Italian Fired

Do you think its time for some of the media to leave the Italian region of Abruzzo?

and let the emergency workers do there job, because there was one reporter that nearly got knocked down by a fire and rescue jeep, another incident is where one of the villagers attacked some guy from the media taken pictures of the dead. What do you think, should some of the media back off a bit?

we all want to hear about whats going on but they should make sure they get there facts straight before they go on air and i agree they should stay out of the way

Study the Italian Language and Enjoy the Italian Way of Life Living With an Italian Teaching Host Family in Florence

How to learn a language without going back to school.

NEW ITINERARIES CULTURAL ASSOCIATION is an Association of over twenty qualified teachers living in Tuscany who offer Italian Language and Culture Homestays to foreign students wishing to gain a better academic and working knowledge of the language.

As a guest, you will live in the home as one of the family and have daily tuition from one of the hosts who is a qualified and experienced teacher.

Since 1971, university students, opera singers, professionals and senior citizens participate in our homestay programs, using our individually-planned, tutor-to-student method.

WHAT WE TEACH

Italian grammar, with practical, everyday conversation based on the student’s personal interests and goals. Tutor and guest student plan lessons on basic, intermediate or advanced Italian linked to the history of art, music, history, commerce, literature and cooking.

WHERE THE TEACHING HOST FAMILIES LIVE

Accommodation is in comfortable homes of excellent quality, in or near Florence and the Chianti Wine Area.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY ITALIAN?

Enjoy the advantage of natural assimilation of the Italian language. Italian is a melodious and charming language. Enchanting to listen to, and a delight to speak.

Tastes differ widely, of course, but Italian is considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful languages.

A few excellent reasons are that Italy is a world leader in manufacturing, import-export activities, in an extensive range of fashion articles, in interior and furniture design, automobiles and motor cycles, and other commercial activities.

Italian is indispensable for students of art, music, law, European history and archaeology.

The artistic and literary heritage of Italy is an exaltation of the Genius Loci.

Tuscany in partucular has its great poets - Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch, its mighty master, Leonardo da Vinci, who created a new universe here on earth. It gave the world, among many others, the ageless, muscular art and brawny sculpture of Michelangelo to which we can add such great geniuses as Galileo, Macchiavelli, Giotto, Botticelli, Brunelleschi....

Italian explorers include Christopher Columbus, Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot), Giovanno da Verrazzano, and Amerigo Vespucci – the man who gave his name to America.

The world’s greatest art treasures are in Italy. Indeed, according to UNESCO over 60 percent are in located in Italy.

Our Homestays are available all year round. Minimum homestay one week.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE and CULTURE HOMESTAY TUITION

The qualified and experienced tutors give practical, essential tuition taking into account personal interests and aspirations.

TUITION PROGRAM

Daily one-to-one individually-planned tuition is given for 15 or 20 hours weekly, from Monday to Friday.The guest student’s present level of Italian, past study experience, and all personal and specific interests for studying Italian will be evaluated by the teacher.The Cultural Excursions and Walks program and the Cooking Activity program are given for 20 hours weekly.

STUDY PLANS

We recommend that you prepare, specify and discuss personal study interests with

the teacher before lessons begin. These may include concentrating on grammar and

conversation, or on particular tuition which can be linked to literature, history, art,

music, or business Italian.

Tuition will be given during the morning or in the afternoon, at a time suitable to both.

The guest student should make a constant effort to speak Italian all day and every day.

FORGET YOUR OWN LANGUAGE FOR A WHILE

Italian language courses are in the comfort of your teacher's home. In the classroom and after attending school, students inevitably meet other students from their own country and so speak in their own language to each other. In a host family this cannot happen.

The guest student is compelled to think and speak Italian in every day-by-day situation.

This round-the-clock exercise is the very heart of constant and permanent learning.

A language which is assimilated and intensely lived and used in this practical manner

makes "Living and Learning with Your Teacher" the most effective and natural way of securing a good knowledge of the Italian language and culture.

HOMESTAY TUITION AND TRADITIONAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL TEACHING

The most frequent objections raised against learning a foreign language in a traditional language school are:

- I always meet students from my own country and we inevitably speak our own language during our free time.

- Too many students. The classroom is overcrowded.

- I am able to speak the language only for a few minutes every hour (this is the

disadvantage of group learning).

- We all have different learning speeds and some of my classmates just lag behind.

- We all have miscellaneous study plans and personal interests for studying Italian and above all at my level students have a widely different basic knowledge and experience of the language.

THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT

Before beginning an Italian Language and Culture Homestay, you are strongly advised to:

- Prepare to adjust yourself to your new Italian studies and to the length of time you will be away from home.

- Prepare to live with, and accept, those cultural differences which may exist between

your own country and Italy.

- Prepare to accept, and learn from, the local daily way of life, however different from

your own.

- Prepare to live in harmony with your family and make a constant and daily effort to

study and speak the language.

- Prepare a study plan, according to your personal interests, sufficient to cover the

entire homestay period. This plan will be discussed with your teacher before tuition

begins.

About the Author

Coin Ring

What's the name of that cake with the gifts inside it such as a rings and coins and stuff? Recipe?

I thought it was called the King's Cake but that just has a baby inside of it. However, I've read of a cake that had a ring and a few coins and other things in it. Each gift symbolized something. Is there a recipe and history behind it? Most importantly a name?

Twelfth Night cake or King's Cake is what your looking for

TWELFTH NIGHT CAKE

The twelve days of Christmas is climaxed by Epiphany on January 6. In England, Twelfth day is not complete without the twelfth cake, a dark fruitcake hiding a trinket, pea or almond. The guests or family member who finds the "prize" reigns as king or queen over the twelfth Night festivities. Try this cake for a post holiday party. 2 c. sugar 1 tbsp. fresh grated orange peel 1 tbsp. fresh grated lemon peel 2 eggs 2 1/2 c. sifted four 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 c. buttermilk 1/2 c. chopped mixed candied fruit 1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans 1 whole blanched almond 3/4 c. fresh squeezed orange juice 2 tbsp. rum
In large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add orange and lemon peel. Add eggs and beat well. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Beat until smooth. Fold in candied fruit, chopped nuts, and whole almond. Bake in greased Mini Bundt pan or Fiesta Party pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until cake tests done. Bring juices, remaining 1 cup sugar and rum to a boil. Pour slowly over hot cake in pan. Let cake stand 24 hours in pan before removing and cutting.

How Should I Store My Coins?

How Should I Store My Coins?
By Robert L Taylor, JD
There are two concerns when discussing the storage of coins. First, the storage of the individual coin, and Second, the storage of a group of coins, or an entire collection.
Storage of a Coin Collection
The Environment of the entire Collection, or Group of Coins is the focus, taking into consideration Temperature, Humidity and Light. A relatively constant, moderate to low temperature and low humidity are preferable for long term storage of numismatic collectibles. Placing packets of silica gel, which absorbs moisture, in the coin storage areas helps control atmospheric humidity. The less light, the better; and absolutely no sunlight. This is why a safe or vault is ultimate storage container; because it controls Temperature, Light and Humidity, and provides Superior Safety.
Groups of Coins, or Collections are best stored in plastic coin boxes, such as sold by PCGS, NGC and Whitman, and which will hold 20, separated, "slabbed" coins. Another alternative is a cardboard coin storage box (single and double; red, blue or black), which stack easily on each other. Different sizes are available for slabs, as well as Vinyl and Cardboard Flips.
Storage of Individual Coins
Putting Individual coins into Holders is Imperative for all coins whose condition is BU and above, or MS60 and higher. Coins below these designations are considered "circulated" because they are found in the general circulation of money. Typically this will mean they are found in pocket change, or in rolls of coins purchased at a local bank. Although collecting Circulated coins is a great personal challenge for many collectors, the more serious Coin Collectors will concentrate on "Uncirculated" coins (BU+ and MS60+ ) because of their better condition (grade), value, and appearance.
Types of Containers or Holders.
Almost anything will do for coins with small or no numismatic value. A coin that is worth only face value, is not likely to have much numismatic value. while nearly airtight holders made of inert materials are a better idea for valuable coins.
Bags, jars and boxes are adequate for raw pocket change and circulated coins.
Paper Envelopes or Paper Flips of various sizes (usually 2 x 2) are still used for single coins. Be sure to use envelopes made explicitly for holding coins, otherwise your coins may change color (tone) over time due to reaction with sulfur or other chemicals present in the paper. Since the coin can not be seen, it is now out of favor with collectors.
Folders and Albums are sold primarily for series and type sets. Properly used, they offer moderate protection from wear and handling. Over the years coins may tone due to reaction with sulfur or other chemicals present in the folders and albums, and are therefore not a good choice for long term storage of higher grade coins. The coins are still exposed to light, air, chemicals and human touching. Albums have clear plastic covers over the coins, which slide in and out. This sliding action can leave unwanted and unattractive marks on the coin.
Plastic Flips are available in various materials. "Soft" flips were once made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which decomposed over time with disastrous results for coins; leaving a green appearance and substance. PVC flips are no longer made and sold. Mylar, vinyl and acetate flips do not contain PVC. While not airtight, they are reasonable choices for moderate value coins that will be "left alone" for multiple years.
Vinyl Pages (8 ½ x 11) which fit into a 3 ring binder. Well suited for Cardboard and Vinyl Flips, with great visability of coin obverse and reverse. This is a Great Favorite.
Mylar-lined Cardboard Flips, often called "2x2s" or cardboard flips. At one time, the most preferred and commonly used. but also available in other sizes, are similar to plastic flips. A coin is placed between the two halves, which are then folded over and stapled together (some brands contain an adhesive). The boxes that they come in are ideal for multiple coin storage.
Tubes are plastic containers designed to hold a number of the same size coins. They come in different sizes for different coins. They are fine for bulk storage of circulated coins and are appropriate for higher grade Uncirculated, BU+ and MS60+ coins. A disadvantage is that the coins cannot be viewed without being removed from the tube.
Hard Plastic Holders are preferable for more valuable coins. They are self sealing, and not known to contain any materials that harm coins and offer good protection against scratches, touching and handling, air and chemicals, and other physical damage. They are available for individual and small sets of coins, and come in all sizes.
Slabs are Sonically Sealed hard plastic holders for individual coins. They offer Excellent protection. Because of the expense of having a coin slabbed, they are generally suitable only for more valuable coins i.e.: BU+ and MS60+ Coins.
Although generic slabs are available, most often, a slab will be seen holding a coin that has been Professionally Certified and Graded - which has tremendous advantages. The biggest advantage is when buying a coin on the Internet or by phone. You know what you're getting. A coin Certified and Graded by one of the "Top Four" gives reliability, assurance and security. A big advantage over the scam sellers of raw coins, and non-conforming grading companies.

Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!

Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright 2006

About the Author

Robert Taylor is a 59 year old retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who spent most of his career representing people who could not afford an attorney, and who has had a passion for collecting US coins, particularly Morgan Dollars, since the age of 6. Wanting to share his Passion, he created http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com which features US Rare and Modern Dollars (from 1878) and Coins (from 1960 to 2000), all Certified and Graded by NGC or PCGS.
For Beginning Coin Collectors, he then created http://www.Beginning-Coin-Collecting.Com which features US Modern Coins, from 1960 to 2000, that are high quality BU, Certified and Slabbed Coins that are all priced less than $10 per coin.

Necklace Glass

Where can I find a pattern to make a wine glass necklace holder out of macrame?

Take a look at this pattern,

http://knopen.ismijnhobby.nl/tables/fob_table-2.html

Make the starting loop (the one in the middle, which end will be the final loop,) long enough to go round your glasses stem.
Feed a big bead on the starting loop, (it comes to where the pins are in the drawing,) and tie the knots as given for the key-fob.
Keep tying till the left over loop is just big enough to go over your bead.
Finish as per instructions, or sew the last knot and fray the ends.

You will need more string than in the key-fob, I guess about one yard/meter if you use thin string, or a yard/meter and a half if you use string like in the photo (4mm/ 1/8")
More macramé knots you find here:

http://knopen.ismijnhobby.nl/frames/homepage_frame_eng.html