when they swing a club. An easy way to become more aware of your position and to stay low enough is to withhold your knees bent the entire time you are swinging. With your knees bent it will be considerable more difficult to “raise up” and end up topping the ball.

2. Visualize yourself as a pendulum.

Golf is not like hockey or baseball. You are not trying to perform a slap shot or hit it out of the ballpark. In the beginning the speed of your swing is less important than the path that it takes. Stand with your knees bent, body curved at the waist. As you swing, visualize the motion of the club making a perfect circle around your torso. Make sure that the speed of the club remains constant throughout the swing from the backstroke, through the ball, and back up and around.

3. Practice hitting through the ball.

A mistake many first-time golfers make is to slow down their swing as they get closer to the ball. An easy way to correct this mistake is to think of swinging the club as though there was no ball there. Your goal is to make a smooth swing without any hesitation as you approach the ball. By swinging as though there is no ball, you remove the cause of your hesitation.

4. Shift your weight correctly.

A bad golf swing can be certain from a mile away. As the club comes around, the golfer shifts his weight to his back foot, straightens his front leg and the club shoots up and over his shoulder. Instead of this wacky footwork, be sure to shift your weight from your back leg to your front leg as you swing. When you finish you swing, your body should be in line with your front leg.

5. Learn some etiquette.

At the same time as you brush up on your technical skills, take a moment to be certain you know the rules of golf such as letting faster players through and marking your ball. Golf is one of the more civilized sports for a reason players adhere to rules of conduct that are common around the world.

If after putting these five principles in place your game still does not improve, realize that although you may never play like Tiger Woods, you can always enjoy the spend that comes from walking a golf course and the friends that can be made at the 19th hole.

The world of video sports games has risen to a new level since Nintendo WII has coupled up with EA Sports to produce Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10.

With this game you can obtain your personal character, add whatever clothing you like and add many accessories. A few examples are; clothing, shoes, hats, glasses, hairstyle, and golf accessories.

These characters you create will glimpse strikingly like yourself because of the many options you will employ to refine your character to the watch you want. Creating a character is a long process but well worth it.

You can also choose the difficulty level, swing difficulty and putting style to accommodate almost any age group.

Game play allows many different modes of play. It gives you the ability to play up to 4 people on separate controllers, or the same controller for all 4 players.

The graphics on this game are very realistic from the landscaping, the sounds of nature, and the announcers commenting on your golf game.

You can choose which course you want to play, retract a tournament and play against some of the worlds greatest pros or try a original twist in golf by playing some of the arcade games.

The level of game design is complex, which gives way to the ability for all users to entirely customize their play.

The Instructions are easy to read and appear on shroud.

You can refine your golf swing by tuning your clubs.

You can also go online to challenge other golfers but you must have an internet connection which is not included.

The cost for the entire system with the game included is around $300.00 USD– $ 200.00 for the system,
$50.00 for the game, $40.00 for the controller. The system comes with only 1 controller.
This product is available at most retail stores.

This is a well prepared game for the entire family and friends because of the many options and the opportunity to personalize each character.

It also has advantages over other games with its ability to connect online and play a myriad of other golf related games.

Sources: EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10