December 3, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Country club holidays, the name that changed our life and whole family entertainment dramatically. Country club holidays, was the name recommended to me by one of the country club holidays member and a dear friend of mine. My friend and his family understanding our situation recommended country club holidays which is a division of country club India. The problem our small family faced was basically too much choicebut no time to research. As I take care of our family business and my wife works as a social worker, we are almost tied up everyday till we meet in the evening. We had been trying to plan a perfect holiday from a long time when our friend who is a member of country club holidays helped us to know about country club India and its successful venture country club holidays. From him we came to know that country club India is the first of its kind in India, and the fact that country club India had its widest network of clubs all over India and the world. We knew that with country club India membership, we will avail the best offers in travel industry with country club holidays.
Country club India made us understand that country club holidays caters the best options for all its members who would like to explore India and beyond its borders. As we were looking for an option where we can find the nature at its best, Country Club Holidays spread before us a galore of options ranging from different states that had beautiful beaches to states that had wildlife sanctuaries and awesome mountain ranges. Country club holidays with country club India made fantastical dream into reality for us and the rest of country club members all over India.
Country club holidays made it possible for us to know the availability of the accommodation then and there when we wanted the information, as country club India made this option with real time information provider possible. We were more than happy to join country club holidays and country club india when we came to know that there was a choice between adventure holidays, wildlife discovery packages, spiritual holidays, etc… Those were packaged well designed for the normal crowd. The whole process through and after membership was a delightful experience as we were left with nothing much to do but for packing our bags for the much awaited holiday. And out experience with our whole family was a pleasant experience because of country club India and country club holidays. Country clubs resorts were well equipped with all the facilities we needed for the family fun and festivity.
December 1, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Virginia Beach family vacation is certainly not meant to be constrained to a dip in the sea and sunbathing on the shore. There is an element of excitement that reverberates in the very air you breathe; no, it’s not just the salty spray. In fact, when you’re done with the sand castle and shell collecting routine, the fun has just begun.
Take off to the First Landing State Park for an extended version of your Virginia Beach family vacation. Get re-acquainted with nature as you go hiking, biking, boating or simply strolling around its vast grounds. What would really get your kids all excited would be a visit to the Aquarium & Marine Science Center. You might not want to pet a sting ray or touch a shark, but don’t assume your kids feel the same. You’ll be amazed to see the world through the eyes of a crab. Talk about perspectives.
Let your Virginia Beach family vacation move on to Ocean Breeze Water Park for more fun of the splashing variety. NAUTICUS National Maritime Center would be of immense interest to kids, especially when they feast their eyes on a honest-to-goodness battleship, the USS Wisconsin. The towering presence of the Cape Henry Lighthouse is one for the camera; so go prepared. The view from here is astounding and so is the history behind this cast-iron structure. There’s more here to add to the thrill of a Virginia Beach family vacation.
Lend an aesthetic touch to your Virginia Beach family vacation. The Norfolk Botanical Garden can only be described as a sight for sore eyes with its abundance of azalea blooms, roses, and more in spring time. Keeping eternal vigil here are figures of such eminent personalities as Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Rubens and others of similar stature. While at Norfolk, consider a visit to the Chrysler Museum of Art to check out the fine collection of art works ranging from ancient to modern and everything in between. Here’s your chance on your Virginia Beach family vacation to introduce your children to the finest of paintings from Monet to Warhol under one roof.
Neighboring cities with plenty to offer a Virginia Beach family vacation are Hampton Roads with a wealth of war history, Chesapeake with its awesome Bay Bridge that takes over 20 minutes to cross, and Fairfax with its profusion of quaint restaurants. You might want to check out the exotic island of Chincoteague, famous for its oysters and clams, while you’re here on your Virginia Beach family vacation.
Learn more from www.best-family-beach-vacations.com.
November 28, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
As everyone is tightening their belts during the economic downturn, perhaps it’s wise to look at different ways to save money. When you really sit down to think, you quickly realize that there are many ways you can save money. You can save money on traveling, on clothes, on groceries, etc.
Make a list of all your expenses for each month. Which are the items that are necessary, and which are not? Obviously, those items that you don’t really need (well, you think you do, but you actually don’t) should be struck off your list first. Just stop spending on those items, and you will immediately see huge savings. Items like clothes, jewelry, accessories, electronic items, etc. Just put them in a separate list. You can always buy them later.
Then there are those items that you simply cannot do without. These are essential items that you need for daily living. For instance, even though it’s the economic crisis, you still need to eat. If you refer to your expense list again, you will most likely be surprised at the amount of money that you spend each month on food alone.
Imagine taking out your whole family for dinner. How much would that cost you? Well, that depends on where you dine right? If you dine at a fancy restaurant, you will most likely be out of several hundred bucks when the evening is over. Alternatively, you can eat at a small local dining restaurant. More down to earth and practical, but not as posh. But you do enjoy quite a bit of savings.
If you still want to save more money, how about cooking at home? Retailers are always conducting ongoing promotions to encourage sales. Just take a look at some of the freebies websites that have sprung up lately. Do you think they are really 100% freebies? My friend, there are no free lunches in this world.
Yes, you do get free vouchers for groceries, or even free dining vouchers. But that is just part of parcel of marketing. You will get the vouchers, but the restaurants and the retailers are hoping that you return and do more business with them. Sometimes, these free vouchers are sponsored by large corporations like banks or giant retailers. You get to receive sponsored items like free food vouchers for participating in a consumer survey or signing up for a trial offer. Of course, there is no obligation to buy anything. If it’s a trial offer, you can always cancel the order before the trial is over, and your credit card will not be charged again.
There are tons of similar offers on the Internet. They range from lobster gift cards to ordinary restaurant gift cards. Surely, the food freebies will help you save a huge chunk of money!
Grab more free offers like food samples
November 28, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
When we imagine where the best places for a LGBT family to live is, places like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles come immediately to mind. But what if those giant metropolises aren’t your cup of tea, and you prefer a smaller city to settle down in? While marriage laws still fight to be recognized in big and small cities alike, nothing has slowed down the proliferation of “gay families” across not only the U.S., but in Canada and Europe, too.
Here is list of smaller cities that have some wonderful things to offer the LGBT family and should not be overlooked if you are considering relocating and starting a family some time soon. These may not be the most obvious picks, and that’s why we wanted to bring them to your attention.
When doing research for our picks for the “top cities to live in for gay families,” we decided to include some of the lesser-known gay-friendly cities. The recipients of our list were chosen based on the following criteria:
An active gay community
Health care accessibility
Housing costs / cost of living
Educational opportunities
Recreational activities
Employment opportunities / economy
Here are our picks:
Atlanta, Georgia
This four-season city hosts a myriad of festivals throughout the year, is steeped in history, and offers families a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventure. A big draw for families is easy access to city greenspace. Centennial, Piedmont, Candler, Grant, and Chastain parks, just to name a few. And it’s a dog-friendly city; every village has a dog park. You’ll find a wide range of neighborhoods to choose from in “Hot-lanta,” both in the city and outside the perimeter (or OTP, as it’s called by the locals). Midtown, known as the heart of the arts, is home to The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Piedmont Park, The Woodruff Arts Center, and The Fox Theatre. Bungalows and skyscrapers, restaurants and churches, all share space in this very gay-friendly community. Atlanta was deemed “The Gayest City in America,” by The Advocate Magazine recently. In doing research across the nation’s cities, correspondent Mike Albo awarded points based on same-sex households per capita, statewide marriage equality, gay elected officials, and more.
Decatur is fast becoming the top pick for 30-somethings who are just starting a family. Besides offering a charming, small-town feel, the big draw to the city is quality schools. The city schools of Decatur are recognized as being in the top 10 in the entire nation.
Georgia: permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Adoption resources: The Giving Tree 720 Church St. Decatur GA 30030 404/633-3383
Georgia Mentor 2799
Lawrenceville Hwy Suite 205 Decatur, GA 30033 770/496-5500 fax 770/496-0101
Phoenix, Arizona
Located between two mountain ranges and boasting more than 300 days of sunshine, this city offers tons of recreational opportunities for families. Gay families make their homes throughout the valley, and as the city grows, more and more families are setting up camp in Tempe, Chandler, and Glendale, where a growing number of businesses are popping up to accommodate the expanding population. Affordable housing, outstanding healthcare, diverse cultural influence, top-notch medical care, and a vast array of activities make this a perfect place to raise a family. The community’s motto for this large, active gay community is “You’re welcome here anytime,” and the state motto, “Live and let live,” really say it all.
In case you and yours are planning to tie the knot, we found this great service to help you start planning your “Modern Union”: check out MRSTER.
Arizona: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Adoption resource: Aid to Adoption of Special Kids 2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix AZ 85006 602/254-2275
Bloomington, Indiana
According to the Bloomington C&VB, Bloomington is “home to the nation’s fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically.” You’ll find a diverse local population, a large University (home to the famous Dr. Kinsey and his Kinsey Research Institute) and lots of ethnic restaurants, art galleries and shops sprinkled throughout the city. Families can enjoy a variety of performances on the world-renowned IU School of Music campus, including theater, ballet, and opera.
Outdoor activities are in abundance in this city. Home to the state’s largest inland lake, Lake Monroe and the only national forest, you can go hiking, boating, fishing, or just spend the day at the park. Whatever your idea of outdoor fun involves, you’ll find it here.
Accolades and quotes about the city, that helped us choose it for our list, include: Bloomington was named number one “surprisingly gay small town destination” by Advocate.com and OutTraveler.com The Wall Street Journal ranked the Indiana University Kelley School of Business at number five in the nation on its list of favorite regional programs and number two on its list of public schools.
The verdict: “Whether you’re gay, straight or somewhere in between, Bloomington offers something rarely found in this country: a small town with a bold history of openness and acceptance.” Out Traveler Magazine.
Indiana: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Iowa City, Iowa
Big city amenities and small town hospitality give Iowa City the thumbs-up for one of our favorite cities to live in. A stroll through the downtown plaza and you’ll find a real sense of community and friendly commerce. You’ll find couples lounging in outdoor cafes on one corner, and the sounds of a local jazz band playing a catchy tune on the area’s outdoor mini stage on another. Tack on the fact that Iowa is a state that allows gay men and women to become foster parents and adopt, and it’s a home-run for couples looking for a place to settle down and raise a family. The legalization of same-sex marriages took effect last spring in the progressive state of Iowa, as well. The city is so progressive that there isn’t much of a gay infrastructure. It’s more of the “live and let live” mentality that resonates across the communities here.
The progressive state of Iowa has a long history of protecting equal rights. They repealed laws against interracial marriage, slavery and segregated schools long before the federal government. It’s also one of the few states that has a law protecting students from sexuality-based harassment. Some of the reasons residents tout the city as one of the best places to raise a family include: Low crime rate Excellent school system Affordable housing Diverse, stable economy
Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas. Children’s Home Society & Family Services (*see Minnesota listings for main office) 210 Second Street, SE, Suite 705, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 (319)363-4088 or (800)952-9302 ext 2488
Portland, Oregon
Portland is known for its abundance of parks, green spaces and proximity to natural wonders that include the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood.
Portland’s vibrant, diverse neighborhoods are home to all types of people, but it’s the cafs and markets, the art, parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries, that give the city its soul. Major performing arts institutions include the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, Portland Center Stage, and the Portland Opera. More than 75 other arts organizations offer theatre, music, dance, and folk art in Portland, helping Portland achieve its reputation as an arts destination for cultural tourists. In 2006, the city was named the 10th best Big City Arts Destination in the U.S by American Style magazine. Portland has had plenty of notable accolades. It was rated the Best Walking City and Best Bicycling City in America, and took the Number 1 spot for eco-friendly (green!) city in America in publications and was deemed the third “Least Wasteful City in America” by Nalgene Outdoor. Iowa city placed six in the quest for “fittest city in America” by Men’s Fitness. Not too shabby!
Oregon: Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Adoption resource: Open Adoption & Family Services 5200 SW Macadam Ave., Ste. 250 Portland OR 97239 (503)226-4870 or (800)772-1115 Para Espaol: 1(800)985-6763
November 26, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
If you’ve had a child or family member affected with Tay-Sachs disease, or if you and your partner are both known Tay-Sachs carriers, you may have wondered about the options available to help you have children free of this condition. Tay-Sachs disease is a inherited condition with onset in infancy which causes progressive neurological degeneration until death, usually by age three or four. Current, there is no treatment or cure. Tay-Sachs disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means that couples in which both members are Tay-Sachs carriers have a 25%, or 1 in 4, chance with each pregnancy to have a child who inherits two copies of the Tay-Sachs gene mutation – one from each parent – and will develop the disease. Tay-Sachs is more common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population with one in every 3600 babies being affected and one in every 30 individuals of this ethnic background being healthy carriers for this condition.
Couples may learn of their risk to have a child with Tay-Sachs because of:
Family History: A previous child or other family member was diagnosed with the disease.
Genetic Carrier Testing: Both members of the couple are found to carry mutations within the gene that causes the disease during routine genetic carrier testing.
When a couple wishing to be parents learns they are at increased risk to have a child with Tay-Sachs disease and they want to reduce the chances of passing this condition onto their children, the following options may be considered:
Natural conception with the 25% chance that the baby will have Tay-Sachs
Natural conception with the option of prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy to determine whether the fetus has the disease
Adoption
Use of a sperm or egg donor who is known to not be a Tay-Sachs carrier to prevent passing on the disorder
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to choose embryos without the disease for transfer to the mother’s uterus
Traditionally, couples at risk to have children with Tay-Sachs disease have either chosen to embark on a natural pregnancy with the 25% chance to have a child with the condition or have decided to adopt. Another option, available since the 1980s, includes undergoing prenatal diagnosis during each pregnancy to confirm that the fetus does not have Tay-Sachs disease. However, if the fetus is found to be affected, nothing can be done to treat the condition and the couple may be faced with difficult decisions during pregnancy. Some couples prefer to explore other family planning options rather than take this chance. For some couples, using either a sperm or egg donor who is confirmed to be a non-carrier is an effective way to have a child without Tay-Sachs disease. For couples searching for other ways to have their own biological children, a testing method called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) may be a good choice.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, or PGD and Tay-Sachs
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, or PGD, is a specialized laboratory test used during in vitro fertilization (IVF). PGD allows people who are affected with or who are carriers of a specific inherited disorder the chance of having children free of that particular condition. PGD has been used since the mid-1990s by couples who are at known risk for having children with Tay-Sachs disease.
PGD is always done in conjunction with IVF – a procedure in which the woman’s eggs are stimulated to develop, then removed and fertilized by the man’s sperm outside the body. When the embryos reach a certain size, one or more cells are removed from each embryo and tested in a PGD lab for the mutation(s) present in the family. Once the gene mutation status of each embryo is determined, the parents and their IVF doctor then decide which embryos they wish to transfer to the woman’s uterus.
PGD has been used by couples at risk to pass on specific genetic diseases for almost 20 years. There are a number of PGD laboratories nationwide that currently offer testing for many different single gene disorders, including Tay-Sachs. Most PGD labs can also develop ‘custom’ PGD tests for families with rare genetic conditions or mutations.
Recently, newer PGD methods have allowed testing for chromosome abnormalities – missing or extra chromosomes that would either cause miscarriage or the birth of a baby with a chromosome syndrome such as Down syndrome – at the same time as testing for a single gene disorder such as Tay-Sachs disease. When couples transfer embryos with normal chromosome results on PGD, the implantation rates may be higher and the miscarriage rates may be lower than with traditional PGD methods that test only for the single gene disorder without evaluating the chromosome number at the same time.