Five of History’s Most Inspiring Figures

What is The Electoral College?

You likely know that the Electoral College has something to do with electing the President and Vice President but you may not fully grasp its role in that process. With the presidential election coming up, it’s useful to keep in mind that the popular vote is only part of what will elect our leaders. Read on to learn more:

The Role of the EC
The Electoral College is a group of citizens selected by the people to cast votes for President and Vice President. Though Americans vote for these leaders through indirect popular election, their votes count toward a group of electors who pledge to vote when the Electoral College meets.

Why the EC was Formed
The Electoral College was formed in the 1800’s as a method of ensuring that small states could have a voice equal to that of bigger states. Its founders felt that without the Electoral College, all the political power would rest with bigger states.

Additional Benefits of the EC
Supporters of the Electoral College emphasize its role in filtering votes to offer reasonable solutions in cases of regional antagonism and providing politicians with a framework for organizing their campaigns. 

Some Cons of the EC
Some people argue that the Electoral College is flawed because it leaves open the possibility that the popular vote winner might lose. Another objection is that the time-delay caused by the EC’s process, which was beneficial when the system was founded, is no longer needed in today’s rapid-communication world.

The Venice Of America: Visiting Fort Lauderdale

One of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in Florida, a trip to Fort Lauderdale can provide excitement for just about any traveler. If you’ve always wanted to make a trip down, here are some suggestions for can’t-miss activities.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system. These man-made waterways open a large portion of the city up to boating, and water activities are one of the biggest reasons to visit. Fort Lauderdale is one of the major yachting cities in America, and on any given day you can see impressive pleasure boats skimming through the waters. A number of charter services provide boats to fit just about every budget as well.

Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale is a chaotic event – every year, hundreds of thousands of college students flock to the beaches to party. It can be kind of intense if you’re not in that age group, but for young people this is a can’t-miss time. A crackdown on purveyors of alcohol has brought things more under control in recent years.

Visitors to the town flock to the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, where a number of must-see museums and concert halls have located. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts attracts local and national acts, and many hip clubs call the area home.

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a short drive to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park will clear your mind – this 180-acre park features camping, nature trails, and more.

Fashion Faux Pas: What Not To Wear To A Job Interview

In many ways, what you say at a job interview is only a small part of what prospective employers will be evaluating. Dressing appropriately is a big part of that all-important first impression, and many people don’t know the right way to dress for an interview. Here are some wardrobe mistakes you should avoid:

• Tattoos and piercings should generally be covered up if at all possible. In general, even though both are accepted in today’s society, the workplace is no place for extreme body art. Once you’re hired, you can look into the company’s policy.
• It’s best to avoid wearing perfume or cologne to a job interview. Shower or bathe before the interview and use an odorless deodorant. People react to fragrances differently, and you don’t want to trigger an allergy in your interviewer.
• Business-appropriate footwear is one of the biggest interview mistakes people make. Don’t think that your interviewer won’t be looking at your feet. Simple, classic business shoes are the only appropriate choice.
• Finally, avoid trendy clothes at a job interview. Business attire is basically timeless, so opting for a more conservative choice that isn’t beholden to the latest fashions will be a better investment.

Dress To Impress: What To Wear For A Job Interview

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes, and one of the most important first impressions you can make is at a job interview. While you will be judged on a number of factors, you can’t underestimate the message your clothes can send. Here are some vital tips for what to wear to a job interview:

• Men should always wear a suit to a job interview for any white-collar position. Even if the workplace is somewhat casual, showing up for an interview in a suit communicates that you are serious about the opportunity and want to present a solid, conservative appearance. A neutral tie is also important. Many interviewees neglect their footwear, but it’s an important part of the package. Black or brown dress shoes are inexpensive and will last for some time.
• Women should also interview in a conservative business ensemble. Either a shirt or slacks are acceptable, depending on which you are more comfortable with. Skirts should be long enough to sit down comfortably. Keep your footwear comfortable and professional as well. Keep jewelry to a minimum – avoid pieces that dangle or clatter together.
• For both sexes, it’s important to check up on grooming. Men should shave for a job interview unless they have well-groomed facial hair. Women should go light on makeup. Both sexes should abstain from perfume and cologne.

Paper Screen: Comparing E-Readers

The era of the printed book may be coming to a close, as e-readers are becoming convenient, affordable, and replete with features. But with so many different models on the market, how can you decide which one is right for you? This article will run down the major players in the e-reader space to help you make an informed consumer decision.

The Kindle is Amazon’s entry into the e-reader marketplace. After a rough start – the first models were heavy and difficult to use – the Kindle has evolved into one of the leading devices on the market. The primary attraction is the simple connection to Amazon’s massive library of e-books. A recent discount program has dropped prices on many popular titles as well. The new Kindle Fire adds a full-color screen and access to movies, music, and more.

The Nook is Barnes & Noble’s competing e-reader. Unlike the Kindle, the Nook Color has always had a color screen and more robust functionality – running a modified version of the Android operating system, the Nook Color is essentially a tablet computer. It has access to the Barnes & Noble library, which is nearly as large as Amazon’s, as well as some extended functionality that the standard Kindle does not have.

The Kobo is an inexpensive alternative to the Nook and Kindle – produced by a Canadian company, it lacks the automatic linkups to the big retailers, but makes up for it in a wide variety of filetype support and a much lower price. A new model, the Kobo Vox, is set to debut later this year with audio and video support.

Culinary Classics: 5 Great Cookbooks

There are literally a million cookbooks out there for every diet, cuisine and taste. Sifting through them can be very intimidating.  Here are 5 classics that every cook should own:

The Joy of Cooking –There is a reason The Joy of Cooking is one of the best-selling cookbooks of all time. In addition to recipes, The Joy of Cooking has extensive entries on cooking techniques for various meats and vegetables, and is an invaluable resource for anyone from novice to expert cooks.

Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Kitchen – This oversized tome is a must for anyone interested in the spicy, smoky flavors of Cajun cooking. With this great primer of recipes designed for the home cook, Prudhomme popularized Cajun cuisine throughout the United States.

The Moosewood Cookbook – For over 30 years, vegetarians have turned to The Moosewood Cookbook and its many sequels for inspiration. Folks of all dietary stripes will enjoy a host of wholesome and inventive ways to feature vegetables in your cooking.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking – For Americans, Julia Child is THE introduction to classic French culinary techniques. The recipes are delicious and indulgent, and cooking a few of them is like taking a French cooking class.

Maida Heatter’s Book of Great Desserts – You’ll always want to save room for dessert once you’ve learned the recipes and techniques in this indispensible book. Heatter dishes out wisdom with every recipe, including her to-die-for brownies.

Warm the Hearth: Five Fall Comfort Foods

With the weather getting a little cooler, the time is right to sit inside and enjoy some classic comfort foods. One great thing about the season is that a wide variety of harvest produce is available to make good food. Here are some comfort classics that never fail to satisfy.

-        Meatloaf is in many ways the quintessential comfort food. Autumn evenings are a great time to bring one of these out of the oven. Spice it up by using a mixture of ground beef, lamb, and pork to give it texture and new depth of flavor. If you really want to get fancy, try making your own ketchup.

-        The squash harvest is just beginning as the leaves fall, and one of the best things to do with squashes is to roast them. Cut an acorn squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and brush the sides with olive oil. Salt and pepper it and place in the oven until it’s fork-tender.

-        Scalloped potatoes are also a great way to use the bounty of spuds that come out of the ground about now. Thinly-sliced and delicious, these casserole-baked potatoes are an incredible mixture of creamy and crispy.

-        Chicken soup is one of the all-time classic comfort foods. Make your own stock by roasting chicken bones in the oven before boiling with carrots, onions and celery. From there, add dumplings, meatballs, noodles, or whatever you like.

-        Another great use of fall foods is to make pumpkin ravioli. The smooth and creamy flavor of the squash goes great with walnuts and goat cheese. Boil, toss in a simple butter sauce, and enjoy!

Fall Happenings in Delaware!

Looking for some fun things to do this fall? Then you might want to consider these Delaware events. From fun and artistic celebrations to great outdoor excursions, there’s plenty for you to enjoy. Here’s a sample:

The Delaware Wind & Ale Trail – The trail is a unique collection of thirteen locations that educate about the creation and production of their wines and brews. It offers several great tour and tasting experiences.

Bridgeville Apple Scrapple Festival – On October 15th and 16th Bridgeville celebrates a great combo of scrapple and apples. This 20 year tradition features street dances, carnivals, car shows, live entertainment, and more.

Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler’s Festival –On October 28th through 30th Rehoboth Beach will be filled with the sights and sounds of its annual Sea Witch Halloween extravaganza. From the exciting Sea Witch Parade and costume contest to a 5k Run, the Sea Witch Skim Fest, Pirate’s Coast Haunted House, and more, it’s the ultimate beach-side Halloween destination.

Halloween Haunts – For classic Halloween thrills visit Frightland, Nightmare’s Haunted House, and All Hollow’s Revenge. There’s also plenty of documented locations that may be haunted!

World Championship Punkin Chunkin – Since 1986 people gathered at Nassau to find out how far someone was able to launch a Pumpkin into the sky with a machine. Now the event has over 20,000 attendees and is featured on the Science Channel. And on November 4th through 6th, contestants will meet to crown a new champion!

What is Google+?

Chances are you’re familiar with the brilliance and convenience of Google, the most popular search engine on the World Wide Web. Now Google has announced another exciting innovation: Google+, a social networking site likely to give Facebook a run for its money. Read on to learn more about Google+ and the many benefits it can offer you:

1. “Circles” – a feature that groups your friends together

With Google Circles, you’ll be able to group your contacts by category; for example, friends, family, colleagues, college buddies, etc. The brainiacs at Google created this feature as a counterbalance to the way that most existing social networking sites lump your contacts together.

2. “Sparks” – a feature that lets you select and highlight your interests

Whhen you select certain areas, hobbies, or interests that are of particular appeal to you, Google+ Sparks will deliver related content from across the internet. It's an excellent way to make discoveries about topics that pique your curiosity!

3. “Hangouts” – a feature that brings friends together

Google+ Hangouts aims to bring groups of friends together by combining casual meet-ups with live multi-person video, designed to let you “hang out” with your buds even when you’re all in different places.

4. “Huddle” – a feature that lets you coordinate with others

Google+ Huddle allows you to coordinate with family and friends in real-time. It's especially useful for trying to plan group events.

If you’re hot-to-trot for anything that will enhance your online life, keep an eye out for Google+. Get ready to enjoy a host of Google+ features that will make social networking more fun and convenient than ever before!

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