Washington, U.S.A.  – You don’t have to be outdoors to have a fun summer. In fact, some of the most gratifying and enriching activities might happen within the four walls of one of our country’s 123,000 public libraries.

It’s easy to see why. Libraries offer an easy, accessible and low cost way to read books and magazines, watch videos and learn about new worlds in several languages, and enjoy a wide range of cultural events such as concerts and art exhibitions.

To receive all the benefits of a public library, you need a library card, which you can get for free at your local branch. So if you’re thinking of what to do this summer, consider these four reasons why you should visit a public library. You might be surprised!

1) Digital books. Libraries have adapted to changes in technology, and today many offer e-books which you can borrow for a certain time free of charge. You can check out e-books the same way as you do regular books, except you need an electronic device (e-reader). Some libraries even lend out e-book readers—check with your local library to see if an electronic reader is available for use. Besides print and digital books, you can also download audio books, music and videos at some libraries. Since many libraries have their own websites, you can access many of their services online from the comfort of your home.

2) Information in many languages. Generally speaking, public libraries have books in several languages. Be sure to check out the vast collections of books, magazines and music in languages other than English for adults and children. Some libraries even offer language classes or tutors for students which is especially useful for those who plan to attend summer school. You can also find books and CDs to improve English speaking and writing skills. Who would’ve thought that libraries could be a great place to learn another language!

3) Programs and events for the whole family. You don’t have to read a book to experience art and culture at your library. Many public libraries sponsor and organize different types of programs and cultural events, such as concerts, and photography and film exhibitions. Lots of libraries offer special summer programs for people of all ages, including computer classes, storytelling for children, fun and educational games, as well has reading activities, and more.

4) Specialized resources. For many people, the Internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Public libraries often have a computer room for people who do not have computers or Internet access at home –  or for those who just want to browse the web in a relaxed atmosphere where they can concentrate. Libraries also have highly skilled professionals that can help you find what you’re looking for or recommend books and resources for practically anything—including the answer to the question “how long does summer last?”

The article Don’t Waste Your Time, This Summer Visit Your Local Library appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S.A-Though hurricane season officially began June 1, activity in the tropics heated up ahead of schedule this year with Tropical Storm Alberta forming off South Carolina in late May, followed by Tropical Storm Beryl, which was the strongest pre-season storm to make landfall in history when it came ashore in Jacksonville, FL. With this early tropical activity in mind, Travel Guard is urging travelers to prepare for upcoming vacations by considering travel insurance options.

No matter if travelers are taking advantage of off-season deals in Florida and the Caribbean or heading to destinations outside of the hurricane belt, their plans can be drastically affected by delays and cancellations that can affect airports far from the coasts should a storm arise. Several tips can help to avoid these problems.

Safeguard your trip investment: In the event of a covered hurricane or other unforeseen severe weather, travel insurance may provide benefits under trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. If a trip is cancelled for a covered reason, travel insurance may refund the prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable trip costs up to the limit of coverage.

Purchase in advance: Insurance must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to a hurricane being named in order for trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage to cover losses due to the hurricane. Once a hurricane watch or warning is in effect, it’s too late. To avoid a last-minute scramble, travelers should purchase insurance at the same time they book their travel plans.

Monitor status of airports, accommodations and driving routes: If a storm directly affects travel arrangements or accommodations, insureds may benefit from trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage. A few examples: an airport is closed due to the high winds; mandatory evacuations are enforced at a policyholder’s hotel/resort; roads are impassable due to high water and alternate modes of transportation are not possible. If a resort, hotel or vacation home is damaged and cannot be used, or if comparable accommodations cannot be provided, non-refundable costs could be covered.

Be aware of the difference between what has happened and what “might” happen: Inclement weather must directly affect travel arrangements for travel insurance to cover the loss. Base travel insurance plans never cover losses incurred by a cancellation based upon what “might” happen because of a storm. For example, if a policy holder chooses not to take a flight because of concern about a hurricane, and that flight still operates on schedule, the cost of the flight will not be a covered loss.

Prepare for delays: If the airport from which flights are scheduled to depart is closed due to a hurricane or other weather event, travel insurance may cover the expenses incurred because of the delay. Additionally, reasonable accommodations and travel expenses may be covered until travel becomes possible. It’s important to understand that Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans do not cover cancellations solely made by the traveler’s choice not to go because of possible delays, unless a plan including “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage has been purchased.

“With the many unanticipated situations that can arise during hurricane season, our best advice to travelers is to be prepared,” said Carol Mueller, Vice President, Travel Guard North America. “Travel Guard travel insurance plans average 5-7 percent of the total trip cost, meaning an affordable cost can provide travelers with confidence throughout hurricane season.”

Hurricane season runs through November 30, 2012. To keep track of the latest hurricane-related news, visit the National Weather Services’ National Hurricane Center.

The article Travelers Advised to be Prepared for Hurricane Season appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

San Francisco, U.S.A – When game maker Doug Arduini received a cease and desist order from the largest board game company in the country, he agreed to stop selling his award-winning game, change the name and start all over. However, with no cash flow, he turned to crowd funding to save the day.

His inspiring story has a lesson worth learning for all entrepreneurs who find themselves in a cash flow crunch.

“I had orders for my game in hand from our distributor and the best way I could think of to meet new orders was to change the name of our game, and redesign the artwork to fit the new name,” said a hopeful Arduini. “Because I had already spent $130,000 of my own money dealing with the legal issues on our previous game’s name, I was not sure where to turn. Then a colleague told me about Kickstarter.com and I knew I’d found the answer to my prayers,” said Arduini excitedly.

Arduini thinks big. He is an electronic engineer with a passion for writing and developing games that turn serious learning into fun. He sees a need and fills it and began his quest with a solid purpose to turn important things people need to know into fun and create games with a social purpose.

His original game was called Non-Trivial Quest. Now it is called Non-Trivia Quest. It helps kids and adults learn things like history, geography, finance and math. The concept is noble — as kids grow up into adulthood, they need to know these things to be well-rounded, good communicators and to fit into society. The game is not a test, but an education and experience. It is intended to open up discussions, be interesting, and improve memory and develop awareness.

“I started working on Non-Trivial Quest in the summer of 1987. After I took early retirement from Cisco Systems, I thought I could finish the game in three months, but quickly discovered it would take me several more years. I finally introduced the game in March, 2011.”

Arduini’s first lesson for entrepreneurs is that things take longer than you think, but you can always go from hopeless to hopeful.

“If you run into cash-flow problems as we did, this economy makes it tougher to find funding. However, a brilliant site like Kickstarter.com really changes the name of the game for entrepreneurs,” said Arduini.

The article Crowd Funding is the Name of the Game appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Teenage rhinoplasty is by far the most common plastic surgery procedure performed on young patients around the world. Some people argue that teenagers are too young for such procedures. Nevertheless, there are many health-related reasons for teenage rhinoplasty, and even a purely cosmetic approach can do wonders for self-esteem.

So long as there is a good support system, and the teenage patient is psychologically stable and mature, with a solid understanding of the risks and benefits, then teenage rhinoplasty can be very rewarding.

Dr. Ashkan Ghavami states, “Teenage rhinoplasty is actually one of my favorite procedures. I love seeing the smile on a young person’s face from something I was able to provide for them, as they go on to live the rest of their lives and conquer their dreams!”

Dr. Ghavami has been offering rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills for many years, including ethnic rhinoplasty (as both primary and revision rhinoplasty). While he doesn’t believe that teenage rhinoplasty should serve as a replacement for the development of lifelong skills for building self esteem, he recognizes that young people can face criticism and abuse or bullying for their appearance.

Damage to a young person’s self-esteem can haunt them for the rest of their lives. Dr. Ghavami emphasizes the importance of identifying the motivations of a prospective patient before rushing to judgment or formulating the plan. In many cases, the decision about whether or not to proceed with teenage rhinoplasty can sometimes be made in collaboration with a therapist, if any doubts exist on the maturity level.

It is important for the young patient to have support from his or her family. It is also essential for young people to have realistic expectations about results, to understand the risks involved, and to not make an impulsive decision. Dr. Ghavami adds, “I often see teenage patients that are more well-informed and knowledgeable about the risks and benefits than their parents, thanks perhaps to the Internet.”

From a medical perspective, rhinoplasty can actually heal much easier if it is done at a younger age. A teenager’s skin is stronger and more elastic than an adult’s, and will accept the alterations to the nose more readily. The average age for which Dr. Ghavami performs teenage rhinoplasty is between 16 and 17.

It is often advantageous to return after a summer in high school and start senior year or the first year of college with the rhinoplasty out of the way, so the nose is no longer a concern. “Many of these patients are young and beautiful, but the nose is just way out of proportion and it detracts from the rest of their features,” says Dr. Ghavami. When the nose is in balance, the rest of facial beauty can shine.

The article Plastic Surgeon: In Support of Teenage Rhinoplasty appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

This summer’s transfer window was one for the record books, with the Barclay’s Premier League teams spending close to €500 million in the past three months. All in all, every team has made dramatic changes to the club with several additions. Out of all the transfers this summer, we counted down the top ten significant transfers that will make or break teams this season:

10)       Gervinho (Lille OSC to Arsenal)

A native to the Ivory Coast, Gervinho got noticed from Premier side Arsenal after his past team, French Ligue One team Lille OSC, won the League Cup and the Coupe de France in the 2010-2011 season.

Although the start to the season has not gone the way Arsenal have wanted it, with Gervinho getting suspended for three games after getting into a fight with Johnny Barton in his debut in the English Premier League, Arsene Wenger hopes that the Ivorian national will be able to help fill the boots of the recently transferred Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

9)         Mikel Arteta (Everton to Arsenal)

Having his best season with Everton scoring nine goals in 35 matches during the 2006-2007 season, Mikel Arteta suffered from injuries that kept him out of several matches up until he was traded to Arsenal this summer. Although he is injury prone, Arteta is a strong midfielder who could help Arsenal fill in the gaps that Fabregas and Nasri left when they transferred.

8)         Raul Meireles (Liverpool to Chelsea)

Noticing that many of Liverpool’s new signings during the summer would give him a lesser chance in the starting eleven, Raul Meireles asked to be put on the transfer block and was picked up by Chelsea. Scoring 5 goals in 6 games during the 2010-2011 season, Meireles showed signs of creating chances in the midfield that will be helpful in Chelsea’s attempts to win the league this season.

7)         Stuart Downing (Aston Villa to Liverpool)

Although Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish said that Stuart Downing would not be traded this past transfer window, an agreement was made between Villa and Liverpool for the English midfielder.

The signing of Downing helps fill in the role of the injured Steven Gerrard, which left a big gap in the Liverpool midfield. However, the signing of Downing along with other young and talented midfielders makes Liverpool a contender for the championship this year.

6)         David De Gea (Atletico Madrid to Manchester United)

De Gea arrived in the Premier League with a difficult objective to achieve: to fill in as goalkeeper for the recently retired Edwin van der Sar. Arriving from the Spanish league side Athletico Madrid, De Gea has shown signs that he will be able to fit the role quite well in Manchester United’s win against Manchester City in the Community Shield, his first competitive match in the English Premier League.

Making some key saves as Manchester United rallied to win the charity competition 3-2, De Gea proved that he is more than capable to fill a spot that could have been the weakest link in the championship team.

5)         Charlie Adam (Blackpool to Liverpool)

The Scotland-born Charlie Adam was transferred to Liverpool along with Stuart Downing and Jordan Henderson to help provide midfield support in the absence of Steven Gerrard. With 29 goals in two seasons with Blackpool, Adam will be a major threat in the attacking area and will be a great addition to support Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll from the outside or center midfield.

4)         Juan Mata (Valencia to Chelsea)

For a big €23.5 million transfer fee, Juan Mata moved from the Spanish club Valencia to the Premier League club Chelsea. Mata, who scored 33 goals in four seasons with Valencia, will likely be trained as the newcomer for when Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard decides to retire.

Even though Lampard has a couple seasons left in him, Mata can definitely handle the pressure of taking up the reins when Lampard leaves.

3)         Ashley Young (Aston Villa to Manchester United)

The transfer of Ashley Young from Aston Villa to Manchester United was one of the biggest for the small club at the beginning of the transfer window. With a very successful career at Villa, playing four seasons and scoring 30 goals, Young also got recognized and given a spot on the England national team.

Now that Young is paired up with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Young will be more than helpful towards winning another title for his new club.

2)         Samir Nasri (Arsenal to Manchester City)

The drama between Samir Nasri and Arsenal during the summer, along with the transfer of Cesc Fabregas, was one of the most talked about subject when it came to the end of the transfer window. Whether or not Nasri was going to be leaving Arsenal was never clear, since Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did not want to lose two of his best players in the same transfer window.

However, Nasri left for Manchester City, where he has already begun to show prowess in helping get Manchester City back to the top of the league again.

1)         Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid to Manchester City)

Manchester City came into the summer transfer window looking to buy anything that it takes to get them a league title. However, just by purchasing Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid gives them a very strong chance of achieving that.

Aguero scored 74 goals in 174 matches with his old Spanish club, and has already scored three goals in the last three Premier league matches he has played with Manchester City. Pairing Aguero up with Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri will mean that Manchester City will be putting on quite a show in the attacking field.

AHMAD FAIZAL YAHYA / Shutterstock.com

The article EPL Transfers: A Look at the Top Ten Transfers of the Summer appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Can ice cream – a simple sweet treat – be the cause of violent crimes?

For two variables to be correlated, there needs to be a relationship—a third factor must be available to explain the relationship of the two variables.

In this case, the third factor explaining the relationship between ice cream sales and violent crime rates is weather. When the temperatures are warm and it is sunny, there are greater social interactions because more people are out enjoying the sun.

During the summer months, as the temperatures gets higher and the humidity increases, one of the best ways to cool off is to eat ice cream. In fact, in 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as well as the third Sunday of that month as the National Ice Cream Month.

As a brief overview of how popular ice cream truly is, about 1.52 billion gallons of ice cream, including both hard and soft-serve, was produced in 2009, a decrease of 1.2 percent over 2008. It also represents approximately 26.2 percent of the entire frozen dairy product market.

Due to the high percentage of social interaction during warmer months, violent crime also increases, with the highest rates occurring during heat waves, which could suggest that heat promotes aggression.

Recently, strings of break-ins and robbery of air conditioners have occurred along the country. When installing ACs, some people forget to bolt them into the window panes, making stealing them much easier.

The article Are Violent Crimes a Result of Ice Cream Sales? appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Many people have chosen to stay indoors this summer, in fear of heat exhaustion, sunburn, and many other consequences that result from such skyrocketing temperatures.

Most summers are usually filled with summer barbecues, long days at the pool, and outdoor sports, however  people are unusually optimistic about the end of summer this year in hopes that it will also bring an end to record breaking temperatures.

The South and East have been hit particularly hard with temperatures being about two degrees higher than usual for the 20th century, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some states which have experienced average temperatures even higher than that include Maryland, Virginia, and Arkansas.

Unfortunately, many people (of all ages) have suffered fatalities due to the overwhelming heat and lack of awareness.

Within the past two weeks, three high-school football players and a football coach have died due to heat illness. Young athletes are specifically at risk during this time when most teams are beginning pre-season practices, which usually include tough conditioning.

Health experts, specifically the American Academy of Pediatrics, are urging parents to take extra precautions while outdoors. The AAP also explained that these heat-related illnesses could be prevented by simple preparation and monitoring.

New evidence from the University of South Dakota shows that “most strategies to reduce heat-related illness in adults apply to children as well.” While poor hydration is the most prominent cause of these illnesses and fatalities, additional determinants can include “undue physical extortion, and even inappropriately wearing clothing, uniforms, and protective equipment that play a role in excessive heat retention.”

A policy statement from the AAP includes 11 recommendations to stay safe during this summer heat which include:

• Graduated exposure to physical activity in the heat to ensure appropriate and progressive acclimatization
• Ready access to appropriate fluids and consumption at regular intervals before, during, and after activities
• Modification of physical activity in response to environmental heat stress (air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation)
• Allow for adequate rest and recovery (two hours or more between same-day contests or activities)
• Cancel or reschedule activities, if necessary, during high-risk environmental conditions

Along with the recommendations, the policy statement includes symptoms of different heat illnesses, and a table that according to ABC News, “summarizes risk factors for heat-related illness in children.”

Jason Karp, exercise physiologist and running coach, tells ABC News that the weather should not keep anyone from exercising and spending time outside. He also has some tips including weighing yourself before and after your workouts to see how much water is lost, adding that “one pound of weight difference means you lost about 16 ounces of water.”

Dr. William P. Bozeman, an associate professor of emergency medicine and the emergency services director at Wake Forest University explains that after recognizing a heat-induced illness the most important steps are calling 911, moving into the shade, applying ice to areas such as the neck or armpits (where blood vessels are close to the surface), and removing any heavy clothing.

The article How to Stay Safe With the Overwhelming Heat appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Have you ever heard non-baseballs fan talk about baseball? Well the general consensus among the cow-hide hating public is that the sport is just well, boring. I love baseball, but unfortunately after watching the 82^nd MLB All-Star game, the baseball hate club might be right after all.

The All-Star game has been a staple of every summer I’ve had growing up. I couldn’t wait for mid July to watch the Homerun Derby and All Star game in consecutive nights and discuss how “sweet” it was with all the kids at camp. Now, I pity those little campers.  What will they be talking about at camp tomorrow? I personally couldn’t help but watch a little Family Guy on my computer while the game was going through its mid inning dullness. It was just boring to watch; my eyes were in pain. I wanted to see homeruns, web gems, some late inning drama; not Washington Nationals Pitcher Tyler Clippard. Wait, who? …Exactly.

The game was played at beautiful Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. I mention this because the highlight for my viewing party was the awesome pool behind the right field fence with its scantily clad party goers. The starters for the game were Philadelphia Phillie, Roy Halladay for the National League vs. Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the American League.

I’ll chalk that one up for one of the few right things the MLB did right with this game as both are top pitchers in their respected leagues. Sad though that the AL did not have much of a choice since a large amount of its aces were unable to play in the game, but that’s a different story.

Now, to the lack luster game itself. The first inning breezed by with both pitchers making minced meat of their competition. Hey, it’s a pitchers league now right? Of course, both Halladay and Weaver were out of the game by the second inning proving once again the poor coaching tactics in the All Star game.

In the second inning, Sox nation all held its breath at once when Josh Beckett was scratched from the game with a sore knee. At this point I was still very much into the game as the pre-game hype really got to me. It was when old time announcer Tim McCarver compared Yankees reliever David Robertson to Mariano Rivera when I lost all hope for the mid-summer classic. Yes, it got worse from there.

Nothing great happens until the fourth inning when the Boston Red Sox, Adrian Gonzalez continues his amazing season and bombs a solo shot to right center field giving the American league a 1-0 lead. This was only the first hit for the American League, and the first time I looked up at the TV since McCarver’s off based comments.

Then in the fifth inning, AL manager, Ron Washington brings in his prized Ranger pitcher in C.J. Wilson to show why he was originally picked over Sabathia for a spot on the All-Star squad. Wilson goes on to give up a three-run homerun to Prince Fielder and Washington bows his head in disgust. Wilson would go on to lose the game and folks that pretty much wrapped up the 82^nd MLB All-Star game.

The American League would later go on to give up two more runs in the most non-dramatic sporting event of all time. At least the game doesn’t mean anything like in every other sport right? Oh wait, this is awkward. Well the American League really blew this one and the National League pitching staff looked like a bunch of Cy Young’s.

It was great to see young aces like Jair Jurrjens and Clayton Kershaw show their electrifying stuff because I know I’ll probably never see them pitch again unless it’s on a “SportsCenter” Highlight.

The All-Star game finished 5-1 in favor of the National League.  It will probably be remembered for being the most unmemorable All-Star game of all time; if that makes any sense. Usually, I like my All-Star games filled with stars. I wanted to see Jeter, Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, Albert Pujols, not Tyler Clippard (Two Tyler Clippard mentions in one article? Must’ve been a poor game). Personally, I would have rather this game meant nothing and witnessed another tie again like in 2002 to add a little controversy.

Any press is good press right? Baseball is just too slow for our high speed world and I don’t know if it can catch up. I’m still not sure I will be able to recuperate in time for the 83^rd game next summer.  Chalk the All-Star game up with the irrelevancy of the Pro Bowl and NBA All-Stars; sure looks like its heading that way.

Richard Paul Kane / Shutterstock.com

The article 2011 MLB All-Star Game: Pitifully Boring? appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Evan Rachel Wood has been added to the list of women who sport the short hair do.

Wood plays Sophie-Anne, the vampire queen of Louisiana, who is a 500-year-old vampire from France. Sophie-Anne is a charismatic, sly, merciless and very clever character; in the hit series, “True Blood”

The 23-year-old actress chopped her hair off and debuted her new look for the season premiere of, “True Blood.” She showed up sporting a modern blonde pixie cut with a tailored suit, with an elegant gray vest and form-fitting pants accompanied by red suspenders.

Wood is no stranger to changing up her style. She has changed her hair color before, leaving her blonde locks behind to transform into a dark ginger.

Last summer Wood, had an on and off again relationship with rocker Marilyn Manson.

Wood also recently revealed she has no preference between dating men and women and came out as bisexual during an interview with Esquire Magazine.

“But I don’t even have rules about dating guys or girls. I’m open. I’ve always been attracted to both sexes. I’m attracted to people’s confidence, rather than what sex they are – the way they carry themselves and their personalities.” She told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Wood has worked on several movies, including The Conspirator, which was released in 2011.

cinemafestival / Shutterstock.com

The article Evan Rachel Wood Follows Recent Pixie Trend appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Last summer, I visited Hawai’i for the first time and stayed on Oahu for five weeks. I immediately felt the humidity when I stepped off the airplane at my arrival late at night. It really was the perfect weather. I did not visit the island for vacation but instead participated in a university program.

I had a great introduction to the island when my professor took my classmates and me to a buffet in Waikiki, right on the beach. I stepped out and let the warm water rush up to my legs. I had never experienced an ocean with just the right temperature and transparent blue water, making it almost look like a swimming pool. But I wasn’t at the beach for the majority of my stay in Hawai’i. I was more on field trips and volunteered at a Native Hawaiian charter school, as part of my program’s requirement.

The dormitory was not located right by the ocean, but at Manoa, where it was much more green and full of trees. Many bug bites covered my legs and arms, and I danced around too many cockroaches at night when I walked on the streets. There were more cockroaches in the valley rather than within the city. I didn’t expect that either.

I was full of thrill and curiosity. My to-do list was set up. I wanted to try different foods, go to a luau, scuba dive and snorkel, learn how to hula dance and create leis, etc. I thought that’s how I would have been “cultured”. I was very wrong.

At the time, my professor was teaching us about Native Hawai’ian culture and the effects of tourism: good for American economy but not good for the natives. I learned that the Hawaiian kingdom was forced into giving its land to the United States, yet the majority of Americans may believe that it was a nation that wanted to be “saved” and protected by other countries.

Nowadays, only a certain amount of Hawaiians reach higher education, and being on a sports scholarship was usually the student’s ticket to college. Not only that but the homeless, or “houseless,” population there is quite large, which includes families.

The fewer typical activities I did when visiting the tropical island, the more I actually felt part of Hawai’i. As part of my studies, I had to do some on-site research. Instead of learning how to hula or create leis, I learned how to make poi the traditional way from a Hawaiian history teacher. It was delicious! He picked out the taro from the school’s garden and we cleaned it. Afterwards, he demonstrated how to mash taro with big stones almost shaped like a pushpin and used a long wooden board to press and mold the poi. He wrapped the food in banana leaves when we finished.

When it comes to learning more about the differences between people in Hawai’i, I learned three new connotations for local, Hawaiin, and mainland. People who are born in Hawai’i aren’t necessarily Hawaiians. They are locals. Hawaiians are the actual natives or with native blood. Mainland visitors are from mainland United States, and people could easily tell by the way you speak even if you look like one of the locals.

I’ve asked locals of their thoughts on mainland visitors, and some told me that they can be “superficial,” “uptight,” and “snobby”. (Those stereotypes were negative, but I wasn’t too surprised because how the media probably portrays America—it’s usually about the city life and its drama.) One person told me that he was afraid to visit Los Angeles because of its crime rates too.

But I did have other chances to do some “touristy” things. When it came to food, I ate spam musubi, loco moco, and flavored shaved ice (yet all can be eaten found in Los Angeles). I went kayaking for the first time and also jumped off a cliff into the clear blue sea at Waimea Bay, located on the North Shore of Hawai’i. That was probably the most thrilling and painful experience I did there.

Many others were diving, tumbling, and jumping too. I climbed on top of the rock. I jumped in a wrong position during the first time, keeping my arms out as if they were wings. In the next two jumps, I did the pencil drop.

Upon leaving, I wish I had crossed out more on my to-do list, but I did appreciate learning some of the island’s culture and the history of its people. If you’re traveling the world to learn about culture, it’s better to also include the other side of story—from the locals and natives, not just by what you read in the news or books.

The article Visiting Hawaii with Different Expectations appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The weatherman may be forecasting a blazing summer, but we’ll be keeping it cool this August at the 11th Annual Summer Meltdown Festival. Attendees from around the country flock to the Cascade foothills of Darrington, Washington (75 miles northeast of Seattle) to camp, dance, and have fun in the sun. At the Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater, an eclectic and varying mix of West Coast talent keeps the party going non-stop at this multi-day festival.

The event is hosted by Terra Roots, a non-profit that supports social connections and sustainability through art, and the Seattle band Flowmotion.

Artists this year include a wide array of bands and dj’s, from Juno What?! to SambaDa to DJ Logic and many more. Genres include Electro Funk, Rock, Reggae, Punk, Folk, Blues… I couldn’t list them all. Looks like we’ll have a great crowd this year, the melting pot of cultures and sounds the West Coast is known for.

Tickets are on sale now for the August 12-14 event, priced at $155 for a weekend pass (Thursday through Sunday). If you can’t make it to a local outlet, tickets can be purchased online for a small transaction fee. Compared to the well-known California fixture Coachella Music Festival, which boasts weekend tickets around $300 dollars (not to mention the exorbitant scalper prices when tickets sell out), this 4 day pass is a steal. Doors open at 5 pm on Thursday and 10 am the rest of the weekend, ensuring several long days of hot, family-friendly fun. Don’t forget the sunblock!

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/1yen/

The article Summer Meltdown Festival Keeps It Hot Near Seattle appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Yes, we all know this: right now is the best time of the year. For many of us in the northern hemisphere, the flowers are blooming as we’re taking out shorts and tank tops from the back of our closet after a long cold winter. The Caribbean’s, especially, are known to be a winter escape, packed with tourists from North America and Europe during the months of December through February. For many places along the Equator, it’s currently a storm season- making it difficult for water sports, and more importantly, possible delayed or canceled flights.

These islands on the list below come alive in summer, when events and major festivals sprung up while restaurants and cafes are bringing out chair and tables for outdoor seating. The weather just couldn’t be better.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Being the largest island off the west coast of North America, Vancouver Island is composed of many different ecosystems making it one of the best places for outdoor activities. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, for instance, allows you to explore the incredible wilderness.  Central Island area allows visitors to enjoy water activities and fishing, since this region is primarily made up of sandy beaches, ocean, and lakes. If you’re more interested in the local gourmet scene, then head to the Cowichan Valley, where there are plenty of wineries, farmer markets, and fresh seafood docks. More of a city vibe fan? No problem, Victoria, a city located in the South Island, has all the things you’re looking for.

Iceland, Europe

Iceland, considered to be Europe’s largest national park, is indeed a great destination for both summer and winter. Moreover, it is an ideal place for photographers, painters, or those who are interested in a beautiful, unspoiled landscape. You won’t find much development in Iceland, comparing to major European cities, yet it has enough metropolitan city atmosphere for a comfortable and convenient stay as there are plenty of restaurants, hotels, bars, and attractions. Once in Iceland, try not to miss its famous thermal swimming pools or spas. Activities such as glacier trekking, whale watching, midnight golfing, and salmon fishing are also easily reached from Iceland’s capitol, Reykjavik.

Hong Kong, China

What could have been a better time to visit Hong Kong if not summer, when the goods go on sale and events are popping up everywhere. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is one of the most anticipated annual festivals in the city. It’s a three day competition during mid-June in which each team races their dragon boat. Here, spectators can enjoy a party scene, where cold beverages and tasty snacks are served. Not your thing? Other hot events are Summer Pop Live in Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong Beerfest, and Hong Kong Restaurant Week. Most people I know, even myself, tend to go to Hong Kong for unbeatable shopping deals and mouthwatering Hong Kong style dishes. Don’t miss out on a bowl of roasted duck noodle soup or Hong Kong style congee. “It’s certainly the type of place you go for good food and shopping, and not so much about nature and outdoor activities.”

Bora Bora, South Pacific

First island on this list that has the kind of sand and sea most of us would look for, transparent blue ocean and white sand beach. Why visit Bora Bora in summer? Well, since the island is in the southern hemisphere, our summer is their winter when the weather is at its best: less rain, lower humidity, and not crazy hot. Though never have been there myself, a friend of mine who visited this incredible place told me “No doubt, it’s beautiful. It’s a place for a complete relaxation, but it comes at a price. We stayed at a hotel where our bungalow is built over the water. Couldn’t have asked for a better honeymoon location” Here, visitors can enjoy endless water activities (snorkeling, diving, canoeing, jet skiing – really, you name it) or, you can explore the island on foot. If you’re a little bit more adventurous, don’t miss out on the shark and ray feeding excursion, which was said to be the most popular activity in the island.

The article Summer Islands, Ready for a Vacation? appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.